The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-10-05
Elder B. II. Roberts.

have aiways accounted myself blessed to be
associated with the work of God in this dis
pensation, and have greatly rejoiced that Ihave
been brought II contact with the gospel, called
by the world, ''Mormonism." / can understand
the feelings of gratitude that pervade the
hearts of the Saints regarding this work but it
is no wonder that the world regard il with
establishment. The initial announcements con-
nected with il were calculated to startle the
religious world. In the first vision of Joseph
Smith, the prophet was informed by Christ that
there were none Of the sects right. but all had
gore out of the way. So bold declaration by
the youthful prophet was calculated to aStonlsh
the world. But this does not argue that there
are not thousands of people in the world
whom God loves. The significance of the
opening announcement in this dispensation was
merely that men had departed from the right
way, and that they should be informed of the
fact, that the way might be prepared for the re
establishment OF the true church of Christ.
What Joseph declared is predicted in the scrip
lures in which the Christians profess to believe.
john while the Isle of Patmos predicted
the restoration Of the Gospel IN its fuliness IN
these latter days. through the medium OF an
angel. This was to occur in the hour of God S
| judgment" Had the inhabitants of the earth
been in possession of the Gospel as it Is In
| Christ, this predicted restoration would have
| been superogatory. Connected with this proph-
ecy of John il is clearly stated that the inhabi
tants of the earth should be called upon TO wor-
ship the true God, indicating thai their
worship at that time would not be directed
toward that Great Being. portion OF
the fulfilment of that prediction was the bring
| ing forth of the record called the Book of Nor
mon. adding for Christ the testimony OF the
prophets who existed on this continent they
being thus united with that of those on the
eastern hemisphere. Gradually the rich treas
ures of heaven have been developed, and the
work OF God has progressed, preparing the way
for the coming OF Christ, who shall establish 6
reign of righteousness and peace. He shall
take the government into His own hands, ant
We have the glorious privilege of increasins
faith on the earth, that people may be ready
10 receive the Lord when He shall come. Be
fore another general conference shall be reached
we shall have entered upon the year 1891. TIL,
speaker here read from section 100 of the bcol
Of Doctrine and Covenants, which relates to thu
coming of the son of man, and referred to somt
remarks made by the prophet February u
were told that they were called to go fortl
and prune the vineyard or the time, before tn
coming of Christ, even fifty-six years SHOULD
wind up the scene. Continuing, Elder Robert
said. that these circumstances have called tn
Saints to believe that some great epoch vii
open at that time-the year following the pres
ent. My faith in the matter is that whateve
the Lord has in mind to accomplish in tina
year will be performed. 1t may be something
however that would scarcely create ripple
The organization of the church of Jesus Chris
} of Latter-day Saints was one of the creates
events of the history of the world. 1t was o.
r gained with six members, and but little wa
r known concerning it even in the neighborhoo
where it occurred at the time. Yet behold I
what proportions the work then begun ha
! grown. II may be that the greatness of VIVA
I shall occur in 1891 will not be comprehende
g until succeeding years.