Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — John Shaqi
Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsSpencer, Orson
Religion
Letters Exhibiting the Most Prominent Doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Spencer, Orson
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
Orators "boast," as it is written of them in these "perilous times,"
of the spread of christianity. Christianity spreading! Where is the
evidence of its increase of power or knowledge? Where the least signs
of approximation to "unity of faith," and the "full stature measure of
Christ" in "manifold wisdom and power?" Where the ornamental beauty
and symmetry of the Bride that is preparing for the marriage feast of
the Lamb? How many ten thousand years must elapse before it can be said
of christianity, "the Bride hath made herself ready!" "clear as the
sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners." Surely,
since her prophets have lost their power "to quench the violence of
fire, and subdue kingdoms, and stop the mouths of lions," and her
servants and handmaids to see visions, &c., the beauty of the Bride has
failed--her breasts have diminished--her face is wrinkled--her eyes are
dim and cannot see afar off; she is no longer a chaste virgin espoused
to one husband--but she has as many husbands as sects, and yet none of
those with whom she is now living can be called her husband.
Now, sir, will the Spirit join with such a _Bride_, and say to Jesus
the Great Bridegroom, "come!" the Bride hath made herself ready! No,
sir, the Spirit of God will say, I never knew you; depart from me, you
pusillanimous, benighted, powerless, contentious christianity. "Thou
Aholibah and Aholibamah, thy lewdness is in all high places;" "thou
hast played the harlot with many lovers--yea, thou hast even hired
lovers" (with human inventions), instead of commanding admiration by
the grace of thy "seers," and the "visions of thy handmaids," and the
"healing power of thine elders." Thou shalt be burned with fire.
In humble assurance of your willingness to see the unsheathed
glittering sword of truth, I have the pleasure to subscribe myself.
Your humble servant,
For Christ's sake,
ORSON SPENCER.
LETTER VI.
APOSTACY FROM THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.
_Liverpool, July_ 12, 1847.
Reverend and Dear Sir,--The subject of my sixth letter is APOSTACY FROM
THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.
If modern christianity is only an enlargement of the system of early
apostacy from the true Apostolic Church of Christ, it certainly
deserves the most serious consideration. It shall be my direct object
in this epistle to show, that modern christianity possesses such a
faint resemblance to that system of faith established by Jesus Christ
and his apostles, that it cannot be called a likeness, or a copy, or
even an imitation.
Startle not, reverend sir, if I unhesitatingly declare that a
counterfeit bill of currency, that should have no more resemblance
to a true emission from the bank, than modern christianity does to
the ancient religion, would never be likely to do much harm. Modern
christianity is the very opposite extreme and counterpart of the
ancient order of "apostles and prophets." If you will read patiently, I
will show clearly the proof of my position.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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