The Mormons and the Seventh-Day Adventists
By C. H. Bliss
THE question has often been asked the writer, if the Mormons and the Seventh-day Adventists were not very much alike. Many, even among Bible students, seem to be ignorant of the doctrines of those who style themselves Latter-day Saints. A short time ago, a lady to whom we had given some of our literature, remarked that two of our missionaries had called on her. When told they were Mormons, she was surprised. However, some of their literature on the second coming of the Messiah reads very much like some tracts published by us. But, one who reads carefully, will soon discern a great difference between the two denominations, even on this subject. On page 6 of the tract “The Second Coming of the Messiah,” we are told that Elijah, the forerunner of the Messiah, has already come, and the saints are being gathered—referring to the great Mormon movement. Then follows a brief history of the rise of Mormonism, centered in the call of Joseph Smith as a prophet called of God to lead out that people. In a tract published by Joseph Smith himself, in 1838, we have an account of his appointment by an angel as a leader of that sect. He says an angel visited him, and told him of certain gold plates hidden in the earth, on which was written the history of the original inhabitants of America. In other places they are spoken of as brass. These plates were engraved in an ancient language, which, when properly interpreted, would give to the world the fulness of the gospel. Two stones set in a bow known as the Urim and the Thummim were to be found with the plates. By using these, he would be able to translate the writing on the plates. To him and him alone was this secret revealed, and no one else was allowed to see or touch them, on penalty of death. Joseph Smith, seated behind a screen, translated these writings, and one Oliver Cowdery acted as his amanuensis. Such, we are told, was the origin of the Book of Mormon, or the Mormon bible. Later an angel visited him, and gave him the keys of the kingdom, and conferred upon him the priesthood of Aaron. He and Oliver Cowdery were to baptize each other and ordain each other. Joseph Smith was to be the first, and Oliver Cowdery the second, in authority. This program was carried out, and thus the Mormon Church was started. Later, Mr. Smith tells us that this messenger that visited him was John the Baptist, and that he was sent under the direction of Peter, James, and John. Why Christ Himself did not send him, we are not told. Mr. Smith was at this time living in or near Palmyra, New York. At a later date, their headquarters were located at Kirtland, Ohio; and still later, at Independence, Missouri, under the direct guidance of the “prophet.” Being a politico-religious organization, they here soon came in conflict with the civil and military authority of the state, and were compelled to move. This is spoken of in Mormon history as persecution; but the highest officer of the Missouri state military authority claims that this people resisted the enforcement of the state laws. They next located in Nauvoo, Illinois, from which place, and for the same reason, they were driven out by the citizens of the state. In this conflict, Joseph Smith and his brother were killed. This was June 27, 1844. It was during their sojourn in Nauvoo, that polygamy was introduced, given to Joseph Smith in a “vision.” This was not published, however, until September 14, 1852. While at Nauvoo, Joseph Smith became mayor of the city, organized a militia of four thousand, and placed himself at the head of these soldiers, and soon became known as General Smith. He taught and practised polygamy. Thus the prophet, the one held to be called of God to become leader of the Latter-day Saints, violated the laws of God and the laws of the state. They next located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Polygamy was practised here by those who desired, until compelled to desist by the United States authority. These statements are matters of common history, and the writer has verified them by conversing with those who were members of this sect while at Nauvoo. Joseph Smith is accepted by this sect as a true prophet, and the Book of Mormon as a revelation from God. In examining the literature circulated by their missionaries, I learn that they believe in the continuation of the Aaronic priesthood; in the communion with the spirits of the dead; in probation after death; salvation for those who are dead by means of the baptism of saints who are living, which is not only salvation by works, but human salvation. They believe the dead are conscious and can converse with the living. They believe that when Christ comes, He will come to Zion, the headquarters of the Mormon Church, where He will set up a temporal kingdom; that the Mormon Church will be recognized as His church, and the Mormon people as His people, and all nations will then receive the true gospel, which is now taught by the Mormons. Such9are the distinctive doctrines taught by this sect, all of which are directly contrary to the doctrines taught by the Seventh-day Adventists. The Bible and the Bible only is accepted as a rule of faith by the Seventh-day Adventists. To it and to it alone they appeal for evidence in all matters of religious faith. The communion with the departed dead, and the Roman doctrine of the civil, military, and religious authority being concentrated in the head of the church, puts the Mormons in the same category with Spiritualists and Roman Catholics. Truly there is a wide difference between the Mormons and the Seventh-day Adventists.