Causes Quote by Joseph Smith, Jr
“I am a lover of the cause of Christ and of virtue, chastity, and an upright, steady course of conduct and a holy walk. I despise a hypocrite or a covenant breaker. I judge them not; God shall judge them according to their works. I am a lover even of mine enemies, for an enemy seeketh to destroy openly. I can pray for those who despitefully use and persecute me, but for all I cannot hope.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Doctrine and Covenants, Section 121, 1844
The writer declares devotion to Christian virtues, condemns hypocrisy, and urges love even toward enemies while trusting divine judgment.
In simple terms: Commit to virtue, reject hypocrisy, love enemies, trust God’s judgment.
Key Takeaway
Live virtuously and love all, trusting God’s justice.
Themes
virtue
faith
forgiveness
justice
Mood
hopeful
serious
Type
spiritual
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal conduct
- conflict resolution
- spiritual practice
- community leadership
Key Concepts
Christian ethics
divine judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you love those who harm you?
- How do you discern when to trust divine judgment?
A Different Perspective
Balancing love for enemies with personal safety is challenging.
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