Joseph Smith Jr. was profoundly affected by this intense excitement, and was particularly puzzled and troubled over the spirit of confusion and contention manifest through it all. As our present subject has to do with him specifically, and in view of the transcendent importance of his testimony to the world, his own account of what ensued is given herewith.

"Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties"

"For notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real," he writes. "I was at this time in my fifteenth year. A scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued; priest contending against priest, and convert against convert"; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.

My father's family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church. "During this time of great excitement, my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness," he said. "My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant"

The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of either reason or sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. "In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself, What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?"

"Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine," he said. "At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God," he added. "So, in accordance with this, my determination to Ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt"

"It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally," he writes. "I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak" "It seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction," he adds.

"Just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me" "It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound" "My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join"

"No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right—and which I should join," he wrote. "I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong," he said.

"Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement," he said. "I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying, it was all of the devil"

"I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion," he said. "It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over 14 years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance"

But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself. "However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice"

I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me. I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. While they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seena vision, and who am I that I can withstand God? I could not deny it, neither dared I do it, at least I would offend God, and come under condemnation. "I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was

I had found the testimony of James to be true, that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided. In this wise was ushered in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. In the spring of A.D. 1820 there was one mortal, a boy not quite fifteen years old, who knew as well as that he lived, that the current human conception of Deity as an incorporeal essence of something possessing neither definite shape nor tangible substance was incomprehensible. The boy Joseph knew that both the Eternal Father and His glorified Son, Jesus Christ, were in form and stature, perfect Men; and that in Their physical likeness mankind had been created in the flesh.

He knew further that the Father and the Son were individual Personages, each distinct from the other. This resplendent theophany confirmed the fact of a universal apostasy, with the inevitable corollary—that the Church of Christ was nowhere existent upon the earth. It effectively dissipated the delusion that direct revelation from the heavens had forever ceased; and affirmatively proved the actuality of personal communication between God and mortals. For the fourth time since the Savior's birth in the flesh, the voice of the Father had attested the Son's authority in matters pertaining to earth and man. He realized that the unity of the Godhead was a oneness of perfection in purpose, plan, and action, as the scriptures

In this latter-day revelation of Himself, as on the earlier occasions, the Father did no more than affirm the fact of the Son's identity, and command that He be obeyed. For about three and a half years following the glorious appearing of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith, the youthful revelator was left to himself, so far as further manifestations from heaven were concerned. The period was one of probation. He was subjected to the sneers of youths of his age, and to aggressive persecution on the part of older men, "who," as he very justly and somewhat accusingly remarks, "ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly"

He pursued his usual vocation, that of farm work in association with his father and brothers. In spite of raillery, abuse, and denunciation from the community at large he remained firm and faithful in his solemn avouchment that he had seen and heard both the Eternal Father and Jesus the Christ. On the night of the 21st of September 1823, while engaged in fervent prayer to God in the solitude of his chamber, Joseph observed the room become illuminated until the light exceeded that of a cloudless noon. A glorious personage appeared within the room, standing a little space above the floor. Both the body of the visitant and the loose robe he wore were of exquisite whiteness.

Calling Joseph by name he announced himself as Moroni, "a messenger sent from the presence of God"; and informed the young man that the Lord had a work for him to do. The angel told of a record engraven on plates of gold, which contained an account of the former inhabitants of the American continent, and the fulness of the everlasting gospel as delivered by the Savior to those ancient people. The place at which the plates and the other sacred things were deposited was shown to Joseph in vision, and so clear was the demonstration that he readily recognized the spot when he visited it next day.

The angel quoted several passages from the Old and one from the New Testament, some verbatim, and some with small variations from the Biblical version. Joseph's statement concerning the scriptures cited by Moroni is as follows: "He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi, and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles"

"He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers," he said. "In addition to these, he quoted the eleventh chapter of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled. He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses, precisely as they stand in our New Testament" He said that that prophet was Christ; but the day had not yet come when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people, but soon would come. "He also said that this was not yet fulfilled but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gent

Twice during the same night, however, the angel returned, each time repeating what had been said at his first appearing and adding words of instruction and caution. On the next day Moroni appeared to the young man again, and directed him to inform his father of the visitations and commandments he had received. Joseph then went to the locality specified by the angel, on the side of a hill called in the record Cumorah, and immediately identified the spot that had been shown him in vision. By the aid of a lever he removed a large stone, which proved to be the cover of a stone box wherein lay the plates and other articles described by Moroni. The angel appeared at the place, and forbade Joseph to remove the

Four years later, the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate were delivered into Joseph's keeping by the angel Moroni. On the 15th of May, 1829, Joseph Smith and his scribe in the work of translating the Nephite record, Oliver Cowdery, retired to a secluded glade to pray. That record, or, strictly speaking a part thereof, is now accessible to all; it has been translated through divine instrumentality and is now published in many languages as the Book of Mormon.

Their special purpose was to inquire of the Lord concerning the ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins, some account of which they had found on the plates. The angelic visitor stated that his name was John, the same who is designated in the New Testament, John the Baptist. He had acted in ordaining the two under the direction of Peter, James, and John, who held the keys of the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood.

He explained that the Aaronic Priesthood did not comprize "the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost"; but predicted that the Higher Priesthood, having this power, would be conferred later. By his express direction, Joseph baptized Oliver, and the latter in turn baptized Joseph, by immersion in water. Peter, James, and John conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained them to the Holy Apostleship.

In a later revelation the Lord Jesus specifically acknowledges the respective ordinations as having been done by His will and commandment. "Which John I have sent unto you, my servants, Joseph Smith, jun., and Oliver Cowdery, to ordain you unto this first priesthood which you have received, that you might be called and ordained even as Aaron"

On the sixth day of April A.D. 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized, at Fayette, Seneca county, New York, in accordance with the secular law governing the establishment of religious associations. The persons actually participating in the organization numbered but six, such being the minimum required by law in such an undertaking. Many others were present however, some of whom had already received the ordinance of baptism for the remission of sins.

By revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord had previously specified the day on which the organization was to be effected. The Lord had made known His plan of Church government, with detailed instructions as to the requisite conditions for membership. The exact procedure to be followed in the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The order of Church discipline, and the method of transferring members from one branch to another. The manner of confirming baptized believers as members of the Church. The duties of elders, priests, teachers, and deacons.

The baptized converts present at the organization were called upon to express their acceptance or rejection of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as elders in the Church. In accordance with the unanimous vote in the affirmative the ordination or setting apart of these two men as respectively first and second elder in the new organization was performed. While the Book of Mormon had been in course of translation, particularly during the two years immediately preceding the organization of the Church, several revelations had been given through Joseph the prophet and seer, relating to the work of translation. The Author of these several revelations declared himself definitely to be Jesus Christ, God, the Son of God and the Redeemer.

As early as A.D. 1829, the calling of the Twelve Apostles was indicated, and appointment was made for the searching out of them. These were subsequently ordained to the Holy Apostleship, and the council or quorum of the 12 has been recognized. In such manner has the Church of Jesus Christ been reestablished upon the earth, with all the powers and authority. as committed by the Lord Jesus to His apostles in the period of His personal ministry. The inauguration of a new dispensation of the gospel, with a restoration of the Priesthood, was absolutely necessary.

John the Revelator saw in his vision of the last days an angel bringing anew "the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth" Such an angelic embassage would have been but a needless and empty display, and therefore an impossibility, had the everlasting gospel remained upon the earth with its powers of priesthood perpetuated by succession. The scriptural assurances of a restoration through direct bestowal from the heavens is conclusive proof of the actuality of the universal apostasy.

Moroni came to Joseph Smith as "a messenger sent from the presence of God," and delivered a record containing "the fulness of the everlasting gospel" as it had been imparted to the Lord's people in ancient times. The world-wide distribution of the Book of Mormon, and of other publications embodying the revealed word in modern times, and the ministry of thousands who labor in the authority of the Holy Priesthood combine as the loud voice addressed to every nation, crying: "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come"

A marvelous manifestation was granted to the prophet and his associate in the presidency of the Church, Sidney Rigdon, the record of which appears as follows. "By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God" "Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son" "The record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision"

Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice of the Son of Man, and shall come forth. Now this caused us to marvel, for it was given unto us of the Spirit. While we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.

"We saw him, even on the right hand of God, and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father" "The Lord showed unto His servants and proclaimed aloud the fate of the wicked and the characteristic features of the varied degrees of glory provided for the souls of mankind in the hereafter" "Several states of graded honor and exaltation pertaining to the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial kingdoms were revealed" "Ancient scriptures relating thereto were illumined with the new light of simplicity and literalness"

The temple at Kirtland stands today, a substantial and stately building; but it is no longer in possession of the people who reared it by unmeasured sacrifice of time, substance, and effort extending through years of self-denial and suffering. Be it understood that to the Latter-day Saints a temple is more than chapel, church, tabernacle, or cathedral. It is no place of common assembly even for purposes of congregational worship, but an edifice sacred to the ordinances of the Holy Priesthood—distinctively and essentially a House of the Lord.

Its corner-stones were laid July 23, 1833, and the completed structure was dedicated March 27, 1836. The dedicatory service was made ever memorable by a Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord accompanied by the visible presence of angels. The prophet Joseph and his counselor, Oliver Cowdery, retired for prayer within the veils enclosing the platform and pulpit reserved for the presiding authorities of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

We saw the Lord standing upon the breast work of the pulpit, before us, and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire, the hair of his head was white like the pure snow, his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters. Behold, your sins are forgiven you, you are clean before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice.

For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here, and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house. Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice. If my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house, Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed. Amen."

After the Savior's withdrawal, the two mortal prophets were visited by glorified beings, each of whom had officiated on earth as a specially commissioned servant of Jehovah. Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. After this, Elias appeared,. and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying, that in us and our seed, all generations after us should be blessed. This is the record: "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us"

After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us, for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us. Therefore the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands, and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors. JESUS THE CHRIST IS WITH HIS CHURCH TODAY.

Joseph, the prophet, and his brother Hyrum, the patriarch of the Church, were brutally slain as martyrs to the truth at Carthage, Illinois, June 27, 1844. In spite of persecution both mobocratic and judicially sanctioned, in spite of assaults, drivings, and slaughter, the Church has developed with marvelous rapidity and strength since the day of its organization.

But the Lord raised up others to succeed them; and the world learned in part and yet shall know beyond all question that the Church so miraculously established in the last days is not the church of Joseph Smith nor of any other man, but in literal verity, the Church of Jesus Christ. The Lord has continued to make known His mind and will through prophets, seers, and revelators whom He has successively chosen and appointed to lead His people. The voice of divine revelation is heard in the Church today. The spiritual gifts and blessings of old are again enjoyed in rich abundance.

New scriptures, primarily directed to present duties and current developments in the purposes of God, yet which illuminate and make plain in simplicity the scriptures of old, have been given to the world. The predicted gathering of Israel from their long dispersion is in progress under the commission given by the Lord through Moses. The united membership of the Church proclaims: "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God"

The "mountain of the Lord's house" is already established in the top of the mountains, and all peoples flow unto it. Within sacred temples, the living are officiating vicariously in behalf of the dead. The saving gospel is offered freely to all, for so hath its Author commanded.

Through the medium of the press, and by the personal ministrations of men invested with the Holy Priesthood, this Gospel of the Kingdom is today preached throughout the world. When such witness among the nations is made complete, "then shall the end come," and the nations "shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory"

And unto Noah also was a dispensation given; for Jesus said, 'As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the times of the coming of the Son of Man' As the righteous were saved then, and the wicked destroyed, so it will be now. "—See Millennial Star, vol. 16, p. 220. Limitations of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were given the Lesser or Aaronic Priesthood. The officiating angel explained that the authority he had imparted did not extend to the laying-on of hands for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost. The latter ordinance was a function of the Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood, according to the Bible.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had been ordained to the Holy Apostleship, by Peter, James, and John. When they received the Melchizedek Priesthood from the three ancient apostles, there was no organized Church of Jesus Christ. As soon as the Church was established, officers were chosen therein and these were ordained.

It is pertinent to point out that in conferring upon Joseph and Oliver the Aaronic Priesthood, John the Baptist did not ordain them to the office of priest, teacher, or deacon. Read Doc. and Cov. 20:38-67; The Articles of Faith, xi. 4.

In the valleys of Utah the Church has erected four great temples, each more stately than the last. The temples of the present dispensation are those of Kirtland, Ohio; Nauvoo, Illinois; St. George, Logan, Manti, and Salt Lake City, Utah; Cardston, Canada, and Laie, Hawaii. See The House of the Lord, pp. 63-232.

The keys of the Aaronic order, comprizing authority to baptize for the remission of sins, were brought by John the Baptist. Moses conferred the authority to prosecute the work of gathering; and Elijah, who, not having tasted death, held a peculiar relation to both the living and the dead, delivered the authority of vicarious ministry for the departed. To these appointments by heavenly authority should be added that given by Elias, who appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and "committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham"

It is evident, then, that the claims made by the Church with respect to its authority are complete and consistent as to the source of the powers professed and the channels through which such have been delivered again to earth. Scripture and revelation, both ancient and modern, support as an unalterable law the principle that no one can delegate to another an authority which the giver does not possess. The Higher or Melchizedek Priesthood was held by the patriarchs from Adam to Moses.

From the ministry of Moses to that of Jesus Christ, the Lesser Priesthood alone was operative upon the earth. Only the instances of specially delegated authority of the higher order such as is manifest in the ministrations of certain chosen prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others. These prophets, seers, and revelators were individually and specially commissioned; but it appears that they had not authority to call and ordain successors. In their time the Higher Priesthood was not existent on earth in an organized state with duly officered quorums. Not so with the Aaronic and Levitical Priesthood, however. The matter is made particularly plain through latter-day revelation. See Doc. and Cov. 84:

For earlier instances, see pages 126, 371, 725. See B. of M., Mormon 6:6; Moroni 10:2. P. of G.P., Joseph Smith 2:29-54, 59; also "History of the Church," vol. 1, pp. 10-16, 18. See Doc. and Cov. 20:2, 3; compare 21:11.

See "The House of the Lord," pages 114-123. See "Plan of Government in the Restored Church," in "The Articles of Faith," xi:13-32. See Isa. 2:2, 3; compare Micah 4:1, 2; see also Doc. and Cov. 29:8.