Love One Another

LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BY JAMES H. ANDERSON, OF THE GENERAL BOARD OF Y. M. M. I. A. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." Thus wrote the Apostle John to those who had become mem- bers of the Church of Jesus Christ; and the affection to which he refers characterizes the Saints in all ages, in their relations with each other. Having rendered obedience to the laws and ordi- nances of the gospel, their love for their fellow disciples fills their souls, surpassing even the ties of kinship. The condition thus made to exist by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost has joined the Latter-day Saints, as it did the Saints anciently, in a union that has borne them up through many afflic- tions, and enabled them to overcome many difficulties. By it they have been made strong, and have progressed steadfastly in the knowledge of the Lord, because it has brought them nearer to him. All mankind have their weaknesses, however, and those who have received the gospel are no exception to the rule. It is true that when they are diligent and faithful in observing the commands of the Almighty, their position as Saints is' sufficiently strong to give them power over temptation, and to deliver them from evil. But there are many who occasionally relax their vigilance, and the adversary is not slow to take advantage of it. Thus it is that upon some there grows, almost unconsciously, a feeling of envy, and an inclination to find fault with their neighbors. The insidious influence of a desire to backbite or speak evil of another is al- lowed to gain a foothold, and consequently the measure of love is decreased. Whenever this disturbing element enters into the as-

LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 185 sociations of the Saints, there is something amiss with those who allow themselves to be controlled by it. There is no law of the gospel that requires the Saints to ac- quiesce in, or even submit to, evil. It is their duty to set them- selves firmly against wrong-doing—to oppose evil in every garb. But this does not justify the sitting in judgment of one upon an- other, merely because the latter has some peculiarity to which the former is not accustomed, or some manner of action not in pre- cise harmony with his views. So long os the peculiarity or act is not subversive of a principle of truth, there is no basis on which to rest a condemnation. Possibly, on a more thorough investiga- tion, the apparent beam would prove but a shadow of the mote in closer proximity to the point of vision. Many people are like a peevish child just recovering from an attack of illness. While it is still under the influence of the pain and nervous prostration which are the effect of the disease, noth- ing that can be done will please or satisfy it. What apparently had given it pleasure one moment, would bring an opposite result the next instant. There are grown-up people who are given to a kind of peevishness that makes them disagreeable to all around, and works a serious injury to themselves. Each little act cf their fellow-beings has in it something that does not suit them, and they fret and fume about it. They do not think of commending any- thing that is done for them, but must ever find fault with it. They go farther, and even impute evil motives to those who are sincere- ly seeking to benefit, please and bless them. They become dis- gruntled at the state of the weather, and give vent to their dis- pleasure by being spiteful to others. They are, unfortunately, worse than the peevish child, for, when sickness passes away from the latter, it is cheerful and forgiving, but the chronic grumbler is neither. No one who gives way to a spirit of faultfinding can enjoy the light of the gospel. We cannot close our eyes to the good, and find peace in a morbid desire to gaze upon evil. The inclination to search out weaknesses and failings in others, who are striving hon- estly to do right, does not provide suitable companionship for that love of our brethren and sisters which enables us to pass from death unto life. We are not in the line of our duty as Saints

186 IMPROVEMENT ERA. when we are seeking occasion to complain of others. The beloved disciple taught this principle when he wrote the words which have been quoted, and added: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. Realizing the force of this rule, and knowing the proneness of man to find fault with and contend against his fellows, the burden of the instruction given by the Divine Master was: "Cease from strife; love one another; be ye one." To the teachers, who, in his Church organization, . are ordained to engage in a calling that reaches every family and every member, he has said: "See that there is no iniquity in the Church—neither hard- ness with each other—neither lying, backbiting, or evil speaking." When, rfter his resurrection, he appeared to the people on the western hemisphere—to those "other sheep" of whom he spoke to the disciples at Jerusalem—they gathered around and worshiped the risen Redeemer. The welcome words of life fell upon eager ears, and almost the first expression of his will was: "For verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of all contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, .one with another. Behold this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one against ' another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." The doctrine of the Lord is that of peace. "See that ye love one another," is his command, and "Cease to find fault one with another, ' ' his law to the Saints. In this does the principle of charity—the pure love of Christ—receive practical application; and without it, as Paul says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." Subsequent to the Redeemer's visit to the Nephites, the peo- ple continued for many years to enjoy a heavenly peace. The sacred historian relates how "there were no contentions and dis- putations among them, and every man did deal justly one with an- other." Marvelous works were wrought by the disciples of the Lord, the sick being healed, the dead raised, and all manner of miracles performed. There were no envyings, or strifes, or