Le eleventh chapter of the same book, prophecy is introduced, which bears upon the discovery and translation "Golden Bible," by the prophet

behold, I prophesy unto you concerning days; concerning the days when the Lord Il bring these things forth unto the chilnen. After my seed and the seed of my shall have dwindled in unbelief, and shall en smitten by the Gentiles; yea, after the d shall have camped against them round d shall have laid siege against them with a nd raised forts against them; and after they we been brought down low in the dust, even y are not, yet the words of the righteous written, and the prayers of the faithful | heard, and all those who have dwindled in shall not be forgotten; for those who destroyed shall speak unto them out of nd, and their speech shall be low out of and their voice shall be as one that hath r spirit; for the Lord God will give unto er, that he may whisper concerning them, t were out of the ground; and their speech isper out of the dust. For thus saith the d: They shall write the things which done among them, and they shall be and sealed up in a book, and those who ndled in unbelief, shall not have them, seek to destroy the things of God: wherethose who have been destroyed, have stroyed speedily; and the multitude of ible ones, shall be as chaff that passeth Yea, thus saith the Lord God: It shall be tant, suddenly."

people upon whom this destruction e the builders of the ancient cities, is of which put the first idea of the ance into the head of Spaulding; e the "Nephites" of the fiction, ecords are upon the golden plates. sally against all the sects of Christenmong which the Church is of course ¡otten,) the " prophecy" thus pro

it shall come to pass, that the Lord God ng forth unto you the words of a book, shall be the words of them which have

ed. And behold the book shall be sealed: he book shall be a revelation from God, beginning of the world to the ending Wherefore, because of the things which d up, the things which are sealed shall elivered in the day of the wickedness and tions of the people. Wherefore, the book kept from them. But the book shall be I unto a man, and he shall deliver the the book, which are the words of those e slumbered in the dust; and he shall hese words unto another; but the words

shall not deliver noither

shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until forth: for behold, they reveal all things from the the own due time of the Lord, that they may come foundation of the world until the end thereof. And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house-tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ : and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be, even unto the end of the earth. Wherefore, at that day, when the book shall be delivered unto the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it, save it be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book and the things therein. And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few, according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men for the Lord God hath said, that the words of the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book'; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good, will he establish his word; and wo be unto him that rejecteth the word of God."

A similar prophecy is placed on record by Moroni, the son of Mormon, in the fourth chapter of that portion of the whole collection called the Book of Mormon," to which the title "The Book of Mormon," specially

belongs.

"I am the son of Mormon, and my father was a descendant of Nephi ; and I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. For he truly saith, that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless. For none can have power to bring it to light, save it be given him of God; for God will that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord. And blessed be him that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God; and if there be faults, they be the faults of a man. But behold, we know no fault. Nevertheless, God knoweth all things; therefore he that condemneth, let him be aware lest he shall be in danger of hell-fire. And he that sayeth, show unto me, or ye shall be smitten, let him beware lest he commandeth that which is forbidden of the Lord."

To these "prophecies" we shall add one.

more extract from the twelfth chanter of the

ond book of Nephi, which defines the ition assigned to the "Book of Mormon" ative to the Holy Scriptures.

Behold there shall be many at that day, when all proceed to do a marvelous work among m, that I may remember my covenants which I e made unto the children of men, that I may my hand again the second time to recover my ole, which are of the house of Israel; and also, I may remember the promises which I have e unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, I would remember your seed; and that the ds of your seed should proceed forth out of my th unto your seed. And my words shall hiss unto the ends of the earth, for a standard my people, which are of the house of Israel. because my words shall hiss forth, many of Gentiles shall say, a Bible, a Bible, we have a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible. thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the , mine ancient covenant people. And what k they the Jews for the Bible which they ree from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles n? Do they remember the travels, and the rs, and the pains of the Jews, and their dilice unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto Gentiles?

ye

remembered the Jews,

Oye Gentiles, have ancient covenant people? nay, but ye have ed them, and have hated them, and have not ht to recover them. But behold I will return ese things upon your own heads: for I the hath not forgotten my people. Thou fool, shall say, a Bible, we have got a Bible, and eed no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bisave it were by the Jews? Know ye not that are more nations than one? Know ye not I the Lord your God have created all men, that I remember those who are upon the isles e sea; and that I rule in the heavens above, In the earth beneath; and I bring forth my unto the children of men, yea, even upon all iations of the earth? Wherefore murmur ye, use that ye shall receive more of my word? w ye not that the testimony of two nations is ness unto you that I am God, that I rememne nation like unto another? Wherefore I the same words unto one nation like unto er. And when the two nations shall run her, the testimony of the two nations shall ogether also. And I do this that I may prove many, that I am the same yesterday, to-day, orever; and that I speak forth my words acng to mine own pleasure. And because that e spoken one word, ye need not suppose that not speak another; for my work is not yet ed; neither shall it be, until the end of man ; er from that time henceforth and forever. Vherefore, because that ye have a Bible, ye not suppose that it contains all my words; er need ye suppose that I have not caused to be written; for I command all men, both e east, aid in the west, and in the north,

:

them for out of the books which shall be written, I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. For, behold, I shall speak unto the Jews, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and they shall write it.

have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites “And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nelost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel phites and the Jews shall have the words of the shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews. "And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, sl all be gathered home unto the lands of their possession; and my word also shall be gathered in one.* And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abra

ham that I would remember his seed forever."

We now resume the thread of our history. The translation from the "Golden Plates," or the "Book of Mormon," being at last completed, and printed at the expense of Martin Harris, the prophet deemed that the time was now come for organizing a "Church." As far back as June, 1829, a "revelation" had been "given to Joseph Smith, jun., Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer," directing them to look out twelve men fit to be chosen as apostles, and announcing other measures preparatory to the "building up the Church of Christ, according to the fullness of the gospel.' Another "revelation," to the same purpose, followed in April of the following year :

"The rise of the Church of Christ in these last

days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeably to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April; which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church: and to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of

this church, and ordained under his hand; and this according to the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen.

* In like manner Christ is made to say, in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, “The Book of

ly manifested unto this first ceived a remission of his sins, again in the vanities of the penting, and humbling himself faith, God ministered unto se garments were pure and er whiteness; and gave unto which inspired him; and gave high, by the means which were Cranslate the Book of Mormon, ecord of a fallen people, and Gospel of Jesus Christ to the e Jews also, which was given is confirmed to others by the els, and is declared unto the ing to the world that the Holy and that God does inspire men is holy work in this age and as in generations of old, theree is the same God yesterday, Amen.

el, whose countenance was as

ng so great witnesses, by them udged, even as many as shall knowledge of this work; and t in faith, and work righteous a crown of eternal life, but their hearts in unbelief, and -n to their own condemnation, as spoken it; and we, the elders heard and bear witness to the us Majesty on high, to whom nd ever. Amen.' Covenants 5, Sect. ii. §§ 1-3.

and seek not to counsel your God."-Covenants and Commandments, Sect. xlvii.

A special form is given for the administration of the Lord's Supper, but this is sub"revelation" which sequently modified by a declares the use of the proper elements of the sacrament to be immaterial:

"Behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory; remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins: wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that you shall not purchase wine, neither strong drink of your enemies: wherefore, you shall partake of none, except it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father's kingdom, which shall be built upon the earth."-Covenants and Commandments, Sect. 1. § 1.

a short account, after Joer, of the creation, the fall, nt, the coming of Christ, and spensation, ending with the aptism, as the means of enMormon "Church." After outline of the constitution "of the functions of her and members, and of the Ordinances. Baptism is to y immersion, but only to eached the age of " accouns fixed at eight years.* A arisen from the wish of some the Church, who were, neling to be rebaptized, the tled by a special "revela

ared that

The Church being constituted-at Manchester, State of New York-the prophet next had a "revelation," appointing himself to the prophetic office, and providing for his own ordination by one of the three witnesses:

n should be baptized a hundred him nothing, for you cannot Light gate by the law of Moses, ad works,"

them to

e gate, as I have commanded,

"Behold there shall be a record kept among you, and in it thou shalt be called a seer, a translator, a prophet, an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the Church through the will of God the Father, and the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ, being inspired of the Holy Ghost to lay the foundation thereof, and to build up unto the most holy faith, which church was organized and established in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty, in the which is called April. fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month,

"Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments, which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith; for by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory. For thus saith the Lord God, him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good, and his diligence I know, and his prayers I have heard, yea, his weeping for Zion I have seen, and I will cause that he shall mourn for her no longer, for his days of rejoicing are come unto the remission of his sins, and the manifestations of my blessings upon his works.

"For, behold, I will bless all those who labor in my vineyard with a mighty blessing, and they shall believe on his words, which are given him through me by the Comforter, which manifesteth that Jesus was crucified by sinful men for the sins of the world vea for the remission of sins unto the con

should be ordained by you, Oliver Cowdery, mine apostle: this being an ordinance unto you, that you are an elder under his hand, he being the first unto you, that you might be an elder unto this church of Christ, bearing my name, and the first preacher of this church unto the church, and before the world, yea, before the Gentiles; yea, and thus saith the Lord God, lo, lo! to the Jews also. Amen."-Covenants and Commandments, Sect.

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Magnify thine office, and after thou hast sowed thy fields and secured them, go speedily unto the church which is in Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester, and they shall support thee; and I will bless them both spiritually and temporarily; but if they receive thee not, I will send upon them a cursing instead of a blessing.

"And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church; and it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write, and they shall hear it, or I will send unto them a cursing instead of a blessing." Covenants and Commandments, Sect. ix. § 2, 3.

And in September of the same year 1830, a special "revelation" became necessary to repress rival claims to prophetic gifts. One Hiram Page, one of the eight witnesses, was instructed that "those things which he had written from that stone," were not of God, but that Satan was deceiving him ;" and to apostle Oliver himself, the wide distinction between himself and the prophet had to be pointed out:

"Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this Church, excepting my servant Joseph Smith, jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses; and thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the Church. And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter, to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the Church, thou mayest do it. But thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom: and thou shalt not command him who is at thy head, and at the head of the Church, for I have given him the keys of the mysteries, and the revelations which are sealed, until I shall appoint unto them another in his stead."-Covenants and Commandments, Sect. li. § 2.

It would be an endless task to adduce the various "revelations" which now succeeded

each other, all having for their object to enforce the prophet's behests in the Church, to consolidate his authority, to repress the claims of his accomplices in the fraud to a share of his power, and to dispose of intractable Church-officers by sending them forth on missionary excursions. While the 66 Church" continued in Manchester and its vicinity, under the sole control of Joseph, he contrived to maintain his authority tolerably well. But a mighty change took place when, at the end of 1830, Sidney Rigdon's jointauthority was brought into play. His introduction to the Church was most skillfully managed by means of a mission to Kirtland, Ohio, where Rigdon was presiding over a congregation of Campbellite Baptists. On the new doctrine of the Book of Mormon being preached to them, a number of the Campbellites, and among them Rigdon himself, were converted, and received baptism at the hands of Joseph's emissaries. This was followed by a visit from Rigdon to the "Church" at Manchester, when this " 'revelation" was "given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon," in December, 1830 :—

66

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come, and thou knewest it not. Thou didst baptize by water unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost; but now I give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of thy hands, even as the apostles of old,"-Covenants and Commandments, Sect. xi. § 2.

Soon after this, at the beginning of the year 1831, the head-quarters of

the

Church" were removed to Kirtland, and from this time forward the "revelations" assume a fuller and more ambitious character, which evidently bespeaks the influence of a thorough man of business, more highly educated, and more deeply versed in the Scriptures than Joseph. One Edward Partridge, a creature of Rigdon's, who had come with him from Kirtland to Manchester, and returned thither in his and Joseph's company, was by "revelation" appointed Bishop;" an office which had regard rather to the ecclesiastical government of the

66

Church," and the management of her temporalities, than to spiritual oversight, and which rendered him at times very obnoxious to Smith, as several of the "reve