Produced by the Mormon Texts Project (http://mormontextsproject.org), with thanks to Jenna Dilts and Villate Brown McKitrick SATURDAY NIGHT THOUGHTS A Series of Dissertations on Spiritual, Historical and Philosophic Themes BY ORSON F. WHITNEY Of the Council of the Twelve, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: THE DESERET NEWS 1921 FOREWORD Most of the contents of this volume appeared originally as a series of articles in Saturday issues of the Deseret Evening News, beginning October 26, 1918, and ending May 31, 1919. As stated by the News, these articles "were designed to fill in some degree a spiritual void and meet a special need of those who were in the habit of attending Sunday services, but were denied that privilege by the prevalence of the influenza epidemic." That epidemic caused a suspension of public gatherings for several months, and even made necessary the postponement of one General Conference of the Church. It was during this period of suspension that these contributions to the Church organ began. They were given place on the editorial page, and subsequently the News said of them: "These 'Thoughts' have subserved a far more than temporary and passing purpose--they have stimulated study and deep reflection, and they have been greatly enjoyed and prized by the thoughtful reader everywhere." Among those who uttered similar sentiments was President George H. Brimhall, of the Brigham Young University, who, in a letter to the author, expressed the hope that provision would be made for publication of the essays in book form, "thus adding one more choice volume to Latter-day Saint literature, especially suited to the needs of students at home and missionaries abroad." Like expressions came from President Heber J. Grant, Senator Reed Smoot, President John A. Widtsoe, of the University of Utah, and many other prominent people. In response to this cordial, widespread sentiment of appreciation, and under the sanction of the General Authorities of the Church, the "Saturday Night Thoughts" were compiled for republication, and the result is here presented. May, 1921 THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS _Part One--Our Place In History_ Article One: The Saturday Evening of Time Article Two: The Watch On The Tower Article Three: Concerning Names and Vocations Article Four: The Choice Seer Article Five: The Land of Zion _Part Two--Seership and Prophecy_ Article Six: What Joseph Beheld Article Seven: What Joseph Foretold Article Eight: Looking Westward Article Nine: The Place of Safety _Part Three.--A Marvel and a Wonder_ Article Ten: The Wisdom That Perishes Article Eleven: The God Story Article Twelve: The Great Vicissitudes Article Thirteen: The Gospel Dispensations _Part Four.--A Glance Down the Ages_ Article Fourteen: The Adamic Age Article Fifteen: Enoch and His City Article Sixteen: Noah and the Deluge Article Seventeen: Abraham and the House of Israel