The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-04-11

priesthood; then Peter, james
and John came and conferred tbS
Melchesidek priesthood on then
Then Moses, Elijah, Abraham
Elias, Adam, Noah, and many ~
the leading characters in scripfnrn
came and conferred upon joseph the
various keys, powers and privileges
which they had enjoyed in Their
times. Then Jos. Smith was com
manded 10 preach this gospel and
bear this testimony to the world
He WAS taught the same principles
that were taught to Adam, to Noah
| to EnOch, to Abraham, to Moses. to
the prophets, to Elijah and TO the.
twelve apostles by Jesus in former
times; and the same priesthood was
organized, only more fully. be-
cause this was combination Of the
various dispensatiOns that existed
in the different ages in the world.
called in Scriptures the dispensation
of the fullness OF time, when God
would gather together all things
in one, whether in earth or in
heaven. Therefore, whatever of
knowledge was conferred upon those
men was again restored to the earth
through the agency Of those who
had held the several priesthOods in
the disDensatiOn under which they
lived. Under the direction of the
Almighty. Joseph organized a
church and when people were called
on to repent,to be baptized and have
hands laid on them, those who be-
Iieved received the attendant bless
ings. The various Offices OF the
priesthood began to be conferred on
believers, and the quorum of the
Twelve, in due time, was organized.
Then a quorum of seventy elders
was selected. known by the name of
the seventies. We now have
sevenenty-siX times seventy of
these elders. Then Gthe first presi-
dency was organized to preside over
the whole church; then the high
yriests were ordained; then elders,
then teachers and deacons: and
these were organizations given by
direct revelation, and by which
the church has been governed
till the present time. Then
bishops were appointed; then high
councils were organized. This was
and is a testimony to the nations of
the earth, aud the Lord is and has
been their instructor, guide and d.
rector, and the elders were told togo
forth and preach the gospel to every
creature, because confusion and dis
orders and the theories Of men had
been substituted for the light and
revelation and will and power of
God. They were told that we ap-
preached to the latter times, when
God would have controversy with
the nations of the earth, and the
message they were told to carry was
that given to John on the Isle Of
PatmOS. This was the mission com
mitted by the Lord to the Latter
day Saints. This is the mission we
have been trying TO carry out, and I
myself have travelled tens Of thou
sans Of miles, without purse OF
scrip, trusting IN God, TO tell them
these things. We were told when
we went that We did not 60 TO be
taught, but 10 teach others,
because others did not know
the principles OF life. We
went under the commands Of the
most High God. We have spread
forth this gospel among the nations.
Was il unreasonable? No. Was II
scriptural: Yes. 1 say IL today
not bOaStfully, Tor l nave 10 In
telligence but that which I have
received from the principles OF the
gospel and from GOd-that while 1
travelled through various portions Of
the earth, amOng the wise and inteIi-
gent as well as the poor and ignorant.
l have talked with their wise men.
with their senators and diyines. and
have never met with a man vet
who could gaInSay one principle Of
the gospel or God; and l never ex-
p6ct 70, because eternal truth can
not be controversial. The nature OF
the gospel IS Just the same as that
which was taught on the dav of
PentecOSt. The elders Of this church
preach the same testimony. There
is something about il which IS
intelligent, susceptible
Of proof. twas 4 very fair statement
Tor Peter 10 make, warning the pee
PIE To repent and be baptized
and they should receive the Holy
Ghost, and signs should follow. It
was not alone religious, il was
philosophical. i he farmer
sows seed, ana he expects il will
produce It's own kind. There are
in nature, all true,
both ID the vegetable, animal and
creations; in fact. in al
all things, and ali these things are
governed by eternal laws which
cenneL be departed from. Certain
metals possess certain distinctive
elements, and they are ALWAYS true
70 an Interchangeable law. 1t IS 50 in
regard 70 all the elements with
which We are surrounded: so
with regard 10 the heavenly bodies,
All are true according TO the laws of
nature. Now, here is a principle Of
the gospel that admits Oh as strong
4 reason as anything in Dature-re-
pent and De baptized for the remis-
3lon or sins, anu We shall receive the
Holy GhOS-. It's Just on The sane
L was a bold position 70
AXE. 1 asked the first elder that
.&lESQ 70 ma What - r-.- -.--,v