--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Burt, John A. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 22 number: 5 published: 1919-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Burt, John A., "Why I Love the Gospel," *Improvement Era* 22, no. 5 (March 1919): 438–439.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2205unse 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: improvementera2205unse start_page: 438 end_page: 439 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1919-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2205unse publication_year: 1919 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 1919, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Why I Love the Gospel 438 IMPROVEMENT ERA under the midday brightness, under the steadfast stars, silent and firm as he was in the flesh and if we wish our children to know ; the truth, let us write upon the pedestal "This is the man who in a great crisis by his courage and constancy held back his well-meaning neighbors from plunging the State into a withering abyss of rebellion and anarchy." Why I Love the Gospel By John A. Burt Because it is the power of God unto salvation, and the only means by which mankind may be saved. Because of its origin, for the eternal God has established it, guided, and will guide, it forever. I reverence it for the divine Spirit permeating it, making it a pulsating, throbbing and living force. For its magnitude, its height and breadth, its depth and scope, its truth and power. It is a source of comfort to those who mourn: resting the weary, strengthening the weak, reclaiming the wayward. It provides for the poor, husbands the widow, and fathers the orphan. Through it, sorrows are ameliorated, burdens lightened, tasks made pleasures, and sufferings made blessings. Because, by the gospel, remorse, distress, suffering, despair and eternal punishment are taught to be the result of sin and disobedience. I admire the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints for the practical lessons of thrift and development it teaches, for the educational progress and advancement it fosters, and for ad- vancing the doctrine and principle that "the glory of God is in- telligence." I love it for the precepts of virtue it embodies, including kindness, charity, patience, long suffering, humility, mercy and forgiveness. For the hope it brings; the faith it inspires; the truth it contains; the wisdom it offers; the justice it yields; the knowl- edge it imparts; the light it sheds forth, and the love it de- velops. For the Priesthood it confers, the authority it gives, the WHY I LOVE THE GOSPEL 439 covenenats and ordinances it administers, and the gifts and blessings it bestows. For its wonderful organization, its healings, visions, proph- ecies, revelations, keys, gifts and powers. For its teachings concerning the Godhead, Preexistence, Creation, the Fall, the Atonement, and the Resurrection, which are both reasonable and scriptural. I love the gospel because by obedience to its doctrines and principles the promise is given of eternal life, also increase and progress forever, together with thrones, principalities, pow- ers, dominions, kingdoms and exaltations. All the joy that fills my being all the happiness of my soul ; all the comfort I enjoy, all the security that I feel, I ascribe unto the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints. It has inspired me with confidence, granted me peace, given me courage, and strengthened me in time of trial. It is a boon indeed, for my heart rejoices because of it, my spirit has been quickened by it, my being has been thrilled by it, and my soul swallowed up in it. Most dearly I love it for the Great Father, in whose image man was created; my blessed Redeemer who died for us; and I love it for the gentle, refreshing spirit that testifies to me, so sweetly, that all of its doctrines and principles are truly the pure and undented gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.