Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-10
THE CONFLICT INEVITABLE.


From the day in which the Lord re-
yealed Himself from Heaven to the
Prophet Joseph Smith down to the
present time, there has been conflict
in the world II is the struggle Of light
In the midst Of darkness. II Is the
leayen which Is eventually 10 leayen the
whole lump. A system has been estab-
lIshed on earth which has come down
out Of Heaven. II Is disturbing ele-
ment in the midst Of the powers OF this
world. In the nature Of things, IT can
not be otherwise.
Yet the spirit Of this latter-day work
is the spirit Of peace. 1t moves upon
legitimate lines. 1t interferes with no
human right. It seeks to subvert no
legal authority. II stands for true
liberty. II maintains the freedom Of all
Jeaple compatible with the general wei
fare. II comedies the privilege OF every
person and every society TO worship ac-
cOfulnB 10 inc ulCtdfH Va e''iHN'N"~N
AT the same time II upholds the au-
thority Of rulers and magistrates within
the spheres OF their proper jurisdiction,
But the system known in the world
az "Mormonismp has been vigorously
opposed on all sides. both religious and
secular forces being arrayed against 1t.
The chief moving cause Of this warfare
has been in the very heart Of modern
ChrIstendom. The antagonism has
sprung from that source. The fight
waged with material weapons has been
melted by ecclesiastical influences
While the religious organizations quar-
rel with each other and contend over
points Of doctrine and OF discipline ex-
hibltlng often intense animosity to-
ward each other. they can come to a
unity, almost at any time. TO engage In
a fight against "Mormonism." Recent
as well as past history shows that they
can enlist also the powers Of the State,
TO help them IN their endeayors 10
crush out an unpopular Church.
Some people, who become tired OF
the continued warfare and who natur-
ally desire ease, and that peace on
earth and good VIII TO men" which the
latter-day Gospel inculcates, sometimes
express the view that 1t is better to be
passive than positive; 10 let the foes
OF the Church say and do as they
please; 10 submit without reply to all
kinds OF SANDER and abuse; 10 resent
nothing, to defend nothing, to reply to
nothing: 10 occupy negative position,
that quietness may succeed tumult and
the troubled waters become settled and
calm.
That would be very pleasant II It
We're only possible and right. But
what would II involve? We will tell
them. II would mean the relinqush-
ment Of every doctrine and principle
which comes in contact with the Views
and traditions Of centuries. The lay
ing down OF the authority Of the Holy
Priesthood restored to earth. The
abandonment Of sacred ordinances for
the living and the dead The turning
of Temples into mere houses Of public
worship. The tacit recognition Of hu-
man systems as parts OF Christian
whole. The union OF darkness and
light. Of Christ and BaaL In other
words, the merging Of "Mormonlsm" In
70 the mass Of confusion that consti-
tutes latter-day Christendom.
This Church and people can have per-
manent peace by laying down in the
dust and allowing their opponents to
walk over them. BY yielding up every
right and becoming perfectly quiescent
BY forsaking all essential distinctions
between the Saints and the world. so
as 10 be in all things like the rest Of
them" Giving up anything that forms
a part of our creed will not placate
the foe. Satan will never be satisfied
without a complete surrender. The
great object Of his wrath and OF his
destructive forces is the Priesthood
which is after the order OF the Son Of
God. While that remains in the pleni-
tude OF its authority, officiating with
the keys Of power acknowledged and
ratified In Heaven. his warfare aided by
his hosts unseen. and the powers Of
earth through which his works are
manifest will never cease.
The struggle must 30 on. II is the
final conflict that has been commenced
on this earth. Darkness must be over
come, the truth must prevail. The
Kingdoms Of this world must become
the Kingdom OF God and His Christ
The dominion Of the adversary must be
driven from this globe, and the pos
terity Of Adam must be redeemed from
error and sin and suffering.
The assaults, however. will come In
the future as they have In the past,
from the powers OF darkness allied with
those OF this world. The Church which
Jesus Christ has established in person,
Is on The defensive. 1t cannot yield or
throw aside rs armor or its weapons.
II must fight the good fight Of faith.
II must stand by the work which It
has been commanded TO perform. II
need not be afraid Of It's enemies
While desiring not to provoke disturb
ance. TO create strife or TO stir up
wrath, II must be prepared TO endure all
things without shrinking and without
retreat Certainly there should be no
towards liz its ranks who would It's