Latter-Day Saints.--Of the Mormon Religion.
No less an authority than Alexander von Humboldt has characterized
positive religions in general as consisting of an historical novelette
more or less interesting, a system of cosmogony more or less
improbable, and a code of morals mostly pure.[199] Two thirds of this
description apply to the faith of the Latter-Day Saints: they have,
however, escaped palæological criticism by adopting Genesitic history,
and by “swallowing Eve’s apple” in the infancy of their spiritual life.
[199] A somewhat free version of “toutes les réligions positives
offrent trois parties distinctes; un traité de mœurs partout le
même et très pur, un rêve géologique, et un mythe ou petit roman
historique: le dernier élément obtient le plus d’importance.”--LX.
Letter, Dec. 3d, 1841.
[THE WORD “MORMON.”]
Before proceeding to comment upon the New Dispensation--for such,
though not claiming or owning to be, it _is_--I may compare the two
leading interpretations of the word “Mormon,” which, as has been
well remarked,[200] truly convey the widely diverging opinions of
the opposers and supporters of Mormonism. Mormon (μορμων) signifies
literally a lamia, a maniola, a female spectre; the mandrill, for its
ugliness, was called Cynocephalus mormon. “Mormon,” according to Mr.
Joseph Smith’s Mormonic, or rather Pantagruelic interpretation, is the
best--_scil._, of mankind. “We say from the Saxon _good_, the Dane
_god_, the Goth _goder_, the German _gut_, the Dutch _goed_, the Latin
_bonus_, the Greek _kalos_, the Hebrew _tob_, and the Egyptian _mon_.
Hence, with the addition of More, or the contraction Mor, we have the
word Mormon, which means literally “more good.” By faith it is said man
can remove mountains: perhaps it will also enable him to believe in
the spirit of that philology that revealed unto Mr. Joseph Smith his
derivation, and rendered it a shibboleth to his followers. This is not
the place to discuss a subject so broad and so long, but perhaps--the
idea will suggest itself--the mind of man most loves those errors and
delusions into which it has become self-persuaded, and is most fanatic
concerning the irrationalities and the supernaturalities to which it
has bowed its own reason.
[200] The Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints, by Lieutenant J. W.
Gunnison, of the United States Topographical Engineers. Philadelphia,
1852.
Unaccountably enough, seeing that it means “more good,” _scil._, the
best of mankind, the word Mormon is distasteful to its disciples, who
look upon it as Jew by a Hebrew, Mohammedan by a Moslem, and Romanist
or Puseyite by the sectarian Christian. They prefer to be called
Latter-Day Saints, or, to give them their title in full, the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in contradistinction to the
Former-Day Saints. Latter Day alludes to the long-looked-for convulsion
that will end the present quiescent geologic epoch. Its near approach
has ever been a favorite dogma and improvement subject of the Christian
Church, from the time of St. Paul to that of Mr. Joseph Smith, and Drs.
Wolff and Cumming;[201] for who, inquires Panurge, “is able to tell if
the world shall last yet three years?” Others read it as a prophecy
that “Gentilism,” alias “the corrupted Christianity of the age,” is
“on its last legs.” Even as “Saints” is a term which has been applied
from time immemorial in the Apocalypse and elsewhere to the orthodox,
_i.e._, those of one’s own doxy, and as Enoch speaks of “saints”
before the Flood or Noachian cataclysm, so the honorable title has in
these days been appropriated by seers, revelators, and prophets, and
conferred upon the Lord’s chosen people, _i.e._, themselves and their
followers. According to anti-Mormons, the name Latter-Day Saints was
assumed in 1835 by the Mormons at the suggestion of Sidney Rigdon.
[201] The Mormon Prophet fixed “the end of the world” for A.D. 1890;
Dr. Cumming, I believe, in 1870.
[THE MORMON ELEMENT.]
Before beginning a description of what Mormonism really is, I would
succinctly lay down a few positions illustrating its genesis.
1. The religious as well as the social history of the progressive
Anglo-Saxon race is a succession of contrasts, a system of reactions;
at times retrogressive, it has a general onward tendency toward an
unknown development. The Unitarians of New England, for instance, arose
out of Calvinism. The Puritanism of the present generation is the
natural consequence of the Rationalism which preceded it.
[STATISTICS.]
2. In what a French author terms “le triste état de dissolution dans
lequel gît le Chrétienté de nos jours”--the splitting of the Church
into three grand divisions, Roman, Greek, and Eastern, the convulsion
of the Northern mind, which created Protestantism, and the minute
subdivision of the latter into Episcopalians and Presbyterians,
Lutherans and Calvinists, Quakers and Shakers, the multiform Methodists
and various Baptists, and, to quote no farther _variétés des églises_,
the Congregationalists, Unitarians, and Universalists--a rationalistic
race finds reason to inquire, “What is Christianity?” and holds itself
prepared for a new faith, a regeneration of human thought--in fact, a
religious and social change, such as the Reformation of the sixteenth
century represented and fondly believed itself to be.[202]
[202]
_Religious Denominations in the United States, according to the
Census of 1861._
(From the “American Almanac” of 1861.)
+---------------+-------+----------+--------+-----------+--------+
| | | Aggre- | | Total | Average|
|Denominations. | No. of| gate | Average| Value | Value |
| |Church-| Accommo- |Accommo-| of Church |of Prop-|
| | es. | dation. | dation.| Property. | erty. |
+---------------+-------+----------+--------+-----------+--------+
|Baptist | 8,791| 3,130,878| 356 |$10,931,382| $1,244 |
|Christian | 812| 296,050| 365 | 845,810| 1,041 |
|Congregational | 1,674| 795,177| 475 | 7,973,962| 4,763 |
|Dutch Reformed | 324| 181,986| 561 | 4,096,730| 12,644 |
|Episcopal | 1,422| 625,213| 440 | 11,261,970| 7,919 |
|Free | 361| 108,605| 300 | 251,255| 698 |
|Friends | 714| 282,823| 396 | 1,709,867| 2,395 |
|German Reformed| 327| 156,932| 479 | 965,880| 2,953 |
|Jewish | 31| 16,575| 534 | 371,600| 11,987 |
|Lutheran | 1,203| 531,100| 441 | 2,867,886| 2,383 |
|Mennonite | 110| 29,900| 272 | 94,245| 856 |
|Methodist | 12,487| 4,209,333| 337 | 14,636,671| 1,174 |
|Moravian | 331| 112,185| 338 | 443,347| 1,339 |
|Presbyterian | 4,584| 2,040,316| 445 | 14,369,889| 3,135 |
|Roman Catholic | 1,112| 620,950| 558 | 8,973,838| 8,069 |
|Swedenborgian | 15| 5,070| 338 | 108,100| 7,206 |
|Tunker | 52| 35,075| 674 | 46,025| 885 |
|Union | 619| 213,552| 345 | 690,065| 1,114 |
|Unitarian | 243| 137,367| 565 | 3,268,122| 13,449 |
|Universalist | 494| 205,462| 415 | 1,766,015| 3,576 |
|Minor sects | 325| 115,347| 354 | 741,980| 2,283 |
| +-------+----------+--------+-----------+--------+
| Total | 36,011|13,849,896| 384 |$86,416,639| $2,400 |
+---------------+-------+----------+--------+-----------+--------+
3. Mormonism boasts of few Roman Catholic or Greek converts; the French
and Italians are rare, and there is a remarkable deficiency of Germans
and Irish--those wretched races without nationality or loyalty--which
have overrun the Eastern American States. It is, then, to Protestantism
that we must look for the origin of the New Faith.
4. In 1800-1804, and in 1820, a mighty Wesleyan “revival,” which
in Methodism represents the missions and retreats of Catholicism,
had disturbed and excited the public mind in America, especially in
Kentucky and Tennessee. The founder of Mormonism, Mr. Joseph Smith,
his present successor, and his principal disciples and followers,
were Campbellites, Millerites, Ranters, or other Methodists. Wesleyan
sectarianism, like the old Arab paganism in El Islam, still shows
its traces in the worship and various observances of a doxology which
by literalism and exaggeration has wholly separated itself from the
older creeds of the world. Thus we find Mormonism to be in its origin
English, Protestant, anti-Catholic, Methodistic.
[HISTORY OF MORMONISM.]
It may be advisable briefly to trace the steps by which we arrive
at this undesirable end. The birth of Romanism, according to the
Reformed writers, dates from certain edicts issued by Theodosius II.
and by Valentinian III., and constituting the Bishop of Rome “Rector
of the whole Church.” The newly-born hierarchy found tender nurses in
Justinian, Pepin, and Charlemagne, and in the beginning of the eleventh
century St. Gregory VII. (Hildebrand the Great) supplied the prime
want of the age by establishing a visible theocracy, with a vicar of
Jesus Christ at its head. To the existence of a mediatorial priestly
caste, the officials of a spiritual despotism, claiming power of
censure and excommunication, and the gift of the crown terrestrial as
well as celestial, anti-papistical writers trace the various vices and
corruptions inherent in a semi-barbarous age, the “melancholy duality”
of faith and works of religion and morality which seems to belong to
the Southern mind, and the Oriental semi-Pelagianism which taught that
man might be self-sanctified or vicariously saved, with its logical
deductions, penance, benefices, indulgences. An excessive superstition
endured for a season. Then set in the inevitable reaction: the extreme
religiousness, that characteristic of the earnest quasi-pagan age of
the Christian Church, in the fullness of time fell into the opposite
excess, Rationalism and its natural consequences, infidelity and
irreligion.
Reformers were not wanting before the Reformation. As early as 1170,
Pierre Vaud, or Valdo, of Lyons, sold off his merchandise, and
appealing from popery to Scripture and to primitive Christianity,
as, in a later day did Jeremy Bentham from St. Paul to his Master,
attacked the Roman hierarchy. John Wicliffe (1310-1385) is claimed by
his countrymen to have originated the “liberal ideas” by which British
Protestantism was matured; it is owned even by foreigners that he
influenced opinion from Oxford to far Bohemia. He died peaceably, but
the Wicliffites, who presently were called Lollards--“tares” sown by
the fiend--though supported by the Commons against Henry IV. and his
party, the dignified clergy, suffered, until the repeal of the Act “de
hæreticis comburendis,” the fiercest persecution. During the reign of
Henry V. they gained strength, as the pronunciamento of 20,000 men in
St. Giles’s Fields under Sir John Oldcastle proves: the cruel death of
their leader only served to strengthen them, supported as they were
by the lower branch of the Legislature in their opposition to the
crown. On the Continent of Europe the great follower of Wicliffe was
John Huss, who preached in Bohemia about a century before the days of
Luther, and who, condemned by the Councils of Constance and Basle,
perished at the stake in 1432. Jerome Savonarola, tortured and burnt
in 1498, and other minor names, urged forward the fatal movement until
the Northern element once more prevailed, in things spiritual as in
things temporal, over the Southern; the rude and violent German again
attacked the soft, sensuous Italian, and Martin Luther hatched the
egg which the schools of Rabelais and Erasmus had laid. It was the
work of rough-handed men; the reformer Zuingle emerged from an Alpine
shepherd’s hut; Melancthon, the theologian, from an armorer’s shop,
as Augustine, the monk, from the cottage of a poor miner. Such, in
the 16th century, on the Continent of Europe, were the prototypes and
predecessors of Messrs. Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon,
and Brigham Young, who arose nearly three centuries afterward in the
New World.
In England, when the unprincipled tyranny of Henry VIII. had
established, by robbing and confiscating, hanging and quartering, that
“reformed new-cast religion,” of which Sir Thomas Brown “disliked
nothing but the name,” the bigotry of the ultra-reformatory school lost
no time in proceeding to extremes. William Chillingworth, born A.D.
1602, and alternately Protestant, Catholic, Socinian, and Protestant,
put forth in his “Religion of Protestants a safe Way of Salvation,”
that Chillingworthi Novissima, “the Bible and nothing but the Bible.”
This dogma swept away ruthlessly all the cherished traditions of a past
age--the ancient observed customs of the Church--all, in fact, that
can beautify and render venerable a faith, and substituted in their
stead a bald Bibliolatry which at once justifies credulity and forbids
it; which tantalizes man with the signs and wonders of antiquity, and
yet which, with an unwise contradictoriness, forbids him to revise
or restore them. And as each man became, by Bible-reading, his own
interpreter, with fullest right of private judgment, and without any
infallible guide--the inherent weakness of reformation--to direct him,
the broad and beaten highway of belief was at once cut up into a parcel
of little footpaths which presently attained the extreme of divergence.
[METHODISM.]
One of the earliest products of such “religious freedom” in England
was Methodism, so called from the Methodistic physicians at Rome. The
founder and arch-priest of the schism, the Rev. John Wesley, son of the
Rector of Epworth in Lincolnshire, and born in 1703, followed Luther,
Calvin, and other creedmongers in acting upon his own speculation
and peculiar opinions. One of his earliest disciples--only eleven
years younger than his master--was the equally celebrated George
Whitfield, of Gloucester. Suffice it to remark, without dwelling
upon their history, that both these religionists, and mostly the
latter, who died in 1770 at Newberry, New England, converted and
preached to thousands in America, there establishing field-services
and camp-meetings, revivals and conferences, which, like those of the
French Convulsionists in the last century, galvanized Christianity
with a wild and feverish life. Falling among uneducated men, the
doctrine, both in England and the colonies, was received with a
bewilderment of enthusiasm, and it soon produced the usual fruits of
such phrensy--prophecies that fixed the end of the world for the 28th
of February, 1763, miraculous discernment of angels and devils, mighty
comings of the power of God and outpourings of the Spirit, rhapsodies
and prophecies, dreams and visions, accompanied by rollings, jerks,
and barks, roarings and convulsions, syncope, catalepsy, and the other
hysterical affections and obscure disorders of the brain, forming the
characteristic symptoms of religious mania.
[TRUE PROTESTANTS.]
Thus, out of the semi-barbarous superstitions of the Middle Ages,
succeeded by the revival of learning, which in the 15th century
followed the dispersion of the wise men of the East from captured
Byzantium, proceeded “Protestant Rationalism,” a system which,
admitting the right of private judgment, protested against the
religion of Southern Europe becoming that of the whole world. From
Protestantism sprung Methodism, which restored to man the grateful
exercise of his credulity--a leading organ in the human brain--his
belief in preternatural and supernatural agencies and appearances,
and his faith in miraculous communication between God and man; in
fact, in that mysticism and marvel-love, which are the columns and
corner-stones of religion. Mormonism thus easily arose. It will be
found to contain little beyond a literal and verbal interpretation
of the only book which Chillingworth recognizes as the rule for
Christians, and a pointed condemnation of those who make the contents
of the Bible typical, metaphysical, or symbolical, “as if God were
not honest when he speaks with man, or uses words in other than their
true acceptation,” or could “palter in a double sense.” It proposed
as its three general principles, firstly, total immersion in the
waters of baptism in the name of the three sacred names; secondly,
the commissioning of prophets, apostles, and elders to administer in
things holy the revelation and authority of heaven; and, thirdly, the
ministering of angels. New Tables of the Law appeared in the Golden
Plates. Another Urim and Thummim revealed to Mr. Joseph Smith that he
was of the house of Israel and the tribe of Joseph, the inheritor of
all things promised to that favored seed. It tempered the superstitions
of popery with the rationalism of the Protestant; it supplied mankind
with another sacred book and with an infallible interpreter. Human
belief had now its weight to carry: those pining for the excitement
of thaumaturgy felt satisfied. The Mormons were no longer compelled
to ask “what made miracles cease,” and “why and in which A.D. was the
power taken from the Church.” It relieved them from holding an apparent
absurdity, viz., that the voices and visitations, the signs, miracles,
and interventions--in fact, all that the Bible submitted to human faith
had ended without reason about the time when one Constantine became
king, and do not recommence now when they are most wanted. The Mormons
are not forced to think that God is virtually dead in the world; the
eminently practical tendencies of the New-World race cause them to
develop into practice their contradiction of an inference from which
human nature revolts. They claim to be the true Protestants, _i. e._,
those who protest against the doctrines of a ceased fellowship between
the Creator and the creature made in his image; they gratify their
self-esteem by sneering at those who confine themselves to the old
and obsolete revelation, and by pitying the blindness and ignorance
that can not or will not open its eyes to the new light. Hence it
follows that few Catholics become Mormons, and that those few become
bad Mormons. Man’s powers of faith grow, like his physical force,
with exercise. He considers over-belief a venial error compared with
under-belief, and he progresses more easily in belief than he can
retrograde into disbelief. Thus Catholicism has spread more widely
over the world than the less credulous Protestantism, and the more
thaumaturgic Mormonism is better adapted to some minds--the Hindoo’s,
for instance--than Catholicism.
In Mormonism, or, rather, in Mormon sacred literature, there are
three epochs which bring us down to the present day. The first is
the monogamic age, that of the books of Mormon, and of Doctrines and
Covenants--1830-1843. The second is the polygamic, from the first
revelation of “celestial marriage” to Mr. Joseph Smith in 1843, and by
him communicated to three followers only, until its final establishment
by Mr. Brigham Young in 1852, when secrecy was no longer deemed
necessary. The third is the materialistic period; the doctrine, “not
founded on modern supernatural revelation, but on reason and common
sense,” was the work of 1848-1849.
[THE BOOK OF MORMON.]
The first epoch laid the foundations of the Faith. It produced the Book
of Mormon, “an abridgment written by the hand of Mormon upon plates
taken from the plates of Nephi. Wherefore it is an abridgment of the
record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites; written to
the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel, and also to
Jew and Gentile: written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit
of prophecy and of revelation. Written and sealed up, and hid up unto
the Lord, that they might not be destroyed: to come forth by the gift
and power of God unto the interpretation thereof: sealed by the hand of
Mormon, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way
of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God!”
“An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of
the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded
the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get (!)
to heaven; which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel
what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that
they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off
forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS
is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself to all nations;
and now, if there are faults, they are the mistakes of men; therefore
condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the
judgment-seat of Christ. Moroni.”
“Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun.”
This extract is followed by the testimony of three witnesses, Oliver
Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, who declare to have seen
the Golden Plates with their engravings, which were shown to them by
the power of God, not of man; and that they knew by the voice of God
that the records had been translated by the gift and power of God.
Furthermore they “declare with words of solemnness that an angel of God
came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we
beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon.” They conclude
with these solemn words: “And the honor be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God, Amen.” Then comes “also
the testimony of eight witnesses”--four Whitmers, three Smiths, and one
Page[203]--who make it “known unto all nations, kindred, tongues, and
people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jun., the
translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath
been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the
leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands;
and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance
of ancient work and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record
with words of soberness that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we
have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got
the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our hands unto the
world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie
not, God bearing witness of it.”
[203] The total witnesses are thus eleven, exactly the number that
bore evidence to the original Christian miracles.
The nature of the Latter-Day Saints’ Biblion will best be understood
from the subjoined list of contents.[204]
[204] At the end of this chapter I have inserted a synopsis of Mormon
chronology.
FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI.
Language of the Record.
Nephi’s Abridgment.
Lehi’s Dream.
Lehi departs into the Wilderness.
Nephi slayeth Laban.
Sariah complains of Lehi’s Vision.
Contents of the brass Plates.
Ishmael goes with Nephi.
Nephi’s Brethren rebel, and bind him.
Lehi’s Dream of the Tree, Rod, etc.
Messiah and John prophesied of.
Olive-branches broken off.
Nephi’s Vision of Mary.
Do. the Crucifixion of Christ.
Do. Darkness and Earthquake.
Great abominable Church.
Discovery of the Promised Land.
Bible spoken of.
Book of Mormon and Holy Ghost promised.
Other Books come forth.
Bible and Book of Mormon one.
Promises to the Gentiles.
Two Churches.
The Work of the Father to commence.
A Man in white Robes (John).
Nephites come to Knowledge.
Rod of Iron.
The Sons of Lehi take Wives.
Director found (Ball).
Nephi broke his Bow.
Directors work by Faith.
Ishmael died.
Lehi and Nephi threatened.
Nephi commanded to build a Ship.
Nephi about to be worshiped by
his Brethren.
Dancing in the Ship.
Nephi bound; Ship driven back.
Arrived on the Promised Land.
Plates of Ore made.
Zenos, Neum, and Zenock.
Isaiah’s Writings.
Holy One of Israel.
* * * * *
SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI.
Lehi to his Sons.
Opposition in all Things.
Adam fell that Men might be.
Joseph saw our Day.
A choice Seer.
Writings grow together.
Prophet promised to the Lamanites.
Joseph’s Prophecy on brass Plates.
Lehi buried.
Nephi’s Life sought.
Nephi separated from Laman.
Temple built.
Skin of Blackness.
Priests, etc., consecrated.
Make other Plates.
Isaiah’s Words (by Jacob).
Angels to a Devil.
Spirits and Bodies reunited.
Baptism.
No Kings upon this Land.
Isaiah prophesieth.
Rod of the Stem of Jesse.
Seed of Joseph perish not.
Law of Moses kept.
Christ shall show himself.
Signs of Christ, Birth and Death.
Whisper from the Dust; Book sealed up.
Priestcraft forbidden.
Sealed Book to be brought forth.
Three Witnesses behold the Book.
The Words [read this, I pray thee].
Seal up the Book again.
Their Priests shall contend.
Teach with their Learning, and
deny the Holy Ghost.
Rob the Poor.
A Bible, a Bible.
Men judged of the Books.
White and a delightsome People.
Work commence among all People.
Lamb of God baptized.
Baptism by water and Holy Ghost.
* * * * *
BOOK OF JACOB.
Nephi anointed a King.
Nephi died.
Nephites and Lamanites.
A righteous Branch from Joseph.
Lamanites shall scourge you.
More than one Wife forbidden.
Trees, Waves, and Mountains obey us.
Jews looked beyond the Mark.
Tame Olive-tree.
Nethermost Part of the Vineyard.
Fruit laid up against the Season.
Another Branch.
Wild Fruit had overcome.
Lord of the Vineyard wept.
Branches overcome the Roots.
Wild Branches plucked off.
Sherem the Anti-Christ.
A Sign; Sherem smitten.
Enos takes the Plates from his Father.
* * * * *
THE BOOK OF ENOS.
Enos, thy Sins are forgiven.
Records threatened by Lamanites.
Lamanites eat raw Meat.
* * * * *
THE BOOK OF JAROM.
Nephites waxed strong.
Lamanites drink Blood.
Fortify Cities.
Plates delivered to Omni.
* * * * *
THE BOOK OF OMNI.
Plates given to Amaron.
Plates given to Chemish.
Mosiah warned to flee.
Zarahemla discovered.
Engravings on a Stone.
Coriantumr discovered.
His Parents came from the Tower.
Plates delivered to King Benjamin.
* * * * *
THE WORDS OF MORMON.
False Christs and Prophets.
* * * * *
BOOK OF MOSIAH.
Mosiah made King, and received.
The Plates of Brass, Sword, and
Director.
King Benjamin teacheth the People.
Their Tent Doors toward the Temple.
Coming of Christ foretold.
Beggars not denied.
Sons and Daughters.
Mosiah began to reign.
Ammon, etc., bounded and imprisoned.
Limhi’s Proclamation.
Twenty-four Plates of Gold.
Seer and Translator.
* * * * *
RECORD OF ZENIFF.
A Battle fought.
King Laman died.
Noah made King.
Abinadi the Prophet.
Resurrection.
Alma believed Abinadi.
Abinadi cast into Prison and scourged with fagots.
Waters of Mormon.
The Daughters of the Lamanites stolen by King Noah’s Priests.
Records on Plates of Ore.
Last Tribute of Wine.
Lamanites’ deep Sleep.
King Limhi baptized.
Priest and Teachers labor.
Alma saw an Angel.
Alma fell (dumb).
King Mosiah’s Sons preach to the Lamanites.
Translation of Records.
Plates delivered by Limhi.
Translated by two Stones.
People back to the Tower.
Records given to Alma.
Judges appointed.
King Mosiah died.
Alma died.
Kings of Nephi ended.
* * * * *
THE BOOK OF ALMA.
Nehor slew Gideon.
Amlici made King.
Amlici slain in Battle.
Amlicites painted red.
Alma baptized in Sidon.
Alma’s Preaching.
Alma ordained Elders.
Commanded to meet often.
Alma saw an Angel.
Amulek saw an Angel.
Lawyers questioning Amulek.
Coins named.
Zeezrom the Lawyer.
Zeezrom trembles.
Election spoken of.
Melchizedek Priesthood.
Alma and Amulek stoned.
Records burned.
Prison rent.
Zeezrom healed and baptized.
Nehor’s Desolation.
Lamanites converted.
Flocks scattered at Sebus.
Ammon smote off Arms.
Ammon and King Lamoni.
King Lamoni fell.
Ammon and the Queen.
King and Queen prostrate.
Aaron, etc., delivered.
Jerusalem built.
Preaching in Jerusalem.
Lamoni’s Father converted.
Land Desolation and Bountiful.
Anti-Nephi-Lehies.
General Council.
Swords buried.
1005 massacred.
Lamanites perish by Fire.
Slavery forbidden.
Anti-Nephi-Lehies removed to Jershon, called Ammonites.
Tremendous Battle.
Anti-Christ, Korihor.
Korihor struck dumb.
The Devil in the Form of an Angel.
Korihor trodden down.
Alma’s Mission to Zorämites.
Rameumptom (holy Stand).
Alma on Hill Onidah.
Alma on Faith.
Prophecy of Zenos.
Prophecy of Zenock.
Amulek’s Knowledge of Christ.
Charity recommended.
Same Spirit possess your Body.
Believers cast out.
Alma to Helaman.
Plates given to Helaman.
24 Plates and Directors.
Gazelem, a Stone (secret).
Liahona, or Compass.
Alma to Shiblon.
Alma to Corianton.
Unpardonable Sin.
Resurrection.
Restoration.
Justice in Punishment.
If, Adam, took, Tree, Life.
Mercy rob Justice.
Moroni’s Stratagem.
Slaughter of Lamanites.
Moroni’s Speech to Zerahemnah.
Prophecy of a Soldier.
Lamanites’ Covenant of Peace.
Alma’s Prophecy 400 years after Christ.
Dwindle in Unbelief.
Alma’s strange Departure.
Amalickiah leadeth away the People; destroyeth the Church.
Standard of Moroni.
Joseph’s Coat rent.
Jacob’s Prophecy of Joseph’s Seed.
Fevers in the Land; Plants and
Roots for Diseases.
Amalickiah’s Plot.
The King stabbed.
Amalickiah marries the Queen, and is acknowledged King.
Fortifications by Moroni.
Ditches filled with dead Bodies.
Amalickiah’s Oath.
Pahoran appointed Judge.
Army against King-men.
Amalickiah slain.
Ammoron made King.
Bountiful fortified.
Dissensions.
2000 young Men.
Moroni’s Epistle to Ammoron.
Ammoron’s Answer.
Lamanites made drunk.
Moroni’s Stratagem.
Helaman’s Epistle to Moroni, Helaman’s Stratagem.
Mothers taught Faith.
Lamanites surrendered.
City of Antiparah taken.
City of Cumeni taken.
200 of the 2000 fainted.
Prisoners rebel; slain.
Manti taken by Stratagem.
Moroni to the Governor.
Governor’s Answer.
King Pachus slain.
Cords and Ladders prepared.
Nephihah taken.
Teancum’s Stratagem; slain.
Peace established.
Moronihah made Commander.
Helaman dies.
Sacred Things; Shiblon.
Moroni died.
5400 emigrated North.
Ships built by Hagoth.
Sacred Things committed to Helaman; Shiblon died.
* * * * *
THE BOOK OF HELAMAN.
Pahoran died.
Pahoran appointed Judge.
Kishkumen slew Pahoran.
Pacumeni appointed Judge.
Zarahemla taken.
Pacumeni killed.
Coriantumr slain.
Lamanites surrendered.
Helaman appointed Judge.
Secret Signs discovered, and Kishkumen stabbed.
Gadianton fled.
Emigration Northward.
Cement Houses.
Many Books and Records.
Helaman died.
Nephi made Judge.
Nephites become wicked.
Nephi gave the Judgment Seat to Cezoram.
Nephi and Lehi preached to the Lamanites.
8000 baptized.
Alma and Nephi surrounded with Fire.
Angels administer.
Cezoram and Son murdered.
Gadianton’s Robbers.
Gadianton’s Robbers destroyed.
Nephi’s Prophecy.
Gadianton’s Robbers are Judges.
Chief Judge slain.
Seantum detected.
Keys of the Kingdom.
Nephi taken away by the Spirit.
Famine in the Land.
Gadianton’s Band destroyed.
Famine removed.
Samuel’s Prophecy.
Tools lost.
Two Days and a Night; Light.
Sign of the Crucifixion.
Samuel stoned, etc.
Angels appeared.
* * * * *
BOOK OF NEPHI.
Lachoneus chief Judge.
Nephi receives the Records.
Nephi’s strange Departure.
No Darkness at Night.
Lamanites became white.
Giddianhi to Lachoneus.
Gidgiddoni chief Judge.
Giddianhi slain.
Zemnarihah hanged.
Robbers surrendered.
Mormon abridges the Records.
Church began to be broken up.
Government of the Land destroyed.
Chief Judge murdered.
Divided into Tribes.
Nephi raised the Dead.
Sign of the Crucifixion.
Cities destroyed, Earthquakes, Darkness, etc.
Law of Moses fulfilled.
Christ appeared to Nephites.
Print of the Nails.
Nephi and others called.
Baptism commanded.
Doctrine of Christ.
Christ the End of the Law.
Other Sheep spoken of.
Blessed are the Gentile.
Gentile Wickedness on the Land of Joseph.
Isaiah’s Words fulfilled.
Jesus healed the Sick.
Christ blessed Children.
Little Ones encircled with Fire.
Christ administered the Sacrament.
Christ taught his Disciples.
Names of the Twelve.
The Twelve taught the Multitude.
Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Fire.
Disciples made white.
Jesus came, second Time.
Faith, great.
Christ breaks Bread again.
Miracle; Bread and Wine.
Gentiles destroyed (Isaiah).
Zion established.
From Gentiles to your Seed.
Sign; Father’s Work commenced.
He shall be marred.
Gentiles destroyed (Isaiah).
New Jerusalem built.
Work commenced among all the Tribes.
Isaiah’s Words.
Saints did arise.
Malachi’s Prophecy.
Faith tried by the Book of Mormon.
Children’s Tongues loosed.
The Dead raised.
Baptism and Holy Ghost.
All Things common.
Christ appeared third Time.
Moses’s Church.
Three Nephites tarry.
The Twelve caught up.
Change upon their Bodies.
Disciples raise the Dead.
Zarahemla rebuilt.
Other Disciples ordained in their stead.
Nephi died; Amos kept the Records in his stead.
Amos died, and his Son Amos kept the Records.
Prisons rent by the Three.
Secret Combinations.
Amaron hid Records.
* * * * *
BOOK OF MORMON.
Three Disciples taken away.
Mormon forbidden to preach.
Mormon appointed Leader.
Samuel’s Prophecy fulfilled.
Mormon makes a Record.
Lands divided.
The Twelve shall judge.
Desolation taken.
Women and Children sacrificed.
Mormon took the Records hid in Shim.
Mormon repented of his Oath and took Command.
Coming forth of Records.
Records hid in Cumorah.
230,000 Nephites slain.
Shall not get Gain by the Plates.
These Things shall come forth out of the Earth.
The State of the World.
Miracles cease; Unbelief.
Disciples go into all the World
and preach.
Language of the Book.
* * * * *
BOOK OF ETHER.
Twenty-four Plates found.
Jared cried unto the Lord.
Jared went down to the Valley of Nimrod.
Deserét Honey-bee.
Barges built.
Decree of God; choice Land.
Free from Bondage.
Four Years in Tents at Moriancumer.
Lord talked three Hours.
Barges like a Dish.
Eight Vessels; sixteen Stones.
Lord touched the Stones.
Finger of the Lord seen.
Jared’s Brother saw the Lord.
Two Stones given.
Stones sealed up.
Went aboard of Vessels.
Furious Wind blew.
344 Days’ Passage.
Orihah anointed King.
King Shule taken captive.
Shule’s Son slew Noah.
Jared carries his Father away captive.
The Daughter of Jared danced.
Jared anointed King by the Hand of Wickedness.
Jared murdered, and Akish reigned in his Stead.
Names of Animals.
Poisonous Serpents.
Riplakish’s cruel Reign.
Morianton anointed King.
Poisonous Serpents destroyed.
Many wicked Kings.
Moroni on Faith.
Miracles by Faith.
Moroni saw Jesus.
New Jerusalem spoken of.
Ether cast out.
Records finished in the Cavity of a Rock.
Secret Combinations.
War in all the Land.
King Shared murdered by his High-priest; the High-priest was murdered
by Lib.
Lib slain by Coriantumr.
Dead Bodies cover the Land, and none to bury them.
2,000,000 of Men slain.
Hill Ramah.
Cries rend the Air.
Slept on their Swords.
Coriantumr slew Shiz.
Do. fell to the Earth.
Records hid by Ether.
* * * * *
BOOK OF MORONI.
Christ’s Words to the Twelve.
Manner of Ordination.
Order of Sacrament.
Order of Baptism.
Faith, Hope, Charity.
Baptism of little Children.
Women fed on their Husbands’ Flesh.
Daughters murdered and eaten.
Sufferings of Women and Children.
Can not recommend them to God.
Moroni to the Lamanites.
420 Years since the Sign.
Records sealed up (Moroni).
Gifts of the Spirit.
God’s Word shall hiss forth.
[THE MORMON BIBLE.]
The Book of Covenants and Doctrines is what the Vedanta is to the
Vedas, the Talmud to the Old Testament, the Traditions to the Gospel,
and the Ahadis to the Koran--a necessary supplement of amplifications
and explanations. It contains two parts. The first, of sixty-four
pages, is entitled “Lectures on Faith;” although published in the name
of the Prophet Joseph, it was written, men say, by Sidney Rigdon.
The second, which, with the Appendix, concludes the book, is called
Covenants and Commandments (_scil._, of the Lord to his servants of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).
[DOCTRINES AND COVENANTS.]
Of the Lectures, the first is upon “Faith itself--what it is.” It
treats the subject in the normal way, showing how much faith is
unconsciously exercised by man in his every-day life, and making it
“the principle by which Jehovah acts.” The second is concerning “the
subject on which Faith rests,” and contains an ancient chronology from
Adam to Abraham, showing how the knowledge of God was preserved. The
third, on the attributes of God, enlarges upon the dogma that “correct
ideas of the character of God are necessary in order to the exercise of
faith in him for life and salvation.” The fourth shows the “connection
there is between correct ideas of the attributes of God, and the
exercise of faith in him unto eternal life.” The fifth, following those
that treat of the being, character, perfection, and attributes of God,
“speaks of the Godhead”--meaning the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost--and
explains the peculiarities of the “personage of tabernacle.” The sixth
“treats of the knowledge which persons must have, that the tenor of
life which they preserve is according to the will of God, in order that
they may be enabled to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation.”
The seventh and last discusses the effects of faith. Each lecture is
followed by “questions and answers on the foregoing principles,” after
the fashion of school catechisms, and to asterisk’d sentences a note is
appended: “Let the student commit the paragraph to memory.” There is
one merit in the lectures: like Wesley’s Hymns, they are written for
the poor and simple; consequently, they are read where a higher tone of
thought and style would remain unheeded.
[POLYGAMY.]
The “Index in order of date to Part Second” will explain its
contents.[205] The Appendix contains twelve pages of revelation on
marriage, government, and laws in general, and finally the “martyrdom
of Joseph Smith” (no longer junior) “and his brother Hyrum.”
Respecting the connubial state, the Gentile and exoteric reads with
astonishment the following sentence (no date, but between 1842 and
1843): “Inasmuch as this Church of Christ has been reproached with the
crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe that one
man should have one wife, and one woman but one husband, except in case
of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.”
[205] Index in the order of date to Part Second:
Sec.
30. Revelation to J. Smith, jun. July, 1828.
31. Revelation to J. Smith, sen. Feb., 1829.
32. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and M. Harris March, 1829.
8. Revelation to O. Cowdery and J. Smith, jun. April, 1829.
33. Revelation whether John tarried on earth April, 1829.
34. Revelation to O. Cowdery April, 1829.
35. Revelation on translation, to O. Cowdery April, 1829.
36. Revelation on losing some of the Book of Mormon May, 1829.
37. Revelation to H. Smith May, 1829.
38. Revelation to J. Knight, sen. May, 1829.
39. Revelation to D. Whitmer June, 1829.
40. Revelation to J. Whitmer June, 1829.
41. Revelation to P. Whitmer, jun. June, 1829.
42. Revelation to O. Cowdery, D. Whitmer, and M.
Harris June, 1829.
43. Revelation to choose Twelve June, 1829.
44. Revelation to M. Harris March, 1830.
2. Revelation on Church government April 6, 1830.
46. Revelation to J. Smith, jun. April 6, 1830.
47. Revelation on re-baptism April, 1830.
45. Revelation to O. Cowdery, H. Smith, and S. H.
Smith, etc. April, 1830.
9. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and O. Cowdery July, 1830.
48. Revelation to Emma Smith July, 1830.
49. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., O. Cowdery, and
J. Whitmer July, 1830.
50. Revelation on Sacrament, first paragraph August, 1830.
50. Revelation on ditto, second and third paragraphs Sept., 1830.
51. Revelation to O. Cowdery and the Church Sept., 1830.
10. Revelation to six elders Sept., 1830.
52. Revelation to D. Whitmer, P. Whitmer, jun., and
J. Whitmer Sept., 1830.
53. Revelation to T. B. Marsh Sept., 1830.
54. Revelation to P. P. Pratt and Z. Peterson October, 1830.
55. Revelation to E. Thayre and N. Sweet October, 1830.
56. Revelation to O. Pratt Nov., 1830.
11. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and S. Rigdon Dec., 1830.
57. Revelation to E. Partridge Dec., 1830.
58. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and S. Rigdon Dec., 1830.
12. Revelation to the Church Jan. 2, 1831.
39. Revelation to J. Covill Jan. 5, 1831.
60. Revelation concerning J. Covill Jan., 1831.
61. Revelation appointing E. Partridge bishop Feb. 4, 1831.
13. Revelation on Laws of the Church Feb. 9, 1831.
14. Revelation to the Church Feb., 1831.
62. Revelation calling the elders together Feb., 1831.
15. Revelation on Prophecy Mar. 7, 1831.
16. Revelation on the Gifts Mar. 8, 1831.
63. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and J. Whitmer Mar. 8, 1831.
64. Revelation to settle certain families for the
present March, 1831.
65. Revelation concerning the Shakers March, 1831.
17. Revelation on the Spirit May, 1831.
23. Revelation to E. Partridge, concerning the
Colesville branch, in Thompson May, 1831.
66. Revelation on sending elders to Missouri June 7, 1831.
67. Revelation to S. Gilbert June, 1831.
68. Revelation to Newel Knight June, 1831.
69. Revelation to W. W. Phelps June, 1831.
70. Revelation to T. B. Marsh and E. Thayre June, 1831.
27. Revelation on the location of Zion July, 1831.
18. Revelation on the tribulations of Zion Aug. 1, 1831.
19. Revelation on the Sabbath Aug. 7, 1831.
71. Revelation to certain men to return from
Missouri Aug. 8, 1831.
72. Revelation of Destructions upon the Waters Aug. 12, 1831.
73. Revelation to certain elders on the Bank of
Missouri Aug. 13, 1831.
20. Revelation to the Church in Kirtland August, 1831.
21. Revelation given in Kirtland Sept. 11, 1831.
24. Revelation on Prayer October, 1831.
75. Revelation to W. E. M‘Lellin October, 1831.
1. Revelation, or the Lord’s preface to this book Nov. 1, 1831.
25. Revelation on the testimony of the Commandments Nov., 1831.
22. Revelation to O. Hyde, L. and L. Johnson,
W. E. M‘Lellin, and Items of Law Nov., 1831.
108. Revelation, or Appendix Nov. 3, 1831.
28. Revelation to O. Cowdery and J. Whitmer Nov., 1831.
26. Revelation on Stewardships Nov., 1831.
91. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and S. Rigdon Nov., 1831.
90. Revelation appointing a bishop in Kirtland Dec. 4, 1831.
29. Revelation, elders’ duty till Conference Jan. 10, 1832.
74. Revelation, explanation on Corinthians Jan., 1832.
88. Revelation to several elders in Amherst Jan. 25, 1832.
92. Revelation, a Vision Feb. 16, 1832.
76. Revelation on the order of Enoch March, 1832.
77. Revelation to Jared Carter March, 1832.
78. Revelation to S. Burnett March, 1832.
80. Revelation to F. G. Williams March, 1832.
87. Revelation on the order of Enoch April 26, 1832.
89. Revelation in addition to the law April 30, 1832.
4. Revelation on Priesthood Sept. 22-3, do.
6. Revelation, Parable of the Wheat, etc. Dec. 6, 1832.
7. Revelation called the olive leaf Dec. 27, 1832.
81. Revelation, a Word of Wisdom Feb. 27, 1833.
85. Revelation concerning the keys of the kingdom Mar. 8, 1833.
93. Revelation concerning the Apocrypha Mar. 9, 1833.
94. Revelation on the order of Enoch, etc. Mar. 15, 1833.
83. Revelation, John’s record of Christ May 6, 1833.
84. Revelation on the building of the Lord’s houses May 6, 1833.
96. Revelation on Chastening June, 1833.
97. Revelation showing the order of Enoch’s stake June 4, 1833.
82. Revelation for a school in Zion Aug. 2, 1833.
86. Revelation, Laws of the Ancients Aug. 6, 1833.
79. Revelation to J. Murdock August, 1833.
95. Revelation to J. Smith and S. Rigdon in
Perrysburg Oct. 12, 1833.
98. Revelation, Parable on Zion Dec. 16, 1833.
5. Organization of the High Council Feb. 17, 1834.
101. Revelation, Redemption of Zion by power Feb. 24, 1834.
99. Revelation on Enoch’s order for the poor April 23, 1834.
102. Revelation given on Fishing River, Missouri June 22, 1834.
100. Revelation to Warren A. Cowdery Nov., 1834.
3. Quorums of Priesthood.
104. Revelations to T. B. Marsh concerning the Twelve July 23, 1837.
107. Revelations, Tithing July 8, 1838.
103. Revelations on the Temple and Nauvoo house Jan. 19, 1841.
105. J. Smith’s address Sept. 1, 1842.
106. J. Smith’s address Sept. 6, 1842.
109. Marriage.
110. Governments and laws in general.
111. Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
[POLYGAMY REVEALED.]
The polygamic era directly followed the monogamic: it became the custom
of the Church when, on their toil-conquered oasis in the Great Desert,
the Mormons found themselves in comparative security. I give _in
extenso_ the sole command of heaven upon the subject of
CELESTIAL MARRIAGE:
A REVELATION ON THE PATRIARCHAL ORDER OF MATRIMONY, OR PLURALITY OF
WIVES.
_Given to Joseph Smith, the Seer, in Nauvoo, July 12th, 1843._
1. Verily, then saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, that
inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand to know and understand
wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
as also Moses, David, and Solomon, my servants, as touching the
principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines:
Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as
touching this matter: therefore prepare thy heart to receive and obey
the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who
have this law revealed unto them must obey the same; for behold, I
reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide
not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this
covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory; for all who will
have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed
for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as was instituted from
before the foundations of the world; and as pertaining to the new and
everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fullness of my glory;
and he that receiveth a fullness thereof must and shall abide the
law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.
2. And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are
these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows,
performances, connections, associations, or expectations that are
not made and entered into, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise,
of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity,
and that, too, most holy, by revelation and commandment, through
the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to
hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold
this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth
at a time on whom this power and the keys of the priesthood are
conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the
resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto
this end have an end when men are dead.
3. Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and
not a house of confusion. Will I accept of an offering, saith the
Lord, that is not made in my name? Or will I receive at your hands
that which I have not appointed? And will I appoint unto you, saith
the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father ordained unto
you before the world was? I am the Lord thy God, and I give unto
you this commandment, that no man shall come unto the Father but by
me, or by my word which is my law, saith the Lord; and every thing
that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or
principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be,
that are not by me, or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown
down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after
the resurrection, saith the Lord your God; for whatsoever things
remaineth are by me, and whatsoever things are not by me shall be
shaken and destroyed.
4. Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry
her not by me, nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as
he is in the world, and she with him, their covenant and marriage
is not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the
world; therefore they are not bound by any law when they are out of
the world; therefore, when they are out of the world, they neither
marry nor are given in marriage, but are appointed angels in heaven,
which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are
worthy of a far more and an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory;
for these angels did not abide my law, therefore they can not be
enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in
their saved condition, to all eternity, and from henceforth are not
gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.
5. And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make
a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant
is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by
the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and
appointed unto this power, then it is not valid, neither of force,
when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me,
saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world,
it can not be received there, because the angels and the gods are
appointed there, by whom they can not pass: they can not, therefore,
inherit my glory, for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord
God.
6. And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my
word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and
it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is
anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power, and the keys of this
priesthood, and it shall be said unto them, ye shall come forth in
the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection,
in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms,
principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths, then
shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life that he shall commit
no murder whereby to shed innocent blood; and if ye abide in my
covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it
shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put
upon them, in time and through all eternity, and shall be of full
force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the
angels, and the gods which are set there, to their exaltation and
glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which
glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and
ever.
7. Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall
they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then
shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them.
Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels
are subject unto them.
8. Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye abide my law, ye can not
attain to this glory; for straight is the gate and narrow the way
that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and
few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world,
neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall
ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation, that where I am ye
shall be also. This is eternal life, to know the only wise and
true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye,
therefore, my law. Broad is the gate and wide the way that leadeth to
death, and many there are that go in thereat, because they receive me
not, neither do they abide in my law.
9. Verily, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according
to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise
according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or
transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all
manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed
innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection,
and enter into their exaltation, but they shall be destroyed in the
flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the
day of redemption, saith the Lord God.
10. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven
in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder
wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death after ye
have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God;
and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory,
but shall be damned, saith the Lord.
11. I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my
holy priesthood, as was ordained by me, and my Father before the
world was. Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by
revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath
entered into his exaltation, and sitteth upon his throne.
12. Abraham received promises concerning his seed and of the fruit of
his loins--from whose loins ye are, viz., my servant Joseph--which
were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching
Abraham and his seed out of the world, they should continue; both in
the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable
as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the sea-shore,
ye could not number them. This promise is yours also, because ye are
of Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by this law
are the continuation of the works of my Father, wherein he glorifieth
himself. Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into
my law, and ye shall be saved. But if ye enter not into my law ye can
not receive the promises of my Father which he made unto Abraham.
13. God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife.
And why did she do it? Because this was the law, and from Hagar
sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other
things, the promises. Was Abraham, therefore, under condemnation?
Verily, I say unto you, _Nay_; for I, the Lord, commanded it. Abraham
was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written,
Thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was
accounted unto him for righteousness.
14. Abraham received concubines, and they bare him children, and it
was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given
unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and
he abode in my law; as Isaac also, and Jacob did none other things
than that which they were commanded, and because they did none other
things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into
their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones;
and are not angels, but are gods. David also received many wives and
concubines, as also Solomon, and Moses my servant; and also many
others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this
time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they
received not of me.
15. David’s wives and concubines were given unto him, of me, by the
hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the prophets who had the
keys of this power; and in none of these things did he sin against
me, save in the case of Uriah and his wife; and therefore he hath
fallen from his exaltation, and received his portion; and he shall
not inherit them out of the world; for I gave them unto another,
saith the Lord.
16. I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my servant Joseph,
an appointment, and to restore all things; ask what ye will, and
it shall be given unto you, according to my word; and as ye have
asked concerning adultery, verily, verily I say unto you, if a man
receiveth a wife in the new and everlasting covenant, and if she
be with another man, and I have not appointed unto her by the holy
anointing, she hath committed adultery, and shall be destroyed. If
she be not in the new and everlasting covenant, and she be with
another man, she has committed adultery; and if her husband be with
another woman, and he was under a vow, he hath broken his vow, and
hath committed adultery; and if she hath not committed adultery, but
is innocent, and hath not broken her vow, and she knoweth it, and I
reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then shall you have power,
by the power of my holy priesthood, to take her and give her unto
him that hath not committed adultery, but hath been faithful, for he
shall be made ruler over many; for I have conferred upon you the keys
and power of the priesthood, wherein I restore all things, and make
known unto you all things in due time.
17. And verily, verily I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on
earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in
my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound
in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth, shall be
remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins ye retain on
earth, shall be retained in heaven.
18. And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless I will bless, and
whomsoever you curse I will curse, saith the Lord; for I, the Lord,
am thy God.
19. And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that
whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give any one on
earth, by my word, and according to my law, it shall be visited with
blessings, and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and
shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven; for I am the
Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world,
and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation,
and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father with Abraham
your father. Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive
all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which
I have told you: go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as
I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.
20. Verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto mine handmaid,
Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay
herself, and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer
unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I
did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand by
covenant and sacrifice; and let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive
all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph, and who are
virtuous and pure before me; and those who are not pure, and have
said they are pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God; for I
am the Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice: and I give unto my
servant Joseph that he shall be made ruler over many things, for he
hath been faithful over a few things, and from henceforth I will
strengthen him.
21. And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto
my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this
commandment, she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the
Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law; but
if she will not abide this commandment, then shall my servant Joseph
do all things for her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him,
and multiply him, and give unto him an hundred-fold in this world, of
fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, wives
and children, and crowns of eternal lives in the eternal worlds. And
again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive my servant Joseph his
trespasses, and then shall she be forgiven her trespasses wherein she
has trespassed against me; and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her
and multiply her, and make her heart to rejoice.
22. And again I say, let not my servant Joseph put his property out
of his hands, lest an enemy come and destroy him, for Satan seeketh
to destroy; for I am the Lord thy God, and he is my servant; and
behold, and lo, I am with him, as I was with Abraham thy father, even
unto his exaltation and glory.
23. Now, as touching the law of the priesthood, there are many things
pertaining thereunto. Verily, if a man be called of my Father, as was
Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the voice of him that sent me, and I
have endowed him with the keys of the power of this priesthood, if he
do any thing in my name, and according to my law, and by my word, he
will not commit sin, and I will justify him. Let no one, therefore,
set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he shall do the
sacrifice which I require at his hands, for his transgressions, saith
the Lord your God.
24. And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood: If any man
espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give
her consent; and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and
have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he can not commit
adultery, for they are given unto him; for he can not commit adultery
with that that belongeth unto them, and to none else: and if he have
ten virgins given unto him by this law, he can not commit adultery,
for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is
he justified. But if one, or either of the ten virgins, after she
is espoused, shall be with another man, she has committed adultery,
and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him to multiply and
replenish the earth, according to my commandment, and to fulfill the
promise which was given by my Father before the foundation of the
world, and for their exaltation in the eternal worlds, that they may
bear the souls of men; for herein is the work of my Father continued,
that he may be glorified.
25. And again, verily, verily I say unto you, if any man have a wife
who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of
my priesthood as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe,
and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord
your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon
all those who receive and abide in my law. Therefore it shall be
lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all
things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because
she did not believe and administer unto him, according to my word;
and she then becomes the transgressor, and he is exempt from the law
of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law, when I
commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife. And now, as pertaining to
this law: Verily, verily I say unto you, I will reveal more unto you
hereafter; therefore let this suffice for the present. Behold, I am
Alpha and Omega. Amen.
Following the revelation is this explanation:
[POLYGAMY EXPLAINED.]
PLURALITY OF WIVES is a doctrine very popular among most of mankind
at the present day. It is practiced by the most powerful nations
of Asia and Africa, and by numerous nations inhabiting the islands
of the sea, and by the aboriginal nations of the great western
hemisphere. The one-wife system is confined principally to a few
small nations inhabiting Europe, and to those who are of European
origin inhabiting America. It is estimated by the most able
historians of our day that about four fifths of the population of the
globe believe and practice, according to their respective laws, the
doctrine of a plurality of wives. If the popularity of a doctrine
is in proportion to the numbers who believe in it, then it follows
that the _plurality system_ is four times more popular among the
inhabitants of the earth than the _one-wife system_.
Those nations who practice the plurality doctrine consider it as
virtuous and as right for one man to have many wives as to have one
only. Therefore they have enacted laws not only giving this right to
their citizens, but also protecting them in it, and punishing all
those who infringe upon the chastity of the marriage covenant by
committing adultery with any one of the wives of his neighbor. Those
nations do not consider it possible for a man to commit adultery
with any one of those women to whom he has been legally married
according to their laws. The posterity raised up unto the husband
through each of his wives are all considered to be legitimate, and
provisions are made in their laws for those children the same as if
they were the children of one wife. Adulteries, fornications, and
all unvirtuous conduct between the sexes are severely punished by
them. Indeed, plurality among them is considered not only virtuous
and right, but a great check or preventive against adulteries and
unlawful connections, which are among the greatest evils with which
nations are cursed, producing a vast amount of suffering and misery,
devastation and death; undermining the very foundations of happiness,
and destroying the frame-work of society and the peace of the
domestic circle.
Some of the nations of Europe who believe in the one-wife system
have actually forbidden a plurality of wives by their laws, and the
consequences are that the whole country among them is overrun with
the most abominable practices; adulteries and unlawful connections
prevail through all their villages, towns, cities, and country places
to a most fearful extent. And among some of these nations these sinks
of wickedness, wretchedness, and misery are licensed by law, while
their piety would be wonderfully shocked to authorize by law the
plurality system, as adopted by many neighboring nations.
The Constitution and laws of the United States, being founded upon
the principles of freedom, do not interfere with marriage relations,
but leave the nation free to believe in and practice the doctrine
of a plurality of wives, or to confine themselves to the one-wife
system, just as they choose. This is as it should be: it leaves the
conscience of man untrammeled, and, so long as he injures no person,
and does not infringe upon the rights of others, he is free by the
Constitution to marry one wife, or many, or none at all, and becomes
accountable to God for the righteousness or unrighteousness of his
domestic relations.
The Constitution leaves the several States and Territories to enact
such laws as they see proper in regard to marriages, provided that
they do not infringe upon the rights of conscience and the liberties
guaranteed in that sacred document. Therefore, if any State or
Territory feels disposed to enact laws guaranteeing to each of its
citizens the right to marry many wives, such laws would be perfectly
constitutional; hence the several States and Territories practice the
one-wife system out of choice, and not because they are under any
obligations so to do by the national Constitution. Indeed, we doubt
very much whether any State or Territory has the constitutional right
to make laws prohibiting the plurality doctrine in cases where it
is practiced by religious societies as a matter of conscience or
as a doctrine of their religious faith. The first Article of the
Amendments to the Constitution says expressly that “Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or _prohibiting
the free exercise thereof_.” Now, if even Congress itself has no
power to pass a law “prohibiting the free exercise of religion,” much
less has any State or Territory power to pass such an act.
The doctrine of a plurality of wives was believed and practiced by
Abraham, the father of the faithful; and we find that, while in this
practice, the angels of God frequently ministered to him, and at one
time dined with him; and God manifested himself to him, and entered
into familiar conversation with him. Neither God nor his angels
reproved Abraham for being a polygamist, but, on the contrary, the
Almighty greatly blessed him, and made promises unto him, concerning
both Isaac and Ishmael, clearly showing that Abraham practiced
what is called polygamy under the sanction of the Almighty. Now if
the father of the faithful was thus blessed, certainly it should
not be considered irreligious for the faithful, who are called his
children, to walk in the steps of their father Abraham. Indeed,
if the Lord himself, through his holy prophets, should give more
wives unto his servants, as he gave them unto the prophet David,
it would be a great sin for them to refuse that which he gives. In
such a case, it would become a matter of conscience with them, and
a part of their religion, and they would be bound to exercise their
faith in this doctrine, and practice it, or be condemned; therefore
Congress would have no power to prohibit the free exercise of this
part of their religion, neither would the States or Territories have
power constitutionally to pass a law “prohibiting the free exercise
thereof.” Now a certain religious society, called Shakers, believe
it to be wrong for them to marry even one wife; it certainly would
be unconstitutional for either the Congress or the States to pass a
law compelling all people to marry at a certain age, because it would
infringe upon the rights of conscience among the Shakers, and they
would be prohibited the free exercise of their religion.
From the foregoing revelation, given through Joseph the Seer, it
will be seen that God has actually commanded some of his servants to
take more wives, and has pointed out certain duties in regard to the
marriage ceremony, showing that they must be married for time and for
all eternity, and showing the advantages to be derived in a future
state by this eternal union; and showing still farther that, if they
refused to obey this command, after having the law revealed to them,
they should be damned. This revelation, then, makes it a matter of
conscience among all the Latter-Day Saints; and they embrace it as
a part and portion of their religion, and verily believe that they
can not be saved and reject it. Has Congress power, then, to pass
laws “prohibiting” the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
“_the free exercise_” of this article of their religion? Have any
of the States or Territories a constitutional right to pass laws
“prohibiting the free exercise of the religion” which the Church of
the Saints conscientiously and sincerely believe to be essential to
their salvation? No, they have no such right.
The Latter-Day Saints have the most implicit confidence in all
the revelations given through Joseph the Prophet, and they would
much sooner lay down their lives and suffer martyrdom than to
deny the least revelation that was ever given to him. In one of
the revelations through him, we read that God raised up wise men
and inspired them to write the Constitution of our country, that
the freedom of the people might be maintained, according to the
free agency which he had given to them; that every man might be
accountable to God and not to man, so far as religious doctrines
and conscience are concerned. And the more we examine that sacred
instrument, framed by the wisdom of our illustrious fathers, the
more we are compelled to believe that an invisible power controlled,
dictated, and guided them in laying the foundation of liberty
and freedom upon this great western hemisphere. To this land the
Mohammedan--the Hindoo--the Chinese can emigrate, and each bring
with him his score of wives and his hundred children, and the
glorious Constitution of our country will not interfere with his
domestic relations. Under the broad banner of the Constitution, he
is protected in all his family associations; none have a right to
tear any of his wives or his children from him. So, likewise, under
the broad folds of the Constitution, the Legislative Assembly of
the Territory of Utah have the right to pass laws regulating their
matrimonial relations, and protecting each of their citizens in the
right of marrying one or many wives, as the case may be. If Congress
should repeal those laws, they could not do so on the ground of their
being unconstitutional. And even if Congress should repeal them,
there still would be no law in Utah prohibiting the free exercise of
that religious right; neither do the citizens of Utah feel disposed
to pass such an unconstitutional act which would infringe upon the
most sacred rights of conscience.
Tradition and custom have great influence over nations.
Long-established customs, whether right or wrong, become sacred in
the estimation of mankind. Those nations who have been accustomed
from time immemorial to the practice of what is called polygamy would
consider a law abolishing it as the very height of injustice and
oppression; the very idea of being limited to the one-wife system
would be considered not only oppressive and unjust, but absolutely
absurd and ridiculous; it would be considered an innovation upon
the long-established usages, customs, and laws of numerous and
powerful nations; an innovation of the most dangerous character,
calculated to destroy the most sacred rights and privileges of family
associations--to upset the very foundations of individual rights,
rendered dear and sacred by being handed down to them from the most
remote ages of antiquity.
On the other hand, the European nations who have been for centuries
restricted by law to the one-wife theory would consider it a shocking
innovation upon the customs of their fathers to abolish their
restrictive laws, and to give freedom and liberty according to the
plurality system. It is custom, then, in a great degree, that forms
the conscience of nations and individuals in regard to the marriage
relationships. Custom causes four fifths of the population of the
globe to decide that polygamy, as it is called, is a good, and not an
evil practice; custom causes the balance, or the remaining fifth, to
decide in opposition to the great majority.
Those individuals who have strength of mind sufficient to divest
themselves entirely from the influence of custom, and examine the
doctrine of a plurality of wives under the light of reason and
revelation, will be forced to the conclusion that it is a doctrine of
divine origin; that it was embraced and practiced under the divine
sanction by the most righteous men who ever lived on the earth: holy
prophets and patriarchs, who were inspired by the Holy Ghost--who
were enrapt in the visions of the Almighty--who conversed with holy
angels--who saw God face to face, and talked with him as a man
talks with his friend--were “polygamists,” that is, they had many
wives--raised up many children by them--and were never reproved by
the Holy Ghost, nor by angels, nor by the Almighty, for believing in
and practicing such a doctrine; on the contrary, each one of these
“polygamists” received by revelation promises and blessings for
himself, for his wives, and for his numerous children born unto him
by his numerous wives. Moreover, the Lord himself gave revelation
to different wives belonging to the same man, revealing to them
the great blessings which should rest upon their posterity; angels
also were sent to comfort and bless them; and in no instance do we
find them reproved for having joined themselves in marriage to a
“polygamist.” Indeed, the Lord himself gave laws not to prohibit
“polygamy,” but showing his will in relation to the children raised
up by the different wives of the same man; and, furthermore, the
Lord himself actually officiated in giving David all the wives of
Saul; this occurred, too, when David already had several wives which
he had previously taken: therefore, as the Lord did actually give
into David’s own bosom all the wives of Saul, he must not only have
sanctioned “polygamy,” but established and instituted it upon a sure
foundation, by giving the wives himself, the same as he gave Eve to
Adam. Therefore those who are completely divested from the influence
of national customs, and who judge concerning this matter by the
Word of God, are compelled to believe that the plurality of wives
was once sanctioned for many ages by the Almighty; and by a still
farther research of the divine oracles they find no intimations that
this divine institution was ever repealed. It was an institution, not
originated under the law of Moses, but of a far more ancient date;
and instead of being abolished by that law, it was sanctioned and
perpetuated; and when Christ came to fulfill that law, and to do it
away by the introduction of a better covenant, he did not abolish the
plurality system: not being originated under that law, it was not
made null and void when that law was done away. Indeed, there were
many things in connection with the law that were not abolished when
the law was fulfilled; as, for instance, the Ten Commandments, which
the people under the Gospel covenant were still obliged to obey;
and until we can find some law of God abolishing and prohibiting
a plurality of wives, we are compelled to believe it a divine
institution; and we are furthermore compelled to believe, that if
this institution be entered into now, under the same principles which
governed the holy prophets and patriarchs, that God will approbate it
now as much as he did then; and that the persons who do thus practice
it conscientiously and sincerely are just as honorable in the sight
of God as those who have but one wife. And that which is honorable
before God should be honorable before men; and no one should be
despised when he acts in all good conscience upon any principle of
doctrine; neither should there be laws in any of these States or
Territories to compel any individual to act in violation to the
dictates of his own conscience; but every one should be left in all
matters of religion to his own choice, and thus become accountable to
God, and not to his fellow-man.
If the people of this country have generally formed different
conclusions from us upon this subject, and if they have embraced
religions which are more congenial to their minds than the religion
of the Saints, we say to them that they are welcome to their own
religious views; the laws should not interfere with the exercise
of their religious rights. If we can not convince you by reason
nor by the Word of God that your religion is wrong, we will not
persecute you, but will sustain you in the privileges guaranteed
in the great Charter of American Liberty: we ask from you the
same generosity--protect us in the exercise of our religious
rights--convince us of our errors of doctrine, if we have any, by
reason, by logical arguments, or by the Word of God, and we will
be ever grateful for the information, and you will ever have the
pleasing reflection that you have been the instruments in the hands
of God of redeeming your fellow-beings from the darkness which you
may see enveloping their minds. Come, then, let us reason together,
and try to discover the true light upon all subjects connected
with our temporal or eternal happiness; and if we disagree in our
judgments, let us impute it to the weakness and imperfections of
our fallen natures, and let us pity each other, and endeavor with
patience and meekness to reclaim from error, and save the immortal
soul from an endless death.
Mormonism, it will be observed, claims at once to be, like
Christianity, a progressive faith, with that development of
spiritualism which the “Tracts for the Times” exemplified, and, like
El Islam, to be a restoration by revelation of the pure and primeval
religion of the world. Convinced that plurality was unforbidden by the
founders of the former faiths, the Mormons, as well as the followers of
the Arabian Prophet, have obeyed the command of their God to restore
it, and that, too, although the Anglo-Scandinavian race every where
agrees, after the fashion of pagan and monogamic Rome, to make it a
common-law crime. Politically considered, the Mormons deem it necessary
to their existence as a people. Contrary to the scientific modern
economist, from Mr. Malthus to Mr. Mill, they hold population, not
wealth, learning, civilization, nor virtue, to be the strength of a
nation; they believe that numbers decide the rise and fall of empires,
and that, as Nature works the extinction of her doomed races by
infecundity, and as the decline of a people’s destiny is first detected
in the diminution of its census, so they look upon the celestial
promises of prolificity made to the patriarchs of old as the highest
temporal blessing. They admit in the lawgiver only a right to legislate
for the good of those who are to obey his laws, not to gratify his
“whimsy whamsies,” and that the liberty which man claims by the dignity
of his nature permits him to choose the tie, whether polyandric,
monogamic, or polygamic, that connects him with the opposite sex. Mr.
Parley P. Pratt (“Marriage and Morals in Utah,” p. 3) is explicit upon
this subject: