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LIVING APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.

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side of the Atlantic, to favor us frequently with the testimonies of truth in the spirit of Zion, which is the bread of life to strengthen us all.

We also request the kindly co-operation of all Saints and friends of truth every where, to assist in extending the circulation of our little journal, which will not only contain such counsel as may be necessary from time to time for the guidance of the work in these Missions, but also such of the current news as we hope will render it generally interesting. The Saints will find it much to their advantage to promote its circulation among their neighbors and friends so far as practicable.

Many and great are the blessings that have been poured out upon the Saints in these Missions, and blessed indeed are they who in the light of the Holy Spirit have appreciated and improved upon them; such are increasing in faith and in the favor of God daily. The Presidency and Twelve have cared for you and your welfare as with the tenderness which they bear towards their own children; indeed, they have sent their own beloved sons to bring the words of life and to minister salvation among you. What more tender regard could President Young and his brethren evince towards the Saints scattered abroad, than they have done in this thing?

The labors of our predecessor, President B. Young, jun., have been greatly blessed in these lands. His acquaintance and influence have been continually increasing and extending on every hand, as evidenced by the confidence of the Saints throughout these Missions, and that of the Territory reposed in him as Commissioner to the Paris Exposition; and also by the invitation of scientific gentlemen in Paris extended to him to lecture on Utah, her resources, and policy, together with an extensive and favorable acquaintance with persons of influence and position made while travelling in several different states of Europe, in most of which he was accompanied by his faithful and affectionate brother John W. Young, whose labors will long be remembered by many Saints, and especially by Elders in difficult circumstances or feeble health, to whom, like a son of consolatian or an angel of mercy, he was ever ready to administer as circumstances rendered advisable. We have ourself experienced solace and comfort in the refreshing society of these our brethren, and hope for them a future of great usefulness and valuable service for Zion.

In assuming the responsibilities which now devolve upon us, we feel deeply sensible that no man can do the work of the Lord except God be with him." We therefore desire the faith and prayers of the Saints in our behalf, that we may be an instrument in the hands of God to impart information and blessing which shall benefit our readers not only in the present time, but in eternity also.

FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS.

LIVING APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.

To believe in a Church having living Apostles, Prophets, gifts and blessings in this enlightened age, is looked upon as delusion and fanaticism. On the

other hand, to pretend to believe in dead ones is considered wise, prudent, and popular.

In the meridian of time the Jews be

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LIVING APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.

lieved in dead Prophets, but not in
living ones; but according to the say-
ing of Jesus, they did not understand
the prophecies which they professed
to receive, for he said, if ye believe
the Prophets, ye would believe in me,
"for they are they which testify of
me."
As it was with the Jews of old,
so it is with the Christians in this age;
if they understood the teachings of the
ancient Apostles, they would believe
in living Apostles, Prophets, gifts and
blessings, as long as the Church exists
upon the earth.
Paul says (Eph. iv,
8, 11) that the Lord gave gifts to men,
in the Church, such as Apostles, Pro- |
phets, Evangelists, Pastors, &c. To
what purpose were those gifts given?
"For the perfecting of the Saints."
How long were they to continue?
Until the Saints were brought to "the
unity of the faith, and the knowledge
of the Son of God." Are professing
Christians perfect ? Are they united
in all things? Are they in possession
of the knowledge of the Son of God?
The heavens and the earth answer,
No. Then, if we believe Paul, we
need Apostles and Prophets, and the
gifts and blessings of the Holy Ghost,
as well as the Scriptures, so that we
may not be "tossed to and fro, and
carried about by every wind of doc-
trine," as we find this generation who
are full of priestcraft and religious
contention; as one of the Apostles
said, they are "always learning, but
never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth."

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for salvation, to his astonishment two heavenly personages appeared and conversed with him face to face, one of whom pointing to the other said, "This is my beloved Son, hear ye him;" but the answer to his prayer was, that all men had gone astray from God, and he was not to unite with any of the sects, as they were but religions of men. They further said that the time was nigh at hand when the Lord would set up his kingdom upon the earth, and that he was to be the instrument in the hands of God to commence that great and marvellous work and a wonder, even the gathering of the righteous from all nations. This favored one of God was thus permitted to see the Savior, that he might be a special witness of him in this last dispensation.

But before he was permitted to officiate in the ministry, like unto the Savior himself, he had to be baptized in water; and as the earth was destitute of men with authority to baptize, John the Baptist, who held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, came according to the order of heaven, and conferred that authority upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, by ordination, and commanded them to baptize each other in water by immersion for the remission of sins. After this they were favored with another heavenly visit, even from Peter, James, and John, by whom they were ordained Apostles, and especial witnesses of the name of the Lord. Joseph Smith sent as a messenger clothed with the heavenly power, an Apostle, and a witness of Jesus Christ, calling upon all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to repent of their sins and be baptized in water for the remission of the same, promising to the obedient, like the Apostles of old, that they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Thus was

The question might very reasonably be asked, inasmuch as Apostles have ceased to continue, and the Scriptures declare the necessity of Apostles and Prophets, as well as Evangelists, Pastors, &c., to perfect the people of God, How could they be restored again to the earth? I will answer, not through the wisdom of man, neither by his taking the honor unto himself, but in the Lord's own appointed way. Joseph After the set time had come, Joseph Smith, while but a boy, and unlearned, commenced his mission by bearing his came forth on the continent of Ame- testimony to what he had seen and rica, declaring to all men of all grades heard. Hundreds and thousands were and nations, that while in the woods ready to receive the truth, they were secretly inquiring of the Lord to guide baptized, the hands of the Apostles his youthful footsteps, and reveal un- were laid upon them, like unto those to him which sect out of so many was in Samaria, for the reception of the the right one, so that he might unite Holy Ghost. The Lord acknowledged with the same, as he was a candidate | the administration, the Holy Ghost

INCORRECT.

was showered upon the people, until they spoke in new tongues and pro phesied, the heavens were opened, and the mysteries thereof were made plain. The Holy Ghost called many to the ministry who were ordained under the hands of the Apostles of God as in days of old, and God gave gifts to men, Apostles, Prophets, Seventies, Elders, Evangelists, Pastors, &c., who went forth in the name of the Lord among all nations, endowed with the same power, bearing the same testimony. The Lord went forth with them, and confirmed the word by signs and wonders following them that believed. The blind received his sight, the dumb spake, the lame walked, and the sick were healed through the prayer of faith and the anointing with oil, as in the days of the former Apostles.

Like all other Apostles and Prophets, Joseph Smith was willing to seal his testimony with his blood, and give his life as a martyr to the truth, and not he alone, but his brother Hyrum, as well as many others. Did this stop the work which he had commenced? Verily, no. The Lord had another Apostle ready and well trained to wear the mantle of Joseph, and, like unto Moses, to lead Israel and to gather the righteous from all nations: that is Brigham Young, whose name is spoken for good and for evil, as Joseph told him it would be, among all nations.

To those who believe the Scriptures to be a true history of the hand dealing of God with his people, are the declarations of Joseph Smith impossible or unreasonable? As a Scripture believer, I answer no. If it is reasonable to believe that an angel came to Cornelius in answer to his prayers, to instruct him to send for Peter, who would tell him what to do, why not as reasonable for an angel to come to Joseph? If Elias could appear unto Zacharias, and promise him a son by Elizabeth, who was barren and strick

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en in years, saying his name should be John, and that he should be filled with the spirit of Elias, why could not John come to Joseph and Oliver Cowdery to ordain them? If Moses and Elias could find their way back to meet Jesus, Peter, James, and John, on the top of the high mountain, when Peter cried out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here, let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias," why not just as easy and reasonable for Peter, James, and John, to come back and restore that which was lost from the earth, even the Apostleship? If it were possible for Paul's testimony to be true, that the Savior appeared unto him while he was an open enemy unto him, and that, too, when the Lord had Apostles and many servants upon the earth already, why not equally as possible that the Savior should appear unto Joseph Smith in this age of the world, so that he might be a special witness of Him unto this dark and wicked generation, when there was not a man upon the earth that could say positively that Jesus was the Christ? This is called a delusion. If it is, it is a very happy delusion, very pleasant and agreeable. Surely delusion must be the wrong name for it. There cannot be much imposition when the heavens are open to our view, and the mysteries thereof are revealed, when the sick are healed and the dumb speak, and those who were once blind can now see, and those who were in darkness are now in the light. The old monster, the fear of death, has had to disappear, until we are all made free, and to rejoice by day and by night, although in the bondage of Babylon. If this is delusion, it is very much like the delusion of the Apostles and the Saints the New Testament gives an account of, and I have no objection to the name while I enjoy the blessings.

ELIAS MORRIS.

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THE GREAT FRENCH EXHIBITION.

much more extensive than Gen. Hazen's with regard to "Mormonism" and the "Mormons," that statement is anything but true. If Utah is entirely free from that kind of fanatics who would go to any lengths in injustice or crime under the idea that they were doing God service, she can boast of being better off than perhaps any other community of the same extent in the world. But the statement that the people of this Territory, or any considerable portion of them, would commit what they knew to be crime at the bidding of any mortal man, is a statement which we cannot endorse, it being founded on an entire misconception of the character of the people.

Nor can we have any idea as to on what past circumstances Gen. Hazen could base such an opinion. The General either looked through some very curious sort of spectacles, or he was the victim of some designing party, who took pleasure in cramming him with lots of things which were the exact opposite of truth. The statement above referred to is plainly, palpably, flatly contradicted by one a little further on in the report, reading thus:

"They are probably the most universally industrious people on the continent; drunkenness and theft are very uncommon."

But the sentence which immediately follows the one just quoted, and in the same paragraph, is as strangely inconsistent with that quotation, as the statement referred to in the commencement of this article. It is a puzzling matter to us how the "Mormons" could be at the same time "the most universally industrious and law abiding people on the continent," and yet it could be truly said of them in Gen. Hazen's words :-

"Crimes against us is to them obedience." We should very much like to know

what those "crimes against us" are. We were not aware that our people had committed any crimes of any kind against the people of "the States." Was it a crime for our people to leave the States east of the Plains, and come out here and settle this forbidden country? Was it a crime that our people should raise bread and fruit here on the desert to sustain them| selves and feed the hungry emigrants?

But it may be said—“ Your people marry numerous wives, and that is a crime against us." How can that be? Our people do not marry your wives, and our wives would not have you if we did not marry them. How, then, can that be a crime against you, or against anybody?

It may be further said that the law of Congress has made that sort of marriage a crime. So much the worse for Congress. If that body will call evil good and good evil, and levy penalties accordingly, we cannot help it; it is not done with our consent, nor should it be laid to the blame of our people. But we would let it be known that plural marriage was an essential feature of "Mormonism" years and years before Congress dreamed of making a law against it as a crime. Our people, in regard to that particular, never thought of offending or committing a crime against Congress. They only thought of serving God according to the dictates of their own consciences, as the Constitution allowed them. But, egged on by evil designing men, after many years, Congress declared that polygamy was a crime and levied penalties against it. It would have been just as reasonable for Congress to have done as the ancient ruler did, issue a decree that nobody should offer a petition to God, and levy a penalty for any such act.

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THE GREAT FRENCH EXHIBITION.

exhibitors, and the weight of the different products displayed, amounts to no less than 23,000 tons. They are classified into ten groups-viz., 1. The Fine Arts; 2. Materials of the Liberal Arts; 3. Furniture; 4. Clothing; 5. Raw Materials; 6. Machinery; 7. Food; 8. Horticulture; 9. Agriculture; 10. Objects recommended by their useful qualities combined with cheapness; and productions the object of which is the physical and moral improvement of the people.

An International Jury was organized, numbering 600 of the scientific, manufacturing, commercial, and social notabilities of every country, who awarded the following prizes to the most successful competitors:-64 grand prizes; 833 gold medals; 3,653 silver do.; 6,565 bronze do.; and 5,801 certificates of honorable mention.

The Emperor obtained a gold medal for workmen's buildings, and there arose a dilemma in the minds of many as to who should give the reward to the distributor himself. However the difficulty was solved in the most graceful and interesting manner, for the Prince Imperial quitted his place, and as President of the Exhibition Commission, came round and presented the Emperor with the reward so justly merited. The little Prince acquitted himself with a charming simplicity of manner, and the whole multitude applauded him loudly. The Emperor delivered the following speech, which was received with loud and continued cheering:

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the representatives of science, of the arts, and of industry, have hastened to vie with each other, and we may say that peoples and Kings have both come to do honor to the efforts of labor, and to crown them by their presence with the idea of conciliation and peace. Indeed, in these great assemblies, which appear to have no other object than material interests, a moral sentiment always disengages itself from the competition of inteligencea sentiment of concord and civilization. In drawing near nations learn to know and to esteem each other. Hatred is extinguished, and the truth becomes more and more evident, that the prosperity of each country contributes to the prosperity of all. The Exhibition of 1837 may justly be termed universal, for it unites the elements of all the riches of the globe. Side by side with the latest improvements of modern art, appear the products of the remotest ages, so that they represent at one and at the same time the genius of all ages and of all nations. It is universal; for in addition to the marvels luxury brings forth for the few, it displays also that which is demanded by the necessities of the many. The interests of the laboring classes have never aroused more lively solicitude. Their moral and material wants, their education, the conditions of life at a cheap rate, the most productive combinations of association have been the object of patient inquiries, of serious study. Thus all improvements march forward. If science, by turning matter to account, liberates labor, the cultivation of the mind, by subduing vices, prejudices, and vulgar passions, also liberates hu

"Gentlemen,-After an interval of 12 years, I have come for the second time to distribute the rewards to those who have most distinguished themselves in those works which enrich na-manity. tions, embellish life, and soften manners. The poets of antiquity sung the praises of those great games in which the various nations of Greece assembled to contend for the prizes of the race. What would they say to-day were they to be present at these Olympic games of the whole world, in which all nations, contesting by intellect, seem to launch themselves simultaneously in the infinite career of progress towards an ideal incessantly approached without ever being able to be attained! From all parts of the earth

Let us congratulate ourselves, gentlemen, upon having received anong us the majority of the Sovereigns and Princes of Europe, and so many distinguished visitors. Let us also be proud of having shown to them France as she is-great, prosperous, and free. One must be destitute of all patriotic faith to doubt of her greatness, must close one's eyes to evidence to deny her prosperity, must misunderstand her institutions, tolerant sometimes even of license, not to behold in them liberty. Foreigners have been able to appreciate this

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