Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-18
A COURAGEOUS DEFENSE.

A few weeks ago Salt Lake City re-
celyed A visit frrl Mr. and Mrs. Emil
Gammeter residents OF Ohio. For
some time they had received the Elders
of the Church laboring in Ohio, at their
pleasant home, extending abundant
hospitality which was duly appreciated
by those missionaries After the visit
paid By these estimable persons to
Utah. on their return some stir was
made In their neighborhood because OF
their espousal Of the faith OF the
Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. In order to correct improper
ideas concerning this matter, Mr., Gam
meter wrote an extended article for the
Beacon Journal, published az Akron,
Ohio. This appeared in the Saturday
evening edition Of that paper, which has
very large circulation. II Is entitled
Mormon Doctrines" with the sub
heading, "A Recent Convert Gives His
Reasons For Change Of Faith"
The writer commences by referring
to the religious liberty contended for
and established by the fathers Of our
country, and to the reluctance with
which he presents, publicly, his prl-
vate convictions, being led to write
them In response to the requests Of
many OF his friends TO explain the step
be had taken. He goes on to mention
the prosecutions suffered by the early
Christians and to explain the growth Of
religious liberty in the world. He then
takes up the form and organization Of
the early Church, as explained in the
New Testament, with Apostles and
Prophets, Evangellsts, Pastors and
Teachers, placed therein for the edlfy-
ing OF the body of Christ till all come
to the unity OF the faith and the knowl-
edge Of the Son of God. He then con-
trasts that form and unity with the
condition OF modern Christendom.
He cites the testimony OF Bishop
Abiel Leonard OF the Episcopal Church,
on the attitude Of "Mormonism" as one
Of the religious denominations, and in
regard to the much mistaken ideas OF
the public concerning the polygamy
question. showing that there Is no
reason for any disturbance in relation
TO It. as the Mormon" Church Is not
encouraging or teaching polygamy.
Then follow the articles Of faith with
scriptural quotations to prove each s.s-
ton, concseeutivey. The writer quotes
copiously from DR.. james T.. Talmages
work on those articles, enlarging upon
the leading points OF Mormon doc
trines"
Mr. Gammeter speaks OF the restora-
ton Of the Gospel and OF the authority
of the Holy Priesthood through the
ministratlen of heavenly beings,
touches on the necessity Of obeylng the
one. everlasting Gospel. and gives evil
dence concerning conditions in Utah.
He says.
by my personal observation during
my stay In Utah this last summer
know 1t is an intensely practical relig-
ion. All but very few who give their
whole time to the Church work are en-
gagged In business, running farms, or
employed In various occupations Long
faceo piety has no place In their life
innocent amusements are sanctioned
and Encouraged as not displeaslng to
God.
That 1900 young men averaging q
years of age give UP two and many
even more than two years OF their life
AZ their own expense, as missionaries
10 20 out among the nations OF the
earth. and return home stronger than
when they left, is evidence that at least
they have testimony OF the truth Of
gospels restored In this the last dis
pensdiion OF the fulness of times.
Dan 2: Has.
THE question Is often asked, Do
Mormons deny salvation 10 non Nor
mons To this we say no. but there
Is a difference between salvation and
exaltation.
Had Czolgosz confessed Christ he
could not have gained salvation until
he haG paid the uttermost farthlng.'
Many spiritual advisers do comfort
and console red-handed murderers on
the scaffold who may have debauched
virtue and murdered innocence.
In suiie Of this guilty offense these
men have been offered forgiveness.
placing them all reeklng with blood.
into an abode Of purity and holiness
10 dwell with God and His angels
"The Innocent victim whom the muir
derous villain has untlmely deprived Of
mortal life, must dwell az an immortal
IN he'll and suffer the torrents Of the
damntd, this, because perchance the
victim may not have said i believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ This gives
mercy more than her due and robs JUS
tice"
He answers the question as 20 what
became Of the repentant thief on the
cross, and explains the doctrine OF sal
walton for the dead. Christ's preaching
to the spirits In prison. baptism for the
dead and the work now being per-
formed in the holy Temples. He con-
cludes his interesting article with
these paragraphs:
TT has been lar from my intention to
hurt the feelings " any one OF the
thousands Of good. true men and wo-
men In other churches (which are do
ing much good They win all have
their reward. according 10 their works.
Fagmentary as these statements nee
essaTily are. they can an be defended
from the Scriptures. and while / DO
not propose 10 carry on any newspaper
controversy, J gladly welcome any per-
son 10 my home Tor further and more
complete Information
Il wish 10 bear my testimony OF
the truth Of the Gospel as taught by
the Iatier-day Saints and ! ask. do
not treat these doctrines indinerently.
nor carelessly throw them aside.
"Sh0nld they be true. the message IL
o. the utmost importance 10 you sur
rounded with so many proofs the
faith OF the LaticT-Aay Saints demand
YOUR further Investigation.