Show THE JUDGMENT SEAT WHEN the restored gospel otherwise called I 1 mormonism Mormon ismy 1 becomes the subject of careful study in place of being the object of unthinking denunciation it will be foundton found to contain principles of the highest phi philosophy lo sophy its ite founder in the hands of god laid down many maxims the practical application of which would tend to elevate the world from its present degenerate state one of the aphorisms which the prophet joseph smith propounded was he only is competent to sit in judgment upon another who is himself innocent let it apply in this community with that universality that it will yet obtain and zion would soon become a shining light the brilliancy of which would begin to be seen and appreciated by the nations afar this axiomatic statement has not only an irresistible force in reference to those who sit upon the judgment seat but as well upon those who lift their hands in token of ratification fi of the decree of the tribunal which has passed upon the case of an accused person it has more potency however upon the former following up the philosophy of the prophet no man who holds an office which requires him to pass upon the misdeeds of others and who has himself been guilty of the aggravated offenses upon which he sits in judgment is qualified for the position the exception to the rule would be where he had properly purged himself from the position of an offender of the law by compliance with the conditions upon which purgation is effected otherwise the deposition of such a person from judicial station is a necessity for the effecting preservation and perpetuation of the consistency of the judgment seat further it to is the inevitable result to be achieved if such is not the situation otherwise the ecclesiastical body would be perpetually schismatic the presence in church tribunals of officials to is not only injurious to the body religious but Is detrimental in the highest degree to such persons themselves every time they participate in an enforcement of the law of the lord upon others they are heaping up an ordeal of the future that win will appal them when compelled to face it neither can they denounce wrong without being tormented by the terrible boomerang of self denunez 14 tion As with the J judicial udilla authority so with the members of the body though in a lesser degree when they lift their hands in token of approval of a judgment upon a brother or sister for an onse offense of which they themselves are guilty they pronounce upon themselves a humanly invisible decree decre but of which the angels make due note the philosophy regarding the necessity for the purity of the passer of judgment so forcibly elucidated by joseph the prophet was also embodied in the challenge of the savior let hir him who is without sin among you cast the first stone 1 this covers the whole ground in its application to the judge executive and endorser |