At the request of the Presidency of Davis Stake of Zion, I have
delivered two lectures in each of the Wards of that county. Being a
young man, I have addressed myself to the young people, with a view to
strengthen their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which has been
revealed anew to the earth in this age of the world. And in
considering the subject before us tonight—"Joseph Smith's
Mission" —I
desire to show to my young brethren and sisters that our fathers have
not been following cunningly devised fables, but that they have, and
so have we, good and sufficient reasons for believing in the mission
of Joseph Smith as a divine one.
In considering the subject of our lecture, the question naturally
arises; What was Joseph Smith's mission? It was the mission of Joseph
Smith, under God's direction, to establish the Church of Christ and
the Kingdom of God upon the earth; and to the accomplishment of this
work he devoted the whole energy of his life, and was faithful unto
death.
But this statement of what his mission was, gives birth to another
question: "Is there any necessity for such a work as is ascribed to
Joseph Smith being performed?" The Christian world believe that when
Christ was upon the earth in the flesh, that he then established his
Church and Kingdom, and that it has continued among men from that time
until the present. And although many changes have taken place in
regard to principles and doctrines, and divisions and subdivisions
have distracted the religious world—yet they claim that those things
which are essential to the existence of Christ's Church and Kingdom
have remained among men. This is their theory. We have a theory which
is opposite to theirs.
The first revelation that Joseph Smith received from the Lord, was
that men were teaching for doctrine the commandments and precepts of
men, and that He [the Lord] did not acknowledge their institutions as
His Church or Kingdom, and told Joseph to join none of them.
Here then you see, we have two propositions presented to us; if one is
true the other must be false; both cannot be correct. If the
theory held by the Christian world be true, then there appears no
necessity for such a work as we ascribe to Joseph Smith being
performed; for if the Kingdom of God has continued upon the earth from
the days of Jesus until the present, then there would be no need of
anyone being raised up to establish that which was already here; and
proving that there was no necessity for such a work as that ascribed
to Joseph Smith would be a big stride towards proving that he was an
impostor. But if we can show that the theory held by the Christian
world is incorrect—if we can prove that there has been an
apostasy—that men have been following for doctrine the commandments
of men; if we can prove that Christ's Church and Kingdom were not upon
the earth at the time Joseph Smith's Mission commenced—then the
necessity of such a work as we claim he performed, becomes apparent;
and if there is a necessity for such a work as the restoration of the
Kingdom of God to the Earth, may not Joseph Smith have been the
instrument in the hands of God, in performing that work?
Let us consider the question then—Has there been an apostasy? We
cannot examine this subject in detail. All we shall be able to do, is
to briefly refer to some of those prophecies which relate to the
subject. We begin by calling your attention to the 24th chapter of
Isaiah, commencing with the 4th verse: "The earth mourneth and fadeth
away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the
earth do languish.
"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they
have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the
everlasting covenant.
"Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell
therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are
burned, and few men are left."
I have had men in the world try to reason away the force of this
prophecy, in the following manner: They reminded us that Isaiah lived
in the Mosaic dispensation, when the law of carnal commandments was in
force; and claim that it was of this carnal law of which Isaiah
spake—it was the law of Moses that was to be transgressed; the Mosaic
ordinances which were to be changed; the Mosaic covenant which was to
be broken. These assertions, however, are incorrect—from the fact that
the Mosaic law never was considered, by those who understood it, "an
everlasting covenant." It was given for a special purpose, and when it
had accomplished that purpose, it was laid aside.
We read from Galatians, 3rd chapter and 8th verse:
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In
thee shall all nations be blessed."
From this it appears that the Gospel was preached unto Abraham. In the
4th chapter of Hebrews and 2nd verse, Paul in speaking of ancient
Israel, says:
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the
word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it." Not only then was the Gospel preached unto Abraham,
but also unto the children of Israel. Now, let us go back to the 3rd
chapter of Galatians, for Paul having stated that the Gospel was
preached unto Abraham, asks this question (19th verse):
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgres sions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made."
Added to what? Added to the Gospel, which before that time had been
preached unto Abraham, and also to ancient Israel. But the Israelites
under Moses, were unable to live the perfect law of the Gospel, were
not strong enough to overcome evil with good, as the Gospel requires,
so a law of carnal commandments was "added" to the Gospel—a law which
included the principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" —a
law which was suited to their capacity. Paul still speaking of this
subject in the same chapter of Galatians, already quoted (23rd verse), says:
"Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith
which should afterwards be revealed.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that
we might be justified by faith.
"But after that faith has come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster."
From these passages of Scripture, we learn this: The Gospel was
preached to Abraham, and also to ancient Israel. The Israelites were
unable to live the law of the Gospel—so a law of carnal commandments,
known as the law of Moses, was given as a schoolmaster to bring them
up to the higher law: Christ came and introduced that higher law—the
Gospel, explained its precepts, and pointed out the difference between
it and the law of Moses. The Gospel took the place of the law of
Moses, which was laid aside, having fulfilled the object for which it
was added to the Gospel. If then the law of Moses was not an
everlasting covenant, this prophecy of Isaiah's, which we are
considering, does not relate to it, as the prophecy of Isaiah was
concerning an everlasting covenant.
We find in Hebrews xiii, 20, the following: "Now the God of peace, that
brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you
perfect," etc.
From this we learn that Christ's blood is called the blood of the
everlasting covenant. Paul in writing to Titus, gives us to understand
that he lived "In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie,
promised before the world began," and this immortal life which God had
promised—this everlasting covenant which God had made with man before
the world began, was sealed by the blood of Christ, and this life and
immortality were brought to light through the Gospel—and is called in
the Scripture, the everlasting Gospel or covenant; and Isaiah says
that the laws of the everlasting covenant, or the Gospel laws, shall
be transgressed, the Gospel ordinances shall be changed: and in
consequence of these serious transgressions, the earth is to be
burned, and few men left; which judgment still is hanging over the
inhabitants of the earth. Having proven then that this prophecy of
Isaiah's refers to the Gospel, and not to the law of Moses, let us
remember that Jesus said, "Though heaven and earth pass away, not one
jot or tittle of my word shall fail, but all shall be fulfilled."
Either Isaiah was mistaken when he spake as moved upon by the Holy
Ghost, in relation to the world departing from that order of things
inaugurated by the Savior, or else the Christian world is incorrect in
maintaining that the Gospel in all that is essential, has continued
from the days of Jesus to the present time.
Some few noted Christian writers more candid than their
fellows, have freely admitted the apostasy of Christendom. We will
introduce their testimony. John Wesley in his 94th sermon, says:
The reason why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost are no longer
in the church, "is because the love of many waxed cold, and the
Christians had turned heathens again, and had only a dead form left."
The following quotation is taken from page 163, of Smith's Dictionary
of the Bible. This work is endorsed by the names of 63 divines of both
Europe and America, all noted for their scholarship. They say:
"We must not expect to see the Church of Holy Scripture actually
existing in its perfection upon the earth. It is not to be found thus
perfect, either in the collected fragments of Christendom, or still
less in any one of those fragments." This is a frank acknowledgment of
all that we claim as to the apostasy of the primitive Church. Christ
and his Apostles established the Church upon the earth, in the days of
their ministry, and now we are told that it is not to be found even in
the collected fragments of Christendom—that is, take the principles of
truth which each sect possesses, and put them all together, and yet
from this collection of truths we would not find the Gospel of Christ.
Let us then take them at their word: they have but a dead form
left—"The Church of Christ is not to be found on the earth." These
admissions on the part of the prominent writers of Christendom,
coupled with the sure prophecy of Isaiah, forces us to the conclusion
that men have corrupted the Gospel, as taught by Christ and the
Apostles—that there has been an apostasy, and it must needs be that
God set up His Kingdom again upon the earth.
By examination, we shall find that the Scriptures predict the
restoration of the Gospel. It pleased the Almighty, while His servant
John was on the Isle of Patmos, to show him many things that would
transpire in the future. While wrapped in heavenly vision, he saw,
among other things, "Another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell upon the earth, and to
every nation, kindred, tongue and people, saying with a loud voice,
Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is
come." It appears from this passage of Scripture, which you will find
in the 14th chapter of Revelation, that the angel who is to come with
the Gospel, will make his appearance just prior to the judgments of
God being poured out upon the children of men in the last days—"in the
hour of God's judgment." This Gospel was not to be preached merely to
one nation or people, but to EVERY nation, every kindred, every
tongue, and every people. It is evident to my mind, that all nations,
tongues and peoples must have been without the Gospel, or why would it
be necessary for the Lord to restore it by the ministry of an angel to
all peoples and tongues, if any of them possessed it? There is another
prophet who has predicted the setting up of God's Kingdom upon the
earth in the last days. I refer to Daniel, the Hebrew prophet, who was
among the captive Jews, who were taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, by
King Nebuchadnezzar, about six hundred years B.C. The Lord gave unto
this same king of Babylon a wonderful dream, but he had forgotten it.
He assembled all his wise men and magicians, and demanded that
they tell him his dream, and the interpretation thereof. If they
failed to do so, death was to be the penalty. This produced great
consternation among the wise men, but the Lord revealed the thing to
Daniel, who came before the king, with the dream, and the
interpretation of it.
The king saw a great image, the head of which was gold; the arms and
chest of silver; the trunk of brass; the legs of iron; the feet and
toes, part of iron and part of potter's clay. He also saw a little
stone, cut out of the mountains without hands, which smote the image
on the feet and toes, and broke them in pieces; then was the iron, the
clay, the brass, the silver and the gold broken to pieces, and became
as the chaff of the summer's threshingfloor, and the wind carried
them away, but the little stone became a great mountain and filled the
whole earth. Such was the dream. Daniel in giving the interpretation
thereof, said unto Nebuchadnezzar, "Thou, O king, art a king of kings:
for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power and strength,
and glory; * * * Thou art this head of gold." (Daniel 2, verses 37 and
38.) The head of this great image, therefore, was the Babylonian
kingdom, which flourished in the sixth and seventh centuries, B.C.,
but in 538 B.C., it was destroyed. Daniel continues: "And after
thee" —Nebuchadnezzar—"shall arise another kingdom inferior to
thee."
(Verse 39.) The Medo-Persian Empire succeeded the Babylonian kingdom,
and continued from 538 to 331, B.C., and is represented by the chest
and arms of silver in the great image.
Again we quote: "And another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear
rule over all the earth." (Verse 39.) The Macedonian Empire succeeded
the Medo-Persian, being founded by Alexander the Great, and did "bear
rule" over the then known world, continuing until 161, B.C.
"And the fourth kingdom," says Daniel, "shall be strong as iron:
forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as
iron breaketh all these things, shall it," the fourth kingdom, "break
in pieces and bruise." (Verse 40.) The Macedonian Empire, founded by
Alexander the Great, was pushed out of existence by the Roman Empire,
which entirely supplanted it in 161, B.C. The Roman nation is the
fourth great nation seen by Nebuchadnezzar in the image, and is
represented by the legs of iron; and as iron breaketh in pieces all
other metals, so the Roman nation broke in pieces the other kingdoms
of the earth.
We still have left the feet and toes of the image, which are part of
iron and part of clay. What kingdom or kingdoms do they represent?
In the year 364 A.D., the Roman Empire was divided between
Valentinian and Valens. The western part of the empire was assailed by
the Goths, Vandals, Huns, and other tribes inhabiting the north part
of Europe, until it was utterly destroyed 483 A.D. From its ruins
arose those kingdoms and empires, which, today, occupy the western
part of Europe.
The eastern part of the Roman Empire was destroyed by the invasions of
the Saracens, and out of this part of ancient Rome has sprung the
kingdoms which now occupy the east of Europe, and the west of Asia.
The old Roman Empire, then, represented in the image by the legs of iron, was divided and subdivided, until the kingdoms
represented by the feet and toes of this image are in existence.
Concerning these feet and toes, Daniel says, "And whereas thou sawest
iron mixed with miry clay. THEY" Who? Why those nations which sprung
up out of the ruins of the Roman Empire—"they shall mingle themselves
with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even
as iron is not mixed with clay." The nations now in existence marry
and intermarry—"mingle themselves with the seed of men," striving in
this manner to unite their interest, and avert calamity, but all in
vain; they do not cleave together any more than hard pieces of iron
will dissolve and become one substance with clay. We have now traced
this prophecy down to our own times—to the kingdoms that exist in our
own days. What comes next? Why, says Daniel, "In the days of these
kings," represented by the feet and toes of the image, "shall the God
of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the
kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in
pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."
Not only, then, does John tell us that the Gospel, in the hour of
God's judgment, shall be restored to the earth by the ministry of an
angel, but the Prophet Daniel has proclaimed to us, that in the last
days (for he says—2nd chapter, 28th verse—"There is a God who maketh
known unto the king, what shall be in the latter days" ), the God of
heaven would set up His kingdom, and has given us the assurance that
it would stand forever. No handwriting will ever appear upon the
walls of the temples of that kingdom, saying the kingdom is divided
and given to another people. Whatever may be our fate as individuals,
we may rest assured the Kingdom of God has come to stay.
Having shown from the Scriptures not only that there would be a
universal apostasy, but also a restoration of the Gospel, and the
setting up of the Kingdom of God in the last days, we are now at
liberty to inquire what the reasons of men are for rejecting Joseph
Smith as God's instrument in accomplishing this work.
Is the fact that Joseph Smith was rejected by the world, hated and
persecuted by thousands, any evidence against his being the chosen
servant of God, to accomplish the mighty work of setting up the
Kingdom of God upon the earth in the last days? Let history answer
that question. How have the servants of God been received in all ages
of the world? Much in the same way that Joseph Smith was. Paul, in
speaking of the Prophets, tells us, "They were stoned, they were sawn
asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about
in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented"
(Heb. xi, 37). Jesus was hated and despised by the world, and
finally put to death by the wicked. His Apostles and disciples fared
but little better. Concerning the Apostles, Paul says: "We are fools
for Christ's sake, * * Even unto this present time we both hunger and
thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling
place: And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless;
being persecuted we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made
as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto
this day." (1 Cor. iv.) Was Joseph Smith despised any more than these ancient servants of God were? But Jesus says: "Blessed are
ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from
their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil,
for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:
for behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in like manner did
their fathers unto the prophets. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak
well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke
vi, 22, 26).
On another occasion the same Great Teacher said to His disciples: "If
the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If
ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are
not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you." And does not the same principle hold good
today? And if Joseph Smith was indeed God's servant, would not the
world hate him? This principle also holds good when applied to the
people of God as a whole. If the Latter-day Saints were as vile and
corrupt, or as ungodly as they are represented to be by their enemies,
if they were as licentious as they are said to be—then as God lives
they would be of the world: and if of the world, and the principle
which Jesus laid down be true, then the world would love them: but
from the fact that this people are hated of the world, we have an
assurance that they are not of the world: but God hath chosen them out
of the world, and the world hate them.
That Joseph Smith was despised, rejected, and persecuted by men, is no
valid objection to his being the honored servant of God. I have heard
other objections urged against Joseph Smith: such as that he was
un learned—uneducated in the wisdom of the world—and this was true.
That is, in his youth he was unlettered, and his scholastic
attainments were limited, but as he grew to manhood, his lack of
education could scarcely be complained of, as he proved himself able
to cope with all the scholars of the age.
It is also alleged that both he and his followers were men that came
from the humble walks of life, and were not among the lawyers, the
rulers, and the professors. The same objections were urged against
Jesus and His followers—His Apostles. But what does such an objection
amount to? Are not these the class of men that God has almost
invariably called to perform His work? I read the following passage
from the first Chapter of I. Corinthians:
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after
the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the
wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the
things that are mighty;
"And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God
chosen, yea, and the things which are not, to bring to nought things
that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."
To say, then, that Joseph Smith's estate was lowly, and that he was
unlearned when called to the work of God, instead of being a valid
objection against him, is, to the contrary, an evidence in his favor.
Having thus disposed of the objections made against his being a good
man and a servant of God, let us next inquire into the evidence of
his being an instrument in the hands of God, in restoring the Gospel,
and setting up the Kingdom of God upon the earth. What
evidences have the Latter-day Saints to offer to the world that he
accomplished this important work? First, the work itself: the
institution which he organized—it is an exact facsimile of that which
Christ instituted when He ministered upon the earth. Did the ancient
Apostles teach faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of the
world—did they teach salvation in His name? Yes, and so do we! Did
they teach repentance, which includes the forsaking of sin? Yes, and
so do we! Did they teach baptism by immersion for the remission of
sin? And the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost?
The resurrection of the dead and future rewards and punishments? Yes,
and so do we!
Did they have in the Church Apostles, Prophets, Seventies, Elders,
Bishops, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers, and Deacons—together with
other helps and governments in the Church organization? Yes, and the
same are in the Church of Christ today, which Joseph Smith, under
God, has organized on the earth.
Did the ancient Saints enjoy the spiritual gifts and blessings of the
Gospel—the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, faith, healing, tongues,
interpretations, discerning of spirits, revelation, prophecy,
visitation of angels, etc.? Yes: and do the Latter-day Saints enjoy
these things? You know they do, for you are witnesses of these
things—then this institution exactly resembles that which Jesus
established upon the earth when He was here. It is the same in its
principles and ordinances; its officers and organization; and the same
results—the same gifts and graces grow out of obedience to its
requirements. If you compare the institution known as the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with that institution described in
the New Testament, you will find they correspond with each other, as
face answers to face in the mirror. This feat of organizing a Church
which should in every respect resemble that of Christ's, has been the
ambition of the learned and pious reformers for centuries past; but
they have failed. The world, however, are now compelled to admit one
or the other of the two following conclusions: Either Joseph Smith,
unlettered youth though he was, has so far outstripped the learning
and wisdom of ages, and by the power of his own genius accomplished
that which genius aided by scholarship could not do in previous
centuries; or else they must conclude that God has in very deed again
spoken from heaven, and revealed the Gospel and the organization of
His Kingdom, through Joseph Smith. The first conclusion is absurd; the
second is the true solution of the mystery, and thousands testify of
it.
Another reason I would offer to sustain his being called of God,
is—he started right. I have seen a motto somewhere, which reads: "Well
begun, is half done."
Jesus, when among His disciples on one occasion, appeared curious to
know what people thought of Him; so He said to His Apostles, "Whom do
men say that I the Son of Man am?" He was answered, that some said
He was John the Baptist, others Elias, or one of the prophets. "But
whom say ye that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God." "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona," said Jesus,
"for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father
which is in heaven * * * and upon this rock will I build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt.
xvi.). What was that "rock" upon which the Church was to be built? It
was upon the principle of God revealing unto men that Jesus was the
Christ—the principle of revelation.
In the Spring of 1820, Joseph Smith, in obedience to the instruction
given in James—"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him" —was praying in the woods to the Father, when he was suddenly
enwrapped in a glorious vision. He saw a pillar of light descending
from heaven—it rested upon him—its brightness exceeded the brightness
of the sun at noonday. In the midst of this glorious light stood two
personages: each resembling the other. One standing a little above the
other, pointing to the one below him said: "This is My Beloved Son;
Hear ye Him!" —"Blessed art thou, Peter, for flesh and blood
hath not
revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." The same
could be said to Joseph Smith now, for the Father had revealed the Son
to him. "And upon this rock will I build my church." Hence we say
Joseph Smith started upon the very principle upon which Jesus said He
would build His Church.
Not only did Joseph start right, but he continued right. John, the
Revelator, said that an angel would bring the everlasting Gospel to
the earth in the hour of God's judgment; Joseph Smith declares that
the angel Moroni, who had been one of the ancient Prophets upon this
American continent, came to him, and taught him many principles of the
Gospel, and also delivered to him the metallic plates containing the
Book of Mormon, in which is contained the "fulness of the everlasting
Gospel." Thus was the Gospel restored to the earth, according to the
prediction of the Scripture. John made the prediction; Joseph Smith
declares its fulfillment.
Furthermore, he received the authority to administer in the ordinances
of this Gospel as the Scriptures direct. He did not take the honor
upon himself, for the Scriptures forbid that. I will read from the 5th
chapter of Hebrews, 4th verse. Paul, speaking of those who minister in
the things pertaining to God, says:
"And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of
God, as was Aaron."
The question now for our consideration is, how was Aaron called? For if
we can find out how he was called, we shall then know how all other
men must be called before they have authority to administer in the
Gospel. Suppose that on the Statute books of Utah Territory, we should
find a law which said, "No man shall be governor of Utah, except he be
appointed as was Governor Young." If that law was in force, what would
we do if we were without a governor, and wanted one? We would turn
back in the history of Utah, and find how Governor Young was
appointed, and then appoint one the same way; very well, let us do the
same thing in the case before us, as they are parallel cases. How was
Aaron called? We read in the 4th chapter of Exodus, that the Lord
called Moses to go and deliver Israel out of Egypt. Moses excused
himself, and desired the Lord to send someone else, as he was not
eloquent, but slow of speech. This angered the Lord, and He said, "Who
hath made man's mouth?" And the Lord promised to be with him,
and teach him what he should say. Still Moses shrank; so the Lord
says, "Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak
well. * * And he shall be thy spokesman to the people: and he shall
be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of a
God." On another occasion, when further authority was granted to
Aaron, the word of the Lord came through Moses, saying, "Take thou
unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the
children of Israel, that he may administer unto me in the priest's
office," etc. (Exodus, 28th chapter.) From this, then, we learn that
Aaron was called by the word of God coming to a Prophet of God,
calling him to administer in things pertaining to God; and Paul states
the law—no man taketh this honor unto himself, except he be called in
the same way that Aaron was. Joseph Smith was called according to this
law. John the Baptist, a Prophet of God, who had held the Priesthood
of Aaron when on the earth, came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery,
and placing his hands upon their heads, ordained them to the Aaronic
Priesthood, which gave them authority to preach repentance, and
baptize for the remission of sins. Subsequently, Peter, James and John
came, and conferred the apostleship upon them, which gave them the
authority to build up the Kingdom of God in all the world. Thus he
received his authority of God according to the Gospel law relating to
this matter.
But let us come to more positive proof than we have yet considered.
I read from the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, 64th
verse, the Lord in speaking to the first Elders of the Church, makes
this promise unto them through Joseph Smith: "Therefore, as I said
unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that every soul that
believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the remission of
sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost."
Here, now, is a promise that an impostor dare not make. It is placed
within the reach of all men to test the truth whether Joseph Smith was
authorized to make such a promise or not. It is just as much a test as
that which Jesus gave to the people in His day, when He taught them in
their temples, saying, "If any man will do the will of my Father in
Heaven, he shall know of the doctrine, whether I speak of myself or of
Him who sent me." So now we are told by this modern teacher, that if
we believe on his words, and are baptized, we shall receive the Holy
Ghost. If this promise is not fulfilled, then it proves beyond all
controversy that the person making it is an impostor. But seeing it is
something that man cannot bestow upon another by his own power, if the
promise is fulfilled, and men do receive the Holy Ghost, then it is
positive evidence that Joseph was authorized of God to make that
promise. Thousands can testify that this promise has been fulfilled.
Most of you in this hall, if called upon, would doubtless testify
that you have received the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. For one
I can bear testimony that I have received the Holy Ghost, through
obedience to the Gospel. It has expanded my mind, and enabled me to
understand many of the principles connected with the Church and
Kingdom of God. I have frequently felt it thrill from the crown of my
head to the soles of my feet. I could as soon doubt the existence of
the sunlight, as doubt the existence of the Holy Ghost within me, and
which I have received in fulfillment of this promise in the
Doctrine and Covenants.
But I read further, in the same section, "And these signs shall follow
them that believe—In my name they shall do many wonderful works; In
my name they shall cast out devils; In my name they shall heal the
sick; In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the
ears of the deaf; And the tongue of the dumb shall speak; And if any
man shall minister poison unto them it shall not hurt them; And the
poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them. But a
commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast themselves of
these things, neither speak them before the world." That is, we shall
not boast before the world that God has promised to deliver us of
these things. We may learn a lesson from Jesus on this subject—The
devil took Him to the pinnacle of the temple, and now, said he, if
thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, I will
give mine angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands shall they
bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. "It
is also written," replied Jesus, "thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God." So today, we shall not boast ourselves of these things, and
tempt the Lord.
But are these signs and blessings in the Church which Joseph Smith
established? You, my brethren and sisters, know they are: you know
that it is a common thing to send for the Elders to administer to the
sick, and they are healed, and thousands in Utah, and hundreds
throughout the world, can testify that they have seen the power of God
manifest in the Church. If these promises made through Joseph Smith,
had not been realized, it would have proven him an impostor; their
being fulfilled, is an evidence that he was called of God.
The Lord gave unto ancient Israel a rule by which they might prove the
men who spake to them in the name of the Lord, that they might know
whether God had sent them or not; you will find it in the 18th chapter
of Deuteronomy, 22nd verse.
"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow
not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not
spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not
be afraid of him."
This, then, was the test made; if their prophecies failed to come to
pass when the wheel of time brought them due, the Lord had not sent
them. If their prophecies were fulfilled, then Israel might know that
the Lord had sent them. Since it is claimed that Joseph Smith is a
Prophet of God, let us try him by this rule. Many of his predictions
are on record, let us examine them. We must confine ourselves to a
few, however, for lack of time prevents us from making a very
extensive examination.
I call your attention to a prediction recorded in section 103, of the
Doctrine and Covenants, verses 5, 6 and 7.
"But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my
people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour
unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them.
Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against
mine enemies from this very hour. And by hearkening to observe all the
words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall
never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to
possess it forever and ever."
This prophecy was given in February, 1834—a few months after the
Saints were driven from Jackson County, Missouri. Now, take the
history of the Saints from that time until the present, and to my
mind, it appears to be one continual series of triumphs. The Saints
being driven from Jackson County, did not stop the progress of the
Kingdom of God. The Gospel was preached more extensively, and the
fruits of the Elders' labors were more abundant; and when five years
later the Saints were expelled from the State of Missouri, 12,000 were
driven instead of 1,200 as in the drivings in Jackson County. The only
visible effect of their expulsion from Missouri, was to give the work
fresh impetus. The exiled Saints settled in Illinois, started to build
a great city, and began the erection of a noble temple, at the same
time sending the Gospel to the European nations. Eight years after,
when they were again obliged to move, instead of 12,000 going, there
were 20,000 that began their march for the West. They settled in these
mountains, and although great difficulties have had to be surmounted,
still the work of God has been growing; and if the Saints had to move
again, 150,000 would leave their homes—so persecution has not stayed
the work of God.
Again; when the Saints were in Missouri, they had but one temple;
today we have one temple completed and several more in course of
erection—some of which will soon be finished.
In 1833, they drove our fathers from a single county in Missouri; five
years later it was found that they had possession of several counties.
In 1846, they drove our parents from a single city and its
surroundings; they came to the wilderness, and founded a Territory
which we possess; and we are spreading over into the surrounding
States and Territories, and today the cry of Zion's children is—"Give
us room that we may dwell!" We have prevailed against every
obstacle—the prophecy so far has been fulfilled; and if we will but
hearken to the counsels of God, we shall never cease to triumph, until
the kingdoms of this world are the kingdoms of our God and His Christ.
In Sec. 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is the remarkable prophecy
of Joseph Smith's, relating to the great rebellion of the Southern
States. Before I read that part of the prophecy of which I wish more
particularly to speak, I will pave the way for it. When reasoning with
infidels on the truth of the Jewish Scriptures, I have often alluded
to the many prophecies in the Bible, and then have shown from history
that these predictions have been verified—hence they were inspired.
They would generally try to destroy the force of my argument by
claiming that the predictions were made after the events had
transpired; that is, they were not predictions in fact, but were
written by fanatics to deceive mankind. But I wish to show my young
brethren this prophecy on the war of the rebellion cannot be
overthrown by such assumptions as these, to which I have just alluded.
This revelation and prophecy on war, was given December 25, 1832; the
events it predicts did not commence until 1861—29 years after the
prophecy was made. I have heard several of the leading Elders of the
Church say, they carried with them manuscript copies of that prophecy
in their preaching tours throughout the States, and
occasionally would read it to the people: better still—in the year
1851, Elder F. D. Richards published in England a book called, "The
Pearl of Great Price;" among other interesting matter it contained,
was this prophecy on war. This was nine years before the war it
predicted began. As this book was widely circulated both in Europe and
America, no one can ever use the old infidel argument against it—that
is, that the prediction was made after the event had occurred.
I read from the Book of Covenants:
"Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that shall shortly
come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which
shall eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls; And the
time will come that war will be poured out on all nations, beginning
at this place.
"For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern
States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the
nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon
other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and
then war shall be poured out upon all nations."
We have already shown that this prediction was made a number of years
before it began to be fulfilled. It now remains for us to prove that
the events spoken of, actually occurred.
It is a matter of history that the first gun fired "in the late
unpleasantness," was fired upon Fort Sumpter, from a rebel battery in
South Carolina, and from there the war spread to other States. The
trouble started, then, where Joseph Smith said it would begin—South
Carolina.
It was to "end in the death and misery of many souls." This, however,
was contrary to the expectations both of the North and the South. The
South claimed that in a short time they would be able to compel the
North to acknowledge them as an independent nation. While Abraham
Lincoln was equally confident in his ability to put his foot upon the
neck of the Rebellion and crush out its life; his first levy for
troops was only for 90,000 men, for 90 days. But whatever the
expectations of men might be, the Lord had said the war should "end in
the death and misery of many souls." All who are acquainted with the
history of the Rebellion know that it thus ended.
I, myself, have visited many of the battlegrounds in the Southern
States. Not long ago I was on the battlefield of Shiloh, on the
Tennessee River, where 20,000 men were killed in two days: I have also
passed over the battlefields around Nashville, Franklin, and
Murfreesboro; also over Missionary Ridge, Chiamaugel, and Mount
Lookout. Last summer I visited Richmond, and passed over that part of
country where the Battles of the Wilderness were fought, where over
three hundred thousand men laid down their lives in their respective
causes; and as I called to mind the thousands who had been slain on
these battlefields I have mentioned, and many others—said: The fact
that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, is written in characters of
blood to this generation, and yet they regard it not.
But this war was to end in the "misery of many souls," and when I
called to mind the sorrow of the sister who looked in vain for the
return of the brother—the companion of her childhood—when I thought of
the tears that had fretted channels in the pale cheek of the
mother who looked in vain for the return of her son, who in the
buoyancy of youth had gone to do battle in his country's cause—when I
thought of the wife, who still watched and waited for the return of
him whose strong arm was to be her support through life's dreary
march—when I called to mind all the anguish these hearts felt, I
exclaimed—That Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, is witnessed by the
tears and heartrending sobs of these multitudes who have looked and
waited in vain for the return of their loved ones.
The Southern States were to call on Great Britain to assist them. Did
they do it? Yes. The Southern States Confederacy sent two men, Messrs.
Mason and Slidell, to negotiate with the English government, with the
view of getting assistance; but they were captured and brought back to
the United States. This is a familiar matter of history. England, too,
was to call upon other nations to protect themselves against other
nations. Has this been done? To answer that question we have but to
allude to the treaties now existing between Great Britain and other
European nations. Thus you see this prophecy, so far as we have read
it, has been minutely fulfilled—fulfilled in every particular, and the
rest of it will be, so fast as the wheels of time shall bring the
events due; and the fulfillment of these prophecies prove beyond
controversy, that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and "spake as he
was moved upon by the Holy Ghost."
There is just one more item I will refer to, and then close.
It was always a strange thing to me, that Joseph Smith should have to
lay down his life, until I found the following passage of Scripture:
it is contained in the 9th chapter of Hebrews, 16 and 17 verses:
"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death
of the testator.
"For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no
strength at all while the testator liveth."
Joseph was the instrument through which God ushered in the
dispensation of the fullness of times—the greatest of all
dispensations—in which God will complete His work, pertaining to the
salvation of men on the earth; it was a great work—Joseph was to
testify of it—and "where a testament is there must needs be," says
Paul, "the death of the testator." So when Joseph Smith fell by the
old well-curb at Carthage jail, pierced by the bullets of assassins,
he placed the capstone upon his mission by sealing it with his
blood—and from that time henceforth it is in force on all the world.
- B. H. Roberts