Mormonism and the War

Mormonism" and the War By James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve

The proinpt and liberal response of "Mormon" commun- ities to the Nation's call for concerted and determined effort in the current world crisis is very generally known, thanks to the generous liberality of the press and the commendable free- dom fostered by the potent spirit of the times. Liberty Bond quotas, Red Cross apportionments, War Sav- ings allotments, all have been largely over-subscribed in every "Mormon" city, town and hamlet. In addition to the generous contributions of its members as individuals, the Church as a body has devoted half a million dollars to Liberty Bond pur- chases, and this was done on unanimous vote of the member- ship in general conference assembled. But beyond all contributions measured in terms of money, is the unhesitating response of men, who have leaped to their

places in the ranks by thousands for the hundreds asked, offer- ing their lives in pledge of patriotic devotion. In this ready and whole-souled cooperation the "Mormon" people claim neither preeminence nor special credit. They have tried to do their part in common with the mighty citi- zenry of our land. All classes in Utah and adjacent states are working shoulder to shoulder, without distinction as to former nationality or present creed. In addition to the imperative demands of citizenship, to which the Latter-day Saints are responding with unsurpassed devotion and zeal, our people consider duty in the present crisis as a requirement of their religious profession. haveWe particular concern in the outcome of the great conflict, for we solemnly proclaim that to this Church has been given the divine appointment to preach the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world; and the discharge of this high commission is

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possible in its entirety only as free speech, liberty of conscience, and a free press are insured among the nations. The frightful war forced upon liberty-loving peoples is a belated attempt on the part of Lucifer to try anew the issue on which he was defeated in the primeval world, as the Scriptures attest. His plan of compulsion, by which every soul would be bereft of agency, was rejected in the council of the heavens, and the plan of liberty and individual freedom was adopted, with Jesus Christ as the fore-ordained Redeemer of the race. The decision brought war, and Lucifer and his hordes were cast out upon the earth. In these last days that same Lucifer, or Satan, as he is now known, is operating through those who are ready to do his bidding, to rivet the shackles of monarchial despotism upon mankind. Autocracy is the form of government that prevails in hell; and individual freedom is the basal principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Any man who seeks to enforce unrighteous dominion upon his fellows is the devil's own agent. Citizenship in the kingdom of God is offered to all men on equal terms, for truly God is no respecter of persons. The Church proclaims this fundamental tenet in her Article of Faith: "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." Obedience to righteous law is an essential of true liberty. That liberty, falsely so called, which regards not the rights of others, is but evil license for selfish dominion with all its attend- ant abominations. Our missionary elders have time and again been imprisoned in Germany, and others have been forcibly banished from the empire of boasted kultur, because they bore the message of freedom and individual agency. Formerly they went into that land with only the Scriptures and their own testimony of the truth as weapons in the conflict with sin. Now many of those selfsame men are on their way back wearing the uniform of the Nation, and with Browning guns as their instruments of persuasion. The world is preparing for the consummation of the ages, which is the second coming of Christ. It is wise to be on guard against spurious prognostications as to the precise time of the great event, for, as the Scriptures affirm, this shall not be reveal- ed even to the angels in heaven. Nevertheless, every day wit- nesses the ripening of the specified signs into actualities. The conditions set forth by Christ and His apostles as characteristic of the day of His coming are being realized with the exactness of detailed fulfilment.

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The world war, with all its frightful atrocities incident to autocracy's determination to subvert the God-given birthright of agency and national freedom, is one of the most significant of the portentous signs of the times. Heaven offers her bounties to man; his title thereto must be established by effort. "Mormonism" holds that right shall yet triumph, tyranny be overthrown, and the liberties of mankind be established and made to endure.

© Underwood & Underwood, New York

INHABITANTS OF CHATEAU-THIERRY GOING TO GREET THEIR AMERICAN LIBERATORS In this, one of the first pictures to reach this country of the battle of Chateau-Thierry, are shown the inhabitants of the town who remained dur- ing the German occupation, walking through the destroyed streets, going to meet the American soldiers, to thank them for their deliverance from the German fiends. "Next door to hell" was the way one soldier described the battle, and his assertion was not far from right, judging from the ruin and desolation left behind by the retreating Germans whom the Americans drove back with a courage that insured the turning point of the war.