Chapter 28—An Influential Minister
A Minister on a Downward Course—Elder T, my brother and
fellow laborer: For two nights I have not been able to sleep many
hours. About 2:00 a.m. I have been awakened greatly burdened, and
after devoting some time to prayer, have attempted to write.
Your case with many others has been before me. Several years
ago I was shown that your danger was very great on account of your
attentions to other women besides your wife. You have indulged your
own inclinations in this direction, and you stand guilty before God.
The root of the whole matter is unchaste thoughts [that] are entertained
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which lead to improper attentions and advances, then to improper
actions. All this is bad enough in men who have only a common work
to do, but it is a hundredfold worse in those who have accepted sacred
positions of trust.
I have in your presence dwelt particularly upon the importance
of abstaining from the very appearance of evil. I have presented in
your hearing the special temptations of the enemy, thinking to arouse
your consciousness, that you would barricade your soul against the
temptations of the enemy. I have written especially upon the dangers
of young men and also of married men showing special attention to
young ladies and to other men’s wives. When crossing the ocean
on my way to Europe, I was mightily stirred and wrote out special
warnings. This was in your behalf as well as for others. It was to stop
your downward course, that you should in the strength of Israel’s God
arise and be a man, not a plaything for the devil.
Dwarfing of Spiritual Growth by Sensual Thoughts—I was
shown that in consequence of temptations you could not lift up holy
hands without wrath and doubting. Your thoughts and actions crippled
your endeavors; your earthliness and sensual thoughts dwarfed your
spiritual growth. You are far from being the man God would have
you to be, and you fail to qualify yourself for the work you might do,
because your thoughts are not pure, but tainted and corrupt. Some
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