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
By misquotation we hear it said that money is the root of all evil; but
the Scriptures say not so. The inspired declaration reads: "For the
love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Tim. 6:10.) As soon as one
sets his heart on money he becomes unbalanced in mind and spirit; his
vision and perspective are disturbed.
In view of the prevailing conditions of social unrest, of protest
against existing systems whereby the distribution of wealth is becoming
more and more disproportionate, the consequent dissatisfaction with
governments, and the half-smothered fires of anarchy discernible in
almost every nation, we find comfort in the God-given promise of
a better plan--a plan that provides without force or violence to
establish a rational equality, to take the weapons of despotism
from the oppressor, to banish poverty, and to give to every man the
opportunity to live, labor, and rejoice in the field or sphere to which
he is adapted. From the tyranny of misused wealth, as from every other
form of oppression, the truth will make men free. To deserve real
freedom, and to enjoy the blessings thereof to the full, mankind must
subdue selfishness, which is the potent enemy of godliness.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been put under
training in the practise of altruistic living, in liberality, and
in the overcoming of selfishness, by the Lord's requirement of the
tithe and other free-will offerings and efforts. We regard the tithe
system, however, as but a step in the course of advancement toward the
consecration of all our possessions, time, talents and ability, to the
service of God.
Within a few months after the organization of the Church the voice
of the Lord was heard in the matter, foreshadowing a development yet
future, in preparation for which the tithing system was established.
The day is coming when none amongst us shall speak of mine and thine,
but all we have shall be accounted ours and the Lord's.
In this confident expectation we indulge no vague dreams of communism,
fostering individual irresponsibility, and giving the idler an excuse
for hoping to live at the expense of the thrifty; but in the assurance
that every man shall be a steward of the property entrusted to his
care, with the certainty of being required to give a full account of
his stewardship. The varied and graded vocations will still exist;
there will be laborers whose qualifications are for physical toil,
managers who have proved their ability to lead and direct, some who can
best serve with the pen, others with the plow; there will be engineers
and mechanics, artizans and artists, farmers and scholars, teachers
and authors--each laboring so far as practicable in the sphere of his
choice but each required to work, and to work where and how he can be
of the greatest service. Equal rights are to be insured, for thus the
Lord hath spoken:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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