The object in sending “the everlasting gospel” among the nations of Babylon is to save a remnant by literally gathering them out of her midst. St. John says, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues ; for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Hence, there is connected with the great message of the Book of Mormon, “a voice from heaven,” commanding the Saints to come out from all nations as fast as they obey the gospel message; this they have been doing for these many years, and this they will continue to do, until the work of gathering is fully accomplished. And after the Saints, who are the salt of the earth, are gathered out, those who are left will quickly perish, as did Sodom and Gomorrah. All these events are clearly revealed in the Jewish scriptures; they are also clearly revealed in the Book of Mormon, which comes, saying, that the time is at hand; it is also revealed by the voice of God from heaven, and by the ministry of angels to chosen witnesses sent forth to warn mankind for the last time.

Orson Pratt, “The Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon,” in A series of pamphlets on the doctrines of the Gospel (Chattanooga, TN: The Southern States Mission, 1899) 199.

To be followed by future installments of the Orson Pratt Blows My Mind series.