The Lions of the Lord: A Tale of the Old WestWilson, Harry Leon
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The Lions of the Lord: A Tale of the Old West
Wilson, Harry Leon
Historical fiction; Latter Day Saint pioneers -- Fiction; Western stories
“‘In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I do covenant and agree
to support the first Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, in all things right or wrong; I will faithfully
guard them and report to them the acts of all men as far as in my power
lies; I will assist in executing all the decrees of the first
President, Patriarch, or President of the Twelve, and I will cause all
who speak evil of the Presidency or Heads of the Church to die the
death of dissenters or apostates, unless they speedily confess and
repent, for pestilence, persecution, and death shall follow the enemies
of Zion. I will be a swift herald of salvation and messenger of peace
to the Saints, and I will never make known the secret purposes of this
Society called the Sons of Dan, my life being the forfeiture in a fire
of burning tar and brimstone. So help me God and keep me steadfast.’”
He repeated the words without hesitation, with fervour in his voice,
and the light of a holy and implacable zeal in his face.
“Now I’ll give you the blessing, too. Wait till I get my bottle of
oil.”
He stepped to the nearest wagon, felt under the cover, and came back
with a small bottle in his hand.
“Stand jest here—so—now!”
They stood at the edge of the wavering firelight, and he put his hand
on the other’s head.
“‘In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by the authority of
the Holy Priesthood, the first President, Patriarch, and High Priest of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, representing the
first, second, and third Gods in Heaven, the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, I do now anoint you with holy consecrated oil, and by the
imposition of my hands do ordain and set you apart for the holy calling
whereunto you are called; that you may consecrate the riches of the
Gentiles to the House of Israel, bring swift destruction upon apostate
sinners, and execute the decrees of Heaven without fear of what man can
do with you. So mote it be. Amen.’
“There, boy, if I ain’t mistaken, that’s the best work for Zion that I
done for some time. Now be off to your rest!”
“Good night, Bishop, and thank you for being kind to me! The Church
Poet called me the Lute of the Holy Ghost, but I feel to-night, that I
must be another Lion of the Lord. Good night!”
He went out of the firelight and stumbled through the dark to his own
wagons. But when he came to them he could not stop. Under all the
exhilaration he had been conscious of the great pain within him,
drugged for the moment, but never wholly stifled. Now the stimulus of
the drink had gone, and the pain had awakened to be his master.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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