In the P of GP we read that Joseph Smith decided to tell his own story about the coming forth of the restored church. He wrote this because of the many false reports which were circulating designed to tarnish the character of the church and thwart its progress. He wanted to set the record straight as regards to both himself and the church. Joseph Smith History 1:1-2 "Owing to the many reports which have been put in circulation by evil-disposed and designing persons, in relation to the rise and progress of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church and its progress in the world—I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind, and put all inquirers after truth in possession of the facts, as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession. In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year since the organization of the said Church."
In the New Testament we're told that after we're taught about Jesus Christ we need to put away our old evil lives and become renewed in spirit and in mind, putting on a new man which God created in righteousness and holiness. Instead of being angry and giving place to the devil, we need to put all wrath, bitterness, and malice out of our lives. We need to stop grieving the Spirit of God and be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other. Instead of allowing corrupt conversations to spew forth out of our mouths, we need to use our words to edify and lift others up. Once we accept Christ into our lives, it should change the person that we are, and it should show in all our words and deeds. Ephesians 4:20-32 "But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that charity, or the pure love of Christ is kind and long suffering, or patient. It does not envy, is not puffed up or proud. And it vaunteth not itself. What does vaunteth mean? It means to boast, and comes from a Greek word meaning windbag. Do we spend a lot of time talking about ourselves and little time listening to others? Are we full of hot air that comes from conceit? Do we demand that our accomplishments be noticed, and dominate conversations to see that that happens? These are all things that we need to avoid if we truly want to show charity to others. 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"
In the New Testament we're told that after we're taught about Jesus Christ we need to put away our old evil lives and become renewed in spirit and in mind, putting on a new man which God created in righteousness and holiness. Instead of being angry and giving place to the devil, we need to put all wrath, bitterness, and malice out of our lives. We need to stop grieving the Spirit of God and be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other. Instead of allowing corrupt conversations to spew forth out of our mouths, we need to use our words to edify and lift others up. Once we accept Christ into our lives, it should change the person that we are, and it should show in all our words and deeds. Ephesians 4:20-32 "But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that charity, or the pure love of Christ is kind and long suffering, or patient. It does not envy, is not puffed up or proud. And it vaunteth not itself. What does vaunteth mean? It means to boast, and comes from a Greek word meaning windbag. Do we spend a lot of time talking about ourselves and little time listening to others? Are we full of hot air that comes from conceit? Do we demand that our accomplishments be noticed, and dominate conversations to see that that happens? These are all things that we need to avoid if we truly want to show charity to others. 1 Corinthians 13:4 "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,"
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