LATTER DAY SAINTS 
 WHO ARE THEY? 
 
 BY ELDER T. W. WILLIAMS 
 
 ENSIGN PUBLISHING HOUSE 
 INDEPENDENCE, MQ. 
 
The Latter Day Saints; Who Are They? 
 
 ELDER T. W. WILLIAMS. 
 
 Who are the Latter Day Saints? What do they believe? 
 Are they Mormons? 
 
 These are inquiries often propounded and frequently 
 answered by many whose minds are prejudiced through igno- 
 rance, and who are thus utterly incapable of giving proper 
 information. 
 
 It is a fair proposition that every individual has the right 
 to state his own case before his belief is condemned and his 
 position judged faulty or erroneous. 
 
 The Latter Day Saints come to you with a divine message. 
 Their position is either true or false. If true, you can not afford 
 to ignore it. 
 
 Solomon said, "He that answereth a matter before he 
 heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." No man can afford 
 
 to be ignorant when it is within his power to be informed 
 correctly. 
 
 To arrive at proper conclusions, men must understand both 
 sides of a controversy. And yet it is evident to every student of 
 history that the human family has reluctantly considered any 
 proposition conflicting with its pet theories and preconceived 
 ideas. Why should any man fear investigation if he is in the 
 right? Why appeal to prejudice? Why resort to persecution? 
 This, however, has always been the method of warfare against 
 the truth. 
 
 The power of public opinion in governing individual action 
 has been one of the chief obstacles to he expansion of truth. 
 No sooner has a new doctrine been presented than the cry is 
 raised, "Away with it." Truth must come in contact with the 
 traditions of men. Truth has won and will continue to win 
 its way into the hearts of honest, God-fearing people. But 
 how difficult it is to reach a man steeled against further investi- 
 gation, and who is entrenched behind the walls of prejudice 
 with which the bigot ever surrounds himself! 
 
 The press and pulpit are largely responsible for the general 
 misconception as to the position of the Latter Day Saints. All 
 kinds of evil reports and malicious slanders have been against 
 them. Orthodox ministers have ever been ready to prejudice 
 the minds of the masses, without opportunity being afforded us 
 to present our defense. We welcome the growing tendency to 
 give us fair play, and feel confident that the name of "Latter 
 Day Saint" will soon be respected the world over. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 Some people do not care to know who the Latter Day 
 Saints are, or what they believe. Do you? The moment the 
 
2 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 term "Latter Day Saint" is mentioned, many exclaim, "Oh, 
 the Mormons, we want nothing to do with them!" 
 
 The true Latter Day Saints are not "Mormons." This 
 was a nickname given them by their enemies. When the de- 
 fection as to church government and morals was made by 
 Brigham Young in 1844, the name followed his adherents and 
 they did not repudiate it. To-day it is used as a synonym for 
 polygamy and all the evils perpetrated in Utah in the name of 
 religion. 
 
 There are two distinct, separate churchse bearing this name: 
 one is known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day 
 Saints, commonly called "Mormons," with headquarters at 
 Salt Lake City, Utah; the other is the Reorganized Church of 
 Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with headquarters at 
 Lamoni, Iowa. 
 
 It may be asked, "Why bear this name?" 
 
 First. The term saint is a God-given name, applied to his 
 children in different ages of the world. 
 
 Second. According to Bible prophecy we are now living 
 in the "latter days," hence if saints we are "Latter Day Saints." 
 
 Third. The term Christian was a name of derision applied 
 to the early disciples at Antioch, A. D. 43. Will the advocat es 
 for the name Christian tell us what they were called prior to 
 this? The Bible says they were called "saints." 
 
 Fourth. Christ said, "I will build my church." If the 
 church is his, it must bear his name. The angel said to Joseph, 
 "Thou shalt call his name Jesus;" and Paul speaks or "Our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and 
 earth is named." His church or family on earth to-day, would 
 therefore be the "Church of Jesus Christ," composed of 
 "Latter Day Saints." 
 
 Fifth. All Protestants concede that the original church 
 was disorganized, hence the necessity for a restoration. 
 
 Owing to the usurpation of church power by Brigham 
 Young, still another reorganization was necessary, hence our 
 church is very properly called the "Reorganized Church of 
 Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." It is said that when you 
 stand before the bar of God you will not be asked, "Are you a 
 Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Christian, or 
 Adventist?" If you are a saint you will be acceptable, and you 
 cannot be a saint unless you belong to the "Church of Jesus 
 Christ," which is composed of saints. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 Reader, are you a church member? If not, are you desirous 
 of becoming one? If so, carefully consider the origin of each 
 church before you venture to ally yourself with any. Accept 
 only that which bears the stamp of divine approval. 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 3 
 
 In the year 1820, Joseph Smith attended a union revival 
 meeting; and his religious nature responding to the fervent 
 appeal tor service, while thinking and studying the Bible in an 
 endeavor to solve the question as to which of the churches was 
 right, he read: 
 
 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men 
 liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5. 
 
 It seems that God, by his Holy Spirit, witnessed to this 
 humble seeker the truth of the above promise. Repairing to 
 the seclusion of a near-by forest, he poured out! his soul to God 
 in earnest supplication for divine light. His prayer was 
 answered, and he was told not to unite with the churches, as 
 their creeds were not acceptable to God and that they taught 
 "for doctrines the commandments of men," "having a form of 
 godliness but denying the power thereof." 
 
 CREED REVISION. 
 
 Only eighty years have passed since this angelic message 
 was given, and nearly every church in Christendom is already 
 unwittingly a witness to the truthfulness of the above statement. 
 What with creed revision and an adaptation of church rule and 
 worship in an attempt to suit the opinions of this advanced age 
 there is scarcely a church which has not changed front. 
 
 The adherents of these institutions must take one of two 
 positions. If they contend that Joseph Smith was wrong and 
 their creeds then correct, then they are in error now. If they 
 affirm that their creed is now correct, then the statement made 
 by the angel to Joseph Smith is sustained. 
 
 RESTORATION VERSUS REFORMATION. 
 
 That a revision ot creed has been necessary evidences the 
 hnman origin of these churches. God's work never admits of 
 reform or revision. Men and their institutions can very 
 properly be reformed, but God and his work never. When the 
 church so far departs from the divine schedule as to admit of 
 reform, authority is withdrawn and darkness reigns. A recom- 
 mitment of divine power and a restoration of gospel truth and 
 the blessings which attended the same in the early church is 
 the only way out of the "wilderness." 
 
 CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 
 
 September, 1823, Joseph Smith had another vision, outlining 
 the work to be done. 
 
 April 6, 1830, the church was duly organized and immedi- 
 ately God began to confirm the believers "with signs folio wing." 
 Under this divine bequeathment an unparalleled growth fol- 
 lowed, and in fourteen years the church had grown from a mem- 
 bership of six to two hundred thousand. 
 
4 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 APOSTASY. 
 
 Then the enemy seemed to temporarily triumph; Joseph 
 Smith and his brother Hyrum were massacred by a mob at 
 Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844. 
 
 Joseph Smith had previously appointed and set apart his 
 eldest son to succeed him as president of, and prophet to the 
 church, in harmony with the la\\o and usages governing therein. 
 At the death of Joseph Smith his son was but a lad, and unable 
 to assert his rights and thus preserve the organic law of the 
 church. At an opportune moment Brigham Young assumed the 
 rights of church government in violation of church law and order. 
 Though the church membership numbered about two hundred 
 thousand, not more than one tenth gave credence to his claims. 
 SUCCESSION. 
 
 The Lord, in 1831 gave a revelation as follows: "There is 
 none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and 
 revelations until he be taken," and that "none else shall be 
 appointed unto this gift except it be through him [Joseph]." In 
 every respect this was fulfilled as to Joseph's son, Joseph, who 
 is now the president of the Reorganized Church. 
 
 When Joseph Smith was confined in Liberty Jail, Missouri, 
 he laid his hands on his son and said that son should be his 
 successor. Again was this confirmed "in the council room in 
 the brick store on the banks of the Mississippi," and in the "last 
 interview Joseph Smith held with his family before he left 
 Nauvoo to his death." Also "A public attestation of the same 
 blessing was made from the stand in the grove in Nauvoo, some 
 time prior to the murder at Carthage [Illinois]." Saints* Herald* 
 vol. 14, p. 105. 
 
 How was it with Brigham Young? At Joseph's death only 
 two members of the two leading quorums of the church were in 
 Nauvoo. When the remainder returned, the Saints in a public 
 meeting held August 8, 1844, voted to support the " Twelve in 
 their calling." (See Times and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 638.) This in 
 no sense made Brigham Young president of the church. 
 
 In the Times and Seasons, for September 2, which contained 
 the minutes of this meeting, the editor, John Taylor, a member 
 of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and subsequently president 
 of the Utah church, stated, "When any alteration in the presi- 
 dency shall be required, seasonable notice will be given." Ibid., 
 vol. 5, p. 632. 
 
 On December 5, 1847, a council of seven of the Twelve 
 Apostles was held at Winter Quarters, where the body of those 
 who adhered to Brigham Young's claims had repaired, on their 
 way to the West. Here "Brigham Young was nominated to be 
 the first president of the church, and he nominated Heber C. 
 Kimball and Willarrl Richards to be his two counselors." Mil- 
 lennial Star, vol. 10, p. 114. These quotations are made from 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 5 
 
 their own works. Besides the three who were personally inter- 
 ested, but four others of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles were 
 present to vote on this important matter. 
 
 This action was presented to these members at Winter Quar- 
 ters and adopted Dec. 24, just nineteen days later. Was this 
 "seasonable notice"? Brigham Young's ardent supporters do 
 not claim over one thousand people at this meeting. The gen- 
 eral church numbered about two hundred thousand. Was one 
 . thousand members a representative portion of the entire body? 
 Considering the means of communication and transportation at 
 that time, was nineteen days "seasonable notice," to all of the 
 church then scattered over two continents? 
 
 Thus Brigham Young, by the confession of his own his- 
 torians was nominated by men. Not the slightest proof has 
 been offered in favor of his divine appointment to this office. 
 Brigham Young himself said: 
 
 Who ordained me to be First President of this church on earth? I 
 answer, It is the choice of this people, and that is sufficient. MILLEN- 
 NIAL STAR, vol. 16, p. 442. 
 
 This assumption of power demoralized the majority of the 
 church. They were like sheep without a shepherd, refusing 
 absolutely to listejj to Brigham 's assumptive plea. Some branch- 
 es continued as before, and in due time the Holy Spirit indicated 
 to those holding the Melchisedec priesthood that: 
 
 Polygamy is an abomination in the sight of the Lord God: it is not of 
 me; I abhor it. . . . Be ye strong; ye shall contend against thisdoctrine. 
 many will be led into it honestly for the Devil will seek to establish it, 
 and r9ll it forth to deceive. They seek to build up their own kingdoms, 
 to suit their own pleasures, but I countenance it not, saith God. 
 SAINTS' HERALD, vol. 1, p. 53. 
 
 REORGANIZATION. 
 
 These were subsequently directed of the Lord to appoint a 
 day of fasting and prayer, and to come together for instruction 
 They did so and received the following: 
 
 It is my will that you respect authority in my church; therefore let 
 the greatest among you preside at your conference. 
 
 Their first organization was in 1852. 
 
 They proceeded step by step in harmony with the provisions 
 of God's law found in the Bible and the revelations given to 
 the church, until April 6, 1860, at a General Conference of 
 the church Joseph Smith, the son of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, 
 presented himself as he said, "In obedience to a power not 
 my own," and was ordained to the office of the president of the 
 Melchisedec priesthood. 
 
 The Reorganized church in keeping with the teachings of 
 the original church has ever been a friend to virtue and a foe to 
 vice, and has stood for primitive Christianity as portrayed in 
 the New Testament Scriptures. 
 
6 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 DIFFERENCES 
 
 First. As to the organic form of the church we have shown 
 that Brigham Young was a usurper, while Joseph Smith, presi- 
 dent of the Reorganized Church, was ordained according to law. 
 The established law of the Lord as regards leadership, provided 
 that Joseph Smith's successor should be "called of God," 
 "chosen by the body," "appointed and ordained unto that 
 office." This was never true of Brigham Young. 
 
 Second. Church doctrine. The church organized by Joseph 
 Smith in 1830, and of which the Reorganized Church stands in 
 true succession, taught a belief in the God of the Bible. The 
 Bible says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. ' * Christ 
 said , " I and my Father are one. ' ' The Book of Mormon teaches 
 that: 
 
 They arc one Grotf, yea, the very eternal Father of heaven and of 
 earth. Book of Mormon, p. 151, large edition. 
 
 In a revelation to the church is the following: 
 
 There is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal, from everlast- 
 ing to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven 
 and earth and all things which are in them. Doctrine and Cove- 
 nants 17:4. 
 
 Brigham Young taught that Adam is our God, for he said: 
 
 He [Adam] is our Father and our God and the only God with whom 
 we have to do. JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 1, p. so. 
 
 Third. * * Thou shalt not kill. ' 'Bible. 
 The Book of Mormon says: 
 
 And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not 
 murder. Page 87, paragraph 62, large edition. 
 
 The Doctrine and Covenants, which contains the revelation 
 of God through Joseph Smith, says: 
 
 Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in 
 this world, nor in the world to come. Sec. 42, par. 6. 
 
 Brigham Young taught blood -atonement, which was cold- 
 blooded murder. He said: 
 
 Will you love your brothers and sisters likewise, when they have 
 committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of 
 their blood? Will you love that man or woman enough to shed their 
 blood? JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 4, p. 219. 
 
 Again: 
 
 I have seen scores and hundreds of people for whom there would 
 have been a chance (in the last resurrection there will be) if their lives 
 had been taken and their blood spilled on the ground as a smoking 
 insense to the Almighty. ... I have known a great many men who have 
 left this church, for whom there is no chance whatever for exultation. 
 but if their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them. 
 The wickedness and ignorance of the nations forbid this principle 
 being in full force, but the time will come when the law of God will be 
 in full force. This is loving our neighbors as ourselves; if he 'needs 
 help, help him; and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill 
 his olood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it. JOURNAL 
 OF DISCOURSES, vol. 4, p. 220. 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 7 
 
 Fourth. Polygamy. 
 
 The Book of Mormon says: 
 
 There shall not any man among you have save it be one wife: and 
 concubines he shall have none. Jacob 2:6. 
 
 The Reorganized Church has ever opposed polygamy while 
 the Brighamite organization has, and does now, both teach and 
 
 gractice it. Only a short while ago the now deceased Lorenzo 
 now pleaded guilty to "unlawful cohabitation," and was duly 
 fined by the court. This act alone branded him as an apostate 
 from the faith established by Joseph Smith, for God said 
 through him: 
 
 Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepth the hws 
 of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Doctrine and 
 Covenants 58:5 
 
 The Brighamites claim that polygamy was introduced by 
 Joseph Smith in 1843, but it was not until 1852 that Brigham 
 Young publicly proclaimed the doctrine as a tenet of faith, and 
 then tried to fasten it on Joseph Smith. Time and justice have 
 demonstrated his duplicity, and Brigham Young stands forth as 
 its true originator; its self-confessed author. When the accursed 
 thing became fairly popular in the Territory he fathered it him- 
 self. He said: 
 
 While we were in England, in 1839 and '40 I think, the Lord mani- 
 fested to me by vision and his Spirit, things that I did not understand. 
 I never opened my mouth to any one concerning them, until I returned 
 toNauvoo. Joseph had never mentioned this; there never had been a 
 thought of it in the church that I eyer knew anything about at that time 
 but I had this for myself and kept it to myself. And when I returned 
 home and Joseph revealed these things to me, then I understood the 
 reflections that were npon my mind while in England. But this was 
 not until after I had told him what I understood this was in 1841. The 
 revelation was given in 1843, but the doctrine was revealed before this. 
 DESERET NEWS, 'July i, 1874. 
 
 John Taylor, afterwards president of the church, said as 
 late as July 11, 1850, in Bouiogne-sur-Mer, France. 
 
 We are accused here of polygamy, and actions the most indelicate, 
 obscene, and disgusting, such that none but a depraved heart could 
 have contrived. See Taylor's Discussion in Orson Pratt's Works, p. 8. 
 
 When Brigham Young was interviewed by United States 
 Senator Trumbull in 1869, he said: 
 
 As to our institutions, we know we are right, and polygamy, which 
 you object to, was not ogiginally a part of our system, but was adcpted 
 by us as a necessity, after we came here. ALTA CALIFORNIAN. 
 
 George Q. Cannon said: 
 
 Joseph and Hyrum Smith were slain in Carthage jail, and hundreds 
 of persons were persecuted to the death previous to the church having 
 any knowledge of this doctrine. JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, vol. 14, p. 166. 
 
 Judge John F. Phillips, of the Circuit Court of the United 
 States, in his famous Temple Lot Decision, at Kansas City, 
 Missouri, says of polygamy: 
 
 It was never promulgated, taught, nor recognized, as a doctrine of 
 the church prior to the assumption of Brigham Young. DECISION, p. 26. 
 
8 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 A like decision was rendered in the Kirtland Temple litiga- 
 tion, the court granting the property to the Reorganized Church. 
 
 The Mormons proclaim Brigham Young a prophet of God, 
 and defend his utterances. They are sending missionaries over 
 all the country, who carefully avoid reference to these abomina- 
 tions when possible and try to ingratiate themselves into the con- 
 fidence of the people by teaching the cardinal principles of sal- 
 vation to which no true Bible believer can object. This confuses 
 the public mind and causes many to class the two churches as 
 one. The Reorganized Church can best cope with these people, 
 meeting them on their own ground, and exposing their general 
 inconsistencies by showing them to be out of harmony with 
 the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. 
 The usual tactics adopted by the ordinary churchman in dealing 
 with these people are reprehensible. Persecutionis not of God. 
 Reason is the torchlight which alone can save men from 
 fanaticism, intolerance, and bigotry. 
 
 Fifth. Blasphemy. 
 
 The "Mormons" teach that God has a wife; that we have 
 a Mother as well as a Father in heaven. They also teach that 
 Christ was a polygamist, and deny his immaculate conception. 
 
 Brigham Young said: 
 
 When our Father Adam came into the Garden of Eden, he came 
 into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. 
 He helped to make and organize this world. He is Michael, the Arch- 
 angel, the Ancient of days! about whom holy men have written and 
 spoken He is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom 
 we have to do . . . when the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, 
 the Father had begotten him in his own Likeness. He was not begotten 
 by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the 
 human family. . . . Now remember from this time forth, and forever, 
 that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. JOURNAL OF 
 DISCOURSES, vol. i, pp. 50, 51. 
 
 Lorenzo Snow, in an article written just a few days before 
 he died, said: 
 
 Since a Mormon poetess wrote a hymn invocation to the Eternal 
 Father and Mother, it has dawned upon many Christian minds as a 
 reasonable proposition that we have a Mother as well as a Father in 
 heaven. LAND OF SUNSHINE, October, 1901, p. 258, 
 
 The Bible teaches: 
 
 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise : when as his mother 
 Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found 
 with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18. 
 
 The Lord speaking through Joseph Smith said: 
 
 I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the 
 world; . . . I am in the Fathe and the Father in me, and the Father 
 and I are one; the Father because he gave me of his fulness; and the 
 Son because I was in the world ana made flesh my tabernacle, and 
 dwelt among the sons of men. DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 90:1. 
 
 The Book of Mormon before Christ's time said of him: 
 
 And behold he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem, which is the land 
 of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious andchosen vessel, who 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 9 
 
 shall be overshadowed, and conceived by the power of the Holy- 
 Ghost, and bring forth a Son, yea, even the Son of God. Page 196, para 
 graph 9, large edition. 
 
 Brigham Young said that Christ was not born of the Holy 
 Ghost. The Bible and the Book of Mormon say that he was, 
 Which is right? 
 
 OUR FAITH. 
 
 First. We believe in God; that he is a personal being f 
 having body, parts, and passions; that he is unchangeable, and 
 no respecter of persons; and that he is a rewarder of those who 
 diligently seek him. So-called orthodoxy practically denies the 
 personality of God, affirming that he has neither body nor parts 
 and by their creeds make him both partial and a respecter 
 of persons in that many of the laws which were operative in 
 Christ's time are not to be taught now, and that the blessings 
 and gifts, so prevalent then, are now all "done away." 
 
 Second. We believe that from "before the foundation of 
 the world" Jesus Christ was selected to become an intermediary 
 for the sins of man. The Son voluntarily offered himself as a 
 sacrifice. This sacrifice was not to propitiate God but to reclaim 
 man. It was necessary that Christ should meet the enemy on 
 his own ground, and, as a redeemed man, wrest from him the 
 keys of death, hell, and the grave. The death upon the cross 
 was not the end but the means of salvation. Death was the 
 door through which Christ entered to wage the conflict of the 
 ages. So-called orthodoxy makes the cross of Christ the end, 
 instead of the means, and the vicarious atonement virtually 
 becomes a shield for every sin, and a cloak for all the moral 
 turpitude of the race; whereas the atonement is of no practical 
 utility save to those who by deeds of righteousness acquit them- 
 selves before the final tribunal. We repudiate the doctrine of 
 total depravity, likewise infant baptism, for the atonement 
 wipes out Adamic sin. All children are heirs of the kingdom of 
 God. Christ blessed children, but neither he nor his disciples 
 ever baptized them. 
 
 John the Baptist came as a forerunnerjof the Master, saying, 
 "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 
 3:1, 2. And he 
 
 Did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance 
 for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4. 
 
 His acts were legal, for the record says: 
 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. John l :6. 
 
 When Jesus came he honored the authority of John and 
 was baptized of him, thus placing divine approval on the mode 
 of baptism (immersion) and sanctioning John's contention that 
 it was "for the remission of sins." 
 
10 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 CHURCH POLITY, 
 
 Third. Subsequent to this Jesus made the announcement, 
 41 1 will build my church." (Matthew 16:18.) His first move in 
 church organization was the selection of the twelve apostles, and: 
 
 He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and 
 to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases. Matthew 
 10:1. 
 
 Also telling them that: 
 
 Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and 
 whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 
 is: is. 
 
 As to the complete church polity, Paul tells us that: 
 
 God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, 
 thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, gov- 
 ernments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12=28. 
 
 And in Ephesians 4: 11-44 he discloses what they were 
 placed there for, apd how long these offices were to remain in 
 the church: 
 
 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evange 
 lists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints. 
 for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till 
 we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of 
 God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness 
 of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro. 
 and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, 
 and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. 
 
 If Christ has a church on the earth today, you will find all 
 the above-named officers in it. There can be no true church of 
 God on earth without divine authority. Said authority cannot 
 be possessed by man save through divine conferment, and 
 God cannot confer it save he reveal himself to man. This fully 
 necessitates present revelation. This point is denied by nearly 
 all "orthodox" churches today. 
 
 Reader, are you a member of any church? If so, are there 
 enrolled on its official roster all the officers enumerated above? 
 If not, why not? It will not do to argue that God never intended 
 the office of apostle or prophet to be a perpetual office, for 
 according to the Scriptures as soon as one of the apostles died 
 another was selected to take his place. (See Acts 1:23-26; 13:2; 
 14:14; Galatians 1:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:1.) 
 
 If God placed these various officers in the church, he alone 
 can remove them. The apostolic and prophetic offices were of 
 paramount importance if the New Testament is to be relied upon. 
 Everything goes to show that these officers were perpetual. It 
 would seem like folly for an earthly potentate to proceed in the 
 establishment of his kingdom, creating offices and appointing 
 officers, defining their work and specially showing their necessity 
 in the expansion of the kingdom, likewise in the development 
 and instruction of the subjects, and then, without a moment's 
 notice, change the whole order of his kingdom and destroy all 
 the important offices in his realm, at the same time introducing 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 11 
 
 nothing to take their places! Is God less prudent than man? 
 Not one word has ever come from the mouth of God that could 
 be construed as a hint that all of the officers enumerated by 
 Paul in his Corinthian and Ephesian letters were not perpetual. 
 
 Fourth. Doctrine. 
 
 In doctrine we agree with the New Testament church. 
 Paul defines the gospel as being the "power of God unto salva- 
 tion," and enumerates the gospel principles as follows: 
 
 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go 
 on unto perfection; npt laying again the foundation of repentance from 
 dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and 
 of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal 
 judgment. Hebrews 6:1, 2- 
 
 And to emphasize this he said: 
 
 Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto 
 you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 
 Galatians 1:8. 
 
 The gospel to which Paul here referred came in "power, and 
 in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." (1 Thess 1:5). 
 "Power," in that the men who presented it were commissioned, 
 recognized from high heaven. "In the Holy Ghost," because 
 the gift of the Holy Ghost was bestowed upon the obedient 
 believer; "in much assurance," for signs followed them that 
 believed. 
 
 If the church of which you are a member teaches faith, 
 repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the 
 laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, for 
 blessing of children, for ordination and for healing the sick; if 
 its organic policy is identical with the one Christ established; if 
 God confirms with signs following the truthfulness of your claims 
 then so far you are sound in the faith; if not, it behooves you 
 to unite with that organization which comes up to these require- 
 ments. 
 
 We do not believe in making death-bed repentance the rule, 
 and virtue in life the exception. We discourage procrastination 
 and make death-bed repentance the exception, if at all possible ^ 
 and emphasize gospel obedience and virtue in life as the means 
 which secures to man his passport to the haven of rest. We 
 have no sympathy with this unwarranted hobby, "Jesus paid it 
 all; we can do nothing for ourselves." Paul says: 
 
 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 
 2:12. 
 
 We read nowhere in the Bible that men are to be judged 
 according to the merits of Jesus Christ, but everywhere we learn 
 that men "are to be judged according to their works." 
 
 We believe in the literal second coming of Jesus Christ to 
 reign upon the earth a thousand years known as the millennial 
 era. 
 
12 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 We likewise believe in the resurrection of the dead, both the 
 just and the unjust. The righteous dead will come forth at 
 Christ's coming, the wicked after the thousand years' reign. 
 
 We believe in eternal judgment. All men will be judged for 
 the deeds done in the body, and rewarded or punished accord- 
 ingly. \Ye are opposed to the so-called "Holiness movement," 
 the votaries of which claim that they do not sin. Men are 
 "justified" by obeying the truth; they are "sanctified" by the 
 word of God. 
 
 While affirming that the Bible contains the word of God so 
 far as it is translated correctly, yet we seriously object to the 
 presumption of self-styled orthodoxy to-day in making it the 
 alpha and omega of God's revelations to man. The canon of 
 scripture is not full. If the history of the past is a safe index of 
 present divine action, wherever God has a people on earth he 
 will manifest himself to them. 
 
 Christ said unto his apostles: 
 
 Go ye into all the wprld..and preach the gospel to every creature. 
 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth 
 not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; 
 in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new 
 tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly 
 thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they 
 shall recover. Mark 16:15-18. 
 
 These signs will follow the believer in every age. Do they 
 follow the members of the church to which you belong? Do the 
 ministers of your church teach these things? If not, then you 
 are not where God intended you to be. Faith Curists and 
 Christian Scientists who arrogate to themselves the power to 
 represent Christ, but who ignore the prerequisites and provisions 
 for said service are too frequently a delusion and a snare to the 
 honest and unsuspecting. Remember signs ' 'follow' * the believers . 
 
 Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 enumerates nine spiritual gifts which 
 were and are to be the heritage of the children of God. He 
 enumerates these gifts as follows: Word of wisdom, word of 
 knowledge, faith, the gift of healing, working of miracles, pro- 
 phecy, discerning of spirits, diveis kinds of tongues, interpreta- 
 tion of tongues. Do you have these gifts among you? Does the 
 spirit which operates among you give these gifts as "he wills?" 
 If not, then renounce said spirit, for it is a delusion and not of 
 God. 
 
 This was the character of the early church, but through 
 ambition and the fear of the world, men apostatized from the 
 faith and the church was disorganized. 
 
 APOSTASY AND RESTORATION. 
 
 This was clearly in fulfillment of prophecy, for Christ had 
 said: 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 13 
 
 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of 
 heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 
 11:12. 
 
 Paul said: 
 
 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter 
 in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men 
 arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after thorn. 
 Acts 20:29, 30. 
 
 Also: 
 
 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, 
 except there come a falling away first. 2 Thessalonians 2:3. 
 
 Again: 
 
 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 
 but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having 
 itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and 
 shall be turned unto fables- 2 Timothy 4:3, 4. 
 
 In Revelation 12:1-6, John gives a graphic description of this 
 apostasy. After showing how the church would be disorganized 
 or "go into the wilderness," he portrays the restoration of the 
 gospel in these words: 
 
 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the 
 everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and 
 to every nation, and, kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a 
 loud voice. Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment 
 is come. Revelation 14:6, 7. 
 
 This angel did fly in the midst of heaven, and delivered the 
 keys, power, and authority of the everlasting gospel to Joseph 
 Smith. This gospel we present to you asking only that you give 
 it thorough investigation; and should you find that it is in har- 
 mony with the church established by Jesus Christ, we invite you 
 to become one with us. 
 
 The Apostle said: 
 
 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21. 
 
 Reader, do not turn away from our plea because the popu- 
 lace are opposed to us, for Jesus has said: 
 
 Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life 
 and few there be that find it, Matthew 7 :14. 
 
 Do not decide against us because everywhere we are spoken 
 evil against, for Jesus said: 
 
 Blessed are ye when men shall revile vou. and persecute you, and 
 shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, Rejoice, 
 and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so perse- 
 cuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11, 12. 
 
 Also: 
 
 The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted 
 me, they will also persecute you. John 15:20. 
 
 Do not say that all Latter Day Saints are bad because some 
 went out from us and taught and practiced abominations. This 
 was also true of the early church of Christ. Some of the 
 branches of that church went into polygamy and other abomi- 
 nations. 
 
14 THE LATTER DAY SAINTS; 
 
 Neither will it do to contend that one church is just as good 
 as another, for Paul says: 
 
 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope 
 of your calling:. Ephesians 4:4. 
 
 And Christ prayed : 
 
 That they all may be one. John 17:21. 
 
 He also said: 
 
 If ye are not one ye are not mine. 
 
 The church organization that is acceptable to God will bear 
 the name of "Jesus Christ," and the people will be called 
 "Saints," hence the name may be "The Reorganized Church of 
 Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." 
 
 People in all of the churches may be equally honest, but 
 honest intent does not make an error right, and sincerity in 
 division does not take the place of harmony with God. There 
 is only "ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism." When we are in 
 harmony with that "one faith" then we are in favor with God. 
 
 It will not do to urge that the church will not save a man. 
 We cheerfully concede that church membership alone will not; 
 but the Bible clearly shows that a man must be a citizen of the 
 kingdom of God to be saved. The Bible says: 
 
 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16. 
 
 The Reorganized Church stands for primitive Christianity 
 with all its officers, principles, gifts, and blessings; and contends 
 that the enforcement of the ethical and spiritual teachings of 
 Christ is the only thing which will bring "peace on earth, good 
 will to men." 
 
 We oppose the doctrine of election and predestination as often 
 taught and maintain that God wills that all men may be saved. 
 
 If in doubt as to the course you should pursue ask God for 
 wisdom, and in purview of his promise, move out and accept 
 that doctrine which is in harmony with the New Testament 
 Scriptures and put him to the test wherein he says: 
 
 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether 
 it be of God or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17. 
 
 God has confirmed his promises to us and we bear our testi- 
 mony that the religion of Jesus Christ is true and that we know 
 ae has restored his gospel in these latter days by the hands of an 
 angel ; that the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter 
 Day Saints is accepted of him and those who go forth with 
 humility of heart and with an eye single to the glory of God, 
 complying with the ordinances of the gospel will receive a knowl- 
 edge whereby they may cry "Abba Father." 
 
 Much fear is expressed in many quarters that the "Mor- 
 mons" are secretly plotting to hold the balance of power in the 
 Congress of the United States by building up colonies in the 
 various doubtful States. Unfortunately and unfairly the leading 
 
WHO ARE THEY? 15 
 
 actors in this crusade against the " Mormons' ' make no distinction 
 between the Utah contingency and the Reorganized Church. To 
 show that this opinion of our people is unwarranted we quote 
 from our standard church Jaw: 
 
 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with 
 civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another 
 proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its 
 members, as citizens, denied- Doctrine and Covenants 112:9. 
 
 We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the 
 respective governments in which they reside. Doctrine and Covenants 
 112:5. 
 
 Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the 
 laws of God hath no need to break the laws ot the land. Doctrine and 
 Covenants 58:5.