Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-11-07

ordinances. Great aud urgent as the
necessity Tor such a new dispensation
OF the Gospel Is, men need not look to
either the Catholic Church or the FRO.
testant accts for such a proclamation.
The former. In addition to claiming that
there has been an unhfoken line OF
divine authority through its priesthood,
rejects the idea OF revelation subsequent
TO the alleged closing Of the New Tcsta-
ment canon OF scripture. The latter,
though declaring the apostatc condition
OF Medieval ChustendOm, no, only
make no claim that the Gospel Of Jesus
Chusi, including divine authority, was
restored by revelation to tue leaders OF
the .t5,h century Reformation, but
also sputn tue idea that there has been
or can be any revelation subsequent to
what they term the closing OF the New
Testament canon OF scripture.
Out of all the religious teachers Of
modern times there Is but one who has
had the boldness 10 claim the Iestofa.
ton oil divine authority aud a dispense.
ton OF the Gospel by means oi a new
revelation from God. and that Is the
first Prophet OF the Church OF lcsus
Christ vi Latter day SAINTS, Joseph
Smith. lie claimed 10 have received
revelation from God; the visitation OF
angels, who conferred upon him a holy
Priesthood divine commission, by
virtue OF which he was appointed to
preach the Gospel and ro-establish the
Church OF Jesus Christ on earth. II
this mans professions to such divine APP
poiniment are scoilcd at, Ii is no more
than was accorded the pteten,ions Of
Apostles and Prophets Of God in former
dispensations. Il he Is deudcd Tor his
humble origin, and the lowly station
from which he was called to the work Of
God, so, too. were the ancient Apostles
ami Prophets, aud even the Son OF God
Himself. u his message has been very
generally rejected ana he himself was
dcspised OF men, prosecuted, hated, aud
and a last slain Tor the word OF God
and the testimony Of lesus, what Is all
this but the same treatment that has
been accorded to the accredited ser.
wants oi God In nearly all ages Of the
wOfldf II his followers have suffered
fidicule, oppression aud persecution,
what Is this but the same tate that has
oveftakcn the Saints OF God In nearly
all ages Of the world Al this will not
affect the truth or untruth OF his state
menis; any more than like treatment At.
iectcd the truth or untruth OF the claims
OF other inspired servants OF God
The truth Is that the claims OF Joseph
Smith, In view Of the great Christian
controversy that has been going on Tor
centuries, aud Just now emphasized by
the recent decision OF Pope Leo MIL,
respecting Anglican orders, anu the
discussion II has provoked. are more
consistent than the claims OF any OF the
Protestant feiomers. For the great
apos,ate condition Of Chnsicndom In
Mcdlacyal times being a ieality,ihe only
way there could be restoration OF that
which was lost by that apostasy, would
be by new dispensation ol the Gospel
being committed to men by means OF a
new revelation. and herein is the
strength OF the position o. Joseph
Smith. and the Church OF lesus Christ
Of l.atier.day Saints, which, under God 5
direction he organized.
b. II. RonHRTs.