On Profanity – Sunday, June 03, 1945
There is a prevalent practice among us which it would seem there is need of repeated reminder. We refer to the use of offensive language—but more especially that language which profanes the name of Deity. There was a time when the uttering of strong and violent oaths, the use of profanity, was more commonly associated with questionable places and people—or at least was reserved for tense and deeply provocative situations—but somehow or other it seems now to have become a thoughtlessly casual custom, until one may hear it sometimes in the most unexpected places and from the most unexpected people, both old and young, both male and female.
Frequently those who use profanity are merely careless; some are self-consciously blaze; others are defiantly offensive. Sometimes this manner of expression is heard from those who earnestly want to give strength to what they are saying, and use this mistaken means of doing it. Often when a man feels called upon to use profanity in order to emphasize his words, one rather suspects that somehow he lacks conviction, that he feels some weakness in what he is saying which he tries to cover up by the use of an overdose of bad language—like trying to kill a bad flavor with heavy seasoning, or an offensive odor with strong perfume. A simple truth does not need the bolstering of bad language. Aside from religious and moral considerations, the common use of profanity does much to weaken our language. He who accompanies virtually everything he says with an oath, he who attempts to blast his way through with obscene or irreverent or profane speech, has dissipated his strength of expression, and when he really wants to impress someone with the gravity or importance Of an utterance, he has no adequate verbal ammunition left.
At best, profanity is in bad taste; at worst, it is a grave offense. Scarcely would it seem consistent that we should pray for divine favor, for the protection of our loved ones, for the preservation of our lives, for the victory of our cause, for peace, for our daily needs, and then go about profaning the name of that God whom we have supplicated for these things. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” (Deuteronomy 5:11.) Would that all men would cease this thoughtless and offensive practice. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9.)
“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, June 3, 1945. Copyright 1945.
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June 03, 1945
Broadcast Number 0,824