The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-01-16
LATTER DAY SAINTS,
Elder shorts Tells OF the Foundation OF
the FaIth-DstaiIs the story Of the Saints
From their Organization.

Elder shorts Tells OF the Foundation OF
the FaIth-DstaiIS the story Of the Saints
From their Organization.
The services being held in the Ply
THAN castle, South Side by Elder NJ t.
Shorts, of the Latter Day Saints, have
aroused considerable interest in their
creed. Elder Shorts contributes the
following sketch for the Intellisencer;
The claims OF the Latter Day
Saints. of which there are about one
hundred and fifty adult members IN
and around this city, are that MT.
Smith, who was born In Vermont, ana
killed in Illinois, was true prophet OF
the living God. In the modern revela-
lions on organization, and church gov
eminent, the visible head and presid-
ing elder thereof is called a prophet
seer, reYelator and translator. II. now
ever, the doctrine OF continued and
new revelation, whenever and where
ever there is an emergency, Is either
unscriptural or unreasonable, then, OF
course, there is no place for this Latter
Day work. For the Interchangeable God
of the Bible TO speak by times, and re-
veal forth his mind and Will, for sew
eral thousand years. and, all at once,
without notification, like grandfather
clock, stop short off never TO go
again." would be a universal monstros-
ity, and an appalling disaster.
1.-THE motions Of the heavenly bodies
are uniform; the annual and diurnal
revolutions OF the earth still go on; the
recurring seasons, with their accom-
panying seed time and harvest. have
not grown obsolete; water stu Stakes
thirst, food satiates hunger; fire burns
and (orsooth, the God OF Daniel can
yet hear and answer prayer I'm any
way that seemeth to him good.
"The restitution of all things, 1t
stands 10 reason that prophet will be
at the head. Joshua succeeded the
law-giver, as true prophet; and our
present Joseph was blest, Amounted,
and ordained 10 be his martyred faith
er's successor In the prophetic office OF
the church. The Lord always works
through ways and means of his own
choosing In vain hath man fixed up
plans and schemes for the Almighty to
accept, and adopt His ministry Is
generally from the common walks OF
life, untrammelled by vain philosophy,
and worldly wisdom st. James stated
there was good giver OF the heavenly
boon, and 1t was mans privilege and
duty to ask for divine direction.
"Mr. Smith became deeply interested
in regard to his souls salvation at
union revival in 1890. When the meet
ings terminated, converts had TO be as
signed and settled and honors and ben
eilts had to be adjusted. In this in
tricate work, strange and complex
inquiries arose, and brought around
much dIsputation. In this theological
rivalry for the spells this young and
inexperienced person sought the soh-
tude of the forest for relief through the
avenues of prayer. Presently he saw
pillar OF light descend from on high
and in the midst thereof were two
glorious personages. These heavenly
deniZens that graced the place where
the emryo prophet had retired to pour
out his hearts fervent desires in ador-
alton and worship: were God and
Christ enveloped with all extra halo Of
Story. They enioined him to stand
aloof from all the nominal churches, and
practice the commandments of God.
The prophecies were quoted and ex-
planned at length, as well, as the teach
lngs OF the new testament. Human
creeds, the doctrines and command
ments Of men, were condemned as in
jurious.
"The omnipotent One appeared to
Abraham Moses. the seventy elders OF
Israel and others. Stephen saw the
Father and Son, and why not Joseph!
The downfall and complete overthrow
and universal apostasy OF the
church was made evident; and, hence,
the imperative necessity OF a restored
Gospel. This event was brought about
in due time by angel hands in fulfill
menb OF the Holy Scriptures. The
priesthood or ministry was bestowed
with authority land power 20 ohlciatc
In all the ordinances OF divine service.
On April 6, 1890, In Seneca, Fayette
county. New York, the church was
organized by the Will and command
ment OF God. and agreeable to the law
of the land" with six charter officials
present AS the acorn Is potentially
the great oak, so this infant nucleus
was the germ Of marvellous work and
n wonder The preaching of the ever
lasting gospel when believed and
obeyed, VIII develop. build up and per-
feet church organization. Its claims to
recognition and identity are further ev-
ident when the Institution agrees In
every particular with the one body set
up by CONSIDERABLE Saviour. Each rank
and file of the inspired ministry, from
the apostles and prophets. 10 the teach
er and deacon, must stand in Their own
order, nor transcend their proper me-
tiers, and bounds. They must all be call
ed OF God and ordained by legitimate
authority. In this church of Christ the
faithful among the laily are also en-
titled to signs, spiritual gifts and man
ifestations Of the spirit. agreeable to
the provisions of the gospel of God.
While Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith
both promised divine attestations to
4 ha oh nd OH hn
Lord Jehovah TO verify these state
ments. Every child OF God now, as in
days of old, all of which demonstrates
the work to be of divine origin.
This work stands firm in the light
and love of God. In organization, ordi
nances, doctrine, experience. practice,
gifts, Graces and blessings, all of which
we feel able to maintain and defend at
all times and places. lie foretold of Il 4
desolating scourge by way OF strange
and new sickness and diseases that
have come in cholera. yellow and spi-
nal feVers, putrld sore throat diph-
iberia and In grippe. He forecast
storms and tempests: earthquakes and
the waves of the sea heavIng them l
selves beyond their bounds" pesti-
lences and fGmnes; foreign wars and
and the rebellion of South
Carolina, IN which he portrayed the
abolition OF slavery. the attitude of
Great Britain and other nations, the
death and misery OF many OF the bell
iigereuts, the Indian outbreaks, the
and numbering OF the saints,
his own death. Brigham Young's do
parture from the faith. and the peace
and prosperity of the present church:
the rise OF spirltuallsm and other
things too numerous TO mention"