The Seventy's Course in Theology, Second Year: Outline History of the Dispensations of the GospelRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Religion
The Seventy's Course in Theology, Second Year: Outline History of the Dispensations of the Gospel
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
Now as to the second part of the great truth--"men are that they might
have joy"--viewed also in the light of the "Intelligence" or "spirit"
in man being an eternal, uncreated, self-existing entity. Remembering
what I have already said in these pages as to the nature of this "joy"
which it is the purpose of earth existence to secure, remembering
from what it is to arise--from the highest possible development--the
highest conceivable enlargement of physical, intellectual, moral
and spiritual power--what other conceivable purpose for existence
in earth-life could there be for eternal Intelligences than this
attainment of "joy" springing from progress? Man's existence for the
manifestation alone of God's glory, as taught by the creeds of men,
is not equal to it. That view represents man as but a thing created,
and God as selfish and vain of glory. True, the Book of Mormon idea of
the purpose of man's existence, is accompanied by a manifestation of
God's glory; for with the progress of Intelligences there must be an
ever widening manifestation of the glory of God. It is written that
"the glory of God is Intelligence;" and it must follow, as clearly as
the day follows night, that with the enlargement, with the progress
of Intelligences, there must ever be a constantly increasing splendor
in the manifestation of the glory of God. But in the Book of Mormon
doctrine, the manifestation of that glory is incidental. The primary
purpose is not in that manifestation but the "joy" arising from the
progress of Intelligences. And yet that fact adds to the glory of God,
since it represents the Lord as seeking the enlargement and "joy" of
kindred Intelligences, rather than the mere selfish manifestation of
his own, personal glory. "This is my work and my glory," says the Lord,
in another "Mormon" scripture, "to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man;"[A] and therein is God's "joy." A "joy" that grows
from the progress of others; from bringing to pass the immortality and
eternal life of "man." Not the immortality of the "spirit" of man, mark
you, for that immortality is already existent; but to bring to pass the
immortality of the spirit and body in their united condition, and which
together constitutes "man," "the soul"--the whole man; for "the spirit
and the body is the soul of man;" and the resurrection of the dead is
the redemption of the soul--the whole man. And the purpose for which
man is, is that he might have "joy;" that "joy" which, in the last
analysis of things, should be even as God's "joy," and God's glory,
namely, the bringing to pass the progress, enlargement and "joy" of
others.
[Footnote A: Pearl of Great Price i:39.]
LESSON X.[A]
(Scripture Reading Exercise.)
THE ADAMIC DISPENSATION--IV.
ANALYSIS.
I. The Problem of Evil.
II. The Law of Opposite Existence.
REFERENCES.
II Nephi ii:5-30. See Treatise which takes the place of notes.
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