Improvement Era, 1937 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion

Melchisedek Priesthood

CONDUCTED BY THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE-EDITED BY JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH

HONESTY

THE thirteenth Article of Faith declares that the Latter-day Saints believe in being honest. Without this virtue there is no salvation in the kingdom of God, for those who enter there must be cleansed from all iniquity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Lord has said, is "the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the Church collectively and not individually."

It would have been a glorious thing if the Lord could have said when this revelation was given that he was pleased with the Church individually. He could not say it at that early day; he cannot say it now. Today it must be said that while the Lord may be pleased with the Church collectively, He certainly is not pleased with many of its members, for there are many who have professed His name who do not walk in the ways of righteousness. Therefore we may declare today with earnest proclamation the words of Isaiah spoken to ancient Israel:

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isa. 33:14-16.)

Today the whole world is in the slough of wickedness. Bitterness and hate have entered the hearts of the mighty; their hearts are failing them and fear has overtaken them. Surely the word of the Lord is true: "the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now." In our own fair land, said by the Lord to be choice above all other lands, dissatisfaction, distress, and turmoil reign. Strikes have for many months crippled industry. Capital and labor are at cross purposes. Property is being wantonly and maliciously destroyed. Force is being used to accomplish selfish ends. Legislation is advocated to help to reach such ends. Discontent and hatred are born of such conditions and no man knows where the end will be.

In the midst of all this turmoil and destruction the Latter-day Saints should dwell in peace and safety. This they may do if they will be honest with themselves, with their fellowmen and with their God. Theodore Roosevelt once said: "On behalf of our people, on behalf no less of the honest man of means than of the honest man who earns each day's livelihood by that day's sweat of his brow, it is necessary to insist upon honesty in business and politics alike, in all walks of life, in big things and in little things; upon just and fair dealing as between man and man.

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