“These Foolish Things” | Michael A. Dunn | March 2025
Mar 5, 2025
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Michael A. Dunn, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares profound insights on the concept of being 'fools for Christ.' He humorously encourages embracing one's own foolishness to pursue seemingly impossible dreams. Reflecting on Don Quixote, Dunn highlights the beauty of idealism against societal skepticism. He draws inspiration from the journeys of trailblazers like Martha Hughes Cannon and Steve Young, emphasizing unwavering faith amid doubt and the importance of prioritizing meaningful pursuits over superficial distractions.
Embracing an idealistic perspective, like Don Quixote's, encourages individuals to pursue noble aspirations beyond societal distractions and norms.
Stories of pioneers like Martha Hughes Cannon and Steve Young illustrate that remarkable achievements often stem from faith and ambition against adversity.
Deep dives
The Power of Perspective
Embracing an idealistic viewpoint, as exemplified by the character Don Quixote, reveals the significance of focusing on higher goals beyond societal norms. Quixote, often seen as foolish, represents a quest for goodness and virtue, challenging listeners to redefine what it means to pursue noble ideals. In a world overwhelmed by everyday challenges like academics and relationships, maintaining this focus allows individuals to engage in meaningful pursuits, rather than becoming consumed by trivial distractions. This message resonates with President Nelson's teachings on prioritizing joy and purpose, urging people to view life’s challenges through a lens of possibility and potential.
Pioneering Spirits and Their Quests
The podcast highlights stories of pioneers like Martha Hughes Cannon and Steve Young, who defied the odds through determination and faith. Cannon, the first female state senator in the U.S., transformed societal expectations for women in politics, demonstrating how visionary leadership can impact history. Similarly, Young’s journey from an uncertain quarterback to a Super Bowl champion illustrates the power of relentless pursuit against adversity. Both figures embody the message that remarkable achievements often stem from aspirations deemed impossible, emphasizing the importance of faith and ambition in achieving one’s dreams.
Transformative Faith and Courage
The narrative emphasizes that the pursuit of faith requires embracing what may seem foolish to the world, paralleling Jesus Christ's radical teachings and Joseph Smith's revelations. The task of spreading the gospel, viewed as audacious, aligns with the call to remain steadfast in the face of skepticism. The speaker urges listeners to cultivate a courageous spirit that acknowledges the potential of transforming iron into gold, symbolizing the power of faith to effect real change. Encouraging a commitment to righteous dreams, individuals are reminded that genuine transformation often arises through trusting in divine possibilities, beyond conventional wisdom.
Faith in Christ and miracles may seem foolish, but being “fools for Christ” shows that the impossible becomes possible through His Atonement. Michael A. Dunn, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this devotional address on March 4, 2025. You can access the talk here.