The New Witness

THE NEW WITNESS.

Nearly all professing Christians of the present day are unwill­ing to accept the idea of there being any witness for God other than the Bible. In this respect the Latter-day Saints differ from them very widely. While the latter hold the Bible to be a most valu­able witness, they also claim, and give ample scriptural proof for doing so, that there are to be other witnesses for God. Our Savior and others teach us this: “In the mouth of two or three wit­nesses every word shall be established.” (Matt. 18:16; II. Cor. 13:1.) Surely the Lord will not let His children remain in doubt, having but one witness, when He teaches the necessity of two or more.

Examine the condition of the world to-day. Is it not plain that, with all its wealth of Divine truth, the Bible has failed to make clear even the fact of God’s existence to a vast multitude of people? Every day sees the ranks of unbelievers grow stronger, every day sees the congregations of the churches diminish in numbers. Does this deplorable condition favor an argument, that we need no other witness than the Bible? On the contrary, it goes to show that never in the history of the world has there been greater need of additional light to corroborate the evidence given in the Bible that God exists. Now the Latter-day Saints say that in the Book of Mormon, we have much additional light thrown upon this great and vital question. They are bitterly assailed on every hand, for making what seems to be such an ab­surd claim. All they ask of the people is that they let the book speak for itself. See if its claims are consistent and reasonable.

It is published to the world. Let them examine and criticise it if they like. If the work be genuine it will stand the severest of tests; if it is not, the fraud would have have been discovered and exposed long ago. Certainly it is not for the lack of trying that it has not been proven false, for many intelligent men have put forth their best efforts in this direction. All who read the book with a desire to gain knowledge and strength to do good, receive a testimony of its truthfulness.

Let us now refer “to the law and the testimony” and see what is there said in regard to this wonderful witness. Some of the ancient prophets knew that such a record would come forth. Isaiah predicted in this wise: “And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee, and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed; And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.” (Isaiah 29:11, 12.) The prophet then declares the Lord will perform a “marvelous work and a wonder” in bring­ing forth this record in the latter days. The Lord commands Ezekiel to take two sticks, (a stick in those days was equivalent to a book) and write upon them, one for the tribe of Judah and the children of Israel his companions, the other for the seed of Joseph, or the tribe of Ephraim, and his companions. These two sticks, the Lord declares, will at a later date become one in His hand. (Ezek. 37:16-20). That the Bible, or Jewish scriptures, is the stick of Judah referred to by Ezekiel, we have no doubt. It deals with this particular tribe almost entirely, more especially the latter part. But where is the stick of Ephraim? Has any other record been given to mankind purporting to be of Ephraim? So far as is known, no such record came to light until the Book of Mormon made its appearance, declaring in no uncertain tones that it was that stick spoken of by the prophet. From the above we draw the conclusion that its claims are not so absurd after all. Other scriptural proof could be given, but perhaps it would be as well to examine the record and some of its claims, then determine whether they are consistent and reasonable or not.

The Book of Mormon gives an account of the origin, history and destiny of the ancient inhabitants of the western hemisphere. It also contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel, and God’s dealings with this strange people. In fact it claims the same relationship to this race that the Bible does to the Jews and the peoples of the eastern world. Surely there is nothing extraordinary in this claim. Evidence is entirely in favor of the existence of such a people. Modern scientists declare they were a highly civilized race, not at all like their barbarous descendants who were found there at a later period. Again, the harmony existing between the Book of Mormon and the Bible is perfect. In not one instance do they differ in regard to the doctrine set forth. This is decidedly in its favor, for, as stated, the book contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel, as does the Bible. If they differed in their teachings as to the gospel, we might think there was some­thing wrong; but there is no difference. The result is, that the Divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon is firmly established; the two sticks have become one in the Lord’s hand, and to-day we can establish every word by the mouth of at least two sure witnesses. It might truthfully be said, that the greatest mission of the Book of Mormon is to be a witness for God. and to support the Bible in its statements.

Every searcher after truth, when brought face to face with this subject, should carefully weigh the evidence in favor of these two sacred records. Man may refuse to accept these faithful witnesses for God—the old and the new—but what will it avail him? It were far better that he give heed to their teachings and thus gain the blessings promised by the Lord.

Manchester. L.E. Williams.