Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-06-27
TnE MARTYRpON.

The anniversary Of the maflyrdom
OF Joieph, the Prophet, and Hyrum,
his brother, who were slain nj Garth
age, H., on June q, lsii, will DO
kept In solemn femUmbancc by
Latter.dny Saints AZ long as the divine
message they were sent TO deliver
continues to influence the private ani
public acts Of this people. IL was
great event In the brief history Of the
Church. Some time It will be- recog-
nlIed as an opoch.mhking occurrence
IN the annals Of tho world.
History In general, and that Of the
Church OF God In particular, must be
viewed from a spiritual standpoint and
In the light OF revelation; else much Of
It Ia unintelllgiblo. When the son OF
uod was nailed TO the cross and His
fow followers were scattered, iull
OF fear and sorrow, II appeared for
brief moment rs II this powers Of dark
noes were triumphant In victory. foi
Calvary was but onc stepping stone to
celestial glory, and the power OF
Christianity was manifested from the
moneut the dying Savior, conquering
death announced His Teisican-lt 10
finished The following outpouring
Of power from on high anu the con-
qunst Of pAgsnIsm had been impossible
had II not been for tho departure Of
the Savior. As far NJ n comparison
may DO made, In nil reverence, between
he marlyTdom on Calvary and that
II Carthage, II IL evident that tho
after, too, although planned and exc
cuted by enemies OF uod, was made =
part Of the training OF the Church for
the mission II has In this world A. the
bsa.sr Of liVht Anc truth and tho
foundation builder OF millennial
Kingdom.
This becomes plain when II IL con-
slderoi that servants OF dod, although
removed from this sphere OF action,
still live and labor for ths cause that
was theirs on earth. There IL on
record how the Prophet Elijah, several
years after his departure In a chariot
Of lire, sent n flaming letter 10 the
idolatrouS King Jehoram, sKhOrtiug
him to repentance. The same prophet
In company with Moses came forth
from behind the veil In glory on
Mount Tabor TO confer with Jesus and
His three followers concerning the
work Of Htonement Christ appeared
10 Saul In the interest Of tho torcly
prosecuted NAzArenos. And In this
dispensHtlon, John tho Baptist, Peter
James and John, and Mofoni, have
appeared with Instructions regarding
the Ie.estAblishmont OF the Church,
There Is, indeed, u close communion
between tho faithful Saints behind ths
veil and those engaged on earth; DO.
tween the work here and youder. Al
may be gathered from tue Apocalypse,
lnd from other inspired witnesses, thu
plans and designs Of the heavenly
councils are visible In their results on
earIh-irom all Of which IL clear thai
tue marIyred Prophets, although tom
poRrlly removed from tho circl,
OF their brethren, continued their worl
commenced here, anu will still con
tinue II, until II shall have been con
bummaled and AS result, Jesus shat
be acknowledged the Savior and tn
King throughout every part OF thl
earth.
TeHullian originated the saying, 81
often since his tim0 repeated. that Iu
blood Of the martyrs Ia the seed Of IA
Church. Il has proven 30 IN the cas-
OF the Latter-iay Saints. Yet, II eau
not be denied that periods OF peuecu
ton have their disadvantage as well a
blessings. Violent opposition has
tendency 10 strengthen the faith, whcr
tits genuine, Gnd develop bfothrfl.
feeling and fellowship, 20 essential II
followers OF Jesus. On the other han
II tends also to relarj pr gress IN som
directions. 1t iaa remarkable fact thu
the age following the frsl a pO,trs
chiefly characteristic Of confusion
meIlOgrlly R.d Ignorance. II
almost impossible 10 form col
rect Idea Of the theology Of thn
age lrom the writings OF lhe Rpostoll
fathers Rud church fathers Of the I'm,
three centuries. Tho traces Of the cru,
Roman prosecutions are clearly seen !
this, for by them the Christians wer
deprived VI many opportunities
intellectual advancement, aud IA
ground WAS prepared Tor erfors, at nn
Insignificant but later bealing fruit J.
spostASy,
Tue Latterday Saints al present M
enjoying peace and prosperity. Tn
10 a time In which to improve
knowledge OF oil things divine anu
carry IL out In lives Of Ilghlsousnos