Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-01-12
WHAT IL MORMOSIsui


The Gospel OF Jesus Chrlst az re-
colved by the Latter.day Saints has
several distinct features. These when
fret presented to the world we're con-
hidored startling In the extreme by all
VINO Tor various reasons were unable
TO grasp the fundamental principles on
which iho truth Is based, MArspto.
sontation, rldleule and villihoation
followed.
In this respect Mormonism passed
through an experience the exact ooun.
terpaft Of that Of early Christianity |
whom fitst proclaimed TO the Mosaic |
and Pagan nations. The Teachings
OF our Lord's messengers about
the spirituality Of the Godhesd;
a life after this, atonement through
the death Of Jesus Of Nazitoth-a sup.
posed maloiactor; the efficacy Of faith
and similar doctrines were 20 the Jews
ia stumbling block and unto Gentilss
foollahnesa." Yet ~ time wout on,
the light Of truth gradually dispersed
the dark preludioes and what was a,
firut regarded ~ "ioolishncss" became
known as Divine wisdom. The most
profound philosophers Of the early ages
humbly bowed In alteration before tho
cross Of Calvary, acknowledging them.
selves the disciples Of Him who there
gave His life, and ever afterwards tho
wlsosi and best men Of every age have
followed their example, according to
the light they had.
Looking At tho subject a little
closer, II IL easy 10 perceive |
that Chrlhtlanity was essentially the |
further development OF Judaism. It
was tho restoration OF the teachings
conveyed TO our pTogenilon who
"walked with God" and who were
favored with revelations both OF the
past and future. II marked the termi.
nation OF that intermediate state Of
education necessary on account Of
transgfession and inability TO stand In
the presence OF the mhJesty Of the
Almighty, ana promoted the advance
VI mankind toward a higher grade Of
schooling. All its teachings were
given with reference to the attainment
Of this object.
The ancient Jews failed because
they accepted the Mosaic insli.
tutions and teachings as the
limits Of truth, beyond which all
Is error. True, they expected a Mes
tiah, but considered MIN Ia tho light
OF a PhATisaic TituAlist aud poliu.
cal deliveTor. Christians Of today
are much In the same pfedlca.
menL Generally they consider the
truths revealed In the beginning Of our
era as closing the direct oommunica.
ton Of knowledge Of things Divine To
mankind, and while home look for
millennium A further stage Of pro-
gress, they have 90 confused and
indlstinot Ideas Of this promised
Te-Adluslment Of the affairs Of the earth
al to render II OF but little value TO
them. Should II come speedily, they
would no more recognize II than tho
Jews In Jesus could seo their promised
Messiah.
Mormonlsm, In the light Of these
facts, has claim 10 the serious attention
OF the world. The Christian nations
Rre passing through a religious crisis,
ReiOTmers FIRST tried the effects OF re.
llgiou without direct revelations, but |
the result was that the nations were
unable to free themselves from the |
evils that copsume their vital powers. |
Reform without the aid OF religion was |
the uext experiment Hut the result |
has been 10 unsatisfactory that today |
the tendency Is clearly visible on the !
part OF some u those on whom
the fate Of nations parllydopeuds, ~ |
return 10 the old regime. II therefore !
the time should come that leaders Of
men find themselves rouslralnod 10 |
confess their own inability 90 create |
desirable conditions either With or
without the aid OF u morality void VI a
religious sentiment, they need no, give
up hope. For Ga the Gospel truths
taught through Joseph the Prophet iu
this age 10 that con,oiued which, q gc-
copied anu carried OUT 600 practice, will
eject regeneration ofthe world more
complete than that rytu.uug from tAu
proclamation OF the Gospel by the nrr,
Aposilea.
Mormonism Is primitive Christianity
70 tored. ItisA further deysY1puen,
Of the truths previously revealed, and !
IT, distinctive features are but what
mankind at this time specially ueedF.
II sets forth the true relationship be- |
tween God and man, explains the mis-.
sion OF man on earth ami otlcrs a
solution OF all problems with which |
The world now Is graphing, Nor.
nonism 10 nothing but tho 0terua