Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-12-08
ADAY OF DECEPTION.


the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter
day Saints is the coming OF the
Savior ag .iu to earth. This advent
is no. to be like the first. Then He
came as s'the babe of Bethlehem"
He was despised and rejected Of
men, crowned with thorns, spit
upon and derided, and finally cruci-
fed and slain. When He comes
again it is to be as the royal Son of
David to reign and rule as King Of
kings and Lord Of lords.
This advent the Saints believe is
near at hand. As foretold in scrip
ture it is to be preceded by several
important events which are to be
signs of His approach. Among
these are the restoration OF the
Gospel OF the Kingdom" with all
its powers, gifts and manifestations
and the authority to administer its
ordinances; the preaching Of that
Gospel to all nations; the gathering
Of the elect, that is, the Saints
of God who are obedient to His VIII,
from all parts of the world; the es-
tablishment Of Zion; the restoration
of the Jews to Palestine; the out
pouring of the latter-day judg-
meuts: signs in heaven and on
the earth; wars, plaques, famine,
earthquakes, land ani ocean pheno-
mena, trouble, perplexity and dis
tress unexamplsd; and the prepara-
ton Of a people to receive Him in
His glory.
Incidental TO His coming to take
possession of His kingdom, there are
to be temporary appearances of the
risen Redeemer. He is to "come
suddenly to His temple" to mani
fest Himself TO "those who look for
His appearing" to stand upon the
Mount Of Olives; to descend as He
assembled after His resurrection, etc.
These are preliminary appearances
His advent with ten thousand OF
His Saints in the glory Of His
Father will be the crowning event
of this wonderful age. the grand
climax of the WORLDS drama, the
beginning of new era.
Many Of the occurrences which
He and other prophets of old time
pre- iicted as signs OF H coming
have already taken place. Others
are happening daily. As surely as
the buds herald the Spring so do the
signs of the times portend the Sec
ond Advent.
One Of the warnings He gave of
His near approach and of which He
babe His people beware, was OF
"false Christs and false prophets. -
In another column we print an &C.
count of few Of the vagaries. de-
ceptions and imPostures which have
recently disturbed society, and led
away many credulous people. These
should serve as caution signals to
the Saints. There are TO be such
strong delusions in the latter days
that they will deceive, if possible,
''the very elect"
There is disposition among
many people TO accept as divine al
most anything that appears miracu.
lous or out of the ordinary course OF
nature. The love of the marvellous
is not confined to any class or CON-
munity. 1t exists largely among
some of the Latter-day Saints. Lack
OF faith is a striking characteristic
Of the age in which We live and par.
ticularly OF the class who are called
educated. 1t is a great defect. Blu,
the other extreme Of too large
creduiity is an evil of which all
should be on their guard. Every
wonder is not reality. And as al
is not gold that glitters, so all is moi
divine thst appears to be super
natural.
Satan is q factor IN the sum o.
this worlds realities. He is the em
bodiment of all the opposites Il
those attributes that constitut,
Deity. He is the Prince of the power
Of the air, the ruler, within Ger.
tSip bounds, of the lower world, and
he is the Arch-deceiver of men and
nations. He is a great inIitator, Ind
will counterfeit the Divine so as tC
lead astray the most astute VINO hav,
not the grand key to test and detec
his impositions. AS an angel o.
light, aye as the Messiah Himself
he may appear to deceive and de.
etroy.
The Latter-day Siints should be
careful'to preserve themselves from
error, and to keep within the lines
Of the law of God aud the reveal.
tons He has given for their guide.
While they ought to "covet to
prophesy" and "desire spiritual
gifts" they should not be too anx.
ious for marvels. They ought not
to accept as divine every manifesto
ton of extraordinary power. And
they must beware Of imposture.,
which will multiply and become
more aud more delusive as the adj
vent of the Lord draws near.
The promise of His coming is true
and faithful. 1t will not fail. And
to those vino are prepared and
worthy, He may reveal himself in
vision or otherwise as He nay con-
descend. But there will be false ap-
peararces aud lying spirits, and de-
signing mer; and the foolish, both
ignorant and learned, will be led
as.ray.
In the Church OF Christ are ample
safeguards against deiusion and
error. Under the keys and guidance
Of the Holy Priesthood none need
be beguiled by the Evil One. Pos
sessei Of the Holy Ghost as a gift
from God, the humbIest Saint may
be kept from strsying, AMI may
walk in the light though darkness
surrounds. Mystery is of Babylon.
Simplicity and plainness are of the
truth. And safety lies in the strai:
and narrow way of duty where no
ignis fdtuus leads to the quagmires
Of folly and despair.
BY straightfor ward, everyday ODE
dience to the word of the Lord and
compliance with the rules He has
revealed, and by seeking.for the guild