That the Lord's work begun by the Ministry of Joseph Smith is Destined to bring about the Fulfillment of all the inspired prophecies concerning the Latter Days.
That the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Possesses the same Characteristics as that of Former Days.
JOSEPH SMITH'S WORKS.
EVIDENCE OF HIS INSPIRATION.
SCRIPTURAL TESTS.
The Bible tells how true and false prophets may be known:
"The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him." (Jeremiah 28: 9).
"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shall not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18: 22).
If a man prophesies and his prophecy is fulfilled, he is to be regarded as a true prophet. If he prophesies and his predictions are not fulfilled, he should be counted as a false prophet. Let us apply this scriptural test to the words of Joseph Smith.
PREDICTION OF THE ANGEL.
The prophecy which he records as having been made by the first angel who visited him: that his name should be had "for good and evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues; or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people," is a proof of inspiration. That prediction has been fulfilled. Among all people who have heard his teachings there have been some who have accepted them and have spoken good about his name, while those who have rejected his message have invariably spoken evil of him. Not being satisfied to leave him alone, they have maliciously defamed his character and denounced him.