The City of the Mormons; or, Three Days at Nauvoo, in 1842 — John Shaqi
The City of the Mormons; or, Three Days at Nauvoo, in 1842Caswall, Henry
History
The City of the Mormons; or, Three Days at Nauvoo, in 1842
Caswall, Henry
Latter Day Saints -- Illinois; Nauvoo (Ill.)
not have it." They then repeated their request that I should lend it to
them until the prophet should have time to translate it, and promised me
the most ample security; but I declined all their proposals. I placed
the book in several envelopes, and as I deliberately tied knot after
knot, the countenances of many among them gradually sunk into an
expression of great despondency. Having exhibited the book to the
prophet, I requested him in return to shew me his papyrus; and to give
me his own explanation, which I had hitherto received only at second
hand. He proceeded with me to his office, accompanied by the multitude.
He produced the glass frames which I had seen on the previous day; but
he did not appear very forward to explain the figures. I pointed to a
particular hieroglyphic, and requested him to expound its meaning. No
answer being returned, I looked up, and behold! the prophet had
disappeared. The Mormons told me that he had just stepped out, and would
probably soon return. I waited some time, but in vain: and at length
descended to the street in front of the store. Here I heard the noise of
wheels, and presently I saw the prophet in his waggon, flourishing his
whip and driving away as fast as two fine horses could draw him. As he
disappeared from view, enveloped in a cloud of dust, I felt that I had
turned over another page in the great book of human nature.
The Mormons now surrounded me, and requested to know whether I had
received satisfaction from the prophet's explanation. I replied that the
prophet had given me no satisfaction, and that he had committed himself
most effectually. They wished to know my own religious opinions. I
informed them that I had been educated in the Church of England, to
which I was conscientiously attached. One of the Mormons said that the
Church of England had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof,
and that it was the duty of all men to turn away from her. I asked him
what he understood by the _power_ of godliness. He replied, "the power
of working miracles and of speaking in unknown tongues." He maintained
that the Church of England denied that the gifts of the Holy Ghost are
communicated at the present day to the people of God. I told him that he
was mistaken, and referred him to the passages in the "Service for the
Ordering of Priests," "Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and work
of a Priest in the Church of God." And again,
"Thou the Anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy _sevenfold gifts_ impart."
And again,
"Thou in thy gifts art manifold,
By _them_ Christ's Church doth stand."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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