MORMONS
634
MORMONS
resurrection of Osiris, a funerary disk, and a painting from a funerary M.S. This deviation of M. Deveria's translation from Smith's would naturally again lead to the supposition that the would-be prophet intentionally played otFa fictitious translation as an exact rendering of the original papyri. This theory need not, however, be espouseii, as has been well shown by 'Mr. Stenhouse : "With the Proijhet's story of the supposed Jiook of Abraham placed side by side with the translation of the pajjvrus by the scientist, the reader may possibly conclude that Joseph Smith imposed upon the credulity of the Saints, and hence that the claim throughout this work that Joseph was sincere is here unsujjported. The author, notwithstanding, still clings to the assertion that Joseph believed sincerely that he was inspired, and the pride with which he gave this translation to the world supports that conclusion. Had he ever doubted the correctness of his translation, he never would have giv- en to the public the fac-simile of the characters and his translation of them. Joseph Smith at this time was over thirty years of age, and had passed through too rough an experience to have risked his reputation upon anything about which he had the slightest doubt. If the translation of the scientist is correct, and it bears upon its face evidence to that effect, then Joseph was as much deceived as many others have been before and since who have laid claim to the possession of divine and su- pernatural powers and the receiving of revelations." Those who may be interested in these Egyptian an- tiquities and the variability of the two translators will do well to consult Stenhouse, p. 512 to 519. The Pearl of Great Price contains also two different accounts of the creation, both made up out of Gen. i. A translation is given of Matt, xxiii, 39, and xxiv, differing from the Authorized Version in containing additions to the ex- tent of one third, entirely nnsupported by any MS. or version. There are some other fragments, absurd but unimportant, except as showing the audacity of the author. Tlic '■ translations" are portions of a transla- tion of the whole Bible, said to exist in MS., in the hands of the Jlormon leaders. Some further extracts have appeared in periodicals; the text is altered to suit Mormon doctrines, and large additions made. It is as- serted by the Mormons that the Authorized Version has been fraudulently corrupted, and that this " transla- tion" alone represents the original and true form. Oth- er revelations are also said to exist in MS., to be pub- lished when the world is ripe for them.
III. Mormon Doctrines. — The creed of tlie IVIormon- ists would naturally be supposed to be embodied in the Book of Mormon. This is not the case, however. The theology as there embodied differs but little from or- thodox Trinitarianism. I5ut this is by no means the real creed of the Latter-day Saints. Indeed, it is not an easy matter to set forth exactly and clearly the prin- ciples of :Mormon theology. First, there is the theory of continuous revelation abiding in the Church (see Pre- face to llijmn-book [1856J; Cotnpenclium of the Faith and Doctrhm, p. 43-47). Secondly, Mormon theology abounds in such an extraordinary admixture of truth and superstition, of philosophy and fanaticism, that it is difficult to disentangle them and reduce them to any- thing like an orderly system. The only document at all resembling a creed is published in the Pearl of Great Price, p. 55 sq., and in the pamphlet entitled The Rise, Progress, and Tracels of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; being n series of Ansicers to Ques- tions, by Bro. George A. Smith (Salt Lake City, 1872, 8vo), p. 40, 41. It is from the pen of Josejdi Smith, and was compiled by him in 1842. We insert it here in full :
"First. We believe in Ood, the Eteniid Father, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Gliost.
"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transtjicsBioii.
"Wf luliexc th:it throuL'h ilie .'itonement of Christ all mankind ni:iy 1m- >avcd by obedience to the laws and or- dinances of the (;.i^|i<-l.
"We believe Unit these ordinances arc: 1, Faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ ; 2, Repentance : 3, Baptism by immer- sion for the remission of sins; 4, Laying on of hands for the gift of the lloly Ghost.
"We believe that a man must be called of God, by ' prophecy, and by laying on of hands' by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the or- dinances thereof.
" We believe in the eanie organization that existed in the prinntive Church, viz. apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.
" We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revela- lation, visions, healing, iuterpretaiion of ton-^ues, etc.
"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 all that (iod 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.
" 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 the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaic glory.