LESSON XIV.
(Scripture Reading Exercise.)
THE REIGN OF LAW.[A]
ANALYSIS. | REFERENCES. |
I. The Government of the Universe—Two Methods Conceived of: 1. By Unvarying Law; 2. By Special Providence. | Doc. & Cov., Sec. 88; also Sec. 130. A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology (White); Conflict Between Religion and Science (Draper); Natural Law in the Spiritual World (Drummond). Joseph Smith, the Prophet-Teacher (Roberts), pp. 42-49. Studies in Religion (Fiske), pp. 158-169, 337, 338. |
II. Harmonization of Government by Unvarying Law, and the Existence of Special Providence. 1. Misconception of Unvarying Law; Laws Have Their Limitations. 2. Misconception of "Miracles." | |
III. The New Dispensation—Its Prophet and Doctrine Committed to the Reign of Law in Both the Physical and the Spiritual World. |
[Footnote A: "The fundamental conception of law is an ascertained working sequence or constant order among the phenomena of nature.
* * "The laws of nature are simply statements of the orderly condition of things in nature, what is found in nature by a sufficient number of competent observers.
"And despite the limitations of its sphere on every side, Law is still the largest, richest, and surest source of human knowledge." (Henry Drummond: Natural Law in the Spiritual World, Introduction, pp. 4, 5.)]
SPECIAL TEXT: "There are many kingdoms, and to every kingdom is given a law; and to every law there are certain bounds also, and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions [i. e., laws] are not justified." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 88:37-39.)