From Joseph Smith as scientist : a contribution to Mormon philosophy by Widtsoe, John Andreas, 1872-1952

 Referring to the above diagrams it will be observed that although each arrangement contains the same number of atoms, yet, because of the difference in arrangement, they are far from being identical. In fact, the difference in the properties of the sugars may be referred to the arrangement of the atoms in the molecules. This truth is one of the most splendid achievements of modern science. All the facts, here briefly outlined, are included in the atomic hypothesis, which is the foundation of the modem science of chemistry.

Science asks us to believe in the existence of particles, unknowable to our senses, the molecules; Science requires then to believe in still smaller particles, fn^"thrngs^not *^® atoms, which make up the molecules seen." but whose relative weights and general properties have been determined. Here, a faith is required in "things that can not be seen," and in the properties of these things. True, the scientist does not pretend to describe the atoms in detail, he does not need to do that to establish the certainty of their existence. He looks upon them as ultimate causes of effects that he may note with his physical senses. Does theology require more ? Does any sane man in asking us to believe in God, for iastance, attempt to describe him in detail ?

The scientist goes farther than this, however, for he asks us not only to have faith in the invisible, untasteable, unfeelable atoms, but also in the exact manner in which these atoms are arranged within the molecule. True, it is claimed, only, that the relative arrangement is known, yet the faith required still leads us far beyond the simple faith, in atoms. Has any man asked us to believe that he can describe the structure of God's dwelling? No principle taught by Joseph Smith requires a larger faith than this.

Not only in chemistry are such transcendant truths required. The fundamental conception of physics requires, if possible, a larger faith. The explanations of modern physics rest largely upon the doctrine Of the universal ether. This ether is everywhere present, between the molecules and atoms; in fact the things of the universe are, as it were, suspended in the ocean of ether. This ether is so attenuated that it fills the pores of the human body without impressing itself upon our consciousness, yet some of its properties indicate that its elasticity is equal to that of steel. As shown in chapter 5, the most eminent scientists of the day declare that the existence of this world-ether is one of the few things of which men may be absolutely sure. Yet the ether cannot be seen, heard, tasted, smelled or felt. To our senses it has neither weight nor substance. To believe the existence of this ether requires a faith which is certainly as great as the greatest faith required by Mormon theology..

Numerous other illustrations might be cited, without greatly emphasizing the truth that the great fundamental doctrines of science require a great faith in realities that are beyond the reach of our senses.

faith. physics rest largely upon the doctrine

of the universal ether. This ether is everywhere present, between the molecules and atoms; in fact the things of the universe are, as it were, suspended in the ocean of ether. This ether is so attenuated that it fills the pores of the human body without impressing itself upon our consciousness, yet some of its properties indicate that its elasticity is equal to that of steel. As shown in chapter 5, the most eminent scientists of the day declare that the existence of this world-ether is one of the few things of which men may be absolutely sure. Yet the ether cannot be seen, heard, tasted, smelled or felt. To our senses it has neither weight nor substance. To believe the existence of this ether requires a faith which is certainly as great as the greatest faith required by Mormon theology.

A key to the revelations of st. john. By Joseph Smith.

 A key to the revelations of st. john.

By Joseph Smith.

Q.—What is the sea of glass spoken of by John, 4th chapter, and 6th verse of the Revelations?

A.—It is the Earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state.

Q.—What are we to understand by the four Beasts, spoken of in the same verse?

A.—They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator John, in describing heaven, the Paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that, which is spiritual, being in the likeness of that which is temporal; and that which is temporal, is in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the Spirit of Man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.

Q.—Are the four beasts limited to individual beasts, or do they represent classes or orders?

A.—They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings, in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.

Q.—What are we to understand by the eyes, and wings, which the beasts had?

A.—Their eyes are a representation of light, and knowledge; that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, &c.

Q.—What are we to understand by the four and twenty Elders, spoken of by John?

A.—We are to understand that these Elders whom John saw, were Elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead; who belonged to the seven churches,—and were then in the Paradise of God.

Q.—What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals?

A.—We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and works of God; the hidden things of His economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence,

Q.—What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?

A.—We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh. ​Q.—What are we to understand by the four Angels, spoken of in the 7th chap, and 1st verse of Revelations?

A.—We are to understand that they are four Angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are they who have the everlasting Gospel to commit to every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People; having power to shut up the Heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness.

Q.—What are we to understand by the Angel ascending from the East, Revlations 7th chapter and 2nd verse?

A.— We are to understand that the Angel ascending from the East, is he to whom is given the seal of the Living God, over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore he crieth unto the four Angels having the Everlasting Gospel, saying, hurt not the Earth, neither the Sea, nor the Trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads; and if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things,

Q.—What time are the things spoken of in this chapter to be accomplished?

A.— They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand year, or the opening of the sixth seal.

Q.—What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel; twelve thousand out of every tribe?

A.—We are to understand that those who are sealed are High Priests, ordained unto the Holy Order of God, to administer the Everlasting Gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People, by the Angels to whom is given power over the Nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come, to the Church of the First Born.

Q.—What are we to understand by the sounding of the Trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelations?

A.—We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth; even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven Angels, are the preparing, and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years;—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming.

Q.—When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelations?

A.—They are to be accomplished after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ.

Q.—What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelations? ​A. — We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias; who, as it is written, must come and restore all things.

Q.—What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelations?

A.—They are two Prophets that are to he raised up to the Jewish Nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews, after they are gathered, and build the city of Jerusalem, in the land of their fathers.

If you could hie to kolob

 

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If you could hie to Kolob

 

Lyrics

1. 1

   Lyrics

   1. 1. If you could hie to Kolob

      In the twinkling of an eye,

      And then continue onward

      With that same speed to fly,

      Do you think that you could ever,

      Through all eternity,

      Find out the generation

      Where Gods began to be?

   2. 2. Or see the grand beginning,

      Where space did not extend?

      Or view the last creation,

      Where Gods and matter end?

      Methinks the Spirit whispers,

      “No man has found ‘pure space,’

      Nor seen the outside curtains,

      Where nothing has a place.”

   3. 3. The works of God continue,

      And worlds and lives abound;

      Improvement and progression

      Have one eternal round.

      There is no end to matter;

      There is no end to space;

      There is no end to spirit;

      There is no end to race.

   4. 4. There is no end to virtue;

      There is no end to might;

      There is no end to wisdom;

      There is no end to light.

      There is no end to union;

      There is no end to youth;

      There is no end to priesthood;

      There is no end to truth.

   5. 5. There is no end to glory;

      There is no end to love;

      There is no end to being;

      There is no death above.

      There is no end to glory;

      There is no end to love;

      There is no end to being;

      There is no death above.

   In the twinkling of an eye,

   And then continue onward

   With that same speed to fly,

   Do you think that you could ever,

   Through all eternity,

   Find out the generation

   Where Gods began to be?

2. 2. Or see the grand beginning,

   Where space did not extend?

   Or view the last creation,

   Where Gods and matter end?

   Methinks the Spirit whispers,

   “No man has found ‘pure space,’

   Nor seen the outside curtains,

   Where nothing has a place.”

3. 3. The works of God continue,

   And worlds and lives abound;

   Improvement and progression

   Have one eternal round.

   There is no end to matter;

   There is no end to space;

   There is no end to spirit;

   There is no end to race.

4. 4. There is no end to virtue;

   There is no end to might;

   There is no end to wisdom;

   There is no end to light.

   There is no end to union;

   There is no end to youth;

   There is no end to priesthood;

   There is no end to truth.

5. 5. There is no end to glory;

   There is no end to love;

   There is no end to being;

   There is no death above.

   There is no end to glory;

   There is no end to love;

   There is no end to being;

   There is no death above.

3 Nephi 17

 CHAPTER 17

Jesus directs the people to ponder His words and pray for understanding—He heals their sick—He prays for the people, using language that cannot be written—Angels minister to and fire encircles their little ones. About A.D. 34.

1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my ^atime is at hand.

2 I ^aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot ^bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.

3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ^aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and ^bprepare your minds for the ^cmorrow, and I come unto you again.

4 But now I ^ago unto the Father, and also to ^bshow myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not ^clost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.

5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ^ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with ^acompassion towards you.

7 Have ye any that are ^asick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or ^bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will ^cheal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your ^afaith is ^bsufficient that I should heal you.

9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their ^ablind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did ^akiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.

11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their ^alittle children should be brought.

12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.

13 And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded the multitude that they should ^akneel down upon the ground.

14 And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am ^atroubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel.

15 And when he had said these words, he himself also ^aknelt upon the earth; and behold he ^bprayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The ^aeye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

17 And no ^atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

18 And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the ^ajoy of the multitude that they were overcome.

19 And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise.

20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And ^anow behold, my joy is full.

21 And when he had said these words, he ^awept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and ^bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and ^aencircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

25 And the multitude did see and ^ahear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.