The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-10-04
CHAPTER XxxV.-continued.

ham, though unseen by the speaker
was looking mildly curious.
"You remember the revelation that
came to Joseph in 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 some from the Devil Re
calling the many chastenings God has
nut upon us, may we not have failed
to test all our other revelations by
this one?"
Deep within he was angry at him.
self, for he was not speaking with
words of fire as he had meant TO; ne
was feeling a shameful coWardlce 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, hest
tating rambler. Nervously 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.
in short, brethren, the Book OF Nor
mon denounces and fOrbids our plural
marriages"
Even this astounding declaration he
made without warmth, in tones so low
that many did not hear him. Those on
the platform heard, however, and now
began to view his obvious physical
weakness in a new light Yet he con-
tinued, gpining 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-
tice of the Old Testament Patriarchs
in this matter of the family life"
In rapid succession he cited the pas
sages to which he referred, those con-
corning David and Solomon and Noah
and Ripkalish, 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
his right he heard Brigham stirring
ominously in his chair; but he nerved
himself to keep on his feet, feeling he
had that to say which should make
them hail him as new prophet when
they understood,
l. But besides these warnings aginst
the sin there are many early revela'
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 onl!
the one revelation on celestial mar
riage. Read it now in the light o
these other revelations and see if
does not too plainly convict itself o
having been cOunterfeited to JOSEPH
by an evil spirit, Such, brethren, ha
been the revelation that the Lord ha
given to me again and again until
burns within me, and must cry it GU
to you. Try to receive it from me-"
There was commotion among tn
people in front, chairs we're moved a
his side, and low voice called to hir
to sit down. He heard this voic
through the ringing that had been i
his ears for many days, like the bea
N ing of a sea against him, and he fe
VI the strength go suddenly from hi
y knees.
He stumbled weakly back to hi
chair and sank into it with hea
bowed, feeling, rather than seeing, tn
figure of Brigham rise from its SCI
and step forward with deliberate, III
ruffied majesty.
AS the Prophet faced his people the
became quite silent, SO that the robir
could be heard in the Pettigre
peach trees across the street.
poured a glass of water from IL
pitcher on the table, and drank it slov
ly. Then, leaning little forwar
resting both his big cushiony hands {
the green of the table, the Lion of Il
Lord began to roar-very softly
first. Slowly the words came, in ton
scarce audible, marked indeed almo
by the hesitation of the first speake
But then a difference showed; grad
ally the tone increased in volume, t
words came faster, fluency succeedil
hesitation, and now his voice was hi
and searching, while his easy, mastt
full gestures laid their old spell upC
the people.
1T does not occupy my feelings
curse any individual" he had begu
awkwardly; lin fact, / feel to rend
all thanks and praise for the discour
to which we have just listened, but
couldn't help saying to myself, G
dear, Granny! what long tail O
puss has got!'"
An uneasy litter came from t
packed square of faces in front of hi
He went on with rising power:
"But it is foretold in the Book