Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, No. 4

EVIDENCES OF THE BOOK OP MOKMON AND BIBLE COMPARED;

1. — The Book of Mormon claims to be the sacred history of ancient America, written by a succession of ancient prophets, who inhabited that vast continent. The plates of gold, containing this history, were discovered by a young man, named Joseph Smith, through the ministry of a holy angel, on the evening and morning of the 21st and 22nd of September, a.d. 1823. Pour years after their discovCTy, or on the morning of the 22nd of September, a.d. 1827, the angel of the Lord permitted Mr. Smith to take these sacred records from the place of their deposit. The hill in which they were found buried, is situated in the town of Manchester, Ontario county, State of New York. With the plates were also found a Urim and Thummim. Each plate was not far from seven by eight inches in width and length, being not quite as thick as common tin. Each was filled on both sides with engraved Egyptian characters; and the whole were bound together in a volume, as the leaves of a Ijook, and fastened at one edge with thi'ee rings running through each. This volume was something near six inches in thickness, a pai-t of which was sealed. The characters or letters upon the unsealed part were small and beautifully engraved. Mr. Smith, through the aid of the Urim and Thunimim,«,nd by the gift and power of God, translated this record into the English language. This translation contains about the same amount of reading as the Old Testament. A lai-ge edition of this wonderful book was first published early in 1830.*

2. — It may be asked, what further evidence have we that Mr. Smith saw the aJigel ? Does the truth or falsity of the Book of Mormon depend upon his testimony alone ? May not Mr. Smith be an impostor ? These are questions, not only reasonable, but of the greatest' importance. It certainly does not seem reasonable to many that in sending a message which is to affect the temporal and eternal welfare of all Ike- present generation, God would give but one witness only. , When God sent a prophetic message concerning the flood, he must have revealed the truth of it, not only to Noah, but to his three sons; for, they all seem to have laboured together in building. the ark; this they would not have done unless they had been fully assumed that the message was from God. If, then, it be assumed that Noah's three sons were witnesses, as well as himself, and that their united testimony was given by which the whole world was condemned and overthrown, may we not expect that a message which is to prove, if rejected, the overthrow of the present generation, will come to us, confirmed by, at least, as many witnesses as there were of the flood? The Saviour himself testifies Aat, " As it was. in the days of Noah, so shall it also be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man." If God sent four witnesses in the days of Noah,, the preparatory message for the day of burning, or for the coming of the Son of Man, may also have the same number. Although the Saviour has said, that " in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established," yet that] does not prohibit him' fi'om sending more if it be necessary.

3.— That the world might have no excuse for rejecting the Book of Mormon, the Lord did, before he sent it to them, raise up three other witnesses besides Mr. Smith,

* For further information respecting the ministry of the angelj and the finding and translating the records, the reader is referred to my pamphlet, entitled "Kemarkable Tisions." " ' ;■

namely, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. These three men in company with Mr. Smith testify that, in answer to their prayers in the year 1829; they saw an angel of God, descend from heaven, clothed with glory, and that he took the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated, and exhibited them hefore their eyes, so that they saw them distinctly, and'also the engravings upon them ; and they further testify, that while the angel was thus showing them the plates, they heard the voice of the Lord out of the heavens, declaring that they had been translated correctly; and they further declare that the voice of the Lord fcommandfed them to lend forth then- testimony, of what they had seen and heard, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. In obedience to this heavenly command they have sent forth their written testimony, connected vnth the Book of Mormon, for the benefit of all the world.

4. — No reasonable person will say that these four persons were themselves deceived ; the nature of their testimony is such that they must either be bold, daringimpostors, <» else the Book of Mormon is true. They testify that they saw the angel descend — they heard his voice — they saw the plates in his hand — they saw the engravings upon them as the angel turned them over, leaf after leaf — at the same time they heard tfte voice of the Lord out of the heavens. What greater evidence could they have ? they colild have had nothing that would have given them greater assurance. If they were deceived, then there is no certainty in anything. If these four men could be deceived in seeing an angel descend from heaven, on the same grounds the Apostles may haVe been deceived in seeing the Saviour ascend up to heaven. These men must have had as much assurance of what they saw and heard and handled, as they had of the existence of any external thing. And having the most perfect knowledge of the truth of tihe Book of Mormon, they were fully prepared to bear a bold, tnftquiTOcaly'fealleBS

'testimony to all nations.

6. — Is there not a possibility that these four witnesses are all vncked impo9t0(rs,"frho have colleagued together to deceive mankind? We answer that there wouldbe'a possibility if there were no other evidences to confirm their testimony. But when we

' take into consideration the boldness of their testimony and the circumstances connected with it, there is no probability that they were vnckei men. Is it probable •that four men who were, for the most of their days, strangers to each "*ther, residing in three or four Afferent counties, should all combine together to testify that they had seen an angel and heard his voice, and also the voice of 'God, bearing testhnony' to the truth of the Book of Mormon, when no such thing had happened? There of 'liiese witnesses, namely, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, .and David' Whitmer were young men, from twenty to twenty-five years of age; they were men who had been accustomed from their childhood to the peaceful avocations of a farmer' life. Una<2([uainted with the deception which are more or less practiced in large t6vrns and crties, they possessed the open honesty and mplicity so generally characteristic (>f country people. Is.it, in the least degree,, robahle that men so young and inespelienced, . accustomed to a country life, and unacquainted with the World 'at targe, would be so utterly abandoned by every thing that was good, so perfectly reckless as'to their own future welfare, so heaven-daring and blasphemous, as to testify to all nations that which, if false, would for ever seal their damnation? We haveTead of indideal impostors, like Mahomet, who have testified to the ministeiing of , angels, and have' deceived many ; but where have we ever heard of four 'impostors, "all agreed' in combining together, to originate an imposition, and afterwards to send' forth thor uilited testimony to deceive all the nations of the earth ? 'In the history of the various false dirists and false prophets who have appeared among men, we find, as a gerfefal thing, that each one originated his own system of imposition, and then offered it' to the world on his own testimony alone; but not so vnth the Bo6k of Mormon, it"was first confirmed by angels and the voice of the Lord to four tottnessAS, "before itWte suffered to be printed and offered to the world with authority. 'We are well awase thatthere have been hundreds of impositions offered to the \fCJeld y aAd it is often the case that hundreds of impostors advocate a particular system, ptetfe'tfdihg' that'Cy know it ' to he te ; but< then, $f >such isystsm beraieed back to ' its origin, it ' w31 be

'-''feand that it'ii6t'only-'Orig'ina;ted!With'one'manvibuti4vas-'fk'st''bfferedi6Jte'virOrld (»n his testimony alone. We do not«ay but that the Lord may sometimes send-cmlyidMe

4vi(WM<jto bear testimony of 'the triith; at examples; Lot was .e ;X>nIy one«nt.%> <want his. kinsmen in Sodom ; Jonah alone was sait to iNinevah ; and John the fiuitist seems to have been the. only one sent to warn the Jews and prepare he way.Mr 'OUT Saviour's first coming. It is evident .then, thatlhe truth or fabity of a messagpe .does not depend upon the number of its wifeaesses. It .may.;be true, though- there w only one witness, and there is a still greater probability of its truth where there aoe :8eT»al witnesses. The greater the number of witnesses, the less the liability ;of deception, especially when we consider ithst most impositions have been .oiigitiatcd 'and offered to the world on the testimony .of only one man. We are not.aware that there ever were three, or four, or five impostors who originated an impoffltion,'.and -succeeded in palming it upon the world as a message from God. Such a thing might barely be possible, but such a thing would be highly improbable.

6. — If we compare the abstract testimony of these four witnesses, with the abstract -testimonies of the servants of God in former ages; that is, if the testimonies alone> independent of miracles and all other evidences be compared,.we shall Jiave, in many xespects, greater reasons for believing these four of modem. times, than we have for believing those of ancient times. E\)r example : who were witnesses of Christ's trans- -jiguration on the mount at the time Moses and Elias appeared ? We are informed ihat Peter, James, and John were witnesses. But how do. we know? Neither of Uiem have handed down their written testimony to that effect. Peter alone testifies -ofthe voice that he and others heard from heaven when they were with. Christ "in the holy mount." (2 Peteri. 18.) But neither Peter, James, nor John, have told lis aikytning about the transfiguration, or about the appearance of Moses and Elias. >3fatthew, Mark, and Luke give us a second-handed testimony to that effect. Bat tiiese three, not being present at the transfiguration, could not testify as eye witnesses. .'Oompare, then, the testimony of these three, who did not see the glorious manifeatations in the mount, with the testimony of the four vtdtnesses to the Book of Moiw imon, who both saw and heard, and you 'will. be compelled to admit that the latter testimoBy is far greater than the former.

7.— As'another example, let us compare the abstract testimony of these four witnesses with the abstract testimonies of those who professed to have seen Jesus after fais resurrection. How many eye witnesses were there that beheld Jesus after his lesurrection ? We have the written testimony of only four, namely, Matthew, John, Paul, and Peter. There is no doubt but what all the eleven saw him, though eight out of the eleven have given us no written testimony to that effect. Mark, Luke, James and Jude, the other four. writers of the New Testament, have not told us hi their -writings, whether they saw him after his resurrectioo or not. Several women saw him, but their written testimony has never reached our day. Paul says, that he was seeoj not only by all the apostles, hut by " above five hundred brethren at oneei" «(1 Cor. XV. 6.) But none of those five hundred eyewitnesses have left any written -testimonies of what they saw. Hence, Matthew, John, Paul, and Peter are the oofy j)ersons among the great number that saw him after his resurrection, who have handed dovm to our day their written testimony as eye witnesses. Therefore, when this gen&. aration can establish the writings of these four apostles to be genuine, mieomtptid, and tratislated correctly, they will have the testimony of as many witnesses to establidi the resurrection of Christ, as there was, in the first place, to establish the. Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon ; but until then, the witnesses of the Book of Mormon will be, not only equal in number, but superior in certainty to those which •this generation have of Christ's resurrection. Why is it, then, that men vrill believe ifour -witnesses who lived- eighteen centuries ago, and reject the same number of witnesses that have lived in thek own day, who testify of things with equally as much -certainty, having both seen and heard? It is because it has become popular .tiirough tradition, to believe what their fathers behoved, without at all inquirmg into -the strength of the evidence on which their faith is founded.

8. — Many say that they will not believe in the- Divine Authenticity of the Book-tf

'JHormon because there is so much evil spoken-against-the four witnesses. Let such ersons remember the sayings of oui- Savkrar. " Blessed are they. which, are perse-

-ciited for righteousness sake ; for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ;

-when men shall revile you, and persecute yoji, and hall say all manner of evil aga"

EVIDENCES OF THE BOOK OF MOEMON AND BIBLE COMPARED.

'Ton falsely for my sake. Kejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." And agaiii,. Jesns said, "Woe unto you when all men speak well of you; for so did their fathers' to the false prophets." . Again, he said, " Ye shall be hated of all men for my name'fe ■sake." "If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they caU them of his household?" Paul testifies that the saints "were counted the •off-scouring of all things." Did the hatred, the persecutions, the reviUngs, and the *' all manner of evils " which were said against the apostles, invalidate or destroy their -testimony ? no : their testimony was just as true after they were spoken evil of as b&- ibre. Why, then, should any reject the Book of Mormon because the four witnesses rave been persecuted, and all manner of evil said against them ? Is it not a presumptive evidence in faVor, instead of being an evidence against the work ? On the otherihand, if all men spoke well of these four witnesses, would they not come under the.woe A3£ the Saviour, and would they not be denounced the same as the false prophets wTiom the Jews spoke well of ? Some may say that they believe that the evils spoken against the apostles were false, while the evils spoken against Mr. Smith and the other wifcjiesses are true. But what evidence have they to believe that the men who accused the apostles of " all manner of evil," -were liars; while those who accuse these lattec- ' day witnesses are men of truth ? Are not the latter-day accusers just as likely to be liars as the former-day ones ? And are not the Latter-day Saints just as liable to be falsely accused as Pormer-day Saints ? Let the accusations be ever so great, or ever so name- Tous, it does not destroy the tmth of a message now, any mbre than it did anciently. ■ 9. — If we were to admit that the sins and transgressions of Joseph Smith and the • other witnesses, were as great as their enemies falsely assert them to be, (which we do in .no vyise admit), that would not invalidate nor destroy their testimony. When Saul, ■the king of Israel, through transgression, lost the spirit of prophecy, and became » -murderer in his heart, by seeking the life of David, no one will pretend to say that it destroyed or even weakened the testimony that he had formerly ddivered as a prophet. When David added the crime of murder to adultery, will any one pretend to .say that it invalidated his testimony in relation to the truth of his former prophetic Tvritings? The Lord appeared rmto Solomon tvpice, (1 Kings, xi. 9); .yet even after all that, he fell into transgression and became a most abominable idolator, serving numerous gods and goddesses, that were worshipped by the heathen.* Now did this great crime prove that his testimony, about seeing the Lord twice, was false, and not to be depended upon ? Did his wicked idolatry prove that his proverbs and other- , "writings were not inspired of God ? Did Peter's lying, and cursing, and swearing, and denying the Christ, invalidate or destroy.his testimony, concerning the glorious, -voice ie heard in the mount ? If then such abominable and awfully wicked crimes, . committed by ancient prophets and apostles, did not invalidate nor destroy their testianonies of what they, during their righteousness, had seen and heard, why should; it he thought that the testimony of the four witnesses of the Book of Monnon could be, in the least, weakened or rendered doubtful by their transgressions and sins?. If -they were, through fear, to lie, and curse, and swear as Peter did, and to deny the JBook of Mormon, as Peter did the Christ, that would not prove their former, testi- -many was false. If they were to turn away and serve other gods, and commit adultery, and murder, as Solomon, David, and Saul did, that would not prove that they '3iad not seen an Angel, and heard the voice of the Lord, confirming to them the truth of the Bookrof Mormon. If such crimes would invalidate their testimony in relation -to the Book of Mormon, hlce crimes would equally invalidate the testimonies of ancient -prophets and apostles in relation to their respective messages.

10.— No man who has any degree of the Spirit of God in his heart, can read the iistory of Joseph mith, as written by himself, without being fully convinced that he was no impostor. His extreme youth' at the time he received his first vision, must have precluded essery idea of deception : and also, the- vision was of such a nature that he could not himself have been deceived. He testifies, that when he was only in Jiis fifteenth year, that his mind was filled with . the deepest anxiety for the salvation <of M? souj ! his attention being called to this subject in consequence of a great religi-

oas exdtement which prevuladin his neighbourhood, and in the surrounding countiyr this excitement existed to a great extent among many religious sects, but more esp»- oally among the Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists. Many contentions existed as to which of the numerous sects were right. Four of his father's family were proselyted to the Presbyterian faith. He himself, not knowing: which was right, kepk aloof from all. I will here insert an extract from his history, in his own words : it reads as follows :—

11. — " So great was the confusion and strife among the different denomination that it was impossible for a person, young as I was, and so unacquainted with men anothings, to come to any certam conclusion who was right, and who was wrong. My mind at different times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult was so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists and used all their powers of either reason or sophistry to prove their errors, or at. least to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn, were equally zealous to establish their own tenets ani disprove all others.

. '/ In the midst of this war and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself, what is to he done ? Who of all these parties are right ? or; are they all wrong together ? If any one of them be right which is it, and how shall I know it?

, " While I was labouring under the extreme difficulties, caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the epistle of James, first chapter and. Sflh verse, wmeh reads, '.' If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shajlbe given him.'' Never did any passage of scriptiu'e come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my hearts I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from. God I did ; for how to act I did not know, and unless I cotild get more wisdom than. Xthen had, would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects uitderstood the same passage so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling thequestion by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is» ak of God. , I at, length came to the determination to " ask of God," concluding thafe. if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally and not upbraid, I might venture. So, in accordance with this my determination to ask of God, £ retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful dear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never yet. made the attempt to pray vocally.

"After I had retired into the place where I had previously designed to go, havinglooked around me and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up thft desires of my heart to God. I bad scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized, upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such astonishing influenoft over me as to bind my tongue, so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered, around me, and it seemed tome for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction,. But exerting all my powers to call.upon God to deliverme out of the power of this enemy Trhich had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself, to destruction, not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of someactual being from the unseen world, who had such a marvellous power as I had neverhefore felt in any beingi Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light. €Kactly over my head, above the brightness of the sim, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from th*- enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me, I saw two personages trhose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. On. of them spake unto me, calUng me by name, and said (pointing to the other) — ' This. if my beloved son, hear him.'

I 5' My object in going to enquue of the Lord, was to know which of all the secfa yrtm, light, that I might know Which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession «t. myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me M the light, which of all the sects -was right (for at this time it had never entered in1»

nj &edit>1i all- were wronjiand wfiich I Ainild' jbis. I'waa:ansi«r0iihab I must; jontnone of -them,'fbr theyjere-aU wrong, aiAltfaep6rsonage who addressed tae-asidf 'l!bMi-eU"thHr creeds-were atfabofainathm in bis tight:} thMiise professors were alfcfsorrnratjTffaey'draw'niear'to me:'thilidr'Up9'/but theirhes are for frotn me; the]rite!L&''fbr dxxitrinertfae'coiniha&diiints (xf'men, hiiivingi'a-fctrm of gadlines'bufr. ilfey denyrthe powfecithBfi' HeragSiit forbademeto join Avithariy of tfaenrj and many other thuigs did he say unto me which I cannot write at thislxme. WbenrX oDae'to'inyadf ig8iri$tl &nlnd myself laying on my backj'looliingt.up intoheav. Sbme:fiewndtisiaAei:;I bad this: visionylappened to be in-compdnywithone of the M£{hodist preaidiers'o'was VeiT'' active in thebeforeoneniioned regions, excitement and donverstng withhim-on: the sabjectj of rdigton I todc occasiooi to give him Tin aedDunttifi therriabix wUcb Ihad'had;!. I wasgreatfly srajiised at his b3lavio<iri;bft' tJeatedmy tx>mmtftiicatton7lot'(]inly iigfatly,rbut with freatBontempt,-saj5ngiit was aQ of'the dvil th!attUere'Were<fib(stitch things as visions orrevektionsiii these daysr; tbafe aSrsacfa' adags had ceased with thajbefJe andthatlere never wotdd be any' iiUae of them. I scion found however that my telling the story had excited a grtsat dealrdlT pDadicef'3giauii5k3ae'a!inong.'preftssori«f eligionj alid was the cause 'of 'greait per96« <Mion which continued' ito increase; afid thoih I was an obscure boyonly betweai' fourteen and fifteen year$' of. a«/ aiid my circumstances in life' sttch' as to mitke a hajf of no- consequence & the worlds yet meti of highstaittdingi wonldtake.'BOtice suliei: tdiexcite thk'pnbliamind againbt me, and create a hot persecution, and this was ccAno nitni'3m6DgaB.<:ifilietse<Jts: all ttilited to persedute me. It has often' causeJdme seridtS' reflscfidn both' the'n/aiid'ince,'hdw'Vety tstrange it' was that sbi'obanire boy of a littte avefjfeia:H;eeu ears of age, and one too, who was doomedto the necessity of obtadoia' ingtascantyimidntenance by his daily labCnir,' should hfe'thtftight a character of sij <aait:inipdrt:Dicb to attract'the atteiitidn of -the great ones of the most poptdiec .sects of 'ttb tbt so as to create in 'them aispirit of the hottest persecution and rvSiiigw Butistrai oriiot, so it; w3 aid was ttftsn caute of great sorrow tbmyself. Hoi*-* ever itiias-nevertheless a fdctibat Iihad had a visibh; I have thought sine'diati.'I fdltmufch libe Paul when faeatade hii dtfend beforfe'ldng Aippaj and rented tibs acdoont'of the vision he had when he • daw a Kght and heard a vdicfe,' butstili them iRnrebutifetr who believed him; some said he was dishonesty otiiers said he was iai and'iife wisiiidicaled and reviled; but all fhis did not desitov the reality' of his visicoii ,ha9 seeri a vision/ he knew he had, and all 4Jie persecuti under heaveh could not niake -it otherwise; and thoiigh tfa should persecute him 'unto deatdij yet'he kneW and would kiiow udto his latent brektfaj that he had both seen a i%ht and heard Xj ■ftisgeekiag to hltn, and all the world botild not make him believe otherwise. — 8tti it was vrith me, I had actually seen a light, and in theinidstof that light I saw tno prsonage- aiid they d in reality speak onto me, or one of tbiem did ; and though' Z trofc hated and |)eFsecuted forsiying th&£ I had seen a vision, yet it was true; aisi.' lAiile tfaeywerei perseeutmg aie; reviling- me, and speatking all maniier of evil agaiai/ me ftJsely for so saying, I v«is 1 tosay inmy hesirtj Ty perseetUie for tdUng tto' larntii? I have dctuallysefen a visiorij arid ' who am I that I fcan witJistand God ?*■ w vl does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen ? for I had sai K?vision 5 I knew it, and' I knew liiat' God knew it; and I eouM not deny it, ndthB djtreI>3o'it; at least I knewtba* by so dong I would «tfend God and come under condemnation. I had now got my mindi satisfidd so f as the sectarian world ■mif otmcerifed, that it was not my duty to join with amy of theii% but continue as 1 wto nbfilifiirther directed."* l8j.NbW we candidly ask our redda-s if their can bdlevej that a boy under fiftetU! jerfs Of "igej would relate the foregoing vision to a Metiiodkt minister and to hlsdldi aidqtMitrtaiices on purpbse to brim dtfwn upon himself derision &nd scorn. 'Weidd Ii8> Mtiwiue'yar after yea?/ to affirtu tblat he had sen a great and glovicyus vision unless l)ili'li-tiy'geen ones?' Would he-be so fetid iif hanghaiperseutdj and riditni!j|> t he would continue to testify to a heaven-daring falsehoodjOii purpose to get i)hfe Ctrit* sifitiad ill tvUl bf dttibst levetiy one thi knbw him? Where Ist&ere ahtcumsiMtiO Wt»ia t!h6 amtaalisof hitotry of a youtbof foutiteeniu]iii&]anidl|i<iSt6, dMai

* milS6ij of loHnAi StUithv MUllehitUl Stltr Vel, Bi/ Nb; »,pi2U

tlut'be Iiad seen the Lord and heard hii Toice, and contintQng to affirm the same all the dayS'oE his life, in the midst of the most distressing, scenes of persecution, and ' finally, sealing his testimony -with; his blood ? Such an instance cannot be found. If: tluBi obscure country youth were an imptotorjis it not very strange that none of the vise men of the age are able to detect the least error in his doctrine ? A wicked corrupt impostor of fourteen years of age, must be the wonder of the world, if he could bein to originate, at that early period of his life, a religious deception that could no£ - iu its, progress, be detected,,but that would continue, year after year, to deceive its tens. o£ ilusands. If he was cere, then the Book of Mormon is a divine revelation,, and. this church must; be "the only true and living church /)f, Christ upon the face of the whole earth," and there is no salvation in any other. This is an immense concluision, but.we can come to no other, the moment we admit his sincerity. There&re the world are driven to the necessity of, depouncjng this obscure ilUtecate country youth«> as 'the most vile, base,- arch'-deceiver that ever disgraced the earth, or of admittmg diet he was one.of the greatest prophets, with the exception of the Saviour, that ever Sv«d among men.

13. — But in. order to prove that the four witnesses of the Book of Mormon are all impostors, it will be necessary to prove that they did not see and hear an angel — thai;, they did not see the . plates m the angel's hand — that they did not hear the voice of the Lord, declaring that they were translated correctly.. All reasonable men will admit that it is impossible for any negative testimony to he found to prove directly that; God did not send his angel to reveal and confirm the truth of the Book of Mormon ; and as there is no direct evidence to negative their testimony, and prove them impostors, therefore if it be possible to prove them such,, it can only be done by some indi-. reel evidence, erasing urom>thB circumstances of the case, or from the nature of the message itself, aabeing contradictory to some known truth.

14.1 — Let us enquire first, if there be any thing connected with the circumstances that renders their testimony doubtful or improbable. Is it improbable that an angel should be sent again to our earth ? We see no improbability that such an event should happen. It., certainly is not an unscriptural doctrine for angels to appear. Angels. appeared to Abraham and took dinner. with him ; an angel appeared to Jacob and wrestled. with him all night; angels appeared to Lot, and lodged with him; angels appeared, to Moses — to Joshua-to Manoah — to Gideon — to David — to Daniel — to Zechariah-to Joseph, the husband of. Mary — to the shepherds by. nights to the ii|)ostles — to. Philipto Paulto Cornelius, and finally, Paul says, that they are " all ministering spirits sent 'forth, to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." The apostles exhorted the saints not to be forgetful to entertain strangers, for some, ut. so doing, " had entertained angels unawares." There is nothing in the scriptures which indicates that angels will cease to appear among men ; therefore, there is nothing in the circumstances of the appearance of the angd to those four witnessQSr that is unseriptural. And there certainly is nothing unreasonable in an angel's being;, sent in our. day. If it was reasonable for God to send an angel to announce the birth of John the Baptist, to prepare the way for the first advent, why should itba t}iought. unreasonable for Him to send angels to announce the great preparatory message for. theisecond advent ? Hence, the testimony of these four witnesses, concerning the appearing of an sngd,- is neither unseriptural nor unreasonable. Therefore, tiie event, itself, and the drcuinstances. connected with it, are such as da not, in the least, weaken, the testimony, or render it doubtful, or improbable.

15. — Let i us enquire next, if- there be anything, connected with the nature of the message, that is contradictory to any known truth ? This can be easily ascertained by a careful examination en the h&torical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the Book of Mormon, and by a faithful comparison of the same with the historical, prophetical and doctrinal truths which axe already known. If i&er this examinaH tioa and compasison, we find irreconcihibls and, palpable contradictions, we shoidd then know the four witnesses to be false in theii testimony, and unworthy of credit.- !&it if, on the other hand, we find no disagreement nor contradictions to any known truths — if we find every part of , the book hamoniang with every other partse-if we find notlung. absurd, unseriptural, nor unnasonable,"— then we have no authoci whatever for condemning- the witnesses as impostors.

■ 16. — If the historical parts of the Book of Mormon he compared with what little is known from other sources, eoncerninff the history of ancient America, there wiU be found much evidence to substantiate i& truth ; but there cannot be found one truth among all the gleanings of antiquity that ; clashes with the historical truths of the Book of Mormon.

17. — If the prophetical part of this wonderful book be compared with the prophetical declarations of the Bible, there will be found much evidence in the latter to establish the truth of the former. But though there are many predictions in the Book of Mormon, relating to the great events of the last days, which the Bible gives us no iiiformation about, yet there is nothing in the predictions of the Bible at contradicts in the least, the predictions in the Book of Mormon.

18. — If the doctrinal part of the Book of Mormon be compared with the doctrines of the Bible, there will be found the same perfect harmony which we find on the comparison of the prophetical parts of the two books. Although there are many points of the doctrine of Christ that are far more plain and definite in the Book of Mormon than ill the Bible, and many things revealed in relation to doctrine that never could be fully learned from the Bible, yet there are not any items of doctrine in the two sacred books that contradict each other, or clash in the least.

19. — If the various books which enter into the collection, called the Book of Mormon, be carefully compared with each other, there will be found nothing contradictory;in history, in prophecy, or in doctrine.

. 20. — If the.miracles of thfe Book of Mormon be compared with the miracles of the Bible, there cannot be found in the former any thing that would be more difficult to believe, than what we find in the latter.

21. — If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the Book of Mormon, with the great truths of science and nature, we find no contradictions — no absurdities — nothing unreasonable. ' The most perfect harmony, therefore exists between the great truths revealed inthe Book of Mormon, and all other known truths, whether religious, historical, or scientific.

■ 22. — Here, then, we have this great message of the last days, confirmed at the very, outset, by the ministry of an angel to four witnesses. These witnesses have neither of them denied the bold and fearless, though humble testimony which they have sent forth to all nations. No man living can prove that an angel did not appear to them. There is nothing in the nature of the event itself, nor in any of the circumstances connected with it, that would render it absurd, unscriptural, unreasonable, or improbable. There is nothing inthe historical, prophetical, or doctrinal parts of the message that contradicts each other, or any known truth throughout the wide field of scientific or religious knowledge. Therefore, no man living has the least authority for condemning these witnesses as impostors. Indeed, there cannot be brought the least shadow tif evidence, either direct or indirect, to prove that their testimony, concerning the angel, is false. Therefore, as their testimony cannot be proved false, the Book of Mormon stands upon a foundation as firm as the rock of ages, and as secure as the

. throne of the Almighty. Though wicked men may invent all manner of falsehoods against the saints, and agamst the chosen witnesses of the Lord — though they may slander, revile, and persecute them, and drive them from city to city, destroying property, and murdering men, women, and children — though they may without the least provocation, murder this, great prophet of the last dispensation, and drive tens of thousands of the church into the wUdemess, far from the abodes of what they call civilized life ; — yet they will learn that all such arguments are vain and futile, when met by stubborn facts — they will learn that such arguments are powerless when they hear the voice of witnesses, saying, we have seen — we have heaird — we have handled and we know of a surety. All men among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people are required under the penalty of eternal .damnation to believe, receive, and obey the Book of Mormon, unless they can prove the witnesses thereof to he.impostors. And this they cannot do. . ..r '

' 23. — It is oftentimes asked, by.our opposers, if the Bible, says anything about the Book of Mormon ? If not, say they, we will not believe in it., Now there is nothing more inconsistent than to say we will not believe a hook to be a divine revelation, xan less some other inspired book has spoken of it. How did Jeremiah prove to the Jews

that his book was true ? Did any other inspired book speak of the writings which Jeremiah should receive ? No : Jeremiah's book was not mentioned by any of the former prophets. Does any former book speak of the five books of Moses? Does any former book say any thing about the book of Ezekiel — the book of Amos — the book of Joel — the book of Zechariah — the book of Malachi — the book of Matthew — the book of James or Jude, or the book of John's prophecy ? Those, therefore, who would reject the Book of Mormon, because they supposed that other previously inired books had not mentioned it, would, on the same grounds, be obhged to reject every book, both of the Old and New Testaments ; for not one of them can be proved a divine revelation by the testimony of any previously written book. If, then, it can be proved by the Bible that such a book as the Book of Mormon was to be revealed in the last days, this would be an additional testimony to its truth, which none of the a&ter inspured books have. Before we close this series, we shall show that the Bible has predicted that such a book, as the one now revealed, should be sent forth to fulfil the great events of the last days. If the ancient prophets have made such predictions, they must have considered that the niessage in the Book of Mormon was to be of far greats: consequence as to the events and purposes which it should accomplish, than all other ioaks that had preceded it. • If they had not considered it in that light, they would not have mentioned it, and passed by in silence many other sacred books that were to he written.

, 24. — Have any persons ever seen the plates of the Book of Mormon, besides the four ■witnesses? Yes : there are eight other witnesses, who send forth their printed testimony, in conneidon with the Book of Mormon, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. They testify that they saw and handled the plates, and examined the iengravings upon them, and that they had " the appearance of ancient work and of curious workmanship." They close their testimony with the following words :— "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." Here, then, are twelve minesses of the existence of the plates. Neither of these witnesses have ever denied their testimony to this day. Some of these witnesses have died — some have been martyred for their testimony; and others are still' living. Is there a person on the earth, that can prove that these twelve witnesses did not see the plates ? No, there is not. The existence of the plates, filled with engravings, is proved by twelve eye witnesses : while the correctness of their translation is proved by four eye witnesses, not only of the plates, but of the angel. Therefore, the evidences which this generation have of the Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon, and of the existence of the plates, are far greater than the evidences which they have for the truth of any of the books of the Bible. Hence, if they would be condemned for rejecting the Bible, how much more will they be condemned for rejecting the Book of Mormon which was confirmed, in its very origfin, by so many witnesses ?

25 After these plates had been exhibited to a sufficient number of witnesses, they were, by the commandment of God, hid up in charge of the heavenly messenger who first revealed them, and who had, from time to time, while they were being translated directed Mr. Smith how to preserve them from the hands of his persecutors ; for per- «ecution was so heavy upon him that he had to flee from place to place to preserve his life. A portion of uiese plates were sealed together, and Mr. Smith was forbidden to break the seal, or to translate them. The Book of Mormon informs us that ithe sealed portion of the plates contains a very great and sacred revelation, unfolding -filings from the beginning of the world imto the end thereof, and that it is hereafter to be revealed by the power of Christ. The plates, therefore, will no doubt be kept in charge of the heavenly messenger until the time arrives for the seal to be loosed, and for the remainder to be translated. , . '

26.— Many suppose that if they could see the plates, it would at once convinoi» ihem of the, divine origin of this great and marvellous work. But, we ask such, how could they know by barely sedng the plates, whether they were of ancient or modem cbastruction ? How could they tell, by sedmg the engravings upon them, that they were translated correctly? Who, among all the generations of brael after the day» ef Moses, saw the tables of stone on which the laW was engraved ? We answer, th the tables of stone were kept in the axk in the " holy of holies," and none but the

5i& EVXDENCSS OF THE S0OK OF MORHOM AND BIBLE COHFAlBJPI.

high priest had the priviege of going jit there, and he onl;;Dn<;e, arjreac It is-true: that the high priegfecould testify thathe had' seen the tableg,of stone, and the people' codd believe it on his testinwny. When Christ arose fromithfi dead, he did not shojv himself openly, hut he appeared to chosen witnesses,, and, jcommaiided; them to hear testimony to all nations. The people, instead of seeing the risen Saviour and l)ecoI.- ing' eye-witnesses to this geat and; fundamental truth, had , to believe it on the testii many of others. So with the plates of the Book.of Mormon, instead of these beiqg sent to every creature in all the world, the testimony of choseo, witnesses is. sent. And as every creature in all the world, who would sot believe the chosen eyewitneses of a risen Saviour were to be damned, so every living soul who rejects the testimony of the chosen eye witnesses of the ministry o the angel, confirmatory, of the Book of Mormon — will be damned, for thus hath the Lord spoken.

27. — We ask this; generation,' to bring one Uving witness. that has seen even one of die original manuscripts of any of the. books of the Bible. Th .cannot do it Thene is not one solitary original manuscript of any book of the Bible now known among. men; neither has there been' any such manuscript known for very many, centuriesi. Therefore, this generation have twelve eye witnesses of the original of the Book of Mormon, whereas they have not even one eye witness of the orial of any. book (£ the Bible. Therefore, if rejecting the evidences which we have of the truth of the Bible will bring condemnation, how much greater must be the condemnation of thift generation, if they reject the far greater evidences of the Book of Mqrmon ! Oh- the unbelief and ineonsistenoy;of this generation! How can they escape the sword of jus~ rice which hangs over them ! They are drunken in iniquity, aitd. the spirit of deep> sleep is upon them, and they know not the, day of their visitation ! liike beasts, they wUl' be led to the slaughter, and quickly go down into the pit !

28 As there has been no apostolical succession which has continued on the eartlk, for the want of new revelation, as wast proved in.Ifo. 3, of this, eerie3„it may be aske how was the authority of the priesthood restored to the earth,? We answer, that ib was restored by the ministry of angels. On this subject we make an extract from- the history of Joseph Smith, which reads as follows : "We still continued the worleof translation, when in the.ensuing month, (May, 1829) we," that is, Joseph Smith, and Oliver Cowdery, "on a certain day, wnt into the woodsito pray and inqjue; of. the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, as we fcHind mentioqed in ,tfa translation of the platest While we were thus employed, praying, and calg upoor lire Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in acloud of light, and having kid las bands upon us, he wdainedos, saying unto us, • IJpon you, my fellow servajits, in the name of Messiah, I confer the priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ininistaring of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism' by immern foi the, remission of aas, and this shall never be tsiken agsdn from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in,rigliteousness.' He said thia , Aaionic priesthood h&d not the power of laying on of haiaiSs for the gift of the Holy CUiost, but that this, should be conferred on. us hereafter ; and he commanded us tO' gO'a,nd be baptized, and gave us directionB, that I should baptize Oliver Cowdetyi and that afterwards he should, baptize me.

" Accordingly wo went and were baptized t I baptized ihim first,, and .afterwards ha bapt&ed-me: aAer which I laidmy hands upon -his head and -ordained him to the Aafomc priesthood and: afterwards he laid his hands upon me, and ordained me ,1ii!t> the same. priesth6o4 fbr so were we commanded.

"'The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and conferred tldspriesthooeH. itpOB us, said that laS name was John, the same that is cane- -ohn the Baptist in. the- IBtew Testament, and that! he acted under the direction of Pece., JjimeSi ,and JohOf who held the keys of the priesthood of Melchisedee, which priesthood, he-said, should in- dire time be confsred ob us, and that I should be called.the first eldec and he the second. It waa on the fifteenth day of May, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, thab we '<vere baptizjedy and ordained, imder the hwd of the- messenger.

"Immediately upon our coming up: out of the water after we had been baptize 'weiexpeHenced gret and-glorioi 'oWsings from our heavenl-' Father. No soonest baiJ*!. baptized Olirei Gwd than the Relf Ghost fell upon lihs> and he.stood,u, and propheaed matiy thing» hich should shortly come to pass. And, ag BtK

Mon' as 1 httd'been baptized byihim, I also had the spirit of prchecy; Whifi, -standiag tny I prophesied concerning the rise of the CSnirch, and taany other things con-*' necta with tke Church, and this- generation of the children of men. We were filled witlt the Holy Ghost, and rejmced in the QoA of ovir salvation. Our minds beifig now enlightened, we began to have the scriptares laid open to our understatidings, and the true meaningof their more mysterious passages revealed unto us, in amanna which we never could'attain to previoudy, nor ever before have thought of." *

2d; — We consider the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood to be among some of the most' important events of the last dispensation The existence of this priesthood iii the last days is clearly predicted in ancient scripture: But as this priesthood ha» not! authority* to adnliliister the layingon of hands for llie gift of the Holy Ghost; it umyi be'fbrther asked, how was the authority still iHirther restored, namely, the Apos* tieehip,. which holds the authority-of te Meldiisedec priesthood ? We answer, tha6 Feter, James, and John appeared as ministering angelsj and coiiferred the Apostle ship upon Joseph Smith and others; after which they were- authorized to confirm tha> Ofaurca by the Mng on of hands; Thus it will be seen, that the authority of the a|i>ostle» of this Ohurch of Christ was not derived through a succession of popes and bishops in the apostttte Church of Rome, but it was- restored direct from- heaven by ' those who hold the keys thereof.

SO.-It Will be' perceived from the above extract, that after John the Baptist had laid his hands upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Oowdo and ordained them, that he oemmanded them to baptize each other, and then ordain- each other. It may be a&8d,'Why it became necessary fbj: them' to ordain each other, when they had already recdved an ordination under the hands of the angel ? We answer, that in tb& GhMarch of God ordination always follows baptism' instead of preceding it. And as ttfjrhad not been baptized when the angel ordained -them, it was necessary that they should be ordained- after baifitism, in order that th might exhibit a perfect pattern HcaU future ordinations. If they had not-been commanded -to do tbi8>'the servants o-God at a subsequent period might have ventured to ordun others bcre baptislH; and as an excuse for so doing, they woidd haveargd that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained before baptism. Hence we can see the -wisdom of God in glnDg) at the first start, a perfect pattern, by oommauding them to receive a realdSnion after baptism; thus showing that -the priesthood, after the Church waA oiice organized, was never to be conferred upon any uhbaptized person.

SlJpi-ohn the Baptist it seems was >th» last person who held the keys of the Aarcmio priesthood, and, therefore,- he wotild be -a suitable person to restore that pciehood once more to the earth. In order that John might be qualified to fiilfit the duties of his mission as the Lord's -mesSengery God reused him with many Wievsrom the dead after the resurrection of Christ, t It is also well known that {Ucse Who die holding the priesthood will retain the priesthood in the future life, and -ifill be priests after me resurrection. % John, thelreiore, having recdved an immor-- ttdTtrtidy of flesh and bones, and- holding the Aaronic priesthood with the keys- aAd power 'thereof, has come forth from healren as the Lord's messenger to restore the pciesthood to the soiis of men — to prepare>the way befbre the Lord when he shall sacldenly come to his temple.

82. — That John the Baptist's mission did not eIoSe"With his martyrdom is avidi;

fmlhe testiibany of -both Isaiah and Malaclii. Both of -these proiphets have spoken John,' and of the mission which he should perform, and the great events oeiineeted \ii4 it. Isaiah says, " Comfort ye, comfort ye my |>eople, saith- your God. Speak \Cf eomfortahLy'to Jerusalem, and cry imto her, that her waifare is accomplished that tueriliiquity is pardoned : forshe hatii received of the Lord's hand double foiall hear 4nBJ •■ Tfaer voice of i&ia that criedi in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord Bsdce stVaight in the desert a highway fof our God-. Every vaUey shiA be exakedy, qM every mountain and hill sh: be made low: and the cr(k>ked shall be mach- Bttoight, and the rough places pUdn, and le glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and:

* Bbtsry of!jo«e|di Stoitb, MiUeaalalStar, TeL mt Kb. 9i p. 148.

f See Matthew zzvii. 63, £3. Also Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cviii. par. 10. t BeveUitienffv. 9, 10;'alsdsx. 6;

(iO EVIDENCES OF THE BOOK OF MoRMON AND BIBLE COMPARED.

all flesh shall see it together : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." * This prophecy is applied by the evangelists to John, t He was sent forth as a prophet to , prepare the way before the Highest at his first coming, and his voice was heard ia the wilderness to that effect; but. that was only one part of his great mission, for nearly the whole of the above prophecy remains yet to be fulfilled. John's message to Jerusalem was not a proclamation such as above quoted : he did not declare to her that "her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned :" he did not testify to Jerusalem that she had already "received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins." No, the time had not come for such comforting language to be sounded in the ears of the Jews ; a long dispersion and captivity awaited them — distress and trouble for many generations because of their sins. Moreover the mission of John, was to prepare the way of the Lord, not merely for his first coming, but for that coming when ".Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hiU shall be made low ;" when " the crooked shall he made straight, and the rough places plain." The preparation for the Lord's first coming did not accomplish this : the preparation for his second coming will accompUsh it. That the above prophecy had reference to the great and terrible day of the Lord, when he should appear in his glory, is clearly eicpressed in the above quotation : " And the glory of the Lord shall he revealed and all Jlesh shall see it together." At his first coming all flesh did not see his glory : at his second coming every eye wiU see him in his glory. John the Baptist, then, being " the voice of one crying in the wilderness," wiU act a conspicuous part in the great preparatory dispensation for the second coming of the Lord — that glorious dispensation when a message of comfort shall be sent to the dispersed afflicted Jews : when it shall be said to Jerusalem, that :her:riniquity is pardoned, &c. The greatness and glory of his mission extended to a period when the mountains, hills vallies, and rough places were to feel the power of God — when a highway was robe prepared in the desert for our God-when all flesh together was to behold his glory. For this purpose he was sent from heaven in these latter times, clothed with glory said power, holding the keys of a preparatory priesthood for the revelation of Jesus Christ, accompanied by all the powers ofheaven.

83. — The Lord by the prophet Malachi says, " Behold, I will send my messengers, and he shall prepare the way before me : and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in : behold he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shaU stand when he appearefh ? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap ; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver : and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer imto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Jiidah and Jerusalem be plea sent unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." J The Saviour spHes this prediction Concerning the messenger to John the Baptist. § Although John the Baptist is the messenger, yet the great preparatory work which he was to perform was only accomplished in part during his first mission. The preparatory work ascribed to the messenger was to precede the great and glorious second comings After the messenger should prepare the way, then the Lord should suddenly come isa his temple. That this had reference to his glorious appearing in flaming fire is e dent from the questions asked, " But who may abide the day of his coming f And mho shall stand when he appeareth ? . When Christ first came, he did not suddenly come to his temple — he did not come in such power and glory that the wicked could not abide his coming — he did not consume the wicked so that they could not stand before his appearing. Therefore, John the Baptist did not, in preparing the way for his first coming, complete his mission. He must, in order to fulfil the prophecji' ■make preparations' for his second coming also ; and in order to do this, the pries Aotji which he held must be restored to the earth. This is evident from the fact thatthte sons of Levi are to be piu"ged "as gold and silver, that they may offw rmto i Lord an .offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerit' salem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years" When John filled his first mission the sons of Levi were not purged : they did not

•* Isaiah xl.l — 5. f Lukeiii.4,5,6. John i. 23. XHbAjuAaiii. I, i, 9, i, § Luke vii. 27.

offer vmt>&' the Lord an offering in righteousness : the offerings of that priesthood •were not pleasant unto the Lord. But when, he suddenly comes to his temple, as mentioned hy Ezekiel, (xliii, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7,) then all these things will be fulfilled ; but before that. day the priesthood of Levi or of Aaron must be restored to the earth. John the Baptist, who holds that priesthood, is the legal and proper messenger to restore it, and thus he will fulfil and accomplish the great preparatory work assigned him in relation to the second coming of the Lord.

34. — This messenger, John the Baptist, has already been sent : he descended in a <lond of light and glory ; he conferred the priesthood by his own hands upon the heads of Joseph, Smith and Oliver Cowdery; and thus, after so many generations have passed away in darkness, the sons of men are once more blessed with the privilege of being baptized by men holding authority. God requires all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people to repent and be baptized by the authority which he has restored to die earth through the ministry of holy angels, and if they will not do this, " they shall be damned," saith the Lord, " and shall not come into my Father's kingdom •where my Father and I am." ,

35. — The Lord having raised up these chosen witnesses, having conferred upon •fjiem the priesthoodnd having poured out the Holy Ghost upon them, sent them forth to bear testimony. Many believed their testimony, repented, and were immersed in water for the i-emission of their sins, and were filled with great joy. And on the sixth of April, a.d. 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was argamzed, according to the commandments of God, at the house of Mr. Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca County, State of New York, North America. Thus was the Church of Christ once more restored to the earth, holding the keys of authority and power to bind, to loose, and to seal on the earth and in heaven, according to the

. commandments of God and the revelations of Jesus Christ. Yea, thus saith the Xord, this Church is " the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole €arth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the Church coUec- •tively and not individually ; for I, the Lord, cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." * All other churches are unauthorized of God. Their " Articles

■ of Religion " — their oreeds-their Prayer Books — their ordinations — their sacraments — their baptisms — their various forms of worship — their preaching — and their religious assemblies — are all, an abomination in the sight of heaven. There is no remission of sins, nor gilts of the Holy Ghost, nor legality of priesthood, nor authorized mimstrations, nor glory, nor salvation among them. There is no vision, nor revelation, nor angel, nor heavenly powers, nor prophet, nor revelator, nor inspiration,.

. nor voice of God, nor any other communication from the heavenly worlds unto them. The powers of heaven and the knowledge of the true God are not kno-wn among them.. This is the condition of every church throughout all Christendom : they form no part of the church of Christ, nor of the kingdom of God. O what great reason have this generation to be thankful that God has had pity upon them in then* dark, benighted, amd apostate condition— that he has sent his angels witii a message of glad tidings —

. that he has set up his kingdom again on the earth, that salvation may once more be obtained by the fallen sons and daughters of men.

36. — Having demonstrated the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, by the testimony of four witnesses in its origin among this generation, let us next enquire whether in the progress of the work, God has raised up any other witnesses of this great and glorious book. . On the eleventh day of April, in the same year that the church was organized, Oliver Cowdery preached the first public discourse at the house of Mr. Whitmer. The saine day, thirteen were baptized. In order that the reader-

. may have some little understanding of the power of the spirit that was poured out,.

. and the testimonies given in confirmation of this work, we make the following extract

, from the history of Joseph Smith.

, 37. — " During this month of April, I (Joseph Smith) went on a visit to the residency of Mr. Jos.eph Knight, of Colesville, Broom county, N. Y., with whomand his family I had been previously acquainted, and of whose name I have above mentioned as haying been so kind and thoughtful towards us while translating the Book

* iDoctrine and Covenants, Section i, par. S,

ofxMormon. Mr. -Emghtandihb family were Universalists,'but were willing tocea" aon with me upon my relinous views, and were, as usual, friendl; and hospitable. We liflld several meetings in the 'neighbourhood ; we haJdmany friends and some enenaes. Our meetings were well attended, and many began to pray fervently to Almighty 6ad, that.he would:gire them .wisdom to understand the truth. A,mongst thoseiwho attended our.meetings regularly was Newel Knight, son to Joseph ilight. He'aadl had many serious conversations on the important subject of man's eternal salvation; iweihad'got into the habit of >praying much at our meetings, and Newel had said that be wotdd try and .take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting ; but when we ain met together, he rather excused himself. I tried to prevail upon him,' nuAmg use of the figure, supposing that he should get into a mudhole, would he not Ixy fo lielp himself out ? aiulthatwe were willing now to help him out of the mucUiole. He replied, that provided he had got: into a mudhole through carelessness, he would lather wait and get out himself than have others to help him, and so he would wait until he should get into the woods by himself and there he would pray. Accordingly he deferred praying until next morning, when he retired into the woods, where, accordivg to his own account afterwards, he made several attempts to pray bat could scarcely do' so, feeling 'that he had not done his duty, but that he should have prayed inithcipresence of others. He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body, until upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him. I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and >his body acted upon in a very strange manner. His visage and limbs distorted and tvristed in every shape and appearance possible to imagine, and finally, 'he was caught up off the floor of the apart- >ment anditossed about most fearfully. His situation was soon made knovm to his ■neighbours and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had. got together to vritness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I suc- •ceeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spe to me, and with very great earnestness requested of me that I should cast the devil out of him, .saying that he knew that he was. in him, and' that he also knew that I could cast him iiout. I replied, " if you know that I can, it shall be done," and then, almost unconsciously I rebuked the devil, and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart fromhim, when immediately Newel spoke out and said that he saw the devil leave him .and vanish from his sight. This was the first miracle which was done in this church or by any member of it, and it was done not by man nor by the power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power of igodliness : therefore let the honour and the meise, the dominion and the. glory, be ascribed to the Father, Son,>and Holy Spkit, for ever and ever. Amen.

" The scene was now entirely chained, for as soon as the devil had departed from oar friend, his countenance became natwal, his distortions of body ceased, and- almost nnmediately the spirit of the Lord desiiended upon him, and the visions of eternity ■were opened to his view. He afterwards related his experience as follows: — ' I now .'began to feel a moat pleasing. sensation resting upon me, and immediately the vidons •<rf heaven were opened to my view. I felt myself attracted upward, and remained for some tune enwrapt in contemplation, insomuch that I knew not what was going on in .the room. By andby I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head, which served to recall me to a sense of my situation, and I found that the spirit of the Lord had actually caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder add head were pressing against the beams.'

" All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and satisfaction when they saw the devil thus 'cast out, and the power of God and his Holy Spirit thus made manifest. So soon as consciousness returned, his bodily weakness was such that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed and wait upon him for some time. As may be expected, such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it; and finally, the greater part of them became members of the church.

".Soon after this occurrence, I returned to Fayette, Seneca county.

"During the last week in May, the above mentioned Newel Knight came to Tint •WS at Fayette, and was baptized by David Whitmer.

*' On the first day of J,ajsie> 183.0, we hdd our first coirference as an organized church.

•fimOtiES 0 TftB BOOK OF UORMON AMD BIBLE COMPARED, j68

'Oar numbers wer« about thirty, 'bedes whom many assembled with i}s, who were -Either biliemwor ankious to learn.

"Having opened by singing and prayer, we partook together of the emblems of the

'%dfly tod blood of our Lord Jesus Ch'rkt ; y(,e then pnKied to confirm several who liad lately been baptized, after which we calledOut aiid ordained several to the various

■offices of the priesthood. Much exhortation and iiigtruetion Was given, and theHoljr

' Ohost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner — many of our number propfae-

ed, vhllst others had the heavens opened to their 'view, and were' so overcome tiiat

'vrehad to lay them'on beds or other convenient places; attuMig the rest was brother

H'ewel Knight, who had to be p\acei on a bed, being' unable to help himself. By his own account of the traitsadion, he could not understand why we should lay him oa the bed, as he felt no sensibility of weakness. He felt his heart filled with love, with gioty and pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that was g<wig on in the room ;

'"Mien, all of a sudden a nsion of futurity burst upon him. He sawthere represented

**he great w&rk, which throiigh my instmmentaUty was yet to be accomplished. 'He saM'heiiven opened, and beheld the Lord JesuS Christ seated on the right hand oftbe

Majesty on high ; and had it Made lain to his understandingthat the time would come when he wottld be adiifiitted into- his presence to enjoy his society for ever and ever.

"When their bodily strength was restored to these breuiren, they shouted ' Hosannahs iM God and t.h mmb,' and rehearsed the glorious things wmdi they had seen and tfelt. Whilst they Were yet in the spirit." *

38. — It'WiUbeseeri'by the foregoing' extract, that after the organization of the <3hnrch, the Lord Raised up other witnesses to his work. The great miracle that was Wrought, vri Newel Knight, and that too, before he became amember of theChurch, ■4tAd in the presence of some 'eight or nine of his neighbours, must have given him -die most perfect knowledge of the truth of the Book of -Mormon ; and it must also have -edn a eonviiieing testimony to idl who saw him; they must' have seen the difieience between the operation of th two powers; for both powers handled him in a most >']iniVacuIouS manner. Under' the operation- of 'the first, he was in the most excruciatStig pain ; but the devil being cast out in the name of Jesus Christ, he 'was imme- Itiiately filled With the Holy Spirit and with joy unspfsakable, and was taken up by the Spirit from off the( floor, and was suspended in the presence of the by-standers for sflnietime'lith his head pressing against the upper floor. This great manifestation •of ilie power of 'God -in contrast with the power of the evil one, must have given a 'kiio'A'ledge to'those who were preseiit, that Joseph Smith was a great prophet-and -'ser, and' that the Book of Mormon was a divine revelation. For the satisfaction of 'the reitder, I vvill' here state that I am intimately acquainted with Newel Knight, and thive hesrdbim'testify many a time to this- great miracle. I also, in the year 1880, 'ted'Ml:. -Knijht's residence in Colesville, and heard not only him, but others- who -eawthis-miracle,- bear their' testimony. Mr. Knight ever proved a faithful member ■of tMs''(3hnrcb until, a'fter wading through many scenes of bloody persecution, he was 'Worn out, and qmetlyfell asleep in Jesus. It will also be seen from the foregoing «xtract, tat at the &rst conference held by this Church, on the 1st of June, 1830, that manyothers saw the heavens openfed and beheld the glory of God. Among .the Aiflnber was Newel Knight. « HE SAW HEAVEN OPENED, AND BEHELD THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OP THE MAJESTY ON HIGH." This was not a dream, but a vision, like the vision ©f JStephen,'who on the day of his martyrdom had a similar view.

'39.— "HenO after the'rise of the 'Church, the ''witnesses of the truth of the Book ■afMottnon began to mtaltiply. Now these- persons who saiw the heavens open, could ■Mot theraselvesiavc been deceived. They must be either -wicked impostors, or the £Mk of'Mermon' must =be ae'divine record; -for God would BOt open the heavens to confirm a soul-destroying imposition. Can any man prove that Newel Knight did not have a great miracle wrought upon him ? Can«any ane «how that he was not caught up by the Spuit and suspended in the air? Can any one bring any testimony that the eight or nine 'witnesses, who were, at that jtime out of tjle' Churchy did not .see this miracle as testified? Can it be proved that those who testify that they saw

* History of iJoiepb Smitb,-]£UeDoialStar,.'Viol.'iv,iNo,'8. page US.

heaven opened are false witnessesj and that they did not see any such thing.? I this must be proved or else no man living can be justified in saying that the Book of Mormon is an imposition. ' , ,'

40.— In the fall of 1830, four of theeldra-s were sent on a mission to the extrenie ■western frontiers of the United States, a distance of some twelve or fourteen hundred .miles. Having proceeded about four hundred miles, they tarried a few weeks and preached in the northern part of the State of Ohio; many believed and were baptized, : among whom was Sidney Rigdon, a celebrated preacher of the CampbelUte order. .The Spirit of the Lord was again poured oii,t in a most wonderful manner, and the visions of heaven were opened unto many. In December following, Mr. Rigdon pei*- formed a journey to the State of New York, for the purpose of seeing Joseph Smith, the prophet. He prolonged his stay with him until the latter part of January, when he returned, accompanied by Mr. Smith and his family. The prophet Joseph, by the . command of God, and through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, translated the Old and New Testaments. Sidney Rigdon assisted him as a scribe to write from his mouth, as it was given by the revelations of the Holy Spirit. And on the sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty-two, while engaged in the work of translation, a most remarkable vision was shown to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. They both at the same time saw the heavens opened, and beheld the Lord Jesus Christ on the right hand of God, they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: they heard the voice of God the Father bearing record to them of his only begotten Son : they saw

. the holy angels, and the wonders of eternity were opened before them : they saw and heard many things unspeakable and unlawful to be uttered. But many great and marvellous things they were commanded to write, while they were yet in the Spirit. We here insert the following item : —

41. — « We beheld the glory of the Son on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness ; and saw the holy angels, and they who are sanctified before his

, throne, worshipping God and the Lamb, who worship him for ever and ever. And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of Him, this is the testimony, last of all which we give of Him, that He lives ; for we saw Him even on the right hand of God, and we heard the voice, bearing record that He is the only begotten of the Father — that by Him, .and through Him, and of Him the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."*

42. — To speak of the hundreds and thousands of witnesses whom God has raised up during the last twenty years, would require a large volume, and far exceed the limits which we intended for this series. Let it sufiice to observe that there are now

, on the earth many thousands of witnesses to whom God has revealed the truth of the Book of Mormon, by heavenly visions, by angels, by the revelations of the Holy Ghost, by his own voice, and by the miraculous gifts and powers of his kingdom. This great cloud of witnesses know with the greatest certainty that the Book of Mormon is true : they know it with as much certainty as the ancient prophets and apostles knew their respective messages to be true. The nature, of their testimony is "such that it pre- .cludes all possibility of their being deceived themselves. Before mankind can be jus-

' tified in calling these thousands of vritnesses impostors, they must prove that none of

. them have seen and heard as they boldly testify. , Thisgeneration have more than one

. thousand times the amount of evidence to demonstrate and for ever establish the Divine Authenticity of the Book, of Mormon than they have in favor of the Bible! and this vast amount of evidence, not only estabhshes the Book of Mormon, but the

, Bible also, as it existed in its, original. , Hence, the La-tter-day Saints have -more than one thousand times the, amount of evidence, to establish both the Book of Mormon and Bible than what this generation have to establish the truth of either, exclusive of our testimony. _ , , :

* Doctrine and Covenants. See. xcii., par. 3. I'S, Wilton Street, Liverpool, December I5ih, 1860.

B. JiiJIES, 'PEIM.*EE, 39 SOUTH CASTLE STKEEI, LIVEKP00I»