The first, of sixty-four pages, is entitled "Lectures on Faith;" although published in the name of the Prophet Joseph, it was written, men say, by Sidney Rigdon. The second, which, with the Appendix, concludes the book, is called Covenants and Commandments (scil., of the Lord to his servants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).
Of the Lectures, the first is upon "Faith itself—what it is." It treats the subject in the normal way, showing how much faith is unconsciously exercised by man in his every-day life, and making it "the principle by which Jehovah acts." The second is concerning "the subject on which Faith rests," and contains an ancient chronology from Adam to Abraham, showing how the knowledge of God was preserved. The third, on the attributes of God, enlarges upon the dogma that "correct ideas of the character of God are necessary in order to the exercise of faith in him for life and salvation." The fourth shows the "connection there is between correct ideas of the attributes of God, and the exercise of faith in him unto eternal life." The fifth, following those that treat of the being, character, perfection, and attributes of God, "speaks of the Godhead"—meaning the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—and explains the peculiarities of the "personage of tabernacle." The sixth "treats of the knowledge which persons must have, that the tenor of life which they preserve is according to the will of God, in order that they may be enabled to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation." The seventh and last discusses the effects of faith. Each lecture is followed by "questions and answers on the foregoing principles," after the fashion of school catechisms, and to asterisk'd sentences a note is appended: "Let the student commit the paragraph to memory." There is one merit in the lectures: like Wesley's Hymns, they are written for the poor and simple; consequently, they are read where a higher tone of thought and style would remain unheeded.
The "Index in order of date to Part Second" will explain its contents.[1]
The Appendix contains twelve pages of revelation on
- Jared murdered, and Akish reigned in his Stead.
- Names of Animals.
- Poisonous Serpents.
- Riplakish's cruel Reign.
- Morianton anointed King.
- Poisonous Serpents destroyed.
- Many wicked Kings.
- Moroni on Faith.
- Miracles by Faith.
- Moroni saw Jesus.
- New Jerusalem spoken of.
- Ether cast out.
- Records finished in the Cavity of a Rock.
- Secret Combinations.
- War in all the Land.
- King Shared murdered by his High-priest; the High-priest was murdered by Lib.
- Lib slain by Coriantumr.
- Dead Bodies cover the Land, and none to bury them.
- 2,000,000 of Men slain.
- Hill Ramah.
- Cries rend the Air.
- Slept on their Swords.
- Coriantumr slew Shiz.
- Do. fell to the Earth.
- Records hid by Ether.
- Christ's Words to the Twelve.
- Manner of Ordination.
- Order of Sacrament.
- Order of Baptism.
- Faith, Hope, Charity.
- Baptism of little Children.
- Women fed on their Husbands' Flesh.
- Daughters murdered and eaten.
- Sufferings of Women and Children.
- Can not recommend them to God.
- Moroni to the Lamanites.
- 420 Years since the Sign.
- Records sealed up (Moroni).
- Gifts of the Spirit.
- God's Word shall hiss forth.
- ↑
Index in the order of date to Part Second:
Sec. 30. Revelation to J. Smith, jun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .July, 1828. 31. Revelation to J. Smith, sen.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Feb., 1829. 32. Revelation to J. Smith, jun., and M. Harris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March, 1829. 8. Revelation to O. Cowdery and J. Smith, jun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1829. 33. Revelation whether John tarried on earth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1829.
Book of Moroni.
