344. Employers must not exploit their employees.
345. Employees must not cheat their employers.
346. We are to return that which we borrow.
347. We shall not lie but always speak the truth.
349. We are to keep the promises we make.
350. A hypocrite cannot be saved (in the celestial kingdom).
341. We must live honestly.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. (The thirteenth of the thirteen Articles of Faith; letter to John Wentworth, March 1, 1842) Articles of Faith :13
But we do not believe in honesty merely as a matter of policy. It is far more important than that. Honesty is a principle of salvation in the kingdom of God. Without it there can be no salvation. Just as no man or woman can be saved without baptism, so no one can be saved without honesty. As we cannot advance in the kingdom of heaven without a resurrection, so we cannot move into celestial realms without honesty. CR1971Oct:63
And let every man deal honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be one, even as I have commanded you. (Revelation to Joseph Smith, May 1831) D&C 51:9
I want to say to you that the punishment that is meted out to those who are dishonest in our day, when they are apprehended and haled before the courts of the land and punished for their crimes, is insignificant when compared with the spiritual punishment that befalls us when we transgress the law of honesty and violate that commandment of God. ("Law of Honesty," Deseret News, Jan. 7, 1933, Church Section, p. 6) TLDP:288
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 12:17
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 13:13
Integrity may be defined as a quality of being complete, unbroken, whole, and unimpaired purity and moral soundness; it is unadulterated genuineness and deep sincerity. It is honesty and righteousness.
Some people keep scrupulously clean their bodies, teeth, hair, and clothes, but permit their morals to degenerate. . . . Practically all dishonesty owes its existence and growth to this inward distortion we call self-justification. It is the first, the worst, and most insidious and damaging form of cheating—to cheat oneself. ACR(Mexico City)1972:27
Another area in which numerous people show a lack of total honestly and integrity is on the highway. Is it dishonest to break speed limits? What are we doing to our children and others when we not only exceed limits but boast about it? Perhaps there are few of us who do not exhibit this fault, but is it right because many break the law? (At Brigham Young University, June 1957) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 197) TLDP:289
receiving the Word of the Lord
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May 1831) D&C 50:9
Honesty and integrity as perfected virtues in parents are more likely to become the heritage and rich endowments of their children. Parents cannot give to their children that which they do not possess. All these fine ideals and principles that are a part of the gospel teachings, together with all the virtues that make for good character and good life, should be perfected in each of us. In that perfection they become a part of our nature, and when parenthood comes, these virtues are more apt to be transmitted to our children. CR1971Apr:153
But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right. . . . 7. And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
8. He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9. Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel preaches the word of the Lord) Ezekiel 18:5,7-9
What would your Father in Heaven have you do that would please Him? First, you boys. He would have you live honestly. That means no cheating in your schoolwork. (CR 1985Apr; To Please Our Heavenly Father, Ensign, May 1985, p.48)
Related Witnesses:
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
Simple truth, simplicity, honesty, uprightness, justice, mercy, love, kindness, do good to all and evil to none, how easy it is to live by such principles A thousand times easier than to practice deception (In Tabernacle, Aug. 7, 1870, JD14:76) DBY:232
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Letter from Rome to the Church at Philippi in Macedonia) Philippians 4:8
And they [the people of Ammon] were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. (Honest, upright, zealous members of the Church choose death at the hands of their enemies rather than taking up the sword against them) Alma 27:27
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Paul answers before Felix) Acts 24:16
342. We must not steal.
Thou shalt not steal. (The Lord reveals the eighth of the Ten Commandments to Moses ) Exodus 20:15
recorded in Matthew
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, . . . (Jesus instructs the young man who had great possessions) Matthew 19:18
The theft of pennies or dollars or commodities may impoverish little the one from whom the goods are taken, but it is a shrivelling, dwarfing process to the one who steals. (At Brigham Young University, June 1957) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 198) TLDP:289
We are appalled at the reported dishonesty in many communities in our land; that the loss through shoplifting and allied dishonest tricks runs into billions of dollars in this country alone.
The Lord told Adam's posterity and carved it into the stone plates, "Thou shalt not steal." (Exodus 20:15) All parents should train their children against this deadly thing which can destroy their characters. Honesty is socially and culturally right. Liars and cheaters are both dishonest and alien to our culture. Dishonesty of all kinds is most reprehensible. "Thou shalt not steal."
We call upon the . . . members of this church to be honest, full of integrity, pay for what they get, and take only that which they have properly paid for. We must teach our children honor and integrity. CR1975Apr:6
receiving the Word of the Lord
Thou shalt not steal; and he that stealeth and will not repent shall be cast out. (Revelation "embracing the law of the Church," Feb. 9, 1831) D&C 42:20
receiving the Word of the Lord
And if he or she shall steal, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of the land. (Revelation "embracing the law of the Church," Feb. 9, 1831) D&C 42:85
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. (The Lord reveals his laws to ancient Israel) Exodus 21:16
And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their desires, for the king had been converted unto the Lord, and all his household; therefore he sent his proclamation throughout the land unto his people, that the word of God might have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land, that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced that they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness. (Religious freedom is proclaimed by the king of the Lamanites) Alma 23:3
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Related Witnesses:
Dallin H. Oaks
[N]ot all stealing is at gunpoint or by dark of night. Some theft is by deception, where the thief manipulates the confidence of his victim.
The white collar cousin of stealing is fraud, which gets its gain by lying about an essential fact in a transaction.
Scheming promoters with glib tongues and ingratiating manners deceive their neighbors into investments the promoters know to be more speculative than they dare to reveal. CR1986Oct:25
343. We must not defraud.
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (Revelation to Moses ) Leviticus 19:13
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (Paul's letter to the Church at Thessalonica, comprising Jews and many pagan converts, A.D. 50) 1Thess.4:6
Albert E. Bowen
Incurring obligations beyond a reasonable expectancy of the ability to meet them is a fruitful source of ultimate dishonesty. Men who would scorn to steal and who would be highly incensed at the suggestion of thievery, nevertheless do not hesitate to make engagements which they have no chance of meeting. When the day of reckoning comes they will covertly put their property out of reach and otherwise preserve what they have to the deprivation of those to whom they have given their word. It puts a heavy strain upon character to see the accumulations of years of toil appropriated to the payment of debts incurred. One sees character crack under the strain.
Buying on credit with no reasonable prospect of payment resembles taking outright what belongs to another in that both come about through uncontrolled desire to possess. The same kind of resistance is necessary in each case if desire is to be denied. The time to avoid the unpleasant consequence is before incurring the obligation. There is character-building strength in resisting. CR1938Oct:67
recorded in Mark
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (Jesus instructs the young man who had great possessions) Mark 10:19
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8. Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. (Letter to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 6:7-8
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
36. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37. Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD. (Revelation to Moses ) Leviticus 19:35-37
Related Witnesses:
But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, . . .
8. He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, . . . (Ezekiel preaches the word of the Lord) Ezekiel 18:5,8
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: (Commandments to Israel through Moses ) Deuteronomy 23:19
Bankruptcies are common and numerous today. I hope bankruptcy proceedings are not intended to free men of their honest obligations. They may serve well to give the debtor a breathing period and an opportunity to make back the money but he should pay his honest obligations even though the law might have protected him against them. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 196) TLDP:289
Author's Note: Dictionary definition of Usury [A]n excessive or inordinate premium for the use of money borrowed. . . . (The New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, p. 924)
344. Employers must not exploit their employees.
Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
15. At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. (Commandments to Israel through Moses : law given concerning making merchandise of men) Deuteronomy 24:14-15
[W]hen employers agree to pay a certain price, or a certain kind of pay they should abide by their agreement. . . . These are practical duties. I would give more for a Latter-day Saint who, if I employed him to do me a job and he did it right, than I would for a man who would offer a long prayer and tell the Lord a great many things that might be very good, and did not do the work honestly. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1881, JD22:325) TLDP:288
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (Paul writes from prison to the Church in Colossae, Asia Minor, about A.D. 60) Colossians 4:1
Dallin H. Oaks
An employee who receives the compensation agreed upon but does not perform the service agreed upon earns part of his living by injuring others.
So does an employer who is unfair to his employees. . . .
. . . . Of course, we understand that what an employer can pay his employees is limited by what his business can obtain for its products or services in a competitive marketplace. Contracts also impose limits on legitimate economic expectations. CR1986Oct:26
Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (Letter to his brethren in the Church) James 5:4
I have been impressed with the fact that there is a spirit growing in the world today to avoid giving service, an unwillingness to give value received, to try to see how little we can do and how much we can get for doing it. This is all wrong. Our spirit and aim should be to do all we possibly can, in a given length of time, for the benefit of those who employ us and for the benefit of those with whom we are associated.
The other spirit—to get all we can, and give as little as possible in return—is contrary to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not right to desire something for which we do not give service or value received. That idea is all wrong, and it is only a question of time when the sheep and the goats will be separated. (Gospel Standards, pp. 183-84) TLDP:288
But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, . . .
7. And hath not oppressed any, . . . 9. Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel preaches the word of the Lord) Ezekiel 18:5,7,9
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; (Revelation to Jeremiah, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 22:13
[W]hen 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; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. (Revelation received in Liberty Jail, March 20, 1839; why many are called and few chosen) D&C 121:37
Related Witnesses:
In recent days all of us have witnessed many who have weakened themselves even to the point of falling completely as they have sacrificed the leading principles of honesty and integrity in order to climb an artificial ladder of accomplishment. No lasting great personal heights are ever reached by those who step on others to try to push themselves upward.
It is not surprising to learn that people who tell white lies soon become color-blind.
Despite the endless examples of scandals in business, religion, and government, honesty and integrity are still the ingredients to strengthen [feeble] knees. CR1991Oct:99
345. Employees must not cheat their employers.
I have been impressed with the fact that there is a spirit growing in the world today to avoid giving service, an unwillingness to give value received, to try to see how little we can do and how much we can get for doing it. This is all wrong. Our spirit and aim should be to do all we possibly can, in a given length of time, for the benefit of those who employ us and for the benefit of those with whom we are associated.
The other spirit—to get all we can, and give as little as possible in return—is contrary to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not right to desire something for which we do not give service or value received. That idea is all wrong, and it is only a question of time when the sheep and the goats will be separated. (Gospel Standards, pp. 183-84) TLDP:288
Again, if a man employs you to do a piece of work, that work should be well done, whether he is there to see it done or not. And when employers agree to pay a certain price, or a certain kind of pay they should abide by their agreement. . . . These are practical duties. I would give more for a Latter-day Saint who, if I employed him to do me a job and he did it right, than I would for a man who would offer a long prayer and tell the Lord a great many things that might be very good, and did not do the work honestly. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1881, JD22:325) TLDP:288
An employee who receives the compensation agreed upon but does not perform the service agreed upon earns part of his living by injuring others.
So does an employer who is unfair to his employees. . . .
. . . . Of course, we understand that what an employer can pay his employees is limited by what his business can obtain for its products or services in a competitive marketplace. Contracts also impose limits on legitimate economic expectations. CR1986Oct:26
Related Witnesses:
In recent days all of us have witnessed many who have weakened themselves even to the point of falling completely as they have sacrificed the leading principles of honesty and integrity in order to climb an artificial ladder of accomplishment. No lasting great personal heights are ever reached by those who step on others to try to push themselves upward.
It is not surprising to learn that people who tell white lies soon become color-blind.
Despite the endless examples of scandals in business, religion, and government, honesty and integrity are still the ingredients to strengthen [feeble] knees. CR1991Oct:99
346. We are to return that which we borrow.
If thou borrowest of thy neighbor, thou shalt restore that which thou hast borrowed; and if thou canst not repay then go straightway and tell thy neighbor, lest he condemn thee. (Revelation received Jan. 14, 1847) D&C 136:25
When a man says a thing to his neighbor, he should so live that his neighbor can have confidence in him. When he makes a promise that promise should be sacred, and if he cannot fulfil it, let him explain the reason so that confidence may be preserved. When we borrow we should repay; when we deal we should be upright in our dealing. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1881, JD22:325) TLDP:288
quoted by Mormon
And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you borroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin; and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 4:28
And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good. (The Lord reveals his laws to ancient Israel) Exodus 22:14
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Psalms 37:21
When we borrow we should repay. . . . (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1881, JD22:325) TLDP:288
Related Witnesses:
If thou shalt find that which thy neighbor has lost, thou shalt make diligent search till thou shalt deliver it to him again. (Revelation, Jan. 14, 1847) D&C 136:26
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2. If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
3. Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
4. Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, (To Moses, the Lord reveals his laws for ancient Israel) Leviticus 6:1-4
347. We shall not lie but always speak the truth.
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
17. And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. (The word of the Lord through the prophet Zechariah, about 518 B.C.) Zechariah 8:16-17
also quoting Joseph Smith
How serious is lying? We have a clue when we read all through the scriptures that Satan is the father of lies. His method of teaching this evil practice is illustrated in the tenth section of the Doctrine and Covenants: "Yea, he [Satan] saith unto them: Deceive and lie. . . ; behold, this is no harm. And thus he . . . telleth them that it is no sin to lie. . . . And thus he . . . causeth them to catch themselves in their own snare." (D&C 10:25-26
Yet we can't hide behind the father of lies and say, "Satan made me do it." All he does is tell us, "This is no harm," and then he lets us catch ourselves in our own snare.
It is a sin to lie. It is a tragedy to be the victim of lies. Being trapped in the snares of dishonesty and misrepresentation does not happen instantaneously. One little lie or dishonest act leads to another until the perpetrator is caught in the web of deceit. CR1982Apr:11
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (Letter to the Saints at Ephesus in Asia Minor, about A.D. 62) Ephesians 4:25
We should be honest, we should be truthful, our word should be like the words of the Lord, that is, in our sphere. When a man says a thing to his neighbor, he should so live that his neighbor can have confidence in him. When he makes a promise that promise should be sacred, and if he cannot fulfil it, let him explain the reason so that confidence may be preserved. When we borrow we should repay; when we deal we should be upright in our dealing. I would like it to be the case among us that when a man has a horse to sell that he will tell all he knows about it and not endeavor to take advantage in any shape or form. The same with a wagon, a cow, a piece of land, or a house, or anything else, that a man will tell what he knows about these things, so that confidence may be maintained. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1881, JD22:325) TLDP:288
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. . . .
22. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:19-20,22
We Latter-day Saints believe in God, and because we believe in him, we also believe there is a devil. But the devil himself is a liar—the father of lies—and those who choose to cheat and lie and deceive and misrepresent become his slaves. CR1971Oct:64-65
Related Witnesses:
And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (John sees the redeemed one hundred and forty-four thousand) Revelation 14:5
Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness. (Revelation received June 1829) D&C 18:21
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God. (Revelation in respect to the lost 116 manuscript pages, summer of 1828) D&C 10:28
348. Righteous ends cannot justify unrighteous means (to achieve any righteous objective, lofty as it may be, no person should perform any unrighteous act, insignificant as it may seem).
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God. (Revelation in respect to the lost 116 manuscript pages, summer of 1828) D&C 10:28
In recent days all of us have witnessed many who have weakened themselves even to the point of falling completely as they have sacrificed the leading principles of honesty and integrity in order to climb an artificial ladder of accomplishment. No lasting great personal heights are ever reached by those who step on others to try to push themselves upward.
It is not surprising to learn that people who tell white lies soon become color-blind.
Despite the endless examples of scandals in business, religion, and government, honesty and integrity are still the ingredients to strengthen [feeble] knees. CR1991Oct:99
[I]t will never profit you anything by deception to win your way into the temple. It is true that we may deceive our bishops, our presidents of stakes. Some may get recommends without revealing what they ought to reveal. It is useless. All the blessings of the temples are predicated upon faithfulness, upon obedience to the commandments. No blessing is effective unless it is based upon the good life of him who receives it. It is a mistake for anyone to think that by concealing or suppressing something that ought to be known he can secure a recommend to go to the temple. That is futile, and even worse than futile, because the suppressing of the fact is itself an additional offense. CR1959Apr:47
A man and woman may by fraud and deception obtain admittance to the house of the Lord and may receive the pronouncement of the Holy Priesthood, giving to them, so far as lies in their power, these blessings. We may deceive men, but we cannot deceive the Holy Ghost, and our blessings will not be eternal unless they are also sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, the Holy Ghost, one who reads the thoughts and hearts of men and gives his sealing approval to the blessings pronounced upon their heads. Then it is binding, efficacious, and of full force. (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin J. Ballard, pp. 236-37) TLDP:286
Related Witnesses:
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; (Revelation to Jeremiah, about 628 B.C.) Jeremiah 22:13
receiving the Word of the Lord
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May, 1831) D&C 50:9
349. We are to keep the promises we make.
The fundamental thing for a Latter-day Saint is to be honest. The fundamental thing for a Latter-day Saint is to value his word as faithfully as his bond; to make up his mind that under no circumstances, no matter how hard it may be, by and with the help of the Lord, he will dedicate his life and his best energies to making good his promises. ("As Other Men Judge Us," IE1938Jun:327) TLDP:288
Seek ye; and keep all your pledges one with another; and covet not that which is thy brother's. (Revelation received Jan. 14, 1847) D&C 136:20
Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. (Revelation, March 8, 1833, wherein various individuals are counseled by the Lord to walk uprightly) D&C 90:24
When a man says a thing to his neighbor, he should so live that his neighbor can have confidence in him. When he makes a promise that promise should be sacred, and if he cannot fulfil it, let him explain the reason so that confidence may be preserved. (In Tabernacle, Oct. 9, 1881, JD22:325) TLDP:288
Related Witnesses:
But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of Nephi the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren. (The Lamanites promise freedom to Alma and his brethren in Helam, if they will show them the way to the land of Nephi) Mosiah 23:37
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: (Judah promises to be surety for Benjamin, to persuade Jacob to send Benjamin to Egypt) Genesis 43:9
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. (Revelation to Moses for the children of Israel) Numbers 30:2
350. A hypocrite cannot be saved (in the celestial kingdom).
Christians must learn that there is nothing Christlike in deception. There is no righteousness in hypocrisy. There is nothing good about a lie.
We must recognize that if we are not honest we are not clean in the eyes of God, and that no unclean thing may enter his presence. CR1971Oct:65
He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. (Job testifies of his confidence in the Lord) Job 13:16
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? (Job asserts his own righteousness) Job 27:8
receiving the Word of the Lord
But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.
9. Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me. (Revelation for the elders of the Church, May 1831) D&C 50:8-9
We may succeed in hiding our affairs from men; but it is written that for every word and every secret thought we shall have to give an account in the day when accounts have to be rendered before God, when hypocrisy and fraud of any kind will not avail us; for by our words and by our works we shall be justified, or by them we shall be condemned. (On trip to Bear Lake, JD24:232) TLDP:321
Related Witnesses:
recorded in Matthew
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Jesus warns the scribes and Pharisees) Matthew 23:27-28
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? (Zophar the Naamanite shows the state and portion of the wicked) Job 20:5
[A]nd those who are not pure, and have said they were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God. (Revelation relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternal nature of the marriage covenant, July 12, 1843, [1831]) D&C 132:52
