Defense of the Faith and the Saints (Volume 2 of 2)Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Religion
Defense of the Faith and the Saints (Volume 2 of 2)
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saint churches
"Under this declaration lies the claim of the 'Mormon'
Church--constantly insisted upon in its congregation here and in
surrounding regions--that the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and
Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, together with the living
oracles--_i.e._, certain members of the priesthood--are divinely
inspired and are, therefore, of equal authority with the Bible.
This claim, a knowledge of which is so necessary to even a
tolerable understanding of their system of belief, is not plainly
and explicitly set forth in the declaration of doctrine contained
in the Address, but it has repeated and urgent emphasis in their
teachings in 'Mormon' communities."
Now, be honest, gentlemen, is it not repeated everywhere with just as
much emphasis as in "Mormon" communities in Utah? Isn't it a universal
proclamation that we make to the world? You know it is, and you prove
that it is from the very works you quote to establish the fact that we
believe in that doctrine, and which are of world-wide circulation. It
was a vile effort at misrepresentation on your part to make it appear
otherwise. But on the subject of revelation, let us go to the Address
itself. What is said upon the subject of revelation is found on pages
three and four, and fourteen and fifteen: "Our religion is founded
on the revelations of God," * * * "It," [the Church of Christ] "not
only acknowledges the sacredness of ancient Scripture, and the binding
force of divinely-inspired acts and utterances in ages past; but also
declares that God now speaks to man in this final gospel dispensation."
At page 14 of the Address this is said:
_"_It is sometimes urged that the permanent realization of such
a desire [i.e., to live in peace with our fellow citizens] is
impossible, since the Latter-day Saints hold as a principle of
their faith that God now reveals himself to man, as in ancient
times; that the priesthood of the Church constitute a body of
men who have each for himself, in the sphere in which he moves,
special right to such revelation; that the president of the Church
is recognized as the only person through whom divine communication
will come as law and doctrine to the religious body; that such
revelation may come at any time, upon any subject, spiritual or
temporal, as God wills; and finally that, in the mind of every
faithful Latter-day Saint, such revelation, in whatsoever it
counsels, advises, or commands, is paramount."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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