Produced by the Mormon Texts Project
(http://mormontextsproject.org), with thanks to Renah
Holmes.
MR. DURANT
OF
SALT LAKE CITY,
"THAT MORMON."
BY BEN. E. RICH.
"God attributes to place No sanctity, if none be thither brought By men
who there frequent."--MILTON
SALT LAKE CITY:
GEORGE Q. CANNON & SONS CO.,
PRINTERS
1893.
PREFACE.
Mormonism is a subject which has been handled by many authors. Some
have written in its favor, with prayerful hearts, seeking the guidance
of the Holy Spirit as their honest convictions were recorded; while
others have declared against the Mormons and the man who was the
instrument, in the hands of God, of founding their faith. A few of the
latter class have been honest in their attacks, believing, perhaps,
that they were doing the Lord's will in opposing it; but the majority
have been actuated by hatred in all they have said on the subject.
The author of this work has endeavored to present, in plain and simple
words, the faith of the Latter-day Saints, with a desire to aid and
interest the young men of Mormondom, who have had no missionary
experience, and to fit them to make known their belief to the nations
of the earth, should they be called upon for that purpose.
If this book shall benefit them, and give others a better conception of
the Latter-day Saints and their religion, the object in publishing it
will have been attained.
THE AUTHOR.
OGDEN, February, 1893.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
The Changes In the Sunny South, since the War. Hospitality of the
Southerner. His Traits of Character. Politics and Religion. Purpose of
the Description.
CHAPTER II.
A NEW ARRIVAL IN THE TOWN.
The Town of Westminster. Harmony Place, the Hotel of the Marshalls.
Guests and their social Methods. Mr. Charles Durant, the New Arrival
from the West. Introduction to the Family and Visitors.
CHAPTER III.
NEW ACQUAINTANCES AND AN AGREEABLE DISCUSSION.
An Evening on the veranda. A Variety of Subjects Discussed. Politics
and Religion. Christian America. Do People Practice their Religious
Professions? Priests Addicted to Money-getting rather than to
Soul-getting. The Stranger Interested. Proposed Discussion. Search
after Truth. A Quotation from the Prayer Book. A Difference Concerning
the Godhead. Erroneous Conception of God. Oneness of the Father and the
Son. Three Separate Identities, United as One in all Things. Character
of Each. A God with Body, Parts and Passions. Mysteries Explained.
"Good Night."
CHAPTER IV.
GAINING AND LOSING FAVOR.
Entirely at Home. Another Evening on the Veranda. The Reverend, the
Stranger, and Churches. The Baptism of Christ. Baptism by Immersion.
Necessity of this Ordinance. The Savior's Example. Who are True
Christians? Laying on of Hands. The Reverend Retires from the Argument.
Continued Discussion. The Gospel and its Necessity. Men must Answer
for their own Sins. The Double Effect of the Atonement of Christ.
Conditions of Salvation. A Definition of Faith. First Step Alone Is not
Sufficient for Salvation. Scripture Explained. Romans, Chapter X. The
Stranger's Errand.
CHAPTER V.
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES.
The Second Step that should be Taken by the Convert to Christianity.
True Repentance, its End and Aim. Forgiveness of Sin, How obtained.
Mode, Meaning, and Significance of Baptism. Who are fit Candidates for
this Ordinance? Little Children exempt. What shall we do to be saved?
The Answer of Paul. The Holy Ghost, How conferred. The Signs Following.
Conditions of Salvation named. "Show Me Where True Christians Live."
Who is authorized to Baptize? The Need of Authorized Officers. A
Sign of the True Church. Teachers must be called of God "The Falling
Away" Foretold. Christians turned Heathen, The Gospel to be restored.
Prophecies Concerning this Event. The Restoration through Revelation to
Man. Promises to the Believer. A Lecture Arranged for.
CHAPTER VI.
TRUTH AGAIN DEFEATS FALSEHOOD.
A Pleasant Conversation. Missionary Hymn. Perfect Happiness, True
Enjoyment, How Obtained. The Medium Course, Sensible Christianity. The
Reverend Once More. His peculiar Surprise. "Are You from Salt Lake
City?" The Stranger is a Latter-day Saint, or Mormon. A Discomfited
Minister. Some Falsehoods Exposed. The Articles of Faith.
CHAPTER VII.
Durant's Experience in Westminster. His Labors. Meeting in the Town
Hall. Sincere Congratulations. Fears of a Mob.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PROPHET JOSEPH'S STATEMENT.
Once More on the Veranda. Answering Questions. Information from the
Right Source. Complete Statement of the Early Rise and Progress of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by the Prophet, Joseph
Smith. The Book of Mormon. The Testimony of Three Witnesses. And also
the Testimony of Eight Witnesses. Concerning the Restoration of the
Gospel. Striking Illustration. Departure from Westminster.
CHAPTER IX.
THAT MORMON AGAIN.
A New Member of the Marshall Family. Meeting an Esteemed Friend. A
Delayed Breakfast. A Promised Return. Anxious to Meet the Missionary.
Effect of the Elder's Testimony. Danger of Being converted to
Mormonism. An Informal Meeting Place.
CHAPTER X.
THE MISSIONARY'S RETURN.
Once More with his Friends. Experience While Away. Account of a
Terrible Mobbing. Peculiar Feelings Attending the Formation of New
Friendships. Opportunity to introduce a New Principle. The Doctrine of
Pre-Existence. A Beautiful Poem. Proofs from the Scriptures. The Truth
is Reasonable. A Walk through the Village. "The World my Home."
CHAPTER XI.
A PLEASANT INTERVIEW.
An Evening Gathering. Remarks on the Faith of the Latter-day Saints.
What they Believe. A Literal Resurrection. The Teachings of Jesus and
the Scriptures on this Subject. Illustrations. Now Accepted Facts were
Once Incomprehensible. Great Truths Yet Unrevealed. The story of the
Silver Cup. Death-bed Repentance. The Repentant Malefactor did not go
to Heaven with the Savior. The Subject explained. Where and What is
Paradise? Preaching to Departed Spirits. Baptism for the Dead. The
Welding Link Between the Fathers and their Children. Testimony of a
Prophecy Fulfilled. Organization of the Church of Christ. The Holy
Priesthood. Officers of the Melchisedek and the Aaronic Priesthoods.
CHAPTER XII.
A BAPTISM AND A CONVERSATION ON MARRIAGE.
Importance of Baptism. Necessity of Earnest Preparation. Form of the
Ordinance Given. Quotations Showing the Gathering to be In Strict
Harmony with the Bible. The Marriage Covenant is Eternal. The Union of
Adam and Eve. What is meant by Marriage as Ordained of God? Necessity
of Authority.
CHAPTER XIII.
ABOUT THE MORMONS.
A Trip to Utah. Consideration that Led the Mormons to Settle that
Territory. The Death of the Prophet Joseph, How it Occurred. Its Effect
on the Saints. How Brigham Young Became Leader of the People. The
Exodus from Nauvoo. Testimony of Historians. Good by. Off for the West.
Arrival in Salt Lake City. A Happy Meeting. A Doctrinal Sermon.
CHAPTER XIV.
MR. BROWN'S LETTER TO THE MARSHALLS.
The Great West. Along the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. By the
Denver & Rio Grande over the Rockies. Scenes Along the Line. Over the
Wasatch into Utah. Delightful Views. Area, Population and Resources
of the Territory. In Salt Lake City. The Tabernacle and the Temple.
Ecclesiastical Divisions. Natural Attractions. Education. A Living
Faith. Fair Minded People. President Wilford Woodruff. Greetings.
CHAPTER XV.
CONCLUSION.
A Word Before we Separate. Important Questions. "What if the Message
be True." "Read, Listen, Investigate." "Know this, that Every Soul is
Free."
APPENDIX.
WHAT BRIGHAM YOUNG SAID.
Quotations from the Sermons of President Brigham Young.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
CHAPTER I.
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
There are few if any cities or towns of any consequence in the vast
territory known to poesy as the Sunny South, that do not speak in
every street corner, in almost every building, and even through the
individuals themselves, of the wondrous changes wrought by the great
civil war. Those who knew that Sunny South before the sanguinary
struggle, and have since looked upon it, will most readily appreciate
the force of this statement; while those who have not seen it, need
only be told that where villages existed then, now thriving towns
arise, or bustling municipalities; elegant mansions have supplanted log
huts or other indifferent abodes of men; the railway has displaced the
stage coach for all time; newspapers abound where before these were
almost unknown, and--greatest boon of all--the auction block, whereon
human merchandise was publicly vended, exists only as a memory which
itself is rapidly vanishing before the pressure of modern progress and
a better civilization. In one respect at least, however, there has been
little, if any, change, and that is in regard to the best feature of
all among the many that are commendable in the true Southerner--the
stranger or wayfarer is received with the same unaffected hospitality
as of yore, and is at liberty, within reasonable limits, to avail
himself of all the conveniences and enjoyments of whatever home he may
find himself the guest.
Notwithstanding their hospitality, the people of the South are usually
disposed to be suspicious of strangers until well acquainted with them,
and they are overly watchful, jealous and even irritable when once
a real or fancied cause for vigilance arises. Inheriting traditions
and propensities which are inseparable from the climate and the race,
they brook no interference with their peculiar views, and anything
savoring of intolerance or bigotry concerning a cherished Southernism
is summarily suppressed if it can be; apart from this, it matters
little what the visitor believes or practices in a general way. In
politics they incline largely one way, possibly for the reason that
to do otherwise would, as they look upon it, threaten them with the
domination of the black race, and this of all things they will not
have, no matter by what means it is prevented. In religion they are
protestant with heavy leaning towards the Baptist doctrines, not always
free from narrowness, yett fairly tolerant--many evincing a willingness
to listen, and demanding a right to believe or disbelieve, as their
judgment may dictate.
Those who are unacquainted with the situation would be inclined to say
at this point. What a grand field for missionary work! And so it is;
but the great mistake of supposing that the South is deficient in the
matter of Christian endeavor or ecclesiastical institutions, must not
be made. Far from that! On the contrary, perhaps religious feeling is
more generally diffused, guarded, and defended as herein expressed,
than in any other section of the civilized world; but it is not of the
kind from which riots and persecutions grow for no other reason than
that it is opposed.
There is much else south of the imaginary dividing line of North and
South that might be spoken of to interest, but which will not be
referred to except incidentally in the succeeding chapters. What we
have said is for the purpose of giving only so much of a description of
the country and people as is necessary to make our little narrative,
the incidents of which are laid there, more easily understood. As this
book deals principally with actual occurrences, and people in real
life, such a foundation seems to be entirely proper.