Quotes by Orson F. Whitney

“Knowledge is power," and all things are to be known in due season. But premature knowledge--knowing at the wrong time--is fatal both to progress and to happiness.””

“The redemption of Zion is more than the purchase or recovery of lands, the building of cities, or even the founding of nations. It is the conquest of the heart, the subjugation of the soul, the sanctifying of the flesh, the purifying and ennobling of the passions.””

“They sighed: "This leadeth to captivity--Perchance destruction, ending dark and dire.Yet must we yield to human libertyIts own, e'en though a brand from freedom's fireKindle for freedom's self the fatal pyre."So saying, they anointed one their kingWho craved the crown, by patriot son and sirePut by in pure denial, lest it bringFirst care, then crime, and waken woes then slumbering.For though a king see duty's pathway plain,And walk therein, as he who now arose;What monarch from misrule can all refrain,When privilege lifts power o'er friends and foes?Rare is the reign untarnished to the close,And rarer still the blameless dynasty.Ofttimes as princes the unkingliest pose,Because, forsooth, they come of some tall tree,Whose root and trunk were sound, while branches blasted be.True kingliness--what else proves man a king?A slave, though throned and sceptered, bides a slave;Nor pride, nor pelf, nor all that power may bring,Can make the serf a sovereign, or yet saveThe dust of either from the common grave.Royal the soul must be, or comes to endAll royalty. Spirit, then blood, God gave;And each at last its separate way doth wendHome to the parent source, to meet no more, nor blend.””

“Perhaps the Lord needs such men on the outside of his Church, to help it along. They are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. And the same is true of the priesthood and its auxiliaries inside the Church. Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the Truth; while others remain unconverted”

“I slept and dreamed no more; I was awake!And saw and heard with other eyes and ears,Which taught me things unseen, unheard before;Things new and old--old as eternity--Old e'en to time, though new and strange to me.””