The question now to be considered is this: Is the promised effect really produced upon those who obey the doctrines taught by Joseph Smith and incorporated in the faith and practice of the Church he was instrumental in establishing? If the affirmative of this question can be proved, then it follows that he was indeed a prophet of the Living God, specially raised up and appointed. What greater evidence could be given than the testimony of those who have tested the efficacy of the promise for themselves. As to the extent and existence of this proof we have but to refer the reader to the scores of thousands of members and officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These will unhesitatingly testify that, as an effect of their obedience, they have received the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, by whose operations it has been manifested to their minds that God has begun a marvelous work in the earth, having commenced to set up the Kingdom whose existence is prophetically predicted in the second chapter of Daniel. An application to this source will also inform the inquirer that the gifts promised to believers exist in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Proceeding upon the legitimate assumption that the effect of obedience to the requirements of the doctrines of faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands, does produce the promised imparting of the Holy Ghost, what is the proper conclusion? It must be that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, for the reason that the giving of the Holy Ghost necessarily shows divine recognition. No such effect could possibly result from the teachings and administrations of an impostor.
The reader may say that he is not willing to accept of the testimony of the Latter-day Saints, on the ground of the probability of their being interested witnesses. What reason would he have for supposing then, that he would have received the evidence of the Former-day Saints? They were open to the same objection, if it be one, and they had no more proof to advance that their claim was valid than is now offered in support of the same Gospel restored in its power in these days. One thing is very evident in this connection: there is but one process by which the position of the Latter-day Saints can be consistently refuted. That is by the testing method, which is open to all. It consists of implicit compliance with the conditions stated to be requisite to insure a personal testimony or witness to the obedient. Until the opponents of the divine system take this course, consistency would appear to demand that they hold their peace, lest they be, ignorantly or otherwise, found fighting against God. However, as the Saints know, experimentally, that honest truth-seekers receive, through obedience, the witness of the Spirit, they know the work they are engaged in is secure from successful assault from that method.
The reader has probably been heretofore misled regarding the faith and doctrines professed by the Latter-day Saints, and may consequently be surprised at their being identical with the teachings of the Bible. He has perhaps been under the impression that the Old and New Testaments were discarded and what is known as the Book of Mormon adopted instead. Such an impression, which is only too general, is altogether erroneous. It is true, however, that, in addition to the Bible, the Saints accept the Book of Mormon as a divine revelation, it being in accordance with the genius of their faith, to adopt whatever the Almighty chooses to offer for the information and salvation of His children.
We are aware that, in consequence of the false teachings of uninspired men, who "teach for hire and divine for money," the people generally have a prejudice against receiving any revelations not contained in the Bible. They have been erroneously informed that the canon of Scripture is full, and God would no more speak to His children, but preserve the gloom of an unbroken silence towards them. What an unnatural and unreasonable doctrine this is! Yet, to delude the ignorant into an acceptance of this discouraging dogma, those who drag religion down to the degrading position of a mere mercantile basis, triumphantly quote the 18th and 10th verses of the last chapter of Revelation: "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
To offer this passage as evidence of the fullness of the scriptural canon is exceedingly absurd. It simply had reference to the enlargement or reduction of the book of John's prophecy, for at the time it was written the Bible had not been compiled. Consequently it could have no reference to the Old and New Testaments, which are a compilation of various books. It is certainly right that man should not, with impunity, add to or take from what God has revealed, although the Almighty can certainly do so at any time, according to His good will and pleasure. However, should the Lord, in His mercy, reveal another book or prophecy, it would be distinct of itself and not necessarily an addition to one that He had already given, and might relate to another subject, as in the case of books in general, which are books of themselves and not mere additions to others.
There is a regrettable lack of information regarding the Book of Mormon in the world at large. It will be profitable to first consider the manner in which this record was, by the matchless power of God, brought to the light. This will necessarily have to be done briefly. If the reader desire more detailed particulars, he can obtain them by a perusal of more elaborate writings, which can be had through any of the authorized agents of the Church.
In the year 1820, when Joseph Smith was in the fifteenth year of his age, he resided, with his parents and other members of the family, in the town of Manchester, Ontario County, New York, United States of America. There was, in that vicinity, at that time, a religious revival, causing him to be seriously impressed with a desire to serve God. The conflict of jarring sects caused him perplexity as to which he would be justified in joining. Being struck with the reasonableness of the scriptural promise that God would give wisdom to those who asked Him for it in faith, he retired to a wood or grove, and prayed for the information of which he felt he stood so much in need.
In answer to his fervent and simple petition, a glorious vision opened to the gaze of the suppliant youth. A radiant pillar of fire appeared, descended and encircled him about. In the midst of this brilliant column were two glorious personages, the brightness of whose presence was beyond the power of human description, eclipsing that of the sun when he shines in noonday splendor. One of those heavenly beings spoke to Joseph, calling him by name and saying, pointing to the other, "This is my beloved Son, hear him."
Joseph, when sufficiently recovered from the sensations that possessed him, inquired which of all the sects he should join. The personage who addressed him commanded him to identify himself with none, as all had gone astray, and were an abomination in His sight. "They draw near to Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me; they teach for doctrine the commandments of man, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." He was also told many other things of great importance.