The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTalmage, James E. (James Edward)
Religion
The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Talmage, James E. (James Edward)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saints
A good test of a man's religion is its utility. Religious profession
used as a cloak--and that too often reserved for Sunday wear, hiding
in part the shabby rags of sin--is but sacrilege. In any attempt to
analyze a religious system or creed it is pertinent to examine the
results of its operation in the lives of its adherents. This is as
simple and fair as to judge a tree by the quality of its substance and
fruit. Altruism is an essential ingredient of a religion that is worth
while.
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom
he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who
loveth God love his brother also." (1 John 4:20, 21).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites attention
to its work of unselfish, practical, unremitting benevolence. In
missionary service the Church has been active since the date of its
organization; and this systematic labor, because of its extent and
unique methods, has attracted attention and stimulated comment in
practically all nations of the earth. Actuated by a genuine love for
humanity and the desire to obey the Divine command respecting such,
the Church sends out every year hundreds of missionaries to proclaim
its message to the world. These devoted servants comprise men and
women called from all vocations, who serve without salary or any other
form of material remuneration. Furthermore, they pay their own way in
traveling to their appointed fields of labor and while serving therein,
except so far as they may receive assistance from those who become
interested in their work.
A desire common to young Latter-day Saints is to so live that they
shall be found worthy to be called into service to spend a period of
years, generally from two to four, as traveling ministers of the Gospel
of Christ. They offer their message without money or price, carrying
it to the doors in city and country, distributing literature, inviting
conversation, but never forcing themselves upon unwilling hearers.
Who can consistently affirm that such faithful servants as these are
insincere or devoid of that love for fellow-men without which genuine
love of God is impossible?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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