Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-02
UNPRoFiTaBLE QUESTIONS,

We observe a growing disposition on
the part Of some Of our people to quib-
Bile over texts Of ancient scripture, FOR
the purpose, apparently. Of puzzling
one another, or else Of exhibiting sup
posed smartness and superior acumen.
The Latter-day Saints should avoid
everything In the nature of the spirit
Of contention. The Book OF Mormon
declares It to be "of the devil"
This is not to be COMPOUNDED with
the spirit of inquiry. Desire for infor-
nation should be encouraged. II Is
pleasant 10 note the increase Of thor
ough investigation among members Of
our Mutual Improvement societies and
Theological classes. Every principle Of
the Gospel viii bear the light Of rea-
son and the strlc,est scrutiny. All the
doctrines OF our Church are consistent
with each other and with that which
was revealed in former times.
II is well to compare present with
past revelations; each Will support the
others. Efforts TO discover truth and
TO make II plain for general benefit are
praiseworthy The purpose Of inquiry
has great deal to do with its worth.
Propounders Of difficult questions
should anaylse their own motives, and
be sure that these are right for the
general welfare, and not merely for
personal ends and individual gratifica-
ton.
Much time is wasted in debates over
little texts or parts Of texts which do
not greatly concern anybody now on
earth. No matter which contender Is
right or wrong II does not matter a
cent. Time is too precious to be sQuan-
dered 80 prodigally. Anything that
relates 10 the uplifting. progress aud
salvation Of mankind, may be profit
ably investigated But the hidden
meaning OF obscure texts. conveying
perhaps the opinion OF some one long
since dead, or instructions given solely
for the benefit OF people then living, or
abiding TO customs and affairs now ut
terly Obsolete is without value to the
present generation and should not
take up the attention OF students de-
sirous Of learning something applca-
bic to the present or bearing upon the
future. That which Is practical which
conveys light, which corrects error,
which stimulates to good works, which
can be understood without dubiety
may be pondered upon with profit
In studying ancient scripture, It
should be remembered that II was
originally written in another language
than ours. II has come down to US
through uninsplred sources The trans
!aters have given IL the benefit Of their
human learning, probably with o sin
cere intention Of conveying as closely
as possible the meaning Of the writer's
That they In the main have succeeded
is generally believed. but every student
VIII recognize the fact that the idiOms,
metaphors, figures Of speech, and allu-
sions to local affairs Of former times
which they contain are not applicable
to present conditions. customs and
manners " speech, and therefore to hang
upon them as though they were words
u revelation 20 u.s. Is manlfestly I'M
wise and likely TO lead to confusion and
contention. 1t will be found very UNI
profitable TO discuss questions that
cannot be definitely decided by refer
.nce 10 the revelations Of God to to
Church IN this dispensauon.
Queries are propounded often which
,annot be settled either by scripture
)r reason. They have to be left Ia
loubt because there is no positive al
zine declaration concerning them. and
hey VIII usually BE- found Of no par
ocular momen, to anybody, They are