WHAT is "Mormonism?" and, What is the object of the "Mormon" Elders
preaching in the Indian Territory? are questions that are doubtless
asked many times. We propose, with your kind attention, to answer
these questions, and we ask your prayerful consideration of the same.
In the year 1820 there lived in Manchester, Ontario (now Wayne)
County, in the State of New York, a young man named JOSEPH SMITH, who
received a remarkable vision. There had been a religious revival in the
neighborhood where he resided, which had caused him much reflection
to know which of the sects to join, as the Baptists, Methodists, and
Presbyterians had all taken part in the revival, and when it was over
the different ministers all claimed the converts, which made much
confusion and bitter feeling. As Joseph was reading the Bible one day,
a passage of Scripture, found in the first chapter and fifth verse of
James' epistle, which reads, "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," had a powerful influence over him. To use his own words:
"Never did any passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart
of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with
great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and
again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom I did." At last Joseph
determined to ask of God. The principle of Faith was now operating upon
his mind, and he determined to ask the Eternal Father which of all the
sects was right.
It was the morning of a beautiful clear day, early in the spring of
eighteen hundred and twenty. He went alone to a retired spot, kneeled
down, and began to offer up the desires of his heart. He had scarcely
done so, when he was seized {547} upon by some invisible power that
seemed to bind his tongue so that he could not speak, and which almost
overcame him. He was about to give up, but exercising all his power
calling upon God, in his heart, to deliver him, he saw a pillar of
light exactly above his head, above the brightness of the sun. When
the light rested upon him, he was delivered from the power of his
unseen enemy, and he saw two glorious personages, whose brightness and
glory it is impossible to describe, standing above him in the air;
one of them spake unto him, calling him by name, and pointing to the
other said, THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, HEAR HIM. Joseph asked this other
personage which of all the sects was right and which he should join,
and was answered that he should join none of them, for they were all
wrong. This personage said, "They draw near to me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrine the commandments
of man, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof;"
and also gave him some other information. When Joseph came to himself
again, he was lying on his back, looking up into heaven.
Some few days after he had this remarkable vision, he happened to be in
company with one of the Methodist preachers, and he told him the vision
he had seen. The preacher became very angry, told Joseph it was all of
the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations
in these days; that such things had ceased with the Apostles. Joseph
soon found that telling the vision excited a great deal of prejudice
against him amongst professors of religion, and was the cause of much
persecution. Thus commenced the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints,
called "Mormons." The men who "taught for doctrine the commandments of
man" commenced lying about and misrepresenting an obscure boy, because
he had truthfully said he had seen a vision and he knew it. He also
had learned that the testimony of the Apostle James was true. This we
would also do well to give heed to, for we all lack wisdom and should
be encouraged to ask of God, so that we may not be led astray by false
teachers, but have the Spirit of Truth to guide and lead us into all
truth.
About three years after receiving this remarkable vision he received a
visitation from a messenger from heaven. This personage informed him
his name was Moroni. He had on a robe of the most exquisite whiteness;
his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance
truly like lightning. He told Joseph God had a work for him to do,
and that his name should be had for good and evil amongst {548} all
nations. Moroni, the angel, told him there was a book that had been
hid up in the earth, written upon gold plates, giving an account of
the inhabitants who formerly lived upon this continent, and the source
from when they sprang; also, that the fulness of the everlasting
Gospel was contained in this record, as delivered by Jesus Christ to
the ancient inhabitants, the fathers of the American Indians, and the
"other sheep" spoken of by the Savior, in the tenth chapter of John and
the sixteenth verse, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold;
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice." Moroni quoted
several prophecies of the Old Testament Prophets, that were about to
be fulfilled, he said, concerning the destruction of the wicked and
the second coming of the Messiah, etc.; and also told him that many
judgments were coming on the earth with great desolations by famine,
sword and pestilence, in this generation. With the plates that were hid
up there were two stones in silver bows (and these stones, fastened
to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim),
and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted Seers
in ancient or former times, and that God had prepared them for the
purpose of translating the record. Following the instructions of this
messenger, who was one of the Prophets, and who had hid up this record,
Joseph translated the plates by the power of God.
Three men were chosen special witnesses, to whom the angel showed the
plates. Their names were Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin
Harris. They declare "that an angel of God came down from heaven,
and he brought and laid before our eyes, and we beheld and saw the
plates, and the engravings thereon;" they also heard the voice of the
Lord declare the record had been translated by the power of God. It
is called the Book of Mormon. Mormon, who was the father of Moroni,
made an abridgment of the ancient records, and it is that abridgment
that we now have in the Book of Mormon. It is from this Prophet's
name that the Gentile or unbelieving nations have called the people
who believe in this book "Mormons," or anything to do with the people
who thus believe, "Mormonism;" and they have very much belied them.
But it does not matter what unbelievers say, or how much the people
may be misrepresented by wicked men, the facts exist--Mormon made an
abridgment of the history of his people on gold plates, and JOSEPH
SMITH, the Prophet-martyr of the nineteenth century, translated them
by the power of God, and it exists and bears its own truthful {549}
evidence. No one has ever read the book with an honest, prayerful
heart, but has been convinced of its divine origin. The prophecies
or predictions of its own Prophets are being fulfilled to-day. These
Prophets were amongst some of the most remarkable men that ever lived.
During the time Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon, a
young man named Oliver Cowdery was writing for him. They came to the
place where it is recorded that the Lord Jesus visited the people and
established His Church upon this continent. Upon translating the mode
and object of baptism as the Savior gave instructions, they greatly
desired this blessing, but knew not how to obtain it. They went into
the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the
remission of sins, which was mentioned in the translation. While
they were praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven
descended in a cloud of light, and laid his hands upon their heads as
they knelt in prayer, and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood,
saying, "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer
the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys to the ministering of
angels, and of the Gospel of repentance, and of baptism, by immersion,
for the remission of sins; 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 this Aaronic Priesthood had not the
power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that
they would receive this power or authority hereafter. This messenger,
or angel, said 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, the ancient Apostles, who held the keys of the
Melchisedec Priesthood or authority. Joseph states this same messenger
"commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I
should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and afterwards that he should baptize
me;" accordingly they carried out the instructions which were given
unto them by baptizing each other in the order designated by the angel.
On coming out of the water, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they
stood up and prophesied concerning the rise of the Church of Christ
in this generation, and many other things, being filled with the Holy
Ghost and rejoicing in their salvation.
As the messenger had promised, in due time, the Melchisedec Priesthood
and Apostleship was restored under the hands of Peter, James and John,
and the "Gospel of the kingdom" {550} began to be preached, and as the
members of the Church of Christ began to multiply it was Organized by
divine revelation with Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers, followed by
miracles, gifts of healing, helps and governments, until the Church
of Christ was fully organized upon the earth. But it has had to pass
through the most bitter persecution, and the blood of the martyrs has
had to flow. Mobs, led on by ministers of religious societies, have
committed acts of violence against the Saints of the Most High, that
testify in unspeakable language "they are all wrong," for no member of
the Church of Christ could have a persecuting spirit--"By their fruits
shall ye know them."
The Prophet Joseph Smith, through false charges, had to endure over
forty vexatious lawsuits, in all of which he was honorably acquitted;
until at last the mob said, "If the law cannot reach him, powder
and ball shall," and he and his brother Hyrum, the Patriarch of the
Church, were murdered in cold blood; and this because they were true
and faithful to the trust given them by the Eternal Father, and the
wicked in their hatred to the principles of righteousness that he
preached, being of the same spirit as that possessed by the men who
crucified the Messiah, were led on to shed the blood of innocence, by
which they exalted the martyrs to a throne and brought upon themselves
the damnation of hell. For the shedding of innocent blood there is no
forgiveness. (See I John, iii, 15.)
But although the world has been opposed to the establishment of the
Kingdom of God upon the earth, the Lord has sustained and protected
His people and established their feet in the fastnesses of the Rocky
Mountains, as foretold by the Prophets Isaiah and Micah: "And it shall
come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house
shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted
above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people
shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to
the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and
we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isaiah, ii, 2, 3; Micah, iv,
1, 2.) And they are steadily increasing, because they teach correct
principles, they tell the truth and offer the TRUTH to the people, for,
having authority, they have the power to preach the everlasting Gospel.
God, our Eternal Father, the Father of the spirits of all {551} flesh,
requires us all to believe on His only begotten, Jesus Christ, the
author of our eternal salvation, the only name given under heaven
whereby we can be saved. We must have faith in God, believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Then seek
unto Him by faith and prayer, asking Him in the name of Jesus Christ
for such things as we treed. Then we are required to repent, "cease to
do evil," and "learn to do well," being willing and obedient, putting
away from us all our wickedness, worship Him that made the heavens and
the earth, the sea and the fountains of waters. Then we are required
to be baptized by immersion for the remission of sins (Acts, ii, 38),
that we may be prepared to receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands of those who have the authority (see Acts, viii, 17, and xix,
6; Hebrews, vi, 2), then walk in newness of life; for none can assist
in this latter-day work unless they are humble, full of love, having
faith, hope and charity, being temperate in all things intrusted to
their care.
Hear what Jesus Christ said to the disciples upon this continent:
"Behold verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my
doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the
Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the
Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of
the Father and me, and I bear record that the Father commandeth all
men everywhere to repent and believe in me; and whoso believeth in
me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who
shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me,
and is not baptized, shall be damned. Verily, verily, I say unto
you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the
Father; and whoso believeth in me, believeth in the Father also,
and unto him will the Father bear record of me; for he will visit
him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. And thus will the Father
bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him
of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost
are one. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as
a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in no wise
receive these things. And again, I say unto you, ye must repent,
and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can
in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi,
xi, 31-38.)
Now the reason why the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints are here from Zion, is to tell you these glad tidings
of great joy, that light has come into the world and the knowledge of
God is restored to the earth. We bear testimony that the angel that
John saw on the Isle of Patmos, flying "in the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
and to {552} 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," (Rev. xiv, 6, 7,) has come, and
that the "gospel of the kingdom" is being preached, as foretold by the
Messiah. (See Matt., xxiv, 14.) And we are calling upon all men to have
FAITH IN GOD, repent of their sins and be baptized; then we promise
those who humble themselves like little children, as the Savior has
said, that they shall receive the Holy Ghost and know that these things
are true. Christ said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
If any man will do his will, he shall KNOW of the doctrine." (John,
vii, 16, 17.)
We are the friends of the people and their servants for Christ's sake,
and we entreat them, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God, obey
the Gospel and be saved from death, hell and the grave, for there is
but "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." (See
Ephesians, iv, 4-16.) This TRUE FAITH is restored to the earth, and
we know it. In conclusion, we will give you the words of the Prophet
Mormon for your consideration, and we pray God, our Eternal Father,
that His Spirit and blessing may be upon every honest hearted person
unto whom this shall come, or who shall read these words:
"And now behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this
people who are spared, if it so be that God may give unto them my
words, that they may know of the things of their fathers; yea,
I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these
are the words which I speak. Know ye that ye are of the house of
Israel. Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot
be saved. Know ye that ye must lay down your weapons of war, and
delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again,
save it be that God shall command you. Know ye that ye must come
to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and
iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God,
and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father
he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the
grave; and also in him is the sting of death swallowed up. And he
bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, whereby man must
be raised to stand before his judgment seat. And he hath brought
to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found
guiltless before him at the judgment day, hath it given unto him
to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless
praises, with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son,
and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness
which hath no end. Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name of
Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set
before you, not only in this record but also in the record which
shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews, which record shall
come from the Gentiles unto you. For behold, this is written for
the intent {553} that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that,
ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this, ye will know
concerning your fathers, and also the marvellous works which were
wrought by the power of God among them; and ye will also know that
ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered
among the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye
believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water, then with
fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior,
according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with
you in the day of judgment. Amen." (Book of Mormon, Mormon, vii
chapter.)
Prayerfully consider these things, and when you are converted, and
sincerely repent, we are your servants to baptize you for the remission
of your sins, and lay hands upon you for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
_"Baptism is a sign of God, to angels and to heaven, that we do the
will of God; and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby
God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved and enter
the Kingdom of God, except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance and
baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is in vain;
then you have the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost."_
--_Joseph Smith_.