Divine Authority; Or, the Question: Was Joseph Smith Sent of God?Pratt, Orson
Religion
Divine Authority; Or, the Question: Was Joseph Smith Sent of God?
Pratt, Orson
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
scheme can not be credited, where is there a scheme or system in the
whole world that can be credited? Can you find a scheme more perfect
than the one introduced by Mr. Smith? Can you find one equal to it in
perfection? Can you find one that contains the one-twentieth part of
the truth which his system contains? If, then, you doubt the authority
of Mr. Smith, how much more ought you to doubt the authority of every
other man now on the earth? If Mr. Smith's perfect scheme should be
rejected, surely all other schemes or doctrines, which can be shown to
be ten times more imperfect, should also be rejected. If any are to be
received, surely that one should be received which seems to contain
all the elements of a true doctrine, and in which there cannot be
detected the least evidence of imposture. To invent a scheme apparently
every way suited to the last dispensation or preparatory work for
the second advent of our Lord--to have that scheme agree in every
minute particular with the endless circumstances and numberless events
predicted by the ancient prophets, bespeaks a wisdom far superior to
that of man: it bespeaks the wisdom of God. This endless train of
circumstances--all harmonizing--all combining--all concentrating as
it were into one focus--carries with it such irresistible evidence of
truth that it is almost impossible for the careful investigator to
reject the divinity of Joseph Smith's mission. Like investigating the
works of nature, the more he examines the more he perceives the wisdom
of the Deity enstamped upon every sentence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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