The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-02-18
RELIGIOUS DISCUSSION
SUGGESTED.
Editors Herald:

GUCCOIS H6I CC1s
The Bright fever has been raging
for the past few days, and l have
become somewhat a victim to it.
Since reading the communication
in your Sundays issue, touching the
Bright lectures and the reply of
some of the reverend diYines of
this city, am somewhat surprised
that these gentlemen would be
found in this business, for to reply
or discuss with such a man who
occupies non-theolOgical platform
and has no stated point of anchor
age to argue from, it seems to me
great waste Of time and very unfair,
as the gentleman has left this city.
Now, Mormonism is a living and
fixed fact in Utah, and the Mormon
advocates are plentiful in the field, |
and not very apt to make assertions |
they cannot sustain from the Bible,
and they are not generally in the
habit of running away after they
have made assertions, but on the
other hand are prepared to main
tain and sustain their doctrines |
Now, if the ministers residing in |
this city are anxious to handle the
Mormon question from a fair
Biblical standpoint | think the field
is open for them to discuss these
questions that are enunciated by
the 1elders of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints provid-
ing they will take King James
translation of the Bible as the
standard and will hold themselves
strictly to it. / have no doubt but
what elder or elders, if challenged,
would hesitate for a moment to ac-
eept the challenge. l do not wish
it understood that [ mean
prominent officers of the
church. { for L can form
no idea of their views touching such
matters,) but think the elders gen.
orally are sufficiently posted in the
doctrines of their church that when
time and wisdom offer, they are
ever ready to give reason for their
faith, if they are mechanics, arti-
sans, laborers, clerks, farmers or
otherwise, and have to work six
days a week to support their fami-
lies, having but little time if any
to study; this class of men may not
look quite as bright and as polished
as the minister who has nothing
else to do than study. Now from
personal observation and acquaint-
ance, the elder knows in whom he
believes, and is willing when wanted
to come to the front to state the
why's and wherefores of his belief.
Now, then, ministers, here is a
work for you at your doors,
not away off in Australia. You
can have it face to face at home, and
upon Biblical terms, and in the
midst Of praying people. Probably
the parable of the lost sheep would
not be out of place in this instance
for l believe there may be found a
number Of what the clergy term
"lost sheep" in this city. This would
certainly for the time being save q
long voyage and expense in hunting
up the Bright sheep of Australia
and would be a much more valiant
exhibition than fighting man be-
hind his back. If the ministers
who have been so much exercised
over the Mormon question hereto
fere will turn their attention in the
way suggested, I think they would
find things very interesting an(
being a new departure for them i
might be very novel and perhaps
give them some new ideas. Try it
gentlemen. Souls are precious anC
time is short. Don't forget tina
the Mormon is A MAN.
Salt Lake City, Feb. 18th, 1888.