Latter-day Saints:—We are quite willing to be put on trial, and to be judged as you have proposed, according to the law and the testimony; for, as the Prophet Isaiah said, if we speak not according to the law and the testimony there is no light in us. (Isaiah 8: 20.) We have many witnesses who are ready and willing to testify in our behalf, men whose testimony cannot be questioned. They are not men who have followed cunningly devised fables, but who were eye-witnesses of the things of which they will speak. If it please the court, we are ready; let the trial begin.
The World:—The first offence with which you are charged is that of teaching that the Godhead is composed of three separate and physically distinct Persons. This, as you must know, is contrary to the teaching of all the churches, especially the Church of England. That church teaches that the Godhead is composed of three Persons, namely, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that these three are one in substance, equal in power and glory. Here is an extract from the Book of Common Prayer: "And the Catholick Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons: nor dividing the substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son: and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. * * * The Father eternal, the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals: but one eternal. * * * So the Father is God, the Son is God: and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods: but one God." (Book of Common Prayer, pp. 21, 22.)
Latter-day Saints:—We are aware that that is the teaching of the Church of England, but it is not in harmony with the teaching of Christ and His disciples. We have a witness named John who was intimately acquainted with the Son of God, whom we consider a most competent authority to speak on this matter. He is ready to be examined.
The World:—We will be pleased to hear his testimony.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN.
The World:—What is your name?
John:—My name is John, sometimes called the Baptist.
The World:—We understand that you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?
John:—I am.
The World:—Were you personally acquainted with the Messiah?