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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
would be a disgrace to the ministry. Do not give publicity to this
matter by any means. It would do injustice to the whole cause of God.
It would create impure thoughts in the minds of many even to hear
these things repeated. Defile not the lips even by communicating this
to your wife, to make her ashamed and bow her head in sorrow. Go
to God and to the brethren who know this terrible chapter in your
experience and say what you have to say, then let prayer be offered to
God in your behalf. Cultivate sobriety. Walk carefully and prayerfully
before God. Acquire moral stamina by saying, “I will not dishonor my
Redeemer.”—
Letter 106a, 1896
.
Transmitting Messages of Reproof—I am sorry that you feel
injured because I let Brother A have a copy of the letter I sent to you.
I did not do this to injure you in any way. You had yourself written me
that you had made matters known to him concerning yourself and he
thought you should confess the whole matter to the church. I thought
that letter would prevent any such movement and keep the matter as
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private as possible.
I do not in any way favor his reading the matter to your mother.
She has an abundance of sorrows to carry. I did not sanction any
public exposure. I thought that the letter, which condemned the sin,
also encouraged you to hope and trust in God. I supposed that it would
help Brother A to help you. If it has added to your affliction, making
matters any worse for you, I am sincerely sorry.
Whenever I have written a message of reproof, I have always sent
one copy to the minister who is officiating in the church, that he may
have wisdom to recover such ones as are in danger through temptation,
giving them such advice as they need. I also knew, under existing
circumstances, that it would not be possible to give you credentials
as a shepherd, recommending you to the confidence of the people,
because knowing your course of action, if you should in any way be
overcome, the Lord would make the conference guilty of the sin of
which you are guilty.—
Letter 120, 1897
.
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