It cannot be justly claimed that the Prophet anticipated the world of science in the recognition of this principle, but reading his works in the light of modern progress, it cannot be denied that he placed a greater value upon the aids to man's senses, with respect to the subtle forces of the universe, than did any of his contemporaries. That acknowledgment is a wonderful tribute to the powers of an unlearned boy.
Evidence crowds upon evidence, and testimony upon testimony, until the opposition of logic falls away; and Joseph Smith rises above the fog of prejudice, a mighty prophet of our God.
THE FORCE OF FORCES.
Chapter XVII.
THE NATURE OF GOD.
[Sidenote: Nearly all thinkers believe in God or an equivalent.]
In every philosophy of the universe, the question concerning the primary cause of the phenomena of nature always arises. Ancient and modern philosophers, alike, have discussed the probability of the existence of this primary cause and its properties. Plato, putting the words into the mouth of Socrates, declares, "I do believe in the Gods."[A] Aristotle, the greatest of early thinkers, assumed that a God exists, from whom all other forces are derived. For example, "From a first principle, then, of this kind—I mean, one that is involved in the assumption of a First Mover—hath depended the Heaven and Nature."[B] Spencer, speaking in these latter days, likewise implies the existence of the equivalent of the God of men, thus, "If religion and science are to be reconciled, the basis of reconciliation must be this deepest, widest and most certain of all facts—that the Power which the universe manifests to us is utterly inscrutable."[C]
[Footnote A: Plato, The Apology, chap. XXIV.]
[Footnote B: Aristotle, Metaphysics, chap. VII, sec. 4.]
[Footnote C: First Principles, p. 48.]