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
We can suggest no remedy for these multiplied evils, to which poor
human nature is subject, except a good life, while we are in
possession of our faculties, prayers and fastings of good and holy
men, and the ministry of those who have power given them to rebuke
evil spirits, and cast out devils, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Among the diversified spirits abroad in the world here are many
religious spirits, which are not of God, but which deceive those who
have not the keys of Apostleship and Priesthood, or, in other words,
the keys of the science of Theology to guide them. Some of these
spirits are manifested in the camp-meetings of certain sects, and in
nearly all the excitements and confusions in religious meetings
falsely called "_revivals_." All the strange extacies, swoonings,
screamings, shoutings, dancings, jumpings, and a thousand other
ridiculous and unseemly manifestations, which neither edify nor
instruct, are the fruits of these deceptive spirits.
We must, however, pity, rather than ridicule, or despise, the subjects
or advocates of these deceptions. Many of them are honest, but they
have no Apostles, nor other officers, nor gifts to detect evil, or to
keep them from being led by every delusive spirit.
Real visions, or inspirations which _would_ edify and instruct, they
are taught to deny. Should Peter or Paul, or an angel from heaven,
come among them, they would denounce him as an impostor, with the
assertion that Apostles and angels were no longer needed.
There is still another class of unholy spirits at work in the
world--spirits diverse from all these, far more intelligent, and, if
possible, still more dangerous. These are, the spirit of divination,
vision, foretelling, familiar spirits, "Animal Magnetism,"
"Mesmerism," &c., which reveal many and great truths mixed with the
greatest errors, and also display much intelligence, but have not the
keys of the science of Theology--the Holy Priesthood.
These spirits, generally, deny the divinity of Christ, and the great
truths of the atonement, and of the resurrection of the body. Of such
are the Shakers of the United States, and their revelations. They deny
the resurrection of the body. From this source are the revelations of
Emmanuel Swedenborg, which also deny the resurrection. From this
source, also, are the revelations of Andrew Jackson Davis, of
Poughkeepsie, New York, which deny the resurrection and the atonement.
From this source are all the revelations which deny the ordinances of
the Gospel, and the keys and gifts of the Holy Apostleship.
Last of all, these are they who climb up in some other way, besides
the door, into the sheepfold; and who prophesy or work in their own
name, and not in the name of Jesus Christ.
No man can do a miracle in the name and by the authority of Jesus
Christ, except he be a good man, and authorized by him.
CHAPTER XIII.
DREAMS.
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