Note 6 — COMPREHENSIVE SALVATION, OR THE GOSPEL TO THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

The only logical conclusion that can be reached in reasoning upon such a condition is, that the primitive Church being the true one, having divine sanction and approval, all churches differing from it must necessarily be spurious. However unpalatable so evident a situation may be to professing Christians, it should be accepted by them with becoming grace and composure that they may be prepared for the revelation to come. God is consistent and truthful in all his ways, and what he says he will do, whether by his own voice or by the utterances of his inspired servants, he will fulfil. Our readers, if they be consistent Bible believers, are constrained to accept of the fact presented in the sacred record, that the Lord did purpose, subsequent to a great apostasy, to reveal from heaven the true order of the Gospel. This belief being established in their minds, probably the chief difference in their position and ours is that while they merely admit the existence of such a precious prophetic promise we advance a step further, taking the ground that it has been fulfilled. The message we declare is that God raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith, to whom and to others he sent angels who conferred upon them the authority of the Holy Priesthood, enabling them to legally officiate in the ordinances of the Gospel. We announce that God has set up, in this age, by revelation, the true Church of Christ, to prepare the way for his second coming, which is near at hand.[6]