Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City, "That Mormon"Rich, Ben. E. (Benjamin Erastus)
Religion
Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City, "That Mormon"
Rich, Ben. E. (Benjamin Erastus)
Latter Day Saints -- Fiction; Salt Lake City (Utah) -- Fiction
It has been, and is now, believed by numerous individuals, that the
brute creation, by increase in knowledge and wisdom, change their
physical or bodily organization, through numerous states of existence,
so that the minutest insect, in lapse of time, can take to itself the
human form, and _visa versa_. This is one of the most inconsistent
ideas that could be possibly entertained in the mind of man; it is
called the transmigration of souls. It is enough for me to know that
mankind are made to improve themselves. All creation, visible and
invisible, is the workmanship of our God, the Supreme Architect and
Ruler of the whole, who organized the world, and created every living
thing upon it, to act in its sphere and order. To this end has He
ordained all things to increase and multiply. The Lord God Almighty has
decreed this principle to be the great governing law of existence, and
for that purpose are we formed. Furthermore, if man can understand and
receive it, mankind are organized to receive intelligence until they
become perfect in the sphere they are appointed to fill, which is far
ahead of us at present. When we use the term perfection, it applies
to man in his present condition, as well as to heavenly beings. We
are now, or may be, as perfect in our _sphere_ as God and angels are
in theirs, but the greatest intelligence in existence can continually
ascend to greater heights of perfection.--J. of D., Vol. I., p. 92.
We read in the Bible, that there is one glory of the sun, another
glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. In the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants these glories are called telestial, terrestrial,
and celestial, which is the highest. These are worlds, different
departments, or mansions, in our Father's house. New those men,
or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the
influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another
person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith
upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the
celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be
capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing
of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a
child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter,
or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor
be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They
never can hold sceptres of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial
kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true
independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of
their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right,
though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this
apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer.--J. of D., Vol. I., p.
312.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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