re like the testimonies in a social meeting. They do not represent things in just
the same style. Each has an experience of his own, and this diversity broadens and
deepens the knowledge that is brought out to meet the necessities of varied minds.
The thoughts expressed have not a set uniformity, as if cast in an iron mold, making
the very hearing monotonous. In such uniformity there would be a loss of grace and
distinctive beauty....
The Creator of all ideas may impress different minds with the same thought, but
each may express it in a different way, yet without contradiction. The fact that this
difference exists should not perplex or confuse us. It is seldom that two persons will
view and express truth in the very same way. Each dwells on particular points which
his constitution and education have fitted him to appreciate. The sunlight falling upon
the different objects gives those objects a different hue.
Through the inspiration of His Spirit the Lord gave His apostles truth, to be
expressed according to the development of their minds by the Holy Spirit. But the
mind is not cramped, as if forced into a certain mold.—Letter 53, 1900.
The Lord Speaks in Imperfect Speech
The Lord speaks to human beings in imperfect speech, in order that the degenerate
senses, the dull, earthly perception, of earthly beings may comprehend His words.
Thus is shown God’s condescension. He meets fallen human beings where they are.
The Bible, perfect as it is in its simplicity, does not answer to the great ideas of God;
for infinite ideas cannot be perfectly embodied in finite vehicles of thought. Instead
of the expressions of the Bible being exaggerated, as many people suppose, the strong
expressions break down before the magnificence of the thought, though the penman
selected the most expressive language through which to convey the truths of higher
education. Sinful beings can only bear to look upon a shadow of the b