The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTalmage, James E. (James Edward)
Religion
The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays on Distinctive Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Talmage, James E. (James Edward)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saints
"Behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even
a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall
perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." (Isa.
29:14.)
Verily the accumulated wisdom of men has failed us in the time of
need, has failed to forecast and fails to expound the dread happenings
of these eventful times. Where is the master mind that can interpret
the problems of contemporary history, with factors innumerable, with
relations so intricate and differentials so varied that the calculus of
time is inadequate to solve?
Human reasoning unillumined by Divine revelation offers but dark and
insecure refuge from the turmoil of current events. Whither then shall
we look for guidance? Or, must we abandon ourselves to the despairing
conclusion that to the storm-lashed ocean of the ominous present there
is no haven of hope, and to our buffeted bark no anchor of comforting
assurance?
To him who listens in faith there rises even above the roar of
strife, the voice of prophecy citing earlier prediction of events now
materializing in rapid sequence, and telling of the eventual triumph
of righteousness and the vindication of man's right to liberty and
happiness.
The great world conflict was predicted by both ancient and modern
prophets. Joseph Smith, speaking the word of God, told of the imminent
outpouring of war upon all nations, wisdom of the world's wise men
to the contrary notwithstanding. And in these utterances the modern
prophet spake in harmony with the predictions of earlier seers, as did
he also of the promises made concerning America, which is described
as a land choice above all others. Read these words of assurance
given through an ancient Jaredite: "Behold, this is a choice land,
and whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall be free from bondage,
and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven if they
will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been
manifested by the things which we have written." (Book of Mormon, Ether
2:12.)
Furthermore, hearken unto the following with reference to this same
choice land, spoken unto the ancient inhabitants of this continent
through Jacob the Nephite: "But behold, this land, saith God, shall be
a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon
the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles,
and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the
Gentiles. And I will fortify this land against all other nations." (2
Nephi 10:10-12.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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