The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-15
MORMON ELDERS HERE.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
OF The LATTER DAY SAINTS,
Missionary Workers in the state-Looking
for q Hall Hereto Work In Vir-
ginia Two Years and " Half.

Elders Thomas c. Romney and Walter
w. HuTakcr. the two Mormons who nave
been in this city fer several days. as
mentioned in The Times few days ago.
are holding meetings on the corner Oh
sixth and Marshall streets or IN the
vicinity CT Ola Market. They are both
young men and are jealous workers. ana
are trying TO gct hall or other place 10
hold regular mission work. but as so'
they have been unable &c secure such d
place Elder RoInnoy stated that MS
itinerary IN .his state would be OF TWO
years and a half dlTaiion. and that ne
rad uassed thirteen months Of that time
in the western and niGoie poI""'is' anu
had Jared sumptuousiy
JOSEPH SMITH. FOUNDER
The religion that these two missionaries
are preaching was founded by Joseph
Smith. who was born at Sharon YER
mont. in 1870. and killed at Carthage III
in 1914. Smith, as early as his thirteenth
xcar had visions" on the night OF
September q, 1923. an angel appeared 10
MIN and said that God had WORK ior MN
10 do. and that "A record written on plates
of gold. giving accounts Of ancient Anetl-
ca and the dealings OF God with inc
Inhabitants. was deposited in a particular
spot in Ontario county, New YORK. lie
secured the plates. II is alleged, ana had
them copied off by Oliver Cowdery' ana
they became the Book OF Mormon
ana were printed in 1880.
Appended was statement signed by
Oliver Cowdcry. David Whitmer and Mar
49,, tI~rtt. x-rl. had I,qgms followers OF
smith in which they said. I'VE declare
with words OF soberness that an angel
Ct God called down from heaven. and he
brought and laid before our eyes that
wc beheld and saw the plates and the
en.rav.ngs thereon" Several years later
the three witnesses quarrellcd with Smith,
icrounced Mormonism, and ayowed the
falsi:y OF their testimony, and many OF
Smiths neighbors testified that he had
repeatedly made contradictory statements
regarding the plates and the Book Of
Mormcns."
THE REAL AUTHOR.
Investigation made by the opponents OF
Mormonism established the fact that the
real author OF the Book OF Mormon
was Solomon Spalding. who was born in
Ashford. Conn, in l16l. and graduated at
Dartmouth in 1885. who afterwards be-
romance. ana had no intention Of con-
yerting IL into the use which Smith made
OF it. Tne Mormon religion was FIRST
organized in Manchester. y. y, on April
g. 1896 Brigham Young became n con-
vert in 1882. and became one Of the
leaders in 1885. The Mormons were gradu-
ally driven westward. until they became
established in ltah. They were the cause
Of much trouble in Missouri. where al
most a civil war was iminent. because
of the disposition Of Smith and some
OF his followers.
on July u. 1913. Smith received a "reve-
lation" authorizing polygamy. This was
denied by the leaders until 1852 when
they admitted the truth. Smith and his
brother were arrested and placed in Jail
for violent outrages upon some Of their
people. and while there a mob attacked
the jail and shot both of them. Brigham
Young succeeded Smith as leader of the
Mormons. Utah was formed into a Ter
ritory, and Young was appointed Cover
nor by President Fillmore in 1oi9. He was
ieposed however and the President sent
Colonel Steptoe, OF the army. as Cover
nor
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
There have been a great many changes
In the Mormon religion during the past
quarter of a century. They no longer
control the government OF the State. and
IRE no longer strong. politically. The fol-
lowing are the articles of faith Of the
Mormon Church:
!. We believe in God the Eternal Fa- |
Their. and in His Son, Jesus Christ. and |
IN the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished
Tor their own sins, and not for Adams
3. We believe that. through the atcne- 1
nent of Christ. all mankind may be
'aved, by obedience to the laws and or
iinaces Of the Gospel.
4. We believe that these ordinances are:
First. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; |
second, Repentance: third. Baptism by
Immersion for the remission of sin; fourth. |
Laying on of Hands for the Gift CT the |,
Holy Ghost.
We believe that n man must be called !
IF God, by prophecy, aud by the laying !
Dn OF hands" by those who are In au- |
ihority. TO preach the gospel and admin
ster In the ordinances thereof.
g. We believe In the same organization |
hat existed in the primitive church, |
namely. apostles, prophets, pastors, teach
srs. evangelists, etc.
I. We believe in the gift of tongues. I
depreciation OF tongues. etc.
We believe the Bible to be the word !
D. God. as far as 1t is translated cor |
Getty; we also believe the Book Of Nor |
mon 10 be the word OF God.
o. We believe al that God has revealed. !
al that He does now reveal. and we be-
ieve that He will yet reveal many great |
and important things pertaining to the |
Kingdom OF God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering |
" Israel and the restoration of the Ten !
Tribes That Zion will be built upon this !
continent. That Christ will reign per- |
sonaIly upon the earth. and that the |
earth will be renewed and receive its |
,aradisiacal glory.
II. We claim the privilege OF worshiping |
Almighty God according 10 the dictates
II our conscience, and allow all men the
'ame privilege. let them worship how,
where or what they may.
~. We believe in being subject 10 kings.
presidents rulers and magistrates. in |
,beying. honoring and sustaining the law.
Is. We believe in being honest. true,
haste. benevolent virtuous. and In doing /
,ood TO all men: indeed. we may say |
hat we follow the admonition Of Paul. /
We believe all things. we hope all /
hings." we have endured many things. |
ma hope 10 be able 10 endure all things.
n there is anything virtuous, lovely or
Of good report or praiseworthy we seek |
,fter these things.-JOSEPH SMITH.