Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. SmithSmith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding)
Religion
Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith
Smith, Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding)
Latter Day Saint churches
The first and highest standard of correct living is to be found in
that individual responsibility which keeps men good for the truth's
sake. It is not difficult for men who are true to themselves to be
true to others. Men who honor God in their private lives do not need
the restraint of public opinion which may not only be indifferent but
positively wrong. It is by the individual responsibilities which men
feel that they are able to place themselves on the right side of all
public questions. Those who neglect the inner life are dependent upon
public guidance which leads them into all sorts of inconsistencies.
To walk safely and steadfastly without leaning upon the arm of flesh
is the individual duty of every Latter-day Saint. Such a duty becomes
a responsibility which men owe to themselves and to their God. The
Saints should study their responsibilities, both public and individual,
and find out, if they can, just what they are.--_Juvenile Instructor,_
December, 1909, Vol. 44, p. 519.
CONQUER OURSELVES FIRST. I feel very grateful for the excellent peace
and spirit which has pervaded all our meetings. It is true we are all
engaged in a warfare, and all of us should be valiant warriors in the
cause in which we are engaged. Our first enemy we will find within
ourselves. It is a good thing to overcome that enemy first and bring
ourselves into subjection to the will of the Father, and into strict
obedience to the principles of life and salvation which he has given
to the world for the salvation of men. When we shall have conquered
ourselves, it will be well for us to wage our war without, against
false teachings, {318} false doctrines, false customs, habits and
ways, against error, unbelief, the follies of the world that are so
prevalent, and against infidelity, and false science, under the name of
science, and every other thing that strikes at the foundations of the
principles set forth in the doctrine of Christ for the redemption of
men and the salvation of their souls.--_Oct. C. R.,_ 1914, p. 128.
LET US CONQUER OURSELVES. Let us conquer ourselves, and then go to
and conquer all the evil that we see around us, as far as we possibly
can. And we will do it without using violence; we will do it without
interfering with the agency of men or of women. We will do it by
persuasion, by long-suffering, by patience, and by forgiveness and love
unfeigned, by which we will win the hearts, the affections and the
souls of the children of men to the truth as God has revealed it to us.
We will never have peace, nor justice, nor truth, until we look to the
only true fountain for it, and receive from the fountainhead.--_Oct. C.
R.,_ 1906, p. 129.
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