The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-02-25
THE UTAH HERESY.

making it almost an impossibility for
one creed with new doctrines to over
throw another creed with century-old
doctrines To supplant an idea of
long standing by fresh thought
with scarcely any known roots in ac-
tual thought experience of people.
is a most difficult endeavor, yet one
which men and women have striven to
do in all ages of the world.
In Utah, among the Mormon peo-
pie, has arisen new, yet old, thought
which threatens to enter into vital
conflict with the established thinking
of the dominant church. Teachings Of
long standing are challenged by ex-
Founders of modern training, ques-
toned with a voice of erudition rather
than voice of religious zeal; for the
new champion of change does not
profess to teach new gospel, as
some of the departers from the faith
have done, nor to found new cult
nor to break down any organization;
but this new heresy speaks the ideas
of scientists and the doctrines OF near.
ly all advanced educationalists.
What is the conflict thus inaugur-
ated? Nothing more than the old old
question. What will be done when
science and religion conflict?" Young
men who seek an education in the
world of science are confronted at the
very outset with questions and, pre-
sumablys facts which enter in direct
conflict with religious teachings OF a
life time. They naturally turn much of
their thoughts inwardly, and seriously
question with themselves as to what
place those teachings of childhood
shall take in their lives, and how their
religious ideals will stand the test of
strict scientific interpretations of nat
ural and supernatural phenomena. The
man who has accepted religion and
has made every idea of life conform
TO that religion, excluding possibil.
ity of an error in its teachings, abso-
lntely positive that God lives and
reveals His truth. does not know the
conflict which arises in the heart OF
the young man who can see, yes, and
what is more. feel a divergence be.
tween the hopes of his heart and the
thoughts of his mind.
What is to be done when the young
man honestly believes that he does
not know what he thought he Fnew?
Especially when he hopes that his
future welfare hangs in the correct
answer to the question? What does ii
near to a man of sober thought and
sincere desires? And is IT, not really
better that young man be honest
with In
the proper solution to his life's mean
ing, than to swallow blindly and hope
that all will be Well? Would not such
young man reveal stronger charac-
ter? WIN not religion stand the sever
est scrutiny of science, and is there
no Interpretation of science through
religion? Is there conflict between
science and religion?
The honest answer to these cues
tons brings out the teachings of men
like the Provo professors who are
now being criticised for teaching doc
trines contrary to the belief OF the
church. If these men who are acknow.
lodged to DE splendid scholars aues.
ton theories which other men swal
low without doubt, does 1t not argue
that there really must be considerable
TO harmonic between science and re
ligion? We do not know that this har
mony cannot be made, but we d,
know that 1t should be made; and W,
sincerely think that instances of Utal