The Latter-day Saints and every other person who is entitled to salvation,
and all except those who have sinned against the Holy Ghost, may know that
Jesus is the Christ in the same way that Peter knew it [see Matthew 16:13-19].
Miracles do not give this knowledge to mankind, though they may serve as
collateral evidence to strengthen the believer. The miracles of Jesus were
known to the Jews, yet they suffered him to be put to death as a deceiver
of mankind and one possessed of a devil
(DBY, 28).
Provenance:
- DBY, 28 reads:
The Latter-day Saints and every other person who is entitled to salvation, and all except those who have sinned against the Holy Ghost, may know that Jesus is the Christ in the same way that Peter knew it. Miracles do not give this knowledge to mankind, though they may serve as collateral evidence to strengthen the believer. The miracles of Jesus were known to the Jews, yet they suffered him to be put to death as a deceiver of mankind and one possessed of a devil. 10:193.
- DBY, 28 is taken from the Journal of Discourses, May 31, 1863.
Relevant scriptures:
Matthew 16:13-19 reads:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Brian Madsen's occasionally opinionated observations:
Brian C. Madsen