Wise Principles

    God, who is the first and the best, is to be served first, and with the best. The first and best of our time, and of our strength. Therefore, with our youth. Therefore, early: alone: with the family: daily.

    It is better to suffer than to sin. Never choose iniquity rather than affliction. It is better a thousand times to be chidden of men than cursed of God.

    "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

    The things that are seen, and are temporal, are not to be compared with the things that are not seen, and are eternal. The misery, the torments eternal. The joys, the happiness eternal.

    That we are really which we are relatively. Therefore, strive to be good in all relations: within doors: without.

    We must do what we can, when we cannot do what we would.

    "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

    "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

    Our opportunities to do good are our truest riches.

    Duty is ours. Events are God's.

    That is best for me that is best for my soul. The soul is the man. Therefore, make thy soul thy "darling," and use it accordingly.

    Time is precious. Opportunity is most precious. Therefore, to be redeemed, improved.

    Learn to number your days. This was Moses' way of wisdom. Therefore he prays—" So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." None are more likely to "apply " their hearts to wisdom than they that are taught to number their days. There are false rules of numbering: "We have had so many; and so many lived thus and thus long: therefore we may live longer yet. Others of our relations lived to see sixty, seventy, eighty years, therefore why not we?" It does not follow.— The best way of numbering is the Scripture way; not by addition, or multiplication, but subtraction; not by years, but days; counting upon but few, and those, perhaps, dark, gloomy, winter days. "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not." Especially learn to number your sabbath days: sacrament days: lecture days: opportunity days. One of those is of more worth than twenty others. Therefore spend them accordingly.