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PART FIRST
CHAPTER I
Dear Reader:
Part first of this pamphlet is a brief address to those who have not
read the Book of Mormon, and who are not conversant with the
denominations that believe in that book.
Part second is an address to all believers in the Book of Mormon.
There are three distinct denominations that believe the Book of
Mormon to be the Word of God:
First: The Church of
Christ.
Second: The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints.
Third: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The last named is the
church in Salt Lake City; they believe in the doctrine of polygamy,
while the two first named churches do not believe in that doctrine.
I am an elder in "the Church of Christ." We believe in the doctrine
of Christ as it is taught in the New Testament and the Book of
Mormon, the same gospel being taught in both these books. The Bible
being the sacred record of the Jews who inhabited the eastern
continent; the Book of Mormon being the sacred record of the
Nephites (descendants of Joseph, the son of Jacob), who inhabited
the western continent, or this land of America. The Indians are the
remnant of that people, who drifted into unbelief and darkness about
350 years after Christ appeared to them and established his church
among them, after finishing his mission at Jerusalem. We believe in
faith in Christ, repentance and baptism for the remission of sins,
and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe in the laying on of hands
as it was practiced in the days of the Apostles. We believe in the
resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. We also believe in
the Words of Christ when he said, "These signs shall follow them
that believe." Our belief concerning the order of offices
in the church, etc., will be found in Part Second of this pamphlet.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
holds to the original doctrine and order that was first established
upon the teachings of Christ in the written word, in 1829, when the
Lord set his hand the second time to establish the true gospel upon
the earth and recover his people, which is in fulfillment of the
prophecies in the Bible. We denounce the doctrine of polygamy and
spiritual wifeism. It is a great evil, shocking to the moral sense,
and the more so because practiced in the name of Religion. It is of
man and not of God, and is especially forbidden in the Book of
Mormon itself in these words. "Behold, David and Solomon truly
had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me,
saith the Lord.... For there shall not any man among you have
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save it be one wife: and concubines he shall have none: For I the
Lord God, delighteth in the chastity of woman." (Book of Mormon,
page 116, chap. 2. par. 6). We do not indorse the teachings of any
of the so-called Mormons or Latter Day Saints, which are in conflict
with the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as taught in
the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. They have departed in a
great measure from the faith of the
CHURCH OF CHRIST
as it was first established, by heeding revelations given through
Joseph Smith, who, after being called of God to translate his sacred
word -- the Book of Mormon -- drifted into many errors and gave many
revelations to introduce doctrines, ordinances and offices in the
church, which are in conflict with Christ's teachings. They also
changed the name of the church. Their departure from the faith is
also according to prophecy. "Now the spirit speaketh expressly
that in
THE LATTER TIMES some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of
devils." (1 Tim. iv:1). On account of God giving to Joseph Smith
the gift to translate the plates on which was engraven the Nephite
scriptures, the people of the church put too much trust in him
-- in the man -- and believed his words as if they were from
God's own mouth. They have trusted in an arm of flesh. (Jeremiah
xvii:5) "Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusted in
man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the
Lord." They looked to Joseph Smith as lawgiver; we look to
Christ alone, and believe only in the religion of Jesus Christ and
not in the religion of any man.
The doctrine of polygamy was not introduced until about fourteen
years after the church was established; but other doctrines of error
were introduced earlier than this. I left the body in June, 1838,
being five years before polygamy was introduced.
Joseph Smith drifting into errors after translating the Book of
Mormon, is a stumbling-block to many, but only those of very weak
faith would stumble on this account. Greater abominations are
recorded of David in the Bible, than is recorded to-day of Joseph
Smith; but do you reject the Psalms on this account? Do you reject
the Proverbs because Solomon was a polygamist? Stop and think, you
who are hasty to condemn. If you desire to know whether or not the
Book of Mormon is true, read the book and investigate it, for Christ
has promised that he who seeks in the right way shall find the truth
of all things. We are commanded to "Prove all things; hold fast
that which is good." (1 Thes. v:21).
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, believe
that Joseph Smith was a true prophet up to his death, and accept his
revelations in their Book of Doctrine and Covenants. The revelation
to practice polygamy is not printed in their Doctrine and Covenants.
They do not believe in the doctrine of polygamy.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the church at Salt
Lake City) believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet up to the
time of his death, and accept his revelations which they have
published in their Book of Doctrine and Covenants. In this book is
the revelation on polygamy.
It is also a stumbling-block to those who desire to investigate as
to the truth of the Book of Mormon, to see the believers in that
book divided; but the divisions have been brought about by the
revelations of
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Joseph Smith. We, the Church of Christ, who accept only the Bible
and the Book of Mormon as the rule and guide to our faith, agree on
the doctrine and gospel of Christ. The Book of Mormon comes forth
claiming to be the scriptures of the tribe of Joseph, written by
holy men of God, which record has been kept pure. It claims that
when the Bible was written by the tribe of Judah (the Jews), it was
plain to the understanding of men; and that many plain and precious
things have been taken from it by a great and abominable church; and
that on this account the Gentiles stumble over the true doctrine of
Christ. The Book of Mormon comes forth claiming to make plain the
doctrine of Christ as taught in the New Testament; and it does make
it so plain that a child can understand it. To all who are without
prejudice, the Book of Mormon is the key to the understanding of the
Bible. As I have stated, all who take it and the Bible alone as the
guide to their faith, agree on the doctrine of Christ.
I know that reproach has been brought upon the Book of Mormon.
Because some of those who believe it have drifted into wickedness,
the world has rejected the book and turned it aside as a thing of
naught; but if such persons will stop and think, they will see that
they refuse to read this book, which claims to be a message from
God, simply because some have transgressed who believe in the book!
Such persons are not very earnestly seeking for truth. Those who
have read the history of the apostolic church know, that before John
wrote the Revelation, many of those who believed in Christ went into
all manner of wickedness and heresies, practicing those things in
the name of Christ, and thereby brought reproach upon the name
"Christian." Apostolic church history tells us that the Nicolaitanes
(Rev. ii:15), who departed from the faith by following Nicolas, one
of the first seven deacons (Acts vi:5), were also called
"Christians;" also that many factions which sprang out of the
Christian church, also called themselves "Christians." The
Nicolaitanes claimed that Nicolas had received a revelation from God
to practice the doctrine of "free love," which is worse than
polygamy. (Irenaeus, Epiphanius, Hippolytus.) Reproach was thus
brought upon the name "Christian," just as it has been brought upon
the words of Christ -- the Book of Mormon. History tells us it was a
disgrace in the eyes of the world to be called a "Christian," even
during the days of the apostles. In Acts xxviii:22 we find that the
true church was evil spoken of. "For as concerning this sect, we
know that everywhere it is spoken against." Paul speaks of the
reproach of Christ in Heb. xi:26 and xiii:13. Christ speaks of the
reproach his disciples will have to bear for his name, telling them
many times that his disciples would always be persecuted. Peter
prophesied (2 Peter ii:1-2), that damnable heresies would be brought
into the church; "and many shall follow their pernicious ways, by
reason of whom
THE WAY OF TRUTH shall be evil spoken
of." So has it been in these last days. On account of the heresy
of polygamy and other heresies, "the way of truth" is evil spoken
of; and those who believe in all the scriptures of our Lord Jesus
Christ, are called by the world "Mormons," and are looked upon with
more or less shame by the majority of people; but we are willing to
bear the reproach for Him who died for us, for we know that the Book
of Mormon is His word, and by His word we can inherit eternal life
if we are faithful in
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keeping His commandments. God's wisdom is not man's wisdom, and His
ways are not man's ways. He works in a way least expected by man. He
does his work in a way that all men may stumble and not understand,
unless their whole heart and desire is upon God, and not upon the
things of this world. "Love not the world, neither the things
that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the
Father is not in him." (1 John ii:15.) "Ye cannot serve God
and mammon." (Matt. vi:24.) He who makes up his mind to serve
God with an eye single to his glory, the light that is in him will
not be darkness to the truth as it is in Christ; such a person will
overcome the stumbling-blocks by the Holy Spirit enlightening his
mind, and he will see and understand the truth. God works by
stumbling-blocks. He ordained that Christ should come as a
stumbling-block to the Jews, so that all who did not have an eye
single to his glory might stumble and not understand. "And He
(Christ) shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling
and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a sin
and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them
shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be
taken." (Isaiah viii:14-15.) (See also 1 Peter ii:7-8, 1 Cor.
i:23, Rom. ix:32-33.) The Jews did not expect the Christ to come in
the way he did, because the prophecies about his coming were
obscure; so they rejected him.
The Gentiles cannot expect the words of Christ -- the Book of Mormon
-- to come in the way it has, because the prophecies about its
coming forth are obscure; so they have rejected it; but the stone
which the builders have rejected, the same will become the head of
the corner. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The prophecies in
the scriptures concerning the way in which Christ would come to the
Jews, are obscure, but they are just as God wanted them. Likewise
are the prophecies in the Bible concerning the coming forth of the
word of Christ in these last days, which is "the dispensation of
the fullness of times." The prophecies which foretell the coming
forth of the Book of Mormon are fully as plain to the Gentiles, as
the prophecies were to the Jews concerning Christ's coming. The
people cannot understand why the Lord would bring forth his word
from "a book (plates) that is sealed" and was buried
in the ground by his ancient prophets on this land: and why He
should have the words of the book delivered "to one that is
learned," telling him to read it, etc.; (see Isa. xxix) but the
learned and wise men of the world could not read it; God gave to an
unlearned boy, Joseph Smith, the gift to translate it by the means
of a
STONE. See the following passages concerning the
"Urim and Thummin," [sic] being the same means and one by which
the Ancients received the word of the Lord. (1 Sam. xxviii:6, Neh.
vii:65, Ezra ii:63, Num. xxvii:21, Deut. xxxiii:8, Exodus xxviii:30,
Lev. viii:8.) But this is a great stumbling-block to the people now.
They cannot understand why God would work in this manner to bring
forth his word; and why he would choose such a man as Joseph Smith
to translate it: and they think the canon of scripture is full: and
that angels do not minister unto men in these days. But oh kind
reader, if you desire to know the truth, be not hasty to condemn and
judge, but I pray you to investigate. The scriptures teach that God
works in a way least expected by men.
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"Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." (Isa. LV:8).
How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding
out." (Rom. xi:33). Read Isa. xxix, whole chapter, which is a
prophecy concerning the way in which the Book of Mormon was to come
forth. "Out of the ground;" "Out of the dust;" From, "the
words of a Book (plates) that is sealed:" The men of the world who
are wise and prudent in the eyes of the world, shall be confounded;
they will not understand the Lord's way of working. "For the
wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of
their prudent men shall be hid." But the meek and lowly in heart
will understand it. "The meek also shall increase their joy in
the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of
Israel." And those who are spiritually blind and deaf shall
"hear the words of the Book," and "see out of obscurity, and
out of darkness." "They also that erred in spirit shall come to
understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine;"
(The above quotations are from the 29th chapter of Isaiah.) John, in
his vision on the Isle of Patmos, of "things which must be
hereafter," saw "Another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell
ON THE EARTH."
(Rev. xiv:6.) In Isaiah xi:11-12, it is prophesied as follows:
"and it shall come to pass in that day (dispensation) that
the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the
remnant of his people .... and he shall set up an ensign for the
nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather
together the dispersed of Judah (the Jews) from the four corners
of the earth." The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is only a
preparatory work for the great and "marvelous work" of God which is
yet to come in gathering scattered Israel, which is spoken of so
often through the prophets. The Book of Mormon contains many
prophecies which are now and have been during my life, under course
of fulfillment. It says that more records are yet to come forth from
the "book that is sealed," which book is the sacred
scriptures or records of the people who inhabited this land of
America.
The children of Israel are to be gathered by the record of Judah
(the Bible); and the record of Joseph; of which record the Book of
Mormon is only a part. I will now quote from Ezekiel xxxvii:16-21,
which is plain concerning this matter. Remember that in ancient
times, writing was engraved upon stone and upon metallic plates, and
they also wrote upon parchment which they rolled around a stick. A
roll of parchment was called a "stick."
"Moreover, thou son of
man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the
children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and
write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the
house of Israel his companions: and join them one to another in one
stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the
children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not
show us what thou meanst by these? say unto them,... Thus saith the
Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the
heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side,
and bring them into their own land."
It is evident that this, like many other prophecies, refers to the
time when the Israel of God will be gathered together in
righteousness
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and holiness; when they shall be God's holy people forever. It says
in this chapter, 23d to 28th verses, that when they are gathered,
they shall "No more defile themselves with their idols... nor
with any of their transgressions," and the Lord "will cleanse
them, so they shall be my people, and I will be their God." ... and
"they shall walk in my judgments ... and (I) will set my
sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore.... And the heathen
(all who are not Israel) shall know that I the Lord do sanctify
Israel when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forevermore."
(Concerning a literal gathering of the House of Israel, in
righteousness and holiness, see chapter 2.) The Gentiles are first
now, and the Jews last: but the Jews and all the House of Israel
will be first some day, and the Gentiles last. It is through the
"fullness of the Gentiles," that the veil of blindness which is
now over Israel, shall be taken away. The cup of iniquity of the
Gentiles is almost full; then God will turn to Israel, for Israel is
not cast away forever. "Blindness in part is happened to Israel,
until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.... There shall come
out of Sion, the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob." (See Romans 11th chapter).
It is recorded in the American Cyclopedia and the Encyclopedia
Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one
of the three witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon; and
that the other two witnesses, Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris,
denied their testimony to that Book. I will say once more to all
mankind, that I have never at any time denied that testimony or any
part thereof. I also testify to the world, that neither Oliver
Cowdery or Martin Harris ever at any time denied their testimony.
They both died reaffirming the truth of the divine authenticity of
the Book of Mormon. I was present at the death bed of Oliver
Cowdery, and his last words were, "Brother David, be true to your
testimony to the Book of Mormon." He died here in Richmond, Mo.,
on March 3d, 1850. Many witnesses yet live in Richmond, who will
testify to the truth of these facts, as well as to the good
character of Oliver Cowdery. The very powers of darkness have
combined against the Book of Mormon, to prove that it is not the
word of God, and this should go to prove to men of spiritual
understanding, that the Book is true. To show the reader what I have
had to contend with, I give you below a copy of a leaflet which I
had printed and distributed in March, 1881.
"A PROCLAMATION"
"Unto all Nations, Kindred Tongues and People,
unto whom these presents shall come:
"It having been represented by one John Murphy, of Polo, Caldwell
County, Mo., that I, in a conversation with him last summer, denied
my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the BOOK OF MORMON.
"To the end, therefore, that he may understand me now, if he did not
then; and that the world may know the truth, I wish now, standing as
it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of God, once
for all to make this public statement:
"That I have never at any time denied that testimony or any part
thereof, which has so long since been published with that Book, as
one of
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the three witnesses. Those who know me best, well
know that I have always adhered to that testimony. And that no man
may be misled or doubt my present views in regard to the same, I do
again affirm the truth of all of my statements, as then made and
published.
"'He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear;' it was no delusion!
What is written is written, and he that readeth let him understand.
"And that no one may be deceived or misled by this statement, I wish
here to state: that I do not indorse polygamy or spiritual wifeism.
It is a great evil, shocking to the moral sense, and the more so,
because practiced in the name of religion. It is of man and not of
God, and is especially forbidden in the Book of Mormon itself.
"I do not indorse the change of the name of the church, for as the
wife takes the name of her husband so should the Church of the Lamb
of God, take the name of its head, even Christ himself. It is the
Church of Christ.
"As to the High Priesthood, Jesus Christ himself is the last Great
High Priest, this too after the order of Melchisedec, as I
understand the Holy Scriptures.
"Finally, I do not indorse any of the teachings of the so-called
Mormons, of Latter Day Saints, which are in conflict with the Gospel
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as taught in the Bible and Book
of Mormon; for the same gospel is plainly taught in both of these
books as I understand the word of God.
"And if any man doubt should he not carefully and honestly read and
understand the same, before presuming to sit in judgment and
condemning the light, which shineth in darkness, and showeth the way
of eternal life as pointed out by the unerring hand of God.
"In the spirit of Christ who hath said: 'Follow thou me, for I am
the life, the light and the way.' I submit this statement to the
world. God in whom I trust being my judge as to the sincerity of my
motives and the faith and hope that is in me of eternal life.
"My sincere desire is that the world may be benefited by this plain
and simple statement of the truth.
"And all the honor be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
which is one God. Amen.
DAVID WHITMER."
"Richmond, Mo., March 19, 1881."
"We, the undersigned citizens of Richmond, Ray County, Mo., where
David Whitmer, has resided since the year A. D. 1838, certify that
we have been long and intimately acquainted with him and know him to
be a man of the highest integrity, and of undoubted truth and
veracity.
"Given at Richmond, Mo., this March 19, A.D. 1881.
Gen. Alexander W. Doniphan.
Hon. Geo. W. Dunn, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Thos. D. Woodson, President of Ray Co. Savings Bank.
J. T. Child, editor of Conservator.
H.C. Garner, Cashier of Ray Co. Savings Bank.
L. C. Cantwell, Postmaster, Richmond.
Geo. I. Wasson, Mayor.
Jas. A. Davis, County Collector.
C. J. Hughes, Probate Judge and Presiding Justice of Ray County
Court.
Geo. W. Trigg, County Clerk.
W. W. Mosby, M.D.
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W. A. Holman, County Treasurer.
J.S. Hughes, Banker, Richmond.
James Hughes, Banker, Richmond.
D. P. Whitmer, Attorney-at-Law.
Hon. Jas. W. Black, Attorney-at-Law.
Thos. McGinnis, ex-Sheriff Ray County.
J. P. Quesenberry, Merchant.
W. R. Holman, Furniture Merchant.
Lewis Slaughter, Recorder of Deeds.
Geo. W. Buchanan, M. D. A.K. Reyburn."
From the Richmond, (Mo.) Conservator, March 24, 1881.
AN EXPLANATION.
"Elsewhere we publish a
letter from David Whitmer, an old and well-known citizen of Ray, as
well as an indorsement of his standing as a man, signed by a number
of the leading citizens of this community, in reply to some
unwarranted aspersions made upon him.
"There is no doubt that Mr. Whitmer, who was one of the three
witnesses of authenticity of the gold plates, from which he asserts
that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon (a fac simile of the
characters he now has in his possession with the original records),
is firmly convinced of its divine origin, and while he makes no
effort to obtrude his views or beliefs, he simply wants the world to
know that so far as he is concerned there is no 'variableness or
shadow of turning.' Having resided here for near a half of a
century, it is with no little pride that he points to his past
record with the consciousness that he has done nothing derogatory to
his character as a citizen and believer in the son of Mary, to
warrant such an attack on him, come from what source it may, and now
with the lilies of seventy-five winters crowning him like an
aureole, and his pilgrimage on earth well nigh ended, he reiterates
his former statements, and will leave futurity to solve the problem
that he was but a passing witness to its fulfillment. His attacks on
the vileness that has sprung up with the Utah Church, must have a
salutary effect upon those bigamists who have made adultery the
cornerstone in the edifice of their belief."
Besides other false statements that are in the two encyclopedias
above mentioned is the old story of the Spaulding manuscript. That
is, that, one Solomon Spaulding who died in Amity, Penn., in 1816,
had written a romance, the scene of which was among the ancient
Indians who lived in this country. That Spaulding died before he
published his romance, and that Sydney Rigdon got hold of the
manuscript in a printing office and copied it; that subsequently the
manuscript was returned to Solomon Spaulding; that thirteen years
after the death of Spaulding, in 1829, Rigdon became associated with
Joseph Smith, who read the Spaulding manuscript from behind a
blanket to Oliver Cowdery, his amanuensis, who wrote it down. Hence
the origin of the Book of Mormon. This is what is claimed by the
enemies of the book: Satan had to concoct some plan to account for
the origin of that book. I will say that all who desire to
investigate the Spaulding manuscript story will not be obliged to go
very far before they will see the entire
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falsity of that claim. I testify to the world that I am an
eye-witness to the translation of the greater part of the Book of
Mormon. Part of it was translated in my father's house in Fayette,
Seneca County, N.Y. Farther on I give a description of the manner in
which the book was translated.
When the Spaulding story was made known to believers in the book,
they called for the Spaulding manuscript, but it could not be found;
but recently, thanks to the Lord, the original manuscript has been
found and identified. It has been placed in the library of Oberlin
college, Oberlin, Ohio, for public inspection. All who have doubts
about it being the original Spaulding manuscript, can satisfy
themselves by visiting Oberlin and examining the proofs. The
manuscript is in the hands of those who are not believers in the
Book of Mormon. They have kindly allowed the believers in the book
to publish a copy of the manuscript, with the proofs that it is the
manuscript of Solomon Spaulding. There is no similarity whatever
between it and the Book of Mormon. Any one who investigates this
question will see that the Spaulding manuscript story is a
fabrication concocted by the enemies of the Book of Mormon, in order
to account for the origin of that book. Neither Joseph Smith, Oliver
Cowdery, Martin Harris or myself ever met Sydney Rigdon until after
the Book of Mormon was in print. I know this of my own personal
knowledge, being with Joseph Smith, in Seneca County, N. Y., in the
winter of 1830, when Sydney Rigdon and Edward Partridge came from
Kirtland, Ohio, to see Joseph Smith, and where Rigdon and Partridge
saw Joseph Smith for the first time in their lives.
The Spaulding manuscript story is a myth; there being no direct
testimony on record in regard to Rigdon's connection with the
manuscript of Solomon Spaulding.
I have in my possession the original manuscript of the Book of
Mormon, in the handwriting of Oliver Cowdery and others, also the
original paper containing some of the characters transcribed from
one of the golden plates, which paper Martin Harris took to
Professor Anthon, of New York, for him to read "the words of a
book that is sealed:" but the learned professor, although a
great linguist could not read the language of the Nephites. There is
some evidence in the American Cyclopedia favorable to the Book of
Mormon that I will speak of. It is as follows:
"Martin Harris called
upon Prof. Anthon, of New York, with a transcript on paper which
Smith had given him of the characters on one of the golden plates.
'This paper,' Prof. Anthon said, in a letter dated New York, Feb.
17, 1834, 'was in fact a singular scroll. It consisted of all kinds
of crooked characters, disposed in columns, and had evidently been
prepared by some person who had before him at the time a book
containing various alphabets. Greek and Hebrew letters, crosses and
flourishes, Roman letters, inverted or placed sideways, were
arranged and placed in perpendicular columns," etc. The "learned"
could not read it, and the book was delivered to him that is not
learned. I will quote two verses from the twenty-ninth chapter of
Isaiah, which is the prophecy regarding this matter.
"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book
that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying,
Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed:
and the book is delivered
[ 12 ]
to him that is not
learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not
learned."
(Verses 11 and 12.) No man could read it, but God gave to an
unlearned boy the gift to translate it.
I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of
Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a
hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face
to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would
shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and
on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear,
and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would
read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal
scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph
to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another
character with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of
Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any
power of man.
The characters I speak of are the engravings on the golden plates
from which the book was translated. They were engraved thereon by
the hand of a holy prophet of God whose name was Mormon, who lived
upon this land four hundred years after Christ. Mormon's son,
Moroni, after witnessing the destruction of his brethren, the
Nephites, who were a white race -- they being destroyed by the
Lamanites (Indians) -- deposited the golden plates in the ground,
according to a command of God. An angel of the Lord directed Brother
Joseph to them. The language of the Nephites is called the reformed
Egyptian language.
I will give you the preface to the Book of Mormon, written by
Moroni, and translated in the same manner as the Book was
translated.
PREFACE.
AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE
PLATES OF NEPHI.
"Wherefore, it is an
abridgement of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the
Lamanites; written to the Lamanites; who are a remnant of the house
of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of
commandment, and also by the Spirit of prophesy and of revelation.
Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not
be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the
interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up
unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the
interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
"An abridgement taken from the Book of Ether: also, which is a
record of the people of Jared; who were scattered at the time the
Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building
a tower to get to heaven: which is to show unto the remnant of the
house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their
fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they
are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of the Jew and
Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting
himself unto all nations.
[ 13 ]
And now if there are
faults, they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the
things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of
Christ." "MORONI."
ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF THE THREE WITNESSES.
"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues,
and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the
grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the
plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of
Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the
people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken;
and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and
power of God, for His voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we
know of a surety, that the work is true. And we also testify that we
have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have
been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we
declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from
heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and
saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that this is
by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ that we
beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is
marvelous in our eyes, nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded
us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto
the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we
know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of
the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat
of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And
the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
which is one God. Amen. OLIVER COWDERY, DAVID WHITMER,
MARTIN HARRIS."
AND ALSO TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES
"Be it known unto all
nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall
come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator of this work, has shown
unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the
appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith hath
translated, we did handle with our hands, and we also saw the
engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work,
and curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of
soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen
and hefted, and known of a surety, that the said Smith has got the
plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world
to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not,
God bearing witness of it. CHRISTIAN WHITMER, JACOB
WHITMER, PETER WHITMER, JR., JOHN WHITMER, HIRAM PAGE, JOSEPH
SMITH, SR., HYRUM SMITH, SAMUEL H SMITH."
Dear Reader:-- I want to ask you this question, if you are an
unbeliever in the Book of Mormon, and I hope you will study over it
prayerfully.
[ 14 ]
The testimony of seven men, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter,
and Jude, comes down to us eighteen hundred years old; you accept
their testimony as true. To-day we have the testimony of eleven
witnesses who have lived in our generation one of which (myself) is
still living -- these eleven men having lived honorable and upright
lives -- but you reject their testimony and accept the testimony of
the seven men who have been dead eighteen hundred years.
If you will not grant a possibility of the Book of Mormon being
true, and sit in judgment and hastily condemn it after reading what
I have written, you can surely see for yourself that your heart is
full of prejudice. Remember that prejudice is not of God. It is the
spirit that hastily condemned and stoned the prophets of God in all
ages past. So beware, and look well to your own heart, that Satan
does not blind your understanding to the truth. If you are open to
investigation and conviction, I pray you to read the Book of Mormon
with a prayerful heart. All persons who are spiritual, having a fair
understanding of the scriptures, how they can read that Book and
reject it, is very strange indeed. The Book carries conviction with
it. The wise men of this world could never write a book like it. Any
one without prejudice, who is honestly seeking for truth, can see
the finger of God in that book. It makes plain the doctrines which
are so obscure in the New Testament, and over which the religious
world is divided. For instance, the mode of baptism; the "signs" or
spiritual gifts which Christ said in plain words should follow them
that believe in Him. All who are not blinded to the understanding of
the New Testament scriptures, will admit that the spiritual gifts
should be with the believers in Christ to-day; that the reason why
the spiritual gifts are not following the believers to-day, is
because they have not that strong and living faith that the ancient
church had -- down to about 200 years after the death of the
Apostles: the Book of Mormon explains this matter in full. Likewise
many other questions of vital importance in the doctrine of Christ,
which the Christian world has been contending and disputing about
for ages, this Book comes forth from God to explain them.
As we know, Christ and the apostle have taught that man must worship
God in His appointed way; that is, that they must be right as
to the true points of Christ's doctrine: But because a man is right
on the doctrine of Christ, having been rightly adopted into the
Church of Christ, this alone will not entitle him to the highest
glory hereafter. We are taught that we must endure faithful unto the
end, and bring forth fruit. Coming into the fold of Christ is simply
the birth into the church; we are then babes, and from a babe we
must grow in charity, grace, and knowledge, on toward the full
stature of the perfect man in Christ; and to grow, we must walk in
the Spirit, having the fruits of the Spirit, which is "love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance." Then we are Christ's, and "have crucified the
flesh with the affections and lusts." (Gal. v:22-24). This is
the subject that is nearest my heart. The Spirit of Christ in man. I
could write volumes on this subject, but why should I, when God's
Holy Word is so full upon this matter. Those who cannot understand
from the Word of God regarding the boundless love and Spirit of
Christ, which Spirit must be in man or he is not Christ's, they
could not comprehend it from my writing, however eloquent I might
be. It is a gift which God alone
[ 15 ]
gives to man, when man complies with certain conditions of heart as
laid down in God's Word. The object of this pamphlet is to guide
some honest hearts into the true doctrine of Christ, hoping that
when they have found the straight and narrow way, that they may
continue to walk therein, and bring forth much fruit to the glory of
God.
I desire to say a few words concerning the Holy Ghost, which is the
Spirit of Christ -- the greatest gift of God to man. Many people
claim to have this gift. I am not judging anyone, but I will tell
you how we can tell when we have the Spirit of Christ; and when we
have not this feeling and spirit, we have not His Spirit. When we
have the Spirit of Christ, our hearts are filled with the love of
God that reaches out and takes in all men, even our enemies. We then
have every particle of prejudice, malice, envy and hatred cast out
of our hearts; we then have no hatred whatever toward any person,
even an enemy. Remember the words of Christ: "For if ye love them
which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the Publicans the
same? But I say unto you, Love your enemies; bless them that curse
you; do good to them that hate you.... That ye may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven." Nothing short of this is the
Spirit of Christ. By this you can know whether you have the Holy
Ghost or not. This is the test.
The religion of Jesus Christ is embodied in one word, and that word
is LOVE; it is the first and great commandment, for on it hangs the
law and the prophets. Charity is the great lack of religious
professors. As we love and judge others, so we will be judged at the
last day. The principal idea in religion is the fatherhood of God,
and brotherhood of man. Christ taught us to pray, Our Father who art
in heaven. Our motive in serving God must be love and not fear.
Those who have never had the gift of the Holy Ghost, cannot
understand how a person could actually love and do good to any
enemy; but those who have this gift can understand it and experience
it. The natural man cannot understand some things of the Spirit of
God, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. ii:14.) He who
cannot forgive an enemy and actually love him and do good to him,
has not yet been born again, and has not the Spirit of Christ.
"Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of
his." (Rom. viii:9.) When a man has this spirit -- which is the
Holy Ghost -- he loves all men so much that his greatest desire in
this world is to do the greatest amount of good to his fellow-man
that is possible. What is the greatest good I can do to my
fellow-men? It is to turn their footsteps heavenward; to preach the
gospel and the love of Christ to them. The spirit of Christ is
unselfish. It will act in all men to-day as it did in Paul. He said:
"Not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they
may be saved." (1 Cor. x:33.) My soul enlarges when I
contemplate this subject. My heart goes out in fervent zeal and love
for the children of men, in my great desires for their salvation;
but God is just, and in His wisdom we are here in this world to
suffer trials for a season, which will work out for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory, if we are faithful while here
in this world. God has placed man on the earth to be a free agent
unto himself, and he receives good or evil, truth or error, just
according to the way his heart is inclined.
In chapter ii, I give a few quotations from the Book of Mormon. I
would especially call the reader's attention to chapter iv, in Part
Second
[ 16 ]
of this pamphlet, in which I explain how the church drifted in
errors by giving heed to revelations that were given by Joseph Smith
after he had translated the Book of Mormon.
I have briefly noticed some of the evidences of that Book, hoping
that this pamphlet may fall into the hands of some honest hearts who
love the Lord in deed and in truth; who are willing to take upon
themselves reproach for the name of Christ, and that by reading this
work they may be led to investigate the evidence of the truth of
that Book -- which are many -- and become convinced that it is the
Word of God. Part Second of this pamphlet is an address to the
Latter Day Saints to point out the errors they are in. By reading
the address to them you can understand the position of the
CHURCH OF CHRIST,
and how the Latter Day Saints have in great measure departed from
the faith of the church as it was first established. I will close
this chapter by some quotations from the Book of Mormon, and a few
remarks.
"And when ye shall
receive these things (the Book of Mormon), I would exhort you that
ye ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these
things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with
real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the
truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost; and by the
power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things."
(Moroni x:1.)
"For it (the Book of Mormon) shall be brought out of
darkness unto light, according to the Word of God; yea, it shall be
brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness,
and come unto the knowledge of the people: and it shall be done by
the power of God.... It shall come in a day when the power of God
shall be denied (2 Tim. iii:5), and churches become defiled,
and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a
day when leaders of churches, and teachers, in the pride of their
hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches;
yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and
tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands; and there shall also
be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers
places." (Book of Mormon, chap. iv, par. 2,3.)
Dear reader, can you not discern the signs of the times? God is
beginning to warn the inhabitants of the earth, and these signs
shall increase. The fullness of the iniquity of the Gentiles is nigh
at hand -- in the Lord's manner of speaking. Christ says in the Book
of Mormon, that destructions will come upon this nation if they do
not repent. I cry unto you with all my soul, repent! repent! and
seek unto God that you may know the truth of these things, whether
that book is from God or not. It is truly the straight and narrow
way. Straight means close, narrow, and difficult to find. Christ
said, "Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it." If the truth as it is
in Christ is hid away down in the depths of the so-called Mormon
Problem, it is truly the straight and difficult way to find. And I
will say to all who desire to have part in the first resurrection,
having the whole truth as it is in Christ, that in the depth of
these seeming mysteries and stumbling-blocks, there you will find
the Pearl of Great Price. May God help you dear reader, to break the
bands of Satan -- give up this vain world -- and fulfill the mission
for which the God of heaven created you into the world.
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