| 378 the Presidency of Joseph Smith, will feel obliged by your insertion of the following challenge:-
"To the President Brigham Young, the Twelve, and several other Presidents and Bishops in the Territory of Utah:-
"Gentlemen:-Your attention is respectfully called to the following facts. That Joseph Smith, son of Joseph the Martyr, in accordance with divine appointment, has assumed the position of President and Prophet to the Church of Jesus Christ in all the world. Realizing that every effort is made to prevent the Latter Day Saints in this Territory from becoming acquainted with their real position; viz., apostasy from the true order of the gospel of Jesus Christ, having imbibed doctrines contrary to the revealed mind of God, as set forth in ancient and modern Scriptures; we whose names are undersigned, having at heart the welfare of the human family, their redemption from priestcraft and spiritual and temporal bondage, do, on behalf of the church under the Presidency of Joseph Smith in Utah, call upon you to come forth and defend the following doctrines advocated by you as essential to salvation; viz.: That Adam is God of the human family and the only God with whom we have to do; that polygamy forms any part of the gospel of Christ; that Brigham Young is a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and the legal successor of Joseph Smith in the Presidency of the Church; that the law of tithing is administered according to the revealed will of God; that Salt Lake City is Zion, or the gathering place for the saints. Or, we are prepared to meet you in discussion and prove that Joseph Smith is the true successor of his father in the Presidency of the Church; that Utah is not the land of Zion, but the place where the rebellious saints who would not abide the commandments of God were driven to, from out of the land of Zion; that polygamy is an abomination, was never approbated by the Almighty, and originated in the accursed seed of Cain; that the doctrine of Adam being our God, is idolatry; that the administration of tithing in Utah is a perversion of the law. We cite you to the Doctrine and Covenants, which commands those who have the truth, to
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