One of the teachings for which James is noted, particularly among Latter-day Saints, is his declaration that faith without works is dead. (See James 2:17.)
President Joseph Fielding Smith, in writing of the united roles of faith and works in bringing salvation, noted that Paul taught the early saints that if it were not for the mission of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice they could not be redeemed. (See Eph. 2:9.)President Smith wrote, "And therefore [Paul taughtT it was by the grace of God that they are saved, not by any work on their part, for they were absolutely helpless. Paul was absolutely right.
"And on the other hand, James taught just as the Lord taught, just as Paul had taught in other scripture, that it is our duty, of necessity, to labor, to strive in diligence, and faith, keeping the commandments of the Lord, if we would obtain that inheritance which is promised to the faithful, and which shall be given unto them through their faithfulness to the end.
"There is no conflict in the doctrines of these two men. There is no need for the world to be in conflict in regard to this question. It is merely due to the fact that they cannot or do not comprehend the mission of Jesus Christ. They do not understand what salvation means. They do not know upon what it is based. . . .
"So it is easy to understand that we must accept the mission of Jesus Christ. We must believe that it is through His grace that we are saved, that He performed for us that labor which we were unable to perform for ourselves, and did for us those things which were essential to our salvation, which were beyond our power; and also that we are under the commandment and the necessity of performing the labors that are required of us as set forth in the commandments known as the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Unless a man will adhere to the doctrine and walk in faith, accepting the truth and observing the commandments as they have been given, it will be impossible for him to receive eternal life, no matter how much he may confess with his lips that Jesus is the Christ, or believe that His Father sent Him into the world for the redemption of man. So James is right when he says the devils' `believe and tremble,' but they do not repent. So it is necessary, not merely that we believe, but that we repent, and in faith perform good works until the end; and then shall we receive the reward of the faithful and a place in the celestial kingdom of God."
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Epistle for those yet to come into fold
"To have a book written by the Lord's brother is akin to having one penned by the Master Himself," Elder Bruce R. McConkie noted in writing of the General Epistle of James.
In Doctrinal New Testament Commentary (Vol. 3), Elder McConkie stated that in this epistle "we find the son of Joseph, often in language reminiscent of that used by the Son of Mary, setting forth the practical operation of the doctrines taught by his Elder Brother. . . .
"James addressed himself to those of the twelve scattered tribes of Israel . . . to a people yet to be gathered, yet to receive the gospel, yet to come into the fold of Christ; and if his words had import to the small cluster of saints of Judah and Benjamin who joined the Church in the meridian of time, so much the better."
Elder McConkie said it was James who chose the words that led Joseph Smith to pray: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5.)
"Then followed," wrote Elder McConkie, "the most glorious vision of which we have record in the entire history of God's dealings with men - the personal appearance of the Father and the Son, and the consequent ushering in of the greatest of all dispensations, the dispensation of the fullness of times. The long awaited mission and ministry of that prophet who was to do more, `save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other that ever lived in it' had commenced.' " (D&C 135:3.)
Elder McConkie continued: "Thus, this single verse of scripture has had a greater impact and a more far-reaching effect upon mankind than any other single sentence ever recorded by any prophet in any age."
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Uncontrolled tongue: `unruly evil'
James admonished the saints to control their tongues. He reasoned that horses are controlled by bits in their mouths and ships are turned about with a very small helm. "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things." (James 3:3-5.)
At the October 1954 general conference, Elder Hugh B. Brown, spoke of controlling one's tongue, especially with spouses. He spoke of counseling couples who were considering divorce.
"Many of the cases which I review started with uncontrolled appetites and tempers, leading often to cruelty, mental and physical. When in a temper the tongue may be venomous. The Apostle James said, ` . . . it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.' (James 3:8.) That is only potential, but it is often true. The tongue, with which we say our prayers and pledge our troth is sometimes used to wound those we love best.
" `Boys flying kites haul in their white winged birds; we can't do that when we're flying words.'
"A middle-aged couple on the farm had a violent quarrel at breakfast time. Later in the day they started for town in the buggy with a fine team of horses. . . . As the horses trotted along, Mary said, John, why can't we travel together like these horses do? They don't quarrel and fight.' John said,Mary, we could if there was only one tongue between us.'
"Oh, the unkind things we say to those we love."
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