Published by F. D. Richards, 15 Wilton Street, Liverpool.
THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAVED.
BY LORENZO SNOW,
ONE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
"He that judgeth a matter before he heareth it, is not wise."
There are certain principles established of God, which, being understood and observed, will put men in possession of spiritual knowledge, gifts, and blessings. In early ages of the world, also in the days of the apostles people came into possession of spiritual powers and various privileges, by obtaining an understanding of, and faithfully attending to, certain rules which the Lord established: as, for instance, Abel, obtaining information that offering up sacrifices was an order instituted of God, through which men might receive blessings, he set himself to work, observed the order, and performed the sacrifice, whereby he obtained glorious manifestations of the Most High. Again, when the Antediluvians had corrupted themselves, and the time arriving at which destruction was coming upon them, the Lord revealed a course whereby the righteous might escape; accordingly, all who understood and observed that course, were sure to realize the blessing promised. Joshua, before obtaining possession of Jericho, had to observe certain steps appointed of God. The steps having been properly taken, according to commandment, the object immediately fell into his possession. Another instance—the case of Naaman, captain of the Syrian host—it appears, that being afflicted with the leprosy, and hearing of Elisha, the prophet, he made application to him for the removal of that affliction. The prophet, having the Holy Ghost upon him, which is the Mind of God, informed him that, by washing in Jordan's water's seven times, he might be restored. At first, Naaman thought this too simple and was displeased, and disposed not to conform—not to make use of means so simple. After due consideration, however, humbling himself, he went forth, complying with the rules; when, lo! the blessing directly followed. Under the Mosaic dispensation, forgiveness of sins was obtained upon the same principle as those blessings were to which I have alluded. An animal was to be carried before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, by the individual wishing to obtain forgiveness of sins; it was then to be offered up in a particular manner; this being done, the promised blessing immediately followed.
When the Gospel dispensation was introduced, gifts and blessings were obtained upon similar principles—that is, upon obedience to certain established rules. The Lord still marked out certain acts, promising to all those who would do them, certain peculiar privileges; and when those acts were performed—observed in every particular—then the blessings promised were sure to be realized. Some vainly imagine that, under the Gospel dispensation, gifts and blessings are obtained, not by external observances, or external works, but merely through faith and repentance, through mental operations, independent of physical. But, laying aside the traditions, superstitions, and creeds of men, we will look to the word of God, where we shall discover that external works, or outward ordinances, under the Gospel dispensation, were inseparably connected with inward works, such as faith and repentance. In proof of this, I introduce the following observations:—The Savior says, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Again, he says, "He that heareth my words, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a man that built his house upon a rock." And, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Likewise, he says, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."—John iii. 5. These sayings of our Savior require men to perform external works in order to receive their salvation.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter says to the surrounding multitude—"Repent and be baptized, for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." In this prophetic statement, we learn that people were to perform an external work (baptism in water) in order that they might receive the remission of sins, and afterwards the gift of the Holy Ghost. But, before attending to the outward work, the inward work must be performed—faith and repentance. Faith and repentance go before baptism, and baptism before the remission of sins and the reception of the Holy Ghost. Hence, we see the useless and unscriptural practice of baptizing infants. They cannot exercise faith and repentance, qualifications necessary previous to baptism; then, why require the outward work?
Some suppose they must obtain religion before they are baptized, but the Savior and apostles teach us to be baptized in order to get religion.