Religion: True and False

RELIGION— TRUE AND FALSE. BY JOSEPH R. TUDDENHAM, TWENTY-FIRST WARD, SALT LAKE CITY.

— — The gospel of Jesus Christ true religion represents all that is righteous, uplifting and ennobling; represents that which brings light out of darkness, truth from error. It is true religion that

fills the heart with charity and brotherly love, and draws man near unto his Maker, in whose likeness he is created; teaches him of the being and attributes of God, his laws and purposes in relation to his being, both in the life that was, the life that is, and the life that is to come. The Apostle Paul describes the gospel as the power of God unto salvation to all that believe. For centuries, the world has drifted away from the laws of God, as laid down by our Savior. The cause of this is false religion; which is the misconceived ideas of men, the inconsistent interpreta- tion placed upon the words of light and life, which leads to nar- rowness of mind and soul. The natural instinct of man seems to lead him to extremes. It

is hard for him to be a zealous worker without becoming filled with the vanity and conceit of his own importance. After the death of the Savior, little by little the dark was substituted for the light, until in religion's name, the foulest crimes, the darkest deeds, the most evil designs, were planned and executed, until all Europe reeked in the blood of God's children. Well might Shakespeare say, "What damned error, but what some sober brow will bless it, and approve it with a text; hiding the grossness with fair ornament." Did the truths enunciated by Christ permit of such worship? From whence did the priests of Rome take their example? Where, in the teachings of God, did they

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find licence for the horrors of the Inquisition? Surely the love and charity taught by Christ and his apostles was no longer to be found. In true religion, no place is found for persecution. The horrors of the Inquisition could not long be endured, and by a mighty revolt against Roman priestcraft, the reformation was accomplished. Men began thinking for themselves, until, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Lord had prepared the way for the coming forth of his precious truths. That the Prophet Joseph Smith did bring forth the fulness of the gospel, and the restored priesthood, is very evident from the opposition it aroused. With the reformation, the terrors of persecution were for the time abolished, but the dogmatic creeds and teachings to a great extent remained; and, when the truth was again restored, and brought in sharp contrast with the errors of the world, persecu- tion, the tool of false religion, broke forth in all its fury and tried to destroy the truth. It is very apparent that the religious world at large is

ashamed of the doctrine it espouses. Attend the meetings of the secterian people of Christendom, and see how much doctrine is taught in their churches; read the sermons and lectures of the so-called ministers of the gospel, and find how much light they possess. Morality is the sole topic touched upon that will help man to live better. The great plea is, "Follow Christ." How follow him, if you hear not of his laws and commandments? "Be charitable" — how be charitable, if ye be not taught charity? The greater part of false religion is platitude. The whole fabric is of such fiimsy character that many thinking minds, disgusted at the insipidness of its doctrine, turn their backs on religion in general, and lend their aid to atheism. How different the gospel, the truth! By its influence man may learn of the Creator as he is; by faith and good works, he can go on to perfection. There is no limit to the greatness to which he may aspire. By obeying the teachings of the gospel of truth, his heart is filled with charity, he has love for his fellow-man, he loves his neighbors, and his life is one of peace, contentment and blessings. The more good he does, the greater the power that is given him for the accomplishment of good. He knows there is a purpose in life ; and what is more, he knows what that purpose is. True, there