The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-25
A LARGE CONGREGATION
PRESENTATION OF PRINCIPLES
OF MORMON FAITH.
The Doctrine of Gods Will Being
Done More Important Than That
of Free ACCOMPLISHMENTS
of Series of Lectures to be Given
in the Assembly Hall.

author. Some Ldtter-day SAINTS COM
plain, he continued, that there is no
newness in the sermons they hear and
give this as an excuse for non-at-
tendance at meetings. They forget the
words of Solomon, that there is no
new thing. The corporal part OF
man needs nothing new TO refresh and
sustain it, 1t is the same old food
that builds up the body of man.
a Book of Mormon prophet once ex-
pressed the wish that he was an an
gel that he might declare all he knew
But he was mortal as the rest OF men
and he did not exploit all his wisdom.
God raises up men with perennial
knowledge, bat they are not inspired
TO teach all things TO the people. They
are not always prepared for these
higher things.
God overrules all things according
to his Will. Men in modern times
pirate much OF freedom TO act. as II
this were the only principle embraced
in the divine law and plan. 1t is true
that free agency is a tenet that Will
never be eliminated from the gospel
plan. Lucifer was rejected as the
savior of the world because he would
have trampled upon this principle.
But there are other and greater
truths. Over and above this is the
doctrine of Gods Will being done in
all things On the recognition of this
truth Christ would not call down
heavenly hosts to destroy his enc
mics, and he rebuked Peter when he
drew his sword to defend him. Did
this show he had not his free agency
to act as he would? 1t merely eXem-
plifies his divine superiority, for he
subserviated his powers TO destroy to
the principle of fulfilling the divine
will. 1t was no surprise that for a
moment the flesh faltered and he said
that if it were possible, the cup should
pass from him. But in a moment he
was himself again and he subjugated
everything on the altar of Coos Will
He had a mighty mission to perform
and he performed it without a tremor
and with divine patience.
Adam brought a curse upon the brow
of ali mankind. 1t was the mission, of
Christ to undo the work of the evil
one.
Satan in the beginning told a truth
and a lie at the same time, and Eve
accepted both. He said, if you partake
you shall not surely die. That was
a lie. He said, if you partake you
shall gain a knowledge of good and
evil. This was the true statement
which he contaminated with the error.
Yet the transgressiOn was foreseen,
formed. 1t was necessary that a fall
should be, that the spirits in the I'M
seen world might be provided with
mortal bodies. But the first fruits of
the evil deed were bitter. There is a
lesson in thiS-that whereas we have
the privilege of doing as we will, bit
terness follows the pursuit of evil.
God gives permission for a test of
our propensities. So Job passed
is a great lesson. 1t should teach that
behind favoring providence there is
a divine patience and a divine good
ness. Job endured the tests of ad-
VeTSity and was patient and uncOm-
planning to the end. 1t is of such
stuff that the true heroes of the world
are made. He is greater than all the
heroes who lift their naughty heads
and declare their independence of God
and men.
God has placed us here to endure
by faith and to cultivate that faith.
This world furnishes the greatest test,
for here we walk by faith.
Thomas was blessed because he was
endowed with faith. having seen, but
greater were they, said Christ, who
had faith, never having seen.
This sphere is more important and
pOrtentious than that through which
we formerly passed, for it furnishes
greater opportunities for the display
OF integrity.
God has always required his children
to believe. Often it is said, no mans
word is better than that of another;
no man can say, 1 speak by the
authority of God; we are free and no
man has more priesthood than we.
This is what is often remarked, refer
ring to the Lords Amounted. The
authorities of God are the ambassadors
of the court of heaven, and an insult
to the least of them is an insult TO God
himself.
You can call men serfs" continued
the bishop, and pirate of their lack of
freedom. You may fail to subjugate
your will to the leaders of the people.
But as for me, l am willing to stand
on this ground. and be called, if neces-
sary, serf and a coward 1 am
willing to forego the plaudits of men;
[ am willing to serve God and seek
not after the laurel wreaths of the
world Be faithful unto death, no
matter what men may say. Act as the
spirit of God may prompt you. and let
the winds howl and the waves lash.
You will be found to have built upon
the rock and the powers of the world
shall never prevail over you
Men who obey the spirit of God not
withstanding that men may call them
serfS and bOndmen, are the only ones
who are safe. 1t is he who obeys the
promptings of his own spirit who is in
danger Of destruction.
Apostle Grant announced that a
series of ten lectures had been ar
ranged for by the Y. Nj. NJ 1. A. The
first is to be given in the Assembly
hall next Wednesday night and the
series will consist of the following,
one to be delivered each week:
The Origin of Mormonism; the story
of its growth and development" Presi-
dent Joseph F. Smith.
Second-"Are there any insuperable
difficulties to the acceptance of the
facts in which Mcrmonism had its
origin Elder John Nicholson.
Third-"The Gospel of Jesus Christ
from a Mormon standpoint" Elder
Charles w. Penrose.
Fourth-"The foundation of faith
Elder James E. Talmage.
Fifth-"Obedience as an essential to
salvation; repentance" Elder Charles
B. Stewart
Sixth-"Born Again, or baptism of
the water and the spirit" Elder Orson
F. Whitney.
of God?" Apostle F. D. Richards.
Eighth-"The Book of Mormon, true
or false? First discourse: The story
of it's discovery; internal evidences of
it's truth; the testimony of the three
witnesses" Elder Nephi L. Norris.
Ninth-Second discourse; The value
of the Book of Mormon as a witness
for God; objections considered and
answered" Elder 3. H. Roberts.
IT. LOT 10, II; -