Faith of Modern Youth

FAITH OF MODERN YOUTH By E. Edgar Fuller, Brigham Young University Do the youth of today have less faith in religion than did the youth of generations past? More efficient transportation and com- munication, more leisure time, the growth of cities, and a greatly increased average period of school attendance, are only some of the changed conditions which make an answer to this question difficult. This question is also difficult to answer because religious feel- ings can never be put into words that will convey exactly the same meaning to another person. But those persons who have traveled most widely among the youth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints assert that these young people have real faith in their re- ligion. Observations and contacts made in Brigham Young University confirm these statements. One reason the youth of the University have faith in the gospel and reverence for our Church is because of the liberal and broadminded attitude of the Church toward learn- ing. Students are encouraged to investigate everything "praiseworthy or of good report." The great majority of young people of this day are found in the schools. Here they are encouraged to think and to question. It is inevitable that after they have procured a back- ground of text-book information, and have acquired to some extent the habit of thinking, that they will think on religion. Intellectually trained youth can not be prevented from asking questions. We will be fortunate when we are able to have teachers throughout the Church such as we have in Brigham Young University. These men teach all the subjects ordinarily taught in a university, and at the same time correlate scientific knowledge and religion in such a way that re- ligious values are conserved. With increasing knowledge of religion, comes an ever increasing number of new and unsolved problems. The modern student is taught to maintain a suspended judgment on many important matters. An open mind is kept with anticipation of further work on the sub- jects. The youth of today has faith that his religious problems will eventually be solved. With this healthy, open-minded attitude, he vigorously and conveniently attacks these problems and gradually solves them, with still more advanced problems ever challenging him on to eternal progress. B. H. Roberts, of the First Council of Seventy, has fairly represented the attitude of open-minded and progressive youth. Speak- ing of higher criticism of the Book of Mormon, he says in the Im- provement Era of June, 1911: "I am willing to repeat my statement that the Book of Mormon must submit to every test — literary -criticism with the rest. Indeed, it must submit to every analysis and examination. It must submit to historical tests, to the tests of archaeological research, and also to the higher criticism.

FAITH OF MODERN YOUTH 621 And, what is more, -in the midst of it all, its advocates must carry themselves in a spirit of patience and of courage: and that they will do just as long, of course, as their faith remains true to the book. * * * The book is flung down into the world's mass of literature, and here it is; we proclaim it to be true, pnd the world has the right to test it to the uttermost in every possible way." Critical analysis of "Mormon" doctrines1 does not injure their validity, and the faith of youth is increased by understanding that scientific knowledge only makes "Mormonism" more complete. The youth of the Church has faith in the gospel, because the doctrines of "Mormonism" are comprehensive and intelligible. We be- lieve that inspiration, for example, was experienced by men who founded our government. God inspires men of every color and creed to do things to advance mankind, by heightening their sensibilities and their comprehension concerning such things. Brigham Young in his Discourses, page 61, has said the follow- ing about revelation: "I have something which you have not, and you have something which I have not; I reveal what I have to you, and you reveal what you have to me. I believe that we are revelators to each other. * * * If * * Latter-day Saints will * * follow the Lord Jesus Christ in the regen- eration, many of them will * * know more * * of the spirit of revelation than they are aware of ; but the revelations which I receive are all upon natural principles. I do not believe that there is a single revela- tion * * that is perfect in its fulness\ The revelations of God con- tain correct doctrine and principle, so far as they go; but it is impossible for the poor, weak, * * sinful inhabitants of the earth to receive- a revelation from the Almighty in all its perfections. He has to speak to us in a manner to meet the extent of our capacities. * * * Again, we find that divine revelation to the Latter-day Saints has violated none of the psychological laws of learning, for we read in the Doctrine and Covenants, 24-27, that revelations are "given to my servants in their weakness * * * after the manner of their language that they might come to an understanding." Thus we are told that such doctrines are not entirely mysterious, but that persons who study them can come to an increasingly com- plete understanding of them. The youth of the "Mormon" Church have faith in its divinity because of the results it has produced. It has been made to function in the lives of individuals. Men and women have been physically, mentally, and spiritually benefited by its teachings. Space does not permit a discussion of vital statistics which show that the Church has functioned in the lives of individuals. Suffice it to say that individuals have lived and are living longer, happier, and more useful lives because of the gospel. And so a great body of young people have real faith in "Mor- monism." It is not a blind and unintelligent faith which proclaims ignorantly, "All is well in Zion." It is the faith which causes men to seek problems in Zion and to cooperate with others in solving them. Eternal progress implies that the insight of individuals' will

62 2 IMPROVEMENT ERA continue to increase and that these problems will continue to be solved. The hope held for future development gives the youth faith that he will eventually procure insight into religion and life that will entitle him to be, in fact, a God. Of Latter-day Saint youths-, he who has received university train- ing can perhaps most validly and unblushingly testify to the truth of "Mormonism." It is a privilege to assert to the Era readers that I have firm faith in the ultimate purposes of a kind and loving Father in heaven. I believe that Jesus the Christ carried a message to mankind as did that martyred prophet of later date, Jos»eph Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers every human being the means of eternal progress. I pray that the youth of our Church have God's Spirit to guide them to a greater understanding of his ways, and that the older generation may procure divine in- sight into guiding the youth aright in their search for truth. Prouo. Ut"h. Death "Is death the end?" Ah, no; but let us rather say It is the dawning of a brighter day That will extend Through countless ages of eternity. "Is death the end?" Not so. 'Tis but an open door Through which the spirit passes to explore New worlds that end When time and space and being are no more. "Is death the end?" 'Tis but fulfiling God's decree, Which sets the immortal spirit free That it may wend Its way to heights undreamed by you and me. "Is death the end?" 'Tis only the eternal way That God prepares this lowly, mortal clay, That He may send Unto each soul a glorious resurrection day. Spring Lake, Utah J. RAYMOND HUISH.