SCRAP BOOK OF MORMON LITERATURE
VOL. I
Religious Tracts
Published by
BEN. E. RICH
"We have gathered posies,
From other men's flowers;
Nothing but the thread that
Binds them is ours."
GENERAL INDEX.
ARTICLES OF FAITH of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.—Joseph Smith, [5].
NOTES TO BE REFERRED TO DAILY BY MISSIONARIES: by Prest. Francis M. Lyman, In behalf of the Council of Twelve Apostles, [8].
THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH TELLS HIS OWN STORY: Joseph's First Vision—Reception Accorded the Prophet's Statement—Angel Moroni Visits the Prophet—The Angel Instructs the Boy—Joseph Views the Plates—Smith Family Meet with Adversity—Prophet Seeks Employment—Prophet Obtains the Plates—Translating the Plates Commenced—Martin Harris Shows Characters taken from the Plates to Learned Men—Aaronic Priesthood Received—Organization of the Church—Removal of Church to Kirtland, Ohio—Persecution in Missouri—Removal to Illinois—Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum—Illinois Persecution and Emigration West—Early Pioneer Days—Temples—Missionary Work—Attacks against the Book of Mormon, [11].
WHAT MORMONS BELIEVE: Epitome of the Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—First Principles—The Apostasy—The Restoration—Redemption of the Dead—The Book of Mormon—Church Government—Auxiliary Societies—Divine Authority.—By Apostle Charles W. Penrose, [29].
SALVATION: A Dialogue Between Elder Brownson and Mr. Whitby—The Fall and Atonement—The First Principles—Gifts of the Holy Ghost—Preaching Without Hire—History and Organization of the Church—The Visions of the Prophet—The Book of Mormon—Aaronic Priesthood Conferred—Brief History of the Church—Gathering of the Saints.—By Elder John Jaques, [39].
EXCLUSIVE SALVATION: Only One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism—Testimonies of Apostles Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and St. John.—By Elder John Jaques, [66].
THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED: Obedience to First Principles—Baptism—Immersion the Mode—Laying on of Hands—Gifts and Blessings—Authority Necessary—Apostasy—The Restoration.—By Prest. Lorenzo Snow, [77].
GOSPEL TO THE LIVING AND THE DEAD: Dead Preached to in the Spirit World—Baptism for the Dead—Necessity of this Vicarious Work—Elijah Bestows Keys for Vicarious Work.—By Prest. George Q. Cannon, [88].
JOSEPH SMITH AS A PROPHET: Predictions Uttered by Him and their Signal Fulfillment—His Prophetic Power Established by the Scriptural Rule. A Lectured Delivered.—By Elder Andrew Jensen, [92].
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE: An Explanation of Some of the Prominent Doctrines of the Church—One Gospel Only—The First Principles—Baptism—Laying on of Hands—Gifts and Miracles—Authority Necessary.—By Elder William Budge, [119].
THE ONLY TRUE GOSPEL, OR THE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN FAITH: Only One True Gospel—The First Principles—Gifts and Miracles—Authority.—By Elder William Budge, [135].
JOSEPH THE PROPHET: The place of the Prophet as a Benefactor of Mankind—Visions of the Prophet—Priesthood Conferred—Organization of the Church—The New Jerusalem—Book of Abraham—Work for the Dead Established—Summary of the Work Accomplished by the Prophet.—By Elder B. H. Roberts, [141].
FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE TRUE GOSPEL OF CHRIST: Is Belief alone Sufficient—Repent or Perish—Is Baptism Essential to Salvation—Baptism for the Dead—Object and Purpose of Baptism—Mode of Baptism—Authority to Baptize.—By Elder J. H. Paul, [147].
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON: What the Book is—How the Ancient Plates were Transmitted—Abridgments—Plates of Ether—The Smaller Plates of Nephi—Quotations From Isaiah.—By Elder B. H. Roberts, [154].
THE SECOND COMING OF THE MESSIAH AND EVENTS TO PRECEDE IT: The Restoration of the Everlasting Gospel—The Coming of a Messenger—The Coming of Elijah—The Gathering of the Saints—The Restoration of the Gospel—The Testimony of the Three Witnesses—The Coming of the Messenger—Elijah Comes—Keys of Gathering Restored.—By Elder B. H. Roberts, [162].
THE CHARACTER OF THE MORMON PEOPLE: The Cause of Misrepresentation—Mormons Wronged by a Sensational Press—Testimony of Non-Mormon Witnesses—The Mission of the Mormon Elders—The Mountain Meadow Massacre.—By Elder B. H. Roberts, [173].
A REJECTED MANUSCRIPT: THE OTHER SIDE: A Rejected Manuscript—Salt Lake Valley—Social Conditions Among the Mormons—Attitude of Mormons Toward Education—Missionary Work—Stories about the Mormons—Persecution and Suffering—Loyalty of the Mormons—Tabernacle Choir—People of Travel—Temple Work.—By Leon R. Ewing, [192].
RAYS OF LIVING LIGHT: Necessity of Obedience—Character of the Godhead—The Atonement—First Principles of the Gospel—The Gift of the Holy Ghost—Divine Authority—A Departure from the Faith—The Restoration of the Gospel—The Book of Mormon—Modern Revelation—Salvation for the Dead—Baptism for the Dead—Fruits of the Gospel.—By Apostle Charles W. Penrose, [202].
A FRIENDLY DISCUSSION UPON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS: The Godhead—The Fall and the Atonement—Faith—Repentance—Baptism for Remission of Sins—Holy Ghost—Laying on of Hands—Gifts of the Holy Ghost—Authority—Offices in The Church—Apostasy—Restoration.—By Ben. E. Rich, [263].
NIGHT OF THE MARTYRDOM: By Apostle Orson Hyde, [283].
DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. ITS FAITH AND TEACHINGS: Faith—Repentance—Baptism—Reception of the Holy Ghost and the Laying on of Hands—Authority—Apostasy—Restoration—Testimony of the Three Witnesses—Prophecy of Joseph Smith, the Seer, Given in 1832—Authority.—By Elder John Morgan, [286].
THE PLAN OF SALVATION: Pre-existence—Why We are here—Faith—Repentance—Baptism—Laying on of Hands—Future Existence—Baptism for the Dead.—By Elder John Morgan, [306].
STATEMENT OF PROMINENT NON-MORMONS: Opinions of the Leading Statesmen of the United States on the Edmunds Law—Gentile Opinions of the Mormon People—Statistics of Crime and Education—Refutation of the Spaulding Story—Judge Summer Howard on the Mountain Meadow Massacre—Rights of Self Government.—By Elder John Morgan, [327].
JOSEPH SMITH. WAS HE A PROPHET OF GOD? AN INVESTIGATION AND TESTIMONY: Books of the Bible Given to Meet the Special Condition and Need of the People—Contents of the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Poetical Books, the Prophetical Books—Interval of Fifty Years—Revival of Prophecy—Restoration of the Jews—The Last Prophets of the Old Covenant—Conclusions from the Foregoing—The New Testament—The Four Gospels—Gospel According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, St. John—Testimony of the Gospels—The Acts of the Apostles—The Epistles—Prophecies of the New Testament—Difficulties in Ascertaining the Meaning of the Scriptures—Christian Sects an Evidence—Retrospective Evidence—Prospective Evidence—Direct Evidence—Moral Evidence—Peculiarities of the Message—Effects of the Doctrine—Spiritual Evidence.—By Elder J. M. Sjodahl, [350].
PIONEER SKETCHES—UTAH IN 1850: By Elder James H. Martin, in the "Contributor," 1890, [429].
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS: Its Priesthood, Organization, Doctrines, Ordinances, and History.—By Elder John Jaques, [435].
PLAIN TALKS TO PARENTS: Paragraphs taken from the Writings of Apostle Orson Pratt, in the "Seer." 1853. [453].
MY REASONS FOR LEAVING THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND JOINING THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS: Apostasy—Officers Necessary in the Church—Gifts of the Holy Ghost—Baptism—Infant Baptism—Baptism for the Dead—Internal Corruption of Early Christian Church—Reformation—History of Mormon Church—Restoration—Book of Mormon.—By R. M. Bryce Thomas, London, England, [458].
THE EARLY CHRISTIANS: Letter Written to the Emperor Trajan by Pliny the Younger, while He was Governor of Bithynia. It is the First Connected Account of Christ's Followers that has come to us from a Pagan source, [486].
REORGANIZATION WEIGHED: Presidency Permanency—Appointment—Revelation on Permanent Order of Priesthood—Law of Lineage—Ordination.—By German E. Ellsworth, [489].
A GOSPEL OUTLINE: A few of the Most Important Scriptural References Bearing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Arranged in Logical Order, and Designed to give to Missionaries—and all other Students of the Gospel—a Working Knowledge of such Scriptural Quotations as may be Required from the First.—By Elder Nephi Anderson, [503].
A CONTRAST BETWEEN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST AND THE FALSE DOCTRINES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.—By Apostle Parley P. Pratt, [517].
BAPTISM FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, [526].
"GOOD TIDINGS" OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING GOSPEL: First Principles—Men Judged According to Their Works—Obedience to the Gospel Necessary, [529].
A PLEA FOR MODERN REVELATION: By Apostle Orson Pratt, [533].
THE "UNKNOWN GOD" REVEALED: A Reply to a Georgia Editor's Urgent Appeal for a Restoration of the "Old Time" Faith in a Personal and Known God. The Godhead—Offices in the Church—How the Gospel Should be Preached—First Principles—Christ and God visit the Earth in these Latter Days—Persecution.—By Elder Ben. E. Rich, [536].
A GOSPEL LETTER: Written by Sister Lucy Mack Smith, the Mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Oldest Gospel Letter in the Church, only recently Discovered in New Hampshire, [543].
THE RESTORATION OF THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL: Joseph's First Vision—Angel Moroni Appears to the Prophet—The Three Witnesses—Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood Conferred—Persecution—Gathering—Restoration.—By Apostle George Teasdale, [547].
DOCTRINAL INDEX.
Articles of Faith, [5].
Atonement, [5], [40], [213], [264], [507].
Authority, [6], [31], [38], [85], [132], [139], [152], [216], [225], [277], [289], [300], [442], [511].
Angel, Moroni visits the Prophet, [15], [96], [443], [547].
Apostasy, [31], [86], [226], [227], [228], [279], [290], [459], [512], [532].
Astronomy of Abraham, [100].
Administrations, [515].
Abraham, Book, [144].
Appointment of President, [489].
Adam, Sin of, [213].
Angels same class of beings as we are, [505].
Agency, Man's free, [213].
Adam visits the Earth, [296].
Baptism, [5], [30], [42], [43], [79], [127], [137], [149], [214], [273], [287], [313], [466], [508], [530].
Baptism, Mode of, [45], [52], [152], [153], [216], [509].
Baptism, Purpose of, [128], [151], [215], [274], [508]. [526], [530].
Baptism for Dead, [89], [150], [252], [322], [470].
Baptism, Infant, [151], [216], [468], [509].
Baptism, History of, [508].
Book of Mormon, [6], [33], [56], [480], [513].
Book of Mormon, Attacks against, [27].
Book of Mormon published in many languages, [452].
Book of Mormon, What it is, [154], [237].
Book of Mormon, How to read the, [154], [160].
Book of Mormon Abridgments, [155].
Battalion, Mormon, [25], [59], [198].
Belief alone insufficient, [147].
Belief, Genuine, [147].
Books of the Bible, Synopsis of contents of: Pentateuch, [352]; Historical Books, [353]; Poetical Books, [354]; Prophetical Books, [354]; Interval of Fifty Years, [360]; Revival of Prophecy, [360]; Last Prophets of Old Testament, [368]; The New Testament, [371]; The Four Gospels, [371]; Matthew, [372]; Mark, [373]; Luke, [373]; St. John, [373]; Acts of the Apostles, [375]; The Epistles, [377].
Christ, Personality of, [5].
Celestialized Earth, [516].
Cholera Predicted by the Prophet, [100]. Christ's Second Coming, [109], [162], [515].
Contrast between the Doctrine of Christ and the False Doctrines of the Nineteenth Century, [517].
Choir, Tabernacle, [199].
Christian Sects an Evidence, [390].
Christian, Early, by Pliny, [486].
Discovery, Corroborative, [104].
Degrees of Glory, [483], [516].
Dead Preached to, [150]. Doctrines, [439].
Doctrine and Covenants Published, [452].
Evidence, Moral, [411].
Evidence, Direct, [306].
Evidence, Spiritual, [424].
Emigration to Rocky Mountains, [59], [106], [444], [452].
Elijah, Prophet, visits the Earth, [91], [144], [164], [296].
Eden, Location of Ancient, [101].
Extracts, Direct extracts from Isaiah in Book of Mormon, [158].
Education, Attitude of Mormons toward, [195].
Faith, [5], [30], [42], [137], [203], [207], [209], [270], [286], [311], [507].
Future Existence, [316].
Father Revealed through the Son, [504].
Faith and Works, [148], [203], [508], [532].
Gifts, Spiritual, [6], [48], [220].
Gathering, [6], [62], [98], [165], [258], [297], [513], [550].
Gathering, Keys of, [143], [296].
Godhead, [29], [141], [208], [264], [504].
Godhead, Personality of, [503], [536], [537], [541].
God our Father in Heaven, [208].
Gifts of Spirit to remain, [219].
Government of Church, [35].
Gospel, Only one, [41], [121], [135], [136], [202], [529].
Growth of Church, [443].
Gospel Letter, Lucy Mack Smith, [543].
Holy Ghost, [30], [47], [138], [209], [288], [510], [540].
Holy Ghost, Gifts of, [84], [138], [217], [277] [464].
Holy Spirit of God, [209], [276].
History of Church, [442], [477].
Inspiration, Divine, [239].
Jerusalem, The New, [143].
Jesus Christ in express image of the Father, [208].
Jesus Christ the Son, [504].
Knowledge, Incentive to obtain, [201].
Knowledge of God Essential, [503].
Laying on of Hands, [5], [83], [129], [217], [276], [288], [314].
Loyalty of Mormons, [198].
Law of Lineage, [493].
Man may become perfect, [506].
Man's Spirit Immortal, [506].
Man punished for Actual Sins, [5].
Man Child of God, [505], [506].
Missionary Notes, [8].
Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, [23], [59].
Missionary Work, [26], [60], [195], [451].
Messenger, The Coming of a, [164], [168].
Mormons wronged by Press, [177].
Mission of Mormon Elders, [185].
Mountain Meadow Massacre, [187], [348].
Manuscript, Rejected, [191], [192].
Martyrdom, Night of the, [283].
Message, Peculiarities of the, [415].
Millennium, [516].
Marriage forever, [516].
Necessity of Holy Ghost in the Church, [221].
Necessity of Obedience to the Gospel, [531].
Organization, [6], [21], [53], [58], [60]. [143]. [437].
Ordination, [496].
Obedience, [78].
Officers, Early Civil, [446].
Omnipresence of God, [209].
Oaths, Test, [449].
Officers in the Church, [225], [278], [461], [511], [538].
Ordinances, [441].
Priesthood, Levitical, [224].
Plates, Joseph Views the, [17], [18].
Plates, Joseph Receives the, [55].
Priesthood, Aaronic, [20], [58]. [60], [142], [223], [224], [295], [549].
Priesthood, Melchizedek, [60], [142], [223], [234], [296], [549].
Priesthood, Permanent order of, [492].
Persecution, Missouri, [22], [59].
Persecution, Illinois, [25], [59].
Pioneer Days, [26].
Principles, First, [41], [126], [137], [147], [228], [483], [529], [539].
Prophecies fulfilled, [240], [259].
Preaching without Hire, [50], [539].
Papers and Periodicals, Church, [60].
Prophecy of the New Testament, [380].
Prophet Predicts Removal West, [106].
Prophet Predicts Escape from Enemies, [107].
Prophecy about Stephen A. Douglas, [107].
Plates, How Plates were Transmitted, [155].
Plates of Ether, [156].
Plates, Smaller Plates of Nephi, [156].
Persecution and Suffering, [197], [260], [261], [451], SIS, [542], [550].
Presidency Permanency, [486].
Prophecy Foretelling Civil War, [298].
Repentance, [5], [30], [43], [137], [148], [212], [272], [287], [313], [508].
Revelation, [6], [141], [242], [489], [511], [533].
Revelation, Spurious, Received, [490].
Removal to Kirtland, [21], [59].
Removal to Illinois, [22].
Restoration, [31], [87], [164], [166], [232], [280], [292], [478], [512], [532], [551].
Restored, Keys of Gathering, [171].
Restoration of the Jews, [366].
Reformation, [473].
Organization Weighed, [489].
Smith, Prophet Joseph, [11], [91], [141], [349].
Smith Family, [18].
Scriptures, Difficulty in Ascertaining the Meaning of the, [383].
Salvation for the Dead, [32], [144], [247], [471], [514].
Societies, Auxiliary, [37].
Salvation, Exclusive, [66].
Salvation, Individual, [213], [507].
Salvation, [515].
Sins, Remission of, [214].
Sins of the World, [214].
Sabbath, The, [514].
Signs, [114].
Spirits in Prison, [150], [471].
Spirits, Evil. [505].
Social Conditions among Mormons, [194].
Stories about Mormons, [196].
Statistics of Crime, [343].
Statistics of Education, [343].
Temples, [21], [26], [59], [143], [452].
Testimony of Non-Mormon Witnesses, [178].
Tithing, [514].
Tabernacle, Mormon, [193].
Testimony of Apostasy by Wesley, Smith's Bible Dictionary, Dr. Adam Clark, Roger Williams, [303].
Testimony of the Gospel, [374].
Urim and Thummim, [54].
Universal Salvation, [201].
Unity of Church, [513].
Visions, Joseph's [13], [14], [15], [21], [53], [93], [142], [547].
Vicarious Work for Dead, Necessity of, [89], [90].
Valley, Salt Lake, [193].
Witnesses, The Three, [110], [168], [294], [548].
Work Accomplished by Prophet, [145].
Work, Temple, [201].
Witnesses, The Eight, [241].
Warning, Day of, [262].
Why we are here, [310], [506].
PREFACE.
In presenting Volumes 1 and 2 of Scrap Book of Mormon Literature, the undersigned places within the reach of many of the saints a compilation of religious tracts that have been used and distributed by the elders of the Church in the performance of their missionary labors throughout different nations of the earth. Some of these tracts are used at present by the elders and have been instruments in the hands of the Lord of bringing thousands to a knowledge of the faith. The same may be said concerning those that are not now used, and which are contained within the covers of these volumes, which were distributed by the elders who labored as missionaries in various parts of the earth from thirty to sixty years ago. A religious tract contains the condensed thoughts upon the fundamental principles of the Gospel and the authors of many of these valuable documents, who were active in the missionary field more than half a century ago, are remembered among the brightest minds the Church has produced, they have now passed behind the veil to receive Eternal reward for their faithfulness. There are a few people in the Church who have bound volumes of religious tracts, which they have gathered together from time to time and which they prize beyond the price of money. This can be said by the compiler of these volumes and the appreciation of the few volumes of religious pamphlets which he has gathered in many missionary fields, and had bound together, conveyed to him the thought that many of the saints would appreciate having within their reach such valuable volumes. There is scarcely a man in the Church, who has performed missionary labors in his life, who will not find in these volumes something that will remind him of his missionary days, when canvassing from house to house distributing the word of God; and no doubt will bring back fond recollections of his missionary work. There are no better volumes than these for a family to have within the reach of their children, to enable them to make themselves acquainted with the fundamental doctrines of the Restored Gospel of our Lord and Savior. These documents will be invaluable to young men and ladies who are preparing themselves for future missionary work. The Seventies, whose special calling it is to carry the Gospel abroad, will be benefited by perusing these pages. Many of the saints, by studying them, will remember the days of their conversion to the Gospel and will appreciate the manner in which they are now preserved for future generations. In reading these pamphlets one must understand that the Church has been a system of growth and while we have not changed in any manner the originality of the tracts, the reader will note that in giving the statistics the Church has had a wonderful growth since the first issuance of the pamphlets. It has been a labor of love upon the part of the compiler, who sincerely hopes to produce another volume at some future date that will make the compilation complete in every respect.
With a heart full of gratitude to God the Eternal Father for honoring me as He has done, in permitting me to take part in the spread of the Gospel, and praying His blessings upon those who may read the pages of these volumes, I remain,
Yours faithfully,
BEN. E. RICH.
ARTICLES OF FAITH OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
PERSONALITY OF GOD.—Gen. i. 26, 27; v. 1; ix. 6; xviii; xxxii, 24-30; Ex. xxiv. 9, 11; xxxiii. 9-11, 20-23; Num. xii. 7, 8; John v. 19, 20; Acts vii. 55, 56; Phil. ii. 5-8; Heb. i. 3.
PERSONALITY OF CHRIST.—Matt. iii. 17; John v. 26, 27; xv. xvi. xvii.; 1 Tim. ii. 5; 1 John v. 7.
HOLY GHOST.—Isaiah xi. 1-3; lxi. 1; Matt. iii. 16; Mark i. 10; Luke iii. 22; John i. 32, 33; xvi. 13, 14; Acts i. 5; ii. 4; viii. 17-19; xix. 2-6.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
MAN PUNISHED FOR ACTUAL SINS.—Jer. xvii. 10; Matt. xii. 36, 37; xvi. 27; 2 Cor. v. 10; Rev. xx. 12-15.
3. We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
ATONEMENT OF CHRIST.—Isa. liii.; Acts iv. 12; Rom. v. 12-19; 1 John i. 7-10.
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.
FAITH, REPENTANCE, BAPTISM AND LAYING ON OF HANDS.—Heb. xi.; Rom. i. 16, 17; x. 14, 15; Jas. ii. 14-26; Mark xvi. 15, 16; Acts ii. 38, 39; 2 Cor. vii. 9, 10; Isa. lv. 6, 7; Eph. iv. 25-32; Luke xiii. 3; Matt. iv. 17; Acts viii. 14-17; xix. 1-6; John iii. 5; Heb. vi. 1, 2.
5. 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.
CALLED OF GOD.—Mark iii. 14; John xv. 16; xvii. 18; Acts xiii. 1-4; xiv. 23; Rom. x. 14, 15; Gal. i. 8-16; 1 Tim. ii. 7; Heb. iii. 1; v. 4-10; 1 Peter ii. 5-9: Rev. v. 9, 10.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
ORGANIZATION.—1 Cor. xii; Eph. ii. 19-22; iv.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS.—Mark xvi. 15-20; John xiv. 12; Acts ii. 17; 1 Cor. xii; 1 Thess. v. 19, 20; James v. 14, 15.
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.
BOOK OF MORMON—Isaiah xxix. 4, 9-24; Ezekiel xxxvii. 15-28; Hosea viii. 12; John x. 16.
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.
LATTER-DAY REVELATIONS.—Ezekiel xx. 35, 36; Joel ii. 28, 29; Amos iii. 7; Mic. ii. 6, 7; Mal. iii. 1-4; iv; Acts ii. 17, 18; Jas. i. 5, 6; Rev. xiv-6.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and the restoration of the Ten Tribes. That Zion will be built upon the American continent. That Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
GATHERING—Neh. i. 8, 9; Ps. 1. 5; cvii. 1, 7; Isa. ii. 2, 3; v. 26, 27; xi. 11-16; xliii. 5-9; xlix. 21; lx. 4, 5; Jer. iii. 14, 15; xvi 14-16; xxiii. 3-8; xxx. 1-8; xxxi. 8-12; xxxii. 37-39; 1. 4, 5; Ezek. xx. 33-38; xxxix. 28; Zech. xiv.; Matt. xxiv. 31; John xi. 52; Eph. i. 10; Rev. xviii. 4.
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.
13. 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.
"When the Twelve or any other witnesses stand before the congregations of the earth, and preach by the power and demonstration of the Spirit of God, and the people are astonished and confounded at the doctrine and say: 'That man has preached a powerful discourse, a great sermon,' then let that man, or those men, take care that they are humble and ascribe the praise and glory to God and the Lamb; for it is by the power of the Holy Priesthood and Holy Ghost that they thus speak. What art thou, O man, but dust? and from whom dost thou receive thy power and blessings but from God?"
—Joseph Smith, The Prophet.
NOTES TO BE REFERRED TO DAILY BY MISSIONARIES.
Each missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is endowed with the Holy Priesthood of God, and is sent forth as a minister of the restored Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is believed to be morally clean and upright, and should keep himself pure, sweet, and unspotted from the sins of the world. He should avoid and resist the very appearance of evil, and after performing an honorable mission, should return to his home with clean hands and a pure heart. Among the many items of counsel given by the authorities of the Church before his departure for the mission field, he should have the following indelibly stamped upon his mind and heart:
1. Keep a brief, daily journal of your life's labors, especially of all your official acts.
2. Do all things with a prayerful heart; pray vocally morning and evening, oftener when necessary, and pray secretly every day. Make each prayer appropriate to the occasion, as those for the Sacrament and Baptism are.
3. Invariably keep the Word of Wisdom, refraining from the use of tea, coffee, tobacco and intoxicating drinks.
4. Guard against familiarity with womankind. There must be no sparking, kissing, or embracing of woman—your kisses should be for home consumption, and be brought home to your loved ones, where they belong. Kissing and hugging aside from this lead to immorality, and a fallen brother not only crucifies himself, but brings misery and woe to the kindred of both parties. Immorality is the bane of missionary life. There is little more enticing, and nothing more dangerous and deadly.
5. Build up and portray the excellencies of the Gospel, but do not tear down any man's religious structure. Grant sincerity of mind, as you claim it for yourself. Discover and recognize all things praiseworthy about you.
6. Be charitable to unfortunate conditions, and be sympathetic with the afflicted.
7. Bless, but do not curse.
8. Be genteel, and pattern after best in manly manners. Do not engage in rowdy or undignified sports, but follow in the demeanor of a dignified and manly minister.
9. Be pleasant and cheerful, but do not indulge in nonsense, ridicule and unseemly jesting.
10. Defend and justify the right, but contend with no man.
11. Be candid and sincere.
12. Hold sacred and do not use commonly such names as God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Ghost, Apostle, Prophet, Seer and Revelator. Elder or Brother are the common titles for members of the Melchizedek Priesthood. President and Bishop may be used where they belong.
13. Write your first name in full, or abbreviate, as "Geo." for George, "Wm." for William. Initials fail to determine the sex, or to specify clearly which person is meant.
14. Study the Scriptures carefully—the Jewish, Nephite and Latter-day revelations. Store your minds with knowledge of the truth, and the Spirit of the Lord will bring it forth in due season. As the Savior said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."
15. Be cleanly in your person and clothing, spend as little money as possible, leaving the world and your brethren to assist you in the things that are needful, thereby proving that they are disciples of the Lord.
16. Lodge, feed and pray with the people as much as possible.
17. You are sent out to preach the first principles of the Gospel, and to call all men unto repentance. You are sent to teach, and not to be taught by the world.
18. Leave your visiting and sight-seeing until your mission is completed.
19. Proper living and serving the Lord and consequent growth and development of strength and stability at home will aid you in the mission field, and, on your return home, you will be better prepared thereby to continue your labors and keep from backsliding.
20. Be careful of what money you may have; see that you do not get robbed.
21. Do not borrow money of Saints or strangers.
22. Do not make promises to write or do other favors when you get home; wait until you get home, and then do all you reasonably can.
23. Do not praise the beauties of Zion, or magnify the virtues of the Saints. Fortify the people for the trials they must meet, as they will be tried in the furnace. Urge the people to stay and maintain the work abroad in the earth, by their works and their means. Thus they will gain strength to be able to stand when they do gather to Zion. If they must apostatize, it is better that they do so in their native land.
24. Start right, by avoiding all evil habits; never say in public or in private that you do not know the Gospel is true.
25. Get an understanding of the Gospel, and teach it as the spirit directs.
26. Get the spirit of your mission and keep it.
27. Seek learning by faith as well as by good study. If deficient in good English, acquire a knowledge thereof so as not to betray ignorance; but do not depend upon fine words or upon the learning of the world.
28. Live near the Lord, so that you can approach and appeal to Him on all occasions.
29. Let all your talents, affections and power be centered on the work of the ministry.
30. Seek to know the will of the Lord, and to do it. When success attends your labors, give God the glory.
31. In going and in returning, and while sojourning, remember that the Church and the Saints will be judged by your actions.
32. Your duty to yourself and to your God is to do your very best, and to do it always.
33. Be appreciative of favors, and leave your blessing with the deserving.
34. Do not enter into debates with each other or with anyone else over obscure points and passages; nor should you seek to advance beyond what the Lord has revealed.
35. Honor the laws of the country in which you labor.
36. Observe strictly the rules of the Mission and Conference Presidents.
37. Be punctual, that the Spirit of the Lord may not be grieved by the unseemliness of tardy attendance.
38. Your lives are precious; care well for your health. Excesses are wrong and bring disaster. You should not walk too much, talk too much, fast too much, eat or drink too much, or attempt too much to do without needful things. Wisdom is one of the greater gifts.
39. Your ambition to make converts should not lead you to baptize those who are unworthy. Never baptize a married woman without the consent of her husband, or children under age without their parents' consent.
FRANCIS M. LYMAN,