Added Upon.
by Nephi Anderson.
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
A religion, to be worth while, must give satisfactory answers to the great questions of life: What am I? Whence came I? What is the object of this life? and what is my destiny? True, we walk by faith, and not by sight, but yet the eye of faith must have some light by which to see.
Added Upon is an effort to give in brief an outline of "the scheme of things," "the ways of G.o.d to men" as taught by the Gospel of Christ and believed in by the Latter-day Saints; and to justify and praise these ways, by a glance along the Great Plan, from a point in the distant past to a point in the future--not so far away, it is to be hoped.
On subjects where little of a definite character is revealed, the story, of necessity, could not go into great detail. It is suggestive only; but it is hoped that the mind of the reader, illumined by the Spirit of the Lord, will be able to fill in all the details that the heart may desire, to wander at will in the garden of the Lord, and dwell in peace in the mansions of the Father.
Many have told me that when they read Added Upon, it seemed to have been written directly to them. My greatest reward is to know that the little story has touched a sympathetic chord in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints, and that it has brought to some aching hearts a little ray of hope and consolation.
Nephi Anderson.
Liverpool, November 5, 1904.
PREFACE TO THE FIFTH AND ENLARGED EDITION.
This story of things past, things present, and things to come has been before the Latter-day Saints for fourteen years. During this time, it seems to have won for itself a place in their hearts and in their literature. A reviewer of the book when it was first published said that "so great and grand a subject merits a more elaborate treatment." Many since then have said the story should be "added upon," and the present enlarged edition is an attempt to meet in a small way these demands. The truths restored to the earth through "Mormonism" are capable of illimitable enlargement; and when we contemplate these glorious teachings, we are led to exclaim with the poet:
"Wide, and more wide, the kindling bosom swells, As love inspires, and truth its wonders tells, The soul enraptured tunes the sacred lyre, And bids a worm of earth to heaven aspire, "Mid solar systems numberless, to soar, The death of love and science to explore."
N.A.
Salt Lake City, Utah, May, 1912.
PART FIRST.
"The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
"I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
"When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
"Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
"While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
"When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compa.s.s upon the face of the depth:
"When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
"When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pa.s.s his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
"Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him."--_Prov. 8:22-30._
ADDED UPON
"Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?...
When the morning stars sang together, and all the Sons of G.o.d shouted for joy?"--_Job 38:4,7._
The hosts of heaven--sons and daughters of G.o.d--were a.s.sembled. The many voices mingling, rose and fell in one great murmur like the rising and falling of waves about to sink to rest. Then all tumult ceased, and a perfect silence reigned.
"Listen," said one to another by his side, "Father"s will is heard."
A voice thrilled the mult.i.tude. It was clear as a crystal bell, and so distinct that every ear heard, so sweet, and so full of music that every heart within its range beat with delight.
"And now, children of G.o.d," were the words, "ye have arrived at a point in this stage of your development where a change must needs take place.
Living, as ye have, all this time in the presence of G.o.d, and under the control of the agencies which here exist, ye have grown from children in knowledge to your present condition. G.o.d is pleased with you--the most of you, and many of you have shown yourselves to be spirits of power, whom He will make His future rulers. Ye have been taught many of the laws of light and life, whereby the universe is created and controlled.
True, ye have not all advanced alike, or along the same lines. Some have delighted more in the harmonies of music, while others have studied the beauties of G.o.d"s surrounding works. Each hath found pleasure and profit in something; but there is one line of knowledge that is closed to you all. In your present spiritual state, ye have not come in contact with the grosser materials of existence. Your experiences have been wholly within the compa.s.s of spiritual life, and there is a whole world of matter, about which ye know nothing. All things have their opposites. Ye have partly a conception of good and evil, but the many branches into which these two principles sub-divide, cannot be understood by you.
Again, ye all have had the hope given you that at some time ye would have the opportunity to become like unto your parents, even to attain to a body of flesh and bones, a tabernacle with which ye may pa.s.s on to perfection, and inherit that which G.o.d inherits. If, then, ye ever become creators and rulers, ye must first become acquainted with the existence of properties, laws, and organization of matter other than that which surround you in this estate.
"To be over all things, ye must have pa.s.sed through all things, and have had experience with them. It is now the Father"s pleasure to grant you this. Ye who continue steadfast, shall be added upon, and be permitted to enter the second estate; and if ye abide in that, ye shall be further increased and enlarged and be worthy of the third estate, where glory shall be added upon your heads forever and ever.
"Even now, out in s.p.a.ce, rolls another world--with no definite form, and void; but G.o.d"s Spirit is there, moving upon it, and organizing the elements. In time, it will be a fit abode for you."
The voice ceased. Majesty stood looking out upon the silent mult.i.tude.
Then glad hearts could contain no more, and the children of G.o.d gave a great shout of joy. Songs of praise and gladness came from the mighty throng, and its music echoed through the realms of heaven!
Then silence fell once more. The Voice was heard again:
"Now, how, and upon what principles will your salvation, exaltation, and eternal glory be brought about? It has been decided in the councils of eternity, and I will tell you.
"When the earth is prepared, two will be sent to begin the work of begetting bodies for you. It needs be that a law be given these first parents. This law will be broken, thus bringing sin into the new world.
Transgression is followed by punishment; and thus ye, when ye are born into the world, will come in contact with misery, pain, suffering, and death. Ye will have a field for the exercise of justice and mercy, love and hatred. Ye will suffer, but your suffering will be the furnace through which ye will be tested. Ye will die, and your bodies will return to the earth again. Surrounded by earthly influences, ye will sin. Then, how can ye return to the Father"s presence, and regain your tabernacles? Hear the plan:
"One must be sent to the earth with power over death. He will be the Son, the only begotten in the flesh. He must be sinless, yet bear the sins of the world. Being slain, He will satisfy the eternal law of justice. He will go before and bring to pa.s.s the resurrection from the dead. He will give unto you another law, obeying which, will free you from your personal sins, and set you again on the way of eternal life.
Thus will your agency still be yours, that ye may act in all things as ye will."
A faint murmur ran through the a.s.sembly.
Then spoke the Father: "Whom shall I send?"