General Conference Discussion- D. Todd Christofferson

This week we will discuss Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s talk, “Moral Discipline,” I don’t know if you saw this recent devotional by Elder Oaks, but I’ve been thinking a lot about how our society honors wickedness and belittles efforts for righteousness. Morality is the new minority, but Elder Christofferson gives us a call to battle.

“Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard.”

“Societies will struggle in vain to establish the common good until sin is denounced as sin…”

“Moral discipline is learned at home.”

“At a minimum, moral discipline will be of immense help to us as we deal with whatever stresses and challenges may come in a disintegrating society.”

PART ONE: STUDY THE TALK.

Elder Christofferson’s talk was delivered during the Sunday afternoon session of conference. You can read it here, or watch it here or listen to it here.

PART TWO: COME BACK HERE AND JOIN IN ON THE DISCUSSION OF ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. The discussion will be open throughout the week.

1. He tells a story about President James E. Faust's courage to denounce sin as sin when he was interviewing for a military promotion. Do you have any experiences to share where you, like President Faust, had the chance to speak out for truth even when it was difficult? What blessings came from it?
2. In the talk we studied last week, Elder Bednar encouraged us to make our choices more consistent with what we know, and Elder Christofferson now encourages us to do the same. It seems that the necessary element to get from knowing to doing is simply "discipline." What are ways that we can draw upon or even find the discipline we need to do what we know is right?
3. How can we help our children to understand this principle of moral discipline? Elder Christofferson says it is "learned at home," and it may be the only place it is learned. Our own example is imperative, but what are other ideas for helping children to understand the importance of "choosing the right because it is right, even when it is hard"?