Elder Delbert L. Stapley, Part Five: George Washington Desires Honesty

 For Part One, Part Two, Part Three, or Part Four in this series, pick a link and go for it. 

And now...the final quote from the April 1971 General Conference!

It comes, once again, from Elder Delbert L. Stapley's talk, "Honesty and Integrity", we come to another quote by a very classic figure - one that we've heard from before in this conference: 

 

The Quote 

George Washington placed emphasis upon honesty when he said: “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

 

As great as George Washington was, he's also notoriously misquoted - everyone my age remembers the cherry tree, right? I cannot tell a lie...

Not a true story, folks.

Even though the cherry tree is a myth dreamed up by biographer Mason Weems to illustrate Washington's honesty, his true seeking for honesty was no myth. This quote, I am thrilled to report to be a true and actual sourced quote, having come from a letter George Washington wrote to Alexander Hamilton on the 28 August 1788.

The full exerpt from the letter reads as follows. The matter he referred to is a bit of a historical mystery, but I love how he defers judgment on something that could change later. Such a Christlike thing to do, to extend mercy:

 

"On the delicate subject with which you conclude your letter, 

I can say nothing; 

because the event alluded to may never happen; 

and because, in case it should occur, 

it would be a point of prudence to defer forming one’s ultimate and irrevocable decision, 

so long as new data might be afforded 

for one to act with the greater wisdom & propriety. 

I would not wish to conceal my prevailing sentiment from you. 

For you know me well enough, my good Sir, 

to be persuaded that I am not guilty of affection, 

when I tell you, it is my great and sole desire to live and die, 

in peace and retirement, on my own farm. 

Were it even indispensable, a different line of conduct should be adopted; 

while you and some others who are acquainted with my heart 

would acquit, 

the world and Posterity might probably accuse me of inconsistency and ambition. 

Still I hope 

I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain 

(what I consider the most enviable of all titles) 

the character of an honest man, 

as well as prove (what I desire to be considered in reality) 

that I am, with great sincerity & esteem, 

Dear Sir 

Your friend and Most obedient Hble Ser⟨vt⟩

Go: Washington

And that's it! Nearly 70 different quotes from just one Conference, and we've ranged all over the world from this one alone.

Coming up - the October 1971 Conference, and all its literary and cultural quirks and surprises - stay tuned!