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From Returned Missionaries

Alma O. Taylor's Journal Excerpts-８

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To the above letter I wrote the following reply at Salt Lake City June 28 " 1901: Rev. K. Nishijima My Dear Sir:- Your letter of the 24 th inst. was duly received and read with pleasure. I respond cheerefully to your question as to how the religion of "Mormonism" will be a benefit to the people of your fatherland. "Mormons" is a nick-name given to our people because of their belief in the Book of Mormon, but it makes no difference what the enemies of our church desire to call us; we still proudly lay claim to being the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and while we accept the term "Mormons" as it is thrust upon us, yet we refuse to sail under any banner of man-made fabric; repudiating the name of mortals as part of our title, differing therefore from the Weslyans, Calvinists and others, all of whom, though perhaps worthy organizations, declare themselves the followers of men. Ours is not the church of Moses Paul, John, Joseph Smith (though he was its founder) or Brigham Young (though he was its leader during its trying exodus to the west), but it is the church of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.  

And being the Church of Christ it should and does in its creed and practice follow strictly the teachings of the Savior. The "Mormon" church claims and proves from the Bible that Christ taught the following doctrines: Faith in God and Jesus Christ; Repentence from sin; baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; the Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Spirit which Spirit leadeth unto all truth and enables man to live the higher principles of Christianity which are; virtue, knowledge, temperence, patience, godliness, brotherly-kindness and finally charity and love which principles are exhaulting in their character and which will revolutionize the world, establishing peace on earth and good-will in the hearts of all men, and will hasten on the day spoken of by Isaiah a prophet of the Old Testament: 

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and the little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the cocatrice's den." "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all God's holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the mightly deep."

Nor is it our belief that this condition of peace can come as long as there are so many creeds professing to teach the plan of salvation, yet at the same time warring with each other. Unity connot exist in confusion; neither can there be more than one Christian road to Eternal Life, and that is the one straight and narrow way which leadeth to the final goal and Christ commanded us to walk therein, for it was the way prepared by him for all mankind. Whether the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are walking in that path or not, let their teachings and their actions answer.  

Step into any "Mormon" home where lives a faithful Latter-day Saint, and you will find a peaceful spirit there; a love existing between every member of the family; never will they pertake of a meal, without first thanking God for it and asking his blessing thereon. Always before retireing to rest for the night and before entering upon the labors of the day the family will be brought together in a circle and upon bended knees they will express there gratitude to theLord for his blessings and solicit a continuation of his kindness and mercy; praying for power to be humble and true, virtuous and pure, walking in all holiness before their God.  

You will see the mother teaching her children from their infancy to their majority to be kind and gentle, loving all mankind and exhibiting charity to their companions. Chastity and virtue are the greatest lessons taught. How well do I remember my mother telling me when I was a little boy, to value my virtue more than my life. How often have I thanked God for such a mother and such a father for he is an exemplary man teaching his children by precept and example to be men, true men ; refraining from the use of tobacco and all intoxicating liquors; dealing honestly with our fellows in all things.  

The "Mormon" children and people are taught to love God and remember the Sabboth Day; to put forth every effort and to use every talent with which they have been blessed in endevoring to do good to their fellow men and in assisting others to actions of righteousness. The Latter-day Saints are a frugal and industurious people who in spite of persecution, mobbings, and drivings, have built up beautiful homes and have made the desert places blossom as the rose.  

The marvelous growth of our fair State of Utah is an imperishable monument to the industry and honesty of the "Mormons" who were the pioneers of the Rocky Mountain Country. The governors and leading men of Wyoming, Arizona, and other surrounding States are sending requests for our people (the despised "Mormons") to come and colonize in the unoccupied valleys of their States. Why are they doeing this? Are not the "Mormons" a licenteous, dishonest, thieving, and murdurous set? Have they not plundered many a peaceful home and ravished many a virtuous maiden? These are the reports which are given out concerning us, but it is well to remember the words of Sheakspere "Rumor hath many tongues but most of them lie."