Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-07-18
raE REALITY OF THINGS

Inquiry into the origin and nature OF
substances has been stimulated recently
By the discovery made by woman we
believe. OF the rare metal called Tadi-
um. BY SIS aid, altogether new IDEAS
\ that is, new to modern scientists con-
corning the properties OF matter have
been evolved. and the atomic theory
has been terribly upset. Science now
and again. turns out not to be scientific
ana therefore II Is dangerous for il TO
dogmalize too freely, just as It Is for re-
ligions Of human formulating to be too
! positive and dominant.
Until the alleged discovery that
atoms are composite, that each Of them
Is made up of ions, comprising uni
verse as complete and revolving AND
wonderful as solar system, the atom
was announced to be indivlsible and in
destructlble Now the old controversy
as to Infinite diylsibility or the ultimate
ion, or whatever the primal thing may
be called win be revived and learned
treatises and endless discussions will
be brought forth. These inquiries are
very interesting and promote deep
thought even II they do not lead TO
definite and complete knowledge.
We notice that some writers have
argued themselves. in rejecting on this
ionic development into belief In the
nonentity of matter as held by en-
thusiasts OF certain school that is
gaining many adherents In this coun-
try. Observing the effects on the body
Of mental processes seeing that some
sick people are healed OF their iniirml-
ties though believing they do not exist
they are led to entertain some palpable
absurdities associated with real phe-
nomena. II does not follow because
healer relieves human suffering, that
his philosophical or religious notions
are correct. Yet many shallow thinkers
are deceived into accepting error, be-
cause persons who hold II may have
the gift Of curing disease.
As to the reality OF matter, the Lat
ter-day Saints have the highest assur-
ance that u.s. Divine revelation. Accord
ing to the word of the Lord through the
Prophet Joseph Smith, there are two
substances in nature which are CO.
existent. They are called spirit and ele-
ment. The term element corresponds
with that which is usually dubbed
natter This distinction is made
because spirit, though different in es-
sence TO the grosser material OF the
universe, is itself matter, but so much
more refined and imperceptible to the
senses as not to be classed with 1t as
the word is usually understood, I'm
material substance" IS contradiction
Of terms and, as We view 1t, an impos-
slbility.
That which has no extension and no
limit, which occupies no space. which
has no relation TO time, or duration.
which Is neither here nor there, and
has no properties Of any kind in COM
mon with matter, is not substance; it
IS TO be considered as no thing, or as
having no existence OF Itself. Motion
Is immaterial, but II is not substantial.
The thing that moves or is moved is
substance. and the fact that II is NOV
ed proclaims It's materiality to that ex-
tent. Spirit Is Of such an lmponder-
able and intangible essence 10 US In
this physical existence. that It IS called
immaterial by philosophers aud theol-
ogians. but the term is incorrect and
misleading.
Spirit. In its active state. Is the life
and light Of all things. The elements,
called matter, are the tabernacle OF
spirit. When spirit and element are in.
separately connected. perfect happiness
Is the result. Man is spirit clothed with
element. The body Is Of the earth. the
spirit from on high. The twain viii be
separated by that which We call death,
When reunited inseparabiy, the ele-
menis Of the body having been changed
so as to be eternally adapted to the
personal spirit the being thus com
posed can attain TO perfection, being
In the complete image of the Eternal
Father and capable Of patterning after
Him forever
Out Of nothing nothing comes or can
come. The densest matter may be dis
solved, but 1t cannot De resolved into
nothing. The solid may be reduced to
the fluid state, the fluid to the gaseous.
The particles OF the gaseous to mole
lules they into atoms and the atoms
INTO ions OF still finer divisions. but the
ultimate inhnitesmals, by whatever
name they may be called. win be mat.
ter and the primal substance always
was and always viii be- for the word
81 the Lord vs. that the elements are
pternal,' and sound reasoning confirms
The truth Of the uiterance,
Intelligence or me hght or tfuih,
vas not created or made, neither In
deed can BE-" That is another Divine
revelation. It strikes the unfeueted
mind as self-eyldent Immortal spirit
and eternal elemen, constitute the uni
verse Changes occur in al worlds and
throughout unbounded epace. but
there is no annhilation either Of per
son or substance Everlasting intelll-
sence operates throughout and nothing
that exists Is or can be lost Intell-
gent beings have their own agency an J
voluntary submission to ete'na' law Is
the Way TO the highest happiness adj