"Mormon" Doctrine Plain and Simple; Or, Leaves from the Tree of Life

by Charles W. Penrose

"MORMON" DOCTRINE,
PLAIN AND SIMPLE,
—OR—
Leaves from the Tree of Life.

By CHAS. W. PENROSE.

PUBLISHED BY
THE JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
1888.

INTRODUCTION.

There is no subject of popular comment on which there is so little general information as that called "Mormonism." This little work is designed to explain, in a simple way, leading features of "Mormon" doctrine. The terms "Mormon" and "Mormonism" are not strictly correct as usually applied. They are inappropriately derived from the Book of Mormon, which is a work containing the history of the former inhabitants of the American continent, written at different times by various persons and finally compiled by a prophet named Mormon and inscribed upon metallic plates, which were hidden in the earth to come forth in the latter days, for the enlightenment of mankind in relation to the origin of the Indian tribes of this land, and as a testimony that Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified by the Jews, is indeed the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

This record, giving an account of the dealings of the Almighty with the people it describes, and whose origin and travels, wars and industries, customs and religion, progress and decay it graphically relates, was taken from its hiding place by Joseph Smith in obedience to the revelation and commandment of God and was translated into the English language through a heavenly gift bestowed upon that favored man. Those who believe in the divinity of the book are commonly called "Mormons," and the doctrines which they hold are known as "Mormonism." But it is as inconsistent to call people "Mormons," who believe in the writings of Mormon, as it would be to call them Isaiahs, or Jeremiahs, or Peters or Pauls, because they believe in the scriptures written by those inspired men.

The Church which has been organized under direction from the same heavenly Power that revealed the Book of Mormon, is entitled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its members, then, should not be called "Mormons," but Latter-day Saints. The members of the church established by Jesus and His apostles, as will be seen by reference to the New Testament, were called Saints. The term "Christians" was applied to them in derision, and was first used at Antioch. The members of the restored Church of Christ are called Latter-day Saints to distinguish them from their brethren and sisters of former times. But as "Christians" came to be the common appellation of the former-day saints, so "Mormons" has come to be the title generally bestowed upon the Latter-day Saints, and is used herein only in that sense.

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.