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
Smith, with all the accuracy of a profound mathematician, has combined
all the minute elements of both doctrine and prophecy in his grand and
wonderful scheme--nothing is wanting. Whatever department of his system
is examined it will be found invulnerable. What an invaluable amount of
evidence to establish the _divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith!_
Eighth.--In the Book of Mormon are given the names and locations of
numerous cities of great magnitude, which once flourished among the
ancient nations of America. The northern portions of South America,
and also Central America, were the most densely populated. Splendid
edifices, palaces, towers, forts, and cities, were reared in all
directions. A careful reader of that interesting book, can trace the
relative bearings and distances of many of these cities from each
other; and if acquainted with the present geographical features of the
country, he can, by the descriptions given in that book, determine,
very nearly, the precise spot of ground they once occupied. Now since
that invaluable book made its appearance in print, it is a remarkable
fact, that the mouldering ruins of many splendid edifices and towers,
and magnificent cities of great extent, have been discovered by
Catherwood and Stephens in the interior wilds of Central America, in
the very region where the ancient cities described in the Book of
Mormon were said to exist. Here then, is _a certain and indisputable
evidence_ that this illiterate youth--the translator of the Book of
Mormon, was inspired of God. Mr. Smith's translation describes the
region of country where great and populous cities anciently existed,
together with their relative bearings and approximate distances from
each other. Years after, Messrs. Catherwood and Stephens discovered
the ruins of forty-four of these very cities and in the very place
described. What, but the power of God, could have revealed beforehand
this unknown fact, demonstrated years after by actual discovery?
Ninth.--The fulfillment of a vast number of prophecies delivered by Mr.
Smith is another infallible evidence of his divine mission. Out of the
many hundreds of fulfilled predictions uttered by him, we select the
following as examples.
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