At the April 1971 general conference, President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of the loss of faith and disobedience of youth, adding that perhaps some of the blame for their frustrations can be laid at the feet of parents who gave examples of disobedience to both government and God's laws.
President Kimball, then acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, said that some blame for the frustrations of youth can be attached to the voices from lecture platforms, editorial rooms, or broadcasting stands, and even from the pulpit."Such voices may have to answer for their perpetuating falsehood and their failure to give true leadership in combating evil. . . . as with the people, so with the priest. . . . ' (Isa. 24:2.) The term priest is here used to denote all religious leaders of any faith. Isaiah said:The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.' (Isa. 24:5.)
"From among the discordant voices we are shocked at those of many priests who encourage the defilement of men and wink at the eroding trends and who deny the omniscience of God. Certainly these men should be holding firm, yet some yield to popular clamor."
President Kimball read excerpts from news media reports. One stated that many religious leaders were reluctant to make a stand against the use of marijuana; another quoted religious leaders as saying that precise rules of Christian conduct should not necessarily apply to problems of sexuality. One report quoted a minister who proposed that his church drop the label of fornication when an engaged man and woman sleep together. Yet another minister advocated that churches drop strictures against homosexuality.
Such religious leaders, President Kimball said, "have developed `situation ethics,' which seem to cover all sins."
"In contrast hear the strong voice of a prophet. Peter prophesied: `But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them . . . And many shall follow their pernicious ways. . . .' " (2 Pet. 2:1-2.)
President Kimball called to mind the words of Alexander Pope:
" `Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
" `As to be hated needs but to be seen;
" `Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
" `We first endure, then pity, then embrace.' " ("Essay on Man," Epistle II, line 135.)
President Kimball said: "When parents are indiscriminate in their sex behavior and when writers, authors, religious leaders, and others condone such transgression, how can we save from the darkness the bewildered, frustrated youth searching for an example, a hitching post, and something right in which to believe - a safe harbor.
" `The group that tolerates sexual anarchy is endangering its very survival,' says sociologist Sorokin."