FROM
CHRISTADELPHIANISM TO MORMONISM.
Raders of the Millennial Star
may feel interested in the circumstances that led the writer of the present
article to become a "Mormon." The gospel has been compared to the
wind, "it bloweth where it listeth, and no one knoweth the sound
thereof." God has so many varied ways in reaching the human heart that no
two experiences are alike. "The kingdom of heaven is not entered by
force"—it is foolish to say that nature's secrets can be wrested from her,
she will reveal herself only to those who study her. The same principle holds
good in the spiritual world. "Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall
be opened unto you." God will only reveal His will to those who wish to do
His will; but all in His own good time. As the wise man has said, "To
every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."
(Eccles. 3:1.)
I was reared in a school of
religious thought that considered itself in no small degree, "the salt of
the earth." The Christadelphians—Thomasites, or soul-sleepers, as they are
sometimes called—is a sect which originated in America. It was founded by Dr.
Thomas, a medical gentleman of considerable ability, who abandoned his
profession and devoted himself to religious studies and the furtherance of the
new cult. There are many points in Christadelphian teaching in remarkable
harmony with "Mormonism." Indeed, so much is this the case, that the
writer is acquainted with many of this sect who have joined the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. They believe in one God. Like the Latter-day
Saints, they insist that the Eternal Father is indivisible and one, that Jesus
is His Son, miraculously begotten and exalted to a place at God's right hand;
the Holy Spirit is the Divine influence or energy by which the Father is
omnipotent and supreme. They believe man is mortal and is unconscious between
death and the resurrection; there is no personal devil and no hell. They
believe in baptism for the remission of sins, that Christ will come again and
establish his Kingdom upon the earth and reign a thousand years, and then hand
it over to the Father that God may be all in all.
This is a brief exposition of the
creed to which I formerly subscribed. As will be observed, the nature of man,
as taught by them, is in direct opposition to the generally accepted belief in
human immortality. It seemed to me, as years advanced, a revolting idea that
God, who is a God of love, justice and mercy should deny equality of
opportunity to His children. This fact was painfully impressed upon me by sad
experience. I lost a baby, and it was then that I first felt doubts arising,
and experienced the poverty of a faith that could give no consolation in the
hour of sorrow, for according to the gloomy tenets of Christadelphianism, there
was no hope for those who died in an unbaptised state, and that death ended
all. Those who have passed through the furnace of affliction best know the
anguish of the human soul when death separates us from our loved ones, but who
can express the agony of those who sorrow with no hope. Since that time I began
to let my fancy wander freely; doubts assailed me on every side. The old
beliefs were being undermined. I began to lose faith in those things that I
formerly held dear and sacred. In this unsettled state I could say with George
de Romanes, "The world looked cold and bare, and life was losing half its
beauty and color."
About six years ago I made the
acquaintance of the Latter-day Saints. Chance directed me to their
meeting-place, and although I was pleased with what I there saw and heard, the
impression was not sufficiently strong to produce any other effect. All this
time I continued in fellowship with the Christadelphians, but I am afraid my
religion belonged more to the head than to the heart. From my earliest years I
felt interested in the occult. The phenomena of spiritualism is a fascinating
thing, and as I had some power in that direction, my friends would have me to
be a medium, though I denied all claims to such an unenviable position. I
mention this circumstance as showing the extremes into which one can wander
without God at the helm. I was like a ship without a rudder, tossed to and fro
by every wind of strange doctrine, always learning yet never arriving at a
knowledge of the truth. About two years ago I made the acquaintance of two
elders of Israel, and after a conversation in which we exchanged views, I was
delighted to find doctrines advocated which coincided in a remarkable manner with
my own, and it is from that date that my conversion began. But there was much
prejudice and error that stood in the way, and I battled hard and contested
foot by foot the progress of truth into my soul. Like the Prophet Joseph Smith,
I sent many a prayer to God to shed light on my troubled soul. What
questionings of motives, what anguish of mind I suffered, what doubts and fears
assailed me! The very name of "Mormonism" frightened me! What would
my friends think? How could I stand before the ridicule and sneers of my
associates? These were the feelings experienced by me in the transitionary
period.
The first doctrine of the Church
that appealed to my inmost nature was the immortality of the soul and the
purpose of God in placing man upon this earth, though strange as it may appear.
The doctrine of pre-existence did not find acceptance till some time later. But
the work was begun, and I felt powerless to resist the whisperings of the still
small voice. I was led to see the justice and mercy of God in giving an
opportunity to all His children to hear the good news of the kingdom,
"that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other
creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 8: 30, 39.) The old barren belief of
Christadelphianism gave place to this good news of Mormonism. Henceforth I
sorrowed no longer as those who have no hope, but rejoiced in the knowledge
that our absent darlings will see the Father's face and rejoice in the
blessings of the everlasting gospel. I always felt the injustice of being
punished for Adam's transgression, it was so unlike a God of love and justice
that we should be punished for what we did not do, and so I found no difficulty
in accepting the teaching of "Mormonism," welcoming it as consonant
with reason, and the highest aspirations of my nature. I can but dwell briefly
on those things that drew me to "Mormonism." The articles of faith
presented to my mind the highest conception of God and His purposes. In many
things they expressed my own sentiments; in others I had to yield a humble
submission. They spoke intuitively to me, and made me a Mormon before I had
realized it. I felt convinced that doctrines like these could only emanate from
one source—from God: And so I rejoice in giving my testimony that Joseph Smith
was a prophet sent of God to usher in the last dispensation, and that among the
sons of God he has secured imperishable fame. His life and character have stood
the most searching criticism. The memory of an Alexander, a Cæsar or Napoleon
will pass away; but the name of Joseph Smith will endure for ever for he will
be known throughout all generations as a Prophet of the Most High God. Since I
became a Mormon I have had some interesting experiences. My former friends stand
aloof and say I am surely wrong in the mind, the victim of a delusion, and that
the devil has got me in his grip. That awful word "Mormonism" is
sufficient to conjure up the most fearful shapes, but I feel calmly confident.
I have put my hand to the plough and by God's grace there will be no turning
back. My heart is fixed, I have an anchor of the soul sure and steadfast in the
everlasting gospel. "He that believeth on it will never be
confounded."
To those who would fight against
Zion and the Lord's anointed, I can say with Joshua, "And if it seem
evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve. . .
." "But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
(Joshua 24:15.) May the Lord give me strength to hold fast the beginning of my
confidence firm unto the end, for Christ's sake. Amen.—J. Falconer Pratt. (Joseph Falconer Pratt, “From
Christadelphianism to Mormonism,” The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star
72, no. 18 [May 5, 1910]: 277-79; my thanks to Levi Wixom for making me
aware of this article)
Further Reading:
