Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-06-06
cHAPTER NXXV.-contInued.


dul; but he saw interest here and there |
In the faces before him. Even Brig
ham, though unseen by the speaker,
was looking mildly curious.
you remember the revelation that
came to Joseph m an early day when
there was trouble in raising money to
print the Book of Mormon. Some
revelations are from God. some from
man, and come from the Devil re-
calling the many chastenings God has
put upon MS, may We not have failed
20 test all our other revelations by
this one?"
Deep within he was angry at him
self, for he was not speaking with
words of iire as he had meant to; he
was feeling q shameful cowardice In
the presence OF the Prophet. He had
seen himself once more the Lutte OF the
Holy Ghost, strong and moving; but
now he was a poor. low.spoken. hesl-
tating rambler. Neryously he went
on, skirting about the edge OF his
truth as long as he dared, but feeling
at last that he must plunge into its Icy
depths.
I'm short, brethren, the Book OF Nor
mon denounces and forbids our plural
marriages"
Even this astounding declaration he
made without warmth, in tones 30 low
Hhat many did not hear him. Those on
the platform heard, however, and now
began 70 view his obvious physical
weakness in a new light. Yet he con-
tinued. gaining a little In force.
THE declarations on the subject in
the Book Of Mormon are so worded
that we cannot fail to read them as
-denouncing and forbidding the prac-
tiee Of the Old Testament patriarchs
In this matter OF the family life"
In rapid succession he cited the pas.
ssages to which he referred. those con.
corning David and Solomon and Noah
and Ripkallah, who did not do that
which was right in the sight OF the
Lord. for he did have many wives"
There were murmurings and rust
lings among the people now. and on
hiE right no heard Brigham stirring
CONTINUOUSLY In his chair; but he nerved
himself 70 keep on his feet. feeling he
had that 10 say which should make
them hail him as new prophet when
they Understood.
"But besldes these warnings aginst
the sin there are many early reyela-
tons to Joseph himself condemn
ing It."
He cited several OF these, feeling
the amazement and the alarm grow
about him.
And now against these plain words,
given at many times In many places
written on the golden plates in letters
that cannot lie. or brought to Joseph
by the angel OF the Lord. we have only
the one revelation on celestial mar
rage. Read Il now In the light of
these other revelations and see II Il
does not too plainly convict Itself Of
having been cOunterfeited to Joseph
by an evil spirit. Such, brethren, has
been the revelation that the Lord has
given TO me again and again until II
burns within me. and must cry Il out
20 you. Try 10 receive Il from me-"
There was commotion among the
people In front, chairs were moved at
his side. and low voice called to him
20 sit down He heard this voice
through the ringing that had been la
his ears for many days. like the beat
ing of sea against him, and no felt
the strength go suddenly from his
knees.
He stumbled weakly back TO his
chair and sank into It with head
bowed, feeling. rather than seeing. the
figure OF Brigham rise from its seat
and step forward with delIberates un.
ruined majesty.
As the Prophet faced his people they
became quite silent, so that the robins
could be heard In the Pettigrew
peach trees across the street He
poured q glass OF water from the
pitcher on the table. and drank Il slow
". Then, leaning a little forward
resting both HIS big cuHhlony hands on
the green Of the table. the Lion Of the
Lord began 70 roar--very softly al
1irnt Slowly the words came. In tones
scarce audible. marked indeed almost
by the hesitation OF the first speaker,
But then 9 difference showed; gradu
ally the tone Increased n volume. the
words came faster. fuency succeeding
hesitation, and NOW hla voice was hiEh
and searching. while HIS easy. master
0fi gestures laid their old spell upon
the people.
1t does not occupy my feelings q
curse any Individual he had begun
aWkwnrlly: I'm fact feel 70 render
al thanks and praise for the discourse
g Wkieh We have 5nzt listened, but
~onldnt help snyins 20 myself. on