Merrill, Joseph W. The People’s Cabinet: Containing A Compendium Upon the Subjects of Natural History; Natural Philosophy; Astronomy; Constitution, Organization, and Functions of the Human Body; and the Mind and Its Faculties; History of the United States: Government and Law, Particularly of the United States; Also, The Beliefs of Various Religious Denominations; And Biographical Sketches of Distinguished Characters in all Ages of the World, 279–80. Boston: Joseph W. Merrill, 1844.
MORMONITES, or LATTER DAY SAINTS. The Book of Mormon, which may be said to be at the foundation of Mormonism, was first published in 1830. It purports to be the record, or history, of a certain people who inhabited America, previous to its discovery by Columbus. The history and records of this people containing prophecies and revelations, were engraven, by the command of God, on small plates, and deposited in the hill Comora, which appears to be situated in Western New York. These plates remained in their depository until about the year 1825, when, as the Mormons say, they were found by Joseph Smith, Jr., who was directed in the discovery by the Angel of the Lord. On these plates were certain hieroglyphics, said to be of the Egyptian character, which Smith, by the direction of God, proceeded to translate.
The religious faith of the Mormonites is comprehended in the following articles:—‘We believe in God, the eternal Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the[279] Holy Ghost. ‘We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam’s transgression. ‘We believe that, through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the law and ordinances of the gospel. ‘We believe that these ordinances are, 1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; 2. Repentance; 3. Baptism, by immersion, for the remission of sins; 4. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
‘We believe that a man must be called of God by prophecy and the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the gospel, and administer in the ordinances thereof.
‘We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, viz: Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, &c. ‘We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, &c. ‘We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. ‘We believe in the literal gathering of Israel, and in the restoration of the ten tribes; that Zion will be built upon this continent; that Christ will reign personally upon this earth; and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.’