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Show lighten it and make bright the path for me. Let me be led of thy Spirit." my duty. Show me Shall I relate what transpired? I had a message from the Most High, as from the midst of eternity; for the vail was parted and the Redeemer Himself, clothed in glory, stood before me. And He said: "After reproving the Latter Day Saints for their cor ruption and blindness in permitting their President, Jos eph Smith, lr.. to lead them forth into errors, where I led him not, nor commanded him, and saying unto them, 'Thus scri'h the Lord,' when I said it not unto him, thou shalt withdraw thyself from among them." And I testify that Jesus whose words I have been re hearsing, hath even so commanded me in an open vision. The Lord revealed to me that the First Elder is lead ing the Scrlnts astray, and ordered me to quit them after delivering the message which this "Defence" delivers. I shall ever remember this expression of the Saviour's grace with thanksgiving, and look upon his amazing goodness to me with wonder. When I had sufficiently recovered my selfpossession regard to the errors into which [oseph Smith, [r., was taking the Saints, the Redeemer instructed me plainly: "He hath given revelations from his own heart and from a defiled conscience as coming from my mouth and hath corrupted the covenant and altered words which I had spoken. He hath brought in high priests, apostles and other officers, which in these days, when the written Word sufficeth, are not in my church, and some of his deeds have brought shame to my heritage by the shed ding of blood. He walketh in the vain imaginations of his heart, and my Spirit is holy and does not dwell in an unholy temple, nor are angels sent to reveal the great work of God to hypocrites." to ask in I bowed my face in shame and said: "Lord! I in treat thee, give me grace to bear thy message in print where I fear to take it by word of mouth." And he said, "The grace is given thee," and he van ished out of my sight. Prepare your hearts, 0 ye Saints of the Most High, and come to understanding. The prophet hath erred and the people are gone astray h,is err,?r., God's word is open. We may read It. There IS no FIrst idency" there, no "High Priesthood" save that of Christ himself no Patriarch to the church, and wonderful to tell. the "First Elder" hath departed from God in giving us these things, and in changing the name of the church. hrugh Prs Oh, the misery, the distress and evil attendant upon giving heed unto the "doctrines of men!" The gospel has been perverted and the Saints are wandering in darkness, while a full cup of suffering is poured upon A society has been organized among them to them. inflict death upon those who are deemed apostates, with the knowledge and sanction of the First Elder. This, I confess, is a dark picture to spread before those whom I am to warn, but they will pardon my plain ness when I assure them of the truth of what I have writ ten. Bearing this message to them is the hardest work of life, although many have been the privations and fatigues which have fallen to my lot to endure for the Gospel's sake since April 5th, 1829. my It is disgraceful to be led by a man who does not scruple to follow his own vain imagination, announcing his own schemes as revelations from the Lord. And I fear he is led by a groundless hope, no better than the idle wind or the spider's web. Having cleared my soul by delivering the message, I do not deem it necessary to write further I esus has saved on the subject now. men in all ages and saves them and not by our Priesthood either. The "First El der" errs as to that. The Lord has said, long since, and his word remains steadfast as the eternal hills, that to him who knocks it shall be opened, and whosoever will, now, |
