Winchester, Benjamin. “The Object of a Continuation of Revel

Winchester, Benjamin. “The Object of a Continuation of Revelation.” The Gospel Reflector (Philadelphia) 1, no. 5 (1 March 1841): 97–120.
THE OBJECT OF A CONTINUATION OF REVELATION.
(Continued from page 96.) WE believe that it is our privilege to know the will of God concerning us, as well as it was the privilege of the former-day saints to know the will of God concerning them. Most unquestionably, the Lord never had a people on earth that he acknowledged to be his own, except he had inspired men among them. Some may ask, if he has not acknowledged many of the Christian societies to be his own. If he has, he has done it by revelation; but if he has given none since the days of the apostles, then he has not acknowledged any society to be his people: for he has no other way of doing it, but by revelation: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets.” Where would be the justice in God to make known his will to his ancient saints, by giving revelations, and discovering to them future glories, and removing the intervening vail, and permiting them to gaze upon the hallowed throng of eternity; and also to receive a foretaste of the blessings of the world to come; and then exclude his saints of future ages, from the privilege of receiving such blessings. It is asserted that Christendom of the present age has so much more light, and knowledge than the former-day saints had, that they need no more revelation. We admit that this generation, with regard to arts, and sciences, are far in the advance of any former; but we deny that they have as much knowledge of the things of God as the ancients; for they saw visions, and obtained knowledge [97] from the Lord,