Stephen L. Richards Quotes (5 Quotes)

I have read and heard a good many statements by eminent writers and speakers to the effect that our liberty of which we are justly proud is an achievement, and not a gift. In the sense that it had to be worked for, fought for, and preserved with vigilance these statements are true. But let it never be forgotten that our concept of liberty is a gift. No human is the author of that concept. Many great men have so recognized it as did Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence and declared that 'men are endowed with certain inalienable rights.' Why are these rights inalienable Because men did not create the right to liberty In the exercise of his free agency he may surrender his privileges, and his property, and he may become the slave of others or of the state, but his free agency is as native to him as the air he breathes. It is part and parcel of his eternal constitution, and Jefferson was 'righter than I think he himself knew' when he declared it an endowment which cannot be alienated. The message which we bear affirms that God is the Author of our inalienable liberty that men, all men are of noble lineage, sons and daughters of the Eternal Father and that liberty is their birthright. I thank God that... noble men were blessed with this lofty concept of man's inherent right to liberty and that they were prompted to incorporate these divine principles in the organic law and history of our favored land.

I give to my friends the assurance that if they will recast their ideas and attitudes about the relative importance of the spiritual to the material, and bring themselves to participate in the mighty cause of establishing God's kingdom in the earth, they will find a satisfaction, a sureness of purpose, a peace and contentment, surpassing anything they have ever known. They will not be ashamed to say to themselves and to their fellows that God and his work come first. When they can develop the faith and the courage to make this acknowledgment, self-sufficiency and egotism will be replaced by humility of spirit. The brotherhood of man will become real to them. Their service will be ennobled, and they will lay the foundation for the attainment of the highest rewards and blessings vouchsafed to humanity.

Keeping the commandments ... is at once a demonstration of our intelligence, our knowledge, our character, and our wisdom.

The human body is sacred the veritable tabernacle of the divine spirit which inhabits it. It is a solemn duty of mankind to develop, protect and preserve it from pollution, unnecessary wastage and weakness.

Some time ago a member of my family sent to me a critical article written by Mr. Edmund Fuller in a publication called Saturday Review. The criticism of the writer is directed against the effort made to satisfy what the author designates as 'general religious hunger,' with books, articles, and public appearances of nationally advertised individuals, carrying on a propaganda for what is characterized as (these are quotes) 'the good life,' 'peace of mind,' 'positive thinking,' and 'successful' or 'confident living.' What the author objects to most strenuously is not so much that propaganda should be issued for the optimism of 'peace of mind' and 'positive thinking,' but that this psychological optimism should be held out in any form as an interpretation of or a substitute for the real Christian religion.