The Message of Mormonism to the World of Today

IMPROVEMENT ERA. Vol. XI. OCTOBER, 1908. No. 12. "THE MESSAGE OF 'MORMONISM' TO THE WORLD OF TODAY." BY DR. JAMES E. TALMAGE, F. R. S. E. [We are pleased to present to our readers the following synopsis of an address delivered by Dr. James E. Talmage at the Parliament of Religions, Montclair, New Jersey, Sunday, August 9, 1908. This Parliament of Religions was created under the auspices of Unity Church, Montclair, N. J., and the program of proceedings provided for a series of addresses on the great religions of the present day, and^the message of each religious system or church to the world of today. The series of lectures comprised the message offered to the modern world by each of I the following: Zoroastrianism, Mohammedanism, Hinduism, Bahaism, Buddhism, Sufeeism, Confucianism, Vedanta, Judaism, Liberal Christianity, Evangelical Christianity, and the message of "Mormonism" to the world of today. The rules of the parliament required that each speaker should present a written synopsis or epitome of his address, so that a condensed version of the lecture could be recorded with assurance of its authenticity. We give herewith the official synopsis of the address on "Mormonism." — Editors.] Had the choosing of a subject for the present address been left to myself as a matter of personal selection, I could have made no better choice. "Mormonism" affirms itself to be in truth a message — a message of glad tiding to the modern world . Its burden is peace on earth and to men good will.

906 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Its proclamation is the call of invitation, not of compulsion; its watchword is the free agency of man. The weapons of its service are reason and persuasion; liberality and toleration are its buckler and its shield. Its contest is against error and iniquity; its purpose the betterment of humanity. Its popular name is not self -chosen, but has been given by non-adherents. The organized body through whom this gospel is proclaimed to the world is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints." The adjective "Mormon" as applied to the Church has reference to a publication that appeared early in the history of the organization under the title "The Book of Mormon." This volume purports to be a record at once historical and scriptural, descriptive of the aboriginal inhabitants of the western continent, and bearing to these ancient nations the relation held by the Holy Bible to the peoples of the East. One of the later contributors to those early scriptures of the Occident was the Nephite prophet, priest and warrior, Mormon; and as the present form of the volume is largely the result of this early compiler's labors, the book is called by his name. The application of the name "Mormon" to the Church is not resented by the people; it is regarded as objectionable, however, in that a vital misunderstanding may be conveyed by the misnomer. This Church is not the church of Mormon nor of any other mortal; it might as well be called the church of Nephi or of Alma, of Joseph Smith or of Brigham Young, as of Mormon. Its high claims are set forth in its rightful name — "The Church of Jesus Christ." Nevertheless, as the "Mormon" Church it is known; and its message to the world of today is by the world called "Mormonism." But, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." So sang one who has been called the chief of English bards; and his words are true to this extent at least, that truth though misnamed is better than error called good. As the Church of Jesus Christ avers in its name and by its claims, the gospel of "Mormonism" is distinctively Christian in doctrine and in profession. It reveres the man Jesus as the God,

"THE MESSAGE OF 'MORMON ISM.' " 907 Christ; it accepts as a literal fact his earthly life, his atoning death, and his resurrection from the tomb. It recognizes him as one of the Holy Trinity, and acknowledges his relation as the Son of God . This is the declaration set forth in the codified creed of the Church: "We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." In this particular, "Mormon" theology as in accord with evangelical Christianity in general, differing if at all only in a strictly literal acceptance of the individual personality of each member of the Godhead. What then has "Mormonism" to offer the world as to its conception of God and the Godhead other than what the world already has? Hear ye the message : The God that spake to Adam and to Noah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, speaks today. His prophets are not dead; his voice is not silenced. Sacred as are the scriptures of the long ago, the canon of divine revelation is not and never can be full. In this day of struggle and achievement, when the aeolian harp-strings uniformly throb with the music of progression, when each day has its record of newfound truths and of added wisdom in the .application of truths long known, men are advancing in their knowledge of the being and attributes of God as in their comprehension of his works. ' 'Mormonism" embraces the entire plan of divine evolution. It proclaims progression and advancement; it regards mortal man as the spiritual offspring of the Eternal . It affirms that we are born in the lineage of the Gods, that the creature man is the child of Deity, and that humanity may attain to the rank of godship. ''Mormonism" thus declares unbounded possibilities of human progression; it asserts a relationship at once intimate and direct as to the position of man with respect to Deity; — that man is indeed the child of God, and that by all known laws of nature the child may aspire to and may attain the rank and power of its progenitor. If the message of "Mormonism" be true, the frail mortal of today may be the future prophet, apostle, God. "Mormonism" affirms the inborn power of man to grow, to progress, to develop, endlessly, eternally. It sees in the infant man the glorified God. "Mormonism" affirms and confirms as a divine decree the law

908 IMPROVEMENT ERA. of nature — "each after its kind." Accepting man as the direct offspring of Deity, it proclaims for him the possibilities of neverending development. Its key-note is "as man now is, God once was; as God is, man may become." As the crawling caterpillar becomes the beauteous butterfly, as the creeping larva develops into the winged imago, so may mortal man grow to be eternal God. Let every man know himself; the child of God; a god in embryo. "Mormonism" recognizes the fallen condition of man; yet it affirms that no individual but Adam shall be punished for Adam's transgression. Granted that men are born heirs to evil possibilities, inheritors of sinful propensities indeed, nevertheless every man shall be judged in righteousness, with full consideration of environment both inherited and acquired. "Mormonism" declares a pre-existent state of the soul, a primeval childhood antedating the present mortal probation of youth, a past eternity linked by mortality to the eternity of the endless future. It proclaims the earthly span of human life as a necessary training for the eternal possibilities yet to come . "Mormonism" affirms that no act of man, be it good or evil, fails to leave its mark — its asterisk of excellence or its scar of ill — as the act may determine. No less certainly it declares that man may rise if he will on the stepping-stones of errors past to higher and yet higher things. "Mormonism" is the gospel of optimism, using the past as an incentive to present improvement, proclaiming encouragement in action and assured victory in achievement to the valiant. "Mormonism" regards sin with no degree of allowance or toleration; but upon the sinner it looks with toleration, mercy, and inspiring encouragement. "Mormonism" recognizes and affirms a distinction between morality and religion . It accords to every individual a full acknowledgement of his virtues, and teaches that no man of good morals shall be doomed to future association with the immoral and the wicked, because of his failure in this life to profess religion. "Mormonism" provides no distinctive heaven and hell, to the one or to the other of which each soul is consigned. It proclaims for the soul a future state of infinite gradations, in which every indi-

' ' THE MESS A GE OE ' MO RMONISM. "' 909 vidual shall find a place as his inclinations and preparation may determine. "Mormonism" declares that the God of Israel reigns in heaven and on earth; that he communicates by direct revelation with his chosen prophets in this day; that he is the God of the present as he is acknowledged to be the God of the past. "Mormonism'' recognizes the validity of earthly institutions of government. It bows to the authority of judges, governors, presidents, kings and emperors, in all matters of secular administration; and it enjoins upon its adherents strict compliance with the laws of the land in which they dwell. But it declares the inalienable rights of freedom of conscience and upholds the untrammeled agency of the individual in all matters of belief. In so far as the practice of anyone's faith and belief interferes with no other's freedom, "Mormonism" demands and defends individual liberty. "Mormonism" acknowledges God and his Christ as the embodiment of supreme power and authority in the world today. It affirms that all established governments and all legal contracts among men are valid and binding as to earthly endurance; but, it declares that no contract, agreement, or compact, made by and between men on the basis of earthly authority alone, can be valid beyond the grave . It recognizes the authority of heavenly power, and affirms that the authority to officiate in the name of God has been delegated to man, which authority is binding for time and eternity. "Mormonism" recognizes and reveres the ancient scriptures as embodied in the Holy Bible. It accepts and defends the Holy Bible as far as the record has been correctly translated; but it affirms that other scriptures are possible, and in support of this claim it offers "The Book of Mormon" — a record of the rise, decline, and fall of the Nephite and Lamanite nations who formerly inhabited this American continent; and the "Doctrine and Covenants"— a volume of modern revelation and instruction to the restored Church. As stated, "Mormonism" accepts the record of the earthly birth, mortal probation, and atoning death, of Jesus, the Christ. Furthermore, it proclaims that the second coming of The Christ to

910 IMPROVEMENT ERA. earth is imminent and sure. Its message to the world of today is, prepare ye, prepare ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. I submit to you the "Articles of Faith," duly accepted and confirmed as a guide in matters of profession and practice by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 1. We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are:— (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Repentance; (3) Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; (4) Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 7. We believe in the gifts of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things partaining to the kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the ten tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 1 1. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. "Mormonism" accepts the Jewish scriptures as canonical, and affirms that God spoke to his prophets of old. It further declares that a great apostasy occurred as predicted, that a period of spir-

"THE MESSAGE OF 'MORMOMSM.1 " 911 itual darkness fell upon mankind, and that a restoration of the gospel with its priesthood and its powers would be and is a feature of these modern days. This Church declares that the predicted restoration has occurred, that God has spoken and now speaks in the present dispensation, that his edicts are now effective and valid, that the right to officiate in the name of God as exemplified in the powers of the holy priesthood is now existent; — that God speaks and man hears is the message of the day. While every man shall inherit and shall surely receive the due deserts of his acts, acceptance of the gospel of Christ ofttimes entails deprivation and personal denial. The man who panders to lust shall reap the bitter harvest of lust, the man who strives toward purity in word, in thought, in act, shall garner the fruits of purity. ' 'Mormonism" proclaims the "fixt arithmic of the universe" as to the individual responsibility for right or for wrong, but it insists on the fullest recognition of individual merit or demerit "Mormonism" proclaims to the world of today that Jesus the Christ will return to earth; that the rightful king shall come to his own ; that the Son of God shall reign and control in the affairs of men. The special declaration of "Mormonism" to the world of today is that the coming of the Lord Jesus is near; that the kingdom of God on earth shall be one with the kingdom of heaven to come.- "Mormonism" enjoins virtue and chastity, temperance and toleration. It declares sexual sin to be second only to murder; it proclaims the aggressive sin of the man as greater than that of the yielding woman. It holds both man and woman accountable for individual acts; but it excuses no man on the plea of woman's frailty. "Mormonism" proclaims to the modern world a message at once ancient and modern. Its message is one of peace, hope, and goodwill. Yet this is but the reiteration of the message of the ancient gospel. Thus "Mormonism" is both old and new; old as is creation, new as is the creator's work each day. "Mormonism" is an up-to-date religion. It adapts itself to the needs of the present, citing the scriptural record of the past as a means of encouragement, as an incentive of example, yet declaring present scripture and modern revelation as a necessary guide to life.