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References: to prove the gospel in its fulness

Barnes, Lorenzo Don. References; to prove the gospel in its fulness, the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times and the latter-day glory. (By L. D. Barnes.) [Nauvoo? 1841?]
8 p. 12.5 cm.

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Barnes’s References consists mostly of biblical “proof texts” which support the Mormon position. It lists some three hundred citations, arranged under fifteen topical headings (pp. 1-6): “The Gospel”; “Its first principles, promises and blessings”; “The Holy Spirit and powers of godliness”; “Antiquity of the Gospel”; “Necessity of the Gospel being revealed from Heaven at the first coming of Christ”; “Necessity of the Gospel being revealed from Heaven in the Last Days”; “Millennium”; “Christ’s Second Coming”; “The Kingdom taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles”; “The Gathering of Israel”; “Miracles and Revelations in the Last Days”; “Kingdom of God in Power and Building up of Zion”; “Book of Mormon”; “The God of Israel”; “On Priesthood.” These are followed by a list of books referred to in the Bible but not included in it–an expanded version of the list in the Gospel Reflector, in an article entitled “Introduction to the Book of Mormon,” p. 104 (see this digital collection).

Revised editions of Barnes’s References were published at least twice in England under his name and at least twice under the name of Daniel Shearer. Benjamin Winchester published a much larger book of references in 1842, entitled Synopsis of the Holy Scriptures.

Lorenzo D. Barnes was a much loved and respected young elder. Born in Massachusetts, March 22, 1812, he moved with his family to Ohio in 1815 and converted to Mormonism there in 1833. The following year he marched with Zion’s Camp and in 1835 was chosen a member of the First Quorum of Seventy. Thereafter, his life was one of continuous missionary work, interrupted only by a brief pause at Adam-ondi-Ahman, where he served on the high council. In the spring of 1839 he was called to accompany the Twelve to England, but a stopover on the east coast stretched into two years as he proselytized in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Finally, in January 1842 he sailed for Great Britain. Eleven months later Barnes died in Bradford–the first Mormon elder to die in a foreign land. In 1852 his remains were brought from England and reinterred in Salt Lake City.

Excerpted and edited from Peter Crawley, A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church. Volume One, 1830-1847. (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center, [1997]). Item 116, p. 164-65.

Used by permission of the author and the Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University.

Representative women of Deseret

Crocheron, Augusta Joyce. Representative women of Deseret, a book of biographical sketches to accompany the picture bearing the same title. Comp. and written by Augusta Joyce Crocheron, and dedicated to the originals of this picture and book, their co-laborers in the Church and every true heart that will receive their testimonies. Salt Lake City, Printed by J.C. Graham & Co., 1884.
4p.l., 131p. 13 cm.

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Route from Liverpool to Great Salt Lake Valley

PIERCY, Frederick. Route from Liverpool to Great Salt Lake Valley illustrated with steel engravings and wood cuts from sketches made by Frederick Piercy, including views of Nauvoo and the ruins of the temple, with a historical account of the city; views of Carthage Jail; and portraits and memoirs of Joseph and Hyrum Smith; their mother, Lucy Smith; Joseph and David Smith, sons of the Prophet Joseph; President Brigham Young; Heber C. Kimball; Willard Richards; Jedediah M. Grant; John Taylor; the late chief patriarch, father John Smith; and the present chief patriarch, John Smith, son of Hyrum. Together with a geographical and historical description of Utah, and a map of the overland routes to that territory, from the Missouri River. Also, an authentic history of the Latter day Saints’ emigration from Europe from the commencement up to the close of 1855, with statistics. Edited by James Linforth. Liverpool, Published by Franklin D. Richards, London, Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, MDCCCLV, [1855]. viii, 120 p. 30 plates, folding map. 32 cm.

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Early in 1853, Samuel W. Richards and Frederick Piercy conceived the idea of publishing an illustrated travel book to encourage the English Saints to emigrate to Utah. At the time Richards was president of the British Mission, and Piercy was a twenty three year old convert of five years who also was a skilled artist and engraver. Financed by Richards, Piercy left England for the United States in February 1853. Before making the overland journey, he visited Carthage and Nauvoo where he sketched Carthage Jail and the ruins of the Nauvoo temple, and drew portraits of Lucy Smith and two of Joseph Smith’s sons. Along the overland route he sketched the most prominent landmarks; and in Utah he drew a wonderful panorama of the Great Salt Lake City and sketched Brigham Young’s portrait. In addition, Piercy wrote a detailed narrative of his travels, recording the sights and people, and his own impressions as he made his way to Utah. When he returned to England early in 1854, he handed his sketches and narrative to James Linforth to edit. Linforth was an assistant editor of the Millennial Star; and to Piercy’s narrative he added lengthy footnotes and a comprehensive summary of the LDS emigration up to 1855. The book was published in fifteen monthly parts, beginning in July 1854.

Route from Liverpool ranks as the most beautiful book published by Latter day Saints. Many of its steel engravings still have high artistic merit. Although it is now a rare book, its illustrations still find their way into many books written on Mormon history.

Excerpted and edited from Peter Crawley and Chad J. Flake, A Mormon Fifty: an exhibition in the Harold B. Lee Library in conjunction with the annual conference of the Mormon History Association. (Provo, Utah, Friends of the Brigham Young University Library, 1984). Item 46, p. [33-34].

Used by permission of the authors.