When Given Position of Power, Beware of Pride, Aspiring, Backbiting (July 2, 1839)
Wilford Woodruff – A
Again let the Twelve & all Saints be willing to confess all
Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff–A, pp. 21-23, The Joseph Smith Papers.theretheir Sins & not keep back a part & let the twelve be humble & not be exalted & beware of pride & not seek to excell one above another but act for each others good & pray for one & another & honouroverour brother or make honourable mention of his name & not backbite & devour our brother. Why will not man learn Wisdom by precept & example at this late age of the world & not be oblieged to learn every thing we know by sad experiance. Must the new ones that are chosen to fill the places of those that are fallen of the quorum of the Twelve, begin to exhalt themselves untill they get so high that they will tumble over & have a great fall & go wallowing through the mud, mire, & darkness Judas like to the buffatings of Satan as several of the Twelve have done, or will they learn wisdom & be wise (O God give them wisdom & keep them humble I pray) When the Twelve or any other witness of Jesus Christ stands befor the Congregations of the earth & they preach in the power & demonstration of the Holy Ghost & the people are asstonished & confounded at the doctrin & say that that man has preached a powerful discours a great sermon then let that man or those men take care that they do not asscribe the glory unto themselves but be careful that they are humble & asscribe the praise & glory to God & the Lamb for it is by the power of the Holy Priesthood & the Holy Ghost that they have power thus to speak. What art thou O man but dust & from wholm dost thou received thy power & blessings but from God, then O ye Twelve notice this key & be wise for Christ sake & your own soles sake.
Wilford Woodruff – B
we ought to be willing to repent of & confess all of our own sins & keep nothing back, & let the Twelve be humble & not be exalted & beware of pride & not seek to excell one above another but act for each others good & honerably make mention of each others name in our prayrs before the Lord & before our fellow men, & not backbite & devour our brother. Why will not man learn wisdom by precept & example at this late age of the world & not be obliged to learn every thing we know by sad experiance. Must the new ones that are chosen to fill the places of those that are fallen of the quorum of the Twelve, begin to exhalt themselves untill they get so high that they will tumble over & have a great fall & go wallowing through the mud, mire, & darkness Judas like to the buffatings of Satan as several of the Twelve have done, or will they learn wisdom & be wise (O God give them wisd[o]m & keep them humble I pray) When the Twelve or any other witness of Jesus Christ stands befor the congregations of the earth & they preach in the power & demonstration of the Holy Ghost & the people are asstonished & confounded at the doctrin & say that that man has preached a powerful discours a great sermon then let that man or those men take care that they do not asscribe the glory unto themselves but be careful that they are humble & asscribe the praise & glory to God & the Lamb for it is by the power of the Holy Priesthood & the Holy Ghost that they have power thus to speak. What art thou O man but dust & from wholm dost thou received thy power & blessings but from God, then O ye Twelve notice this [drawing of a key] key & be wise for Christ sake & your own souls sake.
Discourse, 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff–B, pp. 86-87, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Everyone Subject to Vanity — Times & Seasons (May 16, 1841)
The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but Christ subjected the same in hope — we are all subject to vanity while we travel through the crooked paths, and difficulties which surround us. Where is the man that is free from vanity? None ever were perfect but Jesus, and why was he perfect? because he was the son of God, and had the fulness of the Spirit, and greater power than any man. — But, notwithstanding our vanity, we look forward with hope, (because “we are subjected in hope,”) to the time of our deliverance.
Discourse, 16 May 1841, as Published in Times and Seasons, pp. 429-430, The Joseph Smith Papers.
Avoid Pride, and Be Humble & Patient in All Circumstances — Leo Hawkins (May 26, 1844)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a down-fall—be meek and lowly . . . Be humble, & patient in all circumstances of life. He shall then triumph more gloriously
Discourse, 26 May 1844, as Compiled by Leo Hawkins, p. 7, The Joseph Smith Papers.
