Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-02-02
STUDENTS SOCIETY,


Last Friday evening. the Students
Society Of the Lstter.day Sainte' Col
lsge convened a. usual. On nc
count Of the absence Of Chair.
man J. J. Walton Instructor
Joseph Nelson presided, who In
lrodueed Elder Edward Stevenson,
after tho opening exercises, az the
evenings lecturer. Subject, "rhe early
rise Of the Church." A beautiful
painting, Illustrating the Prophet Jo-
seph smith receiving the plates at the
hands Of Moroni, was exhibited,
also what has been supposed to he
copy OF the characters Of the
noted passage from the Book Of Nor
mon taken by Elder Martin Harris to
Professor Anthon,oi New Yurk, both OF
which added to tho attractiveness Of
the lecture.
As an Introduction to his remarks,
the speaker reviewed briefly the his
tory oi the Jaredltos from the limo OF
their landing upon this continent until
their tlnal dissolution around the hill
Ramah. lilo spoke Of the prom
lsos which the Lord maze unto
them, aud Of how they were
blessed when keeping the com.
mandmenls Of the Lord, and " their
being left N themselves 10 become a
prey to the wrath and vengeance OF a
just God, through disobedience and the
pride and haughtiness Of their own
hearts. a brief summary Of the last
decisive battle was given, In which tho
whole uatilu, with the exception OF
COflantumr, was destroyed. The full.
iilment OF Ether's prophecy concern
ing their destruction aud of the pro.
mise made 10 COriantumr that he
ahOuld live and meet n strange people,
by whom lac should be buried, was re-
fcrred TO, alter which tho speaker
showed, in y concise way, how un-
changtable Is the word Of Cod amt
immutRblo His DEGREES. A resume OF
Nephile history was given, their pros.
pesity, their ware and contentious, the
organization OF the Church by Jesus
Christ, the 800 YEARS. peace, the apps.
tacy the tnAl battle at tho HIN Cum.
orah, and the hiding away OF the
records by MoToni, were briefly touch
ed upon; also the discovery, on the
l9tn OF October, liDe, by Columbus, Of
tho remnants Of those two mighty M.
lions, the Neph'tcs and LamAnitrs,
which once swarmed over this contin-
ent from Its northern 10 It's southern
cNirCmUtlts.
Whence these cred Menu came
was for years mystery 10 the
world, but that once upon q time they
had been civilized ana An enlight.
ened people was obvious when thc
many external evidences which we're
uxtant were considered. II was lett
for the Prophet Joseph Smith, ~ ala
instrument In the handB VI God, 10
solve this mystery, by Bringing forth
the Book OF Mormon, which he trans.
lated by means Of the Urim and
rhummim from the plates which be
received from the angel MorOui, a
record Of Americas prehistoric ma.
tiOns. Tho first Vision Of Joseph
Smith In which God the Father ami
His son Jesus Christ appeared unto
him, was awelt upon for some time,
also the hrst visit Of the angel
MOroni anu his instructions 10 the
Prophet Jo-eph. The yearly visit
10 the hill Cum0rah, the delivery OF
the plates 10 Joseph by the angel, aud
the charge which he received concern.
ing them, were all dilated upon and
explained. Joseph's testimony con-
cemiug the personality Of God and His
SOh Jcsus Christ was mentioned, and
OF his being the hfst since the abolition
Of'the primitive Church 10 ttatlfy
that he had seeu this Father and the
Son and that no knew that they live.
The testimony OF the three " illnesses
concerning N. angel Moroni and the
plates was fully discussed, besides the
testimonies which each had given 10
the speaker at different OCCASIONS. A
graphic account was given OF the
perseverance OF mobs In trying to
obtain the plates from the Prophet ana
OF tile many miraculous manifestations
Of Gods power In preserving him and
tho plates from their hands, also the
manner OF translating was de.
scribod, besides many anecdotes
connected with the bringing borth
Of the Book OF Mormon and
the early rise Of the Church, which
was instructive aud interesting, Aa we'll
as being conclusive evidence " the
divinity Of the mission OF joseph
Smith. In conclusion, Brother Ste
vonson bore Il strong testimony TO the
sscied and authentic character Of the
Book OF Mormon.
Following tbs lecture, Misses Carrie
Erickson and Iva Knowltou rendered
y duet, and "How Kate Shelly Crossed
tho Bridge" was reclled by Mlss AIDE.
line Horsley.
At this Iuncture Elder 5. w. Rich
ards came forward and endorsed tho
remarks OF Elder Stevenson, and also
gave the testimonyoi oliver Cowdory
concerning tho Book Of Mormon.
Oliver had lived with his Brother
RichSrd's)f family, and hehad heard MIN
many times bearing his testimony la
regard to the many manifestations Of
Gods power through Joseph smith.
He related several incidents connected
with the life OF Oliver while the latter
was In the association OF Joseph, which
were instructive and intrresting. lie
referred 70 the gin Of tTRnaldting being
conferred upon Oliver through his
constant importunities with tho Lord,
but which was soon taken from him, a.
II was not his plaza to translate. Elder
Richards concluded by bearing a faith
ful testimony to tho truths contained
In tho Book OF Mormon, and ndmon-
ished the students TO study IL for there.
In In found tho fulneas OF the eyerlast.
Ing Gospel.
After singing aud the benediciion
the meeting was adjourned.
DAVID NICuAUDg.