Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-27

in the statements regarding Joseph
Smiths life and labors those nen
would not seek Reinstatement. Martin
Harris also came back. and while
David Whitmer did not do 80 no mover
wayered In his testimony regarding
the Book OF Mormon.
President Lund read extracts from
Humes argument against the rosur-
rectioD. wherein that writer stated that
1t was less difficult to believe that L.
men were in error than to believe thnt
man rose from the dead contrary To
all human, experience. Hence Hume
accepted the easiest thing 10 believe.
Still It is hardly credible that II mon.
such as the apostles OF old. would con-
spire together to deceive. when Il was
not to their Interest to do so. They had
nothing to gain by 1t. and therefore the
world assumes the testimony 10 re
true.
L want to use the same argument In
favor OF the IL mon who testify regard
Ing the truth of the Book of Mormon
Even when they had nothing to gain
they adhered to their testimony, and
this in spite OF the fact that somo Of
them We're communicated. Tho pre-
dictions OF Joseph Smith and their full
hllment were spoken OF, especially
those concerning the Civil war and tho
gathering of the Latter-day Saints ~
the Rocky mountains.
His life also bears evidence of his
calling. He was loved by those closest
TO him. many OF whom re3ered him as
man OF God. His death also showed
the character OF the man, his last act
In jumping out OF the window and thus
saving the lives of two brethren who
were In the jail. being characteristic
of the man, whose life was spent in
working for the good of others,
DLDER II. ]. GRANT
Elder Hcber ]. Grant said he had al
ways been blessed with a peaceful In
fluence in speaking OF the life OF Joseph
Smith. When boy attending Sunday
school he read that on certain voyage
some Of Napoleons generals were dis
cuSsing Jesus Christ when the great
general said that he had no doubt that
Christ was the Son of God because OF
his influence after the lapse of 1,S0o
years. when men are willing to die for
his name today without having any
earthly hope of reward.
The same argument may be used re-
gardIng the life of Joseph Smith. His
followers meet with no earthly reward.
yet In spite of all this. men are willing
to make the same sacrifices to obey
the principles he taught after he has
been dead over half q century
Elder Grant said the fact that Joseph
Smiths teachings were scriptural was
a proof OF his divine mission. He also
enlarged on the fact that men will not
combine together to work deception and
fraud without 1t Is to their interest to
do so. which was not the case with
Joseph Smith and his associates
The lives of the Latter-day Saints
were referred to as proving that the re-
ligion established by Joseph Smith was
divine and his authority God given. The
experience of Col Thomas, who wrote
My Reasons for Leaving the Church OF
was also spoken of. He
Joined the Church of Jesus Christ OF
Saints, after he had thor
oughly investigated the same. being led
to do it because of the practical re-
suits flowing from the establishment
Of the gospel In the last days.
Elder Grant referred in a very ef-
fectivc manner to tho fact that Joseph
Smith gathered around him some of
the purest and most self-sacrificing men
Of his time. II birds OF a feather gath
err together, the character of the men |
drawn around Joseph Smith proves him
a good man. The love of Willard Rich
ards and John Taylor for Joseph Smith |
at the time of his martyrdom was also
as well as the sacrifices |
ny COufCIlS " tcdCLill6S, dS |
proof of the divinity of his mission !
The testimony OF Farley P. Pratt. Eliza |
R. Snow and others regarding the char
actcr. disposition and talents of Joseph |
Smith were also spoken of to show |
that the slurs OF his enemies are with |
cut foundation in fact
Riley's work was also referred to- |
wherein that writer weakly tries to
make a case against Joseph Smith on !
the grounds of hereditary epilepsy aft |
er which Elder Grant read copiously |
from the writings of Josiah Quincy |
Joseph Smiths work and his |
forecast of the position he will occupy |
IN the future. Joseph Smiths advice |
slavery. which. had 1t been |
would have saved millions |
Of dollars and many lives. was also re-
ferred to.
The practical working of the religion |
by Joseph Smith was also |
spoken of and the lives OF the Latter |
day Saints were referred to as support |
Ing their claims that they have the |
truth. In conclusion Elder Grant bore |
a strong testimony to the divinity of |
Joseph Smiths mission.