--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Richards, George F. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 24 number: 11 published: 1921-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'George F. Richards, "Example," *Improvement Era* 24, no. 11 (September 1921): 977–979.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera24011unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera24011unse start_page: 977 end_page: 979 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1921-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera24011unse publication_year: 1921 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1921, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Example Example By Elder George F. Richards, of the Council of the Twelve The gospel was made for man and is a most perfect plan of life, calculated to guide men and women into paths of peace, joy, hope and salvation. It is the plan taught and lived by Jesus Christ and which made him what he is. It is calculated to make us like him and to save us with him. It is the straight gate and the narrow way which leadeth to everlasting life. Our lives should be always in complete harmony with the gospel and with the life and example of our great prototype, the Savior of the world. When they are not, we would have the world know that it is because of the inconsistencies in our lives, rather than in the gospel, for the gospel is consistent, therefore, when they see in us that which is not commendable, they should know that it is due to our deviations from the gospel law, which devia- tions, on our part, do not and cannot in the least nullify the law, nor make the truth an untruth, nor do they make unneces- sary any ordinance of the gospel. The folly of the expression, referring to men's weaknesses, "If that is the gospel, I want none of it," must appeal to the intelligent mind. People should be able to differentiate between principles and the actions of men, and not pin their faith to human beings. Nevertheless, there are some who thus judge. The Lord understood that such was the case, hence gave the command, "Let your light so shine among men that others seeing your good works will glorify •your Father which is in heaven." Because this is the case, Lat- ter-day Saints are admonished to be careful to live lives con- sistent with their profession of faith. If we deviate too far from the law the enacting clause of our salvation is in danger of being stricken out. A good example on the part of Latter-day Saints is a potent means of allaying prejudice in the minds of others; so that, in passing judgment upon religion, the greatest question in which men are interested that judgment may be of an un- biased character, hence, more likely to be correct. A good ex- ample gives us influence for good, both as individuals and as officers. It means for us happiness and salvation. It means al- most as much for our children in the generations that follow. Henry Ward Beecher says, "It is historically true that Christianity did not, in its beginning, succeed by the force of doctrine, but by the lives of its disciples. It was the beauty of *78 IMPROVEMENT ERA Christian life that overcame philosophy and won the way for Christian doctrine. Make religion attractive by the goodness that men see in you; be so sweet, so sparkling, so buoyant, so cheerful, hopeful, courageous, conscientious and yet not stub- born, so perfectly benevolent and yet not mawkish or senti- mental; blossoming in everything that is good, a rebuke to everything that is mean or little — make such men of yourselves that everybody who looks upon you may say, 'That is a royal good fellow; he has the spirit that I should like to lean upon in time of trouble, or to be a companion with at all times.' Build up such manhood that it shall be winning to men — That is what the early Christians did." We should so live and act that, should others follow our example, they will be the better for it. When Moses came down out of the mount after having been with the Lord, his face shone so that the people could not look upon his unveiled face. We are expected, by the Lord, to be witnesses for him in the world. The greatest testimony to Di- vine truth is that of a good life. Christ is the hidden source of the light of the world. We should be able to draw from him that influence by which to dispel some portion of the spiritual dark- ness around us. Our good life and example not only glorifies the name of the Lord, but it glorifies us also. That the lives of others with whom we associate are affected by our lives, is made impressive by the following from O. S. Marden: "The poet's 4I am a part of all that I have met,' is not a mere poetic flight of fancy; it is an absolute truth. Every- thing, every sermon, or lecture, or conversation, you have heard, every person who has touched your life, has left an impression upon your character, and you are never quite the same person after the association or experience." There should be such a manifestation of love among us that others not of us would be attracted toward us, and be led to an investigation of our religion, that which has made us what we are. When there is discord, division or contention among us, we drive from us those who otherwise would be investiga- tors and possibly members. Under such circumstances we hinder instead of help the Lord with his work — "What you are, speaks so loud, we cannot hear what you say." "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ex- amples to the flock." (I Peter 5:2-4.) "Example sheds a genial ray of light which men are apt to borrow." The lender is not impoverished by the lending. Both are enriched thereby. If the gospel has not reformed our lives, it has failed of its purpose so far as we are concerned, and our example will EXAMPLE 979 scarcely be helpful to others. If we have lived according to what we know to be right, ours will be a commendable example worthy the emulation of others. It is natural for the son to de- sire to become like his father and to do things as his father does them. This suggests that we should be very careful to do that which should our children follow in our footsteps, will make them safe: The Bridge Builder "A.n old man, going a lone highway, Came, at the evening, cold and gray. To a chasm vast and deep and wide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. 'Old man,' said a fellow pilgrim near, 'You are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again will pass this way. You've crossed the chasm deep and wide; Why build you this bridge at eventide?' The builder lifted his old, gray head — 'Good friend, in the path I have come,' he said, 'There followeth after me today, A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me, To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be; He, too, must cross in the twilight dim — Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.' "