The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-02-08

Apostle, used his knowledge of tn
writings of the Greek poets and tn
Roman philosophers to help him i
preaching the Gospel of the LOr
Jesus Christ 1t was not because Pau
doubted the gospel; he was but seek
ing confirmation of It from gentle
sources, for his message was to tn,
gentiles and he had to catch them II
any way that he could, being crafty
as IL were. or not one without guile
to make the most of things to al
men. That does not mean that he
was a hypocrite; that does not mean
that he pretended to be something
that he was not. When he said, Il
reared Pharisee and II because of
my hope Of the resurrection that
am called in question" He had a lev
erage he had an interest with them.
Because the Pharisees and the whole
sect Of the pharisees flocked around
him and defended him, because ne
was standing up for something in
which they believed They believed
! in the resurrection; not as Paul be-
| lieved It. He was just wise enough and
crafty cnough--if you choose to cali
IL soto turn his knowledge to good
advantage. He could cite their own
teachings and the teachings of men
who had taught them, to show them
that the message which he brought |
was reasonable.
But what folly for a man, after re- |
ceiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ, |
the fullness of truth, to go wander
ing after this ism" and that "ology'
i'm direct conflict with what he al.
ready has in seeking confirmation
from outside sources, of that which
he ought to have received by the ties.
timony of the Holy Ghost No Latter
day Saint, no servant of God, would
hope to take such a position and be
successful. No. We stand upon the
rock of eternal truth, and ii is to God
that we are indebted for our testi-
mony and our knowledge that these
things are true But IL to save the
souls of men we can use their sci
'nces, their philosophy and prove TO
hem that our message has been pre-
Jared by those very things, it strikes
ne that we ought to use every advan
age that we can to gain ground, and
o gain the expressions of men in
presenting to them the Gospel of sal
ation-the onething that will save
heir souls. What makes Joseph Smith
o important character in the midst
4 human kind? 1t is not because he |
vas the greatest orator that ever
wed; II is not because he was the
reatest poet that ever wrote; IL is
ot because he was learned man,
earned In the wisdom of the world.
10. II is because he had message
rom God and he told II as Peter did
n days of old. Who was this inlet
cred fisherman, who could stand up
nd tell men what to do? Why, he
'as no orator; he was no poet; he
'as no philosopher; he was no pain
er; he was no musician. was an
postle of the Lord Jesus and he le-
Nered the message that God gave
i'm to give to the people. That Is
hat made him the important charac.
ar of his time, more important than
ny other man of his generation. Io-
aph Smith is more important to
ais age than any other man who has
yer been upon the earth since the
avs Of the Son Of God, for the sim.
lie reason that he could tell men
hat to do In order to be saved. The
orld was full of poets; the world
as full of philosophers: the world
as full of scientists, and musicians II
nd singers on that day of Pentecost I
hen Peter stood up and preached the
rst gospel sermon of the meridian s
spensation, But what poet could !
III the people what to do to be saved? |
hat could Demosthenes, Herod or I
icero do when the people cried out I
men and brethren, what shall we do $
)u crucified the Son of God, and lie ,
rs risen up on high, and has be. Q
,me the author Of salvation" Prick. D
4 in their hearts they cried out, 5
men and brethren, what shall we I
%" Now. the man who could answer q
lat question was the great man of c
lat time. he was the most important q
that age; not the man who had the q
reatest command of rhetoric; not i
lie greatest magician; not the great. n
st poet, or philosopher, yet all these II
zen have their mission, subordinate o
issions to teach men measure of b
lie truth-but not one, not even b
aesar upon his throne, could tell the I
eople what they must do to be say. &