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Show PROGRESS. The Narrow Ideas of Some Men Persecution Education in Utah. EDITOR LEADER:--There are certain individuals who try to crush an opposite party by slander, by circulating falsehoods, and by persecution. It is not a new thing to the people called Mormons to have those kind of weapons used against them. From the days of Joseph Smith until the present time such has been the case. It is the strong argument that error uses against truth. It seems to have been the case in all ages of the world when new principles of truth were advanced. Columbus, Luther, John Wesley, and others have experienced it. And even Jesus and His disciples were beset by that class. It doubtless arises from false education, from tradition and from that weakness of mind that leads persons to think that they must aid their faction without any regard to truth. Is this not the case to-day [today] in American politics? If we consider the leading men of a nation to be the public teachers of that nation, we can account for the spirit of a great number of the people in that respect. In order for a republic to prosper, the officers of it should be men of truth, wisdom and honor men who seek the interest of the whole people; and the people so educated in the laws of ? and love of country that only such men could be elected. We become habituated to things and as is said sometimes, My father was a Methodist and died one, and I am going to be one too. This is not the true spirit of progress. Our minds need to be open to truth at all times. Truth will stand investigation and come out untarnished. Error on the other hand will flee the contest. There are individuals however with whom it is a waste of time to argue. All the answer you get to your statements is above a testimony to you that you espouse the right. Reason would dictate a spirit of inquiry to the searcher of truth. And herein lies the superiority of the Latter-day Saints, although called ignorant and deluded by the world. Does it not show a better understanding when a person has his mind so disciplined that he can receive truth when he hears it? Book learning is not the best education. What profit is it in a man to be well read if he has not the stamina to receive truth and practice it in opposition to the traditions and persecutions of the world. When he cannot do this it shows a weakness of mind. Showing a wisdom that cannot be equated, the people called Mormons have left their homes in the land of the fathers, endured hardships, contumely, and persecution for the sake of true principles. And further more [furthermore] why should those individuals above referred to, boast of an education when it is used to slander and vilify the character of honorable men. Is this praiseworthy education that leads and encourages such things? These thoughts occur from having read an article in a certain Christian paper, so-called, in which the educational advantages of Utah and the circulation of reading matter doubtless thinking of that of their own paper were lamented. When the facts are, Utah stands well in educational ? considering her development. Besides there are organizations, Quorums, M. L.? associations, &c. important educational factors found among no other social circles from which she had people. We have reason to be proud of the Juvenile Instructor and Contributor as well as other publications of our people. Logan, Jan. 12, 1880. |