Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-29
A CONDITION OF SALVATION.


the Baptist we may well suppose that
he was preacher of Righteousness
possessing great courage and power.
He converted many. and on one occa-
sion rebuked multitude who came to
him for baptism without having re-
pented of their sins first, denounced
them as a generation of vipers, and
commanded them to bring forth fruits
worthy OF repentance.
"And the people asked him, saying.
What shall we do then?
He answereth and saith unto them,
He tina. hath two coats, let him i'm
part to him that hath none: and he
that hath meat, let him do likewise
Luke 3: 10. IL.
From this record It would appear
that those who sought to obtain "a re-
mission OF their sins at the hands of
John the Baptist were by him required
to demonstrate the genuineness of their
conversion and repentance by dividing
their substance with the poor. The
language he used. in the light OF the
circumstances under which 1t was ut
tered. justifles the inference that char
ity to the poor was made condition
of salvation under his ministry; and
that any person possessing wealth who
would not divide with the destitute.
was not entitled to receive the ordi-
nances of the Gospel.
In this respect, as in all others. the
prepare for the first coming OF the
Savior, is identical with that taught
by Joseph Smith, the modern Seer, as n
preparation for His second coming. In
n revelation given April, 20, 1884, CON
corning the order of the Church for the
benefit of the poor" the following pas
sage occurs:
therefore. II any man shall take Of
the abundance which l have made. and
impart not his portion. according to the
law of my Gospel, unto the poor and
the needy he SHALL with the wicked,
lift up his eyes In hell, being In tor
ment." Doc. & Gov. Sec. 10i. verse 49,
BY this point blank declaration.
couched in language that is both ex-
pllcit and awe-inspiring. charity to the
poor is made u condition of salvation,
and the soul is lost that fails to comply
with It. In vain are all other works.
professions and ordinances. II this
great law be not observed. Disobedi-
ence to 1t is fatal. Neither John the
Baptist nor Joseph the Seer laid down
an arbitrary dogma, In making this re-
quirement OF all disciples; they merely
gave key to an important portion of
the nhtlOgnnht. nf rl,a
kingdom of heaven Is at war with the
fallen. carnal and selfish nature of
mortals in their unregenerate state:
and he who adheres to one must aban-
don the other. Men are saved by over
coming their own selfishness and
learning TO love each other. In order
that they may thus overcome and full
fill the law of love they must have n
training, education and discipline
OF kind adapted to aid them in tho
desired direction.
The divine requirement made of n
man OF wealth, to divide his substance
with the poor, If compli with. will
produce two effects n his sou,.
first, he will become emancipated from,
slavish devotion to the things of This
world, which perish with the uslng
no portion of which he can take with
him beyond the grave. His selfish ond
carnal nature will become changed
and be will assume an elevated plane
Of existence. spiritually and otherwise
The realization that God MS well as hi,
own conscience approves the promotion
no has achieved. Increases his joy. and
thereby furthers the object for which h,
was created. Second, the knowledc,
that he lis relieving suffering expand.
his soul. enlarges his sympathies. and in.
creases his capacity to love and to re.
ceive love. II causes spiritua
growth and development that must tax,
place before he can be either worth,
or prepared to associate with God. an.
gels and the spirits of just men mad,
perfect, the denlzens OF heaven.
The payment in the usual manner o.
tithing. and fast and other offerings
that are called for from time. TO time
by the proper authorities of the Church
should be strictly and promptly attended
to. 1t is compliance with the Law