PUSHING THE Published Weekly by Southern States Mission, Church ders for their use and perchance benefit of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Chattanooga, Tenn. Per year Terms of Subscription: Six months Three months Single Copies, 5 Cents. (In Advance) $1.50 ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF 1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 3. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression. 8. We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. 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. 6. 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. 6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church-namely, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, etc. 7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (the American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates; in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 18. 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. OOD, live Elders are from an investigating world, nor indeed ever ready to hear from any individual who is desirous of BOOK OF MORMON. of new ideas or learning. On the contrary, the Book of plans for the prosecution of their work, either Mormon and all orthodox publications in the dissemination of literature or the proare for public perusal. Nay, one very mulgation of the Gospel. We are pleased important branch of the work assigned to hear from the Elders who find their the Elders in the field is the distribution of the literature bearing on the doctrines plans are successful. Plans when sent of Jesus Christ, His Apostles and discito us can be placed before the other ElSaints. If the Book of Mormon cannot ples, as taught by the Latter Day to the cause. President Rich has for the past few months been urging the El- stand the test of the most crucial invesders to push the sale of the Book of Mor-tigation we know of no book that will. Its destruction as being divinely inspired mon. Arrangements have been made so time again, that the price has been reduced and the has been tried time and with no appreciable phasing in the least. Elders requested to take from one to three copies with them at all times. They have been urged to offer them for sale at their meetings and on all possible occasions, where a chance may exist for placing either a Book of Mormon other pieces of literature. Elder E. D. Jones, of the Virginia Conference, has submitted a method of working that seems to us to be very feasible, and he claims is successful. He says, in a recent letter to this office: "I have thought of a project to help push the sale of our books, so I wrote some of the Saints to look out for a number of volumes of the Book of Mormon that I had ordered sent to them to be placed on sale at their homes. I assured them of our faith and prayers in behalf of their efforts. or The results have been that Sister by way of spreading this glorious record We feel sure that almost all the Saints On the other hand, it has impressed all "I arose from its perusal with a strong conviction on my mind that its pages were graced with the pen of inspiration. I was surprised that so little fault could be found with a book of such magnitude. treating as it did of such diversified subjects through a period of so many generations. It appeared to me that no enemy to truth or godliness would ever take the least interest in publishing the contents of such a book; such appeared to me to be its godly bearing, sound morality and harmony with ancient Scriptures, that the enemy to all righteousness might as well proclaim the dissolution of his own Kingdom as to spread the contents of such a volume among men; and from that time to this every effort made by its enemies to demolish has only shown how invincible a fortress defends it." This is absolutely true, and why any person should think or say we dare not show the book is one of the peculiarities of public opinion regarding the "Mormons." No. the Book of Mormon, with any and all of our works, are for sale. Our Elders are pushing the work so that such tales are becoming tinctured with untruths even among our enemies. they eat. The hot weather season is now on and disorders of nearly all kinds are brought on by unwise strains placed upon the stomach and digestive apparatus. The food used in the south is not so hard on the system as is the change from what we have been used to in the west and the lack of wisdom exercised in eating. good for most systems, but great care All kinds of ripe fruits are should be exercised in this respect. When an Elder has been sweating copiously he should not sit in a draft-find a cool place without draft. Don't walk too far in the extremely warm localities; it is too exhausting. Bathe as frequently as possible in water that you are sure is not stagnant, as this is also very dancharged with deadly microbes. Be wise gerous if you bathe in water supernized, and, last, but not least, the sub-in all things, and above all exercise faith jects of this Great Kingdom are becom- in the Lord and He will see you safely In our last week's issue we quoted the ing naturalized or born into Christ's through and guide you in all things by Kingdom every day, yea, every hour, His influence. By some means or other the name of Elder Joseph Skeen was placed as the author of an article entitled "Successful City Work," and it should have been The Law is contained in the Bible, Elder T. H. Humphreys instead, he being Book of Mormon and such other works the author and Elder Skeen knew noth- that have the stamp of divinity upon ing of it until he saw the article in The them. The execution of the Law is in the hands of duly qualified officers; men Star. We trust all affected by the error of divine appointment from that source will pardon the mistake. It was an over-which will in time be universally recogsight that is unaccountable. Florida Conference with blank where The Young Woman's Journal, of Salt its appurtenances prepared to meet Him, Lake City, comes to hand this month each member of which has complied with replete with interesting matter. An ilall the details that were given mankind lustrated article, "A Glimpse of the Sandl as a code of laws necessary for entrance wich Islands,' delineating the early into His Kingdom. The Church of Jesus history, the characteristics, habits and Christ of Latter Day Saints have not customs of Uncle Sam's Hawaiian citipublished any books that are to be hidzens is interestingly narrated. AMONG THE ELDERS. They Like The Star. The Star has received an interesting letter from Mrs. M. L. Webb, of Guntown, Miss., a lady who, with her husband and family, have contributed very much to the comfort of the Elders laboring in that vicinity. Mr. Webb is "Uncle Bob' to all who come under his genial presence, and is fond of telling anecdotes, some of which he colors in his own inimitable way. One of his stories referring to the first acquaintance ever had with the "Mormons" is worthy of mention. Mrs. Webb may be described as a very conservative and careful housewife, ever maintaining that scrupulous neatness and cleanliness that characterizes such an one. This fully portrays Mrs. Webb. She had heard of the "Mormons" and the train of evil stories that are ever present, and, knowing Uncle Bob's warm heart and predilection to take in the stranger and unfortunates, warned him in no uncertain tones that if he ever brought these "Mormons" to their house she would neither cook for them nor serve them in any way. Uncle Bob is sole trustee for what is called the "Webb School House," and, as fate would have it, he was the very man the Elders desired to see. As soon as they did arrive having learned during the day who was the "man" in charge, so about 5 o'clock in the afternoon they were found knocking at Mrs. Webb's door. Mrs. Webb responded and very crustily informed them that her husband was absent, but they might sit on her porch and wait (without a chair) until Mr. Webb came, "which may be for some time." gathered a great deal of information the true Church, encased, as of old, in "It gives me pleasure to add my testimony to the truth of the Gospel that has brought me so much happiness. "Joseph Smith was a chosen instrument in the hands of God to bring about this great Latter Day work." Mr. J. C. Rippy, of King's Mountain, N. C., a recent convert to the faith as taught by the Latter Day Saints, passed through Chattanooga en route to Pagosa Springs, Col., where he goes to meet his brother and two sisters, who have located there and taken up land. Mr. Rippy and his relatives have always been known to be staunch friends of the Elders who have labored in the King's Mountain neighborhood for the past fifteen years. A Grateful Sunday School. Some time ago the Star received a complimentary letter from the secretary of the Sunday school at Whitwood, Ky., Miss Irene Wayman, in which she stated the Sunday school was named in honor of The Star. In appreciation for this pleasing courtesy the school was placed on the complimentary list. The Star has recently received another letter from the young lady, bubbling over with gratitude for the compliments shown their school and the many gems contained in the Star so valuable in their school studies. She refers to the labors of Elders N. A. Peterson and John W. Hamilton in the vicinity of Whitwood. Wherein Elders D. A. Afleck and Raymond they attended to the ordinance of bap- Partridge, who are laboring in Owenstising a lady, thereby engendering boro, Ky., neighborhood, crossed Gospel some prejudice to such an extent swords with a Rev. Mr. Crawley, Mr. that recently, while holding meeting, with Elders Samuel D. Ful-pentance were the only conditions to salCrawley contending that Faith and Remer and John T. Horne officiating, a vation, while the Elders were to prove shot was heard near by and dirt was that these doctrines as well as baptism by thrown into the faces of those assembled immersion for a remission of sins, and by the ball striking the ground. There the gift of the Holy Ghost by was a temporary excitement, but Elder an imposition of hands by those in S. D. Fullmer read Mat. 10:28 and talked authority. It is said that Elder touchingly. His voice was soft and con- Partridge very completely proved his soling, and many tears were shed. The conclusions, resulting in much good in protecting influence of the Spirit of God the neighborhood, with the usual quota was felt by all. of opposition, sometimes to the extent of mob threatening, but no worse. a Miss Wayman had this affair as it occurred manifested in a dream about four A Girl's Faith. Little Ida Lee Eves, of North Carolina, has learned to follow the admonition of the Preacher, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." She then went in and stopped all preparations for supper, being determined to have no inducements out for the Elders to expect to remain over night, nor for her husband to invite them when he should come in. She says that the Elders seemed to take her slight in good part, chatting merrily with each other for about an hour. When her husband came, they promptly stated their busi-months before. ness, and, after obtaining his permission to use the school house as long as desired, they suggested, owing to the lateness of the hour, that an invitation to remain over night would be very acceptable. To this Uncle Bob promptly acquiesced, much to the chagrin of his wife, who stood by looking all kinds of disapproval at the turn events were taking. The Elders, as usual, began making themselves as agreeable as possible, singing, conversing, and in various ways making the frosty atmosphere a veritable elysium, and the cold, prejudice laden hostess was melted to a life-long friend and a large space created in the expansive bosom of Uncle Bob, that is now said to never fill except when an Elder is in the house. Soon after the Star was began the name of "R. A. Webb, Guntown," was filed as a subscriber, and a number of commendatory letters received from the family, expressing high regards for the Elders and the Star. The last letter was written to the Star and contains some compliments that should be given public attention. Mrs. Webb writes: "I have been reading your paper for some time, and am well pleased with it. We feel almost lost if we do not get the paper at each week. I have read with interest the pieces from Apostle Cowley and several other articles that I have She realizes that though young, her influence for good is of some weight with her God as well as with her associates, whom she has been laboring with continually in her own way. President Nelden, of the school board, of Salt Lake City, received the following letter from Admiral Schley last week. It speaks for itself and shows how decidedly the old sailor was moved by the magnificent, reception he received in that city: Omaha, Neb., June 1,1899. Hon. W. A. Nelden, President Board of Education, Salt Lake City, Utah: My Dear Sir: I beg to acknowledge She writes: "Last night I was trou- receipt of your very kind letter of May bled with a very sore throat. While lay-28, in the name of 13,000 school children ing awake I was thinking of President in your beautiful city: Woodruff, being lame from walking, and said to myself, "The Lord can heal me too.' I asked in faith and the soreness left in a few moments. I know blessings do follow those who believe." Persecution a Refining Furnace. An interesting communication from Sister Ann Mary Walls, of Adolphus, Allen county, Kentucky, relates her acquaintance with the Latter Daly Saints during a period of three years. The spirit of religious intolerance reigned in her neighborhood, but, guided by the spirit of truth, persecuton could not retard the struggle for eternal life. She was ridiculed, "but all through added to my testimony and every wave of persecution gave me a firmer hold on the ladder of truth that was to lift me from error and darkness. I had found I cannot tell you how thoroughly I enjoyed the welcome which they gave to me and mine, and which I shall remember with much pleasure all the rest of my life, nor can I tell you how much I was impressed with your beautiful city, its surroundings and the wonderful work that had been done there in reclaiming that desert and making it a paradise. The devotion and patriotism of your people convinced me that anything was possible to them, and this made their welcome to me doubly sweet. Very sincerely yours, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not." WHO WE ARE. PROF. W. F. OPENSHAW, Written For The Star. Upon this great stage of mortal action is involved the origin and destiny of man, his creation and final exit. The source from which life eminates forms one of the strangest phenomenons of nature, and the question who we are, where we came from and where we are going? is one that seriously agitates the minds of the reflective public, and gives rise to a great deal of vague speculation. It is held by some that life with all its great variety of forms is only fortuitous, while others claim that it is but the fiate of a God, while the third party will give you to understand that life in its various forms of development is but the result of transitional evolution, but the only compatible and philosophical solution for this problem is to acknowledge the hand work of God in all things that are created. The intricate problems of life are but the embodiment of simplicity when properly understood. God says that my glory is the glory of the sun, moon, and stars and is the light that lighteth up our understanding," and it is the light of revelation which enables us to understand the object of our creation. was the scene; how their sabres and hel- SEEN IN A DREAM. Written for The Star. Brother Joseph Williams, a Latter Day Saint, who lives at Wright, in Holmes county, Florida, who was baptized on the 11th day of June, 1898, was converted under very forceful and somewhat peculiar circumstances. There was a moment of great anxiety Brother Williams enjoys the gift of dreams, and has for several years. In the year 1872 he had a dream in which the Gospel plan and path was made clear to him in the following manner, as relat For if Adam had not violated this law we could not have had the grand privilege of passing through this life of experience. Then, true to the plan which was adopted in the heavens, Christ came in the meridian of time and offered up his life as an atonement for the law which Adam broke. He was pondering on the problem of life one day, when he went off into a comatose condition, and while in this state was told that people were crossing the ocean on foot. He went down to the shore of the ocean at the starting point and requested permission to try the trip. The man in charge was careful to explain that even if he began the trip it was very uncertain as to his ultimate arrival. Says he: "Very few ever get safely over." "When I got to the water's edge," says Brother Williams, "the man pointed to a plank walk, saying there is the way. I looked and beheld a plank walk about three feet wide. It was just as straight as it could be as far out as I could see. Thus through Adam, all die, so in Christ all are made alive. The condition of humanity today in its various stages of development, are but the result "I started out along the walk and the of our condition before we came here. water was perfectly calm, but after travThere was one third of the host of heav- eling a short distance the waves began en who would not take part in either to roll from the right to left, throwing side for fear they would be on the side water all over the walk, finally entirely that was defeated, thus they did not open-covering it, and I remembered what the man had told me, that many started, but few ever got across. In order to understand who we are, we shall have to pass the canopy of heaven, draw back the veil that hides that mysterious realm and stand before the imperial throne of the omnipotent creator. The object to investigate the pre-ly rebel against God, so did not forfeit existing conditions that surrounded us before we were born. According to the Bible, heaven at one time was populated with myriads of spirits, these individuals had advanced so far as it was possible in that spiritual condition and God saw that it was necessary to provide some way for them to come and take upon themselves mortality. Thus, having the privilege of passing through another experience, or probation so as to qualify themselves to fill a higher and more exalted position on their return, than the one they had left. To this end a grand council was held in heaven and when the plans for a new world was proposed it was hailed with soon as man was made to atone for this sin. So there were two who aspired to this atoning position, Lucifer, the son of the morning, and Jesus Christ. The former said "I will go down and take away the agency of man, making it possible for him to sin so that all will again return to heaven, but I must have all the praise, honor and glory;" but the latter said, "I will go and lay down my life for the sins of the world and give thee, O my Father, all the praise, honor and glory." their right to take upon themselves bod- privilege of mortality, and they are now ness of those who remained true to their first estate, trying in every way possible, All the noble men and women from The satanic influence which drew off one-third of the host of heaven is at work among the human race trying in every way possible to turn them from the paths of rectitude. So it behooves every individual to remain true and faithful to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, not deviating to the right or to the left, but at all times, and in all places, obey the whisperings of the still, small voice, and we will not wander far from the path of integrity. "By this time I could not see the plank walk, but I persisted, and after some further walking the waters began to calm down until it was no trouble to go right along. Soon I came to the other shore across the ocean, and there I found large crowds of people walking lutely silent, none talking to each other around on the white sandy beach, absoor to me on my arrival." about twenty-six years later, or June, The peculiar phase of the affair is that The Elders Brother Williams has seen many signs and evidences that convinces him that he is indeed passing over the troublous waters, and says: "From that time to this I have never doubted the Gospel. The persecutions do not bother me in the least, as I know the Gospel is true and that if I am faithful to the end that I will be saved." The writer of this testimony is 68 Christ's plan was accepted and Luci-There is a reality in life, we are not cling-happy to relate his dream and how he years of age, hale and hearty, always fer's rejected. So smarting under the stinging lash of chagrin and defeated in his prospects, succeeded in stirring up a rebellion in heaven and through his wonderful influence drew off one-third of the host of heaven, one-third remained neutral and the other remained true to God. ing to the phantom of hope, but will have So let us improve the talents that God has so liberally bestowed upon us that when our summons come it may be said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of your Lucifer declared war against the throne and as those two great divisions were drawn up in battle array, how imposing | Lord." St. George (Utah) News. Elder John E. Pace has been appointed second counselor to Bishop Andrus, vice Elder Ed. H. Snow, who is on a mission. AN ENSIGN FOR THE NATIONS. BY ELDER ORSON F. WHITNEY. (Continued from page 214.) of been ordained as early as June, Neither High Priests nor Seventies, however, are authorized to preside or perform missions without being especially called. High Councils are the appellate courts of the Church, the Bishops' courts being the lower tribunals. The extreme penalty imposed by these courts missionaries and their dupes, set all had Jackson county aflame. After some pre-1831. liminary mutterings, the storm burst on the 20th of July, when a mob surrounded the house of William W. Phelps, editor of the "Evening and Morning Star," and razed it to the ground. The editor's wife was brutally thrust into the street with a sick child in her arms. Bishop is excommunication. Edward Partridge was dragged from The Kirtland Temple. his fireside to the public square, stripped The Kirtland Temple, projected in of his clothing and tarred and feathered. 1833, was dedicated March 27, 1836. It Elder Charles Allen suffered simi- had cost between sixty and seventy lar mistreatment. Mixed with the thousand dollars. The main purpose of similar mistreatment. Mixed with the this Temple-the first one erected by the tar was a powerful acid, which burned Saints-was the administration of sacred the flesh. A compact followed, in which ordinances, but it was also designed and the "Mormons" agreed to leave the used for schools, religious meetings and country within a certain time, on condi- councils of the Priesthood. There was tion that no further attacks be made no baptismal font in this building, the orupon them; but one-fourth of the time dinance of baptism for the dead, for had not elapsed before the mob renewed which such fonts are principally used, hostilities. The Mormons appealed to not being practiced by the Church at that the Governor of the State, Daniel Dunk- time. lin. He advised them to seek redress in the courts. They did so, instituting legal proceedings against their oppressors. This was the application of the match to the mine; an explosion followed, in which, like the stones and timbers of some huge building blown to atoms, the Saints, beaten, whipped and plundered of all they possessed (some of them even, shot down while defending their homes) were driven in every direction from Jack son county. Out upon the bleak prairie, along the Missouri's banks, chilled by November's winds and drenched by pourKirtland at this period acquired coning rains, hungry and shelterless, weep-siderable fame as a center of learning. ing and heart-broken, wandered forth the Schools of science and languages were exiles. Most of them, after much suffer- established by the Prophet, who, with the ing from hunger and exposure, found a Apostles and other leading Elders, now The motives of the Mormon people in refuge in Clay county, on the opposite sought to avail himself of every advansettling among the Missourians had been shore. Sixty-six years have passed since tage of education. It was the scholastic The year 1833 was signalized by various important events. At Kirtland, on the 18th of March, the First Presidency was organized-Three High Priests, after the order of Mechisedek, chosen and sustained by the body of the Church, over which in its entirety they preside. The personnel of the Presidency in this its first organization was as follows: Joseph Smith, Jr., President; Sidney Rigdon, first counselor; Frederick G. Williams, second counselor. It was the year Brigham Young's removal to Kirtland, from his former home at Mendon, N. Y., where he was baptized by Elder Eleazer Miller on the 14th of April, 1832. During that summer or fall he had paid a visit to Kirtland, and met for the first time the Prophet of God. The latter, on seeing him aproaching, exclaimed: "Here comes a man who will yet preside over this Church." Brigham now took up permanent residence at Kirtland, working upon the Temple there at his trade of painter and glazier. The last day of 1833 witnessed the baptism, by Elder Zera Pulsipher, at Richland, Oswego county, New York, of Wilford Woodruff, who became the fourth President of the Church. John Taylor and Lorenzo Snow, the remaining two of the presidential quintet, had not yet been gathered into the fold. It was also the year of the expulsion of the Saints from Jackson county. The Jackson County Tragedy. strangely misinterpreted. Peacefully they had taken possession of the lands they had purchased in that section and were industriously occupied in improving them. They had built houses, mostly log cabins, opened a store at Independence, and having procured a printing press from the East were issuing a periodical called the "Evening and Morning Star." then, and though the dispossessed and is still to them "the land of Zion;" the land to which they or their children will of Zion." The Twelve Apostles. this vicarious work, which was to "turn The spiritual keys pertaining to the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers," as foretold by Malachi, were committed by Elijah the Prophet to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple, April 3, 1836. The Savior and other heavenly beings appeared to them on the same occasion, and Moses committed to them "the keys of the gathering of Isrial from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the Ten Tribes from the land of the North." repute of Kirtland at this time that drew fifth President of the Church-Lorenzo Snow, a native of Mantua, Portage county, whose sister, Eliza R. Snow, the poetess, had preceded him into the fold. Lorenzo was baptized in June, 1836, by John F. Boynton, one of the Twelve Apostles. to it the man destined to become the Apostasy. the About this time a wave of temporal prosperity, or what appeared to be such, passed over the Church at Kirtland, and its ultimate effects, spiritually and temporally, proved disastrous. The Mormon, and blessed and set apart un- greed of gain, and spirit of speculation, der the hands of the First Presidency. so fatal to religious enthusiasm in all They were Thomas B. Marsh, David W. ages, sapped the spiritual life of Patten, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kim- Saints and drove the ship Zion rapidly ball, Orson Hyde, William E. McLellin, toward the rocks and breakers of deParley P. Pratt, Luke Johnson, William struction. Apostles, Seventies and ElSmith, Orson Pratt, John F. Boynton ders neglected their spiritual callings to and Lyman E. Johnson. Subsequently compete in the mad race for wealth. An two quorums of Seventies-assistants to unwise inflation of values was followed the Apostles-were selected. These men by the inevitable collapse, and bitterness, were all taken from the ranks of the sur. hatreds and heartburnings were the revivors of Zion's Camp, a religio-military sult. The failure of the Kirtland Bank, organization, which, in 1834, went with a Mormon institution, which, with many the Prophet to Missouri to "redeem other banks and business houses Zion." Sixty-eight of the 205 men com- throughout the country, went down durposing the Camp were attacked with ing that period of general financial discholera on Fishing river, and thirteen or aster, intensified the ill-will felt in and fourteen of them died. Their efforts to out of the Church toward the Prophet reinstate their brethren and sisters upon and those who stood loyally by him. the lands from which they had been Among the foremost of his defenders driven were unavailing, but their faith against those who denounced him as and integrity were proven by that ardu- | “a fallen Prophet," was Brigham ous and perilous expedition. A School of Elders, after the pattern of Stake organizations-three Presidents and twelve High Counselors to each were established both in Ohio and in Missouri. High Priests, who hold the inherent power to preside, even as the Seventies hold the inherent power to assist the Apostles in preaching the Gospel Young, who, with the Prophet and Elder Rigdon, was finally compelled to flee for his life. Among those who yielded to the spirit of apostasy then prevalent were one of the First Presidency and several of the Twelve Apostles. (To be continued.) REPORT OF MISSION CONFERENCES FOR WEEK ENDING MAY 20, 1899. Christo Hyldah!.... Chattanooga 13 289 139 Joseph F. Pulley... Virginia.... B. F. Price TOWN Chattanooga 1 Haran 106 Re-visited Rej. Testimo ELENA nies of Elders 10 205 184 22 13 634 563] 38 25 215 193 23 12 461 468 33 11 9 16 18 19 10 14 4 13 13 9 58 33 8 12 3 17 34 904 496 141 36 Elder Arthur C. Candland. Written for The Star. "Prove all things; hold that which is good," was the admonition of Paul to the Thessalonians. Professing Christians and skeptics would do well to obey the same exhortation in these days. It hardly seems possible that people claiming to believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost could consistently receive or reject any message purporting to be sent from God to man, without giving it due consideration. It would appear that the fate of the antediluvians, also the Jews who rejected the counsel of God against themselves, should be a warning voice to mankind in this age. If they were investigating and heeding the communication from the Lord to them, can we expect any other result than that disaster will overtake those who reject the revelations in this day? condemned for not a God has never commanded His children to receive any message from Him or to reject any craft of man without granting them the privilege of personal ascertainment. He is ever ready to give to the earnest seeker of truth knowledge of the same. Indeed there can be no justification without investigation. He desires His children to walk in the light and not grope in darkness. "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." "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 unto him." Now, if so-called Christians believe in the Lord and Savior, why don't they try to obtain of Him a knowledge of the Book of Mormon? It professes to have been revealed by an angel to this generation as a divinely inspired record containing the fullness of the Gospel, and was written by a succession of Prophets who inhabited ancient America. The book itself contains within it a promise that if the readers of the work will peruse it with a prayerful heart, an unbiased mind and a real desire to know if it is of God, that they shall receive a witness of the Lord to their understanding that the book is of divine origin. (See Moroni, 10:45.) "This book must be either true or false. If true, it is one of the most important messages ever sent from God to man." If false, it is a bold imposi tion. No one should rest satisfied with the opinions of others, but should examine for himself. Those who denounce the Book of Mormon as a deception, have they investigated its contents with an unprejudiced 43 684 269 13 mind and a prayerful heart? Have they ever seen or read a page in it? Have they asked of the Lord in faith? Have they sought in earnestness? Have they knocked with a sincere desire to know of the truthfulness or falsity of this great book? If not, they cannot reject it welfare. For wilt thou learn, oh, vain without greatly hazarding their eternal man, that without investigation there is no justification! As a testimony that God is no respecter of persons, and that He will give to everyone who will ask in faith, a witness of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, we present the following manifestation given to an honest seeker for truth. People were continually saying all manner of evil against the Elders, and speaking lightly of the Book of Mormon, and he determined to ask the Lord about the book and not trust in the arm of flesh. He did so and received the following to his prayer: "On the night of April 5, 1899, I retired to rest and as I laid my head on the pillow I asked the Lord in faith and with a sincere desire to know the truth and obey it, to reveal to me in a dream I if the Book of Mormon was true, and that night my prayer was answered. dreamed two of us were standing together and I saw an angel come from heaven and he handed to the person with me a record written in a language I could not read. The person with me then handed me a book and said: 'Here is the true I took the translation of the record.' book and looked on the back of it and saw written there distinctly, "The Book of Mormon.' I opened it and read of how Moroni sealed up the record. the Lord. "This is my testimony to the work of Jessie L. Pope." This is one of the thousands of testimonies borne to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Those who do not believe in this book or have not a testimony of its divine origin may have a witness if they will comply with the commandments of God. Remember, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." Read the work and then "produce your cause, sayeth the Lord: bring forth your strong reasons, sayeth the King of Jacob." Elders are requested to withhold their orders for Book of Mormons until after the 18th of June, as the stock is entirely exhausted. After this date plenty will be on hand for all who need any. STATE Tennessee. Virginia. Kentucky. Tennessee. Georgia. Alabama. Florida. Tennessee. N. Carolina S. Carolina. Mississippi. Kentucky. Louisiana. Alabama. Extract from a London, Ky., Paper. London, Ky., April 25, 1899. Hon. A. R. R. Dyche: Dear Sir-There has been said so much lately condemning the Mormons that I want to say a few words in their behalf. I have been in the hotel business in London ever since 1886, and during that time I have had all sorts of people at my house, and I will say I never had a crowd during the whole twelve years that was more orderly or gentlemanly than the crowd of Mormons which have just left for their respective fields of labor. There were fifty-five in all at my house, and out of that number there was not one that I could find the least fault with. Some were here for a week and some for only a few days, but during the whole time not one act or word did I see or hear but I believe was that of a true Christian gentleman. It has been said of the Mormons that they will never pay a bill. I want to say that it is a great mistake. $1 a day each, and before they left each They made a contract with me to pay man walked up and paid his bill without a murmur, some of them even paying in advance. I think if some of the people here who condemn them so bitterly, and even close their doors against them, would pattern after them more closely and try to lead a life like the Mormons do, or at least like they did while at my house, they would be far better Christians. Now, I am a member of the Christian church, and know comparatively nothing of the Mormon religion, but I do not believe in condemning any person class of people in this free country of ours, without giving them a fair hearing. |