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The greatest testimony of James' claim as a Prophet of God is found among his teachings. His teachings agree with all the Prophets of God before him. Joseph wrote that no man can have faith in God toward salvation without having a correct understanding of "his character, perfections, and attributes." James brought us all of these. James left us with an understanding of God and Jesus not found anywhere else in the Christian world. If religion were taught as a science, as James said it would one day, James would certainly be honored as most precious gem in the stream of knowledge. He left us with a treasure of teachings on all the subjects related to our spiritual welfare and temporal behavior. CHAPTER
SIX: James
J. Strang, The Teacher CHAPTER SIX: JAMES J. STRANG, THE TEACHER James embraced the concept
embodied by Joseph Smith that religion should be taught as a science.
Its principles and laws are as perfect and unchanging as those of other
sciences. James used principles of
science to prove the existence of God. Theology
should be understood as that revealed
science, which treats of the true nature and characteristics of God, His
will towards man, man’s duty to God, and man’s duty to his fellows.
The principles and doctrines taught by Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, and all
other Prophets of God on a particular subject always compliment each other.
“8 But though we, or
an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him
be accursed.” (Gal. 1) In his notes in the Book
of the Law, James wrote, “108.
In all else, the united testimony of those who have studied the facts, is deemed
sufficient and satisfactory proof. The facts of Geology, the facts of Astronomy,
the facts of Chemistry, the facts of Botany, the facts of Zoology, are all
proved by testimony like this in kind, less in accumulation. And upon facts so
proved are based the principles of those sciences.
The facts were thus determined. And
the principles are but deductions from them. “109. The existence of God, the Lord of the
universe, a being of intelligence, motive and will, is proved by more testimony
than that of Julius Caesar. And a
world of spirits is proved by more living witnesses, and has been in every
generation of men, than can or ever could be adduced to prove the existence of
one half the species of living animals on the earth. “110. Enter into the closet of your friends’
hearts, open the door that shame and the fear of being called superstitious has
shut, induce men to speak to you as they commune with their own hearts, and how
many will you find, who have never beheld the spiritual?
How many who have never been spoken to by the invisible?
How many who have never been led by the intangible? “111. The world is now a vast crowd of living
witnesses of the spiritual, shamed down to silence by the Atheistical doctrines
of modern Christianity. This truth
is a spring that can never be dried up. “112. A generation shall yet arise who, taking facts
as they find them, will make religion a science, studied by as exact rules as
mathematics. Then will these facts
be sought for as are new discoveries in Geology and Astronomy.
Facts well attested will be generalized. Rules be drawn from them.
Man’s prejudices will cease to minister to his blindness.
The mouth of the Seer will be opened, and the whole earth enlightened.”
(pp. 85, 86) It seems that James’
whole life, after being ordained a Lawgiver, on Joseph Smith wrote, “What
is the object of our coming into existence, then dying and falling away, to be
here no more? It is but reasonable
to suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is
a subject we ought to study more than any other.” (Joseph
Smith’s Teachings, p. 101) The primary
subjects that affect our salvation are: (1)
God and Jesus Christ, “To
the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word,
Knowledge and
belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was removed from the Christian
church by "As
seen in Constantine's originating piety, that supreme deity would have been
associated with the sun, and pagans would have recognized, with reason,
their own solar cult in such [new] Christian practices as orienting churches to
the east, worshipping on 'sun day,' and celebrating the birth of the deity at
the winter solstice [December 25]." (James Carroll, Constantine's Sword,
p. 183) He established
a new Christianity as the state religion. In
325 AD, he called the first church council; and created the first creed of the
Christian church. This Creed of St.
Athanasius established three points of doctrine:
(1) it established the
Catholic faith as the only acceptable religion, (2)
it changed the identity and nature of God, with the Trinity as the foundation of
the Catholic faith, and (3) it
changed the identity and nature of Jesus. (1).
The Trinitarian
Creed stated, “This is the
Catholic Faith; which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.”
Prior to The mission of
the Joseph Smith
wrote, “We claim the
privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own
conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where,
or what they may.” Everyone of
every religion was welcomed in the community of saints; and invited to address
the saints concerning their beliefs. Joseph
and James taught and were martyred while teaching freedom of religious beliefs. (2). The Creed of St. Athanasius in 325 AD, which embodied the
Trinity, changed the nature of God for Christians to that of paganism.
The Trinity originated with Nimrod, a grandson of Noah and King of
Babylon. "So
utterly idolatrous was the Babylonian recognition of the Divine unity, that
Jehovah, the Living God, severely condemned His own people for given any
countenance to it: ‘They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in
the gardens, after the rites of the ONLY ONE, eating swine’s flesh, and the
abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together.’ (Isaiah 66:17).
In the unity of that one Only God of the Babylonians, there were three
persons, and to symbolize that doctrine of the Trinity, they employed, as the
discoveries of Layard prove, the equilateral triangle, just as it is well known
the Romish Church does at this day. In
both cases such a comparison is most degrading to the King Eternal, and is
fitted utterly to pervert the minds of those who contemplate it, as if there was
or could be any similitude between such a figure and Him who hath said, ‘To
whom will ye liken God, and what likeness will ye compare unto Him?’” (Rev.
Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, p.
16) Joseph Smith taught the
critical importance of knowing God. He
taught, “that three things
are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise
faith in God unto life and salvation. First,
the idea that he actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character,
perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of
life which he is pursuing, is according to his will.” (1835 Doctrine and Covenants, Part One, Lecture Three) Joseph
described the Father and the Son as two distinct personages.
A young farm boy restored knowledge of God and Jesus that had been lost
since Constantine and the Papacy. Some
people believe that God is only a spirit (John 4:24).
All men are spirits. When
their spirit is joined with a physical body, it becomes a living soul; and is
said to have a tabernacle (physical body). The
official church journal in 1842, which Joseph edited, clearly described both the Father and the Son as having physical bodies.
“Joseph Smith
opposes vice and error, and supports his positions from revelation:
no odds whether there be two, three, or ‘Gods many.’
The Father and the Son are persons of Tabernacle; and the Holy Ghost a
spirit, besides the sons of God: for
the scriptures say: ‘Ye are
Gods.’” (Times and Seasons, Vol. 3, p. 926) Joseph Smith
went to great lengths to teach a correct understanding of God in his Lectures on
Faith (1835 Doctrine and Covenants,
Part One). He explained that God
is (1) merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, long
suffering, of a forgiving disposition, (2) without change, (3) love, (4) no
respecter of persons, (5) a God of truth, (6) a God of Justice, (7) a God of
Judgment, (8) possessed of all knowledge, and (9) holds supreme power over all
things. James composed Chapter Two, “The True God,” in the Book of the Law through inspiration of God. He provided further definition and explanation of God and Jesus Christ. He explained the sacrifice of Christ in the chapter “Eucharist.” The Book
of the Law notes that God: (1) is
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (2) is glorious in his perfections, (3)
alone has immortality, (4) alone has omniscience, (5) alone has omnipotence, (6)
alone is omnipresent, and (7) alone is one. James, in his
notes, offered the Creed of Saint Athanasius; and then proved its errors.
He wrote, “25. This
is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ye shall not bow down to the God of
Babylon, for the God who spoke in Sinai, said, ‘Thou shalt not bow down unto,
nor adore anything that thy imagination conceiveth of; but the Lord thy God
only.’ 26.
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, was not the offspring of adultery; nor was
he born of woman; he was not carried about in a nurse’s arms, nor dependent on
his mother’s milk for sustenance; he never died, nor did he cry to himself,
and find no helper. (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34.) Eternal ages are but pulsations
in his lifetime, and his might is omnipotence.” (Book
of the Law, p. 58) When The God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob is a literal personage. He
is called the “living God” thirty times in the Bible.
In his notes on the True God, James wrote, “9.
The God who created Adam had a body, with all its parts; for as truly as Adam,
when he begat a son, begat him in his own likeness, after his image, (Gen. v, 3)
so truly God, when he created Adam, made him in the likeness and after
the image of God. (Gen. i, 26, 27. v, 1. ix, 6. 1st Cor. xi, 7.
Jas. iii, 9.) “10. Abraham worshipped the same God; for when God
visited him, Abraham at first mistook him for a man; and, with genuine
Patriarchal hospitality, invited him into the tent to eat, and offered to wash
his feet. (Gen. xviii.) “11. Jacob also, worshipped the same God; for after
wrestling with him, he tells us he saw him face to face. (Gen. xxxii, 24, 28,
30.) Surely the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has a body and parts, face and feet. “12. The God who spoke to Moses from the fire in the
bush, and in a voice of thunder in Sinai, gave the Commandments; wrote the
Commandments on tables of stone, with his finger; (Deut. ix, 10;) conversed with
Moses face to face, as a man converses with his friend; (Ex. xxxii, 11;) passed
by covering Moses with his hand, and allowed him to behold his back parts. (Ex.
xxxiii, 22, 23.) Truly this is not
the God without body or parts, which Episcopalians, Methodists, and all other
Christians worship. 13.
The God of the Prophets and Apostles was in bodily form, with all the
appropriate parts, as imaged in his creature man.” (Book
of the Law, p. 54) James conducted
a written debate in the Gospel Herald
on the fact that God exists as a literal personage.
He offered an article on “The Lineage of Christ” in the Gospel
Herald. He also conducted a
written debate with a Catholic spokesman, Charles Rafferty, which was published
in the Gospel Herald; and included the
following. “Upon
the fore front of almost every one of your creeds, catechisms, and confessions of faith, whether
established by Catholic councils or Protestant convocations, stands out the doctrine ‘That
there is but
one true God, the creator of heaven and earth, who is WITHOUT BODY, PARTS, Or
PASSIONS;’ which
is precisely equivalent to saying, ‘WHO
DOES NOT EXIST AT ALL;’ and is the creed of
mere Atheism. Thus has this wind of
doctrine carried you away from the Apostles' creed, which declared their faith in
‘God the Father Almighty,’ without
immediately adding that
he did
not exist;
because the Apostles
who made it believed, with other men who receive revelations, that
‘God made man in his own image,’
(Gen. i. 26, 27. v. 1,) precisely in the same sense in which Adam begot his son Seth ‘in
his own IMAGE,’ (Gen.
v. 3,) to wit: having a body in the same general
form, and the same number and kind of limbs, joined on in a
similar manner. And, consequently, believed that God had both body
and parts, which Moses also well knew when he BEHELD
the FACE
(not in its illumination or glory,)
and the BACK PARTS of God. (Ex. xxxiii. 11 to 23.) “And Abraham not only talked with the Lord, but washed his feet and
fed him, and did the like also for two angels; when, according to your creed, neither Lord or angels have any feet, or
stomachs, or mouths; though they looked so like men that Abraham knew not
that they were not
men till he saluted them. (Gen. xviii.)And
Jacob named a certain place Phanuel, (the face of God,) saying, ‘I
have seen God face to face.’ And all the ancients, having a
CERTAIN STANDARD or
RULE of
FAITH SUFFICIENT to DECIDE INFALLIBLY
ALL QUESTIONS of DIVINE
TRUTH which men need know, have concurred
in speaking of God, not by way of figure, but reality, as a
being in form similar to man, having the same limbs, members, parts
and passions; a being walking, talking, eating, riding in a chariot, loving, hating, being angry, jealous, &c., &c.” “Not satisfied with making Atheism the first article in the Christian
creed, Polytheism follows close after, in the declaration that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
are equally the
very and eternal God. To put it beyond doubt that these are THREE DISTINCT GODS
they declare their faith in ‘God the Father Almighty, WITHOUT
body, parts, or passions,’ and in Jesus Christ, very and eternal God,
and very man, who was crucified, died, and raised again, and ascended
to heaven, body and soul, flesh bones and all which he possessed as a man on earth, and that with such body and soul, flesh
and bones, he has set down at the right hand of God the Father, as
a God in heaven; consequently being a God, WITH
body and
parts, really
in the image of a man, at the right hand of another God of
an altogether different make; and God the Holy Spirit which emanated
from these two, and necessarily must partake somewhat of
the nature and likeness of both; and
consequently a monster, partially
without body, having some parts. “To make these
creeds utterly, hopelessly, and irrevocably false and impossible, impossible with Omnipotence, as well as with man, it is next
asserted that these three are one God, being and substance; that they are
all like one another and alike eternal, Omnipotent, Omniscient,
and Omnipresent; though the second emanated from the
first, and the third emanated from both the others. I do not, I will
not, speak of this as a mystery. It is a lie. A lie absolutely and
immutably. A lie that OMNIPOTENCE CANNOT MAKE TRUE. As well
might you talk that three times four does not make twelve in abstract
mathematics, but that it makes ten in a mysterious sense, and
that we ought to subscribe to it as a Christian mystery, which we can believe but not comprehend. “To
make the matter as ridiculous as it is infidel, heathenish as it is false, Catholics tell us of the
‘mother of God,’
as though it was God
that was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary; begotten by himself on a creature he had made, that he might be eternally
begotten. And Protestants not willing that the Catholics should
monopolize all the folly and falsehood, have trumped up, or borrowed
from their mother, the Catholic church, the doctrine of an ‘infinite atonement’
by means of infinite sufferings in the
crucifixion and death of one of the three Gods. And as they still insist that these
three Gods are verily and in truth but one God, self-existent, indivisible
and eternal, it follows that the eternal uncreated and self
existent God became a PRIEST
unto
HIMSELF, and offered HIMSELF
a SACRIFICE unto HIMSELF,
to make propitiation unto himself
for sins against himself, and became Mediator between himself and his rebellious
subjects.” (Gospel Herald, Nov. 25,
1847) It is
noteworthy that James taught the same as Joseph on the identity and nature of
God and Jesus. Brigham Young, on the
other hand, taught that God was once a man; and is still in a state of eternal
progression. He taught that Adam was
God and Eve was his wife from another planet.
He also taught that man can progress to an identity equal with God. The teachings
of James on God and Jesus agree perfectly with the Bible (with the exception of
the alteration in Matt. The Creed of Saint
Athanasius states, "And
the Catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in
Unity... Such as the Father
is, such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost... The Father eternal,
the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal... The Father incomprehensible,
the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible... So likewise the
Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty... And
yet they are not three Gods, but one God... The Son is of the Father alone; not
made, nor created, but begotten. The
Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor
begotten, but proceeding. And in
this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than
another... He therefore that will be saved, must think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation, that he also believe
rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ... This is the Catholic Faith;
which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved." Three Gods or One?
The Bible makes it clear there is one God, the Father, and one Saviour,
Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is
never spoken of as God. "These
words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father,
the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou
hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many
as thou hast given him. And this
is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, AND
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:1-3) "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know
that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him." (Deut.
4:35) "But to us there is
but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (1 Cor. 8:6)
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus."
(1 Tim. 2:5) "The grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
(2 Cor. 13:14) The Bible teaches the
Father has a physical body similar to ours; although man cannot look upon the
face of God in all His glory. Moses
had spoken with God face to face; but, he wanted more.
He asked to see God in all His glory.
"And the LORD spake
unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend...
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I
will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the
LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew
mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for
there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place
by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my
glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover
thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou
shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen." (Ex. 33:11,
18-23) In the Trinitarian creed,
God the Son is equal and coeternal with the Father and the Holy Ghost. It
makes Jesus the Father. Who was
Almighty God when Jesus was a one celled embryo; and while Jesus was carried
about in His mother’s womb? Who
was Almighty God while Jesus was a babe? Why
did Jesus pray to the Father, if he was equal to the Father?
Why was He ordained by the Father (Heb. 5:5), if He was the Father?
The lesser is blessed of the greater.
Who was God Almighty, while the Son lay dead for three days?
If He is equal with the Father, did God die?
Why didn't Jesus raise Himself? Does
He now sit at His own right hand? How
can the Son be equal to the Father, when only the Father knows the exact time of
His return? "But
of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father
only." (Matt. 24:36) Jesus
told us He was not equal with the Father, "my Father is greater than
I." (John 14:28) See the
thirty-one questions posed to Rafferty in the Catholic Discussion (Part Two of this book). In this creed, God the Holy
Ghost proceeds from the Father and Son.
The Holy Ghost, being coeternal, could not exist until the Father had
begotten the Son. Clearly this creed
establishes the Father as the first identity, the Son as the second identity,
and the Holy Ghost as the third. Three
gods! Yet, they are all three
coeternal. Since all three are
coeternal, the Father and Son were begotten through the Son by themselves.
This concept actually denies all three.
Since the Holy Ghost is coeternal with the Father and the Son, the Father
and Son could not exist until the Holy Ghost.
Yet, the Holy Ghost was last in this grand series of begetting and
proceeding. Since the Holy Ghost
could not exist until both the Father and the Son existed, none can exist.
Their existence becomes a nonentity. The Bible clearly teaches
of only one God; and of His Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus, throughout his whole mission, taught that the Father was superior
to Himself. God alone has a name
never known among the Gentile. It
was never spoken above the breath; and then, only between three High Priests,
after the order of Melchisedec (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book
2, ch. 12:4). God alone has
immortality (1 Tim. 6:16). Jesus,
who was a spirit similar to us, became mortal like us, died like us, and was
then resurrected; even as we will be resurrected.
God alone never changes. God
alone has perfect knowledge. Jesus
tells us only the Father knows the day and the hour of His return. (Matt. 24:36)
God alone holds all power. Jesus
received power from the Father. God
alone is one. "But
to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him;
AND one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (1 Cor.
8:6) This creed would have us
worship the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as one god.
Yet, throughout the Bible men prayed to the Father.
Jesus commanded, "After
this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy
name." (Matt. 6:9) "Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will
give it you." (John 16:23) The
Bible never speaks of either the Son, or the Holy Ghost as God.
Who are we to believe? All alike?
"Such as the
Father is, such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost… The Father eternal,
the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal.”
The creed admits the "The Father is made of none; neither created, nor
begotten." The Son was
begotten of the Father. The Holy
Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son.
The Father is the only GOD spoken of in the Bible.
Jesus is always addressed as the Son, having a lesser power.
How can three different substances, with three different existences, be
one? Admittedly three different
identities; coming into existence at three different times. The Father is obviously the
first personage to exist in this Trinity. The
Son being begotten of the Father cannot be either identical, or eternal with the
Father. The Holy Ghost is not even
recognized as a personage; but, only as proceeding.
The Father had to exist before the Son.
The Father and Son had to both exist before the Holy Ghost.
The Son also existed by the substance of His mother.
"And yet they are
not three Gods, but one God." By
this creed, Jesus was not the Son of God; but, the son of a ghost (that was half
Himself). All three gods Almighty?
"So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy
Ghost Almighty." Jesus was not
Almighty. Nowhere in the Bible is
Jesus addressed as the Almighty. During
his whole ministry, He submitted His will to the Father.
A person can submit their will only to a superior.
Even in death, Jesus subjected His will to God, "Saying,
Father, if thou be willing, remove
this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke
22:42) I call Jesus as my witness,
"my Father is greater
than I." (John 14:28) Jesus
is also inferior in knowledge to God. "But
of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in
heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." (Mark Nowhere in the Bible is the
Holy Ghost spoken of as God. If the
Holy Ghost is God Almighty, he begat seed upon one of His creatures to become
the Son, Almighty. Where is the real
Almighty during all these carryings on? There are many occasions in
the Bible where the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are represented in
different places. Were all of these
men hallucinating? "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up
straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And
lo a voice from heaven [Father], saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom
I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:16, 17) Jesus
spent three days in the grave. Did
God the Father and God the Holy Ghost follow?
"So then after
the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the
right hand of God." (Mark "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and
in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52)
How can an Almighty increase in wisdom?
"This Jesus hath
God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand
of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,
he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (Acts Were both Jesus and the
Holy Ghost Almighty when Jesus received the Holy Ghost, and when He was anointed
by the Holy Ghost?
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of
the devil; for God was with him." (Acts If Jesus was Almighty from
all eternity, how could He be conceived of Himself?
How could He be Almighty in His mother's womb, as an infant, and as an
alien to the One can only be blessed by
a superior. Jesus was ordained and
sent by the Father. "So also Christ glorified not himself to be made
an high priest; but he [Father] that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have
I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec." (Heb. 5:5, 6) All equal?
"And in this
Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than
another." The Father had
to be "afore;" as the Son was begotten of the Father.
The Holy Ghost was "after;" as he could not proceed from the
Father and Son until the Son was begotten. As the Holy Ghost proceeds
from the Father and Son, he must be "less" than both.
The very mortality and death of Jesus demonstrates a personage of
inferior nature. Jesus was carried
in his mother's womb as a fetus, born as a helpless infant, learned obedience
from the things he suffered (Heb. 5:8), died on the cross, spent three days in
death with the spirits in prison (hell), was resurrected, and sits at the right
hand of the Father. Not so of God.
"For I am the
LORD, I change not." (Mal. 3:6) "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know
that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him...
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he
is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else."
(Deut. 4:35, 39) "But to us there is but one God, the Father,
of whom are all things, and we in him; AND one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are
all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for
some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered
unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled." (1 Cor. 8:6, 7) The Bible consistently
teaches there is only one God; and that Jesus is inferior to the Father.
He was begotten by the Father. He
submitted His will to the Father. He
prayed to the Father. He received
His divine authority from the father. "And
he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which
was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." (Acts All incomprehensible?
This creed defines the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as incomprehensible.
Does it not seem a little more than strange that such a doctrine is found
nowhere in the Bible, during four thousand years of personal relationships
between man and God? By defining the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as incompressible, the creed removes from
man the opportunity of eternal life. "And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) Was the Father
incompressible when he walked, talked, and knew Adam as a familiar friend (Gen.
2:3)? Was He incomprehensible when
he walked with Enoch (Gen. 5:24)? When
He spoke with Noah (Gen. 6:14-21)? When
Abraham mistook him for a man? (Gen. 18)? When
He wrestled with Jacob (Gen. 32:30)? When
He conversed with Moses face to face (Ex. 33:11; Deut. 5:4)?
Soon, He will gather His people and again plead with them "face to
face." "And
I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries
wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and
with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people,
and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your
fathers in the wilderness of the Is the Father
incomprehensible? Jesus did not
think so. Why did Jesus pray to Him
during His whole ministry and cry to Him on the cross? "And
about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani? that is to say, My God,
my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46) Was Jesus incomprehensible?
Simply read the New Testament. "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when
he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on
high." (Heb. 1:3) Was Jesus incomprehensible
when he appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, and dined with them?
(Luke 24:43) Was He
incomprehensible when He said to the disciples, "Behold
my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath
not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." (Luke 24:39) How can man have faith in
an incomprehensible? "But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him." (Heb. 11:6) How
can man love an incomprehensible, "with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind"? (Matt. 22:37) I will grant Constantine
the fact his Trinity is incomprehensible. Not
so the Biblical God. The whole Bible
is a story of God's direct association with man. God conversed with Adam as a
familiar friend (Gen. 2:3). He
walked with Enoch (Gen. 5:24). He
spoke with Noah (Gen. 6:14-21). Abraham
at first mistook him for a man; and invited Him into his tent to eat (Gen. 18).
He wrestled with Jacob (Gen. 32:30).
He conversed with Moses face to face (Ex. 33:11; Deut. 5:4).
Which god in this Trinity is incomprehensible, the Father, the Son, or
the Holy Ghost? Or, is it the
Trinity itself which is the mystery? James J. Strang wrote in
the Book of the Law of the Lord, “24.
And, as by their faith, these three gods are one and the same god, it follows
that the Lord God Almighty, uncreate, incomprehensible, and eternal, became a
Priest unto himself, and offered himself a sacrifice unto himself, to make
propitiation unto himself for sins against himself, and became a mediator
between himself and his rebellious creatures; and has risen from the dead,
though he alone hath immortality, and ascended on high, where he has received
all power from himself, and sat down at his own right hand; where, with his
human body, flesh and bones, and all that pertains to the perfection of man’s
nature, raised to immortality and everlasting life, he ‘is the express image
of the invisible God,’ (Col. i, 15. 2d Cor. iv, 4,) ‘and the express image
of his Father’s person,’ (Heb. 1, 3,) who has not any such body or any part
of it, and is nevertheless the same identical person with himself.” (p. 58) (3). An understanding of this
fabrication requires a study of Verses 22 and 23 are direct
fabrications. First, the child was
not named Emmanuel; but, Jesus. The
prophecy was a sign given through Isaiah to Ahaz; and fulfilled in those days.
"Therefore the
Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a
son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he
may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall
know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall
be forsaken of both her kings." (Isa. 7:14-16) Young's Analytical
Concordance To The Bible, notes, "Immanuel,
A symbolic name given to the child who was announced to Ahaz and the people of First, the basic
question is whether Jesus was the legitimate son of Abraham.
Or, was he the offspring of adultery; and the illegitimate son of a
ghost, that was half Himself? This
deception claims, "she
was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
The Creed of Saint Athanasius declares, "The
Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son."
If this deception were true, Jesus was not "of
the Father alone;" but, was one-fourth the son of Himself.
This creed made Him the illegitimate son of the Father and Himself. An espousal (betrothal) in
Israel was a legitimate contract of marriage.
Joseph and Mary were married; and had “came together” long before the
conception of Jesus. The public
ceremony was often held at a later time. Martin
Luther's own Bible when referring to Mary used "yungfrau."
It is interpreted as a “young married woman” or just “young woman."
No inference as to being a virgin. Verse 19 admits "Joseph
her husband." Luke notes that Joseph and Mary were espoused/married in verse 27, “virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David;” and then in verse 31, at a later date, notes, "thou shalt conceive in thy womb." (Luke 1:31) How many other women in the Bible conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost? Abraham’s wife Sarah conceived Isaac by the power of the Holy Ghost. Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was barren; when she conceived John the Baptist by the power of the Holy Ghost. Marriages were immediately
consummated. Should the new wife
prove not to be pure, the law of God required her to be returned to her father's
house and be stoned to death. How
long does it take for a woman to be "found with child?"
Joseph could not be a "just man" without obeying the law of
God. "But
if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:
Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house,
and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die." (Deut.
22:20, 21) The word virgin in the
English language does not admit of the true meaning of the term.
A virgin can be either a woman (or man) that has not had sexual
intercourse, or a woman (or man) that has remained true to her (his) marriage
vows and has had intercourse with none other.
“Marriage is
honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.” (Heb. 13:4)
Thus, Luther’s “yungfrau,” in reference to Mary, could be
either single, or married. Adultery was forbidden by
the law of God, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Ex. 20:14)
God cannot violate His own law. "Let
no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man." (James 1:13)
Had the Holy Ghost beget seed upon a married woman, GOD would be
guilty of sin; and therefore subject to death, "the
wages of sin is death." (Rom. The creed states, "The
Son is of the Father alone." This
supposed conception by the Holy Ghost denies this doctrine and makes Jesus the
son of the third person in the Trinity and not by "the Father alone."
It would have God violate His own laws and commit adultery on one of His
creation. Further, it would make
Jesus an illegitimate son of a ghost; and not the Messiah of the house of David
(according to the flesh). Jesus was
not the offspring of adultery. Second, the law of nature is another of God's laws. Genetics are much better understood today than by the pagans of Constantine's day. The woman carries only half the genetic code required for human reproduction. Only the male seed carries the X/Y chromosome. Without this, Jesus could not have been a male--like begets like. A gorilla, the closest to man in genetic code, cannot beget seed upon man. A spirit is not flesh,
blood, and bones. According to the
Creed of Saint Athanasius, the Holy Ghost only proceeds.
"The Holy Ghost
is of the Father and the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding."
The best definition, supporters of the creed have provided, is that this
"proceeding" can be compared to light from a fire.
Not of substance; but only of essence. A spirit cannot beget seed
upon mortal woman; anymore than a beam of light.
Satan and his angels (spirits) have been visiting earth since Adam.
If spirits can beget seed upon women, imagine what evil Satan's angels
would work upon women. Satan and his
angels were cast out of heaven to the earth after the resurrection of Jesus
(Rev. 12:4). If this creed be true,
can any man know for certain that he is the father of his wife's children?
Jesus called himself the son of Man about eighty times in the Bible. Third.
All the prophets in the Bible, who spoke of the Messiah, wrote that He
had to be of the royal line of King David. Only
Joseph carried the proper seed of Abraham, Judah, and David; as noted by both
Matthew and Luke. God promised
Abraham, "And in thy
seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed
my voice." (Gen. 22:18) No
woman is given in the lineage of Jesus from Adam to Mary.
The seed of man, "according
to the flesh," is carried only through the male line.
"And as I may so
say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in
the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (Heb. 7:9, 10)
Jesus could only fulfill the law on lineage through his father
Joseph. If Joseph was not the father
of Jesus, the whole story of the Messiah is a fabrication. Paul declared Jesus was the
seed of David, "according
to the flesh." "Concerning
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according
to the flesh." (Rom 1:3) Matthew
declared at the beginning of his book, "The
book of the generation of Jesus Christ."
The first seventeen verses give a clear account of the lineage of
Jesus from Abraham, through Judah, David, and his father Joseph (Matt. Luke does the same; except
beginning with Adam. Mary was a
cousin of When telling a lie, it is
often impossible to cover all your tracks. Many
references remain that identify Jesus as the legitimate son of Joseph.
I call Mary as my first witness. "And
when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast
thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy
father and I have sought thee sorrowing." (Luke 2:48)
I call Jesus as my second witness. "Wherefore
in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he
might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to
make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Heb. 2:17) In the King James Version
of the Bible Matthew Joseph is
called the father of Jesus. “Philip
findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the
law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John
1:45) Jesus was
always referred to as the son of Joseph, the Son of David, the Son of Man, or
the Son of God. It is obvious that
Jesus became the Son of God through His ordination to the royal priesthood by
the Father. “So
also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father]
that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” (Heb. 5:4) Surely, the
friends and family of Jesus would have been aware of this miraculous conception
and calling--had it been true. Yet,
on Jesus first missionary trip to Consider the source.
Demi-gods were a tradition in "In Papal Italy, as travelers universally admit
(except where the Gospel has recently entered), all appearance of worshipping
the King Eternal and Invisible is almost extinct.
Exactly so, in this latter respect, also was it in ancient By adopting the Babylonian
doctrines of the Trinity and the Mother and Child, The first beast which John
describes in Chapter 12:3 is Pagan Rome. The
beast changes in Chapter 13:1, “and
upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
By changing the nature and character of God and Jesus to those of mystery
Babylon, Constantine brought Christians under the condemnation of blasphemy.
“3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the
wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names
of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in
purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,
having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE
GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Rev. 17)
The Harlots, the image of the beast, can be none other than
Protestantism that retained these same mysteries and blasphemy. What is to
happen to Christians who became entangled with the mysteries of How different the teachings
of James. “37.
Such a one was the Lord Jesus Christ. Down to the age of thirty years, in the
retirement of a peasant’s life, he never stepped aside from
the path of rectitude, to do
a single evil deed. Not one even of
the least of all the Commandments or precepts of God did he ever transgress, nor
did an evil thought enter his heart. Conscious
that he was the lawful heir to the throne of David, and that the whole house of
Israel were his inheritance; never did he turn aside from the present duties of
the humble position in which he was born, to disturb the peace, and peril the
safety of his brethren, even in claiming his own. “38. Made of the seed of Abraham. (Gal. iii, 16.
Heb. ii, 16,) of the tribe of Judah,
(Heb. vii, 14,) and of the house and lineage of David (Rom. i, 3. 2d Tim. ii, 8)
according to the flesh, tempted and tried in all things as we are, (Heb. iv,
15,) and partaking with us of the common infirmities of human nature, he was
holy, harmless, and without sin. (Heb. iv, 15. vii, 26-28) “39. It was fit that such a one should receive the
keys of the resurrection and of life everlasting (John xi, 25, 26,) and be
exalted on high with divine power; for he had maintained the divine
characteristicks through all the trials of his mortal existence; and having ever
“loved righteousness and hated iniquity,” (Heb. i, 8, 9. Ps. xlv, 6, 7,) he
was exalted by his Father and his God to be our God, and the Father of the world
to come. (Isa. ix, 6.) “40. Jesus Christ, having committed no sin, deserved
to suffer no evil that was avoidable. Taking
upon himself the Priesthood to which God called him, and working a faithful
ministry with the sole view to the salvation of mankind, without regard to any
suffering he might bring upon himself, he suffered bitter persecution, and a
cruel death, all which he might have avoided, without sin against God or man, by
doing less for the salvation of others. It
was thus that he became a natural sacrifice for the sins of men. “41. But having loved righteousness and hated
iniquity, through the severest temptations, and never swerved one moment, God
raised him to an incorruptible, and immortal life, and gave him the power to
raise up all others; a power which, as he had already resisted every temptation,
he could not be moved to abuse. Thus
was established that incorruptible dominion of man over the creation of God,
which the divine goodness had sought from the beginning, by the most direct
means to establish. “42. He was not demanded of God as a victim to
divine vengeance, but offered himself as the victim of man’s malevolence.
And having walked in the way of life everlasting, through death and the
resurrection, he was capable of leading others the same road.
Thus, by the appointment of God,
and the requisite intelligence, he was possessed of the keys of the
resurrection, and life everlasting. “43. He is a propitiation for the sins of all men,
in this, that whereas all, both by inheritance were doomed to death, and by
actual guilt had aggravated that doom, he brings the actual resurrection of the
body to all, (1st Cor. xv, 22,) and puts it in their power by obedience to a law
which he makes known, to lay hold on everlasting life. “44. By means of this law the way of life is ever so
guarded that none can lay hold on immortality, except those who have, through
the experience of temptation, a settled and unconquerable hatred of sin, and an
unchangeable love of righteousness, so that the keeping of the Law of God,
instead of being a restraint on them, is their chief desire and greatest
pleasure. No other can enter into
life.” (Book of the Law, pp. 156,
157) James
in his debate with Mr. Rafferty, in The Catholic Discussion, asks thirty-one
questions that any believer in the Trinity and Virgin Birth need to answer.
Truth has no fear of investigation. During
this discussion, James noted, “He
[Jesus] has BECOME
PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING, Heb.
ii. 10. v. 9, obtained the keys of hell and of death, Rev. i. 18, received power
from God, John v. 19 to 30. Acts
xvii. 31, ascended on high, Acts i. 9,
10, 11, and being perfect as his Father in heaven is perfect, has
set down, not in place of God, but at his right hand, Heb. i. 3. Eph.
i. 20, as the principal viceroy and highest minister unto him, Heb. i. 4, 9. Eph. i. 20, 21, 22, being one with God, not in person, essence
or individuality, nor in any mysterious sense, but in the same
manner in which the saints are all likewise required to be one with
him and each other, John xvii. 11, 21, 22, 23. Gal, iii. 28;
that is, one in faith, one in purpose,
one in interest and one in possession and enjoyment. And he, as son, being
heir of God; that
is, as
high priest having an inheritance in the power of God's kingdom,
seeks to
bring us to a like perfection, that we also may be sons,
that is, high priests after the power of an endless life, that we may
be also heirs of God, joint heirs with him in this inheritance, Rom.
viii. 17. James ii. 5, setting down with him on thrones in the “Christ constantly spoke of himself personally as "the
son of man,"
Matt. xvi. 13, &c. As the redeemer he is expressly declared
to be a "man,"
1 Cor. xv. 21. In that greatest treatise on priesthood, the epistle to the Hebrews, it is said that because
he loved righteousness (and of course not till he had done so) God exalted him
in power above all others, Heb. i. 9; became
a son of God by being made an high priest by the oath of God, Heb. v. 5, 6. vii. 21, and
it was by the word of the oath, and not by the act of carnal generation, that he became God's Son, Heb. vii. 28. “For what trash have men
bartered away the truths of God? All for want
of the proper priesthood, which God set therein as a perpetual and
unerring standard of truth.” (see Catholic Discussion, Gospel
Herald, God established
a plan of salvation for mankind
before the foundations of the earth. Those
who were obedient during our first estate as spirits are afforded the
opportunity to hear the gospel in the flesh.
“4 According as he
hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the
adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will.” (Eph. 4) Salvation in
the kingdom of heaven is realized through obedience to the gospel of Christ. “For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek.” ( There is only
one gospel; and obedience is required
to inherit eternal life. Those who
obey the gospel have the opportunity to inherit the earth in eternity.
All others must spend a time with the spirits in prison (hell).
“15 And he said unto
them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned.” (Mark 16) The gospel
never changes. Whatever was
required to be saved in the days of Jesus, was the same in the days of Adam, and
remains the same forever. “But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so
say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8) The gospel is a
perfect law because it had a perfect author.
Had it not been perfect, it could not promise eternal life; as no one
could be sure the gospel they obeyed today will be the gospel that brings
eternal life tomorrow. When changed
by man, it is no longer the gospel. “And
fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather
fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) Every man is
born alien to the kingdom of heaven. Without
worshipping the true and living God, and obeying the gospel of Christ, none can
enter the kingdom of heaven. Soon,
Jesus will return, “In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:8) This plan
requires men to submit their will to the will of God; and remain obedient to His
commandments for eternity. God’s
law is not given for any selfish reason like many of the laws of man.
His law was given for the good, happiness, and salvation of man; and was
founded on love. There are no
blessings, though, without sacrifice. The
gospel is one part of that law. An
understanding of this law could only come through a direct association with God.
Through Adam, God provided both the law and the order (officers) to
administer the ordinances of the kingdom of heaven.
Adam was an Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver like Moses.
The Ten Commandments, the gospel, and the law of God were given to Adam.
Cain violated the law, “Thou
shalt not kill.” Without
the gospel, Adam could not have entered the kingdom of heaven. Adam knew
Noah’s father for fifty-six years. Noah
knew Abraham for fifty-eight years; and his son Shem knew Abraham for two
hundred and ten years. It is easy to
see how knowledge of God and the plan of salvation passed from Adam to Abraham.
From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, this knowledge passed to all the house of
Failure to
submit our will to God and obey His law will bring unimaginable anguish after
death. Experience is a harsh
teacher; as Lucifer learned. God is
long suffering, always desiring the salvation of man, and ready to forgive the
penitent. Those who take joy in
violating the law of God will find punishment almost eternal.
“7 He that
overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my
son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part
in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
(Rev. 21) The plan of
salvation was made so simple that “every
creature,” every man, could understand and obey it.
“And he said unto
them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
(Mark Abraham
obeyed the gospel. “8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith,
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be
blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
(Gal. 3) Moses
taught the gospel; and partook of the sacrament of bread and wine.
“1 Moreover,
brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were
under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto
Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual
Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Cor. 10) Jesus
obeyed and taught the gospel. He
explained to Nicodemus two of the essential parts of this plan. “Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Peter
preached the gospel to the congregation on the day of Pentecost; and added
that it applies to ALL men in all ages that are called of God to hear the
gospel. “37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter
and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to
ALL that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2) Every
government established both laws and men authorized
to administer those laws. No alien can be admitted as a citizen of the The adoption process into the kingdom of heaven is called the first principles of the gospel. God set officers in the kingdom of heaven with divine authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. Adam was called and ordained to this authority. Even Jesus was not permitted to preach the gospel; until he received the Melchisedec Priesthood. He was ordained at the hands of the Father. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5:4) Without both knowledge of the gospel and officers called by God, neither Adam, nor anyone after him could enter the kingdom of heaven. When the Lord sent an angel to Cornelius, he was told to send for Peter. Why? Peter held the Melchisedec Priesthood and divine authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. It is evident
that the gospel requires authorized
officers to administer it. How
did man receive this authority? Every
minister of God is called by God through the spirit of prophesy (like Aaron);
and ordained at the hands of one holding that authority (like Moses).
“And no man taketh
this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb.
5:4) The twelve Apostles,
High Priests, and Elders were all called and ordained under Jesus and the
Apostles. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was
given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1
Tim. 4:14) The fullness
of the gospel consists in both word and power (authority).
“Thou shalt not take
the name [authority] of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7)
“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word
was with power.” (Luke 4:32) “For
he taught them as one having authority,
and not as the scribes.” (Matt. 7:29) “For
the The power
of the gospel is authority from God to perform those ordinances; and have
them recorded in heaven. “And
I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou
shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) Cornelius is
believed to have been the first Gentile to obey the gospel.
He was a devout man who loved God and Jesus; and who had obeyed the
fundamental laws of God. His devout
life caused him to be called of God to hear the gospel of Christ. “3
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God
coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him,
he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And
he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before
God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is
Peter.” (Acts 10) Why was
Cornelius commanded to send for Peter? Peter
held the Melchisedec Priesthood and the power of the gospel to baptize him with
water and the Spirit. When Peter met
Cornelius, what did Peter tell him to do? “46
…Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10) A person could
read the Bible all their life and listen to a thousand sermons; but never enter
the kingdom of heaven. No man can
enter the kingdom of heaven without the administration of the Melchisedec
Priesthood. Abraham held the
Melchisedec Priesthood. Moses
restored the fullness of the Melchisedec Priesthood, after it had been lost for
hundreds of years. Jesus restored
the Melchisedec Priesthood, after it had been lost four hundred years before
Him. Jesus ordained the Twelve to
this priesthood and divine power. “14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send
them forth to preach, 15 And to have power.” (Mark 3) Jesus also
called and ordained Elders to preach the gospel in all Judea.
There are seventy Elders to a quorum; and they are sent out two at a
time. “After
these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two
before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”
(Luke 10:1) When the gospel
went to the Gentiles, the Apostles called and ordained Elders in every branch of
the church. “And when they had ordained them elders in every
church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom
they believed.” (Acts Gospel
faith must be distinguished from simple belief.
A person can believe; and still lack gospel faith.
“But without faith
it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6) Gospel
faith is an assurance that is given through the Holy Spirit of the will of God
and the truth of the gospel, “even
so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:11) The foundation
of the gospel is the spirit of prophecy. “And
the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of
her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have
the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17)
“…the testimony of Jesus is
the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10) Ministers
of God are called of God by the spirit of prophecy.
“And no man taketh
this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb.
5:4) Paul reminded his son
Timothy not to forget that the power of the ministry which he received was
through a calling of God by prophecy and an ordination by the laying on of the
hands by one holding that priesthood.
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was
given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1
Tim. 4:14) Men are called
of God to hear the gospel and given gospel faith as an assurance of spiritual
truth. “Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
(Heb. 11:1) Only those called
of God will receive gospel faith. “4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the
good pleasure of his will.” (Eph. 1) Gospel faith is
received only through the preaching of one holding divine authority to
administer the saving ordinances of the gospel.
What good would be realized if a man understood the door into the
kingdom; and was not able to enter? “14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a
preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the
gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all
obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith,
Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ( Repentance
is another key feature of the gospel. It
is necessary for a person to submit their will to the will of God before they
can enter the kingdom of heaven. For
a person to become a citizen of the Baptism
of water cleanses a person of sin; thereby preparing the candidate to enter
the kingdom pure and without sin. “John
did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4) “4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with
the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe
on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard
this, they were baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the
Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
(Acts 19) Jesus explained
baptism as a new birth to Nicodemus.
“3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the Jesus was
without sin; but, He still had to obey the law of the gospel.
“13 Then cometh
Jesus from James commented on baptism
both in the Book of the Law and in
articles in official church journals. There
is a popular notion being taught by ministers of today, who do not hold divine
authority, that being born again is accepting Jesus as our personal Savior.
James wrote, “1. The
language, ‘born of water,’ as found in this Law, and in the discourse of
Jesus to Nicodemus, is sufficient to settle the controversy as to the manner in
which baptism should be administered. “2. For a birth is a coming forth out of something
that covers and conceals. Such is baptism, only when the subject, being covered
in water, is brought forth out of it. “3. It would be folly in the extreme to say of one,
upon whom a few drops of water had been sprinkled, or a small quantity poured,
that he was born of the water. It cannot even be said that he is sprinkled, or
poured. It is the water that is sprinkled, or poured. “4. Nor can any one say that this language, ‘born
of the water,’ was not used of baptism. For if baptism is not the thing here
spoken of, then there is another ceremony to be administered in water, besides
baptism, so entirely essential that without it no one can enter into the
Kingdom. “5. And that other ceremony would also be baptism;
that is, an immersion in water. For as no one can dispute that, it is necessary
to be born of water, in order to enter into the Kingdom, so, whether baptism is
or is not an immersion, nevertheless, immersion is essential to entry into the
Kingdom. “6. This discourse of Jesus with Nicodemus, a ruler
of the Jews, has given a further key to the manner of administering baptism. He
reproached Nicodemus for not understanding what it was to be born again. “7. Why that reproach? Because the Jews were at that
time making considerable numbers of converts to their faith, all of whom were
baptized; and they always spoke of this baptism as a new birth.” (Book
of the Law, p. 116) When the Catholic Church
replaced baptism with sprinkling, not one more person entered the kingdom of
heaven. After the Bible was
published, a great fear came over many people; as they realized that no one had
been baptized for centuries. Many
were immediately baptized. Some denominations used baptism as the basis of their
religion; although they held no divine authority to administer baptism.
Such baptisms are void. Baptism
of the Spirit confirms a person into the kingdom of heaven, joins him,
spiritually to all the other saints of God, bestows upon him the Spirit of
Truth, and leaves him with a gift of the Holy Ghost.
“21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art
in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may
believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have
given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17) The Apostle
Paul wrote, “1 Now
concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant… 7 But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one
is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
to another the word of knowledge by
the same Spirit; 9 To another faith
by the same Spirit; to another the gifts
of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning
of spirits; to another divers kinds
of tongues; to another the interpretation
of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,
dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath
many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so
also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are
we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be
bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor. 11) “27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's,
then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3) Some have thought these
gifts of the Holy Ghost ceased after the days of the Apostles.
The noted historian Eusebius wrote, “Of
those that flourished in these times [after the Apostles], Quadratus is said to
have been distinguished for his prophetical gifts.
There were many others. Also, noted in these times, who held the first
rank in the apostolic succession… The holy Spirit also, wrought many wonders
as yet through them, so that as soon as the gospel was heard, men voluntarily in
crowds, and eagerly, embraced the true faith with their whole minds. As it is
impossible for us to give the numbers of the individuals that became pastors or
evangelists, during the first immediate succession from the apostles in the
churches throughout the world, we have only recorded those by name in our
history.” (Eusebius’
Ecclesiastical History, Chapter XXXVII, p. 123) It is true these gifts
eventually ceased; but, Jesus, Peter, and Paul all said they were given to all
men who obey the gospel. Why did God
stop speaking to man after John? “1
Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and
your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isa.
59) Ecclesiastical historians
and church leaders have agreed they were lost because the people turned from the
pure doctrines of Christ to the doctrines of mystery Babylon.
John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, commented on the decay of
the Christian faith. Among his
writings about the gifts of the Holy Ghost is found, "The
cause of this was not, as has been supposed, because there was no more occasion
for them, because all the world was become Christians.
This is a miserable mistake; not a twentieth part of it was then
nominally Christian. The real cause
of it was that the love of many, almost all Christians, so-called, was waxed
cold. The Christians had no more of
the spirit of Christ than the other heathens.
The Son of Man, when He came to examine His Church, could hardly find
faith upon earth. This was the real
cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found
in the Christian church--because the Christians were turned heathens again, and
only had a dead form left." (John
Wesley's Works, Vol. 7, 89; 26-27) Baptism
for the dead is administered under revelation from God through His holy
Prophets. It was practiced by the
Apostles of Jesus, after Jesus went to the spirits in prison (hell) after His
death; and opened a dispensation of the gospel to them.
Here is one of the most glorious features of the gospel.
All men are afforded an opportunity to obey the gospel either in the
flesh, or in the spirit. “For
for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they
might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
spirit.” (1 Pet. 4:6) “Else what
shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?
why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:29) A special
dispensation for baptism of the dead was given through Joseph Smith at Nauvoo,
in 1842. It was closed with the
death of Joseph on When the next
gospel dispensation is soon opened to James wrote
concerning those who are candidates for baptism of their dead, “2.
Those who are under condemnation for disobedience to any word of this Law of
God, whether it be a Commandment, a statute, a precept, or whatsoever word it
may be, are unfit for saviours of others, because they are not themselves in a
state of salvation, nor even progressing forward towards it. “3.
But those who are not regular members of any family, duly organized, have no
place to bring those for whom they shall be baptized; they have no home for them
to abide in, in the everlasting life. The chief thing in the salvation promised
in the gospel, is in the family relation, and love, of a holy people. They who
lack that relationship, are unsaved themselves, unprepared to save others.” (Book
of the Law, p. 138) “3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of
the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God… 11 Nevertheless neither
is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12
For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all
things of god.” (1 Cor. 11) Through the
administration of the Eucharist men
bind themselves to the law of God, the Holy Spirit, and have hope of eternal
life. “Then
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of
the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (John 6:53) Some believe
the first time the sacrament of the Eucharist was observed was the day before
Jesus was crucified. Jesus
identified it as a required sacrament for eternal life.
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and all other righteous men had to observe
this sacrament. Unfortunately, the
condition of the Bible has left little trace of many great truths that were
originally in the sacred writings. It
does tell of the Eucharist being practiced 2,000 years before Jesus. “18 And Melchizedek king of The Eucharist
is available only to those who have been baptized and have a pure conscience
before God. Like baptism of the
Spirit, only those holding the Melchisedec Priesthood have divine authority to
administer the Eucharist. See the Book
of the Law, Chapter XIV, Eucharist. James
added an excellent dialogue on the sacrifice of Christ. Joseph Smith
stood alone in his claim to restore the Melchisedec Priesthood.
Yet, if he did not, the door to the kingdom of heaven is still closed.
Ordinances by the authority of man are vain (Matt. James left a
treasure of writings on the gospel, the priesthood, and the order of the church
and house of God. Only the teachings
of Joseph and James are identical with those of all the other prophets of God.
See the Book of the Law, pp.
20, 21, and pages 168-282.
God has set
officers in the kingdom to administer its laws.
Every officer must be called of God by the spirit of prophecy and
ordained at the hands of one holding that authority.
“And no man taketh
this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” (Heb.
5:4) Not even Jesus could
represent the kingdom without obeying the same law.
“So also Christ
glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou
art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” (Heb. 5:5) Should a man
pretend to be an officer of this government, without being properly called and
set in office, he would be arrested. The
day will soon come when Jesus will stand as King over the earth, the “2. When God revealed his Law to men, he instituted
a Priesthood, and set it in order, to be the keepers, the expounders and the
administrators of his Law. Hence the
say-ing, “No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2d
Pet. i, 20.) “3. Without such a Priesthood, qualified to truly
expound the word of God, the Scriptures would be wrested by those
who do not understand them, to their own destruction. (1st Cor. ii, 16.
2d Pet. iii, 16.) The
instructions of the authorized Priesthood should be received as an
interpretation of the Law, and as obligatory on the faithful. (Deut. xviii, 15,
18, 19. xxxii, 7. Acts iii, 22, 23. 1st Cor. xi, 2. 2d Thess. ii,
15. iii, 6. 2d Tim. i, 13. ii, 2. iii, 14.) “4. If any one had for a moment imagined that it
would be consistent and wise in God to institute a Law among men, without also
instituting a body of men to keep, expound and administer that Law, the result
of the experiment, which has been tried with the Bible, ought to brush away all
such imaginings.” (p. 227) James wrote in the Book
of the Law, on the second of the Ten Commandments, “7.
Priests made by the authority of man, and not called of God; Priests who
constantly profess to have received no dispensation from
God, and who deny that he has revealed himself to any for eighteen hundred
years, do constantly administer in his name, as boldly as though they were sent
by him. “8. They baptize in the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit; they go
about doing works in the assumed power and might of God’s ministers, of whom
Jesus Christ said, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.’ (Matt vii, 23.) “9. He did not deny that they had preached,
prophesied, or worked miracles in his name.
He denounced them as workers of iniquity, because they were unknown to
him; that is, were not his ministers. They
took God’s name in vain. “10. God has appointed a door to the priesthood; a
call of God by revelation, and an ordaining by the hands of his ministers; (Heb.
v, 4. Ex. xxviii, l. 1st Tim. iv, 14. Acts vii, 35;) and Christ declares that he
that comes not in by the door, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a
robber. (John x, 1.)” (p. 21) “2. Thus the call of Joshua was revealed to Moses,
by the word of God, and he was ordained under Moses’ hand. (Num. xxvii, 18,
23. Deut. xxxiv, 9.) Aaron also was
called by direct revelation, (Ex. xxviii, 1,) and was consecrated by Moses, by
most august ceremonies. Paul,
speaking on this subject, says, ‘No man taketh this honour unto himself, but
he that is called of God, as was Aaron.’ (Heb. v, 4.)
So all- pervading did he regard this rule, that he goes on to show
that Jesus Christ himself did not assume the Priesthood, but was elevated
to it in conformity with this rule. “3. The Apostles practiced by this rule, and held
that only by it could a qualified Priesthood be obtained. Paul, in exhorting
Timothy, says, ‘Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery.’ * (1st Tim. iv,
14.) Thus the gifts necessary to a
faithful and successful ministry are supposed to be conferred with the
Priesthood, in the manner determined by the Law of God. “4. This being the rule in God’s Law, it is a
matter of unquestionable fact, established by all history, that all Christendom
are destitute of the Priesthood. There
is not a single one of all the “*In the Doway this verse reads, ‘Neglect not the
grace which is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the imposition of
the hands of the Priesthood.’” (p. 230) “2. No instance is given in the oracles of God of
men, for want of a valid Priesthood, selecting one among themselves, and
elevating him to be their Priest, and thus conferring on him a true Priesthood.
On the contrary, God has instituted a Priesthood by direct revelation,
and the ministration of Angels,
as often as the Priesthood, or the superiour grade of it, was lost on earth.”
(p. 164) James explained that “called
of God, as was Aaron” means that a person must be called by the mouth
of one holding that priesthood; and ordained by one holding at least that high
an office. “In
order to being called of God as was Aaron, it is not necessary to be called by
the mouth of a prophet, but by the mouth
of any one who has the authority to ordain.” (Zion’s Reveille, Vol. 2, No. 12, p. 50/102) There are only
two orders of the priesthood noted in the Bible: the Melchisedec and the Aaronic
(Levitical) Priesthood. The
Melchisedec Priesthood has existed since Adam.
The highest order of this priesthood is that of Apostle, Prophet, and
Lawgiver. Since the law of God was
first given through Adam, he had to hold this priesthood. The Melchisedec
Priesthood is essential to the administration of the gospel.
John the Baptist recognized his limitation as a Priest of the Aaronic
order. “I
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11) The Melchisedec Priesthood is a priesthood of an endless life (it is retained in eternity); and administers in the spiritual affairs of the people. The Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood is a priesthood of life; and administers primarily in the temporal affairs of the people. The Melchisedec Priesthood is bestowed with either Evangelical Authority or with Evangelical and Royal (ruling) Authority. Evangelical authority has divine authority to preach the gospel, administer its ordinances, teach, and care for the spiritual affairs of the people. It holds no royal (ruling) authority over the people. Standing officers of the kingdom hold royal authority; and represent the evangelical, judicial, and administrative arms of the kingdom. James wrote, “5.
Hence taking the name of God in vain, is taking his authority without being
authorized; it is attempting to govern, without being called to that office; in
any matter wherein God has declared a law, and appointed an administrator of the
law.” (Book of the Law, p. 21) “2. Whosoever is called by the voice of God to the royal authority, shall be anointed and ordained by the hands of those who stand in royal authority above him.” (Ibid., p. 163) Ruling authority exists only under the direction of a Prophet; as the standard expounder of the law. All prophets of God hold royal authority. The Twelve Apostles and High Priests are given royal authority over specific districts within the church; but then, only under the direction of the Prophet. “33
The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of
the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, 107) “10 High
priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right to officiate
in their own standing, under the direction of the presidency. “ (Ibid.) With the loss of the Prophetic Office at the death of
James, all royal (presiding) authority ended; but, evangelical authority
remained. Five of the remaining
Apostles met on James taught the proper order of the priesthood in the Book of the Law and in church journals. His teachings conformed to those of Jesus and Joseph Smith before him. There are two orders to the Melchisedec Priesthood:
Apostles and Priests. The
office of first degree Apostle is
Lawgiver; and stands at the head of the people, holding all authority and
jurisdiction over the whole church. He
is called only by direct revelation from God. As only one person can hold this
office on the earth at one time, he must be ordained by one that held that
office in mortal life (or by God). A
Lawgiver holds evangelical, legislative,
judicial, and administrative authority over the people and The High Council is organized through the First President. “This day a general council of 24 High Priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith Junr. by revelation and proceeded to organize the High Council of the Church of Christ, which was to consist of twelve High Priests, and one, or three presidents, as the case might require. This High Council was appointed by revelation, for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the Church, which could not be settled by the Church, or the Bishop’s council to the satisfaction of the parties.” (Kirtland Council Record Book, p. 26; see D&C 102) It was reorganized after the death of Joseph in Voree under James. The High Council is the highest judicial branch of the church. It acts similar to the Supreme Court. In the event that satisfaction between all parties is not realized in lower courts, the matter may be appealed to the High Council. In difficult cases the matter may then be taken to the Lord through the First President. The word of the Lord is final. Second degree
Apostles are Counselors (Viceroys) to the First President; and in some cases
have succeeded first degree Apostles as head of the people of God.
Joshua succeeded Moses in this office.
Counselors, hold evangelical, judicial, and administrative authority.
These counselors are equal to the First President in authority to
administer the laws already given; but are not permitted to give commandments
and revelations to the people. They stand in office below the First President. The First President with his Counselors forms a quorum
of the Presidency.
Below these stand various quorums of the priesthood.
The President, Counselors, and High Council represent the highest
judicial order in the house of God in Third degree Apostles are Ambassadors to the nations of the world.
They are first ordained to the evangelical
order of this priesthood. Their royal authority is limited to specific districts within the church
given through the Presidency. They
hold no royal authority in “2. The Degree of an Embassador is more honourable
than that of the Kings of the earth; for these Embassadors speak by authority,
and Kings, who do not obey them, will be cast down. “3. But high as is the Priesthood conferred on them,
they have no right to stand in the place of the Lawgiver.
They cannot fill the place of Prophet, Seer, Revelator and Translator.
They have not the keys of mysteries and revelations. (D. & C. xi, 4.
xiv, 1, 2. li, 2. ciii, 39.)” (Ibid., p. 220) The office of Priest
has two degrees: High Priest and
Elder. High Priests provide spiritual guidance for the people.
They hold evangelical authority. When
properly called and ordained they hold royal
authority as the High Council and as Presiding High Priests; under the
direction of the Presidency. Joseph
Smith taught, “The duty of
a High Priest is to administer in spiritual and holy things, and to hold
communion with God; but not to exercise monarchial government, or to appoint
meetings for the Elders without their consent.
And again, it is the High Priests' duty to be better qualified to teach
principles and doctrines, than the Elders; for the office of Elder is an
appendage to the High Priesthood, and it concentrates and centers in one.” (History
of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 338.) James wrote concerning High Priests, “They
who are faithful in the calling, have the gift of prophecy. Hence High Priests
are frequently spoken of under the name of Prophets.” (Book
of the Law, p. 225) High
Priests may also be called and ordained to the office of King under the Prophet.
James wrote, “All
inferior Kings (e.g. David), Patriarchs, or heads of tribes, and Nobles, or
heads of clans, ought to be of this Priesthood.” (Book of the Law, p. 224)
The Prophets of the Old Testament made and broke Kings. The duties of an Elder were given by revelation through Joseph Smith, “39 And to ordain other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons; 40 And to administer bread and wine--the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ--41 And to confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures; 42 And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; 43 And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost; 44 And to take the lead of all meetings. 45 The elders are to conduct the meetings as they are led by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 20) Elder’s courts were appointed as a judiciary to hear all regular offenses. In all courts truth and justice were a necessity. Their decisions could be appealed to the High Council. The decision of any court that failed to abide by the proper due process of the church was void. Although there were courts before the High Council was appointed, it was highly undesirable. Joseph Smith noted, “I have never set before any council in all the order in which a council ought to be conducted, which, perhaps, has deprived the council of some, or many blessings. He said that no man was capable of judging a matter in council without his own heart was pure, and that we frequently are so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions.” (Kirtland Council Record Book, p. 22) While a prisoner in jail at Before any action can be taken against a member, the law of God requires the offender to be labored with. “88 And if thy brother or sister offend thee, thou shalt take him or her between him or her and thee alone; and if he or she confess thou shalt be reconciled. 89 And if he or she confess not thou shalt deliver him or her up unto the church, not to the members, but to the elders. And it shall be done in a meeting, and that not before the world.” (Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 42) Only after every effort has been made is a member subject to court action. James taught the due process necessary to take court
action against any member. “1st,
That he be accused of some act forbidden, or of neglecting some thing commanded
by the law of God.—2d, that he [be] brought or required to appear before some
quorum or council having jurisdiction of both the person and the offence. 3d,
that he have a trial. 4th, that his defense be heard. 5th,
that on such trial he be condemned. 6th, that sentence… be passed
upon him.” (Voree Herald, p. 11) James wrote that “authority
is good till regularly taken away.” (Gospel
Herald, Vol. 3, No. 71, p. 26/338) The Aaronic
(Levitical) Priesthood is covered in detail in the Book of the Law. This
order of the priesthood has three degrees: Priest,
Teacher, and Deacon. John the
Baptist was a Priest of this order. The
duties of Priests and Teachers were given through revelation to Joseph.
The duties of all these officers are also given in the Book
of the Law. “46
The priest's duty is to preach,
teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament, 47 And visit
the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and
attend to all family duties. 48 And he may also ordain other priests, teachers,
and deacons. 49 And he is to take the lead of meetings when there is no elder
present; 50 But when there is an elder present, he is only to preach, teach,
expound, exhort, and baptize, 51 And visit the house of each member, exhorting
them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties. 52 In all
these duties the priest is to assist the elder if occasion requires.” (Doctrine
and Covenants, Sec. 20) Jesus was ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood (by the Father) before He began His mission (Heb. 5:5). After being baptized by John, spending forty days in the wilderness, and being tempted of Satan, “angels came and ministered unto him… from that time Jesus began to preach.” (Matt. 4:11, 17) He set the house of God in the same order as Joseph and James in the last days. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists [High Priests]; and some, pastors [Elders] and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4) Jesus was an Apostle
and Prophet. “1
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” (Heb. 3) “22 For
Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up
unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things
whatsoever he shall say unto you.” (Acts 3) He called and
ordained the Twelve Apostles.
“And he ordained
twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to
preach.” (Mark High
Priests are often called Evangelists. The
Bible often refers to High Priests as prophets; because they hold prophetic
gifts. It does not tell how extensively this office was used.
It is the first rank in the priesthood below that of Apostle.
Eusebius, a noted historian contemporary with Jesus called
quorums of Elders to preach the
gospel. Seventy elders compose a
quorum. “After
these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two
before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”
(Luke 10:1) After the
Apostles were commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles, they called and
ordained Elders as pastors in every branch of the church.
“23 And when they
had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they
commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts This divine
organization of the kingdom began to fade very early in the Christian era.
Jesus was crucified in 34 AD. All
of the twelve Apostles had been martyred by 69 AD, with the exception of John.
John was banished to the isle of All offices of the Melchisedec Priesthood were lost within a couple centuries; and even knowledge of the order of the house of God was lost. The order of the house of God was first Apostles and Prophets, then High Priests (Evangelists), and then Elders (Pastors) of the Melchisedec Priesthood. Below them were Priests, Teachers, and other officers of the Aaronic Priesthood. The office of Bishop is an
appendage to the office of Priest in the Levitical Priesthood.
This inferior temporal office of Bishop soon became the presumed superior
spiritual office in the Christian church. There
were no more officers called and ordained according to the law of God.
Satan was given complete control over the souls of man.
“And it was given
unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given
him over all kindreds, and tongues,
and nations.” (Rev. 13:7) Pagan In 325 AD, this unbaptized,
pagan Roman Emperor stood as the absolute head of the Catholic Church.
Pagan
Christian Rome fell in 476 AD; but, the Papacy rose in 570 AD to take its place.
"Our Lord God the
Pope… Named God by Pagan There were thousands killed
and banished for contending against Martin Luther had been a
deacon in the Catholic Church. The
Catholic Church presumed to hold divine authority back to Peter; as first Pope
in Martin Luther
resolved this dilemma by inventing a new gospel.
He simply stated that men could be saved by faith alone.
That way he needed no claim to divine authority.
The problem was this new doctrine was a violation of the law of God; and
represented a new gospel. “But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8) Men generally establish their own beliefs and then find some passages from the Bible, out of context, to give them support. The Bible resolves any question about this new doctrine in three ways. First, it was never taught in the Christian church before the reformation. Second, it is
in direct opposition to Bible teachings. “Not
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt.
7:21) “19 Thou believest that
there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But
wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2) Third, the
gospel was consistently taught to include repentance, baptism of water, and
baptism of the Spirit with a gift of the Holy Ghost.
“Jesus answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the A Priest of the
Aaronic Priesthood holds divine authority to baptize with water.
Only one holding the Melchisedec Priesthood holds divine authority to
baptize with the Spirit. “I
indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11)
Jesus had to be ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood after being
tempted of Satan; as He immediately began to preach the gospel and ordain
others. “5
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said
unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in
another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
(Heb. 5) Not one minister in all of catholicity makes any claim to holding the Melchisedec Priesthood. Without divine authority and by declaring a new gospel, they closed the door to the kingdom of heaven to all their followers. “5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (1260 years)… 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, AND TO OVERCOME THEM: and power was given him over ALL kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13) The words of James resound, “For what trash have men bartered away the truths of God?
All for want of the
proper priesthood, which God set therein as a perpetual and unerring standard of truth.” (Gospel
Herald, April 13, 1848) Among all of
the diversity of faiths within the Christian religion, only one claims a
restoration of the Melchisedec Priesthood and the gospel of Christ:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
On At the very
moment of Joseph’s murder in Carthage Jail, Illinois, on June 27, 1844,
although 400 miles distant, James J. Strang claimed to have been ordained under
the hands of angels to hold the same office as Apostle, Prophet, and Lawgiver.
The full order of the house of God continued until his death at the hands
of assassins on Prophets of God
have been the standard expounders and interpreters of the law.
The law of God contained in the Bible remains a foundation stone in the
building of eternal life. The Doctrine
and Covenants published under Joseph Smith contains revelations given for
the regulation of the church. The 1835 Kirtland Edition was the only edition
approved by the Presidency, the High Council, the various quorums, and the
General Assembly. James quoted
almost exclusively from this edition. The
last Nauvoo edition was the 1846 Edition. It
included all of the sections from the 1835 Kirtland Edition; and added sections
101-107. The 1876 Salt Lake City
Edition deleted Part One, “Doctrine.” Joseph’s
teachings did not agree with Brigham Young’s new doctrine on God.
This left only a Book of Commandments; rather than a Doctrine and
Covenants. Section 101 in the
Kirtland Edition (109 in the Nauvoo Edition) on Marriage was deleted from the
Utah Edition. Twenty-four new sections were added; although they had never been
included either under Joseph, or in the last 1846 Nauvoo Edition. The Book
of the Law, translated by James J. Strang, is the most sacred book of
Scripture. It is mentioned by name
over twenty times in the Bible; and more than 500 times as the law of God.
It is the backbone of Holy Scripture; as righteousness requires obedience
to the law of God. Sin is
transgression of the law. No man can
plead ignorance of the law before the judgment bar of God; as the law has been
available since the Restoration. Much
of the law is found in pieces throughout the Bible.
James wrote, “In all
their public controversies the Bible is the universal standard; but in their
domestic affairs, THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF THE LORD IS THE END OF CONTROVERSY.”
(Northern Islander, Sept. 7, 1854) Salvation in the "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God,
the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and
keep his commandments to a thousand generations." (Deut. 7:9) “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the “53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye
have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath
eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6) “10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my
love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as
I have loved you.” (John 15) The Apostle Paul wrote, "And
though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have
not love, I am nothing. (1 Cor. 13:2) "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above
all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness." (Col.
3:12-14) "And above all things have fervent love among
yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins." (1 Pet. 4:8) "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside
this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither
be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2
Pet. 1:4-8) James continued his
association with church literature with printing of the Northern Islander, the official church journal, from Possibly his greatest work
was the translation of the Book of the Law
of the Lord. The first printing
was in 1851. The work was enlarged,
with additional commandments and revelations and notes by James, from 80 pages
to 336 pages in the second edition of 1856.
I completed a modern typeset/digital reprint of the 1856 Edition of the Book
of the Law in 2000. All of the writings of
James (including the various tracts, debates, revelations, pastoral letters,
epistles, articles, and correspondence in the Voree Herald, Zion’s
Reveille, Gospel Herald, and Northern
Islander) are included in Part Two. A
“Subject Index” of these works is included in the reprint of the Gospel
Herald, Volume 5; and in the Northern
Islander. There are additional
letters and writings of James in the Coe Collection and The Strang Manuscripts
in Yale University Library. Other
libraries in 1848. The Diamond.
James wrote and published this 20 page tract on Succession in the
Presidency of the true Church. Catholic Discussion. James
wrote and published this 60 page tract; which was a debate on Mormonism and the
Roman Catholic Religion between himself and Charles Rafferty. It was also
published in the Gospel Herald from
Vol. 2, No. 27 to Vol. 3, No. 101. 1850. James with his
Counselors in the Presidency, George J. Adams and William Marks, wrote a lengthy
Testimony To The Nation:
To the President and Congress of the United States, and to all the People
of the Nation. This Testimony
was included in the last issue of the Gospel
Herald. It was a cry for equal
justice for the latter day saints under the laws of the country; and recounted
some of the persecutions and killings they endured. It
also was a plea to occupy the uninhabited lands of the islands of the 1854. James wrote a tract entitled Ancient and Modern Michilimackinac.
It was printed in the Northern
Islander under the title 1856. James wrote the Prophetic
Controversy, a 44 page tract on Succession in the Presidency of the true James provided sixteen
revelations; and three pastoral letters. These
are found in Chapter Four, James J. Strang the Revelator. James wrote many articles
for the Voree Herald, Zion’s
Reveille, and Gospel Herald.
He also answered many letters; and offered instruction on many doctrinal
subjects. The Mormon
Discussion began in the Infant
Baptism began in the Lineage
of Christ began in the Existence
of God began in the Divine
Authority of Mormonism began in the James also wrote many
articles for the Northern Islander.
Again, he also answered many letters; and offered instruction on various
doctrinal subjects. Some newspapers
of that day offered their readers false information on the Mormons.
James answered every such falsehood; whether against the people, or
against himself. The
Deluge was included in the The 6th day of April, 1830, the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was organized at the town of Fayette, in the
State of New York, consisting of only six members, two of whom, Joseph Smith and
Oliver Cowdery, were Elders; being the only true and living Church existing by
the commandment of God on earth. The members of this Church, guided by revelations of
God, have always sought to come out from among unbelievers, and be separate.
Knowing that others were offended with their religion, they endeavored to avoid
giving offence by removing from among them, keeping the commandment, “Come out
from among them, that ye be not partakers of their sins, and receive not of
their plagues.” Almost immediately after the organization of the
Church, the Saints commenced assembling at Kirtland, Ohio, for a temporary
rendezvous; but at the same time a few went up to Missouri, to locate a
permanent residence, and selected the site of Independence, Jackson county, as
their future home, and commenced a settlement there. Agreeable to a commandment which God gave them, they
purchased large quantities of lands of the government of the At the time of which we speak no one among them was
accused of any violation of the law, or of a want of attachment to the
constitution and government of the Notwithstanding these facts, and the legal rights of
our brethren, a numerous meeting of citizens of In giving these reasons they stated that our religious
sentiments and domestic habits were incongruous with theirs, and that it was
necessary for their happiness that our brethren should leave; and as the
grievances of which they complained were not recognized by the laws, and the
saints had not violated any existing law whereby they were subject to regular
prosecution in the courts, therefore they would take redress into their own
hands, and compel us to leave the country, peaceably if they could, forcibly if
they must.* This decree was carried out by the expulsion of the saints from
Jackson Co., Missouri. “it requires
no gift of prophecy to tell that the day is not far distant when the civil
government of the country will be in their hands.
When the sheriff, the justices, and the county judges will be Mormons, or
persons wishing to court their favor from motives of interest or ambition. We do hereby most solemnly declare:-- “That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in
this county. “That those now here, who shall give a definite
pledge of their intention within a reasonable time to remove out of the county,
shall be allowed to remain unmolested until they have sufficient time to sell
their property and close their business without any material sacrifice. “That the editor of the `Star' be required forthwith
to close his office, and discontinue the business of printing in this county;
and as to all other stores and shops belonging to the sect, their owners must in
every case strictly comply with the terms of the second article of this
declaration, and upon failure, prompt and efficient measures will be taken to
close the same. “That the Mormon leaders here, are required to use
their influence in preventing any further emigration of their distant brethren
to this county, and to counsel and advise their brethren here to comply with the
above requisitions. “That those who fail to comply with these
requisitions, be referred to those of their brethren who have the gifts of
divination, and of unknown tongues, to inform them of the lot that awaits them. After adopting this manifesto a committee was sent to
exact a pledge of compliance from the Mormons, and on their refusing to give it,
“It was unanimously resolved by the meeting, that the `Star' printing office
should be razed to the ground, the type and press secured,” which was
immediately done. But the Legislature of that State, in failing to
impeach the Governor, and by appropriating the money to pay the expense of executing his order, has affirmed
and adopted the act as the crime of the State. In accomplishing this expulsion ten
thousand persons,, men, women and children, were plundered of their
possessions, exiled from their homes, and driven in destitution, hunger, and
want, in mid winter, to a distant land, passing much of the way in the midst of
hostile foes, who not only refused them shelter and food, but kept them in
continual danger. Many were separated from their families and
incarcerated in prison, whence, after long detention, they escaped only by paying
large sums of money to prison keepers, judges and lawyers, as the price of their
enlargement. Besides a feeble few, who, after learning that their persecutors
were without compassion, were slain while defending their wives, their children
and their firesides; eighteen persons, unarmed, and engaged in the worship of
God, were murdered unresisting, and in cold blood, in the early part of these
persecutions; one of them a mere child, who died mixing together the words of
his prayer to God, and his supplication for mercy from his murderers; another,
an old man, bowed down with suffering and sorrow, scarred with the wounds he had
received fifty-seven years before in defense of American liberty and American
independence; all yielding up their lives for the name of Jesus, and the witness
of the gospel. Others, at different times, shared the same fate; how many, we
know not. Subsequently the saints settled in great numbers in
the State of Illinois, and built up, besides many villages, the city of Nauvoo,
at one time the most populous city in that State. At their first settlement they
were kindly received; but after building up flourishing towns, becoming
numerous as a religious people, and strong in their political influence,
religious prejudice, political interests and commercial rivalry combined
together to destroy them. On this occasion our persecutors sought to justify
their violence by accusing the saints of enormous crimes, and the most
astounding corruptions. That these accusations were utterly unfounded is clearly
shown by the fact that with courts, jurors and prosecuting officers constantly
and assiduously selected from among our persecutors, few of the saints were ever
prosecuted on criminal charges, and very few indeed ever convicted. That the best informed and most intelligent men of the
nation are fully aware of their entire innocence, is shown in the fact that
territorial government has been organized under an act of Congress, possessing
as full powers as any other territorial government can, organized under the
jurisdiction of the United States; giving its entire executive and legislative
power to the same people then exiled; and the men among them who exercised most
influence and control in their affairs, and who if they were criminal were most
guilty, have received the offices of Governor, Marshall and Secretary of a
Territory, as well as numerous minor appointments under the United States
government both Whig and Democratic administrations. The very high character given them by Senator Douglass
who presided over the criminal courts of the Mormon District of Illinois, during
the period of their sojourn there; by Col.
Kane of the United States army; who witnessed their expulsion; and Captains
Stansbury and Gunnison, of the Topographical Engineers, who spent a year with a
large body of them in their new mountain home, have dissipated all suspicion in
the minds of intelligent men that they had given any occasion for the harsh
treatment which they received at the hands of the people of the State of
Illinois. The unequivocal testimony of Thos. Ford, Governor of
Illinois, at the time of their expulsion, who was present most of the time at
the scene of action, is that their character and conduct were far better than
those arrayed against them. Nevertheless this persecution was carried on until our
fellow servants, the prophets, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, were martyred; the houses
of hundreds of the saints burned down before their eyes; the entire community
amounting to 25,000 banished from that section of the State, and four millions of dollars worth of
property sacrificed. After the banishment of the Saints from Illinois, a
few of them came into Michigan, and commenced settlements on the Islands of the
Great Lakes, then uninhabited, but occasionally occupied by roving borderers,
engaged in fishing and selling liquor to the Indians, in violation of law, and
in criminal courses still more reprehensible. The attempt to build up permanent and populous
communities in the midst of these valuable lake fisheries, especially at Beaver
Island, where there is an excellent harbor, and every facility for an extensive
and prosperous commerce, excited the jealousy of those who at Mackinac had for a
long time monopolized the entire Indian and fishing trade. The wretched men of the borderers who had sought a
home beyond the haunts of civilization, that they might indulge in unrestrained
debauchery and enjoy impunity in crime, could only regard settlers who sought
good order and legal government as invaders and enemies. They early exhibited a
hostile disposition, and a determination to prevent the establishment of legal
government. As early as 1849 we were subjected to numerous
injuries, for which it was impossible to obtain redress. Women were insulted,
and men assaulted with impunity. At the same time a concerted effort was made
throughout the lake country to render us infamous, by telling false tales upon
us. The numerous whiskey dealers on the fishing grounds, whose entire income was
derived through criminal means, joined by most of the merchants at Mackinac, who
were most seriously alarmed at the growing up of a commercial rival at Saint
James, engaged in the undertaking and enlisted the officers and men on nearly
all the boats and vessels in the upper lake trade, by means of their
acquaintance with them. Every manner of false tale was thus continually put
afloat, and no matter by what falsehood originated, was circulated through
respectable newspapers, on what was taken for good authority. By such means, in a short time the mass of the public
were persuaded that the Saints at Under these circumstances, with no means of becoming
generally known to the public, except through the representations of those
thoroughly enlisted against us, in 1850, extensive preparations were made
throughout the fishing region for an armed assault upon us, by a force more than
four times as numerous as we could furnish for defense. The Saints were
thoroughly schooled in the practice of nonresistance, and were unarmed. But by the prophecies and commandments, it appeared
that having three times fled before their persecutors, it was now our duty to
withstand them, and that in doing so God would give us the victory. We resolved
to repel force with force, and return blow for blow, and stroke for stroke,
publicly announced one determination and prepared for the issue; and our enemies
gave way without bloodshed. In 1851 they succeeded in enlisting the United States
government in a violent and lawless crusade against us, in the course of which
immense quantities of private property was seized, and taken from us; numerous
individuals were arrested on charge of felonies and misdemeanor of almost every
manner, and carried prejudged and foredoomed, to distant places for trial, in
the courts of their enemies; the United States military and naval force was put
in requisition to awe our families in the absence of nearly all the men, while
numerous armed bands of our persecutors were left to roam undisturbed through
our settlements, taking and destroying what they pleased, and insulting and
assaulting when they would. From all these perils God delivered us. Every one of
the accused were acquitted. Though numerous persons were assaulted and cruelly
beaten, every one recovered. Only a small portion of the property which had been
taken from us was ever restored; but the justice of our cause was vindicated by
the decision of the proper officers that we were entitled to all of it, and the
actual loss was by the outright stealing of public officers. While these acts were going on, a few people from
Mackinac, and a numerous horde of border ruffians, sometimes under pretence of
legal process, but oftenest by mere force of arms, seized nearly all the
movables of value possessed by our population. For these acts we pursued many of
them at law to final judgment, who have abundance of executable property, but in
very few of these cases have we been allowed to make collections on executions. This persecution resulted in separating our enemies
from among us, and leaving us the undisturbed occupancy of a territory
sufficient for our use for many years to come; and at the next session of the
Legislature acts were passed for establishing the necessary municipal
authorities in that territory, organizing town and county government, and a
regular judiciary. Irritated at this, and suffering a great loss of trade
by our growing prosperity, the people of Mackinac set on foot an armed invasion,
for the avowed purpose of resisting all legal government in the A conflict ensued in which several of the Saints were
wounded, and several thousand dollars of property destroyed; but the invasion
failed, and the invaders fled as the wicked often do, when no man pursued. The
criminals engaged in this invasion were duly indicted, but by the connivance of
officers and citizens they were able to escape a trial and have gone unpunished.
But their flight from this region left us in the enjoyment of peace and
undisturbed order. But the action of the State Legislature, at its next
session in cutting up the For all these
wrongs the laws and institutions of the country offer us no redress. It
is vain to answer that such acts are contrary to law, and that the courts are
open to us. There is a law in the land
stronger than statutes--more potent than the usages of courts. The will
of the masses, however vicious and partial, no matter by what influences
produced, has been able to trample on all precedent, and ride down all law. It
has done more. It has produced legislation according to its wishes, in violation
of all constitutional securities; and not merely contrary to precedent, but
destructive of natural right. This unrecognized law, found only in the will of the
masses, has been enforced in destroying houses, offices and valuable papers of
some of the most distinguished citizens of the country, public buildings of
various kinds, printing presses and rail roads owned by wealthy companies,
churches and convents of the most ancient and numerous religious denomination in
the country, and to overthrow contracts which had stood the vicissitudes of two
hundred years, the ordeal of civil war and national revolution, though defended
by the sanctity of constitutional and statute law; usages older than the
language we speak; the power of a great State; the wealth that seven generations
of thrift had accumulated; and backed by an aristocracy made honorable by deeds
of benevolence, justice, patriotism and valor as boundless as the sources of its
greatness. If these cannot resist the power of this new element
of national and state government mob law, how shall we? We are aware that our
name is cast out as evil, as a kind of apology for the uncounted injuries which
have been heaped upon us. But you will not forget that in early times among
all the most polished nations the name christian was looked on as a name for
fanaticism and debauchery; that the learned Greeks and victorious Romans held
them cannibals, and that, even now, in half the civilized and christian
nations democracy is considered synonymous with anarchy and lawlessness--how
justly, you can judge. And if the sanctity of the ancient christian faith,
and the greatness of your nation have not protected them from these aspersions,
what shall protect us from equal wrongs? We protest against this nearly
universal practice of assuming that we are guilty of great crimes, as an excuse
for denying us the regular protection of the government in our legal rights. But
when we examine the evidence of the truth of these assumptions, they are most
conclusively falsified. Joseph, the martyred prophet, whose blood stains on
the jail at The only offence of which he was ever convicted is
that of unlawful banking--an offence committed with impunity by other men in
nearly every State in the union. Nor did he escape conviction by the testimony
of his brethren. Such men would stop their ears against it. If this is not a
sufficient vindication of him as a law-abiding man, no array of facts could be. That the charge on which he was finally arrested and
imprisoned was merely trumped up for the purpose of seizing upon him and
detaining him till a convenient time for his destruction, is as clearly proved
as any fact whatever in the history of the country. And when we add that his murderers were indicted,
arraigned and acquitted at the instance of their own friends, without any
attempt to introduce the necessary evidence against them, and merely for the
purpose of interposing a legal bar to
their punishment, in some more healthy period of the public mind, we think it
will not require argument to convince all mankind that, the State of Illinois
has adopted that murder as its own. In this place, during the persecutions of 1851,
ninety-nine men were arrested on false charges, taken to distant places and
tried in the courts of their accusers, and though prejudged and foredoomed, were
every one of them acquitted. For all these wrongs we are denied redress. We have
not forgotten that there are tribunals in which causes partially similar in
kind, immeasurably less in aggravation, are sometimes examined, perhaps
occasionally righted. But these tribunals are closed against us by the law now,
and at all times by the power of that law already referred to, which is above
statute, precedent and right. If a period cannot be put to these wrongs, then there
is presented to the world the melancholy spectacle of the greatest republic on
earth, a christian nation, acknowledging itself powerless to judge; unable to
protect the right; a nation on whose righteousness half the earth rest the hopes
of man, confessing that there is a power above the law, riding down the
constitution, which stalks abroad to plunder and banish the citizens, and none
to rebuke; murders the unoffending innocent, and none to say, "why do ye
so?" which sanctifies its deeds of violence, even in the eyes of
religious men, by blackening the fame of the glorious dead, with the name of
crimes which in their life time it dared not attempt to prove, even in its own
tribunals. The administrators of the government have been
appealed to in vain. Unless the wrongs redressed, they must rest on the nation
forever, and bring down the wrath of
God on those who have done, and those who have permitted them? If you fear not
God, how will you answer to mankind and to posterity, for such a desecration
of republicanism, in a christian country. For all these wrongs we do not ask a grant of lands,
nor a State or Territorial government--We acknowledge that we have had enough of
these. We shall never sell the lands of our brethren and ourselves, the
inheritance of the martyred and of their children, for new grants of which we
are equally liable to be deprived by some new act of violence. There is now in the States of Missouri and Courts, State Legislatures, and State executives are
deaf to us. When we speak, they cannot hear. When we ask justice, their faces
are turned from us. True, when they do speak, their voice is for us. But it
comes after the deed is done, or it is so faintly heard that the lawless do not
think it earnest. The forms of law hold us as victims, and the power that is
above law overwhelms us. Thus have two of our prophets died in the hands of
public officers, and under the destroying protection of a State Governor,
personally superintending the proceedings, and no one act of public indignation
has rebuked the deed. By every form of .judicial proceeding known to
the laws of the land, the perpetrators have been legally shielded from the
punishment which the law itself denounces against such crimes. The fact that our brethren are the owners of large
tracts of land, purchased of the United States, and secured to us by the name
and seat of the President, which they have never sold, and which they are
not permitted to occupy, by the powers actually existing, and that our brethren
have been banished and murdered, and their persecutors are unrebuked, and
positively
and legally screened from punishment, is as indelibly stamped on the history of
the country as the declaration of independence, or the victory of Buena Vista. We do not ask compensation in money or land for the
blood of the dead, or the persecutions of the living. The lands we have been
robbed of, we shall continue to claim for the banished, and for the
widows and orphans that murders have made, till the day when the judgment of God
shall be revealed on the nation, and his wrath no longer slumbers; and they
shall go up and possess it, though the nation ceases. But these things admonish us that we are not to expect
peace or protection in the midst of the people who have done us this iniquity.
Both by the commandment of God and from the necessity of our situation, we are
seeking a home in a land where religious sects and political parties are far
removed from us, a land uninhabited. We have not been suffered to live with other men.
Shall we not be permitted to live alone? God made the earth for all men. Of the
vast all he has given us a few little islands. They are the work of his hands;
not man's. Why should man sell God's work? For nine years our communities have dwelt here in
peace among themselves. The few small schisms which have arisen, have yielded to
the ordinary course of discipline, and the wrong doers have either amended or
departed from among us, doing us very little injury, except as they were abetted
by public officers, religious boobies, the newspaper press, and bands of lawless
men. Yet we are pursued from day to day with continual threatening. An effort is
continually made to convince us that we are to have no rest forever. Three times have we fled before our persecutors,
because we would not repel injuries by force. We understand by the word of God
that it is our duty to flee no further. We do not learn from the divine writings
that it is our duty never to resist evil deeds.—The time has come when
forbearance is no longer a virtue. While men around us have for years threatened us with
fire and blood, and we only asked legal justice, they have been continually
commended for the forbearance, and we continually menaced with invasions,
expatiation and death. We have ceased to take to ourselves any trouble about
these matters. We have known for years what our persecutors seem so anxious to
impress upon us, that, when the public vengeance is waked up the law will not
protect us and that among an angry people innocence is no shield. We do not expect Governor or President to protect us
against mobs. We live in the continual assurance that any one of us might be
murdered in a neighboring county, and not a magistrate could be induced to issue
process against the murderer. Yet we trust in God. We walk in conscious security. We
laugh in bitter scorn at all these threats. And we tell these wolf hounds,
marshal your myrmidons, and send them along, to make a spoil of beauty and
booty, as soon as you please. We bid them a bloody welcome to hospitable graves;
over which, each year, we will pile stones, with a muttered curse, against the
day of the resurrection of damnation. We will neither purchase temporary peace and future
calamities by dishonorable trafficking with political jugglers, nor will we
yield our homes to enemies. If we live, here will we live. If we die, here will
we die, and here shall our bones be buried, expecting in the resurrection of the
just to possess the land forever, and dwell with the righteous during the
lifetime of the Eternal. God judge between us and all men. CLICK BELOW TO GO TO CHAPTER SEVEN: |