the Gentiles.
39 other books to come forth to the convincing of the Jews who were
scattered over the face of the whole earth.
19. 14 they shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss
and a by-word.
22. 4 the more part of all the tribes have been led away and are
scattered, to and fro, on the isles of the sea.
5 the Jews to be scattered among all nations, because they hardened
their hearts against the Holy One of Israel. 2 _Nephi_ 10. 5, 6, 22.
7 the Lord shall raise up a mighty nation in this land, and by them
shall our seed be scattered.
2 _Nephi_ 6. 8 the Lord showed Jacob that those at Jerusalem had been
slain and scattered. 11.
25. 14, 15 the final destruction of Jerusalem foretold.
16 the Jews to be scourged until they believe in the Messiah.
_Hel_. 15. 12 the Lamanites to be hunted, and smitten, and scattered.
3 _Nephi_ 10. 7 the places of your dwellings shall become desolate,
until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your fathers.
16. 4 the remnant of their seed who shall be scattered on the face of
the earth.
20. 27 which blessings upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty, unto
the scattering of my people. _Mormon_ 5. 9, 20.
_Mormon_ 5. 15 this people shall be scattered and become dark.
_Ether_ 13. 11 they are they who were scattered and gathered from the
four quarters of the earth, and from the north country.
GATHERING OF ISRAEL.
It will appear to the most casual reader, that the Gathering of Israel
is predicated on its having been scattered. That part of the subject
needs to be well studied, to obtain a proper conception of the great
work of gathering in the latter times.
As general as was the scattering of Israel so must the gathering be. If
the dispersion was over all the earth, and among all nations, so the
gathering must be out of all nations, and from all parts of the earth.
When we reflect that it is thirty-two centuries since the enemies
of Israel began to oppress them in the land of Canaan, that about
one-third of the time they were a people in that land, they were,
more or less, in bondage to their enemies; that seven hundred years
before the coming of Christ the ten tribes were scattered throughout
western Asia; that we have no record that any have as yet returned to
the land of their inheritance; that nearly 600 years before Christ
the Babylonish captivity took place, and that, according to the Book
of Esther only a part of the Jews ever returned, but were scattered
through the 127 provinces of the Persian empire; that Asia was the
hive from which swarmed the nomadic tribes who overran Europe; that
at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans the Jews were scattered
over the known world; we may well ask the question, Does not Israel
to-day constitute a large proportion of the human family? With this
comprehensive view of the subject of the scattering, we the better
understand such passages as the following, "I will gather the remnant
of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them;" _Jer_.
23. 3. "Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they
shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they
shall be brought out of obscurity, and out of darkness;" 1 _Nephi_ 22.
12.
Our Savior had a clear conception of the magnitude of this gathering
when he said, "He shall send his angels with a great sound of a
trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other;" _Matt_. 24. 31.
"And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times
of the Gentiles be fulfilled;" _Luke_ 21. 24. That is until the Gentile
rule shall wane before the growing power of Israel, when, "Israel shall
be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation;" _Isa_. 45. 17.
When "They shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they
shall rule over their oppressors;" 14. 2.
Then will the promise made to Abraham be fully realized by his
children, "And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;" _Gen_.
22. 17. Then will Abraham be the heir of the world, "Through the
righteousness of faith;" _Rom_ 4. 13.
It is evident from the Book of Mormon, that the Jews, as well as
other portions of the house of Israel, will believe in Jesus Christ
and accept the Gospel, before they are gathered to the land of their
inheritance.
The first Nephi, about 600 years before the final dispersion of the
Jews, recorded the following very comprehensive prophecy about their
gathering: "And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath
scourged them by other nations, for the space of many generations, yea,
even down from generation to generation, until they shall be persuaded
to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is
infinite for all mankind; and when that day shall come, that they shall
believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts
and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah,
then, at that time. The day will come that it must needs be expedient
that they should believe these things, and the Lord will set his hand
again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen
state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvellous work and a wonder
among the children of men;" 2 _Nephi_ 25. 15, 16, 17.
Bible.
_Deut_. 30. 3 Lord will gather Israel from all nations whither he has
scattered them.
_Neh_. 1. 9 the Lord will gather those that are scattered from the
uttermost part of heaven.
_Psalm_ 50. 5 gather my Saints together who have made a covenant with
me by sacrifice.
_Isa_. 2. 2 in the last days the mountain of the Lord's house shall be
established in the tops of the mountains.
5. 26, 27 he will lift up an ensign to the nations.
10. 20, 22 the remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob.
11. 11-16 set his hand the second time to recover the remnant.
18. 1-3 see ye when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains.
27. 12, 13 ye shall be gathered one by one.
29. 22, 23 Jacob shall not now be ashamed.
35. 10 the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion.
40. 2 speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. 9, 11.
43. 5, 6 I will bring thy seed from the east.
9 let all nations be gathered together, let the people be assembled.
49. 12 these shall come from far, from the north and from the west.
22 lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the
people.
23 kings shall be thy nursing fathers.
51. 3 the Lord will comfort Zion.
11 the redeemed of the Lord shall return.
52. 9-12 the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
54. 7 with great mercies will I gather thee.
56. 1-8 the stranger that keepeth his hand from doing evil, will the
Lord gather with the outcasts of Israel.
60. 3 the Gentiles shall come to thy light.
4 thy sons shall come from far. 5, 6, 10, 16.
61. 4 they shall repair the desolations of many generations.
62. 7 till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
66. 20 they shall bring your brethren out of all nations.
_Jer_. 3. 14 take one of a city and two of a family.
17 all nations shall be gathered to Jerusalem.
18 the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel.
16. 14-16 it shall no more be said, the Lord liveth that brought up the
children of Israel out of Egypt. I will send for many fishers.
23. 8 Lord liveth which led the children of Israel out of the north
country.
25. 34 the days of your dispersions are accomplished.
30. 3 I will bring again the captivity of my people. 10, 18.
31. 8-14 I will bring them from the north country and gather them from
the coasts of the south. They shall come with weeping.
32. 37-44 I will give them one heart, I will make an everlasting
covenant with them.
33. 9 Israel shall be an honor to me before all the nations of the
earth. 14, 16.
50. 4, 5 they shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward.
_Ezek_. 11. 17 I will assemble you out of the countries.
20. 34-42 in my holy mountain shall the house of Israel serve me.
28. 25 when I shall be sanctified in Israel, in the sight of the
heathen.
34. 11-31 Lord will deliver his sheep out of all places where they have
been scattered in a cloudy and dark day.
37. 21-28 Israel shall be one nation, and one king shall reign over
them.
_Joel_ 2. 15, 16 blow ye the trumpet in Zion, gather the people.
_Zeph_. 3. 19, 20 I will make you a praise among all people.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 10. 14 the house of Israel to be gathered in.
19. 15-17 then will he remember the isles of the sea.
2 _Nephi_ 6. 11 when the Jews shall come to a knowledge of their
Redeemer, they shall be gathered again to the lands of their
inheritance.
9. 2 when they shall be restored to the true church, they shall be
established in their lands of promise.
10. 7 when they believe that I am Christ, I have covenanted with their
fathers that they shall be restored to the lands of their inheritance.
30. 7 8 the Jews shall begin to believe in Christ, and to gather.
_Jacob_ 6. 2 he shall set his hand the second time to recover his
people.
3 _Nephi_ 5. 26 then shall they know their Redeemer, and be gathered
from the four quarters of the earth.
20. 29-33 the Jews shall believe in Jesus Christ, then will the Father
gather them together again.
21. 1 a sign that I will gather in my people from their long dispersion.
26-28 at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the
dispersed of my people.
_Mormon_ 5. 14 the record of the Nephites to go to the Jews, that they
may believe in Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 29. 7, 8 be gathered in one place, and be prepared against the
day of tribulation.
42. 36 be gathered in one when I shall come to my temple.
45. 17 day of redemption shall come, and the restoration of scattered
Israel.
25 but shall remain until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
43 and the remnant shall be gathered unto this place.
69 there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation.
57. 1, 2 the land of Missouri consecrated for the gathering of the
Saints.
58. 56 let the work of the gathering not be in haste.
63. 36 I will that my Saints should be assembled upon the land of Zion.
101. 13 and they that have been scattered shall be gathered.
20-22 the Lord will appoint the places for the gathering of his Saints.
64-69 must gather my people, according to the parable of the wheat and
tares.
105. 24 boast not of faith or mighty works, but carefully gather
together.
110. 11 Moses delivered the keys of the gathering of Israel.
125. 2 let them gather to places I shall appoint, by my servant Joseph.
133. 7 go ye out from Babylon, gather ye out from the nations.
_See Sermon by J. Smith, J. of D., Vol. 6, page 237_.
" " _B. Young, " " 2, " 266_.
" " " " " _12, " 161_.
" " " " " _12, " 226_.
" " _J. Taylor, " " 19, " 150_.
" " _O. Pratt, " " 18, " 16_.
" " _G. Q. Cannon," " 15, " 202_.
_O. Spencer's Letters to Rev, Wm. Crowel, No. 10_.
_Article, Mil. Star, Vol. 4, pages 161 and 177_.
" " " _22, " 321, 339, 362, 379_.
" _by J. J., Mil. Star, Vol. 33, pages 209, 294, 325, 449_.
" _by D. McK., Mil. Star, Vol. 38, page 296_.
_History of J. Smith, April 21, 1834_.
BOOK OF MORMON--EVIDENCES OF ITS DIVINE AUTHENTICITY.
In order that the predictions of the ancient prophets might be
fulfilled, it was necessary that a book should be brought forth to the
world which should be a record of truth. This book must also come forth
from the earth.
The prophet Enoch, according to Bible chronology, lived 969 years
before the flood.
On a certain occasion, the Lord made known to him many things that
should transpire a short period before his latter-day coming. He said,
"Great tribulation shall be among the children of men, but my people
will I preserve; and righteousness will I send down out of heaven;
and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of
mine Only Begotten; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep
the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own elect from the four
quarters of the earth." _P. of G. P., page_ 21.
The Book of Mormon, in every particular, fulfils this very ancient
prediction of Enoch's. It is a record of truth; it was brought forth
from the earth; it bears testimony of the Only Begotten Son of God;
of his birth, death, resurrection, teachings, and ministrations among
the Nephites. Righteousness has been sent down out of heaven by the
restoration of the Priesthood, with all its authority, ordinances, and
blessings, through which, alone, righteousness can be made manifest.
The latter-day gathering of Israel has been inaugurated, and
righteousness, and truth are sweeping the earth as with a flood, and
gathering the elect from the four quarters of the earth.
This wonderful prophecy of Enoch's was reiterated by prophets who lived
many centuries after him. The Psalmist David, who lived until 1015 B.
C., mentions this event in connection with the latter days: "Truth
shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from
heaven;" _Psalms_ 85. 11.
The prophet Isaiah, also, saw in prophetic vision these great events of
the latter days, when he said: "Let the skies pour down righteousness;
let the earth open and let them"--that is, the earth and the skies
together--"bring forth salvation;" 45. 8.
According to the twenty-ninth chapter of _Isaiah_. there was to be a
people who like Ariel, or Jerusalem, were to be brought down and they
should speak out of the ground, their speech was to be low out of the
dust.
The predictions in _verses_ 1-6 of this chapter have been fulfilled
in every particular, in the history of the Nephites and in the coming
forth of their record, the Book of Mormon.
For an account of the fulfilment of many of the predictions in this
chapter, see _P. of G. P., pages_ 49-54.
Ezekiel's prophecy, in _chapter_ 37, _verses_ 16-20, concerning the
sticks of Judah and Joseph, is literally fulfilled in this generation.
The most of the Latter-day Saints are of the tribe of Ephraim, the son
of Joseph. There can be but one conclusion with regard to the Bible,
and that is, that it is the stick of Judah referred to by Ezekiel.
The stick or record of Joseph, is fitly represented by the Book of
Mormon, which is a record of the Nephites, who are descendants of
Joseph who was sold into Egypt. They are both, to-day, in the hands of
Ephraim.
A very good explanation of this subject is contained in 2 _Nephi,
chapter_ 3. Lehi was rehearsing to his son Joseph, some important
promises which the Lord made to their father, Joseph, who was sold into
Egypt. The special promise to which we refer is in the twelfth verse.
"Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the
loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the
fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit
of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of
false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing
peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge
of their fathers in the latter-days; and also to the knowledge of my
covenants, saith the Lord."
The following from the writings of O. Pratt, is very appropriate to
this subject.
"If the historical parts of the Book of Mormon be compared with
what little is known from other sources, concerning the history of
ancient America, there will be found much evidence to substantiate its
truth; but there cannot be found one truth among all the gleanings of
antiquity that clashes with the historical truths of the Book of Mormon.
"If the prophetical part of this wonderful book be compared with
the prophetical declarations of the Bible, there will be found much
evidence in the latter to establish the truth of the former. But though
there are many predictions in the Book of Mormon, relating to the great
events of the last days, which the Bible gives us no information about,
yet there is nothing in the predictions of the Bible that contradicts
in the least, the predictions of the Book of Mormon.
"If the doctrinal part of the Book of Mormon be compared with the
doctrines of the Bible, there will be found the same perfect harmony
which we find on the comparison of the prophetical parts of the two
books. Although there are many points of the doctrine of Christ that
are far more plain and definite in the Book of Mormon than in the
Bible, and many things revealed in relation to doctrine that never
could be fully learned from the Bible, yet there are not any items of
doctrine in the two sacred books that contradict each other, or clash
in the least.
"If the various books which enter into the collection, called the Book
of Mormon, be carefully compared with each other, there will be found
nothing contradictory in history, in prophecy, or in doctrine.
"If the miracles of the Book of Mormon be compared with the miracles of
the Bible, there cannot be found in the former anything that would be
more difficult to believe, than what we find in the latter.
"If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of
the Book of Mormon, with the great truths of science and nature, we
find no contradictions--no absurdities--nothing unreasonable. The most
perfect harmony, therefore, exists between the great truths revealed
in the Book of Mormon, and all other known truths, whether religious,
historical, or scientific." _Divine Authenticity of B. of M., page_ 56.
A person educated in the doctrines and traditions of modern
Christianity, could not have written the Book of Mormon, for many of
its important doctrines do not agree with those of the Christian sects.
They do not believe in the ministry of angels, in miracles, in signs,
in dreams and in visions. The book had its origin in those things, much
of it is made up of an account of them.
Lehi, the most prominent patriarch of the aboriginal American race, was
warned by an angel that Jerusalem would be destroyed; 1 _Nephi_ 1. 11,
13. That he might not be destroyed with it, the Lord warned him in a
dream to take his family and depart into the wilderness; 2. 2. In the
nineteenth verse of this last chapter, the Lord spake to Nephi, and
blessed him on account of his great faith.
Nephi, who wrote the first two books of the Book of Mormon, had
wonderful visions and manifestations. An infidel, or deist, having no
faith in manifestations from God, could not have written the book;
equally impossible that it could have been written by a sectarian
Christian.
Was the Book of Mormon written for a romance? It would spoil the
interest of a work of fiction, for the writer to commence it with a
sketch of the plan of his story. Yet the two books of Nephi, which
commence the Book of Mormon, are a very plain, prophetic sketch of the
then future history of the people of America.
Besides, what writer of fiction could expect to interest the literary
world of the nineteenth century, with an account of the organization
of a church, on the American continent, exactly after the pattern of
the primitive church in Asia, with advocating baptism by immersion for
the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands, and with an almost verbatim repetition of Christ's sermon on the
Mount. Such a fiction would be wanting in all the elements of modern
romance.
Skeptics, Christian divines, and writers of romance are not the men to
stake their reputation on the enunciation of such principles as the
following: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he
that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned." "Harlotry is
the most abominable of all sins in the sight of God, except it be the
sin against the Holy Ghost." In fact, it is the teaching of such pure
principles in the Book of Mormon that makes it so very unpopular with a
large portion of mankind.
The Book of Mormon, as a whole, must be either true or false. If false,
the Bible is equally so, for there is no antagonism between the two.
The former states that it and the Bible shall grow together for the
confounding of false doctrine in the latter times. The writer of a book
of errors would hardly have staked his reputation on the fact that his
book was an evidence of the truth of the Bible, and _vice versa_. That
one is a witness of the truth of the other is readily evident to any
one who will honestly compare them.
Written by different authors, under very different circumstances, and
on opposite sides of the globe, such perfect concordance would have
been impossible, unless the authors had all been actuated by the same
Spirit of divine inspiration.
The admission is general that the Bible was written and compiled on the
Eastern hemisphere, and, more or less continuously through a period
of some 1500 years. The fact is generally recognized that the Book of
Mormon was written on the Western hemisphere, and by those who had
nothing to do in getting up the Bible.
The chain of history it has recorded; the principles it teaches; its
anomalous style as a literary production, and its truthfulness as a
prophetic record, are all against its being a production of modern
times.
As an ancient record, it contains many predictions of prophets and
seers which have been realized, and many others which are now having
a remarkable fulfilment. It has these facts in favor of its divine
origin, as well as the Bible.
Not the least remarkable of its prophecies are those declaring how it
should be written, and why. How it should be hid up in the earth for
many generations, and how it should come forth in the latter times;
every particular of which has been realized.
Bible.
_Isa_. 29. 10-12 the vision of all is become as the words of a book.
13, 14 and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men.
18 in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book.
43. 19 I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth.
_Ezek_. 37, 15-28 the sticks of Judah and Ephraim.
_Hos_. 8. 12 I have written to him the great things of my law.
_Hab_. 1. 5 I will work a work in your days which you will not believe.
2. 3 for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it
shall speak.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 3. 16-20 the records of the Book of Mormon preserved, that the
promises of the Lord might be fulfilled.
5. 11-15 the testimony of three witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
10. 1-52 concerning that portion of the Book of Mormon which Martin
Harris had permitted to pass into the hands of wicked men.
20. 8 gave him power from on high to translate the Book of Mormon.
9-16 the purposes of God in bringing forth the Book of Mormon.
24. 1 thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon
27. 5 and with Moroni, whom I have sent to reveal the Book of Mormon.
33. 16 Book of Mormon and Holy Scriptures given for instruction.
42. 12 elders to teach the principles contained in the Bible and Book
of Mormon.
124. 119 unless he be a believer in the Book of Mormon and the
revelations.
135. 3 J. Smith, Jun., brought forth the Book of Mormon by the power of
God.
6 Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants cost the best blood of the
nineteenth century.
Pearl of Great Price.
44-57 an account of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in
fulfilment of prophecy.
_See Sermon by O. Pratt, J. of D., Vol. 15, page 178_.
" " " " " _16, " 209_.
_A series of six pamphlets, by O. Pratt, on the Divine Authenticity of
the Book of Mormon_.
_Public Discussion between J. Taylor and Rev'ds C. W. Cleeve, James
Robertson and Phillip Cater_.
_An account of several remarkable visions, by O. Pratt_.
JOSEPH SMITH, JUN., AS A FULFILLER OF BIBLE PROPHECIES.
The mission of Joseph Smith, Jun., is the key of the dispensation of
the fulness of times. If he was not sent of God, the pretentions of the
Latter-day Saints to be the true Gospel church are without foundation,
and their labors for the redemption of the world must prove a failure.
If, in his life's labors, and their results, the predictions of the
ancient prophets are being fulfilled, it should be satisfactory
evidence of the divinity of his mission. For unless a man have the
spirit of the prophets, he can neither understand their predictions,
nor the nature of the events that would fulfil them.
John, the Revelator, in his vision of the latter times, 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;" _Rev_. 14. 6.