Proclamation! To the People of the Coasts and Islands of the Pacific (Ocean), of Every Nation, Kindred, and Tongue

PROCLAMATION!

To the people of the coasts and islands of the Pacific (Ocean), of every nation, kindred, and tongue

by Parley P. Pratt,

An Apostle of Jesus Christ.

(From the Australian Edition, by Elder C. W. Wandell.)

A New Dispensation

An Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the people of the roasts and islands of the Pacific, of every nation, kindred, and longue—Greeting:—

It has pleased the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah—who died on a Roman Cross at Jerusalem, near one thousand eight hundred and fifty years since, and who arose from the dead on the third day; and, after giving commandments to his Apostles, ascended into the heavens, thence­forth to reign till his enemies are made his footstool—to send forth his angels in this present age of the world, to reveal a new dispensation. Thus restoring to the earth the fulness and purity of the Gospel, the Apostleship, and the Church of the Saints, with all its miraculous gifts and blessings. Which Gospel, thus restored, with its Apostleship and powers, must be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people under the whole hea­vens, with the signs following them that believe: and then shall the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Messiah and King, des­cend from the heavens in his glorified, im­mortal body, and reign with his Saints, and over all the kingdoms of the earth, one thousand years.

Having obtained a portion of this minis­try, and being appointed and set apart by our brethren of the Apostleship, to take the Presidency and especial charge of a Mission to the countries mentioned herein—which include nearly one-half of the globe—we have, in pursuance of these res­ponsibilities, commenced our mission by sending forth this Proclamation; first, in English; and to be translated and published by especial messengers, in due time, in every language and tongue included within the bounds of the Mission.

First of all, having declared our object, purpose, destination, and commission, we hereby invite, and most earnestly plead with all men to repent, to turn away from their sins, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and come with humble hearts and contrite spirits, and be bap­tized, (immersed) in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins; and they shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, in the name of Jesus, of the Apostles and Elders who are sent forth by the Church of the Saints. Which Holy Spirit shall bear witness of the truth of this message, and of the remission of the sins of all them who obey the same with full purpose of heart; and shall fill their minds with joy and gladness, and with light and intelligence; and shall also open to their understanding many things which are to come. While some shall be blessed with visions, with the ministry of angels, with the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and others, with the gift to heal the sick, or to be healed, by anointing with oil in the name of the Lord, accompanied with prayer, or the laying on of hands in the name of Jesus. The deaf shall hear, the dumb speak, the lame walk, and the eyes of the blind see, inasmuch as they have faith sufficient to receive the same. And not many years hence, as faith, knowledge, union, and power increase, the dead shall be raised in some instances; the violence of fire be quenched; the prisons rent, if necessary; and the very elements con­trolled by the servants of God, in the name of Jesus.

All these gifts are included in the New Dispensation, and are to be bestowed upon man in due time, as faith shall increase.

The Church being yet in its infancy, its members have not yet attained to all these gifts; but they have progressed with astonishing rapidity, and are in many in­stances, enjoying many of these gifts in various countries.

We are aware that the astounding decla­rations contained in this Proclamation, of necessity come in contact with the tradi­tions of this and former ages; and also with the various priesthoods, organiza­tions, and ordinances of the world called Christian, as well as with the various re­ligions of the Pagan, Mahomedan, and Jew; but with all kindly feelings and res­pect for our fellow-man, we cannot avoid this contact. We are the friend of man, and the friend of truth. We therefore, feel ourself bound to bear witness of the truth as it is, and was, and is to come.

The Christian minister will inquire, “What need of a New Dispensation, where the Old has been perpetuated by an apos­tolical succession?”

To which we reply, “That we know of no succession of the kind; we acknowledge none; but, for the satisfaction of others, we will point out the way to determine the negative or affirmative of that all-impor­tant question.”

Search the sacred writings of the Apost­les of old for any other order of Apostles, ministers, ordinances, gifts, or powers, as constituting the true Church, or connect­ed with it, than the order set forth in the foregoing pages, and you will search in vain. The New Testament system was a system of inspiration, apostolical powers, miracles, healings, revelations, prophecyings, visions, angels, and all the gifts re­corded in that book. It was a system of ordinances—such as baptism for remis­sion of sins, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ; the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Spirit; the laying on of hands for healing the sick; also, anointing with oil for the same pur­pose; also, the administration of bread and wine, in remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ, and the blood of atone­ment.

Such was the New Testament system. Peter himself had no right to alter it, neither had Paul: in so doing, they would have forfeited their apostolic powers, and their Christian standing; and would have been accursed, as it is written by Paul, “Though we, or an angel from hea­ven, preach any other Gospel, let him be accursed.”

This being an undeniable fact, which no man can successfully controvert or deny; the question of apostolical or church succession resolves itself thus:—

Has the foregoing order of things been handed down in purity and power to this day? its Apostleship, its powers of vision, revelation, prophecy, miracles, gifts, or­dinances, and powers unaltered, unim­paired, unperverted?

If so, we have Apostles, Church, &c., now; without a New Dispensation, or a new commission.

If not so, then there is no Apostleship, no Church, no Christian ministry and gifts on the earth, except commissioned by a New Dispensation.

In the latter case, we would inquire, by what Standard shall the Millennium, the age of peace, and universal truth, and knowledge, be ushered in?

By what Standard shall the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea?

By what Standard shall there be one Lord, and his name one, and he be the king of all the earth, as say the Prophets?

To what Standard shall the Jews and the other tribes of Israel he restored, when the fulness of times is come in? when their times are fulfilled; when the full time arrives for the restoration of the things spoken of by all the holy Prophets since the world began?

In which, of all the branches of the so-called Christian church, shall the power and miracles of God be manifested, when He shall make bare His arm in the eyes of all the nations, in the restoration of all the tribes of Israel and Judah?

Will His power and wisdom be displayed to restore them to a broken Covenant? to doctrines corrupted? to ordinances per­verted? to a Church divided, and destitute of the miraculous powers and gifts? in short, to Christendom, who have ruled all nations with a rod of iron, and made the nations and their rulers drunken with the wine of their abominations?

No, we boldly answer, no!

What then! shall the words of the Prophets fall to the ground unfulfilled?

No, never!

Hence the unavoidable necessity of a New Dispensation, a New Apostolic Commission.

Such commission is now restored; such dispensation is now committed, and is held by the Apostles and Elders of the Church of the Latter-day Saints.

Such the cause in which martyrs have bled, and a whole people been disfranchised, robbed, plundered, dispersed, slandered in every possible way, and driven to the mountains and deserts of the American interior.\

Honest, pious, and well meaning Chris­tians! (for such there are in every sect under heaven), we hereby solemnly warn you, and intreat you, in the name of the Lord, to come out of every sect, and from al! the Christian “Babels;” yea “come out of her my people,” as saith the ancient Apostle, “for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”

Come out, then, and unite with the Church of the Saints, and henceforth de­vote your faith, your prayers, your strength, and your means to the work of God.

This same invitation is meant for all sincere, well-meaning, and devoted clergy-men, whether Roman or Protestant, as well as the other members, and the sincere, zealous, and devoted mission­aries and their supporters, who bear the Bible to foreign lands, and who toil amid fields of ice, or burning sands, amid deserts, mountains, or in the solitude of the wilderness, or in the lone and distant isles, surrounded by the infinite expanse of air and ocean, because of their love for Jesus and their fellow man.

To you we bring tidings of great joy!

The Latter-day glory has dawned upon the world!

The prayers of the faithful of all ages are heard!

The heavens have been again opened!

Angels have descended, bearing a Dis­pensation to man!

The Holy Ghost has been again shed forth!

The fulness of the Gospel is revealed!

The sick are healed!

Demons are cast out!

The Kingdom of God has come!

The Standard of Truth and Freedom is reared!

And to those who are in darkness, a light has dawned!

And ere long, darkness, ignorance, and oppression shall cease from the earth!

Open your hearts, then, and receive and learn the way of God more perfectly: return fully to the system of that Bible which you publish, and to that God whom you serve.

And to those who are only Christians by nation, by birth, or by profession, and not by conduct, we would say, by the com­mandment of the Lord, and also by way of invitation,—Turn from all your iniquities and abominations, your lyings, deceivings, whoredoms, blasphemies, drunkenness, gambling, idleness, extravagance, pride, and folly; also from your murders, theft, and robbery, and from all sin.

Cease to take the name of God, the Father of Jesus Christ, in vain. Pledge yourselves by a covenant and a fixed pur­pose to serve the Lord, and come and be baptized in his name, and you shall receive remission of sins and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

And then, if you endure to the end in keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ, you shall be saved in the celestial kingdom of God. You shall also have part in the first resurrection, which will come in a few years, and shall reign, in the flesh, on the earth, with the King, the great Messiah, one thousand years.

Address to Pagans.

To those who are not Christian, but who worship the various gods of India, China, Japan, or the Islands of the Pacific or Indian Oceans, we say—turn away from them, they are no Gods, they have no power.

Open your ears and your hearts, and hear the Apostles and Elders of the Church of the Saints. Learn of the true God, and of His Son Jesus Christ, who was dead and is alive, and shall live for evermore; and who is your King, and will soon come down from the more glorious planet where he dwells, and reign as the King of all nations; and your eyes shall see him, your acclamations hail him welcome, while he is crowned Lord of all.

Open your houses and your hearts, and receive and feed the Elders who come among you; give them means, and aid them in their travels; and verily your sick shall be healed, the evil demons which trouble you shall be cast out, and you shall have good dreams and visions of the Lord, and angels shall minister to some of you, and your hearts shall swell with love and gladness, and you will feel to forsake your sins, and be baptized by the Elders; and in so doing, they shall lay their hands upon you, the Holy Spirit bearing witness in your hearts of the truth, and enlightening your minds in the same.

Address to the Jews.

To the Jews we would say—Turn from your sins, and seek the God of your fathers. Search the Prophets; for lo, your Messiah cometh speedily, and all the Saints with him. Yea, he will descend upon the Mount of Olives, near your ancient city, disperse your enemies, defend Jerusalem, and establish his kingdom over your nation and city, and over all the earth.

But what will be your astonishment, when gazing at him, and falling at the feet of HIM as your great deliverer, you discover the wounds in his feet, in his hands, and in his side, and inquire, “What are these wounds in your hands and in your feet?”

And he will exclaim, “These are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom your fathers crucified. I am the Son of God, your deliverer, and your eternal King.”

O who can describe the mingled feelings of joy and gladness, and gratitude, and shame, and remorse, and repentance, and amazement, and wonder, which will then fill your bosoms! How you will repent, and flock to the water, and be baptized in his name for the remission of your sins. With what power the Holy Ghost will fall upon you, when the Apostles shall lay their hands upon your heads in the name of that Jesus who will stand in your presence. The big tears of joy will gush forth and stream upon the ground, while many of you will fall upon his neck, or kiss his feet, and bathe them in your tears.

Blessed is he that has seen him and believed; but more blessed are they who have not seen him and yet believed.

If any of you can so far overcome your prejudices and traditions, as to admit the probability, or even possibility, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, and that when your Messiah comes to fulfil your national redemption, and to establish his kingdom over all the earth, it will not be the first time that he has appeared among men, or even to your own nation—why, then, search diligently on the subject, and earnestly pray to Jehovah that you may understand the truth of a subject of such thrilling and vital importance.

After you have carefully reviewed your own Prophets, search the New Testament with the same careful and prayerful atten­tion. and then obtain a copy of the Book of Mormon, and search that with the same degree of candour and earnestness; and I think your minds will expand, and you will be constrained to say, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ.

If so, then come to the Standard of the New Dispensation—to the Apostles and Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; for you will readily see that there is no other system now extant, which even resembles, or will compare at all with the system established by him and his former Apostles. Yea, come to them, repenting and turning from your sins, and go down into the waters of baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Re­ceive the laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. You will then know the truth, and be prepared for less surprise and a more glorious triumph on the Mount of Olives, in the day of your returning King.

We have now shown you the door of admission into the kingdom of God, into which you would do well to enter; and after entering therein, it will be required j of you to keep the commandments of Jesus, and to look earnestly and daily for the fulfilment of the Prophets which speak of the restoration of Israel and Judah, the downfall of Gentile rule, and the preva­lence of that kingdom which shall be universal, and have no end.

You would also in the meantime do well to contribute liberally of your means to the Elders and Missionaries of the Church, for they are your brethren; they verily believe the Prophets, and they look and pray and labour earnestly for their fulfilment.

Address to the Red Man.

To the Red Men of America we will next address a few lines. You are a Branch of the House of Israel. You are descended from the Jews, or rather, more generally, from the tribe of Joseph, which Joseph was a great Prophet and ruler in Egypt.

Your fathers left Jerusalem in the days of Jeremiah the Prophet—being led by a Prophet whose name was Lehi. After leaving Jerusalem, they wandered in the wilderness of Arabia, and along the shores of the Red Sea for eight years, living on fruits and wild game. Arriving at the sea coast, they built a ship, put on board the necessary provisions, and the seeds brought with them from Jerusalem; and setting sail they crossed the great ocean, and landed on the western coast of America within the bounds of what is now called “Chili.” In process of time they peopled the entire continents of North and South America.

They were taught by Prophets from age to age They were also favoured with a personal visit from the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, after he had risen from the dead. His own mouth taught them the Gospel, and his own hand ordained twelve Apostles of their own nation, and endowed them with the powers as the other twelve at Jerusalem. His own teaching opened to them the events of unborn time, and more particu­larly the future events pertaining to the American continent. His Gospel and pro­phetic instructions were written by his commandment, and by the inspiration of his own Spirit.

In after ages your fathers sinned against all this light and knowledge and lost the Gospel privileges. Their Apostles were destroyed, or taken away and hid from the world. The working of miracles ceased because of iniquity. Civil govern­ment was broken up. Terrible and deso­lating wars ensued, which finally resulted in the darkness, ignorance, divisions, and sub-divisions in which the white man from Europe found you, upwards of three hundred years ago.

Mormon was one of your fathers. He lived about one thousand four hundred years ago, in North America. He wrote an abridgment of your history, prophecies, and Gospel, from the records of your more ancient Prophets and Apostles; engraved the same on plates of gold, which records, at his death, descended to his son Moroni.

This Moroni, was the last of the ancient Prophets of America. He completed the records of Mormon on the plates, and made a sacred deposit of the same in a hill called Cumorah, which hill is now included within the limits of New York, United States. This deposit was made about the year four hundred and twenty of the Christian era.

The plates, thus deposited, were taken from their place of deposit, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven of the same era, by Joseph Smith, and were by him translated and published to the world, in English, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty; the records and their contents having been revealed to him by an angel of God.

Many others saw and handled the plates and the engravings thereon, and have solemnly given their names to the world in testimony of the same, which testimony is published in full in said book. There were also three other men, who in open day saw the vision; saw the angel of the Lord descend from heaven; heard his voice bear record of the plates, and of their correct translation, and were commanded by him to bear testimony to the world. Their testimony is also published in full in said book.

Red Men of the forest—Peruvians, Mexicans, Guatemalians, descendants of every tribe and tongue of this mysterious race! your history, your Gospel, your des­tiny is revealed. It will soon be made known to you and to all nations—to every kindred, tongue, and people. It has come forth as a Standard—a Sign of the times of restoration of all things spoken of by all the holy Prophets since the world began.

Turn then from your drunkenness, idolatry, murders, wars, and bloodshed— yea, turn from bowing down to images, the work of men’s hands, which have no power to do either harm or good; turn from adultery, fornication, filth, and all manners of abominations; and seek the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was once dead, and is alive, and behold, he lives for evermore. Seek peace with each other, and with all mankind. And when the Elders of the Church of the Saints come among you, receive them, feed, lodge, and assist them; and hearken to their voice, for they bring glad tidings of great joy. Put away your sins and be baptized, (buried in the water,) in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of the same, and receive the laying on of the hands of the Apostles and Elders of this Church, for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

And you will be filled with joy and gladness, with light and knowledge. You will know and bear witness of the truth. Some of you will be able to speak by the Gift of the Holy Ghost, in great power. And by signs, and by visions, and by dreams, and by divers healings and miracles, will God confirm His word among you; for, behold, He purposes your restoration as a righteous Branch of Israel.

The Book of Mormon—the Record of your fathers, will soon be published among you in English, in Spanish, and in every written language in use among your various tribes and tongues. Messengers will also be sent among you to read, recite, and interpret the contents of said book, as far as necessary, to those who cannot read—so that, to say the least, you may have the Gospel of your forefathers, and some knowledge of their history and prophecies.

(To be concluded in our next.)