| 52 the demeanor and character of those who surrounded the Ancient Saints. The result of my observation seemed to be that even Jesus Christ had many objectionable points of character to those who observed him: those who were reputedly most conversant with Abraham, Moses, and other prophets of the Lord, pronounce him unfit for the respect and confidence of a pious community: and why did such men find so many objectionable points in the character and conduct of Jesus Christ? For substantially the same reasons that men of high intelligence and devotion find fault with Joseph Smith and his doctrines. Those who bore down with heavy opposition to Jesus Christ were honorable men, whose genealogy took in the worthiest ancestry: they were the orthodox expositors of revealed truth. Those who now oppose Joseph Smith, (a person ordained and sent forth by Jesus Christ,) occupy the same high and respectable standing, and manifest a similar bearing towards the reputed impostor of the present day. The ancient worthies were the repositories of learning, and so are the modern worthies. The ancients taught many things according to truth and godliness, and verily believed they were substantially right in faith and practice; this is also true of modern religious teachers.
But in reply to my own question, why the ancient religionists opposed Jesus Christ, I answer, in the first place they mistook his true character and conduct. In the second place they were palpably ignorant of the wisdom and godliness of many things in the character and conduct of Jesus Christ; they considered that there was absolutely a wide difference in the views and conduct of Jesus Christ and themselves. The same is true of many distinguished opposers to Mr. Smith: they consider that there is an irreconcileable [irreconcilable] between themselves and Mr. Smith; and Mr. Smith of course is in the wrong, and they are in the right. Now let us consider first, wherein the ancients mistook the character of Jesus Christ, and modern opposers to Mr. Smith do the same of him. The true character of Jesus Christ was very imperfectly known to those who opposed him in his own time. Many impostors that had preceded, had guarded the public mind against a repetition of further abuse. He was eyed with dark suspicion wherever he went; it may well be supposed that sage precaution against him was vehemently urged, lest through his great subtelty [subtlety] might mislead even some that were respectable.
And what could he do to disabuse the public mind-prejudice and calumny outrun and prepared a thorny reception for him in all places; and so thick and dark was the fog and cloud of misapprehension and falsehood that followed him, that dark suspicions and foul inferences would obtrude upon the minds even of the honest to weaken their convictions in his behalf, and shake their conclusions: the tale of calumny never lost in sharpness and effect by time nor distance. Those who had not the privilege of a personal acquaintance with Jesus, might be supposed to have no interest in favoring a personage, whose pretensions if countenanced would disturb their quietude, and impugn their motives, and threaten the prosperity of a system that they supposed as old as the days of Abraham, and teachings as orthodox as the sayings of Moses. But whatever was said or done by Jesus that could possibly be construed by prejudiced minds to his disadvantage, these things were heeded with readiness and published in the social circle and rivited [riveted] the butt of ridicule upon every mind; and those who loved a laugh at the expense of the innocent, could furnish stock for the purpose by retailing tales about the supposed impostor, that had their origin in misapprehension and falsehood. But they were well received and cheered by those who affected grave reverance [reverence] the Supreme Deity, while they could trample with scorn (unconsciously) upon the brightness of his glory in the person of his Son.
Now let me ask if the character and conduct of Mr. Smith, is not equally misunderstood by modern religionists-Mr. Smith only claims to be a prophet raised up to usher in the last dispensation; while Jesus Christ was more obnoxious in proportion to the superior magnitude of his claims as the Son of God. How difficult it is for persons in the present age, to form a correct estimate of the true character and views of Mr. Smith. The public mind is always forestalled concerning him. It is taken to be sound orthodoxy that there is no more need of prophets or revelations; the canon of scripture is full: consequently the man that will claim to be a prophet or revelator and seer, must be a base impostor and knave. With this educational prejudice sanctioned by the best men for a thousand years past, and riveted by solemn vows to abide in orthodoxy, they see as though they heard not. If excellent things are taught by Mr. Smith, it is considered more detestable and dangerous, because say they, if he did not mix so much good with his system he would not be so dangerous and so likely to deceive. Again can the people of this
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