Volume I.
Project Gutenberg HTML edition
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Smith, Joseph, Jr., and Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Preface. Introduction. Antiquity of the Gospel. The Gospel Revealed to Adam. Establishment of the Ancient Church. The Gospel Versus the Law. From Moses to John the Baptist and Messiah. The Dispensation of the Meridian of Time. The Identity of the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time and the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times Considered. Joel's Prophecy of the Dispensation of the Last Days. Daniel's Prophecy of the Rise of the Kingdom of God in the Last Days. The Announcement of the Universal Apostasy. Character of the Early Christians. The Rise of False Teachers. The Development of False Doctrines After the Death of the Apostles. The Revolution of the Fourth Century: Constantine. Christianity Made a Persecuting Religion. Persecution of "Heretics." Christianity Before and After Constantine. Decline in Moral and Spiritual Living Among Christians. Loss of Spiritual Gifts. Departure of "Christendom" from the True Doctrine of Deity. The Christian Doctrine of God. Paganization of the Christian Doctrine of God. The Church of Christ Displaced by the Churches of Men. Testimony of Prophecy to the Universal Apostasy. Conclusion.
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CHAPTER I.
Joseph Smith's Birth and LineageThe Prophet's First Vision"This is My Beloved Son."
The Prophet's Introduction Birth and Ancestry. Religious Excitement in Western New York. Reflection on Divided Christendom. Perplexity of the Prophet. The Promise of St. James Tested. Effort of Satan to Destroy the Prophet. The First Vision. State of Christian World. Sectarian opposition. Reflections Upon Sectarian Oppositions. All Doubts Settled.
CHAPTER II.
The Visitation of MoroniExistence of the Book of Mormon Made Known.
Interval of Three Years, 1820-23. Confession of Errors. Appearing of Moroni. Moroni's Message. Ancient Prophecies Quoted. Plates not to be Shown. Second Appearing of Moroni. Third Appearing of Moroni. Fourth Appearing of Moroni. The Hill Cumorah. The Nephite Record. Fourth Annual Visitation to Cumorah. Story of Being a Money Digger. The Prophet's Marriage.
CHAPTER III.
The Nephite Record Delivered to JosephThe Angel's Warning The Work of Translation.
The Prophet Receives the Plates. Efforts of Enemies to Get the Plates. Misrepresentations. Removal to Pennsylvania. Words of the Book given to the Learned. The Loss of 116 Pages of Manuscript. Prophet's Journey to Manchester and Return to Pennsylvania. Interpreters and Plates Returned to the Prophet. Interval in the Work of Translation. Three Witnesses Promised.
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CHAPTER IV.
Oliver Cowdery Becomes the Prophet's ScribeThe Translation of the Plates Continued.
Oliver Cowdery. Witness of the Spirit to Cowdery. The Mission of John the Apostle. Oliver desires to Translate.
CHAPTER V.
Restoration of the Aaronic PriesthoodFirst Baptisms.
The Aaronic Priesthood Restored. Limitation of the Aaronic Priesthood. John the Baptist, May 15, 1829. Outpourings of the Spirit. Ordination and Baptism Kept Secret. Conversion of Samuel H. Smith. Hyrum Smith's Inquiries. Assistance from Joseph Knight, Sen. Prophet's Removal to Fayette. David, John, and Peter Whitmer, Jun., as Assistants. Early Baptisms.
CHAPTER VI.
The Testimony of the Especial Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
Provision made for Special Witnesses. Seeking the Fulfillment of the Promise. The Order of Prayer. The Visitation of the AngelViewing the Plates. Martin Harris Views the Plates. Statement of the Witnesses. Early Progress in the Work.
CHAPTER VII.
The Day Appointed for Organizing the ChurchRevelation on Church Government.
Directions for the Organization of the Church. Instructions on Church Organization.
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CHAPTER VIII.
The Book of Mormon PublishedThe Church Organized.
Price for Publishing Book of Mormon. The Title Page. Procedure in the Organization of the Church. Joseph Smith, Jun., Appointed Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ Begins its Career. Word of the Lord to Several Persons.
CHAPTER IX.
The Commencement of the Public Ministry of the Church.
The First Public Discourse. The Prophet's Ministry at Colesville. Labors of the Prophet with Newel Knight. The First Miracle in the Church. Remarkable Experience of Newel Knight. Effect of Publishing the Book of Mormon. First Conference of the Church. Effect of Spiritual Manifestations. Baptisms. Labor of the Prophet at Colesville. The Adventures of Emily Coburn. Mobbings. The Prophet Arrested. The Prophet Escapes the Mob. Excitement over the Prophet's Case. The Trial. Daughters of Mr. Stoal as Witnesses. The Acquittal. The Prophet's second Arrest. Unnecessary Severity. The Second Trial. Newel Knight vs. Lawyer Seymour. Plea for the State. Plea for the Defendant. Change in Sentiment. The Prophet Acquitted.
CHAPTER X.
The Molestation at Colesville by MobsThe Revelation Embodying the vision of Moses.
The Second Flight from Colesville. Reflections on Persecution. The Strength which God gave. Encouragement from Inspired Dreams. Compilation of Revelations. Cowdery's Error. Prophet's Correction of Error.
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CHAPTER XI.
Further Light Respecting the SacramentProphet's Removal to Fayette.
Instructions on the Sacrament. A Confirmation Meeting. The Prophet's Father-in-law Embittered. The Eyes of Enemies Blinded Through Faith. The Prophet Finds an Asylum at Fayette. Spurious Revelations Through Hyrum Page. The Conference of September 26th. Satisfactory Results of the Conference. Mission to the Lamanites. Departure of the Lamanite Mission. Arrival at Kirtland. Previous Relations of Pratt and Rigdon. Presentation of the Book of Mormon to Sidney Rigdon. Public Ministry at Mentor. The Work Opened at Kirtland. Conversion of Sidney Rigdon.
CHAPTER XII.
Lost Books of Ancient ScriptureCommandment to the Church in New York to Move to Ohio.