Lynn Robbins gave a phenomenal talk at BYU on 22 August, 2017 called “Be 100 Percent Responsible.” Absolutely fantastic. If you have the time, I would suggest reading it. If you don’t have the time, I would suggest making the time to read it.
As I’ve said, excellent article.
Ever since reading “Be 100 Percent Responsible,” I’ve been pondering what he calls the “Anti-Responsible List.” It’s a very thorough list. Moreover, it feels quite like an excellent guide for a revealing self-evaluation exercise. As I worked my way down the list, I was absolutely shocked at how many “anti-responsible” practices I’ve engaged in in the past or even presently, how many I still embrace and practice.
His article skillfully noted how Satan divides the “doctrinal pairs of agency and responsibility, mercy and justice, and faith and works.” 1
The separation of such pairs, said Robbins, is one of Satan’s best toolbox gadgets, as it hampers the growth of light.
The bulk of Robbins’ talk focused on the Satanic division of agency from responsibility, a principle he reminded us was taught and promulgated here in ancient America by Korihor. Robbins declared, “Agency without responsibility is one of the foremost anti-Christ doctrines – very cunning in its nature and very destructive in its results.” 2
Robbins presented the following “anti-responsible” list to help us avoid “anti-Christ doctrine” that is so “cunning and destructive.” 3
Here’s his list (all credit to him, as it is quoted directly):
- Blaming others: Saul disobediently took of the spoils of war from the Amalekites; then, when confronted by Samuel, he blamed the people (see 1 Samuel 15:21).
- Rationalizing or justifying: Saul then rationalized or justified his disobedience, stating that the saved livestock was for “sacrifice unto the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:21, 22).
- Making excuses: Excuses come in a thousand varieties, such as this one from Laman and Lemuel: “How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?” (1 Nephi 3:31).
- Minimalizing or trivializing sin: This is exactly what Nehor advocated (see Alma 1:3-4).
- Hiding: This is a common avoidance technique. It is a tactic Satan used with Adam and Eve after they partook of the forbidden fruit (see Moses 4:14).
- Covering up: Closely associated with hiding is covering up, which David attempted to do to conceal his affair with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 12: 9, 12).
- Fleeing from responsibility: This is something Jonah tried to do (see Jonah 1:3)
- Abandoning responsibility: Similar to fleeing is abandoning responsibility. One example is when Corianton forsook his ministry in pursuit of the harlot Isabel (see Alma 39:3).
- Denying or lying: “And Saul said…I have performed the commandment of the Lord. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears…?” (1 Samuel 15: 13-14).
- Rebelling: Samuel then rebuked Saul “for rebellion.” Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23).
- Complaining and murmuring: One who rebels also complains and murmurs: “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and…said…Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt!” (Numbers 14:2)
- Finding fault and getting angry: These two are closely associated, as described by Nephi: “And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also with my father; and also was Lemuel” (1 Nephi 3:28)
- 13. Making demands and entitlements: “We will not that our younger brother shall be a ruler over us. And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness” (1 Nephi 18:10–11).
- 14. Doubting, losing hope, giving up, and quitting: “Our brother is a fool. . . . For they did not believe that I could build a ship” (1 Nephi 17:17–18).
- Indulging in self-pity and a victim mentality: “Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy” (1 Nephi 17:21).
- Being indecisive or being in a spiritual stupor: The irony with indecision is that if you don’t make a decision in time, time will make a decision for you.
- Procrastinating: A twin of indecision is procrastination. “But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late” (Helaman 13:38).
- Allowing fear to rule: This one is also related to hiding: “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth. . . . His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant” (Matthew 25:25–26).
- Enabling: An example of enabling or helping others to avoid responsibility is the instance when Eli failed to discipline his sons for their grievous sins and was rebuked by the Lord: “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and . . . honourest thy sons above me . . . ? (1 Samuel 2:29; see also verses 22–36). 4
Robbins acknowledged the “extremely dangerous” nature of this list. 5
I was so grateful to recently have read this talk and grasp anew these dangers. After reading them and realizing I needed to get serious about drastically downsizing this list, I remembered Alma’s words that it is possible for God to [change our] hearts…and [awaken us] out of a deep sleep, an awakening that in fact awakes us [unto God].” 6
The people of Alma, the prophet, were in bondage to the Lamanites and were miraculously delivered. In their spiritually saved condition, the record says of them that “their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love…” 7
Beautiful to God indeed are expanding souls, ones that cannot be stopped from singing the soothing tunes of redeeming love, and mortals that do not fall for Satan’s deceit in the separation of agency from responsibility.
To that end, I’m working on being more responsible, and for starters, I’m beginning with this “anti-responsibility” list.
Unto all the world: Wanna join?
References:
- Robbins, L., “100 Percent Responsible,” 22 August, 2017
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Alma 5:7
- Alma 5:9