EDITORIAL. 681 THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1867. NECESSITY OF PRESENT REVELATION. "SINCE," in the language of the Apostle Paul, "it has pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save some," the question often occurs to the minds of the young Elders as to the best way in which this can be accomplished, upon what subjects they should principally dwell, or what line of reasoning or testimony they should adopt, in order to treat upon the vast subject of salvation, in the most straightforward and proper manner, so as to commend it to the consideration of well ordered minds in its most engaging and commanding aspect. It was with feelings of this sort that we first commenced our ministry, and when about to start on our first mission, called upon President Young, and asked him if he had any counsel to offer us; he replied, "teach the people, wherever you go, the necessity of present revelation." The importance of this is obvious to every reflecting mind. The orthodox churches of our day take shelter under the comfortable conclusion that no more revelation is needed, and that no more revelation is permitted by the ancient Scriptures; and further, that those who have the presumption to claim the blessing of present revelation, render themselves liable to all the plagues written in the Revelation of St. John the Divine. With these views inculcated in their minds from youth up, by their parents and preachers, however honest and pure of heart they may be, they cannot believe in a divine record like the Book of Mormon, or any other modern revelation, until they are made to see the error of this false notion. Hence it is plainly to be seen that the necessity of present revelation is the first point upon which honest inquirers must be satisfied before they can feel at liberty to believe the great truths connected with the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times. The fact that no doctrine of the Gospel is fully explained in the Bible, so that all people understand it correctly and alike, is one of the strongest reasons for the necessity of present revelation. But as no reasons, however strong, can be sufficiently so, if it is prohibited by the word of God, let us see whether there really exists any prohibition in the word of God to his giving more of his will to man. The Scripture bearing the strongest appearance of this is found in Revelation xxii, 18: "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." Now, what book was here meant to which nothing was to be added? Was it the Bible? No, for there was no such book in existence at that time as the Bible, nor until many years after this injunction was given. Some of the epistles now contained in the New Testament were scattered among all the churches of Asia and Palestine, while others were not yet written, so that it could not be the Bible that was meant by John when he said, "Whoso addeth to the words of this book," &c., but it must have been that particular book, the Revelation, which he was then completing, that was contemplated in the commandment. If it were possible that the Lord intended there should be no more Scriptures given after the writing of that Revelation, then the Gospel of St. John must be rejected, besause it was written several years after the Revelation, and John was liable to have the plagues which were written in that book added to him, because he added his Gospel after the Revelation was written; but the fact that he wrote his Gospel afterwards, is good and sufficient proof that it was not meant there should be no more revelation given, no more Scriptures written, or that the Lord would do no more great things in the earth, but only to prohibit any addition to that particular Revelation. The same may also be said of the Lord's commandment to Israel through Moses, in Deuteronomy iv, 2: "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it," &c. Now it is evident that the Lord intended this to prohibit any addition to the law only, and not to prohibit all further prophesyings, for if so, all the prophecies of the Old Testament, as well as the New, would have to be set aside as forbidden, and no sane person could take this view of it. So far from Moses and John taking the view that the schools, professors, and Christians of the present day take of the discontinuance of revelations and prophecies, Moses said he "would to God that all the Lord's people were Prophets," and prophesied himself that the Lord would raise up a Prophet like unto him, meaning Christ; and John, some eight or ten years after the Revelation, wrote his Gospel, knowing there was no good reason why he should not, for it had been given in the Revelation itself, chap. x, verse 11: "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." From these sayings we see plainly that Moses and John considered the way was perfectly clear for more revelations and prophecyings, as indeed it was, and is to-day, and ever will be. The Bible is replete in every part with promises of revelation, prophecies, visions, and marvellous wonders to be wrought in the latter times. Jesus said, Math. xxiv, 14: "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Paul, also, in contemplating our great latter-day work, said, Eph. i, 10: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him." John, also, in the famous Revelation which Christians believe forbids more revelations, in the 14th chap. and 6th verse, teaches that another angel was to come having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people," and this was not in his day, nor in any previous day, but as is shown in the 4th chap. 1st verse, "which must be hereafter," alluding to the day in which we live. From the foregoing we see unmistakably that instead of these great Prophets and Apostles declaring anything against further revelation, they all taught that there was to be revelation, ministering of angels, and a restoration of the Gospel of the kingdom, which kingdom is now set up, and the Gospel thereof ye Elders of Israel are now preaching to the nations of the earth; and one of the EDITORIAL. 683 greatest obstacles you have to contend against is, the popular opinion that there is to be no more revelation. Another supposed objection to further revelation is contained in Paul's words to Timothy: "From a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." Let us inquire how could the law of Moses and the prophecies of the Old Testament, which were all the Scriptures that Timothy had known from his youth up, make him wise unto salvation? Simply by showing him that Christ was to come, and by directing his attention to the new dispensation, so that he might discern it when it should come. Surely the Scriptures could not baptize Timothy for the remission of his sins, nor confirm upon him the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They could only be to him a "sure word of prophecy," unto which he, and all others who are seeking after truth, would "do well that they take heed until the day dawn, and the day star (which is the Holy Ghost) should arise in their hearts." If, indeed, as Christians now-a-days would have us believe, that the Old Testament Scriptures were able to save Timothy, they could save us as well. Then what would be the use of the writings of Paul and the other Apostles, which are now considered quite as good Scriptures, and rather better, than those which Timothy had? Take whatever view we can, from the Bible, of the proposition that there is to be no more revelation, it turns out in every way ridiculously absurd. There is no such sentiment conveyed therein, but on the contrary, the book abounds in every part with predictions and promises of further revelations, the most definite and extensive, which are now fulfilling and are yet to be fulfilled. Having seen that there is no Bible reason for rejecting new revelation, go forward, then, brethren, in the humility and spirit of your holy calling, and testify of the Gospel restored in its fulness and power, of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of baptism for the remission of sins, of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit, of the various doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel, of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, and of the mission of the Prophets Joseph and Brigham, and the Apostles also, as the Holy Spirit shall direct and aid you, and all this not because it is Scriptural, although it is abundantly confirmed by both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, but because it has been revealed unto you in your day, and because you have been authorized and commanded to do so. Therefore, as has been committed to us, so we deliver unto you, that you teach the people the necessity of present revelation. ARRIVED.-Elder Brigham Young, Jun., and his lady, together with Elder John W. Young, arrived in the city last evening (Sept. 24th,) by the eastern stage. They were all in excellent health and will be welcomed home by their numerous friends and by the community in general. We understand they left the emigrant train at Independence Rock.-Salt Lake Telegraph. NOTICE. The Manchester District Conference will be held in the Temperance Hall, Grosvenor-street, Manchester, on Sunday the 3rd of November, prox. The Saints in the District will please take notice, and govern themselves accordingly. A full attendance is requested, as far as practicable. Morning service at 10.30. A. MINER, District President. 684 CORRESPONDENCE. CORRESPONDENCE. AMERICA. Great Salt Lake City, Dear brother Franklin, -No very wonderful events, in connection with the history of Utah, have been chronicled for a little time past. The President and party are travelling pretty extensively among the people, and doing much good. Their journeyings and teachings you find recorded in the papers of this city, of which, further, I need not now write. The grasshoppers have taken quite a share of our late crops, but the wheat crop is mostly saved. We need not want for bread. It has required considerable energy to keep up a healthy state of business generally through the season. The summer is wearing away with but little prospect of improvement. Money is very scarce. Heavy freights are arriving, and not money to pay freighters readily. All business is crippled, and business men are experiencing a severe ordeal. Last night we had a heavy rain, the first for some time, and with it has come quite a change. The day is cloudy and cold with chilling winds, reminding one that autumn has really come. A fire in the house is almost required to be comfortable. The change of the season has brought with it considerable sickness among children and many deaths. The quality of fruit has been much injured by the grasshoppers. The leaves having been stripped from the trees, the fruit has wilted instead of ripening in many cases, affecting, no doubt, its healthful qualities, and making it questionable whether it will keep as well in winter. A serious blight has followed the march of that innumerable and devastating army. Serious consequences are anticipated for next season, as they are leaving the soil literally stuffed with their eggs in many places. There is, however, a large supply of flour on hand, and no prospect of any extensive market to take it away. The destruction of much of the corn crop, and the demand for oats and barley, will make wheat the principal article for food both for man and beast, and we cannot say that we have any too much of it in view of future prospects. Indian depredations have not entirely ceased. We hear of talks for peace, even by Black Hawk, and the next we hear is "Indian murders," "shot by Indians," &c. When this state of things will cease I know not, only as it shall please the great Overruler of all things to stay the wrath of the savages, and order peace to dwell in some small portion of the land where his Saints are. The Prophets declare that his people should be blessed with the abundance of peace and truth, but as yet neither abound where the savages reign. We will pray for the time to come when this prophecy shall be fulfilled. Companies of men are in Sanpete yet from this city and county, having been months away. General Pace has the supervision of military affairs in that section of country. Major-General Burton, of this district, has also paid it a visit on two or three occasions during the season. Our new Tabernacle will be in readiness for the October Conference, three weeks hence. It is onward to completion at a very rapid rate, nearly three hundred men are employed. The platform, raised about 4 feet, occupies about one-third of the space, and is in the west end. About onethird of the centre is level floor, and from that the floor raises gradually to the east end. It will all be seated with easy and comfortable seats. The Bishop's stand is in the centre of, and directly under, or in front of, the raised portion, and on the level floor. In the front and centre of the platform is first, the seat for the Presidency of the Stake, in rear of that, the seat for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and in rear of that again, the seat for the First Presidency, each raised above the other, and directly in rear of all, the immense organ on a platform still higher, while the choir will be seated on either side and in St. George, Sept. 9, 1867. Friday and Saturday of last week were glorious days for Our Dixie. The Gardeners' Club Fair for Southern Utah was held in the Hall in this city. At one o'clock the doors were opened to the public, and for two hours the rooms of the Hall were well filled. Doors were then closed, and the work of receiving and arranging went forward, as the specimens from some of the more remote settlements did not arrive in time in the fore part of the day. Old Mission, in all their juicy ripeness, looked exceedingly tempting, and the white grapes, the Isabellas and other sorts, were hard to be excelled, either in size or flavor. One specimen of Isabella, grown by brother Jeffreys, in this city, was the largest I ever saw, the berries measuring nearly an inch in diameter. It was truly encouraging to behold so many excellent specimens of Dixie's staple fruit, when it is remembered that this barren and forbidding region was first settled but a few years ago, and all the trees, cuttings, and vines, At 10 o'clock on Saturday, a multi- had to be imported, from which to tude had gathered and doors were get a start. At present there are over again opened, when a dense throng 50 varieties of grapes started on trial, pressed their way in and enjoyed a from which we expect to select those feast of the sight, for such a sight-best adapted to our soil, climate, and such show of fine fruits, was never before seen in these inland mountain valleys. The great points of attraction and interest leaned strongly towards fruits, manufactured fabrics, and articles for apparel and household use. Among the fruits the GRAPES took the lead. There was no extensive variety bearing this season, the Black Hamburg, Black Cluster, White Raisin, Isabella, White Chasselas, Old Mission, and several varieties of seedlings were the principal. The Hamburg in size and flavor led the list, whilst two pound clusters of the markets. Most of the best varieties from other countries are included in the list of those we have imported. the The next attraction in fruits was PEARS, of which there were eight varieties, some of which were large and of exceedingly fine flavor, so far as their ripeness permitted us to determine. The number of specimens was sufficiently large to indicate this region as one where the pear will thrive and give fruit of much excellence. There were many specimens of APPLES, but the season being too late for early |