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diff --git a/44907-0.txt b/44907-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..064209d --- /dev/null +++ b/44907-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1180 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44907 *** + +AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL REMARKABLE VISIONS, +AND OF THE LATE DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT AMERICAN RECORDS. + +By O. PRATT, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. + +THIRD AMERICAN EDITION. + +NEW-YORK: +JOSEPH W. HARRISON, PRINTER, +No. 465 PEARL-STREET. 1842. + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE + +This edition was based off scans of the above-noted edition, +available at Archive.org. The original uses some slightly odd English +orthography--for example, unusual comma placement and an instance of +using 'was' where 'were' appears to be correct. In such cases, the +original has been maintained. Obvious printer's errors (intructed for +instructed, brethern for brethren, and perhaps three similar errors) +and some unmatched quotation marks have been corrected as seemed +reasonable. Email tomnysetvold@gmail.com with corrections or to +participate in proofreading of similar early books of The Church of +Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. + + +FACTS IN RELATION TO THE LATE DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT AMERICAN RECORDS. + +Mr. Joseph Smith, jun. who made the following important discovery, +was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 23d +December, a. d. 1805. When ten years old, his parents, with their +family, moved to Palmyra, New-York; in the vicinity of which he +resided for about eleven years, the latter part in the town of +Manchester. Cultivating the earth for a livelihood was his +occupation, in which he employed the most of his time. His advantages +for acquiring literary knowledge, were exceedingly small; hence, his +education was limited to a slight acquaintance with two or three of +the common branches of learning. He could read without much +difficulty, and write a very imperfect hand; and had a very limited +understanding of the ground rules of arithmetic. These were his +highest and only attainments; while the rest of those branches, so +universally taught in the common schools, throughout the United +States, were entirely unknown to him. When somewhere about fourteen +or fifteen years old, he began seriously to reflect upon the +necessity of being prepared for a future state of existence; but how, +or in what way, to prepare himself, was a question, as yet, +undetermined in his own mind. He perceived that it was a question of +infinite importance, and that the salvation of his soul depended upon +a correct understanding of the same. He saw, that if he understood +not the way, it would be impossible to walk in it, except by chance; +and the thought of resting his hopes of eternal life upon chance, or +uncertainties, was more than he could endure. If he went to the +religious denominations to seek information, each one pointed to its +particular tenets, saying--"This is the way, walk ye in it;" while, +at the same time, the doctrines of each were in many respects, in +direct opposition to one another, It also occurred to his mind that +God was the author of but one doctrine, and therefore could +acknowledge but one denomination as his church, and that such +denomination must be a people, who believe and teach that one +doctrine, (whatever it may be,) and build upon the same. He then +reflected upon the immense number of doctrines, now in the world, +which had given rise to many hundreds of different denominations. The +great question to be decided in his mind, was--if any one of these +denominations be the Church of Christ, which one is it? Until he +could become satisfied in relation to this question, he could not +rest contented. To trust to the decisions of fallible man, and build +his hopes upon the same, without any certainty, and knowledge of his +own, would not satisfy the anxious desires that pervaded his breast. +To decide, without any positive and definite evidence, on which he +could rely, upon a subject involving the future welfare of his soul, +was revolting to his feelings. The only alternative, that seemed to +be left him, was to read the Scriptures, and endeavor to follow their +directions. He, accordingly commenced perusing the sacred pages of +the Bible, with sincerity, believing the things that he read. His +mind soon caught hold of the following passage;--"If any of you lack +wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and +upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."--James i. 5. From this +promise he learned, that it was the privilege of all men to ask God +for wisdom, with the sure and certain expectation of receiving +liberally; without being upbraided for so doing. This was cheering +information to him; tidings that gave him great joy. It was like a +light shining forth in a dark place, to guide him to the path in +which he should walk. He now saw that if he inquired of God, there +was not only a possibility, but a probability; yea, more, a +certainty, that he should obtain a knowledge, which, of all the +doctrines, was the doctrine of Christ; and, which, of all the +churches, was the church of Christ. He therefore, retired to a secret +place in a grove, but a short distance from his father's house, and +knelt down, and began to call upon the Lord. At first, he was +severely tempted by the powers of darkness, which endeavored to +overcome him; but he continued to seek for deliverance, until +darkness gave way from his mind; and he was enabled to pray in +fervency of the spirit, and in faith. And while thus pouring out his +soul, anxiously desiring an answer from God, he, at length, saw a +very bright and glorious light in the heavens above; which, at first, +seemed to be at a considerable distance. He continued praying, while +the light appeared to be gradually descending towards him; and as it +drew nearer, it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that, by +the time that it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness, +for some distance around was illuminated in a most glorious and +brilliant manner. He expected to have seen the leaves and boughs of +the trees consumed, as soon as the light came in contact with them; +but, perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was +encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence. It +continued descending slowly, until it rested upon the earth, and he +was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came upon him, it +produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system; and +immediately, his mind was caught away, from the natural objects with +which he was surrounded; and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision, +and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled each other in +their features or likeness. He was informed that his sins were +forgiven, He was also informed upon the subjects, which had for some +time previously agitated his mind, viz.--that all the religious +denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines; and +consequently, that none of them was acknowledged of God, as his +church and kingdom. And he was expressly commanded to go not after +them; and he received a promise that the true doctrine--the fulness +of the gospel, should, at some future time, be made known to him; +after which, the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of +calmness and peace, indescribable. Some time after having received +this glorious manifestation, being young, he was again entangled in +the vanities of the world, of which he afterwards sincerely and truly +repented. + +And it pleased God, on the evening of the 21st of September, a. d. +1823, to again hear his prayers. For he had retired to rest, as +usual, only that his mind was drawn out in fervent prayer, and his +soul was filled with the most earnest desire, "to commune with some +kind messenger, who could communicate to him the desired information +of his acceptance with God," and also unfold the principles of the +doctrine of Christ, according to the promise which he had received in +the former vision. While he thus continued to pour out his desires +before the Father of all good, endeavouring to exercise faith in his +precious promises; "on a sudden, a light, like that of day, only of a +purer and far more glorious appearance and brightness, burst into the +room. Indeed, the first sight was as though the house was filled with +consuming fire. This sudden appearance of a light so bright, as must +naturally be expected, occasioned a shock or sensation visible to the +extremities of the body. It was, however, followed with a calmness +and serenity of mind, and an overwhelming rapture of joy, that +surpassed understanding, and, in a moment, a personage stood before +him." + +Notwithstanding the brightness of the light which previously +illuminated the room, "yet there seemed to be an additional glory +surrounding or accompanying this personage, which shone with an +increased degree of brilliancy, of which he was in the midst; and +though his countenance was as lightning, yet it was of a pleasing, +innocent, and glorious appearance; so much so, that every fear was +banished from the heart, and nothing but calmness pervaded the soul." + +"The stature of this personage was a little above the common size of +men in this age; his garments was perfectly white, and had the +appearance of being without seam." + +This glorious being declared himself to be an Angel of God, sent +forth, by commandment, to communicate to him that his sins were +forgiven, and that his prayers were heard; and also, to bring the +joyful tidings, that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel +concerning their posterity, was at hand to be fulfilled; that the +great preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah, was +speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the gospel, in +its fulness, to be preached in power to all nations, that a people +might be prepared with faith and righteousness, for the Millennial +reign of universal peace and joy. + +He was informed, that he was called and chosen to be an instrument in +the hands of God, to bring about some of his marvellous purposes in +this glorious dispensation. It was also made manifest to him, that +the "American Indians" were a remnant of Israel; that when they first +emigrated to America, they were an enlightened people, possessing a +knowledge of the true God, enjoying his favor, and peculiar blessings +from his hand; that the prophets, and inspired writers among them, +were required to keep a sacred history of the most important events +transpiring among them; which history was handed down for many +generations, till at length they fell into great wickedness; the most +part of them were destroyed, and the records, (by commandment of God, +to one of the last prophets among them,) were safely deposited, to +preserve them from the hands of the wicked, who sought to destroy +them. He was informed, that these records contained many sacred +revelations pertaining to the gospel of the kingdom, as well as +prophecies relating to the great events of the last days; and that to +fulfil his promises to the ancients, who wrote the records, and to +accomplish his purposes, in the restitution of their children, &c. +they were to come forth to the knowledge of the people. If faithful, +he was to be the instrument, who should be thus highly favored in +bringing these sacred things to light; at the same time, being +expressly informed, that it must be done with an eye single to the +glory of God, that no one could be entrusted with those sacred +writings, who should endeavor to aggrandize himself, by converting +sacred things to unrighteous and speculative purposes. After giving +him many instructions concerning things past and to come, which would +be foreign to our purpose to mention here, he disappeared, and the +light and glory of God withdrew, leaving his mind in perfect peace, +while a calmness and serenity indescribable pervaded the soul. But, +before morning, the vision was twice renewed, instructing him +further, and still further, concerning the great work of God, about +to be performed on the earth. In the morning he went out to his +labour as usual; but soon the vision was renewed--the Angel again +appeared; and having been informed by the previous visions of the +night, concerning the place where those records were deposited, he +was instructed to go immediately and view them. + +Accordingly, he repaired to the place, a brief description of which +shall be given, in the words of a gentleman, by the name of Oliver +Cowdery, who has visited the spot. + +"As you go on the mail-road from Palmyra, Wayne county, to +Canandaigua, Ontario county, New-York, before arriving at the little +village of Manchester, say from three to four, or about four miles +from Palmyra, you pass a large hill on the east side of the +road.--Why I say large, is because it is as large, perhaps, as any in +that country." + +"The north end rises quite suddenly until it assumes a level with the +more southerly extremity; and I think I may say, an elevation higher +than at the south, a short distance, say half or three-fourths of a +mile. As you pass towards Canandaigua, it lessens gradually, until +the surface assumes its common level, or is broken by other smaller +hills or ridges, water-courses and ravines. I think I am justified in +saying, that this is the highest hill for some distance round, and I +am certain that its appearance, as it rises so suddenly from a plain +on the north, must attract the notice of the traveller as he passes +by."--"The north end," which has been described as rising suddenly +from the plain, forms "a promontory without timber, but covered with +grass. As you pass to the south, you soon come to scattering timber, +the surface having been cleared by art or wind, and a short distance +further left, you are surrounded with the common forest of the +country. It is necessary to observe, that even the part cleared, was +only occupied for pasturage; its steep ascent, and narrow summit not +admitting the plough of the husbandman, with any degree of ease or +profit. It was at the second mentioned place, where the record was +found to be deposited, on the west side of the hill, not far from the +top down its side; and when myself visited the place in the year +1830, there were several trees standing--enough to cause a shade in +summer, but not so much as to prevent the surface being covered with +grass--which was also the case when the record was first found." + +"How far below the surface these records were (anciently) placed, I +am unable to say: but from the fact that they have been some fourteen +hundred years buried, and that, too, on the side of a hill so steep, +one is ready to conclude, that they were some feet below, as the +earth would naturally wear, more or less, in that length of time. But +they, being placed towards the top of the hill, the ground would not +remove as much as at two-thirds, perhaps. Another circumstance would +prevent a wearing of the earth; in all probability, as soon as timber +had time to grow, the hill was covered, and the roots of the same +would hold the surface. However, on this point, I shall leave every +man to draw his own conclusion, and form his own speculation." But +suffice to say, a hole of sufficient depth was dug. At the bottom of +this was laid a stone of suitable size, the upper surface being +smooth. At each edge was placed a large quantity of cement, and into +this cement, at the four edges of the stone, were placed erect four +others; _their_ bottom edges resting _in_ the cement, at the outer +edges of the first stone. The four last named, when placed erect, +formed a box; the corners, or where the edges of the four came in +contact, were also cemented so firmly that the moisture from without +was prevented from entering. It is to be observed, also, that the +inner surfaces of the four erect or side stones, were smooth. This +box was sufficiently large to admit a breastplate, such as was used +by the ancients, to defend the chest, &c., from the arrows and +weapons of their enemy. From the bottom of the box, or from the +breastplate, arose three small pillars, composed of the same +description of cement used on the edges; and "upon these three +pillars were placed the records."--"This box, containing the records, +was covered with another stone, the bottom surface being flat, and +the upper crowning." When it was first visited by Mr. Smith on the +morning of the 22d of September, 1823, "a part of the crowning stone +was visible above the surface, while the edges were concealed by the +soil and grass," from which circumstance it may be seen, "that +however deep this box might have been placed at first, the time had +been sufficient to wear the earth, so that it was easily discovered, +when Once directed, and yet, not enough to make a perceivable +difference to the passer-by."--After arriving at the repository, a +little exertion in removing the soil from the edges of the top of the +box, and a light pry, brought to his natural vision, its contents. +While viewing and contemplating this sacred treasure with wonder and +astonishment, behold! the Angel of the Lord, who had previously +visited him, again stood in his presence, and his soul was again +enlightened as it was the evening before, and he was filled with the +Holy Spirit, and the heavens were opened, and the glory of the Lord +shone round about and rested upon him. While he thus stood gazing and +admiring, the Angel said, "Look!" And as he thus spake, he beheld the +Prince of Darkness, surrounded by his innumerable train of +associates. All this passed before him, and the heavenly messenger +said, "All this is shown, the good and the evil, the holy and impure, +the glory of God, and the power of darkness, that you may know +hereafter the two powers, and never be influenced or overcome by that +wicked one. Behold, whatsoever enticeth and leadeth to good and to do +good, is of God, and whatsoever doth not, is of that wicked one. It +is he that filleth the hearts of men with evil, to walk in darkness, +and blaspheme God; and you may learn from henceforth, that his ways +are to destruction, but the way of holiness is peace and rest. You +cannot at this time obtain this record, for the commandment of God is +strict, and if ever these sacred things are obtained, they must be by +prayer and faithfulness in obeying the Lord. They are not deposited +here for the sake of accumulating gain and wealth for the glory of +this world; they were sealed by the prayer of faith, and because of +the knowledge which they contain, they are of no worth among the +children of men, only for their knowledge. On them is contained the +fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was given to his people +on this land; and when it shall be brought forth by the power of God, +it shall be carried to the Gentiles, of whom many will receive it, +and after will the seed of Israel be brought into the fold of their +Redeemer by obeying it also. Those who kept the commandments of the +Lord on this land, desired this at his hand, and through the prayer +of faith obtained the promise, that if their descendants should +transgress and fall away, a record should be kept, and in the last +days come to their children. These things are sacred, and must be +kept so, for the promise of the Lord concerning them must be +fulfilled. No man can obtain them if his heart is impure, because +they contain that which is sacred." * * * "By them will the Lord +work a great and marvellous work; the wisdom of the wise shall become +as nought, and the understanding of the prudent shall be hid, and +because the power of God shall be displayed, those who profess to +know the truth, but walk in deceit, shall tremble with anger; but +with signs and with wonders, with gifts and with healings, with the +manifestations of the power of God, and with the Holy Ghost, shall +the hearts of the faithful be comforted. You have now beheld the +power of God manifested, and the power of Satan; you see that there +is nothing desirable in the works of darkness; that they cannot bring +happiness; that those who are overcome therewith are miserable; +while, on the other hand, the righteous are blessed with a place in +the kingdom of God, where joy unspeakable surrounds them. There they +rest beyond the power of the enemy of truth, where no evil can +disturb them. The glory of God crowns them, and they continually +feast upon his goodness, and enjoy his smiles. Behold, notwithstanding +you have seen this great display of power, by which you may ever +be able to detect the evil one, yet I give unto you another sign, +and when it comes to pass then know that the Lord is God, and that +he will fulfil his purposes, and that the knowledge which this record +contains will go to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people +under the whole heaven. This is the sign; when these things begin to +be known, that is, when it is known that the Lord has shown you +these things, the workers of iniquity will seek your overthrow. +They will circulate falsehoods to destroy your reputation; and +also will seek to take your life; but remember this, if you are +faithful, and shall hereafter continue to keep the commandments +of the Lord, you shall be preserved to bring these things forth; +for in due time he will give you a commandment to come and take +them. When they are interpreted, the Lord will give the holy +priesthood to some, and they shall begin to proclaim this gospel and +baptize by water, and after that they shall have power to give the +Holy Ghost by the laying on of their hands. Then will persecution +rage more and more; for the iniquities of men shall be revealed, and +those who are not built upon the Rock will seek to overthrow the +church; but it will increase the more opposed, and spread farther and +farther, increasing in knowledge till they shall be sanctified, and +receive an inheritance where the glory of God will rest upon them; +and when this takes place, and all things are prepared, the ten +tribes of Israel will be revealed in the north country, whither they +have been for a long season; and when this is fulfilled will be +brought to pass that saying of the prophet,--"and the Redeemer shall +come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, +saith the Lord." But, notwithstanding the workers of iniquity shall +seek your destruction, the arm of the Lord will be extended, and you +will be borne off conqueror if you keep all his commandments. Your +name shall be known among the nations, for the work which the Lord +will perform by your hands shall cause the righteous to rejoice and +the wicked to rage; with the one it shall be had in honour, and with +the other in reproach; yet, with these it shall be a terror, because +of the great and marvellous work which shall follow the coming forth +of this fulness of the gospel. Now, go thy way, remembering what the +Lord has done for thee, and be diligent in keeping his commandments, +and he will deliver thee from temptations and all the arts and +devices of the wicked one. Forget not to pray, that thy mind may +become strong, that when he shall manifest unto thee, thou mayest +have power to escape the evil, and obtain these precious things." + +We here remark, that the above quotation is an extract from a letter +written by Elder Oliver Cowdery, which was published in one of the +numbers of the "Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate." + +Although many more instructions were given by the mouth of the angel +to Mr. Smith, which we do not write in this book, yet the most +important items are contained in the foregoing relation. During the +period of the four following years, he frequently received +instruction from the mouth of the heavenly messenger. And on the +morning of September 22, a. d., 1827 the angel of the Lord delivered +the records into his hands. + +These records were engraved on plates, which had the appearance of +gold. Each plate was not far from seven by eight inches in width and +length, being not quite as thick as common tin. They were filled on +both sides with engravings, in Egyptian characters, and bound +together in a volume, as the leaves of a book, and fastened at one +edge with three rings running through the whole. This volume was +something near six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. +The characters or letters upon the unsealed part were small and +beautifully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of +antiquity in its construction, as well as much skill in the art of +engraving. With the records was found "a curious instrument, called +by the ancients the Urim and Thummim, which consisted of two +transparent stones, clear as crystal, set in the two rims of a bow. +This was in use, in ancient times, by persons called seers. It was an +instrument, by the use of which, they received revelations of things +distant, or of things past or future." + +In the mean time, the inhabitants of that vicinity, having been +informed that Mr. Smith had seen heavenly visions, and that he had +discovered sacred records, began to ridicule and mock at those +things. And after having obtained the records, while proceeding home +through the wilderness and fields, he was waylaid by two ruffians, +who had secreted themselves for the purpose of robbing him of the +same. One of them struck him with a club before he perceived them; +but being a strong man, and large in stature, with great exertion he +cleared himself from them, and ran towards home, being closely +pursued until he came near his father's house, when his pursuers, for +fear of being detected, turned and fled. + +Soon the news of his discoveries spread abroad throughout all those +parts. False reports, misrepresentations, and base slanders, flew, as +if upon the wings of the wind in every direction. The house was +frequently beset by mobs and evil-designing persons. Several times he +was shot at, and very narrowly escaped. Every device was used to get +the plates away from him. And being continually in danger of his +life, from a gang of abandoned wretches, he at length concluded to +leave the place, and go to Pennsylvania; and, accordingly, packed up +his goods, putting the plates into a barrel of beans, and proceeded +upon his journey. He had not gone far, before he was overtaken by an +officer with a search-warrant, who flattered himself with the idea, +that he should surely obtain the plates; after searching very +diligently, he was sadly disappointed at not finding them. Mr. Smith +then drove on, but before he got to his journey's end, he was again +overtaken by an officer on the same business, and after ransacking +the waggon very carefully, he went his way, as much chagrined as the +first, at not being able to discover the object of his research. +Without any further molestation, he pursued his journey until he came +to the northern part of Pennsylvania, near the Susquehannah river, in +which part his father-in-law resided. + +Having provided himself with a home, he commenced translating the +record, by the gift and power of God, thro' the means of the Urim and +Thummim; and being a poor writer, he was under the necessity of +employing a scribe, to write the translation as it came from his +mouth. + +In the mean time, a few of the original characters were accurately +transcribed, and translated by Mr. Smith, which, with the +translation, were taken by a gentleman by the name of Martin Harris, +to the city of New-York, where they were presented to a learned +gentleman, by the name of Anthon, who professed to be extensively +acquainted with many languages, both ancient and modern. He examined +them; but was unable to decipher them correctly; but he presumed that +if the original records could be brought, he could assist in +translating them. + +But to return. Mr. Smith continued the work of translation, as his +pecuniary circumstances would permit, until he finished the unsealed +part of the records. The part translated is entitled the "Book of +Mormon," which contains nearly as much reading as the Old Testament. + +In this important and most interesting book, we can read the history +of ancient America, from its early settlement by a colony who came +from the tower of Babel, at the confusion of languages, to the +beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era. By these records +we are informed, that America, in ancient times, has been inhabited by +two distinct races of people. The first, or more ancient race, came +directly from the great tower, being called Jaredites. The second +race came directly from the city of Jerusalem, about six hundred +years before Christ, being Israelites, principally the descendants of +Joseph. The first nation, or Jaredites, were destroyed about the time +that the Israelites came from Jerusalem who succeeded them in the +inheritance of the country. The principal nation of the second race, +fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remaining +remnant, having dwindled into an uncivilized state, still continue to +inhabit the land, although divided into a 'multitude of nations,' and +are called by Europeans, the "American Indians." + +We learn from this very ancient history, that at the confusion of +languages, when the Lord scattered the people upon all the face of +the earth, the Jaredites being a righteous people, obtained favour in +the sight of the Lord, and were not confounded. And because of their +righteousness, the Lord miraculously led them from the tower to the +great ocean, where they were commanded to build vessels, in which +they were marvellously brought across the great deep to the shores of +North America. + +And the Lord God promised to give them America, which was a very +choice land in his sight, for an inheritance. And He swore unto them +in his wrath, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from +that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only +God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should +come upon them, and they were fully ripened in iniquity. Moreover he +promised to make them a great and powerful nation, so that there +should be no greater nation upon all the face of the earth. + +Accordingly, in process of time, they became a very numerous and +powerful people, occupying principally North America; building large +cities in all quarters of the land; being a civilized and enlightened +nation. Agriculture and machinery were carried on to a great extent. +Commercial and manufacturing business flourished on every hand; yet +in consequence of wickedness, they were often visited with terrible +judgments. Many prophets were raised up among them from generation to +generation, who testified against the wickedness of the people, and +prophesied of judgments and calamities which awaited them, if they +did not repent, &c. Sometimes they were visited by pestilence and +plagues, and sometimes by famine and war, until at length (having +occupied the land some fifteen or sixteen hundred years,) their +wickedness became so great that the Lord threatened, by the mouth of +his prophets, to utterly destroy them from the face of the land. But +they gave no heed to these warnings; therefore the word of the Lord +was fulfilled; and they were entirely destroyed; leaving their +houses, their cities, and their land desolate; and their sacred +records also, which were kept on gold plates, were left by one of +their last prophets, whose name was Ether, in such a situation, that +they were discovered by the remnant of Joseph, who soon afterwards +were brought from Jerusalem to inherit the land. + +This remnant of Joseph were also led in a miraculous manner from +Jerusalem, in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah. +They were first led to the eastern borders of the Red Sea; then they +journeyed for some time along the borders thereof, nearly in a +south-east direction; after which they altered their course nearly +eastward, until they came to the great waters, where, by the +commandment of God, they built a vessel, in which they were safely +brought across the great Pacific Ocean, and landed upon the western +coast of South America. + +In the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah, at the time the Jews +were carried away captive into Babylon, another remnant were brought +out of Jerusalem, some of whom were descendants of Judah. They landed +in North America, soon after which they emigrated, into the northern +parts of South America, at which place they were discovered by the +remnant of Joseph, something like four hundred years after. + +From these ancient records, we learn that this remnant of Joseph, +soon after they landed, separated themselves into two distinct +nations. This division was caused by a certain portion of them being +greatly persecuted, because of their righteousness, by the remainder. +The persecuted nation emigrated towards the northern parts of South +America, leaving the wicked nation in possession of the middle and +southern parts of the same. The former were called Nephites, being +led by a prophet whose name was Nephi. The latter were called +Lamanites, being led by a very wicked man, whose name was Laman. The +Nephites had in their possession a copy of the Holy Scriptures, viz. +the five books of Moses, and the prophecies of the holy prophets, +down to Jeremiah, in whose days they left Jerusalem. These scriptures +were engraved on plates of brass, in the Egyptian language. They +themselves also made plates, soon after their landing, on which they +began to engrave their own history, prophecies, visions, and +revelations. All these sacred records were kept by holy and righteous +men, who were inspired by the Holy Ghost; and were carefully +preserved and handed down from generation to generation. + +And the Lord gave unto them the whole continent, for a land of +promise, and promised, that they, and their children after them, +should inherit it, on condition of their obedience to his +commandments; but if they were disobedient, they should be cut off +from his presence. And the Nephites began to prosper in the land, +according to their righteousness, and multiplied and spread forth to +the east, west, and north; building large villages, cities, +synagogues, and temples, together with forts, towers, and +fortifications, to defend themselves against their enemies. And they +cultivated the earth, and raised various kinds of grain in abundance. +They also raised numerous flocks of domestic animals, and became a +very wealthy people; having in abundance gold, silver, copper, tin, +iron, &c. Arts and sciences flourished to a great extent. Various +kinds of machinery were in use. Cloths of various kinds were +manufactured. Swords, scimitars, axes, and various implements of war +were made, together with head-shields, arm-shields, and breastplates, +to defend themselves in battle with their enemies. And in the days of +their righteousness, they were a civilized, enlightened, and happy +people. + +But, on the other hand, the Lamanites, because of the hardness of +their hearts, brought down many judgments upon their own heads; +nevertheless, they were not destroyed as a nation; but the Lord God +sent forth a curse upon them, and they became a dark, loathsome, and +filthy people. Before their rebellion, they were white and +exceedingly fair, like the Nephites; but the Lord God cursed them in +their complexions, and they were changed to a dark color, and they +became a wild, savage, and ferocious people; being great enemies to +the Nephites, whom they sought by every means to destroy, and many +times came against them, with their numerous hosts to battle, but +were repulsed and driven back to their own possession, not, however, +generally speaking, without great loss on both sides; for tens of +thousands were very frequently slain, after which they were piled +together in great heaps upon the face of the ground, and covered with +a shallow covering of earth, which will satisfactorily account for +those ancient mounds filled with human bones, so numerous at the +present day, both in North and South America. + +The second colony, which left Jerusalem eleven years after the +remnant of Joseph left that city, landed in North America, and +emigrated from thence, to the northern parts of South America; and +about four hundred years after, they were discovered by the Nephites, +as we stated in the foregoing. + +They were called the people of Zarahemla. They had been perplexed +with many wars among themselves; and having brought no records with +them, their language had become corrupted, and they denied the being +of God; and at the time they were discovered by the Nephites they +were very numerous, and only in a partial state of civilization; but +the Nephites united with them, and taught them the Holy Scriptures, +and they were restored to civilization, and became one nation with +them. And in process of time, the Nephites began to build ships near +the Isthmus of Darien, and launch them forth into the western ocean, +in which great numbers sailed a great distance to the northward, and +began to colonize North America. Other colonies emigrated by land, +and in a few centuries the whole continent became peopled. North +America at that time, was almost entirely destitute of timber, it +having been cut off by the more ancient race, who came from the great +tower, at the confusion of languages; but the Nephites became very +skilful in building houses of cement; also much timber was carried by +the way of shipping from South to North America. They also planted +groves and began to raise timber, that in time their wants might be +supplied. Large cities were built in various parts of the continent, +both among the Lamanites and Nephites. The law of Moses was observed +by the latter. Numerous prophets were raised up from time to time +throughout their generations. Many records, both historical and +prophetical, which were of great size, were kept among them; some on +plates of gold and other metals, and some on other materials. The +sacred records, also of the more ancient race who had been destroyed, +were found by them. These were engraved on plates of gold. They +translated them into their own language, by the gift and power of +God, through the means of the Urim and Thummim. They contained an +historical account from the creation down to the Tower of Babel, and +from that time down until they were destroyed, comprising a period of +about thirty-four hundred, or thirty-five hundred years. They also +contained many prophecies, great and marvellous, reaching forward to +the final end and consummation of all things, and the creation of the +new heaven and new earth. + +The prophets also among the Nephites prophesied of great things. They +opened the secrets of futurity--saw the coming of Messiah in the +flesh--prophesied of the blessings to come upon their descendants in +the latter times--made known the history of unborn generations-- +unfolded the great events of ages to come--viewed the power, glory, +and majesty of Messiah's second advent--beheld the establishment of +the kingdom of peace--gazed upon the glories of the day of +righteousness--saw creation redeemed from the curse, and all the +righteous filled with songs of everlasting joy. + +The Nephites knew of the birth and crucifixion of Christ, by certain +celestial and terrestrial phenomena, which, at those times, were +shown forth in fulfilment of the predictions of many of their +prophets. Notwithstanding the many blessings with which they had been +blessed, they had fallen into great wickedness, and had cast out the +saints and the prophets, and stoned and killed them. Therefore, at +the time of the crucifixion of Christ, they were visited in great +judgment. Thick darkness covered the whole continent. The earth was +terribly convulsed. The rocks were rent into broken fragments, and +afterwards found in seams and cracks upon all the face of the land. +Mountains were sunk into valleys, and valleys raised into mountains. +The highways and level roads were broken up and spoiled. Many cities +were laid in ruins. Others were buried up in the depths of the earth, +and mountains occupied their place. While others were sunk, and +waters came up in their stead, and others still were burned by fire +from heaven. + +Thus, the predictions of their prophets were fulfilled upon their +heads. Thus, the more wicked part, both of the Nephites and Lamanites +were destroyed. Thus, the Almighty executed vengeance and fury upon +them, that the blood of the saints and prophets might no longer cry +from the ground against them. + +Those who survived these terrible judgments, were favoured with the +personal ministry of Christ. For after He arose from the +dead--finished his ministry at Jerusalem, and ascended to heaven, he +descended in the presence of the Nephites, who were assembled round +about their temples in the northern parts of South America He +exhibited to them his wounded hands, side, and feet--commanded the +law of Moses to be abolished--introduced and established the Gospel +in its stead--chose twelve disciples from among them to administer +the same--instituted the sacrament--prayed for and blessed their +little children--healed their sick, blind, lame, deaf, and those who +were afflicted in any way--raised a man from the dead--showed forth +his power in their midst--expounded the scriptures which had been +given from the beginning down to that time, and made known unto them +all things which should take place down until He should come in his +glory, and from that time down to the end, when all people, nations, +and languages shall stand before God to be judged, and the heaven, +and the earth should pass away, and there should be a new heaven and +new earth. These teachings of Jesus were engraved upon plates, some +of which are contained in the book of Mormon; but the greater part +are not revealed in that book, but are hereafter to be made manifest +to the saints. + +After Jesus had finished ministering unto them, he ascended into +heaven; and the twelve disciples whom he had chosen, went forth upon +all the face of the land, preaching the gospel; baptizing those who +repented, for the remission of sins, after which they laid their +hands upon them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Mighty +miracles were wrought by them, and also by many of the church. The +Nephites and Lamanites were all converted unto the Lord, both in +South and North America; and they dwelt in righteousness above three +hundred years; but towards the close of the fourth century of the +Christian era, they had so far apostatized from God, that he suffered +great judgments to fall upon them. The Lamanites, at that time, dwelt +in South America, and the Nephites in North America. + +A great and terrible war commenced between them, which lasted for +many years, and resulted in the complete overthrow and destruction of +the Nephites. This war commenced at the Isthmus of Darien, and was +very destructive to both nations for many years. At length, the +Nephites were driven before their enemies, a great distance to the +North, and North-east; and having gathered their whole nation +together, both men women, and children, they encamped on and round +about the hill Cumorah, where the records were found, which is in the +State of New-York, about two hundred miles west of the city of +Albany. Here they were met by the numerous hosts of the Lamanites, +and were slain, and hewn down, and slaughtered, both male and +female--the aged, middle-aged, and children. Hundreds of thousands +were slain on both sides; and the nation of the Nephites were +destroyed, excepting a few who had deserted over to the Lamanites, +and a few who escaped into the south country, and a few who fell +wounded, and were left by the Lamanites on the field of battle for +dead, among whom were Mormon and his son Moroni, who were righteous +men. + +Mormon had made an abridgment, from the records, of his forefathers, +upon plates, which abridgment he entitled the "Book of Mormon," and, +(being commanded of God,) he hid up in the hill Cumorah, all the +sacred records of his forefathers which were in his possession, +except the abridgment called the "Book of Mormon," which he gave to +his son Moroni to finish. Moroni survived his nation a few years, and +continued the writings, in which he informs us, that the Lamanites +hunted those few Nephites who escaped the great and tremendous battle +of Cumorah, until they were all destroyed, excepting those who were +mingled with the Lamanites, and that he was left alone, and kept +himself hid, for they sought to destroy every Nephite who would not +deny Christ. He furthermore states, that the Lamanites were at war +one with another, and that the whole face of the land was one +continual scene of murdering, robbing, and plundering. He continued +the history until the four hundred and twentieth year of the +Christian era; when, (by the commandment of God,) he hid up the +records in the hill Cumorah, where they remained concealed, until by +the ministry of an angel they were discovered to Mr. Smith, who, by +the gift and power of God, translated them into the English language, +by the means of the Urim and Thummim, as stated in the foregoing. + +After the book was translated, the Lord raised up witnesses to bear +testimony to the nations of its truth, who, at the close of the +volume, send forth their testimony, which reads as follows: + + TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES. + + Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto + whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the + Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain + this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of + the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who + came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that + they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice + hath declared it unto us, wherefore, we know of a surety, that the + work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings + which are upon the plates; and they have been 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 it is by the grace of God the + Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we behold and bear record + that these things are true; and it is marvellous in our eyes, + nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear + record of it; wherefore, to be obedient to 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 honour 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 THE 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 has translated, we did handle with our hands; and we also + saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of + ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record + with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for + we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that the said Smith + has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names + unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; + and we lie not, God bearing witness of it. + + CHRISTIAN WHITMER, + JACOB WHITMER, + PETER WHITMER, Jr. + JOHN WHITMER, + HIRAM PAGE, + JOSEPH SMITH, Sen. + HYRUM SMITH, + SAMUEL H. SMITH. + +Also, in the year 1829, Mr. Smith and Mr. Cowdery, having learned the +correct mode of baptism, from the teachings of the Saviour to the +ancient Nephites, as recorded in the "Book of Mormon," had a desire +to be baptized; but knowing that no one had authority to administer +that sacred ordinance in any denomination, they were at a loss to +know how the authority was to be restored, and while calling upon the +Lord with a desire to be informed upon the subject, a holy angel +appeared--stood before them--laid his hands upon their heads--ordained +them--and commanded them to baptize each other, which they accordingly +did. + +In the year 1830, a large edition of the "Book of Mormon" first +appeared in print. And as some began to peruse its sacred pages, the +spirit of the Lord bore record to them that it was true, and they +were obedient to its requirements, by coming forth, humbly repenting +before the Lord, and being immersed in water, for the remission of +sins, after which, by the commandment of God, hands were laid upon +them in the name of the Lord, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. + +And on the sixth of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight +hundred and thirty, the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day +Saints," was organized, in the town of Manchester, Ontario County, +State of New-York. Some few were called and ordained by the spirit of +revelation and prophecy, and began to preach and bear testimony, as +the spirit gave them utterance; and although they were the weak +things of the earth, yet they were strengthened by the Holy Ghost, +and gave forth their testimony in great power, by which means many +were brought to repentance, and came forward with broken hearts and +contrite spirits, and were immersed in water confessing their sins, +and were filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; and +saw visions and prophesied. Devils were cast out, and the sick were +healed by the prayer of faith, and laying on of hands. Thus was the +word confirmed unto the faithful by signs following. Thus the Lord +raised up witnesses, to bear testimony of his name, and lay the +foundation of his kingdom in the last days. And thus the hearts of +the saints were comforted, and filled with great joy. + +In the foregoing, we have related the most important facts concerning +the visions and the ministry of the angel to Mr. Smith; the discovery +of the records; their translation into the English language, and the +witnesses raised up to bear testimony of the same: we have also +stated when, and by whom they were written; that they contain the +history of nearly one half of the globe, from the earliest ages after +the flood, until the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian +era; that this history is interspersed with many important +prophecies, which unfold the great events of the last days, and that +in it also is recorded the gospel in its fulness and plainness, as it +was revealed by the personal ministry of Christ to the ancient +Nephites, We have also given an account of the restoration of the +authority in these days, to administer in the ordinances of the +gospel; and of the time of the organization of the church; and of the +blessings poured out upon the same while yet in its infancy. + +We now proceed to give a sketch of the faith and doctrine of this +Church. + +First, we believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus +Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, who bears record of them, the same +throughout all ages and for ever. + +We believe that all mankind by the transgression of their first +parents, and not by their own sins, were brought under the curse and +penalty of that transgression, which consigned them to an eternal +banishment from the presence of God, and their bodies to an endless +sleep in the dust, never more to rise, and their spirits to endless +misery under the power of Satan; and that, in this awful condition, +they were utterly lost and fallen, and had no power of their own to +extricate themselves therefrom. + +We believe, that through the sufferings, death and atonement of Jesus +Christ, all mankind, without one exception, are to be completely and +fully redeemed, both body and spirit, from the endless banishment and +curse to which they were consigned, by Adam's transgression, and that +this universal salvation and redemption of the whole human family +from the endless penalty of the original sin, is effected, without +any conditions whatsoever on their part; that is, that they are not +required to believe, or repent, or be baptized, or do any thing else, +in order to be redeemed from that penalty; for whether they believe +or disbelieve, whether they repent or remain impenitent, whether they +are baptized or unbaptized, whether they keep the commandments or +break them, whether they are righteous or unrighteous, it will make +no difference in relation to their redemption, both soul and body, +from the penalty of Adam's transgression. The most righteous man that +ever lived on the earth, and the most wicked wretch of the whole +human family, were both placed under the same curse, without any +transgression or agency of their own, and they both, alike, will be +redeemed from that curse, without any agency or conditions on their +part. Paul says, Rom. v. 28, "Therefore, as by the offence of one, +judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation; even so, by the +righteousness of one, the free gift came upon ALL men unto the +justification of life." This is the reason why ALL men are redeemed +from the grave. This is the reason that the spirits of all men are +restored to their bodies. This is the reason that all men are +redeemed from their first banishment, and restored into the presence +of God, and this is the reason that the Saviour said, John xii. 32, +"If I be lifted up from the earth I will, draw ALL men unto me." +After this full, complete and universal redemption, restoration and +salvation of the whole of Adam's race, through the atonement of Jesus +Christ, without faith, repentance, baptism or any other works, then +all and every one of them, will enjoy eternal life and happiness, +never more to be banished from the presence of God, IF _they +themselves have committed no sin_: for the penalty of the original +sin can have no more power over them at all, for Jesus hath destroyed +its power--broken the bands of the first death--obtained the victory +over the grave,--delivered all its captives, and restored them from +their first banishment into the presence of his Father, hence eternal +life will then be theirs, IF _they themselves are not found +transgressors of some law_. + +We believe that all mankind, in their infant state are incapable of +knowing good and evil, and of obeying or disobeying a law, and that, +therefore, there is no law given to them, and that where there is no +law, there is no transgression; hence they are innocent, and if they +should all die in their infant state, they would enjoy eternal life, +not being transgressors themselves, neither accountable for Adam's +sin. + +We believe that all mankind, in consequence of the fall, after they +grow up from their infant state, and come to the years of +understanding, know good and evil, and are capable of obeying and +disobeying a law, and that a law is given against doing evil, and +that the penalty affixed is a second banishment from the presence of +God, both body and spirit, _after_ they have been redeemed from the +FIRST _banishment_ and restored into his presence. + +We believe that the penalty of this second law can have no effect +upon persons who have not had the privilege, in this life, of +becoming acquainted therewith; for although the light that is in them +teaches them good and evil, yet that light does not teach them the +law against doing evil, nor the penalty thereof. And although they +have done things worthy of many stripes, yet the law cannot be +brought to bear against them, and its penalty be inflicted, because +they can plead ignorance thereof. Therefore they will be judged, not +by the revealed law which they have been ignorant of, but by the law +of their conscience, the penalty thereof being a few stripes. + +We believe that all who have done evil, having a knowledge of the +law, or afterwards, in this life, coming to the knowledge thereof, +are under its penalty, which is not inflicted in this world, but in +the world to come. Therefore, such, in this world, are prisoners, +shut up under the sentence of the law, awaiting, with awful fear, for +the time of judgment, when the penalty shall be inflicted, consigning +them to a _second banishment_ from the presence of their Redeemer, +who had redeemed them from the penalty of the FIRST law. But, +enquires the sinner, is there no way for my escape? Is my case +hopeless? Can I not devise some way by which I can extricate myself +from the penalty of this SECOND _law_, and escape this SECOND +_banishment_? The answer is, if thou canst hide thyself from the +all-searching eye of an Omnipresent God, that he shall not find thee, +or if thou canst prevail with him to deny justice its claim, or if +thou canst clothe thyself with power, and contend with the Almighty, +and prevent him from executing the sentence of the law, then thou +canst escape. If thou canst cause repentance, or baptism in water, or +any of thine own works, to _atone_ for the least of thy +transgressions, then thou canst deliver thyself from the awful +penalty that awaits thee. But, be assured, O sinner, that thou canst +not devise any way of thine own to escape, nor do any thing that will +_atone_ for thy sins. Therefore, thy case is hopeless, unless God +hath devised some way for thy deliverance; but do not let despair +seize upon thee; for though thou art under the sentence of a broken +law, and hast no power to atone for thy sins, and redeem thyself +therefrom, yet there is hope in thy case; for he, who gave the law, +has devised a way for thy deliverance. That same Jesus, who hath +atoned for the original sin, and will redeem all mankind from the +penalty thereof, hath also atoned for thy sins, and offereth +salvation and deliverance to thee, on certain conditions to be +complied with on thy part. + +We believe that the first condition to be complied with on the part +of sinners, is, to _believe_ in God, and in the sufferings and death +of his Son Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of the whole world, +and in his resurrection and ascension on high, to appear in the +presence of his Father, to make intercessions for the children of +men, and in the Holy Ghost, which is given to all who obey the gospel. + +That the second condition is, to _repent_, that is, all who believe, +according to the first condition, are required to come humbly before +God, and confess their sins with a broken heart and contrite spirit, +and turn away from them, and cease from all their _evil deeds_ and +make restitution to all whom they have in any way injured, as far as +it is in their power. + +That the third condition is, to be _baptized_ by immersion in water, +in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, _for remission of +sins_; and that this ordinance is to be administered by one who is +called and authorized of Jesus Christ to baptize, otherwise it is +illegal and of no advantage, and not accepted by him; and that it is +to be administered only to those persons, who believe and repent, +according to the two preceding conditions. + +And that the fourth condition is, to receive the _laying on of +hands_, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the gift of the Holy Ghost; +and that this ordinance is to be administered by the apostles or +elders, whom the Lord Jesus hath called and authorized to lay on +hands, otherwise it is of no advantage, being illegal in the sight of +God; and that it is to be administered only to those persons who +believe, repent, and are baptized into this church, according to the +three preceding conditions. These are the first conditions of the +gospel. All who comply with them receive forgiveness of sins, and are +made partakers of the Holy Ghost. Through these conditions, they +become the adopted sons and daughters of God. Through this process, +they are born again, first of water, and then of the spirit, and +become children of the kingdom--heirs of God---saints of the most +High--the church of the first-born--the elect people, and heirs to a +celestial inheritance, eternal in the presence of God. After +complying with these principles, their names are enrolled in the book +of the names of the righteous. + +They are then required to be humble, to be meek and lowly in heart, +to watch and pray, to deal justly; and inasmuch as they have the +riches of this world, to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, +according to the dictates of wisdom and prudence; to comfort the +afflicted, to bind up the broken-hearted, and to do all the good that +is in their power; and besides all these things, they are required to +meet together as often as circumstances will admit, and partake of +bread and wine, in remembrance of the broken body, and shed blood of +the Lord Jesus; and, in short, to continue faithful to the end, in +all the duties enjoined upon them by the word and spirit of Christ. + +"It is the duty and privilege of the saints thus organized upon the +everlasting gospel, to believe in and enjoy, all the gifts, powers, +and blessings which flow from the Holy Spirit. Such, for instance, as +the gifts of revelation, prophecy, visions, the ministry of angels +healing the sick by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus, the +working of miracles, and, in short, all the gifts as mentioned in +Scripture, or as enjoyed, by the ancient saints." We believe that +inspired apostles and prophets, together with all the officers as +mentioned in the new Testament, are necessary to be in the church in +these days. + +We believe that there has been a general and awful apostacy from the +religion of the New Testament, so that all the known world have been +left for centuries without the Church of Christ among them; without a +priesthood authorized of God to administer ordinances; that every one +of the churches has perverted the gospel; some in one way, and some +in another. For instance, almost every church has done away +"_immersion for remission of sins_." Those few who have practised it +for remission of sins, have done away the ordinance of the "_laying +on of hands_," upon baptized believers for the gift of the Holy +Ghost. Again, the few who have practised this last ordinance, have +perverted the first, or have done away the ancient gifts, powers, and +blessings, which flow from the Holy Spirit, or have said to inspired +apostles and prophets, we have no need of you in the body in these +days. Those few, again, who have believed in and contended for the +miraculous gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, have perverted the +ordinances, or done them away. Thus all the churches preach false +doctrines and pervert the gospel, and instead of having authority +from God to administer its ordinances, they are under the curse of +God for perverting it. Paul says, Gal. i, 8, "Though we, or an angel +from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have +preached unto you, let him be accursed." + +We believe that there are a few sincere, honest, and humble persons, +who are striving to do according to the best of their understanding; +but, in many respects, they err in doctrine, because of false +teachers and the precepts of men, and that they will receive the +fulness of the gospel with gladness, as soon as they hear it. + +The gospel in the "Book of Mormon," is the same as that in the New +Testament, and is revealed in great plainness, so that no one that +reads it can misunderstand its principles. It has been revealed by +the angel, to be preached as a witness to all nations, first to the +Gentiles, and then to the Jews, then cometh the downfall of Babylon. +Thus fulfilling the vision of John, which he beheld on the Isle of +Patmos, Rev. xiv, 6, 7, 8, "And I saw," says John, "another angel fly +in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto +them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and +tongue, and people, saying, with a loud voice, Fear God, and give +glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him +that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of +waters. And there followed another angel, saying Babylon is fallen, +is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the +wine of the wrath of her fornication." + +Many revelations and prophecies have been given to this church since +its rise, which have been printed and sent forth to the world. They +also contain the gospel in great plainness, and instructions of +infinite importance to the saints. They also unfold the great events +that await this generation; the terrible judgments to be poured forth +upon the wicked, and the blessings and glories to be given to the +righteous. We believe that God will continue to give revelations by +visions, by the ministry of angels, and by the inspiration of the +Holy Ghost, until the saints are guided into all truth, that is, +until they come in possession of all the truth there is in existence, +and are made perfect in knowledge. So long, therefore, as they are +ignorant of any thing past, present, or to come, so long, we believe +they will enjoy the gift of revelation. And when in their immortal +and perfect state--when they enjoy the measure of the stature of the +fulness of Christ--when they are made perfect in one, and become +like their Saviour, then they will be in possession of all knowledge, +wisdom, and intelligence: then all things will be theirs, whether +principalities or powers, thrones or dominions; and, in short, then +they will be filled with all the fulness of God. And what more can +they learn? What more can they know? What more can they enjoy? Then +they will no longer need revelation. + +We believe that wherever the people enjoy the religion of the New +Testament, there they enjoy visions, revelations, the ministry of +angels, &c. And that wherever these blessings cease to be enjoyed, +there they also cease to enjoy the religion of the New Testament. + +We believe that God has raised up this church, in order to prepare a +people for his second coming in the clouds of heaven, in power, and +great glory; and that then the saints who are asleep in their graves +will be raised, and reign with him on earth a thousand years. + +We believe that the nations are fast ripening in wickedness, and that +judgments, fearful, and terrible, speedily await them. For the signs +of the times clearly betoken a general and universal convulsion. The +ripening of the harvest--the decay of vegetables--the withering +leaves, never indicated more clearly the approaching winter, than the +signs of the times betoken approaching judgment. The awful apostacy +of the Christian World--the great corruptions that pervade all +governments, and the alarming wickedness of the present generation, +have engraved UNIVERSAL JUDGMENT, RUIN, and OVERTHROW upon all the +kingdoms of this world. A dreadful storm is gathering in every +region, find will, ere long, break forth with inconceivable fury upon +this guilty generation. Already the fearful tempest begins to rage. +The calm repose of ages is disturbed. Ancient and powerful monarchies +which have stood the test of centuries, unmoved and unaltered, are +now fast crumbling to ruin. Kingdoms are in terrible commotion, +divided among themselves, and each distracted with internal broils, +disorder, and confusion. The fountains of the nations seem to be +broken up. The whole frame work of government is loosened and torn +asunder. Every nation is alarmed and in consternation. Fearful +forebodings have seized upon Politicians and Statesman, Kings and +Rulers. All are perplexed with dreadful anxieties, looking after +those things which are coming on the earth. + +In the midst of all these commotions, just as every government seems +to be on the very eve of crumbling to pieces, and just as a thick +cloud of judgment seems to hang frightfully over all nations, ready +to burst with awful fury upon their guilty heads--a voice of mercy +is heard. An angel is sent forth from the eternal worlds. Truth +springs forth from the earth clothed with her native simplicity and +beauty. Messengers are called of God, and sent forth with a +proclamation to all people, requiring them to repent and obey the +same. A way of safety for the meek of the earth is clearly pointed +out. The kingdom of God is re-organized upon the earth, which alone +will stand secure and triumphant in the midst of the dissolution of +all earthly governments. + +Thus, dear reader, we have laid before you a brief narrative of some +of the most important things transpiring in this generation--things +most firmly believed by the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day +Saints--things which have already been embraced by many tens of +thousands in our own native country. Thousands also among other +nations are rejoicing in these tidings, having received this message +with gladness. Never were mankind visited with a more important +message than the one which has now saluted the ears of mortals. It is +a message that deeply concerns all people, and calls for their most +candid and sincere investigation. It is a message from the great +Jehovah committed into the hands of mortals by holy angels sent forth +from his presence. It is a message that will speedily penetrate the +darkest corners of the earth, and enter into the palaces of Kings, +while proud and haughty monarchs shall tremble at its power. It is a +message which unveils the secrets of futurity, and draws aside the +curtains which hide the destinies of all countries and governments. + +By the proclamation of this message, Judah shall be gathered from +their long dispersion--the tribes of Israel be restored, with power +and glory to their own lands--the remnant of Joseph, or the American +Indians, become civilized and enlightened, and the Millennial reign +of universal peace and joy be ushered in. + +And we now bear testimony to all, both small and great, that the Lord +of Hosts hath sent us with a message of glad tidings--the everlasting +gospel, to cry repentance to the nations, and prepare the way of his +second coming. Therefore, _repent_, O ye nations, both Gentiles and +Jews, and cease from all your _evil deeds_, and come forth with +broken hearts and contrite spirits, and be _baptized_ in water, in +the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for remission of sins, +and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by the _laying on of +the hands_ of the Apostles, or Elders of this church; and signs shall +follow them that believe, and if they continue faithful to the end, +they shall be saved. But woe unto them who hearken not to the message +which God has now sent, for the day of vengeance and burning is at +hand, and they shall not escape. Therefore, REMEMBER, O reader, and +_perish not_! + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Interesting Account of Several +Remarkable Visions, by Orson Pratt + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44907 *** |