It is the truth that makes men free, free from ignorance, free to choose the right. It is the truth—the knowledge of things as they were, as they are and as they will be which gives to men vision, understanding and wisdom. It is reasonable that more should be expected of those who have the truth. Can a man who has testimony of the truth lie a little, steal a little, or malign his neighbor with impunity? Who sets the standard for a religious man? Is it the community in which he lives, the customs which have become prevalent? No. His standards are set in the revelations of God. Through his faith he hears the commandments of the Lord declared from Sinai resounding down through the ages: “Thou shalt not steal.” “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” He knows that these injunctions are unequivocal and eternal. He knows that they are the foundation of virtue and he knows that they are essential to the eternal welfare of the race. Of course, more is expected of the religious man.

Source: Elder Stephen L. Richards
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Virtue

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. . .

I turn with the warm ardor of a friend to those who have nobly stood, and are yet determined to stand the matter out: I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. Say not that thousands are gone, turn out your tens of thousands; throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but “show your faith by your works,” that God may bless you. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessing will reach you all. The far and the near, the home counties and the back, the rich and the poor, will suffer or rejoice alike. The heart that feels not now is dead; the blood of his children will curse his cowardice, who shrinks back at a time when a little might have saved the whole, and made them happy. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light. Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to “bind me in all cases whatsoever” to his absolute will, am I to suffer it? What signifies it to me, whether he who does it is a king or a common man; my countryman or not my countryman; whether it be done by an individual villain, or an army of them? If we reason to the root of things we shall find no difference; neither can any just cause be assigned why we should punish in the one case and pardon in the other. Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one whose character is that of a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man. I conceive likewise a horrid idea in receiving mercy from a being, who at the last day shall be shrieking to the rocks and mountains to cover him, and fleeing with terror from the orphan, the widow, and the slain of America...

By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils—a ravaged country—a depopulated city—habitations without safety, and slavery without hope—our homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses for Hessians, and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of. Look on this picture and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.

Note: General Washington ordered that this essay be read to the troops at Valley Forge, on Christmas eve, shortly before the crossing of the Delaware.

Source: Thomas Paine
December 23, 1776

Topics: Responsibility

God Will Not Be Mocked

We are living in a period of time when upheavals in the world are daily, almost momentary. Marvelous things are occurring. The map of the world is changing. The order of government is being modified. In our own nation we are almost helpless before the problems that confront us, notwithstanding we are probably the wealthiest and most powerful nation in all the world. What is our difficulty, brethren and sisters? It is that men refuse to hear what the Lord has said. They refuse to pay attention to his wise counsel. They absolutely neglect to give credence to the things that he teaches us, and he will not be mocked. He gives us the advice and the counsel that we need, but he will not compel us. But if we refuse we lose our opportunity, and it passes away from us, in many cases to return again no more forever.

Source: Elder George Albert Smith
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Heavenly Interest in Human Events

I pray for the people of the world; not only for the Latter-day Saints, but I pray God’s blessings upon every loyal, patriotic man and woman that is endeavoring to do right, and to uphold the laws of the countries where they reside. I pray God’s blessings upon the President of these United States of America. I thank God for the loyalty and the patriotism of the Latter-day Saints. I thank God that we believe that the constitution of our country was given to us under the inspiration of the Living God, and that the Lord supported George Washington and the patriot fathers of this country. I pray that God will inspire us to continue loyal and true to him, to our country, and to its institutions...

Source: President Heber J. Grant
General Conference, October 1924

Topics: Patriotism; US Constitution, Inspired

The thing we have overlooked is that national strength creates wealth in any country, but in no country can outside wealth create national strength. Our foreign aid dollars have shielded weakness until the weakness has become almost permanent in many countries. We kept picking up the tabs for socialistic experiments in Great Britain. We paid the bills for British preparedness while the British, not needing to worry about where the money was coming from, went about nationalizing industries, providing cradle-to-grave “social security” and generally moving toward collectivism. We never gave them a chance to get a good look at the results. Our dollars made it seem that everything was just dandy.

Source: Editorial from the Indianapolis Star, December 15, 1956
Reprinted in The Freeman, February 1957, p46.

Topics: Politics, International

The Fundamental Principle In Individual Government

In my advocacy for Prohibition I keep ever in mind the importance of that great principle which Joseph Smith enunciated when he was asked how he governed his people so well. He answered: “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.” That is the fundamental principle in the United States in individual government and when an individual becomes converted to a condition he can live up to it. When we get the majority of the people converted to a condition that will favor temperance the law will be enforced.

But there is another condition also. We are living in a democracy. The majority of the people determine the kind of laws by which the people should be governed. That being true we are now facing a proposition to determine what the majority of the people desire. I believe that the American people desire temperance. I have given one reason why I think that the retention of the Eighteenth Amendment will foster and favor temperance.

Source: Elder David O. McKay
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Prohibition

“They Shall Not Pass”

Sixteen years ago there was a terrific battle being waged at Verdun. On June 7, 1916, the French vacated the city Damloup under the hill on which Fort Vaux was situated. The defense of this Fort was one of outstanding heroism, and Major Raynal, the commander, was treated with every honor as a prisoner of the Germans.

Fort Vaux had fallen and other outer lines were broken through, but there was an inner circle of defense that was invincible. The words of General Petain, “They shall not pass,” thrilled the heart and nerved the arm of every French soldier. For more than two long months the Germans hammered and battered at that inner defense in the most terrific conflict in the annals of war. In the last desperate assault of the Crown Prince, 40,000 German soldiers were slaughtered in a hopeless effort to break through the French curtain of fire. The inner circle of defense was impregnable. The main line held.

Today we witness the legalization of beer by the United States government. One of our outer defences has fallen and the enemy spurred on by victory will attack others. But the inner defence, the 18th Amendment, must be defended at all costs. Let the words of General Petain, “They shall not pass,” strengthen every heart and nerve every hand in defense of this part of the Constitution of the United States.

Source: Elder David O. McKay
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Prohibition

Founder of the Government

Just as our Father in heaven, through Christ his Son, is the founder of the Church, so is he the founder of the government by which we are—or should be if we are not—controlled in civil affairs. He it was who brought the Pilgrim fathers and those who followed after to the shores of New England. He has said that he established the Constitution of our country by the hands of wise men whom he raised up for that very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

Both the Church and the government have experienced periods of deep affliction since their establishment. Both have been assailed by enemies from without and foes within which have threatened disruption. Each in time of trial has found strong hearts and arms to sustain it.

Source: President Anthony W. Ivins
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: America, History; Heavenly Interest in Human Events

Deliverance Will Come

You need not call our attention to our unfortunate condition, you are saying to yourselves, we are all too well aware of that. Tell us how to extricate ourselves from it. If I had the wisdom to do that I would be the happiest man in the world. That we will survive and emerge from it a wiser, happier and better people I am confident, whatever our suffering may be before we win the victory. It will not come through the Sovietism of Russia, the Socialism of France, the Fascists of Italy, nor the Nazis of Hitler. It will not come by the brewing and disposition of more beer or the manufacture and drinking of more wine. It will not come from the manufacture and distribution of more cigarets for our boys and girls to smoke. It will come to our country, if it is to come at all, through the united effort of the American people, whose soul I believe will turn to the Lord.

Deliverance will not come by a miracle from heaven, but I believe the Lord will endow us with wisdom and with his help we will work out our deliverance. If the Lord for the sake of ten righteous men would spare Sodom and Gomorrah, will he not spare this government, which he declares he has established, for the sake of the many thousands of honest souls which make up its citizenship?

Source: President Anthony W. Ivins
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Heavenly Interest in Human Events

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