how to comprehend the sweet? If
we never partake of pain how can
we prize ease? And if we never
pass through affliction, how can we
comprehend glory, exaltation and
eternal blessings?"

The Lord has said concerning
Jesus, that he descended below all
things that he might rise above all
things, and comprehend all things.
No man descended lower than the
Savior of the world. Born in a
stable, cradled in a manger, he tra-
veled from there to the cross through
suffering, mingled with blood, to a
throne of grace; and in all his life
there was nothing of an earthly
nature that seemed to be worth
possessing. His whole life was
passed in poverty, suffering, pain,
affliction, labor, prayer, mourning
and sorrow, until he gave up the
ghost on the cross. Still he was
God's firstborn son and the Re-
deemer of the world. The question
might be asked why the Lord
suffered his Son to come here and to
live and die as he did. When we
get into the spirit world, and the
vail is withdrawn, we shall then
perhaps understand the whys and
wherefores of all these things.
In the dispensations and providences
of God to man it seems that we are
born to suffer pain, affliction, sor-
rows and trials; this is what God
has decreed that the human family
shall pass through; and if we make
a right use of this probation, the
experience it brings will eventually
prove a great blessing to us, and
when we receive immortality and
eternal life, exaltation, kingdoms,
thrones, principalities and powers
with all the blessings of the fulness
of the Gospel of Christ, we shall
understand and comprehend why
we were called to pass through a
continual warfare during the few
years we spent in the flesh.

It certainly does require a good
deal of the Spirit of the Lord to
give comfort and consolation to a
father and mother mourning for the
loss of their children; and without
the Gospel of Christ the separation
by death is one of the most gloomy
subjects it is possible to contemplate;
but just as soon as we obtain the
Gospel and learn the principle of
the resurrection, the gloom, sorrow
and suffering occasioned by death
are, in a great measure, taken away.
I have often thought that, to see a
dead body, and to see that body laid
in the grave and covered with earth,
is one of the most gloomy things on
earth; without the Gospel it is like
taking a leap in the dark. But as
quick as we obtain the Gospel, as
soon as the spirit of man is enlight-
ened by the inspiration of the Al-
mighty, he can exclaim with one of
old—"Oh grave, where is thy vic-
tory, Oh death, where is thy sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the
gift of God is eternal life, through
our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Corinthians 15:55-56] The res-
urrection of the dead presents itself
before the enlightened mind of man.
and he has a foundation for his
spirit to rest upon. That is the
position of the Latter-day Saints to-
day. We do know for ourselves, we
are not in the dark with regard to
this matter; God has revealed it to
us, and we do understand the princi-
ple of the resurrection of the dead,
and that the Gospel brings life and
immortality to light. We have re-
ceived the Gospel, and if we are true
to the principles of that Gospel as
long as we live, we shall be made
partakers of immortality, exaltation
and glory.

I know very well that the loss of
their children in this terrible man-
ner is a sad affliction to brother and
sister Wheeler. It was a sad afflic-
tion for Job when his children and

No. 3. Vol. XVIII.

LITTLE CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT, ETC.

how to comprehend the sweet? If we never partake of pain how can we prize ease? And if we never pass through affliction, how can we comprehend glory, exaltation and eternal blessings?"

The Lord has said concerning Jesus, that he descended below all things that he might rise above all things, and comprehend all things. No man descended lower than the Savior of the world. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, he traveled from there to the cross through suffering, mingled with blood, to a throne of grace; and in all his life there was nothing of an earthly nature that seemed to be worth possessing. His whole life was passed in poverty, suffering, pain, affliction, labor, prayer, mourning and sorrow, until he gave up the ghost on the cross. Still he was God's firstborn son and the Redeemer of the world. The question might be asked why the Lord suffered his Son to come here and to live and die as he did. When we get into the spirit world, and the veil is withdrawn, we shall then perhaps understand the whys and wherefores of all these things. In the dispensations and providences of God to man it seems that we are born to suffer pain, affliction, sorrows and trials; this is what God has decreed that the human family shall pass through; and if we make a right use of this probation, the experience it brings will eventually prove a great blessing to us, and when we receive immortality and eternal life, exaltation, kingdoms, thrones, principalities and powers with all the blessings of the fulness of the Gospel of Christ, we shall understand and comprehend why we were called to pass through a continual warfare during the few years we spent in the flesh.

No.3.

It certainly does require a good deal of the Spirit of the Lord to give comfort and consolation to a father and mother mourning for the loss of their children; and without the Gospel of Christ the separation by death is one of the most gloomy subjects it is possible to contemplate; but just as soon as we obtain the Gospel and learn, the principle of the resurrection, the gloom, sorrow and suffering occasion by death are, in a great measure, taken away. I have often thought that, to see a dead body, and to see that body laid in the grave, and covered with earth, is one of the most gloomy things on earth; without the Gospel it is like taking a leap in the dark. But as quick as we obtain the Gospel, as soon as the spirit of man is enlightened by the inspiration of the Almighty, he can exclaim with one of old—"Oh grave, where is thy victory, Oh death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin, and the gift of God is eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-56 The resurrection of the dead presents itself before the enlightened mind of man. and he has a foundation for his spirit to rest upon. That is the position of the Latter-day Saints today. We do know for ourselves, we are not in the dark with regard to this matter; God has revealed it to us, and we do understand the principle of the resurrection of the dead, and that the Gospel brings life and immortality to light. We have received the Gospel, and if we are true to the principles of that Gospel as long as we live, we shall be made partakers of immortality, exaltation and glory.

I know very well that the loss of their children in this terrible manner is a sad affliction to brother and sister Wheeler. It was a sad affliction for Job when his children and

Vol. XVIII.