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+Project Gutenberg's Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher, by B. H. Roberts
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher
+       A Discourse
+
+Author: B. H. Roberts
+
+Release Date: February 22, 2011 [EBook #35360]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOSEPH SMITH THE PROPHET-TEACHER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by the Mormon Texts Project,
+http://bencrowder.net/books/mtp. Volunteers: Ben Crowder,
+Meridith Crowder, Tod Robbins.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+JOSEPH SMITH
+
+THE
+
+PROPHET-TEACHER
+
+
+A DISCOURSE
+
+BY
+
+ELDER B. H. ROBERTS
+
+
+THE DESERET NEWS
+
+SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
+
+1908
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1908.
+By B. H. Roberts.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+I.
+A GREAT POSSIBILITY.
+
+II.
+HISTORICAL AMERICANS.
+
+III.
+WHAT IS A PROPHET?
+
+IV.
+RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
+
+    Revelation.
+    Ideas of Deity.
+    Of the Universe.
+    Of Man.
+    Man and His Salvation.
+    Of the Significance of Salvation and Damnation.
+
+V.
+THE PROPHET'S CORRECTION OF SECTARIAN ERRORS.
+
+    The Doctrine of Revelation.
+    The Being and Kind of Being God Is.
+    Creation, the Law of Substance.
+    Of Man's Origin.
+    Election and Reprobation.
+
+VI.
+THE PROPHET'S PHILOSOPHICAL DOCTRINES.
+
+    The Prophet's Definition of Truth.
+    As to Things--Existences.
+    The Reign of Law.
+    Change and Its Tendency.
+    The Existence of Good and Evil.
+    The Intelligent Entity.
+    The Relationship of Intelligences.
+    Man's Freedom.
+    Eternity of Relations.
+
+VII.
+THE PROPHET'S GENERALIZATIONS.
+
+VIII.
+AN AMERICAN PROPHET.
+
+    America the Old World.
+    The Constitution of the United States Inspired of God.
+    America Fortified of God Against Other Nations.
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+TO MY MOTHER, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HER EIGHTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY,
+DECEMBER 18, 1908.
+
+For a long time, my Dear Mother, I have desired to couple remembrance
+of you with some of my works; and finally have chosen this Discourse
+upon our great Prophet-Teacher to carry with it that distinction. To
+all who read this Discourse, then, I desire to say that I love and
+honor you; and that your love for me has ever been an inspiration to
+my work.
+
+
+
+
+JOSEPH SMITH
+THE
+PROPHET-TEACHER
+
+A Discourse[A]
+
+[Footnote A: This discourse was delivered at the Tabernacle, Salt Lake
+City, on Sunday, December 22nd, 1907, at a Memorial Service held in
+honor of the one hundred and second anniversary of the Prophet's
+birth, 23rd December 1805.]
+
+---
+
+Tomorrow will be the one hundred and second anniversary of the birth
+of Joseph Smith, whom most of you here present believe was a Prophet
+of God. I have been invited to say something about him on this
+occasion. It is not at all my intention to deal with the incidents of
+Joseph Smith's eventful life; these are familiar to you. If I could
+attain the full desire of my heart, I would like to set before you
+somewhat the value of this man as a teacher of great truths. I desire
+to speak of him as a Prophet-Teacher, that is, as a Prophet acting in
+his capacity of Teacher, a Prophet's highest and noblest office.
+
+As an introduction to what I desire to say, I shall read a passage
+from a book quite famous for its literary merit--it has reached its
+ninth edition; also it is famous for the character sketches of
+prominent Americans of the early decades of the nineteenth century.
+The book, "Figures of the Past," was written by Josiah Quincy of the
+famous Quincy family of Massachusetts, a graduate of Harvard, 1821;
+mayor of Boston from 1845 to 1849. Mr. Quincy visited Nauvoo in May,
+1844, forty-three days previous to the martyrdom of the Prophet, and
+though his "Figures of the Past" was not published until 1882, the
+year of his death, yet his recollections of the Prophet and his
+impressions of Nauvoo were drawn from his journal, written at the time
+of that visit, and numerous letters written to his friends about the
+same period. Mr. Quincy places his pen-portrait of "Joseph Smith at
+Nauvoo" with similar portraits of such eminent Americans as John
+Adams, Daniel Webster, John Randolph, Andrew Jackson, and the French
+soldier and statesman, Lafayette. The passage I am going to read is
+the opening paragraph of the chapter on "Joseph Smith at Nauvoo."
+
+
+
+
+I.
+
+A GREAT POSSIBILITY.
+
+
+    "It is by no means improbable that some future text-book, for the
+    use of generations yet unborn, will contain a question something
+    like this: What historical American of the nineteenth century has
+    exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his
+    countrymen? And it is by no means impossible that the answer to
+    that interrogatory may be thus written: Joseph Smith, the Mormon
+    Prophet. And the reply, absurd as it doubtless seems to most men
+    now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their descendants.
+    History deals in surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as
+    this. The man who established a religion in this age of free
+    debate, who was and is today accepted by hundreds of thousands as
+    a direct emissary from the Most High--such a rare human being is
+    not to be disposed of by pelting his memory with unsavory
+    epithets."
+
+Reading that passage a few days ago, I asked the question: Is this
+rather remarkable semi-prediction of Quincy's in the way of
+fulfillment? Tomorrow will be the one hundred and second anniversary
+of our Prophet's birth. It is more than one hundred years since he
+came to earth, and sixty-three years since he departed from it. What
+evidence is there before the world that would lead any serious-minded
+person to believe that this prediction I have read in your hearing may
+find fulfillment? "Certainly," men will begin to say, "enough time has
+elapsed to develop the character of your Prophet's work; whether he
+built of wood, hay, stubble, or of gold or precious stones. Is his
+influence to be merely transient and local or did he really deal with
+some universal and permanent truths that must remain to influence
+mankind?"
+
+
+
+
+II.
+
+HISTORICAL AMERICANS.
+
+
+As introductory to these considerations, let us think about some of
+these historical Americans whose influence upon their countrymen is to
+be eclipsed, perhaps, by the "Mormon Prophet." Among our patriots and
+statesmen will be remembered Patrick Henry, with his doctrine of the
+inherent right of revolution against intolerable oppression;
+Jefferson, and his "Declaration of Independence" and the "Statute of
+Virginia for Religious Freedom," the principle of which finally found
+its way into our national and state Constitutions; Alexander Hamilton
+and his political interpretation of the constitutional powers of our
+general government; Webster and his doctrine of the sacredness of the
+American Union of States--the statesman of nationalism; Monroe, with
+the doctrine which bears his name, politically segregating the
+American continents from Europe, and dedicating the western world to
+free institutions; Lincoln, with his doctrine of the rightfulness of
+personal freedom for every man, woman and child of Adam's race--the
+doctrine of the universal application of the self-evident principles
+of the Declaration of Independence--the right of men to live, to be
+free, to pursue happiness--principles he invoked in behalf of the
+African race in the United States. Among inventors will be remembered
+Fulton, Whitney, Morse and Edison; among the philosophers, practical
+and speculative, Franklin, Emerson and John Fiske; among the poets,
+Longfellow, Poe, Whitman, and Lowell; among the preachers and
+theologians, Jonathan Edwards and his cruel orthodoxy; Wm. E. Channing
+and his Unitarian liberalism; Henry Ward Beecher and his successor,
+Lyman Abbott, with their efforts at reconciliation of Christianity and
+evolution.
+
+This enumeration does not exhaust the list of historical Americans who
+have powerfully influenced their countrymen, but it will not be
+doubted that they represent the very chief of the respective groups
+that have so influenced their countrymen.
+
+Thinking of the achievements of these great Americans, and weighing
+the influence of each upon his countrymen, do you not really think,
+even with Josiah Quincy on our side, it looks presumptuous in us to
+hold that Joseph Smith may yet exert a greater influence over his
+countrymen than any one of these, his compatriots? That is the
+question I propose to put on trial here this afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+III.
+
+WHAT IS A PROPHET?
+
+
+First of all, a word of definition: This term "prophet"--what do you
+make of it? Generally, when you speak of a "prophet," you have in mind
+a predictor of future events, one who foretells things that are to
+come to pass, and indeed that is, in part, the office of a prophet--in
+part what is expected of him. But really this is the very least of his
+duties. A prophet should be a "forth-teller" rather than a
+fore-teller. Primarily he must be a teacher of men, an expounder of
+the things of God. The inspiration of the Almighty must give him
+understanding, and when given he must expound it to his people, to his
+age. He must be a Seer that can make others see. A Teacher sent of God
+to instruct a people--to enlighten an age. This is the primary office
+of a prophet. And now I want to show you how well and faithfully our
+Prophet performed such duties.
+
+To do this it is necessary that I say something about the ideas
+prevailing in the world at the Prophet's advent among men--I mean as
+to their religions and philosophies, the doctrines by which they were
+influenced. And this not only as to truth, but also as to error--and
+chiefly as to error, for, among other things, a prophet must correct
+the errors of men. It is a capital method of teaching truth--this
+correcting of errors.
+
+
+
+
+IV.
+
+RELIGIOUS AND PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
+
+
+REVELATION: At the commencement of the nineteenth century the general
+idea prevailed in Christendom that a great while ago a very definite
+revelation from God had been given; angels had visited the earth and
+imparted divine knowledge to men; the Spirit of the Almighty had
+rested upon some and had given them understanding by which they were
+able to declare the mind of God and the will of God. These were
+prophets. Some prophets there were who even talked with God "face to
+face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." So communed Moses with God
+(Ex. 33:11); so, too, Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-6). But while this belief as to
+revelation in the past everywhere prevailed, orthodox Christendom was
+equally certain that no revelation was being given in their day; and
+not only was no revelation then being given, but neither would there
+be any revelation given in future time. "The volume of revelation is
+completed and forever closed," was dogma in all Christendom. There
+would be no future visitation of angels. No more would the heavens be
+opened, or man stand face to face with his God, or speak to his Lord
+as a man speaketh to his friend. All this was ended. The canon of
+scripture was completed, and forever closed. That canon consisted of
+the Old and New Testaments; all other books were secular--this alone
+sacred. There was no other word of God.
+
+
+IDEAS OF DEITY: In regard to deity, Christian men, at the beginning of
+the nineteenth century, believed that God was an incorporeal,
+immaterial being, without body--that is, not material, not matter;
+without parts; without passions. And yet, with gravest inconsistency,
+they held that God was of love the essence; that He loved
+righteousness, that He hated iniquity; that He so loved the world that
+He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should
+not perish, but have everlasting life! Notwithstanding this "love" and
+this "hate" God was without passions! He was, too, according to men's
+creeds, without form. Notwithstanding Moses, one of the God-inspired
+teachers of men, said that "God created man in His own image, in the
+image of God created He him;" and Jesus, by a prophet of the New
+Testament, was declared to be the express image of God's person
+(Hebrews i: 2, 3). Notwithstanding this, I say, men, in the early
+decades of the nineteenth century, were possessed of a "morbid terror"
+of anthropomorphism--the ascription of human form, feeling or
+qualities to God--as if they could escape it and still hold belief in
+the Bible revelation of God! Or, for matter of that, hold to any
+doctrine of God taught either by religion or philosophy. At the very
+least, if the God-idea survive at all, God must be held to possess
+consciousness, both consciousness of self, and of other than
+self--self-consciousness, and other-consciousness; also He must be
+thought of as possessed of volition; and what are these but human
+qualities, which present God to our thought as anthropomorphic? Strip
+God of these attributes and He is reduced to the atheists' "force;" to
+blind, purposeless force, that can sustain no possible personal
+relationship whatsoever to men or other things in the universe. As one
+writer in a great magazine recently said: "If we are to know the
+Supreme Reality at all, it can only be through the attribution to Him
+of qualities analogous to, though infinitely transcending, the
+qualities which we recognize as highest in man, and consequently
+[highest] in the world as we know it."
+
+But I must pass by these inconsistencies of the creeds of men. I shall
+have no time to discuss them. Indeed, I must ask you to think with me
+in headlines, and to think fast. We have no time for argument. We
+shall barely have time to pass over the ground proposed, and must
+depend upon the truth of our statements being self-evident, or
+conceded to be accurate statements of fact.
+
+
+OF THE UNIVERSE: Respecting the universe, Christendom, at the
+beginning of the nineteenth century, believed that it was created of
+God from nothing, and that no great while ago. "Calling forth from
+nothing" was held to be indeed the meaning of "create." God
+transcended the universe; was, in fact, outside of it; was what an
+American philosopher (Fiske) some years afterwards called an "Absentee
+God." Absent, "except for a little jog or poke here and there in the
+shape of a special providence."
+
+"Down to a period almost within living memory," says Andrew Dixon
+White, in his great work, "Warfare of Science with Theology," "it was
+held, virtually 'always, everywhere, and by all,' that the universe,
+as we now see it, was created literally and directly by the voice or
+hands of the Almighty, or by both--out of nothing--in an instant, or
+in six days, or in both--about four thousand years before the
+Christian era--and for the convenience of the dwellers upon the earth,
+which was at the base and foundation of the whole structure." Such
+were the views of men concerning the universe during the period here
+considered.
+
+
+OF MAN: Respecting man, it was taught that while he was created of
+God, his origin was purely an earthly one, his body made of the earth,
+a spirit breathed into him when his body was made, and so man became a
+living soul. All taught that he was a created thing, a creature.
+
+
+MAN AND HIS SALVATION: As to man's salvation, some of the creeds
+taught that God, of His own volition, had foreordained that some men
+and angels were doomed to everlasting destruction, and others
+predestined to eternal life and glory. Not "for any good or ill" that
+they had done or could do, but their fate was fixed by the volition of
+God alone. These whom He would save, He would move by irresistible
+grace to their salvation; those whom He had pre-determined should be
+damned might not escape, struggle they never so persistently; no
+prayers could save them; no act of obedience might mitigate their
+punishment; no hungering and thirsting after righteousness, bring them
+to blessedness; they must perish, and that eternally! Those who perish
+in ignorance of Christ--the heathen races--were damned. "The heathen
+in mass, with no single definite and unquestionable exception on
+record, are evidently strangers to God, and going down to death in an
+unsaved condition. The presumed possibility of being saved without a
+knowledge of Christ remains, after 1,800 years, a possibility
+illustrated by no example." So said those who expounded this creed.
+Others, still, taught that infants dying in infancy without receiving
+Christian baptism were damned, and that everlastingly. By some,
+unbaptized infants were denied burial in sanctified ground. "Hell's
+Half Acre" was a reality in some Christian graveyards.
+
+
+OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SALVATION AND DAMNATION: Salvation and
+damnation meant, as to the former, the attainment of heaven; as to the
+latter, assignment to hell. The former, judging from the descriptions
+of it, a mysterious, indefinite state "enjoyed" somewhere "beyond the
+bounds of time and space * * * the saints secure abode;" the latter, a
+very definite place, with very definite and very hot conditions, that
+had power to endure and that everlastingly, to the eternal misery of
+the damned. Time might come and time might go, but this torture,
+undiminished, went on forever. If one gained heaven, even by ever so
+small a margin, he entered upon a complete possession of all its
+unutterable joys, equally with the angels and the holiest of saints.
+If he missed heaven, even by ever so narrow a margin, he was doomed to
+everlasting torment equally with the wickedest of men and vilest of
+devils, and there was no deliverance for him.
+
+These were some of the prevailing ideas, of the philosophy and the
+religion of men at the birth of the Prophet. A philosophy inadequate
+for any reasonable accounting for the universe. A religion that was
+derogatory to God and debasing to man--errors of both philosophy and
+religion that it was, I believe, the mission of our Prophet to
+correct. Let us follow him as he proceeds with his corrections, his
+setting over against every error above enumerated the truth received
+of God.
+
+
+
+
+V.
+
+THE PROPHET'S CORRECTION OF SECTARIAN ERRORS.
+
+
+THE DOCTRINE OF REVELATION: Against the sectarian dogma of the
+cessation of revelation, Joseph Smith proclaimed the reopening of the
+heavens. Against the doctrine that angels would no more visit the
+earth, he asserted the visitation of angels to him, revealing the
+existence of the Book of Mormon, a new volume of Scripture. Other
+angels brought to the Prophet the keys of authority and power held by
+them in former dispensations. So came John the Baptist with the keys
+of the Aaronic Priesthood; Peter, James and John, with the keys of the
+Melchisedek Priesthood; Moses, with the keys of the gathering of
+Israel, and so following. Against the doctrine of a closed volume of
+Scripture, Joseph Smith asserted the existence of, and the truth of
+the American volume of Scripture, the Book of Mormon. Against this
+whole narrow, bigoted idea of revelation held by the Christian world,
+he proclaimed a larger view. Instead of holding that a few prophets
+among the Hebrews had been visited of God and received divine
+inspiration he represented God as saying:
+
+    "Thou fool, that shall say, A Bible, a Bible, we have got a Bible,
+    and we need no more Bible! Have ye obtained a Bible, save it were
+    by the Jews? Know ye not that there are more nations than one;
+    know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and
+    that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that
+    I rule in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath; and I bring
+    forth my word unto the children of men; yea, even upon all the
+    nations of the earth? For I command all men, both in the east and
+    in the west * * * and in the islands of the sea, that they shall
+    write the words which I speak unto them. * * * Behold, I will
+    speak unto the Jews, and they shall write it; and I will also
+    speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I will also
+    speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have
+    led away, and they shall write it; and I will also speak unto all
+    nations of the earth, and they shall write it."
+
+Joseph Smith also represents one of the Nephite prophets as saying:
+
+    "Behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation
+    and tongue, to teach his word; yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth
+    fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth
+    counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true."
+
+This doctrine unites in one splendid brotherhood all the Seekers after
+God, all those who received inspiration from the Most High and were
+sent forth from the Divine Presence to instruct their fellow men.
+Joseph Smith, I say, unites their hands in a splendid brotherhood of
+the God-inspired men of this world. Not that all the prophets among
+the various races of men were equally inspired; not that all came with
+a fulness of truth; not that all had the gospel of Jesus Christ. But
+if they brought not with their message the effulgent brightness of an
+all-glorious day, they brought something of twilight which dispelled
+some of the murkiness of the night in which the men of their
+respective races had walked; and those who have groped in the density
+of darkness know how grateful is the twilight, how much better it is
+than darkness. How noble is this view of God's hand-dealings with the
+children of men in respect of revelation, as compared with that
+narrow, bigoted view prevailing at the beginning of the nineteenth
+century, which held that the Hebrew Scriptures contained all the word
+of God delivered to the inhabitants of the earth!
+
+
+THE BEING AND KIND OF BEING GOD IS: Against the dogma that God was an
+incorporeal, immaterial, passionless being, the Prophet announced the
+splendid doctrine of anthropomorphism--God in the human form, and
+possessed of human qualities, but sanctified and perfected. In the
+first great revelation which opened this last dispensation our Prophet
+beheld Father and Son as separate persons, distinct from each other;
+persons in the form of men, but more glorious and more splendid, of
+course, than words could describe them to be. All through the
+revelations received, and all through his discourses, the Prophet
+reaffirms the old doctrine of the Scriptures, the doctrine of all the
+prophets, asserting that man indeed was created in the image of God,
+and that God possessed human qualities, consciousness, will, love,
+mercy, justice; together with power and glory--in a word, a Man
+"exalted and perfected."
+
+
+CREATION--THE LAW OF SUBSTANCE: In opposition to the doctrine that God
+had created the universe of nothing, the Prophet asserted the doctrine
+of the eternity of substance and energy and law, and their infinite
+extension throughout all space; that creation is but the wisely
+wrought changes made in the modes of existences, which are
+themselves--in their essence--eternal, the changes constantly tending
+to higher developments, from good to better, or else ministering to
+that end.
+
+
+OF MAN'S ORIGIN: Against the doctrine which ascribed a merely earthly
+origin for man, body and spirit; that taught that the intelligent
+entity in man--the mind--was a created thing--against this, I say, our
+Prophet taught that "Intelligence is not created or made, neither,
+indeed, can be." He taught that the intelligent entity in man, which
+men call "spirit" and sometimes "soul," is a self-existing entity,
+uncreated and eternal as God is, placed in the way by Higher
+Intelligences,--and guided by their love and counsels,--of increasing
+his own intelligence and power and glory and joy. Such he represented
+man to be, and once more crowned him with the dignity belonging to his
+Divine and eternal nature.
+
+
+ELECTION AND REPROBATION: In regard to that monstrous doctrine that
+God, by the exercise of His sovereign will, had predestined some men
+and angels unto everlasting life, while others He ordained to
+everlasting death; and that, not because of the good or the evil they
+had done or might do, but because he had so willed it by his sovereign
+will; that "the number of such men and angels thus predestined are so
+peculiarly and unchangeably known, and their number so certain and
+definite that it can not be either increased or diminished"--against
+this monstrous view of the doctrine of salvation for the race of men,
+our Prophet declared salvation to be free, and every soul of man
+capable of participating therein, if happily he should seek salvation;
+and that man could be assured of the help and grace of God to aid him
+in the attainment of salvation. Commenting on a passage of Scripture
+supposed to teach the sectarian doctrine of Election and Reprobation,
+the Prophet said: "Unconditional election of individuals to eternal
+life was not taught by the Apostles. God did elect, or predestinate,
+that all those who would be saved should be saved in Christ Jesus, and
+through obedience to the Gospel"--other than this there was no
+predestination or election relating to the salvation of individuals.
+
+On the subject of the fate of the uninstructed heathen, as also upon
+the matter of children dying in infancy, or before arriving at the
+years of accountability, the doctrine of Joseph Smith held that where
+no law is given men will be judged without law, but will stand within
+the circle of the mercy of God, and there is hope, nay, assurance, of
+ultimate salvation for the heathen. "The heathen nations shall be
+redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first
+resurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them," are the words of
+the Lord through the Prophet.
+
+And as for infants dying in infancy, or before arriving at years of
+accountability, the Prophet taught, the mercy of God claims them
+wholly. They are redeemed from the consequences of Adam's
+transgression by the atonement of Christ, and being without sin
+themselves, the law against sin has no claim upon them, and they are
+saved to the uttermost without baptism or anything else whatsoever, by
+the pure mercy and justice of God. "Little children are alive in
+Christ, even from the foundation of the world," is a doctrine of the
+Prophet's.
+
+
+THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL PUNISHMENT: Against the dogma of the
+attainment of heaven or the assignment to hell, involving, as it did,
+the equality of the glory in the one, and equal severity of punishment
+in the other, our Prophet reasserted the justice of God in providing a
+graded state of existence for men in the future life, grades that
+correspond to the state of mental, moral and spiritual development of
+every soul of man.
+
+Upon this subject Joseph Smith taught that there are many kingdoms of
+the Father in which men may live, each in a sphere suitable to his
+nature, disposition and the degree of his development: moderns would
+say, "Suitable to the state of his evolution." He taught that as there
+is one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the
+stars, so in future men will exist in varying degrees of glory; that
+as the stars of heaven differ in infinite degrees of brightness, so
+also will men in the future exist in places and states of infinite
+variety, corresponding to the infinite variations of their
+intelligence, knowledge, tastes, acquirements, inclinations, and
+aspirations. In other words, environment will correspond to nature,
+with always the possibility present of improving both the environment
+and the nature, until a fulness of joy is attained by each intelligent
+entity--by each man.
+
+Thus Joseph Smith promulgated a system of positive doctrine respecting
+the future of man that is at once in harmony with the relative claims
+of justice and mercy; with human reason and divine law. He made known
+the fact that
+
+    "Eternal punishment is God's punishment."
+    "Endless punishment is God's punishment."
+
+That is to say, the punishment for sin-which is only another way of
+saying the "penalty" for wrong-doing--takes the title of Him in whose
+name it is administered, that is, it is "God's" punishment, or
+"Eternal's" punishment, "Endless' punishment." The punishment takes on
+it the name of Him in whose authority it is administered. Moreover,
+penalty will always follow violation of the law, in eternity as in
+what we call time. So long as law exists, penalties must also exist.
+They are the necessary concomitants of law, without which laws are
+mere nullities. But because punishments, so-called, take on the name
+of Him in whose authority they are administered, and because law is
+necessarily paralleled by penalty--therefore punishment will always
+exist for offenders against law; in other words is endless--it does
+not follow that each transgressor of the law will suffer its penalties
+eternally. Such a conception is revolting to reason and derogatory to
+the justice and mercy of God. While one must needs believe that
+penalty follows violation of law, the violator only partakes of that
+penalty to the extent that is necessary to vindicate the law and
+correct the transgressor's own disposition: whereupon mercy has her
+claims, that may not be denied: and the one time violator of law,
+instructed by his experience in suffering, goes forth to walk, let us
+hope, in harmony with law, and hence in peace.
+
+Thus, all down the line of religious error, as well as in the things
+here pointed out, Joseph Smith asserted the truth of God, and
+maintained it before the world. Had he done no more than this, if this
+had been the sole achievement in the world's realm of thought by our
+Prophet--he would stand in fair way of being regarded as the
+historical American who had exerted the most powerful influence upon
+the destinies of his countrymen. But instead of this being the end of
+his achievements it is merely the commencement of his life's work; a
+mere clearing of the ground for the new temple of religion and
+philosophy to be erected; the dismissal of the absurdities of old
+systems to make way for the incoming of the new system of thought
+which shall be in harmony with the new knowledge of a new and glorious
+age--the incoming millennium.
+
+I wonder if I may venture here to draw in outline the suggestion of
+that system? By your leave, then: In the beginning it is necessary to
+say to you that I shall use all ideas, doctrines, philosophies,
+science principles, interpretations that I find brought to the
+knowledge of the world through Joseph Smith, directly or indirectly.
+For while doctrines here used are found in the Book of Mormon and
+properly should be referred to the prophets among ancient American
+peoples for their origin, still the world today owe their knowledge of
+these things to the translation of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith.
+So also in relation to the Book of Moses and the Book of Abraham. So
+also as to the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants; such
+philosophy and religious principles as are there found are given of
+God, but Joseph Smith received and published them, and for the
+purposes of what is here to be set forth shall stand as his doctrines
+and philosophy, as well also as those utterances that make up the
+subject-matter of his discourses.
+
+
+
+
+VI.
+
+THE PROPHET'S PHILOSOPHICAL DOCTRINES.
+
+
+THE PROPHET'S DEFINITION OF TRUTH: Undoubtedly the quest of philosophy
+is Truth. And again, undoubtedly, Philosophy would be greatly helped
+in its search for Truth if it had but a clear conception of what it
+was trying to find; hence the importance of a clear and accurate
+definition of Truth. It is at this point, however, that the greatest
+difficulty arises for the human intellect. It is quite generally
+conceded that up to the early decades of the nineteenth century no
+satisfactory definition of Truth had been found. When Jesus stood
+bound before Pilate's judgment seat, and testified that He was born
+to bear witness of the Truth, Pilate--whether in mockery or in earnest
+curiosity we may not now know--asked the question: "What is truth?"
+But the Divine Man made no answer. Most commentators say that, without
+waiting for an answer the Roman procurator departed from the judgment
+hall to speak to the Jews clamoring on the outside; and all regret the
+opportunity that was there lost of receiving a divine answer to the
+question. One set of commentators, referring to Pilate's question, say
+to him: "Thou stirrest the question of questions, which the thoughtful
+of every age have asked, but never man yet answered."
+
+A secular writer presents the same incident as follows: "'What is
+truth?' was the passionate demand of a Roman procurator, on one of the
+most momentous occasions in history. And the Divine Person who stood
+before him, to whom the interrogation was addressed, made no
+reply--unless, indeed, silence contained the reply. Often and vainly
+had that demand been made before--often and vainly has it been made
+since. No one has yet given a satisfactory answer."
+
+Then, by way of historical illustration of this assertion, our author
+remarks the following:
+
+"When, at the dawn of science in Greece, the ancient religion was
+disappearing like a mist at sunrise, the pious and thoughtful men of
+that country were thrown into a condition of intellectual despair.
+Anaxagoras plaintively exclaims, 'Nothing can be known, nothing can be
+learned, nothing can be certain, sense is limited, intellect is weak,
+life is short.' Xenophanes tells us that it is impossible for us to be
+certain even when we utter the Truth. Parmenides declares that the
+very constitution of man prevents him from ascertaining absolute
+Truth. Empedocles affirms that all philosophical and religious systems
+must be unreliable, because we have no criterion by which to test
+them. Democritus asserts that even things that are true cannot impart
+certainty to us; that the final result of human inquiry is the
+discovery that man is incapable of absolute knowledge; that, even if
+the truth be in his possession, he cannot be certain of it. Pyrrho
+bids us reflect on the necessity of suspending our judgment of things,
+since we have no criterion of truth; so deep a distrust did he impart
+to his followers that they were in the habit of saying, 'We assert
+nothing; not even that we assert nothing.' Epicurus taught his
+disciples that truth can never be determined by reason. Arcesilaus,
+denying both intellectual and sensuous knowledge, publicly avowed that
+he knew nothing, not even his own ignorance! The general conclusion to
+which Greek philosophy came was this: that, in view of the
+contradiction of the evidence of the senses, we cannot distinguish the
+true from the false; and such is the imperfection of reason, that we
+cannot affirm the correctness of any philosophical deduction."
+
+I make these quotations to show that no Teacher satisfactory
+definition of Truth, either in ancient or modern times, either in
+religion or philosophy, has been given, and also to call attention to
+the fact that if Joseph Smith has given a definition of Truth that
+appeals with irresistible force to the understanding of men, it must
+be a strongly original utterance; a revelation of the utmost
+importance. Such a definition, I believe, he has given. In 1833 he
+said:
+
+"Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as
+they are to come."
+
+This I hold to be the completest definition of Truth found in human
+literature. It deals with relative truth, absolute truth, and truth
+unfolding or becoming.
+
+It may be objected that this definition is defective in that it
+appears to make Truth depend upon knowledge. "Truth," says the
+definition, "is knowledge of things as they are," etc. This part of
+the definition deals with relative Truth merely. "Truth as it appears
+to us," says S. Baring-Gould, "can only be relative, because we are
+relative creatures, have only a relative perception and judgment. We
+appreciate that which is true to ourselves, not that which is
+universally true."
+
+In other words, and using the language of Herbert Spencer at this
+point: "Debarred as we are from everything beyond the relative, Truth,
+raised to its highest form, can be for us nothing more than perfect
+agreement throughout the whole range of our experience, between those
+representations of things which we distinguish as ideal and those
+presentations of things which we distinguish as real." That is to say,
+to each individual, "knowledge of things as they are and as they were"
+will be to him the Truth, and the fullness thereof, though not
+necessarily all the Truth there is. There is Truth, however, which
+does not depend upon knowledge; existences beyond and independent of
+any human knowledge, at least.
+
+To illustrate: America existed, though all Europe was without
+knowledge of it for ages; until, in fact, it was discovered by
+Columbus. The power of steam always existed, but men did not know it
+until modern times. So, also, with the mysterious force called
+electricity, it always existed, but not until recent years did man
+know it as a force that could be utilized; and so as to many other
+forces and truths in God's universe that are now existing, and have
+always existed, but man, as yet, has no knowledge of them. The
+storehouse of Truth is not yet exhausted by man's discoveries. There
+are more Truths in heaven and earth than are yet dreamed of in human
+philosophies.
+
+And yet it may be that running parallel with those existences,
+substances and relations unknown to man, there exist intelligences
+that cognize such existences and relations. To recur to one item in
+the illustrations above: America existed though all Europe was without
+knowledge of it until discovered by Columbus; but America had
+inhabitants, intelligences of her own that knew of the existence of
+these Western continents. And so it may be if one could be transported
+to Mars; while there is much that we do not know about Mars--has it an
+atmosphere and oceans? Has it great continents and mountain ranges? Is
+it inhabited? If so, what is the status of its civilization? These all
+may be existences, realities on Mars, but we do not know of them, but
+there may be intelligent inhabitants on Mars who know all these things
+and a thousand more that are unknown to us, yet known to intelligences
+inhabiting Mars. And so as to the most distant planets and
+planet-systems conceivable. Everywhere that things exist, they may be
+paralleled by Intelligences that cognize them. Then, again, there are
+varying degrees of Intelligences. Where two Intelligences exist and
+one is more intelligent than another, it leads to the thought that
+there may be a third more intelligent than the first two; thence to a
+fourth or fifth more intelligent still; thence onward, rising one
+above another, in superiority of intelligence until you stand in the
+presence of an infinity of Intelligences, or reach One more
+intelligent than them all! One who, directly or indirectly, in all
+councils presides; who guides all movements; who directs all
+undertakings; who controls all worlds and world-systems; who loves
+all; who comprehends all things, even the sum of existences--the
+Truth! And so in the last analysis of the matter, wheresoever there
+are existences to be known, even though they stretch to infinity,
+there are also Intelligences that parallel such existences to cognize
+them, control them, dominate them, and through them work out Their
+will.
+
+The phrase above--"the sum of existence:" we have more to do with
+that. The phrase is used by a most faithful and earnest Christian man,
+the late John Jacques. Instructed by the Prophet Joseph Smith, he sang
+in his hymn on Truth, the following:
+
+    Then say, what is Truth? 'Tis the last and the first,
+      For the limits of time it steps o'er;
+    Though the heavens depart and the earth's fountains burst,
+      _Truth_, the _sum of existence_, will weather the worst,
+    Eternal, unchanged, evermore.
+
+Surely that which is, that which has been, and that which is to come,
+must be the sum of existence, or absolute Truth; and all that is, or
+has been, or shall be, has been, is and shall be known by the
+everywhere existing Intelligences, who, with the rest of their
+knowledge, know themselves; who possess self-consciousness, as well as
+other-consciousness, that is, consciousness of other things than
+themselves. Truth, indeed, from this view point, is knowledge of that
+which is, including self-knowledge of the knower. It may be said that
+the absolute Truth, even as here set forth, is beyond the grasp of the
+finite mind. I shall concede the claim; but because finite mind cannot
+comprehend the sum of existence, or absolute Truth, it does not follow
+that the definition we are discussing is at fault, or that it can be
+displaced by one meaning more or less. Reflection upon the definition
+here presented will develop the fact that it contains a self-evident
+proposition of the same nature as the statement, "duration is
+eternal"--without beginning, without end. Or, "space is limitless"--it
+has no point beyond which it may not be conceived to extend, and
+beyond which it does not extend. It is vain to say that the finite
+mind cannot comprehend the realities presented by these statements.
+The thing is greater than any symbol we can fashion of it by word or
+otherwise; but we cannot conceive the opposite of these statements,
+i.e., that space has boundaries; that duration has limits; that
+absolute Truth is less than the sum of existence. In the definition
+herein set forth you have all that is; and if in any definition of
+Truth there is failure to include the sum of existences by so much
+would the definition be defective and fail of its aim to define Truth.
+As to relative Truth--every individual man's Truth--that is each
+individual man's knowledge of so much of the sum of existences as he
+can make his own, as already pointed out.
+
+One other reflection on this definition. Note the words in it:
+"Knowledge of things * * * as they are to come." This presents a view
+of Truth seldom if ever met with. It gives the idea of movement. Truth
+is not a stagnant pool, but a living fountain; not a Dead Sea without
+tides or currents; on the contrary it is an ocean, immeasurably great,
+vast, co-extensive with the Universe--it is the Universe--
+bright-heaving, boundless, endless and sublime! Moving in majestic
+currents, uplifted by tides in ceaseless ebb and flow; variant but
+orderly; taking on new forms from ever-changing combinations; new
+adjustments; new relations--multiplying itself in ten thousand times
+ten thousand ways; ever reflecting the intelligence of the Infinite;
+and declaring alike in its whispers and in its thunders, the hived
+wisdom of the ages--of God!
+
+
+AS TO THINGS--EXISTENCES: We are next to consider the universe in
+which men, angels, archangels and Gods--Intelligences all--live.
+
+"There are many kingdoms * * * and there is no space in the which
+there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in the which there is no
+space."
+
+This was said by Joseph Smith in 1832. The context of the passage
+makes it clear that "kingdoms" here are not groups of men or nations
+over which a monarch reigns; but substance, matter, worlds and systems
+of worlds, under the dominion of law, and Intelligences. It is the
+doctrine of the eternal and everywhere existence of matter and space.
+It is a description of the universe as far as it is describable. But
+let us think of the passage a moment; for it requires thought to
+rightly apprehend it.
+
+This "space"--what is meant by it? I ask you what is between the two
+walls of this hall, and you would rightly answer space, extension. But
+what is on the outside of each wall--space; neither wall is the end of
+space, then. Let us look higher. What is between us and the sun?
+Space--extension. How much of it? Our astronomers say 92,000,000
+miles. What is on the other side of the sun in a direct line from us?
+Space. How much, 92,000,000 miles? Yes, and if 92,000,000 miles were
+multiplied by 92,000,000 the product would not indicate all the space
+in a direct line from us on the opposite side of the sun. Beyond the
+point so obtained space would still extend. But one wearies of these
+units of measure; take a ray of light. In the single batting of a
+bird's wing light will pass eight times round the earth, that is it
+will pass over a distance of 198,000 miles! There are fixed
+stars--suns--so distant from us, the astronomers say, that it requires
+hundreds of thousands and even millions of years for a ray of light to
+reach us from those distant suns! Take one of those distant suns and
+think upon it in respect of space, just as we did a moment ago in
+regard to what is between our earth and the sun and beyond the sun, in
+a direct line from us, and you get the same results. There is no means
+by which the limitless may be measured. Whatever the length of your
+measuring wand it is still inadequate. By no measurement, by no
+conception, may one reach the "outside curtains" beyond which space
+does not extend. And so as to time, duration. What was before today?
+Yesterday. And what will be after today? Tomorrow. Take a century, or,
+better yet, a millennium, a period of 1,000 years--why not take
+1,000,000 years as a period with which to measure duration? It will
+answer just as well as our "day" of a moment ago. What preceded our
+present period of 1,000,000 years? A previous 1,000,000 of such years.
+And what will follow the present period of 1,000,000 years? Another
+such period. So you may continue, make your period of measurement what
+length of years or centuries or millenniums you please, the result
+will always be the same. It is again the attempt to measure the
+limitless, to encompass that which is infinite. The sum of all our
+thought on this head is well stated by Ernest Haeckel in one of his
+latest works, the very last but one, I believe, the publication of
+which falls within the present decade:
+
+a. "The extent of the universe is infinite and unbounded; it is empty
+in no part, but everywhere filled with substance."
+
+b. "The duration of the world is equally infinite and unbounded; it
+has no beginning and no end; it is eternity."
+
+Such may be said to be the settled and universal conviction of science
+now; but it was far from such conviction in 1832 when Joseph Smith
+said the same in the passage--"There are many kingdoms; * * * and
+there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no
+kingdom in the which there is no space."
+
+
+THE REIGN OF LAW: "There are many kingdoms * * * and to every kingdom
+is given a law; and to every law there are certain bounds also, and
+conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions (i. e., abide
+within the law) are not justified."
+
+This was said in 1832. The passage proclaims the reign of law
+throughout this infinite universe--through all space, through all
+time; in all kingdoms; but implies the possibility of departure from
+law. But "to every law there are certain bounds also and conditions!"
+A bold conception this; especially three-quarters of a century ago;
+yet it is approved by man's experience. The power of ocean currents
+and the winds to carry with them objects in the direction of their
+movement is overcome by another force or law--the power of steam; the
+force of gravitation, by the levitating power of gas; the natural
+tendency of water to seek its level, by the levitating power of heat
+and the absorbing power of the atmosphere, are hurriedly chosen
+examples. But this same idea of law itself having metes and bounds, or
+"law itself being subject to law," Henry Drummond, one of the
+recognized great thinkers of the nineteenth century, more than half a
+century after our Prophet, declared to be "One of the most striking
+generalizations of recent science." And John Fiske said, "In order to
+be always sure that we are generalizing correctly, we must make the
+generalizing process itself a subject of generalization." Which is but
+a recognition of Drummond's idea that "laws have their law;" and
+Joseph Smith's "To every law there are certain bounds also and
+conditions." Already I have noted in the passage the implied
+possibility of the infraction of law; and the idea of law itself
+implies the possibility of disorder, which must result from an
+infraction, that is, a departure from, or violation of, law. But our
+Prophet said: "That which is governed by law is also preserved by law,
+and perfected and sanctified by the same. That which breaketh a law,
+and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and
+willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be
+sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment." From all
+which one is to conclude that evil is subject to law as well as good,
+that is, it cannot remain evil and yet produce the effects of good.
+Our Prophet teaches, then, that through all eternity the infinite
+universe has been, and is, and will be, subject to law; but that "to
+every law there are certain bounds also and conditions."
+
+
+CHANGE AND ITS TENDENCY: As to movement and change in this infinite
+universe, our Prophet represents God as saying:
+
+"Worlds without number have I created. * * * Behold, there are many
+worlds that have passed away by the word of my power, and there are
+many that now stand, and innumerable are they to man. * * * The
+heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; * * *
+and as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so
+shall another come, and there is no end to my works, neither to my
+words."
+
+This passage implies constant movement in this infinite universe. The
+statement, "As one earth shall pass away and the heavens thereof, even
+so shall another come," corresponds somewhat to the modern scientist's
+notion of "evolution and devolution." Also with his statement that
+"Substance is everywhere and always in uninterrupted movement and
+transformation; nowhere is there perfect repose and rigidity; yet the
+infinite quantity of matter and of eternally changing force remains
+constant." And now I must ask you to accept a somewhat hurriedly
+stated conclusion as to the effect of these changes going on in the
+universe, gathered, indeed, from the teaching of our Prophet, but
+without specific quotation, namely, that the tendency of this movement
+in the universe, the organization and then the disintegration of
+worlds and world-systems is in the direction of the development of,
+and for the increase of the power and glory of truly immortal
+Intelligences. This conclusion is required by the philosophy of Joseph
+Smith.
+
+
+THE EXISTENCE OF GOOD AND EVIL: Respecting Good and Evil, our Prophet
+taught: "There must needs be an opposition in all things. If it were
+not so, righteousness could not be brought to pass; nor wickedness,
+nor holiness, nor misery; neither good nor bad, therefore, all things
+must needs be [in the absence of these opposite existences] a compound
+in one."
+
+It will require but little reflection to establish the truth of this
+doctrine. Good implies its opposite, evil. Law, which carries with it
+the idea of order, implies disorder, and takes measures against it. We
+become conscious of the truth of the doctrine here announced at every
+turn. In the astronomic order it is seen in the centripetal and
+centrifugal forces--the holding together and the flying apart forces.
+In chemistry it is manifest in the composing and decomposing forces;
+in positive and negative electricity. It is seen in light and
+darkness; heat, cold; movement, repose; joy, sorrow; pleasure, pain;
+and so following. Our Prophet's teaching on this line runs to the
+extent that existence itself is made to depend upon it, this antinomy
+of things. Listen:
+
+    "And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is
+    no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there
+    is no righteousness. And if there is no righteousness there is no
+    happiness. And if there is no righteousness nor happiness, there
+    is no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not, there is
+    no God. And if there is no God, we are not, neither the earth; for
+    there could have been no creation of things; neither to act, nor
+    to be acted upon."
+
+Have you ever thought what a dreadful world this would be without this
+duality--the opposite existences here contended for? Imagine all
+things in the world to be white! No contrasts in coloring! Universal
+insanity must result. The "dread of sinking into naught" is matched by
+the dread of having things resolved into a "compound of one." The
+absence of this necessary "opposition in all things" is well put, by a
+very recent philosophical writer, in these terms:
+
+    "Evil exists in the balance of natural forces. * * * It is also
+    the background of good, the incentive to good, and the trial of
+    good, without which good could not be. As the virtue of courage
+    could not exist without the evil of danger, and as the virtue of
+    sympathy could not exist without the evil of suffering, so no
+    other virtue could exist without its corresponding evil. In a
+    world without evil--if such a world be really conceivable, all men
+    would have perfect health, perfect intelligence, and perfect
+    morals. No one could gain or impart information, each one's cup of
+    knowledge being full. The temperature would stand forever at 70
+    degrees, both heat and cold [in excess] being evil. There could be
+    no progress, since progress is the overcoming of evil. A world
+    without evil would be as toil without exertion, as light without
+    darkness, as a battle with no antagonist. It would be a world
+    without meaning."
+
+The German philosopher Kant put the same thought in beautiful form
+when he said, in substance: The dove, as she speeds her way through
+the air, may marvel at the resistance to her flight by the atmosphere,
+but we know that but for that resistance she could not fly at all. So
+far Kant. Applied, the conclusion would be: As the resistance of the
+air to the flight of the dove, so is evil to the progress of
+Intelligences.
+
+[In the December number, 1908, of the "Cosmopolitan Magazine," I find
+the following reflections, by Mr. Ambrose Bierce, on the point here
+discussed; and while not accepting, without modification, every
+thought expressed, I consider the passage too pertinent, and too rich
+to be denied admittance into these pages:
+
+"Let us for a moment suppose this country's reformers to have achieved
+their amiable purpose--their purposes, rather, for these are as the
+leaves of the forest, and no two alike. We have, then, a country in
+which are no poverty, no contention, no tyranny nor oppression, no
+peril to life or limb, no disease--and so forth. How delightful! What
+a good and happy people! Alas, no! With poverty have vanished
+benevolence, providence, and the foresight which, born of the fear of
+individual want, stands guard at a thousand gates to defend the
+general good. The charitable impulse is dead in every breast, and
+gratitude, atrophied by disuse, has no longer a place among human
+sentiments and emotions. With no more fighting among ourselves we have
+lost the power of resentment and resistance: a car-load of Mexicans or
+a shipful of Japanese can invade our fool's paradise and enslave us,
+as the Spaniards overran Peru and the British subdued India. (Hailers
+of "the dawn of the new era" will, I trust, provide that it dawns
+everywhere at once or here last of all.) Having no oppression to
+resist and no perils to apprehend, we no longer need the courage to
+defy, nor the fortitude to endure. Heroism is a failing memory and
+magnanimity a dream of the past; for not only are the virtues known by
+contrast with the vices, they spring from the same seed, grow in the
+same soil, ripen in the same sunshine, and perish in the same frost. A
+fine race of mollycoddles we should be without our sins and
+sufferings! In a world without evils there would be one supreme
+evil--existence. We need not fear any such condition. Progress is
+infected with the germs of reversion; on the grave of the civilization
+of today will squat the barbarian of tomorrow, "with a glory in his
+bosom" that will transfigure him the day after. The alternation is one
+that we can neither hasten nor retard, for our success baffles us. If,
+for example, we could abolish war, disease, and famine, the race would
+multiply to the point of "standing room only"--a condition prophesying
+war, disease, and famine. Wherefore the wisest prayer is this, "O
+Lord, make thy servant strong to fight and impotent to prevail."]
+
+"Moral evil," then, is not a created thing. It is one of the eternal
+existences, just as duration is and space. It is as old as law--old as
+Truth, old as this eternal universe. Intelligences must adjust
+themselves to these eternal existences; this, the measure of their
+duty.
+
+
+THE INTELLIGENT ENTITY: Of man's spirit, called often by other
+names--"mind," "intelligence," "ego," "self;" but by whatever name it
+is called, and all nice distinctions set aside, here I mean that
+conscious, self-determining entity, which thinks, reasons, wills,
+loves, aspires--I mean the real man. Let us in our discourse call him
+spirit. Of man, then, thus understood, our Prophet taught:
+
+    "The soul--the mind of man--the immortal spirit--where did it come
+    from? All learned men and doctors of divinity say that God created
+    it in the beginning; but it is not so; the very idea lessens man
+    in my estimation. I do not believe the doctrine. I know better. *
+    * * We say that God himself is a self-existent Being. Who told you
+    so? It is correct enough, but how did it get into your heads? Who
+    told you that man did not exist in like manner, upon the same
+    principles? * * * Is it logical to say that the intelligence of
+    spirits is immortal, and yet that it had a beginning? The
+    intelligence of spirits had no beginning, neither will it have an
+    end. * * * There never was a time when there were not spirits; for
+    they are co-eternal with our Father in heaven. * * * The spirit of
+    man is not a created being; it existed from eternity, and will
+    exist to eternity."
+
+Man, then, in the Prophet's philosophy, is not a created, but a
+self-existent entity, one of the eternal things; not created, really
+uncreatable, as also indestructible. Not of earth origin, but existing
+in heavens without number, brother to all Intelligences--brother to
+the Christ with the rest. "I was in the beginning with the Father,"
+our Prophet represents the Christ as saying--"I was in the beginning
+with the Father. * * * Ye [the brethren present when the revelation
+was given] were also in the beginning with the Father, that which is
+spirit. * * * Man [the race] was also in the beginning with God.
+Intelligence was not created or made, neither indeed can be."
+
+But while these spirits or intelligent entities may be equal as to
+their eternity, they differ in the degree of intelligence--so our
+Prophet teaches: Where two things exist, one higher than another,
+there may be another thing higher yet. Where two things exist, one
+superior to another, there may be another still superior, and so on.
+So where two spirits exist, one being more intelligent than the other,
+there may be another more intelligent than the first. Yet,
+notwithstanding this difference in degree of intelligence, they are
+equal as to their eternity. "They existed before," said our Prophet,
+"they shall have no end; they shall exist after, for they are
+_gnolaum_, or eternal." It is this difference in Intelligences that
+leads to order in this universe of ours. The more advanced
+Intelligences governing, controlling, devising, organizing, forming
+societies, making governments--all which shall tend to increase the
+glory and power and joy of Intelligences; to this end bringing into
+existence what we call worlds, world-systems, guiding them through
+immense cycles of time, and through processes that lead from chaos to
+cosmos, from telestial to celestial, and when attaining a point beyond
+which they may not be exalted in their present forms, breaking those
+forms, disintegrating them, throwing them back--these baser material
+things, not Intelligences--back to chaos, to be brought forth again to
+reach a grander cosmos--worlds without number have thus passed away,
+by the word of God's power, and many now stand, innumerable unto man;
+and as one earth and its heavens shall pass away, so shall another
+come, and there is no end to these works, this evolution and this
+devolution. And so the eternal drama proceeds. Intelligences meanwhile
+standing unhurt amidst this organization and disorganization of
+worlds; these integrating and disintegrating elements, this movement
+from lower to higher forms, from little to greater excellences; yet
+this without attaining to "highest" or "perfect," because advancing in
+the infinite, which knows no ultimates. Meanwhile Intelligences, amid
+these changes, under the law of eternal progress, are ever-increasing
+in power, glory, might, dominion, love, benevolence, charity, justice,
+and all else that can make for the increase of their power and glory.
+In which strivings and achievements eternal evil is present; makes
+necessary and possible, in fact, the very strivings and achievements;
+and is the "foil on which good produces itself, and becomes known."
+
+
+THE RELATIONSHIP OF INTELLIGENCES: It is seen that our Prophet taught
+the eternity of Intelligences; and that they are not only not created,
+but uncreatable; that though they differ in degree of intelligence, of
+knowledge, of love, hence differ also in power, in influence, in
+glory--in all that comes from soul power. The presiding Intelligence
+to that order of things and beings to which we belong, is represented
+as standing among the Intelligences destined to our earth, "and among
+these there were many of the noble and great ones." And the Presiding
+Intelligence said: "These I will make my Rulers; for He stood among
+those that were spirits, and He saw that they were good." "The noble
+and great ones" are made Rulers; and doubtless the principle here
+operating in respect of those Intelligences destined to our earth,
+operates in all worlds and world systems. Some of the "Noble and Great
+Ones" stand at the head of worlds and groups of worlds, forming Grand
+Presidencies, in order and gradation based upon their power and
+appointment. All which is dependent upon their intelligence, their
+character, their nobility and greatness--measured by their capacity to
+serve. Each one of such "Rulers"--and each Intelligence, in
+fact--independent in the sphere in which he is appointed to act, yet
+acting in harmony, through attainment of the knowledge of Truth, with
+all other exalted and sanctified souls--these are Gods, or the Rulers
+in this Universe. These make up David's "congregation of the Mighty,"
+in which God, "More intelligent than them all," standeth and judgeth
+"among the Gods." (Psalms 82: 1.) And to these, in their several
+stations, other Intelligences owe loyalty, submission--call it worship
+if you like; at any rate it must be unshaken loyalty, in order to
+attain the ends proposed in all "plans of salvation," "gospels,"
+"societies," "kingdoms of God," and the like, in which "plans,"
+"gospels" and the rest, each spirit agreed and covenanted to accept,
+as also to obey and honor those appointed to direct and bring to pass
+that which was ordained in the councils of Divine Intelligences. "At
+the first organization in heaven," said the Prophet, speaking with
+reference to matters pertaining to our earth, and the probation of
+spirits upon it in earth-life--"at the first organization in heaven we
+were all present, and saw the Savior chosen and appointed, and the
+plan of salvation made, and we sanctioned it." This the meaning of
+"man [the race] was also in the beginning with God." And as to the
+"Rulers," "Presidencies"--they are not "Rulers" in the worldly sense
+of those words. "Government" here, "office" in the "kingdom of God,"
+means opportunity for service, not of mastery. "Ye know that the
+princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are
+great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you.
+But whosoever would be great among you, let him be your minister; and
+whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as
+the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to
+give His life a ransom for many." So Joseph Smith: "The powers of
+heaven can only be controlled upon the principles of righteousness.
+When men undertake to cover their sins or to gratify their pride or
+vain ambition or exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the
+souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness, the
+heavens withdraw themselves, the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and
+when it is withdrawn, amen to the authority of that man. No power or
+influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood,
+only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness,
+and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall
+greatly enlarge the soul, without hypocrisy, and without guile."
+
+This, the principle of heavenly rule.
+
+
+MAN'S FREEDOM: Through all that is here set forth as Joseph Smith's
+doctrines, it will be seen that the free moral agency of man is
+regarded as a reality. First, the recognition of man, as a spirit,
+being a self-existent entity--not a created thing; "man [i.e., all
+men, the race] was in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the
+light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be." Then
+second, "All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has
+placed it, to act for itself, as all Intelligence also, otherwise
+there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is
+the condemnation of man, because that which was from the beginning is
+plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every
+man, whose spirit receiveth not the light, is under condemnation, for
+man is spirit."
+
+The fact of free moral agency runs through all the Prophet's
+revelations in similar spirit. Indeed, in one scripture he represents
+the chief sin of Lucifer as being an attempt to "destroy the agency of
+man;" and for which he was driven forth from heaven. The effect of
+these two doctrines, the recognition of the spirit of man as an
+eternal being, and his being a free moral agent, is tremendous in
+accounting for things. Elsewhere, contrasting this view of things with
+some modern Christian views, I have said: "As matters now stand, the
+usually accepted Christian doctrine on the matter of man's origin is
+that God of His free-will created men. That they are as He would have
+them, since in His act of creation He could have had them different if
+He had so minded. Then why should He--being infinitely wise and
+infinitely powerful, and infinitely good--for so the creeds represent
+Him--why should He create by mere act of volition, beings such as men
+are, not only capable of, but prone to, moral Evil? Which, in the last
+analysis of things, in spite of all special pleadings to the contrary,
+leaves responsibility for moral Evil with God? God's creative acts
+culminating thus, the next pertinent questions are: Then what of the
+decreed purpose of God to punish moral Evil? And what of the
+much-vaunted justice of God in that punishment? Wherein lies the just
+responsibility of man if he was so created as to love Evil and to
+follow it?" It is revolting to reason, as it is shocking to piety, to
+think that God, of His own free will, created some men, not only
+inclined to wickedness, but desperately so inclined; while others He,
+of His own volition, created with dispositions naturally inclined
+toward goodness. In like manner stands it with man in relation to his
+inclination to faith, and to unbelief; and yet, under the orthodox
+belief all are included under one law for judgment!
+
+On the other hand, under the conception of the existence of
+independent, uncreated, self-existent Intelligences, who by the
+inherent nature of them are of various degrees of intelligence,
+doubtless differing from each other in many ways, yet alike in their
+eternity and their freedom; with God standing in the midst of them,
+"more intelligent than them all," and proposing the betterment of
+their condition--progress to higher levels of being, and power through
+change--under this conception of things, how stand matters? Why, ever
+present through all changes, through all the processes of betterment,
+is the self-existent entity of the "Intelligence" with the tremendous
+fact of his consciousness and his moral freedom, and his
+indestructibility--he has his choice of moving upward or downward in
+every estate he occupies; often defeating, for a time, at least, even
+the benevolent purposes of God respecting him, through his own
+perverseness; he passes through dire experiences, suffers terribly,
+yet learns by what he suffers, so that his very suffering becomes a
+means to his improvement; he learns swiftly or slowly, according to
+the inherent nature of him, obedience to law; he learns that "that
+which is governed by law is also preserved by law, and perfected and
+sanctified by the same; and that which breaketh the law and abideth
+not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to
+abide in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice
+nor judgment. Therefore they must remain filthy still." This
+conception of things relieves God of the responsibility for the nature
+and status of intelligences in all stages of their development; their
+inherent nature and their volition makes them primarily what they are,
+and this nature they may change, slowly, perhaps, yet change it they
+may. God has put them in the way of changing it, by enlarging their
+intelligence through change of environment, through experiences; the
+only way God effects these self-existent beings is favorably; He
+creates not their inherent nature; He is not responsible for the use
+they make of their freedom; nor is He the author of their sufferings
+when they fall into sin: that arises out of the violations of law, to
+which the "Intelligence" subscribed, and must be endured until the
+lessons of obedience to law are learned.
+
+This conception of the order of things, as to the existence of
+"Intelligences" and in the moral government of the world, discovers a
+harmony in that government which at once challenges our admiration,
+and bears evidence of its truth.
+
+
+ETERNITY OF RELATIONSHIPS: Matching these eternal things, an eternal
+universe, eternal spirit entities, eternal good, with its background
+of eternal evil,--eternal law, agency and the like, is the Prophet's
+doctrine of eternal relations. Intelligences are begotten spirits;
+spirits are begotten men and women; these become resurrected and
+exalted personages, spirit and element in them being eternally united,
+whence proceeds the fulness of joy, and glory, and power. The Prophet
+taught that these relations, under which such begettings proceed in
+celestial worlds, are themselves eternal. The marriage covenant which
+united immortal beings is eternal, hence the eternity of the marriage
+covenant which Joseph Smith introduced in our dispensation, called the
+"New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage," by which marriages, under
+the law of God, are made in our sacred places for time and eternity.
+Thus the relationships of exalted Intelligences is also a thing
+regulated and sanctified by law; and from these relations come the
+family, a permanent, eternal institution; whence spring, also, all
+other relationships existing among the exalted Intelligences of all
+worlds and world-systems; until, indeed, all are bound and united
+together in bonds of relationships founded on mutual covenants and
+agreements, and sanctified by love and sympathy.
+
+We may not persue this division of our subject further now. I merely
+call your attention to these doctrines of the Prophet, without making
+any attempt to weave them into a system of philosophy of things, or of
+sentient existences; but I am persuaded that these doctrines set forth
+by the Prophet-Teacher of our dispensation, not indeed as the result
+of his own, human meditation, but based upon knowledge which God
+revealed to him--therefore, coming with divine sanction--I am
+persuaded, I say, that these doctrines contain the elements of a
+physical, moral and spiritual philosophy that will be the accepted
+philosophy of the New Age now dawning upon our world; a philosophy
+that will supersede all other philosophies and remain steadfast in
+both the beliefs and affections of mankind. The elements, I say, are
+here in these doctrines; they await only some future Spencer to weave
+them into synthetic completeness, that shall be as beautiful as it
+will be true, to make that philosophy acceptable to the higher
+intellects of our age.
+
+
+
+
+VII.
+
+THE PROPHET'S GENERALIZATIONS.
+
+
+A word in relation to the manner of the Prophet's teaching. It was
+unique in its way. He may scarcely be said to have made any attempt at
+creating a system of philosophy however much may be said for his
+system of religion and of ecclesiastical government. His philosophical
+principles were flung off in utterances without reference to any
+arrangement or orderly sequence; and in the main were taught in
+independent aphorisms, which is a remarkably effective way of
+teaching, for an aphorism resembles the proverb, and is a form in
+which Truth is bound to live. It is the American philosopher Emerson,
+I think, who describes a proverb to be the language of absolute
+Truth--the statement of Truth without qualification. It is the
+literature of power. Fortunate, indeed, is the man who gives a people
+or nation a proverb; and so, too, is the nation or people fortunate
+who receive it. Like mercy, it is twice blessed, it blesseth him that
+gives and him that takes. Usually proverbs are produced by a race's
+experience. Proverbs come up out of the tribulations of a people. They
+are produced slowly and represent the hived wisdom of the ages. Books
+of proverbs are not written by men, to whom they are sometimes
+ascribed, they represent a collection slowly produced through
+centuries. Such are the proverbs of our Bible; proverbs of the Chinese
+classics; and the proverbs of the Hindoo literature. Joseph Smith gave
+to his age many of these generalized truths, more, I think, than has
+fallen to the lot of any other teacher, save Jesus, the Christ. I can
+but repeat a few of these as examples:
+
+    "The glory of God is intelligence."
+
+    "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."
+
+    "A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge."
+
+    "Knowledge saves a man, and in the world of spirits no man can be
+    exalted but by knowledge."
+
+    "Whatsoever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life
+    will rise with us in the resurrection."
+
+    "If one man, by his diligence, obtains more knowledge than
+    another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."
+
+    "There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the
+    foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are
+    predicated; and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by
+    obedience to that law on which it is predicated."
+
+    "Adam fell that man might be, and men are that they might have
+    joy."
+
+    "This is the glory of God--to bring to pass the immortality and
+    the eternal life of man."
+
+    "The elements are eternal, yea, the elements are the tabernacle of
+    God. Man is the tabernacle of God, even temples."
+
+    "The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably
+    united, receive a fulness of joy  [Hence the importance of man's
+    earth life in which spirit is united to earthly elements.]
+
+    "If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not
+    comprehend themselves."
+
+    "God Himself was once as we are now; and is an exalted Man; for
+    Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God."
+
+    "The spirit of man is not a created being; it existed from
+    eternity, and will exist to eternity. Anything created cannot be
+    eternal."
+
+    "The spirit and the body is the soul of man; and the resurrection
+    from the dead is the redemption of the soul."
+
+    "It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty
+    the character of God, and to know that we may converse with Him as
+    one man converses with another."
+
+    "Jesus was in the beginning with the Father. * * * Man was also in
+    the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was
+    not created or made, neither indeed can be."
+
+    "Jesus treads in the footsteps of His Father, and inherits what
+    God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the
+    salvation and exaltation of all His children."
+
+    "The things of God are of deep import; and time and experience and
+    careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out.
+    Thy mind, O man, if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must
+    stretch as high as the utmost heavens and search into and
+    contemplate the darkest abyss and the broad expanse of
+    eternity--_thou must commune with God_!"
+
+The Prophet represents God as saying: "I give unto men weaknesses that
+they might be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all those who
+humble themselves before me."
+
+To one who inquired how he governed men so well, he said: "I do not
+govern them: I teach men correct principles, and they govern
+themselves."
+
+These sayings, with many others of like character, in the future
+literature of America, philosophical and religious, will make its
+pages blaze with glory. They are destined to become generally accepted
+principles of truth. They will become household aphorisms. They are
+words spoken by inspiration of God. They come from what Carlyle calls,
+"the inner Fact of things." They will live to influence the future
+generations of America, and of men everywhere.
+
+
+
+
+VIII.
+
+AN AMERICAN PROPHET.
+
+
+AMERICA THE "OLD WORLD:" There is one more thought I would like to
+present to you respecting this Prophet, Joseph Smith. He is
+pre-eminently the American Prophet. He is not the "boy prophet;" I
+dislike that term. He is not the "Prophet of Palmyra;" he is the
+Prophet of the dispensation of the fulness of times; if localized at
+all he must be known as the "American Prophet."
+
+Never was greater mistake made than to suppose that the disciples of
+Joseph Smith could be unpatriotic Americans. They must be ardently
+patriotic Americans. That this is true, let me a little show it. A
+line in one of our hymns runs:
+
+    "For in Adam-ondi-Ahman,
+    Zion rose where Eden was."
+
+What is the meaning of this? It means that the Prophet taught that the
+American continents are not the New World, but the Old; Teacher that
+Eden was here in America. Adam-ondi-Ahman, the place where Adam dwelt
+after being driven from Eden, the Prophet declared to be in Missouri,
+in the valley of the Grand River. He represents a gathering together
+there of the patriarchs of the antediluvian age: and tells how they
+blessed Adam, or "Michael," the "Ancient of Days;" and Adam rose among
+them and blessed the patriarchs, his posterity, and told what should
+befall them to their latest generations.
+
+Among the Patriarchs Enoch was pre-eminent for righteousness. He, in
+this western hemisphere, founded a city, sanctified it, and called it
+"Zion," the abode of the pure in heart; "for this is Zion"--wherein
+that word relates to a people--"the pure in heart." Hence "Zion rose
+where Eden was," here in America. But in the course of time "Enoch
+walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." That is, according
+to Paul, God translated him, that he should not see death (Gen. v;
+Heb. xi); and according to Joseph Smith, this happened to his city
+also; hence the saying, "Zion's fled."
+
+Then after the Flood, the Lord led to these Western continents the
+Jaredite colony from the Euphrates valley; and sixteen centuries later
+the Nephite colony from Jerusalem. In each case the Lord declared to
+the peoples so led to the Western world that it was "a choice land
+above all other lands." The Savior, in the most glorious manner, after
+His resurrection from the dead, visited these blessed Western
+Continents and declared that here should be built a Holy City by the
+united efforts of the house of Israel, chiefly the descendants of the
+Patriarch Joseph, of Egyptian fame, and the Gentile races who have
+right to an inheritance in the land; and the City should be called
+"Zion," a "New Jerusalem." The "Zion" from which "the law should go
+forth," as the word of the Lord should go forth from Old Jerusalem.
+Because of the future establishment of this city, of Zion, upon these
+western continents, as also on account of Enoch's Zion, they are
+called the "Land of Zion."
+
+
+THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES INSPIRED OF GOD: Joseph Smith
+also taught that the Constitution of the United States was a
+God-inspired instrument. "It is not right," he represents the Lord as
+saying, "that one man should be in bondage to another;" and hence the
+Constitution should be maintained for the preservation of the rights,
+and the protection of all flesh, "according to just and holy
+principles, that every man may act in doctrine and principle,
+pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I [the
+Lord] have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his
+own sins in the day of judgment. And for this purpose have I
+established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men
+whom I raised up unto this very purpose."
+
+So Joseph Smith's disciples hold the Constitution of the United States
+to be inspired of God. I think sometimes, however, that we do not
+realize all that this truth means. We are apt to think of things in
+mass, and do not take the time to analyze them. What does it mean to
+say that the Constitution of the United States is an inspired
+instrument? Undoubtedly, it means primarily that God recognizes the
+right of the people, in their political capacity, to govern
+themselves. It expresses the divine belief, so to speak, in the
+capacity of man for self-government. It means that the people in their
+political affairs are sovereign; for this is the chief thing which
+distinguishes the American government from other political systems of
+government. We are not always happy in our forms of expression. We do
+not make our terminology always meet our ideas. In spite of the fact
+just alluded to--viz., the people are sovereign, we talk of, and pray
+for, "those who rule over us," meaning presidents, cabinets, senators,
+governors, and the like; but these are not "rulers," they are the
+people's servants, elected for a limited time to administer government
+according to law, under the provisions of our Constitution; but they
+serve, they do not rule. The people are sovereign, and the people
+alone are rulers, and they appoint or elect their servants. Moreover,
+this Constitution provides for the freedom of the press; for freedom
+of speech; for freedom and independence of the individual. It
+guarantees religious liberty, hence a free church, as well as a free
+state, each independent of and separate from the other. The government
+is an indestructible Union, composed of indestructible States. To hold
+that the Constitution which provides for these things, is inspired of
+God, is to hold that each of these separate things, as well as the
+thing in mass, is ordained of God by the hands of wise men whom He
+raised up to establish this system of government; and to deny to the
+people the enjoyment of these several rights, to undertake, by any
+means whatsoever, to thwart the realization of government by the
+people, to attempt to defeat the expression of their will, or make it
+result different from what their untrammeled judgment would have it,
+is to make an infraction upon the things that have been ordained of
+God.
+
+In the above quotation concerning the system of Government established
+by the Constitution of the United States being inspired of God, we may
+discern the purpose of God in the establishment of such a government.
+That purpose is that every man may become directly and personally
+responsible to God for his actions in matters relating to civil
+government--"that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the
+day of judgment." The principle is, however, more fully developed in
+the Book of Mormon than in the quotation here considered. The
+incident which develops the principle occurs in the reign of the first
+Mosiah, and at a period that corresponds with the latter half of the
+second century B.C. The old king proposed to his people a revolution
+in the form of government by which monarchy should be abandoned and a
+republican form of government established in its place. In urging this
+revolutionary measure the good king said:
+
+    "It is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything
+    contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser
+    part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore
+    this shall ye observe, and make it your law, to do your business
+    by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice
+    of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the
+    judgments of God will come upon you, yea, then is the time He will
+    visit you with great destruction, even as He has hitherto visited
+    this land. * * * And I command you to do these things in the fear
+    of the Lord; and I command you to do these things, and that ye
+    have no king; that if these people commit sins and iniquities,
+    they shall be answered upon their own heads. For behold, I say
+    unto you, the sins of many people have been caused by the
+    iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered
+    upon the heads of their kings. And now I desire that this
+    inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this
+    my people; but I desire that this be a land of liberty, that every
+    man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord
+    sees fit that we may live and inherit the land; yea, even as long
+    as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land."
+
+But in order that this element of moral responsibility may be brought
+into civil government, it stands to reason that every individual must
+be free and untrammeled in the exercise of his political duties,
+including the casting of his vote. Each individual must have an equal
+voice in the government. Every man must be a sovereign in the civil
+institution, and his vote must represent the voice and judgment of a
+free man. A vote unawed by influence, and uncoerced by any power
+whatsoever. Less than this would convert the whole scheme of
+government by the voice of the people into mockery. Under a system of
+government by the people, in order to retain the element of moral
+responsibility of the people in civil affairs, there must be no appeal
+but to the intelligent judgment of the individual. Each man's act must
+be the act of a free man; and those who would corrupt the electorate
+of a government where the people rule, or sway it by any other force
+than by an appeal to reason, would destroy this element of personal,
+moral responsibility in civil government, and in the case of those of
+us who accept this book from which I am quoting--if we would appeal to
+any other force than to that of reason or resort to any species of
+coercion, _we would be setting ourselves against an order of things
+that God has ordained_.
+
+Adherence to these principles is pure Americanism. This is
+constitutional morality. This is both the principle and the policy
+that will most inure to the perpetuation of our free institutions.
+This is the sheet-anchor of our safety as a nation--our surest
+guarantee of God's favor. The man who promulgated this doctrine of
+individual, personal responsibility to God in the affairs of civil
+government, where the people rule, is worthy to be numbered among the
+greatest of American statesmen, American teachers, American prophets!
+
+It means a great deal, this idea that the Constitution of the United
+States is inspired of God!
+
+
+AMERICA FORTIFIED OF GOD AGAINST OTHER NATIONS: Not only did the
+Prophet teach the doctrine that the United States Constitution was
+inspired of God, but he tells us through the Book of Mormon that God
+has fortified this land against all other nations. I will read you the
+passage. The Lord said to Lehi:
+
+    "Behold, this land shall be the land of thine inheritance, and the
+    Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. This land shall be a land
+    of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the
+    land who shall raise up unto the Gentiles. And I will fortify this
+    land against all other nations, and he that fighteth against Zion
+    [these continents of the western world] shall perish, saith God;
+    for he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the
+    Lord, the King of Heaven, will be their King, and I will be a
+    light unto them forever that hear my words."
+
+This guarantee, however, this fortifying this land against all other
+nations, is upon a certain condition: the condition that the "God of
+the land, who is Jesus Christ," shall be honored by them. On this head
+I want to read to you a passage from a certain American statesman,
+that I can easily believe was one of the God-inspired men appointed to
+assist in the maintenance of true constitutional principles, as others
+were inspired to found the Constitution. I refer to the great
+statesman of nationalism, Daniel Webster, who, before the New York
+Historical society, in 1852, in his last public address, said:
+
+    "Unborn ages and visions of glory crowd upon my soul, the
+    realization of all which, however, is in the hands and good
+    pleasure of Almighty God; but, under His divine blessing, it will
+    be dependent on the character and the virtues of ourselves, and of
+    our posterity. If classical history has been found to be, is now,
+    and shall continue to be, the concomitant of free institutions,
+    and of popular eloquence, what a field is opening to us for
+    another Herodotus, another Thucydides, and another Livy!
+
+    "And let me say, gentlemen, that if we and our posterity shall be
+    true to the Christian religion--if we and they shall live always
+    in the fear of God, and shall respect His commandments--if we and
+    they shall maintain just, moral sentiments, and such conscientious
+    convictions of duty as shall control the heart and life--we may
+    have the highest hopes of the future fortunes of our country, and
+    if we maintain those institutions of government and that political
+    union, exceeding all praise as much as it exceeds all former
+    examples of political associations, we may be sure of one
+    thing--that, while our country furnishes materials for a thousand
+    masters of the historic art, it will afford no topic for a Gibbon.
+    It will have no decline and fall. It will go on prospering and to
+    prosper.
+
+    "But if we and our posterity reject religious instruction and
+    authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the
+    injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political
+    Constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a
+    catastrophe may overwhelm us, that shall bury all our glory in
+    profound obscurity. Should that catastrophe happen, let it have no
+    history! Let the horrible narrative never be written! Let its fate
+    be like that of the lost books of Livy, which no human eye shall
+    ever read; or the missing Pleiad, of which no man can ever know
+    more, than that it is lost, and lost forever!"
+
+Such were the sentiments of this patriotic statesman; but the
+beautiful and flowing periods in which he expresses his thought, are
+in no respects better or stronger, or more patriotic than the rugged
+utterances of Joseph Smith, in whose utterances throughout our sacred
+books, there is a wealth of pure American sentiment that is the basis
+of a patriotism that shall yet exceed all praise.
+
+In view of all that is here set forth, I submit that Joseph Smith was
+pre-eminently the American Prophet.
+
+Standing in the midst of these ideas to which we have ascended in
+thought about this man and his life's work, all which tend to
+establish his claims as a Prophet--"a Teacher sent of God"--how
+unworthy indeed seem the attempts of men to stay his work, or defame
+his character by their silly misrepresentations! We hear a babel of
+confused voices coming up from the past, "pelting his memory with
+their unsavory epithets," but all is vain; he may not be disposed of
+in such manner.
+
+Meanwhile, the truths he taught will live to instruct mankind, and of
+Joseph Smith it will yet be said--as Josiah Quincy half predicted
+sixty-three years ago--He influenced his countrymen more than any
+other historical American of his time.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Joseph Smith the Prophet-Teacher, by B. H. Roberts
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