The author has chosen for his work the title, "A NEW WITNESS FOR GOD," because that is the relation Joseph Smith, the great modern prophet, sustains to this generation; and it is the author's purpose to prove, first, that the world stands in need of such a witness; and, second, that Joseph Smith is that witness. The subject is treated under four THESES. I. _The world needs a New Witness for God._ II. _The Church of Christ was destroyed; there has been an apostasy from the Christian religion so complete and universal as to make necessary a New Dispensation of the Gospel;_ III. _The Scriptures declare that the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the last days--in the hour of God's judgment--will be restored to the earth by a re-opening of the heavens, and giving a New Dispensation thereof to the children of men._ IV. _Joseph Smith is the New Witness for God; a prophet divinely authorized to preach the Gospel and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ on earth._ How well the writer has succeeded in sustaining these propositions, the reader will judge for himself; he only asks that his treatment of the subjects be considered with candor. To guard against error or inaccuracy in doctrine the writer applied to the First Presidency of the Church for a committee of brethren well known for their soundness in the faith, and broad knowledge of the doctrines of the Church, to hear read the manuscript of this book. Whereupon Elder Franklin D. Richards, one of the Twelve Apostles of the New Dispensation, and Church Historian; Elder George Reynolds, one of the author's fellow-Presidents in the First Council of the Seventies; and Elder John Jaques, Assistant Church Historian, were appointed as such committee; and to these brethren, for their patient labor in reading the manuscript, and for their suggestions and corrections, the writer is under lasting obligations. THE AUTHOR. Footnotes 1. p. 245. CONTENTS * * * * THESIS I. THE WORLD NEEDS A NEW WITNESS FOR GOD. CHAPTER I. The Necessity of a New Witness * * * * THESIS II. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST WAS DESTROYED; THERE HAS BEEN AN APOSTASY FROM THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, SO COMPLETE AND UNIVERSAL AS TO MAKE NECESSARY A NEW DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL. CHAPTER II. The Effect of Pagan Persecution on the Christian Church CHAPTER III. The Effect of Peace, Wealth and Luxury on Christianity CHAPTER IV. Changes in the Form and Spirit of Church Government--Corruption of the Popes CHAPTER V. Change in Public Worship--In the Ordinances of the Gospel CHAPTER VI. The Testimony of Prophecy to the Apostasy CHAPTER VII. Catholic Arguments--Protestant Admissions * * * * THESIS III. THE SCRIPTURES DECLARE THAT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE LAST DAYS--IN THE HOUR OF GOD'S JUDGMENT--WILL BE RESTORED TO THE EARTH BY A RE-OPENING OF THE HEAVENS, AND GIVING A NEW DISPENSATION THEREOF TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN. CHAPTER VIII.