verse 2 The Lord teaches
that there is more treasure than just gold and silver here in Salem. This other
treasure includes genealogical records (see verse 9), contact with influential
people, and potential converts.
Five years later, Erastus Snow
and Benjamin Winchester were sent back to Salem. They were given a copy of the
Salem revelation and told to fulfill it. They arrived in Salem in September
1841. They preached at public meetings, published a pamphlet, and challenged
the notorious Mormon apostate, John C. Bennett, to public debate. Their efforts
bore fruit. Within a year there were ninety members in Salem. (Michael J.
Preece, Learning to Love the Doctrine and Covenants [Salt Lake City: MJP
Publishing, Inc., 1988], 298-99)
“An
Address to the Citizens of Salem (Mass.) and Vicinity,” in Times and
Seasons 3, no. 1 (November 15, 1841): 578-84:
AN ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF
SALEM (MASS.) AND VICINITY, BY E. SNOW AND B. WINCHESTER.
AN ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF
SALEM (MASS) AND VICINITY,
BY E. SNOW AND B. WINCHESTER.
Elders of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Concluded.
We believe in God the Father, who
is the great Jehovah and head of all things, and that Christ is the Son of God,
co-eternal with the Father; yet he is our Savior, Redeemer, King, and Great
Prototype;-was offered as a sacrifice to make an atonement for sin-rose from
the dead with the same flesh and bones, not blood, and ascended to heaven, and
is now seated at the right hand of the Father.
Also, that without faith in him
no person is a fit subject to obey any ordinance of the gospel whatever.
We believe that the doctrine of
repentance should in all cases be taught, where the other principles of the
gospel are set forth to sinners; and that repentance in the full sense of the
word, is a sorrow for sin-breaking off from sin by righteousness, or in other
words, to change our course of life, and wherein we have done wrong in the
sight of God, we should reform and do it no more; and thus become humble like a
little child, and walk in the ways of the Lord, that we may grow up in Christ
our living head. Repentance is an antecedent to baptism, and should always be
adhered to by sinners. Christ was without sin, consequently he did not repent.
We believe that the ordinance of
baptism is a commandment of God, and should be administered to every son and
daughter of Adam, who have repented, for the remission of sins and adoption
into the kingdom of God, or in other words, we resolve to forsake the ways of
sin and death, and to become the members of the family of Christ; in order to
do this as the apostle says, (see Rom. vi. chap.) we must crucify the old man
of sin, and be "buried with Christ by baptism unto death, that like as
Christ was raised up by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in
newness of life," that is, we become dead as to sin; but through the
ordinance we are "translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son," and
so walk in newness of life, being the children of the kingdom, we claim
protection at the hand of God, and a right to enjoy the blessings of the
gospel.
The human family in their sins,
are foreigners and strangers to God; consequently they must be adopted in order
to become citizens of his kingdom. Baptism of course then is the ordinance of
adoption. Christ said, "Except a man be born of the water and of the
Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." This birth is a
transition from our sinful state into the kingdom of God. To be baptized, is to
follow Christ in the work of the regeneration, hence Cornelius, notwithstanding
all his good works and piety, was commanded to be baptized, as being necessary
that he might obtain salvation. (see Acts, x. chap.) Now that baptism is for
the remission of sins, is evedint [evident] from what Peter said to those who
were convicted on the day of Pentecost. "Repent every one of you, and be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," &c. Ananias, said to Paul,
"Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins." (Acts xxii, 16) The
above is the doctrine the apostles taught to sinners, and is the gospel, or one
of the principles of it, that Christ commanded the apostles to preach in all
the world. "Go teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (see Matt. xxviii, 24) Go ye into all
the world and preach the gospel to every creature, and he that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned," &c.
(See Mark, xvi, 16) Not that there is virtue in water to remit sins; but by
obeying the command, we have a right to claim the promise. The apostles
introduced the ordinance of baptism on every occasion where they preached the
gospel: for instance, Peter on the day of Pentecost, as before mentioned, (See
Acts, ii, 38) Philip to the Samaritans, and also to the Eunuch, (See Acts,
viii. chap.) Ananias to Saul. (See Acts, xxii, 16) Peter to Cornelius and his
household, (See Acts, x. chap.) Paul to the Jailor [Jailer] and Lydia, and
their households, (See Acts, xvi, chap.) Paul to the Corinthians (See Acts,
xviii. 8) Paul to the disciples of John at Ephesus, (See Acts, xix, chap.) Some
one of the diciciples [disciples] to the Romans, (See Rom. vi, 4) The several
passages of scripture above refered [referred] to show the importance of this
ordinance, and certainly the ancients esteemed it as a commandment of God not
to be justly rejected.
We also believe that it should in
all cases be administered by immersion: for proof we cite to the following
passages of scripture. Matt. iii. l6, John, iii.5 Acts. viii, 38. Rom. vi. 4.
Col. ii. 12.
We believe that all who obey the
before mentioned principles of the gospel in honesty, are entitled to the gift
of the Holy Ghost, which is the Holy Spirit of promise, and seal of adoption,
or their sonship: for says the apostle, "For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God," "heirs of God and joint
heirs with Christ." And also that this Holy Spirit is received by, or
through the laying on of the hands of the proper officers of the kingdom of
God, which is one of the principles of the gospel. (See Acts, viii, 17. Do.
xix, 6. Heb. vi, 2) It evidently was, and is, an institution of heaven; for
when the ancient saints practised [practiced] it, God sanctioned it by
confering [conferring] his Holy Spirit on the occasions; and certainly
professors have incured [incurred] the displeasure of God by rejecting it.
"As we said before so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel,
than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (See Gal. i, 8, 9) The
ancients received the doctrine of the laying on of hands, and it will be
remembered that it is an ordinance distinct from the ordination to the
ministry; for it was practiced upon both men and women.
We believe that the church of
Christ should be organized according to the New Testament pattern: for there is
nothing in the bible that authorizes us to say that a church organized upon any
different plan, is the church of God; and that all saints should earnestly
contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints; and inasmuch as
they have faith, to enjoy the promised blessings of the gospel of peace like
christains [Christians] of primitive times. The apostle says, "And God
hath set some in the church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly,
teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps in governments,
diversities of tongues." (See 1 Cor. xii, 28) "And he gave some
apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and
teachers: for the perfecting of the saints; for the work of the ministry; for
the edifying of the body of Christ." If any one should ask, how long they
were to continue, let him examine the following verse: "Till we all come
in the unity of the faith," &c. (See Eph. iv, chap) The constitution
of these United States, directs that there should be an organization with
proper officers, that necessary business may be transacted; so does the gospel
or law of God, direct that the church of Christ should be organized with
apostles, prophets &c. and guarantees to every faithful saint, the right of
enjoying the spiritual blessings. Paul compares the church with all the before
mentioned officers and gifts, to a perfect building; and as well might we
remove from a building some of its most essential parts, such as sills, beams,
doors, braces, &c., and call it perfect, as to take from the church the
above officers and call it perfect without them. It is no where said in the New
Testament that such officers and gifts of the church should be done away, or
cease to be in the church, only through unbelief, and apostacy [apostasy]. It
is folly to say that any sect worship God according to the true pattern when
their organization does not resemble that plan laid down in the sacred volume.
The Lord said to Moses, "See that thou make all things according to the
pattern shown thee in the mount," (not according to your own notion:) so
Christ commanded his apostles to teach the people to observe all things whatsoever
he had commanded them; and certainly they were commanded not to depart from the
faith, or to apostatize; but the fact that men have departed from the ancient
order of the gospel, and disorganized the church, proves that there has been an
apostacy [apostasy]. This apostacy [apostasy] was foretold by the prophets, and
apostles, (See Isa. xxiv, 5; 2d Thes. ii,3; 1st Tim. iv, 1; 2d Tim. iii, 5, and
iv. 3, 4. 2d Pet. ii, 1)
We also believe that inasmuch as
the Lord is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, that the gospel is the
same now that it ever was; consequently that it is our privilege to enjoy the
same Spiritual gifts that the ancients did; such as the gifts of prophecy,
revelation, seeing visions, healing the sick, speaking in other languages,
casting out devils, and ministration of angels, &c. Now all these gifts
were enjoyed by the ancients, and the Lord has never said that they should be
taken from the faithful until the perfect day-eternity; therefore, there is no
umpropriety [impropriety] in our contending for these gifts. Some scorn at the
idea of these gifts being enjoyed now-a-days, but they only scorn at the
doctrine taught throughout the bible, and not at one of our invention. The
following we refer to as proof of this doctrine: Mark, xvi, 17; 1st Cor. xii
chap.; Rom. xii, chap,; 2d Cor. xii ch.; Heb. xiii, 2; Eph. iv chap.; 1st Cor.
xiv chap.
But there are some that say, show
us a sign and we will believe. We answer; that Christ, and the apostles, never
worked miracles to gratify the curiosity of any man. When Satan tempted Jesus,
saying, make bread out of stones, he said get behind me Satan, &c. A set of
wicked priests afterwards sought a sign of him; but he said, "a wicked and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and none shall be given unto
it," &c.-This is the only rule that is laid down in the scriptures, by
which we can judge of the character of sign-seekers. We do not go about on
purpose to work miracles to gratify curiosity; but to preach the gospel;
neither do we make any pretensions to raise the dead; for it is not mentioned
among the signs that were for the believer.
It is written that faith comes by
hearing, and that by faith in the Lord the spiritual gifts are received. These
gifts are for the saints, and not for the unbeliever. Paul says, "Gifts
are for the perfecting of the saints." James says, "If there are any
sick among you (saints, not unbelievers,) let them send for the Elders,"
&c.
We believe that in consequence of
the apostacy [apostasy], men have lost the necessary authority to administer
ordinances; hence the spiritual gifts have not been enjoyed; for the Lord will
not sanction the administrations of men who assume their authority; therefore,
such works are illegal. The commission given to the apostles does not
authorizes us to preach the gospel any more than the commission given to Gen.
Washington and others, makes us authorized officers of state.
When an ambassador from Great
Britian [Britain] comes to our government to do business, he must be
commissioned by his government or all his transactions will be null and void,
and Great Britain will never fulfil [fulfill] any promise which he might make
in her name, however sincere our nation might be in believing him sent. So it
is with the ambassador of Christ. He must be specially sent or commissioned to
minister in his name, or all his baptizing and other ordinances will be null
and void, so as never to entitle the candidate to remission of sins and the
gift of the Holy Ghost according to promise. We do not call in question the
morality, the sincerity, or the spiritual enjoyment of individuals belonging to
any religious society. On the contrary, we feel assured that there are many
sincere and zealous persons in every denomination.
We believe and teach that it is
necessary to abstain from all immorality, and practice all the virtues-such as
love to God and good will to man, brotherly kindness, industry, to visit the
widow and fatherless in their afflictions, and keep ourselves unspotted from
the world.
We also believe and testify, that
the Lord has renewed the gospel dispensation, and in fulfilment [fulfillment]
of numerous predictions of the prophets and apostles, sent his holy angel to
commission men to preach the fulness [fullness] of the everlasting gospel to
all nations; and is raising up a people that worship him according to the
written word. We might quote many passages to prove the above; but for the want
of room for a written investigation, we omit them, (see Rev. xiv,6.)
We also testify that our faith in
these things viz. immediate revelation from God, and the administration of
angels, &c., has brought a persecution upon us, like that of primitive
times.
We believe the fulness [fullness]
of the gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness of the second
coming of Christ, who will come with great power and glory, being accompanied
with his saints and angels. But during the time the gospel is being proclaimed,
there will be great commotions, distress, and destruction among the inhabitants
of the earth, war and rumors of war, earthquakes, pestilences, famines, father
against the son, and son against the father, awful destructions by fire,
tempests, seas heaving themselves beyond their bounds, deceiving and being
deceived, kingdoms becoming disorganized, signs appearing in the heavens
causing the tribes of the earth to mourn, &c. &c.
The honest in heart will in these
times flock to the standard of King Emanuel [Immanuel], as places of refuge;
and for deliverance for the righteous from these troubles, the Lord will cause
to be built, the magnificent cities of Zion, and Jerusalem,-which work forms so
conspicuous a part of the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. Yes, during
the tottering of empires, overthrowing of kingdoms, and fall of Mystery
Babylon, the great seat of wickedness; the pure in heart will bend their way to
Zion, and thither go with songs of everlasting joy. But before the Lord comes,
the tribes of Israel will return back to their lands, and when the gospel is
preached to all the world, and the great work of God sufficiently accomplished,
the heavens will be unveiled, and Christ with his saints and holy angels, will
make their appearance in the clouds with power and great glory-the saints on
earth, and those that are in their graves arise, and all flit away through the
ethereal sky to meet the hallowed throng;-sects and parties will then be no
more, wickedness will hide its face, the earth be purified by fire. After this,
the heavenly company will set their feet upon mount Zion-Jesus will gird
himself and administer bread and wine anew in his Father's kingdom. This will
be the happy time, when saints and angels shall greet-the great marriage supper
of the Lamb, when the voice of saints shall be heard from one end of the
congregation to the other, saying, crown Jesus, he is worthy; for he hath
redeemed us by his own blood out of all nations, and made us kings and priests
unto our God, and we shall reign on the earth, (See Rev. v, 9, and 10.) How
different this from the imagination of the poet!
"Beyond the bounds of time
and space,
Look forward to that heavenly
place."
Then will be fulfilled the saying
in Daniel: "The stone cut out of the mountain shall fill the whole
earth:" then the Millennium will commence, and Christ and his saints reign
on earth, and the knowledge of God cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
But woe be to those who reject the gospel, and refuse to comply with all the
requisitions of heaven; dismay, horror of a guilty conseience [conscience], and
finally, banishment from the presence of God will be their fate.
We do not believe that the Old
and New Testaments contain all the revelations that the Lord intends the human
family shall have: for the earth must be filled with the knowledge of God,
which will be brought about by revelation, as it were upon the house tops, of
things that have been buried in oblivion for ages past. The apostle says ,
"that all scripture given by inspiration is profitable for doctrine,
&c.-"Whatsoever was written aforetime was for our profit,"
&c.,-The bible mentions several books that were written by inspiration; but
they are now lost to the world: for instance, the "Book of Nathan the
Prophet," "Book of Gad the Seer," "Book of the Prophecy of
Ahijah," "Book of the Visions of Iddo the Seer," "Book of
Shemeiah the Prophet," and many others that we might mention. The Prophets
declare, that when the Lord gathers the house of Israel, he will give an
abundance of revelation, and cause many mighty miracles to be wrought, and they
even declare that a book shall come forth, to be one of the instruments in the
hand of God to gather Israel, (see Isa. xxix, 11.) They also declare that truth
shall spring up out of the earth.
This book, referred to by the
prophets, is the "Book of Mormon," which we have implicit confidence
in, not however as a new bible to exclude the old, as some have falsely
represented. It was discovered to Joseph Smith by no less than the ministry of
angels, in the township of Manchester, Ontario co., N. Y., A. D. 1827; written
on metallic tablets or plates, in hieroglyphics, peculiar to the people whose
history it gives. Was translated and published A. D. 1830.-It is a historical,
and religious record written in ancient times, by a branch of the house of
Israel who peopled this continent, and from whom the Indians are descended.
Says one, did not John the Divine
forbid any additions to the bible? We answer he forbid any addition to his book
of revelation or prophecy; but said nothing about the whole bible; and we do
not suppose that John had any power to debar God of the privilege of sending as
many angels to visit men, or to give as many revelations as he pleases, or at
any time he may think proper.-John certianly [certainly] alluded to no book
other than his Revelations, which is obvious to every one who reads it. (See
Rev. xxii, 18.) The "Book of Mormon," is no more an addition to the
bible than our testimony to the truth of the gospel is an addition to the
principles of the gospel.
The bible was written by a people
upon the Eastern continent, but the Book of Mormon by a people upon this
continent. The latter as respects doctrine agrees with the former precisely:
but the historical part of it unfolds the history of the ancients of this land.
Elder P. P. Pratt writes upon this subject thus:
"The 'Book of Mormon'
coroborates [corroborates] and confirms the truth of the Scriptures, by showing
that the same principles were revealed and enjoyed in a country and among a
people far remote from the scenes where the Jewish bible was written.
Suppose a traveller [traveler]
should find in China, in the East Indies, or in America, or New Holland, a
historical record, handed down for thousands of years, or deposited in their
sacred archives, or amongst their sepulchral ruins, or their monuments of
antiquity-and in its record should be found the principles of eternal truth,
revealed so that nation, and agreeing with the revelations and principles
contained in the Jewish records. Or suppose, for instance, when the ten tribes
of Israel are discovered, preparatory to their return to Palestine, a record
should be found among them, giving their history from the time they were
carried captive by Shalmanaser, King of Assyria, and this record should be
interspersed with prophecies and doctrine, as revealed among them since their
captivity. Would it be anything increditable or injurious in its nature, or
anything against the truths revealed in the Jewish records? Certainly not. So
far from this, it would be hailed by every lover of truth as a most interesting
and important discovery, its light would be hailed as a new era in the history
of the great events of modern times.
And similar in its nature is the
Book of Mormon. It opens the events of ancient America. It pours a flood of
light upon the world on subjects before concealed-upon the history of a nation
whose remeants [remnants] have long since dwindled to insignificance in
midnight darkness, and whose former greatness was lost in oblivion, or only
known by the remains of cities, palaces, temples, aqueducts, monuments, towers,
fortifications, unintelligible inscriptions, sepulchres [sepulchers], and
bones. The slumber of ages has now been broken. The dark curtain of the past
has been rolled up. The veil of obscurity has been removed as it regards the
world called new. The ancient events of America now stand revealed in the broad
light of history, as far back at least as the first peopling of the continent
after the flood. This discovery will yet be hailed among all nations as among
the most glorious events of the latter times, and as one of the principal means
of overwhelming the earth with knowledge. But, why then, is it so much opposed
and neglected at the present time? Why do prisoners groan in chains, and
martyrs bleed in its promulgation to the world? Answer,-Upon the same principle
that a Messiah was crucified, a Stephen stoned, a James slain, a Paul beheaded,
a Peter crucified, a John banished, a Rogers burned, a Columbus neglected,
ridiculed, and envied, a Newton counted mad, and a Fulton laughed to scorn. In
short it is because they know not what it is."
But says the objector, it is
because that this book is said to have been brought to light by the
administration of angels, and revelation; that makes it so odious in the minds
of the people.
We reply, that it was the new
revelations that the ancient prophets received that caused them to be so odious
in the minds of the people. Any thing new in religion or science has generally
been treated with contempt by those who knew nothing about it.
The foregoing pages are an
outline of the fundamental principles of our holy religion, and for the want of
room, with a few exceptions, we have omitted scriptural investigation, and
merely stated some principles without attempting to prove them. Those who wish
to hear all the before mentioned points of doctrine investigated at length, and
an abundance of scripture evidence adduced to establish them; particularly the
second coming of Christ, gathering of the house of Israel, and Book of Mormon,
are respectfully invited to attend our public lectures.
We have no disposition to sit in
judgment upon any man's religion. We will let the law of the Lord judge, and we
will humbly aquiesce [acquiesce] in the descision [decision].
Truth is our object;-unvarnished
truth without mixture of error can alone be serviceable to mankind. We say as
did St. Paul, "We seek not yours; but you." No preacher in our
society receives a salary, other than the voluntary donations of the charitable,
whose hearts the Lord opens to suply [supply] their actual wants; and to such,
He will say in the great day of retribution, "Come ye blessed,"
&c.; "for when I was an hungered ye fed me; naked and ye clothed me; a
stranger and ye took me in;" "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
my disciples ye have done it unto me;" (See Mat. xxv, chap.)
If our testimony is true, all are
interested in it. Say not it is beneath your notice because it is unpopular;
for Christ said, "Whatsoever is highly esteemed among men is an
abomination in the sight of God." He further said to his diciples [disciples]
that they would be hated of all nations, and become so odious, that men would
think they were doing God service in killing them.
While we still linger upon this
subject, we cannot but reflect upon the various persecutions that saints have
endured at different times, for propagating such principles as we have before
mentioned. Besides the twelve hundred of our brethren that were driven from
Jackson co. Mo., and rendered houseless and pennyless [penniless] in 1832; the
still more dreadful scenes of 1838, (in which we were personal sufferers,) have
made an impression upon our memories that time can never erase.
We well remember the time when
twelve or fifteen thousand souls were banished from the state of Missouri.-Most
of our persecutors were excited to these outrages by means of malicious
falsehoods and slander. Indeed, it was falsehoods and slander that brought the
malice of the Jews on the head of Jesus, excited by his exposure of their
hypocrisy and priestcraft.
When we call to mind that from
twenty-five to thirty noble hearted brethren have fallen victims to a ruthless
mob, in the State of Missouri, we cannot help exclaiming, Oh! murdered,
butchered brethren, dear to our hearts, once we enjoyed each other's company in
the house of the Lord; and sat under the smiles of our Redeemer's countenance
and expressed our determination to each other to serve the Lord unto the end,
if death should stare us in the face.
The time of trial found them true
to their promise, and they died as valinat [valiant] hearted soldiers of the
cross. And widows and orphans are left to mourn their loss. Yes, if the sturdy
oaks of Missouri's forests could speak, they would tell a tale of wo [woe], how
widows and orphans bemoaned while under their branches, because of the loss of
husbands and fathers.
If the wild gophers of Missouri's
plains could speak, they would tell of the sufferings of women and children,
which would soften the heart of an adamantine, and cause a flood of tears to
flow from the hard hearted.
Oh liberty! whither art thou
fled? Oh patriotism whither art thou gone? Once the United States of America,
was a land of freedom, liberty of speech, and of press; liberty of conscience
was enjoyed really, and not merely in name. Now so no longer. The blessings
purchased by the blood of our forefathers, have flown for ever! That blood
which was shed so freely, for the purchase of an inheritance, which they
esteemed sufficiently worthy of the sacrifice, now no longer avails. The
constitution formed and ratified by the father of our country, who esteemed it
dearer than life, is now a dead letter. The blessings of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness are no longer guaranteed to the citizen. Nor can he any
longer worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, unmolested.
The history of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has wofully [woefully] verified this fact.
To heighten the wrong, it has all come upon them, in consequence of their
adhesion to the truth.-Say not it is deception, delusion, fanaticism, or if you
do, take care you apply it where it belongs, that is to those who ascribe these
qualities to the Church of Latter Day Saints. If they are deceived, the bible
has deceived them; but they know and dare boldly testify, the religion of the
bible is no deception, it is an eternal reality. Therefore, examine the
matter for yourselves, and
"try the spirits whether they are of God, or whether they be of man."
"DESPISE NOT
PROPHESYINGS-PROVE ALL THINGS: HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD" Paul.
Vinal Haven, South Fox Island.
Waldo County, Maine, Oct. 5th,
1841.
Further Reading:
