86 Day Saints from error, and false doctrines into which they have been led; among which are the following:
1. That Adam is God, "and the only God with whom we have to do," as taught by Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, volume 1, page 50, and elsewhere.
2. That polygamy, together with that document called a "revelation," dated July 12, 1843, is of God; as taught by Orson Pratt, in the Seers, and elsewhere by others.
3. Blood-atonement, that is, the killing of men by the chief elders of the church, in order to save them; as taught by Brigham Young and others.
4. That Brigham Young is the rightful successor of Joseph Smith, in the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; as claimed by himself, yourselves, and others.
5. That Utah is the place of safety, or place of Zion, and that the organization there, over which Brigham Young presides, is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; as taught in the Deseret News Journal of Discourses, Millennial Star, etc. All of which we deny.
We therefore invite you both or either of you, to come forward and discuss publicly with us, or one of us, the above principles and doctrines of your faith. If those principles are true and divine, all ought to know it; if they are false and pernicious, all ought also to know that.
And more especially is this course proper, since, in this country almost all great questions of the hour are publicly discussed. Of course you will affirm these propositions; but that the laboring oar may be equally shared by us, we in denying the first proposition, will affirm and undertake to prove that Adam-worship is idolatry, equal to that of the worship of Baal.
In denying the second thesis, we will prove that polygamy is abominable in the sight of the Lord, forbidden in the books that all Latter Day Saints profess to believe; and that the so-called revelation of July 12, 1843, is an invention, false in principle and pernicious in its influence, a fraud in its origin, neither genuine nor authentic.
In denying the third proposition we will prove that it is one of the doctrines of devils, and to obey it is a capital crime against the laws of God and man.
In denying the fourth proposition we will show that Joseph Smith, eldest son of Joseph Smith, is the rightful successor of his father in the presidency of the church, and that Brigham Young is an usurper, and the quorum organization under him are a conspiracy to rob the fatherless, the seed of Joseph of the birthright promised of the Lord, and that they are as a body or church, rejected of God.
In denying the fifth proposition we will affirm and prove that the "Reorganization" over which Joseph Smith, son of Joseph Smith, presides, is the true and only Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Authorities to be used in the discussion: the Bible, Book of Mormon, Book of Doctrine and Covenants; also church publications from A. D. 1830 to A. D. 1844.
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