I think a lot about different facets of online discourse. I have many q's, and thankfully the gospel has a lot to say about them.

I stumbled onto a talk by Pres Oaks from 1989 called "Alternate Voices." It should play a part informing this discussion.

#DezNat

(I'd be fascinated to know the impetus behind giving this talk in conference. No doubt Pres Oaks was speaking from specific experience.)

There are a lot of different voices out there. And being an alternative voice (meaning, alternative to the Good Shepherd and His servants) isn't necessarily a bad thing!

In fact, it can be good!

But... it's real easy to go wrong, and some are intentionally leading others away.

Still - this is *part of the plan*. That really hit me, reading through this talk. There *must* be opposition in all things, including in the voices we hear and can choose to heed.

Related to this idea of opposition, the Church doesn't seek to isolate members from these voices, or even to drown them out, and nor should *we*.

We should be part of the effort to "teach correct principles" and allow others to choose.

Absent this, the plan falls apart.

We all make decisions about what and who we want to be involved with. This is a question lots of folks have asked about #DezNat as they see different approaches people take.

Pres Oaks has thoughts about that, too.

Unsurprisingly, it takes some reason and a bit of revelation.

And what kind of alternative voice should I be?

Not a contentious voice, or a reviling one. Not one that speaks with wrath or strife, or even debates in search of compromise (the gospel does not compromise).

A mild and meek voice that helps outline error.

A side note - Pres Oaks mentions we can deceive in "purpose or effect," meaning that even with good intentions we may harm others. That's worth thinking on carefully.

He adds later, "When attacked by error, truth is better served by silence than by a bad argument."

Another side note - priesthood leaders need to be careful about how they enter into disputations.

When every bishop or stake president can have a Twitter account (and many do), wading in semi-officially is inappropriate.

One more side note - hoo boy does Pres Oaks have thoughts about scholarship.

In spiritual matters, Pres Oaks says, scholarship is insufficient. It is a means to an end, and "what the world needs is not more scholarship and technology but more righteousness and revelation."

Anyway, it's a great talk. Check it out and prayerfully consider what kind of "alternate voice" you want to be.

#DezNat https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/alternate-voices?lang=eng