Improvement Era, March 1921

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Improvement Era Vol. XXIV MARCH, 1921 No. 5

The Fall and the Redemption

By Elder Orson F. Whitney, of the Council of the Twelve

Many years ago I put forth some thoughts in the form of an allegory upon the theme of Earth's fall and redemption. For when Man fell, Earth fell also, and for a similar purpose that — &he might, by descending below all, rise above all, and inherit the fulness of Eternal Glory. It may help to create an atmosphere for the address I am about to deliver, if I here repeat that allegory

Earth Redeemed The "World lay wrapt in Death's embrace. The tale of the Tempter had triumphed, and the pinions of his power now fettered the fair limbs of God's beauteous creation. Earth, a virgin, beguiled, ensnared by Sin, shrank shuddering from the touch of her would-be defiler and destroyer. — Hark! a cry for help. The captive strives to free herself from the fell clasp of the foe. Summoning all her powers, she springs erect, and, grasping her chain, essays to rend it asunder. It will not yield; the links are firm, the staple strong. — Madly she tugs and toils in vain, alas! in vain. Baffled, bruised and breathless, she sinks exhausted, and the arms of the monster Sin once more enfold her. Again and again she struggles, exerting all her strength to repel the foul polluter. But alas! his strength is stronger, his grasp a grasp of iron. He holds her writhing form as in a vise, gloating over her despair, exulting in her misery, and laughing to scorn her fruitless efforts to be free. Vainly she weeps and pleads and prays. No mercy melts that icy heart, no pity beams from out that baleful eye. She is lost, she is lost! For who can save her now? Oh, that she should be dragged into deeper depths of shame than those into which her wayward will and youthful folly have plunged her! The cry for help was heard in Heaven. The incense of tears, the perfume of prayers came up before the Great White Throne, and the heart of Him who sitteth thereon, the mighty heart of the throbbing universe, was touched with compassion.

*An address delivered before the Church School Teachers' Convention, in Barratt Hall, Salt Lake City, December 31, 1920.