Mormon was appalled at the state of his people, at the level of depravity to which they had sunk in just a few short years. He described them as “without civilization,” “without order,” “without mercy,” and ultimately “without principle” and “past feeling.” (See Moroni 9:11, 18, 20.) He therefore found them to be unteachable and ungovernable. (See Moroni 9:4, 18.)
I’m particularly interested in the phrase “without principle.” When we say that a person is principled, we mean that they have well-formed beliefs about what is right and wrong and that they make decisions based on those beliefs. An unprincipled person might lack conviction or might make decisions based upon the whims of the moment. An unprincipled person is governed by passion instead of by reason.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained that true joy comes by living according to true principles:
When people proceed “without principle,” erelong they will be “without civilization,” “without mercy,” and “past feeling” (see Moro. 9:11–20). Such individuals do not experience real joy, such as being quietly and deeply grateful to a generous God, or of helping to restore those who “droop in sin” (2 Ne. 4:28), or of gladly forgoing praise and recognition so that it might flow, instead, to parched souls.
“Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness,” General Conference, April 1995
Today, I will seek to live in a principled way. I will remember that I am teachable and governable only to the degree that I am willing to act in accordance with true principles.
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