Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-03-14

whole people with this genuine nero
ism. Like the first Napoleon
or Gustavqs Adolphus, they I'm
parted their own enthusiasm 4
their followers. And this wa
done through that divine Spirit o.
which they we're IN possession. Doc
trine alone Ia not sufficient for the pres
ervntlon Of a people.
Nov, II IL comparatively easy 10 I'm
part doctrines 10 the growing genera
tion. This can be done ani Is done by
faithful aud iiligent teaching. Men
can learn, theoretically, the hfs. prin'
ciples Of the Gospel; they can receive
an understanding Of many Theological
aud ecclesiastical truths, aud even
thereby be brought TO conform with
certain outward ordinances, and yet
not receive Of that Spirit which alone
enables mou to stand up faithfully In
the performance OF the duties
incumbent upon one who has
made sacred covenants with Goj.
For this spirit Is not received by study
or by research. Il Is given. Its Inn
parted from on High.
The life u tho prophet Elisha, who
was a faithful disciple Of Elijah, affords
an Illustration Of this fact. when this
Jast mentioned remarkable champion
Of truth was about 10 he taken away
from the earth, Elisha asked, as n lat
favor, that two parts OF the great
prophets spirit might fall upon him.
Elisha was before that time duly in
siructed, but that for wnlch he now
asked, he knew ho had not yet re-
cclvcj; aud they wer. both well aware
that he could not receive II, unless II
wer. given by Hin from whom the
the Spirit em,nate-. His desire was
fulfilled, however. because he sought
for II In faith, diligently and earnestly.
Another illustration Is given In tho
first disciples Of our Lord. For years
they had followed Him aud been In.
structed In the principles OF the Cos.
pei. They had even, 10 soma extent
been impressed with the fact OF His
divine nature and tho work lie had
commenced. Yet, when lilo was, "a
they thought, for ever gone; when
they thought themselves sadly disap-
pointed In their expectations, their
moral strength was almost exhausted
and they seemed 10 contemplate the
propriety Of again giving their a,ten.
ton TO their worldly pursuits. "i.et
Us 20 fishing" was the proposition Of
Peter, one u the most devoted Of tho
disciples. They had been well instruct.
ed, but they lacked rs yet the gift Of
the Spirit. When they became poe
scsscd Of this precious gin, on the day |
Of Pentecosi, they were enabled TO
face the world, and they became
mighty men Of God.
The trouble with Israel was this:
Joshua died; the Elders, who had been
eyewitness TO Gods wonderful works
In delivering tho people and guiding
them through the wilderness, died;
aud the growing generation, although
being well instructed In principles, did
not like Elisha, seek 10 be- imbued
with the Spirit that dwelt In those who
passed away. Aud because they neg
lcctcd 10 seek for this Spirit they DO.
came weak people, Notwithstanding
thclr instruction, and Notwithstanding
the temporal blessings they enjoyed In
the land Of promise.
The La,ter-day Saints have great
promises In regard 10 this important
matter. To them II has been said;
ask the Father In my name, In
faith believing that you shall receive,
aud you shall have the Holy Ghost;
which manifcsteth nil thlng. which are
unto the children OF men,"
Aud agsin; "Pray always, and viii
pour out my Spirit upon you, and great
shall he your blessing; yea, even more
than II you should obtain treasures Of
Earth and corrupliblenos- to the extern,
Indeed, the purpose OF the Almighty
In establishing this Church has more
than once boon solemnly declared 10 be
that II should never DO destroyed again,
~ II was In previous dispensalions. The
Shirt of God will uOt be Withdrawn