Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-08-22
THE MORMON CHURCH.

Points of Belief and Government OF the
Latter Day Saints.
The points of belief of the Mormon
Church have been somewhat altered
since first received from Joseph Smith,
that teacher having taught for instance,
the dogma of Trinity, while modern
Mormonism holds that there is dual
ity of persons in the Godhead, the Holy
Ghost being merely a spiritual soul.
They also teach that God has parts re-
sembling the body of man, and not
materially differing from him in size.
They deny the doctrine that ''all men
sinned in Adam,' but accept the atone
ment through Christ for sins committed
by men. They hold that the ordinances
of the Gospel are: 0), Faith in Christi
(2), Repentance; (3), Baptism by inn
mersion for remission of sins; (4 Laying
on of hands for the gift of the Holy
Ghost. They believe that man is
called to preach by prophecy and he
laying on of hands, . and claim to hive
the same organization in respect to
teachers, that the primitive church
held. They further hold a twofold
priesthood which they call the Melchise-
dek and the Aaronic; and they believe in
"baptism for the dead'' that is, that
living person may save dead friend
by being immersed for him, unless he
has committed the objectionable sin.
They believe that the gift of tongues,
revelations, visions, ETC., are still
granted to men. and that many things
are still to be revealed concerning the
Kingdom of God; they claim to hold
the Bible to be the word of God, Gas
far as it is translated correctly" and
also hold the Book of Mormon as the
word of God. They further believe
in the literal gathering of
Israel and in the restoration of the Ten
Tribes; that Zion will be built upon
this continent; that Christ will reign
personally upon this earth, and that
the earth will be renewed and receive
it's paradisal glory" The doctrine Of
polygamy was not part of the orig
inal revelation of Mormonism, but was
introduced later, and came to be not
simply tolerated, but enjoined as a
positive duty, a mans rank in Heaven
being alleged to be largely dependent
on the number of his children. Chill
dren are taken into the church at the
age of eight; never before. AS to their
church government, we are told that
the hierarchy of the Mormon Church
has many grades of offices and gifts.
The first is the presidency of three per-
sons, which is supposed by some to be
modelled on the trinity in Heaven, but
more probably answers to Peter, James
and John in the early church. Next
in order is the travelling high apostolic
college of twelve apostles, after the
primitive church, who have the right
to preside over affairs concerning the
interests of the church in any foreign
country, according to seniority; then
come the high priests, priests, elders,
bishops, teachers and deacons, together
with evangelists and missionaries of
the ''three seventies" Each order
constitutes full quorum for the dis
cipline of it's members, and transact
ing business belonging to its action;
but appeals lie to higher orders, and
the whole church is the final appellate
court assembled in general council. A
high council is selected from the high
priests, and consists of twelve MEM
bers, which is in perpetual session to
advise the presidency. and in this coun-
Gil each is free to give and argue his
opinion, but when the president gives
decision in any matter, each must
Weld obedience to it, even if it is op-
posed TO the wlsnes of all. Chicago
Inter Ocean.