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Show a - 2 0 . , A, ,,, ,, AtheLsts nkty Has frequently- Revealed Himself To Men On Earth - r BY GEORGE F. SHELLEY de. (Following it the text of an add.-eAlof F. Elder Shelley George by livered, in KOVO Station Radio over Stake nr pine Provo, Sunday, July 14, 1940J Radio Audiente: FRIENDS of the It is my privilege ta address you this afternoon on a subject' that may seem rather remarkable for its brevity, and at first sight may appear to have little meaning, but after careful thought you will likely agree with me that like the tiny bud that has within It the potential power of producing a lovely rose, so my ,subject "God Is" is worthy of development and is really& theme :of Much importance and ' - ' b,auty. There-appear- s to be an inborn k breast of all races of people out some object for reverence and worship.- - It may be an image of wood of gold or of silver, a livor ing animal, the sun, or the rather mysterious God of some Christian representative of a superior intelligence or power beyond the realm of man. At the beginning of the nineteenth century the existence of such a supreme being or power that ruled the universe was generally accepted by the Christian world. In fact the inhabitants of the earth whether Christian, Mohammedan, Buddist or pagan recognized some sort of God or supreme controlling power, yet if any one of these many people had been asked to explain the kind of being or thing he really believe in, the answer doubtless would'have been very vague uncertain. In fact the learned theologians of the world in their great councils appear to have been as much at sea in their interpretation of God as were those less informed. The conception of God as set forth In the Creed announced by the Counto-see- , - cil of Nice A. D. 325 declared, afnong other things, God to be an incompre' hensible being, and in the prayer book of the Church of England God is interpreted as a being without body parts and passions. , Would it be possible for a person of Ordinary intelligence to know such a God? It occurs to the speaker that , it would be Impossible to have a rational belief in a Supreme Being that is incomprehensible. Modem Christians might well have erected a monument as did the ancient Greeks "to the Unknown God." , It is undoubtedly true that we have not a knowledge of God in its fullness, our for as we become more God-likknowledge of Him increases together with our testimony of His existence.- Is there reason for the uncertaine , ty that existed in the minds of people relative to God at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century? GOD REVEALED HIMSELF In ancient times, the Eternal Father, revealed Himself unto Adam. and again in the days of Abraham, of Jaeob and of Maces. In the meridian of time He sent His only begotten Son, In the 'exact image of' His person to live among the people that they might know Him. Some of them recognized Christ as the Son of God witle many others regarded Him as an imposter. After -- Ills crucifixion He remained with them for a period of forty days and then ascended into Heaven, and made the promise that He would return in like manner as He ascended. After the time Of the Savior, however, for & period of about eighteen bundredyears, the Heavens .:.nd been elosed,,Ahe Lord had not spoken. There Was a current belief among . ., n, their-41vatio- in. he stinct or deFire within the human . Christians that there was need of no further revelationsthat, the Bible' was wholly sufficient, and this notwithstanding the many difference that had arisen in the minds of men belonging to various religious organizations as to God's being and His character and attributes. Interpretations of the scriptures varied to conform with the ideas of men, and there must have been grave doubts in the minds of some as to. the existence of a God who had been,absent so long.. So great"was the confusion and unCertainty that God, by reason of His love for Ifis children and his desire saw fit to reveal for Himself anew in this dispensation to the boy prophet Joseph Smith, that mankind might have a positive knowledge of His existence and personality, and also might be informed as to His will concerning them. Let me repeat Joseph Smith's own testimony'. After telling of the reading-o- f the passage from James proffering God's help to any one lacking wisdom and of his repairing to the woods-tpray; and of the manifestation of the power of the evil one that seemed about to accomplish his destruction, rays: , , than one occasion solicited God's help that may be victoriouS, and the speaker personally beard the King of England implore the help of the Almighty that his country's.oenemies mightbe subdued. Doubtless the clergy of both countries have sent up fervent petitions to, the Lord that He their respective countries With His help. Whose petition shall He listen to and grant?' Is it not possible that God is standterrible ing by and permitting the-world happeningsthe fruits of disobedience to HIS laws? If the nationi of the earth had adhered to the teach-- ings of the Master, their differences would have been settled over the council table without resorting to war and the terrible destruction and suffering that follow in its train. Is it not possible also that God is using the great nation of Central Europe as a lash to whip the nations of the earth into humility that they might remember Him and yield obedience to His laws?' Sin anddisobedience always bring their consequences turmoil ' and siiffering. Unfortunately, ofttimes the, 'righteous are made to Suffer with the unrighteous, for by reason of contaat Nith people I am fully Convinced that there- are people in all na- honet, love who peace and hate tionspeople e - Refuted By Radio Speaker would-favo- r se . - ........ at this moment . of great 4.:Tivst ala saw a pillar of light exactly over my head above the brightness war. of the sun, which descended gradualSaints we believe As Latter-daly until ,it fell upon me. It no sooner God has within His power to shape appeared that I found myself deliver- - the destinies of nationsthat He is ed from the enemy which held me omniscientknowing all things, ombound. When the light rested upon and omnipresent, not in pernipotent me I saw two personages, whose son, however, as some Christian peobrightness and glory defy all descrip- ple appear to believe, but through the tion, standing above me in the air. medium of His holy spirit which perOne of them snake unto me, calling meates all space, and which we may me by name. rmd said pointing to the become of by obedience to other "This is toy beloved sonhear Ilislaws.partakers Him." The atheist says there is no God, After-thboy got in possession of the agnostic doubts His existence behimself and was able, to speak he made cause of his inability to demonstrate known the object of his calling upon it by scientific methods, but the Lord and was directed that he the true t accepts the should join 'none of the existing testimony of Joseph Smith, and tbe creeds, as they were an abomination prophets Of old and has an abiding in the Lord's sight, having departed faith that there is a God in Heaven from the doctrines of Christ, and were whohears--an- d answers prayers, and teaching for doctrine , the commandments of men. This wonderful vision was most soul satisfying to the 'believer tor it Continued From Page One set at rest many doubts and false of getting out wood poles' and purpose ideas respecting the Godhead. It witnessed first, that God really does exist all the men turned out for weeks on these public works, donating their la. and is a personal being. bor." Secondly, that His Son, Jesus That was the Church Welfare ProChrist, is also a personal being separate and distinct in personality from gram at Spanish Fork it the fall and that of the Father; that after His crie. inter of 1856. With a.complete crop cifixion 'He was resurrected and took failure in 1855 and with conditions alHis place at the right hand of God, most as bad in the summer of 1856, who placed the destiny of this world these men all banded together that fall and winter to build for the future. in Mis hands. had been trained in adversity. JesGod and His that They Son, Thirdly, us Christ, are interested in the well- Lack of food and clothing was a little being and salvation of the people thing compared to what they had previously endured. dwelling upon the earth. In these days of stress and uncerSUFFERINGS ENDURED-There- . a Was a handcart disaster in tainty what happy thought it is to a believer in the testimony of Joseph 1856. The settlement of Spanish Fork, Smith that the existence of God and, although nearly destitufè of food and His Son, Jesus Christ has k)een clearclothing, sent mit its quota of brave ly made knownand that they, are pen men and ,tearrisl, to rescue the poor sonal beings, in the image of whom immigrants who,were perishing in the man was created, and best of all that snow. they are interested in God's children The good people at Spanish Fork here on earth. ,.took their share of the ,unfortunate . But I hear me- onesay, if there handcart victims into their homes is a God, why s he not take a hand until dugouts could be built for them. in settling thii difficulties existing in Whatever food and clothing they had the world todaythe wars, the contenavailable was shared willingly id ortions, the destruction of lives and der to survive the hard winter. If property, and the suffering resulting God-fearin- y . -- e . Latter-day-Sain- . 11 - t whose glory is the salvation of His children here upon the eakh. Verily, "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost." The orderly working of the great planetary systems, nature as we see around, tIN every daythe .grass, the flowers, the trees with .their various phenomena, bespeak the .existence of a great creative and controlling power. Nature has been declared by some to be God. Himself.'- The handiwork is not the worker, as well might the watch be said to be the watchmaker, t as to the works of God are the Creator Himself. Christ' has told us "to know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent is life- eternalGod's greatest gift to man and a gift 'assuredly worth acquiring. To those who knew not God, the question may well be asked "How cam we know Him?" He has given the formula and directed the way. It Is not confined to the favored few, but is open i alike to the rich and to the poor, the learned and the unlearned. Man must carefully follow the directions if he would reach the desired goal. His laws invariably respond if the requisites are complied with:- - To . discover the Almighty, we must have - divine assistance. Scientists have tried to discover Him by scientific methods, but have failed. To kniiw Him,we,must diligently seek Him. The s approach is by hurriility and prayer, which leads to a sincere repentance, followed by baptism for the remission of sins, making us fit subjects for the reception of the Holy Ghost, to bear witness to our souls that "God .Is." Latter-daSaints look forward to the (lay when war and bloodshed and destruction shall be no more and peace prevail on earth; when the sword shall be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, when truth shall triumph over error, when righteousness and justice shall rule the earth, and when Christ shall come and assume jurisdiction of This own, and reign personally upon the earth. May that time hastily come! t t 1 say-tha- 7 ,;! 1 - ; i t Welfare Plan Model Of 1856 . 1 l - therefrom? My answer is, God is not the author of war and contention, and is therefore not responsible for tne. terrible happenings on the eastern contivent. Man himself must assume the responsibility by reason of his failure to Live .up to God's laws an)14v.)m, mandments, and these things are but fulfillmiellts of prophecy uttered by in they were all hungry at times, at least they were all equal and shared alike. The records indicate that in' the spring Steplien Markham, as leader of the group, took all the money he could raise of, money he could borrow and bought seed for the people that they might plant their. crops. He gave some of ,the people land and livestock in order , spiredlten. Then again the question may yell thatthey might get a start. The idea was to help people so that they could be asked, on which side shall Goa exert His powers and bring victory? help themselves. It Is interesting' to note that these The German dictator has on more. . e . , Church peportmei-t- That God Lives Tp58tio.ñ.':-..- , r AUGUST 31, 194C THE DESERET NEWS, SATURDAY, , -- 1 I .. 0 activities had all the essential qualities of our Church 'Welfare Plan of today. It was a matter of cooperative self help. People banded together as a single unit to gain strength from unity and cooperation.. They became united in their weakness to gain strength. It was not a matter of charity. People in unfortunate circumstances accepted the assistance offered in the ,spirit in. which it was given. The people who gave the assistance were blessed and' the ones who received help were comforted and encouraged in their trials and hardships. Under similar circumstances today I am afraid we would turn to the Federal and State Governments for help and assistance. Have we in so short a time lost- the capacity to help each other as a Church unit? Can we always look to a benevolent 'central government for assistance when in need? Some people say they pay taxes and are therefore entitled to all they can get from the government If everyone takes that attitude what will be the end of our democratic form of government? That is not the spirit of the founders of our nation nor the ones who settled this state. Aity - thinking person .must know that there is no security in a future built upon a principle where expected benefits originate entirely from ur national debt continues to grow by leaps and bounds to build up ration,.--- al defense, there will be less, and less of the national income available to.' help people solve their individual We must learn to stand problems. on our own feet. It becomes our re - - ' , On Page ,. 4 - ', , 1 Eight . ' , Continued 2 . , . , . , |
