A Lesson in Leadership – Sunday, May 06, 1945
Within the week we have had yet further evidence, if we needed any, of the unspeakable consequences that can come into the lives of those who follow after false leadership. The record of mankind has given us altogether too many examples of the widespread misery caused by men who have more power than principle, more ambition than altruism more influence than integrity. Leadership built upon such false foundations inevitably collapses—and the more pretentious it is, the greater the fall—but the greater also is the misery that follows in its wake, not for the leaders only, but, bitterly, for all.
There is solemnly upon us, unforgettably we hope, an awareness of the grave responsibility of choosing whom we shall follow, because the gift of leadership is sometimes found among safe and honorable men, and sometimes, tragically, it is found among unsafe men. And the obligation is upon all peoples to look searchingly to themselves and to their leadership, because we are all responsible, to greater or lesser degree, for those we follow.
No tyrant stands alone. Tyranny is possible only because of the many who support it. Widespread corruption is possible only because of the many who share in it. Loss of freedom is possible only because of the many, who, to begin with at least, are willing to trade freedom for something else. And so, to a generation that has been shocked into thinking earnestly—and to a world that seeks peace as its only hope—again comes the reminder: Look to yourselves, and look to your leaders; watch the pattern take shape; watch for the early signs of things to come; appraise all trends in the light of that history which has so often repeated itself, and according to the words of wise and inspired men, and by these standards determine whether or not those who give direction are committed to less power and more freedom or to more power and less freedom; whether or not their intended destination is one at which we would be willing to arrive.
Good leadership cannot maintain itself in the midst of a people who desire what is bad; bad leadership cannot survive the will of a people who earnestly want what is good—but between these extremes there are those who compromise; and, having made small concessions of principle to begin with, many peoples have permitted themselves, for one cause or another, to follow false leadership to the point where they couldn’t turn back. This is the lesson that the events of the week have rewritten on the pages of the world’s history, for any who will to see and to learn.
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station K S L and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, May 6, 1945. Copyright 1945.
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May 06, 1945
Broadcast Number 0,820