Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-11-20
AS TO THE PROFESSIONS.
Brigham City Utah, Nov. 16, 1900.
Editor Deseret News,

AS ~ lhG iANOH b'7hD4'''
Brigham City, Utah, Nov. 10, 1900
Editor Deseret News.
There are. undoubtedly, many Lat
ter-day Saints who, Ike the writer
are interested In learning what Is the
real attitude OF the Church, as such,
relative TO members Of the same, VINO
see NJ to choose as a calling one Of the
so-called learned professions, say, law
or medicine
There seems 10 be among the mem
bers Of the Church general and COM
yentional antipathy toward lawyers
and doctors. Why such an aversion for
their professions should exist, or why
those learned in them should be de-
spised. or be made objects Of contempt
Is not very clear That their services
are needed in the present political, So
cial or physical condition OF mankind
viii certainly not be denied By any
thinking person: that they are In posi-
lions TO do a great deal OF good In
their respective spheres is evident Yet,
there are many who seem TO be pos
sessed Of such a deep-roOted prejudice
against the lawyer ana the doctor-the
graduates from colleges OF law or med
icine ] mean, not so much against
those who have taken up these studies
as a side issue az hOme-that II seem
ingly Is matter OF doubt In their
minds whether It can be possible for
such professional 20 be sincere IN his
religion. or that he can enjoy as great
q degree OF the Spirit Of God as he
would, were hts calling In life another
The writer has heard on many occa.
sions remarks made In public meetings
OF worship, derogatory To- the interest
OF the class OF professionals referred To-
To one who an his life has strlven to
learn and 70 do the Will Of God. and
who has proven his integrity for the
cause OF truth by always yielding ODE
dience TO properly constituted authOri.
~; who has labored diligently in the
missionary field or any other position
% the Church which he has been called
20 hll who, wishing 20 use his talents
for the greatest good is contemplating
10 take up the study OF, say. medicine
but. wishing 10 start Alright seeks the
advice Of one az the First Presidency
and Is assured u the proprlety OF his
step, II set apart and blessed as a mis-
sionary for this special purpose who In
school Is bent over HE task early and
late. laboring earnestly, assiduously
and prayerfully, observing the Word Of
Wisdom, endeayoring to DO all In his
power 10 obtain the blessings pro-
nounced upon him by the servants Of
God and who verify realizes all these
promises-to him II appears highly in
consistent on the part OF his best
friends to lampoon him, or rather. the
life calling he has thus adyisedly es.
poused.
In view OF the fact, that many consId.
er II improper 20 employ lawyers or
doctors, assuming that faithful Saints
would be above the necessity OF so do
ing. allow me 10 ask. most respectfully
what authority warrants such an as.
sumption? Can 10 be logically contend
ed that members " the legal and medi.
cal professions are a menace, as DC
were. 20 the true Church OF Christie
How many cases az law are allowed
20 be conducted through the courts by
the lay individuals. and how many Of
the laity are capable OF thus conducting
case, were IL permitted by law? Is
an attorney-at-law a less consistent
member OF the Church for being a law.
yer2 Luke. "the beloved physician"
was perhaps fully as faithfuTa servant
a knowledge Of the healing art
The writer holds that "A more noble
secular calling than that Of the honest
conscientious physician can scarcely De
found that the physician who in hu.
mility before God, goes 90 his case with
his heart lifted up In prayer 20 the Al.
mighty for His blessings depending on
the Lord, the Great Physician and
not solely on his own skill. for success
is not a curse 20 any community.
In view " the facts. that the services
OF the physician have been. and are be.
Ing, called FOR by suffering humanity In
every station Of life. from the worldly
ruler 90 the beggar. from the Prophet
20 the lay member that leading men
IN the Church unhesitatingly en-.
dorse the proposition that mem
bers or our own Church ought to De
educated os physicians, etc. and that
members 90 the Church are set apart
under the hands Of men holding tha
holy Priesthood Gas missionaries 20
study medicine It seems to ba exceed
lngly ridiculous 90 teach. direct or hp
Implication that to caiI one BOO every
way properly qualified individual Go as
sist IN alIeyiating the physical suffer-
ing of "a member OF the Church would
be t0 DEFY the law OF God and Doe CON
traty fo Church discipline
II Do b wrong 90 study medicine 10
practice medicine or 90 consult q ply.
siclan iU case Of sickness Jet the late
ter-1ay Saints know ~ through ihal
Church organ " not ltt them know f
so that 'aI things Doe dome 1ecantlv ana
IN order Tut Boy all means. let us
be consistent
CHARLES 7. OLSEN. NJ. D."
We give place TO the foregoing letter
becaus- we believe there IS some cause
FOR The complain, 90 contains. and be-
cause 30 is proper that any mistake
made hy IErsr-lav Saints on the sub
feet mas ba corrected We think how
ever Thar The writer IKE some other
gentlemen 'n hIs profession Is little
too sensitive 0s 10 %. opinions of a
fow of bis o..gbbors and ttat Doc some
"ha' oNareaufes the situation. when
De- "'ahe of "a general ana cony.n-
u"a.' an'.ra'hy towards lawyers and
doctors among the Iattor-3ay Saints
That certainly appears TO bc an ass-r-
tloa Chat is too sweeping.
'Iha attitude OF the Church as to
rs members who see ft to study law
or medicine. has been sufficiently
marked and wel.defneI 20 satisfy ln-
teiiigent ingulrers. The church has
never opposed learning. but has en-.
eoufegsd IT, Numbers OF It's young