Chapter 13—The Death of Stephen
Disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem. The word of God in-
creased, and many of the priests were obedient unto the faith. Stephen
full of faith was doing great wonders and miracles among the people.
Many were angry; for the priests were turning from their traditions,
and from the sacrifices and offerings, and were accepting Jesus as
the great sacrifice. Stephen, with power from on high, reproved the
priests and elders, and exalted Jesus before them. They could not
withstand the wisdom and power by which he spoke, and as they found
that they could prevail nothing against him, they hired men to falsely
swear that they had heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses
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and against God. They stirred up the people, and took Stephen, and,
through false witnesses, accused him of speaking against the temple
and the law. They testified that they had heard him say that this Jesus
of Nazareth would destroy the customs which Moses gave them.
All who sat in judgment against Stephen saw the light of the glory
of God in his countenance. His countenance was lighted up like the
face of an angel. He stood up full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and,
beginning at the prophets, he brought them down to the advent of Jesus,
his crucifixion, his resurrection and ascension, and showed them that
the Lord dwelt not in temples made with hands. They worshiped the
temple. Anything spoken against the temple filled them with greater
indignation than if spoken against God. The spirit of Stephen was
stirred with heavenly indignation as he cried out against them for
being wicked, and uncircumcised in heart. Ye do always resist the
Holy Spirit. They observed the outward ordinances, while their hearts
were corrupt, and full of deadly evil. Stephen referred them to the
cruelty of their fathers in persecuting the prophets, saying, Ye have
slain them which shewed before the coming of the Just One, of whom
ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.
The chief priests and the rulers were enraged as the plain, cutting
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truths were spoken; and they rushed upon Stephen. The light of heaven
shone upon him, and as he looked up steadfastly into heaven, a vision
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