Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-03
THE PURPOSE OF PREACHING

A correspondent In Weber county d.
reefs our attention to remarks, which
he claims are not infreQuent MADE by
some OF our Elders while addressing
public audiences Instead OF explain
ing and throwing light upon the doc
trlnes OF the Church Of Jesus Christ
OF Latter-day saints, they attack ana
ridicule the tenets Of other churches
We are requested 10 give our opinion
upon this course OF procedure.
We have no aesNation in stating that
we regard that kind Of preaching as
highly improper, Indeed II has been
denounced by revelation and command
ment. II is condemned in the Doctrine
and Covenants. The Elders have been
repeatedly cautioned 10 abstain from
attacking other denominations. They
have been shown the folly of pulling
down other peoples houses before pro-
yiding them with better domiciles.
Missionaries who are sent out to the
world go as messengers of peace and
light. They are not commissioned to
tear the creeds Of the world TO pieces.
When they do so they act unwisely and
also contrary to the counsels OF the
leaders Of the Church Sometimes when
attacks are made by clerical adversar-
les II may become necessary TO refer
70 the erroneous notions, palmed upon
the world as Christian doctrine by the
contendlng sects Of the day. This, how
ever, can be done in proper spirit, and
not for the purpose Of ridlculing the re-
llgion OF sincere people or exciting anil
mostly by trampling upon their feel
ings.
'Mormonism," as It Is nicknamed by
its opponents, recognizes the value OF
truth wherever It Is found. 1t does not
aim 10 take away from any creed
such truths as may be incorporated
therein, nor does il assume that any
form Of religion. Christian or Pagan,
ia destitute Of truth. Its purpose Is TO
add to such correct principles as are
adopted by the various sects, higher
and greater truths which will harmon
ice with what they have. or course,
these will come into collision with the
errors that are entertained, and
VIII have the effect Of arouslng
the hostility of persons who live by
promulgating them, and also OF others
who love darkness rather than light.
But the purpose In view In the preach
ing Of the latter day Gospel Is not de-
struction. Il Is to exalt the truth Of
God and enlighten and lift up mankind.
The Savior said. Il come not to send
peace on the earth but sword" He
explained this by showing that the
principles He advocated would set the
father against the son, and the mother
against the daughter, the result OF
which would be that "a mans greatest
foes shall be they Of his own house
hold" This was because some members
OF family would receive the
truth. while others VI the fam
fly would reject IL, The same
condition Of affairs exists today
Yet Jesus is called the prince OF
Peace" But the peace that comes from
Hin is enjoyed only by His disciples.
They Who are not for Him are against
Him, and the luminosity aroused by the
truth proyokes the children OF error TO
attack the children OF light.
II was so from the beginning, II VIII
be 80 to the end A conflict is in prog
ress. The warfare II inevitable. Truth
and error win not assimllate. Light
and darkness struggle Tor the mastery.
But there should b. no bitterness OF
feeling on the part Of the champions OF
the right In exposing error. Il depends
upon the spirit in which the subject Is
presented as to whether II is proper or
improper. Ylndciiyeness is wrong. A
desire 10 wound and injure is not pro-
NOTED by the spirit OF truth. Il Is right
TO defend true doctrine and overcome
falsehood. but the end in view Is the