The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-04-13

/
which they had enjoyed in theil
times. Then Jos. Smith was com,
manded to 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 a 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 severa' lriesthoeds in
the dispensation unAer 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-
lieved 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 the 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, ard by which
the church has been governed
till the present time. Then
bishops were appointed; then high
councils were organized. This was
and is testimony to the nations of
the earth, amd the Lord is and has
been their instructor, guide and di-
rector, and the elders were told to 90
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 a 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 try ing 10 carry out, and l
myself have Travelled tens of thou
sans of miles, without purse or
scrip, trusting n God, to tell them
these things. We were told when
we went that we did not go to be
taught, but to teach others,
because others did not know
the IsincipleS of life. We
went nder the commands of the
most nigh God. We have spread
foTtn mis- gospel among the nations.
Was it unreasonable? No. Was it
: iptural? Yes. [ say it to-day
not bOaStfully, for l have no in
ELI gence but that which l have
received from the principles of the
gospel and from GOd-that while L
travelled through various portions of
the earth, amOng the wise and intelli-
gent as Well as the poor and ignorant,
have talked with their wise men,
with their senators and divines, and
[ have never met with a man vet
who could gainSay one principle of
5he gospel Of God; and l never ex-
Dect to, because eternal truth can
lOt be cOntroverted. The nature of |
he gospel is just the same as that |
which was taught on the day of |
oentecOst. The elders of this church |
preach the same testimony. There
S something about it which is |
easonable, intelligent, susceptible |
f proof. 1t was very fair statement |
or Peter to make, warning the peo-
lie to repent and be baptized |
nd they should receive the Holy |
fhOSt, and signs should follow. 1t |
vas not alone religious, it was
S44Ol4J JAAAOSOpu1Cdls 4 DO ldILQSI
ows seed, and he expects it will
its own kind. There are
principles in nature, all true,
9th IN the vegetable, animal and
mineral creations; in fact, in all
II things, and all these things are
overned by eternal laws which
snnOt be departed from. Certain
METALS possess certain distinctive
dement's, and they are always true
0 an Interchangeable law. 1t is so ia
egard to all the elements with
Which we are surrounded; so
With regard TO the heavenly bodies,
ii are true according to the laws of
,,ature. Now, here is a principle of
he gospel that admits On as strong
reason as anything in nature re
,ent and be baptized for the remis-
ION OF sins, and We shall receive the
holy Ghost. 1t is just on the same
'rInclple. 1t was bold position to
axe. L asked the first elder that
4Iked to me: What do you mean
y about this Holy Ghost? If it
VII not do all that was promised
y Peter, he said, [ am an impostOr.
received the gospel, which l found
, he correct, because it was reason
bic, Scriptural and intelligent; and
ne elders W Mt forth, as [ have
one, and they preached the same
0cGrlneS and the same nrincinIaC e,