Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-12-22
JOSEPH THE PROPHET.

tnAfAUlelH on iue NuuAiH nl huh MuilAt
Tomorrow, Sunday, December 20, 10
the Anniversary Of the birth Of the
Prophet Joseph, who wss born on that
date, 1906, 10 sharon, Windsor county
Vermont.
To sey that the mighty messenger
from God to mau IN this century was
this greatest Prophet ever raised up
among men, the Sou Of G5d excepted,
IL uow startling only 10 those who are
accustomed " look 10 the grey an.
uquiiy alone for their idealt; or TO
those who have never seriously o5nsld-
cred what the teachings Of Joseph, the
Prophet, were. 10 similar class, the
announcement by cur Savior that John
the Baptist NJ his time neli the isre-
most position among men was bewlld'
eriug, whom they remembered Noses,
a David, an Era, all mighty men Of
old. However, tho position held by
Jahn the Baptist "a the forerunuer Of
Mutsiah, tho connecting link between
the old dlsponsatlon and u now Of
exceeding glory, more than justified
the placing Of him above any Of this
leaders Of the Old Testament. In the
same way the mission performed
by the great Prophet Of this dispen.
satIon had such lar reaching results
that u 10 no eEaggera,lou, nor merely
vain boast, to say that no has not been
surpassed by any Of God's messengers
Ia any age.
II W. were TO look upon Joseph only
a. the founder or a Church In this
age, his wonderful achievement would
place him on a level with a Wesley, n
Knox, a Luther, a Calvin. Nay, even
AS church builder, his work would
be- more amazing than that Of these
mon. For they did not encounter the
world, graphing with tho problems
before them, until they had secured
tho quallhoatiousoonsldorod necessary.
They met learning with learning.
They had eloquonoe, sklll In dialeotics,
Influential friends, some OF them
operating under the protection Of
kings aad princes. Joseph had neither.
An inexperienced, almost frlendlesu
boy, no faced an opposing world, To
all human appearance unprepared for
tho battle that was to follow. And yet
tho Church Of Jesus Christ OF Latter
day Saints today Ia the admiration
Of leading ecolesiAstioAl men, for It's
wonderful organization, testiiying 10
the more than human wisdom 10
which It owes its origin.
But Josepn the Prophet was not
merely a church builder a reiormer.
His work above all, was that OF bring.
ing harmony among the scattered chill.
dren OF men. THIS was hs purpose
for which Christ on Calvary
shed His blood. Reconciliation between
man aud man as well as between God
and man; the union Of the hearts Of
fathers ami children, children and
fathers, was the ultimate oil JBnt OF tho
atonemeut; and TO carry this work on
was Joseph's special mission.
As John the Baptist was the fore.
runner Of the New Testament era, 40
the Prophet OF this age was the herald
Of the still more glorious millennium In
which this unity Of mankind shall be-
contaminated. To qualify him for
this work he received tho most wonder.
ful revelations. At n time when the
entire Christian world had lost the
knowledge OF thSlr heavenly Father,
and acknowledged that both the
Father aud tho Son arc Incompetent.
slble, he was enabled to reveal the
true God, thereby making a return Of
tue children OF men 10 their eternal
Father possible. Further, to his views
the past OF the world was unveiled and
tho mysteries OF continents solved. The
connecting links between nations la
different parts Of the globe were traced,
bridging the way to union between
children and fathers. Aud stlll more,
the veil OF eternity was lifted by tho
revelations he received and oommuui.
Gated 10 mankind. Salvation was
nhown TO extend to living and dead
and 10 DO obtainable through the Low.
Ing edorts Of children longing Tor re-
union with those who have gone DO.
fore them, The contemplation OF this
work 10 overwhelming. BY obedience
TO the requirements thereof the glory
Of heaven fills tue soul, Nh the atmos-
phere Of celestial palaces permeAles the
sacred temples dedicated for that work
"shrklrg" Of the tabernacle In tho
wilderness was but shadow ~ COM
pared 10 the reality In tnis dispsnsa.
ton, tor the revelation Of which the
children Of God are Indebted 10 the
subject VI this skeluh,H an instrument
in the service Of lhe Almighty.
Well has John the Revolalor de-
scubed this mighty messenger an
an angel standing upon the seA
and the earth, euc0mpasdng the
whole world, aud declaring by ~
solemn voice, heard to the utlermost
parts Of the globe, that from now on
"thero should be time Lr delay no
| longer; but In the days Of ,he voice ui
.nu seventh angel, whom he shall begin
10 sound, tue mystery OF Dot should
be finished, sc ho hath declared 10 his