Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-05-31
RELIGIOUS DEBATES.

The counsel given by the Fret Pres!-
doncy regarding debates upon the doc
trlnes and the validity Of the authority
Of tho Church Of Jetus Christ Of
Laitef-day Saints will be recognized
by all who have testimony Of tho truth
as timely In view Of the circumstances
stated. Therein IL the expression Of a
policy which the Church OF Christ has
pursued steadfastly ia ancient m well
as In modern times, and 10 cannot DO
consistently departed irom by those
who esteem and honor the Lord ne the
nrbiler In matters that relate TO His
plan OF salvation. Ne 10 challenges Tor
debate, Il Ia n common occurrence i1r
individuals or parties who break
away from organizations Of various
kinds to seek TO gain nUtoflciy
and prestige by contentious dit
cussions with representatives OF esiab-
llohod institutions In order 10 be
brought into prominence thereby. In
pufsuing this course they arc not
liable 10 loss, because they have moth
ing 10 lost; while the possible at-
vantage to them is that by cunning
aud Adtoitness IN debate they may be
advertised as worthy ioemcn TO those 70
whom they have become apostatc, and
thus lind means Of directing general
attention 10 themselves aud gaining
something at the expense Of others.
There may be questions which ATE oI
such slight intrinsic Importance that
debate thereon exoilts no NOR,
than temporary personal antagonlsm
between the parties thereto - a
feature regarded with concern
by those who desire to avoid
contention and promulgale principles
OF peace. But when II comes 10 dis
GUESSING religious matters In that FASH
ion a more serious phase Ia presented.
Religion reaches all that relates to
mankind, past, present aud future, aud
agitation thereon atirs the soul TO H.
Utmost depths. Such agitation, there
fore, as ia IN harmony with the divine
will IL that only which produces peace,
harmony aud brolherly love. That
which Yields fruit Of an opposite nature
IL contrary to the spirit aud genius Of
the Gospel OF Christ Not being con.
fined to the temporalities Of mortal
life, true religion oyeTahadows aud
absoths nll other topics that concern
man,and ilspuriIy and power transcend
all other In time and oter.
nlly. Viewed from this standpoint IL
IL TO thoughtful, considorate, devotional
people matter far too sacred 10 loo
treated rs football whose fortunes aud
destiny are 10 be- determined by the
player who eau Kick with greatest force
or deliver the most oleverly directed
blows.
Tho principles oi the Gospel and
authority In the Church Of Christ are OF
such grave importance to mankind
that seli.intefost demands for them Ia,
most careful scrutiny and inquiry
even to the extent that they us re-
quirod ~ present 10 tho believer IN,
highest evidence OF divine huthen
ticity-that Of direct testimony lrOI
the Almighty. But debate Is MOI
inquiry; contentious discussion d
not investigation; submitting tho cor
oluiiOnB OF au aTgumonlatlvo contest
10 the decision OF board Of limit,
judgesis not obtaining a divine anu IN
flute witness Of tho right. Thrilling clio
Queuce, impassioned oTaIory or subtl
argument never made Of ths wron,
right; nor does their abfencu mako %
single truth an error Tho rclativ,
positions Of good and evil are mo-
altered by the forensic ability OF Gdva.
Gates; ana the immutable plan Of saly.
ton Hnd divine authority to act there
In are unchanged by the prrJuIicoi u
scholarship Of men, rho sliht Of
inquiry, Of investigation, of searching
Tor light aud knowledge, Rut o
erpoundiug and pr0Ulaimiug tho prlu
ciples OF truth aud perualing Rul
leading men ami women thereto, ia o
God. The disposition to court o9u
tvntious, amt sometimes angry, discus
sion, 10 challenge 10 debate wherell
not the vlndicatlon OF truth but ia
triumph Of one or other Of the contend
ing parties IN the argument - the onl
object sought OF which can be- at,aine,
isan inspiration OF tho evil one, an
nnds no approval IN the Gospel plan {
the genius Of Christianity. Such
protesting being In its very nature a
assault upon others, ita inception