President Harold B. Lee, Part Five - Henry Ward Beacher and First Principles Before Launching Out in Life

 For Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four or Part Six, you know what to do. Click away!

 It's so wet outside. Wet and cold. But I still have power, and I'm snug in my house.

What better to do then, than ponder President Harold B. Lee's talk, "A Time of Decision" - most especially, the next quote in this talk, still speaking on the importance of valuing timeless principles over the shiny and the new:

 

The Quote

I pass these wise words of counsel to others in public office 

for what they are worth 

and strongly urge that those of you having heavy responsibilities in public office or elsewhere 

should meditate prayerfully 

and give the Lord a chance to aid you 

in solving the problems of life.

“Expedients are for an hour,” 

someone has said, 

“but principles are for the ages.” 

(Henry Ward Beecher)

Good advice for anyone in any field, really - and so like Henry Ward Beecher to say it. His sister was Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. He was a popular and controversial figure, who put out some good things. Lots of books he left behind to explore.

 

I didn't have any luck finding the original quote, but there were others that were similar. Here's one from his book Seven Lectures to Young Men:

 

"If you have, beforehand, no settled opinions as to what is right and what is wrong ; 

if your judgment is now, for the first time, to be formed upon the propriety of your actions ; 

if you are not controlled by settled principles, 

there is scarcely a chance for your purity.

For this purpose, then, I desire to discuss these things, 

that you may settle your opinions and principles before temptation assails you. 

 

As a ship is built upon the dry shore,  

which afterwards is to dare the storm and brave the sea, 

so would I build you staunch and strong, ere you be launched abroad upon life."

That's what I love about the gospel of Jesus Christ - it steadies me, fills in the holes, and gives me something I can count on in life. Since I was a child, I've been taught basic principles, and even though I don't always live my life by them perfectly, the more I do, the better my life.

 

What principles do you live by to prepare to go out in the world?