| 56 move us, because we know that if they have hated the Master they will also hate the disciples. Such as are born of the bond woman will persecute them that are born of the free woman. But it seems like a discouraging effort to attempt to convince our opposers that we are persecuted, because editors and other philanthropic men are reluctant to tell to the public our side of the matter. They themselves would thereby become suspected of espousing our cause. Men are so sensitive on the subject of our religion that whoever speaks peaceably of it perils his influence and reputation. But hireling editors and priests will speak and publish against us.
You ask me to give an account of the faith which I have embraced. I believe that Jesus Christ is God, co-eternal with God the Father, and that such as have the knowledge of the gospel and believe upon him will be saved; and such as believe not will be damned. I believe the Old and New Testaments to be the word of God. I believe that every person should be born, not only of the spirit, but also of the water, in order to enter into the kingdom of God. There are three that bear witness on earth, as there are three that bear record in heaven.-The spirit, the water, and the blood, bear concurrent testimony to our obedience on earth; for the want of any one, or all of these witnesses on earth, in our favor, there will be no registry of our perfect acceptance in heaven. Hence the baptism for the dead. The righteous dead have a merciful provision made for them in the testimony of the three witnesses on earth, which secures a record of their perfect acceptance in heaven, without which they cannot attain to the highest glory. I believe in the resurrection of the dead, the righteous to life eternal, and the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt. I believe that repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, are among the elementary and cardinal truths of the gospel.
In some, and indeed many respects do we differ from sectarian denominations. We believe that God is a being that has both body and parts, and also passions. Also in the existance [existence] of the gifts, in the true church, spoken of in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. I believe that every church in gospel order has a priesthood, consisting of Prophets, Apostles, Elders, &c., and that the knowledge and power of a priesthood, ordained of God, as the ancient priesthood was, is indispensibly [indispensably] necessary to the prosperity of the church. I do not believe that the canon of sacred scripture was closed with the revelation of John; but that wherever God has a true church there he makes frequent revelation of his will; and as God takes cognizance of all things, both temporal and spiritual, his revelations will pertain to all things whereby his glory may be promoted, and the temporal and spiritual well being of his people is advanced. Any people that are destitute of the teachings of prophets and apostles, which come by immediate revelation, will soon fall into divisions and strifes, and depart from the truth as it is in Jesus.
You wish to know "what is the personal character and influence, doctrines and claims of him who is called the leader, Joseph Smith.-Joseph Smith, when the great designs of heaven were first made known to him, was not far from the age of seventeen. From that time to this he has had much said about him, both of a favorable and unfavorable nature. I shall only speak of his character as I believe it to be from an intimate acquaintance of more than one year; and from an intimate acquaintance with those who have been with him many years. No man is more narrowly watched by friends and enemies than Joseph Smith; consequently, if he were as as good a man as any prophet that has preceded him, he would have as violent enemies as others have had. But I hasten to give my own opinion. I firmly avow in the presence of God, that I believe Mr. Joseph Smith to be an upright man, that seeks the glory of God, in such a manner as is well pleasing to the Most High God. Naturally, he is kind and obliging, pitiful and courteous; as far from dissimulation as any man; frank and loquacious to all men, friends or foes. He seems to employ no studied effort to guard himself against misrepresentation, but often leaves himself exposed to misconstructions, by those who watch for faults. he is remarkably cheerful for one who has seen well tried friends martyred around him, and felt the inflictions of calumny-the vexation of law suits-the treachery of intimates-and multiplied violent attempts upon his persona and life, together with the cares of much business. His influence, after which you inquire, is very great. His friends are as ardently attached to him as his enemies are violently opposed. Free toleration is given to all opposing religions, but wherever he is accredited as a prophet of the living God, there you will perceive, his influence must be great. That lurking fear and suspicion that he may become a dictator, or despot gradually gives place to confidence and fondness, as believers become acquainted with him.
In doctrine Mr. Smith is eminently scriptural. I have never known him to deny or depreciate a single truth of the Old and New Testaments;
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