The Strength of the "Mormon" Position — John Shaqi
The Strength of the "Mormon" PositionWhitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Religion
The Strength of the "Mormon" Position
Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Latter Day Saint churches
Our friends on the outside--our fellow "Gentiles" shall I call
them?--have not always understood us, nor have we always understood
them. There has been much bitterness and estrangement between the two
classes. I am convinced that if the "Gentiles" knew us better, and we
more fully realized our relationship to them, all would feel kinder and
more charitable. We would recognize that we are engaged in the same
great cause--for so we are, in a general way--and that we have no right
to hate each other, no right to work against each other--that is, when
in the line of our duty, doing what God has given us to do.
The "Gentiles" have not the fulness of the Gospel, nor the powers of
the Priesthood; they are not the oracles of God, nor the ministers
of salvation. These are prerogatives of the House of Israel. But the
children of Japheth doubtless have their special mission, and it is a
part of the divine plan for human progression. This is God's work, and
he is doing it in his own way. He has instruments outside as well as
inside the Church. Whether men know it or not, they are working out the
ends he has in view. He may not always notify them of their appointment
to serve him, nor does he ask permission to use them; but he uses them
just the same. We are here not only to act, but to be acted upon. The
Lord put his spirit upon Columbus and impelled him across the great
waters to discover the Land of Zion. He nerved the arm and fired the
soul of Washington, when he and his ragged regiments were fighting for
freedom, for independence, for the founding of a government--though
they knew it not--under which God's work could come forth and not be
crushed out by the tyranny of man. The God of Israel was with those
"Gentiles", the founders of the American Republic, who were probably of
a mixed lineage, having much of the blood of Israel in their veins. And
He is with all good and great men whose hearts are set to do right and
to uplift humanity. He is with them, whether they recognize it or not.
Their strength is a part of his omnipotence.
Moses and the Gathering.
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