We have obligations to the Lord’s prophets, past and present, which include being fair, posthumously or presently, concerning their words. In December 1838, for instance, the “choice seer,” Joseph, reminded the Church in an epistle from jail that “our light speeches from time to time … have nothing to do with the fixed principle of our hearts.” Writings, p. 376. Should we not distinguish between the utterances of the moment and considered opinions? Do not all of us wish for that same understanding on the part of our friends, hoping they “with the breath of kindness” will “blow the chaff away”?
– Elder Maxwell –