Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-01-07
Saturday WalE
%-By a3 Ex-Edltor'

Lailor-iay Saints must always feel
an Interest 10 such discussions oil
theology as have taken place at ihe
recent trials Of prominent religious
teachers by assemblies Of their fellow
mlnistera-espccially in cases like that
Of Dr.. Brlggs, one Of whose beliefs Is
that there Ia such q principle as
''progrcssive eanoiifcation." Hc does
not believe that mans future IL un'
alterably fixed when he leaves this
life; but that Repentance ani progress
are possible beyoad the grave. This Is
such departure from the doctrine
heretofore believed and taught by the
orthodox escls that many are shocked
Mt It, ami they feel that Teacher who
entertains such Views ought to be
slienced. Whistler or not the Church
o; Jesus Christ of Lllter.day Saints
Ia recognized as the source from
whence light has come concerning the
future condition OF mau and the true
nature OF everlasting punishment,
certain II IL tina. similar Views to those
taught by the Elders Of the Church
upon this and many other doctrinal
points are now entertained and ad.
vool,ed by men OF Prominence In dit.
ferent secis.
As early az March, 1870. the Lord,
through His servant, Joseph smith, In
speaking OF those upon whom His
condemnation should fall and who
should be found at Ills left hand, said:
"Neverthelees 1t Is not written that
there shall be no end TO this torment,
but II Is written endless torment.
Again, It is written eternal damnation.
For, behold, am endlois,
anu the punishment which IL given
from my hnni, Is endless punishment,
for endless 1. ny name; wherefore:
external puniehment is God's pun.
ishment.
"Eajless punishment. is Gods pun.
ishmcnt."
In February, 1889, n revelation from
the same soIfce threw Hood OF light
upon the possibilities for tho future OF
rnin In the lie beyond this, and clearly
showed that even tbs souls ia state
u punishment would be mlnlsterei
unto by those sent from regions OF
glory for their benefit. Subsequent
revelations threw SIN more light upon
tho fate Of those who had left tlirse
mortal scenes without having had tine
opportunity OF obsying the ordinances
Of tho Gosrel. Undoubtedly the In.
formation thus received upon these
Interesting subjects has attracted tbs
attention and aroused tho thought OF
libeTal-minde mon; for these doctrines
have been taught Though the press
ana from tho platform for macy years
both In America nod Eir1pe. rhis
widespread publicity has brough.
them TO the Knowledge OF people OF
.all classes OF society who could not fall
TO be impressed, 10 greater or iess
extent, by them; because tbs doctrine
that c.untless multitudes OF mankind
will burn forever In hell-hre, GU. Of
which there IL no'possibio redemption,
has shocked boyS,hd expression many
people and caused many 10 abandon
religion. Men oithe MOBILES, character
have revoltcd at the teachings OF pro.
essed ministers OF Christ concerning
the fats Of thois who, moral ani up
light and OF exemplary lives, had failed
bsfore their death 20 be converted.
In % recent article published Ia an
English magazine-hine.serth Cen.
tury-a prominent scientific man, st.
George Mivari, attempts to relieve the
Roman Catholic church, Of which h,
In member, from tue discredlt OF hav.
ing committed Itself to my dogma
about hell which inevitably conflicts
with reason and conscience. IL Is q
hopefulsign, and It proves how the
heaven OF truth Is working, when n
prominent member OF tho proudest,
Oldest and most dogmatic religious
body In Chrlstendom undertakes such
q task as this.
His eriicie boars the strange title,
"Happlness In He'll" He admits thai
the Catholic church Is definitely com
mitted to the doctrine tina, souis con