The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Why Reproofs Are Needed

The following remarks upon this scripture are found in Testimonies for the Church 3:254: “Many inquire, Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the Testimonies continually charge us with backsliding and with grievous sins? We love the truth; we are prospering; we are in no need of these Testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts, and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible. Let them humble their souls before God, let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will realize their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. They will feel the necessity of buying gold, which is pure faith and love; white raiment, which is the spotless character made pure in the blood of their dear Redeemer; and eye-salve, which is the grace of God, and which will give clear discernment of spiritual things, and detect sin. These attainments are more precious than the gold of Ophir.” COOD 151.2