Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsSpencer, Orson
Religion
Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Spencer, Orson
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
and canvass it thoroughly, in order that no man shall ever raise the
same objection again, with any hope of success; but before I try their
character, let us inquire what is the proper standard or rule by which
character is to be tested.
Some people consider that no man can have a good character who is
not religious,--this is a common opinion among religious people. An
infidel, say they, is odious, and feels no responsibility; and no one
is religious unless his faith harmonizes with their own religious
creed. In some countries, what would be accounted moral and virtuous,
would in others be stamped as immoral, unvirtuous, and sacrilegious.
Another, more plausible, says, "let all men do as they would be done
by," and then their characters will be good. This, however, is a very
vague rule indeed; for instance, the Emperor Charles Fifth of Germany,
says: "If I were as great a heretic as Martin Luther or John Calvin,
I ought to be banished, or even put to death." Thus the Emperor
conscientiously carries out the rule, and orders the famous Reformer
(heretic) to be put to death. The above rule, unaccompanied by the
spirit of revelation, is often defective and made the pretext for deeds
of blood-guiltiness. What, then, is the true and infallible standard of
character? I answer, it is revealed in the Gospel. God is the only good
being and standard of goodness; such as comply with his revealed will
are good, and do good, and there is no iniquity in them.
Compliance with the divine will is the only true standard of character.
To this test, then, let us bring the character of the Latter-day
Saints, and that of their opposers. What is the faith of each? Let us
inquire. According to their faith, so will be their works or their
character. Says James, I will show my faith by my works. You may not
only know a man's faith by his works, but his works are also known by
his faith. If his faith is bad, his works will be also bad; and if his
works are bad, his character is bad.
It was the faith of Christ to receive the revelations of God his father
unto obedience in all things. This faith led him to work the works of
God, which were healing the sick, prophecying, casting out devils,
speaking in tongues, and doing many miracles, and revealing the will of
his Father. But the pious Jews, chief priests, &c., had another sort
of faith: they believed in the God of Abraham and Moses, but believed
that the age of miracles was past, and they forbid to prophecy and
speak with tongues. Their faith was, that there was no further need
of new revelation, and that the canon of Scripture was full. They
believed that the Sanhedrim established by Moses was sufficient for
the perfection and government of the Church, without apostles, and
prophets, and various gifts. Their faith was not the faith of God,
nor of immediate revelation (although they said they believed in old
revelations); neither was it the faith of miracles, and prophecyings,
and tongues, and healing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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