But bringing into the house of God strong feelings against individuals and making all the innocent as well as the guilty suffer is a manner of labor which God does not sanction and which does harm rather than good. It has too often been the case that criticizing and denunciatory discourses have been given before a congregation. These do not encourage a spirit of love in the brethren. They do not tend to make them spiritually minded and lead them to holiness and heaven, but a spirit of bitterness is aroused in hearts. These very strong sermons that cut a man all to pieces are sometimes positively necessary to arouse, alarm, and convict. But unless they bear the especial marks of being dictated by the Spirit of God they do far more injury than they can do good.—Testimonies for the Church 3:507, 508 (1880). {2MCP 521.1}

Fornuften detroniseres af vrede — Bror B, jeg håber du vil gennemgå dette omhyggeligt og overveje din første fristelse at vige fra collegets regler. Studér kritisk karakteren af vor skoles styrelse. Ingen af reglerne der blev gennemført, var for strenge. Men der blev gemt på vrede; for på den tid blev fornuften stødt bort og hjertet blev gjort til bytte for uregerlig heftighed. Før I var klar over det, havde I taget et skridt, som I for nogle timer tidligere ikke ville have taget, under noget pres. Impulserne overvandt fornuften og I kunne ikke kalde den skade tilbage, som I havde forøvet imod jer selv eller mod en (522) Guds institution. Under alle omstændigheder er vor eneste sikkerhed at beherske os selv, i Jesus vor Forløsers styrke. — Vidnesbyrd for menigheden 4:431 (1880).