In the twelve leaves which are plucked from the tree of life and herewith sent forth for the healing of the nations from the effects of error and false doctrine, will be found a sweet and sovereign balm for spiritual disorders. And by receiving them, a desire will be created for further gatherings of the same foliage. They will serve to open the eyes of those who have been in spiritual darkness and are yet anxious for the light, and as a preparation for the attainment of that vital power which makes all things new, and quickens and animates earthly beings with celestial life and light. We ask for the principles here presented, the careful consideration of thoughtful minds, and confidently invite comparison with those utterances of the Jewish prophets and apostles which are contained in the Bible. References to those scriptures will be found at the end of this work, arranged to correspond with each chapter or "leaf." The young people among the Latter-day Saints will obtain, by a perusal of this little book, an understanding of the fundamental principles of the system which has cost the blood of martyred Prophets and Apostles to establish. And it will be found useful in the missionary field, as a sower of those seeds of truth which, if widely scattered, will surely fall upon some good ground and bring forth fruit for the service of the Master. We invoke upon this little work the Spirit of the most high God, to whose cause it is dedicated, that wherever it may go light may spring forth to the joy of those who desire the truth, and that by its means many people may be directed into the way which leads to the tree of life, enjoy its luscious fruit and gain the gift of endless lives wherein redeemed man is exalted and the eternal God is glorified. C. W. P. CONTENTS. FIRST LEAF. Value of Truth--Only One True Religion--Faith the First Principle--Faith a Principle of Power--How Faith Comes--No Man can Find out God--Diety must Manifest Himself--God the Father of the Race--Personality of God--The Great Lawgiver Governs Himself by Law SECOND LEAF. True Repentance the Consequence of Faith--Original Sin and Actual Sin--The Work of Redemption--Universal Redemption from Original Sin--Conditions of Salvation from Actual Sin--Baptism, its Object, Mode and Effect--A New Creature in Christ Jesus THIRD LEAF. The Holy Ghost, its Nature, Office and Power--Conferred through the Laying On of Hands--Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit--How Obtained--Their Object and Design--Effects of its Withdrawal--Infinite Riches of its Full Inspiration FOURTH LEAF. Divine Authority--Without it all Gospel Administrations Vain--It Cannot be Acquired--The Priesthood, its Antiquity, Power and Blessings--The Priesthood of Melchisedek--The Aaronic Priesthood--Priestcraft--The Authority of God must Come from God--Ordination--Value of the Priesthood. FIFTH LEAF.