Remarks

I desire to be directed in my speaking by the Holy Spirit. I have listened with great interest to the remarks of Elder Merrill. I have paid particular attention to his testimony regarding the truth of this work. Any strangers who may be present will think his declaration in that regard rather remarkable. Our Lord and Savior promised that all who should do His will should know for themselves as to the divine origin of the Gospel This is the reason why Elder Merrill is able to make such a positive statement of the knowledge he has obtained. ¶

What is necessary to be one in order to be in accord with the will of God and as a result obtain a similar testimony? There are many opinions abroad on this subject. The best source of information is the Scriptures, which Christ commended to the consideration of men in His day. The speaker here read from the sixteenth chapter of St. Mark, showing that baptism by immersion in water, and the obtaining of the Holy Ghost, by a prescribed ordinance, were necessary parts of the law of the Gospel. He also dwelt upon the commission given to the servants of God in that age to preach the Gospel, free of charge, to all peoples. In the same chapter is also a statement of the spiritual signs that were to follow the believer as a result of obedience. An explanation was given by Elder Taylor in the manner in which the divine message was carried to the people by the ancient Apostles and the results of the reception or rejection of their teachings. He next referred to the case of Nicodemus, who visited the Savior under cover of night to make inquiry regarding the steps he should take to obtain salvation, the reply being, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Christ asserted that He testified of things that He had seen and did know. Here then is an instance of a similar character here this morning, Brother Merrill having testified to what he does know. Christ gave other instructions to His servants in the days of the primitive Church. He enjoined them to tarry at Jerusalem until they were endowed with power from on high. He promised that if they did he would bestow upon them the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, who would instruct them and show them things to come. It is this spirit that imparts this knowledge of the things of God. These are not new doctrines. They are laid down in the Scriptures, which state that the "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." The speaker then dwelt for some time upon the gifts of the Holy Sprit as defined by the Apostle Paul, asserting that people among whom these spiritual manifestations do not exist, are not in possession of the power of God unto salvation. He admonished all his hearers to take the advice of the Apostle Paul and seek earnest the best gifts. He promised strangers that those who would believe in Christ, repent of their sins, be baptized by one holding authority for the remission of them, should receive the Holy Ghost and be able to testify that they had acted in accord with the divine will. ¶