Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-09-06
PRE-ExIsTENCE.

not mean 10 say that the idea Of q
prs-existent condition for the spirit
Of man had not been entertained
before it was promulgated by Joseph
Smith Speculafions concerning it
have been INDUCED in by philoso-
pliers in different ages. But We do
say that there is nothing extant
which sets forth the origin Of the
spirit OF man, its existence as an
entity previous TO the formation Of
the body, its experience, properties,
capabilities and destiny, to be COM
pared with the plain and consistent
theory Of pre-existence which he
brought forth under divine inspira-
ton for the enlightenment and ben
eft Of mankind.
This doctrine is one among the
many evidences Of his prophetic
character and powers. 4 prophet is
not merely one who foretelIs future
events lie is a divinely chosen
medium for the communication Of
heavenly things to man.
or 5urse pre-existence, being new
TO modern Christendom, has excited
much ridicule- Small minds. which
are startled by new ideas ami are
led by popular influences ia beaten
paths treat such an innovation up-
on accepted notions with levity.
And this grand doctrine which ex-
pands the soul, opens Up the mast.
lifts the eurrain that hides the future
and gives a zest-to the present. is too
exalted for the narrow inteIIecls
which are unsuseeptible to spiritual
influences.
But even to ''the natursl man. -
u1sammelei by fixed dogmas and
free'tO Use sound reason, the idea Of
the pre-existence OF the spiritual mart
Of our being, even il novel, Is not lu-
dicrOas or repugnant. Ifman is dual.
and the material body comes from
the elements of earth, whence comes
the spiritual ego without which the
body is but clod? II the s5al. or
mind, or spirit is OF an essentially
different nature from the matter
that makes up the body, does It not
come from an entirely different
source? And If 50, who can tell
whence it emanated, when II began
10 have being, and low long it ex-
isted before the body was formed?
The revelation of the preexistence
Of man-for '.msn is s5irit,,-
makes clear vast volume Of ser;n-
tiTe which without it is obscure |
aud comparatively meaningless.
In the light OF this doctrine. .sOur
Father' takes on a Specification OF
the mightiest import. The intimate
between the souls Of man
and between them and the Creator
becomes 4 solemn and absorbing
act The mystery 81 mind and IL
association win matter IS measure
ally unfoldei. Christ is fully up
lerstoOd as our Elder BROTHER
Ind Prince, and the purnose
and intent OF our mortal
sa'eer are easy to De comprehend,.d
An O.ect in life is furnished. ami
That life "a worth living becomes a
demonstration. Wekee ourselves ne
the Sons Of God in til : image Of orr
Father, travelling on the road that
le1t's to His projections and all mn
'n2liy interested in the welfare of
The universal family.
Frs-existence is worth inves,i.
eating. Itwillbeiound no elimeri,,,
OF speculative hypothesis, but a "a.
u9n1l, consistent ami scientific nr;,-
eiple- It is Biblical also. And !,
his into place in the human rnins
Prepared for it by flashes Of thought
which have momeatarily nlunined ]
the brains OF many thousands. The
following, translated from the Snan-
lsh Of FHlncisco SeIlen by Helen S
Conant, which appeared recently IN
the New York Sun, VIII find a,
echo in many hearts and is F.er-
unent to this absorbing subject:
have Lived bsfore. Wherel Thst can
nottel,
Nor hOS. nor when OF those forgotten
years
H'y vague echoes from the da-snes.
swell.
hringing familiar mHrznurs TO ny ears.
The ghostiy image OF that misty pas;
hnfoid5 me Ike = shadow; and nv sense
siH'es AL IN vain 10 grasp and hold II IT,
Only II me lie Eaenory's evidence.
y h7raan language feeble l. sad cold,
To pant the heeiias visions that arise.
'esdiiing me VIII memories OF old.
" other Ices passed under other skies. a
md sun the echoes r4as, the vo,sess,u d
In Wild confusion, hse 4 ,r.,rs ~ Z
dreams. A.,
men 'Eiiisai shadoEs, dark and darker. r
fail I
III nota ray through the dsase black.
ness CLEANS. S
as u AGAIN vague. raeisdious x,,- 6
=" IN scattered bFOkea measures alis the Il
nd 'had'vy iOra.s, IN shaaowy distance >
tas0ag, A
wrap' IN The sable HanaeOt despair. h
, sO1I mounts upward into letter 7
Where beyond boundaries OF time and cl
space.
iiFsa AID loved before these earthly . :,
years VI
chaiasa me. an exile. in my pressa. b
place. SC
ee' II hseiias rays OF heavenly light, 81
The gioTy Of a distant paradise; ii
hen all IS overwhelmed by stariess night "
~ anxious qaesuonings meet no re. =,
plies
eaFy ny heart With memories q OLD: :,
Ny power 70 i've aud strive Is overcast -
Wild desire the mystery to unfold. "a
" hich binds ny present to th1; vanished IL
past
rs Is ny heritage Of sOrrow rox, 20
nat yelled and unknown form which ne
once wore; r.
IN not fathom when. nor where. nor \.
how, "a
only know that have lived before. sii
W
THE SILVER QUESTION. n
OF
CONGRESSMAN BLAND Is a recog- SCI
I'D authority on the much de- m
ted silver question. The follow air