Devil's Representation
The Quote “And after the flood we are told that the curse that had been pronounced upon Cain was continued through Ham’s wife, as he had married a wife of that seed. And why did it pass through the flood? Because it was necessary that the devil should have a representation upon the earth as well as God.” — John Taylor, JoD 22:304 (August 28, 1881) Lyrics [Intro] (Slow Hammond organ, somber) [Verse 1] Sunday afternoon in Provo August, eighteen eighty-one The prophet rose to tell them What their God had done He spoke of Noah's flood And why the curse survived "Why did it pass through the water?" Then the answer he supplied [Chorus] The devil needs representation That's what the prophet told God designed it, God required it A people bought and sold The curse of Cain through Ham's own wife Preserved by heaven's hand The devil needs representation So sayeth the promised land [Verse 2] "It was necessary," said the prophet Speaking plain and speaking clear Not whispered, not in private But for every soul to hear Published in the Journal For the faithful to receive The devil needs his people That's what you're supposed to believe [Chorus] [Bridge] (Tempo slows, choir enters soft) Two thousand thirteen An essay finally came "We disavow the theories" But they never spoke his name The devil's representation Now just "theories of the past" But for ninety-seven years Those theories held fast [Final Chorus] (Full choir, organ swelling) The devil had representation For ninety-seven years they bore the ban No priesthood, no temple, no promised land That's what they told the children of God "Why did it last so long?" we ask The prophets never told God's children called the devil's own By the man who claimed to speak for God [Outro] (Organ fading, spoken) "Because it was necessary that the devil should have a representation upon the earth" (Silence) Historical Context The Setting: August 28, 1881 — Sunday afternoon, Provo Stake Conference. John Taylor was serving as President of the Church. ...