And let me here say, we should be exceedingly
careful in the selection of books that we put in the hands of our children. And
there is one thing that I would have said last night, had time permitted, to
those engaged in these associations, that is, to teach the children not to
accept that which they read in a book as true, because it is printed; but to
teach them to weigh for themselves, to examine for themselves, and test for
themselves the statements which may be made upon any and every subject that may
be brought to their attention through the medium of books, whether scientific
or otherwise. The danger in indiscriminate reading on the part of young people
lies in this: their impressions are vivid, and if what they read be incorrect;
if, in point of fact, what they read is based on unsound premises and be
entirely wrong, but it is presented in an agreeable taking and specious manner,
they are apt to accept it as being true. (JOD 22:274 | April 5, 1881)