The Doctrines of Joseph Smith.

One of the charges made by the "Reorganized" Church against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is that when the Apostles assumed their place as the presiding quorum following the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, they departed from the pure Gospel as it was revealed in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the revelations and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and in the stead thereof introduced false doctrines that were never entertained by the Prophet and were foreign to the revelations given to the Church. This proves, they declare, the "apostasy" of the Church and its "rejection" and the few scattered members who refused to follow the leadership of the Apostles into forbidden paths, and to accept these "false doctrines" retained the Spirit of the Lord and were directed by Him to "re-organize" the "faithful" members into what was then called a "New Organization of the Church," the name subsequently having been changed to the "Re-organized" Church. They inform us—though it is most likely with some misgivings and doubts—that these "faithful" few who refused to follow after "false gods," or "bow the knee to Baal," still retained the Priesthood they had received from the "Original" Church and were "not rejected as individuals" although the "Church was rejected with its dead." Therefore, when these "faithful" souls tired of wandering around in the apostate organizations of James J. Strang, Sidney Rigdon, William Smith, Charles B. Thompson, and others, as sheep that knew not the Master's voice, and therefore followed strangers, receiving from these self-appointed leaders "ordinations" and honors, and after having testified that these false teachers were inspired of God and their organizations the work of the Lord—after all this, when they came together and formed the "New Organization" they were still the "faithful" who had not followed after "false gods" or "bowed the knee to Baal," and had retained power to "re-organize" the Church according to the original pattern, although the Prophet had not commissioned them.

In an address to these scattered "faithful" written shortly after the "New Organization of the Church" was formed, the declaration was made "that we believe that the Church of Christ organized on the 6th day of April, A. D. 1830, exists as on that day, wherever six or more Saints are organized to the pattern in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants." And, of course,theyare the Saints "organized according to the pattern"—if their word can be taken for the fact.

The president of their church states it this way: "The individuals who kept this covenant (the new and everlasting covenant of the Gospel) were accepted of Him and were not rejected, nor their standing before God put in jeopardy by the departure of others from the faith. Whatever office in the priesthood each held, under the ordinations ordered by the call of God and vote of the Church, would remain valid. They could as elders, priests, teachers, etc., pursue the duties of warning, expounding, and inviting all to come to Christ, and by command of God, could build up the Church from any single branch, which, like themselves, had not bowed the knee to Baal, or departed from the faith of the Church as founded in the standard works of the body at the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith."—(Saints' Herald, Feb. 17, 1904).

In their attempt to prove that the Apostles led the Church astray and introduced false doctrines, they have one standard by which the Church and the Apostles are measured; but in proving thattheyare the "faithful who have kept the new and everlasting covenant" and have remained in harmony with "the pattern" their standard of measurement is quite another thing. The Church is to be judged by all the unauthorized sayings and doings of any or all of its members or ministers. Their church is to be judged "by its authorized doctrines and deeds, and not by the unauthorized sayings or doings of some or many of its members or ministers." (See Blood Atonement and Origin of Plural Marriage, page 44).

They even go so far in their own defense as to reject the teachings and revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith, wherein they are in conflict with their expressed views and have not been received by them by vote of their church as doctrine; but they deny to us the privilege of being tried by our "authorized doctrines and deeds," and would force upon us, as a body, teachings of any member of the Church wherein they think they could make a point to their advantage; and this they have done in the courts of the land. We grant unto them the right to be tried by that rule laid down by the president of their organization, and claim the right to be tried by the same kind of standard. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not responsible for the sayings or doings of any individual in conflict with that which has been received as a standard by which the Church is to be governed. We are to be judged byourauthorized doctrines and deeds not by the whims or notions of men. But the ministers of the "Reorganization" have not been willing from the beginning to permit us to stand on this platform, but insist that we stand on the platform they have prepared for us.

The Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, including the Articles of Faith, have been received by the vote of the Church in general conference assembled as the standard works of the Church. On this platform we stand. The Church is not responsible for the remarks made by any Elder or for the numerous books that have been written. The authors of the words or books must be responsible for their own utterances. It is not to be supposed from this that all that has been written outside of the standard works of the Church is discarded and rejected, for these things are profitable as helps in the government of the Church, and to promote faith in the members. The point is this, if in these books mistakes are found, "they are the mistakes of men," and the Church as an organization is not to be held accountable for them, but for that which is received from time to time by vote of the Church, as it comes through the President of the High Priesthood. When the Lord reveals his mind and will it is to be received, "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same," but we are not to be judged by "unauthorized sayings or deeds."

The ministers of the "Reorganization" tell us that the Church has departed from the teachings received from 1830-1844 in many principles of vital importance, viz., the Godhead, marriage, the atonement, the location of Zion, Temple building and the ceremonies therein, and other things, in which they have strictly adhered to the original faith. We will take these subjects up one by one and see which organization it is that is following the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the doctrines of "the Original Church." First as to the Godhead.

The first article of faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reads as follows:

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

We accept these three personages as the supreme governing council in the heavens. The Father and the Son have tabernacles of flesh and bones, and the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. (D. & C. 130:22). We worship the Father in the name of the Son, who is the Mediator between God and man, and His is the only name given whereby man can be saved (D. & C. 18:23). We accept Jesus as the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, although we are all His offspring in the spirit, (Acts 17:28) and therefore His children. This is the teaching of "Mormonism."

We are accused by the Reorganites, however, of departing from the doctrines of the Prophet Joseph Smith in that we believe in a plurality of Gods. That we believe in a plurality of Gods is true, and if they do not—and they confess almost unanimously that they do not—then they are not following the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith. If the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are separate and distinct personages, then they are three Gods, then they are plural, this fact Joseph Smith taught to the world. But our Reorganite friends quote from a purported discourse of President Brigham Young to the effect that Adam is our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do. But this discourse even if reported correctly—which we have reason to believe is not the case—is not the doctrine of the Church and has not been received by the Church. Joseph Smith the Prophet taught a plurality of Gods, and moreover, that man, by obeying the commandments of God and keeping the whole law will eventually reach the power and exaltation by which he also will become a God. And if Reorganites do not accept this truth, then they have departed from the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The doctrine of plurality of Gods, did not originate with Brigham Young, but was taught him by Joseph Smith.

In a discourse delivered by the Prophet in Nauvoo at the April conference of the Church in 1844, he said:

"I will go back to the beginning before the world was, to show what kind of a being God is. What sort of a being was God in the beginning? Open your ears and hear, all ye ends of the earth, for I am going to prove it to you by the Bible, and to tell you the designs of God in relation to the human race, and why He interferes with the affairs of man."God himselfwas once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make Himself visible,—I say, if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another.* * * * * * * *"I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible; I will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of creation in the Bible—Berosheit. I want to analyze the word.Baith—in, by, through, and everything else.Rosh—the head.Sheit—grammatical termination. When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the baith there. An old Jew without any authority added the word; he thought it too bad to begin to talk about the head! It read first, 'The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods.' That is the true meaning of the word—Baurausignifies to bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do not believe the learned man of God. Learned men can teach you no more than what I have told you.Thus the head God brought forth the Gods in the grand council."I will transpose and simplify it in the English language. Oh ye lawyers, ye doctors, and ye priests, who have persecuted me, I want to let you know that the Holy Ghost knows something as well as you do. The head God called together the Gods and sat in grand council to bring forth the world."—(See Era, January, 1909).

"God himselfwas once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make Himself visible,—I say, if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another.

* * * * * * * *

"I shall comment on the very first Hebrew word in the Bible; I will make a comment on the very first sentence of the history of creation in the Bible—Berosheit. I want to analyze the word.Baith—in, by, through, and everything else.Rosh—the head.Sheit—grammatical termination. When the inspired man wrote it, he did not put the baith there. An old Jew without any authority added the word; he thought it too bad to begin to talk about the head! It read first, 'The head one of the Gods brought forth the Gods.' That is the true meaning of the word—Baurausignifies to bring forth. If you do not believe it, you do not believe the learned man of God. Learned men can teach you no more than what I have told you.Thus the head God brought forth the Gods in the grand council.

"I will transpose and simplify it in the English language. Oh ye lawyers, ye doctors, and ye priests, who have persecuted me, I want to let you know that the Holy Ghost knows something as well as you do. The head God called together the Gods and sat in grand council to bring forth the world."—(See Era, January, 1909).

In another discourse delivered June 16, 1844 the Prophet said:

"And hath made us kings and priests unto Godand His Father: to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."—(Rev. 1:6). It is altogether correct in the translation. Now, you know that of late some malicious and corrupt men have sprung up and apostatized from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they declare that the Prophet believes in a plurality of Gods; and, lo and behold! we have discovered a very great secret, they cry, 'The Prophet says there are many Gods, and this proves that he has fallen.'""I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for the express purpose. I wish to declare I have always, and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders fifteen years. I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a spirit; and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods. If this is in accordance with the New Testament, lo and behold! we have three Gods anyhow, and they are plural; and who can contradict it? The text says—'And hath made us kings and priests unto Godand His Father.' The apostles have discovered that there were Gods above, for Paul says God was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. My object was to preach the Scriptures, and preach the doctrine they contain, there being a God above the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ I am bold to declare. * * John was one of the men, and the Apostles declare they were made kings and priests unto God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It reads just so in the Revelations. Hence, the doctrine of a plurality of Gods is as prominent in the Bible as any other doctrine. It is all over the face of the Bible. It stands beyond the power of controversy. A wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.'"Paul says there are Gods many, and Lords many * * * But to us there is but one God—that is,pertainingto us; and he is in all and through all. But if Joseph Smith says there are Gods many and Lords many, they cry: 'Away with him! Crucify him, crucify him!' Mankind verily say that the Scriptures are with them. Search the Scriptures, for they testify of things that these apostates would gravely pronounce blasphemy. Paul, if Joseph Smith is a blasphemer, you are. I say there are Gods many, and Lords many, but to us only one; and we are to be in subjection to that one, and no man can limit the bounds or the eternal existence of eternal time. * * * Some say I do not interpret the Scriptures the same as they do. they say it means the heathens' gods. Paul says there are Gods many, and Lords many; and that makes a plurality of Gods, in spite of the whims of all men. * * You know, and I testify, that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods. I have it from God, and get over it if you can. I have a witness of the Holy Ghost, and a testimony that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods in the text. I will show from the Hebrew Bible that I am correct, and the first word shows a plurality of Gods; and I want the apostates and learned men to come here and prove to the contrary, if they can. An unlearned boy must give you a little Hebrew.Berosheit Baurau Eloheim ait aushamayeen vehau auraits, rendered by King James' translators, 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. I want to analyze the wordBerosheit. Rosh, the head;sheit, a grammatical termination. TheBaithwas not originally put there when the inspired man wrote it, but it has been since added by an old Jew. Baurau signifies to bring forth;Eloheimis from the wordEloi, God in the singular number; and by adding the wordheim, it renders it Gods. It read first—'In the beginning the head of the Gods brought forth the Gods,' or, as others have translated it—'The head of the Gods called the Gods together.'* * * * * * *"The head God organized the heavens and the earth. I defy all the learning in the world to refute me. 'In the beginning the head of the Gods organized the heavens and the earth.' * * If we pursue the Hebrew text further, it reads—'Berosheit baurau Eloheim ait Aushamayeen vehau auraits,' 'The head one of the Gods said, 'Let us make man in our own image.' I once asked a learned Jew 'If the Hebrew language compells us to render all words ending in heim in the plural, why not render the first Eloheim plural? He replied—'That is the rule, with few exceptions; but in this case it would ruin the Bible.' He acknowledged I was right. I came here to investigate these things precisely as I believe them. Hear and judge for yourselves: and if you go away satisfied, well and good."In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the power of refutation. * * * The wordEloheimought to be in the plural all the way through—Gods. The head of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take a (this) view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfection of all the Gods."—(See Mill. Star, Vol. 24:108, et seq).

"I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for the express purpose. I wish to declare I have always, and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders fifteen years. I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a spirit; and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods. If this is in accordance with the New Testament, lo and behold! we have three Gods anyhow, and they are plural; and who can contradict it? The text says—'And hath made us kings and priests unto Godand His Father.' The apostles have discovered that there were Gods above, for Paul says God was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. My object was to preach the Scriptures, and preach the doctrine they contain, there being a God above the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ I am bold to declare. * * John was one of the men, and the Apostles declare they were made kings and priests unto God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It reads just so in the Revelations. Hence, the doctrine of a plurality of Gods is as prominent in the Bible as any other doctrine. It is all over the face of the Bible. It stands beyond the power of controversy. A wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.'

"Paul says there are Gods many, and Lords many * * * But to us there is but one God—that is,pertainingto us; and he is in all and through all. But if Joseph Smith says there are Gods many and Lords many, they cry: 'Away with him! Crucify him, crucify him!' Mankind verily say that the Scriptures are with them. Search the Scriptures, for they testify of things that these apostates would gravely pronounce blasphemy. Paul, if Joseph Smith is a blasphemer, you are. I say there are Gods many, and Lords many, but to us only one; and we are to be in subjection to that one, and no man can limit the bounds or the eternal existence of eternal time. * * * Some say I do not interpret the Scriptures the same as they do. they say it means the heathens' gods. Paul says there are Gods many, and Lords many; and that makes a plurality of Gods, in spite of the whims of all men. * * You know, and I testify, that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods. I have it from God, and get over it if you can. I have a witness of the Holy Ghost, and a testimony that Paul had no allusion to the heathen gods in the text. I will show from the Hebrew Bible that I am correct, and the first word shows a plurality of Gods; and I want the apostates and learned men to come here and prove to the contrary, if they can. An unlearned boy must give you a little Hebrew.Berosheit Baurau Eloheim ait aushamayeen vehau auraits, rendered by King James' translators, 'In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. I want to analyze the wordBerosheit. Rosh, the head;sheit, a grammatical termination. TheBaithwas not originally put there when the inspired man wrote it, but it has been since added by an old Jew. Baurau signifies to bring forth;Eloheimis from the wordEloi, God in the singular number; and by adding the wordheim, it renders it Gods. It read first—'In the beginning the head of the Gods brought forth the Gods,' or, as others have translated it—'The head of the Gods called the Gods together.'

* * * * * * *

"The head God organized the heavens and the earth. I defy all the learning in the world to refute me. 'In the beginning the head of the Gods organized the heavens and the earth.' * * If we pursue the Hebrew text further, it reads—'Berosheit baurau Eloheim ait Aushamayeen vehau auraits,' 'The head one of the Gods said, 'Let us make man in our own image.' I once asked a learned Jew 'If the Hebrew language compells us to render all words ending in heim in the plural, why not render the first Eloheim plural? He replied—'That is the rule, with few exceptions; but in this case it would ruin the Bible.' He acknowledged I was right. I came here to investigate these things precisely as I believe them. Hear and judge for yourselves: and if you go away satisfied, well and good.

"In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the power of refutation. * * * The wordEloheimought to be in the plural all the way through—Gods. The head of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take a (this) view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfection of all the Gods."—(See Mill. Star, Vol. 24:108, et seq).

This is the doctrine taught by Joseph Smith the Prophet at Nauvoo, and we accept his teachings as authentic. "But this was not published until after the Prophet's death," says our Reorganite objectors, and "Brigham Young tampered with history and made it read to suit himself, therefore we do not accept it." Nevertheless these two discourses were delivered before the congregation of the Saints and thousands of them heard the Prophet deliver these remarks, andif he had not spoken as here represented, the Apostles would not have dared publish his remarks within a month or two after they were delivered, for the people would have discovered the deception. But thousands of them have testified that these discourses were delivered by Joseph Smith. None can, without successful contradiction, say he did not deliver them. Again, the objection is raised, that these discourses were never accepted by the Church as doctrine, and therefore are not binding even if the Prophet did deliver them. Very well; the fact remains that the Church has accepted the Bibleas far as it is translated correctly. Therefore, where it is not translated correctly we should receive the correct translationwhen it is given. The Prophet says the Hebrew wordEloheimis plural and means Gods, and should have been so translated in the Bible throughout. Is that true? If you think not, why not accept the Prophet's challenge to prove to the contrary? If you cannot, then hold your peace about it being binding!

Well, my friends of the "Reorganization" we will give you another quotation from the Prophet Joseph Smith,this time it was publishedbefore his martyrdom and that too by himself, for which he declared he stood responsible (See Times and Seasons, Vol. 3:710). This quotation is taken from theBook of Abrahamin theTimes and Seasonsfor March 1, 1842, which the Prophet says are some ancient records "from the Catacombs of Egypt, purporting to be the writings of Abraham, which he made in Egypt, called theBook of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus." These records were translated by the Prophet at Nauvoo, and in the MS. History of the Church prepared under his direction, he declares that they are absolutely the writings of Abraham, a fact which a reading of them will show. If you accept Joseph Smith as a Prophet, Seer and Revelator, you must, if you believe he translated the record, accept these writings, at least as the genuine translations of Abraham's record. There is no room for quibbling here.

This is from the Prophet's translation:

"Thus, I Abraham, talked with the Lord face to face, as one man talketh with another. * * * * *"Now the Lord had shewn unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones, and God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and He said, these, I will make my rulers; for He stood among those that were spirits, and He saw that they were good; and He said unto me, Abraham, thou art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast born. And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and He said unto those, who were with Him, We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an Earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate, shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate, shall have glory added upon their heads forever and forever.Verse 23. "And the Lord said, who shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man, here am I, send me. And another answered and said, here am I, send me. And the Lord said, I will send the first. And the second was angry and kept not his first estate, and, at that day, many followed after him. And then the Lord said, let us go down; and they went down at the beginning, and they organized and formed (that is, the Gods) the heavens and the earth. And the earth, after it was formed, was empty and desolate; because they had not formed anything but the earth; and darkness reigned upon the face of the deep, and the spirit of the Gods was brooding upon the face of the water.24. And they said, the Gods, let there be light, and there was light. And they, the Gods, comprehended the light, for it was bright; and they divided the light, or caused it to be divided from the darkness, and the Gods called the light day, and the darkness they called night. * * * * *25. And the Gods also said let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and it shall divide the waters from the waters. And the Gods ordered the expanse, so that it divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse: and it was so, even as they ordered. And the Gods called the expanse heaven. * * *26. And the Gods ordered, saying, let the waters under the heavens be gathered unto one place, and let the earth come up dry, and it was so, as they ordered; and the Gods pronounced the earth dry."

"Thus, I Abraham, talked with the Lord face to face, as one man talketh with another. * * * * *

"Now the Lord had shewn unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones, and God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and He said, these, I will make my rulers; for He stood among those that were spirits, and He saw that they were good; and He said unto me, Abraham, thou art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast born. And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and He said unto those, who were with Him, We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an Earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate, shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate, shall have glory added upon their heads forever and forever.

Verse 23. "And the Lord said, who shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man, here am I, send me. And another answered and said, here am I, send me. And the Lord said, I will send the first. And the second was angry and kept not his first estate, and, at that day, many followed after him. And then the Lord said, let us go down; and they went down at the beginning, and they organized and formed (that is, the Gods) the heavens and the earth. And the earth, after it was formed, was empty and desolate; because they had not formed anything but the earth; and darkness reigned upon the face of the deep, and the spirit of the Gods was brooding upon the face of the water.

24. And they said, the Gods, let there be light, and there was light. And they, the Gods, comprehended the light, for it was bright; and they divided the light, or caused it to be divided from the darkness, and the Gods called the light day, and the darkness they called night. * * * * *

25. And the Gods also said let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and it shall divide the waters from the waters. And the Gods ordered the expanse, so that it divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse: and it was so, even as they ordered. And the Gods called the expanse heaven. * * *

26. And the Gods ordered, saying, let the waters under the heavens be gathered unto one place, and let the earth come up dry, and it was so, as they ordered; and the Gods pronounced the earth dry."

Thus it continues unto the end of the 32nd verse in each verse declaring that the formation of the earth was done under the direction of the Gods. This agrees admirably with the discourses delivered at Nauvoo in 1844, previously quoted. Is it true doctrine? It certainly was taught by Joseph Smith, so in accepting it, we are not so far out of harmony with his teachings on this subject as our enemies have stated. Here again we hear another objection from our Reorganite brethren. Say they: "ThisBook of Abrahamwas never accepted by the Church in the Prophet's day as doctrine and it has not been so accepted by us; it is not a part of 'our authorized doctrines and deeds,' therefore it is not binding on us." Perhaps so, you may not have accepted it. That does not destroy the truth of this doctrine, which the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Church in his daydid accept—the Doctrine of plurality of Gods. Do you deny this? If so then you deny the revelations of God given through the Seer andyouare out of harmony with the revelations given through that man. The Bible and the Doctrine and Covenants both have been received as the law of the Church, and these sacred books both teach the doctrine of plurality of Gods. First as to the Bible: I quote in each instance from the "Inspired Translation."

"For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."—(Deut. 10:17).Joshua says: "The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know."—(Josh. 22:22).David the Psalmist says: "Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever."Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; for His mercy endureth forever."Oh give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy endureth forever."—(Psalm 136:1-3).Again he says in the 138th Psalm: "I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods, will sing praise unto Thee."

"For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."—(Deut. 10:17).

Joshua says: "The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know."—(Josh. 22:22).

David the Psalmist says: "Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.

"Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; for His mercy endureth forever.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy endureth forever."—(Psalm 136:1-3).

Again he says in the 138th Psalm: "I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods, will sing praise unto Thee."

But you say these were the heathen gods? but that will never do, surely the Lord is not the chief God of the heathen gods. Perhaps we may discover more light on the subject.

Again the Psalmist sings: "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. * * * I have said ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High."

Say what you will of the other passages, but of this you must admit that the heathen gods are not mentioned, for this truth received the divine approval of the Redeemer Himself as He taught the apostate Jew: Hear Him:

"I and my Father are one.""Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?"The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, maketh thyself God.""Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came,and the Scriptures cannot be broken;"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

"I and my Father are one."

"Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

"The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, maketh thyself God."

"Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

"If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came,and the Scriptures cannot be broken;

"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

And the Jews were shocked, just as a Reorganite minister is, with this doctrine of plurality of Gods, and they sought the life of the Savior, but He was delivered out of their midst.

The Apostle John in his First Epistle and third chapter also teaches this doctrine:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; thereforethe world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."Beloved,now are we the sons of God, andit doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; thereforethe world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

"Beloved,now are we the sons of God, andit doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

If the faithful, who keep the commandments of the Father areHis sons, then they are heirs of the kingdom and shall receive of the fulnesss of the Father's glory, even until they become like Father. And how can they be perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect if they are not like Him?

In the revelations given to Joseph which were accepted by the Church before 1844, the doctrine of plurality of Gods is also taught. From the "Vision" one of the grandest revelations ever given to man, I quote the following:

"And again, we bear record for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the Gospel of Christ, concerning them who come forth in the resurrection of the just: They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on His name, and were baptized after the manner of His burial, being buried in the water in His name, and this according to the commandment which He has given, that by keeping the commandments, they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power: and who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true; they are they who are the Church of the firstborn; they are they into whose hands the Father has given all things; they are they who are priests and kings, who have received of His fulnesss, and of His glory, and are priests of the Most High after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son; wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God; wherefore all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs, and they are Christ's and Christ is God's and they shall overcome all things."—(D. & C., Sec. 76:50-60. Reorganite edition, 76:5).

How could this doctrine be stated plainer? This is the doctrine taught by the Savior to the Jews, by David in his psalms and by others of the prophets. Here it is stated emphatically that they who are of the Church of the Firstborn (i. e., those who keep the whole law) even "as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God!" Where is it written? In this section; and in the words of the Savior wherein He says, referring to David's Psalm, "the Scriptures cannot be broken" (John 10:34-36). Doesn't this teach plainly the doctrine of plurality of Gods? Does it not teach the fact that the children shall, through obedience, sometime obtain the exaltation of the Gods themselves? If not what does it mean? Even a Reorganite dare not argue that these are the heathen gods!

Now, if they overcomeall things, thenthereare not some thingsthat they do not overcome. If these are to receive "of His fulnesss and of His glory, and if into their 'hands the Father hasgiven all things, then the Fatherhas not withheldsome of the fulnesss of His glory, orsome things. And if they receive His fulnesss and His glory, and ifall thingsare theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come,all are theirs," how can they receive these blessings and not become Gods? They cannot. Yet this is doctrine received by the Church and taught by Joseph Smith the Seer.

Speaking of this same subject in the revelation on Priesthood (Sec. 84:35-40. Reorganite edition, 83:6) the Lord says:

"And also all they who receive this priesthood receiveth me, saith the Lord, for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father, and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom. Therefore,all that my Father hathshall be given unto him; and this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.[1]Therefore, all those who receiveth the priesthood receiveth this oath and covenant of my Father,which He cannot break, neither can it be moved; but whoso breaketh this covenant, after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come."

Here again we are given to understand that those who are faithful in obtaining the priesthood and magnifying their calling that they become of the Church of the Firstborn, receiving ALL THAT THE FATHER HATH! and this according to an oath and covenant that cannot be broken. Now, again, how are they to receiveall that the Father hath, if something is withheld? And if something is not withheld, how can they receive all that He hath and not become as He is, that is, Gods themselves?

Here is another revelation given to the Prophet December 27, 1832. This is section 88 and verses 106-7 (Reorganite edition, 85:33):

"And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying, It is finished! It is finished! the Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone; even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God; And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of His might, and the saints shall be filled with His glory, and receive their inheritance and bemade equal with Him" (i. e., with Christ).

How can the Saints receive of His fulnesss and beequalwith the Lord and not be as He is, that is Gods? This is not the doctrine of Brigham Young (for then in the eyes of Reorganites it would be blasphemy), but these are the revelations of the Lord to Joseph Smith. And these revelations have been received by the "Reorganized" Church as binding on them, yet they do not accept the truth these revelations contain. Therefore, they prove themselves to be those who have departed from the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

A word now, in relation to Adam. If all those,as it is written—and the Scriptures cannot be broken—are Gods unto whom the word of God came, and they are to receive all things, even the fulnesss of the Father's glory and be made equal with him, will not Father Adam be included among them? What do the Scriptures say ofhim?

In section 107:54-55: "And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel,"And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him,I have set thee to be at the head—a multitude of nations shall come of thee, andthou art a prince over them forever." Section 78:16: "Who hath appointed Michael your prince, and established his feet, andset him upon high, and given unto him the keys of Salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days or end of life."

In section 107:54-55: "And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel,

"And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him,I have set thee to be at the head—a multitude of nations shall come of thee, andthou art a prince over them forever." Section 78:16: "Who hath appointed Michael your prince, and established his feet, andset him upon high, and given unto him the keys of Salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy One, who is without beginning of days or end of life."

These expressions are from the revelations to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young did not receive them, although he accepted them.

This is what the Prophet said in a discourse in 1839:

"The Priesthood was first given to Adam, he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Gen. 1:26, 27, 28. He had dominion given him over every living creature. He is Michael, the Archangel spoken of in the Scriptures. * * * * The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven,it is by Adam's authority. (My italics.)"Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.—(History of the Church, Vol. 3:385-7. See also Vol. 4:207-9.)

"Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.—(History of the Church, Vol. 3:385-7. See also Vol. 4:207-9.)

Now, if all the Saints who become members of the Church of the Firstborn are to become Gods—and the Scriptures cannot be broken—through the fulnesss of the Father's glory which they are to receive after they are "made equal with Him," will not Adam, who is appointed "to be at the head" as "a prince over them forever," be one of them? And as one of them he shall hold the scepter of power and rule over them under the direction of the Holy One of Israel, and they shall be in subjection to him forever.

This was taught by Joseph Smith, and in departing from it, the "Reorganized" Church has denied the revelations and teachings of the Lord.

In connection with this subject, Reorganites also claim that Brigham Young went astray and apostatized because he declared that Jesus Christ was not begotten of the Holy Ghost. Reorganites claim that He was begotten of the Holy Ghost, and they make the statement that the Scriptures so teach. But they do err not understanding the Scriptures. They tell us the Book of Mormon states that Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost. I challenge the statement; the Book of Mormon teaches no such thing! Neither does the Bible. It is true there is one passage that states so but we must consider it in the light of other passages with which it is in conflict. The Book of Mormon says:

"And behold, He shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem * * she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed, and conceiveby the powerof the Holy Ghost."

With this Luke agrees:

"Then said Mary unto the angel; How can this be?"And the angel answered and said unto her, of the Holy Ghost, andthe power of the Highest. Therefore also, that holy child that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.—Luke 1:34-35).

"Then said Mary unto the angel; How can this be?

"And the angel answered and said unto her, of the Holy Ghost, andthe power of the Highest. Therefore also, that holy child that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.—Luke 1:34-35).

In Matthew it reads "of the Holy Ghost" which evidently means "power of the Holy Ghost," to agree with the Book of Mormon and with Luke.

If Reorganites are correct then Jesus is not the Only Begotten Son of the Father, but the Son of the Holy Ghost. This will not do for it conflicts with the Scriptures. The Prophet taught that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost were three separate personages, and that Jesus was the Only Begotten of the Father. In the Book of Genesis, (Inspired Scriptures) Jesus is spoken of throughout as theOnly Begotten of the Fathernot less thantwelvetimes and in the Book of Mormon at least five times and a great number of times in the Doctrine and Covenants (see section 76:23, 25, 35, 57) and in these Scriptures He is spoken of as the Son of God innumerable times. Now, if He is theOnly Begottenof the Father in the flesh, He must be the Son of the Father and not the Son of the Holy Ghost. Yet, to be consistent, Reorganites must claim that Jesus is the Son of the Holy Ghost and not the Son of God the Father. Their alternative—if it can be called such—must be, then, the stand of Mr. William H. Kelley, the "president" of their "apostles," who in a written statement in answer to the question put to him by the writer, September 10, 1903: "You say that Jesus Christ the Son of God was begotten of the Holy Ghost. Is He the Son of the Holy Ghost?"

Mr. Kelley signed his answer as follows: "I do not know. Wm. H. Kelley."

Just think of this for a moment. Here is a man professing to be the Chief of the Special Witnesses for Christ, declaring that he does not know whether Jesus is the Son of God the Father or the Son of the Holy Ghost. And the Savior declared it so plainly that He was the Son of the Father, His Only Begotten, and was so acknowledged by the Father throughout the Scriptures. "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3. Again we prove thattheyhave departed from the Scriptures and the teachings and revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Why do they make this error? Because they do not understand the Scriptures and fail to recognize the fact that all things that the Father doeth are done by thepower of the Holy Ghost.

The question of Celestial (including plural) marriage is treated quite extensively inBlood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriageso it will be passed with a brief notice here.

We maintain with abundant authority that Joseph Smith the Prophet introduced Celestial Marriage, that is, marriage for eternity, into the Church. This fact has been admitted by many members of the "Reorganized" Church, notwithstanding they attack us on this doctrine and say it is not a doctrine of the Church. And while they attack us the better part of them hope it is true. What is there so terrible in the doctrine of the preservation of the family union in eternity? What right-living God-fearing man is there but would be glad to meet his parents, his wife and children, in the kingdom of God and know they were united never again to separate? While this belief is not taught in the creeds of men—including the Reorganites—yet there is a hope burning in the bosoms of many people that this doctrinemayprove true!

Well, it is a Scriptural doctrine, and itistrue, for the Lord revealed it to Joseph Smith. In the beginning, the very first marriage was one intended to last forever. Do you not believe it? I quote from the Inspired Scriptures:

"And I, God, created manin mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him,male and female created I them, And I, God, blessed them, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."—(Genesis 1:29-30).

This was a spiritual creation, man was created in the image of God,male and female, first in the Spirit, and told in that spiritual creation that they were expected to multiply and replenish the earth when they were placed upon it to subdue it. This we prove from the second chapter of Genesis beginning with the fifth verse:

"For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spokenspiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth; for I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth."And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men, and not yet a man to till the ground, for in heaven created I them, and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air."Verse 23. "And I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten, that it was not good that the man should be alone;"Wherefore, I will make an help meet for him."

"And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men, and not yet a man to till the ground, for in heaven created I them, and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air."

Verse 23. "And I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten, that it was not good that the man should be alone;

"Wherefore, I will make an help meet for him."

Here the Lord declares that it is not good for man to be alone, and therefore he gave him an helpmeet, Eve; and this union was formed beforemortality or death came into the world, and there is no indication that it was meant to have an end. If, therefore, it was not good for man to be alone before the days of mortality, will it not also be good for man to have a helpmeetaftermortality has passed away? Paul thought so, said he: "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man,in the Lord."—(I Cor. 11:11).

Alexender H. Smith, "Patriarch" of the "Reorganized" Church, in a discourse that is very excellent in many respects, delivered July 1, 1903, and published in "Zion's Ensign" of December 31, 1903, taught the eternity of the marriage covenant as strongly and emphatically as it could have been done by an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The subject of the discourse was: "In My Father's house are many mansions," after enlarging upon the theme for some time, he concludes his discourse with some personal testimony regarding the last illness of his mother from which the following extracts are here produced:

"Pretty son the still, small voice of the Spirit said, "If your mother diesshe will be with her companion, Joseph. If she lives she cannot but live a few short years at most of pain and anguish."* * * * * * * * * * * *"Just before she passed away she called, 'Joseph, Joseph,' I thought she meant my brother. He was in the room, and I spoke to him, and said, Joseph, mother wants you. I was at the head of the bed. My mother raised right up, lifted her left hand as high as she could raise it, and called, Joseph. I put my left arm under her shoulders, took her hand in mine, saying, Mother, what is it, laid her hand on her bosom, and she was dead; she had passed away."And when I talked of her calling, Sr. Revel, who was with us during our sickness, said, Don't you understand that? No, I replied, I do not. Well, a short time before she died she had a vision which she related to me. She said that your father came to her and said to her, Emma, come with me, it is time for you to come with me. And as she related it she said, I put on my bonnet and my shawl and went with him; I did not think that it was anything unusual. I went with him into a mansion, a beautiful mansion, and he showed me through the different apartments of that beautiful mansion. And one room was the nursery. In that nursery was a babe in the cradle. She said, I knew my babe, my Don Carlos that was taken away from me. She sprang forward, caught the child up in her arms, and wept with joy over the child. When she recovered herself sufficiently she turned to Joseph, and said. Where are the rest of my children? He said to her, Emma, be patient, and you shall have all of your children."

"Pretty son the still, small voice of the Spirit said, "If your mother diesshe will be with her companion, Joseph. If she lives she cannot but live a few short years at most of pain and anguish."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Just before she passed away she called, 'Joseph, Joseph,' I thought she meant my brother. He was in the room, and I spoke to him, and said, Joseph, mother wants you. I was at the head of the bed. My mother raised right up, lifted her left hand as high as she could raise it, and called, Joseph. I put my left arm under her shoulders, took her hand in mine, saying, Mother, what is it, laid her hand on her bosom, and she was dead; she had passed away.

"And when I talked of her calling, Sr. Revel, who was with us during our sickness, said, Don't you understand that? No, I replied, I do not. Well, a short time before she died she had a vision which she related to me. She said that your father came to her and said to her, Emma, come with me, it is time for you to come with me. And as she related it she said, I put on my bonnet and my shawl and went with him; I did not think that it was anything unusual. I went with him into a mansion, a beautiful mansion, and he showed me through the different apartments of that beautiful mansion. And one room was the nursery. In that nursery was a babe in the cradle. She said, I knew my babe, my Don Carlos that was taken away from me. She sprang forward, caught the child up in her arms, and wept with joy over the child. When she recovered herself sufficiently she turned to Joseph, and said. Where are the rest of my children? He said to her, Emma, be patient, and you shall have all of your children."

Then Alexander comments:

"Do you wonder why, as a son of that mother, I plead for those who believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and picture their beautiful home in the city of God, in the language that I do, when I realize that my mother occupies, or will occupy one of those beautiful mansions?It may be imagination; but it is grand; it fills me with a grand hope."

And so they do hope, notwithstanding the fact that they oppose us in this doctrine, and say that there is no union of parents and children in family union after death. They secretly hope, and pray in their very hearts, that after all in this wemaybe right.

This subject is also found inBlood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage, therefore only a brief outline will be given here. Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed toatone, as far as possible, in their behalf. This is Scriptural doctrine, and is taught in all the standard works of the Church. The doctrine was established in the beginning, that "Whoso sheddeth man's blood,by man shall hisblood shed toatoneas far as possible, in their behalf. For a commandment I give, that every man's brother shall preserve the life of man, for in mine own image have I made man."—(Genesis 9:12-13, Inspired Scriptures).

This was the law among the Nephites: "Wo unto the murderer, who deliberately killeth,for he shall die."—(II Nephi 9:35).

John says: "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death.There is a sin unto death: I do not say that ye shall pray for it."

Every nation since the world began has practiced blood atonement at least in part as that doctrine is based upon the Scriptures. And men for certain crimes have had toatonefor their sins wherein they have placed themselves beyond the redeeming power of the blood of Christ.

But that the Church practices "Blood Atonement" on apostates or any others, which is preached by ministers of the "Reorganization" is a damnable falsehood for which the accusers must answer.

Members of the "Reorganized" Church inform us that Zion does not include Utah,[2]but is limited to Jackson County, Mo., and the regions round about, Nauvoo being one of the "corner stones;" and when the Saints came westward they left the borders of Zion. Moreover, since Temples were to be built in Zion and Jerusalem, all the Temples we may build in Utah or the West are not recognized of the Lord on this ground alone, if no other.

We accept the fact that the center place where the City New Jerusalem is to be built, is in Jackson Country, Missouri. It was never the intention to substitute Utah or any other place for Jackson Country. But we do hold that Zion when reference is made to the land, is as broad as America, both North and South—all of it is Zion. If Zion is limited in its scope to the country surrounding Jackson County, it is indeed too bad that Nephi did not know that fact. What a glorious thing it would have been had there been a few Reorganites in his day to inform him of it. Then he and his people would not have fallen into the error of building Temples—like unto Solomon's at Jerusalem—away off down in Central or South America, but they could have placed one in Jackson Country, or the regions round about. It was really an unfortunate occurrence.

But to be serious. The Book of Mormon informs us that the whole of America, both North and South, is a choice land above all other lands, in other words—Zion. The Lord told the Jaredites that He would lead them to a land "which is choice above all the land of the earth." (Ether 1:42). We understand that they landed in Central America where their kingdom existed the greater part of their residence in America. When the Lord led the family of Lehi to this land, He said to them: "And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands." (I. Nephi, 2:20). It is generally understood that they landed in South America, and that their nations, the Nephites and Lamanites, dwelt in South and Central America during the greater part of their sojourn here. At any rate, the time of their civilization was principally spent in the South and not in the region now comprising the United States. This proves beyond the possibility of doubt that the choice land was South as well as North America, and while the City New Jerusalem, which the Book of Mormon tells us is to be built on this land that is choice above all other lands, will be in Jackson County, nevertheless, if one accepts the Book of Mormon, one must accept the whole hemisphere as the land of Zion.

At the April conference of the Church, held at Nauvoo in 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared that the whole of America was Zion. (See Mill. Star, 23:280). His remarks are recorded in theLife of Joseph the Prophet(Reorganite edition, page 503) as follows:

"But in the mighty sweep of the crowning sermons of his life we must not overlook the more miscellaneous gems and striking sayings. Here is one for America, like the sound of an archangel's trump:"I want to make a proclamation to the Elders. You know very well that the Lord has led this Church by revelation. I have now another revelation—a grand and glorious revelation. I shall not be able to dwell as largely upon it as at some other time, but I will give you the first principles. You know there has been a great discussion in relation to Zion, where it is, and where the gathering of the dispensation is, which I am now going to tell you. The Prophets have spoken and written upon it, but I will make a proclamation that will cover a broader ground.The whole of America is Zion itself, from north to south, and is described by the Prophets, who declared that it is the Zion, where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that it should be in the centre of the land. When the Elders will take up and examine the old prophecies in the Bible they will see it."

"But in the mighty sweep of the crowning sermons of his life we must not overlook the more miscellaneous gems and striking sayings. Here is one for America, like the sound of an archangel's trump:

"I want to make a proclamation to the Elders. You know very well that the Lord has led this Church by revelation. I have now another revelation—a grand and glorious revelation. I shall not be able to dwell as largely upon it as at some other time, but I will give you the first principles. You know there has been a great discussion in relation to Zion, where it is, and where the gathering of the dispensation is, which I am now going to tell you. The Prophets have spoken and written upon it, but I will make a proclamation that will cover a broader ground.The whole of America is Zion itself, from north to south, and is described by the Prophets, who declared that it is the Zion, where the mountain of the Lord should be, and that it should be in the centre of the land. When the Elders will take up and examine the old prophecies in the Bible they will see it."

Another charge is that after the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, President Young and the Apostles introduced secrets into the Church, that they claimed to hold "keys that the written word never spoke of, nor never will." (True Succession, p. 122). All this, say they, is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the teachings of Joseph Smith, who always taught openly and not in secret. One of their defenders writing on this point quotes from the Redeemer as follows:

"Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, wither the Jews always resort;and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask thou me? ask them: behold they know what I said." (John 18:18-21.)"But Brigham was afraid that people would ask his followers what he taught. In speaking of some who wanted their endowments, he says: 'Well, he gets his endowment, and what for? To go to California, andreveal everything he can, and stir up wickedness, and prepare himself for hell." (Journal of Discourses, 2: 144)."Christ was not afraid of any revealments. He stood there among His enemies, defying them to find any fault with His teachings; but Brigham was afraid of what his followers might reveal of his doctrine and secret works. Did he represent Christ?" (Necessity for a Reorganization, p. 30).

"But Brigham was afraid that people would ask his followers what he taught. In speaking of some who wanted their endowments, he says: 'Well, he gets his endowment, and what for? To go to California, andreveal everything he can, and stir up wickedness, and prepare himself for hell." (Journal of Discourses, 2: 144).

"Christ was not afraid of any revealments. He stood there among His enemies, defying them to find any fault with His teachings; but Brigham was afraid of what his followers might reveal of his doctrine and secret works. Did he represent Christ?" (Necessity for a Reorganization, p. 30).

Yes, Jesus taught the Gospel openly as far as the Jews were able to stand it; but it does not follow that he did not teach His disciples things that were not for the world! And at times He was constrained by His Father from teaching His disciples some truths. Why? Because of the hardness of their hearts they were not able to receive His teachings. In not revealing everything to the world, did Brigham Young,—aye, did Joseph Smith represent Christ? for Brigham Young was only following in the footsteps of the Seer! What was it the Savior said to Peter, James, and John, when they came down from the mount of transfiguration? Jesus charged them, saying, "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead."—Matt. 17:8. (Inspired Scriptures) Why didn't he tell them to proclaim it openly from the housetops? Because it was not for the world! Jesus was in the habit of teaching the people in parables. On one occasion when He had thus spoken, His disciples came and said unto him:

"Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them,Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, butto themit is not given. For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever continueth not to receive, from himshall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables; because they, seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not; neither do they understand." (Matt. 13:8-12).

On another occasion Jesus said unto His disciples: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." (John 10:16). But He did not tell them who those "other sheep" were. The reason He failed to tell them this interesting fact we learn from the Book of Mormon:

"And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, He said unto those Twelve whom He had chosen, ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph. And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you. And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem; neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment, that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land. This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them. That other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And now,because of stiffneckedness and unbelief, they understood not my word: therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them." (III. Nephi, 15:11-17).

How different this is from Reorganite philosophy, according to their rule of faith, Jesus should have spoken boldly and openly and should not have withheld anything. Was Jesus "afraidof any revealments?"

Paul says he knew a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, he could not tell, "How that he was caught up into paradise, andheard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." What made the words unlawful to utter to man? simply because in the hardness of his heart and unbelief, man was not worthy to hear them, he could not endure them.

The Book of Mormon is most emphatic on this point that there are "mysteries" that are not to be revealed to the unfaithful. This is from the Prophet Alma:

"And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, (Zeezrom), saying, It is given unto manyto know the mysteriesof God;nevertheless they are laid under a strict command, that they shall not impart only according to the portion of His word, which He doth grant unto the children of men; according to the heed and diligence which they give unto Him; and therefore he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word,until he know them in full; and they that will harden their hearts, to them is given thelesser portionof the word,until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now, this is what is meant by the chains of hell."

It is because Reorganites have hardened their hearts that they have not received thegreater portionof the word, even the mysteries, and therefore they are, through their hard-heartedness and unbelief, captives of the devil and in danger of the chains of hell.

If the Lord places His servants under a strict commandnot to revealHis word, "only according to the portion of His word, which He doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto Him;" and, therefore, they withhold some of those things from the world that have been revealed unto them does that make themcowardly? If so, not only Brigham Young, but Joseph Smith, yes, even the Son of Man Himself would be cowardly. No, the fact that they have refused to do this thing proves them to possess the greatest courage, for it has caused them to face persecutions, even death.

We are told that the Book of Mormon contains the fulnesss of the Gospel, yet the greater parts of the teachings of the Savior to that people are not yet revealed, because of the unbelief of the people. This is from III. Nephi, 26th chapter:

"And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the teachings which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; but behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which He taught the people; and these things have I written, which are alesser partof the things which He taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken."And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first,to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things, then shall thegreater thingsbe made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them,unto their condemnation. Behold I was about to write them all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi,but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith of my people." (Verses 6-11).

"And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first,to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things, then shall thegreater thingsbe made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them,unto their condemnation. Behold I was about to write them all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi,but the Lord forbid it, saying, I will try the faith of my people." (Verses 6-11).

The calling of Brigham Young a coward for withholding some things that the Lord has revealed to His Church, may be excused because of the ignorance of the accusers; but who dare presume to say the Lord was cowardly because He withheld the greater things from His people? And yet if you have done it unto one of His servants ye have done it unto Him.

Again:

"Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw: and there never was greater things made manifest, than that which was made manifest unto the brother of Jared; wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And He commanded me that I should seal them up; and He also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord. For the Lord said unto me, They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord." (Ether 4:4-6).

Joseph the Prophet was commanded to keep some things from going out into the world that had been revealed unto him and the Church. He also received revelations that he could not teach to the Church in the beginning, no more than Jesus could teach all things to His disciples. When he did reveal some of the "mysteries" there were many who left Him and denied the faith, just as they did when Jesus told His disciples He was the bread of life (John 6:66). "Many of them went back and walked no more with Him." The Prophet said at Kirtland, April 6, 1837: "If the Church knew all the commandments, one half they would condemn through prejudice and ignorance. (Hist. of Church, Vol. 2:477). A great many did fall away at that time, not being able to endure, and among them were the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, one of whom afterwards set up a church of his own, declaring that Joseph Smith was a fallen Prophet, and rejecting all his commandments given after about 1835.

The Lord gave a revelation to the Prophet, March 7, 1831, at Kirtland (Sec. 45), in which He revealed many things to take place before His second coming, and at the close of the revelation He said:

"And now I say unto you,keep these things from going abroad unto the world, until it is expedient in me that ye may accomplish this work in the eyes of the people, and in the eyes of your enemies, that they may not know your works until ye have accomplished the thing which I have commanded you."

When the Prophet Joseph gave his charge to the first foreign missionaries of the Church, Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Joseph Fielding, and others, he said:

"My instructions to the brethren were, when they arrived in England, to adhere closely to the first principles of the Gospel, and remainsilentconcerning thegathering, thevision, (D. & C., Sec. 76), and theBook of Doctrine and Covenants, until such time as the work was fully established, and it should be clearly made manifest by the Spirit to do otherwise. (Hist. of Church, 2:492).

Was there anything in the doctrine ofgathering, in thevision, or theDoctrine and Covenants, that Joseph Smith was ashamed of? Was he "afraid that people would ask his followers what he taught?" that he gave such a charge to these first foreign missionaries of the Church! Was he afraid, a coward? No, he was merely obeying the voice of the Spirit, for the people were not prepared to receive these things. Brigham Young was no more "afraid that the people would ask his followers what he taught," than was Joseph Smith, or even the Master Himself, when He commanded certain of His disciples to withhold some of His teachings from the world, until after His resurrection.

Now, our Reorganite friends have attempted to make considerable capital out of the statement of President Brigham Young, that there were "keys that the written word never spoke of, nor never will." In the light of the facts herein set forth, that "it is given unto many toknow the mysteriesof God;nevertheless they are laid under a strict command, that they shall not impart only according to the portion of His word, which He doth grant unto the children of men; according to theheedanddiligencewhich they give unto Him, and that things have been revealed to the faithful even to babes, that were "forbidden, that there should not any manwrite them," and that many of them have seen and heard "unspeakable things, which arenot lawful to be written," (III. Nephi 26:16, 18). is it, after all, so unreasonable that there should bekeysthat the written worddoes not and will notspeak of? Joseph Smith the Prophet held the "keys" of themystery of things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world." (D. & C. 35:18), whichmysteriesit was given to the Saints to know, "butunto the worldit is notgiven to know them." (D. & C. 42:65). Again: "But unto him that keepeth my commandments, I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life." (D. & C. 63:23).

Now, how were thesekeysandmysteriesto be kept from the world, if they were to be published to the world in the written word? And if the Saints through faithfulness are to receive themysteriesof the kingdom, then they must be withheld from the world and from the unfaithful. How is this to be if they are to be published to the world in the written word? Therefore, when our friends of the "Reorganization" attack President Young because there werekeysnot spoken of in the written word, which keys we have seen were held by Joseph Smith, they merely display their own ignorance and folly in raising the question.

Another phase of this same subject is Temple work, which is so bitterly attacked by the Reorganites. They say:

"That as to the alleged 'temple building and ceremonial endowments therein,' that we know of no temple building, except as edifices wherein to worship God, and no endowment except the endowment of the Holy Spirit of the kind experienced by the early Saints on Pentecost day." (Book of Resolutions, p. 82).

They take the ground that the Temple work of the Latter-day Saints is contrary to the teachings of the Prophet, and it was not contemplated before the martyrdom that in the Temple of God anything of a secret nature should take place. Of course it is to be expected that the "Reorganization" knows of "no Temple building or ceremonial endowments therein," for they have rejected the "greater things" and therefore the Lord has withheld from them this knowledge "to their condemnation." This charge has been already answered in part in what goes before, but we will see what is in the revelations to Joseph Smith which justify still further the actions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the belief and practice of "ceremonial endowments," etc., in the Temples.

After speaking of baptism for the dead in the revelation of January 19, 1841, the Lord continues:

"And again, verily I say unto you, How shall yourwashingsbe acceptable unto me, except ye perform them in a house which you have built to my name? * * * Therefore, verily I say unto you, that youranointings, and yourwashings, and your baptisms for the dead, and yoursolemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices, by the sons of Levi, and for youroracles in your most holy places, wherein you receiveconversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for her glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals,are ordainedby theordinance of my holy housewhich my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name. And verily I say unto you, Let this house be built unto my name, thatI may reveal mine ordinances therein, unto my people." (Verses 37-40).

Here are mentioned ordinances that were not had on Pentecost day that were to be had in the Lord's Temple, of which our self-confessed Reorganites know nothing, because God has not revealed these things unto them, and He will not for they have rejected these greater things totheir own condemnation.

In the Book of Abraham (See Pearl of Great Price) published by the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Times and Seasons in 1842, is given a fac-similie of hieroglyphics with an accompanying translation by Joseph Smith, as far as he was permitted to translate. These figures are numbered from 1 to 20. Here are some of these translations and comments of the Prophet: Figure 3.—Is made to represent God, sitting upon His throne, clothed with power and authority; with a crown of eternal light upon His head; representing also the grandkey-wordsof the Holy Priesthood, as revealed to Adam, etc." Figure 7.—Represents God sitting upon His throne revealing through the heavens, the grandkey-wordsof the Priesthood, as, also, the sign of the Holy Ghost unto Abraham, in the form of a dove. Figure 8.—Contains writing that cannot be revealed unto the world, but is to be had in the Holy Temple of God. Figures 9, 10, 11, the Prophet says "Ought not to be revealed at the present time; if the world can find out these numbers, so let it be. Amen." Figures 12, to 20, "Will be given in the own due time of the Lord." Then the Prophet concludes: "The above translation is given as far as we have any right to give, at the present time."

Here, then, we find things that were to be taught to the Saints in the Temple of the Lord, but were not to be revealed to the world; for they are sacred and holy, and can only be had in the Temple of God, for the Lord through Joseph Smith declared it.

Again, in verse 28 (see 124), the Lord says: "For there is not a place found on earth that he may come and restore again that which was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even thefulnesss of the Priesthood." Therefore, we learn that only in the Temple of the Lord can the fulnesss of the Priesthood be received by His people.

These facts place our Reorganite brethren in a rather unenviable light, for they are opposing through ignorance and unbelief, and the hardness of their hearts, the revelations of the Lord on Temple work as it was revealed to Joseph Smith, and by him to others, and from them to the Church.

"Hold on," say they, "not so fast, the Lord said He wasaboutto restore these things, but it depended on the faithfulness of the Saints, and Joseph Smith died before the Temple was built, therefore, since these things could only be revealed to the peoplein the Templethey were not revealed."

"Have any such revelations been received? Name them. Where are they and what are they? Our Doctrine and Covenants contains only two sections that were given between that time and the time the Saints left Nauvoo, and they are not revelations, but letters of Joseph Smith containing items of revelation pertaining to baptism for the dead. The Utah Doctrine and Covenants contains nothing that could be accepted as a response, an answer, to the promise in full."[3]

Now, it's our turn to cry "Hold on, not so fast." We will examine the word of the Lord: In verse 41 (sec. 124) He says: "For I deign to revealunto my Church, things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world,things that pertain to the dispensationof the fulnesss of times." Well, if we were rejected, andthey have not receivedthe revelations of these things the Lord wasabout to reveal to His Church, then it stands to reason thatthey are not His Churchor they would have received them. For the word of the Lord cannot be broken. They testify to us thatthey have notreceived these things.

In section 127:8, the Lord again affirms: "ForI am about to restore many thingsto the earth, pertaining to the Priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts." Yes, He was about to do it, but nearly seventy years have passed away and the "Reorganization" confesses that they have not been revealed to them yet! Then they are not the Church! This is obvious.

Elijah said the time had fully come (Sec. 110) and the Prophet said "the earth will be smitten with a curse, unless there is a welding link of some kind or other, between the fathers and the children * * * it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulnesss of times * * that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together ofdispensations, andkeys, andpowers, andgloriesshould take place andbe revealedfrom the days of Adam even to the present time; and not only this, but those things whichnever have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this the dispensation of the fulnesss of times." (Sec. 128:18).

Here is a point of considerable interest that our friends have overlooked. The Lord says: "And I will show unto my servant Joseph ALL THINGS pertaining to this house, and the Priesthood thereof; and the place whereon it shall be built. (Sec. 124:42). Evidently the Lord was going to show him these things before the Temple was built. Did the Lord keep His word? Our Reorganite friends say not, that these thingswere notrevealed. But they were revealed to Joseph Smithand he revealed them to others; not the unfaithful who would receive only the "lesser portion of the word" and were therefore denied the greater things, but he taught them to the Apostles and others. Now, the Lord did not say that Joseph Smith could not receive the fulnesss of the Priesthoodout side of the Temple, neither that he should not confer the same Priesthood upon others, to the contrary the Lord said He would reveal these things to Joseph Smith, but it wasHis people, His Churchthat could not receive them outside of the Temple of the Lord! and unto them He was going to reveal theminthe Temple, but unto Joseph Smith He would showall thingspertaining to His house, andthe Priesthood thereof.

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