Summary: This is part 2 of one of the more amazing and powerful talks I've ever heard. In Part 2, Thomas S. Monson, the next great Prophet of God, deals with the horrible problem of drug and alcohol abuse. Thomas S. Monson said: "Drugs and alcohol cloud thinking, remove inhibitions, fracture families, shatter dreams, and shorten life. They are everywhere to be found and are placed purposely in the pathway of vulnerable youth." I have struggled greatly with the reason why The First Presidency and Apostles of God, have decided to allow alcohol to flow and be sold in The Church of Jesus Christ's new malls, in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. At least they agreed to be closed on Sunday, in order to "keep the Sabbath day holy." It is extremely troubling to me and after much anguish and soul searching, I cannot find the answer. Even my Bishop could not explain it to me and told me not to worry about it. However, with what Thomas Monson just said, about alcohol and how it "clouds thinking, removes inhibitions, fractures families, shatters dreams, and shortens life"; one has to ask why these inspired men of God, would allow it to be served in their malls, which are really the Lord's malls now. Jesus must be very disappointed with this decision by his current Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley and I hope that there will be some type of supernatural intervention, since we are promised that they will not and cannot, ever lead us astray. To recap, Thomas S. Monson said, in referring to alcohol and drugs: "They are everywhere to be found and are placed purposely in the pathway of vulnerable youth." So, I ask; why would Thomas S. Monson and Gordon B. Hinckley, want to be a part of the "alcohol is everywhere" worldly ways of Satan? It just doesn't make sense! Are they not, through their actions, "purposely placing alcohol in the pathway of vulnerable youth?" Is that not what Satan does, according to Thomas S. Monson? He says that it is "purposely placed" meaning that Satan is doing it, right? Now they are doing it too, just like Satan? I just can't stop asking why and it truly torments my soul to the very core. I asked a best friend about this the other day and he explained it this way: "There is opposition in all things and the church is just placing opposition in people's paths, so that they can overcome the temptation and prove their love for God." He also said: "Our leaders can never lead us astray and so the decision to allow alcohol to be served, in the church's malls, came directly from Jesus Christ to Gordon B. Hinckley, through direct and inspired revelation. We are taught to follow the Prophets and Apostles and support them in all things, at all times and if we don't support the church's malls serving alcohol; then we don't belong in the church and we should be excommunicated for our rebellion or resign immediately." But, excommunication for what? For upholding a value and belief, that I was taught since birth and even in the April 2006 General Conference, by Prophets, Apostles and my parents, that alcohol is evil and destroys families and individuals? For holding God's Prophets, Seers and Revelators, to the same standards that I'm supposed to keep? Now, I'm supposed to just turn a blind eye? Can anyone explain this to me and help me out here? I just don't know how we can believe and teach one thing as a church and members and then go out and do the exact opposite. Isn't that hypocrisy? Sadly, I'm beginning to think the only reason they did it was for money, but I hope that's not the answer. I'll say the same thing to the church, that I say to the Marriotts: If you can't maintain your standards in the businesses you own and can't be "in the world, but not off the world", practicing what you preach, then you should sell the businesses and get out immediately and not sell your soul to the devil. This talk was originally given in the April 2006 General Conference.
