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Quote mining/Journal of Discourses/JoD 6:256:Analysis
Contents |
Quote mining analysis
The quote and its use by the critic(s):
| List | Actual quote | Critical use |
|---|---|---|
* |
I say to those who are elected to go on missions, Go, if you never return; and commit what you have into the hands of God-your wives, your children, your brethren, and your property. Let truth and righteousness be your motto; and do not go into the world for anything else but to preach the Gospel, build up the kingdom of God, and gather the sheep into the fold. You are sent out as shepherds to gather the sheep together; and remember that they are not your sheep: they belong to Him that sends you: Then do not make a choice of any of those sheep; do not make selections before they are brought home and put into the fold. You understand that. Amen. |
It is claimed that LDS leaders were worried that the missionaries would "take the best women." |
Analysis
Heber C. Kimball said,
- "Let truth and righteousness be your motto; and do not go into the world for anything else but to preach the Gospel, build up the kingdom of God, and gather the sheep into the fold. You are sent out as shepherds to gather the sheep together; and remember that they are not your sheep: they belong to Him that sends you. Then do not make a choice of any of those sheep; do not make selections before they are brought home and put into the fold. You understand that. Amen."[1]
Elsewhere, the Tanners quote Heber C. Kimball from the Deseret News, though they attribute his remarks to Brigham Young. The Tanners do not, however, tell the reader about the very next sentence in Heber's speech, which calls their interpretation of his remarks above into question:
- I wish more of our young men would take to themselves wives of the daughters of Zion, and not wait for us old men to take them all; go-ahead upon the right principle, young gentlemen, and God bless you for ever and ever and make you fruitful, that we may fill the mountains and then the earth with righteous inhabitants. That is my prayer, and that is my blessing upon all the saints and upon your posterity after you, for ever: Amen."[1]
Clearly, Heber is here not worried about having missionaries "save" more wives for him.
Notes