Show IN RELATION TO THE mystical since the fullness of the everlasting gospel was proclaimed to the inhabitants of the earten by the P prophet ra phet joseph smith and the elders who trace their authority to him there has haa developed in different parts of the world especially the united states a a trong strong tendency in the direction of certain forms of the mystical the masses of the people in those countries in which the gospel has been Jre preached ached have rejected it though some of its features axe are very attractive even to persons who lack the courage or honesty or both to embrace it the prom ise of the spirit of revelation which the servants of the lord make to all who will believe repent and be baptized Is one which a great many people would like to realize without complying with the laws upon which the blessing is predicted hence the development of spiritualism and other forms of mysticism that signalize the present age of the world in so marked a degree I 1 the opportunity is given to the children of men to put themselves in a position to receive revelation from god for their individual instruction comfort guidance and salvation but this great blessing calls for a correspondingly pon great sacrifice on the part of each individual who aspires to it on the other hand the age has developed opportunities for receiving revelations and spiritual or mystical manifestations of various kinds without 0 ut the making on the part of the individual who receives themos anysas any sacrifice whatever either by performing the works of righteousness or in any other way such revelations and manifestations ife stations originate in sources that are the opposite of heavenly and with few if any exceptions exception are evil in their tendency and effects upon the human soul there Is another class of spiritual or mystical manifestations which cannot be set down as evil in their source or tendency yet which ought not to be relied upon too strongly by members of the church in weighty matters of faith and conduct to this class belong dreams visions prophecies interpretations of scripture etc that come through unofficial channels often where such manifestations occur among the saints they are tokens of the favor and blessing of the almighty upon the individuals who are favored with them and should be received and prized priced in a spirit of humility and gratitude but occurrences of this character may originate in sources that are not divine and even members of the church may in consequence be misled or seriously deceived where there to is doubt as to the actual source or character of a spiritual manifestation it should be tested by or compared with the principles of truth as revealed to and accepted by the church inthe individual is not able to make this test or comparison to his own satisfaction he may lay the matter before his presiding off officers leers in the priesthood I 1 within the lost last few years here ere has been a rapidly increasing interest in the advanced studies of mutual provement pro associations theolo classes in the sabbath schools and quorums of priesthood and baay members of these organizations have bave been exercised in their minds concefta concerning questions of doctrine the interpretation pre tation of the scriptures ancie ancient r t lind and f modern the application and d fulfill fulfil of prophecy etc this interest while restrained within arod er bounds but to allow it to create disputation is to let it become aw an eab i it if students of the scriptures encounter a difficulty which neither they cpr nor northeim their instructors cin can solve to the satis K w of all concerned it is far bet t e v A 0 leave the matter open by sent than to dispute about it if are difficulties in the scriptures no class of students in the ch church to is expected to fully solve if the is of actual and practical im it should be laid before the pro proper on cers of the priesthood for det determination e otherwise it may be passed elih such buth light as the stu students depts or tors may be able to th throw afon it these observations are called forth at this time by a number of communications the news has lately received one correspondent has offered a carefully Prep prepared axed Interpret interpretation attan from his standpoint of some p passages s from one of the old nent prophets another writes of the mystical and prophetic significance of some features of the pyramid of and of predictions said to have toen bem uttered by a modern apostle concerning the commencement of the atea gium while another urges us to ax x pound a portion of pauls writings these letters indicate a tread or of thought among the readers OX of the news and it is a trend which requires to be both encouraged and guarded for members of the muia church and especially the young to study stud ta scriptures is a most excellent thing but care should be taken that ideas idera not imbibed nor adhered to which gre at variance with the authorized teach ings of the church one grand and controlling prin is reached by a consideration oc t 36 foregoing matters which however a can at best be but very imperfectly tre treated in an article like the present 1 onset and that principle may be thus stated the church of jesus christ of I 1 catter or day saints is led by ait prophets who are the living orahlee of the almighty among the chIl children ren or at men to these oracles are committed both the ability and authority co impart to the latter day ally and collectively all the I 1 furuc tion in spiritual things whiz which mp almy y require for their guidance here and salvation hereafter there is ver fore no need tor for any of the t jainle Saint to be deceived to accept false doctrine to be led astray nor to be left in the dark concerning no ritual things th though u b all the light and knowledge an it attai vidual may desire and ask for may mat not at once be given him he may eam balfy obtain enough for his present n needs and safety there to is another principle growing out of the one just laid down which may thus be stated spiritual gifts breems dream visions prophecies interpretations of scripture or of other matter and all forms of spiritual blessings ble and manifestations fe enjoyed by unofficial members of the church are designed tar their individual benefit and not for the guidance of the church and ode fate Is in the reason why communications communication air r tho the character above referred to addressed to the news are deemed inappropriate for its in conclusion n doctrine prop hoier abiu revelation which come through for re ft ent endorsed I 1 0 reed b by 7 the p proper rop er auth authority au thorit orif liaw et the church may be accepted and filed implicitly by its members in all world but the saints should be crded ed in n receiving such instruction rough other sources |