"I don't like the Mormons at all, and I'm just sorry you're one," said the girl.
"I too, am somewhat opposed to that peculiar religion, but it does seem to me, after hearing you, that my dislike arises more from prejudice than from anything else," said the mother.
"I have here a card containing the articles of our faith from which you may learn that we are not so evil as we are represented to be."
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that these ordinances are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by "prophecy, and by the laying on of hands," by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes, That Zion will be built upon this continent. That Christ will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, "We believe all things, we hope all things," we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these, things.—Joseph Smith.
With this Durant took from his pocket the card, and handing it to Mrs. Marshall, said:
"Examine it at your leisure." And without more adieu he was gone, leaving the ladies in reflective mood.
Mr. Marshall received the news regarding Durant, in silence; perhaps he had suspected, or even knew already, that the stranger was a "Mormon."
CHAPTER VII.
A TRIUMPH AND AN ESCAPE.
The afternoon preceding the night on which Charles Durant was to appear before the public in the Town Hall of Westminster to place the plan of salvation before the people, and bear his testimony to the eternal truth, was wearing slowly away. By this time his name was on everybody's lips, and nearly all knew him. As he walked abroad some would pass him with a frown, some with a gaze of curiosity, rarely one would smile, and less frequently still would he receive a pleasant "good-day." If he had delighted in notoriety, here was certainly a field in which he might enjoy that to the full limit of his desire; but he wanted nothing of the kind. He was filled with the spirit of his calling which was to spread the truth and labor unto the salvation of men; and neither the insults of the insolent nor the frowns of opponents could turn him aside from that purpose. He bore within his breast the realization of an upright purpose, together with the certainty of a reward to come. What were threats and annoyances to him? And yet he sought not persecution that a cheap martyrdom might be gained; perhaps if warned of a personal danger, in obedience to a natural impulse, he would have shunned or gone around it, but never to the sacrifice of one jot or tittle of principle.