you have been entrusted with these things; but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made unto you, if you did not transgress them; and behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men: for behold, you should not have feared man more than God." Further on: "Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou art chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware, thou wilt fall, but remember God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done, which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work; except thou do this, thou shalt be delivered up and become as other men, and have no more gift." Again: "Thou hast suffered the counsel of thy director to be trampled upon from the beginning."

We perceive that there is no attempt in his revelations at the laudation of himself, or work—a mark which if visible would stamp him at once as a charlatan. On the other hand there might be conceivable a self-condemnation, without apparent excuse, which an impostor might concoct for the doing of himself a negative augmentation; but the self-condemnation before us is not answerable to that description. Not only is it a rare thing that impostors will condemn themselves with the stoutness that we have seen in my citation; but we find in the example I have given, a condemnation appearing in due place after a chain of events leading up to it, and a chain it is, I should say, that would be the last contrivance of one who was laying a trap to deceive.

Some seventy revelations have been given thus far. Oh, mother, and I am so eager to send them to you at my first opportunity in printed form, for I have confidence that their tone, together with the pleasant spirit that enraptures you while you read them, will be fruitful in impressing your mind that they are from God. Everything I beheld about Mr. Smith, and the people who are connected with him, is a revolt of the idea that those revelations are forgeries. One thing must be admitted, that they are either blasphemous forgeries, or they are from God. If from God, then Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, the Book of Mormon is from God, and the church now inceptive is the church of God.

It is expected that time will bring about the canonization, so to speak, or the formation into a book, as a law, of all these revelations, which are given progressively, according to the exigencies of the times. It is a source of pleasure to me to know that you have received the Book of Mormon, and that thus far you are not unfavorably impressed with its contents. With you I think its teachings are elevating, and the more you read it and the more deeply you become acquainted with its internal characteristics, the weaker will become your suspicion that it might after all be the work of a deep-laid deception. We see in the Bible some characteristics peculiarly its own. We see its compactness, its repletion of ideas; we see no other book exhibiting so many ideas in the same compass; we behold the adaptation of its parts, and the apparently

undesigned correspondences in circumstance. We call these internal evidences; we say it has marks of a higher power than that of man. Now, I hold that the same thing is true in relation to the Book of Mormon; that it possesses an endowment that is the exclusive property of an inspired pen to give. Many have received testimonies similar to my own, related in my former letter. It is astonishing here at the social gatherings to hear these people stand up and relate their experiences, the personal testimonies they have received, the answers to their prayers, the visions they have beheld, the healings that have been wrought upon them.

The other evening I sat quietly at the rear of the building, and was as attentive as I could be to all the testimonies borne. Some were very feeling and touching. I felt a pleasant sensation as the meeting progressed. Much harmony prevailed. When one called for prayer there was no disinclination to bow on the part of the others; all seemed moved by the same spirit. When one arose to speak all were attentive to his utterances, and when one broke forth in the singing of a hymn, all who knew it, or were able, joined with him. The presiding officer sitting on the rostrum presently said: "Be prompt, brethren, the Spirit is with us. I feel that there is a blessing for us if we all do our duty." The response that came from the now tearful audience in a more rapid and lively participation in the exercises gave his words more significance than the casual hearer would attach to them. After a couple had spoken a third arose to speak, who after addressing the members for a moment in respect to his desires and aims, entirely gave way to the power that made him conspicuously tremulous, and began to utter unintelligible sentences, directing them at first to the audience in general, then to two or more in particular, and finally walking directly in front of me and addressing me. In the space of perhaps two or three minutes all was over. Silence reigned. The presiding officer called for prayer; all bowed. A fervent prayer was made that the interpretation might be given, when all resumed their seats. There was a moment's pause, a verse was sung, upon the conclusion of which a woman arose and proceeded to address the same ones, first collectively, then individually, that had been precedently addressed by the man in unknown sounds. She called one to the eldership, reproved another, and imagine my surprise when she came to me, a stranger to her, and called me by name in words as follows: "And unto you, Solon, I have heard your prayers, and have beheld your anxieties in regard to my work which has been established for the last time among the children of men. You are acceptable before me, save that you have not yet obeyed my gospel by receiving the ordinances at the hands of my servants, which if you will do without delay I have a multiplicity of blessings for you; and you shall have the desire of your heart granted concerning your kindred across the sea. Be obedient, therefore, and you shall be mine in the day when I shall make up my jewels." She retired promptly to her seat, and I sat reflecting on the singularity of the scene, especially wherein it pertained to me. I had heard that they

were in the enjoyment of the gift of tongues, but up to that time had not seen it manifest, and did not have a very clear idea as to how it was exercised, or just what it meant. Now all is plain. First, one speaks in an unknown tongue, moved by the Spirit of God, then some one gives the interpretation in the language understood by the audience, of what was said in the tongue unknown. When they are asked why it is not given directly in the language all understand, they defend themselves by appealing to the New Testament, where such phenomena is concurred in by Paul, who said: "If any speak in an unknown tongue, let him pray that he may interpret."-1 Corinthians 14. We see therein a provision for an apostolic practice which was in perfect keeping with what I have described. The Saints here for thus they are known among themselves claim that when the church was restored all the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 were brought back to earth, and that the organization and blessings are in accordance with what we find in Mark 16; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4.

But oh, dear mother, with what thankful throbs did my heart unburden itself when I realized that the Creator of the universe, the Maker of all that is grand, noble, and sublime, was in our midst, and more especially that he would stoop to call me by name. Where was room for doubt? Why should I now linger? Why falter? Nay, I felt satisfied, for what power save that of God could communicate to me such unspeakable joy, such transports of happiness, such calm and gentle assurance. I must have stood in a similar relation to Paul, to whom Ananias said: "And now, why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins." Forthwith, mother, let me break the news to you once for all, I arose and was baptized. Subsequently I was confirmed by the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

It was the day following the gift of tongues described that I was immersed. I shall never forget the day. Fertile will it ever be in the garden of my memory. Hereafter I shall feel justified in referring to the Saints as "my brethren," "our people," etc.

Compliance on my part with the principles that you could discern were gradually winning my favor ought to evince to you my implicit belief in their truth. My obedience corroborates all I have said. A man is superlatively inconsistent, who being afflicted with a certain disease is known to abstain from a remedy which he is constantly urging on others as an infallible cure for that disease. One of the best evidences I could offer you of my sincerity is to do what I did. God being my helper, I shall be faithful and allegiant to him, who after a tranquil working in me for some years, at last spoke peace to my soul, and bade me go forth and obey.

The church was organized on April 6, 1830. Many were the blessings that were bestowed. Prophecies were delivered, visions beheld, and the Spirit was mightily poured out.

On June 1 following, the first conference of the church was held at Fayette, the same place where the organization was effected about two months previous.

Eye-witnesses describe the extraordinary manner in which the power of the Lord was displayed on these occasions. Some were marvelously wrought upon to that extent that they were lifted from the floor from the spot whereon they reclined. These are things attested by witnesses, men and women, intelligent people, who are as honest as any that were ever made of common clay.

The organization of the church is progressive, and is not yet as perfect as it will be in time to come. The plan may be perfect beforehand, but it may not take effect on account of not having materials to work with. For example, there is a plan for twelve apostles, but they are not yet chosen, for the time has not yet come. One event I must not pass over, is the introduction of the work in Kirtland. Following the organization of the church, a small force of missionaries set out in different directions, as their circumstances. would permit, declaring the beautiful story, bearing testimony and selling copies of the Book of Mormon. There was at that time a congregation here of "Disciples," under the pastoral care of a very talented man by the name of Sidney Rigdon, the Disciples being a church founded by one Alexander Campbell about the same period as our own, and who on account of their founder are commonly called Campbellites. They are a very controversial people, staunch in their belief; they think they can vanquish anything that comes. along. Their founder is said to be a resourceful reasoner, shrewd logician. In the first three principles, faith, repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, they are probably a unit with us; and notwithstanding the fact that they leave out many other points of equal importance, they think their case is utterly inpervious to all assaults.

It was to this place and to such a people that the new born missionaries came to present their views. You may imagine the scene that followed. Did they have a clash at arms? Well, I should say! Mr. Rigdon opposed them with all the argument and eloquence he could muster. He fought indeed till he witnessed every objection he had to offer fall flat; till every argument he proposed, till every favorite hobby, exploded under the ponderous blows of these mighty men of God. Then, like a true man, when he had done his best, when he had exerted his noblest, his utmost, when he had seen his Herculean energies so terrifically repulsed, he yielded to the conqueror, displayed the white flag, said, "You are right, and I am wrong," and was baptized. This powerful man then turned his attention to the turning of his flock in the same direction, and multitudes of them came and were baptized. Being promptly called and ordained, he went among other congregations of his former brethren, and turned many of them from the error of their way into an acceptance of the great restoration, the true light that now shineth out of darkness to illumine the souls of the sons and daughters of men.

Another historical item deserving of attention here, and one that makes this Church of Jesus Christ as peculiar, is its belief that the New Jerusalem is to be located on this continent. What next! I

almost fancy I can hear you exclaim. Well, we find in Revelation 21 an account of two cities descending on the earth which you will observe by a careful reading, and if one is to be in Palestine it is not, in the first place, unreasonable that the other should be in some other land; here for instance. When the Book of Mormon came to light it was found in that that the New Jerusalem is to be built on this land, which made its believers very anxious to know on what part of the land it would be. In several revelations given, the Lord made reference to the same, promising that he would show them in time to come. In a revelation given here in February, 1831, the Lord said: "Thou shalt ask, and it shall be revealed unto you in mine own due time, where the New Jerusalem shall be built." As an indication of the direction of its location he said in the same revelation: "And even now, let him that goeth to the east, teach them that shall be converted to flee to the west."

In another revelation, given the following March, the Lord said again: "After your brethren come from the east, there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed." Forthwith a company was appointed and went up into the land of Missouri, and while there the Lord made good his promise in another revelation in which he said: "Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. . . . Behold the place which is now called Independence is the center place, and the spot for the temple is lying westward upon a lot which is not far from the court-house." This revelation was given in July of the same year.

Hence our people are now purchasing those lands and gathering there that they may become fitted, sanctified, and prepared for the coming of the Son of God.

But, my only mother, I must once more wish you all well, and resign my pen to its rest. Tender regards to all the family, to my inquiring friends, to father, who I am happy to note is believing my story. Hopefully and happily,

CEASE TO COMPLAIN.

BY H. J.

SOLON.

MONG the weaknesses and imperfections of fallen humanity is the reprehensible habit of complaining; especially so in the matter of aches and pains and bodily distress. This perhaps belongs more to this age than to some others. The ancient Greeks and Romans would blush to speak of such things, considering it a disgrace to be sick and ailing and a shame to call attention to it or to acknowledge that they were influenced by their sufferings.

Very few love or admire others because of ill health, but to the contrary hold them in a sort of a pitying contempt; especially if their attention is continually drawn to the subject by the parties themselves.

And yet there are hundreds of persons who love admiration, who