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Show !. t , - , 1 i I . .3 i :, egmrcaoN-,,,,or'EDITORIAL 1 :SA .000MmomMEN.In gl11MNIONOOMPOW r , .1., PAGE - GOM.., ; il , , Tpachingli e Truth , .. -- 1 : Our presiding I 1 brethren have often told us that our pulpits and classrooms are strictly for teaching gospel truths. They are not to be used as public forums in which anyone is free to proclaim his private views on gospel or other topics. Our sole object both in preaching from the pulpit and in holding classroom discussions is to convert people to the gospel of Christ. teachers. (Matt. 24) He denounced the teachings of the Pharisees (Luke 11) and docsaid that worship through man-mad- e trines is in vain. (Matt. 15) He also said this: "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." (Luke 17:2.) It was the Lord who said: "And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom." (D&C 88:77.) PRESIDENT JOSEPH Fielding Smith said, "If I ever say anything which is contrary to the scriptures, then the scriptures prevail." It is a tendency of some individuals to expound unsound views in class discussions. This is most unfortunate. Class members who speak must know that they have the like the class instructor of the and truth teaching responsibility but truth. the nothing Conversion to the gospel is our great objective in teaching and preaching. But this can never be accomplished by the use or that which is questionable, of half-trutspeculative or apocryphal. "Teach the truth", must be our constant cry. This emphasizes more than ever the need for members of the Church to be in the gospel as it is set forth in sacred scripture. THE ONLY DOCTRINE of the kingdom is the gospel of Christ. Again the Lord said: "And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the, principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel." (D&C 42:12). At the time this command was given (Feb. 9, 1831) our other modern scriptures were not yet compiled. To teach false doctrine is to lead people astray. We should never forget what the Lord said about teachers of unsound doctrine. He warned against false prophets and false of Chric't. The gospel is light. It does dispel darkness. It truly is a radiant beacon showing us the way to go in these forbidding times. Saint himself is a But each Latter-da- y own his for of righteous living by ray light, he too becomes a beacon to his fellow men. BUT AS ELDER Neal A. Maxwell, Assistant to the Twelve, has so effectively said, "This matter of being a light is even more important in dark times," and certainly we are living in a dark day of wickedness. "Hence," said Elder Maxwell, "in these darkest hours, we must keep our individual lights shining. The moment of greatest danger is when there is so little light that darkness seems normal. Church members can be models of morality, a glow of goodness like a perpetual midnight sun." As he emphasized the need to keep our lights bright by our constant faithfulness to the Lord, he added: "We must remember, however, that it is not necessary, either, that Satan extinguish our light, if he can simply keep it dim." .' , ,p s4 , - - - . , ' .' ' l:i - gW. ? ' 1 ! 'ill 1 ,, ' el re , : , .. . - , ,ii,,, 41.,. '71 . ? '' r:1; , t., - ' , f ,,''''' - , A r ' 611 !1'' ,!,,,,6.4,1 , ,. - I ?.A If ,p , - , ,.1 pr4, . V '' , N .N: ,. ..,' s. ., , ,,,,,N t , - -- IT'7"77',79., ' ?,5 44atc:, ,, . -- i4 .,, - 3,,:i1 It '144k4k. t.1)1111.ttoyikk, .j 4, 1,4 , , i c, - :, .. -- , , - ,-- i , - telP c-- t7 "1 N1 ., , ', 2.1 : 4 ' ''',::' '1 :9' .9 t',.:,'.4.,,.:s ., 1 HISTORICAL VIGNMES hs well-ground- ed uiding Light THE WAYS OF worldliness, even though they are increasingly evil, seem more and more to be the normal pattern of life, the acceptable things to do. It is no wonder that the gospel seems like a bright ray of light amidst the darkness. And so it must ever be to the true followers 4 P ,, And how does he dim our lights? By d effort in persuading us to mere keeping the commandments; by salving our consciences by telling us that we can sin a little here and a little there and still be half-hearte- saved. WHEN WE STAY away from our meetings we dim our light. When we withhold our tithes and offerings, we dim our light. When we break the Word of Wisdom, when we profane, when we are dishonest, we dim our light. And when we submit to immorality, we come near to extinguishing it. The Light of Christ is given to us freely if we will accept it, but when we turn our backs upon it, we are left in darkness indeed! How vital are the words of the Prophet Mormon: "But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do Ifs angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him." (Moroni 7:17.) And then we read in Mosiah: "If my people shall sew filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind." (Mosiah 7 :30.) Presidents & Mormons While the Church has always viewed the Constitution United States as inspired, that same faith has not generally extended to government officials. The early Church learned from bitter experience that they could not expect justice at the hands of politicians unwilling to challenge public opinion. In 1839 President Martin Van Buren, after hearing from Joseph Smith and associates of the saints' expulsion from Missouri, told them: "Gentlemen, your cause is just but I can do nothing for you" without losing the vote of Missouri. In 1850 Millard Fillmore demonstrated his fairness by naming Brigham Young governor of Utah territory, and grateful Mormons named their proposed capital Fillmore, Millard County. However, within a few years another president, James Buchanan, ordered the U.S. army to subdue a supposed Mormon rebellion. Even Abraham Lincoln with his "leave them alone" policy suggested distrust and offended Brigham Young and the Church by ordering troops stationed in Utah. During the rest of the century. Republican administrations opposed the Church and plural marriage, although brief Democratic interludes with Graver Cleveland brought some relief. After these experiences, Mormons especially ape preciated a president who was willing to support them in their rights. For the Church the early years of the Vat Century were critical ones: plural marriage had ended hut the nation had not accepted the change as permanent or sincere, and many did not accept Mormons as loyal citizens qualified to hold office. The national press vilified the Church in a bitter r debate over seating Mormon apostle Reed Smoot, elected senator from Utah. Expressing coatidenee in Elder Smoot's integrity and ability, President Theodore Roosevelt sided with his fellow Republican and appointed the foremost congressional Mormon-baite- r to a permanent judgeship in Ohio, which removed him from the investigating committee. of the two-yea- - reported thai President Roosevelt said he "admired the Mormon people and had so stated on many occasions. He stated that no people in America responded to his ideas of the family, of higher Ronald citizenship, than did the Mormon people. Sen. Smoot K. Esplin. - (Part at a series lammed by the Church Historkat Department.) - - - I |
