Extract from the Voice of Warning

[continued from page 89.]

Now, I wish the reader never to pass this commission, until he understands it, because, when once understood, he never need mistake the kingdom of God, but will at once discover those peculiarities, which were forever to distinguish it from all other kingdoms or religious systems on earth; and lest he should misunderstand, we will analyze it and look at each part carefully in its own proper light:-first, they were to preach the gospel, (or in others words, the glad tidings of a crucified and risen Redeemer) to all the world; second, he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; third, he that did not believe what they preached, should be damned; and fourth, these signs shall follow them that believe-first, they are to cast out devils; second, to speak with new tongues; third, to take up serpents; fourth, if they drink any deadly things, it shall not hurt them; fifth, they were to lay hands on the sick, and they should recover.

Now it is wilful [willful] blindness, or ignorance of the English language, that has ever caused any misunderstanding here. For some do tell us that those signs were only to follow the apostles; and others tell us that they were only to follow believers of that age. But Christ places the preaching, the believing, the salvation, and the signs that were to follow, all on an equal footing; where one was limited, the other must be; where one ceased, the other died. And if the language limits these signs to the apostles, it limits faith and salvation also to them.-

And if no others were to have these signs follow them, then no other; were to believe, and no others were to be saved: again, if the language limits these signs to the first age or ages of Christianity, then it limits salvation to the first ages of Christianity, for one is precisely as much limited as the other; and where one is in force the other is-and where one ends, the other must stop. And as well might we say preaching the gospel is no longer needed; faith is no longer needed; salvation is no longer needed; they were only given at first to establish the gospel: as to say these signs are no longer necessary, they were only given to establish the gospel. But says the astonished reader, have not these signs ceased from among men, I reply, prove that the gospel has ceased to be preached, and that men have ceased to believe and be saved, and the world without the promises of no effect.

Now having analized [analyzed] understood this commission, let us still pursue the subject, of the organization of the kingdom of God, in the days of the apostles. The Savior having given them their authority, commands them to tarry, and not undertake their mission, until they were endowed with power from on high. But why this delay? because no man was ever qualified, or ever will be, to preach that gospel, and teach all things whatsoever Jesus commanded them, without the Holy Ghost; and a very different Holy Ghost too, from the one now enjoyed by men who are not inspired: for the Holy Ghost of which Jesus spake, would guide into all truth, bring all things to remembrance, whatsoever he had said unto them, and show them things to come-not to mention that it would enable them to speak in all the languages of the earth. Now a man who preached, needs that Holy Ghost very much; first, to guide into all truth, that he may know what to teach; second, to strengthen his memory, lest he might neglect to teach some of the things which was commanded them; and third, he needs to know things to come, and that would constitute him a prophet, so that he might forewarn them of approaching danger. From this, the reader may see how careful Jesus was, that none should preach his gospel without the Holy Ghost. And he may also learn how different the Spirit of Truth is from the spirits now abroad in the earth, deceiving the world, under the name of the Holy Ghost. If the churches of the present day have the Holy Ghost, why are they so much at a loss to understand truth? why do they walk in so many hundred different ways and doctrines? And I inquire, why do they need whole libraries of sermons, tracts, divinites, debates, arguments and opinions, all written by the wisdom of men, without even professing to be inspired? Well doth the Lord complain, saying, "their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men." But to return-the apostles tarried at Jerusalem, until endowed with power and then they commenced to proclaim the gospel.

Here we have discovered several things towards a kingdom; 1st. we have found a king, crowned at the right hand of God; to whom is committed all power in heaven and in earth; 2d, we have found officers commissioned, and duly qualified to administer the laws and ordinances of that kingdom 3d. the laws by which they were to be governed, were, all things whatsoever Jesus had commanded his deciples [disciples] to teach them.

And now if we can find how men became citizens of that kingdom, I mean as to the rules of adoption, then we have found the kingdom of God in that age, and shall be very much dissatisfied with every thing in our own age, professing to be the kingdom of God, which is not according to the pattern.

It happened that there were no natural born subjects of that kingdom; for both Jew and Gentile were included in sin and unbelief; and none could be citizens without the law of adoption, and all that believed on the name of the king, had power to be adopted; but there was but one invariable rule or plan by which they were adopted; and all that undertook to claim citizenship in any other way whatever, were counted thieves and robbers, and could never obtain the seal of adoption. This rule was laid down in the Savior's

teaching to Nicodemus, namely, "except a man be born of water (that is baptized in water) and of the Spirit, (that is baptized with the Spirit,) he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Now to Peter were given the keys of the kingdom; therefore it was his duty to open the kingdom to Jew, and also to Gentile. We will therefore carefully examine the manner in which he did adopt the Jews into the kingdom, at the day of Pentecost.

Now when the multitude came running together on the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted his voice and reasoned with them from the Scrptures [Scriptures], testifying of Jesus Christ, and his resurrection and ascension up on high-insomuch [inasmuch] that many became convinced of the truth, and inquired what they should do. Now understand, these were not Christians; but they were people who were that moment convinced that Jesus was the Christ, and because they were convinced of this fact, they inquired, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, "repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and you shall recieve [receive] the gift of the Holy Ghost; for the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." But kind reader, do you understand this proclamation? if you do, you will see that this gospel is not preached by any of the priests of this day. Let us therefore analyze and examine it sentence by sentence. You recollect they already believed, and the next thing was for them to repent: first, faith, second, repentence [repentance], third, baptism, fourth, remission of sins, fifth, the Holy Ghost, was the order of the gospel Faith gave the power to be come sons or citizens: repentance and baptism in his name, was the obedience through which they were adopted: and the Holy Spirit of promise was the seal of their adoption, and this they were sure to receive if they would obey. Now, reader, where do you hear such preaching in our day?-Who teaches that those who believe and repent, should be baptized, and none others. Perhaps the reader may say the baptists do; but do they call upon men to be baptized as soon as they believe and repent? Be assured, kind reader, they do not: and moreover, do they promise them the remission of sins, with the gift of the Holy Ghost? Recollect now, what effect the Holy Ghost has upon people who receive it. It will guide them into all truth, strengthen the memory, and show them things to come. And Joel said, it would cause them to dream dreams, to see visions, and prophesy. O! my reader, where do you find a gospel like this preached among men? Would men go mourning for weeks, upon weeks, without the forgivness [forgiveness] of sins, or the comfort of the Holy Spirit, if Peter stood among us, to tell precisely how to get such blessings? Now what would you think of a camp-meeting. Where three thousand men should come forward to be prayed for? and one of the ministers should (Peter-like) command them every one to repent and be baptized for remission of sins, promising that all who obeyed, should receive the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, which should cause them to dream dreams and prophesy; and then should arise with his brethren of the same calling, and the same hour commence bastizing [baptizing], and continue until they had baptized them all; and the Holy Ghost should fall upon them, and they begin to see visions, speak in other tongues, and prophesy. Would not the news go abroad far and wide, that a new doctrine had made its appearance, quite different from any thing now practised [practiced] men? O yes, says the reader this to be sure would be something new and very strange to all of us. Well, strange as it may seem, it is the gospel, as preached by Peter on the day of Penticost [Pentecost] and Paul declares that he preached the same gospel that Peter did; and he also said, "though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel, let him be accursed." Now the reader need no longer be astonished to see that these signs do not follow them that believe some other gospel or doctrine, different from that preached by the apostles.

But now let us return to the kingdom af [of] God organized in the days of the apostles; you discover that three thousand persons were adopted into

the kingdom the first day the door was opened. These, together with the numerous additions which were afterwards made, were the subjects of this kingdom; which being fitly framed together, grew unto a holy temple in the Lord. Thus we have cleared away the rubbish of sectarian tradition and superstition, which arose in heaps around us and having searched carefully, we have at length discovered the kingdom of God as it existed at its first arganization [organization], in the days of the apostles; and we have seen that it differs widely from all modern systems of religion, both in its officers, ordinances, powers, and privileges, insomuch [inasmuch], that no man need ever mistake the one for the other.

By the High Council at Nauvoo, it is ordered to be published in the Times & Seasons, that they disfellowship any and all persons, who shall ferry, or carry over the river, persons or freight, to the injure of the ferry, from Commerce or Nauvoo, to Montrose. Or who shall, knowingly, suffer or allow any animals, (subject to their controll [control],) to destroy any crops, fruits or plants, to the injury of the owner thereof.

Also, that whereas, in times past, the house of Joseph Smith Jr. has been much thronged with crowds of visitors, to the great inconvenience of his family. It is by this Council thought advisable, that in future, he be exempt from the burthen [burden] and inconvenience thereof. H. G. SHERWOOD, Scribe.