,rays of ,living ,light on the ,one ,way of ,salvation ,by ,chas4 ,w4 ,penrose of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints #aijd ,,ray ,,no4 #a4 ,there are so many different religious systems in the world1 each claiming not only to be right but to be divine1 that a rational mind1 unwarped by sect or creed1 is likely to become bewildered and disgusted in its efforts to reach and embrace religious truth4 ,the claim frequently put forth that all the ,christian sects are right is a palpable absurdity4 ,truth is always consistent with itself4 ,it is error that causes confusion4 ,two opposing systems cannot both be correct4 ,they may both be wrong1 but it is impossible for both to be right4 ,there may be some truth in every religion that has been foisted upon the world4 ,indeed1 without that no system could have continued existence4 ,it is that portion of each religion which is true that keeps it alive and makes its errors plausible4 ,to say that ,god is the author of the conflicting religions which distract mankind1 is to charge him with inconsistency and folly4 ,that which comes from ,god must of necessity be true4 ,this needs no argument2 it is so self-evident that many thinking people1 beholding the contention and strife of ages over religious affairs1 have formed the opinion that all religions are human1 conceived in the minds of men and promulgated for selfish purposes4 ,yet1 admitting that there is a ,supreme ,being1 the ,creator of all things1 who is the embodiment of truth1 justice1 mercy1 wisdom and love1 it seems unreasonable to think that he would leave his intelligent creatures without a guide on the road to the eternal future4 ,as there is but one ,supreme ,god1 there can be but one true religion4 ,that religion must be of divine origin4 ,it must come from ,god to man4 ,religions invented by men would necessarily vary4 ,man cannot by his own searching find out ,god1 or the ways of ,god1 but ,deity can enlighten man and reveal himself and his will to mortals4 ,the infinite can condescend to the finite1 while the finite of itself cannot grasp or comprehend the infinite4 ,it is of utmost importance that mankind should learn what ,god requires1 in order that men and women may be fitted for his presence and be in harmony with him in time and in eternity4 ,the true religion1 therefore1 that which ,god reveals1 that which he has revealed1 and that which he may yet reveal1 should be considered of greater value than anything else4 ,nothing that is perishable can be compared with it4 ,that which endures forever is immeasurably above that which only lasts for a time4 ,he that gains this pearl of great price is rich above all computation4 ,one of the great errors into which people have fallen in reference to religion is that ,god must accept any mode of worship1 any sort of ordinances1 and any kind of church that men may establish1 so long as they are sincere in their intentions and devout in their desires4 ,god must be worshipped not only in spirit but in truth4 ,his word is truth4 ,his ,spirit is the spirit of truth4 ,god's religion1 then1 will be the truth1 and nothing but the truth1 and he will accept of nothing short of this4 ,the inventions of men1 whatever may be their motives1 are not of ,god and therefore are vain4 ,the precepts and opinions and vagaries of man-appointed preachers and teachers1 not being authorized or inspired of ,god1 cannot be relied upon and are not acknowledged in heaven4 ,christendom as well as heathendom is in a ferment with human conceptions and conflicting theories in relation to ,god1 his will1 his purposes1 and his requirements4 ,the result is spiritual ,babylon1 which is confusion4 ,god is not with it1 for he is the author of peace1 and order and harmony4 ,strait is the gate1 and narrow is the way1 which leadeth unto life1 and few there be that find it2 so said the great ,teacher whom professing ,christians regard as the ,savior of the world 7,matthew #g3ad74 ,he also declared3 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,he that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold1 but climbeth up some other way1 the same is a thief and a robber 7,john #aj3a74 ,also1 ,but in vain they do worship me1 teaching for doctrines the commandments of men 7,matthew #ae3i74 ,and further1 ,man shall not live by bread alone1 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of ,god 7,matthew #d3d74 ,the nations that are called heathen are1 no doubt1 as sincere in their idolatrous worship as are the ,christian nations in their opposing creeds and devotional exercises4 ,if mere sincerity and devout motives are sufficient for ,god's acceptance1 then heathendom is on a par with ,christendom in the sight of heaven4 ,but the objector will no doubt reply1 ,heathen religions lack the one essential feature of acceptance with ,god1 faith in ,jesus ,christ4 ,having that1 doctrinal differences do not matter2 faith alone is sufficient for salvation4 ,christ is the way1 the truth1 and the light1 and whosoever believeth in him shall have eternal life4 ,that is another of the astonishing errors of modern religious people and teachers4 ,seizing upon a few isolated texts from the ,new ,testament1 relying upon the letter of the word alone1 regardless of the spirit and meaning thereof1 they altogether ignore numerous other texts in the same volume1 which make plain the intent and signification of those which they select4 ,their eyes are blinded to the pure truth1 they stumble in the way1 and the blind leading the blind1 they are in danger of falling into the ditch together4 ,jesus of ,nazareth truly said1 ,for ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life 7,john #c3af74 ,but he also said1 ,my sheep hear my voice1 and ,i know them1 and they follow me 7,john #aj3bg74 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,he that believeth on me1 the works that ,i do shall he do also2 and greater works than these shall he do2 because ,i go unto my ,father 7,john #ad3ab74 ,if a man love me1 he will keep my words 7,verse #bc74 ,he that hath my commandments1 and keepeth them1 he it is that loveth me2 and he that loveth me shall be loved of my ,father1 and ,i will love him1 and will manifest myself to him4 7,verse #ba47 ,if ye keep my commandments1 ye shall abide in my love2 even as ,i have kept my ,father's commandments1 and abide in his love4 7,john #ae3aj47 ,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven2 but he that doeth the will of my ,father which is in heaven4 7,matthew #g3ba47 ,and why call ye me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 and do not the things which ,i say8 7,luke #f3df47 ,whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments1 and shall teach men so1 he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven3 but whosoever shall do and teach them1 the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven4 ,for ,i say unto you1 ,that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and ,pharisees1 ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven4 7,matthew #e3ai-bj47 ,and every one that heareth these sayings of mine1 and doeth them not1 shall be likened unto a foolish man1 which built his house upon the sand3 and the rain descended1 and the floods came1 and the winds blew1 and beat upon that house2 and it fell3 and great was the fall of it4 7,matthew #g3bf1 #bg47 ,every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down1 and cast into the fire4 ,wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them4 7,matthew #g3ai47 ,when the rich young man asked the ,savior what he should do that he might have eternal life1 he was not told there was nothing for him to do but believe in ,christ1 but the answer was1 ,if thou wilt enter into life1 keep the commandments4 7,matthew #ai3ag47 ,after ,christ's resurrection1 when he sent his apostles into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature1 he added1 ,teaching them to observe all things whatsoever ,i have commanded you4 7,matthew #bh3bj47 ,the apostles1 thus authorized1 obeyed these instructions1 and not only proclaimed belief in ,jesus ,christ as necessary to salvation2 but obedience to his teachings as equally essential4 ,the history of their travels1 as narrated in the book called the ,acts of the ,apostles1 demonstrates this to be true4 ,such of their epistles as have been preserved and compiled in the ,new ,testament also bear this witness4 ,these records show beyond reasonable dispute that the faith in ,christ which is sufficient for salvation comprehends faith in his teachings and obedience to his commands4 ,the belief in ,christ which is taught by modern ,christian sects is thus condemned by the ,apostle ,james3 ,but wilt thou know1 ,o vain man1 that faith without works is dead8 ,ye see then how that by works a man is justified1 and not by faith only4 ,for as the body without the spirit is dead1 so faith without works is dead also 7,james #b3bj1 #bd1 #bf74 ,the ,apostle ,paul is generally cited as the great preacher of the doctrine of justification by faith alone4 ,but that he is misunderstood on that subject is evident from his epistle to the ,romans1 in which1 while he proclaims the doctrine of justification by faith1 he also affirms emphatically the necessity of good works as the fruits of faith2 as for instance3 ,who will render to every man according to his deeds2 to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality1 eternal life3 ,but unto them that are contentious1 and do not obey the truth1 but obey unrighteousness1 indignation and wrath1 tribulation and anguish1 upon every soul of man that doeth evil1 of the ,jew first1 and also of the ,gentile4 ,but glory1 honor and peace to every man that worketh good1 to the ,jew first1 and also to the ,gentile4 ,for there is no respect of persons with ,god 7,romans #b3f-aa74 ,it is to this very epistle that the advocates of salvation by faith alone chiefly refer when seeking support for their irrational theory1 and they quote3 ,therefore being justified by faith1 we have peace with ,god through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7,romans #e3a74 ,also1 ,where is boasting then8 ,it is excluded4 ,by what law8 ,of works8 ,nay1 but by the law of faith 7,chap4 #c3bg74 ,but they neglect to add what follows1 ,therefore1 we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law 7verse #bh74 ,the tenor of the whole epistle is to the effect that the law of ,moses is insufficient2 that ,therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight 7verse #bj74 ,thus justification and redemption come through the atonement made by ,christ1 and that faith in him which includes belief in his teachings and obedience to his commands1 is the one way of salvation4 ,another quotation common with the disciples of the faith alone doctrine is this3 ,that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and shalt believe in thine heart that ,god hath raised him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved 7,romans #aj3i74 ,but here again they omit the following verse3 ,for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness2 and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation 7verse #aj74 ,this is the key to the whole matter4 ,the faith that saves is the faith that leads to obedience1 which is better than sacrifice2 that obedience must be given to every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of ,god4 ,belief1 prayer1 devotional exercises1 of themselves1 will not prepare man for the presence and society of his ,maker4 ,to dwell with him1 man must be assimilated to his likeness4 ,this can be effected only by compliance with his commands4 ,man's future will be determined by his present course4 ,in the glorious vision given to ,john the ,beloved1 we find this3 ,and ,i saw the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god2 and the books were opened3 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 according to their works 7,revelation #bj3ab74 ,this tract is but preliminary to others1 in which the one everlasting way of life and plan of salvation will be plainly pointed out1 for the benefit of mankind and the glory of the supreme and eternal ,god1 to whom be honor and praise forever4 ,amen4 ,,ray ,,no4 #b4 ,the first principle of revealed religion is faith in ,god4 ,true religion must begin with faith in the true ,god4 ,faith in false gods leads to false religions4 ,without faith there can be no religion in the soul of man4 ,without faith it is impossible to please him3 ,for he that cometh to ,god must believe that he is1 and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him 7,hebrews #aa3f74 ,in a general sense1 faith is the assurance in the soul of the existence of unseen things1 that is1 unseen by the natural eye4 ,the principle of faith1 that is1 the power to believe1 is planted in man by the gift of ,god4 ,it is developed by evidence4 ,faith in ,god is brought into action by the word of ,god4 ,whether spoken by ,deity himself1 by angels sent from his presence1 or by men divinely authorized and appointed to speak in his name under the influence of his ,holy ,spirit1 the word of ,god is the same4 ,when that word is written it is scripture4 ,evidences of the existence of a ,supreme ,being are seen in vast profusion4 ,they appeal to every rational mind4 ,the order1 beauty1 and sublimity of the heavenly bodies1 moving through space in silent majesty1 each in its own orbit1 balancing and counterbalancing each other without an error in time or revolution1 all preserving their own identity and performing their own mission1 proceeding thus through everlasting ages1 are perennial witnesses of the existence1 power and glory of ,god4 ,the earth itself1 with its relations to other planets1 its products1 its seasons1 its adaptation to the needs of the creatures that inhabit its surface or its atmosphere1 joins in the grand chorus of the music of the spheres1 ,forever singing as they shine1 the hand that made us is divine4 ,nature1 however1 while proclaiming the existence of ,deity1 does not disclose his personality or reveal his will4 ,a knowledge of ,god can only come from ,god4 ,faith leads to that knowledge4 ,the greatest religious teacher among men was ,jesus1 the ,nazarene4 ,in his personality ,god was manifest in the flesh4 ,he revealed ,deity to humanity4 ,he showed that ,god was in reality the ,father of the spirits of men4 ,he proclaimed that he was in the beginning with ,god2 that he came forth from ,god1 and that all mankind were his brethren1 made in the image of ,god and part of his eternal family4 ,this presents ,god as actually and literally ,our ,father which art in heaven4 ,it takes away the mystery with which false faiths have enveloped the ,supreme ,being1 beclouding the minds of men1 and making ,god utterly incomprehensible4 ,jesus taught that his ,father and our ,father is a personal being1 man being in his likeness1 ,jesus himself being in his express image4 ,he taught also that he was sent into the world to save mankind1 and bring them back to the ,father's presence2 that no man could come unto ,god but by him4 ,the true ,christian religion1 therefore1 combines faith in ,jesus ,christ the ,son1 with faith in ,god the eternal ,father4 ,christ further taught the existence of a divine ,spirit1 proceeding from ,god1 to enlighten the souls of men2 that is1 the ,holy ,ghost1 by which the mind and will of ,god may be made known to man1 and by which holy men chosen of ,god have been inspired in different ages to declare his word4 ,these three1 the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 form the eternal ,godhead4 ,they are not one person1 as erroneously declared by modern ,christian churches1 but are separate and distinct substances1 though one in mind and power and dominion4 ,jesus of ,nazareth1 as the ,son of ,god1 was a personality as distinct from the personality of the eternal ,father as is that of any earthly son from his father4 ,the ,holy ,spirit1 though proceeding from both the ,father and the ,son1 is not either of them1 but has an identity of his own4 ,it is true that ,jesus said1 ,i and my ,father are one 7,john #aj3cj74 ,but he also said1 ,my ,father is greater than ,i 7,john #ad3bh74 ,that the unity of the ,godhead is not oneness in person is made very clear in the account of the baptism of ,jesus ,christ2 the ,son on that occasion coming up out of the waters of ,jordan1 the ,holy ,spirit descending upon him in the form of a dove1 and the voice of the ,father from heaven proclaiming1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased 7,matthew #c3af-ag74 ,jesus said1 ,i came forth from the ,father1 and am come into the world4 ,again1 ,i leave the world and go to the ,father 7,john #af3bh74 ,he also prayed the ,father1 and in the prayer recorded by ,john explained in unmistakable language what he meant when he declared1 ,i and my ,father are one4 ,after praying for his apostles1 he said3 ,neither pray ,i for these alone1 but for them also which shall believe on me through their words1 that they all may be one1 as thou1 ,father1 art in me1 and ,i in thee1 that they also may be one in us4 ,that the world may believe that thou hast sent me 7,john #ag3bj1 #ba74 ,concerning the ,holy ,spirit he said3 ,nevertheless ,i tell you the truth2 ,it is expedient for you that ,i go away3 for if ,i go not away1 the ,comforter will not come unto you2 but if ,i depart1 ,i will send him unto you 7,chap4 #af3g74 ,many more of the sayings of the ,savior might be adduced1 but these are sufficient to show the distinct personality of each of the three that form the ,godhead1 while they are in perfect unity of mind and purpose and action4 ,if they are one substance1 as taught in modern ,christendom1 then all who believe on them1 in all ages1 are to be made also one substance1 thus losing their identity and becoming one vast1 incomprehensible and inconceivable finality4 ,the omnipresence of ,god has bewildered many minds which are unable1 because of modern false teachings1 to understand how ,god the eternal ,father can be a person after whose form and image man is created1 and yet be present throughout his vast creations4 ,but the explanation is simple in the light of truth4 ,it is by his ,holy ,spirit1 which permeates all things1 and is the life and light of all things1 that ,deity is everywhere present4 ,our ,father has his dwelling place in the eternal heavens4 ,christ is at his right hand1 and the ,holy ,spirit proceeds from them throughout the immensity of space4 ,by that agency ,god sees and knows and governs all things4 ,by it mankind may be brought into union and communion with ,god4 ,it guides into all truth4 ,it recalls the past1 manifests the present1 and reveals the future4 ,it is the testimony of ,jesus and the spirit of prophecy4 ,it is the light of ,christ1 and lighteth every man that cometh into the world4 ,it is the inspiration of ,god which giveth the spirit of man understanding4 ,to that degree it shines on every soul1 but as the gift of the ,holy ,ghost it is a far greater and higher light4 ,then it is the abiding witness that bears record of the ,father and the ,son2 that searcheth all things1 yea the deep things of ,god4 ,faith in ,god1 the ,father1 and in ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son1 and in the ,holy ,ghost is but the beginning of true religion4 ,it is exhibited in works of obedience which will be explained in other tracts of this series4 ,faith is also a principle of power4 ,all human exertion springs from its exercise4 ,this is exemplified in all the acts of life4 ,in a higher sense it is a spiritual force4 ,it was by faith1 in this degree1 that the wonderful works of the prophets and apostles and other holy men of old1 were accomplished1 as recorded in the ,old and ,new ,testaments1 and in the sacred books of the seers and sages who were not of the ,hebrew race4 ,for1 faith is the same principle in all ages and among all nations4 ,it was by this faith that the sick were healed1 the blind received their sight1 the lame were made to walk1 the deaf to hear1 the dumb to speak1 the sting of the serpent and the virulence of poison were made harmless1 divine dreams and heavenly visions were beheld1 and the glories of eternity were unfolded to the saints and servants of ,god in the early ,christian church4 ,it was by faith that lepers were cleansed1 water was turned into wine1 multitudes were fed with a few loaves and fishes1 the winds and the waves were stilled1 and the dead were raised to life1 when the ,divine ,master walked on the earth in the flesh4 ,these marvels are called miracles4 ,they are deemed supernatural1 but they were the natural results of the exercise of the spiritual force called faith4 ,it was by the same power that the heavens were closed that there was no rain for three years and six months2 that the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil failed not1 and that the ravens brought food in the days of ,elijah the prophet4 ,by the same faith the children of ,israel were led out of ,egypt by ,moses1 the ,red ,sea was divided1 manna was brought from heaven and water from the rock1 and people bitten by serpents were healed in the wilderness4 ,it was also by that same faith that the early patriarchs prevailed1 and some of them walked and talked with ,god4 ,and indeed1 it was by faith that the worlds were brought into material existence1 order coming out of chaos1 light springing forth from darkness1 and life1 in its various forms1 being developed through the word of the eternal ,god1 in whom this principle of faith is manifest in its full and complete perfection4 ,this is the faith spoken of in the #aath chapter of ,hebrews4 ,also in the epistle of ,jude1 in which he urged upon the church when writing upon the common salvation1 that they should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints4 ,in modern ,christendom it is taught that this faith1 with all the gifts1 signs and glorious manifestations which it produces1 are done away and no longer needed4 ,but this is another of the many grievous errors of spiritual ,babylon4 ,god is the same yesterday1 today and forever4 ,a principle of truth never changes4 ,cause and effect do not vary by the lapse of time4 ,the faith exercised in the first century of the ,christian era or of human existence on earth1 must inevitably bring forth similar results in the latter days4 ,the absence of the effect proves the absence of the cause4 ,the true religion contains the true faith4 ,it is the one thing needful4 ,it is the one way of salvation4 ,to know the only living and true ,god and ,jesus ,christ1 whom he hath sent1 is to gain eternal life 7,john #ag3c74 ,living faith is the starting point in the path to that knowledge4 ,while it has existed in a small degree1 and has been exercised occasionally and in a limited manner during the centuries that have passed since the apostolic age1 the faith once delivered to the saints has faded almost out of active life1 even among professing ,christians1 whose minds have been blinded by the traditions of men and the dogmas and theories of human invention4 ,while good men and women have served ,god1 and sought after him to the best of their ability1 through the long night of darkness which has intervened from the days of divine revelation down to the present century1 they have not been able to find that closer walk with ,god and exercise that mighty faith enjoyed in ancient times and which is essential to the true religion4 ,thank ,god that faith has been restored to earth1 and through it divine communication is once more opened up1 man may commune again with his ,maker1 and all the blessings obtained at any time thereby may now be received by the obedient sons and daughters of ,god4 ,concerning this all-important matter other tracts of this series will be presented to the public1 that truth may prevail and that divine light may shine upon the world4 ,,ray ,,no4 #c4 ,,in ,,previous tracts of this series it has been shown that there can be but one true religion1 because there is but one supreme ,god1 that it must be revealed from him instead of being made by man1 and that the first principle of that religion is faith1 which can be made manifest only by works4 ,let us now see what those works are which are essential to salvation4 ,the first fruit of faith in ,god and in ,jesus ,christ is repentance of sin4 ,sin against ,god is the transgression of his law4 ,conviction of sin comes through faith in ,god and his law4 ,conviction leads to humility and repentance and obedience4 ,sorrow for sin is not of itself true repentance1 which comprehends not only regret for the past1 but reformation for the future4 ,it includes determination to forsake and refrain from sin4 ,as the ,apostle ,paul expressed it1 ,for godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of 7,,ii ,corinthians #g3aj74 ,when the sinner is sorry because he has been found out1 that is not true repentance4 ,grief is an element of repentance1 because when a believer perceives that he has broken a law of ,god1 he feels remorse4 ,but unless he resolves to turn away from that transgression1 and not repeat it1 he does not reach full repentance4 ,cease to do evil1 learn to do well1 has been the word of ,god and his inspired servants through all the ages4 ,it is a step forward in practical religion4 ,it is absolutely necessary to salvation4 ,without it belief in ,christ is vain4 ,he said himself1 ,except ye repent1 ye shall all likewise perish 7,luke #ac3c74 ,god commandeth all men everywhere to repent 7,acts #ag3cj74 ,jesus instructed that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations 7,luke #bd3dg74 ,the idea that people may sin against ,god and against humanity1 and by mere belief in the merits of the ,savior1 be absolved from all the consequences of their guilt1 is one of the greatest of the many absurdities which have been grafted by the hand of man upon the tree of religion4 ,christ gave himself a sacrifice to save mankind from their sins1 not in their sins4 ,his work is to redeem humanity by lifting it up to ,deity4 ,his gospel teaches purification from sin and exaltation into the righteousness of ,god4 ,the atonement wrought out on ,calvary is as much misunderstood by modern divines who preach it as were the teachings of ,moses and the prophets by the sectaries who rejected the ,nazarene4 ,that atonement was for a dual purpose4 ,first1 to redeem mankind from the consequences of the original sin committed in the ,garden of ,eden1 and second1 to open the way to salvation from the actual sins committed by the posterity of ,adam4 ,as to the first1 redemption will come to all the race without effort on their part4 ,death came into the world in the beginning because the divine law was broken4 ,it passed upon all the descendants of the transgressor4 ,christ gave himself a sacrifice for that sin4 ,as by one came death1 so by one will come life4 ,as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ shall all be made alive 7,i ,corinthians #ae3bb74 ,as the sons and daughters of ,adam were not personally engaged in or responsible for the transgression which brought death1 so they are not required to do anything in the work which shall restore them to life4 ,the resurrection will be as broad as the death4 ,the raising up will be coextensive with the effects of the fall4 ,but when through ,christ the resurrection is accomplished1 the dead1 small and great1 who are thus brought up and redeemed from the grave1 will be judged according to their works 7,revelation #bj74 ,as to the second1 the actual sins of each individual1 salvation will come through faith in ,christ and obedience to his gospel4 ,each intelligent person is accountable for his own acts4 ,he must do what is required in order that he may be saved from his sins4 ,the power is inherent in man to do right or to do wrong4 ,in this he is a free agent4 ,he can resist evil and do good1 or resist good and do evil1 as he elects4 ,no matter how great may be the force of circumstances and environments1 and the pressure of hereditary influences1 the volition of the creature remains4 ,the doctrine of rewards and punishments is predicated upon individual freedom of the will and personal responsibility for its exercise4 ,christ has done for mankind that and that alone which they were not able to do for themselves4 ,that which they can perform is required of every one4 ,they can believe1 they can repent1 and they can receive and obey the commandments of ,christ given as conditions to salvation4 ,unless they do this1 although they will be raised from the dead and appear before the ,eternal ,judge1 they cannot be exalted to dwell in his presence4 ,thus it will be seen that while ,christ died1 unconditionally1 for the original sin by which death came into the world1 he died as a propitiation for the actual sins of the world1 conditionally4 ,and it was to proclaim these conditions and offer them to every creature that he sent his apostles forth as ministers of salvation4 ,there is no other way to eternal life4 ,the plan of salvation is not changed to suit the notions and opinions of man4 ,it does not vary in different ages1 nor among different nations4 ,it is the everlasting gospel4 ,the law of ,moses was a temporary and imperfect law of carnal commandments1 given because the gospel had been rejected by the ,israelites4 ,it answered its purpose and passed away when the one eternal gospel plan was restored by ,jesus ,christ1 through whom alone mankind can be saved1 and that salvation cannot be obtained except by faith in him which comprehends obedience to his requirements4 ,it has been shown that faith is the first principle of the gospel1 and repentance--the forsaking of sin1 is the second1 and it is now necessary to present the third principle1 which is remission of sins4 ,the popular idea of modern ,christendom is that repentance of itself brings remission of sins4 ,that is another serious mistake4 ,payment of debts is not brought about by simply ceasing to get credit2 determination to sin no more does not wipe out sins already committed4 ,god is a being of order and of law4 ,he has instituted the means whereby each sinner may receive a cleansing from the past4 ,his laws are as uniform in the spiritual world as in the natural world2 obedience to those laws is as necessary in one sphere as in the other4 ,remission of sins comes to the repentant believer through baptism1 when it is properly performed under divine authority4 ,baptism for the remission of sins was preached and practiced by ,john1 the forerunner of ,jesus4 ,john did baptize in the wilderness1 and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission for sins 7,mark #a3d74 ,jesus ,christ honored that baptism in person and by his teachings4 ,he also sent his apostles to preach it to every creature 7,matthew #bh3ai-bj2 also ,mark #af3ae-af74 ,previous to preaching that baptism1 he instructed his apostles to tarry at ,jerusalem until they were endowed with power from on high 7,luke #bd3dg1 #di74 ,that power was bestowed upon them on the day of ,pentecost1 when they were assembled in one place with one accord1 and the ,holy ,ghost was manifested to them in visible form4 ,to the people who gathered to hear the apostles1 forming a great multitude1 ,peter preached the first gospel sermon after the resurrection of ,christ1 as is recorded in the #bnd chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,after testifying of the mission and resurrection of ,jesus the ,christ1 in response to their inquiry1 ,men and brethren1 what shall we do8 ,then ,peter said unto them1 ,repent1 and be baptized every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ for the remission of sins1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,for the promise is unto you1 and to your children1 and to all that are afar off1 even as many as the ,lord our ,god shall call 7,acts #b3cg1 #ch and #ci74 ,three thousand people on that day received the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 and were baptized for the remission of their sins4 ,the remission of sins is given in baptism to those who believe and repent1 but comes through the atonement wrought out by ,jesus ,christ4 ,without shedding of blood is no remission 7,hebrews #i3bb74 ,the blood of ,christ answers for the blood of the sinner who complies with the conditions required in ,christ's gospel4 ,the benefits of that atonement are offered to all whom the gospel is preached1 but are obtained only by those who render obedience to it4 ,the scripture is often quoted which says1 ,the blood of ,jesus ,christ his ,son cleanseth us from all sin4 ,but this is only part of the text1 and is therefore misleading4 ,here is the scripture as it stands3 ,this then is the message which we have heard of him1 and declare unto you1 that ,god is light1 and in him is no darkness at all4 ,if we say that we have fellowship with him1 and walk in darkness1 we lie1 and do not the truth3 but if we walk in the light1 as he is in the light1 we have fellowship one with another1 and the blood of ,jesus ,christ his ,son cleanseth us from all sin 7,i ,john #a3e-g74 ,baptism was instituted for the remission of sins by divine command4 ,it is therefore essential4 ,it is a sign of cleansing1 purification1 death to sin1 burial from the world and resurrection to a new life in ,christ ,jesus4 ,for1 baptism means immersion4 ,the sprinkling or pouring of water on the body is not baptism4 ,the ordinance of baptism preached by ,john1 the forerunner1 by ,christ himself1 and by the apostles whom he sent as his messengers1 was both a burial and a birth4 ,when ,jesus was baptized by ,john it was in the river ,jordan3 ,then cometh ,jesus from ,galilee to ,jordan unto ,john1 to be baptized of him4 ,but ,john forbade him1 saying1 ,i have need to be baptized of thee1 and comest thou to me8 ,and ,jesus answering said unto him1 ,suffer it to be so now3 for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness4 ,then he suffered him4 ,and ,jesus1 when he was baptized1 went up straightway out of the water2 and1 lo1 the heavens were opened unto him1 and he saw the ,spirit of ,god descending like a dove and lighting upon him3 and lo a voice from heaven1 saying1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased 7,matthew #c3ac-ag74 ,jesus said to ,nicodemus1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto thee1 ,except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god 7,john #c3e74 ,jesus himself set the example1 and was born of water and of the ,spirit1 and though he knew no sin1 had to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness4 ,when ,philip baptized the great man of ,ethiopia1 ,they went down both into the water 4 4 4 and he baptized him4 ,and when they were come up out of the water1 the ,spirit of the ,lord caught away ,philip 7,acts #h3ce-ci74 ,john baptized in ,aenon1 near to ,salim1 because there was much water there 7,john #c3bc74 ,paul likened baptism to a burial and a resurrection 7,see ,romans #f3d1 #e2 ,colossians #b3ab74 ,peter cited the flood as a figure of baptism 7,i ,peter #c3bj-ba74 ,the order of the gospel as taught by ,christ and his apostles is first faith1 second repentance1 and third baptism by immersion for the remission of sins1 with the promise of the ,holy ,ghost to all who complied therewith4 ,infant baptism is a palpable heresy4 ,sin is the transgression of the law4 ,infants cannot commit sins4 ,baptism must follow faith and repentance4 ,infants cannot exercise faith1 and they have nothing to repent of even if they were capable of repentance4 ,god never authorized any one to baptize an infant4 ,jesus blessed little children and said1 of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,baptism to be acceptable to ,god must be performed by one having actual divine authority4 ,it must be administered in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,no man has the right to assume that authority4 ,it must come from ,god or the baptism will be void and of no effect4 ,when properly administered it brings remission of sins1 and the baptized believer becomes a new creature1 stands clean before ,god1 and is prepared to receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,further explanations on this all-important subject will be given in succeeding chapters4 ,let the reader ponder1 investigate1 and enter upon the path of eternal life and salvation4 ,,ray ,,no4 #d4 ,the gift of the ,holy ,ghost is the greatest boon conferred by ,god upon man in the flesh4 ,it is the anointing from above which teacheth all things4 ,it is the abiding witness of the ,father and the ,son4 ,it is the spirit of revelation4 ,it guides into all truth1 brings things past to remembrance1 makes manifest present light1 and shows things to come4 ,without it no man can know ,god and ,jesus ,christ whom he has sent1 nor can he say truly and without doubt that ,jesus is the ,lord4 ,its reception is the fourth step or principle in the gospel of ,christ4 ,the preceding principles1 namely1 faith1 repentance1 and baptism for the remission of sins1 have been explained briefly in the foregoing tracts of this series4 ,after the baptism or birth of water comes the baptism or birth of the ,spirit4 ,this gift from ,god is conferred by the laying on of the hands of men called of ,god and endowed with authority to perform this sacred ordinance4 ,no man of himself and in his own name1 however learned1 experienced1 or wise1 can bestow this great gift upon others4 ,he might lay his hands upon them1 but they would not receive that ,spirit4 ,it proceeds from ,god alone4 ,he will honor that which is performed according to his directions by his authorized servants4 ,the reception of the ,holy ,ghost as an endowment or gift from ,god is essential to salvation4 ,the natural light of inspiration given at birth to all humanity is not equal to it4 ,that is the common heritage of humanity1 but the gift of the ,holy ,ghost is a far higher and greater bequest from ,deity1 and is given only to those who obey the gospel1 and in the way that ,god himself has appointed4 ,that the gift of the ,holy ,ghost is conferred by the laying on of hands1 and that this is the gospel method1 is clearly established by the ,new ,testament4 ,in the #hth chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles an account is given of the ministry of ,philip1 in which the following occurs3 ,but when they believed ,philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of ,god1 and the name of ,jesus ,christ1 they were baptized1 both men and women4 ,now when the apostles which were at ,jerusalem1 heard that ,samaria had received the word of ,god1 they sent unto them ,peter and ,john3 who1 when they were come down1 prayed for them1 that they might receive the ,holy ,ghost3 7,for as yet he was fallen upon none of them3 only they were baptized in the name of the ,lord ,jesus74 ,then laid they their hands on them1 and they received the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and when ,simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the ,holy ,ghost was given1 he offered them money1 saying1 ,give me also this power1 that on whomsoever ,i lay hands1 he may receive the ,holy ,ghost4 ,but ,peter said unto him1 thy money perish with thee1 because thou hast thought that the gift of ,god may be purchased with money 7,verses #ab-bj74 ,in the #aith chapter of the ,acts of the ,apostles it is related that ,paul found some disciples in ,ephesus who had not been properly baptized4 ,he gave them necessary instructions1 and we read3 ,when they heard this1 they were baptized in the name of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,and when ,paul had laid his hands upon them1 the ,holy ,ghost came on them2 and they spake with tongues1 and prophesied4 ,and all the men were about twelve4 ,the ordinance of the laying on of hands is enumerated among the first principles of the oracles of ,god1 and one of the foundation doctrines of ,christ1 in ,hebrews #e3ab1 and #f3b4 ,paul exhorted ,timothy1 ,wherefore ,i put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of ,god1 which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 7,,ii ,timothy #a3f74 ,these quotations are sufficient to show the order of the gospel as taught by the apostles of ,jesus ,christ1 who received their instructions and authority from him1 and who all preached the same doctrines and administered the same ordinances1 wherever they went4 ,the departures therefrom that are witnessed in modern times are the work of uninspired ministers1 unauthorized of ,god1 and should be rejected by the honest seeker after religious truth4 ,the ,holy ,ghost is the same in all ages and among all people4 ,its effects are also the same4 ,in the days of the early ,christian ,church the fruits of that ,spirit were enjoyed by the members4 ,they are thus described by the ,apostle ,paul3 ,but the fruit of the ,spirit is love1 joy1 peace1 long-suffering1 gentleness1 goodness1 faith1 meekness1 temperance3 against such there is no law 7,galatians #e3bb1 #bc74 ,but the manifestation of the ,spirit is given to every man to profit withal4 ,for to one is given by the ,spirit the word of wisdom1 to another the word of knowledge by the same ,spirit2 to another faith by the same ,spirit2 to another the gifts of healing by the same ,spirit2 to another the working of miracles2 to another prophesy2 to another discerning of spirits2 to another divers kinds of tongues2 to another the interpretation of tongues3 ,but all these worketh that one and the selfsame ,spirit1 dividing to every man severally as he will 7,i ,corinthians #ab3g-aa74 ,paul exhorted the saints to ,follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts1 but rather that ye may prophesy1 and after explaining his reasons for this instruction he concluded1 ,wherefore1 brethren1 covet to prophesy1 and forbid not to speak with tongues 7,i ,corinthians #ad3ci74 ,the absence of these gifts and manifestations of the ,spirit in the various religious sects at the present day is attempted to be accounted for by the airy excuse1 ,they are all done away1 and are no longer needed4 ,yet they were part and parcel of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ1 and incorporated in the ,church--the body of ,christ--as some of its members4 ,every tree is known by its fruits4 ,if the ,spirit that animated the ,church of ,christ in the apostolic age inspired the churches of the #bjth century1 would not the same fruits be brought forth by it1 and enjoyed today8 ,has the ,spirit of ,god changed8 ,or have not men changed the ordinances and institutions of heaven1 and built up churches and promulgated doctrines of their own8 ,but the advocates and apologists of sectarian theology will quote4 ,charity never faileth3 but whether there be prophecies1 they shall fail2 whether there be tongues1 they shall cease2 whether there be knowledge1 it shall vanish away 7,i ,corinthians #ac3h74 ,why do they not continue the quotation and give the succeeding verses which form an integral part of the scriptural argument8 ,is it because that would sweep away the crutches of their lame and halting pretense and cast their false theory prone in the dust8 ,this is what follows4 ,for we know in part1 and we prophesy in part2 but when that which is perfect is come1 then that which is in part shall be done away4 ,will it be claimed that this promised perfection has come8 ,do latter-day sectaries know more1 understand better1 and see clearer in divine things than did the ,apostle ,paul8 ,has anything perfect come upon modern ,christendom except perfect confusion8 ,that ,paul had reference to a condition yet in the future in making his prediction is evident from his further remark3 ,for now we see through a glass darkly2 but then face to face3 now ,i know in part2 but then shall ,i know even as also ,i am known 7,verse #ab74 ,the gifts of the ,spirit enumerated above are the evidences of its possession by the disciples of ,jesus ,christ4 ,they are the signs of true faith4 ,they accompany the reception of the gospel and obedience to its requirements4 ,when the resurrected ,christ gave the eleven apostles their great commission1 he said unto them1 ,go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature4 ,he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved2 but he that believeth not shall be damned4 ,and these signs shall follow them that believe4 ,in my name shall they cast out devils2 they shall speak with new tongues2 they shall take up serpents2 and if they drink any deadly thing1 it shall not hurt them2 they shall lay hands on the sick1 and they shall recover 7,mark #af3ae-ah74 ,these gifts were not merely for those ,apostles1 but were to follow them that believe4 ,christ gave them as the sign of true belief in him and his sayings4 ,they belong to his ,church4 ,they are not to be done away until that which is perfect is come1 and the sons and daughters of ,god behold their ,redeemer face to face1 and see as they are seen and know as they are known4 ,whatever necessity existed for their possession and exercise in the first century of the ,christian era1 exists in the #bjth century1 not only for the blessing and comfort of the disciples of the ,savior1 but for the promulgation of his gospel among nations that yet sit in darkness and are numbered among heathens and idolaters4 ,one of the potent proofs of the possession of the ,holy ,ghost in the early ,christian ,church was the unity it established4 ,no matter what were the conflicting faiths and opposing creeds entertained by the people of that day previous to receiving the spirit of the everlasting gospel1 after baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 they all became one in ,christ ,jesus4 ,as ,paul wrote to the ,ephesians3 ,there is one body1 and one ,spirit1 even as ye are called in one hope of your calling2 one ,lord1 one faith1 one baptism1 one ,god and ,father of all1 who is above all1 and through all1 and in you all 7,ephesians #d3d-f74 ,for as many of you as have been baptized into ,christ have put on ,christ4 ,there is neither ,jew nor ,greek1 there is neither bond nor free1 there is neither male nor female3 for ye are all one in ,christ ,jesus 7,galatians #c3bg-bh74 ,and let the peace of ,god rule in your hearts1 to the which also ye are called in one body2 and be ye thankful 7,colossians #c3ae74 ,for as the body is one1 and hath many members1 and all the members of that one body1 being many1 are one body3 so also is ,christ4 ,for by one ,spirit are we all baptized into one body1 whether we be ,jews or ,gentiles1 whether we be bond or free2 and have been all made to drink into one ,spirit 7,i ,corinthians #ab3ab1 #ac74 ,in his prayer to the ,father that all who believed in him might be one1 ,jesus spoke of this unity as proof to the world that ,god had sent him 7,john #ag3ba74 ,the great purpose of the gift of the ,holy ,ghost was to guide into all truth1 and bring its possessors to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the ,son of ,god4 ,strife1 contention1 division1 are not the fruits of the ,holy ,spirit1 but come from beneath4 ,for where envying and strife is1 there is confusion and every evil work 7,james #c3af74 ,the presence and inspiration of the ,holy ,ghost1 with its gifts1 manifestations and divine light are the signs of spiritual life and divine acceptance4 ,without the ,holy ,ghost there is no true1 living ,church of ,christ on earth4 ,it can be obtained in no other way than that which ,god has appointed4 ,following the birth of water1 the birth of the ,holy ,spirit makes man a new creature1 and initiates him into the ,church or kingdom of ,god4 ,its various gifts are within his reach according to his faith and diligence in seeking after them4 ,they are as obtainable in this age as at any former period4 ,by the ,holy ,ghost mankind may come to the knowledge of ,god4 ,in its light the sayings and writings of inspired men may be clearly understood4 ,the ,bible is no longer a sealed book4 ,the heavens are not closed against mortals4 ,darkness flees before it and mysteries vanish4 ,it brings peace and comfort to the soul4 ,it awakens and thrills the spiritual sense4 ,it unfolds the things of eternity and the glories of immortality4 ,it links earth and heaven4 ,it fills the soul with joy unspeakable1 and he who gains and keeps it has boundless wealth and everlasting life4 ,,ray ,,no4 #e4 ,the ordinances of the gospel referred to in previous chapters of this series1 cannot be effectually administered without divine authority4 ,that authority does not and cannot originate in man4 ,it may be assumed1 it is true1 and presumptuous men may claim to be called of ,god without communication from him4 ,but their performances will be without avail and will not be recognized in heaven1 either in time or in eternity4 ,when there is no revelation from ,god there can be no divine authority on earth4 ,baptism1 even if solemnized according to the form and pattern followed by the ,savior and his appointed servants1 will be of no avail and will not bring remission of sins1 unless the officiating minister has received authority from ,deity to act in the name of the ,father and of the ,son and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,men may lay their hands on the baptized believer in the form of confirmation1 but if they have not been divinely appointed to do so1 the ,holy ,ghost will not flow to the convert1 and the performance will be void in the sight of heaven4 ,those who have the temerity to act in that manner will be counted guilty of taking the name of the ,lord in vain4 ,no council1 convocation1 conference1 synod1 or presbytery1 composed of any number of learned1 devout and venerable persons1 without divine communication can confer the smallest amount of divine authority4 ,their power is only human1 their decisions1 their commissions and their creeds are equally valueless in the plan of salvation4 ,whenever the ,almighty desired to communicate with man on earth1 he selected his own representatives and endowed them with authority to speak and act in his name4 ,what they uttered by the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 and what they administered as he directed1 was recognized by him as if performed and spoken by ,deity in person4 ,when he gave them authority to call and ordain others to the same duties1 their administrations were also accepted by the ,lord1 and were fully efficacious4 ,this divine authority was called the holy priesthood4 ,it was bestowed in the earliest ages4 ,it existed among the patriarchs1 was exercised in the ,mosaic dispensation1 was held by many of the prophets1 and was established in the ,christian ,church by the ,savior himself4 ,there are two orders1 or branches1 of that priesthood4 ,the higher1 which includes the lower1 came to be known as the ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,this was because ,melchizedek the ,king of ,salem1 who lived in the time of ,abraham and from whom the father of the faithful received his blessing1 obtained great power in that priesthood4 ,it is referred to in the epistle to the ,hebrews1 #gth chapter4 ,much controversy has arisen over the meaning of the third verse1 which says3 ,without father1 without mother1 without descent1 having neither beginning of days1 nor end of life2 but made like unto the ,son of ,god2 abideth a priest continually4 ,the difficulty has arisen through the application of these remarks to the individual instead of the priesthood which he held4 ,the higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood was not limited1 as the ,levitical ,order subsequently was1 to a special lineage4 ,it did not depend upon parentage or descent1 and it was an eternal priesthood1 and those who possessed it worthily retained it through life1 being kings and priests unto ,god forever4 ,the lesser priesthood was held notably by ,aaron and his sons1 in the line of the first born1 and has therefore been called by his name4 ,it had authority to administer in the lesser ordinances and in temporal affairs1 but not in the higher and more spiritual concerns of the kingdom of ,god4 ,but no man could take this honor unto himself4 ,he must be called of ,god as was ,aaron1 or he could not hold that priesthood 7,hebrews #e3d74 ,aaron was called by revelation through ,moses the prophet1 and ordained under his hands4 ,this being so1 as a matter of course1 no man can take unto himself the higher1 or ,melchizedek ,priesthood4 ,unless called of ,god by revelation and properly ordained1 he could not obtain that authority4 ,even ,jesus of ,nazareth1 though he was the ,son of ,god1 did not assume that priesthood4 ,he was called of ,god1 a high priest after the order of ,melchizedek4 ,it is written further3 ,so also ,christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest2 but he that said unto him1 ,thou art my ,son1 today have ,i begotten thee 7,hebrews #e3e1 #aj74 ,it has been erroneously taught among the ,christian sects of the present age that this priesthood1 in both of its branches or orders1 was done away in ,christ4 ,that it has not been on earth for several centuries may be true1 and therefore the authority to administer in the name of the ,lord has not been enjoyed among men4 ,but the authority held by ,jesus ,christ as a priest forever after the order of ,melchizedek was conferred by him upon his apostles1 to whom he gave the keys of that power and authority1 so that what they sealed on earth should be sealed in heaven1 and what they loosed on earth should be loosed in heaven 7,matthew #ah3ah74 ,he said to them3 ,as my ,father hath sent me1 even so send ,i you 7,john #bj3ba74 ,again he said3 ,ye have not chosen me1 but ,i have chosen you1 and ordained you1 that ye should go and bring forth fruit1 and that your fruit should remain 7,john #ae3af74 ,the apostles thus authorized had power to call others to this priesthood and ministry1 when directed by the ,holy ,ghost1 as ,moses called and ordained his brother1 ,aaron4 ,the law of carnal commandments in which the lesser or ,levitical ,priesthood administered was fulfilled in ,jesus ,christ1 but the priesthood or authority to administer in the name of the ,lord was not then abolished1 the higher or ,melchizedek ,priesthood was restored4 ,that was the change in the priesthood referred to in ,hebrews #g3ab3 ,for the priesthood being changed1 there is made of necessity a change also of the law4 ,from this it is evident that the priesthood was not abolished1 but the law of the gospel being introduced by ,christ in place of the ,mosaic code1 the higher priesthood was also introduced1 for the gospel is a higher law than that of ,moses4 ,the sacrifice of animals in which the lesser priesthood administered was no longer required1 after the great sacrifice of the ,son of ,god of which they were typical1 so that function of the lesser or ,aaronic ,priesthood was discontinued4 ,but the administration of the ordinances of the gospel was necessary1 and could not be rightfully performed without divine authority4 ,therefore1 the priesthood of ,god held by ,jesus ,christ1 and by his apostles and by others called of ,god through them1 was a part of and essential to the ,christian dispensation4 ,the term called of ,god appears to be as much misunderstood as is the subject of the priesthood of ,god4 ,men assume to act in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 either because they feel or imagine they have a call in their hearts to this ministry1 or because they have been called by some person or conclave having no more divine communication and authority than they had themselves4 ,in contrast to their assumption let us view the case of ,saul of ,tarsus1 afterwards called ,paul the ,apostle4 ,in the narration of his case as given in ,acts #bb he says that on his way to ,damascus the ,lord ,jesus ,christ appeared to him in glory1 and he was stricken blind thereby4 ,he received his sight by miracle and was informed3 ,the ,god of our fathers hath chosen thee1 that thou shouldst know his will1 and see that ,just ,one1 and shouldst hear the voice of his mouth4 ,for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard4 ,and now why tarriest thou1 arise and be baptized1 and wash away thy sins1 calling on the name of the ,lord4 ,paul subsequently received another divine communication1 informing him that the ,lord would send him unto the ,gentiles 7,verses #ab-ba74 ,after all this he was not authorized to act as a minister of the gospel1 because he had not yet been properly called and ordained4 ,it was ten years after this1 according to the chronology of the ,new ,testament1 that ,paul was ordained to the priesthood or authority to act in the name of the ,lord4 ,it is stated that certain prophets and teachers were in the ,church at ,antioch1 and ,as they ministered to the ,lord1 and fasted1 the ,holy ,ghost said1 ,separate me ,barnabas and ,saul for the work whereunto ,i have called them4 ,and when they had fasted and prayed1 and laid their hands upon them1 they sent them away 7,acts #ac3b1 #c2 see also ,acts #i3ae-ah74 ,paul in his epistles invariably declared that he was not called by the will of man and he taught that no man of himself could rightfully assume the authority to administer in the name of the ,lord4 ,to the ,galatians he wrote3 ,paul1 an apostle 7not of men1 neither by man1 but by ,jesus ,christ1 and ,god the ,father1 who raised him from the dead7 7,galatians #a3a74 ,writing to ,titus1 ,paul said3 ,for this cause left ,i thee in ,crete1 that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting1 and ordained elders in every city as ,i had appointed thee 7,titus #a3e74 ,writing to ,timothy1 ,paul says3 ,neglect not the gift that is in thee1 which was given thee by prophecy1 with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery 7,i ,timothy #d3ad74 ,it was thus that the seven deacons were ordained1 as recorded in ,acts #f3f4 ,that there was a divinely appointed ministry in the ,church established by our ,savior must be evident to every mind open to the truth1 on reading the ,new ,testament2 also that it was essential to the ,church1 and that without it there can be no true ,church of ,christ on earth4 ,explaining this subject and stating the order of the ,christian ministry given by ,christ1 ,paul says3 ,and he gave some apostles1 and some prophets1 and some evangelists1 and some pastors and teachers 7,ephesians #d3aa74 ,these inspired men were1 as we have seen1 called of ,god1 not of men1 and were appointed and ordained to their respective callings by divine authority4 ,it is claimed that these were necessary only in the first days of the ,church of ,christ on earth1 and that they are no longer needed4 ,but the succeeding verses of the scripture we have quoted show most positively to the contrary4 ,they were given1 ,paul says1 ,for the perfecting of the ,saints1 for the work of the ministry1 for the edifying of the body of ,christ3 till we all come in the unity of the faith1 and of the knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 unto a perfect man1 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ3 that we henceforth be no more children1 tossed to and fro1 and carried about with every wind of doctrine1 by the sleight of men1 and cunning craftiness1 whereby they lie in wait to deceive 7,verses #ab-ad74 ,without these divinely ordained and inspired men1 holding this holy priesthood1 the work of the ministry cannot be performed acceptably to ,god1 neither can the ,church be perfected4 ,they are absolutely necessary until all shall come to the unity of the faith and a knowledge of the ,son of ,god4 ,the absence of that divine authority1 and of the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 has caused the division and dissension that now exist among professing ,christians1 who are tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine1 led hither and thither by unauthorized and uninspired men1 and by the cunning craftiness whereby hirelings who preach for money1 lie in wait to deceive and make merchandise of the souls of men4 ,all the ministrations1 ordinances1 baptisms1 confirmations1 performances and ceremonies that have been instituted by men and conducted under merely human authority1 whether devoutly1 sincerely and piously1 or with wilful intent to impose upon the ignorance and credulity of mankind1 are void in the sight of heaven1 are not recognized of ,god1 and have no virtue or effect as aids to salvation4 ,god's house is a house of order1 and he will accept only that which he has authorized and ordained4 ,however startling this may appear1 it is the eternal truth1 which will stand the test of both reason and revelation4 ,truth is mighty and will prevail4 ,the remedy for these tremendous evils will be pointed out in succeeding chapters4 ,,ray ,,no4 #f4 ,that there has been a great departure from the doctrines1 ordinances and discipline of the ,church as it existed in the days of ,christ and his apostles1 must be evident to every unbiased enquirer into religious truth4 ,this has been demonstrated to some extent in that already presented to the reader4 ,but the full measure of the apostasy that has taken place would take volumes to represent in detail4 ,the proofs are ample that it has been universal4 ,when ,jesus ,christ commenced his ministry on earth he found the people who claimed to be the special subjects of divine blessing and approbation1 with all their priests and ministers and learned divines1 entirely out of the way of life and salvation4 ,none were acceptable unto ,god4 ,he denounced the most pious1 respectable1 devout and educated among them as hypocrites and whited sepulchres4 ,their foreign missionary enterprises he declared obnoxious to the ,almighty1 and informed them that when they compassed sea and land to make one proselyte they made him two-fold more the child of hell 7,matthew #bc3ae74 ,he pronounced them blind guides who made clean the outside1 but within were full of extortion and excess4 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord had departed from those who honored his name with their lips1 but who had departed from his ways1 and who1 in place of the word of ,god1 taught for doctrine the commandments of men4 ,they were without authority from ,god1 although they claimed to have it by descent and ordination through a long line of predecessors and prophets4 ,it should not be deemed impossible that a similar universal apostasy could take place after the establishment of the ,church of ,christ by him and his apostles4 ,but whether so considered or not1 the facts are too patent to be denied when they confront the honest and enlightened mind4 ,it has been shown that the gospel as taught and administered by ,christ and his apostles required first1 faith in ,god and ,jesus ,christ2 second1 repentance1 which included reform of conduct2 third1 baptism by immersion for the remission of sins2 fourth1 the reception of the ,holy ,ghost by the laying on of the hands of divinely authorized men2 and that obedience to these brought the gifts of the ,spirit1 including love1 joy1 peace1 patience1 brotherly kindness1 charity1 healings1 tongues1 interpretations1 discerning of spirits1 miracles1 prophecy1 revelation1 and the unity in one body of all who were baptized into the ,church1 no matter what had been their previous beliefs4 ,also that the ordinances of the gospel were administered by men inspired of ,god1 who were in communion with him1 and who were ordained to act for and in behalf of ,deity1 so that what they performed by that authority on earth was acknowledged and sealed in heaven4 ,and that in the ,church of ,christ there were apostles1 prophets1 evangelists1 pastors1 teachers1 elders1 and other officers1 who were constituent parts of the body of ,christ4 ,this may be further seen by a careful reading of ,i ,corinthians #ab1 from which it clearly appears that ,god placed these in the ,church1 that they were all essential to its existence1 and that one of them could not say to any of the others1 ,i have no need of thee4 ,look at the condition of so-called ,christendom today6 ,there are no inspired apostles1 prophets1 evangelists1 pastors and teachers1 administering by divine authority and in the power and demonstration of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,in their place there are contending priests and teachers guided by the wisdom of men1 the learning of the schools and the traditions of the fathers1 not even claiming that there is any direct communication between them and ,god1 but persuading mankind that revelation has ceased and the voice of prophecy is hushed forever4 ,not one of the clashing1 jarring and discordant sects of the day proclaims the gospel as it was preached by ,peter on the day of ,pentecost1 and as taught by all the duly authorized servants of ,god in the primitive ,christian ,church4 ,the gifts and signs which ,christ promised to true believers1 and which were enjoyed by the members of his ,church according to their needs and their faith1 are not only absent from the churches of these degenerate times1 but are pronounced needless and done away4 ,there is no unity of the faith1 no actual knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 no manifestations of his divine acceptance nor of the power and glory of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,what is the reason of this transformation8 ,has ,god changed8 ,is ,christ divided8 ,is the ,holy ,ghost dead8 ,or1 have not men changed the order1 ordinances1 discipline1 doctrines1 and spirit of the ,church of ,christ8 ,is not the prediction of ,isaiah the prophet concerning these times literally fulfilled8 ,the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof2 because they have transgressed the laws1 changed the ordinance1 broken the everlasting covenant4 ,he said it should be as with the people1 so with the priest2 as with the servant1 so with his master2 as with the maid1 so with her mistress2 as with the buyer1 so with the seller2 as with the lender1 so with the borrower2 as with the taker of usury1 so with the giver of usury to him 7,isaiah #bd3b-e74 ,the deplorable condition of affairs in modern ,christendom was foreseen and predicted by the apostles of ,jesus ,christ1 whose forebodings have come down to us in the ,new ,testament4 ,paul1 writing to ,timothy1 spoke in this wise3 ,this know also1 that in the last days perilous times shall come4 ,for men shall be lovers of their own selves1 covetous1 boasters1 proud1 blasphemers1 disobedient to parents1 unthankful1 unholy1 without natural affection1 trucebreakers1 false accusers1 incontinent1 fierce1 despisers of those that are good1 traitors1 heady1 high-minded1 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of ,god2 having a form of ,godliness1 but denying the power thereof3 from such turn away 7,,ii ,timothy #c3a-e74 ,also3 ,now the ,spirit speaketh expressly1 that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith1 giving heed to seducing spirits1 and doctrines of devils2 speaking lies in hypocrisy2 having their conscience seared with a hot iron 7,i ,timothy #d3a1 #b74 ,paul further said3 ,i charge thee therefore before ,god1 and the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom2 preach the word2 be instant in season1 out of season2 reprove1 rebuke1 exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine4 ,for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine2 but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers1 having itching ears2 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth1 and shall be turned unto fables 7,,ii ,timothy #d3a-d74 ,paul also said they should be ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth4 ,writing to the ,thessalonians he said3 ,now we beseech you1 brethren1 by the coming of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and by our gathering together unto him1 that ye be not soon shaken in mind1 or be troubled1 neither by spirit1 nor by word1 nor by letter as from us1 as that the day of ,christ is at hand4 ,let no man deceive you by any means3 for that day shall not come1 except there come a falling away first 7,,ii ,thessalonians #b3a-c74 ,the ,apostle ,peter also foresaw this great apostasy1 and spoke of it in this wise3 ,but there were false prophets also among the people1 even as there shall be false teachers among you1 who privily shall bring in damnable heresies1 even denying the ,lord that bought them1 and bring upon themselves swift destruction4 ,and many shall follow their pernicious ways2 by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of4 ,and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you3 whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not and their damnation slumbereth not 7,,ii ,peter #b3a-c74 ,the falling away commenced in the time of the apostles1 and hence their numerous warnings and exhortations to the saints1 rebuking schisms and divisions1 and counseling unity1 showing that the ,spirit of the ,lord promoted union and led people to the knowledge of the truth1 while dissension and strife came from the ,evil ,one1 and led to darkness and death4 ,that the great apostasy commenced at a very early period is shown by the words of ,paul1 for the mystery of iniquity doth already work3 only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way 7,,ii ,thessalonians #b3g74 ,by the time the apostles were taken out of the way1 most of them slain by the hands of wicked men1 the apostasy had assumed such proportions that only seven of the ,churches were deemed worthy of a divine communication through the ,apostle ,john1 who had been banished to the ,island of ,patmos4 ,and in that revelation most of them were denounced by the ,lord because they had left their first love1 and were commanded to repent or he would remove them out of their place4 ,some of them were neither cold or hot1 others had given way to seducing spirits and had committed abominations and imbibed false doctrines 7,see ,revelation #a1 #b1 and #c74 ,in that same vision ,john the beloved saw the ,church in the form of a woman1 clothed with the sun1 the moon under her feet1 and a crown of twelve stars on her head1 taken away into the wilderness1 to remain for a lengthened period1 and in her place he saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet colored beast1 full of names of blasphemy1 and though decked with gold and precious stones1 she held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations1 and the name upon her head was ,mystery4 ,he saw further that all nations were made to drink out of that golden cup1 by which they were made drunken 7,see ,revelation #ab3a-f2 #ag3a-e2 #ah3b-c74 ,it is clear from these predictions in the ,new ,testament1 and others that might be cited1 that the departure from the purity1 simplicity1 and unity of the gospel of ,christ was to be universal2 and that these prophecies were fulfilled we have the testimony of the ,church of ,england4 ,in her ,homily on the ,perils of ,idolatry she declares3 ,clergy and laity1 learned and unlearned1 men1 women and children1 of all ages1 sects and degrees1 of whole ,christendom1 a most horrible and dreadful thing to think1 have been at once buried in the most abominable idolatry1 and that for eight hundred years or more4 ,that being true1 how is it possible to believe that the ,church of ,christ had any existence on earth after that long continued darkness and apostasy8 ,how could there be any remnant left of the divine authority held by the apostles and priesthood of the original ,christian ,church8 ,if the ,romish ,church1 from which the ,church of ,england seceded1 had no divine authority1 then the ,church of ,england could have none1 for all she had she obtained from that ,church4 ,if the ,romish ,church possessed that authority1 still the ,church of ,england could have none1 for ,rome excommunicated her with all her priests and ministers4 ,the ,church of ,england being without divine authority1 all the various contending sects that have sprung from her are of necessity in a similar condition1 for none of them even claim to have received any revelation from ,god restoring that authority and re-establishing the ,church of ,christ4 ,from the ,pope of ,rome down to the latest minister presuming to act in the name of the ,lord1 there is not and cannot be one who holds the holy apostleship or any portion of that sacred priesthood which ,god placed in the ,church1 and which ,paul declared essential to its existence4 ,good men1 learned men1 devout men1 there have been by millions2 noble1 pious1 and blessed women also1 with them1 have done the best they could according to their light and opportunities2 but darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people1 and apostasy from primitive ,christianity1 as foretold by its founders1 has been awful and universal6 ,but1 thank ,god1 the restoration was also predicted1 and it will be a pleasing task in further chapters to set this forth1 as revealed and brought about by revelation from ,god the eternal ,father1 through ,jesus ,christ his ,son and the holy angels sent from their presence1 to usher in the last and greatest of all dispensations4 ,,ray ,,no4 #g4 ,and ,i saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven1 having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth1 and to every nation1 and kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 ,saying with a loud voice1 ,fear ,god and give glory to him2 for the hour of his judgment is come2 and worship him that made heaven1 and earth1 and the sea1 and the fountains of waters4 ,and there followed another angel1 saying1 ,babylon is fallen1 is fallen1 that great city1 because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication 7,revelation #ad3f-h74 ,in these inspired words ,john the beloved apostle predicted the restoration of the gospel to the earth1 and the subsequent destruction of that power which had filled the earth with the darkness of spiritual inebriety and wickedness4 ,that these events were not revelations of the past1 but prophecies of the future manifested to the ,apostle ,john is made certain by what he says in ,chapter iv1 verse #a3 ,after this ,i looked1 and1 behold1 a door was opened into heaven3 and the first voice which ,i heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me1 which said1 ,come up hither1 and ,i will show thee things which must be hereafter4 ,the angels spoken of in the #adth chapter1 quoted above1 were among the things which ,john was told must be hereafter4 ,it should be observed that when the angel should fly to the earth bearing the everlasting gospel1 it was to be at a time when every nation1 and kindred1 and tongue1 and people would be without that gospel in its fulness4 ,that this has been the condition of the world for a long time has already been demonstrated to the reader4 ,in predicting events that would occur previous to his coming and the end of the world1 ,christ declared1 ,and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations1 and then shall the end come 7,matthew #bd3ad74 ,from this we learn that the gospel as preached by ,christ and delivered by him to the apostles1 is to be preached in all the world as a witness of his second advent and a sign of the approaching end 7,see verse #c74 ,the foregoing predictions correspond with the prophecy of ,isaiah3 ,wherefore the ,lord said1 ,forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth1 and with their lips do honor me1 but have removed their heart far from me1 and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men2 therefore ,i will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people1 even a marvelous work and a wonder2 for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish1 and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid 7,isaiah #bi3ac1 #ad74 ,all the prophets whose writings have been collected in the sacred volume called the ,bible1 have proclaimed the glory of the latter days and the final triumph of truth over error1 and the power of ,god over the deceptions of that ,evil ,one4 ,thus not only the restoration of the gospel after the great apostasy that was to take place was foretold by holy men of ,god1 but the manner of its revelation was also explained4 ,it was to be by the coming of an angel from heaven4 ,to whom might it be expected that this angel should appear8 ,to the learned divines and contending sectaries of modern ,christendom8 ,do they not all declare that revelation ceased when ,john received his vision1 recorded in the ,book of ,revelation8 ,do they not teach that though angels once ministered to men the day of their coming has long since passed8 ,have they any faith to call on ,god for a divine communication8 ,and will the ,almighty reveal anything except to those who call upon him in faith8 ,god's ways are not as man's ways4 ,therefore1 as ,paul expressed it1 not many wise men after the flesh1 not many mighty1 not many noble are called2 but ,god hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise4 ,and ,god hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty2 4 4 4 that no flesh should glory in his presence 7,i ,corinthians #a3bf-bi74 ,and as quoted above1 the ,lord determined that in bringing forth his latter-day work1 a marvelous work and a wonder1 the wisdom of the wise should perish and the understanding of the prudent should be hid4 ,it was in the year #ahbc that the angel spoken of by ,john the ,revelator came with the everlasting gospel to a young man scarcely eighteen years of age1 of obscure though respectable parentage1 and without the learning of the schools4 ,his name1 too1 was common1 and his occupation that of a farmer's boy4 ,joseph ,smith1 whom the ,lord raised up to receive his word1 establish his ,church1 and prepare the way for the ,redeemer's second coming1 was led to enquire of the ,lord through reading the scriptures1 for the purpose of finding out which of all the disputing religions was right4 ,coming to the ,epistle of ,james1 #ast chapter and #eth verse1 he read3 ,if any of you lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not2 and it shall be given him4 ,but let him ask in faith1 nothing wavering4 ,relying on his word1 he went into the woods to pray1 and in the simplicity of his heart called on ,god for the wisdom which he felt he greatly needed4 ,he was then not fifteen years of age1 but his faith was strong and wavered not4 ,his prayers were heard1 and in a heavenly vision in open daylight1 the ,father and the ,son revealed themselves to his astonished gaze4 ,the ,father1 pointing to the ,son1 proclaimed1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 hear him4 ,our ,savior spoke to the boy1 and in answer to his question as to which of all the religious sects was right1 he was told that they had all gone out of the way1 and was commanded to go after none of them1 but was promised that in due time the true gospel of ,christ should be revealed to him4 ,when the angel appeared to him three years later1 it was in his chamber1 just as he had retired for the night4 ,coming in glory1 the angel showed to ,joseph the place where an ancient record was hidden in the side of a hill1 containing the history of the former inhabitants of the ,american continent1 including an account of a visit made to them by ,jesus ,christ after his resurrection from the dead when he declared to them the same gospel that he had preached in ,palestine and also established his ,church among them after the same pattern as that organized on the eastern hemisphere4 ,he was informed that this record should be subsequently placed in his hands to translate by the gift and power of ,god to be given to him through means which the ,lord had prepared for that purpose4 ,this manifestation was thrice repeated that night that ,joseph might be fully assured of its reality4 ,under the inspiration of ,almighty ,god1 the young man was able to obtain possession of this precious record1 inscribed in small and curious characters upon metallic plates4 ,the gospel is there set forth in plain and simple language1 and no one who reads the book1 which is called the ,book of ,mormon1 with a prayerful and unprejudiced heart1 will fail to be impressed with its divine origin4 ,after being thus favored of the ,lord1 ,joseph ,smith received a visitation from ,john the ,baptist1 who held authority in ancient times to preach and administer baptism by immersion for the remission of sins4 ,he came as a ministering angel1 and ordained ,joseph ,smith and his companion1 ,oliver ,cowdery1 to that priesthood and authority4 ,thus endowed1 these young men baptized each other1 and at a later date were ministered to by the ,apostles ,peter and ,james and ,john1 who ordained them to the apostleship1 with authority to lay hands on baptized believers and confer the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 also to build and organize the ,church of ,christ according to the original pattern4 ,on the sixth day of ,april1 #ahcj1 the ,church of ,jesus ,christ was organized in the ,state of ,new ,york1 with six members1 ,latter-day ,saints who had been baptized for the remission of sins and had been confirmed by the laying on of hands4 ,the ,holy ,ghost was manifested unto them1 and as the ,church grew in numbers the gifts of the ,spirit were imparted1 and the organization was eventually made complete with apostles1 prophets1 seventies1 elders1 priests1 teachers1 deacons1 also bishops and other officers that were in the primitive ,christian ,church2 indeed1 all the grades of the ,melchizedek and ,aaronic ,priesthood1 with their keys1 powers and endowments1 and all the ordinances1 ministrations and divine manifestations necessary to the true ,church of ,christ4 ,men thus divinely authorized1 were sent out into the world to preach the gospel like the apostles of old1 without purse or scrip1 without salary and without pay of any kind1 depending upon the ,lord and friends whom he might raise up to minister to their temporal wants4 ,wherever they went and people received their testimony and were baptized for the remission of sins1 the ,holy ,ghost was poured out upon them through the laying on of hands1 and they invariably obtained a testimony from ,god that they were accepted of him1 and that he had in very deed re-established his ,church on earth4 ,there are now many thousands of living witnesses to the truth of these things4 ,they are natives of various countries1 speaking different languages1 reared in divers religions2 they are now brought to the unity of the faith2 they have come to a knowledge of the truth2 doubt has fled and darkness has been dispersed2 the light of heaven shines in their souls4 ,they are in the straight and narrow way4 ,they are members of the body of ,christ1 and his ,spirit1 which searcheth all things1 yea the deep things of ,god1 is the abiding witness from on high and shows them things past1 present and to come4 ,this is the latter-day work spoken of by the holy prophets4 ,it is the dispensation of the fulness of times1 in the which ,god will gather together in one all things in ,christ1 both which are in heaven and which are on earth1 even in him 7,ephesians #a3aj74 ,it is the last and greatest of all dispensations4 ,in it will be accomplished the restitution of all things1 which ,god hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began 7,acts #c3ba74 ,it is to prepare the way for the second advent of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory1 and in flaming fire1 taking vengeance on them that know not ,god1 and that obey not the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 4 4 4 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints 7,,ii ,thessalonians #a3h1 #aj74 ,in this dispensation1 after all people have been warned and the gospel has been preached for a witness to all nations1 and the elect are gathered together from the four winds1 namely1 the east1 west1 north and south1 the great tribulations and judgments will be poured out1 the end of the world1 that is1 the end of the rule of ,satan and of the wicked will come1 the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our ,god and his ,christ1 and he will reign over them forever4 ,the times of ignorance ,god hath winked at1 but he now commands all men everywhere to repent4 ,therefore1 ,o1 ye inhabitants of the earth1 hearken to the voice of the ,lord1 which is unto all people1 ,christian and ,pagan1 preachers and hearers1 ,papists1 ,protestants1 infidels1 secularists and agnostics1 rich and poor1 kings1 presidents1 rulers1 peasants and men and women of all races1 religions and degrees1 saying1 ,repent of your sins1 of your false creeds1 of your dead forms1 and of all your unbelief and iniquities1 and come unto me and be baptized by my servants1 on whom ,i have placed my authority1 and receive the laying on of their hands1 and you shall have the remission of your sins and the gift of the ,holy ,ghost1 and shall know that ,i am ,god1 and that ,i have set my hand to accomplish my great work in the earth1 and if you abide in me you shall inherit the earth when it is cleansed and glorified1 and shall be crowned with eternal life6 ,,ray ,,no4 #h4 ,truth shall spring out of the earth2 and righteousness shall look down from heaven4 ,so prophesied the ,psalm #ast 7,ps4 #he3aa74 ,this may be viewed as a figurative expression1 but it has been literally fulfilled in the #aith century4 ,in the midst of the disputations over the meaning of many parts of the ,bible1 which have caused so many heart-burnings and bitter feelings among preachers and professors of religion1 out of the earth has come forth a sacred record containing divine truth in such plainness and simplicity as to settle in the minds of believers those controversies which have agitated the world of theology4 ,when the ,american continent was discovered by ,columbus and others1 who were led to cross the great waters in search of unknown lands1 a dark-skinned race1 composed of many different tribes but evidently of a common origin1 was found in possession of the western continent4 ,varying in their characteristics from the white1 the black1 the yellow1 and all the ,european1 ,asiatic and ,ethiopian branches of the human family1 their origin became a cause of wonder and scientific investigation4 ,the general conclusion arrived at was that at some remote period their ancestors had migrated from some portion of the eastern hemisphere1 but when1 or how1 or why this emigration had taken place was a profound mystery4 ,but in the year #ahbi a book was published in the ,state of ,new ,york1 claiming to have been translated from metallic plates found in a hill-side in that ,state by a young man who1 was directed to their place of deposit by an angel of ,god1 and who was inspired in the work of translation to decipher the hieroglyphics inscribed on those plates1 being aided in the work by an instrument1 discovered with them1 called the ,urim and ,thummim4 ,the plates had the appearance of gold1 were not quite so thick as common tin1 were about six by seven inches in size1 were engraved on both sides1 and were fastened together in the shape of a book by three rings at the back4 ,acting under instruction of the heavenly messenger1 the young man1 ,joseph ,smith1 proceeded as quietly as possible to perform the arduous task required of him4 ,as he was but a poor scholar1 he obtained the assistance of a scribe to write1 as he dictated word by word4 ,the news of the discovery1 however1 became noised around1 and ridicule from both preachers and people was followed by attempts at violence1 so that the plates had to be concealed1 and1 with their translator1 removed from place to place4 ,a farmer1 named ,martin ,harris1 who had become interested in the work1 received from ,joseph ,smith a copy of some of the hieroglyphics with their translation4 ,these he carried to ,new ,york and submitted them to some learned linguists1 among them ,prof4 ,anthon1 who1 after examining them1 pronounced them true characters and the translations1 so far as he could determine1 to be correct4 ,he wrote a certificate to this effect1 and gave it to ,martin ,harris4 ,but questioning him as to how the young man had obtained the record containing these characters1 he was informed that it was revealed to him by an angel of ,god4 ,he then requested ,martin ,harris to let him look at the certificate he had given him4 ,on receiving it he tore it up1 declaring that there was no such thing as angels from heaven now-a-days1 but said if the book was brought to him he would endeavor to translate it4 ,a portion of the record being sealed1 ,martin ,harris informed him of that fact1 when he exclaimed1 ,i cannot read a sealed book4 ,as will be seen subsequently1 he was1 though unwittingly1 fulfilling a scriptural prophecy4 ,that portion of the record which was not sealed was finally translated into the ,english language by ,joseph ,smith and formed a volume of about #fjj pages1 which was published as the ,book of ,mormon4 ,this title was given to it because a prophet named ,mormon1 by command of ,god1 about four hundred years after ,christ1 compiled and abridged the records of prophets who ministered on the ,american continent1 back to to about #fjj years before ,christ1 when a colony of ,israelites were led from ,palestine across the waters and became a numerous people1 the ancestors of the present race of ,american ,indians4 ,the account of their travels1 their establishment on the western hemisphere1 the revelations of ,god to them1 their division through wickedness into separate tribes1 the manner in which the hue of their complexion was changed1 their wars1 their works1 their buildings1 their customs1 their language1 the words of their prophets1 are all given in great plainness in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,an account is also given of the visit of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ to this people after his resurrection1 fulfilling his own prediction recorded in ,john #aj3af3 ,and other sheep ,i have1 which are not of this fold3 them also ,i must bring1 and they shall hear my voice2 and there shall be one fold and one shepherd4 ,that these other sheep were not the ,gentiles1 as popularly supposed1 is clear from ,christ's statement1 ,i am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of ,israel 7,matthew #ae3bd74 ,he established his ,church among them1 ordaining twelve apostles1 and giving them the same gospel1 authority1 gifts1 powers1 ordinances and blessings as he gave to his sheep on the eastern hemisphere4 ,thus the fulness of the gospel is contained in the ,book of ,mormon1 which stands as a witness of the truth of the ,bible2 the two records supporting each other1 and both united bearing testimony to an unbelieving world that ,jesus of ,nazareth is the ,christ1 the ,son of the eternal ,god and the ,savior of the world4 ,this record also contains an account of a colony directed of the ,lord to the western continent at the time of the scattering of the people from the land of ,shinar and the confusion of tongues1 at the stoppage of the building of the ,tower of ,babel4 ,the ruins of their cities and temples and fortifications1 discovered by travelers and archaeologists since the publication of the ,book of ,mormon1 are silent but potent witnesses of the truth of the record4 ,each succeeding year brings forth further evidences of this character1 that form a cloud of witnesses to the divine mission of the ,prophet1 ,seer1 and ,translator1 ,joseph ,smith4 ,the ,book of ,mormon has since been published in many languages and submitted to the scrutiny of the religious and scientific world1 and no one as yet has been able to point out wherein it disagrees with the ,jewish ,scriptures or with the facts developed by antiquarian research and scientific investigation4 ,yet it was brought forth in this age by an unlearned youth1 not acquainted with the world1 reared in rural simplicity1 without access to the literature of the time1 and without even the ordinary acquirements of the schoolboy of the present4 ,according to the ,book of ,mormon1 the people who journeyed from ,jerusalem to the ,american continent1 taking with them the genealogy of their fathers and writings of the law and the prophets1 were of the tribe of ,joseph through ,ephraim and ,manasseh1 and were led out of ,palestine when ,zedekiah was king of ,judah4 ,in keeping the record1 which was subsequently abridged by the prophet ,mormon1 they used the learning of the ,jews and the language of the ,egyptians4 ,their hieroglyphs and symbols1 however1 were changed and modified1 so that the characters upon the plates revealed to ,joseph ,smith1 where they had lain hidden for about #a1djj years1 was a reformed ,egyptian4 ,how this uneducated youth was able to bring forth a work of such magnitude and importance1 unless by inspiration of ,almighty ,god1 and by the means explained remains a mystery to unbelievers4 ,for a long time it was pretended by enemies of the work that one ,solomon ,spaulding wrote a ,manuscript ,story which in some unexplained manner fell into the hands of ,joseph ,smith1 who worked it over into the ,book of ,mormon4 ,but that foolish tale has signally failed of its purpose1 for in recent years the ,spaulding manuscript has come to light1 and is now deposited in the ,library of ,oberlin ,college1 ,ohio1 and proves to be as unlike the ,book of ,mormon as ,jack the ,giant ,killer is dissimilar to the ,bible4 ,the colonization of ,america by the seed of ,joseph1 who was sold into ,egypt1 fulfills the blessings pronounced on the head of ,joseph and his sons by the patriarch ,jacob 7,see ,genesis #dh1 also xlix1 #bb-bf1 also the blessing pronounced by the prophet ,moses1 ,deuteronomy #cc3ac-ag74 ,the historical portion of the ,book of ,mormon shows that the ,american continent1 possessed by a multitude of nations1 the seed of ,ephraim and ,manasseh1 is the blessed land bestowed on ,joseph in addition to his portion in ,canaan4 ,there are to be found the everlasting hills and the ancient mountains1 the precious things of heaven1 and the precious things of the earth1 and all of the characteristics of the country unto which the branches of the fruitful bough were to run over the wall1 as ,jacob predicted4 ,that the word of the ,lord was to be given to the seed of ,ephraim1 may be seen from ,hosea #h3aa1 #ab3 ,because ,ephraim hath made many altars to sin1 altars shall be unto him to sin4 ,i have written to him the great things of my law1 but they were counted as a strange thing4 ,the coming forth of the ,book of ,mormon is foreshadowed by ,isaiah the prophet1 ,chapter #bi3d-ai4 ,it is the voice of a fallen people whispering out of the dust4 ,it has come at a time when the world is drunken1 but not with wine1 staggering under the influence of false doctrine1 and without prophets and seers4 ,it is the marvelous work and a wonder1 which the ,lord was to bring to pass for the confounding of those who had turned things upside down1 and who worshipped him with their mouths while their hearts were far from him4 ,the words of the book1 ,isaiah said1 were to be presented to the learned1 saying1 ,read this1 ,i pray thee1 and he was to say1 ,i cannot1 for it is sealed4 ,the book itself was to be delivered to him that is not learned2 and that it was to be read is clear from verse #ah3 ,and in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book1 and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity1 and out of darkness4 ,the meek also shall increase their joy in the ,lord1 and the poor among men shall rejoice in the ,holy ,one of ,israel4 ,the coming forth of the ,book of ,mormon as the stick of ,joseph1 is also predicted in ,ezekiel #cg3ae-bb4 ,the interview of ,martin ,harris with ,prof4 ,anthon1 related above1 fulfilled one portion of ,isaiah's prophecy1 the other portions have come to pass in the translation of the book by the unlearned youth and its reception by the meek and poor among men1 and by the restoration of sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf1 who have seen and heard the words of the book and bear testimony to its divine origin4 ,the ,stick of ,judah--the ,bible--is now joined with the ,stick of ,joseph--the ,book of ,mormon--and1 as ,ezekiel foretold1 they have become one in the hand of the ,lord1 as a witness for him and his ,son ,jesus ,christ in the latter days4 ,as a preface to the ,book of ,mormon the testimony of three witnesses1 namely1 ,oliver ,cowdery1 ,david ,whitmer and ,martin ,harris1 is published1 declaring with words of soberness that an angel of ,god came down from heaven and brought and laid before their eyes the plates from which the book was translated2 that the voice of ,god from heaven declared that it had been translated by the gift and power of ,god1 and commanded them to bear record of it4 ,also the testimony of eight witnesses is given1 who saw the plates naturally1 handled them1 inspected the engravings thereon1 and turned over the leaves that had been translated4 ,in addition to these witnesses1 chosen of the ,lord to bear record of these facts1 thousands of people1 of various nationalities1 have received divine testimony that the book is true1 and that ,joseph ,smith1 who translated it by the gift of ,god1 was a true prophet1 called of ,god to usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times1 proclaims anew the everlasting gospel1 the one plan of salvation1 re-establish the ,church of ,christ on earth1 and prepare the way for the coming of him whose right it is to reign1 and for the final redemption of the earth from sin and ,satan1 from darkness and death4 ,and every person who will read the ,book of ,mormon with an unprejudiced mind and will ask ,god in faith1 in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 concerning it1 shall surely receive a witness of its truth and be guided in the way of eternal salvation4 ,,ray ,,no4 #i4 ,in proclaiming the great truths that the silence of centuries has been broken2 that the voice of ,god has again been heard from heaven2 that ,jesus ,christ his ,son has manifested himself in these latter days2 that angels from the courts of glory have ministered to man on earth in the present age2 that a sacred record has been brought forth from the ground1 disclosing the history of a hemisphere and bearing the same truths as those recorded in the ,bible2 that a prophet1 seer and revelator has been raised up to bring in the last dispensation2 that apostles and other inspired servants of ,god now minister among men2 that the ,church of ,christ1 with all its former organization1 ordinances1 gifts and spiritual power1 has been reorganized on earth2 and that communications may be had with ,deity by men and women of faith now1 as at any period in the world's history1 the servants of ,god are met with the assertion that the day of revelation has long since passed1 and that they must of necessity be either impostors or deluded1 because there is to be no more scripture1 prophecy1 miracles1 angelic ministrations1 visions or actual communications from heaven to earth4 ,this popular error is fostered and propagated by the ministers of various so-called ,christian denominations1 and is accepted by the masses of the people as a settled and foregone conclusion4 ,on what grounds is such an irrational position assumed8 ,is not the ,almighty declared in scripture to be unchangeable8 ,has not his work on earth always been conducted by men divinely chosen1 appointed and inspired8 ,is there not as much need of divine revelation to settle religious feuds and doctrinal differences in the #bjth century as at any previous period8 ,would not the word of the ,lord be of much more value to mankind than the varied opinions of uninspired men1 no matter how great may be their human learning8 ,ought not the inhabitants of the earth to be not only willing1 but eager1 to receive a message from the eternal worlds8 ,ah6 exclaims the objector1 but there were to be no more prophets after ,christ4 ,he finished the divine plan and completed the revelation of ,god to the earth4 ,he warned his disciples against false prophets and false ,christs1 and said if it were possible they would deceive the very elect4 ,does not the very fact that ,christ said there would be false prophets1 convey the idea that there would be true prophets also8 ,if there were to be no more true prophets1 it would have been easy for the ,savior to plainly say so1 and thus there would be no place left for deceivers4 ,but he declared emphatically3 ,wherefore1 behold1 ,i send unto you prophets and wise men1 and scribes3 and some of them ye shall kill and crucify1 and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues1 and persecute them from city to city 7,matthew #bc3cd74 ,were not prophets established in the ,church of ,christ as members of his body8 ,read ,i ,corinthians #b3bh3 ,and ,god hath set some in the ,church2 first apostles1 secondarily prophets1 thirdly teachers1 after that miracles1 then gifts of healings1 helps1 governments1 diversities of tongues4 ,did not ,christ promise his disciples that after he went away the ,comforter should come8 ,and was not one of the offices of that ,spirit to show them things to come8 7,john #af3ac74 ,was not the gift of prophecy bestowed upon members of the ,church of ,christ as one of the manifestations of the ,holy ,spirit8 7,i ,corinthians #ab3aj74 ,and can anybody possess the true testimony of ,jesus without that ,spirit8 ,the angel that appeared to ,john the ,apostle said3 ,the testimony of ,jesus is the spirit of prophecy 7,revelation #ai3aj74 ,paul prayed for the ,ephesians4 ,that the ,god of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,father of glory1 may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him 7,ephesians #a3ag74 ,if revelation and prophecy ceased with ,christ1 what about the ,new ,testament1 all written after his death and resurrection1 by men now believed to be inspired8 ,did not the ,apostle ,john behold a glorious vision and receive a grand revelation1 when banished to the ,island of ,patmos8 ,here again the objection will be raised4 ,but that revelation was the last communication from heaven1 and its closing chapter forbids any further revelation4 ,that is also a popular error promulgated by men professing to be ministers of ,christ1 and finding themselves destitute of divine power and inspiration4 ,here is the passage they quote3 ,for ,i testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book1 ,if any man shall add unto these things1 ,god shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book 7,revelation #bb3ah74 ,it is astonishing how plain and simple language can be wrested from its evident meaning to suit the purposes of sophistry4 ,there is not a word in that text which conveys the remotest intimation that revelation and prophecy were to cease1 or that ,god would no more speak to man4 ,it is a prohibition against the addition by man of anything to that which ,god reveals4 ,the next verse forbids the taking away of anything from the book of this prophecy4 ,that is1 the ,book of ,revelation4 ,these commands have reference to that one book1 and that only4 ,the compilers of the ,new ,testament have placed it last in the collection of scriptural books1 and the strained1 unnatural and absurd application which has been made of the words we have quoted have been attached to the whole volume of the ,bible4 ,it is all wrong and ridiculous4 ,the idea that the ,almighty placed a seal upon his own mouth when he simply forbade men to add to what he said1 is certainly most remarkable for sane people to entertain4 ,if that singular notion were correct1 then both the angel who gave the revelation1 and ,john who received it1 violated the heavenly injunction1 for we read that the angel gave to ,john a mission in figurative manner1 which he thus explained3 ,thou must prophesy again before many peoples1 and nations1 and tongues1 and kings 7,revelation #aj3aa74 ,it is well known that the epistles of ,st4 ,john were written after he received the revelation on ,patmos4 ,while the true ,church of ,christ remained on earth the ,spirit of revelation and prophecy also remained4 ,when that spirit departed there was but a dead form left4 ,only by the restoration of divine communication with man could the ,church of ,christ be re-established on earth4 ,only by raising up a prophet to commence the latter-day dispensation could our heavenly ,father maintain his invariable method from the beginning of the world4 ,and instead of men1 professing to be his servants1 opposing and fighting against divine revelation1 they ought to hail with gladness the re-opening of the heavens and shout for joy that the rays of the ,millennial morning have burst upon the world4 ,it is passing strange that persons familiar with the prophetic writings of the ,bible could hold the opinion that there would be no revelation in the latter days4 ,the ,bible teems with prophecies of the latter-day glory1 when the mightiest miracles ever wrought by divine power should be displayed2 when ,god should set up an ensign for the nations1 assemble the outcasts of ,israel1 gather together the dispersed of ,judah from the four corners of the earth1 and not only repeat the wonders of the ,mosaic journey from ,egypt to ,canaan1 but display his power to such an extent that it will no more be said1 ,the ,lord liveth which brought up the children of ,israel out of the land of ,egypt2 but1 the ,lord liveth which brought up and which led the seed of the house of ,israel out of the north country and from all countries whither ,i had driven them 7,see ,isaiah #aa3f-af2 ,jeremiah #bc3c-h2 ,zechariah #aj3f-aa74 ,not only is the ,lord to gather ,israel and ,judah1 with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm1 but he is to bring his elect together from the four quarters of the earth4 ,they are to go up into the tops of the mountains1 where the house of the ,lord is to be reared1 from which his law is to go forth1 and where his people shall learn of his ways and walk in his paths4 ,when he has rebuked the nations1 and cleansed the earth from its iniquity1 so that the meek shall inherit it1 he is to pour out his ,spirit upon all flesh1 with the result not only that his sons and his daughters shall prophesy and see visions1 but they shall all be taught of ,god1 until the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,lord1 as the waters cover the sea 7,joel #b3bh-cb2 ,isaiah #aa3i2 ,micah #d3a-g2 ,isaiah #ce2 ,isaiah #ed3ac74 ,that there was to be a new and final dispensation after the great apostasy from primitive ,christianity foretold by the apostles1 is evident from the statement of ,paul in his ,epistle to the ,ephesians4 ,he says3 ,having made known unto us the mystery of his will1 according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself1 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in ,christ1 both which are in heaven and which are on earth1 even in him 7,ephesians #a3i1 #aj74 ,how could this1 the greatest of all dispensations1 be ushered in without a prophet and without revelation from ,god8 ,did the ,almighty ever commence a dispensation since the world began without a prophet to declare his word and without revealing his will8 ,the ,apostle ,peter calls this great dispensation the times of restitution of all things1 which ,god hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began1 in which ,jesus ,christ is to come in glory 7,acts #c3ba74 ,if all things are to be restored in that great gathering dispensation1 then prophets must be restored1 revelation1 angelic visitations1 gifts1 signs1 miracles1 and all the manifestations of former times must also be restored4 ,for1 the consummation of all things is to be accomplished1 and the earth be prepared for the presence of its rightful ruler1 its ,redeemer and ,king4 ,be it known to all people that the ,lord1 in his infinite mercy1 has once more opened the heavens and revealed himself to man4 ,the last dispensation has been commenced4 ,the voice of ,christ has again been heard4 ,angels have come down from heaven to earth4 ,prophets1 apostles and other inspired men declare the word and will of the ,lord4 ,a sacred record of the ancient people of a vast continent has been brought out of the ground1 and1 united with the ,jewish ,bible1 bears witness that ,god is the same yesterday1 today and forever1 and that by faith mankind in all ages may learn of him and have communion with him4 ,the gospel of ,jesus ,christ is being preached in all the world as a witness to all nations1 baptism is administered by divine authority for the remission of sins1 the ,holy ,ghost is conferred as of old1 by the laying on of hands of men clothed with the ,holy ,melchizedek ,priesthood1 the unity of the faith is enjoyed1 the sick are healed1 prophecies are uttered1 the gifts of tongues and of interpretation are attainable1 and by visions and dreams and the witness of the ,comforter1 ,god is testifying to those who receive his word1 that he has commenced the great latter-day work spoken of by his holy prophets4 ,the man chosen of ,god to commence the work of the last dispensation was ,joseph ,smith1 who was slain at ,carthage1 ,illinois1 for the word of ,god and the testimony of ,jesus4 ,no prophet who ever lived on earth1 except the ,son of ,god himself1 accomplished a greater work1 brought forth more truth or received greater revelations from on high than he4 ,having finished the grand mission required of him by the ,lord1 he sealed his testimony with his blood1 and stands with the martyrs who will be crowned in the presence of ,god and of the ,lamb as kings and priests unto them forever4 ,the truth of this testimony has been sealed upon the hearts of many thousands of people1 who rejoice in the certain knowledge that they are accepted of ,god4 ,and this knowledge may be obtained by every soul who shall believe in ,christ1 repent of sin1 be baptized for the remission of sins1 and receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,therefore1 ,o reader6 ,come unto the light1 obey the gospel and be saved6 ,this is the only way of eternal life and everlasting happiness in the ,father's presence4 ,,ray ,,no4 #aj4 ,except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god 7,john #c3e74 ,this sweeping declaration was made by ,jesus ,christ to ,nicodemus1 when that prominent ,israelite visited the ,savior at night4 ,the ,apostle ,peter said concerning ,jesus ,christ3 ,neither is there salvation in any other2 for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 7,acts #d3ab74 ,the words of ,peter were spoken when he was filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the words of ,jesus came from him as the ,son of ,god4 ,they vitally affect the whole human family4 ,they being true1 not a soul can enter into the kingdom of ,god unless he or she is a true believer in ,jesus ,christ1 and has been born of the water and of the ,spirit4 ,even ,christ himself had to comply with this law in order to fulfill all righteousness4 ,he was born of the water in his burial by baptism in ,jordan1 and his coming forth from the womb of waters2 he was then born of the ,spirit by the baptism of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,here is the example for all mankind1 who are required to follow in his steps4 ,this is the straight and narrow way4 ,the question which naturally arises in the thoughtful mind on hearing these declarations is1 ,how could people believe in ,jesus ,christ when his name was not preached to them8 ,and coupled with that comes the query3 ,what has become of the many millions of earth's inhabitants who died without the opportunity of being born of water and of the ,spirit8 ,the heathen nations1 worshipping false gods1 knew nothing of ,jesus as the ,savior of mankind4 ,even the chosen people1 ,israel1 who were under the ,mosaic law1 did not walk in that way of salvation4 ,since the days when the apostles and other authorized servants of ,christ administered the ordinances of the gospel1 and during the times when darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people1 down to the present age when it is claimed by the ,latter-day ,saints that the ,church of ,christ1 the holy apostleship1 and the fulness of the gospel have been restored1 myriads of good people have passed away without receiving that new birth in the manner that ,christ declared to be essential4 ,have they all perished8 ,is it possible that they are doomed to destruction8 ,will the eternal ,father reject all these his children because they did not obey a law which was not made known to them8 ,justice1 mercy1 reason1 and common sense revolt at such an idea4 ,as ,paul has it4 ,how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed8 ,and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard8 ,and how shall they hear without a preacher8 ,and how shall they preach1 except they be sent8 7,romans #aj3ad74 ,yet the word of ,god must stand4 ,it endureth forever1 and he is no respecter of persons4 ,and he is to judge the secrets of all men by ,jesus ,christ according to my gospel4 ,it is for that reason that the gospel was to be preached to every creature4 ,according to the notion prevalent in modern ,christendom1 there will be many millions of people shut out of the kingdom of heaven1 because they did not believe in a ,savior about whom they knew nothing4 ,and it is taught that there is no possible chance of salvation for those who died without faith in ,christ4 ,sectarians sing1 ,there's no repentance in the grave1 nor pardon offered to the dead4 ,the preachers of the sects limit the mercy of ,god to this probation4 ,they teach that at death the soul goes either to heaven or to hell1 and its state and condition is fixed forever4 ,if this awful doctrine were true1 ,satan would gain the victory over ,christ1 claiming as his a vast and overwhelming proportion of the human family1 leaving to our great ,redeemer but a small and trifling troop out of the immense and countless hosts of the armies of humanity4 ,the solution of this1 to many1 puzzling problem is simple in the light of the true gospel of ,christ restored in the latter days4 ,the mercy of ,god endureth forever4 ,it is not confined to the narrow boundaries of this little earth1 nor tied up within the limits of time4 ,the spirits of men and women are his sons and daughters1 whether in the body or out of the body4 ,his tender mercies are over ,,all ,,his ,,works4 ,no one can be justly or mercifully judged by the gospel without hearing that gospel1 and having the opportunity to receive or reject it4 ,why1 then1 should not the gospel of ,jesus ,christ be made known to those who never heard it in the flesh1 after they have left the body and dwell in another sphere8 ,do not all the sects of ,christendom1 almost without exception1 believe that the spirit of man is immortal1 and is therefore living and sentient when the body is dead8 ,and if that is true1 are not the spirits of men and women able to receive instruction and information when out of the body8 ,is it not the spirit of man that receives and stores up intelligence conveyed through the bodily senses8 ,why should the change called death1 which is the separation of the body and the spirit1 cut off all means of divine communication to the living1 immortal1 intelligent being that has simply shuffled off this mortal coil8 ,there is no good reason why the spirit thus advanced one stage in its experience should not be capable of still further progress and of receiving light1 knowledge1 wisdom and religious teaching1 especially if information essential to its eternal welfare was withheld while it dwelt in the body4 ,revelation as well as reason bears testimony that the word of ,god can be preached to the departed as well in the sphere to which they have gone as on any part of this earthly globe4 ,for ,christ also hath once suffered for sins1 the just for the unjust1 that he might bring us to ,god1 being put to death in the flesh1 but quickened by the ,spirit3 by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison2 which sometime were disobedient1 when once the long suffering of ,god waited in the days of ,noah1 while the ark was a preparing1 wherein few1 that is1 eight souls were saved by water 7,i ,peter #c3ah-bj74 ,here is a declaration which1 like a ray from the sun of righteousness1 puts to flight the fogs and mists of modern eschatology and opens up to view a vast field of understanding1 wherein the justice1 wisdom and mercy of ,god are displayed in glorious review4 ,the spirits of those rebellious people who were destroyed by the flood1 after suffering about #b1jjj years in their prison house1 were visited by the ,son of ,god while his body was lying in the sepulchre4 ,this was in fulfillment of the prophecies of ,isaiah concerning him1 for instance3 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord ,god is upon me2 because the ,lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek2 he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted1 to proclaim liberty to the captives1 and the opening of the prison to them that are bound 7,isaiah #fa3a74 ,and further3 ,to open the blind eyes1 to bring out the prisoners from the prison1 and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house 7,isaiah #b3g74 ,and again3 ,that thou mayest say to the prisoners1 ,go forth4 ,to them that are in darkness1 ,shew yourselves 7,isaiah #ei3i74 ,the common notion is that when ,christ on the cross bowed his head and gave up the ghost1 he went direct to heaven1 as it is supposed all good people do1 but on the third day after this1 when ,christ appeared to ,mary1 he said to her3 ,touch me not1 for ,i am not yet ascended to my ,father 7,john #bj3 #ag74 ,the time spent by the ,savior between his death and his resurrection1 instead of being in heaven was among the spirits in prison1 the captives whom he went to deliver4 ,thus ,jesus could preach without his body1 and the spirits whom he visited could hear also without their bodies4 ,but what was the nature of his preaching to those who were held in captivity8 ,let ,peter answer this question4 ,for1 for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead1 that they might be judged according to men in the flesh1 but live according to ,god in the spirit 7,i ,peter #d3f74 ,thus it appears that the same gospel which was preached to men in the body was also preached to men out of the body1 so that all might be judged by the same gospel1 which is to be preached to every creature4 ,that the message of deliverance to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that were bound was successful is evident from the scriptural statement concerning ,christ3 ,he led captivity captive 7,ephesians #d3h74 ,jesus promised his disciples that the works which he did1 they should do also4 ,the mission and priesthood which his ,father gave to him he gave also to them4 ,it is therefore clear that the work of redemption commenced on earth will be carried on in the sphere beyond the veil4 ,and that it will be performed in the latter times1 may be learned without doubt from the prophecy of ,isaiah concerning the end of the world1 in which he foretells as one of the events of that period3 ,and it shall come to pass in that day1 that the ,lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high1 and the kings of the earth upon the earth2 and they shall be gathered together1 as prisoners are gathered in the pit1 and shall be shut up in the prison1 and after many days shall they be visited 7,isaiah #bd3ba-bb74 ,the spirit of man when out of the body1 being an intelligent entity1 a thinking1 progressive and responsible being1 capable of hearing1 and believing or rejecting truth1 must be also capable of repenting of evil and learning to do well4 ,thus the mercy of ,god can reach such a being independent of the mortal structure in which it was permitted to dwell on earth4 ,the idea that the eternal future of man is fixed at death comes from a mistaken notion concerning the judgment day4 ,both ,christ and his apostles taught that the time of judgment was set by the ,father to take place when the ,son of man shall come in his glory1 and all the holy angels with him 7,matthew #be3ca-df74 ,paul declared that ,christ would come to judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom 7,,ii ,timothy #d3a74 ,it was at that day that ,paul expected to obtain a crown of righteousness 7,verse #h74 ,and the time of the judgment is fixed in the book of ,revelation to be after the resurrection from the dead1 when the small and the great shall stand before ,god1 and the books shall be opened1 and the dead shall be judged out of the things written in the books1 according to their works4 ,the popular notion that final judgment takes place at the death of each individual1 and that he is then and there exalted to heaven or thrust down to hell1 is utterly wrong and unscriptural4 ,yet it has prevailed in ,christendom for many centuries1 and it remained for the prophet of the #aith century1 ,joseph ,smith1 by divine inspiration to bring forth the glorious light in the midst of dense spiritual darkness1 and show forth them that are dead who could not hear it while living in the by which every soul of ,adam's race1 either in the body or out of the body1 may learn the way of the ,lord1 the everlasting gospel1 the only plan of salvation4 ,it is to be preached to all them that are dead who could not hear it while living in the flesh1 and they can repent and turn unto ,god and be taught the things of his kingdom4 ,the doctrine of purgatory1 which is part of the ,roman ,catholic creed1 is a perversion of this doctrine of ,christ1 but the idea of the former came from a misunderstanding of the latter4 ,there is an intermediate state in which the spirits of the departed remain between death and the resurrection of the body1 and1 as will be pointed out in a succeeding chapter1 there are works which may be performed by the living in behalf of the dead1 but only such as are impossible of performance in the spirit world4 ,the ,apostle ,paul declared that ,jesus ,christ gave himself a ransom for ,,all1 to be testified in due time 7,i ,timothy #b3f74 ,the time has now come4 ,the testimony of this great truth is proclaimed by prophets and apostles raised up in these latter days1 and by the voice of angels from heaven1 and by the witness of the ,holy ,ghost1 which bears record of the ,father and the ,son4 ,let all people rejoice and praise the ,lord for this new revelation of his loving kindness and tender mercies extended over all his works1 and let his light shine to the uttermost parts of the earth and penetrate to the darkest abode of the regions behind the veil1 that truth may triumph everywhere and ,god be glorified in the obedience and salvation of his children4 ,,ray ,,no4 #aa4 ,else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead1 if the dead rise not at all8 why are they then baptized for the dead8 7,i ,corinthians #ae3bi74 ,this was an argument used by the ,apostle ,paul with the ,corinthians1 who doubted the doctrine of the resurrection of the body4 ,it is evident that they were familiar with baptism for the dead4 ,for1 the apostle was reasoning with them from what they knew4 ,the influence of ,greek philosophy affected the minds of the ,saints at ,corinth1 and the apostle found it necessary to write to them his splendid treatise1 to convince them that as ,christ was actually raised from the dead1 so all mankind should be brought forth from their graves1 as the ,savior himself declared4 ,and appealing to their good sense1 he asked the question why they were baptized for the dead1 if1 as some among them maintained1 there was to be no resurrection of the dead4 ,this doctrine1 that the living could be baptized in behalf of the dead1 has not been understood in the so-called ,christian world for many hundreds of years4 ,it was known to the early fathers1 but became obsolete when the authority held by the apostles and their associates was taken from the earth and spiritual darkness settled upon the world4 ,yet1 if that was part of the doctrine of ,christ in the ,apostolic age1 it is part of it now4 ,but who among all the sects of the age teaches it8 ,who has authority to administer it8 ,who knows anything of the manner in which the ordinance should be solemnized8 ,it is because of the profound ignorance of modern teachers of religion on this important subject that they endeavor1 whenever the text given above is quoted1 either to cover it with a cloud of meaningless explanation1 or to treat it as unworthy of attention1 or to set it aside as something done away4 ,in the revelation of the gospel of ,jesus ,christ anew in the present age1 baptism for the dead was made known to the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith as a necessary part of the doctrine of ,christ4 ,its purpose1 the form of the ordinance1 who should administer it1 who should receive it1 how it would affect both the living and dead and everything to render it acceptable to ,god and efficacious to the departed1 was made known to the prophet of the nineteenth century4 ,it has already been demonstrated that the gospel preached by our ,savior and his apostles to the living was also preached to the dead1 that is1 to the spirits of those who had once dwelt in the body on earth4 ,also that such persons are capable of receiving the truth1 of faith1 of repentance1 of obedience and reform4 ,it has been further shown that baptism for the remission of sins and the reception of the ,holy ,ghost by the laying on of hands1 both ordinances to be administered by actual divine authority1 are essential to salvation4 ,but it will be evident to the thoughtful reader that while the internal or spiritual requirements of the gospel can be complied with by disembodied persons1 the outward and material ceremonies are of the body1 and can only be performed on the earth4 ,water is an earthly element or composition of material elements1 and pertains to this mundane sphere4 ,it is for this reason that the living must be baptized for the dead4 ,if those who died unbaptized are to obtain salvation the necessary ordinances will have to be attended to by proxy4 ,if any professing ,christian objects to the idea of salvation by proxy1 the all-important fact that the entire plan of salvation hinges on that principle should be sufficient to sweep away the objection entirely and forever4 ,the wages of sin is death4 ,all have sinned and come short of the glory of ,god4 ,jesus of ,nazareth died instead of sinners4 ,the just was offered for the unjust4 ,the innocent ,christ was a substitute for guilty men4 ,the whole doctrine of the atonement rests upon the principle of salvation by proxy4 ,jesus is called the ,captain of our salvation4 ,he is the head of the host of the army of saviors4 ,it was predicted by ,obadiah the prophet that1 ,saviors shall come up on ,mount ,zion in the last days1 and the kingdom shall be the ,lord's 7,verse #ba74 ,and the inspired writer of the epistle to the ,hebrews1 speaking of those worthies who through faith performed great wonders and prevailed and obtained a witness from ,god in olden times1 declared3 ,these all having obtained a good report through faith1 received not the promise3 ,god having provided some better thing for us1 that they without us should not be made perfect 7,heb4 #aa3ci1 #dj74 ,thus the work of human redemption is to be carried on until all the people of the earth shall be judged according to the gospel1 every soul having had an opportunity of receiving or rejecting it1 either in the body or in the spirit state1 and of obeying the ordinances thereof1 either in person or vicariously1 the living acting for the dead4 ,at the first glance1 this doctrine may strike the modern ,christian mind as new and dangerous1 but the more it is investigated in all its bearings1 the clearer its truth is made apparent1 and the more glorious it becomes4 ,the thought that those who receive and obey the gospel of ,christ in its fulness while in the flesh1 can aid in the work of redemption for their ancestors who are in the spirit world1 is most delightful to the reverent soul4 ,it shows the value of those genealogies which ,israel1 the covenant people of ,god1 were moved upon in olden times to preserve4 ,it stimulates the faithful in ,christ to good works that they may become saviors on ,mount ,zion4 ,it explains how the nations composed of millions upon millions of souls that never heard the gospel or the name of ,christ ,jesus1 may ultimately be redeemed and made heirs of salvation4 ,it points out the way by which ,christ shall eventually obtain the victory over ,satan and prove himself a ransom for all1 presenting his perfect work to the ,father1 not one soul having been lost but the sons of perdition1 who sinned unto death and could not be forgiven in this world or in the world to come4 ,the ordinances for the dead1 as revealed from heaven to the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith1 must be attended to in the way provided by the ,lord or they will not be accepted of him4 ,they must be administered in sacred places1 built according to a heavenly pattern1 and administered by those who have authority to loose on earth and it shall be loosed in heaven1 to seal on earth and it shall be sealed in heaven4 ,persons who have themselves complied with the requirements of the gospel may be baptized and administered to in other necessary ordinances for and in behalf of their departed kindred and ancestors1 as far back as their line of progenitors can be ascertained4 ,this work must be attended to in ,zion4 ,this necessitates the gathering of the ,saints1 the elect of ,god1 from all parts of the earth4 ,they are commanded of the ,lord to come out of ,babylon1 that they be not partakers of her sins1 and that they receive not of her plagues 7,revelation #ah3d74 ,in compliance with this requirement they are gathering from all nations1 to the mountain of the house of the ,lord1 in the tops of the mountains1 where they can learn of his ways and walk in his paths1 and build up ,zion1 where they can officiate as saviors and prepare for the coming of the ,great ,king 7,see ,micah #d3 #a-d2 ,isaiah #b3b-e2 ,psalms #ajb3af74 ,the gathering of ,judah is also to be accomplished in this dispensation of the fulness of times4 ,their gathering place is ,jerusalem4 ,they will return to the land of their forefathers chiefly in unbelief4 ,a few of that race will begin to believe that ,jesus of ,nazareth is the ,christ1 but the masses of that people will not receive him in that light until he comes and ,his feet shall stand again on the ,mount of ,olives4 ,he will then appear as their ,deliverer from the hosts that will assemble against them for a spoil and a prey4 ,they will then look upon him whom their forefathers have pierced1 and beholding the scars of the wounds he received when ,he came to his own and his own received him not1 but hung him upon the cross1 will come to the understanding that ,jesus is indeed the ,son of ,god as well as the ,son of ,david1 and is their ,messiah1 their ,redeemer1 and their ,king4 ,they will then receive his gospel1 the only plan of salvation3 a nation will be born in a day unto the ,lord and in the temple that will be reared to his name they will officiate for their dead until all the links in the chain of their ancestry1 back to the time when the gospel was on the earth previous to the enunciation of the ,mosaic code1 the law of carnal commandments1 are made complete4 ,all the promises made to ,israel and ,judah through their prophets will be fulfilled and ,christ will reign in ,mount ,zion and ,jerusalem and fill the earth with his glory6 7,zechariah #ad3h-bc2 ,jeremiah #bc3c-h2 #cb3cg-dd2 ,ezekiel #cd3ac-af2 #ch3h-bc2 ,ezekiel #ci2 ,isaiah #bd3bc47 ,while the house of ,judah is to rebuild ,jerusalem1 in expectation of a ,messiah1 but in unbelief of the ,savior and his atonement1 the descendants of the ,house of ,israel which was scattered and dispersed among the nations1 will gather as the elect of ,god to the latter-day ,zion upon the land of ,joseph in the top of the mountains1 where the house of ,god is exalted above the hills1 and where the revelations of his will are made known and the ordinances of his house for the living and the dead can be administered4 ,the blood of ,israel1 though mixed with that of the ,gentiles1 is counted as the seed of ,abraham to whom the promises of old were made1 and not one of them will fail4 ,their gathering place is on the land shadowing with wings which ,isaiah saw in vision beyond the rivers of ,ethiopia1 where the ,lord has lifted up an ensign on the mountains1 and from which his swift messengers are now going forth as ambassadors of the great ,king and are bringing ,israel from afar to the place of the name of the ,lord of ,hosts1 the ,mount ,zion 7,isaiah #ah74 ,there1 in the temple built to his name according to the pattern he has revealed1 baptisms and all the ordinances necessary on earth in the work of salvation for the living and the dead1 are performed by divine authority1 and there the ,spirit of ,god is poured out in rich effusion1 bearing witness to the humble of heart and contrite of spirit that they and their labors of love are accepted of him and sealed and recorded in heaven4 ,there the wilderness and the solitary place have been made glad because of them4 ,the parched ground and the thirsty land have brought forth springs of water1 the desert is made to blossom as the rose4 ,there the ransomed of the ,lord have come to ,zion with songs of everlasting joy4 ,the place of their defense is the munition of rocks1 and they are looking for the time1 which is near at hand1 when they shall behold the ,king in his beauty4 7,see ,isaiah #be2 also #cb3ac-bj2 #cc3ae-ag2 #ci3bb-bc2 #db3g-ab2 ,psalm #ajg3a-g1 #cc-dc2 ,isaiah #da3ah-bj47 ,from the foregoing it will be seen that our heavenly ,father is not bound by the small notions and narrow creeds of modern religious sects and teachers4 ,his ways are not as man's ways1 nor his thoughts as their thoughts4 ,as high as the heavens are above the earth1 so is his plan of salvation above the inventions of the worldly wise4 ,the gospel is to be preached to every responsible and accountable creature4 ,they who do not hear it while in the body will hear it in the spirit world1 and even those who through folly and darkness received it not will1 after having been beaten with many stripes and having paid the uttermost farthing of the debt thus incurred1 have mercy extended to them when justice has been satisfied1 and at length through the ministrations of the holy priesthood of ,god on earth and behind the veil1 and the ordinances performed in person or vicariously1 all the sons and daughters of ,god of the race of ,adam will come forth from the grave2 and finally every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that ,jesus is the ,christ to the glory of ,god the ,father4 ,then ,jesus1 having finished his work of redemption1 will present it to the eternal ,father1 that he may be all in all4 ,this glorious work for the salvation of the human family is now in progress under the revelation and authority of the ,most ,high1 and no matter how much it may be opposed by ignorance or malice1 by ,satan or foolish men1 it will go on to complete and glorious victory4 ,evil will be overcome1 darkness dispersed1 ,satan and his hosts be bound1 the earth and its inhabitants be redeemed1 ,paradise will be restored1 ,eden will bloom again1 ,christ will reign as ,king1 the ,tabernacle of ,god will be with men1 and all things above1 beneath1 around1 will sing praises to the ,most ,high1 to whom be glory and dominion forever4 ,amen4 ,,ray ,,no4 #ab4 ,ye shall know them by their fruits4 ,do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles8 ,so said the ,savior of mankind 7,matthew #g3af74 ,the ,latter-day ,saints1 or ,mormons1 as they are commonly called1 have been derided and persecuted1 and all manner of evil has been spoken against them1 even by people who call themselves ,christians4 ,that in this1 false witness has been borne against them1 may be definitely proved if the criterion given by ,christ is accepted4 ,having obeyed the gospel as restored to earth by angelic visitations and administered by divine authority1 large numbers of the ,saints have congregated in the valleys of the ,rocky ,mountains in obedience to the command1 ,gather my ,saints together unto me1 those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice 7,psalm #a3e74 ,and also3 ,come out of her 7,babylon71 my people1 that ye be not partakers of her sins1 and that ye receive not of her plagues 7,revelation #ah3d74 ,in the year #ahdg a company of pioneers1 led by the ,prophet ,brigham ,young1 successor of the ,martyr ,joseph ,smith1 who was slain for the gospel's sake1 marched from the ,missouri ,river across prairies and mountains1 and wastes and rivers1 through the wilderness known as the ,great ,american ,desert1 to the place in the mountains where they had been directed by ,joseph ,smith when living with them in ,nauvoo4 ,on ,july #bdth of that year they halted in the valley of the ,great ,salt ,lake1 beheld by ,brigham ,young in vision before they commenced their weary journey4 ,not a human habitation was to be seen4 ,the sun-baked land brought forth sagebrush and weeds4 ,rain was almost unknown and the melting snows from the mountain tops came down but in narrow and scanty streams4 ,but they plowed the parched ground and turned upon it the trickling waters2 they sowed in faith and trusted in ,god for the harvest which alone could save them from starvation4 ,the little band was composed of but #adh persons who had left civilization more than a thousand miles behind4 ,today over five hundred thousand people1 gathered from all parts of the world1 dwell in peace and harmony in flourishing cities and towns or upon fruitful farms and luxuriant ranches1 reaping the results of thrift and industry and the blessings of ,god upon the land and upon their labors4 ,in the cities are fine residences1 comfortable cottages1 business establishments1 manufacturing enterprises1 railroads1 telegraphs and telephones1 broad streets lined with magnificent trees and with clear streamlets on either side1 lighted by electricity and supplied with pure water from works owned by the people4 ,grand school houses have been erected1 spacious places of worship1 noble public buildings and splendid temples costing from one million to four million dollars each4 ,all kinds of grains and fruits and flowers are produced in abundance3 the rainfalls have wonderfully increased1 springs have burst forth in dry spots1 grass grows on the hillsides1 and in the meadows1 cattle and sheep graze on a thousand hills1 and the face of nature smiles and shines with beauty4 ,this marvelous transformation has been brought about by the blessings of ,almighty ,god upon the faith and works of his ,saints gathered from afar4 ,zion that brought good tidings--the everlasting gospel restored to earth--has gone up into the high mountain4 ,the ,spirit has been poured out from on high1 and the wilderness has become a fruitful field4 ,the people of the ,lord dwell in peaceable habitations1 in sure dwellings1 in quiet resting places4 ,they are sowing beside all waters4 ,the wilderness and the solitary place is glad for them1 the desert rejoices and blossoms abundantly4 ,they are the ransomed of the ,lord1 and have come to ,zion with songs of everlasting joy4 7,see ,isaiah #dj3i2 #cb3ae-bj2 #ce3a-aj47 ,every ,sabbath day the children assemble in ,sunday ,schools under a system which is not excelled in any part of the world4 ,in the afternoon and evening the ,saints assemble in their tabernacles and meeting houses1 and receive instruction by the voice of inspiration and the reading of holy writ4 ,societies are organized for the instruction of juveniles1 of young men and young women1 of ladies of mature age and for all classes of the community4 ,to serve ,god and keep his commandments is held up as the first duty of his people4 ,to labor for the salvation of the living and the redemption of the dead is placed above all earthly considerations4 ,the ,church has now in the mission fields eighteen hundred or more missionaries1 traveling without purse or scrip1 without pay of any kind1 depending upon ,god and friends whom he may raise up to them for their daily sustenance4 ,the ,church organization revealed from heaven is recognized by all who investigate as the grandest and most complete ever known on earth4 ,the industry1 order1 devotion1 unity and brotherly love displayed by the ,latter-day ,saints are the admiration and commendation of both friend and foe4 ,the work they have performed under divine direction is a marvel to all who have visited the cities of the ,saints or know of their achievements4 ,what is the tree that has brought forth those excellent fruits8 ,it is the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,let the tree be judged by its fruits4 ,it is true that the ,mormons are a people who have been everywhere spoken against1 but this was a characteristic of the ,saints in the original ,christian ,church4 ,paul said3 ,they that will live godly in ,christ ,jesus shall suffer persecution4 ,jesus exclaimed1 ,woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you4 ,he prophesied of his disciples3 ,ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake4 ,but there are a number of brave men who1 after visiting ,utah1 have not been afraid to speak their honest sentiments concerning that despised people4 ,among them are the following1 whose published remarks are but samples of others that might be adduced3 ,bishop ,d4 ,s4 ,tuttle of the ,episcopal ,church1 who resided many years in ,salt ,lake ,city1 had the following in the ,new ,york ,sun3 ,we of the ,east are accustomed to look upon the ,mormons as either a licentious1 arrogant1 or rebellious mob1 bent only on defying the ,united ,states government and deriding the faith of the ,christians4 ,that is not so4 ,i know them to be honest1 faithful1 prayerful workers1 and earnest in their faith that heaven will bless the ,church of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,another strong and admirable feature in the ,mormon religion is the tenacious and efficient organization4 ,they follow with the greatest care all the forms of the old ,church4 ,henry ,edger says1 in the ,new ,york ,evolution3 ,driven by mob violence from one state to another1 despoiled of their legitimate possessions --fruits of honest toil--this despised and grossly wronged people found their way at last across the trackless desert and by an almost unexampled perseverance and industry created an oasis in the desert itself4 ,elder ,miles ,grant1 editor of the ,world's ,crisis1 says3 ,after a careful observation for some days we came to the settled conclusion that there is less licentiousness in ,salt ,lake ,city than in any other one of the same size in the ,united ,states2 and were we to bring up a family of children in these last days of wickedness1 we should have less fears of their moral corruption were they in that city than in any other4 ,gov4 ,safford1 of ,arizona1 wrote as follows3 ,they have no drones1 and the work they have accomplished in so short a time is truly wonderful4 ,all concede that we need an energetic1 industrious1 economical and self-relying people to subdue and bring into use the vast unproductive lands of ,arizona4 ,these ,mormons fill every one of the above requirements4 ,gen4 ,thomas ,l4 ,kane1 of ,pennsylvania1 after four years' experience with the ,mormons1 declared3 ,i have not heard a single charge made against them as a community1 against their habitual purity of life1 their willing integrity1 their toleration of religious difference of opinion1 their regard for the laws1 their devotion to the constitutional government under which we live1 that ,i do not from my own observation or upon the testimony of others know to be unfounded4 ,chief ,justice ,white1 sent to ,utah by the ,united ,states government1 testified3 ,industry1 frugality1 temperance1 honesty are with them the common practices of life4 ,this land they have redeemed from sterility and occupied its once barren solitudes with cities1 villages1 cultivated fields and farm houses1 and made it the habitation of a numerous people1 where a beggar is never seen and almshouses are neither needed nor known4 ,the late ,hon4 ,bayard ,taylor1 ,united ,states minister to ,germany1 remarked3 ,we must admit that ,salt ,lake ,city is one of the most quiet1 orderly and moral places in the world4 ,the ,mormons as a people are the most temperate of ,americans4 ,they are chaste1 laborious and generally cheerful1 and what they have accomplished in so short a time under every circumstance of discouragement1 will always form one of the most remarkable chapters in our history4 ,notwithstanding the facts set forth in the foregoing1 the ,congress of the ,united ,states was moved upon for several years by anti-,mormon preachers of different sects1 and by petitions from good1 pious1 but deceived ,christian people1 also by adventurers who desired to profit by inroads upon the ,mormons1 to enact stringent and oppressive measures looking to the suppression of what they called ,mormonism4 ,it was thought by the enemies of the ,saints that they could be driven again from their possessions1 as they had been driven by mob violence from the states of ,missouri and ,illinois1 where their property became a prey to their so-called ,christian persecutors1 and where many of their number were brutally murdered in cold blood1 their ,prophet and ,patriarch1 ,joseph and ,hyrum ,smith1 being among that number4 ,for some time these efforts gave great promise of success4 ,much suffering was endured by the ,saints1 but they possessed their souls in patience1 having faith in the promises of ,god made to them through their prophets and apostles1 and the testimony of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the day of their deliverance from this injustice1 sorrow1 and tribulation has come4 ,their true character has been measurably recognized1 and ,utah has been admitted into the ,union as a free and sovereign state1 on an equal footing with the other states in the federal compact4 ,there yet remains in the world great ignorance concerning the ,latter-day ,saints1 their purposes and works1 their doctrines and teachings1 and the spirit and power of their faith4 ,to these they invite the investigation of every rational mind4 ,they urge comparison of their principles1 their ,church and the ordinances1 gifts1 and spirit thereof with those set forth in the ,new ,testament1 in contrast with the contending and discordant religions of modern ,christendom4 ,they know that they have received the truth1 and that ,god has revealed it in the present age4 ,they have obtained a divine witness1 every one for himself4 ,they are building up ,zion in the ,west4 ,they are sending forth the gospel into all the world as a witness to the nations before the end shall come4 ,this is a day of warning4 ,it will be followed by a time of judgments4 ,the ,lord is about to shake terribly the kingdoms of this world4 ,war1 pestilence1 famine1 earthquake1 whirlwind1 and the devouring fire1 with signs in the heavens and on the earth1 will immediately precede the great consummation which is close at hand4 ,these are the last days4 ,all that has been foretold by the holy prophets concerning them is about to be literally fulfilled4 ,the everlasting gospel has been restored to the earth as one of the signs of the latter days4 ,israel is being gathered4 ,the elect of ,god are assembling from the four quarters of the earth4 ,the way is opening for the redemption of ,judah4 ,soon all things will be in commotion3 men's hearts failing them for fear and looking for the things that are coming on the earth4 ,the places of refuge appointed are in ,zion and in ,jerusalem4 ,the ,lord1 even ,jesus the ,messiah1 will come to his ,holy ,temple4 ,he will be glorified in his ,saints1 but will take vengeance on them that know not ,god and obey not the gospel4 ,he will break in pieces the nations as a potter's vessel4 ,he will sweep the earth as with a besom of destruction4 ,he will establish righteousness upon it and give dominion to his people4 ,the meek shall inherit the earth and the wicked be cut off forever4 ,therefore1 repent and turn unto him1 all ye nations1 and obey him1 all ye people1 for these words are true and faithful and are given by his ,spirit6 ,salvation has come unto you2 reject it not lest ye fall and perish4 ,the time is at hand6 ,transcriber's ,note ,this version uses ,arabic numerals for scripture chapter numbers 7e4g4 ,mark #c7 where the original uses ,roman numerals 7e4g4 ,mark ,,iii74