History of J. Smith, June 15, 1842.
NAME OF CHRIST'S CHURCH.
The name, Saint, "Signifies a holy or godly person, one that is so by profession, covenant, and conversation;" Cru. Con.
In the Old Testament it means one who worked righteousness, and one in whom the Lord delighted, for that reason. "But to the Saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight;" Psalm 16. 3. "Gather my Saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice;" Psalm 50. 5.
While the meaning of the term Saints is not changed in the New Testament, it is used in the epistles of the apostles as a general name of the followers of Jesus Christ; "To the Saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus;" Eph. 1. 1. They are those who have submitted themselves to Jesus Christ, and have become his subjects. "Just and true are thy ways, thou king of Saints;" Rev. 15. 3.
Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive;" John 5. 43. This saying of our Savior's is as applicable to the Christian world to-day, as it was to the people to whom he spake. The Latter-day Saints have come in the name of Jesus Christ, and preached the Gospel of repentance as he preached it, and do all things in his name, and, yet, the most of the world reject them.
Some Christian sects have derived their names from their founders, as Calvanists, Lutherans, Wesleyans. Others have some appellation growing out of a peculiarity of doctrine, or faith, as Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians. Others again derive their name from historical events connected with their origin, and geographical location, as Roman Catholic Church, Greek Church, Church of England, etc. Not a church in all the world bearing the name of Jesus Christ, except that of the Latter-day Saints.
Sectarians may ask, are we not called Christians? But the name of our Savior was Jesus Christ, not Christian. The early Christians first received that name at the city of Antioch; Acts 11. 26.
We find that the apostles, in their epistles, addressed the members of the various churches, as Saints, "Beloved of God, called to be Saints;" Rom. 1. 7. "To the Saints and faithful brethren in Christ;" Col. 1. 2. We further find that the apostles do not speak of themselves as followers of men; but Paul calls himself, "An apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God;" Col. 1. 1. 1 Tim. 1. 1. "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect;" Titus 1. 1. Not according to the doctrines of Luther, Calvin or Wesley.