Final answer:
The question deals with the moral implications of lying in the context of a novel, examining how characters juggle their survival, faith, and interpersonal conflicts. Deceit is portrayed as a tool for manipulation and as a necessary response to injustice, highlighting a tension between personal morals and religious laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand pertains to the ethical implications of lying within the context of a novel. Specifically, it refers to characters dealing with Mormon law and the surrounding circumstances of their faith and actions against each other. The missionary, presumably a figure of moral authority, brings into question the Virginian's use of lies. When analyzing these instances, the text suggests a complex interplay of deceit, survival, faith, and conflict.
From the excerpts mentioned, it appears that characters may use deceit either as a tool for manipulation or as a means of defending against unjust practices. Jane Withersteen, amidst the struggle with her Mormon faith, faces the challenge of whether to conform to the strictures imposed by her religion or to embrace a more humane approach, potentially including deceit, to preserve her autonomy and help others.
In examining moral issues such as lying within the narrative, it's clear that the characters grapple with ethical dilemmas that reflect their personal convictions and survival within a community that might at times enforce its will through oppressive measures. The presence of deceit and lying raises important questions about the ends justifying the means and the inherent conflict between personal morality and institutional doctrine.