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CHAPTER X.
JOSEPH SMITH, JR., AND THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
THE chief instrument in the hands of God in the founding of this church was Joseph Smith, Jr. He was
born in the year 1805, on the 23d of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vt. When about fifteen years
of age he was greatly wrought upon in regard to religion, and set about to discover, if possible, the true church
of Christ. He had observed with pain and great concern the divisions and discords in the world among the sects.
More especially was he made to feel and sense the evil effects of this conflict and contention between the
churches as it was brought into his father's family -- some favoring one sect, and others another sect. Anxious
about his own welfare, but not knowing which church to unite with, on an occasion, while much perplexed in mind,
he was reading in the Bible in search of light, and his eyes rested upon the following: --
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him." -- Jas. 1.5.
He was too young and confiding to presume that God did not say what he meant, and meant what he
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said; so he
retired into a grove and kneeled down and prayed; and while at prayer a vision was opened to him, and two
personages appeared unto him in glory, standing above him in the air. One of them spake unto him, calling him by
name, and said, pointing to the other, "This is my beloved Son; hear him!" The following is his language: --
"My object in going to inquire of the Lord, was to know which of all these sects was right, that I might know which
to join.... I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right, -- for at that time
it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong, -- and which I should join. I was answered that I should join
none of them, for they were all wrong; and the personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an
abomination in his sight, that those professors were all corrupt, 'They draw near me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me; they teach for doctrine the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the
power thereof.' He again forbade me to join any of them." -- Times and Seasons, Vol. III., page 727.
This was enough to start a conflict with the professedly pious, when once he gave an account of the "vision," and he
was contemptuously informed, by accepted ministers, that "It was all of the Devil; that there were no such things as
visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there never would be
any more of them."
On the eve of the 21st of September, 1823, through fervent prayer, another vision was presented to Mr. Smith, and
he gives it, in part, as follows: --
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"After I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for
forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing
before him, for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I had previously had one.
"While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in the room, which continued to
increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside,
standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a
whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen, nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear
so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrists; so, also, were
his feet naked, as were his legs little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he
had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open so that I could see into his bosom. Not only was his robe
exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning.
The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon
him I was afraid, but the fear soon left me. He called me by name, and said unto me, that he was a messenger sent
from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do, and that my
name should be had
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for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues; or that it should be both good and
evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving, an account
of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness
of the everlasting gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Saviour to the ancient inhabitants. Also,
that there were two stones in silver bows (and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the
Urim and Thummim), deposited with the plates, and the possession and use of these stones was what constituted
seers in ancient or former times, and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book.
"After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted a part of
the third chapter of Malachi, and he quoted, also, the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a
little variation from the way it reads in our Bible. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he
quoted it thus: 'For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them
neither root nor branch.' And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: 'Behold, I will reveal unto you the priesthood, by
the hand of Elijah the Prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' He also quoted the next
verse differently: 'And he shall plant
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in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of
the children shall turn to their fathers; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.' In
addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted, also,
the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He
said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when 'they who would not hear his voice should be
cut off from among the people,' but soon would come. He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-
eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated, the
fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of Scripture, and offered
many explanations which cannot be mentioned here. Again, he told me that when I got those plates of which he had
spoken, -- for the time that they should be obtained was not then fulfilled, -- I should not show them to any person;
neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim; only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them.
If I did, I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my
mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the
place again when I visited it." -- Times and Seasons, Vol. III., page 729.
The points of identity between the predictions as found in the twenty-ninth chapter of Isaiah and their fulfilment
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in the revelation of the "Book of Mormon" as the " book that is sealed" of verse eleven, concerning
which this angel message gave the first insight, are many and most wonderfully striking. They cannot fail to attract
with deep interest any thoughtful reader.
(1.) A certain people was to be unto the Lord "as Ariel." (v. 2.) The meaning of the word "Ariel" is obscure. It is
thought to be " Lion of God," or "Hearth of God." Most likely the former. Accepting that "Ariel" proper was the
city or people where David dwelt, Jerusalem, then the people who were to be unto the Lord "as Ariel" were to dwell
elsewhere, become great, and constitute a new "lion of God," or dwell as around "the hearth of God," meaning that
they were to receive his especial care, aid, and protection. The margin reads, "Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, of the city
where David dwelt!" So that we have presented in these texts what may be termed an old and a new "Ariel." A
comparison between two. The reading is, "It shall be unto me as Ariel."
(2.) This new "Ariel" after becoming great was to be "camped against," besieged, and "forts" raised against it. It
was to be "brought down" and "speak out of the ground." "Thy speech shall be low out of the dust." As one that
hath a familiar spirit "out of the ground." " Thy speech shall whisper out of the dust." (v. 4.)
By reason of the great destruction which would eventually be sent upon this people, it is said their "strangers" and
"terrible ones" would be like "small dust" and as "chaff that passeth away." (v. 5.) Dissension,
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conflict, war,
"thunder," "storm," "earthquake," "tempest," and the "flame of devouring fire were to unite as the wrath of God to
bring about their utter destruction. (v. 6.) Now, the only way that a people could "speak out of the ground," or
"whisper out of the dust" to intelligent mortals in fulfilment of this prediction, would be that their
history should be written at some period in the day of their power and prosperity, and it become lost, rest in mute
silence among their former habitations or desolations, since their "terrible ones" became as the "chaff that passeth
away," and be discovered and brought to light by some means or other "out of the ground," to be read by an
intelligent world that knew not of them. Such a history is clearly indicated in verse 11 as the "vision of all" which
was to become as the "words of a book that is sealed," and to be of special notice and importance at the time of its
revealment.
Such are the claims set forth in the "Sealed Book, or Book of Mormon." There we are informed that about six
hundred years before the birth of the Saviour, a colony of Jews left Jerusalem and by miraculous guidance came to
this western continent, -- the Americas. Here they grew up an intelligent, thrifty, and powerful people. They were
highly favored of the Lord, and received commandments and revelations from him for their guidance and direction.
They engaged in all the labors common to secular life. They tilled the soil, mined, manufactured, built cities,
churches, temples, and finally became a great nation and empire in the New World. But as may be observed in the
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history of all nations, the elements of dismemberment and destruction were early sown in the new colony. In
process of time, jealousies, division, and discords precipitated war and conflict. Great leaders marshalled
their hosts for the terrible strife. Strong places of defence were prepared, and forts and towers were
erected. The great nation was divided, and rushed to arms. She was lifted up in pride, and forgot her God. Her sins
reached to heaven. For her transgression, her glory was to depart. The enemy camped against her "round about,"
and laid " siege against" her "with a mount," and at about the close of the fourth century of the Christian era, having
been in existence about one thousand years, by sword, and judgment, and robbery, and the wrath of the elements,
sent of God, she was "brought down," laid low with the dust, to speak forever "out of the ground," if she spoke at
all, by the revelation of her history written in the day of her power, peace, and learning. The wild, heartless savage
possessed himself of their lands, cities, courts, churches, homes. For long ages he has roamed sullenly over the
sacred places where civilization, learning, the arts, sciences, and the true order of worship were the glory of the
great nation. Yet he is a savage still. Their ancient habitations remain upon the continent. Those desirous of
learning from other sources of this great nation, read the late archæological works of Catherwood and Stephens,
"Ancient America," by Baldwin, and "The North Americans of Antiquity," by John T. Short, and other similar
works. Read also the full account found in the "Book of Mormon."
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Note further the salient points in the prediction of Isaiah concerning the revelation of the history of this lost nation:
(1.) The book was to be delivered to an unlearned man. (2.) The words of the book were to be delivered to the
learned man. (3.) The learned would not be able to read them. (4.) The Lord would inspire the illiterate man to read
it, for he was to 'confound the wisdom of the wise.' (5.) The deaf were to hear the words of the book. (6.) God was
to proceed to 'do a marvellous work and a wonder.' (7.) It was to commence at a time when the people would not
believe that God could or would do anything of a miraculous nature. That he had done his work, and the canon of
revelation was full. (8.) 'There would be no prophets or seers among the people they would be things of the past, --
all dead. (9.) It would be revealed at a time when the people would be very religious in their own way. (10.) They
would preach by the precepts and doctrine of men. (11.) Many would 'seek deep' to hide their council; and say,
'Who seeth us?' (12.) It was to come forth just before God should favor Israel and their land. Jacob's face would
soon cease its paleness. (13.) They that murmured should learn doctrine, detect their false notions that had been
inflicted upon them by false teachers, and set them in the way of the true doctrine. (14.) It would detect false spirits.
They that erred therein should come to understanding. (15.) The meek should increase their joy in the Lord, and the
poor among men should rejoice in the Holy One of Israel, etc.
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Under these circumstances, and in fulfilment of these predictions, God was to move against the pride
and haughtiness of men, and confound the wisdom of the wise and startle the world by his great wisdom, power,
and inspiration; inaugurate his 'marvellous work and a wonder.' This he has done. Here is a brief narrative of some
of the events that transpired in brining to light the long-lost history.
After Joseph Smith, Jr., had procured the plates from which the 'Book of Mormon' was translated, he transcribed a
number of the characters and committed them to Martin Harris, of Palmyra, New York, with instructions that he
should proceed to New York City and submit the characters to the learned linguists of that city. Harris obeyed the
instructions, and waited upon Prof. Anthon and Dr. Mitchell, with the paper containing the hieroglyphics submitted
to his care. The following is Mr. Harris's statement concerning his visit to these learned men: --
"I went to the city of New York and presented the characters which had been transcribed, with the translation
thereof, to Prof. Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments. Prof. Anthon stated that the translation
was correct; more so than any he had before seen translated from tile Egyptian. I then showed him those that were
not translated, and he said they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyrian, and Arabic, and he said that they were the true
characters. He gave me a certificate certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were the true characters, and that
the translation of such of them as had been translated was also
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correct. I took the certificate and put it into my
pocket, and was just leaving the house when Mr. Anthon called me back and asked me how the young man found
out there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered, 'that an angel of God had revealed it unto
him.' He then said unto me, 'Let me see the certificate.' I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him,
when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I
would bring the plates to him he would translate them. I informed him that a part of the plates were sealed, and that
I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, 'I cannot read a sealed book.''
This statement of Martin Harris is corroborated and confirmed by Prof. Anthon himself, notwithstanding his private
opinion about the characters and his attempt to cast derision upon the claim made for the book. Said he: 'Some
years ago a plain, apparently simple-hearted farmer called on me with a note from Dr. Mitchell, of our city, now
dead, requesting me to decipher, if possible, a paper which the farmer would hand me, and which Dr. Mitchell
confessed he had been unable to understand. When I asked the person who brought it how he obtained the writing,
he gave me, as far as I now recollect (note this language, 'as far as I now recollect'), the following account. A gold
book consisting of a number of plates of gold fastened together in the shape of a book, by wires of the same metal,
which had been dug up in the northern part of the State of New York, and along with the book an enormous pair
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of gold spectacles. (Urim and Thummim.) These spectacles were so large that if a person attempted to look through
them, his two eyes would have to be turned toward one of the glasses merely, the spectacles in question being
altogether too large for the human face. Whoever examined the plates through the spectacles was enabled to not
only read them, but understand their meaning. All of this knowledge, however, was confined at that time to a young
man who had the trunk containing the plates and spectacles in his sole possession. He put on the spectacles, or
rather looked through one of the glasses, and deciphered the characters in the book, and having committed some of
them to paper, handed copies to a person outside. This paper was in fact a singular scroll. It consisted of all kinds of
crooked characters, disposed in columns, and had evidently been prepared by some person who had before him at
the time a book containing various alphabets, Greek and Hebrew letters, crosses and flourishes. Roman letters
inverted or placed sideways, were ranged in perpendicular columns, and the whole ended in a rude delineation of a
circle, divided into various compartments, decked with various strange marks, and evidently copied after the
Mexican calendar given by Humboldt.' (E. D. Howe's work, page 272.)
(Here is presented a fac-simile of the characters sent by Mr. Smith to Prof. Anthon and Dr. Mitchell by Martin
Harris, the ones not translated. The ones translated were written in columns, if Anthon's statement is correct as to
the character having been written in columns. (Plate 1.) These characters were photographed
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from the original document borne by Mr. Harris, at the direction of the late David Whitmer, who had in his possession,
at the time, said paper. They were carefully examined and compared by the author.)
The reader will bear in mind that Prof. Anthon made his statement a number of years after he was visited by Mr.
Harris. He endeavors to treat lightly and cast discredit upon the claims made concerning the revealment and
translation of the book by Mr. Smith (having taken sides with the popular current, not believing in the visitation of
angels), but he confesses, nevertheless, that both he and Dr. Mitchell were waited upon by Mr. Harris with a copy
of the characters, and that they examined them, just as is affirmed by Mr. Harris, and as is predicted in the twenty-
ninth chapter of Isaiah, and the eleventh verse, would be done, which is the main point in this investigation, and that
neither of them were able to decipher them. Indeed, there is nothing in the prediction of Isaiah to indicate that the
learned to whom the 'words of the book' would be submitted would believe anything in the transaction, but rather
the reverse.
They were real characters; so much so that the opinion is expressed that the copyist must have had several ancient
alphabets before him when the characters were made.
Now, it is universally conceded that Mr. Smith was both young and illiterate when this transaction took place. He
was a poor reader of the English language, and a poorer penman. It was necessary for him to employ a scribe, who
wrote as he dictated. Not, as stated
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by Prof. Anthon, by 'handing copies to a person outside,' but the scribe wrote the
words as they were pronounced by Smith, the harder ones being spelled out letter by letter. According to the
prophecy, the unlearned man was to possess the book. To the 'learned' man was to be delivered the 'words of the
book.' The implication is all through that the illiterate man, by God's aid, would be able to translate the book, and of
course would be the one to submit the characters to the learned. Mr. Smith did both. The book is here to speak for
itself. It can be read. It is in deed a 'marvel.' All agree that Smith could not have written it. No origin has been
assigned to it by its enemies that is worth considering. The old Spaulding theory advanced, -- set on foot in a
similar manner that the story was started that the disciples came by night and stole him away while the soldiers
slept, -- gulped down by some for the want of something more reasonable other than the facts, is too absurd for any
candid person to believe. With the touch of truth its deformity, absurdity, and rottenness appear at once. No proper
reader can indorse the Spaulding fraud, however inconsistent he may think the claim for the 'Book of Mormon' may
be.
How strange and marvellous all this is! Especially when we observe that the universal belief, at this time, was that
revelation, immediate and direct from God, had ceased; that there could be no more visiting of angels, or the
obtaining of a message from them. The description of the heavenly inhabitant who visited Mr. Smith is so exact,
natural, and real, that conviction is at once forced upon the mind by the narrative. It
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has all the ring and exactness of truth. A plain, straightforward narration of facts, as seen; as truthful and real as
that related as seen by Paul while on his way to Damascus.
Strange, however, as it all may seem, and is, it is in exact accord with the manner that it is predicted in the prophets
that the gospel should be restored in the last days. Bring your Bible, the true guide and test in this investigation, and
I will point out as strange and remarkable things in it. Look at the book of Revelation, fourth chapter and first and
second verses, which reads: --
"A door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which
said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit:
and, behold, a throne was set."
This vision was given in about the year 96 of the Christian era. The angel was to show him "things which must be
hereafter."
Many things were presented to the mind of the apostle, in rapid succession, and among them was the beautifully
arrayed woman of the twelfth chapter; her decline, change, and dispersion into the "wilderness," when darkness and
gloom settled down upon the great world. Men were left to grope their way without divine aid or direction; hence
the reign of night that ensued, as has been shown, from the fifth to the fifteenth centuries, especially. In the
fourteenth chapter there is presented a brighter day to dawn, when light would reappear; so we read: --
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"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell
on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him
that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations
drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." -- Rev. xiv.6, 7, 8.
This Babylon "is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." (Rev. xvii.18.) It is the woman that hid
the "golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication." (Rev. xvii.4.) Indeed, it is
"MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT," of verse 5. This Babylon is to fall to rise no more; and it is written,
"Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets." (Rev. xviii.20.) Note, that just before the
downfall of BabyIon, God was to send his angel from heaven, "having the everlasting, gospel to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
This "everlasting gospel" is the grand old Jerusalem gospel that was preached by Jesus and the apostles, pure and
unsullied. It was to be restored to earth by an angel just before the end of the world, or the destruction of the
wicked, and in time for it to be preached to "all nations" before the second coming of the Saviour. As one of the
signs of the times to precede his coming, Jesus said: --
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"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come." -- Matt. xxiv.14.
It is clearly indicated from this that it was foreseen that there would be a departure from the primitive faith at some
period subsequent to the death of the apostles or early Christian times, and the true gospel obscured and lost, or
there would have been no announcement that God would send his angel to restore it. How perfectly this prediction
accords with the narrative given of the angel's visit to Mr. Smith! He was commanded to join none of the existing
sects. They were all out of the way, -- wrong. "Their creeds are an abomination in my sight," said the Lord. This
was the hard hit in the angel's message. Sectarians, as such, like the old Jewish Pharisees, wanted compliments
from the Almighty; an indorsement of their institutions and work. The angel's announcement sent consternation and
dismay into their ranks, and they armed for a conflict. But it was the dawn before the day. The time had come when
there should be a shaking among the dry bones, and the creeds were to go. It is nothing new to read of some one
rising up against the creeds nowadays, and denouncing them as of human origin, and false. One by one great
leaders rise up and declare them to be "yokes," "man-made," what nobody believes, and a "reproach." If false,
added, and leading to division and discord, then God is not the author of them, hence "abomination in his sight."
The following confirms this position. At the Episcopal Convention held at New York, October the 2d and 5th,
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while discussing the revision of the Creed, Rev. J. J. Vance, of Arkansas, gave expression to the following: --
"In regard to the Nicene Creed, it is not the creed of the church; it was forced upon the church by civic power. It is
the, Roman Creed, and it is obligatory on us just as much as the creed of the infallibility of the Pope. Not only is it
true that it is not the Catholic creed, but the Church of England and the Church of America do not call it the Nicene
Creed.
"No such yoke as this should be put on any church in this free country. Is the Reformation complete ? Are we to
follow the Church of England? Are we in this land of religious liberty to follow the mother (Roman Catholic)
church?" -- Newark, New Jersey, News. (S. H., page 680.)
Again: --
"The Rev. Dr. Henry Van Dyke asks, in the Presbyterian: 'Why should we retain in our creed what none of us
believe, what all our teachers of theology reject, and what serves only to bring reproach upon our doctrine among
them that are without?'" -- S. H., page 649.
Philip Schaff, D. D., LL. D., in speaking concerning certain things contained in the Presbyterian Creed, says: --
"These doctrines are no longer believed by a majority of Presbyterians, nor preached by any Presbyterian minister,
as far as I know. They certainly could not be preached in any pulpit without emptying the pews.... What cannot be
preached in the church and taught in the Sunday school, ought not to be put into a Confession of Faith, and imposed
as a yoke upon the conscience of ministers and elders... They will in future prevent many promising students from
entering the ministry, and intelligent laymen from serving as elders, so long as they are required to subscribe to that
document as 'containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures.'" -- Creed Revision, page 48.
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Again: --
"We need a theology and a confession that is more human than Calvinism, more divine than Arminianism, and
more Christian and catholic than either; a confession ... that will ...prepare the way for the great work of the future, -
- the reunion of Christendom in the creed of Christ." -- Ibid., page 42.
Sectarians themselves being the judges, "creeds are no part of Christianity, and are not believed by those professing
a faith in them. They are getting to be an "abomination" in the sight of the people, those traditioned to believe them,
because of their absurdity. Is there anything strange, then, that God, in order to lift these "yokes" from the people's
necks, should declare to Mr. Smith, upwards of fifty years ago that he had no delight in them? Joseph Smith was
right in his inspiration and announcement, although he had the world to combat. Those of advanced thought now
support the truth of his announcement by striking at the creeds themselves. Note that nothing of worth among men,
among the reformers, among those contending for progress and the right, was denounced by the angel, but the "
creeds," that are too hard and inconsistent for the sects to believe and obey themselves.
But it is not difficult to prove them all to be wrong. We have done so in this article. The continual strife, sneering,
and contention among themselves prove them to be wrong; and the further proof, as predicted, that it would become
necessary for God to send his angel to earth in order to set up the truth, shows them all to be out of the way, under
the creeds, and directed by men only.
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It is a fact, then, that on this side of the dark day that has intervened between us and the apostles, Christ was to send
his angel to earth, and commit the "everlasting gospel," precisely as claimed by Mr. Smith was revealed to him,
scoff who may. The angel announced his name, Moroni. He said, as related by Mr. Smith, "that God had a work for
me to do and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues."
How prophetic! How unlikely at that time that it would ever be fulfilled! But it has come to pass. That fixes it as
from God. For no man can forecast the future of his own wisdom.
It was said, "Those professors were all corrupt"; but it is not intended by this, that they were all wicked of heart and
dishonest of purpose. No; their creeds had misled them, corrupted their judgments, and they were being guided by
them rather than walking by the light of the word of God. Like the old Pharisees, they "encompassed sea and land
to make a proselyte, and when he is made, he is twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." Why? Because he
was now creed-bound, under the domination of a system invented by men, that would blind, distort, and corrupt the
judgment and conscience, and lead him headlong to destruction, - following dogmatically and persistently in the
way of "blind guides." Creeds lead to doubt, selfishness, infidelity, irreligion, intolerance, bigotry, disunion, pious
frauds, blindness, bondage, priestcraft, and death. No wonder they are denounced as " abominations " in the sight of
God. All of the advanced
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thinkers, the world's benefactors, and good men and women are ready to exclaim,
"Hallelujah, Amen! Let them fill, to rise no more; but we will hold on to the word of God."
Further, the angel also made mention of a book that was to be associated with the restoration of the gospel, and the
setting up of the kingdom of God, just previous to the end of the world, or second coming of the Saviour.
Go with me now to the twenty-ninth chapter of the Book of Isaiah, and beginning with the ninth verse, we read: --
"Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with
strong drink.
"For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your
rulers, the seers hath he covered.
"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is
learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned."
Here is a book spoken of in the "Holy Bible, book divine," that is to be a most wonderful book when manifest. It is
called "the vision of all." The words of this book were to be delivered to a learned man, with the request, "Read
this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed." With all of his professed wisdom and pride of knowing, he
would not be
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able to decipher its contents. To him it was to be a sealed, locked book.
But the "book" is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, "Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not
learned." Neither the learned nor the unlearned are masters of the situation here. Both are to confess their inability
to read the book.
Now this event was to take place at a time when the "spirit of deep sleep" would be poured out upon men. When
they would be "drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink." What is the difficulty with
them? Answer: they are blind and groping, and staggering their way -- among the creeds of earth -- in spiritual
things; blinded, deceived, and tossed about by the conflicting opinions of men, -- "winds of doctrine." The learning
of men is all they have to guide them ; and these construe the word of God to cause it to read to their own liking. It
is a time when there are to be no "seers" or "prophets"; they are all done away, in the opinion of this "drunken,"
blind, and staggering people.
What is to be done, under the situation? Who is to read the book? These drunken and sleepy inhabitants of earth,
who have no communion with God, can do nothing with it; neither the learned nor the unlearned. Nevertheless, it is
to form a conspicuous part in the setting up of God's latter-day work.
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth (this staggering drunken
people), and with their lips do honor me (they are a very pious people, however, in their own estimation, -- church
going), but have
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removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men (nobody
believes in, or receives divine inspiration or guidance, but the things of God are thought to be pointed out by the
precepts, wisdom, of men): therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people (among
this pious, self-wise, and drunken people, who deny revelation, and do not believe in 'prophets' or 'seers'), even a
marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their
prudent men shall be hid. -- Isa. xxix. 13, 14.
There were to be called "wise" and "prudent" men among these blind and staggering inhabitants. But "God is going
to do such a "marvellous work" among them that it will eclipse all of the learning and pretension of the age. He is
going to cause to be read that " sealed book for the "deaf" are to " hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the
blind (by reason of what is written in it) shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness." Out of the wilderness and
darkness of "mystery, Babylon," and the conflicting creeds and doctrines of men. (v. 18.) For they that erred in
spirit shall come to understanding (those who had received a false spirit for the true), and they that murmured shall
learn doctrine." (v. 24.) Those who have been led by the doctrines and precepts of men will now discover their
mistake, that they have been blinded and imposed upon.
But how will God proceed to perform his "marvellous work and a wonder" among this people? He will act just like
himself, and it is written, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the
prophets." (Amos iii. 7.) He
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will do that which will confound the "wise " and the "prudent"; cause to be done that
which they could not do; and how? He will take the man that is "not learned" and inspire him to read the "sealed
book." This is a very important book, and contains very excellent and important things, or the Lord would not have
had anything to do with it. For it was to be connected with his work in the last day. The time for its revealment is
fixed. So we read: --
"Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be
esteemed as a forest? And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book. -- Isa. xxix. 17, 18.
What day? The day that God will remove the curse from the land of Lebanon or Palestine that has been so long
upon it, and restore its former fertility, the early and latter rain. That has been done, and, too, since the revelation of
the "sealed book." It was to be performed in "a very little while thereafter."
Now read what a recent traveller has said about Lebanon, or the land of Palestine: --
"I arrived in Indiana a few days since, from the Eastern Continent. I stopped at Joppa nearly the whole winter. For
my part, I was well pleased with the country. It is certainly a land of most wonderful fruitfulness, with a
delightsome climate, producing everything, if properly cultivated, and from two to three crops in a year. They have
grain, fruit, and vegetables all the year round; in fact, I never was in such a country before. I have seen much good
country in Europe and America, but none to compare with Palestine; its fruitfulness is uncommon, and the climate
the most delightsome; even in winter I did not see the least sort of frost, and vegetables of every sort were
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growing in perfection in their gardens. It is a fact that the rain, and dew are restored; recently, in 1853, the former
and the latter rain were restored, to the astonishment of the natives.'
Jesus said, concerning the temple that stood upon Mt. Moriah, in his day: --
"There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they (the Jews) shall fall by the
edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the
Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." -- Luke xxi. 6, 24.
This shows that a great calamity was to befall Jerusalem and the Jews; and that it was to continue until the "times of
the Gentiles be fulfilled." Which is to say, that at that time God would make a change, and favor his land and the
Jews. But before all this, the "sealed book" was to be read, and in "a very little while" Lebanon, or the parched land
of Palestine, was to be turned into a "fruitful field," and soon thereafter it was to be said, "Jacob (the Jews) shall
not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale." (Isa. xxix. 22.)
The time is fulfilled. Palestine is reviving, budding, and blossoming, and bearing fruit in abundance; and Jacob's
face is turning with smiles of rejoicing to the land of his fathers.
Moses wrote of Joseph's land and that of his posterity as follows: --
"And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the
deep that coucheth beneath,
"And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
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"And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the
bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from
his brethren....They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh." -- Deut. xxxiii. 13-
17. (See Gen. xlviii.; xlix. 22-26.)
This land of Joseph, upon which the great latter-day work was to begin, and the sealed book be brought to light,
was descried in vision and announced by Isaiah, as follows: "Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is
beyond the rivers of Ethiopia." (Isa. xviii. 1.) That is, west of Northern Africa or Ethiopia, west of her rivers, and
still farther west lie the Americas, stretched out amid oceans like two great wings. He goes on: --
"All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains;
and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye." -- Isa. xviii. 3.
God's "ensign" is the gospel banner. All the world are called upon to behold when he sets it up. It was to be
established as the "marvellous work and a wonder," inaugurated by the Almighty, in sending his angel to restore the
gospel just "afore the harvest" (v. 5), or end of the world.
Again Isaiah says: --
"He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the
dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." -- Isa. xi. 12.
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This, too, was to precede the return of the Jews to their ancient home.
Mr. Smith then received the right messenger, the right message, was in the right place, lived in the right time, and
made the right claim to fulfil these prophecies in the work that he did. Under the movement of this
"marvellous work and a wonder," to begin previous to restoring the fertility of ancient Palestine, and also restoring
the Jews to their ancient home, God was to
"Take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them
with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." -- Ezek.
xxxvii.19.
This "stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim," contains the things of God revealed to Ephraim, as the stick
of Judah (the Bible) contains the things of God revealed to Judah. Ephraim (and Manasseh) was to dwell "to the
utmost bounds of the everlasting hills," from Palestine or Egypt. (Gen.xlix.26.) This brings us again to America,
Joseph's or Ephraim's, his son's, land. Here he was to dwell, and of course here his record would be: Mr. Smith was
in the right place, and proceeded in the right way in order to get it. It was to be revealed before the return of the
Jews to their promised inheritance. (See Ezek. xxxvii. 20-28, inclusive; Ps. lxxxv. 8-13; Deut. xxxiii. 13-17 ; Gen.
xlix. 22-26; xlviii. 9-20.)
It was to come out of the earth. (See Ps. lxxxv. 8-13; Isa. xxix. 4.)
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The full time had come for the introduction of the dispensation of the fulness of times that is to ultimate
in the return of the Saviour to the world; hence he sent his angel to reveal the "everlasting gospel" (Rev. xiv.6), to
be preached to all nations preparatory to that event. Mr. Smith testified truly, then, when he said that God sent his
angel unto him to enlighten him concerning these things. He also testified truly when he affirmed that there was
committed unto him the " Urim and Thummim" as a means by which he might translate the "sealed book" to the
confounding and bringing to naught the wisdom of the wise.
God says, "I will proceed to do a marvellous work."
Hitherto people did not believe that he could work "marvellously," miraculously, any more.
But Mr. Smith might have received the visitation of angels, discovered the "sealed book" and been able to translate
it, and yet not have been qualified to build up the church of God, or even to preach and administer the gospel.
Hence it is necessary to carry our inquiries further, in order to determine the manner of the rise and founding of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Mr. Smith proceeds with his account as follows: --
"We still continued the work of translation (the sealed book' by the aid of the Urim and Thummim) when, in the
ensuing month we, on a certain day, went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the
remission of sins, as we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying
and
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calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon
us, he ORDAINED us, saying unto us, 'Upon you, my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the
priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of
baptism by immersion for the remission of sin; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of
Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. He said the Aaronic priesthood had not the power of
laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter, and he
commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowardly, and afterwards
that he should baptize me.
"Accordingly we went and were baptized; I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me; after which I laid my
hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic priesthood; afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained
me to the same priesthood, for so we were commanded.
"The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred this priesthood upon us, said that his name was
John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter,
James, and John, who held the keys of the priesthood of Melchisedec, which priesthood should in due time be
conferred on us, and that I should be called the first elder and he the second. It was on the 5th day of May, 1829,
that we were baptized, and ordained by the hand of the messenger."
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Oliver Cowdrey writes of this event as follows:
"On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted,
and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys
of the gospel of repentance. What joy! What wonder! What amazement! While the world was racked and distracted,
while millions were groping, as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general
mass, our eyes beheld, our ears heard. As in the blaze of day, yes, more, above the glitter of the May sunbeam,
which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the centre,
and his words, 'I am thy fellow-servant,' dispelled every fear. We listened, -- we gazed, -- we admired! 'Twas the
voice of the angel from glory; 't was a message from the Most High! And as we heard we rejoiced, while his love
enkindled upon our souls, and we were rapt in the vision of the Almighty! Where was room for doubt? Nowhere;
uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk, no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever.
"But, dear brother, think, further think for a moment, what joy filled our hearts, and with what surprise we must
have bowed (for who would not have bowed the knee for such a blessing) when we received under his hands the
holy priesthood, as he said, 'Upon you, my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer this priesthood, and
this authority, which shall remain upon earth, that the sons of Levi may yet offer an offering unto the Lord in
righteousness.'"
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What a "marvellous work," sure enough! What a "wonder"! What a breaking away from old sectarian methods and
ways! What a contrast with the church building by men, where all is assumption, human, uncertainty, and doubt!
What a lesson to proud men, vain boasters and doubters, that there is a God in heaven who revealeth secrets, and
that he will do his work in his own way! There is nothing new, however, in this display of light and glory as such. It
is only God's way of doing. He but acted like himself; as in the days of Noah, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist,
the apostles, and Christ. While the world was being tossed about with conflicting opinions and creeds, he
condescended to reveal himself by the hand of an angel of light. But there is nothing, in this great revelation, of the
Congregationalist self-appointment to the ministry, and church building; nothing of the strange deflection and
assumption, "If we have authority to preach, we have authority to baptize"; nothing of building a church on the
"Bible and Bible alone"; nothing of the tame uncertainty of, "We are but a band of brethren, having a form of
godliness, and seeking the power"; no transmitted authority from papal Rome, or the Roman Catholic hierarchy, or
the discordant sects; nothing from old "mystery, Babylon nothing of a Baptist "chain," or Episcopalian "meshes"
claim of a transmission: but in the quiet resort, of a stately forest, -- nature's solemn temple, -- where purity and
innocence reign complete, and naught but growing leaf and blooming flower might disturb the deep devotions and
peace of prayer of men of faith,
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an angel of glory, -- sent by Jesus, -- under the direction of Peter, James, and John,
to whom was committed the keys of the kingdom of God in days of old, -- in the blaze of day, -- wends his way to
earth, and conferred with his own pure hands and divinely uttered words the priesthood, -- long since lost, taken to
heaven, as represented by the man-child of Rev. xii., -- and thus authorized men, once more, to preach the gospel
and baptize in the name of Messiah, authoritatively, and lay the foundation of this church and kingdom of God in
these last days.
John the Revelator had the right view of the matter: "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth." That angel has come. He conferred upon these men
the Aaronic priesthood. In due time the Melchisedec priesthood also was conferred, and on Tuesday, the 6th day of
April, 1830, the church of Jesus Christ was regularly organized. The following is written concerning its rise: --
"The rise of the church of Jesus Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since
the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeably
to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the
month which is called April, which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jr., who was called of God and
ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; and Oliver Cowdrey, who was also called of
God an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand." -- Covenants
and Commandments, Sec. 17, Par. 1.
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Further, concerning the priesthood, it is written: --
"And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and
confirmed you to be apostles and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry; and of the
same things which I revealed unto them, unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation
of the gospel for the last time; and the fullness of times, in the which I will gather together in one all things, both
which are in heaven and which are on earth." -- Covenants and Commandments, Sec. 26, Par. 3.
Again: --
"And now, behold, there are others who are called to declare my gospel, both unto the Gentile and unto the Jew;
yea, even twelve, and the twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take upon them my name.... They are called to
go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every creature, and they are they who are ordained of me to baptize
in my name according to that which is written.... And now I speak unto the twelve. Behold my grace is sufficient
for you; you must walk uprightly before me, and sin not. And behold, you are they who are ordained of me to
ordain priests and teachers to declare my gospel, according to the power of the Holy Ghost which is in you, and
according to the calling and gifts of God unto men; and I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it." --
Covenants and Commandments, Sec- 16, Par. 6.
Thus the Melchisedec and the Aaronic priesthoods were conferred on men, and they authorized to preach the gospel
and baptize those who accepted Christ and his doctrine; and in process of time, the church was fully organized, by
the appointment and ordination of men to the several offices of the priesthood, in harmony with the pattern given in
the New Testament of the establishment of the church, by Christ and the apostles, at Jerusalem, with --
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(1.) A chief apostle and high priest, with two associate counsellors.
(2.) A quorum of twelve apostles.
(3.) Seventy elders.
(4.) Elders.
(5.) Bishops.
(6.) Priests.
(7.) Teachers.
(8.) Deacons.
(9.) High priests, evangelists, and pastors, in their proper places and order.
The ministry of this church were commissioned as follows : --
"Go ye into all the world, and whatsoever place ye cannot go into, ye shall send, that the testimony may go from
you into all the world, unto every creature. And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you; for you are
mine apostles, even God's high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends; therefore, as
I said unto mine apostles, I say unto you again, that every soul who believeth on your words and is baptized by
water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost, and these signs shall follow them, that believe.
"In my name they shall do many wonderful works; in my name they shall cast out devils; in my name they shall
heal the sick; in my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf; and the tongue of
the dumb shall speak; and if any man shall administer poison unto them, it shall not hurt them; and the poison of the
serpent shall not have power to harm them. But a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast
themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world: for these things are given unto you for your profit
and for salvation.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on
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your words, and are not baptized in water, in my name, for
the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my
Father's kingdom, where my Father and I am. And this revelation unto you, and commandment, is in force from this
very hour upon all the world." -- Covenants and Commandments, Sec. 83, Pars. 10, 11,12.
Again, to Sidney Rigdon: --
"Thou didst baptize by water unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost; but now I give unto thee a
commandment that thou shalt baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the
hands." -- Covenants and Commandments, See. 34, Par. 2.
How this rings like the old gospel of Pentecost day, when Peter said: --
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God
shall call." -- Acts ii. 38, 39.
And the manner of Paul: --
"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and
prophesied." -- Acts xix. 5, 6.
And the statement of Jesus: --
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
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"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new
tongues;
"They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover." -- Mark xvi. 15, 16, 17, 18.
The grand old Christian test, given by Jesus, has come again, as follows: --
"My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." --
John vii. 16, 17.
This church has thus been established by the will and commandment of God, and the administration of angels, and
the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, in these last days, and its ministry has been authorized and commissioned, as
the apostles and saints in days of old, to preach the gospel "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
under the whole heaven"; and the voice of warning is to all men, Repent, repent, for the coming of the Lord is nigh,
and the hour of God's judgment is at hand! Repent, and believe the gospel. Read, test, and be convinced.
This church, in its great outlines and chief doctrines, is in harmony with God's order of government, although in
conflict with that of men. Hence, the world is moved with derision, and the devil has been enraged against it ever
since its very inception, the same cause producing the same effect. From first to last, Satan has been on hand with
his old tactics, scorning even-handed justice and fairness. He said of
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Jesus, "He is a wine-bibber," a "glutton," a
"friend of publicans and sinners "casts out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils"; an enemy of the state, a rival
of Caesar. It was said, "This sect was everywhere spoken against." Derision, vituperation, misrepresentation,
slander, opprobrium, persecution, intolerance, and death were the weapons used against the truth in the time of the
Saviour and the apostles, in order to blind, corrupt, and mislead the people. It was successful in controlling the
masses until they nailed Jesus to the cross, slayed the apostles and thousands of the saints, who at the same time
thought they were doing God's service. Jesus said, "He that is of God, heareth God's word." But that blind,
professedly pious, intolerant, and ungodly mass of humanity did not want any word of God. They wanted their own
way; and they "cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas," the thief. Anybody
but the good.
Reader, this gives you a clear insight into the methods and tactics used by the opposers of the truth, whether by vain
men or devils, and you need not be blinded, decoyed, or led thereby. So that when you hear men deriding,
slandering, misrepresenting persecuting and saying all manner of evil against the church of Jesus Christ, and the
chief instruments that God used in founding it, do not be dismayed or alarmed, as though some new thing had
appeared. It is the old enemy of the truth come again. His weapons are the same; he has no better to use. He dare
not appeal to what is written, -- the word of God, -- because his is a lost
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cause when he attempts that. To-day, as of
old, "He that is of God, heareth God's word." "Come and let us reason together." "To the law and to the testimony if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. viii.20.) "As ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Jesus.) God is ever the same, -- true, tolerant, and considerate. Men, too,
are always the. same, -- proud, full of malice, jealousy, revenge, and hate; lovers of themselves more than lovers of
God.
But some professedly pious person, or blind guide, exclaims, "Joseph Smith was a bad man. We have heard it."
Indeed, some one has spoken evil of all good and great men; sometimes from a just cause, and sometimes from no
incentive at all but their own innate meanness, jealousy, and superstitions. Does any one refuse to read the books of
Psalms and Proverbs because David and Solomon did wicked things? or the Pentateuch, because Moses went so far
astray that the Lord would not permit him to cross over Jordan into the promised land? or the New Testament,
because Peter cursed and swore, and Paul and Barnabas engaged in an altercation, and the saints were "spoken
against everywhere. Do any refuse to unite with the great and powerful organizations of Protestant sects, because of
what their enemies, as well as their friends, say of their leaders or chief men? or what is before all eyes, the wicked
ways of many of their chief pastors?
Here is a Roman Catholic view of Protestant reformers in general: --
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How do Luther and Calvin, and Zwinglius and Knox, and Henry the Eighth, compare with these genuine and
saintly reformers (Roman Catholic churchmen, popes, etc., Charles Borromeo, Bartholomew, Ignatius of Loyola,
Alphonsus, and Philip Neri), both as to their moral character and the fruit of their labors? The private lives of these
pseudo-reformers were stained by cruelty, rapine, and licentiousness; and as the result of their propagandism,
history records civil wars, and bloodshed, and bitter religious strife, and the dismemberment of Christianity into a
thousand sects." -- The Faith of our Fathers, by CARDINAL GIBBONS, page 47.
"Luther and his colleagues, Melanchthon and Bucer, permitted Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, to have two wives at the
same time.
"Karlstadt, another German reformer, justified polygamy." -- Faith of our Fathers, page 430.
Those who are inclined to judge others by public rumor, and what their enemies say of them, rather than by a
considerate and just judgment, can be profited by reading the following, as expressive of the estimate put on the
Christians and the Christian religion by the popular masses and powerful organizations, at the beginning of the
second century of the Christian era: --
"I never had the misfortune to be present at any examination of Christians before I came into this province. I am
therefore at a loss to determine what is the usual object of inquiry or punishment, and to what length either of them
is to be carried. It has also been with me a question very problematical, whether any distinction should be made
between the young and the old, the tender and the robust; whether any room should be given for repentance, or the
guilt of Christianity once incurred is not to be expiated by the unequivocal retraction....I ask them whether they are
Christians. If they plead guilty I interrogate them twice afresh, with a menace of capita
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punishment. In case of
obstinate perseverance, I order them to be executed. For of this I had no doubt, whatever was the nature of their
religion, that a sullen and obstinate inflexibility called for the vengeance of the magistrate. Some were affected with
the same madness, whom, on account of their citizenship, I reserved to be sent to Rome, to your tribunal.... And this
was the account which they gave of the nature of their religion they once had professed, whether it deserves the
name of crime or error; namely, that they were accustomed on a stated day to meet before daylight, and to repeat
among themselves a hymn to Christ, as to a god.... After which it was their custom to separate, and meet again at a
promiscuous, harmless meal.... I forbade any societies of that sort.... On which account I judged it the more
necessary to inquire by torture, from two females, who were said to be deaconesses, what is the real truth; but
nothing could I collect except a depraved and excessive superstition. Deferring, therefore, any further investigation,
I determined to consult you. For the number of culprits is so great as to call for serious consultation.
"Many persons are informed against, of every age and of both sexes; and more still will be in the same situation.
The contagion of the superstition hath spread, not only through cities, but even villages in the country." -- C. Pliny
to Trajan, Emperor.
"These people must not be sought after. If they are brought before you and convicted, let them be capitally
punished; yet with this restriction, if any one renounce Christianity, and evidence his sincerity by supplicating our
gods, however suspected he may be for the past, he shall obtain pardon for the future on his repentance." -- The
Emperor Trajan to Pliny.
The Emperor, Antoninus Plus, wrote A. D. 140 to the Common Council of Asia: "But you harass and vex the
Christians, and accuse them of atheism and other crimes, which you can by no means prove. To them it appears an
advantage to die for their religion."
Tacitus had the common feeling about Christianity as a destructive superstition, and about Christians as
undeserving of mercy." -- MARSH'S Ecclesiastical History, page 167.
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Tertullian says: --
"What are we to think of it, that most people so blindly knock their heads against the hatred of the Christian name,
that when they hear favorable testimony to any one, they mingle with it abuse of the name he bears? 'A good man,'
says one, 'is Caius Seius, only that he is a Christian.' So another, 'I am astonished that a wise man like Lucius
should have become a Christian.'" -- Apology, Chap. III., Vol. Ill., Anti-Nicene Fathers.
Again, it is said: --
"The Christians were denounced as the common enemies of mankind. The learned looked upon them with contempt
as a vulgar throne of deluded enthusiasts," etc.
Such, once, was the opinion of the great and gay world of Christianity and Christians. This should caution us not to
pass upon any people or their claims hastily, but, after making diligent inquiry as to the facts of their claims, then
pass a considerate and just judgment.
The common proverb, "Those who live in glass houses should not cast stones," ought to admonish some people not
to be in too much haste in scorning and condemning others, and unheard. Rant, slur, and opprobrium are no
arguments for or against anything or anybody but those who deal in them.
Even of our good Mr. Wesley it is related that
"He was accused of diverting the people from labor (while laboring as a missionary at Savannah, Ga.), of fomenting
divisions, of claiming high and unwarranted ecclesiastical authority. His conduct towards a niece of one of the
principal settlers (a Miss Williams) was highly resented by her friends. Thirteen indictments, for alleged offences,
were found against him; but
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before the time of trial he returned to England (left under cover of his friends at night),
and there for many years pursued a successful and distinguished career of piety and usefulness." -- History of the
United States, by WILEY, published in 1830, in New York.
With so much to admonish, and this is not a tithe that has been said, both of the great reformers and chief reformed
churches, the most superstitious, illiterate, and prejudiced of persons should be moved to act upon the Christian
virtues of fairness and justness toward poor Mr. Smith, and judge him according to the facts of history, as manifest
in his life and work, written, not altogether by his enemies, but by his friends, also. Judge him according to the
principles, doctrine, and faith which he announced. The work that he did is the only apology he needs. His whole
life shone with a lustre of morality, purity, and devotion to truth equal to, not to say in advance of, the most perfect
and upright of the reformers of worldly fame and honor. Let us be fair and just, then, and accept the exhortation,
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
Take warning dear reader, and pursue a steady, unbiased course in the search for knowledge. It will make you free.
In confirmation of the declared purpose of the Almighty to establish a marvellous work among men, and publish
the gospel to the nations just previous to the Saviour's coming, or in the last days, we cite the statements of some of
the most eminent Bible students and divines of modern times.
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Said Roger Williams: --
"I conceive that the apostasy of antichrist hath so far corrupted all, that there can be no recovery out of that
apostasy, till Christ shall send forth new apostles to plant churches anew."
Mr. Alexander Campbell exclaimed: --
"At evening time there shall be light. The primitive gospel, in its effulgence and power, is yet to shine out in its
original splendor to regenerate the world."
Mr. John Wesley wrote as follows: --
"The times that we have reason to believe are at hand -- if they are not already begun -- are what many pious men
have termed the Latter-Day Glory, meaning the time wherein God would gloriously display his power and love in
the fulfilment of the promise that 'the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover
the sea.' The generality of Christians can see no signs of the glorious day that is approaching; but how is this to be
accounted for? How is it that men who can now 'discern the face of the sky,' who are not only great philosophers
but great divines, as eminent as ever the Sadducees or Pharisees were, do not discern the signs of the glorious times,
which if not begun are nigh even at the door?
"And yet the wise men of the world, men of learning and renown, cannot understand what we mean by talking of an
extraordinary work of God. They cannot discern the signs of the times. They see no signs at all of God's arising to
maintain his own cause, and set up his kingdom over all the earth.
"What could God have done which he hath not done to convince you that the day is coming, that the time is at hand
when he will fulfil this glorious promise, and will arise to maintain his own cause, and set up his kingdom?"
-- J. WESLEY, Sermon, 71
Charles Wesley wrote and sang as if inspired with a view of the inauguration of the latter-day dispensation, as
follows: --
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Almighty God of love
Set up the attracting sign,
And summon whom thou dost approve,
For messengers divine.
From favored Abraham's seed
The new apostles choose,
In isles and continents to spread
The dead-reviving news.
We know it shall be done;
'Tis God's almighty word;
All Israel shall the Saviour own,
To their first state restored.
Send, then thy servants forth,
To call the Hebrews home,
From east and west, and south and north,
Let all the wand'rers come.
With Israel's myriads seal'd,
Let all the nations meet,
And show the mystery fulfill'd,
The family complete.
This is in accord with the declared statements of the prophets. Daniel says: --
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the
kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall
stand for ever." -- Dan. ii. 44.
This was to take place after the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, and its division into ten kingdoms. The
division did not occur for many centuries after the beginning of the Christian era; hence the setting up of the
kingdom of God, as indicated by Daniel, was to be a latter-day event, in the day of the Lord's "preparation."
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Nahum says: --
"The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem
like torches, they shall run like the lightnings." -- Chap. ii.3, 4.
This clearly indicates modern improvements, and the employment of the agency of steam and electricity as a means
of transportation. Who has not viewed with admiration and wonder the latter-day chariots as they "run like the
lightnings," and "justle one against another in the broad way"? In the distance, they "seem like torches," and
the trees are "terribly shaken." This fixes the day of God's" preparation."
Old Israel is to be aroused as by a new inspiration, and his face turned with smiles of hope toward the "city of the
great King." So the prophet proclaimed: --
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is
pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins."
"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made
straight, and the rough places plain:
"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath
spoken it." -- Isa. xl.1, 2, 4, 5.
"And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste
cities, the desolations of many generations."
"For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land
they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." -- Isa. lxi.4, 7.
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"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the
stones; lift up a standard for the people." -- Isa. lxii.10.
Again: --
"And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the
dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." -- Isa. xi.12.
This ensign is the gospel "standard," to be unfurled upon "the land shadowing with wings" (the Americas), and "All
ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and
when be bloweth a trumpet, hear ye." -- (Isa. xviii. 1, 3.)
These predictions portray a great latter-day work; one in which the hand of God is to be seen moving among the
nations with favor towards old Israel, and the erecting of an ensign in which all the world are interested. "Kings
shall be their nursing fathers, and their queens their nursing mothers."
The time is again fixed, by Jesus and Paul, as follows: --
"And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be
trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfiled." -- Luke xxi.24.
"Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the
Gentiles."
"Blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob:
"For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." -- Rom. xi.11, 25, 26, 27.
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Jesus says, "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"; Paul,
"Until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." This indicates that there would be a time when Jerusalem
would cease to be trodden down, and favor and blessing should be upon it. "So all Israel shall be saved."
"Ungodliness shall be turned away from Jacob." Israel shall be restored. So sang Wesley: --
"Oh, send thy servants forth,
To call the Hebrews home!
From east and west, and south and north,
Let all the wand'rers come."
This is "the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began." (Acts iii.21.) Hence the revelation, and restitution of the "sealed book" of Isaiah xxix., in which is
written : --
"And my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of
Israel." (See, also, Rev. xiv.6, 7.)
Again: --
"O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and
have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own
heads." -- Sealed Book, page 105.
The great events of the last days to precede the coming of the Saviour are: First, the revelation of the "sealed book,"
the restoration of the gospel, and the conferring of the priesthood. Second, the removing of the
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curse from the land
of Palestine, and the restoration of the Jews. Third, the preaching of the gospel to the nations as a warning. It was at
this time that the saying of Jesus was to be fulfilled, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. xxiv.14.) Fourth, the gathering out and preparing
a people to meet the Lord when he comes. Fifth, plagues to be sent upon the wicked in the form of sickness, fire,
sword, flood, tempest, famine, the thunder of heaven, and fierce and vivid lightnings. Old Babylon is to be had in
remembrance before God, and is to fall to rise no more. So it is written: --
"O the wise, and learned, and rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false
doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord; woe, woe, woe be unto
them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell.
"Woe unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught, and revile against that which is good, and say that it is
of no worth: for the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day
that they are fully ripe in iniquity, they shall perish. But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their
wickedness and abominations, they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of hosts. But behold, that great and
abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth; and great must be the fall thereof: for the
kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance." -- Sealed
Book, page 103.
Again, as indicating the moral condition of the world when these great events shall transpire, we read: --
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"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their
stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of
God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom, and their own learning, that they may get gain, and grind
upon the face of the poor; and there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice; and
there are also secret combinations even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the
foundation of all these things." -- Sealed Book, page 98.
Again: --
"They deny the power of God the Holy One of Israel, and they say unto the people, Hearken unto us and hear ye
our precept; for behold there is no God to-day, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath
given his power unto men. Behold, hearken ye unto my precept. If they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the
hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work. Yea, and there shall
be many which shall say, Eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die, and it shall be well with us. And there
shall also be many which shall say, Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God. He will justify in committing a
little sin. Yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm
in this. And do all these things, for to-morrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few
stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after
this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide
their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark, and the blood of the saints shall cry from the
ground against them. Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted. Because of pride, and
because of false teachers and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted,
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and their churches are lifted up;
because of pride they are puffed up. They rob the poor, because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor, because
of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride and wickedness, and abominations and
whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few who are the humble followers of Christ. Nevertheless, they
are led that in many instances they do err, because they are taught by the precepts of men." -- Book of Mormon,
page 102.
"And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the foundation of a great church. And the angel
said unto me, Behold the foundation of a church, which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth
the saints of God; yea, and tortureth them, and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and
bringeth them down into captivity. And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw
the devil that he was the foundation of it. And I also saw gold and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined
linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots. And the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold
the gold and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the
harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church; and also for the praise of the world do they destroy the
saints of God, and bring them down into captivity." -- Book of Mormon, page 23, paragraphs 33, 34.
"Thou seest the foundation of a great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches."
-- Page 25, paragraph 40.
"And that great pit which hath been digged for them, by the great and abominable church, which was founded by
the devil and his children that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell; yea, that great pit which hath been
digged for the destruction of men, shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb
of God." -- Page 27, paragraph 44.
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"And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon the great and abominable church,
insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth; and as there
began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the
angel spake unto me, saying, Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots; and behold, thou seest all
these things; and when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the
great and abominable church of all the earth, whose foundation is the devil, then at that day the work of the Father
shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are
of the house of Israel." -- Page 28, paragraph 51.
Further concerning these times the Saviour spake: --
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers
of heaven shall be shaken.
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.
"And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
"When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
"So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." -- Luke xxi.25-32.
The generation in which the signs here indicated are to take place, was not to pass until all be fulfilled.
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The great
destructions and perplexities by sea and land; the signs in the sun, moon, and stars; the distress of nations, "with
men's hearts failing them for fear"; the restoration of the gospel, and the movement among the nations of the earth
favoring the restoration of the Jews; the especial favor of Providence upon their land; the revelation of the "sealed
book" of Isaiah xxix.; the conferring of the priesthood, the preaching of the gospel to all the world as a witness; the
extreme recklessness, infidelity, and wickedness of the world, -- all events announced to transpire in this latter-day
dispensation, to eventuate in the coming of the Saviour to reign on the earth.
To the intelligent and thoughtful Bible student, and observer of the momentous events thus transpiring in the
political, religious, and social condition of the world, together with the strange calamities and unheard-of
exhibitions in the physical universe and moral world, in the form of flood, and flame, and trial, with destruction on
sea and land, and the depravity of man, the great movements among the kingdoms and nations of the earth, there is
a significance and certainty attaching to these announcements made by the prophets, that is all-absorbing and
convincing that there is a God in heaven, and that he is accomplishing his declared purposes among men, and "has
arisen to maintain his own cause" to usher in the "Latter-Day Glory," in this the "dispensation of the fulness
of times," in the which he will "restore all things" and "gather together in one, all things that are in heaven
and that are in the earth," and "bring in everlasting righteousness when
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the kingdom and dominion, and the
greatness of the kingdom, "under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High"
(Dan. vii.27); when the Saviour's prayer shall have been answered, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth
as it is in heaven.
In further proof that Joseph Smith, Jr., was divinely inspired, and that God has sent his angel to restore the
"everlasting gospel," in fulfillment of Rev. xiv.6, 7, the following is submitted in evidence: --
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which
the Lord hath not spoken." -- Deut. xviii.22.
This is equal to saying, that if the thing does "follow," and "come to pass," that is the thing which the Lord hath
"spoken."
The angel said to Joseph Smith, Jr.: --
"The knowledge which this record (the 'Sealed Book' -- 'Book of Mormon') contains will go to every nation, and
kindred, and tongue, and people under the whole heaven." -- Voice of Warning, page 72.
"On them (the plates) is contained the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as it was given to his people
on this land; and when it shall be brought forth by the power of God, it shall be carried to the Gentiles, of whom
many will receive it... And because the power of God shall be displayed, those who profess to know the truth, but
walk in deceit, shall tremble with anger." -- Ibid., page 71.
When they are interpreted, the Lord will give the holy priesthood to some, and they shall begin to proclaim this
gospel and baptize by water, and after that they shall have power to give the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
Then will persecution rage more and more." Ibid., page 72.
"Your name shall be known among all nations." -- Ibid.,
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Were there ever predictions made by God, angels, or men, that came to pass more fully and truly? They were
beyond human wisdom. Then these are the "things" that the "Lord hath said." After the translation of the "Sealed
Book" many shall say, "A Bible! a Bible! we have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible." ("Book of
Mormon," page 105.)
"For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth (the 'Sealed Book' -- 'Book of Mormon'), and be
written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words
which are written" ("Book of Mormon," page 106, paragraph.) Could any living man have known so much by his
own wisdom? It has come to pass. That fixes it as true.
Again: --
"At that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken ... three witnesses shall behold
it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered, and they shall testify to the truth of the
book and the things therein." -- Book of Mormon, page 100.
Here is their testimony: --
"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the
grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record
of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who
came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and
power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the
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247
work is true. And we
also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates, and they have been showed unto us by the
power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from
heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon; and
we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that
these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes; nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded that we
should bear record of it; wherefore to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these
things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be
found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; which is one God. Amen.
"OLIVER COWDREY.
DAVID WHITMER
MARTIN HARRIS."
These witnesses were none of them known to Joseph Smith, Jr., at the time the "Book of Mormon" was revealed,
except, possibly, he knew of Harris; hence there was no chance for collusion or fraud. The statement in the book
was as literally fulfilled as any announcement could have been. The integrity of those men is known and admitted.
They were faithful to their testimony before friends and foes, until death. Their names are unsullied with the odium
of Salt Lake and polygamy, having denounced the intrigue and wickedness of that people, as being not of the faith.
They went out from us, not " being of us."
The angel further declared that in that "Sealed Book" was "contained the fulness of the gospel of
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Jesus Christ as it was given to his people on this land, and when it shall be brought forth by the power of God it shall
be carried to the Gentiles, of whom many will receive it." How could Mr. Smith of himself have known that anybody
would receive it? But they did receive it, and are receiving it.
Again, says the angel, "I give unto you another sign; and when it comes to pass, then know that the Lord is God,
and that he will fulfil his purposes, and that the knowledge which this contains (the 'sealed book' of Isaiah
xxix.) will go to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people under the whole heaven." Could Mr. Smith of
himself have divined this? Yet it has nearly or quite come to pass.
But the angel continues: --
"This is the sign: When these things begin to be known, that is, when it is known that the Lord has shown you these
things, the workers of iniquity will seek your overthrow. They will circulate falsehoods to destroy your reputation,
and also will seek to take your life; but remember this, if you are faithful, and shall hereafter continue to keep the
commandments of the Lord, you shall be preserved to bring these things forth."
Was there ever a thing declared that was more faithfully true?
Again, it is written: --
"And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them." -- Sealed Book, page 103.
Who could have forecast, but the all-wise God, that in this land of liberty, sanctified by the blood of our
Revolutionary fathers, where the equal rights of men
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and freedom of worship are the pride and boast of the people,
and which are guaranteed by constitutional enactment, where the grand old stars and stripes waved in heaven as
security of those rights, that men, women, and children would be shot down in cold blood, and otherwise maltreated
and killed, just because they differed from their neighbors in religious belief? Let the history of the States of Illinois
and Missouri attest the divinity in the above statement. In Illinois, Joseph Smith and his brother Hiram were shot
dead because of their religious beliefs, and their blood still stains the floor of the old prison at Carthage. In Missouri
seventeen innocent people were shot on account of their faith and thrown into one well as a burying place, and
numbers of others killed, whipped, robbed, and upwards of three thousand souls expelled from the State, in the dead
of winter, under the exterminating order of the governor, and not a single indictment against them on the records
indicating wrong-doing upon their part. It is preposterous to assume that Joseph Smith could have divined by his
own wisdom that these terrible, atrocious, and reproachful deeds should have been perpetrated in free America.
When a man speaks in the name of the Lord, and it follows, -- comes to pass, -- that is the thing the Lord has said.
In 1831 the Lord said unto Joseph Smith: --
"Verily I say unto you, that great things await you; ye hear of wars in foreign lands, but behold I say unto you, they
are nigh, even at your doors, and not many years hence ye shall hear of wars in your own lands." -- Covenants and
Commandments, Sect. 45, paragraph 11.
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Again: --
"The judgments of God are almost ready to burst upon the nations of the earth.... And now I am prepared to say by
the authority of Jesus Christ that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene
of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation." -- Letter of Joseph Smith to N. Seaton, of New York,
Jan. 5, 1833.
"Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South
Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls. The days will come that war will
be poured out upon all nations beginning at that place, for behold the Southern States shall be divided against the
Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called,
and they shall also call upon other nations in order to defend themselves against other nations, and thus shall war be
poured out upon all nations. And it shall come to pass after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters,
who shall be marshalled and disciplined for war. And it shall come to pass, also, that the remnants who
are left of the land shall marshal themselves and shall become exceeding angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a
sore vexation; and thus with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine,
and plague, and earthquakes, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightnings also, shall the
inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath and indignation and chastening hand of an Almighty God until the
consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations, that the cry of the saints and the blood of the saints shall
cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies. Wherefore
stand ye in holy places, and be not moved until the day of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly, saith the
Lord. Amen."
Is not the great Rebellion of 1860 a sufficient attestation that these utterances were inspired of God? Men
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could not have given such a forecast of the future. When the thing follows and comes to pass, of such an extraordinary
character, it is God that speaks. Revelation given in 1832. published in the Pearl of Great Price, in 1851, at
Liverpool, Eng,.
Again: --
"The angel said to Mr. Smith, 'Your name shall be known among the nations; for the work which the Lord will
perform by your hands shall cause the righteous to rejoice and the wicked to rage.'" Voice of Warning, page 72.
It is predicted in the "Sealed Book" that it would be brought to light: --
"In a day when the blood of the saints will cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of
darkness; yea, it shall come in a way when the power of God shall be denied, and churches become defiled, and
shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; ... It shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the
face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of
abominations, when there shall be many who will say, 'Do this or do that,' and it matters not, for the Lord will
uphold such at the last day....
"Behold, Jesus Christ has shown you unto me, and I know your doings and I know that you do walk in the pride of
your hearts; and there are none, save a few only,` who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the
wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities;
and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye
do love money, and your substances, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love
the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted." -- Pages 406, 497.
None can deny that the things set forth in the above have been increased in a surprising manner since the revelation
of the "Sealed Book." So that the prevailing influence of such things in society, and throughout Christendom,
support the position that these utterances were divinely inspired.
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