The Vitality of "Mormonism": An AddressTalmage, James E. (James Edward)
Religion
The Vitality of "Mormonism": An Address
Talmage, James E. (James Edward)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saints
(A) The unscriptural and repellent dogma of inherent degeneracy and
the contaminating effect of original sin, by which every child is
born vile in the sight and judgment of God, long cast its dark shadow
over the minds of men. From this conception sprang the practise of
infant baptism and the perverted doctrine of assured damnation for
all innocent babes who die unbaptized. Even the Catholic church has
modified its teaching on this subject and today permits its members
to believe that children who die without baptism pass to a state of
partial happiness and content, though forever denied the supreme
blessing of the beatific vision of God. It is conceded, of course, that
no dictum, dogma, or doctrine of men can determine the fate of souls,
infant or adult, in the hereafter; nevertheless, theological teachings
have direct effect upon the thoughts and lives of mankind. It is
cheering to know that practically all Christendom today repudiates the
frightful heresy of the eternal condemnation of babes who die without
baptism.
Hear now the word of "Mormonism" on the matter and note the time of its
enunciation. In 1830 the Book of Mormon was given to the world. Therein
we read, in an epistle of the ancient prophet Mormon to his son Moroni:
"Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your
God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance: the whole need no physician, but they that
are sick; wherefore little children are whole, for they are not
capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken
from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of
circumcision is done away in me. And after this manner did the Holy
Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore my beloved son, I
know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize
little children. Behold I say unto you, That this thing shall ye
teach, repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and
capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent
and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children,
and they shall all be saved with their little children. And their
little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold,
baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto
the remission of sins. But little children are alive in Christ,
even from the foundation of the world." (Moroni 8:8-12.)
In the revelations of the current dispensation we read that children
are accounted innocent before God until they come to the age of
understanding and accountability, and that baptism is required of all
who have attained that condition. Thus we read:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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