conclusively that repentance is essential to salvation. "For this ye
know," said the apostle, "that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of
Christ and of God." (Eph. 5: 5.) The Lord has also said by the mouth of
John the Revelator: "The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all
liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev. 21: 8.) We, therefore,
say unto all men, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal. 6: 7.) "We have pointed
out all the prominent principles connected with true repentance. And it
can easily be seen by every honest heart, that God requires mankind to
seek diligently to discern good from evil, and to ascertain what sins
and evils they are guilty of; to be exercised with a Godly sorrow that
they have ever sinned against so great and good a Being as God; to make
suitable confession before God, for all past sins committed; and such a
confession must be accompanied with a solemn covenant or promise to sin
no more; and the heart should be fixed and immovable in this covenant.
All persons who will do these things will have a measure of the Spirit
of Christ resting upon them, imparting humility, and meekness, and
lowliness of heart. But still this repentance does not guarantee to
them a remission of sins; it only prepares the heart to obey properly
a great and holy ordinance which God has instituted expressly for the
remission of sins. We mean the ordinance of baptism."
V.--WATER BAPTISM.
The World:--Do you believe and teach that water baptism is essential to
salvation?
Latter-day Saints:--We do. Water baptism was commanded by the Lord, and
we do not teach people that they can get into the Kingdom of Heaven by
breaking the Lord's commandments.
The World:--Well, we have been taught that baptism is {374} not at all
essential to salvation, that it is simply an outward sign of an inward
grace.
Latter-day Saints:--Baptism was instituted before the foundation of the
world. It is an ordinance of the everlasting Gospel, and by obedience
to that ordinance, coupled with faith, and sincere repentance, the Lord
has promised mankind a remission of their sins. "We have the testimony
of many eminent writers that baptism was practiced by the Jews, as a
religious ceremony, ages anterior to the birth of our Savior. It is
said that the Jews not only circumcised, but baptized all new converts
to their faith; and that in the days of Solomon great numbers were
proselyted from the surrounding nations, and were baptized. It is by
some supposed that the Jews, before Christ, did not baptize those of
Jewish descent, but only such as were proselyted from foreign nations.
But it is certain that baptism was administered, under the law of
Moses, unto numerous multitudes of Jews; for John the Baptist, who was
the legal heir of the Aaronic Priesthood, through the lineage of his
fathers, did administer this rite to thousands of the Jews for the
remission of their sins; and this, too, at a time when the law of Moses
was in full force. Even Jesus Himself had not yet been baptized. None
of the old institution was yet abolished; and no new institutions were,
as yet, introduced. And while under the strictest obligations to keep
the old law, John was baptizing; and there went out to him Jerusalem
and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were
baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins." (Matt. 3: 5, 6.) We
ask you to hear the testimony of Paul on this subject.
The World:--We will be pleased to hear the Apostle's evidence.
PAUL'S TESTIMONY.
The World:--Paul, did you teach the people that water baptism was
practiced by the Israelites before the days of John the Baptist?
Paul:--I did. Water baptism is one of the ordinances of the Gospel--the
true Gospel, which embraces one Lord, one faith and one baptism. That
Gospel was preached to the people in the days of Abraham; and also
to the Israelites under Moses. Have you not read what I wrote to the
Galatians, the Hebrews and the Corinthians concerning this matter? I
quote from my epistles: "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto
Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Gal. 3: 8.)
"For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well {375} as unto them: but
the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in
them that heard it." (Heb. 4: 2.) "Moreover, brethren, I would not that
ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud,
and all passed through the sea; _and were all baptized unto Moses in
the cloud and in the sea_." (I Cor. 10: 1, 2.)
The World:--Paul, you have clearly proved the antiquity of baptism. We
will excuse you for the present.
Latter-day Saints:--We can prove to you beyond the possibility of doubt
that water baptism is essential to man's salvation. As you know, nearly
all the Christian sects believe in and practice some form of baptism,
but, with two or three exceptions, none of them believe that that
ordinance aids, even in the slightest degree, in the salvation of the
souls of men. This is a mistake. Baptism is one of the first ordinances
of the Gospel, and is as essential to man's salvation as any other
ordinance that God has ever revealed.
The World:--We are ready to hear your witnesses on this matter.
Latter-day Saints:--The first witness that we will introduce is John
the Baptist.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN.
The World:--Your name is John?
John:--It is.
The World:--You told us on a former occasion that you were called of
God to go before Christ and prepare His way.
John:--That is correct. You will find it so recorded in John's Gospel.
(John 1: 6.)
The World:--What did God command you to preach to the people?
John:--Repentance and water baptism.
The World:--You say that God sent you to baptize with water?
John:--He did. It is recorded in the scriptures: "And I knew him not:
but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon
whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the
same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." (John 1: 33.)
The World:--What did you tell the people was the object of water
baptism?
John:--I told them that it was for the remission of sins. Mark and Luke
bear me witness. The former says: "John did baptize in the wilderness,
and preach the baptism of repentance for the remissions of sins." (Mark
1: 4.) Luke {376} says: "And he came into all the country about Jordan,
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (Luke
3: 3.)
The World:--After what manner did you baptize?
John:--As I was commanded by the Lord--by immersion. I took the
repentant believers down to the river Jordan, and there I baptized them
by immersing them in the water.
The World:--Then you do not believe in infant sprinkling?
John:--I do not. It is contrary to the teaching of Christ and His
Apostles. There was but one form of baptism known to them, that was
baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. On one occasion when
people applied to me for baptism, I had to take them to Aenon, near
to Salim, "_because there was much water there_." (John 3: 23.) Had I
considered sprinkling just as acceptable to God as immersion, I would
not have taken the people to Aenon to be baptized.
The World:--You baptized Jesus Christ?
John:--I did.
The World:--When Christ applied to you for baptism what did you say?
John:--I said, "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou
to me?" Then Jesus said to me, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it
becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matt. 3: 14, 15.)
The World:--You say that Christ requested you to baptize Him in order
that He might fulfill all righteousness?
John:--He did. And if the Son of God, being holy, had need to be
baptized with water that He might fulfill all righteousness, how much
more need have mortal men, they being unholy, to be baptized? According
to the words of the Savior a man cannot fulfill all righteousness if he
fails to comply with the ordinance of baptism. I told the Pharisees and
lawyers that they had rejected the counsel of God against themselves by
not being baptized. (Luke 7: 30.) And as it was in those days, so it is
today--all those who slight this command of the Lord, and refuse to be
baptized by immersion for the remission of their sins, will, like the
Pharisees and lawyers, reject the counsel of God against themselves.
The World:--The witness is excused. (To the Latter-day Saints.) When
was the method of baptism changed?
Latter-day Saints:--In the third century after Christ, in the case of a
man named Novatian. Gahan, a Catholic historian, writing of him, says:
"Having embraced the faith, he continued a catechumen, till, falling
dangerously ill, and {377} his life being despaired of, he was baptized
in bed, not by immersion, which was then the usual method, but by
infusion, or pouring on of water."
The World:--Who is your next witness?
Latter-day Saints:--Our next witness is the Jewish ruler Nicodemus.
TESTIMONY OF NICODEMUS.
The World:--Nicodemus, had you an interview with Christ?
Nicodemus:--I had. I called upon Him one night and said to Him, "Rabbi,
we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these
miracles that thou doest except God be with him." (John 3: 2.)
The World:--What did Christ say in reply?
Nicodemus:--He told me that I would have to be born again--born of
water and of the Spirit. He spoke most emphatically concerning this
matter, saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, _except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit_, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God."
(John 3: 5.)
The World:--What did you interpret the words "born of the water and of
the Spirit" to mean?
Nicodemus:--I interpreted them to mean the baptism of water and of the
Holy Spirit. Christ was born of the water and of the Spirit when He was
baptized; His disciples were born of the water and of the Spirit, and
the Savior declared that except a man receive this new birth he cannot
enter the Kingdom of God.
The World:--We have been taught that the water which Jesus spoke of was
the word of God.
Nicodemus:--He did not tell me that. I am sure that if Christ had meant
the word of God He would have said so. Christ did not say one thing and
mean another. Why should men put false sentiments into the mouth of the
Son of God? That you may see the absurdity of this interpretation which
men have put upon the words of Christ, I will make a few quotations
from the scriptures, substituting the words "word of God" for the
word "water": "And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway
out of the word of God." "And John was baptizing in Aenon near to
Salim, because there were much words of God there." "And he commanded
the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the word of
God. * * * And when they were come up out of the word of God." u Then
answered Peter, Can any man forbid the word of God, that these should
not be baptized." {378} "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of the word of God by the word."
The World:--This certainly makes the interpretation appear most
absured. But, do you consider water baptism essential to salvation?
Nicodemus:--I do, most assuredly. I am aware that this doctrine sounds
as strange to the people in these days as it did at first to me. But
it is, nevertheless, true. It was not Christ's doctrine, it was the
doctrine of the Father who had sent Him, and who had sent John also
with a similar message. "My doctrine is not mine," said the Savior,
"but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of
the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
(John 7: 16, 17.) Again He said, "For I have not spoken of myself;
but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should
say and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life
everlasting; whatsoever I speak, therefore, even as the Father said
unto me, so I speak." (John 12: 49, 50.) Therefore, when Christ
impressed upon me the necessity of a new birth, of the water and of
the Spirit, He taught me a commandment which He had received from His
Father, and which He said was life everlasting. I am surprised that
anyone possessed of ordinary intelligence could think for a moment that
God, the fountain of all truth and wisdom, would send His Son down
to the earth to teach the children of men ordinances which were not
necessary for them to observe. Nor can I think of anything more foolish
than for Christ to send out missionaries into the world to teach people
to observe an ordinance, which, when they had obeyed it, they were no
better off than they were before. How dare anyone charge the Almighty
with such folly?
The World:--We have no further questions to ask the witness.
Latter-day Saints:--Our next witness is the Apostle Peter.
PETER'S TESTIMONY.
The World:--Were you commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach
His Gospel?
Peter:--I was. In sending His Apostles forth to preach the Gospel, the
Lord said unto them, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and {379} lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
(Matt. 28: 19, 20.)
The World:--Baptism is, therefore, a commandment of the Lord?
Peter:--It is, and Christ has said, that he that breaks one of the
least of His commandments and teaches men to do so, the same shall be
called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt. 5: 19.)
The World:--Do you believe water baptism to be essential to man's
salvation?
Peter:--I do. If it had not been so considered by Christ, He would
not have commanded us to preach it. Why send us out to tell people
to observe an ordinance of the Gospel which it mattered not with God
whether they observed or not? That would not give the Lord credit for
possessing as much intelligence as men; for no man among you would
command his servants to do a certain work when it mattered not whether
it was done or left undone. If baptism is not essential to salvation,
then it was needless on the part of Christ to command His Apostles
to preach it. It was a waste of time for us to do so, for while we
were preaching baptism and administering the ordinances we could have
employed the time in preaching principles which are essential to men's
salvation. You will observe, Christ told us to baptize the people in
the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Now,
do you think for a moment that we would have used the names of the
Holy Trinity in an ordinance in which there was no profit? Did Christ
not know that it was written in the Scriptures, "Thou shalt not take
the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain." If you say that baptism is not
essential to salvation, you make the Savior of the world a transgressor
of God's holy commandment, for what could be more vain than to use
the names of the Holy Trinity in an ordinance in which there were no
virtue, no salvation?
The World:--You, therefore, taught the people that it was necessary for
them to be baptized?
Peter:--I did. With the rest of the Apostles I stood up on the day of
Pentecost before a great multitude of people and declared unto them the
message of life and salvation which Christ had given us to deliver. We
spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and thousands of people
were pricked in their hearts, and cried out saying, "Men and brethren,
what shall we do?"
The World:--What did you tell them?
{380} Peter:--I said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ _for the remission of sins_, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2: 38.) The same
day three thousand souls were added to the Church. There was a most
devout man named Cornelius, who resided in Caesarea, who prayed to God
constantly and gave much alms to the people. His prayers and alms came
up as a memorial before God, and He sent an angel to Cornelius to tell
him to send for me to Joppa, and that I would tell him words whereby
he and his house should be saved. Now, you will remember, that a short
time previous to this I had taught thousands of people baptism for the
remission of sins. If I had taught them false doctrine do you think the
Lord would have sent an angel to Cornelius to advise him to send for me
to teach him the plan of salvation? I told Cornelius the same things
that I declared to the people on the day of Pentecost, and commanded
him and his household to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:
48.)
The World:--That is all, Peter.
Latter-day Saints:--We now submit for your consideration the testimony
of the Apostle Paul.
PAUL'S TESTIMONY.
The World:--What is your belief concerning water baptism?
Paul:--I believe and have taught that it is an essential ordinance of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Jesus appeared to me on the way to
Damascus, He called me to repentance and told me to go into Damascus
and that I would there be told of all things that were commanded of me
to do. The Lord then instructed His servant Ananias to go to me and
to tell me to _arise and be baptised and wash away my sins_, calling
on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22: 16.) So, you see, baptism for the
remission of sins is not my doctrine, but the Lord's. So important is
this ordinance in the sight of the Eternal Father that He withheld the
Holy Ghost from twelve devout Ephesians until I had re-baptized them.
They had been baptized previously, but not by one holding authority
from God, and so their baptism was not valid in His sight. How dare I
teach the children of men that baptism is not essential to salvation
when He who spake as never man spake had declared, "Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of
God."
The World:--We will excuse the witness.
Latter-day Saints:--We have adduced enough evidence to {381} convince
every fair-minded person that water baptism is essential to his
salvation. We have shown that it was instituted by the Lord from the
beginning of the world for the remission of sins. The Israelites
received the ordinance under the hands of Moses, and were all baptized
in the cloud and in the sea. John, the forerunner of Messiah, was sent
by God to _preach baptism for the remission of sins_. He baptized
multitudes of people in the river Jordan _for the remission of their
sins_. Christ the Son of God received baptism at the hands of John in
order that He, too, might _fulfill all righteousness_. Jesus told the
Jewish ruler that except a man were _born of water and of the Spirit_
he could not enter the Kingdom of God. He commanded His disciples to
"Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Peter, while preaching under the
influence of the Holy Ghost, told the people on the day of Pentecost to
repent and _be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of their sins_. The Lord Himself sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus to
tell him to arise and _be baptised and wash away his sins_. We preach
the same doctrine that was taught by Christ and His Apostles, and say
unto you, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ, _for the remission of sins_, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost."
VI.--THE HOLY GHOST.
The World (to the Latter-day Saints):--According to the doctrine of
your Church a man must be born of water and of the Spirit before he can
enter the Kingdom of God.
Latter-day Saints:--In this we simply reiterate what Jesus said to the
anxious Jewish ruler, Nicodemus. These are His words: "Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." (John 3: 5.) These are the words
of the Son of God, and whenever He speaks all discussion should be
closed.
The World:--You explained to us in the last examination that being born
of the water means being baptized in water: what are we to understand
by being born of the Spirit?
Latter-day Saints:--To be born of the Spirit means to be baptized with
the Holy Ghost. All men must receive these two baptisms before they can
become the sons of God. By being born of the flesh we become the sons
of men: by being born of the water and of the Spirit we become the sons
of God. We desire you to hear the testimony of John the Baptist on this
important matter.
{382}
TESTIMONY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
The World:--John, you told us on two former occasions that you were
sent of God to prepare the way for His Only Begotten Son. What did you
teach the people they had to do in order to be accepted of the Lord and
admitted into His Kingdom?
John:--I told them that they would have to repent, and be baptized in
water for the remission of their sins. I promised the people that, if
they would do these things, when Christ would come He would baptize
them with a higher baptism--the baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire.
(Matt. 3: 11.)
The World:--You baptized the Christ?
John:--I did. The ordinance was performed in the river Jordan. As soon
as Jesus came up out of the water the heavens were opened and the
Spirit of God descended like a dove and rested upon Him, and then was
heard the voice of God out of heaven, saying, "Thou art my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1: 9-11.) Thus was Jesus born of the
water and of the Spirit, and all men must follow the example of the
Redeemer of the world if they expect to become heirs of God and joint
heirs with Jesus Christ.
The World:--Did you promise the Holy Ghost to all those whom you
baptized?
John:--I did. I said to them, "I indeed baptize you with water unto
repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes
I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and
with fire." (Matt. 3: 11.)
The World:--You are excused, John.
Latter-day Saints:--Our next witness is the Apostle John.
TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLE JOHN.
The World:--You are an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ?
John:--I am.
The World:--John the Baptist promised those who believed in Christ and
who had repented and been baptized for the remission of their sins that
the Messiah would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Did
you receive that higher baptism?
John:--I did, but not until Christ had fulfilled His mission and
had returned to His Father. While the Savior was with us He was our
Teacher, our Guide and our Comforter; but when He ascended up on high
we received from the Father the other Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who
was to {383} abide within us forever. During His sojourn with us, Jesus
referred quite often to the Divine Spirit which His Father would confer
upon us after His departure. On different occasions He said to us: "But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in
my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 26.) "But when
the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even
the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify
of me." (John 15: 26.) "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you
things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and
shall show it unto you." (John 16: 13, 14.) "And when they bring you
unto the synagogues, and unto the magistrates, and powers, take ye no
thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for
the Holy Ghost shall teach you in that same hour what ye ought to say.
(Luke 12: 11, 12.) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient
for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not
come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:
7.) "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father unto you: but tarry
ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high." (Luke 24: 49.)
The World:--How was the Holy Ghost conferred upon the people?
John:--Through prayer and by the imposition of hands.
The World:--Did you receive the Holy Ghost in this manner?
John:--I did, and so did the rest of the Apostles. Jesus said to us,
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you forever." (John 14: 16.) He led us out as
far as Bethany, where He lifted up His hands and blessed us; He then
breathed on us, and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." (Luke 24: 50;
John 20: 22.)
The World:--That is all, John.
Latter-day Saints:--Our next witness, the Apostle Peter, is ready to be
examined.
The World:--We will listen to his testimony.
PETER TESTIFIES.
The World:--Did you also receive from Christ the promise of the Holy
Ghost?
{384} Peter:--I did. After His resurrection, the Lord appeared to us as
we were assembled together, and commanded us that we should not depart
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, "which," said
He, "ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye
shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1: 4,
5.)
The World:--When did you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Peter:--On the day of Pentecost. The Apostles were assembled together,
and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it rilled all the house where we were sitting. And there
appeared unto us cloven tongues like of as fire, and it sat upon each
of us. And we were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave us utterance. (Acts 2: 2-4.)
The World:--Were the Apostles the only ones who received the Holy Ghost?
Peter:--They were not. The Lord is not a respecter of persons; in every
nation he that feareth God and keepeth His commandments is accepted of
Him. John assured all his baptized converts that they would receive
the baptism of the Holy Ghost. After being endowed with the Divine
Spirit, the Apostles stood up before a great multitude of people and
bore witness of the resurrection of Christ. Thousands of people, on
beholding the glorious outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and perceiving the
power by which we spake, were pricked in their hearts, and cried out,
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" This is what I said unto them,
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all
that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts
2: 38, 39.)
The World:--Did Christ give you authority to confer the Holy Ghost upon
those who believed on your words and obeyed the Gospel?
Peter:--He did, and also to the other Apostles. He said to us: "But ye
shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1: 8.) After
His resurrection the Lord appeared unto us and commissioned us to go
forth and preach the Gospel. "Go ye into all the world," said He, "and
preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that {385} believeth not shall be damned. And
these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they shall cast
out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them;
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." (Mark 16:
15-18.)
The World:--Did the people who accepted the Gospel of Christ in the
days of your ministry receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Peter:--They did. The Lord confirmed the words of His servants by
pouring out His Holy Spirit upon those who repented of their sins and
who were baptized by Divine authority for the remission of their sins.
The World:--How was the Holy Ghost conferred?
Peter:--By prayer and by the imposition of the hands of authorized
servants of God.
The World:--Can you refer us to an occasion when the Holy Ghost was
given to believers?
Peter:--On one occasion Philip went down to Samaria and preached the
Gospel to the inhabitants of that city. "And the people with one accord
gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the
miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice,
came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with
palsies, and that were lame, were healed. * * * When they believed
Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts
8: 5-7, 12.) While Philip had authority to preach the Gospel, and also
to baptize, he did not have authority to confer the Holy Ghost. He,
therefore, sent word to the Apostles at Jerusalem, acquainting them of
the work which he had performed in Samaria, and requesting them to send
men endowed with higher authority, to confirm the baptized converts and
to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. John and I
were sent down to Samaria, and when we met with the converts there we
prayed for them, after which we laid our hands upon them, and the Holy
Ghost came upon them. (Acts 8: 14-17.)
The World:--We will now excuse you, Peter.
The World:--We have been taught that the signs spoken of by Peter
were only to follow the Apostles and the believers in that age; that
they were given to assist in establishing Christianity; and that when
Christianity became established they were done away with and were no
longer needed.
Latter-day Saints: We know that that is the teaching of {386} professed
ministers of the Gospel, but it is in direct opposition to the teaching
of Christ and His Apostles. "Christ places His preaching, believing,
salvation, and the signs that were to follow, all on an equal
footing; where one was limited, the other must be; where one ceased,
the other did. If the language limits the signs to the Apostles, it
limits salvation to them also. If no others were to have these signs
follow them then no others were to believe, and no others were to
be saved. If the language limits these signs to the first age or
ages of Christianity, then it limits salvation to the first ages of
Christianity, for one is as precisely as much limited as the other;
and where one is in force, the other is; and where one ends, the other
must stop. As well might we say, preaching of the Gospel is no longer
needed; neither faith nor salvation; these were only given at first to
establish the Gospel, as to say, the signs are no longer necessary,
they were only given at first to establish the Gospel."
The World--We will now excuse you, Peter.
Latter-day Saints:--We have another witness, the Apostle Paul.
The World:--We are ready to hear his testimony.
TESTIMONY OF PAUL.
The World:--Paul, after your conversion did you receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost?
Paul--I did. Ananias, being sent of the Lord, came to me in Damascus,
and placing his hands upon me, said: "Brother Saul, the Lord, even
Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, has sent
me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy
Ghost." (Acts 9: 17.)
The World:--Did anyone ever receive the Holy Ghost under your
administration?
Paul:--Yes, many. On one occasion, while Apollos was at Corinth, I
passed through the upper coasts and came to Ephesus. There I found
certain disciples who told me that they had been baptized. I asked
them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed, and they
answered that they had not--that they had not even heard of the Holy
Ghost. I asked them with what baptism they had been baptized, and they
replied, "Unto John's baptism." I told them that John verily baptized
with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should
believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
I {387} then laid my hands upon them and prayed for them that the
Lord would bestow upon them His Holy Spirit. The Lord hearkened unto
my prayer and acknowledged my administration, for the Holy Ghost came
upon them and they spake with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19: 1-6.)
Timothy also received this precious gift by the laying on of my hands.
(II Tim. 1: 6.)
The World:--How does the Holy Ghost operate upon those who receive it?
Paul:--In divers ways. "There are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by
the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another
discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another
the interpretation of tongues; but all these worketh that one and
the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (I
Cor. 12: 4-11.) All these gifts, and many others, were enjoyed by the
primitive Christians, and were inseparably connected with the true
Gospel of Christ.
The World:--Did you not write an epistle to the Corinthian saints in
which you told them that the gifts of prophecy, tongues, etc., would
cease?
Paul:--I did. I told them that such gifts would cease when that which
is perfect should come. I read from my epistle: "Charity never faileth:
but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which
is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. * *
* For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known." (I Cor. 13:
8-10, 12.) I wrote an epistle to the Ephesians, in which I told them
that the spiritual gifts which Christ had placed in His Church were to
continue "_till we all come to the unity of the faith_." The following
is an extract from my epistle: "Wherefore he saith, when he ascended
up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." "And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we
all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of {388} the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ." (Eph. 4: 8, 11-13.)
The World:--The witness is excused. (To the Latter-day Saints):--Do the
members of your Church enjoy the gifts of the Holy Ghost?
Latter-day Saints:--They do. "We believe in the gifts of the Holy Ghost
being enjoyed now as much as they were in the days of the Apostles;
we believe that the revelations of the Holy Ghost are necessary to
organize the Priesthood; that no man can be called to fill any office
in the ministry without it; we also believe in prophecy, in tongues, in
visions, in revelations, in healings; and that these things cannot be
enjoyed without the Holy Ghost; we believe that holy men of old spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and that holy men in these days
speak by the same power; we believe in its being a comforter and a
witness-bearer; that it brings things past to our remembrance, leads us
into all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe that no man
can know that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Ghost."
The World:--Have you received authority from the Lord to confer the
Holy Ghost upon those who comply with the laws and ordinances of the
Gospel?
Latter-day Saints:--We have. The authority was conferred upon Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery by the Apostles Peter, James and John.
The World:--Have the gifts of the Holy Ghost been made manifest in this
dispensation?
Latter-day Saints:--They have. On the evening of March 27th, 1836,
Joseph Smith met the quorums of the Priesthood in the Kirtland Temple
and instructed them respecting the ordinance of the washing of
feet, and in relation to the spirit of prophecy. He called upon the
congregation to speak, and not to fear to prophesy good concerning
the Saints; "for if you prophesy," said he, "the falling of these
hills, and the rising of the valleys, the downfall of the enemies of
Zion, and the rising of the Kingdom of God, it shall come to pass. Do
not quench the Spirit, for the first one that shall open his mouth
shall receive the Spirit of prophecy." Brother George A. Smith arose,
and began to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound of a
rushing mighty wind, which filled the temple, and all the congregation
simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many
began to speak in tongues, and prophesy; others saw glorious visions;
and the Temple was filled with angels, which fact the Prophet declared
to the congregation. The people of the neighborhood {389} came running
together, hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light
like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple, and were astonished at
what was transpiring." (Compendium pp. 267-8.)
The World:--Do you promise the Holy Ghost to all those who repent and
obey the Gospel which you preach?
Latter-day Saints:--We do. In sending forth His servants in these last
days to proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel of peace, the Lord
said: "Therefore go ye into all the world, and whatsoever place ye
cannot go into ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into
all the world unto every creature. And as I said unto mine apostles,
even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God's high
priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me--ye are my friends;
therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that
every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for
the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost; and these signs
shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall do many wonderful
works; in my name they shall cast out devils; in my name they shall
heal the sick; in my name they shall open the eyes of the blind,
and unstop the ears of the deaf; and the tongue of the dumb shall
speak; and if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not
hurt them; and the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm
them. But a commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast
themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world, for
these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation.
Verily, verily I say unto you, they who believe not on your words,
and are not baptized in water, in my name, for the remission of their
sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall
not come into my Father's Kingdom, where my Father and I am. And this
revelation unto you, and commandment, is in force from this very hour
upon all the world, and the gospel is unto all who have not received
it." (Doc. and Cov. 84: 62-75.) All who will, with honest hearts,
receive the message which we bear--the message that God the Father has
in these last days restored through the ministration of angels, the
everlasting Gospel--shall receive a testimony by the manifestations of
the Holy Spirit of its Divine authenticity. And these manifestations
shall be such as to give them perfect knowledge of its truth.
VII. BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD.
Latter-day Saints:--Before proceeding further, permit us {390} to ask
you a question or two: Have we not proved, and that, too, beyond all
controversy, that a living, active and abiding faith in God the Father,
and in His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is indispensable to man's
salvation?
The World:--You have shown that, in order for a man to please God, not
to mention being saved of Him, he must have faith in Him, and in His
Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Latter-day Saints:--Have we not proven most conclusively that men must
repent of their sins and turn away from their iniquities before they
can gain access to the Kingdom of God?
The World:--Sufficient evidence has been given to prove that sincere
and genuine repentance must be exhibited in the lives of all men who
hope for salvation, for the decree has gone forth that no unclean thing
can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Latter-day Saints:--Have we not proven that the proper mode of baptism
is immersion, and that the object of baptism is for the remission of
sins?
The World:--The testimony of your witnesses in regard to the mode,
object and essentiality of baptism cannot be refuted. Christ's answer
to Nicodemus--"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he
cannot enter the Kingdom of God"--should put an end to all discussion
on that subject.
Latter-day Saints:--Have we not proven that after a man has complied
with the ordinance of baptism, he must receive the Holy Ghost by the
laying on of the hands of authorized servants of God?
The World:--Such was the practice in the primitive church. After
baptism the Apostles confirmed the believers by the laying on of hands,
with prayer, and conferring the Holy Ghost.
Latter-day Saints:--These are the first principles of the Gospel of
Christ, and the Apostle Paul has declared that "though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1: 8.)
The World:--You have laid before us in a most clear and convincing
manner the plan of salvation. Permit us now to ask you, What is to
become of those who have died in ignorance of the Gospel of Christ?
Latter-day Saints:--Our reply to that question is this: God is a
God of mercy and justice. He does not seek a crop where there has
been no seed sown. All those who have died {391} in ignorance of the
Gospel are in the hands of Him whose nature and whose name is Love,
whose desire is that all His children may be saved and brought to a
knowledge of the truth. He has made provision whereby the glad tidings
of great joy which the angel brought to the shepherds on the morning
of the Savior's birth shall be proclaimed unto every son and daughter
of God. The Creator has made of one blood all nations that dwell on
the earth. There is no respect of persons with God. His glorious plan
of redemption was not revealed for the benefit of a favored class.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds on the plains of
Judaea, he said unto them, "Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great
joy, which shall be to _all_ people." (Luke 2: 10.) Now, it is an
undisputed fact that millions had died before that time without having
heard those good tidings, just as millions have died since whose ears
have never been saluted with the good news of the Savior's birth, and
of the great redemption which He purchased for the whole human family
by the shedding of His most precious blood. Who could be so lost to all
reason as to think for a moment that God would consign to everlasting
punishment all those who died in absolute ignorance of His Divine laws?
We now ask you, as Paul asked the Roman saints, "How then shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe
in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?" (Rom. 10: 14.) But here is the Apostle Peter, a recognized
authority on the doctrine of Christ. Hear what he has to say in the
subject.
TESTIMONY OF PETER.
The World:--Peter, would you have us believe that the Gospel is
preached to those who die in ignorance of its Divine truths?
Peter:--I am surprised to hear you ask such a question when so much has
been written on the matter. Jesus Christ came, not to save the living
only, but the dead also. He declared that if He were lifted up from the
earth He would draw _all_ men unto Him, (John 12: 32), and that the
hour was coming when the dead, as well as the living, would hear His
voice. (John 5: 25.)
The World:--Then, according to your testimony, Christ after having
preached the Gospel to men in the flesh, went also and preached the
same Gospel to those who had died without having heard of its saving
principles?
Peter:--He did; and not to them only, but also to those {392} who
rejected it when it was preached to them on the earth.
The World:--This is certainly strange doctrine to us. Our ministers
have never taught us that the dead could be saved as well as the living.
Peter:--That is because they do not understand the Scriptures. The men
who wrote the Scriptures wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy
Ghost, and in order for men to understand the writings of the prophets
and other inspired servants of God, they must be in possession of the
same Spirit, for "the things of God knoweth no man but by the Spirit
of God." If you will permit me, I will endeavor to make the Scriptures
plain to your understanding. Noah, as you all know, was a preacher of
righteousness. He was called by the Lord to preach the Gospel to the
people of his generation. But they refused to listen to his warning;
they turned deaf ears to his entreaties, and at last the Lord came out
in judgment upon them and destroyed them from the face of the earth.
But did He then cast them off forever? No, indeed. The Lord does not
keep His anger forever. He had prepared a place for them, for in His
house there are many mansions. He had prepared a prison-house for the
wicked and rebellious, and when the antediluvians were destroyed in the
flesh, their spirits were shut up in the Lord's prison-house, where
they were kept for thousands of years, or in other words, till they had
paid the uttermost farthing.
The World:--And did those people have the opportunity afterwards of
again hearing the Gospel?
Peter:--I am coming to that. I told you those spirits were shut up in
prison for thousands of years. Now, I do not ask you to accept of my
testimony alone concerning this matter. I am going to read to you what
Isaiah the Prophet has written concerning the Lord's prison-house and
its inmates. Here are his words: "And they shall be gathered together,
as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the
prison, and after many days shall they be visited." (Isaiah 24: 22.)
Now, let us stop for a moment and analyze this Scripture. There is a
depth of meaning in it, I assure you. Writing was not done with such
ease in Isaiah's time as it is today. The prophet did not pen the words
which I have read just for pastime--they were written for our profit
and learning. He pointed out most clearly the fate of those who would
not hearken to the voice of the Lord or of His servants, but spent the
days of their probation in gratifying their carnal appetites. They
were to be gathered together as prisoners, and shut up in a prison,
where they were to be {393} confined for many days. But they were not
to be left without hope. The promise was made that when they had paid
the penalty for their misdeeds they would be visited. This, according
to the words of the prophet was part of Christ's missionary work: He
was to preach redemption not only to the living, but to the dead as
well; He was to visit the prisoners in the prison-house and preach
deliverance to them. I quote again from his writings: "I the Lord
have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will
keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of
the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from
the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house."
(Isaiah 42: 6, 7.) Now, I desire to remind you that Christ confirmed
this prophecy of Isaiah. He told the people that it referred to Him,
and that it would be fulfilled in Him. Standing up in the synagogue in
Nazareth one Sabbath day He quoted Isaiah's prophecy, as follows: "The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach
the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the
acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4: 18, 19.) So, you see that part
of Christ's work was to preach deliverance to the captives, and open
the prison to those who were bound.
The World:--When did the Messiah perform that work?
Peter:--During the three days that His body lay in the tomb.
The World:--Was His Spirit not with His Father during that time?
Peter:--According to Christ's own testimony it was not. When the Lord
appeared to Mary, after His resurrection, He told her to touch Him
not, for He had not yet ascended to His Father. (John 20: 17.) In two
epistles which I wrote to the Saints in early days I made special
reference to Christ's visit to the spirits in prison. This is what I
said: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,
but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto
the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the
longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a
preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." (I
Peter 3: 18-20.) "For for this cause was the Gospel preached also to
them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the
flesh, {394} but live according to God in the spirit." (I Peter 4: 6.)
While this doctrine may be strange to you, it was quite well understood
by the Saints in former days.
The World:--We thank you, Peter, for your testimony.
Latter-day Saints:--Before calling another witness we will quote to you
the comments of Professor A. Hinderkoper, a German writer, and Bishop
Alford, on the words of Peter. The former says: "In the second and
third centuries every branch and division of the Christian Church, so
far as their records enable us to judge, believed that Christ preached
to the departed spirits." (Haley's Discrepancies of the Bible.) Bishop
Alford says: "I understand these words (I Peter 3: 19) to say that our
Lord in his disembodied state, did go to the place of detention of
departed spirits, and did there announce His work of redemption; preach
salvation in fact, to the disembodied spirits of those who refused to
obey the voice of God when the judgment of the flood was hanging over
them." We now respectfully ask you to listen to what the Apostle Paul
has to say on this matter.
PAUL'S EVIDENCE.
The World:--Paul, do you believe that the Gospel is preached to men
after they depart this life?
Paul:--I do. I corroborate all that the Apostle Peter has said
concerning salvation for the dead. This doctrine was well understood by
the people in our day. Jesus, you remember, told Nicodemus that except
a man were born of water and of the Spirit, he could not enter the
Kingdom of God. Now, in those days the people asked the same question
that many people ask today, "If baptism is essential to salvation, what
is to become of those who have died without having been baptized?"
Had the Lord failed to make provision for such people, it would have
revealed an imperfection in the plan of salvation, which is not the
case, for "the law of the Lord is perfect." Peter has told you that the
Gospel was preached to the dead; I taught the people the doctrine of
baptism for the dead. Here is what I wrote to the Corinthians: "Else
what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise
not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (I Cor. 15: 20.)
The Saints in former times believed in and performed a vicarious work
for the dead--they were baptized for their dead. But after the death of
the Apostles men transgressed the laws and changed the ordinances of
the Gospel, in consequence of which darkness covers the earth and gross
darkness the minds of the people.
{395} The World:--You are excused, Paul.
Latter-day Saints (to the World):--We desire to call your attention
to a prophecy which was made by Malachi. He prophesied as follows:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of
the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their
fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (Mal. 4: 5,
6.) Now, we testify to you, in all soberness, that this prophecy has
been literally fulfilled. On the 3rd day of April, 1836, the Prophet
Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland
Temple. Addressing them he said: "Behold, the time has fully come,
which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi; testifying that I should
be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come, to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the
fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore the
keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this
ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even
at the doors." We have built a number of temples, in which baptism and
other ordinances have been performed in behalf of millions of our dead
relatives and friends. This is also in fulfillment of the prophecy of
Micah, who said: "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that
the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top
of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people
shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and
let us go up the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God
of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his
paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem." (Micah 4: 1, 2.) The work for the dead is still in
progress. The hearts of the fathers are being turned to the children,
and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Blessed are all those
who engage in this glorious work, for great shall be their joy when
they meet their loved ones who have passed beyond the veil, and for
whom they stood as saviors upon Mount Zion.
VIII.--DIVINE AUTHORITY.
The World (to the Latter-day Saints):--Do you claim to have received
authority from the Lord to preach the Gospel and administer in the
ordinances thereof?
Latter-day Saints:--We do. The Lord has in these last days restored,
through the ministering of angels, both the {396} Aaronic and
Melchisedek Priesthood, empowering His servants to preach the Gospel,
baptize repentant believers for the remission of their sins, confirm
them members in His Church, and by prayer and the imposition of hands
call down upon them the Holy Ghost.
The World:--Must a man be called of God and divinely appointed before
he can preach acceptably the Gospel of Jesus Christ and administer its
ordinances?
Latter-day Saints:--He must, as the Apostle Paul and others will
testify.
#TESTIMONY OF PAUL. # The World:--Paul, do you consider it
absolutely necessary in order for a man to preach the Gospel and
administer in its ordinances, for him to be called of God and ordained
by those holding Divine authority?
Paul:--I do. In every dispensation of the world the Lord has chosen
certain men to represent Him among the people. These He called, either
by His own voice or by the voice of His servants whom He had previously
chosen.
The World:--Can you cite us a few examples of the calling of men to the
ministry?
Paul:--I can. The Lord called Noah to be a preacher of righteousness to
the people of his generation; and when they would not hearken to the
testimony of His authorized servant, the Lord destroyed them from the
earth. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were called in like manner for the work
which the Lord had appointed them.
The World:--How were they called?
Paul:--They were called by direct revelation from heaven, the Lord
speaking to them by His own voice. To Abraham He said: "Get thee out
of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house,
unto a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great
nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great and thou shalt
be a blessing; * * * and in thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed." (Gen. 12: 1-3.) Isaac and Jacob were called in a similar
manner. (Gen. 28: 2-5; 28: 10-15.)
The World:--Would it be improper for a man to preach the Gospel and
administer its ordinances without his having been divinely commissioned
to do so?
Paul:--It would, indeed. No man has a right to take such honor unto
himself except he be called of God, as was Aaron. Permit me to read a
couple of extracts from my epistles to the Romans and to the Hebrews.
This is what I said:
{397} "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how
shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except
they be sent?" (Rom. 10: 14, 15.) "And no man taketh this honor unto
himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb. 5: 4.)
The World:--How was Aaron called to the ministry?
Paul:--He was called of the Lord through the Prophet Moses. As you well
know, the Lord spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, commissioning
him to go on a mission to Egypt and deliver the children of Israel.
Moses reminded the Lord that he had an impediment in his speech, when
the Lord said to him: "Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that
he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee; and
when he seeth thee he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak
unto him and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and
with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do." (Exodus 4: 14,
15.) "And the Lord said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.
And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. And Moses
told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the
signs which he had commanded him." (Exodus 4: 27, 28.)
The World:--When men are called of the Lord, through His inspired
servants, to minister unto the people, is it necessary for them to be
ordained and set apart for their respective duties by the laying on of
the hands of the Lord's servants?
Paul:--It is. Such has been the practice in every Gospel dispensation.
Joshua, the son of Nun, was set apart, as directed of the Lord, through
the imposition of hands by Moses. Let me read to you what Moses has
written on this matter: "And the Lord said unto Moses, take thee
Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine
hands upon him; and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before
all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou
shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of
the children of Israel may be obedient. * * * And Moses did as the
Lord commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar
the priest, and before all the congregation: and he laid his hands
upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of
Moses." (Num. 27: 18-20, 22, 23.)
The World:--Paul, in what way were you called to the ministry, and by
whom were you ordained?
Paul:--I was called by the Holy Ghost, and was ordained {398} under
the hands of Simeon, Lucius and Manaen. You will find a record of my
call and ordination in the 13th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles,
as follows: "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain
prophets and teachers: as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger,
and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod
the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the
Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I
have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their
hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13: 1-3.)
The World:--We have no further questions to ask you, Paul.
Latter-day Saints:--We now respectfully ask you to hear what the
Apostle Peter has to say on this very important subject.
PETER'S TESTIMONY.
The World:--Were you called of the Lord and ordained to take part in
His ministry?
Peter:--I was. You will find an account of my call and ordination, as
well as that of the other eleven apostles, in the third chapter of
Mark's Gospel. It is as follows: "And he goeth up into a mountain, and
calleth unto him whom He would: and they came unto him. And he ordained
twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth
to preach." (Mark 3: 13, 14.) "Ye have not chosen me," said Jesus, "but
I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask
of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15: 16.)
The World:--Must a man be called of God and ordained by Divine
authority before he can hold an office in the Church of Christ?
Peter:--He must. The death of Judas left a vacancy in the quorum of
Apostles. In choosing his successor we appealed to the Lord to manifest
to us His mind and will in the selection of a man to fill the vacancy.
There were two men. Barnabas and Matthias, whom we considered equally
worthy of the honor. We presented these two men before the Lord in
prayer and said, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show
which of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this
ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that
he might go to his own place." (Acts 1: 24, 25.) It was revealed to
us that Matthias was {399} the Lord's choice, and he was appointed by
unanimous vote.
The World:--Are we to understand from what you have said that it was
the desire of the Lord that Apostles and Prophets and all the other
officers should continue in the Church?
Peter:--Such, indeed, was the desire of the Lord. If it had not been,
He would not have appointed a successor to Judas.
The World:--Our ministers have told us that Apostles and Prophets are
not necessary in these days; that they were placed in the Church to
establish Christianity, and that when Christianity was established they
were no longer needed.
Peter:--There is nothing in the Scriptures to warrant such an
assertion. On the contrary, it is most positively stated that the Lord
put these officers in the Church "for the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." And
they were to remain in the church "till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; that we henceforth
be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Eph. 4: 12-14.)
The World:--How was the primitive Christian Church organized?
Peter:--It was "built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." (Eph. 2: 20.) The
Lord placed in the Church Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors,
Teachers, etc. (Eph. 4: 11.)
The World:--The churches of the world are not organized after that
pattern?
Peter:--They are not. They were not established by Christ. Had Christ
established them, He would have put in them the same officers that
He put in the early Christian Church. The Churches of the world were
established by men. They are named after men. There is Saint Paul's
Church, Saint Peter's Church, Saint Mark's Church, Saint Luke's Church,
Saint John's Church, etc.
The World:--There seems, therefore, to have been an apostasy from the
primitive Christian Church?
Peter:--There has. The Scriptures are replete with prophecies
concerning the great apostasy which was to take place after the death
of the apostles. Permit me to call your attention to a few of them.
Have you a Bible at hand?
{400} The World:--We have.
Peter:--Turn to the fourth chapter of Paul's second epistle to Timothy
and read what he prophesied concerning the apostasy that was to take
place.
The World:--Paul prophesied as follows: "For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall
they heap unto themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
(II Tim. 4: 3,4.)
Peter:--Now turn to the 29th chapter of Isaiah and read what the
prophet said concerning the state of the world in the last days.
The World:--Isaiah prophesied as follows: "Stay yourselves, and wonder;
cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger,
but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the
spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your
rulers, the seers hath he covered. Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch
as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do
honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear
toward me is taught by the precept of men; therefore, behold, I will
proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work
and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the
understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." (Isaiah 29: 9, 10,
13, 14.)
Peter:--How perfectly did Paul describe the condition of the world at
the present time! Instead of having inspired Apostles and Prophets to
reveal to them the mind and will of the Lord, and to teach to them the
true plan of salvation, the people have heaped to themselves teachers,
having itching ears, and they have turned their ears away from the
truth and turned them unto fables. When you think of the multitude of
jarring and contending sects that are in the world today, you can see
how literally the prophecies of Paul and Isaiah have been fulfilled.
The World:--Were Paul and Isaiah the only ones who prophesied
concerning an apostasy?
Peter:--They were not. There were many others who uttered similar
predictions. But I ask you to read what Isaiah further said concerning
the apostasy; you will find it in the twenty-fourth chapter of his book.
The World:--Isaiah says: "The earth also is defiled under the
inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed {401} the laws,
changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath
the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate;
therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."
(Isaiah 24: 5, 6).
Peter:--Notice the similarity in these prophecies: Isaiah prophesied
that the day would come when the people would transgress the laws,
change the ordinance, and break the everlasting covenant. Paul declared
that the time would come when they would not endure sound doctrine,
but would heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, who would
turn their ears away from the truth and turn them unto fables. On
another occasion Paul prophesied as follows: "For I know this, that
after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20: 29, 30.)
Paul lived to see the beginning of the terrible apostasy of which he
spoke. "I marvel," said he, writing to the Galatians, "that ye are so
soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble
you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (Gal. 1: 6, 7.) I myself
prophesied concerning the apostasy. Here is what I said: "But there
were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of
whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness
shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you." (II Peter 2:
1-3.)
The World:--The prophets and apostles truly foretold an apostasy, and
the divided state of Christendom--the hundreds of different sects and
denominations, the numerous, conflicting theories which are being
advocated by men for the Gospel of Jesus Christ--bear incontrovertible
testimony that such an apostasy has taken place. Must this condition
continue, or will there be a restitution?
Peter:--There will be a restitution of all things spoken of by the
mouth of the holy prophets.
The World:--Do you think the Lord will ever send us Apostles and
Prophets to teach us the true Gospel of Christ as it was taught by Him
and His inspired servants in ancient days?
Peter:--He will, for so He has declared. Here is the {402} Apostle
John; I pray you, hear what he has to say concerning the restoration of
the Gospel in the latter days.
JOHN'S TESTIMONY.
The World:--John, do you think we will ever be favored with new
revelation from God?
John:--Have you forgotten what Joel prophesied concerning the last
days? He said: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour
out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see
visions." (Joel 2: 28.)
The World:--Then, we may look for Prophets to be sent of God.
John:--Yes, and angels also will come down from heaven to restore that
which was lost. You have heard already of the great apostasy that was
to take place; you have seen how the principles and ordinances of the
Gospel have been perverted; you see the Christian world a Babel of
Confusion. The Lord knew that all these things would take place, and He
decreed that in the last days He would set His hand again to recover
His people from their lost and fallen state. He revealed to me that
before His judgments were poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth
He would send an angel with the everlasting Gospel, to be preached to
every nation under heaven. Read, I pray you, what I said concerning
this matter in the fourteenth chapter of my book.
The World:--You wrote as follows: "And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that
dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for
the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven and
earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. (Rev. 14: 6, 7.)
John:--Now, I advise you to look for the fulfillment of the things
which the Lord has spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets.
The World:--Thank you, John; you are excused.
Latter-day Saints:--Now, we testify to you in words of soberness that
the angel which John predicted would come to the earth in the last days
with the everlasting Gospel, has come to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The
Lord also sent heavenly messengers to him and others, who conferred
upon them Divine {403} authority, and instructed them concerning the
restoration of the true Church of Christ on the earth for the last
time, preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man. That Church has been
organized after the primitive pattern. In it are inspired Apostles
and Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. It teaches the very
same Gospel that was taught by Christ and His Apostles; its members
enjoy the same gifts and blessings that were enjoyed by the former-day
saints: they have the gift of prophecy, revelations, visions, healings,
tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc. And, if you desire to know the
truth of these things, we advise you to follow the exhortation of the
Apostle James, when he said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him." (James 1: 5.)
"_Our enemies have kicked us, and cuffed us, and driven us from
pillar to post, and we have multiplied and increased the more,
until we have become what we are this day_."
--_Brigham Young_.
"_It is not our business to fight our enemies. There is no man or
woman on the face of the earth, but is our brother or our sister.
They are the children of God and we are here to bear and forbear
with them in their interest and for the glory of God_."
--_Lorenzo Snow_.
{404}
A CONGRESSMAN'S OPINION OF THE PROPHET.
(_From the Historical Record_.)
In the winter of 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith went to Washington,
D. C, to petition the president of the United States and Congress to
redress the grievances of the Saints against the people of Missouri.
While at the nation's capital he had several opportunities of speaking
in public. On the evening of February 5, 1840, he addressed a large
audience. Mr. M. L. Davis, a member of Congress, was present. In a
letter written to his wife the day after, he gives the following
opinion of the Prophet:
I went last evening to hear "Joe Smith," the celebrated Mormon,
expound his doctrine. I, with several others, had a desire to
understand his tenets as explained by himself.
He is not an educated man; but he is a plain, sensible,
strong-minded man. Everything he says is said in a manner to
leave an impression that he is sincere. There is no levity, no
fanaticism, no want of dignity in his deportment. He is apparently
from forty to forty-five years of age, rather above the middle
stature, and what you ladies would call a very good looking man.
In his garb there are no peculiarities; his dress being that of a
plain, unpretending citizen. He is by profession a farmer, but is
evidently well read. * * *
During the whole of his address, which occupied more than two
hours, there was no opinion or belief that he expressed, that
was calculated, in the slightest degree, to impair the morals
of society, or in any manner to degrade and brutalize the human
species. There was much in his precepts, if they were followed,
that would soften the asperities of man toward man, and that
would tend to make him a more rational being than he is generally
found to be. There was no violence, no fury, no denunciation.
His religion appears to be a religion of meekness, lowliness and
mild persuasion. * * * Throughout his whole address he displayed
strongly a spirit of charity and forbearance. The Mormon Bible,
he said, was communicated to him direct from heaven. If there was
such a thing on earth as the author of it, then he (Smith) was the
author; but the idea that he wished to impress was that he had
penned it as dictated by God. * * *
I have changed my opinion of the Mormons. They are an injured and
much abused people.
{405}
AN ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS.
BY HEBER J. GRANT, TOKYO, JAPAN.
Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.
1 Thess. 5: 21.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1: 5, 6.
We, as duly authorized representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, have been sent to Japan for the purpose of teaching
the plan of life and salvation, as it has again been revealed from
heaven by the true and living God to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
We earnestly entreat the people of this nation to fully investigate the
message which we have come to deliver.
We testify that there is a God in heaven who is in very deed the Father
of the spirits of all men. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and
all that in them is. He existed before the world was created; exists
today and will exist forever. He is the same yesterday, today and
forever. He is all powerful and to His wisdom there is no limit. He is
no respecter of persons; is full of mercy, love and compassion, and is
forgiving to all those who will repent of sin and seek Him and serve
Him with full purpose of heart.
All men are well aware that compliance with the laws of a nation is
absolutely necessary in order to become a citizen thereof, and the
same applies with equal force to those who wish to become citizens of
the kingdom of God. A knowledge of and compliance with God's laws is
a matter of the most {406} vital consequence to all men. These laws
are contained in the divinely inspired books known as the Bible and
Book of Mormon. We feel assured that all who will earnestly and fully
investigate will come to a knowledge of the divine authenticity of
these records.
For many hundreds of years after the creation of the earth God appeared
in person, from time to time, and talked with His children and gave
instructions as to what was necessary for them to do in order to be
worthy, when this life was ended, to come back and dwell forever in
His presence. A little over nineteen hundred years ago He sent His
Son Jesus Christ to the earth to teach mankind the plan of life and
salvation. Jesus is the Savior of the world, and faith on His name and
obedience to His commandments will take us back into the presence of
God where we shall dwell forever.
Jesus Christ called upon all men to repent, to live lives of
righteousness and to be baptized in water for the remission of their
sins, and made them the promise that if they would do this and keep His
commandments they should know whether the doctrines He proclaimed were
of God or man.
In the spring of 1820, God and His Son Jesus Christ visited the earth
and talked with Joseph Smith. They afterwards sent heavenly messengers
who gave him the necessary instructions and authority to establish on
the earth the true Church of Christ. Some immediately accepted the
doctrines which this prophet taught, but the majority misrepresented
his teachings and persecuted him. False charges were preferred against
him, and he was imprisoned many times, but upon trial was declared
innocent of every charge. He lived a life of virtue and uprightness,
maintaining, in the face of the most bitter opposition, his testimony
as to the truths revealed to him from heaven. Finally, while he was
in Carthage jail, Illinois, U. S., under the pledged protection of
the state, awaiting a trial, to which he had voluntarily surrendered
himself, the jail was attacked and he was murdered by a mob of wicked
men. Thus did Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the nineteenth century, seal
his testimony with his life's blood.
Dr. David Nelson in his book, "The Cause and Cure of Infidelity," says:
"A true prophet is not applauded by a majority of the wicked or by
the mass of the depraved. He is generally disliked by those furthest
from God, and spoken evil of by those who sink deepest in sin. He is
often not only reviled, but put to death if the laws permit; but the
false prophet is neither stoned nor sawn asunder. He is often extolled
greatly by the most dissolute, and is at least tolerated or praised
{407} to some extent by the leaders in depravity or the officers of
sin."
Many people have spoken ill of the Latter-day Saints, or as we are
commonly called "Mormons." We ask to be judged not by the false
statements of our enemies, but by the infallible standard, "By their
fruits ye shall know them." Wisdom dictates that no cause should be
judged without a hearing, and least of all when only one side has been
heard, and that the side of its enemies. The history of the Latter-day
Saints is before the world and speaks for itself.
In a tract entitled "My reasons for leaving the Church of England and
joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," the writer
says: "No one who will read the whole history of the Latter-day Saints
with a truly honest and unprejudiced heart, and look upon the blessings
of prosperity which they at present enjoy, can for a moment doubt that
they are members of a church which is under the direct guidance of God
through new revelation.
"I am quite sure that any one who will read with a fair, and
unprejudiced mind the teachings of Joseph Smith, can not but conclude
that he must have been inspired, especially when they consider the fact
that all the great and marvelous work which he performed before his
martyrdom was accomplished while he was still a young man, and that he
had never enjoyed the privileges of education and experience."
We call attention to the last of the accompanying Articles of our
Faith, that "if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report,
or praiseworthy, we seek after these things," and advise all men to do
likewise.
In conclusion, in all solemnity and humility, we bear testimony
that God lives, that Jesus Christ is His Son and the Savior of the
world; that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the true and living God,
commissioned to restore again the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the
inhabitants of the earth. We once more entreat all men to investigate
our message, and promise, as did our Savior, that all who will repent
of sin and obey the Gospel shall receive a knowledge from God of the
divinity of the doctrines which we proclaim.
{408}
CORNER STONES OF REORGANIZATION.
A FEW FACTS CONCERNING ITS FOUNDERS COMPILED FROM EARLY CHURCH HISTORY.
_When men come as servants of God, claiming a divine commission to
reorganize the Church of Christ, the searchlight of investigation
should be turned upon them. If they bear it there is evidence that
they have been sent of God. But if inconsistencies hedge their
entire course of life it is well for an inquirer after truth to
examine their AUTHORITY_.
_William Marks, Zenos H. Gurley, William W. Blair and Samuel Powers
ordained the Son of the Prophet to succeed his father as President
of the Church. William W. Blair and Samuel Powers were never
members of the original Church. We, therefore, pass them by, and
proceed to bring out a few facts from early Church history relative
to Marks, Gurley and Briggs, the two latter being the founders of
the "Reorganization_."
HISTORY OF WILLIAM MARKS.
_WILLIAM MARKS was President of the Nauvoo Stake at the time of the
martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph, June 27, 1844_.
SOMETHING FROM THE PROPHET'S JOURNAL.
"Whatever can be the matter with these men (Law and Marks)? Is it that
the wicked flee when no man pursueth? that hit pigeons always flutter?
that drowning men catch at straws? or that Presidents Law and Marks
are absolutely traitors to the Church, that mv remarks should produce
such excitement in their minds? The people in the town are astonished,
almost every man saying to his neighbor: Is it possible that Brother
Law or Brother Marks is a traitor and would deliver Brother Joseph into
the hands of his enemies in Missouri? {409} If not, what can be the
meaning of all this? The righteous are as bold as a lion."
MARKS DROPPED FROM HIS POSITION AS PRESIDENT OF NAUVOO STAKE.
_WILLIAM MARKS was dropped from his position as President of the Nauvoo
Stake at a conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, held October 7, 1844. (T. & S., Vol. 5, 692.) The whole Church
voted NOT to sustain him, excepting two votes. This action was taken
because he supported the claims of Sidney Rigdon as guardian of the
Church_.
_On December 9th, 1844--Nauvoo, Illinois, he acknowledged his error in
the following_:
NOTICE.
"After mature and candid deliberation, I am fully and satisfactorily
convinced that Mr. Sidney Rigdon's claims to the Presidency of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are not founded in truth.
I have been deceived by his specious pretenses and now feel to warn
every one over whom I may have any influence to beware of him, and his
pretended visions and revelations. THE TWELVE ARE THE PROPER PERSONS TO
LEAD THE CHURCH." (T. & S., Vol. 5, 742.)
"Signed William Marks."
_After making this acknowledgment he was received back into fellowship,
but did not again obtain his former position. He became dissatisfied,
withdrew from the Church and was excommunicated_.
JOINS THE STRANGITE ORGANIZATION AND PLAYS A LEADING PART.
_Copied from the "Voree Record," official record of Strangle Church_.
_Conference April 6, 1846_.
"On motion of WILLIAM MARKS, High Priest and President of the Stake at
Nauvoo, James J. Strang unanimously called to the Chair as President of
the Conference."
"On motion of Elder WILLIAM MARKS it was unanimously resolved that this
Church receive, acknowledge, and uphold JAMES J. STRANG as President of
this Church, {410} Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator with our
faith and prayers."
"On motion of Elder WILLIAM MARKS it was unanimously resolved that we
sustain and uphold Aaron Smith as Counselor to First President by our
faith and prayers."
"On motion of Elder WILLIAM MARKS, amended on motion of Elder John
E. Page, it was resolved that the case of Elder Rigdon be laid over
until the October conference for final action and in the meantime a
delegation be sent to visit Elder Rigdon personally on the matter by
appointment and under instructions of the First Presidency."
"President James J. Strang proposed the appointment of WILLIAM MARKS,
President pro tempore of the High Priest's quorum, which, being put
separately to the High Priests and the Conference at large, and
unanimously approved, he was thereupon appointed."
MARKS APPOINTED BISHOP OF STRANGITE CHURCH.
"_Voree Record"--Conference April 8th, 1846_.
"The First Presidency presented WILLIAM MARKS for the office of
BISHOP of the Church, and on motion of Apostle John E. Page, resolved
unanimously (that he) be sustained."
MARKS APPOINTED AN APOSTLE, COUNSELOR AND PROPHET.
"_Voree Record"--Conference August 26th, 1849_.
"Brother WILLIAM MARKS was then ordained, consecrated and set apart as
APOSTLE of the Lord, Jesus Christ, a Counselor to the Prophet, one of
the First Presidency, and a PROPHET of the Most High God, under the
hands of President STRANG and Adams."
WILLIAM MARKS ORDAINED TO ADMINISTER BAPTISMS FOR DEAD.
"Voree Record"--Conference of August 26th, 1849.
"Brother WILLIAM MARKS was anointed, ORDAINED and set apart to
administer baptisms for the Dead, under the hands of Presidents STRANG
and Adams. * * * The choir sang a hymn, after which eucharist was
administered. The Conference then adjourned twenty minutes, to meet
at the water's edge for the purpose of attending to baptisms, both
for the living and the DEAD. Conference {411} assembled pursuant to
adjournment. Eight were initiated into the Church by being baptized for
a remission of their sins. After which large numbers were baptized for
their deceased relatives. Adjourned."
REVELATION OF JAMES J. STRANG GIVEN JANUARY 7TH, 1849. "Hearken,
O ye Saints, give ear, for the time to favor Zion is at hand, and the
time of her redemption draweth near. Draw near unto me and learn, for
the ways of men are foolishness before me. Behold ye shall be one,
and if ye are not one, ye are none of mine. And ye shall all speak
the same thing. Ye are cursed; ye are confounded because ye have many
tongues like unto mystery Babylon; and many are running to and fro,
speaking in their own wisdom, which is folly before me. * * * Behold my
servant, WILLIAM MARKS, has gone far ASTRAY in departing from me, yet
I will give unto him a little space, that he may return and receive my
word, and stand in his place; for I remembered his works that he has
done in the time that is past. If he will return and abide faithful, I
will make him great, and his possessions shall be great, and he shall
possess a city, and his children shall dwell therein; a nation shall
call him blessed. * * *"
HE REPENTS.
"_Voree Record"--Conference of August 25th, 1849_.
"President MARKS arose and said he felt that he ought to make a
confession to the Saints for NOT acting in his calling and also to ask
their forgiveness. Gave a brief history of the course he had pursued
after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph, testified that he had ever
had the fullest confidence in the work of the last days, and knew it
was of God, and was now determined by the help of God to go forth in
the discharge of HIS DUTY and act in the place in which he was called
by revelation of God through his servant JAMES.
"President Geo. J. Adams remarked: He rejoiced with joy unspeakable to
see an old Saint coming back willing to do his duty, spoke very highly
of the former faithfulness of Brother Marks in the cause of God, how
he had kept himself uncontaminated in the midst of the lustful and
ungodly, and concluded by offering the following resolution, which was
sustained unanimously: Resolved, that we will forgive Brother Marks and
sustain him in his calling by our faith, confidence, and prayers."
{412}
LEAVES STRANG AND JOINS THOMPSON'S ORGANIZATION--HIS OWN STATEMENT.
"Epistle of WILLIAM MARKS, chief evangelical teacher of the school
of faith to all the traveling teachers' quorums and classes of said
school, and Jehovah's presbytery of Zion, Greeting:
"Beloved Brethren:--Having been chosen and ordained chief evangelical
teacher of the school of faith in Jehovah's presbytery of Zion, it
becomes my duty to say something by way of encouragement and also
by way of instruction to those who are placed under my care and
supervision; and first by way of encouragement, let me state what I
know in reference to the work in which we are engaged. In order to
do this, I must of necessity refer to my experience in the Church. I
was a member of the Church some ten years before the death of Joseph
and Hyrum Smith. I was appointed President of the Stake in Kirtland,
Ohio, in 1837, and continued in that office at Kirtland until the fall
of 1838, when I was called by revelation to Farr West, Missouri, but
before I arrived there the Saints were ordered to leave the state,
and when the Stake was organized at Nauvoo, in the fall of 1839, I
was appointed President thereof, and continued in that office up to
the death of Joseph the Prophet. I always believed the work was of
divine origin, and that Joseph Smith was called of God to establish
the Church among the Gentiles. During my administration in the Church
I saw and heard many things that was practiced and taught that I DID
NOT BELIEVED BE OF GOD, but I continued to do and teach such principles
as were plainly revealed as the law of the Church, for I thought that
pure and holy principles only would have a tendency to benefit mankind,
therefore, when the doctrine of polygamy was introduced into the Church
as a principle of exaltation I took a decided stand against it, which
stand rendered me quite unpopular with many of the leading ones of the
Church." (Harbinger and Organ, Vol. 3, Pages 52-3-4, Year 1853.)
AGAIN IN 1853 MARKS WRITES TO THOMPSON.
"Shabbona Grove, DeKalk County, Feb. 17th, 1853.
"Brother C. B. Thompson,
"Dear Sir:--I have some good news to communicate * * * I organized a
quorum at Batavia. James Blakeslie {413} was chosen chief, and Jehial
Savage, teacher. I ordained them to their offices, and they said they
had satisfactory evidence that the work is of God. I feel as though I
was well paid. Bless and praise the Lord.
"Yours in the bond of the covenant,
"Signed William Marks."
WILLIAM MARKS SENT BY THOMPSON TO LOCATE A GATHERING PLACE.
_The following appears in the "Harbinger and Organ" of Dec. 10th, 1853_:
"St. Joseph, Mo., Aug. 24, 1852.
"Brother Thompson:--I embrace this opportunity to drop a few lines to
you to let you know of our whereabouts. I arrived here with Brother
Childs and on the 22nd of this month, found Brother Stephens and the
most of his family sick; and he is not able to go with us. From what
we can learn of the surrounding country here we think is will be very
difficult to obtain a suitable LOCATION FOR THE SAINTS TO GATHER TO,
near this place on account of the high price of land. We have agreed to
start from here tomorrow morning to go north, probably to the Bluffs. *
* * We shall write you again as soon as we find a location. * * *
"Signed William Marks."
MARKS CHANGES AGAIN AND JOINS JOHN E. PAGE'S ORGANIZATION.
_The year 1855 finds him in a religions organization with John E. Page
and others. (History of the Reorganized Church, Vol. 3, 724_.)
ON JUNE 11TH, 1859, HE FINDS A PLACE IN THE "NEW ORGANIZATION."
On the above date he was received into this "Organization" subsequently
called the "Reorganized Church" on his ORIGINAL baptism into the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His ORIGINAL ordination was also
accepted.
In the light of common sense and the following statement found in the
"Saints Herald" (the official organ of the "Reorganization"), what of
WILLIAM MARKS' authority? "WHENEVER INDIVIDUALS CLAIMING AUTHORITY
{414} UNDER THE CHURCH AS ORGANIZED BY THE FIRST JOSEPH BECAME MEMBERS
OF ANY FACTION THEY IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIVESTED OF ALL AUTHORITY."
("_Saints Herald," Vol. 4, No. 10, Page 158_.)
_Why did the "Reorganization" receive the Apostate Marks on his
ORIGINAL baptism and ORIGINAL ordination after he had joined "The
Strang faction," "The Thompson faction" "The Page faction" and "became
divested of all authority" (as stated above)? And what of the authority
of young Joseph who Was ordained under the hands of such men, WILLIAM
MARKS BEING MOUTH_?
FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT OF THE PROPHET CONCERNING APOSTATES:
"An Apostate, or one who has been cut off the Church and wish to come
in again, the law of the Church expressly says: That such shall repent
and be baptized and be admitted as at first." (T. & S., Vol. 5, 752.)
RECORD OF ZENOS H. GURLEY.
_ZENOS H. GURLEY was ordained a seventy in Nauvoo in 1844 under the
direction of President Joseph Young. (Record in Historian's office,
Salt Lake City.)_
_On April 6th, 1845, he was made the Senior President of the
twenty-first quorum of Seventy. (Minutes of 21st quorum_.)
THE PRESIDENT OF THE "REORGANIZATION" REPUDIATES AUTHORITY OF THE
MAN WHO ASSISTED IN HIS ORDINATION.
_On the 31st of January, 1905, President of the "Reorganization" wrote
the following to Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr., relative to the limitation
of the number of Seventy's quorums_:
"There are no provisions as revelations as law to the Church for the
organization of more than seven quorums of Seventy; for that reason we
do not recognize as valid any of the ordinations in Nauvoo in 1844-5
beyond those of the first seven quorums; and our teaching is that the
number is necessarily limited by direct provision of the law."
{415}
GURLEY ENDORSES THE COURSE OF THE CHURCH IN 1846.
(_One month before the great Exodus then in preparation.) The Minutes
of January 3rd, 1846 (21st quorum) say_:
"Zenos H. Gurley enlarged on the subject of liberally donating to
the Church necessity. 'God,' said he, 'had so shaped the scheme of
salvation as that to be saved and appear approved of God, we must
SACRIFICE OF ALL WE POSSESS.' * * * He felt filled with the spirit. THE
COURSE THE CHURCH IS PURSUING HAS BEEN SPOKEN OF BY JESUS CHRIST AND
THE HOLY PROPHETS OF OLDEN TIMES."
GURLEY RECEIVES HIS ENDOWMENT IN THE NAUVOO TEMPLE.
"ZENOS H. GURLEY arose and said that the Presidents of the quorum had
RECEIVED THEIR ENDOWMENT. He observed that it was remarkable for an
unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He felt for the quorum that they
should receive their endowment. The Church authorities, the quorum
of seventy in succession, should furnish the people engaged in the
endowment, one day each, and he wanted the quorum (21st) to acquit
themselves from every obligation." (Minutes of quorum, Jan. 10, 1846.)
GURLEY ON TEMPLE WORK.
"President ZENOS H. GURLEY arose and said: * * * 'The business before
the meeting was the arranging for the donation for the benefit of those
of the Priesthood engaged in the Temple' (NOT ON THE TEMPLE, BUT IN
THE TEMPLE). He beautifully observed that it was his design and also
this Council's, to exalt the Twenty-first quorum and the quorum should
reciprocally return the favors of the support and influence towards its
welfare." (Minutes of the quorum, January 17th, 1846.)
"President ZENOS H. GURLEY arose and said that the business before the
meeting (of the Twenty-first quorum) was to select persons to receive
their ENDOWMENTS. He had received direction to select ten or twelve to
GO IN THE TEMPLE. He desired the brethren not to think it partiality
to make this selection. * * * The Saints who have passed through the
trials of the Church were generally rooted and {416} grounded in love
and have a witness in their hearts or they would not have remained."
(Minutes of the Twenty-first quorum, January 25th, 1846.) _It was ten
days after he made this utterance that the Exodus of the main body of
the Church began, and this is the last reference we have of ZENOS H.
GURLEY while connected with the Church. What became of GURLEY? "Because
he had not root he withered away_."
JOINS THE STRANGITES--BECOMES AN ARDENT WORKER IMMEDIATELY.
_ZENOS H. GURLEY writes to a Brother Cooper, Editor of the "Strangite
Gospel Herald," under date of January 10th, 1850, from Pittsburg C. W
., relating an account of his labors in the STRANGITE CHURCH. He closes
with these words_:
"The brethren in this place, though young, are old enough to dream of
BEAVER (meaning Beaver Island, Strang's headquarters). Are you going to
BEAVER in the spring? is the inquiry of many of them. * * * But, thank
God, if we do no more we are rightly paid for our trouble. One of the
Prophets, speaking in reference to these times, says, 'a man shall be
more precious than fine gold. Farewell.'" ("Gospel Herald," Page 274.)
_ZENOS H. GURLEY writes to the "Gospel Herald" (Strangite organ) from
St. Lawrence under date of March 15th, 1850_:
"I am now in New York State in company with Brother Linnel, assisting
Brother Silsby in organizing the brethren and helping them get ready
for BEAVER. We expect seventy or one hundred. Will leave here in May
for that place. I left Brother Wright on Monday last. * * *" ("Gospel
Herald," Page 22.)
GURLEY RECEIVES AN APPOINTMENT AT STRANGITE CONFERENCE.
_September 16th, 1851. Beaver Island_.
"Moved and seconded that ZENOS H. GURLEY be appointed to preside
over the branches in Western and Southern Wisconsin, west of Voree,
by judicial appointment. Carried. * * *" (Record of Conference, pen
written.)
{417}
GURLEY EXCOMMUNICATED FOR HERESY FROM STRANGITES.
"James Blakeslie dropped for HERESY and Jahie Savage for the same, and
their Priesthood taken from them. ZENOS H. GURLEY, ALSO PRIESTHOOD
TAKEN FROM HIM. * * *" (Voree Record--Conference at Enoch's Grove,
Beaver Island, July 9, 1852.)
DOUBTS FOLLOWED AFTER EXCOMMUNICATION.
_By 1851, after about five years of active service, he became convinced
that James J. Strang was not a Servant of God. Manifestations followed
which satisfied him that he should help organize another Church.
Accordingly, he and Jason W. Briggs united their efforts and organized
what is known as the "NEW ORGANIZATION," which subsequently emerged
into the "Re-Organized Church," in 1860--16 years after the Martyrdom.
Zenos H. Gurley, after following the Twelve Apostles as the presiding
Quorum of the Church, and holding the position as Senior President of
the Twenty-first Quorum of Seventy up to the time of the exodus of
the Church from Nauvoo, in 1846, left the Church and joined James J.
Strang, remaining with this organization until he and Briggs CREATED
THE "NEW ORGANIZATION." In 1860 he assisted William Marks in ordaining
the President of the "Reorganization." The question naturally arises,
DID HE HAVE ANY AUTHORITY? We prefer to answer this question by simply
quoting the statement found in the "Saints Herald," Vol. 4, Page 158_.
"Whenever individuals claiming authority under THE CHURCH AS ORGANIZED
BY THE FIRST JOSEPH became members of ANY FACTION, THEY IMMEDIATELY
BECAME DIVESTED OF ALL AUTHORITY." ("Saints Herald," Vol 4, No. 10,
Page 158.)
GURLEY'S DOUBTS FOLLOW HIS FAMILY.
_Zenos H. Gurley ("an apostle") had been able to convert many to this
organization, yet he was not satisfied in his own mind. In connection
with Jason W. Briggs (founder of the "Reorganization), he forsook the
Church they claimed had been built upon "revelations" from divers
persons, ("Saints Herald" Vol. 33, Pages 248-249.) The reasons why
these men withdrew from the "Reorganization" were as follows: That they
could not believe in_:
{418} 1st--"The literal gathering of the Church into Jackson and the
adjoining counties in the State of Missouri (or any one or more places)
known as a local Zion."
2d--"Temple building and ceremonial endowments therein."
3d--"Baptism for the dead."
4th--"Tithing as a law applicable to the Church."
5th--"The law of consecration by which individuals are made legal heirs
to the Kingdom of Zion."
6th--"A sole mouthpiece of God to the Church."
7th--"The plenary inspiration of and consequent absolute authority of
what are called the sacred books."
8th--"The doctrine of 'cursing our enemies,' and of 'avenging God upon
them to the third and fourth generations.'"
9th--"To the foregoing may be added the revelation of January 19, 1841,
Section 107 D. & C. (124, our edition), which enjoins upon the Church
the building of a hotel, called the 'Lord's boarding-house,' for Joseph
Smith and posterity to dwell in from generation to generation, as
also the promise contained therein, viz.: 'And as I said unto Abraham
concerning the kindreds of the earth, even so I say to my servant
Joseph, in thee and in thy seed shall the kindreds of the earth be
blessed.'"
"This, coupled with the provisions in Section 43, that 'none else
should or could receive revelation for the Church, and the provision of