Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-09-08

SALT LAKE. CITY, Utah, July I3, 1859
NV friend DR.. Bernbisel, NJ. c., took me,
this afternoon, by appointment, 10 meet
Brigham Young. President of the Mormon
Church, Who had expressed willingness to
receive me at I'm. We were very cor
daily we lcomed at the door by the Presi-
dent, who led us into the second-story
parlor of the largest of his houses (he has
three). where was introduced to Heber c.
Kimball, Gen. Wells, Gen. Ferguson,
Albert CsriIngton, Elias Smith, and several
other leading men in the Church, with two
full grow sons of the President. After
some unimportant conversation on general
topics, stated that had come in quest of
Iuller knowledge respecting the doctrines
and polity of the Mormon Church, and would
like to ask some questions bearing directly
on these, if there were no objections
President Young avowed his willingness to
respond 10 all pertinent inquiries, the con-
yersatiou proceeded substantially as fol-
lows:
H. Gam to regard Mormonism $50
called as new religion, or as simply new
development of ChristIsnityl
B. Y-We hold that there can be no true
Christian Church without priesthood
directly commissioned by and in immediate
communication with the Son of God and
Savior of mankind. Such a church is that
of the Latter-Day Saints, called by their
enemies Mormons; we know no other that
even pretends TO have present and direct
revelations of Gods will.
HI. G.-Then | am to understand that
you regard all other churches protesting TO
be Christian as the Church of Rome regards
q II churches not in communion with itself
-as schismstic, here.ical, and out of the
way of salvationi e.rs
b. Yves, substantially.
H. G-Apart from this, in what respect
do your doctrines differ essentially from
those of our Orthodox Protestant Churches
the Baptist or Methodist, for example.
B. Y-We hold the doctrines of Chris
tianity, as revealed in the Old and New
Testsments-also in the Book of Mormon
which teaches the same cardinal truths. and
those only.
H. G-Do you believe in the doctrine o.
the Trinity
B. Y.-We do; but not exactly as it is
held by other churches. We believe in the
Eaihsr, s.he Son, and the Holy Ghost. as
equal, but not identical--not as one person
fbeingl. We believe in all the Bible
teaches on this subject.
,H G.--Do YOU believe in persona
-
whose nature and acts are essentially maIig
nant and evil
d. we do
sH. G-Do you hold the doctrines of Eter
nal Punishment!
,B. Y.-We do; though perhaps not ex
actly us otbei churches do. We believe i
as the Bible teaches it.
ali G.-l understand thatyo regard Bap
tism by Immersion as essential tls
B. Y.-We do. hsa
H. G.-Do you practice Infant Baptism
Y.-No.
H. G.-Do you make renewal to thes
valleys obligatory on your converts,
B. Y.-They would consider themselve
greatly aggrieved if they were not invite
hitber. We hold 10 such gathering
tege,her of Gods People as the Bible fore
tells, and that this is the place. and nov
is the time appointed for its consumma
ton. = Y
II. G.-The predictions to which you re
fer have usually, think, been understoo
TO indicate jerusalem (or Judeo) as III
place oe such gathering.
B. Yves, for the Jews-not for others
H. G.-What is the position OF you
Church with respect TO Slaseryl
B. Y.-We consider il of Divine institu
ton, ard not to be abolished until the ours
pronounced on Ham shall have been re
moved from his descendants.
= H. Care any slaves now held in th
Territory!
3. Y.-There are.