Heber J. Grant's Testimonial on Elder Penrose

Contents

• Various Opinions Regarding Second Advent
• Restoration to Prepare for Christ's Second Advent
• The Spirit of God Will Withdraw
• Gathering of the Jews
• Three Divisions of People
• First Appearance is Among Saints at Zion
• Second Appearance is Among the Jews
• Third Appearance is the Savior's Coming in Glory
• Signs of the Times are Now Taking Place
• The Time is Close at Hand

Various Opinions Regarding Second Advent

Professed Christians of all denominations believe in the second coming of Christ; but while all agree that he will appear "the second time without sin unto salvation," they disagree about the manner, the place, and the time of his appearance.

The popular opinion is that he will come in a spiritual manner and reign in the hearts of his people; that his presence will be universally and simultaneously felt when all the world has been converted through the preaching of the word.

Now, against this doctrine there have been many objectors. Some have declared that he would come "traveling as a man" and commence again to preach to the world; others have even contended that he would appear "in the form of a woman." Various places have been fixed upon as the spot where he would appear; the very "day and hour" of his coming have been proclaimed to the world; and the periods were as various as the localities.

The Latter-day Saints have their peculiar view upon this important subject, founded, however, not upon mere speculation, popular opinion, or mystical interpretations of ancient prophecy, but upon God’s word revealed in these latter times, corroborated by the plain and pointed declarations of "holy men of God who spake by the Holy Ghost." It is the design of this article to briefly explain some of these views for the benefit of the general reader.

Restoration to Prepare for Christ's Second Advent

Before the Lord made his first appearance among men on earth, notwithstanding that the ancient seers had predicted his appearance, he sent a Prophet to prepare the people for his coming. Therefore it is reasonable to suppose (though the old Prophets and Apostles have spoken many things concerning his second advent,) that he should send some one to prepare the world for that event; and the necessity of this is obvious when we consider the uncertainty and differences of opinion that prevail upon the subject.

Now, although the ancient Jews had the writings of the Prophets and the presence of John the Baptist, yet but a few, comparatively speaking, would believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. His forerunner was put to death, and he himself was crucified; and though the people of this generation have the Old and the New Testaments, and though the Lord has sent a messenger to prepare the world for his second advent, the same ignorance exists and the same spirit now prevails which caused the death of John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ.

Joseph Smith, like John the Baptist, came to a sectarian generation to "prepare the way" before the Messiah. Like him, he preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins," and, like him, he was persecuted, imprisoned, and slain. But those who have received his testimony and obeyed the principles of righteousness which he proclaimed have received from God a light which enables them to "discern the signs of the times" and to see the day quickly advancing when the Lord shall come. The false alarms which startle the world at intervals have no terrors for them, for they have "a more sure word of prophecy."

Through the preaching of the gospel of Christ, as revealed through Joseph Smith, namely, faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, etc., many among all nations will be led to forsake the traditions of their fathers and become numbered with the people of God. These will gather to one place to prepare themselves for the appearance of the Saviour, by leaning through his inspired servants the things which are pleasing to him and purifying themselves from all things which he hates. They will build unto him a holy Temple. Of necessity some form of government must be set up among them, as they will exist in a national as well as an ecclesiastical capacity. This government will be a theocracy, or, in other words, the kingdom of God. The laws, ordinances, regulations etc., will be under the direction of God’s Priesthood, and the people will progress in arts, sciences, and everything that will produce happiness, promote union, and establish them in strength, righteousness, and everlasting peace.

The Spirit of God Will Withdraw

On the other hand, through the rejection of this Gospel, which "shall be preached to all the world as a witness" of the coming of Christ, the world will increase in confusion, doubt and horrible strife. As the upright in heart, the meek of the earth, withdraw from their midst, so will the Spirit of God also be withdrawn from them. The darkness upon their minds in relation to eternal things will become blacker, nations will engage in frightful and bloody warfare, the crimes which are now becoming so frequent will be of continual occurrence, the ties that bind together families and kindred will be disregarded and violated, the passions of human nature will be put to the vilest uses, the very elements around will seem to be affected by the national and social convulsions that will agitate the world, and storms, earthquakes, and appalling disasters, by sea and land will cause terror and dismay among the people; new diseases will silently eat their ghastly way through the ranks of the wicked; the earth, soaked with gore and defiled with the filthiness of her inhabitants, will begin to withhold her fruits in their season; the waves of the sea will heave themselves beyond their bounds, and all things will be in commotion; and in the midst of all these calamities, the master-minds among nations will be taken away, and fear will take hold of the hearts of all men.

Gathering of the Jews

The Jews still in unbelief that Jesus was the Christ, will separate themselves from among the Gentiles and gather to their fatherland. Events will be so controlled by the God of Israel, that they shall possess the land again and build the Temple in its former place; they will increase and multiply in numbers and in riches, and practice the rites of the Mosaic law, looking for the coming of Messiah to reign over them as king. The bankrupt nations, envying the wealth of the sons of Judah, will seek a pretext to make war upon them, and will invade the "holy land" to "take a prey and a spoil."

Three Divisions of People

We may consider the inhabitants of the earth at the time immediately preceding the coming of Christ under three general divisions:

First, the Saints of God gathered to one place on the western continent, called Zion, busily preparing for his appearance in their midst as their redeemer, who had shed his blood for their salvation, now coming to reign over them and to reward them for their labours in establishing his government:

Second, the Jews gathered to Jerusalem and also expecting the Messiah, but not believing that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, and being in danger of destruction from their Gentile enemies:

Third, the corrupt nations and kingdoms of men, who, rejecting the light of the Gospel, are unprepared for the Lord’s advent and are almost ripe for destruction.

First Appearance is Among Saints at Zion

Among the first-mentioned of these three classes of men the Lord will make his appearance first; and that appearance will be unknown to the rest of mankind. He will come to the Temple prepared for him, and his faithful people will behold his face, hear his voice, and gaze upon his glory. From his own lips they will receive further instructions for the development and beautifying of Zion and for the extension and sure stability of his kingdom.

Second Appearance is Among the Jews

His next appearance will be among the distressed and nearly vanquished sons of Judah. At the crisis of their fate, when the hostile troops of several nations are ravaging the city and all the horrors of war are overwhelming the people of Jerusalem, he will set his feet upon the Mount of Olives, which will cleave and part asunder at his touch. Attended by a host from heaven, he will overthrow and destroy the combined armies of the Gentiles, and appear to the worshipping Jews as the mighty Deliverer and Conqueror so long expected by their race; and while love, gratitude, awe, and admiration swell their bosoms, the Deliverer will show them the tokens of his crucifixion and disclose himself as Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had reviled and whom their fathers put to death. Then will unbelief depart from their souls, and "the blindness in part which has happened unto Israel" be removed. "A fountain for sin and uncleanness shall be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem," and "a nation will be born" unto God "in a day." They will be baptized for the remission of their sins, and will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the government of God as established in Zion will be set up among them, no more to be thrown down for ever.

Third Appearance is the Savior's Coming in Glory

The great and crowning advent of the Lord will be subsequent to these two appearances; but who can describe it in the language of mortals? The tongue of man falters, and the pen drops from the hand of the writer, as the mind is rapt in contemplation of the sublime and awful majesty of his coming to take vengeance on the ungodly and to reign as King of the whole earth.

He comes! The earth shakes, and the tall mountains tremble; the mighty deep rolls back to the north as in fear, and the rent skies glow like molten brass. He comes! The dead Saints burst forth from their tombs, and "those who are alive and remain" are "caught up" with them to meet him. The ungodly rush to hide themselves from his presence, and call upon the quivering rocks to cover them. He comes! with all the hosts of the righteous glorified. The breath of his lips strikes death to the wicked. His glory is a consuming fire. The proud and rebellious are as stubble; they are burned and "left neither root nor branch.’ He sweeps the earth "as with the besom of destruction." He deluges the earth with the fiery floods of his wrath, and the filthiness and abominations of the world are consumed. Satan and his dark hosts are taken and bound, the prince of the power of the air has lost his dominion, for He whose right it is to reign has come, and "the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ."

"The people of the Saints of the Most High" will dwell on the earth, which shall bring forth her strength as in the days of her youth; they will build cities and plant gardens; those who have been faithful over a few things will be made rulers over many things; Eden will bloom, and the fruits and flowers of Paradise display their loveliness as at the first; Jesus shall reign "in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously," and all created things shall "praise the Lord."

Signs of the Times are Now Taking Place

In answer to questions put by his apostles, Jesus spoke of certain events which were to be taken as signs of his advent. These things are now taking place: therefore we are living in the day of his coming.

The "Gospel of the kingdom," restored to earth by revelation, is being preached as a special "witness" of his appearing; his people are gathering together; already the foundations of his kingdom are being laid in the mountains; Zion is being built up; a Temple is being reared for his reception; the spirit of gathering is brooding over the Jews, and wealthy and influential men among them are exerting themselves for the re-establishment of Jerusalem; barren parts of that land are beginning to blossom, and streams there long since dried up begin again to flow. The spirit of contention increases in every department of society, and the nations feel impelled by an invisible influence to prepare themselves for war. Horrible inventions are continually being brought out for the purpose of destroying the lives of men. Incapacity among law-makers and rulers is seen to a most humiliating degree. We hear of earthquakes, tornadoes, storms, and all kinds of appalling disasters; and though the earth still brings forth an abundance of her fruits, thousands pine for the want of natural nourishment. Crime increases at a fearful rate; the religion of the great mass of mankind is nothing but a mockery and a sham; the cords that hold together society are snapping and loosening, and all feel that "there’s something at hand!"

These are some of the tokens of his coming. "Behold the Bridegroom cometh. GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM!" The "wise virgins" are awaking; their lamps are trimmed; they walk not in the dark, but, with "a light to their feet and a lamp to their path," they are hastening to the place appointed; for it is written, "The Redeemer shall come to Zion."

The Time is Close at Hand

The time is close at hand. The events we have been considering will follow each other in rapid succession. God will cut his work short in righteousness. The day and hour are not revealed; but "when the Lord hath built up Zion, then will he appear in his glory."

O ye children of men, put away your sins, repent of your evil doings. The Spirit of the Lord has whispered in your hearts, and you have felt your iniquities, when alone in the silent night you have been sleepless. Heed not the gibe and the sneer of the corrupt and evil-minded, but come forth and be buried with Christ in baptism; receive the rich gift of the Spirit of God, and help, with the Saints, to prepare the kingdom for the Son of Man, that when he shall come you may be looking for his appearance, and that the "day of the Lord" may not come upon you unawares, "like a thief in the night."

Heber J. Grant's Testimonial on Elder Penrose

When people say that the Latter-day Saints do not believe in education and investigation, they simply tell that which is not true. Last year, in the British Isles alone, over four million tracts were distributed by the elders, and those tracts were principally written by Elder Charles W. Penrose.

In ability to expound the scriptures, Brother Penrose has that qualification pre-eminently.

I once heard a man talking with Rev. Dr. Iliff on the railway train. (They did not know I was in the seat behind.) This man said to Iliff that he had heard nearly every great preacher in the United States, but that when he was in Salt Lake City he had heard in the Mormon Tabernacle the best and most logical sermon he had ever listened to. He asked Dr. Iliff: "Who is your great Mormon preacher out there?"

Iliff said he didn't know any great Mormon preacher.

"Why," said the man, "you must know that man; there could not be another one like him."

"Well," replied Iliff, "I don't know whom you mean."

"Well, who edits the Mormon paper out there?"

"Oh! that's Penrose," said Iliff.

"That's the fellow," said the man. "He preached the best and most logical sermon I ever heard in my life."

Thin as I am, that put fat on my ribs. This man who preaches such a fine sermon today is president of the European Mission [1907]. I tell you that, with all the intelligence in the British Isles, there is no man there who, with the Bible as the standard, can confute Brother Penrose.

We are not ashamed of our religion. We know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. We have set our light so that it can be seen of all men.
(Heber J. Grant, CR, April, 1907)