The Prophet of the nineteenth century was directed by the angel of God to the spot where the records of the history of the former inhabitants of this continent were deposited. He obtained and translated a portion of them into the English language. It is called the Book of Mormon, because the Prophet Mormon made an abridgment of more ancient records than his own, and inscribed them upon metallic plates in hieroglyphics reformed from the Egyptian.
That book has since been translated into other languages. It gives the history of two races. The first springing from a colony brought upon this land at the time of the dispersion from the Tower of Babel. The second descending from the families directed to this continent from Jerusalem six hundred years before the Christian era, at the time when Zedekiah was king of Judea. It relates the wars, travels, religion, progress and decadence of those races-the progenitors of the American Indians, describes their cities, temples, forts, etc., and contains an account of the visit to this land of Jesus Christ, after His resurrection and ascension, with particulars of His ministry in establishing His Church here with the same principles, precepts, ordinances, Priesthood and blessings as in the Church on the Asiatic continent. It also speaks of the gradual apostasy of the people and the woes that came upon them through transgression.
The Book of Mormon does not take the place of the Bible, but is auxiliary to it and corroborates and supports it. The Bible is the record of God's dealings with His people in the eastern world; the Book of Mormon is the record of his dealings with His people on this western land, separated from the other hemisphere, and then unknown to its inhabitants. They, with the book of Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, are the standards of doctrine and discipline of the Church.
Inspiration by the Holy Ghost as bestowed upon the ancient Hebrew prophets, is viewed as revelation by the Latter-day Saints. It conveys the word and will of God. Every individual in the Church is entitled to it for his or her own guidance. The President of the Church, who is a prophet, a seer and a revelator, is entitled to divine communication by any of the means which God chooses to use for this purpose. But revelation does not come by the will of man. It is God who reveals His word at the time and in the manner which He selects. Revelation for the whole Church comes through the head alone, and thus order is preserved and conflicting doctrines excluded.
CELESTIAL MARRIAGE.
The doctrine of celestial, that is eternal marriage, is a feature of the "Mormon" faith. By the authority vested in the head of the Church, that which is sealed on earth is sealed in heaven, and the man and woman united under that authority in an everlasting covenant are joined forever. Such was the marriage of Adam and Eve before death came by sin. The redemption of Christ restored them to their primeval state, and they stand at the head of their posterity, immortal, perfected and eternal. By obedience and fidelity to the laws of God, men and women may attain to a similar estate and enjoy unending bliss, "the man being not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord." The family, the home, the relation of parents and children are thus the basis of present and future happiness, and the increase thereof being perpetual, therein is the glory of the redeemed, who dwell in the presence of God and the Holy Ones, continued forever.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
The government of the Church of Christ devolves upon those who have been divinely appointed and have been accepted by the body of the Church, in which all things are to be done by common consent.
At the head is the Prophet, Seer and Revelator with two counselors. These three presiding High Priests thus selected form the First Presidency, having jurisdiction over the Church in all the world.
Next are the Twelve Apostles, forming a body equal in authority to the Presidency and constituting that Presidency at the death or removal of the head. They set in order the affairs of the Church in all the world under the direction of the First Presidency.