| Show WHY MORMONISM SURVIVES THE philadelphia american in a recent article on mormonism 11 which was waa very fair in its tone makes these remarks the survival of mormonism is a marvel there is nothing in its creed that essentially differs from any 0 other her sect 0 of f christendom unless the book boft of mormon and joseph smith are held to constitute part of the creed Smithis smith is rated a prophet in that following undoubtedly and the less informed of the mormon laity probably rate the book of mormon as part of the nacre sacred wr writings ge of antiquity A apart art from that the written n creed of the cormons mormons armons embraces the dogmas of christianity and the teachings of the old testament the charge of unbelief cannot be brought against the mormons cormons Mor mons they no tonly believe all that christian sects sect believe but somewhat more it if all this were true why should there beany be any marvel in the survival of mormonism it does contain all that fC christian hristian sects believe which can be substantiated by the commonly recognized standard the bible so go if they stand why should not it stand also it to is true that Mormon mormonism lem has been assailed with terrible vehemence not only have world lings fallen upon it with uncommon ferocity but professors of religion claiming to be christians have attacked it with a unanimity that is surprising when their animosities to each other are considered and in addition to ridicule misrepresentation abuse and both profane and sacerdotal curlings cur sings force of the most violent character has ban been used against it in vain but is not this a repetition of historic events and consequences when has persecution accomplished its desired end should not experience and the voice of the past teach the lesson that the weapons used against mormonism would be likely to prove the means of stirring it into greater life lifes instead of dooming it to speedy death mormonism has survived every assault and its continued survival may be a surprise to many but that surprise would be lessened if they would only investigate the subject a little more thoroughly the american for instance speaks of the book of mormon and joseph smith as though only the less informed of the mormon laity believed in either the fact to la that joseph smith is rated as a prophet by the whole church and that the leaders of the priesthood if anything are more thoroughly convinced than the less informed members of the divine mission of the man and the divine authenticity of the book on these two points the whole eye system of mormonism hinges for while there are truths that are patent and indisputable in its creed yet the very life and potency of that system as an organized entity depend on these essential facts if joseph smith is not a prophet of god and if the book of mormon is in not a record revealed from heaven and translated by the gift and power of god then mormonism as aa a religious system is a delusion or a fraud notwithstanding the many grand and admirable principles it contains but of these facts there is no doubt in the souls of the people who compose the great body of the mormon church ing its leading men and active ministers here then to is one point on which they differ essentially with other sects in christ christendom endow there areman are many others for instance there is the question of divine authority if as the Mormon Mor mons sl verily believe the apostleship has been restored by those who held it many centuries ago and is vested in men now living and the church which christ established when on the earth has been organized by him anew this constitutes another essential difference the doctrines of continued revels tion of vicarious work for the dead of the possible reformation and conversion of departed spirits of the eternal marriage covenant and the perpetual increase of exalted and deified delfied humanity and many other principles that enter into mormonism which would take numerous articles to explain are all points of essential difference ence from the creeds of christendom and yet are biblical and christian and ratio rational nW it is perfectly true that unbelief cannot be charged truthfully against the cormons mormons Mor mons they believe in god and in jesus christ and in the realities of the christian religion they have a vital faith it is manifested by thelt works and it la is because their religion a living active inspiring force that it has survived and will survive every effort made for its destruction and the more it to is ambled the greater will be its activity and the brighter its prospects for or survival and prevalence ford for opposition increases its activity and activity is life the survival of the fittest fittes tJ will receive a striking illustration in the continuance and vigor of mormonism |
