Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-03-25
"REVELATION"
AND "INSPIRATION."
Richard w. Young Points Out the Difference Be-
tween the Two, and Explains Seeming Confu-
sion in President Smiths Sermon and Testimony.

soning or by any other method by
which you reach other conclusions I'm
your mind do you?
Mr. Smlth-Well | have reached prin-
ciples, that Is, | have confirmed
In my acceptance and knowledge Of
principles that have been revealed to
me, shown TO me, by reason and facts.
on page 100 Mr.. Tayler asked wheth-
er Joseph Smith contended that always
there was Visible appearance OF the
Almighty or of an angel to which Nv.
Smith replied that he did not Mr.
Tayler then asked How otherwise did
he claim to receive revelations2" Mr..
Smith replied, "By the Spirit OF the
Lord" Mr. Tayler then asked, And in
that way, such revelations as you have
received, you have had them2" Mr..
Smith answered. yes, sir"
On page 3l4 OF the record the follow
ms coloquy occurred
Senator Hoar--I would like to ask one
question which Is fatty curiosity for
this IL most interesting matter.
Did | understand you correctly that
there has been no revelation since this
revelation Of Woodruff's for the gen.
ernl government OF the Church.
Mr. Worthington-He said there have
been none for n years except that. That
~ lne only one IN III years,
Senator Hoar-Now II this question
Is In the least trespassing upon the deli
oacy IN your mind / do not want to
press It. | ask II solely for curiosity.
II n revelation were to come to you, or
il you have a belief 1t would come to
you, IN what way does II Gomez BY an
inward light, by an audible voice, by
writing, or In what way? Have you
anything TO tell US about that2
Mr.. Smlth-lt might come by audi
BILE voice or II might come by an in
SEPARATION known and heard only by my
self.
Senator Hoar--Or by writing, sup
pose, as In the ca Sc Of Joseph Smith?
Mr. Smith-In the case OF the Book
OF Mormon; yes, sir.
The only further reference TO the sub
ject that / have been able to find, or
that | nave seen referred to during this
controversy occurs on page 4sS, where
the following questions and answers are
stated;
Senator Dubols--Have you received
any revelation from God, which has
been submitted by you and the Apostles
to the body OF the Church In their semi
annual conference, which revelation has
been sustained by that conference
through the unfolding OF their hands?
Mr.. Smith-Since when7
Senator Dubois--Since you became
president of the Church
Mr.. smith-No, sir; none whatever
Senator Dub6ls--Indivldual members
of the Church can receive individual
revelations, can they not2
Mr.. Smth--If / may be permitted,
the word revelation" Is used very
vagely here all the time. No man can
QQt ravplatlnna al hiu xyill a tpan
Is prayerful and earnest IN his desire
and lives a righteous life and he desires
information and intelligence, he will
inquire OF the Lord, and the Lord will
manifest 10 him, through the presence
and influence OF His Spirit His mind
and His will. That would be n reyela-
ton TO the Individual
The Chairman-What Is the answer
10 the question:
Senator McComas--Is not that an an
swer?
Senator Foraker--I think It Is an In
telligent answer, and a very satlsfac-
tory one.
Senator MoComas-It seems to me 1t
Is full.
The Chalman--I want TO hear what
the question was. Mr. Reporter. viii
you please read II?
The reporter read as follows.
Senator Dubols-lndividual members
OF the Church can receive individual
revelation, can they not?
Mr.. Smith, think / have answered
that.
The Chairman--Very we'll; II you
think that is an answer.
Senator Dubois--HaYe you received
any individual revelations yourself
since YOU became president of the
Church under your own definition, even
OF a reYelation7
Mr.. smith, cannot say that have
Senator Dubois-Can you say that
you have not?
Mr.. smlth-No; I can not say that
have not.
Senator Dubois--Then you do not
know whether you have received any
such revelation az you have described
or whether you have not?
Mr.. Smith-Well, can say this: That
II | live as should In the line Of my
duties, ! am susceptible, think, OF the
impressions OF the Spirit Of the Lord
upon my mind at any time, just as any
good Methodist or any other good
church member might be, And so far
as that IL concerned | say yes; | have
had impressions for the Spirit upon my
mind very frequently but they are
not In the sense revelations.
The foregoing testimony may be fair
ly summarized as follows
That any individual member OF the
Church, for himself individually. and
the president Of the Church, for the
Church as a body Is entitled to lnspira-
ton or revelation (using the words
anonymously; that President Smith
has never professed TO have received n
revelation, except 20 the divine truth Of
"Mormonism," which came by insplH-
ton by the Spirit of God; that revea-
tlon might come 60 him, he believed
through an audible voice by inspiration
known and heard only by himself, or by
writing, as In the case OF the Book OF
Mormon; that he had received no reve-
lation. during his presidency, that had