A number of years ago I was in Atlanta, Georgia, as an attorney representing a man who was buying a business. After several days
of negotiations we reached an agreement and signed the closing
documents. That evening one of the sellers invited us to a dinner to
celebrate the closing. When I arrived, he offered me an alcoholic
drink, which I declined. He then said, "Are you a Saint?" I didn't fully understand what he meant, and he repeated, "Are you a Latter-day Saint?" I responded, "Yes, I am," and he said he had been observing my personal habits during our negotiations and had concluded that I was either LDS or had a stomach problem. We both chuckled. He then informed me that he had only known one member of the Church on a personal basis, David B. Haight. They were both executives in Chicago with a large retail chain following World War II. He told me of the significant influence Elder Haight had been in his life and that he held him in the highest regard.
As I flew back home to San Francisco, I thought about what had occurred, especially in two respects: I was surprised at how it felt
to be asked if I was a Saint, and I was impressed with the positive
influence one outstanding example—Elder Haight—had
on this good man.
What does it mean to be a Saint? In the Lord's Church, the
members are Latter-day Saints, and they attempt to emulate the
Savior, follow His teachings, and receive saving ordinances in
order to live in the celestial kingdom with God the Father and our
Savior Jesus Christ.1 The Savior said, "This is my gospel; and ye
know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which
ye have seen me do that shall ye also do."2
It is not easy to be a Latter-day Saint. It was not meant to be easy.
The ultimate goal of living in the presence of God the Father and
His Son, Jesus Christ, is a privilege almost beyond comprehension.
Among the greatest trials the Church has ever faced were the
Martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and then ultimately the
expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo. When they were making
their way across the plains under very adverse circumstances,
William Clayton penned the great hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints."
It was a hymn that stirred their souls and helped them remember
their sacred mission. Who among us does not become emotional as
we feel their sacrifice, courage, and commitment when we sing:
"And should we die before our journey's through, / Happy day! All
is well!"3
This hymn gave them comfort, solace, and hope in a time of great difficulty with almost insurmountable obstacles. It buoyed them up
and highlighted the fact that this mortal life is a journey between
premortal life and eternal life to come—the great plan of
happiness. Brother Clayton's inspiring hymn emphasizes sacrifices
and what it really means to be a Saint. Our pioneer members met
the challenges of their day to be Saints.
The word saint in Greek denotes "set apart, separate, [and]
holy."4 If we are to be Saints in our day, we need to separate
ourselves from evil conduct and destructive pursuits that are
prevalent in the world.
We are bombarded with visual images of violence and immorality.
Inappropriate music and pornography are increasingly tolerated.
The use of drugs and alcohol is rampant. There is less emphasis on
honesty and character. Individual rights are demanded, but duties,
responsibilities, and obligations are neglected. There has been a
coarsening of dialogue and increased exposure to that which is
base and vulgar. The adversary has been relentless in his efforts to
undermine the plan of happiness. If we separate ourselves from this
worldly conduct, we will have the Spirit in our lives and
experience the joy of being worthy Latter-day Saints.
As Saints, we also need to avoid the worship of worldly gods.
President Hinckley has expressed the desire that "everyone might
have some of the good things of life" but has cautioned, "It is the
obsession with riches that cankers and destroys."5
In 1630 John Winthrop set forth a vision for the new land
(America) on behalf of his fellow passengers as he sailed on board
the Arbella. It has become known as "The City upon a Hill"
sermon. In the final paragraph, Winthrop references Deuteronomy
30 and warns against worshiping and serving other
gods—particularly emphasizing "pleasures, and profits."6 In
the recent past President Kimball counseled that even homes,
boats, credentials, titles, and other similar pursuits can be
worshiped as idols when they entice us away from love and service
to God.7
The prophet Moroni, speaking of our day, warned about the love of money and substance and suggested that we would love them more
than we "love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted."8
If we are to be worthy Saints, we should minister to others and
adhere to the Savior's admonition to love God and our fellowmen.
Separation from the evils of the world needs to be accompanied by
holiness. A Saint loves the Savior and follows Him in holiness and
devotion.9 Evidence of this kind of holiness and devotion is
exemplified by consecration and sacrifice. President Hinckley has
taught, "Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God."10 Sacrifice
is the crowning test of the gospel. It means consecrating time, talents, energy,
and earthly possessions to further the work of
God. In Doctrine and Covenants 97, verse 8, it concludes, "All . . . who . . . are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea,
every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are
accepted of me."
Saints who respond to the Savior's message will not be led astray
by distracting and destructive pursuits and will be prepared to
make appropriate sacrifices. The importance of sacrifice to those
who want to be Saints is exemplified by the atoning sacrifice of the
Savior, which is at the center of the gospel.11
Coming back to the original question that my acquaintance in
Atlanta asked, "Are you a Saint?" may I suggest three questions
that will allow for a self-assessment.
First, is the way we live consistent with what we believe, and
would our friends and associates recognize, as Elder Haight's
friend did, that we have separated ourselves from worldly evils?
Second, are worldly pleasures, profits, and similar pursuits
distracting us from following, worshiping, and serving the Savior
in our daily lives?
Third, in order to serve God and be holy, are we making sacrifices
consistent with our covenants?
What a wonderful blessing it is to be a Latter-day Saint. I love the
words in the last lines of the hymn "O Saints of Zion":
O Saints of Zion, tread the paths
Your faithful fathers trod.
Lift up your hearts in gratitude
And serve the living God!12
I testify that avoiding evil and destructive pursuits and
sacrificing in order to serve will qualify us to experience the joy of
being committed Latter-day Saints and, as the scriptures promise,
bring "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."13
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
1. See 2 Nephi 9:18.
3. Hymns, no. 30.
4. In Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols.
(1992), 3:1249.
Shalt Not Covet," Tambuli, Feb.
1991, 6; Ensign, Mar. 1990, 4–5.
6. "A Model of Christian Charity," in Robert L. Ferm, ed., Issues in
American Protestantism (1969), 11.
7. See The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969), 40–41.
9. See Wm. Grant Bangerter, "What
It Means to Be a Saint,"
Ensign, May 1987, 11.
10. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 565.
34:8–16.
12. Hymns, no. 39.
