Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-10-05

CONFERENCE
Continued from page flve.)

the idea that parenthood entails the
greatest responsibilities which can be
assumed by the human race. He be
lieVed the relationship of parent and
child was not matter of mere chance
there had been, In his mind. an agree.
nent ON the part OF the children to
become subject, in righteousness. to
tho will of the parents, and they. In
turn, had agreed to become the guar
dians Of the minds and the bodies of
those children. If parents leave to
their children only the heritage OF food
and clothing and mental education
the heritags of mere money--their
parenthood has not been n success;
they have not been parents they have
only been donors, contributors to the
financial welfare OF their children, and
have left the most important part. the
sp1ritual--to starve. 1t is no disgrace
to live In poverty, but many stifled
groan has followed the inheritance by
children Of mere wenlth. The speaker
said he hoped that before next con-
ference should roll around every ward
in the Church shall have held parents
4 conventions. and the general board eX-
pectcd reports to that effect at the
next conference.
David Reese Of Provo. sang the SOLO
Let Me Dream Again.
DIR. JAMES L. TALMAGE.
Elder James e. Talmage, a member
of the general board made a brief but
pointed talk on 1.-THE Evils or Specula-
tive Theology Tho speaker defined
the word theology as the science hav-
ing to do with God, but as applied now
means the science having to do with
the dealings of God with his children.
Tho subject Is one too sacred to make
the subject of common debate. The
Latter-day Saints recognize the ele-
ments of progression in theology, and
this includes necessarily the ideas of
investigation, and in q measure. con-
sequently, speculation. The difficulty
In this connection is that the people
confuse their opinions with facts, with
the result that they give out as doctrine
that which is only their imaginings
on the matter under consideration.
Some are too proud to acknowledge
that there are things which they do
not know. But there are many things
we do not know, and we should not be
afraid to make it known that we do
not know them.
have known men to so to apostacy
over the difference in a simple pre-
position, the question at issue being
whether the Prophet Joseph looked
through, into or upon the urim and
thumim, during the translation Of
d llle bOOk OIL mormon from the golden
plates. Now we do not know whether
the prophet looked through, into or up
on the sacred instruments, but we do
know that he translated abe book.
4 That Is sufficient. Let us say we do
not know when that is the case, and
not be ashamed OF 1t. The Lord has
wisely withheld information on some
points. and If we have not learned of
these things do not worry over them,
they will take care of themselves. The
speaker commended to those interest,"
ed the same study applied to the gos-
pei as they would give to any other
science or subject of investigation.
Harm has been done by too much
speculation on subjects in Sunday
schools and by the influence of un-
tutored Imagination. We are on dan
gerous ground when we undertake to
add to the word OF the Lord. Get all
from that you can and let that suffice.
President Joseph F. Smith expressed
gratitude for the music furnished by
the singers from Provo. and asked
those present who had no accomoda-
lions TO report to the bureau Of en-
tertainment.
Miss Jennie Camp. assisted by the
Provo choir. sang, Jerusalem, . Turn
Thee to the Lord
The conference adjourned for six
months and benediction was pro-
no,lnced nv Elder James w IRE