--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Allen, James X. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 11 published: 1904-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'James X. Allen, "Suggestive Thoughts for the Mildly Skeptical," *Improvement Era* 7, no. 11 (September 1904): 846–848.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0711unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0711unse start_page: 846 end_page: 848 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0711unse publication_year: 1904 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1904, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Suggestive Thoughts for the Mildly Skeptical SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS FOR THE MILDLY SKEPTICAL. BY DR. J. X. ALLEN, OGDEN, UTAH. IV. Were the Prophets inspired? In the beginning of this article, I promised not to quote scripture to those who doubted its inspiration ; but if you will excuse me, I would like to suggest a few thoughts which seem to imply a possibility of more than ordinary foresight in, at least, one of the sacred writers; namely, the Prophet Joel. In chapter two, verse 28, we read: "It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh," etc. The time when this great outpouring of the Spirit is to occur does not strike one at first as being very definite ; but many men of learning in ancient writings, paraphrase this passage by substituting for " afterward," "in the last days," which substitution seems to be justifiable, after reading a little further along, —verse 31: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come." We think, with many men far better posted, that the last quotation fully justifies the amended reading. Of course, I am aware that scriptorians will tell you that the passage quoted was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. On that day there certainly was a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That there was a partial fulfillment of the blessing promised, there can be no question; but that the promise was only partially fulfilled becomes evident, on a closer examination of the text. "In the last days." The Pentecost took place in the meridian THOUGHTS FOR THE MILDLY SKEPTICAL 847 of time, and not in the evening; for if we call those "the last days," what are these? Again, "upon all flesh," or more literally, "all nations." On the day of Pentecost the blessing was not universal. It did not result in good to all nations. Again, that time could not, with any degree of propriety, be spoken of as "The dreadful day of the Lord." But how about the nineteenth century? How about the marvelous enlightenment which has come into the world, since the year 1820, when, as Joseph Smith tells us, "the heavens were opened," and a great light fell upon him, and the Holy One of Israel appeared unto him? Have you ever thought of that time as the commencement of the mightiest outpouring of light that the world has ever experienced? I may mention a few of the great revelations that have been vouchsafed to man since that eventful year. In the year 1825, George Stephenson ran the first passenger train in England. Mr. Stephenson was an illiterate man, born in the humblest walks of life, unblest with either education or wealth. Can you not see that a higher intelligence had a part in that astounding revelation of untold benefit to the nations? Is it possible to imagine that great light was obtained from any lower or inferior source? We must admit, in all reverence and humility, that God was and is the author of all good. Mr. Stephenson was the honored instrument in the hands of the Almighty in blessing the sons of men. What shall we say of electricity? And what of Charles Wheatstone, who is said to be the father of practical electricity? In the year 1837, Charles Wheatstone took out a grant for the building of the first telegraph line, for which the British Government created him knight. Was it mere chance which enabled Sir Charles to harness this wonderful force? A force that is inexhaustible, all powerful, and of inexpressible benefit to "all nations?" We fail to see any chance about it. It is God's power long held in reserve for the blessing of the nations, in God's own due time. It is not necessary that I should amplify further on this subject, nor is it necessary to expatiate upon telegraphy, wireless telegraphy, the numerous improvements in machinery, both in the shop and on the farm; in steam aparatus and printing. 848 IMPROVEMENT ERA. In the 40's, Lord Ross completed his large telescope, by which the heavens were wonderfully multiplied to our vision. In 1844, Dr. Simpson made the discovery of chloroform which has proved such a blessing to "all flesh." What shall we say of the telephone which makes neighbors of those living miles away? What canv^^e say of the hundreds of discoveries and inventions which have come to light since God has restored the gospel with the priesthood which has the authority to administer in the ordinances of salva- tion? This has been an age of the outpouring of God's Spirit upon "all nations." It has not been by chance, but it is as God foreor- dained it should be, as foreseen by the Prophet Joel. In the year 1840, the streets of London were lit up with gas, and since that time nearly every city of importance in the world has been similarly illuminated: another evidence of the prophet's foresight, and of God's pleasure in fulfilling the predictions of his servant. But the skeptic will ask — "What has this to do with Joseph Smith and his revelation?" and a very proper question, too, it is. I fear I shall have to quote scripture again, "What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" What benefit to the nations to gain such vast utilities, if they are to be damned ever afterwards? This whole proceeding is in per- fect keeping with the teachings of our Lord and Savior: "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and all these things" (worldly comforts) "shall be added unto you." The Almighty commenced the great "outpouring of his Spirit," by first teaching man the way of life. After calling a prophet in spiritual things, he then inspired other good men, each in his spe- cial calling. There are prophets endowed with many and varied gifts, but all by the same Spirit. Do you believe that the prophet Joel was inspired? Do you not see that there is a higher intelligence than that possessed by . man? —an undying intelligence that knows all, sees all, and cares for all? Now please excuse me one minute: If the prophet Joel was inspired, may not some of the other prophets have been in- spired? And why not our great nineteenth century prophet, Jos- eph Smith?