A Man Left Unto Himself – Sunday, April 27, 1941
In the strategy of modern warfare, one of the first objectives is to destroy the enemy lines of communication. An army may be well-equipped and even superior in numbers, and yet fall into confusion and defeat if its facilities for communicating with a directing head are rendered useless.
An armed force left unto itself is in grave plight, no matter what its strength. So often have we seen this condition in the unfolding of recent events that it has become a commonplace. Such experiences, however, are more commonplace in the lives of individuals, without being so readily recognized, but with results none the less certain and disastrous. A life without a directing purpose is a tragedy, no matter who lives it, or how. And those who by the manner of their living, fail to keep clear their lines of communication with the source of all truth, with the promptings of conscience, with the directing influence of the Father of all men, sooner or later find themselves in uncertainty and confusion. They may have great physical strength, material resources and mental facility, but they stand constantly in danger of breaking under the stresses of life.
There is something dramatic and exciting about the man who fights blindly and alone. It makes good reading. But there is something strong and reassuring abut the man who combines all of his own strength with the power and purpose that come by communication with the Great Headquarters of the Universe where dwells the Father of the spirits of all men. All this is to say merely what has been better said in Scripture: “Pray always that ye may not faint, until I come.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:126) And “***lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) A man left unto himself, whether by indifference, misdoing, or unbelief, is a sorry and a lonely thing. Men must keep open their lines of communication with the directing head of all that pertains to life. Failure to do this accounts for the defeat of many who seem strong and yet are weak in their strength, and also for the victory of many who seem weak, but become strong in their weakness.
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April 27, 1941
Broadcast Number 0,610