£
.R465 1899
fit
BANCROFT LIBRARY
5ALT LAKE CI
MR. DURANT
... OF ...
SALT LAKE CITY
"THAT MORMON"
BY BENlE. RICH
'God attributes to place no sanctity, if none be thither brought by men who there frequent." — Milton.
Press of
Zion's Printing and Publishing Company independence, Jackson County, Mo.
f
COPYRIGHTED.
o
^ PREFACE.
•n
When this publication first made its appearance at Salt
• Lake City, Utah, in February, 1893, the Author little dreamed ~* that the information contained in the same would have such a »jj wide circulation. Thousands of the books and hundreds of ^ thousands of the tracts, entitled : "A Friendly Discussion,"
• taken from this little work, have been circulated throughout -J America, European countries, and the Islands of the Pacific.
( The tract has not only been printed in the English language, O but in the German, Scandinavian and also in one or two lan- -y. guages of the natives of the Isles of the Sea. During the year Q just closed — 1898 — over seven hundred thousand of these little j pamphlets have been circulated in the United States alone. If rj this little book will give the reader a better conception of the ^t Latter-day Saints and their religion, the object in publishing it £ will have been attained.
The Author. Chattanooga, Tenn., January, 1899.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. The Old and the New.
The Changes in the Sunny South, since the War. Hospitality of the Southerner. His Traits of Character. Politics and Religion. Purpose of the Description 9
CHAPTER II. A New Arrival in the Town.
The Town of Westminster. Harmony Place, the Hotel of the Mar- shalls. Guests and their Social Methods. Mr. Charles Durant, the New Arrival from the West. Introduction to the Family and Visitors 10
CHAPTER III. New Acquaintances and an Agreeable Discussion.
An Evening on the Veranda. A Variety of Subjects Discussed. Pol itics and Religion. Christian America. Do People Practice their Religious Professions? Priests Addicted to Money-getting rather than to Soul-getting. The Stranger Interested. Proposed Dis cussion. Search after Truth. A Quotation from the Prayer Book. A Difference Concerning the Godhead. Erroneous Conception of God. Oneness of the Father and the Son. Three Separate Iden tities, United as One in all Things. Character of Each. A God with Body, Parts and Passions. Mysteries Explained. "Good Night." 13
CHAPTER IV. Gaining and Losing Favor.
Entirely at Home. Another Evening on the Veranda. The Rever end, the Stranger, and Churches. The Baptism of Christ. Bap tism by Immersion. Necessity of this Ordinance. The Savior's
Example. Who are True Christians? Laying on of Hands. The Reverend Retires from the Argument. Continued Discussion. The Gospel and its Necessity: Men Must Answer for their Own Sins. The Double Effect of the Atonement of Christ. Conditions of Salvation. A definition of Faith. First Step Alone is not Suffi cient for Salvation. Scripture Explained. Romans, Chapter X. The Stranger's Errand..-.. 20
CHAPTER V. Further Discussion of the First Principles.
The Second Step that Should be Taken by the Convert to Christian ity. True Repentance, its End and Aim. Forgiveness of Sin, How Obtained. Mode, Meaning, and Significance of Baptism. Who are Fit Candidates for this Ordinance? Little Children Exempt. What Shall We Do to be Saved? the Answer oi Paul. The Holy Ghost, How Conferred. The Signs Following. Conditions of Sal vation named. "Show Me Where True Christians Live." Who is Authorized to Baptize? The Need of Authorized Officers. A Sign of the True Church. Teachers Must be Called of God. "The Falling Away" Foretold. Christians Turned Heathen. The Gos pel to be Restored. Prophecies Concerning this Event. The Res toration through Revelation to Man. Promises to the Believer. A Lecture Arranged for 29
CHAPTER VI. Truth Again Defeats Falsehood.
A Pleasant Conversation. Missionary Hymn. Perfect Happiness. True Enjoyment, How Obtained. The Medium Course. Sensible Christianity. The Reverend Once More. His Peculiar Surprise. "Are You from Salt Lake City?" The Stranger is a Latter-day Saint, or Mormon. A Discomfited Minister. Some Falsehoods Exposed. The Articles of Faith.... 40
CHAPTER VII. A Triumph and an Escape.
Durant's Experience in Westminster. His Labors. Meeting in the Town Hall. Sincere Congratulations. Fears of a Mob 47
CHAPTER VIII. The Prophet Joseph's Statement.
Once More on the Veranda. Answering Questions. Information from the Right Source. Complete Statement of the Early Rise and Progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon. The Testi mony of Three Witnesses. And also the Testimony of Eight Wit nesses. Concerning the Restoration of the Gospel. Striking Illustration. Departure from Westminster 51
CHAPTER IX. That Mormon Again.
A New Member of the Marshall Family. Meeting an Esteemed Friend. A Delayed Breakfast. A Promised Return. Anxious to Meet the Missionary. Effect of the Elder's Testimony. Danger of being Converted to Mormonism. An Informal Meeting Place j 70
CHAPTER X. The Missionary's Return.
Once More with his Friends. Experience While Away. Account of A Terrible Mobbing. Peculiar Feelings Attending the Formation of New Friendships. Opportunity to Introduce a New Principle. The Doctrine of Pre-Existence. A Beautiful Poem. Proofs from the Scriptures. The Truth is Reasonable. A Walk through the Village. "The World my Home." i 73
CHAPTER XI. A Pleasant Interview.
An Evening Gathering. Remarks on the Faith of the Latter-day Saints. What they Believe. A Literal Resurrection. The Teach ings of Jesus and the Scriptures on this Subject. Illustrations. Now Accepted Facts were Once Incomprehensible. Great Truths yet Unrevealed. The Story of the Silver Cup. Deathbed Repent ance. The Fepentant Malefactor did not go to Heaven with the Savior. The Subject Explained. Where and What is Paradise? Preaching to Departed Spirits. Baptism for the Dead. The
Welding" Link JBetween the Fathers and their Children. Testi mony ^of a^Prophecy Fulfilled. Organization of the Church of Christ. The Holy Priesthood. Officers of the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods 81
CHAPTER XII. A Baptism and a Conversation on Marriage.
Importance of Baptism. Necessity of Earnest Preparation. Form of the Ordinance Given. Quotations Showing the Gathering to be in Strict Harmony with the Bible. The Marriage Covenant is Eternal. The Union of Adam and Eve. What is meant by Mar riage as Ordained of God? Necessity of Authority 95
CHAPTER XIII. About the Mormons.
A Trip to Utah. Consideration that Led the Mormons to Settle that Territory. The Death of the Prophet Joseph. How it Occurred. Its Effect on the Saints. How Brigham Young Became Leader of the People. The Exodus from Nauvoo. Testimony of Historians. Goodbye. Off for the West. Arrival in Salt Lake City. A Happy Meeting. A Doctrinal Sermon 99
CHAPTER XIV. Mr. Brown's Letter to the Marshalls.
The Great West. Along the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. By the Denver & Rio Grande over the Rockies. Scenes Along the Line. Over the Wasatch into Utah. Delightful Views. Area, Population and Resources of the State. In Salt Lake City. The Tabernacle and the Temple. Ecclesiastical Divisions. Natural Attractions. Education. A Living Faith. Fair Minded People. Greetings 121
CHAPTER XV. Conclusion.
A Word Before We Separate. Important Questions. "What if the Message be True." "Read, Listen, Investigate." "Know this, that Every Soul is Free"....:.... 127
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
CHAPTER I. The Old and the New.
There are few if any cities or towns of any consequence in the vast territory known to poesy as the Sunny South, that do not speak in every street corner, in almost every building, and even through the individuals themselves, of the wondrous changes wrought by the great civil war. Those who knew that Sunny South before the sanguinary struggle, and have since looked upon it, will most readily appreciate the force of this statement; while those who have not seen it, need only be told that where villages existed then, now thriving towns arise, or bustling municipalities; elegant mansions have supplanted log huts or other indifferent abodes of men; the railway has displaced the stage coach for all time; newspapers abound where before these were almost unknown, and — greatest boon of all — the auction block, whereon human merchandise was publicly vended, exists only as a memory which itself is rapidly vanishing before the pressure of modern progress and a better civilization. In one respect at least, however, there has been little, if any change, and that is in regard to the best feature of all among the many that are commendable in the true Southerner — the stranger or wayfarer is received with the same unaffected hospitality as of yore, and is at liberty, within reasonable limits, to avail himself of all the conveniences and enjoyments of whatever home he may find himself the guest.
Notwithstanding their hospitality, the people of the South are usually disposed to be suspicious of strangers until well ac quainted with them, and they are overly watchful, jealous and even irritable when once a real or fancied cause for vigilance arises. Inheriting traditions and propensities which are in separable from the climate and the race, they brook no inter ference with their peculiar views, and anything savoring of intolerance or bigotry concerning a cherished Southernism is summarily suppressed if it can be; apart from this, it matters little what the visitor believes or practices in a general way. In politics they incline largely one way, possibly for the reason that to do otherwise would, as they look upon it, threaten
10 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
them with the domination of the black race, and this of all things they will not have, no matter by what means it is pre vented. In religion they are Protestant with heavy leaning to wards the Baptist doctrines, not always free from narrowness, yet fairly tolerant — many evincing a willingness to listen, and demanding a right to believe or disbelieve, as their judgment may dictate.
Those who are unacquainted with the situation would be inclined to say at this point: "What a great field for missionary work." And so it is; but the great mistake of supposing that the South is deficient in the matter of Christian endeavor or ecclesiastical institutions must not be made. Far from that! On the contrary, perhaps, religious feeling is more generally diffused, guarded, and defended as herein expressed, than in any other section of the civilized world; but it is not of the kind from which riots and persecutions grow for no other reason than that it is opposed.
There is much else south of the imaginary dividing line of North and South that might be spoken of to interest, but which will not be referred to except incidentally in the succeeding chapters. What we have said is for the purpose of giving only so much of a description of the country and people as is necessary to make our little narrative, the incidents of which are laid there, more easily understood. As this book deals principally with actual occurrences, and people in real life, such a foundation seems to be entirely proper.
CHAPTER II. A New Arrival in the Town.
A town pleasantly situated in the southwestern part of Tennessee, the name of which for the present shall be West minster, was at the time of which we write one of the most cosmopolitan places imaginable for its size, — that is, for a southern town. It contained probably two thousand regular inhabitants, but these were constantly augmented, it being at times a rallying point for tourists from every clime, and the temporary abode of men who, in the aggregate, during a season,
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 11
came well-nigh representing every shade of opinion, if not every phase of character.
A quiet little hotel, or perhaps it would be better to say a residence, with accommodations for a limited number of guests, was situated near the outskirts, and so pleasant in all respects were the location, surroundings and appointments, that its name, Harmony Place, did not seem at all inappropriate. In two important respects it was unlike any other hostelry in the town — there was no bar, and the guests all had a-n air of re spectability in keeping with the house itself. It was kept by a planter, in ordinary financial circumstances, whose name was Marshall; he was assisted in his duties by a colored roustabout of uncertain ancestry, a circumscribed present, and a future wholly undefined. Mr. Marshall's wife, and daughter Claire, did their part by generously entertaining the visitors. There were at the time of which we write three guests — a lawyer named Brown, who had established himself at Westminster; a doctor calling himself Slocum, who was giving the town a trial with a view to locating in it if the patronage warranted; and a tourist whose name was given as Reverend Fitzallen, and whose object seemed to be the pursuit of health, pleasure and information, and incidentally, the dissemination of the gospel according to his faith. Naturally, with so limited a circle of patrons, each having been there for some length of time, the associations all around were more like those in a family than such as exist between landlord and guests. An evening in the parlor with everybody but the Ethiopian present, the daughter singing to her own accompaniment on the piano, while the doctor turned the music for her, was often enjoyed, and there was rarely if ever a discordant circumstance to mar the serenity of these occasions.
It was early in September, 189 — , the most enjoyable part of the year in Westminster. A man, who was readily distin guishable from the town-folk, not only by his strange face but by his attire, and by that indescribable air which appears the more plainly the more a stranger tries to discard or conceal it, made his way leisurely to the gate fronting Harmony Place, and continued his way up the walk leading to the door. He was met by Mrs. Marshall and informed, in response to his inquiry, that he could obtain lodgings there. The colored man took the guest's valise and led the way to a room on the second
12 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
floor. After washing himself and brushing off the dust from his clothes, the stranger reappeared in the sitting room, and taking up a paper awaited the anouncement that refreshments were ready, which was not long in coming. ^ He was somewhat above medium height, well proportioned, not unusually well dressed, but still appeared presentable in good society, and had a countenance which, while not decidedly handsome, was regular and of that caste which attracts attention; his voice was quite pleasant, his natural conver sational faculty proved to be good, and he was so well fortified with current facts and all the pleasantries of the day, that before the meal was over he was quite in harmony with the hostess, who was not only happy to answer any question he asked, but took advantage of every opportunity to propound queries for herself. Within an hour from the time of arrival, the new guest seemed to be nearly as well acquainted as if he had been an inmate of the house for a month at least. This ability of rapidly forming acquaintance is very rare; and particularly in the case of travelers, the absence of which no amount of money or graces could recompense. Those who possess it do not need an extended reference to its usefulness to be made aware thereof , while those who are not in possession of it can never be made fully to understand its value by means of cold type and white paper.
The landlady has learned the name of the latest arrival before the reader has — it is Charles Durant, aged thirty, and he comes from the West — a rather indefinite abiding place to those of us who are residents of, or are familiar with, that division of our country. It is satisfactory, however, to a majority of our eastern and southern brethren who have never placed feet upon the shores of the Missouri, or crossed its waters, and who seem to entertain a vague idea that Westerners all come from one place, and are all alike in most respects.
Later in the day Durant took a stroll through the suburbs of the town, and returning was introduced to Mr. Marshall, to the guests, as they appeared one by one, with all of whom he was soon on the most cordial terms, and finally to the young lady, the sole representative on earth of her devoted parents, who, being twenty years of age, as pretty as a dream, well formed, and altogether attractive, was not likely to bear their
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 13
name much longer, albeit at this time reveling in "maiden meditation, fancy free."
It was truly an interesting circle and the interest did not abate in the least by reason of the latest arrival.
CHAPTER III. New Acquaintances and an Agreeable Discussion.
The evening of the first day that marked the stranger's advent into Westminster saw the entire personnel of Harmony Place on the veranda; the new moon smiling benignly upon them, the evening was cool and the "ripe harvest of the new- mown hay" gave to the air a "sweet and wholesome odor." One subject after another was taken up, discussed and disposed of, or at least laid aside to give way to some other, and in each and all of them our hero (for such we may as well commence to recognize him) took a part, and exhibited a fund of information and an aptitude of presentation which gave him the preference without a contest whenever he chose to speak. This became more and more frequent as the night wore on, for there was no disguising the fact that he was, like the others, already one of the household. If any one of the party wondered what it was that he had come for, how he expected to get it, or how long he was to stay, the conjecture never found expression; for they all experienced so much of general satisfaction in hearing him, and took such genuine pleasure in his word-painting of western scenes and events, that they were all willing to have him stay indefinitely. He was literally chosen as one of their number without opposition, and the mere matters of detail regarding his purposes might be left to the future or be entirely undis covered; he was now decidedly the architect of his own fortune so far as retaining the good will of that little group was con cerned.
The conversation proceeded from point to point until the topics of the quiet gathering assumed more the aspect of an intellectual melange than anything else; the Sepoy rebellion made way for the Dakota blizzard, the signal failure of the first laying of the Atlantic cable was shelved to make place for Webster's artistic destruction of Dr. Parkman, and Crom
14 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
well's career of conquests and crimes was followed by a brief discussion of the science and practice of silver mining. (Variety and scope enough, surely!) It must be noticeable that the two subjects which agitate us nationally and sometimes locally more than any others — politics and religion — had so far es caped; they had not, however, been unthought of, and present ly the latter was begun by the minister saying:
"Representing to some extent as I do, the church, I am com pelled to admit that in the matters of organization, discipline and places of worship, America is thoroughly Christianized. Look at the profusion of church buildings wherever you go. To me such rivalry is gratifying in the extreme, representing as it does the highest type of good citizenship."
"I partially concur with you," said the lawyer, "and yet I belong to no church at all — do not, in fact, endorse Christianity as a department of civilized life."
"Why, how is this?" said Fitzallen, "I thought nearly everybody in this country must be orthodox to some extent at least."
"Not so with me, I assure you," the other replied, "and the strangest part of it is that my 'peculiar views,' as you may call them, are not the result of neglect or indifference, but are rather caused by investigation and the peculiar explanations, or rather lack of explanations, of those who make the dis semination of religious views their calling."
"In other words, you are an unbeliever."
"Exactly."
"Not totally, I trust."
"Oh, not necessarily. The creeds which base, or profess to base, their tenets upon the Bible do not, as it appears to me, live up to their professions, and the clergy — meaning no offense whatever — are more addicted to money-getting than to soul- getting. That there may be salvation and a Supreme Judge Who provides it, is to me simply like the traditional Scotch verdict — not proved."
The stranger from the West was listening to all this with the air of one deeply interested. It was as if an opportunity which he desired, but had not expressed himself concerning, had come, and he was not at all reluctant about replying when questioned as to his own views. It came when the church-
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 15
man, after announcing his determination to "labor" with the infidel, turned to the new-comer and said:
"I do not know whether you would be for or against me in such a work, but corning from what we of the East are prone to regard as the land where restraints are not severe, I fear you might be disposed to assist him rather than me."
"Well, gentlemen," said Durant, "this topic interests me, and while I and my opinions are unknown to you all, still I will, if agreeable, endeavor to throw some light upon the sub ject at present, and will seek to do more in that direction here after if favored with an opportunity. I am a believer in religion, laying claim to a testimony from above, and still I often find myself opposed by ministers; they are generally the very per sons who are foremost in opposing me on every side, strange to say."
"I cannot imagine why this should be the case," said Fitzallen, "if you are, as you state, a true believer in Christ and have a testimony of Him."
"It may seem strange to you, at which I do not wonder. But I am afraid I am delaying the work you have planned for Mr. Brown's welfare. If you will permit me to ask a few ques tions during your conversation with him, I may be able to take a general part in it before it closes, provided, however, that should we differ upon any religious views, it will be a friendly and pleasant manner."
"Oh, certainly," said the churchman, "I am sure it will be a pleasure to me to have you join in our conversation as you see fit, and I do not doubt that Mr. Brown and the other gentlemen will look upon it in the same way."
The entire party here expressed approval of the proposed discussion, and the lawyer said:
"I have not the slightest objection, and will be glad to have all the light possible thrown upon the different doctrinal points that I do not believe, and mainly because of which I am not at present a member of any Christian church."
"Then, Mr. Brown," said Fitzallen, "let us commence our voyage in search of eternal truth. What particular part of the Christian faith appears to you as being most difficult to under stand?"
"I confess there are many. However, It us commence with one of the principles of your 'belief. I will refer to some of
16 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
the literature of the Church of England. The first article of religion contained in the prayer book of the Church of England: 'There is but one living and true God, everlasting; without body, parts or passions; of infinite power, wisdom and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things, both visible and invisible; and in the unity of this Godhead there are three persons of one substance, power and eternity — the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.' According to this, then, your belief is that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one person, without body, parts or passions."
"You have certainly quoted correctly from the prayer book; I fail to see anything wrong with that. What fault have you to find with it?"
"None whatever if you really believe it, because there does not seem to me much variance in our conclusion if you believe in such a God as this; I can not conceive of a just God who has neither body, parts or passions. So far as the Bible is concerned, I fail to see from what part of that book you obtain such a con clusion."
"Well, Mr. Brown, using your own language, 'so far as the Bible is concerned,' let us do as Isaiah commands, go 'to the law and to the testimony' (Isaiah viii:20), and I will soon convince you that the Bible plainly sets forth the fact that the Father and the Son are one. In fact, Jesus Himself declares that He and His Father are one. (John x:30. ) Is this not true?"
"Excuse me," said Durant, "but is it not more reasonable for us to believe He meant that He and His Father were united in all things as one person? — not that they were actually one and the same identity?"
"Certainly not," said the reverend, "our Savior meant just what He said when He declared that He and His Father were one."
"I must certainly differ from you," said the stranger, "for He also asked His Father to make His disciples one, even as He and the Father were one, as you will see by reference to John xvii:20 and 21, and by your argument it must have been His wish for those disciples to lose their separate and distinct identi ties. I am afraid you are not making a very favorable impression on Mr. Brown's mind."
"Stranger," said Mr. Brown, "your view of the case, I must confess, appears to_be very reasonable. Looking at it from any
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 17
other standpoint would not be in accord with sound reason."
"Let me ask," said the preacher, "did not Jesus say, 'He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father?' " (John xiv:9. )
"Yes," said the westerner, "for as Paul says, He was in the express image of His (Father's) person (Heb. i:3), and this being the case Jesus might well give them to understand that when they had seen one they had seen the other. When Jesus went out to pray, He said, 'O, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt.' (Matt. xxvi:39.) Now then, to whom was our Savior praying? Was He asking a favor of Himself?"
"Oh, no: He was then praying to the Holy Spirit."
"Oh, then by such admission you have separated one of the three from Jesus, for in the beginning you declared that the three were one; and now that we have one of the three separated from the others, let us see if we can separate the other two. In order to do this, I refer you to the account of the martyrdom of Stephen. While being stoned to death he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and that Jesus was standing on the right hand of God. (Acts vii:55.) Would it not be rather dif ficult for any person to stand on the right hand of himself? And in order to prove further that Jesus is a separate person from the Father, we will examine into the account of His baptism. On coming up out of the water, what was it that lighted upon Him in the form of a dove?" (Matt. iii:16.)
"We are told it was the Spirit of God."
"Exactly! And whose voice was it that spoke from the heavens, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased?' (Matt. iii:17.) Now, mind you, there was Jesus, who had just been raised from the water, being one person, the Holy Ghost which descended from above and rested upon Him in the form of a dove, making two personages; and does not the idea strike you very forcibly that the voice from heaven belonged to a third person? And then, again, I will draw your attention to —
The churchman was getting warmed up. Said he: "These are things which we are not expected to understand; and, my young friend, I would advise you to drop such foolish ideas, for—"
"Excuse me. Did you say 'foolish ideas'? Why, my dear •ir, w« are told in the Bible that, 'This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
18 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
Thou hast sent.' (John xvii:3). Therefore, it should be our first duty to find out the character and being of God. You say we are not expected to understand these things, while the Bible says these are what we must understand if we desire eternal life. It also says we can understand the things of man by the spirit of man, but to understand the things of God we must have the Spirit of God; and as you profess to be one of His servants, you are supposed to be in possession of the necessary Spirit to understand the true and living God, also Jesus Christ whom He sent. You say God has no body; did our Savior have one? If so, then His Father had one, for I have just proved by the words of Paul that Christ was in the express image of His person. (Heb. 1:3.) Jesus appeared in the midst of His dis ciples after His resurrection, with a body of flesh and bones, and called upon His disciples to satisfy themselves on this point by touching Him; for, says He, 'a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.' (Luke xxiv:39.) Then He called for something to eat and He did eat (verses 42, 43,) and with this body of flesh and bones He ascended into heaven and stood, as Stephen says, on the right hand of God. (Acts vii:55.) Now, if He has no body, what became of the one He took away with Him?"
"This is nonsense! you know that God is a spirit, and I think we would better not delve too deeply into matters which we are not permitted to comprehend."
'Tray, listen a while longer, for I have yet more to say in regard to what you call nonsense, although if it be such, I must insist that it is Bible nonsense. You say God is a spirit; does that prove He has no body? We are also told we must worship Him in spirit. Am I to understand from this that we must worship Him without a body? Have you a spirit? Yes. Have you also a body? Yes. Were you made in the image of God, body and spirit? So says the good old Bible. Man was created in the image of God. (Gen. i:26, 27.) Then God has a body, and, consequently, must have parts. Moses talked with Him face to face, as one man talks with another (Ex. xxxiii:ll), and he also saw His back parts. He promised (Num. xii:8) to speak with Moses mouth to mouth. We are told in the fifth chapter of Deuteronomy that He has a hand and arm. The Psalm (cxxxix:16) tells us He has eyes, and Isaiah (xxx:27) says He had lips and a tongue. John describes His head, hair
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 19
and eyes. (Rev. i:14.) And, as for passions, we are told in the Bible that He has love, wrath, and is a jealous God. Are these not parts and passions? My dear sir, it would appear that all who believe in the scriptures must conclude that they are parts and passions, and that the Creator is a God after whose likeness we are made."
"Well, I had no idea when I commenced this conversation with Mr. Brown that I was to find such an antagonist in your self. One would naturally come to the conclusion that you had made the Bible a study."
"Thank you, you do me honor. I confess I have as a Christian studied the record; in fact, at a very early age my parents required me to commit and remember a very important verse in that good old book. It is found in the fifth chapter of the gospel according to St. John, beginning the 39th verse, and reads as follows: 'Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.' '
"That is certainly proper, but I must again warn you against plunging into mysteries which we cannot understand." "But Peter tells us that 'no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation' (II. Peter i:20), and these are the things upon which we should seek for information; for lack of explanation by the ministers upon these points is, to a great extent, the cause of many persons being in Mr. Brown's frame of mind today."
"You are scarcely complimentary, and if your assertions be correct, perhaps it would be better for me to withdraw and leave Mr. Brown in your hands."
"I beg your pardon, my dear sir," said Durant, "I meant not to offend, I assure you, and intended only to be in earnest; I will endeavor to be more careful during the rest of the con versation."
The lawyer, who was decidedly impressed at this juncture, dispelled what might have been a painful silence by saying:
"Well, I declare, things have taken a very peculiar turn, I seem to be out of the fight altogether. But I want to say this, I have heard more that appears to be reasonable from you, Mr. Durant, regarding these matter than ever before in my life, and I must also admit that if my early teaching on religious matters had been as reasonable, I almost believe I might have been a Christian."
20 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
As it was getting late Mr. Marshall here "put in a word," saying:
"It is now getting quite late and perhaps all would like to retire; if so, I will conduct you to your rooms."
"No," said Mr. Brown, "we must not go to bed yet a while. I never was religiously interested before in my life, and I wish to listen to further discussion between these two."
The new-comer was more than willing; but being somewhat fatigued himself, and realizing that possibly there might be a sense of weariness in some of the others, he deemed it best not to continue for the time being, although asked to do so. He then made a suggestion, which was unanimously agreed to: that the subject be taken up on the following evening in the same place; and so with mutual expressions of regard and a kind "good night" all around, the party dispersed for the night.
CHAPTER IV. Gaining and Losing Favor.
The western man had not intended to make a stay at the little home hostelry where he was quartered, and where he had become so thoroughly ingratiated all at once. His mission re quired a frequent "change of base" and constant action; but he realized that nothing was occurring which was so greatly at variance with his general purpose as to materially change it, and that, a nucleus for possible future engagements having been established, he might as well remain where he was until called elsewhere. Already he was on the best of terms with all, even with the "colored citizen," and he was disposed to make him self entirely at home, as all hands were willing to have him do.
The time for the adjourned meeting on the veranda came and not only was a quorum present, but all of the party were there, besides two or three neighbors who had learned something of what was taking place. After a few formalities had been en gaged in, the discussion was opened by Durant suggesting to Fitz alien that it was a little singular that two men believing in, and upholding, the same good book should find anything to dispute about; such things did happen, however, and perhaps
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 21
it was as well, since by free discussion error was eradicated and truth made plain.
The preacher then asked a question which must seem to the reader to have been too long delayed — "May I ask of what church you are a member?"
"Certainly," said the Westerner; "but before answering, will you tell me what church edifice that is to the east of us?"
"That is the Wesleyan church."
"And the one a short distance below here?"
"That is the Episcopalian."
"What other churches are there in this place?"
"Oh, there are the Baptist, the Catholic chapel, and the quarters of the Salvation Army, so called."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, I believe so, and I think enough, unless we have omitted naming yours."
"You certainly have, for the church of which I am a member you have failed to mention at all."
"Indeed? And what is it?"
"The Church of Jesus Christ, sir. Don't you think it would be well if He also had a church in your midst?"
"Why, my friend, they all belong to Him."
"Is it possible? I certainly have no recollection of hearing you even mention His name in connection with any of them."
"You may not have heard His name, but they are all, yes, even the parading and noise-making Salvation Army, engaged in His service."
"Then why not bear His name?"
"It is a case in which the name need not be connected with the object, and still the service rendered and the objects aimed at are all for Him, as certainly all who engage in the calling of Christianity believe, and as those who practice in the ministry instruct."
"Let us see how this is. Your church members believe in the Lord Jesus, accept the word of God as an exposition of His principles, as well as a command to them, and the ministers instruct them accordingly. Is that so?"
"It is."
"Then I am to understand that all these churches and communicants uphold and practice baptism by immersion as set forth in, and enjoined by, the scriptures."
22 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
"No; that is to say, some do, and some do not."
"What is the probable proportion?"
"Oh, I could not say as to that."
"Do not you and the majority of the others accept of other forms of baptism and in many cases of none at all?"
"Yes."
"Does not that depart from the teachings of the Bible and the example set by Christ Himself?"
"Not necessarily."
"Did not He go down into the waters of baptism and receive immersion at the hands of John the Baptist?"
"Yes."
"And did not the injunction go forth which forms the very corner-stone of His own Church — of Christianity — 'Repent and be baptized?' '
"Yes, but He did not say that of necessity all were to be im mersed. The Bible is fertile in parables and much that is said is left to the intelligence of the reader of interpretation."
"By the same authority I have warned you already against 'private interpretations.' However, we need not rest the case en tirely upon that. Take up your Bible at your leisure and examine well all accounts given of cases where this ordinance was per formed, and you cannot help admitting that baptism by im mersion was the only way in which the ancients accepted that principle. You will see that the word of God commands, in unequivocal language, the ordinance of baptism by immersion, and His Son set us the example by going down into the waters. Therefore, those who do not perform this have no claim upon the Savior's name, for they obey not His Father's words nor His own example."
"You would hold, then, that those who do not conform liter ally to such examples' are not Christians."
"They may believe in Christian conduct and practice righteousness within a certain sphere; they may be upright and just in their dealings and their hearts may be filled with love for their race, but they cannot establish rules of conduct for themselves and claim to act in the authority and name of Christ. He has set the pattern and it is for them and for us to follow."
"I never heard such strange reasoning before, and it re minds me of a fact upon which I have often dwelt — that sophis-
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 23
try and logic may both rest upon the same foundation, not, however, accusing you of dealing in sophistry or claiming that in all respects my words have been those of logic. Now, to follow your theme further in the same vein and employing precisely your method of arriving at conclusions — those who do not, for instance, practice the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick, or for the casting out of real or imaginary devils; who do not, for example, subscribe to all the superstitions and resort to the practices enjoined by the Bible — which practices must have had reference to a time in which the domain of science was so limited that it could not even comprehend the present — that all such people, I say, are also outside the pale of Christianity — are pagans, infidels, in fact?"
"You state part of the proposition correctly enough, but your conclusion is unjust — unjust because not a natural out growth of the premises stated, and also unjust because con taining a reflection.'
"I meant no reflection at all."
"So I may readily believe. Now, a man may be entirely out side the pale of practical, or if you prefer it, modern Christianity and still be neither a pagan nor an infidel; while he may be inside it and not practice the things spoken of, by means of which he would be as much at variance with the requirements of our Father and Savior, perhaps, as the others named, and none of them be of necessity bad people, or among those wholly condemned."
"Then you believe in the actual practice of laying on of hands as well as baptism by immersion?"
"Assuredly I do."
"And practice it, perhaps?"
"Whenever necessary, yes."
"Well, for fear you may not wish to try it here, and as it is nearly bed time, I will relieve you of one of the 'devils,' and the power of 'casting out' can be held in reserve for some future oc casion."
"My dear sir, you do us both injustice. No one would put you in such a category, and it is not a part of the work of a Christian to come into a circle as I have and engender harsh feelings, far from it."
"Oh, no matter. We might talk again at another time, when I may be pleased to continue our remarks, but not tonight, as I
24 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
only intended remaining a short time, having an important engagement which I was compelled to make since I saw you last evening; so, if you will excuse me, I will wish you all good evening."
And so saying, the churchman, in not a very pleasant mood, withdrew.
Said Brown: "Stranger, I am somewhat familiar with the doctrines of different Christian societies, and from the way you expressed yourself regarding the personality of God, I would like very much to hear your views regarding other differences. If the rest of your views are as reasonable as these you have given expression to, I should like very much to hear them, and you can now proceed without interruption. Do you differ from these ministers very much in other principles?"
"I am afraid the difference on many very important prin ciples is just as great as the difference concerning the personality of God. But if you really desire to go with me in this search after the kingdom of God, and the others are willing, I assure you it will give me great pleasure."
Unanimous approval was expressed at once, and Mr. Brown continued, saying:
"I never before had as great a desire in this direction, and must confess that my curiosity has become quite aroused."
"Then," said Durant, "we will take King James' transla tion of the Holy Scriptures as the law book, and 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God' for our text; and if we should discover before we have finished that the teachings of men differ greatly from the teachings of Christ, I will be somewhat justified in saying that religionists have 'transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.' ' (Isaiah xxiv:5; Jeremiah ii:13).
"Very well," said Mr. Brown, "I will proceed," and obtaining the family Bible he continued: "And should your assertions prove correct, it might perhaps account for the in crease of infidelity, and it might also cause others as well as myself to stop and consider. Now, then, to the 'law and the testimony.' Give me the chapter and verse, that I may know you make no mistake."
The doctor then for the first time took part, saying ^"1 am also becoming very much interested, and think I shall join you with my Bible. Let us all come into the circle."
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 25
"All right, we will examine the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible, principle by principle. In order to have a clear understanding concerning this, it will be necessary for us to go back to the days of our Father Adam. Through the transgres sion of our first parents, death came upon all the human family, and mankind could not, of themselves, overcome the same and obtain immortality. To substantiate this, see first, second and third chapters of Genesis, Romans 5th chapter and 12th verse, and I. Corinthians 15th chapter and 21st and 22nd verses. But in order that they should not perish, God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to satisfy this broken law and to deliver mankind from the power of death. (John iii:16; Romans v:8; John iv:9). And as all became subject to death by Adam, so will all men be resurrected from death through the atone ment of Christ (I. Cor. xv:20-23; Rom. v:12-19; Mark xvi:15, 16), and will stand before the judgment seat of God to answer for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression. (Acts xvii:31; Rev. xx:12-15; Matt. xvi:27). Am I right as far as I have gone?"
"Yes," said the doctor, "I have been following you with your quotations, and find them correct. Proceed."
"Then I have proved one of the principles of some of the so- called Christians incorrect, for they do not believe that the wicked will have the same chance of resurrection as the "right eous. Jesus Christ did not die for our individual sins, only on condition that we conform to the plan He has marked out, which will bring us a remission of our sins. The only way we can prove that we love Him is by keeping His commandments (John xiv:15); therefore, if we say we love God and keep not His commandments, we are liars and the truth is not in us. (I. John ii:4). I think I have proved to your satisfaction that there is something defective with their understanding of the attributes of God, and I think I can prove also that they do not keep His commandments. Christ has given us to understand two things which you must remember while on this search after the 'kingdom of God/ First, that we must follow Him; secondly, that when He left His disciples He was to send them the Com forter that would lead them into all truth; therefore we must follow Christ and accept all the principles which were taught by His disciples while in possession of the Holy Spirit, though it should prove the world to be in error,"
26 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
"Thus far your arguments are reasonable, also in ac cordance with Holy Writ; and as there is no other name given us except Jesus Christ whereby we can be saved (Acts iv:12), you may now lay before us the conditions; but give us chapter and verse, as I said before, that we may know you speak cor rectly."
"We will now examine into the conditions; but first re member that God does not send men into the world for the purpose of preaching contrary doctrines, for this always creates confusion, and God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. (I. Cor. xiv: 33). Paul has said, if any man teach another gospel let him be accursed. (Gal. i:8,9). The first condition is this: To believe there is a God (not the kind mentioned in the English prayer book), but the God that created man in His own image, and to have faith in that God and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent."
"Go on," said the party in concert.
"Well," continued Durant, "The kind of faith required is that which will enable a man, under all circumstances, to say, 'I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation.' (Rom. i:16). This is the kind of faith by which Noah prepared an ark; by which the worlds were framed; by which the Red Sea was crossed as on dry land; by which the walls* of Jericho fell down; it was by this faith that kingdoms were subdued; righteousness was wrought; promises were ob tained, and the mouths of lions were closed. (Heb. xi:32, 38.) This faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom. x:14), and the lack of this faith, and the absence of prayer and fasting, caused even the apostles to be unsuccessful on one occasion in casting out devils. (Matt. xvii:14, 20.) No wonder, then, that without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb. xi:6. ) Faith, then, is the first grand and glorious stepping stone to that celestial pathway leading towards the eternal rest. The more we search into eternal truth, the more we discover that God works upon natural principles. All the requirements which He makes of us are very plain and simple. How natural that the principle of faith should be the primary one of our salvation! With what principle are we more familiar? Faith is the first great 'principle governing all things; but great and grand as it is, it is dead without works. (James ii:14-17). We must not expect salvation by simply having faith that Jesus is^the Christ,
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 27
for the devils in purgatory are that far advanced. (James ii:19 ). In fact, if you will read the entire second chapter of James you will see that faith without works is as dead and helpless as the body after the spirit has taken its departure. It is utter folly to think of gaining an exaltation in His presence unless we obey the principles He advocated (Matt. vii:21), for no one speaks truthfully by saying he is a disciple of Christ while not observing His commandments. (John viii:31). In fact, the only way by which man can truthfully say he loves Jesus Christ is by keep ing His commandments." (John xiv:12-21).
"Is it not recorded in Holy Writ," said the doctor, "that if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved?"
"You have referred to the words used by Paul and Silas to the keeper of the prison. These disciples were asked by the keeper wrhat he should do to be saved, and he was assured, as you have quoted, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.' Then the disciples immediately laid before them those principles which constituted true belief, and not until this man and his house had embraced the principles taught by these disciples were they filled with true belief and really rejoiced. (Acts xvi:31-33). You see by this example that we must not deceive ourselves by thinking that we can be hearers of the word only and not doers." (James i:22, 23).
"But, friend," said the lawyer, "here is a passage found in the tenth chapter of Romans, which, in my opinion, will be extremely hard for you to explain. The passage referred to reads as follows: 'If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' Now, then, it looks to me as if salvation is here promised through faith alone. How do you explain it?"
"Very easily. Let us thoroughly examine this passage in all its different phases. In the first place, this letter was written by Paul to individuals who were already members of the church. They had rendered obedience to the laws of salvation, and having complied with those requirements were entitled to salvation providing their testimony remained within them like a living spring; and in order that they should not become luke warm, Paul exhorted them to continue bearing testimony of the divinity of Christ, and not let their hearts lose sight of the fact that God had raised His Son from the dead, and inasmuch as
28 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
they kept themselves in this condition, salvation would be theirs. This is the only sensible view one can take of this passage. Unquestionably, Paul was speaking to sincere members of the church, who had been correctly initiated into the fold of Christ, not aliens living 1800 years after."
"That appears to be correct, and is satisfactory; but further on in the same chapter we find this expression: 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' It appears to me here that reference is not made to those who had em braced the gospel and those who had the faith, but salvation is made general to whomsoever shall call upon the name of the Lord." (Rom.x:13).
"Exactly, but the next verse gives an explanation so simple that none can fail to understand it: 'How, then, shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' In other words, if there is faith, there have been works, and having true faith, no person will remain in that condition without complying with father works of salvation to which that faith urges him."
"I see, I see," said Brown, the others remaining silent, but interested; "you are right, but I never looked at the matter in that way before."
"Now, then, ladies and gentlemen," said Durant: "I maintain as before stated, that faith is the first principle of the gospel leading to salvation, but it will not bring us to the top of the glorious gospel ladder without the other principles."
"Well, suppose we accept this as the first round in the gospel ladder, where will we find the second?"
"To explain this question involves, perhaps, some little time, and as it must be near the 'witching hour' of midnight, I would not care to be responsible for extending the sitting beyond, or even up to, that time. To give this information is, in some measure, my errand among you, and if desired I shall be pleased to meet with you again. Before leaving I hope to be able to address the citizens publicly, and will do so if a suitable place can be obtained."
Both the doctor and the lawyer were disposed to remon strate against adjournment, and there seemed to be none who were not willing to remain and hearken unto that which to them
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 29
was somewhat in the nature of an awakening, notwithstanding, as stated, it was growing late, and the exercises had been purely colloquial. It might be mentioned that only the more impor tant parts of the conversation have been produced here — for the reproduction of everything in the nature of mere colloquy, the auxiliary questions, answers and suggestions, would make this a large book instead of a small one. Besides, the full con versation would be no more interesting for the particular object to which this book is devoted than would the matter reported.
The visitors took their departure with evident regret, albeit their interest in the occasion was more attributable to un satisfied curiosity than to concurrence in all that the stranger had said.
"He can talk Bible by the yard," said one.
"Yes, and show what it means better than a regular minister," said another.
"He said he had a mission among us," chimed in a third; "I wonder what it can be?"
The parting on the veranda was one in which friendly feelings prevailed all around, and the meeting on the morrow, when the second of the grand fundamental principles of the gospel was to be explained, seemed uppermost in every mind.
CHAPTER V. Further Discussion of the First Principles.
The audience had increased in numbers when the time for the continuance of the gospel exposition arrived. Rev. Fitz- allen was not present; he had an engagement elsewhere, was the word he left; but his absence was compensated for by the presence of two or three others.
But little time was spent in formality, and a beginning was effected by our legal friend saying:
"Mr. Durant, you closed last night with a definition of the first principles in the series of steps to be taken by the con vert to Christianity, with a promise that tonight we should have the second explained. Will you now proceed to fulfill the promise?"
"Most willingly, if it is desired."
30 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
Unanimous approval was at once manifested, and the west ern man proceeded.
"The second follows the first, just as naturally as the second step follows the first when a child learns to walk. When faith in God is once created, the knowledge that we have at some time, perhaps many times during our lives, done things dis pleasing to Him, naturally follows immediately, therefore repentance makes its appearance as the second principle of the gospel. When John came preaching in the wilderness, as the forerunner of Christ, his message to the people was, 'Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' (Matt. iii:2). When Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, it was with a message calling them to repent ance. (Mark i:15). When He chose His disciples and began sending them forth, it was to call mankind to repentance. (Mark vi:7-12). When He upbraided the cities wherein the most of His mighty works were done, it was because they re pented not. (Matt. xi:20). True repentance is that which will cause him who stole to steal no more; that which will keep corrupt communications from our mouths; that which will cause us to so conduct our walks through life as not to grieve the Spirit of God; that which will cause all bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking to be put away from us, and will make us kind one to another, tender-hearted and forgiving even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us. (Ephesians iv:28-32)c When he who has committed a sin shall commit it no more, then he has repented with that Godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation, and not with the sorrow of the world, bringing with it death. (II. Cor. vii:10). When a sinner repents with such repentance more joy is found in heaven than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke xv :7). This, then, ladies and gentlemen, is the second round in the gospel ladder according to the plan given us by the Master, and without it, faith is of no substantial consequence whatever." "Your reasoning is both logical and just," said Brown, "and no one can find fault with those doctrines. This world of ours would certainly be more pleasant if these teachings were followed, and when a person is filled with that kind of faith, and has truly repented with such repentance, it must be mani fested that he is entitled to salvation."
"But he must not stop at that," the speaker went on,
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 31
"there are other principles just as important, just as necessary, for him to obey. If I am in possession of enough faith to con vince me that I have sinned against you, and the knowledge of this causes me sincerely to repent, I must not and cannot rest until I am satisfied I have your forgiveness for the wrong. So it is with sinning against God and His laws: He has marked out the path of repentance and it is our duty to follow that divine way until we arrive at the sacred altar of forgiveness. Sin must be forgiven before it can be wiped out, and God in His wisdom selected and placed in His Church water baptism, as spoken of last night, for this purpose. It is a means whereby man can receive forgiveness of sin."
"And do you really believe that baptism brings forgive ness of sin?" queried the lawyer.
"Certainly, provided, however, honest faith and sincere repentance go before it, and the ordinance is administered in the proper way by one who is endowed with divine authority; otherwise I believe it is of no avail whatever."
"It seems to me you surround the principle of baptism with more safeguards than anyone else of whom I have ever heard. Why so?"
"Perhaps I do, and yet it should not be the case. Every principle of the gospel should be well and carefully protected, and the failure on the part of man to do this is the main cause of so many different so-called plans of salvation existing among us today, when there should be only one true and perfect plan, as found in the days of Christ."
"You are certainly giving me ample information on reli gious conditions. It does seem strange that there should be so many different roads, leading, as is claimed, in one direction. I declare, I never thought of that before."
"Well, we will try to cover all these points before we finish. Let us examine this principle. Let us see if the idea of water baptism appears reasonable. The Lord has wisely and kindly selected this form of ordinance for the remission of sins. It was with this object in view that John advocated the principle. (Mark i:4). Peter promised it on the day of Pentecost. (Acts ii:38). Saul also received aid to arise and have his sins washed away. (Acts xxii:16). And so it was taught by different disciples as a means whereby God would forgive sins."
32 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
"And as you have already stated, there are various modes of baptism among different sects. What is your method?"
"The only correct form, as stated before, is that explained in the Bible. Baptism was performed anciently by immersion, in fact, no other mode was thought of until centuries after the day of Christ. The word baptize is from the Greek baptizo or bapto, meaning to plunge or immerse, and such noted writers as Polybius, Strabo, Dion Cassius, Mosheim, Luther, Calvin, Bossuet, Schaal, Baxter, Jeremy Taylor, Robinson, and others, all agree that with the ancients immersion, and no other form, was baptism. The holy record itself explains the mode so plainly that even a wayfaring man might understand. John selected a certain place on account of there being much water. (John iii:23). Christ Himself was baptized in a river, after which He came up out of the water. (Mark i:5-10). Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water (Acts viii:38, 39), and Paul likens baptism to the burial and resurrection of Christ, dying from sin, buried in water, and a resurrection to a new life. (Rom. vi:3-5). Jesus declares that a man must be born of the water as well as of the Spirit. (Johniii:5). By being immersed we are born of the water, and we cannot liken baptism to a birth when performed in any other way. How mankind can accept any other form, in the face of all these facts, is more than I can account for. I think enough has been said to show that I am correct in my views regarding the object and mode of bap tism, so now let us enquire who are proper subjects."
"Why, all who have souls to save, I suppose," said the doctor.
"Yes, providing they have obeyed the two principles already mentioned; that is, faith and repentance; for Christ commanded His apostles to teach before baptizing. (Matthew, xxviii:19 and 20). The candidate must believe before he can be baptized. (Mark xvi:16). Before Philip baptized the people of Samaria they believed the Gospel as he taught it. (Acts viii:12). When the eunuch asked for baptism at the hands of this same disciple, Philip answered: 'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.' (Acts viii:37). All persons, then, who are capable of understanding, are fit subjects for baptism as soon as they believe and have repented. None are exempt, not even was Cornelius of old who was so generous that a report of his good deeds reached the throne of God. His prayers
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 33
were so mingled with faith that they brought down an angel from heaven; yet through baptism alone was it possible that he could gain membership in the fold of Christ. (Acts x). We see, then, that all, except little children, are proper subjects for this ordinance, providing, as stated, they have faith, and have truly repented of their sins."
"And do you claim that little children are exempt?" said the doctor.
"I do; baptism is for the remission of sins, and little children being free from sin, are of necessity exempt."
"I do not see how you make that doctrine accord with the teachings of the Bible. Did not Jesus say, 'Suffer little children to come unto me?' '
"He did, but instead of administering the ordinance of baptism unto them, He took them in His arms and blessed them, declaring at the same time that they were pure and free from sin like unto those who were in the kingdom of heaven. A little child is free from sin, is pure in heart, humble and merciful, in fact is the great example of goodness which Christ points out for us to follow. (Mark x:13-16). This ordinance, then, is for people who are old enough to embrace it intelligently, not for children who cannot understand its significance, and who already belong to the kingdom of heaven."
"We have now examined three of the fundamental prin ciples of the gospel of salvation. There is one more that I wish to touch upon, after which we will discuss a subject that is of more interest to you, perhaps, than any of these. The prin ciple which I wish to speak of now, is the gift of the Holy Ghost, which in olden times always followed the embracing of the principles we have discussed, and when once received brought with it some of the gifts of the gospel. When the first sermon was delivered after the crucifixion of Christ, at the time when the apostles were endowed with power from on high, a multitude of people were pricked in their hearts, and asked Peter and the rest of the apostles what they should do. Peter undertook to answer this all-important question, and so far as authority to do so was concerned, we must admit that he, of all men at that peculiar time, was fully capable, for he was in pos session of the keys of the kingdom of God bestowed upon him by Christ Himself. He was the chief apostle and, with his brethren, had been endowed with power from above. Therefore, he, more
34 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
than any minister of our day, occupied a place that enabled him to answer correctly, and with authority."
"You are stating the case properly, but what did he tell them?" queried the interested man of law.
"His answer is found in the second chapter of Acts, be ginning with the 38th verse. You will observe that as soon as he discovered that they had faith, he immediately taught them repentance, then baptism for the remission of sins, and followed these doctrines with a promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"Yes, commencing at the verse mentioned, it says: 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call/ '
"But how were they to receive the Holy Ghost?"
"By the laying on of hands. When Peter went down into Samaria for the purpose of bestowing this gift on those whom Philip had baptized, he did it by the laying on of hands. (Acts viii:17). Ananias conferred it upon Paul in the same manner (Acts ix:17), and Paul did the same in the case of those who were baptized at Ephesus (Acts xix:2-16), and when people received this birth of the Spirit (John iii:5), they also received the promised blessings; they were entitled to the signs which He promised would follow; for, said He, 'These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.' (Mark xvi: 17, 18). We have now discovered the conditions: Faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, with the prom ise of Christ that the signs will follow. Can you tell me now, which of all these different denominations has the gospel of Jesus Christ? Or as Wesley has questioned in one of his hymns which we may with profit quote in full: 'Show me where true Christians live' "
"Happy the souls that first believ'd,
To Jesus and each other cleav'd, ' Joined by the unction from above, In mystic fellowship of love.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 35
"Meek, simple followers of the Lamb, They liv'd, and spake, and thought the same; They joyfully conspired to raise Their ceaseless sacrifice of praise.
"With grace abundantly endued, A pure believing multitude, They all were of one heart and soul, And only love inspired the whole.
"Oh, what an age of golden days! Oh, what a choice, peculiar race! Wash'd in the Lamb's all-cleansing blood, Anointed kings and priests to God.
"Where shall I wander now to find Successors they have left behind? The faithful, whom I seek in vain, Are 'minish'd from the sons of men.
"Ye diff rent sects, who all declare, 'Lo, here is Christ,' or 'Christ is there!' Your stronger proofs divinely give, And show me where true Christians live."
"You must remember, my friend, that the signs were only given in order to establish the church in the day of the apostles, but now they are abrogated and are no longer needed."
' 'To the law and to the testimony,' " replied Durant, "and give me chapter and verse to substantiate the assertion you have just made."
"If you will read the 13th chapter of the 1st Corinthians, you will learn that 'Whether there be prophecies they shall fail, and whether there be tongues they shall cease.' '
"If you will take pains to read the two Verses following, you will see that 'we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' My friend, instead of this quotation proving that these things are done away, it establishes the assertion that they shall remain until perfection shall come. Surely no sane man will say that we have come to perfection."
"I have understood that these gifts were no longer needed. This certainly is the conclusion the ministers of the day have come to."
36 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
"But this is not surprising to me, for this good old Bible declares that the time will come when the people will turn from sound doctrine to fables." (II. Tim. iv:4).
"I must admit that you have convinced me that baptism is a necessity, and when I am baptized, the ordinance will be per formed in the proper manner," said the doctor.
"I am pleased to learn that, but I may have another sur prise for you yet. May I ask, who do you intend shall baptize you?"
"My minister, I suppose; why?"
"If the words of the Bible be true, there may be a doubt as to whether your minister is authorized to baptize you."
"Do you mean to prove that these men, ministers of the gospel, have no authority to officiate in that ordinance? I wonder what you will undertake next, but proceed, for I am now prepared for surprises."
"I assure you, my dear sir, I only wish to refer to a few doctrines from the Bible which are necessary to be understood by you in order that you may obtain eternal life. Thus far we have only examined the first principles of the gospel, but now we will speak of the officers whom Christ placed in His Church, and learn by what means men receive authority to act in the name of God. Paul tells us that God has placed 'first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after which gifts of healing,' etc. (I. Cor. xii:28), and says the work is built upon the foundation of apostles. (Eph. ii:20). He furthermore de clares that these officers have been placed in the Church for the work of the ministry, and to remain until we all come to a knowledge of the truth. (Eph. iv:ll-13). Have all mankind come to a knowledge of the truth? If not, why has the Church dispensed with the officers that God placed in it for the purpose of bringing all to a unity of the faith? Paul tells us that these officers were placed in the Church to keep us from being tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine which is taught by man. (Eph. iv:12-14). At the present time, when men declare that they have no need of apostles or prophets, they are divided, and subdivided, and in fact carried about by every doctrine that is promulgated — as Paul saw that they would be, if inspired apostles and prophets were not found to lead them. In losing these officers, the Church lost her author ity, together with all her gifts and graces, and the so-called
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 37
Christian churches today are disrobed of all her beautiful gar ments; and even those who pretend to defend her are crying out that her gifts, graces and ordinances are useless in this age of the world. Did Christ establish the true order or did He not? We say He did, and would ask, has any man a right to change it? And if any man or even an angel from heaven should alter it in the least, will he not come under the condemnation that Paul uttered when he said: 'Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed?' (Gal. i:8). Christ placed these officers and the ordinances in the Church for the perfecting of the saints; and any one teaching contrary to this is a perverter of the gospel, and an anti-Christ in the full mean ing of the word. The difference between the true Church of Christ on the one hand, and the Catholic Church, with all her posterity composing the whole Protestant world on the other hand, amounts to this: one had apostles, prophets, etc., who led the Church by inspiration or by divine revelation; while the others have learned men to preach learned men's opinions; have colleges to teach divinity, instead of the Holy Ghost; instead of preaching the gospel without hire, their ministers must have large salaries each year, and they are not certain of the doctrines which they teach, when they should be in posses sion of the gifts of knowledge, prophecy and revelation. Now then in what church do we find apostles and prophets?"
The doctor replied, "There are none; but you must remem ber there must be a preacher, for 'how shall they hear without a preacher?' " (Rom. x:14).
"And in the next verse he asks, 'How shall they preach except they be sent?' This same apostle says that no man is to take the honor unto himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron. (Heb. v:4). Aaron was called by revelation (Ex. iv:14-17); hence we see that no man is to preach the gospel except he be called by revelation from God. As I said, instead of men being called by revelation — as the Bible declares they should be — in our day they argue that God has not revealed Himself for almost eighteen hundred years. Go and ask your minister if he has been called by revelation, and he will tell you that such manifestations are not needed now, which as sertion I think will prove to you that he has no authority to baptize for the remission of sins."
38 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
"But did not Jesus say, 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel?' !
"He did; but was He talking to modern ministers then? When He gave His apostles authority to preach, did that give all men who feel disposed to take the honor unto themselves, the same authority? He gave His apostles to understand that they had not chosen Him, but He had chosen them (John xv:16); but in this day men reverse the condition. Then again, He sent His servants into the world to preach His gospel with out purse or scrip. (Luke x:4). Paul says his reward is this, 'That when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.' (I. Cor. ix:18). Now, go and ask your minister if he does the same, and I think you will find that he must have a salary."
"Then what has become of the gospel?" said the lawyer.
"Paul says that the coming of Jesus Christ will not be, save there be 'a falling away' (II. Thess. ii:3), and that 'in the last days perilous times shall come.' (II. Tim. iiirl). People 'will not endure sound doctrine,' but will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears, and shall turn from the truth to fables (II. Tim. iv:3, 4), and will have a form of Godliness but will deny the power thereof. (II. Tim. iii:5). Peter also says these false teachers will make merchandise of the souls of men. (II. Peter ii:l-3). They are doing so by demanding a salary for preparing sermons to tickle the people's itching ears. Micah (iiiill) says, their heads judge for reward, their priests teach for hire, and their prophets divine for money, yet they lean upon the Lord and say, is not the Lord among us? Now, my friends, do not the different sects of the day present us with a literal fulfillment of all these sayings? Have they not transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance and broken the everlasting covenant? (Isaiah xxiv:5). John Wesley, in his 94th sermon, referring to the condition of the church after it had de parted from the right way and lost the gifts, says: 'The real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian Church was because the Christians were turned heathens again and had only a dead form left.'
"It would appear, then, that God has forsaken mankind and left us without hope," said Mr. Marshall.
"No, he has not; but this falling away is the result of
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 39
mankind forsaking God, by changing His gospel and departing from its teachings, as I have already shown. But He has promised, through His servants, that there would be a dis pensation when He would gather together all things in Christ (Eph. i:10), and would restore all things which He has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Acts iii:20, 21). This dispensation was called the dispensation of the fullness of times. (Eph. i:10). Daniel who received, by revelation, the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, saw what would take place in the latter times, when the God of heaven would set up a kingdom. (Dan. ii:44). John, the revelator, while on that desolate island, Patmos (some ninety years after Christ), saw how this gospel would be restored; namely, that an angel would bring it from heaven (Rev. xiv:6), and Christ says it 'shall be preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.' (Matt. xxiv:14). As God is always the same, and has but one plan for the redemp tion of the human family, we may expect to see the same gospel with like promises preached in a similar way. Where do we find it as it existed anciently? But as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the coming of the Son of Man. (Matt. xxiv:37; Luke xvii:26, 27). Noah was sent by the Lord to foretell the coming of the flood, but the people rejected his testimony; in fact, whenever God has revealed His mind and will to man in days gone by, the world, instead of receiving the same, have rejected the message and said all manner of evil concerning the prophets, and in many instances have killed them, as was the case with Christ Himself. Now then, my friends, we are living in the dispensation of the fullness of times, when God is gathering together all things in Christ. An angel has come from the heavens and brought the ever lasting gospel, and on the 6th day of April, 1830, God- through revelation to man — organized the kingdom spoken of by Daniel, in the exact pattern of the kingdom as it existed in the days of Christ, with apostles and prophets, and since that day the servants of God have been traveling through the world preaching the same, as a witness that the end will soon come. They call upon mankind to exercise faith in God our eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, also to repent of, and turn from their sins, and be baptized by one who has been called of God by revelation, and receive the laying on of hands for the
40 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
bestowal of the Holy Ghost. As servants of God they then promise that the convert shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or man (John vii:17); and, furthermore, that the signs which followed the believers in the days of the ancient apostles will follow the believer at the present time, for the same cause will always produce the same effect. My friends, as a servant of God, I call upon you to obey these principles and you shall have the promised blessings."
The doctor said: "Much that you say is convincing, some of it excites curiosity, and all is entertaining. I will now announce that the Town Hall has been obtained for Saturday night and as that involves a little longer stay than you intended, I suggest that a collection be taken and turned over to you.
"I beg you, do nothing of that kind," said the missionary. "If the hall is free, the lecture shall be also; and I can doubtless spend the time pleasantly enough till then."
"Very well, if that is your pleasure. There will be such an attendance as this town has rarely seen, I promise you."
And then after a few pleasantries in the usual vein, and a general "good night," the. party separated just as the clock struck twelve, each in the best of humor.
In view of the coming lecture it was mutually agreed that the veranda gatherings should be discontinued for the present at least.
CHAPTER VI. Truth Again Defeats Falsehood.
The meeting was to be held in the Town Hall on Saturday, and in the meantime our missionary busied himself variously, but devoted part of the time in getting his lecture arranged and in refreshing his memory on the topics upon which he wished to speak. When not thus employed he took strolls about the country, or engaged in pleasant bits of conversation with his acquaintances, and with others whom he happened to meet on the way. He was such a favorite at the Marshall mansion that the people there were always pleased to have him express a wish for anything, in order that it might be gratified; but such expressions were very rare and confined to the scope of his actual requirements.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 41
On Friday afternoon he engaged in a pleasant discussion with Mrs. Marshall on some scriptural topic. Missionaries all understand the power of song. Mr. Durant was no exception, so at one point he sang one of his hymns:
"How the light from Zion's mountain
Clears the mists of error's age; Clarified in ray and fountain,
How its truths our fears assuage!
"Tempest-tossed, we still are certain
Life is but a pleasant span; Hope has painted every curtain
Pictured in the gospel plan.
"Once again to every nation,
Jesus opens wide the door; Here are truths that bring salvation,
Preached and practiced as of yore.
"Joyful tidings to the people
From the perfect courts on high; Sweetest chimes from tower and steeple
Ring: Redemption's drawing nigh.
"Shine, thou light, with doubled splendor,
Spread thy soothing, restful rings, Till the sun of Zion, tender
Rise, with healing in his wings!"
The daughter was an interested listener, and at the close broke in with— "It seems to me that there is no such thing as perfect happiness after all. We are always being disappointed in relation to some hope or desire, and when we engage in that which affords pastime or amusement, there is invariably a penalty following. Is not this true, Mr. Durant?"
"I could scarcely dispute with a lady, even if there were grounds for it," said he, gallantly.
"But I prefer you would," she said, "because you appear to know all about these things and I desire to learn. Why is it, for instance, that after enjoying myself greatly at a dance or other late entertainment, injured nature afterwards cries out for revenge, and takes it? So with all things it seems to me. The pleasure experienced in meeting a dear friend is beclouded by
42 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
the knowledge that there must be a parting soon; and death is ever near as if to remind us of the fact that life, happiness, honor, wealth, youth, are all fleeting and unsubstantial."
"Very true."
"Why, Claire," said her mother, "you are becoming a regular pessimist. Surely at your age there is no need to borrow trouble about death or anything else."
"I do not borrow it, mamma, it comes. Pain follows pleasure, sorrow treads upon the heels of happiness, and mis fortune is the constant attendant of fortune. There is, as I said, no perfect happiness, so it seems to me."
"Pardon me," said the missionary, "But you did not finish your sentence. Shall I do so for you?"
"O, by all means," replied the girl with eager delight.
"Well, then," he continued, "doubtless what you meant to say was that there is no such thing as perfect happiness in either the contemplation or realization of things which in them selves are fleeting and unsubstantial — that is, the things of the world. Every movement of the machinery of a steamer, for instance, creates friction, which in turn indicates an eventual breaking down, and so it is with all temporal things; thus we cannot rely upon them for permanent good, and in addition they are constantly subjecting us to peril.
"It is impossible to create perfect results out of imperfect conditions; therefore, there can be no complete or unbroken happiness come out of earthly surroundings, for the reason that all such things are changeable and fleeting. And yet there is such a state as perfect joy, unclouded and endless."
"But not in this life, as you yourself have shown."
"Yes, in this life."
"I thought you referred to this life as uncertain and ephemeral, and as such curtailed or extinguished its own joys."
"That is true, also. But yet endless and supreme delight is to be found in it."
"Where and how, pray?"
"In observing principles and practicing truths which lead to immortality, and which confer upon us the title-deeds to homes where pains and penalties are unknown, where all is peace, contentment and love."
"Oh, yes, I did not think of that."
"In such enjoyments there is no alloy. More than that;
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 43
the more it is engaged in, the more enjoyable it becomes; it does not clog, we cannot become surfeited; the more we devote our attention and effort to it the greater desire we have to continue and to increase our experience. This is that perfect happiness with which nothing else can compare."
"But would you have us dispense with all pleasures — with the refined indulgences, the innocent pastimes and the intellec tual recreations which lighten our burdens at least for the time being, and have us participate in sacred things only? Should there be no buoyancy of spirit, no diversions, no relaxations, in order that there might be no penalty as the result of in dulgence?"
"Why, what an — pardon me — absurd idea! Of course you do not advance it seriously and should therefore be free from criticism. Rather than that such a rule of conduct as you have suggested is the proper one, it is almost as bad as that in which amusement alone prevails. The medium course, which enables us to enjoy all that is properly enjoyable in its appropriate season, and still does not cause us to lose sight of the great aim and end of existence, is the right one. We should let our pastimes be the incidents in our career, not the objects of it; thus they lighten our burdens, and, for the time being, dispel some of the shadows that cross our pathway, whereas, if made the purpose of living — the only things to be considered — they become burdensome and even sinful."
"Then the devout Christian may be happy and jovial without being less a Christian, on account of that?"
"Yes, indeed. More — it is pleasing to our Father for His children to be light-hearted, so long as their pleasures are proper and are enjoyed in moderation. The people from among whom I come enjoy themselves as much as other people do, but do not overlook their devotions, and above all they remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
"That seems to me," said Mrs. Marshall, "to be a sensible form of Christianity. Why, a person, according to your faith, can be profoundly religious and yet deny himself no proper amusement."
"Most decidedly; that is our belief and practice."
"It seems to me I would like to be a member of your Church," said the girl, artlessly, at which interesting stage of the conversation, Rev. Fitzallen entered, who greeted the party
44 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
stiffly, his brow having a distinct frown as he looked at the Westerner.
"Pardon me," said the Clergyman, after a few common places had passed, "but we 'gather wisdom by the wayside,' and I have just acquired some information from that source concerning our friend here from the wilds, and as it surprised me, I thought it might equally surprise the rest of you, himself included, perhaps."
Evidently the churchman had been engaged in the ques tionable calling of picking up stray scraps of gossip here and there, containing as usual some truth mixed with much error. There was obviously trouble ahead.
"Anything concerning me is not apt to be of sufficient consequence to be very interesting," said Mr. Durant, "and having already stated all I thought worth saying about myself and my errand, there can be little or nothing that is surprising, I am sure."
"Is it not a fact that you are from Salt Lake City?"
"It is."
"It is! Why you never informed us of this and yet you have been associated with us several days."
"Indeed! May I ask you, Mrs. Marshall, and you, Miss Marshall, what part of the country our friend here comes from?"
The ladies did not know.
"Indeed! Why, sir, you have been associated with this family several weeks, and yet they do not know what particular point you came from. Perhaps like myself, you were never asked."
"This is evasion," said the now thoroughly excited church man. "There is no place in my district possessed of such pecu liar conditions as would place one of its inhabitants under sus picion because of them."
"Nor in mine either, that I know of," calmly rejoined Durant.
"Is not Salt Lake City the headquarters and residence of a class of people known as Mormons who hold exclusive sway there?"
"No, sir."
"That is what I have heard."
"Surely, I am not accountable for what you have heard. There are a great many Mormons in Salt Lake, and just as many
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 45
that are not Mormons; it is the headquarters of the Church as you suggest, but its members are not in exclusive sway there."
"How can that be?"
"No matter about the means; the fact itself is what con cerns us."
The churchman was discomfited and measurably confused; he was compelled to change his course.
"You told us," said he, "that you were an advocate of the Church of Jesus Christ; should there not be a suffix in these words — Latter-day Saints?"
"That is correct."
"And is not 'Mormonism' its other name?"
"No, it has no other name. It is called 'Mormonism' by nearly every one not connected with it, and yet that is not a proper designation."
"Then to yourself you are a 'Latter-day Saint,' and to the world you are a 'Mormon?' "
"That is it exactly."
"Strange that we should be kept in ignorance of it so long."
"I have answered every question fairly and in addition have stated everything necessary to a full explanation of my cause and myself. If the doctrine I teach be true — and it has stood all tests so far — can you find nothing more than a name to oppose it?"
"I hope, sir, you do not accuse me of innuendo?"
"I accuse you of nothing."
"Come now," said Mrs. Marshall, "do not be too earnest."
"Well, madam," said Rev. Fitzallen, "I thought my ser vices in this connection would be received graciously and thankfully. As they are not I occupy the position of an intruder and will take my leave."
"Not on my account, I hope," said Mr. Durant. "If there is an intruder here it is I, and it would be my duty to depart."
"You must not go under such circumstances," said Mrs. Marshall.
The girl's look seconded her mother's words, and the irate churchman permitted his passion to overcome his judgment.
"Excuse me," he said, "but I will take my leave. Under the circumstances my presence must be altogether unwelcome. I have heard of the fascinating character of some of the features
46 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
of Mormonism, and the persuasiveness of those who advocate it. Violation of the laws of God and man by practicing polygamy is one of the seductive usages of that creed, I believe."
"Your belief is erroneous, then," said Durant. "Whatever my people may have believed in the past as to the correctness of doctrines taught by the Bible and the prophets of old, they now obey the laws of the land in which they live."
"Marvelous! I have heard otherwise. I have even taken the pains to bring with me a newspaper which I received from a traveler, and in which information of a different character is obtained. It is published in Salt Lake City and should be correct. Here is part of a sermon delivered by a Mormon Bishop; and here an account of several arrests for violating the law against polygamy and kindred offenses, while an editorial in the same paper comments strongly on the deception and falsity pervading the Mormon people. There must be a mistake somewhere.'
"No, there is no mistake at all, but much falsehood and mis representation. It is true that since the law against polygamy was enacted there have been many prosecutions of members of our Church chiefly because of their inability instantly to sever the happy associations of a lifetime which had been formed be fore the law went into effect, or their lack of exact knowledge as to what the law required of them. It was a difficult, I may say an impossible matter, for them to break away entirely from a part of their families and never go near them, to give a word of counsel, or it may be hurriedly to embrace the little ones from whom the law had separated them. When thus found they have been apprehended, tried, convicted and punished, often without an effort to defend themselves. The Bishop named by the paper, does not and never did exist, and the sermon re ferred to was never delivered, as the same paper has been compelled to admit on several occasions; and the editor's views, or rather sayings, are the words of a man whose chief interest in the community is to fan the flames of discord so that his nefarious business may prosper. His statements are utterly and entirely false."
After these remarks the reverend went to his room, and shortly afterwards took his departure.
"I don't like the Mormons at all, and I'm just sorry you're one," said the girl.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 47
"I, too, am somewhat opposed to that peculiar religion, but it does seem to me, after hearing you, that my dislike arises more from prejudice than from anything else," said the mother.
"I have here a card containing the articles of our faith from which you may learn that we are not so evil as we are rep resented to be."
We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by "prophecy, and by the laying on of hands," by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church — namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
We believe in the gift ©f tongues, prophecy, revelations, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the res toration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the Arrerican) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God accord ing to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege; let them worship how, where, or what they may.
48 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, "We believe all things, we hope all things," we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.— Joseph Smith.
With this Durant took from his pocket the card, and handling it to Mrs. Marshall, said: "Examine it at your leisure." And without more adieu he was gone, leaving the ladies in a reflective mood.
Mr. Marshall received the news regarding Durant in silence; perhaps he had suspected, or even knew already, that the stranger was a "Mormon."
CHAPTER VII. A Triumph and An Escape.
The afternoon preceding the night on which Charles Durant was to appear before the public in the Town Hall of Westminster to place the plan of salvation before the people, and bear his testimony to the eternal truth, was wearing slowly away. By this time his name was on everybody's lips, and nearly all knew him. As he walked abroad some would pass him with a frown, some with a gaze of curiosity, rarely one would smile, and less frequently still would he receive a pleasant "good-day." If he had delighted in notoriety, here was certainly a field in which he might enjoy that to the full limit of his desire; but he wanted nothing of the kind. He was filled with the spirit of his calling which was to spread the truth and labor unto the salvation of men ; and neither the insults of the insolent nor the frowns of opponents could turn him aside from that purpose. He bore within his breast the realization of an upright purpose, together with his certainty of a reward to come. What were threats and annoyances to him? And yet he sought not persecution that a cheap martyrdom might be gained; perhaps if warned of a personal danger, in obedience to a natural im-
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 49
pulse, he would have shunned or gone around it, but never to the sacrifice of one jot or tittle of principle.
His experience of less than a week in Westminster had been sufficient for a volume of much greater proportions than this little publication, and yet enough of it is noted here to give a fair idea of what transpired. In that time our hero, a com parative stranger, had become well-settled and was welcome in an honorable household, and this without deception or any special effort to please; he had dethroned the demon of infidelity in one good man's heart when a skilled churchman's efforts in that direction only threatened to perpetuate the evil; had caused another good man, indifferent to gospel measures, to become actively interested; had defeated the churchman spoken of, on his own ground, and had shown in an unmistakable manner the fallacy of his doctrine, and finally, had brought this showy patron of religion to utter discomfiture without desiring, in tending, or trying to annoy him in any way; had set the family named and several of their neighbors to thinking as they had never thought before; and now, as a special favor was to address the town people in their chief public building. The Town Hall was filled to overflowing, and when Durant entered and walked slowly up to the platform, it is perhaps needless to say he was the observed of all observers. There were some feelings of sur prise when Mr. Brown, the (late) infidel, arose to introduce the speaker of the evening; he announced before doing so that the lecture would consist of an exposition of the groundwork, and some advanced principles of the gospel as laid down in the Bible. "Nothing will be left to be conjectured or surmised," he said; "the speaker is familiar with the subject and is capable of doing it justice. I speak advisedly, having heard him before. I ask your earnest and respectful attention, and now present to you Mr. Charles Durant, of Salt Lake City."
Notwithstanding the sacredness of the occasion, there was a burst of applause when the speaker arose. Before him, on a table, were the Bible and two or three other books. He entered upon his subject at once, first explaining the principles of faith, repentance and baptism, citing the Holy Book in support of his arguments, and making every principle plain and lucid as he proceeded. In as extended a manner as he could, within the time at his disposal, he developed the philosophy and practice of true Christianity from the beginning to the present time,
50 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
leaving no salient point unmentioned, and no stone marking the way unturned. He occupied two hours, and there was not a listener but gladly would have remained that much longer. The impression made was deep ; as to whether or not it was lasting, that depended largely upon the individuals themselves.
The lawyer and the doctor and the Marshalls came forward and grasped the speaker's hand, extending sincere congratula tions. The preacher was absent. As they left the room, people could be heard making such remarks as — "Well, that is mighty sound reasoning no matter where it comes from;" a few asked to be introduced and one of these, an old lady, said in a low voice, "You spoke the truth, I know it; God bless you!"
As soon as he could make his way to Durant's side, the negro, Caesar, said hurriedly — "You want to look a little out as you go home; I heard a lot of fellows down the lane talking, and they said they would fix that Mormon."
A spontaneous exclamation of surprise and disgust came from the little party of which Durant was the center. However, it was left to the lawyer to engage in explosiveness, and he did it in a manner which left no doubt of what he would do in an emergency. It was finally decided that he and the doctor should lead the way homeward, with the Marshall family, our guest, a neighbor and the negro following leisurely after. The improvised mob was soon encountered and the interview was stormy for awhile, but before the party in the rear reached the spot, the tumult was quieted down considerably. The lawyer knew every one in the party and if any violence was offered to the stranger, he would make it his personal business to see that every one of them answered to the law. This, coupled with milder and more persuasive methods, had its effect, and one by one the rioters dispersed, at least for the present. Mr. Durant and his friends walked home without being assaulted by so much as an unpleasant exclamation, though he fully expected trouble from the first; but he deter mined to continue his labors as he had begun, leaving the result to Providence.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 51
CHAPTER VIII. The Prophet Joseph's Statement.
Perhaps it was the force of habit as well as the impelling power of desire that caused the group, with whom we are now so familiar, again to assemble at the place made somewhat memor able by recent events — the veranda fronting the Marshall mansion. All the persons hitherto named, excepting, of course, the minister, were present; that gentleman had not only taken his departure from the house, but doubtless from the town also. It was Sunday evening, the weather was perfect, all things seemed conducive to harmony, and a most pleasurable occasion, it being perhaps the last they would enjoy together. The doctor and lawyer were so anxious to begin the conversation that they could scarcely wait for all to be seated; they desired to improve the opportunity, and learn what they could of other principles of the missionary's faith.
"Mr. Durant," finally said the doctor, "we have listened with much pleasure to different conversations with you since your arrival and these have awakened a lively interest within us, and as there is nothing to prevent this evening, we thought it would not be at all unpleasant to you to spend an hour or so in answering what to us appears to be some very important questions concerning the faith of the so-called Mormons."
"I assure you it will be pleasant to me, indeed. I am here for that purpose, and the more questions I have an opportunity to answer, the better and more successfully will I perform my duty. Could I read your thoughts and know what you desire explained, I assure you nothing would be left untold; but this not being the case, I rely upon you to make inquiries and will request that you keep nothing back, and I will be honest in giving any information that I am capable of imparting."
"I am now inclined to believe," said the doctor, "after our experience with you, that, like most of the good people of this nation we have been in possession of only one side of the ques tion regarding your people. Never having heard, from your standpoint, the claims of Mr. Joseph Smith, the founder of your Church, in regard to his being a prophet, we would be pleased to learn what he said on this question."
"This is a frankness which I appreciate very much. As a general thing, the majority of the people, when desirous of
52 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
knowing anything concerning us, are prone to ask any other person on earth than a Mormon. They do not seem to think for a moment that we ourselves might be able to place them in possession of the most reliable information on the subject. Joseph Smith's claim to being divinely inspired to open up a new dispensation of the gospel, is here given in his own state ments so that you will be getting it direct from the fountain head."
"By all means, read it," said two or three in concert; "there will then be no room for misrepresentation."
"Joseph Smith has made the following statement regarding the subject," continued Durant:
"Owing to the many reports which have been put in circu lation by evil designing persons in relation to the rise and prog ress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which have been designed by the authors thereof to militate against its character as a Church, and its progress in the world, I have been induced to write this history, to disabuse the public mind and put all inquirers after truth in possession of th.e facts as they have transpired, in relation both to myself and the Church, so far as I have such facts in my possession.
"In this history I will present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have trans pired, or as they at present exist, being now the eighth year since the organization of the said Church.
"I was born in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five, on the twenty-third day of December, in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, State of Vermont. My father, Joseph Smith, senior, left the State of Vermont, and moved to Palmyra, Ontario (now Wayne) County, in the State of New York, when I was in my tenth year. In about four years after my father's arrival at Palmyra, he moved with his family into Manchester, in the same County of Ontario. His family con sisted of eleven souls, namely: my father, Joseph Smith; my mother, Lucy Smith (whose name previous to her marriage was Mack, daughter of Solomon Mack); my brothers Alvin (who is now dead), Hyrum, myself, Samuel Harrison, William, Don Carlos, and my sisters, Sophronia, Catherine, and Lucy.
"Some time in the second year after our removal to Man chester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excite ment on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Meth-
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 53
odists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country; indeed the whole district of country s.eemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, Lo, here! and others, Lo, there! some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist. For notwith standing the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by their respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real, for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued— priest con tending against priest, and convert against convert, so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.
"I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father's family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy, my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison, and my sister Sophronia.
"During this time of great excitement, my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit; but in process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them, but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person, young as I was, and so unac quainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclu sion who was right and who was wrong. My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all their powers of either reason or sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to "make the people think they were in error. On the otherjiand, the
54 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
Baptists and Methodists, in their turn, were equally zealous to establish their own tenets and disprove all others.
"In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself, What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right? Or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?
"While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties, caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter, and fifth verse, which reads, 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him/ Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I-would never know ; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determina tion to ask of God, concluding that if He gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally and not upbraid, I might venture. So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.
"After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such'an&astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.fBut, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 55
me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction, not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such a marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being. Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it feel upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me, I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name, and said (pointing to the other), 'This is My beloved Son, hear Him.'
"My object in going to inquire of the Lord, was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong), and which I should join. I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong, and the personage who ad dressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt. 'They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godli ness, but they deny the power thereof.'
"He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven.
"Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement, and con versing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things -had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.
"I soon found, however, that my telling the story had
56 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution, and this was common among all sects; all united to persecute me.
"It has often caused me serious reflection, both then and since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, so as to create in them a spirit of the hottest persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often a cause of great sorrow to myself. However, it was never theless a fact that I had had a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light and heard a voice, but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad, and he was ridiculed and reviled; but all this did not de stroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew and would know to his latest breath that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking to him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
"So it was with me; I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak unto me, or one of them did; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me and speaking all manner of evil against me, falsely, for so saying, I was led to say in my heart, Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision, and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision. I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it;
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 57
at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God and come under condemnation.
"I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned, that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed; I had found the testimony of James to be true, that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain and not be upbraided. I continued to pursue my common vocations in life until the twenty-first of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, all the time suffering severe persecution at the hands of all classes of men, both religious and irreligious, be cause I continued to affirm that I had seen a vision.
"During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three (having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends, and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored, in a proper and affectionate manner, to have reclaimed me), I was left to all kinds of temptations, and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature, which I am sorry to say led me into divers temptations, to the gratification of many appetites offensive in the sight of God. In consequence of these things I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above mentioned twenty-first day of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God, for forgive ness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before Him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I had previously had one.
"While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I dis covered a light appearing in the room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white
58 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
and brilliant; his hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so also were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.
"Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him I was afraid, but the fear soon left me. He called me by name and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni. That God had a work for me to do, and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues; or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposit ed, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient in habitants. Also that there were two stones in silver bows (and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim), deposited with the plates, and the possession and use of these stones were what consti tuted Seers in ancient or former times, and that God had pre pared them for the purpose of translating the book.
"After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi, and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus: 'For be hold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.' And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: 'Behold I will reveal unto you the priesthood by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the com ing of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' He also quoted the next verse differently: 'And he shall plant in the hearts of the children, the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 59
of the children shall turn to their fathers; if it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at His coming.'
"In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that prophet was Christ, but the day had not yet come when they who would not hear His voice should be cut off from among the people, but soon would come.
"He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth to the last verse. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated, the fullness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. He quoted many other passages of scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned here. Again, he told me that when I got those plates of which he had spoken (for the time that they should be obtained was not yet fulfilled) I should not show them to any person, neither the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim, only to those to whom I should be commanded to show them; if I did I should be destroyed. While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly, that I knew the place again when I visited it.
"After this communication, I saw the light in the room begin to gather immediately around the person of him who had been speaking to me, and it continued to do so, until the room was again left dark, except just around him, when instantly I saw, as it were, a conduit open right up into heaven, and he ascended till he entirely disappeared, and the room was left as it had been before this heavenly light had made its appearance.
"I lay musing on the singularity of the scene and marveling greatly at what had been told me by this extraordinary mes senger, when, in the midst of my meditation, I suddenly dis covered that my room was again beginning to get lighted, and in an instant, as it were, the same heavenly messenger was again by my bedside. He commenced, and again related the very same things which he had done at his first visit, without the least variation, which having done, he informed me of great judgments which were coming upon the earth, with great
60 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
desolations by famine, sword, and pestilence, and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation. Having related these things, he again ascended as he had done before.
"By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard; but what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again to me the same things as before, and added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indi gent circumstances of my father's family) to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building His kingdom, otherwise I could not get them. After this third visit, he again ascended up into heaven as before, and I was again left to ponder on the strangeness of what I had just experienced, when almost immediately after the heavenly messenger had ascended from me for the third time, the cock crowed, and I found that day was approaching, so that our interviews must have occupied the whole of that night. I shortly after arose from my bed, and, as usual, went to the necessary labors of the day; but, in attempting to work as at other times, I found my strength so exhausted as to render me entirely unable. My father, who was laboring along with me, discovered something to be wrong with me, and told me to go home. I started with the intention of going to the house, but, in attempting to cross the fence out of the field where we were, my strength entirely failed me, and I fell helpless on the ground, and for a time was quite unconscious of anything. The first thing that I can recollect was a voice speaking unto me, calling me|by name; I looked up and beheld the same messenger stand- ingfover my head, surrounded by light, as before. He then again related unto me all^that he had related to me the previous night, and commanded^me to go to my father, and tell him of the vision and commandments which I had received.
"I obeyed; I returned to my father in the field and rehearsed the whole matter to him. Hejreplied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger. I left the field and went to the place where the messenger had
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 61
told me the plates were deposited, and owing to the distinctness of the vision which I had had concerning it, I knew the place the instant that I arrived there. Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario County, New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighbor hood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box; this stone was thick and rounding in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, but the edge all around was covered with earth. Having removed the earth, I ob tained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up; I looked in, and there indeed did I behold the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate as stated by the messenger. The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones together in some kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones cross- ways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the other things with them. I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger, and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived, neither would it arrive until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates.
" Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the same messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner His kingdom was to be conducted in the last days.
"As my father's worldly circumstances were very limited, we were under the necessity of laboring with our hands, hiring out by day's work and otherwise, as we could get opportunity; sometimes we were at home and sometimes abroad, and by continuous labor were enabled to get a comfortable maintenance.
"In the year 1824 my father's family met with a great affliction, by the death of my eldest brother, Alvin. In the month of October, 1825, I hired with an old gentleman, by the name of Josiah Stoal, who lived in Chenango County, State of
62 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
New York. He had heard something of a silver mine having been opened by the Spaniards in Harmony, Susquehanna County, State of Pennsylvania, and had, previous to my hiring to him, been digging, in order, if possible, to discover the mine. After I went to live with him, he took me with the rest of his hands to dig for the silver mine, at which I continued to work for nearly a month, without success in our undertaking, and finally I prevailed with the old gentleman to cease digging . after it. Hence arose the very prevalent story of my having been a money digger.
"During the time that I was thus employed, I was put to board with a Mr. Isaac Hale, of that place; it was there I first saw my wife (his daughter) Emma Hale. On the 18th of January, 1827, we were married, while I was yet employed in the service of Mr. Stoal.
"Owing to my continuing to assert that I had seen a vision, persecution still followed me, and my wife's father's family were very much opposed to our being married. I was therefore under the necessity of taking her elsewhere, so we went and were married at the house of Squire Tarbill, in South Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York. Immediately after my marriage, I left Mr. Steal's and went to my father's and farmed with him that season.
"At length the time arrived for obtaining the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate. On the 22nd day of September, 1827, having gone, as usual, at the end of another year, to the place where they were deposited, the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to me with this charge, that I should be responsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to preserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected.
"I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said, that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them ; for no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to get them from me; every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 63
to get them from me if possible; but, by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand; when, according to arrange ments, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him, and he has them in his charge until this day, being the 2nd of May, 1838.
' 'The excitement, however, still continued, and rumor, with her thousand tongues, was all the time employed in cir culating falsehoods about my father's family and about myself. If I were to relate a thousandth part of them, it would fill up volumes. The persecution, however, became so intolerable that I was under the necessity of leaving Manchester, and going with my wife to Susquehanna County, in the State of Pennsylvania. While preparing to start (being very poor, and the persecutions so heavy upon us, that there was no probabi lity that we would ever be otherwise), in the midst of our af flictions we found a friend in a gentleman by the name of Martin Harris, who came to us and gave me fifty dollars to assist us on our journey. Mr. Harris was a resident of Palmyra Township, Wayne County, in the State of New York, and a farmer of respectability. By this timely aid was I enabled to reach the place of my destination in Pennsylvania, and" im mediately after my arrival there I commenced copying the characters of the plates. I copied a considerable number of them, and by means of the Urim and Thummim I translated some of them, which I did between the time I arrived at the house of my wife's father, in the month of December, and the February following.
"Some time in this month of February, the aforementioned Mr. Martin Harris came to our place, got the characters which I had drawn off the plates, and started with them to the city of New York. For what took place relative to him and the charac ters, I refer to his own account of the circumstances, as he related them to me after his return, which was as follows:
" 'I went to the city of New York, and presented the char acters which had been translated, with the translation thereof, to Professor Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from the Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet trans lated, and he said that they were Egyptian," Chaldaic, Assyric
64 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
and Arabic, and he said that they were true characters. He gave me a certificate certifying to the people of Palmyra that they were true characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him.
" 'He then said to me, "Let me see that certificate." I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him, he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them; he replied, "I cannot read a sealed book." I left him and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the transla tion.'
"On the 5th day of April, 1829, Oliver Cowdery came to my house, until which time I had never seen him. He stated to me that having been teaching school in the neighborhood where my father resided, and my father being one of those who sent to the school, he went to board for a season at his house, and while there, the family related to him the circumstance of my having received the plates, and accordingly he had come to make inquiries of me.
"Two days after the arrival of Mr. Cowdery (being the 17th of April) I commenced to translate the Book of Mormon, and he began to write for me.
"We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of'the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: 'Upon you, my fellow-servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repent ance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 65
and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteous ness.' He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.
"Accordingly we went and were baptized — I baptized him first, and afterwards he baptized me — after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priest hood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood — for so we were commanded.
"The messenger who visited us on this occasion, and con ferred this Priesthood upon us, said his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James, and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchisedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first elder of the Church and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the 15th day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of the messenger and baptized.
"Immediately on our coming up out of the water, after we had been baptized, we experienced great and glorious blessings from our Heavenly Father. No sooner had I baptized Oliver Cowdery than the Holy Ghost fell upon him, and he stood up and prophesied many things which should shortly come to pass. And again, so soon as I had been baptized by him, I also had the spirit of prophecy, when, standing up, I prophesied concerning the rise of this Church, and many other things connected with the Church and this generation of the children of men. We were filled with the Holy Ghost, and re joiced in the God of our salvation.
"Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true mean ing of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of. In the meantime we were forced to keep secret the circumstances of our having been baptized and having received the Priesthood, owing to a spirit of persecution which had already manifested itself in the neighborhood. We had
66 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
been threatened with being mobbed, from time to time, and this, too, by professors of religion. And their intentions of mobbing us were only counteracted by the influence of my wife's father's family (under Divine Providence,) who had become very friendly to me, and who were opposed to mobs, and were willing that I should be allowed to continue the work of translation without interruption; and therefore offered and promised us protection from all unlawful proceedings as far as in them lay."
"Have you any further proof to offer respecting the divine authenticity of this book you refer to?"
"Yes, we have evidence sufficient to establish its divinity beyond doubt, before any impartial court on earth. I will read you from one of our books the voluntary testimony of witnesses who have not been impeached, as follows:
THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true; and it is marvelous in our eyes, nevertheless the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our gar ments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 67
the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris."
"Can you give us any other evidence respecting this record?"
1 'Yes, here is also the testimony of eight additional wit nesses who declare they saw the plates."
AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES.
"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has trans lated, we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the en gravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen; and we lie not, God bearing witness of it. Christian Whitmer, Hiram Page,
Jacob Whitmer, Joseph Smith, Sen.,
Peter Whitmer, Jun., Hyrum Smith,
John Whitmer, Samuel H. Smith.
"There is one point," said Brown, "upon which I would like to hear further; it is the restoration, before mentioned. If these things are true, then the gospel was not upon the earth at the time of Joseph Smith's birth, and, as you will admit, the Church was organized in the days of Christ and left on earth when He ascended on high: the question then arises, how was the Gospel taken from the earth?"
"Let me give you another quotation from the Bible on the subject," said the Elder. "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence; and the violent take it by force.' (Matthew xi :12 ) . By parity of reason ing where would our own government be if subjected to similar
68 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
treatment? Suppose, that instead of Christ being crucified, it were the President, that the Cabinet instead of the Apostles were murdered, the Congress and not the Seventies were scattered to the four winds, and our citizens were subjected to the fate of Saints of old in being driven beneath the earth — what would then remain of our nation? It exists now proudly and gloriously, and has existed for more than a century, but such treatment would leave it to future generations as only an incident in history — that is, it came, it flourished and it passed away, just as did the true religion in the early days; and it might again, also like the true religion, be restored, even as the Roman Empire rose, fell and rose again."
"I understand."
"If you have no objections, I would like to read to you the words of a wise man on this subject, which will illustrate my meaning in a much clearer way than it is possible for me to express it myself. The quotation is not long and you will ail- especially my legal friend — see the force of his argument. He uses these words:
" 'Now, in order to come at this subject in plainness, let us examine the constitution of earthly governments in regard to the authority and laws of adoption. We will say, for instance, the President of the United States writes a commission to A. B., duly authorizing him to act in some office in the govern ment, and during his administration, two gentlemen from Europe come to reside in this country, and being strangers and foreigners wishing to become citizens, they go before A. B., and he administers the oath of allegiance in due form, and certifies the same, and this constitutes them legal citizens, entitled to the privileges of those who are citizens or subjects by birth. After these things A. B. is taken away by death, and C. D. in looking over his papers happens to find the commission given to A. B., and applying it to his own use, assumes the vacant office; meantime, two foreigners arrive and apply for citizen ship and being informed by persons ignorant of the affairs of government that C. D. could administer the laws of adoption, they submit to be administered unto by C. D. without once examining his authority; C. D. certifies of their citizenship, and they suppose they have been legally adopted, the same as the others, and are entitled to the privileges of citizenship. But by and by their citizenship is called into question, and they
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 69
produce the certificates of C. D.; the President inquires, 'Who is C. D.? I never gave him a commission to act in any office, I know him not and you are strangers and foreigners to the com monwealth, until you go before the legally appointed suc cessor of A. B., or some other of like authority, who has a commission from the President direct in his own name.' In the meantime C. D. is taken and punished according to law, for practicing imposition, and usurping authority which was never conferred upon him. And so it is with the kingdom of God. The Lord authorized the Apostles and others, by direct revelation, and by the spirit of prophecy, to preach and baptize, and build up His church and kingdom; but after awhile they die, and a long time passed away; men reading over their commission, where it says to the eleven Apostles, 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, etc., have had the pre sumption to apply these sayings as their authority, and, with out any other commission, have gone forth professing to preach the gospel, and baptize, and build up the church and kingdom of God; but those whom they baptize never receive the same blessings and gifts which characterized a Saint, or citizen of the kingdom, in the days of the Apostles. Why? Because they are yet foreigners and strangers, for the commission given to the Apostles never commissioned any other man to act in their stead. This was a prerogative the Lord reserved unto Himself. No man has a right to take this ministry unto himself, but he that is called by revelation, and duly qualified to act in his calling by the Holy Ghost."
"You give us abundance of authority, as well as your own testimony and evidence," said the doctor. "You have developed a wide and profound subject for our consideration, and for one I regret that we cannot at once hear you out, that is, go to the end of the subject with you, and know all that you are in pos session of in regard to it. Right or wrong, one thing is plainly manifest — that you convey a philosophy each part of which is so reasonable, consistent and harmonious with every other part, and with the ground-work itself, that he who doubts must question himself as to why he doubts. And now, let me ask, will it not be practicable for you to remain another day?"
"While it would give me, personally, the greatest pleasure to do so, it must be remembered that I am not performing this work for my own individual gratification. The field is a broad
70 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
one, and just think how small a portion of it I would be able to cover should I give way to my present inclinations and remain unduly long in places where everything is so pleasant as here. No, I must go, but hope to return to this region again."
"Well, of course you understand your own affairs best, but you are making such headway here that I hoped it might be desirable for you to continue to the end."
"So it would be but for the reasons stated. My train departs at 11 o'clock tomorrow, and I must fill the appoint ments I have made."
CHAPTER IX. That Mormon Again.
Some months had passed away since the Elder took his departure from Westminster, and during this time his name had been on everybody's lips, both good and evil. The principles advanced by him had taken such root in the minds of many that it seemed impossible for them to lay the doctrine aside. Among this class were the Marsh alls, who, by the way, had increased their family by the addition of a son-in-law, their daughter Claire having, as was anticipated, changed her name from Marshall to Sutherland.
Herbert Sutherland was a rising young man of Westminster, well and favorably known to most of the people. He had for several years been very much attached to Miss Marshall, and, as the love was mutual, of course no one appeared surprised in the least when the wedding took place. Joy, and promise of an unclouded life, seemed to be the portion of the young couple.
Breakfast had been waiting for over an hour for Mr. Marshall, and his good wife had become almost impatient, when the gate opened and he entered, saying to his wife, "You must overlook this delay, as I have been detained at the station. While passing, I noticed a familiar friend and could not resist the temptation of spending with him the forty minutes given for transferring baggage, even when aware that the detention kept you and the breakfast waiting."
"Well, I declare," said Mrs. Marshall, "You must have met
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 71
a very esteemed friend indeed, to have remained so long at the expense of so many."
"Who was it, papa?" remarked Claire; "it's no use asking us to guess, for you know we are not Yankees enough for that."
"One would imagine you had been in the presence of a number of friends," said Mr. Sutherland, "judging from the pleased expression on your face."
"Well, why not tell us who it was?" said Mrs. Marshall.
"It was one whose visit with us was very short, but whose name has been mentioned since scores of times," Mr. Marshall answered; "and now we will go to the dining room, and in the meantime I will tell you what my conversation was with Mr. Charles Durant, of Salt Lake City, our Mormon friend."
"I had learned that he promised while here to visit you again," remarked Mr. Sutherland, "and is it possible, he has been so near and yet failed to keep his promise? I did not think this of Mr. Durant, for, while I have not had the pleasure of his acquaintance, I had formed a very good opinion of him from remarks made by others, and was in hopes of seeing him myself some day."
"And so you shall," answered Mr. Marshall, "I tell you he has not forgotten. He is on his way home, it is true, but has taken a trip up the country for a few days, and intends visiting us when he returns."
"That's better," said Sutherland; "I do not wish to miss what you people claim was a treat to you."
With this the family adjourned to the dining room, where Mr. Marshall acquainted them with all the facts received from Mr. Durant. He had performed his work to the entire satis faction of the president of the Southern States Mission, and had been given leave of absence to return home; but he had received word while en route that some Elders had been terribly beaten by a band of fanatics. He was instructed to pay his fellow laborers a visit, and administer to their wants before continuing his homeward journey. While he had in view a pleasant visit with the Marshalls, he could not think of enjoying the same before performing a duty to the brethren in distress. He would be with the Marshalls in a day or two and would then remain some days in their company.
"He has promised," said Mr. Marshall, "to answer all the questions we have been accumulating for him, and will be
72 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
pleased indeed to have as many of our neighbors spend the evening with him as we are willing to invite."
"Exactly what Herbert has been wishing for," exclaimed Claire. "Knowing so well that Mr. Durant and the Mormon gospel doctrines have made a deep impression on us, he has been very anxious to converse with this missionary."
"Yes," answered Sutherland. "If all I have heard from you is correct, then I am surprised that this peculiar people are despised to such an extent. The principles you have ex plained to me, as received from him, are logical and good, and Mr. Brown tells me they have had such an influence with him, that nothing short of a visit to Salt Lake City will satisfy the longing he has to study the Mormon question as he desires; and as for Claire, why she has gone over her Bible and marked the passages quoted by the Elder, until the Sacred Book looks like a Chinese record."
"And better than that," exclaimed his young wife, "I have committed the most of them to memory, and should he desire an assistant, I can surprise not only him but all of you with my knowledge of those principles. I realize how much happiness God has given me in this world, and how much I should en deavor to please Him, and have therefore devoted more time to reading His word than ever before, and, strange to say, I have found passages quoted by Mr. Durant whenever I have read, and the verses marked in my Bible seem to lead to some thing else that he has said. His testimony is so deeply rooted in my heart that I almost believe his people will yet be my people, and his faith will be my faith."
"Why, Claire," said her mother, "if you are not careful, you will be a Mormon before you are aware."
"And should you become one," said her husband, "think of your many friends, and the opinions they will have of you."
"Well, I haven't joined the Mormons yet," said Claire; "but if I do, it will be because I believe them to be right; and if I have your good will, Herbert, and that of papa and mamma, what care I for the opinions of others?"
"Well said," answered Herbert, with a smile; "but we will see if we cannot 'corner' your missionary, get him into an argumentative jail, if you please, from which it will be difficult or impossible for him to escape. Should he be able to make the gospel he teaches as plain and as reasonable as the doctrines
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 73
that are set forth in the tracts which he left here, I can see no reason why any earnest sincere searcher after knowledge cannot adopt that gospel as a living truth."
It was agreed, therefore, that when the promised telegram from Durant should be received, giving the date of his arrival, the neighbors were to be invited, and the large dining room would be turned into an informal meeting place where the principles of the gospel, as believed in by the Mormons, could be further explained.
CHAPTER X. The Missionary's Return.
Elder Charles Durant returned to Westminster just ten days after the time of his meeting with Mr. Marshall at the station. He was heartily welcomed by the family, and being comfortably seated at the dinner table, the conversation natur ally drifted to a detailed account of his experiences since his first visit. His labors had been divided somewhat in two or three different states. He met with many kinds of people, and with a variety of treatments, since leaving the home of the Marshalls; he made many friends as well as a few enemies, but had endeavored to perform his work in a way to meet the ap probation of that Being who had commissioned him to spread His word among the children of men. Having performed his work to the satisfaction of those under whom he labored, he was, as previously stated, released therefrom, for a time at least, and had commenced his journey towards the land of his birth, where dwelt his loved ones, when the telegram reached him from the president of the Mission to the effect that several Elders had been mobbed in a neighboring county, and asking that he visit his brethren on his way home, as stated before.
After the meal, the family adjourned to the sitting room when the missionary was requested to give an account of the mobbing of the Elders whom he had just visited.
He said that they had been laboring for several months, holding meetings wherever they could get an opportunity, and had succeeded in obtaining the permission of the trustees to hold their meetings in a schoolhouse — they being solicited to
74 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
hold religious services by the people, and explain the gospel to them.
A family named Brooks expressed a desire to be baptized, and the Elders had consented to perform the ordinance on a a fixed day, according to their custom, and in conformity with the plan of salvation as pointed out by Christ, the early Apostles, and by John the Baptist who baptized openly in the river Jordan, and "In Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there."
At the appointed time the ordinance was performed, a number of persons being present who came for the purpose of sneering at the rite, and making sport of its sacredness, which they did, but to which the Elders paid only little attention, having become accustomed to the jeers of the wicked. On the same evening there was a pleasant association at the residence of the newly-baptized family, the time being spent in singing sacred songs and in conversation. Retiring at 9 o'clock, leaving their bedroom door open owing to the heat, they were at 11 o'clock rudely awakened, and ordered to get up, to accompany a mob of about fifteen men into the woods.
"You are a pretty-looking lot of fellows," said one of the Elders as he counted them and glanced at their masked faces.
"What do you consider the Savior would think of your mission if He were here? Why do you disturb the slumbers of the peaceful citizens at night, thus hideously masked? If we have transgressed any law, we are amenable; take us before your magistrates, and we will answer to any charge you may prefer."
"We don't want you to preach any more in this locality," said one of the masked men.
"Then the best way to stop us is to induce the people to cease attending our meetings."
At this juncture the inmates of the house were alarmed, and Mr. B. came in, taking a glance at each of the disturbers.
A voice on the outside was heard to cry: "Captain! captain! enough said, enough said."
The mob then withdrew, and the Elders retired again, still leaving the door unlocked. They remained there the following day, but subsequently spent some time visiting friends in other districts. In the course of two weeks they returned to the same place. On their way thither, there were a few who hurled insults at them, but to this they paid no attention. They
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 75
arrived at Mr. Brooks' house at 5 o'clock in the evening, where they met companions, and where the time was spent in speaking of the gospel, singing hymns, and in conversing upon a variety of subjects concerning Utah and her people. No signs of dis turbance appeared, save an occasional ominous bark of the house dog.
The Elders retired with sweet recollections of home, to be roughly awakened at 2 o'clock at night, by the harsh cry of "Sur render." They were surrounded by a horde of ruffians, armed with guns, pistols, and clubs; and in the most blasphemous language were ordered to get up, the mobbers in the mean time brandishing their weapons in the faces of the Elders. Not obeying orders as rapidly as the mob wished them to, they were each (there being four of them), seized by two of the cowards, one on either side, dragged from their beds in an in human manner, and marched along the road, an eighth of a mile, dressed only in their thin summer night-clothing. Re- sistence was impossible, and the attempt of the proprietor of the house to assist them was met with curses, a blow across the forehead, with the exclamation: "If you show your head out of this house before 6 o'clock tomorrow morning, we will kill you."
The train marched on, the vilest curses and the blackest oaths being uttered against them that mortals can express. There was no charge preferred against them, and they said: "If we have broken any law, take us before the courts," but the only reply was:
"We are law enough for you."
What was to be their fate, they knew not, until the mob began cutting and trimming limbs of trees from four to six feet long, having ugly knots. Soon the Elders were ordered to bend over a fallen log about two feet through, when their doom was made plain to them. They were terribly whipped, receiving lash after lash upon their backs without a question being asked, or an opportunity being afforded to appeal from this inhuman treatment. Occasionally they arose to say a word, but were immediately thrust down again by some of the mob using pistols or clubs. In this way three received severe scalp wounds. The woods resounded with the lashes and the groans of the tortured; thirty-five stripes had been laid upon them, when they were requested to leave the country. Too faint to
76 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
comply, their hesitancy was construed as a refusal, and they were once more belabored with redoubled fury, causing them to cringe beneath the cruel beech-limbs wielded by a sturdy fiend weighing over two hundred pounds. Fifty stripes each, they received, and yet they had injured no man! How terrible! but it was all for the sake of the gospel. Finally, after such torture, they were released, upon promising to leave the country the next day.
They returned to their friend and brother, but in what a lacerated condition! They found him sitting in the door bleed ing from his wounds. They dressed each other's wounds as best they could, then lay down in troubled rest till morning, when they departed to the place where Elder Durant met them, perhaps never to return.
While rehearsing not only his own experience but that of his wounded brothers, no one listened with more marked attention than Claire's husband. From the moment he was introduced 'to Durant, at the depot, they became very much attached to each other, and, as expressed by Mr. Sutherland, it seemed as if they had always been acquainted.
Later, while these two were conversing upon the veranda, Mr. Sutherland interrupted the Elder by asking: "How do you account for the peculiar feelings attending the formation of new friendship, Mr. Durant? Have you not noticed that upon many occasions when introduced to a person, you feel as well acquainted as if you had known him for years?"
"Yes," replied Elder Durant, "I have noticed it often, and have frequently wondered if occasions where such feelings are manifested were really the beginning of an acquaintance."
"I have certainly been very much impressed with this sensation at times when I have been absolutely certain of its being the first meeting," replied Sutherland; "for instance, to be frank, it is the case with you. I am certain beyond ques tion that you and I have never met previous to this day, and yet I followed you while giving the account of your labors and the troubles of your brethren, with as much interest as if you were my own brother; and I have felt all day long that we have always been acquainted."
"Mr. Sutherland," said the Elder, "who knows but before now we have been better acquainted than you are with any
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 77
gentleman in your village, and that we have merely forgotten our former associations together?"
"I do not understand your meaning," said Sutherland; "I am certain we have never seen each other before, and con sequently I cannot comprehend your idea when you intimate that perhaps we have been well acquainted. You came from the West, while I have always lived here, where you have never dwelt except during your former visit to Mr. Marshall's home, and how, therefore, can it be possible for us ever to have met before?"
"I do not claim for an instant that such is the case, Mr. Sutherland, but the idea afforded me such a splendid chance to open a conversation upon a principle believed in by my people, that I could not resist the opportunity of saying what I did, and, as you say you are desirous of learning all you can about our views upon religious principles, you, yourself, gave me a thought, serving as a text, for dwelling upon one of the most important of these."
"If that is the case, I am very glad. What is the principle?"
"You know that all Christians believe that after death there is life?"
"Of course, or why should they take the pains to prepare for death? But what has that to do with having met you be fore?"
"Neither that nor what I am going to say has anything whatever to do with it, but, Mr. Sutherland, if it is reasonable for you and me to believe we shall live after death, why should it be unreasonable for us also to believe that our spirits existed before the birth of our earthly tabernacles! There is certainly something connected with the intelligence of man that should appeal to us as if to say that the spirit is older that the body, and emanated from a more exalted place than this earth of ours."
"Why, Mr. Durant," exclaimed Sutherland in astonish ment, "I never heard such a doctrine as that."
"Let me ask, have you ever read the Bible to any great extent?"
"Yes, I have always been a lover of the Divine record, and have spent many hours in its perusal."
"I am glad to hear this, and I think, as we proceed, you may change your mind regarding never having heard such a doctrine as pre-existence. You will perhaps admit that while
78 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
reading, you failed to understand fully what you read. As an introduction to this grand and glorious principle, let me read a beautiful poem I have here from the pen of one of the gifted women of Utah; she is dead now, and the intelligent spirit, sent from God to dwell in her earthly tabernacle, has been recalled by the Being who sent it, or, as the Bible declares, 'has returned to God who gave it.' Her name was Eliza R. Snow Smith; her name and poem will live while time endures:"
"O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place! When shall I regain thy presence,
And again behold thy face? In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside? In my first, primeval childhood,
Was I nurtured near thy side?
"For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth, And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth; Yet oft-times a secret something
Whispered, You're a stranger here, And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
"I had learned to call thee Father,
Through Thy Spirit from on high; But, until the Key of Knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why. In the heavens are parents single?
No; the thought makes reason stare! Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me, I've a mother there.
"When I leave this frail existenca,
When I lay this mortal by, Father, mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high? Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do, With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you."
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 79
"This is one of the most beautiful compositions I have ever listened to, Mr. Durant. The words appear to carry a strange conviction with them. Can it be true? and if so, are we here as school children, sent by exalted parents, to become acquainted with sorrow in order to understand happiness?"
"Either this is the cause, or else our faith in a hereafter is a myth. You prove to me that our birth is the commencement of the intelligence of man, and you also convince me that death is its end. But we have enough given in the scriptures to convince us that birth is not the beginning, and likewise that death is not the end. Christ said He came forth from the Father (John xvi:28), and it was His prayer that the glory which He had before coming would be His when he returned. (John xvii: 5.) In His teachings to His Apostles He must have familiarized them with this exalted principle of pre-existence, for upon one occasion they came to Him with a question, concerning a blind man: 'Who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' (John ix:2.) Surely had this been a foolish question, Christ would have corrected them, but He answered them in a manner leading us to understand that it was a principle firmly believed in by them all; and comprehending this, as certainly as they did, they, more than our generation, could intelligently lisp the prayer taught them by the Master: 'Our Father which art in heaven.' Our Divine record says that God is the Father of the spirits of all flesh (Num. xvi:22), in whose hand is the soul of every living thing (Job xii:10); and we find in it that when death comes, the spirit of man will return to God who gave it. (Eccl. xii:7.) Job was asked by the Lord where he was when the foundation of the earth was laid (Job xxxviii:3-7), and the Almighty declared He not only knew but ordained Jeremiah to be a prophet before His earthly birth. (Jer. i:5.) From these passages, and many others that might be cited, it should be very easy for Christians to understand that there is a natural and a spiritual body." (I. Cor. xv:44.)
"Mr. Durant," said Sutherland, "whether this principle is true or otherwise, it cannot be gainsaid that you have scriptures to support it."
"Why should we not have, Mr. Sutherland? It is truth, and it is only natural that the truth should appear reasonable. As quoted, God asks Job: "Who laid the corner stone of this earth, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons
80 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
of God shouted for joy?" (Job xxxviii:7.) Now I sincerely believe that we were there, that we helped to compose that large congregation of sons of God, and that we did shout for joy at beholding the time approaching when we also would have the privilege of visiting an earth where our Father would give us an opportunity to become possessed of bodies which should eventually be eternal abiding places for our spirits; that when we came to this school we should have our judgments taken away, or, in other words, that all recollection of our former existence should be withdrawn, in order that we might be able to use the greatest gift of all, which is 'free agency,' to do good or evil and become to a certain extent gods in em bryo, and then when we returned home from this school our Father could reward us, his children, according to our works."
"Your explanation carries with it conviction. I have been very much interested and desire to talk further with you on this subject, but fear I am doing you an injustice by requiring you to speak so much. I must not forget that the neighbors are coming in tonight, and I should therefore not weary you."
"You need not fear, I assure you: I have been talking now upon these principles for two years; it is my mission, and I am well pleased to find people who are willing to hear."
"I am very anxious to listen, I can assure you," replied Mr. Sutherland. Let us walk through the village, you can view our improvements, and perhaps shake hands with many whom you met when here before; we might then return in time for supper, and rest awhile before our evening chat."
This proposition was agreed to, and, taking their hats, the two men went out. The first person met on the ramble was our medical friend, who, learning of Mr. Durant's intended return, was hastening to the Marshall residence to welcome him. The greeting which the young missionary received from his true and lasting friend was unaffected and sincere, meaning more than language can express. Questions and answers regarding the missionary's trip, and matters, which to the general reader would amount to mere common-place, were exchanged during the conversation, and must have been interesting to them, for it was continued during the whole of what proved a very long walk.
"I begin to feel like a resident here," said the Elder, "though, perhaps, I ought to say that my acquaintance is not
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 81
the only cause for that feeling, for I try to be at ease wherever I go."
"And succeed, I should say, if your experience elsewhere has been anything like that at Westminster."
"Yes, indeed, and in so doing I find no little comfort in the words of an eminent man who is classed as a 'pagan,' an agnos tic, and so on, but who, I verily believe, was as much a Christian at heart as most of us — certainly much more so than many who engage in the promulgation of Christianity as a profession: 'The world is my home, and humanity my kindred.' '
By this time they had reached the home of Mr. Marshall, and after supper preparations were made for the evening gathering.
CHAPTER XI. . A Pleasant Interview.
In the evening Elder Durant not only had the pleasure of meeting all his old friends of the previous visit, but was honored with the presence of a large number of persons whom he had not seen before. Some of them had attended the meeting he held in the Town Hall on his first visit, while others had only heard of him through the Marshalls.
When all were comfortably seated in the large dining room, Mr. Sutherland by way of introducing the missionary to his new friends, said:
"My friends and neighbors, we have assembled here this evening for the purpose of listening to Mr. Durant on the religious faith of a people who claim to have the keys of a new dispensation committed to them. If their claim is correct, then it is of the utmost importance to the whole human race. If God has indeed spoken from the heavens, it is the duty of His children to listen; on the other hand, if this claim of the Mormons be founded on a myth, then it is our duty to do all in our power to disprove their declarations, and deny that they have any divine commission whatever to proclaim the principles of salvation. You who have the privilege of listening to him will know whether his arguments are sound and scriptural, or otherwise ; and can therefore exercise the right, which you all have, of judging for yourselves. We will, therefore, ask our
82 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
friend from the valleys of the West to give us, in as few words as possible, an outline of what Mormonism teaches, after which all may act with the utmost freedom in asking questions upon any thing the gentleman may say, or upon any principle believed in by his people. Now, Mr. Durant, we are anxious to hear you, and you will find us attentive listeners."
The Elder arose and in a few well-chosen words expressed his thanks to the Marshalls for their kindness, as well as to Mr. Sutherland and all his friends who had taken an interest in him. He was pleased to answer questions pertaining to his faith, and with all sincerity bore testimony that the Mormons were less understood by the people of this and other nations than any other sect in Christendom. Their mission is one of * 'peace on earth and good will to men," notwithstanding they had been represented as having objects quite the reverse.
Their faith teadhes the reason why man is here in this probation; whence man came, and whither he goes, after his departure by death. It teaches that the destiny of man is mighty; that his exaltation is to be great; that what man is, God once was; that what God is, man can be.
"Mormonism teaches men to believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, who bears record of them forever.
"As a people, we believe that all mankind, through the transgression of our first parents, were brought under the curse and penalty for transgression; but that through the atoning sacrifice, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ, all are to be redeemed from any effects of original transgression; that, 'as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men unto condemnation; even so, by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.' (Rom. v:18.)
"We believe that little children are innocent, and not under transgression; that they are incapable of obeying any law, not understanding good or evil: and Jesus says, "Of such are the kingdom of heaven;" but then, when they arrive at the years of accountability, and know good from evil, and are capable of obeying or disobeying law; if they then transgress, they will be condemned for breaking a known law.
"We believe that no man will be condemned for not obeying a law that he does not know; and that consequently millions of
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 83
the human family who have never heard the gospel, are more blessed than those who have had that privilege, and have refused to accept it; that mankind will be judged according to the deeds done in the body.
"We believe in the sufferings, death and atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in His resurrection and ascension on high, and in the Holy Ghost, which is given to all who obey the gospel.
"We believe, first, it is necessary to have faith in God, and that, next, it is necessary to repent of our sins — to confess and to turn away from them, and make restitution to all whom we have injured, as far as it is in our power.
"We believe that the third necessity is to be baptized by im mersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 'for remission of sins,' and that this ordinance must be performed by one having authority, or otherwise it is of no avail.
"The fourth is, to receive the laying on of hands, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the gift of the Holy Ghost; and this ordinance must also be administered by the Apostles or the Elders, whom the Lord Jesus has called to lay on hands; nor then is it of any advantage except to those persons who have complied with the before named'three conditions.
"We believe that the Holy Ghost is the same now, as it was in the apostolic days, and that when a church is organized, it is its privilege to have all the gifts, powers and blessings which flow from the Holy Spirit.
"Such, for instance, as the gifts of revelation, prophecy, visions, the ministry of angels, healing the sick by the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus, the working of miracles, and, in short, all the gifts mentioned in the scriptures, or enjoyed by the ancient Saints. We believe that inspired apostles and prophets, together with all the officers as mentioned in the New Testament, are necessary in the Church in these days.
"We believe that there has been a general and awful apostasy from the religion of the New Testament, so that all the known world have been left for centuries without the church of Christ among them; without a priesthood authorized of God to administer ordinances; that every one of the churches has perverted the gospel, some in one way and some in another. For instance, almost every church has ignored the doctrine of
84 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
immersion for the 'remission of sins/ Those few who have prac ticed it have abolished the ordinance of the 'laying on of hands' upon baptized believers for the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Again, the few who have practiced the last ordinance have perverted the first, or have denied the ancient gifts, powers and blessings which flow from the Holy Spirit, or have said to the inspired apostles and prophets 'we have no need of you in the body.' Those few again who have believed in, and contended for, the miraculous gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, have perverted the ordinance. Thus all the churches preach false doctrines and distort the gospel, and instead of having authority from God for corrupting it, Paul says (Gal. 1:8), 'Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.'
"We believe that there are a few sincere, honest and humble persons who are striving to do according to the best of their understanding, but, in many respects, they err in. doctrine because of false teachers and the precepts of men, and that they will receive the fullness of the gospel with gladness as soon as they hear it.
"We believe in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and in living and continued revelation; but we also believe that no new reve lation will contradict the old.
"The gospel in the Book of Mormon is the same as that in the New Testament, so that no one who reads it can misunder stand its principles. It has been revealed by an angel to be preached as a witness to all nations, first to the Gentiles and then to the Jews, then cometh the downfall of Babylon. Thus fulfilling the vision of John, which he beheld on the Isle of Patmos: (Rev. xiv:6, 7, 8), 'And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come; and worship Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.' And there followed another angel saying, 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.'
"Many revelations and prophecies have been given to this Church since its rise, which have been printed and set forth to
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 85
the world. These also contain the gospel in great plainness, and instructions of infinite importance to the Saints. They also un fold the great events that await this generation, the terrible judgments to be poured forth upon the wicked, and the bless ings and glories to be given to the righteous. We believe God will continue to give revelations by visions, by the ministry of angels, and by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, until the Saints are guided into all truth.
"We believe that wherever the people enjoy the religion of the New Testament, there they enjoy visions, revelations, the ministry of angels, etc. And that wherever these blessings cease to be enjoyed, there they also cease to enjoy the religion of the New Testament.
"We believe that God has established His church in order to prepare a people for His second coming in the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory; and that then the Saints that are asleep in their graves will be raised and reign with Him on earth a thousand years.
"We believe that great judgments await the earth on account of the wickedness of its inhabitants, and that when the gospel shall have been sufficiently proclaimed, if they reject it they will be destroyed; that plagues, pestilence and famine will be multiplied upon them; that thrones will be cast down, empires overthrown, and nations destroyed; that when the Spirit of God ceases to restrain the people, the world will be full of blood, carnage and desolation; that peace will be taken from the earth and from among the people, religious and irreli gious. It shall be as with the people, so with the priests, etc.
"We believe that the Lord will gather His people from among all nations unto a land of peace, and give them pastors after His own heart, who shall feed them with knowledge and understanding, and they shall be the only people upon the earth that shall not be at war with one another.
"We believe that the Ten Tribes of Israel, with the dis persed of Judah, shall soon be restored to their own lands, according to the covenants which God made with their ancient fathers, and that when this great work of restitution shall take place, the power of God shall be made manifest in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds, far exceeding anything that took place in the exodus from Egypt. Jerusalem will be rebuilt, together with the glorious temple, and the Lord shall visit His
86 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
Saints in Zion. In that day the name of the Lord shall become great unto the ends of the earth and all nations shall serve and obey Him, for the wicked shall have perished out of the earth.
"We believe in all principles of truth that have been revealed; in all that are now being revealed, and are prepared to receive all that God will reveal.
"We believe that the gospel now being preached by the Latter-day Saints is to call the honest in heart out of Babylon, that they partake not of her sins nor receive of her plagues.
"We believe in morality, chastity, purity, virtue and honesty, and wish to promote the happiness of our fellow-men."
The Elder's words were listened to with marked attention. He expressed a willingness to answer questions, and a desire to have as many asked, concerning the religious principles believed in by his people as the listeners were pleased to propound.
"Mr. Durant," said Sutherland, when the former was seated, "I have not only listened to all you have said with the greatest interest, but have taken pleasure in reading the tracts left while on your former visit, and whether your faith is correct or otherwise, it will be a difficult task to disprove any of your arguments by the Sacred record. I wish to ask you a few questions regarding some of the principles you have not touched upon, and which I understand to be a part of your faith. I am informed that you believe in a literal resurrection of the body. Is this correct?"
"Certainly," answered the Elder promptly. "How could we lay any claim whatever to a Christian belief in the resurrection unless we believed in a literal resurrection?"
"Well, you certainly would not be compelled to believe in a literal resurrection in order to lay claim to having a Christian belief in that principle, for all Christians are surely not believers in it."
"All true Christians must follow Christ's teachings regard ing this principle as well as all others, or else how can they be considered true Christians? Christ is the resurrection and the life. (John xi:25. ) He was also the first fruits of the resurrection. (Acts xxvi:23. ) He, therefore, is our great pattern. We know He was put to death (Matt. xxvii:50) ; that His body was laid in the tomb (Matt. xxvii:60); that when His friends visited that tomb the body was gone; that an angel declared that the body had been resurrected (Matt. xxviii:6); that He appeared to
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 87
His apostles with the body which had been crucified even bear ing the prints of the cruel nails in His hands, and the marks of the spear in His side, and to satisfy Thomas, He asked to be handled that no mistake be made regarding its being a literal resurrection of the same body He had before the crucifixion. (John xx:27, 28.) This was the resurrection of our Master and inasmuch as He has commanded us to follow Him, why should ours not be the same?"
"But you will admit that if Christianity is true and Christ is really the Savior, there is a great difference between His resur rection and that of those who have died since. His body had only just been interred; there had not been sufficient time for it to decay in the grave, and He was God Himself, while the bodies of others decay, and are scattered, in some cases at least, to the four winds," answered Brown.
"How about the statement regarding the resurrection of others, who, the scriptures declare, came forth from their graves at the time of Christ's resurrection? (Matt. xxvii:52.) They certainly must have slumbered for a long time."
"I cannot understand," said Brown, "how it could be possible for a literal resurrection of the body to occur after decay had taken place, and the body had returned to dust to the earth."
"Mr. Brown," the Elder said, "you will candidly admit that there are many things now accepted as truths which at one time seemed to you incomprehensible."
"No doubt, I do," answered Brown.
"Yes, you do, most decidedly. For instance, when you first learned the wonders of the telephone, you could scarcely credit them; when you were informed that you could converse with a friend who stood miles away, you not only doubted, but per haps disbelieved, yet you doubt no longer, for your eyes have seen, and your ears have heard. Is not this true?"
"It is; what the eye has seen or the ear has heard, one must certainly believe. But is not that a vastly different proposi tion?"
"Not at all; you are only less familiar with the methods or principles upon which the resurrection depends, that is all. When we have more of the intelligence of heaven, and can understand more regarding the great principles by which the resurrection is brought about, it will appear simple enough. God
88 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
permits a ray of intelligence to come from heaven; it reaches the mind of man, it gives us knowledge of the telegraph, by which our messages flash from nation to nation, in the twinkling of an eye, and opens to our understanding many other wonders of modern science. We may not understand fully how it is done, but we know it is accomplished, and we therefore believe what we once disbelieved.
"Another ray reaches us, and we have an understanding of the telephone, the phonograph, the electric cars; and through the effects of these discoveries, we open our eyes in wonder ment! Yet these flashes of intelligence are nothing compared with the mighty fire of wisdom in the heavens from whence these originate. They may be new to us, but are thoroughly understood by Him who sent them. They are all gifts from the Father of our spirits, and only small gifts at that, compared with what He has in store for us."
"How can you imagine for an instant," exclaimed Mr. Sutherland, "that it can be possible for all the particles of GUI bodies to be gathered together again after they have been scattered?"
"I do not, and cannot pretend to, answer this question. It will require more intelligence than I have, to answer it. But this I firmly believe; that no particle, that is, none of the component parts, of my body will ever go to make up the body of anything else, and that it matters not whether my body be burned or permitted to decay and return to mother earth, every particle will be collected and brought together again, at the time of the resurrection, which will be literal in every sense of the word. Let me relate a little anecdote which illus trates my position.
"A person had received, as a birthday gift, a beautiful silver cup from a friend. This cup was prized very much, and not only on account of its beauty, but because of the love the re ceiver had for the giver. In a short time the one making this present was called away; the cold hand of death was laid upon him.
"Then the cup increased a hundred fold in value to the owner, and nothing could influence him to part with it. Years afterwards, the owner of the present carried it to the place where he was employed, for the purpose of exhibiting it to a fellow workman. During the day, in passing the shelf where it rested
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 89
while he was engaged in moving some valuable goods, he carelessly knocked the cup from the shelf, and it fell into a vessel of fluid. Thinking at the moment that the vessel con tained nothing but water, the owner waited until his arms were released from the valuable load they contained, before seeking to remove the cup from the place into which it had fallen. When he returned, he found, to his sorrow, that his cup had disappeared. Upon investigation, imagine his grief, when he discovered that the vessel contained nitric acid instead of water, and that the cup had been eaten up by the fluid. He thought of how he had valued that keepsake, how much he revered the memory of the giver, and how foolish he was to bring the prize from his home that morning. At this moment, his employer happened along, and noticing his distress enquired for the cause. After listening to the poor man's story, and learn ing that the cup was made in a neighboring town, he rather startled the sorrowing man with this remark: 'Don't feel bad, my man, I promise you shall again have your cup.'
"The workingman thinking his words meant that he should receive the amount of its real value, or another cup, explained that it was not its cost, neither would another cup fill its place. It was the loss of this particular article, which came from the hands of a friend who had since died, that caused him grief.
" 'Never mind, I say, whether you believe my words or not, I promise, and will make good that promise, that you shall again have your cup, and it shall be made of the same identical silver, having the same form, and being composed of nothing but the same metal. It don't mean the same kind, but the very same silver that you dropped into that fluid.'
"And with this he took a few handfuls of common salt, flung them into the liquid, and there formed in the solution a white solid; this he removed, dried and heated in a crucible, and the result was a lump of silver of the highest lustre.
" 'Now, you see,' said the kind-hearted man, 'how easy it is to restore when you understand the method by which it is done. All the silver composing that cup of yours is now in my hands. How easy it is for me to have it remoulded in the same mould! and who will say you have not the same cup resurrected from the grave?'
"Can you not understand," said Durant, "that this laborer
90 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
was in the same condition as the poor mortals who are in pain ful ignorance of the way and means by which the resurrection will take place? And yet how simple when once understood. The cup had been buried in the world of liquid, it had dissolved and had been scattered throughout the earth in which it was buried, and to a person unacquainted with the laws governing such things, was lost forever. If man, who is as a babe com pared with God in intelligence, could resurrect a cup from that little world, do you not think it possible for God, who is the fountain-head of intelligence and power, to restore your body after it has been scattered throughout this little world of ours? And as the restoring of that cup appeared very simple to that laboring man, so I believe the resurrection of the body will appear very simple to us when we are on the other side, and fully understand the laws, methods and powers which govern the restoration."
At this moment a Mr. Williams, who had been a very atten tive listener during the entire evening, arose and said: "Mr. Durant, to all appearance you have proved every argument made with some quotation from the Bible; your mode of reason ing appears very logical, but I have here a passage which seems to conflict with the argument that baptism is positively essential to salvation."
"If so," answered the Elder, "I will be pleased to listen. Really if you have found an argument, from the sayings of Christ or His apostles, which promises salvation without baptism, you have certainly made a great discovery."
"Well, I think the discovery has been made," answered Williams, "and it seems strange that a gentleman who has made the Bible as much of a study as you have, has never been able to comprehend it."
"Thanks, but now for the argument; do not build your hopes too high, perhaps you misunderstand your own reading of the Sacred record."
"Well, that remains to be seen. You have disclaimed all belief in death-bed repentance bringing salvation, and you are, as well, a disbeliever in salvation without baptism. Now to the law and the testimony once more. Examine the account of the crucifixion, as recorded in Luke 23rd chapter, beginning with the 39th verse. Christ upon that occasion had a malefactor on either side of Him; one railed on Him, saying, 'If thou be Christ,
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 91
save thyself and us,' while the other, being filled with repent ance and being converted, rebuked his companion in sinfand implored the blessed Redeemer: 'Lord, remember me when thou comest to thy kingdom.' Christ, witnessing the repentance of this malefactor, even at the last moment of his life, presented him with the gift of salvation before giving up the ghost: 'Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.' These were the words used by the Captain of our salvation; the promise was granted without baptism, and he was carried to heaven with our Savior; and yet in the very face of this testimony you proclaim the doctrine that without baptism salvation cannot be obtained."
"Christ did not offer that malefactor salvation on that occa sion, neither was he carried to heaven with the Redeemer. I desire to convince you, Mr. Williams, if you will accept the statement in the Bible, and I believe you. will, that Christ did not go to His Father until some time after this, and that the paradise referred to is not the haven of salvation that we all hope to reach."
"Mr. Durant, if you convince me of this, I will have nothing more to say," replied Mr. Williams.
"Very well, then, pay strict attention to the words you have just quoted which contain the promise that in your opinion insures the penitent malefactor entrance to the presence of the Father: 'Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.' Three days after these words were spoken, we discover Mary weeping as she bowed down at the sepulcher where Christ's remains had been deposited, and upon recognizing her Lord, who stood by her side and addressed her, she received His command, 'Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father.' Rather a strange and startling declaration for the Savior to make, was it not, when the promise to the thief, made three days previously, was to the effect that upon that day they should both be in His presence?"
"Why, Mr. Durant," exclaimed Claire, "I can't understand it at all; He did certainly make the promise, and yet from His words, spoken three days after, it appears that He had not yet been to His Father. Can it be that one of our Savior's promises has really fallen to the ground unfulfilled?"
"Not in the least, Mrs. Sutherland; it is merely another one of those cases where we read but fail to understand. 'The
92 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life,' you know. Christ kept His word with the malefactor, and He also spoke truthfully to Mary. He and the sinner undoubtedly went on the day men tioned to paradise, but the great mistake, made by many lies in believing that paradise is heaven."
"Well, if paradise is not heaven, what is it? If they went to some other place, where is that place?" exclaimed Mr. Williams. "I believe it was heaven."
"I do not doubt your statement for a moment. Prof. A. Hinderkoper, a German writer, says: 'In the second and third centuries every branch and division of the Christian church, so far as their records enable us to judge, believe that Christ preached to the departed spirits.' This is in harmony with the belief of the Latter-day Saints, as well as in harmony with the Bible. Peter speaking upon this su'bject answers your question by saying: 'For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.' Christ undoubtedly understood that His mission would not end with His crucifixion, but as He finished His mission to mortals by opening to them the gospel gates, it would be the beginning of His mission, for a similar purpose, with those on the other side of the vail, and realizing that His mission there would begin immediately upon His release here, and that the malefactor would meet Him there, He made the promise mentioned: 'Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.' Peter declares that they were visited and preached to in order that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (I Peter iv:6.) Bishop Alford, speaking of the declaration made by the chief apostle, said: 'I understand these words (I Peter iii:19) to say that our Lord in His disembodied state, did go to the place of detention of departed spirits, and did there announce His work of redemption; preach salvation, in fact, to the disembodied spirits of those who refused to obey the voice of God when the judgment of the flood was hanging over them."
"That seems reasonable, and it has given me a new idea and
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 93
something to consider," said Williams, "but how about the ordinances you claim are necessary for all? How can those who did not hear the gospel before they died receive the ordinances?"
"Now we believe that those who embrace the gospel in the spirit world will be saved; and believe with the scriptures that a vicarious work must be performed for them by the living. This doctrine was evidently understood by the saints in the days of the apostles. Paul informs us that the first gospel ordinance of all dispensations, baptism, was administered by proxy among the former-day Saints. While teaching the Corin thian saints about the resurrection, (I Cor. xv: 29), he asked them: 'Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?' in other words, of what use is baptism for the dead, if there is no resurrection? showing that the doc trine of baptism for the dead was evidently neither new nor strange to the people to whom the apostle was writing. Christ died for the dead as well as the living: 'For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living.' " (Rom. xiv:9.)
"But do you mean that living persons shall be baptized for the dead?"
"Certainly. Before the great day of the Lord shall come 'that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up,saiththe Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch' (Mai. iv: 1,) an important event is to take place, as we learn from the same prophet, verses 5 and 6: 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.' The coming of Elijah, to inaugurate this great work, must evidently be to some one who is prepared to receive him. His mission, 'to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,' is very comprehensive, and pertains to the whole family of Adam, there being no discrimination between the living and the dead, between those who have lived in the past and those who shall live in the future. There must be a welding link between the fathers and their children, and that welding link is baptism for the dead. We testify that Elijah has come; that he appeared
94 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
to Joseph, the Seer, and Oliver Cowdery, in the Kirtland Temple, on the 3rd of April, 1836, and said: 'Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying that he (Elijah) should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.' Ordinances for the salvation of the dead require temples, or sacred places, especially constructed for their administration; for this reason, we build temples, and also, that we may perform other ordinances for the dead and the living."
"I have heard that the organization of your Church is un usually complete. How is it organized?" asked one of the visitors present.
"It is organized on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. We have therefore various quorums of these in the Church organized by revelation for the efficient and harmonious per formance of church duties. There is the First Presidency, chosen from those who hold the High Priesthood and Apostle- ship consisting of a President and two counselors. The duty of the President is to preside over the whole Church, and he is sustained by the whole people as a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet."
"What is meant by Priesthood? You must have two Priesthoods then, as you speak of the High Priesthood, indicat ing there must be a lower one?"
"The Church is governed by the Holy Priesthood, which is divided into two grand heads — the Aaronic or lesser, and the Melchizedek or higher.
"The Melchizedek Priesthood, so-called because Melchize dek was such a great High Priest, and also to avoid the too frequent use of Jehovah's name, as this Priesthood was formerly called after the order of His Son, — holds the right of presidency, to receive revelations from heaven and to enjoy the spiritual blessings; while the Aaronic Priesthood, so called because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed forever, holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in the outward ordi nances of the Church. The offices of the Melchizedek Priesthood include Apostles, Seventies, Patriarchs or Evangelists, and
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 95
Elders, and the Aaronic Priesthood includes Bishops, Priests, Teachers and Deacons.
"Next to the quorum of the First Presidency is the Twelve Apostles, then the High Council, the Seventies, the High Priests, the Elders, and the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood.
"Each calling has its own duties to be performed, and the organization is such that one does not come in conflict with the other."
The company now parted for the evening, each hoping that an opportunity might be given to hear the Elder again.
CHAPTER XII. A Baptism and a Conversation on Marriage.
It will be remembered that on the evening of Mr. Durant's speech in the Town Hall at Westminster, an old lady came at the close of the meeting and whispered a "God bless you" to him. The truths uttered by him had made a deep impression upon her and were working to bear fruit. She had now made application to be baptized, convinced, as she was, of the truths of the gospel, and that this servant of God was authorized, by direct calling from Him through revelation, to perform the solemn ceremony. It was agreed, therefore, that the baptism should take place on an afternoon some time before the day of his departure to his home in the West.
He made it a point to obtain a conversation with the lady, and show to her the importance of the step she was about to take. It is no simple, indifferent affair. It is a contract with God, fraught with wonderful results to the person who makes it, that will either lead to rich blessings or to condemnation. When one man makes a contract with another, the breaker of such a contract must be willing to suffer the ignominy attending his deceit. In baptism, the subject makes a solemn vow with his Creator, and, rising from the wraters in which he is buried in the likeness of the death of Christ, he should thenceforth walk in newness of life, and should not serve sin. He is made free from sin, and becomes a servant to God; he has his fruit unto holiness and the end is everlasting life. (Romans vi. )
The earnestness of the new convert's faith and repentance
96 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
was inquired into, and it was pointed out to her that she should prepare herself to receive the testimony of the Spirit, which is made known to different individuals in different ways — not always by unusual manifestations, but frequently by the calm self-consciousness of peace that comes from a performance of righteous acts, in which the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, heirs and joint heirs with Christ. We must not look for approval from friends, relatives or people of the world, in taking this step, but be prepared to suffer with Christ that we may be also glorified with Him, and exclaim with Paul: "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. viii:18.) Like Christ, one must bear the cross upon the lone way, full of hope, confidence and zeal, knowing that the end is everlasting life.
Having said this much, and given many other incidental in structions, that would thoroughly impress the new convert with the sacredness and importance of the step about to be taken, Mr. Durant, members of the Marshall family, and a number of strangers, anxious to witness the ceremony, made their way, on a pleasant afternoon, to a beautiful wood where a stream wound its clear, slow waters in fantastic forms to empty into one of the large rivers. The autumn tints, the sun casting its warm in fluence to the earth through the gray atmosphere, the rustle of the wind in the falling leaves, and the beauty of nature all around, made the scene grand and romantic. Some who had gone along to make sport of the "Mormon baptism," were awed into strange silence by the beauty of the scene, and by the solemnity and scripture-like simplicity of the ceremony. After a word of prayer had been offered, in which Mr. Durant in voked the blessings of God upon the ordinance about to be performed, and asked that all disturbing spirits might be ban ished, he took the lady by the hand and waded with her out into the water, and, in the stillness which followed (those upon the shore unconsciously remaining uncovered), he was heard to say, as he held the old lady's hands in his left, and raised his right hand into the air: "Julia Howard, having been commission ed of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen."
Then he immersed her in the water, and both came forth again out of the water.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 97
The company soon dispersed, and upon arrival at her home, the new convert was confirmed, she preferring this to having that ordinance performed upon the water's edge, which is frequently done. Mr. Durant placed his hands upon her head, . and by virtue of his calling and authority, confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and, in the manner of the apostles of old, bestowed upon her the gift of the Holy Ghost, which he promised should be a light to her all her days.
The Elder was about to leave, having welcomed the new member and congratulated her upon the step she had taken, when he was somewhat surprised by a remark she made in which she expressed a desire to gather with the Saints.
The spirit of gathering had already rested upon her, and he explained to her the importance of this principle of the gospel. The Father desires that His children shall be gathered in unto one place where their hearts shall be prepared against the day when tribulation and desolation shall come upon the wicked. The Psalmist referred to this subject and exclaimed: "Gather my Saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." (Ps. 1:5.) Isaiah, looking to the future, saw that in the last days the mountain of the Lord's house should be established in the tops of the mountains, to which all nations should go. (Isaiah ii:2.) Here the Lord was to give them one heart, and make an everlasting covenant with them. (Jer. xxxii:37-44.) And in that day the Lord should set His hand again the second time to recover the remnants of His people. (Isaiah xi:ll-16.) John, the revelator, saw this time, and heard a voice from heaven saying: "Come out of her, [Babylon] my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. xviii:4.) It was, therefore, in strict accordance with the scriptures that she should have the desire to gather, as well as that the Saints should have an assembling place where they might learn to walk in the paths of God more strictly than in the world. There are ordinances, too, to be performed in the holy temples, for the living and the dead, that cannot be done elsewhere. It is not well, however, that this act of gathering should be considered thoughtlessly and in haste, but rather with deliberation and careful forethought.
In the conversation Elder Durant had incidentally re-
98 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
marked that marriage was not only for time but also for all eternity. The newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland, who had remained to witness the confirmation, was naturally interested in this, and the subject was further inquired into by them.
"What is the belief of the Latter-day Saints in relation to marriage?" said Mr. Sutherland.
"We believe," said Durant, "that marriage is ordained of God, and is binding for eternity, when properly performed by a servant of God having authority."
"Then it would appear that you believe in the family rela tion continuing throughout eternity?"
"Certainly, why not? Everything that is done by the Lord receives the impress of eternity. That being the case, marriage, being sanctioned and ordained of Him, is also eternal if perform ed by one having power as the ancient apostles had, to bind on earth and it should be bound in heaven. It then becomes a work of God, and, as the Preacher exclaims: 'I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it.' (Eccles. iii:14). Can you think of anything more comforting than that the loving ties formed in this world are to endure throughout the ages of eternity?"
"It is certainly more pleasant than to dwell upon a union that shall last only 'till death do you part;' but what proof s have you that your view of the matter is correct?"
"In the first marriage that was ever performed, when the Creator joined together Adam and Eve as the parents of the human race, we have no record of its being done to last only 'till death do you part,' and we do not learn that He set any limit to the continuance of their marriage relations. Why should we doubt that the gift of Eve to Adam was designed to be eternal? They were married before the Fall, before death came into the world. They were eternal beings, not subject to death; death was not considered when God gave her to be his companion and helpmeet. Why then should we conclude that death should void the contract or separate them any more than that it should destroy the spirit? If their spirits could be restored with resurrected bodies, why should not the eternal work of God in joining them as one remain unbroken? The whole second chapter of Genesis breathes the spirit of everlasting union between Adam and Eve. In the eighteenth verse we are
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 99
told by the Lord that, 'it is not good that the man should be alone.' Adam, the man, was created an eternal being, and when God said that it was not good for him to be alone, we must con clude it was not good that he should be alone in immortality; so the Lord gave him Eve for no particular period of his life, but evidently, as she was also an eternal being, to be his wife forever — the union to last as long as they should last — eter nally."
"That seems reasonable, and it is a pleasant hope you have," said Claire.
"With us it is more than a hope; it is knowledge. There are other passages of scripture which bear upon the inseparable connection between man and wife, in marriage as ordained of God. Paul (Eph. v:23) says: 'The husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church.' Christ remains forever the head of the Church, and even so the husband remains the head of the wife eternally."
"What do you mean by saying 'in marriage as ordained of God?' Is not all marriage ordained of Him?" said Mr. Suther land.
"By marriage as ordained of God, I mean marriage per formed in the way He has appointed, by a man whom He has authorized to act in His stead. What man does of himself, without authority from God, must be like him limited to this life. Now, like the authority to baptize, this authority to marry in the way God has ordained, must come by revelation from Him, for no man can take these honors to himself. To find this authority, we must look for it among a people who believe in revelation, and not among churches who declare that the heavens are sealed, and that no further revelation is necessary."
CHAPTER XIII. About the Mormons.
The day upon which the Mormon Elder was to leave his missionary field to return to his home in the mountains, was rapidly approaching. Mr. Brown, the lawyer, had become so interested in the missionary and his peculiar people that this gentleman determined to accompany him to Utah, to see for himself what he had heard so much concerning.
100 . MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
On the evening before their departure, all the old friends were gathered at the Marshall residence, or hotel, and quite naturally the conversation turned to the contemplated trip to Utah, and from that to the motives which led the Mormons to settle in that territory.
"What were the considerations that led to the settling of Utah by the Mormons?" asked one of the members of the little company.
"Persecutions by their enemies was the primary cause," said the Elder. "After the death of the Prophet Joseph, they were driven from their homes in Nauvoo, and hence sought a new abiding place in the West."
"How did the death of Joseph, the Prophet, occur?" asked Mr. Brown.
"He was murdered in cold blood by masked men. You understand that all innovations on existing conditions have been opposed from time immemorial. The gospel has particularly been combated in all ages, as its history amply illustrates. The people of their time did not tolerate Christ and His apostles, and ceased not persecuting them as long as they lived upon the earth. They were all at last put to death. The truths which the Latter-day prophet taught were the same as were expounded by the Savior and his followers, and opposition to these came as naturally as that a similar cause produces a similar effect. The prophet was finally martyred for the testimony which he bore. He had been brought continually before the courts which, however, could prove no guilt against him, for he was innocent of any other offense than that of preaching the gospel of Christ, and bearing his testimony that the God of Heaven had again spoken to man. Some three days previous to his assassination, he went to the city of Carthage, in Illinois, Nauvoo being then the abiding place of the Saints, to deliver himself up to the pre tended requirements of the law. The governor of the state had pledged his word, as the chief executive, that the prophet should be protected, but no effort was made to fulfill this pledge, and so Joseph and his brother Hyrum were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, by an armed mob, com posed of about two hundred persons who had painted them selves black."
"Did this murder of their prophet have the effect of dis-
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 101
couraging the Saints, or rather did they feel disposed to abandon the cause for which they had so far battled?"
"It was very natural that they felt discouraged and that some wavered in their course, but the great majority were in clined to continue with unfaltering zeal in the work, because they knew for themselves that the true gospel had been restored, and that they were engaged in the work of God. And here let me remark that the strength of the Church consists in the per sonal knowledge and testimony of the members. The Spirit of God fills each member with unfaltering faith, and he builds his superstructure of religious belief on personal knowledge, im parted to him, by the power of the Spirit, through revelation. This testimony remains as long as the person lives uprightly and honorably before the Lord, doing nothing to grieve it away. Instead of scattering and abandoning the Church, leaving it to die, as was expected and desired by its enemies, and which would doubtless have been the case if it had not been divinely established, the people gathered strength and through the assistance of God, and the leadership of Apostle Brigham Young, forsook their homes in their beloved Nauvoo, crossed the trackless plains, scaled the mountains, and in the midst of a desolate wilderness founded a commonwealth which has attracted the attention and the admiration of the whole world."
"How did Brigham Young come to be the leader of the people?" asked Mr. Sutherland.
"He was the president of the Twelve Apostles, the quorum next in authority to the First Presidency, upon whom naturally rested the keys of the kingdom, upon whom, in fact, was con ferred the power or authority that the prophet had received from on high. Sidney Rigdon and others sought the honor of leading the Church, but the Lord, through the manifestations of His Spirit, chose Brigham Young for the place, as president of the Twelve Apostles, the people sustaining him by their vote, at a meeting held in the grove near the temple at Nauvoo, on the 8th day of August, 1844. He was afterwards, December, 1847, chosen president of the whole Church. He felt the power of his calling, and made preparations for the great exodus of the people to the West, which had been considered during the lifetime of the prophet, but which was now made absolutely necessary by the persecution of the enemies of the Church. In 1845, anti-
102 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
Mormon delegates from nine counties of Illinois, met at Car thage, and demanded the removal of the Saints. The Council of Apostles agreed to their demands, knowing full well that there was no alternative between exodus or extermination by massacre. In February, 1846, the exodus began by the Saints crossing the Mississippi River, the remnant following on September 17th of the same year, and the movement triumph antly continued, with interruptions, under severest difficulties and hardships, until the pioneers, on July 24th, 1847, entered the valley of the Great Salt Lake. Something of the hardships which they endured and of the magnitude of their undertakings, the historians have graphically pictured. Tullidge says:
" 'The Mormons were setting out under their leader from the borders of civilization, with their wives and their children, in broad daylight, before the very eyes of ten thousand of their enemies, who would have preferred their utter destruction to their 'flight,' notwithstanding they* had enforced it by treaties outrageous beyond description, inasmuch as the exiles were nearly all American born, many of them tracing their ancestors to the very founders of the nation. They had to make a journey of fifteen hundred miles over trackless prairies, sandy deserts and rocky mountains, through bands of war-like Indians, who had been driven, exasperated, towards the West; and at last, to seek out and build up their Zion in valleys then unfruitful, in a solitary region where the foot of the white man had scarcely trodden. These, too, were to be followed by the aged, the halt, the sick and the blind, the poor, who were to be helped by their little less destitute brethren, and the delicate young mother with her new-born babe at her breast, and still worse, for they were not only threatened with the extermination of the poor remnant at Nauvoo, but news had arrived that the parent government designed to pursue their pioneers with troops, take from them their arms, and scatter them, that they might perish by the way, and leave their bones bleaching in the wilderness. * * * In the centuries hence, when the passing events of this age shall have taken their proper place, the historian will point back to that exodus in the New World of the West, as one quite worthy to rank with the immortal exodus of the children of Israel.'
' 'Bancroft says:
" 'Of their long journey many painful incidents are record-
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 103
ed. Weakened by fever or crippled by rheumatism, and with sluggish circulation, many were severely frostbitten. Women were compelled to drive the nearly worn-out teams, while tending on their knees, perhaps, their sick children. The strength of the beasts was failing, as there were intervals when they could be kept from starving only by the browse or tender buds and branches of the cottonwood, felled for the purpose.
" 'At one time no less than two thousand wagons could be counted, it is said, along the three hundred miles of road that separated Nauvoo from the Mormon encampment. Many families possessed no wagons, and in the long processions, might be seen vehicles of all descriptions, from the lumbering cart, under whose awning lay stretched its fever-stricken driver, to the veriest makeshifts of poverty, the wheel-barrow or the two-wheeled trundle, in which was dragged along a bundle of clothing and a sack of meal — all of this world's goods that the owner possessed.
" 'On arriving at the banks of the Missouri, the wagons were drawn up in double lines and in the form of squares. Between the lines, tents were pitched at intervals, space being left between each row for a passage way, which was shaded with awnings or a latticework of branches, and served as a promenade for convalescents and a playground for children.'
"But it would be too long a story, to follow the exiles in their vicissitudes through the whole of their weary march across the uninhabited wilderness that lay between them and their future home, in the then wild valleys of the mountains, and to speak of their struggles for existence after they arrived there. They passed through many severe afflictions in building up the coun try and in settling the territory. The crops were often destroyed by grasshoppers, crickets, untimely frosts, and drought, but in each difficulty, the Lord overruled circumstances for good and prospered the people, providing the necessaries of life. Settlements were established at various points north and south of Salt Lake City, and the thrift of the people, seasoned with the blessings of God, soon caused cities and villages to spring up in all directions. President Young, himself, often went to seek locations for these sites, and was very frequently present when a city or town was founded."
"Truly, a wonderful people with a strange and fascinating
104 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
history. I am more enthusiastic than ever in my determination to see them and their gathering place," said Mr. Brown.
The evening was far spent, and the company prepared to retire, after the usual leave-taking on such occasions. They all wished the missionary and Mr. Brown a pleasant journey. The parting was affecting, for the people had learned to love the Elder, and he, in turn, had a strong and living interest in them. Many missionaries can testify of the binding influence such friends have upon their affections, and people who have learned to love the Elders are frequently as loth to part with them as with members of their own families. This case was no exception. Durant thanked them all for their kindness to him, and blessed them for their hospitality, expressing a desire to see them gather ed with the Saints, if God should open their hearts to an adop tion of the gospel truths.
Early on the following morning, the Elder and Mr. Brown set their faces to the West, and with the present facilities for travel, expected soon to be in the land of the Mormons. As they passed over the vast plains, large rivers, rolling and rugged hills, and pleasant valleys, their conversation was often directed to the great difference between travel as the pioneers endured it, and as it is now enjoyed in the trains of palace coaches.
On a pleasant Saturday evening, after a four days' journey, they arrived in Salt Lake City, where Durant met his family all feeling well. The meeting between husband and wife and chil dren, after such a long separation, was happy in the extreme, and it was with thankful hearts that they kneeled by the family altar, praising God in fervent prayer for His kind mercies in preserv ing them to meet once more.
During the afternoon of the next day, Sunday, they all attended meeting, where an Elder delivered the following dis course, which Mr. Brown listened to with marked attention: "My Brethren, Sisters and Friends:
"I am thankful for the privilege of speaking to you a short time this afternoon. I am anxious to explain, whenever opportu nity affords, the nature of our faith.
"In this free country, where we congratulate ourselves in enjoying and allowing the greatest freedom to everybody, I presume we will, all of us, speaker and congregation, exercise the privilege of explaining and reflecting upon the things that may
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 105
be aaid, so that our friends, I trust, will leave us understanding a little more about the nature of our religion than when they came to the meeting.
"Our visiting friends have, doubtless, heard about the Latter-day Saints. They have had the opinions of men who have spoken in the pulpits, and who have written books about the Mormons, and they, very likely, have come here under certain impressions in regard to the Mormons' faith.
"I am sorry to say that experience has taught me that the public generally have been deceived. I am gratified sometimes in listening to acknowledgements of this kind from those who have heard for themselves, and have thus been able to judge intelligently as to whether the reports which they have heard from our enemies are correct or not.
"It seems strange, but it is nevertheless true, that many people who wish to know the faith of the Saints go to their enemies to learn of them. I do not know whether our kind friends have thought of the inconsistency and injustice of such a course as this. If I wished to learn what the Roman Catholics believed in, I do not think at present that I would go to the Protestant Church to learn it; or if I wished to learn what any denomination of professing Christians believe, I do not think it would be just for me to go to some other denomination to as certain it. In the first place, other churches might be led — perhaps unwittingly, perhaps intentionally — to misrepresent the faith of their neighbors, and I might be deceived through their misrepresentations. On the other hand, there is no need of my going to any one church to learn the faith of another people, because I can go just as easily to their own church to listen to their explanations, and thus be sure of getting informa tion of their peculiar views, without trusting to the misrepresen tations of their neighbors. Now I submit that such a course as this is right; it is just, and accords with our impressions of a fair and just hearing and consideration from the parties most interested, as to whether their faith be correct or not.
"Of course, we have no disposition, as Latter-day Saints, even if we had the power, to constrain any person to believe our doctrines. We have not the power; we have not the dis position. We simply wish to explain the nature of that religion of which we are ministers — laboring under a feeling of anxiety to deliver the message with which we have been sent, that our
106 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
friends may have the privilege of receiving or rejecting it, just as they think proper.
"I approach the examination of this subject, because I believe that many of our kind, honest, well-wishing friends — those who desire to serve God according to His will and pleasure — are under the impression that there exists a confusion so general, and errors so prevalent, that religion seems to be losing its hold upon the minds of the people. And, of course, we who have faith in God and in His revealed word, as contained in the Old and New Testaments, deplore a state of things that indicates a departure from that respect and reverence which we wish to see existing and manifested on the part of the people towards the Supreme Being.
"What is the reason that people are becoming irreligious? What is the reason that people talk of sacred things lightly? What is the reason that men who have heretofore been respected as ministers of religion are now little thought of? It is simply because the religions that are taught are losing their hold upon the minds and affections of the people; because the religions that are taught do not supply the want that men and women feel; because the word preached by most ministers carries with it no power to convince people as to the truthfulness of the doctrines that are presented, or the sinful condition of the people to whom they are taught.
"The present condition of the Christian world does not present that union, that love, that we expect from the per petuation of the doctrines that Christ taught, and it is this fact, understood by many, that increases their doubts and strengthens their objections to what is called 'Christianity.' The New Testament teachings lead us to expect a state of unity in the Christian Church. The admonitions of the Apostles were to the effect that the Saints in early days should be united together, that they should understand alike, that they should speak the same things, that they should be of the same mind and of the same judgment. Such are the words of the Apostle, to be found in I Cor. i:10.
"Now, my friends, does such a state of things exist around us in connection with the Christian churches that we might expect from the nature of a perfect religion, introduced by Christ? Does there exist, at the present time, a state of things so perfect as to agree with the expectations raised from the
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 107
teachings of St. Paul in this scripture that I have quoted? I think not. I am safe, I believe, in stating — and I think our friends are prepared to agree with me — that there does not exist amongst the Christian denominations that unity and that oneness of faith, peace, kindness and love which, by reading the New Testament, we might expect to appear amongst them as the true fruits of Christianity. And it is upon this I wish to make a few remarks before proceeding to explain to you, from the Bible, the nature of our faith.
"Of course, the existence of a number of denominations called 'Christian' cannot be denied. But we are told that all the Christian churches exhibit to us one church; that if one denom ination does not teach the whole perfect plan of religion re vealed by the Lord Jesus Christ, all the churches put together do; although there may be divisions existing amongst the members of these denominations. Unless we accept this view we must object to Christianity on the ground that we cannot find which of all the Christian denominations teach the truth. Here is one church called Christian that teaches certain doc trines, another more or less in its teachings contradicts them, a third teaches doctrines that are in conflict with the other two, and so we might go through them all, and speak in light terms of those who think honestly enough that they are serving God.
"Now, my friends, I will ask this question — First, Is it reasonable to suppose that God would sustain two distinct religious churches as His churches? Is it reasonable to suppose that God would set up two distinct religious bodies, the min isters of which teach different doctrines? After learning from the Bible so much indicating the anxiety of God's inspired servants for a time of perfect unity, I say it is not reasonable to suppose it. And just so long as two distinct religious systems exist, teaching different doctrines and preaching different principles, there exists a conflicting influence, divisions, feelings, perhaps very strong, if the difference in doctrine is very decided. If it is not reasonable, what are we to do? How can we account for such a condition of things?
"This leads to the position we occupy. We want to know something more.
"Is it true that the bodies called 'Christian' at present represent the Church of Christ? Or is it true that they have
108 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
ignored some things belonging to the perfect doctrine of Christ, and taken as their guide their own conclusions in regard to what is right, which leads to the division of doctrine? How is it? But I will endeavor to show that it is unscriptural, as well as unreasonable, for us to receive different Christian bodies as the Church of Christ.
"I will direct your attention to a few passages from the word of God. Jesus, when He sent the Apostles to preach in the first place, said to them, 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' Not any system that might be termed a gospel. There was no choice left to anybody. He spoke defin itely in regard to the gospel plan, which He, the Son of God, came to the earth to set up. Paul, in the first chapter of Gala- tians, eighth verse, says, 'Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' Paul, one of the Apostles, taught the gospel, the same Gospel that Peter, James, John and others taught. They all taught the same system. And Paul said, in another place, that he went up, by revelation, to Jerusalem, taking Barnabas and Titus with him, and com municated the gospel which he preached among the Gentiles (Gal. ii:l, 2), thus showing that he taught the same thing everywhere. You see, Paul's words and practice show that he did not admit of the least change or alteration from the gospel as taught by Christ and preached by the Apostles to the people. In another place it is said, 'Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son' (II John 9), showing us that he taught strictly the necessity of abiding in that form of doctrine which had at first been delivered. I quote these passages to show you that the gospel which Christ and the Apostles first taught was intended to be taught continually, without change, and that none had a right, not even an angel from heaven, to preach any other gospel than that which had been delivered at the first.
"Do you agree with this? Because I am about to examine, in detail, some of the doctrines that will readily show to you the difference between the ministers of the true gospel and the ministers of the so-called gospel that is preached at the present time. But are you prepared to come to the conclusion, with me, that it is the old gospel, Christ's gospel, the doctrines of the
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 109
Apostles that we ought to seek and follow, if we expect eternal life? Or do you think you are safe in following the teachings of men, who have made great changes from such ancient gospel, with the following passage before you? 'If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed." (II John 10th verse.) Do you think you can obtain God's blessing by being members of a church or churches that teach doctrines opposed to what Christ taught? How is this?
" 'Well, certainly/ said one — a Bible believer — 'of course I wish to have the religion of the Bible. I would like to have the religion of Christ. I do not admit of any departure.' This is right. This is consistent. Of course, if there is a question as to whether God has made any change in His primitive faith, revealed through Christ, we shall consider it; for I am willing also to make a change if God has authorized it. I am quite willing to accept any doctrine that God has revealed from heaven for my salvation. I confess to you that I have no disposition whatever to maintain private views or speculations which may have been engendered on my own part through reflection. I wish the doctrine of Christ, as Christ taught it, as the apostles taught it, and I will not, with the light that I possess, depart one particle from the letter and spirit of that ancient plan. And if there are any friends here who have heard that the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not believe in the Bible, let them judge. There are no practices pleasing to God, or likely to bring His blessings upon the heads of the children of men, except those inculcated by Him, through His servants, by the power of revelation from heaven; so that we will not depart from the book. We will not teach doctrines that are opposed to this book, but we are pre pared to show our friends, in the spirit of kindness, that doc trines opposed to those contained in this book are displeasing to God, and are not calculated to bring peace and salvation to the children of men.
" 'But/ says one, 'what matters it whether we go this road that you point out or some other? You know if we can get to heaven one way, is not that as good as another? We will try to illustrate this idea. If a man wish to go to London, says the inquirer, may he not go the road that leads towards the south, or a road that leads towards the north, as the case may
110 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
be; what matters it so that he gets to London? It would not matter in the least. He might go the road that led to the north or that which led to the south, and by making a shorter or longer journey, as the case might be, he might get to London. But you see there is no parallel between this figure and the facts in regard to religion, because there are not two ways to get to heaven. That is the difference. There are two ways to get to London probably, perhaps more, but you see there is only one way to get to heaven, so that when we admit, as an illustration, a figure of this kind, we start with an error and it leads us astray.
"The Bible speaks of one way. It speaks of two ways. It speaks of a broad road that leads to destruction, and it speaks of a narrow way that leads to eternal life. So you see there is only one way that leads to heaven, and if any one persuades us that the wide road will lead us there, he deceives us, for there is only one way, and it is narrow. The Bible is very plain upon this, because the doctrines are steadfast and sure, and the words are plain that there is but one way that leads to life and glory. Now that is the way we want to find out.
"Jesus came, He said, to do His Father's will, not His own. He called Apostles and ordained them, and He said, 'As I have been sent, so send I you. Go and preach the gospel to every creature.' That was their business. But He said, 'Tarry ye first in Jerusalem, until ye are endowed with power from on high.' Jesus called the Apostles. He ordained them Himself. He instructed them personally, and He commissioned them to preach the gospel to every creature. But He wished them to tarry at Jerusalem until they received power from on high; a certain gift which God had promised that they might be qualified, in every sense, to discharge the important duty devolving upon them, of administering words of salvation to a fallen world. The Apostles did this. They gathered in Jeru salem. They were there on the day of Pentecost, and whilst there, in the upper room, the endowment of which Jesus spoke was given unto them. The Holy Ghost came upon them, in the upper room, as a mighty rushing wind, and it sat upon them as cloven tongues of fire. And, whilst under that influence, the Apostles who were sent to preach the gospel, stood up, at least Peter did, as the mouthpiece of the rest, at that time to preach
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. Ill
the gospel that Christ sent them to declare. Now, what was it? Let us lay a good foundation as we proceed.
"Were they qualified to preach it? I do not think any Chris tian will doubt it. If they were not prepared to teach the gospel of the Son of God, then I would have no hope, my friends, of hearing it in this life. Never. Jesus Himself chose them. He ordained them; He instructed them, and after all this, as you will find in the 2nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, 1st, 2nd and 3rd verses, they assembled in Jerusalem, and had fulfilled unto them the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ, re ceiving the endowment of which I have been speaking.
"I think that all my friends here are certainly prepared to accept the words that Peter spoke and acknowledge them to be true. What did Peter say? First, he preached Christ and Him crucified. You see the people who had gathered together on the day of Pentecost were people who had no faith in Christ. They had rejected Him and His instructions. They had been of those who persecuted Christ and the Apostles. They were of those who had either personally or in their sympathies sustained the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, Peter, knowing this, stood up and preached to them, first Christ and Him crucified, and he was successful. Who can doubt it? Peter, a servant of God, ordained by the Son of God. Peter, upon whom the Spirit of God rested as tongues of fire, as the scriptures have it. This man stood up and argued the point, and explained about Jesus. And who can doubt the result? I am sure we would have been disappointed if we had been told in the Bible that Peter was not successful. He was successful. Many believed on him, and the result of their belief was that they said, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' (Acts ii: 37.) No wonder they asked that question. People who had either helped to crucify the Lord, or who had rejoiced when He was crucified, as many of them did, to be convinced that that same Jesus whom they had assisted to crucify was indeed the Lord, the Christ; and when they were convinced of this they cried out, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'
"Peter was prepared to tell them. He had the very instruc tions that were needed, and the words of Peter are applicable to day, my friends, to you and to me, so far as we have not obeyed them.
"We are believers in Christ, I trust. We have fortunately
112 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
made our appearance in this life, in the midst of a people who at least believe in the divinity of Christ, and we have received impressions favorable to this end; therefore the words of Peter, spoken to those who believe in the divinity of Christ, are applicable to us, and are the words of salvation to us, if that ancient gospel is not changed. What were the words? He says, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' (Acts ii: 38. )
"Was that the gospel? Yes, unless the Apostles disobeyed the instruction of Christ, because they were sent to preach the gospel, and they were endowed that they might preach it perfectly and represent God, the Maker of heaven and earth, in the words and spirit by which they presented it unto the people.
"Now, my friends, faith in Christ was the first principle of the gospel; repentance of sins was the second principle; baptism for the remission of sins was the third principle, and then the reception of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands, as taught by Peter on that day in Jerusalem. Is there any objection to this? 'None at all/ says one, 'that is scriptural; we cannot object to it.' A Bible believer can not object to it. But what is becoming of us if such doctrines are not taught? 'Well/ says one, 'are they not taught?' No. 'Faith in Christ is taught/ and 'repentance of sins is taught/ although by some people the latter is taught first, before faith in Christ. Some teach that we must repent of our sins before we can have faith in Christ. This is a mistake. We cannot possibly repent of sin committed, unless we are convinced that we have committed the sin. We cannot repent of laws broken, which Christ has taught through His Apostles unless we are first convinced that Jesus was divine, and had the authority to teach them; so that faith in Christ and His divine mission must be the foundation of our practice as Christians. And the first effect that faith in Christ produces is repentance of the sins which we have committed. So repentance is the second principle of the gospel. But we differ a little more about the third principle. Just read your Bible, and you will find that Peter taught baptism for the remission of sins. (Acts ii: 38.) Again, John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Christ, baptized for the remission of sins (Mark i:4.) 'John was sent from God/ You will find this
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 113
in the first chapter of the gospel according to St. John, 6th verse. John himself said, in the 33rd verse of the same chapter, 'He that sent me to b'aptize with water, the same said unto me/ referring to the instruction he received from the Father regard ing Christ. Both passages assert this, that John the Baptist was sent by God to baptize with water, and we are taught in the Bible that he did teach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. That is just what we might expect. John was God's servant. So was Peter. They both taught the same doctrine. John taught baptism, and Peter told the people to be baptized every one of them. You will remember the servant of God who was sent to speak to Paul, to instruct him just after his conversion. He went to him, and when the scales fell from the eyes of Paul, or Saul, this man of God said to him: 'Why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.' (Acts xxii:16.) Be baptized and wash away his sins? Yes. Now, that agrees exactly with the doctrine of Peter, and the doctrine of John the Baptist. They were all three servants of God, and they all taught the same doctrine, and those who heard and believed that doctrine pos sessed the selfsame faith; so that, so far as baptism is concerned, the ancient Saints did teach and practice the selfsame doctrine —baptism for the remission of sins.
"I want to talk a little about this. One says, 'Well, I have always been taught that baptism was a doctrine of Christ anciently, but I have been under the impression that it was not necessary to salvation.' That may be, my friends; we have been taught a great many things, and good Christian people have believed a great many things that Christian people have re jected since. But that is no reason why we should change the Bible doctrine. The thing is right here. 'Well,' says one, 'I thought we were not able of ourselves to do anything to help save ourselves.' This* requires proper understanding. If baptism brings the remission of sins, and baptism is not attended to by us, we cannot obtain the blessing. Certainly not. God gives us bread to eat, but he does not present it to us. A man sows the seed in the ground and he sees to it and he harvests it and it is threshed and prepared and placed before us in the shape of flour, but we have no disposition to deny that it is the gift of God. If it were not for God's goodness we should have no bread. If it were not for the gift of God we could not attend to the ordi-
114 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
nance that brings remission of sins. We have not power, of our selves, to bring within our reach a single saving principle belong ing to the plan of eternal life. It is all God's free gift. It is all in consequence of His mercy, and His charity, and His goodness and love, and pleasure manifested to us that we have any privi leges at all that will help to make us better, or that will bring us into His Church and kingdom and give us a right to say that we are really His children. The fact that He has laid down ordinances, through which a remission of sins is brought to us, does not warrant us in saying that we do it of ourselves, and when people talk like this it is likely to deceive.
"Now, my friends, the Bible says, in the place I have quoted, that baptism is for the remission of sins. Do we be lieve this? If we do, you know, we must also come to the con clusion, necessarily, that we cannot have a remission of sins without it. If God has placed the ordinance of baptism in His Church, as part of His divine system for a certain purpose, the object cannot be obtained without it. The means which God reveals for certain purposes must be used. We cannot say, and it would be unreasonable in us to say, that when God speaks from heaven in regard to any particular thing, we can ignore His advice when we please and accept something that suits us. It is wrong, and it is this disposition that has led to the present deplorable state of things.
" 'Well,' says one, 'I have thought that baptism was for an outward sign of an inward grace, or of membership in the Church.' Another error, you see! The Bible does not say anything about that. Of course the act of a person embracing the principles of the gospel and becoming a member of the Church, may be a sign, but baptism was not set in the Church for that purpose. It was taught in the Church and administered for the remission of sins and nothing else. And no man or woman can obtain a place in God's kingdom, or enjoy His presence here or hereafter, unless their sins are washed away in baptism, as Paul's were washed away when he accepted the advice of the good and inspired man, Ananias, who instructed him.
"When I think of the importance of this offer which God has made, my heart is filled with thankfulness instead of a disposition to discard what He has taught. It is strange, and we can only account for it on the ground of the waywardness of men naturally, to think that we would attempt to do things in
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 115
opposition to the will of God. Is there a more important bless ing offered to mankind than the remission of sins? Have we any hope of enjoying the glory of God in our present sinful condition? Surely not, for nothing sinful or unholy can enter the courts of glory. Then if God has so put in his Church an or dinance for the purpose of enabling us, like Saul, to wash away our sins, why not be prepared to receive it with joy instead of cultivating or encouraging a disposition to ignore it?
"Baptism for the remission of sins is the third principle of the gospel of Christ. Then comes the ordinance of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter says, on the day of Pentecost, to which we have directed your attention, 'And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' What did that con sist of? The gift of God's Spirit. The reception of God's power, a portion of His power. The reception of an influence which leads those who possess it near to God in their feelings and in their faith. A feeling which produces not only that inward consciousness of acceptance with God, as His son or daughter, but a power which gives outward manifestations of its divinity. Jesus did promise to the apostles when he sent them out first, that 'These signs shall follow them that believe.' Here are His words, 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned, and these signs shall follow them that believe.' The words of Christ, in the last chapter of Mark, 15th and following verses.
" 'Well,' says one, 'you know we do not believe in miracles now. These signs were miracles, .but we do not believe in them now.' That may be, my friend. This is the very reason why we are here, because there is such a great disbelief in the Bible; be cause there is a disposition to ignore the Bible; because there is a disposition to ignore the promises of Christ; and we wish to show you the things that are denied; we wish to point out to you the doctrines our fathers have denied ; that our teachers have denied, and we wish to show you that they are in the Bible, the word of God, in the book which some have gone so far as to assert that we do not believe in. But is it true that the promises of God were fulfilled anciently in regard to this matter? Yes! In the 19th chapter and the 7th verse of the Acts of the Apostles, you will find an instance related of the Apostles laying their hands on some that had been baptized, and they spake with tongues.
116 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
This was one of the gifts that was manifested, in consequence of their receiving that Spirit which produced them. See also Mark 16th and 20th.
You must not consider that, in teaching these doctrines, we are advancing something of ourselves, something new. If we were teaching new doctrines you would have a right to call us to account and ask us for the proof. We are teaching old doctrines. We are teaching the New Testament doctrines, in stead of those of our Christian friends. We have no spirit of enmity in the least degree, towards any living soul, and when we refer to the faith of our Christian friends, remember, it is simply to make the difference between their views and ours more distinct to you. I say instead of our friends calling us to account, it is the Latter-day Saints who have the right to come out and say to their Christian friends: 'See here, why do you deny signs which Christ said should follow believers? What believers did Christ speak about? Why, believers in His gospel. He taught us that these signs should follow believers. Well, then, if our Christian friends deny that we have the right to call them to account — if Christ said that these miracles — manifestations of Almighty power — should follow the believers, I say, what reason have they to deny it? The question is not now whether the Latter-day Saints possess the power or not. The question at issue at present is not whether the teachers of the Church of England have the power or not. The question is, does Christ promise that power to believers in the gospel? I say He does, and I say that those who deny that such powers should follow be lievers, teach that which is contrary to the word of Christ and contrary to the facts that appeared in connection with the teachings and administration of the doctrine of Christ. So that it is not the Latter-day Saints that introduce a new doctrine, and we say to our friends: Hear us, we beseech you — hear the message we have to deliver, for God has sent us to teach the old religion, the religion of Jesus, the simple plan which was revealed from heaven in ancient days, to save the children of men.
"Peter said, on the day of Pentecost, speaking of the gospel and its attendant blessings, 'for this promise is unto you.' That is, to the people who stood before him, 'to your children and unto all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call/
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 117
"You see it was not confined to the members of the church in the first place, as some would have us believe. The promise of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost was made to the children of those who heard Peter, and to all who were afar off, even as many as the Lord our God should call. And if it be true that God is calling sinners to repentance now, we should see the same power manifested today, that is, if we have the true gospel. There can be no doubt of this.
"Which will you have, my friends, the doctrines of the Bible or the doctrines of men? If you accept the doctrines of the Bible you will have to become Latter-day Saints, and of course that would be out of the question for a good many. But we cannot find these doctrines anywhere else, and that is a perplexity. What shall we do about them? When I am speaking to you I think of the position I occupied myself, when I heard the Latter-day Saints first. I went to their meeting, not expect ing to hear anything that would interest me by any means, but I heard the Bible doctrine taught. I could not deny it. I found I had been mistaken. I did not incline in my heart to fight against God, but considerations came up. If I become a Latter-day Saint, people will call me a Mormon. If I embrace their doctrines, my friends will point at me the finger of scorn. If I become a Latter-day Saint, my good neighbors will say I am deceived and led astray, and that I have embraced a doctrine that is in opposition to the teachings of Christ. Of course, these things flashed through my mind when I considered and read the Bible to ascertain positively whether these Mormons taught the truth or not. I thought this — well! I have been religious for the purpose of making my peace with God, but I have been mis taken and led astray by men whom God had not sent to preach the gospel; but now I have found the truth, the old promises relating to God's power; all things, as at the beginning, have been restored, and I have the promise of obtaining a place with the righteous, according to the mind and will of my Heavenly Father. Let friends say what they please, let them say I am deceived, but I believe this Bible is true. Let them say whatever they may in regard to my faith; no matter. I thought of the time of Christ. They called Christ hard names; and of the Apostles they spake a great deal of evil. In fact the Bible says they called them all manner of evil, and although I expected my friends would denounce me, still when I thought of what
118 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
Christ had suffered, I was reconciled and instead of fighting against God, I was willing to accept His doctrine, in order to obtain His blessings.
"I state to you, my friends, that since the day I entered this Church I have rejoiced exceedingly. I have found proofs upon proofs. I have had reason to rejoice in consequence of the mani festations of God's power, confirmatory of the doctrines, and I can say that the Church of Christ is set up, its doctrines are taught, its practices are practiced, its promises are fulfilled, and the evidences of its divine power are manifested in the midst of this people.
"I would like to say a few words in regard to another point. I have just said that I had been taught a religion by men whom God had not sent. I would like to explain. You will excuse us if we seem to be very extreme in our views. We have taken the liberty to teach you the truth just as we have it, and when we say something that comes in contact with what you have re ceived, excuse us. There is no bad feelings at all, or unfriendli ness in the least. But we believe in persons being invested with the proper authority to preach the gospel. Paul says, speaking of the authority of the Holy Priesthood: 'No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron.' (Heb. v:4.) 'Faith cometh by hearing, and how can we hear without a preacher?' (Rom. x: 14-17.) 'No man taketh this honor unto himself , but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.' Now this is very plain, and what does it mean? Simply what it says. That no man has a right to administer in the ordinances of religion except he be sent of God as was Aaron, for how can a man preach except he be sent? (Rom. x:15.) If that be ad mitted, of course, the next question of importance is: How was Aaron sent? By turning to the history we have God's dealing with Moses, in reference to the gathering of the Israelites, from Egypt, you will find that God instructed Moses to call Aaron to be his helper. (Ex. iv:15, 16.) Here is the proof. No man can preach the gospel simply because he feels inclined within himself to be a preacher. No man can preach the gospel — that is with God's approval and authority — unless God commission him. God commissioned every one of his preachers in ancient times. He spoke from heaven. He directed those who held this authority to call others. Christ called the Apostles as He was called. His Father called Him; He called the Apostles, and He
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 119
said, 'As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.' (St. John xx:21.) 'He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me.' The authority was here, you see. God called Moses; He instructed Moses to call Aaron; so that Aaron stood exactly in the same relation to God as did the Apostles; the latter being called of God the Father through Christ. That would be evident, because one whom God had authorized to act as His servant was instructed by Him to call Aaron. Now, you observe, no man has a right to exercise the authority of the priesthood unless he is called of God as was Aaron.
"Are the preachers — those who commonly preach in con nection with the churches of the present day — called of God as was Aaron? Or, in other words, are they called by revelation from God? This is the question. We do not doubt the pro priety of their being called in this way, because the Bible says they ought to be. Do the Protestant ministers, at the present time, profess to be sent of God as was Aaron? Is there a minister connected with the Christian denominations of the present day who professes to be sent of God by direct revelation? Not one. It does not require any argument at all. They do not profess that they have heard from God. They say that God has not spoken since the last book of the New Testament was writ ten. They say it is a sin, and they find fault with the Latter-day Saints because we believe that God does speak; that He has a right to speak; and it is necessary we should have His approval and commission in order to qualify us to attend to the business of His Church. So that our present Christian teachers do not profess to be called of God as was Aaron. They deny all revela tion at present, or since the Bible was written.
"You know the ministers, among their other errors, receive pay for preaching. That is an innovation also. The ancient apostles, and seventies, and bishops, and so on, were not paid for preaching. But the present ministers are. The preachers of this Church, with whom I am connected, are not paid for preach ing. They preach without money, without purse, and without scrip. Now the preachers of the present churches make a busi ness of preaching. They learn to be preachers. They are brought up to be preachers in consequence of their parents or guides finding in this way a place where they may make a living. Such ministers sometimes acknowledge one kind of revelation. Not
120 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
that God tells the people about His will, or that He manifests His power, but they sometimes tell us they have received a call from one congregation to another. But there is one peculiarity about it, viz : the congregation that calls them is a congregation that almost invariably offers them more money than the con gregation to which they have been attached. This is the only instance of any kind of revelation being acknowledged by our Christian teachers. God has not spoken, say they, by inspired men, since the days of the ancient apostles. He has not spoken directly to the Church. He has not authorized a single man to preach, but sometimes a call is given from less money to more. And though they are feeling full of love and affection for the congregation with which they have labored for years, yet they are sorry and regret so much that that call must be heeded, which takes them from among their old friends to a new con gregation. But, you see, the new congregation offers them more money, and that cannot be disregarded.
"My friends, these are a few of the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Are we displeased with anybody? No, not at all. All are at liberty to believe what they please. But we are placed under obligations to deliver the message which God has sent. We say we are not solely depen dent on the Bible, because God has sent the gospel. We do not wish you to think that we regard the Bible lightly. Of course, you will have noticed, from our remarks, that this is not so. But we say from the Bible alone we could not have discovered the true way of life, any more than thousands of our friends have been able to do so. Why, millions of people have read the Bible but have not discovered some of these doctrines. They have been led to preach the things contained therein, and if they had discovered the doctrine, this Bible cannot lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. That part of the work that is necessary for man's salvation must be done by one whom God authorizes. Therefore the Bible alone is not sufficient. It contains the truth. It is the word of God. It contains the in struction of the apostles. But it does not contain the divine au thority that is necessary to commission a man to baptize or administer in any ordinance pertaining to the house of God.
"Now, my friends, may God bless you. And my brethren and sisters, may the Holy Spirit, which leads unto all truth, abide upon us, and may we who have found the truth have a
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 121
disposition to retain it. May we have the moral courage to say, 'Let God be served. Let His truth be obeyed.' Let the Almighty be honored, and if other people choose to follow their own fancies, or the deceptions presented before them by men whom God has not sent, as for us and our house, let us serve God.
"May God bless us, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Bancroft library
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr. Brown's Letter to the Marshalls.
Mr. Brown soon became acquainted with a number of leading Mormon Elders who informed him more concerning the history of the peculiar people among whom he was a visitor. The sights in and around the city were viewed by him, and he had time to inspect the most important buildings and places of interest. According to promise, he wrote a letter to the Mar shalls giving some of his impressions of the country and the people, and his epistle is here reproduced in full: "Dear Friends:
"I am at length in the land of the Mormons — in the city of the Saints, by the Dead Sea of America. I have been well re ceived, and am pleased beyond measure with what I have seen and heard.
"It is a wonderful West. Our country as a whole surpasses the inexperienced conception of Europeans, and places their cramped-up districts, and tiny, although beautiful nations, in the position of playthings when compared with the vastness of America — rustic, rough, and rude as even its oldest places appear. Then what shall we say of the wide West — until recently an unknown region — with its variety of natural won ders, its wild mountains, appalling peaks and lonely valleys, industries, mines of wealth, gorges, streams, plains! It is grand, notwithstanding its development is yet in its infancy. Its possibilities for future greatness are inconceivable even to the hardy pioneer.
"We came over the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway from Kansas City, via Denver. The State of Kansas, with its beautiful eastern cities, and its wonderful plains and new and thriving settlements in the western part, was presented to
122 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
our view from the comfortable palace coaches of the well- equipped road.
"From Denver, where one sees the Rocky Mountains, cloven with fantastic ravines, and horrible chasms, dressed with rough and shaggy woods, and capped with everlasting ice and snow, we proceeded to Pueblo, and thence over the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, to Grand Junction, Colorado. It is no exaggeration to say that the mountain scenery along this route is the most magnificent in the world; while the mid-continent region, which this road traverses, is doubtless the most pictur esque portion of our country. Very appropriately, this road, with its western connection — the Rio Grande Western — has been named, 'The Scenic Line.'
"Having passed Grand Junction, we soon entered Utah, and find ourselves in a country of bluffs, cliffs, wonderful for mations and deserts, which become wearisome in spite of the novelty of the scene. Nothing, however, could be more romantic than the worn battlements and rocky tablets, between which, for miles and miles, the road winds its way. Nearing Castle Valley, we attained a higher level, where the cliffs came nearer and were more precipitous, with the spaces between more green.
"We are climbing towards the heights of the Wasatch — the western bulwark of the Rockies, just passed. Ahead is the Castle Gate, 'the most inspiring as a single object, of all the marvelous scenes between the plains and the Salt Sea.' We soon entered fairly into the Spanish Fork Canyon, the sides of which are neither rough nor cliff-bound, but, rather, are steep and rounded, covered with soft walls of greenery, and groves of aspen and oak. Nearing the valley, we beheld Mt. Nebo overtopping other pyramids of the Wasatch range. Westward lies the vol canic mountain range and the arid deserts of Utah and Nevada; but at our feet stretches forth a lovely valley, with the fresh, clear waters of the Utah Lake in the center.
"We passed on through miles of fertile farmland, and be tween us and the pretty lake were fine meadows, upon which sleek herds were grazing. A semi-circle of Mormon settlements lies at the feet of the encompassing hills, except upon the western side, where no water is found. Prove is the largest of the cities in this valley. A short ride, and we crossed the summit of a low mountain range, separating the valley we had just passed over, from the Great Basin. The train followed along the Jordan
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 123
river which empties the waters of the Utah Lake into the Great Salt Lake. Salt Lake Valley lies before us, with the city of the Saints, and the wonderful saline sea to the north, the peaks of the Wasatch to the north and the east; and about us, on every side, the marks of industry, thrift and prosperity, set in a framework of surprisingly beautiful scenery.
"The valley is extremely pretty when seen at the best season of the year. In autumn, when Nature, by the early frosts, has delicately tinted the leaves with brilliant hues, the mountains and the hillsides are very attractive; the contrast between the vegetation of the hills and the colors of the valley, is an interesting feature in the panorama spread before the delighted observer.
"Utah contains a population of about 375,000; it has an area of 85,000 square miles, much of which is mountains. The Great Salt Lake is about forty by ninety miles in size, and con tains several islands. Fish abound in the numberless small streams that flow from and through the picturesque canyons of the Wasatch.
"The sterility of the country was removed by a system of irrigation from the mountain streams which fertilize the earth, causing it to yield in abundance, and to 'blossom as the rose.'
"When you remember the population and the area, it will readily appear that there is great room for more inhabitants, and yet it must be remembered that only a small portion of the ground is fit for cultivation, the greater part being wild hills or sandy desert. The numerous valleys are like fruitful oases in a wilderness of rugged mountains, which latter serve as reservoirs for the snows of winter, that supply the summer rills with water.
"The valley, sometimes called the Great Basin, has an elevation of from four to five thousand feet, being surrounded and intersected by mountain ranges, which rise from five to seven thousand feet above the level of the basin. The Wasatch range extends along the east side of the valley; at its western base is a narrow strip of land, the most fruitful in the State. In many other parts the soil is alkaline and sterile. In other districts there are fertile basins, with soil of good quality, yielding in places from fifty to ninety bushels of grain to the acre. There are immense deposits of coal, iron, and other valuable minerals, among them being gold, silver, copper,
124 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
zinc, lead, sulphur, alum and borax. Salt works have been established in different places along the shores of the great lake, the water of which contains about 16 per cent solid matter, 97 per cent of which is common salt. In the chasms and ravines of the mountain streams are found cedar, pine, quaking asp, oak and maple, but timber is difficult of access. This, however, is compensated for by the immense deposits of coal in the neighborhood, and in the State itself, and by the railroad facilities the State now enjoys for shipping timber from Oregon and California.
"The hardships of early times, which are now well-known in history, have given way to prosperity, and the hidden re sources of the hills and dales are appearing to bless the children of the Mormon pioneer. Thriving towns and cities extend from north to south, from east to west, over the whole territory, and Mormon colonies are planted along the Rocky Mountains, from Mexico in the south to Canada in the north. Their industry is proverbial; they view the building of cities, hamlets and villages as a divine call, taking hold of the often perilous labor with the invincible determination born of religious zeal and duty.
"Salt Lake City has a population of over 93,000, but it must not be understood that all these are Mormons. The tide of prosperity that has come to this people has brought with it thousands of citizens from all parts of the United States, until the population is as mixed, in a religious sense, as that of any of the states of the Union; churches of all the Christian denominations, and halls of the agnostic, and synagogue of the Jew, and the gathering place of the infidel, are alike represented.
"Among the buildings of interest, in Salt Lake City, is the tabernacle, a remarkable edifice, and the great center of at traction. It was completed in 1870, is an oval-shaped building, with a major diameter of 233 feet, and a height of 70 feet, having a huge dome-shaped roof resting on pillars of sand-stone. It seats about nine thousand people, and contains one of the largest organs in the world. Here services are held every Sab bath, when the Elders of the Church, leaders of the people, instruct the gathered thousands in the religion which, to my mind, is the only scriptural one now preached, and certainly the only one among them "all having practical life and vitality. It contains the germs of power that will leaven the whole relig ious world, scoff and deride as they may.
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 125
"The famous temple, erected at a cost of several millions, begun in 1853, and completed in 1893, is built of gray granite, with walls more than six feet in thickness. It has a length of 200 and a width of 100 feet; the main walls rise to a height of 100 feet; there are three towers and numerous minarets, on each end of the building, the center east tower being surmounted by a figure representing an angel blowing a trumpet, proclaiming the restoration of the gospel in the latter days. The cap-stone was placed on this tower, amid great rejoicing, in April, 1892, when it was decided to finish the building, and dedicate it in April, 1893, the occasion of the annual conference of the Church, which is also the anniversary of its organization (April 6th, 1830,) in New York State, with six members. This great build ing is of elegant design, grand proportions and unique pattern, a marvel of beauty, strength and solidity. Temples, of which there are several in the State, — one in Logan, one in Manti, one in St. George — are designed for use in performing holy ordinances for the living, and vicarious work by the living for the dead, as you understand the faith of the Saints, and as Elder Durant has often referred to and explained in his conver sations with you.
"A Stake is a division of the Church presided over by a council of three High Priests, and in Utah generally corresponds geographically to the division of counties, while in other states and territories, it often embraces larger districts. The stakes are divided into wards, in each of which a bishop and his two counselors exercise supervision. These again are subdivided into districts where presiding Elders or teachers look after the interests of the Church members. There are seventy-five stakes of Zion, with over eight hundred wards. Each stake has a general assembly building, while each ward, besides, has a structure for religious worship. The Assembly Hall, erected at a cost of $90,000, dedicated January 9th, 1882, erected near the temple, is the meeting place for the Salt Lake Stake of Zion. Much like a church in appearance, it is 120 by 68 feet in size, seating three thousand people, and is one of the most con spicuous buildings in the city. The walls are built of rough- hewn granite taken from the same quarry that has supplied material for the temple.
"Other principal cities are Ogden, Logan, and Provo. Ogden, thirty-seven miles north of Salt Lake, is the railroad
126 MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE.
city of the State, and shows the results of the thrift and industry of its inhabitants on every side. Many beautiful natural attractions surround it — its warm springs and rugged canyons being admired by all who see them.
"But I have not space in this already long letter to describe the mines, the manufacturing, industrial and commercial estab lishments which abound in this city and in the State. Neither can I take time to more than merely refer to the schools, public and private, and to the educational facilities of the people. It has often been asserted that the Mormons are opposed to education, but the schools in every hamlet and city bear witness to the falsity of the assertion. No territory or state of the Union, of equal age with Utah, has finer school buildings, or is more advanced in matters of education, and to the Mormons may be ascribed the honor 01 having built and heartily supported the system that has made this possible.
"I see on every side among the Mormons, people who are honest in their convictions, who have a living faith and put their faith and teachings into practice, who are industrious and thrifty, kind to the poor, sober, virtuous. There are no signs of abject poverty anywhere in this city, and much less among the hundreds of country settlements; idleness is discountenanced by the Mormons, until among 'them as a people there are no beggars, tramps or drones.
"A few more words, and I will not tire you with more this time. While, of course, I do not agree with all the doctrines of the Church, I consider the people as a whole are fair minded, and broad in their views. I have met the chief men of the Mor mon Church, and have had a number of pleasant interviews with them. I find them men of grave and reverend demeanor, very religious in thought and deed, but not given to cant. They have not the sanctimonious airs that are so frequently noticed in religious ministers. Heber J. Grant is the present head of the Church, and seventh man who has occupied that position — his predecessors having been Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilf ord Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith.
"I must not close without remembering Mr. Durant to you. He was overjoyed to find his family all well upon his arrival. During my stay in this state, I have remained at his home a part of the time, and have been very kindly treated.
"With love to all, I am your friend,
"Walter T. Brown."
MR. DURANT OF SALT LAKE. 127
CHAPTER XV. Conclusion.
Kind reader, a word before we separate: if you are not a member of what is commonly called the Mormon Church, having read the foregoing pages, you must certainly acknow ledge that you know more concerning its doctrines, from a Mormon standpoint, than you ever knew before.
We have tried to present to you, in a plain and very simple manner, some of the first principles of our faith, the true gospel of Jesus Christ. What do you think of them? .Will they, or will they not, stand scrutiny? It is left with you to answer, and as God has blessed you with free agency, it is your privilege to judge and decide.
Do not treat these doctrines indifferently, nor carelessly throw them aside. Should they be true, the message is of the utmost importance to you. Surrounded with so many proofs, the faith of the Latter-day Saints should demand your further investigation.
Books, tracts, and sermons, in great numbers, and within easy reach, are at your command. Read, listen, investigate! Thousands have done so before, and bear testimony to having received a knowledge of the divine truth, as herein presented.
I part from you with the words of the poet — true as any to be found:
"Know this, that every soul is free To choose his life and what he'll be, For this eternal truth is given, That God will force no man to heaven.
He'll call, persuade, direct aright — Bless him with wisdom, love and light — In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind.
Freedom and reason make us men; Take these away, what are we then? Mere animals, and just as well The beasts may think of heaven or hell."
Published by the Missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in America
BUREAU OF INFORMATION— Temple Block, Salt Lake City, Utah. CALIFORNIA MISSION— 153 W. Adams St., Los Angeles, Calif. CANADIAN MISSION — 36 Ferndale Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. CENTRAL STATES MISSION— 302 S. Pleasant St., Independence, Mo. EASTERN STATES MISSION— 273 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. HAWAIIAN MISSION— P. O. Box 3228, Honolulu, Hawaii. MEXICAN MISSION— 3531 Fort Blvd., El Paso, Texas, U. S. A. NORTHERN STATES MISSION— 2555 N. Sawyer Ave., Chicago, 111. NORTHCENTRAL STATES MISSION— 2725 3d Ave.S., Minneapolis, Minn, NORTHWESTERN STATES MISSION— 264 E. 25th St., Portland, Ore. SOUTHERN STATES MISSION— 371 E. North Ave., Atlanta, Ga. WESTERN STATES MISSION— 538 East 7th Ave., Denver, Colo.
Press of Zion's Printing and Publishing Company Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.