The Saints' Advocate.

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, July, 1879. No.1.

Now, we understand by the revela­ tions that the children of Zion should PUBLISHED MONTHLY. remain under condemnation till they re­

W. W.BLAIR EDITOR. pented and remembered the new Cove­ nant, even the . Here TO THE UTAH SAINTS. we felt condemned; for the New Cov- BY ELDER JOHN HAWLEY. enant was against his doctrine, so we Bro. Blair :-Please publish this let- disbelieved him, but believed Alma and ter in your valuable paper for the bene- the on that subject. fit of the people in Utah that we love. And now we will notice another doc­ And as we have had thirteen years' ex- trine of his which we think God's word perience in that land, we wish to speak condemns, and that is that Adam is all of some things that have been taught the God we have to do with. Compare by their leading men, which we think this with the revelations given in an can not be supported by God's wcrd. early day to , (June, 1830), And having had this experience, we concerning the creation of the earth, as speak knowingly. given to Moses, and you will find in 3d In the first place we will tell that people, paragraph,-"for God said unto me, when our eyes become opened to see I worshi~ God; for him only shalt thou that these words of Chri8t had meaning, serve." And in the 7th paragraph ("I do not judge you, my words shall (speaking of the creation of this earth) judge you.") We formed a resolution it is said Adam was among the number in our own mind to support, (or try to) created, and the wcrd is-"By my only support the word of God, and prayed begotten Son created I them." that if the Lord w.ould give us a cor- Moses was oommanded to worship the rect understanding we would, in our same God that made Adam, the same weakness, endeavor fo live by them. God that talked with Adam in the Gar­ W e could read in one of Brigham den of Eden; therefore we disbelieve Young's sermons, that Adam begat in the worshipping of the creature in­ Christ as he begat Cain and Abel; and stead of the Creator. This revelation . he, (Brigham) treated lightly the idea of we find published in the history of Mary's being overshadowed by the Holy Joseph Smith, which the Church had Ghost, she thereby conceiving seed j access to. but, when we turn to Alma, 5th chapter, We also read in one of B. Young's 2d par., we read that the Spirit inform- sermons, that Adam "brought one of ed him that Mary should be overshadow- his wives with him" when he cam~ to ed by this Holy Ghost, and through people the earth. · Let us compare this this means bear the Son, Christ. .doctrine with the Inspired Translation www.LatterDayTruth.org 2 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

of Joseph Smith, concerning the crea­ the many good doctrines taught there, tion of this man Adam, and see how and we have not left one particle of the they agree. We don't want to "serve gospel of Christ knowingly. two masters." We read in the Book of Can we be justified in saying that Genesis, as. well as in the Book of Abra­ any revelation is not of God ? We ham, on the same subject, that God know of one rule to try revelations, and took from his (Adam's) side a rib and that was given in an early day; that is, made him a wife. This does not agree to appoint him that is the most wise, with B. Young's teaching, so let us dis­ and if any can make one like unto the card his. Let us know when they teach least, "then are you justified," and if doctrine contrary to the word of God they can not, they are under condemna­ we are under no obligations to believe tion if they do not say those are given it, but to reject it. ''By their fruits of God. This is a safe rule. We never shall you know them,,, heard of but one that did try to make We see a change in the ordinance one "like the least," and his name is of for the dead, which B. Lucifer, and he got things mixed up Young made. Is he justified in this? dreadfully. Let us see. This order was revealed to The Lord had said, for the sin of Joseph in September, 1842. We were adultery, if not repented of, they "shall an eye witness of many being baptized cast them out" and Lucifer said they for their dead, a man being baptized for shall be destroyed in the flesh, but not both sexes? and a woman the same. And cast out. The Lord says you shall up to a certain time when Joseph de­ cleave unto thy wife and none else; and clared on the stand, "If ever the Lord Lucifer says, you shall multiply wives spake by my mouth, your for or you shall be damned! These are your dead are no longer acceptable in pointed statements by both, and we will the river.'' This language means that i>ee how they come out; for they can't up to that time it was acceptable. We both be right. are very familiar with B. Young's The Lord says there is "no God but ehange in this, that men only should be one;" and "you shall not take his name baptized for the males, and only women in vain;" but Lucifer says, you may for females, and that any other way from commit all manner of sins and blasphemy that would not be doing right. Is this agairnit the new and everlasting cove­ not a change? We thi!'.lk so. nant, if you commit no murder, whereby This change was made soon after to shed innocent blood, and you shall Joseph's death, by , in come forth, and pass the gods, on to a sermon on baptism for the dead. He your exaltation ! used argument, but God had accepted The Lord says concerning David and what was done up to the time referred to. Solomon having more wives than one, Mark the rule, that we are to know that· it was "an abomination" in the which are true. "By their fruits you sight of (j-od; but Lucifer says, "Lord, shall know them." . show me why you justify David and Now we feel like telling the Utah Solomom having so many wives?" Now people that these false doctrines are what we can see . how he changed things we have apostatized from, and not from about. www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

And now let us hear him contradict RELIGION. his own words, in commandin~ Joseph "Religion and government are the two Smith to do that he had already done, great foundations of order and comfort if the revelation on polygamy be gen­ among mankind. Government restrains uine. Hear him. You shall enter into the outrages and crimes which would be this law of multiplying wives or you subversive of society, secures the pros­ shall be damned; and in the next breath perity, and defends the lives of its sub­ ·he says, "Let mine handmaid, Emma jects. But the defect of government .Smith, receive all that have been given" is, that human laws can extend no far­ to Joseph. This is just about as near as ther than to the actions of men. Though he or 'any others can come in making a they protect us from external violence, ·revelation equal to God's revelations. they leave us open on different sides to And after all he seasoned this with a be wounded. By the vices which pre­ little celestial seasoning, so that many vail in society our tranquility may be good souls have followed ~fter his teach­ disturbed, an,d our lives in various ways ing, being so sure that it was of Go~, embittered, while government can give because of the seasoning, and thinking us no redress. 1it was really given to Joseph Smith. Religion supplies the insufficiency of Now, my brethren, let this polygamy law by striking at the root of those dis­ revelation come through whom it may, orders which occasion so much misery we see it is a conflicting revelation. And in the world. Its professed scope is to as we "can not. follow two masters," let regulate not actions alone, but the tem­ us follow the one that will bring us all per and inclinations. By this means right in the end. it ascends to the sources of conduct, and You never will see differently' from very ineffectual would the wisest system what you now see till you take the word of legislation prove for the happiness of of God for your standard. mankind, if it did not derive aid from Now let me bear testimony to you that religion; in softening the dispositions of Joseph Smith, the son of the Martyr, is men, and checking many of those evil doing the office-work of his successor; passions to which the influence of law and he is teaching the revelations and can not possibly reach. * * *

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

TO THE UTAH SAINTS.-No. 3. given them "rest in peace and safety" BY EDWARD W. TULLIDGE. in the regions near "the waste places of "And behold I will give unto you favor Zion" was made to appear as the veritable ·and grace in their eyes, that you may rest Devil to whom "Apostate " in in peace and safety."-Doc. & Cov. the States had sold themselves. It was You at home, my dear brethren and nothing strange to our most watchful 'Sisters, will remember that our apostles and wise shepherds that Satan loved ·told us that these J osephites were finding his own, and the exceeding righteous­ "favor and grace" in the eyes of the ness of our shepherds was flaunted be­ American people, and that they were fore our eyes as the reason why they "'resting in peace and safety" in the very themselves were persecuted-they were country and States from which the Saints persecuted for righteousness' sake (God were once driven. True, we were told save us in the naming it). this within the sanctuary 0f the Taber­ But your shepherds have deceived nacle, and through the canonical columns you in this matter. They have blas­ of the Deseret News, to prejudice us· phemed against a branch of our Father's against our brethren and sisters in the house more righteous than we, a branch -States who had chosen the son of our that has deserved heaven's acceptance; martyred prophet to be their leader and and therefore has heaven given its ac­ spiritual shepherd. It was made to ap­ ceptance and fulfilled the promise "I pear that they had "struck hands with will give )lnto you favor and grace in the Gentiles;" that they fraternized with their eyes, that you may rest in peace those who mobbed the Saints and mur­ and safety." dered Joseph Smith, and that they were As an historian I would not deal Se· wretched apostates, who had J)etrayed verely with your shepherds, nor as a the kingdom of Christ into the hands of heathen judge them. · Since first my ·Satan, at least so far as they were con­ hand could wield a pen or my brain in­ cerned. Of "Young Joseph" himself, dite, I have plead the cause of Israel. when the Tabernacle condescended to I have foved Israel everywhere. Heart­ notice him, it was but to blaspheme broken as a servant of God from the day against the purity of his motives, the I first set my foot in Utah, yet as an worth of his character as a man ; still author have I plead much for Utah, and more against the might of his character sung the praises of her leaders. I have as a leader, and the consistency of his been jealous for her sake. I have laud­ mission as the son of the l\Iartyr ; in ed her righteousness, I have covered a fact he was described to us of Utah, by multitude of her sins. This is perhaps our leaders, as a Judas-son who had be­ my own cardinal sin; but I repent not trayed his father's mission, and painted of it j I shall never wipe that sin out. to our imagination as one in the bonds I will never take back my love for Israel; of fellowship with his father's murderers. neither must it ever be expected of me And thus was it vilely explained to the to dishonor my friendships. But to the Saints of the Mountains as the reason tribunal of history all these are brought why the "Josephites" had found favor whose lives or deeds form the subject of in the eyes of the American people; history, whether it be for good or evil: :and the :very Providence which had and as your shepherds have judged their

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. brethren in unrighteousness, therefore affairs, and especially in the revelation shall they in turn be judged; but they of his purposes touching the Church of shall be judged in righteousness, and Christ. Oh, be ye all assured .that with much mercy. Christ, not Brigham Young, not John Utah must come to the bar of judg­ Taylor, is at the head of his Father's ment. Kingdom both in heaven and on earth. Let the simple facts of history appear This much, at least, the historian may to witness on either side. Be the testi­ affirm in the case before us, as a FACT mony here brief, but sufficient. reaching to the very basis of Christian Your brethren in the States, who have history. The Church is Christ's, not borne as a distinction the beloved name Paul's, not Peter's. He alone has the of Joseph, in 1860 reorganized the authority from the Father to give com­ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day mand for the organization, or the reor­ Saints. The Elders who did this were ganization, of his Church upon the Elders and High Priests of the Church earth; and the matter, very 6erious to· in the days of the first Joseph, and some all Christians is, that he, Christ, is the of them were among the pillars when person who will receive or reject the this living temple of priesthood of a Church, even as it shall be found wor­ new dispensation was rear~d; and Jo­ thy or unworthy to be called his own. seph, the son whom the Martyr had or­ Well, then, the hi'story runs, that in dained to be his successor, was at the 1860, Joseph, the heir of the priesthood, head of this Reorganization. No need and the ordained of God under the for a reminder from the Twelve, that all hands of his father through whom the the authority to build up the kingdom priesthood was restored to earth, was of God upou the earth was with them. commanded to go and take his place as Tlie historian's duty is to record facts; the Lord's anointed and shepherd of the the philosophy of hist-ory is always best Church of Christ. The caAe was simi­ revealed to him in facts. He can not lar to that of Samuel, who took his place in his record discuss with this self-suffi­ as Chief Judge and Prophet in Israel, cient Twelve the value of their author­ being first called of the Lord in his ity and their essential jurisdiction over youth, and anointed and ordained under this world, and especially over the the hands of Eli. The example of Church of Christ. God in his provi­ "Young Joseph" is eminently typed in dence and in the events of the times, sacred history; for the mind at once is discussing with them whether or not seizes the names of Joseph of Egypt, they have held all the authority to Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel, John the build up the kingdom of God upon the Baptist, and Jesus himself, the Lord earth. Let the people of God, as well and Master; nor should Joseph the as the historian reverently listen to the' Martyr-Prophet of the last dispensa­ ;Lord's discussion with his servants, for tion, be left out of this array. When, he has a controversy with the Church. indeed, did the Lord ever call the Chief He .will make it all plain to us by and Priest, or the senior Apostle, to organize by, either through our reverent willing­ his Church, or to reorganize it? I neES to listen to his judgment, or by his would like for my learned brother, Or­ power to make himself heard in human son Pratt, to seriously and honestly set

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. himself to answer that question, and Coupled with this let me present to you, many other~ of a similar nature, seeing 0, Shepherds of the Mountains, your that bis own church, at the present lesson for study, that you may get wis­ moment, awaits a reorganization of its dom from the study of your choice chief quorum; and moreover seeing that books: a quarter of a century's vote of the "But verily I say unto you, that I have "church in all the world" would justly decreed a decree which my people shall re­ make himself the President of the alize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour, unto the counsel which I, the Twelve, which he really is at the pres­ Lord, their God shall give unto them. Be­ ent moment, in spite of the fact that his hold, they shall, for I have decreed it, begin brother, John Taylor, has stolen his to prevail against mine enemies from this crown. The historian can only under­ very hour, and by hearkening to observe stand the logic of your faots as a quo­ all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never rum, brother Orson, and not Apostolic cease to prevail until the kingdoms of ,the trickery, nor your divine rights to steal world are subdued under my feet; and:the each others' crowns. 0, Orson, my earth is given unto the Saints, to possess it brother, you need some reorganizing to­ forever and ever. But inasmuch as they day as a church, or there is no sense in keep not my commandments, and hearken the substance of the history of the not to observe all my words, the kingdoms church which you and I have been long of the world shall prevail against them, for they were set to be a, light unto the world, engaged in writing; and just here, my and to be the saviors of men; and inasmuch brother, comes in the very logic of the as they are not the saviors of men, they Reorganized Church. It was the Lord's are as salt that has lost its savor, and is judgment, expressed in 1860, that the thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast Church of Latter Day Saints must be out and trodden under foot of men."-Dor. reorganized under Joseph Smith, the and Cov. 100 (101): 2. son of the Martyr; for the cl;iurch of Utah was rejected as a church, through GOVERNOR FORD. the ministry of which the Lord could Bro. ,J. C. Clapp writes under date of not work out the destiny of Latter Day June 6th, from Guadalupe, Santa Bar­ Israel; an,d so without chasing another bara Co., Cal., as follows: Israel he designed to restore the Church "There is a man living in this valley by of Latter Day Saints under Joseph, the name of Moore-he is known by the whom the father anointed and ordained name of Uncle Billy Moore-who gave me to fill his father's place, and lead Israel some Hems concerning the death of the prophet." (Joseph Smith). to the consummation of his destiny. "Jlilr. Moore was driving Gov. Ford's car­ And now I may draw this view to a riage when the Governor went into Nauvoo close for the present, by simply present­ ostensibly to raise a posse of men to guard ing the integrity of the fact that the the jail at Carthage, but did not start till Lord so reorganized his Latter Day the "Carthage' Grays" were disbanded. Church in 1860, as the proper and suffi­ And as they drove through the crowd, the Governor said, •Now, boys, what you do cient explanation of the fu!fillment of must be done quickly, for I have to go and the promise: "And behold I will give get a posse of men to guard the prisoners.' unto you favor and grace in their eyes, He says as they drove away toward Nau­ that you may rest in peace and safety." voo, the Governor said, •The Smiths will

www.LatterDayTruth.org 8 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. e killed before we get back.' He further very many of the· events described, and says, after they had been to Nauvoo and who was therefore a competent witness returned to within two or three miles of in testifying of the wonderful and joy­ Carthage, they heard the reports of guns, ful things embraced in these letters. when t.he Governor said, •There, the Smiths These are times when the of are killed ! ' knowledge "Mr. Moore is a very respectable man, the things of God are of incalculable and I h11ve no doubt he tells what are real­ worth. True facts are needed. ly facts in the case. His address is, Wil­ liam Moore, Central City, Cal." WE thank those who formerly aided us in procuring subscribers for the AD­ GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. VOCATE, and now we ask them to kind­ OuR attention is called to an item on ly and promptly assist us again. Book page 129 of the ADVOCATE, where Jo­ agents, officers of branches, and travel­ seph, the Seer, is made to say that Cor­ ing ministers, are especially requested nelius "could not receive the gift of the to help us to extend the circulation of Holy Ghost until after he was baptized," our paper. which the writer thinks is in conflict with Acts 10: 45, 47. So llIANY are asking us to continue to There is a conflict, but only in letter send them the ADVOCATE, that we -not in spirit, not in fact, when taken have thought beet to continue it to all in connection with its context-for the our old ~ubscribers unless they order context explains the intention of the otherwise. Those not wanting them "Seer," when it says: "Had he not will please return them to the Herald taken this sign, or ordinance, [baptism], Office, Plano, Ill., at once, or notify us upon him, the Holy Ghost which con­ or H. A. Stebbins by letter or postal vinced him of the truth of God, would card. have left him." The real sense and meaning of words are determined by TO THE ELDERS ABROAD. their contexts. "1F any man writes to you, or preach- ____,.__. es to you, doctrines contrary to the IF all goes well we shall soon begin the , the Book of l\formon,.or the book publication of the letters of Oliver Cow- of , set him down dery, relative to the rise and establish- as an impostor. You need not write to ment of the Church, including the call us to know what you are to do with of Joseph by the angel, the revelation such men; you have the authority with and translation of the Book of Mormon, you. Try them by the principles con­ the of the priesthood, etc., tained in the acknowledged word of etc. These letters are really invaluable, God: if they preach, or teach, or prac­ containing, as they do, information of tice contrary to that, disfellowship them; the very highe~t importance to all men. cut them off from among you as useless They should be in the hands of all Lat- and dangerous branches, and if they are ter Day Saints, and placed within easy belonging to any of the quorums in the reach of all who will investigate God's Church, report them to the president of "marvelous work." They were written the quorum to which they belong, and by one who was an active participant in \ if you can not find that out, if they are

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 9 members of an official standiµg, belong­ for me to go back a few years and com­ ing to Nauvoo, report them to us. mence with my first labors in this place. Follow after purity, virtue, holiness, In the spring of 1850 I was appointed integrity, Godliness, and everything that by a Conference held at Voree, to visit has a tendency to exalt and ennoble the a tribe of Indians in the north part of human mind; and shun every man who this State. On my way I was overtaken teaches any other principles." by a brother, and requested to accom­ Time• and Seasons, April 1st, 1844, pany him to this section of country. - .. Immediately after our arrival I com· HISTORY OF THE REORGANI­ menced preaching about fifteen miles ZATION. south of this place, and continued my With this number of the ADVOCATE labors for some weeks. I came here we commence the history of the rise about the middle of summer. The . and progress of the Reorganization, and second day after my arrival, I was re­ in doing this we have thought best to quested to preach a funeral sermon. At present the account written by the late the close several persons requested me Elder Z. H .. Gurley and published in to preach to them again. accordingly the first volume of the Herald. I made an appointment for the next . Some have claimed that this al'.lcount is Sabbath, a friend having offered me his imperfect, which may be quite true, as house for the occasion. On my arrival perfection in historical details is difficult at the place appointed for worship, I to attain, yet that in its essential fea­ was agreeably surprised in finding a tures it is true we feel confident, so far large and respecitable congregation, of as Elder Gurley had understanding of courteous manners and solemn deport­ the matters treated, and few, if any, ment, instead of the refuse of society, were better acquainted with the facts as I had expected to see in this mining stated than himself. region. Our exercises were unusuaJ!y Those who were favored with an ac­ solemn and interesting. I felt truly quaintance with Bro Gurley will readily that God had a people even in this appreciate the warm, nervous style, as place. So deep were my convictions of well as the ardent, zealous spirit that this fact that contrary to my instruc­ marks his narrative. tions I continued my labors, and after a It is dated at Zarahemla, (Blanchard­ few weeks, I had the pleasure of induct­ ville), LaFayette County, Wisconsin, ing seven into the kingdom of God. October 23d, 1859, and is as follows: From this 1time the way seemed to open BROTHER SHEEN. - You recollect before me. Calls for preaching came in that at our last Conference it was sug­ from various places, which I gladly· re-· gested that a brief history of the com­ sponded to as far as it was in my power, mencement of this work of Reformation and with the help of H. P. Brown, who in the Church should be given to the came to my assistance some time in the world in the first number of our period­ winter following, we succeeded in build­ ical. That duty seems to devolve upon ing up a Church or' twenty-three or me. I would say, in order that those twenty-four members, which we called who read may have a clear understand­ the Yellow Stone Branch. A few ing of the subject, it will be necessary months afterwards I moved my family

www.LatterDayTruth.org 10 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. into this section and continued my la· say that God will raise up a prophet to bors with the Church, teaching them complete his work." I said, "Yea, the principles of the gospel as revealed Lord." As I left the house my mirid from heaven to us through Joseph the was dwelling upon what had just trans­ Seer. During this time several strange pired. Although the Spirit had told things came to my knowledge, that me that God would raise up a prophet fully satisfied me that unless good and to complete his work, it did not enter evil, bitter and sweet, could proceed my mind at that_ time that I would re­ from the same fountain, neither J. alize the work in its present form. lily J. Strang, Brigham Young, nor any whole desires were, that those dear souls that had claimed to be prophets, since around me might enjoy the gifts and Joseph's death, were the servants of blessings of the gospel as the saints did God. The inquiry arose in my mind, in Joseph's time, and be saved from "What shali we do? Here are a few those meshes of iniquity that thousands honest souls who have obeyed the gos­ hail' run into. A few weeks afterwards, pel and are looking to me for instruc­ while reading a paragraph in the Book tion. 'iVhat can I say? What can I of Covenants which says, "if thine eye teach them?" Thus I meditated for be single thy whole body shall be full months. God, and God only, knows of light," the Spirit said to me again, what the anguish of my mind was. I "Rise up, cast off all that claim to be resolved that I would preach the word, prophets, and go forth and preach the and, thank God, preaching brought me gospel, and say that God will raise up out right. a prophet to complete his work." I It was after preaching one Sunday answered, " I will do it, God being my evening, in the fall of 1851, while sit­ helper." From that time I began to ting in my chair at Bro. Wildermuth's look about in earnest for a starting house, my mind was drawn to Isaiah, point. I examined the books carefully, 2'nd ch., 2nd and 3rd verses. At that and saw at once that the teachings of moment the great work of the last days, the day were contrary to the law, and as it is spoken of by the prophet in that resolved that although I had but one chapter, seemed to pass before me in all talent, yet in the name of Israel's God I its majesty and glory. It appeared that would go forward, and 'leave the result I could see all nations in motion, com­ with him. At this time I was laboring ing to the mountain of the Lord's house. with Bro. Reuben Newkixk, a young At this time Strang's Church appeared and worthy brother. I explained my before me. It looked mean and con­ views to him, and he endorsed them at temptible beyond description. A voice once. The Spirit of God was with us, -the Spirit of God-the Holy Ghost, and day after day was spent in holding then said to me "Can this (alluding to council about the matter, until one day Strang's Church) ever affect this great (being at work together in a lone place) work?" I answered, "No,. Lord." I we joined hands, and in a most solemn felt ashamed to· think that I had ever manner entered into a covenant, calling thought so. The voice then said, "rise God to witness, that we would from up, cast off all that claim to be prophets, that hour renounce all that claimed to and go forth and preach the gospel, and be prophets, and take the Bible, Book

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. n of Mormon, Book of Covenants, and the which had been 9iven to Jason W. Holy Spirit for our guide. This was a Briggs, sometime in the previous No­ new era in my existence. In Joseph's vember, declaring that the Lord would time I had stood with thousands of the in his own due time . call upon the seed serv'ants of God, and counted it an of Joseph SmiLh to come forth and set honor to call them brethren, but alas, in order the quorums-in a word, to fill how changed the scene! One, only one his father's place. He was commanded remained of my associates that I could to write it and send it to all the church­ call brother. At times how dark, how es. There were some ideas in the rev­ dark was the future! elation that I could not receive. I was 0, Brother Sheen, could I at that entirely unacquainted with the order of time have been permitted to realize the priesthood as it really is, neverthe­ what I have enjoyed with you and other less I knew that God would raise up a dear saints within a few weeks past, how prophet, but who he was or where he gladly would I have stemmed the tor­ would come from I did not know. rent, and said with the apostle, " I About ten or :fifteen days after I had count all things but loss for the excel­ heard of this revelation, while sitting lency qf the knowledge of Christ Jesus by my evening fire, my boys came run­ our Lord." ning i~fo my room, declaring with great Well, thank God, he who commenced earnestness that their little sister was this work will carry it forward, and I up to Bro. New kirk's speaking and sing­ rejoice. :M:y past experience strength­ ing in tongues. For a moment I was. ens me for the future. Then we were overpowered with joy. I exclaimed, alone, our brethren around us having "Is it possible that God has remembered been taught that Strang was Joseph's my family." Immediately I went up, successor, could only look upon us as and when I was within one or two steps­ apostates when they became acquainted of the house I paused. I listened, and with our position. We Eeemed to be O, the thrill of joy that went through hedged in. Darkness was all around us my soul! I knew that it was of God. on every side. Light was only above :My child, my dear child was born of the us. Well, thank God, we proved him Holy Spirit. I opened the door and to be a present helper. A few days after went in. It appeared to me that the­ we had entered into this covenant, while entire room was filled with the Holy Brother Newkirk was in secret prayer, Spirit. Shortly after I requested them the Holy Spirit rested upon him. He all to join with me in asking the l.ord1 arose and spoke in tongues, and started to tell us. who the succ.essor of Joseph homeward, speaking in tongues and Smith was. I felt anxious to know,. praising God. His wife heard him and that I might bear a faithful testimony. met him, and shortly afterward she re­ We spent a few moments in prayer,. ceived the same gift and blessing. when the Holy Spirit declared "The These gifts were the first fruits of the successor of Joseph Smith is Joseph Reformation. Smith, the son of Joseph Smith the About this time Bro. David Powell Prophet. It is his right by lineage, came from Beloit, (about fifty miles dis­ saith the Lord your God." tant), bringing with him a revelation It is proper here to sta.te that the

www.LatterDayTruth.org 12 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. main body of the Church lived from liverance .• Nearly all the congregation four to eight miles from us, and having were under the influence of the Spirit learned that we had left Strang, they of prophecy, and many important truths regarded us as apostates, However, it relating to the triumphant accomplish­ was not long after that the gifts were ment of this great work were then de­ manifested, and when they came to know clared. I will now close for the present. that these blessings were indeed with So far I have written from memory. us, they admitted that they were of I shall now bring the history up to our God, and gradually one after another Church Record which will enable me to united with us, until the whole Church give precise dates. were made to know the truth of our The Strangite Church here having position and rejoice with unspeakable publicly renounced· Strang and acknowl­ joy. Although the Church had been or­ edged the "Lineal rights" of the seed of ganized more than a year, and striving Joseph, thought best, as several of our to live right before God, yet no visible brethren were living at Beloit and in its gifts had been manifested among us. It vicinity, to appoint a conference at that was now necessary that we should place. Accordingly, the first Confer­ change our organization and position in ence held by us was at the Newark relation to the presidency of the priest-· Branch, on the 12th and 13th of June hood. 'fhe branch had been organized A. D. 1852. I was appointed by the under Strang. The Lord had taught Church here, a delegate to that confer­ us that this was wrong; consequently ence. Just before leaving this place, I we appointed a day for the purpose of called on a brother whose whole house­ acknowledging the legal heir. The day hold had embraced the gospel, and who arrived, and it will be long remembered was mighty in faith before God. A by many that were present. While we circumstance occurred that I will now were singing the opening hymn, the relate, to show the faith was then among Holy Spirit was sensibly felt. Several us. The weather had turned extremely sung in tongues: A halo of glory cold and all realized that the crops, es­ ·seemed to be spread over the congrega­ pecially the corn, must inevitably be tion, and when we bowed before Al­ destroyed, unlees divine aid interposed; mighty God in solemn prayer, all felt therefore, when we gathered round the and all knew that what we were about family altar for evening prayer, all to do was approbated of God. After unitedly asked God to protect the crops, singing, I stated to the Church what and ere we closed we felt assured that was the object of our meeting, and re­ our prayers were heard, and the next quested all who wished to renounce J. day proved that indeed they were not J. Strang, as prophet, seer, and revela­ only heard but answered; for, though tor to the Church, and acknowledge the the weeds alongside were frozen stiff, seed of Joseph Smith in his stead, to yet the crops were preserved. This was come forth in the own due time of the the degree of faith that God was pleased Lord, to manifest it by rising up. In to give this Church at its commencement. a moment the entire congregation stood The next day I pro.,eeded on to the up, and one simultaneous shout of joy Newark Branch. Conference was or­ :and praise went up to God for our de- ganized on the 12th of June, agreeably

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 13 to previous appointment, choosing Jason The resolution, with its amendment, W. Briggs, to preside. A good share may be considered by some, as of little of the first day was occupied in discuss­ consequence. Yet by careful examina­ ing the subject of the Priesthood. A tion, it will be seen that he who repre­ series of resolutions; those that are sents the "rightful heir," does so in a, found in the beginning of our first pam­ presiding capacity, and not as "Seer, phlet, entitled "A Word of Consolation Revelator, Translator and Prophet." to the Scattered Saints," were then and While the resolution and amendment there adopted. There was a very good were being prepared by the Council, and attendance from different parts of north· before ,the Conference knew anything ern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. concerning the matter, the Spirit said Conference adjourned to meet at the that the resolution which the Council Yellow Stone Branch, Wis., the sixth of were then preparing should remain a the next October following. law until the Prophet came. From the close of this conference, un­ As it had now become a law to the til the next, in October, nothing oc­ Church, that the one holding the high­ curred unusual to the Saints. They al­ est priesthood should represent the "le­ most invariably enjoyed the gifts and gal heir," in a presiding capacity, it blessings of the gospel, and were bound became necessary that we should know together in bonds of love and peace. who among us held the highest priest­ During the summer, several were added hood. to the Church. On the sixth of October This was a difficult task. Some had Conference met pursuant to adjourn­ been ordained Apostles and some Seven­ ment, and was organized by choosing ties under William Smith. One of the Jason W. Briggs, to preside, and Samuel brethren presented himself before the Blair as clerk. Council as an Apostle, having been or­ On the third day, the following reso­ dained to that office under William Smith. lution with the annexed amendment, The question arose at once, Is that or­ was unanimously adopted : dination legal ? It was discussed at Resolved, That in the opinion of this length, and until all became satisfied Conference, the one holding the highest that their own wisdom was not very priesthood in the Church of God is to valuable, and concluded to dismiss the preside and represent the rightful heir subject hoping that by the next Confer­ to the presidency of the high priesthood. ence, they would be better prepared to A:vrENDMENT : Resolved, That the decide the matter. highest authority among the high priest­ The reader will recollect that the hood represents the legitimate authority Conference had ordered 2000 copies of in a presiding capacity. our pamphlet to be published. While The copy of the pamphlet entitled "A making the arrangements for publica­ Word of Consolation to the Scattered tion, several among us became satisfied Saints," was then read, and on motion, that our views on Polygamy had not the Conference ordered 2000 copies of been set forth as clearly as they ought the same to be printed. On motion, to have been. We thought as we had Conference adjourned to meet April come together for prayer meeting, we 6th, 1853. wouH bring ihe matter before the

www.LatterDayTruth.org 14 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. Church, and ask the Lord for instruc­ kingdoms, to suit their own pleasures, tion, knowing that the voice of the but I countenance it not, saith God. I Spirit is the voice of God, and that have given my law: I shrink not from whatsoever the Spirit testifies to any in­ my word. My law is given in the Book dividual, is the law of God to him. of Doctrine and Covenants, but they have Accordingly the subject was presented disregarded my law and trampled upon as follows: it, and counted it a light thing, and 1st. Is polygamy of God? obeyed it not, but my word is the same 2d. Is any addition necessary to the yesterday as to-day, and forever. pamphlet before its publication ? "As you have desired to know of me Before opening the meeting, we made concerning the Pamphlet, it is written the Church acquainted with our design, in part but not in plainness. It requires and while singing the opening hymn, three more pages to be written, for it the Holy Spirit was sensibly felt. Sev­ shall go forth in great plainness, com­ eral sung in tongues, and while engaged batting this doctrine; and all who re­ in prayer, the vail was at least partly ceive it not, it shall judge at the last day. rent, and the manifestation of the, Let this be the voice of the Lord in the Spirit was such as is seldom witnessed by Pamphlet, for it shall go forth in gre~t mortals on earth. I have been a mem­ plainness, and many will obey it and ber of the Church some twenty-three turn unto me saith the Lord." years, and in the course of my min­ This accounts for the last three pages in istry, have witnessed the manifestation our first Pamphlet, and we most earnestly -0f the Spirit in many branches, but commend that article to the careful never had witnessed what I did that reading of all who have known the Latter evening. God was truly with us, and Day Work; and pray God our heavenly many felt to say with the poet, "Angels Father in the name of Jesus Christ his now are hovering o'er us." This was Son to break every band that binds on the eve of the 9th of January, 1853; them, that they be enabled to turn to ever memorable with the Saints of God. the law from which they have strayed. About half an hour afterwards we re­ Shortly after this communication was ceived through the Spirit the following given, it was intimated by the Spirit as nearly as we could write it: that we must organize. This was strange "Polygamy is an abonifoation in the teaching to me. I replied, it is impos­ sight of the Lord God : it is not of me; sible for us to organize further than we I abhor it. I abhor it, as also the doc­ have. I knew that we could not create trine of the Nicolaitans, and the men, a Priesthood. I conversed with several or set of men who practice it. I judge of the brethren on the subject and we them not, I judge not those who practice set it down as a mistake. It was now it. Their works shall judge them at March. Our April Conference was near the last day. Be ye strong; ye shall at hand '.and we were unable to decide contend against this doctrine; many will on the validity of the ordinations of our be led into it honestly, for the devil will brethren, who were present at the fall seek to establish it and roll it forth to Conference, and a.s we all felt satisfied deceive. with the answer to our inquiry concern­ "They seek to build up their own ing polygamy, we thought the most

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 15 proper course for us was to make this he worketh by power, according to the also a subject of prayer. Accordingly faith of the children of men, the same we presented a question something like today and to-morrow, and forever. this: "Were tQ.ose ordained Apostles by "And again I exhort you, my breth­ William Smith recognized by God ?" ren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, The manifestation of the Spirit was for they are many; and they come from fully equal to any on former occasions; the same God. And there are different and perhaps it is well to say that this ways that these gifts are administered; was the first time that the angels of God but it is the same God who worketh all were seen present in our meetings. I in all; and they are given by the man­ did not see them, but before they were ifestations of the Spirit of God unto seen the Spirit declared through me that men, to profit them. For behold, to they were near and immediately after one is given by the Spirit of God, that several were transfixed as it were, by. he may teach the ; and power of God as were many in the days to another, that he may teach the word of King Benjamin. of· knowledge by the same Spirit; and Some little time elapsed, nearly an to another exceeding great faith; and to hour I judge, before we received an an­ another, the gifts of healing by the same swer to our inquiry. We were then Spirit. And again, to another, .that he told that those ordinations were not ac­ may work mighty miracles; and again, ceptable,-were not of God, and near to another, that he may prophesy con­ the close of the communication we were cerniag all things; and again, to anoth­ ·expressly told to organize ourselves, ''For er, the beholding of angels and minis­ ere long saith the Lord I will require tering spirits; and again, to another, the Prophet at your hand." all kinds of tongues; and again, to an­ To be Continued. other, the interpretation of languages - .. and of divers kinds of tongues. And "And when ye shall receive these all these gifts come by the Spirit of things, (the Book of Mormon, Ed.), I Christ; and they come unto every man would exhort you that ye would ask God, severally, according as he will. the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, "And I would exhort you, my belov­ if these things are not true; and if ye ed brethren, that ye remember that shall ask with a sincere heart, with real every good gift cometh of Christ. And i.ntent, having faith in Christ, he will I would exhort you, my beloved breth­ manifest the truth of it unto you; by ren, that ye remember that he is the the power of the Holy Ghost; and by same yesterday, to-day, and forever, and the power of the Holy Ghost ye may that all these gifts of which I have spok­ know the truth of all things. en which are spiritual, never will be "And whatsoeve.r thing is good, is just done away, even so long as the world and true; wherefore, nothing that is shall stand, only according to the unbe­ good denieth the Christ, but acknowl­ lief of the children of men. edgeth that he is. And ye may know "Wherefore, there must be faith, and that he is, by the power of the Holy if there' must be faith, there must also Ghost; therefore I would exhort you, be hope; and if there must be hope, that ye deny not the power of God; for there must also be charity; and except

www.LatterDayTruth.org 16 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. ye have charity, ye can in no wise be "Behold, I am the light which ye shall saved in the Kingdom of God; neither hold up-tha.t which ye have seen me do." can ye be saved in the Kingdom of God, -Jesus-Book of Nephi 8: 8. "No unclean thing can enter into his if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye kingdom ; therefore nothing. entereth into have no hope; and if ye have no hope, his rest, save it be those who have washed ye must needs be in despair; and de­ their garments in my blood, because of spair cometh because of iniquity. And their faith, and the repentance of all their Christ truly said unto our fathers, If ye sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. have faith, ye can do all things which Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me(and are expedient unto me. be baptized in my name, that ye may be "And now I speak unto all the ends sanctified by the reception of the Holy of the earth, that if the day cometh that Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before the power and gifts of God shall be done me at the last day. Verily, verily, I say away among you, it shall be because of unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know unbelief. the things that ye must do in my Church; .for that which ye have seen me do, even "And wo be unto the children of men, that shall ye do; therefore if ,ye do these if this be the case; for there shall be things, blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted none that doeth good among you, no not up at the last day."-Jesus-Book of Ne­ one. For if there be one among you phi, 12: 4. that doeth good, he shall work by the Jesus neither practiced nor taught power and gifts of God. And wo unto polygamy or spiritual wifery, but he them who shall do these things away both taught and practiced to the con­ and die, for they die in their sins, and trary. they can not be saved in the Kingdom "And now, my brethren, seeing ye know of God; and I speak it according to the the light by which ye may judge-which light is the light of Christ-see that ye do words of Christ, and I lie not." not jadge wrongfully; for with that same Moroni 10: 1, 2. judgment which ye judge ye shall also be "Remember that that which cometh judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, breth­ from above is sacred, and must be spok­ ren, that ye should search diligently in the en with care, and by constraint of the light of Christ, that ye may know good fro~ Spirit, and in this there is no condem­ evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every nation; and ye receive the Spirit through good thing, and condemn it not, ye certain-1 prayer; wherefore, without this there ly will be a child of Christ."..:...l\foroni 7: 3. remaineth condemnation." Doo. & Cov. 63: 16-. Truth and right are mightier than priests "For God said unto me, worship God, or princes. "Great minds, like heaven, are pleased for him only shalt thou serve. * * * iu doing good."-Rowe. This one God only will I worship, which THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, is the God of glory." A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter­ Moses-In Joseph's Inspired Translation. ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aud in the special interest of the ... Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. - .. Blair. Priesthoods should administer, not con­ Terms, 50 cents per year, in advance; eleven copies trary to the law ()f God, but only in strict to one address, $5; or, twenty-two copies, to one ad .. dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six accordance with it. months, by giving notiee. Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for Civil law is greater than civil rulers. yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter The law of God is greater than priests or Day Apostasy. Remittances must be sent to W. W. Blair. Box 337 prophets. Sandwi•h, Ill.; or tc H. A. Stebbins,Plano, Ill.

www.LatterDayTruth.org The Saints' Advocate.

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, August, 1879. No. 2.

manliness of character; strong in their social stamina, and commercial integrity; PUBLISHED :MONTHLY. forceful in their enterprises; lucky in W. W.BLAIR EDITOR. their ventures; uncompromising in their honor and independence; and what is TRE MAN FOR UTAH. remarkably strange, successful from the "ROB" WALKER'S VIEWS OF THE SOLU­ first in their commercial war with priest­ TION.-COLFAX AND THE PAST. craf't. Let me affirm for them something more-an idealist's judgment, perhaps, Bg Edwa:d W. Tullidge. but still based on the philosophy of his­ How shall we solve this knotty prob­ tory-they have been instruments in lem of society and religion in Utah, has the hand of Providence; that Provi­ been the vexed question for years with dence needed their service in Utah for all of us most concerned. If it has the beginning of the social regeneration plagued the nation at large, it has of its people, even as now there seems a plagued us with almost deadly malice. providential need of "Young Joseph" It has wrecked the intellects and broken Smith to accomplish the religious regen­ the hearts of some, dissipated the lives of eration of the Mormon community. others, and carried not a few to untime­ "Young Joseph Smith is the only ly graves. It would be sad to count in man in the world who can effectually that once terribly lonely graveyard "on solve the Utah question!" It was the the bench" the names of men who but clear and well pronounced remark of for the fearful betrayal of their earnest Mr. J. R. Walker in our conversation Hves and noblest purposes, might have as we sped away on the train from Utah's been worthy of. regard as members of borders some months ago, eastward any society in Christendom. For my" bound. self, I thank God with deep gratitude I had not even given the lead to the that I have survived, redeemed at l~st thought. It was Mr. Walker's own by finding the man worthy and able to solid judgment. The wisdom of the also redeem Utah herself from all her thought was culled from the experience -0urses of the past; and her still cursed of the past, and from a clear-sighted per­ condition of the present. ception of the fitness of means to their Among the first to feel the cruel and ends. And it was the experience of the ·deadly warfare with priestcraft in Utah, last ten years, rather than of the earlier were the Walker Brothers. They met periods, that afforded the basis of Mr. it, not in its religious, but in its social Walker's judgment. and commercial forms and animus. Think a moment on the events and They were strong men,-strong in their action of that decade nearly gone by

www.LatterDayTruth.org 18 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. since the opening of the "Godbeite replied to the Speaker, and his compan­ movement" in the fall of 1869. Excep~ io.ns, Bross, Richardson, and Bowles, ing the silent inroads and unpretentious that it was impossible, and nearly as missionary efforts of the "Young Joseph­ frankly confessed, in good modern slang, ites," nothing since that short lived that it was "too thin," "the Saints would revolution of the has shaken see through it:" these, not quite his ~Iormon society even as much as the words, but nearly enough expressed. In gentle rustling of the trees in Autumn; fact there were many, (among them much less has polygamic l\formondom Stenhouse, who knew Brigham's policy been shaken to its base, as the superfi­ of retreats), who verily believed that the , cial "regenerator" will declare the nation "President" would gladly have taken could have done had Congress and the Colfax as one of his cabinet advisers for Government been in earnest about it, the case, and have shuffled off this mor­ and, it may be added, as earnest as tal coil of celestial marriage upon earth, Anti-Mormon malice has been persistent. had it been possible. With all the blatant protest of the Anti- On his part, Mr. Colfax as an Amer­ 1\Iormons to the contrary, Congress and ican statesman knew about exactly to the Government, and the U. S. Judges the last dot what the American govern­ and Marshals, have done nearly all pos­ ment and Congress could do in the mat­ sible in the case. In Russia, of course, ter, and all our history of the Utah it would have been very different; in problem since proves that his foresight Great Britian a Polygamic Hierarchy and judgment were not at fault. Note could not possibly have grown up; but the singular fact that, after he became in America it has grown up, and in that Vice President, he took the Book of very fact is couched the philosophical Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants in reason why it has survived. The same hand, and challenged Brigham Young reason will give it life for ever, unless and the Utah Apostles in their own city the voice of judgment shall come from to an' issue upon the judgment of their the Mormon people themselves proclaim­ own books and revealed laws. Of course ing that Mormon priestcraft and "poly­ they would not meet him; they dared gamic theocracy" are not divine-that not. Out of their own books they would they have been righteously weighed in have had judgment indeed. the balance and found wanting in the l'rlr. Colfax is the only representative eyes of God and rran. man of prominence in the nation who Speaker Colfax, fifteen years ago, was has shown common sense, and righteous­ conscious of this; and hence he suggest­ ness in the law, in, dealing with this ed to Brigham Young to get a revelation polygamic treason. Enforcement of from the Lord doing away with polyga­ judgment upon their own laws and books my, to fit the diviner sense and will of is the way of righteousness to the Latter the people of the United States. The Day Saints. Thus bring Polygamic suggestion was sagacious, but not ,gen­ Theocracy to the bar and "even and uine, and therein was its weakness and exact justice" will be done. l\:Ir. Col­ non availability. Everybody realized fax's treatment of the case did much that President Young had the best of credit to his heart, his intellect, and his it, when in his answers he substantially sense of religious equity, besides show-

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. HJ

ing profound statesmanlike methods in did these Elders in the States. It was the solution of the knottiest christian the Spirit of the Lord in us;· and. the problem in American history. He sl:iow­ i\Iormons of Utah may learn now that it ed also a discriminating appreciation of was the magic name of Joseph Smith what but few "Gentiles" seem to know that saved them from the slaughter in ~namely, that the true Church of Lat. 1869-70; for their leaders would have ter Day Saints is not only Monogamic, sent them as sheep to the shambleR, had but actually anti-Polygamic, and that not God interposed to preserve them. obedience to the laws of the Church, The Vice-President thus learned that and to the laws of the land, is true, pure, there was secretly forming a revolution and simple . This granted of Mormon Elders, headed by W. S. upon a great Christian trial of the Utah Godbe, Henry Lawrence, Kelsey, Shear­ hierarchy, and the Church in this case man, and Harrison; and that the Utah will be found either upon the rock, or 111agazi:nc would prepare the way and apostate and in crime, amenable to the open action while the Telegraph should laws of both God and man. sail in the wake of this new ~hip of Zion; 0, what a. terrible shame that the besides, the W r,lkers, Chisfett, and the American nation herself, through her merchants &,nd Gentiles generally, would Vice President, with Grant seen behind all ritlly to break the bac!;:bmw of the him with the sword of justice drawn, terrible hierarchy, and polygamy would should have offered the Utah Apostles go by the board. But better than all judgment on the Book of Mormon and was the fact that it was to be in the the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, name of "Young Joseph " who and those men refuse the terms in defi­ . was expected in due time to make his ance, as they did in 1869. I verily be­ advent to consummate the movement to lieve that Grant would have given them be begun by Godbe ~,nd his compeers. the' sword of justice had we not commit­ The Vice President was satisfied. The ted to the Vice President, before he name of Joseph Smith, prevailed. He left the eity, the secret of our intendBd could appreciate that a revela­ schism. The bloou of Vice President tion from J osepa to do away polygamy Colfax was boiling with indignation and was better than a false one from Brigham quick justice; but he took carriage Young; and he know that under such with Stenhouse and drove out of the home leaders as Godbe, Harrison, Law­ city to hear from him of this great Mor­ rence, and others, the movement would mon schism in the name of young Joseph be potent, and might be trusted by the Smith; for, strange as it may now seem, Government. In fine, Vice President all was done, and our movement organ- Colfax pledged his word that the Mor­ . ized, in young Joseph's name. In this mon leaders should not be allowed to we were very like Jason W. Briggs, send tho Mormon people to the shambles Zenas H. Gurley and others, who lifted for the slaughter, to preserve their mis­ the standard of young Joseph just ten erable and guilty selves; (this is sub­ years before he came to them, and with­ stantially Colfax's own words); troops out his authorization. "The Spirit uf should not be sent i.n any ~rusade to the Lord was lifting up a standard!" force the issue, but the mildest measures ·we worded it very much the same as possible should be preferred. r1Ioreover,

www.LatterDayTruth.org 20 'l'HE SA:tNTS' AbVOCATE. to make this still surer, Mr. Godbe went that the Mormons need the telling that to Washington, and obtained a similar they must obey the law of the land, pledge from President Grant; at the that they may be saved by the law of same time we forwarded to him a well man from man's righteous judgment digested and lengthy budget on Utah upon offenses against society and a pre­ affairs. vailing civilization. It will be J oseph.'s Grant and Colfax nobly kept their exact duty to show the Latter Day word. Saints in Utah, that the laws of God, Thus it may be seen that the Govern­ and the revelations of their canonical ment under Grant and Colfax has alrea­ books command this, and he will sweep dy committed the solution of the Mor­ away the sophistry of their false Apos­ mon problem to Young Joseph Smith; tles which has made "our. religion" a and though he himself did not author­ covering for polygamy, treason, and ize the use of his name, it shows how crime, and the high bulwark of priestly readily the nation caught at Young Jo­ despotism. I never till I "joined the seph as the man of "manifest destiny" Josephites" saw the supreme wisdom of -or, in Mr. "'Walker's words, "the only solving the Mormon problem "by the man in the world who can solve the Utah books." Why, the Church had never question. apostatized had not unfaithful Apostles In the past we had the prophecy; in first thrown away the books which God the near future we shall have the fulfil­ had given, so that their priestly ambi­ ment. The nation will trust "Young tions and selfishness might be served in Joseph" Smith to solve the Norman pr~b­ setting themselves up instead as the lem and to give the. people of Utah the "living oracles." Oh, that was the ser­ word of the Lord to do away with their pent's trick indeed! polygamy. He y;ill be tl;iere in his place The Utah polygamists have never at­ to receive that national trust, and to tempted to defend the "peculiar institu­ execute God's ·judgment in righteous­ tion" by the Book of Mormon, the laws ness .. of the Church, and canonical revelations The first eommandment that will go in the Doctrine and Covenants; but forth from your Prophet, Oh, Israel, they have built their polygamic fabric will be-" 0BEY T'Irn LA w OF THE on the Bible and a questioned revelation LAND! OBEY THE LAW THAT YOU not published to the Church till over 'MAY BE SAVED BY THE LAW." eight years af't·er the death of Joseph This is not my wording. It seems to the Martyr. The facts are these: the be the ruling axiom of Joseph's philoRo­ Mormon Church was founded as a mono­ phy of Church government, that the gamic Church; its sacred books a:re anti­ Saints must obey the law that they may polygamic; the European mission, out be saved by the law. It is not necessary of which Utah has grown, knew noth­ that he urge obedience to the laws of ing of polygamy until 1853; nearly all the land to the Saints in the States. its members were converted under the Neither was it ever deemed necessary preaching of a monogamic gospel; in in England. No person could have a Utah only has polygamy crept in, standing in the Church who broke the except, as some suppose, in a few cases laws of the land. It is only in Utah shrouded in darkness in the last days of

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 21 Nauvoo. As a rule none but the lead- have nevex· doubted it; for Joseph's ers and Bishops of Utah have practiced force, combined with the Gentiles and it; even in Utah not more than one those whom we generically style "out. twentieth have ever lived in it; the coming Mormons," could redeem Utah children of polygamists curse the "abom- at the polls without the conversion of a inable" system for their mothers' sake, single soul from the Utah Chur~h; but and shun it for their own; out of two it is as certain that such a result hundred thousand Mormons in all the would give the Heorganized Church world, there are not five thousand of fifty thousand converts. But we have them in polygamy; and excepting the not comprehended the wisdom, the in­ few whose priestly power and social and foe personal pride of these standing depend upon its continuance, ,J osephite leaders. They have been Ji t­ all would gladly wipe out the "accursed erally oi

www.LatterDayTruth.org 22 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. the Mountain Meadow Massacre were trust generally, and in every such case fresh in the public mind. Polygamy they have been chosen by the citizens and this massacre had made Mormonism in common-in fact by members of appear as the most hideous social and other churches rather than by their own. religious outgrowth of Christian times; Thus have they triumphed in their and from the date of Utah's terrible righteousness, and now in the might of sacrifice to a savage vengeance of its that righteousness Joseph is going up priesthood, Civilization herself cast the to redeem Utah. Without this he Mormon Church from the sanctuary of would not have been a fit offering for her grace. The Reorganized Church, the sins of a Church which his father under Joseph Smith, was deeply con­ founded, but which departed from its scious of this. The massacre at Moun­ purity, and broke its marriage covenant. tain Meadows had destroyed the testa­ True, with the United States in the ment-force of the Prophet's m~rtyrdom; supremacy in Utah, and from ten to from that day no Utah elder of sensi­ twenty thousand Gentiles and "apos­ bility or intellect has urged it; and the tates" already mixed in society, Joseph very existence of the Utah Church has and his Saints could at any time within been absolutely upon the mercy of the the last seven years have broke~ the American nation. But the Reorganized Utah Church to pieces as a potter breaks Church of Latter Day Saints asked sim­ his rejected vessel; but in breaking that ply for justice, not mercy,-not mercy Church to pieces 'which he has himself to themselves, however much they rejected, he has designed to save the might pray for mercy to be shown to a sheep. Had he sought tc. seize the people betrayed by their leaders. Thus Presidency of the whole Church by a chose these J osephites, by their own free compromise, or by a stroke of audacity will and wisdom, their day of probation at the death of .Brigham Yabng, all in the very heart of an American Chris-· would have been lost; but Joseph will tian society. That twenty years' pro­ restore the Latter Day Saints, and by bation has proved them worthy of j us­ works of righteousness make them ac­ tice; and in doing this, as I have al­ ceptable in the eyes of the civilized ready affirmed, the Reorganized Church world. Thus will he save that which has become was lost. The depth of his pure nature, his far-seeing wisdom, and the wonder­ POTENT ENOUGH TO REDEEM UTAH! ful soundness of his policy shaped all Consult the Christian people of Illin­ for the consummations the people of 1 ois, Iowa and Nebraska, where the Jo. Uta.h will comprehend by and by. God sephites are t-0 be found by thousands, bless this noble man in the great work and you will be told that these Joseph­ before him; and thus will all America ite Saints are among the most exemplary yet say with hearty sincerity, for heaven Christians in America, and that they · has ordained the overthrow of a church are ab;;olut.ely to be trusted in every which it has rejected, and the utter ex­ respect. Some of them in those States tinction of polygamy in America by the are memb1ors of Legislatures, mayors, mission and righteousness of Joseph justices of the pe

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 23 LETTERS OF 0. .COWDERY, that were I to communicate them to you, ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF might, perhaps, if they should not prove THE•CHURCH. especially beneficial to yourself, by con­ It is not too much to say that, no firming you in the faith of the gospel, at person was better qualified to write the least be interesting, since it has pleased history of the Church from its rise in our heavenly Father to call us both to these last days than . rejoice in the same hope of eternal life. He was intimately acquainted with And by giving them publicity, some .Joseph the Martyr, from the 15th of thousands who have embraced the same April, 1829; was Joseph's scribe in covenant, may learn something more writing the Book of Mormon from that particular upon the rise of this church, time to its completion, nearly one year in this last time. And while the gray afterwards ; received the Aaronic and evening is fast changing into settled the Melchisedek priesthoods at the same darkness, my heart responds with the times with Joseph; was Joseph's first happy millions who are in the presence spokesman ; and was one of the most of the Lamb, and are past the power of prominent and capable ministers of the temptation, in rendering thanks, though {)hurch. His testimony, and his opin­ feebly, to the same Parent. ions are of great worth. Another day has passed into that, to us, boundless ocean, ETERNITY! where ''That our narrative may be correct, nearly six thousand years have gone be­ and particularly the introduction, it is fore; and what fl.its across the mind proper to inform our patrons, that our 1ike an electric shock is, that it will brother J. Smith, Jr., has offered to as­ never return ! Whether it has been sist us. Indeed, there are many items well improved or not; whether the connected with the fore part of this sub­ principles emanating from Him who ject that render his labor indispensable. "hallowed" it, have been observed; or With his labor and wit.h authentic doc­ whether, like the common mass of time, uments now in our possession, we hope it has been heedlessly spent, is not for to render this a pleasing and agreeable me to say-one thing I can say-it can narrative, well worth the examination never be recalled! it has rolled in to .and perusal of the Saints. To do justice assist in filling up the grand space de­ to this subject will require time and creed in the mind of its Author, till na­ space: we therefore ask the forbearance ture shall have ceased her work, and of our readers, assuring them that it time its accustomed revolutions-when shall be founded upon facts.'' its Lord shall have completed the gath­ -Erl.11essenger and Advocate, Oct. 183'±. ering of his elect, and with them enjoy

NORTON, Medina Co., Ohio, that Sabbath which shall never end! September 7th, 1834. On F~iday, the 5th, in company with Dear Brother:-Before leaving home, our brother, Joseph Smith, Jr., I left I promised, if I tarried long, to write; Kirtland for this place (New Portage), and while a few moments are now al­ to attend the conference previously ap­ lowed me for reflection, aside from the pointed. To be permitted, once more, cares and common conversation of my to travel with this brother, occasions friends in this place, I have thought reflections of no ordinary kind. Many

www.LatterDayTruth.org 24 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. have been the fatigues and privations most gratitude of this bosom ! Day after· which have fallen to my lot to endure, day I continued, uninterrupted, to write for the gospel's sake, since 1828, with from his mouth, as he. translated, with this brother. Our road has frequently the Urim and Tlmrnmim, or, as the Ne­ been spread with the "fowler's snare," phites would have said, "Interpreters," and our persons sought with the eager­ the history, or record, called "The Book ness of the savage;s ferocity, for inno­ of Mormon." cent blood, by men either heated to des­ To notice even in a few words, the in­ peration by the insinuations of those who teresting account given by Mormon, and professed to be "guides and way-marks" his faithful son .M:oroni, of' a people to the kingdom of glory, or the individ­ once beloved and favored of heaven, uals themselves ! This, I confess is a would supercede my present design. I dark picture to spread before our patrons, shall therefore defer this to a future pe­ but they will pardon my plainness when riod, and as I said in the introduction, I assure them of the truth. In fact, pass more directly to some few incidents' God has so ordered, that the reflections immediately connected with the rise of which I am permitted to cast upon my this church, which may be entertaining past life, relative to a knowledge of the to some thousands who have stepped way of salvation, are rendered "doubly forward, amid the frown of' bigots and endearing." Not only have I been gm­ the calumny of hypocrites, and embraced Ciously preserved from wicked and un­ the gospel of Christ. reasonable men, with this our brother, No men in their sober senses, could but I have seen the fruit of perseverance translate and write the directions given in proclaiming the everlasting gospel, to the Nephites, from the mouth of the immediately after it was declared to the Savior, of the precise manner in wh_ich world in these last days, in lJ, manner not men should build up his church, and to be forgotten while heaven gives me especially, when corruption had spread common intellect. And what serves to an uncertainty over all forms and sys­ render the reflection past expression on tems practiced among men, without de­ this point is, that from his hand I re­ siring a privilege of showing the willing­ ceived baptism, by the direction of the ness of the heart by being buried in the angel of God-the first received into liquid grave, to answer a "good con­ this church, in this day. science by the resurrection of'. Jesus Near the time of the setting of the Christ." Sun, Sabbath evening, April 5th, 1829, After writing the account given of the my natural eyes for the first time beheld Savior's ministry to the re.mnant of the this brother. He then resided in Har­ seed of Jacob, upon this continent, it mony, Susquehanna county, Penn. On was easily to be seen, as the prophet sai~ l\:Ionday, the 6th, I assisted in arranging would be, that darkness covered the earth some business of a temporal nature, and and gross darkness the minds of the peo­ on Tuesday the 7th, commenced to ple. On reflecting further, it was as write the Book of l\:Iormon. These were easily to be seen, that amid the great days never to be forgotten-to sit under strife and noise concerning religion, none the sound of a voice dictated by the in­ had authority from God to administer spiration of heaven, awakened, the ut- the ordinances of the gospel. For, the

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOOA.'l'E. 25 question might be asked, Have men au­ souls, and we were rapt in the vision of thority to administer in the name of the Almighty ! Where was the room Christ, who deny revelations? when his for doubt? Now here : uncertainty had testimony is no less than the spirit of fled, doubt had sunk, no more to rise, prophecy? and his religion based, built, while fiction and deception had fled for­ and sustained by immediate revelations ever! in all ages of the world, when he has had But, dear brother think, further think a people on earth ? If these facts were for a moment, what joy filled our hearts buried and carefully concealed by men and with what surprise we must have whose craft would have been in danger, bowed, (for who would not hive bowed if once permitted to shine in the faces of the knee for such a blessing?) when we men, they were no longer to us; and we received under his hand the holy priest­ only waited for the commandment to be hood, as he said, "Upon you, my fellow given, "Arise tind be baptized." servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer 'This was not long desired before it was this priesthood and this authority, which realized. The Lord, who is rich in mer­ shall remain upon earth, thP,t the sons cy, and ever willing to answer the con­ of Levi may yet offer unto the J,ord an sistent prayer of the humble, after we offering in right e had called upon him in a ~ervent manner, I shall not attempt to paint to you the aside from the abodes of men, conde­ feelings of this heart, nor the majestic scended to manifest to us his will. On beauty and glory which surrounded us a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, on this occasion ; but you will believe the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to me when I say, that earth, nor men, with us, while the vail was parted and the an­ the eloquence of time can not begin to gel of God came down clothed with glory, clothe language in as intere~ting and and delivered the an.xiously looked for sublime a manner as this holy personage. message, and the keys of the gospel of No; nor has this earth power to give repentance! What joy! what wonder! the joy,, to bestow the peace, or compre­ what amazement ! While the world were hend the wisdom which was contained racked and distracted-while millions in each ~entence as they were delivered were groping as the blind for the wall, by the power of the Holy Spirit! l\Ian and while all men were resting upon may deceive his fellow man; deception uncertainty, as a general mass, our may follow deception, and the children eyes beheld-our ears heard. As in the of the wicked one may have power to "blaze of day;" yes, more-above the seduce the foolish and untaught, tin glitter of the May sunbeam, which then nought but fiction feeds the many, and shed its briliiancy over the face of na­ the fruit of falsehood carries in its cur­ ture! Then his voice, though mild, rent the giddy to the grave; but one pierced to the center, and his words, "I touch with the finger of his love, yes, am thy fellow servant," dispelled every one ray of glory from the upper world, fear. We listened-we gazed-we ad~ or one word from the mouth of the mired ! 'Twas the voice of the angel Savior, from the bosom of eternity, from glory-'twas a message from the strikes it all into insignificance, and Most High! and as we heard we rejoiced, blots it forever from the mind! The while his love enkind!ed upon our assurance that we were in the pt'esence

www.LatterDayTruth.org 26 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. of an angel; the certainty that we heard THE GATHERING. the voice of Jesus, and the truth unsul­ lied as it flowed from a pure personage, The righteous wisdom of the follow· dictated by the will of God, is to me, ing article is so apparent, that comment past description, and I shall ever look is quite unnecessary. The experiences upon this expression of the Savior's of the Church for the past eighteen goodness with wonder and thanksgiving years fully confirm it. whiie I am permitted to tarry, and in AN ADDRESS TO THE SAINTS FROM BRO. JOSEPH S)fITH. those mansions where perfection dwells \ . Brother Isaac Sheen: Permit me, and sin never comes, I hope to adore m through the columns of the Herald, to that day which shall never cease ! address a few lines to the scattered To-day the church in this place as­ Saints. sembled and were addressed on the great The question is often asked, "Where / and important subject of salvation by is the gathering place for the Saints?" brother Jared Carter, followed by brother seeming to imply the positive necessity . The cheering truths for such a place. That such a place icas ably and eloquently advanced by these necessary no one doubts; but when, for brethren were like "apples of gold in various reasons not necessary now to pictures of silver." The saints listened mention, the people were scattered, suc­ with attention, after which bread was cessively, from Kirtland, from Jackson broken, and we offered another memorial county, Missouri, and lastly from Nau­ to our Lord that we remembered him. voo, there seemed to come a time when I must close for the present : my can­ there was a necessity for a division­ dle is quite extinguished, and all nature for a sifting of the elements of discord, seems loc]rnd in silence, shrouded in that the inharmonious and incongruous darkness, and enjoying that repose so might be separated from the better and necessary to this life. But the period purer parts of the whole. What the is. rolling on when night will close, and result has been, most of those who know • those who are found worthy will inherit the history of this people are able to that city where neither the light of the see; yet to many it is still dark. sun nor moon will be necessary ! "For There are many obstacles to be met the glory of God will lighten it, and the with by us, and which are to be over­ Lamb will be the light thereof." come, not the least of which is the prej­ 0. COWDERY. To W. W. Ptlelps, Esq. udice of those, who, most unfortunately for us, judge of us from very bad speci­ "The man who willeth to do well, we mens of men, who either were, and are, should extol his virtues, and speak not of or claim to be of the so-called Mormon his faults behind his back. faith. Another difficulty, and one of A man who wilfully turneth away from considerable importance, is the gather­ his friend without a cause, is not easily ing together hastily in so large a body, forgiven. The kindness of o, man should never be that ·being incapable of harmonizing and forgotten. assimilating the one with the other, so That person who never forsaketh his as to forn1 a complete whole, it totters, trust, should ever have the highest place for regard in our hearts." and falls of its own concentrated weight, -Joseph the Seer. I shall not at this time enumerate or

www.LatterDayTruth.org '.t.tl.E SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 27 notice any more of the (to me) apparent and weeks, nay, months may pass away, difficulties than the two I have just and still it is in the morrow. Specula­ spoken of, but if I can help to set these tive theories may be urged as truth, yet before some of those into whose hands no change is made in God's plan of sal­ this little volume may come, then am I vation, and he disposes of events and of• amply repaid; and if not, then the good men, and their destinies, despite their God, who sees the motives of all men, theories and their views. will receive the will for the deed, and To those who are disposed to cavil at pardon my short-coming. things they may not understand, in re­ I make no apology for my manner, gard to the gathering of the Saints, I neither for the crudeness of my mate­ would recommend a careful reading of rial, nor for the indifferent way it is put the seventh paragraph of section one together; but give it to the inspection hundred and two, Book of Doctrine and of all, feeling sure, that he who ruleth Covenants: "And let all my people who all things to his glory, will guide and dwell in the regions round about, be direct this to its desired end. very faithful and prayerful, and humble When I assumed the position I now before me, and reveal not the things occupy, I covenanted that I would which I have revealed unto them, until never willingly or wilfully do anything it is wisdom in me that they should be to injure the cause of the true Latter revealed. Talk not judgment, neither Day Saints, or make their condition boast of faith, nor of mighty works; worse than it was when I found them, but carefully gathEr together, as much and I mean by God's help, to keep that in one region as can be consistently covenant. with the feelings of the people. And Now, knowing many of the rocks on behold, I will give unto you favor and which the Church was split, is it not grace in their eyes, that you may rest ·· my duty to keep clear of them-each in peace and safety, while you are say­ and every one of them? There is but ing unto the people, execute judgment one answer: most certainly it is. By and justice for us according to law, and keeping the Church separated for the redress us of our wrongs." I would present, (how long, God alone knows), also refer them to the sixty-third sec­ I know that some of the rocks will be tion, paragraph four: "And now, if missed, and many difficulties overcome your joy, etc. * * *'Contend against that we, as a body, existing at any one no church, save it be the church of the designated ~lace could never meet. devil," etc., al!d to the latter half of How I obtained this knowledge is not paragraph six, section seventy-two. If my province, at thi5 time, to say. I after a careful reading, and a prayerful know the anxiety that is felt by all, to asking, they can not understand how be gathering home to Zion; I see the we are to overcome a great deal of prej­ increasing desire to secure happiness; udice of the world, and that we are but things seen by prophetic eye seem better situated to advance our cause as near at hand, when years IIIAY intervene we now are, than if gathered into one before they are brought to pass. city, or place, then I am most willing Men may differ in their views. A to be told the rea5on why. I could thing to-day may seem as to-morrow, cury this rnbject farther, but wisdom

www.LatterDayTruth.org 28 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. dictates that I ought not to take up so Concluded. much space in our journal at one time,· HISTORY OF THE REORGA~I­ and so I must conclude my letter by ZATION. stating, that to me there is no command Such was the manifestation of the to gather this people together at any power of God, that not a doubt was left given locality, and if I did so, in the ab· on . our minds concerning the source sence of such command, I would be from which the commandment came. guilty of an act of injustice to them, and "\Ye all knew it was from God, but how might possibly injure them and others. to organize was the question. Yfe. I must say, however, in justice to them knew we could not create priesthood; and t9 myself, that all who are seeking we had. two high priests, and one se­ aftm· truth, and are determined to for­ nior President of the Seventies, but how sake wickedness and corruption, will could these men organize the Church? quickly get themselves away from places It was impossible, utterly impossible. where crime, wickedness, and abomina­ We counselled upon it and concluded tions are sanctioned, or justified, and that posgibly under the present 0ircum­ will quietly settle themselves in some stauces it might be right for high priests region of country where truth is ac­ to ordain high priests, and for the se­ knowledged, where they can serve God, nior President of Seventies to ordain Sev­ be good to their fellow men, live up­ enties; but when done what would it rightly and honestly before God, and in accomplish? -nothing-just nothing. the sight of men, quitting their evil We were in trouble, deep trouble. To ways, and cleaving unto righteousne3s, refuse to organize was disobedience; to holding in honor the Jaws of the land, go forward in the attempt was darkness. and living in obedience and amenable There was but one alternative, and that to t!:lem. Our land is wide, and full of was to seek wisdom from above. pleasant places, wanting good men for We sought, and in answer were told citizens. Our religion, if good at all, to appoint a day and come together is good for one, ten, twenty, an hun­ fasting and praying, and the Lord dred, or an hundred thousand-here, would show us how to organize. We there, and everywhere. Doing good therefore appointed the day, dismissed and not evil, is its true intent, and, the meeting, and went home rejoicing. preached by example as well as precept, Immediately after our meeting we it must be lived to, if we mean to reap discovered that the "Prince of Dark­ its reward. I will follow this subject ness" was fully bent on prevepting us further at some future time. Until from receiving the communication. We then, may God bless and keep his peo­ came together on the day appointed, ple, is the .prayer of and found that some had not fasted as JOSEPH S::.nTn, commanded, and as several were present Pres. G. of J. C. of L. D. S. NAuvoo, Ill .. Nov. 7th, 1860. who did not belong to the Church, it was thought best to omit our pray.er "All flesh is grass, an'.! all its glory fades, meeting till evening, and spend the day Like the fair flower, dishevelled in the in preaching. Before evening th'l way wind; Riches have wings, and grandeur is a was made clear, and at night all came dream." -Oowver. together in good faith, rejoicing that we

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.· 29 had the opportunity of seeking for the I the order of the Bishopric, the Seven­ information we needed, viz: How to or- ties, the Elders, the Priests, Teachers ganize the Church. and Deacons. Therefore organize ac- W e then presented the following cording to the pattern, behold I will be question: with you unto the end. Even so. 1st. Will the Lord please to tell us Amen." how to organize, that what we do may We did not think it advisable to be acceptable unto him, and who among bring this communication before the us will he a

www.LatterDayTruth.org 30 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

I have often thought of it. It seemed and in his own time. The Conference as though each one thought that the adjourned for prayer meeting in the salvation of the Church depended . on evening. We accordingly came together the decision being made according to at early candle-light, and commenced their respective views; so we argued, the meeting as is usual on such occa­ so we debated, till the clGse of the sec­ sions. For a short time it seemed as ond day, when we began to think the though the Prince of Darkness tri­ work was lost, and would to God that umphed. After a little, one of the all Latter Day Saints could know the brethren arose and rebuked the Devil. situation of the Church at this time­ Shortly after, some sprang to their feet, our feelings, our deep distress, our great saying "Angels, angels, brethren, are anxiety. I considered all was lost, lost, near us," and in a moment our dark­ lost. \Ve could not organize. Oh, the ness was turned into light. The tran­ bitterness of that moment! We could sition was instantaneous. The glory of not see "eye to eye". God had com­ God, such as I never witnessed before, manded us to dci what we absolutely was manifest. The Spirit seemed to could not do. To my mind and to the rest upon all in the house. Three were mind of others, our effort was a failure. in vision, the Spirit testifying through Kind reader, when your eye falls upon others at the same time, that the Re­ these lines, know that at that time the cording Angel was present. And as· one who is now perming this, aske.d God we afterwards learned, two of the three to remove him from the earth. Men who were in vision saw the Roll, while who hitherto had been united-had the third saw the Angel all'd the Roll. seen "eye to eye"-had labored together Just before this manifestation, the as one man for the cause of truth, were brother through whom the revelation now opposed to each other, and after a had come on the 20th of :March, direct­ discussion of two days, learned to their ing us how to organize, arose to his feet mortification and sorrow, that they, to and said, "Brethren, some kind of a all human appearances, were forever spirit tells me that I have the command­ separate. The Spirit, the night before rnen t written that we need." He then had told a few in a prayer meeting that said, "I will read it, and I wish the to.morrow they shall see "eye to eye." Church to pray, that we may know But the day closed and we were farther whether it is from God or not." He apart than on the former evening. Our then took out and read the revelation attempts were a failure, I repeat. Oh, that was given us on the 20th of March, the bitterness of that moment; never, remarking that he was not positive that never can I forget it. Although since the "senior" should preside. It was that time, darkness, like Egyptian night, then submitted to the Church. I was has at times seemed to shut out all light not aware until then that any one but and ex?lude all hope; yet the 'recollec­ myself had this revelation. tion of that event has enabled me to In reply to the enquiry as to whether rest satisfied that he who delivered us the revelation was of God, the Spirit then, still holds the reins in his own through a number answered 'that it was. hands, ancl will bring his work to a glo­ We were then told that the Lord had rious consummation, in his own way, withheld his Spirit from his elders, to

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show them that they had not sufficient Isaac Butterfield were chosen and or­ wisdom in and of themselves to organize. dained his counsellors. He said, "If l had shown you at firRt, .On motion, the following person& all would apostatize; as it is, many of were ordained into the quorum of the you will ap0statize, but some will re- Seventies, viz: David Newkirk, Wm. main, and they shall be the means in my Cline, jun., Wm. Newkirk, Ira Guilford, hands of bringing back others. George Godfrey, Wm .. Smith, Wm. We were then commanded to organ- Hartshorn, Wm. White, Benj. R. Tat­ ize according to the revelation given on em, Ethan Griffith, Samuel Blair, Geo. the 20th of March, with the assurance W. Harlow, Horace W. Ovitt, Edwin that the Lord would be with us to the Wildermuth, Major Godfrey, Wm. Grif­ end. The congregation that evening fith, John Butterfield, and Wm. Har­ was large. The school-house was filled low. Conference adjourned to meet at literally full of Saints, and I believ·e Zarahemla, Wisconsin, on the 6th of that every one was satisfied that that October, 1855. revelation was from God, and that the The next evening after the close of angel that keeps the record of the Lord's this Conference, we had a joyful time. work in every dispensation was in our The Lord told us the acts of this Con­ midst. ference were recorded in heaven, and to The next morning the Conference the seven Apostles he said: met and proceeded to organize as iu- "I give unto you the care of my flock structed. on earth; take the oversight of them, Jason W. Briggs was chosen to pre- as you shall give an account unto me in side. the day of judgment." On motion, Ethan Griffith, Wm. I will here add a word for the benefit Cline, and Cyrus Newkirk were appoint- of others. When the commandment to ed a committee to select seven men to organize first came, we thought it im­ be ordained into the quorum of Apos- possible for us to obey, not having tles. On motion, Bro. Samuel Blair authority to ordain Apostles, etc.; but was sustained in the office of General we learned what every Latter Day Saint Church Recorder .• On motion, Jason must learn, that a command from God W. Briggs was chosen Church Histo- is authority to do all that lie requires, · zian. ·The committee of three to select be it more or less. This part of the his­ seven to be ordained Apostles, chose the tory will be accompanied with some in­ foilowing named peroons, viz: Zen as H. struction to the Church from Bro.New­ Gurley, Henry H. Deam, Jason W. kirk and myself, in relation to our Briggs, Daniel B. Razy, John Cunning- present duties,· in preparing the way for ham, George White, Reuben Newkirk, the coming of the prophet. who were accordingly ordained. On ...,.. motion, a stake of Zion was established Civil rulers rightfully exercise authority, not contrary to the law, but only as the law in the town of Argyle, Lafayette Co., provides. Wisconsin. "Liberty, like day, On motion, Wm. Cline was chosen Breaks on the soul, and by a flash from and ordained president of the stake. heaven On motion, Brn. Cyrus Newkirk and · Fires all the faculties with glorious joys."-

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POLYGAMY. instead of putting the heads of Miles, Bigamy-the having two wives or hus­ Reynolds, and their like, upon the bands at the same time; and Polygamy block? -the having many wives or husbands The true shepherds give their lives at the same time, are and have been re­ for their flocks; but here the flocks are gard~d and treated as crimes through­ called to give their liberty, their honor, out our nation, and all the enlightened their wealth and their lives for their nations of earth. Public sentiment has shepherds! Queer-decidedly. never been so intensely opposed to these .. - .. evi1s as at the present time. Every in­ We shall continue to send the AD­ vestigation, every discussion, every re­ VOCATE to old subscribers till other­ view of these subjects only serves to wise advised. confirm the mind in the fact, that these In this number we begin the publi­ are wholly at war with the best inter­ cation of the Cowdery letters. They ests of society. Their tendencies and were evidently endorsed by Joseph the their fruits are sorrowful and ruinous. Seer, and those who were the founders Bitterness, strife, deceit, violence, shame and first members of the Church. and degradation are their results. Like Read them with care, and preserve Ishmael, their "hand is against every them for future use. They are better man, and every man's hand" is against than gold and silver. them. 1 The article on the gathering, which With these facts before us, it is pass­ we reproduce in this number, has been ing strange to see the Utah leaders per­ on trial for the past nineteen years. sist in trying to make Polygamy practi­ That it was dictated in the best inter­ cable, lawful, honorable, and a religious ests of the Church, none can deny. It duty in the midst of 40,000,000, and in will do to heed for time to come, for the midst of an enlightened civilization when the right time :for the gathering of more than 300,000,000. Their at­ shall arrive, a higher than human wis­ tempt to force polygamy upon our na­ dom should" point out that time, the tion, and upon the world, contrary to place, the methods, and the means. the laws of our country, contrary to the Procure us subscribers so far as you common sentiment of civilization, and can. utterly contrary to original Mormonism "Woe, woe, to all who grind which they profess to believe, is folly in Their brethren of a common Father down! the extreme; nay, more, it is criminal To all who plunder from the immortal mind fanaticism. Its bright and glorious crown."

LIGHT NEEDED. THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter­ "\Vhy did not some of the leaders in ests of the Reorg~nized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the Utah step forward for the honors of po­ Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. Blair. lygamic martyrdom, instead of their fol­ Terms, 50 cents per year, in advance; eleven copies to one address, $5; or, twenty-two copies, to one ad~ fowers? Why did not John Taylor, dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six months, by giving notiee. Geo. Q. Cannon, O. Pratt, B. Young, Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter or men of their position and authority, Day Apostasy. Remittances must be sent to W. W. Blair. Box 337 step out and invite the sword of justice, Sandwi~h, III.; or to H. A. Swbbins,Plano, Ill.

www.LatterDayTruth.org The Saints' Advocate,

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, September, 1879 .. No.3.

beautify my narrative with a relation of the faith of Enoch, and those who as­ PUBLISHED MONTHLY. sisted him to build up Zion, which fled W. W.BLAIR EDITOR. to God-on the mountains of which was commanded the blessing, life forever LETTERS OF 0. COWDERY, more-to be held in reserve to add an­ ·ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF other ray of glory to the grand retinue, THE CHURCH.-No. 2. when worlds shall rock .from their base To W. W. PHELPS, EsQ. I to their center; the nations of the right- Dear Brother :-In the last Messenger eous rise from the dust, and the blessed and Advocate I promised to commence millions of the church of

www.LatterDayTruth.org 34 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. it has been held in reserve to the pres­ world was, will unite, and that wisdom ent century, as a matter of right, in this in the divine economy will be so con­ free country, I may .take the privilege. spicuous, that it will be embraced, it This may be doubted by some-indeed will be observed, and it must be obeyed! by many-as an admission of this point Look at pure religion whenever it would overthrow the popular systems of has had a .place on earth, and you will the day. I can not reasonably expect, always mark the same characteristics in then, that the large majority of profes­ all its features. Look at truth, (with­ sors will be willing to listen to my argu­ out which the former could not exist),· ment for a moment, as a careful, impar­ and the same peculiarities are apparent. tial, and faithful investigation of the Those who have been guided by them doctrines which I believe to be correct, have always shown the same principles; and the principles cherished in my bosom and those who were not, have as uni­ -and believed by this church-by every formly sought to destroy their influence. honest man must be admitted as truth. Religion has had its friends and its en­ Of this I may say as Tertullian said to emies, its advocates and its opponents. the Emperor when writing in defence But the thousands of years which have of the saints in his day: "Whoever come and gone, have left it unaltered; looked well into our religion that did the millions who have embraced it, and not em brace it?" are now enjoying that bliss held forth Common undertakings and plans of in its promises, have left its principle& men may be overthrown or dei>troyed unchanged, and its influence upon the. by opposition. The systems of this honest heart, unweakened. The many world may be exploded or annihilated oppositions which have encountered it, by oppression or falsehood, but it is· the the millions of calumnies, the number­ reverse with pure religion. There is a less reproaches, and the myriads of false­ power attendant on truth that all the hoods, have left its fair form unimpair­ arts and designs of men can not fathom; ed, itB beauty untarnished, and its ex­ there is an increasing influence which cellence as excellent; while its certainty rises up in one place the moment it is is the same, and its foundation upheld cove~ed in another, and the more it is by the hand of God. traduced, and the harsher the means One peculiarity of men I wish to no~ employed to effect its extinction, the tice in the early part of my narrative.­ more numerous are its votaries.-It is So far as my acquaintance and knowl­ not the vain cry of "delusion" from the edge of men and their history extends, giddy multitude; it is not the eneers of it has been the custom of every gener­ bigots; it is not the frowns of zealots, ation, to boast of, or extol the acts of neither the rage of princes, kings, nor the former. In this respect I wish it emperors, that can prevent its influence. to be distinctly understood, that I mean The fact is, as Tertullian said, no man the righteous-those to whom God com­ ever looked carefully into its consistency municated his will. There has ever and propriety without embracing it. It been an apparent blindness common to is impossible: That light which enlight­ men, which has hindered their discover­ ens man, is at on·ce enraptured; that ing the real worth and excellence of in­ intelligence which existed before the dividuals while residing with them; but

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 35 when once deprived of their society, taken home to reP.eive the reward of hii! worth, and counsel, they were ready to toils-then Jacob could realize his worth. exclaim, "how great and inestimable Well was· the que&tion asked by our were the.ir qualities, and how precious is Lord, "How can the children of the their memory,'' ' bridechamber mourn while the bdde­ The vilest and most corrupt are not groom is with them?" It is said, that exempted from this charge; even the he traveled and taught the righteous Jews, whose former principles had be­ principles of his kingdom, three years, come degenerated, and whose religion during which he choose twelve men, and was a mere show, were found among ordained them apostles, &c. The people that class who were ready to build and saw and heard-they were particularly garnish the sepulchers of the prophets, benefited, many of them, by being heal­ and condemn their fathers for putting ed of infirmities, and diseases; of them to death; making important boasts plagues, and devils; they saw him walk of their own righteousness, and of their upon the water; they saw the winds assurance of salvation, in the midst of and waves calmed at his command; they which they rose up with one consent, saw . thousands fed to the full with a and treacherously and shamefully be­ pittance, and the very powers of dark­ trayed, and crucified the Savior of the ness tremble in his presence-and like world! No wonder that the enquirer others before them, considered it as a has turned aside with disgust, nor mar­ dream, or a common occurrence, till the vel that God has appointed a day when time was fulfilled, and he was offered up. he will call the nations before him, and Yet while he was with them he said, reward every man according to his you shall desire to see one of the dayd works! of the Son of Man, and shall not see it. Enoch walked with God, and was He knew that calamity would fall upon taken home without tasting death. that people, and the wrath of heaven Why were not all converted in his day overtake them to their overthrow; and and taken with him to glory? Noah, when that devoted city was surrounded it is said, was perfect in his generation, with armies, well may we conclude that and it is plain that he had communion they desired a protector possessing suf­ with his maker, and by His direction ficient power to lead them to some safe accomplished a work, the parallel of place aside from the tumult of a siege. which is not to be found in the annals Since the apostles fell asleep all men of' the world l Why were not the u:orld who profess a belief in the truth of their converted, that the flood might have mission, extol their virtues and celebrate been stayed? Men, from the days of their fame. It seems to have been for­ our father Abraham, have talked, boast­ gotten that they were men of infirmities ed, and extolled his faith, and he is even and subject to all the feelings, passions, represented in the scriptures :-'·The and imperfections common to other men. father of the faithful." Moses talked But it appears, that they, as others with the Lord face to face; received the were before them, are looked upon as great moral Jaw, upon the basis of which men of perfection, holiness, purity, and those of all civilized governments are to :dness, far in advance of any since. founded; led Israel forty years, and was So were the characters of the prophets

www.LatterDayTruth.org 36 -THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. held in the days of the apostles. What of the doctrines .advocated-they wanted can be the difference in the reward," an excuse, and. they soon found one­ whether a man died for righteousness' "He hath a devil !"-And: who, among sake in the days of Abel, Zacharias, all generations, that valued his salvation, John, the twelve apostles chosen at would be taught by, or follow one pos­ ·Jerusalem, or since? Is not the life of sessed of a devil? one equally as precious as the other? The Savior came in form and fashion and is not the truth, just as true? of a man; he ate, drank, and walked But in reviewing the lives and acts about as a man, and they said, "Behold, of men in past generations, whenever a man gluttonous, and a wine-bibber, a we find a righteous man among them, friend of publicans and sinners!" You there always were excuses for not giv­ see an excuse was wanting, but not ing heed or credence to his testimony. long wanting till it was found-Who The people could see his imperfections; would follow a dissipated leader? or or, if no imperfections, supposed ones, who, among the righteous Pharisees and were always ready to frame an ex­ would acknowledge a man who would cuse upon that for not believing. No condescend to eat with publicans and matter how pure the principles, nor sinners? This was too much-they how precious the teachings-an excuse could not endure it. An individual was wanted-and an excuse was had. teaching the doctrines of the kingdom The next generation, perhaps, was of heaven, and declaring that that king­ favored with equally as righteous men, dom was nigh, or that it had already who were condemned upon the same come, must appear different from others, principles of the former, while the acts or he could not be received. If he and precepts of the former were the were athirst he must not drink, if faint boasts of the multitude; when, in real­ he must not eat, and if weary he must ity, their doctrines were no more pure, not rest, because he had assumed the their exertions to turn men to right­ authority to teach the world righteous­ eousness no greater, neither their walk ness, and he must be different in man­ any more circumspect-the grave of ners, and in constitution, if not in form, 1 the former is considered to be holy, and that all might be attracted by his sin- ' his sepulcher is garnished while the gular appearance : that his singular de­ latter is deprived a dwelling among meanor might gain the reverence of the men, or even an existence upon earth. people, or he was an impostor-a false Such is a specimen of the depravity teacher-a wicked man-a sinner-and and inconsistency of men, and such has an accomplice of BeelzebJ!.b, the prince been their conduct toward the right­ of devils! eous in centuries past. If singularity Of appearance, or dif­ When John the son of Zacharias ference of manners would command came among the Jews, it is said that respect, certainly John would have been he came neither eating bread nor drink­ reverenced and heard. To see one ing wine. In another place it is said coming from the wilderness, clad with \ t.hat his meat was locusts and wild camel's hair, drinking neither wine nor honey. The Jews saw him, heard him strong drink, nor yet eating common preach, and were witnesses of the purity food, must have awakened the curiosity

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 37 of the curious, to the fullest extent. drinking wine, or sl:fowing friendship to But there was one peculi:vity in this publicans and sinners, man com.mon to every 'righteous ~man When looking over the sacred scrip­ before him, for which the people hated tures, we seem to forget that they were him, and for which he lost his life­ given through men of imperfections and he taught holiness, proclaimed repent­ subject to passions. It is a general be­ ance and baptism for the remission of lief that the ancient prophets were per­ sins, warned the people of the conse­ fect-that no stain, or blemish ever ap­ quences of iniquity, and declared that peared upon their characters while on the kingdom of heaven was at hand. earth, to be brought forward by the All this was too much! To see one opposer as an excuse for not believing. dressed so ridiculously, eating no com­ The same is said of the apostles; but mon food, neither drinking wine like James said that Elias [Elijah] was a other men: stepping in advance of the man subject to like passions as them­ learned and reverend Pharisees, wise selves, and yet he had that power with doctors, and righteous scribes, and de­ God that in answer to his prayer it rain­ claring, at the same time, that the Lord's ed not on the earth by the space of kingdum would soon appear, could not three years and a half. be borne-he must not teach-he must There can be no doubt but those to not assume-he must not attempt, to whom he wrote looked upon the ancient lead the people after him-"He hath prophets as a race of beings superior to a devil." any in those days; and in order to be constituted a prophet of God, a man , The Jews were willing (professedly must be perfect in every respect. The 1 so) to believe the ancient prophets, and idea is, that he must be perfect accord­ follow the directions of heaven ail de­ ing to their signification of the word. livered to the world by them; but when If a people were J:>Jessed with prophetii, one came teaching the same doctrine, they must be the individuals who were and proclaiming the same things, only to prescribe the laws by which they that they were nearer, they would not must be governed, even in their private hear. Men say if they could see they walks. The generation following were would believe; but I have thought the ready to suppose, that those men who reverse, in this respect-If they can not believed the word of God were as perfect see, they will believe. as those to whom it was delivered sup­ One of two reasons may be assigned posed they must be, and were as forward as the cause why the messengers of to prescribe the rules by which they truth have been rejected-perhaps both. were governed, or rehearse laws and de­ The multitude saw their imperfections, clarn them to be the governing principles or supposed ones, and from that framed of the prophets, as though they them­ an excuse for rejecting them; or else in selves held the keys of the mysteries of consequence of the corruption of their heaven, and bad searched the archives own hearts, when_ reproved, were not of the generations of the world. willing to repent; but sought to make You will see that I have made mention a man an offender for a word: or fr r of the l\1es3iah, of his mission into the wearing camel's hair, eating locuste, world, and of his walk and outward ap-

www.LatterDayTruth.org 38 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE pearance; but do not understand me as THE STANDING TRAGEDY. attempting to place him on a level with men, or his mission on a parallel with The killing of Elder Standing in those of the prophets and apostles-far Georgia, recently, by ah armed mob, from this. I view his mission such as will be regarded by all right-minded none other could fill; that he was offered people as nothing less than an unjustifi­ without spot to God, a propitiation for able deed, and one wholly at war with our sins; that he rose triumphant and the rights of man and the laws of victorious over the grave and him that our nation. It was indeed a foul mur­ has the power of death. This man could der. And yet when we consider the · not do-it required a perfect sacrifice­ leading facts surrounding the case, there man is imperfect. It required a ~potless is but little to surprise us that the young offering-man is not spotless. It re­ elder met so sad a fate. quired an infinite atonement-man is It must be remembered that young mortal! Standing was preaching in the interests I have, then, as you will see made of a church which holds to the doctrine mention of our L')rd, to show that indi­ and practice of a plurality of wives as a viduals teaching truth, whether perfect matter essential to salvation and a or imperfect, have been looked upon as fulness of glory in Christ's kingdom. the worst of men. And that even dur And it must also be remembered that Savior, the great Shepherd· of Israel, the people of Georgia, in common with was mocked and derided, and placed on the people of the United States and of all a parallel with the prince of devils; and Christendom, regard polygamy as on a the prophets and apostles, though at level with prostitution and lechery, this day looked upon as perfect as per­ and that in this they are sustained by fection, were considered the basest of the laws of our nation, the late decision the human family by those among whom of the Supreme Court, and the common. they lived. lt is not rumor, though it usages of the best grades of society. is wafted by every gale, and reiterated The common sentiment of the more en­ by every zephyr, upon which we are to lightened nations, as also the laws of found our judgments of ones merits or those nations, denounce Bigamy and demerits. If it is we erect an altar up­ Polygamy as crimes, and treat them as on which we sacrifice the most perfect such; of men, and establish a criterion by which In view of these facts, it is not at all the "vilest of the vile" may escape cen­ surprising, when Elder Standing was sures. warned to leave the field of his ministe­ But lest I weary you with too many rial labors and did not do so, that an remarks upon the history of the past, enraged and indignant people should after a few upon the propriety of a nar­ seek to defend and protect their wives rative of the description I have propos­ and daughters against what they could ed, I shall proceed. only regard as pernicious, polluting, and criminal. "Shun delays, they breed remorse; It avails nothing to say that the Take thy time, while time is lent thee; Good is beat when soonest wrought­ Utah Mormons regard polygamy as a Ling'ring labors come to nought." sacred institution. The world's civiliza.

www.LatterDayTruth.org ·1:.tlE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 39 tion and the laws of nations have pro­ of another kind, speculations are let nounced against it. And when the loose as destructive to all authority, as Utah leaders send their ministers forth the former to all freedom; and every to teach what is held by the common government is called tyranny and usur­ will of the people, and by the statutes pation which is not formed on their of the land, to be vicious and crim­ fancies. inal, they exhibit the very madness of Men are qualified for civil liberty in folly, and they may only expect the exact proportion to their disposition to frequent repetition of the Standing trag­ put moral chains upon their own appe­ edy, which both they and we deplore. tites; in proportion as their love to 'I'he laws of the nations and the univer­ justice is above their rapacity; in pro­ •sal will of the people must be respected. portion as their soundness and sobriety And now is a good time for the Utah of understanding are above their vanity Mormons to remember the teachings of and presumption; in proportion as they Joseph the Seer upon this point. He are more disposed to listen to the coun­ iaays: "ln the United States the people sels of the wise and good, in preference are the government; and their united to the flatthy of knaves. Society can voice is the only sovereign that should rule; not exist unless a controlling power upon the onl:;; power that should be obeyed; and will and appetite be placed somewhere, the on1y gentlemen that should be hon­ and the less of it there is within, the ·ored." - Times & Seasons, vol. 5, p. 533. more there must be without. It is or­ - .. dained in the eternal constitution of LIBERTY. things, that men of intemperate minds ''THERE are people who have split and can not be free. Their passions forge .anatomized the doctrine of free govern­ their fetters." BuRKE . ment, as if it were an abstract question concerning metaphysical liberty and MARRIAGE.-There is no graver necessity, and not a matter of moral event in a man's life than marriage. It ;prudence and natural feeling. They may prove an inestimable blessing, the have disputed, whether liberty be a subtle influences of which will permeate ;positive or a negative idea; whether it every hour of the day, and strengthen ·does not consist in being governed by every fibre of his mortal being, and by

www.LatterDayTruth.org 40 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

AN ADDRESS TO THE ELDERS in two forms. And in considering OF UTAH, TO PUT AWAY this solemn matter we will try to discern POLYGAMY. how much polygamy has come in to· make up the account of our righteous­ BY EDWARD W. TULLIDGE. ness, or how much the weight of' our transgression. How much it has help­ Ny Beloved Brethren :-Not presum­ ed our ministry among the nations, or tuously, but in love and duty, I address how much it has hindered it. How you; in duty, for lam your historian; much it has given to us the destiny of in love, for I am your brother. an Israel under the blessing, or how God has called me to that office-not much the destiny of an Israel under the· man-and by his divine help I will ful­ curse. Our history is voluminous with fill it toward you in righteousness. He speech upon these points. has planted in my heart that love toward ·we once were Jehovah's favored peo­ you, and thirty-one years' association ple, not merely as an Israel preserved,. with you in brotherhood has fostered but as his ministers to the nations. Up· that love. Let me speak to you now by on the latter-our calling-we will its authority; let me plead with you to prove our standing before our God; for give me the opportunity to make your it is just as provable, and as simple in history honorable in the sight of God its method of proof, as a school-boy's and man. sum. You would prefer, perhaps, that. I will come at once to the burden of the method of our proof should be on my prayer to you. I will dare to ask you the line of Jehovah's providence in pre­ to make a covenant with your God, and serving us as a people: that would prove with this nation, to give up polygamy. our God, not us. It is L~rael's destiny to· I know the weight of this great matter be preserved. Israel i~ Jehovah's mon­ in your minds; it is not with the fool's ument, not less so under the curse than conceit that this is urged, for my own he is while under the abundant grace of family relations are concerned in it. Let the blessing. The book of his destiny us therefore together for awhile review for all ages was declared by lVIoses when this matter in the light of the history of he brought all Israel into the covenant our people, and in view of the complica­ with Jehovah. Consult it; for therein tions which now surround you. you have the answer of the question at. Let us approach this matter with fear issue nascent in the covenant itself. and trembling. Be the cause at issue Here is a fragment of its text: now between ourselves and our God. "And it shall come to pass, if thou· Be the Gentiles outside our sanctuary, shalt hearken diligently unto the voice and outside the question, till we have of the Lord thy God, to ob.serve and do all his comandments which I command settled the cause between ourselves and thee this day, that the J,ord thy God' Him. I.et the judgment then now will set thee on high abrive all na­ come. The question is, has He broken tions of the earth. * * >r His covenant, or have we. broken ours? "The L'Jrd shall establish thee a holy people unto himself. * * " And all Has he failed in His promise, or have the people of the earth shall see that we failed in our righteousness? It is thou art called by the name of the but the one grand question, though put. Lord."

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And here is the text of the curse: should say .Amen to your decision. "And thy heaven that is over thy There remains one more curse pend­ head shall be as brass. * * * The ing. I beseech you provoke it not for Lord shall cause thee to be smitten it is this: before thine enemies. * * * And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb "The Lord shall cause thee to be and a by-word among all nations." smitten before thine enemies.'' Answer now, 0 ye Elders, is not the Since Polygamy was proclaimed boldly latter the exact case of the Israel of to America and Great Britian, in. Utah? For more than thirty years J e­ 1852-3, you have been under the curse· hovah has not spoken to us. Our heaven of a broken Marriage Covenant; and has been as brass. the most truly Christian part of the We have called Utah our Zion; yet people of those nations to whom you has she been an astonishment, a proverb, were specially sent have rejected your and a by-word, both in America and ministry, and your civilization. Your Europe. Say not that this is because latter experience as 'clearly proves that of her righteousness, for in so saying God has not been with you, from the you would falsify all her history. Utah day you defiled His name with your has been thus because of her polygamy, revelation on Polygamy, as the former her priestly despotism, the utter lack of experience proved that he was to bless. the likeness of Christ in her countenace, you abundantly with tens of thousands and her Mountain Meadow Massacre. I of souls as the seals of your ministry, and bring this not with intent to your re­ as the witness of your apostleship. proach, but for the judgment which is Since that day your ministry has been now between us and our God. If we as the barren fig-tree in fruitfulsummer. stand justified, 0 my brethren, where In all these United States, you have· stands He? The promise is, "The scarcely left the poorest relic of a Lord shall establish thee a holy people branch. Your tree is withered every­ unto himself." where in the land of Zion herself; nay, It is the fall from His favor; the better said, of the old Church, there is. weight of transgression; the curse of barely left so much as the dead branch urime thl\t has made latter-day Israel a for the burning, anywhere in these proverb an.d a by-word among Christian United States. This is surely the nations. Lord's own pronouncement; the sever­ Answer nO·\;I'; What has been ·Iatter­ est possible judgment that Heaven could day Israel's greatest curse? You know give, short of divine vengeance upon well that according to the decision of any ministry acting in Jehovah's name. the two foremost nations of the earth Extend the application from America Utah has been cursed most in her polyg­ to Great Britain-once the very nurs­ amy and for her polygamy. I speak of ery of our Church. Our missionary the judgment pronounced upon her by operations and success in England, Scot- . Great Britain and America. land, and vVales, surpassed everything of Too well am I aware that you have the kind in the hiotory of religious defied their judgment to this hour; but, movements. But that was at a time say not that you will do thus to the when our apostles were humble minis­ hour of doom, lest our God in his anger ters of Jesus Christ, and not proud, ar•

www.LatterDayTruth.org 42 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. rogant priests; when they sought, in the Scarcely need it be affirmed, only to fear of the Lord, to magnify the gospel; place the record directly before us, that when His glory, and not their own am­ America imperatively demands that bitions and selfish purposes, were first Utah shall give up her polygamy. And in their hearts; when the members of this America does, not merely that Utah· the Church were Christ's sheep, and might be received into the fellowship of they the shepherds of his fold; before a Christian nation, but to bring her into they had defiled themselves with polyg­ a proper social and national relationship amy, and set all the Elders of Israel the with this republic. Thus the contro­ same example; when, in fine, they were versy concerns the regular common­ God's accepted, not rejected, ministers. wealth of the United States, as well as Since 1853, when polygamy was first the Christian sense of her forty millions proclaimed in Great Britain, the British of people. Mission has dwindJed down to a few I am conscious that your chief apos­ thousand souls. All has been decrease; tle, with the lofty pride which seems to nothing of increase; that once mighty him so becoming in a chosen people, mission ten times less in 1879 than in will reply to the American nation. 1849; that once mighty mission in "We are the true Church. God has fact dead to-day. By the missionary given to us the authority to pronounce rule of the early period, the British judgment upon all Christian churches. Mission ought to number quite three It matters not to us what the Christian hundred thousand souls, over and above sense of forty million Gentiles may be those who have emigrated. upon the institutions of Israel. We Thus we see clearly the test of our despise this Christian sense of the Amer­ ministry, both at home and abroad. ican nation. Our conscience, our judg­ It is as valid, as logical, and as certainly ment and our will alone shall be consult­ God's pronouncement as is the gospel ed. We will not give up Polygamy at test to the believer-"These signs shall the bidding of these Christian churches, follow." These in question are the neither will we answer yea, or nay, other signs of a rejected, not an accepted, than it pleaseth us." ministry. ' Consult the newspaper controversy Thus stands the controversy between between apostle John Taylor and Vice Israel and Israel's God! 0, my breth­ President Colfax which the Deseret ren, shall we not take His judgment in _flews has published in pamphlet form preference to our own? You must de­ as a trophy of triumph, and see if it be -0ide ! He is waiting the answer! The possible for the historian in a page to .sign of His impatient waiting already describe the matchless priestly arro­ appears! The word and the law to the gance of your now chief apostle in spirit Utah Church at this very moment is­ and wording in his famous discussion. "The Lord shall eause thee to be smitten So my brethren, you may perceive ~efore thine enemies!" Repentance 'that, if the issue of this controversy be .alone can save her. thus carried off with a high hand and Let us come now my .brethren to this proud swelling words by your apostles, ·controversy on Polygamy as it stands not only must our God be brought to between Utah and the American nation. shame, but the American nation also

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 43 humbled at the feet of a little theocracy now the imperative will of the United built up in the isolation of the Rocky States in her Government, her Congress, Mountains, and cradled in a barbarism and in her people. Dare you longer that the sense of the present age' can match the might of your will against not comprehend. The will of a few the might of theirs? It is as drivelling thousand religionists shall then be es­ idiocy to vamp the old tune about Con­ teemed superior to the will of forty gress not daring to make laws touching millions of civilized people; the judg­ religion. The will of a mighty nation ment of this comparative nought shall is the living constitution. You who outweigh a great Christian empire; and have set the "living oracles" up, in the the righteousness of a polygamic church persons of a few apostles, as superior. to which God and the age have both reject­ all the written books of God, and in ed s~all have authority to declare the violation of their laws, ought, surely, righteousness of the American nation for consistency's sake to affect at least a but as filthy rags. comprehension of this. By that living But consider, 0, ye presumptuous, constitution of America's almost omnip· who thus pronounce by your words and otent will, you are commanded to give actions in your controversy with the up polygamy. And this is not uncon­ American civilization, what would be stitutional, but the reverse. The foun­ your fate at thiR very moment was this dation of our commonwealth is the will "Christian sense," which you dare mouth of the people of these United States, iu contempt, not vastly superior to your and you well know that the will of the ·own? Your polygamic church would people of every· State is that Utah shall, be wiped out of existence, and you your­ at length, give up her polygamy, now selves would be given over to repent­ and forever. ance in the penitentaries of the nation This question at issue between Utah you have offended by your conduct, and and the Nation is no longer a religious outraged so often by your words. Can question. For years Congress and the you not comprehend that it is this very Government have been laboring with Christian sense, expressed in a most you to convince you of this fact, and extraordinary degree toward you, that they have given you abundant time and has preserved you to this hour? You opportunity to digest the meaning of, say, Providence has preserved you. their intention and resolve. Utah must Very well; so shall it be conceded, for and shall give up polygamy. That it is the fact. But Providence has is the emphatic and concrete determin­ actually preserved you by the God-like ation of the present hour. It is not re­ forbearance of the American people; by ligion now, but common law; it is not their Christian charities which have your faith, but your violation of law; it covered a multitude of your sins; by is not your revelation, but your crime their pleading and all-prevailing right­ henceforth which is arraigned• at the eousness of intent, not by the holiness bar for present judgment. This is not -0f your polygamy, nor the righteousness my wording, nor my unauthorized de­ of your ministers. cision. I can not alter it if I would. But let all these considerations stand It is the decision of our common nation. as nought, if you please, and meet we Laws have been passed to meet your

www.LatterDayTruth.org 44 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. case; you have contested those laws in to send up to Utah a Special Commission the Supreme Court; that court has pro­ to e:ffect this adj.ustment in a conference nounced against you, and upon. that. or convention between them and author­ pronouncement some of your brethren ized delegates elected by the people of are at this moment convicts in your your Teri:itory for this purpose. Thi& penitentiary. We meet our necessity seems the most comm·on sense method face to face:. we must give up polygamy: to "solve the Utah problem." Then it is the very Alpha and Omega of our make you with the nation, and in the· book of destiny as a church. fear of the Lord, a solemn covenant to· Do you ask, What then shall become give up polygamy. Do this and all wiU of our wives and children? Shall the be well with you. former become as abandoned wives, and As your historian, who has studied the latter as bastard offspring? Never Latter.day Israel well, I am assured that will we submit to this. Be assured my if such men as Daniel H. Wells, Wifforcl brethren, the American people will not W oodru:ff, Orson Pratt, and George Q .. be as cruel in abolishing polygamy as Cannon can be brought to make .that your leaders were in establishing it. covenant with America, they will most Have you forgotten the universal divorce righteously keep it, and rejoice in th& that your late President once threatened keeping of it, for therein they will be upon the heads of all your wives if they blessed of man and favored of God. I dared to rllbel against the implacable have personally an unbounded confidence polygamic law? America will not do in the righteousness of those men, so this; God forbid. Nothing more will far as their conscientious intentions ar& be required than a righteous submission concerned. Indeed, so Israelitish are to the law, and a righteous adjustment of those men in the cast of their character, your family relations. I am persuaded and the temper of their spirits, that rather, that this adjustment will be made could they but comprehend that this. to preserve your families from a second was the will of the God of Israel, they sacrifice-guarding them even from would most reverently obey that will. your abandonment and wrong doing, at This they may not be able to perceive, the same time wiping out polygamy as yet they certainly would soon so per­ an institution for ever, making its prac­ ceive in the obedience, and in its blessed tice a crime. Public opinion will also results. Enough for their duty now preserve your families, and give them should be the will ofthis nation and the an honorable social countenance. Thus present necessity for the salvation of will you all find salvation in the seeming themselves and the people who look unto· sacrifice which this nation demands in them as leaders and counsellors. her righteous judgment, and in her In closing, brethren, let me again abundant mercy so long expreESed in plead with you for .our love's sake. your behalf. • Let this righteous covenant be made And now, therefore, my brethren, without delay. Do this and all will be with the case thus laid before us in well with you. H;eaven will smile on your necessities, I beg of you in love your ministry again. The nation will that you ask the President of the Unit­ rejoice over you and give to you her ed States, with the sanction of Cengres@, confidence in futur&, as faithfully as you

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' A DVOOATE. 45 -ahall keep your covenant with her. All and spreading himself' like a green bay people will see then· that there is in this tree." Churches and nations and peo­ Mormon Israel a native righteousness, ple that have not known the right way, not merely to·escape judgment, but .to are permitted to go on, walking after make them worthy the warm regard of the imaginations of their own heart. all Christendom; whereas, if you tarry The nations and people who have not -till you are compelled by the overwhelm­ obeyed the gospel nor had the gospel ing majesty of the law, and perchance preached unto them, go on prosperously ·corporeal force, there will be but little for a long time. It is true that their virtue in anything which you may here­ prosperity is not like the prosperity of .after do to the end of your mortal lives. Israel in those days when Israel obeyed • May the God of Israel grant that you the Lord their God, nevertheless many may be wise in time: so shall your of the nations of the earth have had a Tighteousness be confirmed and known protracted nationality and prosperity in the generations to come. granted unto them. With Israel God hath dealt differently. "For unto whom­ THE FRUITS OF TRANSGRES­ soever much is given, of him shall be SION. much required" Luke 12: 48. This Transgression in the Church of Je. law is applicable both to this life •sus Christ is inseparably connected with and the future life. They were chas­ persecution and tribulation. The world tised in the wilderness because they re­ at large, and Churches which are not in belled against the Lord. They were conformity to the doctrine of Christ can not permitted to enter into the promised .go on unpunished. "They that work land who came out from Egypt. Moses wickedness are set up, yea, they that said to Israel, "if thou shalt hearken tempt God are even delivered." Mala­ diligently unto the voice of the Lord ·chi 3: 15. Jeremiah also says, "where­ ·thy God, to observe and to do all his fore doth the way of the wicked prosper? commandments which I command thee Wherefore are all those happy that deal this day; that the Lord thy God will ·very treacherously? Thou hast planted set thee on high above all nations of them, yea, they bring forth fruit; thou the earth.'1 Deut. 28: 1. He then de­ .art near in their mouth, and far from scribes a multitude of earthly blessings -their reins." J er 12 : 1, 2. The people which God would bestow upon them if here spoken of in whose mouth the they would hearken unto the voice of name of the Lord is near, are evidently the Lord their God. On the other >the same people that are spoken of in hand he said, (verse 15), "If thou wilt Isaiah 29: 13, where the Lord says, not hearken unto the voice of the Lord ·"This people draw near me with their thy God, to observe to do all bis com­ mouth, and with their lips do honor me, mandments and bis statutes which I ·but have removed their heart far from command thee this day; that all these me, and their fear toward me is taught curses shall come upon thee, and over­ ·by the precept of men." These are the take thee.'' He then describes a multi­ people spoken of in the 3'7th Psalm, tude of terrible curses which God would 35th verse, where the Psalmist says, "I bring upon them if they would not have seen the wicked in great power, harken unto the word of the Lord.

www.LatterDayTruth.org 46 'l'HE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. One of the curses is this: "The Lord would have gathered them as a hen shall scatter thee among all people, gathered her chickens under her wings from the one end of the earth even unto and they would not. The uniformity of the other." Moses enters into this sub­ this law is still manifested by the fact ject extensively, and his prophecy on that the tribulations of Judah are not this subject is worthy our careful exam­ yet ended. ination. Whenever Israel transgressed, Now let us see if the history and rev­ the Lord afflicted them speedily. In elations of the Church of Jesus Christ Joshua, 7th chapter, we are informed of Latter Day Saints, are in accordance that Israel transgressed, and forthwith with the history and revelations of Isra­ they were unable to stand before their el, which are recorded in the Bible. In enemies, and when Joshua prayed unto a revelation given in August 1831, Sec­ the Lord for them, the Lord said unto tion 20th, par. 15, the Lord says, "Let Joshua, "Get thee up; wherefore Jiest all men beware how they take my name thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath in their lips; for behold, verily I say, sinned, and they have also trangressed that many there be who are under this my covenant which I commanded them: condemnation; who useth the name of for they have even taken of the accursed the Lord, and u~eth it in vain, having thing, and have also stolen, and dissem­ not authority. Wherefore let the bled aim, and they have even put it Church repent Qf their sins, and I the among their own stuff. Therefore the Lord will own them, otherwise they children of Israel could not stand before shall be cut off." Transgression and their enemies, because they were accur­ deprivation of the choicest of all the sed; neither will I be with you any blessings of heaven, are here connected more, except ye destroy the accursed together, for certainly the blessings of from among you." After they had re­ the Church of Jesus Christ are superior pented they triumphed over their ene­ to all other blessings. It was therefore mies, These characteristics in the his­ enjoined upon the Church, before eight­ tory of Israel are to be found in it with­ een months had passed away, after the out any deviation in every age. Joshua, Church was organized, that if the like Moses, near the close of his minis­ Church did not repent, the Lord would try said, "When ye have transgressed cut them off. Will any person who is the covenant of the Lord your God, acquainted with tne history of the which he commanded you, and have Church from its commencement, assert gone and served other gods, and bowed that they were more obedient during yourselves to them; then shall the anger the last two or three years before J os­ of the Lord be kio,dled against you, and eph's death, than they were at the time ye shall perish quickly from off the good this revelation was given to the Church? land which he hath given unto you." It is well known that the Church enjoy­ Joshua 23: 16. Examine the history ed the blessings and gifts of the gospel of Israel through the reigns of the more copiously for several years after judges, through the reigns of their the Church was organized, than they kings, and from that time to the time of did for two or three years before J os­ their dispersion, when they were scat­ eph' s death. It is therefore evident tered into all nations because that Jesus . that.the.st~~·;i;;d·of ~ighte'C;~-~7ss must

www.LatterDayTruth.org 'fHE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 47 be very exalted, otherwise the Church these joys in l'act shall come to them cannot be owned by the Lord. There­ from God, who assigns to each his appro­ fore let the Saints in this new organiza- priate residence. It is therefore his . tion be careful how they conduct them­ word has said, that the Father distrib­ selves, and live as becometh Saints, by utes to every one according as he is every word that proceedeth from the worthy. And that is this tricliniurn, Lord, otherwise they will be chastened this table at which are seated the guests as in former times. "Unto whom much who are to partake of the wedding feast j is given, much will be required." The (Matt. 22: 2, Luke 14: 16); for the min­ Lord hath bestowed great blessings upon isters of the Word, disciples of the us, and if we treat them lightly and fall Apostles, tell us that such is the Jaw of short of our high calling of God in coordination by which all the redeemed Christ Jesus, we shall not escape the will be ranked. They are thus advanc­ severe chastisements of our Heavenly ed by degrees, rising by the Spirit to Father.- True L. D. S. Herald, Jana­ the Son, and by the Son to the Father; ary, 1860. the Son at length yielding his work to the Father, as the Apostle has said; IRENEUS' TESTIMONY. (1 Cor. 15: 25, 26); He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. THE following from Ireneus, one of the The last enemy that shall be destroyed early Christian fathers, will be found of is death, for in the time of this kingdom interest by our readers. It is claimed the just man shall no more know on that he was born in Asia or Greece, A.D. earth what it is to die. Yet, the Apos­ 120, came to Gaul in 177, and was mar­ tle adds, When he saith all things are tyred in 202. He was a zealous and put under him, it is manifest that he is popular teacher of the Christian faith excepted which did put all things under as then commonly held by the Church. him. And when all things shall be He says:- subdued unto him, then shall the Son "Then, as the ministers of the Word also himself be subject unto him that teach us, 'they who shall have been ac­ put all things under him, that God may counted worthy to inhabit heaven shall be all in all. For this reason John be carried thither, some to taste there foretold a first resurrection of the just the delights of paradise; others to par· (Re,v. 20: 5) and an inheritance of a take of the glory of the celestial city. kingdom on the earth (Re\'.. 5: 10). In each place they will see God; but For this reason the Prophets also, in the they will see him in proportion to their harmony of their revelations, have pre­ knowledge of him here; for in this dicted it; and it is this, too, which the blessed abode of heaven there will be a Lord himself teaches, when he promises proportionate degree of separation from to his disciples the new cup which he God: according as they have brought will drink with them in his Father's forth fruit; some a hundred, some sixty, kingdom, (Matt. 26: 29). Thus the some thirty.' (Matt. 13: 8, l\Iark 4: 8). Apostle declares that the time shall And it is in view of this that the Lord come when the creature shall be deliv- has said, 'In my Father's house are ered from the bondage of corruption into many mansions.' (John 14:2). All the glorious liberty of the children of

www.LatterDayTruth.org 48 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. ·God. (Rom. 8 : 21). I~ all and by all dress themselves to the finer emotions ·of these revelations, one and the same God the mind. and Father is showed to us who formed By observing also the different classes of society, and the inhabitants of different man by his hands, who promised to the provinces, we learn that ignorance is the fathers the heritage of the earth, who greatest ·enemy of morality. Wherever ·dispenses it to them in the resurrection education is neglected, depravity and every of the just, and who, fulfilling thus the kind of actions which degrade mankind, promises which he has made to them are the most frequent. Among ignorant for the kingdom of his Son, accomplish­ persons, caetoris paribus, rapacity, cheating, and thieving, drunkenness, and sensual ·es finally the things which eye has not pleasuras, are prominent features in the seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered character." -Spurzheim. into the heart of man, (1 Cor. 2: 9). Thus, then, there is an only Son, who We are not advocates of religious free~ dom, and we repeat we .are not.-Shepherd has perfectly fulfilled the will of the of the Valley. Father, and one only human race in Religious liberty is merely endured until which are consummated the mysteries of the opposite can be carried into effect .. - Bishop 0' Conner. ·God, mysteries into which the angels God's tribunal and the Pope's tribunal desire to look, (1 Pet. 1: 12), although are the same. All other powers are his sub· it is impossible for them to find out to j ec ts. -Muscovi us. There can be no religion without the in­ perfection the wisdom of God by which quisition, which is wisely designed for the is completed that creature he has form­ promotion of the true faith.-Boston Pilot. ed with his hands, to be made conform­ Reader, do you not discover a similarity able to the Son, and of the same body between the above and apostate Mormon­ ism? with him; in order that his first begot­ ten, the Word, may descend into his "'Tis liberty alone that gives the flower Of fleeting life its lristure and perfume, -creature formed by his hands, that it And we are weeds without it."-Cowper. may be received by him, and that in its turn the creature may receive the Word, Dare to be wise-begin; for, once begun, rise up to it, rise above the angels and Your task is easy-half the work is done. -Horace. be made in the image and likeness of God."- Ga.non of Scriptures, p 176-7. THE SAINTS' HERALD. Price $2.15 per year. Ireneus testifies that the Spiritual Official paper of the Reorganized Church of J e•ns .gifts promised to gospel believ.ers, Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith of the Church. and contains correspondence from di!~ ~bounded in his times. He says : ferent parts of the world, giving accounts of the pro­ gress of the Church, and setting forth the dealings of "We ourselves have heard in the God with his people. Published semi-monthly, sixteen large pages. Church many brethren who had prophet­ Address, H. A. Stebbin'!I, Box 50, Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. ic gifts, and who spoke various languages by one Holy Spirit."-p 173. THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter­ ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and in the sp0cial interest of the "In following the history of mankind, Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. Blair. we observe, tliat in proportion as nations Terms, 50 cents per year, in advance; eleven copies -0ultivate their moral and intellectual pow­ to one address, $5; or, twenty-two copies1 to one ad .. · dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six: ers, atrocious actions diminish in number; mouths, by giving notiee. Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for the manners and pleasures become more yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter refined; the legislation milder, the religion Day Apostasy. Remittances must be sent to W.W. Blair. Ba..337 purified from superstition, and the arts ad- Sandwioh, Ill.; or to H. A. Stebb>ns,Pl

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"TRUTH'WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, October, 1879. No. 4

feared the answers she might give, we would put aside that fear; and, what­ PUBLISHED MONTHLY. ever the worst might be, we would hear W.W. BLAIR EDITOR. it. The result is given below; it having been decided to giva the statements to LAST TESTIMONY OF SISTER the readers of the HERALD, in view of EMMA. the death of Sister Emma having occur- In a conversation held in the Herald red so soon after she made them, thus Office during the early days of the pres, giving them the character of a last tes­ ent year, between Bishop Rogers, J']lders timony. \Y, W. Blair, H. A. Stebbins and a few It is intended to incorporate these others, leading minds in the Church, it questions and answers in the forthcom­ was t,hought advisable to secure from ing history of the llrnrganization. Mother Bidamon, (Sister Emma Smith), We apologized to our mother for put· her testimony upon certain points upon ting the questions respecting polygamy Which various opinions existed j and to frii/l plural wives, as WC felt We oughf to do thiti, it was decided to present to her do. a few prom!nent questions, which were Q1wstion.-Who performed the mar­ penned and" agreed upon, the answers to riage ceremony for Joseph Smith and which might, so far as she was concerned, Emma Hale? When? Where? settle these differences of opinion. In Answer.-I was married at South accordance with this understanding the Bainbridge, New York; at the house of Senior l~ditor of the HERAJ,D visited Squi:re Tarbell, by him, when I was in Nauvoo, in February last, arriving on my 22d or 23d year. the 41.h and remaining until the 10th. Vl e here suggt;sted that Mother Sister Emma answered the questions ' Smith's History gave the date of the freely and in the presence of her hus- marriage as January 18th, 1827. To band, Major Lewis C. ]3idamon, who was this she replied: generally present in their sitting-room l think the date correct. My cer­ where the conversation took place. '\Ve tificate of was lost many years were more particular in this, because it ago, in somo of the marches we were had been frequently stated to us: "Ask forced to rna.ke. your mother, she knows." "vVhy don't In answer to a suggestion by us that you ask you~ mother; she dare not deny she might mfatake about who married these things." "You do not, dare fo ask father and herself; and that it was ru­ your mother!" mored that it was Sidney Rigdon, or a. Our thought was, that if we had Presbyterian clergyman, she stated : lacked courage to ask her, beerrnse we It was not, Sidney Rigdon, for I did

www.LatterDayTruth.org 50 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. not see him for years after that. It was when I first saw Sidney Rigdon. I not a Presbyterian clergyman. I was think he came there. visiting at Mr. Stowell's, who lived in Q. Was this before or after the pub. Bainbridge, and saw your father there. lication of the Book of Mormon? I had no intention of marrying when I A. The Book of Mormon had been left home; but, during my visit at Mr. translated and published some time be­ Stowell's, your father visited me there. fore. Parley P. Pratt had united with My folks were bitterly opposed to him; the Church before I knew Sidney Rig­ and, being importuned by your father, don, or heard of him. At the time the aided by Mr. Stowell, who urged me to Book of Mormon was translated there marry him, and preferring to marry him was no church organized, and Rigdon to any other man I knew, I consented. did not become acquainted with Joseph We went to Squire Tarbell's and were and me till after the Church was estab­ married. Afterwards, when father found lished in 1830. How long after that I that I was married, he sent for us. The do not know, but it was some time. account in Mother Smith's History is Q. Who were scribes for father when substantially correct as to date and place. translating the Book of l\formon? Your father bought your uncle Jesse's A. Myself, Oliver Cowdery, Martin [Ifale] place, off father's farm, and we Harris, and my brother, Reuben Hale. lived there till the Book of Mormon was Q. Was Alva Hale one? translated; and I think published. I A. I think not. He may have written was not in Palmyra long. some; but if he did, I do .not remember it. Q. How many children did you lose, Q. What about the revelation on mother, before I was born? Polygamy? Did Joseph S~ith have A. There were three. I buried one anything like it? What of spiritual in Pennsylvania, and a pair of twins in wifery?

Ohio. A. There was no reve l at10n· on eit· h er Who were the twins that died? Q. polygamy, or spiritual wives. '''There A. They were not named. were some rumors of something of the Q. Who were the twins whom you sort, of which I asked my husband. took to raise? He assured me that all there was of it A. I lost twins. Mrs. Murdock had was, that, in a chat about plural wives, t.wins and died, Bro. l\Iurdock came he had said, "Well, such a system might to me and asked me to take them, and possibly be, if everybody was agreed to i:took the babes. Joseph died at eleven it, and would behave as they Rhould ; months. They were both sick when but they would not; and, besides, it was your father was mobbed. The mob who contrary to the will of heaven." tarred and feathered him, left the door No such thing as polygamy, or spirit­ open when they went out with him, the ual wifery, was taught, publicly or pri­ child relapsed and died. Julia lived, vately, before my husband's death, that though weaker than the boy. I have now, or ever had any knowledge • Q. When did you first know Sidney of. Rigdon 't Where ? Q. Did he not have other wives than A. I was residing at father Whitmer's, yourself? www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 51

A. He had no other wife but me; nor I once felt of the plates, as they thus lay did he to my knowledge ever have. on the table, tracing their outline and Q. Did he not hold marital relation shape. They seemed to be pliable like with women other than yourself? thick paper, and would rustle with a A. He did not have improper rela­ metalic sound when the edges were tions with any woman that ever came to moved by the thumb, as one does some­ my knowledge. times thumb the edges of a book. Q. Was there nothing about spiritual Q. Where did father and Oliver wives that you recollect? Cowdery write? A. At one time my husband came to A. Oliver Cowdery and your father me and asked me if I had heard certain wrote in the room where I was at work. rumors about· spiritual marriages, or Q. Could not father have dictated the anything of the kind ; and assured me Book of Mormon to you, Oliver Cowdery that if I had, that they were without and the others who wrote for. him, after foundation ; that there was no such ;having first written it, or having first doctrine, and never should be with his read it out of some book ? · knowledge, or consent. I know that he A. Joseph Smith [and for the first had no other wife or wives than myself, time she used his name direct, having in any sense, either spiritual or other: usually used the words, "your father," wise. or "my husband"] could neither write Q. What of the truth of Mormonism? nor dictate a coherent and well-worded A. I know Mormonism to be the letter; let alone dictating a book like the truth i and believe the Church to have Book of Mormon. And, though I was been established by divine direction. I an active participant in tho scones that have complete faith in it. In writing transpired', and was present during the for your father I frequently wrote day translation of the plates, and had cog­ after day, often sitting at the table close nizance of things as they transpired, it by him, he sitting with his face buried is marvelous to me, "a marvel and a in his hat, with the stone in it, and wonder," as much so as to any one else. dictating hour after hour with nothing Q. I should suppose that you would between us. have uncovered the plates and examined Q. Had he not a book or manuscript them? from which he read, or dictated to,you? A. I did not attempt to handle the A. He had neither manuscript nor plates, other than I have told you, nor book to read from. uncover them to look at them. I was Q. Could he not have had, and you satisfied ooat it was the work of God, not know it? and therefore did not feel it to be neces­ A. If he had had anything of the kind sary to do so. he could not have concealed it from me. Major Bidamon here suggeated : Did Q. Are you sure that he had the plates Mr. Smith forbid your examining the at the time you were writing for him ? plates? A. The plates often lay on the table A. I do not think he did. I knew without any attempt at concealment, that he had them, and was not specially wrapped in· a small linen table cloth, curious about them. I moved them which I had given him to fold them in. from place to pla~e on the table, as it

www.LatterDayTruth.org 52 THE SAINTS' ADVOOA'l'E. was neccessary in doing my work. faith I at first accepted; but was called Q. Mother, what; is your belief about so because I would not accept their new the authenticity, or origin of the Book of fangled notion. Mormon? Q. By whom were you baptized? Do A. My belief is that the Book of you remember? Mormon is of divine authenticity-I A. I think by Oliver Cowdery, at have not the slightest doubt of it. I Bainbridge. am satisfied that no man could have die, Q. You say that you were married at tated the writing of the manuscripts un­ South Bainbridge, and have used the less he was inspired; for, when acting as word Bainbridge. Were they one and his scribe, your father would dictate to the same town ? me hour after hour; and when return­ A. No. There was Bainbridge and ing after meals, or after interruptions, South Bainbridge; some distance apart; he would at once begin where he had how far I don't know. I was in South le.ft off, without either seeing the man­ Bainbridge. uscript or having any portion of it read These questions, and the answers she to him. This was a usual thing for had given to them, were read to my him to do. It would have been improb­ mother by me, the day before my leaving able that a learned man could do this; Nauvoo for home, and were affirmed by and, for one so ignorant and unlearned her. Major Bidamon stated that he had as he was, it was simply impossible. frequently conversed with her on the Q. What was the condition of feeling subject of the translation of the Book of between you and father ? Mormon, and her present answers were A. It was good. substantially what she had always stated Q. Were you in the habit of quarrel­ in regard to it. ing? JOSEPH SMITH. A. No. There was . no necessity for ------~- any quarreling. He knew that I wished OUR BOOKS IN UTAH.

for nothing but what was right; and, as BRO. JosEI'H CLARK, 10th Ward, is the he wished for nothing else, we did not Book Agent of the Board of Publication of disagree. He usually gave some heed the Reorganized Church for the sale of Books to what ;I had to say. It was quite a in Salt Lake City and vicinity. The Inspired grievous thing to many that I had any Translation of the Holy Scriptures may be ordered of him at $2. 70 each, also other influence with him. works as advertised in the Saints' Herald. Q. What do you think of David Bro. Clark wishes this notice given that he Whitmer? is prepared to fill orders for the books. A. I believe to be an . - .. honest and truthful man. I think what A FEW of our subscribers have not paid for he states may be relied on. vol. I. Please examine your paper and see. Q. It has been stated sometimes that if you are one of that number; and if you you apostatized at father's death, and are, be so kinQ as to pay for vol. I., and re­ joined the Methodist Church. What do new for vol. II. The printers must be paid. you say to this? "The tmly generous is the truly wise ; A. I have been called apostate ; but I And he who loves not others, lives unblest. ' 1 have never apostatized, nor forsaken the -Home" www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 53

prophetic statements. The entire text "THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, was not translated, but, evidently, only Translated and Corrected by the, Spirit of Revola· such portions as were of great moral, tion, by Joseph Smith, Jr., the Seer. doctrinal, prophetic, or historical value to the pre~ent and to future generations. Such is the title of a work now pub­ '\Ve may now present the reader with lished by the Reorganized Church of some choice extracts which will serve to Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of show the vast superiority of its claims which Joseph, the son of Joseph Smith over all other versions. Carefully com­ the Martyr, is now President. pare these quotations with the common This work is for sale at the Herald versions, and there will be readily seen Office, Plano, Illinois, at prices ranging the pre-eminent excellence of the "New from $2.70 to $3 75, and 75 cents for Translation :"- the New Testament only. · The manuscript of this invaluable "And Noah and his sons hearkened unto work was left, at the death of the Seer, the Lord, and gave heed; and they were called the sons of God. And when these in the hands of his widow, "the elect men began to multiply on the face of the lady," where it remained until she earth, and daughters were born unto them, placed it in the hands of William the sons of men saw that their d&ughters Marks, Israel L. Rogers and W. W. were fair, and they took them wives even as they chose. And the Lord said unto Blair for publication, after which it was Noah, The daughters of thy sons have sold prepared with religious care and with themselves, for behold, mine anger is rigid fidelity for the hands of the printer, kindled against the sons of men, for they under the immediate supervision of will not hearken to my voice."-Genesis Joseph Smith, Israel L. Rogers, E bene. 8: 1--4. zer Robinson and W. W. Blair. By this we learn who were "the sons For many years the Saints anxiously of God." Now compare the followjng looked for the publication of this "New with Gen. 8: 20-22; 9: 1-8, of the Translation,'' as it is called in the Book common version: of Doctrine and Covenants. "And Noah builded an altar unto the They had just reason to expect that Lord, and took of every clean beast, and of it would be of great worth, for the every clean fowl, and offered burnt offer­ Book of Mormon revealed that "many ings on the altr;r; and gave thanks unto the Lord, and rejoiced i in his heart. And parts which are pfain and most precious," the Lord spake unto Noah, and he blessed had "been taken away," (Nephi3:40); him. And Noah smelled a sweet savour, and in the revelations through the Seer and he said in his heart, I will call on the they were informed that it was essential name of the Lord, that he will not 9,gain to the Saints in order that they might curse the ground any more for man's sake, for the imagination of man's heart is evil '•be prepared for the things to come." from his youth; and that he will not again -Doc. & Cov. 45 [15]: 11, March 7th, smite any more every thing living, as he 1831. hath done, while the earth remaineth; and, That the text of the "New TrnnRla­ that seed-time and harvest, and cold and tion" would be given to the Church just heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, may not cease with man. And God as given by the Seer, without alteration blessed Noah and bis sons, and said nnto or corruption, is a matter of prophecy, them, Ile fruitful and multiply, and replen­ upon which all the Saints should rely: ish the eart.h. And the fear of you, and -"And my Scriptur:es shall be given as the dre",d of you, shall be upon every beast of the earth. and upon every fowl of I have appointed, and th~y shall be pre the air, upon nll that movcth upon the servedi'nsafety."-Doc & Cov. 42 [13]: earth, and upon ~Jl the fishes of the sea; 15, February 1831. into your hand are they delivered. Every No unprejudiced person can read moving thin!!, tha.t liveth shall be meat for this translation without being favorably you; even as the green herb have I )liven you all thingR. But the hlood of all flesh impressed with its excellencies in respect which I have given you.for nwa!, shall he to its moral precepts, its doctrinal uuity shed upon the ground, which taketh life and plainness, and its historical and thereof, and the blood ye shall not eat.

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And surely, blood shall not be shed, only that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; for meat, to save your lives; and the blood or thou mayest sell it unto an alien; for of every beast will I require at your hands. And whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man thou art an holy people unto the Lord shall his blood be shed; for man shall not thy God." But the corrected version shed the blood of man. For a command­ emphatically forbids it, thus clearing ment I give that every man's brother shall the text of what is unjust and demoral­ preserve the life of man, for in mine own izing: image have I made man."-Gen. 9: 4-13. "Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth The moral fvrce of this quotation, it of itself; thou shalt not give it unto the must be allowed, is of a very high order. stranger that is in thy gates, that he may We next notice Gen. 19 : 6-8. eat it; or thou mayest not sell it unto an "Wherefore, they said unto the man, We alien; for thou art a holy people unto the will have the men, and t.hy daughters also; Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid and we will do with them as seemeth us in his mother's milk."-Deut. 14: 21. good. Now this was after the wickedness The following text, I Kings, 14: '7, 8, of Sodom. And Lot said, Behold now, I is an important correction, and harmo­ have two daughters which have not known nizes the facts of history with the con­ man; let me, I pray you, plead with my brethren that I may not bring them out un­ fessions of David.-"Mine iniquities to you; and ye shall not do unto them as have taken hold upon me, so that I am seemeth good in your eyes; for God will not able to look up; they are more than not justify his servant in this thing; where­ the hairs of mine head."-Ps. 40: 12. fore, let me plead with my brethren, 'this The text reads: once only, that unto these men ye do noth­ ing, that they may have peace in my house; "Go tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord for therefore came they under the shadow God of Israel, Forasmnch as I exalted thee of my roof."-Gen. 19: 11-14. from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, and rent the Here is seen a very great improvement. kingdom away from the house of David and If the old version were true, Lot would gave it to thee, because he kept not my be anything but a "right.eous man;" for commandments. But thou hast not been as no honorable father would, under any my servant David, when he followed me circumstances, surrender his virgin with all his heart only to do right· in mine eyes."-1Kings14:7, 8. daughters to a fate far worse than d.eath. The 31-35 verses of this same chapter The superiority of the "New Trans­ are made much better by the "New lation" is readily seen in t.hese texts: Translation." The old version silently •·Whosoever, t.heref9re, shall break one · of these least commandments, and shall j us ti fies the incestuous conduct of L'1t's teach man so to do, he shall in no wise be danghters, but the corrected version saved in the kingdom of heaven; but who­ condemns it. vVe are particular to soever shall do and teach these command­ quote this, for. the reason that some ments of the law until it be fulfilled, the have used the old text to justify poly­ same shall be called great, and shall be saved in the kingdom of heaven. * * But gamy and consanguineous marriages. I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on "And the first-born dealt wickedly, and a woman to lust after her, hath committed said unto the younger, Our father has .be­ adultery with her in his heart already. Be­ come old, and we have not a man on the hold, I give unto yon a commandment, that earth lo come in unto us, to live with us ye suffer none of these things to enter into after the manner of all that live on the your heart, for it. is better that ye should earth; therefore come, let us make our deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye father drink wine, and we will lie with him, will take up your cross, than that ye should that. we may preserve seed of our father. be cast into hell. "-Matt. 5: 21, 30, 31. And they did wickedly, and made their "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If father drink wine that night; and the first­ any man will come after me, let him deny born went in and lay with he~ father; and himself, and take up his cross and 'follow he perceived not when she lay down, nor me. And now for a man to take up his when she arose."-Gen. 19: 37-39. cross, is to deny himself all ungodliness, Here is a passage from Deut. 14: 21. and every worldly lust., and keep my com­ mandments. Break not my commandments The olrl version here permits the Israel­ for to save your lives; for whosoever will ites to give the meat of animals dying save his life in this world, shall lose it in by disease, or old age, to "the stranger the world to come."-Matt. 16:25, 26, 27.

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"Therefore, if thy hand offend thee, cut elect's sake. For nation shall rise against it off; or if thy brother offend thee and con­ nation, and kingdom against kingdom ; fess not and forsake not, he shall be cut off. there shall be famines, and pestilences, and It is better for thee to enter into life maim­ earthquakes in divers places. And again, ed, than having two hands, to go into hell. because iniquity shall abound, the love of For it is better for thee to enter into life men shall wax cold; but he who sliall not without thy brother, than for thee and thy be overcome, the same shall be saved. And brother to be cast into hell; into the fire again this gospel of the kingdom shall be that never shall be quenched, where their preached in all the world, for a witness unto worm dieth not, and the fire is not quench­ all nations, and then shall the end come, or ed. And again, if thy foot offend thee, cut the destruction of the wicked. And again it off; for he that is thy standard, by whom shall the abomination of desolation, spoken thou walkest, if he become a transgressor, of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled. And he shall be cut off. It is better for thee; to immediately after the tribulation of those enter halt into life, than having two feet days, the sun shall be darkened, and the to be cast into hell; into the fire that never moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall be quenched. Therefore, let every shall fall from heaven, and the powers of man stand or fall by himself, and not for heaven shall be shaken. Verily I say unto another; or not trusting another. Seek you, This general.ion in the which these unto my Father, and it shall be done in that things shall be shown forth, shall not pass very moment what ye shall ask, if you ask away till all I have told you shall be ful­ in faith, believing that ye shall receive. filled."-Mark 13 :25-39. And if thine eye which seeth for thee, him In these is seen the highest reaches that is appointed to watch over thee to show thee light, become a transgressor and of morality, and the clearest statements offend thee, pluck him out. It is 'better for of prophecy. thee to enter into the kingdom of God with Inasmuch as the writings of Paul one eye, than having two eyes to be cast have been cited by some in justification into hell fire. For it is better that thyself of lying and deception, we may quote should be saved, than to be cast into hell with thy brother, where their worm dieth some of the passages so used, as they are not, and where the fire is not quen~hed. found corrected in the "New' Transla­ For every one shall be salted with fire; and tion" by Joseph the Seer. every sacrifice shall· be salted with salt; "For if the truth of God hath more but the salt must be good. For if the salt abounded through my lie, (as it is called of have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye the Jews,) unto his glory; why yet am I season it? (the sacrifice;) therefore it must also judged as a sinner? and not received? needs be that ye have salt in yourselves, Because we are slanderously reported; and and have peace one with anotlier."-Mark some affirm that we say, (whose damnation 9:40-50. is just,) Let us do evil that good may come. For in those days there shall also arise But this is false. If not so; what then a.re false Christs, and false prophets, and shall we better than they? No, in no wise; for show great signs and wonders; insomuch, we have proved before, that Jews and Gen· that if possible, they shall deceive the very tiles are all under sin."-Rom. 3: 7-9. · elect, who are the elect according to the "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall covenant. Behold, I speak these things not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not unto you, for the elect' s sake. And you deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars ; nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers see that ye be not troubled; for all I have of themselves with mankind, nor tbeives, told you must come to pass, but the end is nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, not yet. Behold, I have told you before, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Be­ of God. And such were some of you ; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but hold he i~ in the desert; go not forth; Be.­ hold, he is in the secret chambers ; believe ye are justified in the name of the Lord it not. For as the light of the morning Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All cometh out of the east, and shineth even these things are not lawful unto me, and all unto the west, and oovereth the whole these things are not expedient. All things earth, so shall also the coming of the Son are not lawful for me, therefore I will not be brought under the power of any."-1 Oor. of Man be. And now I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the carcass 6:9-12. is, there will the eagles be gathered togeth· "All things are not lawful for me, for all er; so likewise, shall mine elect be gath­ things are not expedient; all things are not ered from the four quarters of the earth. lawful, for all things edify not.j'-1 Cor. And they shall hear of wars and rumors of 10:23. wars. Behold, I speak unto you for mine Paul, in 1 Cor. 7: 1-11, 25-40, gives www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. valuable instructions in respect to mar­ world, as not using it; for the fashion of riage, and the relation the sexes sustain this world passeth away. But I would, brethren, that ye magnify your calling. I toward each other, and especially as to would have you without carefulness. For how the ministry should do in regard to he who is unmarried, careth for the things it. It should be carefully read and that belong to the Lord, how he may please "inwardly digested" by all who are in the Lord; therefore he prevaileth. But he the least degree inclined toward poly­ who is married, care th for the things that are of the world, how he may please his gamy. Here it is: wife; therefore there is a difference, for he "Now concerning the things whereof ye is hindered. There is a difference also, wrote unto me, saying, It is good for a man between a wife and a virgin. The unmar­ not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, I say, ried woman careth for the things of the to avoid fornication, let every man have his Lord, that she may be holy both in body own wife, and let every woman have her and in spirit; but she that is married car­ own husband. Let the husband render un­ eth for the things of the world, how she to the wife due benevolence; and likewise may please her husband. And this I speak also the wife unto the husband. The wife for your own profit; not that I may cast a hath not power of her own body, but the snare upon you, but for th!tt which is come­ husband; and likewise also the husband ly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord hath not power of his own body, but the without distraction. Jlut if any man think wife. Depart ye not one from the other, that he behaveth himself uncomely toward except it be with consent for a time, that his virgin whom he hath espoused,if she pass ye may give yourselves to fasting and pray­ the flower of her age, and need so require, er; and come together again, that Satan let him do what he hath promised, he sin­ .tempt you not for your incontinency. And neth not ; let them marry. Nevertheless now what I speak is by permission, and not he that standeth steadfast in his heart, hav­ by commandment. For I would that all ing no necessity, but hath power over his men were even as myself. But every man own will, and hath so decreed in his heart hath his proper gin of God, one after this that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So manner, and another after that. I say then he that giveth himself in marriage therefore to" the unmarried and widows, It doeth well; but he that giveth himself not is good for them if they abide even as I. in marriage doeth better. The wife is But if they can not abide, let them marry; bound by the law as long as her husband for it is better to marry than that any liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is should commit sin. And unto the married at liberty to be married whom she will; I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not only in the Lord. But she is happier if she the wife depart from her husband; but and so abide, after my judgment; and I think if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or also that I have the Spirit of God."-1 Cor. be reconciled to her husband ; but .let not 7: 25-40. the husband put away his wife."-1 Cor. 7: 1-11. THE SAINTS' HERALD. "Now, concerning virgins I have no com­ Price $2.15 per year. mandm,ent of tlie Lord; yet I give my judg­ Official paper of the Reorganized Church of Jesus ment, as one that hath obtained mercy of Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith the Lord to be faithful. I suppose there· of the Church. and contains correspondence from di!' fore that this is good for the present dis­ ferent parts of the world, giving accounts of the pro­ tress, for a man so to remain that he may gress of the Church, and setting forth the dealings of do greater good. Art thou bound unto a God with his people. Published semi-monthly, sixteen wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But large pages. if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if Address all business communications to II. A. Steb­ a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nev- bins, Box 50, Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. Joseph Smith and II. A. Stebbips, Editors. 11rtheless, such shall have trouble in the ~~--"' flesh. For I spare you not. But I speak THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, unto you who are called unto the ministry. A monthly, religious journal, ptiblished in the inter­ For this I say, brethren, the time that re­ ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of maineth is but short, that ye shall be sent 1Jatter Day Saints, and in tho special jute.rest of the Utah l\Iission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. forth unto the ministry. Even they who Blair. · have wives, shall be as though they had Terms, 50 cents per year~ in advance; eleven copies none; for ye are called and chosen to do to one address, $5; or, twenty·tWo Cop~es,,to one ad.~ dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can. pay in six the Lord's work. And it shall be with them months, by giving notice. 1 who weep, as though they wept not; and Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Sttbscribe for them who rejoice, as though they rejoiced yourselves nnd for friends deceived by The Latter Day Apostasy. not; and them who buy, as though they Remittances must Im sent to W.W. Blair. Jlo:t 331 possessed not; and them who use this Sandwich, Ill.; or to II. A. Stebbins,Plano, Ill. www.LatterDayTruth.org The Saints' Adv otate.

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois; November, 1879. No. 5.

been willing contributors to a sup­ posed fond from which the interests of PUBLISHED MONTHLY. Zion were. to be sustained, the man in W.W. BLAIR EDITOR. whom they placed unquestioned trust tells them that it is not their business to PRESENT OUTLOOK IN UTAH. know what has been, or is being done, What an amount of consolation there with their offerings j and stiH more so, is now to be drawn by those members of to discover, at his death, that bordering the Utah Church, who have been tithing on two millons of dollars have been willed themselves for years, and contributing to his heirs, that they may continue to largely of their hard earnings towards revel in luxury, while the Church, or the supposed upbuilding of Zion and that portion of it that has been taxed to her interests, from the present prospect the last extremity in order to meet the the Valley ! With the very purest demand necessary to bring such a state motives, and with glad expectancy, of affairs into existence, is expected still hundreds of them have for years been to magnify the name of the"Lion of the answering th,e numerous calls made upon Lord" among men. them for means t() carry on the Lord's That we have not stepped an inch be­ work in Zion ; and, with the utmost. yond where other men have gone, in confidence in those whom they supposed writing thus, is evident from the very were the Lord's appointed stewards, they steps that are now being taken by John have, almost without question, responded Taylor and others, in order to secure for liberally, and some have even suffered the Church what he considers to be its unnecessary privations in the domestic just due. If he and hcis associates in circle, as a consequence of their simple this effort believe the will made by his trust. predecessor to be the work of an honest For the past few years the curtain has man, and that it evinces the righteous­ been gra,dually lifting, revealing the fact ness to which claim had been laid, then that, while the great mass of the Saints why does he now strive to break it and in Utah and abroad have been suffering make another application of the wealth from the pressure of trying circum­ in question? The very acts now being stances, consequent, to a great degree, performeil, are in themselves glaring upon their past liberality, the leaders in admissions that corruption has been fos­ whom they trusted ~iave been accumu· tered in the past, and that, too, at th.e fating steadUy, until their store has very head and fountain of their organic heaped up to millions. existence. The heirs of Brigham seek-, What a consoling thing it must be to ing to reap the benefits accruing from such to discover that, after they have the ignorance and gullibility ofthc Saints www.LatterDayTruth.org 5s THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. in general, John Taylor now interposes, made to feel that there exists a principle· and by this very act, declares that, in of honor and justice in connection with his estimation at least, there has been the civil law andits administration, that bad work done, by which the church has not been publicly displayed by those over which he now presides is to be the who have professedly been governed by sufferer. the "higher law." How will the present litigation end ? Were this the only legitimate, yet sad Will the funds over which ·dispute is be· consequence of trusting the "arm of ing had eventually be given to the heirs, flesh," we would be inclined to feel less and thus John Taylor be proclaimed anxious concerning those interested; but either deficient in comprehension of what we fear that the secret power -0f a long is right and just, and, therefore, an unfit insulted, yet indulgent God is beginning man for the high and sacred position he to give evidence of its exertion, and we is supposed by some to hold, or a man anxiously enquire, "What shall the end who, despite his understanding of right, be?" We look wistfully into the future, seeks to gain control of what should not and pray for a return to the ancient legally be under his direction? Or will landmarks, of all thsse whose hearts desire he prove successful in his effort, and purity and the righte.eusness that "exalt" thus have his predecesso:r publicly brand­ eth a nation." J. LUFF.

ed as a misappropriator, and a dishonest ---4'111--~ man? Or will the interested Saints LETTERS OF 0. COWDERY, have the peculiar satisfaction of witness­ ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF ing a prolonged legal contest over this THE CHUROH.-No. 3. precious "mine," till the courts and law­ To W. W. PHELPS, EsQ, yers have abstracted all the "ore," leav­ Dear Brothei· :-After a silence of ing heirs, rulers and people alike to re­ another month, agreeably to my promise, joice over the amount of good accom­ I proceed upon the subject I proposed plished in advancing the interests of in the first number of the Advocate. Zion! Perhaps an apology for breyity may not We feel grieved over the picture before be improper, here, as many important us, yet it is but one of the i;nany crushing incidents consequently transpiring in consequences of having followed the, the organization and establishing of a fleece-seeker instead of the true Shepherd. sociepy like the one whose history I am The spirit in Utah that has been mani­ about to give to t.be world, are overlook· fest in defying the law of the land, (and ed or lest, and soon buried with those by this act defying also the counsel of who were the actors, will prevent" my Him who said, "Ye have no need to giving those minute and particular re• break the laws of the land"), is bringing fiections which I have so often wished its just return; and we trust that the might have characterized the "Acts of , honest among them may be delivered. the apostles/' and thE) ancient Saints. The iron hand of the law, which has But such facts as are within my knowl· been for a time tightening its grasp up­ edge, will be given, without any refer· on them, has begun to move, and, we ence to inconsistencies, in the minds of doubt not, will continue to exert its others, or impossibilities, in the feelings power, till Utah Mormonism has been of such as do not give credence to the

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 59 system of salvation and redemption so him I must stand and answer for the clearly set forth and so plainly written deeds tran~aeted in this life. over the face of the sacred Scriptures. Should I however, be instrumental in Upon the propriety, then, of a narra­ causing a few to hear before they judge, tive of this kind,) have briefly to re­ and understand both sides of this mat­ mark: It is known to you, that this ter before they condemn, I shall have Church has suffered reproach and per­ the satisfaction of seeing them embrace secution, from a majority of mankind it, as I am certain that one is the inev­ who have heard but a rumor, since its itable fruit of the other. But to pro. first organization. And further, you ceed: are also conversant with the fact, that You will recollect that I informed no sooner had the messengers of the full­ you~ in my letter published in the first ness of the gospel, begun to proclaim its number of the Messenger and Advocate, heavenly precepts, and call upon men to that this history would necessarily em­ embrace the same, than they were vili­ brace the life and character of our es­ fied and slandered by thousands who teemed friend and brother, J. Smith, never saw their faqes, and much less Jr., one of the presidents of this church; knew aught derogatory of their charac­ and for information on that part of the ters, 'moral or religious. Upon this un­ subject, I refer you to his communica­ fair and .unsaintlike manner of proced­ tion of the same, published in this pa­ ure they have been giving in large sheets per. I shall, therefore, pass over that, their own opinions of the incorrectness till I come to the fifteenth year of his of our system, and attested volumes. of life. our lives and characters. It is necessary to premise this account Since then, our opposers have been by relating the situation of the public thus kind to introduce our cause before mind relative to religion, at this time: the public, it is no more than just that One Mr. Lane, a presiding elder of the a correct account should be given; and Methodist church visited Palmyra, and since they have invariably sought to vicinity. Elder Lane was a talented cast a shade over the truth, and hinder man possessing a good share of literary its influence from gaining ascendency, endowments, and apparent humility. it is also proper that it should be vindi­ There was a great awakening, or excite­ cated, by laying before the world a cor­ ment raised on the subject of religion, rect statement of events as they ha.ve and much enquiry for the word of life. tTanspired from time to time. ]~arge additions were made to the Meth­ Whether I shall succeed so far in my odist, Presbyterian, and Baptist church­ purpose as to convince the public of the es, Mr. Lane's manner of communica­ incorrectness of those scurrilous reports tion was peculiarly calculated to awaken which have inundated our laud, or/even the intellect of the hearer, and arouse but a small portion of them, will be bet­ the sinner to look about him for safety. ter ascertained :when I cloae than when Much good instruction was always drawn I commence; and I am content to sub­ from his discourses on the Scriptures, mit it before the candid for perusal, and and in common with others, our broth­ before :the J uage: of all fol·: inspection; er's mind became awakened. as I mol'lt assuredly beliirvo th,at before For a length of time the reformatio~

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seemed to move in a harmonious man­ In this situation where could he go? ner, but, as the excitement ceased, or If he went to one he was told they were those who had expressed anxieties, had right, and all others were wrong-If to professed a belief in the pardoning in­ another, the same was heard from those. fluence and, condescension of the Savior, All professed to be the true church; a general struggle was made by the lead­ and if not they were certainly hypocrit­ ing characters of the different sects, for ical, because, if I am presented with a proselytes. Then strife seemed to take system of religion, and enquire of my the place of that apparent union and teacher whether it is correct, and he in­ harmony which had previously charac­ forms me that he is not certain, he ack­ terized the moves and exhortations of nowledges at once that he is teaching t,he old professors, and a cry-I am without authority, and 1acting without a right-you are wrong-was introduced commission ! in their stead. If one professed a degree of authority In this general strife for followers, or preference in consequence of age or his mothers, one sister, and two of his . right, and that superiority was without natural brothers, were persuaded to unite evidence, it was insufficient to convince with the Presbyterians. This gave op­ a mind once aroused to that degree of portunity for further reflection j and as determination which at that time oper­ will be seen in the sequel, laid a foun­ ated upon him. And upon farther re­ da~ion, or was one means of laying a flecting, that the Savior had said that foundation far !,he attestation of the the gate was straight and the way nar­ trut

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 61 polygamy is so small. In the city of probably .unintentionally, had fallen. Salt Lake there are only twelve polyga'~ Whatever may be men's political or re­ amists. 'l'hroughout the Territory there ligious beliefs, the cause of truth can not be helped by misrepresentation of is of course a much larger number. It the facts. has been Mr. Hayes' intention to do all The Saints' Herald copied a portion he could to break up polygamy from of the language of the Hawkeye in a the first of his administration, but he previous issue, which was as follows: could not act until the test ease of Rey­ "The general Mormon Church has no nolds had been disposed of. It is now affiliation with the Utah Church. The proposed at the coming fall term of court doctrines of polygamy and blood atone­ in Utah to have every polygamist in ment are recognized by no Mormon ex­ cept those of Utah. Although we do Salt Lake City indicted and prosecuted. not believe in that faith, we must tell It is thought that such a vigorous policy but the plain truth when we say that will persuade the Mormons to renounce the members of that church in the polygamy. If that~is done there will be States, and in our own vicinity; are no further trouble. The Mormons will quiet, good citizens-people with whom nobody finds any fault." be left undisturbed in their religion, ex­ The Herald commented' as follows: cept in this plurality of marriages. The "We thank the Rawkeye for its de­ Mormons claim that this is a part of their fense of our people. The editor thinks religion, but this administration will re­ it was quite proper for Secretary Evarts fuse to recognize it, and will enforce the to issue a circular to 'warn emigrants laws of the United States upon the sub­ that their adoption of tlie. Mormon faith ject of marl'iages. Whatever resistance will not give them license in the United States to practice polygamy. The Sec­ is made by the Mormons will be useless, retary was actuated by friendly rather as the prosecutions will be most rigidly than hostile motives in giving notice in enforced until the Mormons will con­ advance as he has done to people in form to the laws that control the rest of Europe who intend settling in Utah.' "As a note of warning, if as~ociated the country.- Washington Telegram. with a stated determination to enforce the laws of the land against the leading TnE following good words are from the transgressors in this business in Utah, Burlington Hawke.ye of September 17th, it would do very well, but not as a method 1879: to cure tbis gre:1t evil." "In another columm will be foul'.ld an ~ extract from the Saints' Herald the or- LETfER FROM BRO. WILSEY. ga.n of Joseph Smith and his associates of the Reorganized Church of ,J esuR Bro. Blair :-I feel inclined this morn­ Christ of Latter Day Saints. This sect ing to write you a few thoughts on my claims to be the only genuine Mormon past experience and knowledge of the Church, and utterly repudiates polyga- Utah people. While I was liviug at my and the practices of the Utah Mor- mons. What t,he Hawkeye sai'd was Nauvoo, after Joseph's death, I had simply a statement of the facts regard- many friends there from New York ing this body as it understood them, State, from whom I learned much that and with the view to do justice to a der was going on at Nauvoo. I heard Brig- nomination which is too often, although h d th , , th t h unwittingly, confounded in public am say one ay, on · e Scana, · a e thou~ht with the Utah Church an er·· was not a prophet ncr a prophet'~ son; 0 ' ' , ror into which the New York Tribune, I that the Saints were ah1:ad of the books;

www.LatterDayTruth.org 62 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

that they had outgrown them as a boy LETTER OF OLIVER COWDERY has outgrown his jacket. I thought TO W.' A. COWDERY, EsQ. then they had got too far ahead. Dear Bi·otlier:-I have received, of It is not necessary for me to recapit­ late, several communications from you, ulate all that I learned there; suffice it containing several questions. Not long to say that I learned many things I could since, you wished me to express my not endorse. The fact was, counsel nmst mind, either publicly or privately, upon be obeyed, however absurd. Brigham's a few remarks of the Savior, as recorded word was law. No matter what it was, in Matthew, 16: 16-18. some of his adherents would go it. It "And Simon Peter answered and said, is not surprising to me if it is found a 'thou art the Uhrist, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered and said unto hard matter to reform some of the Utah him 'blessed art thou, S1mon Barjona; for people from their headstrong fanaticism. flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. You might almost as well talk to a stone And I say also unto thee, that thou art as to talk to some of them. Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not pre. . Well, Bro. Blair, I suppose you don't vail against it.'" wonder much that I was on the stand­ It is plain that the Savior never did still for awhile, and not willing to follow n.or never will build• his church upon the call of every ~laimant that came any other foundation, or sustain it upon along. I think the Utah people had any other principle, than he there rep· better take a fow steps back, and get in resents to Peter, viz: of revelation from the good and right way again, for their the Father that he was the Christ. happiness here and hereafter. I, for Erect a chureh upon any other founda­ one, am thankful that I heard the sound tion and when the storm comes it must ol' the Shepherd's voice again, by the fall. And the only reason why 4is true servants of God. All I have to church was not always on earth, is, that lament is that I have not been more men ceased to obtain revefations from faithful in the good cause. I am firm heaven. And the only reason why they in tbe latter day work, and have r,eceived were deceived in time past, and will be many blessings since I have been in the in the. last days, is because they do not Reorganized Church. The gospel, in its know that Jesus is the Christ. fulness, is so plain a revival of God's Men say they believe that Jesus is work in these last days that I take great, the Christ; but the Lord said to Peter pleasure in it. The Herald and Advo­ that the Father had revealed it to him, ca.te are sources of comfort to me. I and upon that Rock he would build his often feel to say, 0, if I could go and church and the gates of hell should not blow the trumpet once morn, how happy prevail against it. For if men know I should be ! But here I am, aged al­ that Jesus is the Christ, it muot be by most eighty, with my blessed old wife. revelation. To be sure, we may say, Sometimes I feel as if I could "run that the apostles testify of him, and that through a troop, and lea.p over a wall ;" we believe they tell us the truth; but then 3.gain my i1>firmities are great. will this save a people from destruction, However, I intend to do something to when the cunning arguments of the help on the good cause. adversary are leveled as a mighty shaft A. M. WILSEY, 8l!)N. MILLBROOK, III., Sept. 11th, 1879. to shake man from the foundation? No;

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 63 he must have an assurance. The salva­ When Elijah was taken up to heaven, tion of ma:n is of that importance that did the gates of hell prevail against the he is not left to a mere beiief, founded church of God? Did they overcome upon the testimony or say-so of another the holy priesthood? No. Neither man. No. Flesh and blood can not had Elijah been the last righteous man, reveal it. It must be the ]'ather; and and his enemies pl'evailed over his nat­ if the everlasting Father reveals to men ural body, and put him to death, would that J eeus iB the Son of God, can they the gates of hell have prevailed against be overthrown? Can flood or flames, the church? No i the holy priesthood principalities or powers, thingB present would lrnve been taken to God, and the or to come, heights or depths, swerve gates of hell would have been as unsuc­ them from the 'foundation-the Rock? cessful as in the case of his translation. No; said our J,ord, the gates of hell In the church, said Paul, God has can not prevail. There is an assurance placed apostles, prophets, evangelists, in the things of God that can not be pastors, teachers, miracles, gifts of heal­ obliterated. There is a certainty ac­ ings, helps, governments, and diversities companying his divine communications, of tongues i for the perfecting of the which enables the mind t,o soar aloft, Saints, for the work of the ministry, for and contemplate-not only contemplate, the edifying of the body of Christ; till we but mingle with the blessed in the bless­ all come in the unity of the faith, and of ed mansions, where all things are pure. he knowledge of the Son of God, unto a It is this, then, which constitute a cer­ perfec~ man, unto tl:ie measure of the stat­ tainty. ure of the fullness of Christ. But did There can be no doubt but that the that church continue to exist? Arc the true church did exist after the Lord's fruits of that priesthood now to be found, ascension; but the query is, how shall or. have they been among men from the we reconcile this point, when we say apostles to the present? Where are the that it did not exist on earth for a num­ individuals who will pret~nd that this ber of centuries, and yet say that the has been the case? And yet they say gates of hell did not p1·evail against it? that Christ's church has continued on To the answer: earth, and that the gates of hell have You will see above, that I have plain­ not prevailed against it. Here seems ly contended that the gates of hell could to be a trouble. 'ro admit that the not prevail against a man or society of authority of administering ordinances, men while they hold communion and on earth, has been taken away, would intercourse with heaven. admit, at once, that t.hey have no author­ I will now suppose a case, or propose ity. This places men under the neces­ a question: If Elijah had been the only sity of saying, that the church of God individual on earth wl10 kept the com­ has existed and does exist, in all thsse mandments of the Lord, he would have variegated forms and colors, scattered been all the church then upon earth. over the world, no more resembling the And you know that any and every peo­ ancient church than the ancient church ple ceasing to keep his commandments, did th&t of the Hindoos. are disowned by him. If these points It is revelation which constitutes the are admitted, I proceed : church of Christ; for this was the dee-

www.LatterDayTruth.org 64 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

Iaration to Peter, that tho Father had mer tie is loosened, the spring of every,­ revealed to h~m, and upon that principle hope and action has been changed; and his church should exist. Show me any' yet she flees with joy into the untrodden path before her. She bids a fond. and other, and I confess that you will show grateful adieu to the life that is past, me something, the pattern of which I and turns with excited hopes and joyous have not found in the Holy Scriptures, anticipations to the happiness to come. as coming from heaven. Then woe to the man who can blight You will begin to see my mind upon such fair hopes, who can, coward-like, this matter. It is, that when men ceased break the illusion that has won her, and to bring forth the fruits of the kingdom destroy the confidence which love has of God on earth, it ceased to exist on inspired. earth; and when it <;ieased to exist on ~-~__,,,...... ,,,__~~~ earth, he took the authority to himself, No Bible shall be held or read except and with it the holy priesthood. The by priests. No Bible shall be sold with­ gates of hell did not prevail against the out a license, except upon the pains and church of God; and the decree of our penalties of that mortal sin that is n_ei­ Father is, that they shall not; but no man th,er to be forgiven in this world or the will pretend, (if he does it is in vain,) next.-Council of Trent. that the pure church, as it existed in the Moreover we confirm and renew the days of Paul, and for a length of time decrees recited above, delivered in form- afterward, has continued. If so, accord­ er· times times by apostolic authority, ing to his theory the gates of hell have against the publication, distribution, prevailed against it; for he can not reading, and possession of books of the trace its existence here. He may trace Holy Scriptures translated into the vul. . .. a supposed authority through a succes­ gar tongue.-Pope Gregory XVI. . ~tj,:;;2:1 sion of Popes and bishops; but if the There is no other remedv for the ev1l&i~ authority was there, where is and where but to put heretics to death~-Bellarmine.'\~~ was the fruit? The laity have no jurisdiction and l11 If we look into the 12th of John's Power over the clergy.-Oouneil of Con-''"5 Revelation on Patmos, we shall see the stance. . ~ church represented in a striking figure Let the public.school system go to so plainly shown to be taken from the where it came from-,-the. devil.-Free, earth, that it is impossible his bea:utiful man's Journal. , vision should be misunderstood. In the above is seen the spirit and ' genius of apostate Christianity.

MARRIAGE THE SAINTS' HERALD. Price $2.15 per year. Marriage is to woman at once the hap­ Official paper of' the Reorganized Church of Je•us tiiest and saddest event of her life; it is Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith of the Church. and contains correspondence from dif.. the promise of future bliss raised on the ferent parts of the world, giving accounts of the pro· gress of the Church, and setting forth the dealings of death of all present enjoyment. She God with his people. Published semi·monthly, sixteen quits her home, her. companions, her large pages. Address all business commnnlcations to H. A. Steb· occupations, her amusements-every­ bins, Box 50, Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. thing on which she has hitherto depend­ Joseph Smith and H. A. Stebbins, Editors., ed for comfort, for affection, for kindness, THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, for pleasure. The parents by whose ad­ A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter• ' ests of the Reorganized Chnrch of Jesus Christ of vice she has been guided ; the sisters to Latter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the whom she has dared impart the embryq Utah Mission of said Chu'rch, and Edited lly W.W. Blair. thought and feeling; the brother who Terms, 50 cents per year~ in advance; eleven copies has played with her, by turns the coun­ to one address, $5; or, twenty-two copies, ,to one ad­ dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six selor and. the counselled, and the young­ months, by giving notice. Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for er children to whoin she has hitherto yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter been the mother and playmate-all are Day Apostasy. , Remittances must be sent to W. W. Blair. Box 337 forsaken at one fell stroke. Every for- Sandwjch, III.; or to H.1:. Stebbins,Plano, Ill.

www.LatterDayTruth.org The Saints' Advotate.

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, December, 1879. No. 6.

The latter taught no "blood atonement," no adultery, and no secret o!Slths and covenants. PU:BLISIIED MONTHLY. Bl'.'igham Young, II. C. Kimball, 0. Hyde, Willard Richards, and others, were the sole authors of "the endowment" administered W. W.BLAIR EDITOR. by the Brighamites. And the whole thing gotten up by them is not only sacrilegious, THE "ENDOWMENT." but is a most infamous libel upon the name and character of Joseph Smith. STATEMENT OF WILLIAM B. SMITH, THE ONLY WILLIAM B. s~nTrr. SURVIVING BROTHER OF THE SEER. The above is vary direct testimony, and from one who ought to know as much abouf, Bro. W. W. Blair :-In reply to your let­ the matter of which he speaks as any of the ter of inquiry as to foe teachings of my Twelve Apostles living at the time of Jo­ brother, Joseph Smith, on t.he subject of the "Endowment," to your first question, scph's death. He was then a member of Did Joseph the Seer teach or give an en­ that quo:rum, and being a brother of the dowment at Nauvoo, or elsewhere, the same Prophet, should have had superior oppor­ or similar to that given by the Brighamites? tunities for knowing what the teachings of I answer, He did not. Joseph SllJith gave no such an endowment, nor did lie give a the Prophet weJ:e. similar one. ·· From the revelations given in the book That there was an endowment promised, of Doctrine and Covenants, January, 1831, is true; but the order of that endowment was to be revealed to the Church aft.er the FW· 8, "When men are endowed with pow­ temple (spoken of in the Revela!fon of 1841) er from on high and sent forth;" February, should be completed. 1831, par. 4, "Sa,xwtify yourselves and ye No such an order for thH encfowment s,s shall be endowed with power;" June 22d, the administration of ordinances~ or the administration of oaths and covenants we.s 1834, pm:. 3, "It is expe,dient in me that ever talked of by the prophet, to my knowl­ mine elders shorrid wait for a little season edge. for the :redemption of Zion, that they them­ 'rhe understanding had, and the only selves may be prepared, and tha,t my peo­ thing talked of and taught by my brother Joseph, was that of a Solemn Assembly, ple may be taught more pe;rfectly, and have and the purifying of the heart by prayer, expsrienoe, ::md know more perfectly con­ and by this means effect, a greater spirit­ cerning their duty, and the things which I ual union in the Church, boLh with the require at their hands, and this can not be ministry and members of the Church, and that the Church might enjoy more of the brought to pass until mfoe elders are en­ Spirit's power, in the gifts of the Spirit, to dowed with power from on high; for behold I the edification and the increase of' the faHh he.vo pr0pa1·ed a great endowment and bless­ of the Saints. ing to be poured out upon. them, inasmuch What may be drawn from Lhese state­ ments is all that any one can say in truth as they are faithfnl and continue in humil­ concerning the promised endowment as ity before me;" from thaee testimonies it taught by Joseph Smith. is seen the Church expected an endowment As for similarity in teaching and doc­ of spiritual power, and not one of robings, trine on the Endowment, Brigham Young bore no :resemblance what ever to Joseph scenic display, covenants, oaths, grips, pass­ Smith. words, etc. The ,Brighamite Apostasy may teach many things found in the gospel of Christ, Secret Covenants and Secret Signs. and teach them for a covering; but Joseph "And Satan said unto C11in, Swear unto Smith taught the fullness of the gospel. me by thy tJuo:J,t, and if thou tell it thort www.LatterDayTruth.org 66 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. shalt die ; and swear thy brethren by their darkness and abominations over all the· face heads, and by the living God, that they tell of the land, until he dragged the people it not; for if they tell it they shall "urely down to an entire destruction, and to an die; and this that thy father may not know everlasting hell; yea, it is that same being it; and this d11y I will d oliver thy brother who put it into the heai;t of Gadianton, to Abel into thine hands. And Ss.tan sware still c11rry on the work of darkness, and of unto Cain that he would do according to . secret murder; and he has brought it forth his commands. Aud all these things were from the beginning of man, even down.to done in secret. * ·X- .y, For, from the days this time. And behold, it is he who is the of Cain there was a secret combination, and a,uthor of all sin. And behold, ha doth their works were in the dark, and they carry on his works of darkness and secret knew every ma~ his brother. Wherefore murder, and doth hand down their plots, the Lord cursed Lamech and his house, and and their oaths, and their covenants, and all they that had covenanted with Satan; their plans of awful wickedness, from gen­ for they kept not the commandments of eration to generation, according as he can God. And it displettsed God, and he min­ get hold upon the hearts of the children of istered not unto them. And their works men. And now behold, he had got great were abominations, and began to spread hold upon the hearts of the N ephites; yea, among all the sons of men. And it was insomuch that they had become exceeding among the sons of men .. "-Genesis 5: 14, wicked; yea, the mo:re part of them had 15, 37, 38, 39, Inspired Translation, by Jo­ turned out of the way of righteousness, and seph Smith. cdid trample under their feet the ,command­ Of the apostate Nephites and J,amanites ments of Goel, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves it is said in the Book of Mormon: idols of their gold and their silver."-Hel­ "And it came to pass that they dicl have aman 2: 30. their. signs, yea, their secret signs, and Jesus, by his example, condemns secret their secret words; and this that they might disting\lish a brother who had entered into teachings by his ministry: the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness "'.i'he high priest then asked J csus of his his brother should do, he should not be in­ disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus an­ jured by his brother, nor by those who did swered him, I spake openly to the world; I belong to his band!, who had taken this cove­ ever taught in the synagogue, and in the nant; and thus they might murder, and temple, whither the .Jews always resort; pli:inder, and steal, and commit who:redoms, and in secret have I said nothing. Why and all manner of wickedness, contrary to askest thou me? ask them which heard me, the laws of their country and also the laws what I have said unto them: behold, they of their God; and whosoever of those who know what I s&id."-John 18: 19-21. belonged to their band, should reveal unto And Joseph, the Seer, condemns all man­ the world of their wickedness an

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times past, they will henceforth be always What is man? Remember, brethren, that ready to obey the truth, without having time and chance happeneth to all men. men's persons in admiration because of ad­ "We subscribe ourselves your sincere vantage. We ought lo be aware of those friends and brethren, in the bonds of the prejudices, (which are so congenial to hu­ ever lasting gospel; and prisoners of Jesus man nature), against our neighbors, friends Christ. Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, and brethren of the world, who choose to Lyma,n Wight, C:;ileb Baldwin, Alexander differ with us in opinion, and in matters of McRae."-Times and Seasons, July, 1840. faith. Our religion is between us and our God. Their religion is between. them and ..... ~ their God. There certainly is a tie to those FIRST ORGANIZATIOM of the same faith which is peculiar to itself, OF TliE but it is without prejudice, gives full scope to the mind, and enables us to conduct our­ selves with liberality towards those who nr THE are not of our faith ; this principle, in our Brighainite Church opinion, approximates the nearest to the mind of God, and is God-like. As Ontlined in a Forthcoming Worlc "Joseph the Seer," by E. W. Tullidge. "There is a duty which we in common with all men, owe to Governments, laws, and the regulations in the civil concerns Brigham Young in ·his secret soul felt the of life; these guarantee to all parties and shock of irresistible right of presiding priest­ denominations of religion equal and inde­ hood inherent in "Young Joseph!" feasible rights, all alike interested; and they make our responsibilities one tow&>ds In the earlier discourses of the President another in matters relating to temporal of the Twelve there are many evidences, affairs, and the things of this life. The well ms.rked, to justify the conclusion that, former principles do not destroy the latter, had •-Young Joseph" come up to him, to but bind us stronger,, and make our :re­ sponsibility, not only one toward another, claim his father's office, he, Brigham, would but unto God also : hence we say that the have given him that office; thenceforth he Constitution of the United States is a glori­ would h11ve stood to the son as he had dOll\l ous standard, it is founded in wisdom, it is to his father-as President of the Twelve. a heavenly banner, and is to aJl those who are privileged with the sweets of its liberty Thu8 in fact has President Young posi­ like the cooling shade and refreshing.water tively declared his intention in the most of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land; circumstantial words; and it is fairly due it is like a great tree under whose branches, to him in hib'to:ry to give the record of that men from every clime can be shielded from the burning ra.ys of the inclement sun. We intention wit.bout in valid a.ting ils integrity are deprived of the protecLion of this ghl'i· and truth. ous principle by the cruelties of those who But there was in Brigham Young's mind nly look to the time being for pasturage, 0 attached an absolute and irrevokable con- and who forget ths,t the Mormons, as well 8,8 the Presbyterians and every other denomi- di ti on, which was that "Joseph's Seed" nation, have equal rights to partake of tho should come to himself as the Chief Aposll~ fruits of the groat tree of our national lib· holding the keys of the kingdom. From his erty. Yet notwit.hstanding we see wh9,f we do, and feel the effects of the crueli.v of hands Joseph II was to receive his anoint- the enemies of freedom, tha.t fruit i·~ :uo ing, his ordination, his office. The Prophet less precious and delicious to our taste. We in his son must acknowledge on earth what can not be weaned from the milk, neither the chief apostle Brigham had done. With cn"n we be dntwn from the breast, nor will we deny om· religion because of the hand of this condition obeyed, he, Brigham, would oppression, but we will hold on until death. faithfully keep his word and deliver up the We say that God is that the Cons ti- "keys" unto Joseph to receive them from tut.ion of the United is true, that t.he Bible is true, the Book of Mormon is hlm ha.ck l,o rule the Church as long as he true, thr,t Christ is tnrn, that the minister- lived in Joseph's name. ing of angels is true; and 'we know we There was a show of ,iustice in all this,-· have a house not made with hands, eternal certainly a great deal of worldly common in the heavens, whose builder and maker is k" f ·' c th · God,' a consofation which our oppressors I sense, 1oo. mg rom one sme o1 e view . . can not feel when fortune or fate may Jay But God had not so ordaked. Brigham did its hand on them as it has 011 us. We ask not keep his word, beco,use he was not per-

www.LatterDayTruth.org 68 THE SAIN1r8' ADVOCATE. mitted. It fell to the ground simply because filled with the power of God. This is mY there was a conflict between Jehovah's in­ testimony. These are my declarations unto the Saints-unto the members of the King­ tentions and Brigham's intentions. The dom of God in the last;days, and to all peo­ proofs are in the facts. They need not rest ple. We said nothing about the matter in upon the arguments. those times, but kept it still. Men, women The prophesies and foreshadowings of and chidren, came running where we were, and asked us what was the matter. They said Brigham and the Twelve had failed in their their houses shook and the ground trem­ expectation of Young Joseph coming to them bled, and they did not know but there was to receive his office of them with· approba­ an earthquake. We told them there was tions of their work and superadded institu­ nothing the matter, not to be alarmed ; the Lord was only whispering to us a little, and tion of polygamy. He came indeed rather that he was probably not far off. We felt proclaiming God's disapproval of their no shaking of the earth, or the houses, but works ; his very coming was as a final pro­ were filled with the exceeding power and nouncement that they were "rcfected as a goodness of God. We knew and realized that we had the testimony of God within us. church." On the 6th day of April following, at our This remarkable event in the history of Annual Conference, held in the Log Taber­ the Latter Day Church called forth from nacle at Kane.sville, the propriety of choos­ Orson Hyde a sort of counter rejection of a man to preside over the Church was in­ vestiga.ted. In a. very few minutes it was "Young Joseph," seemingly in the name of agreed to, and Brigham was chosen to fill the quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the that place without a dissenting voice, the "mother clmrch," as she may be called for people not knowing that there had been any distinction. The discourse of Elder Hyde, revelation touching the matter. They ig­ norantly seconded the voice from on high who was now President of the Twelve in in his appointment. Yes, the voice of. God Utah, was delivered at the conference in was the voice of the people. Brigham went Salt Lake City, October 7th, 1860, being right ahead silently to do the work of the the first general conference after Joseph Lord, and to feed his sheep, and t.o take care of them ·like a faithful shepherd, leav­ had taken his place at the head of the Re­ ing all va.in aspirants to growl and con­ organized Church. Eld~ Hyde said: .tend about lineal descent, right, power and "In the month of February, 1848, the authority." Twelve Apostles met at Hyde Park, Potta­ Here the author for the first time must wattamie county, Iowa, where a small branch come personally into his history as a wit­ of the Church was established,,and I must say that I feel not a little proud of the cir­ ness to testify in this grave affair; for the cumstance, and also very thankful, on ac­ testament thus made by Apostle Orson Hyde count of its happening in my own little is too solemn a matter to be passed over with retired and sequestered hamlet, bearing indifference as to whether it was trae or false. my own name. We were in prayer and council, communing together; and what Nineteen years have come and gone since took place on that occasion? its utterance, yet no other Apostle's voice "The voice of God came from on high, and to this day has dared, in public, to confirm spoke .to the council. or deny what the President of their quorum "Every latent feeling was aroused, and proclaimed in their name to the "Saints of every heart melted. What did it say unto God i.n the l&at days and to all people." us? "'Let my servant Brigham step forth and It is the histo:rian's duty now to speak and receive the full power of the Presiding Priest­ declare the truth.. hood in my Church and Kingdom!' Before leaving England, and while filling "This was the voice of I.he Almighty unto the office of managing Editor of the Latter us at Council Bluffs before I moved to wlmt Day Saints' ltlillennial Sta1', I resolved to was called Kanesville. write and publish the history of the Prophet "It has been said by some that Briglrnm was appointed by the people, and not by Joseph. Hence as soon as I arrived in Salt the voice of God. I do not know that this tes­ Lake City, in 1861, I sought labor on the timony has often been given to the me,sses peraorrn.l 5ournals of Wilford Woodruff and of the people before, but I am one that was present, and there ai.·e others that were also George A. Smith, boldly and frankly telling present on that occasion, and did hear and these two official historians that I should feel the voice from heaven, and we were write and pubiish the history of the Church, · www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 69 II for the Lord had called m1(to,.,thi(_work. In my secret thoughts at that moment, I For this I;neede(their private joumals and exclaimed, "Thank God! Wilford has borne professional employment on,Wilfq,rd .Wood­ the test. He has redeemed his apostolic ru:ff's history. Wilford gave me employment honor. And now}or Orson Pratt. I think and trusted me with the wonderful journals Orson will be _also tme. We shall see." of his own ministry e,nd .the .Latter Day It was in the Liverpool Office in 1860-61, Work. For eighteen months I:daily)abor­ while preparing these Tabernacle Sermons ed on those journals, transforming them in­ for the Journal of Discourses, and reading to a regulari~"Autolliography'.'.of ;Wilford their proofs, thr,t I had determined to sound Woodruff." I had come.,to:the close,_of the this testimony of Orson Hyde to the bottom. year 1847, recording the very minutes of I had labored in that office in 1856-7 under ihe quorum of the Twelve, of those identi­ Orson Pratt; so he_ was originally the one cal Grand Councils)n which ;_the choosing selected from whom , to obtain the initial of the evidence; but my subsequent labors on in which the Twelve did actually, by .all Chm:ch history had improved the design in the forms of motion and vote, set up the ma,king Wilford Woodruff s,nd his journals First Presidency in the persons of Briglmm the sure bu.sis of testimony. Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Wili.flrd Orson Pratt was. at the bar. He knew Richards. not, however, it meo,nt as much. I was We were together. I was res.ding from boarding with him in Williamsburg at the his Autobiography. Apostle Woodruff, was, house of old sister Lloyd. He had just re­ with his journal in hand, checking my trans­ turned from a mission to Europe ; I had cript. Suddenly I stopped,''and with im­ been two years in New York, writing for petuous indignation said: the Galaxy, and other magazines, on Mor­ "Wilford, I alwitys believed Orson Hyde monism and numerous historical subjects. bore a false testimony, and now I know he This was in 1868. did! Here, in your journal, sir, is the de­ One evening in conversation I cautiously tailed record of those times. ThiB is the very v,pproached this;,testimony of Orson Hyde. council of the Twelve in which President I first mentioned to him a rumor out west, Young and his counselors were eleci;ed by that President Young had ordained his your quorum .. Orson Hyde bore false wit­ three eidest sons, designing Brigham, Jun., ness in the name of the Lord. The voice of to succeed him at his death. , God was not he&rd in any of these oomrnils "I guess," replied Orson, with exceeding se.ying, 'Let my sm·vant Brigham step forth quietude, "the Twelve will choose their own and receive the foll power of the Presiding President at the death of President Young.'' Priesthood of my church and kingdom.' I perceiv~d that already had the Twelve Men, women and children, did. not com·B resolved to overthrow Brigham's dynasty; running to the house where you were hoid­ but that ws.s not. my. business of the mo­ ing council, saying thei:r hom1es.-shool;; and ment, yet of course, thus p:repared, tha the ground trembled. NeHher did you subj ,1ot led easily to YVinter Quarters and Apostles tell the people not to be 8Jarmed; reo:eganizat.ion of' the First P.reeidency~ At ~the LoJ:d was only whisperhng to us little~ la;.;;t c't'1.'rn0 Iny direct questions: m1d tlrn,t probably he was not far off.' Thero '"lh:other Pr.u,it, did the voice of God. corne is nothing of all this in Wilford Woodruff's fil.~om b.ea?en 8.. nd speak to your council, as journals, not a word~ not a trace a.nywheJCe, t0sti.fl.ed by 0 rs on Hyd.e? Was the Lord

fc;r• I have carefully ex;;.. mined. lt""ou l:now9 hir.n.self prcsGut? Did the voice of the A1- Wilford, it is impossible Lhr.;t this should :m.ighJ.y decfo,x·c ycu:i.~ bre~Jn·0n in council, hrx/v•a occurred ln your presence n,nd not to ~LrJt t;J.y serva:1t Brighc.rn. &t·3p forth and he found in your tjou1"JG.als~ ·rt 1P a solemn tho Preoidm.H',y of the Chu1~eh ?' oJr in ;~a1sehood in tho name of I.1ord. There hvnguage to that effect? Yon ~le:re present, ls the proof, Wilford--yom.· jonrnalB !" • Oreon, in all tlloRe councils: Did the Lord aEdwa~cd/' he answerec' with deep himself speak to blush on his honost · fttce, "it was not true 1" "ff h.e did, I not hear him !"

www.LatterDayTruth.org 70 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. '11 These are Orson Pratt's exact word's. It Compare now this literal record of facts was a bare reply. I appreciated the deli­ re la ti ve to the "call" and election of the cacy of the case between us. It was enough. First Presidency at Winter Quarters with I was relieved of an anxiety for his sake; that blasphemous piece of fiction of Orson for it was not in the power of these apostles Hyde, given in his character of President to escape the judgment of history. Orson's of the Twelve Apostles. In doing this re· testimony was not needed, excepting for his member it is the very testament of said own honor. Twelve "unto the members of the Kingdom Review, for example, the record itself. of God in the last days, and to all people." Here is a p:i.ge from the "Life of Brigham Let the judgment of the Saints, "who shall Young," summarized from Wilford Wood­ judge angels," be given to this Twelve upon ruff's Journals, and passed upon as au­ their solemn testimony of the voice of qod thentic by Brigham Young himself. The speaking from on high, saying to them, Pioneers returned to Winter Qnarters, "Let. my servant Brigham step forth and October 31st, 1847. receive the full power of the Presiding "During the month of November much Priesthood in my Church and Kingdom." important business came before the Twelve ; Compare d:1tes also, and observe that all and on the last of the month, the subject of the reorganization of the First Presidency, the discussion of the business of reorgan­ which had been vacant since the martyr­ izing the First Presidency occupied the at­ dom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, was con­ tention of the Twelve during the entire sidered. month of November, 1847. Notiqe next a "On the 3d of December a conference was held on the east side of the river; but after "grand feast" for a "grand council" made at having resolved to build immediately a large the house of Elder Hyde,' December 5th, tabernacle for the congregation, it ad­ 1847, in the occasion of which "grand feast" journed for three weeks. there will readily be seen nice management "There was a feast and gr.-nd council, December 5th, at the house of Elder Hyde, of somebody; and reflect that the Lord never who had been in charge at Winter Quarters descends to such management when he is , during the absence of the pioneers. about to speak from· on high to call "my "In this Council of the Twelve Apostles, servant" to the presiding priesthood, or to their President, (Brigham Young), first ex­ pressed his views concerning the re organ. the leadership of his Israel: He meets Moses ization of' the quorum· of the First Presi­ in the "burning bush;" Joshua alone in dency, and wished those present to do the some holy place where even an archangel's same in their order, when Heber C. Kimball, feet must come with naked simplicity; a Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman child prophet in tho lone watches of the and Ezra T. Benson spoke to the question. night, calling "Samuel! Samuel!" and a President Young closed. Joseph in the latter days alone in the woods "Orson Hyde then moved that Brigham -a simple boy praying for divine guidance. Young be of J esu~ Christ of Latter Day Saints, and that h0 Finally, notice that it was in this "grand nominate his two counsellors to form the council" of the Twelve, celebrated by a First Presidency. 'ilfilford Woodruff second­ "grand feast," that the First Presidency ed the motion, and it was carried unani­ was elected by all the due forms of motion mously. "President Young then nominated Heber and vote after the membern of the quorum C. Kimball as his first counselor, and Wil­ had spoken in oriler, and that Orson Hyde lard Richards as his second counselor, himself was the one that "moved that Brig­ which was seconded and carried unani­ ham Young be President of the Church of mously. "The Twelve again met the next day, and Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and that appoint,ed Fat.her John Smith presiding he nominate his two cou1'selors to for\Il the patri1uch of the whole Church. First Presidency." The date is December "The conference reassembled on the 24th 5th, 1847, when the First Presidency was of December, and lasted four days. In the elected in fact by the apostles in their quorum Log T11bernacle one thousand persons as­ sembled, 11nd chose Brigham Young "Pres­ meeting; that which took place on the 24th ident of the Church of Jesus Christ in all of December in a special conference was the world." •merely form; while Orson Hyde's testimony www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 'i1 is that the Lord by his own voice called Lord commanded it according to Orson "my servant Brigham" to the Presidency Hyde's testimony! of the Church in the month of February, 1848, Truth is ever guarded by her own sim­ which is about two months after he was plicity and righteousness; but about a lie, chosen by "a thousand persons assembled" especially a lie in the name of the Lord, in special conference in the "Log Taber· there is a hideous fatality. Though a nacle," and nearly three months after he had thousand persons labor to cover the lie with been elected to the office by the Twelve, on their cunning, it shall be left uncovered in Orson Hyde's motion. a thousand places; and yet it almost pro­ Review the facts still further. In a let. vokes the admiration, as well as the aston­ ter from "President Brigham Young," ad­ ishment, that this testimony of Orson dressed from Winter Quarters, January 23d, Hyde's shoulil have been allowed to be 1848, to Orson Spencer, President of the published in the IJeseret News, to be re­ Briti.sh Mission, the "President" said: published in the .Journal of Discourses, fal­ sifying all the dates of well-known facts. "In December last we appointed a day to hold a conference on the other side of the But the investigation must not rest even river. -x- * i<·. We adjourned for three weeks here. .!!'or twenty years the historian has to build a house capable of holding the waited patiently to give to the Saints and Saints. Aooordingly on the 24th we con­ "all people" the faithfui testimony of history vened again at the Log Tabernacle. At this conference we suggesterl to the brethren upon this matter. The whole truth must. the propriety of organizing the Church with now be revealed so far as historical facts a First Presidency and a Patriarch, as are concerned. With the secret motives of hinted at in our General Epistle, and the the chief persons, and the main-spring of expediency of such a move at this time was so clearly seen by the brethren, that they their purposes and action, the author has hailed it as an action which the state of the nothing properly to do; he is not the judge work at present demanded, and as a means of men's souls: God forbid! to liberate the hands of the quorum of the Twelve. * * * Accordingly Brigham Young To Wilford Woodruff's journals again. was nominated to be the First President of Turn, Brother Wilford, to the record of the the Church, and he nominaterl Heber C. journey of the Pioneers from Salt Lake City Kimball and Willard Richards to be his two Counselors, which nominations were sec­ back to Winter Quarters. One day, yourself oncled and carried without a dissenting and Brigham Young were walking together, voice. l<· * * Nothing more has been done to­ lone companions, as you often were in those day ihan what I knew would be done when journeys; for however much Brigham .Joseph dierl." (See Jlillennial Star, vol. 10, p. 114, 115). Young may have used plotting, ambitious men, he always preferred the companion­ The "General Epistle from the Council of ship of honest men, and trusted them most the Twelve Apostles," referred to in the from his great knowledge of lmman nature. above, and which bore the signatures of So on this day he was about to trust you Brigham Young as President, and Willard with the supreme purpose of Brigham Uichards as Clerk, is dated December, 1847; Young's heart. And you was t.o be the first ii.nd in it is announcecl that the Twelve had in man in all the world to be honored with his "contemplation soon to reorganize the Church confidence. Not even was Heber ,C. Kim­ according to the original pattern, with a ball to learn that supreme purpose as soon First Presidency and Patriarch." In fact, as Wilford Woodruff. He was about to tell as the minutes of their quorum show, the you, substantially, that BrJgham Young in­ Twelve had alreaily Jone this, though their tended to make himself President of the action had not yet been confirmerl in thjl Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: special conference c11lled for that purpose. circumstantially, he did plainly tell you of So it appears from the records that the his purpose to reorganize the quorum of the Church throughout the world was notified First Presidency; and he asked for your . in a General Epistle of this intention to re­ judgment and counsel. I need not tell you, organize, two months before the voice of the Brother Wilford, what, your judgment was www.LatterDayTruth.org 72 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

upon this matter, nor your reasoning and receive comm9,ndments and revelations from views in the case, but as you and I are, per­ my hand. And this ye shall know assured­ ly, that there is none other appointed unto haps,:the only two men in the world who you to receive commandments and revela­ know, to this day, that Wilford Woodruff at tions until he be taken, if he abide in me. first opposed the reorganization of the First But verily, verily I say unto you, that none Presidency, and in his plain, honest truthful­ else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be tMough him [Joseph], for if it be taken ness gave President Young his judgment from him he shall not have power, except to that it would be usurpation in the Twelve to appoint another in his stead; and this shall do it, we will make the fact known now, and bo a law unto you, that ye receive not the let the knowledge thereof go to the Latter teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations, or commandments; and this Day Saints in all the world. I give unto you, that you may not be de­ I have not, in)his historica.l exposition, ceived, that you may know they are not of been attempting to show that Brigham me. For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me, shall come in at the gate Young was ~.not the proper] le au er of the and be ordained as I have told you before, Utah Church, much less to affect a disbelief to teach those revelations which you have in him as a "man of manifest destiny." I received, and shall receive through him accept as a divine fact that Providence led, whom I have appointed."-Sec. 43, par. 1-2. or drove, ('tis the same in its historical as­ "For this anointing have I put upon his pect), the Mormon Israel to the Rocky head, tlrnt his blessing shall also be put upon the head of his posterity after him; Mountains for some great purpose, partly and as I said unto Abraham, concerning the revealed already, more abundantly to be kindrcils of the eart.h, even so I say unto revealed by and by. The:r0 was "manifest · my servant Joseph, in thee, and in thy seed, shall the kindred of the earth be blessed. destiny" in Brigham Young's leading this -Sec. 107, par. 18. polygamic branch of Israel to the mountain "And again, the duty of the president of refuge, and in his remaining their leader the office of the high priesthood is to pre­ and head to the close of' his mo:rtal lifo. To side over the whole church, and to be like the historian the fact must ever be the proof. unto Moses. Dehold, here is wisdom, yea, to be a seer, a revelator; a translator and a Yet was he but the President of the Twelve prophet; having all the gifts of God which Apostles. What he was above that, he made he bestows upon the head of the church.­ himself. He took the Melchesideck crown, Sec. 104, par. 42. like as Napoleon took the iron crown of the ~ Crnsars, and placed it upon his own head, As the clergy commands the spiritual part of man directly, she therefore com­ with his own hands, pronouncing in supreme mands the whole man and all that depends exultatiou-"God has giyen it to mo!" on man.-Oivilta Oatholica. Ily the following it will be seen that the '.ii'HE SAJJ:NT§' J!ilJl

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, January, 1880. No. 7.

Covenants.) It is Joseph himself who speaks under the power of God that "mak­ PUBLISHED MONTHLY. eth my bones to quake." Re is speaking of his successor. This is in the name of W.W. BLAIR EDITOR. the Lord, for thus speaks a prophet; but the personality of Joseph is marked in the = opening of the letter, and the chief subject is of his successor and liis successor's work. The "One, Mighty and Strong." It is not of the father.~ chiefly as actors, but of the children, to be fulfilled long after THE REVELATION GIVEN AT THE BIRTH Joseph and Phelps are in their graves. OF "YOUNG JosEPH." Still until we discover the reason it does seem strange that the "burden of the l:lpirit of the Lord" finds expression in a letter "And it shall come to pass that I the addressed to an individual. Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, Why then, this seeming hastiness of ex­ holding the sceptre of power in his hand, pression? Why is the Spirit thus untimely ? clothed with light for a covering, whose Why is this important prophecy addressed mouth shall utter words, eternal words, to an individual and not to the Church? while his bowels shall be a fountain of Why moreover, name his successor at the truth, to set in order the house of God, and opening of the dispensation, on this 27th of t,o arrange by lot the inheritance of the November, 1832, years before even the Saints, whose names are found, and the apostles were chosen? names of their fathers, and of their children, Simply because an occasion had come enrolled in the book of the law of God. which made all both timely and proper. "While that man, who was called of God Find that occasion out in its simple histori· and appointed, that putteth forth his hand cal directness and we have found the key to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the . to the revelation concerning the "one mighty hand of death, like as a tree that is smitten and strong." by the vivid shaft of lightning." There is no enigma. It is a simple his· This prophecy concerning the man who tory. There is no mystery. It is simply should be raised up to consummate the work the birth of "Young Joseph," November 6th, of Zion is now incorporated in the editio~ 1832, that gave to the Prophet the burden of the Doctrine and Covenants sent out un­ of the Lord concerning the future. der the authority of the Utah Church. It "Young Joseph" is twenty-one days old. stands thus: The Prophet is writing a letter to W. W. Section 85. "Revelation given through Phelps. The spirit of the destiny of hiB Joseph, the Seer, in Kirtland, Ohio, Nov­ son rests upon him; for he who is born at ember 27th, 1832, concerning the Saints in this opportune momont is the one whose Zion, Jackson county, Missouri." mission it will be to redeem Zion. 'Hence Thus presented in the Doctrine and Cov­ the revelation in the heart of that Ietter­ enants, like a chapter of a Bible, it loses at. the prophecy of his own son. The event is once its historical simplicity and its histor­ a revelation in itself, throwing a flood of ical connections. light upon a vital subject which could not It is a fragment cut out, of the heart of a well be veiled in darkness with the history letter written by the Seer to W. W. Phelps. known. By examination it will be discovered that Once started on the line of proof of this the connections thus dest.royed or impaired prophecy and it multiplies at every step. happen to be those which exist between the It will be discovered that the Prophet has Prophet and his successor. This is of vital just returned with Bishop Whitney from a importance, for the discovery of who is the "rapid journey" to Albany, New York and "one mighty and strong" is just the issue Boston, made thus rapid by the expected birth, of the present and the future. He arrived home the 6th of November, 1832, We mark, then, that this is not Jesus the very day his son Joseph was born. Christ giving a revelation to the Church. The following from a letter to Sister Emma, (See th many examples in the Doctrine and during his absence is also suggestive as

www.LatterDayTruth.org '14 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. perfecting the chain of evidence which con­ but simply by a colon.- It is the first touch nects the famous prophecy with "Young of history after the return and birth, being 9J oseph's'' birth: a summary sentence prefacing the letter. October 13, 1832 Here is the example: Pe~rl Street House, N. Y. City. Joseph's Diary: "l continued the trans­ "l>fy Dear Wife,-* * * lation, and ministering to the Glrurch After beholding all that I desired to be­ through the fall, excepting a rapid journey hold, (of New York), I returned to my room to Albany, New York, and Boston, in com­ to meditate and calm my mind ; and behold pany with Bishop Whitney, from which I the thoughts of home, of Emma, and Julia, returned on the 6th of November, immedi­ rush upon my mind like a flood, and I could ately after the birth of my son, Joseph -, wish for a moment to be with them. My Smith 3rd. In answer to letters from the breast is filled with s11 the feelings of a parent brethren in Missouri, I wrote as follows : " and a husband, and could I be with you I Then follows the letter to W.W. Phelps. See Times would tell y'ou many things. * * I feel as and Seasons, Mellennia! Star and Desere_t News. if I wanted to say something to you to com­ We may boldly affirm, and challenge fort you in your peculiar trial, and present judgment of a council of experts in history,_ affiiction. I hope God will give you strength that this famous prophecy embodied in this that you may not faint. I pray God to soften letter in question was not as now headed the hearts of those around you to be kind in the Doctrine and Covenants by Orson to you and take the burden off your shoul­ Pratt and others as Section Lxxxv.-"Rev­ ders as much as possible and not affiict you. elation given through Joseph the Seer, in I feel for you, for I know your state and Kirtland, Ohio, November 27th, 1832, con­ that others do not ; but you must comfort cerning the Saints in Zion, Jackson Co., yourself, knowing that God is your friend Missouri;" that the prophecy itself was in heaven, and that you have one true and incidental in the letter; that it was originally living friend on earth-your husband, given to Joseph himself rather than through JOSEPH SMITH, JR." Joseph to the Church through PheJps; that Unpublished letters of Joseph to Emma. the prophecy of the "one mighty and strong" The Proph~t calls himself a parent, not did not directly concern those then in J aok­ because of "Julia" the adopted, but for his son county, but rather a people who to this unborn child, Joseph. Notice also, the day have not set their foot in Jackson "Parent" is named before the Husband, for county-the children rather than the fath­ it signifies the burden of the coming event; ers ;-and that the mission foreshadowed and in the passage about the thoughts of related to his son Joseph, who, like his I.his event rus)ling over his mind "like a father, should be sent in the spirit of the flood" we have the prelude to this of the "one mighty and strong" to restore the revelation: "Yea, thus saith the still small "house of God" to "order" after it shall voice, which whispereth through_and pierc­ have been ruled out of order and the fathers eth all things, and often times it maketh my plucked up out of the land of Zion because bones to quake while it maketh manifest of their iniquities. Numerous other proph­ 8aying, •And it shall come to pass that I, ecies and revelations may be compared to the Lord God, will send one mighty, anti corroborate this, and the facts of history to strong," &c. this day confirm the view. Moreover it, The- historical clue to this prophecy is would seem that the prophecy of the "one found. The Prophet hurries home from his mighty and strong" was not originally given mission east, for he has seen the looming on the 27th of November, 1832, but was star of "one mighty and strong!' He ar­ probably given nearer. the birth of "Young rives home as before observed, on the day Joseph" and about the 6th of November. of "Young J'oseph's" birth The boy is just Sipce that time the Spirit had pursued the twenty-one da.ys old at the date of the let­ Prophet with the burden of his son's mis­ ter to Phelps; the mother is up with the sion, for mark,-historyjtself proves it was babe in her arms; most likely the Prophet not his own mission, which also proves that is writing this letter in her presence, the it was not a revelation "concernihg" the very sight of the "child of promise" kindling Saints then in J ackeon county, and strongly the parent's love and "re-inspiring' the suggests that the prophecy was incidental prophecy. in that letter to Phelps by the very law of Such were the quick suggestions as I read association which connected with his son. the Prophet's letter to his wife; and I felt Under an ordinary occasion, (especially in impressed that pro~f of connection with a letter to an individual and not a formal "'Young Joseph's" birth would be also j'vund revelation to the Church), he would have with the letter to Phelps. Turn now to page dealt with the work of his own life time 673, vol. v, Times and Seasons, and see that ra.ther than with the work of his successor. in his father's diary "Young Joseph's" Perhaps ·when the Prophet sat down to birth-record is not cut off from the prophecy write that letter to Phelps he may have had/ of his mission by as much as a period mark, no intention to record an immortal prophecy,

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 75 the value of which would be greatly enhanc­ God of Jacob in restoring Zion? Doubt ed fifty years from that time, for he com­ will be expressed by mJtny, however, that menced his letter in a most common place Joseph is the one meant who was to "fall manner, and not as the Revelator writing by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is an epistle to the Church ; notice it: smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning;" "l{mTLAND, Nov. 27th, 1832. but independent of this, his' martyrdom, or Bro. William W. Phelps :-I say brother at least h"is death, is implied in the very because I feel so from the heart, and succession of his son. As I pursue the his­ although it is not long since I wrote a letter torical methods of interpretation it seemA unto you, yet I feel as though you would that "that man, who was called of God and excuse me for writing this, as I have many appointed that putteth fort.h his hand t.o things which I wish to communicate. [Sub· steady the ark" is one of future doom who stantially the very language which he used shall interrupt the "one mighty nnd st.rong" to Emma, "Could I be with you I would or who shall presume to put forth his arro­ tell you many things."] Some things gant hand to steady the ark of the covenant which I will mention in this letter, which in the day of God's power. If this be the are lying with great weight on my mind; proper interpretation, then is it almost c0r­ I am well and my family also ; God grant tain that this is some presiding mari of the that you may enjoy the same, and yours," &c. Twelve who shall oppose the "Seed" of But as he launched out into the gathering Joseph after that quorum shall have ruled to Zion and the subject matter leading to the "house of God" out of "order" and re· arrangements and events which would not jected the son to possess his inheritance; come to pass in his own lifetime, but in the and it seems that this man shall be smitten lifetime and work of his son, the Spirit by the hand of God: so, should this be the again came over him: hence the seemingly. proper view, the prophecy is still more untimely and out of-place·record by which awful in the grandeur of its future prospect. the prophecy singularly has been preserved. The writing of a presidential letter to Phelps Notice now where the Spirit of the Lord fifty years before the fulfillment of the begins after the transition is made from prophecy is altogether inadequate to explain Joseph's own presidential directions t.o the record, whereas the birth of the son-a Phelps as one of the leading elders of the principal personage of the prophecy is fully time. adequate to give significance to the whole. "Yea, thus saith the still small voice, Let us consider, next, the attributes of which whispereth through, and pierceth all this prophecy, for in these are expressed at things, and often times it maketh my bon

www.LatterDayTruth.org 76 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. by, he grew in some sort so like the supreme the Twelve has led ns into. We will retnem­ attribute of the prophecy that he preferred ber that at about the moment the "Lord's to be considered absolutely and in him8elf anointed" was born, the word of the Lord the "one mighty and strong" without much came unto his father, saying, ~·And it shall reference to Joseph the Founder; hence, at come to pass that I, the 1-ord God, will send last, he sought to establish a dynasty of his one mighty and strong, holding the sceptre own, and to lea"e a "sceptre" which he in­ of power in his hand." And the ink of herited not. He ruled the people, ruled the "Young Joseph's birth-record was not fair­ priesthood, and ruled the Twelve by the ly dry before the Prophet recorded the might of his own will, and not by the seep· revelation itself in this letter to Phelps. tre of the Lord, or even the word of the If any of the Elders who are in judgment Lord: when t.bat will-called Brigham upon this matter think these are mere trifles, Y oung-:-died, there was nothing left. All let them take the Doctrine and Covenants Israel 'realized this, in a moment after the and instead of the present incorrect head­ vital spark expired, and then they realized ing, thus head also that Brigham Young was never the Section LXXXV. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of "Revelation written by Joseph the Seer, J,atter Day Saints, but simply the President Nov. 27th, 1832, immediately after record­ of the Twelve; and this the Elders of the ing the birth of his son, Joseph Smith 3rd." Utah Church confessed in a most extraordin­ Is there a single person in the Church ary manner. Am I asked to prove when who could possibly misapply the revelation? they confessed it, and to give their words? And supposing the introduction to the sec­ I saw. the hands of ten thousand Elders up­ tion was even more direct, stating that it lifted in the "Great Ta.bernacle," Salt Lake was given on the birth of his son Joseph, City, making the Twelve the Succeseor of and concerning this son whom the Lord Brigham Young. Is not that confession? would send as "one mighty and strong" to Is not that proof? They restored him to his "set the house of God in order" after the quorum after his death, and then succeeded Twelve shall have ruled it out of order nearly him by vote. Therefore do this Twelve forty years, without a Prophet~without themselves give the proof in the logic of the true successor-would not such an ex­ their present action and in the present ex­ planation be in itself a revelation to the istence of their church without the First church in the Mountains? Yet this is but Presidency proper, as well as in the facts the plain truth! of their history, that Joseph Smith, the And now let the reader notice the mark Founder, never had his successor among t>f "heii'ship '' to the presiding priesthood them. and prophetic office of his father in the rec­ "The King is dead!" "Long live the ord of "the birth of my son Joseph Smith III." King!" There is very profound method here, and a It is the everlasting law of succession. long history of priesthood and heirship in There is no suspension. When the line of the Prophet's birth record. We of to-day succession ceases for a moment, it ceases should speak of "Y01mg Joseph," or Joseph forever. The chain of authority is cut off. II; but his father calls him Joseph III, and It is held then by the one in whom the that, too, in reference to his family order authority last inhered. He is dead; his in the priesthood. Joseph is the presiding line has ceased. 'I'hus would it be with priesthood name. This is more than a mod­ Joseph and his line. His dispensation ern form of di him "And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: belongs the "sceptre" till the Lurd comea; Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and or should he die before Messiah 00,.JPA, «h• l'.l they that seek to destroy him, shall be' con­ t9 his successor belongs the sci••ptre of power, founded, for this promise, of which I have Anc1 if the Prophet has a succ0"1"n in 1880, obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of thy l].e had one on the close of tlie day of mar­ loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold I am sure tyrdom, June 27th, 1844 of the fulfilling of this promise. And his We tum from this Tvirelve; we will leave name shall be called after me; and it shall theni to their own conoeiti!; we will become be after the name of his father. And he !lB little children; a child shall letid us back shall be like unto me, for the thing which from tli!i bewilderll:le:liti! of the. paths whiol:i the Iford eh!i.ll 1l:dilg forth by bis niind; by

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the power of the Lord shall bring my people but see now how quickly Joseph brings the unto salvation. Yea, thus prophesied Joseph, "choice seer" of his own loins back from I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure his type Moses to his prototype: "And his of the promise of Moses; for the Lord has name shall be called after me, and it shall said unto me I will preserve thy seed for ever.'' be after the name of his father. 'And he Second Book of Nephi. sha,ll be like unto me!" Now it must not be inferred that I affirm The analogue has become terrible to any as an historical fact that all this ran through one who dares to touch the prophecy of the Prophet's mind in making the birth­ Nov. 1832 to claim it, except the one to record of his son, as Joseph III, (the 3rd, whom it belongs; for it must not only prove has no reference to "Smith," but to "Jo­ him in the lines of the covenant and history seph"), but it is there latent in the record back to Joseph of Egypt, but his own person­ itself, both as touching its history and its al character and histo1·y must correspond. On priesthood. Aud this latent meaning is him must be stamped the original face­ brought out of the record to day to enlighten from the beginning to the end he is LIKE the present comprehension by the same law UNTO JOSEPH. of association that brought it into the record Test now the character and work of this forty-seven years ago. Here, now, we touch "one mighty and strong" by the text of the something more than the literal-namely prophecy. "While his bowels shall be a the genus of the truth, and· that even more fountain of truth, to set in order the house of than the record points out, the man as God, and arrange by lot the inhe1·itances of the Joseph III of this dispensation, for the lit­ Saints," Here. notice that we have the very eral of the record, is of the moment when character figure used to describe hut two the father penned it, but this is of all time persons in all sacred history-namely ,Jo­ since the genus of the truth began. For seph of Egypt and Jes.us of Naz,areth. "His illustration, an "analogue" is thus defined. bowels of compassion" and· all such expres­ "A specieB or genus in one coun_try closely sions belol!g to the character descriptions related to a species of the same genus, or a of the Redeemer of Israel. It would be genus of the same group in another." Well, blasphemous to apply such to any' other then, Joseph of Egypt is the "anologue " person to the robbery of Christ's character In him is the genus of this sacred history. typings, and yet wonderful is the fact that It will agree with itself in ancient times in the sac.red pen has typed Joseph i.nd his Egypt; in the Book of Mormon times in history by the Christ-figure and narrative. America-Joseph's land of promise; and in See the following touches, of the story of the latter days with the dispensation in Joseph: Joseph. See how this analogue worked out ••And Joseph made haste; for his bowels in the family of Lehi, and in the very gen­ did yeam upon his brother; and he sought esis of the Book of Mormon: where to weep;· and he entered into his "And now Joseph my last born, whom I chamber and wept there." * -,'(· * have brought out of the wilderness of mine "Then Joseph could not refrai"n himself afflictions, may the Lord bless thee for ever, before all of them that stood by him; and for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed. he cried, Cause every man to go out from For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; me. And there sLobd no man with him, and I am a descendant of Joseph, who was while Joseph made hiwself known unto his carried captive into Egypt. And great brethren. were the covenants of the Lord which he "And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians made unto Joseph; wherefore, Joseph truly and the house of Pharaoh heard. saw our day." "And Joseph said unto his brethren, I Perceive you not that the very sacred am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And story of this land being given to Joseph by his brethren could not answer him for they covenant, and his prophecy of the •>Choice were troubled at his presence. Seer" is disclosed by old Lehi in his. in­ "And ,Joseph said unto his brethren, struction aild blessing to his '"little" Joseph? Come near to me I pray you. And they Not even is it disclosed in the royal Nephi, came near. And he said, I am Joseph your though the blessing of the continent inheres brother, who_m ye sold into Egypt. in him; but it began in Joseph of Egypt, "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry and so even Lehi dates his claim to America, with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for .,not in his colonization, but unto Joseph of God did send me before you to preserve old, the parent of the genus. And so in life. * * * the last days the covenant of the continent "And God sent me before you to preserve comes up again in Joseph the "Choice Seer;" you a posterity in the earth, and to save your "And he shall be great like unto Moses, lives by a great deliverance!' whom I have said I would raise up unto Thus we see that this very analogue of you" "to deliver thy people out of the land the origjnal Joseph defines at once the of Egypt." Like Moses, Joseph of the last. character and work of the "one mighty and !lays shall be the founder of a dispena&tioni Rtnmg," and that too in his tel!liti(m to the

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Mormon Israel of lhe Mountains. N otwith­ We perceive then there are two person-_ standing they have rejected this ,Joseph of ages who are chief in this redemption ·of, ours and treated him ill, his "bowels" will Zion,-namely the man who shall be raised yet "yearn" over them; and the Lord has up to lead Mormon Israel out of bondage as raised him up to preserve them a posterity in Moses led ancient Israel, and Christ, him­ the earth, and to save their lives by a great self who shall redeem them "out of bondage deliverance. And this he will do with the with power, and with a stretched out arm." consent and good will of Pharaoh and his The one will be the visible leaJier, the other servants; in other words the Government the Invisible Leader ofisrael-""thy Redeem­ and people' of the United States will permit er, the Mighty God of Jacob." Endowed him to do I.his and rejoice over his work: by His Spirit the man will be "one mighty and the God of Israel in his providence will and strong" but in himself compared with have so ordered it and separated him from this almighty work before him he will be his brethren for this very purpose. Hence as nothing. As "little Joseph" whom his this Joseph will be sent unto them as "one brethren sold into Egypt will this man be, mighty and strong" to preserve them in the -Joseph who was separated from his breth­ earth and to save their lives with a great delfo­ ren the founders of the house of Israel, that erance. And all this shall be done before he through him God in his providence might leads them back to Zion in Jackson county preserve the sons of Jacob a "post,erity in where he will "arrange by lot the inheri· the earth," and "to save" their "lives by a tances of the Saints." So we see that the great deliverance." very type and historic pattern of this Joseph This interesting view of the future takes of ours, in the fulfillment of the prophecy of us bi

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. '19 Jehovah shall speak through him as he works out in the fulfillment with a scientific­ did through his father before! Is not this like exactitude. These Elders built wiser what all Israel believe shall verily be ful­ than they knew. Led by the Spirit of the filled in the mission of some man to be raised Lord, they have been proving "Young up, or who may be already raised up to Joseph's" mission in every footstep of their consummate the work begun in the first work. Just as the Elders of both branches Prophet of this dispensation? of Latter-Day Israel find proof of the restor­ Since Joseph's martyrdom the Israel who ation of the everlasting gospel by the angel WM! driven to the mountains have not been in its proclamation in every nation, so have led by the angels of the Lord ministering we the proof of the prophecy of the "one as at. first, much leas has the presence of J e­ mighty and strong" in its fulfillment thus hovah been with them to speak to .them. clearly marked in Young .Joseph's life. He Neither will the presence of the Redeemer of is the man by God's own rule of proof-the Israel go before the ·man who shall be sent fulfillment of the· prophecy! And he comes to redeem them from bondage until the time now to Israel of the Mountains to redeem shall come for his crowning work; until them from "bondage" with Jehovah's stamp then the following is the text of his mission: upon his front-Joseph not alone, but as "When the enemy shall come in like a the "one mighty and strong" in the might flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a of the God of Israel with a church at his standard against him." back and a host of Elders bearing the stand· Thus has it been. For twenty years that ard of Zion's redemption. And now, O, standard has been in the hand of "Young Israel, you have in the near future by the Joseph" inviting back-sliding Israel to re­ testimony of an these signs the grand pros­ turn unto the Lord. pect of the later revelation concerning you: And He who in the very beginning of the "Therefore,.! will raise up unto my peo­ dispensation, foreknowing the partial fall ple a man, who shall lead them like as of his Israel, proposed to send this man in Moses led the children of Israel: For, * * *. the Spirit of the one mighty and strong, has ye must needs be led out of bondage by power,. also in the very providence of his minister­ and witli a stretched out arm." ial life been making him potent enough for To be continued. that crowning work. "Young Joseph "is first sent to "the remnant." Among that "rem­ nant" the Spirit of the Lord has been lifting AN OPEN LETTER TO JOHN TAYLOE.. up a standard. Men of God in whom was • the Spirit of prophecy, effected a prepara­ SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 27th, 1879 •. tory organization in "Young Joseph's" PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR. name; they received for themselve~ well Dear Sir :-Having been appointed by pronounced promises of the Spirit that the the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of' Lord would in his own due time send him Latter Day Saints, in connection with six to take his father's place. and the Saint.a other missi;;inaries, to labor as ministers for in all the churches established upon that Christ in Utah and the adjoining states and promise, from time to time during a period territories, I have deemed it proper to in­ of nearly ten years were kept alive in th.e form you, the President of the Utah Mor· faith by the Holy Ghost often witneseing mon Church, that our coming and labors concerning its fulfillment .. Thus is all this are with the design and purpose of promot­ the work of the Spirit unto the churches ing the glory of our God and His Christ in themselves without any management or the salvation of souls, to inculcate the love prompting from Young Joseph. Indeed of man for his race, and for the peace, the · "the remnant" is prepared by the Holy good order, and the integrity of society as Ghost for his ministry years before he him· provided for under the constitution, the self is prepared, and he gh:es no promise laws, and the accredited authorities of our of his.coming until he is dso sent by the nation. command of the Holy Ghost to gather the We have come to teach 'the principles of seattered of Israel and "to set in order the life and salvation just as they are taught in house of God." the New Testament, the Book of, Mormon, So it may be noticed here in the wonder­ and in the Nauvoo edition of the Doctrine ful consistency of the Lord's ways that the and Covenants. Reorganized Church is actually founded . It is our purpose to advocate and main­ upon this grand revelation concerning the tain "Mormonism" as it is found in those "one mighty and strong;" and this setting books, and to earnestly protest against all "of the house of God in order" begins upon doctrines, principles, and practices that are the birth prophecy of "Young Joseph" contrary to them, or not clearly provided twenty-seven years after its utterance. It for by them; and as a consequence we shall is the .prophecy of his destiny; and with­ teach that aIJ that is essential to full salva­ out even the Elders of the Reorganization tion and glory in Christ is plainly and intending as much, this birth-prophecy faitbfuIIy set forth in these books by whioh

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all who have them are to be finally judged : "soften the hearts" of the people toward at the bar of God. them, and give them "favor and grace in. We shall teach that Polygamy is not only their eyes" that they "may rest in peace no part of Christ's gospe1, but that it is and ·safety" as prophesied by Joseph the utterly subversive of it; and this we hope Seer, Doctrine and Covenants, 102: 7. to do, not in .bitterness, nor with ridicule, We shall teach that the Reorganized neither with railing accusation, but in the Church under the presidency of Joseph, spirit of truth and love. . the eldest son of the Seer, has enjoyed such We shall teach that "the blood of Jesus "favor and grace," such "peace and safety," Christ cleanseth us from all sill,'' and that for the last near twenty years, notwithstand­ "blood-atonement,'' or human sacrifice for ing the odium that has been brought upon sin, is idolatrous murder-a relic of bar­ the sacred name of the Church by polygamy, barism-and should be treated as such. disloyalty, and kindred evils, ·so that at We shall teach 'that the Adam-God doc­ Independence and throughout Missouri, at trine is a blasphemous and hurtful heresy, Nauvoo and throughout Illinois, in Iowa, being contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and Nebraska, and elsewhere, the best classes repugnant to all that is worthy the name of of citizens, in large numbers, are asking religion. our people to settle among them, which is We shall t_each that tithing the poor is anti­ being done in many places with most grat­ christian, is squarely against the letter and. ifying results. spirit of the gospel of Christ, is contrary to We shall teach that Joseph Smith, eldest the dictates of right reason and the common son of Joseph the Seer, is the divinely call­ instincts of humanity, and is in direct vio­ ed and appointed successor of his father in lation of the laws and provisions for tithing the presidency of the Church of Jesus as taught by Joseph the Seer, by the Doc­ Christ of· Latter Day Saints, as provided for trine and Covenants and the~Book of Mor­ in the laws, the prophetic promises, and the mon. traditions of' the Church. We shall teach that "vengeance" belong­ Finally, we shall teach that all who pro­ eth alone to God, and that none but God fess to be Saints should emulate the love, and civil rulers are, or can be justified in the gentleness, the quiet submission, the executing wrath and judgment upon offend­ sinless purity, and the enlightening, en­ ers, either in respect to person or property. nobling spirituality of Christ our Savior, We shall teach that all nien, whether re­ and that none should follow any minister ligious or otherwise, should heartily honor,• only as such do truly follow Christ in His and faithfully support the laws and accred­ moral precepts and in His doctrinal require­ ited authorities of those nations and coun- ments. tries where they reside. · Trusting in the kind providences of our We shall teach that the true "endowment" Heavenly Father, in the saving light and under the gospel of Christ, is that of the power of His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit in all spiritual grace and gifts ; comfort and gui~nce of the Holy Spirit, in all spiritual peace; and.comfort, and love; we shall enter up n our labor of love, hum­ and in all spiritual power, and knowledge, bly asking such a d and encouragement as and wisdom; and that it is, and is to be all lovers of truth and right can give. e.ffected; not by robings, sceni:c display, If agreeable to you, we would be pleased grips, covenants and oat.hs, nor in secresy ; to have an interview with you at your earli­ but that it is wrought solely, and only, by est convenience, that we may have a free the Spirit of God upon the heart and in and full interchane:e of views and senti­ the soul of those who come into right rela­ ments in respect to all matters of difference. tions with God, as in the case of Moses and or otherwise, relating to the Church of the sev.enty elders at Sinai; of the Apostles Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. ;and Saints on Pentecost, at Jerusalem; of In conclusion, dear sir, accept my un­ the Nephites on this continent; Nephi, feigned well wishes and earnest prayers chapter 9; and that of Joseph the Seer and for the welfare of yourself and the people· Saints at Kirtland, Ohio, in the winter of over whom you preside. Very truly, 1836, described in the Jlfessenger and Advo­ W.W. BLAIR. y W.W. of God and the laws of the land. Blair. We shall teach that when God's people 'ferms, 50 cents per year~ in advance; eleven copies to one address, $5; or, twenty~two copies, to one ad­ serve Him aright, He .will "make their en­ dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six emies to be at peace with them," and will months, by giving ';'otico.

www.LatterDayTruth.org Tl1e Saints' Atlvocate.

"TRUTirWILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, February, 1880. No. 8.

Priestly place and power can not au­ thorize or palliate falsehood. The com­ PUBLISHED MONTHLY. mand, "Thou shalt not bear false wit­ W.W. BLAIR EDITOR. ness,'' is a law to the priesthood as well as to the people, and is pre·eminently WHICH APOSTATE? IS binding upon the priesthood because EDS. TRIBUNE: In the Deseret .News they are called to be exemplars of truth of the 13th and 16th December articles and righteousness. appeared reflecting upon the efforts be­ The Reorganized Church does not ing made by the Reorganized Church in condemn the withholding of principles this city and Territory, which we think and facts from those who are not fitted it proper briefly to review. and prepared to receive them. It may In the first article a very bald attempt not be well for the child to know what is is made to deny in part and in part to essential to be known by the parent. justify the deception practiced upon the But it condemns the teaching for truth, church and the world by John Taylor that which is known to be false, or that and other authorities, when they so fre­ which is not known to be true. quently and persistently denied that JOHN TAYLOR'S DENIAL OF POLYGA­ polygamy or spiritual wifery was taught , MY IN lSGO. and practiced in the church. The News informs us that John Tay­ These denials, in whatever language lor neither affirmed nor denied anything they may have been couched, were evi­ in "specific terms," but simply read dently designed to mislead and deceive, from the Doctrine and Covenants the and herein we have all the essential el­ views of the Church in relation to mar. ements and force of falsehood. It is a aiage. Here is the exact language used principle in moral philosophy, that moral by him on that occasion, from which the truth consists in our intention to convey reader can readily see the intention and to another, to the best of our ability, design of Mr. Taylor. He says: "We the conception of a fact, exactly as it are accused here of polygamy, and ac­ exists in our own minds, therefore, who­ tions the most indelicate, obscene and ever intentionally conveys to another a disgusting, such as none but a depraved conception that proves to be false is heart could have contrived. These guilty of falsehood. If, therefore John things are too outrageous to admit of Taylor, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith, or belief, therefore, leaving the sisters of any other person intended to deceive and the 'white veil' the 'black veil,' and all mislead, in any statements they made, the other veils, with these gentlemen to or are said to have made, they can not dispose of, together with their authors, be otherwise than guilty. as they think best, I shall content myself

www.LatterDayTruth.org 82 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. by reading our views on chastity and effects were seen in its finally driving marriage, from a work published by us, many from the Church, and in the fur­ containing some of the articles of our ther and greater one of inculcating, by faith.-Doctrine and Covenants, page example, the sin of deceiti the legitimate 330." fruit of which is seen in the articles He then read the article on Marriage, under review. in which the following covenant is en­ In the second article considerable joined by the officiating minister upon space is occupied in an endeavor to the parties to be married : prove what we have always admitted, " You both mutually agree to be viz: that when a church ceases to each other's companion, husband and teach and practice the "customs and wife, observing the legal rights belong­ methods" that are a part of its organic ing to this condition ; that is, keeping being, and accor_ding to its "official and yourselves wholly for each other and authoritative order,'' it may then from all others during your lives." And be pronounced as in apostasy. We when they have answered "Yes,'' he shall have had occasion to make good use of pronounce them "husband and wife," in this idea since our arrival here, from the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fact that polygamy, blood atone­ by virtue of the laws of the country, ment, tithing~poor, the Adam-god,· and the authority vested in him. "May and kindred doctrines, when viewed in God: add his blessing and keep you to the light of this argument stand out as fulfill your covenants from henceforth the evidences of one of the rankest and forever, Amen." apostasies that have ever cursed the By the above it will be seen that Mr. Church; the Scriptures, Book of Mor­ Taylor intended to convey the idea that mon, and Doctrine and Covenants being these-"our views," as he terms them­ the standards of appeal for evidence were the recognized and real sentiments concerning the genuine "customs and of himself and the Church he repre­ methods." The Re-organization only sented. And such, indeed, were the needs to hold steadily before the people real sentiments of the Church, though these works in order that public senti­ John Taylor and a few others were ment may place the brand "apostate" guilty of secretly teaching and pra'Ctic­ where it truly belongs. ing to the contrary. If it be still When any society, civil or religious, claimed that Mr. Taylor, in the above, turns away from the constitutional law, did not affirm or deny anything "in the fundamental "customs and methods" specific terms," then we answer he de­ of its organization, it may well be called nied all the charges, polygamy included. apostate. The article further says: His denial is most sweeping and em­ "It is very evident from the teachings phatic, and no amount of special plead­ of Jesus he inculcated and expected ing can save him. unity in the Church, that there were Mr. Taylor deceived the people, as he means and machinery provided to se· evidently intended to do; and the evils cure and perpetuate so desirable and of this deception were not limited to essential a feature in that which with­ Boulogne-sur-mer, nor to the year 1850, out it could not have been considered a when it was practiced; but its evil divine work."

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This is precisely what we do; but we The sovereignty of law was proclaim­ evidently disagree with the News as to ed in Eden, and its violation by our the "means and machinery" by which foreparents was sin. And from Eden this desired "unity" is to be effected. to Patmos sin has consisted in "the THE PRIESTHOOD THE ADMINISTRATORS. transgression of law," whether by the The News would, without doubt, people or the priesthood. Moses, the claim that the priesthood was both the great prophet of Israel, sinned against "means" and the "machinery;" where­ God at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, as the duly authorized doctrines, the and for that sin he died and was not commandments, the Gospel, attended permitted to enter the land of Canaan. by the Holy Spirit, by and through (Deut. xxxii. 49-52). And from that which they were given, are the time till the coming of Christ, the primary and unchangeable means, Lord frequently reproaches the prophets the priesthood being simply and and priests with having misled the peo­ only the administrators thereof. " The ple. "The prophets prophecy falsely, law of the Lord is perfect;" but .the and the priests bear rule by their priesthood is fallible and erring. All means, and my people love to have it credible history confirms this important so." (Jer. chap. v., 31 v). fact. That the priesthood are liable to "And now, 0 ye priests, this com­ err, both in judgment and in spirit, and mandment is for you. * * * Ye that they have erred grievously and led have caused many to stumble at the the people into error and evil, is just as law; ye have corrupted the covenant of true as the Scriptures are true. All Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. There­ the standard books of the Church attest fore have I also made you contemptible this beyond successful question. and base before all t.he people, according The moral precepts and the doctrinal as ye have not kept my ways, but have requirements of Christianity are just as been partial in the law." (Mal. u., binding upon the priest and the prophet 1, 8, 9.) as upon the people. Such is the com­ And this was equally true under the mon sense view of the matter and such Gospel. "Thou hast tried them which is the scriptural view of it. When say they are apostles, and are not, and Peter denied being a diseiple of Christ, hast found them liars." (Rev. n., 2.) he knew he had violated one of the Peter prophesied of this : "But there most essential principles of Christian were false prophets also among the peo­ morality; his conscience was stung to ple, even as there shall be false teachers the depths, and he repented and wept among you, who privily shall bring in bitterly for his sin. He did not seek damnable heresies. * * * And to justify his falsehood because of his many shall follow their pernicious ways; great authority as an apostle, nor be­ by reason of whom the way of truth cause of his personal danger. He had shall be evil spoken of. And through told a lie, yet he was too noble to excuse covetousness shall they with feigned or deny it. He knew the moral law words make merchandise of you." (2d was greater than apostolic authority, Pet. r., 1, 3.) , and he submissively bowed to its su And, to conclude our present proofs premacy. as to the fallibility of the priesthood, we

www.LatterDayTruth.org 84 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. quote a prophecy of Joseph the Seer, and follies. Jesus was "the perfect Sept. 11, 1831. (Doc. and Cov. par. teacher of perfect truth," but Joseph 7): sometimes erred in his counsels, and "The inhabitants of Zion shall judge was conscious that he might possibly err all things pertaining to Zion; and liars in what he should give as revelation and hypocrites shall be proved by them, from God. In proof of our last state­ and they who are not apostles and ment we cite the fact that the elders prophets shall be known." were to act in conjunction with Joseph Herein is seen not only the fallibility in finally determining what "the law" of the priesthood, but also the fact that was by which the Church should be the inhabitants of Zion have the right governed: to judge as to who are liars and hypo­ " Ye (Elders) shall assemble your­ crites, and as to who are not apostles selves together to agrer upon my word, and prophets. "By their fruits ye and by the prayer of ~aith ye shall re­ shall know them." ceive my law, that ye may know how to As for the members of the Re-organ­ govern my Church, and have all things ized Church being "followers of Joseph," right before me." (Doctrine and Cove­ they are such only in so far as he fol­ nants, February 4, 1831, par. 1.) lowed Christ in his precepts and ex­ amples. In further proof we cite the fact that Paul said to the Saints, " Be ye the Doctrine and Covenants containing therefore followers of God, as dear the revelations of Joseph, the Article children," (Eph. v. 1 ;) and the Book on Marriage included, had to pass a of Mormon commands to permit "no critical review before the assembled one to be your teacher nor your minis­ quorums of the Church at Kirtland, in ter, except he be a man of God, walking 1835, before they became the rule of in His ways and keeping His command­ faith and practice for the Church; and in conclusion, Joseph told the ministry, ments." (Mosiah XI, 2.) By this last quotation the individual members are at Nauvoo, long before his death, "let taught to see to it that their ministers no revelation go to the people until it are keeping the commandments, and has been tested ;" that is, before the are walking in the Lord's ways. If the assembled quorums. Of this, Orson people of Utah would now engage in Hyde said in the Council that tried their duty, it would Bot be long ere Elder Rigdon, Sept. 8, 1844: a glorious reformation would sweep "Brother Joseph gave us the plan. through these valleys that would make Said he, 'When all the quorums are glad many thousand hearts. assembled and organized in order, let We are not of that class who esteem the revelation be presented to the quo­ Joseph Smith "the same" as "the great rums; if it pass one, let it go to another; revelator Jes us," in respect to his infal. and if it pass that, to another; and so libility as a re vela tor, m· as regards his on until it has passed all the quorums; moral or mental qualities. Jesus "did and if it pass the whole without running no sin, neithe:r was guile found in his against ·a snag, you may know it is of mouth," but Joseph, in his own revela­ God. But if it runs against a snag, tions, was often rebuked for his sins then, says he, it wants enquiring into~

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. you must see to it."-(Times and Sea­ THE JOSEPHITE REVIVAL. sons, vol. 5, p. 649.) ELDER BLAIR DELIVERS A TELLING AD· Had the revelation on polygamy been DRESS ON "SEALING." submitted to this "test," it is safe to assert that it would have been LIKE AN UN­ ON Sunday afternoon Elder Blair gave TIMELY BIRTH, and the Latter Day a concise and lucid discourse upon Seal­ Saints would have been spared the ing. It was the happiest effort we have shame and torture they have suffered in had from this accomplished and evident­ having it/arced upon them both pub­ ly well-posted speaker. From the teach~ licly and in secret. ings of its advocates eternal life and glory were made to rest not upon the As for the "kingdom" question, Paul, principles of life and salvation revealed a competent authority, says it is "right­ in the gospel of Christ, but upon the eousness, and peace, and joy in the uncertain and unstable foundation offal­ Holy Ghost; for he that in these things lible men and women. The pracreative serveth Christ is acceptable to God and energy was the one thing needful, all approved of men. (Rom. xiv., 17, 18.) else being made subordinate to that. This latter clause may explain to the Shocking as it appears, this statement News why the Re-organized Church is is the exact truth. "approved" of those whom they call "THIS IS ETERNAL LIVES." "enemies." It was shown by the Church records, As for the "gathering," and "temple as published, that "spiritual wifery" building," we only object to their being was never advocated until five months done out of time, and in improper man. subsequent to the death of Joseph, and ner. then in a form entirely different from In conclusion, we deny that any one polygamy as taught and practiced here in any age, has had "rich spiritual ex- in Utah. January 1st, 1846, Brigham perience" in polygamy, tithing the poor, Young informed the people that the blood atonement, or in following, with- entire scheme of salvation had not been out question, the counsels and dictation made known to Joseph, but that he had of file leaders; but the "rich spiritual left the keys with others who could ob­ experience" has been solely the result of tain and teach this scheme in its full. obeying the Gospel of Christ, which ness. The speaker regarded this as an gives to its adherents liberty of thought advertisement on Brigham's part pre­ and action within the limits of the law para.tory to the introduction of those of Ged and man. peculiar doctrines which have cursed We are pleased to see the News seeks the very na,me of Mormonism since that to defend its position, and would be time; and asked why it was-celestial glad to have it copy this review, that sealing being of such momentous im­ its readers may judge of both sides of port, Joseph having the keys of the the question. w. w. BLAIR, power, and the devoted attachme~t JOSEPH LuFF, which existed between Joseph and Missionaries of the Re-organized Church Emma Smith-continuing unabated up of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. to the time of the former's death-why From Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Dec., 1879. , WaS it that this loving pair Were not

www.LatterDayTruth.org 86 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. -- sealed to each other? The absurdity speaker with warmth, "Joseph Smith de­ of resurrected beings propagating spirits clared that Paul had all the ordinances." not after their kind, but violating all The speaker avowed his belief in men law, physical or moral, was then handled and women being sealed as "chaste with force and point. Up to the time virgins" to Christ, by the Holy Spirit of Joseph's death all the publications of promise. This is what the Bible of the Church attest that salvation and teaches and all it anywhere teaches or the fullness of glory in Christ were to gives the least countenance to; in proof be obtained only through the gospel as of which,ref~ence was made to Ephesians taught in the of the 1: 13; 4: 30 ~2 Corinthians 1: 22, and Church; therefore sealing women to Rev. 7 : 3, 4. Elder Blair's remarks men for salvation and glory was and were interspersed with illustrative ex­ is excluded, and the doctrine can be amples and frequent sallies of keen, nothing less than heresy. Had Brig­ good·natured irony which were very ham's advice and counsel in spiritual telling, holding the unwearied attention things been of no more value .than in of his audience for two hours. secular or temporal affairs, then they One story he gave as happening with· were indeed untrustworthy. But they in his own knowledge years ago, when were worse. Brigham had promised the sealing mania was at its height. An that he and his fellows were to build old man up north, a dear, good old up Jackson county in this generation. 'soul, became thoroughly imbued with He also promised to remain Governor of the idea that he could not obtain celes­ Utah until the Lord should say he need tial glory without at least one "'rib" more be Governor no longer. He was either than the loved companion of his life's to become President of the United joys and sorrows who, like himself, had States, or to have the power to declare one leg in the grave. This guileless, who should be within a certain period. dear old man met with no opposition but He would fain have constructed the a heart,y furtherance from his old wife, temple of adobes as more enduring in for the same craze was upon both. Old, their quality than granite, etc. Only decrepid, a hump upon his back, without briefly to cite from scores of instances a tooth in his head and scarce a hair of this character is to show the folly upon it, he was certainly a most un­ and unreliability of Brigham's notions, promising spectacle ; His nose was thin, his promises and counsels. As to be­ And it rested on his chin Like a •taff. ing a prophet that we know he ex­ And to complete the sum of his disqual- pressly and in terms repudiated. He ifications as a candidate fur celestial had made a mere business of religion glory in the way of pluralizing, the old and so far as he had influence, taken man was poverty- stricken. Who would from Mormonism its life-essence of have him? Who would help him to spiritual power. In this condition do work out his salvation and exaltation? we find the Church in Utah to-day. Not alone the old man, but the poor old The first letter to the Corinthians, pair together seached long and diligent­ chapter vii. was citt>d to show that Paul ly-prayerfully. (The speaker did not knew nothing of sealing wives for salva­ so state, but "Send down Sal-send tion. ''St. Paul indeed!" exclaimed the down Sal-send down Salvation," must

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 87 have formed the burden of their prayer.) claim to be Saints of the Most High, They searched and scoured the coun­ and the astounding evidences presented try round. But all in vain. Salvation of the perversion of truth by men called was not to be found on that line. And of God to bring in everlasting right­ the dear old couple went down to their eousness, make you one of the most sing~ graves-God be thanked-with no ular and forcible advocates for the ''third party," but a kind, overruling truth that has arisen in the Latter days. Providence between them. ls this man, There is not the shadow of a doubt asked the speaker, and is this woman to in my mind in relation to the origin fall short of their exaltation ? The of the mummery imposed by the Brig­ wish, the effort, will have to be taken hamite party as endowment from Heav­ for the deed. That is all the god and en upon their people. That it was father of polygamy can possibly claim­ brought into existence after the death except, possibly, by some "proxy" arrang­ of the Seer, I have good reason to ement. But this delectable feature of lcnow. The prophet, in one of the celestial sealing the speaker would his sermons on a fine Sabbath not discuss. morning, at Nauvoo, a short time In the evening, Elder Luff was lis­ before his death, in his exhortation to tened to by the largest audience which the Saints to earnestness and effort to has yet been called out by the Joseph­ finish the Temple then being built, re­ ite preachers, taking for text : "The marked, "If we can get it .finished and promise is unto you and your children, accepted, the pure in heart shall go and to those who are afar off, even as therein and see God, and know that He many as the Lord our Gorl shall call." lives." Hundreds besides myself heard (From Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 29th, 1879.) him, for in those times the cong.rega­ ~- ... tions were large, especially if there was BRIDGEPORT, Ohio, any expectation that the prophet would December 13th, 1879. be the speaker. Dear Advocate.-! am interested in I write this, trusting it will meet the your appearing, sparkling with light, eye of some who, when they read, will for the benefit of those among whom you call to mind his utterance and promise; circulate, especially with your last, the yet his saying that was only a reitera­ December number. I feel impelled to tion of a former promise and fulfillment take my pen and congratulate you upon upon a similar occasion. I have refer­ the adaptiveness to the object proposed, ence to the building and endowment of and the force of character of the articles the Temple at Kirtland, Ohio. (Doc. sent forth in your columns. I said in and Cov., see 94, par. 4.; see also Mill my heart, God himself inspired the ed­ Star, history of Joseph Smith.) Such itor to bring you into existence. I pray an endowment was calculated in its earnestly for that which I believe you very nature, to make men wise unto are destined to accomplish-bring many salvation, and confirm their faith and from error into the light of the confidence in God. On the other hand, truth as it is in Christ Jesus, pure and the imposition of Brigham and his undefiled. Your kindly appeals to the party was designed to hide the fact that teason and judgment of those who we were "rejected" of God "as a

www.LatterDayTruth.org 88 TH1ll SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

Church," and there forfeited all claim nal life! From ancient times it was to that whieh had been promised, and understood that with the Highest there their further object was to bind men by was not even 'f.he shadow of turning," penal oaths to subserve the interest His work bein "one eternal round." and designs of a perverted priesthood, Utah Saint , the evidence in this which perversion, of itself, wrought a case is of too positive and circumstantial forfeiture of all authority before God character to be disregarded. It in­ with which they might have been in­ volves the moral standing of the Twelve vested; for priesthood was given for at your head for conniving at the lie and priesthood purposes, to teach and es­ fraud before God, as put forth by Orson tablish righteousness upon the earth, Hyde respecting the. appointment of and when used for any other object it Brigham Young. And, 0 remember, became a craft, and in that case, as there is no difference between him who wrote the prophet from Liberty jail, maketh, and he who loveth the lie, farewell to all priesthood to that man. (Rev. 22:15), by countenancing and Regarding the manner of appoint­ sustaining it when it is made manifest ment of Brigham Young, as set forth by as such. The truth in the case has Orson Hyde, I remember at the time of fallen upon your path; therefore be wise its first appearance I considered it a to-day. I doubt not it was the desire base falsehood, from the consideration for light that led you to Utah. fot me that I believed the Church was "re­ urge you to open your eyes and ears to jected of God as a church;" therefore the facts and truths in the case. It is the quorums were broken and their acts now sounding in your ears with the null and void. voice of a mighty one, "Come out of The case as presented by E. W. Tul­ her, my people, that ye partake not of lidge, is of the most astounding charac­ her sins, that ye receive not of her . . ter. Men must be lost to all sense of plagues, for her sins have reached unto shame and responsibility who dare give heaven, and God hath remembered her utterance to such a statement as Orson iniquities." The lawo of God and of Hyde. "The voice of God command­ man have risen up against you, de­ ing'' a perversion of his own law in the nouncing the false doctrines and prac­ case! Who can be surprised after some tices of your leaders. If you refuse to hearken to the voice of those who are of its defenders, when close pressed, your friends, who desire your best inter­ dare to affirm that God himself chang­ ests, you must inevitably be "cast out ed,-gave one thing to-day for an and trodden under foot as salt that has "everlasting covenant,'' and then, as it lost its savor." Praying that grace and were, on the morrow state distinctly wisdom may be afforded you to know the day of your visitation, I remain the opposite as being "the new and your friend and well-wisher, everlasting covenant" to man ! Purity JOSIAH ELLS. and holiness, in the first instance, as THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, the only means by which man can draw A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter• ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of near to God, and in the next that the Latter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W. W. perversion of truth, virtue and light is Blair. Terms, 50 cents per year, in advance; eleven copies the pathway to exaltation, the heaven to one address, $5; or, twenty-two copies, to one ad­ dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six of heavens, the abode of light and eter· months, by giving notice. www.LatterDayTruth.org rl :x; ~11· Tl1e Saints' Advotate,

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST." ;; ~ ======~ Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, March, 1880. No. 9.

sonal agen-cy; whe~e th~re is no agency I there can be no accountability; and if PUBLISHED MONTH!',_X_·__ _ there be no accountability, there can be W.W. BLAIR EDrron. no judgment as to the good or evil, the MAN'S AGENCY LOS'r right or wrong of men's works. . But IN THE God will judge every one by his uner­ BRIGHAMITE "ENDOWMENT." ring counsel, therefore ho makes every one a free moral agent, and will hold AN old Mormon, whoso membership eacll one personally accountable to him­ dates back to 1835, one who epeaks of self. He will "recompense to every man what he knows, says tlrn.l; in the Brig­ according to his work, and measure to hamit.e "Endowment" the individuals every man according to the measure were released from, and lost their per­ whieh he has measured to his fellow sonal ageucy-their liberty to think, man" (D. & C. 1 : 2). And in the Book speak and act for thomselves-·and were of Mormon the Lord says: "Behold I placed under the sole control and direc­ have given unto you my gospel, and this tion of Brigham and the priesthood. is the gospel which I have given unto 'l'1iey enter the "endowment" free moral you, that I came into the world to do agents; but they come out the foresworn the will of my Father, because my slaves and tools of the priesthood. Father sent me; and my 'lJ'ather sent me In the Inspired Translation, by Joseph that I might bo lifted up upon t.he cross; Smith the Seer, we read that the Imd and after !;hat I had been lifted up upon said, "Satan rebelled against me, and t.he cross, that I might draw all men unto sought to destroy the agency of man, me; that as I have been lifted up by which I, the J,onl God had given him." men, even so should men be lifted up -Gen. 3 : 4. 1,Vhen men deprive others by the Father, to st.a1d. hfare me, to be of their agency, or seek to do so, their judged of their v1orkg, Vifhether they be deeds are Satanic, and they should be good or whether they be evil;· and for resisted, rebuked, and shunned. this cause have I been lifted up; there­ The Scriptures teach that "every one fore, according to the power of the Fa­ of us shall give an accounl; of himself to ther, I will draw all men unto me, that God" (Uom. 14: 12); and that God will they may be judged according to their "give to every man according as his works. And it shall come to paes, that work shall be" (Rev. 22: 12). By this whoso :repenteth and is baptized in my we see that every im1ividual is held per­ name, shall be filled; and if he entlureth sonally: responsible to God for his OT her to the end, behold, him will I hold own conduct. This personal responsi­ guiltless before my Father, at that day bility can exist only where there is per- when I shall stand to judge tho world,

www.LatterDayTruth.org 90 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. And he that endureth not unto the end, LOYALTY. the same is he that is also hewn down "Be just and fear not." "Let all the ends thou aim'st at be and cast into the fire, from whence they Thy country's thy God's, and truth's." can no more return, because of the jus­ WE marvel that any one claiming to be tice of the Father; and this is the word a Latter Day Saint should be unfaithful which he has given unto the children to the laws of his country-"the laws of of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the land." the words which he hath given, and he In all the standard books of the Heth not, but fulfilleth all his words; . Church, disloyalty to civil laws and gov­ and no unclean thing can enter into his ernment is mentioned only to be con­ kingdom; therefore nothing entereth demned. Faithfulness to civil rulers is into his rest, save it be those who have everywhere enjoined in the most em­ washed their garments in my blood, phatic terms. Jesus said, "My kingdom because of their faith, and the repent­ is not of this world;" (John 18: 36); ance of all t.heir sins, and their faithful­ consequently he and his disciples had ness unto the end. Now this is the no occasion to resist the laws and or­ commandment, Repent, all ye ends of dinances of civil rulers, but to honor the earth, and come unto me and be them. In view of this he also said, baptized in my name, that ye may be "Render therefore unto Ceasar the sanctified by the reception of the Holy things which are Ceasar's; and unto Ghost, that ye ~ay stand spotless before God the things that are God's." me at the last day."-Book of Nephi Among the greatest evils that have 12:3, 4. . cursed any age, has been the assumed We can not better close this argu. superiority of church law and priestly ment in favor of man's free moral agen­ rule in state and national affairs. This cy and personal accountability to God, species of spiritual fornication defiles the than by quoting the imperishable, un­ church, while it corrupts and weakens changeable words of Christ as given in the state. It is utterly foreign to the the Inspired Translation by Joseph spirit and genius of genuine Christianity the Seer:. "Tlj.erefore, let every man as we have seen in the teachings of stand or fall by himself, and not for an­ Jesus, and it is also clearly forbidden by other, or not trusting another. * * * the apostles. While Paul eould justly And if thine eye which seeth for thee, say, "If any man preach any other gospel him that is appointed to watch over unto you than that ye have received, let thee to show thee light [the Seer or him be accursed," )Ga.I. 1 : 9), he, at the president] become a transgressor and same time, did instruct the saints "to be offend thee, pluck him out."-Mark 9: subject to principalities and powers, to 44, 46. obey magistrates, to be ready to every "Frec

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 91 said, "Submit yourselves to every or­ relating to temporal affairs, and the dinance of man for the Lord's sake j things of this life." whether it be to the as supreme; Had' the Latter Day Saints lived faith­ or unto governors, as untu them that are ful to these instructions, their deeds sent by him for the punishment of evil would have put to silence the denuncia­ doers, and for the praise of them that tions of unbelievers, and they would do well." (1 Pet. 2: 13, 14). have commanded "the praises of them The same Spirit that inspired the that do well." foregoing sentiments, evidently dictated No nation is so well entitled to be the following commandments through honored and obeyed in her Jaws and Joseph the Seer: "If any man or rulers, as our own "Free America." It woman shall rob, he or she shall be de· was founded in the direct providence of livered up unto the law of' the land. * God, its Constitution was inspired of * *. And if he ur she shall lie, he or God, (Doc. & Cev. 95: 2), and Joseph she shall be delivered up unto the law of the Seer said in his letter to Henry the land.''-Doc. & Cov. 42: 22. And Clay, May 13th, 1844, "God will set a again, "Let no man think he is ruler, flaming sword to guard the tree of lib­ but let God rule him that judgeth, ac­ erty," from all of which we may learn cording to the counsel of his own will; that heaven will overrule our nation's or, in other words, him that counseleth laws so that the legal rights and privi­ or sitteth upon the judgment seat. Let leges of the Saints will be secured, and no man break the laws of the land, for not violated. he that_keepeth the laws of God hath no And of our country we may say: need to break the laws of the land; "Great God! we thank thee for this home- This bounteous birthland of the free; ' wherefore be subject t9 t,he powers that Where wanderers from afar may come, And breathe the air of liberty!- be, until he reigns whose right it is to Still may her flowers uutrampled spring, Her harvests wave, her cities rise ; reign, and subdues all enemies under bis And yet, till time shall fold his wing, Remain Earth's· loveliest Paradise!" foet."-Doc. and Cov. 58: 5. ~~~~~ ..... -~.,...,,.. __ _ Joseph, though dead, speaks to the Church in these quotations as though "We can operate upon brutes only by he were still in their midst; and these fear of punishment, and hope of reward. commandments are binding and of full We can operate upon man, not only in force upon all who are called to be Saints, this manner, but, also, by an appeal to and safety\ will be found in obeying his consdousness of right arid wrong; and them strictly and prompt.ly. by thE; use of such means as shall im­ Joseph said, in a letter found in prove his moral nature."- Wayland. Tirnes and Seasons, July, 1840: "It is manifest that our moral feelings, "There is a duty which we, in com­ like our taste, may be excited by the mon with all men, owe to governments, conceptions of our own imaginations, laws, and the regulations in the civil scarcely less than by the reality. These, concerns of life; these guarantee to all therefore, may develope moral character. parties and denominations of religion He who meditates, with pleasure, upon equal and indefeasible rights, all alike fictions of pollution and crime, whether intereeted i and they make our respon­ originating with himself or with others, sibilities one towards another in matters renders it evident t~at nothing but op.

www.LatterDayTruth.org 92 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. posing circumstances prevents him from BRIGHAM'S DREAM:. bciing himself au a_ctor in the crime he fr is currently reported by old residents loves. And e.till more, as the moral in Utah, that Brigham Young, some character of an action resides in the in­ years ago, related a singular dream t,ention, and as whatever tends to cor­ which he had. (And you know crafry rupt the intention must be wrong, the Laban and lecherous Abimilech had meditating with pleasure upon vice, strange yet true dreams). which has manifestly _this tendency, Brigham said he dreamed he was at must be wrong alBo. Nauvoo, near the Mansion in which "And here let me add, that the im­ Joseph used to live, and he noticed that !lgination of man is the fruitful parent the Mansion was getting old and dilapi­ both of virtue and vice. Thus saith tho dated, and was very much out of repair. wise man, 'Keep thy heart with all dil­ Looking over into tl:.o yard he there saw igence, for out of it are the issues of Joseph the Martyr, and said to him: life.' No man becomes an open villain, "Bro. Joseph, your house is sadly out of until his imagination becomes familiar repair, and is not suitable for you to with conceptions of villainy. Tho crimes live in. Now, I have a numbe.r of which astonish us by their atrocity, were houses-fine mansions-and you can se. first arraigned, and acted, and reacted, lect for your~elf any one of them." T in the recesses of the criminal's own this .Joseph replied, that he would accept mind. Let the imagination, then, be none of them, but said he would have most carefully guarded, i.f we wish' to the old marrnion torn down to the found­ escape from temptation, and make pro­ ation, and have the foundation swept gress in virtue. Let no one flatter him­ clean, as it was yet soli~and good, and self that he is innocent, if he love to then have the Mansion rebuilt. Brig­ meditate upon anything which he would ham said he felt hmt and disappointed blush to avow before men, or fear to un­ because Joseph ref'used his offer. veil before God."- Wayland. The meaning of the dream is apparent.. To this agrees t,he words of Paul : ,Jost:ph would not accept the works of "Finally, brethren, whatsoever thing§ Brigham-the Church must be "re­ are true, whatsoever things are honest, built" upon its original "foundation." whatsoever things are just, whatsoever In ti:iis work the "Joscphites'; are now things are pure, whatsoever things are eng8'ged. lovely, whatsoever things are of good re­ port; if there be any virtue, and ifthere JOSEPH, the SBer, in his history says: be any praise, think on these things."- "Notwit.hstanding the corruptions and "l 4 8 abominations of~· the !.imes and the evil Plll ' : . ---~~ spirit manifested towards us on account of our belief in the Book of Mormon, at many '1'0 DELINQUEN:r SUBSCEIBEP.S. places and among various persons, yet the PAY up, and renew your subscriptions • Lord continued his watchful care and loving without delay. The names of the few kindn~ss to 118 de.y by day; and we made it who have not settled for the ADVOCATE a rule, wherevar there weis;i:tll opportunity, for 1878 will be etrickon from our lis,t to read a chapter in nm~ :j:lil)Je?':l}11q:1:n>ay; M!!-FCh 1st, 1880. All others who are (1,nd 1-beso seasons of worship gave us great in arreiJ,rs are "f ted to I Q, ?:

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 93 "ll@=J!'or the communication of an •Old DISLOYALTY IN UTAH. man of Isrnel,' and the letter of Elder How strange it is that people who pro­ Adison Pratt from the islands of the Pacific fess to be the Saints of God, and per­ Ocerm, we bespeak a hearty welcome. They are genuine."-[John Taylor, Editor]'­ sons who claim the exalted title of ap::Js­ Pirnes and Seasons, p. 711. tles and ministers of Christ, should ad­ "The saints of the last day~ have. wit­ vocate hostility to the laws of our nessed the outgoings and incomings of so nation! And what makes it exceedingly many apostates that nothing but truth has strange is, that these same parties pro­ any effect upon them. In the preseut in­ foss to believe in the books which say : stance, after the sharn quotations of Sidney and his clique, from the Bible, Book of "Let no man think. he is ruler, but Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants, to let God rule him that judgeth, accord­ ekulk off un.der the "dreadful splendor" of ing to the comrnel of his own will; O!', "spiritual wifery." which is brought into the in other words, }1im that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat. Let account as graciously as if the law of the no man break the laws of the land, for land allowed a plurality of wives, is fiend- he that keepeth the laws of God hath ish, and like the rest of.Sidney's revelation, no need to break the laws of the land; just because he wanted "to go to Pittsburg wherefore be subject to the powers that and live." Wo to the man or men who will be, until He reigns whose right it is to thus wilfully lie to injure an innocent peo- reign, and subdues all enemies under ple ! The law of the land and the :rules of his feet. Behold the laws which ye the church do not allow one man to have have rnceived from my hand are the more than one wife alive at once, but if a laws of the church, and in this light ye man's wife die, he has a right to marry an- shall hold them fort.h. Beholil, here is other, and to be sealed to both for eternity;. wisdom."-Doc. and Cov. 58: 5. to the living and the dead l There is no "Submit yourselves to every ordinance law of God or man against it f This is all of man for the Lord's sake; whether it the spiritual wife system that ever was tol- be to the king, as supreme. * * * For erated in the church, and they know it."- what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted Extractfrorn letter of "An Old JJfan of lsra- for your faults, ye shall take it patient­ el,'' Pirnes and Seasons, vol. 5, p. 715. ly? but if, when ye do well, and suffer By the above we see what were the for it, ye take it pat.iently, this is accep­ profossed sentiments of John Taylor and table with God."-1 Peter 2: 13, 20. the leaders of the Brighamite Church "There is a duty which we in com- five months after the death of J cseph mon with all men, owe to Government~, laws, and the regulations in civil con­ Smith, iu respect to polygamy and cerus of life; these guarantee to all par- "spiritual wifory." John Taylor a:ffiirms ties and denominations of religion equal them to be genuine. How widely they and indefeasible rights, all alike inter­ differ from what. is now taught by John ested; and they make our responsibili- ties one towards arwther in matters re- Tay for and his fellows! lating to temporal affairs, and the things ---~ • of this life. The former principles do "The Lord God worketh not in darkness. not destroy the la.tter, but bind us He doeth not anything, save it be for the k b benefit of the world."-2 Nephi 11: 15. ~tronger, and ma re our respousi ilty, not "l\foi:k the perfect man, and behold the only one toward but unto God umight · for the end of that man ls peace." ahio: hence we say that Constitution _'._Pa. 37: 37. of the United States is a glorious stand- 0When a ma,n's ways please the Lord, ard, it· is founded in wisdom, it is a he ma.keth even his errnmies to be ;:i,t peace heavenlv and is to all those who with him.''.,.....Preiv. 7. ~ A wot-st, lif ii. Iare ,

www.LatterDayTruth.org 94 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

ing water of a great rock in a thirsty the dignity and honor of heaven, to and weary land; it is like a great tree gratify the ambition and vanity of man under whose branches, men from every or men, may my power cease, like the clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the inclement sun."-Joseph strength of Sampson, when he was Smith in Times and Seasons, July, 1840. shorn of his locks, while asleep in the What a wide and irreconcilable differ­ lap of Delilah. Truly said the Savior, ence between these and the subjoined "Cast not your pearls before swine, lest extract: they trample them under their feet and "The following is an extract from the tum again and rend you.'' official Church report of John Taylor's Shall I who have witnessed the visions treasonable speech at Provo, on the 30th of Eternity; and beheld the glories of of November, in reply t.o the President's message. He said: 'Now, it becomes a the mansions of bliss; and the regions question foe us to decide wheth!)r we and the misery of the damned; shall I shall observ~ the laws of God or the turn to be a Judas? Shall I who have commands of men. If' I had to answer heard the voiee of God, and communed I would answer as I did before the court. with angels; and £lpake as moved hy the When I made that answer this question (polygamy) had not then been decided Holy Ghost for the renewal of the ever by the Supreme Court of the United lasting covenant, and for the gathering States. Since then they have sanctioned ·of Israel in the last days; shall I worm that law, hence we are placed in a posi­ myself into a political hypocrite? Shall tion a good deal like the Christians were in the days of Rome, and the Christians I who hold the keys of the last kingdom; now assume the position of the then in which is the dispensation of the ful­ heathen. What shall we do? Shall we ness of all things spoken by the mouths trust in God or in the arm of flesh? of all the J:toly prophets, since the world Shall we give up our religion and our began; under the sealing power of the God and be governed by the practices that exist in the nation which are con­ Melchisedek priesthood; shall I stoop trary to the laws of God? All who are from the sublime authority of Almighty in favor of abiding by the laws of God Goel, to be handled as a l\fonkey's cat's hold up their right hand (the congrega­ paw; and. pettify myself into a clown to tion voted unanimously). We find the act the farce of political d~magoguery? same feeling throughout the Territory.'" ... - *"" No, verily no! The whole earth shall EXTRACT OF JOSEPH SMITH'S REPLY bear me witness that I, like the tower­ 0 T0 J. A. BENNETT. ing rock in the midst of the ocean, "BuT, Sir, when I leave the dignity and which has wHhstood the mighty surges honor I received from heaven, to boost of the warring waves, for centuries, ain a :man into power, through the aid of my i"mpi·egnable,.and am a faithful friend to friends, where the evil and designing, virtue, and a fearless foe to vice; no odds, afrer the object has been accomplished, whether the former was sold as a pearl can lock up the clemency intended as a in Asia, or hid as a gem in America; reciprocation for such favors; and where and the latter dazzles in palaces, or the wicked and unprincipled, as a mat­ glimmers among the tombs. ter of course, would sieze the opportun­ I combat the errors of ages; I meet ity, tn flintify the hearts of the nation the violence of mobs; I cope with ille­ against me for dabbling at a sly game gal proceedings from executive authori­ jn politics; verily, I say whi;m I leaye ty; I cut ~he Gordian ki;iot of. powers;

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 95 I solve mathematical problems of Uni­ own vitals, and the vulture to prey on his versities; WITH TRUTH, diamond own body; ana he is as to his own pros­ truth, and God is my "right hand man." pects and prosperity in life, a felo, de-se of his own pleasure. A community of such And to close, let me say in the name beings are not far from hell on earth, and of Jesus Christ, to you, and to Presi­ should be let alone as unfit for the smiles of dents, Emperors, Kings, Queens, Gov­ the free, or the praise of the brave. But ernors, rulers, nobles, and men in au­ the peace maker, 0 give ea:r to him! for the thority everywhere, do the works of words of his mouth, and his doctrine drop righteousness, execute justice and judg­ like the rain, and distil as the dew; they are like the gentle mist upon the herbs, and ment in the earth that God may bless as the moderate shower upon the grass. you, and her inhabitants.-Times and Animation, virtue, love, contentment, phil· Seasons, vol. 4, p. 374, Nov. 13, 1843. anthropy, benevolence, compassion, human­ ity, arid friendship, push life into bHss, and men a little below the angels, exercfaing JOSEPH SM:ITH ON GOOD CITIZEN- SHIP. their powers, privileges anll. knowledge, ac­ ONE of the most pleasing seenes that can cording to the order, rules and regulations transpire on earth, is, when a sin has been of revelation by Jesus Christ, dwell together committed by one person against another, in unity: and the sweet odor that ie wafted to forgive that sin: and then, according to by the breath of joy and satisfaction from the sublime and perfect pattern of the Savier, their righteous communion, is like the rich pray to our Father in heaven, to forgive also. perfume from the consecrated oil that was Verily, verily such a friendly rebuke is like poured upon the head of Aaron; or like the the mellow zephyr of a summer's eve: it luscious fragrance that rises from fields of soothes; it cheers and gladde"llS the heart Arabian spices; yea more, the voice of the of the humane and the savage. Well might peace maker Is like the music of the spheres, the wiae man exclaim: "A soft answer It charms our souls, and calms our feai·s, It turns the world to paradise, turneth away wrath:" for men of sense, And men to pearls of greater price. judgment, and observation, in all the vari­ So much to preface this friendly hint to ous periods of time have been witnesses fig. !he State of Missoud, for notwithstanding uratively speaking, that water, not wood, some of her private citizens and public offi­ ehec!cs the 1·age of fire. cers, have committed violence, robbery, and Jes us said, "Blessed are the peace makers, even murder, upon the rights and persons for they shall be called the children of God;" of the Church of .Jesus Christ of Latter Day wherefore if the nation, a single state, com­ Saints; yet, compassion, dignity, and a munity, or family ought to be grateful for sense of the principles of religion, among all any thing, it i.~ peace. Peace, lovely child of classes; and honor and benevolence, min­ heaven: peace, like light from the same gled with charity by high minded patriots, great parent, gratifies, animates arid hap­ lead me to suppose, that there are many pifies the just and tha unjust, and is the worthy people in that state, who will use very essence of happiness below, and bllss their influence and energies to bring about, above. He that does not strive with all his a settlement of all those old difficulties; and powers of body and mincl: wit.h all his in­ use all consistent means, fo urge the state, fluence at hoine and abroad, and to cause for her honor, pr-l)sperity and good name, to others Lo do so too, to s'eek peace, and main­ restore every person, she or her citizens tain it. for his own benefit and convenience, have expelled from her limits to their :rights, an!l for the honor of his state, nation and and pay them all damage! thn,t the great body country, has no claim on the clemency of of high minded and well disposed southern man; no:r should he be entitled to the friend­ and we:;tern gentlemen and ladies; the real ship of woman, o:r the protection of govern­ peace makers of a western world, will go ment. He is the canker worm to gnaw his forth, good Samaritan like, and pour in the

www.LatterDayTruth.org 96 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. oil and the wine, until all that can be healed forget not that the constitution of your state are made whole; and after repentance, they holds this broad t:ruth to the world: that shall be forgiven; for verily the Scriptures none shall "be deprived of life, liberty, or say: "Joy shall be in heaven over one sin­ property, but by the judgment of his peers, ne1· that repents, more than over ninety and or the law of the land." And when you nine just perso!l.s that need no repentance." assemble together in towns, counties or dis­ Knowing the fallibility of man; consider­ tricts, whether to petition. your legislature to pay the damage the saints have sustained i!lg the awful responsibility of rejecting the in your state by reason of oppression, and cries of tho ilmocmit; confluent in the virtue misguided zeal; or to restore th~m to their and patriotism of the noble minded western rights according to republican principles men tenacious of their character and stand­ and benevolent designs, reflect, and make honorable, or a11nihilate, such .stntute law ing; too high to stoop to disgraceful acts, as was in force in your state, in 1838; viz: and too proud to tolerate meailness in oth­ "If twelve or more persons shall combine to ers; yea, may I not say wi.thout boasting, levy war against any part of tlrn people of that the best blood of the west, united w this state, or to remove them forcibly out of the state, or from their habitations, evi­ the honor of the illustrous fathers of free­ denced by their taking arms alld assembling dom, will move, as the forest is moved by a to acomplish such purpose, every person so mighty wind, to p:rpmote peace and friend­ offending shall be punished by imprison­ ship in every part of our widespread, lovely ment in the penitentiary for a period not exceeding five years, or by a fine not ex­ country. Filled with love almost unspeak­ ceeding five ihousancl dollars: and impris­ able, and moved by a desire pleasant as the onment in the county jail not exceeding six dew of heaven, I supplicate not only our months,'' Father above, but als.o the civil, the enlight­ Finally, honor dignifies an honest people; if virtue exalts a community; if wisdom ened, the intelligent? the social and the guides great men; if principle governs in­ best inhabitants of Missouri; they that feel telligent' beings; if humanity spreads com· bound by principles of honor, justice, mo:ral fort among the needy; and if religion affords greatness, and national pride, to arise in consolation by showing that charity is the first, best and sweetest token of perfect the character of virtuous freemen from the love: then, 0 ye good people of Missouri, disgrace and r6proach that might inadvert­ like the woman in scriptme who had lost one ently blur their good namse, fo:r want of of her ten pieces of silver, arise, search dili­ self preserv11tion. Now is the time to brush gently till you find the lost piece, and then make a feast and call in your friends for joy. off the monster, that, incubus like, seems With due consideration I am the friend of hanging upon the reputation of the whole all good men, JOSEPH S~IITH. Nauvoo, Ill., March 8th, 1844. st.~.te. A little exertion, and the infamy of the evil will blacken the guiHy only; for is THE §AKNT§' HERALD. Hnot written, "Th.etreeisknownby{tsfruit?" Price $2.15 per year. Official paper of tho Reorganized Church of Jeons The voice of reason, tho voice of humani­ Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith ty, the voice of the nation, and the voice of of the Church. and contains correspondence from dif:. ferent parts of the world, giving accounts of the prow heaven seem to say to the honest and virtu­ gress of the Church, and setting forth the dealings of God with his people. :Published semi-monthly, sixteen ous, throughout the Str,.te of Missouri: large pages. TVash your8elves, make you clean, lest your Address all business communications to Joseph Smith, Plano, KendaU County, Illinois. negligenoe should be taken by !he world, Joseph Smith and H. A. Stebbins, Editors. from the mass of facts before it, that you are THE SAIN'.l.'S' ADVOCATE, guilty! Let H1ern be one unison of hearts A monthly, religions journal, published in the inter~ fo:r justice, and when you reflect around ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of r... atter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the your own firesides, :reme'n1ber that fifteen Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. thousand, once among you, now not, but Blair. Terms, 50 cents per yea.r~ in advance; eleven copiel'!I who are just as much entitled to the privil­ to one address, $5 ;·or, twenty-two copies, to one ad .. dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six eges and blessings you enjQy as yourselves; months, by giving notice. Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for like the widow before the unjust, judge, are yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter fervently praying/or their rights. When you Day Apostasy. Remittances must bo sent to W. W. Blair. Box 337 nH)ditate upon the mass11ore 11!, ]'fawn's mill, Sandwich, lit; or to Joseph Smith, Plano, Ill.

www.LatterDayTruth.org The Saints' Advocate.

"TRUTH WILL PREV,UL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, April, 1880. No.10.

among us? none evil can come upon us."­ Micah, 3:5-11 PUELISIIED MONTHI,Y. Has not this been, to a large degree,

W.W. BI.AIR EDI'.l'OR. repeated in the Mormon Church? Pause and consider. FOLI,OW COUNSEL. I -----o--·--- "SEE here," said Bishop II., to a liber- A WAIL OF THE CAPTIVES. al, inquisitive minded brother, "just WE willingly, and yet sorrowfully, give you quit reading the Book of Mormon place to the following pithy letter, writ­ and Doctrin.e and Covenants, or you , ten as we have o-ood reason to know by will apostatize. Do as your leaders tell I one' of the bestb posted men in Utah.' you; then you are all right." Its details furnish incontestible proof The Bishop should remember that, of the terrible latter-day apostasy, pre­ • tf the blind lead the blind, both shall dieted in Matt. 24:11, 12; 2 Thess. 2; fall into the ditch." To avoid this 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; Jude dang.er, God has _given _his written wor~; 18: 19; 2 Nephi, Book of Mormon 4:4; "A hght that shrneth m a dark place; 1j 12: 1; Doctrine and Covenants 87, (85), and that Jesus has said, "Search the 12; 38 (12) 4, 6; 100 (101) 2, 3; 105 Scriptures." Of such as the Bishop (104) 5, 10; 107 (103) 11, 14; and as we may say, "Full well ye reject the predicted by Joseph the s~er in· his commandment of God, that. ye may keep Church History, and upon many ac- your own tradition." easions prior to his death. This apos- BLIND LEADERS-THEIR noo~r. tasy, however painful to contemplate, is "Thus saith the Lord concerning the one of the many clear proofs of the . prophets that make my people err, that bite latter-day dispensation ushered in with their teet.h, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they thl'ough the joint labors of ,Joseph the even prep9.re war against him; therefore, Seer and others some of whom have night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto remained faithful to their trust, while you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun others, and some of them high in the shall go down over the prophets, aud the day shall be dark over them. Then shall ministry, have turned traitor to the the seers be ashamed, and the diviners work entrusted to them. confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. * * Let t,he Saints be of good cheer; the Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the light is dawning on Utah, and the Lord house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, I.hat abhor judgment, and pervert will certainly "judge his people." all equity. They build up Zion with blood, SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 30th, 1880. and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads Elder lV. lV. Blair; Dear Sir:-I have thereof judge for reward, and the priests frequently thought of writing down some thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean facts concerning the many disappointments, upon t.he Lord, and say, Is not the Lord changes, failures, etc, which have attended

www.LatterDayTruth.org 98 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. us as a people since the death of Joseph the of Herod, were placed upon the streets to Seer. see that none of the faithful traded at The Twelve claimed that the direction of stores not t_hus adorned. These spies were the church was placed upon their shoulders mostly paid police, who were known, upon by Joseph's saying that he was going to some occasione, to follow ladies into Gentile rest for a little season, and that the respon­ stores and quietly slap them upon. the sibility of gathering tithings, building shoulder, with the remark, "l did not ex~ temples, etc, would devolve upon that pect to see you here." This was the way quorum. But they soon forgot, that at the merchants, who paid heavy licenses, were same meeting he made it obligatory upon protected ( ?) by the sworn officers of the them, in the performance of these duties, city. At the same time the "School of the to give a strict account of all the tithing Prophets" was in full operation, and one of they received, and also pay their own. the conditions of membership was, that But up to Brigham's death.no report of the they had not tra,di(d at Gentile stores, Brig­ kind had ever lleen made, and John Taylor ham's own brother being expelled for buy­ admitted that the church property and the ing a sack of sugar at the wrong store! private property of the Trustee·in-Trust, In the winter of 1852-1853, the site for were so mingled together, that it was im­ the temple was staked off an4 excavation possible to distinguish the one from the commenced, and on the following 6th of other, but that he had allowed the estate April the corner stones were laid, Brigham the advantage of every doubt, and then declaring that in a dream he had seen the . gave the heirs $300,000 in addition to the temple with its six towers standing right millions squandered and on hand, and there. (Poor fellow, he did not live to see afterwards paid some of the heirs $75,000 H when awake.) At the dedication of the as hush money, as it was stated that if the ground, or the laying of the corner stones, books were examined, parties would take Heber Kimball assured the people, that if advantage of it to bring disgrace upon our they would all do their duty, the shingles late President. would all be upon the temple before the So the case stands thus : that Joseph and snow would fly in the following winter. the conference at Nauvoo, placed upon the Of course, every man did not do his duty! Twelv:e the duty of gathering tithing, and So, after twenty-seven years of tithes and strictly accounting therefor. They com· offerings, the timple is not half finished. plied so far as gathering, but forgot the Twenty-seven years taken out of a man's accounting part, acquiescing in Brigham's life! Just think of it! In that time sap­ doctrine that "you shall not muzzle t.hc ox lings have. grown to forest trees, and. in­ that treadeth out the corn ;" but at the end .stead of shingles being upon the temple as of the threshing there was no "corn" left prophesied, seeds could have beeµ planted that the ox had not eaten! at the laying of its corners, and the timber At, or on the road to Winter Quarters, for its lumber grown! As an illustration they sent out a proclamation inviting all I will refer you to that magnificent cotton­ denominations-Pagans,l\foh1tmmedans and wood at the corner of 2nd East and 2nd Christians, to come along and settle with South streets, which was set out the same us, but after we had been here till we were spring, and which will now measure eight partially independent, co-operative stores feet in circumference. But the object of were instituted, and signs with "Holiness this promise may be shown in the fact, to the Lor

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 99 enough to build a couple of such temples. by B. Young in an interview with Horace And besides this, the people have been Greely, informing him that the tithing was tithed annually not.less tha11 n. half million for the poor, etc, and that he never had used dollars, recent reports hy .John Taylor but·"two and a half dollars of it in his life," placing it at $375,000, besides what is paid while he had really used two and a half in Europe. And it is admitted that of late dollars multiplied by millions! and has it has been much less, probably not to ex­ publicly informed the ·bishops that the ceed one half of what was paid in Brigham's poor should not have the tithing,· but palmiest days. (The people were twice that they should support them by· dona­ tithed one tenth of all their properly and tions! His whole official career is· proved afterwardS' one tenth of their incomes.) a fraud, of which the Saints are' most Thus about $13,000,000 were wrung from heartily ashamed, but content themselves all classes and conditions of life, some, to with the belief that it can never be my knowledge, being so scrupulous in repeated. As regards J oJ;i:i ;T11:ylor'S. testi­ meeting every requirement that they would mony, in France he alao. testified •. that .we let their ·children go for years shoeless and were under monagamio,.i.'ules; ·which· was school-less rather than not comply with the the doctrine of the chrlrcb, wlH!li hllhad' at inexorable demands of the profit, who fre­ the same time n()t j¥~fl .t~!J:n foi,lr; a~d) quently impressed upon their minds the .think as many as six.wives .. ArnLhe.also necessity of such sacrifice by asking if they assured 1\lr. ffollister that· to the ;best of expected to get their salvation for less than his knowled,ge/ th~re were apout 15o;opo all they were worth? as if salvation was a Mormons in 'ut~li~ l}'ben th!) ~t~tl~t\cs pf commodity he kept for sale, and which the church given atthe prevfous conference, could only be obtained by conferring upon and kno'wn· ·to'· have;· been; :exaggeratetl, himself a;tl the blessings which belonged ,to proved that'in: Utah and adjoining' t~rritor­ the community. But, as with all the re­ ies, t)l.e, D;l~,n; women. a~~ cM\drel),/oniy sources furnished him, he at last required numbered 105,000. Geo. Q. Cannon :.was the saints to build the Lord a temple by guilty of like prevarication when lie.•csti• donations without the aid of tit.bing, as the: mate.d the families at 30,000; £hose li'vlng ancient Israelites were required by Pharaoh: in polygll:IDY 4, 000, and. the tgta:l .~If}r­ to make brick, without being furnishljd mon population at ,150,000. But it is with straw, many supposed he was laying ·always thought wisdom .to show ;ourselves up money with which to "buy Jackson; "a great and mighty peopl~,"' and' oons.e­ county!" and when it was discovered that' quent!y fifty per 'cent is'added ~o: tl.le re'a1 numbe~. . , ' . ' .· , ... he had left his heirs nearly all \'f.hlc.h tl).oy' had not previously squandered, their curses Instead of religion being an ex-0use for were deep, but low; for how could they go' polygamy, it is really· it's worst feafore: If back on the man they had for nea!'ly thfrt.y, people deliberately, and ortnefr own ch,oice years testified they knew to b~ the chosen, enter into polyg~mic reJati.on!!,,thgy alo.ne of the Lord as the successor of Josepµ, and; . would be responsible; .·but . when :in :.the that "You might as well dispute G.od, as name of God; and religion; they are induced ! '.' · t.(l do violence to their owii riatures: they his servant 4 As regards polygamy, I will state a few, are then the victims of a gross fra114!. No facts as they present thems~lv'es to' myl person of any mind could for a moment mind. In Nauvoo there was a. quormh oi believe" that our common Father would fifty men appointe

www.LatterDayTruth.org 100 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. mothers, for in Utah the male population is A melancholy incident in connection with equal to the female, or even greater, and this principle occured in Sanpete. A young man, and the bishop of. Manti by th.e name the male births exceed the female, as in all of Snow, had both placed their affections other polygamous countries, by about ten upon the same young lady, (although the per cent; and if polygamy were true, the bishop already had several wives), and for laws of nature as well as that of nations fear the young man would carry off the prize, the bishop gathered his thugs and would thus stand squarely opposed to the perpetrated upon him a crime worse than law of God! But as wrong as polygamy is murder_. This is well authenticated beyond in itself, it is made still worse by its sur­ dispute, and com.~~ rumor has it that the roundings. Indeed, it is not the main case was brough~efore Brigham, and that he decided the young man should have all crime, but an auxilis,ry, and the chief one of the bishop's posterity in the Celestial too, to that curse of humanity, "the one world! By Brigham's orders Snow was man power." The dearest and holiest of several times, afterwards, elected to the all the conditions of life is that or the Legislative assembly, and retained as bish­ marriage relations. Think, if you please, op. No present disgrace attached to the of one man holding in his hand the destinies crime, like there would to that of buying a of a community in this respect, so that the sack of sugar from a Gentile! The proba­ first step to be taken in the matter is to bility is, the young man was trying to get get "a recommend from the bishop," and a wife without Brigham's sanction, as the then get it sanctioned by the president! bishop would not recommend him to get, Salvation depends, according to this doc­ the girl he wanted himself; and the moral ( ?) trine, ·upon marriage; and marriage, upon attached to the atrocity, was, •·Young man, the permission of the head of the churc~ ! live your religion, and do as you are told." Who would not pay his tithing, do as he ·1s The grand ideal of religion, with Brig­ told, and without question, "hearken to ham and his associates, has been and still counsel,'' when such an alternative is pre­ is, unlimited power upon the one hand, and sented to him? No slave was ever placed implicit obedi~nce on the othsr. With under more powerful influences to obedience. them, to bring the people to a state of serf­ And to show what use was made of it, I dom would be to bring them to a state of will mention one circumstance. When grace! Heber C. Kimball was alive, at one confer­ Heber C. Kimball frequently prophesied ence he chastised the elders who had been that Brigham and himself would yet "buy sent out to preach, for not conforming to all the saints," and· thllit they would be church rules, but instead, when they were servants, as the Israelites were in Egypt! sent out to gather a flock into the fold, I.hey Perhaps he never carried the thought· far would "pick out for themselves the choicest enough to see that he would thus make ewe lambs," which was ••very wrong!' Pharaohs of Brigham and·.himself. Carry­ They, he said, should • first bring them to ing out the idea that the latter day work the head sheJ.>herd, and let him take the was for individual promotion, instead of first choice," and then pick for themselves general good, he also prophesied, that the afterwards. Of course the "ewe lambs" time would come that Brigham would be would have no choice but to do as they were President, himself Vice President, and told. Thus our lelliders have been so zeal­ Daniel H. Wells Secretary of State, of the ous for the good cause, that they were will­ United States of America! ing the people should sacrifice for their (tho leader's) gratificatioi:i, not only their On the 24th of July, 1857, Brigham means, but their most sacred affections! prophesied that in twelve years he would Again; although Brigham gave lli great dictate who should be president of our many divorces for ton dollars !j.piece, he country! . In fact, all their prophesies said they were "not worth the p1tper they foreshadowed their individual greatness were written upon!" and that the only way and popularity, not one of which ever eve11 a woman could lawfully leave her husband, approlliched fulfillment! was to take some one higher in the priest­ As regards the present con·dition of the hood, which she could do without a divorce! Rocky Mountain Saints, I will add a few So the president of the church could at any . words. The year previous to the death of !.ime lake to his bosom any other man's B. Young, he assumed to have received a wife, and what would be a crime worthy revelation that the people should join t.hem • of death in an elder, would help to exalt selves in what was called "The United Or­ him in the celestial world! this, too, in a. der;" though foe words of' the revelation, or community that pretends to believe in that its real significllince oould never be ascer­ book which says, "Ye shall ·not consider tained. But it was expected that the people one flesh. abov~· t;1n11~P.er, neither aha~l ~11-e would put thlli\' property ln the United Order, 'au oon~]de:i- f~~~~tf .above !H\Qthef.'. · tb\l l}IJad of whic~ \Vas .!'lri?ham ¥013ng, f9r www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 101 twenty-five years, during which time he LETTERS OF O COWDERY would expect their implicit obedience. · :1, I "Young Brig" was expecting $12,000 a ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF year for superintending the Cache Valley THE CHURCH.-No. 4, branch. It is easy to see that, in its oper- ation, Brigham would soon have fulfilled To vV. \V. PHELPS, EsQ. Heber's prophesy, and owned the lot. But In my last, published in the 3rd No. the people had been bit too often, and would not move in the matter; and he of the Advocate I apologized for the therefore resorted to his old dodge; if they brief manner in whi

www.LatterDayTruth.org 102 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. The mind is easily called up to re· Neither did he manifest by the Spirit flection upon a matter of such deep im- to John upon .the isle-"Let him that portauce, and it is just that it should is athirst, come," and command him to be; but there is a regret occupying send the same abroad, under any other the heart when we consider the deep consideration, than that "whosoever anxiety of thousands, who are led would, might take the water of life away with a vain imaginaLion, or a freely," to the remotest ages of time, or groundless hope, no better than the while there was a sinner upon his foot- idle wind or the spider's web. stool. But if others were not benefitted, These sacred and important promises our brother was urged forward and are looked upon in our day as being strengthened in the determination to given, either to another people, or in a know for himself of the certainty and figurative form, and consequently re- 1 reality of pure and holy religion.- quire spfritzuilizing, notwithstanding And it is only neces8ary fur me to say, they are as conspicuously plain, and that while this excitement continued, are meant to be understood according he continued to call upon the Lord in to their lt:teral reading, as those pass­ secret for a full manifestation of di- ages wh.ich teach us of the creation of vine approbation, and for, to him, the the world, and of the decree of its Mak. all important information, if a Supreme er to bring its inhabitants to judgment. Being did exist, to have an assurance But to proceed with my narrative. that he was accepted of him. This, On the evening of the 21st of Sep­ most assuredly, was correct-it was tember, 1823, previous to retiring to right. The Lord has said, long since, rest, our brother's mind was um~sually and his word remains steadfast, that to wrought up on the subject which had him who knocks it shall be opened, and so long agitated his mind-his heart whosoever will, may come and partake was drawn out in fervent prayer, arid of the waters of life freely. his whole soul was so lo!!t to everything To deny a humble, penitent sinner a of a temporal nature, that earth, to him, l·efreshing draught from this most pure had lost its charms, and all he desired of all fountains, and most desirable of was to be prepared in heart to commune all re'freshments, to a thirsty soul, is a with some kind messenger who could matter for the foll performance of communicate to him the desired inform­ which the sacred record stands pledg- ation of his aceeptance with Gad. ed. The IJord never said-"Come At length the family retired, and he, unto me, all ye that labor, and are as usual, bent his way, though in si­ heavy laden, and I will give you rest," lence, where others might have rested to turn a deaf ear to those who were their weary frames "locked· fast in weary, when they call upon him. He s1eep's embrace;" but repose had fled, never said by the mouth of the and accustomed slumber had spread prophet-''Ho, every one that thirsts, her refreshing hand over others be­ come ye to the waters,'' without pass- side him-he continued still to pray­ ing it as a firm decree, at the same his he:trt, though ·once hard and ob­ time, that he that should after come, durate, was softened, and that mind ~hould be fillf}d wit4 a joy un_Sl)f)~~able: , wP,ich had pften fliH;ed, Jike .tl\e "wild

www.LatterDayTruth.org TI1E SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 103 bird of passage," had settled upon a pearance of a messenger from the determined basis not to be decoyed or skies-indeed, I doubt there being an driven from its purpose. individual clothed with perishable clay, In 'this situation hours passed un­ who is capable to do this work. To be numbered-how many or how few I sure, the I~ord appeared to his apostles know not, neither is he able to inform after his resurrection, and we do not learn me; but supposes ii. must have been as they were in the least difficulted to eleven or twelve, and perhaps later, look upon him; but from J ohn'a des­ as the noise and bustle of the family, cription upon Patmos, we learn that he in retiring had long since ceased.­ is there represented as most glorious in While continuing in prayer for a man­ appearance; and from other items in ifestation in some way that his sins the Sacred Scriptures we have the fact were forgiven; endeavoring to exer­ recorded where angels appeared and cise faith in the scriptures, on a sud­ conversed with men, and there was no den a light like that of day, only of a difficulty on the part of the individriala, purer and far more glorious appeamnce to endure their presence; -and others and brightne.ss, burm into the room.­ where their glory was so conspicious Indeed, to use his own description, that they could not endure. The last the first sight was as though the house description or appearance is the one to was filled with consuming and un­ which I refer, when I say that it is no quenchable fire. This sudden appear­ easy task to describe their glory. ance of a light so bright, as must But it may be well to relate the par­ naturally be expected, occasioned a ticulars as far as given-The stature of shock, or sensation, visible to the ex­ this personage was a little above the tremities of the body. It was how­ common size of men in this age; his ever, followed by a calmness and se­ garment was perfectly white, and had renity of mind, and an overwhelming tlie appearance of being without seam. rapture of joy that surpassed under­ Though fear was banished from his standing, and in a moment a personage heart, yet, his surprise was no less stood before him. when he heard him declare himself :o Notwithstanding the room was pre­ be a messenger sent by commandment viously filled with light above the of the Lord, to deliver a special mes­ brightness of the sun, as I have before sage, and to witness to him that bis described, yet there seemed to be an sins were forgiven, and that his prayers additional glory surrounding or accom­ were heard; and that the Scriptures panying this personage, which shone might be fulfilled, which say-"God with an increased degree of brilliancy, has chosen the foolish things of the of which he was in the midst; and world to confound the things which are though his countenance was as light~ mighty; and base things of the world, ' ning, yet it was of a pleasing, innocent and things which are despised, has God and glorious appearance, so much so, chosen; yea, and things which are that every fear was banished from the not, to bring to naught things which heart, and nothing but calmness pervad­ are, that no flesh should glory in his ed the soul. presence. Therefore, says the Lord, It is no easy task to describe the ap· I will proceed to do a marvelous work www.LatterDayTruth.org 104 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. among this people, even a marvelous says that the words of a book, which work and a wonder; the wisdom of were sealed, were presented to the their wise shall perish, and the under­ learned; for thus has God determined standing of their prudent shall be hid; to leave men without excuse, and show for according to his covenant which to the meek that his arm is not shorten­ he made with his ancient saints, his ed that it can not save." people, the house of Israel, must come A part of the book was sealed, and to a knowledge of the gospel, and own was not to be op•med yet. The sealed that Messiah whom their fathers reject­ part, said he, contains the same revela­ ed, and with them the fulness of the tion which was given to John upon the Gentiles be gathered in, to rejoice in Ii>le of Patmos, and when the people of' one fold under one Shepherd." the I ... ord are prepared, and found wor­ "This can not be brought about un­ thy, then it will be unfolded to them. til first certain preparatory things are On the subject of bringing to light accomplished, for so has the Lord pur­ the unsealed part of the record, it may posed in his own mind. He has there­ be proper to say, that our brother was fore chosen you as an instrument in expres~ly informed, that it must be done his hand to bring to light that which with an eye single to the glory of God; shall perform his act, his strange act, if this consideration did not wholly and bring to pass a marvelous work characterize all his proceedings in re­ and a wonder. ·wherever the sound lation to it, the adversary of truth shall go it shall cause the ears of men would overcome him, or at least prevent to tingle, and wherever it shall be pro­ his making that proficiency in t,his claimed, the pure in heart shall rejoice, glorious work which he otherwise would. while those who draw near to God While describing the place where the with their mouths, and honor him with record was deposited, he gave a minute their lips, while their hearts are far relation of it, and the v,isi:on of his mind from him, will seek its overthrow, and being opened at the same time, he was the destruction of those by whose permitted to view it critically; and pre­ hands it is carried. Therefore, mar­ viously being acquainted with the place, vel not if your name is made a deri­ he was able to follow the direction of the sion, and had as a by-word among vision, afterward, according to the voice such, if you are the instrument in of the angel, and obtained the book. bringing it, by the gift of God, to the I close for the present by. subscribing knowledge of the people.'' myself as ever, your brother in Christ, 0. COWDERY. He then proceeded and gave a gener­ al account of the promises made to '.l'HE SAINTS' HERALD. the fathers, and also gave a history of Price $2.15 per year. Official paper of the Reorganized Church of Jesns the aborigines of this country, and said Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith tliey were literal descendants of Abra­ of the Church. and contains correspondence from dit:. ferent parts of the world, giving accounts of the pro· ham. He represented them as once be­ gress of the Church, u.nd setting forth the dealings of God with his people. Published semi-monthly, sixteen ing an enlightened and intelligent peo­ large pages. ple, possessing a correct knowledge of ;\ddress all business communications to Joseph Smith, Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. the gospel, and the plan of restoration Joseph Smith and II. A. Stebbins, Editors. and redemption. He said this history THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, was written and deposited not far from A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter­ that place, and that it was our brother's ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the privilege, if obedient to the command­ Uta?- Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. ments of the Lord, to obtain, and trans­ Blair. 'ferms, 50 cents per year, in advance; eleven coples late the same by the means of the U rim to one address, $5; or, twenty-two copies, to one ad­ dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six and Thummim, which were deposited UIOnths, by giving notice. for that purpose with the record. Subscriptions earnestly eolicited. Subscribe for yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter "Yet," said he, "the Scripture must Day Apostasy. Remittances must be oent to W. W. Blair. Box 337 be fulfilled before it is translated, which Sandwich, Ill.; or to ,Joseph Smith, Plano, Ill.

www.LatterDayTruth.org The Sai11ts' Advocate.

"TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, May, 1880. No.11.

ONE LAW FOR BOTH SEXES.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY. As we advance in civilization the women are better educated. In our W.W. BLAIR EDITOR. own country the pubJic school system THE VISION. makes no distinction in regard to sex, A POEM BY JOSEPH SMITH. and we find that the girls are able to 'Twas night, I slept; bnt o'er my sleeping came cope with the sterner sex in the acquir­ A joyous vision of the latter-day. I woke; but drooped my eyelids in my shame­ ment of knowledge. Notwithstanding ! saw an angel from the heavenly way. all this there are but few that are will­ He spoke; I listened to his kingly voice ing that the sexes should be governed With trembling heart, because my sins were great. by the same code of morals. Even the He came, he said, to make the Saints rejoice, And in their hearts old joys to recreate. ladies themselves think it allowable for "Mortal: thy choice of life was not thine own; man to practice many things that they Nor wast thou present as the great design would not be guilty of; and most all Was re·commissioned from the august throne, On earth peace! To man, good will, the high en­ men ·habitually do those things that sign. they would not allow their wives to do. "To stand for Jesus is thy meted task; Any man would feel disgraced to find Nor must thy spirit proud rebel at this; For if for needed aid thou wilt but ask, his wife "loafing" in the store sucking It will be given from the realms of bliss. a five cent Havana. No one would re­ "Thy task lies all before thee. Years have fled spect a woman who would be guilty of Since first thy Lord, the Christ, this work begun; He has lain with, and risen from the dead, such conduct, but in men these things And waits tbs crown his victory for him won. are allowable. I once heard a lady say "Thy toil, thy care are for the latter-days, that she never objected to her husband's The Saints to cheer, and comfort, and reprove; smoking because she thought that if he To stand for Jesus in a thousand ways, And suffer sorrow for the Master's love. did not smoke he might do worse, for, "'Tis" thine to weep, in silence and unknown, she said: "Every man must have some In grief for many troubles wrought by wrong; bad habit." To bear, i~ patience, burdens all thine own, And others carry through th.a journey long. For a woman to use profane language "There will be sunshine on thy toilsome way; disgraces her among all classes, but a 'Twill be thy heart must make it there to shine; man can habitually take the name of Thy smile to others must be lightsome day, Thy-joys be theirs, thy griefs be only thine." his Creator in vain and be respected. The angel sat him down. Within tho room The woman who commits adultery is Each object by refulgent light was seen; disgraced beyond all hopes of recovery. And long he sat, till night's divergent gloom Even her more fortunate sisters look Fled from before the morning's golden sheen. upon her as being too vile for them to I did not see him go; nqr do I know When fled his presence from my wishful eyes; recognize, and at the same time admit But this I felt, a deep and sudden glow her seducer to their society and treat Of light and peace, of gladness and surprise, l'L4NO! Ill,! 186!). him with respect. www.LatterDayTruth.org 106 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. Does true morality require a separate him who is. absent, and can not speak code of morals for each of the sexes? for himself. Does "The Good Book" say woman 5. Consider yourself the guardian shall not take the name of the Creator of the character of those who may be in vain and allow the same in man? Are absent as you would wish others to women commanded not to commit adul- guard your character in your absence. tery, and men allowed to follow the 6. Whenever it may be needed to dictates of their low passions? We mention anything to the disadvantage should not respect the woman who does of another, let it be done with truthful­ these things, but the man who is guilty ness, tenderness, humility, and with the of the same sins should be equally con- recollection of how much has been for- demned. ' given thee.

According to the true standard of ~~--...... ~----··~~~ morals, sin is sin. The habit that dis­ GIBBON informs us that under the bigot, graces a girl shou.ld not be followed by Justinian, Emperor of Rome, A. D. her brother. If a man would feel dis­ 519-565, only a "term of three months graced by his wife or sister or mother was assigned for the conversion or exile lounging at the st'ore smoking or chew­ of all heretics." He further says: "In ing or hearing or relating vile a,necdotes, the creed of Justinian, the guilt of mur­ let him think if he is not disgracing der could not be applied to the slaughter· them when he does the very same things. of unb~lievers; and he piously labored '--.. We should strive to build up a .code to establish with .fire and sword the unity of morals that will require pure lives of the Christian faith." of all, without regard to sex. The boys, This wretched and revolting state of as ·well as the girls, should be taught to apostacy and fanaticism, which cursed avoid all habits that defile either mind the very name of Christianity, had been or body. Every young man should reached by gradual steps, and the lead­ strive to be as refined in his habits, as ers of the church-the chief ministry­ chaste in his conversation, and as pure were mainiy responsible for it. in his thoughts as he wants his lady as­ Near two hundred years before 'this, sociates to be; and every young lady about A. D. 380-3?4, the church had should require this purity in her gen­ entered upon a most lamentable state of tlemen friends,:_The Household. moral degeneracy and and blind fanati­ cism. This was under the Emperor FRIENDLY COUNSEL. Theodosius. The so.called Christian 1. Resist the temptation of circulat­ Churc'h was now ·a bitter persecutor of ing ill reports; spread them not at all. all those not within its pale, and of none 2. If you can not speak well of an­ so much as those she branded with the other, at least do not speak ill of him. infamous title of "heretics"-apostates 3. Never speak ill of another behind -who dared to protest against her irra· his back. Why should you consider tional and unscriptural dogmas, and to his character of less value tha.n your expose and resist her corrupting, op• own? pressive, and violently cruel administra• 4. Speak of others as you would tion. Of these times Gibbon says: were they present; s~~~~ a:s a frle~~ of "The heretical teachers, who usurped www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 107 the title of Bishops, or Presbyters, weN All this occurred, not under pure and not only excluded from the privileges proper Christianity, but among those and emoluments so liberally granted to who loudly professed to be Christians, the orthodox clergy, but they were ex­ yet had departed far away from both posed to the heavy penalties of exile and the letter and spirit of the true faith. confiscation, if they presumed to preach To those who are informed in respect the doctrine, or to practice the rites of to the great apostacy of the Church of their accursed sects. A fine of ten the Latter Day Saints, it is not a sur­ pounds of gold (above four hundred prising thing, though a painful and pounds sterling) was imposed on every mortifying one, to see the striking par­ person who should dare to confer, or re­ allels, in spirit and practice, between the ceive, or promote, an heritical ordina­ two apostasies-the former aµd the latter. tion: and it was reasonably expected, The latter.day apostasy being found that if the race of impostors could be similar in character with the former, it extinguished, their flocks would be com­ is but rea$onable to suppose that ita pelled, by ignorance and hunger, to re­ causes are similar. turn within the pale of .the Catholic Church. PRAYER. "The rigorous prohibition of conve.n­ PRAYER can obtain everything; it can ticles [assemblies or meetings of dis­ . open the windows of heaven and shut senters.-Ed.J was carefully extended .the gates of hell; it can put a holy to every possible circumstance, in which constraint upon God, and detain an the heretics could assemble with the angel till he leaves a blessing; it can intention of worshipping God and open the treasures of rain, and soften Christ according to the dictates of their the iron ribs of rocks till they melt into conscience. * * * The anathemas of tears and a flowing river; prayer can the church were fortified by a sort of unclasp the girdles of the North, saying civil excommunication, which separated to a mountain, Be thou removed hence, them from their fellow citizens, by a pe- - and cast into the bottom of th~ sea; it culiar brand of infamy, and this declara­ can arrest the sun in the midst of his tion of the supreme magistrate tended to course, and send the swift-winged winds justify, or at least to excuse, the insults upon our errands; and all those secret of a fanatic··· populace. The sectaries decrees and unrevealed transactions [dissenters.-Ed.J were gradually dis-. which are above the clouds, and far be· qualified for the possession of honorable yond the regions of the stars, shall com· or lucrative emyloyments. * * * The bine in ministry and advantages for the theory of persecution was established by praying man.-Jeremy Taylor. Theodosius, whose justice and piety have been ·applauded by the saints : but the PATIENCE.-What iron is in the practice of it, in its fullest extent, was material articles with which we sur• reserved for his rival and colleague, round us, patience is among the graces Maximus, the first, among the Christian of the son!. Other gifts are more princes, who shed the blood of his showy, but none are more useful. We Christian subjects on account of their lend a listening ear to him who has the religious opinions." gift of utterance; but we give our life• www.LatterDayTruth.org 108 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. long friendship to him who bears in has chosen the foolish things of the patience our imperfections and our mis­ world, and things which are despised, takes. Faith may bring to our aid a God has chosen;" etc. This I conceive marvelous power, and Reem to open up to be an important item. Not many the future to our enraptured vision; but mighty and noble were called in ancient patience enables us to plod through the times, because they always knew so· lessons which Jesus gives us, from day much that God could not teach them, to day, .until we become strong in the and a man that would listen to the knowledge of the ways of God. voice of the Lord and (ollow the teach­ ings of heaven always was despised and LETTERS OF 0. COWDERY, considered to be of the foolish class. ON THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF Paul proves this fact when he says, THE CHUROH.-N o. 5. "We are made as the filth of the world, To W. W. PHELPS, EsQ. the off s,couring of all things unto this Dear Brother :-Yours of the 6th ult. day." is received and published in this num­ I am aware that a rehearsal of visions ber. It contains so many questions, that of angels, at this day, is as inconsistent I have thought I would let every man with a portion of mankind as it former­ answer for himself; as it would occupy ly was, after all the boast of this wise a larger space to answer all of them than generation in the knowledge of the would be proper to devote at this time. truth; but there is a uniformity so com­ When I look at the world as it is, and plete that, on reflection, one is led to re­ view men as they are, I am not much joice that it is so. surprised that they oppose the truth as In my last I gave an imperfect des­ many did anciently. And indeed, the cription of the angel, and was obliged more I see the less I marvel on this to do so, for the reason that my pen subject. To talk of heavenly communi­ would fail to describe an angel ill his cations, angels' visits, and the inspiration glory, or the glory of God. I also gave of the Holy Spirit, now, since the a few sentences which he uttered on the apostles have fallen asleep and men in. subject of the gathering of Israel, etc. terpret the word of God without the aid Since writing the former, I have thought of either the Spirit or angels, is a novel it would, perhaps, be intE!resting to give thing among the wise, and a piece of something more full on this important blasphemy among the craft-men. But so subject as well as a revelation of the it is, and it is wisdom that it should be gospel. That these holy personages ao, because the Holy Spirit does not should feel a deep interest in the accom­ dwell in unholy temples, nor angels re­ plishment of the glorious purposes of the veal the great work of God to hypocrites. Lord, in his work in the last days, is You will notice in my last, on rehears­ consistent, when we view critically what ing the words of the angel where he is recorded of their sayings in the Holy communicated to our brother that his Scriptures. sins were forgiven, and that he was call­ You will remember to have read in ed of the Lord to bring to light by the gift Daniel-"And at that time, [the last of inspiration, this important intelli­ days], shall Michael stand up, the great gence, an item like the following: "God prince, who stands for the children of www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 109 thy people;" and also in Revelations­ This gospel being the same from the "I am thy fellow servant, and of thy beginning, i'ts ordinances were also un­ brethren the prophets." Please com­ changeable. Men were commanded to pare these sayings with that singular repent and be baptized by water in the expression in Hebrews. "Are they name of the Lord: and were then bl.iss­ [angels] not all ministering Spirits, sent ed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy forth to minister for them who shall be Spirit being thus given, men were en­ heirs of salvation?" And then let me abled to look forward to the time of the ask nine questions. coming of the Son of Man, and to re­ First: Are the angels, now in glory, joice in. that ,day, because through that the former prophets and servants of sacrifice they looked for a remission of God? ' Secondly: Are they brethren of their sins, and for their redemption. those who keep his commandments on Had it not been for this plan of sal­ -earth? and thirdly, have brethreQ. and vation, which God devised befqre the fleshly kindred, in the kingdom of God, the fall, man must .have remained mis­ feelings of respect and condescension erable forever after transgressing the enough to speak to each other, though first commandment, because in conse­ one may be in heaven and the other on quence of that transgression he had ren­ earth? . dered himself unworthy the presence of Fourthly: If angels are ministering his Maker. He being therefore cast spirits sent forth to minister for those out, the gospel was preached, and this who shall be heirs of salvation; will hope of eternal life was set before him they not minister for those heirs? and by the ministering ofangels who deliv­ fifthly, if they do, will any one know it ered it as they w_ere commanded. Sixthly: Will Michael, the archangel, Not only did the ancients look for. the great prince, stand up in the last ward to the time of ·the coming of the days for Israel? Seventhly: Will he Messiah in the flesh, with delight; but defend them from their 'enemies? there was another day for which they Eighthly: Will he lead them as they sought and for which they prayed. were once led? and ninthly: If so, will Knowing, as they did, that the fall had he be seen? These questions I leave brought upon them death, and that without answering, because the reason­ man was sensual and evil, they longed ing is so plain, and so many might be for a day when the earth might again brought, that, they must be at hand in rest and appear as in the beginning­ the heart and mind of every Saint. when evil might be unknown upon its But to the gospel, and then to the face and all creation enjoy one undis­ gathering. turbed peace for a thousand years. The great plan of redemption being This being sought for in faith, it prepared before the fall of man, and the pleased the Lard to covenant with them salvation of the human family being as to roll on his purposes until he should precious in the sight of the Lord at one bring it to pass, and though many gen­ time as at another, b,.efore the Messiah erations were to be.,, gathered to their came in the flesh and was crucified as fathers, yet the righteous, those who after the gospel was preached, and should, in their lives, embrace the gos­ many were found obedient to the same. pel, and live obedient to its require-

www.LatterDayTruth.org 11() THE SAINTS' 4DVOCAT.E.

ments, [should] rise and inherit it dur­ remis.sion of their sins, should be saved ing this reign of peace. -to declare that this was the only sure From time to time the faithful ser­ foundation on which they could build vants of the Lord have endeavored to and be safe-that God had again visited raise up a people who should be found his people in consequence of his cove­ worthy to inherit this rest; (for it was nant with their fathers, and that if called the rest of the righteous, or the they would they might be the first who day of the Lord's rest, prepared for the should receive these glad tidings, and righteous); but were not able to sancti­ have the unspeakable joy of carrying fy them that they could endure the the same to all people, for before the day presence of the Lord, excepting Enoch, of rest comes, it must go to all nations, who; with his people, for their right­ kindreds and tongues. eousness, were taken into heaven, with But in consequence of their rejecting a promise that they should yet see that the gospel, the Lord suffered them to day when the whole earth should be be again scattered, their land to be covered with glory. wasted and their beautiful. city to be Moses labored diligently to effect this trodden down of the Gentiles until their object, but in consequence of the trans­ tim·e should be fulfilled. gressions and rebellions of the children In the last days, to fulfill the promises of Israel, God swore in his wrath that to the ancient prophets, when the Lord they should no.t enter into his rest; is to pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, and in consequence of this decree, and he has determined to bring to light his their transgressions since, they have gospel to the Gentiles, that it, may go to been scattered to the four winds, and the house of Israel. This gospel has are thus to remain till the Lord gathers been perverted and men have wandered them in by his own power. in da,rkness. That commission given to To a remnant of them the gospel was the apostles at Jerusalem, ~o easy to be preached by the Messiah in person, but understood, has been hid from ·the they rejected his voice, though it was world because of evil and the honest raised daily among them. The apostles have been led by the designing till continued to hold forth the same after there are none to be found who are the crucifixion and resurrection of the practising the ordinances of the gospel Lord Jes us, until they would hear it no as they were anciently delivered. longer and then they were commanded But the time has now arrived in to turn to the Gentiles. which, according to his covenants, the They however labored faithfully to Lord will manifest to the faithful that turn that people from error, that they he is the same to-day and forever, and might be the happy partakers of metcy, that the cup of suffering of his people, and save themselves from the impending the house of Israel, is nearly fulfilled. storm that hung over them. They And that the way may be prepared be­ were commanded to preach Jesus fore their face he will bring to the Christ night and day- to preach through knowledge of the people the gospel as it him the resurrection from the dead-to was preached by his servants on this declare that all who would embrace the land, and manifest to the obedient the ·gospel, repent, and .be baptized for the truth of the same by the power of the • www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 111

Holy Spirit; for the time is near when After all this-after Israel has been his sons and daughters will prophesy, restored, and afflicted and his enemies old men dream dreams, and young men have also been chastised the Lord says: see visions, and those who are thus favor­ "Rejoice, 0 ye nations, with his people; ed will be such as embrace the gospel for he will avenge the blood of his ser­ as it was delivered in old times, and vants, and will render vengeance to his they shall be blessed with signs follow­ adversaries, and will be merciful unto ing. his land and unto his people." Farther on the subject of the gather­ I will give a further detail of the ing of Israel.-This was perfectly un­ promises of Israel, hereafter, as rehears­ derstood by all th,e ancient prophets. ed by the angel. Accept assuranc~ of Moses prophesied of the affliction which my esteem as ever, should come upon that people even 0. COWDERY. after the coming of the Messiah, where he said: And evil will befall you in the DISCOVERIES IN BABYLON. latter days; because you will do evil in ANTIQUARIANS anticipate finding im­ the sight of the Lord, to provoke him mense treasures of ancient literature in to anger through the work of -your the libraries of Babylon which are now hands. Connecting this with a prophecy being discovered and await the spade of in the song which follows; which was the excavator. About two.thirds of the given to Moses in the tabernacle-re­ Assyrian library of Assurbanipal, or membering the expression-"in the lat­ Sardanapalus, the son of Esarhadon, ter days"-where the Lord foretells all has been secured, and is now in the their evils, and their being received to British Museum. The interest attached mercy, to such as seek the peace of to their study can not fail to be great, Israel much instruction may be gained. for by them we are brought into con­ It is as follows:- tact with men and women who lived in "I will heap mischiefs upon them; I the days of old Hebrew kings and will spend my arrows upon them. prophets, and even, it is supposed, as They shall be burnt with hunger, and far back as the patriarchs. By a patient,· devoured with burning heat : I will also diligent and earnest band of scholars send the teeth of beasts upon them, these are being deciphered; the variety with the poison of serpents of' the dust. and extent of the information gained, The sword without, and terror within, is at present very imperfectly known. shall destroy both the young man and Strange to say, the literature of ancient the virgin, the suckling with the man Assyria was in a language distinct from of gray hairs." that spoken by the peopl~, a learned But after all this, he will judge their language of former times, understood enemies and avenge them of theirs; for by the literary men of the age, i'ike the he says: "If I whet my glittering sword, Latin of our own day. It is called the and my hand take hold on judgment, I Acadian tongue. Its study was imper­ will render vengeance to my enemies, and ative on scholars, and acquired by the will reward them that hate me. I wiil help of lexicons and grammars. From make my arrows drunk with blood, and lectures recently delivered at the Royal my sword shall devo],lr fi~sh," institJJtioq, b;r Rev. A. H. Sayce, we

www.LatterDayTruth.org 112 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. gain some elementary knowledge of the and to increase its value, and hope to literature, which appears to have been have the hearty support of its friends. very varied in its character. The his­ We are circulating, free, many thous­ torical documents bring unexpected, and copies, as tracts, and prompt monied but most valuable evidence of the ac­ aid is needed. curacy of the Chronicles of the Old IN our present issue, we publish No. 5 Testament. The religious literature is, of the Cowdery letters. It was thought of course, full of gross supertititions, best to publish, for free distribution, but it is said that most of the mytho-­ large quantities of No's. 4, 6 and 7, of logical fables of ancient Greece, such current volume, thereby excluding the as the labors of Ht;mmles', the lion of "letters" from the reg~lar order of our Nemea, the bull· of. Crete, etc., are issue. found there already. The Sabbath of We hope the break in the order will the seventh day appears to have been be fully compensated fo.r in the extra obser'ved with great strictness; even ADVOCATES sent out on their silent the monarch was forbidden to eat cooked mission in Utah and elsewhere, and in , . meat, change his clothes, take medi­ the invaluable matter contained in the cine, or driye his chariot on t.hat day. letter in this number. There are som~ astronomical observa~ In it is seen the simplicity, the tions which show considerable research, beauty, and the marvelous grandeur of as, for example, one which speaks of the pure faith of the Latter Day Saints. spots on the sun. As Sir H. Layard 0 The principles it teaches are "better once found a crystal lens in the ruins of than thousands of gold and silver." Nineveh, it is probable that some rude form of modern instruments was THE Anti-Polygamy Standard is the title of a new paper published at Salt Lake City, known. Not the least singular discov­ Utah. Its editors and contributors are la­ ery is a catalogue, compiled four thou­ dies. The cause it has in hand is a highly important one, and if conducted in the sand years ago, which directs the per­ light of truth and love, as we trust it will son wishing to consult any book to be, this paper can not fail of success. We bid the enterprise a hearty "God speed." search out and write down the number and hand it in to the librarian. THE §A.INT§' HERALD. Price $2.15 per year. Official paper of the Reorganized Ohnrcb of Jeeus Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith DELINQUENTS. of the Church. and contains correspondence from dit:. ferent parts of the world, giving accounts of the pro· WE instructed the mailing clerk to grass of the Church, and setting forth the dealings of God with bis people. Published semi-monthly, sixteen strike from the April ADVOCATE list large pages. Address all business communi.cations to Joseph the few names that were in arrears, for Smith, Plano, Kendall ,County, Illinois, 1878. We did this on the ground that Joseph Smith and H. A. Stebbins, Editors. we supposed such parties did not de­ THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter· sire to longer take our paper. ests of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Obrist of Latter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the If any mistakes have been made in Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. Blair. not crediting such parties for monies Terms, 50 cents per year, in adv:ance; ~leven copie~, to one address, $5; or, twenty~two copies, to one ad­ sent, (as it is possible), then we are quite dress, $10. Subscribers desiring it can pay in six u10nths, by giving notice. ready to rectify such mistakes when in­ Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter formed by letter or card. Day Apostasy. Remittances must be sent to W. W. Blair. Box 337 We intend to continue the ADVOCATE, ·sandwich, Ill.; or to Joseph llmith, Plano, Ill.

www.LatterDayTruth.org "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." "IN GOD WE TRUST."

Vol. 2. Plano, Illinois, June, 1880. No.12.

scanty means, devoted nine-tenths of it in educating their children, and: in ob­ PUBLISHED MONTHLY. taining t,he conveniences and comforts W.W. BLAIR EDITOR. of life, thore would have been far more joy around the hearth-stone, more light TEMPLE BUILDING. in the soul, and vastly more pure and IN nothing have the Utah Mormons ex­ undefiled religion in all the land. But hibited implicit trust in their leaders, as it is, this system of temple building and untiring zeal to advance the sup­ has been, and still is, a huge Jugger­ posed interests of the Church of Christ, naut, crushing out the indus~rial, com­ more than in their efforts at temple mercial, and educational interests of building. Money has been poured out Utah, robbing home of essential com­ lik~ water, and labor freely and largely forts, ·and entailing poverty, ignor~nce, expended in the erection of temples and and superstition upon its devotees e~ery tabernacles, until the aggregate cost can where. fall but little short of $5,000,000, or When temple building is commanded about one.fifth the entire value of all of God, (as it always must be in order the assessable property in Utah. This is to be of any divine or spiritual value), a tremendous amount of wealth to be it will be found a "reasonable service;" put into such non-productive est~blish-· but when it is a human contrivance men ts by a church whose actua.l baptized only, as we sh~Jl presently shovl that of membership can not be much, if any, Utah to be, it is a folly, and often blind­ above 75,000 souls; and yet the temples ing and grinding iqiposition. are not completed. It is estimated that It may be useless to state that God to finish them, far more than their has never commanded the building of present cost will be required, templGs in Utah, for it a fact well known the entire outlay in labor and money, to those intimately acquainted with the $12,000,000 to $15,000,-000 ! late Pres. Young, that he never claimed When we set over against this the to have revelation from the Lord upon fact that all the school property in Utah, such subjects. But lest some pious, but both Mormon and non-Mormon, is but uninformed soul may think to the con­ near $600,000, or about one-tenth the trary, we will give some of Pres. Young's present value of the temples and taber­ sayings relative to the matter in hand, nacles, or, one-twenty-fifth of their ulti­ wherein he apologizes for his attempt to mate cost, the comparison is absolutely build a temple without special revelation. st,ar'.tring ! He says, February 14th, 1853, Journal Had the faithful, toiling souls who of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 277 : have contributed so largely of their "Suffice it to say, to this congregation,

www.LatterDayTruth.org 114 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. that we shall attempt to build a temple to dimensions and construction of the vari­ the name of our God. This has been at. ous apartments of your dwelling houses tempted several t.imes, but we have never as upon the erection of temples;" (7), yet had the privilege of completing and en­ that the Saints "know beforehand [i.e. joying one. * * * Concerning revelations pertaining to building temples, I will give without revelation] what is necessary." you the words of our beloved Prophet while In this Pres. Young confesses his not he was yet living upon the earth. * * He having a revelation to build temples, and was frequently speaking upon the building he denies any necessity for any to be of temples in Kirtland, Missouri, and Illi · given on that subject,tasserting that as nois. When the people refused in Kirtland a man knows that he needs for his to build a temple, unless by a special revel­ ation, it grie'ved his heart that they should dwelling house "a kitchen, a buttery, be so penurious;in their feelings as to re­ sitting rooms, bed rooms, halls, passages, quire the Lord to:command them to build and alleys," (what a pity that much of a house to His name. It was not only griev­ the means in the Utah temples had not ous to him, but to the Holy Spirit also. He been put into dwelling houses of these frequently said, that if it were not for the dimensions, for the toiling Saints!), so covetousness of the people, the Lord would not give revelations concerning the building he knows how to build temples for the of temples, for we already knew all abo.ut Lord. them. The revelations giving us the order These statements are utterly at vari­ of the priesthopd make known to us. what is ance with the facts of history and reve­ wanting in that respect at our hands. If lation, and are repugnant to the plain you should go to work to build a dwelling dictates of common sense. In the fi!'.st house, you know you would want a kitchen, place, all history shows the fact, that a buttery, sitting rooms, bed rooms, halls, passages, and alleys. He said, You might when God would have temples built to as well ask the Lord to give revelation upon His service, he commanded, by special the dimensions and construction of the revelation, in all things in respect to the various apartments of your dwelling houses, matter. In proof of this we cite the as upon the erection of temples, · for we reader to 1 Kings 8 : 12-21. 1 Chron. know before hand what is necessary." 17 : 4; 28: 11-21. By these testimonies The reader will notice, (1 );that Pres. we learn that the temple of Solomon Young states that, up to 1853, the was built by direct and special revelii.­ Saints had not completed a temple; (2), tion from God, and that all its furniture that the prophet Joseph was "grieved" and service were revealed, item after that the people should "require the Lord item. This temple was erected when to command them to build a house to Israel was wealthy, and numbered His name;" (3), that "if it were n.ot for 8,000,000 souis, or more; and they the covetousness of the people, the Lord were assisted, besides, by the powerful would not give revelations concerning and opuient Tyrians. the building of temples;" ( 4), that with­ As a further evidence that temples to out such revelations the Church "knew the service of God must be builded by all about them;" (5), that the Church special revelation, we cite the Kirtland should go about temple building in the temple, the size and form of which, with same way ,as in building "a dwelling its furniture and service, were all spe­ house;" (6), that "you might as well ask cially revealed. (See Doctrine and Cov­ the Lord to give revelation upon the enants, revelation given May 6th, 1833.)

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By this we learn, (1 ), that there was, a take this sandstone that is found in Red· direct command to build; (2), there was Butte Canyon, and build a temple of that; a revealed "pattern" to be observed; then you step over to the Emigration Can­ yon, and get this bastard marble, and build (3), it was not to be built except another of the same dimensions as that you as the Lord should give "a command­ have built. of the red sandstone. Now you ment,'' direct. This view is more fully have got the San Pete rock temple, the red confirmed in a revelation given June, sandstone temple, and another built of lime­ 1833; and still further in one given stone, or bastard marble I call it; then right August 2d, 1833, all of which are found beside that., another of adobies, mixed with pebbles-take that clay and these pebble in the Doctrine and Covenants. And to stones that are so abundant jiere, and mix conclude upon this important point, we in with them straw, and build another tem­ present the irrefutable statement of rev­ ple of that composition, besides the three elation in respect to the building of tem­ which are built of different kinds of rock, ples to the Lord, which says, "My holy and let them stand together-which do you house, which my people are always com­ think will stand the longest? Being a chem­ ist in theory, I should say, according to my manded to build unto my holy name." mind, when the San Pete rock is washed (Doc. & Cov. Rev.1841, par.12.) From into the Jordan. the other buildings will be . this we learn just what history fully at­ standing, and be in moderate condition. tests, viz., that where a temple is rightly The red sandstone will go the next, and the builded, the time, place, size, form and other two still remain; the bastard marble, service, are all specially revealed of the or limestone, will be in pretty good preser­ vation; and when that is all decomposed, Lord. and washed away into the Jordan, you will In all this, Pres. Young is condemned find that the temple which is built of mud, by the testimony of the Bible, and by or ado bi es, as some call them, still remains, the revelations of Joseph the Seer. and in a better condition than at the first The evidence is overwhelming and con­ day it was built. You may ask any practi· clusive that Pres. Young and his follow­ cal chemist, any man who knows, under­ stands and studies the elements, and he ers are building temples upon purely will corroborate these statement~. * * If human authority, without divine appoint­ you take this clay, which is to be found in ment, and that they must remain with­ abundance on t.he bottom lands, and mix out the approbation of heaven. with it these pebble rocks, and make ado­ That the reader may more fully see bies of the compound, it will petrify in th.e the darkness of mind in which Pres. wall and become a solid rock in five hundred years, so as to be fit to cut into millstones Young conceived his ideas of temple to grind flour, while the other materials I building, we herewith present some of have mentioned will have decomposed, and his teachings in respect thereto. In the gone back to their native elements. I am Journal ofDiscourses, vol.1, p. 209-220, chemist enough to know that much. * * * in a sermon delivered at Salt Lake City, The monuments, towers, and pyramids [of Oct. 9th, 1852, Pres. Young, in discuss­ Egypt.-En ] that were erected in the days of Joseph, and before he was sold into ing the question as to the best material Egypt, they were built of what we call ado­ of which to build a temple in .Salt Lake bies, clay mixed with straw; these fabrics, City, said~ which have excited ~nterest for so many "You may bring the stone from San Pete, ages, and are the wonder of modern nations, which is a beautiful specimen of rock, and were built of this raw material. They have erect a temple here with it; then you may bid defiance to the wear of ages, and they

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·Btill remain. But you can not find a stone wall and become a solid rock in five hun­ column that was reared in those times, for dred years, so as to be fit to cut into they are all decayed. ·l' * Within ten years millstones to grind flour.'' It is not past, eighty thousand tons of putty have true that red sandstone, limestone, been used to putty up the places where the stone [in the capitol building at Washing­ or marble, ii:\ five hundred years "will ton, D. C.-ED J has decayed by the opera­ have decomposed, and gone back to their tion of the elements, and it has not been native elements." It it nqt true that built forty years. * * '~ I give it as my "the.monuments, towers, and pyramids" opinion that s,dobies are the best article to of Egypt, "were built of what we call build it fthe temple] of. I do not fear the adobies, clay mixed with straw.'' It is expense, neither do I care what you build it of; only when it is built, I want it to not true that we "cannot find a stone stand, and not fall down and decay in twen­ column that was reared in those times" ty or thirty yea:rs, like Bro. Taylor's one [times of Joseph and before,-EDJ. It would, that he was giving an exposition is not true that "they are all decayed." of." [What an unkind cut· at John Tay­ These pyramids, towers and monuments, lor l Verily, the inspiration of these two were built chiefly of stone, except the presidents did not well agree.-En.J · tower of Babel, which was made of We challenge the Wllrld to produce, brick, and "thoroughly burnt (Gen. 11: from any source that claims any degree 3); and these splendid monun1ents, and of respectability, .in any sermon, lecture wonderful pyramids, built of enduring or essay, in the same amount of space, stone, are found now in a state of excel­ an equal 'amount of ridiculous folly and lent preservation. false statement. Their ab2urdity would It is not true that in ten years next provoke laughter and derision, were it preceding 1852, "eighty thousand tons not that in this temple movement we see of pµtty have been used to, putty up the the sweat-stained pennies an

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of the other statements quoted, as we and not of God. Those who aid, blind­ have already seen, and ~his is the stuff ly, in building them are greatly to be upon which is predicated the building pitied, for many of them are actually of temples that have cost many millions, robbing self, and home, and society, in and are to cost, finally, the immense doing so. And those who knowingly sum of $12,000,000 to ~H5,000,000. and willingly aid in such building, either Is it possible that an intelligent, reJi. as leaders, laborers, or contributors, can gious people, will put their lives and not escape the just judgment of enlight,. eternal interests in the keeping of a ened society, of a devoted but outraged man, or men, whose statements are founi! church, and of a loving and just God. to be so entirely opposed to well known J~et all engaged in this temple building facts? Is it possible that the sincerely pause, a,nd consider well the grounds religious ministers in the Ut~b Mormon upon which they are perilling so much Church will. endorse and defend the for themselves, their families, and for above teachings of Pr·es. Young? And society, If this work is a mistake, a when they can not endorse such teach­ blunder, a wor.se than folly, then its ings, how can they blindly follow and very magnitude, the enormity of its teach their flocks to blindly follow the extortions, and the bitter disappoint­ counsel of their "fiie leaders!" Brig. ments engendered by it, will be sure to ham Young has greatly erred in respect bring down the wrath of God, and the to temple building. His teachings, as scorn and derision of man like a sweep­ we have seen, were directly to the con­ ing avalanche upon its projeotors and trary of all the precedents of history; abettors "Every plant which my hea­ contrary to every principle of divine rev­ venly Father hath not planted shall be elation touching the matter; contrary rooted up."-Jesus. to the common facts of histm·y; and ..... - .. contrary to the facts of science and the TO OUR PATRONS AND FRIENDS. observations of life. His mistakes in THrn number closes the present volume of this affair are a,s cruel as they are hu.. the ADVOCATE, and we extend our heart.y miliating. God is now, in his prnviden­ thanks to ail who have sustained our enter­ ces, calling these and other teachings prise thus far. We intend to continue its and doings to judgment. The scales are publication, al'.d we ask all to give us their poised, and a "legal inquest" will dis­ generous suppor·t, believing as we do that cover the dross or the gold. Lovers of our little paper is doing that measure of good that richly repays the small outlay of truth and right will rejoice and be glad; subscription. Subscribe, please, and get but they who love darkness and work your friends to subscribe. iniquity, will rage and shrink from the light of investiga,t,ion. All those who take from the church of It is not probable that Olile in a hun­ Rome, and from the See of St. Peter, one of dred of the Utah Mormons would aid in the two swords, and allow only the spiritual, building temples, did they not believe a.re bn;nded as heretics.-Baronius. Heret.ics, schismatics, and rebels to the they in doing so were doing God's will. said Lord the Pope, or his aforesaid sue· Inasmuch as God has not commanded cess

www.LatterDayTruth.org 118 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. ENDOWMENTS. Many erring Sai.nts who violate their THAT Joseph Smith was not the author own conscience, and do contrary to their of t.he Brighamite "endowment"-that own innate perceptions of right and given in the temple at Nauvoo, after wrong, do so because they are made to the assassination of Joseph and Hyrum believe that the teachings and practices -is seen in a "covenant" taken by of Joseph will sustain them, that he t.hose who receive said "endowment," taught and practiced what their own to wit; that they will "avenge the blood good sense condemns. The time has of Joseph and Hyrum upon this gener­ come when the doctrines and practices ation." This covenant, it is clear, was of Joseph will be measured by what he, never given till after the blood of Joseph in an authentic way, left on record. As and Hyrum had been shed at Carthage for any private teachings or practices Jail. There was no place for it before by him, they can be of no binding force -no occasion for it before. Nothing upon the Saints. When it is claimed can be plainer than this. he taught or practiced anything. secretly This "covenant" having been gotten that was of a religious hature, then the up since their death, and made a part very claim condemns such acts. Jesus of what is claimed to have been given says, "Let your light so shine before by Joseph, amounts to conclusive proof men that they, seeing your good works, that said "endowment" is spurious, and may glorify your Father which is in not of divine authority, and that it did heaven." Again "In secret I have said not originate with Joseph. nothing." Any doctrine or practice, If it be claimed that Pres. Young and professedly for salvation, that hides it.­ his fellows added this item, then may self away in secret-away from those it not be, nay, is it not morally certain, who seek and need salvation-betrays that the entire institution was of th.eir the cloven foot. No further evidence manufacture? The audacity that would is needed that it is not of God. invent such a terrible and ungodly cov­ If Joseph was the author of the Brig­ enant, would likewise invent the entire hamite "endowment," why did not John "endowment" and seek to palm it off E. Page, William Smith (his own bro­ upon the Church as coming from Joseph. ther), William Marks (President of the This is not the only case where parties High Council at Nauvoo, and President have imposed grievous burdens, revolt­ of that Stake), why did not they and ing doctrines, and iniquitous practices many other leading men and women, upon the Saints under the false claim Saints, living at Nauvoo at the time of that they were taught or sanctioned by his death, and for many months before, Joseph. John D Lee, on the very spot why did not they obtain the same "en­ where he led in the massacre of near dowment,'' or be taught it by him? one hundred and thirty innocent souls The only endowment of which we read confessed, in the presence of death, in the authentic writings of Joseph, is that he was brought to his shameful fate, that of "power from on high"-this and not by the teachings of Joseph but by only this. That which was given at the teachings of Brigham, (who claimed Kirtland, in 1835-6, was similar to that to be Joseph's successor, mouthpiece, given on Pentecost. Joseph's history and echo). attests this fact, as does also many living

www.LatterDayTruth.org THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE. 119 witnesses. A similar endowment was doeth not any thing save it be for the bene­ given the ancient N ephites, as also Mo­ fit of the world; for he loveth the world, ses and the seventy elders in Sinai. But even that he layeth down his:own life, that he may draw all men unto him. Where­ the "endowment" given at Nauvoo, after fore he commandeth none that they shall the death of J eseph, and that given in not partake of:his salvation. Behold, doth Utah, as hosts of credible witnesses tes­ he cry unto any, saying, Depart from me? tify, was utterly without spiritual light Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith, and power, and consisted of washings, Come unto me aH ye ends of the earth, buy anointings, robings, sealings, covenants, milk and honey, without money and with­ out price. Behold, hath he commanded passwords, grips, and scenic display. any that they should depart out of the syna­ To the soul that is hungering and gogues, or out of the houses of worship? thirsting for the actual knowledge of Behold, I say unto you, Nay. Hath he com­ God, and is yearning for a closer walk manded any that they should not partake with him, such an "endowment" is a of his salvation? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; cru~l mockery, a delusive mirage, a and he hath commanded his people that · snare, a blinding imposition, a galling they should persuade all men to repentance. fetter upon the liberties of thought and Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that conscience. We challenge any one to they should not partake of his goodness? produce, from any standard work of the Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but all men CL.urch in Joseph's time, anything like are privileged the one like unto the other, the Brighamite "endowment," except it and none are forbidden. He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, be­ be those secret combinations which it is hold, priestcrafts .are that men p1·each and specially stated .came from Satan. set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain, and praise of the "For, from the days of Cain, there was a world; but they seek not the welfare of secret combination, and their works were Zion. Behold, the Lord hath forbidden in the dark, and they knew every man his this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath brother. Wherefore the Lord cursed La­ given a commandment, that all men should mech and his house, and all they that had have charity, which charity is love. And covenanted with Satan; for they kept not except they should have charity, they were the commandments of God. And it dis­ nothing; wherefore, if they should have pleased God, and he ministered not unto charity, they would not suffer the laborer them."-Inspired Translation, Gen. 5: 37, 38. in Zion to perish. But the laborer in Zion, "That being who beguiled our first par­ shall labor for Zio~'; for if they labor for ents· who transformeth himself nigh unto money, they shall perish. "-2 Nephi 11: an a~gel of light, and stirreth up the child­ 14, 15. ren of men unto secret combinations of mur­ "And it came to pass that they did have der, and all manner of secret works of dark­ their signs, yea, their secret signs, and ness. "-2 Nephi 6: 3. their secret words; and this that they might "And there are also secret combinations, distinguish a brother who had entered into even as in times of old, according to the the covenant, that whatsoever wickedness combinations of the devil, for he is the his brother should do, he should not be foundation of all these things; yea, the injured by his brother, nor by those who foundation of murder, and works of dark­ did belong to his band, who had taken this ness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck covenant; and thus they might murder, with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them and plunder, and steal, and commit whore­ with his strong cords for ever. For behold, doms, and all manner of "wickedness, con­ my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that trary to the laws of their country and also the Lord God worketh not in darkness. He the laws of their God; and whosoever of

• www.LatterDayTruth.org 120 THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE.

those who belonged to their band, should We need. not remind the informed, reveal unto the world of their wickedness reader that this satanic com bi nation and their abominations, should be tried, herein before described is strikingly sim­ not according to the laws of their country, to but according to the laws of their wicked­ ilar to that said have been adminis­ ness, which had been given by Gadianton tered after Joseph's death in Nauvoo, and Kishkumen. Now behold, it is these and in Utah. If they are not assen­ secret oaths and covenants, which Alma tially the same, and have a similar ori, commanded his son should not go forth gin, how can their striking similarities unto the world, lest they should be a meinrn be explained ? Are we not, with the of bringing down the people unto destruc­ tion. Now behold, those secret oaths and inspired records in our hands, justified covenants did not come forth unto Gadian­ in believing that these institutions are ton from the records which were ddivered one and the same in their main foatures, unto Helaman; but behold, they were put workings and objects? What are the into the heart of Gadianton, by that same sacred records for, if not to t,each us being who did entice ou:r first parents to what is right and what is wrong; what partake of the forbidden fruit; yea, that is good and what is evil; what is of same being who did plot with Cain, that if he would murder his brother Abel, it should God and what is of Satan, or of men? not be known unto the world, And he did These records, especially New Tes tam en t, plot with Cain and his followers, from that Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and time forth. And also it is that same being Covenants are the divine te~t, the heav­ who put it into the hearts of the people, to enly appointed measure, by which to build a tower sufficientiy high that they learn what the Son appoints and ap­ might get to heavtIL-Helaman 2: 30. proves To them we must come now "And Akish did administer uni,o them 'the or hereafter; and they unqualifiedly oaths which were given by them of old, who also sought power, which had been handed condemn the secret ''endowments" im­ down even from Cain, who was a murderer posed upon the confiding Latter Day from the beginning. And they were kept Saints. Light is pouring in, and the up by the power of the devil to administer darlrne8s will be made manifest the1'eby. these oaths unto the people, to keep them in d""rkness, to help such as sought power, THE §Alilll''ll'§' HERALD. to gain power, a,nd to murder, and to plun­ Price $2.15 per year. Official paper of the Reorganized Church of Jesus der, and to lie, and to commit ali manner of Christ of Latter Day Saints, explanatory of the faith wickedness and whoredoms. And H was of the Chl.].rch, and contains correspondence from dif­ lbe daughter of Jared who put it into his ferent parts of the world, giving· accounts of the pro­ heart to search up these things of old; and gress of the Church, and setting forth the dealings of God with his people. Published semi~monthly, sixteen Ja1·ed put it into the he!irt of Akish; where­ large pages. fore Akish administered it unto his kindnds Address all business communications to Joseph Smith, Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. ~,nd friends, leading them away by fair pro­ Joseph Smith and H. A. Stebbins, Editors. mises to do whatsoever thing he desired. ~~-· ___ ---=-oo==._____,~~-·" - -- - -===~ And it came to pass that they formed a THE SAINTS' ADVOCATE, A monthly, religious journal, published in the inter­ secret combination, even as they of old; est.s of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and in the special interest of the which combination is most abominable and Utah Mission of said Church, and Edited by W.W. wicked above all, in the sight of God; for Blair'. Terms, 50 cents per year1 in advance; eleven copies the Lord worketh not in secret combina­ to one address, $5; or, t.wenty~two copies, to one ad­ dress, $10. Subscribers de.siring it can pay in six tiom, neither doth he will that man should months, by giving notice. shed blood, but in all things bath forbid­ Subscriptions earnestly solicited. Subscribe for yourselves and for friends deceived by The Latter den it, from the beginning of man."­ Day Apostasy. Remittances must be sent to W.W. Blair. Box337 Ether 3: 12. Sandwich, Ill.; or to Joseph Smith, Plano, Ill.

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