From Deseret News archives:

LDS urged to reject moral relativism

Be sensitive to ethical questions, professor says

Published: Saturday, March 3, 2007 12:15 a.m. MST
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At some point, truth became "a matter of taste, and morality was replaced by individual preference," as ethical relativism taught that any moral system was too shallow to provide answers in every situation.

Morality and integrity can't be severed from religion, he said, and integrity "can't be restored by ignoring the fact that some things are right and others are wrong," even if special interest groups promoting abortion and homosexuality provide persuasive arguments to the contrary.

"Just as there are no atheists in foxholes, there are no relativists who expect to be treated relatively," he said, adding that civil society is based on the premise that right and wrong not only exist, but that justice will enforce them.

In a relativistic world, God's prophets become "social revolutionaries" in seeking to establish a counter-culture "apart from what society as a whole is following," he said. "Their principle duty is not to condemn, but to bless, and to protect people from harm" by confirming that moral law — and a responsibility to adhere to it — despite arguments to the contrary.

Latter-day Saints can embrace the efforts of other faith groups whose conviction to truth and moral principle reinforces their own beliefs. Millet said he has been inspired by the Rev. Billy Graham and his effort to spread truth worldwide.

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"There is a crying need for people of substance to stand up and be counted. Maybe above all that might be said of us, it would be a marvelous thing to be known as a person of integrity."


E-mail: carrie@desnews.com

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