Neal A. Maxwell wrote (from the previous post) ‘The New Morality + 50 Years II’) Nor have we realized the “insight-lead” we have been given in the message of the Master in terms of how we can best help people and still preserve their individual dignity. Continuing. . . .
Too many stereotyped speeches about the evil of the dole have probably blinded us to the tremendous truth that underlies these urgings to avoid the creation of a dependency relationship which can deny the recipients both dignity and real remedies, ultimately causing failure for recipients and resentment on the part of benefactors who feel their efforts were unappreciated.
As the Church becomes worldwide, the relevancy of Jesus’ teachings can be seen in the way in which these can transcend nationalism and dissolve the differences of boundaries and borders. The cross-cultural happenings between Church members are not perfect executions of ecumenicism*, to be sure, but they are sufficiently operative in a regular way to remind us to remind us of this relevancy and that members can care enough about the gospel to—in the words of Alma—“make place” in their lives for this kind of brotherhood even with their nation’s traditional “enemies.”
Note the passage in the 49th section of the Doctrine & Covenants, verse 20: “But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.” This ought to remind us of the role that economic disparity plays in causing and maintaining sin, in the grand and tragic sense of the word, because of the envy, the strife, and the greed with all their train of consequences that flow from the **cheek-by-jowl relationship of riches and poverty.
In the brief stipulation of virtues to be possessed of those to be elected to public office it is difficult to improve on the relevance of the scriptures which counsel us to seek out individuals who are “wise,” “good,’ and “honest.” Too often we settle for one or two of these virtues in this triad. Each virtue is crucial, as history attests.
We have not yet sensed fully the significance of King Mosiah’s words in the 29th chapter of Mosiah concerning the need in a free society for a balance between the individual’s rights and responsibilities; nor, indeed, have we successfully seen the relevancy of the concept “equal chance.” (Read Mosiah 29:33, 34, 38.). . . . ~Neal A. Maxwell, For the Power is in Them (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1970), 55-57 (continued. . .)
*ecumenism, movement or tendency toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation. The term, of recent origin, emphasizes what is viewed as the universality of the Christian faith and unity among churches. **cheek-by-jowl, close together; side by side.
