“Mormonism’s” Message to the World

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" 'MormonismV Messageito the World"

During the later weeks of May, Elder James E. Talmage of the Council of the Twelve made a journey of visitation to some of the conferences belonging to the Southern States Mission, which mission embraces ten states and comprises a Church mem- bership of over twenty thousand souls. Elder Talmage was ac- companied by President Charles A. Callis, who has been in charge of the mission in the Southern States for practically a decade, and of whose ability and faithfulness Elder Talmage speaks in terms of brotherly commendation. At Greenville, S. C, the brethren named officiated in dedicat- ing a fine new church building on Sunday, May 21, 1916. The structure is of brick, impressive in its simplicity and eloquent as a material testimony of the devotion of the people who have openly professed the gospel of Jesus Christ in that region. President Callis and Elder Talmage held many meetings and addressed large assemblies in the South, notably at Greenville, S. C, Atlanta, and Douglas, Ga., Jacksonville, Fla., and Chat- tanooga, Tenn. In every city where public meetings were held the newspapermen had interviews with the visiting elders; and likewise in all instances there were personal meetings of the brethren with the managing editors of the leading journals. At each place visited a public meeting, previously advertised, was held, at which Elder Talmage spoke on the subject " 'Mormon- ism's' Message to the World." Illustrative of the liberal consid- eration accorded to our people in the South, we present herewith excerpts from the daily press which have come to hand and which contain much information, both in news and doctrine that will interest readers of the Era. At Greenville, S. C, The Daily News and The Piedmont printed lengthy accounts of the dedicatory services and of inter- views with the visiting brethren. A portion of The Daily Nezvs report as published in its issue of May 24, reads

In a brief but pleasant interview with The News, the gentlemen named freely discussed several phases of the "Mormon" question. "The great desire of the 'Mormon' people," said Dr. Talmage, "is to have our fellow citizens know us as we are. I am delighted to find such cordial relationship between our people and other religionists as is manifest in Greenville. Business and professional men and other prominent citizens attended our recent services and remained to shake hands and bid us succeed in our efforts to speak the truth. Religious toleration," the Doctor continued, "is a cardinal tenet of 'Mormon' profession. One of our articles of faith reads, 'We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own

83C IMPROVEMENT ERA conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.' But of course, in all reason and consistency, we draw a distinction between tolerance and acceptance. We are sincere in believing that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints is, as its name expresses, the Church of old restored and reestablished, and this in accordance with prophecy and assured pre- diction." Inquiry as to the "Mormon" Bible drew from Dr. Talmage the following statement: "There is no such book. We accept the au- thorized Bible, commonly known as the King James version. Although we proclaim our belief that the Bible is the word of God, 'as far as it is translated correctly,' we do not claim mistranslations to exist except as such are admitted by philologists and biblical scholars generally. The Book of Mormon is a separate volume of scripture, giving an account of the dealings of God with mankind on the western con- tinent, even as the Holy Bible is the record of people who lived on the eastern hemisphere. The Book of Mormon and the Bible are in harmony so far as their respective records run parallel; and in no sense is one opposed to the other, or either the substitute for the other." President Callis expressed his appreciation ,of the earnest and devoted spirit exhibited by the people in the local branch, and in the Southern States Mission generally. "There are at present," said he, "between two and three thousand members of the Church in South Carolina, and a correspondingly large membership in each of the other states within the mission. Our splendid church building, just dedicated, here in Greenville, is one of many such structures already in service, and several others are in prospect. The business men of this region have extended to us many courtesies in the erection of our church, and we have appreciated to the full the liberal terms, and the prompt delivery with which our calls for building material and other supplies have been met. The people are coming to understand that we desire only their welfare and betterment, and that the gospel we preach is the gospel of love."

In Atlanta, Ga., Elders Talmage and Callis were interviewed bv representatives of the three important dailies, The Constitution, The Georgian, and The Journal, and, furthermore, had a pleasant visit with the Mayor of Atlanta, Hon. J. G. Woodward. Each of the three papers named published extended reports of the meet- ings held in Atlanta. The following excerpt, taken from The Atlanta Constitution of May 25, refers to a personal interview with Mr. Clark Howell, editor-in-chief of that large and influen- tial paper:

In reply to an inquiry as to the distinguishing features of "Mor- monism," Dr. Talmage said: "One feature peculiar to 'Mormonism' is the proclamation of current revelation from God to man. We be- lieve in the same organization as existed in the primitive Church and therefore that apostles and prophets are essential today as they were anciently. We do not believe that the authority of the holy priest- hood has continued in unbroken succession from the apostolic period following the personal ministry of Jesus Christ, for a great falling away was foreseen and predicted. "We hold that a reasonable interpretation of history demonstrates the actuality of the general apostasy. A restoration of the holy priest-

"MORMONISM'S" MESSAGE TO THE WORLD 831

hood became necessary, and this restoration was effected through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, under whose ministry the restored Church was established as an earthly organization in 1830. "We are commonly known as 'Mormons,' the name having reference to the Book of Mormon, which is a translation of ancient records giving an account of the aboriginal peoples of the western continent; but the true name of our organization is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Concerning the institution known as plural marriage or more commonly as polygamy, which has been so generally associated with "Mormon" faith and practice in the popular mind, Dr. Talmage ex- plained as follows: "As a practice, plural marriage has been definitely relinquished by the Church; and any attempt to enter into marital re- lationships contrary to the secular law is punished by excommunication from the Church. The Church authorities are rigorous in their en- forcement of this prohibition, for it is one of the cardinal tenets of the Church that its people shall be subject to the laws of the state and community in which they live. "That plural marriage was once countenanced by the Church under specific regulation is freely admitted and generally known, but when the federal statutes prohibiting its practice were declared con- stitutional, plural marriage was forbidden by action of the Church, officially assembled in general conference. "The Church as a body is greater than any of its officers and this action cannot be annulled or set aside by any authority other than that of the Church itself. Much ,of the misunderstanding on this sub- ject," continued Dr. Talmage, "is due to the confusion of plural mar- riage with our institution of celestial marriage. The latter is a con- tract of marriage, duly solemnized under the authority of the holy priesthood, whereby the parties are united not as in marriage for the — — period of mortal life only until death doth them part but for time and for all eternity. "This we regard as the true order of sealing in marriage and the solemn ordinance is administered only in the temples, which are erected and maintained for these and other sacred rites. No ceremony of sealing in celestial marriage is performed unless the parties are duly licensed to wed under the laws of the state." Dr. Talmage is well known in scientific and scholastic circles. He was for many years connected with the University of Utah as its president and as professor of geology, and is a life fellow of many learned bodies, including the geological societies of England and America, the Philosophical Society of Great Britain and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He is an author of several works on theological, doctrinal, and scientific subjects, among which are "Great Salt Lake, Present and Past," "Articles of Faith," "Great Apostasy," "House of the Lord," which is an exhaustive treatment of "Mormon" temple rites, and "Jesus the Christ."

When the visitors reached Jacksonville, Fla., they found that advance notices of their coming, and of the meetings to be held, had been published and comprehensive reports of the meetings ;

appeared later in the two Jacksonville daily papers, The Florida Times-Union and The Florida Metropolis. Part of the report printed in The Times-Union of May 27, follows:

832 IMPROVEMENT ERA Dr. Talmage led up to his main subject by explaining how the "Mormons" got their name: "We were first called 'Mormons,' " said he, "because of the fame attached to the Book ,of Mormon, a volume accepted by us as scrip- ture, but in no way as a substitute for the holy Bible, which we esteem as the word of God as do Christians generally. The Book of Mormon gives an account of the dealings of God with the early inhabitants of the western continent. The true name of the organization to which we belong is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the message of the Church to the world is largely expressed in that name. We affirm that the holy priesthood, which is the authority to preach and administer the saving ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, ceased to be operative through the great apostasy that followed the apostolic ministry of old, and that while many religious sects arose and many churches were organized with good intent and worthy pur- pose on the initiative of men, the Church of old could be established anew only through the restoration of the holy priesthood by direct dispensation from the heavens. " 'Mormonism' affirms the actuality of present day revelation, through prophets and apostles as in the primitive Church. While the plan of the gospel is unchangeable and eternal, and while holy writ embodies that plan, authority to administer therein is essential to the existence of the Church of Christ. Continuous revelation is in har- mony with the spirit of the age, and along every line of human aspira- tion and endeavor, save only in religion and the science of the gospel, we live in daily expectation of new truths, additional discoveries, and increasing knowledge. 'Mormonism' appeals to the world as a re- ligion up to date, down to date, and in every way adapted to the needs of mankind. ***** — proclaims the divine origin of man that verily he " 'Mormonism' belongs to the lineage of the gods and that to the possibilities of his advancement and achievement there is no end. He is born heir to the birthright of individual agency, and is free to choose or reject, with the just and inevitable condition that he assumes responsibility for his choice, and abides the consequences. Recognition of agency im- plies and enforces toleration of the beliefs and religious practices of others, provided only that religious observances shall in no measure be in violation of law nor a trespass upon the liberties of other t"y> Ati * * * * *H * " 'Mormonism' affirms the near advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, in accordance with his own prediction and the words of inspired prophets, shall come to earth in person, to rule and reign through the millennial era. All the signs of the time point to the imminence of his coming; and the mission of the Church is to prepare the earth and its people for that great development, which shall be, verily, the consummation of the ages."

The next issue of the Era will contain a number of very in- teresting extracts culled from the southern papers, along similar lines. (to be continued.)