THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
ITS RELIGION, HISTORY, CONDITION AND DESTINY.
BY JAMES H. ANDERSON, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. 1902.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.—Matt. vii, 18.
Of the religious denominations now in existence among men, none have attracted such attention from the others as the organization known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the members of which are popularly, though erroneously, called "Mormons," because of their belief in the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, a record of the ancient inhabitants of America. In every nation where the fame of this Church has spread, and where its Elders have appeared to teach their faith, one feature which stands preeminent is the bitterness with which they are opposed, without even the opportunity of being heard, principally by professed believers in Christianity.
Some there are who are practical in their adherence to the doctrine of religious toleration, and whose expansive minds lead them to refrain from passing judgment till they hear the case fairly stated. They hesitate to follow popular clamor, preferring to ascertain the truth for themselves, rather than give assent to the voice of prejudice and bigotry which demanded the life of Jesus of Nazareth because He claimed to be the Son of God. But these are the exception; the rule has been to accept without question assertions made against the Latter-day Saints, and to decline to listen to anything in the way of denial or justification. With this prominent fact before us, it is beyond dispute that to this organization above all others in this generation must be applied the saying, "For as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against."
Doubtless much of this antagonism is due to ignorance of the true belief, aims and condition of the Latter-day Saints. Certainly it is largely because of gross misrepresentations by those who have constituted themselves their enemies. The reason for assuming this position can be left for explanation to those who occupy it. The purpose of the present occasion is not to consider that branch of the subject, but rather to present the doctrines believed in by the Latter-day Saints, and the reason for that belief. The limited time at our disposal will admit of only a brief exposition of those doctrines; all who are desirous of more elaborate explanation may obtain it from the published works of the Church, and from its Elders, who will be pleased to present to investigators the Gospel message which they are proclaiming to the world. The present opportunity is sufficient for but an abridged statement, in plain and simple language, of the religious system under consideration.
This Church presents no formula of religious dogmas. Its creed is: The direct revelation of God to His children. As He is without variableness, and is no respecter of persons, so His laws are unchangeable; and whatsoever He gives by the voice of revelation is a law unto the Saints. The organization of this Church was effected at Fayette, New York, on Sunday, the sixth day of April, 1830. Shortly after this event, its presiding Apostle and Prophet, Joseph Smith, was asked for a concise statement of what he and his people believed, and in reply he wrote the following: