Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-06-15


that the breVity
of our Address not only leaves much
to be desired but that il is positively
misleading
First our reviewers claim that the
address is misleading on the subject
of revelation Still these reviewers
are able to quote from the address as
follows: The theology Of cur
Church is the theology taught by
Jesus Christ ana His apostles, the the
ology of Scripture and reason 1t not
only acknowledges the sacredness of
ancient Scripture. and the binding
force OF dtvinely inspired acts and ut
terances in ages past; but also de-
clares that God now speaks TO man in
this final gospel dispensation. chat
seems quite explicit 10 me. But COM
viewers say:
CLAIM OF MORMON CHURCH.
Under this declaration lies the
claim Of the Mormon Church-con-
stantly insisted upon in its congrega-
ton here and in surrounding regions
that the Book of Mormon, the Doc
trine and Covenants. the Pearl of
Great Price, together with the living
oracles--i @, certain members Of the
prtesthood--are divinely inspired, and
are, therefore. of equal authority with
the Bible. This claim. knowledge
OF which is so necessary to even
tolerabic understanding of their sys-
tenn of relief, is not plainly and ex-
plicitly set forth in the declaration of
doctrine contained in the address,
but it has repeated and urgent em-
phass in their teachings in Mormon
communities" Now be honest. gem
tlemen, Is it not repeated everywhere
with Just as much emphasis as in
Mormon communities in Utah. Isn't
it q universal proclamation that we
make TO the world =! You know II is,
and you prove that it is from the
very works you quote to establish the
fact that we believe in that doctrine.
and which are of world wide circula-
ton, 1t was vile effort at misrapre-
sentation on your part to make 1t APP
pear otherwise. But on the subject
of revelation. let us go to the address
Itself. What is said upon the subject
of revelation is found on pages three
and four, and fourteen and fifteen:
our religion Is founded on the reve-
lations of God" 1T" (the
Church of Christi mot only acknowl-
edges the sacredness of ancient Scrip
trre and the binding force of divine
ly-insplred acts and atterances in
ages past; but also declares that God
now speaks to man in this final gos-
pei dispensation. AT page II of
the address:
1T is sometimes urged that the
permanent realization of such de-
sire is impossible. since the Latter-da
Saints hold as a principle of their
faith that God now reveals Himself
to man, as in ancient times: that the
priesthood of the Church constitute
body of men who have, each for him
self. in the sphere in which he moves
special right TO such revelation; that
the president of the Church is recog-
rtzed as the only person through
whom divine communication will
come as law and doctrine to the ~
lGious body; that such revelation may
come at any time. upon any subject,
spiritual or temporal. as God wills;
and finally that. in the mind OF every
faithful Latter-day Saint, such reve-
lation. in whatsoever II counsels, adj
vises. or commands, Is paramount"
Now, gentlemen. will you tell me
how we could be more frank Or ex-
plicit on the subject OF revelations
And when you charge that IN this
document We have not dealt candidly
with the subject II revelation, why
did YOU not quote this passage l have
just read, with the other passages that
YOU have quoted Were you NOT try
ing to do 4 little misleading on your
own account? Did you deal quite
fairly with the address when YOU fail.
ed to quote this very explicit passage
just read:
BOOKS AND CHURCHES.
Complaint Is made about our belief
ia Living Oracles" in the Church, l. @.
certain members of the priesthood who
are dylnely inspired and who may
interpret the revelations and the laws
of the Church
Wen gentlemen why do you conf
plain of that? Books do not make
churches. How came we by the ancient
Scriptures? The Old and the New
Testament ! mean. We are Instructed
In the Scriptures that no scripture is OF
private Interpretation but that "hoiN
men Of God spake as they were moved
upon By the Holy Ghost" hence your
old Testament and your Now 'resta-
mcnt They came into existence cN-
actly in the same way that our scrip
turo Is coming into existence. Tle
living oracles make scripture: scrip.
lures do not make living oracles, And
that Is what is the matter with YOU
you have been relying upon
books instead of relying upon The foun.
tain source OF all wisdom, truth and
knowledge, the inspiration and revela-
ton Of God To the human soul. You
are book-made teachers rather than
God-made teachers. THAT Ia the differ
encc between the living oracles IN tho
Church Of C-rist ana those who speak
as the scribes aud the Pharlsees were
wont to speak The people In ancient
times were able 10 discern the differ
ence' For they said OF Jesus thai He
spoke as one having authority and not
as the scribes and the Phhrisees. Wn
are IN harmony with the whole course
Of Gods dealings with His children IN
this matter of developing His word IN
HIS Church, Yes we have living ora
cles IN the Church thank God ana
when they speak as moved npOn By
The Holy Ghost their utteranoes are tho
very word Of God; ana when the teach,
lngs and dlscourses of the elders of the
'hurch shan have been sifted and tried
IN the Gre of time, much that they havI
said wa prove 10 be scripture ana thus