A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWidtsoe, John Andreas
Religion
A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Widtsoe, John Andreas
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Theology
**Educational.** The doctrines of the origin, present condition and
destiny of man should always be well in the mind of all, for without
this knowledge, it is difficult to comply fully and intelligently with
the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. It has been provided,
therefore, that the story of man, from the beginning, at the present,
and to the last great day, shall be given as frequently as may be
desired to the members of the Church. In the temples this information
is given, in an organized and correct form, so that it may not depart
from among men and women. That is, the temples are conservators of the
great truths of the Gospel. To the temples, man goes to be refreshed
in his memory as to the doctrines relative to man and his place in
nature. The endowments given to members of the Church in the temples
are, essentially, courses of instruction relative to man's existence
before he came on this earth, the history of the creation of the
earth, the story of our first earthly parents, the history of the
various dispensations of the Gospel, the meaning of the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ, the story of the restoration of the Gospel, and the
means and methods whereby joy on this earth and exaltation in heaven
may be obtained. To make this large story clear and impressive to all
who partake of it, every educational device, so far known to man, is
employed; and it is possible that nowhere, outside of the temple, is a
more correct pedagogy employed. Every sense of man is appealed to, in
order to make the meaning of the Gospel clear, from beginning to end.
**Symbolism.** Naturally, the very essence of these fundamental
truths is not known to man, nor indeed can be. We know things only so
far as our senses permit. Whatever is known, is known through symbols.
The letters on the written page are but symbols of mighty thoughts
that are easily transferred from mind to mind by these symbols. Man
lives under a great system of symbolism. Clearly, the mighty, eternal
truths encompassing all that man is or may be, cannot be expressed
literally, nor is there in the temple any attempt to do this. On the
contrary, the great and wonderful temple service is one of mighty
symbolism. By the use of symbols of speech, of action, of color, of
form, the great truths connected with the story of man are made
evident to the mind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account