Discourse, 7 November 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards
Source Note
JS, Discourse, , Hancock, Co., IL, 7 Nov. 1841. Version copied in Willard Richards, Letter, Nauvoo, IL, to Levi Richards, Manchester, England, 11 Nov. 1841; typescript made [1965], pp. [2]–[3]; Richards Family Papers, CHL.
faith by works. Men got up and pretended to preach by the power of the Holy Ghost, and tell nothing new nothing but what the people understood. This is false. When men preach by the power of the Holy Ghost they will tell something new, and if a man has nothing new to tell let him sit down to give room to others (this was in ) lest he should come under some condemnation he would till something new.
“No man will be condemned before God who has no accuser.” Like the woman who was taken in the very act and they came accusing &c. “Let him without sin cast the first stone.” “Where are thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? No man Lord. Neither do I.” Where two or three are agreed— suppose it to be to take a glass of wine in the secret chamber and enjoy themselves for an hour and harm no one. They are agreed; who shall condemn them? No one; but one of the company in not agreed; he turns accuser. Condemnation follows. Drunkenness is not good; but in such a case God might take no notice of it, if no one entered a complaint or accused the parties. Spirit of accusing is a spirit of evil and many may be condemned by it which otherwise might go clear. Our actions are between us and God if we infringe not on the rights of others. If the brethren would not acuse him he would not acuse them, but would take them all on his back and bear them safe through the gates into the kingdom, &c. &c. &c. [p. [3]]