deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth [the apostles' doctrine], that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion; that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."—II. Thess. 2: 8–12. Again, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."—Matt. 24: 24. Once more, "And the beast was taken and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image."—Rev. 19: 20.
Is it to be wondered at that after God had done so much for man, when he will not accept his Creator's counsel, will not rely upon His testimony though backed by His oath, but prefers his own imaginations to the testimony of God, that delusions from the infernal regions should be permitted to come upon him? That Joseph Smith's commission, if he had any, was from beneath is just as certain as that the Bible is true. By virtue of his commission, we are told; he was to restore the TRUE priesthood. Well, what was done to accomplish this? John the Baptist came down from heaven to ordain Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the true priesthood! What priesthood? The Aaronic! So, the Baptist laying his hands upon them said, "Upon you, my fellow-servants, in the name of the Messiah, I confer upon you the priesthood of Aaron." Such unblushing impudence and downright lying might be equaled by the devil, but could not be surpassed. God had a controversy, through Moses, with some of his ancient people upon one question, namely, Was the Aaronic priesthood to be limited to the tribe of Levi, and to the family of Aaron? The Almighty thought that by the sinking into the pit the company of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the destruction of the fourteen thousand, and the budding of Aaron's rod the controversy was
