[, (Viator, pseud.)], Letter, , Hancock Co., IL, to the Editor of Daily Bee, , Suffolk Co., MA, 24 Mar. 1843, draft; handwriting of ; three pages; “Truthiana No. 2,” Truthiana, 1843, drafts, CHL.
witnesses of Jesus Christ, they would acknowledge they have the testimny of him, and that is the spirit of prophecy, and every man who posesses that spirit is a prophet. I, said he, claim no more than what evey servant of Christ must possess, to qualify him for his office; while the clergy of the 19th century, deny that which alone could qualify constitute them what they profess to be. He said he did not profess to be a verygoodman, but acknowledgd himself a sinner like other men, or as other men are imperfect; and it is necessary for all men to grow into the stature of manhood in the gospel.
I could not help noticing that he dressed, talked & acted like other men, and in every respect the perfect counterpart of what I had conjured up in my imagnation for a prophet.—
The Mormons have not yet completed their great , and have no commodious place of worship, but the and preach in private houses on the sabbath, and at other times, though I seldom attend these little meetings; but when the weather will admit, they meet in the , or on the rough floor of the baseme[n]t of the , and there the prophet freqently preaches. On one of these serevices I heard him preach from the <concerning> the prodigal Son.—
After naming his text, the p[r]ophet remarked that some one had asked him the meaning of the exp[r]ession of Jesus, “among those born of women there has not arisen a greater than John,” and said he had promised to answer it in public & would do it then.— “It could not have been on account of the miracles John performed for he did no miracles; but it was,
First, beause he was trusted with a divine mission; of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Who was trusted with such a mission before or sinc[e]?— Noone Man.
Second, he was trusted, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the son of man. Who ever did that? Who ever had so great a privilege or glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, beholding the Holy Ghost desend upon him in the Sign of the Dove? noman.
Third, John at that time was the only legal administrator, holding the Keys of power, there was on earth, The keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory had departd from the jiwes; & John, the son of Zachariah, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, held the keys of power at that time.—