Some of the changes that have been made, some of the variations in rendering are found in our version, which we all ascribe as the work of divine inspiration, are as follows: In Exodus 12 where it is said, "God plagued the people because they made the calf that Aaron made," ours says, "God plagued the people because they worshiped the calf that Aaron made." Where the authorized version says that if a thing dieth of itself, you shall not eat it, but sell it to the stranger within thy gates that he may eat of it, our translation says, "sell it not to the stranger within thy gates," etc. Where the authorized version in the book of Samuel says that, "The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord entered into him," the Inspired Translation by Joseph Smith makes this perfectly congruous by saying, "an evil spirit from Satan entered into him." Numerous are the corrections that are made after the foregoing examples found in both testaments; but not wishing to weary you with anything that I may have commented on in the past, I pass on..

I wish to say, as a strong presumptive evidence of the truth of this work, that our position is inflexibly what it was in 1830. Fourteen years have not caused us to go back on the Book of Mormon, or on any other feature of this work promulgated in its rise. The Book of Mormon, which was an object of ridicule for some time, and is yet, because of its bold pretensions respecting the former civilization on this continent, is now being confirmed by some very important discoveries that are reflecting great light on the attainments, developments, and possessions of the aboriginal inhabitants here. For example, the discovery of a set of plates called the Kinderhook Plates, is positive declaration that the ancients had a knowledge of engraving on metallic plates, something for some time held in doubt, if not derision. As one of the latest accessions of the church I might refer momentarily to vicarious baptism, a rite which was practiced in the river at the foot of Main Street here prior to the prophet's death. You have read in 1 Corinthians 15: 29, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead." Our people claim conformity existent between the text and the practice alluded to; that the text is an indication that there was in vogue in Paul's day the same identical performance. It is a link between the living and the dead, and permits those who died. unbaptized (who had not the opportunity in this life) to partake of that opportunity in the life beyond.

The consistency of this rite, which produces so much astonishment in the Rome-blinded masses of religionists, can not be denied unless we affirm that those dying without the gospel will be damned for their ignorance, or saved without the gospel. If it ascribes partiality to God for us to assume that he would damn millions of mankind for not obeying something they did not have the opportunity to obey, it ascribes to him no inconsiderable partiality to assume that he will save them on account of their ignorance. We shrink from the idea of God saving with the same salvation the human family who receive the gospel, and those who never heard it. We shrink from the idea of God consigning to endless torment

those of his creatures who reject the gospel, and then saving others of their fellow creatures unto whom the gospel was not sent; when had it been sent to them, it would, in the nature of things, have been likewise rejected.

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation; nothing else is. No man can be saved but by Christ, as the New Testament universally testifies. Therefore, if the gospel saves them not in this life, it must be in the life to come, if salvation be received. And as the gospel is composite, is made of various constituents, for example, baptism, repentance, etc., it follows that there must be a means of obeying those obligations in the life to come, hence we introduce baptism for the dead.

Have you noticed, mother, the passages in 1 Peter 3 and 4, where we are told that Christ preached the gospel to the dead, to the spirits in prison, to those who had lived in the days of Noah, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh (who are not dead), but live according to God in the spirit (in the spirit world)? It was but a short time previous to the murder of the modern seer that while eluding his enemies he wrote to the church on the same subject. His letters, two in number, embrace some items of revelation, and will eventually in an epistolary way find place among the standard documents for the government of the church, I fully believe. If I may pluck but one flower from the beatitude of his second epistle, I shall be satisfied. It reads: "Let the earth break forth in singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained before the world was that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prisons; for the prisoners shall go free. Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your eternal King. And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord, and ye solid rocks weep for joy. And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy." Such is the sublimity of the sentiments of him who has died for his religion. The calumnies of vile apostates have figured in hastening the death of Joseph. The lies and slanders of the notorious John C. Bennett, who was severed from the church here for his adulterous conduct, have contributed to stir up and to increase outside indignation. More recently the Laws and Fosters fell away because they found themselves powerless to run things to suit themselves. Out they came with a paper called the Expositor, but there was only one edition published. was filled with personalities and attacks directed at the leaders of the church. The city council promptly met, decided that it was a nuisance, and forthwith ordered its destruction. Said orders were summarily executed, and the plant was demolished. Joseph was then charged with riot. Being apprehensive of the consequences, fatal to himself, of going over to Carthage to encounter legal proceedings, he for some time observed a life of solitude. Whereupon the governor of the State pledged to him his protection from mob violence if he would deliver himself up for arraignment and due

The Old Jail at Carthage, Where Joseph and Hyrum Smith Were Assassinated.

He

inquiry into the charges preferred against him. He complied. He went, but with prophetic eye he descried the consequences. said, "I am going as a lamb to the slaughter, and it shall yet be said of me, he was murdered in cold blood." He bade his family and many others good-bye for the last time. Looking back on the city as he rode away, he gave utterance to these prophetic words: "This is the most beautiful place, and the best people under the heavens. Farewell, Nauvoo, farewell!"

No sooner did the appearances of his release become manifest, than he was taken into custody under a secondary charge of treason. And while awaiting the investigation of his case, in the which he was to be defended by the O. H. Browning who formerly evinced so much energy and sincerity on his behalf, he was murdered with his brother Hyrum.

The bodies were returned to Nauvoo on the following day. They were united in life, and kept side by side in death. The father of the martyrs, as I believe you are aware, died after he came to this city, and his patriarchal office descended to his son Hyrum. The mother of the martyrs, Sr. Lucy Smith, is still living, and was present to behold the mangled bodies of her sons. I saw her the other day as I rounded their corner. She stood near the east gate, and I could readily discern the evidences on her countenance of sorrow and trouble. Yet when I spoke to her she answered me with her usual cheerfulness, regarding me with a smile. Extending her hand she said, "Solon, how are you?" "Very well, Grandma," I answered.

"How are you surviving the shock?" I inquired.

"I feel worn and fatigued," she rejoined, "but never have I felt nearer to God, and it seems that he has made to Emma and me alike a special bestowment of his Spirit that we might subsist under the burden. My confidence in God is not shaken, nor is my courage abated.

"At first I could hardly understand why the infant church should be deprived of its prophet and leader. When I entered the room to behold the bodies of my sons after they were laid out, and when I looked upon them amidst the weeping of mothers, and the sobs of heart-broken children, I exclaimed to the Lord in the anguish of my soul, My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken this family? A voice answered, 'I have taken them unto me that they might have rest.' It seems strange that they should be taken away in such an unnatural way; but we must not repine, for God is able to take care of his work, and besides we know that latter-day martyrs are no better than former-day martyrs, and as the former-day dispensation could not come and go without its myriads of martyrs, it is reasonable to expect that if this is a dispensation of the same gospel that it would be marked with like consequences."

"What step do you think will be taken, Grandma," I inquired, "providing for the leadership of the church till young Joseph is of age or attains to sufficient development to take his father's place?" "I can not tell you, my brother," she returned, "the work must go on, and there must be some recognized instrumentality through

General reve

which revelation may be given for our government. lations are of less frequency as the age of the church increases; every revelation adds to the perfection of its doctrine or organization, but such a thing as a subsistence of the church without any divine direction of the import of those constituting our Doctrine and Covenants till Joseph should become sufficiently matured to assume the prerogatives of his father, is indeed unthinkable. In that case it is a matter, not of successorship, but of guardianship. First, should there be a guardianship, and should that function be vested in one man? It is possible that all will be amicably adjusted in the course of a few weeks when the quorums have time to assemble. One thing, the understanding among the Saints is seemingly uniform as to successorship-that little Joseph will, when he becomes old enough, fill his father's position. Were you present, Solon, at that grand session when Joseph led little Joseph on the stand and designated him as the future prophet and leader of the church?"

"Yes, Grandma, I was, and as soon as the news of his death troubled my ear, my mind reverted to that occasion. I have also heard of his blessing of the lad while in jail, and also in the city here more recently, for the presidential vacancy foreseen by the father. We know how David was selected and anointed before he was coronated, which latter event took place following the decease of Saul, which prospective blessing is obviously for the security of the commonwealth against intruders and usurpers."

May peace abide with you and all our family. Be not uneasy about me or the welfare of Zion. God is able to perpetuate his work. All will end well. Pray for me and I will advise you as I shall feel directed, but I will not come till I see what the present disorder and discontent will entail.

Your loving

SOLON.

O

(To be continued.)

OPEN YOUR LAMPS.

VIDA E. SMITH.

PEN your lamps! Open them wide! Just the cry of a little boy in the shadowy twilight season, so restful to the older children of the world, so full of discomfort to little ones.

The love of sunshine and light is natural to the children. The deepness of earth's shadow is unfathomed, unknown; even the gray of rainy days tries and perplexes. They ask not, "Why the sunshine? I wish the light was gone." Rather they cry, "Why the rain? How long will be the dark?" Appreciation of such things must be taught. I see in memory a little child with uplifted hands crying in loving welcome, "O, my sunshine, I am so glad you have come back." And often when tempted to abandon some duty, I hear my little man-friend shouting, "Open your lamp! Open it wide!"