14 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Implementing Social Righteousness, given on October 18, 1953. He states, "We come now to a consideration of how man's desire for social righteousness is to be implemented. If men are to share as stewards over the good things of earth which God has placed within our reach, there must be some machinery, some organization, some implementation set up or established whereby men can accomplish these ends together in an orderly, reasonable, equitable fashion. If a good steward owes an accounting to God and fellow man, and if he owes a debt to God as tangible acknowledgement of his stewardship, there must be some authoritative means established whereby the accounting can be received in the name of God, and the tithe paid to God's representative and used for the purposes of God and his kingdom. If there is to be a voluntary sharing of the proceeds of labor, so that some men are not forced to live in poverty in spite of all their best efforts, while others live in idle ease by the sweat of another's toil, there must be some sort of organization or framework or mechanism established by which men can combine their efforts as stewards to insure the well-being of all."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #42 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 14 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on October 18, 1953. He states, "We come now to a consideration of how man's desire for social righteousness is to be implemented. If men are to share as stewards over the good things of earth which God has placed within our reach, there must be some machinery, some organization, some implementation set up or established whereby men can accomplish these ends together in an orderly, reasonable, equitable fashion. If a good steward owes an accounting to God and fellow man, and if he owes a debt to God as tangible acknowledgement of his stewardship, there must be some authoritative means established whereby the accounting can be received in the name of God, and the tithe paid to God's representative and used for the purposes of God and his kingdom. If there is to be a voluntary sharing of the proceeds of labor, so that some men are not forced to live in poverty in spite of all their best efforts, while others live in idle ease by the sweat of another's toil, there must be some sort of organization or framework or mechanism established by which men can combine their efforts as stewards to insure the well-being of all."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Judgment Is Eternal, given on November 1, 1953. He states, "We may hide our sins from the eyes of man. We may commit crimes and seemingly get away undiscovered and unpunished. But every act, good or bad -- every thought and wish -- leaves its impress to judge us. Every act, every thought, every wish either conforms to and obeys law, or defies and flouts it. It therefore follows that every act, thought, and wish leaves its impress upon us, has its inevitable effect and influence upon our total character. We are what we do; we become the kind of people that our actions make us. God's laws are eternal; the consequences of obedience or disobedience to those laws are eternal; therefore God's judgment is eternal, or in other words, is eternal judgment. It is judgment which shall endure through all eternity, for never can we escape from the consequences of our many choices -- the sum-total of which make up our character."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #44 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on November 1, 1953. He states, "We may hide our sins from the eyes of man. We may commit crimes and seemingly get away undiscovered and unpunished. But every act, good or bad -- every thought and wish -- leaves its impress to judge us. Every act, every thought, every wish either conforms to and obeys law, or defies and flouts it. It therefore follows that every act, thought, and wish leaves its impress upon us, has its inevitable effect and influence upon our total character. We are what we do; we become the kind of people that our actions make us. God's laws are eternal; the consequences of obedience or disobedience to those laws are eternal; therefore God's judgment is eternal, or in other words, is eternal judgment. It is judgment which shall endure through all eternity, for never can we escape from the consequences of our many choices -- the sum-total of which make up our character."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Thy Kingdom Come (Zion), given on October 25, 1953. He states, "It is significant that when John the Baptist came preaching, he did not say that the kingdom of heaven was going to be available in some far off, distant day and time; it was available then. 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Jesus expressed the same idea somewhat later when he said, 'The kingdom of God is within you.' Some people have interpreted this verse to mean that the kingdom is in the individual heart. Since Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, it is not plausible to believe that the kingdom of which he was speaking was within them, or in their hearts. A marginal note in the King James version reads, 'Or among you.' Another version says 'The kingdom of heaven is in the midst of you.' Still another says, 'The kingdom of God has already come unto you.'....Whichever of these renditions you prefer, the idea runs through them all that the kingdom of God is not some far-off, impossible-to-be-achieved ideal, but a reality which exists now. On another occasion Jesus himself said, 'The Kingdom of God is come unto you.' Christ is the King of this Kingdom, His laws are the laws of the Kingdom. His subjects will obey his will and his commandments. We can be citizens of his kingdom NOW, at this very moment, or any time we choose to accept him as King, and obey his laws completely, unreservedly, sincerely, instead of half-heartedly, fearfully, with reservations and backward looks at the kingdoms of this world in which we have heretofore trusted. The kingdom is available NOW; is at hand, is among you, has already come unto
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #43 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on October 25, 1953. He states, "It is significant that when John the Baptist came preaching, he did not say that the kingdom of heaven was going to be available in some far off, distant day and time; it was available then. 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Jesus expressed the same idea somewhat later when he said, 'The kingdom of God is within you.' Some people have interpreted this verse to mean that the kingdom is in the individual heart. Since Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, it is not plausible to believe that the kingdom of which he was speaking was within them, or in their hearts. A marginal note in the King James version reads, 'Or among you.' Another version says 'The kingdom of heaven is in the midst of you.' Still another says, 'The kingdom of God has already come unto you.'....Whichever of these renditions you prefer, the idea runs through them all that the kingdom of God is not some far-off, impossible-to-be-achieved ideal, but a reality which exists now. On another occasion Jesus himself said, 'The Kingdom of God is come unto you.' Christ is the King of this Kingdom, His laws are the laws of the Kingdom. His subjects will obey his will and his commandments. We can be citizens of his kingdom NOW, at this very moment, or any time we choose to accept him as King, and obey his laws completely, unreservedly, sincerely, instead of half-heartedly, fearfully, with reservations and backward looks at the kingdoms of this world in which we have heretofore trusted. The kingdom is available NOW; is at han
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.15 minute sermon by Evan A Fry on Contemporary Scriptures, given on September 6, 1953. He states, "The Book of Doctrine an d Covenants can teach any open minded man marvelous truths concerning the nature, will, and purpose of Deity; can teach him of the mysteries that lie beyond death and the grave, of judgment, of reward and punishment, or resurrection and eternal life. More important perhaps than any of these is the knowledge that whenever the church has need, whenever it is confronted by a problem which human wisdom cannot solve, we have an officer in the church whose duty and function it is to receive the will of God when God chooses to speak, to supply our need, and to help in solving our problems. The gift of prophecy, which may be diffused throughout the membership as each individual has need, is implemented through a prophetic office to bring instruction, edification, and counsel to the church. We invite you to read, to study, to investigate our contemporary scriptures, and to share with us in the benefits which flow from them to those who are willing to receive."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #36 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on September 6, 1953. He states, "The Book of Doctrine an d Covenants can teach any open minded man marvelous truths concerning the nature, will, and purpose of Deity; can teach him of the mysteries that lie beyond death and the grave, of judgment, of reward and punishment, or resurrection and eternal life. More important perhaps than any of these is the knowledge that whenever the church has need, whenever it is confronted by a problem which human wisdom cannot solve, we have an officer in the church whose duty and function it is to receive the will of God when God chooses to speak, to supply our need, and to help in solving our problems. The gift of prophecy, which may be diffused throughout the membership as each individual has need, is implemented through a prophetic office to bring instruction, edification, and counsel to the church. We invite you to read, to study, to investigate our contemporary scriptures, and to share with us in the benefits which flow from them to those who are willing to receive."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.14 minute sermon by Evan A Fry on The Glory Of God Is Intelligence, given on September 27, 1953. He states, "If the glory of God is intelligence; if God is the source of all intelligence, which is eternal and uncreated even as God himself is eternal and uncreated, then all of our efforts to gain intelligence, wisdom, or knowledge must be God-centered. 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' Any man who would be God-like must become intelligent as God is intelligent -- must partake of his creative, intelligent Spirit -- the Spirit which teaches men all things, and guides them into all truth. Man cannot be ignorant, and be truly religious."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #39 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 14 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on September 27, 1953. He states, "If the glory of God is intelligence; if God is the source of all intelligence, which is eternal and uncreated even as God himself is eternal and uncreated, then all of our efforts to gain intelligence, wisdom, or knowledge must be God-centered. 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' Any man who would be God-like must become intelligent as God is intelligent -- must partake of his creative, intelligent Spirit -- the Spirit which teaches men all things, and guides them into all truth. Man cannot be ignorant, and be truly religious."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.15 minute sermon by Evan A Fry on What Is Christian Stewardship?, given on October 4, 1953. He states, "A good steward is obligated to work, to be diligent in improving, enlarging, and expanding his stewardship to the limit of his capacity, by every legitimate means. God has created the potentialities of wealth, but man has wealth only as he joins his efforts with God's efforts, and works to improve and enlarge his stewardship. The Lord has a right to expect that the good steward will have an increase to show on the investment which is made in him when the final accounting is called for. The good steward will earn his own bread by the sweat of his own brow. He will make his own way, insofar as that is physically possible; he will refuse to be a complete burden on someone else....The good steward will be progressive, willing to venture, to experiment, to study, to search out new ways of improving his stewardship and serving his fellow man more efficiently, more economically, more productively. He will be unwilling to tolerate waste of time or money or material wealth in any form. He will know how to control his own wants, so that he does not spend money needlessly or profligately, on frivolous, foolish, wasteful, harmful, or unnecessary things. The good steward will know how to budget his expenditures of both time and money, so that he will know where and how his assets are used. The good steward will refuse to allow his properties or his talents to be used in any way which will degrade or debauch or exploit or harm another of God's stewards. The production of things which destroy men's bodies, enslave their minds
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #40 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on October 4, 1953. He states, "A good steward is obligated to work, to be diligent in improving, enlarging, and expanding his stewardship to the limit of his capacity, by every legitimate means. God has created the potentialities of wealth, but man has wealth only as he joins his efforts with God's efforts, and works to improve and enlarge his stewardship. The Lord has a right to expect that the good steward will have an increase to show on the investment which is made in him when the final accounting is called for. The good steward will earn his own bread by the sweat of his own brow. He will make his own way, insofar as that is physically possible; he will refuse to be a complete burden on someone else....The good steward will be progressive, willing to venture, to experiment, to study, to search out new ways of improving his stewardship and serving his fellow man more efficiently, more economically, more productively. He will be unwilling to tolerate waste of time or money or material wealth in any form. He will know how to control his own wants, so that he does not spend money needlessly or profligately, on frivolous, foolish, wasteful, harmful, or unnecessary things. The good steward will know how to budget his expenditures of both time and money, so that he will know where and how his assets are used. The good steward will refuse to allow his properties or his talents to be used in any way which will degrade or debauch or exploit or harm another of God's stewards. The production of things which destroy me
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Book Of Mormon Doctrines, given on August 16, 1953. He states, "The Book of Mormon teaches that there is one God, who is omnipotent, supreme over heavens and earth, God above all. This God is eternal, everlasting, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. He is perfect, just, merciful. He is all-wise; he knoweth all things. He is a God who is still at work, whose work will never be finished, for he is eternal, and his course is one eternal round. This God is the creator of all things, both the heavens and the earth; he is the Father and Creator of man. This creation was accomplished through the instrumentality of his Son, Jesus Christ, who for this reason is also called a Creator, and the Father of heaven and earth. God is unchangeable; his decrees are unalterable. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever; in him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. His power is undiminished, and always will be; he is still a God of miracles, of might, of wonder, of power. He is impartial; he remembers one nation like unto another; he is mindful of every people, and every man is precious in his sight. "God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being, but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #33 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on August 16, 1953. He states, "The Book of Mormon teaches that there is one God, who is omnipotent, supreme over heavens and earth, God above all. This God is eternal, everlasting, the same yesterday, today, and forever, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. He is perfect, just, merciful. He is all-wise; he knoweth all things. He is a God who is still at work, whose work will never be finished, for he is eternal, and his course is one eternal round. This God is the creator of all things, both the heavens and the earth; he is the Father and Creator of man. This creation was accomplished through the instrumentality of his Son, Jesus Christ, who for this reason is also called a Creator, and the Father of heaven and earth. God is unchangeable; his decrees are unalterable. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever; in him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. His power is undiminished, and always will be; he is still a God of miracles, of might, of wonder, of power. He is impartial; he remembers one nation like unto another; he is mindful of every people, and every man is precious in his sight. "God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being, but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Spiritual And Ethical Levels Of The Book Of Mormon, given on August 23, 1953. He states, "In our scripture lesson we have already laid down a principle which will be the text or thesis of this sermon -- that whatever persuades, exhorts, and entices men to do good, and to love God, and to serve him and fellow man, is of God. Perhaps this principle needs some qualification or limitation, but it is essentially true. Sometimes a perfectly good act, done from evil motivation, and for evil purposes, is evil. The devil may entice man to do what seems to be good, and what if done by any other man under any other circumstances would be good, but if the ultimate purpose of that good act is evil, the act itself is evil, and the enticement to do it for that end or purpose was evil. The truth still remains, then; whatsoever enticeth men to do good, AND to love and serve God, is of God. I have yet to hear of the devil or any of his cohorts striving to persuade men to love and serve God."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #34 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 15 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on August 23, 1953. He states, "In our scripture lesson we have already laid down a principle which will be the text or thesis of this sermon -- that whatever persuades, exhorts, and entices men to do good, and to love God, and to serve him and fellow man, is of God. Perhaps this principle needs some qualification or limitation, but it is essentially true. Sometimes a perfectly good act, done from evil motivation, and for evil purposes, is evil. The devil may entice man to do what seems to be good, and what if done by any other man under any other circumstances would be good, but if the ultimate purpose of that good act is evil, the act itself is evil, and the enticement to do it for that end or purpose was evil. The truth still remains, then; whatsoever enticeth men to do good, AND to love and serve God, is of God. I have yet to hear of the devil or any of his cohorts striving to persuade men to love and serve God."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Who Closed The Canon Of Scripture?, given on August 30, 1953. He states, "One of the most popular and widespread of all beliefs among Christian people is the belief that the Bible is a closed book, complete in itself, undisputed as to authority, never to be added to or taken away from; or in other words, that the canon of scripture is closed for all time; that in the Bible is contained everything which is essential or desirable or necessary for man's salvation. The fact that this is a widespread and popular belief does not necessarily make it true. There was a time when everybody not only believed, but KNEW that the world was flat; but the world was round just the same. Who closed the canon of scripture? Perhaps it would be wise to begin our discussion with a brief examination of how the Bible came to us -- how the 66 books now comprising it came to be selected and approved as sacred literature."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #35 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on August 30, 1953. He states, "One of the most popular and widespread of all beliefs among Christian people is the belief that the Bible is a closed book, complete in itself, undisputed as to authority, never to be added to or taken away from; or in other words, that the canon of scripture is closed for all time; that in the Bible is contained everything which is essential or desirable or necessary for man's salvation. The fact that this is a widespread and popular belief does not necessarily make it true. There was a time when everybody not only believed, but KNEW that the world was flat; but the world was round just the same. Who closed the canon of scripture? Perhaps it would be wise to begin our discussion with a brief examination of how the Bible came to us -- how the 66 books now comprising it came to be selected and approved as sacred literature."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Sermon by Elder Frederick F. Helvie 1/28/24. The witness of the prophets about who is Jesus Christ. The nature of God and the pattern by which all things are created – spiritual first, then temporal. A call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Book Of Mormon Evidences, given on August 2, 1953. He states, "One of the mysteries which never ceased to puzzle the early Spanish fathers, was the seeming familiarity of the native Americans with Christian doctrines and ordinances. They practiced baptism; they had something very closely resembling the Lord's Supper; they venerated the cross; they had a higher and lower priesthood; they worshipped a bearded white God whose features were depicted in carvings as semitic in cast. This God, who was known under a variety of names such as Quetcalcoatl, KulKulKan, and Wiracocha, was always described in the same terms. He was white in contrast to the darker Indians; he was bearded, while the Indians were beardless; he had not been born among them, but suddenly appeared out of the east; he required no blood sacrifices of either animals or men; he had been slain on a cross but rose to life again; he was the giver and originator of much of their religion and culture; he left without dying, 'promising to return again.' These traditions agree most remarkably with the Book of Mormon story of Christ's visit to America, and make a fascinating and inexhaustible study for those who have time and inclination to follow it."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #31 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry, given on August 2, 1953. He states, "One of the mysteries which never ceased to puzzle the early Spanish fathers, was the seeming familiarity of the native Americans with Christian doctrines and ordinances. They practiced baptism; they had something very closely resembling the Lord's Supper; they venerated the cross; they had a higher and lower priesthood; they worshipped a bearded white God whose features were depicted in carvings as semitic in cast. This God, who was known under a variety of names such as Quetcalcoatl, KulKulKan, and Wiracocha, was always described in the same terms. He was white in contrast to the darker Indians; he was bearded, while the Indians were beardless; he had not been born among them, but suddenly appeared out of the east; he required no blood sacrifices of either animals or men; he had been slain on a cross but rose to life again; he was the giver and originator of much of their religion and culture; he left without dying, 'promising to return again.' These traditions agree most remarkably with the Book of Mormon story of Christ's visit to America, and make a fascinating and inexhaustible study for those who have time and inclination to follow it."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Book Of Mormon Witnesses, given on August 9, 1953. He states, "It will surprise you, if you will think a moment, to discover how much of what you know is dependent on the testimony of someone else. We rely on the record of witnesses to establish the facts of history which we have not experienced, the existence of persons and places we have never seen. We rely on witnesses to convict or acquit those charged with crimes or misdemeanors in a court of law. We depend on witnesses to establish the signatures on wills and other legal documents. When Jesus wanted to establish the fact of his resurrection, he committed that testimony to twelve faithful witnesses. To some it is given to know, and to others it is given to believe on the testimony of others."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #32 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on August 9, 1953. He states, "It will surprise you, if you will think a moment, to discover how much of what you know is dependent on the testimony of someone else. We rely on the record of witnesses to establish the facts of history which we have not experienced, the existence of persons and places we have never seen. We rely on witnesses to convict or acquit those charged with crimes or misdemeanors in a court of law. We depend on witnesses to establish the signatures on wills and other legal documents. When Jesus wanted to establish the fact of his resurrection, he committed that testimony to twelve faithful witnesses. To some it is given to know, and to others it is given to believe on the testimony of others."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry on Why Believe The Book Of Mormon, given on July 26, 1953. He states, "We should believe in the Book of Mormon because it has a special witness and promise for the scattered peoples of Israel. There is no more pathetic people in the world today than the Jews, who for 4000 years have been enslaved, oppressed, afflicted, persecuted, tortured, robbed, massacred, and driven from place to place, with no home, and no country they could call their own. It is well to remember, however, that the Jews are only one tribe of Israel--the tribe of Judah--and that since 586 B.C. ten and a half tribes of Israel have been sifted among all nations, 'scattered, peeled,' lost to history. God has not forgotten his covenant with his people, Israel. The Bible bears witness in prophecy time and time again that all Israel shall be gathered together again and brought to a knowledge of her Redeemer--that the breach between Israel and Judah shall be repaired. The Book of Mormon is one of the means provided by an all-wise Father to assist in bringing about this happy result. The gathering of a few Jews back to Palestine is wonderful, but at best, it is only a partial fulfillment of prophecy, for the promise is that ALL ISRAEL shall come to a knowledge of her Redeemer, and be gathered in one."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.Original script for sermon #30 of the Hear Ye Him Radio series, a 16 minute sermon by Evan A. Fry given on July 26, 1953. He states, "We should believe in the Book of Mormon because it has a special witness and promise for the scattered peoples of Israel. There is no more pathetic people in the world today than the Jews, who for 4000 years have been enslaved, oppressed, afflicted, persecuted, tortured, robbed, massacred, and driven from place to place, with no home, and no country they could call their own. It is well to remember, however, that the Jews are only one tribe of Israel--the tribe of Judah--and that since 586 B.C. ten and a half tribes of Israel have been sifted among all nations, 'scattered, peeled,' lost to history. God has not forgotten his covenant with his people, Israel. The Bible bears witness in prophecy time and time again that all Israel shall be gathered together again and brought to a knowledge of her Redeemer--that the breach between Israel and Judah shall be repaired. The Book of Mormon is one of the means provided by an all-wise Father to assist in bringing about this happy result. The gathering of a few Jews back to Palestine is wonderful, but at best, it is only a partial fulfillment of prophecy, for the promise is that ALL ISRAEL shall come to a knowledge of her Redeemer, and be gathered in one."
This electronic publication copyright © 2024 LatterDayTruth.org; All Rights Reserved.