1839-11-15-Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate-The Mormons
The Mormons
by J. H. Gihon, Evangelical Magazine and Gospel Advocate, v10, n46, 15 November 1839, p. 364-365.
For the Magazine and Advocate.
Under this head an article appeared in the Magazine of the 6th ult., written by H. R. Schetterly, of Utica, Mich. The author's design is to give an explanation of "the religious opinions" of the Mormons, or as they now very modestly designate themselves, "the Latter day Saints." His information was derived, we are informed, "from an attentive perusal of some of their publications, and more especially, from a protracted and friendly conversation with one of their Elders."
As I, too, have had some considerable conversation with a Mormon Elder, both of a friendly and an unfriendly character, and as I have attentively perused some Mormon writings, and believe that I have some knowledge concerning both the faith and character of the Mormons, I have thought proper to follow the example of Dr. S., by penning a short article on this subject.
Dr. S. says, "The Latter day Saints are Restorationists to the fullest extent." And after noticing their pretensions in regard to the working of miracles, and having "direct revelations," and "visions," and seeing wonderful "signs in the heavens," he observes, "in all of which I believe they are sincere." Concerning these two particulars, I have arrived at a very different conclusion. I do not believe these people are Restorationists in any sense, much less "to the fullest extent." Neither can I award them the meed of sincerity in their absurd and wicked petensions.
In the Mormon Bible, a work which Mormons consider a key to the Old and New Testaments, without the aid of which their mysteries can not be unlocked, or their teachings understood, (a work, too, containing many expressions which every intelligent Universalist must pronounce ridiculous and blasphemous in the extreme,) we find the sentence of "eternal damnation" virtually pronounced upon all who reject its wretched and absurd teachings. And this phrase, "eternal damnation," is evidently employed in the popular sense, and understood by Mormons as significant of endless wretchedness. Surely there is not much Restorationism about this. One Elder Brown might have told Dr. S. that he was a "Restorationist to the fullest extent;" and he might have been perfectly honest in so doing, for aught I know to the contrary. So, also, however, did one Elder Winchester tell me precisely the same thing in substance; but he afterwards, in my presence, publicly denied not only this sentiment, but that he had ever told me he believed it.
From all that I can learn of these people, their faith is somewhat like a weather-cock, continually shifting its position. When partaking of the bounty of a Universalist, they are "Restorationists to the fullest extent." When quartering with the Baptists, there is a perfect agreement between them in sentiment. But when associating with the enemies of Universalism or the doctrines of the Baptist church, these are the most absurd things in existence.
Elder Winchester, a preacher who has been remarkably successful among a certain class of people, called at my house some months ago to solicit the use of the church of which I have control, for an evening lecture. During our interview, which lasted some hours, he gave me to understand that according to his belief, mankind universally will finally be saved. He stated, however, that there had been a universal falling away from the primitive church—that all religious sects were in error bu their own—and that the Mormons, who were the only true believers, were appointed by, and inspired of, God to restore the church to its primitive purity. He said that none were true believers but those who could show the signs which Jesus declared should follow faith, and they were the only people who could show those signs; and much more such nonsense, too tedious to repeat, he gave me as the belief of the "Latter day Saints."
Being willing that this man should be heard by the people, I granted him the use of our church, and circulated a notice of his meeting. The evening came, and the house was filled in every part. Having heard that the Baptists would constitute the larger portion of the congregation, he so contrived as to convince them that he was a real, genuine Baptist, and they one and all hailed him as a true Gospel preacher. His sermon, if so it can be called, was pointedly directed against the very sentiment which he assured me was one of the principle items of his faith; and for more than an hour he continued to pour out a stream of the most bitter invective against Universalism—defying any one to disprove his foolish positions and gratuitous assumptions. In answer to his repeated challenges, I made a few remarks when he had closed, which so aroused the old man within him, that he was worked up into a fury,and before he left us, he gave us substantial reason to believe that his inspiration partook more of the spirit of the devil, than of the Master whom he professed to follow.
