Oliver Cowdery

“ From a careful reading of the word of God, and a candid research into those things which concern the world in the last days,—gazing upon the foundation, scrutanizing [scrutinizing] the order, contrasting the example of the apostles with those sects, as an honest man, we are bound, by every feeling of our hearts, to dissent from those systems, which, although they have continued to grasp the earth, deny the gift of inspiration, set at nought the gospel of Jesus Christ, and spread darkness and corruption over the face of the world. ”

“ And we are bold to say, that we can draw proof and arguments to justify our belief in the system we profess, from this holy word, and from its hallowed pages can we read a direct declaration from the mouth of its Author, against the crafts and plans of men. ”

“ As those principles are found written over the face of scripture, to give, even a synopsis, in a short prospectus, could not be expected: It cannot be doubted, however, by a discerning mind, that the end draws near, and that the time is not far distant when a breaking up of corrupt systems will commence, and discordant factions, at present so mysteriously interwoven, will be severed, preparatory to the universal deluge of misery which must envelop the wicked. ”