The Strength of the "Mormon" Position — John Shaqi
The Strength of the "Mormon" PositionWhitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Religion
The Strength of the "Mormon" Position
Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson)
Latter Day Saint churches
"Mormonism" signifies the restitution of all things. It stands for law
and order--a place for everything, and everything in its place. This is
the significance of the mission of Elijah--the turning of the hearts
of the children to the fathers, lest earth be cursed and smitten at
the Saviour's coming. (Malachi 4:5, 6.) Past and present are related;
it is the relationship of parent and child; and they must be joined,
in order that perfection may reign. We cannot be made perfect without
our ancestors, nor can they be made perfect without us. Consequently
temples are built by God's people, and work done in them--vicarious
work, for and in behalf of the departed. Baptisms, endowments,
marriages for eternity, in person or by proxy, are prominent features
of this sacred labor. Joseph Smith received the keys of Elijah (Doc. &
Cov. 110:14-16), and ministered for the sealing of the present to the
past, the union of the living and the dead. It was the beginning of the
restitution of all things.
Many Gospel Dispensations.
"Mormonism" is the religion that saved Adam. Adam, therefore, was the
original "Mormon." His religion was also that of Enoch, of Noah, of
Abraham, of Moses and Aaron, and of the Apostles upon both hemispheres.
And it has come back, in this final dispensation, to bring together all
things that are Christ's.
In the Pearl of Great Price, one of four doctrinal standards with
the Latter-day Saints--the other three being the Bible, the Book of
Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants--we are informed that Adam,
after his fall, was divinely commanded to build an altar and offer a
lamb thereon, typical of the Lamb of God who was to take away the sin
of the world. Already slain theoretically in the heavens, where he had
been chosen for his earthly mission, he was yet to be slain literally
upon this planet; and Adam was told to look forward to that sacrificial
event, and in the light of it to practice the principles of salvation.
"And thus the Gospel began to be preached from the beginning, being
declared by holy angels, sent forth from the presence of God, and by
his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost. And thus all things
were confirmed unto Adam by a holy ordinance, and the gospel preached,
and a decree sent forth that it should be in the world until the end
thereof. And thus it was, Amen". (Moses 5:58, 59.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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