Americanism Quote by Ezra Taft Benson
“First, we should become informed about communism, about socialism, and about Americanism. What better way can one become informed than by first studying the inspired words of the prophets and using that as a foundation; against which to test all other material. This is in keeping with the Prophet Joseph Smith's motto, "When the Lord commands, do it."”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Religious Education Talk, 1972
Studying foundational prophetic teachings provides a baseline to evaluate other ideologies critically.
In simple terms: Use prophets' words as a test for other ideas.
Key Takeaway
Ground analysis in core spiritual principles.
Themes
religion
critical thinking
ideology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
theoretical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political debate
- personal belief formation
- academic curricula
Key Concepts
prophetic authority
comparative analysis
foundational values
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should we use to assess other ideologies?
- How do we ensure balanced evaluation?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on one source may limit perspective.
![“[Joseph Smith] foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God he did not see the thread break. He also indicated the important part that this people should yet play in standing for the principles embodied in these sacred documents - the…” quote by Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/36e/ezra-taft-benson-443_break_joseph-smith-foresaw-the-time-when-the-d_251877.jpg)
