Theological

[ORIGINAL.]

The Prophet.-"For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people." Acts 3. 22, 23. Every one of experience knows, that an old garment fits much easier than a new one; so any one traditionated in a system, knows that it is extremely difficult to rid himself of his preconceptions, and that, in embraceing [embracing] a new system of things, he is in danger of distorting or even rending that, which after mature deliberation and experience he finds to be true, easy, and delightful. It should not, therefore, be deemed a matter of great wonder, if, among the multitudes that have, in these last days, come out of spiritual confusion, and embraced the true light of life, some should be found who occasionally make a wrong application of passages of holy writ. These remarks are deemed timely and important, in consequence of the use that has been made of the above passage, together with its context, by some who have lately embraced the faith of the "saints:" and who fancy that it applies to the prophet whom God hath raised up in these last days. Let such turn to the passage and read it in connection, and they will undoubtedly perceive such an application to be erroneous. That the words apply to Jesus Christ and to him only, the following arguments may be given.

1st. The Jewish doctors were expecting such a prophet, and at that time.

2nd. He was to be a Jew;-"of your brethren:"

3rd He was to be like Moses;-a lawgiver, a judge, a deliverer.

4th. The testimony of the Father, "this is my beloved son, Hear ye him."

Sister Owen, in her communication [see No. 6.] asks: "now have we ever had any such prophet; that people have all been destroyed that did not believe in him?"-We answer, yes, we have had such a prophet, "and it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people." And the time of their destruction draweth nigh. The dark cloud is gathering. The roaring of the whirlwind of his fury is heard already, in the rumors of wars, and the convulsions of nature. Let the saints be ready and waiting for the grand events which are about to burst upon this generation. For "the time of redemption shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he will send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto you;" whom the heavens will soon restore to his persecuted, scattered and afflicted church; and he shall gather out of his kingdom all that do wickedly, and recompense to them indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish. But to those who by patient continuence [continuance] in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life.

In confirmation of the truth of the application above given, sister Owen, and all others who have doubted, will please read the record of Nephi [I. Nephi, VII. ch.] where the matter is fully set at rest by positive declaration.-"And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake saying; a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up.-And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake, was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness; and the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded.-And the time cometh speedily, that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory."

If any are fearful lest we, by our interpretation, wrest a gem from the crown of our beloved prophet, let them remember that we place it in the royal diadem of him who is more excellent than Joseph; and where even Joseph will be pleased to have it remain and shine. That God hath exalted him to a station of great dignity and responsibility, we do not doubt; but the truth of it rests on other testimony than the above. [see Book of Nephi latter part of IX ch.] "Behold my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.-But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. Therefore it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, whom the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said,) they should be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.-And then shall they say, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that pulisheth [publisheth] peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth!"