Fear

840 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

In what other way could it have been done, and done right ? Nearly all other sects attach no importance whatever to authority. When I consider their origin and organization, I see something illogical in the very start. I am impressed at once with their human origin. 12. I have read the history of Joseph Smith and studied his doctrines, his prophecies, and the revelations he received. I find

in him all the marks of a true prophet. His works show he was all he claimed to be. His doctrine is lucid, comprehensive, and authoritative. Many of his prophecies have come to pass, and I have no doubt the rest will when the time comes. His revela- tions are important. They throw much light on the Bible, and re- veal many new and important truths necessary to the salvation and exaltation of man. I have also read a good deal of what his enemies have had to say about him. But their arguments, as a rule, are nothing but ridicule, misrepresentation and persecution. They have nothing better than "Mormonism" to offer, and they have not done one hundredth part of what Joseph Smith did for the benefit of humanity. The very opposition Joseph Smith and his followers have met with is a proof to me that the work he began is of God. Our enemies can give us no valid reason for their opposition. The testimony of honest, upright, truthful men, who were well acquainted with Joseph Smith, and for whose integ- rity I can vouch because I know them, is of more worth to me re- garding the character of Joseph Smith than the testimony of avowed enemies who were not even acquainted with him, and who prove by their wilful misrepresentations that they have no regard for the truth. His words and works prove that he was a prophet. "A bitter fountain cannot bring forth sweet water." 13. The Book of Mormon is another proof to me of the divin- ity of this work. It has more and better evidences for its divinity than the Bible has. It is itself the best witness for the divine authenticity of the Bible. The latter predicts the coming forth of a book the conditions of which are fulfilled in the Book of Mor- mon. The two books agree in doctrine. I feel myself benefited just as much, if not more, by reading the Book of Mormon as by reading the Bible. The history is accurate. Its credibility is

borne out by the traditions of the present American Indians, and