Democratic messenger., 1888-03-24
Mormons in MARYLAND.

A correspondent Of the Westminster Id.
roea.e writes us follows: T. A. Williams
and Joshua llorncr. elders Of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, were
entertained by your correspondent Of Ty.
rome, Md, on the evening Of March loth,
ut which time the following account Of
the belief was given, and the origin Of
Mormonism was discussed: Joseph Smith.
the founder of the sect, was native Of
Vermont State. and was born In the year
1902. lie afterward removed 10 New
York State, where. at the age of l5, while
the ncighbOrhOod IN which he lived was
engaged in religious revival. he claimed.
in answer TO prayer, to have had visitae
tion Of heavenly messengers, who inform
ell him that in the near future he was to
be made an instrument in the hands Of
God 10 rc.establish the everlasting Gospel,
which is spoken OF by John In Rcvela.
tions II. q. At the age 90 he received
from the hands Of messengers of God re.
cord Of the ancient Inhabitants Of the con.
tinent of America from the confusion Of
tongues at the the Tower of Babel To 400
years after the birth Of Christ. II l. a
history Of the hand dealings Of God with
the descendants Of the tribe of Joseph
who was sold into Egypt. Of which the ma.
tive Indian ofthc present day is remnant
and gives full account of the coming Of
Jesus Christ after his death and ascension,
10 the American continent. and setting up
his Gospel among the people Of America
the same as at Palestine. This same Jo.
seph Smith also tcstiiiad that he received
the power and authority TO preach and al.
minister In the ordinances Of the Gospel
by ordination at the hands Of John the
Baptist, and Apostles Peter, James and
John, who conferred II upon him in is29.
The articles or faith are as follows: We
believe in God the Eternal Father, and in
Ills son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy
Ghost. We believe that men will b. pun.
islicd for their own sins. and not for Ad-
ans transgressions. We believe that
these ordinances arc, first, faith In the
Lord Jesus Christ; second. repentance (;
third, baptism by immersion for the remis.
sion Of sins; fourth, laying on Of hands for
the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe
that man must be called Of God by
prophecy and by the laying on Of hands. -
by those who are in authority To preach
the Gospel and administer the ordinance
thereof. We believe In the same organi-
zaiion lha, existed in the primitive church.
viz: Apostles, prophets, pastors. teachers,
evangelists, etc. We believe In the gifts
of tongues. prophecy, revelation. visions.
healing. Interpretation OF tongues. We
believe in the Bible 10 be the word Of God.
as far as It's translated correctly.
We also believe the book Of Mormon TO
be word of God. We believe all that
God has revealed. all that he does now re-
veal, and believe that he will yet reveal
many gieat and important things pertain
ing to the kingdom of God. We believe
in the literal gathering of Israel. and In
the restoration Of the ten tribes: that Zion
will be huill upon this continent; that
Christ will reign personally upon the
earth. and that the earth will be renewed
and receive iis paradistic glory. We claim
the privilege Of worshiping Almighty God
according 10 the dictates of our own con.
science. aud allow all men the same privI.
lege, let them worship how. where OF
what they may. We believe Ia being
subject TO kings. presidents. rulers and
magistrates. In obeying. honoring and
sustaining the law. We believe In being
honest, true. chasle. benevolent, virtuous