1. Martyrdom of the Prophets.--The relentless persecution which
had followed the Prophet Joseph Smith ever since he first announced
that he had received a revelation from God, culminated at last in his
and his brother Hyrum's martyrdom, at Carthage jail, Hancock county,
Illinois, on the 27th of June, 1844. Religious prejudices and political
jealousies, combined with the treason of wicked apostates from the
church in Nauvoo, are the forces which led to this sad result. The
two brothers were murdered in Carthage prison while awaiting trial on
a false charge of treason against the State of Illinois. They were
under the immediate protection of the officers of the state, the
governor thereof having only the day before pledged the honor of the
State for their protection. Notwithstanding all this a mob of from
one to two hundred surrounded the prison where they were confined,
forced the door, killed the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, and
severely wounded Apostle John Taylor, who, with Willard Richards, was a
voluntary inmate of the prison with the brothers Smith.[202]
2. The martyrdom of the prophet has an importance second only
to the crucifixion of Messiah; for in his martyrdom he sealed his
testimony with his blood, and thenceforth it is made binding on all
the world. "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be
the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are
dead; otherwise it is of no {402} strength at all while the testator
liveth." [203] The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times doubtless
required a testimony such as Joseph Smith bore to the world, to be
sealed with his blood, else the tragedy at Carthage would not have been
permitted.
3. The Twelve Apostles Succeed in Presidency.--After the death
of the Prophet Joseph, the Twelve--the quorum standing next to the
First Presidency, and equal in authority to that quorum--took charge of
the affairs of the church. Sidney Rigdon, who with Hyrum Smith was a
counselor in the first presidency, pressed his claims to be recognized
as the "guardian" or president of the church, but he was rejected by
the Saints, and the twelve were sustained for the time being as the
presiding quorum of the church.[204]
4. Expulsion from Illinois.--When the enemies of the Saints
in Illinois saw that the killing of the prophet did not destroy the
church, they agitated the question of driving them from the state,
and such was the influence of the mob, and such the cowardice and
weakness of the state officials, that they were entirely successful in
the undertaking. The Saints were compelled to leave the state under
circumstances of the utmost cruelty, sacrificing very much of their
property, the city they had founded and the temple they had built.
5. Flight to the West--Why.--When compelled to leave Illinois,
the Saints turned their faces westward. The country west of the
Missouri was unoccupied, except by wandering tribes of Indians, and
they might look for that peace in the vast wilderness of the west which
had been refused them in the Christian, civilized states of the east.
But what caused them to look to the west for an abiding place--even
more than the fact that the west was unoccupied--was the frequent
predictions {403} of the Prophet Joseph that the Saints would yet
remove to the Rocky Mountains and become a great people. [See note 1,
end of section.] Here, too, in the tops of the Rocky Mountains they
could fulfill better than anywhere else the predictions of the ancient
prophets. [See note 2, end of section.]
6. Arrival in Salt Lake Valley.--Westward, therefore, they
turned their faces; the pioneer company--consisting of one hundred and
forty-three men and three women--crossed the plains in 1847, arriving
in Salt Lake Valley on the 24th of July of that year. They made their
encampment on the present site of Salt Lake City, and soon afterwards
laid off the city and began the erection of permanent homes.
7. Reorganization of the First Presidency.--At Winter Quarters,
December 5, 1847, the first presidency of the church was reorganized.
Brigham Young was nominated and sustained as the president, with
authority to choose his two counselors. He selected Heber C. Kimball
and Willard Richards for first and second counselors, respectively, and
they were unanimously sustained by the church.
8. Brigham Young.[205]--Brigham Young acted as the president of
the church for thirty years--for thirty-three years, if the three years
that the quorum of the twelve (of which he was president) acted as the
presiding quorum of the church, be counted. In the course of these
thirty-three eventful years this truly great man conducted the exodus
of the Saints from Nauvoo; led them across the wide extended plains
which form the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains; established
them in Salt Lake and surrounding valleys, located and laid out many
of their settlements, and taught them not only the moral precepts of
the gospel, but how to produce from the elements, sterile as they
then seemed, the necessaries and comforts {404} of life. Through his
wisdom--God-given--he laid the foundation of the present commonwealth
of Utah. Just previous to his death he organized the settlements of the
church into Stakes of Zion, as we now know them, and set in order the
various quorums of the priesthood.
9. President Young was a natural leader among men--a master
spirit. His genius especially manifested itself in his ability to
organize and govern men. He had not only been the president of the
church and the first governor of Utah, but he was also the friend
of the people. In times of trial and sorrow they turned to him for
comfort; in times of danger they looked to him to direct their action;
in times of perplexity they went to him for the word of the Lord; and
Brigham Young, full of heaven-inspired wisdom, never failed them in any
of these things. [See note 3, end of section.]
10. The Twelve again Presiding.--At the death of President
Brigham Young, August 29, 1877, the quorum of the twelve apostles
again became the temporary presiding quorum of the church, with John
Taylor at their head. [See note 4, end of section.] The quorum of the
twelve continued to act as the presiding quorum of the church until
the October conference of 1880, when the first presidency was again
organized. John Taylor was chosen president, and he selected George Q.
Cannon for his first, and Joseph F. Smith for his second counselor.
11. John Taylor.--President John Taylor came to the high office
of president of the church late in life, in his seventy-second year.
He joined the church in his early manhood, in 1836, and two years
later was ordained into the quorum of the twelve apostles. He was a
trusted friend of the Prophet Joseph, and was in prison with him when
he was martyred, and he himself was wounded nigh unto death. He had
been prominent in all leading events of the church from the time he was
ordained an apostle until he became the president thereof. He was a man
of wide experience, profound judgment, and unwavering {405} integrity.
[See note 5, end of section.] He entered upon the performance of his
high duties with a zeal and vigor only to be expected of a younger man.
He was careful to set in order the several quorums of the priesthood,
and insist upon each man doing his duty. The seven years of his
administration as president of the church will be remembered as among
the most eventful in the history of the church. It was during those
years that the judicial crusade was inaugurated by the United States
and most vigorously carried on against the Saints for the suppression
of plural marriage.
12. Wilford Woodruff--His Administration.--President Taylor died
on the 25th of July, 1887, and once more the quorum of the twelve
apostles became the presiding quorum of the church. They continued to
act in that capacity, with Wilford Woodruff as president, until April
7, 1889, when the first presidency was again reorganized, with Wilford
Woodruff as president. He retained the counselors of the late President
Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, as his counselors.
13. The persecution which the United States had inflicted upon
the church on the pretext of suppressing plural marriage culminated in
1890 in the discontinuance of the practice of that principle. It may
be well here to enumerate those circumstances which led to the above
result. It has already been stated how plural marriage was introduced
and practiced in Nauvoo. After the church settled in Salt Lake valley
it was publicly proclaimed as a doctrine of the church in 1852. The
practice of it then was public, the whole church--and at that time the
members of the church comprised nearly the whole community--approving
the principle, which was at once recognized as a proper religious
institution.
14. Enactments of Congress Against Plural Marriage.--For ten
years the practice in Utah of this system of marriage met with no
opposition from the United States. But {406} in 1862 a law was enacted
by Congress to punish and prevent the practice of polygamy in the
Territories of the United States.[206] The penalties affixed were
a fine, not to exceed five hundred dollars, and imprisonment not
to exceed five years. For twenty years, however, the law remained
practically a dead letter. It was claimed by the Saints that it was an
infringement of the religious liberty guaranteed by the Constitution
[207] of the United States, since it prohibited the free exercise
of religion. For twenty years no pronounced effort was made by the
officers of the general government to enforce the law. In 1882,
however, the law enacted twenty years before was supplemented by
what is known as the Edmunds Law. In addition to defining the crime
polygamy--for which it retained the same penalties as the law of
1862--the Edmunds law also made the cohabiting with more than one
woman a crime, punishable by a fine not to exceed three hundred
dollars, and by imprisonment not to exceed six months. This law also
rendered persons who were living in polygamy, or who believed in its
rightfulness, incompetent to act as grand or petit jurors; and also
disqualified all polygamists for voting or holding office. This law of
1882 was supplemented by the Edmunds-Tucker law--enacted in 1887--which
made the legal wife or husband, in case of polygamy or unlawful
cohabitation, a competent witness, provided the accused consented
thereto; it also enlarged the powers of United States commissioners and
marshals, and required certificates of all marriages to be filed in the
office of the probate court. The violation of this last provision was a
fine of one thousand dollars, and imprisonment for two years. The law
disincorporated the church, and ordered the supreme court to wind up
its affairs, and take possession of the escheated property.
{407} 15. The laws were rigorously enforced by the United States
officials, special appropriations being made by Congress to enable
them to carry on a judicial crusade against the Saints. The prominent
church officials were driven into retirement; others into exile. Homes
were disrupted; family ties were rent asunder. Upwards of a thousand
men endured fines and imprisonment in the penitentiary rather than be
untrue to their families. Every effort of the government to deprive the
people of what was considered their religious liberty was stubbornly
contested in the Courts until the decision of the supreme court of
the United States was obtained. While some of the proceedings of the
courts in Utah in enforcing the anti-polygamy laws were condemned, the
laws were sustained as constitutional. The court also held that the
first amendment to the Constitution, which provides that Congress shall
not prohibit the free exercise of religion, cannot be invoked against
legislation for the punishment of plural marriages. Meantime government
was relentless, and still more stringent measures than those already
enacted were threatened.
16. Discontinuance of Plural Marriages.--In the midst of
these afflictions and threatening portents President Wilford Woodruff
besought the Lord in anguish and prayer and the Lord inspired him
to issue the manifesto which discontinued the practice of plural
marriages. At the semi-annual conference in October following, the
action of President Woodruff was sustained by unanimous vote of the
conference and plural marriages are discontinued in the church. [See
notes 6, 7, 8, end of section.]
17. In this matter of plural marriage the Latter-say Saints are
neither responsible for its introduction nor for its discontinuance.
The Lord commanded its practice, and in the face of the sentiment of
ages, and in opposition to the teachings of their own traditions, many
of the Saints obeyed the commandment, and in the midst of weakness,
difficulties and dangers {408} sought to carry out the law as revealed
to them. For about half a century they maintained its practice in the
face of opposition sufficient to appall the stoutest hearts. They
defended it in the public press proclaimed it from the pulpit, debated
it on the platform with all those who chose to assail it, and practiced
it in their lives, notwithstanding fines and imprisonments threatened;
and when the power of the government was vigorously employed to enforce
its laws against this institution, hundreds of men cheerfully endured
both fines and imprisonment rather than be untrue to it. A whole
generation had been grown and had grown to manhood and womanhood in
this marriage system, and the affections of family ties were entwined
with it. Then, under the pressure of suffering brought upon the people
through the laws of the United States, the Lord inspired the president
of the church to proclaim its discontinuance, and the people, with
hearts bursting with grief submitted to the will of heaven, and there
the matter rests. If the labors and sufferings of the church of Christ
for this principle have done nothing more, this much at least has been
accomplished--the Saints have borne testimony to the truth. And it is
for God to vindicate his own law and open the way for its establishment
on the earth, which doubtless he will do when his kingdom shall come in
power, and when his will shall be done in earth as it is in heaven.
18. Laying of the Cap-Stone of the Salt Lake Temple.--One of
the most pleasing and at the same time one of the most important events
in the history of the church during the administration of President
Woodruff, was laying the cap-stone of the Salt Lake Temple, on the 6th
of April, 1892. It was laid by President Woodruff amid the rejoicing of
thousands of the Saints; and a resolution was adopted to complete the
sacred edifice and dedicate it on the 6th of April, 1893--forty years
from the time the corner-stones thereof was laid.
19. The Growth and Present Condition of the Church (1892).--Since
the Saints settled in the valleys of the Rocky {409} mountains the
church has been making steady growth in numbers, and its territorial
boundaries are constantly extending. The church is no longer confined
within the boundary lines of the territory of Utah. It has five stakes
organized in the state of Idaho, one in the state of Colorado, one
in Wyoming, four in the territory of Arizona, and colonies in Mexico
and Canada. The settlements of the Saints are noted for peace and
good order; for the cleanliness, thrift, sobriety and the comfortable
circumstances of the people. But few individuals in the church can be
considered wealthy, yet as a whole the community is rich, most of the
people owning their homes, the lands they cultivate and the flocks and
herds they tend. The land has been blessed for their sakes, and made to
yield in its strength. They are a contented, happy, and fast becoming a
mighty people. They are diligently preaching the gospel to the world,
having sent missionaries to nearly all the nations of the earth. In
the British Isles, and among the Scandinavian and German people the
missionaries have been especially successful. Of late years great
progress has been made also among the natives of New Zealand, Sandwich
Islands, and other islands of the Pacific, notably in Samoa.
20. The church is also devoting much of its energies to the work
for the dead. Four magnificent temples have been reared by the Saints.
One in St, George, dedicated January 1st, 1877; one in Logan, dedicated
17th of May, 1884; another in Manti, dedicated 21st of May, 1888; and
one in Salt Lake, dedicated on the 6th of April, 1893. In these temples
the faithful Saints are doing a noble and a mighty work for their
ancestors, as well as a very important work for the living.
21. A Preparatory Work.--The work of God, as revealed through the
Prophet Joseph Smith, has a peculiar significance to this generation.
It is essentially a preparatory work; its direct mission is to prepare
for the glorious coming of the Son {410} of God to reign over the
earth. Nothing can be more explicitly stated in the scripture than the
fact that the Son of God will come to the earth in the glory of his
Father, to reward the righteous with a speedy resurrection from the
dead, and destroy the wicked by the judgments of famine, pestilence and
war; to establish his kingdom in power, bringing in a reign of peace,
liberty and righteousness. In proof of this let the student consider
the following scripture:
_I. Promise of Messiah's Glorious Return:_--"And when he had spoken
these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received
him out of their sight. And, while they looked steadfastly toward
heaven as he went up, behold two men [angels] stood by them in white
apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up
into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." [208]
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his
angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." [209]
_II. Messiah to Come to Judgment:_--"For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God
bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that
we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not
prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which
are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord." [210]
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels {411} in flaming fire
taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his
power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be
admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was
believed) in that day." [211] "For the Son of Man cometh at an hour when
we think not." [212] [See note 9, end of section.]
_III. The World to be Warned of Coming Judgments:_--To a number of
elders in Kirtland, in 1832, who had been called to the ministry,
the Lord gave these instructions, and, of course, they apply to all
elders called to the same ministry:--"Teach ye diligently and my grace
shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory,
in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things
that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that is expedient for you to
understand. * * * That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall
send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and
the mission with which I have commissioned you. Behold, I sent you out
to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been
warned to warn his neighbor. Therefore, they are left without excuse,
and their sins are upon their own heads. * * * Therefore, tarry ye,
and labor diligently, that ye may be perfected in your ministry to go
forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as many as the mouth of
the Lord shall name, to bind up the law and seal up the testimony, and
to prepare the saints for the hour of judgment which is to come; that
their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation of abomination
which awaits the wicked, both in this world and the world to come. *
* * Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not
yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord come;
for not many days hence and the earth shall {412} tremble and reel to
and fro as a drunken man, and the sun shall hide his face, and shall
refuse to give light, and the moon shall be bathed in blood, and the
stars shall become exceeding angry, and shall cast themselves down as a
fig that falleth from off a fig tree.
"And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people;
for after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that
shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the
ground, and shall not be able to stand. And also cometh the testimony
of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the
voice of the tempest, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving
themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion;
and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all
people; and angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a
loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying, Prepare ye, prepare ye,
O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come; behold
and lo! the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him." [213]
_IV. The Coming of the Kingdom of God from Heaven:_--"Hearken, and lo,
a voice as of one from on high. * * * Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight. The keys of the kingdom of God are committed
unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto
the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountains
without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth;
yea, a voice crying--Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the
supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom; pray unto the Lord,
call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the
people; call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the
earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for
the days to come, in which the Son of Man shall come down from heaven,
clothed {413} in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of
God which is set up on the earth." [214]
_V. A Prayer:_--"Wherefore may the kingdom of God go forth, that the
kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in
heaven so on earth, that thy enemies may be subdued; for thine is the
honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen." [215]
22. Conclusion.--Such then is the work of God in the great
Dispensation of the Fullness of Times--a preparatory work for the
glorious coming and reign of Messiah. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ
restored to the earth through the ministration of angels to Joseph
Smith and others whom the Lord called to the work. In it are found
all the principles, ordinances, authorities, powers, gifts, graces,
callings and appointments necessary to accomplish the eternal salvation
of the living and the dead--it is the _fullness_ of the gospel; and has
or will gather into it all that has ever been revealed concerning the
redemption of the earth and the human race. This great work of God, as
we have seen, contemplates the gathering of Israel and the restoration
of the "lost tribes;" the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, which city
they will rebuild; the redemption of the Lamanites and the building
of a glorious city upon the American continent to be called Zion; the
advent of Messiah in power and glory to reign in righteousness over the
earth for a thousand years, with all the ancient Saints and those of
modern days who are worthy; it contemplates the final redemption of the
earth, and teaches that it will become a celestial sphere, the abode
of resurrected celestial beings forever. This work of God accepts and
includes within its boundary lines all truth. It is progressive and
is destined to become the religion of the age. Within it is scope for
all the intelligence that shall flow unto it--"within its atmosphere
is room for every intellectual wing." {414} It does not, as some have
supposed, thrive best where ignorance is most profound; nor does it
depend upon superstition for its existence or perpetuity; but it
possesses within itself principles of native strength that will enable
it to weather every storm, outlive all hatred born of ignorance and
prejudice, and will yet prove itself to be what indeed it is--the power
of God unto salvation to all those who believe and obey it.
NOTES.
1. Prophecy that the Saints would Remove to the West.--I
passed over the river to Montrose, Iowa, in company with General
Adams, Colonel Brewer and others, and witnessed the installation of
the officers of the Rising Sun Lodge of Ancient order of Masons, at
Montrose, by General James Adams, deputy grand master of Illinois.
While the deputy grand master was engaged in giving the requisite
instructions to the master-elect, I had a conversation with a number
of the brethren in the shade of the building on the subject of our
persecutions in Missouri, and the constant annoyance which has followed
us since we were driven from that state. I prophesied that the Saints
would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the
Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death
by their persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure
or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making
settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people
in the midst of the Rocky Mountains.--Joseph Smith's journal for 6th of
August, 1842.
2. Why the Church Came West.--"Many living witnesses can testify
that we proposed moving to California [then a general name for the
great West, including what is now Utah] leaving the land of our
oppression, preaching the gospel to the Lamanites, building up other
temples to the living God, establishing ourselves in the far distant
West. The cruel and perfidious persecutions that we endured tended to
hasten our departure, but did _not_ dictate it. It jeopardized our
lives, property and liberty, but was not the cause of our removal. Many
a time have I listened to the voice of our beloved prophet, while in
council, dwell on this subject with delight; his eyes sparkling with
animation, and his soul fired with the inspiration of the Spirit of
the living God. It was a theme that caused the bosoms of all who were
privileged to listen to thrill with delight; intimately {415} connected
with this were themes upon which prophets, patriarchs, priests and
kings dwelt with pleasure and delight; of them they prophesied, sung,
wrote, spoke and desired. to see, but died without the sight. My spirit
glows with sacred fire while I reflect upon these scenes, and I say, O
Lord, hasten the day! Let Zion be established! Let the mountain of the
Lord's house be established in the tops of the mountains!"--a thing, I
may add--and which he plainly intimates--could not have been done had
the Saints remained in Nauvoo. The Saints did not come to the Rocky
Mountain valleys because they were compelled to by their enemies,
but came here because it was their destiny to come; because the Lord
would have them here; and because there were problems to work out in
connection with the work of God which could be worked out nowhere
else.--Life of John Taylor p. 179.
3. Character of Brigham Young.--Brigham Young was colonizer,
statesman, philosopher, philanthropist, reformer, prophet leader,
priestly-king, an honest man, God's noblest work! * * * His greatness
shines forth in conduct and leadership and colonization and in the
building of a mighty commonwealth in these mountain valleys. * * * On
all great occasions promptness and decision were characteristics of his
organization; and let a question arise where it might, all Israel felt
when it reached God's prophet-leader, it would find proper solution,
and when solved would be endorsed by wisdom.--Moses Thatcher.
4. Succession of the Twelve on the Death of President Young.--On
the 4th of September, 1877, the two counselors of the late President
Young and ten of the Twelve Apostles--Orson Pratt and Joseph F.
Smith, the other two members, were absent in England--held a meeting
and waited upon the Lord. With humble, contrite and saddened hearts
they earnestly sought to learn his will concerning themselves and the
church. The Lord blessed them with the spirit of union, and revealed to
them what steps should be taken, and the following is what was done:
Elder Taylor was unanimously sustained as the president of the twelve;
and with the same unanimity it was voted that the twelve apostles
should be sustained as the presiding authority in the church, while the
counselors to the late President Young, John W. Young and Daniel H.
Wells, were sustained as one with, counselors to, and associated with
the twelve apostles. To facilitate the transaction of business it was
also voted that for the time being President Taylor should be assisted
by John W. Young, Daniel H. Wells and George Q. Cannon, in attending
to business connected with the temples, the public works and other
financial affairs of the Church.--Life of John Taylor.
5. John Taylor.--There was a beautiful harmony in the character
of {416} his mind and the lineaments of his person. If the habitation
was splendid, the inmate was worthy of it. His noble form and bearing
were but the outward expression of the spirit within. A universal
benevolence, powerful intellect, splendid courage, physical as well
as moral, a noble independence of spirit, coupled with implicit faith
and trust in God, a high sense of honor, unimpeachable integrity,
indomitable determination and passionate love of liberty, justice and
truth marked the outlines of his character.--Life of John Taylor.
6. The Discontinuance of Plural Marriage.--The clause in
President Woodruff's manifesto which discontinued plural marriage is
as follows: "Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding
plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the
court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those
laws, and to use my influence with the members of the church over which
I preside to have them do likewise. * * * And I now publicly declare
that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting
any marriage forbidden by the law of the land."
Following is the resolution presented to the semi-annual conference in
the October following. It was presented by Lorenzo Snow, the president
of the twelve apostles:--"I move that, recognizing Wilford Woodruff
as the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
and the only man on the earth at the present time who holds the keys
of the sealing ordinances, we consider him fully authorized by virtue
of his position to issue the manifesto which has been read in our
hearing, and which is dated September 24, 1890; and that as a church
in general conference assembled, we accept his declaration concerning
plural marriage as authoritative and binding." The vote to sustain the
foregoing motion was unanimous.
7. Basis on which the Manifesto was Issued.--Verily, verily I
say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of
men, to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all
their might, and with all they have to perform that work, and cease
not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them
from performing that work; behold, it behooveth me to require that
work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their
offerings. [Revelation given 19th Jan., 1841, Doc. and Cov., sec.
cxxiv.] It is on this basis that President Woodruff has felt himself
justified in issuing this manifesto. * * * We have waited for the
Lord to move in this matter, and on the 24th of September, President
Woodruff made up his mind that he would write something, and he had
the spirit of it. He had prayed about it and he had besought the Lord
repeatedly to show him what to do. At that time the spirit came upon
him, and the document that has been read in your hearing was the
result. I know that it was right, much as it has gone against {417} the
grain with me in many respects. * * * But when God speaks and when God
makes known his mind and will, I hope that I and all Latter-day Saints
will bow in submission to it.--Geo. Q. Cannon, in a sermon Oct. 6th,
1890.
I want to say to all Israel that the step which I have taken in issuing
this manifesto has not been done without earnest prayer before the
Lord. * * * I have done my duty, and the nation of which we form a part
must be responsible for that which has been done in relation to that
principle [plural marriage.]--President Woodruff, in a sermon Oct.6th,
1890.
8. Testimony from God Promised that the Manifesto was
Inspired.--I have received a revelation and commandment from the
Lord, which I have not revealed to any man, which I shall reveal to
this assembly, and the command of the Lord I shall give to this people,
which is this: The Lord has revealed to me that there are many in
the church who feel badly tried about the manifesto, and also about
the testimony of the presidency and apostles before the master in
chancery. The Lord has commanded me to put the following question to
the Saints, and those who will give strict attention to it shall have
the Holy Ghost to be with them to inspire them to answer that question
for themselves, and the Lord has promised that the answer will be to
all alike. The question is this: which is the wisest course for the
Latter-day Saints to pursue--to continue to attempt to practice plural
marriage with the laws of the nation against it and the opposition
of 60,000,000 of people, and at the cost of the confiscation, and
loss of all the temples, and the stopping of the ordinances therein,
both for the living and the dead; and the imprisonment of the first
presidency and the twelve, and the leaders of heads of families in the
church, and the confiscation of the personal property of the people
(all of which of themselves would stop the practice) or after doing
and suffering what we have through our adherence to this principle, to
cease the practice and submit to the law, and through doing so leave
the prophets, apostles and fathers at home, so that they can instruct
the people and attend to the duties of the church, and also leave the
temples in the hands of the Saints so that they can attend to the
ordinances of the gospel, both for the living and the dead? Now the
inspiration of the Lord will reveal to any person which course wisdom
would dictate us to pursue. And the Latter-day Saints throughout all
Israel should understand that the first presidency of the church and
the twelve apostles are led and guided by the inspiration of the Lord,
and the Lord will not permit me nor any other man to lead the people
astray.--President Woodruff, at Box Elder quarterly conference, Oct.
25th. 1891. Juvenile Instructor, vol. xxvi: p. 671.
9. Sign of the Coming of Messiah.--I have asked the Lord
concerning {418} his coming; and while asking the Lord, he gave me
a sign and said: "In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as
a sign and a token that in any year that the bow should be seen the
Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during
that year; but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token
that there shall be famine, pestilence and great distress among the
nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant. * *
Jesus Christ never did reveal to any man the precise time that he would
come."--Joseph Smith.
REVIEW.
1. Relate the circumstances connected with the martyrdom of Joseph and
Hyrum Smith.
2. Who succeeded to the presidency of the church after the death of the
Prophet Joseph?
3. Give an account of the expulsion of the church from Illinois.
4. State the reasons why the church in its flight went westward.
5. Give an account of the arrival in Salt Lake valley.
6. When and where was the first presidency of the church reorganized?
7. State the leading achievements in the career of Brigham Young.
8. What was the character of President Young? (Note 3.)
9. Who again took the presidency of the church at the death of Brigham
Young?
10. When was the first presidency again organized?
11. State what you can of the life and character of John Taylor.
12. For what is John Taylor's administration noted?
13. Who succeeded to the presidency of the church after the death of
President Taylor?
14. What led to the discontinuance of the practice of plural marriage?
15. When was plural marriage publicly announced as a doctrine of the
Church?
16. Give an account of the enactments of Congress against plural
marriage.
17. State in what spirit these laws were enforced.
18. State in what way plural marriage was finally discontinued.
19. What was the basis of this action of the Church? (Notes 6, 7, 8.)
20. Were the Saints responsible either for the introduction or
discontinuance of plural marriage?
21. What has been their course in relation to this principle since its
introduction?
{419} 22. Give an account of the laying of the cap-stone on the Salt
Lake temple.
23. Make a statement of the growth and present position of the church.
24. What is the immediate purpose of the work began by the Prophet
Joseph Smith?
25. State several promises to be found in the Jewish scriptures
respecting the glorious return of Messiah.
26. Quote those that predict Messiah will come to judgment.
27. What hath God decreed concerning the time of his coming? (Note 9.)
28. For what especial purpose hath God sent forth his servants to the
world in this dispensation?
29. What will be the crowning event to the work of this dispensation?
30. State what is contemplated by the work of God in the dispensation
of the fullness of times.
THE END.
Footnotes
1. Jaques' Catechism, page 77.
2. "God having made known unto us * * * that in the dispensation of
the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."
(Ephesians i:9, 10.)
3. Note 2, end of section.
4. Ontario County has since been divided, and the north part of it, in
which Palmyra is located, is now called Wayne County.
5. While the Prophet Joseph in describing this first great vision
refers to the Lord and his Son Jesus Christ as two glorious personages
without giving at that time any particular description of their
persons, it is clear that they were in the form of men. Teaching the
church the character of the Godhead some years later, the prophet said:
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted Man and sits
enthroned in yonder heavens. That is the great secret. If the vail was
rent today and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who
upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself
visible--I say if you were to see him today, you would see him like a
man in form--like yourselves, in all the person, image and very form as
a man, for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of
God, and received instruction from and walked and talked, and conversed
with him, as one man talks and communes with another."--Journal of
Discourses, Vol. VI, page 3.
6. Most likely the first part of the third chapter, as that relates to
the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for the glorious coming of
Messiah. (See Mal. iii: 1-6.)
7. Pearl of Great Price, page 90. The words in Italics indicate the
difference between the passages as quoted by Moroni and as they stand
in our English version of the Bible. The student should compare the
passages as quoted above with the Bible and mark how superior is the
angel's rendering of them.
8. That was the name of the hill among the Nephites. The Jaredites, a
still more ancient people, called it Ramah.
9. Book of Mormon, pp. 114, 115.
10. This messenger was a resurrected personage. It will be remembered
that John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas before the
crucifixion of the Lord; and that after the resurrection of Messiah,
"the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept
arose, and came out of the graves after his [Christ's] resurrection,
and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Matt. xxvii: 52,
53.) As John the Baptist was one of the most worthy of the saints, and
a martyr for righteousness, it is but reasonable to conclude that he
was among the number resurrected immediately after the resurrection of
Jesus.
11. For the words of the angel see Doc. and Cov., sec. 13.
12. These baptisms were, of course, by immersion. The Savior when
teaching the Nephites how to baptize, said: "Ye shall go down and stand
in the water, and * * * these are the words ye shall say, calling them
by name, saying--Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize
you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again
out of the water." (III Nephi xi: 23-26.) It was this passage which led
Joseph and Oliver to inquire of the Lord about baptism, with the result
stated in the text.
13. See Cannon's Life of Joseph Smith, p. 73.
14. Doc. and Cov., sec. cxxviii: 20; also article by Joseph F. Smith on
Restoration of the Melchisedek Priesthood, "Contributor," vol x, p. 310.
15. Matt. xvi: 19.
16. Cannon's Life of Joseph Smith, p. 73.
17. Doc. and Cov., sec. cvii: 18, 19.
18. Their names were Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter
Whitmer, Jun., Samuel H. Smith, and David Whitmer. There were a number
of others who had been baptized, but as six persons were sufficient to
fill the requirements of the laws of the State of New York in respect
to organizing religious societies, the church was organized with that
number.
19. The words "of Latter-day Saints," were not used until some time
after April 26, 1838, when they were added by revelation from the Lord.
(Doc. and Cov., sec. cxv.)
20. See Doc. and Cov. sec. xxi.
21. The revelation giving these instructions was given in the chamber
of Peter Whitmer, Sen., and is the "voice of God in the chamber of old
Father Whitmer," alluded to in the letter of Joseph to the church under
date of Sep. 6, 1842, contained in sec. cxxviii of the Doc. and Cov.
22. Page 297.
23. It is the law of the church that "no person is to be ordained to
any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch
of same, without the vote of that church." (Doc. and Cov., sec. xx: 65.)
24. Doc. and Cov., sec. xxvi.
25. The voice of the people is the voice of God.
26. The voice of God is the voice of the people.
27. The voice of God and the voice of the people.
28. This revelation is the one found in sec. xx., Doc. and Cov. The
Prophet Joseph precedes it in his history with these remarks: "Among
many other things of the kind [spiritual manifestations], we obtained
of Him the following, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, which
not only gave us much information, but also pointed out to us the
precise day upon which, according to his will and commandment, we
should proceed to organize his church once again here upon the earth."
Then followed the revelation above referred to.--Hist. Joseph Smith,
Mill Star (Supplement) vol. xiv, p.22
29. See part I.
30. Subsequently when some persons desired to join the church without
baptism at the hands of the elders, having been baptized by the
ministers of other churches, the Lord said: "All old covenants have I
caused to be done away in this thing, and this is a new and everlasting
covenant, even that which was from the beginning. Wherefore, although
a man should be baptized an hundred times, it availeth him nothing,
for you cannot enter in at the straight gate by the law of Moses,
neither by your dead works. For it is because of your dead works, that
I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me
even as in days of old. Wherefore enter ye in at the gate, as I have
commanded, and seek not to counsel your God." Doc. and Cov. sec. xxii.
31. Eight years is fixed as the age of baptism for children. Doc. and
Cov. sec. lxviii: 27.
32. These are the same words given to the Nephites, except that the
opening clause in the Book of Mormon is: "Having authority given me of
Jesus Christ" (III Nephi xi: 25), and that means the same as "Having
been commissioned of Jesus Christ," etc.
33. All officers in the church holding higher authority than those
named would, of course, have authority to administer the sacrament.
34. A few months after the organization of the church, viz., early in
the month of August, 1830, when the Prophet Joseph left his house in
Harmony, Penn., for the purpose of procuring wine to administer the
sacrament to a few saints visiting him at his home--he had gone but a
short distance when he was met by a heavenly messenger and received
the revelation contained in the Doc. and Cov. sec. xxvii, a portion
of which is as follows: "Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your
Lord, your God and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.
For behold I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or
what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that
ye do it with an eye single to my glory, remembering unto the Father
my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for
the remission of your sins; wherefore, a commandment I give unto you,
that ye shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies;
wherefore you shall partake of none except it is made new among you;
yea, in this my Father's kingdom, which shall be built up on the
earth." This revelation is the authority the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints has for using water instead of wine in the sacrament.
35. It must be remembered that this revelation was given before the
church was organized; at that time there were a number who had been
baptized, and who had children not old enough to be baptized, and had
not yet been blessed of the elders. This commandment, therefore, was
directed more especially to them, but applies, of course, to people
placed in like circumstances. Subsequently, in November 1831, the
Lord said: "Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of
her stakes which are organized, who teach them not to understand the
doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, the Son of the living God,
and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of
hands when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents;
for this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of
her stakes when organized; and their children shall be baptized for
the remission of sins when eight years old and receive the laying on
of hands, and they shall also teach their children to pray and walk
uprightly before the Lord." (Doc. and Cov. sec. lxviii:25-28.)
36. The term "elder" is both a general and a specific title. That
is, it may be applied to an apostle or a seventy; as, for instance,
in the revelation under consideration (Doc. and Cov. sec. xx), it is
said: "An apostle is an elder," etc. We shall see also further on that
it is the name of a specific office in the church; that ninety-six
elders constitute a quorum; that they constitute a standing ministry
in the stakes of Zion; and that they have authority to do all that is
enumerated in the text above.
37. The closing phrases of paragraph 37, sec. xx; Doc. and Cov., are
what Oliver objected to--"And truly manifest by their works that they
have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of sins."
38. Doc. and Cov. sec. xxviii
39. Doc. and Cov. xxviii, and sec. xliii:1-6
40. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xxviii.
41. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xxxvii.
42. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xli.
43. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxviii.
44. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 15.
45. Ibid, verse 20.
46. Ibid, verse 68.
47. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lvii:17.
48. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lviii: 15; 18. Ibid, sec. cvii: 72-75.
49. There are bishops holding different positions: Bishop Partridge
was a general bishop over the land of Zion; while Bishop Whitney was
a general bishop over the church in Kirtland, Ohio, and also over the
eastern churches until afterwards appointed as presiding bishop. * * *
There are also ward bishops, whose duties are confined to their several
wards. * * * There are also bishops' agents such as Sidney Gilbert [he
was Bishop Partridge's agent in Zion, Missouri], and others.--Items on
Priesthood by the late President John Taylor.
50. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxviii: 17, 18.
51. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxviii: 20.
52. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxviii: 21.
53. And inasmuch as a president of the high priesthood shall
transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council
of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the
high priesthood; and their decision upon his head shall be an end of
controversy concerning him. (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 82, 83).
54. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxviii: 19.
55. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxviii: 22-24.
56. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxiv: 112.
57. I think a careful reading of sec. lxviii of the Doctrine and
Covenants, will justify this conclusion--that not only the office of
presiding bishop of the church should be filled by the first-born of
the sons of Aaron, but that the traveling and local bishops also, so
far as can be, should be chosen from among the first born of the sons
of Aaron. The following passage seems especially clear on the question:
"There remaineth hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other bishops
to be set apart unto the church, to minister even according to the
first; wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and
they shall be appointed by the first presidency of the Melchisedek
priesthood, except they be descendants of Aaron, and if they be literal
descendants of Aaron they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they
are the first-born among the sons of Aaron." Sec. lxviii: 14-16.
58. Book of Ether, ch. xiii, and III Nephi, ch. xx.
59. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlv.
60. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lii.
61. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lvii.
62. Acts iv: 32.
63. The branch of the Church in this part of the Lord's vineyard
[Kirtland], which had increased to nearly one hundred members, were
striving to do the will of God so far as they knew it, though some
had strange notions, and false spirits had crept in among them. With
a little caution and some wisdom, I soon assisted the brethren and
sisters to overcome them. The plan of "common stock," which had existed
in what was called "the family," whose members generally had embraced
the everlasting gospel, was readily abandoned for the more perfect law
of the Lord, and the false spirits were easily discerned and rejected
by the light of revelation.--Joseph Smith.--Millennial Star Supplement
to vol. xiv, p. 56.
64. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xli.
65. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlii.
66. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlii: 30,32.
67. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlii: 32.
68. In the very revelations in which the first instructions on the
subject of consecration and stewardship are given the Lord says: "Let
all thy garments be plain and their beauty the beauty of the work of
thine own hands. * * * Thou shalt not be idle, for he that is idle
shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer." (Doc.
and Cov., sec. xliii: 40,42). In a subsequent revelation, referring to
the inhabitants of Zion who were living under this law of consecration,
the Lord said: "And the inhabitants of Zion, also, shall remember their
labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor in all faithfulness,
for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord." (Doc. and
Cov., sec. lxviii: 30).
69. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. civ: 54,57.
70. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxii: 2,8.
71. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. civ.
72. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. li: 4, 5.
73. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlii: 33, 35.
74. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. civ: 70, 77.
75. "All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance
until they are of age. After that they have claim upon the church, or
in other words, upon the Lord's store-house, if their parents have not
wherewith to give them inheritances. And the store-house shall be kept
by the consecrations of the church, and widows and orphans shall be
provided for as also the poor." (Doc. and Cov., sec. lxxxiii: 4, 6.)
76. Sec. xlii: 53;54. And you are to be equal, or in other words, you
are to have equal claims on the properties for the benefit of managing
the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and
needs inasmuch as his wants are just. (Doc. and Cov., sec. lxxxii: 17.)
77. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. li: 10, 13, also verse 18, which says
the law laid down in verses 10, 13, shall be an example to all churches.
78. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cv: 1, 5, also sec. lviii: 35, 36.
79. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlii: 39.
80. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. li: 3.
81. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. civ: 15-17.
82. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxix.
83. For a detailed account of this event and the causes leading up to
it, see the author's work on the "Missouri Persecutions."
84. Doc. and Cov., sec. ciii.
85. Daniel Dunklin, governor of Missouri, agreed to call out the
militia of the state and re-instate the exiles on their lands; but he
claimed that he had no authority to keep a force under arms to protect
them after they were restored. Hence the coming of Zion's camp to so
strengthen the brethren that they could hold their own against the mob
when once placed back in their homes.
86. Missouri Persecutions.
87. Doc. and Cov., sec. cv. The revelation was given on Fishing river,
Missouri.
88. The corner stones of the Kirtland temple were laid on the 23rd of
July, 1833.
89. Doc. and Cov., sec. cii:22.
90. Doc. and Cov., sec. cvii: 23-33.
91. Doc. and Cov., sec. cii: 30-32, also sec. cvii: 32.
92. Doc. and Cov., sec. cii: 26, 27.
93. Their names were Lyman E. Johnson, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke S. Johnson, Wm. E. McLellin, John F.
Boynton, Wm. B. Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Thomas B. Marsh, Orson Pratt.
94. Doc. and Cov., sec. cvii.
95. The circumstances under which this revelation (contained in section
cvii, Doc. and Cov.) was given are highly interesting; they are as
follows: On the afternoon of the 28th of March the twelve met in
council and had a time of general confession. "On reviewing our past
course," writes Orson Hyde and Wm. E. McLellin, clerks of the meeting,
"we are satisfied, and feel to confess also, that we have not realized
the importance of our calling, to that degree that we ought; we have
been light minded and vain, and in many things done wrong--_wrong_. For
all these things we have asked the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father,
and wherein we have grieved or wounded the feelings of the presidency,
we ask their forgiveness. The time when we are about to separate is
near, and when we shall meet again, God only knows; we therefore feel
to ask of him whom we have acknowledged to be our prophet and seer,
that he inquire of God for us and obtain a revelation (if consistent)
that we may look upon it when we are separated, that our hearts may be
comforted. Our worthiness has not inspired us to make this request,
but our unworthiness. We have unitedly asked God our Heavenly Father
to grant unto us through his seer, a revelation of his mind and will
concerning our duty the coming season, even a great revelation that
will enlarge our hearts comfort us in adversity and brighten our hopes
amidst the power of darkness." (Mill. Star, vol. xv, p. 245.) The
revelation which was given in answer to this request is one of the most
splendid contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
96. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. i: 38.
97. Doctrine and Covenants sec. cxxi:36.
98. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxxi: 41-44. These views from the
revelations of the Lord to Joseph Smith are in strict accord with
the teachings of Jesus Christ to the twelve apostles among the Jews.
To them he said: "Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise
dominion over them, and they that are great, exercise authority upon
them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great
among you let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among
you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of Man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many." (Matt. xx: 25-28.) Peter, it would seem remembered the spirit
of these instructions, as years afterwards we have him saying to those
set to govern the churches: "Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's
heritage, but being ensamples unto the flock." (I Peter v: 2, 3.)
99. This it appears is the view Joseph Smith took of the subject.
Replying to a question of Judge Stephen A. Douglas, how he governed
so easily so large a people as the Saints were at Nauvoo, the prophet
replied, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves."
100. In answering the question: was the priesthood of Melchisedek
taken away when Moses died, the Prophet Joseph said: "All priesthood
is Melchisedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. The
portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken
away; but that which brought the ministry of angels remained." (Hist.
Joseph Smith. See also Doc. and Cov., sec. cxii: 4, 5.)
101. The reasons for calling this division the Melchisedek priesthood
are given in note 3, section ii of part iv.
102. The reason for calling the second division the Aaronic Priesthood
is because it was a priesthood conferred upon Aaron, the brother of
Moses, and his sons after him. It is a division of the priesthood which
belongs of right to the house of Aaron. (See Doc. and Cov. sec. cvii:
13, 14.)
103. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 18-19.
104. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 20.
105. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 21
106. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 65-66.
107. Ibid, verses 91, 92.
108. It must be remembered by the student that apostles are also high
priests. In fact the apostleship circumscribes all priesthood, hence it
happens that some men who have not been directly ordained high priests,
but who were apostles, have acted in the quorum of the first presidency
of the church. Brigham Young did so.
109. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 22.
110. Ibid, verse 91.
111. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 23, 24, 32, 39, 58.
112. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii:34.
113. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 25, 26.
114. Up to the present date--1902--there have been one hundred and
forty-three quorums of seventies organized. The Prophet Joseph Smith
said that this choosing of seventies was to go on--if the labor in the
vineyard required it--"even until there are one hundred and forty and
four thousand thus set apart for the ministry."--Hist. Joseph Smith
under date May 2, 1835.
115. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii.
116. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 38.
117. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 27, 28.
118. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 39, 41.
119. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxxiv: 91, 93.
120. Ibid, verse 124.
121. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxxiv: 133-136.
122. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxiv, verse 29.
123. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 11.
124. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cvii: 89.
125. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxxiv: 137.
126. Doc. and Covenants, sec. cvii: 89, 90. Ibid, sec. cxxiv: 140. For
further information on duties of elders see sec. ii, part iv, of this
work.
127. See sec. iii, part iv.
128. See sec. ii, part iv, under caption Priests for explanation of
their duties and powers.
129. For explanation of the duties and powers of Teachers see caption
Teachers, sec. ii, part iv.
130. For explanation of their duties see caption Deacons, sec. ii, part
iv.
131. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxiv: 30.
132. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. lxxxiv: 29.
133. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xx: 38, 59.
134. See caption High Priests this section.
135. See caption Elders this section.
136. See Bishopric, sec. iii, part iv.
138. See caption _Of the Duties of Officers, Priests, Teachers,
Deacons_.
138. When the difficulty arises in a regularly organized ward the most
suitable persons to engage in such business would be the teachers of
the respective parties.
139. See on this method of settling difficulties Matt. xviii: 15, 17.
Doctrine and Covenants, sec. xlii: 88-91. Book of Mormon, III Nephi,
xii: 23,25.
140. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. iv: 8.
141. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. clv: 9.
142. See Section ii, Part IV, paragraphs 8, 9.
143. Guizot's Hist. Civilization.
144. Remarks of Disraeli on the formation of government in his
Vindication of the English Constitution.
145. That is Part IV of this work.
146. Besides the classic, there was an English department that included
a course in common and higher mathematics, geography, English grammar,
reading and writing. Hebrew was taught by Professor Seixas, a Jew, and
the elders made considerable progress in that language. These items are
interesting as showing that "Mormonism" is not and was not even in the
beginning of its career, opposed to education as many have claimed.
147. The prayer will be found in the Doc. and Cov. sec. cix. It was
given by revelation to the prophet.
148. The shout of hosanna consists in the whole congregation shouting
with all the strength of their voices--accompanying it with the waving
of handkerchiefs--these words: Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! TO GOD AND
THE LAMB! AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Those who have witnessed this shout of
praise and gladness to God by a large congregation of saints, will
never forget the power and heavenly influence that accompany it.
149. For the foregoing account of spiritual manifestations see Hist.
Joseph Smith, Mill. Star, Vol. 15, pages 726-28.
150. Doc. and Cov. sec. cx.
151. Doc. and Cov. sec. cx.
152. Mal. iv: 5, 6.
153. Doc. and Cov. sec. cx.
154. See pages 371-97.
155. Book of Mormon, III Nephi xv: 12-20.
156. Book of Mormon, III Nephi xvi: 1-5.
157. II Esdras xiii.
158. Compare with Isaiah xi: 15, 16.
159. See prophecies quoted p. 368-9.
160. I do not state this date definitely because authorities differ in
respect to it; some fixing it at 588, another at 590, and still others
as in the text. The difference which is not material, arose no doubt
from some giving the date at which the king of Babylon began his siege
and others when it ended.
161. Fifty-six, according to some historians.
162. See Part I, p. 27.
163. Matt. xxiv: 2.
164. Deut. xxviii:15-68. The student should read this passage in
Deuteronomy. It is without exception the most terrible warning and
prophecy on record. Yet terrible as it is, it hath all overtaken Israel.
165. Amos ix: 9.
166. Jeremiah xxxi:10-12. See also verses 7, 8, 9.
167. Jeremiah xvi:14, 15.
168. See the verses preceding this quotation for an explanation of the
time of this occurrence, Isaiah xi:1-10. This is one of the passages
quoted to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni, who said also that "it was
about to be fulfilled." See Pearl of Great Price, p. 90.
169. Isaiah xi:10-12, 16.
170. Jeremiah iii:15-19.
171. Book of Mormon II Nephi x:7, 8. See also I Nephi x:14, II Nephi
vi:8-11, and also Book of Jacob v. This last reference especially
should be studied.
172. Doc. and Cov., sec. cxxxiii:25-35.
173. Doc. and Cov., sec. cxxxiii:32.
174. See page 321, this work.
175. See p. 321.
176. For the particulars of the persecution which resulted in the
banishment of the Saints from that land, the student is referred to the
author's work on the Missouri Persecutions.
177. Isaiah ii:23.
178. Jeremiah iii:14, 15.
179. Rev. xviii:4-8.
180. Eccl. xi.
181. The revelation was given March, 1830; Doc. and Cov. sec. xix.
182. Mark xvi:16.
183. The so-called early fathers of the church, Justin Martyr, Clement,
of Alexandria, Tertullian and Cyprian, all taught that the fire of
hell is a real material flame, and that the wicked were punished in
it eternally. Augustine in the fifth century stated the same doctrine
with great emphasis and argued against those who sought to modify it.
(See Augustine's City of God. Part II, book xx, and xxi).Thomas Aquinas
(A-kwi-nas) of the mediaeval school of theologians, rising head and
shoulders above divines of his day, teaches in his Summa Theologia,
that the fire of hell is of the same nature as ordinary fire, though
with different properties; that the place of punishment though not
definitely known is probably under the earth. He also taught that
there was no redemption for those once damned, their punishment is to
be eternal. Coming to more modern times, we read in the Westminster
Confession of Faith--adopted in the seventeenth century by the Puritan
party in England--the following on the subject (ch. xxxiii): "The
wicked who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ
shall be cast into eternal torment and be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
power." Question twenty-nine of the larger catechism and the answer to
it are as follows: "What are the punishments of sin in the world to
come. Ans. The punishments of sin in the world to come are everlasting
separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous
torment in soul and body, without intermission, in hell fire forever."
The Westminster Confession and the large catechism are still the
standards of the Presbyterian churches. Indeed the above expresses the
orthodox Christian faith from the second and third centuries until the
present time.
184. I Peter iii:18-21.
185. I Peter iv:6.
186. I Cor. xv:29.
187. Doc. and Cov. sec. cxxvii and cxxviii.
188. Rom. ii:6-12; I Cor. iii:8; II Cor. v:10; Rev. ii:23; xx:12.
189. St. John xiv:1-3.
190. An exception must be made in the case of the Roman Catholic
Church. Catholics do not believe that all Christians at death go
immediately into heaven, but on the contrary "believe that a Christian
who dies after the guilt and everlasting punishment of mortal sins have
been forgiven him, but who, either from want of opportunity or through
his negligence, has not discharged the debt of temporal punishment due
to his sin, will have to discharge that debt to the justice of God in
purgatory." "Purgatory is a state of suffering after this life, in
which those souls are for a time detained, which depart this life after
their deadly sins have been remitted as to the stain and guilt, and as
to the everlasting pain that was due to them; but which souls have on
account of those sins still some temporal punishment to pay; as also
those souls which leave this world guilty only of venial [pardonable]
sins. In purgatory these souls are purified and rendered fit to enter
into heaven, where nothing defiled enters." The quotations in the above
are from Catholic Belief, by Bruno, D. D. of the Catholic church. As
all works of the Catholic church accessible to me have nothing on the
different degrees of glory, I conclude that Catholic teaching is that
they who attain unto heaven are all equal in glory.
191. I Kings viii:27.
192. II Cor. xii:2-4.
193. I Cor. xv:40-42.
194. The circumstances under which the revelation was given are these:
The Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rigdon were engaged in revising the
Jewish scriptures. When they came to St. John, ch. v:29--speaking of
the resurrection of the dead, concerning those that should hear the
voice of the Son of Man and come forth, instead of reading in the text
of our common English Bibles--"And shall come forth; they that have
done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of damnation," the following was given
to them by the Spirit: "And shall come forth they who have done good
in the resurrection of the just, and they who have done evil in the
resurrection of the unjust." This reading of the passage caused them to
marvel as it was given to them by inspiration; and while they pondered
on this thing the Spirit of God enveloped them, and they saw the Lord
Jesus Christ and those different glories which men will inherit, an
account of which is given in the text. The vision is recorded in Doc.
and Cov., sec. lxxvi.
195. "Servants of God, but not Gods nor the sons of God," remarks
Apostle Orson Pratt in his foot note on the passage from which this is
condensed. Doc. and Cov. sec. lxxvi:112.
196. Doc. and Cov., sec. cxxxi:1.
197. Doc. and Cov., sec. lxxvi.
198. Those desiring to verify the statements of the text will consult
with care Heb. vi:4-8 and Doc. and Cov., sec. lxxvi:25-48.
199. It may sound like sacrilege in modern ears to speak of man
becoming as God. Yet why should it be so considered? Man is
the offspring of God, he is of the same race, and hath within
him--undeveloped, it is true--the faculties and attributes of his
Father. He hath also before him an eternity of time in which to develop
both the faculties of the mind and the attributes of the soul--why
should it be accounted a strange thing that at last the child shall
arrive at the same exaltation and partake of the same intelligence
and glory with his Father? If Jesus Christ, "being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God" (Philippians ii:6),
why should it be thought blasphemous to teach that man by faith and
righteousness in following the counsels of God shall at last become
like him, and share in his power and glory, being a God, even a son of
God? I grant you the height from our present position looks tremendous;
yet it is not impossible of attainment, since we have eternity in
which to work. Stand by the cradle of a new-born babe and contemplate
it. Within that little body of organized pulp--with eyes incapable
of distinguishing objects; legs unable to bear the weight of its
body--without the power of locomotion; hands over whose movements it
hath no control; ears that hear but cannot distinguish sounds; a tongue
that cannot speak--yet within that little helpless tabernacle what
powers lie dormant! Within that germ in the cradle are latent powers
which only require time for their unfolding to astonish the world. From
it may come the man of profound learning who shall add something by
his own wisdom to the sum total of human knowledge. Perhaps from that
germ shall come a profound historian, a poet or eloquent orator to sway
the reason and passions of men, and guide them to better and purer
things than they have yet known. Or a statesman may be there in embryo;
a man whose wisdom shall guide the destiny of the state, or perhaps
with God-like power rule the world. If from such a germ as this in the
cradle may come such an unfolding of power as we see in the highest
and noblest manhood, may it not be, that taking that highest and
noblest manhood as the germ, that from it may come, under the guiding
hand of our Father in heaven, a still more wonderful unfolding, until
the germ of highest and noblest manhood shall develop into a God! The
distance between the noblest man and the position of a God is greater
than that between the infant in the cradle and the highest development
of manhood; but if so, there is a longer time--eternity--in which to
arrive at the result; and a God and heavenly influences instead of
the human parent and earthly means to bring to pass the necessary
development.--Roberts.
200. Millennial Star, vol. xiv, p. 114.
201. On the 12th of July, 1843, at the request of Hyrum Smith, the
revelation as now contained in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, was
written from the dictation of the Prophet Joseph, by Elder William
Clayton, at that time the Prophet's scribe. The same day a copy of the
revelation was made for Bishop Newel K. Whitney by Joseph C. Kingsbury.
Emma Smith, the first wife of the Prophet, obtaining the revelation as
first written out by William Clayton, in a moment of jealousy destroyed
it. Bishop Whitney's copy, however, was preserved and from it the
revelation, now in the Doctrine and Covenants, was printed. It will be
observed by the student from the revelation itself that the principle
of plural marriage was known and practiced before the writing of the
revelation on the 12th of July.
202. For a full account of this terrible tragedy the student is
referred to the Life of Joseph Smith by Geo. Q. Cannon, ch. lxvi; and
the Life of John Taylor, ch. xiii, xiv, xv.
203. Heb. ix:16, 17.
204. The subject of "Succession in the Presidency of the Church," is a
subject of deep importance, and those who desire to enter minutely into
the consideration of it should consult the author's work of that title,
a book of 120 pages.
205. President Brigham Young was born in Whitingham, Windham county,
Vermont, June 1, 1801. He was baptized into the Church April 14th,
1832, and immediately afterwards ordained an elder.
206. The first anti-polygamy law was approved July 1st, 1862.
207. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."--Amendments to the
Constitution, Article I.
208. Acts i:9-11.
209. Matt. xvi:27.
210. I Thess. iv:14-17.
211. II Thess. i:7-10.
212. Luke xii:40. II Peter iii:10. Doc. and Cov., sec. xlix:6-7.
213. Doc. and Cov., sec. lxxxviii:78-92.
214. Doc. and Cov., sec. lxv.
215. Ibid.
Index
Abraham, Book of, 393, 398.
Actors in Christ's Crucifixion, Fate of, 58.
Adam, Fall of, 83.
Agitation, Religious in N. Y., 276,
Albert, Archbishop of Mentz, 212.
Alva, Duke of, 257.
America, Discovery of, 269, 270.
" Influence of on liberty, 263.
" Catholics seek liberty in, 264
Anarchy, Reign of, 200.
Announcement, Angelic, 12.
Anti-Christ, Rise of foretold, 193.
Apostasy--see Part II.
" in days of apostles, 154.
" admitted by Christian writers, 189.
" predicted in scriptures, 192, 196.
Apostles, Twelve, 45.
" a second time succeed to presidency, 404.
" equal in authority with first presidency, 344.
" Quorum filled, 70.
" Quorum of Twelve succeed to presidency, 402.
" Twelve organized, 336.
" Traveling, presiding high council, 343.
Associations, Primary, 352.
Athanasius, 172.
Atonement, a mystery, 98.
" Pact of, 86, 87.
" Love of God in, 89.
" Mercy and Justice of, 87.
" of Christ voluntary, 88.
" universal in application, 98.
Augsburg, Confession of, 220.
Augustus, 12, 31.
Aurelius, Marcus, 115.
Authority from God needful, 101.
Bartholomew's Eve, St., Massacre on, 267.
Baptism, 128.
" Form changed, 129.
" Manner of, among Nephites, 136.
" Of, 302.
" of children, 130, 136.
" Of the manner of, 303.
" symbol of burial and resurrection, 135.
Baptist, John, restores Aaronic Priesthood, 297.
Bethlehem, 11.
Bible corrupted, 65.
Bishopric, Powers of, 317.
Bishops, Equality among changed 141, 142.
" Pirst in the Church, 316.
" Local or Ward, 319.
" Manner of electing, 140.
" Objections to, 145.
" of Constantinople, 149.
" Presiding, 318.
" Pre-eminence of Roman, 144, 146, 150.
" Traveling, 319.
Blasphemy, 52, 57.
Boleyn, Anne, 259.
Bull of Excommunication burned, 215, 225.
Cajetan, Cardinal Thomas, appointed to hear cause of Luther, 212.
Cajetan urges Luther's excommunication, 215.
Calvin, John, 266.
" Spread of his doctrine, 254.
" Views on church government, 253.
" Views on eucharist, 254.
Ceremonies, Addition to, 128.
Charles V, Emperor Germany, 215.
" annuls edict of Worms and Augsburg, 221.
" decides against Protestants, 221.
" rupture with pope, 218.
Christian III of Denmark regulates religious affairs of his kingdom, 257.
Christians, Unwise Zeal of, 123.
Christiern II, King of Sweden and Denmark, 255.
" Banished from Denmark, 256.
" driven from Sweden, 255.
" Invites Reynhard, Carlstadt and Luther to Denmark, 256.
Church, The, 92,
" A corrupt, 244.
" Attempt to reorganize Nephite, 200.
" Anti-Christian Nephite, 198.
" Condition of, 2d century, 114.
" Condition of, in 4th century, 184.
" Condition of, in 5th century, 185.
" Condition of, subsequent to 5th century, 187.
" Condition of, in 10th century, 188.
" Conferences of, 354.
" destroyed, 189.
" Distinct Protestant, founded, 218.
" Division of, 9th century, 151.
" Early decline of, 155.
" Establishment of, by apostles, 139.
" Government of, modeled on plan of civil government, 143.
" government, opinions on, 99.
" government, Reflections on, 355.
" Growth and present condition of, 409.
" Immoral condition of, 184.
" in America, 64, 96, 97.
" Judiciary system of, 352.
" members of, Duties of, 304.
" Nephite, 198.
" Officers, divinely called, 95.
" Organization of by Joseph Smith, 299.
" organization not perpetuated, 139.
" Progress of, under Constantine, 121.
" The, what it is, etc., 341.
" Territorial divisions of, 349.
Clement VII proposes council in Italy, 222.
" rupture with Charles V, 218
" succeeds Hadrian VI, 217.
Clergy, Celibacy of, 183.
Commerce, afterwards Nauvoo, 393, 398.
Conferences appointed, 306.
" The first, 308.
Confirmation, Manner of, 303.
Consecration, Law of, 322.
Constantine, 119, 120, 121.
" Friendliness to Christians, 120.
Constantinople taken by Turks, 206.
Cornelius, 76.
Councils, Attempt to settle difficulties by, 244.
" Desire for general, 213.
" Difficulty of locating one, 222.
" General, appeal to, 212.
" High, Different kinds, 335.
" " Fair dealing in, 338.
" " how organized, 334.
" " Just judgment in, 339.
" " Order in, 338.
" " organized, 333.
" " Standing, The, 335.
" " Temporary, 336.
" " Traveling. The, 335.
" Nicene, The, 171.
" Rise of, 142.
" Trent, The, of, 223, 227.
" Usurpations of, 155.
Cowdery, Oliver, one of the three witnesses, 284.
" involved in errors, 309.
Cross, Luminous, 119, 124.
Crucifixion, 55.
Crusades, Influence of the, on liberty, 207.
Cumorah, Treasures of, 283.
" Description of, 286.
Cyprian, 149, 156.
Darkness, Age of, 205.
" Three hours', 55, 58.
Deacons, Duties of, 306.
" Quorums of, 348.
Dead, Baptism for, 381, 390.
" Salvation for, 377.
Diet at Augsburg, The, 220.
" Spire, The, 219.
" Worms, The, 215, 216.
Diocletian, 117,
Distinctions, Class, among Nephites, 198.
" Revival of, 199.
Dispersions, Miscellaneous, 367.
Dispensation of Fullness of Times,
" Preparation for opening the, 266.
" Meaning of, 275.
" Character of, 409.
Domitian, 110, 111.
Duties of deacons, 306.
" elders, 305.
" members, 304.
" priests, 306.
" teachers, 306.
Eckius, John, theologian of Ingolstadt, 212.
" Discussion with Carlstadt, 215.
" Discussion with Luther, 213.
Edicts of Severus, 113.
Elders, Duties of, 305.
" Quorums of, 347.
Elias, Appearing of, 360.
Elijah, Appearing of, 360.
Eucharist--see Sacrament.
Events, Chronological order of, neglected, 49.
" Order of, 47.
Excommunication, Manner of, 162.
Faith, Catholic, Rule of, 242.
Far West, Founding of, 392.
Fear, Political, 51.
Feudalism, Breaking up of, 207.
Frederick, Elector of Saxony, 215.
" Death of, 218.
" Duke of Holstein and Sleswick succeeds Christiern II of Denmark, 256.
" Gives religious liberty to Denmark, 256.
Free will, Discussion on, 213.
Gamaliel, 73.
Gathering, first command to gather, 316.
" Object of, 372.
Gentiles, Gospel taken to, 76.
George, Duke of Saxony joins in demand for general council, 213.
" at the discussion between Luther and Eckius, 215.
" on the corruptions of the church, 225.
Gifts Spiritual, 92.
" Decline of, 161, 176.
" On continuance of, 175.
Glory, different degrees of, 382.
" Celestial, The, 384.
" Terrestrial, The, 385.
" Telestial, The, 385.
" Degrees within the three great divisions, 386.
" Progress within degrees of, 387.
God, Appears to Joseph Smith, 278.
" Arian theory of, 171.
" Christian doctrine respecting, 164.
" Existence of, 301.
" Form of, etc., 279.
" Immateriality of, 173.
" Orthodox view of, 170.
" Sabellian theory of, 170.
Godhead, Oneness of the, 173.
" Illustration of, 176.
" Man may attain unto, 395.
Gods, Heathen, 21.
Gospel, supplants the law, 44.
" Spread of, 77.
" Messiah, author of, 177.
" Fragmentary histories of, 65.
" Moral precepts, Departure from, 180.
Government, Helps in, 351.
" Roman, 24.
Grace, Catholic view of, 233.
" Controversy on, 230.
" Facts which enter the question of, 231.
" Falling from, 302.
" Pelagian view of, 233.
" Protestant view of, 233.
Gregory VII, 205.
Harris, Martin, one of the three witnesses, 284.
Henry IV, Humiliation of, 205, 224.
Henry VIII, of England, champion Roman church, 258.
" Marriage to Catharine of Aragon, 258.
" Divorce of, 259.
" Rupture with pope, 259.
Hermit, Peter the, 207.
Herod, Antipas, 38, 41.
" the Great, 13, 17.
Herodias, 38.
Hosanna, Shout of, 359.
House of the Lord, All nations to flow unto the, 374.
Huguenots, Character of the, 255.
Immaterialists, Atheists, 178.
Indulgences, Nature of, 209.
" Origin of, 209.
" Position of Catholic church respecting, 230.
" To be accompanied by reformation, 238.
" Traffic in, 210.
Interpretation of Bible, Private, 243.
" Private, effects of, 246.
Israel, Blood of, sprinkled in all nations, 367.
" Captivity of, 363.
" Enslaved, 363.
" Latter-day Saints of, 375.
" Miscellaneous Dispersion of, 367.
" Revolt of Ten Tribes of, 363.
" Scattering of, 365.
" Settlement of, in Canaan, 373.
" The gathering of, 368.
" Ten tribes of, preparatory work to their return, 370.
" Who are, 362.
Jealousy, Religious, 51.
Jesus Christ, Appearance among Nephites, 62.
" Appears to Prophet Joseph and Oliver Cowdery, 278, 360.
" Ascension, 62.
" Baptism of, 37.
" Before Pilate and Herod, 54.
" Betrayal of, 53.
" Birth of, 11, 16.
" Burial of, 56.
" Charges against, 52.
" Childhood of, 34, 39.
" Common people hear, 51.
" Crucifixion of, 55.
" Defense of, 57.
" Divinity of, 47.
" Doctrines of, 43.
" Manner of Teaching, 48.
" Ministry of, 43.
" Mission of, 83, 301.
" Resurrection of, 60.
" Temptation of, 43.
" Trial of, 53.
" Jews, Judgment upon, 107.
" State of, 26.
" John, The apostle, 196.
" John, the Baptist, 35.
" Martyrdom of, 38.
" Mission of, 36.
" Restores Aaronic Priesthood, 296, 311.
" Was he Elias, 40.
Joseph, husband of Mary, 11.
John, Prince, succeeds Frederic the Wise, 218.
" signs the Augsburg confession, 220.
Judah, Final overthrow of, 373.
" Kingdom of, 394.
Judas, 52.
Judgment, eternal, Christian dogma of, 378.
" True doctrine of, 378.
Justification by faith, Luther on, 234, 239.
" Catholic church on, 237.
" Evil results of, 239.
" and sanctification, 302.
Keys of former dispensations restored, 360.
Kirtland, Breaking up at, 392.
Knight, Joseph, 307.
" Newel, 307.
Knox, John, Scotch reformer, 261.
" sent to galleys, 261.
" his work in Scotland, 262.
Law added to gospel, 45.
Learning, Revival of, 205.
Leo X, indifference to German agitation, 211.
" Luther's appeal from, 212.
" Death of, 217.
Liberty, Religious, secured, 223.
" " secured by U. S. Constitution, 270.
Life, Double rule of, 180.
" Origin of false idea of moral, 181.
Literature, Greek, Influence of, 224.
Logos, Plato's, 169.
" in Trinity, 170.
Lying accounted a virtue, 183.
Luther, Martin, Birth of, 208.
" at Wartburg, 217.
" before Diet at Worms, 215.
" burns pope's bull, 215, 225.
" Character of, 226.
" Danger of doctrine, 236.
" Death of, 222.
" Fundamental doctrine of, 234.
" excommunicated, 215, 226.
" his answer to Diet, 216.
" Mischief of doctrine, 235.
" on Indulgences, 224.
" Preaching of, 208.
" visits Rome, 208.
Magi, 13.
Man, Creation and Fall of, 301.
Manifesto, discontinuing plural marriage, 407.
Marriage, Celestial, introduced, 394.
" Covenant, Eternity of, 394.
" Establishment of plural, 396.
" Plural, 394.
" " Discontinued, 407.
" " Enactments of Congress against, 405.
Martyrdom of the prophets, 401.
Martyrs, Christian, 124.
" " Worship of, 161.
Mary Magdalene, 61.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, 11.
Mass, Institution of, 133.
Matthias, 70.
Maximilian I, Emperor of Germany, 212.
Melanchthon, Philip, drafts religious formula, 218.
" drafts Augsburg Confession, 220.
Messiah — see Jesus Christ.
Metropolitans, Origin of, 142.
Ministry, Commencement of, 307.
Miracle, First in the Church, 307.
Mission, First, to Lamanites, 315.
Missouri, Character of old settlers, 338.
" Saints expelled from, 392.
" Western, 327.
Mormon, Book of, 280.
" " Analysis of, 286.
" " Means of testing truth of, 292.
" " The Prophet Joseph's first view of, 283.
" " Translation and publication, 283.
Moroni, Ancient Prophecies quoted by, 281.
" Description of, 285.
" Fourth appearance of, 282.
" First visit to Joseph Smith, 280.
" Warning to Jos. Smith, 282.
Moses, Appearing of, 360.
Mysteries, Pagan, 22.
Nazareth, 35, 39.
Nature, Convulsions of, 58.
Nero, 109, 112.
Nephites, Destruction of, 200.
Nuremberg, The truce of, 221.
Nauvoo, The rise of, 393, 398.
Opposition, Rise of, 72.
Officials, Church, Corruption of, 143.
Ordinances, Outward, 127.
Organizations, Rerival of secret, 199.
Paganism, Mysteries of, 22,
Pagans, Accusations of, 127.
Partridge, Edward, appointed bishop, 316.
Passover, 34, 39.
Patriarchs, Duties and callings, 345.
Paul, 75, 80.
" prophesies of apostasy, 194.
Paul III succeeds Clement VII, 222.
" calls Council of Trent, 222.
Pentecost, 71, 79.
Perdition, Sons of, 388.
Persecution, First, 75.
" among Nephites, 198.
" Early church, 353.
" End of Pagan, 119.
" in Jackson County, Mo., 330, 338.
" of Christians by Jews, 105.
" " Romans, 107.
" second century, A, 123.
" under Aurelius, 115.
" under Severus, 115.
" under Trajan, 116, 123.
" under Diocletian, 117.
Petri, Olaus, 255.
" Discussion with Gallius, 256.
Pharisees, 27.
Philip II of Spain, 257.
Philosophy, Gnostic and New Platonic, 166.
" Modes of life to which it led, 168.
" Pagan, mixed with Christian religion, 163.
Pilate, 54.
Pioneers, Arrival of, in Salt Lake Valley, 403.
Polycarp, 115, 122.
Popes, Absolute power of, 157.
" Character of language used by, 158.
" Supremacy of, discussed, 214.
" Rise of temporal power of, 153.
Predestination, Luther on, 234.
" Melanchthon on, 235.
" Effect of, on the mind, 239.
Presbyterian form of church government, 253.
Presidency, First, reorganized, 403.
Priesthood, Nature of, 340.
" Aaronic, Restoration of, 296.
" Spirit of government by, 340.
" Sphere of Aaronic, 326.
" Time of restoration of Melchisedek, 311.
Priests, Duties of, 306.
" High, Duties, Powers, 346.
" Quorums of, 348.
Prophecies on gathering of Israel, 368.
" quoted by Moroni, 281.
Protestant, Confession of Faith, 220.
" Origin of name, 219.
" objection to Catholic abuses, 220.
" Reverses of, 222.
" Victory of, 223.
Punishment, Eternal, Sectarian dogma, of, 378, 389.
Puritans Character of, 269.
" Intolerance of, 264.
" not satisfied with reformation, 260.
Rebellion, Luther's, 242.
" Revolution, not, 244.
Reformation, Catholic view of, 245.
" in Switzerland, 252.
" in France, 255.
" in Sweden, 255, 267.
" in Denmark, 256, 268.
" Motives back of, 249.
" Reproach of, 250.
" Revolution, not, 246.
" True cause of, 245, 249.
Reformers, Divisions among, 250.
" The error of, 248.
Relatives of Jesus, 111.
Resurrection, 60.
Rigdon, Sidney, accepts gospel, 315.
Rites, Pagan, joined to Christian, 137.
Sacrament, 52.
" Administration, Manner of 134, 304.
" Corrupted, 132.
" Suppression of half, the 134.
" Views of Calvin and Zwingle on, 254.
Sadducees, 27.
Saints, Latter-day, added to Church title, 299.
" Errors of, 309.
" Expulsion of from Illinois, 402.
" Expulsion of, from Jackson County, Mo., 330.
" Flight of, to the west, 402.
Salvation, Conditions of, 91.
" General, 84.
" Individual, 89.
Samaritans, 29, 365.
Sanctification, 302.
Sanhedrim, 32.
Schools, Sunday, 351.
Scripture, Missing parts of, 66.
Sects, Multiplication of, 248.
Serfdom, Release of masses from, 206.
Seventies, 46.
" Nature of calling, etc., 344.
" Organization of, 337.
" Presiding quorum of, 344.
Sign of dove, 42.
Signs of Christ's birth, 13.
Smalcald, League of, 221.
Smith, Joseph, Birth and parentage of, 275.
" first prayer and vision, 277.
" martyrdom of, 401.
" name foretold, 285.
Societies, Female Relief, 351.
Spirits in prison, Preaching to, 379.
" Messiah preaching to, 390.
Tacitus, 109.
Taylor, President John, 404.
" " Description of, 415.
Teachers, Duties of, 306.
" False, to arise, 192.
" Quorum of, 348.
Temple, Kirtland, The, 358, 361.
" Manifestations in, 359.
" Salt Lake, Laying capstone of, 408.
" Site of, in Jackson Co., 327.
Temporal affairs, 74.
Temptations, Order of, 47.
Tetzel, John, his connection with indulgences, 211.
" Luther's assault upon, 211.
" Character of, 225.
" Death of, 230, 239.
Toleration, Heathen, 21.
Traditions, 67.
Trajan, 116.
Trent, Council of, 223.
" Pestilence at, 227.
Tribes, Ten, depart for north, 373,
" lost, 363.
" Return of, 368, 374.
" Revolt of, 363.
Trinity, Doctrine of the, 302.
United States government, Hand of God in establishment of, 271.
Urban II favors crusades, 208.
Vasa, Gustavus, king of Sweden, 255.
Vision at first Conference of the Church, 312.
" Importance of Joseph Smith's first, 278.
" Joseph Smith's first, 277.
Voice of God and of the people in Church government, 300.
Wards, how organized, 350.
Whitmer, David, one of the Three Witnesses, 284.
Whitnev, Newel K., appointed Bishop, 316, 326.
Witnesses, Three, 284.
Woodruff, President Wilford, 405.
" issues Manifesto, 407.
" lays capstone of Salt Lake Temple, 408.
Works, Good, Luther on, 234.
" Catholics trusted in, 237.
World, Condition of, etc., 20.
" Pagan, Arraignment of, 23.
" State at Christ's birth, 24.
Worship, on Sunday, Reason why, 135.
" Description of, 135.
" of martyrs, 161, 175.
" Simplicity of, changed, 160.
Wycliffe, John, English reformer, 259, 268.
Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A., 351.
Young, Brigham, Birth, etc., 403.
" Character of, 415.
" chosen President of the Church, 403.
Zion, Location of, etc., 320, 326.
" Camp of, 331.
" Stakes of, 349.
Zwingle, birth, teaching, death, 252.
" recognized gradation in Church officers, 252.
" views on eucharist, 254.
" views on predestination, 254.
Transcriber's Note
Various spelling and punctuation errors in the original print edition have
been corrected as seemed reasonable. This ebook was developed using scans
available at https://archive.org/details/outlinesofeccles1902robe.