Should You Feel Inclined to Censure
235

Text: Anonymous (ca. 1863)
Music: Philip Paul Bliss (1838–1876)
Tune name: LOWER LIGHTS or CENSURE

“Should You Feel Inclined to Censure,” a hymn in the gospel- song tradition, serves to caution us against one of the most frequent failings of human nature: the tendency to find fault. Impatient or critical words often exact a high price in human relationships; in this hymn we admonish one another to exercise discretion and tolerance.

No one would pretend that the poetry or music of “Should You Feel Inclined to Censure” represents a first- rate contribution to Christian hymnody, but neither would anyone deny the relevance of the hymn’s message. Since both ancient and latter- day scriptures are full of admonitions that parallel the message of this hymn, Latter- day Saints should lead the way in refusing to repeat or hear gossip, ascribe selfish motives, or see anything but the best in others. Doctrine and Covenants 20:54 warns us, “And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking.”

Harsh judgments not only can destroy good feelings among family members, neighbors, and Church associates but also can undermine the work and calling of Church authorities. President David O. McKay once gave this useful counsel: “‘Speak not against the authorities.’ What does it mean? Be not a murmurer; that is what it means. It is one of the most poisonous things that can be introduced into the home of a Latter- day Saint— this murmuring against presidents of stakes, high councilors. . . . Better stop murmuring and build. . . . Backbiting and evil speaking throw us into the class of malefactors rather than the class of benefactors” (Gospel Ideals [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1953], 143).

The tune for this hymn is LOWER LIGHTS (the same as for no. 335), first published in 1871.