So much for the "valedictory" part of this Introduction; and now as to the subject of the present Year Book. We have here the consideration of a theme in some respects the loftiest and mightest that the mind of man can be led to contemplate: God Immanent in the world; and God in union with men through the medium of the Holy Ghost. Confessedly the subject is one around which much of mystery gathers; and there are not wanting those who, on that account, are in favor of leaving it so, without attempting an exposition of the nature or offices of the Spirit Immanent in the world, and the Spirit Witness to the soul of man. I think no one can be more conscious of human limitations to understand divine things than I am. And I doubt if any one can have greater appreciation of the need of being careful to keep within the limits of what God has revealed upon these subjects; for it is only what he has revealed that can rightly instruct men in the things of God. Moreover in no department is the frank and honest confession "I don't know," more imperative than in Theology; and when it is given as an actual confession of having reached the limits of our knowledge, it is worthy of all praise. But if it becomes tainted with the spirit of "I don't care," then I have no respect for it. III. MENTAL EFFORT REQUIRED TO MASTER THE THINGS OF GOD. There is another phase in which the same thing occurs. It requires striving--intellectual and spiritual--to comprehend the things of God--even the revealed things of God. In no department of human endeavor is the aphorism "no excellence without labor"--more in force than in acquiring knowledge of the things of God. The Lord has placed no premium upon idleness or indifference here--"seek and ye shall find;" "knock and it shall be opened unto you;" "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning even by study and also by faith"--such the admonitions God gives in reference to our pursuit of knowledge of divine things. Oliver Cowdery thought the work of translating from the Nephite plates would be easy. He sought the privilege of translating and was given an opportunity. He, it appears, believed that all that would be necessary would be for him to ask God, and without giving further thought the translation would be given him. His expectation in this was disappointed. He failed to translate. Then the Lord said: "You supposed that I would give it [i. e., the power to translate] unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me; but behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore you shall feel that it is right." (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 9.)