Sabbathought: Joseph and Hyrum did not die at Carthage so we may teach ethics.

Ethics are "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation; a set of moral principles" (Webster).

The gospel goes far beyond mere ethics.

"In teaching the gospel, it is far less effective to say 'Be honest, for honesty is the best policy,' and then to reason from a social standpoint why this is so, than to link honesty with the gospel out of which it grows by teaching: 'Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.' (2 Nephi 9:34.)

"It is only when gospel ethics are tied to gospel doctrines that they rest on a sure and enduring foundation and gain full operation in the lives of the saints" (Bruce R. McConkie [1985], p. 700).

Ethics have to do with the norms of conduct or behavior accepted in society at large. Nothing wrong with ethics, but the restored gospel is far more than mere ethics.  Ethics --- moral conduct alone --- will not save a soul, nor be sufficient to dwell in the presence of God.

Would Nephi have slain Laban if he had been guided by ethical propriety?  He would not.

Would Abraham have lifted the knife to slay his only son Isaac if he had been concerned purely with ethics?

There are a thousand other examples in our scriptures.

We have cited before another strong explanation on this from Elder McConkie.  Commenting on the first verse of Luke chapter 20 where Luke records that Jesus "preached the gospel," Elder McConkie wrote:--

"How often the gospel authors [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] remind us that Jesus was not just teaching ethical principles such as love, honesty, and charity.  Rather, he preached the gospel, which means that he commanded men to accept God as their Father, believe in Christ as the Son, manifest faith in the atoning sacrifice of the Son, repent of their sins, be baptized by immersion for the remission of sins, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then (after all this!) endure to the end by keeping all the commandments, including the practice of love, honesty, charity, and every true ethical principle" (DNTC 1:588).

It is a case of roots before fruits.  It is an urgent matter of first things first.

Why is this important to us --- today?  For the most part, our church manuals reflect ethics more than doctrine.  That is because we as a people are not ready for good strong doctrine.

This is not a doctrinal era in the Church.  It is, therefore, by default, an era of getting the Saints ready for the strong doctrine that will in time redeem Zion and make us independent as a people from the world.

The sooner we can wake up and embrace these truths the better.

At the moment we largely think and speak and act upon the misplaced ethic that tolerance is the prime virtue.  It is as if the new first article of faith is "We believe in being tolerant and in giving no offense to all men."

Which brings us back to Joseph and Hyrum giving their lives at Carthage.  Sealing the work of the Restoration with their blood --- "the best blood of the nineteenth century," as Apostle John Taylor described it in what is now the scriptural account of the Martyrdom (see D&C 135).

It also brings us back to a noble descendant of these two prime martyrs, to Joseph McConkie and to the stirring fact that the blood of these two martyrs runs in the McConkie veins.  As father Bruce has written, "believing blood" --- noble blood, the blood of prophets.  That all of us should aspire to have our blood and beliefs conform to such illustrious heights is the purpose of this reminder.  And the purpose of the Restoration, and of patriarchal blessings, and of the scriptures.  And of the whole plan.

Take the time to open the link of Joseph McConkie's chapter on "Religious Tolerance" that accompanies the link to this Sabbathought on the Martyrdom.  Read what he wrote.  Notice how clear and bold it is.  How full of the knowledge and fervor of the Restoration it is.

And reflect.  Ponder.  Think how important it is to have the same valiant testimony of the Restoration.  And to settle for nothing less. 

Next Sunday, July 1st, will be testimony meeting for most of us.  Listen and see how close the testimonies speak of ethics or of doctrine --- the Doctrine of Christ, in its majesty and nobility.

God bless.

Steve