Scrap Book of Mormon Literature, Volume 2 (of 2). Religious Tracts

by Unknown

THE GOSPEL PIONEER.

BY WM. JEFFERIES,
AN ELDER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

FAITH.

Faith is the key to knowledge rare,
God's choice and priceless gift to man;
It is obtained by humble prayer
And practice of the gospel plan.
It opes the door to secrets deep—
Communes with God in nature's sleep.
Prevails with God, till mortal man
The glory of the Lord can scan.

A thorough knowledge of the first principles is absolutely essential to the acquirement of a complete understanding of any art or science. For example: How can the student of arithmetic extract the cube root of any given number, or find the fifth power of another, without a knowledge of the first or key principles of the science of numbers? Now, if this is true of the arts and sciences, which, in the abstract, do not tend, directly, to save a person in the presence of God, how much more is it true in regard to the great science of theology, which must be well understood and faithfully practiced, to a given extent, in order to become a joint-heir with Jesus to the glory of the Father? And what science more important than this great science of all sciences? None. And a knowledge of its first principles ranks higher in importance to mortals than any other knowledge attainable by Adam's fallen race; for a knowledge of them, and honest obedience to them, together with subsequent faithfulness, will secure a person a knowledge of the Father and the Son, whom to know is life eternal—the greatest gift of God to man. Hence the great importance of a thorough knowledge of the first principles of the great science of salvation, which I will now make a feeble attempt to briefly explain.

The first initiatory principle of the glorious plan of salvation is faith. The Apostle Paul thus defines this principle: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. xi, 1.) Modern inspiration defines it thus: "Faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings." (Doc. & Cov. Lec. I, Sec. i., 9.) And the substance of these quotations—between which there is no conflict—I understand to be this: Faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things not seen by them in the past, of the existence of things unseen by them at present, of the existence of things to be seen or unseen by them in the future, and the great first cause, or moving principle of action, and consequently, of power, in all intelligent beings, whether they are mortal or immortal. Now do not be startled, kind reader, at this explanation. The great apostle to the Gentiles says. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God." (Heb. xi, 3.) This is plain. Who framed the world? God, of course; and Paul says He did it through faith; therefore, the assertion is correct, that faith is the principle of action and power in all intelligent beings whether they are mortal or immortal.

Faith is produced by evidence. This is true of a false faith as well as of a true faith. A false faith is the product of untrue or incorrect evidence, and a true faith is produced by truthful evidence; and, though there may be instances in which true evidence may fail to produce faith in the skeptical and unbelieving; and wherein false evidence may fail to create faith even in the over-credulous; yet when faith, be it true or false, is created, I reassert that it is produced by true or untrue evidence. In the attempt to inspire faith in these propositions, I will summon a few of the ancient worthies, who, like Abel, though dead, speak to us in their inspired testaments, giving us evidence which should be faith-creating.

When the Son of God tabernacled in the flesh, He went about doing good, healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and doing many mighty works in fulfillment of the mission He was sent on by His Father; and while doing these things He was scoffed at, spit upon, reviled, and persecuted, and finally crucified on Calvary—suspended between Heaven and earth as though fit for neither. Bible-believers need no evidence adduced here to prove this, for the facts stated are plain and prominent in the New Testament scriptures, and are well known to them, no doubt.

On the day after the crucifixion, the Chief Priests and Pharisees felt somewhat troubled and anxious, and "came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, after three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, he is risen from the dead: so that the last error shall be worst than the first. Pilate said unto them, ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as you can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." (Matt. xxvii, 62-66.)

How vain the schemes and operations of frail man! A few more hours pass away. The angel of the Lord came down from heaven, filled with the power of God, and armed with the keys of the resurrection. The watch which had been set, or the keepers, "became as dead men." The resurrection power of God was exercised. The lifeless, mangled body of the lowly Nazarene was celestialized. The active spirit, which had been on an important mission to the Antediluvians, entered its immortal house, and the triumphant Jesus came forth from the silent tomb, the first fruits of the resurrection, and the glorious conqueror of death, hell and the grave.

As soon as some of the watch had recovered sufficiently, they "came unto the city, and shewed unto the Chief Priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you." So they took the money, and did as they were taught; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matt. xxviii, 11-15.) And, according to the generally accepted chronology, Matthew wrote this account about five years after the events occurred.

Here prejudice, dishonesty and opposition to the purposes of Jehovah, prompted bribery, and bribery being assured protection from the human penalty for such a crime, published to the world a lie—a lie, too, respecting the most important event that had ever transpired upon this earth, as effecting the redemption of the fallen race of our great progenitor, Adam. Matthew says: "And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day;" and I may add, to this day, too, for the Jews not only rejected the Messiah and put him to death, and subsequently believed the story of bribed and perjured Roman soldiers, but they still "deny the accomplishment of the prophecies in the person of Christ; alleging that the Messiah is not yet come;" and this also effects their belief in the first resurrection, which is past, although, according to the thirteenth article of their creed, they believe there will be a "resurrection of the dead when God shall see fit."

This false evidence, given to the Jewish nation, produced in that tribe of Israel a false faith, which exists to-day, and which will continue to exist to a great extent among them, with all its dire consequences, till He shall come in power and glory and "stand upon the mount of Olives;" (Zech. xiv, 4.) and they shall "look upon" Him whom their fore-fathers "pierced;" (Zech. xii, 10.) and the inquiry shall be made: "What are those wounds in thine hands?" And he shall inform them that those were the wounds "with which he was wounded in the house of His friends." (Zech. xiii, 6.)

In view of these things how necessary it is that tradition should be truth. In the beginning the Lord said: "In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die;" and the serpent said: "Ye shall not surely die;" and both declarations went to posterity, some believing one and some the other. At the resurrection of the Son of God, the soldiers said: "His disciples stole him while we slept," and many believed them. Others said: "He rose again and ascended to His Father," and a few believed this testimony; and I will now introduce an illustration of this true evidence and true faith.

The Son of God had risen from the tomb. The first to discover this was several women, and the first evidence of the fact to them was, "they found not the body" in the sepulcher. The next was the testimony of "two angels in shining garments." Said they: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen," and they quoted the Savior's prediction of Himself, that He should be crucified, and on the third day He should rise again, which the women remembered. These women reported to the eleven apostles, who could hardly believe the report, but Peter visited the sepulcher, and found that the body of Jesus was not there. Jesus showed Himself to some on the way to Emmaus, after which, and on the same day, He appeared to the eleven apostles, who were somewhat terrified, and He said unto them: "Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." He further said: "Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it and did eat before them." He also referred them to His own words, to the words of Moses and the prophets, which were fulfilled in His crucifixion and resurrection, and said He, "Ye are all witnesses of these things." He then instructed them to tarry at Jerusalem till they were endued with power from on high, lifted up His hands and blessed them, and ascended into heaven. (Luke xxiv.)

Here was an accumulation of evidence that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. He was with the apostles more or less for forty days after His resurrection. (Acts i, 3.) They knew most unmistakably that Jesus had been resurrected. The evidences were accumulative. They knew also by the revelations of God. They were prepared to testify. The day of Pentecost arrived. The Holy Ghost descended upon them in great power—it filled them; and they stood forth boldly, as the champions of the risen Jesus, as His friends and true representatives, and as men of God, filled with truth and the revelations and power of God, to give the lie to a bribed and perjured soldiery, and all their accessories, and to proclaim the truth concerning the resurrection, the atonement, the redemption, and the true plan of salvation for the exaltation of the obedient of all mankind. And Peter, as the chief apostle, is represented as testifying the most in this matter, and among other things he said this: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses." (Acts ii.)

Here were eleven men in one body, besides others, who were all witnesses of the resurrection of the Savior of the world. Compare their testimony with the testimony of scared, bribed, and perjured guards—and what a testimony the latter was! "His disciples stole his body while we slept!" What wondrous wisdom, consistency, and veracity, characterized the suggestors and buyers of this infamous subterfuge! What elevated manhood was exhibited by these valiant military cat-paws of the ancient anti-Christians! What do men know of things which transpire when they are fast asleep? A parallel need not be sought for only in the history of the highly-enlightened anti-"Mormons" of the nineteenth century.

What was the result of the inspired testimonies of these eleven apostles—Peter standing forth boldly as their principal, and proclaiming the truth in much power? Why, many were convinced by the power of the Holy Ghost, and the inquiry was made by them: "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized every one you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Now, did any of them show further evidence of conviction? Yes, about three thousand souls were added to the church by baptism, on that day, and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts ii.) Herein was true evidence and true faith clearly illustrated, and I will now draw an illustration from modern times.

In the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and twenty, the Lord spoke from the heavens to the boy, Joseph Smith, then in his fifteenth year. After a seven years' training, and particularly during the last four of the seven, the Lord by His angel delivered to him the sacred plates from which was translated the Book of Mormon. Nearly three years additional schooling was given him in the science of theology, during which time he translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God; and, on the 6th day of April, 1830, he, by command of God, organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Previous to this time, he had testified more or less, of his visions and calling, but from now till his cruel martyrdom in 1844, he boldly proclaimed his divine mission, and taught the true gospel to the children of men. Others associated themselves with him in this glorious testimony and proclamation. Many believed their words, and cast their lot with the much-persecuted people of God. This testimony and proclamation of the elders of Israel have continued; a people have been gathered together in the tops of the mountains, in fulfillment of the words of Isaiah (Chap. ii); and of the words of Micah (Chap. iv); and in Utah and other Territories; in many States of the American Union; and in many other parts of the earth can be found much true faith, as the result of correct evidence given by inspiration in these last days.

But while this work of presenting true evidence and inspiring true faith has been going on, the adversary has not been idle. It has been declared that Joseph Smith was not a true prophet, but an impostor. That the Book of Mormon was not translated from plates given to Joseph by an angel of God, but was simply a Spaulding romance. That, in short the whole system of Mormonism is a monster humbug and imposture, and all its adherents are either deceivers or deceived. Editors, incited by popular clamor and prejudice, and priests, inspired by their sable master, have befouled the filthy stream of misrepresentation, by publishing dirty falsehoods and sending them broadcast on the earth during the last half a century, till millions of the human family are prejudiced and misled; and their responsibility in this matter is equal to that of their prototypes, the ancient Scribes, priests, and elders who framed the lie and paid their dupes to testify to it—that Jesus was not resurrected, but that His disciples stole the body while they slept; and heaven's condemnation rests upon them for thus using the power of press and pulpit. Hence, to-day there is a vast amount of false faith on the earth, which has been produced by incorrect evidence concerning some of the most important events which have transpired preparatory to the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory.

These facts, culled from ancient and modern history, I consider sufficient to prove clearly to honest hearts and enlightened minds, that faith is produced by evidence—a false faith by false evidence, and a true faith by true evidence.

In the foregoing an attempt has been made to show that faith is produced by evidence; that this is true both of a false faith and a true one; and that the results are good or bad according as the faith is true or false. And in doing this the principle of faith itself has been taught more or less, but a few more remarks are necessary.

Faith in God is necessary. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. xi, 6.) And who can expect to receive salvation from God, if they do not believe in Him?

Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John iii, 36.) Who can expect the glorious benefits of the atonement, if they do not believe in the Savior of the world, nor in the great atonement which He made for poor fallen man?

Faith in the servants of God is necessary, also. When Jesus sent His servants forth to preach the gospel, He said unto them: "He that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiseth you despiseth me, and he that despiseth me despiseth Him that sent me." (Luke x, 16.) "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." (Matt. x, 40, 41.) "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city." (Matt. x, 14, 15.) Neither God the Father nor God the Son travel among us now to preach and administer for the benefit of Adam's race, but they authorize mortal men to do this work; hence it is necessary to receive them, treat them kindly, and have faith in them as the representatives of the Father and the Son.

Faith in the plan of salvation is necessary. The principles of the gospel must be believed in order to obtain their benefits; some of those principles are set forth briefly in this little pamphlet; and when these are tested and proven to be of divine origin, conferring many glorious blessings upon those who obey them, others can be found suitable to advanced students in the Lord's school of divinity. The gospel is unchangeable and eternal. It is filled with blessings that are temporal, spiritual and eternal. It is free for all. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." (Matt. xxiv, 14.) "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel, which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Gal. i, 6-9.)

Blessed are they who believe and live the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for they shall obtain eternal life in the celestial kingdom of God!

REPENTANCE.

Repentance is an evidence
Of living, saving faith in God.
The sinner manifesting sense
In turning from the path he trod—
Not a sentimental sorrow,
Felt to-day and gone to-morrow;
But—by God's help I will do right,
And shun all wrong with all my might.

Repentance is the second principle of the gospel of the Son of God. And here it would be well, perhaps, to dispose of an objection which some may raise in regard to this being the second principle of the gospel. There are religionists who hold and teach that repentance precedes faith, and this error I will briefly refer to and correct.

In the first place, let the test of reason be applied. If a man does not believe in the existence of a God; nor in the existence of the laws of God; nor in the penalties for violating those laws; nor in his own existence after what is believed by him to be the death of both body and spirit; nor consequently, if he does not believe in either the power or opportunity to punish him for what some people may call sin, but which he does not believe is a sin against anybody or anything; will he be likely to be sorry for anything he has done? Will he reform through hope of reward or fear of punishment, or both combined? Will such a man repent of his sins? Every reasonable man, who studies this principle, will answer with an emphatic, No!

But if a man is taught that there is a God; that He has revealed laws for the government of the actions of His earthly children; that those laws embody rewards for obedience and punishments for disobedience; that there is an existence after death has separated body and spirit; that none can escape the results of their acts, that all will be judged, and then rewarded or punished, according to the deeds done in the body; and if he believes these teachings, then he will be likely to cease to do evil and learn to do well—he will repent of his sins, and strive to serve his God faithfully. But if, after he has been taught as before stated, he should fail to believe, then he will not repent, for he is not prompted by that living faith which produces sincere repentance. And this conclusion is legitimate and clear, no doubt, to the unbeclouded and unprejudiced mind of every intelligent and reasonable man.

But the testimony of inspiration as well as reason shall be given in this matter, and this should be conclusive. After the crucifixion of the Savior, Peter became president of the church. To him were given the keys of the kingdom, and he, certainly, understood the order of the principles of the gospel, just as well as an arithmetician understands the order of the first principles of arithmetic. And what position did he give repentance? Did he make it precede faith? On the day of Pentecost Peter preached to the assembled multitude. He taught the word of God; he quoted the Old Testament scriptures; he showed that some of them were fulfilled; he testified that Jesus was the Christ; he declared that they had crucified the Son of God; he taught the glorious principle of the resurrection; said he: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses." and he told them "that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." This testimony of Peter, which was accompanied by the convincing power of the Holy Ghost, inspired them with faith in what he taught and prompted the question: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Said Peter, in reply: "Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." They had faith. The preaching had created it. Peter knew this. And he then taught them the second, third and fourth principles of the gospel in their order, viz.: Repentance, remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost, thus establishing the order of those principles beyond all cavil or controversy, and for all time, for the benefit of Bible-believers in all their generations throughout the earth.

Repentance, then, is the second principle of the great gospel plan of salvation, as taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles. And what is repentance? Is it merely sorrow for sin? No. Sorrow is a part of it, but it must be the right kind of sorrow. There is a sorrow which leadeth unto death, and a sorrow which produces true repentance. Read the testimony of the apostle Paul on this point: "For a godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (II Cor. vii, 10.)

Real sorrow for sin produces true repentance, and a genuine repentance is a forsaking of sin, coupled with a burning desire and a strong determination to keep the commandments of God, which will be shown in reformation of life and conduct, in a prayerful spirit, and a reliance upon God for strength to overcome in every hour of trial and temptation. Isaiah taught repentance in these words: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon." (Isa. lv, 7.)

The scriptures contain much evidence showing what true repentance is, and what its fruits are; and they present us with evidence concerning the repentance which is not genuine, as instance Simon the sorcerer. He had believed Philip's preaching, and had been baptized; but Peter found him "in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity," and called upon him to repent of his "wickedness."

Repentance means forsaking sin. Let him that steals steal no more. Let him that has done wrong in any way, do so no more, but do right before God and man. In the language of the able Apostle, Orson Pratt, "It would be of no use for a sinner to confess his sins to God, unless he were determined to forsake them; it would be of no benefit to him to feel sorry that he had done wrong, unless he intended to do wrong no more, it would be folly for him to confess before God that he had injured his fellow-man, unless he were determined to do all in his power to make restitution. Repentance, then, is not only a confession of sins, with a sorrowful, contrite heart, but a fixed, settled purpose to refrain from every evil way."