The Gospel: An Exposition of its First Principles

is redemption, we may be assured that the fall was not a blunder, nor was it an accident. The prophet Lehi bowed down under the weight of years, when giving his last testimony and inst

: II Nephi

ply from the cup of adversity; they learn to prize the boon of health, by languishing upon the bed of affliction; they learn the value of wealth, by experiencing want and poverty; the sweets of life are

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w upon man-the gift of eternal life. How great that gift, it is difficult for us to understand. It is not

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they might have the opportunity of demonstrating before the heavens their integrity to principles of righteousness and truth; and by coming in contact with evil, they might forever prize that which is pure and good: that vice migh

under the dominion of death?-I will observe, in passing, that what should most concern us, is, not so much how it is that such

urse of J. Taylor, J.

arkened the heavens for ages from burnt offerings, answers yes. For those sacrifices, an

o easily traced, so distinct is this feature of heathen mythology, that some writers have endeavored to prove that the gospel plan of redemption was derived from heathen mythology. Whereas the fact is that the Gospel was understood and extensi

al iii, 8. Heb. iv, 2, in connection with latter part of chap iii. I Cor.

voice of an entire continent of people, whose prophets and righteous men sought and found God, testifies to the same great fact. The revelations of God as given through the Prophet Joseph Smith are replete with passages confirming th

ere are some things in it not within the scope of our comprehension, still there is sufficient foundation for our glorious hope of eternal

ibres become interlaced in it; and yet each tree has the mysterious power to draw from the same soil the substances which produce its own peculiar fruit. So it is throughout the vegetable kingdom. But how it is that the peach tree produces the peach, while the plum tree, from the same s

or why its motion is less voluntary than the lungs; nor why you are able to move your arms to the right or left by a simple volition; * * * nor comprehend the principle by which your body was at first formed, nor by which it is sustained, nor by which it will be reduced to earth." The list might be indefinitely extended, for the facts in nature which are incomprehensible are more numerous