^^^;e^^y^ BANCROFT LIBRARY THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA l/^ 1/ \) I ^ ) . y For the Use of Students and Missionaries, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY ELDKR WIIvLIAM-^. MORTON, \«r4»4.- GEO. Q. CANNON & SONS CO. Printers* SAvr Lake: City, January, 1898. COPYRIGHT APPI^IKD FOR. BANCROFT PREFACE. Several years ago Elders laboring in the British Mission conceived the idea of compiling a small volume of texts from the Old and New Testament, illustrating the leading doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. The well known little work "Ready References" was the result, a book that has been of incalculable value to the Elders in the various missionary fields. It has occurred to the compiler of the present volume that "Book of Mormon Ready References" might be equally valuable, both to missionaries and other Saints desirous of seeing at a glance the per- fect harmony between the different sacred volumes — "the stick of Judah" and "the stick of Ephraim." The result is found in these pages, which are now sent out into the world with an earnest desire that they may help to a better understanding and appre- ciation of the Book that came forth through the administration of angels, and the testimony of which has been sealed by the blood of martyrs. The "Ready References" do not aim to make the study of the volume itself superfluous. Their mission is to aid that study and perhaps point the way to a more systematic reading of the Book of Mormon. The arrangement follows closely the VI PREFACE. Bible "Ready References," and the plan adopted has been favorably considered by brethren well acquainted with the word of God, and whose opinions, on that account, are valuable. To the cause of God, also these References are humbly dedicated. Wm. a. Morton. Salt Lake City, Jan. 27, 1898. CONTENTS. PAGE The Gospei. ------ 9 Faith _.-..- i6 Faith and Works - - - - - 23 Repentance - - - _ _ . 26 Water Baptism ------ 30 The H01.Y Spirit _ . _ - - 36 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper - - - 42 Marriage ------ 46 Church Organization ----- 49 Apostasy from the Gospei. - - - . 55 Restoration of the Gospeiv - - - - 61 The Scattering of Israeiv _ - - 70 Gathering of IsraeIv ----- 80 Second Coming of Christ - - - 93 The Atonement - - - - - 95 Pre-existence of Spirits - - - - 103 The Intermediate State - - - - 107 Sai^vation for the Dead - - - - no The Resurrection - - - - -113 Person Ai,iTY of God - - - - 120 Tithing - - - - - - - 123 The United Order ----- 124 Latter-day Revelation - - - - 125 Persecution ------ 130 Doom Of Apostates - - - - - 133 Latter-day Judgments - . - - 134 The New Jerusalem ----- 136 Traditions and Discoveries Confirming } p the Book of Mormon \ " ^ For the Use of Students and Missionaries, of tlie Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintSa THE GOSPEL/ And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words, he spake unto my brethren concerning the Gospel which should be preached among the Jews; and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain, he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. — /. Neplii x: 11. And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. Ann it came to pass that he came unto me; and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you: for I have heard and also know, that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the Gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. — Jacob vii: 1, 6. For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites, and they Spoken of by Ivehi. Preached by Jacob. All nations to have the Gospel. 10 THE GOSPEL. Allnationsto shall write it; and I shall also speak have the unto the other tribes of the house of Gospel. Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth, and they shall write it. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Ne- phites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Neph- ites and the Jews. — II. Nephi xxix: 12-13. Manypartsof And the angel of the Lord said unto the Gospel me. Thou hast beheld that the book pro- taken away, ceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew, it contained the plain- ness of the Gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God; And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the foundation of a great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the Gospel of the Lamb, many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. — /. Nephi xiii: 24-26 y * After the death ol Christ, there was a long space of time before the gospel was put into anything like its present shape It was preached in several countries, and churches were estab- THE GOSPEL. 11 Causing many to stumble. And after these plain and precious things were taken awa>', it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity; thou seest because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plain- ness which is in the Lamb of God; be- cause of these things which are taken away out of the Gospel of the Lamb, an exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over then]. — /. Ntiphi xiii: 29, For behold thus saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry; yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multi- tude, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. — Mormon ix: 22. lislied in those countries, long before the written gospel was known much of, or, at least long before it was made use of as a guide to the Christian Churches. At the end of about four hundred years, the written gospels were laid before a council of the Catholic Church, of which the Pope was the head. But, there were several gospels besides those of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! Several other of the apostXES, or early discipi.ES, had written gospels All these, long after the death of the authors, were, as I have just said, laid before a council of the Catholic Church; and that council determined which of the gospels were genuine and which not. It retained the four gos- pels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; it determined that these four should be received and believed in, and that Aiyi^THE REST SHOUivD BE REJECTED. — CobbeWs Histovy of the Protes- tant Reformation, p. g, par.'iS. Disciples commanded to preach the Gospel. 12 THE GOSPEL. Characteris- tics of the Gospel. Disciples And it came to pass that thus they did preach the go forth among all the people of Nephi, Gospel. and did preach the Gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the Church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed according to the words of Jesus. — III. Nephi xxviii: 23. And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no more revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Behold I say unto you, he that de- nieth these things, knoweth not the Gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not under- stand them. — Mormon ix: 7-8. Nephites And it came to pass that when two deny the hundred and ten years had passed away Gospel. there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his Gospe], insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did ad- minister that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden, because of un worthiness.^ — IV. Nephi i: 27. Universal re- And now, after that they have all jectionofthe dwindled in unbelief, and there is none, Gospel. save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the Gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should hide them up again in the earth. — Ether iv : 3. THE GOSPEL. 13 And the Lord will set his hand again The Gospel the second time to restore his people to be restored from their lost and fallen state. Where- fore he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men. Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of con- vincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah, which should deceive the people: for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the pro- phets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected by the Jews. — II. Nephi xxv : 17-18. But behold, I prophesy unto you con- In the last cerning the last days; concerning the days, days when the Lord God shall bring these things forth unto the children of men. After my seed and the seed of my brethren shall have dwindled in unbelief, and shall have been smitten by the Gen- tiles; yea, after the Lord God shall have camped against them round about, and shall have laid siege against them with a mount, and raised forts against them; and after they shall have been brought down low in the dust, even that they are not, yet the words of the righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faith- 14 THE GOSPEL. In the last days. To be preached among the Lamanites, And the lost tribes. ful shall be heard, and all those who have dwindled in unbelief, shall not be forgjotten; For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whis- per concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. — //. Nephi xxvi: 14-16. And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gen- tiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed. — II. Nephi And the Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the know- ledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers. — //. Nephi xxx : 5. And then shall the work of the Father commence at that da}^, even when this Gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the de- spised of my people; yea, even the tribes THE GOSPEL. 15 which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem. — III. Nephi xxi: 26. And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you at that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my Gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy and murders, and priestcrafts, and whore- doms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my Gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my Gospel from among them. — ///. Nephi xvi: 10. And also that ye may believe the Gos- pel of Jesus Christ, which ye shall have among you; and also that the Jews, the covenant people of the Lord, shall have other witnesses besides him whom they saw and heard, that Jesus whom they slew, was the very Christ, and the very God. — Mormon iii: 21. Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines; and laying down of conten- tions, and establishing peace among the And the lost tribes. To be taken from the Gentiles, And given to the Jews. 16 FAITH. And given to fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the Jews, a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to a knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord. — II. Nephi Hi: 12. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Ne- phites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Ne- phites and the Jews. — II. Nephi xxix: 13. FAITH. The First Principle of the Gospel. Faith in God Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. — Mosiahiv:9. But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look imto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. — Jacob Hi: 1. FAITH. 17 And it came to pass that the Lord Nephi bless- spake unto me, saying, Blessed art thou, ed because of Nephi, because of thy taith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. — /. Nephi ii: 19. And there were many whose faith was Finger of so exceeding strong even before Christ God seen by came who could not be kept from within faith, the vail, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad. And behold, we have seen in this re- cord, that one of these was the brother of Jared: for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger, he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith. — Ether xii: 19-20. And it came to pass after I, Nephi, Faith in having heard all the words of my father, Jesus Christ, concerning the things which he saw in a vision; and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost; which power he received by faith on the Son of God; and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come; I, Nephi, was desirous, also, that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. — 7. Nephi x : 17. 18 FAITH. Faith in And when I had spoken these words, Jesus Christ, ^j^g Spirit cried with a loud voice, say- ing, Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all: and blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God, where- fore thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired. — /. Nephi xi: 6. Commanded Preach unto them repentance, and to preach faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach faith. them to humble themselves, and to he meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. — Alma xxxvii: 33. Holy Ghost And it came to pass after I, Nephi, obtained by having heard all the words of my father, faith. concerning the things which he saw in a vision; and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost; which power he received by faith on the Son of God. — /. Nephi x\ 17. And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words, the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remis- sion of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ, who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them. — Mosiah I'v: 3. FAITH. 19 And there are many among us who have many revelations; for they are not all stiffneckec^. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have com- munion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith. — Jarom i: 4, Holy Ghost obtained by faith. Therefore blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeih in the word of God, and is baptized without stub- bornness of heart; yea, without being brought to know the word, or even com- pelled to know, before they will believe. Yea, there are many who do say. If thou wilt show us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, nay; for if a man knoweth a thing, he bath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it. — Alma xxxii: 16-18. And now as 1 said concerning faith: Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith, ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. " And now, behold I say unto you; and I would that ye should remember that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore, he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word. — Alma xxxit: 21-22. Faith not a perfect knowledge. 20 Can obtain every good thing by faith. Miracles wrought by faith. And now I come to that faith, of which T said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing. And after that he came, men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith they became the sons of God. And as sure as Christ liveth, he spake these words unto our fathers, saying, What^ soever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believ- ing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you. And Christ hath said. If ye will have faith in me, ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. — Moroni vii\ 21, 26, 33. Thus God has provided a means that men, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings. — Mostah Ytii: 18. And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice; therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority. And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, that angels did minister unto him daily; FAITH. 21 And in the name of Jesus did he cast By faith out devils and unclean spirits; and even Nephi raises his brother did he raise from the dead, the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people; And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him, because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus. — III. Nephi vii: 17-20. And there were great and marvelous Miracles works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, wrought by insomuch that they did heal the sick, the disciples, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the chil- dren of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus. — IV. Nephi i: 5. Now, behold, there were two thousand By faith two of these young men who entered into thousand this covenant, and took their weapons of young men war to defend their country. are saved in And they were all young men, and they battle. were exceeding valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but be- hold this was not all: they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted; Yea, they were men of truth and sober- ness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God, and to walk uprightly before him.— Alma liii: 18, 20-21 22 FAITH. By faith two But behold, my little band of two thousand thousand and sixty, fought most desper- young men ately; yea, they were firm before the are saved in Lamanites, and did administer death unto battle. all those who opposed them; Yea, and they did obey and observe to perfoim every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me, that their mothers had taught them. And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loPs of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the foes of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds. And now, their preservation was as- tonishing to our whole army; yea, that they should be spared, while there was a thousand ot our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe, that there was a just God; and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. — Alma Ivii: 19, 21, 25-26. FAITH AND WORKS. 23 FAITH AND WORKS. For I command all men, both m the Kverysoulto east and in the west, and in the north, ^^ judged and in the south, and in the islands of ^^^^^ ^"^ ^ . nis works, the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them: for out of the books which shall be written 1 will jude^e the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. — II. Nephi xxix: 11. And these thing:s do the Spirit mani- fest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil. — Mormon in: 20. Wherefore if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off, also, as to the .things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness, they must needs be filthy; and if ihey be filthy, it must needs be that they can- not dwell in the kingdom of God: if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also. — I. Nephz xv: 33. 24 FAITH AND WORKS. Words of Mosiah. Words of Alma. Therefore, I would that you should be steadfast and immovable, always abound- ing in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eter- nal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him, who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen. — Mosmh v: 15. And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity; Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves, and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; Teach them never to be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; lor such shall find rest to their souls. — Alma xxxvii: 32-84. And it is requisite with the justice of God, that men should be judged accord- ing to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good; And if their works are evil, they shall be restored unto him for evil; therefore, all things shall be restored to their FAITH AND WORKS. 25 proper order; everything to its natural Words of frame; mortality raised to immortality; Alma, corruption to incorruption; raised to endless happiness, to inherit the king- dom of God, or to endless misery, to in- herit the kingdom ot the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other; The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness; or good, according to his desires of good; and the other evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long, even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. — Alma xli: 3-5. Therefore prepare ye the way of the Rewarded Lord, for the time is at hand that all according to men shall reap a reward of their works, our works, according to that which they have been: if they have been righteous, they shall reap the salvation of their souls, accord- ing to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ: and if they have been evil, they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. — Alma ix: 28. And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess; your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and for ever. And thus I have spoken. Amen. — Alma vii: 27. Prayer of Alma. 26 REPENTANCE. REPENTANCE. Repentance For it came to pass in the commence- preached by ment of the first year of the reign of prophets at Zedekiah, King of Judah (my father Jerusalem. Lehi, havino; dwelt in Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be de- stroyed. — /. Nephi i: 4. Words -^nd it came to pass that the angel spokenbyan spake unto me, Nephi, saying. Thou angel. ^^ist beheld that if the Gentiles repent, it shall be well with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard, that whoso repenteth not, must perish. — 7. Neplii xiv: 5. Repentance Yea, thus saith the Spirit, Repent, all preached by ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of Alma. heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God Cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith. Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men; And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, say- ing. Go forth and say unto this people, Repent, for except ye repent ye can in no wise inherit the kingdom of heaven. — Alma v: 50-51. REPENTANCE. 27 Now I say unto you, that ye must re- pert, and be born a^ain: for the Spirit saith, If ye are not born again, ye can- not inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto re- pentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness; Yea, I say unto you, come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and shew unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins, and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day, by going into the waters of baptism. — Alma vii: 14-15. And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the command- ments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave command- ment that all men must repent; for he shewed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents. — //. Nephi ii: 21. And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the tem- poral death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he Repentance preached by Alma. Men's days prolonged that they might repent Should repent in this life. 28 REPENTANCE. might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead. — Alma xii: 24. Should not ^°^ behold, this life is the time for procrastinate ^^^ ^^ prepare to meet God; yea, be- the day of hold the day of this life is the day for repentance. ^^^ ^^ perform their labors. And now as 1 said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, there- fore, I beseech of you, that you do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eter- nity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness, wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that J will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance, even until death; behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and hath all power over you; and this is the hnal state of the wicked. — Alma xxxiv : 82-35, REPENTANCE. 29 But woe unto him that has the law Should not given; yea, that has all the command- procrastinate ments of God, like unto us, and that the day of transgresseth theni, and that wasteth the repentance, days of his probation, for awful is his state. — //. Nei[>hi ix : 27. Hath he commanded any that they All men should not partake ot his salvation? commanded Behold t say unto you, Nay; but he hath to repent, given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.—//. Neplii XXVI : 27. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. — //. Nephi ix: 23. For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. — /. Neplii x: 18. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth Blessings to faith, and bringeth forth good works, be obtained and prayeth continually without ceasing- by repent- unto such it is given to know the myster- ance. ies of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed ; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren tp repentance. — Alma xxvi: 22. 30 WATER BAPTISxM. Invitation Therefore, repent all ye ends of the of Jesus. earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name. — Ether iv: 18. WATER BAPTISM. But one baptism. Baptism of Jesus. And he commanded theru that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look for- ward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism; having theii hearts knit together in unity and in love, one to- wards another. — Mosiali xviii: 21. And now, if the Laiuo of God, he being holy, should have need to be bap- tized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water. And now, I would ask of you, my be- loved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he sheweth unto the children of men, that according to the flesh, he humbleth him- WATER BAPTISM. 31 Baptism self before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obed- ient unto him in keeping his command- ments. — //. Nephi xxxi: 5-7. And the Father said, Repent ye, re- pent ye, and be baptized in the name of commanded my beloved Son. of God. And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, sa5ang. He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; where- fore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.—//. Nephi xxxi: 11-12. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. — //. Nephi ix: 23. MODE OF BAPTISM. And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he said unto them, On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputa- tions among you. Verily I say unto you, that whoso re- penteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them: be- hold ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. And now behold, these are the words Proofs in favor of immersion. 32 WATER BAPTISiM. Proofs in favor of im- mersion. which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying, Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.—///. Nephi xi: 22-26. And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying, O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said, Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead, as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and cam.e forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit. And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time into the water, and baptized hini according to the first, only he did not bury himself again in the water. WATER BAPTISM. 33 And after* this manner he did baptize Proofs in every one that went forth to the place of favor of im- Mormon: and they were in number about mersion. two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mor- mon, and were filled with the grace of God. — Mosiah xviii: 12-16. And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water, and was baptized. And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he t)aptized all those whom Jesus had chosen. And it came lo pass when they were all baptized, and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. — III. Nep/it xix: 11-13. OBJECT OF BAPTISM. Now, I say unto you, that ye must re- For the pent, and be born again; for the Spirit remission of saith, If ye are not born again, ye can- sins, not inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. — Alma vii: 14. And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words, because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they v/ho shall believe in your words. 34 WATER BAPTISM. For the and come down into the depths of remission of humility and be baptized, for they shall sins. be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. — III. Nephi xii: 2. And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there were a great remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land. — III. Nephi i: 23. Turn, all ye Gentiles from your wicked ways, and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abomin- ations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people, who are of the house of Israel. — ///. Nephi xxx: 2. Baptism of little PROPER SUBJECTS FOR BAPTISM. Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. children for- Behold, I came into the world not to call bidden. ^j^g righteous, but sinners to repentance: the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of WATER BAPTISM. SS- Adam is taken from them in me, that it Baptism hath no power over them; and the law of little of circumcision is done away in me. children for- And after this manner did the Holy bidden. Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children. Behold I say unto you, That this thing shall ye teach, repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. And their little children need no re- pentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfill- ing the commandments unto the remis- sion of sins. But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism. Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell. Behold, I say unto you. That he that supposeth that little children need bap- tism, is in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; where- fore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell. — Mo- roni viii: 8-14. 36 THE HOLY GHOST. Must be capable of being taught, And of believing, And of repenting. And it came to "pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and- all his people were desirous that they might be bap- tized also. — Mosiali xxv: 27. And it came to pass that there were many that did believe in their words; and as many as did believe, were bap- tized; and they became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among them.— - Alma xix: 35. And it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church who re- pented of their sins, were baptized unto repentance, and were received into the church. — Alma vi: 2. THE HOLY GHOST. Promised by And also, the voice of the Son came Messiah. unto me, saying. He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; where- fore, follow me, and do the things which ^ ye have seen me do. — //. Nephi xxxi : 12. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him THE HOLY GHOST. 37 will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, be- cause of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with hre and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not. — ///. Nephi ix: 20. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I Promised by know that if ye shall follow the Son, Nephi. with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father, that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism: yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word; be- hold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. — //. Nephi xxxi: ij. And it came to pass after I had seen The Holy the tree, I said unto the Spirit, I behold Ghost a per- thou hast shewn unto me the tree which sonage of is precious above all. spirit. And he said unto me. What desirest thou? And I said unto him, to know the in- terpretation thereof; for 1 spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in the form of a man ; yet nevertheless I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.* — I. Nephi xi: 9-11. * The Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit. — JOvSEph Smith. 38 THE HOLY GHOST. GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. Gift of Do ye not remember that I said unto tongues. you, That after ye had received the Holy Ghost, ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels, save it were by the Holy Ghost? — //. Nephi xxxii : 2. Gift of And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, prophecy, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and the}^ were filled with the Holy Ghost; And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to pro- phesy unto the people, according to the Spirit and power which the Lord had given them. — Alma viii: 30, 32. Gift of reve- Having been visited by the Spirit of lation, of God; having conversed with angels, and preaching, having been spoken unto by the voice of and of the Lord; and having the Spirit of pro- translation, phecy, and the Spirit of revelation, and also many gifts: the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation. — Alma ix: 21. Visions. And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision; and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost; which power he received by faith on the Son of God; and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come; I, Nephi, was desirous also, that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the THE HOLY GHOST. 39 gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. — /. Nephi x: 17. And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, p.- with a burning fever, which was caused , .. by the great tribulations of his mind, on ^* account of his wickedness, for he sup- posed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain, by the cause of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceeding sore, having no de- liverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat. Now when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him. And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying, O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ. And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and be- gan to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom. — Alma xv: 3-4, 10-11. And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people.—///. Nephi vii\ 19. 40 THE HOLY GHOST Spiritual For behold thus saith Jesus Christ, gifts. the Son ot God, unto his disciples who should tarry; yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multi- tude, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. And he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, and 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. — il/or- mon ix: 22-24. And again I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny, not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the mani- festations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them. For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom; And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; And to another, exceeding great faith; and to another, the gift of healing by the same Spirit. And again, to another, that he ma> work mighty miracles; THE HOLY GHOST. 41 And again, to another that he may prophesy concerning all things; And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; And again, to another, all kinds of tongues; And again, to another, the interpreta- tion of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will. — Moroni x: 8-17. LAYING ON OF HANDS TO CONFER THE HOLY GHOST. Now it came to pass that when Alma Holy Ghost had said these words, that he. clapped conferred by his hands upon all them who were with the laying him. And behold, as he clapped his on of hands, hands upon them they were filled with the Holy Spirit. — Alma xxxi: 36. And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them; And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bear record that he gave them power to give the Holy Ghost. And I will shew unto you hereafter that this record is true. — III Nephi xviii: 36-37. The words of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had 42 THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD' S SUPPER. chosen, as he laid his hands upon them. And he called them by name, saying. Ye shall call on the Father, in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this, ye shall have power that on him whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles. Now Christ spake these words unto them at the time of his first appearing; and the multitude heard it not, but the disciples heard it;- and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the Holv Ghost. — Moroni ii: 1-3. THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD^S SUPPER. Instituted by And it came to pass that Jesus com- Jesus. manded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him. And while they were gone for bread"^ and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth. And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread, and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples, and commanded that they should eat. And when they had eat, and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude. THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 43 And when the multitude had eaten and Formembers were filled, he said unto the disciples, of the behold there shall one be ordained Church only, among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread, and bless it, and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name. And this shall ye always observe to do, even as 1 have done, even as I have broken bread, and blessed it, and gave it unto you. . And this shall ye do in remembrance xhe bread an of my body, which I have shewn unto emblem of you. And it shall be a testimony unto Christ's the Father, that ye do always remember body, me. And if ye do always remember me, ye shall have my Spirit to be with you. And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup, and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude, that they might, drink of it. And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it, and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled. And when the disciples had done this Jesus said unto them, Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have com- manded you. And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; 44 THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD's SUPPER. The wine an emblem of Christ's blood. Christ administers the Sacra- ment the second time. Manner of administer- ing the Sacrament. and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do aJways remember me, ye shall have my Spirit to be with you. And I give unto you a commandment that ye shaJl do these things. And if ye shall always do these things, blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock. — III. Nephi xviii: 1-12, And it came to pass that he brake bread again, and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat. And when they had eaten, he com- manded them that they should break bread, and give it unto the multitude. And when they had given unto the multitude, he also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude. And he said unto them, he that eateth this bread, eateth of my body to his soul, and he that drinketh of this wine, drinketh of my blood to his soul, and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled. — III. Nephi xx: 3-5, 8. The manner of their Elders and Priests administering the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church. And they administered it according to the com- mandments of Christ; wherefore we know the manner to be true; and the Elder or Priest did minister it. And they did kneel down with the THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 45 church, and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying, O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, 'O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. — Moroni iv: i-j. The manner of administering the wine. Behold, they took the cup, and said, O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. — Moroni v: 1-2. Behold verily, verily I say unto you, I give unto you another commandment, and then I must go unto my Father, that I may fulfil other commandments which he haih given me. And now behold, this is the command- ment which I give unto you, that ye shall not suffer any one knowingly, to Manner of administer- ing the Sacrament. Not to be partaken ot unworthily. 46 MARRIAGE. Not to be partaken of unworthily. partake of my flesh and blood unworth- ily, when ye shall minister it; For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul; there- fore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood, ye shall forbid him. — ///. Nephi xviii : 27-29. See that ye are not baptized unworth- ily; see that ye partake not of the sacra- ment of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in no wise be cast out. — Mormon ix: 29. MARRIAGE. Marriaee And now I would that ye might know, commanded that after my father, Lehi, had made an of God. end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying, that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the MARRIAGE. 47 land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ish- mael and his family into the wilderness. — I. Nephi vii: 1-2. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, Marriage took one of the daughters of Ishmael to commanded wife; and also, my brethren took of the of God. daughters of Ishmael to wife; and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ish- mael to wife. And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him. And also, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly. — /. Nephi xvi: 7-8. Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord; for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none. For if I will saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things. — Jacob ii, 27, 30. And it came to pass that after Mosiah Marriage had done as his father had commanded among him, and had made a proclamation the Nephites throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them. And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man ac- cording to his family, consisting of his 48 MARRIAGE. wife, and his sons, and his daughters and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.— Mosiah ii: 1, 5. Marriage And it came to pass that he commanded among that their little children should be the Nepliites brought. So they brought their little children and sat them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him. And he spake unto the multitude, and saith unto them, behold your little ones. And as they looked to behold, they cast their e3'es towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were, in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them. And the multitude did see and hear and bear record; and they know that their record is true for they all of them did see and hear, every man for himself; and they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and ihey did consist of men, women, and children.— 7//. Neplii xvii: 11-12, 23-25, DIVINE AUTHORITY. 49 DIVINE AUTHORITY. For behold it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him, Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold they seek to take away thy life. — I. Nephi ii: 1. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowli- ness of heart. And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. — J. NepAi ii: 19, 22. And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying, Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this be- cause of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. — /. Nephi Hi: 29. And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I Ivchi called of God. Nephi called and chosen to be a ruler and teacher. 50 DIVINE AUTHORITY. Nephi consecrates Priests and Teachers. Called by prophesy and by revelation. should be their ruler and their teacher; wherefore,! had been their ruler and their teacher, according to the commandments of the Lord, until the time they sought to take away my life. — IL Nephi v: 29. And It came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people. — II. Nephi v : 26. Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceeding many things. — //. Nephi VI : 2. And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying, Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying. Go forth and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord: Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wicked- ness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent, I will visit them in mine anger. — Mosiah xi: 20. Now it came to pass that after the sons of Mosiah had done all these things, they took a small number with them, and returned to their father, the king, and desired of him that he would grant unto them, that they might, with those whom DIVINE AUTHORITY. 51 they had selected, go up to the land of Nephi, that they might preach the things which they had heard, and that they might impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites. And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord, if he would let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word. And the Lord said unto Mosiah, Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites. — Mosiah xxviii: i, 6-7. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting, therefore they had the Spirit of prophecy, and the Spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. — Alma xviii: 3. Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceeding great pros- perity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, &c. : yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people, &c. — Alma xlix: 30, And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize. And he Called by prophesy and by revelation. Men called and ordained to preach the Gospel, And to baptize, ^ DIVINE AUTHORITY. said unto them, On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputa- tions among you. And to Verily I say unto you, that whoso re- baptize, penteth of his sins througjh your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them: be- hold ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. And nowi behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying. Having a,uthority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water. — IIL Nephi xi: 22-26. And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying, O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said, Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead, as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of DIVINE AUTHORIXy. 53 Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. — Mosiah xviii: ^^-^^' And to And it came to pass that when Jesus confer the- had made an end of these sayings, he Holy Ghost, touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them; And the multitude heard not the words which he spake, therefore they did not bear record; but the disciples bear record that he gave them power to give the Hcly Ghost. And I wi}l shew unto you hereafter that this record is true. — ///. Nephi xviii: 36-37 . The words of Christ, which he spake unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands upon them. And he called them by name, saying, Ye shall call on the Father, in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this, ye shall have power that on him whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine apostles. Now Christ spake these words unto them at the time of his first appearing; and the multitude heard it jiot, but the disciples heard it; and on as many as they laid their hands, fell the Holy Ghost. — Moroni ii: 1-3. The manner which the disciples, who How author- were called the Elders of the church, ity was ordained Priests and Teachers. conferred. After they had prayed unto the Father 54 DIVINE AUTHORITY. in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said. In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a Priest; (or, if he be a Teacher,) I ordain you to be a Teacher, to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endur- ance of faith on his name to the end. And after this manner did they ordain Priests and Teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them. — Moroni iii\ 1-4. How author- And now it came to pass that after ity was Alma had made an end of speaking unto conferred, the people of the church, which was established in the city of Zarahemla, he ordained Priests and Elders, by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch over the church. — Alma vi: 1. Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto thern these words as I taught them in the temple, having firstly obtained mine errand from the Lord. For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph, had been cojisecrated Priests and Teach- ers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.— Jaco& 1. 17-18. CHURCH ORCzANIZATION. 55 CHURCH ORGANIZATION. And it came to pass that as the dis- Name of the ciples of Jesus were journeying and Church — the were preaching the things which they Church of had both heard and seen, and were bap- Jesus Christ, tizing in the name of Jesus, it came to pass that the disciples were gathered together, and were united in mighty prayer and fasting. And Jesus again shewed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them. What will ye that I shall give unto you? And they said unto him. Lord we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. And the Lord said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute be- cause of this thing? Therefore whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name, that he will bless the church for my sake; And how be it my church, save it be called in my name? for if a church be called in Moses' name, then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of 56 CHURCH ORGANIZATION. Officers of the Church: Twelve Apostles. a man, then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name, then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.— 7/J. Nephi xxvii: 1-4, 7-8. And I saw the heavens open, and the Lamb of God descending out of heaven; and he came down and shewed himself unto them. And I also saw and bear record, that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others; and they were ordained of God, and chosen. — /. Nephi xii: 6-7 . And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, were twelve,) and behold he stretched forth his hand unto the multi- tude, and cried unto them, saying, Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power, that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me, and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am. — III, Nephi xii: i. CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 57 And it came to pass that on the mor- Names of row, when the multitude was gathered the Twelve, together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son, whose name was Jonas, and also Ma- thoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah; now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen. And it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multi- tude. — III. Nephi xix\ 4. And there were exceeding many pro- Prophets, phets among us. And the people were Seers and a stiffnecked people, hard to under- Revelators. stand. — Enos i: 22. Now it was the custom amiOng all the Nephites, to appoint for their chief cap- tains, save it were in their times of wickedness, some one that had the Spirit of revelation, and also prophecy; there- fore this Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, and also was the Chief Judge. — ///. Nephi Hi: ig. Now Amnion said unto him, I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and trans- late all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them, except he be commanded, lest he should look for th^t he ought not, and he should perish. Ai.d 58 CHURCH ORGANIZATION. Prophets, Seers and Revelators. High Priests whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer. And behold, the king of the people who is in the land of Zarahemla, is the man that is commanded to do these things and who has this high gift from God. And the king said, that a seer is greater than a prophet. And Ammon said, that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, ex- cept he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God. But a seer can know of things which have past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. — Mosiah viii\ fS-iy. And it came to pass that they were brought before the Priests, and delivered up unto the Priests by the Teachers; and the Priests brought them before Alma, who was the High Priest. — Mosiah xxvi: 7. Now as I said concerning the holy order of this High Priesthood: there were man}^ who were ordained and be- came High Priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness be- CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 59 fore God, the}^ choosing to repent and work righteousness, rather than to perish. — Alma xiii: lO. Now this was the cause of much afflic- Elders, tion to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be Teachers, and Priests, and Elders over the church; yea, many of them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be among their people. And he selected a wise man who was among the Elders of the church, and gave him *power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws, according to the laws which had been given, and to put them in force, according to the wickedness . and the crimes of the people. — Alma iv\ 7, i6. And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, Elders, Priests, and Teachers were baptized; and they were not bap- tized, save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it. And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the Elders; and if they repented not, and confessed not their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ. — Moroni vi\ /, 7. 60 CHURCH ORGANIZATION. Priests. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be Priests and Teachers over the land of my people. — //. Nephi v. 26. And again: It came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end ot all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah, to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the charges, concerning the kingdom, and also had appointed Priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remeirrbrance of the oath which they had njade, he dis-* missed the multitude, and they returned, every one, according to their families, to their own houses. — Mosiah vi\ 3. Teachers. The manner which the disciples, who were called the Elders of the church, ordained Priests and Teachers. After they had prayed unto the Father in the name of Christ, they laid their hands upon them, and said, In the name of Jesus Christ I ordain you to be a Priest; (or, if he be a Teacher,) I ordain you to be a Teacher, to preach repentance and remission of sins through Jesus Christ, by the endur- ance of faith on his name to the end. And after this manner did they ordain Priesls and Teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them. — Moroni iii'. 1-4. APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. 61 APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. And I also beheld a straight and nar- I^ehi's vision row path, which came along by the rod of the of iron, even to the tree by which I apostasy, stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world; And I saw numberless concourses of people: many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness: yea, even an exceed- ing great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path, did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. — /. Nephi viii: 2 0-2 J. And while the angel spake these Nephi's words, I beheld and saw that the seed vision of the of my brethren did contend against my apostasy, seed, according to the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the devil, I be- held that the seed of my brethren did overpower thff people of my seed. And it came to pass that I beheld and saw the people of the seed of my brethren, that they had overcome my 62 APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. Universal apostasy foretold. seed; and they went forth in multitudes upon the face of the land. And I saw them gathered together In multitudes; and I saw wars and rumors of wars among them; and in wars and rumors of wars, I saw many generations pass away. And the angel said unto me, Behold these shall dwindle in unbelief. And it came to pass that I beheld after they had dwindled in unbelief, they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations. — /. Nephi xii\ 19-23. But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles; yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles, and also ihe Jews, both those who shall come upon this land, and those who shall be upon other lands; yea, even upon all the lands of the earth; behold, they will be drunken with iniquity, and all manner of abominations.* — //. Nephi xxvii: I. Then Alma said unto him. Blessed art thou; and the Lord shall prosper thee in this land. But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I prophesy ■^The Church of England states in one of her homilies, ''that laity and clergy, learned and unlearned, men and women, and children of all ages, sects and degrees, of whole Christen- dom, have been at once buried in the most abominable IDOLATRY (a most dreadful thing to think), and that for the SPACE OF EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS OR MORE."— //<9;«//)' OH the Perils of Idolatry . APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. 63 unto thee, ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy IS fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say. And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very people, the Nephites, according to the Spirit of revelation which is in me, in four hund- red years from the time that Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief; Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall be- come extinct; Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief, and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin against so great light and knowledge; yea, I say unto you, that from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away, before this great iniquity shall come; And when that great day cometh, be- hold, the time very soon cometh that those who are now, c)r the seed of those who are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered among the people of Nephi; But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few, who shall be called the Universal apostasy foretold. 64 APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites pursue, even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of iniquity, this prophecy shall be ful- filled. — Alma xlv: 8-14, Beginning of And when my father saw that the the apostasy, waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying, O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness. And he also spake uuto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immove- able in keeping the commandments of the Lord. Now this he spake because of the stiff- neckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold they did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart. And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. — /. Nephi ii: gi2. Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cr/ much unto the Lord my God, because of the anger of my brethren. But behold, their anger did increase APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. 65 against me; insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them, and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me. — //. Neplii v: 1-2, 5. And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves some- what in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old, desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son: Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride. — Jacob i: 15-16. Now the sons of Mosiah were num- bered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities. And he became a great hindermcnt to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.- — Mosiah xxvii: S-O. Apostasy increasing. Apostasy spreading. 66 APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. Apostasy And now it came to pass that after spreading. Helaman and his brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the clmrches that there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to the words of Helaman and his brethren; But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceed- ing great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk up- rightly before God. — Ahna xlv: 23-24. Prophets Yea, wo unto this people, because of cast out. this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophets, and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time. And now when ye talk, ye say, If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, ye would not have slain the prophets; ye would not have stoned them and cast them out. Behold 3^e are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you, and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out, and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, be- cause he testifieth that your deeds are evil. — Helaman xiii: 24-26. APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. 67 And it came to pass that the brother Prophets of Shiblom caused that all the prophets slain, who prophesied of the destruction of the people, should be put to death. — Ether xi: 5. And it came to pass in the fifty and Sessation of fourth year there were many dissensions Spiritual in the church, and there was also a con- gifts, tention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed; Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened, had it not been for their wickedness, and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God; And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding* their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the Spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plunder- ing, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and de- serting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites; And because of this their great wicked- ness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper. 68 APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. Sessation of spiritual gifts. Church broken up. but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands. And that they had altered and trampled under their feet the laws of Mosiah, or that which the Lord commanded him to give unto the people; and thus seeing that their laws had become corrupted, and that they had become a wicked people, insomuch that they were wicked even like unto the Lamanites. And because of their iniquity, the church had begun to dwindle; and they began to disbelieve in the Spirit of prophecy, and in the Spirit of revelation; and the judgments of God did stare them in the face. And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in un- holy temples. —Helaman I'v : L 11-13, 22-24. And thus there became a great in- equality in ail the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land, save it were among a few of the Laman- ites, who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm and steadfast, and immoveable, willing with all diligence APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. 69 to keep the commandments of the Lord. Now the cause of this iniquity of the people, was this, Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. — III. Neplii vi: 14-15. And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his Gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did ad- minister that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of un worthiness. — IV. Nephi i: 27. And now, after that they have all dwindled in unbelief, and there is none, save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the Gospel of Christ; therefore 1 am commanded that I should hide them up again in the earth. — Ether to: 3. And there are none that do know the true God, save it be the disciples of Jesus, who did tarry in the land until the wickedness of the people was so great, that the Lord would not suffer them to remain with the people; and whether they be upon the face of the land no man knoweth. — Mormon vizi: 10. Nephites deny the gospel. Apostasy universal. 70 RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. Prophecies Neither will the Lord God suffer that foretelling the Gentiles shall for ever remain in the restor- that awful state of blindness, which thou ation of the beholdest they are in, because of the gospel. plain and most precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen. And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying. Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after I have visited the remnant of the house of Israel, and this remnant of whom 1 speak, is the seed of thy father; where- fore, after I have visited them in judg- ment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles; and after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb, which have been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb; I will be merciful unto the Gen- tiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them in mine own power, .much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb; For behold, saith the Lamb, I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. 71 be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, Prophecies and also the seed of thy brethren; be- foretelling hold, these things shall be hid up, to the restor- come forth unto the Gentiles, by the ation of the gift and power of the Lamb; gospel. And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation. — I. Nephi xiii: 32^ 34-36. And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Where- fore he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men. Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of con- vincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah, which should deceive the people: for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the pro- phets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected by the Jews. — //. Nephi xxv: 17 18. But behold, I prophesy unto you con- when to be cerning the last days; concerning the restored, days when the Lord God shall bring these things forth unto the children of men. After my seed and the seed of my 72 RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. When to be restored. To whom restored. brethren shall have dwindled in unbelief, and shall have been smitten by the Gen- tiles; yea, after the Lord God shall have camped against them round about, and shall have laid siege against them with a mount, and raised forts against them; and after they shall have been brought down low in the dust, even that they are not, yet the words of the righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faith- ful shall be heard, and all those who have dwindled in unbelief, shall not be forgotten; For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whis- per concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. — II. Nephi XX vi: 14-16. And no one need say. They shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead. — Mormon vni: 26. And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, v/ho was carried into Egypt. — //. Nep/n' iv: 1. RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. 73 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A To whom seer shall the Lord my God raise up, restored, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. Yea, Joseph truly said, Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. xAnd unto him will I give commandment, that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with thy fathers. And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him, shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise. And his name shall be called after me: and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall brine: my people unto sal- vation. — II. Nephi Hi: 6-7, 14- J5. And it shall come to pass that the A book to Lord God shall bring forth unto you the come forth words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. And behold the book shall be sealed: and in the book shall be a revelation 74 RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof. Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them. J3ut the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words of the book, which are the w^ords of those who have slumbered in the dust; and he shall deliver these words unto another.^ — II, Nephi xxvii: 6-9. Out of the For those who shall be destro3^ed shall Earth speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whis- per concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. — //. Nephi xxvi: 16. And no one need say. They shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead. — Mormon viii'. 26. Three wit- Wherefore, at that day when the book nesses lobe- ^^idiW be delivered unto the man of w^hom ^book''' I have spoken, the book shall be hid RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. 75 from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses* shall behold it, by the power oi God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein. — //. Nephi xxvii: 12. And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; And unto three shall they be shewn by the power of God; wherefore they shall *The Testimony of Three Witnesses: — Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us, wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shewn unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true, and it is marvelous in our eyes, neverthe- less the voice, of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it, wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of ChrivSt, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. O1.IVER COWDERY, David Whitmer, Martin Harris. 76 RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. know of a surety that these things are true. And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in ^ the which shall be shewn forth the power of God, and also his word, of which the Father, and the- Son, and the Holy Ghost beareth record; and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day. — Ether v: 2-4. Other And there is none other which shall witnesses, view it, save it be a few* according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men: for the Lord God hath said, That the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; *The Testimony of Bight Witnesses: — Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shewn unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold, and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shewn unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not, God bearing witness of it. Christian Whitmer, Hiram Page, Jacob Whitmer, Joseph Smith, Sen. Peter Whitmer, Jun., Hyrum Smith, John Whitmer, SamueIv H. Smith. RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. 77 and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good, will he establish his word; and wo be unto him that re- jecteth the word of God.—//. Nephi xxvii'. \3A4. Wherefore it is an abridgment of the What the record of the people of Nephi, and also hook is. of the Lamanites; written to the Laman- ites who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile: written by way of commandment, and also by the Spirit of prophecy and of revelation. Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the inter- pretation thereof: sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God. An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also; which is a record of the people of Jared; who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to heaven; which is to shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off for- ever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. And now if there are 78 RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. Object of the book — to establish the Bible, faults, they are the mistakes of men: wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ. — i^ooA: of Mormon^ title page. And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, ^"■''^^^^^^^^ which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles, unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren. And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved. — /. Nephi xiii: 38-40. But a seer will I raise up out of the RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL. 79 truit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins; and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, hut to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them. Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of conten- tions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord. And his name shall be called after me: and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation; Yea, thub prophesied Joseph, I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed for ever.—//. Nephi Hi: 11-12, 15-16. Confound false doc- trines, estab- lish peace, and bring people unto salvation. 80 THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL. THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL. Predictions Yea, even my father spake much con- concerning cerning the Gentiles, and also concern- the gather- ing the house of Israel, that they should ing of Israel, be compared like unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off, and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. — I. Nephi x: 12-13. For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay. And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive tree began to decay; and he said, I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not. And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it according to his word. And it came to pass that after many days, it began to put forth somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL. 81 behold, the main top thereof began to perish. And behold, saith the Lord of the ^^^ scatter- vineyard, 1 take away many of these ing of Israel, young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will;* and it mattereth not that if it so be, that the root of this tree will perish, I may pre- serve the fruit thereof unto myself; wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will. And these will I place in the nether- most part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; and I do it that I might preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree; and also, that I may lay up fruit thereof, against the season, unto myself: for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his way, and hid the natural branchesf of the tame olive tree in the nethermost parts of the vineyard; some in one', and some in another, ac- cording to his will and pleasure. And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master. How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch *Upon isles distant from Palestine. fTen tribes in the North. Some of Judah and Joseph in America. Others, upon isles. 82 THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL. cf the tree? for behold, it was the poor- est spot* in all the land of the vineyard. The scatter- And the Lord of the vineyard said mg of Israel, unto him, Counsel me not: I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant, Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou know- est that this spotf of ground was poorer than the first. But, behold the tree: I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; there- fore, gather it, and lay it up, against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own self. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his servant. Look hither, and behold another branch J also, which I have planted; behold that, I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit. — Jacob v: 3-6, . 8, 13-14, 21-24. Wherefore, the things of which I have read, are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner ^ Place unknown, t Place unknown. X Place unknown. THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL. 83 or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations. And behold there are many who are Scattering of already lost from the knowledge of those Israel, who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are, none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away. And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied con- cerning: them, and also concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy one of Israel; for against him will they harden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations, and shall be hated of all men. And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered. — I, Nephi xxii: 3-5, 7. But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord; having a know- ledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvell- ous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them 84 THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL. to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise; behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Re- deemer and their God, behold the judg- ments of him that is just shall rest upon them ; Scattering of Yea, he will bring other nations unto Israel. them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions; and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.— IL Neplii i: 10-11. O repent ye, repent ye! why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? And behold instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts. — Helaman vii: 17, 19. And also that the seed of this people may more fully believe his gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gen- tiles; for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the descrip- tion of that which ever hath been amongst us; yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites; and this because of their unbelief and idolatry. — Mormon v: \5. GATHERING OF ISRAEL. 85 GATHERING OF ISRAEL. Yea, even my father spake much con- Prophesies cerning the Gentiles, and also concern- foretelling ing the house of Israel, that they should the gather- be compared like unto an olive tree, ing ot Israel, whose branches should be broken off, and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. And after the house of Israel should be scattered, they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or ihe remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. — I. Nephi x: 22, 14. Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers; Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth. — /. Nephi xix: 15.16. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm, in the eyes of all 86 GATHERING OF ISRAEL. the nations, in bringing about his cove- nants and his gospel, unto those who are of the house of Israel. Prophesies Wherefore, he will bring them again foretelling ^ut of captivity, and they shall be the gather- gathered together to the lands of their ing of Israel, inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel. And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he num- bereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture. — /. Nephi xxii: 11-12^ 25. And now, the words which I shall read, are they which Isaiah spake con- cerning all the house of Israel; where- fore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah, which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel. And now, these are the words: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their GATHERING OF ISRAEL. 87 ot the mountains. faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be Israel to ashamed that wait for me — IINepliivi: 5-7 gather in The word that Isaiah, the son of Amos, thelastdavs saw, concerning Judah and Jerusalem. in the top' And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the moun- tain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jeru- salem.— 77. Nephi xii: 1-3. Thus saith the Lord, in an acceptable time have I heard thee, O isles of the sea, and in a da}' of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; That thou mayept say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that sit in darkness. Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. And 1 will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. And then, O house of Israel, behold, these shall come from far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. 0» GATHERING OF ISRAEL. Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all these gather themselves to- gether, and they shall come to thee. And as I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bride. For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants; and they that swallowed thee up shall be faraway. — J. Nephixxi: 8 9, IL12, 18-19, ^, T . And it shall come to pass that the The Jews to _. ... , ^ , , ,, . th t J^ws which are scattered, also shall be- -r , erin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the . land; and as many as shall believe in Christ, shall also become a delightsome people. — //. Nep/ii xxx: 7. And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord; that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel; Thai he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise. — //. Nephi ix: 1-2. GATHERING OF ISRAEL. 89 But behold, thus saith the Lord God: The Jews to When the day cometh that they shall be gathered believe in me, that I am Christ, then to Jerusalem have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their in- heritance. And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dis- persion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the lands of their in- heritance. Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles, for he hath spoken it, and who can dispute? — //. Nephi x: 7-g, And I command you that ye shall write these sayings, after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jeru- salem, they who have seen me, and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may re- ceive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom the}^ know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write, shall be kept, and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed who shajl be scattered forth upon the face of the earth. 90 GATHERING OF ISRAEL. The Jews to because of their unbelief, may be brought be gathered in, or may be brought to a knowledge of to Jerusalem me, their Redeemer. And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel. — ///. Nephi xvi\ 4-^. And then shall the remnants which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from, the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them. And I will gather my people together, as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor. And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people, and I have covenanted with them, that I would gather them together in mine own due time; that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers, for their inheritance, which is the land of Jeru- salem, which is the promised land unto them for ever, saith the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, all these things shall surely come, even as the Father hath commanded me. Then shall this covenant which the Father hath covenanted with his people, be fulfilled; and then shall Jerusalem be inhabited again with my people, and it shall be the land of their inheritance. — J II, Nephi XX \ 13, 18, 2p, 46. GATHERING OF ISRAEL. 91 And verily, verily, I say unto you, Restoration that I have other sheep, which are not ofthelyost of this land; neither of the land of Tribes. Jerusalem; neither in any parts of that land round about, whither I have been to minister. For they of whom I speak, are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I -at any time manifested myself unto them. But I have received a commandment of the Father, that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold, and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them. — /// Nephi xvi: i-j. But now I go unto the Father, and also to shew myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them. — ///. Nephi xvii: 4. And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto vou, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dis- persed of my people; yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Fatlier hath led away out of Jerusalem. Yea, and then shall the work com- mence, with the Father, among all nations, in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance. — III. Nephi XXI. ' 26, 28, 92 GATHERING OF ISRAEL. Restoration of the Ivost Tribes. And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Neph- ites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. And it shall come to pass that my people which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will shew unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham, that I would remember his seed for ever. — II. Nephi xxix: 13-14. Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jeru- salem upon this land; And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the rem- nant of the seed of Joseph* for which things there has been a type. And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father Abraham. — Ether xui: 4, 6, II. sr-:ro\n coatixo of chrtsi'. 93 SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. Behold, 1 will send you Elijah* the Sign to pre- prophet before the coming of the great cede Christ's and dreadful day of the Lord; second And he shall turn the heart of the coming, fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. — ///. Nej)hi XX v. 56. And now it came to pass that when Referred to Jesus had told these things, he expounded by Jesus, them unto the multitude, and he did ex- pound all things unto them, both great and small. And he did expound all things, even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory; yea, even all things which should come upon the face of the earth, even until the elements should melt with fervent heat, and the earth should be wrapt together as a ^" On April 6th, 1836, in the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were given a number of heavenly visions, in one of which Klijali the prophet appeared. The following account of the vision is given by the Prophet Joseph : After this visioy (vision of Elias) had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us, for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said, Be- hold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying that he (Elijah) should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. There- fore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near even at the doors. — /^oCy & Cov. ex: 13-16. 94 SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. scroll, and the heavens and the earth should pass away. — ///. Nephi xxvi: /, 3. Second And it shall come to pass that I will coming of establish my people, O house of Israel. Messiah. And behold, this people will I estab- lish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall bt a new Jeru- salem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you. — III. Nephi XX'. 2J-22, And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also, as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem; And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem. And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst. — ///. Nephi xxi: 23-25. Therefore more blessed are ye, for ye shall never taste of death, but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the Father, unto the children of men, even until all things shall be fulfilled, accord- ing to the will of the Father, when I shall come in my glory, with the powers of heaven. — ///. Nephi xxviii: 7. Christ to And it came to pass that he com- come to his manded them that they should write the temple. words which the Father had given unto THE ATONEMENT. 95 Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written, he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying, Thus saith the Father unto Malachi, Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like unto a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap. And he shall sit as a refiner and puri- fier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. — III. Nephi xxiv : 13. THE ATONEMENT. And it came to pass that the Jews did Lehi testifies mock him, because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abomin- ations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, mani- fested plainly of the coming of a Mes- siah, and also the redemption of the world. — 7. Nephi i: 19. of the Atonement. 9t) THE ATONEMENT. Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews, even a Messiah; or, in other words, a Savior of the world. And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testi- fied of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world. Wherefore all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be, save they should rely on this Redeemer. — I. Nephi x: 4-6. Nephi's And it came to pass that I looked and vision of the beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and Savior. also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceed-' ingly fair and white. And it came lo pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me, Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him, a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me, Behold the virgin whom thou seest, is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time, the angel spake unto me, saying, Look! THE ATONEMENT. 97 And 1 looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me, Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him saying. Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me again, saying, Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multi- tudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils, and unclean spirits; and the angal spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying. Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross, and slain for the sins . of the world.—/. Nephi xi\ 13-15, 18-22, 31-33. 98 THE ATONEMENT. Christ the Wherefore, redemption cometh in and end of the through the Holy Messiah; for he is full law. of grace and truth. Behold he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the m.erits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. — II. Nephi it: 6-8. The And now, behold, if Adam had not atonement transgressed, he would not have fallen; for original but he would have remained in the garden sin uncon- of Eden. And all things which were ditional. created, must have remained in the same state which they were after they were created; and they must have remained for ever, and had no end. And they would have had no children; wherefore, they would have remained in a state of innocence; having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. THE ATONEMENr. 99 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have jo^^ And the Messiah cometh in the ful- ness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And be- cause that they are redeemed from the fall, they have become free for ever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves, and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the command- ments which God hath given. — //. Nephi it: 22-26, Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam j.. came the fall of man. And because of . . -, r ■,. r T ^1 ■ atonement the fall of man, came Jesus Christ, even for orie-inal the Father and the Son; and because of •„ -r r^y ' i i • r SIH UHCOn- Jesus Christ came the redemption of (jition 1 man. And because of the redemption of man, which came by. Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awoke by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death. — Mormon ix : 12-18. 100 THE ATONEMENT. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them for ever to be cut off from his presence. And now the plan of mercy could not be brought about, except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to ap- pease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. — A/ma xlii: 14-15. I say unto you, if ye have come to a Application knowledge of the goodness of God, and to personal his matchless power, and his wisdom, sins condi- and his patience, and his long suffering tional. towards the children of men, and also the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life; I mean the life of the mortal body; I say, that this is the man who receiv- eth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were ever since the fall of Adam., or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. — Mosiah iv: 6-7. And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures, from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of THE ATONEMENT. 101 redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name. And since man had fallen, he couW not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ, atoneth for their sins, through faith and repent- ance, &c. ; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory: and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.^ — Alma xxii: 13-14. And he cometh into the world that he Application may save all men, if they will hearken, to personal unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth sins condi- the pains of all men; yea, the pains of tional. every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. Wherefore he has given a law; and where there is no law given, there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment, there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation, the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atone- ment; for they are delivered by the power of him; For the atonement satisfieth the de- mands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful mon- ster, death and hell, and the devil, and 102 THE ATONEMENT. the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel. But wo UDto him that has the law given; yea, that has all the command- ments of God like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state.—//. Nephi ix : 21, 25-27. Christ shew- And it came to pass as they under- eth himself stood, they cast their eyes up again to- unto the wards heaven; and behold, they saw a Nephites. ^^^^ descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe, and he came down and stood in the midst of them, and the eyes of the whole multi- tude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them. And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world; And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the be- ginning. PRE-EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 103 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying, Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the print of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that the multi- tude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, ahd did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one, until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes, and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety, and did bear record, that it was he of whom it was written by the pro- phets that should come. — III, Nephi xi: 8-11, 13-15. PRE-EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. For behold, the time cometh, and is Jesus Christ's not far distant, that with power, the pre-existence Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eter- * nity, shall come down from heaven, among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty 104 PRE-EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. Christ created the heavens and the earth. The children of Israel led by Christ. miracles, such as healing the sick, rais- ing the dead, causing the lamb to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing aiJ manner of diseases; And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things, from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. — Mosiah iii\ J, 8. And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried with one voice, saying, O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified: for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. — Mosiah iv: 2. Behold I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name. —Ill Nephi ix: 15. Now ye know that Moses was com- manded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word, the waters of the Red Sea divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground. And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer PRE-EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 105 going before them, leading them by day, and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts, and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God. — /. Nephi XV a : 26, 30. And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw mv Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother Jacob also has seen him as I have seen him: wherefore I will send their words forth unto my children, to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words. — II. Nephi xi: 2-3. Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceeding sorrowful. And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God, in behalf of his people; yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers. And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord, all the day; and The Redeemer seen by Nephi and Jacob. Voice of the LtOrd heard on the night preceding His birth. 106 PRE-EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. Man's pre- existence. Spirit of man immortal . behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying. Lift up your head and be of good cheer, for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign he given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to shew unto the world that [ will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. — ///. Nephi i: 10-13, Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection. Behold, it has been made known unto me, by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body; yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. — Alma xl: 11. I say unto you, that 1 have caused that ye should assemble yourselves to- gether, that 1 might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God. — Mosiah ii: 28. THE INTERMEDIATE STATE. 107 THE INTERMEDIATE STATE. Now there must needs be a space be- State of the twixt the time of death, and the time of soul between the resurrection. death and And now I would inquire what becom- the resurrec- eth of the souls of men from this time tion. of death, to the time appointed for the resurrection? Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise, it matter- eth not; for all do not die at once: and this mattereth not; all is as one day, with God; and time only is measured unto men ; Therefore there is a time appointed unto men, that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now concerning this space of time. What becometh of the souls of men, is the thing which I have enquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know. Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection. Behold, it has been made known unto me, by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body; yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass that the spirits of those who are righteous 108 T^E INTERMEDIATE STATE. ^ are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise; a state of rest; * a state of peace, where they shall rest Irom all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow, &c. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil; for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil w6rks rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house; and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and this because of their own in- iquity; being led captive by the will of the devil. Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked; yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful, looking for the fier3r indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection. — A/ma xl: 6-9, 11-14. State of the ^ ^^^ "^^° ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^ caused 1 , ^ that ve should assemble yourselves to- soul between ,i.t - ^ ^ • j j. r death and gather, that I might rid m> garments of . vour blood, at this period of time when he resurrec- 4 , ' ^ ^ I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God. — Mosiah it: 28, tion. THE INTERMEDIATE STATE. 109 And this death of which I have spoken, Paradise a which is the spiritual death, shall de- place for de- liver up its dead; which spiritual death parted spirits is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must de- liver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the right- eous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible and immortal, and they are living souls, having a per- fect knowledge like unto us in the flesh; save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect. — II. Nephi ix : 12-13. And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed awa)', and also the seventy and second year; yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; and also many of that gener- ation which had passed away. — IV. Nephi i\ 14. 110 SALVATION FOR THE DEAD. Paradise a And now I bid unto all, farewell. I place for de- soon go to rest in the paradise of God, parted spirits until my spirit and my body shall again re-unite, and I am brought forth triumph- ant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen. — Moroni x: 34, SALVATION FOR THE DEAD.— REDEMPTION OF THOSE WHO DIE WITHOUT LAW. Conditions For behold thus saith Jesus Christ, of salvation, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry; yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multi- tude. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, And he that believeih and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be damned. — Mormon ix : 22-23, And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.— 77. NepJri ix: 2j. Mission of Behold, 1 will send vou Elijah the Eliiah prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of REDEMPTION OF THOSE WHO DIE WITHOUT LAW. Ill the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.: — ///. Nephi XX v: 3-6. Wherefore he has given a law; and where there where there is no law given, there is no is no law punishment; and where there is no given there punishment, there is no condemnation; is no con- and where there is no condemnation, the demnation. mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them because of the atone- ment; for they are delivered by the power of him; For the atonement satisfieth the de- mands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who ^ave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel. — 11, NepAi ix: 2J-26. Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires; whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience. — A /ma x:^ix : 5. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died, not knowing the will of God con- cerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. — Mosiah Hi 11. 112 REDEMPTION OF THOSE WHO DIE WITHOUT LAW. God remem- bereth the heathens; They are re- deemed by the Lord and have part in the first resurrection. For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of re- demption Cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is not con- demned, or he that is under no condem- nation, cannot repent; and unto such bap- tism availeth nothing. — Moroni viii: 22. And again, the Lord God hatlt com- manded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that the}^ should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them, shall perish; For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him, and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen, and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. — II. Nephi xxvi: 32-33. * And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came in their ignorance, not having salvation de- THE RESURRECTION. 113 clared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the resurrection of these; and they have a part in the first resur- rection, or have eternal life, being re- deemed by the Lord. — Mosiah xv : 24. THE RESURRECTION. For as death hath passed upon all The men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the resurrection great Creator, there must needs be a universal, power of resurrection, and the resurrec- tion must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall de- liver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must de- liver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up i*s captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the right- 114 THE KESURRECTiON. eous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a per- fect knowledge like unto us in the flesh; save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect. And he cometh into the world that he may save all men, if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men; yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this, that the resur- rection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. — //, Nephi ix: 6, 12- 18, 21-22, The For behold, he surely must die, tfiat resurrection salvation may come; yea, it behoveth universal, him, and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord; Yea, behold this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death — that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam, being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all man- THE RESURRECTION. 115 kind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. — Helaman xiv: 15-17, Now, my son, here is somewhat more Christ the I would say unto thee; for I perceive firstfruits of that thy mind is worried concerning the the resurrec- resurrection of the dead. tion. Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection; or, J would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality; this corruption does not put on incorruption, until after the coming of Christ. And behold, again it hath been spoken, Resurrection that there is a first resurrection ; a resur- at the resur- rection of all those who have been, or rection of who are, or who shall be, down to the Christ, resurrection of Christ from the dead. Now whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom have been spoken, shall all be re-united at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, 1 do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection co.meth to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ. Now my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are re-united, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven. The soul shall be restored to the body, and the Body to the soul;- yea, and every lit) THE RESURRECTION. limb and joint shall be restored to its bod}-; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost, but all things shall be re- stored to their proper and perfect irame.—Alma xl: 1-2, 16, 19-20, 23. Resurrection But behold, the bands of death shall at the resur- be broken, and the Son reigneth, and rection of hath power over the dead; therefore, he Christ. bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resur- rection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ; for so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them: thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death. And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resur- rection, or have eternal life, being re- deemed by the Lord. — Mosiah xv: 20-24. THE RESURRECTION. 117 And it came to pass as they under- Christ shew- stood, they cast their eyes up again to- eth himself wards heaven; and behold, they saw a unto the man descending out of heaven; and he Nephites was clothed in a white robe, and he after his came down and stood in the midst of resurrection, them, and the eyes of the whole multi- tude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them? And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world; And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the be- ginning. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying. Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the print of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. And it came to pass that the multi- 118 THE RESURRECTION. tude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going; forth one by one, until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes, and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety, and did bear record, that it was he of whom it was written by the pro- phets that should come. — III. Nep/ii xi: 8-11, 13-15. Saints did ^^^ it came to pass that he said unto arise. « Nephi, bring forth the record which ye have kept. And when Nephi had brought forth the records and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said, Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me, that ther^ were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them, were it not so^ And his disciples answered him and said, Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled. And Jesus said unto them. How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many, and did minister unto them? And it came to pass that Jesus com- THE RESURRECTION. 119 manded that it should be written; there- fore it was written according as he commanded. — III. Nephi xxiii: 7-11, 13. And there were great and marvelous Disciples works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, raise the insomuch that they did heal the sick, dead, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the chil- dren of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of }esus. — IV. Nephi i: 5. And because of the redemption of man, judgment to which came by Jesus Christ, they are f^now the brought back into the presence of the resurrection Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awoke by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death; And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them, and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous, shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy st\l\.^ Mormon ix\ IS-M 120 PERSONALITY OF GOD. Judgment to But whether it be at his resurrection, follow the or after, I do not say; but this much I resurrection, say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be re-united, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works. — • Alma xl: 21. Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death ; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works. — Alma xi\ 41. PERSONALITY OF GOD. I^ehi's vision And it came to pass that he returned to his own .house at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being over- come with the Spirit and the things which he had seen; And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought hs saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. — /. Nephi i: 7-8. PERSONALITY OF GOD. 121 And because he said unto them, That Christ was the God, the Father of all things, and said that he should take upon him the image of man, and it should be the image after which man was created in the beginning; or in other words, he said that man was cre- ated after the image of God, and that God should* come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth. — Mosiah vii: 27. Ammon said unto him, I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true. — Alma xviii : 84. And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king: how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him com- mandments, and that because of trans- gression man had fallen. — Alma xxii\ 12. And 1 know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness, and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. Man created in the image of God. Jared'S brother saw the Lord, 122 PERSONALITY OF GOD. And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones, one by one with his finger; and the vail was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear. And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him, Arise, why hast thou fallen? And he saith unto the Lord, I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood. And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord shewed himself unto him, and said, Because thou knowest these things, ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore 1 shew myself unto you. And never have I shewed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning, after mine own image. — Ether in: 4, 6-8, IS, 15. Attributes of Now have we not reason to rejoice? Deity. Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice TITHING. 123 as we, since the world began; yea, and m}^ joy is carried away, even unto the boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, ahd all understand- ing; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto sal- vation, to those who will repent and be- lieve on his name. — Alma xxvi: 35, TITHING. '■' Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye said, wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. ^ Bring ye all the tithes into the store- house, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts. ^^And all nations shall call you blessed, Blessings promised to those who pay tithes. 124 THE UNITED ORDER. for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts — ///. Nephi xxiv: 7-12, Abraham And now, my brethren, I would that paid tithes ye should humble yourselves before God, to and bring forth fruit meet for repent- Melchizedek ance, that ye may also enter into that rest; Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a High Priest after this same order which 1 have spoken, who also took upon him the High Priesthood for ever. And it was the same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one- tenth part of all he possessed. — Alma xiii: 13-15, THE UNITED ORDER. All things And it came to pass that the disciples common. whom Jesus had chosed, began from that time forth to baptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus, were filled with the Holy Ghost. And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another. — ///. Nephi XXVI : 17, 19, LATTER-DAY REVELATION. 125 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputa- tions among them, and every man did deal justly one with another; And they had all things common among them, therefore they were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift. — IV. Nephi i: 2-3. And now in this two hundred and first 3'ear, there began to be among them thos^ who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and ot the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. — 7F. Nephi i: 24-25, The United Order ob- served by all the people. The Order broken up. LATTER-DAY REVELATION. For Joseph truly testified, saying: A A Seer to be seer shall the Lord my God raise up, raised up. who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. And his name shall be called after me: and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation. — //. Nephi iii\ 6, 15. 126 LATTER-DAY REVELATION. A Book to But behold, I prophesy unto you con- come out of earning the last days; concerning the the earth, days when the Lord God shall bring these things forth unto the children of men. — //. Nephi xxvi: 14. And it shall come to pass, that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. And behold the book shall be sealed: and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof. — //. Nephi xxvii: 6-7. And blessed be him that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God. — Mormon viii : 16, Other books. And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the proph- ets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. — /. Nephi xiii: 39. LATTER-DAY REVELATION. 127 And it came to pass that he commanded A heavenly them that they should write the words messenger which the Father had given unto Malachi, promised, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were writ- ten, he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying, Thus said the Father unto Malachi, Behold, I will send my messen- ger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye de- light in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. —177. Nephi xxi'v : 1. Behold, I will send you Elijah the KHjahto prophet before the coming of the great come, and dreadful day of the Lord; And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. — III. Nephi XXV : 5-6. Behold, I was about to write the Three names of those who were never to taste disciples to of death; but the Lord forbade, there- minister, fore I write them not, for they are hid from the world. But behold I have seen them, and they have ministered unto me; And behold they will be among the Gentiles, and theGantiles knoweth them not. They will also be among the Jews, and the Jews shall know them not. And it shall come to pass, when the 128 LATTER-DAY REVELATION. Lord seeth fit in his wisdom, that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, and also because of the convincing power of God which is in them; And they are as the angels of God, and if they shall pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they can show them- selves unto whatsoever man it seemeth them sood; Therefore great and marvellous works shall be wrought by them, before the great and coming day, when all people must surely stand before the judgment seat of Christ; Yea, even among the Gentiles shall there be a great and marvellous work wrought by them, before that judgment day. — ///. Nephi xxviii: 25-32. And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an in- strument in the hands of God, with ex- ceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren. — II. Nephi Hi: 24. More For behold, thus saith the Lord God, revelation 1 will give unto the children of men line promised. upon line, precept upon precept, here a A Lamanite Prophet to arise. LATTER-DAY REVELATION. 129 little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth, I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. — //. Nephi xxviii'. 30. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater thino;s be made -manifest unto them. — ///. Nephl xxvi: 9. For the Lord said unto me. They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord; And in that day that they shall exer- cise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will T manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the un- folding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, tlie Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them. are. — Ether iv:6 7. More revelation promised. 130 PERSECUTION. PERSECUTION, THE HERITAGE OF THE FAITHFUL. Lehi perse- cuted by the Jews. Nephi and Sam beaten. Abinadi scourged with faggots Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvellous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jeru- salem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard. And when the Jews heard these things, the}^ were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will shew unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he has chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. — I. Nephi i: 18, 20. And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also with my father; and also was Lemuel; for he hearkened unto the wcrds of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod. — 1, Nephi in: 28. And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death. PERSECUTION. 131 And it came to pass that they took him, and scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death. —Mosiah xvit: i, 13, And it came to pass that he began to Believers cry unto the people, sa3^ing: Behold, I stoned, am guilty, and these men are spotless before God. And he began to plead for them, from that time forth; but they re- viled him, saying: Art thou also possessed with the devil? And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them, and also all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them. And they brought their wives and Women and children together, and whosoever be- children cast lieved or had been taught to believe in into the fire, the word of God, they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the Holy Scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire. — Alma XIV : 7-8. Now when the people saw that they ^ thousand were coming against them, they went ^nd five out to meet them, and prostrated them- niassacred. selves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword; And thus without meeting any resist- ance, they did slay a thousand and five 132 PERSECUTION. Disciples cast into prison. Words of the Savior. of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God. — Alma xxiv: 21 22, And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills ; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wis- dom of God we have been delivered again; And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul, and we supposed that our joy would be full, if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. — Alma xxvi: 29-30. And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. For ye shall have great- joy and be exceeding glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. — III. Nephi xii\ 10-12. DOOM OF APOSTATES. 133 DOOM OF APOSTATES. But, behold, my beloved brethren, Hopeless thus came the voice of the Son unto me, condition of saying:. After ye have repented of your apostates, sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my command- ments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Koly Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. — //. Nephi xxxi: 14, And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlight- ened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state be- comes worse thah though they had never known these things. — Alma xxiv: 30. And now, I say unto you, my brethren, ^i^iaX doom that after ye have known and have been ^f apostates, taught all these things, if ye should trans- gress, and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw your- selves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths, that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved. I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open re- 134 LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS. bellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples. Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice doth awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and do.th hll his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up for ever and ever. And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore, his final doom is to endure a never end- ing torment. — Mosiah it: 86-39. LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS. Judgments Wherefore, I write unto my people, to be poured unto all those that shall receive hereafter out upon all these things which I write, that they nations. may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken. — II. Nephi XXV : 3. But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles; yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles, and also the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land, and those who shall be upon LATTER-DAY JUDGMENTS. 135 other lands; yea, even upon all the lands of the earth; behold, they will be drunken with iniquity, and all manner of abominations; And when that day shall come, they shall be visited of the Lord of Hosts, with thunder, and with earthquake, and with a great noise, and with storm, and with tempest, and with the flame of de- vouring fire; And all the nations that fight against Zion, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto them, even as unto a hungry man, which dreameth, and behold he eateth, but he awaketh, and his soul is empty; or like unto a thirsty man, which dreameth, and behold he drinketh, but he awaketh, and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; yea, even so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion. — //. Nephi xxvii: 1-3, Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord, shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah. And they that believe not in him, shall be destroyed, both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine. And they shall know that the Judgments to overtake the enemies of Zion. 136 THE NEW JERUSALEM. Lord is God, the Holy One of Israel. — 77. Nephi vi: 18, 15. Latter-day For it shall come to pass saith the Judgments. Father, that at that day whosoever wilt not repent and come unto my beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel; ^ And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. — 777. Nephi xxi: 20-21. For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. — 777. Nephi XXV : 1. THE NEW JERUSALEM. Prophecy of Behold, Ether saw the days'^of Christ; Ether con- and he spake concerning a New Jerusa- ceming a lem upon this land; New And that a New Jerusalem should be Jerusalem b^iit up upon this lard, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for which things there has been a type; To be built Wherefore the remnant of the house of on the land Joseph shalT be built upon this land; ot North and it shall be a land of their inherit- America. ance; and they shall build up a holy city THE NEW JERUSALEM. 137 unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem of old; and they shall no more be con- founded, until the end come, when the earth shall pass away. — Ether xiii\ ^, d, 8. And behold, this people will I estab- ^ lish in this land, unto the fullfilling of ^ ^^ the covenant which I made with your ^ T^ father Jacob; and it shall be a New ^^ ^ j^^ ° Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven 7 Jesus, shall be in the midst of ihis people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you. — ///. Nephi XX : 22. But if they will repent, and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant, and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance, And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also, as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem; And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem. — III. Nep/ii xxi: 22-24. 138 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. The Jaredites who '^^ ^^^ Lord scattered them abroad came to America from thence upon the face of all the from the Tower of earth; and they left off to build the ^^"^'* city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did thrre confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of the earth." — Genesis xi\ 8-q. '' This historical item carries us back in our researches, ac- cording to Bible chronology, four thousand one hundred and twenty-seven years; a date beyond that which the scien- tists of our age have been able to definitely fix the first inhabit- ing of these continents. By it we not only learn that the Lord did confound the language of the people at the tower of Babel, but that he also scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Now, how could this be accomplished without scatter- ing some of them upon the Western Hemisphere, as well as others upon the Eastern? Was not the former, at that date of the world's history, a part of the face of all the earth, as well as the latter? A supposition thai it was not, would be so weak and inconsistent, so utterly opposed to reason, as well as to the developments of science, that it must fail to find among the thoughtful either support or credence." — Contributor Vol. ii, p. 197. "And now I, Moorni, proceed to give an account of those ancient inhabitants who were destroyed by the hand of the Lord upon the face of this north country (North America). CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON 139 And I take mine account from the twenty and four plates which were found by the people of Limhi, which is called the book of Ether. And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam, and an account from that time even to the great tower (Babel), and whatsoever things transpired among the children of men until that time, is had among the Jews; therefore I do not write those things which transpired from the days of Adam until that time; but they are had upon the plates, and whoso findeth them, the same will have power that he may get the full account." — Ether i: 1-4. " Which Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the lan- guage of the people, and swear in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered." — Ether i: jj. "Here, then, we find the inspired record of the historian Moses, written upon the Eastern Hemisphere, confirmed by the no less inspired writings of the historian Ether, who wrote nearly twenty-five hundred years ago upon the Western Hemis- phere; bearing testimony, not only of the creation, but of the fact of his forefathers having been brought to America from the tower at the time the Lord confused the language of all the earth." — Contributor Vol. ii^p. igj. • Boturini, on page six of his work, says: — ''There is no Gentile nation that refers to primitive events with such certainty as the Indians do. They give us an account of the creation of the world, of the deluge, of the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel and of all other periods and ages of the world, and of the long peregrinations which their people had in Asia, representing the specific years by their characters ; and in the Seven Conejos (rabbits) they tell us of the great eclipse that oc- curred at the death of Christ our Lord." Prof. Short in his "North America of Antiquity," page two hundred and two, says: "That the American population is of 140 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES old world origin there can be but little doubt; but from whence it came, and to what particular people or peoples it owes its birth, is quite another question." ''The era of their existence as a distinct and isolated race must probably be dated as far back as that time, which separ- ated into nations the inhabitants of the old world , and gave to each branch of the human family its primitive language and individuality." — Pritchard's National History of Man^ Lon- don, 184^. ''The native Mexican author, Ixtlilxochitl, fixes the date of the peopling of America about the year 2000 B. C, which closely accords with that given by the Book of Mormon, which positively declares that it occurred at the time of the dispersion, when God in His anger scattered the people from Babel upon the face of the whole earth." — Co7itributor Vol. ii^p. 227. (For further information upon this subject, see "Divine Origin of the Book of Mormon," by Moses Thatcher, Contributor Vol. a, pp, 237-261.) Number of "And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, Vessels, (now the number of the vessels which had been pre- pared was eight,) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did moulten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount." — Ether 3: i. "Don Francisco Munoz de la Vega, the Bishop of that diocese (Chiapa) , certifies in the prologue to his 'Diocesan Constitu- tions,' declaring that an ancient manuscript of the primitive Indians of that province, who had learned the art of writing, was in his record ofiice, who retained the constant tradition that the father and founder of their nation was named Teponahuale, which signifies the lord of the hollow piece of wood, and that he was present at the building of the Great Wall, for so they CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 141 named the Tower of Babel, and beheld with his own eyes the confusion of language; after which event, God, the Creator, commanded him to come to these extensive regions, and to divide them amongst mankind. They affirm that at the time of the confusion of tongues, there were seven families who spoke the same language, which was Nahuatl, that which is still spoken by th^ Mexicans Aztecs), and since they under- stood each other, they united, and, forming a single company, proceeded on their journey, through divers lands and countries as chance directed them, and without any particular destina- tion, in search of a convenient habitation; and having traveled during a century (which amongst them was a period of time amounting to one hundred and four years S passing in the inter- val, mountains, rivers and arms of the sea, which they noted down in their paintings, they arrived at the place where they made their first settlement, in the northern part of this king- dom, which they named Tlapalan, which signifies the red country, on account of the soil being of that color; and even still, in all modern maips (picture writings), they gave the name of the Red Sea to the gulf which is situated between the east- ern coast of the province of New Mexico and Sonora; and the river (Colorado) which flows into the northern part of the gulf is named the Red River." — King sbor oughts Mexican Antiqui- ties^ Vol. viii^pp. ^5, 2j. Clavigero says: "Tfie Chiapanese have been the first peoplers of the New World, if we give credit to their traditions. They say that Votan, the grandson of that respectable old man who built the great ark to save himself and family from the deluge, and one of those who undertook the building of that lofty edi- fice, which was to reach up to heaven, went by express com- mand of the Lord to people that land. They say also that the first people came from the quarter of the north, and that when they arrived at Soconusco, they separated, some going to inhabit the country of Nicaragua and others remaining at Chiapas." ** According to this tradition, Votan came from the East, from Valum Chivim, by way of Valum Votan, from across the sea, 142 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES by divine command, to apportion the land of the new conti- nent to SEVEN families which he brought with him." '*The Toltecs, consisting of seven friends, with their wives, who understood the same language, came to these parts, having first passed great land and seas, having lived in caves, and hav- ing endured great hardships in order to reach this land; ^ * ^ they wandered one hundred and four years through different parts of the world before thev reached Hue Hue Tlapalan, which was in Ce Tecpatl, five hundred and twenty years after the flood." — '■'Ixtlilxochitl Relaciones^^'' in Kmgsborough's ''Mex. Anty Vol. ix, p. 322. "Josephus says that Nimrod was a mighty man, the grand- son of Ham; the Book of Mormon speaks of the brother of Jared and his companions going down into a valley of that name called after the mighty hunter. Josephus speaks of ships in which some crossed over the^ sea, when God scattered the people everywhere from the Tower, and led them whitherso- ever He willed. We have seen that the colony of Jared 's brother used Eight barges or vessels in which to cross the great deep. Most writers on American antiquities say seven, but the historian, Francisco Espinosa, states the number as being EIGHT." **Kingsborough states that the manuscript of the primitive Indians refers to the Tower as the 'Great Wall,' which the lord of the 'hollow piece of wood' saw, when it was bein^ built, and beheld with his own eyes the confusion of the language of the people. Votan, it is stated, was a grandson of Noah, and came by express command of the Lord to the people of this land. The brother of Jared did the same; pleading with the Lord not to confound the language of Jared, or their friends and families. The seven families, being the same, doubtless, whom Votan led, maintained one language, being not confounded. They formed one companv and traveled together many years (104), over rivers, mountains and arms of the sea. So did the colony led by Jared 's brother, who was in the wilderness many year CONFIRMING THE ROOK OF MORMON. 143 and built barges to cross many waters. If the records of the Indians, which survived the vandalism of the Roman Catholic clergy, who followed in the wake of the Spanish conquerors, are reliable, and form, when combined with the traditions of the primitive inhabitants of the land, a chain of facts like those produced even thus far, then who can consistently deny the divine origin of the Book of Mormon." — Thatcher, in Con- tributor^ Vol. ii. Jared's Brother "And it came to pass that the brother of Got Light Jared, (now the number of the vessels which for the Vessels, jj^d been prepared was eight,) went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount of Shelem, be- cause of its exceeding height, and did moulten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying, * ^ * And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O, Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea. -h- ^ -x- And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones, one by one with his finger; and the vail was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear." — Ether Hi: /, 4-6. "Montesinos tells us that at some time near the date of the Deluge, in other words, in the highest antiquity, America was invaded by a people with four leaders, named Ayar-mancotopa, Ayar-chaki, Ayar-aucca, and Ayar uyssu. 'Ayar,' says Senor Lopez, 'is the Sancrit Ajar, or aje, and means primitive chief; and nianco, chaki, aucca, and uyssu, mean believers, wanderers, / 144 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES soldiers, husbandmen. We have here a tradition of castes like that preserved in the four tribal names of Athens.' The labor- ing class (naturally enough in a new colony) obtained the supremacy, audits leader was named Pirhua-manco, reveai^er OF piR, I.IGHT." — Donnelly's Atlantis, p. 391. (Harper & Brothers, 1882.) Jared's Brother *'For the Brother of Jared said unto the Moved a Mountain Zerin, remove, and it was re- Mountain, moved. And if he had not had faith, it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith." — Ether xii: 30. Same, the great name of Brazilian legend, came across the ocQ3.n from the rising sun. He had power over the elements and tempests ; the trees of the forests would recede to make room for him; the animals used to crouch before him; lakes and rivers became solid for him; and he taught the use of agri- culture and magic." — Atlantis, p. 168. Art of Making ''And it came to pass that the brother of Glass Known Jared ^ ^ * did moulten out of a rock to the sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass." — Ether Hi: I, Parts of a Glass In 1880 the workmen of Desire Charnay, Vase Found. while exhuming the ruins of some extensive buildings at the ancient Metropolis of the Toltecs, situated about sixty-five miles to the north of the city of Mexico, dis- covered specimens of porcelain beautifully enameled, and parts of a GivASS VASE. Alluding to the discovery of the piece of glass, Mr. Charnay says: **0n this subject, I make no comments, yet I will add that nations are like individuals; they always esteem themselves more highly civilized than their predecessors. The Chinese, the Hindoos, the Egyptians, have left to us evidence of their CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 145 genius: they understood the making of glass and of porcelain, and many other arts before we did, and to me, it is no matter of surprise that an intelligent population such as the Toltecs should have been able to erect monuments, to cut stone, to make porcelain, to invent enamel, and to make glass V — North American Review^ Dec, 1880. Animals in Use "One of the objections set forth against Among the Book of Mormon for several years, was the Jaredites. j^g reference to horses and cattle in use among the ancient inhabitants of this continent. As M. Char- nay observes in his contribution to the December North Amer- ican Review, ' It is generally agreed that previous to the con- quest there were neither oxen nor horses in America.' But on the landing of Lehi and his family upon this great country, Nephi states : ** * And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forest of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manners of wild animals which were for the use of men.* (Book of Mormon p. 47.) "But it also appears that these and other animals were in use on this land several centuries before the arrival of L/ehi. For the colonists who settled here shortly after the dispersion from Babel and who are called the Jaredites, became rich in flocks and herds, as we read in the Book of Ether: " * Having all manner of fruit, and of grain, and of silks, and of fine linen, and ol gold and of silver, and of precious things. And also all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of sheep and of swine, and of goats and also many other animals which were useful for the food of man; aud they also had horses and asses and there were elephants and cureloms anci cumoms.* (Ibid p. 590.) **In consequence of these and similar allusions in the Book of Mormon to animals which science, with quite as much arro- gance as it complains of in theology, has pronounced unknown 146 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES to American antiquity, the Book which gives the only clue to the ancient history of this continent has been repeatedly de- nounced as 'a clumsy imposture.' ''But the recent discoveries of Professor Marsh demonstrate the existence of cattle and horses and also of the elephant, the mastodion, the megatherium and other peculiar mammoth ani- mals, which we have no doubt were anciently named as related in the above quotation from Ether. And now Charnay, puzzled and astonished, finds in the ruins of Tula, sixty-five miles north of the City of Mexico, animal remains which upset the dogmas of the scientists and corroborate the conclusions of Marsh as well as the statements in the Book of Mormon. Charnay says: '* ' Aug. i8. — We collected a few ornaments, also some animal remains, viz., some ribs (probably of the roebuck, though on this point I will not be positive, not being a geologist,) some small scapulas, two teeth, and stranger still, two enormous humeruses much larger than the humeruses of the ox; both of these bones are broken longitudinally, as though to take out the marrow. We found also the radius of an animal consider- ably larger than the horse.' *' 'Aug. 20. — In another edifice there were found some bones, among them the gigantic tibia of a ruminant, with the peri- neum attached. Could the animal bave been a bison?' " 'Aug. 21. — Here are the remains of unknown animals, pro- bably of mammoth bisons domesticated by the Toltecs, at least used by them for food. This is the contradiction of history, which aflfirms that the Indians had no large domestic animals.' " ' Aug. 24. — We are continually meeting with enigmas amid these ruins. Today I discovered a sheep's head in terra cotta.' '"Sept. 9. — I cannot but recognize among the many bones found in the progress of the work, jawbones of swine, sheep, and, as I believe, of oxen and horses.' " The puzzled explorer, depending on the dictum of the sci- entists, came to the conclusion that these and many works of art which he unearthed, must have been left among the ancient ruins by a modern race, perhaps the Spaniards. But he took some specimens to the City of Mexico, and says : " ' Senor del Cartillo, Professor of Zoology in the School of CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 147 Mines, on ex:amining the bones found at Tula, pronounce them to be the remains of Bos Americanus^ horse, Andes sheep, llama, stag, etc., on^ fossil ! If his judgment is confirmed by the savants of Paris and the Smithsonian Institution, a new horizon is opened for the history of man in America. My vic- tory will then be complete, as I shall have brought to light a new people, and a city unique in its originality, and shall have opened to the learned a new branch of natural history.*" — Deseret Weekly NewSy VoL xxix^ p. yio. * 'Recent discoveries in the fossil beds of the Bad Lands of Nebraska prove that the horse originated in America. — AtlantiSy J>' 54- "We find in America numerous representations of the ele- phant. * * -5^ There are in Wisconsin a number of mounds of earth representing different animals — men, birds, and quad- rupeds. Among the latter is a mound representing an ele- phant, *so perfect in its proportions, and complete in its repre- sentation of an elephant, that its builders must have been well acquainted with all the physical characteristics of the animal which they delineated.' * * * On a farm in Louisa County, Iowa, a pipe was ploughed up which also represents an ele- phant. * * * It was found in a section where the ancient mounds were very abundant and rich in relics. The pipe is of sandstone, of the ordinary Mound-Builder's type, and has every appearance of age and usage. There can be no doubt of its genuineness. The finder had no conception of its archaeologi- cal value. "In the ruined city of Palenque we find, in one of the pal- aces, a stucco bass-relief of a priest. His elaborate head-dress or helmet represent very faithfully the head of an elephant. * ^ * The decoration known as 'elephant-trunks' is found in many parts of the ancient ruins of Central America, project- ing from above the door-ways of the buildings. "In Tylor's 'Researches into the Early History of Mankind,* p. 313, I find a remarkable representation of an elephan, taken from an ancient Mexican manuscript." — Ibid^ 168 ^ /<5p, lyo. 148 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES Accounts ''According to 'Popol Vuh,' the world had a be- of the ginning. There was a time when it did not exist. Creation. Only 'Heaven' existed, below which all space was an empty, silent, unchanging solitude. Nothing existed there, neither man, nor animal, nor earth nor tree. Then appeared a vast expanse of water on which divine beings moved in bright- ness. 'They said earth! ' and instantly the earth was created. It came into being like a vapor; mountains rose above the waters like lobsters, and were ma^e. Thus was the earth cre- ated by the Heart of Heaven. Next came the creation of ani- mals; but the gods were disappointed because the animals could neither tell names, nor worship the Heart of Heaven. There- fore it was resolved that man should be created. First man was made of earth, but his flesh had no cohesion; he was inert, could not turn his head, and had no mind, although he could speak; therefore he was consumed in the water. Next men were made of wood, and these multiplied, but they had neither heart nor intellect, and could not worship, and so they withered up and disappeared in the waters. A third attempt followed. Man was made of a tree called Tzite, and woman of the pith of a reed; but these failed to think, speak or worship, and were destroyed, all save a remnant, which still exists as a race of small monkeys found in the forests. A fourth attempt to create the human race was successful, but the circumstances attending this creation are veiled in mystery. It took place before the beginning of dawn, when neither sun nor moon had risen, and it was a wonder-work of the Heart of Heaven. Four men were created, and they could reason, speak and see in such a manner as to know all things at once. They worshipped the Creator with thanks for existence, but the gods, dismayed and scared, breathed clouds on their eyes to limit their vision, and cause them to be men and not gods. Afterwards, while the four men were asleep, the gods made for them beautiful wives, and from these came all the tribes and families of the earth." — ''Ancient America'' {Baldwin) pp. 194-5. Bancroft, (vol. iii), says: "In the order of the Quichi crea- CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 149 tion, the heavens were first formed and their boundaries fixed by the Creator and Former, by whom all move and breathe, by whom all nations enjoy their wisdom and civilization. At first there was no man, or animal, or bird, or fish, or green herb — nothing but the firmament existed, the face of the earth was not yet to be seen, only the peaceful sea and the whole expanse of heaven. Silence pervaded all; not even the sea murmured; there was nothing but immobility and silence in the darkness — in the night. The Creator, the Former, the Dominator — the feathered Serpent — those that engender, those that give being, moved upon the water as a glowing light. Their name is Gucumatz, the Heart of Heaven God." "The persons of the Godhead having counseled regarding the creation of more perfect man, on the fourth attempt succeeded so that 'Verily, at last, were there found men worthy of their origin and their destiny; verily, at last, did the gods look upon beings who could see with their eyes and handle with their hands and understand with their hearts; grand of countenance and broad of limb, the four lives of our race stood up under the white rays of the morning star — sole light as yet of the prime- val world — stood up and looked. Their great clear eyes swept rapidly over all; they saw the woods and rocks, the lakes and the sea, the mountains and the valleys, and the heavens that were above all; and they comprehended all and admired ex- ceedingly. Then they returned thanks to those who had made the world, and all therein was: we offer up our thanks, twice — yea, verily thrice; we have received life, we speak, we walk, we taste, we hear and understand, we know both that which is near and that which is far off, we see all things, great and small, in all the heaven and earth. Thanks, then. Maker and Former, Father and Mother of our life, we have been created, we are.' " Legends ** It is a very remarkable fact,* ' says Alfred Mauiy, of the "that we find in America traditions of the Deluge Deluge. coming indefinitely nearer to that ot the Bible and the Chaldean religion than among any people of the Old World." 150 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES "The most important among the American traditions are the Mexican, for they appear to have been definitively fixed by symbolic and mnemonic paintings before any contact with Europeans. According to these documents, the Noah of the Mexican cataclysm was Coxcox, called by certain peoples Teo- cipactli or Tezpi. He had saved himself, together with his wife Xochiquetzal, in a bark, or, according to other traditions, on a raft made of cypress-wood {Ctipressus disticha). Paint- ings retracing the deluge of Coxcox have been discovered among the Aztecs, Miztecs, Zapotecs, Tlascaltecs, and Mechoa- caneses. The tradition of the latter is still more strikingly in conformity with the story as we have it in Genesis, and in Chal- dean sources. It tells how Tezpi embarked in a spacious vessel with his wife, his children, and several animals, and grain, whose preservation was essential to the subsistence of the human race. When the great god Tezcatlipoca decreed that the waters should retire, Tezpi sent a vulture from the bark. The bird, feeding on the carcasses with which the earth was laden, did not return. Tezpi sent out other birds, of which the humming-bird only came back with a leafy branch in its beak. Then Tezpi, seeing that the country began to vegetate, left his bark on the mountain of Colhuacan. "The document, however, that gives the most valuable infor- mation," says Lenormant, "as to the cosmogony of the Mexi- cans is one known a3 'Codex Vaticanus,' from the library where it is preserved. It consists of four symbolic pictures, repre- senting the four ages of the world preceding the actual one. They were copied at Chobula from a manuscript anterior to the con- quest, and accompanied by the explanatory commentary of Peiiro de los Rios, a Dominican monk, who, in 1566, less than fifty years after the arrival of Cortez, devoted himself to the research of indigenous traditions as being necessary to his mis- sionary work." — See Altantis p. 99. "It is found in the histories of the Toltecs that this age and first worlds as they call it, lasted 17 16 years; that men were de- stroyed by tremendous rains and lightning from the sky, and CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 151 even all the land, without the exception of anything, and the highest mountains, were covered up and submerged in water fijteen cubits (caxtolmolatli); and here they added other fables of how men came to multiply from the few who escaped from this destruction in a 'toptlipetlocali;' that this word nearly signifies a close chest; and how, after men had multiplied, they erected a very high 'zacuali,' which is today a tower of great height, in order to take refuge in it should the second world (age) be destroyed. Presently their languages were confused^ and, not being able to understand each other, they went to dif- ferent parts of the earth." — '■^Ixtlilxochitl RelacioneSy^ in KingsborougK" s ^^Mex. Ant.y'^ Vol. ixy p. j2i. The following tradition was current among the Indians of the Great Lakes: "In former times the father of the Indian tribes dwelt toward the rising sun. Having been warned in a dream that a deluge was coming upon the earth, he built a raft, on which he saved himself, with his family and all the animals. He floated thus for several months. The animals, who at that time spoke, loudly complained and murmured against him. At last a new earth appeared, on which he landed with all the animals, who from that time lost the power of speech, as a punishment for their murmurs against their deliverer." Lehi and His **In the first year of the reign of Zede- People. kiah, king of Judah (B. C. 600), the Lord gave Lehi," (a Hebrew prophet, of the tribe of Manasseh,) "a num- ber of prophetic dreams and visions, and, in compliance with the admonitions of those manifestations, he went forth among the Jews proclaiming the sorrows that would inevitably be theirs if they did not repent and return to the Lord. But the Jews treated Lehi just as they were treating all the rest of the prophets who came to them. They paid no heed to the message he bore. * * -^^ But he did not cease to labor in their midst 152 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES until their anger grew so intense that they sought his life; and they would have slain him if the Lord had not protected him; for it was not to be that Lehi should fall a victim to their hatred. The Lord had designed him for a greater work — he was to be the father of a multitude of people, and to this end God deliv- ered him from the fury of the Jews. When it became impossi- ble for him to remain longer and minister unto them, he was instructed to gather up such things as he could carry and take them into the wilderness with his family, where the Lord would teach him what more He required at his hands. "When Lehi received the command to depart, he immediately set about fulfilling it, and taking with him his family and such goods and food as he could carry, he left the doomed city, where he had so long dwelt, leaving behind him his house and property, his gold, his silver and other precious things, all of which he willingly gave up that he might be obedient to the heavenly message. "Lehi's family consisted of his wife, Sariah, and his foiy: sons, Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi. Lehi had also daughters, but whether they were born at this time is not evident from the record. We have no account in the Book of Mormon of the precise road which Lehi and his family took when they left Jerusalem. Undoubtedly they traveled through the wilderness of Judea southward till they reached the eastern arm of the Red Sea. **When the people ol Lehi reached the sea shore they re- joiced greatly that their tedious wanderings were over. Nephi, by Divine direction, built a ship to carry them across these great waters. When the vessel was finished, the voice of the Lord came to Lehi, commanding that he and his people should arise and go aboard the ship. The next day they embarked, every one according to his age, taking with them their provis- ions, seeds, and such other things as it was desirable they should carry across the ocean to their new home, far away on its opposite shores." — Dictionary of the Book of Mormon, 213, 214, 216. CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 153 Peruvian History "'According to Montesinos,' says Bald- and the win, 'there were three distinct periods in Book of Mormon, the history of Peru. First, there was a period which began with the origin of civilization, and lasted until the first or second century of the Christian era. Second, there was a period of disintegration, decline and disorder, in- troduced by successful invasions from the east and southeast, during which the country was broken up into small states, and many of the arts of civilization were lost ; this period lasted more than a thousand years. Third and last came the period of the Incas, who revived civilization and restored the empire. He discards the wonder stories told of Manco-Copac and Mama- Ocllo, and gives the Peruvian nation a beginning which is, at least, not incredible. It was originated, he says, by a people led by four brothers, who settled in the valley of Cuzco, and developed civilization there in a very human way. The YOUNGEST OF THESE BROTHERS ASSUMED SUPREME AUTHOR- ITY AND BECAME THE FIRST OF A I^ONG I^INE OF SOVER- EIGNS. * 'Those who are familiar with the Book of Mormon, understand that the Nephite colony from Palestine landed in South America and that when their descendents moved northward they found the north land covered with the remnants of an ancient race, with their mounds, monuments and ruined cities spread over the face of the land. In this colony were Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi, four brothers, of whom Nephi was the youngest and who became their leader and the first of a line of rulers. These brothers divided in consequence of the rebellion and wicked- ness of Laman and Lemuel, and the darkness of skin that came upon their posterity was a curse from the Lord for their iniquity. They became that ruthless race that eventually stamped out the civilized Nephites, in consequence of the latter falling into transgression." — Deseret Weekly News, Vol. xxixy p. 262. The ''And it came to pass after they had loosed me, be- Compass. hold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; 154 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES and after I had prayed, the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm." — /. Nephi xviii: 21. ''I find in the 'Report of United States Explorations for a Route for a Pacific Railroad,' a description of a New Mexican Indian priest, who foretells the result of a proposed war by- placing a piece of wood in a bowl of water, and causing it to turn to the right or left, or sink or rise, as he directs it. This is incomprehensible, unless the wood, like the ancient Chinese compass, contained a piece of magnetic iron hidden in it, which would be attracted or repulsed, or even drawn downward, by a piece of iron held in the hand of the priest, on the outside of the bowl. If so, this trick was a remembrance of the mariner's compass transmitted from age to age by the medicine men. The reclining statue of Chac-Mol, of Central America, holds a bowl or dish upon its breast, ^ * * The Etruscans set their temples squarely with the cardinal points of the compass; so did the Egytians, the Mexicans, and ihe Mound Builders of America. Could they have done this without the magnetic compass?" — Atlantis pp. 445^ 446. The Aborigines "Mr. Bradford in his researches into the of America origin of the red race, adopts the following Were of the conclusions in regard to the ancient occu- Same Origin. pants of North America : "That they were all of the same origin, branches of the same race, and possessed of similar customs and institutions. ''That they were populous and occupied a great extent of ter- ritory. "That they had arrived at a considerable degree of civiliza- tion, were associated in large communities and lived in exten- sive cities. "That they possessed the use of many of the metals, such as lead, copper, gold, and silver, and probably the art of working in them, "That they sculptured in stone and sometimes used that material in the construction of their edifices. CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 155 "That they had the knowledge of the arch of receding steps; of the art of pottery, producing urns and utensils formed with taste and constructed upon the principles of chemical composi- tion; and the art of brick-making. "That they worked the salt springs, and manufactured salt. "That they were an agricultural people, living under the in- fluence and protection of regular forms of governments. "That they possessed a decided system of religion, and a mythology connected with astronomy, which, with its sister science, geometry, was in the hands of the priesthood. " That they were skilled in the art of of fortification. "That the epoch of their original settlement in the United States is of great antiquity; and "That the only indications of their origin to be gathered from the locality of their ruined monuments, point toward Mexico. "Mr. Lewis H. Morgan finds evidence that the American aborgines had a common origin in what he calls 'their system of consanguinity and affinity.' He says, ' The Indian nations from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains and from the Arctic sea to the Gulf of Mexico, with the exception of the Esqui- maux, have the same system. It is elaborate and complicated in its general form and details; and while deviations from uni- formity occur in the systems of different stocks, the radical feaures are in the main constant. This identity in the essential characteristics of a system so remarkable tends to show that it must have been transmitted with the blood to each stock from a common original source. It affords the strongest evidence yet obtained of unity in origin of the Indian nations within the region defined.' " — Baldwin's ''''Ancient America ^^^ page 56. Law of Moses **And notwithstanding we believe in Christ, Kept by ^ we keep the law of Moses, and look forward the Nephites. ^^^ith steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. " — II Nephi xxv: 24. 15t) TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES A Stone Found on "Between i860 and 1865, four different which the Ten stones with Hebrew inscriptions upon Commandments them were found in Licking County, were Engraved, ^j^-^^ though not all in the same neigh- borhood. * * * The fourth stone is the most remarkable of all. There was an extended series of Indian mounds, fortifica- tions, and enclosures around Newark. One of the most remark- able was an enormous stone mound of conical form, eight miles south of the spot where Newark now stands. It is believed that some thousands of loads of stones were taken from it for the Ohio canal and other purposes. It was once five hundred and eighty feet in circumference at the base, and forty to fifty feet high. An impression grew among the workmen that there was a circle of little mounds of pure clay, enclosed within the great mound, and standing round near the periphery at the base. In the removal of one of these clay mounds, a piece of wood was found like the shell of an old log, and on it several copper rings were lying. A further examination decided that this piece of wood was only the covering of a lower piece, which had the form of a large trough, and the whole of its interior seemed to have been once lined with a very coarse cloth, so rotten that a piece as large as a thumb nail could not be held together. This trough contained several human bones, a lock of very fine black hair, about six or eight inches long, and ten more copper rings. It was farther found that this coffin lay in a two feet thick bed of very tough fire clay of the color of putty. In digging into this fire clay, a stone box was struck in its lower part. The box was drawn out with care, was found to be of a rounded, oblong shape, and in color, lighter than copper. Its two halves were cemented together. After considerable effort, the cement was broken, and the two halves separated, and in the center of the box was a stone, on which the Ten Commandments were en- graved. Now, keep these facts in their connection: the stone lodged in the center of the stone box; this box buried in a stratum of fire clay; above the box the coffin also lodged in the fire clay; the clay mound and then the enormous stone mound covering all. CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 157 ' 'The stone has for its length about six inches and seven- eighths; for its width, about two inches and seven-eighths, and for its thickness, about one inch and five-eighths. On one side the greater part of the surface is depressed, and a carved human figure is in this depression. On the other side the central sur- face is a protruded plane, but the protrusion on one side does not correspond exactly with the depression on the other side. The human figure stands out in relief on the depressed plane; it has the appearance of a noble man, dressed in the robes of the Priesthood, and over his head, written in Hebrew, is the name Moses. At the feet of the image there is an empty space through the stone, and then a round handle is united to the main stone at its ends, as if the stone was once carried by a strap passed through this empty space. On the back and on the sides and top are engraved in Hebrew characters (though in- ferior to those on the other stones) the Ten Commandments. Not exactly as we have the Ten Commandments in the Bible, but somewhat abridged for want of room; and there is a peculi- arity about them — they are not written underneath one another, but in different directions. The Commandments, though no^ here given at full length, contain all the essential points; that is to say, when you come to the one: 'Thou shalt not take the name of the I/ord thy God in vain, ' that is all there is of it. The second clause is not included; but all the Ten Command- ments are there. We may here ask: Who, but a people acquainted with the dealings of the Lord with the House of Israel, could have prepared such a stone as this — Geo. Reynolds in Contributor , Vol. xvii, pp. 233-4- Practices Among Lord Kingsbury tells us the Central Amer- the Lamanites icans practiced circumcision, and McKenzie — Circumcision, (quoted by Ritzius) says he saw the cere- mony performed by the Chippeways. Sacrifices. "The Peruvians, when they sacrificed animals, ex- amined their entrails, and from these prognosticated the fu- ture, "^ — Atlantis p. 144. 158 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES Baptism. "The use of confession and penace was known in the religious ceremonies of some of the American nations. Baptism was a religious ceremony with them, and the bodies of the dead were sprinkled with water." — Atlantis p. 144. Eclipse at the "And it came to pass that there was thick Death of Christ, darkness upon all the face of the land, in- somuch, that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen, could feel the vapor of darkness. * -5^ ^ And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days, that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning, and howling, and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruc- tion which had come upon them." — III Nephi viii: 20 ^ 2j. Boturini says that the eclipse of the sun, which happened at the death of our Savior, was marked in their paintings in the year 7. Tochtli, and that some learned Spaniards have compared their chronology with ours, and have found that they reckoned from the creation to the birth of Christ 5,199 years, which corresponds with the Roman calendar. Clavigero says : "Upon reading Boturini, I set about compar- ing the Toltecan years with ours, and I found the thirty-fourth year of Christ, or the thirtieth of our era, to be the 7. Tochtli." Christ's Visit *'And it came to pass as they understood, to the they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; Nephites. and behold, they saw a man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe, and he came down and stood in the midst of them, and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them. And it came to pass, that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying, Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world." — ///. Nephi xi: 8-10. ''From the distant East, from the fabulous Hue Hue Tlapa- CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 159 Ian, this mysterious person came to Tula, and became the patron god and high-priest of the ancestors of the Toltecs. He is de- scribed as having been a white man, with strong formation of body, broad forehead, large eyes, and flowing beard. He wore a mitre on his head, and was dressed in a i^ong white robe reaching to his feet, and covered with red crosses. In his hand he held a sickle. His habits were ascetic, he never married, was most chaste and pure in life, and is said to have endured penace in a neighboring mountain, not for its effects upon him- self, but as a warning to others. He condemned sacrifices, ex- cept of fruits and flowers, and was known as the god of peace ; for, when addressed on the subject of war, he is reported to have stopped his ears with his fingers." — "'North Amer. of Antiq.;' p. 268. Records Kept "And it come o pass that the Lord com- by the manded me, wherefore I did make plates of Nepnites, q^q^ thdX I might engraven upon them the re- cord of my people. And upon the plates which I made, I did engraven the record of my father, and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father: and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them." — / Nephi xtx: /. Relics of ''-^t the annual meeting of the Davenport the Mound (Iowa) Academy of Natural Sciences, the Presi- Builders. dent read a very interesting report of the pro- gress of the institution, in which extended notice was given to the subject of the Mound Builders of the Mississippi Valley. The address shows that they were a numerous and industrious people, altogether different from the present race of American Indians, and occupying the country in much earlier times than the latter; that they were of different tribes, but domestic in their habits; that they lived in a very simple manner, possessed few mechanical contrivances, but were a laborious, painstaking people; that they had some system of barter with neighboring tribes, as shown by the occurrence in the mounds of large sea shells, which, the reader opined, must have come from the Gulf 160 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES of Mexico; obsidian which must have come from the Far West; mica, not to be found in this region; galena, etc. ''It appears, too, that they smoked tobacco, not merely for pleasure, but as a ceremonial observance, for the pipes divScov- ered are, in many instances, very elaborately and beautifully carved out of a great variety of kinds of stone, generally of a rather soft character, and were apparently held in very high es- timation, perhaps almost sacred. "The report says: **^^^*** *' ' Strangest of all, and most contrary to the opinion of all archaeologists hitherto, it now appears that the Mound Builders had a written language. Whence derived or what its origin, is matter of the merest conjecture. What its affinities, or whether any connection with other written languages — ancient or mod- ern — no one has, as yet, been able to determine. ***The inscribed tablets in our museum — the only ones of much significance or importance perhaps, which have as yet been discovered in the mounds — have attracted much attention, both in this country and in Europe, and by all eminent and well-informed archaeologists, are considered of the highest importance. They are certain to stimulate research, which will doubtless lead to further discoveries, until it may well be hoped that the key to the language may ultimately be discovered, and something of a history of this ancient people may be made oat as written by themselves. *' 'Whether the language was understood by all, or only by a more learned few, or whether the tablets were heirlooms and cherished relics, cannot now be scarcely even guessed. *' ' A rather significant circumstance, perhaps, is the fact that in the same mound with the two tablets first found were the bones of a young child, partially preserved by the contact of a large number — about 300 — copper beads, indicating it to be an important personage, and that persons of high n k were buried there. ' ' ' Some doubts of course have been expressed regarding the genuineness of the tablets, though not to any great extent by CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 161 competent and candid archaeologists, and we feel no uneasiness on that account. " * The tablets have been sent to the Smithsonian Institute for examination, and were retained there and subjected to the most thorough scrutiny for two months, during which time the National Academy of Sciences held its meeting there, and the heliotype plates of them were obtained under the directions of Prof. Baird himself. They were also exhibited throughout the sessions of the meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science at Boston , last August. '"Any author, or other person, who cared to inform himself of the facts, has and has always had ample opportunity to do so, and would at once see that the circumstances of the finding were such as utterly to preclude all possibility of fraud or impo- sition. " ' The evidence that they are coeval with the other relics - that is, that they were inhumed with them, and before the mound was built, is ample and conclusive, and will be so con- sidered by any unbiased man. *" No pre-historic relic ever found has better evidence to establish its genuineness than these, and not one suspicious cir- cumstance in connection with them has been pointed out, nor can there be. '* * We shall confidently hope for and gladly welcome further discoveries by whomsoever made, tending to throw more light upon this still obscure and intensely interesting problem, of our earliest predecessors on this continent. '* * Our collections of mound relics now consists of the four inscribed tablets, thirty-two mound builder's pipes, twenty-five copper axes, three ihun(ired copper beads, fourteen copper awls, and a great number and variety of other relics from the mounds pf this region, constitviting the most extensive, rare and unique collection of its kind in this country, and probably in the world. Besides these, this department contains two hundred and twenty-five vessels of ancient pottery, over one thousand stone implements, and ten thousand of flint, besides about an equal number of broken ones and fragments worth preserving.* BANCROFT 162 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES " This evidence is valuable, as it is conclusive that the pre- historic inhabitants of this country did, as described in the Book of Mormon, make records in a language which, through changes and admixtures, was different from others." — Millenial Star Vol. xliii, pp. 132, 133. Records Hid "And it came to pass that when we had in the gathered in all our people in one to the land Hill Cumorah. ^f Cumorah, behold I, Mormon, began to be old; and knowing it to be the last struggle of my people, and having been commanded of the Lord that I should not suffer that the records which had been handed down by our fathers, which were sacred, to fall into the hands of the Lamanites, (for the Lamanites would destroy them, therefore I made this record out of the plates of Nephi, and hid up in the hill Cu- morah, all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of the Lord, save it were these few plates which I gave^ unto my son Moroni." — Mormon vi: 6. Prophecies ''Truth shall spiing out of the earth; Truth to Spring and righteousness shall look down from Out of the Earth, heaven.— P^a/. Ixxxv: 11. ''Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I, the Lord, have created it. — Isa. xlv: 8. " And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust." — Isa. xxix: 4. Traditions "We shall now introduce some circum- Amone stantial evidence, from American Antiqui- the Lamanites. ties., and from the traditions of the natives: " ' First, says Mr. Boudinot, 'it is said among their principal or beloved men, that they have it handed down from their an- cestors, that the Book which the white people have was once CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 163 theirs; that while they had it they prospered exceedingly, &c. They also say, that their fathers were possessed of an extraor- dinary Divine Spirit, by which they foretold future events, and controlled the common course of nature; and this they trans- mitted to their offspring, on condition of their obeying the sacred laws; that they did, by these means, bring down show- ers of blessings upon their beloved people; but that this power, for a long time past, has entirely ceased ' Colonel James Smith in his Journal, while a prisoner among the natives, says, 'They have a tradition, that in the beginning of this continent the angels, or heavenly inhabitants, as they call them, frequently visited the people, and talked with their forefathers, and gave directions how to pray.' * ^ * There is a tradition related by an aged Indian, of the Stockbridge tribe, that their fathers were once in possession of a 'Sacred Book,' which was handed down from generation to generation ; and at last hid in the earth, since which time they had been under the feet of their enemies. But these oracles were to be restored to them again; and then they would triumph over their enemies, and regain their rights and privileges. Mr. Boudinot, after recording many traditions similar to the above, at length remarks: * Can any man read this short account of Indian traditions, drawn from tribes of various nations, from the west to the east, and from the south to the north, wholly separated from each other, written by different authors of the best character, both for knowledge and integrity, possessing the best means of informa- tion, at various and distant times, without any possible com- munication with each other; and yet suppose that all this is the effect of chance, accident, or design, from a love of the marvel- lous, or a premeditated intention of deceiving, and thereby ruining their well-established reputation?'" — Voice of Warn, ing pp. T2g, 130. Nephite Records "The Book of Mormon claims to be the Found by ^ sacred history of ancient America, written Joseph 5mitn. by a succession of ancient prophets, who in- habited that vast continent. The plates of gold, containing 164 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES, this history, were discovered by a young man, named Joseph Smith, through the ministry of a holy angel on the evening and morning of the 21st and 22nd of September, A. D. 1823. Four years after their discovery, or on the morning of the 22nd of September, 1827, the angel of the I^ord permitted Mr. Smith to take these sacred records from the place of their deposit. The hill in which they were found buried, is situated in the town of Manchester, Ontario County, State of New York. With the plates were also found a Urim and Thummim. Bach plate was not far from seven by eight inches in width and length, being not quite as thick as common tin. Each was filled on both sides with engraved Egyptian characters; and the whole were bound together in a volume, as the leaves of a book, and fastened at one edge with three rings running through each. This volume was something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The characters or letters upon the un- sealed part were small and beautifully engraved. Mr. Smith, through the aid of the Urim and Thummim, and by the gift and power of God, translated this record into the English language. This translation contains about the same amount of reading as the Old Testament. A large edition of this wonderful book was first published early in 1830." — Orson Pratt's WorkSy pp, 221-222. A Prophecy *'And the vision of all is become unto you as and its the words of a book that is sealed, which men Fulfillment, deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: '•And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. — Isaiah xxix: II, 12. '•After obtaining the Book of Mormon, through the ministry of the angel, 'out of the ground,' Mr. Smith transcribed some of the original characters upon paper, and sent them by the hands of Martin Harris, a farmer, to the city of New York, where they were presented to Professor Anthon, a man deeply CONFIRMING THE BOOK OF MORMON. 165 learned in both ancient and modern languages. Mr. Harris very anxiously requested him to read it, but he replied that he could not. None of the learned have as yet been able to deci- pher the characters and hieroglyphics which are found among the ancient ruins, in almost every part of America. The written language of ancient America is a sealed language to this genera- tion. In the year 1841, Professor Anthon wrote a letter to an Episcopal minister, in New Rochelle, Westchester County, near New York, in answer to an inquiry made by the minister in reference to the words or characters said to have been presented to him. Professor Anthon's letter was written with permission to publish; its avowed object being to put a stop to the spread of the fullness of the gospel, contained in the Book of Mormon. We here give a short extract from it, taken from a periodical, entitled The Church Record^ (Vol. i., No. 22.) '* * Mariy years ago, the precise date I do not recollect, a plain-looking" countryman called upon me with a letter from Dr Samuel L. Mitchell, requesting me to examine and give my opinion upon a certain paper, marked with various characters, which the Doctor confessed he could not decipher, and which the bearer of the note was very anxious to have explained.' ''Here, then, is the testimony of the learned, that a man did call upon him with 'the words of a book.' But the learned professor continues : ' " A very brief examination convinced me that it was a mere hoaXy and a very clumsy one, too. The characters were ar- ranged in columns, like the Chinese mode of writing, and pre- sented the most singular medley that I ever beheld. Greek, Hebrew and all sorts of letters, more or less distorted, either through unskillful ness or from actual design, were intermingled with sundry delineations of half moons, stars and other natural objects, and the whole ended in a rude representation of the Mexican Zodiac' " Professor Anthon, no doubt thought that this statement would militate against the Book of Mormon; but we con- sider it a great acquisition of evidence, confirmatory of the truth of that book, when compared with the discoveries of the 166 TRADITIONS AND DISCOVERIES glyphs and characters among the ancient ruins of America. The celebrated antiquarian, Professor Rafinesque,in speaking of the glyphs discovered on the ruins of a stone city found in Mexico, says : " 'The glyphs of Otolum are written from top to bottom, like the Chinese^ or from side to side, indifferently, like the Egyp- tian^ and Demotic Lybian. Although the most common