Without Guile

 

Edward Partridge had met the Prophet Joseph Smith only two months before he was called to be the first bishop of the restored Gospel.

His was a weighty responsibility which he wrestled with at times.  He wasn't perfect and was rebuked and called to repentance more than once.  

He believed whole heartedly in doing whatever he could to help prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.   Even if it meant giving up his successful hat making business.  Located not far from Lake Erie in Ohio, he was close enough to the west to have easy access to the fur trade and yet still able to have thriving trade with the cities in the east. He was talented and an astute businessman.

Like many early Saints, he spent long periods of time away from his family. 

He had conflicts at times with Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith.  Sometimes we forget that what is obvious to us in terms of policy and procedure wasn't so easily discerned by early leaders figuring it out with inspiration as they went.

But the Lord said in D&C 41:9-11:

9 And again, I have called my servant Edward Partridge; and I give a commandment, that he should be appointed by the voice of the church, and ordained a bishop unto the church, to leave his merchandise and to spend all his time in the labors of the church;

10 To see to all things as it shall be appointed unto him in my laws in the day that I shall give them.

11 And this because his heart is pure before me, for he is like unto Nathanael of old, in whom there is no guile.

Who is Nathanael of old? Many biblical scholars believe he is also called Bartholomew and that he was one of Jesus's disciples.  He was praised by Jesus as being pure of heart, an Israelite without guile.

Guile means to be hypocritical or deceitful; underhanded and conniving.  

Elder Joseph B Worthlin advised:

"I suggest that we look into our hearts and see whether our motives and actions are pure and above reproach and to see whether we are free of deceit and fraud. Perhaps we can ask ourselves a few questions.

Are we totally free of guile in our conversations and associations with our spouses and children so they always know what to expect and always have unquestioning trust and confidence in us?

Are we forthright in our interviews with our bishops and other priesthood leaders?

Are we true to ourselves, our classmates, and our teachers in our schoolwork, even if a little cheating might improve our grades?

Do we do more work than our employers expect or require, and are we always alert for ways to do our work better?

Do we pay our employees fairly for their labors?

Do we file accurate tax returns?

Are we scrupulous in all business transactions to the extent that our associates always know they are being treated fairly and would feel secure if they had no contract?

Are we satisfied with our personal standards of integrity, morality, and honesty? Can we say of ourselves, as Jesus said of Nathanael, that we are without guile?"

 Eight months after his death, it was revealed that Edward Partridge was with God in Heaven, no doubt to a great extent due to his pure heart without guile while on the earth.