| 22 think, appropriate comparison, (which this moment presented itself to my mind,) between the early christian churches and those which did for a long time, and do at present prevail. The former represent a complete and perfect body; full life and vigor; wanting in no member; and all performing their respective functions with power and healthy action. The latter represent a body with some of the most important members amputated; and, in consequence of the loss of blood, (which is the life thereof,) occasioned thereby, become so debilitated and helpless, that even life itself is but seldom perceptible.
And this state of things, as was said before, is by permission. For man's salvation, it is clear, depends upon obedience; and is therefore, conditional. To substantiate this, I refer to the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy where blessings and curses were set before the twelve tribes. Blessings, if they would do all that the Lord commanded them; and curses, if they deviated from., and disregarded them.
We also see, by reference to the 11th chapter Romans, that the blessings under the gospel dispensation are no less conditional. For Paul, speaking of Israel and their infidelity, says verse 20th-"Well, because of unbelief they were broken off; and thou, (the Gentiles,) standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee." This passage clearly proves, that the gospel, with all its concomitants, into which the Gentiles were ingrafted [engrafted], need not have been thought perpetual with them, without a strict adherence to all its commands and requirements. Yet, notwithstanding this exhortation of the apostle; and when they are shorn of their former greatness, what do we hear? Why, that this state of things-this leanness, is not the consequence of transgression, but accords with the divine will and arrangement, and particular dispensation of the gospel. Alas, Alas! What unauthorized justification is this!!
And now, in conclusion of what is but the first entrance upon the whole subject, I will remark, that although I addressed this letter to you, I do not wish to be understood as dealing in personalities, but of things in general. Be assured that nothing could be farther from me than intentionally to offend. I only intended that, and nothing more, which I have often been exhorted to do that is, "to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints."
I remain as ever, affectionately yours, JOHN S. FULLMER.
HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
Continued.
The scene was now entirely changed, for a soon as the devil had departed form our friend, his countenance became natural, his distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the spirit of the Lord descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were opened to his view.-He afterwards related his experience as follows: "I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting upon me, and immediately the visions of heaven were opened to my view. I felt myself attracted upward, and remained for some time enwrapt [enwrapped] in contemplation, insomuch [inasmuch] that I knew not what was going on in the room. By and by I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and the side of my head; which served to recall me to a sense of my situation, and I found that the spirit of the Lord had actually caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder and head were pressing against the beams."
All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and satisfaction, when they saw the devil thus cast out; and the power of God and his holy spirit thus made manifest. So soon as consciousness returned, his body weakness was such that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed and wait upon him for some time. As may be expected, such a scene as this contributed much to make believers of those who witnessed it, and finally, the greater part of them became members of the Church.
Soon after this occurrence I returned to Fayette, Seneca County. The Book of Mormon, ('The stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim') had now been published for some time, and as the ancient prophet had predicted of it: "It was accounted as a strange thing." No small stir was created by its appearance; great opposition and much persecution followed the believers of the believers of its authenticity; but it had now come to pass the truth had sprung out of the earth; and righteousness had looked down from heaven-so we feared not our opponents, knowing that we had both truth and righteousness on our side; that we had both the Father and the Son, because we had the doctrines of Christ, and abided in them; and therefore we continued to preach, and to give information to all who were willing to hear.
During the last week in May, the above mentioned Newel Knight, came to visit us, at Fayette, and was baptized by David Whitmer.
On the first day of June, 1830, we held our first conference as an organized church. Our numbers were about thirty,,besides whom, many assembled with us, who were either believers, or anxious to hear.
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