The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-04-08

the question: docs the Bible Sanction Polyg-
amy1'' was then boy of fourteen or fifteen,
thought DR.. Newman at times was getting the
best of the argument, because he was more elo-
quent, because he shouted louder and swung
his arms more than Brother Pratt But when
alone and friendess in the missionary field, not
shelter, ana when had received a testimony OF
the truth OF the gospel, and was under Ine ihna-
enee OF the spirit of God, read the debate be-
tween Apostle Pratt and DR.. Newman and was as
astonshed at the impressions 1had formed OF
it before. had learned then that eioquence Is
not argument nor noise and fury the truth ana
power of God.
On returning from my mission some OF my
young friends predicted that 1 would get over
my religious feelings and be as l had been pc,
fore, but l had prayed fervently TO the Loro
that might never lay of the gospel harness: III
has ever since been my desire to labor for the
advancement of the kingdom OF God, and-tnls
have done, though well aware OF my snortcom
ingS and imperfections
/ heard of veteran elder once say to youth
full convert, who was Drumming over with zeal
and enthusiasm in the good work: 'Oh, yonh
get over all that. We all feel that way IN the
first place" have often pondered upon those
words, and when have heard aged men, who
for thirty, forty or fifty years have been en-
mony to its truth in burning words. l
have, come to the conclusion that tnaI
MN was mistaken, and that there is no reason
dim. or over zeal abate, If we live and labor as
We sh )uld. AS long as man will live 1or inc
testimony of the spirit he will have it. 1t wouia
be good thing If we always mad nu NM, ,S
en- )ugh when our spiritual strength waneS ana
our mines grow dark to confess that the 1tutt
lies with ourselves. Latter-day Saints who Will
lead chaste and pure, temperate, falthIu,
lives, will never have occasion to say that the
fruits of the gospel are less sweet to them than
formerly. But if we practice fraud and trick
cry, If we worship mammon, II we are jealous
of and conSpire against each other, II we lust
after forbidden things, we are very liable TO
say: Il once felt foil of enthusiasm and zeal
but I've got over 1t now" There is alwa, s
a good reason why O tree fails to blossom ana
bear fruit. The testimony of the gospel in the
bosom of n man who lives as he should live
will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect
day.
Persecution and tribulation can be borne
patiently by the faithful and if we successfully
bear the burdens placed upon u.s. they viii make
us stronger. The blasts that sweep through she
branches of the forest oak, or mountain pine,
| the SHOWS that descend and well nigh bury
them, the cataracts that tumble upon them
from the hills, only give them greater vigor and
| longevity. So with our souls. II trials come
and are borne, they benefit us. II our pride is
| clipped and humDled occasionally, it does us
good. God is q careful gardener. He trims our
| upper branches sometimes, so that we will not
grow all to top, and in order that our roots may
strike deeper and our characters be made
stronger. There never has been and never Will
be Too much trouble in this world. God knows
best how much we need. There never was a
man or people chosen to do a
great work on the earth, that did not
have to endure hardShipS. Who were
the ancient Romans? Outlaws, fleeing from
justice. But they grew strong under hardships,
fighting for their very existence, until they be-
came men of iron, powerful enough TO conquer
the world. So with the stalwart Greeks who
overran luxurious and effemnate Persia. Our
mission is not war, but peace, Our warfare is
not against our fellow men, but against evil
principles and powers and that warfare begins
| at home. We must first fight against ourselves,
| conquer our own lusts and passions. our own
pride and self will, and thus, as saved beings,
be enable to save others.
Never let us have it to say that we once had
| a testimony that ''Mormonism'' was true, but
that we've outgrown 1t. We can not outgrow
| ''Mormonism." We may.grow too small for it
and drop out of it. A fire will burn as long as
it is supplied with fuel The Holy Ghost is the
fire of God kindled in our hearts. the fuel that
will keep it burning is good deeds. pure
thoughts, noble words and kind and holy and
benevolent desires.
The choir sang an anthem.
Benediction by Apostle j. II. Smith.