The Seventy's Course in Theology
Fifth Year
Divine Immanence and the Holy Ghost
By B. H. ROBERTS
Of the First Council of Seventy
"He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and allthings are round about him: and he is above all things, and in allthings, and is through all things, and is round about all things; andall things are by him, and of him, even God, for ever and ever."—Doc.and Cov., Sec. 88.
"I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christa separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that theHoly Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit."—Joseph Smith, (June16th, 1842.)
Salt Lake City
1912
Introduction.
I. THE CLOSE OF THE SEVENTY'S SPECIAL COURSE IN THEOLOGY.
[Footnote: It is suggested that this Introduction be treated in theclass as a lesson.]
This Introduction is intended to serve two purposes: an Introductionto the treatise which follows; and a valedictory to the "Seventy'sCourse in Theology." The latter has reached a period, for the presentat least, as arrangements are being made to have prepared one courseof study in successive annual manuals for the three quorums of theMelchizedek Priesthood, the Seventies, High Priests, and EldersQuorums. The reasons for making this change are that the "Gospel isone;" that the duty of becoming acquainted with it rests equally uponHigh Priests, Seventies, and Elders; that which will qualify one ofthese quorums to preach this one gospel abroad, will qualify the othersfor preaching it at home; and vice versa. Each of these quorums,where there is a sufficient number in each to form a good, strongclass, will still continue, as now, in their separate classes, thoughstudying the same manual. Where the quorums in the smaller wards arenot strong enough in numbers to assure a good class separately, theycan meet conjointly for class work and under such circumstances, havingthe same text book, will be a very great advantage. The plan will alsoeconomize both time and money in the matter of publishing manuals;for it is patent that one text book can more readily be produced thanthree, and at less expense.
These considerations, it is hoped, will outweigh any feeling ofdisappointment which but for them might arise over the discontinuanceof the Seventy's special course in Theology; and then, undoubtedly,when the new and united course shall be opened, we may reasonablyexpect that its lines will be laid on a much larger ground plan, andin its development there will be employed brethren of such scholarshipand talent as shall warrant the expectation of the very best text booksthat can be produced on the great theme of which they will treat—theGospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II. SUBJECT OF THE PRESENT YEAR BOOK.
So much for the "valedictory" part of this Introduction; and now as tothe subject of the present Year Book. We have here the considerationof a theme in some respects the loftiest and mightest that the mindof man can be led to contemplate: God Immanent in the world; and Godin union with men through the medium of the Holy Ghost. Confessedlythe subject is one around which much of mystery gathers; and there arenot wanting those who, on that account, are in favor of leaving it so,without attempting an exposition of the nature or offices of the SpiritImmanent in the world, and the Spirit Witness to the soul of man. Ithink no one can be more conscious of human limitations to understanddivine things than I am. And I doubt if a