The Whole Law

IMPROVEMENT ERA. Vol. VI. MAY, 1903. No. 7.

THE WHOLE LAW. BY APOSTLE FRANCIS M. LYMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN MISSION, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

Some time ago an elder told me the story of his life. He had come into the Church under peculiarly trying conditions. He gave up a profitable profession, and disappointed his family and friends for the sake of accepting the gospel. Instead of his former professional labors, he was compelled to support himself with manual toil, and he had many hardships to bear. It was a joy to do all this, because he knew of the divinity of the Prophet -Joseph's mission, and that the gospel is upon the earth with all its authority and power. But he confessed that in spite of his

testimony of its righteousness as a part of the gospel, he had not lived in obedience to the law of tithing. It was a pleasure for

him to give both time and means for the work of the Lord, but he had not yet brought himself to give definitely and regularly one-tenth of his income. This man was singularly eloquent in preaching the gospel; and he could hold congregations spell-bound, ^s he bore his earnest testimony of what the Lord is doing among

482 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

the children of men. He was temperate in his habits, living in strict accordance with the Word of Wisdom. In all respects except tithing, he seemed to be a safe, faithful man. There are many who are living some principles well, but com- paratively few who are living the whole law of the gospel. Some fast well, but are ever behind with their tithing. Some pay tithes strictly, but cannot resist drinking a little, chewing tobacco, or drinking tea and coffee. Some obey the Word of Wisdom, but are profane. Some are irreproachable in their language, but are lax in attending meetings. Some obey all these commands literally, but manifest harshness towards those who fail in any. Some seem to have faith and the spirit of testimony, but obey imper- fectly the letter of the gospel. Some obey the letter, but are,. without realizing it, very poor in spirit. There are good qualities in every soul. We seldom meet any one who is wholly determined to do wrong, though there are some who deliberately abandon themselves to lives of sin, and lose all regard for virtue and integrity. From such we should keep our distance, because, unless it is our duty to associate with them, they will probably do us more harm than we will do them good. Most people, however, are trying in their own way to do right. They fail in many things, because they are not strenuous enough, or do not know well enough how, to do what they ought. They have inherited weaknesses from their forefathers, or have become weak through their own transgressions. When the gospel comes to them, if they earnestly desire to do the will of the Lord, He pleads with them through His Spirit and leads them to understand the truth. When they accept the gospel, they receive both under- standing and strength. Their strength may not be very great at first. They may feel the old sinful tendencies within them, but if their faith has been real and their repentance sincere, they are able to stand. As time passes, the doing of the simple, plain duties of the gospel brings more strength.They grow a little, and though they may not notice it, they become established in the truth, and gain power over themselves. It is important that we should accept all light when it is

given to us. If we learn a law and neglect to obey it, we do our- selves an injury. No law was ever given by the Lord that could

THE WHOLE LAW. 483

not be obeyed. In some cases obedience is imperfect, because we are imperfect. Not many of us love our neighbors as ourselves, and until we have had more training and experience than we now have, we are hardly able to do so. The laws, however, against stealing, murdering, taking the name of Deity in vain, partaking of such things as are forbidden by the Lord, and withholding what we owe Him in tithes and offerings, we can obey perfectly if we will. The honest endeavor to obey the whole of the law is the only means of obtaining the safe, well-balanced character so necessary for us all. If we neglect any part, we hinder our growth. It is well to keep in mind that sooner or later we must come

into harmony with all the commandments of the Lord. While we are guilty of breaking one law, we will be reckoned among the transgressors. Our title to eternal life is guarded for us, as it were, in a combination safe, and there it will remain until we have learned the system and actually do open the vault. We may have been told the combination and memorized the figures and turns, but mere knowledge will not open the doors. We may turn to some of the figures and pull with all our strength, but the way is sealed, we cannot enter. If we miss only one number, and appar- ently the least important, our efforts are vain. There is a unity in the combination; all parts are essential. So it is with the laws of the Lord. It is necessary that we learn them and obey them

all. They were carefully prepared and demonstrated before being given to us, and are exactly fitted for our necessity. They are a unity, no part can be rejected permanently without rejecting the code. Eternal life will never be given to us until we obey every part of the gospel. A man should be clean and sweet and pure in all his habits; he should also be firm and reliable, industrious and progressive,

brave in advocating the right and defending the weak. To be all this, he must study himself and discover his faults and the best remedy for them. He should be merciless in acknowledging his mistakes to himself and the Lord, and to others if they are con- cerned. Nothing destroys more quickly this power to improve than his turning a deaf ear to conscience, and excusing himself by others' failings and the frailty of the flesh. And when he becomes

484 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

conscious of his wrong, as a consistent man, he must turn about in earnest and do better. Though the Savior was tempted above all other men, he maintained his perfect innocence.He has commanded us to be perfect also. He is the way, the light, the pattern in all things, and when we have taken upon us his name, he expects us to follow him. He would rejoice to have us live without sin, and the nearer we do approach the condition of sinlessness the better pleased he The Lord is ever ready to forgive a repentant is.

sinner, who seeks him aright, even if the sins committed have been many and great, but he does not wish us to live in sin or disobedience for a single moment, just because he can forgive. If we love him, we will keep his commandments, not those that are easy for us alone, but them all. It is impossible for mortals

to realize how much the Lord loves us, and how willing he is to bless us, if we will make it possible. Being perfect in wisdom as in all other qualities, he will bless only when it is wise to do so, and we by our own actions determine that to a great extent. Our motto should be, then, to do our whole duty well, being ever charitable to others who may be weaker than ourselves, and never jealous of those who may be better and stronger. So thoroughly should we know the Holy Spirit that when he whispers we will hearken, and when he admonishes we will obey. By living such lives, we can always be forewarned of danger, prepared for trials, and ready to respond at once to any call that is made upon

us, whether it be to take up new labors in life or to lay aside all the works of mortality, and pass behind the veil.

DO BEST YOUR NEAREST DUTY. Mr. George B. Cortelyou, the new Cabinet officer, was asked one day, if, as a boy, he had determined upon a public career. His answer gave the keynote to his character. "No, I think not," he replied, "I have never planned very far ahead nor looked out much for future prospects. As a boy I was taught to do, in the very best way I could, the thing that lay nearest to my hand, and that little rule has been an impelling prin- ciple of my life."