NINTH COMMANDMENT: Thou shalt not bear false witness.
Even though people keep their distance from the commandments concerning stealing, adultery and murder, they consider these more serious or important than bearing false witness, but they are not.
When we listen to, testify to, or pass on, either consciously or unconsciously, rumors or reports, speculations, or things that someone said that someone else said, we are bearing false witness. We may not know what the truth is but we pass it on anyways.
We may misunderstand what someone is saying or do not fully understand the reason this information is coming to us but we take it in and pass it on, maybe only to be noticed or to feel we are contributing to a common cause; it still does not make it right, even if it is true.
Sometimes we pass on information, true or not, to get back at someone who we dislike or for revenge. We may not be killing someone but what we are doing is destroying their character or reputation. The old adage comes into play here. “If you cannot say something good about someone, do not say anything at all.”
Once something comes out of your mouth, it cannot be taken back.
Those who knowingly speak or act out things that are untrue are considered liars.
False witness has been done many times in court, even after swearing on a bible. Each person on earth will be held accountable for their actions at the Judgment Bar of God and it will not be treated as a small thing.
According to the scriptures, anything that, in its nature is untrue or is meant to deceive is a lie. Those who believe in false doctrines believe a lie and if they pass that on they are also guilty of lying. In other words, to teach true doctrine is to tell the truth and to teach false doctrine is to lie.
1 John 2: 4, 21-22
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
If you belong to the true church and you say you believe in Jesus Christ and His commandments, and then in your actions and your life, you do not reflect or live it, you are lying and bearing false witness.
Do not bear false witness because you are here on earth, in this body, to work out your own salvation. Every decision you make does not go unrecorded or unnoticed. It is a requisite to be honest in your thoughts, actions and dealing with your fellow men.
Those who are honest in heart will readily accept the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and its truths.
When talking about civil law, the Lord has given us instructions about finding honest people who do not bear false witness and act true in judging, or making laws for the benefit and freedom of all people. They must have integrity and truth in them.
Doctrine and Covenants 98: 10
10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
For more information go to www.lds.org
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