Editorial.
The greater part of the original matter in this issue was written in Auto-Wagon No. 2, while located with both the others at Logan, Utah, during our work there in September. Our camp had been in the same spot as four times before; shaded by trees which at first about 20 years ago, were only high enough to barely shade one wagon, but now would cover eight completely. Our meetings have been held on the same street corner all the time, many thousands having listened there to the Word we have proclaimed. Such spots all over the regions of Utah and Idaho where we have preached repeatedly are holy places to us. Some of them have witnessed hot battles against the truth, also; the spot where once had 1,000 people held by such a battle, hundreds staying till 11:30 A.M. in the light rain. There is less of such spirit now, though some remains. To the date when this copy is mailed we have held 43 meetings with 9185 present, since.
Heaven is not a morgue for dead souls. But such are all who have not been “raised up to newness of life” in Christ here, before they pass into the next world (see Eph. 2:1, 5, 6). This is the only remedy for spiritual death; the change from hearts of stone in sin to those of life, called “hearts of flesh” by contrast; which is done freely by the Holy Spirit in the New Birth, for all who yield to Christ for this great blessing.
MORMONISM TODAY DESCRIBING ITSELF
Reaching our street meeting place in a large town in Idaho last July we found the following sheet of questions thumb-tacked to the planking for our seats. Aside from some small peculiarities it is so vivid a statement of the present Mormon view that we print it for all to read. We have no idea as to who was the author, save that it was very neatly typewritten, and the thoughts were those of no novice, but almost surely of a Mormon elder, unusually well posted in Mormonism and able to express himself.
Mr. Nutting: Please answer these questions in meeting tonight:
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the very son of God? I do not mean in any figurative sense; I mean in the same sense that you are the son of your earthly father. Answer yes or no.
- Do you believe that Adam and Eve were created out of nothing? Do not equivocate or evade the issue. Answer yes or no.
- Do you believe that the earth was created out of nothing? Do not evade the question. Answer yes or no.
- Do you believe that Christ’s spirit existed before he came to earth? Answer yes or no.
- Do you believe that you are Christ’s brother? Or is he your Father? Do not evade; give us a plain answer.
- Is water baptism essential to salvation? Answer yes or no.
- What was the mode of Christ’s baptism?
- Did John the Baptist sprinkle or immerse? Is it not a fact that he baptized where there was much water? Is it not a further fact that when he baptized he went down into the water with the applicant for baptism? And did not Philip and others use the same mode? Does not baptism mean to immerse?
- If as you contend nothing can be done for the dead, why did Christ go to preach to the spirits in prison who were disobedient in the time of Noah?
- And by the way, did Christ take his body with him when he ascended into heaven?
- If the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one person, as you contend, who was it who spoke from heaven and bore witness that Christ’s baptism was approved? And who was it who showed his presence by the sign of the dove?
- If the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one person, to whom was it that the Savior prayed when he asked that the Apostles might be one even as he and His Father were one? Also, who was it that Stephen saw sitting on the right hand of the Father, if the two were one?
- Do you believe that the principle of sex is eternal? If not, what will be the condition of men and women in the world to come? Will they still be men and women? If God can from stones raise up children to Abraham, as stated by the Savior, why the necessity of sex in earth life if it is not an eternal condition?
- Inasmuch as Mormons teach that there never was a beginning and there will be no ending, and that each individual always existed so far as the intelligent part is concerned, do you contend that the spirit of man is created at birth? Or do you believe that the spirit body of each individual is the offspring of an Eternal Father and Mother, who have clothed the self-existent intelligence of each individual with the spirit body, to be later clothed with the mortal, physical body? In short, when did you individually begin, if you had a beginning?
- Are the heathens lost simply because they know not Christ? Would God not be unjust if he did not provide a means of salvation for those who die without having heard the gospel?
- Where did man come from? Why is he here? What is his eventual destiny?
- Which is likely to result in the better living—the belief that man is of the same race as the Gods and that he may finally reach their station? Or that his destiny is to be saved in a condition of eternal bliss where he will spend his time playing a harp and singing psalms?
A word of explanation is in order about the first question above. It refers to the Mormon doctrine that Christ was born of sex relations between the “god” of this earth, who was living in the Mormon heaven, and Eve, who was one of his wives in that heaven; and that he was thus their first baby there; while we were successive babies born to them there by the same means—we all later coming and entering unborn baby bodies here and being born that we (and he) might get fleshly bodies and sex, by which we could become “gods” after death, and continue the same process of multiplication, each of these babies in turn having the same experiences and becoming “gods”! This is why the “sex” question is asked; and why sex has such importance in Mormonism. It is a phallic religion; if the fact of sex be eliminated, there could be nothing of Mormonism’s most cherished doctrines left; no family relations in heaven, no increase or becoming “gods,” no polygamy, no pre-existence and coming to earth, no spirits besieging the throne of God that they each may come next and get a body and its divine power of becoming another “god”—and so on!
And the only remedy for these dangerous and sometimes ludicrous doctrines which make up Mormonism, is clearly getting the truth into contact with the whole people; and there is no other known plan for this but ours, save the necessarily little other personal contact with Christian teachers which is possible. Oh, that we might have the men and means for this, to its limit!
“THE MIRACLES OF THE AGES”
is the title of a 214-page book by George P. Rutledge, issued by the Standard Publishing Co., Cincinnati. It is a strong setting forth of the divinity of Christ, from an unusual standpoint. The argument is based on other sources of knowledge than the Bible, which are not usually thought of in such connection; as literature and art, the catacombs, music, the Christian calendar, the Jews, the argument against Christ as a myth, etc. After these are considered, the author turns to the Bible and presents briefly the argument from that side. The book is stimulating and worth while; very many people need to consider these facts, in the light of the modern critical attitude against revealed religion. $1.50; address as above.
A good friend who heard it told us that a speaker in a Stake Tabernacle (the large assembly hall for Mormon meetings of an ecclesiastical county) at a large meeting said that Joseph Smith did a greater work than that of Christ.
This is of course extreme for Mormonism; but it is often said that He is “next to Christ” in the work he did for the salvation of the world. This statement shows both how deficient is the Mormon view of Christ and how completely untruthful is their view of Smith; who was one of the greatest of proven impostors the world has seen. But still the Mormon people are so trained and their view of the real facts is so infinitesimal that they believe in him, as the second expression indicates, quite generally.
MORMON HYMNS
In our September issue of last year we gave the Mormon hymn “O, My Father,” with comments as to its teachings contrary to the Bible. Of course the Mormon song-books contain many true pieces, even numbers copied from Christian hymnals; these however, always such as can be given the peculiar Mormon turn which makes them teach or harmonize with the errors of that system—things which their authors would instantly reprobate. Below is found the Mormon hymn which is probably sung as often as any other unless it be the one given before or the other, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” which we expect to give later. Note each expression carefully as to its agreement or disagreement with Bible standards.
Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus anointed “that Prophet and Seer”—
Blessed to open the last dispensation:
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.Chorus:
Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain;
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer that hero again.Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr,
Honored and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
Stain Illinois, while the earth lauds his fame.Chorus: Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven, etc.
Great is his glory, and endless his Priesthood,
Ever and ever the keys will he hold;
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,
Crowned in the midst of the Prophets of old.Chorus: Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven, etc.
Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man;
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice;
Millions shall know “brother Joseph” again.Chorus: Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven, etc.
This hymn was written by W. W. Phelps, one of the earliest Mormon Apostles, and has continued in the Mormon hymn-books and in prominent use ever since. We have heard it sung very many times, with great enthusiasm; indeed we doubt not often with actual feelings of worship for its “hero,” Joseph Smith. Every adult Mormon, almost, knows it by heart. Christians are to praise God in their worship; note that this praises Joseph Smith. We doubt not that he is mentioned perhaps fifty times to Christ once in Mormon meetings, except the formal endings of prayers with Christ’s name.
Note the teachings: That Smith “communed with Jehovah,” evil man though he is proven to have been, by sworn testimony; Christ set him apart to an imaginary “priesthood” though purity was the first quality for any such office and there is none since Christ’s time; that he was to begin a “new dispensation,” which never has existed; that he shall be extolled by kings, etc., which has never since been true; that he has “ascended to heaven,” contrary to his character and teachings; THAT HE HAS BECOME A GOD; that he “died as a martyr,” when he shot two men and wounded another—martyrs of course are shooters of enemies! his “blood stains Illinois,” perhaps, but not as badly as his own sins before then; the “whole earth” is far from praising him. Nor will “Earth atone for his death,” any more than for others slain unjustly.
The above teachings show the present-day character of Mormonism, in part, as they are sung all over Mormondom. The system does its teaching partly by its hymns; and it is not changing these notably. But the knowledge of the real Bible truths would make such beliefs impossible to intelligent persons. Yet this and similar pieces are sung many times to once for the really true ones in the book. Those expressing spiritual aspirations and truths are practically never used, unless some leader, in rare cases, is truly converted and appreciates them.
A HYMN TO JOSEPH SMITH
P. S.—Friends who think that Mormonism has greatly changed are reminded that we heard the above piece sung by a great meeting of 3,000 Mormons under their highest “stake” officials, on Sunday, Sept. 25, 1927; and that it is in common use, though so entirely out of tune with both the spirit of today and all Christianity.
THE SCIENTIFIC TRUTH ABOUT GOD
Our first article, in the June LIGHT, on religious truth as truly scientific, dealt in a somewhat satisfactory way with the existence and character of the Bible as thoroughly scientific. Remembering that we do not refer to material science but to a higher and quite as true kind, we wish now to show that the facts revealed in the Word of God about Himself are also fully scientific, thus being in harmony with all other known truth, whether material or spiritual.
The two great means of obtaining the facts which constitute all knowledge would seem to be observation of material things, and the careful study of intellectual and spiritual ones, including our own inner experiences. And both of these sources reveal God to us beyond real question. Probably the first scientific fact of natural science is the law of cause and effect. Probably the first natural conclusion of a sane mind on observing the various facts of the natural world, as the starry heavens above and the world beneath with all its numberless forms of beauty and life including its climax in man, is that there must be a cause for all this, as for everything which man can make; that this cause must be greater than its effect in every direction; and next the mind instantly arrives at the idea of GOD, the great FIRST CAUSE of all that exists and is so good and beautiful. Something like this is the universal experience of thoughtful humanity—indeed, of thoughtless humanity as well; for the savage also always has at least a vague idea of the same kind. The deduction seems inevitable to the rational mind; and so, if there is any truthfulness in the very powers with which we are endowed, if all nature is not a living lie, then there must be a God corresponding to this idea, at least in general. And the Bible states almost the same, in Rom. 1:19,20:
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in (or to) them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.”
Whether one gazes through the largest telescope at the wonders of the starry heavens,
“Forever singing as they shine, The hand that made us is divine,”
looks at mountains or plants with his unaided eye, or studies nature through the most powerful microscope, the result is the same to the rational mind—”THERE MUST BE A GOD.”
Thoughtful introspection will lead to the same result. We are so “fearfully and wonderfully made” that experience of both body and mind lead to the same result; and the Bible says thus that “the fool saith in his heart there is no God.” (Note where the saying is done, in the “heart” or will and not the head or reason, denoting willful perversity instead of imbecility or even silliness.)
The history of this world will lead to like conclusion, with the careful student; advancement in so many ways, political, scientific, social and religious, point only to a supervising control which surely exists in spite of wills and lives contrary to itself. In darkest days this has always been the staying force in the minds of good men, nerving them to highest endeavor with the conviction that GOD is living and active, even in the darkest hour, in his own cause. With Him in the battle, there is no possible defeat!
And perhaps the greatest proof of the existence of God is his wonderful BOOK. This volume calls itself “the Word of God” (1 Thess. 2:13), and when it testifies of Him it adds to our knowledge on that point as well as others. And it contains the most wonderful descriptions of Him in all human language—Isa. 40: 12-31; also Ps. 139.
Not only the existence, but also the various qualities and attributes of God are scientifically true, as the Book of God states them, as follows:
1. God is a Personality, not a mere force, like gravitation. All His work proves intelligent planning of the most infinite kind; nothing shows the opposite character. From the starry heavens down to the smallest flower, all show plainly the work of an Infinite Personality, with reason, emotions and the crowning characteristic of benign Will, choosing always the best possible in the broad view of all interests at stake, for his creatures. Nothing less could make and care for even the smallest blade of grass; much less his infinite variety of other creations. And every statement of the Word about Him either states or implies this fact.
2. This personality is Eternal; always the same, without beginning, change or end. If he were changeable, nothing could be depended on about Him, and the universe would quickly have gone back into chaos for lack of consistent, far-sighted management. A God who was not before all things and greater than all before anything else existed, or who as heathenism and Mormonism alike teach, was once a man and hence before that was nothing, is simply unthinkable by any logical mind; himself must then be an effect of something unknown, and not the Great Cause at all.
3. This Personality is necessarily purely spiritual; not in the least, as heathenism and Mormonism both teach, spirit shut up in a body of flesh and bones. Every attribute of God necessarily implies this; if fleshly he could not be everywhere, all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect, invisible, holy or the Trinity. As his body would be matter, his spirit would be its superior and must have made its body and shut itself up in it, limiting himself thus in every way; and this spirit would then have been the real God, as the Bible teaches that the true God is; the body would be only the house He lived in, and would need for his body all that we need, making heaven only this world over again, with all its limitations, temptibility, sin and Satan battling Him and us! Nor could He then be eternal, as all matter was created by the true God. And if thus once a man he must have been a sinner, and a sinner evoluted into a “god” would be evoluted in his sin part as well as in the rest of his being, and by this time would have become thus almost or quite a devil! If shut up in a body, he could not know much if any more than a man with fleshly eyes, ears, etc.; could not be in two places at once, could not see behind a curtain, nor know what was going on in the next room. Being thus almost a helpless being himself, he could not help others much, far less govern a world; while Satan, having no body, would rule the world in spite of this make-believe “god,” who would be almost as helpless as the idols described in Isaiah 40:18, 20—an object of ridicule instead of divinity supreme.
4. The real God, then, must necessarily be just what the Bible says that He is, putting all its teachings together. Not one idea can be omitted without marring the whole and making it to that extent scientifically as well as Biblically untrue; nor is there one which can be added without equally injuring the result. The picture is entirely perfect, Biblically and scientifically alike.
And this being true, it follows that these facts are extremely important for every soul to know. For not only are they the greatest facts we can possibly know, but they are so formative in regard to all other beliefs on religious things that they will finally decide the character of these also for truth; and all these beliefs of a soul will shape his moral and largely his intellectual character. Such thoughts have inspired the greatest mental achievements of man, and have given birth to the greatest and purest character also. Nothing will so stir high and strong thought as these truths, and nothing will so stir to high and noble endeavor. All history, sacred and secular alike, will prove these facts.
It follows, then, that in a world made and controlled by such an Infinite, Almighty, yet loving Being, who is everywhere at once, we cannot possibly avoid being in very close relations with Him. Wherever we are, we must be touching and pervaded by Him. And hence, even if we rebel and try to shut Him out of even our thoughts, we cannot avoid relations with Him. Such effort cannot remove Him from his infinite closeness to us; still it will be true, as Paul preached, that “In Him we live and move and have our being,” which is itself still continued by Him, whether we will or no, even the suicide still remaining in existence in the other world by his power. Why they should any one struggle against such a powerful, wise and loving being as He? There is no possible reason which can justify any such evil attitude of a soul!
It is perfectly clear, then, that the only rational thing for any soul to do in this matter is to compel himself, if necessary, to come into lovingly loyal and surrendered relations with God; just as a little child ought to love the dearest father or mother, so every human being ought to love Him. And this also is clearly commanded by the Word, as well as by all right judgment; and it is thus scientifically true. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut. 6:5, repeated by Christ in Matt. 22:37, and ranked by Him “the first and great commandment”) is thus as scientifically and rationally true as anything could possibly be; and is binding on every soul of man, besides being his greatest privilege!
May we not rightly ask every reader here whether he has given God this love, or is yet holding it back from Him who is by every consideration so utterly entitled to it from every human being? If it is the first command of God to us, as Christ said, it is our first duty, without one moment’s delay, if not already given! And to withhold it is, then, one of the greatest sins; suicidal to the soul as well as grieving to the loving One who is longingly waiting and seeking for it. “God is love” in His very nature, and He wants the response from us that is according to this nature. Shall it not be given, O, so gladly?
FORGETTING TO BE HONEST TOWARD GOD
In a series of revival meetings years ago there was much interest. A lady was a member of our church, but her husband, a very pleasant man of good character was not, though he attended church frequently. She asked that we all pray for him; and that the writer have a talk with him, which we were glad to do. He was in his store. I asked him to the meetings, and expressed concern for him religiously. He replied, as very many others have done also, like this: “Well, I am not anxious about my soul, especially; I think that if I treat my neighbor rightly and pay my honest debts and am a good citizen, that is all I need think about much in that line.” We replied, “That’s all right so far as men are concerned, Mr. S.,” (we can see him now after forty years as plainly as if it were yesterday) “but do you include your greatest debt and duty, which is to God, who gives you everything you have and has the right to your love and most faithful service.” He demurred somewhat, and we gave him this personal illustration, which has been impressive to many others and ought to be passed on to many more: “Now, you have three fine little boys at home, Mr. S., haven’t you? And you love them dearly. You’re going home to dinner pretty soon. Suppose that when you came near enough you heard the youngest say to the oldest, ‘Oh, there’s papa coming; let’s run out and meet him, he’d like to have us;’ and you heard the older one reply, ‘Naw, he don’t want us to do that; all he wants is that I treat you right.’ And you miss the usual loving greeting; you come into the yard and speak to them, but they do not answer; you sit at the table with them, where they are eating the food you provided for them, are wearing clothes you bought for them, and they are under the roof you made for them; you speak to them but they pay no attention, though they show care for one another. How would you feel at such abuse of your love for them? And if the same continued for weeks and years, how would you feel then?” He acknowledged he would feel pretty badly. “But, Mr. S., isn’t that just what you have been doing to your Heavenly Father, from whom you receive everything you have in the world, including your family, for long years? And is not His loving heart grieved far more than yours would be by your children? And is it not your FIRST duty to love Him? Yet do you ever read his love-letter to us, the Bible, and do you ever talk to Him in prayer, as your loving child should talk to you?” He was deeply moved, but we do not know that his condition of heart ever changed; our pastorate there terminated before long. But this anecdote seems the best illustration of the relation of the irreligious yet moral man to God that we know of. Instead of being really moral, he is thoroughly dishonest toward God, refusing his first debt; grieving God to the heart and at the same time starving his own soul for lack of affection toward God.
TAKING CARE OF ONE’S MIND
This is not a psychological treatise. But a few hints may help some one in the very important matter suggested by the title. The Bible has many instructions on this point, and every one of them is borne out by experience. The keen mind of a sensitive person is a sort of sensitive-plant. It can grow more so very easily if not controlled; until it is a source of suffering and evil to both its owner and all who have to do with him. It may thus become a sort of megaphone or radio loud-speaker to itself and others; magnifying real or supposed injustices and slights, and publishing them thus magnified to all who will hear. It is then like a string in a piano badly out of tune; making real music almost impossible till it is tuned again. Such condition may become chronic, and we suppose might easily lead to real insanity. On the other hand, all have seen the opposite kind of a person. Naturally or by purposeful cultivation, this person—we had almost involuntarily said “she”—always gets the most pleasant side of things in mind, and her “loud-speaker” publishes that, to the joy and help of everybody in reach. All enjoy the company of such an one, just as they always dislike that of the grouchy person already mentioned. It will be most helpful if we can answer the question, What makes the difference, and how can one be the latter instead of the former?
The most scientific book in the world gives us the answer, from one of the greatest thinkers.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”—Phil. 4:8.
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your minds through Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 4:6, 7.
Here we have the secrets; first, perhaps the greatest care of the mind which is possible is just to “think on these things” which are enumerated; dwell on the higher things and refuse to dwell on the lower ones. Nothing in the former will make one angry or wrongly sensitive; he will be too busy for that sort of thing, and will be living above that, anyway. Then the life of intimate, frequent conversations with God is the best help in doing this. And this always implies letting God talk with us through his Word; and that of itself is the next best cure for the danger or sin of grouchy thoughts—so much so that cherishing such bad spirit will make the spiritual reading of the Word impossible. If tempted in such ways, I Cor. 13 is good to cure.
If one thinks he cannot stop such thoughts, let him remember that the way to do this is to crowd them out, by filling the mind with the opposites. Think positively of the things such as the verses above direct; make the matter one of earnest, surrendered prayer; read a precious part of the Word; think over the good traits of the person or qualities of the event; refuse to let the bad thing hold any place in mind. This may be hard, but it can be done, by the grace of God and persistent effort. Everything may depend on it. Remember that there are two sides to most things, and we ought to see both to be even fair; refuse to be unfair; compel yourself to be fair to even the worst. So will you cultivate such breadth and charity of mind that the opposite qualities will fade and almost vanish—simply by following the directions of this blessed old first Psychology, the Word of God! Incidentally, we may remember this fitting of the Word with all our needs as a great proof that the Book is not the words of man, but the Word of God!
It seems to us that the foregoing thoughts are extremely important in this age of excitement and increased insanity; jazzing the mind is perilous for both worlds, indeed. We have seen both illustrated in our missionary force, as well as elsewhere. Would that every mind would follow the foregoing suggestions and directions from the Word. Surely only blessings, and sometimes very great ones, would result.
Since the foregoing was written the following is noted in a large medical work:
“We emphatically repeat, over and over again, the importance of fighting against our passions and cultivating the hygiene of the mind; this must be commenced in early childhood and continued through life; the good qualities… should be especially cultivated, such as kindness, … love, … magnanimity, and above all things contentment. On the other hand, we may describe wickedness, unfriendliness, and jealousy as negative features of the mind, which should be smothered….”
FROM A MORMON FRIEND IN UTAH
Here is a sample of the materialism of our people. Even of Christ they have the idea that He is only that physical human body which was known among men as Christ—that the material person only is Him, or that He is constantly enclosed in that physical body. And from that idea and trick comes the other great error that “Christ is not here.” They thus do not believe His own words when he said: “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”—John 14:20. Neither do they believe these: “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them,” “Christ in you the hope of glory,” “How Christ is in you.”—and many other like passages.
FROM CANADA
A good friend in Canada sends this word about our new pamphlet, Mormonism Today and Its Remedy, and his own efforts:
“Having received your copy of Mormonism Today and Its Remedy, please find enclosed $1.00, for which send five copies. It is the best all-round tract I have yet received.”
“The Latter-Day Saints tried to convert me to Mormonism a year ago and mailed me some literature, which I read, and also got more from Independence. Today the tide is turned, and I am demonstrating from their own books that Smith is a rank impostor and the whole system a fraud. I will also make use of this pamphlet you sent; thank you very much for sending it. Hoping you had success finding competent men for your Mission this year. I do not know of any one suitable for your work, but any time I do I will certainly recommend your Mission.”—F. O. S.
“PRESENT DAY MORMONISM AND ITS REMEDY”
which has been out of print for a year or so, is now on sale again, in better form than before and with considerable new matter, especially the added chapter on Josephite or Reorganized Mormonism. It is the very best compendium of the main facts about Mormonism, in any small form, that we know of, though our bound “Cyclopedia” volume contains many times as much matter. This issue gives the figures of the Christian churches and Sabbath-schools in Utah and near-by Mormon regions, which cannot be found elsewhere, and cost us much labor; also outline of the various kinds of Christian work which have been done there, including cuts of outfits, and figures of the work. 20c postpaid; ten, $1.75; 100, $15. Nobody can read this through without getting an intelligent view of the situation regarding Mormonism.
PROGRESS AMONG MORMONS
Our work this summer to the date of this item (early September) has been unusually well received. There has been noticeably much less of the controversial spirit, and one series especially had a total attendance nearly a half greater than the population of the large town where it was held, averaging over 300 for nine outdoor meetings; and the people were usually quite attentive and thoughtful. Our work has only just begun in Logan where we are for this month, and some bitterness has been shown at one meeting, though severely rebuked by Mormons themselves. A temple town like this is always more difficult than others, for the same reason that Jerusalem was more bitter against Christ—the opposing system and rulers moved largely by self-interest were those who finally brought about the crucifixion. But seemingly a great advance has been registered even here since the literally persecuting spirit and actions of five years ago, when we were here last. Business men are interested as we never saw them before in asking questions on doctrinal points; and they have evidently been thinking, and some are tired of certain things in the Mormon situation, and ready to think of better ideas. On the other hand, some leaders we have met have been of the opposite mind, and very far from even a fair spirit in their actions toward us. One “elder” at our service which had for its topic “The Truth About God,” became very violent in a fake description of a small supper-table address of ours in Brooklyn last December, and waving his hands wildly shouted loudly that we were a liar, and that our meetings were for getting money, “the churches were easy to stir up, and respond liberally,” etc.—this at an after-meeting following ours. Of course we followed and told the truth about both that little and kindly address as well as our small finances and sacrificial work; the congregation listening with great interest, and plainly repudiating the “elder’s” dishonorable conduct. About 400 were present at this service, and we could not get free to return to the wagons till long after 11 o’clock.
MORMONISM REVERSING ITSELF AGAIN
Mormonism is full of contradictions in doctrine and practice. The Book of Mormon has many such, its fundamental teaching about God being directly the contrary of that taught today. Its doctrine of salvation is by faith alone in several striking passages, but in others ordinances are made essential, so that the man of real saving faith is damned if there is not enough water and a Mormon “elder” to immerse him! Our attention has recently been called to a striking teaching in the “Lectures on Faith,” in the Doctrine and Covenants, Mormonism’s second book of professed inspiration, which directly contradicts the baptismal salvation idea taught elsewhere in the same book. It reads as follows: “From this we may extend as far as any circumstances may require, whether on earth or in heaven, and we will find it the testimony of all inspired men, or heavenly messengers, that all things that pertain to life and godliness are the effects of faith and nothing else; all learning and prudence fail, and everything else as a means of salvation but faith.”—D. & C., Lec. VII: 20. Another in the D. & C. is in Sec. XX: 37, concerning the manner of baptism. After giving other conditions of being baptized, the statement continues, “and truly manifest by their works that they HAVE received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into the church.”
The present doctrine of Mormonism is that baptism is essential to remission of sins, which is directly contradicted by this statement, as in the passage above and others in these “inspired” books. Surely doctrines which are contradictory could not have been sent to earth by God; and assuredly only those teachings which are in accord with the Bible can be true or from Him!
NO IDEA OF THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST
Mormonism has no real conception of the atonement of Christ. This is shown both by its doctrinal statements and by the ideas of the most of its people. At one of our meetings, at which a brother had preached on “Twice-born Men, or the New Birth,” and had stated that Christ had borne our sins on the Cross, a bright young lady in the audience asked this question: “But how could Christ have borne our sins? The Bible says that we must all be judged for our own sins.” We replied that this latter statement was not according to the Bible at all, since only the unforgiven sinner could be called into condemnation, and Christ himself had said: “He that believeth on him is not judged (King James “condemned”); he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the only-begotten Son of God.—John 3:18; see also 5:24.
We explained that the Cross was for the very purpose of relieving us from the judgment and condemnation which would otherwise be the inevitable penalty of the broken law; and that when the sinner had given himself to Christ in sincere repentance his sins were all blotted out, forgiven, removed “as far as the East from the West,” and could not be judged against him. But the questioner could not seemingly see anything at all of forgiveness, even when we showed that the only other alternative was eternal ruin for us all, as we were all sinners by choice until forgiven. Her idea was exactly that taught officially by Mormonism all its life, and of course every Mormon who is not better than his system believes it, thus denying the cardinal doctrine of Christianity. Since the above we asked a returned Mormon missionary what he thought of the question, and he gave the same idea in different words. It is the official teaching of the system, though robbing the Atonement of all its real meaning.
In the terrible doctrine of God and this about Christ, which is its logical sequence, lies the greatest evil of Mormonism. Both alike destroy the fundamental contents of the Christian faith, and leave their adherents stranded in unbelief.
ONLY ONE CONDITION—WHAT IS IT?
God makes the way of salvation exceedingly simple, so that any earnest one may find and walk in it. Man always makes his plans to that end complicated, with many details and usually a priest at one end and a purgatory at the other. There is only one condition which any seeking soul can always meet, and this is the very one which God always requires, as voiced by Old Testament, New Testament and good reason alike.
This one, simple condition is stated hundreds of times in the Bible, though not always in the same words. Here are three of them from the New Testament:
John 3:16; … That whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Acts 3:19; “Repent ye, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Romans 3:28; “A man is justified by faith (believing) apart from the works of the law. (King James’ version reads without the works of the law.”)
In one of these verses the one condition is called by the word “repent;” in another “believing,” in another “faith,” which is only another word for “believing.” All three stand for the same act of the unsaved soul towards God; and for its fundamental fact, which is the surrender, or yielding, of the will to Him forever, so that thereafter it chooses to do what God wants instead of what the old sinful nature would have chosen. And it does this in genuine love, gladly, just because it is His will. The change is complete and permanent.
The Whole Trouble
With the sinner before repentance was, at bottom, the fact that his will, (often called the “free agency”) acted wrongly, in rebellion to God’s righteous will instead of in loving harmony. He wanted “his own way” instead of God’s way which he ought to have wanted and followed. This is the trouble with every naughty child in the home, with every naughty older child in school, with every bad citizen in a government; every sin, everywhere, if it is intentional, is rebellion against some right thing, and so against God who is the Author of all right things and laws. Big or little, the wrong will always says “I don’t want to,” or “I won’t!” towards things which are against his wish; no matter who requires them of him. His WILL acts wrongly, and does so by his own choice and habit.
And how can this sinful habit of will be changed, so that the person will cease to be a sinner, and will be cured of his past sins and made a saved soul?
It is clear that since his will is FREE no one can control it but himself; and also that thus he must CHOOSE to thus change it or it will remain in rebellion forever, necessarily shut out of heaven, with similar rebels as his eternal companions. Choosing to thus change his will is the heart of repentance; and to “believe on” Christ is at bottom the same thing—to decide forever to be a loving, faithful follower of Him, just because it is the only right thing to do and because we love Him. Both these changes come practically at once and in one act of the hitherto wrong will, though we may think of them separately also. And as soon as he makes this eternal choice to be the Lord’s, God can do His work in the soul, and always does it, instantly—forgiving the sins already committed, giving the “new heart” which loves Him, and also the Holy Spirit to dwell within and help and keep the saved one forever and ever, His own saved child!
Because these things are so, God always addresses His commands and exhortations to the will, in the Old Testament and New alike. Not that he speaks of the will by that name, often; the word “heart” has much the same meaning, though including more than the word “will,” and is often used, as in these verses:
Proverbs 23:26; “My son, give me thine heart.”
Ezekiel 18:31; “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel. . . . wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”
So all through the Bible; the appeal is to the free choice of the sinner, to turn to God and get the great
Change From Rebellion to Loving Surrender,
forgiveness and eternal life. As in the last text above, God pleads with the sinner, and sets all possible motives before him to persuade him to the right choice, including heaven for the good choice and hell as the inevitable result of the permanent bad and rebellious one. He exhausts all motives possible before giving up any single sinner’s case. But then he must stop, because he will never compel any one; to do so would be to destroy the free agency which alone makes him more than an animal, and which is really the “image of God” more than any other one thing. When this limit has been reached, even God himself must stand aside and let the choice be made —not interfering with the terrible power of free agency to decide “for glory or despair” the destiny of that eternal soul! If he should require less than complete surrender, He would be allowing the rebellion and sin to continue, and would be pronouncing the man saved when still in such terrible condition; which would be false, besides spoiling heaven for all the saved by allowing rebels there! For there is no place in the universe where a sinner can be happy, here or hereafter; he is always rebelling against the only thing which can make any one happy, which is harmony with God and right. Clearly God cannot require anything less than this, in the very nature of the case. Salvation is not in the least anything arbitrary or mechanical; it is all spiritual, the above change taking place in the soul and its relations towards God, and in His relation to the sinner.
The Tremendous Thing About It All
Is that the choice lies with us!—each for himself, his whole eternity depending on this one thing! God has done His part, and is anxiously waiting for us to choose Him!
“How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him!”—I Kings 18:21.
“Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”—Josh. 24:15.
“Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?”—Ezek. 33:11.
“Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.”—II Cor. 6:2.
Thus God exhorts, entreats and pleads with us to surrender to Him that He may work the great, spiritual, saving change of heart in us. Shall we refuse Him a chance to give this one, greatest blessing and at the same time protect us from our greatest enemy, Satan? Will not the reader consider the facts above stated, and also the beautiful stories in the booklet on this subject, and especially the Bible applying, and then say from the heart to God the words of this beautiful hymn:
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bid’st me come to thee.
O, Lamb of God, I come; I come!Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O, Lamb of God, I come; I come!Hath broken every barrier down;
Just as I am, thy love unknown
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O, Lamb of God, I come!
These are words of real, genuine surrender to Christ; and if spoken to Him, even in thought, so that He sees them genuine, they must mean the great change from rebellion to submission, which will enable Him to forgive all past sin, give the new heart, and begin the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (II Cor. 1:22), which finally means heaven forever with all the saved! There is no other way; salvation means forgiveness and the new spiritual life from God; himself dwelling in the cleansed heart to help and keep it forever!
If the reader is walking in this good and true way of faith and fellowship and love of God, he rejoices in it. But if he is not, may we not urge him to begin this moment? For there is no future moment promised, “Today” is the only time, and every moment of continued holding off from this relationship to God is an added moment of sin and eternal danger!
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” —Matt. 11:28-30—words of Christ.
Will not every reader do this great thing in his heart?
Nutting, John D., ed. The Utah Gospel Mission, Vol. VI, No. 2, Whole No. 22. Cleveland, OH, July–Sept. 1927. PDF.
The above was transcribed with the help of ChatGPT. Administrative details, subscription information, and publication listings have been removed for brevity.
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