37 … when we undertake to
cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise
control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any
degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit
of the Lord is grieved…
39 We have learned by sad
experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, (women, and
organizations) as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they
will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
41 No power or influence can or
ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, (or any other “hood” i.e.,
fatherhood, motherhood, brotherhood) only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by
gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure
knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without
guile—
Notice
I added (women, and organizations) to verse 39 to emphasize that these
principles apply to us all. I would suggest reading these verses slowly and
pausing to ask how they apply personally. For example, I often ask myself the question, “Am
I trying to cover my sins?” and with
that I ask, “Walt, do you really think you can hide those thoughts or actions
from the Lord?”
I
also added (or any other “hood”) for the same reason—these principles apply to
all of us.
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