Key to the Science of TheologyPratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Religion
Key to the Science of Theology
Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
The things of this visible creation, are the patterns of things in the
invisible world; and are so arranged as to exactly correspond--the one
answering to the other, as face to face in a mirror.
The immersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, for remission of sins; and the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
which follows according to promise, by the laying on of the hands of
the holy Priesthood; were instituted from before the foundation of the
world, as a pattern of the birth, death, resurrection and new life of
man.
The candidate is now initiated into the first principles of the
science of Divine Theology. His mind is quickened, his intellectual
faculties are aroused to intense activity. He is, as it were,
illuminated. He learns more of divine truth in a few days, than he
could have learned in a life time in the best merely human
institutions in the world.
His affections are also purified, exalted, and increased in
proportion. He loves his heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, with a
perfect love. He also loves the members of the Church, or the body of
Christ, as he loves his own soul; while his bosom swells with the
tenderest sympathies, and emotions of good will and benevolence, for
all mankind. He would make any sacrifice which might be expedient, to
do good. He would lay down his life most cheerfully, without one
moment's hesitation, or regret, if required of him by the cause of
truth.
He also feels the spirit of prayer and watchfulness continually, and
pours out his soul in the same, and finds he is answered in all things
which are expedient. He is now in a fit capacity to exercise some one
or more of the spiritual gifts.
He may perhaps speak in power, in the word of wisdom, in the word of
knowledge, in prophecy, or in other tongues. He may see a vision,
dream an inspired dream, or possess the gift to be healed, or to heal
others, by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus Christ.
To impart a portion of the Holy Spirit by the touch, or by the laying
on of hands; or to impart a portion of the element of life, from one
animal body to another, by an authorized agent who acts in the name of
God, and who is filled therewith, is as much in accordance with the
laws of nature, as for water to seek its own level; air, its
equilibrium; or heat, and electricity, their own mediums of
conveyance.
This law of spiritual fluid, its communicative properties, and the
channel by which it is imparted from one person to another, bear some
resemblance, or analogy, to the laws and operations of electricity.
Like electricity, it is imparted by the contact of two bodies, through
the channel of the nerves.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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