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Show WHERE "THE LORD" ERRED. It does seem to bo a strange proposition proposi-tion that if, as Joseph Smith has told us, the Lord revealed to him all that is in tho Doctrine and Covenants (the law book of the Mormon church, upon which the organization depends for doctrinal guidance), tho Almighty should not have been historically and chronologically accurate. In order to have an understanding concerning one simplo item, wo shall bo obliged , to again go to the records. It is a mere unit as compared wilh tho whole subject, but it has ils place in any investigation into the validity or nonsense of the claims of the founders and subsequent proponents of Mormonism. This mere unit is as to (ho claimed method of succession suc-cession to the priesthood of Melchiscdck, as (hat is cheekily set forth by Josoph Smith, and apparently adhered to by all of his successors upon the Mormon throne. Wo take, the following from tho Doctrine and Covenants (Utah edition) edi-tion) section Si. paragraphs G lo 13, as concerning the Joseph Smith (and consequently con-sequently Mormon) idea of succession in Molchisedek priesthood: And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro; And Jethro received It under tho hand of Caleb; And Caleb received It under tho hand of Ulllui: And Ellhu under the hand of Jeremy; And Jeremy under the hand of Gad; And Gad under tho hand of Esalas; And Esalas received It under the hand of God. Esalas also lived In the days of Abraham, Abra-ham, and was blessed of him. Until the astute Joseph Smith brought tho matter out in this form, nobod3r ever imagined that one man could confer upon another a priesthood, cither bc-foro bc-foro he was born or after he was dead. But it seems, if wc arc to be good Mormons, wc arc lo beliovo that such an impossibility is not only possible or probablo, but that has actually conic lo pass. Jlowcver, one must have faith or disbelief, just as one chooses to have, after examining the ancient chronologies, chronolo-gies, which give periods as follows with respect to the men named in the Doc-trino Doc-trino and Covenants, through whom tho Melchiscdck succession is said by Joseph Smith (or the Lord, if one believes be-lieves in Joseph) lo havo been received and transmitted: Caleb, 1-152, B. C; Elihu, 1171, B. C a mere difference- of 281 years. Elihu, 1171, B. C,; Jeremy, 029, B. C. only 5-12 years apart. Jeremy, 029, B. C; Gad, 1749, B. C a difference only of 1120 years. Gad, 1740. B. C; Esaias, 700, B. C 980 years apart. Fsaias. 7G0, B. C; Abraham, 1913, B. C. difference. 1103 years. This matter is merely presented thnt the Mormon people, and all others who care to investigate tho subject, muv havo the facts at hand. |