Most of the contents of this volume appeared originally as a series
of articles in Saturday issues of the Deseret Evening News, beginning
October 26, 1918, and ending May 31, 1919. As stated by the News,
these articles "were designed to fill in some degree a spiritual void
and meet a special need of those who were in the habit of attending
Sunday services, but were denied that privilege by the prevalence of
the influenza epidemic." That epidemic caused a suspension of public
gatherings for several months, and even made necessary the postponement
of one General Conference of the Church.
It was during this period of suspension that these contributions to the
Church organ began. They were given place on the editorial page, and
subsequently the News said of them: "These 'Thoughts' have subserved a
far more than temporary and passing purpose—they have stimulated study
and deep reflection, and they have been greatly enjoyed and prized by
the thoughtful reader everywhere."
Among those who uttered similar sentiments was President George H.
Brimhall, of the Brigham Young University, who, in a letter to the
author, expressed the hope that provision would be made for publication
of the essays in book form, "thus adding one more choice volume to
Latter-day Saint literature, especially suited to the needs of students
at home and missionaries abroad." Like expressions came from President
Heber J. Grant, Senator Reed Smoot, President John A. Widtsoe, of the
University of Utah, and many other prominent people.
In response to this cordial, widespread sentiment of appreciation,
and under the sanction of the General Authorities of the Church, the
"Saturday Night Thoughts" were compiled for republication, and the
result is here presented.
May, 1921
THE AUTHOR.
Part One—Our Place In History
Article One: The Saturday Evening of Time
Article Two: The Watch On The Tower
Article Three: Concerning Names and Vocations
Article Four: The Choice Seer
Article Five: The Land of Zion
Part Two—Seership and Prophecy
Article Six: What Joseph Beheld
Article Seven: What Joseph Foretold
Article Eight: Looking Westward
Article Nine: The Place of Safety
Part Three.—A Marvel and a Wonder
Article Ten: The Wisdom That Perishes
Article Eleven: The God Story
Article Twelve: The Great Vicissitudes
Article Thirteen: The Gospel Dispensations
Part Four.—A Glance Down the Ages
Article Fourteen: The Adamic Age
Article Fifteen: Enoch and His City
Article Sixteen: Noah and the Deluge
Article Seventeen: Abraham and the House of Israel
Article Eighteen: Moses and Aaron
Article Nineteen: To the Ends of the Earth
Part Five.—In Time's Meridian
Article Twenty: The Lamb of God
Article Twenty-one: The Special Witnesses
Part Six.—The Era of Restitution
Article Twenty-two: The Call of the Shepherd
Article Twenty-three: The Zion of Latter Days
Article Twenty-four: Redemption by Power
Article Twenty-five: Clearing the Way
Article Twenty-six: God's Hand Upon the Nations
Article Twenty-seven: The Consummation
Part Seven.—Powers and Principles
Article Twenty-eight: The Priesthood
Article Twenty-nine: Church Government
Article Thirty: The Law of Obedience
Article Thirty-one: The Divine Doorway
Article Thirty-two: The Second Birth
Article Thirty-three: Meaning and Mode of Baptism
Article Thirty-four: The Gospel's Accessories
Article Thirty-five: What Are Miracles?
Article Thirty-six: The Mainspring of Power
Part Eight.—Beyond the Horizon
Article Thirty-seven: The Spirit World
Article Thirty-eight: Spirit Promptings
Article Thirty-nine: Do the Dead Return?
Article Forty: The Goal Eternal
