THE EVIDENCE OF SCRIPTURAL AND PERFECT DOCTRINES.
Continuing to follow the line of presumptive evidence I call attention
to the fact that the doctrines taught by Joseph Smith are scriptural
and perfect in every particular. I do not mean this to apply to
all that he is alleged to have taught and that is to be found in
imperfectly reported discourses or handed down by the still more
uncertain vehicle of word of mouth tradition; but those doctrines which
he taught _ex cathedra_ by which I mean those doctrines that he taught
in his official capacity as a Prophet and witness for God, as the
President of the Church of Christ. [1]
I do not wish to be understood as saying that Joseph Smith did not
teach doctrines which perhaps are not to be found in the Bible; for
since the Bible itself is fragmentary, containing at most but part of
that which God has revealed to man, it does not contain all the truth;
nor does it contain a fullness of the truth concerning some of those
matters of which it treats; and hence in the revelations which the Lord
has given to Joseph Smith, there are many truths in respect to which
the Bible is silent; and in other instances the modern revelations
contain the truths spoken of in the Bible in greater fullness. But
since the Prophet recognized the Bible as the word of God; and
imperfect only so far as imperfection may result from its being
fragmentary and marred through faulty translations, his revelations and
teachings must be in harmony with the truths of the Bible. The Bible
thus becomes, in some measure, at least, a standard by which to test
the truths of Joseph Smith's claims and work. Speaking broadly, his
doctrines must be in harmony with the Bible, and while much that he
teaches may go beyond that which was written in the Jewish scriptures,
yet between his doctrines and those of the Bible, so far as the latter
treats of the same themes, there must be substantial agreement.
The doctrines which our Prophet teaches as the revelations of God, must
be perfect in every particular; for since he claims to have received
them from the Lord Almighty at first hand, by revelation, there is
left no room to plead the error of historians or of translators, and
certainly the Lord would not reveal erroneous or untrue doctrine.
The force of the argument in favor of the genuineness of the claims
of Mr. Smith derived from the fact that his doctrines are scriptural
and perfect in every particular, as in the case of the argument based
upon the fitness there was in the order of the development of the great
work, is best seen from the negative side, that is, by contemplating
what the result would be if his doctrines were absolutely contrary to
the Bible, and imperfect in some particulars. If such a thing could be
demonstrated, it would prove fatal to the validity of his pretensions;
and therefore, if on the one hand the finding of unscriptural and
imperfect doctrine would be so disastrous to his pretensions, on the
other, if it can be shown that his doctrines are in harmony with the
Bible and perfect in every particular--such a fact should be accepted
as a strong presumptive evidence that he was a true witness and prophet
sent of God.
With these considerations in mind, let us examine his doctrines. I wish
to say, however, that some of the doctrines briefly noticed here will
receive, because of their importance, special attention in subsequent
chapters devoted to their attention.
First, then, Joseph Smith taught the existence of God, the Father,
the Creator of heaven and earth; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
in whose name the Father is to be worshiped; that the Holy Ghost is a
witness for the Father and the Son, and that these three constitute the
Godhead or Grand Presidency of heaven and earth.
Second, he taught that God the Father so loved the world that he gave
his only begotten Son for the redemption of mankind; that Jesus Christ
suffered temptations but gave no heed to them; that he was crucified,
died, and rose again the third day; that he ascended into heaven to
sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power
according to the will of God. This is all so perfectly in harmony with
the well known teachings of the Bible that I do not deem it necessary
to give references to particular texts in proof of it.
Third, he taught that men will be punished for their own sins and
not for Adam's transgression; that through the atonement of Christ
all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances
of the gospel. [2] Since the agency of man was not involved in the
transgression of Adam, it is just that they should be delivered from
the consequences of that transgression unconditionally, hence Joseph
Smith teaches that through and by the atonement wrought out in the
suffering and death of Jesus Christ, and without obedience to any
conditions whatsoever, all men will be saved from the consequences
of Adam's transgression, that is, they will be redeemed through the
resurrection of the dead from that death which came upon our race
through Adam's disobedience. This teaching is in harmony with the
scripture which says: "Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the
first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man
came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam _all die,_ even
so in Christ shall _all be made alive_." [3]
But not alone from the consequences of Adam's transgression does the
gospel save men, but also from the consequences of their own sins, on
condition of their obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
The beauty and justice of this doctrine is apparent when we regard it
in relation to the doctrine we have just considered: All men are to be
saved from the consequences of Adam's transgression without compliance
with any conditions whatsoever, because their agency was not involved
in the transgression; but to be saved from the consequences of their
own sins--their personal violations of God's laws, certain conditions
are to be complied with because their agency was exercised in the act
of transgression, and justice has a claim upon them and may command
their obedience to conditions.
Joseph Smith taught that those laws and ordinances to be obeyed are,
"first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third,
baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of
hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." [4]
Fourth, he taught that a man must be called of God, by prophecy and by
the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the
gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
Fifth, he taught that the church of Christ should be organized in
the same manner--i. e., with the same officers that existed in the
primitive church, viz.: Apostles, prophets, seventies, bishops, elders,
pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
Sixth, he taught that all the spiritual gifts of the gospel could be
possessed and exercised today as well as in former times--the gift of
tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healings, interpretation of
tongues, etc. [5]
Seventh, he taught that the Bible was the word of God as far as it is
translated correctly and also taught that the Book of Mormon was the
word of God. [6] Indeed the Prophet taught men to believe all that
God has revealed, all that he at present reveals, and also said that
the Lord would reveal many great and important things in the future
pertaining to the kingdom of God. [7]
Eighth, he taught that there would be a literal gathering of Israel,
and a restoration of the ten tribes; that a city called Zion would
be built upon the continent of North America; that Christ will reign
personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and
receive its paradisic glory. [8]
Ninth, Joseph Smith claimed for himself and his followers the right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own
consciences, but conceded the same privilege to all other men, let
them worship how, where or what they may. [9] "We believe," said he,
"in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing
good to all men. Indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of
Paul: 'We believe all things, we hope all things;' we have endured many
things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything
virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after
these things." [10]
This is, of course, but an epitome of the teachings of the Prophet,
and as before stated a number of these doctrines will be considered in
chapters by themselves; but even in this epitome there may be discerned
the outlines of a great work, the harmonious parts of a great and
perfect whole; a system which contemplates the completion of the work
of redemption for the whole race of men and of the earth itself--a
conception of the mighty purposes of God which far out-runs anything
which the mind of Joseph Smith unaided by the inspiration of God was
capable of perceiving.
Footnotes
1. I have been careful thus to limit the teachings of the prophet which
I call "scriptural and perfect in every particular" to those doctrines
that he taught officially as the word of the Lord; for the reason
that there are some things accredited to him by individuals that I
feel sure they must have misunderstood at the time, or unconsciously
changed through imperfect recollection of what the prophet said. Even
some of his published sermons do him an injustice; for the reason
that they are not accurately reported nor from the nature of the
circumstances could they be. They were not reported by stenographers,
but by men writing down what they could in long hand during the course
of delivery, and published with such additions and corrections as could
be made afterwards from memory. These published sermons therefore are
little better than synopses of what the prophet said, and necessarily
imperfect.
2. In this statement I have grouped together the second and third
articles of faith as prepared by Joseph Smith for Mr. John Wentworth
for publication in the _Chicago Democrat,_ in 1842. See also Book of
Alma; in Book of Mormon, chapter xi: 4-44. III Nephi (Book of Mormon)
ch. xxvii: 12, 13.
3. I Cor. xv: 20-22 and Rom. v: 12-19.
4. See fourth Article of Faith. Those desirous of inquiring into
the agreement of these doctrines with the scripture may examine the
following text: Heb. xi: 6; Rom. i: 16, 17; Rom. x: 14, 15; James iii;
Mark xvi: 15, 16; Acts ii: 38, 39; John iii: 5; Acts viii; Acts xix:
1-6; Heb. vi: 1-6. Also author's "Gospel."
5. Seventh Article of Faith. See also Mark xvi: 15-20; I Cor. xii;
James v: 1315; I Thess. v: 19, 20; John xiv: 12; Acts ii: 17.
6. The eighth Article of Faith. Volume II of this work is to be devoted
to the consideration of the Book of Mormon as a witness for God, and
the evidences of its divine authenticity will there receive full
attention.
7. Let the reader examine the following passages in evidence of the
truth of future revelation from God. Acts ii: 17, 18. See also Mal. iv;
Mal. iii; Isa. xi; Ezek. xx: 33-38; Matt. xxiv: 31; Zach. xiv.
8. See tenth Article of Faith. A subsequent chapter is devoted to the
gathering of Israel and the other statements of the above paragraph.
9. Eleventh Article of Faith.
10. Thirteenth Article of Faith.