Scrap Book of Mormon Literature, Volume 2 (of 2). Religious Tracts
Religion
Scrap Book of Mormon Literature, Volume 2 (of 2). Religious Tracts
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saints
These words have received a literal fulfillment. In the first place,
many have believed "the words which are written," the tens of thousands
of Latter-day Saints who have accepted the Book of Mormon as an
authentic record bearing ample witness to that fact. This prophecy was
uttered over two thousand years ago, and yet the facts incorporated are
as plain as if penned subsequent to their accomplishment. The skeptic
may say he does not believe in the ancient character of the record, and
therefore of the prophecy; but that it originated with Joseph Smith.
That would not make the position of the unbeliever much more tenable,
as it would be merely shifting the prophetic gift to other shoulders,
for the Book of Mormon was published before the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints was organized, and consequently before Joseph
Smith could possibly have known, by ordinary natural means, that many
would believe the words of the book.
But, to the other portion of the prediction. The book or history has
been carried to the remnant, by the Gentiles. From shortly subsequent
to the organization of the Church a good deal of missionary labor
was performed by the elders among {217} the Lamanites, in the hope
of bringing them to a knowledge of the Gospel. But all efforts to
penetrate their darkened minds appeared futile. The message appeared to
fall upon ears of stone. Evidently the time, in the providence of the
Almighty, for that race, who had fallen so low in the scale of being,
to accept of the knowledge that was had among their fathers, had not
arrived.
Suddenly however, as the sun breaks over the eastern horizon,
dispelling the gloom of night, a light broke forth among them. Without
effort or influence from any human source they came forward in large
numbers, declaring they had received heavenly visitations, indicating
plainly to them that they must go to the elders of the Church, be
baptized by them, by immersion, in water, for the remission of sins,
forsake their evil and idle habits, and seek for the counsel of the
servants of God. The applications for baptism and instruction were
first made to Elder George H. Hill, of Ogden, and Elder W. H. Lee, of
Grantsville, as many as three hundred waiting upon the former at one
time. The movement appeared to be simultaneous in many places, east,
west, north and south. It commenced in the summer of 1874, and has been
steadily developing ever since.
For the benefit of these people, who are descendants of a branch of
the house of Israel, three large farms have been secured by the Church
of Christ, one in Malad Valley, Northern Utah, another in Tooele
County, to the westward, and another in Thistle Valley, in the South.
They are beginning to cultivate the soil, and take on the habits of
civilization, thus commencing to fulfil the predictions of the Book of
Mormon concerning them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account