1880s
1880
4-5 Apr 1880, Special Two-day Meeting, SLC Assembly Hall
[Deseret News Weekly, 29:149, 4/7/80, p 5; 29:168, 4/14/80, p 8; Millennial Star 42:273, 289, 305]
[4 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 29:149, 4/7/80, p 5]
TWO
DAYS' MEETINGS IN THE SALT LAKE ASSEMBLY HALL.
_____
In accordance with the announcement in the DESERET NEWS, meetings were held in the Assembly Hall, on Sunday, preparatory to the General Conference to be convened in the Large Tabernacle. At an early hour, the Saints commenced to assemble, and by 10 o'clock a.m., the time for opening the services, the new and elegant building was filled, and soon after was crowded in every part.
The congregation was called to order by President Taylor, and after singing by the Tabernacle choir, prayer was offered by Elder Moses Thatcher.
[President John Taylor]
President JOHN TAYLOR made a few introductory remarks; explained the object of calling two-days' meetings as a preliminary to the Annual conference; referred to the pleasing fact that this was the year of the jubilee of the Church, which would be 50 years old on the 6th inst.; showed that in ancient Israel the year of jubilee was celebrated as a time of general rejoicing and forgiveness, when debtors were released from their obligations and prisoners were set free. congratulated the Saints on the progress of the work of God during the 50 years of its history and invoked the spirit of the Lord upon the meetings to be held.
[John Taylor]
[Apr 1880 CR, pp 5-6]
I am
happy to have the privilege of meeting with the Saints in this new hall. It is
not quite finished, but yet it is so far comfortable that we can have an
opportunity of meeting and conferring together. When the building is fully
completed the organ and everything in its proper place we shall then have it
dedicated, as is our custom, to the Lord our God, for the purpose of meeting
here and attending to whatever may be required.
As the 6th of April falls on next Tuesday, we thought it better to have a two
days' meeting before hand, that we might have an opportunity of listening to
the principles that will be presented by our brethren, the Twelve and others,
and we are in hopes that on the 6th day of April we shall be able to meet in
the large Tabernacle, which will accommodate all who may desire to attend.
And while
we are assembled together in the capacity of a Conference, it is proper that
our hearts and feelings and affections should be turned to God, that we may
reflect upon his kindness, his mercy and salvation extended to us as a people;
that we may also reflect upon our weaknesses, our infirmities, our follies and
our foibles, and be enabled to lay them aside, feeling that we are the Saints
of God, with responsibilities to attend to; and that it is our duty and our
delight to listen to and be governed by those great principles which God has
revealed for the salvation of the human family.
On the
6th day of April the church will have been organized fifty years, and we might
with very good propriety call it a year of jubilee, or rather the close of the
year of jubilee. And while we are assembled together, either in our meeting
prior to the Conference or afterwards in the Conference, it becomes us, when we
reflect upon the kindness and mercy which God has vouchsafed to us during the
last fifty years, to renew our covenants before him, and feel in our hearts
that we are his people and that he is our God. His mercy and salvation will
still be extended to us, if we will only obey his laws, keep his commandments, and
pursue that course that is proper and acceptable in his sight.
I do not
wish to make many remarks this morning. I thought I would just rise and
introduce some of those principles that naturally tend to bring our minds to
reflection.
On the
fiftieth year, in former times, among the ancients, they had what was termed a
year of jubilee. Slaves were liberated. People who were in debt were forgiven
their indebtedness that is, the poor, the needy and the distressed. And we are
reflecting upon some things pertaining to that matter, which will be presented
in due form; and we wish to start, as it were, and feel to determine in our
hearts that the Lord is our God, the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our
Law-giver, and he shall rule over us; and we will try and be his people and
observe his laws. And I would ask my brethren and sisters to give us an
interest in their faith and prayers, that we shall be enabled to advance such
principles as will be calculated to enlighten, to quicken, to refresh and to
strengthen us, that we may pursue in after years, with more vigor and
determination, that path which God has revealed unto us. Amen.
He was followed by
[Elder Wilford Woodruff]
Elder WILFORD WOODRUFF, who commenced with a hearty "God bless you," and proceeded to relate the circumstances of his recent mission in Arizona; spoke in praise of the Saints living in the United Order in that part of the country, and the good, kid, temperate and fervent spirit that prevails there; of the peace-making influence of our missionaries upon the warlike Navajoes and Apaches; of the customs and manner of life of the Moquis and Zunis; of the progress of the work of God among them; also of the interest taken in our labors by those in the spirit world with whom he had been much in communion for some time past. He bore testimony to the final triumph of the truth, and exhorted the Saints to upright and godly lives.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 6-14]
President,
brethren and sisters: God bless you, (Amen), and may the peace of God abide
with you, and the Spirit of God within these walls, and may it rest upon the
Apostles, Elders and Saints while we assemble together to worship God. I feel
in my heart to praise the Lord for his mercies and blessings over the Apostles
and Elders and Saints and church and kingdom of God to the present hour. I see
before me here the symbols of the history of this church and kingdom, and some
of us have been preserved by the hand of God to pass through its travels, its
progress and its history almost from the beginning until the present day; and
while I listened to the remarks of Brother Taylor, I reflected in my own mind
upon the day and age and time of our history. Fifty years have passed and gone,
or nearly so, since the organization of this church and kingdom on the earth.
Whatever the feelings of the world may be with regard to the Latter-day Saints,
with regard to their lives, their history, their organization, their persecutions,
and their drivings until the present day, whether they believe or disbelieve,
it matters not to the purposes of God, who stands at the head, even our
Heavenly Father. This is the church and kingdom of God; it is the church of
Christ; it is the organization of the kingdom of God, that has been spoken of
by all the prophets since the world began; it is the Zion of God that Isaiah
and Jeremiah and many of the other prophets saw by vision and revelation in
their day and generation. In my own mind I cannot conceive of any fifty years
since the creation of this world, in its history before the heavens, before the
Gods, before the angels, and before the world, of more importance or
consequence than the last fifty years through which we have passed; and if the
vail could only be lifted from our eyes, so that we could see and comprehend
our destiny, our position, our responsibilities, and what is required at our
hands by the God of Israel, we should all of us feel the importance of
improving our time, magnifying our calling, striving to live by every word that
proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
I hold in
my hand our testament. The testator is dead, has been dead for a great many
years. He sealed his testimony with his blood. That testament is in force, has
been in force upon all the world from the day of his death; and not only from
that day, but from the time these revelations were given to the inhabitants of
the earth. That testament contains a volume of the most important revelations
God ever gave to man. Fifty years ago, or nearly so, when He gave some of these
revelations, the Lord said to Joseph Smith, "If you believe my words you
will go and prune my vineyard while the day lasts; If you believe these
revelations I have given you, you will take hold and build up this
kingdom." When I reflect that it is fifty years since these revelations
were given, I ask myself the question What condition are we in to-day as a
people, as Latter-day Saints? What is our condition, our position to-day before
the Lord? What is the condition of the world? What is the condition of Great
Babylon? What is the condition of the Saints, the Elders of Israel, and the
Lord's anointed, and the people whom he has chosen and called upon and raised
up to take hold and build up Zion, build up the kingdom, sanctify themselves
before God and prepare themselves for the coming of the Son of man? I have
sometimes feared in my own mind concerning ourselves, that we are not living as
near to the Lord as we ought to do; we do not always comprehend the
responsibilities which we are under to God our Heavenly Father. When I reflect,
my brethren and sisters, that the Lord has ordained the establishment of Zion,
upon the responsibility that rests upon us in warning the generation in which
we live that they may be left without excuse in fulfilment of the revelations
contained in this volume (the Book of Mormon)when I reflect that we are called
as the servants of the Lord to perform this work, I feel within my own mind as
the Lord has said now nearly fifty years ago, that if we believe the words of
the Lord we will labor while it is called to-day. The Lord looks to nobody
else, he expects nothing from anybody else, as far as the fulfilling of the
revelations in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants are concerned;
he looks to no other nation, kindred, tongue, or people henceforth to go and
perform this work, but the Saints of the living God. If the Lord has any
friends on the earth they are the Saints of God, and if the Saints of God have
any friends anywhere, they consist of the God of Israel and the heavenly hosts,
and the spirits of just men made perfect.
In my
view, we as Latter-day Saints are approaching a change. We are approaching
important events. It cannot be otherwise in the face of the revelations of God,
in the Bible, in the Testament, in the Doctrine and Covenants, than that a
change is about to take place in the world. The Lord has said that he would
make the work short in the latter days, that he would cut it short in righteousness.
Fifty years is a good while to pass away in the dispensation and generation in
which we live and it has taken from the earth during this time a great many, I
will say all of the founders of this church and kingdom. It has taken into the
spirit world many of the Apostles, many of the Elders, many thousands of the
Latter-day Saints, and sometimes when I look around and contemplate on the
past, I at times feel lonesome. I look back to the days of Joseph Smith, Hyrum
Smith, and to the patriarchs, prophets and apostles that lived in that day, and
I find that a great share of them are in the spirit world. There are but very
few left now who were alive at the organization of this church upon the earth.
I believe that Brother Orson Pratt is the only man who dwells in the flesh, who
is in the church, who was organized in the first Quorum of the Twelve. Brother
Taylor and myself remain of those who were organized in the second
organization. But Brother Taylor and myself and Brother Pratt and a good many
others will not tarry a great while here. We shall pass on to the other side of
the vail, and join those who have gone before, as will many who are in this
congregation. This is not our home, but we will dwell in the flesh until we
pass through a change. We are apt sometimes in our reflections to marvel and
wonder why the Lord has taken away so many men who have been called as Apostles
and prophets and Elders of the Zion of God into the Spirit world. The Lord has
had his motive in these things. I see (pointing to the paintings on the
ceiling) Joseph Smith with Moroni, and here, with Peter, James and John,
receiving the priesthood. How long did he (Joseph) tarry here in the flesh?
Only fourteen years after he organized this church and kingdom, the church and
kingdom of God, the church of Jesus Christ. We felt as though we could not
live, could not exist, without Joseph. We felt a good deal as the Apostles did
when Jesus told his disciples that if he did not go away the Comforter would
not come. They did not comprehend him; they did not understand that Jesus
Christ was to be crucified, notwithstanding that he told them that if be did
not go away the Comforter would not come. Joseph Smith remained with us longer
than the Savior did. He remained only about three and a half years after he was
thirty years of age, an age which the Jewish law required a man to attain
before officiating in the priesthood. Joseph Smith remained with us about
fourteen years. He remained until he had received all the keys of the kingdom
of God which were necessary for the establishment of this church and kingdom,
and which were necessary for those men who followed him to have those keys upon
their shoulders, that they might continue to build upon the foundation that had
been laid; but as soon as Joseph received the keys of the Aaronic and
Melchizedek priesthood, as soon as he received the keys from Moses for the
gathering together of the House of Israel in the latter days, and from Elijah
to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children and children to the fathers
when Joseph received all these keys, and had power to seal them upon the heads
of other men, the Lord called him away. Why did he call him into the spirit
world? Because he held the keys of this dispensation, not only before he came
to this world and while he was in the flesh, but he would hold them throughout
the endless ages of eternity. He held the keys of past generations of the
millions of people who dwelt on the earth in the fifty generations that had
passed and gone who had not the law of the gospel, who never saw a prophet,
never saw an Apostle, never heard the voice of any man who was inspired of God
and had power to teach them the gospel of Christ, and to organize the church of
Christ on earth. He went to unlock the prison doors to these people as far as
they would receive his testimony, and the Saints of God who dwell in the flesh
will build temples unto the name of the Lord, and enter these temples and
perform certain ordinances for the redemption of the dead. This was the work of
Joseph the prophet in the spirit world. Now, I believe in my own mind that
every Elder of Israel who has gone into the spirit world, who has been faithful
in the flesh, has as much to do on the other side of the vail as we have to do
here, and if anything more so. This is my view with regard to the labors of the
Elders of Israel. The Lord hath need of some on the other side of the vail. He
preserves some to labor here, and he takes home whom he will according to the
counsels of his own will; this is his manner of dealing. Those of our brethren
who have passed away have got through the labors of the flesh; we are left here
to labor a little while on the earth. Then I would like to ask my brethren and
sisters this morning, in view of these things, if these things are true, if
this is the church of Christ, if this is the Zion of God which the Lord
Almighty foreordained before the world was should be established in the latter
days, and had a class of men and women whom he had reserved in the spirit
world, whose lives were hid with Christ in God and knew it not, to come forth
and stand in the flesh and take hold of this kingdom and build it up, and war
with the world, the flesh and the devilthen, if this be true, what manner of
men and women ought we to be? I feel in my reflections, in my thoughts and in
my meditations, that we, as Elders of Israel, should have nothing else to do in
this world while we dwell in the flesh but to build up this kingdom, and when
we are building up this kingdom we are building up ourselves; when we are
faithful to God we are magnifying our calling.
The eyes
of the heavenly hosts are over us; the eyes of God himself and his Son Jesus
Christ; the eyes of all the prophets and Apostles who have dwelt in the flesh;
they are watching our works. I have spent more time lately with those who are
in the spirit world, in my night seasons, than in all the rest of my life
together. On one occasion I thought in my dream that Presidents Young, Kimball
George A. Smith, and many others, attended one of our Conferences. When Brother
Young was asked to preach he said: "No, I have done my preaching, I have
done my instructions in the flesh; I have come to hear you talk, I have come to
look at you, I have come to watch over you, I wish to see what this people are
doing." This has been the answer and these are thoughts I believe in. I
believe we are not shut out from God, we are not shut out from our brethren,
though the vail is between us. They understand our works, our condition, our
position, and I feel a desire myself, what little time I have to spend in the
flesh, to make my time useful. I wish to do what I can for the building up of
the kingdom of God. I wish to do what I can to bring to pass righteousness, and
I feel that we should all be in this position; we should all labor to occupy
our time, our talents, and our attention as far as we possibly can to build up
the kingdom of God.
I wish to
say to the Latter-day Saints. Sometimes people apostatize; we speak of people
getting into the dark. It does not make any difference who sells whiskey, nor
who drinks it; it makes no difference who blasphemes the name of God, or
apostatizes from the church and kingdom of God, as far as the establishment of
the kingdom of God is concerned; the Lord has got valiant men and women in his
kingdom who will be true and faithful to the Lord and his work. If half of this
church were to fall away, it would not destroy the purposes of the Lord. With
regard to ourselves that is another thing. Many men who have received the
gospel, and have had the Holy Ghost conferred upon them, have fallen away, but
in doing so they condemn themselves, they destroy themselves, they miss and
lose all the hopes they ever had of eternal life and the blessings of God in
the celestial kingdom. Men may fall, but the kingdom of God never, never. The
Lord has a good many men and women in this church and kingdom that cannot
afford to surrender any principle that the God of Israel has commanded us to
obey, no principle that the Lord has commanded us to receive, no principle that
is embodied in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because we know and understand
very well that our destiny, our position, and our blessings are all in his
hands. We also know that the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth
under the whole heavens are in the hands of God. The Lord guides these things;
he will guide them. We are approaching an important day and time. We are
approaching a period when there must be a change in Babylon, a change in our
nation, and a change in Zion. Judgments are going to begin at the house of God.
They will go forth, and will not be taken from the earth until all has been
fulfilled.
My
brethren and sisters, I wished to say this much this morning. I desired to
exhort you, and I exhort myself. Let us watch and be sober. Let us keep the
commandments of God. Let us labor for the Holy Spirit, for without this no man
can serve God. What condition is the world in? To-day the world is a great way
from the Lord, and they are getting a great way further off year by year, and
just so far as they get from the Lord in this world, just so far off will they
be in the world to come. Bear this in mind.
I do
think that as Elders in Israel we have no reason to be discouraged. God is with
us. God is with this people. He is watching over our interests. He guides and
directs our destiny, and you may look back and scan the history of this church
and kingdom from the days of its organization, and you will find it has never
gone backward, it has gone forward all the way through, year by year, no matter
the difficulties thrown in our way. We have had persecution and oppression; we
were driven from one place to another for many years, until we were driven into
these Rocky Mountains, to the land given to Jacob and his posterity, the land
preserved for the gathering of the Saints in the latter days. When I look at
this assembly and contemplate the work of this people in these valleys and in
the surrounding Territories; when I perceive how this desert is occupied, how
the Latter-day Saints are progressing, how they are cultivating the earth,
building temples, halls, tabernacles, schoolhouses, towns and villages, I
marvel at the work of the Lord. This is the work of the Almighty, and when our
enemies look for the stoppage of this work, for the stoppage of the progress of
the Latter-day Saints, they will be disappointed, because these things are in
the hands of the Lord, and no power can hinder their progress.
I rejoice
in having the privilege of meeting with an assembly of the Saints of God in
Salt Lake City, and especially in such a good building as this. It is a credit
to the Latter-day Saints. It is an ornament to this Temple Block, and an honor
to those who have helped to build it. We must continue these things. We must go
forward, not backward. We have this fine temple which we are building at the
present time, and there are others being erected in other parts of the
Territory, that the Latter-day Saints may enter these temples of our God and
attend to the ordinances for the redemption of the living and the dead. I bear
testimony to you, my brethren and sisters, the whole spirit world is watching
your labor and your works, and as I said in the beginning, if the vail was
taken from off our eyes, we would see the responsibility of our acts, and what
would be the result of these things? We would labor diligently and do all we
could for the rearing of these temples for the redemption of our dead; we would
sanctify ourselves and keep the Word of Wisdom, and unite ourselves together
according to the law of God. There are many things we do as Latter-day Saints
that we should abstain from; we should see the importance of our laboring in
the flesh to build up the Zion of God.
I have
spent the last year of my life on a mission. I have been traveling with our
southern brethren; spent some time in the temple; been through Arizona, where
the brethren and sisters are living in the United Order. I will say that I have
been pleased with my visit to the southern country. In many of our settlements
the people are endeavoring to keep the commandments of God, uniting together
according to the order of the kingdom of God; and I will say here that from my
experience among them I am pleased with the result, I am pleased with the
fruits manifested by the people, and you know we judge a tree by the fruit it
bears. I made my home in Sunset when I was not traveling. The people there are
living in the United Order, as also in Brigham City and St. Joseph, and while I
was in those settlements I never heard an oath, I never saw a quarrel, I never
saw any man or boy smoke a cigarette, or use an ounce of tobacco, or drink
whiskey, or drink a cup of coffee or tea, except what I drank myself. The idea
of drinking coffee where nobody else was drinking it was a very poor example, I
thought, for an Apostle; I therefore took, instead of coffee, water and milk,
and have felt a great deal better. The promise is that those who keep the Word
of Wisdom "shall run and not be weary, shall walk and not faint," and
I can say I have enjoyed much better health than before. Another thing I wish
to mention. Among this people, if you go to the herd-grounds, to the shepherds,
those who herd the sheep and cattle, you never see any man with a pack of
cards. Every man prays morning and night at least, and you will always find a
book of Doctrine and Covenants, Spencer's Letters, Voice of Warning, or other
good books. I speak of these things because they are manifestations of good
fruit. God has blessed the people; they are living together in peace and unity,
and there are many others who are blessed of the Lord in that land who are not
altogether carrying out these principles. But I do think the Lord requires of
us to unite together. I think it is our duty to co-operate together and help bring
about temperance, holiness and righteousness.
I spent a
good deal of my time last season in visiting our Lamanite brethren, the
American Indians, and I will here remark that while in Apache County I learned
it was reported that the Mormons were accused of having supplied arms to the
Utes who have been at war with the whites, and that we urged them on to fight.
A greater libel than this was never perpetrated. The Latter-day Saints have
done more to bring the American Indians to peace than all the efforts of the
United States put together. Until the Elders of Israel went among the Indians
no man's life was safe, no matter who he was; but since we have been amongst
them they are the friends of the white man; they are peaceable; many of them
have turned their hearts to the cultivation of the earth, and to-day many
tribes of them will not steal the cattle and the horses of the white men. We
have become acquainted with many of the tribes in that part of the country. We
have had many opportunities of becoming acquainted with both the Navajoes and
Apaches, who have been wandering, warlike tribes, and no white man's life or
scalp was safe with them until the "Mormon" Elders went among them
and taught them the gospel and peace and the benefits of cultivating the earth.
Now any white man can go among them in safety, if he will behave himself,
attend to his own business, and not interfere with the families of the Indians.
This will apply to the Navajoes and Apaches, with the exception of a remnant of
Apaches who are not under the control of Petrone and Pedro, the war and peace
chiefs. This remnant, under Vutone, is still on the war path. The Navajoes
return to the whites any strayed or stolen horses or cattle. The Navajoes visit
the "Mormon" settlements in peace, where they are fed and treated
kindly, taught to cultivate the earth, and instructed in the principles of
peace and to prevent war.
We have
visited the Oribas, Moquis, Zunis, Lagoonis, and Islatas. All live in villages,
the houses of which are made of stone, laid in mortar, and are from one to four
stories high, with flat roofs. They and their forefathers have occupied these
villages for generations. They are all peaceable Indians, and all wish to avoid
war. The Oribas and Moquis occupy seven villages, built upon the top of solid,
barren rocks, from 500 to 1500 feet nearly perpendicular, with no soil upon the
rocks. The last three villages we visited stand upon a barren rock, one mile
long, 100 yards wide at the top, and about 1500 feet high. The three villages stand
upon the south end of the rock, from 200 to 300 yards apart, and number about
1500 people. Were it not for a sink in the rock of about 200 feet, with a steep
serpentine trail and stone steps, no mortal being could reach those villages,
only in a balloon. The natives have no tradition who built the villages, but
they have been occupied for centuries, and were located in their romantic
situation evidently for the purpose of protection from the Navajoes, the
traditional enemies of the Moquis, and also from other enemies, who would rob
them of their horses, asses, sheep and goats whenever an opportunity presented
itself, until the "Mormons" made peace between the contending
parties, and now they are on friendly terms. The Moquis have a thousand or more
acres of corn, beans, melons, squashes, and peach orchards planted in the sand
on the earth below them, where they raise good corn, from pure white to jet
black, without irrigation. The black corn is the best. Every pound of water,
wood and corn, and everything they subsist upon, has to be carried up the steep
trail and stone steps some 1500 feet, on the backs of men, women and asses, as
it is too steep for mules and horses. There is a projection on the east side of
the mountain, 100 feet from the top, about 100 yards in length and twelve feet
wide. By a trail in the side of the mountain the projection is reached, and
every night it is filled with thousands of sheep and goats, which are kept in
by a frail stone wall about two feet high. Should an animal jump over, it would
not touch ground for about 1200 feet, which would abridge its usefulness for
either wool or mutton.
The names
of these three villages are first, Hano; second, Cheehomova; third, Walpe. The
last named stands on the south end of the rock, and has about 1000 people.
Their workshops stand flush with the outer edge of the precipice. Their
dwellings stand from ten to twenty feet back from the edge, with nothing to
keep men, women or children from falling off, either by day or night. Five
Navajoes were thrust off this precipice, several years ago, in a quarrel, and
never struck ground for about 1500 feet. One Moquis chief and several children
have fallen off at the same place, and the only wonder is that half of the
people of the village have not been killed in the same way. In my visit to
these villages I was accompanied by Elders Lot Smith and Ira Hatch.
The
villages eastward are built upon slightly elevated pieces of ground, and are
much better off than the Moquis. The Zunis, Lagoonis and Islatas, all have
large cultivated fields. The Islatas are the most advanced in civilization and
industry of any natives I ever visited. The village numbers 3000 inhabitants,
and is located on the Rio del Norte, twelve miles below Albequerque. When I
visited the village the people thereof had large fields of corn, kept clear of
weeds and well irrigated. They had also large apple, pear and peach orchards,
besides twenty-one grape vineyards, with about 1000 vines in each, kept clean
and loaded with fine fruit. Their houses were clean and neat and some of their
floors were carpeted. Their blood has been kept pure, they being unmixed with
other tribes, or with the Mexicans or any white men. The old patriarch, John
King, the leading spirit of the place, said it was seldom a case of seduction
or adultery had occurred among his people; and he said that death had always
been the penalty for the crime.
I saw one
peculiar practice in Islata that I never saw in any civilized city. No man,
woman, or child was permitted to sweep any dust or dirt from the floor to the
sidewalk or into the street under penalty of a fine. All sweepings had to be
gathered into baskets, or on blankets, at the threshold, and emptied upon one
of the mounds located in different parts of the city.
We occupied
a house facing the public square. The largest mound in the city was near that
location, and measured 140 yards in circumference and forty feet high, all
gathered from sweepings of floors, probably for generations, as it did not
appear that any had been carted away.
It is
expected that the railway will cross at Islata, there being the only rocky bed
and shores for many miles up and down that river.
The
Islatas have their own laws, rules, regulations, courts, police, etc. They are
a wealthy people, and stand at the head of many of the surrounding villages.
They have traditions among them concerning their past and future history, which
they are looking for the fulfilment of. Their record gives a history of their
final restoration to civilization, industry, prosperity and the gospel of
Christ, and their deliverance from oppression and war. This must be the future
destiny of a remnant of them, or the promises of their forefathers must fall
unfulfilled. Elders Ammon M. Tenney and Christophersen accompanied me on my
visit to these villages. Brother Tenney, three years previous, had visited the
inhabitants of these villages, and had formed an acquaintance with them and
assisted in baptizing one hundred and fifteen of the Zunis.
I feel to
thank the Lord that I have lived to see this day and time; that I have lived to
see the Fiftieth Anniversary of the history of the church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints; and brethren and sisters, whatever little time we have to
spend let us spend it in laying aside iniquity, let us labor to build up the
kingdom of God. Our position after death will depend upon the little time that
we spend here in the flesh, and when I consider when I can get enough of the
Spirit of the Lord to guide my mind to comprehend the blessings of life and
salvationwhen I consider the great difference between being in the kingdom of
God and out of it I think it will pay any man or woman to keep the commandments
of God. Blessed is that people whose God is the Lord. The Latter-day Saints
profess to make our Heavenly Father their God.
I do not
wish to detain my brethren and sisters any longer this morning. I rejoice again
to see you, and again to walk the streets of Salt Lake City. And I hope while
we are together in this Conference the Spirit of God may be with us, that our
hearts may be enlightened, our minds opened to comprehend our duties, and that
we will be inspired to teach the Saints of God in the path of righteousness and
truth, which is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Elder Moses Thatcher]
Elder MOSES THATCHER gave an exceedingly interesting account of his mission to the capital of the Mexican republic. Described the country, the climate, the people and the government; showed the wide difference between the Indian race of Mexico and the tribes of these mountains; touched on the early history of the country and its people and the Spanish conquest under Cortez; pointed out the gradual decadence of Spain from that time, and predicted the future emergence of the native people from the evils surrounding them, and their elevation and redemption. Their forefathers slew the Nephite prophets, and hence the calamities that had befallen the nation, yet the enemy that had slain them by millions had not been prospered, but had rapidly declined. Showed that the ancestors of the Indians had a knowledge of the creation, the fall, the deluge, the Tower of Babel and other Biblical events, as well as of the birth, death and resurrection of the Savior, and his visit to this continent, corroborative of the truth of the Book of Mormon. Elder Thatcher related the incident which gave rise to his mission; how a teacher in the Presbyterian college in the City of Mexico, who spoke several languages, becoming interested in a socialistic scheme for the benefit of the poor, prayed for light from the Lord on this matter and dreamed that a person brought him a book which he was to read; how a boy came to him next day and presented to him a book, which he prevailed upon him to buy after several refusals, and which proved to be that part of the book of Mormon that had been translated into Spanish; and how the teacher was thus led to learn the truth and correspond with President Taylor, and finally come into the Church consequent upon the opening of the mission, by which a branch of 20 members had been organized in the City of Mexico. Elder Thatcher showed how by means of a telegram in the New York Sun, which had been copied into the Mexican papers, and which falsely stated that he had gone to Mexico to purchase land for the colonization of the "Mormons," the attention of influential persons in that country had been drawn to the mission, thus giving him and his companions -- Elders Stewart and Trejo, opportunities of preaching the gospel which they would not have had otherwise. He related several instances of the manifestation of the power of God there, predicted the accomplishment of a great work in that country and closed with a strong testimony of the truth of this work.
[Moses Thatcher]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 14-21]
I have been
very much edified with the remarks to which we have listened. I feel that we.
are a blessed people in being; privileged to meet and worship God under so
favorable circumstances; and while listening to the remarks of my brethren it
has been very apparent to my mind that God's kingdom is increasing, that the
stakes of Zion are being extended and her cords lengthened. We are engaged in
the work of God, our Heavenly Father. We are, as a people, in the enjoyment of
privileges that are very great; indeed, we live in that day and age of the
world to which the prophets anciently looked with joy and rejoicing. God's
kingdom is being built up, never again to be thrown down nor given to another
people. Whatever may be the reflections of the people of the world in regard to
the Latter-day Saints, there is one fact that is apparent to them, and that is
that we are growing, that we are increasing in numbers, that while our mission
is "peace on earth and good will to men," the powers of God are being
made manifest, and the principles of the Gospel are being preached to every
nation, kindred, tongue and people.
We have
been seeking for years to extend this knowledge to the Lamanites, to the
remnants of the House of Israel, to the fruit of the loins of Jacob through
Joseph, but until recently it has been apparent to us that their hearts have
not been opened to receive the testimony which is contained in the Book of
Mormon.
I have listened with much pleasure to the remarks of Elder Woodruff which we
have heard this morning, in regard to the experience he has had in laboring
among the people of Arizona and New Mexico, and it might be of some interest to
the Latter-day Saints to have a short sketch of my experience during the time I
have been absent. I have visited the capital of the Republic of Mexico for the
purpose of preaching the gospel to the people there. We were courteously
received, kindly treated, had the Spirit of God to be with us and the Lord to
be our Friend; and notwithstanding the reports that have been circulated
through the medium of the press, we feel that a good work, a great work, will
be accomplished in the Republic of Mexico. More than one-half of the entire
population are of the pure Indian stock, numbering, I believe, a little in
excess of five millions. They are different in many respects from the Indians
who roam in these mountain regions, having at no time in their history, so far
as we can trace it, been so steeped in ignorance, slothfulness and destitution
as have been the Indians in this country. At the time they were subjugated by
the Spaniards under Cortez, commencing in the year 1520, they were to some
extent an enlightened race of people. They had a fair knowledge of the arts and
sciences, and were particularly well versed in architecture; while their
notation of time was quite equal to that of any nation then living. Their
traditional history, as well as their written history, is very interesting, and
had it not been for the dispositiondoubtless through ignorance of the Catholic
priests who followed up the conquest, we might have had knowledge that would
now be valuable to the world. But as Cortez bore down heavily upon the thirty
millions of people who then lived in what was cared Mexico proper, so the
priests who followed his camp bore heavily upon their works of art, and
particularly in the destruction of their libraries, which were burned in great
heaps, while the poor Indians gathered round, and, gazing upon the destruction
of their treasures, wept like children. But there has been enough preserved to
bring forth remarkable historical evidence in confirmation of the truths
contained in the Book of Mormon.
There are
many interesting things connected with these historical works that I might
mention if I had time to do so, but at present I will simply say that their
history clearly portrays that they had a full knowledge of the creation of the
earth, of the garden of Eden, the deluge, the ark, the tower of Babel, the
confusion of tongues, and their construction of eight boats in which to cross the
great waters. They also had a knowledge of the birth, ministry and crucifixion
of the Savior, and a person answering the description of the Son of Man was
well known in their midst. He taught them the arts of peace, and all those
higher elements of learning which the Aztecs were found in possession of at the
time of the conquest. We find that preceding the conquest they were highly
educated, highly instructed in the arts and in some of the sciences, and their
forefathers had what was called a sacred book. An aged Indian, when asked in
reference to this sacred book by one of the early Catholic priests, replied
that it contained to some extent the knowledge that they, the priests, sought
to teach them; and when asked where that book was, the Indian replied that they
had a tradition which had come down from generation to generation that it was
buried in the earth. But I do not wish to take up time this morning upon these
points, but desire to speak of the Indians as we find them now. They are the
laborers of Mexico. Where there are railroads constructed, they construct them.
Where there are cities built, they build them. They are an industrious class of
people, many of them being skillful artisans and mechanics. They are docile,
slow to resent an injury, but will remember an act of injustice for a long
time. They are true to their promises, quite different in this respect from
many who claim a higher civilization. If you can secure their word and their
friendship they will be true to you. It is very remarkable to notice in the
general cast of their features the resemblance to the Jewish race, even more
striking than we find it here among our Indians; and when crossed with the
white or Spanish race, you would almost in every instance take them to be Jews.
Thus, when I first arrived in the city of Mexico I observed to a gentleman,
"You have a great many Jews here." "No," said he,
"they are not Jews, they are Mexicans." They are a very polite
people. The common Indian laborer on the street is as polite as almost any one
you meet in this country. As to the educated class such as congressmen, judges,
and members of the Cabinet, you invariably find them well informed. Most of
them have traveled extensively, and many of them speak German, French and
English, as well as Spanish. The educated portion of the Mexicans are not
ignorant with reference to the history of the Latter-day Saints. They have
traced them up from the day of the organization of the church. They are
familiar with our wanderings, our drivings, and our persecutions. They are also
familiar with the indomitable courage which has been exhibited by the
Latter-day Saints in redeeming this barren waste, and as a prominent Mexican
gentleman expressed himself to me"Why," said he, "you Mormon
people have a poor country, and yet you seem to prosper, while we have a very
rich country, but as a whole a very poor people." This I have no doubt is
mainly attributable to the nature of the climate. For it has been observed that
where God has done much for man, man does very little for himself. I believe
this is the case to some extent in Mexico. The climate at the capital does not,
it is said, vary more than 10 the year round. Thus they have there what you
might call perpetual spring. The result is that the people lack enterprise, and
therefore it would be a delight to the leading men of Mexico if a population
composed of the Anglo-Saxon race could be induced to locate themselves in that
country, in order to develop its latent resources, because the undeveloped
resources of Mexico are very great. The mines are not only numerous, but are
rich. The land is also very productive, and is capable of growing anything you
can name that can be produced in any Other part of the world. We have no
climate here to be compared with that of the Gulf Coasts of Mexico. I was down
there on the 14th of December; the heat was certainly not comfortable; indeed,
it was so intense that we felt we must at once change our clothing and assume
lighter garments. But, on leaving the city of Vera Cruz about eleven o'clock in
the evening, and in passing up to the tablelands, we found that in a few hours
we required heavy overcoats in order to keep us comfortable. The valley of
Mexico proper is 7400 feet above the level of the sea. Thus you can see the
altitude is much greater than ours.
Referring
to our missionary experience there, I will say, when the article appeared in
the New York Sun stating that we had gone to Mexico to arrange with the Mexican
Government officials for the purchase of land for the colonization of our
people, of course it brought to us a great many inquiries, and while we had
before desired that we might become acquainted with leading men and government
officials, we had not up to that date had the privilege of doing so. But after
the publication of this article, which was copied into the leading journals of
the City of Mexico, we then had numerous callers, many having valuable tracts
of land to sell, in which, as Colonel Sellers would say, "There's millions
in it." Indeed, one man was anxious that we might secure twenty million
acres; another, that we might secure an entire State; and they exhibited a good
deal of anxiety that we might colonize in the Republic. But I told them we had
no such mission, and that indeed if we had come to buy we had not yet seen
sufficient of the country or people; adding that our mission was to preach, and
to publish the word of the Lord to the people. Through the politeness of some
of these gentlemen, we became acquainted with many influential officials and
men of eminence, whose courtesy and kindness we shall not soon forget.
We found
on inquiry that the Mexican Constitution was much the same as our own; in some
respects a little more liberal. It guarantees freedom of the press, of speech,
and full religious toleration. It recognizes churches as no portion of the
governmental power; while all are free to preach in their houses of worship,
they are not free to perform religious ceremonies in the open streets,
highways, or market places. The act prohibiting any manifestation of religious
worship on the public highways and streets was caused to be passed by the late
President, Juarez who was a pure-blooded Indian, then being not a drop of white
blood in his veins. He was a great statesman and a thorough soldier. His name
will pass down into history as being a great benefactor of his race and people.
He was a liberal-minded man, whose heart beat for the highest human liberty.
Being a foe to tyranny in every form, he traced the sufferings of Mexico very
clearly, and comprehended that they were mainly traceable to the influence
which the clergy exercised over the minds of the people. From ,this thraldom he
labored with all his might to free his race, and sought to place them upon the
solid basis of civil and religious liberty. Now the churches are entirely free
to perform their ordinances within the walls of their buildings; but there was
a time when, if a Catholic priest should happen to be moving along the street
in his robes, the people were required to bow down. It was the oppression and
not the rights of religious powers that Juarez sought to crush, and he
succeeded. The second Judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic, who was for a
number of years the leading man in the House of Representatives, predicted
about ten years ago that the clergy in that land must be tolerant, and follow
in the future, better than they had done in the past, the examples of the lowly
Nazarene, or they would have to march out of Mexico by thousands. That
predictional though it may not have been looked upon as such at the time was
noticed by some eminent writers, and has been literally fulfilled. The clergy
have, as I have been informed, had to leave in great numbers. Nunneries have
been abolished and churches have been sold by hundreds, so that in the space of
a few years $200,000,000 have been confiscated in this way. God has moved in
the midst of the nation, and I believe a great work will be performed among the
remnants of the House of Israel in that land. The power of God in the
manifestation of their faith is greater perhaps than you will find among some
of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is true, they have been under bondage for nearly
400 years. They may see the power of God made manifest to-day, in the healing
of their infirmities, and to-morrow forget the blessings of the Lord. But in
that respect wherein are they different from the children of Israel? Did they
not witness the power of God in the separation of the waters of the Red Sea,
and in various other ways? Did they not hear the voice of the Lord, and yet
longed for the leeks and onions, and threatened to do evil to their leader,
Moses?
In this
regard the Mexican people are much the same. They have ideas, ways and manners,
peculiar to themselves. They are in their expressions very kind, and wherever
we met influential menmen connected with the Government of Mexico we met with
uniform kindness. Our reception was warm and genuine, and we felt to bless such
people. We believe that the Lord will yet open up the way by which thousands
and hundreds of thousands will receive a knowledge of the truth. We have
baptized some twenty in that land, and have a little branch already formed, and
the manifestations of the power of God among them are not wanting. The second
member baptized into the branch is an Indian. It is very clear that he is of
the House of Israel. After he was ordained to the office of an Elder, he began
to read, to some extent, our works. He was very much interested in the Book of
Mormon, so far as it is published in the Spanish language, and he has full
faith in the ordinances of the Gospel. One day a woman was found in the street
suffering under the influence of an evil spirit, being sadly deranged. The
police were seeking to allay her feelings and quiet her, while a great crowd
was attracted by the occurrence. The Indian happened to be there at the time,
and, perceiving what was the matter, made his way through the crowd to the
woman, and in the name of Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, whereupon she was
quieted, and, to the astonishment of the people, walked away without uttering
another word.
Before
closing my remarks it might be somewhat interesting to the congregation to
learn the cause which led to sending the Elders to the city of Mexico. I will
tell you briefly how it occurred. There is a Dr. Rhodacanaty, who is, I
believe, a Greek on the side of his father and a Mexican on the side of his
mother. He had been engaged in a socialistic work, having for its object the
benefitting of the poorer classes seeking to organize a system, in some
respects like our co-operative system here, for the intelligent direction of
labor, and, having used his influence in this direction for a short time, he
became perplexed, and his mind seemed to close down, so that he could not see
how to make further progress. He therefore felt to pray to the Lord to give him
wisdom to proceed. During the night he dreamed that a person came and presented
to him a book, pressing it emphatically upon his forehead. On the following
day, while teaching his class in the college, wherein he was Greek Professor, a
little boy entered and asked him to buy a book. "No," said he to the
boy, "I do not want your book." "But," says the boy,
"you do want this book, and it is only a riel" (twelve and a half
cents). He told the boy again that he did not want the book, but the boy still
insisted that he did, and finally he took it. When he came to read the book, it
proved to be that part of the Book of Mormon which has been translated into the
Spanish language. From this time he received light daily, and finally
communicated with President Taylor, and the result was that the Elders were
sent and the mission was opened in Mexico.
I will
relate another circumstance to show you how the wisdom of the Lord is greater
than that of man. We became acquainted with Professor Sherwin, an American from
the State of Iowa, who was also teaching in the Presbyterian College, and who
frequently visited us at our rooms. When we had prepared the "Voice of
Warning" in manuscript for publication he desired that the Presbyterians
should have a chance to bid for the printing of it. Elder Stewart told him that
they would not print the work. "Why," said he, "they surely will
not carry prejudice into business matters." "Well," replied
Brother S., "to please you we will give them a chance to bid on the work,
but I am satisfied that they will absolutely refuse to publish anything about
'Mormonism.'" He went to the printing establishment and offered the work.
The young men who had charge of the printing office readily assented to bid
upon the work, and asked until the next evening, in order that they might bid
intelligently. In the meantime they submitted the matter to the head of the
Presbyterian and other churches, (for there they work together Presbyterians,
Baptists and Methodists), and when the matter was submitted to the Bishop, he
scouted the very idea, and said we had not money enough to hire them to print
our works. The young men were astonished, and desired to see us in reference to
such prejudice. They came and we talked with them, saying that it was because
of the ignorance of the world in reference to us and the principles we
advocated, that caused much of the prejudice which existed in the minds of many
who neither knew us nor the object of our mission. We pointed out to them
different texts of Scripture, and read from the Bible for some length of time.
After we had talked with them an hour or two they desired us to pray with them,
to which we readily assented. Closing the door of our room, we gave these two
young men a chance to pray; and they did so, asking the Lord, if they had been
deceived all the days of their life, to manifest it and to impart to them a
testimony as to whether we spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost or by the
wisdom of man, and that they might know by revelation for themselves that Jesus
was the Christ. We endorsed their prayer, and prayed the Almighty most
earnestly that they might have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to
understand the truth which we sought to impart. The last we heard of these two
young men was that they were preaching "Mormonism," and were in a
fair way to convert themselves if not others.
As
another instance of the hatred shown towards the "Mormons," I might
mention that there was a young friend who crossed the Gulf of Mexico with us,
being in company with the nephew of the American Minister, Mr. Foster, and who
remained in Mexico with us several weeks. This young friend of ours met a Methodist
Minister one day in the streets of Mexico, and happened to mention that there
were "Mormon" missionaries in the city. "Oh, yes." said the
devout Minister, "and I would to God that the American Government would
drive all the "Mormons" into the bottom of the sea." I simply
mention these matters to show how ungenerous and uncharitable are the feelings
of many religious denominations, or the members thereof, towards us as a
people. They may never have known a "Mormon," they may never have met
one; they certainly have received no unkindness at the hands of our people, and
they have never placed themselves in a position to receive the courtesies of
the people. I believe that as a general thing where men, influential,
intelligent and honest men, have visited Salt Lake City, or other parts of the
Territory, they have almost invariably spoken kindly of the "Mormon"
people. I of course except a certain class, namely, those who make it their
mission to persecute, hate and despise us; such men of course exhibit bitterness;
deprive them of that and there would be little left of them. But the best thing
we can do is to pass them by. In doing so I do not know that we can say in
their case what the Lord said to the Jews, "Father, forgive them, they
know not what they do." I fear many of them too well know what they do;
but they have their mission, let them fill it. As an individual, I do not feel
that we can afford to bestow much time or attention to what such may do or say.
I learned one thing during my early boyhood, and that is that I cannot hate man
and at the same time love God; therefore I pay little attention to what those
evil disposed persons may do. They are in the hands of the Almighty, who will
meet to them a just punishment. Let us pity rather than despise them.
This I
know, God will establish his Kingdom and carry it off victorious; he will
redeem his people and make Zion to shine. But when I think of the benighted
condition which the nations are in, it fills my heart with sorrow. I feel to
thank God that he has placed in our hearts these compassionate feelings. To us
he has been compassionate, and filled us with tender mercy. Therefore it becomes
our duty as Elders to go to the ends of the earth to preach the Gospel. To the
Lamanites? Yes; to every part of the habitable globe, to say to every people
that we know that Jesus is the Christ, and he only can say this truthfully who
has the spirit of prophecy upon him, because as it is written, "the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Let us then make it the
mission of our lives to preach the Gospel to the nations of the earth, to
extend to them this knowledge which has made us so happy, and which has made us
the people that we are.
There
will be a great work accomplished in Mexico. I feel that the Lamanites in that
land will receive the Gospel by thousands. God will give them the power to heal
the sick, unstop the eyes of the blind, and to open the ears of those that are
deaf. He will manifest himself unto them as he did to their forefathers, the
children of Israel. They have been downtrodden for more than three hundred
years. They filled the cup of their iniquity, and thirty millions of them were
killed off in about forty years. He permitted this to come upon them because of
their iniquity and the sin of their fathers in slaying the prophets. The
Spanish nation was once a great nation, but God has humbled them. In the work
of death that nation filled a fearful mission among the Indians of Mexico and
Peru, since when they have been treading the downward track. To-day what is
Spain? A fallen, broken, Catholic-ridden nation that cannot understand the
whisperings of the Spirit of God. But the remnant of Israel will come forth and
manifest that they have faith in their forefathers, who knew Jesus, and when
their children hear his voice a stranger they will not follow.
May God
bless the mission in Mexico, and the poor Indians whom our own great nation has
seemed determined to exterminate, but who will yet arise and prove to the world
their worth. May God bless them to this end.
We have
no mission save that of peace. We do not go to teach them the art of war,
although many of them are soldiers. You can frequently see the streets of
Mexico crowded with well drilled Indian regiments, but our mission to them or
others is not war, it is peace and good will to all. And may the Lord give us
power to extend this to them, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Choir sang an anthem and Elder Chas. C. Rich dismissed with prayer.
_____
[4 Apr, pm]
[DNW 29:149, 4/7/80, p 5]
In the afternoon the hall was densely packed and hundreds went away disappointed, not being able to enter the building. After singing by the choir and prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells,
[Elder Orson Pratt]
Elder ORSON PRATT delivered a discourse on the symbolism of the Sabbatic rest commanded in ancient Israel on the seventh day, the seventh year, and the year of jubilee. Showed that the Lord, after creating all things spiritually by the six days' period in the beginning, created man and the animals temporally on the beginning of the seventh day and then rested; also that after the sic "days" -- or thousand years -- had passed He would, the beginning of the seventh thousand year, perform the work of resurrection and spiritual sanctification, which would be followed by the great millennial rest spoken of by the prophets. Elder Pratt described at some length the jubilee commanded of ancient Israel, and showed that though no such law had been given to us, we looked forward with joyful anticipation to the great jubilee of the Saints' rest and reward in the thousand years reign of Christ, our Lawgiver, our Redeemer and our King. He explained that we took no authority for any of our religious acts from the doings of the ancients or the commandments they received, but derived it in every instance from modern revelation direct from heaven. He expressed his joy at the jubilee of the church, having belonged to it nearly from the beginning, and exhorted the Saints to endurance and faithfulness therein.
[Orson Pratt]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 21-27]
It is
many months since I attempted, except on one occasion, to address a public
congregation. On account of ill health and other circumstances, I have
refrained from public speaking, except at the former meeting held in this house
last winter. I do not know whether I shall be able to raise my voice to that
loudness that the congregation will be able to understand; I will, however, do
the best that I can. I pray my Father in heaven to pour out his Spirit upon me,
that what I may say whether it be a few words or many may be indited by the
gift and inspiration of the Holy Ghost without which all our preaching is in vain.
I
certainly, for one, was very much instructed in our forenoon meeting,
especially in regard to the remarks of the first speaker on the fiftieth
anniversary since the organization of this church; and I was also very much
instructed in the remarks made by the following speaker.
It is a
great delight to me, as an individual, to look forth upon the large
congregations of the Latter-day Saints who are assembled from time to time in
these mountains, in the capacity of a General Conference. In all these assemblies
and conferences I remember the early rise of this church; I remember when we
were a small people, when we could assemble ourselves in a very small room, and
that in General Conference. I remember the first Conference that I attended, on
the 2d day of January, 1831, consisting perhaps of some seventy or eighty
members in all, assembled in the house of Father Whitmer, whose sons were
chosen to be especial witnesses in relation to this great latter-day work. I
remember our trials, our difficulties, our gathering, our persecutions, our
afflictions, more or less, from that day until the present time. Then I was but
a boy nineteen years of age; now I am over sixty-eight, and in a few months
more fifty years will have passed over my head since I was first baptized into
this church. How thankful I ought to be that I am still living. How thankful I
ought to be that I am still numbered with this people. How thankful I ought to
be that I have the opportunity and privilege of administering in your public
congregations, preaching the words of eternal life, lifting up my voice in
humble testimony concerning the great work which the Lord our God has been
doing during the last fifty years.
Among the
ancient Jewish nation in the land of Palestine there was a law ordained in
relation to the fiftieth year. Every fiftieth year was to be a peculiar year in
the midst of that nation. There were many special times set apart by the
Almighty, as times that were symbolical in their nature; times having reference
to the future, among which was the cultivation of the earth for six years, and
on the seventh year the land was made to rest. The tribes of Israel cultivated
the soil, but they were required on the seventh year to let the whole land
rest. I presume that the Lord had in view several things to be symbolized by
these six years of labor and the resting on the seventh. This no doubt had a
reference to the creation of the heavens and the earth, so that the Israelites
might keep in remembrance the great work which was accomplished by the Lord our
God in the beginning the formation or organization of the temporal heavens over
our heads, and also of the earth upon which we stand. By resting on the seventh
year from all their labors, they symbolized that which existed, or took place,
when the seventh period or time came round in the creation. In six days, we are
informed, this great work of creation was performed, at least so far as the
spiritual portion thereof was concerned. On the seventh day, we are informed by
new revelation, as well as instructed in part by old revelation, that the Lord
rested. He did not commence resting, as some have supposed, on the sixth day
evening, neither at midnight, nor early on the seventh day, because there was a
certain work to be performed on the seventh day, which the Lord delayed until
that time. On the seventh day the Lord formed the garden of Eden, planted the
trees of that garden, laid out the work, beautified it, and also placed man in
the garden, having formed his fleshly tabernacle, which was also the work of
the morning of the seventh day, and he has informed us that on the morning of
that day there was no flesh upon the earth except the man whom he had formed
and placed in the garden. Yet all the children of men were created the day
previous, or the period previous, called the sixth day, so that they all
existed; but the Lord says "in heaven created I them." They were not
created here upon the earth, but they were created in heaven; but on the
seventh day man was placed here upon the earth, having a tabernacle of flesh
and bones. So says the new translation, or that portion thereof contained in
this book, called the "Pearl of Great Price." I have oftentimes
thought, when reading these revelations, that they typified something; or that
the Lord would not fully accomplish his work in six thousand years preparatory
to the day of rest, but intended, on his part, to do something on the morning
of the seventh thousand years, just as he did in the beginning. Was the spirit
of man placed on the earth in a body of flesh and bones on the morning of the
seventh day of the creation? He was. What was that typical of? Typical of the
resurrection, when the righteous will again have fleshly tabernacles, formed,
as in the beginning, out of the dust of the earth; when they will come forth
from the grave with immortal bodies. These bodies will be flesh and bones, like
unto the bodies of the first pair that were formed on the morning of the
seventh day. Was the first man immortal? He was. Will those who shall be resurrected,
or formed from the dust of the grave, in the morning of the seventh thousand
years, also be immortal? They will; the one being typical of the other. Was
there any curse upon the earth when the first man was permitted to occupy it
with a body of flesh and bones? There was not. There was no death; indeed, man
was "the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also." There were
no beasts on the earth, no fowls to fly in the firmament of heaven, no fish to
swim in the sea. But you may ask, how is this? Do we not read that on the fifth
day God created great whales, fish of all kinds that could swim in the sea,
&c.? Yes. How was it, then, that there was no flesh on the earth, neither
in the sea, on the seventh day till man was placed there? All that we need in
reconciling the two chapters is to understand the two creations. Everything was
created first spiritual. The fish that swim in the waters were first made
spiritual. The fowls that fly in the open firmament of the heavens, that were
created also on the fifth day, were made spiritual. Their spirits existed and
were formed; but God saw proper that on the seventh day the first flesh that
should be on the earth should be man. Afterwards, out of the ground the Lord
God made the beasts of the field and every creeping thing, and cattle, and
every beast after his kind; that is, in the beginning, the first pairs were
formed and placed upon this new creation, not before, but after man was placed
here. Is this typical of anything? Yes; typical of the resurrection of beasts
as well as of man, according to the revelations contained here in the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants. Everything to which the Lord has granted life will be
brought forth in its time and in its season, be resurrected, receive its body,
and the spirits of beasts, and the spirits of fowls, and the spirits of fish
and all animated beings will receive their bodies in the resurrection, and be
made immortal, as they were on the morning of the seventh day; the one being
typical of the other. This is one thing, no doubt, that the Lord intended to
symbolize, in order to keep in remembrance before the minds of the children of
Israel concerning that first great work of his, "firstly spiritual, and
secondly temporal, which was the beginning of his work."
Another
thing intended to be typified by this seventh year, wherein the land was
commanded to rest, was to show forth the future, to show forth the last of his
work, which will be "firstly temporal and secondly spiritual," being
the last of his work pertaining to this creation. But unto himself there is no
beginning nor end of his works, neither to his words. Two great and important
things were, therefore, symbolized by these ordinances which the children of
Israel were required to observe throughout their generations, namely, the great
future of this creation, commencing with the great temporal work in the morning
of the seventh thousand years, wherein everything will be restored to its
proper condition, as it was in the animal creation, with the fowls and fish and
beasts, and man on the morning of the seventh day of creation.
Prior to
this time, or during this period of time, wherein this second temporal work
will commence, there will be a literal sounding of seven trumpets, as recorded
in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, page 278, electrotype edition, which you
can read at your leisure. I will give you the words of the revelation, so that
you can read it when you go home. It is called the "Key to the revelations
given to St. John on Patmos." Joseph, inquiring of the Lord about the
sounding of the seven trumpets, is informed that the sounding would take place,
not directly near the close of the six thousand years, or rather not during the
period of the six thousand years, but after the seventh thousand years should
commence. He says that the sounding of the seven trumpets typifies this:
"That as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he
finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of
the earth; even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the
Lord God sanctify the earth and complete the salvation of man, and judge all
things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he has not put into his power,
when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the
sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of
his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years; the preparing of the
way before the time of his coming." Thus we see, that as man in the
beginning "was formed out of the dust of the earth" "on the
seventh day," in his immortal state, so he shall be brought forth in the
resurrection from the dust of the grave, on the morning of the seventh thousand
years, by the sounding of these trumpets, to inherit certain blessings, even as
it was promised in the beginning.
We
perceive, therefore, from the revelations of God, that the Lord instituted
these ordinances and laws for the children of Israel for a double purpose, not
only to commemorate the past, but to keep in the vivid remembrance of the
children of Israel the great future, which they were never to lose sight of.
Moreover,
they were not only required, in the days of ancient Israel, to let their lands
remain uncultivated in the seventh year, and to rest, but the Lord also, in
order to doubly fix this idea upon their minds, established what is termed a
year of Jubilee. After seven times seven years had passed away that is,
forty-nine years then came the fiftieth year, which seemed to be above all the
rest, so far as the observance thereof was concerned, and so far as certain
duties were required at their hands. It was to be a year of rest, a year of
jubilee a year wherein all real estate that had been sold during the past fifty
years was to return again to the original owners. They could not sell their
lands as we sell ours; that was not permitted; no man could sell his land in
that time for fifty-one, fifty-two, nor one hundred years, nor to the people
and their heirs forever. No such thing existed in those days as now exist in
this and among other nations; their lands could only be sold for fifty years;
then came the year of redemption, wherein all lands that were sold were to
return to their original owners, or to the tribe, or their descendants, as the
case might be; it matters not who bought it or paid for it, that was always
understood in the deed of sale. It was the custom in those ancient times to
purchase individuals for a certain term of years, in consequence of debts,
&c., that they may have contracted; they would buy the people, not exactly
as hired servants, but they were compelled, according to the laws of the
nation, to remain in servitude for a certain period of time; but that period never
extended beyond the year of Jubilee. When that notable year came, all those
hand-maidens and servants that may have been sold in consequence of the debts
that they had contracted, were to go free; all had the promise of liberty. It
was a year of general release from bondage. There are a great many other
privileges that might be named, set forth in the revelations of God, that
existed in the year of Jubilee. Whether such a year will again be established
by revelation, I do not certainly know; whether the Lord will command his
servants to commemorate past events by the establishment of such a custom, in a
time to come, is not fully revealed. It is revealed, however, in part, so that
we may draw some conclusions from what has been revealed in ancient times.
Moses says, by the word of the Lord, that when that people, Israel, should
corrupt themselves before the heavens, and should do after the manner of the
abominations of the heathen nations round about should forget the Lord their
God, should bow down to the idols of the heathen nations, and turn away from
the Lord, that he would send certain curses upon them, and among those curses
they were to be scattered to the uttermost parts of the earth, &c., as
mentioned in the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy. A long list of plagues is given
that should follow them among all the nations whither they should be driven.
After they had experienced all these things, Moses says: "When thou shall
return unto the Lord thy God, and shall obey his voice, according to all that I
command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thy heart and with all
thy soul; that then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have
compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations,
whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out
unto the utmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee,
and from thence will he fetch thee: And the Lord thy God will bring thee unto
the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shall possess it, and he will do
thee good and multiply thee above thy fathers." Now, notice the conditions
of this gathering: "And shall obey his voice according to all that I
command thee this day." What were they commanded in that day? Among other
things they were commanded to keep the year of Jubilee; to keep a great many
other ordinances, such as the seventh year to let their land rest; also to keep
certain feasts, such as the feast of tabernacles and the passover; and many
other things, all of which were commanded in that day, and in that age, by the
mouth of the servant of God, even Moses; when they should remember all these
things, even every commandment, not neglecting one, then the Lord their God,
should permit them to enjoy all the blessings of the promised land. I draw the
conclusion, from this saying, that there will be a time when Israel shall
return to their own lands, and that they will again keep the year of jubilee; I
draw the conclusion that they will also offer up, as it is written in the
Scriptures, offerings to the Lord; that they will keep all the commandments
given unto them through the servant of God, even Moses. How long these
institutions, given to Moses, will be observed; how long they will be compelled
or required to give heed to that which he commanded them, through Moses, I do
not know. The time may come, when they prove to the Lord that they can keep
those commandments and do his will the time may come when some of these
ordinances may be done away.
But
because such events may happen among Israel in their great future, is no
evidence that we, as Latter-day Saints, should institute any of these things
among ourselves, unless we are directed by divine revelation from the heavens.
I do not know that we are under any obligations to keep any of the ordinances,
rites, and ceremonies, that were given in the days of Moses, unless we receive
direct revelation for ourselves in relation to these matters. If the Lord
should, at some future period of the history of this Church, see proper to give
us a commandment to keep every fiftieth year sacred unto him, in order to
commemorate certain events that took place in the past, I think that this
people will be ready and willing to obey such a commandment.
Among
Israel, in ancient days, they had the law of plurality of marriage. Did we
adopt that in this Church from these old ancient commandments? No, we did not.
Did that give us any authority in the least? No; the laws given to Moses have
no bearing upon us, unless God should renew his commandments and laws to us as
a people; for we profess, like Israel of old, to be under the direction and
guidance of new revelation. Like the Church of God in all former ages, we
receive no new ordinances, neither old ordinances, only by new revelation. Did
we presume to baptize with water on the authority of old revelation? No. Did we
presume to lay hands upon the people to confirm upon them the Holy Ghost, by
the authority of ancient revelation? No. Did we presume to establish the Church
of Jesus Christ, or organize it, about fifty years ago, because they
established one eighteen hundred years ago and upwards? No. Did we presume to
officiate in any order of the priesthood by virtue of any ancient revelation
given to the ancient Saints? No. We did not undertake to do any of these things
by virtue of former revelation; but all we have done in this Church has been
done by direct communication and revelation from heaven; all the ordinances
that we administer have been directed by new revelation; all the priesthood
that this people hold this day was given by new revelation; all the various
duties of the priesthood to be performed by us in our day were given by new
revelation; and we would not dare presume to enter into this or that form of
marriage, pertaining to plural matrimony, by any former revelation; it has been
by new revelation that these things have been done.
We say
that this is the kingdom of God, established on the earth. We say that it was
organized by divine revelation. We say that the authority was sent down from heaven
and conferred upon the heads of mortal man in our generation. We have seen
these things in the former days of this Church, or at least in the first rise
of the Church. The Lord our God was pleased to confer the authority that is
symbolized by these pictures here in this hall. We have no authority given by
any other people, any other nation, any other sect, any other denomination; we
do not consider their pretensions to divine authority worth the ashes of a rye
straw we mean the whole of their authority put together. Hence the Lord has
given all these things by his own power. Now, if this be the kingdom of God, as
we testify, organized and set up by his own divine will, the authority restored
by his own power, the ordinances renewed by divine revelation, what then should
we expect in the future? Should we expect to lay down these principles in the
future, and say they are no longer required? No. In all our future doings, in
all our future journeyings, in all our future administrations among the
inhabitants of the earth, from this time henceforth and forever, the Lord our
God is our Lawgiver, the Lord our God is our King, the Lord our God is our
Revelator, the Lord our God will direct in all these things.
The year
of jubilee! These are words that sound very pleasantly to my ears. I am looking
forward to the Great Jubilee that is now near at hand, and when I hear the
words spoken from this stand, when I read these ordinances that were instituted
among ancient Israel, and when my thoughts reach out to the great future, to
the time when there will be a jubilee indeed, my heart rejoices before the
Lord. A jubilee for all the Saints of God, wherein they will be subject to no
power, save it be the power of God and the power that he has ordained; wherein
there will be no earthly governments to triumph over the Saints of that
kingdom; wherein there will be but one government upon the face of the whole
earth, and the dominion and the greatness of that dominion and that kingdom
will extend forth under the whole heavens. It will be a time of jubilee a time
wherein the inhabitants of the earth will rejoice, a time wherein the
inhabitants of heaven will rejoice, a time when the inhabitants of heaven will
join with the inhabitants of the earth in one great, grand, general assembly,
although we will afterwards be permitted to spread forth in our generations
over the face of the earth, to perform various duties required at our hands;
but yet, in the commencement of that grand period it will be a general assembly
of the Church of the First-born of the living and the dead who have died in
Christ. Jesus will be our King; he will be our Lawgiver; he will reign over us.
The resurrected Saints will be with us. We will hear the words of their mouths.
They will also be kings and priests; they will administer among their
households of the generations that shall be in mortal flesh; they will be
called the priests of God, and will administer in power and great glory during
the happy period of the Millennium.
A year of
Jubilee! No sorrow, no sighing, no bondage among the people of God, but all
will be free, full of joy, full of blessings; and this jubilee will last for
one thousand years. Amen.
[Charles C. Rich]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 27-29]
I feel
very thankful to enjoy the privilege of meeting with my brethren and sisters in
this hall, and of listening to the instructions we have received to-day. I
often feel that we are a highly favored people in being permitted to gather
together from the different nations of the earth unto these valleys for the
purpose of being instructed by the spirit and power of God in relation to the
kingdom of God, and the building up of that kingdom on the earth. We are thus a
highly favored people, and so far as I am concerned I only feel very desirous
that we should appreciate the blessings we enjoy, realizing that they come from
our Heavenly Father, realizing that we are in a position to receive such
instruction as we need from day to day in order to comprehend his will
concerning us, and be willing to perform the labor that is required of us. This
should be our study by day and by night, in order that we may comprehend the
duties and responsibilities that rest upon us as Saints, that we may perform
them in the flesh in a manner that will be acceptable to God our Heavenly
Father. We learn from the revelations that we have received, that the labors
pertaining to the flesh should be performed whilst in the flesh. We are
required to perform labors for our friends that have gone before, labors that
they cannot perform for themselves, and should we pass away without doing this
work we should fail in our duty. It would be well, therefore, for us to reflect
upon these principles that is, upon the principle of performing the labors
pertaining to us in the flesh while we are in the flesh. For this purpose we
are laboring to build temples to enable us to perform the works we should
perform. I sometimes think, however, that we are a little careless in relation
to this matter. Having been favored as we have been as Saints of the Most High
God, being directed what to do and how to do it, let us be found faithful in
the discharge of the duties that are incumbent upon us.
There are
no people on the earth that I know anything about who have been so highly
favored as we have been. We have had the word of the Lord from the beginning of
this Church until the present time in relation to what we should do to build up
the kingdom of God on the earth. We have had his servants that have said to us
"verily, thus saith the Lord," do this thing, and that thing in our
temporal as well as spiritual affairs that we might perform our duties in a
manner acceptable to the Lord our God.
In
observing the principles of the everlasting gospel, we find that we are removed
from difficulties that other people have to encounter. We find the gospel has a
remedy for all our evils. We may have difficulties to encounter, but we have
the opportunities of overcoming them. We have the privilege of doing right all
the time and not doing wrong. Our words can be for good; our labors can be for
good; and our energies can be used for the establishment of righteousness on
the earth. This is our privilege, and I trust we are living with an eye single
to the glory of God and the building up of his kingdom on the earth, for all other
kingdoms, as we have been told, will pass away, but his kingdom will remain
forever. We must labor in that direction. We must seek his Holy Spirit to
assist us, for without it we can accomplish but very little.
The
Elders are sent all over the earth, or over a great portion of the earth, for
the purpose of warning the inhabitants of the earth of the judgments to come,
and of proclaiming the everlasting gospel that they may have an opportunity of
embracing it, and be gathered out with his people. This is a privilege that is
offered far and wide to the inhabitants of the earth inasmuch as they will
receive it; but we have found that the great majority are not disposed to
receive the benefits and blessings of the gospel; only a few out of the many
are willing to hearken to the counsels offered unto them. We are among the few
that have listened to and obeyed the principles of the gospel, and we are
privileged to meet together on this occasion, and other occasions, for the
purpose of being instructed in relation to the duties resting upon us. We find
we do not learn everything at once. We receive something to-day, and probably
something else tomorrow, and so on from time to time, and thus our knowledge
increases in relation to the things of God. This is a great blessing to us; and
we should embrace every opportunity of overcoming our faults, our follies, and
our imperfections, realizing that they do us no good. They are an injury to us,
and as fast as we can overcome them so fast are we blessed.
I have
thought sometimes that we are more anxious to know some things in relation to
the future than we are things pertaining to the present life. I feel that it is
a very important matter to comprehend the duties of this life, what we should
do, and what we should not do. For instance, if the Lord desires a temple
built, it is very desirable that we should know how to build it; if the Lord
desires that we should go on a mission it is very desirable that we should go
on that mission. These are things that we want to understand, and when we
understand them we want to be engaged in that labor, and thus be engaged in
that work the Lord requires us to perform. We have already learned that the
Lord wants us to build temples for the purpose of redeeming our dead. We are
engaged in that labor, and I trust we will accomplish the work required at our
hands as speedily as possible. I will say, however, that I find a good spirit
and a willing spirit to engage in this work, and the Lord has blessed those who
have labored on these temples. He has poured out his blessings upon them; they
have received an abundance to sustain them, and have got means as fast in
laboring to build these temples as they did when engaged in other work. The
Lord has verily fulfilled his promises in relation to this matter.
We cannot
carry with us behind the vail gold and silver, houses and lands, or any earthly
substances; but the principles of eternal lifeif we practice them in our lives
we will carry them with us. "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it," is a saying of the
Savior, and it is for us to reflect upon it. We should never tire in doing
good. I once met a man who had reached the years of seventy. He thought he was
free, he thought he had labored enough. Now, I do not feel so. I do not think
we should feel so, if we live to be a thousand years old. I think we should
feel to exert ourselves to accomplish all that the Lord requires of us both in
time and eternity.
Brother
Pratt has been laboring in this Church almost fifty years. I have been in the
Church a long time myself. What do I find in relation to myself? I find that
with all my labors, and all the exertions that I have used, I come short of
having done all that I would like to have done. The longer we live the more we
learn. Then let us make good use of our time. Let us perform all the earthly
labors we can, and leave nothing undone, so that when we pass away we shall
feel satisfied with our labors in this probation, and receive the welcome
"well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a
few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of
thy Lord." Now, the Lord has offered this freely to all, not to one, two,
or twenty, but to all.
Well, I
feel very thankful that my life has been spared to behold the present day. I am
very thankful that I was willing to receive, in the early rise of this Church,
the everlasting gospel. I am very thankful that I am able to-day to bear
testimony that I know it is true, and I know that if we hearken to the precepts
of the gospel, and live up to them, we will receive an inheritance in the
celestial kingdom of our God. Let us, then, be found faithful to the duties
devolving upon us. Let us live with an eye single to the glory of God, to the
building up of his kingdom, and to accomplishing the work he has designed we
should accomplish.
That the Lord may bless us, and bless his Saints everywhere, is my prayer in
the name of Jesus. Amen.
President Taylor announced the conference in the Large Tabernacle on the 6th inst., and made a few powerful remarks on the absolute necessity of a righteous and godly life, of real, practical, active religion, instead of a mere profession.
[John Taylor]
[Apr 1880 CR p 30]
I have
been very much interested as no doubt you all have in listening to the
principles that have been unfolded to us this day, in this house. I was going
to say I almost wish the house was a little larger; but, then, upon reflection,
it is right enough; it was not intended to be as large as the tabernacle. The
large tabernacle is a place for the assembling of the people in General
Conference, and on public occasions, and it has become a question whether we
had better go into the other building or continue in this to-morrow. However,
the weather is a little cold and inclement at present, and perhaps by the sixth
of April it may be a little warmer and more comfortable. If not, we shall have
to do the best we can. As I stated, this building is not intended for a General
Conference, but for holding meetings in the winter time when the weather is
cold, and as a Stake house to hold Priesthood and quarterly Conferences in,
where all may be warm and comfortable; and so far as that is concerned, it
seems to me that the house will accomplish all that is required in this
respect. And then for our Conference meetings we have the large tabernacle,
which will hold, I suppose, three or four times more people than this will. I
am sorry that there should be a necessity for any to turn away; but we cannot
always help these things, and it is better for those that are here to be
comfortable, than for all to be uncomfortable, cold and unpleasant.
In regard
to the work in which we are engaged, we all feel to a certain extent interested
therein, and there are many points that it will be necessary for us to reflect
upon. One is, that it is "not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven." And it is for us to square our lives according
to the principles laid down for all of us; for all of the officers; for the
Twelve and their Counselors; for the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors;
for High Priests, for Seventies, Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons; and for
every man to magnify his calling with singleness of heart before God, and to
feel that God demands of us righteousness, truth and integrity in our hearts;
that we cleave unto him, observe his laws and keep his commandments; and if we
do this, then the blessings of which we have heard are ours; if we do not we
shall not possess them.
I do not
wish to talk long, as the time has expired. I thought I would make a very few
remarks. There are other things to attend to; but for the present I will
desist.
President A. M. Cannon explained that the Stake Conference had been discontinued during the times so near the General conference, and would be held in July and January. Also announced meetings in the wards in the evening.
The choir sang an anthem and after closing prayer by Elder F. D.Richards the meeting was adjourned till Monday at 10 a.m.
_____
[5 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 29:149, 4/7/80, p 5]
Monday 10 a. m.
After singing, and prayer by Elder C. C. Rich,
[Elder Brigham Young]
Elder BRIGHAM YOUNG addressed the congregation. He contrasted the fine building in which the meeting was held, with the old brush bowery and the first tabernacle in which the saints used to assemble in an early day. If we were improving as much in our spiritual condition, and making as much progress in our religion as in architectural skill and our material affairs, we were certainly preparing ourselves for the glory that awaits the righteous. He was afraid that this was not the case. We do not fully realize our responsibilities, and we often fail, in our daily course, to receive the guidance of the spirit of revelation which it is the privilege of all Saints to enjoy. Man is in a fallen condition. The principle of revelation should be in the hearts of the people and increase therein until they were thoroughly imbued therewith and every thought and act were prompted thereby. This would raise us above our fallen condition. We would necessarily partake of the influence of our associations. If we associated with the ungodly, the apostate, the evil-minded, the drunkard, we would measurably partake of that spirit. He censured the conduct of some people called Latter-day Saints who frequented drinking saloons and indulged in the sin of intoxication, and showed that such doings would drive away the spirit of revelation. Iniquity should be rooted out among the Saints and the line ought to be drawn between those who serve the Lord and those who serve him not. All things that tended to righteousness were of God, and those things that are unrighteous were not of God, and would lead down to destruction. He desired to exercise charity, but we do not consider it charitable to pander to wickedness, cast pearls before swine or fellowship iniquity. He believed in exclusiveness, so far as mingling with those associations which were opposed to God and His ways was concerned, and prayed that we might be able so to live as to be always under the influence of the spirit of revelation.
[Brigham Young]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 31-33]
We have
been highly edified during our meetings in this hall, and I am thankful for the
privilege of meeting with the Saints in this beautiful building. It is
certainly a great improvement upon those brush boweries that we once occupied,
and even upon the old tabernacle that formerly stood in this corner of the
block. If we are improving as Latter-day Saints in spiritual things, and in
union in temporal matters, as we are improving in wealth, in architectural
taste, and in all of those amenities that make life agreeable in a temporal
point of view, no doubt it is well with us. I presume that we are advancing in
the knowledge of God, and that we are preparing ourselves for a future life and
exaltation in the kingdom of God. But when we examine ourselves closely, it is evident
we are not making the progress in the knowledge of the things of the kingdom of
God that we should make, as the representatives of the Almighty in this whole
earth. Of all the millions of people that inhabit this globe the Latter-day
Saints alone, so far as I know, represent the kingdom of God upon the earth,
represent the great latter-day work the restoration of all things and are in
possession of those ordinances which reach into eternity and which are of so
vital importance to the future existence of all mankind. Do we truly realize
the importance of the position we occupy? We have had revelation; we are
receiving revelation constantly. God has placed us in a position that we may
communicate with the heavens, that we may receive inspiration of the Holy Ghost
and be actuated thereby in all the labors of this life. But in our daily
avocations we fall frequently to enjoy the free flow of that Spirit that comes
from above; our humanity too often steps in between, and when this is our
condition we become more or less subject to other influences whose work is to
deceive and lead astray. There is a principle of revelation which all Saints
are required to understand and observe. It is not our province to have angels
of God visit us, as they certainly did the Prophet Joseph Smith, when he laid
out the broad foundation of the kingdom of God upon the earth. In his case
their visits were actually necessary; for nothing short of direct communication
with the heavens could have enabled him to do the work he did; in ours it is
different. The foundation is already laid according to divine approval and the
work of building fairly on its way; revelations communicating the will of the
Lord have been given for our profit and general guidance, and it remains with
us to carry it on to completion. But there is a principle of revelation in the
heart of every Latter-day Saint which, if cherished and encouraged, is
calculated to lead us safe in all the minor affairs of life; and we should
live, and it is our privilege to so live, as to be operated upon by the
influences of the Spirit of God through all our labors until the whisperings of
that Spirit shall be constantly with us. Man is in a fallen condition we
realize this every day. He looks hither and thither; he casts his eyes to the
right and to left, and desires this thing and the other thing, and wishes and
hopes to obtain them; and thus follows after those earthly possessions, paying
heedless regard to more weighty things of the kingdom. Now, the principle of
revelation should be in the breast of every Latter-day Saint; it should be
there and continue to grow and increase and expand in the hearts of the people
until they are thoroughly imbued with that Spirit. It will not come in a day
nor perhaps in a year, nor in a series of years; it will take years and years
of faithfulness on the part of the Latter-day Saints before their minds can be
wholly and fully absorbed by the spirit of revelation, so that every thought
and every act will be prompted by the influence of the Spirit of God. It is our
duty to encourage that Spirit until it absorbs the whole being, until all our
thoughts and actions shall spring from that pure source which comes from above.
Now, that our acts do not comport with this teaching at all times, I am aware; but
it is expected of us to grow unto these things; and in order to grow unto them,
it is necessary for us to take a course to nourish and cherish this Spirit in
our every day associations and conversations, that nothing may obstruct the
free flow of the Holy Spirit unto us.
We listen
to many things that are pleasing to the ear, but which are not profitable to
the mind. This should not be. The things of the world should have no place in
the hearts of the Latter-day Saints. If I place myself in a condition to
receive the things which are outside of this Church and kingdom; if I associate
with people who have denied the faith and who acknowledge not God, who will not
bow in obedience to the principles of the everlasting Gospel, and who are, say,
spiritualists and infidelsif I associate with such men, I must to a greater or
less degree partake of their influence.
Our
associations have a great deal to do with either the encouraging or
discouraging within us the principle of revelation. For instance, I hear of people
calling themselves Latter-day Saints who make a practice of taking their wives
and children to beer saloons, and while in such places they get so happy that
they shout out the songs of Zion, and seem to enjoy themselves to a great
degree. Does anybody know of circumstances of this kind? Yes; we cannot deny
it. Who are these people? Are they Latter-day Saints? I should not think so,
indeed; although to hear them sing one might be led to believe them the best of
people, for they select the choicest of hymns, and they shout them out before
men who make a living by selling intoxicating liquors. To my mind it is casting
pearls before swine. Perhaps you may think that is a little strong; but that is
the view I take of it. I am aware that all the people do not do this; I am
aware, in fact, that they are very few, comparatively speaking. I am not
censuring those people who do not do this thing, but there are some people who
call themselves Latter-day Saints whose conduct in this respect is censurable.
To associate with the drunkard is not the way to encourage the principle of
revelation. Every Latter-day Saint is bound to encourage this principle if he
desires to attain the blessings that accrue from the everlasting gospel. But
there is but one way, one road, and the end thereof is life everlasting.
Now, what
shall we do, Latter-day Saints? We are aware of the fact that society is sadly
mixed up in this city; and that every engine and power of darkness having a
tendency to win away the hearts of our sons and daughters, and to allure the
weak-minded is at work endeavoring to lead them down to destruction. These
local affairs should engage our attention until these evils are rooted out from
our midst. And let the line be drawn between those that live their religion and
those that do not. The very best way to show them up in their true colors is
for us to live our religion and let people see by our works that we are for God
and his kingdom.
My prayer is and I presume it is the prayer of all Latter-day Saints that God
will inspire our hearts to do right, to walk in his paths, and help us to
overcome evil with good. Let us have charity. I believe in charity, I would
like to have more of it; but I do not consider it is charity for me and mine to
indulge in the society of those that are apostates, that are wicked in their
hearts, and will deny the covenants which they have made before their Father
and God. I do not think it is charity for me to throw pearls before swine. I
believe in charity, and at the same time I believe in entire exclusiveness, so
far as mixing up my interest and striking hands with the unbelievers is
concerned.
That God
may help us to cultivate and develop within us the spirit of revelation, until
every thought shall be inspired from on high, is my prayer, in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
[Elder Joseph F. Smith]
Elder JOSEPH F. SMITH read from the Doctrine and Covenants revelations given in the early days of the Church in relation to the necessity of living by the laws of God revealed, otherwise the Lord could not receive Zion to himself, and declaring that the Saints should be chastened until they become obedient and united. It seemed to the speaker almost superfluous to read from the Doctrine and Covenants, the Book of Mormon, or the Bible, as the Saints ought to be familiar with those books. It also seemed that it would be superfluous to repeatedly exhort the Saints to the observance of those simple duties which all should perform in faithfulness. Yet the Lord had to plead with us continually and the Elders had to urge the people continually to cease from sin and serve the Lord. "To him who knoweth to do good and doeth it not, it is sin." He who violated his covenants became drunken, dishonest, corrupt, was two-fold more the child of hell than if he had never received the gospel. If the wicked who know not God were punished for their sins, how much more should those who have been enlightened from on high, and then violate their covenants and work iniquity, be worthy of the damnation of hell! We had been called to perform the great latter-day work, but if we did not work righteousness we should not be chosen. These remarks applied to individuals. So far as the Church was concerned it would stand, endure and triumph, but no man could receive the glory thereof unless he worked righteousness. God would use such instruments as were available to accomplish His work, and to Him would be the glory, not to men, but they would share in the reward if faithful. The Church was not led by man. Any man would lead the Church to hell if left to himself, but God would lead the Church to victory, using man as the instrument. The Saints must come up to that position that they must love God with all their hearts and their neighbors as themselves, and be ready to sacrifice all things for the truth. Every man should be able to refuse to do wrong, no matter under what circumstances. Anyone who would mingle in anything evil out of friendship for an associate was not fit to be an Elder in Israel. God expected us to keep our covenants and fulfil our agreements, and if we did not we should not be found guiltless. If this was radicalism the speaker confessed that he was a radical. He did not expect that liars, drunkards, adulterers, sorcerers, or any of the corrupt and abominable would enter the kingdom of heaven, unless they repented and forsook their evil ways. The cry was, "Come out of Babylon, that ye receive not of her sins and partake not of her plagues." The word of the Apostle to the Corinthians applied to us: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship hath Christ with Belial?" etc. The Bible contained the word of the Lord and had been re-enacted in this dispensation, therefore its laws were applicable to the Latter-day Saints. He denounced the course of those who disgraced themselves by entering grog shops, and guzzling strong drink and patterning after the practices of the wicked. It was only by righteousness that Zion would be built up, and a line of demarkation must be drawn between the Saints and the world.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 33-41]
While
listening to Brother Young, my mind reverted to one or two passages in the
early revelations given to the Church, which would seem, from the testimony we
have had from him, to be somewhat applicable at the present time as well as at
the time the revelations were given, and I thought I would refer to, and
perhaps read a few of these passages, so that we can reflect upon them
ourselves. The speaker then read from the first to the tenth verse of the revelation
given to Joseph Smith June 22, 1834, page 377 of the new edition of Doctrine
and Covenants; also from a revelation given December 16, 1833, first to the
nineteenth verse, same book, page 349.
I realize
that I am speaking to people that have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints and as members of that Church, profess faith in the Gospel as
it has been revealed in this dispensation. It would seem, sometimes, almost
superfluous to keep preaching upon these plain and simple principles, which all
ought to understand and be anxious to carry out. Nevertheless we find it
necessary, and therefore we continue to preach, expound, exhort and to plead
with the people, our brethren and sisters in the covenant of the Gospel, to
keep the commandments of God which they have covenanted to keep. The Lord keeps
pleading with us; he has to forbear with us, to extend mercy, kindness and
forgiveness day after day. For we are very forgetful, careless, indifferent and
thoughtless of our duties. It is only when the Spirit of the Lord is upon us
that we can really sense the responsibilities that we are under to God and to
each other. When we are engaged in the daily avocations of life our minds are
occupied with other things; we are thinking how to make means, or get wealth,
how to provide for our necessities and to make our families comfortable. These
thoughts take possession of our minds and exclude reflections upon the
commandments of God which we have covenanted to keep, and which, by keeping, we
would avoid all the errors, evils and follies that have been referred to by
Elder Young, to which so many of us are liable, notwithstanding we are
professedly Latter-day Saints. It was said by our Savior, to those who
professed to be his disciples, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the Scribes and pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the
kingdom of heaven." Now, where I see a Latter-day Saint, or, rather, a
person who professes to be a Latter-day Saint, guilty of drunkenness, of
profanity, of dishonesty, or cheating his neighbor, or of bearing false witness
against his brother, I say in my heart that that man is two-fold more a child
of hell than as though he had never been baptized; for "to him that
knoweth how to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin," saith the
Apostle James. And verily it is true in relation to those who profess to be
Latter-day Saints, who should know to do good, for they have covenanted to do
that which is right and forsake that which is evil. That covenant has been made
with God, and is recorded in the archives of heaven as well as upon the earth.
If we take a course to violate our covenants, we declare our unworthiness
before him with whom those covenants are made, who understands the nature of
the covenants and of the obligations we are under, and must regard us as
transgressors, far more worthy of chastisement than those who have never
entered into covenant with the Lord to keep his laws. Is not this correct,
sound, just and reasonable doctrine? Is not this the way in which we would
judge ourselves and regard one another? Do we not look upon our neighbor, who
has made a promise to us and has willfully and intentionally broken that
promise, as untrustworthy, as untrue to his word, and unworthy of our
confidence and esteem? Certainly. Then how much more will God, who is perfect,
who sees clearly the end from the beginning, look upon us with disfavor, who
have received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and therefore the means
of knowing the way of life, if we turn away from the truth and disregard our
vows and covenants with God and each other. Are we not, under the
circumstances, worthy of condemnation and chastisement? If the wicked, who will
not repent of their sins, and who therefore know not God nor keep his
commandments, will be destroyed for their wickedness, how much more worthy of
destruction will they be who, having once repented of their sins and learned
the way of life.
It is
said here, in the language that I have read, "Zion cannot be built up
unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I
cannot receive her unto myself." In other words, those who profess to be
Latter-day Saints must become acquainted with the laws of the celestial
Kingdom, must abide by them, must comply with the requirements of heaven and
hearken to the word of the Lord, in order that Zion may be built up acceptably,
and that we may partake of the benefits and blessings of this labor. For it is
a labor which devolves upon those who have been called out from the midst of
the world in this dispensation. We have been called, and so far as we will be
faithful we are chosen to do this work. But notwithstanding we have been
called, if we do not prove faithful we will be rejected. I do not speak this in
reference to the whole Church, but in reference to individual members of the
Church; for it is my implicit faith and belief that this work will never cease,
that it will never be given to another people, and that the purposes and
designs of God will be accomplished for he has decreed it. In one sense we are
not doing this work, for it is not the work of man, neither individually nor
collectively, nor of any single quorum of the priesthood, nor of all the
quorums combined, except God is with them. In other words, it is God Almighty
who will accomplish this work, and he will use such instruments as he can find
for its accomplishment, and those instruments will be honored and blessed of
the Lord, and will share in the rewards, exaltation and glory of Zion. Yet the
honor, glory and power must be ascribed unto the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and forever, for it is God's work and not the work of man. We often hear it
said that if such and such a man should lead the Church that he would lead it
to destruction. I will say, in the name of the Lord, that if any man were to
lead the Church of Jesus Christ he would lead it to destruction; that is, if
the Church would follow. But I will say, on the other hand, that if God
Almighty chooses a man to lead the Church, God will speak through that man. It
will not be the man that will lead the Church, but it will be God that will do
it through that instrumentality.
But we
cannot build up Zion except upon the principles of righteousness. Men must
forsake their wickedness, their lusts, covetousness, greed, and love of the
pleasures of the world, and bring themselves under the laws of God, or they
never will partake of the blessings and glory of Zion. And that is not all. It
is said in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, that we must be willing to make
a sacrifice of everything that we possess in the world for the Kingdom of God's
sake, and the man or woman that presumes to lay claim to the gift of eternal
life, who is unwilling to make this sacrifice, will be offering an insult to
the dignity of the Creator. (See Sixth Lecture on Faith.) It is written that we
must love the Lord with all our hearts, and our neighbor as we love ourselves.
When we reach this point, we shall not be liable to the accusation of loving
the world more than we love God. It will then be easy to make any sacrifice for
the sake of truth, though it be the sacrifice of life itself; that is, this
present life. Jesus said: "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not
able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul
and body in hell." Rather fear God than man. Rather fear to offend the
Almighty than to offend mankind. Rather fear to transgress the laws of God than
those of men.
There are
some few, so called, very good Latter-day Saints, who have formed the
acquaintance of those who are not members of the Church, and because of these
associations they are led into saloons to drink with them, not daring to refuse
for fear of offending their friends! I say a man who is so weak as to do that
is not fit to be an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ, nor to be
fellowshipped, or held as in good standing in the ward in which he lives. Why?
Because his example is bad. He shows weakness and unworthiness before the Lord
and mankind. He has not the strength of character to refuse to join his friend
in doing an evil, for fear of offending that friend. The same principle would
lead him, and, by his example, others perhaps, to gambling, stealing,
profanity, whoredom, or anything else in the catalogue of crime. I love a man
who dares refuse to do wrong, no matter where he is nor what the wrong even to
drinking hot drinks, or neglecting the "Word of Wisdom." Many of our
good people have become so weak that, according to the "Word of
Wisdom," they are not worthy to be called Saints, for it is "adapted
to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all Saints who are or can be
called Saints." But says one, "If I am offered a cup of tea or a cup
coffee I cannot refuse it." Then, according to the word of the Lord, you
are too weak to be a Latter-day Saint.
It has
been said that Brother Joseph F. Smith is "radical." Perhaps so, for
when I give my word I expect to fulfil it; I always have felt so, and always
have endeavored to keep my word whenever I have given it. Those to whom my word
is given have a right to expect and demand its fulfilment, or a justifiable
reason for failing to do so. And if ever I fail to fulfil my word, I hope to be
able to give a sufficient reason for it. I do not presume that I am better than
the Lord, I do not think that man can be better than God; I therefore suppose
that when God has given his word that he will fulfil it; I suppose that when he
makes a requirement of men he expects them to comply therewith, and doubly so
when they have agreed to comply, and if they fail, I am simple enough to
believe with all my heart that God Almighty will demand satisfaction. Does any
one call me radical for that? If so, then I confess that I am radical. When I
read the laws of God in this good book (the Bible), that the liar, the
hypocrite, the sorcerer, and the adulterer, cannot enter the kingdom of heaven,
I understand that that is what is meant. I can give it no other construction or
meaning, therefore I believe that liars, adulterers, drunkards, sorcerers,
&c., &c., will not get into the kingdom of heaven, without they repent
and make restitution for the wrongs they have done; God has opened the way of
escape for those that will hearken to and avail themselves of the privileges of
the Gospel. "Who is there," says the Lord, "that hath
understanding, that I have not called to repentance." There is not one
that God has not called to repentance, which means the forsaking of sin, a
departure from evil to do righteousness and walk in the way of life and
salvation. I understand that unless we do this we will be weighed in the
balance and found wanting. Can you take any other view of these matters? How
can a man excuse himself for drunkenness, when he knows that it is injurious to
himself, to his family and others, and is forbidden by the law of God, and is a
violation of the most sacred covenants he can make? How can a man excuse
himself under these circumstances? What reason will he be able to give before
God? How can he escape the damnation that awaits the wicked? It is written that
"not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven." No; but those who keep the commandments of God, who
walk righteously before him; they shall say "Lord, Lord," and the
Lord will hearken unto them.
The cry
of the angel was, "Come out of her (Babylon), my people, that ye be not partakers
of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." The doom of Babylon
is sealed. The judgments of God will be poured out upon her; they are at the
door; the wicked will perish; Babylon will fall, for God has decreed it. They
have rejected the prophets, and have shed the blood of the Saints and of those
who brought life and salvation unto them. They have cast out the Church of
Christ from their midst and have called it evil; they have blackened the
character of those that have taken leading parts in the Church and Kingdom of
God. Therefore, the cup of her iniquity is about full, and the cry is,
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and
that ye receive not of her plagues." Now what will it avail us to come out
of Babylon, if we bring Babylon with us, or continue her practices in Zion? It
does not look to me as though it would be much benefit. I read, in the sixth
chapter of the second epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, something that is
applicable to some of us in our present condition. Paul says: "Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with
darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the Temple of God with
idols? For ye are the Temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Do
you want any stronger language than that? Do you want any stricter command? for
it is the word of God to us, although it is recorded here in the Second Epistle
of Paul to the Corinthians, and written eighteen hundred years ago, or more, to
the ancient Saints. It applies equally to us. The Bible contains the law of God
to this people. The Lord says: "Thou shalt take the things which thou hast
received, which have been given unto thee in my Scriptures for a law, to be my
law to govern my Church, and he that doeth according to these things shall be saved,
and he that doeth them not shall be damned, if he continues." Thus you see
the Bible is in force, and this is the word of the Lord to the people,
"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing." Do not assimilate to their ways, but forsake them,
and in the name of reason and humanity, for the sake of the kingdom and for
your own sakes, do not let it be necessary for an Elder of Israel to repeat on
the stand what has been stated this day in your hearing by Elder Brigham Young.
Let it not be necessary to proclaim these evils among the Latter-day Saints at
a Conference of the people; let it be possible when we come together for the
Elders who speak to testify of the good works of the people, of their
increasing faith in God, of the power of God manifest in their midst, and to
exhort the people to continued faithfulness and progress in the right path,
until Zion shall be redeemed, the world subdued, and evil put under foot. Zion
must be built up on the principles of righteousness, truth, and obedience to
the laws of God; not an ignorant nor a "blind obedience" or
submission to the requirements of heaven or the dictates of the priesthood, but
an intelligent submission to the laws of God; for the Lord has said that he
"requireth the heart and a willing mind, and the willing and the obedient
shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days; and the rebellious
shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not
inherit the land."
May the
Lord bless us as a people, and help us to be united, to be more faithful and
upright, to live our religion, so that our righteousness may exceed that of the
Scribes and Pharisees of this dispensation, and to keep aloof from the wicked
and ungodly, is my earnest prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
[Counselor D. H. Wells]
Counselor D. H. WELLS said he had ever felt both to bring before a public congregation the evils that exist among us, for he felt ashamed that they should be known. But it seemed to be necessary, for the wound must be probed that it might be healed. We had been gathered from the wicked that we might learn God's ways and walk in them; that He might have a people who would be submissive of His will. The traditions of the world clang close to us, but we must put them away. A spark of light from the heavenly throne had pierced our hearts and this would lead us in the right way. It has brought us here. It was not the most desirable part of the world, but here we had come to do the will of the Lord. We had not really gathered from Babylon if we brought with us its ways and spirit. The way of life and the way of death were before us, and we must choose for ourselves; but celestial glory could not be obtained without obedience to celestial law. The Lord had revealed Himself to us, shown us who we are and His designs in relation to us, and no glory short o that in His presence would now content us. How was this to be attained? Only by doing those things which God had commanded, purifying ourselves from sin and walking in the narrow way of eternal life. "The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees" would not fill the bill. The speaker exhorted the Saints to works of righteousness, to union of faith and act, and invoked the blessings of God upon them.
[Daniel H. Wells]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 38-41]
I have ever felt loth to bring before a public congregation the misdeeds of a few, lest a credulous public be led to suppose that evil is more prevalent among us than it really is; and for this reason, perhaps, if for no other, I feel ashamed that such things as have been referred to should exist. I have felt rather that people should turn away from evil and cleave to the Lord, and maintain that better character before him, before one another and before the world. It would seem as though it were necessary to bring up such matters, on the principle, perhaps, that a wound in order to be healed should be probed. But it would seem, too, that such things that have been referred to to-day, if they do exist in the church, that while they should not pass unrebuked, there is certainly a more proper time and place to deal with them than before a public congregation.
We are gathering out from the midst of the people of the earth to be taught in the ways of the Lord, and to walk more perfectly in his paths, that we may learn righteousness, and come to a knowledge of the the mind and the will of our Father who is in heaven. God has decreed that he will redeem the earth from sin and wickedness, and establish his own rule and dominion thereon. And it is necessary in order to build up the kingdom of God on the earth that the Lord should have a people prepared with whom he can work, and who will be submissive and ready to do his will. We pray to our Father, saying, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is done in heaven." Now, how can this come to pass until the Lord has a people who shall be willing to do his will, and who shall be desirous to walk in the path that he marks out for them. Do we realize how very far we are from the Lord's ways; how we have been instructed in the ways of the world through the traditions and false teachings of generations that are passed, and which we have inherited. We had been taught the precepts of men instead of the commandments of God. Now, however, it is plain that the Lord is endeavoring to work a reformation in the midst of his children; and for this purpose he has made known his laws again, laws which are calculated to redeem the people from the thraldom of sin and iniquity so prevalent in the world; and he has made them applicable to this generation, hence they are in force upon the human family. He has brought them home to our senses, and it is with delight that we behold them in contrast with the erroneous teachings we have received from men who have professed to be the teachers of religion, who have professed to be the servants of God, who have professed to stand in holy places and to lead the people in the way of life and salvation I say, they have proposed to do all these things, whereas they have neither the authority nor the knowledge to do so, because they have not been called of the Lord for that purpose, nor have they the revealed will of heaven to direct them. They have sought to teach their own will; they themselves are blind, and they lead the blind, and they must sooner or later fall into the pit together. Our minds, however, have been touched with the Spirit of the living God, made manifest unto us. And this is what inspired us to come out from the midst of the world to these valleys of the mountains, where the Lord has appointed to build a Zion unto his holy name, where he has condescended to establish his authority, and also to build temples in which to attend to the ordinances of his house. We have been gathered from the midst of the nations with this object in view under the inspiration of the Almighty, to do his will and to bring to pass his purposes and establish his purposes upon the earth. Is not this what has actuated us and brought us together to these valleys? If there was any other motive or design I do not know what it was. There are places more desirable to men than these sterile valleys; there are places where the land is richer and where better seasons prevail, and where more profitable results can be obtained in many respects; for this is not so very desirable a country, in fact a great portion of it is very undesirable and unprofitable to man for settlements. But it is not for the sake of wealth that we have come here; it is to be taught in the ways of the Lord, and to walk in his paths; it is to keep is commandments, to do his will that it may be done on earth as it is done in heaven.
Reference has been made this afternoon to the words, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and that he receive not of her plagues." Now, we have gathered bodily, but if we have brought with us the evils that are so prevalent in the world, have we gathered in the spirit as the people of God should gather? No. We might just as well have stayed in the world, and it would have been better indeed to have done so, than to drag the evils of the world into the midst of Zion. Any people who will corrupt their ways before the Lord are bound for destruction, according to the words of the Lord through the prophets. The principles of truth and virtue, and of temperance and honesty are the foundation of exaltation, and just as certain as people will practise them they will be exalted; and just as sure as they indulge in iniquity, it will lead them down to death and destruction, and that, too, upon natural principles. There is the way of life, and there is the way of death set before us, and it is for us to choose the course we will take; it is through obedience to the principles of life we shall obtain an exaltation in the celestial kingdom and upon no other. If a person ever inherits a celestial glory can he inherit it upon any other principle than that of obeying the laws of that kingdom? No; because all kingdoms have laws, and a person can only attain to the glory and benefit of that kingdom, the laws of which he observes to keep. This is the way I read and understand the revelations of the Lord.
Now, would it not be better to endeavor to find out the will of God our Heavenly Father concerning ourselves, and live so as to enjoy the light of his spirit to guide us in the duties of life? I think it certainly would. The best investment a man can make is to give his all into the kingdom of God, to hold himself on the altar ready for the Master's use, to place his ability, his time and means at his command to further the purposes of his Father in Heaven, and thus accomplish his design and purpose in bringing him into this state of existence. It is no haphazard matter that we have been born in this day and generation, a day in which God has revealed his mind and will to the children of men. He has withheld these spirits to come forth when he should again reveal the laws, that peradventure there might be those upon the earth who would receive his laws and assist to bring to pass his purposes and designs, because it is through the instrumentality of his children that he will bring forth his kingdom and prepare the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule. For he will rule, even from the rivers to the ends of the earth, for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; it belongs to him; it is his right to rule, dictate, and lead forth; and it is only a question of time when he will do so.
I feel well in this work. I
cannot express the gratitude that I feel to the Lord that he has made manifest
unto us his law, his will, the principles of the holy gospel, and that he has
brought them home to our understanding. We have the privilege of learning to
know God, whom to know, the Apostle says, is life eternal. Now, if to know him
is life eternal, we cannot attain to eternal life without a knowledge of him.
And how can we become acquainted with God unless he reveals himself? He has,
however, revealed himself to man in this our day. We have partially become
acquainted with him; we know who he is, and who we are, and we know his purpose
and design in bringing us into this state of existence. It is for us to learn
the will and design of God our Father concerning us as his children in this
probation, that we may fulfil the full measure thereof, and be worthy to return
into his presence from whence we have come. No second or third rate glory will
satisfy the Saints of God. Nothing short of a full and complete salvation in
the celestial kingdom of God, can answer their desires and aspirations. But how
do we expect to attain to that glory? As I have already observed, there is no
other way save that of keeping a celestial law. This is plainly set forth here
in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, it having been revealed to the servant
of the Lord in the day and age in which we live. We do not go back to the
mysterious ages in order to attain this knowledge. God has revealed it to us in
this our day; and although we do believe in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and
Doctrine and Covenants, nevertheless we have also the living oracles here day
by day to teach us in the ways of truth and righteousness. Can we govern and
control ourselves? We can partly, but I can conceive that in a great many
instances we could do much better. Many of us, no doubt, are doing as well as
we can, and yet we are not doing as well as we know how. We, perhaps, know a
great many things which may be utterly impossible for us to bring into actual
practice owing to surrounding circumstances; but yet many are doing the best
they can, and we should all the time try to do as well as we know how. Our
struggle should be to progress in the knowledge of God and the things
pertaining to eternal life, that our course may be onward and upward until we
"all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ." It is true we are imperfect; the traditions of our fathers are
upon us, and I know of and could point out a great many things that are
erroneous which our fathers in their ignorance taught and practised. But there
is one thing that people who live in this day will have to account for, and
that is, their presuming to administer in sacred places the precepts of men
instead of the ordinances which pertain to the house of God, thereby leading
people away from the truth.
We live in a peculiar age of the world. We live in a day when the God of heaven
is establishing his kingdom to bring to pass his purposes, preparatory to the
millennial reign. We live in a day when we are building temples in which a work
may be performed for those who have died in ignorance of the gospel, that they
may also be saved. The gospel plan reaches out to and includes all the children
of men; it is ample to save all who will bow and live in obedience to its
teachings. If a person has not had an opportunity of receiving the gospel in
this world, he will have an opportunity of doing so in the next, in the place
of departed spirits. And the labor of the Elders of Israel who die and pass
into the Spirit world, clothed upon with the authority of the holy priesthood
is to preach to them the principles of the holy gospel, that they may live
according to God in the spirit and be judged according to men in the flesh. But
there are ordinances which have to be performed for them on the earth. It is
for this purpose we are building temples.
Well, I pray God to help us to live our religion, because in it there is life and salvation I was going to say, in this world, as well as in the world to come. And so there is. The principles of the gospel are calculated in their nature to elevate mankind in the scale of human existence, and are fraught with salvation to men in this time as well as in the time to come. I pray God to bless all those who seek to work righteousness in all the earth, and especially to remember the household of faith, I pray that he may preserve us from stepping into bye and forbidden paths; that we may be instruments in his hands in bringing to pass his purposes and in upholding the principles of truth, because there are but few who are disposed to do this. The great tendency of the age is to wickedness and corruption, and there are but few comparatively who will receive the truth. Let us sustain these principles like an unbroken phalanx, standing shoulder to shoulder, that the enemy may not make an inroad in our midst. In union there is strength. If therefore we can carry out these things unitedly, we will be able to exert a greater power not only in the world but before the Lord.
May God bless us to this end is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem, and Elder Erastus Snow dismissed by prayer till 2 p.m.
_____
[5 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 29:174, 4/14/80, p 14]
TWO
DAYS' MEETINGS IN THE SALT LAKE ASSEMBLY HALL.
_____
On Monday afternoon the Assembly Hall was again completely filled. After singing, and prayer by Elder Joseph E. Taylor the congregation was addressed by
[Prest. Joseph Young]
PREST. JOSEPH YOUNG. He recollected the day when the Church consisted of a mere handful of people scattered over two or three States of the Union. In traveling to visit them an Elder was greeted with the sound, "There goes a Mormon!" Now, from Idaho to Arizona, through hundreds of miles, the settlements of the Saints extend and the people greet an Elder with joy and friendship. It was the work of the Lord and caused astonishment. He was the Author of it and His hand was over all, guiding the destiny of the greatest, and caring even for the sparrow. By His spirit we were guided, and it was to carry the tidings of His work that we traveled or sent our brethren to the ends of the earth. The speaker described the condition of the world in regard to religion, referring to the ignorance and fallacies that prevailed. He portrayed the spirit of Christ and its effects upon the human heart, and expressed his full confidence in the Lord and the triumph of this work. Exhorted both young and old to plant within their hearts a reservoir of truth and to live so as to know that God lives and that they were accepted of Him. Whenever Christian sects had enjoyed a portion of the spirit of truth and rejected this gospel when it came to them, they had lost the measure of the spirit previously bestowed. Those who had accepted this work received the power of God and a testimony of the truth and lost the fear of death. He bore testimony that the time was near when God would shake the earth and all things would tremble, and none but the righteous could stand. He wanted to know that his brethren and sisters were taking a course that was pleasing in the sight of God, staying themselves on the promises of God, training their children -- the hope of Israel -- in the fear of the Lord, so that when the terrible things predicted by the Savior and the prophets take place before their eyes they may be on the watch tower and prepared for every emergency.
[Elder A. O. Smoot]
Elder A. O. SMOOT expressed his pleasure at the instructions that had been imparted during these meetings. Referring to the sharp reproofs administered in the forenoon to some of the Latter-day "Mormons," it occurred to him that there were others at fault besides the drinkers and swearers. He asked himself where were the priests and teachers when these evils were taking place. If the teachers were aware of these things had they discharged their duty towards the transgressors? If they had done this, and failing to work a reformation, had they reported those cases to the Bishop? If so they had done well, and the fault would lay with the Bishop unless he attended to these evil-doers. He would ask, why not apply the remedy? Let the erring brother who would not reform go in peace and no longer be held in fellowship to spread the evil example. He thought perhaps some of the officers slept upon their rights and duties, and neglected the injunctions of the revelations concerning these matters. If we allowed these evils to exist, their influence would be demoralizing. All are subject to weaknesses, but when we are once overcome thereby, it should prove a warning, and we should take care not to be ever again overtaken in a similar way. In the course of forty years' experience he had seen men holding official position in the priesthood committing the evils spoken of, and their faults had been let slip. Why were these cases not alluded to? Why was not the inside of the platter cleaned? There was a fault somewhere; he would leave others to say where it was. God had commenced to establish His Kingdom on the earth and had so organized His priesthood that these irregularities could be checked and wickedness purged out. The speaker bore testimony that this was the Kingdom that Daniel saw in spite of their imperfections, this was the people whom the Lord cherished; this was the priesthood that would regulate all things according to the heavenly pattern; and many before him in the congregation were destined to be priests and kings unto the Most High God. He had nought but blessings in His heart for the faithful, and he besought the Lord to preserve them from the evils that predominate in the world, enable them to magnify their calling that Israel might triumph and the enemy be placed beneath their feet.
[Elder John Van Cott]
Elder JOHN VAN COTT referred to the prophesies concerning the redemption of the remnants of Jacob, and rejoiced to hear of the work which was being accomplished among them. While Elder Orson Pratt was speaking, he remembered that he (the speaker) when a boy of 16, had the privilege of witnessing the baptism of Elder Pratt, and was the only member of the Church now living who witnessed it. It was 49 years ago last September. It was some years after, that he himself was baptized, but at that time he received a witness of the truth and it never left him wherever he went. If it were not for that testimony he would not be here this day. It was a similar witness that had induced the Saints from every part of the earth to gather to these mountains. It was time that we should become united and prepared for those important events predicted which were near at hand. We should refrain from evil, obtain the power to discern the signs of the times and of the coming of the Son of Man, cultivate the spirit of meekness, forbearance and long suffering, and seek to God for wisdom that e might be prepared for the great change that is to come on the earth.
The choir sang an anthem and the benediction was pronounced by Elder Orson Pratt.
_____
6-8 Apr 1880, 50th Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 29:168, 4/14/80, p 8; Millennial Star 42:273, 289, 305]
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 29:168, 4/14/80, p 8]
YEAR
OF JUBILEE.
_____
FIFTIETH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
_____
The fiftieth Annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Large Tabernacle at 10 a.m. An immense audience assembled, nearly filling the huge building, galleries included.
On the stand were:
President John Taylor, and Elders Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Erastus Snow, Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Albert Carrington and Moses Thatcher of the council of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselor to the Twelve, Daniel H. Wells.
Patriarch John Smith.
Of the seven presidents of Seventies, Joseph Young, Horace Eldredge; Levi W. Hancock, and John Van Cott.
Of the Presiding Bishops, Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy, and Robert T. Burton;.
The Presidency of Salt Lake and other Stakes, with members of High Councils, Bishops and leading Elders from various parts of the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
Choir sang:
"Great God attend while
Zion sings
The joy that from thy presence springs."
Prayer was offered as follows by Elder Orson Pratt:
O God, the Eternal Father of Heaven and of earth, we thy children, thy sons and daughters, have assembled ourselves together on this the 5th day of April -- the day appointed and set apart for the general conference of thy Saints from year to year -- we have assembled in this large and commodious tabernacle, for the purpose of commemorating this day, and of hearing the words that may be spoken from this stand, and also of giving in our votes and our voices unitedly in relation to all business matters that pertain to the Church of God here on the earth that may be transacted on this occasion.
We thank thee, holy Father, that we have been permitted to receive the fulness of the everlasting Gospel revealed anew in this great last dispensation of the fulness of times. We thank thee that thou hast organized thy Church an established the kingdom that was spoke of by Daniel the prophet, and other holy men that lived in ancient times, in fulfillment of their words, and that it has been organized to stand for ever, never more to be destroyed or given into the hands of other people.
And we thank thee, Holy Gather, that in the midst of all the persecutions and difficulties we have encountered during the fifty years now being brought to a close, that thou hast sustained us, that thou hast not utterly cast us off, that thou hast not suffered us to become victims to our enemies and to those that have persecuted us; but that thou hast sustained thy Saints and brought them into these mountain valleys and planted them in the midst of the fastnesses of these everlasting hills, and spread them forth upon the right and upon the left, until we have become a great and a numerous people.
We thank Thee for the treat gathering which thou hast commanded and inaugurated in this dispensation -- the gathering of thine elect, the gathering of the Saints of the Most High -- that we have been permitted to come from all the various nations wherever the gospel has been preached and churches raised up, and establish ourselves in these mountain vales.
We thank Thee, O Lord, for all thy peculiar care and thy great mercies that have been extended to this people. Notwithstanding our many imperfections, our many follies and sins, thine eyes have been upon us for good. Thou hast raised us up; thou hast strengthened our hands; thou hast encouraged us in our work; thou hast visited us by the manifestations of thy Spirit; thou hast given revelations from time to time to strengthen thy servants and encourage thy Saints. And we thank thee for all these blessings in the name of thy beloved Son. And as the 50th year since the organization of thy Church is now about drawing to a close, we pray that thy peculiar blessings may continue to rest upon thy people, and that we may be able to esteem the past year since our general conference as a year of jubilee to the Latter-day Saints. And we pray that as the close of this year of jubilee will come to an end this day, notwithstanding the close thereof, that we may in all our future years humble ourselves before the Lord our God and keep thy commandments blameless, and walk in all thy ordinances and the institutions of thy kingdom, and serve the Lord our God and be united more perfectly according to the law which thou hast given concerning the union of thy people.
Bless we humbly pray thy servant Brother Taylor. Thou hast raised him up by thy power and placed him in a high and important position in thy church to preside, in connection with his brethren the Apostles, over the affairs of this great latter-day Kingdom. We pray that thou wilt inspire him with great and important knowledge and information for the welfare and happiness and benefit of the Saints over whom he presides. Bless him abundantly with the spirit of revelation; bless him with the visions of eternity; bless him with knowledge that comes down from heaven; bless him with the discernment of thy spirit; bless him in all things, and qualify him for the important and high position in this thy church and thy kingdom, in this thine earth.
Bless his brethren the Apostles, fill them with the Holy Ghost, inspire their harts from on high, and give unto them the spirit of counsel and wisdom, that they may impart unto these thy people that which shall benefit them and build them up in their most holy faith. Bless all the presidents of the "Stakes of Zion and their counselors, and also the Bishops and also the various Wards in every Stake. Bless them with inspiration, with the knowledge of God, with an understanding of their several duties and callings; and may thy servants from the highest to the least, in all of the various councils of the priesthood, be inspired from on high, and thus be able to carry out the great purposes which thou hast intended concerning the everlasting priesthood again sent down from heaven and conferred upon man.
We pray, O Lord, that the work of the gathering of thy Saints may continue, that thine Israel may be gathered from all nations and peoples under the whole heavens, to dwell in these mountain valleys, and become a great people, that the borders of Zion may be stretched out, and the cords of Zion by strengthened and thy people be prepared with one heart and one mind for that great redemption which thou has promised to them in the latter days.
Let thy blessing, O Lord, be upon this congregation, upon every man, every woman, every child and every person that attends whose heart is desirous of serving the Lord his God. May the spirit of inspiration rest upon them all. May the spirit of the Most High impart peace and consolation to all who may be sick and afflicted, that are not permitted to meet with us this day -- may they find favor in the sight of God, may thine angels be sent forth to minister unto them that they may be comforted, raised up and healed, and that the destroyer may be rebuked from the midst of this people in every settlement.
O Lord, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ that during the convention of our Conference from day to day until the close thereof, that the Lord our God may be in the midst of this people, that thine angels may be round about us, that the heavenly hosts may rejoice over us, that the vision of our minds may be opened to contemplate the things of God; and that all who speak may speak by the inspiration of thy spirit and all be edified together. We ask thee, O Lord, to let thy blessing be upon all the missionaries that are sent forth into the nations of the earth, that they may go in power, go in strength, filled with the spirit and power of God, filled with courage and holy boldness to carry forth among the children of men the glorious gospel of the Son of Man, revealed in these latter days for the benefit of the human family.
Hear us, O Lord, in these our supplications. Be with us in our deliberations. Assist us in this Conference, and smile upon us from thy holy habitation. And when we have fully accomplished the work thou hast given us to do in this probation, may we be prepared to go into thy kingdom, behold thy face, and receive that welcome plaudit, "Come ye blessed of my Father, and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from before the foundation of the world." These together with all other blessings which we should pray for, we seek for at this time, not in our own name, but in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Choir sang:
"When earth in bondage
long had lain
And darkness o'er the nations reigned."
President TAYLOR announced that important business would be transacted to-morrow, in which the Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber Stakes were particularly interested, and he wished the presidents of these Stakes and as many others as possible to be present.
[Elder Franklin D. Richards]
Elder FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS congratulated the Saints on reaching the fiftieth anniversary of the Church, and upon the wonderful work that had been accomplished by the Almighty. He reviewed the jubilee as celebrated by ancient Israel, and exhorted the Saints to seek for the spirit of jubilee. Reflecting on the progress of this work during the past fifty years, he asked what would be its progress during the next fifty years, if we were in the position we ought to occupy considering our experience. Elder Richards sketched several important scenes of the early history of the Church; among them the incident of the friendship to the Prophet Joseph Smith of Stephen A. Douglass, and of the rise of that statesman until he turned against the Saints and uttered the well known saying about "cutting out the ulcer of Mormonism from the body politic," when in fulfilment of the prediction of the Prophet Joseph, he lost his power and failed to attain the object of his ambition. He referred next to the effort of Benton, by obtaining the call for the "Mormon Battalion," to leave the Saints to perish in an Indian country, and who shortly afterward was smitten with an internal ulcer which led to his death. He then touched upon the providence of God in bringing us into the mountains, where we rested in peace while civil war desolated the land. He next drew attention to the coming of the army to exterminate the "Mormons" and the way in which the Lord turned the event to our material advantage. He came to the time when government officers arrived here, seeking our injury, but in vain. Schaffer, who issued the proclamation forbidding our militia to muster, soon passed away and his dry bones were carried out of the Territory. A certain Judge who had sought to destroy this people had also perished and gone down to the grave, and peradventure that man to whom he had said derisively, "Thomas, I am sorry for you, very sorry," would have to carry a drop of water to him to cool his parched tongue. In all these things were recognized the hand of the Lord, and we should reflect on His providences and be stirred up to individual righteousness, and to battle against the drunkenness and whoredoms and various forms of evil no being introduced by our enemies for our overthrow. What better could we do this year of jubilee, than turn our minds towards helping each other, to relieve the poor and gather the Saints? Our rich brethren who hold debts against the worthy poor, might send them a receipt in full, and God would bless them. Let those who hold mortgages against the worthy but unsuccessful and struggling brother, release his home from bondage and thus "make friends with the mammon of unrighteousness." Let the poor saints abroad be remembered and be delivered, and then blessings of this year of jubilee should be extended to every part of the earth, that all hearts might be made glad and God our Father crown us with His favor.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 47-51]
It is
very pleasing to find that we have so peaceful and favorable an opportunity, in
every general respect, of meeting together on this the fiftieth anniversary of
the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the
earth in this the last dispensation. Let us endeavor to calm our minds, call in
the wandering thoughts and exercise our faith, that we may receive an abundant
measure of the Holy Spirit to rest upon us; for if we seek it I am sure the
Lord will be greatly pleased to bestow it upon us during this Conference. When
we contemplate, in the light of history, what fifty years have done towards
bringing forward the work of the Lord in the earth, and of disseminating a
knowledge of the principles of the Gospel which he has revealed, and observe the
results that these labors and efforts have accomplished toward building up the
Kingdom of God, we have reason, if we can only sense it, to feel that he has
done great things for his people, whereof we ought to be very glad. Indeed, to
contemplate it in its various bearings, and the relationship which this work
sustains to the whole human family and to the spirits departed, it is indeed so
wonderful that we might exclaim, like one of old, " what hath God
wrought!"
As this
is our jubilee year, let us, as Israel did in ancient times, look back and
recount our doings, review our condition and surroundings. On every fiftieth
year they redeemed their brethren that were in bondage, the homestead that had
been pledged for the necessaries of life; and they reviewed their business
transactions of previous years, that they might place everything right between
themselves and before the Lord. Even the strangers that were among them were
remembered, for, saith the Lord, "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor
oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." Let us seek for
the spirit of jubilee as designed of God, and as shall be best, most happily
and profitably entertained by man. For, indeed, if fifty years have brought to
pass the creation and existence of a Territory with over a hundred thousand of
our people in it, what shall the next fifty years produce by the blessing of
the Most High upon the exertions yet to be made, if we shall but abide in his
favor, and thus inherit his multiplied blessings! We are not apt to realize the
achievements of the past, when we but consider the period of a day, a week, or
even a year. If we watch the hands on a clock we scarcely discern that they
move; but if we look once in an hour, we note the lapse of time and observe the
events that have occurred during that hour. So let us contemplate upon the dial
of time a few of the events that have transpired with us as a community, and
recount with thanksgiving and praise some of those things which God has done
for the deliverance of his people.
History
informs us that when the Church in Missouri was in straitened circumstances
being sorely distressed, and the enemies of God's people camped round about; at
the time appointed for the onset, the Lord sent thunders, lightnings, rain, hail
and tempests, with such a destructive flood, that the mob found enough to do to
save their own lives and attend to the safety of their families; several of
them did perish. This was in the vicinity of Fishing River in 1834.
It will
be remembered by those who knew the Prophet Joseph, that he was worried as a
lamb is worried by the wolves; that he scarcely knew rest or peace because of
the wicked, who sought him continually for their prey. The Lord raised up a man
who was a judge in the land, whose name was Stephen A. Douglas. He favored this
people in that he gave to them even and fair-handed justice in his court, so
that they might enjoy, in some small degree, the rights, privileges, liberties
and powers guaranteed to them by the Constitution and laws of their country.
This fair and honorable administration of justice in behalf of the Prophet and
some of his friends, won for him the respect of the Saints and the favor of the
Lord, insomuch that Joseph told him if he would continue to protect the fights
of this people, he should go on to greatness and power and attain to his utmost
ambition in righteousness before the Lord. He became a Senator in Congress, and
finally a candidate for the Presidency; and with the goal of his hopes fairly
in view, like the dog in the fable, who, while crossing the stream with a piece
of meat in his mouth, saw the shadow of it in the water, and grasping at it,
dropped the substance, so did he; in the political crusades against us he
declared himself in favor of putting the knife into the loathsome ulcer of
"Mormonism," and cutting it out of the side of the body politic. And
what became of him? He went to the Convention in Carolina, and there his party
split and he failed to get the nomination. Under this disappointment his light grew
dim, and a short period of Senatorial labor ended his mortal career. Whereas,
if he had persevered in maintaining the right, he might have gone on to the
fulfilment of Joseph's prophesy, reaching the acme of his ambition, and made
for himself in that position a name that would have graced and honored the
pages of history for all time to come.
Let us
look a little farther, and see what God has done for us in some other
instances. About the time when we were considered no longer fit to have place
among mankind in the States, when the people around had determined that we must
go hence, and when we had laid our course for the mountains, who should rise up
and, acting in the interest of Government, impose upon us a most extraordinary
and destructive measure, seeking to encompass our destruction in the
wilderness, but the celebrated Senator, Thomas H. Benton, who had acquired the
cognomen of "Old Bullion." This was accomplished by a requisition on
our President, Brigham Young, demanding that five hundred of our young men
should be called out of our camps to go to war to help to make the conquest of
Mexico. Did we refuse compliance? Not at all; but, on the contrary, in the
midst of the most adverse, destitute and trying circumstances, it was submitted
to; and the full complement of our young men went forth and did honor to the
arms of the nation, and God blessed them and preserved them, that not one of
them fell by the hands of a deadly foe. But what became of the Senator who, in
the wickedness of his heart, did this? I will not say that God took him away
because of his injustice to us, but he was soon after afflicted with a cancer
in his inner parts, which caused his death.
You
remember what was called the Buchanan War the speculators' war, or war on the
Treasury when a detail of picked troops, comprising the flower of the United
States army, came out to fight the "Mormons." But the Prophet told
them to stop at Fort Bridger, and they stopped there until their ardor cooled,
being blockaded in the snow, and having to consume some of their mules for
food, while we herded their cattle for them. Nor did they move the following
season until the President of the United States sent out his commissioners to
negotiate with President Young, when they were allowed to pass quietly through
our city and go to Camp Floyd. Do we forget these things? Or do we remember
that the forest of polished bayonets which glistened in the sunlight, looking
terrible indeed, became as harmless as the trees that grow, and afterwards,
when they broke camp, helped to furnish us with steel and iron and other
articles which we then greatly needed. These are some of the Lord's doings. We
should not and cannot overlook nor forget them.
Who does
not remember the deadly strife that ensued in the United States, when father
and son went to war against each other, when the armies of the North and South
met each other in mortal combat? Through this terrible ordeal we were here in
these mountains safe and secure; we did not have to take part in the terrible conflict,
nor to bleed upon the battlefield. Has not the Lord been very kind to us, even
while he has permitted the wicked to afflict and chastise us? There are other
things I wish to call your attention to, which loom up before me.
After we
came here and had, by the wisdom and counsel of God, established ourselves not
by roaming the hills hunting for minerals and will-o'-the-wisps, but by making
homes, gardens and orchards, beautifying and tilling the land, and by making
families comfortable and our homes desirable, officers were sent here by the
Government to rule over us; and they, in the evil spirit of their hearts, began
to persecute and afflict us. You remember that a governor was sent here by the
name of Shaeffer, and that the great distinguishing act of his official career
was the issuing of a proclamation forbidding this people to bear arms and
commanding them to refrain from making any military display in their
celebration of the Fourth of July, and that, too, when the Constitution of our
country distinctly says that "the right of the people to keep and bear
arms shall not be infringed," and we, in an Indian country! But what
became of this unrighteous man? He had hardly seen the order carried into
execution, when his bones were carried away to be buried with those of his
kindred somewhere in the States.
Who does
not remember Judge McKean, who came here with power from Government and with
the authority of the Methodist Church, as a missionary jurist, to oppress and
humble us before the nation and before the world? Who of us can forget the
morning when he ignominiously dragged President Young to his Court over a
stable, to answer certain illegal indictments and false charges? During about a
year and a half of official career, this man, by perverting and misapplying the
laws, and by utterly disregarding the well established principles of
jurisprudence, procured convictions of some of our citizens through illegal
juries. But a single case carried up to the Supreme Court at Washington
reversed his decisions, invalidated the greater part of his official acts, and
made President Young a free man, after having been confined a prisoner in his
own house for several months. Where is this judicial luminary now? "This
day thy soul shall be required of thee," was written upon the wall of his
habitation, and he has gone to his account; but his words to President Young
are still fresh in our minds" While the case at bar is called 'The People
versus Brigham Young,' its other and real title is, 'Federal Authority versus Polygamic
Theocracy." Also his tantalization of Thomas Hawkins, when he had him by
maladministration in his power: "I am sorry for you, very sorry; you may
not think so now, but I shall try to make you think so by the mercy which I
shall show you"which mercy consisted of a sentence of five hundred dollars
fine and three years imprisonment.
When we
look back upon these things, which give us, however, but a faint glimmer of the
wisdom of God in delivering and preserving his people; without arrogating
anything to ourselves, we may truly say, "God has glorified himself and
exalted his people." Have we not reason for thankfulness, and can we help
feeling that he has acknowledged, at least, in the dispensations of his
providence to us, that this is his work and that we are the children of his
covenant? We are to-day in the hands of God, our Father, whose mercies are
abundant, and whose blessings are multiplied upon us. Let us then take into
consideration, the goodness of our God, his preservation of us in hours of
trial and danger, and in every circumstance and condition of life; for we have
individually as well as collectively the greatest reason to praise his holy
name for the grace we have received at his hands, in sustaining us and helping
us to thus far overcome. The Lord is having a people which is a tried people.
Let us rejoice that we are in the crucible and counted worthy to be tried. But,
my brethren, let us rise up in holy boldness against, and put away far from us,
the accursed things which the wicked have brought among us, and which to-day
are fostered and encouraged by them in our midst; even as drunkenness,
whoredom, stealing, and kindred vices, that are fast becoming popular among
many of our youth, whose hearts are sought thereby to be drawn away from the
Lord by corruption and wickedness. It is time the Elders of Israel were putting
on the sword of the Spirit, to do battle against these things.
The Lord
has said that Zion shall be redeemed by judgment, but her converts by
righteousness. He has strictly enjoined upon us that we shall not go to war
with our enemies. "Judgment is mine," saith the Lord, "and I
will repay." Then we have not time nor occasion to go to war, nor to study
the means of destruction and death; on the contrary, we are called upon, and it
is our pleasing duty, to study and develop the elements of life the spirit of
faith in the everlasting Gospel. What better can we do, in this our year of
jubilee, in token of our gratitude to God for the abundance of his favors
bestowed upon us, than to do good to each other, and to make glad the hearts of
the poor in Israel? The authorities of the Church are thinking of doing
something by way of aiding such as are needy. The officers of the Perpetual
Emigrating Fund Company calculate to relieve in part the worthy poor, who are
owing for their emigration; and as President Taylor suggested in public on
Sunday, let us all do something to aid the poor and make the hearts of the
Saints rejoice, and see that no one is allowed to suffer. This same charitable
feeling should extend through all our Co-operative Institutions; our rich
brethren merchants who have got debts owing to them by the worthy poor, who are
struggling with adversity in the world for a subsistence, let them get out
their accounts and send them receipted, either in full or in part, to their
debtors, as the case may be, with a note of forgiveness, telling them to lift
up their heads and rejoice, and the Lord will bless them for it. Let the rich
men in our Territory, who have been blessed to accumulate means, and who hold
notes drawing interest against their poor brethren, look over their papers, and
where they find a note given by their poor but worthy brother, who has perhaps
mortgaged his home and is in danger of being sold out, let them forgive the
debt, and thus our rich brethren may help fulfil the prophecy that the poor
shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. There are those who have borrowed
money, and whose homes stand pledged for the payment thereof, who have incurred
debt through misfortune, or hard times, or perhaps through sickness, and who
deserve relief, would say to all the brethren who may be the creditors of such
persons, go to and make yourselves their benefactors, and establish the principle
in the hearts of God's people" Make to yourselves friends with the mammon
of unrighteousness, that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting
habitations." For your riches may take the wings of the morning, when you
least expect it, and fly away; or they may burn up and you be left destitute.
And if
the people of the Territory everywhere, who have means, and who have poor
relations or friends in the old country for there are families scattered
throughout those lands who perhaps never have a chance to attend a meeting of
the Saints would wake up and send for a ship-load or two of them, not those who
are able to bring themselves, but the poor, whose hearts beat low and whose
hopes have become forlorn, and who despair of ever getting out on their own
account. This too would be a fitting and proper thing to do on this rare
occasion, and one that would bring blessing and joy to all concerned; and thus
the glad tidings of our jubilee would reach to those afar off, and they would
be made to know that there is a people on the earth who remember their God,
their covenants and their poor afflicted brethren.
There is
a great deal that might be said on this subject, but I will leave it to be said
by my brethren who are yet to speak. I perhaps ought to say that the object of
granting relief to those indebted to the P. E. Fund Company, is not to benefit
those who are able to pay, but those who are poor, unfortunate or suffering,
having no prospect of being able to pay, that such of our brethren may be
stimulated to fresh courage and to go on in the progress of the Gospel of life
and salvation.
Will not
efforts like these awaken a sense of duty in those who are in need of and
receive our mercy, and thus make all hearts glad? And will not our Father in
Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the angels, and the spirits of the just
awaiting us, will they not all join with us in thanksgiving and praise to
Jehovah for even the little good we are trying to do on the earth?
That the
Lord may pour out the spirit of jubilee upon us, and help us to continue with
gratifying results the labors of the cause of truth on the earth, is my earnest
prayer and desire, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Elder L. John Nuttall read the statistical report of the Various Stakes.
President Taylor said as the house was rather cold the meeting would not be prolonged.
The choir sang the anthem,
Who is like unto thee, O Lord.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Dismissed with prayer by Elder Lorenzo Snow.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 29:149, 4/14/80, p 8]
TUESDAY, 2 p. m.
Choir sang:
From Greenland's icy
mountains
From India's coral strand.
Prayer by Elder ALBERT CARRINGTON.
Choir sang.
Ye Gentile nations cease
your strife
And listen to the words of life.
Elder L. J. Nuttall read the financial report of the Trustee in Trust containing a detailed statement of the receipts and disbursements during the year 1879.
Prest. TAYLOR stated that vouchers were on hand for all the accounts read, and thought that the Auditing Committee should examine them.
Elder LORENZO SNOW moved that we accept the report and that it be referred with the accompanying documents to the Auditing Committee. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The financial report of the Logan Temple was then read, also of the Manti Temple.
An exhibit of the receipts and expenditures of the Perpetual Emigration Fund for the past six months was presented.
[Elder Erastus Snow]
Elder ERASTUS SNOW addressed the congregation. He congratulated the Saints on this auspicious occasion; on the general outlook; on the prosperity that had attended our efforts; he peace that prevailed; the good degree of unanimity exhibited; and the good spirit and general interest manifested by the people. The financial reports coupled with those of school superintendents and other public functionaries, showed that the people were progressing in all things that make a nation great. The number of meeting-houses and school-houses and the improvement in education, coupled with other things mentioned, all caused a feeling of gratitude to God. He endorsed the views expressed by Elder F. d. Richards in the morning, and hoped that the spirit of kindness and charity and forgiveness and union would be more than ever manifested among the people of God. When would they have a more suitable time than the present, the commencement of the second half of the first century of our history, to make a renewed effort for improvement? He alluded to the operations of the P. E. Fund Company, and urged the necessity of those who owed the Fund to settle, that the means might be used for the deliverance of the poor in foreign lands; for as it was in the days of the Savior and John the Baptist, one of the signs of this ministry was, "The poor have the gospel preached unto them." It was in contemplation that this should be a year of jubilee and release from debt to the Fund of those who had striven but were unable to pay what they owed. The duty of all was, to cease their hard-speaking, their covetousness and their undue desire to get rich. His experience of many years among the people as well as that of the Bishops was, that, as once declared by President Young, there was not more than half an honest tithing paid in the midst of Israel. If an honest tithing were paid, there would be no need for any extra donations for temple building or other Church purposes. The amounts of tithing received might seem to aggregate a large sum. But it would be seen that in consequence of most of it being in produce and labor and little of it in cash, and the numerous purposes for which it was disbursed, that the whole amount was necessarily expended. He spoke in praise of the general thrift of the Saints, and showed that this provoked the jealousy of our enemies, as it had done in Missouri in the early days of the Church. Our Sabbath School statistics showed 30,000 children, and a better educational showing than any of the other Territories and several of the States into the bargain. Our social relations were an object of hatred, not because our wives and mothers and sisters were not virtuous and good, or that their purity was not guarded, but because our system gave an opportunity for woman to fill the position designed for her, and accomplish the object of her creation. This was contrary to the way of the world. He considered that if the State forbade a large-souled honorable man from caring for the neglected portion of womankind, the State should compel bachelors to marry. He portrayed the terrible social condition of the world and the injustice towards woman, of modern Christendom and the deep hypocrisy of the priests and leading men in opposing plural marriage in the face of the evils which they themselves supported. The law in Israel made the whole people the executioners of the adulterer, who was to be stoned to death outside the gates of the city. This was a consistent law, accompanying that liberty which prevented a surplus of marriageable women. The customs of the semi-civilized Indian tribes who followed the same law were a rebuke to the "Christian" civilization of the age. He showed that we were an aggressive people; not by war or force, but by industry, growth, spreading abroad and possessing "the gate of the enemy" by purchase, by gathering the poor, multiplying and replenishing the earth; and while the native American families are dwindling, we were rearing large numbers of robust and vigorous children. If God and angels were to show themselves they would blush at the devilish arts invented by science and adopted in this nation to produce abortion and secret murder of "Christian" offsprings. These iniquities cried aloud to heaven; and the cities which protected them while they cried out for destruction upon the Saints, would be judged of heaven. He asked, should the Latter-day Saints pattern after these infamies, restrict honorable marriage and leave a surplus of women for a prey to the ungodly lusts of brutal men? God forbid! The speaker contrasted the crime of bigamy contemplated in the Roman monogamic law and the laws of England, with the social institution of plural marriage, which were totally opposite to each other, and argued that the religious liberty contemplated by the fathers of the country would extend constitutional protection to the Mohammedan and his families as well as the Christian, as expressed in one of our hymns composed by the apostle Parley P. Pratt.
"Come ye Christian sect
and Pagan,c
Indian, Moslem, Greek or Jew,
Worshipers of God or Dagon,
Freedom's banner waves for you."
Elder Snow closed with a powerful arraignments of the authors and enforcers of the anti-polygamy bill.
[Erastus Snow]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 52-60]
I am
somewhat weary from journeying, but I will try, if the congregation will be as
quiet as possible, to make myself heard the short time I may speak.
I congratulate myself, my brethren and the people generally on this auspicious
occasion the end of our fiftieth year in our organized capacity, as the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and on the general outlook, the
prosperity that is attending our efforts, the general peace that prevails
throughout our land, the goodly degree of unanimity and fellowship and
brotherly love existing among the people as shown in the general good feeling
that is manifest in all the quarterly conferences and Stakes of Zion, as well
as in the interest shown by the people at large on this occasion. The financial
reports which we have heard, coupled with the general reports of school
superintendents and other public functionaries to the Legislative Assembly
during the last winter, tend to show the general advancement and progress of
the people in all that is calculated to elevate and exalt a nation. The great
number of meetinghouses and schoolhouses, and pupils in attendance in our
district schools, and also in the more advanced schools of the Territory, are
very gratifying; and the general health of the people at large, and all sources
of gratitude and thanksgiving, calling forth our devotion to our Father, the
Creator.
The
discourse this morning by Elder F. D. Richards foreshadows what was anciently figured
by the year of jubilee, and as understood and practised by ancient Israel,
namely, the severing of the bonds with which the people were bound the breaking
of the yoke from off their necks, and setting the captive free, and the
proclaiming of liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.
The general recommendation to exercise mercy and forgiveness of sins, and
release the poor of indebtedness, extending relief to the needy, and making the
hearts of all the people glad; it is to be hoped that in this good work of
liberality, of kindness, of charity, of love, love unto God and unto all his
children may make itself manifest more abundantly among all Israel than it has
in times past notwithstanding the Latter-day Saints have been proverbial for
their self-abnegation, for their devotion to each other's interest, for their
brotherly kindness and charity, for their ministering unto the poor, and
gathering their poor brethren, and uniting and co-operating together and in
promoting each others general interest and welfare we hope to see a renewal of
our efforts in this direction; and that from this time we may date more rapid
progress, renewed efforts, more earnest devotion to the sacred principles of
our holy religion, to this spirit of oneness and unity which we look for and
pray for, and which has been prophesied of by all the holy prophets, that is
necessary to prepare a people for the coming of the Son of Man to reign in the
midst of his people. And we might offer a few words by way of reminder and
exhortation unto those that have been delinquent in their duty in times past,
and in their efforts to live up to their privileges and to exemplify the
principles of the Gospel in their lives and conduct. When will they have a
better time than the present, and what period of the history of the Church of
Christ so suitable as the present the commencement of the second half century
of our existence as the period to date their reformation of life and the
allaying of all that lethargy and apathy which has prevailed?
Touching
our P. E. Fund indebtedness, the books of the company show a vast amount due
from those who have been emigrated during the last thirty years in which we
have been laboring to gather the poor from distant lands and countries. I am
informed by those better acquainted with this matter than I am, that the amount
of indebtedness amounts to sixteen hundred thousand dollars. With all this vast
amount due from the people all over the land, we find their operation during
the last six months limited to about ten thousand dollars; when in reality the
operations of this company in the gathering of the poor ought and might, if all
did their duty, reach a hundred thousand dollars every year, extending relief
to many thousands of those who are praying for deliverance in the downtrodden
countries of Europe and elsewhere where the poor have the Gospel preached unto
them. For as it was in the days of the Savior, so it is now the poor have the
Gospel preached unto them. This fact Jesus announced to the disciples of John
who were sent by John while he was in prison, to the Savior to inquire about
the rumors which he had heard of him. The Savior was preaching and baptizing,
performing miracles, etc., and as John was in prison he could hear nothing but
general rumor, and therefore he sent his disciples to seek this Jesus of
Nazareth, who was making such a stir in the land, and to ascertain who he was
and what his message to the people was. And in answer to their inquiry"Art
thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and
said unto them, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and
see: the blind receive their sight, etc., and the poor have the Gospel preached
unto them." By this John was to know who he was and what his message was.
The same answer is before the world to-day in the message of the Latter-day
Saints and their labors throughout the earth, wherever this Gospel has been
sent and preached by the Elders of this Church. The sick have been healed by
the prayer of faith and the laying on of hands, and devils have been cast out,
and the poor have the Gospel preached unto them, and many of the poor have been
gathered. And very many of these have shown themselves worthy they have paid
their indebtedness as fast as they could; others have been willing and desirous
of doing so, but adverse circumstances have prevented them; while another class
have been ungrateful, and have not sufficiently realized the rock from whence
they were hewn, nor the pit from which they were digged, allowing years to pass
without an effort, or even a righteous desire, to pay this just debt, thereby
preventing the means thus due to go on its errand of mercy to bring other poor.
Now, it
is contemplated that this year of jubilee shall be made a year of release and
comfort to those who are indebted to the Fund, who have striven to do their
duty and discharged it as far as able to do so, but whose circumstances have
been adverse, preventing them from doing as their hearts listed. It is proposed
that such be set flee; and while we feel it is a privilege the Lord has given
us of speaking comforting words to such, and of loosing the bands from their
feet and set them free, we feel, on the other hand, it to be equally our duty
to remind those who have been negligent, that if they also would enjoy the
riches of Christ and the forgiveness of their sins, they must bestir themselves
and come up to every duty, and cease from all hard speeches and from
worldly-mindedness and pride, and from a desire to get rich before they are
just, and to accumulate wealth before they have signified their gratitude for
past favors.
We might
also refer to the reports of tithing, but from the observations of the Bishops
and others, perhaps I might be permitted to repeat their observations, founded
on the experience of years, in receiving and disbursing the tithes of the
people, and the general accounts from the various wards and stakes and
settlements throughout the land; and in repeating their observations I might
add my own testimony and experience and observation, formed by the experience
of many years in ministering among the people, examining reports and accounts,
and receipts and disbursements, and lists of those who do tithe themselves and
those who do not; and the general expression of the presiding Bishop and his
Counselors and men of observation and experience; bears out a declaration once
made by President Young in his lifetime, in effect, that there was not more
than half an honest tithing paid in the midst of Israel; and that if an honest
tithing were paid by the people generally, we should have an abundance to build
our temples, our meetinghouses, to provide for the poor and relieve the needy,
to gather the Saints, and accomplish what may be necessary for the benefit of
all the people, without calling on them for extra donations. But from the Logan
and Manti Temple reports we learn that about $170,000 has been expended upon
these temples within the last year; while about twenty-eight to thirty thousand
of this sum has been appropriated out of the tithing, the balance being the
free-will offering of the people. We have no report of what has been done in
the way of donations in this temple district, but the presumption is that while
$140,000 of the tithing has been expended upon the Salt Lake Temple, that
perhaps an equal sum has been donated; but of this we are not informed, and not
being myself in a position to be able to speak of it, of course I will leave it
to my brethren residing here in this temple district to speak on this matter;
as it might be gratifying to the people of the Salt Lake Temple district to be
represented in our General Conference, and that it might also be known what
they are doing in the way of free-will offerings in the building of this
temple, as well as their brethren in other temple districts. But I repeat what
President Young said, and which I believe to be true, that if an honest tithing
were paid by all the people, according to their professions, these extra
offerings and donations would be unnecessary. You perceive from the financial
reports that the aggregated sum of the tithes and offerings seem somewhat huge,
yet considering the various sources of disbursement, as well as the character
of the property received being all kinds of produce and labor, and
comparatively but little money that the disbursements in the various directions
have been sufficient to exceed and consume the income together with the
offerings. And with some it would seem as though they were not making progress
as fast as the people could desire or wish; but if we are not in our public
improvements moving as fast as the people could wish, you will perceive it is
not the fault of the Bishops and others who have the direction of these
financial affairs. Nor does there appear to be a wastefulness or unreasonable
expenditure in the receiving and disbursing, as a rule; though there may be in
isolated cases, which do not come, perhaps, sufficiently manifest to be noticed
in order to be corrected; but as fast as any thing of the kind does appear it
receives proper attention. And the people have reason to feel a measure of
satisfaction and congratulation in the great amount of good that is being
accomplished from these small revenues gathered from this vast people in all
parts of the land, and extending as we are new settlements on the east and
north and south and southeast, and in various directions, occupying new regions
of country and bringing into use fertile fields, preparing homes for the
Saints, and thus fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah"Enlarge the
place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine
habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes; for thou
shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit
the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." That our
nation should be somewhat jealous of us is not to be wondered at from the very
nature and character of our institutions and thrift of our people. The same
jealousy manifested itself in Missouri in early days, when the Saints were
broken up and driven from that place because of their thrift, their provoking
industry, the extent of their mechanism, the skill of their artisans, and the
thrift that was manifested in turning the desert into a fruitful field, making
a great contrast in northwest Missouri between the settlements of the
Latter-day Saints and other regions of Missouri at those early times. Not that
the Latter-day Saints in these mountains by anything they or their institutions
are doing are menacing the general interests of the country, only they are
provoking many people upon this American Continent who seem rather inclined to
dwindle and live in voluptuousness and ease, and spend their vast incomes in
gratifying the pride of life and lusts of the flesh, ostentation and show;
while the Latter-day Saints seek more enduring wealthand fill the land with an
enterprising population; and are content to provide the common necessaries of
life essential elements to the growth and development of a people and the
training and education of their spirits. By our statistical reports we find
that nearly one-third of the population are under eight years of age; while
another third are between eight and twenty years children who have been born
and grown up in these mountains, and are being educated in our common schools.
While the reports of our Sabbath Schools show in the neighborhood of 40,000
children belonging to our people who are enrolled in the Sabbath Schools more
than twice the number of all the other Territories combined, with some of the
minor States thrown into the bargain.
Our
nation is inclined to find fault with us because of our marriage relations not
that they have reason to believe that the people of Utah are not virtuousnot
that licentiousness or looseness of morals prevail, or that there is a
disregard of sexual puritynot that wives and mothers are not honored as they
deserve to be not that children are not beloved and cared for and trained and
educated; but that there is a disposition under the teachings and sanction of
our holy religion to amplify the doctrine (which was also sanctioned by the
fathers and practised in ancient Israel, and nowhere disallowed in the Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ) that every healthful, virtuous woman desiring to
fulfil the law of God, ought to have the opportunity of becoming an honored
wife and mother, and to partake of those conjugal blessings and enjoyments that
are interwoven with our nature and our being, and thus fill the object and
purposes of our creation. We believe that where this opportunity is not
afforded, where the institutions of the State, or the tenets of religion, or
the morals of the sterner sex forbid or interfere with this privilege, there is
something wrong. It is a state of Society that is unnatural, and ought not to
exist; that a remedy ought to be sought for and found. Some ancient nations
recognized the correctness of this principle and attempted to compel the male
population to marry, while some of the ancient Gentile nations, under the
leadership of Rome, sought to establish monogamy; they also sought to remedy
the evils to which I have referred, by compelling the males to marry. If they
could enforce such a law, I should think it imperative upon any State that
forbids polygamy. A large-souled man who cherishes a proper respect for his
mother and sister, and for every other man's mother and sister, and is disposed
to marry and deal justly with more than one woman, he ought to have the
privilege so to do; but if the State forbids him so to do, then the State ought
to compel delinquent bachelors to wake up and do their duty. President Young in
his lifetime often made this banter to the United States; if you will not
remove your narrow-contracted laws, be consistent, and compel the bachelors to
do their duty, and compel every man to confine himself to his own wife and let
other men's wives and daughters alone, then we will wait and see the result,
and shall be satisfied if the women shall have no longer cause to complain. But
while the tens of thousands of the daughters of Eve are left in our large
mercantile towns and elsewhere to fall a prey to the brutish lusts of wicked
men, and afterwards to be cast off to die, rotten with disease, in gutters and
in dens and hovels, and in this state to be swept away from earth we say while
tens of thousands of the fair daughters of Eve are thus victimized and made to
suffer from this unnatural state of things in modern Christendom, it seems to
us the sheerest hypocrisy for the solons of our nationbacked by the clergy of
the land to decry the honorable marriage of the Latter-day Saints, with the
example before them of 40,000 children attending our Sabbath Schools which I
repeat is more than those of all the other Territories of the United States and
half a dozen of the minor States thrown in.
There is
an ancient doctrine which God established in ancient Israel and commanded,
namely, that the adulterer should be put to death. We ask ourselves the
question, if it became necessary for God to command by Moses that Israel should
not suffer the adulterer to live, but that whosoever should be caught in the
act should first be tried before the elders, and if found guilty the elders
should declare their sentence and bring them to the gates of the city and call
upon all the people to pick up stones and join in his execution, that by all
throwing at the same time no one would have it to say that "Your stone
killed him," or that no relative could charge his death to any one person,
neither could the ignominy be fastened upon an executioner, as it is in our
day, but the whole people signifying their contempt for the transgressor,
joined in administering the penalty until he died the death of the dog. But the
natural sequence of the law is liberty for honorable men of the earth to absorb
the surplus female element in honorable marriage, though it should be under the
plural system practised by the patriarchs and prophets of old. And while this
privilege was extendedso long as there was a surplus of female element to be absorbed
the man who tampered with his neighbor's wife or daughter suffered death.
Brother Woodruff related in my hearing a short time since, an account of his
visit among the village Indians of New Mexico, on the Rio Grade, and of a
conversation between him and the governor of one of the chief villages,
numbering some 3,000 souls, who were partially civilized maintaining schools
and also maintaining purity in their social relations. The governor assured him
that they had for many generations kept themselves free from mixing with the
Castilian blood, and that the death penalty was scrupulously enforced upon the
man guilty of adultery among them. He said the railroad was approaching their
town, that the whites were crawling upon them, and it would be but a short time
before they would be overrun with them; and that though they boasted of far
greater intelligence, greater wealth, and were a powerful people, they were
given to many crimes, to drunkenness and whoredom, and, he said, they feared
the result of their approach and their "civilization" in their midst;
for, he said, if any of them were to take liberties with our women, and our men
should execute the penalty of the law of our fathers, which has been in force
among us for centuries, and put to death the guilty adventurer, what would be
the result, said the old gray-haired patriarch of the village? I suppose, said
he, they would send their troops upon us and slay us. Such are the reflections
and such are the rebukes of the chieftain, who is called a savage, upon the
civilization of the age.
As a
people, we are exceedingly anxious to acquit ourselves as good citizens in
every department of life, with honor and credit before our nation and the
world. We look forward to the time when the great tree that has sprung up and
spread abroad, over-shadowing the land in this rocky mountain region, this
great people the Latter-day Saints, when their influence will be felt in all
the land. We are striving, in our weak way, to conduct ourselves and the rising
generation under our care for the great work in the earth. The bigotry and the
superstition, and the self-righteousness that to-day reign in the breasts of
the ignorant, will, by and by, begin to break and give way as the Latter-day
Saints become better known, or when the time comes spoken of by the ancient
prophet, when Zion shall break forth on the right and the left, and she shall
possess the gates of her enemies. How will that be done? We are doing it by
purchases we approach the gates of our enemies we buy them out, buy out their
ranches, their little settlements and towers, and in this way will that
prophecy be accomplished. And as we spread abroad, the cry will be, "Give
us room, that we may dwell;" and it is in this sense that we are an
aggressive people not aggressive by war, not aggressive by abridging the rights
of our fellows, but in the sense that we are growing in the same sense as the
potato is aggressive when planted in a fruitful field. And this reminds me of a
remark made by the late Dr. Willard Richards, when, in 1847, we came to the top
of the Big Mountain and began to descend through the quaken-asps in the black
soil, says he, "Brethren, methinks I hear the Irish potato crying out, lie
over, give me room." Such, indeed, are the Latter-day Saints; the cry will
be, "Lie over, give me room." We are extending and spreading abroad,
and we continue to gather our brethren and sisters from distant nations and
provide for them homes and means of employment; and we are marrying and
multiplying and endeavoring to encourage the fulfillment of the commandment
given to our first parents multiply and replenish the earth. And when I look
back to New England the cradle of American liberty and see the majority of the
New England families dwindlingfor go where you will among the wealthy, the
banker, the merchant, the wealthy farmer or the well-to-do mechanic in the more
well-to-do portions of the New England States, if you find any children at all,
as a rule it is not more than a son and daughter, or an only son or only daughter
two or three children at the most in the majority of cases, and they, generally
sickly and short-lived. During my last visit to that country I often spoke of
it and referred to it among my kindred and acquaintances, of whom I have many,
that being the land of my nativity, and therefore I may be permitted to speak
of the land and home that gave me birth, and refer to what I regard its
degeneracy. In referring to this state of affairs the answer of my old aunt who
ranks herself among the aristocracy of the land, "Oh," said she,
"it has become unpopular to have large families." And in looking over
the newspapers of New England and those of other Eastern States, I was not a
little shocked to see the advertisements of abortionist doctors, male and
female, unblushingly put forth before high heaven and in the face of civilized
humanity pardon the expression, shall I say non-civilized humanity? I should
offend the pride of the world; but if the Gods and the angels were to speak,
they would blush at the term "civilization." And these papers
containing such advertisements, are scattered throughout the land broadcast,
read by families, and before the gaze of every woman and every girl, as well as
every profligate of the land; and these point out the ways and means developed
by "Christianity" to prevent the fulfilment of the first great
command of God to our first parents. The way to destroy the foetus in the womb,
to produce premature birth and abortion, and lastly, when this fails to
secretly smother the offspring or cast them into sewers anything to be relieved
from being burdened, burdened-God save the mark!burdened with the offspring,
the spirit that came from heaven, as if it were a burden. What false education
is this? What false religion is this that has poisoned the human heart, that
has turned their brain, that has turned all common sense out of the Christian
world into beastly lust, and that patronizes and sustains these vampires of
society, and makes them palatial residences on Broadway and on the Fifth Avenue
of New York? The price of blood.
These
iniquities cry unto heaven, and God will visit them in his own due time with
judgment upon those who uphold them, and those States that defend and protect
this wickedness, and at the same time cry out against the institutions of the
Latter-day Saints, and say, crucify! crucify and imprison them, and put them to
death if necessary. Will the Lord not lend an ear? Will he not take cognizance
of such doings? And will he not judge between his people in the mountains and
their accusers and those who rail against them and who at the same time are
connected either directly or indirectly with the many sinks of iniquity that
flourish on this so-called Christian land? Shall the Latter-day Saints
assimilate themselves with these abominations? Shall they too give themselves
up to whoredoms and lust? Shall they encourage infanticide, foeticide and all
their kindred evils? Shall we forbid honorable marriage and leave the surplus
female element a prey to libertines and reap the consequences, in the foul and
loathsome diseases that taint society and ruin future generations? No, God
forbid! the heart of every Latter-day Saint, man and woman in the land says no.
We will pray for our people; we will pray for our nation, we will pray God to
soften their hearts and stay their hand and hold their arm, and not permit them
to execute their narrow contracted laws which they have framed in the days of
their bigotry and ignorance, under the traditions of their father, and in
violation of the great principles on which American liberty is founded. We know
full well that the old Puritan States of New England and the other
commonwealths of America grew up under the monogamic system, and that their
hearts have not become sufficiently enlarged to comprehend the final result of
this tree of liberty which they planted in the land, they consequently retained
in their new colonies and the States formed out of them, the old Roman system
of monogamy that made laws against bigamy. But the bigamy which their laws
contemplated and which the laws of England contemplated, after which they
patterned, was not the plural marriage of the Latter-day Saints, regulated as
it is under the sanction of religion, its duties and obligations, and
religiously observed by the people. But their laws against bigamy were based
upon the principle of fraud, fraud practised by a man or woman, who, believing
in monogamy, enter into that relationship and then secretly violate the sacred
covenants entered into with each other, and unbeknown to each other, contract a
marriage with another and clandestinely carry it on. The crime in this instance
was not in the religious doctrine of plural marriage, but in the fraudulent
manner in which it is contracted and carried on and the violation of their
covenants and the law of the land. But the Constitution of the United States is
a broad instrument, framed to suit the growth of the country and the expansion
of liberal ideas in the land, containing no provision looking to the
establishing of monogamy as an institution of the common country; there are no
provisions in the Constitution requiring or empowering Congress to enforce such
order of society; on the contrary, the principles of social, civil and
religious liberty are engrafted upon it and made institutions of our country by
that charter of our liberties I say all these provisions are so ample in their
character that they will admit and protect the Mohammedan, the Jew, the
patriarch Abraham himself if he were here with his wives and concubines, and
Jacob and Joseph, and all the ancient patriarchs as well as the Khedive, if he
were to come here with his wives and people, and form colonies in our midst.
The true spirit of that glorious Constitution of our country as understood by
us, is illustrated in the hymn which we so frequently hear sung, composed by
Elder Parley P. Pratt on the occasion of the first celebration of the entry of
the pioneers into this valley, held on the 24th of July, 1848. The first great
feast was celebrated, called the harvest feast, commemorating the first
anniversary of the arrival of the pioneers in this land and the following is
part of the hymn sung on that occasion:
"Come, ye Christian
sects and pagans.
Indian, Moslem. Greek and Jew,
Worshipers of God or Dagon,
Freedom's banner waves for you."
These are
the sentiments of the Latter-day Saints as to the nature of the liberty our
fathers fought for, and which we desire to maintain in the land, namely,
freedom for all people of every land and clime. Nor does it require them to
leave behind their wives and children and adopt the narrow-contracted, bigoted
laws of monogamy. It was a New England bigot, Mr. Morrill, of Vermontmy native
State, disgraced on account of it who introduced that bill known as the
anti-polygamy bill of 1862, which was adopted by the solons of our nation,
under the last priestly influence and sectarian bigotry of the land, of which
the noble Mr. Lincoln was ashamed. And when the bill was enrolled and sent to
him, knowing the pressure under which it had passed; and with a war upon his
hands, he lacked the moral courage to express his real sentiments of
disapproval of the bill, but quietly pocketed it, refusing to sign it, but allowed
it to become law by limitation. If there was any one act in the life of Mr.
Lincoln in which he will be found faulty and for which he will be found wanting
when he shall be weighed in the balance, it was for declining to express his
honest sentiments to the Congress of the United States in disapproval of that
bill. And if there is anything in which Presidents and Senators, Congressmen
and judges will be found wanting before the heavens when weighed in the
balance, it will be in their future endorsements of that bill and their efforts
to enforce it.
May God
have mercy on them and spare them the consequences; and may grace abound in
Israel, that we may abide in the truth and honor God our Father, and at last be
found worthy of an exaltation in his kingdom, is my prayer, in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
Choir sang the anthem:
"Glory to God."
Adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow.
Dismissed with prayer by Elder WILFORD WOODRUFF.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 29:149-150, 4/14/80, p 8-9]
SECOND DAY.
Wednesday 10 a. m.
Choir sang:
The morning sun has chased
the night
And brought again the cheering light.
Prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells.
Choir sang:
Let those who would be
Saints indeed
Fear no what others do.
[Elder Levi W. Hancock]
Elder LEVI W. HANCOCK said he was 77 years old to-day, and nearly 50 years ago he was baptized, after receiving the testimony of the Prophet Joseph, who received the word of the Lord and was slain by the professed followers of Him who died for his fellow man. He was familiarly acquainted with the Prophet, lived with him for three years, worked under his direction; and he was one of the most pleasing spirits that he had ever been associated with. He then bore testimony that this gospel was true; the Book of Mormon was true; the Twelve were true; he heard Joseph say that this work could not be built up without Twelve Apostles and Seventy to follow in their wake. Their decisions if made in righteousness and unity were as valid as the decision of the first presidency in the days of the Prophet, as was declared in the Doctrine and Covenants, and if there were no divisions among them their voice would be the voice of the Lord and all Israel should say Amen to it. He exhorted all the Saints to works of righteousness and invoked the blessings of God upon them.
[President John Taylor]
President JOHN TAYLOR said that Bro. Hancock was one of the Seven Presidents of Seventies, an old veteran in the Church whom we were glad to hear from, but his voice was not strong enough to speak long in this large building. President taylor then made some remarks on the Perpetual Emigration fund, stating that he thought in this year of jubilee, we ought to do like the ancients and take off the yoke from those who were in debt to the fund and unable to pay, and release them from their bondage. His brethren of the Twelve joined with him in a desire to do this and cause a feeling of joy and liberty to abound among the poor. It was desirable for the officers of the church and those who had contributed to the Fund to have a voice in the matter, as they should have on all leading questions of the Church. Elder A. Carrington, President of the Fund, endorsed the proposition mentioned. He would say that no one had been oppressed in being required to pay their indebtedness to this Fund, which was established by President Brigham Young for the gathering of the poor. The principal owed to the Fund was $704,000, and the whole sum, with the interest due included was $1,604,000. It was proposed to remit one half of the amount. This was for the benefit of the poor, not of those who were able to pay. The rich could help themselves -- that is in this world, he did not know so much about the next. He moved that $802,000 of this indebtedness be remitted. The congregation voted unanimously in favor of the motion.
President Taylor said the manner of remitting this would be arranged and explained. He referred to the indebtedness to the tithing -- the amounts which some of the Saints had charged themselves with but had failed to pay. Through carelessness, poverty and other causes some had neglected this duty and it was desired to release the poor from this obligation. The amount against those who were willing but felt unable to pay was $151,798.02. He moved that we remit half this amount - $75,899.01 in favor of the deserving poor. Those who were better off should pay up and keep their record right before the Lord. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. He hoped that the people would be kind and helpful to those whose land suffered for irrigating water and to any who were in distress. Many persons had lost the last cow in consequence of the hard winter. He proposed that a thousand good cows -- not one-teated animals -- be gathered up and distributed among such persons, 300 to be given by the Church and the balance to be donated by the different Stakes. This was also sustained by unanimous vote. He further moved that 5,000 sheep be distributed also; 2,000 to be given by the Church and the balance donated by the several Stakes. Carried unanimously. He then referred to the Relief Societies which were organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith and reorganized by President Brigham Young, and said the ladies of creation had shown that they could do something as well as the "lords." The had saved up a considerable quantity of wheat against a time of scarcity. It amounted to 34,761 bushels. How much had the brethren saved? He proposed that they loan this to those who needed it, the bishops to be responsible for it to be paid back after harvest. Some one asked whether it was to be without interest. Of course it was; this was the year of jubilee. The vote to sustain it was unanimous.
President Taylor counseled the rich Saints to relieve their oppressed brethren, act on a kind, brotherly, generous principle, and carry out the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. It would not be amiss for Z. C. M. I. to cancel the debts of some of the poor against whom accounts were held. These operations were part of the United Order. When the Lord is blessing us let us bless one another. He will not let us suffer if we take care not to let one another suffer. Prospects were good for a bountiful harvest, and if we cared for each other God would care for us; we would be His people and He would be our God.
[John Taylor]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 61-65]
As I
stated on the opening of the Conference, there were some things of considerable
importance that we wished to lay before the Saints, and especially before the
authorities of the Church to-day. We have had in operation for quite a length
of time, what is known as the "Perpetual Emigration Fund Company,"
and a great many of you that are present have contributed to that Fund. And as
it is a jubilee year to you although I suppose the forty-ninth year would be
the proper jubilee it is really the fiftieth anniversary of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. It occurred to me that we ought to do something,
as they did in former times, to relieve those that are oppressed with debt, to
assist those that are needy, to break the yoke off those that may feel
themselves crowded upon, and to make it a time of general rejoicing. And as it
is a matter in which you are all interested, it is thought proper to lay the
matter before you, because we have contemplated to release one-half of the
indebtedness of those who are indebted to the P. E. Fund Company. That is one
subject.
There is
a variety of other things, which I mentioned to my brethren of the Twelve, and
they all join in the feeling with a hearty co-operation, all being desirous of
seeing something of this kind done which will tend to produce happiness, joy
and comfort, and a feeling of relief among many of our brethren.
We wish the brethren who have contributed to this fund, and all the officers of
this Church, to have a voice in it, because it is our act; and we want to make
it the act of the whole people, that all may have a voice, which we consider
they ought to have in all these leading prominent actions wherein they are
concerned.
The proposition is to release one-half of the people's indebtedness to the
Perpetual Emigration Fund Company. I may say, I have also spoken to Brother
Carrington on this matter, who is the president of this company, and learn that
it meets his views. I would further state that to the best of my knowledge
nobody has hitherto been oppressed or crowded on account of this indebtedness
at all; they have been called upon and requested to meet their engagements,
which is certainly just; because others were interested in these matters
besides ourselves, who had a right to expect a return of means appropriated,
that they also might be relieved, and partake of the benefits of this fund,
which was properly named perpetual; that is, many of the poor for which the
means were subscribed formerly, under the direction of President Young, who was
the originator of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company.
I have
some figures which I will read to you; they will show what has not been
returned again by those who have been benefited by it. The amount of the
original indebtedness is $704,000. The interest, extending along for many years
at 10 per cent per annum, is some $900,000, which interest, in many instances,
has had to be paid by us. The whole of the amount is $1,604,000. That is the
amount of the whole indebtedness, principal and interest.
Now, we
propose to forgive those who are poor and that are struggling with difficulties
in life, who have not been able to meet their engagements in this matter; not
half the amount that they are due, but the whole; and to those who are forgiven
the debt it will be blotted out; not partly, but entirely; and the remainder
will be left to those to pay who are able to and have not done it. And we shall
expect that those who have not met their engagements to meet them ;that is,
when half has been forgiven to the poor. For in former times they did not
release the rich, it was the poor. The rich can always take care of themselves
that is, so far as this world is concerned, I do not know how it will be about
the next. [Laughter.] I wish it distinctly understood that it is one-half of
the whole amount, which we wish to relieve the poor from. It will be a little
start on the year of jubilee. This is one item. All of you who are in favor of
this release signify it by holding up your right hand. [The congregation voted
unanimously in favor of the motion.] I will state that, as to the manner in
which this will be done; it will be provided for hereafter; and a circular will
be issued by the Twelve to the authorities, instructing them how to act in
relation to this matter.
There is
another thing we want to do at the same time; that is, there is a large amount
of indebtedness on tithing account. You heard something about that yesterday;
it was then averred that all the indebtedness was not reported; that is, if we
had it all down it would be a great deal more than is here stated. [p.63]We as
a people believe in paying our tithes and offerings to the Lord and when I get
through I want Brother Hardy to get up and talk on tithing; he is quite a hand
to talk on this subject. We believe it is proper for us to pay one-tenth of our
increase, or one-tenth of our time, as the case may be, to the Lord regularly.
And a great many men do this, and do it very promptly; but a great many more do
not do it, only a very little about that much sometimes [measuring the end of
the finger. Laughter.] I think it will be a tight squeeze for some of them to
dig through. I am not talking about this because I care anything about it
personally; but because of the interest of those who ought to do it, but do
not. There are a great many who have neglected the payment of these things
partly through carelessness, partly through poverty and a variety of
circumstances, and it begins to feel oppressive to them. Now, we want to break
off this yoke too, that is, off those who are worthy; the others we do not care
much about that is unless they turn about and reform and take another course,
live their religion and act as Latter-day Saints. But we wish that there shall
be a release of the poor and those who are unable to meet it. The amount that
is behind, according to the bishops' records which many of the people owing it
signify their willingness to pay but are not able tois $151,798. We propose
releasing half of the amount to the deserving poor, and that will be $75,899.
This of course will have to be managed by the proper authorities, the same as
the others; that is, first on the recommendation of the bishop of the ward,
approved by the president of the stake; and then to receive the sanction of the
Presiding Bishop. The P. E. Fund matter will be subject to the recommendation
of the bishops, the sanction of the presidents of stakes and also the President
of the P.E.F. Company, sanctioned by the Council of the Twelve; so that those
that are really worthy may be released, and those that are not, ought to pay
it. And then, we who have got a little behind in our tithing, will try and pay
it up and thus keep the record right between us and the Lord; and then we may
look for blessings from his hands.
I will call a vote on this subject that I have mentioned. All who are in favor
of releasing the obligations amounting to $75,899, on tithing, signify it by
holding up the right hand. [Unanimous vote in favor.] All right, we knew that
would be the feeling of the brethren.
Another
thing. We have had a great scarcity of water the last year, and consequently
short crops. It is proposed that inasmuch as there may be suffering more or
less in some places we hope, however, that our brethren will not allow our poor
unfortunate brethren to suffer, I have not heard of anything of the kind; but
still a little help will not do any harm. And where people have been in
straitened circumstances through the loss of crops and of stock and some people
have lost, perhaps, their last cow, and some have lost many of their stock, and
yet have a good many left; but there has been quite a general loss. Now, we
propose to raise 1000 head of cows not old cows that do not give any milk; nor
any one-teated cows, but good milk cows, and have them distributed among those
that may be destitute in the different stakes, under the direction of the
authorities thereof. And the Church will put in 300 of this 1000. I spoke to
Brother Sheets and told him that we did not want any one-teated cows. The
balance of this number, namely, 700, we would like the Stakes to make up. We
have been informed by the presidents that this can be easily done. It would
have been quite hard a while ago, before we lost so many of our animals; but
now it seems we can do it quite easy. [Laughter.] It is much better to give
them to the poor than to have them die, and they have not all died yet, so we
may as well begin to dispose of them.
I want to
call upon the presidents of stakes and the bishops to know if you are prepared
to furnish the balanceyou that are in favor of doing it, signify by holding up
the right hand. [The presidents and bishops voted unanimously in the
affirmative.] To the congregation all you Saints who approve of this motion,
signify it by holding up the right hand. [The vote was unanimous in the
affirmative.]
Now, we
are going to come to our sisters. Some people think that the sisters cannot do
anything; I will show you what they can do. President Young reorganized the
Relief Society it having been organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith in Nauvoo
and inasmuch as the brethren had been careless and slow to heed the counsel of
President Young in relation to storing away wheat, he requested the sisters to
do it, and some of we "lords of creation" thought it was a very
little thing for our sisters to be engaged in. But we find now they are of some
use, and that the "ladies of creation" can do something as well as
the "lords." I spoke to Sister Eliza R. Snow, who is the president of
the Relief Society, and asked what her feelings would be, and that of her
sisters, in relation to the distribution of their wheat, for those who are in
need of seed, letting the people have it as a loan, for which the bishops
should become responsible and see that it is returned after harvest. She
replied that it would meet her entire approbation. The sisters have not had the
opportunity to meet yet to get an expression of their minds in relation to it;
but I will guarantee that they will do what they are requested to do, for they have
already been doing something in that line, as I understand it. Is not that so
Brother Hunter? [Bishop Hunter: "Yes, sir."] Now, we want to show
you, what the sisters can do. I will guarantee that they will do it, and that
we will have a report from them before we get through. They have 34,761 bushels
of wheat. Who of you men can raise that much? Where's your wheat? [Laughter.]
Now, those 34,761 bushels of wheat will be of considerable importance
judiciously managed, and loaned out to some of our poor brethren. It will
furnish seed wheat, and after harvest they can return it again. We do not want
any more harsh talk about the woman question after this. [A voice: "May
they vote now? "] O yes, they may vote now if they choose to; everybody is
willing that they should vote now. [Laughter.] That is, they are willing the
sisters shall vote on the wheat question. [Renewed laughter.] We may as well
call a vote on this question now, our sisters are present whom we will ask to
vote. All you sisters who are in favor of carrying out this request, hold up
your right hand. [A forest of hands went up.] There they go, you see.
[Laughter.] I think that is the most hearty vote yet. I knew they would do it.
[A voice: "Is it to be loaned without interest?"] Somebody asks if it
is to be loaned without interest. Why, of course it is; we do not want any
nonsense of that kind; it is the time of jubilee.
There is
another thing. We have got through with many public matters, I will say
something else. It is no more harm for private people to forgive [p.65]one
another than for public ones. If you find people owing you who are distressed,
if you will go to work and try to relieve them as much as you can, under the
circumstances, God will relieve you when you get into difficulties. I will tell
you that in the name of the Lord. Let us act on a kind, generous, brotherly
principle, doing good one to another and carrying out the principles of the
everlasting gospel in our lives.
We talk
sometimes about the United Order. There is a little of that spirit manifested
in our operations to-day, is there not? Operating together for the welfare of
all; that is what we ought to do; that is what the gospel teaches us.
I speak
of these things for your reflection, and they are matters we will leave in your
own bosom. And I would like to see Z. C. M. I. and our bankers, merchants and
other creditors scratch off a few names of their debtors; and I think they feel
disposed to do it; I have spoken to some of the directors of Z. C. M. I., and
find that they feel about as we do. We expect to hear a report from them before
long. While God is blessing us, let us bless one another; although we are not
suffering, neither do we intend to suffer; God will not let us if we will not
let one another suffer. We will go along as if we had no drouth or dead cattle,
or any other stop, and everything will be prosperous. There is now every
prospect of a good harvest; the grain is not all in yet, but we have snow in
the mountains, and things look quite prosperous. And if we take good care of
one another, God will take care of us; and he will deliver us and stretch out
his hand in our behalf, and we will be his people, and he shall be our God; and
we will treat one another as we wish to be treated by one another, and then we
are prepared to receive blessings from his hands. Amen.
[Bishop L. W. Hardy]
Bishop L. W. HARDY being requested to say a few words on Tithing, said he believed in it because it was instituted by the Almighty. It was not a new doctrine. Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec. At one time we had no tithing to pay but labor, so every tenth day was required for public work, and the people were prompt to respond when called on. Then the people became so numerous and engaged in various callings that they paid the tenth of what they raised. Now we found that men doing a very good business were paying about five dollars a year, who ought to pay five hundred dollars. This was a mockery. If an honest tithing were paid there would be sufficient to do all the public work, build temples, pay all the expenses of the Church, feed the poor, and there would be scarcely room to receive it, without any need of donations. Hundreds of so-called Latter-day Saints did not pay a dollar of tithing. It was hypocrisy to preach tithing and not pay it. The Lord could see the acts of men and He knew of these things, and would not justify them. It took an honest man to be a servant of God. We should pay our honest debts, and a debt to the Lord was as much a debt as one to man. He exhorted the Saints to sustain home manufactures, sustain one another, and God would bless us. He argued that if a poor widow received one of these cows that were to be donated, feed must be provided and a place of shelter or else it would not be much of a benefit. The widow should pay her tithing butter from that cow, just as well as the rich man of his abundance. Let us all pay our tithing and be blest."
[L. W. Hardy]
[Apr 1880 CR, pp 65-66]
The principle of tithing I heartily believe in, for the reason that the Lord instituted it himself, and, therefore, it is not a new thing on the earth. It is an old doctrine. Even Abraham paid his tithes to Melchisedec when he met him, because he held the higher priesthood of God. We have had many lessons on this subject, so many that it is almost useless to talk about it now. The time was, since we came to the valleys of the mountains, when the Saints had nothing to pay tithing in but labor, hence they devoted every tenth day to beautifying and building up this city and other cities. Every tenth day the Bishops called upon those that lived in their wards to go to work on the public works and streets, and the call was generally very promptly responded to. Thus when the tithing came to be made up at the end of the year, the tithing paid in this way amounted to about $48.00 each man. As time wore on, however, the people became more numerous, and as they had so much to do for themselves, they began to pay a tenth of what they raised, whatever that might besay butter, cheese, eggs, or anything else they might have about their farms, and this amounted to a large sum when it was all brought in. Now, we find, in looking over the schedules for 1879, men that we know are doing a pretty good business we find that they have paid from $3 to $5, whereas it ought to be from $300 to $500. It is a mockery to attempt to pay tithing to the Lord in this way. Had we the honest tithing of this people to-day, we would not require to ask for any donations to the temple; we would have sufficient to maintain the poor and pay the salaries of the different officers of the Church, and in addition to this, we would have so much that we would scarcely have room to contain it. This is a principle that the Lord demands of this people, and there is a blessing attached to it, for the Lord has promised that inasmuch as we will pay our tithes he will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
Elder L. John Nuttall then read the names of Elders called to go on missions. They were sustained by vote of the Conference as follows:
GREAT BRITAIN
Charles W. Stayner, Salt
Lake City.
Jesse West, 6th Ward, Salt Lake City.
John Donaldson, Mendon.
Samuel Roskelly, Smithfield.
William Henry Shepherd, Beaver.
Joseph Orton, St. George.
Joseph Orton, St. George.
William C. Parkinson, Franklin.
Thomas X. Smith, Logan.
David Rees Davis, Marsh Valley Idaho.
Robert Kewley, Benson.
Thomas Jackson, Glenwood.
William D. Williams, Ogden.
Edward Kay, Mona.
J. W. Gardiner, Pleasant Grove.
Thomas C. Griggs, 15th Ward, Salt Lake City
Edward King. 15th Ward, Salt Lake City.
John Evans, Brigham City.
Robert L. Fishburn, Brigham City.
Thomas Maycock, 3d Ward, Salt Lake City.
Lorenzo Farr, Ogden.
Newton Farr, Ogden.
James Finlayson, Payson.
Wm. C. McGregor, Parowan.
James Lowe, Beaver.
EUROPE.
C. H. Lundberg, Logan.
Charles P. Warnick, Pleasant Grove.
Hans J. Christiansen, Logan.
Niels O. Anderson, Ephraim.
Christian Hogansen, Montpelier, Idaho.
Simon Christensen, Richfield.
Anders Gustave Johnson, Grantsville.
John Christensen, Brigham.
Hans Madsen, Marriott.
Peter Anders Lofgreen, Huntsville.
Jens Iver Jensen, Elsinore.
O. C. Tellefsen, Hyrum.
John Dahle, Logan.
Lars K. Larsen, Hyrum.
UNITED STATES.
John W. Jackson, Glenwood.
William M. Palmer, Glenwood.
Hyrum Jensen, Salina.
Abraham R. Wright, 20th Ward, City.
Jens Frederick Mortensen, Salina.
Mads Anderson, Mount Pleasant.
Joseph W. Burt, 21st Ward, City.
B. H. Roberts, Centreville.
Thomas Davies, East Portage.
Benjamin Isaacs, Spanish Fork.
David Spillsbury, Toquerville.
Alma P. Spillsbury, Toquerville.
SOUTHERN STATES
Henry G. Boyle, Payson. *
George. O. Pitkin, Millville.
George. T. Bean, Richfield.
William. J. Bean, "
Albert D. Thurber, Richfield.
Peter A. Nebeker, Willard.
Joseph B. Keeler, Provo.
Walter Scott, "
William Clark, Lehi.
Nicholas H. Groesbeck, Springville.
GERMANY
Carl C. Schramm, Payson.|
John Alder, Manti.
Ulrich Stauffer, Willard.
Morris D. Rosenbaum, Brigham.
FRENCH SWITZERLAND.
Geo. L. Graehl, Jr., Brigham.
NETHERLANDS.
S. Van Dyke, Ogden.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Sidney Coray, Provo.
SAN JUAN.
Wm. Hyde, Salt Lake City.
* Names of those now in their fields of labor
The following report was read:
Statistical
Report of the Deseret Sunday School Union, far the year ending December 31st,
1879:
No. of Stakes from which
reports have been received 21
" Sunday Schools reported 265
" Officers and Teachers 4,998
Average Attendance of Officers and Teachers 3,405
No of Pupils 30,768
Average Attendance of Pupils 21,922
Total number of Officers, Teachers and Pupils 55,759
No of Theological Classes 133
" Bible and Testament do. 961
" Book of Mormon do. 361
" Doctrine and Covenant do. 159
" Juvenile Instructor do. 203
" Jaques Catechism do. 187
" Miscellaneous do. 1,316
Total number of Classes 3,350
Number of Books in Sunday School Libraries 17,908
Am't of Funds on Hand, end of previous year $962.84
" Collected in 1879 $5,742.75
" Disbursed in 1879 $5,513.93
" In Treasury end of year $1,198.26
Number of Schools not Reported, and therefore not included in the above figures 19
The above report shows an increase of about 2,000 children more than were reported for the last year; and also a proportionate increase in the number of classes and the average attendance of both teachers and scholars, number of books in libraries, etc. The rapid growth and prosperous condition of the Sunday School cause generally, throughout the different Stakes of Zion is very gratifying and gives us abundant cause for thankfulness to God our Heavenly Father for his blessings on his faithful servants and handmaidens engaged in this good and great work.
GEO.
Q. CANNON, Gen'l Supt. Deseret S.S. Union,
GEO. GODDARD, Ass't.
LEVI W. RICHARDS, Secretary,
JOHN C. CUTLER, Treasurer pro tem.
[President Taylor]
President TAYLOR said in holding up our hands to sustain our missionaries he understood it to mean that we sustain them as upright and honorable men. He did not want any to go on missions unless they felt the spirit of their calling, and their wives should be sustained as honorable women; they should be maintained with their children and taken good care of by the Bishops and Presidents of Stakes and those who had voted to sustain the missionaries. Prayers were very good, but food, clothing and other necessaries were more helpful sometimes than prayers, and we should take care that no missionaries families were allowed to suffer.
[John Taylor]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 67-68]
I do not
know whether we fully understand what is meant by holding up our hands to
testify that we will sustain these missionaries. I will tell you how I
understand it. In the first place we select the very best men we can find, and
we do not want anybody to go but those who have the spirit of their mission
upon them, and who feel a desire to magnify their calling and priesthood. And
when they go, we wish them to go as honorable men, and we also want their wives
to be treated as honorable women while their husbands are gone, and inasmuch as
they or their families need assistance or looking after—although it is not all
who do—we expect the Presidents of Stakes and the Bishops will attend to such
matters; that the wives of our missionaries may not feel as though they were
outcasts; but as honorable women, the wives of honorable men, and more so than
those who are not doing their duty. We want the missionaries' wives and
children made comfortable and taken care of. The sisters have voted to let us
have some of their wheat for the relief of the poor. Then on the other hand,
let us do something for them. It does not matter how much we pray for them, for
this is in accordance with our covenants or voting. Some people would rather
pray for them than relieve them. Prayers are all well enough; but a little
flour, a little pork, a little beef, sugar, store goods, and temporal comforts
are a great deal better than all our prayers without this material assistance.
Let us look after their welfare as we do after our own families, while their
husbands are making a sacrifice in leaving their families and homes, and God
will bless us. "Every one," says the Lord, "that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit
everlasting life." Let us make the words of the Lord true. Amen.
Choir sang the anthem:
"Resound His Praise."
Adjourned till 2 p.m.
Dismissed with prayer by Elder Moses Thatcher.
_____
[7 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 29:150, 4/14/80, p 9]
WEDNESDAY, 2 p. m.
Choir sang --
Let every mortal ear attend
And ever heart rejoice.
Prayer by Elder JOS. F. SMITH.
Choir sang --
Hark the song of jubilee,
Loud as mighty thunders roar.
Elder L. JOHN NUTTALL presented the authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained by the Conference, as follows:
John Taylor, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Albert Carrington and Moses Thatcher.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the presiding quorum and authority of the Church, and, with their counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
As the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies -- Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott.
President Joseph Young moved that Wm. W. Taylor be elected one of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Elder A. P. Rockwood. Carried unanimously.
The Presiding Bishop of the
Church -- Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his
Counselors.
John Taylor as
Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its
property and contract for it.
The Twelve Apostles, their two counselors and Bishop Edward Hunter as counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, John W. Young, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as his assistants.
Orson Pratt as Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff as his assistant.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Junr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- W. Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
[Elder Albert Carrington]
Elder ALBERT CARRINGTON quoted ii Nephi, 26 Chap., 31 par., "But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish," and said it behooved us to comprehend that the we should labor for Zion, for the upbuilding and establishment of God's kingdom and of righteousness upon this the footstool of our father in the heavens. He would ask if during the past fifty years we had given diligent heed to this requirement? The Lord had decreed that those who dwelt on this land and gave heed at all times to his commandments in all things, should be prospered, and if not they should be cut off from His presence. We were required to love the Lord with all our hearts, and our neighbors as ourselves. Did any one think that these commandments would be set aside to suit our whims and notions and private views and feelings? If so they would find themselves much mistaken. He wished to speak more particularly of the Perpetual Emigration Fund. Organized in 1850, it had relieved thousands of our oppressed brethren and sisters from their bondage in foreign lands, and given them the opportunity of the privileges enjoyed in these mountains by modern Israel. When he reflected upon the way dome who had been assisted had treated that Fund and those who were in a worse condition than that from which they had been relieved, he almost felt that he might become discouraged. But in view of all things connected with this work he could not become discouraged, though he was annoyed at the neglect and indifference of many in regard to this Fund for the gathering of the poor. It was desirable that as many should be assisted by means of the Fund this season as possible. In 1860 about $60,000 0or $70,000 was used from it to assist the poor to gather, and having taken out those who were in the depths of poverty, it was designed the next season to aid those who could save up a portion of their passage money. But it seemed that this point had not been reached, the very poor still receiving assistance. It might be complained that many had been gathered who had proven themselves unworthy. but how, without a special revelation in each case, could it be discovered who would act in a manner becoming Saints? The gospel net was to gather of all kinds. He complained of the conduct of those who owed the Fund and claimed exemption because their notes, having expired in law by the statute of limitations, could not be collected by law. A debt was never outlawed in justice and equity. He endorsed the movement to forgive the debts of persons unable to pay, but thought the others ought to settle their obligations. None had been oppressed. Those who had been assisted were advised when they obtained work first to pay their tithing, provide themselves with necessary comforts, and then as fast as possible pay up the means advanced. But some refused to pay the interest, while others declined to pay part or all of the principal, while those who enjoyed the life and light of the gospel fulfilled their agreements as fast as they were able. With all the efforts of the P. E. Fund Company, they had only been able to send to Liverpool since the close of the last season's emigration the "magnificent sum" of £112. He felt ashamed of it, but it was all that the company could do. He deemed that the gathering of scattered Israel was as much a part of the work of building up the kingdom as anything else, and except we were a little more diligent in this matter he thought we should not be carrying out the commandment he had quoted from the Book of Mormon.
[Albert Carrington]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 69-74]
At any
time at your pleasure, by turning to the Second Book of Nephi, 11th chapter,
15th paragraph, in the last sentence of that paragraph, you can read these
words: "But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor
for money they shall perish." I presume all of you have read, or have
heard read, the decree of Jehovah; but have we fully realized that inasmuch as
we, his covenant people, are not always careful to observe his requirements
with due strictness, but unduly labor for that which perisheth, and spend too
much of our time, means and influence for that which only pertains to this
time, we also run great risk of disappointment? If we do not realize this, I
really think it behooves us to comprehend that our father in the heavens has
decreed that we shall labor for Zion for the upbuilding and establishment of
his kingdom upon this the earth of our Father in heaven. Some of us were aware
of this plain declaration nearly fifty years ago, but have we diligently
striven, to the utmost of our powers, to carry out that requirement? Have we
observed it with all care and singleness of purpose, in connection with many
other like texts?
Our
Father has also taught us, through his revealed will, that inasmuch as the
inhabitants of this land of Zion will seek unto him and learn to do his will,
they shall prosper spiritually and temporally in their persons, in their
habitations, in their families, and in all that pertains to them: but inasmuch
as they will not do his will, they shall be cut off from his presence. Are
there any exceptions to that decree and that wise purpose of our Father? Will
he for our sakes, when he has not for the sake of our forefathers, change his
unalterable purpose and his fixed times and decrees? I think not. Is it not
then obligatory upon us to diligently comply with all these plain requirements,
and to more faithfully bring ourselves in accord with other requirements like
unto them, wherein we are required to love one another, to do unto others as we
would they should do unto us, to love the Lord our God with all our might, mind
and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves? Are we careful on these points? Or
do we flatter ourselves that these plain, righteous requirements will be
changed to suit our views, our convenience, our carelessness, our indifference,
and at times our niggardly, selfish, covetous feelings?
As I do
not deem it proper to occupy much time, to the exclusion of others, I will
confine my remarks more particularly to a matter that I have been much
interested in from the day of a vote in the Temple in Nauvoo the gathering of
the Lord's poor. In 1849 President Young initiated the Perpetual Emigrating
Fund Company, and in 1850 if I correctly remember, that Company was organized
on a plan to be perpetual so long as it may be needed by the poor of scattered
Israel. From that date it has aided thousands upon thousands from the bondage
of oppression and poverty in far off lands to peaceful and prosperous homes in
these valleys of the mountains, and above all to the blessings of the
ordinances of the Gospel. Has not that been one of the greatest blessings and
privileges to all who have thus been relieved?
When I reflect upon these facts, and bear in mind that much care has been taken
for a right application of the funds, even all possible care, so far as I know,
and then turn to the treatment that so many have meted, not only to the Fund,
but also to their brethren and sisters yet ungathered, many of whom are in more
adverse circumstances than were some who have been aided, at times I should
almost become discouraged. But I know of no such feeling as discouragement in
the operations of the Fund, for it will accomplish its work as the Lord may
will, however much individuals may fail in complying, when able, with their
agreements. But how those who have been and are able to repay are so slack,
careless and indifferent in regard to their obligations so thankfully
undertaken, I am at a loss to comprehend. Should they not, for their own sakes
and the sakes of the ungathered poor, be more diligent in repaying?
So far as
I am aware, there has not been the least oppression exercised in trying to
collect indebtedness to the P. E. Fund. Do we now wish to crowd, or oppress, or
infringe upon the comfort of any one indebted to the Fund? No; but we are very
anxious that the Fund shall be able this season to aid many from the adverse
circumstances in which they are. Many have no expectation of deliverance except
under the blessings of the Lord through this Fund. And can we help them unless
those pay who are indebted? Some may say, "Solicit donations," and
may wonder why donations to the P. E. Fund have not been solicited for some
time past.
In 1869
the P. E. Fund expended some $60,000 to $70,000 for the emigration of the poor.
The next season it was hoped that, having used so large a sum to aid those who
had but little, and frequently no means, the Fund would be able to assist those
who had the nearest enough for their emigration. This would have been a
stimulus for all to save as much as possible, and would have gathered a much
larger number with a like disbursement. But from that day to this, with our
utmost striving, we have not been able to get beyond the suffering poor, for
that class increase beyond our means. This I have regretted. This regret may
arise from a lack of understanding on my part, for our Father in heaven orders
all things wisely, and his hand is in all these matters.
He rules
and controls, not only in the armies of heaven, but in the midst of the affairs
of the children of men, disposing the results of their acts according to his
own good will and pleasure. Realizing this, I have not felt to worry, but I
have felt somewhat grieved that we have not been able to more effectually
encourage those who are doing so much for their own deliverance. In the
meantime, the poor, the worthy, faithful, deserving poor, have been
accumulating, in spite of all the Fund can do. We endeavor, all in our power,
to collect the means due the Fund, and then to expend the payments and
donations in the best manner possible.
It may be
asked, "Have you not aided some who have not proved faithful Latter-day
Saints since they arrived here?" Yes; and how can you foretell who will
apostatize, unless you have direct revelation in each case? We have all been
anxious, and have taken all possible care, not to aid any who would not prove
worthy. But have we not been mistaken in some instances, after exercising all
the care in our power? Yes; Some whom we thought to be good, faithful
Latter-day Saints, and who, so far as we could learn, were so there, and had
been all the while, have, since their arrival here, made shipwreck of their
faith; and at the same time have not had enough manhood, or principle, to pay
back the means advanced to help them out of bondage to a land of liberty. Can
we help that? Not that I am aware of; and it seems impossible for us to do so,
try we ever so hard, from the fact that this kingdom is likened to a net which
is to gather fish of every kind. If we could keep out the garfish, catfish, suckers,
and every other kind of coarse fish, it would not be the Gospel net. Aside from
this, I think there are some who, if they had remained in their native lands,
would never have apostatized; but gather them here and they apostatize! That
also seems to be in the economy of this great latter-day work, so I have not
felt to critically question the wisdom or good judgment of those who have
recommended this, that, or the other one for assistance, even when those
assisted have apostatized.
President
Taylor, the Trustee-in-Trust, has presented to our votes the question of
releasing a large amount of back tithing indebtedness, due from those who are
aged and infirm, and others who have no prospect for paying. The Bishops, upon
due examination, will recommend for relief, stating a few chief reasons
therefor; then the Presidents of Stakes will examine the recommends made by the
Bishops, and add such comments as they may please, and forward the lists to the
P. E. F. Office in this city, where they can be carefully considered and then
submitted to President Taylor, under whose direction the Fund operates. I
rejoice that the worthy poor, struggling with adversity, are to be so kindly
treated, and are to be left free and untrammeled, when they cannot possibly
free themselves in any other way. I know of no just way of becoming clear of a
fair indebtedness, except by payment or forgiveness.
That
reminds me of another class of Fund debtors. When I speak to them they say:
"Oh, yes, we are abundantly able to pay, but you cannot collect the debt
by law, because it is outlawed." I am well aware that I cannot compel you
by law to pay that indebtedness, neither would I had I it in my power; that is
not the way the Fund does its business. All its business is conducted on the
broad principle of fairness and liberality, wronging no one, benefitting every
one as far as possible. But consider, inasmuch as you are able to pay the
indebtedness which you incurred in being delivered from bondage and placed
where you can provide yourselves with the necessaries and comforts of life,
whether you are even worldly wise in being unwilling to repay that amount and
thus prevent others enjoying the privileges you once esteemed so highly. And
what has been said to the Saints abroad when they have importuned and plead,
and promised to repay soon after arriving here they know how they plead, they
know how they promised many professing to be willing to bind themselves for a
lifetime if they could only be gathered to these mountains. What has been said
to them? You do not understand what you are talking about. You may not find
things altogether as you anticipate. You may meet with disappointment and
misfortune. We will help you, we will send you through as comfortably and as
cheaply as we can; and when you arrive there and find employment, just pay your
tithing faithfully and promptly, provide yourselves with shelter, comfortable
clothing, food and fuel, all of which things you will need; then, please, when
you have done all this, begin to pay your indebtedness to the Fund; pay one
dollar, two dollars, ten dollars, as you are able, without depriving yourselves
of the necessaries of life, and in that way you will all the while keep the
spirit of the work which you now measurably enjoy, and it will grow and
increase, because you will be complying with the requirements of the Gospel.
And others in like, or worse, circumstances can be helped through your paying
the obligations you are so strongly pleading to be allowed, and so
energetically promising you will pay as fast as possible. Ought not these fair
requirements to be complied with by those who have been aided, as soon and as
far as may be in their power, through their faithfulness?
After all
indebtedness to the Fund has been remitted, that ought to be, there will still
be a large sum due. Will we be able to collect all of that? I am afraid not;
for some Fund debtors who had property have apostatized, and others have
accumulated property since they apostatized, without sufficient manhood to
repay the means that enabled them to be here. They worship the world, have
apostatized and gone with the world. I pity them, because they are traveling on
a road of exceeding darkness; and they cannot see things as they are, or they
would pay their Fund indebtedness.
As to
interest on sums advanced, has any one been crowded in the least in regard to
payment of interest? Not to my knowledge. Have some paid their indebtedness
with interest, without grumbling, and preferring so to do? Yes. Who are they?
Those who rejoice in the light, life and intelligence of a goodly measure of
the Holy Spirit, which is beyond all comparison as to value. Others, when
making payment, have said: "With regard to the interest, I do not like
that." Has not the interest been put at the lowest rate? Could you borrow
a like amount from any one, during all these years, for less? You cannot borrow
money in small amounts to-day for so low an interest, and scarcely large
amounts at so low a rate, except with the very best security. The Fund has
never asked more than ten per cent., and it was placed at that rate under the
instruction of President Young. How long it will so remain I do not know. Some
will say, "I am willing to pay a little interest." Very well, how
much are you willing to pay, and feel well about it? "I am willing to pay
five per cent." Very well; Bro. Anderson, cast the interest at five per
cent, and give up the note, though the other five per cent. belongs to the Fund
by his own gladly undertaken agreement. Another says: "I am willing to pay
the principal, but I will not pay any interest." That is not very polite,
though it certainly is plain. Pay us the principal and you can have your note.
And lately some have gone so far as to ask us to forego a portion of the principal,
which we have not felt at liberty to do; but now all such persons can apply to
their Bishops, and they will report. Can any one discern any crowding or
oppression in these cases? Now, in all kindness, in all sincerity, I earnestly
solicit the debtors to the Fund, for their own sakes, for the sake of the work
they profess to uphold and sustain, and for the sake of the ungathered poor in
their poverty and bondage, to wake up and help this season, so far as they may
be able, that more of the Lord's poor may also rejoice in their deliverance.
As to the
application of the funds in assisting, it has been the custom, as a general
practice, to use the very best information to be had as to the disposal of any
given amount. On that plan, last season and the season before, most of the
means were directed from the P. E. Fund office. This season they have the best
information at the office in Liverpool, or can obtain it, with regard to the
condition and circumstances of the Saints, for which reason all the means we receive,
except small amounts loaned to those who have nearly enough, and to be returned
in time for this year's emigration, are forwarded to Liverpool, to be
distributed as the authorities there may deem best. But with all our efforts
since the close of last season, after paying off an indebtedness incurred in
helping a number of Saints from the East who had been mobbed, we had only £112,
or $543, to send to Liverpool for the April company. That would not emigrate
one large destitute family; it is a mere drop in the bucket. But it was all we
had; and we were obliged to instruct that the amount must not be exceeded,
because we have no right to fall back upon the Trustee, and ask him to pay
indebtedness incurred by the operations of the Fund. Will we be able to forward
any money for the May company? Only a very small amount, so far as I know,
though this rests with those who are due the Fund.
Some may
wish to know why the making of donations has not been urged more than it has.
In 1869 there were so many assisted that it interfered with other arrangements,
not known at the time; and before there were means for overcoming that
difficulty, the financial crash of 1873 occurred. When I spoke to President
Young about donations, he said: "Wait a while; the people are poor just
now. Try and collect the indebtedness, as far as you can" And since then,
among other reasons, I have not felt to solicit donations, because it is well
known that there is a very large sum due to the Fund, so large that, if we
could only receive one-half of it, we could gather all that any one would say
ought to be gathered, and then have much money left to go on with; and were I
to solicit aid under such circumstances, I am of the opinion that I might be
advised to collect what is due to the Fund. And what could I say? I have yet to
learn what I would be able to say.
I deem
the gathering of scattered Israel to be a part of the work that belongs to us
as Latter-day Saints, in building up the Church and Kingdom of our God upon the
earth. I think it is part of our labor, the same as building temples,
sustaining the poor, sending missionaries abroad and sustaining their families
when necessary, and all that tends to spread the principles of truth and
righteousness the wide world over. But do I wish to give the gathering of the
poor an undue share of the means, of the labor, and of the time that pertains
to this great latter-day work? I do not know that I do. But I feel anxious for
the debtors to the Fund to so far honor our God and themselves as to free themselves
from this indebtedness as speedily as they may be able, and thus free the
scattered poor from bondage, and bring them here to enjoy the blessings we
enjoy; and I can not see how we are going to entirely escape a measure of the
condemnation made known in the paragraph I have quoted, except we are a little
more diligent in attending to these matters. And I trust you will not blame us
when we entreat those who are able to pay their indebtedness to the Fund as
soon as possible.
God bless
you. Amen.
[President Taylor]
President TAYLOR stated that Z.C.M.I. felt disposed to do their part in the matter of release of poor debtors, so far as prudence would permit, and he thought that if other firms and persons did the same it would be a good thing. He had heard that it was stated by some that Z. C. M. I. was not a Church institution; that it was a monopoly, and so forth. This he denounced as infamous. The Church owned $360,000 stock in the concern, and 560 members of the Church were also stockholders. He thought those who talked like this should be tried by their Bishops for slander. It was quite possible that mistakes had been made, but to-day the Institution was in excellent condition, paying fair dividends, and he hoped its stockholders would not allow themselves to become a prey to speculators.
This work required us to attend to things temporal as well as spiritual, pertaining to time as well eternity; but these affairs of money were of small moment compared with the great things of the kingdom. Still, they had to be handled with care and prudence. As for the P. E. Fund it was not calculated to relieve from their obligations those who could meet them, but the poor; but if the others would not pay up and be just, let them go and be counted with the unjust. This was the work of God and we were required to labor to save the world, to save ourselves and our ancestors, and build up the kingdom of God. No matter how much we labored in this direction it was only our duty. God required it at our hands. He repeated his remarks of the morning enjoining it upon the authorities and the people to make comfortable and happy the families of those sent on missions. It was a great privilege to be able to do good. While we sent the gospel abroad we ought to live it at home. While we paid deference to proper authority, we ought not to join in or fellowship corruption. We wanted to bring up our youth in the ways of the lord, and the young people's Associations were doing a good work in this direction. No people under the heavens received greater blessings than we. Notwithstanding the course pursued by our enemies, we enjoyed greater liberty than millions in the world; we should feel thankful for this, be honest, true to our word, avoid litigation, and do right, and God would protect us in our rights. We ought to be ladies and gentlemen; and true politeness consisted in making others as happy and comfortable as possible. Men should treat women with kindness and courtesy, and not be afraid lest they would run away with the men's rights. Husbands should cherish their wives, and wives their husbands, and parents their children, and we should extend peace everywhere. He denounced the sins of civilizations ought to be introduced among us as infernal, and declared in the name of the Lord that if Bishops and Presidents did not root out iniquity from among the Saints, and if they sheltered the evil-doer they would have to bear the sins which they covered up. If we would work righteousness God would bless and sustain us and bring us off victorious.
In response to the question whether we should hold conference another day, the congregation responded "Aye."
[John Taylor]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 74-79]
In
relation to the subject that I referred to this morning pertaining to the
Co-op, I am informed that they are very busy with their affairs and have not
had time to make any specific statement pertaining to this matter; but they
feel disposed to unite with us in relieving the necessitous and worthy, as far
as they would be justified in the premises, and in accordance with correct
principles, to do their part. I would here remark that the same kind of feeling
would be very commendable on the part of other store-keepers, bankers, or any
one of us to relieve each other.
I would
make a statement in relation to the Co-op. I have had reports from the north,
that some parties who ought to know better, had said that the Co-op. was no
longer a Church institution, and that it was managed, directed and controlled
by a few monopolists, and that we were asking the people to sustain them in
their operations, which I consider very infamous talk, and especially coming
from men who profess to be men of honor. The Church, I will here say, holds an
Interest in that establishment to the amount of $360,000, and then there are
580 stockholders, who are Latter-day Saints, in it, besides the interest which
the Church holds. And when men make such statements I consider it infamous and
contrary to correct principles; and I should recommend their bishops and the
authorities of the Church where they live to bring them up for slander and
treat them accordingly. That enterprise was started as is properly implied by
the initials of its name. What is it? "Zion's Cooperative Mercantile
Institution." They had for sometime difficulties to cope with; perhaps
things might not have been managed as well as they could have been. There may
have been errors in judgment. For sometime they did not pay dividends; but
latterly they have paid what might be considered a fair dividend, and the
Institution never was in a better condition than it is today. I speak of this
that you who are stockholders in that institution may not be imposed upon by
speculators who would seek by false representations to get from you your stock
at less figures than it is really worth, I think it is our duty, as Latter-day
Saints, to sustain that institution; and then, on the other hand, I think it is
the duty of that institution to sustain the Saints, and let us get closer
together in our relationship, and act honorably and uprightly in everything we
engage in, then we can secure the blessing of the Almighty. I thought I would
say so much in relation to this matter.
In regard
to the work we are engaged in, it is one of very great importance; it is one on
which God and angels, apostles, prophets, patriarchs and men of God who have
lived in the different ages of the world, have felt interested about; and do
to-day. And about these little matters of dollars and cents we do not care so
much about them or ought not to; although we have to attend to all these
matters, matters temporal, matters spiritual, things pertaining to time and
things pertaining to eternity. It is expected of us that we act wisely,
prudently and understandingly in all of our doings. And in speaking of the
Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company's operations, we expect that all decent men
will meet their obligations, and those, who are not of that class will not. We
will forgive the poor and let them go, and the others may go if they want to.
But we will not release them from their indebtedness if they are able to pay
it. Is not that just? I think it is. We will relieve the poor and needy; but as
to those people who have called upon you and you have sent out your teams and
have loaded those teams with provisions of all kinds, and you have either gone
yourselves or sent your sons to drive them, to help them in, if those men do
not feel like acting just and right, let them be considered among the unjust
who have used your means which was appropriated by you to relieve the necessitous
and have not had the honesty to return it, but as to the poor, the needy and
distressed, we will come to their relief and help them, the same as we are
obliged to go to God our Heavenly Father and ask him to help us, for we are all
dependent upon the mercy of God, we live in him, we move in him, and to him we
are indebted for our existence as well as for every blessing that we enjoy
pertaining to time or eternity. He has revealed unto us the fullness of the
blessings of the gospel of peace, he has taken our feet from the mire and clay
and has planted us upon the rock of eternal truth, he has imparted unto us the
light, intelligence and revelation of heaven, he has made us to sit together in
heavenly places in Jesus Christ, he has taught us how to save ourselves and our
families, how to save our progenitors and how to save our posterity. And we
have this labor to perform. And if we have gone forth and assisted our brethren
we have only done our duty, and what was there so much after all? Not much, we
have simply performed a duty, a duty we owed to God and our brethren. If we had
not had the means we could not have given it, and having given it, we will
continue to do the best we can and we will keep on doing, helping all,
comforting all, relieving all, teaching all and seeking to promote the well
being of the human family and to carry out the designs of God in the best
manner that we can.
One duty
we owe to the world is to preach to them the gospel, and for that the
priesthood is organized in part. The Elders are sent forth from time to time
many that are around me on my right and left and also before me have gone forth
"weeping, bearing precious seed," they have gone in the midst of
persecution and affliction, to an unthankful world, to proclaim to the people
the glad tidings of salvation, and they have "returned again rejoicing
bringing their sheaves with them." And we are still doing the same, the
Lord has laid it upon us and it must be done. And when we send out missionaries
I was told that some did not hear what I said this morning upon this subject, I
will try to make you all hear now when we send out missionaries we want you to
see that their families are provided for in their absence, if they have not the
means to do it themselves, stand by them and treat them kindly and provide them
with the necessaries of life that they require, that they may be comfortable
and made happy and be one with us, and while our brethren are engaged laboring
abroad, notable to provide for their families, let us provide for them. And we
call upon the presidents of Stakes, and upon the bishops and upon the people
where they reside to see that these things are attended too, that the families
of our missionary brethren are made comfortable and happy. Our brethren under
these circumstances can feel contented and can go forth with satisfaction and
joy. "Why," they will say, "we are going forth in the name of
the Lord trusting in the God of Israel, and while we are gone we have left our
families among our friends who will take care of them, and all is well and all
will be well." When you do that they will bless you and you will be
blessed in time and in eternity. It is a great privilege to be able to do good.
Did you ever think of it? Jesus said, "Make to yourselves friends of the
mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail they may receive you into
everlasting habitations." Then let us feel after the welfare of our
brethren, and we will not dwell much upon one another's weaknesses, for God
knows that all of us have enough of them, at least, I feel I have, and I think
my brethren feel that they have, and I do not think that many of you are very
much better than we are. But I tell you what we desire to do and to see carried
out. We wish correct principles to be carried out, and while we are sending the
gospel to the nations afar off, we want to see the pure principles of the
gospel lived up to at home. We do not want to be influenced by the corruptions
that float upon us here. While we respect proper authority and pay proper deference
to all honorable men in all positions in our country, we do not want to copy
after the devices of this corrupt generation, we want them to keep them to
themselves if they admire them. We neither want drunkenness nor whoredom nor
infanticide nor foeticide nor any of the corruptions that abound throughout the
world, or of this nation, of which every honorable man ought to and does feel
ashamed. We want to train up our youth in the fear of God, and hence we have
our Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, which are
doing a great deal of good throughout the land in teaching and being taught
correct principles. It is our youth that are growing up that we shall have to
look to, by and by, to bear off this kingdom, and we wish the fathers and
mothers to set their children a good and proper example, to be patterns of
purity, of honesty, truth, integrity and uprightness, that they may be able to
meet and look every man in the face with a clear conscience and open
countenance, and not be obliged to dodge around corners for fear of some one
seeing them and finding them out. There are no people under the heavens that
make greater pretensions than we, there are no people under the heavens that
have been more favored of God than we have been. We feel inclined sometimes to
murmur and complain about the nation to which we belong. It is true they have
not treated us very generously or very kindly in many respects, but the Lord
seems to take care of us, and we do not suffer much do we? We enjoy more liberty
to-day than millions of the inhabitants of the world do. And I do not know of
any nation under the heavens where we would be better protected than we are
here, thanks to many honorable men and thanks to the God of Israel who has
delivered us and who has told us that he would watch over us and take care of
us and provide for us, which he has done, and I feel grateful to him. For this,
however, we are not under any obligations to our enemies, but no matter, if
they can stand it we can. When I see men violating the sacred principles of
liberty and trampling under foot the institutions of our nation, I feel to
realize that they are the enemies of mankind and of the nation. I do not care
what position they occupy. God will hold them to an account, as breakers of
their own covenants. We will try, however, to maintain our own, and treat
everybody right, and pray for all honorable men, and let the devil take care of
the balance. (Laughter). This is how I feel in relation to these matters. We
want among ourselves to learn strictly the principles of honesty, to have and
maintain honest dealing one with another and be true to our word, and to let
our word be our bond. And never mind so much about litigation. I do not know
that I ever sued a man in my life, and I do not think that I ever shall. I am
not fond enough of law, or money either, to do it. And God will help us and
protect us in our rights, if we will only do right. And then we Latter-day
Saints, we elders of Israel and we sisters of Israel, we ought to be ladies and
gentlemen, we ought to treat one another with courtesy and kindness, and true
politeness. Lord Chesterfield and others have written long treatises on
politeness. I will tell you, in a few words, what it is to be polite: try to
make everybody as comfortable and happy as you can, in all your words and in
all your acts, and then you will be polite. Study the feelings of those with
whom you are associated and those with whom you come in contact. And when a man
meets an elder, why, says he, that is an honorable man, that man is anointed of
the Lord, I will respect him, I expect to be associated with him in time and in
eternity, and shall I degrade myself by speaking harshly or acting harshly
towards him? No, but we will treat one another with kindness and courtesy-And
we will treat our sisters in the same way, and act the part of gentlemen
towards them, and protect them in all their rights and in all their privileges,
and never be afraid that they are going to run away with some of our rights.
When I hear people talk that way I think they are a little in doubt of
themselves. Why, we expect our sisters our wives to be with us not only in
time, but in eternity; and let us treat them accordingly, with kindness, with
affection, with love and with esteem. And then let the sisters turn round and
treat their husbands and brothers and fathers in the same way; and let us all
cultivate those principles that are calculated to promote one another's
happiness and peace, that it may reign in our own bosoms, and dwell in our
habitations, and prevail throughout the land, that the peace of God and the
blessing of God may rest upon us. And while we feel a disposition to do right
and to keep the commandments of God, God will bless us and sustain us in all of
our operations; and every plot and every contrivance devised against us will
fall to the ground, for God will be our deliverer and our protector. Let us
train up our children in the fear of God too, and watch over their morals, and
especially the morals of our daughters, and see that they do not get led astray
in the paths of iniquity; but watch over them and pray with them and for them;
and pray for one another, and sustain one another, and help one another, and
bless one another, and God will bless us.
We are
sending out persons to go and extend the borders of Zion, to make new
settlements. I was very much pleased to hear some remarks made by Brother
Woodruff in relation to these things, and the acts and doings of the brethren
in Arizona, and of some of the new settlements south and southeast. There is a
number of those settlements referred to by Brother Woodruff, the members of
which we advised when they went, to come as near to the United Order as they
could that is, to be united. Brother Woodruff says that in those new settlements
he did not see a man drunk, he did not hear a man swear, neither did he see any
person use tea or coffee. In this respect they are setting an example that it
would be well for us to follow. And, then, do not pursue that licentious course
exhibited around us here. It is this d___d infernal "civilization"
that has introduced these infamies into our midst. Let us purge ourselves from
them, and not mix up with their ungodly doings. Excuse me for the remarks, but
they are true before God; they are both damned and infernal, for those who
practice them will be damned, and they are infernal, because they proceed from
the infernal regions. I do not care who sustains them, whether governors,
judges, priests, or whatever they may be; they are of their father, the devil,
who sustains those things and maintains them. Those crimes are not original
with us; they are brought here to try to corrupt and enslave and debase and
pollute us. Keep yourselves pure from these corruptions, and walk worthily of
the high vocation whereunto you are called.
I heard
the other day from one of our speakers that there were Elders, High Priests and
Seventies who got drunk. What are the Bishops doing? What are the Presidents of
Stakes doing? Why do you not bring them up and cut them off from the Church any
such Elder, any such High Priest, or any such Seventy, or any of the Saints who
may be found guilty of such thing? For they are hypocrites, and want dealing
with and severing from the Church. Furthermore, I have heard of some Bishops
who have been seeking to cover up the iniquities of men; I tell them, in the
name of God, they will have to bear them themselves, and meet that judgment;
and I tell you that any man who tampers with iniquity, he will have to bear
that iniquity, and if any of you want to partake of the sins of men, or uphold
them, you will have to bear them. Do you hear it, you Bishops and you
Presidents? God will require it at your hands. You are not placed in position
to tamper with the principles of righteousness, nor to cover up the infamies
and corruptions of men. Now, do not say you did not know anything about it; I
have given you fair warning, and I clear my skirts of your blood; and their
infamies will cleave to you unless you attend to it.
God
expects us to do right; he has given unto us the priesthood for that purpose,
and he requires us to magnify it and honor it and carry it out. And it is the
place of those men, and the place of the teachers to see that there is no
iniquity in the Church; and if they do not do their duty, it then becomes the
duty of the Bishops to see to it; and if the Bishops do not see to it, it is
the place of the Presidents of Stakes to see to it; and if they do not see to
it, and it comes to our ears, it will then become our duty to see to it, and
also to see to them who do not magnify their calling. God will not be mocked.
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap; if he sows to the
flesh, [p.79]he shall of the flesh reap corruption; if he sows to the spirit,
he shall of the spirit reap life everlasting."
We are
gathered here to serve God; we are gathered here to be taught in the ways of
the Lord; we are gathered here to build up temples, and then to administer in
them; we are gathered here to send the Gospel to the nations of the earth, and
to fulfil those various requirements which God has placed upon us to attend to;
and if we are faithful in all our duties, God will bless us.
I find
that the time has expired. Shall we continue the Conference another day? All
who desire to do so say aye. (The vast congregation responded "aye.")
Choir sang the anthem,
Sing to the Lord a joyful strain.
Adjourned till Thursday, at 10 a.m.
Dismissed with prayer by Elder BRIGHAM YOUNG.
_____
[8 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 29:168, 172, 4/14/80, p 9, 12]
THIRD DAY.
THURSDAY, 10 a.m.
Choir sang --
Praise ye the Lord, my heart
shall join
In work so pleasant, so divine.
Prayer by Elder ORSON PRATT.
Choir sang --
Joy to the world! The Lord
will come,
And earth receive her king.
[Elder Lorenzo Snow]
Elder LORENZO SNOW said we as Latter-day Saints professed to believe in the fulness of the everlasting gospel restored from heaven with the priesthood, ordinances, gifts, blessings and spirit, which revealed things past, present and to come, connected with that gospel. In receiving it we promised to be obedient to the spirit of life and light and truth. During the past fifty years that spirit had led us in the light of the intelligence of heaven just so far as we had been faithful to the covenants we had made at the waters of baptism. And just so far as we had failed to do this e were the losers. So far as we had been led by this spirit we had enjoyed peace and temporal union, overcome the enemy, and forwarded ourselves in the path to the celestial kingdom. Our failures arose either from our own ignorance, or negligence or wilfulness; the fault was not in the Lord nor His work. At this juncture it would be well for us to renew our covenants before the Lord, to be more faithful in the ensuing years than in the past, and make our motto to be truly, "The Kingdom of God or nothing," that we might establish in our midst the laws of the celestial kingdom; that all our possessions might become sanctified, that we might show to the heavens our worthiness to hold that priesthood which God had conferred upon us. He closed by bearing testimony that by the physical administration of the power of God, he received a testimony of the truth in his baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost. He knew also that in his gospel ministrations the heavens had honored them and those who received the ordinances obtained a similar testimony. Joseph received his authority from angels, he conferred it upon others, and the power of God had accompanied it everywhere.
[Lorenzo Snow]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 79-82]
We, as
Latter-day Saints, profess to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the
restoration of the fulness of the everlasting Gospel, in the restoration of the
Holy Priesthood, with its privileges and powers, and in the restoration of the
authority to administer to the sick, and to receive, through the medium of this
Gospel which we have espoused, supernatural gifts and blessings, the Holy
Spirit, which communicates a knowledge of things past, of things present and of
things to come. And when we received this Gospel, we covenanted before God that
we would be led, that we would be governed, and would follow the suggestions of
the Holy Spirit, that we would follow the suggestions of the principle that
gives life, that gives knowledge, that gives understanding of the things of
God, that communicates the mind of God; and that we would labor for the
accomplishment of the purposes of God in the salvation of the human family,
adopting as a motto of life, "The Kingdom of God, or nothing." How
far we have kept these covenants during the past fifty years, and followed the
dictates of the Holy Spirit, we ourselves must be the judges. So far as we have
done this, so far have the blessings of the Almighty descended upon us, and our
minds have been enlightened, our understandings enlarged, and we have moved
forward in the path of holiness, in the path of perfection, and which enables
us this day to stand in the knowledge and power of God, and in the intelligence
of heaven, just in proportion as we have observed the spirit of those covenants
which we made at the waters of baptism; and just so far as we have failed in
our faithfulness, in our adherence to our engagements, just so far have we been
losers in this enterprise in which we have engaged to obtain eternal life, to
obtain wisdom and knowledge and divine intelligence sufficiently to stem the
tide of evils and temptations that surround us. And just so far as we have
followed the suggestions of this divine spirit, have we experienced peace and
joy to our souls, we have discomfited the enemy, we have laid up unto ourselves
treasures that moth and rust cannot destroy, so far have we forwarded ourselves
in the path of the celestial kingdom; just so far have we secured ourselves the
blessings and privileges that pertain to the celestial law. When these things
were opened up to our view the principles of the Gospel and the glory of the
celestial world sit was then our privilege to enjoy its blessings to a certain
extent, just as though we had been translated into the celestial worlds; it was
our privilege to enjoy a certain amount of the blessings that pertain to those
laws. And just so far as we have conformed to these laws that pertain to our
temporal salvation, just so far as we have obeyed the instructions given to us
in regard to our temporal union, just so far we stand in prosperity before God
and before the world; just so far as we have been induced to open our hearts to
display the principles of philanthropy in the exercise of our religion, just so
far do we stand this day approved of the Almighty God; just so far have we
secured the implements or the means to defend ourselves against the approaching
evils; just so far in all our settlements, cities, towns or villages, as we
have observed these laws that pertain to our temporal obligations, just so far
has prosperity attended our exertions, and just so far as the spirit of union
prevailed in our midst, and we have advanced ourselves in these principles. And
just so far as we have ignored these things, just so far do we stand weak
to-day before God and before the world.
A
sufficiency of information has been placed before us in the revelations of
former days, in the revelations to us at the present time to guide us in all of
our affairs, both spiritual and temporal, to guide us even to the celestial
kingdom to receive of the fulness of the Father. If, after the expiration of
fifty years, we as a community do not stand in that high relationship to God
that we could wish, the fault is not in the Lord, it is not for the lack of
information placed before us, but that lack is in ourselves; it arises from our
ignorance or neglect, or from a desire, peradventure, to serve the spirit of
the world instead of the Spirit of God.
It is
true, when we look upon the temporal position that thousands and tens of
thousands occupied at the time we received this Gospel, and when we take into
consideration the spiritual fetters by which we were bound, and the ignorance
that attended us in our spiritual affairs at that time, we certainly may feel
very thankful to the Lord for the progress we have made when comparing our
present position with that we sustained when we received the Gospel; there must
arise in our hearts the deepest gratitude to the Almighty for so far redeeming
us spiritually and temporally as we find ourselves this day. For the progress
we have made we are indebted to the blessings of God attending our diligence
and faithfulness. And we should renew our covenants before God and the holy
angels, that we will, God being our helper, serve him more faithfully during
the ensuing year than we have in the past, that our public and private life,
our actions and the spirit and influence we wield may be in keeping with the
motto, "The Kingdom of God or nothing" I trust, my brethren, that we
may devote ourselves entirely to the service of our God in the establishing of
his Zion on the earth, zealously laboring in the interest of truth and
righteousness on the earth, until it shall become a joy to us to be so engaged,
that it may become second nature to us to serve God and keep his commandments,
and to observe the celestial law, and that we may so enjoy the Holy Spirit in
our hearts that we may overcome the world and establish the celestial law in
our minds and establish it in our practice; that we may so understand ourselves
and our privileges that we may in this life secure a considerable portion of
the blessings that pertain to the celestial law, and which are to be enjoyed in
the celestial glory. That so far as God gives us power in the earth, so far as
he gives us possessions, houses and lands, flocks and herds, that these
possessions shall become sanctified by our doings and actions and the manner in
which we exercise ourselves in relation to them, that they may become
sanctified, and that we may show ourselves worthy of the priesthood we possess,
in establishing God's work, in establishing his laws and everything that
pertains to the celestial glory, just so far as God gives us this power, that
we may show to the heavens that we are worthy of this Gospel and this
confidence that God has placed in us, in restoring to us the fulness of the
holy priesthood.
And now I
will close my remarks by bearing my testimony to the knowledge of God that I
have received in relation to this work. It is true. I received a knowledge of
the truth of this work by a physical administration of the blessings of God.
And when receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost I knew I was immersed in a
divine principle that filled my whole system with inexpressible joy; and from
that day to the present has blessing crowned my labors. And when baptizing
people and administering the ordinances of this holy priesthood, God has
confirmed those administrations by imparting the Holy Ghost, giving a knowledge
to the individuals to whom I administered, convincing them that the authority
was delegated from heaven. And every Elder who has gone forth to preach this
everlasting Gospel, and acted in the spirit of his calling, can bear the same
testimony, that through their administrations in these holy ordinances the
glory and power of God has been made manifest in a convincing manner upon the
heads of those to whom they have administered. This is our testimony; this was
the testimony fifty years ago of a certain individual who stood forth and
claimed that God had authorized him to baptize people for the remission of
sins, and lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, which should
impart unto them a knowledge from the eternal worlds that he had this
authority. This person was Joseph Smith; and he conferred this authority, which
was given unto him by holy angels, upon others who were sent forth to bear
testimony to the world that [p.82]those who would receive those holy
ordinances, should receive the testimony from the Almighty that they were thus
authorized to so administer. And this is our testimony; and this is my
testimony before this people and before the world.
And may
God bless us; may he pour out his Spirit upon the Latter-day Saints. And may we
be faithful in all of our labors, having the motto indelibly stamped upon our
hearts, "The Kingdom of God or nothing." Amen.
[Elder Wilford Woodruff]
Elder WILFORD WOODRUFF quoted the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, "A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation, I the Lord will hasten it in His time." In the course of fifty years a little church had become many more than a thousand, and it would take less than fifty years more to make us a strong nation. If it were not for offending the "Christian" world, who did not like some parts of the Bible, he would quote the words of Daniel concerning the destiny of this kingdom. But he would ask the Gentile world, if the Lord intended to accomplish this, how they were going to help it? The speaker quoted from the word of the Lord to Joseph the Prophet in Liberty Jail, that "a man might as well seek to stop the Missouri River and turn it back in its course, as to try to stop the purposes of Jehovah or prevent his blessings from flowing unto his Saints." Elder Woodruff viewed the world as ripe in iniquity, like a field of wheat, that must be cut down or it would fall to the earth and rot. The harvest of the earth was near. Great changes were at the door. The coming of the son of Man was nigh. The judgments of God were at hand. The Lord told Ezekiel that he was placed as a watchman, and when he saw the enemy coming, if he did not warn the people, their blood should be on his head. so were the Apostles placed in this Church. They could not afford to sit still and see iniquity abound, nor to use their priesthood for private benefit; if they did their power would be taken from them. So with all who held the priesthood. It was time for all who had indulged in drunkenness or any kind of evil to repent and set it aside. No man who swears, uses whisky or tobacco habitually, should be permitted to go into the Temple of the Lord to receive blessings. He considered no man was fit to administer the sacrament or other ordinances unless he in some good degree kept the Word of Wisdom. This was the Zion of God, and every prophet since the world began had spoken concerning it. We had been ordained; before the world was made, to labor for this kingdom, and we had it to do or be damned. Our destiny was to prepare the way for the coming of the son of Man and build up the Kingdom of God; "Therefore prepare, O ye inhabitants of Zion for the change that is to come." The speaker bore testimony to the divine mission of Joseph Smith and the truth of this work, and concluded by asking God to bless and qualify us for the duties enjoined upon us, that we might be prepared for the glory that awaits the righteous.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 82-85]
"A
little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord
will hasten it in his time." This is the word of the Lord through the
Prophet Isaiah. Fifty years has made this little one not only a thousand, but more
than one hundred thousand, and I do not think it will take half of fifty years
more to make a strong nation: and if it were not for offending the ears of the
Christian world, I would quote a word or two from the Prophet Daniel, where he
says: "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out of the mountains without
hands, which smote the image upon his feet, that were of iron and clay, and
break them to pieces. * * * And the stone that smote the image became a great
mountain and filled the whole earth. * * * And it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." I know it becomes
offensive sometimes to the Christian world to quote the Bible, therefore I
think I will not quote much more of it. But I wish to say this is the destiny
of the kingdom of God which is planted here in the mountains of Israel. But I
will take the Liberty of asking a question; I would ask it of the Gentile
world; I would ask it of the whole Christian world if I had a chance and an
opportunity, and that is this: If this is the work of the Lord, and if the God
of Israel has set up a kingdom, undertaken to establish a Church and a Zion, I
wish to ask can the inhabitants of the earth help it? Can they hinder it? Can
they stay the hand of the Lord? I wish the world to reflect upon these things.
Or will the unbelief of the world make the truth of God without effect? Judge
ye. Joseph Smith, while in Liberty Jail, while in chains and imprisoned, prayed
to the Lord you will find it in the latter part of the book of Doctrine and
Covenants, page 383 he prayed to the Lord and the Lord answered his prayer. He
told him a great many things, among the rest that all things should be revealed
in the days of the dispensation of the fulness of times, according to that
which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other
Gods, before the world was all these things should be revealed in the latter
days. Now, says the Lord, "How long can rolling waters remain impure? What
power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to
stop the Missouri River in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to
hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of
the Latter-day Saints." The powers of earth cannot stay the progress of
his Church and kingdom, for God has decreed it. And I wish again to say a word
or two that is upon my mind with regard to my present condition. I have read
the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants a good many
times, and they have brought me to a condition that I love to trace these
revelations like the pyramidal histories that have written to the world that
comes to an end pretty [p.83]soon. And I am about in the same position as the
farmer that sees his harvest ripe for the sickle. What must he do? He must go
to work and cut it, or else it will go back into the ground; and that is the
way I view the world to-day. It is fifty years since these revelations of God
were revealed to man. Is not the world ripe? Is not the whole earth covered
with whoredom, murder, blasphemy and abominations of every kind, until it rises
up in the face of high heaven and before the Lord? What will be the result? The
crop must be reaped; the harvest is at the door, it is ripe. The Lord said fifty
years ago to Orson Pratt and others, "The field is ready for the harvest.
Now, thrust in your sickle and reap, and any man who will may thrust in his
sickle and reap." If we are not approaching a change, if the judgments of
God are not to be poured out upon Babylon, and if there is not a change
awaiting Zion, then I am at a loss concerning the fulfilment of the revelations
of God; I have got about as far as I can go unless these changes are at the
door. The coming of the Son of Man is near. The signs of heaven and earth have
indicated this for many years; that is about where I am to-day; as an Elder of
Israel, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I can see no road before me
unless I am looking for the judgment of God to be poured out upon the wicked, and
the judgments will begin at the House of God, and it will go forth from them to
the world.
Now, a
few words with regard to what Brother Taylor said. In the first place, these
Apostles here are in the same position that Ezekiel was. The Lord said unto him,
"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the House of Israel;
therefore, hear the word of my mouth and give them warning from me. When I say
unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou gavest them not warning, nor
speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way to save his life; the same
wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine
hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor
from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy
soul." So I say with regard to the Apostles here, as well as the Seventies
and High Priests and Elders and Priests they are set here in these latter days
upon the walls of Mount Zion as watchmen. I tell you we are under a mighty
responsibility to God, and I tell you we cannot afford, as Apostles, as
Seventies, as Elders, and as High Priests, to sit still and know that sin
reigns in our midst, and not rebuke it; we can not do it, and be justified
before the Lord. Another thing, if we as Apostles, bearing the holy priesthood,
use that priesthood for any other purpose under heaven but to build up the
Kingdom of God, if we do our power will fall like lightning from heaven. A good
many men have undertaken this men high in the priesthood, even the Apostleship
to build themselves up upon the authority of the priesthood. And where have
they gone? You may say amen to their power and authority. They have lost their
Bishopric and Apostleship. Let us reflect on these things. I say the same to
myself. I say the same to the Apostles, Seventies and High Priests. You cannot
use the priesthood for any other purpose under heaven but to build up the
kingdom and do the will of God; and when you attempt to do otherwise your power
will be taken from you.
I wanted
to say so much, and now I desire to say another thing. It is our jubilee year.
I want to give an exhortation. I have heard things during this Conference that
have had an effect upon my mind. I want to say to old and young who have been
in the habit of doing anything that is not pleasing in the sight of God, it is
time for us to lay aside these things. It is time for us to lay aside our
whiskey, our tobacco, our drunkenness, and everything that lies in our path to
hinder us in our duty, or we shall be under condemnation. High Priests, and
Elders, and Apostles, or any other man, cannot bear this priesthood on the
earth and revel and drink with the drunken. You cannot do it, it is too late in
the day; if you do, your power will fall from you. I felt yesterday, while
Brother Taylor was rebuking these things, to say, Amen. I know that Brother
Taylor, as leader of this Church and Kingdom, can no more sit and hold his
peace while these things are going on in Israel, than he can live without
breathing. It is time for us to repent and turn away from all our evils. The
responsibility of carrying forward this Kingdom is upon the shoulders of the
Latter-day Saints.
Now I
will say a few words more, and then I will close. I have often been asked the
question, what condition should a man be in in order to receive a recommend to
go through the Temple of the Lord? I will tell my feelings in regard to this
matter, and if they are not correct, President Taylor and others of the Twelve
can correct me. I believe it is too late in the day to send men to the Temple
who make a daily use of whiskey, or other strong drinks, tobacco, &c., and
there perform the ordinances for their dead; it is not acceptable in the sight
of the Lord God of Israel. If we are going to be saved, let us build up the
Kingdom of God, let us be reasonable and live according to what we preach; let
us live our religion. I do not believe that a man is fit to go into the temples
of the Lord to administer these ordinances for the living and the dead, who
will make a practice of drinking strong drinks. What do you drink? Whiskey? No;
you drink strychnine; you drink tobacco and a great deal of absinthe,
"blue ruin" and death; you drink anything under heaven but pure
liquor. It can scarcely be said to exist in the land. The stuff that is sold
deprives you of your agency, and gives the devil power over you; it does so
with anybody who makes a practice of using this liquor and other intoxicants.
No one who uses them is fit to administer in the ordinances of the House of the
Lord. My own faith is that no one is fit to administer the sacrament, baptize
the children of men, or administer in the House of God, unless he in a measure
keeps the Word of Wisdom. The Spirit of God will not dwell in unholy temples.
If we are
going to build up the Kingdom of God, it is time we commenced to keep the
commandments of God and live by every word that proceedeth from his mouth. Our
responsibility is great. It is the Kingdom of God, it is no more nor less. It
is the Church of Christ; it is the Zion of God that every prophet who has ever
lived since the world began has seen in vision and declared our future history.
The revelations of God in the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants
are being fulfilled. We are fulfilling them. And while we are here let us be
faithful to God, the Great Elohim, the God of the Jews as well as the Gentiles.
He looks to us and to nobody else. He looks to the Latter-day Saints. Why?
Because nobody else has received the fulness of the everlasting Gospel; nobody
else has taken hold to build up this kingdom. My faith and feeling about this
matter is that we were appointed before the world was, as much as the ancient
apostles were, to come forth in the flesh and take hold of this Kingdom, and we
have it to do, or be damned. That is our position today. The eyes of the
heavenly hosts are over us; the eyes of God himself and his son Jesus Christ
and all those apostles and prophets who have sealed their testimony with their
blood are watching this people. They visit you, they observe your works, for
they know very well that your destiny is to build up this Kingdom, to build up
Zion, sanctify it, sanctify the earth and prepare the world for the coming of
the Son of Man. The judgments of God are at the door of the wicked; they cannot
hinder them. The Lord will hold all men and all nations to an account for the
deeds done in the body, and as Isaiah says in speaking of Zion, "The
nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations
shall be utterly wasted." These are tremendous sayings. There are hundreds
of the revelations of God, all of which are going to be fulfilled upon the
heads of the inhabitants of the earth in the generation in which we are living.
Be prepared, therefore, for that which is to come. There is a change at your
door. There is a change at the door of this generation. The Lord is watching
over you, and he will sustain his work.
May God
bless you. May he bless the Apostles, and clothe them with his power and with
the revelations of Jesus Christ, for I will say as Brother Snow has said I know
this is the Kingdom of God. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and
he sealed his testimony with his blood. That testimony is in force upon all the
world, and it will cost this generation just as much to shed the blood of the
Lord's anointed to-day as it has cost the Jews for shedding the blood of Jesus
Christ eighteen hundred years ago. The Jews have been scattered, they have been
under the bondage of the Gentiles for all these years, and they have until
recently been denied all political rights. But the Lord is about to restore
them. This is the Kingdom of God. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The
heavenly hosts are preparing themselves to help the fulfilment of the
revelations that are recorded in these records.
The Lord
raised up President Young to lead this Church, which he led for a generation.
He has now passed behind the vail, where he labors with other Apostles who have
furnished their testimony on the earth. The Lord has raised up President
Taylor. The spirit of wisdom is with him. The Lord is blessing him and blessing
his brethren. The Lord will stand by us and sustain us if we keep his
commandments.
I pray
God to bless you and to bless Zion, that we may have power to bring these
principles home to our hearts, to comprehend in a measure the responsibilities
resting upon us, for I will say there never was a generation since the creation
in which the responsibility of the Apostles and Elders was greater than that in
which we live.
I am
thankful that I have lived to see this day. I have sometimes said I have felt
lonesome. I look around me and find Joseph and Hyrum and a great share of the
Twelve have been taken away. They are now in the spirit world. We soon shall go
there too myself, Brother Taylor, Brother Pratt and many of us are getting
grey-headed we shall soon pass to the other side of the vail; but let us do our
duty while we are here, and all the rest, old and young, that we may inherit
eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Elder Orson Pratt]
Elder ORSON PRATT felt with all his heart to thank the Lord our God for His blessings upon this people. We were now living in the 51st year of this kingdom upon the earth. The Lord had put it into the hearts of His servants to deal liberally with the poor. It was to be hoped that this example would be followed by the rich in Israel. It had been his duty and that of others, not only to preach the gospel but to declare things of the future,also to proclaim the times of the Gentiles and gather out from their midst those who would hearken to the truth. The great events at hand had been sounded so many times that some seemed to think they were like an old song. These things would come to pass shortly. God would pour out his judgments; and who hat had any human feeling would not mourn over the calamities that would befall the wicked! the speaker knew that these things would take place. In connection with prophecy he pointed out the disclosures of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, among the symbols of which was the organization of this Church on the 6th day of April, 1830, plainly, clearly, unmistakably portrayed in the measurement of the Grand gallery, and the step at the end thereof. Elder Pratt proceeded to give the figures of prophetic measurement by cubic inches, showing this fact. He alluded to the impending wall at the end of the Grand Gallery, which might signify "the end." But whether the speaker knew anything of the Pyramid or not, he knew that the end of wickedness was nigh. He knew that God had spoken from the heavens, and that this work was from Him. God had revealed this to him in his youth, and that this kingdom would prevail. Every nation would be warned and then would come the awful downfall of Great Babylon. "Therefore let the people of Zion awake, work righteousness and put away evil, that they may escape the judgments to come and inherit the rich blessings promised!"The time of our redemption and re-inheritance of Zion was nigh at hand. He called for the blessings and spirit of the living God upon all that desired to serve the Lord, that the destroyer might be rebuked from our midst, and the glory of God be revealed in Israel.
[Orson Pratt]
[Apr 1880 CR, pp 86-89]
I do feel
with all my heart to thank the Lord our God for the blessings conferred upon
this people. Our year of Jubilee, if we may so term it, is past. We entered
upon it the sixth day of April, 1879last Tuesday was the end of it. We are now
living in the fifty-first year of the organization of this Kingdom. At the close,
or near the close of this first half century, the Lord has been very kind and
merciful in behalf of the poor; he has put it into the hearts of his servants
to administer liberally and bountifully for their good. It is to be hoped that
the fiftieth year will not close up those great and good acts, on the part of
the Church, as well as on the part of individuals in the Stakes of Zion, for
and in behalf of the poor: but that the good work may continue, and that all
the poor and the needy may be supplied, so far as circumstances will permit,
with the necessaries of life. So much upon that subject.
In regard
to the future, it has been a duty devolving upon me, in connection with
hundreds of others, to declare not only the Gospel, but to portray before the people
future events. There are great things in the future, and we are sometimes apt
to forget them. We have been looking, for some time past, for the Lord to
accomplish and fulfill the times of the Gentiles; or the times allotted to
them, during which the testimonies of his servants should go forth among them;
or in other words, the times of the warning of the Gentile nations, the
gathering out of their midst, a few here and there, of the believing Gentiles,
away from the corruptions of Great Babylon, preparatory to the destructions
that are to be poured out without measure upon the Gentile nations. These
things have been sounded so long in the ears of the Latter-day Saints, that I
have sometimes thought they have become like a pleasing song, or like a dream,
and that they scarcely realize that these great events are at hand, even at the
doors. But if we can depend upon the word of the Lord, if we can depend upon
the predictions recorded in the Scriptures of truth if we can depend upon
modern revelation which God has given there is a time of tribulation, of
sorrow, of great judgment, of great wrath and indignation, to come upon the
nations of the earth, such as has not been since the foundation of the world.
And these things are not far off, but are near at hand, and who, in that day,
that has any sympathy in their hearts, any feelings of humanity, but will mourn
and sorrow over the calamities that will fall upon the nations. I know that
these things are true. I have known these things ever since the autumn of 1830;
and I know that God will fulfil his word, and that the day is almost at our
doors, when God will pour out his indignation, without measure, upon the
nations of the earth; and they will be swallowed up with judgments and
calamities of all kinds and descriptions.
I have
sometimes reflected upon a new witness that the Lord seems to have brought to
light, by the opening of the Great Pyramid of Egypt. There are many things
revealed by the opening of that Pyramid, nearly 3000 years after it was built,
that are great and marvelous, so far as I can understand them. There seems to
be a prophetic spirit running through the construction of all that vast
superstructure, pointing forward to the very end. Among the great events
clearly portrayed by that Pyramid, was the organization of this Church on the
sixth of April, 1830. This is expressed in the construction of the "GREAT
STEP," in the Grand Gallery of that Pyramid. Time was measured in that
ascending gallery by sacred cubit inches. The measurement from the birth of
Christ to the upper edge of the "Step," which terminates the
ascending passage, was exactly 1829 cubit inches, and the fraction of another
inch; that is, a little over the twenty-sixth hundredth part of an inch.
Allowing one year to a cubit inch, it gives the sixth of April, 1830, as the
exact time, corresponding to the upper edge of the "Grand Step." At
this point the Gallery ceases to ascend, and the passage becomes horizontal.
This points out the very period of time when the Church was organized, and the
very day and month and year. Sixty-one cubit inches are measured off, from that
point in a horizontal direction, until you come to the great impending wall,
the end of the Gallery. What that means, I do not pretend to know. It may mean
the closing up of the times of the Gentiles. Sixty-one years from the
organization of the Church brings us, according to pyramidal testimony, to the
end of something. Whether these pyramidal symbols are divine or not, there is
one thing that I do know is true, namely, that the generation in which the
fulness of the Gospel the Book of Mormon was brought forth, is the generation
that will close up the times of the Gentiles. That I know, if I do not know
much about the Pyramid. I know the former by revelation. I know that the days
of the Gentiles are but very few; the end of the dispensation to them is now
drawing very near to a close. God has revealed this work. His arm was made bare
in the restoration of this Church. His arm was made bare in sending his angels
from heaven to restore the everlasting priesthood and authority to the children
of men. His power was made manifest in the organization of the Kingdom that
must stand forever. These things are not a matter of opinion with me. I know
them to be true. God revealed them to me in my youth. I have known them from
that day to this. And the work of God will prosper, will prevail, will
accomplish that whereunto it is sent, until every nation under heaven shall
receive sufficient warning, and then will come the terrible, the dreadful
downfall of Great Babylon. Awake, therefore, O ye inhabitants of Zion! Awake to
the importance of your duties! Awake to the duties of the everlasting
priesthood which has been conferred upon you by the servants of the living God.
Seek after God with all your hears, with all your souls, and with all your
might, mind and strength, that you may be prepared for the events that are in
the future, not only to be preserved when the great desolations of Babylon
shall take place, but also to be partakers in all the blessings ordained to be
bestowed upon Zion in the latter days. Awake for the redemption of Zion is very
near, when this people shall possess again their inheritances upon the promised
land; when this people shall erect unto the Lord a house and build up that city
called Zion, wherein the glory of our God shall be made manifest upon all the
inhabitants that are counted worthy to dwell in the midst thereof.
May God
bless this Conference and the Latter-day Saints everywhere upon the mountains,
in the valleys, and throughout the Territories where they dwell; that the
Spirit of the living God may be with us, with our wives, with our children, and
with all who desire to serve the living God; that the destroyer may be rebuked
from our midst, and that we may rise up as the children of Zion, and do the
work which the Lord our God requires at our hands. Amen.
[Elder C. C. Rich]
Elder C. C. RICH said we could not go away from this Conference and say we had not received the instructions we stood in need of. It was our duty to put aside our difficulties with one another and become one, seeking to build up the Kingdom of God in the way He had appointed, and not attempt to do it in our own way. All the blessings of God were predicated upon certain requirements. Some of them could only be obtained in Temples built for the purpose. This we ought to comprehend and act upon. Inasmuch as we are willing to receive, God was willing to bestow, but on His own terms, not ours, unless they were the same as His. The speaker bore testimony to the words of the previous speakers and to having received a manifestation from God of the truth of this work when he first received the Gospel. He closed by exhorting those present to carry home with them the spirit of this conference, determined to carry out the instructions received, that they might carry the good influence to others and help to establish righteousness.
[Charles C. Rich]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 88-89]
I am
thankful for the opportunity of making a few remarks before the close of the
Conference. The Lord has certainly poured out upon us a goodly degree of his
Holy Spirit, and we have received instructions which, if observed and carried
out in our lives, will be of everlasting benefit and salvation to us as Saints
of the Most High God.
There are
certain things that we are in duty bound at all times, to bear in mind and
never lose sight of, and one of those things is, the requirement of the Lord
that his Saints should become one. This lesson has been taught to us from the
very beginning until now, and in it is involved the strength of this people. It
is a lesson that should first be taught and acted upon in the family of every
Latter-day Saint; and whenever difficulties arise between neighbors, families,
or settlements, the first step to be taken by all the parties concerned should
be to amicably settle the same, and from that time seek to do better, to be
more respectful to another's feelings, and to really become united as Saints of
the Most High in the bonds and the covenants of peace. Therefore, my beloved
brethren and sisters, let us take this matter in hand and see to it; see to it
that we labor, every man in his individual capacity, to become united, and
this, too, by laying aside our faults, our follies and our imperfections; and
as far as possible seek to build up the Kingdom of God on the principles
revealed unto us from heaven. For most assuredly he will not accept of us or
our labors on any other terms than those which he himself has dictated.
And,
again, among other things of importance required of us, as a community, and
which is the work of to-day, is the building of temples in which to receive
certain blessings essential to our salvation and exaltation in his celestial
kingdom. He has ordained from before the foundation of our world, and has
revealed this fact to us in our day, that his people can only receive from him
certain blessings in certain places having a special reference to those sacred
buildings we call temples; and for this reason are we required to perform this
work. We have been reminded that the time of the end draws near, so near,
indeed, that there is no time to spare; and this labor is required of us and
will have to be performed in a proper time. The Lord said to this people at an
early day, that if the Saints did not perform a certain work by a certain time
referring to to the building of the Nauvoo Temple that they should be rejected,
and also their dead. Inasmuch as we were not rejected, and now have time and
opportunity, let us use the time and improve the opportunity to the best
advantage and of our ability to perform the work which he requires of us, and
labor while it is called to-day. I feel that we are a blessed people, that the
Lord has poured out upon us choice blessings in rich abundance, and inasmuch as
we prove ourselves worthy to receive them on the terms which he has proposed,
we will find that our Heavenly Father is abundantly willing and able to bestow,
for surely there is no good thing that will then be withheld from us. But I
have sometimes thought, judging from the actions of some, that they expect to
realize the much desired blessing of the future on their own terms, as it suits
them; it would seem that this was the case with some of our brethren, who
seemingly want to do nothing unless it suits their individual feelings,
overlooking partially, if not entirely, the great fact, that we have enlisted
to do nothing but the will of our Father as it is and shall be made known to us
through the proper authority. Nor does it matter to us, as his faithful
servants, what that will may be, whether to build temples or anything else, we
should engage with our whole heart in the work required of us.
The
results of the labors of this people for half a century are before the world,
which, although wrought in much weakness, and ofttimes in poverty and distress,
have been, under the blessing of a merciful, a just and all wise God; crowned
with success; and on this, the occasion of our jubilee year just closed, I, in
common with my brethren, raise my heart and voice in praise to him who lives
and rules in the heavens above, and in testimony to this being his work, even
the work to be developed in the latter days, so often spoken of in holy writ.
And I repeat what has been said that the judgments are nigh, even at the door,
and this work is going to be fulfilled. Let us open our eyes and ears, that we
may see and hear as the wise virgins, that we may rightly comprehend the nature
of the work to be performed, not in some other generation, but in the
generation in which we live.
I bear my
testimony to the the truth of what we have heard in relation to the judgments
of God that are to come upon the earth, as well as in relation to the
truthfulness of this latter-day work. This testimony was given to me many years
ago, having embraced the Gospel as early as the year 1832, when the Lord opened
the vision of my mind and manifested to me that it was of him, and that it was
the commencement of that work which should eventually "fill the whole
earth." I know this to be true to-day, and have known it and testified,
whenever opportunity afforded, to its truthfulness ever since that early day;
and I bear testimony of it this day before you, my brethren and sisters, and to
all the world, that this is verily the work of God, and that he will fulfil the
words that have been spoken to us his Saints concerning all things coming on
the earth. And to the Latter-day Saints I would say, inasmuch as we treasure up
in good and honest hearts the principles and words of life which God has
revealed, and live in consonance with them, we have nothing to fear; on the
contrary, the faithful will rejoice, not in the downfall of the disobedient and
wicked, but in the realization of the promised blessings in which they will
rejoice, both in time and eternity.
Then, my
beloved brethren and sisters, let us awaken to the warnings we hear from time
to time, and especially cherish the Spirit, and ponder over and improve upon
the instructions of this Conference, for they are true and faithful, and to
this you, as well as I, can testify. And when we go to our homes let us carry
with us and impart the spirit of this Conference to our brethren and sisters of
the several Stakes who have not been present, that they also may take warning
and square their lives according to the principles of the everlasting Gospel,
laying aside everything that is wrong, and doing that which is right in all
things pertaining to our religion, as Saints of the Most High God. And that we
may pursue that course which will guarantee unto us all the blessings of the
new and everlasting Covenant, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
[Elder Erastus Snow]
Elder ERASTUS SNOW quoted Paul's saying, "If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men the most miserable." This was said in view of the hatred and persecution endured by the Saints in Paul's day. The speaker thought, considering the vituperation, misrepresentation and obloquy that we had endured, we might almost despair of it were not for the assurance of the future and the sustaining hand of the Almighty. One of old had said, "Better are the strokes of a friend than the kisses of an enemy." By the sharp rebukes of the servants of the Lord, we were brought to see and lay aside our evils and obtain favor with God. The speaker pointed out the necessity of putting away sin and hypocrisy, resisting temptation, not covering up our uncleanness or thinking to wash it away by the ordinances of the Lord's House when the inner man was corrupt. The priesthood we had received with the keys and the ordinances thereof, could only be handled in connection with the powers of heaven and in truth and righteousness. Joseph the prophet received those keys from holy men who held them anciently, with the promise that they should not again be taken away from the earth. Notwithstanding men might sin and lose their blessings, the priesthood and the power of God would remain and the purposes of God would be accomplished. The speaker referred to the promises concerning the salvation of Israel, when "the fulness of the Gentiles" comes in, and testified that this was the work of redemption the Lord had commenced. He exhorted the people to works of righteousness, and invoked the blessings of God upon all officers, municipal and ecclesiastical, and every man, woman and child who sought to serve the Lord without hypocrisy.
[Erastus Snow]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 89-91]
St. Paul
once said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men
most miserable." He said this to the ancient Saints in reference to the
spirit of hatred and persecution raging in the world against the Apostles and
their followers. I have sometimes thought, when we hear and read of the
vituperation and lies abroad in the earth concerning this people, when we see
how they are misrepresented and slandered, it would seem as if the flood gates
of hell were opened to swallow them up, and we might at times almost despair
were it not for the assurance that we feel that God is with us, that the Lord
of Hosts is our God, and he has led us until the present time, and we are
encouraged to continue our efforts and labors with the feeling and assurance
that he has not departed from us, that he has not cast us off, notwithstanding
our follies and the many evils in our midst, and notwithstanding that the
servants of God are called upon to speak by way of reproof and ofttimes to
rebuke with sharpness. God has spoken by one of the ancient prophets in this
wise: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful." The word of the Lord, though it be sharp like a two-edged
sword, has salvation in it. It is the power of God unto salvation to all them
that believe, and by the sharpness of the word of God are we brought to
comprehend ourselves, to see ourselves as God sees us, and to purge evil from
our midst. And it becomes us to lay to heart the word spoken, and it should
begin with the Apostles, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, the Presidents of
Quorums, and heads of families and run through all the organizations of
society, and the spirit of repentance, of reformation and of purification
should flow in our midst, flow through the people in all our organizations
until every man, woman and child shall feel that the Spirit of God rests upon
them; we should put away evil, and endeavor to overcome the world, to withstand
the influences of the hosts of hell, to resist the example of evil minded
persons, to resist temptations of pride and vanity, and cease to be
hypocritical; in other words, to be honest before God and one another, for his
eye is upon us. Our ways are openly known unto him. It becomes not his people
to seek to hide their ways from the Lord. Hypocrites do this. Many of the Gentile
Christians do this, as did many of the ancient Jewish Pharisees, for which they
were rebuked with severity by the teachings of the Savior. None of us need
think that we shall be benefitted by covering up our uncleanness and expect
that we shall be sanctified by the outer ordinances of the temple of our God,
when the inner man is corrupt. There is power in all the ordinances of God's
house to all those whose hearts are clean, who accept the ordinances of God in
faith and with purity of purpose. The Gospel of Christ is a savor of life unto
life to all those that receive it in honest hearts, while it is a savor of
death unto death to all those that reject and handle the truth in
unrighteousness. So with all the ordinances pertaining to the priesthood. They
bring condemnation to the hypocrite and evil doer, while they bring
sanctification to those who are clean in spirit. And the priesthood which we
have received with the keys and ordinances thereof can only be received and
handled in connection with the powers of heaven, and on principles of truth and
righteousness. The Lord has restored all the keys of this priesthood unto
Israel in the last days through his servant Joseph by the hands of the ancients
who held the priesthood before him; who bore the keys of the kingdom when they
were upon the earth in ancient times; the Apostles Peter, James and John, and
John the Baptist, from whom he received the priesthood pertaining to the gospel
of repentance and baptism for the remission of sins and the promise that this
priesthood should not again be taken from the earth until the sons of Levi
should be purified and all that was promised Israel should be fulfilled; and
however much individuals may fall away from Zion and forfeit their blessings,
however much men may apostatize from the truth, and iniquity abound, and the
love of many wax cold, yet the Lord will work in the midst of his people,
turning and overturning, rebuking and cleansing, until he has performed all he
has promised. And when the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, the power
of God will be made manifest in the redemption of the House of Israel. As it is
written, "And so all Israel shall be saved. There shall come out of Zion
the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Knowing this,
the Apostle Paul says to the Romans, who were Gentiles, "Be not
high-minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed
lest he also spare not thee. Behold, therefore, the goodness and severity of
God; on them which fell severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue
in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." This is the work
which God has commenced on the earth, to fulfil the promises made to Abraham
concerning his seed, and the promises made to Joseph concerning his seed, the
degenerate sons of America, among whom God is working in his own marvelous and
wonderful manner, preparing their hearts for the changes that await them in
accordance with his promises, when the cup of iniquity shall be filled up in
the midst of the Gentiles, and his judgment shall be poured out upon them to
break them in pieces as a potter's vessel is broken.
We are
witnesses of these things and know the things whereof we speak, and we rejoice
in the manifestation of the spirit bearing witness of these things among the
people of God, and though there are many who are negligent in duty, dark in
their understanding, covetous in their hearts, worldly minded and cling to this
world and are more or less beset therewith, yet the Lord is working in the
midst of his people; for poor, frail, feeble, faulty, sinful as we are, taken
as a whole, we are the best the Lord has been able to find, and therefore he is
not disposed to cast us off, but to reprove, admonish and instruct, that he may
make us what he has called us to be in deed and in truth, saints of the last
days.
May God
help us to keep our covenants, cleanse ourselves from sin, our hearts from all
hypocrisy, our persons, our habitations, our towns and our cities; and may our
municipal officers as well as our ecclesiastical officers have wisdom,
strength, power, nerve, and energy to stem the current of crime, to check the
progress of drunkenness, whoredom, profanity, and all manner of abomination,
and execute judgment and justice in the land with firmness, vigor, and
strength; and may God bless every officer of the law who magnifies his calling
with soberness, diligence, and honesty, and every Apostle, President, Bishop,
Elder, Priest, Teacher and Deacon who labors to put away evil from himself, his
household and the community, and every mother in Israel who teaches her
children righteousness and faith, and every organization for the improvement of
the rising generation. May grace and peace be multiplied upon them through our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
[Elder F. D. Richards]
Elder F. D. RICHARDS said, forty-two years ago next June he had become convinced of the truth of this gospel, having at the age of 17 received the word of truth from the aged veteran President Joseph Young. He related his experience in obeying and receiving by revelation a testimony of this gospel, which he had never doubted from that day to the present. I required a certain amount of heroism to be a Saint. He testified that the prayers of the Saints for the Apostles as revelators were not in vain. The Twelve were increasing in that love and union which made them strong and brought them near to the Lord. He predicted the speedy gathering of Israel and of Judah, also of the tribes from the north and the redemption of the Lamanites. In contrast with the forty millions of this nation who through their Executive opposed the ordinances and institutions of our religion he pointed to the more than a hundred times forty millions of the heavenly hosts who were looking for our obedience to the laws of God. He exhorted the poor to rejoice in the deliverance that had come to many of them, and all to serve the Lord and strengthen themselves in His name, and by virtue of his Apostleship prayed for the richest blessings of heaven to rest upon them.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 92-95]
Forty-two
years next June I had become convinced of the truth of the principles of the
Gospel that had been taught to me, at the age of seventeen years; having
received the word from the testimony of our aged veteran Joseph Young, sen.,
president of the Seventies, in my native State, Massachusetts. I found the
principles of the Gospel very harmonious to my feelings, although very much
opposed to the views of my friends and neighbors. It offered to me the ancient
blessings restored, if I would but receive them. I considered the matter
carefully and prayerfully, and ascertained that there was but one way of
finding out positively whether the Gospel was true or not, or whether what was
taught to me as the gospel was indeed such; and that the whole subject was made
to turn upon the saying of the Savior, "If any man will do His (the
Father's) will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I
speak of myself." And finding that there was only one way to come to a
demonstration of the matter fairly and honestly, I concluded that if those
gifts and blessings were restored to the human family, which were anciently
given God's people to enjoy, I wanted to obtain them even at the risk of expatriation
from my family, my friends and associates upon rendering a penitent obedience
to the ordinance of baptism for the remission of my sins. The Lord answered my
prayers, blessed me with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and gave me a
certain revelation therewith, which made me to know that he took cognizance of
me personally, and that this was none other than the great work of God. From
that time I have never seen the moment that I doubted or felt uncertain or
fearful concerning the progress of the work, or the ultimate triumph of its
outcome. I have not only received such testimony, but also many of the various
manifestations of the Spirit recorded in the Bible and promised in the
revelations which mankind have a right, through obedience and faithfulness in
this mortal life, to enjoy.
The gifts
of prophecy, of tongues and the interpretation of tongues, of healing and being
healed, and a great variety that we will not take time to enumerate, even to
the casting out of devils. These gifts and blessings, signs and mercies, have
been bestowed upon not only myself, but upon my brethren of the Council, the
faithful Elders, and the Saints generally. It is no strange thing among us that
any one enjoys these blessings, all of them having been promised unto those who
believe and obey the Gospel message. It is only to be wondered at that more of
us do not get nearer to God and realize more of them than we do; it is the only
or greatest regret that I have to-day that any unfaithfulness on my part in the
performance of my duties should hinder me from participating more fully in the
enjoyment of God's favors, and advancing more rapidly in the knowledge of
himself and of his ways.
A man in
this Church, who is an Elder in Israel, must have a degree of heroism if he is
determined to be a servant of God, he must know what it is to be able to stand
up in the spirit and power of his calling under all circumstances. God requires
him to live and serve him with all his heart, with all his mind, might and
strength; and to give himself wholly unto the work to which he has been called,
and to have no other business on hand except those things which are subservient
to the interests of his Church and Kingdom. I want to say to the brethren, that
we as Elders in Israel have come not only to prophecy but to revelation; I
testify to you that while you are sustaining the Twelve Apostles as such as the
presiding quorum, and as prophets, seers and revelators in the Church of
Christ, that your faith and prayers are not in vain, that God is answering
them, that he is fulfilling them in your brethren of that quorum, and you will
see from time to time more abundantly the fruits, blessings and powers
resulting therefrom in a greatly increased degree. Therefore, continue your
union, your faith, and prayers, and God will multiply his blessings still more
abundantly upon us all. There is more union among the brethren of the Council,
there is more love and fellowship existing among them, they are increasing in
those graces and qualities which made the bonds of brotherhood strong and
powerful to resist successfully the encroaching powers of darkness, and to
become strong in the name of our God to accomplish all the work required at our
hands. Those graces we see most abundantly shining forth in the ministration
and counsel of President John Taylor who is our leader.
I want to
say, for the benefit of strangers present, that this work in which we are
engaged, is the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, in which God has promised
to gather together in one all things in Christ, be they things of heaven or
things of earth, or, he might have said all persons and things, for that is the
fact. All Christendom has become permeated with the belief that the second
advent of the Savior is approaching and not very far off, so, also, the spirit
of gathering has commenced, and if you will have your eyes open and watch the
signs of the times, you will see that the spirit of the gathering is becoming
more and more widespread, and is reaching Israel in all their abidings; they are
becoming interested in and waked up to the importance of their gathering
together. It is not only an item of news that the Israelites have got hold of
the land of Canaan, but it is a commencement of the work that will gather the
house of Judah and restore their land to fruitfulness a land which will become
glorious; and the House of the Lord which is to be built there is to be far
more glorious than the former one.
Not only
that, but the heavenly tocsin is sounding to the Ten Tribes, and they are preparing
themselves to come forth and make manifest the power of God and be established
with his people upon the land of Zion promised. And if any of you doubt it,
enquire among the Indians of our land and you will find that they are having
dreams and visions from above, and are beginning to enquire after the word of
God, and to wonder whether they are cast off and forsaken, and to be crowded
quite into the sea, or whether the promises made to their race by their ancient
prophets and patriarchs shall be fulfilled as recorded in the Book of Mormon.
The Lord
has commenced his work and it has taken a firm footing in the earth, and he has
assured us that he will carry it on; and although we are frowned upon by forty
millions of people who tell us that we cannot live and exercise ourselves in
all the ordinances and institutions of Christ's Church in this land; let me
tell you there are a hundred times forty millions in yonder heavens who are
watching over and urging us to perform the heavenly requirements made to us from
on high. Which do you think we shall give heed to? One of ancient times, when
he thought that appearances were rather threatening, began to manifest
considerable concern. And the prophet Elisha, seeing the timidity of the young
man, prayed unto the Lord to open his eyes. Whereupon, we are told, that he saw
the mountain on which he stood was filled with horses and chariots of fire
encircling the prophet round about, demonstrating to his entire satisfaction
the words of his master which were uttered just previously, namely, that
"they that be with us are more than they that be with them," the
forty millions to the contrary notwithstanding. Hence then, whom shall we obey?
My brethren and sisters, let us obey and serve the Most High God, hearken to
his counsels and keep the commandments which he has given unto us, even every
word that proceeds from his mouth, including the "word of wisdom"
which he in his goodness has made known to us, for anything that is worthy for
him to give unto us is worthy for us to keep in the most sacred manner.
Now let
me say to the poor for this conference has been fraught with blessing unto them
you who shall be forgiven your back indebtedness upon tithing, commence anew to
tithe yourselves; be men of God, take hold of that duty and henceforth live
determined to honor it with other requirements in the Church. The Savior
anciently said, in speaking to the Jews, "If ye were the children of
Abraham, you would do the works of Abraham." One of the most prominent
features of father Abraham's life was to leave his native land, and go to a
land which he knew not of, but which the Lord should show him. And having done
this, there was a time when he was met by the minister of God, Melchisedek,
when he was on his return from a triumphant victory over certain kings, on
which occasion Melchisedek congratulated him on his success, when he, as if to
reciprocate this minister's kindness, "gave him tithes of all," which
law of tithing, if you please, he handed down to his generations after him. Let
us regard it in like manner, for it is a standing law unto us upon this land.
And if we do not live it and carry it out, with all other requirements, this,
we are told, shall not be a land of Zion unto us.
And unto
the brethren who shall be released from their P. E. Fund indebtedness, I would
say, lift up your hearts and be glad, take fresh courage when you are released
from that obligation, and endeavor to make yourselves more useful. Strengthen
yourselves in the the name of the Lord; let the weak say, I am strong; and let
all the people know that the Lord Most High is our God, and let us give
ourselves wholly to his service.
Let the poor
rejoice in the kindness and liberality of God and their brethren to them. Let
the rich be glad that God has given unto them the means whereby they can bestow
blessings upon the poor.
God
requires in his mercy that they who have an abundance shall impart with a
kindly regard for the destitute, or his blessing will not rest upon them and
their substance.
My
brethren and sisters, by the authority of the apostleship God has bestowed upon
me, I feel to bless you in all your interests, your wives and children and all
that pertain to you, your fields, your orchards and gardens, your flocks and
herds; hoping and praying that we may become more abundantly devoted to him,
and that he may accept of us and lead us forth from faith to faith, and from
grace to grace until the little stone rolls down from the mountains and fills
the whole earth.
May God
preserve us in the faith as he has hitherto done, and help us to do his
biddings so long as we dwell in the flesh, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Elder Brigham Young]
Elder BRIGHAM YOUNG testified that God had been with us during this conference. He trusted that the blessings extended to the poor would be received with thankfulness and the spirit of humility. He pointed to the efforts that had been vainly made to destroy us and the record of our increase, progress and union as plain evidence that God had guided, preserved and blessed us; and closed with a strong testimony of the truth of the work.
[Elder Joseph F. Smith]
Elder JOSEPH F. SMITH bore testimony to the discourses delivered. Referred to the impending judgments spoken of, he said they had been predicted by angels and prophets, not only in ancient times but in this present age, and tis gospel was a direct declaration from heaven in this day of the world. The angel Moroni had spoken of these judgments in his visit to Joseph Smith and told him that though they were written in the scriptures they had not been fulfilled but would shortly come to pass. The power of the wicked would be broken. Babylon would fall. The speaker had received a testimony from God for himself that these things would take place. And unless the Saints preserved themselves from the sins of Babylon, when these judgments commenced at the house of the Lord they would be the first to fall. This was the word of the Lord and not of man, and he prayed that we might be able to overcome and stand when the Lord should come.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 95-96]
I can
bear testimony to the discourses we have had this morning. And I can also bear
testimony to the great latter-day work in which we are engaged, for I know it
to be the work of God.
In regard
to the remarks of Brother Pratt, respecting the judgments of God that are about
to be poured out upon the nations, if the people will take the trouble to read
the predictions of the prophets concerning them, especially those referred to
by the angel Moroni, when conversing with the Prophet Joseph Smith, at the
opening up of this dispensation, I think they will be thoroughly satisfied and
convinced, if they have any faith at all, that these coming judgments are not
matters of mere speculation or supposition, nor of tradition handed down from
remote ages, but that they are matters of fact, or will be ere long, when God
shall consummate his designs against the wicked and ungodly of the world. For
not only have prophets and inspired men declared these things, but they have
been declared by the voice of the Lord, and by holy messengers sent from the
presence of God, as well in modern as in ancient times.
The Angel
Moroni, who visited Joseph Smith on the 21st of September, 1823, quoted the
Scriptures concerning these judgments, and declared that the predictions of the
prophets had not yet been fulfilled, but that they would be in this dispensation,
and that the beginning was now at hand, even at the door. Among these
quotations I would like to call your attention to Malachi, second chapter:
"Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before
me," etc. "But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall
stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers'
soap, and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver," &c.
"And I will come near to you to judgment, and I will be a swift witness
against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false sweaters,
and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the
fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from the right, and fear not me,
saith the Lord of Hosts.'
And again,
Malachi, 4th chapter all of which was quoted by Moroni "For behold, the
day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be as stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up,
saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor
branch." Again, Moroni quoted the 11th chapter of Isaiah, in which are
these words on this subject: "But with righteousness shall he judge the
poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the
earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay
the wicked." Again, Acts, 3d chapter, 22d and 23d verses quoted by Moroni
just as they read in the New Testament" A prophet shall the Lord your God
raise up unto you. * * Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say
unto you, and it shall come to pass that every soul which will not hear that
prophet shall be destroyed from among the people." Now this is strong
language, and to the point. Moroni declared that this prophet was Christ at his
second coming; that this scripture was not fulfilled, but was about to be
fulfilled in the literal coming of the Son of Man to reign upon the earth and
to execute judgment upon the world. Moroni also quoted Joel, 2d chapter, 28th
to the 32d verses, declaring that this scripture was also shortly to be
fulfilled: "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke, &c. And it shall come to pass that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered, for in Mount
Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the
remnant whom the Lord shall call."
Now, it
seems to me that none of the interest or importance of this vital subject are
lost in the fact that we are not left to the traditions of the fathers nor to
the written word solely, nor to any uncertain means for the verification of
these predictions, but rather our interest should be awakened from the fact
that an angel from heaven, an actual messenger from the presence of God, has
reiterated these very predictions to man on the earth in this generation.
Some of
these passages of scripture quoted by the angel were presumed to have been
fulfilled in the days of the ancient apostles. Thus the world was in ignorance
respecting them. All uncertainty upon this subject is now, however, dispelled,
and the truth is made plain to all. For Moroni declared to Joseph Smith that
these scriptures had not been fulfilled, but that the set time had come when
they would be fulfilled, every whit, and the coming of Christ, the execution of
the judgements, and the ushering in of the final reign of peace therein
referred to, should be consummated in this dispensation. The power of the
wicked nations of the earth will be broken. Thrones shall totter, and kingdoms
fall, while Zion shall arise and shine, and put on her beautiful garments, and
be clothed with power, wisdom, majesty and dominion upon the earth. Babylon
must fall to rise no more. As a servant of the Lord I have received a testimony
in relation to these things, and in connection with my brethren I am thankful
to have the privilege of bearing that testimony, which I do in all solemnity
before God and man, and am willing and ready to meet the consequences, if I continue
faithful, at the bar of final judgment. And I further testify, that unless the
Latter-day Saints will live their religion, keep their covenants with God and
their brethren, honor the priesthood which they bear, and try faithfully to
bring themselves into subjection to the laws of God, they will be the first to
fall beneath the judgments of the Almighty, for his judgments will begin at his
own house. Therefore, those who have made a covenant with the Lord by baptism,
and have broken that covenant, who profess to be saints and are not, but are
sinners, and covenant-breakers, and partakers of the sins of Babylon, most
assuredly will "receive of her plagues," for it is written that the
righteous will barely escape. This is my testimony in relation to these matters.
We rely upon the word of the Lord in these things, and not upon the word of
man, for not only has angels, but God Almighty has spoken from the heavens in
this our own age of the world, and we know his word is true.
That we
as a people may be prepared not only for the judgments, but for the glory and
coming of our Lord, that we may escape the calamities to be poured out upon the
wicked, and receive the welcome plaudit of the faithful servant, and be counted
worthy to stand in the presence of the Lord in his glorious kingdom, is my
prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
[Elder Albert Carrington]
Elder ALBERT CARRINGTON quoted from the Book of Mormon the word of the Lord, that if those who dwelt on this land should serve God they should prosper, but if not they should perish. Preferred to the fate of former nations on this continent and showed that it would be repeated on the wicked of the present. Added his testimony that this work was not of man but of God, and that it would withstand every kind, number and nature of all opposition. He mourned over the calamities to come on the world, and trusted that the Saints would serve God and be saved.
[Albert Carrington]
[Apr 1880 CR p 97]
IN
several places in the Book of Mormon you have read, or can read, that our
Father in the heavens, in revealing his will concerning the inhabitants of
North and South America, made known that inasmuch as they would keep His
commandments they should prosper; but inasmuch as they did not keep his
commandments, they should be cut off from his presence. Do we flatter ourselves
that we are naturally better than our brethren and sisters, of the numerous
family of Adam, who lived in the days of the Jaredites, or in the days of the
Nephites? They were wealthy and powerful nations, and when they worked
righteousness, observing the will of our kind, wise Father in the heavens, they
prospered exceedingly; but as they transgressed the requirements designated for
their welfare, they dwindled to destruction.
We, as Latter-day Saints, are under the
same requirements as have been all previous occupants of this continent, to
whom the everlasting Gospel has been preached, to seek unto, love and serve the
Lord our God, if we would be kindly regarded by Him. Do we flatter ourselves
that we will be so regarded in any other course? If so, we are unwisely
deceiving ourselves.
I rejoice
in the great blessings we have enjoyed during this Conference. I rejoice in the
strength, power and truthfulness of the testimonies we have been blessed with.
I rejoice in observing the increase of that spirit of union that we must attain
to, to be indeed Saints of the Most High God. And I feel to add my testimony to
the testimonies of my brethren, that this great latter-day work is verily the
work of the true and living God, and He will carry it on to victory over all
the opposition of the powers of earth and evil. This every faithful Latter-day
Saint knows, whatever the world may think or imagine to the contrary; however
much they may oppose in their blindness, through waywardness, stupidity and
ignorance in the midst of their fancied intelligence and power. The Lord our
God is infinitely more powerful than the numbers and powers of earth and
darkness combined, and we have only to be careful to be His Saints, and all will
be well with us. We know this, and I would that our brethren and sisters of the
world would wisely realize these
When I
look forward to the near future, that has been so much spoken of in this our
day, and so plainly prophesied of from the beginning, and contemplate the
terrible calamities that are to befall those who reject the Gospel and oppose
the work of God, do I feel in the least to exult over their downfall? I feel
that it will be a day of sorrow and mourning; that it will be painful even to hear
the report of the going forth of the wise and just judgments of our Father upon
the heads of the wicked those of our fellow-beings who have preferred to do
evil.
I take
great pleasure in being able to add my testimony to the testimonies of my
brethren to the fact, which all the world cannot truthfully gainsay, that
Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet of the true and living God; that he
died, as he had lived, honoring and glorifying our Father in Heaven; that he
laid the foundation of this great work, in which we are
That we
may be and continue faithful, and be saved with a complete salvation in the
Celestial Kingdom of our God, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
[Elder Moses Thatcher]
Elder MOSES THATCHER asked if it would not be well, after the close of this conference, to ask ourselves whether we would be prepared to receive that measure which we had meted out to others; whether we had been humble, prayerful, faithful and true; and wherein we had failed to live up to our privileges, to reform, make restitution for wrong as far as possible, and in future serve the Lord with all our hearts? He testified to his knowledge that Joseph smith was a prophet of God, that he received the Aaronic and Melchisedek priesthoods, and sealed is testimony with his blood, with which the blood of President John Taylor was mingled at his martyrdom. He testified that the spirit of revelation rested upon President taylor; that sorrow and lamentation would come upon the wicked; that the sun of Righteousness was rising for the remnants of Israel, and that God would fulfil every promise made to His people.
[Moses Thatcher]
[Apr 1880 CR p 98]
Would it
not be well, my brethren and sisters, to reflect, after the close of this
Conference, in reference to our individual acts during our past experience in
the Church? Would it not be well to ask ourselves the question whether we shall
be prepared in the future to receive that measure which we have meted out to
others; whether we shall be satisfied with that judgment with which we have
judged others; whether we have followed the whisperings of the Spirit of God;
whether we have been humble, prayerful, faithful and true? It would be well for
us, I think, to reflect upon these points, and wherein we are satisfied we have
not lived up to our privileges, let us as far as possible make amends and start
again, rejoicing before the Almighty.
I am
pleased to be able to add my humble testimony to those to which you have
listened this morning. I know that this is the Church of Christ. I know that we
have Prophets, Seers and Revelators. I know that every blessing which the Lord
Jesus Christ has promised is within the reach of this people, if they will live
so that they can claim them. I can bear my testimony that Joseph Smith was a
prophet of God; that he with his natural eyes saw the face of angels; that he
heard the voice of God; that he heard the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ; and
that he received the Aaronic and Melchisedec priesthood. I can bear my
testimony that he sealed his testimony with his blood, and that therefore it is
in force upon the whole world. His brother Hyrum died by his side, and the
blood of our venerated and respected President, who presides to-day over the quorum
of the Twelve Apostles, was mingled with their blood, and stands also as a
testimony before this nation and before this people. I know that he is led
to-day by the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I can bear my testimony
that when you raise your hands to sustain him as a Prophet, Seer and Revelator,
that God hears and answers your prayers. There is this spirit of revelation in
the midst of the people. I know it in every fibre of my nature, I know it in
every sense of my being, and I thank God that He has given me this testimony. I
know also in reference to the judgments that are to be poured out upon the
earth. Enough has been revealed to make me feel sorrowful and frequently like
shedding bitter tears. I have no feeling of enmity against our government. I
have no feeling of bitterness against a living human being, wicked though many
may be, because their sorrows will be more than they can bear, and the
judgments of the Almighty, when they come to be poured out, will touch the
hearts of the Latter-day Saints and cause them to retire to their closets and
secret places and weep because of the desolation and ruin that will be brought
upon this and other nations. I can also bear my testimony that the preaching of
righteousness is accomplishing a great work among the remnants of Israel, and
that the poor Indians, who have been despised and hated through the ignorance,
bigotry, and folly of the wicked, will yet arise and stand forth in their
manhood; the Lord Jesus Christ will bring them out of their bondage and fulfil
all the words of the prophets concerning them, that are recorded in the Book of
Mormon.
May God
bless the Latter-day Saints. May we march on to perfection, to liberty, and to
the power of God unto salvation, is my earnest prayer, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
[Counselor D. H. Wells]
Counselor D. H. WELLS had often thought that the same question might be asked now as was asked of old, "What came ye out for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?" Or had the people come out to learn the ways of God and walk therein? Who was there that could not see the hand of the Lord in this work; that it was closing in on the earth, and that after the testimony of His servants He was about to plead with the nations by His judgments? We must understand that unless our righteousness was greater than that of the world, we could not escape the plagues that would come upon the ungodly. The speaker alluded to the poverty and oppression out of which many of the Saints had been gathered, and the opportunity afforded them here to become measurably independent; for these things they should be thankful. He closed by testifying to the evidences he had received form the Lord during the thirty-four years of his experience in the Church.
[President John Taylor]
President JOHN TAYLOR said he had felt a desire to hear from his brethren of the Twelve, all of whom were here but one [Elder George Q. Canon], who was at his post laboring for the welfare of Zion. He alluded to the subject of co-operation. Our institutions of this kind should be sustained honestly, truthfully, without hypocrisy. co-operation should extend to home manufactures. We had about 200 hands employed by Z. C. M. I. -- in the co-operative shoe factory in this city, etc., and 60 or 70 making clothes, and he wished to see all the shoes and clothing and hats needed here, made at home instead of being imported. He blessed those in the South who were trying to live in the United Order; desired all belonging to Boards of Trade to work together in union; exhorted all holding prominent places in the priesthood to avoid favoritism and tyranny, and act in righteousness, or they would be moved out of their place; required the Saints to adjust their differences before the courts of the Church, and promised that those who went into the courts of the ungodly would be destroyed by the ungodly, and should not enter into the Temple of the Lord; spoke in praise and support of the Sunday Schools, and of those who taught in them, also of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Improvement Associations, and the Relief Societies; referred to the building of Temples and considered the Salt Lake Temple had progressed favorably; it would be continued; said about $100,000 had been expended on the Assembly Hall, and that great credit was due to the people building the Temples at Logan and Manti; alluded to the missionary work and the opposition of the world, showed that those who composed the Government of this nation were the children of God as well as we, that we should tell them of their evils, but would not fight them, and when they trampled the Constitution under foot we would take it up and bear it aloft; wished those who owed the P. E. Fund and were able, to pay up their indebtedness, and those who could do so to donate for the gathering of the poor; and exhorted all to remember that God was the author of life, the owner of all things, in whose hands were the destinies of men and nations. He blessed the various quorums of the priesthood and all the people, bore testimony of the truth, and predicted the growth, increase and triumph of the Kingdom of God until He should reign and rule and triumph.
[John Taylor]
[Apr 1880 CR pp 99-103]
Shall we
keep on a little longer, or shall we quit? I think we have a little time. We
adjourned the first day of our meeting because it was rather cold, and now it
is not quite so cold, and we will stay a little longer. I have felt a desire to
hear the testimony of my brethren of the Twelve, and that of our Counselor who
is here. All of the Twelve are present except one; he is at his post, attending
to the interests of Zion. And we will pray for him, that God may be with him
and sustain and preserve him, and through him preserve this people.
There are
a few things I want to speak upon, and I realize that while I and my brethren
are speaking, we are not only speaking to this congregation, but to others to
the Saints throughout this and adjoining Territories; to the inhabitants of the
United States and to the world; because our testimony will go forth to them.
There are
many things which I wish to draw the attention of the brethren to, that they
may not lose sight of them. One is Co-operation. We have a number of
Co-operative institutions; we have one here, which may properly be denominated
the parent institution; we have also many others, and we wish to sustain them,
and to do it not nominally, but really in our hearts, and with honesty of
purpose; and do everything we do on that principle, without hypocrisy of any
kind, in truthfulness before God, and operating together for the welfare of
Israel. But Co-operation is not a system only for importing goods and selling
them; we want to co-operate in home manufactures. We have done considerable of
that, and we desire to do more of it. The Co-operative Store here has, I presume,
as much as two hundred men at work in all about 140 to 150 making shoes, and
about 50 or 60 making certain kinds of clothing; and we want to see these
things increased, until we can make all our own clothing right here at home;
and instead of having to employ tailors abroad to make it for us, we want, as
quickly as practicable and I think it is practicable now,to make it ourselves.
I mean the clothing which is imported here; and then, instead of employing
comparatively only a few men, use all of our own labor; let our factories be
run on double time and use our own wool at home, instead of exporting it, and
thus increase the means of employment and be self sustaining. And then if we
could get some of the best machinery for the manufacture of hats, that would be
another commendable enterprise, because we use a large number. I see there are
a great many heads here, and there are a great many more in the Territory, all
needing hats and if we should supply them ourselves it would be much better
than to take the other course.
Then there are some that are trying to engage in the United Order, up and down
in different parts, especially far off in the South. They have our blessing and
our prayers. I say God bless them in all their attempts to approach that order
which is instituted of God. We have not got at it yet, by and by we will come
to it; but in the meantime we will approach it as near as we can. God is
pleased with the action of this people in their liberality towards the poor.
Now be liberal one towards another, and help and relieve one another, and God
will relieve and bless you.
Speaking
again of Co-operation we have what are called Boards of Trade, and it is
expected that they will operate and co-operate with our central institution. A
meeting of that kind will be held this afternoon, therefore I do not wish at
this time to say much upon that subject.
There is
a subject I wish to speak a little upon to High Councils, to Bishops, to
Bishops' Counselors and to the Presidents of Stakes particularly; but as we
shall hold a priesthood meeting, what I am about to refer to can be more fully
talked of then; but I will allude to it briefly here. Reference was made by one
of the speakers to a revelation contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, in
which we are given to understand that the priesthood is given unto us, not for
our own aggrandizement, nor to advance our own interests, but to build up the
Church and Kingdom of God upon the earth, acting upon the principles of
justice, equity and righteousness, as you are yourselves willing to be judged
and will be judged, before the Great I AM, when the time comes that we shall
have to give an account of our stewardship. We want no favoritism shown to any
man, or to any woman, or to any set of men, but in the administration of
justice to do it as in the sight of God, with integrity of heart and
uprightness; anything different from this cannot receive the approbation of
God. And furthermore, this priesthood is not conferred upon men to exercise any
degree of unrighteousness or tyranny, or to in any way oppress or injure
anybody; but if any man use his priesthood to subserve any such purpose, God
will take hold of him, as the Priesthood above him will take hold of him, and
he will be removed out of his place except he repent.
Another
thing. The Lord has given unto us our various Courts, Bishops' Courts, High
Councils, etc., and it is expected that the Saints will adjust any matters of
difficulty or dispute that may arise among them, before those courts, and that
they do not go to law before the ungodly; and if any do so, I will promise
them, in the name of the Lord God of Israel, that they will be destroyed by the
ungodly. Hear it, you Elders of Israel, and you Saints of Latter days! Let us
seek in the first place among ourselves to execute judgment in righteousness,
and then let every man and every woman submit to them. That is God's law, and
any man that acts contrary to this law cannot go into the temples of the Lord
to receive the ordinances of God's house. For if we cannot submit to the law of
God on the one hand, we cannot receive the blessings through his ordinances, on
the other hand. Is that right? [The congregation answered, Yes.]
Again. I
have been very much interested in our Sabbath School operations, and should have
been pleased to have been present at the general meeting of the Sunday School
Union, last evening, but having so much labor on hand, I thought it better to
rest. But I am interested in the cause of our Sunday Schools, and so are my
brethren of the Twelve. God has given unto us the most precious of gifts
children, and has placed us over them as the fathers and mothers of lives. They
are eternal beings, and it should be our constant care to train them up in the
fear of God. And we want the Bishops and the Presidents to sustain them, which
I believe they do, and all good brethren and all good sisters should take an
interest in the welfare of the rising generation, and do all they can to train
the children in the fear of God. And God will bless you in your labors and
desires, and the youth of Zion will rise up and call you blessed. And let no
man or woman shirk the responsibility of teaching the children when it is put
upon him or her.
And then,
our Young Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations are very good
institutions, and the Lord is blessing them, and he will continue to bless
them; and we desire to see them encouraged in their operations throughout the
land, that the principles of righteousness, truth and purity may be promulgated
and sustained; and that vice, evil, corruption, and infamy may be frowned upon,
and the right honored and maintained; and that our youth may grow up as plants
of renown and become mighty men and women in Israel, filled with the gift of
the Holy Ghost and the power of God.
Again, in
regard to the Relief Societies. They are doing a great deal of good, and I say,
God bless the sisters, and let all the congregation say Amen. [The vast
congregation said, Amen.] Sisters, continue your labors of love, and continue
to propagate good, virtuous and holy principles; teach your daughters, and also
your sons, principles of holiness and purity; and seek out the poor and
distressed and minister to them, and God will bless you in your labors. We
thank you, and I thank you in behalf of the Twelve, and in behalf of the
people, for the liberal vote you gave us yesterday in regard to supplying the
poor and the necessitous with the grain that you have stored something which
we, who profess to be so much more intelligent, have not been able to do. God
bless you; continue your good works and adhere to the principles of right and
truth, and God will bless you, and he will bless your sons and daughters, and
your names will be honored in Israel, and you will be honored by God and the
holy angels.
Again, in
regard to the building of temples, we are engaged in doing a good work. Our
Salt Lake Temple is progressing very nicely, and we expect it will go forward
as usual, only a little more so, next season. I would say in regard to this
temple there were some remarks made about no reports having been made. This is
true; the people here have been careless and indifferent, at the same time a
large amount of means has been used on it, and why the report has been omitted,
I do not know. And the building known as the Salt Lake Assembly Hall has been
erected within a short time, at a cost, I suppose, of not less than $100,000;
besides attending to other things. I have no complaint to make, only we will
try and do a little better; and when you are called upon to furnish quarry
hands, be a little more prompt about it, and do not be backward; and when you
are called upon to furnish men to assist us here, do not be backward about it.
And we will try and improve, one and all, upon our past labors in relation to
these things. In Logan and Manti we have two temples under construction, and
when finished they will be a credit to the people. We are trying at least to
carry out the word and will of God in this direction, and he is helping us to
do it. We will build our temples and administer in them, and stand forth as the
priests of the Most High God, administering salvation to the living and for the
dead. And then, we will continue to send forth, as we are doing, our
missionaries to the nations of the earth. Although they do not, very
frequently, receive us very kindly, but no matter; they did not receive Jesus,
nor the prophets in ancient times, very kindly. The laws of God, nor the
servants of God, never were received very kindly upon the earth, except for
about two hundred years upon this continent; but the time is coming when the
Saints of the Most High God will take the kingdom and possess it, and reign for
ever and ever; and he whose right it is will come and take the possession.
I will
speak a little in regard to our government. We complain a good deal about the
way we have been treated. Well, we have been treated very scurvily, it is true
everybody will admit that but we must consider the circumstances: they are not
of our faith, they do not believe as we do, they have their ideas, and
theories, and notions, and so have other nations as well as this. Well, what
shall we do? We will do the very best we can. Do you think you could improve
your condition in any other nation or under any other government, or receive
any better treatment than you do in this? I tell you no, you could not. We
here, at least, have the form and I was going to say, the guarantee of liberty;
that is, the promise of the guarantee. We have the form, but it is like a
religion without the power. What shall we do? Consign everybody to damnation
and destruction? No. Who are they? They are God's children. Would he like to
see them reform? He would; and he has told us to try to do it. If we had
children that had gone astray, would we not like to see them reform? Yes, we
would, and if our children do anything wrong we tell them of it, and we try to
reform them. We will therefore continue to go to this nation as we have done,
as saviors, with the message of life and salvation, and we will pray for the honest,
the upright and virtuous, and those who love righteousness, and those who are
willing to accord to men equal rights, and a great many who are not; and we
will do them all the good we can. We will sustain the government in its
administration, and be true to it, and maintain this position right along. And
when division, strife, trouble and contention arise, we will try to still the
troubled waters, and act in all honesty as true friends to the government; and
when war shall exist among them, and there is no one found to sustain the
remnants of liberty that may be left, the Elders of Israel will rally round the
standard of freedom and proclaim liberty to all the world. These things will
assuredly take place, and when they do our motto will be as it now is,
"Peace on earth and good will to men." These are our sentiments and
feelings in relation to these matters. But while we feel liberal, generous and
kind to all men of all nations, classes and creeds, we have no fellowship with
unrighteousness; we do not believe in the actions of many men, nor in their
corruptions and evils; we want to purge ourselves from them and stand forth
aloof as servants of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, and
try in all fidelity, in the interests of our common humanity, to bear off the
government of God triumphantly.
I would
also say a little about the P. E. Fund. While we have relieved a great many, to
the amount of $800,000, of their indebtedness, which is right before God and
all honorable men; there are a great many poor Saints among the nations yet.
And we want those who are not forgiven for we shall not forgive those that are
able to pay and do not do it to come forward and meet their obligations. And
then, if there are those that are desirous of assisting any in this direction,
who have it in their hearts to do so, and to impart a blessing to their friends
in foreign lands, let them come forward and present their means to Brother
Carrington, who is President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, and he
will see that the means are properly applied. We do not want to close up this
avenue of relief to the scattered poor, but we will continue our efforts to
gather Israel. And further; we will continue to build temples, and to
administer in them, and we will also continue to preach the Gospel, until the
word of the Lord be fulfilled pertaining to this and other nations, and then he
will say, Turn to the Jews, go to the House of Israel, the cup of the Gentiles
is full. This time has not come yet.
Now, in
regard to these matters, God is our God in whom we put our trust; we have
nothing ourselves to boast of. Have we wealth? Who gave it to us? The Lord.
Have we property? Who put us in possession of it? The Lord. Our horses, cattle
and sheep, our flocks, herds and possessions, are his gifts. The gold and the
silver and the precious things of earth, and also the cattle upon a thousand
hills, are his, and we are his, and in his hands, and all nations are in his
hands, and he will do with us and with them as seemeth him good. And as a kind,
wise Father, he will watch over their interests; and when the time of judgment
comes, it will not be withheld. We ought always to remember that our strength
is in God; we have nothing to boast of ourselves, we have no intelligence that
God has not given unto us; we have nothing in life, or property, but what has
been given unto us of the Lord. Everything we possess pertaining to time and
eternity has been imparted to us by him. Let us then act as Saints of God in
all humility, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation. I say God bless you, and God bless my brethren of the Twelve, and
God bless my brethren of the Seventies, and God bless my brethren of the High
Priesthood, and God bless the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, and
God bless the Bishops and their Counselors, and the Elders, Priests, Teachers
and Deacons, our missionaries laboring in foreign lands, and all the Holy
Priesthood, and God bless all the Saints. And let us all seek to do our duty
and honor and magnify our calling. Fear God and keep His commandments, and the
peace and blessing of God will abide with us from this time henceforth and
forever. And I now testify, as my brethren have done, that this is the work of
God that has been revealed by the Almighty, and I know it. And God will sustain
Israel, and no power can injure us if we will do what is right; and this
kingdom will roll on, and the purposes of God will progress, and Zion will
arise and shine, and the glory of God will rest upon her. And we will continue
to grow and increase until the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms
of our God and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Elder L. JOHN NUTTALL read the following names of missionaries,who were sustained by unanimous vote:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Robert
Irvine, 4t Ward, Salt Lake City.
Mark Beazer, Kaysville.
John Cooper, Fillmore.
William Webb, American Fork.
Edward Stevens, Payson.
John Kynaston, East Bountiful.
William Clark, Lehi.
Nicholas H. Groesbeck, Springville.
Called yesterday to the United States.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Orrin
D. Allen, Huntsville.
UNITES STATES.
*Peter
Lauritzen, Moroni.
*Erik Bastel Ericksen, Mt. Pleasant.
*Samuel G. Bunnell, Spring City.
*James Sanderson, Fairview.
Frank Warner of Willard City, place to be designated hereafter.
*Already in their fields of labor.
Choir and congregation standing sang:
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow"
Benediction by Elder WILFORD WOODRUFF.
GEORGE GODDARD, Clerk.
_____
[8 Apr, 7 pm]
[DNW 29:165, 4/14/80, p 5, 1880 CR p 104]
PRIESTHOOD
MEETING.
_____
A meeting of the priesthood was held according to appointment in the Assembly Hall Thursday evening at 7 o'clock. It was opened by singing, and prayer by President Angus M. Cannon. After which the meeting was by Elder George Teasdale, who was followed by Elder Erastus Snow, in an exhaustive discourse on the authority of the priesthood in its several classes and callings. President Taylor made some closing remarks, full of instruction and inspiration.
Charles Snyder, of the First Ward, was called on a mission to Switzerland and Germany, Jens Hanson, of Mill Creek, to Scandinavia, James Myler, of Clarkston, to the United States.
The doxology was sung, and meeting dismissed with prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff.
_____
6-10 Oct 1880, 50th Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle.
[Deseret News Weekly 29:584, 10/13/80, p 8; 29:588, 10/13/80, p 12; Millennial Star, 42:689, 705, 721]
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 29:584, 10/13/80, p 8]
FIFTIETH
SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE
_____
The Fiftieth semi annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Large Tabernacle at 10 a.m. the 6th day of October, 1880.
Present on the stand were President John Taylor, and Elders Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, C. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, Albert Carrington and Moses Thatcher of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Elders Erastus Snow and Brigham Young were absent having not yet returned from a mission through Arizona, New Mexico, etc.
Counselor to the Twelve -- D. H. Wells.
Patriarch -- John Smith.
Of the Seven Presidents of Seventies -- Joseph Young, Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott and W. W. Taylor.
Of the Presiding Bishops -- Edward Hunter, and Leonard W. Hardy.
The Presidency of Salt Lake and other Stakes, besides leading Elders from all parts of the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang:
Mortals awake, with angels
join,
And chant the solemn lay.
Prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells.
The choir sang:
Sweet is the work, my God my
King,
To praise thy name, give thanks and sing.
[Elder Charles C. Rich]
Elder CHARLES C. RICH expressed thankfulness for the opportunity afforded us of meeting together at this conference. It afforded an opportunity of reflecting on the great and glorious principles of eternal life. We should not permit ourselves to become careless and indifferent to the things of the kingdom of God, by being absorbed with the vain and trifling things of this world. We should lay ourselves out for the performance of those duties and responsibilities that rest upon us as Elders in Israel, and to accomplish these things we must enjoy the spirit of God, which alone can qualify us to perform them. We should attend to present duties, such as the building of Temples, and seek to become united in our temporal as well as our spiritual labors. We are far from being perfect, but our efforts should not be slackened on that account; God requires much labor at our hands, and by the aid and assistance of his Holy spirit, we should ever be willing to continue to live before him in a way and manner that will be acceptable unto him. For there is no blessing that we can possibly enjoy, either temporal or spiritual, but what comes from His bountiful hand. That we may show our gratitude to him by our increased devotion to his cause, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
[Elder Lorenzo Snow]
ELDER LORENZO SNOW spoke of the relationship we sustain to our God, and the obligations that rest upon us in obtaining the light of the everlasting gospel to guide us through the journey of life. There is no necessity for us to become darkened in our minds, for we have the holy priesthood, and should ever be guided by the Spirit of God, which would fit and qualify us for serving him in an acceptable manner, and show us just what to do and how to act through all the relationships of life, in all things pertaining to temporal as well as spiritual duties. He referred to the experience of Moses and the children of Israel, showing the power and authority of the holy priesthood, in guiding and directing the people in every duty that pertained to their happiness in this life, and preparing them for the glory and enjoyments of the world to come. For this very purpose the Holy Priesthood has been bestowed in this our day, to guide and perfect the saints of God here and just in proportion as we attain to intelligence in this world and to integrity and faithfulness in that, so will be the exalted condition in which we shall appear behind the vail. The Holy Priesthood given in our day, is precisely the same with which holy men of God in all ages have been endowed, to guide the people in all matters pertaining to their safety, whether individually or nationally, and just in proportion as the people are willing to act in accordance with the counsels and instructions of those inspired to instruct them, they will become perfected in those laws that we have received, and be prepared to hereafter enjoy the fulness of the glory of God. Elder Snow dwelt upon the necessity of practical holiness, being imbued with the love of God to-day, and walking in the light of the Lord in this world, not leaving these things for the world to come.
[President John Taylor]
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR said we had met here in Conference, to talk over and reflect upon those principles and doctrines that are interesting not only to us as a people, but to the people of the whole world. These meetings, in which are congregated together the leading men from all parts of the Territory, are convened for no private or covetous motives, but to correct whatever in doctrine or in practice is not in strict conformity with the mind and will of God, and that we may endeavor to instruct and strengthen each other in every principle and practice of virtues and integrity that will be approved before high heaven. They are pure and exalted principles that God has intrusted to us, even those that pertain to eternal life. We are responsible to God for the dissemination of those principles throughout the nations of the earth. How necessary it is then that we should be under the direction of the Almighty in all of our ways and that we practise in our lives the truths which we are commanded to impart to others.
At this point, President Taylor feeling somewhat indisposed, took his seat.
[Elder Geo. Q. Cannon]
ELDER GEO. Q. CANNON said we profess to have revelations from God and should be guided always by his holy spirit to enable us to perform those duties that are placed upon us, so that our labors may be acceptable before God. He spoke of the delightful experience of those who had yielded obedience to the ordinances and requirements of the gospel, and lived continually under the influence of that divine spirit, which they received at confirmation, which constantly pointed out to them the way they should go and which was pleasing to their heavenly father. Thus the humble seekers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, after being perplexed by the conflicting theories and churches of men, realized to their unutterable joy that they at length had found out a truth that was free from all uncertainty. This was the experience that gladdens the hearts of the Latter-day Saints in these valleys, and where ever they may be found on the face of the earth. He was glad that so many had met together this morning to receive the word of God, and those instructions that are calculated to benefit and unite the Saints.
He said in no place that he had visited could he find a people so united and happy, and opposed to strife, litigation and quarreling, and so obedient to good laws and wholesome principles, as those who dwell in these valleys. He knew this to be the Church and Kingdom of God. He also knew that God had raised up the men who now lead us, and that God would increase this people in power and numbers until their influence would be felt throughout the nations of the earth, not for themselves, but for the good of all. This is a phenomenal people. Where is there anything like them? Here we have a people, drawn together by one common impulse from all nations and creeds, speaking almost every language known on the earth and having various national peculiarities and customs, now dwelling together in comparative peace and union, and influenced by one spirit. What a spectacle to behold! There is nothing like it on the face of the earth. Only a few years ago God revealed his mind and will to an unlettered youth and organized a Church with only six members, and now look at its proportions! No human being alive could accomplish such grand and glorious results. God is the author of it, and he will consummate his plans and purpose, in connection with the Saints of latter days. Everything we now behold was predicted fifty years ago by the leaders of this Church. What they had declared which was not yet fulfilled would surely be fulfilled. God will attract by the power of truth men from every nation, who will come trooping by thousands to Zion. In spite of all the opposition that may be brought to bear against this work by men and governments, it will prevail. Prophets may be slain and an humble people persecuted, but the work is imperishable and indestructible. Rejoice then, ye Latter-day Saints, for great and glorious things await you. There are many in our midst who have grown grey in the service of God, but when they pass away others will come up in their places, and everything predicted concerning the latter-day glory will be accomplished to the very letter.
[President John Taylor]
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR said, as the Conference would be likely to continue till next Sunday, the Conference would be adjourned till tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., and this afternoon would give an opportunity for the brethren to attend to their business matters. He desired the seats on the south side of the stand to be reserved for the presidents of stakes, with their counselors and the members of High Councils, and the north for bishops and their counselors. President Taylor said that he had been attending closely to business and had exerted himself considerably and as a consequence felt a little faint while he was speaking this morning. Otherwise there nothing the matter with him.
ELDER W. WOODRUFF gave notice that a meeting of the Young Men's and Ladies' Mutual improvement Associations would be held this evening in the Assembly hall at 7 o'clock p.m.
The Choir sang the anthem,
I will extol thee.
Conference adjourned till 10 o'clock a. m. to-morrow, (Thursday).
Benediction by Elder L. John Nuttall.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 29:584, 10/13/80, p 8]
SECOND DAY.
_____
Thursday, Oct. 7, 1880, 10 o'clock a. m.
Choir sang
Come we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known.
Prayer by Elder F. D. Richards.
Choir sang,
Behold the mountain of the
Lord
In latter days shall rise.
[Elder A. Carrington]
ELDER A. CARRINGTON felt grateful for the privilege of enjoying the inestimable blessings of our heavenly Father, which he continues to grant unto us from time to time. He requires of us the keeping of his commandments, and inasmuch as we observe them there is no blessing, either of a temporal or spiritual nature, which will be denied us. Such were the conditions made to those who first came to inhabit this choice land. So long as they kept and observed his requirements they were blessed and prospered in the land but when they became wayward and disobedient, they were chastened and afflicted, until they were finally swept from the face of the earth. The pure principles of the Gospel have been revealed for our government in this our day, and the preaching of the Gospel throughout the nations of the earth has been the means of gathering a great and numerous people from almost every quarter of the globe, and no one need suppose that they have been gathered here to gratify their own whims or to gain any supposed popularity it might bring them, but in the midst of the suffering and strife that their acceptance of the principles of the Gospel had brought upon them, to serve the Lord with all their hearts, seeking first of all to know his will and then to carry it into practical effect in their every day lives. We have been led by revelation from the time that Joseph first received a knowledge of God's will in his early youth. And from the earliest period of man's existence on the earth, and through all the intermediate periods spoken of by all the prophets since the world bean, the grand principle of revelation stands out as a bold and conspicuous principle. The Lord gives line upon line and precept upon precept, to his children, and the speaker knew of no other way that God could expect submission to his will by his children, except by revealing that will to his servants, and they to make known to the people that which he reveals. God does not look upon the world as we do. We would naturally choose the wise and worldly mighty to usher in such a work as God has commenced, but he chose as his servants, the meek, humble and unlearned, and with them he has said he will thresh the nations by the power of his spirit. Those who do not understand the principles we have embraced will readily concede that the revelation given to the Prophet Joseph in the beginning, that God would employ the weak and unlearned ones to carry out his purposes, is correct, for they do not fail to charge us with being a weak and ignorant people, thus admitting the truth of that which God himself made known, but such being our character in the estimation of the world, it should not prevent us from seeking after a knowledge of the great work that God our Father has commenced, and be preparing ourselves for the blessings that await us in the redemption of Zion. We must labor to eradicate from ourselves all that is degrading and live according to the decrees of our kind wise Father in the heavens. But there are some who seem to prefer their own secret will and their own wayward way marking their own course according to their own skill in very great blindness and foolishness. But it is the duty of the Latter-day Saints to be guided by the revelations of God that they may overcome and inherit the glory of the righteous.
[Elder W. Woodruff]
ELDER W. WOODRUFF said every one who attempts to preach to and instruct the Saints of God must have the spirit of God in order to be successful as a teacher. Ever since the foundation of the world the servants of God have been sustained by the Almighty in fulfilling the words which they uttered, no matter what the day or age of the world in which they lived, they were responsible to God in delivering the message they were sent to make known, and although in many instances it cost them their lives, yet having received the priesthood they were under the strongest obligation to God and the people, and had to perform their duty and leave the result in the hands of God. He then spoke of Joseph Smith the Prophet, whom God had raised up, called, and ordained to lay the foundation of this great latter-day work, and who ordained apostles, and organized every branch of the holy priesthood. He then addressed himself to those present as being a generation of apostles and elders, no other generation ever enjoyed such privileges or were under such obligations. We will be held responsible for our exercise of all the authority and power conferred upon us, and if we could only see ourselves as God sees us, if the vail could only be lifted to show us our true position, how different many of us would act to what we do in reference to the things of Go. Their hearts would not be set upon the things of this life, but upon the things of the kingdom. He spoke of the fifty thousand millions of the human family behind the vail who have so many years been shut up in prison, and Joseph Smith, who holds the keys of this dispensation, was the first one to open the doors of that prison house for ages, and to preach the gospel of salvation to them. We must build our temples and attend to the ordinances of the gospel in behalf of our dead who have died without a knowledge of the Gospel. This is one f the most important of our responsibilities. Let us go to, and build temples, pay our tithing, attend to our prayers and not give so much heed in accumulating the wealth of the world. "How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of God." The poor can work for their bread and live their religion, while the rich become engrossed with the cares of the world. He did not wish to reflect on those who are wealthy, either in the Church or out of it, for the Lord intended us to become a wealthy people, but we must make a wise and good use of what he places in our hands. We shall be held responsible not only for the use we put our wealth to, but every other gift God has blessed us with. No other people in our day can go forth to the nations and call upon them to believe, repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins, and promise them the gift of the Holy Ghost for so doing, but by this means the 150,000 of this people have been gathered to these mountains. God has inspired his servants and sent them forth with this message, and has backed them up by the power of his spirit, and by this power alone can we build up his kingdom, which he prayed we might be able to do, in name of Jesus.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[DNW 29:786, 1/12/81, p 2]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF,
At the General Conference, Thursday Morning, Oct. 7th,
1880.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I
AM pleased to have the opportunity of again meeting with my brethren and
sisters in General Conference. There is one thing that is very clear to my mind
with regard to myself and everybody else who attempts to teach the Latter-day
Saints, and that is we all need the spirit of the Lord, and without it we
cannot edify anybody, neither can we build up Zion or do the work of God
without the Holy Spirit. The prophets, the apostles, and all men who have been
called in every age of the world to labor for the kingdom of God have had to be
actuated by this principle, and that is one reason, as Brother Carrington has
said, why the weak things of this world, whom the Lord has chosen, have
confidence in God to go forth to lift up their voices and preach the gospel of Christ
and do the work which is required at their hands.
It is
certainly interesting to any reflecting mind to contemplate the dealings of God
with the inhabitants of the earth in the various ages and dispensations almost
from the creation of the world as far as we have any knowledge. I have often
been struck, in reading ancient history, with the dealings of God with some of
the ancient cities of which we have some account in the Bible and other
histories aside from that book. For instance there is Tyre and Sodom, Nineveh
and Babylon the great -- these mighty cities that were built as it were to defy
all time and all power but God himself. Just as quick as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel,
or any other prophet whom God raise up to lift up his voice and declare the word
of the Lord concerning the destiny of any of these cities, all the power of
Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, or any other king or priest who dwelt in these
cities, ruled them, governed and controlled them, had no power to stay the
fulfilment of the words of the servants of the Lord; these cities have been
overturned, have been laid in the dust in fulfillment of the word of God
whenever they were ripened in iniquity. The Lord sent a poor weak man named
Jonah to Nineveh, a great and mighty city, to go and warn the inhabitants
thereof to repent, or in forty days Nineveh should be overthrown. Jonah thought
it was a little too much for him, an obscure man, to go unto a great city like
Nineveh and tell the inhabitants that in a few days the city would be overturned,
hence he fled into Tarshish. For this he had a peculiar kind of experience for
three days and three nights; you are all acquainted with the history that I
allude to. When Jonah, however, got on dry land again he went and fulfilled his
mission to the inhabitants of Nineveh. And I have many times thought that if
this generation was like unto the Ninevites the world would be different to
what it is today. When the people heard the word of God they believed it. They
went to work and repented and called upon the Lord, and we are told "that
God withheld the evil that he had said he would do unto them; and he did
it." But I want to say that in all these things, when the Lord has called
upon men to labor in the building up of his kingdom, he has chosen the weak things
of the world. And so it has been throughout the whole generations of men. In
the days of Jesus Christ, the apostles chosen were illiterate men, fishermen a
good many of them; but the Lord gave them the apostleship, he gave them the
priesthood, and they were commanded to go forth and preach the gospel. But they
had to suffer death for their testimony.
I desire
now to refer to ourselves. In reflecting upon ancient days, let us look at our
own position. The Lord raised up Joseph Smith. His history his life, his works,
his death -- is before the world to-day. Joseph Smith was an illiterate man, as
far as worldly learning was concerned, but he was an instrument raised up by
the Lord to lay the foundation of this great and last dispensation. The Lord
held Joseph Smith responsible for the key of the kingdom of God, for the
revelations of heaven, for every principle which the Lord had revealed to him.
Joseph Smith was a great man -- that is before the Lord, before the heavens,
and before this generation. He was ordained of God to lay the foundation of
this Church and Kingdom; he was true and faithful unto death, and when we look
at what has followed the laying of the foundation of this Church fifty years
ago, with six members, it is a marvel, it is a mystery in the eyes of the
world, and it is even to us as Latter-day Saints, to note the progress of this
church and kingdom from that day until the present. The revelations which have
been given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, as recorded in the Book of doctrine
and Covenants, have all had their fulfilment as far as time would admit. Joseph
Smith lived until he laid the foundation of this church and kingdom; he lived
until he received every key and principle and priesthood which belongs to this
dispensation, and he lived until he sealed the same upon the heads of other
men. Every man that ever knew him, every elder or every saint of God that ever
traveled with him, or have heard him converse, can form some little idea of the
spirit that filled his bosom. I have seen him from time to time, in my early
acquaintance with him in Kirtland, smite his breast and say, "I would to
God I could unbosom my feelings to my friends." But he could not do it. It
seems it was impossible for him to reveal to the elders what God had revealed
to him. Nevertheless he accomplished the work to which he had been ordained and
set apart by the power of God. He lived, as I have already said, until he
organized the church in all its various organizations. He chose the apostles,
seventies, high council, high priests, and all the various officers in the
church and kingdom of God, by revelation, and when he had finished this work,
the Lord called him home. He sealed his testimony with his blood, and went to
the other side of the vail. He holds the keys of the kingdom of God on both
sides of the vail, and will hold them to the endless ages of eternity. Apostles
were called and set apart to carry on the work which he commenced. Many of them
who were associated with him have passed away, others remain here in the flesh.
If I
could tell you the feelings of my own heart I would say to the apostle,
seventies, high priests, and all the officers of this church and kingdom, the
God of heaven has raised you up, according to my faith and my view, and placed
you here on the earth and watched over you until you have received the
ordinances of the gospel. You are raised up as a kingdom of priests. You hold
the power of the priesthood in your hands, and I say you are held responsible
before high heaven, before the gods of eternity, before the heavenly hosts, and
will be held accountable to the judgment day for the manner you make use of
this priesthood and power which is put into your hands. This is the condition
of all of us from the apostleship down through every department of this church
and kingdom. There never was a generation since God made the world that have
had greater power, greater responsibilities, greater blessings, or that have
ever had the kingdom of God placed upon their shoulders to remain on the earth
until the coming of the Son of Man. Therefore, how great the responsibility
resting upon us as apostles, as elders, and in every capacity in which we are
called to act. This is the way I view our position, and when I have enjoyed a
portion of the spirit of God, when the vision of my mind has been open to
comprehend in any measure our relationship to God and the heavenly hosts, and
the responsibility we are under here to the Lord and to this generation, I have
felt that I would to God that the vail might be lifted to the vision of the
Latter-day Saints, that we might see ourselves as God sees us, and as the
heavenly hosts see us. If we could only comprehend this we would feel in many
respects different to what we do at present. We would be diligent. We would not
have our hearts set on the things of this life as they many times are. Our
labors are very great, very extensive. The Lord requires of us that which he
has hardly ever required of any other generation. We have the kingdom. We have
got to establish it and maintain it by faith and good works with the help of
God wile we dwell here in the flesh. We have these temples to build here in
these valleys of the mountains. This is one of the most important branches of
the responsibility resting upon Latter-day Saints -- the redemption of our
dead. I have often referred to this subject, because my mind has been opened to
it, my desires have been exercised upon this principle. Nearly 1899 years have
passed away and over 50 generations of men who have never seen a Prophet or an
Apostle, who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, have gone into the
spirit world. They have gone there without the gospel, they are under no
responsibility to that law because they never came under it. There are
therefore some fifty thousand million people to-day in the spirit world that
have to be preached to by the Elders of Israel. There was nobody to preach to
them until Joseph Smith went into the spirit world with the keys of the kingdom
of God and unlocked the prison door. The Prophet Joseph had this subject of the
redemption of the dead in his heart until the day of his death. He labored most
diligently to this end. These millions will be preached to, and many will
receive the truth, while those who dwell in the flesh have this duty to perform
as their descendants on the earth to go and build these temples that we may
attend to ordinances for the dead which the dead cannot attend to themselves.
God requires this at our hands. It is our duty to enter into these temples and
redeem our dead as far as we can, that we may be justified when we go into the
spirit world. We have all the branches, temporal and spiritual, of this Church and
kingdom to carry out. We have got to build these cities, towns and villages. We
have got to cultivate the earth, educate our children, train them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord, and it is our duty as a people to unite
ourselves together according to the law of God. We should not set our hearts
too much upon the things of this world. The earth and the riches thereof is the
Lord's. He will give them to the Latter-day Saints as fast as they are prepared
to receive them. But I tell you I have thought many times that it is a calamity
for a man to become rich in the midst of this people. It is a hard matter for a
rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Men when they are poor can labor for
their bread and feel thankful to the God who gives it; but when we become
millionaires our hearts begin to set upon the things of this world. Not but
what such men may keep the commandments of God, do what is right, and be
justified. I do not make these remarks because I wish to speak against the
wealth of the Latter-day Saints, or anybody else, but I speak of this that we
should not permit our hearts to be set upon riches to deprive us of magnifying
our calling before the Lord. We have got to become rich, some time or other;
the Saints of God will yet possess the earth. But the Lord holds us responsible
as a people for the building up of his kingdom. We have got to build these
temples and redeem our dead. We have got to pay our tithing. This is a law
which has been given unto us. We should obey the law of tithing as a people, so
that we may be qualified to inherit eternal life.
When I
come to realize that my destiny on the other side of the vail depends upon the
little time I have to spend here, I feel that I have no time to throw away. We
should seek for the Holy Spirit. We should magnify our calling. This kingdom
given unto you Latter-day Saints, is the kingdom of God. It is the kingdom that
Daniel saw, it is the everlasting kingdom which has been spoken of by all the
holy prophets since the world was made. The little stone cut out of the
mountains without hands, will roll until it fills the whole earth. The heavenly
hosts are looking to nobody else upon the footstool of God but the Latter-day
Saints to accomplish this work. No other people have got the kingdom. No other
people have received the priesthood but the Latter-day Saints, and we will be
held responsible for the use we make of it. Therefore, I think we should be
diligent, we should look to the position which we occupy before the Lord. Our
blessings are great. The revelations of heaven have been given unto us. We
possess the Holy Ghost, it has been given to this people. We have been gathered
by it from among the nations of the earth through the instrumentality of weak
and humble men who have been called upon to preach the gospel. We regard this
as being one of the strongest evidences of this being the work of God. The
world, however, hate us. This we regard as another evidence of the divinity of
this work. Said the Savior in his day, "If the world hate you, ye know
that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would
love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of
the world, therefore the world hateth you." The world hate this people,
the priests of the day especially, and if they had the power they would waste
them away from off the face of the earth; but the Lord has said that he would
break in pieces every weapon that is formed against Zion. When the wicked
stretch out their hands to destroy this kingdom of God, will they prevail? I
think not. We have got the kingdom of God. The Lord is looking to us, the
heavenly hosts are looking to us, Joseph Smith and the whole of the spirit
world, who are righteous, are watching this people with intense interest. They
expect us to build Zion. They expect us to build temples and redeem our dead.
They expect us to unites ourselves together and to keep the faith and overcome
the world, the flesh and the devil. They expect these things at our hands, and
I do hope that they may not be disappointed.
We have
every encouragement, my brethren and sisters, to be faithful. I thank God I
have heard this gospel. I thank God I have lived to see this people. I thank
God that I have been associated with prophets and apostles. All the happiness,
all the joy and all the consolation I have ever had has been since I embraced
the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a testimony for myself, as you have for
yourselves, that this is the work of God. I know it is the work of God. I know
Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord. The Lord raised him up to lay the
foundation of this Church and Kingdom. No man could do it of himself. The voice
of God, the voice of the Holy Ghost, the voice of inspiration has declared
these things from day to day and from year to year. It is by this power that we
have been gathered together. Who could have gathered this people by any other
principle only by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Where is there a minister on the
face of the earth -- a minister of the gospel or one who professes to be such
-- who dare go to the nations of the earth and tell the people that if they
receive his testimony and will go forth and be baptized, they shall receive the
Holy Ghost? Is there any man on the earth dare do this? No one. No people ever
has done it excepting the Latter-day Saints. Why dare they not do this? Because
God would not back up their testimony, and if we had not been called of God, if
this gospel had not been of God, we should have been found out a great many
years ago. When we go and declare these things we promise the sons and
daughters of Adam that if they will receive the gospel of Christ they shall
receive the Holy Ghost. We offer this in the name of Israel's God. We baptize
men and women, we lay hands upon them, and they do receive the Holy Ghost, and
it bears record to them and they rise up and bear testimony of the truth of
these things. It is by this power we shall build up Zion. We shall continue
this work until the Son of Man comes in the clouds of heaven to reward every
man according to the deeds done in the body. Then let us as Elders of Israel
round up your shoulders for the kingdom of God Let us strive to retain the Holy
Spirit that we may realize our responsibility and be ready to magnify our
calling and do our duty before the Lord.
I pray
God my Heavenly Father to let his blessing rest upon us during this conference
-- upon Brother Taylor, the Apostles, the Elders of Israel, and those who teach
us and instruct us, for Christ's sake, Amen.
The Choir sang an anthem:
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
Benediction by Elder Orson Pratt.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 29:584-565, 10/13/80, p 8-9]
Thursday, 2 p. m.
Choir sang
Softly beams the sacred
dawning,
Of the great Millennial morn.
Prayer by Elder Joseph F. Smith.
Choir sang
Hark, listen to the
trumpeters,
They sound for volunteers.
Elder Geo. Q. Cannon then read the statistical reports from all the Stakes of Zion, for the half year ending Sept. 15th.
[Elder J. D. T. McAllister]
ELDER J. D. T. MCALLISTER said it was two years since he had attended conference in this city. Most of the people present are Latter-day Saints and have made covenants with God and each other. We are apt to watch with a scrutinizing eye those men who are placed over us to lead us. We expect to see perfection in them. What should we think if the Apostles were to stop at our saloons to take a drink of beer or liquor, should we not be surprised? And yet how many are there in our midst who do so, and men too who hold the holy priesthood, and whose example should be worthy of imitation. Time was when the name of God was scarcely ever heard taken in vain in this city, and those who did blaspheme were soon in the hands of a peace officer. The Sabbath day should be kept holy, and we should teach our children to keep it holy. The amusement provided for our young people, especially dancing, should be controlled by the servants of God, according to instructions issued in circular by President John Taylor. Tithing should be observed by all Saints in the time and season thereof, and they should not leave it until the 31st of December; it is a daily, weekly or monthly affair as the case may be. Offerings for the poor and other worthy objects also should be attended to, this being another requirement of the gospel, and we cannot afford to trifle with or neglect it. It is our duty to pray for and sustain the servants of God, who have for so many years borne the heat and burden of the day. We should also read and study the Scriptures, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other good books. We should strive to live a happy life, and if each member of a family would live as the children of God should live, what a beautiful home such a family would present! There is a great work before us, not only for ourselves but for our dead also, we can turn the key of their salvation by attending to the ordinances of the gospel in their behalf. We are making a record of our lives in the way of tithing, and other things connected with our duties and responsibilities. The books kept in heaven will agree with those kept on the earth. Our religion is one that happifies us in every relation of life; every child that we have and train aright is a star in that crown that we expect to wear by and bye. We should try to educate ourselves in keeping the commandments of God. We should observe the word of wisdom in the spirit and meaning thereof. It takes in a very wide scope connected with all the acts of our lives and we should be guided thereby.
He spoke of the great work that has been done in the Temple at St. George. Many appreciated the blessings to be obtained there, while others appeared to think but little about them. Over 182,000 had been officiated for in that Temple since it was first opened. He also made a few encouraging remarks on the subject of baptism for the dead, and gave the following statistics of ordinance work in the Temple at St. George up to June, 1880: Baptisms for the dead, 99,523; endowments for the dead, 41,791; ordinations for the dead, 14,255; children dead sealed to parents, 1,314.
He said that quite a number of Saints in the south were living in the United Order, on the principle laid down in the Doctrine and Covenants, each one living in the Order as God would have them do, the principle of stewardship strictly adhered to, and everything kept clean and orderly. He eulogized the people living in Orderville and described their united and prosperous condition, and prayed the blessing of God upon all the Saints.
The choir sang an anthem --
The Lord will comfort Zion.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow (Friday) at 10 o'clock a.m.
Benediction by Elder Moses Thatcher.
_____
[8 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 29:585, 10/13/80, p 9]
THIRD DAY.
FRIDAY, October 8th.
Choir sang --
Come, follow me, the Savior
said,
Then let us in his footsteps tread.
Prayer by Elder Wm. H. Folsom. Choir sang --
My God, the spring of all my
joys,
The life of my delights.
[Elder Franklin D. Richards]
Elder FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS spoke of the general interest that is felt by the Latter-day Saints, not only by the old but the middle aged, and even the young, in what is going on among the nations abroad, and also in what is being transacted in our own Territory. He referred with pleasure to the increased interest being taken throughout the European mission, made manifest by the many calls for more help by the President of the mission. He also spoke of the difference in feeling that exists among the people of the Southern States since their affliction brought about by the civil war, and their willingness to receive the testimonies of our young men and boys whom we have sent among them as missionaries. The Twelve, of late, had made many calls, not only from the Elders' quorums, to fill the urgent solicitations made upon them to carry the gospel to those who have never yet had it preached to them;he felt satisfied there are many thousands throughout the Southern States, who have never heard the testimony of any of our Elders. And we must continue our efforts until all the people have been faithfully warned. A great many names of our young brethren, who have never had any experience in preaching the gospel, have been handed in to the Twelve and as necessity requires they will be duly called upon, some of them during the Conference and others from time to time as occasion requires. The work of the ministry must go on, it is the leading work now on our hands to perform. It is no great thing to require from those who have been made partakers of the great blessings the gospel has imparted, to go forth and communicate the same good things and glad tidings to others, who have not yet tasted of them. We must keep the spirit and love of this work continually in our hearts, and ever be ready to go forth and disseminate to others what we ourselves have experienced. The nations of the earth are rushing on to discord and distraction, and we should constantly be preparing ourselves to offer them that aid and succor both temporal and spiritual, which will be needed.
Those of our youth who have not yet received a testimony of the truth of this work should be kindly labored with by those who have had experience in the ministry, who should endeavor to instruct and encourage them in feeling after the Lord until their feet are firmly set in the ways of God, and they are filled with a determination to serve him. He particularly urged this labor upon the leading Elders of the Church at home, for such a labor is equally important with any foreign missionary work to the nations.
He thought there was too much distance between the Bishops and the people of their wards, also between the Presidents of Stakes and their members. Whenever difficulties arise, the Bishops and leading men should endeavor to settle them by their kindly influence in helping the brethren to overcome their weaknesses. The various tribunals of the church are intended to promote peace, and administer justice. The home missionary labor is great in our midst, and we should continue to exert our influence until the fellowship of the holy spirit is more universally enjoyed by the Saints, and every feeling of bitterness is subdued.
Elder GEO. Q. CANNON, then read a report of Manti temple district up to Oct. 1st, of this year, also a report from the Cache Temple district. The Total receipts of donations for the Manti Temple to oct. 1, 1880, were $207977.35; and for the Logan Cache Valley Temple $252,147.78.
He read an exhibit from the Perpetual Emigration Company.
He then spoke of the vote taken at our last Conference, to remit a portion of back unpaid tithing, and for the Church to distribute cows and sheep to the worthy poor. He referred also to the vote that was taken, for each Stake of Zion to contribute what they could by private donations for the same purpose. The Council of the Apostles to whom was committed the labor of examining the reports from the various Stakes found them incomplete, while several reports had not yet been sent in. Under these circumstances it had been deemed wisdom by the Apostles to make an apportionment of the cows and sheep promised by the Church among the several Stakes, leaving each Stake to make collection and disbursement of its own portion of the individual donations agreed upon. Following is the list of the Church apportionment based upon the population of the various Stakes with this exception, that those Stakes which have declared their ability to take care of their own poor have not been apportioned any cows or sheep, but their proportion has been divided among other stakes.
Salt Lake Stake, 60 cows, 424 sheep; Bear Lake Stake, 10 cows, 66 sheep; Beaver Stake, 3 cows, 20 sheep; Box Elder Stake, 16 cows, 108 sheep; Cache Stake, 18 cows, 120 sheep; Davis Stake, 6 cows, 44 sheep; Juab Stake, 6 cows, 37 sheep; Kanab Stake, 8 cows 50 sheep; Millard Stake, 7 cows, 44 sheep; Morgan Stake, 6 cows, 40 sheep; Panguitch Stake, 5 cows; 30 sheep; Parowan Stake, 8 cows, 50 sheep; Sevier Stake, 14 cows, 100 sheep; St. George Stake, 18 cows, 125 sheep; Summit Stake, 12 cows, 75 sheep; Sanpete Stake, 25 cows, 150 sheep; Tooele Stake, 9 cows, 60 sheep; Utah Stake, 40 cows, 264 sheep; Wasatch Stake, 6 cows, 46 sheep; Weber Stake, 23 cows, 147 sheep. Total number of cows 300; total number of sheep 2,000.
Those Presidents of Stakes who have not attended to their covenants made at the last conference, should at once go to and gather up the donations for the poor, and forward with it a full report of all the back unpaid tithing on their books, that every item of that covenant taken at our last conference may be fully complied with. The Council of the Twelve have decided that one-half of the unpaid back tithing shall be remitted in every Stake of Zion -- and that the remission be left to the discretion of the authorities of each Stake, with the understanding that the worthy poor will be those who receive this consideration, not apostates nor those who had left for other places without letters of recommendation from their Bishops.
From a careful examination of the reports submitted to the council the following conclusions were realized: That those Stakes which had paid the most tithing and Temple donations, and had contributed most towards the poor, required less aid from the Church than other Stakes, verifying the truth of Bishop Hunter's oft repeated saying -- "Pay your tithing and be blessed." He particularly spoke in praise of St. George, Salt Lake and Cache Stakes.
He then submitted to the Conference the reports and decision of the Council in the remission of the back tithing and the distribution of the cows and the sheep, which was universally responded to by a unanimous show of uplifted hands. He then read a note from Superintendent John Sharp, that the time of the Union Pacific Railroad Conference tickets would be extended until Monday the 11th inst. He hoped, therefore, that the brethren and sisters who had come from a distance to attend Conference, would remain contented till it closed, for some very important matters had yet to be introduced, not only at these meetings, but at the priesthood meetings. Let every one be willing, therefore, to stay and be fed with the bread of life.
The Twelve, and especially President Taylor, had been heavily taxed in preparing for this Conference, and he sincerely hoped the people would remain until all the business and instructions were concluded.
The choir sang an anthem --
Jerusalem, my glorious home.
Conference adjourned till 2'clock p.m. Benediction by President A. M. Cannon.
_____
[8 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 29:585, 10/13/80, p 9]
Friday, 2 p.m.
Choir sang:
Awake ye Saints of God
awake,
Call on the Lord in mighty prayer.
Prayer by President JOSEPH YOUNG.
Choir sang:
Though nations rise and men
conspire,
Their efforts will be vain.
[Elder Orson Pratt]
Elder ORSON PRATT read a promise that was given by our Lord in May, 1833, to every person in the Church both male and female, found in Doctrine and Covenants on page 300. This, he said, was one of the great promises to the Saints of the last days. It was given on certain conditions. Those who keep my commandments saith the Lord shall see my face and know that I am, and that I am the true light that lighteth every one that cometh into the world. Another revelation given in September 1832 (Doc. & Cov. 266) speaking of the priesthood shows that in the priesthood and the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest to men in the flesh and without it no man can see the face of God and live.
Moses held the Melchisedek priesthood, but the children of Israel not abiding the law of that priesthood, it was taken away from them, and they were only permitted to have among them the priesthood of Aaron. In every dispensation where the Melchisedek priesthood was given the same blessings were enjoyed as contained in the revelation just now read. Adam was taught by the spirit the plan of salvation, after the fall, and was shown that he and his children should be born of water and of the Spirit, and thus become adopted as citizens in the kingdom of God. Adam received the word of the Lord and was obedient, and the Spirit of God caught up Adam and took him where there was water, and baptized him, after which he received the high priesthood, after the order of him who is eternal. After he had received much instruction pertaining to the everlasting priesthood and patriarchal power and laws and ordinances which he taught to his posterity, books were written among them containing the genealogies of the ancient fathers. Abel received the priesthood and offered a sacrifice that was acceptable before the Lord, but Cain's sacrifice was not accepted, not being offered in faith, he would not repent, but indulged in all manner of wickedness, and built up a secret combination that practiced every species of evil, in which he was the chief or Master Mahan, and finally he murdered his brother Abel. In the course of time Seth was born, and he also received the priesthood. After this Enos was born, who took a course of righteousness, and was also ordained to the priesthood. Elder Pratt continued to dwell upon the early history of the priesthood in relation to the dealings of God with the children of men, and how that a portion of the human family became very wicked, and the righteous,m including Seth and Enos, were commanded to go to a country called Canaan. He also introduced Enoch and other prominent servants of God living in those far off days, and showed that in all their wanderings, they were led by the spirit of revelation under the guidance of the holy priesthood. Enoch succeeded in building up many churches unto the Lord God, in various cities and countries, and finally gathered them all together to the land of Zion, the place of which has not been revealed, so as to be placed on record. He was engaged in preaching to and gathering the people to the place where the City of Zion was built. The speaker dilated upon the great work performed by Enoch and the length of time that he was engaged in it under the power of that same high and holy priesthood.
He then spoke of Father Adam meeting with and standing up in the midst of his righteous posterity, in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, which is in the State of Missouri, and predicting many important prophecies of events that should occur through future generations down to the latest period of time.
He then spoke of the glorious visions that were shown to Enoch, including the sufferings of the ungodly and the glories of the righteous, awaiting those behind the vail, and the ushering in of the gospel in the latter days as righteousness coming down out of heaven. After Enoch and his city had been translated, Methuselah still held the priesthood, and it was bestowed upon succeeding ones until it reached Moses. He continued to trace the subject of the priesthood, which is without beginning of days or end of years, from one channel of lineage to another, throughout the generations of men, not only on the eastern but also on the western continent. He then dwelt on the inestimable blessings that were conferred upon the saints in our day, and the responsibilities consequently resting upon all those who have received the holy priesthood, and showed that the promise of God to unveil his face to the faithful extended to the sisters as well as the brethren.
[Orson Pratt]
[DNW 31:130-131, 3/22/82, p 2-3]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY ELDER ORSON PRATT,
At the General conference, Friday Afternoon, Oct. 8, 1880.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
It
is to be hoped that in this large assembly every one will studiously seek to be
as still as possible, that there may be an opportunity of hearing. I do not
suppose there will be much business presented before the Conference this
afternoon, and I have been requested to speak, which I am willing to do, and
desire to do in a manner that shall be acceptable to the Lord and also
instructive and edifying to the Latter-day Saints.
I will
commence by reading a promise that was given by our Lord in the month of May,
1833 -- a promise made to all of the Latter-day Saints, not to a few
individuals, not to the members of the Church alone, but to every person in all
the world. This promise will be found in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants
(page 328 new edition) as follows: -- "Verily, thus saith the Lord, it
shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh their sins and cometh unto me,
and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments,
shall see my face and know that I am, and that I am the true light that
lighteth every man that cometh into the world; and that I am in the Father, and
the Father in me, and the Father and I are one." This is a great promise
which the Lord has made to all of his people, male and female. I esteem it to
be one of the great characteristics of the Latter-day dispensation, one of the
great and important promises made to the children of mortality, one that deeply
concerns us all. This promise, however, is made on certain conditions, some of
which are here specified. One of the conditions in regard to this matter will
be found in a revelation given on the 22nd day of September, 1832, which reads:
"And this greater Priesthood" -- speaking of the order of the Son of
God -- "administereth the Gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of
the kingdom even the key of the knowledge of God; therefore, in the ordinances
thereof, the power of godliness is made manifest; and without the ordinances
thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not
manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can see the face of
God, even the Father, and live." his Moses plainly taught to the children
of Israel in the wilderness and sought diligently to sanctify them, that they
might behold the face of God. But they hardened their hearts and could not
endure his presence, therefore the holy Priesthood was taken out of their midst
and also Moses holding that Priesthood, and the lesser Priesthood continued,
even the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys in regard to outward
ordinances and the keys of the ministration of angels and the law of carnal
commandments which the Lord in His wrath caused to continue with the house of
Aaron among the children of Israel until John. I may not have repeated word for
word in the language of the revelation, but I have given you at least the
substance. Before that time -- the time when the higher Priesthood was taken
from amongst the children of Israel -- they enjoyed all the privileges of the
gospel in various dispensations from the days of Adam down until the days of
Moses, namely, the privilege I have just read in your hearing of seeing he face
of God. In every dispensation? Yes, Standing in the presence of God in every
dispensation in this temporal life? Yes. When was there ever a generation or a
people from Adam to the days of Moses when this principle was not exhibited
provided that a dispensation of God was among them? I do not know of any. Were
there any dispensations in which the higher Priesthood did not exist? I do not
know of any. It is true the Lord in calling His servants in these early ages of
the world had a particular order, but He did not always confine Himself to that
particular order in regard to lineage. The order that God ordained and
established on the earth in the days of Adam was that the first born was
entitled by right to the grand order of patriarchal government, including the
High Priesthood after the order of the Son of God. Adam was the first man in
mortality in this probation that had this great and glorious and high and
heavenly calling conferred upon him. There is no dubiety in our minds in regard
to this matter. It is revealed, it is declared in the revelations that are
printed to which you all have access, that Adam himself as the first man in
mortality received not only the Gospel, but the Priesthood. I do not know that
I can repeat this revelation word for word, but I will state the substance of
it. The Spirit of the Lord was upon our father Adam, and conversed with him,
made known unto him in great plainness the plan of salvation, taught him
concerning baptism in water, told him the reason why he should be baptized in
water, that it was a similitude, or in other words, something that was similar
to our natural birth into the world; and after having explained to him the
gospel, saying that he and his children must be baptized in water and should
receive the Holy Ghost which should bear record of the Father and the Son and
should make manifest unto him the things of the kingdom of God, and the things
necessary for him to understand in his probationary state in order to get back
again into the kingdom of his Father in the heavens. While the spirit of God
was still upon him, Adam believing, he called upon the name of the Lord. What
was the effect of this? The Spirit of the Lord took him -- now I don' want you
to spiritualize this as the sectarians do -- to a place where there was water, that
Spirit placed him beneath the water, brought him forth out of the water, and
thus Adam was baptized, the first baptism that pertains to mortal man here on
the earth. What next? The everlasting Priesthood was given to him on that
occasion, for the Spirit said unto him, "Thou art after the order of Him
that is without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all
eternity." What a great blessing to be permitted to enjoy that Priesthood
that had no beginning, a Priesthood that was without father, without mother, a
Priesthood that was from all eternity to all eternity. Adam received this
entered into the order of it, and became a High Priest forever after the order
of Him who is eternal, namely the Son of God. Then after this the Lord gave many
revelations, and he gave a pattern, as you can read here in this book, after
which the people should write, and they commenced writing the things of God,
they commenced writing their genealogies, they commenced writing concerning the
Gospel and concerning the Priesthood. They named their book which they wrote in
those days the Book of Numbers -- that is to number that which God had spoken,
to number the genealogies, to number the Gospel as it was revealed, to number
the prophecies as they were delivered, and this Book of Numbers was written by
the inspiration of the Most High God. In this Book of Numbers kept by the
forefathers it was recorded that the first born among the descendants of Adam
should have conferred upon them the everlasting Priesthood, the patriarchal
power to govern over their seed. Here, then, is what might be termed a temporal
order, a political government combined with a spiritual order revealed from
heaven. It was all one in those days. The management and government of the
children of God were dictated by revelation, by the Priesthood, by the
patriarchal power, by the laws that were communicated from the heavens unto the
children of men.
The next
one that received this Priesthood of which we have any account was Abel. Adam
had a numerous family, how many this book does not tell us, but they were
scattered over the face of the land two and two. Adam and Eve begat sons and
daughters, and they united in marriage, two and two, and scattered abroad on
the face of the land. You all have the history in this book as to what took
place in regard to two of these sons, Cain and Abel.
It seems
that some of the others, according to the record given, were rebels. A great
many of them did not hearken unto the Lord, did not keep His commandments, and
became quite wicked before the heavens. The Lord, it would seem, conferred the
Priesthood upon Abel, and he offered a sacrifice that was acceptable before the
Lord. Cain undertook to imitate it in some measure by offering the fruits of
the ground; but his heart being corrupt, not having faith, it was not accepted
of the Lord. Cain felt angry about it, and his countenance fell, yet the Lord
condescended to talk with him on the subject. "Why art thou wroth."
said the Lord, "and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well,
shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.
And Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto My
commandments I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee according to his
desire, and thou shalt rule over him." etc., according to the new
translation. Well, Cain did not repent, but hardened his heart and finally
built up a secret combination -- that is, he gathered the posterity of Adam who
were rebellious, and organized quite a large combination. The object of the
combination was to plunder, to steal, to obtain political power outside of the
order that God had established, and Satan was the founder of it. He gave them
all the various plans pertaining to it and built up a combination that was
wicked in the extreme. Cain being one of the most wicked of all that
combination, he was appointed the chief captain, the great Grand Master. Do you
want to know his name? Grand Master Mahan.
After
Abel was murdered Adam still had the High Priesthood. It was the great
governing power appointed by the Almighty. The Priesthood was not taken from
the earth. It was still held by the first man of all, and when 130 years had
passed away, a person by the name of Seth came on the stage of action; and he
hearkened to the voice of the Lord, gave heed to the instructions of his
father, Adam, and the Priesthood was conferred upon him. By and bye, a little
over one hundred years after Seth obtained the Priesthood, Enos was born, and
Enos hearkened to the words of God, and the Priesthood was conferred upon him,
and after a few years he begat a son whom he called Cainan, the fourth
generation from Adam. At that time the people of God had become quite numerous.
They were scattered over the face of the land, and the wicked were among them,
and so great was the wickedness that prevailed among the descendants of Adam,
that it was counseled by Enos that he and all the residue of the righteous
should flee out of the land. They fled out about 325 years after Adam was
placed on the earth. The land which they had occupied prior to that time was
called the land of Shulon. Where it was I do not know, it is not revealed. I
suppose Adam went with them, although it does not say so, it only says that
"Enos and the residue of the people of God came out from the land, which
was called Shulon, and dwelt in a land of promise. I mentioned some of these
circumstances to show you the early history of the Priesthood, the early
history of the dealings of God with the children of men, as revealed to us in
this generation. They seemed to maintain a foothold in this land to which they
fled. It might have been north of Jackson County for aught I know. There seem
to be some old ruins in Davis County in the State of Missouri, and no doubt
there were altars built there. We know from verbal revelation, not written,
that Adam offered sacrifices thereon. They maintained a foothold from 325 years
after Adam came upon the stage of being down from generation to generation to
the days of Enoch; for Cainan begat Mahalaleel; Mahalaleel begat Jared; and
Jared begat Enoch, who was the seventh from Adam. Enoch being wrought upon by
the spirit of God, left the land of Cainan, where all the righteous were
living, and went forth on a foreign mission, the same as many of our Elders now
go forth. He traveled eastward from the land of Cainan till he came to the
borders of the sea. What sea it was I do not know. The Atlantic ocean flows
between the great eastern continent and the western, but whether that ocean was
there in the days of Adam I do not know. There is one thing certain, however,
that from the days of Adam down to the days of Peleg, the earth was not
divided. At any rate Enoch traveled eastward and he came to the sea shore, and
the Lord appeared to him. The Lord doe not appear to people that do not have
the Priesthood according to the revelation that I have already repeated. I mean
-- do not misunderstand me -- he does not appear to those who have not been
administered through the order of the Priesthood, male and female, Enoch having
been in the land of Cainan was administered unto and taught in the ways of God.
He had the privilege of seeing the face of God, and God revealed himself to him
even after he started on his mission. What did the Lord say to him?
"Anoint thine eyes with clay, and wash them, and thou shalt see."
Enoch did as he was commanded, and his spiritual eyes were opened so that he
could see those things which were not visible to the natural eyes of men. One
of the first visions given to him was to show him what God had created before
the foundation of the world. He saw the spirits of men that God had made before
the world was made. What a wonderful power was bestowed upon this man through
that simple ordinance that he was commanded to attend to! He saw the spirits of
men as they existed before this world was formed; and it says he saw things
that could not be seen by the natural eye. And the Lord commanded him to lift
up his voice in the east country near the sea shore to the nations who had
forgotten God, and he did so. It was quite a marvel to the people, for he spake
with great power and fear came upon them and the durst not lay hands on him to
destroy him. "And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places,
saying unto the tent keepers, Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go
yonder to behold the Seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in
the land; a wild man hath come among us." Enoch declared the things of God
not in a temple or in a tabernacle, or in any public building, but in the
"high places" and "upon the hills" wherever he could get
the people congregated together. And they begged to ask him some questions.
They asked him "Tell us plainly who thou art, and from whence thou comest?"
And Enoch in answer to the questions put to him said, "I came out from the
land of Cainan, the land of my fathers, a land of righteousness unto this
day," and commenced to deliver unto them great discourse. Enoch succeeded
by following the direction of the Almighty in building up unto the Lord many
churches in the land of Shem, in the land of Heni, and in various parts of the
land, the names of which are given, being commanded of the Lord to preach to
all these nations that were shown to him in vision, excepting certain people
that were under the curse. He was forbidden to preach to them. A skin of
blackness had come upon them. They were cursed of the Lord. They were the
descendants of the murderer Cain;. Enoch was not permitted to preach to them,
but he gathered out from the land of Heni, Shem, and various other parts, many
who received the Gospel, unto a place where he built up a city that was called
Zion. No, where was that city? It is not revealed. Where was the garden of
Eden? It is not revealed l-- that is, there is no written revelation. It may
have been verbally revealed where the city of Zion stood and where the garden
was, if so it has been handed down verbally without ever having been written.
They were gathered together; a city was built. This was some 40 years after
Enoch was called. He was called quite young, too, being only 25 years of age
when he was commanded to go on this mission. After gathering together this
people, it seems that the city was built, and it stood on the earth 365 years, making
Enoch 430 years old when he and his city were taken from the earth. Now, I
doubt about Adam's dwelling in that city. I think Adam had a dwelling place to
the north of the city. What makes you think so? I think so from what is
revealed in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. In that book we read that three
years before Adam died, he gathered together Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahaleel,
Jared and the various heads of his posterity, and all the righteous unto a
certain valley that will be found in Davis County, Missouri. There is a little
hill on one side of that valley, perhaps they may have numbered many scores of
thousands. It seems to have been a prominent conference in those days, and it
must have been very encouraging indeed for Adam to see his descendants for some
seven or eight generations gathered round about him. They did not hold this
conference in the city of Zion, for Zion probably had already fled. We do not
know whether it was on the earth at that time or not. At any rate this
conference was not held in the city of Zion. The Lord appeared to the people
assembled a this conference. What a great blessing! I think if they expected
any such [manaifestation ?] as this they would not feel at all anxious to go
home, they would be willing to stay until the conference was closed. Well,
along toward the close of this gathering Adam predicted what should come to
pass down until the end of the earth among all the generations of his people,
and it was considered of such great importance that they wrote it in a book
which was called the Book of Enoch. In that book they recorded this prophecy in
the language of Adam, a pure language, according to the pattern shown them by
the Lord. What has become of that book? I have not enquired, and I do not know
that any of my brethren have. It is no doubt preserved. Whether it was hid up
by Methuselah, Lamech, or Noah, I do not know. Noah lived on the earth some 600
years before the flood came, and he understood all about his forefathers. The
records having come into his hands. I presume that he would see that they were
not destroyed in the flood. He would be very apt to secure them somewhere, and
as Noah lived upon this western hemisphere I presume there is a place of
deposit somewhere on this land where Enoch's records are hid and where the
records of Seth, Adam and all those High Priests I have been speaking of, who
all wrote according to the spirit of inspiration. I presume these prophecies
and records are all kept. Well, says one, have you any idea that they will ever
come forth? Why, certainly. The Lord tells us -- you can read it in the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants -- that the things that were written in the Book of
Enoch concerning that great and last council are to come forth and be testified
of in due time. The Lord while he was dwelling in the city of Enoch -- for the
Lord dwelt there, it was one of his holy places; I do not say he was there
every moment, for he had many other mansions and kingdoms besides that --
revealed unto the people a great many things. Enoch saw what should become of
his seed, and in his enquiries he found out that his seed at some future period
would be translated and taken up into heaven and he would be with them. He also
found out that there was a long period of time to intervene between the translation
of his city and the coming of the Messiah in the flesh and the redemption that
was to be wrought out by the shedding of the blood of "the
Righteous," even the Son of God. He saw the spirits of men that were shut
up some of them in prison. But says one, I thought they were all shut up in
prison. No; if you take this book and read it you will find that the Lord made
a distinction; He did not send them all to prison. There were certain ones that
were not worthy of going to that prison; they were too wicked, too corrupt, too
abominable while in the flesh; they were reserved in chains of darkness. How
long? For a long period after those in prison should be redeemed. Enoch saw
this, and he saw that when the Lamb of God was lifted up and the blood of the Righteous
was shed he saw the prison doors open and as many of the spirits as were in
prison -- not all the spirits -- but as many of them as were in prison came
forth and stood on the right hand of God. What became of the other spirits that
were not in prison? The others were reserved in chains of darkness until the
judgment of the great day. This was shown to the Prophet Enoch. By and bye he
saw this same personage that was crucified arising from the dead. He saw the
heavens veiled in darkness at the time of the crucifixion and the earth quaked
and trembled, and after the resurrection of Christ the Saints of the Most High
God came forth from the dead. All the righteous from the days of Adam down
until the time of the resurrection of Jesus had the privilege of coming forth
in what was then termed the first resurrection. By and Bye Enoch saw that Jesus
being resurrected from the dead ascended up unto his Father and God, and he
felt very anxious. Says he: "Wilt thou not come again upon the
earth?" And he saw in vision that the earth itself was pained and groaned
under the load of sin and corruption which was upon the face thereof, and made
use of the words, "When will my Creator sanctify me, that I may rest, and
righteousness for a season abide upon my face?" And when Enoch heard these
things, he felt inexpressible sorrow for old mother earth. He looked upon the
earth as a being of intelligence, a being that was capable of uttering forth
words, a being that was capable of being afflicted because of the wickedness
upon her face. It was more than he could endure without offering a supplication
on behalf of the earth. He said: "O Lord, wilt thou not have compassion
upon the earth," etc. And the Lord, we are told, could not withhold, and
he sent forth an unalterable decree that he would again stand on the earth in
the latter days and the earth should rest. This he unfolded unto Enoch, that
when that period of time should be about to be ushered in, that he would send
down out of heaven righteousness, that he would sent truth out of the earth,
and righteousness and truth should again be sent forth among the children of
men to sweep the earth as it were with a flood to gather out the righteous from
all the nations unto a place that should be called Zion, or the New Jerusalem.
Then says the Lord to Enoch, "thou and all thy city shall meet them there,
and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; an we will fall
upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each
other; and there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come
forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a
thousand years shall the earth rest."
Now, in
regard to the Priesthood, let us not lose sight of this. In this book there is
a promise made in the days of old Father Adam, that this Priesthood that he
gave unto Adam and Seth and Enos, and all those holy men should be on the earth
again in the latter-days; the same Priesthood, not another one. but after Enoch
and his city were taken up into heaven, the Priesthood was not destroyed out of
the earth. Who held it, says one? A man by the name of Methuselah, one of
Enoch's own children. Why did not he receive a translation with the city? How
came Enoch's son to be left behind? Because of the promise which God had made
to Enoch. He told Enoch that through his son Methuselah his seed should be
preserved on the earth, when all flesh should be swept away by the flood. It
was for this reason that Methuselah was left behind. Was he a good Man? I have
no doubt but what he was a very good man in many respects, but he had this
failings and his faults like many other good men. He took glory unto himself.
About what? He understood by the promise of God that his seed should remain on
the earth until the end should come, and it was a little too much for him, it
overcame him, and he boasted in his own strength, took glory unto himself;
nevertheless not enough to destroy the promise made to him in regard to the
eternal order of the Priesthood.
Methuselah
begat Lamech, and Lamech begat Noah, who was ordained to the same Priesthood.
Noah brought down the Priesthood through the flood, and he conferred it upon
Shem. Now the order was to confer it upon the oldest, but was that order
without conditions? No. Japheth was older than Shem, and yet Shem obtained the
Priesthood. How is that, inquires one? Why vary from the order? Because Japheth
was not faithful, and could not lay claim to the Priesthood that was appointed
to be bestowed upon the first born. Shem received it, and no doubt conferred it
upon a succession of men whose names are mentioned in Genesis down to the days
of Abraham. Now, was that the only channel? No. The Lord, notwithstanding what
was said about the first born, had other channels for the Priesthood besides
the one that is named in the Book of Genesis from Noah to Abraham. For instance
there was a certain channel or chain of Priesthood, of which Melchisedec was
one link. Was Melchisedec the father of Abraham? No. Was he the grandfather?
No. Was he either one of those personages that are named from the days of Noah
down to the days of Abraham? No, unless they had two names. Melchisedec may
have been a second name; but it seems the Priesthood after the order of the Son
of God had been transferred to Melchisedec through his father as well as the
fathers of Abraham. Now, says one, have we any account of this? Yes. It says,
in the revelation given the 22d day of September, 1832, that Abraham received
the Priesthood from Melchisedec, who received it through the lineage of his
fathers, back to the days of Noah. Melchisedec, then, had a channel through
which the Priesthood reached back to the days of Noah; Abraham had another
channel in all probability through which the Priesthood was continued back to the
days of Noah. That was two channels. Any other one? Yes. Here is the Book of
Mormon. It is a history of a certain righteous branch that lived on the earth
in the days of the Tower of Babel after the days of Noah, and rather before the
time of Abraham. Then somebody had the priesthood in this tower? Yes. Who was
it? A man whose name is not given in the Book of Mormon. He is designated as
the brother of a person whose name is Jared. How do you know but what he may
have been a righteous man and yet not have had the Priesthood? I answer that
without the Priesthood and the ordinances thereof the powers of godliness
cannot be made manifest to man in the flesh. did the power of godliness
accompany those that were led forth from the tower? I think so. In what way? By
a cloud in which the Lord came down and talked with the brother of Jared in
various ways until the Lord condescended to take the vail from the eyes of the
brother f Jared and he saw the finger of the Lord. He prayed still further, and
he saw the personage of the Lord, the spirit of Jesus, not his flesh and bones,
but Jesus appeared unto him in his bodily organization and said, "I am he
that was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people."
This personage showed not only his finger and all the details of his spiritual
person, but also his face. Did the brother of Jared behold the face of this
personage without being administered unto by that everlasting Priesthood and
the ordinances thereof? I think not. This then shows another channel through
which the Priesthood is handed down between the days of the flood and the days
of the Patriarch Abraham; three different channels are here named. How long the
Priesthood that was conferred upon the brother of Jared and perhaps upon other
male members of the Jaredites is not revealed any further than we read that
among the various generations of the Jaredites there were certain men to whom
the Son of Righteousness did appear. If He did, those to whom He appeared had
the Priesthood, otherwise no man could see the face of God and live.
But now
let us leave the Jaredites and come down to the days before Christ, say 600
years. We find a man by the name of Lehi who was filled with the power of God.
Was the Priesthood given to him? Why, he saw God upon his throne surrounded by
an innumerable concourse of angels. Is not this an indication that Lehi by the
ordination of the higher Priesthood had been prepared to behold the face of
God? I think so. Did he appear to have conferred that Priesthood upon any others?
Yes. Nephi came upon the stage of action, and we read of his beholding the Son
of God. He saw Jesus. He saw that He was born of a virgin, saw Him when He was
a child, saw Him in His manhood going forth in his ministry among the
inhabitants of Palestine, ministering in power and great glory in the land of
His fathers. He beheld the Redeemer, therefore he must have had the Priesthood
or the ordinances thereof administered unto him. By and bye Lehi passed away.
Then two of the brothers of Nephi, namely Joseph and Jacob, also saw the
Redeemer's face as Nephi had seen Him and as Lehi also had seen Him, shewing
clearly that the power of the Priesthood had been administered unto them, or
else they never could have attained to this blessing. By and bye we read further
on in the Book of Mormon that a Temple was built and Nephi was authorized to
consecrate Jacob and Joseph, two of his own brothers, to the Priesthood, not to
the Aaronic but to the higher Priesthood that led men into the presence of God.
Read still further to the days of Alma and see what is there said about this
Priesthood, this eternal Priesthood, the same as was conferred upon our father
Adam. The same Priesthood was continued down upon the Prophets Lehi and Nephi
that lived a little while before the coming of Christ, by which persons were
made to shake and the power of God was clearly made manifest. The Priesthood
was also conferred upon the twelve disciples, not the Aaronic, but the higher
Priesthood, who conferred it upon others from generation to generation, until
the days of Mormon and Moroni. That traces the Priesthood on this western
continent.
But now
let us go back to the channels of the Priesthood from the days of Abraham down
to the days of Moses. The Lord ordained Abraham after His holy order by the
hands of Melchisedec. Did it stop there in his lineage? No. If you were any of
you as great a man as Abraham, who could stand in the presence of God and plead
for promises in behalf of your children, would you not plead for the Priesthood
to be given to them? I think so. The Priesthood then was continued down among
the tribes of Israel from generation to generation during the time they were in
Egypt, and before they went in to Egypt, and while they tarried in Egypt some
three or four centuries. Why was not Moses ordained by that lineage? Because
the Lord had another method;he had another channel besides the Israelites.
Jethro, the priest of Midian, ordained Moses. Moses might have obtained it
under the hands of some of his fathers, but he did not do it. Who were the
Midianites? They did not belong to the descendants of Isaac, they were not the
lineage of Jacob, but they were the children of Abraham through his wife
Keturah. What! The Priesthood in another seed, in another channel beside that
of the chosen seed! Yes. Jethro belonging to the Midianites enjoyed that
Priesthood and it had been handed down through a legal succession -- not
through Abraham, Jethro never received the Priesthood through Abraham, that we
have any account of -- but he received the Priesthood from Caleb, Caleb from
Elihu, Elihu from Jeremy, Jeremy from Gad. Gad received it under the hand of
Esaias, Esaias lived in the days of Abraham and received the Priesthood under
the hands of God, and conferred it upon a succession! of individuals and it
finally went down into the Midianite nation, and Jethro enjoying this privilege
conferred it upon Moses. I presume Moses if he had been in Egypt might have got
through the other channel, but he had been a long time separated from his brethren
and having a great mission to perform the Lord saw proper to give it through
another lineage. Thus we see that the Lord though he has made promises to the
chosen seed, though He has stated that it is the right of the first born among
that chosen seed to claim the Priesthood,yet if they did not do it others might
come and through their righteousness obtain it. Amen.
Elder W. Woodruff announced a Priesthood meeting to be held this evening at 7 p. m., in the Assembly Hall.
Choir sang:
Praise to the man who
communed with Jehovah,
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Conference adjourned until tomorrow, Saturday, at 10 a. m.
Benediction by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon.
_____
[8 Oct, 7 pm]
[Pamphlet]
[There are apparently no published minutes for this meeting. Wilford Woodruff's Journal for this date contains the following: "I met with the priesthood meeting. An article on the Aaronic Priesthood was read dictated by President Taylor, And remarks made by John Taylor W. Woodruff and O Pratt. The spirit of God was with us." The following item was published by the Church in pamphlet form.]
[The following note is from DNW 4/20/1881, p 3:]
ITEMS ON PRIESTHOOD.
_____
[President John Taylor]
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR has prepared and published a pamphlet with the above title, for the benefit of the Latter-day Saints. It is a work of forty-eight pages and is devoted to the subject of the Priesthood, its branches and offices and their relation to each other. The Melchisedec Priesthood is described, its history related and its power and authority defined. but the Aaronic Priesthood, including the Levitical, is more particulary dwelt upon, and many items, which will be valuable to all who are engaged in the latter-day work, are set forth in great plainness, so that he who reads may understand.
This pamphlet should be studied by every one holding the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that all may fully comprehend the position which they are called to occupy, and be able to fill their own spheres without encroaching upon those of other men, and that order, which brings peace and strength, may prevail in the Church and no occasion be left for a jar or a discord.
We commend this work to our brethren and sisters as a standard authority on the subject treated of, which we feel assured it will be regarded in the future as well as today, and be referred to as an end of controversy on these matters.]
[John Taylor]
THE
FOLLOWING
ITEMS ON PRIESTHOOD
ARE
PRESENTED TO THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS BY
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR,
[October 8, 1880, 7 pm]
_____
AS THERE
is more or less uncertainty existing in the minds of many of the Bishops and
others in regard to the proper status and authority of the Bishopric and what
is denominated the "Aaronic or Levitical" Priesthood, I thought it
best to lay before the brethren a general statement of the subject, as
contained in the Bible and Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
With this
view, I have made copious extracts from both of the above sacred records, and
so arranged them that they can be readily comprehended by those who hold the
Priesthood and are conversant with the holy order of God; adding only such
remarks, for explanation, as the plain statements warranted; preferring to give
generally the simple quotations, and to let them speak for themselves.
In the
elucidation of this subject I have necessarily had to refer, more or less, to
the Melchizedek Priesthood, as the two Priesthoods are inseparable united, the
one with the other. I have also given a brief Scriptural synopsis of the
Levitical Priesthood, as recorded in the Old Testament.
The
following views have been submitted to the Council of the Twelve and have
received their sanction; they were also laid [2] before the Priesthood Meeting
at the Semi-Annual Conference, held in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City,
October 9th [8th], A. D. 1880, and were unanimously accepted by the large body
of Priesthood present on that occasion.
THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD.
AS CONTAINED IN THE BIBLE.
First. —
The Aaronic, or Levitical Priesthood, spoken of in the revelations as being
"lesser" than the Melchizedek; Aaron was made the mouthpiece of
Moses, while Moses was as a God to Aaron. The Lord having called Moses to deliver
Israel, the Prophet realized his weakness and plead to be excused. We quote
from the Scriptures:
"And
the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the
Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh
forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And
thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy
mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be
thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee
instead of a mouth and thou shalt be to him instead of God." — Ex. iv,
14-16.
It would
seem from the foregoing that the Lord was angry with Moses, because he doubted
the ability of God to sustain him and to enable him to speak: "And the
Lord said unto him. Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf,
or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will
be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, O, my Lord,
send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send." — Ex. iv,
11-13.
The Lord
further says: "And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou
shalt do signs." — Ex. iv, 17.
"And
the Lord said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and
met him in the Mount of God, [3] and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the
words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded
him." — Ex. iv, 27-28.
"These
are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the Lord said, Bring out the children of
Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies. These are they which
spake to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from
Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron." — Ex. vi, 26, 27. "And the
Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt." — Ex. xii, I.
It may be
noticed that Aaron was with Moses, that God called him and spake to him and
Moses, and that he assisted in bringing the message to Pharaoh, and was a prophet
to Moses before he held the Aaronic Priesthood, or before that Priesthood known
to us as the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood was given. But it would seem also
that the Lord spake to Aaron himself; — how and on what principle? The Lord
also said to Moses, "I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and
will teach you what ye shall do." And Aaron spake all the words which the
Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. The
Lord had before spoken to Moses on this subject; he now spake to Aaron. Hence
Paul says, "No man taketh this honor unto himself: but he that is called
of God as was Aaron." What did the Lord say to him? "Go into the
wilderness to meet Moses." And then Moses told Aaron all the words of the
Lord, who had sent him. Moses was thus his instructor and guide, or in other
words, acted as a God to him. Thus, Aaron being selected to assist Moses and to
be his mouthpiece, went with him to Egypt, and was with him in his intercourse
with Pharaoh, and in the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. But
Moses always took the lead, and when Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, met him,
"Moses sat to judge the people [not Aaron]: and the people stood by Moses,
from the morning unto the evening." And when Jethro saw the excessive
labors of Moses, he counseled him. If God should command him to choose able men
to be rulers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens; to judge the
smaller cases, while Moses should have charge of the most important. Thus
Moses, and not Aaron, was the most prominent personage in these matters.
We
further find that Aaron was permitted to go up to Mount [4] Sinai. "And
the Lord said unto him [Moses], Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up,
thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the Priests and the people break through
to come up. unto the Lord, lest he break forth upon them." — Ex. xix, 24.
It may be here asked. Who were these Priests? for the Aaronic Priesthood, as we
know it, was not then introduced. But Moses was his leader, and it was he who
obtained the word of the Lord, and it was he with whom the Lord conversed. For
we find, "And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of
the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the
children of Israel. * * * And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top
of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses
went up. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people lest they
break through unto the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish." — Ex. xix,
3, 20, 21. Moses always took the lead: "And he said unto Moses, Come up
unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the Elders of
Israel; and worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near the Lord: but
they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him." — Ex.
xxiv, I, 2. They saw God and did eat and drink: "And upon the nobles of
the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and
drink." (v. 11.) And afterwards Moses was with the Lord forty days.
"And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the
mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights." (v. 18.)
By what power did Aaron see God? May we not suppose it was by the power of the
Melchizedek Priesthood? for without that no man can see the face of God and
live. It, the Melchizedek, holds the keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom, even
the key of the knowledge of God. (Doc. and Cov., sec. 84, p. 290.) Moses had
these keys; but Aaron also saw God, as well as the seventy Elders of Israel,
and the people saw his glory and heard his voice. — Ex. xx, 22; Deut. iv, 36.
It would
seem that Aaron and the seventy Elders of Israel then had the Melchizedek
Priesthood, and the Aaronic was about being combined with it, as we have them
now. Moses held the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood, and presided over the
whole. Aaron was then in possession of the Melchizedek Priesthood; but [5]
another or lesser Priesthood was about to be conferred upon him, which was done
soon after. We quote, "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his
sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me
in the Priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar,
Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for
glory and for beauty." — Ex. xxviii, I, 2.
Does it
not seem probable that Aaron, when he received this lesser Priesthood, was in
the same position (as to Priesthood) that our Presiding Bishop is, holding the
Melchizedek and lesser Priesthoods, but presiding over the latter, and Moses
presiding over all — the Melchizedek as well as the Aaronic or Levitical, the
latter being an appendage to the former? For we read that the law was added
because of transgression; added to what? Was there anything but the Gospel to
add it to? The children of Israel, at this time, had the Gospel and the pattern
of the ark, and the commandments were given under its auspices. And the Lord
spake unto Moses, saying, "And look that thou make them after their
pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount." — Ex. xxv, 40. (See also the
whole chapter.) And further, the words of the Lord, the book of the covenant or
law of the Lord were given under the Gospel. (See Ex. xxiv, 1-8.) And the
sacrifices and burnt offerings were also performed under the Gospel; and as the
great Presiding High Priest, Moses, gave directions concerning the sacrifices,
and himself sprinkled half of the blood upon the altar, and put half into
basins, hence we have the following:
"And
Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he
sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the
audience of the people: and they said. All the Lord hath said will we do, and
be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and
said. Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you
concerning all these words." — Ex. xxiv, 6-8. Moses was with the Lord
forty days in the mount receiving these things, viz., the laws and covenants,
the pattern of the ark and tabernacle, and the tables. (See Ex. xxiv to xxxii.)
We here
have a statement of the manner in which Aaron and his sons were set apart to
administer in the Aaronic Priest's office, while yet under the Gospel; for we
read, "And Aaron and his sons thou [6] shalt bring unto the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. And thou shalt
take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and
the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the
ephod: and thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon
the mitre. Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head,
and anoint him. And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them. And
thou shalt gird them with the girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets
on them: and the Priests office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and
THOU shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons." Ex. xxix, 4-9.
Further,
"And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they
may minister unto me in the Priest's office: for their anointing shall surely
be an everlasting Priesthood throughout their generations." — Ex. xl, 15.
We find that in all this Moses was the chief actor. Sometime after, for certain
reasons specified, Aaron was to be gathered to his people, and not be permitted
to enter the land, as stated. "Aaron shall be gathered unto his people:
for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of
Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. Take Aaron
and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto Mount Hor: and strip Aaron of his
garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto
his people, and shall die there. And Moses did as the Lord commanded: and they
went up into Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. And Moses stripped
Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there
in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount."
— Num. xx, 24-28.
What the
sin was that Moses and Aaron committed does not distinctly appear, except it
was in taking glory to themselves instead of giving God the glory. For God had
commanded Moses to take the rod, he and Aaron, and smite the rock, which he
did. In doing this, however, Moses said: "Hear now, ye rebels: must we
fetch you water out of this rock? * * * And the Lord spake unto Moses and
Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children
of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I
have given [7] them." — Num. xx, 10-12. This is the water of Meribah (or
strife) because the children of Israel strove with the Lord and he was
sanctified in them. David, in referring to this, says: "They angered him
also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his
lips." — Psalm cvi, 32, 33.
The same
judgment afterwards overtook Moses, and also for the same reason. For,
"The Lord said unto Moses, get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the
land which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen
it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was
gathered. For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the
strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes, that
is the water of Meribah, in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin." — Num.
xxvii, 12-14. Deut. xxxii, 48-52.
Moses
plead with the Lord to have this sentence reversed, but the Lord would not
grant his prayer. He said "I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good
land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the Lord was
wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the Lord said unto me.
Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the
top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward,
and eastward, and behold it with thine eye; for thou shalt not go over this
Jordan." — Deut. iii, 25- 27. And when Moses found that the Lord would not
permit him to go to the goodly land, he still felt interested about the welfare
of the people. For we read: "And Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, Let
the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may
lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord
be not as sheep which have no shepherd. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee
Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon
him; and set him before Eleazer the Priest, and before all the congregation;
and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honor
upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
And he shall stand before Eleazar the Priest, who shall ask counsel for him
after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they [8] go out,
and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel
with him, even all the congregation. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him:
and he, took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the Priest, and before all the
congregation: and he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord
commanded by the hand of Moses." — Num. xxvii, 15-23.
In his
day Moses was the law-giver and leader of the children of Israel. When he died
some of Moses' honor was conferred upon Joshua, not all; Joshua then was to be
under the priestly direction of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, who was to ask
counsel for him after the judgment of Urim. Thus the lesser Priesthood began to
bear rule in the person of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, although in operation it
did not bear rule in Aaron's time. And while the keys and powers of the
Melchizedek Priesthood were withdrawn in the person of Moses, the Aaronic
Priesthood was maintained in all its powers in the person of Eleazar. Joshua
indeed led the people, but had not the gifts and powers of the Priesthood which
Moses had, holding indeed the Melchizedek Priesthood, but possessing only some
of Moses' honor,
Moses died, according to the
chronological record of the Bible, in the year B. C. 1451. Upwards of three
hundred years afterwards we find Eli officiating as Priest; and although he was
a good man, he did not control his sons, nor stop their iniquitous practices;
for which he and his sons were reproved by the Lord. And Samuel took his place,
and he selected and anointed Saul, who had, as Joshua, part of Moses' honor. And
the Aaronic Priesthood continued to exercise its priestly power, more or less,
until Christ; of which as appears John was the last legitimate High Priest.
In the
new translation the removal of the Melchizedek Priesthood is clearly defined as
follows: "And the Lord said unto Moses: Hew thee two other tables of
stone, like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words of the
law, according as they were written at first on the tables which thou brakest:
but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood
out of their midst; therefore my holy order [or the Melchizedek], and the
ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my presence shall not go up
in their midst, lest I destroy them. But I will give unto them the law as at
the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have
sworn in my wrath, that they shall not [9] enter into my presence, into my
rest, in the days of their pilgrimage." — Ex. xxxiv, 1, 2.
The Lord
said unto Moses: "Thou canst not see my face at this time, lest mine anger
is kindled against thee also, and I destroy thee and thy people; for there
shall no man among them see me at this time and live; for they are exceeding
sinful. And no sinful man hath at any time; neither shall there be any sinful
man at any time, that shall see my face and live." — N. T. Ex. xxxiii, 20.
He did, however, place him in the cleft of a rock, and covered him with His
hand, and permitted him to see His back parts; but not His face. A little while
before this, Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the Elders of
Israel saw God, and did eat and drink. — Ex. xxiv, 9-1 1. But now Moses even,
could not see his face, nor any of the people go near him, and when Moses had
been a second time on the mount and his face shone so that they could not look
upon him, Moses had to put a vail on his face. — Ex. xxxiv, 29-35.
Paul in
referring to this says: "And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face,
that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which
is abolished: but their minds were blinded; for until this day remaineth the
same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which vail is done
away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon
their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be
taken away." — II. Cor. iii, 13-16.
From the foregoing and from the
whole history of the Aaronic Priesthood until the coming of Christ, it appears
that, with the exception of some prominent prophets who held the Melchizedek
Priesthood, as the direct gift of God, without, it would seem, the power to
confer it upon others — not having an organization — there was very little of
the manifestation of the gift and power of God among the people of the Jews, so
that it might truly be said, "There arose not a prophet since in Israel
like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and the
wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to
all his servants, and to all his land; and in all that mighty hand, and in all
that great terror, which Moses showed in the sight of all Israel." — Deut.
xxxiv, 10-12.
From the
foregoing it is evident: [10]
First. —
That the Melchizedek Priesthood was greater than the Aaronic, and that while it
ruled, it controlled all matters pertaining to the government and instruction
of the people, and that it organized and directed the Aaronic Priesthood, which
was in reality an appendage to the greater.
Second. — That when the
Melchizedek Priesthood was in a great measure withdrawn, as there was no
regular organization of that Priesthood, it was left to a great extent to the
guidance and direction of the Lord, who, from time to time, inspired different
men as Prophets, who came to the people with the word of the Lord, receiving
their inspiration and calling directly from him, as Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Daniel and others. But that a portion of Moses' spirit rested upon Joshua, upon
the seventy Elders of Israel, upon the Prophets in the days of Elijah, Elisha
and others.
Third. —
That the Aaronic Priesthood continued in its full force, having a complete
organization, which it received under the hands of Moses, or through the
Melchizedek Priesthood.
Fourth. —
That the Aaronic Priesthood, being continued, it held the Urim and Thummim, and
gave direction to Joshua, who was set apart by Moses, and to Saul, David,
Solomon and others, who were anointed and set apart to their kingly power, and
to rule over and to lead and direct Israel, and that this state of things
continued until Christ. The High Priests of the Aaronic Priesthood being the
acknowledged representatives of God, holding the priestly power: whilst the
kings were anointed by them, or by their priestly authority, and the kings and
rulers had to get the word of the Lord from the Aaronic Priesthood, or through
the Urim and Thummim.
Fifth. —
It is further evident that this Priesthood became, in many instances, very
corrupt, and incurred the displeasure of God, and that many of the kings also,
though anointed, perverted their office and calling, and instead of being the
protectors and saviors of Israel, helped to lead them astray.
Sixth. —
It is evident that all the Aaronic Priesthood did not have the Urim and
Thummim, nor did they call, anoint and direct kings, or bear rule in the
nation. But only the High Priest — one man — and that one man presided over and
directed the action of the kings, telling them when to go out to war, and when
not to go, and giving unto them the word of the Lord through the Urim and
Thummim. [11] Seventh. — That they only had one tabernacle, one ark of the
covenant, or one temple at one time; and not as we, many stakes, many temples,
and many services. But then they, when Moses left, were under the Aaronic, and
we are under the Melchizedek Priesthood; they were under the law and the Mosaic
dispensation; we are under the Gospel, and in the dispensation of the fullness
of time, and have consequently labors and duties to perform which did not
belong to them.
It may be
proper here to remark that there was a council, called a "senate of the
children of Israel." — Acts v, 21. The High Priest called this council
together. The council, it is said, was composed of seventy men or judges, and
to have taken its rise from the installment of the seventy Elders spoken of in
Num. xi, 16, 17. They were to be known by Moses to be Elders of the people and
officers over them — "Able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating
covetousness" — a portion of Moses' spirit was to be given unto them, and
they were to help him to bear the burdens of the people. As Saul was anointed
by Samuel to be captain over the Lord's inheritance, and the Spirit of the Lord
was to come upon him, and he was to prophesy and be turned into another man.
(See I. Samuel x, 6.) And God gave him another heart, and all the signs came to
pass that day, and he prophesied.
This
senate or council was known by the name of the Sanhedrim, and it is said, sat
in the form of a half moon. This council is spoken of in John xi, 47-52.
"Then gathered the Chief Priests and Pharisees a council. * * And one of
them named Caiaphas, the High Priest, said * * it is expedient for us that one
man should die for the people. * * And this spake he not of himself; but being
High Priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation, and
not for that nation only; but that also he should gather together in one the
children of God that were scattered abroad." "Now Caiaphas was he
which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die
for the people." — John xviii, 14. This council had not the power of
death, (ver. 31.) (See also Acts iv, v and vi.) About this Sanhedrim there is
little or nothing said in the Old Testament nor of the organization of this
court. It is thought by some it existed after the captivity, or in the days of
the Maccabees only.
There is
another remarkable thing about the Aaronic Priest[12]hood, or at least about
the early action of Aaron, as an associate of Moses. When Moses was first
called upon to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, he told the Lord that they
would not believe him, nor hearken unto his voice, and Moses was told to cast
his rod upon the ground, and it became a serpent, and he fled from before it;
but when the Lord told Moses to take it by the tail, and he caught it, it
became a rod again. Then the Lord told him to put his hand into his bosom, and
when he took it out it was leprous. He was told to put it into his bosom again,
and it was restored and like his other flesh. Still, Moses was unconvinced and
said, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast
spoken unto thy servant ; but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue. And the
Lord said unto him. Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf,
or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will
be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." — Ex. iv, 10-12.
Yet Moses was not satisfied and shrank from his mission, and said: "O my
Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger
of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said. Is not Aaron the Levite thy
brother? I know, that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to
meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt
speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and
with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy
spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of
a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. And thou shalt take this rod
in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs." (See the whole of chap, iv,
Ex.)
From the
above it would seem that if Moses would have done as the Lord requested him,
Aaron would not have been called. Moses shrank from the responsibility; and
though the Lord was angry with him yet he gave unto him a helper in Aaron. A
revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, says: "Now this Moses plainly
taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to
sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; but they hardened
their hearts and could not endure his presence, therefore the Lord in his wrath
(for his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into
his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory.
Therefore [13] he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
and the lesser Priesthood continued, which Priesthood holdeth the key of the
ministering of angels and the preparatory Gospel, which Gospel is the Gospel of
repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal
commandments, which the Lord in his wrath, caused to continue with the house of
Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled
with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb; for he was baptized while he was
yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was
eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to
make straight the way of the Lord, before the face of his people to prepare
them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power." — Doc.
and Cov. Sec. 84, pars. 23-88. pp. 290-1. Again, Paul says, "If therefore
perfection were by the Levitical Priesthood, (for under it the people received
the law,) what further need was there that another Priest should rise after the
order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the
Priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the
law." — Heb. vii, 11, 12. (See also chapters viii, ix and x.) John the
Baptist came as the forerunner of Christ, and baptized him as stated.
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of
him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest
thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him. Suffer it to be so now: for thus
it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus,
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens
were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and
lighting upon him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying. This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased." — Matt, iii, 13-17. On inquiry being made,
Jesus said of John the Baptist, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that
are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist;
notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he." — Matt, xi, 11. Again Jesus said, "And if ye will receive it,
this is Elias which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him
hear." (vers. 14, 15.) But they would not receive it: they beheaded John
and crucified Jesus; hence the restoration, the mission of Elias was postponed
until he appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirt[14]land
Temple. (Doc. and Cov. Sec. cx, p. 405.) At which time Elijah came, as Malachi
says: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers
to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come
and smite the earth with a curse." — Mal. iv, 5, 6.
It seems
from the foregoing that Moses had the greater or Melchizedek Priesthood; that
when he was taken, the keys went with him; that the Aaronic Priesthood ruled
until Christ, and the people were under the law; that when Christ came he
introduced a better covenant and restored the Gospel; and that the Bishopric
was, and the Aaronic Priesthood is, under the Melchizedek, and an appendage
thereto, as are also all Elders appendages to the Melchizedek Priesthood; and
it is also evident that the Presidency of that Priesthood presides over all, as
did Melchizedek, Moses, Joseph Smith, etc., with Jesus at the head, as the great
Presiding High Priest.
But if,
as Paul says, the Priesthood being changed, then is made of necessity a change
also of the law; or in other words, a change from the law of carnal
commandments and ordinances to the law of the Gospel. Yet the Aaronic Priesthood,
as the Melchizedek, is an everlasting Priesthood, as before exhibited, and
continueth forever as an appendage to the Melchizedek Priesthood; and hence in
the old apostolic days, when under an organization of the Melchizedek, the
latter is the most prominent, and very little is said about the Levitical or
Aaronic: probably on account of the peculiar traditions and superstitions of
the Jews, which made it almost impossible for them to comprehend the greater or
Melchizedek. Yet the Aaronic cannot be ignored, and in the dispensation of the
fullness of times it again comes forth, as one of the grand aids or appendages
to the Melchizedek Priesthood; and hence in the ushering in of this
dispensation, John the Baptist appears on the stage and confers the Aaronic
Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
Having
therefore traced out these two Priesthoods, principally from the old
Scriptures, we how turn to the revelations given by Joseph Smith in the
introduction of the Priesthood, as revealed by the Latter-day Prophet in the
ushering in of the dispensation of the fullness of times. [15]
PRINCIPALLY ON
THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD OR
BISHOPRIC.
THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD CONFERRED.
"Words
of the Angel, John, (the Baptist,) spoken to Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver
Cowdery, as he (the angel) laid his hands upon their heads and ordained them to
the Aaronic Priesthood, in Harmony, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, May 15th,
1829:
"Upon
you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of
Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the Gospel of
repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this
shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer
again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." — Doc. and Cov., Sec
13, p. 108.
We quote
from some of the first revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith upon this
subject. "Every President of the High Priesthood (or Presiding Elder,)
Bishop, High Councilor, and High Priest, is to be ordained by the direction of
a High Council or General Conference. Presiding Elders, Traveling Bishops, High
Councilors, High Priests, and Elders, may have the privilege of ordaining where
there is no branch of the Church." — Doc. and Cov., Sec. 20, pars. 67, 66,
p. 127. At this time Presidents of the High Priesthood, Presiding Elders,
Bishops, High Councilors, and High Priests were placed on the same footing. It
may be observed that Traveling Bishops are here referred to. These were given for
the regulation of the newly organized branches or churches.
From the
above we learn: That before the appointment of Bishops there were revelations
given and arrangements made for this office. Whilst the following teaches us:
That
certain men among the Saints should be appointed by the [16] voice of the
Church, to look after the poor and needy, and to govern the affairs of the
property of the Church. "And now I give unto the Church in these parts, a
commandment that certain men among them shall be appointed, and they shall be
appointed by the voice of the Church; and they shall look to the poor and the
needy, and administer to their relief, that they shall not suffer; and send
them forth to the place which 1 have commanded them." — Sec. 38, pars. 34,
35, p. 163. The place referred to at that time was Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio.
(par. 32.)
Edward
Partridge was ordained a Bishop — the first Bishop in the Church — and was
called Feb. 4, 1831. He was to spend all his time in the labors of the Church.
We quote: "And again, I have called my servant Edward Partridge, and give
a commandment, that he should be appointed by the voice of the Church, and
ordained a Bishop unto the Church, to leave his merchandise and to spend all
his time in the labors of the Church: to see to all things as it shall be
appointed unto him, in my laws in the day that I shall give them." — Sec.
41, pars. 9, 10, p. 168. He was to "see to all things, as it shall be
appointed unto him, in my laws" [Who was to give these laws?] "in the
day that I shall give them."
Newel K.
Whitney was the second Bishop — called to be a Bishop, Dec. 4, 183 1. "And
now, verily I say unto you, my servant Newel K. Whitney is the man who shall be
appointed and ordained unto this power. Even so. Amen." — Sec. 72, par. 8,
p. 257. "And again, I say unto you, that my servant Edward Partridge shall
stand in the office wherewith I have appointed him. And it shall come to pass,
that if he transgresses, another shall be appointed in his stead. Even so.
Amen." — Sec. 42, par. 10, p. 169; Feb. 9, 1831.
Property
was to be consecrated for the poor, and laid before the Bishop and his
counselors, who are to be two Elders or High Priests. (See sec. 42. pars. 30,
31, p. 171) The residue was to be kept in a storehouse for the poor and needy,
as shall be appointed by the High Council and the Bishop and his Council and
for purchasing Church lands, building houses of worship, building up the New
Jerusalem; of course he was to act as a general Bishop of the Church, (he was
not confined to a ward,) to receive and distribute property, appoint
stewardships, etc. It will be perceived that the High Council then had a voice
in these matters. It is written: [17]
"And
inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor ye will do it unto me,
and they shall be laid before the Bishop of my Church and his Counselors, two
of the Elders, or High Priests, such as he shall or has set apart for that
purpose. And it shall come to pass, that after they are laid before the Bishop
of my Church, and after that he has received these testimonies concerning the
consecration of the properties of my Church, that they cannot be taken from the
Church agreeable to my commandments; every man shall be made accountable unto
me, a Stewart over his own property, or that which he has received by
consecration, inasmuch as is sufficient for himself and family. And again, if
there shall be properties in the hands of the Church, or any individuals of it,
more than is necessary for their support, after this first consecration, which
is a residue to be consecrated unto the Bishop, it shall be kept to administer
to those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be
amply supplied, and receive according to his wants. Therefore the residue shall
be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy, as shall be
appointed by the High Council of the Church, and the Bishop and his Council.
And for the purpose of purchasing lands for the public benefit of the Church,
and building houses of worship, and building up of the New Jerusalem which is
hereafter to be revealed." — Sec. 42, pars. 31-35, pp. 171-2.
The
Bishop was to receive his support, and also his Counselors, or a remuneration
for services. We read: "And the Elders, or High Priests who are appointed
to assist the Bishop, as Counselors in all things, are to have their families
supported out of the property which is consecrated to the Bishop, for the good
of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned; or they are to
receive a just remuneration for all their services, either a stewardship or
otherwise, as may be thought best or decided by the Counselors and Bishop, and
the Bishop, also, shall receive his support, or a just remuneration for all his
services in the Church." — Sec. 42, pars. 71-73, p. 175. (See also p.
257.)
"And
unto the Bishop of the Church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to
watch over the Church, and to be Elders unto the Church, are to have it given
unto them to discern all those gifts." — Sec. 46, par. 27, p. 193. Certain
gifts were here referred to. Not only Bishops but Elders were to have this
power. We [18] further find that Edward Partridge was to appoint unto this
people their portion — every man equal, giving him a writing — and every man
was to deal honestly, and be and receive alike; one Church must not use the
money of another Church without making arrangements to pay it. A storehouse was
to be appointed. The Bishop was to receive unto himself and family what was
needed for his wants, and for those of his family. This was to be an example
unto Edward. Partridge, and to all Churches.
"And
let my servant, Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint a man his portion, give
unto him a writing that shall secure unto him his portion. * * And let that
which belongeth to this people not be taken and given unto that of another
Church; wherefore, if another Church would receive money of this Church let
them pay unto this Church again according as they shall agree; and this shall
be done through the Bishop or the agent, which shall be appointed by the voice
of the Church. And again, let the Bishop appoint a storehouse unto this Church,
and let all things, both in money and in meat, which is more than is needful
for the want of this people, be kept in the hands of the Bishop. And let him
also reserve unto himself for his own wants, and for the wants of his family,
as he shall be employed in doing this business. And thus I grant unto this
people a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws; and I
consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall
provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; and the hour and the
day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years,
and this shall turn unto them for their good. Behold this shall be an example
unto my servant Edward Partridge, in other places, in all Churches." —
Sec. 51, pars. 4, 10-18, pp. 203, 204.
First. —
From the above we find that bishops were first spoken of as early as April,
1830. (See sec. 20, p. 121.)
Second. —
Certain men were to be appointed to look after the poor and administer to their
relief and govern the affairs of the property of the Church. (See sec. 38,
pars. 34-36, p. 163, January 2, 1831.)
Third. —
Edward Partridge was called to be the first Bishop, (See sec. 41, par. 9, p.
168, February 1831,) "and to spend all his time in the labors of the
Church." [19]
Fourth. —
That Newel K. Whitney was called and appointed to this office as the second
Bishop of this Church.
Fifth. —
After this, besides Bishops' agents, there were other Bishops appointed. George
Miller was appointed to the Bishopric, and had it sealed upon his head.
"I
therefore say unto you, I seal upon his head the office of a Bishopric, like
unto my servant Edward Partridge, that he may receive the consecrations of mine
house, that he may administer blessings upon the heads of the poor of my
people, saith the Lord. Let no man despise my servant George, for he shall
honor me." — Sec. 124, par. 21, p. 431.
Also,
"He who is appointed to administer spiritual things, the same is worthy of
his hire, even as those who are appointed to a stewardship to administer in
temporal things." — Sec. 70, par. 12, p. 254.
There
seems to be a difference in the duties of Bishops; Brother Miller's was to be
like Edward Partridge's whose duties are distinctly marked out as follows:
"And again, verily I say unto you, my servant George Miller is without
guile; he may be trusted because of the integrity of his heart; and for the
love which he has to my testimony I, the Lord, love him." — Sec. 124, par.
20 (see also par. 21), p. 431.
At the
same time and in the same manner Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith, and Shadrach
Roundy were appointed to preside over the Bishopric.
"And
again, I say unto you, I give unto you Vinson Knight, Samuel H. Smith, and
Shadrach Roundy, if he will receive it, to preside over the Bishopric; a
knowledge of said Bishopric is given unto you in the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants." — Sec. 124, par. 141, p. 446. Vinson Knight was a Bishop, the
two others were of course his Counselors.
We find
from the foregoing and from what follows that there were several kinds of
Bishops, as well as Bishops' agents. Bishop Edward Partridge was appointed to
preside over the Saints in Zion, to purchase lands, divide inheritances, and
sit as a judge in Israel, as a general Bishop to that district of country, and
he had a special agent to assist him, viz., Sidney Gilbert.
Bishop Whitney
was appointed Bishop in Kirtland, Ohio, yet he had charge of all the Churches
in the eastern country, as a gen[20]eral Bishop. Neither of these, at that
time, were presiding Bishops over the Bishopric. George Miller was appointed to
fill the place of Edward Partridge and officiate in the same order of
Bishopric. Vinson Knight was appointed to preside over the Bishopric with
Samuel H. Smith and Shadrach Roundy for counselors, and at the same time that
George Miller was appointed to take the place of Edward Partridge. Then there
were Alanson Ripley and others. Sidney Gilbert was to be an agent unto this
Church in the place that shall be appointed by the Bishop. (Sec 53, par. 4, p.
209.)
"And
let my servant Sidney Gilbert stand in the office which I have appointed him,
to receive moneys, to be an agent unto the Church, to buy land in all the
regions round about, inasmuch as can be in righteousness, and as wisdom shall
direct. * * And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant Sidney Gilbert
plant himself in this place, and establish a store, that he may sell goods
without fraud, that he may obtain money to buy lands for the good of the
Saints, and that he may obtain whatsoever things the disciples may need to
plant them in their inheritances." — Sec. 57, pars. 6, 8, pp. 215-16.
The Lord
says Edward Partridge was also to "stand in the office which I have
appointed him, to divide the Saints their inheritance, even as I have
commanded; and also those whom he has appointed to assist him." — Sec. 57,
par. 7, p. 215 * * "Let the Bishop and the agent make preparations for
those families which have been commanded to come to this land, as soon as
possible, and plant them in their inheritance." — Sec. 57, par, 15, p.
216. "I have selected my servant Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto
him his mission in this land; but if he repent not of his sins, which are
unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall. Behold his
mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again. And whoso standeth
in his mission is appointed to be a judge in Israel, like as it was in ancient
days, to divide the lands of the heritage of God unto his children, and to
judge his people by the testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his
counselors, according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the
Prophets of God; for verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
Let no man think he is ruler, but let God rule him that judgeth, according to
the counsel of his own will; or, in other words him that counseleth or sitteth
upon the judgment seat." — Sec. 58 [21] pars. 14-20, p. 218. "Let the
residue of the Elders * * hold a conference;" and Edward Partridge was
empowered to direct the conference which should be held by certain Elders.
(Sec. 58, pars. 61, 62, p. 222.)
"And
let my servant Edward Partridge impart of the money which I have given him, a
portion unto mine Elders who are commanded to return." — Sec. 60, pars.
10, 11, p. 226. If not able, they were not required to return it.
"Let
my servant Newel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store yet
for a little season. Nevertheless let him impart all the money which he can
impart, to be sent up unto the land of Zion. Behold these things are in his own
hands, let him do according to wisdom. Verily I say, let him be ordained as an
agent unto the disciples that shall tarry, and let him be ordained unto this
power." — Sec. 43, pars. 42-45, pp. 236-7. It would seem from the above
that Bishop Whitney was not yet a Bishop when he was ordained to be an agent.
"And
even the Bishop, who is a judge, and his Counselors, if they are not faithful
in their stewardships, shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their
stead." Sec. 64, par. 40, p. 243.
We find
from the following that Bishops must be selected from the High Priests and be
set apart to the Bishopric.
"There
remaineth hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other Bishops to be set apart
unto the Church, to minister even according to the first; wherefore they shall
be High Priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the First
Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood, except they be literal descendants of
Aaron. And if they be literal descendants of Aaron, they have a legal right to
the Bishopric, if they are the first born among the sons of Aaron; for the
firstborn hold the right of the Presidency over this Priesthood, and the keys
or authority of the same. No man has a legal right to this office to hold the
keys of this Priesthood, except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of
Aaron; but as a High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has authority to
officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of Bishop
when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called, and
set apart and ordained unto this power under the hands of the First Presidency
of the Melchizedek Priesthood. And a literal descendant of Aaron, also, must be
designated by this [22] Presidency, and found worthy, and anointed, and
ordained under the hands of this Presidency, otherwise they are not legally
authorized to officiate in their Priesthood; but by virtue of the decree
concerning their right of the Priesthood descending from father to son, they
may claim their anointing, if at any time they can prove their lineage, or do
ascertain it by revelation from the Lord under the hands of the above named
Presidency. And again, no Bishop or High Priest who shall be set apart for this
ministry, shall be tried or condemned for any crime, save it be before the First
Presidency of the Church ; and inasmuch as he is found guilty before this
Presidency, by testimony that cannot be impeached, he shall be condemned."
— Sec. 68, pars. 14-23, pp. 249-250.
We may
here notice, as elsewhere referred to, that it is the Presidency of the Aaronic
Priesthood that is above spoken of, that must be set apart by the First
Presidency, and also tried by them, whether of lineal descent or High Priests.
Newel K. Whitney was appointed and ordained a Bishop. (See sec. 72, par. 8, p.
257) "Let my servant Newel K. Whitney, and my servant Joseph Smith, Jr.,
and my servant Sidney Rigdon, sit in council with the Saints which are in
Zion." — Sec. 78, par. 9, p. 281. Thus it seems that though Bishop Whitney
was Bishop of Kirtland, he sat in council with the Saints which were in Zion,
associated with Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, thus showing that he was not a
ward but a general Church Bishop.
"Therefore,
verily I say unto you, that it is expedient for my servant Alam, and Ahashdah,
(Newel K. Whitney,) Mahalaleel, and Pelagoram, (Sidney Rigdon,) and my servant
Gazelam, (Joseph Smith,) and Horah, Olihah, (Oliver Cowdery,) and
Shalemanasseh, and Mehemson, (Martin Harris,) to be bound together by a bond
and covenant that cannot be broken by transgression, (except judgment shall
immediately follow,) in your several stewardships, to manage the affairs of the
poor, and all things pertaining to the Bishopric, both in the land of Zion and
in the land of Shinehah (Kirtland.)" — Sec. 82, pars. 11, 12, p. 286.
This
proves that President Joseph Smith and his Counselor Sidney Rigdon were
authorized to supervise temporal matters in the Church as well as the Bishop or
with him. Here the Melchizedek Priesthood is united with the Aaronic to manage
the Bishopric in both lands. We continue our quotations: "Every [23] man
seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single
to the glory of God." — Sec. 82, par. 19, p. 287.
"Which
Abraham received the Priesthood from Melchizedek, who received it through the
lineage of his fathers, even till Noah; and from Noah till Enoch, through the
lineage of their fathers; and from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the
conspiracy of his brother, who received the Priesthood by the commandments of
God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man — which Priesthood
continueth in the Church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of
days or end of years. And the Lord confirmed a Priesthood also upon Aaron and
his seed, throughout all their generations — which Priesthood also continueth
and abideth forever with the Priesthood, which is after the holiest order of
God. And this greater Priesthood administereth the Gospel and holdeth the key
of the mysteries of the Kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God;
therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of Godliness is manifest, and
without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power
of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can
see the face of God, even the Father, and live. Now this Moses plainly taught
to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify
his people that they might behold the face of God; but they hardened their
hearts and could not endure his presence, therefore the Lord in his wrath (for
his anger was kindled against them) swore that they should not enter into his
rest while in the wilderness; which rest is the fullness of his glory.
Therefore he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also."
— Sec. 84, pars. 14- 25, pp. 290-1.
We have
already shown that there was a Priesthood conferred upon Aaron and his seed
throughout all their generations. It becomes a question what Priesthood Aaron
had before he had bestowed upon him what is termed the Aaronic Priesthood, when
he administered with Moses? "The greater Priesthood administereth the
Gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the Kingdom, even the key of the
knowledge of God."
Frederick
G. Williams was called and appointed a High Priest and Counselor to Joseph
Smith. His call reads as follows:
"Verily,
verily I say unto you, my servant Frederick G. Williams, listen to the voice of
him who speaketh, to the word of the [24] Lord your God, and hearken to the
calling wherewith you are called, even to be a High Priest in my Church and a
Counselor unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., unto whom I have given the keys of
the Kingdom, which belongeth always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood:
therefore, verily, I acknowledge him and will bless him and also thee, inasmuch
as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you
in prayer always vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in
thy ministry in proclaiming the Gospel in the land of the living, and among thy
brethren." — Sec. 81, pars. 1-3, p. 284.
From the
following we find that God took Moses from the midst of the children of Israel
and also the Holy or Melchizedek Priesthood, leaving the lesser, or the Aaronic
Priesthood. "Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy
Priesthood also; and the lesser Priesthood continued, which Priesthood holdeth
the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory Gospel, which Gospel
is the Gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the
law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath, caused to continue
with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised
up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb; for he was
baptized while he was yet in his childhood, and was ordained by the angel of
God at the time he was eight days old unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom
of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his
people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all
power. And again, the offices of Elder and Bishop are necessary appendages
belonging unto the High Priesthood." Sec. 84, pars. 25- 29, p. 291. From
this, it would seem that the law of carnal commandments was a curse. Paul said
the law was added because of transgression. ("It was added because of
transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made."
Gal. iii, 19.) And that it was a yoke which neither they nor their fathers were
able to bear; and that Christ came to fulfill the law and introduce the Gospel
which was greater — a higher law and a greater Priesthood, viz: the
Melchizedek.
Both
Elders and Bishops are appendages to the High Priesthood. "And again, the
offices of Teacher and Deacon are necessary appendages belonging to the lesser
Priesthood." (Sec. 84, [25] par. 30, p. 291); thus Elders and Bishops are
appendages to the High Priesthood, while Teachers and Deacons are appendages to
the lesser, which lesser is an appendage to the higher or Melchizedek.
"Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses — for the sons of
Moses, and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice
in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this
generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed." — Sec. 84,
par. 31, p. 291. When both of these Priesthoods are carried out and united in
their purity, the glory of the Lord will be manifested upon Mount Zion, in the
Lord's house, both operating according to their callings, position and
authority. For it is written, "And the sons of Moses and Aaron shall be
filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion, in the Lord's house, whose
sons are ye; and also many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my
Church; for whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two Priesthoods, of
which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling are sanctified by the
Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies; they become the sons of Moses and of
Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the Church and Kingdom, and the elect of
God; and also all they who receive this Priesthood receiveth me, saith the
Lord; for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; and he that receiveth me
receiveth my Father; and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's
Kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him; and this is
according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the Priesthood.
Therefore, all those who receive the Priesthood, receive this oath and covenant
of my Father which he cannot break, neither can it be moved; but whoso breaketh
this covenant, after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom,
shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come. And
all those who come not unto this Priesthood which ye have received, which I now
confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the
heavens, and even 1 have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge
concerning you." — Sec. 84, pars. 32-42, p. 292.
"And
let all those who have not families, who receive moneys, send it up unto the
Bishop in Zion, or unto the Bishop in Ohio, that it may be consecrated for the
bringing forth of the revelations and [26] the printing thereof, and for
establishing Zion." — Sec. 84, par. 104, p. 298.
In the
same revelation "unto Joseph Smith, Jun., and six Elders," it is
written: "Therefore, take with you those who are ordained unto the lesser
Priesthood, and send them before you to make appointments, and prepare the way,
and to fill appointments that you yourselves are not able to fill. Behold, this
is the way that mine Apostles, in ancient days, built up my Church unto me.*
[*Why should not this be the way
now?]
Also
the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the
system may be kept perfect." — Sec. 84, pars. 107, 108, no, p. 299.
We further quote: "For the
body is not one member, but many. * * And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I
have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of
you." — I Cor. xii, 14, 21.
"And
the Bishop, Newel K. Whitney, also, should travel round about and among all the
Churches, searching after the poor to administer to their wants by humbling the
rich and the proud; he should also employ an agent to take charge and to do his
secular business as he shall direct." — Sec. 84, pars. 112, 113, p. 299.
Thus High Priests, Seventies, Elders, Bishops, and all men holding the
Priesthood were to be actively engaged in magnifying their Priesthood.
"It
is the duty of the Lord's clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and
a General Church Record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those
who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the Bishop;
and also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of all the
apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances. It is contrary to
the will and commandment of God, that those who receive not their inheritance
by consecration, agreeably to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe
his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should
have their names enrolled with the people of God; neither is their genealogy to
be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of
the Church; their name shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers,
nor the names of the children written in the book of the [27] law of God, saith
the Lord of Hosts. Yea, thus saith the still small voice, which whispereth
through and pierceth all things, and often times it maketh my bones to quake
while it maketh manifest, saying: And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord
God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the sceptre of power in his hand,
clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words;
while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of
God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints, whose names are
found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the
book of the law of God: while that man, who was called of God and appointed,
that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft
of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning; and
all they who are not found written in the book of remembrance, shall find none
inheritance in that day, but they shall be cut asunder, and their portion shall
be appointed them among unbelievers, where are wailing and gnashing of teeth.
These things I say not of myself; therefore, as the Lord speaketh, he will also
fulfill. And they who are of the High Priesthood, whose names are not found
written in the book of the law, or that are found to have apostatized, or to
have been cut off from the Church ; as well as the lesser Priesthood, or the
members, in that day, shall not find an inheritance among the Saints of the
Most High; therefore it shall be done unto them as unto the children of the
Priest, as will be found in the second chapter and sixty-first and second
verses of Ezra." — Sec. 85, pp. 300-2.
"And
let the Bishop search diligently to obtain an agent, and let it be a man who
has got riches in store, a man of God, and of strong faith, that thereby he may
be enabled to discharge every debt; that the storehouse of the Lord may not be
brought into disrepute before the eyes of the people." — Sec. 90, pars.
22, 23, p. 325.
"Nevertheless,
I am not well pleased with many things, and I
am not
well pleased with my servant William E. McLellin, neither with my servant
Sidney Gilbert, and the Bishop also, and others have many things to repent of;
but verily I say unto you, that I, the Lord, will contend with Zion, and plead
with her strong ones, and chasten her until she overcomes and is clean before
me; for [28] she shall not be removed out of her place. I, the Lord, have
spoken it. Amen." — Sec. 90, pars, 35-37, p. 326.
"My
servant Newel K. Whitney, also a Bishop of my Church, hath need to be chastened
and set in order his family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned
at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place." —
Sec. 93, par. 50, p. 332.
"Therefore
let my servant Newel K. Whitney take charge of the place which is named among
you, upon which I design to build mine holy house; and again, let it be divided
in lots according to wisdom, for the benefit of those who seek inheritances, as
it shall be determined in council among you." — Sec. 96, pars. 2, 3, p.
337.
"And
again, I say unto you, it is contrary to my commandment and my will, that my
servant Sidney Gilbert* should sell my storehouse which I have appointed unto
my people, into the hand of mine enemies. Let not that which I have appointed
be polluted by mine enemies, by the consent of those who call themselves after
my name; for this is a very sore and grievous sin against me, and against my
people, in consequence of those things which I have decreed and are soon to
befall the nations. Therefore, it is my will that my people should claim, and
hold claim upon that which I have appointed unto them, though they should not
be permitted to dwell thereon." — Sec. 101, pars. 96-99, pp. 358-9.
[*This was the Bishop's agent.]
"There
are, in the Church, two Priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek, and Aaronic,
including the Levitical Priesthood. Why the first is called the Melchizedek
Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great High Priest. Before his day
it was called the Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; but out of
respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too
frequent repetition of his name, they, the Church, in ancient days, called that
Priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. All other
authorities or offices in the Church are appendages to this Priesthood: but
there are two divisions or grand heads — one is the Melchizedek Priesthood, and
the other is the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood. The office of an Elder comes
under the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right
of Presidency, and has power and authority [29] over all the offices in the
Church, in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things. The
Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right
to officiate in all the offices in the Church." — Sec. 107, pars. 1-9, pp.
383-4.
Thus the
Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of Presidency, and has power and
authority over all the offices in the Church, to administer in spiritual
things, while the Presidency of the High Priesthood has a right to officiate in
all the offices in the Church.
"This
is the duty of a Bishop who is not a literal descendant of Aaron, but has been
ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. Thus shall he
be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion, or in a Stake of
Zion, or in any branch of the Church where he shall be set apart unto this
ministry, until the borders of Zion , are enlarged, and it becomes necessary to
have other Bishops or judges in Zion, or elsewhere." — Sec. 107, pars.
73-75, p. 391. (See all of this section.)
He was to
be a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion, or in a Stake of Zion, or in a
branch of the Church, when he shall be set apart unto his ministry. His
Bishopric is sufficient for any of these places when set apart: and he can only
fill those offices for which he is set apart. But a literal descendant of Aaron
has a legal right to the Presidency of this Priesthood, to the keys of this
ministry, to act in the office of Bishop, without Counselors, except in a case
when a President of the High Priesthood is tried.
We have
the following on tithing: "Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all
their surplus property to be put into the hands of the Bishop of my Church of
Zion, for the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of
Zion, and for the Priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church;
and this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people: and after that,
those who have been thus tithed, shall pay one-tenth of all their interest
annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them for ever, for my Holy
Priesthood, saith the Lord. Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass, that
all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus
properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to
abide among you. And I say unto you, if my people observe not this [30] law, to
keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my
statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy,
behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you; and
this shall be an ensample unto all the Stakes of Zion. Even so. Amen." —
Sec. 119, pp. 418-19.
"A
revelation making known the disposition of property tithing:
"Verily,
thus saith the Lord, the time is now come, that it shall be disposed of by a
Council, composed of the First Presidency of my Church, and of the Bishop and
his Council, and by my High Council; and by mine own voice unto them, saith the
Lord. Even so. Amen." — Sec. 120, pp. 419-20.
"That
when he shall finish his work, I may receive him unto myself, even as I did my
servant David Patten, who is with me at this time, and also my servant Edward
Partridge, and also my aged servant Joseph Smith, Sen., who sitteth with Abraham
at his right hand, and blessed and holy is he, for he is mine." — Sec.
124, par. 19, p. 431.
First. —
We find from the above that there are two distinctive general Priesthoods,
namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
Second. —
That they are both conferred by the Lord; that both are everlasting, and
administer in time and eternity.
Third. —
That the Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of Presidency, and has power
and authority over all the offices in the Church, in all ages of the world, to
administer in spiritual things.
Fourth. —
That the second Priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron; because it was
conferred upon Aaron and his seed throughout all their generations.
Fifth. —
That the lesser Priesthood is a part of, or an appendage to the greater, or the
Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. The
lesser or Aaronic Priesthood can make appointments for the greater, in
preaching, can baptize, administer the sacrament, attend to the tithing, buy
lands, settle people on possessions, divide inheritances, look after the poor,
take care of the properties of the Church, attend generally to temporal
affairs; act as common judges in Israel, and assist in ordinances of the
Temple, under the direction of the greater or Melchizedek Priesthood. They hold
the keys of the ministering [31] of angels and administer in outward
ordinances, the letter of the Gospel, and the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins.
Sixth. —
That there is a Presidency over each of these Priesthoods, both over the
Melchizedek and the Aaronic.
Seventh.
— That while the power of the higher, or Melchizedek is to hold the keys of all
the spiritual blessings of the Church; to have the privilege of receiving the
mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened to them, to
commune with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn and to enjoy the
communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator of the new
covenant, and to preside over all the spiritual officers of the Church, yet the
Presidency of the High Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, have a right
to officiate in all the offices in the Church, both spiritual and temporal.
"Then
comes the High Priesthood, which is the greatest of all; wherefore it must
needs be that one be appointed of the High Priesthood to preside over the
Priesthood, and he shall be called President of the High Priesthood of the
Church; or, in other words, the Presiding High Priest over the High Priesthood
of the Church." — Sec. 107, pars. 64-66, p. 390.
It is
thus evident that this Priesthood presides over all Presidents, all Bishops,
including the Presiding Bishop, over all Councils, organizations and authorities
in the whole Church, in all the world.
That the
Bishopric is the Presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood, which is "an
appendage to the greater or Melchizedek Priesthood," and that no man has a
legal right to hold the KEYS of the Aaronic Priesthood, which presides over all
Bishops and all the lesser Priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of
Aaron. But, that "as a High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has
authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the
office of Bishop" * * * if called, set apart and ordained unto this power
by the hands of the Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood."
We may
here notice that John the Baptist conferred this Priesthood upon Joseph Smith,
and that therefore, as he held it, he had the power to confer it upon others.
Eighth. —
That there are Bishops holding different positions: Bishop Partridge was a
general Bishop over the land of Zion; [32] while Bishop Whitney was a general
Bishop over the Church in Kirtland, Ohio, and also over all the eastern
Churches until afterwards appointed as Presiding Bishop. That there are also
ward Bishops, whose duties are confined to their several wards. That there are
also Bishops' agents, such as Sidney Gilbert and others.
That the
position which a Bishop holds, depends upon his calling and appointment, and
that, although a man holding the Bishopric is eligible to any office in the
Bishopric, yet he cannot officiate legally in any, except by selection, calling
and appointment.
Ninth. —
That the power and right of selecting and calling of the Presiding Bishop and
general Bishops is vested in the First Presidency, who also must try those
appointed by them in case of transgression, except in the case of a literal
descendant of Aaron ; who, if the firstborn, possesses a legal right to the
keys of this Priesthood; but even he must be sanctioned and appointed by the
First Presidency. This arises from the fact that the Aaronic is an appendage to
the Melchizedek Priesthood.
That the Presiding Bishop, who
presides over all Bishops, and all of the lesser Priesthood, should consult the
First Presidency in all important matters pertaining to the Bishopric.
Tenth. —
That in regard to the appointment and trial of ward Bishops, it appears that
they stand in the same relationship to the Presidents of Stakes as the early
Bishops did to the First Presidency, who presided over the Stake at Kirtland;
but that those Presidents should consult with the First Presidency on these and
other important matters, and officiate under their direction in their several
Stakes.
That in regard to the office and
calling of Bishops it is very much like the office and calling of High Priests.
All High Priests are eligible to any office in the Church, when called,
ordained and appointed to fill such office. The First Presidency are High
Priests. The Twelve are High Priests, High Councilors are High Priests,
Presidents of Stakes are High Priests, and all their Counselors; Bishops and
their Counselors are High Priests: but it does not follow that all High Priests
are First Presidents, members of the Twelve Apostles, Presidents of Stakes,
High Councilors, Bishops or Bishops' Counselors, they only obtain these offices
by selection and appointment from the proper source, and when not [33] appointed
to any specific calling, they are organized in a Stake quorum, under a
President and Council. So although the Bishopric is eligible to fulfill any
office to which they may be appointed, all are not presiding Bishops, all are
not general Bishops, or special Bishops, or ward Bishops, or even Bishops'
agents; they occupy their several offices, as do the High Priests, by
selection, appointment, as well as ordination, and that the Presidency of the
Melchizedek Priesthood presides over, calls, directs, appoints and counsels
all. It is further evident that as the Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of
all the spiritual blessings of the Church, and that the Presidency thereof has
a right to officiate in all the offices of the Church, therefore that
Presidency has a perfect right to direct or call, set apart and ordain Bishops,
to fill any place or position in the Church that may be required for that
ministry to perform in all the Stakes of Zion, or throughout the world. Thus,
after going through the whole matter, we come back to a term frequently used
among us: Obey counsel.
_____
THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD.
As the
Levitical Priesthood is referred to in the Old Testament scriptures, as well as
in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, the following quotations and remarks may
throw some light upon the subject:
LEVITES AND LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD.
"And
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present
them before Aaron the Priest, that they may minister unto him. And they shall
keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation, before the
tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. And they
shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the
charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. And thou
shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and lo his [34] sons, they are wholly given
unto them out of the children of Israel. And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his
sons, and they shall wait on their Priest's office: and the stranger that
cometh nigh shall be put to death." — Num. iii: 5, 10.
Aaron and
his sons held the Aaronic Priesthood, and the Levites were given unto them to
minister unto them to keep his charge, the charge of the congregation, to do
the service of the tabernacle, keep the instruments of the tabernacle, and the
charge of the children of Israel.
"And
I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead
of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel;
therefore the Levites shall be mine; because all the firstborn are mine; for on
the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me
all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine they shall be: I am the
Lord." — Num. iii, 12, 13.
All the
firstborn the Lord claimed as belonging to him, because when he destroyed the
firstborn of the Egyptians, he spared the firstborn of the Israelites. But the
Levites were appointed to fill the place of the firstborn of all Israel, and
they were commanded to be numbered, viz., all the males from a month old and
upward, to assist Aaron and his sons in the service of the tabernacle; at that
time there were twenty-two thousand of them. (Ibid, ver. 39.)
"And
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Take the Levites instead of all the first
born among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of
their cattle ; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the Lord." (ver. 44,
45.)
The
remainder of the Israelites had to redeem their firstborn, and the money for
the redemption was given by Moses to Aaron and his sons according to the word
of the Lord. (ver. 50, 51.)
They
seemed to have been an appendage to the Aaronic Priesthood to assist in the
service of the tabernacle and other duties. Aaron and his male descendants were
selected for the Priesthood, and the other Levites as assistants, or an
appendage.
The
Levites had forty-eight cities and their suburbs provided for them from among
the possessions of the other tribes: First came by lot the children of Aaron:
"And the children of Aaron the Priest, which were of the Levites, had by
lot out of the tribe [35] of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of
the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities." — Josh, xxi, 4. (See the whole of
the chapter for a division of cities to the remainder of the Levites, or the
tribe of Levi, who were thus provided for as distinct from the other tribes.)
"All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of
Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs." — Josh, xxi, 41.
It may
here be observed that both Moses and Aaron belonged to the tribe of Levi, and
that the Levites had a tithing given to them. "And the Lord spake unto
Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have
any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of
Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel
for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the
tabernacle of the congregation." — Num. xviii, 20, 21. (See also the
chapter.)
There is
a peculiarity about this tithing, for while one-tenth was given to the Levites,
they, the Levites, were commanded to give one-tenth of the tithe to Aaron.
"And
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying. Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto
them. When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you
from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it
* * * for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe * * and ye shall give
thereof the Lord's heave offering to Aaron the Priest." Num. xviii, 25-28.
It would
seem that while the Levites were called "to do the service of the
tabernacle of the congregation" (ver. 6), that the Priest's office
belonged especially to Aaron and his family. The Lord, in speaking to Aaron,
says, "And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among
the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the
service of the tabernacle of the congregation." — Num. xviii, 6.
It
furthermore appears that while the Levites were given to Aaron, that Aaron and
his sons were to hold the Priest's office. "Therefore thou and thy sons
with thee shall keep your Priest's office for everything of the altar, and
within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your Priest's office unto you
as a service of [36]gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to
death." — Num. xviii, 7.
In the
case of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, whom the earth opened and swallowed up for
assuming the Priest's office, "Moses said unto Korah, hear, I pray you, ye
sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel
hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to
himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before
the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him,
and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the Priesthood
also?" — Num. xvi, 8-10. And also the whole chapter, in which is depicted
the terrible judgment of God upon them for assuming the Priest's office.
From the
above it would seem —
First. —
That the Levites were selected in the place of the firstborn whom the Lord
called his own.
Second. —
That they were given to Aaron to assist him in the minor or lesser duties of
the Priesthood; but that Aaron and his sons officiated in the leading offices
of the Priesthood, and not the Levites.
Third. —
That there was a tithing paid to them by the whole house of Israel for their
sustenance.
Fourth. —
That they paid a tithe of this to Aaron.
Fifth. —
That on assuming the higher duties of the Priesthood of Aaron, the judgments of
God overtook them.
Sixth. —
That their Priesthood was only an appendage to the Aaronic Priesthood, and not
that Priesthood itself as held by Aaron and his sons.
[9 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 29:585, 10/13/80, p 9]
FOURTH DAY.
SATURDAY, Oct. 9th. 10 o'clock a. m.
Choir sang:
O God, our Father, let thy
grace
Shed its glad beams on Jacob's race.
Prayer by Elder David O. Calder.
Choir sang:
With joy we own thy
servants, Lord --
Thy ministers below.
[Elder Moses Thatcher]
Elder MOSES THATCHER spoke of the fallibility of human nature, and his own feeling of timidity in standing before the Latter-day Saints, lest in anything he might have said or done he might have rendered himself unworthy of that aid and succor of the Holy Spirit so essential to have as a public teacher. He therefore asked for the combined faith and prayers of the Saints in his behalf. He then read from page 423 Doctrine and Covenants, "Behold, many are called, but few are chosen," etc.
There is no prophecy or prayer found in all the pages of Holy Writ, more beautiful and pure than the sentiments contained in the portion he had just read. If we would enjoy all the blessings connected with the Holy Priesthood, we must learn to wield its powers in strict conformity with the dictations of the Holy Ghost. without the guidance of that spirit, we are constantly exposed to error and wrong doing. On what condition can we secure the guidance of the Spirit of God? Only by faithfully keeping God's commandments and living humbly before him. He illustrated the power of the Holy Priesthood, and the strictness with which the Lord held those who wielded it accountable, by reference to the history of Moses, in his connection with the children of Israel. Alluded to the smiting of the rock when water gushed out to satisfy the thirst of the people, showing that the spirit in which Moses performed that act, caused the displeasure of the Almighty. What a lesson this should teach us! It should influence us to be humble, and become as little children, as the Savior taught to his disciples when he said, "He that will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, must become as this little child."
Any one who seeks the honor and good name of his fellow men instead of the glory of God, will certainly be destitute of the power and influence of the Holy Ghost.
Whatever views e may entertain in regard to co-operation and the United Order, we may rest assured that God never intended to establish a class distinction, or monied aristocracy among this people.
He denounced in most emphatic terms the folly of covetous ambition, which produces hardness of heart, and an unwillingness to be guided by the counsels of the servants of God. There is no sacrifice too great to make, to secure the guidance of the holy spirit and the love of the Lord. God is a jealous God, we should therefore worship him in all humility, give to him the glory of our success, and learn lessons from the pure and guileless spirit of a little child. He then exhorted the brethren to lay aside all bickerings and backbitings, and encouraged all Latter-day Saints to do their duty, and carry out the Scripture instructions given to allay hard feelings. There is no reason why there should be jealousies and distrust, neither is there any reason why we should not enjoy all the blessings connected with the Gospel. Men who are under the influence of the Spirit of God, will always seek after the best interests of the kingdom of God. The speaker enounced hypocrisy, and the worship of money, and showed the necessity of a frank, honest, ingenious course, of personal honor, faithfulness and integrity, of prayer and strict attention to every duty and of the avoidance of evil in every form, that we may not only be the called of God but be numbered among the chosen. He testified that though some were erring, there were many thousands in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal, and though some of them may not be noted among the people, they would shine among the jewels of God, and obtain that power spoken of in the words he had read, which, "without compulsory means would flow unto them forever."
[Elder Daniel H. Wells]
Elder DANIEL H. WELLS said we have many things to contend with especially in our efforts to secure our own legal rights and privileges, owing to the disposition in the children of men to infringe upon the rights of others God has commenced a form of government upon the earth, which is just and righteous, and has given power and authority to his servants, with a view of maintaining correct and righteous principles, and though that government is now in its incipiency, it will finally become universal over the face of the earth. He urged on all new comers to become citizens in this great republic, as soon as they possibly can, so that they may enjoy and exercise the privileges connected with citizenship, that of sitting as jurors, etc., not to forswear themselves, but to vindicate and befriend the innocent, protect the good from the malevolence of wicked and corrupt men, and act only on evidence instead of prejudice and hearsay. We are striving to establish the kingdom of God upon the earth, and have devoted our time, our means and our lives to the maintenance of those great and holy principles which God has revealed. He never has revealed a principle but which if carried out as he designed would prove a benefit and a blessing to the world. We should labor with each other to bring about a state of union and good feeling in our midst, and maintain the spirit of God in our own hearts. We are called to a high and holy calling, and we should not seek by ambitious motives to gain power and prominence. Let us maintain our integrity before high heaven, and seek to bring about he great and glorious purposes of the Lord. The day of God's power is advancing and he will soon assert his dominion and government on the earth. When we are gathered together as a body, are we not stronger than in an individual capacity? Let us then be united and exert ourselves as a unit on the side of right.
Choir sang the anthem:
O praise the Lord in his holiness.
Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock p.m.
Benediction by Elder L. J. Nuttall.
_____
[9 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 29:585, 588, 10/13/80, p 9, 12]
Oct. 9th, 2 p.m.
Conference called to order by Elder W. Woodruff.
Choir sang:
I saw a mighty angel fly,
To earth he bent his way.
Prayer by Elder John Van Cott.
Choir sang:
Jesus Mighty king in Zion
Thou alone our guide shall be.
[President Joseph Young]
President JOSEPH YOUNG said he had been much interested in the remarks of his brethren, and particularly in some of the quotations they had made. He had been a Bible student ever since he was six years old, but made no pretension to being a Biblical scholar. His opportunities for learning in early youth were very limited, but he had learned that to edify a congregation of Latter-day Saints, nothing short of the aid and assistance of the Holy Spirit of God was necessary. We have our fallen natures to contend with, and our weaknesses and imperfections could not be overcome all at once, it was a gradual attainment. Speaking of the Christian world he said they all professed to base their faith upon the Holy Scriptures. Man has a fleshly tabernacle and in that there is a spirit, and the revelations of God declare that the spirit and the body is the soul of man, that the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.
He addressed himself to the Seventies, and gave them some excellent instructions pertaining to their ministry as missionaries to the nations of the earth. Since 48 years last April he himself had been made the happy partaker of the spirit of the holy gospel, after obeying its ordinances. Thousands of the messengers of salvation have been sent to all parts of the earth, and with all the results of their labors, not one ship load of saints has ever been lost on the ocean, because God Almighty was with them, and his angels had charge of them. There was no greater mission given to mortal man than that which he owes to his wife and children. "Your light should shine before them by setting them a good example, and by your good instructions and prayers, you should throw around them a shield and protection. By founding them in the truth as well as leaving them supplied with the blessings of this life, you can leave and go to the nations to preach the gospel, and be justified." He did not think it wisdom for our missionaries to preach much of the terror of the law to the people, but dwell more fully on the sweet, soft, persuasive invitations of the gospel and the peaceable things of the kingdom. He then dwelt on the extreme torture and sufferings that were endured by our Savior when he was hung upon the cross, and the great work of salvation thus wrought out for the human family.
He then urged a kind and generous treatment towards the poor who are out of employment, and gave some excellent advice to both brethren and sisters who have come from the old country and are seeking work. He also gave some good counsel to those who are about to leave as missionaries, warning them of the many evils that exist in the world, and exhorting them to patience and faithfulness.
Elder L. J. Nuttall then presented the names of the following missionaries.
Names of missionaries who have been called and set apart since the last Conference, and who are now in their fields of labor:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Albert
Story Goodwin, Beaver
John Archibald McAllister, Logan.
Alexander Burt, Salt Lake City.
Joseph W. Burt, "
William Jack, Manti.
William C. Rydalch, Grantsville.
William Cooper, 7th ward, city.
John Wiser, Lewiston.
Joseph Robinson, Payson
Alfred Best, 7th ward, city.
Edwin Harman, 16th "
George Mitton Spencer, North Jordan.
Joseph Lamoni Holbrook, Bountiful.
Stephen Tucker, 2nd ward, city.
William Wood, 19th " "
David Spillsbury, Toquerville.
John Urie, Cedar City.
David Urie. "
Mosiah Booth, St. Charles.
Joseph Carlisle, Mill Creek.
Joseph James Giles, Herriman.
Gibson Condie, Jr., 6th ward, city.
William Richard Jones, 15th " "
John Morris Bowen, Herriman.
Joseph Stafford Tingey, 17th ward, city.
Edmond H. LeCheminant, Brighton.
Heber John Romney, 20th ward, city.
Charles F. Wilcox, 14th Ward, City.
John Richards Howard, 20th Ward, City.
CANADA.
John
Lows Campbell, St. George.
SCANDINAVIA.
Rasmus
Berntsen, Logan.
Paul Hammer, 12th Ward, City.
Lars Nielsen, Fountain Green
Martin Jacobsen, St. Charles.
Charles Samuelson, Santaquin.
Peter Olsen Hansen, Manti.
Casper Bryner, St. George.
Jacob Peter Olsen, 2nd Ward, City.
Swen Erricksen, Grantsville.
UNITED STATES.
John
Leishman, Wellsville -- Returned on account of ill health.
Milford B. Shipp, Salt Lake City.
David Orson Miner, do
Jacob Weller, do
SOUTHERN STATES.
William
Hulme, Bloomington.
Daniel Densley, Jr., Herriman.
Joseph Ford, Centreville.
John Nelson Price, Mill Creek.
Alexander Bickmore Kidd, South Jordan.
_____
Names of missionaries who have not yet departed:
FOR GREAT BRITAIN.
Albert
Carrington, Salt Lake City.
Benjamin Harman, Mill Creek.
George Stringfellow, 3rd Ward, City.
David Cook, East Bountiful.
James Farmer, Jr., Monrow.
John H. White. 16th Ward, City.
John Gray, 11th Ward.
Joseph G. Cutler, 14th Ward.
Thomas Laing Pringle, 18th Ward.
Moroni J. Thomas, 19th Ward.
Wm. S. Brighton, 11th Ward.
Wm. F. King, Fillmore.
Joseph A. Jennings, 16th Ward.
Isaac Duffin, Toquerville.
Wm. G. Davis, Big Cottonwood.
Wm. Probert, Jr., Holden.
Lyman Robinson, Fillmore.
David West, Pleasant Grove.
Franklin Snow, Brigham City.
Benjamin E. Rich, Ogden.
Winfred S. Harris, do.
Moroni Brown, do.
Moroni F. Brown, do.
Wm. H. Butler, Marriott.
John R. Baxter, Spring City.
Thos. D. Reese, Wales.
Robert Spence, Lake Town.
John Miller, Nephi.
Richard Henry Stringfellow, Draperville.
Geo. H. butler, Marriott.
SCANDINAVIA.
James
Hansen, Ephraim.
James P. Larsen, "
Jens J. Hansen, Hyrum.
Niels Rasmussen Lindhal, Union.
John Hansen, South Jordan.
James C. Olsen, Salina.
Jens Jensen, Monroe.
Hans Enoch Nielsen, Hyrum.
Andrew Amondsen, South Jordan.
Lars N. Larsen, Moroni.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Samuel
Gentry, jr., Coalville.
UNITED STATES.
Joseph
A. Smith, Beaver.
George D. Nebeker, 19th ward, City.
James S. Jensen, Redmond.
Jacob Jacobsen, Moroni.
Daniel Zundel, Willard.
John Blackham, Moroni.
Joseph R. Murdock, Charleston.
D. E. Harris, Monroe.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Edward
Stevens, Holden.
Anthony Paxton, Kanosh.
Lashbrook Laker, St. Charles.
George Passey, Paris.
James H. Wells, Joseph.
John Houston, Panguitch.
Riley G Clark, "
Samuel Porter, Manti
Peter H. Anderson, Manti.
George M. Bartholomew, Fayette.
Wm. H. Adams, fountain Green.
John Carter, Mount Pleasant.
James K. McClenahan, Mount Pleasant.
Samuel Bills, Fairview.
Elmer W. Johnson, Kanab.
James W. Eardley, 3d ward, city.
James Mott Barlow, 15th ward, city
Charles B. Felt, 17th ward, city.
Matthias F. Cowley, 14th ward, city.
Daniel R. Bateman, West Jordan.
H. B. M. Jolley, Mt. Carmel.
Isaac Riddle, Beaver.
John Robertson, Spanish Fork.
Wm. H. Bakes, Beaver.
Wm. Hanks, Charleston.
Horace Eldredge, Sugar House Ward.
Francis M. Jolley, Manti.
Wm. Thompson, Granite.
Richard C. Camp, Wallsburg.
[Elder Joseph F. Smith]
Elder JOSEPH F. SMITH said from his youth up he had rejoiced in the principles of the gospel, and knew that it was the power of God unto salvation, not only unto himself, but unto all those who believe and obey the truth. He thought that God would have to exercise much charity and mercy towards us, or we should certainly come far short of the blessings we were anticipating. He felt anxious himself to do the best he could according to his knowledge and comprehension of this duty towards God, and wherein he fell short he should have to appeal to God his Heavenly Father for that forgiveness which he could exercise according to his mercy. The principle of forgiveness is too plain to be misunderstood, and we are required to forgive each other and not hold enmity in our hearts towards one another. Unless we learn and practise this principle, it will be folly to expect forgiveness from God our Heavenly Father, for he hath said, If you forgive not your brother, neither will your Father in heaven forgive you your trespasses. He then read from the revelation in the doctrine and Covenants wherein we are required to forgive the trespasses of our enemies, the first, second, third and fourth times, even though they do not repent and ask forgiveness, and until seventy times seven when they do repent and seek forgiveness. He thought it was high time for us to study the word of God, and try to live it in our daily lives, that we may be indeed the Saints of the Most High God.
Conference adjourned till Sunday at 10 a. m.
Choir sang:
Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
Benediction by Elder Lorenzo Snow.
_____
[10 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 29:588, 10/13/80, p 12]
FIFTH DAY.
SUNDAY, October 10th, 1880. 10 a. m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
Choir sang:
The morning breaks, the
shadows flee,
Lo, Zion's standard is unfurled.
Prayer by Elder Edward Partridge.
Choir sang:
Arise O glorious Zion,
Thou joy of latter days.
[Elder Orson Pratt]
Elder ORSON PRATT said there are thousands of male members of this Church, who hold, as we all testify, divine authority, to act in their several callings in the holy priesthood. If we are destitute of that authority as the world say we are, then we are in the same position as they and there is no authority from God vested in man upon the earth. But we affirm that God bestowed divine authority upon Joseph Smith and that by divine commandment he bestowed it upon others. Joseph Smith received power to translate the Book of Mormon from the plates before he was ordained to the holy priesthood in the flesh. but he did hold the priesthood in eternity, being ordained before the foundations of the world, in common with others who were reserved to come forth in the last days, to hold the priesthood with authority and power to administer the plan of salvation to the children of men in the flesh. There is no beginning to the priesthood. It always existed, being from all eternity to all eternity, but there is a beginning to the time when each individual receives that everlasting priesthood.
He then referred to the first vision of Joseph Smith when but a boy. He saw two personages, the Father and the Son, and yet the sight did not consume him, although it is written that without the priesthood no man can see the face of God and live. The reason why he was enabled to look upon the face of God and live was because he was chosen and ordained in the spirit world to the holy priesthood, and was selected to come forth in this age to usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times. In due time however, on the 15th of May, 1829, John the Baptist came and conferred upon him the priesthood of Aaron, which gave him authority to preach the gospel and baptize for the remission of sins. subsequently, Peter, James and John ordained him to the Melchisedec priesthood, which gave him authority to still further carry on the work of God, and administer in the higher ordinances of the plan of redemption. In a short time God revealed to him the necessity of a quorum of Twelve Apostles, after which the quorum of Seventies was pointed out to him, and as the number of converts increased, God gradually made known to him one principle and authority after another as the necessity of the Church required. God dealt with his servant Joseph just the same as a wise earthly parent does with his children, adapting his instructions according to their growth and capacity.
In the course of time men were appointed to take charge of and attend to the temporal properties of the Church; this was done before there was any Bishop appointed. This circumstance clearly proves that God adapts his course with his children according to their condition and requirements. And what is essential under one set of circumstances, may not be suitable under other circumstances, hence we find hat God reveals his mind and will to his children, according to their needs and his own good pleasure, and because something is done in one age of the world, that is no reason why it should be repeated in another.
He traced the history of the church in its various organizations, especially illustrating the difference in the duties of Bishops Edward Partridge and Newel K. Whitney, who were general Bishops over large districts, and the Bishops over wards whose duties are entirely local. The first presiding Bishop of the Church was Vinson Knight, who with his Counselors had presidency over all the other Bishops. In process of time, as the number of Saints multiplied, and cities and settlements increased, it became necessary to have local or ward Bishops, as at the present time, whose authority is strictly confined to their own particular ward. He then defined the several duties of a Traveling Bishop and Bishop's Agent, both of whom should hold the Bishopric, because their duties are connected with temporal things. The time will come when the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled concerning every one that dwells on this continent, who will not believe the book of Mormon, who will not repent and obey the word of the Lord and hearken to the voice of his priesthood -- God will cut them off from among the people, and the remnants that are left will bow to the laws of Zion.
He dwelt at some length on the future glory and advancement of the kingdom of God. He also spoke of the several duties and responsibilities that attach to the First Presidency of the Church and to the Twelve, who are a traveling High Council, authorized to set in order the quorums and authorities of the Church throughout the world. He spoke of the occasions when the quorum of the First Presidency was lacking in consequence of the death of the First President and showed that the duties of guiding the Church then necessarily rested upon the Twelve. It was deemed wisdom to again fill up that important quorum, viz. the First Presidency, at this conference, which had been acted upon by the Twelve and also by a great body of the priesthood at their meeting last evening. This change will take three from the quorum of the Twelve and their vacancies have to be filled, all of which will be presented before the Conference this afternoon and both male and female members will be called upon to vote thereon.
[Orson Pratt]
[DNW 30:194, 4/27/81, p 2, JD 22:27]
DISCOURSE
BY ELDER ORSON PRATT,
At the General Conference, Sunday Morning, October 10,
1880.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
I have
been asked by President Taylor to address the congregation this morning on a
particular subject, in which we are all interested, namely, the divine
authority of the Priesthood, divine callings, ordinances, etc.
We have
in this Church several thousand male members who hold authority and power which
they say is from heaven. If it be from heaven, as we testify, and have
testified ever since the rise of the Church, then the Lord our God has
manifested His power, and in His mercy has once more bestowed authority upon
the children of men to administer His holy ordinances, and to occupy the
positions to which we have severally been called. On the other hand, if the
views of the world are correct—they do not consider us to have any authority—we
are then on the same ground and platform with the rest of the religious world,
there is no authority upon the earth. One or the other is true.
There
never was a principle more clearly proven than that the inhabitants of the
earth are destitute of all divine authority, among all religious denominations,
whether Pagan, Mahometan or so-called Christian; the authority cannot be found
throughout all the various denominations that have existed through the long
period of time called the dark ages, until the Lord, in His mercy, has
organized His Church again on the earth and bestowed that authority, and if He
has not done it, as the world say He has not, there are no persons upon this
whole earth that have any authority from the heavens; and therefore we are just
as well off as the balance of them.
We are
not indebted to man for the various authorities in this Church; this is our
testimony. Man did not commence this work, man is not the originator of this
work, neither is he the origin of the authority by which we administer. The
Lord did not see proper to organize the authority of this Church all at once in
all the various councils and authorities that, from time to time, have been
ordained among this people; it was a gradual work. Authority was bestowed
before there was any Church. First (not the authority of the Priesthood) but
the authority to bring forth the plates of the Book of Mormon, and to translate
them by the Urim and Thummim, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. This was
the first authority conferred upon the one whom the Lord chose to commence this
great work. The authority of the Priesthood was not conferred upon him at that
time, but He revealed unto him concerning the everlasting Gospel contained in
the ancient records kept by the Nephites, or Israelites, upon this great
Western Continent.
Joseph
Smith, when he translated these records by the aid of the Urim and Thummim, had
not yet received any Priesthood, so far as his temporal existence was
concerned. But now, do not misunderstand me in regard to this position. He did
hold the Priesthood before he came here upon the earth. I remarked that Joseph,
so far as any ordination here in the flesh was concerned, held no Priesthood at
the time that he brought forth the plates of the Book of Mormon and translated
them; but he did hold the Priesthood, which was conferred upon him in the
councils of eternity, before this world was formed. You will find this recorded
in, a sermon delivered by the Prophet Joseph, showing that not only he, but
also all of the faithful that have received the Priesthood here in this life,
were ordained before the foundation of the world. Consequently, they had the
ordination; that ordination was after the order of Him who is from all eternity
to all eternity, an everlasting Priesthood, without father, without mother,
without beginning, without end; having been handed down from all eternity. That
Priesthood was conferred upon Joseph Smith before he came here; he was among
those that are spoken of in "The Pearl of Great Price," whom the
ancient Prophets saw in heaven. Moses saw them, and Abraham saw them, namely,
the spirits that existed before the world was made; and they saw that among
that vast number of spirits there were some choice ones, some that were noble
in the sight of God, probably because of their integrity and steadfastness in
upholding truth; among those noble ones were those whom the Lord chose before
the foundation of the world to come forth upon the earth in their second
estate, and to hold authority and power in the various dispensations, and to
administer the plan of salvation to the human family. Abraham was among that
number. The High Priests that lived from the days of Adam down to the flood
were among that number, who were then chosen and then ordained, according to
the fore-knowledge of God. It is recorded in the Book of Alma regarding the
Priesthood, that the ordinances of the Priesthood and the calling to the
Priesthood were without beginning or end. There may be a beginning to the
person who is called, but that Priesthood existed before that person was
called, and there was no beginning to the calling, no beginning to the
ordinances of the Priesthood, no beginning to the Priesthood itself, being
handed down from all eternity, being in existence in all of the worlds that
were worthy of having the Priesthood and authority from God. The reason for my
making this observation is to clear up one point which may perhaps trouble the
minds of some of the Latter-day Saints.
You have
read in the revelation' given on the 22d day of September, 1832, that without
the Priesthood and the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is not manifested
unto men in the flesh. You have also read in that same revelation, that without
the ordinances of that Priesthood and the power thereof to administer to the
children of men no man could see the face of God the Father and live. When you
read this plain saying your minds may have reverted back to the days when there
was no Priesthood so far as ordination was concerned, on this earth, I mean the
ordination that took place here. You find a little boy, Joseph Smith, calling
upon the name of the Lord, in the spring of the year 1820, before he was not
yet fifteen years of age; and the result of his calling upon the name of the
Lord was that a pillar of fire appeared in the heavens above him, and it
continued to descend and grow brighter and brighter, until it reached the top
of the trees that were growing around about where he was praying; and so great
was the glory of this light that this lad, this youth, this boy, seemed to feel
almost fearful lest the trees themselves would be consumed by it. But it continued
to descend until it rested upon this lad and immediately his mind was caught
away from the surrounding objects, was swallowed up in a heavenly vision, in
which he saw two glorious personages, one was the Father, the other was the
Son.
"No
man without the Priesthood, can behold the face of the Father and live."
Now, this
has troubled the minds of some of the Latter-day Saints. "How is it, (say
they) that Joseph lived, after having seen the face of the Father, after having
heard the words of His mouth, after the Father had said unto him, 'He is my
beloved Son, hear ye him.'"
If you
had thought upon this other subject, namely, that Joseph had been already
ordained before this world was made,—to what Priesthood? To the Priesthood
after the Order of an Endless Life, a Priesthood that is everlasting, a
Priesthood handed down, that had no beginning, a Priesthood after the holiest
Order of God, a Priesthood that was after the Order of His Only Begotten Son.
If you had only reflected that that same Priesthood had been conferred upon him
in the councils of the holy ones before the world was made, and that he was
ordained to come forth in this dispensation of the fulness of times to hold the
keys of authority and power of that high and holy Priesthood,—that he was
ordained to come forth and perform the work that God intended to accomplish in
the latter times, then the mystery would have been cleared up to your minds. He
was not without the Priesthood in reality; but was a man chosen, a man
ordained, a man appointed from before the foundation of this world, to come
forth in the fulness of times to introduce the last dispensation among the
children of men; to come in order to organize that kingdom, that was predicted
by the ancient Prophets, that should stand for ever; to come to fulfil the
great and glorious work of preparation for the coming of the Son of God to
reign in righteousness upon the earth; he could see the face of God the Father
and live. But after having received this heavenly vision, after having brought
forth the Book of Mormon, and translated it, (the Lord having prepared a way by
which the book could be printed,) and having received the command of the
Almighty to organize the Church, and having received the Priesthood reconfirmed
upon him by Peter, James and John, and prior to that having received the keys
of the Aaronic Priesthood, on the 15th day of May, 1829,—having all these
preparations here in the flesh as well as having been preordained to this
mission, he was prepared to begin the work that should be everlasting, or in
other words, the establishment of the kingdom of God that should never again be
taken away from the earth.
The
Apostleship being conferred—the Aaronic Priesthood having been previously
conferred—all the powers of the Priesthood rested upon this man, and he had the
right to the authority to administer, not only in the introductory principles
of the Gospel of the Son of God, by which people might be born into the
kingdom, but also had the authority and the power from the heavens to
administer in all the sacred ordinances of this kingdom, at least so far as the
building up of the Church was concerned, and of officiating in the various
offices of the Priesthood. After having conferred this authority and power, the
Lord was prepared to give little by little, one portion or degree of Priesthood
after another, until by and by, in accordance with the revelation given in
June, 1829, He called twelve men to be Apostles, some three or four years after
the revelation was given, when it was predicted that such should be the case.
What did we know about the callings and duties of this council of the Twelve?
Nothing, only as God revealed it through His servant Joseph.
After
this Apostleship was given, some were faithful therein, others were not; some
lost the authority of the Priesthood, others retained it, and the blessings of
God were upon those that were faithful in their calling, while the curse of an
offended God followed those who abused this sacred trust, and their Priesthood
was taken from them and conferred upon others that were worthy of it. The Lord
also, about the same time that He called the Twelve Apostles, was prepared to
call Seventies to minister under the direction of the Twelve; and many were
ordained to this Apostleship, and they were men who had proven themselves
faithful before the Lord: and others were perhaps ordained who had not been
fully proven, and therefore the opportunity was afforded them, acting upon the
agency they had in common with all men, of proving themselves before God. Some
of them were faithful, others were unfaithful; those that were unfaithful
apostatized eventually and left the Church, while those that were faithful
continued in their office and calling until many of them passed down to the
tomb; and having magnified the good office and calling that had been conferred
upon them, they will claim, in the eternal worlds the blessings appertaining to
their several offices.
And what
did we know about these Seventies and their particular calling? Were there specified
duties assigned to that body of men anciently, whose call by the Savior is
recorded in the New Testament? No, we were ignorant. The Prophet himself, the
Twelve and all that had been called, knew nothing in relation to the duties of
these Seventies until the Lord revealed what they were, and at the same time He
pointed out the duties of the Presidency of the Seventies, both the duties of
the seven men constituting the Presidency of all the Seventies, and also those
of the seven men that were to preside over each Council of the Seventies. The
Lord made manifest these things not all at once, but from time to time, as the
people progressed and were counted worthy in His sight to receive further
knowledge upon these things. You may ask, why it was that the Lord did not give
the whole pattern at once, why He did not unfold everything all in a moment? It
was because we were as little children then, and indeed I am of the opinion
that many of us are little children still—and we could not bear all things at once;
therefore He revealed unto us enough from time to time to set our minds
reflecting; He revealed sufficient to cause us to be stirred up in our minds to
pray unto Him; and when we prayed unto Him about any of the duties of the
Priesthood, then He would reveal it. But He would be sought unto by His people
before He would reveal a fulness of knowledge upon these important subjects.
This seeking unto the Lord to obtain little by little, and precept by precept
in the knowledge of the things of God, is just the way a wise parent would
instruct his own sons. Our parents would not tell us all about the various
branches of education when we were two or three, or four years old; but they
taught us as children, giving us line upon line until we could understand more
fully those things that pertained to a good education. So the Lord dealt with
His people, as a wise, judicious, kind-hearted parent, imparting just according
to the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and according to His own mind and will,
and good pleasure.
By and
by, after the Church was organized and there being no Bishops the Lord saw that
it was necessary to introduce some kind of a plan in relation to the property
of His people in the State of New York. What did the Lord say to us under those
circumstances, when we were not fully organized? Said He to the Church in the
State of New York, in the General Conference, through the mouth of His servant
Joseph, in a revelation given on the 2d day January, 1831, He said, Let my
Church in this land flee out from the State of New York; let them go westward
to the land of Kirtland, and join my people in the State of Ohio; let them do
this immediately, lest their enemies come upon them, etc. The Lord understood
what was in the hearts of the enemies of His people; He understood what they
were doing in their secret councils, in their secret chambers to bring to pass
the destruction of the Latter-day Saints that were in the States of New York
and Pennsylvania. How shall this work be done? No Bishop to take charge of the
properties. The Lord said, Let certain men among you in the State of New York
be appointed to take charge of the properties of my people, that which you
cannot dispose of or sell in time to flee out; let them have charge of it to
sell it in after times for the benefit of the Church. Here, then, was a
revelation appointing certain men without ordination, without the Bishopric, to
handle properties, to do that which Bishops were afterwards required to
perform. Now, here is a lesson for us. Because the Lord does one thing in the
year 1831, and points out certain men according to the circumstances in which
people are placed, that is no evidence that He will always continue the same
order. The Lore deals with the children of men according to circumstances, and
afterwards varies from that plan according to His own good will and pleasure.
When these men had fulfilled their duties in relation to the properties of the
Saints, and the Saints had gathered out from New York and Pennsylvania to the
land of Kirtland, then it became necessary for a regular Bishop to be called
and ordained, also his Counselors. Did the Lord point out that these Bishops
should be taken from the High Priesthood? No.
"And
again, I have called my servant Edward Partridge, and give a commandment, that
he should be appointed by the voice of the Church, and ordained a Bishop unto
the Church." And with regard to choosing his Counselors, the Lord said
they should be selected from the Elders of his Church. Why did He say the
Elders? Because the High Priests at that time had not been ordained; that is,
they had not been ordained under that name. Although the Apostleship had been
conferred upon Joseph and Oliver, even they were called Elders; the word High
Priest was not known among them to be understood and comprehended until a long
time after Bishops were called; and that is the reason why the Lord said to
Bishop Partridge, "select from the Elders of my Church."
"But," says one who has read the Doctrine and Covenants, "you
will find in the revelation given on the 6th of April, 1830, something about
Bishops, High Priests, etc.
[The
speaker was here stopped that an important notice might be given out.]
I was
saying that at the time that Bishop Partridge was called and ordained a Bishop,
on the 4th of February, 1831, that at that time there were no High Priests,
they were not known under that name, but were known under the name of the
Apostleship, etc., and hence Elders were specified to be called as Counselors.
I was also saying that in the revelation given on the 6th day of April, 1830,
there was nothing said about High Priests at the time the revelation was given;
neither about Bishops. But you will find two paragraphs in that revelation
which mention them, which paragraphs were placed there several years after the
revelation was given, which the Lord had a perfect right to do; and if it were
necessary we might quote examples from Scripture to show that the Lord adds to
any revelation when He sees proper, in order to make it more fully understood.
For instance, you recollect that Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah a
lengthy revelation regarding the king of Israel and the house of Israel. And
that when the revelation was given to the king of Israel and after he "had
read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife and cast it into the
fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed;" Did the
Lord give it over again? Yes, "and," says the Scripture, "there
were added besides unto them nanny like words," not in the former
revelation. If the Lord took that method in the days of Jeremiah, was there
anything inconsistent in the Prophet Joseph, in years afterwards, adding the
words, "Bishops and High Priests," in order that the people might
more fully understand? My motive in mentioning these things is that the people
may understand the ways of the Lord. His ways are not as the ways of man,
neither are His thoughts limited by our limited thoughts or conceptions. But He
does as He pleases.
By and by
the time came when the Lord saw proper to make manifest something in relation
to the name and the authority and the power of this High Priesthood; showing us
that it was after the order of His Only Begotten Son, that it holds the keys to
power, etc., on the earth.
Well,
after the first Bishop had been chosen, and two Elders selected by him to
operate with him, his duties began to be more fully made manifest. I shall not
have time on this occasion to point out the various duties that were assigned
to Bishop Edward Partridge, in the land of Zion, in Jackson County, Missouri,
and other duties devolving upon him while he yet remained at Kirtland. Perhaps
it might be well enough, however, to just briefly touch upon his duties, that
were more fully, made manifest when he was required to go out from Kirtland
about a day's journey to the southeast, and organize the Colesville branch in
the town of Thompson. The Lord told him how to organize the people, and that
there was a man in the Church whose name, was Leman Copley, who had a large
tract of land, and he covenanted before God that if the Colesville Branch would
go upon his land, they might have their inheritances, etc., and that they might
enter into the Order of God, as should be pointed out by the voice of the
Prophet. And when the Prophet Joseph went out to Thompson and undertook to
organize the Branch according to this promise and covenant that was made,
Bishop Partridge was there, and he had it pointed out to him how he should deal
with that particular organization, that they should all be made equal, and
should receive their stewardships, and should consecrate all of their property
into the hands of the Bishop; and that was made a sample for all other churches
throughout the Lord's vineyard, You may judge whether we have kept it or not.
And his duties were also made manifest in the latter part of the summer of
1831. And many of the first Elders were commanded to go west of Kirtland about
one thousand miles; and the promise was that the land which the Lord intended
to give to His people should be made known, and it should be told them where
the city should be built. In the months of July and August of that year, the
Lord pointed out more fully the duties of Bishop Partridge in regard to
dividing the land, that is, the land that, had been purchased by the Church,
dividing it out among the various families of the Saints. The first families,
with the exception of some that had been baptized in that land, were faithful
ones among the Colesville branch, one of the earliest. organizations of the
Church. They were commanded to flee from the town of Thompson, because this
rich man had broken his covenant. They went up to Jackson County, and Bishop
Partridge was commanded to divide off to them inheritances by the law of
consecration.
Here then
was a Bishop whose duties were made known and specified, and which were very
different in their nature in many respects from our Ward Bishops. Can you not
see the difference between these duties assigned to Edward Partridge, and the
duties assigned to the several Ward Bishops of our Church? So far as the Ward
Bishops' duties go, they coincide perfectly with the duties that were assigned
to this general Bishop. But there were a great many things required of him that
are not required of Ward Bishops; quite different in their duties and in their
callings.
In
December, 1831, the Lord saw proper again to give another Bishop, his name was
Newel K. Whitney. Was he merely a Bishop of a Ward, whose jurisdiction was
limited to a little spot of ground that might be termed a place for the residence
of a Ward Bishop? No; he was another general Bishop. Bishop Partridge having
general jurisdiction in Jackson County, and in the regions round about; while
the duties of Newel K. Whitney extended to the State of Ohio and the States of
Pennsylvania and New York, and throughout all the Eastern countries, wherever
the Church of God was organized.
Here were
two Bishops, then, one having jurisdiction in the West, a thousand miles from
the other; the other having jurisdiction in the East. Their duties were pointed
out, but neither of them was a Presiding Bishop. But what were they? As was
clearly shown by President Taylor at the Priesthood meeting on last evening,
they were general Bishops. By and by, after the Church of God was driven from
the State of Missouri, it became necessary to have a Presiding Bishop; and the
Lord gave a revelation, saying:
"Let
my servant Vinson Knight, and my servant Shadrick Roundy, and my servant Samuel
H. Smith, be appointed as Presidents over the Bishopric of my Church."
Here,
then, is the first intimation that we have of a Presiding Bishop. Neither
Bishop Partridge nor Newel K. Whitney at that time was a presiding Bishop, but
each one held distinct jurisdiction, presiding in a distinct locality, neither
presiding over the other. But when Vinson Knight, in years afterwards, was
called, it was his duty to preside over all of the Bishops that were then
appointed. Was there any general Bishop after the death of Bishop Partridge?
Yes:
"Let
my servant, George Miller, receive the Bishopric which was conferred upon
Edward Partridge, to receive the consecrations of my people," etc.
He was
ordained to the same calling, and called to the same Bishopric; not to the
Presiding Bishopric. but to the same Bishopric conferred Upon Edward Partridge,
to receive the consecrations of the Lord's Church, to administer to the poor
and needy, etc, Here, then, were two distinct orders of Bishops, so far as
their duties, jurisdiction and responsibilities were concerned, but as Bishops
they held the same calling as others. By and by, in the process of time, as the
Church increased and multiplied upon the earth, it became necessary that there
should be local Bishops; hence arose Bishops over this town and over that town,
not general Bishops, but Ward Bishops, the same as you have throughout your
respective Stakes.
Now the
duties of these three distinct callings of those that are termed Bishops are
very different, so far as their duties are concerned. The jurisdiction of a
Ward Bishop does not go beyond his Ward, unless he be particularly called to do
so. He must be selected, must be appointed, and must be sent to some other
place in order to have jurisdiction outside of his Ward in the capacity of a
Bishop. The office of the Presiding Bishop still continues, but for some reason
we have not at the present time, so far as I am aware, any traveling or general
Bishop like Bishop Ed. Partridge, and like Bishop Newel K. Whitney, who
afterwards did become a Presiding Bishop. A traveling Bishop in his jurisdiction
would not be limited to a Ward; it would be his duty if so called and appointed
to travel through the various Stakes of Zion to exhort the people to do their
duty, to look after the temporal interests of the Church, to humble the rich
and the proud and lift up the low and the meek of the earth.
There is
another class of Bishops. We find in every Stake of Zion what is termed a
Bishop's Agent. Does he hold the Bishopric? He should have that office
conferred upon him. Why? Because it is duty to administer in temporal things.
Does his jurisdiction extend beyond that of a Ward Bishop? It does. Why? By
appointment, by selection, by being sent by the Presidency of the High
Priesthood after the order of Melchisedek to administer in the special duties
of his office in any or in all the Stakes of Zion, as the case may be according
to the nature of his appointment, and by the authority of the Presiding Bishop.
There are a great many things to be taken into consideration when we strive to
understand the Book of Covenants according to the revelations that are therein
given. Because God confined His servants to certain duties in the early rise of
this Church, that is no proof or evidence that lie will always work in the same
channel. He will enlarge the borders of this kingdom; He will stretch forth the
curtains of Zion; He will lengthen her cords and strengthen her Stakes and will
multiply them not only throughout this mountain Territory, but throughout the
United States, this land of Joseph and they will be called the Stakes of the
great City of Zion.
Let me
here take the liberty to say to this congregation that the City of Zion when it
is built in Jackson County, will not be called a Stake. We can find no mention
in all the revelations that God has given, that the City of Zion is to be the
Centre Stake of Zion; the Lord never called it a Stake in any revelation that
has been given. It is to be the head quarters, it is to be the place where the
Son of Man will come and dwell, where He will have a Temple, in which Temple there
will be a throne prepared where Jesus will dwell in the midst of His people; it
will be the great central city, and the outward branches will be called Stakes
wherever they shall be organized as such.
We cannot
suppose, as I was saying, that when the Lord shall thus enlarge the borders of
Zion and multiply her Stakes, that He will be obliged to confine Himself to
those circumstances and that condition of things that existed when we were a
little handful of people. We are swelling out, we are becoming numerous upon
the face of the land; and the day will come when Isaiah's prophecy, as
contained in the 60th chapter, will be literally fulfilled, that is, a little
one shall not only become a thousand, but the small one a strong nation. Are we
then to be governed in all respects by those limited things that we were
governed by in our childhood? Will there be no change of circumstances? Yes, as
there is in the growth of grain, we have first the blade, then the ear, then
the full corn in the ear, but these will all be in accordance with the
development made by the progress of the kingdom as is explained in the blade,
the ear and the full corn in the ear, and let me here prophecy on the strength
of the revelations that were given through the Prophet Joseph, and through all
the ancient Prophets, that the time will come when the Lord our God will so
manifest His power that every soul upon the face of this great Western
Continent that will not believe the Book of Mormon, that will not repent of his
sins, that will not turn away from his iniquities, and that will not hearken to
the voice of His Son, that it will be with such a one as Moses said, he shall
be cut off from among the people. Do you believe it? It will be the case. And
when that day comes that the Lord shall cut off such people, when the day comes
that he will fulfil the revelations of Isaiah, as well as many other
revelations that have been given, Zion will have to go forth in her strength
and power, and the inhabitants of the nations that are afar off will say,
"Surely, Zion is the city of our God, for the Lord is there, and His glory
is there, and the power and the might of His terror is there,"—terror to
the wicked, terror to those who commit sin: and many people will say
"Come, let us be subject to her laws." That will be after the Lord
has broken up the nations, after He has destroyed and wasted them away, so far
as the wicked portions are concerned. Those who are left will gladly
acknowledge Zion, will acknowledge God and His people, and will acknowledge the
laws that will be literally sent forth from Zion to the nations of the earth.
Must we then be limited in all respects as we were limited in the early rise of
the Church? No. New circumstances require new power, new knowledge, new
additions, new strength and new Quorums; not to do away with the old, but
additional in their nature. Men will hold authority and power to carry forth
the laws of Zion to the remnants of this nation, and to foreign
nations—ministers, or plenipotentiaries, if you please, to use a political
term, will go forth to the nations of the earth with the laws of God. Now, this
is a prophecy of my own, but it is a prophecy according to that which is
written, according to that which God gave to His ancient and His modern
Prophets.
I find
that I shall not be able to continue my remarks as they present themselves to
my mind, for there are numerous branches pertaining to this subject of the
Priesthood, besides that of the Bishopric, and blessings pertaining to the two
Priesthoods, upon which it would be very pleasing to my mind to dwell, that is,
if I had the time and the strength of body to do so.
I would
say, however, that in regard to the organization of the First Presidency, it
was done soon after the rise of the Church. The Lord exhibited to us, by
revelation, the order of things as it existed in former days, away back in the
dispensation before the flood—the dispensation of the antediluvian Patriarchs
and their order of government; and also the dispensation of the Patriarchs
after the flood and their order of government, and which I dwelt upon. some two
or three days since. I say that in relation to these matters. much might be
said, and much might be said in regard to our privileges, the privileges of
those holding these two Priesthoods. And much might be said of the First
Presidency, which quorum presides over all the Church of God; and much might be
said in relation to the duties of the Twelve, not only as a traveling High
Council, but in regard to the setting in order of the various offices in Zion.
We might talk a great deal about that. We, as the Twelve, have been fulfilling
both of these duties, traveling abroad and sending abroad, and also setting in
order the councils of the Priesthood in the midst of Zion, as the revelation
required of us. In so doing, we have acted for a short time as a Presiding
Council in the midst of the Church of God. We did so upon the death of the
Prophet Joseph. The Spirit of God wrought upon his servants, that during our
administration for some three or four years after the death of Brother Joseph,
the First Presidency was not organized. Did the Council of the Twelve forget
it? No. Did they ignore it? No; they all the time had their minds fixed upon
the revelation which God had given showing that the Council of the First
Presidency was the supreme Council and authority in the Church, and that the
Twelve could not act in that supreme authority and power only as the First
Presidency was made vacant. This Quorum was re organized some three or four years
after the death of the Prophet, and it continued organized until the year 1877,
and upon the death of President Young, who was the President in the First
Presidency, it then fell again upon the Twelve as formerly, and they have
continued some three years and up wards occupying that position. Have they done
right? Yes; they have done as they were required to do during the time being.
And now, after having performed their duties, they still keep in mind the
necessity of this First Quorum of all Quorums of the Church again being filled
up, so that the revelations of God may be honored and we fulfil their
requirements. Hence, the Council of the Apostles has taken into consideration
this subject, and the question in our minds was, Have we sufficiently, as the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, magnified our office and calling, in setting in
order the Church of the living God, in organizing the various Councils, or is
there something lacking? Every time we thought upon the subject we saw that one
Council, the most important of all, was still vacant. Could we ignore it? No.
We therefore considered the propriety of organizing it at the present
Conference; and Brother John Taylor, by the voice of his brethren, the Twelve,
being the person holding the legal right to that office, as the President of
the Twelve Apostles, was selected to occupy the position of the President of
the whole Church. And he, according to the right and authority given to him,
suggested his own Counselors. They were sanctioned by the Twelve Apostles;
hence, the First Presidency again, so far as the Council of the Twelve is
concerned, has been re-organized. We have fulfilled our duties, then, in
relation to that revelation which says, it is given unto the Twelve Apostles to
set in order all those offices that are named in that revelation, we, I say,
have done it. And we have laid the subject before the Priesthood of all the
various Quorums, as they were assembled in general council on last evening, and
they with us have had the privilege of sanctioning this action, that that
quorum be filled up and be complete. it now remains with the body of the people
to give their sanction, males and females, as well as the Priesthood. And in
order that this may be done according to the pattern which God has given
through His servant Joseph, the Priesthood will be organized this afternoon in
their respective Quorums, and this subject will be brought before them to be
voted upon by each Quorum separately; and then the whole congregation will be
called upon to sanction the same.
I would
state that this change made a vacancy of three in the Quorum of the Apostles,
and persons have been selected to fill this vacancy thus made; or, rather, two
persons have been selected from among the High Priesthood to partially fill that
vacancy in the Council of the ApostLes. The third one has not yet been chosen
to completely fill the vacancy in the Apostles' Quorum; we, however, may be
prepared to act on that to-day, and we may not.
Having
said so much, in a very scattered manner, in regard to the Priesthood, and the
dealings of God with us from time to time, I would state to my brethren and
sisters, to the Latter-day Saints, I rejoice that the time has again come when
our Quorums in the Church of God will be completed as given in the Doctrine and
Covenants. I feel to rejoice in seeing this order carried out. There never has
been a time, from the commencement of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints when the organization has been so complete as during the last
two or three years. I trust that His great purposes will be carried out and
fulfilled, until Zion shall become, as it is written in the Book of Mormon, in
the parable of the vineyard, shall become one body and its branches shall be
equal. Amen.
Elder JOHN TAYLOR said it was very necessary for every matter of importance to come before the body of the Church, for their approval or otherwise, that unity of action and feeling may be promoted, and therefore the measures alluded to by Elder Pratt would be presented to the whole conference.
Elder L. John Nuttall presented the following names of missionaries to the
UNITED STATES,
James
McGhie, Sen., Sugar House Ward.
Mons Anderson, Lehi.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Adam
Wilcox, Cottonwood, Bear Lake Stake.
They were unanimously sustained by the Conference.
Elder GEO. Q. CANNON then designated the seats in the tabernacle which the several quorums of the priesthood should occupy in the afternoon.
Choir sang an anthem:
Worship God.
Conference adjourned till 2 p. m. Benediction by Elder W. Woodruff.
_____
[10 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 29:588-589, 10/13/80, p 12-13]
2 p. m.
The several quorums of the priesthood in Solemn Assembly were seated in the following order, according to previous announcement:
The Twelve Apostles in their usual seats.
On the south part of the stand the Patriarchs, the Presidents of Stakes with their Counselors and the High Councils.
On the north part of the stand the Bishops and their Counselors, Presiding Bishop Hunter and his counselors in front of them.
The High Priests in the north centre of the body of the house, the quorum presidents in front.
The seventies in the south centre of the body of the house, the First Seven Presidents in front.
The Elders immediately behind the High Priests.
The Lesser Priesthood in the north side of the house.
Conference called to order by Pest. John Taylor.
Choir sang,
O God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come.
Prayer by elder Albert Carrington.
Choir sang,
O God the eternal Father,
Who dwells amid the sky.
Elder Orson Pratt then presented the following authorities of the Church to the Conference, all of whom were unanimously sustained by each quorum of the priesthood, rising in their order, with uplifted hands to heaven:
First, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors; second the Patriarchs, Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors and the High Councils; third, the High Priests; fourth, the Seventies; fifth, the Elders; sixth, the Bishops and their Counselors; seventh, the Lesser Priesthood -- Priests, Teachers and Deacons; eighty, the Presidents of the various Quorums. Last, the whole congregation, male and female, in the galleries, on the stand and in the body of the house:
John Taylor, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon, as First counselor in the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith, as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the Council of the Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington and Moses Thatcher.
As counselors to the Twelve -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
Francis Marion Lyman as an Apostle in the Council of the Twelve.
John Henry Smith as an Apostle in the Council of the Twelve.
After the sustaining of the First Presidency the votes were first acted upon by that Quorum and then by each Quorum in its order as named above.
Elder George Q. Cannon announced that the changes having been voted upon severally by the Quorums, and as it would take too long and was unnecessary to follow the same order in relation to the rest of the Church authorities, they would be submitted to the Conference as usual. They were then unanimously and severally sustained as follows:
The counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
As the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies -- Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott and W. W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as His Counselors.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Twelve Apostles, their two Counselors and Bishop Edward Hunter,c as counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington, as President of the Perpetual Emigrating fund for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, John W. Young, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as his assistants.
Orson Pratt as Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff as his assistant.
Truman O. Angel, as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Jun., and Wm. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- W. Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards and J. F. Smith.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
President GEO. Q. CANNON said: I hold in my hand the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and also the book The Pearl of Great Price, which books contain revelations of God. In Kirtland, the Doctrine and Covenants in its original form, as first printed, was submitted to the officers of the Church and the members of the Church to vote upon. As there have been additions made to it by the publishing of revelations which were not contained in the original edition, it has been deemed wise to submit these books with their contents to the conference, to see whether the conference will vote to accept the books and their contents as from God, and binding upon us as a people and as a Church.
President JOSEPH F. SMITH said, I move that we receive and accept the revelations contained in these books, as revelations from God to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to all the world.
The motion was seconded and sustained by unanimous vote of the whole Conference.
President George Q. Cannon read a list of amounts of P. E. Fund indebtedness recommended for remittance by the Presidency of the various Stakes of Zion, and passed upon by the President of the P. E. Fund Company, as follows:
Bear Lake Stake, principal and interest together, $12,328.67; Beaver Stake, 8,147.32; Box Elder Stake, 9,608.94; Cache Stake, 22,896.55; Davis Stake 20,477.70; Juab Stake, 3,571.53. Kanab Stake, 1,092.35; Millard Stake, 5,391.85; Morgan Stake, 10,559.86; Panguitch Stake, 981.53; Parowan Stake, 6,919.74; Sanpete Stake, 27,291.96; Salt Lake stake, 103,615.19; Sevier Stake, 5,824.84; Summit Stake, 6,532.34; St George Stake, 7,950.55; Tooele Stake, 21,002.85; Utah Stake, 53,560.60; Wasatch Stake, 9,261.27; total, $337,015.64. Weber, Little Colorado and Eastern Arizona, no reports.
The Conference voted to sustain the action of the P. E. Fund Company in remitting the amounts names in the list.
The Sacrament was then administered.
[President John Taylor]
President JOHN TAYLOR said it was gratifying to him to know that the organizations of the Church were now provided for. The mind of the Twelve had been exercised on the question of the First Presidency, and what has been done to-day he believed was approbated by the Lord, as well as the people. So far as his own feelings were concerned he could have wished to continue his connection with the Twelve, but as was clearly portrayed to us by brother Pratt, God has an order in his kingdom, and it is our duty to observe it. He therefore acquiesced in the change. When everything was adjusted, it was nothing but right and proper for the Quorum of the first Presidency to be filled. He did not aspire to that position, but he did deem it a high honor to be a member of the Church and Kingdom of God. He had examined very carefully those principles in relation to the priesthood that were brought before the priesthood meeting, and every man should seek to become acquainted with those principles, that they may become more thoroughly conversant with the duties and responsibilities of their several callings. The Lord revealed all these things, or we should never have been in possession of them; we are not indebted to the world for them. He spoke with much pleasure at the prompt and energetic manner in which the Twelve had discharged their duties as the First Presidency, and their readiness to retire from that position, and introduce the order that God had instituted in his kingdom, when the proper time arrived. After receiving the sanction of the Twelve it was deemed wisdom to have the voting done by quorums, then by the whole congregation, which was emphatically the voice of God and the voice of the people. Vox populi and vox dei united. Where the spirit of God is there is peace and union. Let us seek to know the mind and will of God and then do it. He then blessed the various quorums of the priesthood and the different organizations of the Church, including the singers, and all that feel well towards Zion.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 30:195, 4/27/81, p 3; JD 22:38]
REMARKS
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
At the General conference, Salt Lake City, Sunday
Afternoon, Oct. 10th 1880.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
I will
make a few remarks while the Sacrament is being administered. It is gratifying
to me to be able to state that now all the various organizations of the Church
are provided for. For some time the Twelve have been operating in the capacity
of a First Presidency, and it was very proper that they should have acted in
that capacity. As you heard Brother Pratt state this morning, in referring to
this subject, this was the course adopted at the time when the Prophet Joseph
Smith left us. The Twelve then stepped forward into the position of the First
Presidency, and operated for about three years in that capacity. And when
President Young left us it was thought proper that the same course should be
pursued. The Twelve, I believe, have in this respect magnified their calling
and taken a course that is approved by the Lord, and I think also by the
brethren, judging from the vote given here to-day.
Had it
not been our duty to have the Church organized fully and completely in all its
departments, I should have much preferred to have continued with the brethren
of the Twelve, speaking of it merely as a matter of personal feeling. But there
are questions arising in regard to these matters that are not for us to say how
they shall be, or what course shall be pursued. When God has given us an order
and has appointed an organization in his Church, with the various quorums of
Priesthood as presented to us by revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, I
do not think that either the First Presidency, the Twelve, the High Priests,
the Seventies, the Bishops, or anybody else, have a right to change or alter
that plan which the Lord has introduced and established. And as you heard
Brother Pratt state this morning, one duty devolving upon the Twelve is to see
that the churches are organized correctly. And I think they are now thus
organized throughout the land of Zion. The Churches generally are organized
with Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, with High Councils, with
Bishops and their Counselors, and with the Lesser Priesthood, according to the
order that is given us.
Then we
have the High Priests, Seventies and Elders occupying their places according to
their Priesthood, position and standing in the Church. And the First Presidency
seemed to be the only quorum that was deficient. And it is impossible for men
acquainted with the order of the Holy Priesthood to ignore this quorum, as it
is one of the principal councils of the Church. While the Twelve stand as a
bulwark ready to protect, defend and maintain, to step forward and carry out
the order of God's Kingdom in times of necessity, such as above referred to,
yet when everything is adjusted and matters assume their normal condition, then
it is proper that the Quorum of the First Presidency, as well as all other
quorums, should occupy the place assigned it by the Almighty.
These
were the suggestions of the Spirit of the Lord to me. I expressed my feelings
to the Twelve, who coincided with me, and, indeed, several of them had had the
same feelings as those with which I was actuated. It is not with us, or ought
not to be, a matter of place, position, or honor, although it is a great honor
to be a servant of God; it is a great honor to hold the Priesthood of God; but
while it is an honor to be God's servants, holding His Priesthood, it is not
honorable tot any man or any set of men to seek for position in the Holy
Priesthood. Jesus said, Ye have not called me, but I have called you. And as I
said before, had I consulted my own personal feelings, I would have said,
things are going on very pleasantly, smoothly and agreeably; and I have a
number of good associates whom I respect and esteem, as my brethren, and I
rejoice in their counsels. Let things remain as they are. But it is not for me
to say, it is not for you to say, what we would individually prefer, but it is
for us holding the Holy Priesthood; to see that all the organizations of that
Priesthood are preserved intact, and that everything in the Church and kingdom
of God is organized according to the plan which He has revealed; therefore we
have taken the course which you have been called upon to sanction by your votes
to:day.
I would
further remark that I have examined very carefully for some time past some of
those principles you heard read over in the Priesthood meeting, and which were
referred to in part, by Brother Pratt, this morning. And there are other
principles associated with the Priesthood that we wish and hope to have
thoroughly defined; so that, every man will know his true position and the
nature of the calling and responsibility and Priesthood with which he is
endowed. It is very proper and very important that we should comprehend these
things; every man in his place, and every woman in her place; but I more
particularly refer to the Holy Priesthood, that every man may feel and realize
the duties and responsibilities which rest upon him.
It is
gratifying to me, and it is no doubt satisfactory to you, to see the unanimity
and oneness of feeling and the united sentiment which have been manifested in
our votes. Those votes being taken first in their quorum capacity, each quorum
having voted affirmatively, then by the vote of the Presidents of the several
quorums united, and afterwards by the vote of the quorums and people combined,
men and women, among the many thousands assembled who have participated in this
vote, having a full and free opportunity, uncontrolled by any influence other
than the Spirit of God, to express their wishes and desires, there has not
been, from all that we could discover, one dissenting vote.
You could
not find the same unanimity anywhere upon the earth. Union is a principle that
exists in the heavens, and so far as we manifest this feeling in all sincerity,
so far do we exhibit our faith in God, in His Priesthood, and in His law as
revealed to us. For our religion, our Priesthood and all the blessings and
ordinances that we possess were not given us by any man or any combination of
men; it was the Lord who revealed all of these things or we could not have been
in possession of them. We have had an example here to-day of the unanimity which
characterizes those possessed of the Spirit of the Gospel, and it ought to be a
pattern for us in all of our affairs.
And now
let me refer with pride to my brethren of the Twelve here, which I do by saying
that while they as a quorum held the right by the vote of the people to act in
the capacity of the First Presidency, yet when they found, as Brother Pratt
expressed it this morning, that they had performed their work, they were
willing to withdraw from that Presidency, and put it in the position that God
had directed, and fall back into the place that they have always held,
as the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I
say it is with pride that I refer to this action and the feeling that prompted
it. I very much question whether you could find the same personal exhibition of
disinterested motives and self-abnegation, and the like readiness to
renounce place and position in deference to principle, among the same number of
men in any other place. They saw the necessity of this action; a motion was
made in that Council; and the vote was unanimously adopted that the First
Presidency be reorganized, and afterwards the brethren to fill this quorum,
were selected. The next step was to present the matter to the Church, and it was
laid before the Priesthood at a meeting, when there were present a
representation of all the important authorities of the Church in the different
Stakes in Zion. After having done that, lest some difficulty might exist some
where, it was thought proper to pursue the course taken to-day—that each
organization of the Priesthood, embracing all the quorums, should be seated in
a quorum capacity by themselves, and separately have the opportunity of voting
freely and fully without control of any kind, and of expressing their feelings,
and finally, that the whole congregation should have the same opportunity. This
is emphatically the voice of God, and the voice of the people; and this is the
order that the Lord has instituted in Zion, as it was in former times among
Israel. God gave his commandments; they were delivered by His Prophet to the
people and submitted to them, and all Israel said, Amen. You have all done this
by your votes; which vote, so far as we can learn, has been without a
dissenting voice either among the separate quorums, or in the vote of the
combined quorums and people. Now, continue to be united in everything as you
are in this thing, and God will stand by you from this time henceforth and for
ever. And any man who opposes principles of this kind is an enemy of God, an
enemy of the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth, an enemy to the people
of God, and an enemy to the freedom and rights of man. The Lord has selected a
Priesthood that He might among all Israel make known His mind and will through
them, and that they might be His representatives upon the earth. And while He
does this He does not wish men to be coerced or forced to do things contrary to
their will. But where the Spirit of God is, there is union, harmony and
liberty, and where it is not there is strife, confusion and bondage. Let us
then seek to be one, honor our God, honor our religion, and keep the
commandments of God, and seek to know His will, and then to do it.
I do not,
know but that I have spoken as long as I ought to. God bless you; God bless the
Twelve; and God bless the Presidents of Stakes and their associates, and the
Seventies and the High Priests, and the Elders, and the Bishops, and the Lesser
Priesthood. And God bless the Relief Societies, and the Young People's Mutual
Improvement Associations, and all who love and fear God and keep his
commandments. And may God bless the Sunday Schools and the Primary Associations
and the educational interests, and all interested in the welfare of Zion, as
well as all the good and virtuous, the honorable and high-minded everywhere,
who are seeking to promote purity, holiness, and virtue on the earth. And God
bless our singers and all who make music for us; and may the peace and blessing
of God rest upon all Israel. And when you go to your homes, carry out the
principles you have voted for, and God will bless you and your generations
after you; and you shall be blessed in time, and through all eternity. And I
bless you by virtue of the holy Priesthood, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Elder W. Woodruff]
Elder W. WOODRUFF felt thankful for what he had seen and heard this day. It was a solemn scene to witness the thousands of men holding the priesthood rising on their feet with one consent, and with uplifted hands sustaining the servants of God in their position. It will have its effect not only on the earth but in the heavens. He spoke of the responsibilities that rested upon those who hold the priesthood. He believed they were ordained in the spirit world before they came here. If anything should tend to humble us before the Lord it is that we have been called to this holy calling. He said he had had quite a number of interviews until within the last 10 or 12 years, with the Prophet Joseph Smith;, and recently with Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Jedediah M. Grant, and others, and received some valuable instructions from them. He prayed God that we might magnify our calling in this probation, that when we get through we may meet with those ancient and modern worthies who have gone before us. It does not pay to apostatize. but it does and will pay to continue faithful to the end.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[DNW 29:754, 12/29/80, p 2; JD 21:316]
REMARKS
BY ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF,
At the General Conference, Sunday Afternoon, Oct. 10th,
1880.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
There are
many times when I feel a great desire to speak to the people because I have
things in my heart that I would like to say. I cannot say at the present time
however, that I have any great desire to speak, still I will bear my testimony
and express a few thoughts in my reflections that are upon me to-day.
I am
happy and greatly pleased in what I have witnessed, and I feel that the heavens
are pleased with our proceedings this day. I feel that they are right. The
kingdom of God is onward; it is not backward. It is wisdom that we perform what
we have done to-day.
The act
of organizing the council of the first presidency of the church and kingdom of
God, I have regarded as a most solemn scene, to See this mighty host of
priesthood who are assembled in this house vote in such unanimity, and to see
this vast congregation rise in a body with uplifted hands to heaven, it is like
the rushing of many waters—there is power in it; there is power with this
people; there is power with the priesthood and in the ordinances of the house
of God, And what we have done to day will have its effect, it will have its
effect in the heavens and on the earth. The responsibility that we bear as
elders of Israel, before the heavens and before the earth and before each
other, is very great. We are called of God; we have been chosen, we have been
ordained as men who have been called to bear the priesthood and to attend to
the ordinances of the house of God, to preach the Gospel, to warn this
generation, to build up Zion, to redeem the earth, to erect temples unto the
name of the Most High God, to redeem the living and the dead, and to carry out
those great purposes which have been fore-ordained before the world was. It is
a great calling, it is a great responsibility: and I feel that we, as servants
of God and as elders of Israel, that we should try in our minds to comprehend
these things.
I reflect
a good deal with regard to our position, as was described to us to-day by
Brother Pratt. It has been my faith and belief from the time that I was made
acquainted with the Gospel that no greater prophet than Joseph Smith ever lived
on the face of the earth save Jesus Christ. He was raised up to stand at the
head of this great dispensation—the greatest of all dispensations God has ever
given to man. He remarked on several occasions when conversing with his
brethren: "brethren you do not know me, you do not know who I am." As
I remarked at our priesthood meeting on Friday evening, I have heard him in my
early days while conversing with the brethren, say, (at the same time smiting
himself upon the breast) "I would to God that I could unbosom my feelings
in the house of my friends." Joseph Smith was ordained before he came
here, the same as Jeremiah was. Said the Lord unto him, "Before you were
begotten I knew you" etc.
So do I
believe with regard to this people, so do I believe with regard to the
apostles, the high priests, seventies and the elders of Israel bearing the holy
priesthood, I believe they were ordained before they came here; and I believe
the God of Israel has raised them up, and has watched over them from their
youth, and has carried them through all the scenes of life both seen and
unseen, and has prepared them as instruments in his hands to take this kingdom
and bear it off. If this be so, what manner of men ought we to be? If anything
under the heavens should humble men before the Lord and before one another, it
should be the fact that we have been called of God.
I believe
the eyes of the heavenly hosts are over this people; I believe they are
watching the elders of Israel, the prophets and apostles and men who are called
to bear off this kingdom. I believe they watch over us all with great interest.
I will
here make a remark concerning my own feelings. After the death of Joseph Smith
I saw and conversed with him many times in my dreams in the night season. On
one occasion he and his brother Hyrum met me when on the sea going on a mission
to England. I had Dan Jones With me. He received his mission from Joseph Smith
before his death; and the prophet talked freely to me about the mission I was
then going to perform. And he also talked to me with regard to the mission of
the Twelve Apostles in the flesh, and he laid before me the work they had to
perform; and he also spoke of the reward they would receive after death. And
there were many other things he laid before me in his interview on that
occasion. And when I awoke many of the things he had told me were taken from
me, I could not comprehend them. I have had many interviews with Brother Joseph
until the last 15 or 20 years of my life; I have not seen him for that length
of time. But during my travels in the southern country last winter I had many
interviews with President Young, and with Heber C. Kimball, and Geo. A. Smith,
and Jedediah M. Grant, and many others who are dead. They attended our
conference, they attended our meetings. And on one occasion, I saw Brother
Brigham and Brother Heber ride in carriage ahead of the carriage in which I
rode when I was on my way to attend conference; and they were dressed in the
most priestly robes. When we arrived at our destination I asked Prest. Young if
he would preach to us. He said, "No, I have finished my testimony in the
flesh I shall not talk to this people any more. But (said he) I have come to
see you; I have come to watch over you, and to see what the people are doing.
Then (said he) I want you to teach the people—and I want you to follow this
counsel yourself—that they must labor and so live as to obtain the Holy Spirit,
for without this you cannot build up the kingdom; without the spirit of God you
are in danger of walking in the dark, and in danger of failing to accomplish
your calling as apostles and as elders in the church and kingdom of God. And,
said he, Brother Joseph taught me this principle: "And I will here say, I
have heard him refer to that while he was living. But what I was going to say
in this: the thought came to me that Brother Joseph had left the Work of
watching over this church and kingdom to others, and that he had gone ahead,
and that he had left this work to men who have lived and labored with us since
he left us. This idea manifested itself to me, that such men advance in the
spirit world. And I believe myself that these men who have died and gone into
the spirit world had this mission left with them, that is, a certain portion of
them, to watch over the Latter-day Saints.
I feel
myself as though we are blessed of the Lord, and that we ought to be satisfied.
I feel that we should humble ourselves before God, that we should labor to
magnify our callings, and honor this priesthood which we received before we
came here while we live out the few days appointed to man in the flesh. And I
do hope and pray God that we may magnify our priesthood and calling while we
tarry here, so that when we get through our earthly mission and go into the
spirit world, we may meet with Brothers Joseph and Brigham and Heber and the
rest of the faithful men whom we knew and labored with while in the flesh, as
well as Father Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets and
apostles who have had their day and their time and their generation, and who
have finished their work here below and gone home to glory. Do you not think
they are interested about us I tell you they are. And I desire when I die, and
my spirit goes into the spirit world, to meet these men and to go where they
are; and I wish to live in that way and manner so as to be worthy of this
blessing. And when I say this of myself I wish it to apply to all Israel. It
will not pay us apostatize; neither will it pay us to sin, it costs ten
thousand times more than it is worth from beginning to end. Therefore, let us
be true and faithful to God. And inasmuch as we have voted today to sustain the
presidency of this church and kingdom, let our prayers ascend night and morning
into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, in behalf of the men who now stand at our
head, and also in behalf of the apostles and in behalf of all the priesthood of
God in their place and station. And inasmuch as we do this we will grow, we
will advance, the Spirit of God will be poured out upon us which will reveal
unto us the mind and the will of God concerning us. And Zion will continue to
increase in power on the earth, and eventually accomplish all for which it is
designed, which is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang:
The Spirit of God like a
fire is burning,
The latter-day glory begins to come forth.
The whole congregation rose to their feet and joined in the singing by request of President Taylor.
Conference adjourned till April 5th, 1881, at 10 am.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
GEORGE
GODDARD,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
1881
3-6 Apr 1881, 51st Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly, 30:152, 4/6/81, p 8; 30:168, 4/13/81, p8; Millennial Star 43:273, 289, 305, 321.]
[3 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 30:152, 4/6/81, p 8]
FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints, convened in the tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on Sunday, April 3rd, 1881, at 10 o'clock a.m., as per call of the First Presidency:
Present on the stand: Of the First Presidency. -- John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Jos. F. Smith.
Of the Twelve. -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman and John H. Smith; Counselor D. H. Wells.
Patriarch. -- John Smith.
Presidents of Seventies. -- Joseph Young, Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott and W. W. Taylor.
Of the Bishopric. -- Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading men from nearly all the Stakes of Zion.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
Choir sang,
All praise to our redeeming
Lord,
Who joins us by his grace.
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang:
Oh, my Father, thou that
dwellest
In the high and holy place.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
We are met this morning to attend to the duties and the responsibilities which devolve upon us at our annual conference. We thought that we would change the programme a little as it regards time; and as it is the spring season of the year, when men are generally engaged with their labor, we thought by commencing our Conference today, it would give men an opportunity of being present without losing a day's labor in their fields. We have this morning a delightful time, very pleasant weather and everything favorable for our assembling together. And whilst we are thus assembled, it is proper that we, as Saints of the Most High God, ought to have our hearts and feelings under the direction and inspiration of the almighty, that we may seek for the good Spirit of the Lord to be with us, to guide us and to direct us in all of our teachings, in all of our business transactions, in all of our counselling and in the various duties and responsibilities which devolve upon us to attend to on this occasion.
This is the 51st Anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - or it will be next Wednesday morning -- and when we reflect upon the circumstances with which we have been surrounded from that time until the present, we certainly must feel that we have cause to rejoice and to be grateful to the God of Israel for the many mercies and blessings which He has manifested toward us, and for His protecting care which has been over us in the midst of opposition and in the midst of calumny, and in the midst of reproach, having ben assailed all the time by enemies to God and to His truth, the Lord has preserved us, and we will give to God the glory. And irrespective of the feelings and ideas and theories of men, we feel to rejoice and praise God our heavenly Father from the bottom of our hearts for the kindness and mercy which He has vouchsafed unto us; and whatever may be the feelings of man toward us, our feelings are glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to men, even to all who love the truth everywhere, among all peoples in all the world. And whatever may be the feelings of others toward us, our feelings of others toward us, our feelings are nothing but kindness and mercy and salvation to the human family.
We are here to carry out the word and will and designs of God. We are here to help to build up His kingdom; to ;;combat error; to advance principles of truth; to establish Zion, and to bring to pass things that have been spoken of by all the holy Prophets since the world was. And in our teachings, in our administrations, in our selecting missionaries to go forth to the nations of the earth to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and in all the relations that we may have to do with, in our assembling together, we ask for the guidance of the good Spirit of God to be with us. And I say to Israel, God bless you and lead you in the paths of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
APOSTLE WILFORD WOODRUFF
Reiterated the previous speaker's sentiment of gratitude to God for the privilege of meeting with so many of the Saints and those bearing the Holy Priesthood in this the last dispensation. He could not but marvel when he meditated over the way in which the Saints had been protected and blessed from the beginning. Alluded to the example of the three Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down before Nebuchadnezzar's image, and of heir passing through the fiery ordeal unscathed, also to Daniel's cruel treatment and subsequent preservation. He never knew a man who gained anything by trying to shirk the duties which God expected of him. Instanced Jonah's experience. Although the Savior and His apostles were called upon to seal their testimony with their blood, they could not afford to turn away from the truth or shirk its responsibilities. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were also faithful unto death, and they could afford to die for, but not to desert the truth. It is for all the Latter-day Saints to cherish the memory of such noble examples, and to remember that they can afford to carry out the purposes of God even though death should ensue. But no man can afford to compromise with error or forsake the Gospel of God. If we are faithful we will see the fulfilment of all the promises that God has made in respect to this age and dispensation. The revelations we have received in this day are from God, just as much as any that were ever given to man from the heavens, and just as truly as ancient revelations have been fulfilled to the letter, so true is it that not one jot or tittle of modern revelation will fall unfulfilled. God is over us and we need not fear. He will break every weapon formed against us, and though we have met with persecution in a measure, and even now the hands of the wicked are stretched out against us, God will deliver us from all our enemies. Why are we persecuted? It is said we believe in the principle of plural marriage. This [is] merely a pretext. If e compromised that principle we should have to renounce all -- prophets, apostles, bishops, laws and ordinances, and even our God. This we cannot afford to do. God will sustain us. He controls man, and he will watch over us henceforth and for ever. We need not fear man, nor renounce one principle of our religion for his sake. but fear God and keep his commandments, and we shall inherit eternal life in his celestial kingdom.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[DNW 30:418, 8/3/81, p 2; JD 22:144]
DISCOURSE
BY ELDER WILFORD WOODRUFF,
At the General Conference, Sunday Morning, April 3, 1881.
_____
REPORTED BY GEORGE F. GIBBS.
_____
I think
that all of us as Latter-day Saints should have our hearts filled with
gratitude and thanksgiving to God our Heavenly Father for his mercies and
blessings which we enjoy this day. It is certainly a source of much pleasure to
me to have the privilege of meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints, and
with so many bearing the Holy Priesthood in this dispensation of God to man. I
cannot but rejoice when I reflect upon the history of this people, and
contemplate the dealings of God with us, how that He has protected us and
sustained us and delivered us and made us community in the land, and that too
under adversity and opposition.
In
tracing the history of the Prophets and Apostles of old, as well as those of
our day, we find that there have been some very peculiar manifestations of the
trust and confidence in God which they have exercised. Consider, for instance,
the position of the Three Hebrews. They could afford to trust themselves in the
hands of God; they could afford to meet whatever punishment or affliction or
persecution which might be heaped upon them in consequence of their obeying the
law of God. But they could not afford to bow down and worship the image which
Nebuchadnezzar had caused to be set up, because it was contrary to the
commandments of God. The history of the result of their refusing to obey the
royal edict, commanding all Babylon to fall down and worship it, we are
familiar with; also with the similar circumstance in which the Prophet Daniel
figured. In any and every age of the world when God has called or commanded a
man or a people to perform a certain work, they through determination and
perseverance, and faith in him, have been enabled to accomplish it; and I do
not know of a single instance wherein anything ennobling or exalting has been
gained when his command has been shunned or wilfully disobeyed. I will here
mention the case of Jonah, which presents itself to my mind, when the Lord sent
him to deliver a message to Ninevah. The requirement was a little too much for
Jonah, and he thought he would try to avoid it; but after he had spent three
days and nights in the belly of a whale, he thought, no doubt, that if ever he
got to land he would unhesitatingly obey the commandments of the Lord. The
result we know. We take our Savior, and also the Apostles who followed him; we
read the history of what they suffered and passed through. All of the Apostles
suffered death (excepting one, whom they could not destroy), including the Son
of God himself, in order to seal their testimony with their blood; while the
Savior had to suffer upon the cross, to fill the mission which he had been
preordained to perform; which, by the way, is a very strange ensample to man, to
see the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father on the earth, the First
Born in the spirit world, a person of His high exaltation and glory,
condescending to come forth to be born in a stable and cradled in a manger; and
after he grew up, how he traveled about in adversity and suffering, never
shrinking from any duty imposed upon him—it should certainly be a good ensample
to all of his followers. And the Apostles themselves, because of their
integrity to the truths of the Gospel which they had received through their
Master, the Savior, they like him, suffered death, and thus sealed their
testimony with their blood. They could perform no more than he could towards
turning the hearts of the people to the truth; but they determined to risk
whatever suffering, trouble or tribulation they were called to pass through for
the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus, that they might receive eternal
life.
I bring
this home to ourselves. I bring it home to the Latter-day Saints; I bring it
home to our day and generation. Many of us have been acquainted with our
Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph and Hyrum Smith. We know their lives; we know the
suffering and trouble they passed through. These men are true and faithful unto
death. They could afford to do it; but they could not afford to deny the faith;
they could not afford to shrink from the important message which God had given
unto them, of establishing this Church and kingdom upon the earth, but they
could afford to be true and faithful to the last moments of their lives, in
advocating and defending the principles of the Gospel of the Son of God. I wish
to say to our leading men, the Presidency of this Church, the Twelve Apostles,
the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, the Bishops, the Seventies, the
High Priests and Elders, and to all men bearing the Holy Priesthood, as well as
to all who have entered into covenant with God, that we can, as individuals and
as a people, afford to maintain our integrity in this our day and generation,
regardless of consequences. We can afford to be true and faithful to God; we
can afford to carry out every principle and commandment which God has given
unto us; we can afford to do this, as much so as Prophets and Apostles and
people of God of other dispensations and generations. And I would say to all
Israel, there is not one soul of us who can afford to compromise one of the
revelations or one of the commandments which God has committed to our charge.
No man can afford to do this who is called of God to build up this Kingdom. We
can afford, however, to meet the consequences, whatever they may be. And I
would say to all present this day, that we should have, and that we have as
much comfort, as much hope and as much cause to trust in God, and have received
as much encouragement, by the over-ruling hand of Almighty God in our behalf,
to go on magnifying our calling and to be true and faithful to every
commandment which God has given unto us, as the people of any other generation
had in their day; and for one I can say, "It is the kingdom of God or
nothing for me and I am willing to risk the consequences. I know that I cannot
afford to disobey any commandment which God has given to me, because there is
no man who holds the Priesthood, and possessing the inspiration and the gifts
of God and the light of truth, but would be ashamed both in the flesh and in
the spirit-world to meet his God, and to be obliged to acknowledge that he did
not obey His commandments. And I will here say that whenever we do our duty,
whenever we keep the commandments which have been made known to us, we will see
the fulfilment of the promises which God has made to us with regard to this
day, age and dispensation. There is no promise which God has made to us but
what will be fulfilled to the very letter. I read these—the Bible, the Book of
Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and I regard them as eternal truths. I
cannot find any revelations given from the days of Moses down to the days of
Joseph Smith, nor from the days of Joseph to our day, by men who have spoken as
they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, but what has been fulfilled to the very
letter, as far as time would admit of. Though the heavens and the earth pass
away, not one jot or tittle which will fall unfulfilled. When I read these
solemn, these eternal declarations made through the mouth of Joseph Smith, my
heart swells with gratitude and praise to God, my heavenly Father. I consider
that the Doctrine and Covenants, our Testament, contains a code of the most
solemn, the most Godlike proclamations ever made to the human family. I will
refer to the "Vision" alone, as a revelation which gives more light,
more truth, and more principle than any revelation contained in any other book
we ever read. It makes plain to our understanding our present condition, where
we came from, why we are here, and where we are going to. Any man may know
through that revelation what his part and condition will be. For all men know
what laws they keep, and the laws which men keep here will determine their
position hereafter; they will be preserved by those laws and receive the
blessings which belong to them.
I say
again, the Latter-day Saints have every encouragement; their pathway is plain
and inviting before them. And the nearer we adhere to the commandments of God,
the more confident we shall become that God is our friend and that He is
watching over us, and that his Son Jesus is our advocate, with the Father, that
he is in the midst of this people, and that he will contend for the rights of
his Saints, and will ward off every weapon which is formed against Zion. So far
at least we have been sustained; the arm of Jehovah has been made bare in our
behalf ever since we have been in these valleys, and all Israel whose eyes are
open to see, and whose minds can comprehend the dealings of God with his
people, know it. We have been sustained by the power of God from the beginning
to this day, and nothing short of the power of God could have saved us and
brought us through; and nothing but the power of God can preserve us, and
nothing but his wisdom can pilot us safe to the high destiny which awaits us.
Perhaps I may be permitted to say, we met with a good deal of persecution and
oppression and suffering before we came to these valleys, and still the hand of
oppression is stretched out against us, and the public mind everywhere within
the pale of Christendom is more or less set on our destruction, and that
because a certain Biblical principle—the patriarchal order of marriage is
practised by us. When Earl Rosborough was visiting this city, he inquired of
President Taylor what excuse the State of Missouri had in driving ten thousand
of this people beyond their borders into the State of Illinois; and what excuse
the people of this nation had who took part in, and those who countenanced the
persecution which we have endured, for persecuting us before the principle of
patriarchal marriage was practised by the Latter-day Saints. President Taylor
replied, it was because we believed in revelation, because we believed in
Prophets and Apostles, and because we believed in the ancient, the apostolic,
the everlasting Gospel, with all its gilts and blessings. Then, said Earl
Rosborough, "it would make no difference, as far as your being at variance
with the Christian world is concerned. whether you practice plural marriage or
not, unless you renounce all other principles you hold to that caused your
persecution heretofore; you would be persecuted still." I say the same
to-day. The nation cares no more about our practising the order of plural
marriage than any other principle of the Gospel; it would make no difference
with us to day. Were we to compromise this principle by saying, we will
renounce it, we would then have to renounce our belief in revelation from God,
and our belief in the necessity of Prophets and Apostles, and the principle of
the gathering, and then to do away with the idea and practice of building
Temples in which to administer ordinances for the exaltation of the living and
the redemption of the dead; and at last we would have to renounce our Church
organization, and mix up and mingle with the world, and become part of them.
Can we afford to do this? I tell you no, we can not; but we can afford to keep
the commandments of God. And I will here say, that we have been sustained by
the hand of Jehovah in a marvelous and miraculous manner ever since we came to
these valleys and proclaimed to the world our belief in the revelation of
celestial or plural marriage; and I will say further, and in the name of Jesus
Christ our Savior and Elder Brother, we shall be sustained from this time until
he comes in the clouds of heaven, inasmuch as we shrink not from the
performance of our duties. We have somebody to deal with besides man. The God
of heaven holds our destiny; he holds the destiny of our nation and of all the
nations, and he controls them. Therefore, I say to the Latter-day Saints, let
us be faithful; let us keep the commandments; let us not renounce a single
principle or command which God has given to us. Let us keep the word of wisdom.
Let us pay our tithes and offerings. Let us obey the celestial law of God, that
we may have our wives and children with us in the morning of the first
resurrection; that we may come forth clothed with glory, immortality and
eternal lives, with our wives and children bound to us in the family
organization in the celestial world, to dwell with us throughout the endless
ages of eternity, together with all the sons and daughters of Adam who shall
have kept the commandments of God.
I pray
that we may be able to do our duty in this world. I pray that we may not fear
man who can only kill the body, but fear God who hath power to cast both body
and soul into hell. I feel to say that there is no people under heaven who have
so much cause to rejoice and to be grateful as the Latter-day Saints. There is
no other people since the foundation of the world called to perform the work
which you, Latter-day Saints, are called to perform. The God of heaven has
given you the kingdom, the great and last kingdom, the only kingdom which has ever
been set up on this earth to remain until the coming of the Son of Man.
Although in its infancy, this work has a great and a mighty future; and as I
have often said, the eyes of all the hosts of heaven are over us; the eyes of
God Himself, and the eyes of all the Prophets and Apostles who have ever lived
in the flesh are watching this people. They know that they are not neither can
they be made perfect without you; and they fully understand that we cannot be
made perfect without them. They understand the greatness, the extent, the power
and the glory of this dispensation.
When I
contemplate the fact that the few men and women dwelling in these mountain
valleys have had committed to them this great and mighty work, I feel that of
all people under heaven we ought to be the most grateful to our God; and that
we ought to remember to keep our covenants, and humble ourselves before him,
and labor with all our hearts to discharge faithfully the responsibilities
which devolve upon us, and the duties which are required at our hands. For we
can afford to do anything which God requires of us; but none of us can afford
to do wrong. It would cost far more than this world with all its wealth is
worth for the Latter-day Saints to do wrong and come under the disfavor of Almighty
God. Our prayers, one and all, should be that of David's—"Keep back thy
servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then
shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."
I pray
God to bless this assembly of His people; and to bless the Presidency of the
Church, the Apostles and all bearing the holy Priesthood, together with all who
have entered into covenant with him. My earnest prayer is that the blessings of
our God may be over us in time, that when we get through and shall pass behind
the vail, we shall have done all that was required of us, and be prepared to
dwell with the sanctified and the just made perfect through the blood of the
Lamb. Amen.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Said we could well afford to entertain good will and peace toward all mankind. It is for this that we have been called to the position we hold, and this is our mission upon the earth. Jesus came to earth to carry out his Father's will and to do the work of his Father. He, in turn, gave the same mission to His apostles. He glorified his Father and he told His disciples they must do likewise. He told them they should be hated of all men for His sake. All that we receive of good comes from God, and no man can understand the ways of God but by the Spirit of God. Before the foundation of the world, a system of communication between God and men was established, and in no other way can communication be received from Him. The Jews could not, with all their understanding, know that Jesus, the Son of God, was in their midst. Jesus said then, "This is eternal life to know the true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent." On one occasion, when Peter had answered Him that He was "Christ the Son of the living God," Jesus said: "Blessed art thou Simon bar Jonah for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven;" and he also said, "Upon this rock (of revelation) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." It is to be hoped all the Saints to-day are built upon this Rock. It was the principle in ancient days and it is the principle to-day upon which the Church is founded -- the principle of revelation from God. Through this came all our knowledge and intelligence concerning the things of God, and we receive through it the comforts of the Spirit which enable us to suffer persecution gladly, looking forward to our eternal exaltation, and ready to suffer and sacrifice all things for the sake of the Kingdom of God. by doing the works of God, we glorify God, even as Jesus did, and we know that if we do these works, we shall be rewarded by being raised to His presence and made sharers of His glory. We must be united and act as a unit in building up God's kingdom. If we refuse to do the works which will make us one, God will find some means to compel us to become one, for except we are one we are not His. In Missouri the Saints failed to consecrate all their property to the building up of God's kingdom and they afterwards had to give it all up to the mob. Let us hope this will not be the case again. But let us keep God's commandments and seek to glorify Him in all our acts.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
Felt thankful for the peace in which we had been permitted to meet together; that the gospel had been revealed to man in this day, and tat so many had believed it. We have good reason to be grateful, while pestilence, war and famine accompany the human family in other nations, here we have health, peace and plenty. Yet we are sometimes prone to think we are hardly deal with, and often we borrow trouble. Now God has promised to help us in real trouble, but He has never said He would help us to bear up under "borrowed trouble." We should trust in God. He will be ever near to guide, console and advise His faithful people. It belongs to us to keep the covenants we have made with the Lord and with each other, and the Lord has said it is His business to take care of His Saints. The hand of God has been over us from the beginning, and ever since our glorious retreat into these mountains, we have prevailed. God has said, "I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but it is for you (the Saints) to forgive all men." We must remember this and put it into practice in thought and action. Do we realize that we once lived in the spirit world and had the picture of this world placed before us, and that we have been permitted to come here because we were faithful in a pre-existent state? We cane here first as our Savior did, to descend below all things, and by adopting the principles of righteousness to gradually ascend to our eternal exaltation. This is the only way by which man can be exalted. And although we are persecuted for preaching these principles, we cannot afford to relinquish them. but no member of the church who has the spirit of his calling upon him, wishes anything but good to the human race. It is our constant prayer that the world may receive the Gospel and partake with us in its blessings.
The choir sang the anthem,
"Sing to the Lord in joyful strains."
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
_____
[3 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 30:152, 4/6/81, p 8]
Sunday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang:
"Mortals awake, let
angels join,
And chant the solemn lay."
Prayer by Elder Erastus Snow.
The choir sang:
"O Lord of Hosts, we
now invoke
Thy Spirit most divine."
Elder Orson Pratt who has been prostrated by sickness for many weeks past, had so far recovered and gained sufficient strength as to be brought to the Conference, and took his seat with the Apostles.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said owing to the magnitude of this immense audience, it was very desirable for as much silence to be maintained as possible, he therefore called on the Deacons to keep children from walking about, and to preserve as good order as could be maintained that the congregation might be able to her the remarks of the speakers.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Addressed the assembly. Expressed his pleasure at meeting with the Saints in Conference, and invoked the spirit of the Lord to his aid while speaking. He had been absent in Washington for 15 or 16 weeks, enjoyed excellent health and had never felt better under similar circumstances. There had been considerable said about the Saints of late in the Capital, but he had not been disturbed in his feelings for a second. There is an excitement in the warfare we are engaged in; the consciousness that we are on the winning side and that victory will eventually perch on our banners, renders the experience pleasurable. With the activity which prevails at home among the Saints, with the labors of the Home Missionaries, Improvement Associations, Relief Societies, Sunday schools, etc., and the sending of missionaries abroad to disseminate the principles of truth together with the building of Temples and other works, it is no wonder that opposition should be fierce and that there should be a great deal of talk and agitation about the "Mormons." We have been taught from the beginning that these things were to be. Year after year, as this work develops and the purposes of God unfold, do we see the striking fulfilment of the prophecies concerning us. Joseph Smith, a prophet of the living God, heralded as good and as evil throughout the world, is gradually being lifted up, and through this the name of God is being glorified. Many of the Prophet's predictions of 50 years ago, and up to the time of his death, have been fulfilled, and he has been proven to be a prophet. Not by the Saints alone, but by the inhabitants of the earth at large; they are doing all in their power to establish his claim as an inspired servant of God. How marvelous are the purposes and works of God! Using men, nations, governments, as seemeth Him good to effect His wonderful purposes! Those who have been brought up in this Church who can remember the dark and bitter past, know how little they once could see the accomplishment of these prophecies. They could only see them with the eye of faith. But the years that have ensued have brought to pass the things that seemed so unlikely to be fulfilled. When the work was in embryo, it excited hatred and called forth attention. A young and illiterate man testified that he had seen an angel from heaven, and that the old gospel, its gifts and the everlasting priesthood were to be restored, and the Church of God established upon the earth. It aroused a fever of excitement. Men were stirred up to persecute him, began to tell lies about him, and to blast his reputation. His family and himself were calumniated. Every word or act of his life was tortured into evil, and charges were spread abroad respecting him, which had not the least color or semblance of truth. Fifty years ago the church was organized with but six members. it would seem that so insignificant a number of men might be permitted to pass unnoticed. But not so. It was heralded far and near that Joseph Smith had organized a Church, and everything was done to crush him. False charges were heralded by the press and pulpit, and every effort made to slander and destroy this youth and his associates. At the same time it was said that "Mormonism" was a delusion and would soon burst and disappear. But it did not. The Elders went forth without purse or scrip, preaching by the spirit and power of God, in the face of all the slanders circulated concerning them and the work continued to grow and spread. They went into Canada, crossed the ocean and sowed the seed of truth on foreign shores. It went from land to land until almost every nation heard the gospel sound. The Elders were persecuted, but they cared not, but continued to preach, for they knew they had it to do. At home persecutions continued, even as the work increased. The Saints were charged with every crime, but especially with the crime of professing to receive revelations from God and to enjoy the Spirit of God and the gifts of Christ's ancient gospel. In Missouri, Gov. Boggs issued an exterminating order, and the Saints were driven out of the State, for death and apostasy were the only alternatives. In the midst of all this, Joseph Smith predicted that the Saints would become a great and mighty people, and throughout their persecutions they clung to these promises. They knew they were to be hated by all men for the sake of their religion, even as the ancient Saints were, but they had faith to endure through all and to-day they can see the fulfilment of their Prophet's predictions. Hated and despised as he has been, the only result is that his persecutors have actually established his claim as a Prophet of God. The Latter-day Saints know this to-day and they know many other things yet remaining in the womb of time that are to be fulfilled. Our destiny is written in heaven, enrolled in the archives of eternity. God has spoken it and not one jot or tittle shall pass unfulfilled. While we are wanting for it on earth, myriads of angels and spirits of the just unembodied and disembodied, are waiting and watching it with eagerness from the heavens. It is the work which has been predicted by the prophets of ancient days, the golden age foretold by the poets in the gorgeous picturings of futurity. But the people who are doing it, are accused of every crime and misdemeanor, and every effort is being made to blacken their reputation. Why is this? The Saints know why. The same agencies that were at work anciently -- that ruined the reputation of Christ, that crucified Him, that murdered His Apostles and the Prophets, and did not stop until the Church of God had been taken from the earth, is at work now against the Latter-day Saints. It is marvelous that the world cannot see this. Here is a small handful of people, driven from their homes into an untrodden wilderness, yet still carrying in their hearts a love of liberty, of their country, its laws, and the principles of freedom; and instead of seeking alliance with Mexico, whose territory they occupied, or with Great Britain, their neighbor on the north, or with any other power, they asked to be admitted as a State into the Union. Did they not show by this their patriotism and their love of liberty? And by their virtue, truth, temperance, kindness and hospitality which they have shown from the beginning, have they not manifested a desire to serve God and love their fellowmen? Why is all this outcry and spirit of persecution raised against us. Because it is to be. The warfare must go on -- God on one side and Satan on the other. Satan has been at work since the beginning to gain the victory, and it would almost seem sometimes that he has been successful. But eventually the victory is with God and His people. It is the destiny of the Saints to uphold the principles of liberty, of right, and to sustain the constitutional government. We are the nucleus of a nation upon which this duty will yet devolve. We are continually battling for the principles of liberty. We are not pleading for them, while efforts are being made to rob us of our rights. We want the liberty to serve God, and we wish all people to have the same liberty. Liberty of conscience, liberty of thought, speech and action, so long as it dows not infringe upon anyone's rights, is our motto and our perpetual desire. This is gospel; the gospel of humanity; and it is as good a gospel as could be preached. The speaker closed with a fervent prayer for the good of Israel.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 31:322, 6/14/82, p 2; JD 23:114]
DISCOURSE
BY PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON, DELIVERED
At the General Conference, Sunday afternoon, april 3d,
1881.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
It is
with great pleasure that I meet with you, my brethren and sisters, in
Conference to-day. And though in some respects I am not feeling very eager to
address so large a congregation as has assembled this afternoon, still we all
know that if we can get the influence and assistance of the Spirit of the Lord,
there is no difficulty in speaking or advancing such thoughts and suggestions
as are suitable.
It seems
to me that of all men I ought to be most thankful. I certainly feel exceedingly
happy in being in your midst, in beholding your faces, in sharing in your
meetings, in partaking of your spirit; I am thankful I have this privilege, for
such I esteem it.
I have
been absent, as you all know, for some sixteen weeks. During my absence I have
enjoyed myself very much, that is, considering the circumstances. I have had
excellent health, and I do not know that I ever felt better in my life, under
the circumstances, than I have during the past winter. Of course there has been
considerable discussion upon our cause and question, and considerable has been
said about us; but so far as my individual feelings have been concerned, I have
not been disabled, not for a single second. There is an excitement about this
warfare, and the consciousness that victory will eventually perch upon our
banners and that we are on the winning side, that makes such a contest
pleasurable. I know this, that when everything is still—when the stream is
quietly flowing along without a ripple—I begin to be uneasy. I expect you do.
We have been accustomed now for so many years—in fact it may be said from the
beginning—to contending with the turbulence of the elements; to battling with
angry waves, that it seems to be the natural condition for us to be in. At any
rate, we know when this is the case that somebody is a little disturbed about
us, and that some think it necessary to be stirring up opposition against us.
With the activity which prevails at home in the curious departments of the
work, the zeal that is being manifested among the Saints by the leading men in
the various Stakes of Zion: with the labors of the home missionaries, the Young
Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations, the Relief Societies,
the Sunday Schools, and the various organizations which have taken shape in our
midst, together with the union of the people, and the sending of missionaries
abroad in such numbers with all these things at work, tending to consolidate
the people, to make them of one heart and one mind, to preach the principles of
truth, to declare to the inhabitants of the earth the salvation of our God, and
to leave them without excuse for rejecting the truth; I say, with all these
activities at home and abroad, together with the building of Temples—a great
work which devolves upon us as a people; with all these things, it is no wonder
to me that opposition should be fierce, and that there should be a great deal
of talk about the "Mormons." We have been taught from the beginning
that this would be the case; the earliest teachings that I can remember were to
this effect, leading me forward, as you were led forward, to anticipate just
such things, just such a warfare as that in which we are involved. Year by
year, as this work develops, as the purposes of God unfold, do we see the
literal, the definite fulfillment of the predictions that were uttered years
and years ago concerning the work of God.
The Prophet
Joseph Smith's name has been known for good and evil among all the inhabitants
of the earth, being regarded by some as a man divinely inspired, a prophet of
the living God, his words treasured up as the words of a prophet should be; and
by others, he is looked upon as an impostor, an ignoramus, a man in fact too
bad to live. This Joseph Smith, who is thus known and has this repute among
various people, is gradually being lifted up and made prominent, and through
his being lifted up and made prominent the name of our God, whose servant he
was, is being glorified. Thus Joseph Smith, whose predictions were uttered
fifty years ago, and from that time down until he sealed his testimony with his
blood nearly 37 years ago—this Joseph Smith is being proved to be a prophet,
not by the Latter-day Saints alone—for we are doing comparatively little
towards the vindication of his prophetic views, of this divine calling; for we
are a feeble people; we are a people few in number, but the inhabitants of the
earth, numerous as they are, by their words and acts, are establishing the
divinity of his mission and proving that he is the man that we have testified
he was from the beginning.
To me the
ways of the Lord are very wonderful when I thus contemplate them. How wonderful
are the Lord's works! How wondrous are His doings in the midst of the
inhabitants of the earth! How strangely, and by what singular means he brings
to pass his great and glorious purposes, using men, using nations, using
governments, as seems good to him, to effect his divine purposes! Those of us
who have been brought up in this Church who can remember the days that are
past, the days of our weakness, the days of our oppression, the days when we
were a broken and a peeled people, can call to mind how unlikely it was that
the teachings we have received concerning this work would ever be fulfilled. We
had faith that they would be. But it required the eye of faith and a heart of
faith to see or to comprehend that they would be, as they have been, developed
through the years that have intervened until the present time. The fulfillment
of these teachings and predictions has brought to us confirmation of our faith;
brought to us more and more with the greatest impressiveness the truth of that
which we were told, and which, as I have said, was so unlikely to be fulfilled.
In the
beginning, this work, before it was an organized body, that is when it was in
its embryo, when but a few men had any knowledge concerning the purposes of God
connected with it, excited hatred and brought forth contention. An obscure
young man, without worldly influence, without advantageous surroundings,
declared that God had again spoken from the heavens and that angels had again
descended to the earth; testified that the Church of Christ was about to be
re-established with its old powers, and that the everlasting Gospel, the old
plan of salvation was to be again restored in its original purity, and with it
the old authority, the everlasting Priesthood, by means of which men and women
could be inducted into the Church of God by the administration of the old
ordinances, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, with its attendant powers
and blessings. The mere declaration of these things by a young man who was thus
obscure, without influence, without the prestige of education or birth,
immediately excited a fever in the neighborhood; an excitement was aroused, and
men began to persecute him; they began to tell lies about him; they began to
bring false charges against him. There was a restlessness begotten that could
not he accounted for upon natural principles, or upon anything they could see
with their natural eyes; it was entirely unaccountable. His family was
calumniated; he was calumniated and slandered; every act of his life was turned
over and made evil of, and charges of wrongdoing were hurled against him of
which he was entirely innocent, and for which there was not even the color or
semblance of truth.
On next
Wednesday, fifty-one years will have elapsed since the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints was organized. It then consisted of six members. Not very
numerous; you can count them on your fingers. It might be thought that so
insignificant a body of people would escape attention. Not so, however. The
whole countryside was aroused. A terrible thing had taken place. This Joseph
Smith had dared to organize a Church. He had found some gold plates, had a "golden
Bible." He had been a money digger; and he had done a great many things,
and at last his audacity had culminated in the organization of a church. As I
have said the whole countryside was in a flame.
"We
cannot endure this; it is a disgrace to our city, our country, our township, to
let such a vile fellow as he palm his impositions on the public. We must put a
stop to it."
The
result was, accusations, criminal accusations. Joseph Smith was brought before
officers of the law upon every conceivable complaint. The papers heralded his
disgrace throughout all the neighborhood, as far as they had circulation,
determined to lie him flown. There are certain fabulous attributes incorrectly
ascribed to the creature called the octopus—or devil-fish. It is said that when
it wants to devour its victims, it ejects an inky substance that fills the
whole water around so that it can the more easily capture its prey. It was
something in this manner that the press and pulpit endeavored to stifle the
truth and to destroy those who testified that they had received it. The whole
country was filled with every kind of slander. Human imagination was racked to
invent stories. They said that Joseph Smith had tried to establish his divine
calling by attempting to walk upon the water, with cunningly arranged planks
placed a short distance beneath the surface of the water, but that,
fortunately, he had been detected in his imposition. They said he had tried to
raise the dead, and that the man whom he tried to raise nearly died, because
the apparatus which he had arranged for him to get air became accidently
deranged. There was no end of stories told by ignorant people, vile people,
deluded people, wicked people, and even by men who called themselves ministers
of the Gospel. You cannot think of anything that was not told, that was not
sworn to—any number of witnesses could be obtained to testify to the truth of
these falsehoods. At the same time it was said it would only be a little while
until the system of which he was the head would burst up. "We have only to
wait a while and it will disappear." But it did not disappear.
The
Elders went forth regardless of the slanders, regardless of the falsehoods,
regardless of the calumnies, preaching the word of God, preaching it in the
spirit and power of God. Regardless of all these things they went—persecuted,
derided, their names cast out as evil. Men considered it almost a disgrace to
talk to them; if they received them into their houses their neighbors looked
upon them as though they were entertaining lepers. "What, have you got a
'Mormon' in your house? Do you know what these people are?"
Traveling
without purse or scrip, as their predecessors had done in primitive days of
Gospel purity, from town to town. from village to village, from hamlet to
hamlet, bearing all kinds of insults and persecutions and hardships, they
traveled the land, lifting up their voices everywhere where they had the
opportunity, testifying in all humility that God had again spoken from the
heavens; that God had again restored the truth in its ancient purity and power;
that God had restored the ordinances of the Gospel as they once existed upon
the earth; and declaring unto the inhabitants of the earth that God is a hearer
of prayers and that he will answer their petitions when they call upon him in
faith. Thus they went, traveling through the United States and Canada, and
afterwards crossing the ocean to the Old World, proclaiming there the same
truths. A strange thing to be heard in Great Britain—Great Britain! who had
been sending out her missionaries by thousands to the remotest parts of the
earth; who considered herself as dwelling in the blaze of Gospel truth, and
occupying the foremost rank among civilized and enlightened nations! A strange
tiring for men from the wilds of America to come and preach to them the truth
of heaven, to tell them the contents of their Bible. Presumptuous as it seemed,
the Elders, nevertheless, did this. They had received the dispensation of the
Gospel, and, like Paul, they felt it would be woe unto them if they did not
preach it. And they went from land to land until every continent, almost every
land, has been visited by them.
While the
missionaries were .thus engaged, the work at home did not cease. Persecution at
home was not arrested. Mobs continued to gather together as they had done
before the Elders crossed the ocean; and it was not then the cry that
"these Mormons were introducing patriarchal marriage, which we think
hurtful to our civilization;" that was not the charge. In the early days
the charges urged against the Saints when they went out West to the limits of
the Republic, were, that they believed in anointing and in laying hands upon
the sick; that they believed in revelation; that they believed in prophets;
that they listened to the counsels and teachings of those prophets. Was not this
very dangerous? But this was not all. It sounds very queer in these days to
think that one of the gravest charges made against the Latter-day Saints by the
mob that drove them from their homes in Jackson County was that they were
Yankees and abolitionists! Designing men, seeking for pretexts that would
answer the purpose of inflaming the minds of ignorant people, seized and used
this as a good ground upon which to base designs for expulsion. Missouri was a
slave State, and the Latter-day Saints were in the main New England people;
they who were not were from New York, Pennsylvania and other middle States. But
they were known as Yankees, and, as their enemies asserted, abolitionists—a
suitable people to be pounced upon and driven out. They were driven out from
Jackson County, and finally, to get rid of them, Lilburn W. Boggs, governor and
commander-in-chief of the militia of the State of Missouri, issued an
exterminating order, threatening the Latter-day Saints with extermination
unless they left the State. There was one alternative left to them if they
remained in the State—apostacy. But Missouri's favor was not so desirable to
the Latter-day Saints as the favor of their God, and they chose to abandon
their homes and they marched out of the State as best they could. Now, during
all these years, and subsequently, when we were being mobbed, plundered, and
driven, the Latter-day Saints had an abiding faith, based upon the revelations
that God had given through brother Joseph Smith, that the day would come when we
should be a great people, when our virtues would be recognized, when our
patriotism would be vindicated, when our loyalty to truth and to the principles
of virtue and of good government, of pure republicanism would be established
and the work of God with which we are connected become universal. Brother
Joseph had predicted this. The Elders, the Saints, the people old and young
believed it with all their hearts. The hatred of mobs, the burning of houses,
the destruction of property, the expulsion from homes never weakened their
confidence in the truth of these predictions, and their eventual fulfillment.
That feeling had been implanted there by the Almighty; the Spirit of God had
borne testimony to it in their hearts, and they never doubted it. Hated by a township,
they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a county; hated by a county,
they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a State; hated by a State,
they foresaw the time when they would be hated by men who constituted a party
who, it might be said, were the representatives of the nation; hated by a
nation, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by other nations, until,
as I have said, their loyalty to truth, to virtue, to good government, to good
order and everything that is pure, holy and God-like, would be vindicated and
established in the eves of all men—by the nations at large, as well as their
fellow-citizens.
How
unlikely a thing to have been when there were but six persons composing this
church! Yet the revelations given previous to that organization, the word of
God as it has come down to us embalmed in that sacred book which contains the
revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, foretells in plainness just
such results as these that I have alluded to. The spirit of this work, its
character, the results which should follow it were plainly mapped out
beforehand as though all the events connected with it had already taken place
and were written by the pen of the historian, instead of that of the prophet.
The historian can delineate with no greater accuracy (though he may give more
details) when he writes the history of this people and the results of the
labors of the elders of this Church, than it has been written for half a
century.
The
inhabitants of the earth, contrary to their will, and despite their wishes, are
contributing to establish the prophetic calling of Brother Joseph Smith, and to
fulfill the revelations of God given through him. Hated as he has been;
despised as he has been; derided as he has been, this is the result of their
actions. The destiny of this people has been clearly foretold. Here are men
whom I see around me, whose heads are whitened with years, whose bodies are
frail and trembling, and women, too, who have been connected with this Church
from its earliest days, who know of the truth of what I am stating, who know
that there is nothing that they behold to-day that they did not behold by the
spirit of prophecy and with the eye of faith years and years ago. And many
things that are yet unfulfilled, that yet remain in the womb of time, to be yet
brought, forth. The destiny, as I have said, of the people, is written in
heaven, it is enrolled in the archives of eternity. God has spoken it; the
eternal fiat has gone forth, and it will never be revoked. We play our part; we
figure as actors in these scenes. By and by others will come; the column of
humanity will march on; the column from the eternal worlds will continue to
descend. Myriads of the just are watching with, I might say, eagerness, the development
of this work [p.120] and they are doing their part, and unborn myriads are
looking forward to the future of this work, small as it is to-day,
insignificant as it is to-day. It is no enthusiasm or fanaticism that inspires
these words; but it is the plain truth not half told; it is merely to hint of
that which will be. For this is the work of the eternal Jehovah, the work
spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; the great work that
is to prepare the earth and its inhabitants for the coming of the Son of God.
Who that reads this sacred book, the Bible, does not know that Prophets and
Apostles, Seers and Revelators—all looked forward to the time when a great work
should be done in the earth? They predicted it, they dwelt upon it, in inspired
strains. Poets, too, who never laid claim to inspiration, have looked forward
to the "golden age," have dwelt with delightful language and, it may
be said, with inspired pen, upon that great time that should come in the
history of our race.
It is
true as I have said, that from the beginning calumny and slander of every
conceivable kind have been circulated concerning this work. It is so to-day. It
goes the rounds of the country, and is believed in by the great masses of the
people. The Latter-day Saints are looked upon by many as guilty of every
conceivable crime. Their true characters are so befogged by misrepresentation,
that strangers almost come into our borders as though they were about to enter
a den of thieves —that is, strangers who do not know better. Murder, outrage,
robbery, perjury, villany of every kind is attributed to this people. Why
should such a world-wide notoriety be given to a people who number no more than
we? Why should such lengths be gone to in falsifying an innocent people? It
might be thought that we, being so insignificant numerically, might escape
notice; or at least such prominent notice; it might have been thought in the
beginning that Brother Joseph Smith and his compeers would have escaped notice.
It might be thought that when they were few in numbers and their influence did
not extend beyond a township, that they might have escaped notice. But no, the
world has seemed determined in a way that to the natural eye seems
unaccountable, to uplift this people to importance, to give them a world-wide
reputation, to advertise them throughout the earth. And why is this? The
Latter-day Saints ought to understand it, and many of them do understand it.
You know the powers that are at work—the same powers that blackened the Son of
God, that made him appear so hideous that men in crucifying him thought they
were doing God service—and were perfectly willing to have all the consequences
fall upon them and their children; the same influence that caused an Isaiah to
be sawn asunder, that caused a Daniel to be thrust into the lion's den, and
that caused the death of nearly all of the prophets, and that produced the
martyrdom of eleven of the Twelve Apostles, according to tradition; it is that
same influence that never rested until every inspired man was destroyed from
the face of the earth, that is still busy. This Satanic power has kept at work
slaying the servants of the Almighty, including the holiest being that ever
trod the earth—the Son of God.
Is it not
astonishing that the world cannot see these things? Think of the long list of
martyrs, coming down through the ages from Abel; the best and the holiest men
killed by their fellows, not because they thought them virtuous, not because
they thought them holy, not because they looked upon them as pure; but because
they were considered too dangerous to be suffered to live.
I wonder
when I know that this has been the case that the world cannot see to-day, that
the same spirit is abroad in the earth. It is not usual for wicked people to
kill wicked people, that is, in the way the prophets and apostles were killed.
Here is a
feeble people in these mountains who have come here fleeing from persecution,
carrying with them when they left their native States and launched forth into
an untrodden and unknown wilderness, a love for the principles of liberty for
which their fathers, many of them, had fought. Notwithstanding their
persecutions and the vile treatment they had received at the hands of their
fellow-citizens, they did not allow that feeling to dominate in their hearts;
but loving the flag, the stars and stripes; loving the republic; loving the
institutions of freedom, loving the Constitution, loving the laws, and carrying
with them that love into the heart of the wilderness, and there laying the
foundation of a great commonwealth they sought for admission as a State, and to
have in that State every human right fully guarded and civil and religious
liberty secured for people of every creed, and of no creeds, not seeking for
alliance with Mexico, whose land they occupied, not seeking alliance with Great
Britain, who was their neighbor on the north; not seeking alliance with the
wild races, or endeavoring, or seeking to set up an independent republic, but
their hearts going back fondly to the home of their fathers, to the land which
their fathers had helped to redeem and make free, to the Constitution upon
which the government of the land was founded, to the flag for which their
fathers had fought and bled, they showed to the world that persecuted as they
might be, hated as they might be, despised as they might be, and driven as they
might be, they could not extinguish within them the love of liberty, the love
of true republicanism. This was the testimony which this people bore to the
inhabitants of the earth: and it might be thought, as I have said, that the
people who had done this, working with unceasing toil to reclaim the waste
places and make them habitable and beautiful and a fit abode for themselves and
their children; sending out missionaries at untold sacrifice to the nations of
the earth to proclaim the Gospel and gather in the honest from their own land
and from the remotest nations of the earth; doing this for years, until
gradually, as we see, the stately structure of a great commonwealth rises up
around us; law executed; liberty preserved; the utmost freedom extended to
every human being throughout the length and breadth of these mountain valleys;
life and property as secure here as they ever were in any of the States of the
Union; strangers coming in here before the railroad was built, weary and
foot-sore, received with hospitable kindness. This tabernacle, after it was
erected, and before this was erected, the old tabernacle, and before that was
erected, the bowery, opened to preachers of every denomination, men of every
creed united to proclaim their tenets, to give us their views; women protected
throughout this land with such sacredness that they, old or young, beautiful or
homely, could traverse every valley and pass through every town north and
south, night or day, without hearing a word that would be improper, without
ever witnessing a gesture that would annoy them; emigrants with their wagons
coming in and leaving them in town unguarded, and not a thing harmed or
taken;—I say, it might be thought, viewing and witnessing these results —the
virtue, the temperance, the good order, the frugality, the industry, the
enterprise, the liberality, the honesty of the people, that somebody would
think and say:
"What
do all these attacks mean? Why is this crusade being waged against a people of
this kind. Surely fifty millions of people with all the advantages of the
age—the press, telegraph wires, pulpit, day and Sabbath schools, the wonderful
improvements that are being brought out,—everything in fact, in their power,
including the wealth of the world at their command, surely these fifty millions
of people should suffer a few thousands of people in Utah, to dwell in some
degree of peace without constantly urging on the dogs of war against them;
without hounding on every vile fellow in the nation to rob them and to engage
in crusades against them, with the assurance that they will be justified in
doing so."
But no,
this is not to be; it is not thus written; it is not the destiny of this people.
We would never he the people God intends and designs us to be if we were to be
let alone. The warfare must go on; it, is an unceasing one; the powers are
arrayed one against another, with God on one side and the Adversary on the
other. The devil is not going to relinquish his ground. He has tried falsehood
from the beginning, and tried it successfully in many instances. It has been
said of him that he was a liar from the beginning; and it is certain he has not
lost his old characteristics. He has succeeded by means of murder many times in
the history of our race. He has contrived by this agency to maintain his
foothold in the earth for a long time. He thinks, like men think who steal
things and keep them for a long time, that he is the owner of the stolen
property. The man who jumps another man's land or claim, the longer he
possesses it, the more assured he becomes that he ought to have it. Satan is
imbued with this same idea; and he has recourse to the old method of
warfare—lying; and lies are being circulated until the ear is tired listening
to them. Every conceivable falsehood! Then he supplements lies with violence,
and even murder has been resorted to. He thinks, if he can kill a man that puts
an end to him; if he can kill a people that destroys them and their influence.
But this time it is another sort of a work. God has spoken concerning this
work; this is the last work that the Prophets or the Apostles have called the
dispensation of the fullness of times. There was to be a time when Satan should
have to recede inch by inch, step by step. That time has come. The column of
the righteous, of the true is pressing onward; there is an irresistible power
behind it. It will go forward gathering into its ranks the honest and virtuous
from every nation; just as sure as we live this will be the case. It will
gather people from every nation. It seems like a very strange thing to say, but
on all proper occasions I say it with a great deal of pleasure, at home and
from home, that I have been taught from early life that the day would come when
republican institutions would be in danger in this nation and upon this
continent, when, in fact, the republic would be so rent asunder by factions
that there would be no stable government outside of the Latter-day Saints; and
that it is their destiny as a people, to uphold constitutional government upon
this land. Now, a great many people think this is a chimera of the brain; they
think it folly to indulge in such an idea; but the day will some nevertheless.
There are those in this congregation who will witness the time that the
maintenance of true constitutional government upon this continent will be
dependent upon this people, when it will have to be upheld by us.
We are
battling all the time for human rights. We did so in the States before we were
driven out; we have done so throughout these mountains, and are doing so
to-day, contending for our rights. Even before the great tribunal of our
nation, Congress, the contest is going on; for attempts are constantly being made
to wrest from us our liberties, as citizens; and we are standing our ground as
best we can, pleading for our rights, pleading for liberty of conscience,
pleading for that freedom which belongs to the country, which God has
guaranteed through the Constitution; not for ourselves alone, but for every
creed, for every member of the human family. We do not want liberty for
ourselves alone; we desire every man to have it: liberty for Ingersoll,
and all who believe as he does; liberty for the followers of Mohammed
and all who believe in the Koran; liberty for Beecher and for those of his way
of thinking; and even Talmage who has talked so badly about us, we would have
him enjoy liberty; yes, and permit him to say what he pleases about us, to take
what view he pleases of our belief and practices, and to tell everybody what he
thinks about them. We would give him the utmost liberty to do this, and every
other man, to say what they please about us or about anybody else, as long as
they do not interfere with the rights and the liberties of the people against
whom they are opposed, protesting always, however, that men in criticising
others, should confine themselves strictly to the truth, or he held responsible
to the laws for slanders and falsehood. All sects and all people should have
this liberty, that is, liberty of conscience, liberty of speech and liberty of
the press, as long as it does not degenerate into license, and interfere with
the rights of others. We claim this for ourselves; we contend for it, and we
shall contend for it, until it is gained.
Now, my
brethren and sisters, I forgot that it is Sunday; I do not know, however, but
what this is as good Gospel as I can declare; it is the Gospel of humanity; it
is the Gospel of truth. And I hope that you will ever be true to these
principles. It makes no difference really whether you will or not, so far as
this great work is concerned; but it is a glorious reflection to know that we,
are striving to accomplish these ends.
When I
look at the wonderful deliverance that has been wrought out for us, it is a
subject of amazement to me. Still our enemies continue to plot and get up
machinations. It is all right, let them have their agency, let them do as they
please; it ought not to disturb us or cause us a moment's uneasiness. Let them
do as they please as long as they keep hands off.
I pray
God to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit, and to bless His servants
who may address us during this Conference, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem,
How beautiful upon the mountains.
Benediction by Apostle Brigham Young.
_____
[4 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 30:152-153, 4/6/81, p 8-9]
SECOND DAY.
_____
Monday, 10 a. m.
Conference convened as per adjournment.
The choir sang,
Praise ye the Lord, 'tis
good to raise,
Your hearts and voices in his praise.
Prayer by Prest. Wilford Woodruff.
The choir sang ,
May we who know the joyful
sound,
Still practice what we know.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Spoke of the multitude of the youth of Zion that are growing up in our midst; said it was nothing but reasonable to expect that they would be better qualified to carry on the great work of God and accomplish a more staunch and vigorous labor than their fathers have done, on account of their being free from the many false traditions that have been handed down from generations past. It is astonishing to think of the great number from the beginning to the present, who have embraced the gospel and then have fallen away. Even of the first Twelve Apostles who had been ordained to that high and holy calling nearly one-half had apostatized from the faith within two or three years of their ordination. The trials and temptations to which they were exposed were more than they were able to endure, and therefore they fell by the way and turned from the truth. So with many of the members of the Church, who embraced the faith, and were then overcome by the allurements of the world and the influence of the evil one. After speaking at length on the apostasy that had taken place from the ranks of the priesthood and from the members of the Church, he said he believed that in the future there would be far less apostasy than in the past. it had grown less as the ranks of the Quorum of the Twelve had been filled up from time to time. And as the Church progressed the Saints would become more and more firm and faithful. Notwithstanding the numbers that have apostatized from this Church, there are a greater number of good, faithful Saints at the present time than there ever was before. The facilities now in our midst for the instruction of our youth, and the good influence of their faithful parents by example and precepts would tend to preserve them in the path of righteousness and truth. He strongly denounced the practice of some parents who send their children to be taught by those whose mission here was to draw away our youth from the faith of the Gospel, and set them in direct opposition to the work of God. It was not the principle of polygamy that those who are fighting against this work were so much opposed to that was only used as a pretext for their hatred and enmity to the work of God. Those who make he loudest clamor against us on account of polygamy are the more deeply steeped in the vilest practices of the age, and against which the curse and displeasure of God are arrayed. He repeated it was not polygamy that the world re opposed to, but simply the organization of the Priesthood as was recently remarked by a visitor to President Taylor. It is the power of God that they are opposed to. It is the grand principle of revelation that God has established in these days. If they could break the link between the heavens and the earth that had been severed so long, and which the Lord had restored, they would care nothing for our polygamy. The speaker showed the iniquity of modern Christendom with its secret sins and the purity of celestial marriage as revealed from heaven, and cited the former as evidence that the pretense that the reason for opposition to the latter was because it was licentious, was the rankest hypocrisy. He then made a powerful appeal to parents not to place their children under the care of those whose object was to lead them away from the faith of their fathers and mothers, and denounced the sin of such a course, the result of which would be seen in time and eternity, and sink the guilty to shame and punishment, which they would receive instead of the exaltation they expected, for God had made us responsible for our children until they reached the years of accountability.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
With regard to the principles that have been advanced here this morning, they are things that demand our most serious consideration. We, as Latter-day Saints, profess to have come out of the world, gathered together to the land of Zion for the purpose of fulfilling the word, the will, and the law of God. We are living in an eventful age, at a time when God has decreed to have a controversy with the nations, wherein He has determined to gather His people together, and wherein He has made manifest to them His will, His law, His gospel, as it existed in other ages when God revealed Himself to the human family. And living as we are in this day and age of the world, having been gathered into the fold of God, having received the holy Priesthood, and being placed in communication with the Lord, it behooves us as Saints to study and ponder well the path of our feet, to comprehend the position we occupy and our relationship to God, to each other, to our families, to the Church and the Kingdom of God and to the world, that we may act wisely, intelligently, and understanding.y, and that in all of our doings we may be under the guidance and influence of the Spirit of the living God, that we may walk in the paths of life and under the guidance and direction of the almighty, carrying out the great and sacred principles He has committed to our care. When men do this they will not apostatize as has been referred to; when men fear God and humble themselves before Him and place themselves under His influence and control, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, they will not apostatize; but when men, under the cloak of the Gospel, introduce pernicious practices and permit themselves to be governed by wrong influences, then they place themselves in a position to be led captive by the devil at his own will. Hence the necessity of the Saints being humble and prayerful and diligent in the performance of their duties, and in seeking to magnify their callings and to honor their God. Especially are those duties more incumbent upon men in authority than upon others, and so far from men being puffed up in pride or with any ostentatious feelings because of any position they may occupy in the Church and kingdom of God, all that a good man will seek to do will be to know the mind of his Heavenly Father and to do it, and to seek to magnify his calling, that he may prove himself worthy to be accepted of God and the holy angels, and be esteemed by all good, and honorable and upright men. We have a reason given us here [Book of Doctrine and Covenants] why men apostatize. I will read it:
"Behold there are many called, but few are chosen.
And why are they not chosen?" -- [here is the reason] -- "Because their hearts are set so much upon the
things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn
this one lesson -- That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected
with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled
nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be
conferred upon us it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to
gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or
compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of
unrighteousness, behold the heavens will withdraw themselves; the spirit of the
Lord s grieved; and when it is withdrawn, amen to the Priesthood, or the
authority of that man. Behold! ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to
kick against the pricks; to persecute the "Saints and to fight against
God. We have learned by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition
of nearly all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, the
will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion"
Hear it you Elders of Israel, you Presidents of Stakes, you Bishops and you men in authority, and you Elders everywhere! This is the reason why men have departed from the truth and have apostatized.
"Hence many are called but few are chosen. No
power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood,
only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love
unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul
without hypocrisy and without guile."
This is the reason why so many have stumbled, and I will say still further that unless the elders of Israel realize their position, whether they be Presidents of Stakes, or whether they be the Twelve, or the counselors of the Twelve or the First Presidency, or whether they be Bishops, or whether they hold any office of authority in the Church and kingdom of God -- no matter what position they may occupy, of they go to work to seek to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the Church and Kingdom of God, the Spirit of God will be withdrawn from them and they will be left as others have been left to "kick against the pricks" and to fight against God, and they will find their way to perdition instead of to the Celestial Kingdom of God. When we have great rights, great intelligence and great blessings conferred upon us, the more need we have of being watchful and prayerful and diligent in the observance of our duties, and to feel that we are the representatives of God on the earth, the mouthpieces of Jehovah, to proclaim the will of God to men and to act as shepherds in Israel and feel interested in the welfare of the people and the building up of the Zion of our God. When we entertain feelings of another nature our minds become beclouded, we get led astray, as others have been led astray in former ages and under other circumstances. This is no new thing. We can trace it back to eternity, and we can follow it also with the times to come. The Scriptures tell us that the angels who kept not their first estate, but rebelled against God and violated His law were cast out. How many of them? One-third of them we are told. Who were they? The children of our Father as we are. Were they cast out? Yes, we are told they were, and we believe it. Why were they cast out? Well, I will go a little further on this point and show the reason:
When the plans of God in relation to this earth on which we live were presented before the intelligences of heaven, there were many there who thought, as some men frequently think now, that they knew the proper course to pursue better than God our Heavenly Father knew; and hence we read of Satan presenting himself before the Lord and saying, "Father, I will be thy Son." And what will you do" "I will redeem every soul of man, that there shall not one be lost" -- just as people are trying to do now-a-days, as Brother Joseph F. has been telling us, and they would like to redeem your children, and redeem you, yes, and corrupt you and lead you astray -- for we are told the Devil is a liar from the beginning; and he keeps it up pretty well yet. The Lord then turned to His well beloved Son and said, "What would you do?" He understood things better than Satan and said, "Father, thy will be done. You have presented before us your plans, your ideas and views which are calculated to exalt and ennoble mankind; and believing in your intelligence and in your good motives, and in the instruction that comes from you, I shall be subject to you and your law. Father, thy will be done," while Satan said that he would go and save every soul, and then asked the Father to give him His honor. That is, in effect, "O Lord, thou art all powerful and great and magnanimous, bestow upon me thy power that I then, in thy name, may bring about the destruction of thy people." Just as people now want to get in many instances, the honor of the people and of the Priesthood to bring about their own purposes and to lead us down into the path that leads to death. What did the Lord do? He knew the designs of the enemy and the course which he would pursue. He wanted to do away with the free agency of men -- like men do to-day in this broad republic, to deprive men of their liberty and their rights, which, God being our helper, we will try to sustain from this time henceforth. [Amen, by the congregation.] And because he sought to take away their liberty, their free agency, going contrary to the law of God, he was cast out, and those also who clung to him, even one-third of the angels of heaven, before they had their bodies.
What followed after? There is a big field before me and I have not time to enter into the question; but I will briefly touch upon a few principles.
Man came to the earth, and when man came, Satan came also. You know the history in regard to this. God gave man a law, and Satan began to try to pervert that law; this was one of the first things he did. In the process of time there were two men born -- Cain and Abel, and many others besides; but these were two representative of men. One placed himself under the influences of God; the other under the influences of the devil, and he became the father of liars and deceivers, and was instructed by the enemy of all righteousness to introduce murder and bloodshed and confusion, which we read of as having descended from Cain, passing through the different ages, and to many people of this age and continent; and it is now spreading among the nations of the earth in every form of terrorism and secret organizations; and murder, bloodshed and destruction are in their hearts. They hatch cocatrice eggs, and weave the spider's web; and those that eat of the eggs die; and the eggs that are hatched break forth into vipers. We see this spirit in the earth; and that spirit would like to find a footing among us; and nothing but our adherence to God and His laws, our fidelity to truth and our integrity to correct principles, will preserve us from these infamies that are spreading themselves abroad in the world. And if we would secure to ourselves eternal lives an d possess thrones and principalities and powers in the eternal worlds, it is for us to obey the Lord our God to keep His commandments and square our lives according to the principles that God has revealed, to be in communion with each other and with the Holy Priesthood on the earth, with God and the Holy Priesthood in the heavens, that we may be one with the Saints of God, one with the Apostles and Prophets and Presidency, one with the ancient Apostles and Prophets and men of God, one with God our Heavenly Father and with Jesus the Mediator.
I would like to talk an hour or two on this subject if I had the time and strength to do it, but the time has expired.
Brethren, let us be for God, for truth, for righteousness, and watch over ourselves and our families that God has placed within our power and under our direction, and do not let us throw them into the hands of the destroyer as has been referred to k but let us cleave to the truth and honor our God and God will bless us and sustain us and exalt us in time and throughout all the eternities to come. And about the plans and contrivances of men, they may rage and imagine vain things, yet God has them and us in His charge and He will say to all as He did to the waters of the mighty ocean, "Hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and her shall thy proud waves be stayed." And the principles of eternal truth shall roll forward and continue to progress, until loud anthems will be proclaimed upon the earth, and glory and honor and might and majesty and dominion be ascribed to God that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem:
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Benediction by Elder E. Snow.
_____
[4 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 30:168, 4/13/81, p 8]
FIFTY-FIRST
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
_____
SECOND DAY.
_____
Monday, 2 p. m.
Choir sang
"Praise to God,
immortal praise,
For the love that crowns our days."
Prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Choir sang
"The Lord my pasture
shall prepare,
And feed me with a shepherd's care."
President George Q. Cannon then read the statistical reports of the various Stakes of Zion.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
Said the gospel as expounded by the Savior and His Apostles was a perfect law of liberty. All the revelations that God ever gave to man in ancient or modern times tended to true freedom. Nothing connected with the Gospel of Christ has the tendency to restrain men of their liberty. These doctrines have attempted to draw a line between liberty and licentiousness; between liberty and oppression. Oppression and slavery are the result of sin, and violations of the principles of the everlasting gospel, either by the ruled, by the rulers, or both -- and generally by both. True freedom of mind and body and the enjoyment of human liberty, rest upon human integrity and virtue, and the observance of those principles of truth upon which all liberty is founded. There are some people who think they are always in bondage unless they are all the time trying to get into trouble; some seem never to be happy unless perfectly miserable. Oppression and slavery are in no way connected with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of France, and the "Liberals" of Utah are "panting for liberty," but to obtain their ends (which would certainly be anarchy and destruction) they would assassinate the representatives of Government, kill the king, dethrone Jehovah. The same restless spirit that agitates such people has existed in former ages of the world, and their course is related in bible history, and also their sad fate is made manifest by the displeasure of the Almighty against their rebellious course. "The powers that be are ordained of God," and a monarchial or republican, or other form of government, is far better than no government, or the rule of those who must clamor for freedom with their mouths, but are tyrants in their hearts and are destroyers of good regulations and wholesome restraints. The oppression of a king is preferable to the oppression of a mob, where every man's will is his own law. The speaker made a wise and discriminating contrast between the government of God and the condition of anarchy that is being aimed at by freedom-shouters in different nations of the earth. He then spoke of the power and efficacy of the Priesthood in the settlement of difficulties by pacific measures, on the principle of amicable adjustment. There are no officials on the face of the earth, who are so easily approached, for the purpose of listening to and affording counsel and aid to those needing it, as the various authorities and officials in the Church and Kingdom of God, an there are no people who understand liberty better than the Latter-day Saints, for they have learned it in the Gospel. He could bear testimony to the fact that there are no better social and family regulations anywhere, nor any more true liberty, than can be found in many of our polygamous households and that they were far superior to those that existed in many places in so-called Christendom. In a political sense we are complained of because we will vote for our friends, and give our sanction to those whom we know will make a wise and proper use of the power and means placed in their hands, and will not vote for our enemies who seek place and power for their own aggrandizement and personal ends. some people's ideas of liberty seem to be independence of law, hostility to union, order and peace. Our regenerators would make it appear that unless we go to the polls and vote their ticket we are oppressed and priest-ridden. Yes, we do vote with the priesthood; we would indeed be foolish to vote for our enemies; then let us vote for our friends. Everybody acquainted with the Territory knows that the municipal, county and territorial offices of Utah are more justly and equitably managed, the taxes re less, and the wants of the people are more judiciously cared for than in any other State or Territory in the United States. We have not one defaulter in office here for ten in any other State. There are some who have heard so much of this twaddle about being priest-ridden that they think unless they vote with their enemies they will be put down as Mormon slaves; but reflecting men see through these things. There are people who instead of beginning to better the world by purifying their own hearts and homes, try to serve God like the devil by turning their attention abroad, and thus create anarchy. It is like the idiot, who, because he is himself houseless, and is compelled to sleep on the steps of the nabob, will put the torch to the nabob's palace and destroy it. Fools can destroy, but it takes wise men to build up. When the time comes that the extremists of the land sweep through the country, with the violence of a tornado God will interpose His arm and the Saints of God will rally around the constitution, and for a nucleus around which men and women of virtue, intelligence and love of order will gather and carry out the purposes of God in promoting peace and true liberty. He directed some plain and pointed remarks against those who are opposed to order and good government and showed that all law, human and divine, should tend to the maintenance of human rights and the welfare of all mankind.
[Erastus Snow]
[DNW 30:434, 8/10/81, p 2; JD 22:149]
DISCOURSE
BY ELDER ERASTUS SNOW,
At the General Conference on Monday Afternoon, april 4th,
1881.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
I desire
to be heard, not that I am ambitious of speaking, but if I speak I desire that
my strength shall not be unnecessarily taxed.
One of
the ancient expounders of the Christian religion said, that the Gospel was the
perfect law of liberty. I believe it; and if I taken text at all, that is my
text.
The
Gospel as understood and expounded by the Savior and his ancient Apostles, is a
perfect law of liberty. Everything pertaining to the spirit of the Gospel, as
taught and expounded and practised by the Savior and His disciples, tended to
liberty. All the revelations which God ever gave to man from the beginning of
the world tended to liberty. The government which our heavenly Father has
exercised, or attempted to exercise over His children on the earth or in the
heavens, has not in the least tended to restrain or abridge them in their
liberty, but rather to enlarge it, to extend it, to insure, to preserve and
maintain it. The Gospel of Christ, and all of the revelations of God to man
have sought to mark the line of distinction between liberty and license, between
correct principles of government and anarchy or oppression and slavery.
Oppression and slavery are the result of sin and wickedness, violations of the
principles of the everlasting Gospel either by the rulers or ruled or both, and
generally both. True freedom of mind and body and true liberty, even the
enjoyment of human rights is founded and maintained, and rests upon human
integrity and virtue and the observance of those principles of truth on which
all true happiness and true freedom is founded. Sin was never righteousness,
nor can be; license was never liberty nor can be; misery was never happiness,
nor can be; and yet because of the blindness and ignorance of some people, they
never appear to be happy only when they are perfectly miserable. And there are
some people too who think they are always in slavery and bondage unless they
are trying to get themselves into trouble; and they think there is no true
liberty only in acting like the devil. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists
of France and their sympathizers in America, including the "Liberals"
of Utah, are panting for liberty; they are restive under the restraint of order
and law; they are opposed to government, and like the French Socialists and
Communists, they would destroy Jehovah himself and behead the king and burn up
Parliament and assassinate every representative of power and government; and
when they had reduced the country and themselves to anarchy, they would look
upon their condition as the acme of freedom and human liberty. The world to-day
is drifting in this direction, including our own liberal America.
If we
take a retrospective view of the dealings of God with his people whom he
recognized, and who acknowledged his laws, and among whom he raised up
Prophets, and with whom he established his covenants, we will find that they
have been the freest of all peoples which have existed on the earth. The
students of the Bible and the Book of Mormon know this to be the case. They
know that the first king who ruled over ancient Israel, was chosen at their own
earnest solicitations, when they began to apostatize from God, and to despise
His counsels. They know that Samuel the Seer, who judged them in righteousness,
and who taught them faithfully the ways of the Lord, earnestly remonstrated
with them when they clamored for a king to go out and in before them and lead
them to battle, that they might be as other nations who were around them.
Samuel foretold the results—that such a course tended to bondage; that they
were but forging the links of the chain that would bind them and deprive them
of freedom. He labored long and arduously to dissuade them from it; but they
would not listen to him. And yet they were not willing to consent for anybody
else to make them a king but that same Samuel; and when he had prayed to the
Lord, the Lord told him to "hearken to the voice of the people in all that
they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me,
that I should not reign over them." Samuel did as the Lord commanded him,
and Israel was ruled over by a king of their own choosing. But the heavens were
displeased with them for so doing, and you who are conversant with Bible
history are familiar with the troubles and sorrows which befell Israel in
consequence of this departure from the ways of God. And those who read the Book
of Mormon find the same spirit breathed throughout that book. The people, in
the days when they were willing to listen to the voice of Prophets and inspired
men, were the freest and best of all people; but when they began to apostatize
and harden their hearts against the words of the Lord and the counsel imparted
to them by His servants, they began to drift with sin and oppression and
bondage. Anarchy—shall I say, is the worst of all governments? No: Anarchy is
the absence of all government; it is the antipodes of order; it is the acme of
confusion; it is the result of unbridled license, the antipodes of true
liberty. The Apostle Paul says truly: "For there is no power but of God:
the powers that be are ordained of God." At first this is a startling
statement. Even the monopoly of the one-man-power as in Russia, or the monopoly
of the aristocracy as in other parts of Europe, or the imbecility and sometimes
stupidity of a republic like our own, is far better than no government at all.
And for this reason, says the Apostle Paul, "The powers are ordained of
God," not that riley are always the best forms of government for the
people, or that they afford liberty and freedom to mankind, but that any and all
forms of government are better than none at all, having a tendency as they do
to restrain the passions of human nature and to curb them, and to establish and
maintain order to a greater or less degree. One monopoly is better than many;
and the oppression of a king is tolerable, but the oppression of a mob, where
every man is a law to himself and his own right arm, is his power to enforce
his own will, is the worst form of government. The efforts of extremists
clamoring for human freedom are all tending in this direction; and those who
clamor for human rights are, as a general thing, the first to trample them
under foot—I mean those who are the most loud-mouthed; their ideas of freedom
are all on their tongue; they conceive of no freedom only when they wield the
sword, or dictate terms to others. The Gospel of the Son of God extends to the
world that perfect law of liberty. Founded on truth, and a proper appreciation
of those principles which tend to the largest possible happiness to humanity,
it restrains mankind, not in the enjoyment of freedom and liberty, but from
efforts to deprive their fellows of it. In other words, the power which God has
sought to exercise, and which he has recommended and sanctioned, is only to
seize the arm which is raised to fell his fellow, and to stop the loud tongue
of the raging maniac, which would destroy the peace of his fellow-man, and who
would seek to build himself up on the ruin of others. There is no system of
government ever instituted among men which is so well calculated to give and
maintain human freedom, and at the same time to restrain the vices and excesses
of fallen humanity, as the government of the Gospel sought to be established by
the Savior and His Apostles. We heard quoted this forenoon the words of God
spoken through the Prophet Joseph, and which are and always will be in force
among this people, to the effect that the powers of the Priesthood are
inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and cannot be exercised in any
degree of unrighteousness; that the power of that man departs from him when he
attempts in the least degree to exercise an unrighteous dominion over his
fellow-man—or any power or dominion except that power of truth and of
persuasion founded upon it.
The
teachings of the Savior in relation to the settling of difficulties arising
among brethren in the Church of Christ, through visiting them and talking
frankly one with another, explaining and expounding to each other until they
come to an understanding of all troubles which may arise among members of the
Church; and in cases of disagreement invoking the aid and council of visiting
priests and teachers to act in the premises as peace-makers, as helps to' the
parties to arrive at a proper understanding, constitute the best method of
settling and adjusting the differences of mankind which has ever been
instituted; agreeing with the experience of Bishop Hunter, who has often said,
that no cases of difficulty are so thoroughly and effectually settled as those
which are disposed of in this way. This is the chief labor of the visiting
Priesthood among the people of God. And yet the enemies of this people prate a
great deal about the oppression of the Priesthood. There is no pope or bishop,
priest of clergyman or ecclesiastic belonging to any sect on the earth, so far
as my knowledge extends, which is so approachable as the President and Apostles
and Priests and Bishops and Elders of this Church, whose hearts and ears are
open to everybody to hear what everybody has to say, and to give it due weight
in all patience and long-suffering, to enlighten and teach them correct
principles, so that they may act honestly with each other and secure each other
the greatest possible amount of liberty, freedom and happiness. The same may be
said of the domestic relations in the family circle—I will not say with wicked
men, with men who are naturally tyrannical, having the spirit of tyranny and
oppression born in them; but I will say that free men and women who are imbued
with the spirit of the everlasting Gospel, who are living in polygamy, that
they manifest a greater degree of parental affection and of conjugal love, and
evince greater earnest desire to promote peace and happiness and comfort and
liberty and freedom to each member of their families, than at least the great majority
of the families of the Christian world. And as I have often said—and I am as
well acquainted with polygamous families in Utah, as perhaps, any other man, in
consequence of my traveling constantly among the people and mingling with
them—that, as a rule, the polygamous families of Utah are the best regulated
families in the land, and they enjoy the greatest degree of happiness and
freedom, unity, fellowship and love and reverence for correct principles. Our
would-be regeneraters would feign try and make us believe that unless we all go
to the polls and vote their ticket we are slaves to the Priesthood; that
because we chose to vote for our friends, we are doing the bidding of the
Priesthood. Yes, and so we are. The Priesthood has always taught us that we
would be fools, indeed, to vote for our enemies, for those who would rob and
plunder us, for those who would not only rob us financially, but would steal
from us the common rights of citizenship were it in their power to do so. And,
yet, forsooth, because we vote for our friends, for men in whom we have
confidence, they say we are priest ridden, etc. And what does it all mean?
"Why, we want you Mormons to vote for us that we may get our arm into the
public treasury, for we are too lazy to work." All who are acquainted with
the administration of affairs in Utah, know that the affairs of government,
both territorial and county, and also municipal, are the most economically
administered of any other Territory or State in the Union; that there is not
one delinquent or case of embezzlement to where there are ten in any other
Territory or State. And yet our would-be regeneraters are exceedingly angry
because we will not vote for men to misrepresent us and our interests at the
seat of government; because We do not squeak when they squeak, because we do
not sneeze When they take snuff. This they call liberty! And there are perhaps
some of our own people who are so far befogged that they run with this class of
men; they read their twaddle so much and they become so much beclouded that
they think it is necessary, in order to show their manhood, to vote for their
enemies because, if they do not vote for their enemies they will be put down as
"Mormon slaves;" and this would be too much for them, they could not
stand so much.
Now,
thinking men understand the object of all this cry. It is prompted by the same
spirit which we see manifested by the extremists almost throughout the
civilized world. It is true there is a great
deal of
oppression in the world, and these men see it and they wish to improve things,
but do not know how; and instead of commencing to rectify what is wrong in
their own hearts and in their own families, and then extend their influence for
good to those immediately around them, instead of using moral suasion and
showing a good example, they turn to and undertake to serve God like the devil,
trying to right things the wrong way by casting down everything in the form of
order and government, producing anarchy and ruin instead. Like the idiot who,
because he himself was houseless, having to sleep on the doorstep of Some rich
man, put the torch to the rich man's palace and destroyed it. Fools can
demolish and destroy; it requires wise men to build.
I said of
the ancient people of God; I say of the Latter-day Saints, there is no people
capable of appreciating true liberty and of understanding the principles on
which it is founded, and who know so well how to maintain them; because we have
found it in the Gospel which we have received. And every man who has received
the spirit of the Gospel, and whose heart is warmed with the love of it, is
preparing his heart and is using his influence to educate the people to
understand the true principles of human freedom, and the means by which they
can be maintained. And I say, as President Cannon has said, referring to what
the Prophet Joseph Smith told us, that the time would come when the extremists
of the land, who are undermining the fabric of freedom, and little by little
breaking under foot the guarantees of human liberty which have been raised up
by our heavenly Father, through the instrumentality of wise men whom he raised
up to establish the institutions of our country; these extremists of the land
are gradually undermining those safeguards of human liberty, and plotting to
carry out their nefarious designs in their endeavoring to oppress the people of
God, and to destroy the institutions of heaven out of the earth. The time will
come when the voice of such men will be heard in the land, like the roaring of
a tornado, so that the still small voice speaking from the heavens cannot be
heard; and the voice of the loud-mouth, plotting destruction to human liberty
and freedom will be heard all over the land, and everybody raise up and say, it
is the voice of God; and they will be willing to stand and look on and see the
Saints butchered and Prophets martyred, and our institutions wrested from us
and wasted away. But when that time arrives, the Lord will come forth from his
hiding place and "vex the nations;" he will raise his arm, and it
shall not be turned back, and he will stay the hand raised against his people
to destroy them and their institutions.
The
Gospel has been the means of gathering us out from among the nations, and has
made us a free and happy people, an able and united commonwealth; and the Lord
is using us to establish its principles in these mountains, that throughout
these valleys may be formed a nucleus around which honorable men and women may
gather, men who will be capable of appreciating the blessings of liberty and of
helping to extend them to others. And all presidents and senators and judges,
and all men in official authority who shall lend themselves and their influence
to trample upon the common rights of man, those rights which God has bestowed upon
us and which are our common heritage, and who shall be found warring against
God and his institutions, when the cap of their iniquity shall be full, the
Lord Almighty will cause them to disappear from the public gaze, he will let
them sink into oblivion and disgrace.
Those who
suppose they can secure happiness in doing wickedly are grievously mistaken.
And if they seek to oppress their neighbor by appropriating to themselves his
hard earnings without rendering him a just equivalent, they will find every
time they do it, they are but weaving together withes for their own backs,
preparing punishment for themselves, and bringing themselves into bondage—the
bondage of sin. For all judgments and punishments which the law of the Lord has
ordained and appointed unto man are designed to correct their errors and sins.
And where they are corrected and they learn better, then He is ready to stretch
forth His hand to save and exalt them. The Gospel is ever ready to step in to
assist repentant man when he has become sensible that he needs help to be
redeemed, and he realizes that he has not the power to redeem himself. Then
repentance unto life is granted to him; but it never can come until his
judgment is convinced, until his mind is enlightened and his eyes are opened to
see himself, and to comprehend his true position. And whether he be in this
world or the world to come, he must place himself in a condition to be saved
before redemption can come unto him; and it is only by the light of truth and
of true and correct principles which can bring happiness and liberty and
freedom, and with it a disposition to extend that liberty to all around, and to
maintain it and protect each other in its enjoyment; and not with a spirit of
vengeance upon the erring, and oppression upon the ignorant, but only with a
disposition to seize and hold the hand which is raised to smite his fellow and
stop in his wayward course the individual who would override his fellow. And
all men should be protected in this freedom to go so far and no further.
May the
Lord help us to live and walk in the light, and think for ourselves, and act
like sensible people, paying heedless regard to the blatant foolish lunatics
who are attracting the attention of the world. They, however, have their day,
after the manner of the old adage—Every dog has his day; and when it is past he
will cease to bark and bite.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON
Said he considered it the greatest privilege that could be enjoyed to be identified with the great work of the Lord established in our day, by revelation from heaven. The divine character of the work had been manifested to him personally, by the Spirit of God, so that he was enabled to bear witness to its divine authenticity. The promise made in connection with the preaching of this gospel of the Kingdom, that each obedient believer should receive an unerring individual witness of its truthfulness, was one of the characteristic features that strongly distinguished it form all other systems claiming to be religious and saving. The speaker said that since he last had the pleasure of attending a general Conference of the Church he had spent over two years on a mission to Great Britain, where he had rejoiced in proclaiming the gospel among the people of the world. While engaged in that labor he had taken pleasure in observing the evidences of the development of the work of God in the progress of the exponents of its principles. He had labored in the ministry previous to coming to the gathering place and was then;, nearly 20 years ago, acquainted with the condition of the Elders. Comparison was largely in favor, as a whole, of those now sent out. The young men, born and reared in the Church, were as a rule, manifesting much devotion, and fearlessly proclaimed the gospel among the people. The speaker bore testimony to the divine character of the mission of Joseph Smith, regarding whose claims to being a prophet there was more abundant and striking evidence than in the case of any other man laying claim to prophetic inspiration that he knew anything about.
Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon then read the financial reports of the Logan and Manti Temples.
Prest. Jos. f. Smith gave out notices that the Elders called on a mission to Europe who were expected to leave on the 12th of April, will not now leave until the 19th. Also that a meeting of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations would be held in the Assembly Hall in the evening at 7 o'clock.
The choir and congregation sang:
Guide us, O thou Great
Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
Conference was adjourned until 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning.
Benediction by counselor D. H. Wells.
_____
[5 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 30:168-169, 4/13/81, p 8-9]
THIRD DAY.
_____
Tuesday, 10 o'clock a. m.
The choir sang:
The great and glorious
Gospel light
Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder John H. smith.
The choir sang:
Come listen to a Prophet's
voice,
And hear the word of God.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN
Heartily endorsed the sentiments advanced by previous speakers during this Conference. We have a message of life and salvation to preach to the children of men, and God requires this service at our hands. We must as a people practice as well as believe what God has revealed for our salvation; we will be responsible to God for a faithful performance of all the duties required at our hands. God has inspired His servants to go abroad and preach the Gospel which we have received, and thousands have been gathered from the nations of the earth. In leaving our homes we have necessarily to make what appeared to be many sacrifices, but in reality we have made an excellent exchange, for our apparent loss has proved to us a great gain. We have gained power to obtain blessings connected with the Gospel which we never could have enjoyed had e remained where the Gospel first found us. God has taught us how to get free from our former sins, how to receive forgiveness therefore, how to escape condemnation, how to escape eternal woe, how to obtain wives and children and associations that will endure for ever, with eternal lives, eternal riches and glory and exaltation in the presence of God. But in order to secure these great and inestimable blessings, we must live for them, and regulate our lives, according to the laws which God has given us or we shall not attain to these glorious blessings. The speaker then dwelt on the conditions that are necessary, to obtain the exaltation we are seeking, namely by complying with the ordinances of the gospel, faith in God, purity of motive, and honesty of heart being essential requisites to obtain the forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Ghost. And after persons are initiated as members of the Church, in order to receive and enjoy the favor and blessings of God, they must continue to observe every requirement of the Gospel. Let us be sure we take every step right, and take no step that is wrong. Let us press forward with energy and zeal to do the will of God, and understand that every commandment is essential, that honesty, temperance, virtue, truth, purity and integrity are as essential as faith, or baptism, or paying tithes, or any other rule or requirement. There is no real pleasure in doing wrong, but there is a blight that comes upon the soul from committing sin. Our religion forbids us from breaking either the laws of God or of man. We ought to be the most law-abiding people on the face of the earth. We have every liberty in the Gospel to do all the good we can while we are in the world, but we have not the liberty to do wrong, either to ourselves our families or our neighbors. True we have our agency and can act as we choose, but the law of God does not give us the right to do wrong. We are a Christian community; we believe in God, and in Jesus Christ, and they have a perfect right to give us laws and to lay down certain rules and duties that must be observed by us in order to secure the blessings that are promised. God has told us that this work will endure forever, and our bodies and spirits will endure throughout eternity. It is necessary to cultivate all the powers of our being. The spiritual and moral and intellectual powers and faculties should be developed and cultured side by side with our physical faculties. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and the Lord tutored and instructed him for years before He entrusted him with the Priesthood, and the work that God required him to do; and the Lord is giving us His word as fast as we are able to receive it. We should be apt scholars and learn to live by every word that proceeds from Him. After an earnest appeal to all present to live faithful to the truth, in order to secure the blessings of the Gospel, he prayed that God would continue to inspire His servants during the reminder of the Conference.
APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG
Felt pleased with the spirit that haw animated this Conference, and if the Latter-day Saints would strictly observe and carry out the counsels that are given them, there would be less need for so much preaching by the Elders. We as a people know that God led us to the mountains. We know that he raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith. In preaching to those who assemble at these Conferences the Elders know they are addressing those who understand what God requires. They are not an ignorant people but knowing the law of God is one thing, and the doing of it is another. The fact is we do not live strictly according to the light that we have received. He desired himself eternal life in the presence of God, and if he failed to obtain it, it would be his own fault, in not strictly observing the laws of God, and so with his brethren and sisters. He had recently visited the settlements south and he was delighted to notice their growth, for they were fast filling up in numbers, and he verily believed they were also growing in faith. He was satisfied that sooner or later we as a people must observe some of the statutes of the Lord that now lie as a dead letter in our books, for God has decreed that His people must be united. What course the Lord will adopt to make us one he did not know, whether by letting loose upon us our enemies or some other way, it did not matter, for he felt confident that the time would come when we would either become united together by common consent, or be scourged until we obeyed the revelations that had been given. God has permitted us to go hither or thither, to go to the mines, to engage in railroads and other enterprises, in our own way, irrespective of each other. but there is no safety for us except in being united. The centre Stake in Jackson County will never be built up until we become one. The redemption of Zion which has to be accomplished, and the city of the New Jerusalem that has to be built, will have to be done quickly if accomplished within the limit of time prophesied by the Prophet Joseph, and if we did not make more progress the work might devolve upon the Lamanites. He also spoke of the condition of many of the co-operative institutions which he had observed during his visit through the settlements. He spoke on the principle of consecration, and urged the adoption of correct habits of life to secure the blessing and protection of our Heavenly Father.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Said many topics had been touched upon during this Conference, and he hoped the brethren would remember them and carry them out when they reached their various fields of labor. The subject of education was one he felt deeply interested in, for no people on the earth should be stronger supporters of true education than the Latter-day Saints. The sending of Elders abroad, to combat error, the laying out of colonies and many other important positions that the Elders of this church have to occupy, demand the most thorough and elevated education to fit and qualify them for these duties. He felt delighted to notice a growing taste and increasing desire to improve, as was noticeable among other things in the large audiences that attended the two previous evening meetings, one in connection with Sunday Schools, the other in connection with the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, also in the demand for libraries and works of instruction throughout the settlements. It is necessary that we make good selections of books and to teach our children that they must not take for granted that everything they read in books is necessarily true and correct. They should be taught to weigh for themselves the principles they read, and as a guard to throw around them, let them be instructed in the great cardinal truths of the gospel, and he had no fears for the result. For our children naturally are as well developed and capable of refined culture as any children on the face of the earth. he also urged upon parents to fit and qualify their children to fill honorably positions of life by giving them an education,instead of hoarding up means to leave behind them to be squandered and quarreled about. Young men should not give way to timidity and fear because of their early education having been neglected. They should set about with a determination to improve, for no one was too old to learn, and no one is justified in settling down under the impression that h cannot acquire a knowledge of anything or acquiring any branch of education that would prove a benefit and blessing to him. He related a little of the history of an able member of Congress now about forty years of age who when twenty-nine years old could not read, but had since acquired a good education and served his people several years in the State Legislature.
There are many bright intellects now to be found in very obscure families in this Territory, and they will, by and by, display talent that will astound their parents. Therefore I say to parents give the boys and girls every facility for acquiring an education, not confining them to books, but teach them how to labor and earn a living, not to have their minds so filled with book learning as to feel ashamed to take hold of a plow or to do any other kind of manual labor. He thanked God that intelligence as diffused like the free air, not confined to any family or line; that God was establishing no dynasty, no special family arrangement, but His gifts were free to all and were diffused among the people. He called on the brethren to train up their boys to usefulness as well as intellectual acquirements, and on the sisters to have their daughters not only well instructed in the ordinary routine of school education, but inhabits of industry and honorable labor. Let our children be taught to depend upon their own exertions for the attainment of a livelihood, and not to expect others to provide it for them. He deplored the disposition in this country to depend on the State for an education and then for a living and would have all educated and sustained in honorable independence.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 30:706, 12/7/81, p 2; JD 22:273]
REMARKS
BY PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON,
Made at the General Conference, Tuesday morning, April 5,
1881.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
A great
variety of topics have been alluded to during our Conference; and I trust that
the people will be able to remember, after their return to their homes, the
various counsels and instructions that they have received. Our meeting together
in a conference of this character ought to be exceedingly profitable to us.
Certainly these are occasions of great interest; and I am sure if the
instructions which have been given are carried out by the people, they will
produce a marked improvement in their lives.
There are
many subjects which suggest themselves to us upon occasions like the present.
We are placed in such circumstances that it requires constant teachings,
constant counseling to enable us to accomplish the duties devolving upon us.
There is
one thing that has impressed itself very much upon my mind, to which allusion
has been made by others since our Conference commenced, namely, the subject of
education.
My
position for many years has been such as to deeply impress me with its value
and with the importance of our attending strictly to this matter in our various
settlements.
There are
no people with whom I am acquainted upon the face of the earth who need and who
can find use for education to the extent that the Latter-day Saints can. The
sending out of missionaries, the building up of settlements, the laying the
foundation of a government in a desert land uninhabited by other people; the
framing of a polity that produces the results that we have seen produced
already in our valleys, and the taking part, as we naturally will have to do,
in all matters affecting the veal and the independence of our children and
others, all these considerations appeal most powerfully to us as a people, as
fathers and mothers, and as citizens, to do all in our power for the
advancement of the cause of true education in our midst. Those who are familiar
with the people and with what has been done must feel gratified at the
improvement which has already been made in various directions. There is a
rapidly-growing taste for everything that is elevating. I can remember when a
boy, when we came here, of the feeling of the boys and the young men; to ride
bronco horses, wear big spurs, use the lasso dexterously, break wild horses,
and pursuits of that character, were then deemed the most desirable
accomplishments by many.
A great
change has taken place. We now have our Mutual Improvement associations for the
young of both sexes; the meeting of last evening gave evidence of the great
improvement there has been made in this direction, and the crowded condition of
the meeting of the Sunday School superintendents and teachers held the evening
previous to that, was an indication of the interest that is being taken in
these matters by all classes. This means improvement; this means a growing
taste an increasing desire to advance. You can see it in the children. Books
are sought for. Children take pleasure in reading. The great demand to-day in
this Territory is for libraries. And let me here say, we should be exceedingly
careful in the selection of books that we put in the hands of our children. And
there is one thing that I would have said last night, had time permitted, to
those engaged in these associations, that is, to teach the children not to
accept that which they read in a book as true, because it is printed; but to
teach them to weigh for themselves, to examine for themselves, and test for
themselves the statements which may be made upon any and every subject that may
be brought to their attention through the medium of books, whether scientific
or otherwise. The danger in indiscriminate reading on the part of young people
lies in this: their impressions are vivid, and if what they read be incorrect;
if, in point of fact, what they read is based on unsound premises and be
entirely wrong, but it is presented in an agreeable taking and specious manner,
they are apt to accept it as being true. Now, as we have heard this morning,
God has revealed certain principles which we know to be true, certain grand
cardinal truths which are as finger-boards pointing the way of life. We should
teach them to our children of the Sabbath School and of the Mutual Improvement
Associations, and endeavor, by the help of God, to implant them in their
hearts, so that they afterwards in their search for knowledge, of any kind, may
be able to bring what they may read to this standard and test the same thereby.
And if our children are taught thus to read, the danger of infidelity, the
danger arising from superficial reading, and the imbibing of incorrect ideas,
sometimes set forth in a scientific way will be, to a great extent, obviated;
and to my mind great care should be taken in these things by all teachers, by
all parents, by every one, in fact, who has the care of young people, or the
direction of their studies; and not only this but the same rule applies to
every one whether a child or an adult. Let us endeavor to cultivate this
dispesition in our children, to investigate carefully, to weigh properly the
statements which may be presented to them. And in no place in our territory
should there be a child left without education. A man who suffers his children
to grow up in ignorance and without the benefits of education—that which
pertains at least to a common school education—is guilty of a great wrong. We
should take every pains in our power to instruct our children, to furnish them
every facility for learning. Educators who have had experience in other places all
join in stating, that they never found a class of pupils more apt, more bright,
or who manifested a special aptitude for knowledge and who acquired it with
greater ease than do the children of the Latter-day Saints. This is the
statement of educators repeatedly made to me, as Chancellor of the University
of Deseret; and I believe it. We have children growing up who albright —who
only need have ordinary facilities for education to make them cultured men and
women. We had better take the means that others probably would covet, as mobs
have done before, and which is a standing temptation in the eyes of certain
persons, take that means, I say, and spend it in educating our children with
the view of preparing them to enter upon the great and important duties which
will devolve upon them, than to have it as a standing temptation to induce
somebody to make a raid to get possession of it, or to keep it, and when we can
keep it no longer, to bequeath it to our children to possibly quarrel over, and
cause disturbances and divisions in our families, and at a time too when our
voices are silent and our influence powerless to remedy the evil. Spend it
wisely upon your children in your lifetime, and when you have educated them,
when you have given them something which they can keep when they lie down at
night, without the slightest danger of burglars stealing it, they are equipped
for the struggle of life.
Every
child in our community should be educated, not in books alone, but to sustain
himself, or herself, so that in case he or she be left alone, or otherwise,
they will be able, froth the elements around them, inasmuch as they possess the
use of their own limbs and faculties, to earn a living and thereby aid somebody
else to live. And it seems to me, that if parents were worth millions, they
should never be content to let their children, boys and girls, grow up to
manhood or to womanhood without teaching them to earn their own living at some
trade or some manual or skilled labor. I say to my brethren, teach your children
the use of their brains, and when they have learned to use their brains, teach
them the cunning and skill that can be taught to the right hand of man, by
which all that is glorious which we see around us is produced. A good brain and
the skill of man's right hand can produce wonders. The nations who have thus
developed themselves have made their mark in the history of the world; and to
this characteristic in the nations who are so fortunate as to possess it may be
traced the secret of their growth and prosperity. There is no reason why we
should not be equal to the most favored in this respect.
A remark
was made last evening to the effect, that some of our young men had very little
desire to take part in the exercises of the Improvement Associations, because
their early education had been neglected. If there had been time I would have
related for the benefit of such, a few incidents in the career of a gentle-man
with whom I am acquainted; he sat by my side at the last session of Congress.
He is a man about 45 years of age; when he was 29 years of age, he had a with
and one child, and could not read or write; to-day he is a member of Congress,
and a very creditable representative of his State; he has served also in the
Legislature in his State; and has been speaker in that body. Now this is a
remarkable instance of what a man can do when he applies himself to learning.
There is no man who possesses a sound mind who need be afraid if he will apply
himself, using the faculties which God has given him, and not sit down with the
idea that he cannot learn. Why a man ought to learn if he should live to be 150
years of age, learn something every day until he dies; there is no limit to a
man's capacity to learn. And because a young man is 20 or 21 years old, or even
older, and has a wife and children to sustain, to sit down with the idea that
he cannot learn or that he is past learning because his early education has
been neglected, is folly; there is no propriety in either man or woman
entertaining such ideas. This gentleman of whom I was speaking, at the age of
29, could not read; he was a farmer and was suffering from an attack of
bronchitis. His physician told him that if he did not stop work he would
gradually sink into the grave. He knew that if he remained upon his farm he
could not live without working; so he rented it, and with his with and child
moved down in the city, determined to spend in study the time he could not
employ in work. His wife helped him. He had a worthy partner—a most excellent
woman I should judge, from what he told me. He commenced his studies, his
health improved, but instead of returning to the farm he kept on for four
years, and secured a good education in that time; he pinched himself, and both
he and his wife struggled, by working all they could and living economically,
to acquire this education. After thus applying himself for four years he
returned to his farm, completely restored in health. His neighbors thought that
as he had been a good student, he would make a good supervisor, to which office
they elected him without any effort on his part; and after awhile they elected
him a legislator, and returned him several times, and he served as speaker to
that body in the State, where probably for its population there are as many men
of culture and energy, as can be found anywhere else. And then he was sent to
Congress.
It struck
me that it was an instance of perseverance and energy worth remembering for the
benefit of its example, and I relate it so that if there are any young men or
young women within the hearing of my voice who may be similarly situated, they
need not be discouraged because they have not had the advantages of education
in their youth. There ought to be no discouragement under such circumstances. I
hope, however, that we shall do everything in our power to furnish facilities
for our children. Do not spare means in this direction, my brethren and
sisters. You do not know what future there is before your children. They are
like diamonds. True, they may need polish, in order to bring out their
brilliancy and best qualities; and education of the right kind will impart this
lustre. There are some as bright intellects in obscure families in this
Territory as can be found elsewhere. God has so distributed his gifts that he
has not given them to any one family. I thank him for that. He is not going to
build up a dynasty in his kingdom. He does not confine his gifts and blessings
to any special. class of men. He has distributed them like he has the air, so
that all have them and all share in them. A man and his wife may be an obscure
couple, yet their children may make the brightest men and women. None of you
know what your children are capable of until you give. them proper
opportunities. You should not think that because you have got through life
without much education, that therefore your children ought to go through in the
same manner. Give your children opportunities, and do not work them to death
and thereby stunt their minds; but give the boys a chance and give the girls a
chance; bearing in mind that they will have more extended opportunities than
you have had for the use of education, and you ought to train them accordingly.
At the same time do not, sisters, bring up your children in idleness, and encourage
them in the thought that their hands, because they are educated and have a few
accomplishments, are not designed for labor; and so with the boys, because they
get an education that they cannot hold a plow or handle a shovel, or an axe or
other tools. This is a wrong idea. We must not, in educating our children,
degrade labor, but rather ennoble and dignify it, and make it worthy the
ambition of everybody to work, to toil, to look upon labor as a blessing from
God.
I would
like to see knowledge spread through our land, in all our settlements; and
while we give the boys and girls every facility we can, at the same time we
should develop, within them the love of the truth; that is very important, in
fact, it is indispensable with us. I am exceedingly anxious upon this point. I
have felt, I may say, concerned about it for years. I have done what I could in
my limited way to help our children. I resolved years ago that I would do all
in my power for them, and I have been struggling to do so ever since. I have
not been able to do what I would like to do, but I still hope, and I know
others have felt as I do, and that with our combined exertions and efforts we
will be able to uphold the cause of true education throughout all our land, and
raise the standard so high that, in a few years, we shall have the best
educated children to be found within the confines of the republic. There is no
reason why this should not be, and yet not depend upon taxes altogether. I,
myself, am not unconditionally in favor of taxation schools under all
circumstances. I have views about that which I have not time to express now.
Let us advance education by individual effort. I hope we shall never have heavy
taxes in this Territory. They should be kept down to the very lowest amount
consistent with the preservation of good government and the making of the
necessary improvements. Have light taxation and stimulate individual effort in
this direction; and not bring a child into the world and instil into its mind
that because he is born somebody owes him an education. I think it degrades
children to give them such ideas. Teach them it is their duty to work for
themselves. And when a man has children he should provide for and educate them,
and not think that because he may have a rich neighbor that he should help give
them an education. Such an idea is doing more at the present time to promise
the children of our country in their feelings than almost anything else. They
get the idea that they ought to be educated at the expense of the State; and
when they are educated they their are to be sustained at the expense of the
State. The consequence is the country is filled with men seeking for office;
every new President is almost killed by the clamor and pressure of men applying
for office. I think it a very bad condition of affairs. I am thankful for one
thing. I have been your delegate now for upwards of eight years, and I have
scarcely had an application from any of my constituents for help to get office.
This relieves me from much that Representatives generally find very unpleasant.
Our people are self-sustaining and taught how to work and look upon manual,
honest labor as dignified and honorable, and such pursuits as require this as
being as noble as any other.
I pray
God to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sung the anthem
"Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord."
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
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[5 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 30:169, 4/13/81, p 9]
2 p. m.
The choir sang,
Come, dearest Lord, descend
and dwell,
By faith and love, in every beast.
Prayer by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang,
How firm a foundation, ye
Saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word.
APOSTLE JOHN H. SMITH
Said he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because he knew it to be the power of God unto salvation. He felt truly thankful for the pleasure of being here at this Conference, to listen to such words as were calculated to build us up in our most holy faith. The present surrounding circumstances of the Saints remind us of the great contrast with their condition nearly 50 years ago, when persecutions were so severe. The early experience of the Saints was of the most trying character. We are now permitted to worship and dwell in peace. Our opportunities for education in the past were of a very limited character. It was so with him personally. He never had the advantages in his early life that are surrounding our youth at the present time. He believed that God our Heavenly Father intended to make His people the best educated of any of His creatures. It was necessary that we improve and advance step by step in human progress, that we may be better prepared to carry on the great work of God that He laid upon our shoulders. The door for our advancement in letters is now open, and there is no excuse for any one to grow up in ignorance. Very much of course depends upon the mother's influence, for when a mother is determined to have her sons and daughters grow up in the knowledge of letters, and a knowledge of the truth, they will certainly do so and grow up to be honored among mankind. He never heard an Elder in this Church advocate any principle of wrong doing, but from his youth up he had listened to their teaching, and knew that all their counsels and instructions were of a character that would elevate and ennoble and advance mankind in the scale of being. God has designed that His people should be among the best and noblest of His creatures. Let us therefore be zealous in self-culture and good works, and establish for ourselves a reputation that will enable us to stand erect before our fellows, without fear; It is our mission to publish the gospel from land to land and also to be useful at home, for we are called to be saviors of men, and use an influence that will lead the youth away from sin and evil, and elevate them to be fit companions for the highest intelligence. He strongly recommended parents to inspire their children with love and confidence, so that in all their sayings and doings they will feel that there is no one to whom they can appeal so quickly and safely for council, and to whom they can confide their secret desires and thoughts, and confess their follies and sins, than their own parents. He concluded by praying that God may guide us into the truth, and make us what He designs us to be as His sons and daughters, and the saviors of our race.
President Geo. Q. Cannon then read an epitome of receipts and disbursements of tithing for the year 1880. On motion the report was referred to the auditing committee. He also read an account of receipts and disbursements of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund. This report having been audited by a committee appointed for that purpose, it was formally accepted by the Conference.
The Relief Society report was then read and was also accepted as follows:
Officers of the Relief Societies -- Eliza R. Snow Smith, President; Zina D. Young and Elizabeth A; Whitney, Counselors; Sarah M. Kimball, Secretary; M. I. Horne, Treasurer.
Stake superintendents who have sent in their reports: Bear Lake, Julia P. Linsey; Davis, Sarah Holmes; Juab, Amelia Goldsbrough; Kanab, Elizabeth Nuttall; Willard, B. M. Pratt; Morgan, Lydia Riche; Parowan, Ellen W. Lunt; Salt Lake, M. I. Horne; St. George, Minerva W;. Snot; Summit, Sarah S. Richards; Tooele, Mary Ann Hunter; Utah, Margaret T. Smoot; Weber, Jane S. Richards; Sevier, Elizabeth Bean.
Box Elder reported, but the name of the superintendent does not appear.
The following Stakes not reported: Beaver, Cache, Wasatch, Arizona, Little Colorado and Eastern Arizona.
Total of teachers, 1,530; members, 9,650; officers and members, 12,288; meetings held, 1,532; average attendance, 3,834.
Woman's Exponent taken, 960.
On hand at date of last report: Cash, $3,342.21; property, $24,099.23; wheat, 9,859 bushels.
RECEIPTS -- in cash, $3,279.28; in property, $3,518.20; in wheat 670 bushels.
DISBURSEMENTS -- To the poor, $3,468.31; emigration, $210.43; temples, $1,214.11; home industries, $689.97; books, 143.13; missionary, $98.70; buildings, $1,617.47; Indians, $66.45.
Totals on hand in cash, property and wheat, $36,822.24.
President Cannon passed a high encomium on the neat and comprehensive report the ladies had presented, and also on the labors that the sisters have so zealously performed, and considered there can be no one at all acquainted with the good being accomplished by them but must highly appreciate them.
The Sunday School Union annual report was then read and accepted as follows:
Sunday
School Statistical Report:
No. of schools reported, 274; No. of schools not reported, 10; No. of male officers and teachers, 3,220; No. of female officers and teachers, 2,101; total number of officers and teachers, 5,321; average attendance of officers and teachers, 3,722; No. of male pupils, 15,921; No. of female pupils, 16,565; total number of pupils, 32,486; average attendance of pupils, 22,778; total number of officers, teachers and pupils, 37,807; No. of theological classes, 171; No. of Bible and Testament classes, 985; No. of Book of Mormon classes, 373; No. of Doctrine and Covenant classes, 182; No. of Juvenile Instructor classes, 181; No. of catechism classes, 156; No. of miscellaneous classes, 1397; total number of classes, 3,445; No. of books in library, 20,580; amount of funds on hand at end of last year, $1,170.87; amount of funds collected, $6,670.69; amount of funds disbursed, $6,287.07; amount of funds in treasury, $1,484.66.
Officers of the Deseret Sunday School Union: George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent; George Goddard, 1st Assistant; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
In reading over these statements there are some things it may be necessary to mention. It would take too much time to give before this conference a detailed account of all the receipts and disbursements of the Trustee-in-Trust. We have, however, an Auditing Committee, which was duly appointed by the Conference, for the purpose of examining all the income and expenditure, and comparing and investigating all these matters. We have to look to them for their action in regard to these details, and a vote has already been taken on the subject. However, it is proper you should know these things. And I would state that although I act as Trustee-in-Trust, still the Auditing Committee, I presume, know more of the details of these things than I do, because they come more especially under their supervision.
In regard to the operations of the Perpetual Emigration Fund company, we remitted, as you know, at the jubilee, quite a large amount, leaving a debt, also, of a very large amount. I find the statement is not here. However, I suppose it amounts, in general terms, to some $700,000 or $800,000 yet due to that fund, and having remitted a like amount, we do expect the brethren who are owing this fund will try now to meet their obligations in order that we may have a better showing than we have to-day. We certainly ought to be ashamed, as a people, of our negligence in regard to this thing. Out of this $800,000 we have only received about $8,000 within the last six months -- that is, about the one hundredth part. It is rather a poor showing for Latter-day Saints, who profess to be honest; and I think we ought to attend to these matters. This money has been laid out to assist people in coming to this land, and their promises to pay have been received. We have authorized the Bishops and Presidents of the several Stakes to remit a certain amount of this indebtedness, and we do expect that those who are owing a balance will be honorable enough to attend to it, otherwise it places it out of our power, without calling upon those who have hitherto subscribed, to help us to meet obligations, and that would hardly be an act of justice. We therefore call upon those brethren who are owing the Emigration Fund to attend to it in order that the funds of the company may be relieved, and that we may be able to give assistance to those who desire to emigrate to this country, for there are others, besides you who ought to receive the benefit of this fund, and those who do not pay their indebtedness are depriving them of this privilege. Excuse me if I talk plainly upon this subject. It is a subject of importance and men ought to meet their indebtedness; but when me do not attempt to meet obligations that are due to the poor, they become delinquent before their brethren and before their God. We do not have jubilees, you know, every year, they only come once in 50 years, therefore these things ought to be attended to. I speak thus in behalf of the poor in Europe. Their cries come to me from time to time, and to the Perpetual emigration Fund Company, saying, "Cannot you assist us." Why, yes, we could help you bountifully if your brethren who have received assistance would only be honest and meet their obligations and we would do it very gladly, with a willing heart, and with good feelings.
In regard to the labors of the Relief Society, they are certainly very creditable and very praise worthy, and I felt unwilling that these sisters should not be made mention of, for they are doing a very creditable labor in Israel. It seems to be the peculiar province of the sisters to act in this capacity, and I do not know but they put to blush a little even some of us brethren. We act, it is true, pretty liberally in many instances, and in some not very; but the sisters have been very liberal and generous, and have accomplished the object they have had in view, which has been to look after the poor, the needy, the destitute, the sick and the afflicted, and to administer to their wants. And I suppose they are about the best kind of teachers that our Bishops have to assist them in their several wards. I think the Bishops would give that testimony. They are very efficient in assisting them in their various wards, and they make splendid teachers in going round and looking after the welfare especially of their sisters, for they can sympathize and know their requirements better than men do sometimes. And, then, these sisters are producing a very good moral influence in their teachings. We have many pure, high minded ladies who go forth among the people and travel from place to place as missionaries, teaching, instructing, guiding, blessing and benefiting the people; and I say God bless the sisters for their labors, and I say to them continue in your good work and God will continue to bless you and your children after you, and many thousands will yet rise and call you blessed. Seek to instill into your daughters, as you are doing, and into your sons, the principles of chastity and virtue and honor, that while men without principle and without honor, and contrary to truth are maligning you, you may stand forth and your children with you as the protectors and maintainers of virtue, and keep your daughters from the contaminating influence of those abominable wretches, characters who are seeking to introduce iniquity in our midst, and to destroy your virtue. There are numbers of these men, and they publish unblushingly in their papers that they would rather your sons and your daughters were drunkards and prostitutes and debauchees, than be subject to the tyranny we exercise over you. Do you want their tender mercies? Do you want to wallow in their corruption? Do you want to be besmeared with their infamy? God forbid! [Amen by the congregation.] God forbid! I say "My soul enter not thou into their secret,, and with them mine honor be not thou united." They are too low, too degraded for honorable men and women to have anything to do with, and I call upon the Elders and upon the fathers of this people and upon the sisters and mothers of this people to protect their sons and daughters from those loathsome lepers that have come among you who profess to be the advocates of freedom, forsooth, and equal rights -- just as much as the devil is. The devil is a pretended advocate of "freedom and of the rights of men;" but we don't want to place ourselves under his tender mercies nor theirs.
I am pleased to listen to the statements that have been made in regard to our Sunday Schools, and I would say that there is not a more honorable employment in which our Elders, our sisters and our brethren can be engaged in than in training up our children in the ways of life, and I am happy to find that there are nearly 33,000 of our children that are under their influence, who are teaching them the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the revelations of God, who are teaching them morality and purity and virtue, and training them up in the fear of God. continue to do it and you will have a generation that will rise up and bless you and bless mankind in spite of themselves and in spite of the corruption with which we are surrounded. God bless all men and all women who seek to promote good and pure, virtuous, holy and honorable principles, and the curse of God will rest upon those who take a contrary course. These things do not always appear at once, but these things will follow as sure as God reigns in the heavens. Then, in regard to the views, ideas and notions of those outside, many of whom are consistent and thoughtful, but a great many of whom are corrupt and led by improper and corrupt principles -- in regard to their ideas, we ask very little odds of them. We will try to pursue the even tenor of our way; we will cleave to God to truth, to righteousness; we will stand as saviors upon Mount Zion, and bless all who will receive the truth, will maintain the principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood among all peoples, and we will oppose fraud, and corruption and illiberality and degradation in every form and bondage in every shape, and we will pray to the almighty to help us carry out these principles, which are in the interests of humanity, so far as He gives us strength and power to do it. But to barter away the principles that God has committed to us -- never, no never, no never; and let all the congregation say "Amen." [The vast assemblage responded as with one voice, "Amen."] God bless you, and lead you in the paths of truth. Amen.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow (Wednesday), at 10 a.m.
The choir and congregation sang:
We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet.
Benediction by Apostle Erastus Snow.
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[5 Apr, 7 pm]
[DNW 30:169, 172, 4/13/81, p 9, 12]
A Priesthood meeting was held in the Assembly Hall, at 7 p.m., at which the speakers were Presidents George Q. Cannon, Wilford Woodruff and John Taylor. Much excellent instruction was imparted, many financial transactions were explained, and the whole proceedings were eminently satisfactory to those who had the privilege of being present.
_____
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 30:169, 4/13/81, p 9]
FOURTH DAY.
_____
Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Conference called to order by President Geo. Q. Cannon.
The choir sang:
My God the spring of all my
joy,
The life of my delight.
Prayer by Elder William B. Preston.
The choir sang:
Come follow me, the Savior
said,
Then let us in His footsteps tread.
ELDER WM. BUDGE
Rejoiced very much in having the privilege of standing up before the present congregation to make a few remarks. He had been absent three years, which made the present opportunity more precious to him. He had been engaged with a large number of faithful Elders in preaching the gospel in the old country. His experience abroad had confirmed the truth and the power of the gospel on his mind. A great change had taken place in the old world among the professing "Christians" since he was there before, there is less confidence among them in the churches to which they belong, and in each other, a trust or confidence is reposed in scarcely any kind of creed or society. They have systems of religion, but they are simply forms. He rejoiced therefore in the gospel of Jesus Christ which brings solid comfort and joy to the believer, which is in striking contrast to the empty and powerless forms of the religions of the age. He spoke of the abject slavery and poverty among the m asses of the people abroad, and the excessive wealth of the favored and aristocratic class. He then spoke of the labors of the Elders who are now sent out to warn the nations and calling people to repentance. He felt truly thankful for the aid and counsel of the First presidency which he received while abroad, and for the faithful Elders they had sent out to assist him in the preaching of the Gospel. He bore testimony that this is the work of God. His kingdom is set up, His servants hold His Priesthood, and no power on earth can stay its progress, it will increase in power and might as it has done, but more abundantly. He rejoiced in this work which he knew to be divine, and prayed that God would continue to inspire all His servants to build up His kingdom on the earth.
President George Q. Cannon read a partial report of the Primary Associations of the Territory. The officers are: Louie Felt, President; M. M. Barratt and Clara M. Cannon, Counselors; Lelia F. Freeze, Secretary; Minnie Felt, Treasurer. The report was adopted by unanimous vote. Also a report of the appropriation that was voted for at our last Conference in aid of the poor.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said in listening to the report it would be seen the majority of the Stakes had fulfilled their obligations, but some had not done so, and all who were in favor of those delinquent Stakes filling their obligation were called upon to raise their right hands. (There was a unanimous vote) It was also motioned and carried that the report so far as corrected be adopted.
President George Q. Cannon then read a report of the amount of back tithing, which the Church had agreed to remit, which was also adopted by unanimous vote.
A report of the Emigrating Fund Company was also read, together with the amount remitted.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Made a few remarks on the subject of the amounts which had accumulated on the books as back or delinquent tithing, and which by vote of last conference the Church had agreed to cancel a portion of, so that their tithing record could be clear and plain, and he hoped in the future, there would be no more delinquencies allowed to accumulate. He did not approve of promissory notes being given. Some people seemed to think when their notes were given, the debt was paid. He wished them to honor the law as given by the Lord and live up to it. He also desired the Saints to pay every honest obligation they have entered into, and thus secure a reputation for honor and integrity and uprightness of character. The report of the emigration Fund Company was then adopted as read.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
Arose to make some explanations of the report of the P. E. Fund. He spoke of the poverty-stricken circumstances of many of the poor in the old country, and also the indebtedness to the Fund of many of those who have been helped to this country, and these facts should stimulate those who are owing to make every effort to meet these obligations as early as possible, and should also act as an incentive to the Presidents of stakes and Bishops to use their influence in having these debts gathered in. In cases where misfortune, sickness, or poverty prevented the Saints from paying their indebtedness to the Fund, the public fund stretches forth its hand to their relief that they may be free from the burthen that was hanging over them, but those who were able were expected to settle their obligations.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
Thought a more thorough wakening up among the local Lesser Priesthood should be promoted and encouraged, in looking after, and giving personal attention to the collection of those debts, and not exclusively leaving them to rest on the shoulders of the P. E. Fund Committee. He also made some remarks on the subject of tithing, and the reports on the Bishops' schedule, by which it appeared that many of the Saints pay no tithing at all, and others only a moiety of a tithe. Under these circumstances what duties devolved upon the authorities of each Stake? He thought it was imperative on them to teach the people the law of the Lord, and the great blessings that will flow to them through their obedience and to instruct them in the spirit of meekness and forbearance, not by constraint, but labor to increase faith in their hearts, that when they obey the law they may do it understandingly and not in the fear of man. He then gave some excellent instruction to the various officers of the priesthood in the Stakes of Zion. Over 30 years has passed since he and Brother F. d. Richards and others had commenced to labor in establishing the P. E. fund and bringing out the first companies under its auspices, and during that period not one individual had ever been oppressed in the collection of its dues. He begged, however, that there might be more vigilance used in the future towards the payment of P. E. Fund debts, that a better showing may be made by another Conference.
The choir sang the anthem,
Hearken unto me.
Conference adjourned until two o'clock p.m.
Benediction by Patriarch John smith.
_____
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 30:172, 4/13/81, p 12]
2 p. m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang,
All hail the glorious day,
By prophets long foretold.
Prayer by Apostle Brigham Young.
The choir sang,
Praise ye the Lord, my heart
shall join
In work so pleasant, so divine.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH.
I am requested to make a few remarks. I consider it very important for all Latter-day Saints to seek to obtain a correct knowledge in relation to family government. We are peculiar in our associations in the family circle. We are brought into relations with each other in this respect in a manner entirely different to the most of the civilized world; as husbands, we are called to be the heads of our families and to set them an example in all things. There can be no permanent happiness and prosperity in the midst of the families of Zion without purity at home; and on the part, at least of the head of the family, there should be manifested wisdom, good judgment, strict justice and impartiality. I believe it to be necessary for men to be just, to be righteous, to be honorable, and to be truthful with their wives and with their children; for the relationship of the husband to the wife, or to the wives, and to the children,m is destined not only to continue while we remain in the flesh, but it is a relationship which is destined in the order of the Priesthood and the kingdom of God, to continue throughout the countless ages of eternity. And it looks to me as though it were very necessary we should make as few mistakes and errors in the matter of the government of our families as possible, so that we may have the fewer of these unpleasant things to regret in eternity, when we shall look with a perfect clearness upon all our follies and shortcomings. A man, in order to maintain the confidence of his family, the affections of his wives and of his children, must be virtuous, honorable and honest with his family, and be kind and merciful in his government at home. Any man that will seek to govern his family with an iron rod, or without mercy, or forgiveness, or kindness in his heart, will not succeed, he will have trouble, he will have difficulty, and more than likely will bring disgrace upon himself and more or less upon the principles which he essays to carry out. Not that any principle which is pure and honorable before God can suffer from the wickedness, the ignorance, or the follies of any man or of any people. A principle that is pure, that is righteous, that is God-given unto us, can never be changed from its true character by the acts of men. That which God has given us is of Him, and is good, and nothing can make it otherwise. Nevertheless we can bring disgrace, discredit and dishonor upon ourselves by dishonoring those principles which God has revealed for our comfort, happiness, and prosperity, and for the prosperity of the kingdom of God in the dispensation of the fulness of times. There is nothing that is of greater importance to the Latter-day Saints than to become thoroughly acquainted with those principles which emanate from God and from the fountains of truth, respecting the righteous government of the family circle; that wives may have confidence in the husband; that husbands may have perfect confidence in their wives; that affection may reign in the hearts of husbands and wives, and also that affection may reign in the hearts of children toward their parents, and parents toward their children; that we may be united and bound together by those bonds of affection and love which are destined to continue throughout the ages of eternity, and which can never be broken asunder. More especially ought these principles to be observed by those who have entered into the relation of plural marriage; for if a man takes unto himself wives and then mistreats them, neglects them, or shows partiality towards any one branch of his family, he rings dishonor upon that family, and, so far as it appears to the eyes of the world, disgrace upon the cause of zion and upon the principles which God has revealed. Therefore, husbands, love your wives; wives, love your husbands. Husbands, be true to your wives, for they have as much right to demand of you purity and virtue and honesty and honor, as you possibly can have to demand the same of them. For these principles must be reciprocal between husbands and wives. And the man that will prostitute himself, the man that will corrupt himself, is if anything more deserving of condemnation than the woman; because the woman is the weaker vessel; and the man should be the head; the man should set the example; the man is the responsible person; and therefore the man that will do wrong should be held to a more strict account for his wrong-doing before God and man than the woman who is considered to be the weaker vessel. Therefore it is for you Elders in Israel, you male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to honor the principles of the Gospel which you have received, to carry them out irrespective and regardless of the taunts and contumely of the world. We care not for the world, nor for the contempt of the world, inasmuch as we know that we are carrying out the purposes of God, and inasmuch as we are conscious that we are not guilty of the crimes and the wickedness which they lay at our doors and that they charge us with.
God help us to preserve in purity the family relations that exist in the household of faith; that the husbands may be honorable and righteous men; that they may be true to their wives and companions in life, and be ever watchful over their interests and welfare, and that they may be kind and affectionate, teaching them with mercy and kindness and justice and in righteousness all the day long; and extending this same love, mercy and justice and impartiality to all the branches of their family, neglecting none, giving none the heartache, leaving no occasion for sorrow, for accusation and for just condemnation in the hearts of any of their families towards us. I love to see a man live so that he is conscious of having dealt justly and righteously, with every one of the branches of his family; so that he is conscious that none of his wives can point a finger to a single act of his life, in which he was guilty of any misdeed whatever; and above all things that he is not guilty of partiality and injustice, thereby causing jealousy to arise in the hearts of the wives, causing difficulty, and division, and strive to arise where peace, and union, and love, and harmony should dwell. for unless our families are united; unless they love each other; unless they love the truth, they can no more be God's and His Christ's than the world. Because God has said, "Except ye are one, ye are not mine;" therefore, the family circle must be united, the members thereof must live in peace and harmony as far as it is possible. When we live in peace, and love, and union, establishing in our homes the type of heavenly government, and as long as we pursue this course, God will bless our family relations, and the peace of heaven will reign in our midst; and union and love and power and the blessing of God will be upon all the Israel of God.
This is my testimony in relation to this principle. And that God may help us to do His will and give us wisdom to do right in this and in all things that pertain to the building up of the Zion of the last days, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Then presented the names of missionaries, who were sustained by the unanimous vote of the Conference, as published in last evening's NEWS.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said, we have voted to sustain the brethren called on missions, by our faith and prayers; I now wish to see if we are willing to sustain them by supporting their families in their absence. All who are willing to do so will raise their right hands. The vote was unanimous.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Then presented the Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained by the united votes of the Conference as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Council of the Apostles: -- Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, Darnel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselor, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott, William W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselor and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as his assistants.
Orson Pratt as Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff as his assistant.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee. -- W. Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards and J. F. Smith.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said it had been suggested that some additions be made to the auditing committee, and submitted the names of William Jennings and Wm. H. Hooper, who were unanimously sustained as members of the auditing committee. He was very anxious that all the business transactions of the Church should be conducted on correct business principles, so s to compare with any institution in existence. God is perfect in all His works, everything that He controls moves harmoniously and in order, without a jar, and we as His children should imitate Him in all His ways and works as far as e possibly can. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is intended to educate us in every principle that will exalt and ennoble us in the scale of being. Time was when there were only six members of this Church; now our numbers amount to many thousands, and we are destined to grow into a great people. It behooves us, therefore, to carry out those principles f righteousness and justice and honesty, that will secure confidence, especially in regard to financial matters. The Presidency of the Church should realize these things. They should avoid self-aggrandizement and selfishness. They ought to e equitable in all things they do, and they should be honest in all their dealings, financially and otherwise. The same should apply to the Twelve; I take these things to myself and to the brethren associated with me. I know that God will require a strict account of what we do, and that what we mete out to others, will be meted out to us. We have no right to bring in our personal feelings into the administration of justice. We should treat all men, free from any bias, and in kindness and mercy. I see some persons cherish prejudice against others as though they would like to see them hurt; such feelings are from below and not from above. I do not know of any man, not even my worst enemy whom I would wish to see harmed. He then made some excellent remarks and explanations on the atonement of Christ, and showed how Jesus was guided in all things by the desire to do the will of the Father in preference to his own. This spirit should be in our hearts, and we should say, "Not my will, O Lord, but thine be done." It is for the Presidents of Stakes, and the twelve and all the various Quorums of the Priesthood to seek to glorify God and not themselves. He then blessed every Quorum and institution of the Church, the Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sisters and their institutions, the primaries, the Sunday schools, the choir, the people, their families and all who love Israel, all me in our land who love justice and equity, and prayed that God would bless them and thwart the purposes of those who seek to subvert truth, justice and liberty, all of which he asked in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation arose to their feet and sang:
"The Spirit of God like
a fire is burning,
The latter-day glory begins to come forth."
Conference was adjourned till October 6, at 10 o'clock.
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
_____
[MS 43:309-311]
MISSIONARIES.
The following elders were called to go on missions and were sustained by the vote of the Conference.
Elders who have been called since last Conference, and are now in their fields of labor:
SOUTHERN STATES.
John
W. Taylor, 14th Ward, city.
Charles John Brain, 20th Ward, city.
Willard Cushing Burton, 15th Ward, city
Benjamin L. Bowen, Tooele.
Elam W. McBride, Grantsville.
Samuel Holbrook, Paradise,
Thomas W. Smith, Pahreah
UNITED STATES.
Jefferson
Wilcox, Millville.
NEW ZEALAND.
William
M. Bromley, Springville.
Nicholas H. Gooseback, "
John Solomon Ferris, Marysvale.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Henry
Alberto Woolley, 13th Ward, city.
Samuel Edwin Woolley, Grantsville.
James Hamilton Gardner, West Jordan.
ITALY.
Salvatore
Carrao, 18th Ward.
Missionaries for April conference 1881:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Abraham
Halladay, Provo.
Wm. H. Apperley, Logan.
Rodney Hillam, 10th Ward, city.
Joseph Wadley, Pleasant Grove.
A. N. Macfarlane, 21st Ward, city.
Alfred Alder, Kaysville.
William Butler, Marriotts.
Joseph Greaves, Logan.
Henry W. Brown, south Cottonwood.
Alexander Perry, Willard
John Stoddard, Wellsville.
Wm. W. Hunter, American Fork.
David McKay, Huntsville.
Robert MacFarland, West Weber.
Jos. E. Tanner, Payson.
Franklin B. Woolley, St. George.
Charles Wilkinson, Leeds.
Charles H. Greenwell, West Weber.
David J. Evans, North Ogden.
David M. Evans, 7th Ward, City.
SCANDINAVIA.
Joseph
R. Sinvall, Paris.
J. M. Christensen, Moroni.
Lars P. Christensen, Richfield.
Jens Peter Jensen, Hyrum.
John Johnson, Ovid.
Oluf C. Larsen, Ephraim.
Hans Jorgensen, Pleasant Grove.
James Morgenson, Moroni.
Anders Larsen, Washington.
Peter Sundwall, Fairview.
Andres Eliason, Logan
Fredrick Peterson, Grantsville.
Solomon Peterson, Santaquin.
Soren C. Petersen, Elsinore.
H. O. Maglby, Monroe.
Rasmus Olsen, Draper.
Niels Heilesen, Glenwood.
Tiller Israelson, Hyrum.
UNITED STATES.
Sylvester
Bradford, Spanish Fork.
John N. Thueson, Monroe.
Joseph T. Doxford, "
James Mellor, Jr., Fayette.
Joseph E. Mullet, 19th Ward, City.
George W. Bradley, Moroni.
George O. Noble, South bountiful.
John B. Thatcher, Logan.
D. M. Stevens, Ogden.
James O. Stevens, "
James L. Jensen, Bear River City.
Denmark Jensen, Honeyville.
Jens Frandsen, Huntsville.
James Godfrey, South Cottonwood.
Wm. Barker, Mound Fort.
Thomas J. Steed, Farmington.
John A. Wakeham, Riverdale.
Eli A. Folland, 16th Ward.
Christian Wallentine, Paris.
SOUTHERN STATES.
James
T. Hammond, Logan.
Adam Emprey, Midway.
Alphonzo H. Snow, Brigham.
Joshua Taylor, 13th Ward, Salt Lake City.
William Asper, 19th " "
Wm. D. Hendricks, Lewiston.
Samuel Oldham, Paradise.
John S. Carpenter, Glendale.
John E. Carlisle, Logan.
Thomas H. Merrill, Richmond
Jedediah Goff, West Jordan.
Oscar M. Fullmer, Providence.
George C. Parkinson, Franklin.
Joseph W. Thatcher, jr., Logan.
Richard A. Robinson, Paragoonah.
GERMANY.
John
Hasler, Mount Pleasant.
James Beus, Hooper.
HOLLAND.
Ephraim
T. Myers, Ogden.
Missionaries
to Arizona.
FROM PROVO CITY.
Daniel
Vincent, Jr.
Thomas T. Holdaway.
Joseph Almy Holdaway.
George Billings.
John P Rochlesberger.
Franklin Scott.
William Stradding.
Joel W. White, of Kington.
Joel W. White, Jr., "
Jos. T. White, "
August Mineer, "
John H. Heep "
Cyrus Earl, "
Andrew Mineer, "
David Thomas, "
John Springthorpe, "
Isaac Thomas, of Kanosh.
FROM SPRINGVILLE.
James
Hall,
George Maycock.
Charles Bird.
FROM SPANISH FORK.
Erick
Larsen.
Robert Holmes.
Joseph L. Hales.
Andrew Jensen.
FROM SALEM.
John
F. Shields.
FROM PAYSON.
Henry
Butler.
Jeremiah Bingham, Jr.
FROM SPRING LAKE.
D.
C. Babbitt.
FROM GOSHEN.
George
Williams.
FROM LEHI.
G.
Sorensen.
Otto Hudson.
John B. Peterson.
FROM PLEASANT GROVE.
Neils
C. H. Heiselt.
Henson Heiselt.
FROM AMERICAN FORK.
Charles
Green.
Joseph Forbes.
FROM WASATCH STAKE.
Charles
Love, Midway.
Thomas Murdock, Heber City.
C. Davis, Midway.
C. Bergner, "
Orson Lance, "
FROM WEBER STAKE.
Wm.
Stimpson, Riverdale.
Robert Baird, Lynne.
James Baird, "
James W. Walker, Lynne.
Thomas Allen, Ogden.
Sandford Bingham, jr., Ogden.
W. B. Hutchins, Lynne.
Thomas S. Browning, Ogden.
Allen henry, Ogden.
Joseph Taylor, Harrisville.
Moroni Taylor, "
James H. Taylor, "
W. H. Gagan, "
Heber Taylor. "
Robert Moffet, Eden.
E. N. Freeman, Weber County.
Willard Farr, "
S. H. Higginbotham, Ogden.
F. D. Higginbotham, "
Wm. Moffett, "
Joseph A. Moffett, Eden.
Lamoni Taylor, Harrisville.
Frederick Frorer, Eden.
FROM SANPETE STAKE.
J.
A. Lambson, Ephraim, North Ward.
Henry Oviatt, " South "
Rudolfus N. Bennett, Mount Pleasant, North Ward.
Thos. Coats, Mount Pleasant, South Ward.
Jens Larsen, Manti, North Ward.
Peter R. Peterson, Manti, South Ward.
Henry Fowles, Fairview.
______Olsen, Moroni.
Andrew J. Aagreen, Fountain Green.
Hans Adolph Thompson, Spring City.
Simon Hansen, Mayfield.
Andrew Fjeldsted, Gunnison.
_____
Miles
P. Romney, St. George.
O. C. Ormsby was added to list of missionaries to Europe.
_____
6-9 Oct 1881, 51st Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret Weekly News 30:584, 10/12/81, p 8; Millennial Star 43:705, 721, 737, 753]
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 30:584, 10/12/81, p 8]
FIFTY-FIRST
SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-first Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on Thursday, October 6th, 1881, at 10 o'clock a.m., as per adjournment.
Present on the stand: Of the First Presidency -- John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith.
Of the Twelve. -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Francis M. Lyman and John Henry Smith; counselor D. H. Wells.
Patriarch -- John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies. -- Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott and W. W. Taylor.
Of the Presiding Bishopric. -- Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading men from all parts of Territory.
The remains of Apostle Orson Pratt were borne into the Tabernacle by several of the Apostles. The casket, beautifully adorned with flowers, was elevated above the Bishop's stand which was also decorated with bouquets and floral emblems in view of the congregation which was unusually large for the opening meeting. The stands were heavily draped in mourning.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
Choir sang the hymn,
come we that love the Lord
And let our joys be known.
Prayer was offered by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
The Choir sang,
Behold the mountain of the
Lord
In latter-days shall Rise.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
In opening the proceedings said: We have met this morning in accordance with our adjournment six months ago, to attend to the affairs of our Conference, and on these occasions, as we are assembled from the different Stakes throughout the land of Zion, for the purpose of attending to all matters in which we as a people are interested. It is proper that we should comprehend the position that we occupy, and be prepared with prayerful hearts and with our spirits and feelings drawn out unto our heavenly Father, to attend to all things that shall come before us, in a manner that shall be just and right and proper, that we may have the Spirit of the Lord to rest down upon us, that in our teachings, in our business, and in all affairs that shall come before us in a conference capacity, we may be under the guidance and direction of the Lord, as we ought always to be in all of the assemblies of the Saints.
We are placed to-day under rather peculiar circumstances, while we attend to our conference, we at the same time are called to perform the obsequies connected with the death of our beloved Brother and Apostle Orson Pratt. This is rather a peculiar phase to be entertained in a conference capacity, yet he though dead yet lives, and while he lives in the heavens, he lives also in the hearts of the Saints and of the Holy Priesthood, and we could not have a more fitting opportunity to attend to the obsequies of our beloved brother. And when we shall have finished paying the last tribute of respect to this our beloved Brother, there is also another occurrence which has taken place, and we wish to hold memorial services pertaining thereto -- that is in connection with the death of Elder Feramorz L. Young, son of President Brigham young, who in returning from a mission to Mexico, in company with Moses Thatcher, one of the Twelve, died at sea, between Havana and New York. We thought that while attending to the funeral services of Brother Orson Pratt it would be a fitting occasion to hold memorial services also pertaining to him, for he is accounted a faithful, intelligent and an honorable young man and a good Latter-day Saint, and as he has died in the harness, although his body is not present, we wish to show to him that respect that all honorable Elders of Israel ought to have. Therefore the ceremonies pertaining to his funeral will be attended to in connection with those of Brother Pratt this afternoon. And as the time seems to be progressing, and we wish to have everything done without confusion, that all may have an opportunity 0of viewing the corpse. We will not this morning prolong our remarks, for it would be irrelevant with so short a time, and under existing circumstances to introduce any other subject at present.
APOSTLE WILFORD WOODRUFF
Then arose and gave a few instructions about the order agreed upon in relation to the public viewing the remains.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Stated that after this service closed and the Presidency and Twelve had viewed the body, the public would have the privilege of passing by each side of the coffin and taking a glance at the features of the departed, and trusted there would be no confusion, but that all would observe order and decorum.
The Conference adjourned until 1 o'clock p.m.
The choir sang the anthem:
"The Lord will comfort Zion."
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
The casket was then lowered , and the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Stake and other authorities took a farewell look at the countenance of their venerable fellow-laborer, and the vast assemblage filed past in double columns, the eyes of many being filled with tears as they gazed upon the face of the man whose voice has been lifted up both long and loud for so many years in Israel and among the nations, proclaiming the glad tidings of eternal salvation.
During the intermission some seven or eight thousand people viewed the remains, the whole time being taken up in this manner. At one o'clock the casket was again elevated and then, the Tabernacle being filled in every part, followed the
OBSEQUIES OF APOSTLE ORSON PRATT.
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 30:584-585, 10/12/81, p 8-9]
Thursday, 2 p.m.
The choir sang --
Hark from afar a funeral
knell
Moves on the breeze, its echoes swell."
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
Choir sang --
Thou dost not weep, to weep
alone,
The broad bereavement seems to fall.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
Read a revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith to Orson Pratt, given November 4th, 1830, as follows:
"1. My
son Orson, hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto
you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer;
2. The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and
the darkness comprehendeth it not;
3. Who so loved the world that he
gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God:
wherefore you are my son,
4. And blessed are you because you have believed;
5. And more blessed are you because you are called of me to preach my gospel,
6. To lift up your voice as with
the sound of a trump, both long and loud, and cry repentance unto a crooked and
perverse generation, preparing the way of the Lord for his second coming;
7. For behold, verily, verily I say unto you, the time is soon at hand, that I
shall come in a cloud with power and great glory.
8. And it shall be a great day at the time of my coming, for all nations shall
tremble.
9. But before that great day shall
come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the
stars shall refuse their shining, and some shall fall, and great destruction
await the wicked:
10. Wherefore lift up your voice
and spare not, for the Lord God hath spoken; therefore prophesy, and it shall
be given by the power of the Holy Ghost;
11. And if you are faithful, behold, I am with you until I come.
12. And verily, verily, I say unto you, I come quickly. I am your Lord and your
Redeemer. Even so. Amen."
Brother Woodruff said if he was to express his desires to the Lord it would be, O Lord, give us grace that we may be able to accomplish the work required of us. But O, the chains that bind this immortal spirit! Sometimes he felt, O that he could break the bands of mortality and open his eyes in the spirit world to receive that which Orson Pratt is now enjoying. But we must be patient and be willing to abide our time. It would be impossible to give the history of that great man or to depict the glory that awaits him. It would take the trump of the sixth angel to do that.
He had been associated with Brother Pratt many years; the first testimony he ever heard from him was in a house in Kirtland, in April, 1834. He went with him to Missouri, in Zion's Camp. In traveling a thousand miles with the Prophet, those who were in that company received an experience that they can never forget. Men were reduced to mere skeletons with the cholera, and many died. Bro. Pratt, while suffering from its effects, manifested that indomitable will which has since been many times exhibited. He struggled with death and overcame by faith in God. Brother Pratt had lived longer in this Church, traveled more miles and preached more sermons than any man in it. He had baptized thousands, and fulfilled the revelation just read. His garments were clear from the blood of this generation. He had studied and written more upon the gospel and upon science than any man in the Church. He had now gone home. It was all right. This event the speaker had expected for some months. Before he left on his late visit to St. George he laid his hands upon Bro. Pratt and blessed him. This was recorded in his journal which the historians could read after the speaker's death. If Bro. Pratt could speak to this assembly, after meeting with the Prophet Joseph and his brethren in the spirit world, he would say to the Apostles, the Seventies the High Priests, the Elders, the Lesser Priesthood, and the Saints, can you afford to spend one hour in neglect of this great work, upon the things of this world?" The spirit of Bro. Pratt is alive to-day and will live as long as our heavenly Father lives. His testimony is closed, his voice is hushed in death, but it will not be a great while for some of us before we hear it in the spirit world. Let the living work while the day lasts. Bro. Pratt makes the ninth Apostle that had left us who came through Emigration Canyon in 1847. This enjoined us to be also ready; to be faithful to God and the responsibility resting upon us. The speaker thanked God for the Gospel and Priesthood revealed and exhorted all to be faithful as saviors on Mount Zion, "Sleep on Brother Orson, then with thy quorum thou shalt meet in the bliss and spend eternal day. Amen."
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Said his feelings were very similar to those expressed by Bro. Woodruff. There was not much occasion to mourn when those who had received the Gospel and magnified the Priesthood passed away as had Brother Pratt. The Gospel opened to view a hope, faith and satisfaction that was a comfort in occurrences like these. It was well for all wise Latter-day Saints to have before them a full view of the glory that awaits those who are faithful in this important cause. We ought to have a proper sense of the glory that had been promised and that resurrection for which we so fondly hoped. Could Bro. Pratt have the privilege to communicate with us he would say "Mourn not for m, I have passed through the fiery ordeal. I have, through the blessing of God, obtained the victory and there is secured to me the privilege of receiving a body glorified. That body through which I have ministered shall be made glorious. I have been able to pass through affliction and temptation and obtained the victory!" The promise is that as we are now he sons of God, when the Lord appears we shall, if faithful be like Him and see Him as He is. Jesus, when He appeared to His disciples after His death, came in his glorified body. He also appeared to Joseph and Oliver in the Temple at Kirtland. He was glorious in appearance. And when He shall be revealed from heaven those who overcome and are worthy shall be like Him. It was necessary for us to endure the fiery ordeal of this life, to pass through this probation, that we might attain to an exaltati8on. We agreed to this in the spirit world before coming here. Bro. Pratt had endured and overcome. It was indeed a satisfaction when a man could pass through temptations for so many years and not lose his right to a crown. Bro. Pratt has sustained no loss. His exaltation was sure. And he believed that in the spirit world Bro. Pratt could do as much good for his family as here and also for this great work. It was now our duty to imitate his faithfulness which he had maintained in traveling from land to land and from sea to sea. The spirit of inspiration had remained with him from the day he received the revelation that had been read, until he departed, and he would attain to the glory of a son of God. The speaker trusted that the family of the deceased would be comforted, and be able to take that course that they might meet him and enjoy that glory which he had secured. also that all might be able to overcome and receive that reward which was prepared for those that are worthy.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS.
Felt that we had assembled under very peculiar circumstances. We had not done with mourning for the loss of the President of the United States before we were called to mourn the loss of the presence and services of an Apostle of the Lord, and also that of a young and faithful brother who had been called to meet a circle of friends more intelligent and glorious than any on earth. Bro. Pratt's life had been distinguished by the labors of over half a century in this cause. he had received his Priesthood from the hands of those who obtained it direct from Peter, James and John, going forth preaching and writing under the spirit of inspiration in his youthful days. The speaker had labored much with him, and testified that if any man had a right to the title of "meek," it was Brother Orson Pratt, and while his nature was so firm that it amounted sometimes almost to obstinacy, yet he always yielded to that which was declared by authority. Brother Pratt was a studious, assiduous worker, preparing himself by acquiring a thorough education, to meet all that might rise up against him, seeking by inspiration to learn all that could be known. The speaker referred to the testimony of Prof. Proctor that Bro. Pratt's works on astronomy were entitled to the admiration and respect of the scientific world. When this Church was in poverty, in want, he labored and toiled continually in its interest, as well as when he was placed in a condition of greater comfort. In speaking of the life's labor of such a man it was difficult to tell where to begin and where to end. He had, however, finished his work, fought the fight and kept the faith, and secured his crown. He was now where his powers were extended, where doubtless he could see as he was seen and know as he was known. The speaker had sat at his feet, being pleased to learn of him. He was glad for him, for he was now resting from his labors, and his works would follow him in his generations. He had earned the power to bless all of his posterity who would be obedient. "O that God would help us all, that our last end might be like his, and may God comfort the bereaved and make them to feel that the Judge of all the earth has done right."
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
said, it would be impossible during the limited time allotted to this meeting to do justice to the life and labors of Brother Orson Pratt. That must be left to history. In paying respects to the departed we felt that though we had to do with death, we had also relations to life. We had an existence before we came here; God is our heavenly Father, Jesus is our elder brother, and they with the Priesthood in the heavens dictated our positions while in the flesh, and the conditions that await us in the future. We came here to fulfil a work that God designated before this world had an existence, before "the morning stars sang together, or the sons of God shouted for joy." From the time of the first promulgation of the gospel by holy angels to Joseph, until today, the affairs of this Church had been dictated by the heavens through the Priesthood upon the earth. And we were indebted to our heavenly Father for all things. We were all poor, fallible, erring creatures, and could do nothing without the sustaining hand of God. No one, apostle or Prophet, could accomplish anything in this work except God be with him. To Him we are indebted for all blessings we enjoy. Do we feel sorrowful when a good man goes back to God who gave him life? No. Not if we understand the truth. The Scripture says, "He that hath eternal life is rich." (Pointing to the coffin.) There lies a rich man. He has fought the good fight and he is all right. Brother Pratt was foreordained from eternity to hold the Priesthood which was given to him and he came at the right time. Would I wish to retain for a moment a man whose services were required behind the vail? No I would not. There is a work to be done there a thousand times s great as here, and what have I to say against his departure? Nothing whatever. The Priesthood ministers in time and in eternity. It was said in one of the revelations that Father Joseph Smith was with Abraham. Why? Because he was a patriarch as was Abraham, and he had gone to his own quorum. So with others who had departed. President Taylor related an incident on the plains, when a brother was supposed to have died, but when hands were laid upon him he spoke and said he had been in vision, had seen Joseph and Hyrum, and had received a mission to the spirit world, and did not want the brethren to keep him back from his mission. The speaker felt that this was right. Bro. Pratt had gone to labor behind the vail. He had gone to join his quorum, and we should not be sorrowful. It is the Lord's will, let Him do as seemeth Him good. And if another and another is wanted, all right, and we should seek to know God and bow to His will in all things. Let us try to imitate the examples of Brother Orson wherein they were good. God is at the head of this kingdom. He will do as seemeth Him good, and we will say Amen to it.
Although it was painful to the friends of Bro. Feramorz L. Young to think they should see him no more, yet there was this assurance that the time was coming when all that were in their graves should be called forth by the voice of the Son of God, and we should meet with those who had departed. President Taylor closed by invoking the blessing of God upon the friends of the deceased and upon all the faithful in Israel.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Said this week had been one of sadness. if it were not for the hopes of the gospel we might say these were days of gloom. But the consolations of the gospel dispelled the gloom and brought joy and comfort instead. Brother Cannon spoke of his feelings on hearing soon after the death of Brother Orson Pratt, of the demise of Brother Feramorz L. Young. While preparing on the same day for these services the tidings came of the death by accident of Bro. Pullen, who fell from the Temple to the ground. He felt sad indeed at the news, as his sympathies had been greatly exercised, in witnessing the grief of the mother and brothers and sisters of Bro. Young. The speaker expressed his regret that we had not the remains of Bro. Young with us. but it was right that we should mourn with the bereaved, and express our feelings of sorrow at this affliction and say words of comfort to them. There was probably no young man of his age who was better fitted to go hence than Feramorz L. Young, after living 23 years and 11 days. His mother had the satisfaction of saying that she had never known him to do wrong. He was a pure, obedient and loving boy, rejoicing in God's truth. His life was exemplary; mingling with the world since he was 16 years of age, he was yet a true Latter-day Saint. He kept the Word of Wisdom, while many of those older than him violated it. He was firm in that which he considered proper. At the age of 16, there being a vacancy for a cadet at Annapolis, he had a desire and an assurance that he would go, although obstacles seemed to interfere. He went, passed a good examination and entered as a cadet. The speaker met him at the Academy, and was gratified at the influence he exercised there. He stood well in his class. His father seemed to have a dread of his going o the sea as a naval officer, and, contrary to his own wish, he was released, he submitting, however, without complaint. He afterwards graduated at Troy, and when he came back and was sent on a mission to Mexico, he went gladly, being full of fidelity and desiring ardently to magnify the holy Priesthood in the labors of the ministry. The speaker related incidents, showing his unselfish character, and read extracts from some of his letters while in Mexico, showing his strong convictions of the truth of this work and his desires to be useful in it, some of them containing facts gleaned in Mexico, strongly corroborating the Book of Mormon, others showing that he had no fears of death and his bright hopes of the life to come. President Cannon said though his body sleeps in the sea yet those who were in the deep as well as those in their graves shall come forth at the voice of God. The speakers on mother was committed to the deep in his boyhood, much to his grief, and therefore he could sympathize with the bereaved . But death was nothing to a life of dishonor. This young man had received a glorious transition to the life beyond the tomb, where sorrow is not, and the power of Satan cannot come. Glorious thought! That there is a time when the Evil One shall have no power over us, but we shall enter into rest and rejoice in the glory of the Father! Bro. Cannon closed by expression the hope that the example of the deceased might be imitated by the young, and by invoking the blessing of God upon all the congregation.
The choir sang:
Mourn not the dead who
peaceful lay
Their wearied bodies down.
Conference was adjourned until to-morrow (Friday) morning, at 10 o'clock.
Benediction by Counselor D. H. Wells.
The vast assembly remained seated while the families of the bereaved and the leading authorities of the Church withdrew to attend to the interment.
The remains of the departed Apostle were then conveyed to their resting place, there to sleep until called forth by the trump of the resurrection. A carriage containing members of the Twelve preceded the hearse in the procession; the First Presidency of the Church and Bishop Hunter occupied the carriage which was fifteenth from the head. Then followed an exceedingly large cortege, the whole comprised of 59 carriages filled with mourners.
Farewell, Brother Orson Pratt, until we meet you in the Paradise of God, or until the bright morning of the glorious day when they that are in Christ shall come forth to greet the Sun of Righteousness, and enter into their dominion as Kings and Priests unto God for ever. Amen.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 30:585, 10/12/81, p 9]
SECOND DAY.
_____
Friday, Oct. 7, 1881, 10 a.m.
Conference convened as per adjournment.
The choir sang,
Softly beams the sacred
dawning,
Of the great millennial morn.
Prayer by Apostle Lorenzo
Snow.
The choir sang,
Arise O glorious Zion,
Thou joy of latter days.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN
Spoke of the remarkable work that engages the attention of the Latter-day Saints; it was a peculiar work and it would stand forever. He feared that many of the Saints did not sufficiently appreciate the word and will of the Lord. If we did so, we should seek after and enjoy more fully the Spirit of the Lord, but the cares of the world seemed to be too absorbing with some. The Spirit of the Lord should be our first consideration, and it would prompt us not only in seeking after what is needed for the wants of the body, but also to cultivate the intellectual man, and develop the spiritual nature, striving to excel in good works and to serve God in all things, spiritual and temporal. Eternal life was the greatest of all the gifts of our Heavenly Father, and as stated by President Taylor in relation to Apostle Orson Pratt, he was indeed a rich man. Orson Pratt was a richer man than any of the millionaires of the world; his riches were greater than any amount of worldly wealth could bestow; it was well known that he never possessed the riches of this world, but the riches of eternity he had secured by his untiring labors, self-sacrificing spirit in building up the kingdom of God and his faithfulness which had continued till his latest breath. The wealth of this world, however, was useful and was needed to build up the temporal kingdom for the building of Temples and many other necessities of this latter-day work. God had deposited in the earth every kind of wealth for the benefit of his children and He had the right to expect that those who obtained a goodly portion of it should make a right and proper use of it, such as aiding and assisting the poor, the prompt observance of the law of tithing, the sending of the gospel abroad, and in whatever would tend to build up and establish His kingdom upon the earth. It was necessary that we should have faith in God in order that we might walk in that straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life, and work the works of righteousness. We should attend to our prayers, night and morning, observe the ordinance of the Lord's Super; hearken to the voice of the Priesthood and be obedient in all things. It was necessary that we be careful in the observance of all the requirements of the gospel, for the enemy was on the alert and every stratagem and temptation would be placed in our path, if possible to lead us astray. The latter-day Saints were generally an ambitious and industrious people, ever ready to take hold of railroad and other contracts, extend the borders of Zion and carry out those labors with a vim that was admirable and praiseworthy but we do not sufficiently regard the spiritual requirements of the gospel. We work too hard, we eat too much, we drink too much of what we should not partake of, and the Lord is not well pleased with any departure from a correct line of conduct. Any man holding a portion of the Holy Priesthood, is on a mission. And anyone who does not magnify his Priesthood would most assuredly see sorrow and suffer loss. It was expected that we be saviors like Orson Pratt, who searched the scriptures, sought to know his Father's will, and then did it. He had gone to his reward, to his quorum, and would have his place in the heavens, where he would associate with those who like him, had fought a good fight, kept the faith, and gone to their rest. What a blessing and boon to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord. Its influence would tend to make us good husbands and fathers, and would incite us to do all the good that was possible, and observe every requirement of the gospel. The Elders of Israel should study he philosophy of those things that God requires, that we might be better qualified to teach our families, and when called upon instruct the people of the nations of the earth. The feeling of every Elder should be, Father shew me Thy will, that I may observe it. He strongly advocated the observance of the Word of Wisdom, for the more generally that law is lived up to, the less power the adversary would have over us in the flesh.
[Francis M. Lyman]
[DNW 30:642, 11/9/81, p 2; JD 22:245]
DISCOURSE
BY ELDER F. M. LYMAN,
At the General Conference, Friday morning, October 7, 1881.
_____
REPORTED BY GEORGE F. GIBBS.
_____
My
brethren and sisters, I am pleased to meet you in this General Conference, and
although it is a great task to undertake to speak to so large an audience, I am
willing to undertake my part if you will give me your faith and prayers, and
the Lord will bless me with His Spirit.
The work
that engages our attention is more remarkable than any work that the Lord has
ever commenced upon the earth. The determination of our Heavenly Father that
this work shall stand forever, that it shall not be taken from the earth nor be
given to another people, is one of its important features. And I sometimes fear
that we do not feel as ambitious, as energetic to do our part, to bear the
responsibility that he designs to come upon our shoulders, that we are not as
careful as we ought to be in observing his laws and requirements; that we do
not appreciate them and prize them as we ought to. If we did we would not sin;
if we did we would every day of our lives seek to know the mind and will of the
Father; to have His Spirit to be present with us, prompting and inspiring and
urging us forward to the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord. We forget
the early love of the Gospel. We are too much swallowed up, perhaps, in the
making of a living, in obtaining the comforts of this life and a little more of
this world's goods. We ought to labor; we ought to be industrious; we ought to
seek to gather from the elements means that would sustain us, to clothe us, to
build our habitations, and to enable us materially to build up the kingdom of
God. But as the spirit and body are one, and grow together, sympathizing with
each other, the spirit giving life to the body, without which the body cannot
live at all, so it should be with us in regard to the things of the kingdom.
The Spirit of the Lord should be first, the life, the energy that should propel
us to the performance of our temporal duties. In cultivating the earth, in
buying and selling, in caring for the wealth of the world, our object should be
to supply our necessities, to make ourselves comfortable, to keep us alive, to
keep us in good condition; but the chief part of our lives should be used in
works of righteousness, of charity, seeking to improve the spiritual condition
of man, to develop the intellectual man, to develop the moral man, and to gain
favor with our heavenly Father; and to lay up treasures in this life that can
be taken hence with us. We are not ambitious enough to excel in doing good. We
are ambitious enough to excel in obtaining wealth—and yet I do not know that it
ought to be called wealth. Prest. Taylor gave a very nice explanation of true
wealth yesterday. Quoting from the revelation of God to us which says, "He
that hath eternal life is rich," and applying those words to our late
Brother, Orson Pratt, he said, pointing to his remains, "There lies the
body of a rich man." We all know that Brother Pratt was not rich in this
world's goods, but it can be safely said of him, that he is rich. —rich in the
things of God. What he has done and accomplished is more than all the wealth of
the world, the gold and the silver, the diamonds and precious stones. the
houses and lands, and the cattle on a thousand hills; for he has earned the
title of a son of God, and he cannot be robbed of it, having been true to the
end and faithful to his latest breath.
Well now,
what of worldly wealth, what of houses and lands, flocks and herds? They bring
care and responsibility and trouble, that is if we have too much of them, and
if we do not use them properly and rightly. If a man is endowed with the Holy
Ghost; if he has first and foremost the kingdom of God and the righteousness of
our heavenly Father, let wealth flow unto him as it may, he will use it
properly; he will remember the poor, he will pay his tithing, he will give
liberally for the building of Temples, for the supporting of the families of
missionaries, and for the building up of home industries. The more
wealth a man has, the better if he has the Spirit of God to guide him in its
use. The kingdom of God must be built up with means. Money is necessary in some
instances with us to-day. I presume the Trustee-in-Trust finds money very
necessary to supply certain materials in the building of Temples; and the men
working on them need some money to procure some of the necessaries of life, and
probably, in some instances, the unnecessaries of life. Money is necessary to
supply these demands, and we cannot very well get along without it, not as well
as we could when there was none here. But it is not necessary that a man should
be contaminated with wealth. If wealth necessarily contaminated and destroyed
life or destroyed man, what should we say of our Father who dwells in heaven,
for His wealth is boundless. The wealth of the world is only borrowed for a
little season. The wealth of our millionaires does not belong to them in
reality, it is not theirs, not a dollar of it; they are entitled to use and to
enjoy the benefit of it; in other words, they are stewards over it for the
present time. If the wealth they possess were theirs, they would take it with
them; they would not divide it among their friends, they would take it with
them. That is, that amount which they hold to in this world. They would still
cling to it tenaciously if it were possible to take it with them. Of course, I
except that which they distribute before hand; and I am not sure but what to me
would be less generous in the distribution of that wealth even to their
children if they could take it with them. But they know they cannot do this,
hence they divide it as they see fit before they are released from their
stewardship. These means are necessary. God has made this earth. He put in
every vein of gold and silver and iron and precious metal, etc. He has given
fertility to the earth; and he has done these things by His own power. And He
has a right to say what shall be done with them. He has a right to say to us,
when you cultivate the earth, "I require you to give me one tenth of all
that is produced, and the nine-tenths you are welcome to use for your own
support, and for the accomplishment of my purposes. But I require this of you
as an acknowledgement that you are using the earth that belongs to me."
Why
should the Lord require this? There is a philosophical reason for it, there is
a philosophical reason why He should require us to have faith in Him, He being
the owner of the earth has the right to direct and control in regard to it, and
to all who come upon it, hence it is necessary that we should have faith in
Him. For He is the foundation of life, the fountain of intelligence, the
fountain of knowledge, of happiness, of joy; and He knows exactly what is good
for us. He knows every particle of experience that we pass through, that is
necessary for its. And this earth has been brought together and arranged
according to eternal principles, eternal laws, by which other worlds have been
made, and by which other worlds will yet be made, that are behind us, that will
follow this earth. The Lord is well acquainted with these things; and the
revelation of the Gospel is intended to give unto us knowledge in regard to
these eternal laws, that we may go parallel with them, walk with them and by
them, in order that we may be saved —saved from sin and sorrow, saved from
death, saved from destruction, saved from evil, and be blessed and rewarded for
our fidelity and faithfulness to those laws.
In the
first place, God requires us to have faith in Him, because it is not possible
to please Him without faith. If we do not have faith in Him, we will not listen
to Him, we will not accept His word, we will not be led and counselled by Him,
hence it is necessary that this principle should be and abide with the
Latter-day Saints.
It is
necessary, too, that we repent and turn away from sin, and work righteousness.
I would to the Lord that all Israel had thus worked up to this day, from the
time we embraced the Gospel, that we had done right from that time until now,
that our sins should all be forgiven us. We cannot have our sins forgiven, and
continue in sin. That would not be rational; it would not be philosophical. We
will find that every requirement that God has made upon us. tends to direct us
in the strait and narrow path. But when I consider the organization of the
kingdom of God, the Priesthood that he has restored to us, crowned with the First
Presidency and the Apostleship, giving to us every quorum in the Melchisedek
and Aaronic Priesthoods, setting all things in order; and requiring every man
and woman to be prayerful morning and evening, and to remember our secret
prayers; to pay our tithing; to build Temples; to perform missions; to partake
of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper every Sabbath day—and the various duties
that are required of the several quorums of Priesthood: it does seem to me that
the Lord has been well acquainted with man's situation and necessities here, to
arrange so many safeguards and provisions, for caring for the people, looking
after them, and feeling after them, directing them, counselling and advising
them, and holding them to the strait and narrow way into which they have been
led by faith. And not only do they need to be planted in the strait way, but it
is necessary that all those requirements be made upon them, and that they
listen to them, and heed them in order that they may be kept in that way
through life. For there is another power in the world that is working
assiduously and faithfully, lay night and day, to destroy the children of men
and defeat the will of God, and to thwart His plans. And it is the business of
that power to destroy man, to turn him from the service of God to the service
of the Evil One. And hence the necessity of all this carefulness, these
detailed plans and regulations urged in the Gospel of Christ, to keep men in
the strait and narrow path. And with all this, some of Israel will go over the
wall, they cannot be kept in. They will break out in spite of all the guards
and bulwarks thrown around them. And the Spirit of the Lord which we received
when we embraced the Gospel, and that was intended to be with us always, is
grieved and driven from us because of our want of fidelity and humility, and
because of our carelessness in the observance of the laws of God.
I spoke
somewhat in regard to the ambition that Latter-day Saints should have, which I
think has somewhat cooled in the Elders of Israel. If it was in the obtaining
of a good country; if in colonizing Arizona, for instance, we had found an
admirable country like Illinois, like Ohio and the Mississippi Valley and the
Middle States that are watered by the rains and the dews of heaven, if we had
found a country like that in Arizona or Western Colorado, or in Southeastern
Utah, in Southern Idaho, in Eastern Nevada or Western Wyoming, broad acres
inviting people to come in and take up large farms, we would be ambitious
enough. There are railroads that are being built in the country; we axe
ambitious enough to take contracts and work in their construction. The
Latter-day Saints cannot be charged with being idlers, but on the contrary,
they are working themselves to death, in many instances. They are not a
slothful people, if they were they never would have been satisfied with this
country, and subdued it as they have. The spirit of the Lord has prompted them
to industry. But it seems to me that our desire to work carries us to such an
extent that we have little time to devote to the performance of our religious
duties. W, have not been so prompt in attending to our prayers, and to our
meetings; our time and attention seem to be absorbed in getting teams and
wagons, horses and lands, and clothing and food for ourselves and families. In
early times we did not take our meals so regularly; food was not so plentiful,
neither was it so easily obtained, consequently we did not get the variety nor
so much of it as we do to-day. Circumstances have changed; and as the earth
answers to the labors of the husbandman, we put on better clothing, we set our
tables more sumptuously, and our homes are altogether better furnished. We eat
more and drink more; we eat extravagantly and we drink to excess of things that
are proper to be taken, and of things that are improper and should not be
indulged in.
This is
not right, and the Lord is not pleased with those who do it. And it is the duty
of every one bearing the holy Priesthood, to make his voice heard against extravagance
and evil. But first of all let him see that he himself is free from that which
he would denounce in others. He should himself observe the law which God has
revealed as to what we should eat and what we should drink. The Lord knows
exactly what men should do and how they should live in order to obtain
happiness, the realization of which is the object or life. There are a variety
of ways in which men seek happiness, which, however, result in their sorrow.
But there is no sorrow to be found or experienced in keeping the commandments
of God. It is true, we may have to face death, and perhaps meet it; we may
suffer from the loss of property, and have to endure persecution; but when we
suffer such experience by reason of our rendering service to God, it promotes
eternal joy in the soul of man. Our mission as Elders should be from now on to
vie with each other in doing the works of righteousness, and in living humble
and pure lives. In this we will find wealth and joy, and I desire to say to you
that the Elder, the Priest, Teacher or Deacon—and the term Elder covers every
man bearing the Melchisedek Priesthood—who neglects these things, will be found
sorrowing; he will be found mourning; that, he did not fill his mission—and
every man is on a mission upon whose head the hands of the servants of God have
been placed, conferring upon him the holy Priesthood; all such persons are
missionaries. And we should not wait to be called to the Old Country or
elsewhere, or to be set apart as Home Missionaries, or to be Bishops or
Presidents of Stakes, High Counselors, etc. For I say unto you that every man
who has received any portion of the Priesthood is a missionary; and the
salvation of the world, to a certain extent, rests upon his shoulders. And the
man who neglects his duty will see a day of sorrow for his neglect.
Then, I
exhort you, my brethren, as your fellow-laborer, and as a servant of the Lord,
to be diligent in observing to keep the commandments of God, to magnify the
holy Priesthood that the Lord, through his servants, has placed upon you. We
are expected to he saviors, working in conjunction with our elder brother,
Jesus, and also in conjunction with our deceased friend and brother, Apostle
Orson Pratt, who has gone to continue his labors in another sphere. When did
Brother Pratt allow his mind to be idle? He exercised it continually in the
right direction; he labored and studied; the bent of his ambition lay in
searching the Scriptures, ancient and modern, and seeking to become acquainted
with the Lord. Hence he became profound in knowledge, a man possessing the true
riches, a servant of the living God, who has gone to reap his reward—gone from
his sorrow, from his weariness and from his labors in this life, and, as was
remarked yesterday, he will find his quorum, he will find his place therein,
and will abide with the saved, exalted and redeemed and those who have
"fought the good fight and kept the faith." May this be said of us!
But if it is said, it will be because we labor better in the future than we
have done in the past.
Let every
man look into his own heart! Let every man ask himself this question: Has this
tongue of mine been used to the very best advantage? Have I spoken words of
counsel to my neighbor? Have I taught my wives, my children, my brothers and my
sisters as I ought Has my mouth always been willing to give forth counsel to
the world? Have I shrunk from bearing testimony of the truth? If' you have in
the past do not do it in the future. This life is not very long. We are only
here for a little while. We are here to obtain experience. That is the object
of our being, and the Lord has revealed unto us the Gospel, and we should be
faithful. When we look over the world and final it teeming with millions of
people who have not a knowledge of the truth —and many of them just as honest
as we are in their worship, but they know not the truth, they have not sought
after it, and in some instances they have been so educated and so prejudiced,
and have taken error for truth, until they do not know the truth when they hear
it—what a boon it is to us that God has given us a spirit by which we may know
the truth and not be deceived! What a great gift and boon this is, and it ought
to make us good husbands, good wives, good parents, good children, good
neighbors, good men and women, laboring for the salvation of the human family.
We cannot
be Saints without the spirit of the Lord. And as I said before in regard to
these ordinances and requirements, they all tend in their particular place and
time to keep us in the strait and narrow path. Hence upon the Sabbath we
partake of the sacrament, and thus renew our covenants with the Lord, we
fellowship each other, and we ask the Father to forgive the sins of the past
and desire to have His Spirit to be with us in the future. This we do every
Sabbath day, prayers every morning, prayers every night, prayers secretly every
day of our lives; and when this is the case with the Latter-day Saints, when they
partake of the sacrament worthily, and do not eat and drink condemnation to
their own souls, there will be less sickness and less quarrels among us, and
the spirit of the Lord will brood over Zion.
I have
thought that if we as Elders of Israel would seek to obtain a knowledge as to
why these principles are given to us and their force and effect upon us, we
could then explain them better to our families than we can to-day. But we have
been, satisfied by receiving a portion of the spirit of the Lord. We have not
progressed as we should; we have yielded obedience to the ordinance of baptism,
but we have not gone forward as we ought to have done. Possibly we have
gathered with the Saints into these valleys, but individually we have settled
down more or less to follow the ways of the world, to the making of means, to
the cultivation of our farms, etc. We send our children to school, it is true;
but there is not that system of education, there is not that training and
teaching of the sons by the mothers that ought to be. We have grown more or
less careless regarding these things; we have become somewhat wrapped up in the
things of the world. But I tell you that every Elder in Israel ought to feel
like saying, "Father, use me as thou wilt. Give me power to magnify my
calling and Priesthood, so that when contagious diseases come into the land I
may look unto Thee for help. By observing the Word of Wisdom, I believe that
many of the calamities which come upon us as families could be averted; not
that we would live for ever; but I do believe that many would be saved unto us
that are taken away because of our want of faith and because we break the laws
which have been revealed mite us. When a man is doing right he has remarkable
courage. You know it is said that sin makes cowards of us all. Now, the man
that would approach the Father should not be a coward. In approaching the
throne of grace, we should do so with humility, but with frankness, asking in
faith, believing that the Lord will give.
Take my
exhortation, my brethren and sisters, and observe the laws of the Lord; become
acquainted with them, practise them in your lives, and let your time be
employed from this day henceforth in observing the laws of God, that we may
have His salvation and blessing in this life and exaltation in, the life to
come. May the Lord bless you. Amen.
ELDER CHAS. W. PENROSE
fully sustained the remarks made by the previous speaker. If we could only live according to the teachings continually imparted to u;s, we should in reality be Latter-day Saints. God had promised to sustain His people in doing what is right, but not in doing anything that is wrong. Our Heavenly Father had revealed many principles of truth for our guidance. From the day that the angel appeared to the Prophet Joseph until the present. The word of the Lord had been declared unto us, and there had always been a voice saying, "This is the way: walk ye in it." The spirit of truth also, if we obeyed the ordinances and requirements of the gospel, was ever within us to bear witness of the right and warn us of that which is not right. God had called us with a special calling. It was that we should be a holy people unto the Lord. We had the same organization as others, the same appetites and desires; we had bodies of flesh like others. all the people of the earth were the children of God, their spirits being his offspring. But we had been called of God to a special mission -- to establish his kingdom on the earth, so that the same laws that governed in the heavens might be observed on the earth, His will done here as it was in heaven, that all evil might be removed and the whole earth be filled with His glory. But while we were called to be special witnesses of the Almighty, He had no objection for us to obtain, on just and honorable principles, all that was needful not only to sustain our bodies and make us comfortable, but everything that would please the eye and gratify the taste. but we must not set our hearts upon these things. We must hold them subject to Him and be ready to aid and assist in building up His kingdom on the earth. Abraham was the friend of God who said He knew him, that he would command his children and his household to keep the ways of the Lord. Yet he obtained great wealth. It was not gained however by chicanery and deceit or oppression. He gathered his means in a proper way and used them for righteous and proper purposes. The inordinate love of money and not money itself was the root of all evil. Money was an agency for good as well as evil, and was potent in either direction God has blessed the labors of His saints and their wealth was better distributed than among any people, and He had promised, if they would act with an eye single to His glory, to give them the abundance of the earth; to bring forth the precious things of the mountains in which this country abounds, and give them all things they could reasonably desire. But he expected them to use it righteously and not set their hearts upon it, but devote it to the benefit of mankind, for the salvation of both the living and the dead. The Latter-day Saints had been called out of the world. They were to be a separate people, If not separate in body altogether, separate in spirit, different in their motives, in their manner of life and in the objects they had in view. A man of God could be in the midst of the world and yet be entirely distinct from the world. All the Latter-day Saints would have everything that was needful for their earthly comfort; when the grip of poverty shall no longer be felt and the bony hand of want would lay hold of none, but every one would be in possession of an abundance. But this was not of the first importance. The first thing for us to do was to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God, and the promise was that all other things should be added. He then spoke of the union of the Saints, which should be used for good, as God would not bless combinations for evil; of the power of the Priesthood and the necessity of each one magnifying that portion bestowed upon Him, seeking to do the will of God in preference to his own. He also spoke of the sufferings and sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ, who, in the midst of His severest trials, said to His Father, "Not my will, but thine be done;" showed how He was strengthened to endure and exhorted all to follow the example of the Savior, and when affliction and troubles beset our path, to feel in our hearts as Jesus did when we also would be strengthened by the angels to overcome. He then made some remarks on the United Order which must at sometime be carried out in the midst of the people of God, because they must become one in their temporal as well as their spiritual affairs. He declared that we were entering upon the verge of "the great tribulation," and the judgments of God would be poured out upon the land and on the sea, and the calamities predicted by the prophets would fall upon the earth. Let us therefore prepare for these things and be found in the discharge of our duties, remembering the Lord in all things attending to our prayers, paying our tithes and offerings, keeping the Sabbath day and standing in holy places according to the word of the Lord. He urged the observance of everything that would constitute us Latter-day Saints, bore his testimony to the truth f these things taught by the servants of the living God and of the final triumph of truth and the kingdom of God on the earth.
The Choir sung an anthem --
Glory to God.
Conference was adjourned until 2 p. m.
Benediction by Prest. George Q. Cannon.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 30:585, 580, 10/12/81, p 9, 4]
Friday, 2 p.m.
The choir sang:
Though nations rise, and men
conspire
Their efforts will be vain.
Prayer by President George Teasdale.
The choir sang:
Awake, ye Saints of God,
awake,
Call on the Lord in mighty prayer.
PREST. JOSEPH F. SMITH
Hoped his remarks might be directed by the good Spirit of God, and earnestly craved the prayers and faith of the Saints now before him. A concentration of faith and prayer was necessary to secure the blessings of the Lord. It was written, "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you." If we ask not we need not expect to receive; if we seek not we need not expect to find; if we do not knock we need not expect the door of mercy to be opened to us. The sun shines upon the just and the unjust, and the rain descends on the evil as well as the good. These are among the more general blessings that God bestows upon all His children. In bestowing these things God is no respecter of persons. It is however the duty of all to acknowledge the hand of God our heavenly Father in all things, even in the blessings bestowed upon all mankind in common. If we fail to do this are we not guilty of the sin of ingratitude, which we will have to answer for at the bar of God?
There are blessings that are not bestowed upon the human family in general without their seeking to obtain them. Among the blessings of this character are the following, which can only be obtained on certain conditions: First there is faith, which is the gift of God. Faith to acknowledge the hand of God in all things. Faith to believe the gospel, faith to take that course by which we can receive a pardon of our sins. A blessing which does not fall upon all the human family is the remission of sins, and who does not desire such a blessing? To be made clean in the sight of God, to receive pardon for all past evil doings? From the conduct of many, even of these called Latter-day Saints, they would seem to be impure, unclean, unholy and unfit for presence of angels, because they do not observe the conditions by which they can be cleansed and made fit for the full enjoyment of the blessings of the gospel of Christ. No one can receive the Holy Ghost except those who have received a remission of sins. That spirit cannot dwell in unholy temples, and no man can testify that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Ghost, which alone can enlighten our minds and enable us to discern between good and evil. None need expect this great gift only as they ask it in faith and live in the observance of the commandments of God. We can only know that our sins are remitted by the Holy Ghost testifying to our hearts. Let us therefore learn to so live, that we can ask and receive, and as we advance in the science of life, and the exercise of this great gift of faith, we can obtain power with God even as did Jesus, who by faith healed the sick, fed the multitude, controlled the winds and commanded the waves and they obeyed him. In speaking of the death rate during the past year, said that it was greater than it ever was before in this city, and was a portentous sign. The times are big with stirring events, and the Latter-day Saints should take warning, and so order their lives that all those blessings promised us in the Gospel and especially those couched in the Word of Wisdom could be realized. He testified that every blessing promised in that Word of Wisdom would be verified to all those who lived for them, and on the other hand they could not be obtained without observing it. He concluded with a powerful exhortation to a life of righteousness and exertion to obtain those peculiar blessings which only come through seeking for them in the appointed way.
PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON
Then read the statistical report of the various Stakes of Zion.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
It is interesting to some to read and hear read our statistical reports, and then to others it is what they call dry reading. Many seem not to be much interested in relation to these matters. Still there are things exhibited therein that are or should be really interesting to all of us. There is one very remarkable feature associated with our statistical reports, and that is, that e find generally throughout the Territory about one-fourth of our population under eight years of age. I am told that this does not cover the whole, that it is nearer one-third than one-fourth. However, it is always better to keep within the figures. There are some other ideas associated with these things in my mind. We sometimes talk about the great many deaths that have occurred. Well, yes, that is true. Then we may as well talk, on the other hand, about the great many births we have, and put one fact to offset the other. But there is a grand principle connected with this thing that many have not thought of. I will briefly refer to it. It is supposed by some statisticians who have written on this subject that about one-half of the human family die before they arrive at five years of age. As to the truth of that, I am not prepared to say, but I will give it a little more latitude and allow them eight years instead of five to make their calculations from. That I do not vouch for myself, as some of these statements are a little exaggerated, and sometimes it is very difficult for statisticians to get an accurate account of the births and deaths in the various nations of the earth. but there is a principle associated with this, as I said before, that I wish here to introduce. There has been, as there is to-day, a war between God and the devil -- between the powers of light and the powers of darkness. The rebellion was first started in the heavens by Satan, and in consequence of that rebellion, he and a third part of the hosts of heaven, we are told, were cast out. That rebellion was thus transferred from the heavens to the earth. Cain was influenced by that same spirit and, became the representative of the enemy of mankind, and was called in that day the great Master Mahan. He loved Satan, we are told, more than he loved God and consequently the wrath of God was kindled against him. But Satan and his followers -- for he has had a large following -- have been, as they are to-day, in opposition to God and to His people and to His law. And he has planted hatred to God in the minds of the human family who have yielded themselves submissive to his will, and he has desired to destroy the human family. He so led them in early days that every imagination and thought of the heart was evil and that continually. The wickedness and corruption of the people increased, we are told, "It repented the Lord that He made man." That is a slight mistake. It should read that "It repented Noah that God had made man." In order to stop the propagation of this iniquitous race they were cut off from the face of the earth by the flood. The power to propagate their species was not taken from them, they had that agency and that power, and I suppose it is very likely that the devil laughed heartily when he saw that those people were destroyed. but there comes another feature in the scene, namely, Jesus who was "the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world." Satan thought that when he had got the people that were in the world destroyed he had accomplished his object. In this however he was very much mistaken; for we read that the Son of God "being put to death in the flesh was quickened by the spirit by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah." And what did he preach? The gospel. Hence Satan did not secure the whole of the people that were then destroyed. Then, again, taking the statement of the statisticians that I before referred to, there is another class that Satan has no power nor dominion over, and that is over children under eight years of age. He has nothing to do with them. They are redeemed through the atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and Jesus when He was upon the earth said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
There is another slight mistake he has made in relation to these matters, and that is, that there is one half of the whole human family of every nation, of every people of every tongue of the myriads born upon the earth, that are saved through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, or that proportion of them at least that die in their infancy. When we look at these things and are troubled about our children leaving us we will not mourn as those who have no hope. If our brethren who hold the Holy Priesthood leave us we will not mourn much for them. God dictates these things and takes care of them; they go to their places, to their quorums, and to their associations in the eternal worlds. Therefore we have no cause to lament.
There is another class of people with regard to whom Satan will miss his mark and his calculations. We are told that all those who have lived in the different ages of the world who have not had the gospel preached to them, shall yet have the opportunity of receiving it if they choose. And that is one reason why we are building Temples, that we may administer for those who are worthy behind the vail, who have lived among the various nations that have existed in the different ages. These will all have the opportunity. and thus the Priesthood that administers in time and in eternity will operate both on the earth and in the heavens. We are operating now for ourselves, for our friends and relatives, tracing out these things as well as we can and acting as saviors upon Mount Zion. And while we are operating here, there are thousands also who are operating in the heavens. The priesthood that have lived in the different ages who have died, are operating there in the interests of humanity. And it is for them, by and by, when we get through with the affairs pertaining to our own little matters here among ourselves, to look after them -- for them to communicate with us, for we need their assistance here upon the earth, and the assistance of God our heavenly Father, and they need our assistance here. Hence saviors shall come upon Mount Zion; and saviors are not saviors unless they save somebody. This is the labor we have to do connected with the earth and with the heavens. And when men are on the earth they operate in the priesthood, and by the power and authority of God, our heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ; and we are told that whatsoever they seal on the earth, shall be sealed in the heavens. And the two Priesthoods are united for the accomplishment of those purposes that God has designed from before the foundation of the earth. And will Satan be disappointed? I guess he will, notwithstanding the course that he has taken and the influence he has used, and the power he has exercised among men. There will be a great war by and by that will calumniate in is overthrow, it will be between Michael or Adam, and Satan, and his forces will be overcome and cast into the bottomless pit, that he can deceive the nations no more until God shall give him some other little opportunity, for the perfecting and benefit and exaltation of man. However, this is an extensive subject to talk upon. I thought I would say so much on it; and if men live in the fear of God, and keep His commandments, they live unto God; and if they die they die unto God, and God will take care of them, inasmuch as they are faithful in keeping the commandments of God. And I will say that the liars and the calumniators, and the wicked and the irreligious -- I do not care what name or profession -- and those fighting against the Lord God will be after them and he that sits in the heavens will laugh and hold them in derision; and so will we. And Zion will arise and shine, and the glory of God will rest upon her.
There is one little piece of advice I want to give you. There have been what some people would call pretty good times; we have been blessed with very good harvests and an abundance of the good things of the earth, for which I feel grateful in my heart, and for which we ought to render praise and thanksgiving to God; and all of you who feel like this, say Amen. [The congregation unitedly responded Amen.] Now, let us be careful of the things which God has provided and blessed us with; and do not squander them. And you that have jeopardized yourselves by encumbrances, make use of the means you get to release yourselves from your embarrassments, and get out of debt; and then do not get into debt again. Let us be free, free in our feelings to carry out correct principles; and trust in God, and He will take care of the rest.
One thing more. There will be, by and by, a re-action in the times. While you enjoy the opportunity improve it for your advantage, and do not Be caught in an embarrassing position again.
God bless you. Amen.
A meeting of the Priesthood wAs announced for 7 o'clock this evening, in the Assembly Hall.
conference was adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.
The choir sang the anthem,
"O praise God in His holiness."
Benediction by Apostle W. Woodruff.
_____
[7 Oct, 6 pm]
[pamphlet]
[There are apparently no published minutes for this meeting. The following discourse was published by the Church in pamphlet form.]
[John Taylor]
Succession in the Priesthood.
A
DISCOURSE BY
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR,
DELIVERED AT THE
Priesthood
Meeting, held in the Salt Lake Assembly
Hall, Friday Evening, October 7th, 1881.
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
THERE are
two or three things that I wish to speak about for the information of the
Elders of Israel. Since the death of President Joseph Young, of the First Seven
Presidents of the Seventies, the question has been asked who shall occupy his
place. There are a number of men pretty well up in years who are associated
with the First Seven Presidents over the Seventies. Some have been of the opinion,
as these men are aged, that it would be perhaps better to have some younger
person appointed to fill the vacancy as Presiding President over the Seven
Presidents of Seventies; occasioned by Brother Joseph Young's death. However,
there seems to be an order in the Priesthood pertaining [2] to these matters
that we cannot well ignore. It has been usual heretofore, in cases of this
kind; both in regard to the Quorum of the Twelve and also in regard to High
Councils– not always, perhaps, carried out in regard to High Councils, but
acted upon in numerous instances– that is, that the members preside according
to priority of ordination and seniority of age, and the two, I think, would
probably go together. The Twelve when they were first organized, were directed
to have the oldest man selected for their President, who was Thomas B. Marsh.
There were similar arrangements made in many instances in regard to High
Councilors, and in such cases they are regulated, if my memory serves me
aright, in the same way. This is my understanding of the order in the early
history of the Church. This has been the case in regard to the Twelve, and
there may be other circumstances that I may refer to connected with this order;
but I wish to speak of this subject before I come to the other, in order that
we may have a just and clear conception of the position we occupy in relation
to these matters.
Joseph
Young, Sen., who was known as President Joseph Young, occupied the position of
President over the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies from the time of
their organization until his death. I wish to remark that a peculiar connection
exists between the Seventies and the Twelve. The Twelve are a traveling High
Council, whose business it is to preach the Gospel, or to see it preached, in
all the world; that is their special calling and appointment by revelation. The
Seventies also possess a mission of a similar nature. This mission is to preach
the Gospel to all the world. They are placed under the direction of the Twelve,
who are authorized to call upon them to go forth to the nations of the earth;
thus their mission in this respect is similar to the mission of the Twelve. The
same responsibilities rest upon them in regard to these duties as those which
rest upon the Twelve, so far as their Priesthood and calling go. The High
Priesthood, as you are aware, [3] differs from the Priesthood of the Seventies
in this respect– the High Priests are expected to preside; it is a part of
their office and calling to do that. Their organization in a quorum capacity
is, as stated, an ordinance "instituted for the purpose of qualifying
those who shall be appointed standing Presidents or servants over different
Stakes scattered abroad." (Doc. and Cov., page 445, sec. 124, verse 134.)
It is not the special business of the Seventies to preside, but to preach the
Gospel, and we understand that it is their duty, whenever called upon, to go
forth and fulfil missions under the direction of the Twelve. And it is so far
imperative upon them that the Twelve are told first to call upon the
Seventies,1 and, in the event of their not being prepared to perform this
labor, then they may call upon others; but the Seventies seem to be the
especial helps, assistants and fellow-laborers of the Twelve. This being the case,
if a rule of the kind that has been referred to in regard to age and priority
of ordination exists among the Twelve, the question would naturally arise:
Would it not be quite as proper that the same principle should exist among tile
Seventies, who possess a mission and calling so similar in its duties and
responsibilities to that of the Twelve? This seems to be reasonable, proper and
correct. There is a fitness about many of these things that it is well for us
to comprehend. Joseph Young died awhile ago, that is, what we call death; but
he lives; and where is he? He has gone behind the vail. Are there any other
Seventies gone behind the vail before him? I think there are a great many. Do
they expect to hold their Priesthood and position behind the vail? Yes, if they
understand themselves they do, just as much as here; for if the Priesthood is
everlasting and administers in time and in eternity, then what has been sealed
upon the earth by the proper authorities upon the heads of men, is also sealed
in the heavens. I so read it. And if it is sealed in the heavens, then Joseph
Young would [4] take his place in the heavens and operate in his calling and
Priesthood there, as he did here, and preside over the Seventies who have been
ordained in this dispensation in their administrations in the other world. If
we look at some statements made in the Doctrine and Covenants, we find these
things very plainly set forth– that is, the same ideas; and they are principles
that are understood by all intelligent Elders of Israel. However, there is no
harm to speak about them, that we may all see eye to eye and comprehend alike.
The Doctrine and Covenants, in referring to the Twelve, mentions their names
and that of their President. It then mentions the name of the presiding
officers in the Seventies. It mentions the names of the members of the High
Council that was then organized. And in speaking about David Patten, one of the
Twelve, it is written: "Behold, his Priesthood no man taketh from him; but
verily I say unto you, another may be appointed unto the same calling."
(Doc. and Cov., sec. 124, verse 130.) But his being dead made no difference in
regard to his Priesthood; he held it just the same in the heavens as on the
earth. There is another man mentioned; referring to the High Council, it is
stated "Seymour Brunson I have taken unto myself, no man taketh his
Priesthood, but another may be appointed unto the same priesthood in his
stead." (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 124, verse 132.) Then there is
something said concerning Joseph Smith, Sen., the father of the Prophet Joseph
Smith; of whom it is said that he sitteth with Abraham, at his right hand.
(Doc. and Cov., sec. 124, verse 19.) Who was Abraham? A Patriarch. Who was
Father Joseph Smith? A Patriarch. It is quite fitting, therefore, that he
should associate with Abraham, who was and is also a Patriarch; and, perhaps,
if we had the full details given, we should have an account of other Patriarchs
as well. But here is a place alluded to, where he went when he left this world.
I have
now referred to men holding three different [5] callings in the Priesthood on
the earth, who are indicated as being provided for in their proper positions in
the heavens. If the Priesthood administers in time and in eternity; and if
quorums of this kind are organized upon the earth, and this Priesthood is not
taken away, but continued with them in the heavens, we do not wish, I think, to
break up the order of the Priesthood upon the earth; and it would seem to be
necessary that these principles of perpetuity or continuity should be held
sacred among us. There is nothing new in this; we are told that Moses and
Elias, who held the Priesthood on the earth, come from the heavens, where they
still officiated, to administer to Jesus, Peter, James and John on the Mount.
We are elsewhere told that a mighty Angel was seen by John on the Isle of
Patmos, who communicated to him many great and important things. John was about
to fall down and worship this holy messenger, but he forbade him, saying:
"See that thou do it not; I am thy, fellow servant, and of thy brethren
that have the testimony of Jesus: Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is
the spirit of prophecy." This mighty angel held the priesthood on the
earth; he now held it in the heavens and came to administer to John. The same
may be said of personages who came to administer to the Prophet Joseph Smith,
such as Moroni, Nephi, John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Elijah, Elias,
Moses; and such ministrations have been made by Michael or Adam, Gabriel or
Noah, and others; as instanced in the case of Gabriel, who came to earth to
announce the approaching birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus Christ. This
principle is confirmed by the Prophet Joseph Smith in an address to the Saints,
embodied in the Doctrine and Covenants: He writes: "And again, what do we
hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the
fulfillment of the Prophets– the book to be revealed. A voice of the Lord in
the wilderness of Fayette, Seneca County, declaring the three witnesses to bear
record of the book. The voice of Michael on the banks of the [6] Susquehanna,
detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light. The voice of Peter,
James and John in the wilderness, between Harmony, Susquehanna County, and
Colesville, Broome County, on the Susquehanna river, declaring themselves as
possessing the keys of the kingdom, and of the dispensation of the fullness of
times.
"And
again, the voice of God in the chamber of old Father Whitmer, in Fayette, Seneca
County, and at sundry times, and in divers places through all the travels and
tribulations of this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And the voice
of Michael, the archangel; the Voice of Gabriel, and of Raphael, and of divers
angels, from Michael or Adam, down to the present time, all declaring their
dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory,
and the power of their Priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept;
here a little, and there a little giving us consolation by holding forth that
which is to come, confirming our hope." (See. 128, ver. 20, 21, p. 157.)
Now,
because some of these brethren of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies are
feeble, aged, or infirm, it is not for us to deprive them of their rights and
privileges, and put some others in their places, while they remain true and
faithful, and good members in the Church. And therefore, the proper way, as I
understand it, would be to take the senior member of that quorum, that is, the
senior President of the Seven Presidents of Seventies, and allow him to
preside. The senior President is Levi W. Hancock. Let these brethren then act
together and consult over these things, the senior President taking his place
among them, and whatever business they may have to transact associated with the
Seventies, they can all operate together, each performing his own duties as
directed by counsel, as when President Joseph Young was here, each retaining
his proper standing, office, calling and Priesthood. I presume my Counsellors
agree with me in that. [Pres[7]dents George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith both
answered, "Yes, sir."] The First Presidency are agreed; and I presume
the Twelve would be? This seems to be the proper way, that all may be respected
and honored in their office.
Another
subject that I wished to speak about is in regard to the Twelve, and the
changes that have taken place, from time to time, in the Church, since the
organization of that Quorum. I desire to show the reason for these changes,
that we may understand things properly and intelligently.
As I
stated, the Twelve, when they were called, were placed on the same footing that
I have referred to, and Thomas B. Marsh was the senior in that quorum, hence he
was appointed; and he is spoken of, in the revelations, as their President. At
the time of his apostasy, there was another change made. David W. Patten would
have been the next, had he lived, but he was killed in Missouri before Thomas
B. Marsh apostatized. Had he lived, he would have been President of the Twelve,
instead of Brigham Young. But he died, and consequently Brigham Young, being
the senior member of the Twelve, was appointed in his place.
Now, in
regard to the apostasy of Thomas B. Marsh, I will get Brother Reynolds to read
in what his apostasy consisted. It was a horrible affair, as I look at it.
The
affidavit of Thomas B. Marsh was then read, as follows:
Affidavit of Thomas B. Marsh.
"They
have among them a company, considered true Mormons, called the Danites, who have
taken an oath to support the heads of the Church in all things that they say or
do, whether right or wrong. Many, however, of this band are much dissatisfied
with this oath, as being against moral and religious principles. On Saturday
last, I am informed by the Mormons, that they had a meeting at Far West, at
which they appointed a [8] company of twelve, by the name of the Destruction
Company, for the purpose of burning and destroying, and that if the people of
Buncombe came to do mischief upon the people of Caldwell, and committed
depredations upon the Mormons, they were to burn Buncombe; and if the people of
Clay and Ray made any movement against them, this destroying company were to
burn Liberty and Richmond.
"The
plan of said Smith, the Prophet, is to take this State; and he professes to his
people to intend taking the United States, and ultimately the whole world. This
is the belief of the Church, and my own opinion of the Prophet's plans and
intentions. The Prophet inculcates the notion, and it is believed by every true
Mormon that Smith's prophecies are superior to the laws of the land. I have
heard the Prophet say that he would yet tread down his enemies, and walk over
their dead bodies; that if he was not let alone, he would be a second Mohammed to
this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky
Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating
for peace was 'the Aleoran or the Sword,' so should it be eventually with us,
'Joseph Smith or the Sword.' These last statements were made during the last
Summer. The number of armed men at Adam-Ondi-Ahman was between three and four
hundred.
"THOMAS B. MARSH.
"Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day herein written.
"HENRY JACOBS,
"J. P., Ray County, Missouri.
"Richmond, Missouri, October 24, 1838."
"Affidavit of Orson Hyde.
"The
most of the statements in the foregoing disclosure I know to be true; the
remainder I believe to be true.
"ORSON HYDE.
"Richmond, October 24, 1838. [9]
"Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day above written.
"HENRY JACOBS, J.P."
Testimonies
from these sources are not always reliable, and it is to be hoped, for the sake
of the two brethren, that some things were added by our enemies that they did
not assert, but enough was said to make this default and apostasy very
terrible.
I will
here state that I was in Far West at the time these affidavits were made, and
was mixed up with all prominent Church affairs. I was there when Thomas B.
Marsh and Orson Hyde left there; and there are others present who were there at
the same time. And I know that these things, referred to in the affidavits, are
not true. I have heard a good deal about Danites, but I never heard of them
among the Latter-day Saints. If there was such an organization, I never was
made acquainted with it. The fact of a President of the Twelve, who ought to be
true to his trust, Apostleship and calling, and the guardian and protector of
the people, making such statements, is truly infamous, and is to be deplored by
all correct feeling people. It is not unusual for lawyers to say, when speaking
of any crime, that such a man, instigated by the devil, did so and so. In this
case the lawyers' statement would be correct. Thomas B. Marsh was
unquestionably "instigated by the devil" when he made this statement
which has been read in your hearing. The consequence was, he was cut off from
the Church. When he was cut off, he seemed to have lost all the spirit and
power and manhood that he once enjoyed. I was acquainted with him before this;
I was acquainted with him soon after I came into the Church. With the Prophet
Joseph Smith, and Sidney Rigdon, he visited Upper Canada at the time I was
presiding there, in the year 1837. I was with them for some time. I procured
from a sister, a carriage, which was a very good one, and Brother Joseph Horne,
who may be present, supplied the team and, I think, [10] acted as teamster. In
it we visited the Churches. I rode with them in the same carriage. They were
with us for some time, visiting the various churches and holding meetings and
conferences. Thomas B. Marsh many of you knew, as he was here in the valleys,
and some of you perhaps knew him at that time. At that earlier period, he was a
pretty fair average man in regard to intelligence, speech, good, sound reasons,
etc. I have heard some people say he was a fool, but I did not so understand
it. [Brother Woodruff said: "I did not, either."] Until the time of
his apostasy, he was a fair average man in regard to intelligence; but when he
took the steps he did, it was a shocking course for a man to pursue, occupying
the position that he did. I remember a circumstance that occurred. A number of
us had been out to a place called Di-Ahman. Its proper name was
Adam-Ondi-Ahman. In coming into Far West, I heard about him and Orson Hyde
having left. It would be here proper to state, however, that Orson Hyde had
been sick with a violent fever for some time, and had not yet fully recovered
therefrom, which, with the circumstances with which we were surrounded and the
influence of Thomas B. Marsh, may be offered as a slight palliation for his
default. Brother Heber C. Kimball and I were together, and I said to him: "I
have a notion to take a team and follow after these brethren, and see if I
cannot persuade them to come back," speaking more particularly of Brother
Marsh. "Well," said he, "if you knew him as well as I do, you
would know that if he had made up his mind to go, you could not turn him."
With that I gave up the idea, knowing that Brother Kimball was better
acquainted with him than I was, and I did not go. The result was that he did
this deed. I am here reminded of the words of Joseph in exhorting the Twelve. He
said:
"O
ye Twelve and all Saints, profit by this important key, that in all your
trials, troubles, and temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonment and death,
see to it [11] that you do not betray heaven, that you do not betray Jesus
Christ, that you do not betray Your brethren, and that you do not betray the
revelations of God, whether in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and
Covenants, or any of the word of God. Yea, in all your kicking and floundering
see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found on your
skirts, and you go down to hell. We may ever know by this sign that there is
danger of our being led to a fall and apostasy, when we give way to the devil
so as to neglect the first known duty. But, whatever you do, do not betray your
friends." (History of Joseph Smith, June 2d, 1839.)
Thomas B.
Marsh, of course, was cut off from the Church for this, as he ought to be, and
so was Orson Hyde. I will give you a little further history of Thomas B. Marsh.
On my way, I think, from a mission in Europe I do not now remember the time I
met him in Florence, Nebraska. He hunted me up, and he looked a broken down
man. He spoke to me and told me about affairs in the mountains, and told me
what a wretched position he was in, in consequence of the course he had taken,
and said he: "I want to go out there, and I would like to have your
opinion as to how the people will receive me." I replied: "In regard
to that, I do not think the people will entertain any hard or harsh feelings
about you; they realize your position as you realize it; they would feel
disposed to treat you properly and kindly, but as regards your ever occupying
the position you once held, that to me would be impossible." He answered:
"I do not look for anything of that kind," and I do not know but what
he said that he did not deserve anything of the kind. I don't remember,
however. But he did say: "I want to have a place among the brethren there;
I want to stand in the position of a private member, or anywhere that shall be
allotted to me; I want to die there." His circumstances were poor, and I
relieved, in part, his present necessities. After his arrival here, I remember
[12] hearing him talk in the Fourteenth Ward Meeting House. It seemed to me
about the most foolish and ridiculous talk, devoid of common sense, common
intelligence and common manhood, that I had heard for a long time. Said I to my
self: "There is a specimen of apostasy." I remember I was once
driving north out of the city. I think it was rather cold. I saw a man
tottering, along, I thought he was hardly fit to be out in such weather, and
when I drew near to him, I found it was Brother Marsh. I asked him to get into
my carriage. He had started for Bountiful, but I do not think he could have
reached there alone; he appeared to be so weak and feeble. Perhaps you
remember, in the Old Tabernacle, he got up when something was said in regard to
apostasy, and said: "If any of you want to see the effects of apostasy,
look upon me." You will perhaps remember that. [a number of voices in the
congregation, "Yes, sir."] He lived in that way, and died in that
way. He might have been at the head of the Church, but he died in that
miserable condition. I refer to this, because all of these things, when you
reflect upon them, have a bearing upon our history, and on the propriety of the
course that has been taken in these matters. Did the Twelve feel bad towards
him? No. I remember that on learning that he was in poor circumstances, they
proposed to give him a new suit of clothes, and assist in relieving his wants.
But President Young, hearing of it, desired to do it himself, and he supplied
his necessities. Those are some little reminiscences associated with him. It
was real apostasy, and I wanted his affidavit read to show that it was
apostasy, that there was nothing wrong or unjust in regard to the treatment
that he received. After his apostasy, President Young, by reason of his
seniority, necessarily took the position of President of the Twelve.
When the
Twelve arrived in England, a meeting of the Quorum was held in Preston. Brother
Woodruff has an account of the whole concern. [Brother Woodruff– "Yes,
sir."] and there was a vote taken by the [13] Twelve at that meeting, and
the vote was unanimous, that Brigham Young should be accepted as the President
of the Twelve Apostles. Afterwards, you will find, in a Revelation given
concerning the Twelve, that President Young's name is mentioned as being
President of the Twelve. It is in that revelation given Concerning the Nauvoo
House, January 19th, 1841. His name is mentioned as being President of the
Twelve, and then follow the names of the other members then belonging to that
quorum.
I will
now go a little back and trace up some other things associated with this
subject.
There was
a time when there was a large amount of apostasy in Kirtland; it was in 1837, I
think. There was a very bitter feeling gotten up by a number of men who had
apostatized. Parley P. Pratt was one who was affected. He, however, did not go
to the length that some did; and Orson Pratt had partaken more or less of that
spirit. I speak of these things as facts. Parley mentions it himself in his own
autobiography, which he published, or at least prepared for publication. And
then he speaks about his bitter repentance and his reconciliation with Joseph
Smith, when the thing was made right. He says:
"About
this time, after I had returned from Canada, there were jarrings and discords
in the Church at Kirtland, and many fell away and became enemies and apostates.
There were also envyings, lyings, strifes and divisions, which caused much
trouble and sorrow. By such spirits I was also accused, misrepresented and
abused. And at one time, I also was overcome by the same spirit in a great
measure, and it seemed as if the very powers of darkness which war against the
Saints were let loose upon me. But the Lord knew my faith, my zeal, my
integrity of purpose, and he gave me the victory.
"I
went to Brother Joseph Smith in tears, and, with a broken heart and contrite
spirit, confessed wherein I had erred in spirit, murmured, or done or said
amiss. [14] He frankly forgave me, prayed for me and blessed me. Thus by
experience I learned more fully to discern and to contrast the two spirits, and
to resist the one and cleave to the other. And being tempted in all points even
as others, I learned how to bear with and excuse and succor those who are
tempted." (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, page 183.)
But there
were four of the Twelve who did apostatize– Wm. E. McLellin, Luke Johnson, John
F. Boynton and Lyman Johnson. When they apostatized, the following revelation
was given:
"Revelation given through Joseph, the Seer, at Far
West, Missouri, July 8th, 1838, in answer to the question, "Show us thy
will, O Lord, concerning the Twelve?'"
"Verily,
thus saith the Lord, let a Conference be held immediately, let the Twelve be
organized, and let men be appointed to supply the place of those who are
fallen.
"Let
my servant Thomas remain for a season in the land of Zion, to publish my word.
"Let
the residue continue to preach from that hour and if they will do this in all
lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility, and longsuffering, I, the Lord,
give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families, and an
effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth;
"And
next Spring, let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate
my Gospel, the fullness thereof, and bear record of my name.
"Let
them take leave of my Saints in the city Far West, on the 26th day of April
next, on the building spot of my house, saith the Lord.
"Let
my servant John Taylor, and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant
Wilford Woodruff: and also my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill
the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their
appointment."
I will
state that I was living in Canada at the [15] time, some three hundred miles
distant from Kirtland. I was presiding over a number of Churches in that
region, in fact, over all of the Churches in Upper Canada. I knew about this
calling and appointment before it came, it having been revealed to me. But not
knowing but that the devil had a finger in the matter, I did not say anything
about it to anybody. [Brother Woodruff here spoke up and said that be was on
the Fox Islands, which were farther away still; and also knew, by the Spirit,
that he would be called to the Apostleship. A messenger came to me with a
letter from the First Presidency, informing me of my appointment, and
requesting me to repair forthwith to Kirtland, and from there to go to Far
West. I went according to the command. When I reached Far West, John E. Page,
another one mentioned in the revelation just read to you, was there also. John
E. Page and I were ordained into the Quorum of the Twelve at the same meeting.
Brother Woodruff was ordained, after the scenes of the war at Far West; but I
think it was right in the midst of the war when Brother Page and I were
ordained. Brother Woodruff was ordained on the corner stone of the foundation
of the Temple in Far West, on the 26th of April, 1839, when we went to fulfil
this same revelation that you have heard read, and I helped to ordain him.
Brother George A. Smith was ordained at the same time, and I am informed that
he took the place of Thomas B. Marsh, who apostatized. I had not retained this
fact in my memory, but I think it is correct. There were other two men ordained
at the same time, One by the name Of Darwin Chase, the other Norman Shearer.
The former joined Conner's company and was in the fight on Bear River, where he
was shot and shortly afterwards died at Camp Douglas. These are some
reminiscences associated with this affair. Now we come to some other events.
When the Twelve were reorganized, there were some changes made. For instance,
in the case of John E. Page, it was not long before he apostatized. Willard
Richards [16] was ordained into the Twelve at Preston in Landshire, England, at
the same time and place as President Young was voted for and accepted as
President of the Twelve. Through some inadvertence, or perhaps mixed up with
the idea of seniority of age taking the precedence, Wilford Woodruff's name was
placed on the records of the time, and for many years after, before that of
John Taylor. This matter was investigated some time afterwards by President
Young and his council, sanctioned also by the Twelve, whether John Taylor held
the precedency and stood in gradation prior to Brother Wilford Woodruff, and it
was voted on and decided that his name be placed before Wilford Woodruff's,
although Wilford Woodruff was the older man. The reason assigned for this
change was that although both were called at the same time, John Taylor was
ordained into the Twelve prior to Wilford Woodruff; and another prominent
reason would be that as John Taylor assisted in the ordination of Elder Wilford
Woodruff, he therefore must precede him in the Council. Another question arose
afterwards on this same subject: Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt had both of them
been disfellowshipped and dropped from their Quorum, and when they returned,
without any particular investigation or arrangement, took the position in the
Quorum which they had formerly occupied, and as there was no objection raised,
or investigation had on this subject, things continued in this position for a
number of years. Some ten or twelve years ago, Brother George A. Smith drew my
attention to this matter. I think it was soon after he was appointed as
Counselor to the First Presidency, and he asked me if I had noticed the
impropriety of the arrangement. He stated at the same time that these brethren
having been dropped from the Quorum could not assume the position that they
before had in the Quorum; but that all those who remained in the Quorum when
they had left it must necessarily take the precedence of them in the Quorum. He
stated, at the same time, that these questions might become very seri[17]ous
ones, in case of change of circumstances arising from death or otherwise;
remarking also, that I stood before them in the Quorum. I told him that I was
aware of that, and of the correctness of the position assumed by him, and had
been for years, but that I did not choose to agitate or bring up a question of
that kind. Furthermore, I stated that, personally, I cared nothing about the
matter, and, moreover, I entertained a very high esteem for both the parties
named; while, at the same time, I could not help but see, with him, that
complications might hereafter arise, unless the matters were adjusted. Some
time after, in Sanpete, in June, 1875, President Young brought up the subject
of seniority, and stated that John Taylor was the man that stood next to him;
and that where he was not, John Taylor presided. He also made the statement,
that Brother Hyde and Brother Pratt were not in their right positions in the
Quorum. Upon this statement, I assumed the position indicated.
Thus our
positions at that time seemed to be fully defined; and what had been spoken of
by Elder George A. Smith, without any action of mine, was carried out by
President Young; and from that time to the death of President Young, I occupied
the senior position in the Quorum, and occupying that position, which was
thoroughly understood by the Quorum of the Twelve, on the death of President
Young, as the Twelve assumed the Presidency, and I was their President, it
placed me in the position of President of the Church, or, as expressed in our
Conference meeting: "As President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; as
one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints." In this manner, also, was President Brigham Young
sustained, at the General Conference held in Nauvoo, in the October following
the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We find the following recorded in
the minutes of that Conference "Elder W. W. Phelps moved that we uphold
Brigham Young, the President of the Quorum of [18] Twelve, as one of the
Twelve, and First Presidency of the Church." Thus I stood in the same
position that President Young did when called to occupy the same place at the
death of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
It may be
proper here to again say a few words with regard to Brother Orson Hyde, whose
endorsement of the terrible charges made by Thomas B. Marsh, in his affidavit,
has already been read. Suffice it to say, in addition to what has previously
been stated, he was cut off from the Church, and of course lost his
Apostleship; and when he subsequently returned, and made all the satisfaction
that was within his power, he was forgiven by the authorities and the people,
and was again re-instated in the Quorum. But having been cut off from the
Quorum, and having remained in that condition for some time, he of course lost
his former position as to seniority and that necessarily placed me in advance
of him.
Orson Pratt
also had some difficulties while we were in Nauvoo, arising out of the
introduction of the Celestial Order of Marriage. It seems, from records made in
a conversation that I had with him afterwards, that he did not fully realize or
comprehend the situation; but, at the time of the occurrence, when I saw that
he was very severely tried, as I had always held pleasant relations with him, I
took every pains that I possibly could to explain the situation of things, to
remove his doubts, and to satisfy his feelings, but without avail. At one time
I talked with him for nearly two hours, to prevent, if possible, his apostasy
or departure from the Church. But he was very sorely tried, and was very
self-willed and stubborn in his feelings, and would not yield. His feelings
were bitter towards the Prophet Joseph Smith and others, and the result was
that he was dropped from his position in the Quorum. But I am not aware of his
ever having written or published anything against the Church; On the contrary,
when Dr. John C. Bennett, who had apostatized, sent a letter to Sidney Rigdon,
wherein he denounced President Smith, [19] and stated that he was a villain and
a scoundrel, and that a requisition would be made for him by the State of
Missouri, and requested him to show this letter to Orson Pratt; although Sidney
Rigdon, who was the First Counselor to Joseph, did not show this statement
unfolding this conspiracy to him, yet as soon as Sidney Rigdon handed the
letter to Orson Pratt, he immediately took it to the Prophet Joseph; and thus,
while Sidney Rigdon withheld this information from one to whom he was in honor
and duty bound, as his First Counselor, to make it known, yet Orson Pratt,
although at the time disfellowshipped, immediately made Joseph acquainted with
the conspiracy that was being plotted against him, and thus exhibited a manhood
and integrity that were so woefully deficient in Sidney Rigdon. In reference to
Brother Pratt's severance from the Council of the Twelve, the following items
from the life of President Young are interesting:
"August
8, 1842.– Assisted by Elders H. C. Kimball and George A. Smith, I spent several
days laboring with Elder Orson Pratt, whose mind became so darkened by the
influence and statements of his wife, that he came out in rebellion against
Joseph, refusing to believe his testimony or obey his counsel. He said he would
believe his wife in preference to the Prophet. Joseph told him if he did
believe his wife and follow her suggestions, he would go to hell.
"We
reported to the Prophet that we had labored with Brother Orson diligently, in a
spirit of meekness, forbearance and long suffering. He requested us to ordain
Brother Amasa Lyman in Brother Orson's stead. After receiving these
instructions, we met Brother Orson near my house, and continued to labor with
him. He said to us: 'There is Brother Amasa Lyman in your house, Brother Young;
he has been long in the ministry: go in and ordain him in my stead.'
"August
20.– Brother Orson Pratt was cut off from the Church, and, according to the
Prophet's direction, Brothers H. C. Kimball, George A. Smith and I ordained
[20] Brother Amasa Lyman in his stead." (History of Brigham Young)
Of
Brother Pratt's integrity, indefatigable labors, purity of life, zeal for the
cause of God, and untiring devotion in proclaiming the word of the Lord, I
cannot speak in terms of too high praise or affectionate regard; and these
other matters, painful though they be, are only mentioned now because they are
necessary to make plain to your minds an important principle, and without these
details you would not so readily nor fully understand my position, and the
position of the Twelve, at the present time.
Having
said so much on these matters, I will talk a little on some other things.
We are
told in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants that when the people are united, or
the Priesthood are united, and are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, their
teachings "shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the
mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the
Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (Sec. 68, page 248.) That is
the case, and I have not seen greater unanimity than we have had, both in the
selection of the of the Twelve and in that of the First Presidency afterwards.
And if the united voice of a few Elders is the will of God, and the word of
God, and the law of God, the question is, Is not the voice of the whole Church
the law of God and the will of God? I speak of this for your information, that
you may comprehend the ground upon which you stand, speaking not of persons but
of the principle. Speaking of myself, who am I? Just like you? Who are you?
Just like me– poor, feeble, weak, erring humanity. Can I do anything without
the aid of the Almighty? No; I could not leave this stand without His
assistance, nor could any of you leave this house if God was to say No, and was
to withdraw the breath which you breathe, which you received from Him. But God
has called all of us to a high calling; and there is a regular organization in
the Church and Kingdom of God which ought to be respected.
There are
some things which I have disliked to mention; I do not like to mention anything
unpleasant about Brother Marsh, or Brother Pratt, or Brother Orson Hyde.
Brother Hyde, as I stated, had his weaknesses, as we all have; but he was
received back again, after making a humble acknowledgment; and so was Brother
Marsh; but then Brother Marsh could never again occupy the position of an
Apostle; and it was a hard struggle at times for Brother Hyde, but he got
along, and I am thankful for it. Did other men have their weaknesses? I think
they had, and I think, too, that they themselves did not consider it improper
to speak of them. I think that Peter, on a certain occasion, when Jesus was
telling what poor, weak creatures they were, said, "Though all men forsake
thee, yet will not I." Why you would if God did not sustain you. Said the
Savior, "Peter, before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me
thrice." And so he did. But afterwards Peter went out and wept bitterly.
And so did Brother Hyde weep bitterly. He came to me on a certain occasion,
after Mr. Colfax came out here and quoted this affidavit which Marsh had made,
told me he would give his life over and over again, if it were possible, to
wipe out the recollection of that act; but I think, as I said before, that
Brother Hyde was scarcely in his right mind: he was laboring under a fever and
was hardly himself. I would gladly hope it was so. And I mentioned, in my reply
to Colfax, that Peter had his weaknesses, and afterward went out and wept
bitterly; and that so did Brother Hyde. But that Peter, after this, stood up
manfully for the cause of truth, sustaining the Gospel and all the principles
thereto; and so did Brother Hyde. He went on a mission to Jerusalem and to
other places, and proved himself as faithful as he knew how to be. But he was
not, I think, the man that he was before. Such things affect men. And I say,
brethren, never, under any circumstances whatever, betray your honor nor the
truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whenever you do that, you will find it
hard to retrace your steps.
We all
hold important positions before God. We are called to build up the Church Of
God; we are called to build up the Kingdom of God; We are called to introduce
and maintain the government of God; and God expects it at our hands and He
expects that we shall be true to him and to our Priesthood, and true to our
calling; and if we are, there arc thrones and principalities and powers and
dominions, exaltations and increase, worlds without end; and if we are not,
there will be sorrow and mourning and lamentation and woe. It behooves us,
therefore, to consider and ponder well the path of our feet. As Elders in
Israel, the Kingdom of God ought to be the first and the last, the beginning,
the middle and the end, of all our acts. We are not called upon to seek for our
own glory, our own emolument, our own honor, our Own family, our own wealth;
but God has committed to us eternal treasures, treasures of intelligence,
treasures that the Gods inherit in the eternal worlds; treasures that will
exalt us in time, and bring us to associate with the Gods in eternity. And if
we are faithful and true to our trust, everything that God has promised will be
fulfilled to us, and to our generations after us, if they are faithfully just
as sure as God lives. But we have to learn to do the will of God. We have to
follow the counsel and advice of those whom God has given for our guidance.
Every one of us has to walk in the line that God has marked out. If we are
Teachers, Priests, or Deacons, we must be subject to the counsel of our
Bishops, and we must seek their counsel, and then be governed by it. If we are
Bishops, we must ask the counsel of our Presidents and the counsel of the
presiding Bishopric. And then, in peculiar cases, the counsel of the First
Presidency or Twelve, as the case may be. If we are High Councilors, We must
act in righteousness and in honor, and administer justice in righteousness and
with integrity of heart, dealing out justice and clarity to all men, and must
seek for the Holy Spirit to help us to do these [23] things. If we are Bishops,
we want the spirit of righteousness within us, not to hold any man's person in
admiration, but to do justly and equitably to all men, according to the
circumstances in which they may be placed, and act as judges in Israel, judging
in all righteousness. If we are Presidents of Stakes, we ought to feel a
fatherly care over the Stakes, even as a Bishop should watch over his Ward, and
know the positions of every man in it. If there be any danger of defalcations
in anything, try to meet these difficulties in the right way and act as saviors
to men; and then, in cases of difficulty, applying to the First Presidency or
the Twelve, as the case may be; if it be the Twelve, they have to be in
subjection to their file leaders in the same way. If it be the Presidency, it
is for them to seek to God for help. And I call upon you, my Brethren, for help
also, for your faith and prayers; for we need it; that the whispering of His
Spirit may descend upon the proper authorities, and that that Spirit may
permeate the hearts of all the Elders of Israel; all of whom have rights, as
individuals, to approach God in the name of Jesus Christ, to have their prayers
heard. But God has organized His Church and Kingdom for the accomplishment of
His purposes upon the earth.
Well, let every man act in his place, and honor his calling. Let no man set the world before his Maker, for if he does, I tell you, in the name of God, he will have his reward; and if it is the world he wants, he will have it; but when he does he will be without the other and greater reward. Take which you like. We shall have both if we do right and magnify our Priesthood and calling and honor our God, and we shall have riches in this world and riches in the worlds to come. But love not the world nor the things that are in the world, for any man loving the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I say, O God, pour upon thy Elders thy Holy Spirit, that they may appreciate the principles of truth and honor, and that they may be prepared to receive the riches of [24] this world, and be able to build up thy Kingdom and establish righteousness, and raise up Zion and establish it upon the earth, and prepare the earth and the people thereof for the time when the bursting heavens shall reveal the Son of God, and all creation shall feel His power, and every creature in the heavens and on the earth and under the earth be heard to say, Blessing and glory and honor and power, might, majesty and dominion be ascribed unto Him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever. Amen.
[8 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 30:570, 10/12/81, p 4]
THIRD DAY.
_____
Saturday, 10 a. m.
The Choir sang,
The time is nigh, that happy
time,
That great, expected, blessed day.
Prayer by Elder Canute Peterson.
The Choir Sang,
My soul is full of peace and
love,
I soon shall see Christ from above.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH
Had experienced much satisfaction in listening to the instructions of his brethren who had already spoken. Our duties and responsibilities had been clearly pointed out. In reflecting upon the selection of Elders for the missionary field he felt that much responsibility rested upon fathers and mothers in educating their children in the doctrines of the gospel. It was a sacred duty for parents to gather their children around the family altar and carefully lay a foundation in their minds of a knowledge of the great and glorious work that God, our Heavenly Father has commenced in these last days. It should be the ambition of parents to have their children fully equipped to go forth as heralds of salvation to the nations of the earth, and to be so trained that the Spirit of God would be in their hearts, that they might be an honor to their parents, and useful missionaries in their various fields of labor. No circumstance in life would exonerate parents from this responsibility, whether rich or poor, Bishop or Apostle. He earnestly exhorted the young me within the sound of his voice, to study well the principles of the Gospel, and make themselves fully acquainted with the things of God, so that they could go forth in the power and demonstration of the spirit to warn the nations, and explain the plan of salvation to the inhabitants of the earth. He also strongly urged the necessity of our young men taking part at the family alter, and not only our young men but the daughters of Zion should also be taught to pray, that both might be fitted and qualified to fill important stations in the kingdom of God. If we omitted to train upon our children in these important duties, as they grow up to maturity many would go astray and wander from the fold of Christ. He then exhorted the young men to follow the example of the best men in Israel, in honesty, in integrity, in usefulness, etc. He warned them against the vices and wickedness of the age, and encouraged them to lay a foundation in virtue and righteousness, that they might form for themselves a character that will be great, an good, and enduring.
[John Henry Smith]
[DNW 30:690, 11/30/81, p ?; JD 22:269]
DISCOURSE
BY JOHN H. SMITH
Delivered at the General Conference, in the Tabernacle,
Salt Lake City, Saturday Morning, October 8, 1881.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
I am
pleased to meet with you this morning, and have had much satisfaction in
listening to the teachings and instructions of our brethren.
The
duties and responsibilities which are imposed upon us are of that nature that
it is necessary for us to be called together from time to time to have our
memories freshened in regard to the principles of the Gospel, the order of the
Priesthood, and the duties and responsibilities that are incumbent upon us, as
the servants of the Most High. Our minds axe caused to reflect upon various
subjects. My reflections have been directed for some time in a direction that
is different in some measure from what it has been heretofore, and that is in
regard to the selection of missionaries from among the various Stakes of Zion,
to go abroad and represent the cause and kingdom of God upon the earth, in the
various fields of labor wherein we are enabled at the present time to introduce
the principles of the Gospel. And in looking round among my brethren for those
that it would be proper to send upon missions, I find, in my judgment, that it
is highly necessary that fathers and mothers in Israel should adopt a more strict
and conscientious course in the instruction of their sons in regard to the
principles of the Gospel. We find in searching among our brethren, that we are
compelled at times to call upon men who have in some measure—and to a very
great extent in some instances—neglected to fully study and comprehend in their
entirety the principles of the Gospel. They have been faithful in the discharge
of some of their duties, but the cares of life, the necessity of providing for
families, aiding father and mother, etc., have prevented them receiving that
care and attention and instruction, by those who are placed to watch over them
that they should receive. It is a fact, patent to all of us, that those
children who are called around the fireside at home and instructed in the
principles of the Gospel by lather and mother; that these children, though they
may be wayward for a season, as they grow older, get the principles of the
Gospel fixed upon their minds, a substantial foundation is laid, and as the
days of thoughtlessness pass away, they are prepared to step forward and
perform their part in the advancement of the work of God upon the earth. I
think, therefore, it would be a wise and prudent thing for every family in
Israel, that have sons arrived at the years of aceonntability, to teach them,
not only when they have grown to this age, but from childhood up, so that when
the time arrives they may be prepared to go forward in the various fields of
labor, and use their influence in the advancement of the work which our Father
has established. We frequently have to strive, in some measure, to keep our
children around us, inasmuch as they are engaged in various pursuits, sometimes
in various places; yet it would be the ambition and pride of every, man and
woman who are rearing a son in Zion, that he should be a messenger of peace and
salvation to the world.
This is
one of the subjects that I felt to touch upon in Conference. I have never been
called upon before to look around in the interests of missionary work, but I
have been led to reflect upon this matter. The noblest work that a son can be
engaged in is the work of carrying the Gospel to the nations of the earth, and
to do this successfully they must have a testimony of the truth within their
own hearts. Every father and mother, as their sons become of age, should see
that they are prepared for the responsibility and honor of a position of this
kind, and thus be an honor to their parents, who have stood firm to the
principles of the Gospel. In my brief experience in this matter I have had to
approach many young men who have been in some measure wayward, not wicked; they
are willing to go and try, but they feel that their lives have not been as
exemplary as they might have been. No young man, however lowly his estate may
be, is exempt from this right and privilege—the son of the farmer and the son
of the lumberman, as much as the son of the merchant, the doctor, or the sons
of the Twelve, Presidency of Stakes, Bishops of Wards, etc.; the same
responsibility rests upon all who have espoused the cause of truth, and who are
desirous that our names should stand in Israel.
I would
therefore plead with the young men that are within the sound of my voice this
day, that they prepare themselves for this great work, study the scriptures of
truth, cultivate the spirit of humility, and strive to learn the way of life
and be prepared for the duties and responsibilities of Elders in Israel. This
should be the desire of every young man; and if we, as fathers and mothers,
will attend to our duties, if we will study the interests of our families,
enter into their feelings and sentiments, and cultivate within their hearts a
regard for the principles of truth, we will find our sons and our daughters
grow up around us honoring the Priesthood of the Son of God, honoring the Lord
and His laws, and striving to do their utmost in furthering the advancement of
His work. It is the duty of every young man who has received the Priesthood to
become acquainted with the principles of the Gospel, so that he may be able to
aid in the accomplishment of this great labor. And in order, my brethren and
sisters, that they may have a proper education for this labor, it is necessary
that we begin with them in childhood; that mother makes it her sacred duty in
the absence of father, or whether he be at home or no, to call her little ones
around her and teach them to pray to their Father in Heaven for His blessing
upon themselves; their friends, their kindred, and the good and pure
everywhere. And where fathers and mothers begin to thus train their children in
early childhood, in the principles of the Gospel, we will find that in after
life, they will take their place in the Church, when the proper time arrives.
Under this influence and teaching they will take their place in the Young Men's
Improvement Associations, and learn to bear their testimony intelligently, and
feel desirous of responding to every call maple upon them. They may feel timid
at the first, as I believe all men do to a greater or less extent; but the right
spirit is within their breasts, and they cannot shake it off.
Now, I am
sanguine that there are really who call themselves Latter-day Saints, who have
neglected their duty in this respect, and many a son is permitted to grow to
manhood, whose father has never asked him to bow with them at the family altar.
This is a serious neglect upon the part of those who have named the name of
Jesus, who have come up to these mountains to be taught in the ways of the
Lord. It is a sad neglect, and those who have done it in the past should guard
against it in the future. We should attend to the sacred duty of instructing
our sons and daughters, so that when they are called to fill various positions,
they will feel it an honor to respond. This sentiment and feeling should
actuate us at all times. It is not necessary that our children should be taught
to make particularly long prayers. Christ, our elder Brother, has set us a wise
and prudent example in this respect; He has given us an example worthy of
imitation. It is not for the number of words that we use in approaching our
Father, but it is that we approach Him in earnestness, realizing that He can
bless us; and if we draw near unto Him as we should, we shall receive a
blessing at His hands. I have sometimes thought that fathers have been unwise
in this matter: their prayers have been too long; so much so that those who may
be taking part, in the same get tired and desire to be away from the family
when this duty is to be performed. This should not be so. The children should
be taught to take a pride in this duty, and made to feel that it is their duty
to be in attendance when the family bow down to return thanks to God for all
the mercies and blessings He has vouchsafed from time to time. If we as
parents, will do our duty in this respect, if we exercise our privileges as the
servants of our Father, we will find a race of men and women growing up around
us who have faith, who will honor their parents and the cause we desire them to
represent; but if we allow them to grow up without culture and a proper regard
for the ordinances of the Gospel of Christ, we will find that our sons and our
daughters will stray from us and from the principles of truth. We should look
well to this condition of things and see that we are performing the duties
devolving upon us.
I trust
this is enough from me upon this subject.
I desire
to speak a few minutes to the young men, for I see there are quite a number
within the sound of my voice. I feel as a rule, that I am more at liberty to
talk and reason with them than I am with those who are older and more
experienced than I am. I desire to plead with the sons of Zion, that they will
select for their example the best men that can be found in the kingdom. If there
is a man in the Church whose life is unspotted, upon whose name rests no stain,
and who is clear from every evil; pattern after his virtues; study to possess
integrity as he possesses it; study to be honest as he is honest, just as he is
just, and avoid the shoals, the rocks and evils upon which many men have
wrecked and gone to pieces; for no man that is a thief, a liar, a robber, an
adulterer, can keep the faith of the Gospel. I would warn you, my young
brethren, to look well to your course in life, see that it is tree from sin;
for no man can remain in the kingdom of God long who has the thought resting
upon him that he is guilty of wickedness, I find in my experience, in looking
around me, men whose growth in the kingdom has ceased, and I find in seeking to
know and understand the cause of this, that they have been guilty of
indiscretions that they cannot face. We should see, therefore, that our course
of life is free from stain, for if we leave the path of rectitude, we must
expect to go down to disgrace and dishonor; but if we lay our foundation in
righteousness, we will find ourselves in the path of life, and the blessings of
Heaven will be upon us. We will have neither fear nor doubt. It is he that is
guilty of sin that is doubtful and fearful, for he fears the justice of God.
Well, my
brethren and sisters: I am pleased to be with you, to see your faces and to
feel your spirit. I feel that Zion is growing, and that she may continue to
grow and spread, until the purposes of God are accomplished, is my prayer, in
the name of Jesus. Amen.
APOSTLE W. WOODRUFF.
Reproved the habit of many in rushing to the door as soon as the discourse was over, and before the closing services. He called on the doorkeepers to prevent the congregation going out of the meeting until the benediction was offered. We have a great deal of preaching among us as a people, perhaps more so than any other people, yet we need it. He spoke of the bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants; these books contain the words of God for our perusal. We have also the living oracles to teach us our duties and make us acquainted with the things of God. He referred to the various modes of revelation from God to man. When the Lord spoke to Elijah, he was not in the whirlwind, but in the still small voice, He was not in those kind of dreams that persons sometimes have, after eating a hearty supper. But He was in many other dreams given to mankind for their guidance. The speaker himself had during the course of his long experience many dreams which had been prophetic, some of them given while he was quite young, which had come to pass many years after. He recited several interesting items of experience pertaining to the signs of the last days. He saw the sun darkened, he saw the moon turn into blood,and the stars fall, and many important scenes pertaining to the resurrection, which he described in a very instructive manner. If we have the Spirit of the Lord we can tell whether our dreams are from God or not. Many circumstances were made known to him in creams and prepared him to receive greater intelligence and for the events which they portrayed. They were also intended to teach principles to the Saints and the Elders of Israel. He then addressed himself to those holding the Priesthood, showing that we are a kingdom of priests, and we ought to be alive to our duties, and prepare ourselves for the great work that lies before us. He related a dream that Bishop Roskelley, of Cache county, once had when very sick. President Maughan, who had been dead for years, appeared to him and mentioned the names of three men, one of whom was needed in the spirit world, himself being one, but on account of Bro. Roskelley's usefulness, he was excused and another one selected, and each of the others were taken sick and one of them died very soon after. This vision or dream teaches us that the priesthood behind the veil as well as the priesthood upon the earth, are interested and engaged in forwarding the interests of the kingdom of God. He then earnestly exhorted all to faithfulness and bore a strong testimony to the truth of the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the kingdom of God.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[DNW 30:818, 1/25/82, p 2; JD 22:330]
DISCOURSE
BY PREST. WILFORD WOODRUFF,
At the General Conference, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake
City, Saturday a.m., October 8, 1881.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I want to
preach a short sermon to this congregation. To begin with, I have heard
President Young and President Taylor a great many times from this stand ask the
people to keep quiet until the meeting was dismissed; but as soon as the sermon
ends there are a hundred boys and girls, or two hundred of them, rush for the
doors. I do not like it. It paints me to see the President of the Church make
this request, and the people pay no attention to it.
Now, in
this fast age we are passing from a polite age to a very rude one in many
respects. When I was a boy 65 years ago, and went to school, I never thought of
passing a man whom I knew in the street, or a woman, without taking off my hat
and making a bow. I new thought of saying "yes" or "no" to
those that were placed over me. I was taught to say "yes, sir" and
"no, sir;" but to-day it, is "yes" and "no,"
"I will," "I won't," "I shall" and "I
shan't." Now, when I see this rudeness amongst us, I sometimes wish that
the spirit of the New England fathers was more among the people. But I do hope,
brethren, sisters and friends, when a malt stops talking and the choir rises to
sing, that you will keep your seats. You can afford to do this as well as the
President of the Church, the Twelve Apostles, or others who are sitting on this
stand. You don't see us jump up and run for the door the moment a speaker is
done. The Lord is displeased with any such thing. I hope you will pardon me for
so speaking. I felt to say that much.
We have a
great variety of teaching and preaching, and I have sometimes thought that we
have more preaching and teaching than any other people on the earth. I expect
it is all right. I think we need it. The world need teaching, we ourselves need
teaching; but I have thought that the Latter-day Saints have had more of the
Gospel of Christ proclaimed to them than any other generation that ever lived.
My mind
reverts to the channels of communication from God to man. Here we have tire
Bible which gives a history and prophecy of the prophets from Adam down to our
own day extending through a period of near 6,000 years. The Lord, through all
the destruction that has taken place in the various libraries of the world—like
the great library of Alexandria, for example—has preserved the record of the
Jews, at least we have a portion of it to read. Then, again, we have the Book
of Mormon, the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim, giving a history of
tire ancient inhabitants of this country front the time of their leaving the
Tower of Babel to their disappearance from the land, and of the visitation of
Christ to them. We have these books from which to obtain knowledge. Then we
have the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, our Testament, which contains the most
glorious, godlike, solemn and eternal truths ever recorded within the lids of a
book on the earth. All these records are the words of God to man; and though
the heavens and earth pass away not one jot or tittle will ever fall unfulfilled.
Then the
Lord has other ways of communicating His mind and will. We have the living
oracles with us, and have had from tire day that Joseph Smith received the
ministrations of Morori, the Nephite, John the Baptist, Peter, James and John,
Moses, Elias, Elijah, Jesus Christ—from that day we have had the living oracles
to teach us the word of the Lord.
President
Joseph F. Smith yesterday spoke of the gifts and graces. Now, the Lord has many
ways in which, He communicates with us. Frequently, as has been the case in
every age, truths, principles, warnings, etc., are comumnicated to the children
of men by means of dreams and visions. There is a great vision recorded in the
Book of Doctrine and Covenants. When Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith saw the
visions of heaven they were commanded to write while in the vision. The Lord
was in that. It is a communication to man. But we have had a great many
dreams—I have had in my life, and I suppose you have more or less—which amount
to nothing. I will tell you just about what I refer to. A man eats a hot supper
when he goes to bed; he gets the nightmare; he is chased by a bear; or he falls
over a precipice, and as soon as he strikes the ground he wakes up. Now, the
Lord had nothing to do with that. A man may go to bed half-worried to death,
tired and dream about something that will never take place. Last night, for
instance, I dreamt I was making glass houses out of blocks of glass two feet
square. Now, I don't know that the Lord was in that. Yet I have had dreams of a
very different character. When I was a boy eleven years old, I had a very
interesting dream, part of which was fulfilled to the very letter. In this
dream I saw a great gulf, a place where all the world had to enter at death,
before doing which they had to drop their worldly goods. I saw an aged man with
a beaver hat and a broadcloth suit. The man looked very sorrowful. I saw him
come with something on his back, which he had to drop among the general pile
before he could enter the gull I was then but a boy. A few years after this my
father and mother removed to Farmington, and there I saw that man. I knew him
the moment I saw him. His name was Chauncy Deming. In a few years afterwards he
was taken sick and died. I attended his funeral. He was what you may call a
miser, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. When the coffin was being
lowered into the grave my dream came to me, and that night his son-in-law found
one hundred thousand dollars in a cellar belonging to the old man. I name this merely
to show that in this dream I had manifested to me certain things that were
true. I think of all the inhabitants of the world having to leave their goods
when they come to the grave. After this scene had passed before me I was placed
in a great temple. It was called the kingdom of God. The first man who came to
me was Uncle Ozem Woodruff and his wife I helped into the temple. In process of
time, after embracing the Gospel, and while on my first mission to Tennessee, I
told Brother Patten of my dream, who told me that in a few years I would meet
that man and baptize him. That was fulfilled to the very letter, for I
afterwards baptized my uncle and his wife and some of the children; also my own
father and step-mother and step-sister, and a Methodist priest or
class-leader,—in fact I baptized everybody in my father's house. I merely
mention this to show that dreams sometimes do come to pass in life.
Then,
again, there are visions. Paul, you know, on one occasion was caught up to the
third heaven and saw things that were not lawful to utter. He did not know
whether he was in the body or out of the body. That was a vision. When Joseph
Smith, however, was visited by Moroni and the Apostles, it was not particularly
a vision which he had; he talked with them face to face.
Now, I
will refer to a thing that took place with me in Tennessee. I was in Tennessee
in the year 1835, and while at the house of Abraham O. Smoot, I received a
letter from Brothers Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, requesting me to stay
there, and stating that I would lose no blessing by doing so. Of course, I was
satisfied. I went into a little room and sat down upon a small sofa. I was all
by myself and the room was dark; and while I rejoiced in this letter and the
promise made to me, I became wrapped in vision. I was like Paul; I did not know
whether I was in the body or out of the body. A personage appeared to me and
showed me the great scenes that should take place in the last days. One scene
after another passed before me. I saw the sun darkened; I saw the moon become
as blood; I saw the stars fall from heaven; I saw seven golden lamps Set in the
heavens, representing the various dispensations of God to man—a sign that would
appear before the coming of Christ. I saw the resurrection of the dead. In the
first resurrection those that came forth from their graves seemed to be all
dressed alike, but in the second resurrection they were as diverse in their
dress as this congregation is before me to-day, and if I had been an artist I
could have painted the whole scene as it was impressed upon my mind, more
indelibly fixed than anything I had ever seen with the natural eye. What does
this mean? It was a testimony of the resurrection of the dead. I had a
testimony. I believe in the resurrection of the dead, and I know it is a true
principle. Thus we may have dreams about things of great importance, and dreams
of no importance at all. The Lord warned Joseph in a dream to take the young
child Jesus and his mother into Egypt, and thus he was saved from the wrath of
Herod. Hence there are a great many things taught us in dreams that are true,
and if a man has the spirit of God he can tell the difference between what is
from the Lord and what is not. And I want to say to my brethren and sisters,
that whenever you have a dream that you feel is from the Lord, pay attention to
it. When I was in the City of London on one occasion, with Brother George A.
Smith, I dreamt that my wife came to me and told me that our first child had
died. I believed my dream, and in the morning while at breakfast, I felt
somewhat sad. Brother George A. noticed this and I told him my dream. Next
morning's post brought me a letter from my wife, conveying the intelligence of
the death of my child. It may be asked what use there was in such a thing. I
don't know that there was much use in it except to prepare my mind for the news
of the death of my child. But what I wanted to say in regard to these matters
is, that the Lord does communicate some things of importance to the children of
men by means of visions and dreams as well as by the records of divine truth.
And what is it all for? It is to teach us a principle. We may never see
anything take place exactly as we see it in a dream or a vision, yet it is
intended to teach us a principle. My dream gave me a strong testimony of the
resurrection. I am satisfied, always have been, in regard to the resurrection.
I rejoice in it. The way was opened unto us by the blood of the Son of God.
Now,
having said so much on that subject, I want to say to my brethren and sisters,
that we are placed upon the earth to build up Zion, to build up the kingdom of
God. The greater proportion of the male members of Zion, who have arrived at
the years of early manhood, bear some portion of the Holy Priesthood. Here is a
kingdom of Priests raised up by the power of God to take hold and build up the
kingdom of God. The same Priesthood exists on the other side of the vail. Every
man who is faithful in his quorum here will join his quorum there. When a man
dies and his body is laid in the tomb, he does not lose his position. The
Prophet Joseph Smith held the keys of this dispensation on this side of the
vail, and he will hold them throughout the countless ages of eternity. He went
into the spirit world to unlock the prison doors and to preach the Gospel to
the millions of spirits who are in darkness, and every Apostle, every Seventy,
every Elder, etc., who has died in the faith as soon as he passes to the other
side of the vail, enters into the work of the ministry, and there is a thousand
times more to preach there than there is here. I have felt of late as if our
brethren on the other side of the vail had held a council, and that they had
said to this one, and that one, "Cease thy work on earth, come hence, we
need help," and they have called this man and that man. It has appeared so
to me in seeing the many men who have been called from our midst lately.
Perhaps I may be permitted to relate a circumstance with which I am acquainted
in relation to Bishop Roskelley, of Smithfield, Cache Valley. On one occasion
he was suddenly taken very sick—near to death's door. While he lay in this
condition, President Peter Maughan, who was dead, came to him and said:
"Brother Roskellye, we held a council on the other side of the vail. I
have had a great deal to do, and I have the privilege of coming here to appoint
one man to come and help. I have had three names given to me in council, and
you are one of them. I want to inquire into your circumstances." The
Bishop told him what he had to do, and they conversed together as one man would
converse with another. President Maughan then said to him: "I think I will
not call you. I think you are wanted here more than perhaps one of the
others." Bishop Reskelley got well from the hour. Very soon after, the
second man was taken sick, but not being able to exercise sufficient faith,
Brother Reskelley did not go to him. By and by this man recovered, and on
meeting Brother Reskelley he said: "Brother Maughan came to me the other
night and told me he was sent to call one man from the ward," and he named
two men as had been done to Brother Roskelley. A few days afterwards the third
man was taken sick and died. Now, I name this to show a principle. They have
work on the other side of the vail; and they want men, and they call them. And
that was my view in regard to Brother George A. Smith. When he was almost at
death's door, Brother Cannon administered to him, and in thirty minutes he was
up and ate breakfast with his family. We labored with him in this way, but
ultimately, as you know, he died. But it taught me a lesson. I felt that man
was wanted behind the vail. We labored also with Brother Pratt; he, too, was
wanted behind the vail.
Now, my
brethren and sisters, those of us who are left here have a great work: to do.
We have been raised up of the Lord to take this kingdom and bear it off. This
is our duty; but if we neglect our duty and set our hearts upon the things of
this world, we will be sorry for it. We ought to understand the responsibility
that rests upon us. We should gird up our loins and put on the whole armor of
God. We should rear temples to the name of the Most High God, that we may
redeem the dead.
I feel to
bear my testimony to this work. It is the work of God. Joseph Smith was appointed
by the Lord before he was born as much as Jeremiah was. The Lord told
Jeremiah—"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew time; and before thou
camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a Prophet
unto the nations." tie was commanded to warn the inhabitants of Jerusalem
of their wickedness. He felt it a hard task, but ultimately he did as he was
commanded. So I say with regard to Joseph Smith. He received his appointment
from before the foundation of the world, and he came forth in the due time of
the Lord to establish this work on the earth. And so it is the case with tens
of thousands of the Elders of Israel. The Lord Almighty has conferred upon you
the Holy Priesthood and made you the instrument in His hands to build up this kingdom.
Do we contemplate these things as fully as we ought? Do we realize that the
eyes of all the heavenly hosts are over us? Then let us do our duty. Let us
keep the commandments of God, let us be faithful to the end, so that when we go
into the spirit world and look back upon our history we may be satisfied. The
Lord Almighty has set His hand to establish His kingdom never more to be thrown
down or given to another people, and, therefore, all the powers of earth and
hell combined will never be able to stay the progress of this work. The Lord
has said he will break in pieces every weapon that is raised against Zion, and
the nations of the earth, the Kings and Emperors, Presidents and Governors have
got to learn this fact. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
Lord. It is a fearful thing to shed the blood of the Lord's anointed. It has
cost the Jews 1800 years of persecution, and this generation have also a bill
to pay in this respect.
I bear my
testimony to these things. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants contain the words of eternal life unto this generation, and they
will rise in judgment; against those who reject them.
May God
bless this people and help us to magnify our callings, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON
Read the totals of a report from the Relief Societies of the various Stakes of Zion, with the amount of cash, wheat and other property on hand. He then read a statement of free-will offerings to the Logan Temple, from Cache Valley, Bear Lake and Box Elder Stakes, and from the Trustee-in-Trust. The report was accepted by the Conference by unanimous vote.
SUPT. C. O. CARD
Gave an account of the present condition of the Logan Temple, and expressed his thankfulness to those who had so liberally donated to this great work. They had not been forgotten by the little ones of this Stake, having received a handsome sum from the Primary Association.
PREST. GEO. Q. CANNON
Then read the free-will offerings towards the Manti Temple, from the various Stakes of Zion south of Sanpete. This report was also adopted by unanimous vote.
PRESIDENT CANUTE PETERSON
Of Sanpete Stake, by request described the advanced condition of the Manti Temple.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Was pleased with the gratifying reports in reference to the Logan and Manti Temples, a liberal spirit had been manifested towards the erection of those edifices. He made some approving remarks on the reports of the Relief Societies, and urged upon the sisters to continue their labors, and induce their husbands to double their exertions towards so great and good a work as storing up part of the wheat which they were procuring in such abundance. He then blest the sisters in the noble work they are engaged in.
On motion of Apostle Geo. Q. Cannon the Relief Societies' report was accepted by unanimous vote.
Conference was adjourned till 2 p. m.
The choir sang the anthem,
Beautiful are thy towers.
Benediction by Elder Milo Andrus.
_____
[8 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 30:580-581, 10/12/81, p 4-5]
2 p. m.
The Choir sang
Lord we come before thee
now,
At thy feet we humbly bow.
Prayer by Elder henry Eyring.
The Choir sang
What wondrous things we now
behold,
By prophets seen in days of old.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS,
Said the instructions hitherto imparted by those who had spoken, seemed admirably adapted to the wants and condition of the people. The great principles of eternal truth when presented before us, possess such freshness, and developed so many new beauties that they are calculated to inspire us with increased desires to embody them in the actions of our every day life. He spoke of the various degrees of blessings connected with the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and contrasted the inestimable privileges that e enjoy with the darkness of the teeming millions of heathens and "Christians," who know nothing about God and His kingdom. Many of the Saints who come here have been toiling for years in the old country, and have been grounded in many traditions. After arriving here they should remember as they begin to settle down in Zion, that they are just beginning to take their first lesson in many things, and should be willing to be instructed in the things of God, and thus by carefully walking in the straight and narrow way, after years of experience, they will become possessed of a knowledge of the things of God and finally of God Himself. He exhorted the Saints to the exercise of charity, in the sense that is explained by the apostle, for in its true meaning it is not only the giving of our goods to feed the poor, neither is it the giving of our bodies to be burned, but it truly consists in the pure love of God and our brethren. He spoke of the time of difficulty and trouble existing while the Saints ere building a Temple in Kirtland and in Nauvoo; now we are engaged in the construction of three Temples, showing the great increase of labor that is devolving upon us as a people. Our labors are increasing, let us therefore round up our shoulders and be willing to devote ourselves to the great work. He spoke of the testimonies in favor of the Book of Mormon which the nations around us seem so unwilling to receive, and yet will go to great length and expense to find some clue to the ancient inhabitants on this continent, and shut their eyes to those incontrovertible evidences contained in that sacred record. He then appealed to parents to see to it that their children are educated and qualified to become able ministers of the gospel to the nations of the earth. He also spoke of the gospel in its relation to the dead, proving the same by reference to our Savior, who went and preached to the spirits in prison. We in our day cannot go forth and attend to the ordinances for our ancestors, until our Temples are finished, hence the labor that it now upon us. This great work for the dead is conducted under the spirit and power of Elijah, who has appeared as predicted to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and of the children to their fathers. The Prophet Joseph and other Elders who have gone before us are all engaged in the same great work. The millions upon millions who have died without a knowledge of the gospel, will constitute an immense field of labor for the ministrations of the servants of God who pass behind the vail, so great that the mind of man fails to grasp it, and its magnitude cannot be estimated. The names of the generations of our ancestors for many centuries past have to be sought after and ascertained, and the sooner we set about it the better. It behooves the head of each family to be diligent in searching back the chain of his kindred. It is a glorious principle in connection with the gospel, not only to look after and attain to our own salvation, but to aid in the redemption of those of our relatives who are dead. We are sending our missionaries to every nation under heaven, where they will permit them to carry the gospel, and the time is fast approaching when we will have the visitation of those who have passed behind the vail, and the morn of that millennial reign of a thousand years will commence, during which period the Elders will be engaged in the ordinances of the Gospel for the generations passed and gone. Let us study the laws of the Lord, and learn to walk in His ways. He spoke of the principle of rewards in connection with the Gospel, illustrating the same by reference to those servants who were entrusted with five and ten talents, who on account of their faithfulness in their stewardship: became rulers over five and ten cities, while the one talent unused was taken from the slothful possessor and given unto him who had been diligent and faithful. He exhorted all to take such a course as would increase their talents and prepare them for the glory and dominion promised to the kings and priests unto God.
The following names of missionaries were presented to the Conference by President Geo. Q. Cannon:
Elders who have been called since the April Conference and are now in their fields of labor:
GREAT BRITAIN.
John
Q. Cannon, 17th Ward, City
SCANDINAVIA.
Christian
J. Fjeldsted, Logan
Niels H. Borussen, Spring City
Christian Christiansen, Big Cottonwood
UNITED STATES.
Helon
M. Tracey, Marriotts
William Greenhalgh, Nephi
Milford B. Shipp, 11th Ward, City
SOUTHERN STATES.
John
E. Metcalf, Jr., Gunnison
John Morgan, 14th Ward, Ci
Joseph L. Townsend, Payson
Samuel S. Cluff, Provo
William O. Beesley, Provo
Andrew McComb, Clarkston
James Martin Allred, Fairview
Charles Andrews, Nephi
Samuel Jackson "
James Jenkins, "
SWITZERLAND.
Frederick
Goss, 6th Ward, City
John Jacob Walser, Payson
They were sustained by unanimous vote.
The names which follow are of those Elders now selected to go on missions. They were also sustained by the unanimous vote of the Conference.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Henry
Leyland, 11th Ward, City
Robert R. Anderson, 18th Ward, City
Orson F. Whitney, " " "
Hyrum H. Evans 6th Ward, City
Alfred Bailey, Ephraim
James Hardy, Provo
John Ellis, Ogden
William Willie, Mendon
Charles Sharp, West Jordan
John Pickett, Tooele
John Boyle, Ogden
Thomas Perkins, Cedar, (Wales)
Thomas R. Jones, Lehi, "
henry Green, Ephraim
Joseph W. McMurrin, 3rd Ward, City
Uriah Butts, Parowan
Robert Ure, Wood's Cross, (Scotland)
John England, Tooele
George Fowler, Parowan
John T. Rich, Grantsville
Daniel Davis, Three Mile Creek, Box Elder Co., (Wales)
Thomas L. Obray, Paradise, (Wales)
Wm. Bromley, Provo Valley
Edward Entwistle, 16th Ward
SCANDINAVIA.
Martin
Rasmussen, Mount Pleasant
Jens C. Frost, Ephraim
A. C. Nielsen, "
Brent Larsen, Monroe, (Norway)
John Niels Olsen, West Jordan, (Sweden).
Andrew P. Anderson, (known as Andrew Hanson), Bedmund
Hans Christian Hansen, Gunnison
Henry C. Jensen, Brigham, (Norway)
Christian Hanson, "
Lars Mortensen, "
Hans Olen Hansen, Hyrum
Hans A. Hansen, Logan
UNITED STATES.
Mark
Hall, Ogden, (N. Y.)
Nathan Hawks, 17th Ward, (Indiana)
Stephen H. Marks, 17th Ward, "
Samuel Mulliner, Cedar Fort
Joseph M. Harris, Ogden, (N. Y.)
Waler H Atwood, South Cottonwood, (N. Y. and Pa.)
James K. Ingie, Orderville, (Pa.)
George Saxon, 19th Ward; City, (U.S. and Canada)
C. C. Bartlett, Ashley
William Stevenson, Eden
SOUTHERN STATES.
W.
Heber Clayton, Kanab
Zadoc K. Judd, Jr., "
Timothy B. Clark, Farmington
Moroni W. Pratt, Meadowville
George Comer, Lehi
Charles C. Brown, Ogden
Louis Kelsch, South Cottonwood
Levi B. Reynolds, Mount Pleasant
Newell W. Kimball, Logan
S. D. Moore, Payson
John B. Fairbanks, Payson
Wm. M. Rydalch, Grantsville
Alma Harding, Millard
James J. Adams, Parowan
Wm. L. H. Dotson, Minersville
Edwin Ayers, "
Marcus L. Shepherd, Beaver
William White, "
John M. Eastman, Greenville
Wm. H. Josephs, Adamsville
Edward M. Dalton, Parowan
George Howe, 17th Ward, City.
Jesse M. Smith "
James Meikie, Smithfield.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
John
Meldrum, Provo.
NEW ZEALAND.
James
Kirkbride, Smithfield.
William Barber, "
Ephraim Ralph, Brigham.
Joseph Chantrill, Logan.
Lucian Farr, "
Nathan Ricks, Benson
ARIZONA. (St. John)
John
R. Stewart, Kanab.
L. H. Fuller, "
Alex Findley "
The missionaries will be set apart on Monday.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON.
There is one thing I think ought to be said at this juncture respecting missions. I have perceived, and I think others have, that there is a disposition growing up among the elders sent upon missions, to imagine that they are sent for some stated period, and at the expiration of which they will be released, whether the wants of the work will admit of their release or not. The idea seems to be growing in the minds of some that it is almost in the nature of a term of enlistment; and if a man goes to the southern States for a year, that that is about as long as he is required to remain; and if he goes to Europe, that he should be released at the expiration of two years. This idea seems to be fastening itself upon the minds of a good many who are called upon missions. I do not thus understand the nature of this calling.
When elders are called to go upon missions, I suppose that they are called to go and labor as long as they shall be required, as their health will permit of the necessities of the work may demand. A man going to and laboring in a certain place at the expiration of one year he may be just upon the threshold of entering upon the field of his usefulness; and he may, in a few months, be able to do more good than he had done the previous year. And at the expiration of two years the wants of the work and the necessities of the field may be of such a character as to require a longer stay upon his part that he might be able to do more good in a few months than he had done the previous two years. I do not mean to convey the idea that it is always necessary for Elders to remain for extended periods in their fields. I would leave this, as I have always felt to do, to the man who has charge of the field. If it required ten years to fill a mission, stay the ten years and do it gladly, if the wants of the mission required such an extended period. I am speaking for myself, in favor of longer missions than our young men are now taking. By the time they are able to speak and address an audience with comparative ease, and begin to exert an influence among the people, and become acquainted with their fields of labor, they either release themselves or ask to be released to return home. And when they reach home it is too frequently the case that they settle down into their old habits, and they consequently fail to accomplish that which they might do if they were to have a little longer experience in their fields of missionary labor.
A few years in a young man's life cannot be spent more profitably than in the missionary field if he enjoys the Spirit of God and the spirit of his calling rests down upon him. I would rather a son of mine would go out in that capacity than go to the best college in the land. I know it would be more profitable to him. And I hope that, if this idea has been formed in the minds of any respecting the duration of their missions, it will not become crystalized, become fixed in their minds, as a fact that they should be required only to remain one or two years upon their missions. But stay just as long as the Lord wants you to stay; and you may depend upon it that you will not be asked to stay any longer than is necessary for the good of your mission.
It is very gratifying to find such a demand for Elders in the various fields. I hope this demand will continue to increase until we shall have a large corps of well educated missionaries scattered through all our territory, through all our settlements, capable of assisting in directing affairs and in helping to manage the interests of the Church wherever they may be living. And as we were told this morning by Brother John Henry Smith, this work does not devolve upon a few individuals. This is one feature of it for which I am exceedingly thankful. I am thankful it is not confined to a few families nor to any particular class, but that it embraces within its scope every honest soul, and poses opportunity for salvation and exaltation to every person who choses to seek for it. God has shown us, I think, abundantly thus far in the history of this Church, that He does not confine His work to one or two or a few families, but that he extends it to all the families of the earth, to every man who desires to labor in the work of our God, to come to this light and help to establish righteousness.
While he was speaking I felt as though there were hundreds of young men in obscure families of obscure parentage to-day, who will make a fame in the midst of this people, who will be honored, and their names to down in honor to posterity because of their faithfulness. The opportunity is given to all to exercise the gifts and graces that God has bestowed upon them. And this kingdom is eminently democratic in this respect. No one has a patent of nobility from the Lord; but every man and every woman can prosper according to his or her faithfulness in the work of God. There is another feature of this work that is very encouraging. It is only the pure in heart who can prosper; it is only the humble and the meek and lowly, and those who serve God in truth and in faithfulness that can stand and prosper in this work for any length of time. In this respect it differs from every system now extant upon the face of the earth among other people. In other organizations men prosper sometimes by means of their shrewdness and sagacity, by their ability and good management; but it is not the case in this Church. Ambitious men, men seeking for place, men seeking for power, men seeking to build themselves up regardless of the principles of truth and righteousness do not prosper in this Church. No impure man can stand for any length of time among us; he will lose the Spirit of God and go into darkness; and those who look upon him may wonder in their hearts why he should be so dark. But there is a cause for all this. No man ever lost the Spirit of God without a cause. No man ever apostatized from this Church without there being a cause for it. No man ever fell into doubt without there being a cause for it. This is beautifully illustrated in the Book of Mormon. You all remember that Alma took three of his sons into the ministry -- Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton. Corianton heard of a harlot -- I suppose she was an attractive woman; at any rate he was attracted by her, he left his ministry and followed after this lewd woman. This gave his father much grief. The subsequent career of this man illustrates the principle of which I am speaking. The two sons of Alma who labored faithfully in their ministry were pure men, and they were not afflicted with doubt. They could receive the words of their father; their spirit did not rise up in rebellion against him, nor against other prophets of God. but not so with Corianton, who was an impure man, and who deserted his ministry and went after a harlot. You will find that his father had to combat the doubts which he entertained; you will find he had to remove his unbelief, and reason with him about the restoration, and about the resurrection and the atonement. He had to engage in long arguments to prove to this son the truthfulness of the principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a significant fact, and one with which we have long been acquainted -- although we are not directly told that this was the reason; but knowing as well as we do the results of such a course, we can well understand that this was the foundation, that this was the cause of that man's requiring too much argument to convince him that these principles were true. It is a remarkable fact that when a man is guilty of getting into bed with his neighbor's wife, he becomes wonderfully holy in manner and wonderfully scrupulous about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and requires a great deal of argument to convince him of things to which he takes exceptions. It is a recognized fact in our history that the man who takes such a course loses the Spirit of God, and goes into darkness.
There is a spirit growing up among us that must be checked. If it is not I tell you the anger of God will be poured out upon us. We hear now of men having to get married to cover up certain things; of children born wonderfully soon after marriage in some of our settlements, and perhaps in this city no less than in our settlements. Such things are a disgrace and abhorrent in the sight of God, and they who are guilty of such things will bring down the anger of God upon themselves. This crime of illegitimacy is growing; it is an accursed crime, and the man who indulges in and produces it will lose the spirit of God, and will lose his standing in the Church unless he repents and turns away therefrom with all his heart. The Spirit of God will not dwell in unholy tabernacles. The faith of God will not dwell with people who take this course. And we should labor with them with all our might, we should set them examples of purity; we should reason with them, and do all in our power to deliver them from this awful crime. For it is a heinous sin. No sin is greater in the sight of God except the shedding of blood , than this crime to which I have alluded. And it is growing to an alarming extent among us, not that it is as bad as elsewhere, but it should not exist at all. A man who commits adultery is unworthy to live; and sooner or later the Lord, I believe, if He is merciful to him, will take his life away from him, especially if he has made covenants in the house of God. Our young people should be taught that there is nothing so ennobling and so honorable as personal purity. Parents should be careful not to allow improper associations, or associations between the sexes at improper hours; but keep their eyes open so that nothing of this kind is permitted. There should be wise guardianship to prevent this. Every facility for marriage should be extended to our young people. Parents should seek to have their children marry early; and do everything in their power to facilitate marriage among us.
I hope to see the day when these Temples -- the one in this city, the one in Logan, and the one at Manti will be completed. We already have one built in St. George. When these shall be completed, the facilities of marriage will be increased. And them, I hope -- I would like it to to be the case, at least -- that in each of the Stakes of Zion a Temple shall be build -- if only a small one -- so as to furnish convenience for our young people to go in and take upon themselves the holy covenants of the Gospel, receive their endowments and be married according to the holy covenants of God; and thus extend to the young all the facilities possible to encourage marriage. It lies at the foundation of the prosperity of any nation or people. If the family be not pure, if it be not well guarded, the city soon becomes corrupt. It is our duty to look well to the foundation of our institutions and our organizations, and keep impurity out of our households, and put our foot upon it, and frown upon it, and be no more lenient to the sins of our children than to those of others; not sympathize with crimes of this kind; not seek to extenuate them because a son of ours does the wrong, and think it is not so bad as if somebody else should do it; or if a daughter of ours does the wrong, it is not so bad as somebody else's daughter committing the wrong. such sympathy is wrong for latter-day Saints to indulge in. The whole world is anxious to break down the barriers that stand up around us and to obliterate the distinction that exists between us and the rest of mankind. If we had impurity in our midst, if we countenanced lechery, we would not be so bad a people as we are in the estimation of many. But because the presidency of this Church, the Twelve Apostles and the leading Elders have all the time been building up barriers around the people to prevent them falling into sin, from committing iniquity -- barriers that will keep Zion pure, that will make us a chaste and holy people -- because of this the whole world is arraigned against this work. It is our struggle all the time to keep this people called Latter-day Saints pure, to keep them up to the standard that God has revealed. He has revealed a high standard, and we are aiming to get that standard up in their midst, so that they will not only live up to it themselves, but bequeath it as a precious legacy to their children after them, that we may become the people God intends us to be. and I can tell you if we are not "the salt of the earth," then there is no "salt" to-day on the earth. The Latter-day Saints are suffering all kinds of obloquy and calumny because they want to preserve woman's chastity, and because they will not allow woman's chastity to be trampled in the mire, if they can possibly help it. We say to our young people, "Marry. Boys, marry wives, but do not seduce, do not lead astray; God will damn you if you do so." And others are saying, "If you do we will inflict the penalty of the law upon you." This is what we have to contend with all the time.
We are building up Zion, and we are laboring to save the people. We are laboring to destroy the dominion of Satan; and we are calling upon the people night and day to live so that the revelations of the Almighty will rest down upon them, yes, that they may be filled with the power of God, and know for themselves concerning the divinity of this work. And because we are doing this the world is opposed to us, and do everything in their power to destroy us. Every man or woman who lends his or her influence to wickedness, to drunkenness, to fornication, to adultery, or to any of the vices, may call themselves Latter-day Saints, but they have only the name. In the day of the Lord they will have no place among us, for God will not allow any such beings to enter into His kingdom. We may as well make up our minds to these things.
God is doing a great work in the earth, and He is doing it for you. For you, my brother, who may be obscure to-day, and who may be unknown almost among the Saints of God -- He is doing it for you and your family; and the angels of God are watching over you and their eyes are upon you and not upon the First Presidency, and upon the Twelve, the Apostles, and the Presidents of Stakes alone. The eyes of the pure and the just behind the veil are upon all Israel. They are watching over this people to see whether they will do that which God has commanded them. He has revealed to you in plainness and power the truth of this work; and who is there among this congregation that has not received the truth? Who cannot testify to-day that they know it to be from God, that they know it by the revelations of Jesus Christ and not by the testimony of any man? Are there any Latter-day Saints who do not have this knowledge? There are very few. Now, we have to come to the light and the fulness of truth; we have to build up this kingdom, and to learn the lesson taught to us so repeatedly. President Brigham Young wore his life out teaching us, and Brother Heber C. Kimball and Bro. Geo. A. Smith and Brother Willard Richards and Brother Orson Pratt, and others whom I might name, who have passed away -- all have labored with their might to teach this people the principles of righteousness. They were anxious to see Zion built up. They told us not to waste our strength in sustaining the wicked, but to sustain the righteous. But we are becoming so intermingled with the world that it is difficult to tell a Latter-day Saint. The barriers are being broken down; the distinctions that existed, or ought to exist, are to some extent obliterated through the folly and weakness and, I may say, wickedness of some who profess to be Latter-day Saints. I tell you, my brethren and sisters, God will hold us to a strict accountability in regard to these things. This kingdom will go on; it will not fall. Man and woman may fall; they may fall by scores and hundreds, but the work itself will roll forward. But how sad it is to see men and women who have done so much as many have from the beginning of this work, fall away, lending themselves to wickedness and forgetting the holy principles that God has revealed. The salvation of God is extended to us, and it is worth all we can do; it is worth our lives; worth the sacrificing of every passion and appetite; it is worth a life's labor; it is worth the exercise of every talent which He has given unto us. There is more peace in it, there is more happiness in it, there is more life in it, there is more salvation and exaltation in it than in anything else upon the face of the earth. And all of us who have any experience in his Church have proved this for ourselves.
I pray God to bless you and pour out His spirit upon you. You come to Conference to be taught; do try to treasure up that which you have heard, and go away more determined to keep the commandments of God; to be pure and holy, and to use your influence to promote righteousness all around you. What a mighty influence and power this people could to-day wield in these mountains, if all were on the side of righteousness. Six individuals in the beginning of this Church were a great power. But here we have thousands upon thousands scattered throughout these mountains; here is leaven enough of the righteous in this Territory to leaven the whole lump, to leaven the whole earth.
I pray God that we may be able to do this and live the lives of Saints indeed, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The choir sang,
Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear,
But with joy, wend your way.
Conference was adjourned until to-morrow, 10 a.m.
Benediction by counselor D. H. Wells.
_____
[9 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 30:581, 588 10/12/81, p 5, 12]
FOURTH DAY.
_____
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang,
Praise to God, immortal
praise,
For the love that crowns our days.
Prayer by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
The Choir sang,
Sweet is the work, my God my
king,
To praise thy name give thanks and sing
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Asked the congregation to take into consideration the necessity of having the spirit of prayer to assist their hearts in comprehending the various subjects presented before them. Every faithful Latter-day Saint was entitled to that aid and succor in every situation in life, that his circumstances may require. in different periods of time, God had gathered together a people to be the receptacle of the powers, principles and laws which He revealed, which entitled them through obedience to those laws, to receive all the blessings of the gospel of the Son of God, such as the gift of healing, the gift of prophecy, the gift of wisdom, dreams, visions, etc. It was the privilege of the Latter-day Saints to enjoy all these gifts, as they were enjoyed by those living in the days of Enoch, and those who lived in the days of our Savior. Were it not for many of those gifts being enjoyed by the Saints in these latter-days, which is the result of the possession of the Holy Ghost, this kingdom could never have withstood the power and influence of evil that has been arrayed against it. "Love one another," being one of the most important commandments that God has given to us, should be so closely carried out by the Latter-day Saints, that in all their business relations there should be no collision, no strife, no envyings, but each should seek the benefit and blessing of one another; this union was particularly enjoined upon us. The great and grand results that are now presented before us, had been effected through the influence of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which reached us in the different nations of the earth, and saluted our ears as glad tidings of great joy. We were called upon to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins, to be baptized for the remission of our sins, that we might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
He then dwelt on the subject of present revelation, referring to the case of Peter, who, in answer to a question put by the Savior, replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," to which statement the Savior said, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father who is in Heaven." This is the spirit of revelation on which Christ said he would build His Church. The gospel in the meridian of time came in word, in power and much assurance; in like manner the gospel came to us in our day. The speaker called upon the Elders of Israel to cultivate the gift of healing, that it may be exercised when sickness overtakes our children or our friends, instead of resorting to the common fashion of the world by sending for doctors. Father Smith, in the early history of the Church, possessed this gift to a great extent, and was sent for day and night to lay hands on the sick, and almost wore himself out in this ministration. This gift needed cultivation, as did the gift of prophesy, of wisdom, of knowledge and other gifts whether possessed naturally or through answer to the prayer of faith. He concluded with a strong exhortation to righteousness and integrity.
PRESIDENT G. Q. CANNON
Kindly urged the necessity of having quietness throughout the congregation while the speakers attempted to address so vast a multitude. There should be also a concentration of faith in the Elders of Israel to draw from the speaker such things as would benefit and bless those who convened here. After embracing the gospel we soon found out that there was something connected with the faith of the gospel, that characterized us as a peculiar people. In our experience, although passing through much tribulation and persecution, all manner of evil being spoken of us, we found no great trouble in making converts wherever the meek of the earth were to be found; they were willing to face all the opposition and adverse circumstances that stared them in the face, having been prepared in their minds for the reception of the truth. He then related a portion 0of his experience when a boy. His mother after an interview with President John Taylor, and not knowing then that he made any profession of religion, said to her son, GEorge, that is a man of God." And after Brother Taylor had preached the gospel to her, she embraced it and was baptized. This instance was illustrative of thousands of others. There were many whose hearts God had prepared to receive the testimony of his servants. He expressed astonishment at the incredulity of the world, in setting aside the plain and tangible evidences of the truth of the divine mission of Joseph Smith, but he was assured that the time would come when the world would admire the glorious results produced by these principles revealed through the Prophet, and if they did not embrace those principles, would be glad to share in the benefits they would secure to society. The burthen of the teaching of the Elders of Israel, was "Live your religion." This short sentence embodied everything that is necessary to entitle us to the blessings of the Almighty. but we have traditions to overcome that we brought with us from the old countries, and they must give place to a correct manner of life. It was a disgrace to latter-day Saints to frequent saloons and participate in the ways of the wicked. We stand aloof from all such places, and from every other vice that degrades and debases mankind. We should be upright in our dealings with each other, and never descend to an underhand method of doing business. We should never practice deception, either as employers or employees. We should never attempt to make what is called a sharp trade in the sale of anything by misrepresentation or the withholding of the truth, for the purpose of obtaining for it more than it was worth. There were person who would take advantage of a poor widow in the sale of a cow or anything else, and then with a long face upon bended knees thank God for the good trade they had made. He would not give a fig for a religion that did not teach honesty, virtue, kindness and industry. Before we retire to bed at night, let us indulge in a little close catechism, and ask ourselves whether we have honored God through the day, whether we have done right to our neighbors and our families, and if in anything we have trespassed on either, that is a good time to repent, and then let us make right what wrong we have done. He then strongly urged the necessity of cultivating the spirit of peace and good will in our families and wherever we go. The marrow of our religion consists in the observance of those little things that it enjoins. One conspicuous feature connected with the Latter-day Saints is that they hold sacred the constitution of the United States. There is no other such instrument so pure and so well adapted to the government of a free people. It is calculated to develop men and women in the highest conditions of life as citizens more than anything to be found in any other nation on the face of the earth. We do not always approve the actions of some of the government officials, because they have not always sustained the great principles embodied in the constitution. But while we deplore their actions we sustain that instrument, believing that it was given by inspiration of God. He alluded to the time when war broke out between the North and the south which Joseph Smith had predicted thirty years before and related how President Young during the struggle, sent men out upon the plains to keep open the mail route and guard the travel from Indians, in response to a request from President Lincoln. The Lord had preserved us from shedding blood by bringing us to these mountains before that war broke out, and this was a very great blessing.
He then depreciated the laxity among some in the observance of the law of Tithing. The Twelve Apostles had set an example worthy of imitation in this respect; they had kept this law while laboring faithfully for the public. And unless we are more faithful and diligent in this respect, we shall have to answer for our dereliction before the bar of God. He was satisfied that many of our wealthy citizens did not live up to this law. God had prospered abundantly those who had done the most to build up this Kingdom, and would bless their posterity after them. It was not all self -- it was not all to day. There were others to be thought of, and a great future before us. He closed by exhorting all to attend to every duty, that they might obtain all the blessings of the gospel.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 30:802, 1/18/82, p2; JD 22:321]
DISCOURSE
BY PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON,
Delivered at the General Conference, in the Tabernacle Salt
Lake City, Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 1881.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
In the
presence of so large an audience as we have here to-day, every one ought to sit
very still and repress every noise as much as possible, for the acoustic
properties of this tabernacle are of such a character that the combination of
sounds —shuffling of feet, crying of babies, walking about of children—drown
the speaker's voice however strong it may be. Every person should therefore
keep as still as possible. No human power can make a congregation like this
hear, unless the congregation itself sits quietly, and babies should not be
allowed to disturb those in their immediate neighborhood. It may be very
interesting to the mother; she may think the music of her baby's voice very
sweet; but those who come to hear are not interested in hearing it.
In coming
together as we have done upon this occasion and during this Conference, we
should be so united in our faith that when a speaker arises the people will
draw from him that instruction which they need. Many of you have come long
distances. I see some here upwards of 300 miles from their homes and of course
when men take such journeys, traveling about 700 miles in the round trip to come
to Conference, there should be something imparted to them which will be a
profit to them, that they may feel satisfied when they leave here that the
journey has been well taken. Now, there are topics enough before us, topics of
great, vital importance to us as a people, which we should consider, and which
upon occasions like this are appropriate for our consideration.
We have
been told—indeed it is a constant comment about us—that we are a peculiar
people. We know this ourselves. It is a very remarkable thing, that this
Gospel, which the world calls "Mormonism," has gathered only here and
there one out of the families of the earth, and as the most of you who are
adults well know, you were, as a general thing, different from the rest of your
family in many respects. It seemed as though you were waiting for something to
come along a little different from anything that you had heard. The systems of
religion, the ideas that were inculcated by your teachers and that you were
taught in your Sunday schools, in your chapels and in your meeting-houses and
churches, did not accord with your views concerning God and Christ, and the
plan of salvation; and yet, had you been asked what you believed in, where you
should go to find that which you did believe in; or to define your ideas of
what you wanted, it would have been impossible for you to have done so. Yet
there was a yearning in your hearts for something higher, something nobler,
something more Godlike, something after the apostolic plan of salvation. And it
is a remarkable fact that the Elders of this Church, in their travels and
administrations among the people, though they have had great difficulties to
contend with, have had persecutions and all manner of evil things said about
them, have been frequently mobbed and driven—that notwithstanding they have had
these difficulties to contend with, it has been an easy matter to bring those
who are now Latter-day Saints into this Church. When the Elders found the
honest in heart, when they found men and women who were meek and lowly, who
were prayerful, who believed in the Bible, who were willing to accept truth
however it might come to them, however unpopular its advocate might be—when
they found people of this description, they have never had any difficulty in
gathering them out. The Latter-day Saints throughout these valleys, from north
to south, have been gathered without much, if any, trouble on the part of the
Elders, for the word of God has come to them in the power and demonstration of
the Holy Ghost, and they have been convinced of the truth very frequently
before they scarcely heard it. This is very remarkable—remarkable how the
hearts of the people have been prepared to receive the Elders, how their minds
have been softened, and how willingly they have received the truth and borne
testimony to it, when they heard it. I remember well my own mother's
experience. I was a little boy sitting beside her the first time she saw all
Elder. She had never heard of the Latter-day Saints or "Mormons," she
did not know that he was one; sloe did not even know that he was a professor of
religion; but she had been waiting for something. My father and mother were
both Episcopalians, but they had no faith in the system, it was cold and
inanimate, there was nothing lifelike or godlike about it. When he left the
house she said to me, "George, that is a man of God." She had a
testimony to that effect, although, as I have said, she did not know he was
even a professor of religion. That Elder was President Taylor. And when he began
to talk afterwards regarding the principles of the Gospel, she was ready to be
baptized, for it was that for which she had been waiting, her heart was
prepared for it, and there are thousands and thousands of such instances among
the people called Latter-day Saints. God prepared their hearts beforehand, and
the Elders found them without much difficulty. It is true they had to labor and
contend with others, but those who were the honest-hearted sons and daughters
of God, who were willing to receive the truth, received it without much
difficulty, as I have said. And it is a wonderful fact that in accordance with
the Scriptures God is gathering together a people to lay the foundation of this
great work, concerning which all the Prophets have spoken. God has predicted through
the mouths of his Holy Prophets—and their words are to be found in the
Bible—that in the last days there should be just such a work as that which we
witness—that is, one of a city and two of a family being gathered together, in
order that there might be a representation of all the families and races of men
upon the earth, to lay the foundation of this, the greatest work that has ever
been established upon the face of the earth. And yet men talk of there being no
evidence in favor of "Mormonism." They say, Where is the evidence of
its divinity? Where is the evidence that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God?
Show us a sign that we may see whether you are the people you profess to be?
Why, here in these mountains is one of the greatest signs presented to all the
inhabitants of the earth that ever was shown to man—a system, an organization
composed of people from every Creed, and it maybe said from every civilized
creed, and from every civilized race, gathered together, dwelling in union and
in love, and worshiping God according to the laws which he has given with a
oneness, with a union, with a love that is unexampled upon the face of the
earth. Nowhere else can such a thing be found; and I often think when men talk
about delusion, and about the Shrewd leaders of this people, and that by the
power of their shrewdness and the strength of the imposture, they are able to
hoodwink the people and to lead them astray, that it takes more faith to
believe that theory than it does for the Latter-day Saints to believe the truth
as we have received it. If this be imposture where is the truth? The Gospel of
Christ was to produce union, its mission was to produce love, to destroy
strife, to make men and women live together as brethren and sisters, and it has
done so for us and it is doing so and it will do so more and more, and it will
build up a system such as cannot be found on the face of the earth. And it is
growing and increasing. It is like a little leaven, and by and by it will
leaven the whole lump, and the influence and the power that will go forth from
this people will be felt throughout the whole earth. I know it is a great thing
to say, and men, looking at us numerically, think we are exceedingly
presumptuous to advance such an idea, but it is nevertheless true. The union of
this people, the power which accompanies them and the effect of their example
will be felt more and more, and the truth will continue to spread until all
honest-hearted people will be convinced of the truth of the statements which
are made concerning the restoration of the everlasting Gospel in its original
purity and power, and those who may not be prepared to receive it—will sooner
or later respect it and admire it, and be willing to share in the benefits
which will accrue from its establishment on the earth.
Now, my
brethren and sisters, there is one thing above everything else, that every
speaker front this stand would like to impress upon your minds, and that is,
when you go away from this Conference that you carry with you the determination
to live and to carry out in your lives the principles that you profess. That is
all that we can ask of you. Live your religion—that embodies all that can be
said to you. There is glory in it, there is happiness in it, there is peace in
it, there is virtue in it, there is wealth in it, there is exaltation in it,
there is no gift or blessing or power that it does not contain and that does
not accompany it. On the other hand, violate the principles of your religion,
deviate from the path that God has marked out, and there is sorrow and misery
for you, if persisted in.
You have
been gathered together in the most wonderful manner that any people ever were.
We talk about the gathering of the children of Israel under Moses. I consider
that that mighty movement fades away in comparison with the gathering that is
now going on. This, people have been brought from the various nations of the
earth, and you have received a testimony from God concerning this work. You
know for yourselves if you are living as you should do—concerning these things.
How necessary it is, then, that you should carry out these principles. But the
great difficulty we have to contend with is that we bring with us our
traditions and preconceived ideas, and to overcome these is the great labor we
have to contend with; it is a labor that we should set ourselves industriously,
patiently, perseveringly to accomplish. Let us be pure in our hearts, in our
language, in our conduct, in everything that we think and say and do. Let us
seek for purity; let us inculcate purity; let us take the principles of the
Gospel and teach them to our children and endeavor to make them better
Latter-day Saints than we are; let us do everything we can in this direction,
and then if we do this there will be no vice in our land; liquor saloons,
gambling houses, houses of prostitution and the other evils that abound in the
world will not be found within our borders. It should be our aim to so live
that these things shall be repressed, completely extinguished. It is a shame for
anyone professing to be what we are to enter a liquor saloon, or to patronize
one, or to patronize any of these evils; and we should withdraw the hand of
fellowship from all who do. Drunkenness certainly will never be countenanced by
the Lord. It is a gross vice, and it will bring the loss of the Spirit to
everyone who indulges in it; and so with these other vices to which I have
alluded. No one can be a Latter-day Saint who practices these things. We should
be holiest, we should be truthful, our word should be like the words of the
Lord, that is, in our sphere. When a man says a thing to his neighbor, he
should so live that his neighbor can have confidence in him. When he makes a
promise that promise should be sacred, and if he cannot fulfil it, let him explain
the reason so that confidence may be preserved. When we borrow we should repay;
When we deal we should be upright in our dealing. I would like it to be the
case among us that when a man has a horse to sell that he will tell all he
knows about it and not endeavor to take advantage in any shape or form. The
same with a wagon, a cow, a piece of land, or a house, or anything else, that a
man will tell what he knows about these things, so that confidence may be
maintained. There are some men of whom I have heard who when they make a trade
think that the one with whom they trade ought to have his own eyes open, and if
he does not and is taken advantage of because of his inexperience or being too
confiding, the one who gets the bargain is not to blame, but to be
congratulated on his good luck. Indeed there are some men who, if they can take
advantage in this way, would think nothing of bowing down on their knees and
thanking God for having made so good a bargain. Now, a man who calls himself a
Latter-day Saint, and will do a thing of the kind, grieves the spirit of the
Lord. Again, if a man employs you to do a piece of work, that work should be
well done whether he is there to see it done or not. And when employers agree
to pay a certain price, or a certain kind of pay they should abide by their
agreement. But there is a great deal of trickery in such matters. Some people
think "I am a good trader; I can sell a horse for more than it is worth; I
have got an old wagon, but my neighbor, who has not my experience wants a
wagon; I can trade that poor wagon to him, I can get a good price for it, and I
shall thank God if I can do so." I tell you such things are very sinful,
and are not from God. When we, professing to be Latter-day Saints, do such
things, we grieve the Spirit of God, and cause Satan to laugh. These are
practical duties. I would give more for a Latter-day Saint who, if I employed
him to do me a job and he did it right, than I would for a man who would offer
a long prayer and tell the Lord a great many things that might be very good,
and did not do the work honestly. I would rather have a man that was honest in
his dealings with his neighbor—a man that if I wanted to buy a horse I could go
to him with the full assurance that he would do the square thing by me—than I
would have a matt who offers very long prayers if he neglected this other duty.
I tell you that the Lord wants works from the people and not professions. We
have got lots of profession. There are some men very sanctimonious, and because
they can pray well and are looked upon as good Latter-day Saints, they think
they are privileged to take advantage of their neighbor. Now, I tell you that
we want a religion that is different to this. We want a religion of honesty. If
I say a thing to a man I ought to live so that he will believe every word I
say. If I sell him a piece of property, I should tell him the truth about it,
there should be no concealment, no lying or allowing the man to be deceived. It
is on that account that I despise this trading. Some men live by trading, and
in the long run somebody is cheated in the community. There are times, of
course, when men can exchange property, and both parties be benefited thereby.
If one man has a piece of property that another man wants, and the other has a
piece of property that suits the first party, a mutual benefit results from the
exchange. There are other instances of this kind which frequently occur; but it
should be done on the square. Ally man who takes advantage in this direction
cannot be a Latter-day Saint, in truth and deed, and God will hold him
accountable for his conduct. Ours ought to be a religion of works and not of
profession. It should be a religion that we can carry with us in our every day
work—a religion that will make a man a better son, a better brother, a better
husband, a better father titan be would be without it, and I would not give a
fig for a religion that did not have that effect. When I hear melt quarreling
with their children, husbands with their wives, wives with their husbands, I
say there is not much religion about that kind of Work or conduct. A man who is
not kind to his wife needs some religion. A man who is not kind to his children
and to his neighbors, needs some religion, and he needs the religion of Jesus
Christ. A man who is indolent and neglects his duties, needs more religion, the
religion of Jesus Christ, to make him more industrious. An indolent man cannot
have much of the Spirit of God about him; an uncleanly man, and certainly an
impure man, a dishonest man cannot have much of it. When I hear a woman
quarreling with her children and making the house too hot for her husband—I
rarely, if ever, hear them, because I do not go where they are, but I hear of
them —I think that woman needs religion. When she loses patience, she should go
to God and ask for patience, that the power of her religion may rest down upon
her.
The great
difficulty with us is: We have a religion and do not seek for its power, we do
not dive to its depths, we do not rise to its heights, we do not comprehend its
beauties and blessings. We go along without seeking after our God and the power
of our God, as we should do. If we would devote a little time to
self-examination when we go to bed, review the events of the day, see if our
conduct has been such as God can approve of, and as enables us to lie down with
a conscience void of offence towards God and all men, we do well, and if we
cannot do that it is time to repent. If we have wronged anybody, we should make
it right. And when something comes along to cross us or disturb our equanimity,
instead of throwing out words that are like daggers, lacerating the feelings of
those to whom they are addressed, we should shut our months. Some people pride
themselves in what they call their frankness and candor in this respect. I tell
you, I don't want such frankness around me. I would rather a man would hold his
tongue and not indulge in such expressions as are hurtful to people's feelings.
We should so live that our examples as fathers and mothers will be worthy of
imitation by our children. You see a brawling, boisterous, swearing man, and
his children will copy after him. You see a man that is the opposite of that,
and his children will bear his example in mind. If he is a prayerful man, his
children are likely to be prayerful also; if he be honest and truthful and
keeps his word strictly, that lesson will not be lost upon his children. If I
were a young man and wanted to marry, I would not go to a house where there was
continual quarreling between the husband and with and children; I would not
want to select a wife from such a family; I would want to go where peace
reigns, the peace of God, which every man, woman and child possess in their
hearts and in their habitations. That is our privilege. These are very simple
things, and yet nobody has gotten true religion who does not possess these
gifts. We may talk about our religion; We may boast about it; we may tell about
its gifts and powers; we may tell about the manifestations we have had; but
after all, the marrow of our religion lies in the performance of those
every-day duties, some of which I have alluded to.
There is
one thing that has struck me as very remarkable about the Latter-day Saints.
God in the early day of this Church told us that we should be a people that
should base peace, and he has given unto us a revelation which says, that
"it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take
the sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safely." Now
that day will come just as sure as God has spoken, and we of all people on the
face of the earth ought to be a peaceful people in view of this promise—no
quarreling, no seeking to injure each other, no doing violence to one another.
I have heard of men threatening to do something which would involve the
shedding of blood if certain things were done to them. Why, it is a most
horrible thought, for there is no salvation for the murderer. There is no
people on this broad continent who cherish the Constitution, of the United States
as a sacred instrument any more, or as much as do the Latter-day Saints in
these mountains. Believing it as we do to be inspired of God, and given for an
express purpose, of course we attach a great deal of reverence to that
instrument. We do not always pay reverence to officials, because of their
real-administration of the laws; but the instrument itself, and the form of
government we live under, we think is equalled by none upon the lace of this
broad earth; we think it is the greatest forth of government, the freest, the
most liberal, the best adapted for men and women, that ever was instituted by
than among men. This we hold in our hearts, in our heart of hearts, concerning
this government. But then a great many people are not suited because we take the
liberty of criticising certain officials. There have been a good many who have
trampled upon the principles of the Constitution; but these outrageous acts,
even against a people such as we are, do trot affect the instrument, the fabric
or the genius of our institutions, and on this account we are truly loyal. When
the South raised the flag of rebellion, there was no well, informed Latter-day
Saint who could approve in his heart of such conduct, however much we might
have expected it, Joseph Smith having predicted, nearly thirty years before the
rebellion broke out, that it would occur—however much this might be the case
there was nothing connected with the principle of secession or rebellion that
met with the approval of the Latter-day Saints. And it is a remarkable fact
that God, through the acts of our enemies, caused us to be placed in a position
where, in the war of the rebellion, we should not be compelled to shed the
blood of our fellow-men. Had we remained in New York, where our people first
settled; or afterwards in Ohio; had we remained in Missouri, to which State we
subsequently emigrated and from whence we were cruelly driven; had we remained
in Illinois, where we afterwards took refuge, and from whence we were also
cruelly driven to the wilderness, we should have been made participants in that
dreadful strife, we should have been compelled to have taken up the weapons of
war, or the people would have said we were disloyal. Inaction at such a time
would have been set down to disloyalty and sympathy with the rebellion, and we
could scarcely have escaped, in view of the prejudices against us, being
branded and treated as traitors to the Government. But we were here in the
mountains, in a position where we could do nothing in the strife. President Lincoln
asked for some men to guard the great highway, to preserve the mails and keep
open communication, and these men were sent out. But they did not have to
fight. Under the command of General James Craig, our men were sent to guard the
great trans-continental highway, and we did our part in that direction. But
God, in His Providence, did not place us in a position to imbrue our hands in
the blood of our fellow-men. And when five hundred men—after we were driven
from Illinois in 1846—were required to make up the Mormon Battalion for the
Mexican war, the promise of God to these five hundred men was that they should
not be compelled to shed blood during their absence, and in a remarkable manner
this prediction was fulfilled. They never shrank from doing their duty as good,
loyal citizens and soldiers, but there was no blood-shedding by the Mormon
Battalion. We have been in all our troubles preserved from shedding blood. We
are not a blood-shedding people. Our garments are not stained with the blood of
our fellow-men—I mean as a people. There are many among us who have been
soldiers in the war, but I am speaking now as an organization, and we stand in
that position to-day, in the United States. We can say to the Southerner, to
the Northerner, to the Westerner, to the Easterner, and to every man, "We
are your brothers." We are at peace with all mankind. God has given unto
us a law concerning this, that we must hoist the standard of peace and continue
to proclaim it, and then if we are called upon to defend ourselves, we are told
to leave our cause in the hands of God. We are a people who love peace, and in
the turmoil, in the wars, in the confusion, in all the disorders that will
eventually occur, not only in Europe, but in our own land—our own blessed land
in many respects which shall become yet very unhappy in consequence of internal
broils and disunion—when all this shall take place we are the people who will
present such an aspect to the world, that they will say, "here are the
features we desire, they have the peace our souls long for." Now, my
brethren and sisters, we should cultivate this feeling of peace. My sisters,
let peace be in your hearts. Repress everything like quarrelling. Suffer wrong
rather than do wrong. It is a harder thing for a man to submit to wrong than to
fight against it. The natural tendency of the heart is to resent wrong, to
strike back when you are struck at, but it is not the way laid down by the
Savior.
There is
one thing I want to speak about before I get through, and that is in relation
to our tithes and offerings. I can speak about this not boastingly, but with
freedom, for I do my part in this matter. There is too much delinquency on our
part as a people in this respect. Let me entreat you to be more punctual in
these matters. The more you do for the Church of God, the more you want to do;
the more you are interested in its welfare the more you will become attached to
it. Look at the Twelve Apostles, have they not set you an example—I will not
speak of the First Presidency—in regard to these things? Have any of them
sought to build themselves up and become wealthy? Here is Brother Woodruff,
President of the Twelve Apostles. Is there any man in Israel who has worked
harder to support himself and family than he? He is known for his persistent
industry. He has set the people a great example in that respect. He has not
been a burden to any one. He has labored from morning till night for this
people and for their salvation. He has not fattened upon your earnings, he has
sustained himself by the blessing of God. And so have the rest of the Twelve.
They have labored continually for this people. They have traveled thousands of
miles, gone to the ends of the earth, to build up Zion, and not counted
anything too great a labor. That is the example the Twelve have set this
people. And they have paid their tithing punctually. They have done as much in
this way according to their means as any of you, and in addition to this they
have spent almost their entire time in the interest of the Church. What I say
on this point applies fully also to President Taylor, when he was one of the
twelve. Now, with such examples as these, how will you appear in the day of the
Lord Jesus, when you present yourselves before Him, when you appear in those
Temples to receive your blessings, if you have thought more about your money
and about worldly things than you have about anything else? Let me say you will
be very sorry for this if you do not repent and do better. There are many
leading men among us who do not do their duty in this respect. They are
derelict, and neglect of this duty is extending among the people. We must do
more in this direction if we would have the blessing of God than we are doing.
We must be more diligent; we must think more about God and His kingdom and His
salvation than we do about the things of this world. It is true, as we have
been told during this Conference, we shall have houses, farms, etc., etc.;
these are all necessary; but above all else we should think about the kingdom
of God and its advancement. We have no friends but God and ourselves. At the
same time let us extend the hand of relief where we can to others; but it is
our duty to build up Zion. From my childhood I have vowed in my heart—and I
have endeavored to keep the vow—that not one cent of mine would ever go to
build up anything that was opposed to Zion. At the same time I have spent
years, as others have done, traveling without purse or scrip and preaching the
Gospel to those who were in darkness; but so far as working to sustain that
which is opposed to Zion I have determined, and I did so determine in my
childhood, not to do that, God being my helper, and he has helped me up to the
present time. The advancement of the kingdom of God should be uppermost in our
hearts, and we should not be afraid to spend means to assist in this great
work. Those who do will have it returned unto them an hundred-fold. You look at
the men who have done the most in this Church, and you will find them the most
blessed. They may not have so much wealth as some, but wealth is not
everything, net by a good deal. The men who have spent the most time and the
most means for the advancement of this work have been the men who have been
blessed and preserved of God, God has prospered them all the day long, and he
will bless their children after them. It is something to have one's children
blessed. I would like to have that as well as to be blessed myself; I would
like to live so that I could invoke the power, and blessing of God upon my
posterity.
I pray
God to fill you with the Holy Ghost; the Holy Ghost that will bring things past
to your remembrance and show unto you things to come; that you may retain the
things you have heard during this Conference, and be built up and strengthened
in your faith which I pray may be the ease, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang a thanksgiving anthem,
O Father Almighty.
Benediction by Prest. L. J. Nuttall.
_____
[9 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 30:588 10/12/81, p 12]
Sunday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang,
Ere long the veil will rend
in twain;
The king descend with all His train.
Prayer by Apostle Moses Thatcher.
The choir sang,
Arise my soul arise
Shake off thy guilty fears.
PREST. GEO. Q. CANNON
Read a report from the young Ladies Mutual Improvement Associations. He also presented the following names as additional missionaries, who were unanimously sustained by the vote of he entire Conference.
SCANDINAVIA.
Andrew
L. Anderson, Ephraim
Thos. C. Christensen, Mt. Pleasant
SOUTHERN STATES.
Landon
J. Rich, Paris
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Martin
Hansen, Fillmore
James B. Rhead, Coalville
Franklin W. Marchant, Peoa
NEW ZEALAND.
Alma
Greenwood, Fillmore
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Then presented the Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained by the unanimous votes of the Conference as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, an President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon a First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the council of the Apostles: -- Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President john Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott, Wm. W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, The Twelve Apostles, their Counselor and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoody, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee. -- W. Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings and W. H. Hooper.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER
Said: I crave an interest in your prayers that I may be able to spak so as to be heard, and be influenced by the spirit and power of God. Said he was first called to go on a mission to Mexico in October 1879. He went to the City of Mexico, and by the power and authority of the Apostleship, he opened up that mission, and dedicated that land for the introduction of the gospel. He and his brethren had not proclaimed the gospel in that country as was customary in other lands, there not being so much religious liberty there as many supposed. However they were received by government officials and others with much courtesy and kindness. They did not go there to tear don and make war upon the established religion of Catholicism, but presented to the people that system of religion which they were sent to promulgate. As ministers of the gospel the Elders were selected from the field, from the shop and from the anvil to go forth to the ends of the earth without purse and scrip. He had known many Elders of this Church who were comparatively wealthy, and surrounded by every earthly comfort, who were willing to lay down every consideration and start to any part of the earth to preach this gospel and cheerfully submit to the finger of scorn being pointed at them, and to be almost universally regarded as totally erratic in their doctrines and practices. But we know from God, our heavenly Father that this kingdom will grow and become the glory of the whole earth, and bear universal rule and dominion, and that it will extend to all people true liberty, and therefore we are willing to forego the society of our families and the comforts of home to labor for the interests of this great work, and for the love we bear to humanity. We have learned that we cannot hate man and love God. Therefore we are willing to go forth and bear a faithful testimony to our fellow man to point them the way to salvation. The inhabitants of Mexico, though a dark and benighted people, are nevertheless a remnant of the house of Israel, and he felt satisfied that with that people the scripture would yet be fulfilled, that a nation would be born in a day. Quite a number had been baptized already. Two branches of the Church had been organized. He then made some interesting remarks, as follows, about his co-laborer:
Before sitting down he might refer to a matter for the consolation of the friends of his young companion, Elder Feramorz Little Young. He was not entirely well when he left the City of Mexico, but it was believed by himself and by the speaker and all of their friends, that a change of climate would do him good, the speaker himself being under the impression that he was slightly affected by malarial fever or with chills and fever. He stood the trip very well from the City of Mexico to Vera Cruz, a distance of 263 miles. On arriving at that city they ascertained that owing to the prevalence of stormy weather they would not be able to board the steamer that day. On the following morning they boarded the steamer Kinckerbocker, bound for New York. Having to deliver some freight on the southwestern part of the Gulf, they were thrown out of their way some 300 miles, and in consequence lost 36 hours. But Elder Feramorz Young seemed to be about as strong there as he had been when he left the City of Mexico. But shortly after reaching Campeche, it being extremely warm, we could notice an increase of fever, and in the evening he spoke to him in regard to his own feelings. Brother Thatcher did not then think him a sick person; he did not think his missionary companion was about to leave him. But when he asked him in regard to his own feelings, he replied -- he then had not retired to bed and was able to move around the deck with as much freedom as he had ever done -- when he asked him his feelings, he replied, "I think the Lord will call me home." The speaker chided him for that remark, kindly, and told him that it did not so appear to him. He was a servant of Go, and he had been working in the name of the Lord, and had he not faith in God and in the promises that had been sealed upon his head? To this Brother Feramorz replied: "If it is right for me to return, I should like to return; for I have learned enough and witnessed enough to be willing to make a covenant with God to devote all my life to the work of the ministry." But he never, to the speaker's mind, manifested any faith in regard to his return. He was called by the servants of God as a humble missionary to those that are in darkness in the land of Mexico; he was called by the power of God to labor behind the vail. It was not within the speaker's power to save him. He prayed for him; he laid his hands upon his head; he plead with the Lord in his behalf; but Elder Feramorz Young was called by the power of God to labor behind the vail. He had every care and attention that could be bestowed upon him under the circumstances. The speaker would never forget the kindness of the captain of the steamer, and of the officers and passengers of that ship. They were uniformly kind, they did everything they could to relieve him from the fever with which he was afflicted. but it was not so to be. Feramorz Young had lived a pure life. He was pure as mortal could be. He had never yielded to temptation; strong drink had never passed his lips; tobacco in any form had never been used by him; he never had used a blasphemous word in his life; he was humble, he was pure, he lived and learned how to die that he might live again never to die. Feramorz L. young was as well prepared to pass behind the vail as any young man the speaker had ever known in Israel, and he had never complained that God chose to call him. He had prayed for his mother, for his brothers and sisters, and for his kindred; but for him, God had called away his spirit, and it remained for his mortal remains to be consigned to the deep. Brother Thatcher could feel in h is heart that it would have been a consolation to his mother and to his brothers and sisters if he could have brought his body back to them, so that they might know where his body was lying, but it was not possible, the means to accomplish that end was not on the ship. The disposition was in the heart of the captain to do it, but it could not be accomplished. They were five days from the city of New York, in a climate which acted very differently from our own climate. The captain kindly had the ship stopped about 20 miles from the Florida coast, and after passing the Jubiter inlet lighthouse, on the coast of Florida, they took the latitude and longitude correctly. Lat. 27° 09', long. 79° 47'. The passengers and ship's crew and all on board were called around the mortal remains of Elder Feramorz L. Young, and the speaker took the liberty of telling them where they had come from, who the deceased's father and mother were; that he had left his business, left his brought prospects at home to go to those who are ignorant of the gospel of salvation. He bore a faithful testimony to the purity of the deceased young man's life, and his remains were consigned to the deep. It, however, made no difference to the captain, crew and passengers of that vessel when they found out who and what they were; for as much sympathy was extended after they knew they were "Mormons" as they had extended before. A few years ago such a thing would have been unusual. Prejudice against the "Mormons" was, at one time, so great that they would have been deserted even under circumstances of this kind, but thank God, things are changed; thank God we live in a day of enlightenment, and notwithstanding the press and the pulpit had been used against this people, they were now representing themselves. And the boys who are heirs to the everlasting covenant, who have received their washings and anointings here in Zion go forth in the power of God, they spoke as men having authority, and they have an influence; and greater is the influence of their example than the influence of their word. We met young men in Mexico of education and wealth, but when we talked of the doctrines we practised in regard to morality they were astonished and said that if that was part of our religion they could not subscribe to anything that required so much sacrifice. They could not believe that men could leave their mountain homes and be what they profess to be; they could not believe that men could leave their wives and look upon women in the world without lust in their hearts. But before they left the City of Mexico these same young men could come to them and say -- "We have come to your rooms in evenings during the week, we have seen you upon the Sabbath day, but we have never known you to be where you should not be. Your example has been stronger than your testimony." The speaker concluded by invoking the blessing of God upon the large assembly and upon all Israel, together with the family of his deceased companion, and bore testimony that although his body now rested in the ocean it would come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, and that his brothers and sisters left behind might do well to follow so bright an example.
He then bore testimony to the truth of this great work, and blessed the Saints in the name of the Lord.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said we had listened to some valuable instructions during this Conference. God had spoken from the heavens, and had revealed the everlasting gospel. This Priesthood and the principles of the gospel were the gift of God to man. They did not originate with man. This Priesthood has a commission to proclaim the gospel to all people and nations of the earth, and they felt vastly different to those who would persecute and scatter all that would not bow down to their peculiar views and notions. God feels after the welfare of all the human family, and the truth is not confined to a peculiar few. All who are in possession of the spirit of the gospel, not only have the love of God in their hearts, but the love of man also. And although we as a people may be persecuted on account of our religion;, if the love of God burns in our hearts, we shall have no disposition to retaliate. This gospel imparts the Holy Ghost, which Holy Ghost takes of the things of God and shews them unto us. Most of the human family are opposed to revelation, and are not, and have not been for centuries acquainted with the saying, "Thus saith the Lord." The Gospel is calculated to bring man into communion with the heavens and make men free as God is free, to lead them in the way whereby they may be purified and not corrupted. We have learned that it is the height of human happiness to observe and carry out the commandments of God. Gid is interested in this kingdom, angels are interested in it, and men of all past ages and dispensations are interested in its advancement and ultimate triumph. This Gospel and Priesthood bring us in communion with God and angels, and minister in heaven as well as on the earth.
He then spoke of the necessity of building Temples, that our fathers who have died without the knowledge of the gospel may be looked after and ministered unto, hence the necessity of being under the direction of the Almighty in everything we attend to in the duties of the Priesthood. To all those who have devoted of their means and labor in the erection of Temples, he felt to say, God bless you. And if we could hear what was taking place in the heavens we would hear a chorus of amens, for the heavens are interested in the work we are engaged in.
It devolves upon us to send the gospel to every creature. For this we have a First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles and all the other organizations of the Priesthood. We will do this work in the name of the Lord, and let all Israel say amen (the congregation responded with a hearty amen). We will build this Temple. Let us finish it. The world know nothing about temples. They would not know how to use them if they had them. If they were to get possession of the Temple when completed they would not know how to administer therein. We do not wish to injure men who oppose us. Such people injure themselves more than others can hurt them. In opposing the principles of right and human liberty they return to the ways of barbarism. Many things present themselves that I would like to pour on this congregation, but we have to do those things by degrees.
What do we think about this government? We think the Constitution was given by inspiration, but many appear to be apostatizing from its principles. The government is good enough, the fault is with some of those who administer it. It is becoming a question as to whether some of the people can be accorded the freedom which the Constitution guarantees to them. some talk about our marriage system, and it might be supposed from their animadversions that we are corrupt, which is untrue. If we were disposed we might say something about our traducers that would show them up in their hideousness. We respect female virtue. We know that many of those who have come here to regenerate us have not manifested that kind of a disposition. We will, so far as possible, protect the rights of all people. If people choose to traduce us we can surely afford to tell the truth about them. Talking of saloons. If other people patronize them, let the Saints leave them alone. If they do not they will not long be Saints. If corruptions are introduced among us and they are sustained by those who should sustain the law, shun them. A day of reckoning is at hand. God begins to afflict the nations and these things will increase. Let the Elders of Israel be alive to their duties. May God sustain all men everywhere who uphold human rights and human freedom. We want no Nihilism or other secret abominations among us. If this nation does not repent the hand of God will be upon it. May God bless the rulers of this nation who rule in righteousness and confound those who do not. May God bless all Israel.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 30:754, 12/28/81, p 2; JD 22:290]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Delivered at the General conference, in the Tabernacle,
Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Oct. 9, 1881.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
We have
now been in session for some time. We have listened to a great many interesting
things associated with the Church and kingdom of God. We have had also, during
the Conference, matters to reflect upon, pertaining to the departure of some of
our brethren, whom we loved and esteemed. They have been taken away from us,
and have gone into another state of existence, which is all perfectly right. We
have nothing to say particularly in relation to these matters.
The Lord
has revealed unto us his holy will. He has by his own voice, by the ministering
of holy angels, restored to us the everlasting Gospel, that plan which was
ordained by Jehovah, before the world rolled into existence, or the morning
stars sang together for joy. Associated with the Gospel he has restored the
Priesthood, which is simply, in a few words, the rule and government of God,
whether in the heavens or on the earth. This Priesthood, this law, this
government and these principles have been communicated from the heavens. They
originated not with man upon the earth. They did not originate with any church
upon the earth, or any people, or any authority. This is the gift of God to
man. This Gospel places man in communication with God, his Heavenly Father;
this Gospel brings life and immortality to light; this Gospel is proclaimed in
the interest of all men in all parts of the earth; the Priesthood in connection
with the Gospel has a commission to proclaim to all the world, to every nation,
kindred, tongue and people. It is a message of salvation to the rations of the
earth, and it is very different from that which many call the Gospel, whose
followers would seek to destroy, to defame, to overturn and to injure all
humanity who are opposed to them, and to their views and feelings. God feels
interested in the welfare of the whole human family, and for this purpose he
has established principles upon the earth which exist in the heavens—a Gospel
that has prevailed among the Gods in the eternal worlds, containing principles
which are calculated to elevate, ennoble and exalt the human family. The
principles are eternal as the Gospel itself is eternal; and as the love of God was
manifested in former times by the giving of His Son for the redemption of the
world, so the goodness of God is extended in the last days to save, to bless,
to elevate and to dignify the human family. And those who are in possession of
these principles are in possession not only of the love of God, but of the love
of man, and will seek, by every means in their power, aided by the Spirit of
God, and that light, love and intelligence which dwell in his bosom, to spread
these sacred principles and to save men, if possible almost contrary to their
own will. It is a mistaken notion, let me say here, that some people entertain,
that because men persecute us, we must persecute them: that because men would
proscribe us in our religious faith, we must persecute them in theirs. There is
no such principle associated with God, or with those who dwell in the love of
God, or who are actuated by the Spirit of God. Everything of that kind proceeds
from beneath and not from above. God is interested in the welfare of all people,
all nations, all kindreds, and all tongues. He is the Father of the spirits of
all flesh, and however narrow and contracted men may be in their ideas, he can
afford to let his rain descend on the evil and the good, and cause his sun to
shine on the just and on the unjust. For this purpose he has introduced the
Gospel; for this purpose he is gathering together a people under the influence
of the Gospel, which Gospel, when received and obeyed, imparts the Holy Ghost,
and which Holy Ghost takes of the things of God, and shows them unto us. He has
gathered us together here in this place and in this land, in order that we may
be more fully instructed in His law, for men are not acquainted with God by
revelation anywhere else to my knowledge. Very few men upon the face of the
earth believe in revelation from God. They believe in their own theories, and
notions and ideas and principles, but they know nothing about "thus saith
the Lord," as men used to do when they had the Gospel; and wherever the Gospel
exists, there exists with it a knowledge of God, and of the laws of life. God
has committed to us the Gospel and the High Priesthood, which is not intended,
as Some suppose, to bring men into bondage or to tyranize ever the consciences
of men, but to make all men free as God is free; that they may drink of the
streams "whereof shall make glad the city of God;" that they may be
elevated and not debased; that they may be purified and not corrupted; that
they may learn the laws of life and walk in them; and not walk in the ways of
corruption and go down to death. Jeremiah tells us that the Lord says, "I
will take you one of a city and two of a family and I will bring you to Zion;
and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with
knowledge and understanding."
We have
learned this, that God lives; we have learned that when we call upon him lie
hears our prayers; we have learned that it is the height of human happiness to
fear God and observe his laws and keep his commandments; we have learned that
it is a duty devolving upon us to try and make all men happy and intelligent,
which happiness and intelligence can only be obtained through obedience to the
laws of God. It is in him that we trust. We are not so much concerned about the
destiny of this kingdom as some people think we are. God is interested in it,
the holy angels are interested in it, the ancient Patriarchs and Prophets and
men of God who have lived in other ages are interested in it, and in the
councils of heaven it was agreed that this kingdom should be established; it is
according to the word and will and eternal designs of Jehovah. And as he called
men in other days he has called them in these days, and this Priesthood
administers in the earth and in the heavens. And when Brother Moses Thatcher
talks about a man being called, having finished his course here, to go into
another state of existence, he talks understandingly on that point. This
Priesthood is an everlasting Priesthood, as was the Priesthood of Jesus, after
the order of Melchisedek, and it administers in time and in eternity. This
Gospel brings us into communion with God our Heavenly Father, with Jesus the
Mediator of the New Covenant, with the general assembly and Church of the First
Born; and while they are operating there, we are operating here. For this
reason we are building our Temples and administering in them, and these are
things that I wish to speak a little upon to you Latter-day Saints who are
assembled here from the various parts of the Territory. It is not an idle
phantom that has been presented to us in this matter. There is nothing vague or
visionary about it, we are dealing with sober, serious, solemn facts. Elijah it
was prophesied should come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the hearts of the children to the fathers. That prophesy has been
fulfilled, and while millions and myriads of the human family have died without
a knowledge of the Gospel, we are instructed what our duty is towards them; and
while we are engaged in building Temples and administering therein both for the
living and the dead, the over-lasting Priesthood in the heavens are engaged in
operating in the same way in the interests of all humanity, not only of those
who now live but those who, have lived. We need, it is true, the assistance and
guidance of the Almighty, and the Holy Priesthood behind the vail also requires
our assistance and our help. Paul, who understood these things, said,
"that they without us should not be made perfect," and we without
them cannot be made perfect. They in their day had obtained a knowledge of God
and his law, and we are permitted to obtain the same. God has been pleased to
restore the same principles and to place us in communion with him and them.
Hence, while riley are operating in the heavens we are operating here upon the
earth. We build Temples and administer in them. They are attending to those who
have died without a knowledge of the Gospel, and who will communicate from time
to time with us to show us our duty.
It is
written that saviors shall come upon Mount Zion. How can a man be a savior if
he saves nobody And how can they save unless God shows them how? How can they
build Temples unless they have a knowledge of the work in which they are
engaged? And how can they administer in these Temples, unless God instructs
them? They cannot do it; we cannot do it; no body can do it; and therefore it
is necessary that we should all the time be under the guidance and direction of
the Almighty, for without Him we can do nothing.
The
reports that we hear concerning the Temples that are being built are very
interesting. We hear they have placed the roof on the one in Cache Valley; in
Manti, they are progressing with another very favorably, and the people all
around in those districts are contributing and aiding all they can for the
advancement of the work, and then with the one already built there will soon be
two and three and then four Temples in operation for the labor in which we are
engaged. Some people I know will say it is a very poor speculation, a very
singular kind of a religion. Yet we are carrying out the counsel of God, for
all these things are designed by the Almighty, and emanate from Him. And if we
die what then? We shall live and reign throughout eternity, worlds without end,
and we know it. Therefore we are satisfied as to the work in which we are
engaged. It is all right.
I say to
the brethren and all who are engaged in this labor, I say God bless you, and if
you could hear the voices above you would hear loud cries of "Amen:" for
all heaven is interested in the work in which we are engaged; and whatever
other men may think about these things, we know what we are doing, and we shall
try, in the name of the Lord, and under His guidance and direction, to build up
his Zion upon the earth; that there may be a phalanx of people that God will
acknowledge—a phalanx of people that will bow to the behests of Jehovah; a
phalanx of people in whom the heavens are interested; a people who are engaged
in rolling forth the work of God, and establishing not only the Church of
Christ, but His Zion and the kingdom of God upon the earth.
This is a
work that is not popular among men. They want their ideas, their theories, and
their notions; we want the ideas and theories, the word and will, and the guidance
and direction of the Almighty; and if we are connected with his kingdom, it
there is such a thing as the kingdom of God upon the earth, it means the rule
and government of God.
Peradventure
some will say, "We won't let you do it." Now, don't stop the Lord,
will you? No matter about the theories, ideas and notions of men. God has
committed to us certain principles, and by the help of God we mean to carry
them out. In doing this it devolves upon us to send the Gospel to every
creature under heaven, and for this we have a First Presidency; for this we
have the Twelve Apostles; for this we have some seventy times seventy of
Seventies; for this we have several thousand High Priests; for this we have
some eight or ten thousand Elders, and God has called us to do his work, and by
the help of Israel's God we will do it in the name of the Lord, and let all
Israel say, Amen. (The vast congregation responded, "Amen.") These
are our feelings on that subject. And let the Twelve, let the Seventies, let
the High Priests, and let the Elders work up to the dignity and importance of
their calling, and feel that they are under command, as the servants of God, to
do his will in spreading the Gospel of life and salvation to the nations of the
earth. The world will hate you. No matter—they hated your master before you.
They persecuted Him before they persecuted you. He endured it; we will try to.
What
then? We will go on building our Temples, and when we have built them we will
administer in them according to the word of God. And who else knows this order
but us? Let the Latter-day Saints build these Temples and hand them over to the
divines of the world, and what would they do? Why, all they would do would be
to quarrel about theology. What do they know about the ordinances of the
Gospel? Nothing. What do they know about salvation for the living and the dead?
Nothing. They would not know how to administer in a Temple if they had one, and
further, we should not know if God had not shown us how. We are dependent upon
the Lord; but we have our friends, as I have said, behind the vail. They have
the same Priesthood which we have, and they are operating in our interests and
it is that which frequently operates among men now, silently working when they
know nothing about it. They rage in many instances, and foam and get up
resolutions; generally very religious people. Well, it was that class of people
that persecuted Jesus and his disciples; they thought they were unfit to live.
What of it? Do you hate them? No. Would I injure any of them? No, they are
injuring themselves, God knows, ten thousand times more than I could do. Any
man who departs from the principles of right; any man who tramples upon human
rights and human liberty; men who cannot allow other men to worship God according
to the dictates of their own conscience, are in a deplorable, condition; they
are fast going back to barbarism; and it is necessary that God should introduce
principles to lift man above these groveling ideas. We can look upon all
mankind as our brothers, and can try to benefit and elevate the human race.
This is the mission which God has given us to attend to—first, in regard to
religious matters, and afterwards to political matters, that all men may enjoy
perfect freedom in every respect, not in name, not in theory only, but in
reality.
I find
that time is passing. We scarcely have time in our assemblages to attend to
things and talk about principles that we would like to. There are ten thousand
things present themselves before my mind, which I would like to lay before this
congregation; but we have not time. We shall have to take these things by
degrees, little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept.
There is
one thing I wish to speak about here politically. "What do you think about
the government of the United States," some people say. "What are your
opinions?" I will tell you what I think about the Constitution. I have
just the same opinion of it that Joseph Smith had, and he said it was given by
inspiration of God. The men did not know this who wrote it; the men did not
know it who adopted it; nevertheless it is true. There is an embodiment of
principles contained therein that are calculated to bless and benefit mankind.
"What do you think about the government of the United States as a government?
I think it is a good deal ahead of most governments, but I think the
administrators are apostatizing very fast from the principles that the furthers
of this nation instituted. It has become quite a question now-a-days, whether
men can be preserved in their rights or not, whether men can worship God
according to the dictates of their conscience or not, or whether we are living
in a land of freedom or not. What is the matter? Why, they are like the
religionists. How is it with them? They profess to believe in the Bible. They
do believe it shut, but when you open it they deny it. The people of this
nation profess to believe in the Constitution. They do until it comes to be
applied to the people and then they do not. That is perhaps too broad a saying;
but I will say there are many who feel like this—not all by a long way. There
are thousands and tens of thousands who are imbued with the same principles as
were the framers of the Constitution and who desire to see human freedom
perpetuated. The principles of freedom and the love of human liberty have not
quite died out of the hearts of all men in these United States. There is a
respectable balance in favor of liberty and freedom and equal rights. But there
are others—why they talk sometimes about our polygamy until you would think
from what these open-mouthed people say, that we were the most corrupt people
on the face of the earth. I could say something about them if I wanted to talk,
I would say here that we respect, family virtue, and we protect virtue among
us. We associate with our families upon principles that have been ordained of
God, and sanctioned by Him, in the different ages of the world. And then we are
true to our covenants, while they profess to be true to theirs, and violate
them and disgrace and corrupt themselves. God save us from their infamies! Do
not follow after their example. What have we seen of men here right in our city
sent to evangelize us?—seducing females when they could, and then go into
courts, churches, etc., and talk about the impurities of the
"Mormons!" This is not a very good way to evangelize people nor to
exalt them; it does not produce a love of those ennobling principles which all
honorable men ought to be governed by. We would say then in regard to religionists—if
you profess a religion be true to it; if you profess to believe in the Bible
when shut, believe it when open, and practice its principles. We would say to
men who profess so much loyalty and patriotism to the government, be true to
your institutions, be true to the Constitution of the United States, as we say
to all our people to be true to the same. We expect the Latter-day Saints to be
so, and to be subject to law, to avoid lawlessness of every kind and the
interference with men's rights in any shape. Let all men worship as they
please. That is a matter for their own consciences, it is not for us to
dictate. Let all men be free in their business relations, that in all things we
may feel that we are performing our part as citizens of the United States and
citizens of the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth; and if other people
can afford to traduce us, we can scarcely afford to tell the truth about them.
I might talk about thousands of things that I am acquainted with that I know as
well as I am standing here; but we will leave them to their master. If they
choose evil let them choose it. We talk sometimes about the influence of
saloons, of whisky and beer, and all these kinds of things. Cannot you
Latter-day Saints let them alone? If you cannot you are not fit to be
Latter-day Saints and you will not be so long. If the world choose to wallow in
these things, let them wallow. But would an Elder in Israel and a saint of God
disgrace himself by being found in such dens? Yes, many have, but they have got
to repent and turn round a short corner and purge themselves from these things,
or they will be severed from the Church and kingdom of God, and they will have
no association among us. We are after truth and after righteousness, and let
us, as we have been exhorted, maintain our purity and our virtue, and if others
introduce corruption among us, let them alone, let them take their own course,
but "O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine
honor, be not thou united." Ye Latter-day Saints purge yourselves from
iniquity and speak the truth, act honestly, be pure and virtuous, and honor God
and your calling, and God will honor you, but if you do not, you will be
speedily rooted out. There is a day of reckoning fast coming. God is beginning to
trouble the nations of the earth, and these things will grow and increase, and
it is time for you Elders of Israel to be on the side of right, to depart from
evil, to cleave to the truth, to work righteousness, and to honor God. God
expects it of you, the holy angels expect it of you, and if you do not leave
your evils you can have no place with the Saints of God on the earth or in the
heavens.
As I
before said, we have not time to enter into all these matters. You have had a
good deal of needful instruction. Let us profit by it and honor our God. And I
say God bless all men who love the truth, whether here or anywhere else; God
bless all men who maintain human rights and freedom; and God confound the
opposers of these principles everywhere. These are my principles and feelings.
We want nothing like communism, or nihilism, or any of the outrageous infamies
that are beginning to vex and perplex the nations. Yet these things will roll
on until it will be a vexation to hear the reports thereof, and unless this
nation speedily turns round God's hand will be upon them; unless they speedily
adhere to the principles of equal rights and freedom, He will be after them.
Now, you can set that down if you like, and see whether it will come to pass or
not. I say, then God bless every lover of right, whether among this people or
anywhere else, and God bless the rulers of this land who rule in righteousness,
and God remove those who do not. (Amen). And let us honor our God and our
religion and adhere to the principles of truth. God will stand by us, and the
glory of God will rest upon us, and no power this side of hell can hurt us if
we be followers of that which is good.
I ask the
blessing of my Heavenly Father to be upon this congregation, upon all Israel
who love the truth, and all men everywhere who are desirous to do right and
keep the commandments of God, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Conference was adjourned until April 6th, 1882, at 10 a.m.
The choir sang an anthem,
Give ear to my words, O Lord.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
GEORGE
GODDARD,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
1882
6-9 Apr 1882, 52nd Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 31:188, 4/12/82, p 12; 31:194, 4/19/82, p2; Millennial Star 44:273, 289, 305, 321, 337]
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 31:188, 4/12/82, p 12]
FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty second Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened on Thursday, April 6th, 1882, in the large Tabernacle, at 10 o'clock a.m., as per adjournment.
Present on the stand: Of the First Presidency -- John Taylor and Joseph F. Smith.
Of the Twelve Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, F. M. Lyman and John H. Smith; Counselor, D. H. Wells.
Patriarch -- John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies -- Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott and Wm. W. Taylor.
Of the Presiding Bishopric -- Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robt. T. Burton.
Besides Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading men from all parts of the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang the hymn on page 142.
Sing to the great Jehovah's
praise,
All praise to him belongs.
Prayer by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
The choir sang on page 265:
The great and glorious
gospel light,
Has ushered forth unto my sight.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said: We are now commencing our Conference, which is the 52nd Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church itself, as well as those connected with it, have passed through as many changes as most men that dwell upon the earth. We have had the Gospel of Jesus Christ revealed to us, in connection with its powers and privileges, and these have inspired us with such hopes and aspirations, as have enabled us to bear with calmness the mobbings and drivings which we have endured so many times, and we shall be able doubtless again to bear with equanimity whatever the Lord in His tender mercy may see fit for us to suffer.
Many Elders have been sent forth to dispense the unsearchable riches of Christ. The message we have borne to the nations has been that of peace and good will to man, going forth without purse and scrip, scattering the seeds of life and bringing back our sheaves with us. We have done this years ago, are doing it now, and calculate to continue doing it, the Lord being our helper, without any trembling of the knees. We have been driven from our homes five times; we have been robed and plundered; a spirit of antagonism is in the world, it has been, is now, and always will be until He comes whose right it is to reign.
President Taylor felt well this morning and rejoiced in the work of God. He spoke with great power, and said were he to give vent to his feelings, he would exclaim, Hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The discourse was reported in full and will be published.
[John Taylor]
[MS 44:273-274]
Said:
We are now commencing the Fifty-second Annual conference which has been held by
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since the commencement of this
work the Church has had to pass through a great variety of changes. We have had
revealed unto us the everlasting Gospel as it has existed in the various ages
of the world, and no matter how we have been situated, the same spirit, power,
light and revelation have been with Israel. We have been deprived of our
rights, and have been robbed and pillaged and plundered time and time again,
but we have always felt and still feel to put our trust in the living God and the
principles revealed for the salvation of the human family. A message of life
and salvation has been revealed by God through his servant Joseph, and the keys
of the Holy Priesthood have been conferred through Joseph upon many men, and
they have gone forth to the nations of the earth telling of the unspeakable
riches of the Kingdom of God. It is a message of peace on earth and good will
toward man. We have gone forth without purse or scrip, and the Lord has so
abundantly blessed us that we have gathered thousands and tens of thousands
from the nations, and we expect still to do it, without any fear, without any
trembling, asking no odds of any man, only being careful to put our trust in
the word of Him who made the earth and those who people it. The antagonism and
opposition we have had to meet has always existed, for warfare always existed
against God and his principles. Everything is right and will come out right. My
feelings are peaceful to the world, and to this people I would say, be calm, be
peaceful. I feel like shouting Hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth!
and will take care of His Saints.
APOSTLE JOHN H. SMITH,
Having just returned from a visit to the East, rejoiced to be home again and breathe the mountain air of Utah. We have but few friends in the outside world, but the recent agitation is preaching a loud sermon. Many honest inquirers after truth are seeking information pertaining to our doctrines from those whom they think capable of imparting it. Good will come out of the apparent evil. The work of God will prevail: Zion will grow and increase. Although clouds gather around Zion, he had firm faith in the final triumph of her cause. She may pass through trials and be sifted as wheat, but ultimate success awaits her. Let us then be faithful and true to all the obligations and duties the Gospel enjoins on us and all will be well.
[John Henry Smith]
[MS 44:274]
Said
he had been in the Eastern States for a little season, and it would be
impossible to explain the feelings and sentiments that exist there against this
people. Our friends are not numerous, and are not willing to exercise
themselves very much to aid us or protect us, and we are in a position that we
must rely upon the Lord for help and succor. In the acceptance of the Gospel, when
he was a child, so far as he was concerned, and so far as he could understand,
the speaker said he determined to devote his life and ability to the principles
of that Gospel. There are many people in the east who are, in a quiet way,
seeking knowledge of the principles of our Church, and who believe that this is
a time when the elements of truth and righteousness can be disseminated freely
and fully among the children of men, and it is for us to labor in that work, to
continue to preach by our word and actions that the Lord has commenced a work
upon the earth; leave others to crowd us, leave them to do the wrong and do the
evil; while we feel safe in our reliance on the power of Him who is our God.
Zion will continue to grow. We may be tried and sifted and tested, but the
standard of Zion has been unfurled to the breeze, and the great destiny of the
work which God has designed will be brought to pass. Let us bless the human
family, preach righteousness, scatter goodwill broadcast and be Saints in very
deed.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN.
This handful of people are attracting more attention than ever before. The history of the people of God in former ages foreshadows what we may expect. When men undertake to carry out the purposes of God they necessarily encounter the opposition of the world, because there is a love of unrighteousness in the hearts of mankind. The Gospel creates a warfare within ourselves; how then can we be surprised if it causes a warfare in the world? How many of us have learned to subdue this evil within ourselves; I have learned to do always that which is right; to deal justly and walk uprightly all the time? There is in man a religious sentiment. Though all do not worship at the same shrine, yet all have some chief object of worship or attainment. When the everlasting Gospel came to us it did not materially change the object of our worship, except so far as we had formed erroneous ideas concerning the Deity. Through obedience to it we have obtained a knowledge of the truth, and its spirit has wrought in us, revealing the mind and will of God, and urging us to works of righteousness, giving us a testimony which has enabled us to gather with the Saints, endure persecution, sustain ourselves, be united, and had we been more exact in its observance, more sincere, fervent and spiritually minded, it would have more perfectly united us and established u. We are here on earth to obtain an experience in the things thereof, and also to develop ourselves morally and spiritually that we may be enabled to go into the next world with treasures of eternal riches. The Lord has revealed the gospel that we may, as well as get our living, develop ourselves intellectually, morally and spiritually. In doing this God has for a long time past given us peace, prosperity and blessings that we could not have expected. And now if we have trying times what will they be for? Why was Jesus smitten, His name cast out as evil and His life taken? Not because he was wicked, but because there was a power on earth that warred against his mission. We have had to meet this before, and should be able to do so again. It is not intended that we should fight with the sword, but with the truth, and our motto should be, "peace on earth." We are to build up the kingdom, not by violence, but by the power of God who will shelter us and we shall not be scattered abroad. It is not for any evil that we do that we are persecuted, but because we are engaged in the work of God, and our strength will be in doing right and having God for our friend. May we be able to act always so as to secure that friendship, and may the peace of heaven be upon our Conference and our Territory until the kingdom of God is permanently established on earth.
[Francis M. Lyman]
[MS 44:274-275]
Said
the peculiarities of this people and this work are being brought to the notice
of the world, and more universal attention to the handful of people in this
Territory is being paid than ever before. It is not the work of man, and the
Lord has assured us that it will not be broken down nor given to another
people, but will stand forever. The history of God's people in all ages
foreshadows to us what we may expect. The man who would undertake to build up
the Kingdom of God upon the earth, would have to face a sea of opposition, for
there is in the heart of man a love of evil and the base things of nature. Even
in our midst, in our own hearts, it is a constant labor to overcome the evil
ever present with us, and how many of those who have obeyed the Gospel have
overcome their passions, the gravitation to wickedness, the proneness to wrong
doing? And if this element of darkness is prevalent among those whose minds
have been lighted by the truth, is it no natural to suppose that others are
also influenced by this power and often overcome by it? The Gospel presented
itself to us as something rational and reasonable, more so than the doctrines
of Christianity. Repentance of sin is a principle that works reformation and
improves man; baptism brings about a remission of sins, when connected with faith.
The Spirit conferred upon us by the laying on of hands has borne testimony to
us of the mind and will of the Lord concerning our walk and life on this
sphere, and told us of the power of the Priesthood conferred upon man. This
Spirit has enabled us to gather, has bound us together in unity of mind and
purpose, and had we been less selfish and more devoted to the requirements of
the Lord, we would have been even more united and had more of this testimony
and power. There is a proper amount of time and attention to be given to the
development of the earth, and to become acquainted with what there is in it;
and there is also a requirement that we should gain knowledge of God and his
works, of the plan of salvation, of the principles that develop the elements of
our moral and spiritual nature. God has enriched and blessed us more than man
could anticipate, in such a land as this was thirty years ago. If there come
trying times now, we also know that we have had trying times before. In the
days of the Prophet Joseph there were trying times; in the days of Jesus the
Saints were tried, and the Lord himself was persecuted even to the death, as
also his Apostles. Opposition to the purposes of God has been upon the earth
ever since the days of Adam, and it is natural to suppose that it always will
exist. Can we endure it? We have endured it, and can do so with the knowledge
that we are the servants of God and we will be supported and sustained. It is
not possible that we can sustain ourselves by our own strength or the power of
the sword; that is not our purpose or our mission. The mission of the kingdom
is peace on earth; this is the keyword among Israel. Remember this, that it is
not by violence that God's purposes will be established. Let us feel calm and
serene and collected in our spirits, for we have the majority, God being on our
side and being our leader and friend, and He will watch over us to help us. If
some may be persecuted, let us remember that other good men have been
persecuted before us for righteousness sake; but if wrong has been done by any,
let them repent and stand pure before our King and our leaders.
BISHOP JOHN SHARP
Felt much pleasure in being present at this Conference, and had enjoyed the remarks made by the previous speakers. His mind reverted to the time when he first heard the principles of life. After embracing those principles the peace and joy that the Spirit of the Lord brought to his heart, had never forsaken him from that time to the present. Speaking of the present spirit of the times he said, we know not what lies before us, but the only safeguard we have is in keeping the commandments of God. He felt no concern or dubiety about the result, but had implicit trust in the overruling power of the Almighty. Prayed for the blessing of God to be upon the Saints.
[John Sharp]
[MS 44:275]
Was
pleased to have the opportunity of meeting with the Saints in Conference. He
could look back upon the records of this people with entire satisfaction, and
had no anxiety or trouble as to what designing men may endeavor to bring upon
us. He did not expect that the people would have it all their own way, and do
just as they please all the time; but if we live by the principles that have
been revealed, the protection of our father will be around us and about us, and
the purposes of the Almighty will be accomplished. It is for us to live our
religion in our every day life, and leave the result of man's designs to Him
who disposeth of events as seemeth best to accomplish his purposes.
ELDER W. W. CLUFF
Was pleased with the privilege of being here. We know that this is the work of God. We know that if we keep the commandments of God we have nothing to fear. Trials and tribulations are not new to the servants of God. The preaching of righteousness provokes persecution from the wicked. By embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we signified our willingness to have our names cast out as evil. Prejudice against us as a people is wide-spread, and most of it is through ignorance of our motives and aims. We are accused of hostility to the government of this nation, and yet there are no people in all this broad land that are so law-abiding and true to the Constitution of our country. We have nothing to fear if we do right and pursue the path that is marked out for us by the Lord. It is our duty to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. Let us be pure in our lives, humble and thoughtful and do all the good we can while we remain on the earth.
[W. W. Cluff]
[MS 44:275]
Rejoiced
in the Gospel and the work we are engaged in -- in establishing the work of
truth and righteousness upon the earth. We have tribulations, of course, and
expect them in our walk and life; but we have the satisfaction of knowing that
all will be well and come out right. The Former-day Saints had to pass through
persecution. Jesus said if we preached righteousness we would be persecuted,
and the world always has despised those who were on the side of the Lord. We
can look back at the time when we received the Gospel and obeyed its
ordinances, and it was a happy, a glorious time, and we ever have rejoiced and
been comforted ever since, while we were walking in the path of duty. The
prejudice that exists in the world has been brought about by ignorance of us
and our institutions. The Government of the United States has no better
defenders and admirers than the Latter-day Saints, and the pressure brought
against this people has been the result of ignorance among the masses. We have
no fear, no trepidation; other communities might be shaken very much by the
same circumstances as surround us, but e are peaceful, attending to our duties,
sending our Elders to the nations of the earth, building up the kingdom of God
on the earth, and keeping His commandments.
ELDER A. HATCH
Realized to some extent the magnitude of the work in which we are engaged and the great labor that devolved on the early Elders of this Church, when the members were very few and apparently feeble. Now we number many thousands. He wished to say that though the National Legislature saw fit to pass bills restrictive in their nature, and deprive us of our political rights, yet he realized that this was their act and not ours. We therefore have only to maintain our integrity to keep the commandments of God and leave the result in His hands. He was a native born citizen and was fifty years of age, yet had never had the privilege of voting for the President of the United States. so much for political liberty. He felt that what was coming upon us would finally result in a status that we have never reached before; and while the Government is seeking to oppress us, let us hold out to them the olive branch of peace. He rejoiced in the spirit made manifest thus far in this Conference. Let us one and all continue to build up Zion and all will be well.
[Abram Hatch]
[MS 44:275-276]
Realized
to some extent the magnitude of the work in which we are engaged, and he often
reflected upon the labors of the people in the early days of the Church, and
the labors of the Elders in opening up the various missions in the world. The
labor was great, and it was the more so when the small numbers of the members
of the Church was taken into consideration, and in connection with this vast
work the Saints also had to endure persecution. We have prospective
persecution. The government of the United States is trying to restrict our
rights and our liberties, though our political liberties are not very
extensive, but we have only to keep on in our way of serving the Lord. The
speaker said he was a grandson of a revolutionary soldier, and himself and his
brothers and his parents had tasted the dregs of poverty in living among the
people of a free country in other States or Territories than Utah, and he had
suffered from the privations and drivings of the Saints, and felt he could do
so again if it was necessary. He sensed the weight of the legislation against
this people,but still felt serene and peaceful in the work of promulgating
principles that are for the exaltation of the human family.
The choir sang an anthem:
Angels from the realms of glory.
Conference adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Apostle Wilford Woodruff.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:188, 4/12/82, p 12]
April 6, 2 p. m.
The choir sang on page 117:
All praise to our redeeming
Lord,
Who joins us by his praise.
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang on page 13.
Praise to God immortal
praise
For the love that crowns our days.
APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG
Said he was pleased at the opportunity of attending another annual Conference. He endorsed the remarks of the speakers of this morning. His feelings had been a little wrought upon at the actions of those who ought to foster and encourage us, for we are bringing the poor and down-trodden to this country, and teaching them how to live and improve themselves, and develop the resources of this wild and barren waste. This people have done more to establish and prepare this western region for capitalists to come to and build fine houses than the rest o the United States all put together. He then spoke of the suicidal policy we had been guilty of by sustaining and making rich those who had refused to render one act of succor or utter one word of remonstrance when troubles assailed us. He hoped to be sustained in observing the laws of God. The watchword to-day for us was peace and good will. He had faith in God, and had no fears for the result. We must not be deterred by obstacles, but press forward in faith and a way would always be opened and a ram be found in the thicket. If we put away from us the principles that god has given us, this people never can prosper, but let us serve God with renewed energy, and if we have neglected our quorum meetings or other duties, let us repent and do better, and trust in God, and the persecutions now threatening will do us no harm, but all will work to our advantage and for the building up of the kingdom of God at large. He felt it incumbent on him to keep the commandments of God, and through not strictly living up to the duties and responsibilities of our religion he attributed, the chief cause of the troubles and calamities this people had been called to pass through.
[Brigham Young]
[MS 44:276]
Appreciated
the privilege of meeting with the Saints in Conference, having been absent from
the Territory for several months. Had been excited a little, a very little, and
his feelings had been wrought upon by the course of some persons who ought to
foster and cherish those who develop the resources of this arid country. The
people who are using their best endeavors to bring the poor from other
countries and elevate them should be encouraged, and it is strange that the
settlers in this mountain region who have done more to open the California
country than the whole of the other settlers in the United States in an early
day, who made possible a railroad through the continent, should not receive
different treatment to that which they are receiving now. It is due to the
"Mormons" to say that they have done a great deal to open the great
western country; and it is not saying too much when it is stated that the
opening of the mines and the building of the fine houses in this Territory
would not have been possible, anyhow would not have had a good foundation, if
the "Mormons" had not staid here to make Utah what it is. The
capitalists who come here want to claim the honor of building up our country,
but he never saw the capitalist who spent a dollar here that did not get a
dollar back, and some of them got a great many dollars back. Now where is one
of these men who have made thousands of dollars here who has raised his hand or
voice to defend us? We have one good trustworthy friend in the world -- Col.
Kane; he has been our friend in Iowa and in 1857, and is our friend now; but
our friends are few and far between. I do not feel scared at prospective
trouble; I want to have the courage and judgment my father had, and many other
good men have had, and stand firm in advocating and defending the principles of
the Gospel. I am convinced that the proper way for us to travel is straight
along over gulches, mountains, or anything in our path, to reach the goal of
purity, of righteousness and of truth, and not have timorous feelings. The
Prophet Joseph Smith doubtless knew that men were hid to way lay and rob him of
the plates, but he did not go back or dodge the issue, and we should all feel
that way. I am not altogether belligerent -- am not advocating warlike
measures, but I do want to advocate our standing true and steadfast all the
time -- the whole time. If I am to be persecuted for living my religion, why, I
am to be persecuted, that's all; and dodging the issue will not change it. I
have read the bill passed to injure us, but am satisfied that everything will
come out all right, and the designs of our enemies be frustrated and confusion
will come upon them. It may be that this outside pressure is for a good purpose
-- to bind the people together, and to stop dissension and strife that might
possibly grow up in our midst. We feel the necessity of standing shoulder to
shoulder in a solid phalanx to meet the enemy in his inroads upon us.
ELDER L. J. NUTTALL
Then read the statistics of the various stakes of Zion, also a half-yearly statistical and financial report of the Relief Societies.
[L. John Nuttall]
[MS 44:289]
Read the statistical report for the half year ending march,
1882:
|
|
Baptized |
Births |
|||
|
New
Members |
Children
|
Males. |
Females. |
||
|
Bear Lake |
4,071 |
7 |
78 |
63 |
47 |
|
Totals |
121,191 |
362 |
978 |
1260 |
1172 |
He also
read the following statistical and financial report of the Relief Societies:
Total number of officers and members, 15,329; cash on hand at last report,
$4347.45; property, $4028.18; 19,709 bushels of wheat; cash received,
$4,573.71; property, $4655.54; wheat, 4,990 bushels
Disbursements
-- To the poor, cash, $1,924.53; property, $3,166.42. Emigration, $224.98.
Temple -- cash, $1,106.27; property, $1,222.10. Home industries -- cash,
$287.10; property, $93.00. Books, $109.50. Missionaries -- $243.62. Buildings
-- cash, $12227.19; property, $646.70. Indians -- $22.83.
On hand
-- cash, $4770.97; other property, $53,128.45; wheat, 26,072 bushels.
APOSTLE WILFORD WOODRUFF
Felt as when he was first baptized into this Church -- that whatever the Spirit of the Lord might give him to speak to the people, regardless of the feelings and views of the outside world, that he had always spoken, and hoped to continue to do. He wished to say to the Latter-day Saints that with us it was the kingdom of God or nothing. Outside of the kingdom of God there is no exaltation. The God of heaven has set His hand to establish his kingdom. All the Prophets of by gone days have prophesied of these days, and of the setting up of the kingdom of God. He had watched and marked the progress of this work for near half a century. The God of heaven called Joseph Smith to lay the foundation of this great latter-day work, and God stood by him to the day of his death. We need not expect to pass through this world in connection with this work, without being persecuted, for all men in every dispensation who held the Priesthood had to contend with it more or less. If God was not the author of this latter-day dispensation we should not meet with persecution. The world would love its own. He could remember nearly 70 years back, and the change that had come over the Christian world was wonderful. They had become infidel, and had discarded nearly all the ordinances of the gospel. They have no faith in God, and utterly repudiated and would laugh at the very idea of new revelation. If the world do not believe there is a God, we do. Over 100,000 persons living in these mountains, believe in God, and He will protect and defend us, for we know that God rules and reigns, and He is our friend. A Congressman said lately to one of our Elders, "If Congress pass that Edmunds bill, God have mercy on you Mormons." But I say, God have mercy on the outside world, for they are in the hands of god as much as we re, and He will have with them a fearful reckoning. If the world persecute us, we need not fear and tremble, but put our trust in the Almighty. There is no principle or commandment that God has revealed for us to observe that we can afford to give up. Our business is to keep the commandments of God regardless of the consequences. He then called on every man and woman in Israel to enter into their closets and pour out their souls and petitions before God, and the thousands of fervent, honest prayers going up before the Lord will be sure to bring down blessings upon the heads of the Saints and sanctify to our God all that we may be called upon to pass through. The God of heaven is going to exalt Zion and make His people great in the earth. The Prophet Joseph had said the time would come when the principles of the Constitution would be forsaken and that instrument would be rent asunder, and this people would then step forward and rescue it from entire destruction. The government of this nation are fast preparing themselves for the severe chastening hand of the Almighty, for He holds them responsible, they have got to foot the bill for all that they do. We have been called to a great and mighty work; let us keep the commandments of God and fear not. He was willing to risk his life, his honor, and his eternal salvation, on the result of obedience to the principles of our holy religion We have appealed to earthly courts in vain, let us appeal to the court of Heaven, and let us prepare ourselves for the work that lies before us and live so that we may finally inherit eternal life, for Jesus' sake.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[MS 44:289-290]
Asked
the question whether it is proper to say what the Spirit dictates, or what
would please the children of men. His own feelings were that it is the kingdom
of God or nothing, and he desired nothing outside of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, for no kingdoms, thrones, principalities, salvation or
exaltation can be received outside the kingdom of God. Man may own some of
these possessions for a few days, but at a given time they are all buried in
one common grave. Every Prophet and Apostle that has lived upon the earth has
prophesied of this great day and dispensation. I have lived in this Church
nearly fifty years, and have watched its organization and growth from nearly
the first, and have known from the first, and know to-day, that Joseph Smith
was raised up and sustained by the Lord to do the work of opening up this
dispensation. Everyone who expects to obtain part of parcel in this kingdom
without trials, will be greatly mistaken. The growth of this Church has been
very similar to the parable of the mustard seed, in every one of its stages.
The speaker desired to impress one thing upon his hearers -- viz., if this was
not the Church and Kingdom of God, the world would not hate you -- the world
loved its own; but if the people love righteousness the world will hate them.
Jesus and his disciples were not popular among the Jews; they thought he had
come to take their place and nation. The speaker could remember for some
sixty-seven years, and looking back on the history of that time, he could see a
great change in the feeling of the people concerning religious matters. In his
younger days he sat for hours hearing the Presbyterian ministers picture the
torments of hell, where the flames rose higher and higher and higher, with a
fervor that would scare a great many from committing sin, but the great
ministers have knocked the bottom out of hell, and it will hold nobody now.
Some of these ministers and others who are fighting against this work will find
there is a hell, and that it will hold them. The learned men of to-day also say
they believe there is no God. Congressmen, law-makers, statesmen and others
laugh at you when you describe the hand of God in the events of the day. The
Latter-day Saints believe in a God, know there is a God, and intend to follow
the instructions revealed through his servants. A Congressman said to one of my
brethren lately: "If that bill passes, God have mercy on you
Mormons!" I say, if the men in power will persecute us, God have mercy on
them and their families. Shall we fear and tremble because the world oppose us?
I say no, and I say yea and amen to the valiant men who express the sentiment
that we cannot yield one principle. I have no commandment to yield, no steps to
retrace, no principle to forswear to please any man or men, and do not believe
that God will ever ask any of us to do so, for the Church must be kept intact,
and those who cannot feel the conviction that I do, will do so before ten years
are past. We have a future, a high destiny, and that God who has raised up a
kingdom on the earth is not asleep. He may allow trials to test his people, but
we must not sell our Gospel or any of its principles, and if any are weak-kneed
they are not wanted in this Church. I have seen the banks of the Mississippi
lined with thousands of men, women and children in the mud and in the rain, driven
there by a Governor, but it will all come out right. I have never broken any
law of the land, that I know of, that has been constitutional. The principles
of he Constitution were given to our forefathers by inspiration, but their
grandsons are discarding it, and rending it, and if this course is not stopped
the whole of the props of liberty will be lost. I want to say to our enemies or
friends that it costs a great deal to shed the blood of God's people. The Jews
crucified Jesus, and since then thousands, and perhaps millions of Jews have
been crucified or died unnatural deaths. There were two men killed in Carthage
jail, and the country has had to pay a big price in blood for that murder, and
the bill is not all paid yet. A number of Congressmen expressly stated in the
legislative halls at Washington that they could not vote for the bill which has
been passed recently because it was so glaringly unconstitutional, and all the
congressmen know it is unconstitutional. This warfare is not between congress and
the handful of people in these mountains; it is a warfare between God and man,
and God will fight our battles. We have a court to appeal to above the courts
of this land, and the whole of the hundred thousand Saints should seek their
private chambers and petition that court and its Judge for justice.
The Choir sang the hymn on page 260:
How firm a foundation ye
Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow at 10 o'clock a.m.
Benediction by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 31:188-189, 4/12/82, p 12-13]
SECOND DAY.
Friday, April 7th, 10 o'clock a.m.
The choir sang a hymn on page 209
Come, O thou King of kings,
We've waited long for Thee.
Prayer by Bishop David H. Cannon.
Come listen to a prophet's
voice,
And hear the word of God.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Read a few verses from the 14th chapter of Exodus. He described the condition of the children of Israel, with the Red Sea in their front and the army of the Egyptians in their rear, and compared it with the circumstances that the Latter-day Saints have passed through, and may possibly in the future be placed in, where, to all human appearance,there can be no deliverance unless the Almighty steps in and displays his power in their behalf. He referred to the persecutions and trials in the early history of this Church, when our enemies were numerous and strong and the Saints few in number and feeble in strength, yet in the midst of their deepest troubles very few were inclined to give up their faith in God, and return to Babylon. When impediments rise up to stop the work of God, which no human power can avert, the Elders of Israel must not stop, but move forward, trusting in God, and in the own due time of the Lord when necessity requires it, the Lord may inspire his servants as he did Moses of old to say to the people "Stand still and see the salvation of God." The purposes of God can never be thwarted or set aside. No human agency can prevent the establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth. Let not the Elders stop their labors, and let the watch word be, "Do not stand still, move on!" Let there be no moving back. Let the farmer pursue his agricultural work; let the mechanic go on with his labor; let Israel continue to build their temples, their houses of worship and schoolhouses; let the Elders preach the Gospel and gather Israel; we must not stand still, but go on improving. Let us continue sending out our missionaries to preach the gospel, and in every way to push forward in labors of love in the building up of Zion. We must never stop while we have strength to move, and a voice to speak. When Christ was nailed tot he cross his enemies thought they had gained the advantage, but the purposes of God were being fulfilled. So it has been in all the persecutions and drivings of the Latter-day Saints, and so it will be in the future. As an example of moral courage and sterling integrity to God and the blessings that resulted therefrom, the speaker instanced the three Hebrew children and the Prophet Daniel, who in the face of the king's decree, continued to serve God who delivered them from their perilous situation. The Saints of the latter-days possess the same kind of integrity, and would rather suffer all kinds of persecution than relinquish any of those principles of righteousness which God has revealed for the salvation of the human family. Sometimes we see that rulers and men in high places are moved upon to confer privileges and powers upon the Saints, as in the Nauvoo charter and in the appointment of President Young as Governor of Utah, and then they are permitted to chastise the Saints, and then God can soften their hearts and dispose them to bestow favors upon us, however unexpectedly they may come. If any one had predicted, when the Saints were driven from Nauvoo that our Prophet would be appointed Governor, and some of our Elders to other offices in the Territory, he would at least have been counted a false prophet. God moved in ancient times upon infidel kings for the good of His people and we may yet be able to see that good can yet "come out of Nazareth." He then spoke of plural marriage, as a principle of our religion, which was so explained to him by Joseph Smith, and personally revealed to him from heaven as a correct principle of the Gospel. The Edmunds bill though so obscure as not to be easily understood, creating quite a division of opinion among Congressmen as to its meaning, had some good provisions. It legitimatized the offspring of plural marriages up to Jan. 1, 1883, if those marriages were performed according to the usages and customs of the "Mormon" Church -- no others were included. This was quite unexpected and we shall appreciate it.
After offering some very encouraging remarks to the Saints, he exhorted them to live so as to secure the blessings of God and finally the fulness of His glory.
[Lorenzo Snow]
[MS 44:221-222]
Read
a few verses of the 14th chapter of Exodus. There is a great lesson contained
in these verses, and it is applicable to the Latter-day Saints, and to all
other people. The children of Israel had not had the opportunities of being so
well acquainted with the mind and will of the Lord as have the Latter-day
Saints, so when the Israelites saw the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians
behind them they were afraid. It is not impossible that the Saints in this day
may be placed in a similar situation; some circumstances of comparison are
contained in the history of this people and further and similar ones may come
to this people. The children of Israel through their lack of knowledge, blamed
Moses for taking them from their flesh opts in Egypt, and he murmured also to
the Lord. If the people could see the purposes of God, they would always be
content and not murmur. When the army came against us in Missouri, and it
seemed that unless help came from a supreme power, there may have been a very
few who trembled, but the Saints had faith in the promises of God and did not
display the folly of former days Israel and hanker again after the flesh pots
of the world, but expected and obtained the deliverance of their God. Of course
the Saints, as well as the prophets in this day, like those in former days,
have had their weaknesses; Moses had more faith than knowledge, and sometimes
erred. In the circumstances I have read the Prophet told the Israelites to fear
not, but stand still and see the salvation of god. The former part of his words
was good enough, and it is good enough now, good enough for every one of our
Elders and every one of our people; but the Lord told Moses to tell the people
to move forward and not stand still. It was not wisdom for the people of God
ever to stand still, but keep moving forward and onward, for the purposes of
God do not stand still. The children of Israel never would have crossed the Red
Sea if they had stood still. The Saints have trials, of course, and the victory
over these trials is accomplished by overcoming them. In the days of Jesus,
when he was crucified, the natural views of men led them to believe that the
work was over, and some of the disciples even returned to their fishing; but
though these agents of the Lord upon the earth were morbid and quiet, the work
did not stand still; one of the grandest parts of Christ's mission was being
accomplished -- the doors of the spirit prison house were being opened; the
servants of God on the earth and in the spirit world could work together and
bring about the designs and purposes of the work which was to reach every son
and daughter of Adam; and there was no standing still for it. When the Saints
were persecuted, pillaged, and driven in Kirtland, in Jackson County, in Far
West, and in Missouri, the work did not stand still, but was moving on all the
time. This should be our motto: Fear not; keep moving on; keep preaching to the
nations the principles of the Gospel; keep gathering in the honest in heart;
keep building meeting houses; keep opening up enterprises and developing the
resources of the Territory -- anything that is just and commendable in the eyes
of good men. The speaker brought to the minds of his hearers the illustration
of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrust into the fiery furnace, who were
delivered without even a hair of their heads being burned; of Daniel being
thrown into the lion's den because he would not bow to a human or false god,
and who was delivered unhurt and unharmed. An illustration of the outcome of
the present position was given in the history of this people in Illinois. One
of the generals of the militia that was sent against us in Missouri made the
remark that if one of the poor people should accidentally shoot down one of the
mob, the whole state would swoop down there upon the Mormons and destroy them
entirely. We were despised and driven, and then located in Nauvoo, and
legislators were influenced to give us charter rights, and they gave the
prophet Joseph more privileges and rights in a military capacity than had been
given to any other man in the same position. When we were driven from Nauvoo,
and crossed the desert plains and settled in these mountains, congress gave us
an organic act for the Territory, made a Mormon Elder governor of the
Territory, made a Mormon Elder secretary of State, and a Mormon Elder was appointed
one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the Territory. Now about the Edmunds
bill. I shall not talk much about it, for I do not profess to understand it
very well, and congressmen do not understand it; nobody seems to understand it.
But about plural marriage, I do understand something. I knew Joseph Smith well
for twelve or fourteen years, and he told me personally that God had revealed
to him the doctrine of plural marriage, and I believed it. I knew Joseph Smith
to be a man of truth; could give many evidences of it, but did not depend on
Joseph's veracity for the truthfulness of this doctrine. i received a testimony
for myself; if you please, the heavens opened and the knowledge of God lit up
my understanding on this as on other principles of the Gospel. In this Edmunds
bill there is something good -- it legalizes every issue from plural marriages
up to January 1, 1883, which marriages had been performed by the ceremonies of
the Mormon sect, but if any gentleman has been guilty of bigamy or polygamy
outside of the ceremonies of the Mormon sect, his issue is not legitimate. No
person, a few years ago, could have expected such an act of congress, but it
has passed and been signed by the President. I do not have any fear or trouble
about fiery ordeals, but if any do come we all should be ready for them. Keep
moving on and accomplishing the purposes of Jehovah.
[Lorenzo Snow]
[DNW 31:370, 7/5/82, p 2; JD 23:150]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW,
At the General Conference, Friday a.m., April 7th, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
The
speaker read the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th verses of the 14th
chapter of Exodus, and then said:
There is
an important lesson contained in these verses, and the lesson is not only
applicable to this community as a whole, but to each individual. It appears
that the children of Israel at the time referred to in the passage I have read,
were not very well acquainted with the Lord, or with his ability to carry out
his purposes. They, however, had not the opportunities of becoming acquainted
with him, as have the Latter-day Saints. They had seen some of the works of the
Lord wrought in the presence of the Egyptians as well as in their own presence;
but their hearts had not been touched, neither had their understandings been
enlightened by the intelligence of the Holy Spirit, as has been the case with
the Latter-day Saints, and therefore, when they were brought to face the Red
Sea, which, to all human appearance, was impassable, and with the armies of the
Egyptians pressing close upon them, their hearts failed them.
The
Latter-day Saints in latter days have been placed in circumstances very
similar. I well remember in my own experience the Latter-day Saints being
placed in situations were it became very necessary for them to rely upon their
knowledge of the things of God and their faith in His power to carry out His
purposes.
It is not
at all strange that the Israelites at that time, possessing the little
knowledge they did, should be considerably alarmed, or that they should display
a great amount of ignorance and folly, having expressed themselves to Moses as
being in doubt as to the propriety of attempting to deliver them from their
fettered condition, notwithstanding the Egyptians had been so severe upon them,
and had taken the lives of their children, yet they had so little faith in the
word of the Lord through their deliverer, Moses, that they were willing to
still continue slaves rather than place themselves under the direction of the
Almighty. They wished to know of Moses if there were not sufficient graves in
Egypt that it became necessary for them to be destroyed by the army of Pharaoh
in the wilderness, and chided Moses for the course he had pursued, and wished
themselves back in bondage.
I do not
think the Latter-day Saints in any period of their history have displayed such
weakness and lack of faith; however trying our circumstances may have been, we
have never been guilty of such pronounced ingratitude to God. At the time the
mob came against us in Missouri there were but a few of us, and the
circumstances were such it was impossible to expect deliverance except through
the intervention of the Almighty. There may, it is true, have been some persons
at that time whose hearts failed them under the very trying circumstances in
which we were placed; but they were very few. The Latter-day Saints had
received the Gospel accompanied by the Holy Spirit; and it was in consequence
of that miraculous influence and power that was and had been upon them at
various times, which caused them to have faith in their deliverance. They did
not display the weakness and folly that we see manifested in the children of
Israel on the occasion referred to in the verses I have read, as well as on
many other occasions. There were a few, however, that wished to turn back to
Babylon and give up their faith, the ordeal being too severe. In reading
ecclesiastical history we find that even the prophets on certain occasions,
displayed more or less weakness; and I have thought that Moses exhibited a
little on this occasion, that is, if the translation be strictly correct. He
saw the difficulties, and although he had more faith and knowledge in his bosom
than all the faith and knowledge of the people put together, yet there seemed
to be a feebleness in the course that he advised on this occasion. With the Red
Sea in front and the army of Pharaoh pressing closely in the rear, the state of
affairs, of course, seemed critical, and it was apparent to all: and while the
people were bewailing their condition Moses gave instructions, saying,
"Fear ye not"—now that part of it was excellent, and may apply
to the Latter-day Saints, and will always be applicable in whatever condition
they may be placed; but the after part of the instruction I would scarcely
think was exactly applicable on that occasion, and it certainly would not be to
the Latter-day Saints in any situation or circumstance, namely, "Stand
still, and see the salvation of the Lord." It appears from this verse
which I will read, that Moses began to cry unto the Lord for deliverance; and
the Lord answered him saying: "Wherefore cryest thou unto me? Speak
unto the children of Israel that they go forward." There was no standing
still; there never has been since the day that the Almighty commenced to
establish His work, the people have always been required to move on and never
stand still. Although the Lord will work and accomplish wonders in regard to
the deliverance of His people when impediments arise in the path of their
progress and no human power or ability can remove them, then God by His power
will do so, but it is the business of those who profess to be engaged in His
work to move on, to go forward, and that too without murmuring or having to be
urged; so long as there remains a step forward to be taken, that step should be
taken. As in this case it was not wisdom for the people to stand still to see
the salvation of the Lord, but the word was, move on, go forward, have faith,
so that when they should come to the water's edge and place their feet therein,
that then the Lord would either move upon the Egyptians to stay the hand of
destruction, or show His power in delivering them in some other way; but so
long as they could make a move in the direction that God through Moses had
appointed, it was their duty to do so.
It may
appear through our ignorance in not understanding fully the ways of the Lord
and His purposes, that in our onward march in carrying out the programme before
us, we sometimes come to a stopping place for the time being, but the fact is,
there is no such thing the programme, and there cannot be providing the people
continue their labors putting their trust in the promises of God. The Apostles,
notwithstanding the opportunities they had of acquainting themselves with the
purposes of the Almighty, through personal converse with the Son of God,
thought there was a time when they would have to stand still, and cease their
labors as ministers of God. When they saw the Savior hanging upon the cross in
the agonies of death, their hearts failed them, and they concluded that all was
over with them. They had thought that Jesus was to be king of Israel, and
deliver them from the Gentile yoke, but now their hopes seemed vain and all was
lost; now said their leader, let us go a fishing. Was there a cessation of the
work of God, when Jesus was suffering upon the cross? No, the work was still
going on, but the Apostles did not understand it; they did not seem to
comprehend the act that the purposes of God were being carried out when He was
suffering upon the cross; but when Jesus appeared to them after He arose from
the tomb, He gave them to understand that in His suffering and death the words
of the prophets were being fulfilled and He opened their understanding that
they might understand the Scriptures. But the High Priests of the Jewish faith,
and all those who were foremost in the crucifixion of the Savior, believed they
had accomplished their purpose in putting to death Him whom they feared would
take away their name and nation, and doubtless felt satisfied with their work,
especially as He failed to come down from the cross, when they cried out, If He
be the Son of God let Him come down from the cross.
There is
no standing still with the Latter-day Saints. When we were driven from Kirtland
and Jackson County by mob violence, the purposes of God were being fulfilled
and the work was undergoing changes necessary to its growth and progress, and
the trials and afflictions incident thereto were necessary to the proving of
the Saints and the establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth. And I
would say, let the motto be to every Elder in Israel, and to every person
worthy to be called a Saint. Fear not, and never stand still, but move on. Let
the farmer go forward making improvements, plow and sow and reap; and those
engaged in proper and useful enterprises continue to do what seems good
according to the Spirit of God that may operate upon them, and let every matt
be faithful and very diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and cultivate
the desire to do good to those around him; and if, in reflecting on the past,
we find we have not acted strictly in accordance with the dictates of our
consciences and duty, let us make ourselves right before God and man, that we
may be prepared for every event that may transpire. Let the work of building
temples and houses of worship go on; let Israel continue to educate their
children and bring them up in the fear of the Lord, and let the Gospel still be
carried to the nations afar, and Israel be gathered and the people always be
found moving on as the purposes of God continue to be fulfilled. Do not stand
still and expect to see the salvation of God, but move on so long as there is a
step to be made in the direction that he has commanded, and then see the
salvation of the Almighty. This is the work of God, and he is directing its
course and progress in the earth, and this work should ever be uppermost in our
minds; and so long as we are found in the path of duty we can surely remain
fixed and unmoved and determined in our purpose, and thus exhibit to the world
our faith and devotion to the principles of truth which God has revealed, as
did the Saints when they were driven from their homes as recorded in the
history of the Church. And because of this exhibition of faith God blessed us
wonderfully and miraculously after we had passed through the trims which
followed in the accomplishment of this work, trials which seemed indeed to the
world almost unbearable. However we regard those afflictions, they were not so
very disagreeable. When the three Hebrew children, for instance, had been
brought to a certain position, cast into the fiery furnace because of their
undying faith and integrity, they could not after all perhaps have been placed
in more pleasing and agreeable circumstances. A holy being, it is said,
appeared and walked with them, side by side in the midst of the flames; and so
with Daniel under similar circumstances. Did they wait to see what God would do
for them? No; it was "move on" with them. They knew that in the hands
of their Master were held the issues of life and death, and that to die in Him
is to live, live eternally, to go on, on to perfection until they should become
even like unto Him; and having a living, an abiding faith, and a knowledge of
the true and living God they were ready to live and they were ready to die for
the truth. It was not with those men as it was with the children of Israel of
whom I have read. They were in possession of knowledge through the operation of
the Holy Ghost which prepared them for any circumstances in which they might be
placed. And so with regard to the Latter-day Saints: When compelled to sign
over our property to the mob in Missouri, we were advised to disperse and mix
up among the people and not attempt to gather together again; and yet under
these circumstances the Lord moved upon the legislature of the State of
Illinois to grant us a city charter in which there were favorable provisions
that were not found in any other charter. And this was as he had told us he
would do, namely, that he would soften the hearts of rulers from time to time
that they should show favor to his people. I do not believe, as some do, that
no good can come out from Nazareth. We talk sometimes rather harshly about some
of the politicians of our country, and deservedly, too; but notwithstanding the
illiberal and unjust policy they show towards us, I believe they can do us a
great deal of good provided the Lord operates upon the hearts of ruling men, as
he has done in the past, and as he will do in the future, which will result in
their showing and granting us favors and blessings that many now little
imagine.
The
circumstances under which we came to those mountain valleys are well known;
they need not be recited now. After we had passed through the chastisement, the
Lord moved upon our national government to bestow favors upon the people of
God. They gave us what is called the Organic Act, a bill of rights as good as
we could expect from their hands, and what was more, they conferred political
favor upon our leader, our Prophet and President, Brigham Young, by making him
Governor of the Territory. And who would have thought of such a thing? Any man
that would have predicted such a thing at the time we were being driven from
Missouri, would have been considered to say the least, an enthusiast. And
besides that, one of our United States judges was a Mormon Elder; the Secretary
of the Territory was also a Mormon Elder. And who, let me ask, did this? Was it
the Congress or the President of the United States? Well, now, I would dislike
very much to say anything that could be construed into ungratefulness on our
part or in failing to recognize all the good that our nation has designed to do
us, for we recognize it as our uncle, and sometimes it has been a pretty good
uncle; but, notwithstanding, we see in all this the hand of our God who through
them, has wrought out this good and this deliverance for his people, while we
are ready and willing to acknowledge an overruling Providence in the good that
comes to us; and for one I am ever ready to acknowledge that good also can come
out of Nazareth. We can certainly afford to suffer a little when at times we
perceive magnanimity displayed towards us by our government, which has been the
case in the past, and which I firmly believe will be in the future despite the
pressure that is being brought to bear against us and the nature of the means
that are being now employed.
The Lord
moved upon rulers in former generations; he moved upon infidel kings to favor
his people, and he is the same God now as then.
We talk
about the Edmunds bill, what it is going to do I do not pretend to say, neither
do I think that its framers and abettors know what is going to come of it. One
thing I have noticed, and that is that Congressmen themselves differ widely
with regard to certain of its previsions; and that being the case it would
perhaps, become us to wait and watch. But there is one singular feature about
it relating to plural marriage. And about that allow me here to say, I happen
to have some knowledge of it as a principle of revelation belonging to the
religion we have espoused. I was personally acquainted with Joseph Smith during
twelve or fourteen years and, of course, through him I first learned what I now
know about that principle. And as to his being a man of truth and honor I, nor
any one else that knew him, have any reason to question for a moment. But then
I never went forth to preach the principles of this Gospel depending entirely
upon any information I received through him or any other man; but I believed on
his words, coming as they did to me as the words of truth, from an inspired man
of God; and from that hour the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost which all men may
receive and enjoy, has confirmed the truth of what he had told me, and it
became knowledge to me of that nature which no man can give or take away. And
now, as there is good, more or less, to be found elsewhere, the Edmunds bill is
not without its good; and, therefore, I say, let us accept the good and feel
thankful therefor. That extraordinary bill legalizes the issue of plural
marriage up to the 1st day of January, 1883. Now, who could have expected so
much good to come out of Nazareth? Uncle Samuel is now and then a pretty good
uncle after all. (Laughter). And, mark you, the framers of the Bill have been
to considerate as to distinctly provide that the children thus legalized must
be the offspring of marriages performed according to the rites and ceremonies
of the sect known as the Latter-day Saints. In the language of the small boy I
say, "good enough." (Laughter.) Now, if any of our Gentile friends
have been indiscreet, or should hereafter be guilty of bigamy, their offspring
of course are not so favored. (Laughter.) We ought to be thankful for this
unexpected favor, and indeed I have no doubt we are. I really never expected
that the law-makers of our nation would ever legalize plural marriages as
performed for the last thirty years or more. If the Lord is able to do a thing
of this kind through men who framed that strange and singular bill, our open
and avowed enemies, what is he not able to do? What may we not expect if we
remain faithful and true to the trust reposed in us?
The Lord
very possibly may cause a heavy pressure to hear upon us, such as will require
great sacrifice at the hands of his people. The question with us is, will we
make that sacrifice? This work is the work of the Almighty, and the blessings
we look for which have been promised, will come after we have proven ourselves
and passed through the ordeal. I have no special word to this people that there
is, or that there is not, before them a fiery ordeal through which they will be
called to pass; the question with me is, am I prepared to receive and put to a
right and proper use any blessing the Lord has in store for me in common with
His people; or, on the other hand, am I prepared to make any sacrifice that he
may require at my hands? I would not give the ashes of a rye straw for any
religion that was not worth living for and that was not worth dying for; and I
would not give much for the man that was not willing to sacrifice his all for
the sake of his religion.
Well, I
close my remarks by saying to one and all, Move on! move on, and see the
salvation of the Lord, and not stand still. Amen.
ELDER L. J. NUTTALL
Then read the reports of the Temple donations for the past half year, also the reports of the Sunday School Union, Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, and the Primary Associations as follows:
Deseret
Sunday School Union.
No. of schools reported 291
No. of schools not reported 14
Total No. of children, 34,119
Total No. of officers and teachers, 5,635
Total No. of officers, teachers and children, 39,754
No. Theological classes, 157
" Bible classes, 261
" Book of Mormon classes, 377
" Doctrine and Covenant classes 170
" Juvenile Instructor classes, 156
" Catechism classes, 181
" Miscellaneous classes, 1,639
Total No. of classes, 3,641
Total No. of books in library, 23,165
Geo. Q. Cannon, General Supt.,
Geo. Goddard, Asst. Genl. Supt.,
S. W. Richards, Secretary,
Geo. Reynolds, Treasurer.
Young
Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association.
Meetings held, 1,449
Number of members, 4,544
Number of chapters read from Church works, 88,803
Miscellaneous reading, 9,459
Manuscript papers, 115
Books in library, 149
Elmina S. Taylor, President.
Louie M. Wells, Secretary.
Primary
Associations.
Number of members, 23,347
" meetings held, 5,627
" chapters read from Church works,
26,284
Number of miscellaneous, 11,504
" recitations, 15,140
Manuscript papers, 7
Essays written,
Elder Nuttall then read the following list of Missionaries, who were unanimously sustained by the vote of the Conference:
Names of Elders who have been called on missions since the October Conference, 1881, and now in their fields of labor:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Thomas
Allsop, Union.
UNITED STATES.
P.
Green Taylor, Harrisville.
Wm. G. Brough, Morgan.
SOUTHERN STATES.
John
J. Dunn, Brigham City.
John Haven Barlow, East Bountiful.
John Morgan, 14th Ward.
NEW ZEALAND.
Wm.
Burnett, Hooper.
ARIZONA.
Alma
H. Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
Elder Nuttall also read the following list of missionaries, all of whom were unanimously sustained by the Conference.
GREAT BRITAIN
John
Charles Reader, Wellsville.
Joseph A. West, Ogden.
Edwin spencer, Randolph.
Wm. G. Reese, Benson.
Thomas W. Horsley, Paris.
Isaac Green, Wellsville.
David Burnett, Oneida.
Henry W. Manning, Hooper.
Joseph Alma Smith, Coalville.
Willard F. Smith, Coalville.
David Lewis, East Bountiful.
John Penman, "
James Meikle, Smithfield.
Ephraim H. Nye, Ogden.
Joseph wild, American Fork.
John Crawford, Ogden.
Geo. Croft, Fillmore.
James H. Kinnersley, 17th Ward.
SCANDINAVIA.
Lars
Swenson, Moroni.
Soren Madsen, Milton.
Christian Poulsen, Richfield.
J. B. Hesse, Monroe.
John Anderson, Fillmore.
SWITZERLAND.
John
Hafen, Santa Clara.
UNITED STATES.
John
A. Sutton, Paris.
Gilbert R. Belnap, Jr., Hooperville.
Wm. H. Wright, Ogden.
Niels Rasmussen, Parowan.
B. P. Wolfenstien, St. George.
Reuben Farnsworth, Richfield.
H. M. Payne, Glenwood.
A. W. Buchanan, "
SOUTHERN STATES.
Charles
F. Martineau, Logan.
Nathaniel W. Haws, "
Joseph S. Hunter, Cedar City.
Edwin R. Miles, Smithfield.
Walter George Paul, Mendon.
Milson R. Pratt, 19th Ward.
NEW ZEALAND.
Alma
Greenwood, Fillmore.
Ira N. Hinckley, "
MALAD INDIAN FARM.
James
Chandler, Willard, as school teacher.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said when we make motions of this kind, he wished it to be distinctly understood that those who voted, should strictly carry the vote out. While the missionaries were absent, let us look after their families and make them as comfortable as our own, if there is an entertainment invite them to it and provide for their necessities. Some people ask the Lord to provide for missionaries' families and for the poor; he thought a little flour, meat, money and groceries were good things to add to prayers. He made some very encouraging remarks about the storm that seemed to be so much talked about; and said let us treat it the same as we did this morning in coming through the snow-storm -- put up our coat collars and wait till the storm subsides. After the storm comes sunshine. While it lasts it is useless to reason with the world; when it subsides we can talk to them. Notwithstanding all the accusations against the Saints, there are no more law-abiding people on the continent than those who live in these valleys, nor can there be found any people who are so loyal to the Constitution and laws of our country, and we will continue to support republican principles and every constitutional law, and if other people cannot afford to do right, we can, and we will preach the Gospel too and try to save them in return for the evil they would do unto us. He spoke in praise of those honorable members of Congress who had the manhood to sustain human rights and constitutional liberties in the face of the opposition which prevailed, and said this showed that there is some salt left yet in the United States; there are thousands of good men who possess sufficient integrity to defend the right and maintain correct principles, but some of them are afraid to express their feelings at the present juncture. However, we will pursue our course, do right and build up Zion. We have no quarrel with any one, but we will be united, and seek after our own interests. We will sustain the constitution of the United States, and keep the commandments of God. And as there were some people here who were so very pure that the "Mormons" were denounced by them as degraded, it would be as well not to go into their stores, lest their goods might be contaminated, and we could do our trading among ourselves. Our organization was viewed as remarkable and different from anything else. It is so, and the reason is because it was not obtained from any human government or church, but was revealed of God like all other parts of our religion. And we will sustain it, rejoice upon the mountains, sing hallelujah in the valleys, praise God and honor Him in our lives. We would not violate the contracts we have made with our wives for time and all eternity. It is wrong and unconstitutional to impair the obligation of contracts, and those who did so were unworthy of our confidence. [The Conference sustained these sentiments by a united amen.] President Taylor concluded by exhorting the people to righteousness, faithfulness and trust in the Almighty.
The choir sang an anthem.
Daughter of Zion.
Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
Benediction by Apostle Erastus Snow.
_____
[7 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:189, 4/12/82, p 13]
2 p. m.
The choir sang the hymn on page 9 --
The time is nigh, the happy
time,
That great expected, blessed day.
Prayer by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
The choir sang the hymn on page 30 --
When earth in bondage long
had lain,
And darkness o'er the nations reigned.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
Had experienced much satisfaction in visiting for a few weeks past the Saints in the southern part of the Territory. He rejoiced in the spirit of the Most High made manifest thus far during this Conference. The Saints feel peculiarly interested in those things that pertain to the building up of the kingdom of God, and had the weather been favorable, this large Tabernacle would have been crowded. The Saints have ofttimes been persecuted in days gone by and their faith and perseverance have been severely tried; but God gave them success and laid His Church upon a sure foundation. The Prophet Joseph Smith, together with his brother Hyrum, both sealed their testimony with their blood. The mission of the Latter-day Saints is not a mission of blood, war, strife nor contention, but one of peace and good will to the children of men -- a mission of salvation not only theoretical, but also practical, not of faith only, but works also. The faith of the Latter-day Saints is a living faith, producing legitimate results.
The Gospel seed that is sown broadcast, falls upon a variety of soil, which is expressed in the parable of the Savior. Where the soil is rich and deep, it brings forth in some 60 and some an hundred fold. It teaches us charity, to love one another and to care for each other. It also teaches us to become one, according to the prayer of our Savior. One main objection that the Christian world has against us, is our union. Polygamy has been the war cry, yet that, in reality, they care nothing about, but it is our union and Priesthood that they are after.
He then spoke of the time prior to the civil war, when the main plank in the platform of the dominant political party was, the annihilation of slavery and polygamy as twin relics of barbarism. The Christian world at that time was very much divided and during the war, Christians on both sides, went up their prayers to God for the success of their respective armies. Had those prayers been fully answered, they would all have been destroyed. The religion of Jesus Christ enjoins Christian unity, and this unity is what the outside world is opposed to. And so far as mortality is concerned there is more prostitution in one year in one of their large cities than there has been immorality of any kind in this Territory since its organization. He then gave an interesting and historical account of the way in which this country was first ceded y treaty to the American Government from Mexico, and touched upon the nature of the Territorial system of government and the refusal of Congress to admit Utah into the Union as a State, while California was admitted. Yet Utah framed at least as liberal and democratic a constitution as California and formed part of the same Mexican Territory which was ceded to the United States. However, with all the disadvantages of being under a Territorial form of government, we have been a prospered people, we have opened up farms, established factories, built school-houses and manufactured many articles of general utility and educated our children without any aid from the general government. These facts must be patent to the world, and give the lie to the charge of our being a licentious and vicious people. Are these the fruits of corruption? Are these the products of lawlessness? We invite statesmen and others to our Sunday schools, our assemblies and other places where they can learn our true character, instead of being led by the lying scribblers who are all the time trying to poison the public mind against us. Why are they afraid to mingle mong the people about whom they wish to gain information and learn the truth instead of being led by falsehood?
A great hue and cry is often heard about the one-man-power. Where, he would ask, could be found a greater exhibition of the one-man-power than was made manifest by the Governor of this Territory in giving a certificate of election to a man who received but 1,300 votes against 18,000 cast by the people for the man of their choice? He referred to the course taken in Congress during the passage of the Edmunds bill and asked where was the statesmen who did not vote as whipped into line by the lash of his party. He spoke of that great and glorious instrument of human liberty, the Constitution of the United States, and showed that its principles, with those of the Declaration of Independence, were the same that God had revealed for the government of his children, and ever since the creation of the world, and which he substantiated by reference to the Bible and the Book of Mormon, showing the liberty of Israel under the rule of the Judges, each tribe a commonwealth, and the chief ruler a man of god, and the happiness of the Nephites under similar government. In the Book of Mormon we are told that God would establish upon this continent a free and independent government, and in the book of Doctrine and Covenants that there would be no need for the Saints in observing the commandments of God, to break the laws of the land that are in accord with the Constitution of the country. This doctrine has been preached by the Prophet Joseph and his successors and practised by the Saints. and if this nation had hearkened to the voice of Joseph Smith it would have been saved from the civil war; the slaves of the South would have been freed at a tenth of he cost and without the shedding of blood. but following the war there has been a degeneracy among men in high places, moral, spiritual and political tending to the breaking down of the barriers of constitutional liberty. Even the Supreme Court once thought to be incorruptible had become tainted with this degeneracy, and now a returning board was sought to be foisted upon this people after 35 years of vassalage under territorial government. He drew attention to the canyon roads in these mountains which often looked as though passage was barred, and yet a turn of the road would open to the view a broad and pleasant valley. So it would be in our experience if we keep our covenants and do right; the Lord will open the way and all will turn for our good. He endorsed the remarks of President Taylor and advised the purchase of such goods as must be imported, through our own co-operative stores instead of handing money over to our enemies and defamers, and though not predicting the consequences of recent legislation thought that if those who had helped to bring it about could stand its results we could who had become used to such things. He closed by exhorting the Saints to wisdom, faith and righteousness.
[Erastus Snow]
[MS 44:305-307]
Had
taken satisfaction in traveling and speaking with the people in the southern
counties for the past few weeks. There is a great interest in the minds of the
people in the progress of the work of the Lord, especially at the present time,
and a determination to press forward in the path of duty. God has set his hand
to lay the foundation of the work that is to accomplish the covenants made unto
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Joseph. In the early days of the Church the
Prophet Joseph and his fellow-laborers were tried in many and varied ways, but
God thwarted the purposes of their enemies, and established the Church of God
upon the earth, though He allowed the blood of the Prophet to be shed, and thus
made a testimony for the whole world. Many present in this congregation were
witnesses and sufferers in this early work, and they ought to press this fact
upon their children. There are many forms of dead religion in the world, but
the faith of the Latter-day Saints is a live, growing faith, bringing forth
fruits meet for repentance, though all professional members of this Church are
not as fruitful and thrifty as they should be. Blessed are they who break up
the fallow ground of their hearts and prepare it, that the seed when sown
therein may take root and bring forth fruit, thirty, sixty, or a hundred-fold.
W cannot separate true religion from true practices; it teaches us to help one
another, to bear each others' burdens, to visit the orphan and comfort the
fatherless. It is a fine thing in the estimation of the Christian world to talk
about Jesus and his teachings, but when it comes to practicing his precepts,
that is another thing. some prominent persons i the east, in their synods and
their lecture-halls, have stated that polygamy was the war-cry, but the matter
to be dreaded, to be fought against, was the unity of the people -- the
priestly influence. Parson Newman and Schuyler Colfax have been noticeable
examples of this statement. Now supposing the Methodists, the Presbyterians and
other denominations had carried out the command of Jesus, "If ye are not
one ye are not mine." what would be their condition? Very different to
what it is now. The denominations are divided -- viz., the Methodist church of
the north and the Methodist church of the south; so with the Presbyterian
church and the Baptist church. This division of churches was one of the causes
of the war and these churches in their political platform inserted what is
known as the twin-relic plank. At the time of the war the chaplains of the
regiments of the army in the north and the south were praying to their God for
success against the arms of those brethren of theirs praying to the supposed
same God for success against the other side. How different to the Christian
unity of the Gospel required by Christ of his disciples. This unity is the head
and front of our offending. The states men of the day admit that there is more
depravity and corruption in one single city of the Union, in one year, that
there has been in Utah ever since the Territory has been organized. In 1847 I
assisted in planting the American standard on this Temple Block, and there are
others present who assisted there also; at that time the country to the east
and west of us was in the possession of the Mexican government. The
"Mormons" planted the stars and stripes here, and the "Mormons"
planted it west of here and east of here, and held this country until it was
ceded to the American government in 1848. The first colony of people on the
Pacific coast was a "Mormon" colony, who took a printing press and
published the first free press, called the American Star, and the first
shining gold was displayed by members of the "Mormon Battalion." The
"Mormons" also established the first free press in these mountain
fastnesses. The provisional State of Deseret and the provisional State of
California applied at the doors of congress at the same time, on equal footing,
but the first was rejected and the other accepted. We asked for bread and they
gave us a stone. We were given, true, an organic act, burdened with the
absolute veto of a Federal Governor sent here to rule over us, and with another
vote of Congress on our legislation; and this Governor sent here to nullify the
legislation of the representatives of the people may be a total stranger, and
perhaps not even a taxpayer. But we have prospered, we have grown, and have
become a powerful people. We have renewed our application for admission, but
have been refused; yet we have prospered. We have built our school-houses and
educated our children without any aid from the parent government, and though
our proportion of children is larger than that of any other State of Territory,
we have given them a primary education, at least, without any help; yet we have
prospered. We have opened up farms over an area 500 miles in length, built
mills, opened roads, established industries and become thriving and happy. Now,
with tis record, can any one consistently call us a corrupt, licentious,
debauched and vicious people? We invite statesmen to visit our Sabbath schools,
our improvement associations, and our institutions of learning, instead of
being pepped up in some corrals, and there being stuffed with lies by
unprincipled men who have sold themselves to the devil. We say come and
investigate this dreaded one-man power so much talked of as existing among this
people. They can find nothing so bad as the one-man power of a Governor who
said that a man receiving 1,300 votes was elected over the choice of the people
who receive 18.000 votes, and gave the certificate to this choice of his own.
You have also had an illustration of the power in Congress in the consideration
of the Edmunds Bill -- it was a process of party lash, gag law, and the
overriding of freedom. In the gospel is perfect freedom, and on this principle
are all the principles of the government founded. On the 4th of July, 1776, the
document was signed that was the embodiment of the principles of political
freedom, and that is what we love and cherish. Never did the ancient Israelites
enjoy more freedom than under the reign of the judges, and they prevailed over their
enemies for over 430 years. The Book of Mormon is full of instances in this
direction, and the American nation has grown remarkably while freedom existed
among the people. Now history in repeating itself tells us as soon as the
people crave for a king, or centralize the power of government in some others
who are not truly elected by the voice of the people, then anarchy, oppression,
heavy taxes,m war, bloodshed and bondage result from it. In the book of
Doctrine and Covenants we are commanded to uphold and sustain the Constitution
of the United States, and foster liberty and freedom, and we will do it though
unprincipled demagogues and politicians depart from the principles of the
Constitution. They commence at Utah, but it will not end here. The war of the
rebellion might have been avoided if the suggestion of the Prophet Joseph had
been heeded; the slaves could have been freed at one-tithe the cash cost of the
war, without the shedding of blood, and without a fratricidal conflict. Since
that time the people have degenerated, their Congresses have degenerated, and
at last the Supreme Court has been tampered with and stuffed with political
partizans, and in future ages historians will point to some of their decisions
as stepping stones to the destruction of the nation. Now we have an Edmunds
Bill which proposes to send a commission to say who shall be citizens and who
shall not be citizens, how taxes shall be paid and how much, who shall be the
choice of the people and who shall not. But since that bill was forced through
Congress, President Arthur and the statesmen have had time to think, to take a
second thought, and possibly see that the working of the bill is not so easy
and smooth as they supposed. If our neighbors can stand this bill, we can; if
the bankers and the miners can stand the doubling up of their taxes, we can,
because we are used to it; if they can confine themselves to one wife, we can.
I have often seen in my traveling through the mountains, that the road has
apparently been stopped up by an insurmountable mountain, and when I came to
the place where I must get through, I have found that a road has opened up
right along; and so it has been in the history of his people. I would like to
see the Saints taking hold of the matter of sustaining ourselves in a
business-like manner. Do our trading among ourselves, and when there is a
necessity to buy wagons or imported stuff, let it be done through a board of
our brethren, and not patronize these middle men who are not of us and will not
help us.
[Erastus Snow]
[DNW 31:290, 5/31/82, p 2; JD 23:83]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW, DELIVERED
At the General Conference, Friday afternoon, April 7th,
1882.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
I regard
the mission of the Latter-day Saints as the most important that has fallen to
the lot of man because we, as the people of God, live in the most important
period of the world's age—the dispensation of the fulness of times, in which
the God of heaven has set his hand a second time to recover his people, the
house of Israel; to lay the foundation of the fulfilment of the promises made
to the fathers through Moses and the Prophets, and to bring to pass the
covenants made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and those made with Joseph the
son of Jacob, concerning his seed. The Book of Mormon gives a brief history of
a portion of the house of Joseph who came to this land from Palestine, their
native land; and, it not only gives an account of this people but it foretells
their future. A great future lies before this people in connection with the
Latter-day work.
Our
mission is not a mission of blood; it is not a mission of war, of strife or
contention, but a mission of peace on earth and good will to men; a mission to
bring life and salvation unto the children of men who will receive it; a
mission to make known the things that God has revealed for the happiness, glory
and exaltation of his children, both in this world and the world to come. And
what God has revealed to us, which we call our religion, is not only
theoretical but eminently practiced. It could not be otherwise and be the
Gospel of life and salvation. A religion that is exclusively theoretical, that
is merely a matter of faith producing no legitimate works or fruits of that
faith is dead. There are many dead forms of religion in the world; and as a
matter of course they are without force and effect. But the Gospel of the Son
of God revealed anew from heaven in our age and time, and which his people have
espoused, is a living faith, producing in its votaries its legitimate
fruits—love, joy, peace and good works. I am sorry to say, however, that we are
not all examples of that living faith to the extent that God requires at our
hands. In this respect it is with us as it was with others who preceded us;
some of the seed lies fallen by the way side, producing little effect in them
that received it; some has fallen in stony places, and as anciently, such
rejoice for the time being, but alas! when tribulation or persecution arises,
they having not much depth of soil, are easily uprooted. Some again has fallen
among thorns, and the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke
the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But blessed are those who break up the
fallow ground of their hearts, thereby preparing themselves by suitable
reflection, meditation, humility and prayer, overcoming the evil that is in
them by the good, that the seed when sown, may take deep root and spring forth
and hear precious fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred fold,
according to the depth of the soil and the strength and cultivation of the
mind.
I said
our religion was eminently practical, as true religion cannot be separated from
true practice. It teaches us to visit the fatherless and the widow in their
affliction, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world; it teaches charity
and love one toward another, and to assist to bear each other's burdens, and be
one in Christ Jesus. Just before the Savior was offered up upon the
cross he prayed to his Father in behalf of his disciples and those who should
believe on him through their ministrations, that they might be one with him as
he was one with the Father.
Now it is
quite a fine thing in the estimation of the Christian world to preach about
Jesus and his doctrines; but when it comes to practice it is quite another
thing. One of the main objects of the Latter-day Saints is to become united,
both spiritually and temporally. The clergymen of America who have been foremost
in working up the late furore against the "Mormon" people, wire have
met in solemn conclave and dictated resolutions and gotten up memorials to
Congress, and who have traveled and visited the noted cities as lecturers,
among whom may be mentioned the celebrated Parson Newman and the
celebrated—what shall I say? —well, Mr. Schuylar Colfax, and others, have
aroused the nation and moved the members of Congress to hostile legislation
against the Latter-day Saints. Their general declaration has been that polygamy
—though polygamy was the war-cry —was not to be dreaded like "Mormon"
unity. They term it priestly influence, or the influence of the
"Mormon" hierarchy. In reflecting upon this declaration which was
freely expressed on numerous occasions during last winter and spring, in the
tirades made against the Latter-day Saints, it has caused some curious
reflections. What would have been the result if the Methodists, the
Presbyterians, the Baptists and all the prominent denominations of America, had
been true disciples of Christ, and had come under that rule laid down in the
Savior's prayer—if they had all become one in Christ as he was one with the
Father? What would have been the result? Methinks things would be very
different in the history of American government from what we now see. We will
refer, for example, to the condition of things prior to the late civil war, and
about the time the republican party incorporated in their platform at the
Philadelphia convention in 1856, the celebrated plank known as the twin
relics—in which they pledged themselves to exterminate the twin relics, slavery
and polygamy. What was the condition of the religious sects of America at that
time? Those who are familiar with the history of those times will remember that
preparatory to that great struggle which resulted in the great civil war, there
had been a complete separation and two distinct organizations of all the
prominent sects of America. The Methodist church was divided into the Methodist
church north and the Methodist church south; the Presbyterians were divided
into the Presbyterian Church north and the Presbyterian church south; the
Baptists, the Campbellites and the other various sects were divided in like
manner, the Mason and Dickson line, as it was called, was the line of division
between the churches north and the churches south; and substantially the same
line marked the boundary between the southern confederacy and northern. States
during the war, for the division commenced in the churches, and it was the
various religious sects of America that worked up the war. They divided one
against another, and brought on the war. And when the Northern and Southern
armies were marching against and slaying each other by hundreds of thousands,
every regiment and division of the army on both sides were encouraged by the
prayers and preaching of their respective chaplains of the various sects on
both sides, each praying for the success of their arms, that each side might
succeed in using up the opposite side.
Now
imagine them, for a moment, to be the true disciples of Christ, Ministers of
the true and everlasting Gospel holding power and authority from him. What
would have been the result if the Lord had heard the prayers of the religious
elements of these two contending parties? The only thing we can think of as
expressing the idea, is the old fable of the Kilkenny cats, which, it is said,
fought each other and devoured each other all but the tails, and they began to
jump at each other. From the results one would suppose that the Lord heard the
prayers on both sides to a considerable extent. But it is too serious a matter
to be treated in a jocose style. And, yet, one can hardly resist the
temptation, it is so ludicrous to see people professing the same holy religion,
to be followers of the meek and lowly Jesus and his righteousness, and
preachers of his Gospel arrayed on each side, stirring up the people to war,
urging them on, and praying to the same God for the success of each others'
arms. Now, I ask, is this an ensample of Christian unity such as the Savior
prayed for, when he asked the Father that all that should believe on him
through the words of his disciples might become one even as he and the Father
were one.
The
Latter-day Saints, as I have before remarked, are far from being as yet what
the Lord requires them to be. But that spirit which accompanies the fulness of
the Gospel, and which the Latter-day Saints have received through the preaching
of the Gospel and through obedience to its requirements, has so far made their
hearts as one, causing them to see eye to eye, and to gather together upon this
land of Joseph, that they might learn more fully the ways of the herd and walk
in his paths, and cultivate the Christian unity which the Savior prayed for.
And this appears to be the head and front of our offending. Polygamy is
ostensibly the cry; but what reflecting man that is posted in the history of
the times, believes that this has a particle of influence upon our statesmen?
They admit, according to their own showing, that there is more immorality,
depravity, whoredom, and the terrible consequences of the social evil in one of
the great cities of the Union in a single year than has been in Utah ever since
it has been founded. They know this full well. They know that we are a people
of energy, of industry and honest labor, a people who do not labor with a view
and desire to build ourselves up at the expense and ruin of our neighbors; but
a people who labor to gather from the elements around us, producing the
comforts of life for ourselves and families. They recognize in us a people who
have planted a flourishing commonwealth in the heart of the great American
desert, and made it possible to populate the surrounding Territories.
In 1847
the standard of the American nation was planted on this Temple block. I
assisted in planting it; and many around me to-day participated in those early
scenes. At the same time the country lying west of the Sierra Nevada and
between it and the Pacific Coast, was held under the American flag by the Mormon
Battalion, who under General Kearney captured the State of California from the
Mexican government and held it for the United States government until this
country was ceded to the United States by treaty on the 22nd of February, 1848.
The stars and stripes were planted between the Rocky Mountains on the east and
the Sierra Nevadas west by "Mormon" colonies, and west to the Pacific
coast by the "Mormon Battalion," and, the country held for the
American government. We proceeded to the establishment and organization of
civil government. This great basin country between the mountains was
incorporated into the State of Deseret, a provisional government was organized
for the State of Deseret, a republican constitution was trained and adopted by
the people; the country was divided into counties and precincts, local
government was organized, laws adopted and delegates sent to Congress to ask
for admission into the Union. At the same time the gold hunters were flocking
to California after the "Mormon Battalion" revealed the first gold
which they brought to light while dragging Captain Sutter's mill race. Some of
the men are still in our midst who brought about these results, who first
revealed to the astonished world the gold of California, and who raised the first
furore, which resulted in thousands flocking to the Pacific coast. And mark
you, the first colony of settlers upon that Pacific coast after the capture of
that country through the valor of the "Mormon" Battalion, was a
"Mormon" colony shipped from the New England States, who took with
them a printing press, and planted their feet upon the shores of San Francisco,
and there issued the California Star, in 1847, which was the first
publication in the English language west of the Rocky Mountains—the first free
press hailing the American flag and proclaiming American liberty, the
principles of free government; and at the same time we planted a free press in
this city, whence was issued the DESERET NEWS, proclaiming those principles to
all the world.
Both
California and Deseret presented themselves at the same time, through their
delegates, knocking at the door of Congress, praying for admission into the
Union. The prayer of California was accepted; that of Deseret was rejected.
Jesus had
occasion to ask this question of the Jews: it a son shall ask bread of any of
you that is a father, will ye give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he
give him a serpent? It might ill become me perhaps, to apply these words to our
national government; but the facts are that when we presented ourselves as the
State of Deseret, precisely on equal footing with that of California, with
equally a democratic government and republican constitution, both of which
States had been organized out of the old Mexican States of Upper California,
and which had been recently captured from the Mexican government, and presented
themselves to Congress on equal footing; one was accepted, the other rejected.
Instead of granting to Deseret a State government, Congress gave us a
territorial form of government under the Organic act of 1850. It is true it
extended to us certain rights of self-government, but to a limited extent. We
had the right of representation in the Legislative Assembly, but those rights
were clipped by the absolute veto of a Federal Governor; nor, indeed, is the
absolute veto of a Federal Governor the only veto held over the Territorial
Legislature, Congress itself reserving to itself a right to annul the acts of
the Legislative Assembly, though receiving the signature of the Governor. But
if the Governor chooses to withhold his signature no matter how wholesome or
necessary the measure, it cannot become law, nor would he be, under the Organic
Act, required to assign any reason for it. The mere whim of a man, a
stranger to our country who has but little, if any, practical knowledge of our
needs, and who himself is not a tax-payer, probably may deprive a whole
community of people of their legal rights. Such is the territorial from of
government, not of all Territories, for with the exception of Utah and New
Mexico, this absolute veto power does not exist on American soil. Other
Territories as well as the States, and the United States, may, through a
two-thirds vote of their legislature, pass any measure over the veto of its
executive.
But what
does this signify? It says to us, "we are not willing to trust you with
the rights and privileges of self-government in common with other American
citizens; and it is deemed advisable that we should hold this check upon your
legislature." But notwithstanding we have been shut out from Statehood, we
have prospered and grown into a flourishing community of people.
On
several occasions we have renewed our efforts by appealing to Congress for the
rights of self-government; but on every occasion we have been put off. But we
have continued to prosper, and yet we have received no aid from the general
government in establishing and maintaining schools, as other portions of the
country have. We have built our school-houses and maintained our schools, and educated
our children as best we could. And here let me say that Utah will compare
favorably in educational matters with any portion of the United States, even
the older and richer States; and while the number of children is three times
that of other populations, yet, they are all enjoying the benefits of a common
school education at least; and as the higher schools are being established the
facilities for more extensive education are accessible.
We have
opened up farms and established towns and cities over this vast country, of 500
miles in extent. We have established mills and have produced the various
cereals and vegetables and fruits, and raised the beef and mutton, and the wool
to supply our factories, and cotton, to manufacture to a considerable extent,
the clothing that we wear; and we have manufactured to a considerable extent
our farming implements, and yet we are under the necessity of largely importing
manufactured goods. And, to-day, Utah enjoys prosperity equal, if not superior
to any other Territory, and, indeed, some of the Western States.
Now these
are facts patent to the world. And with such facts can they in their inmost
souls look upon this people as a vicious people, or as a wicked, licentious
people, as a people who are influenced by worldly considerations and fleshly
lusts? Are these the works of the licentious and dissolute? We invite the
people of the United States to attend our Sabbath School Unions and attend the
public gatherings of the people where they congregate; we invite their statesmen
and honorable men and women of all classes to come and visit us and learn facts
as they exist, instead of swallowing greedily the malicious calumnies and
misrepresentations set afoot concerning us by those who know little or nothing
about us; or if they have known anything about us, they have sold themselves to
the Devil long since, and they are of their father the Devil, who was a liar
from the beginning, and his works they will do; and when honest people come
among us we ask them not to sit themselves down and allow themselves to be
corralled by the lying hypocrites that are fanning the flame of persecution,
and never come in contact with the people they desire to know and understand.
Why is it that honorable men should act as though they were ashamed to learn
the truth? Why is it they do not come and hear and see for themselves both
sides?
We are
accused of disloyalty. We are accused of being governed by priestcraft, and
that we are subjects of the one-man power. Here we would pause and respectfully
say, in the language of Scripture, "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the
beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote
out of thy brother's eye." Where, I would ask, could we look for a more
decidedly marked expression of the one-man power than in the case we have
recently had in Utah, in which the Governor gave the certificate of election to
the man for whom the insignificant number of 1,300 votes was cast, withholding
it from the rightful representative of the people for whom 18,000 votes were
recorded? The persistency with which he and his friends, the enemies of this
people, have sought to fasten this fraud upon the people in this Territory, not
to say anything about the one-man power provided for in the organic act! A federal
governor, a stranger sent among us with an absolute veto, possessing the power
to wipe out the doings of a whole session of the people's representatives!
I will
farther direct attention to all reflecting men to the scenes in the Senate and
the House of Representatives of the United States when the Edmunds' bill was
put through under what is called the gag law of the previous question, cutting
off amendments and limiting debate. I will appeal to every honest man—if there
be an honest politician in the land—by asking, Who among them possesses the
freedom of speaking and acting only in obedience to the party lash, and what
Senator or Representative dare try to air his sentiments or vote contrary to
the dictum of his party leaders? Shame upon them when they talk about the
exercise of one-man power in Utah! If there is a people upon the earth that
exercise greater freedom of speech or action than the Latter-day Saints, I hope
and pray that we may grow until we become their equals at least.
Every
principle in our holy religion tends to freedom, or in the language of the New
Testament, the Gospel is the perfect law of liberty. The reason that it is so
is, because it lifts the spirits of man above the law, or, in other words, it
teaches him to work righteousness and thereby escape the penalties of the law,
and enables him to enjoy that perfect freedom which God has ordained for all
flesh—the freedom to do right, but there is no liberty to do wrong without
incurring the penalty of that wrong-doing, therefore, every one who does wrong
must accept of the consequences of that wrong, and may expect to suffer the
penalty either in time or in eternity. The Gospel then extends to us the
freedom to do right, and the laws of our common country used to extend this
right and privilege to its citizens. This was declared by the fathers in the
famous Declaration of Independence, and which was consolidated by the fathers
of the Constitution of our country, which was one of the fruits of their great
struggle.
This
famous declaration enunciated the doctrine that "all just powers of
government are derived from the consent of the governed;" and upon this
principle are the institutions of our country founded; and it is only through
the guarantees of this fundamental doctrine underlying our institutions that
there can be any freedom. This declaration of the fathers embodied in that
celebrated instrument, signed on the 4th of July, 1876, is the embodiment of
the principles of civil and religious liberty, such freedom as God has ever taught
and sought to establish among his children from the beginning of the world. And
whenever there has been a people who have listened to the voice of God, they
have been made free, and oppression has been a stranger to them. The careful
student of the Bible will at once perceive that everything which God sought to
establish among his people, tended to freedom and the enjoyment of the common
rights of humanity. Never did ancient Israel enjoy as free and happy a
government as under the reign of the judges, from the time Moses led them out
of Egyptian bondage until they clamored for a king. For 430 years they
triumphed over their foes, and they dwelt in peace and unity, and love and
freedom existed, and every tribe was a commonwealth managing its own local affairs,
while they all sustained a central power which counseled and directed them; and
their rulers were judges inspired of God, were prophets, seers and revelators,
who judged in righteousness, and exercised no control over the liberties and
consciences of men. The same principle is observed in reading the history of
the American continent. The Book of Mormon is replete with testimony in this
direction. And during the palmy days of the Nephites there was no king among
them; and that long and happy period that preceded the coming of the Savior,
and for hundreds of years that followed during the reign of the judges among
the Nephites, liberty and freedom and happiness prevailed. And although they
had at one time in accordance with their pronounced and persistent desire, a
king—King Benjamin and King Mosiah—yet, these were kings more in name than in
fact; they were only patriarchs or fathers among their people, and the term
they apply to them might quietly have a tendency to cause them to augment power
to themselves and to exercise oppressive jurisdiction over the people, and
foreseeing this King Mosiah beseeched the people to abolish the office, and
establish and maintain free government, and elect their chief judge or governor
by the voice of the people. He reasoned and explained to them the dangers which
would result to them by having a ruler who was not elected by the people. When
Israel began to fall into darkness and transgression, in the days of Samuel,
and they clamored for a king to lead them to war and thus be like the Gentile
nations around them, it grieved Samuel the Seer to his heart; and he besought
the people to desist from their determination, and he warned them of the
dangers that would follow, telling them that it would lead to oppression and tyranny,
and that taxes would be levied and heavy burdens would be laid upon the people
grievous to be borne, and that it would finally lead to war, bloodshed and
bondage. But they would not listen. And when the prophet inquired of the Lord
what he should do, he answered and said to Samuel: "Hearken unto the voice
of the people in all they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but
they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
Furthermore,
the Book of Mormon tells that God will cause a free government to be
established upon this land in the latter-days, and inasmuch as the people will
serve the Lord they shall forever be a free people. And in the Doctrine and
Covenants is contained a revelation which was given to the Latter-day Saints in
the early history of the Church, commanding us to uphold and maintain the
principles of freedom and liberty, as claimed by our fathers and consolidated
in the Constitution of the United States, and in which is written this
remarkable declaration: "Let no man break the laws of the land, for
he that keepeth the laws of God has no need to break the laws of the
land;" and we are further told that we should uphold and maintain that law
which is the Constitutional law of the land; for, the Lord said, the Constitution
was established by wise men whom he raised up for that purpose, after the land
had been redeemed by bloodshed. This doctrine was taught by the Prophet Joseph
Smith, in the early days of this people, and cannot be separated from the
religion we have embraced; and by the help of the Lord we mean to maintain
those principles to the end, notwithstanding that some of our American
statesmen wax wanton in their feelings and tyrannical in their acts and
expressions, while religious bigots and political demagogues are undermining
the foundations of our American institutions. They commence to-day upon Utah;
but it is not the first time. From the time the declaration was made in
Philadelphia by the republican party there have been divers departures from
those principles embraced in our American Constitution. Had the people of
America listened to the voice of the Lord through the Prophet Joseph Smith,
they would have long since freed their slaves in an amicable, an honorable and
economical manner without the shedding of blood. But they disdained the
counsels of the Lord. The Prophet Joseph published his views in pamphlet form
on the powers and duties of the national government on the then much-mooted
question of slavery, in which he treated upon the compact of the United States
as between the North and South on this question of slavery; and proposed an
easy and honorable plan of settling the question without violating that compact
or encroaching upon the rights of each other; and that was, to negotiate with
the Southern States for the gradual emancipation of their slaves, the
consideration to be met by the national treasury, and fixing a time after which
all children should be born free, thus providing for a gradual emancipation,
and that they might not feel that they were robbed, and by their being
gradually emancipated they would have been prepared gradually for free
government and free labor, and thus the ill and unpleasant consequences would
have been measurably averted, at least, of turning loose a horde of uncultivated
people who were totally unprepared for American citizenship. Had they listened
to this proposition, less than a tenth part of the cost of the war would have
freed all the slaves, and that too without bloodshed, and the utter devastation
of the Southern States would have been spared.
But we
have seen it. And following the war has been inaugurated an era of degeneracy
in public morals, degeneracy in politics and religion, a degeneracy in the
minds of our statesmen which has shown itself in a desire on their part to
tamper with the sacred rights of man, to tamper with every part of the
government, not even excepting the Supreme Court, which, up to, the time of the
civil war, was looked upon by the American people as almost beyond temptation,
and beyond the probability of being corrupted or bribed. But alas! the Supreme
Court itself has been tampered with. And for many years, almost from the
commencement of that effort to break down the barriers of the Constitution and
to settle this vexed question of slavery by violence—from that time politicians
have sought to sustain themselves in violent, revolutionary and
unconstitutional measures by foisting into the Supreme Court partisans who are
already imbued with extreme political notions and ideas, whose carrying them
with them on the bench has resulted in many decisions which after ages will
greatly deplore and point out as the stepping stones to the destruction of our
free institutions. But it remains for the Congress of the United States in 1882
to strike the blow at human freedom which places a vast people who have enjoyed
their freedom in part only for 35 years in these mountains, at the disposal of
a returning board to be sent here by the President. This is the object of the
Edmunds' bill. Its framers, its advocates and supporters scarcely expect
anything from it toward the extinguishing of polygamy; but they do expect from
it the transfer of our flourishing Territory into the hands of the enemies of
the "Mormon" people. And they expect to disfranchise whom they will,
and decide who may vote and who may hold office, who may become members of the
Legislature, etc., and vice versa; and then dictate what laws they shall
make, and then dictate how the people shall be taxed to pay their salaries and
expenses, unless forsooth, Congress shall, according to the recommendation of
President Arthur, reconsider that part of the law and make provision for their
salaries.
It is not
my purpose to attempt to foretell the consequences of this class of
legislation. We shall all see for ourselves; but if our neighbors, our Gentile
friends can stand it, we can; and if our nation can stand it we can; and if our
statesmen and the people who elect them and countenance their acts can stand
it, we can; and if merchants, miners, bankers, agents, speculators, etc., among
us can stand it, we can. If the taxes should be doubled up, and burdens put
upon the people, and they can stand their share of it, we can stand ours,
because we are used to it, and they are not. If they can confine themselves to
one woman I know we can. (Laughter.) The proof of the pudding you know, is in
the eating. We do not intend to be worried; we have already passed through many
very trying place, and we still expect to find an outlet. I am reminded often
of our experience when traveling through some of the narrow gorges in our
mountains; it often appears that our road has come to an end against a
mountain, but when we get close up to it, we find a turn, and we keep
traveling; and this is sometimes often repeated in a day's travel, until, at
last, our road opens out and a broad, beautiful valley is in sight, which never
fails to bring feelings of relief to the weary traveler, especially if he is
not familiar with the road. Such has been our experience in the pilgrimage of
life up to the present time, and we confidently expect that He who has led us,
through His Holy Priesthood, will continue to open up our way, and He will do
so if we keep our covenants with Him. Amen.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said, I stated this morning that there was a storm raging at present, and had been for some little time, and that it would be well for us to keep up our coat collars and protect ourselves as best we could until the storm passed over. There will be a storm in the United States after a while; and I want our brethren to prepare themselves for it. At the last Conference, I think I advised all who were in debt to take advantage of the prosperous times and pay their debts, so that they might not be in bondage to any one, and when the storm came they might be prepared to meet it. There will be one of that kind very soon; and I thought I would give you this warning again, and repeat this piece of advice. The wise will understand.
[John Taylor]
[MS 44:307]
Remarked
that he had said that the best way to act in a storm was to turn up the coat
collar and be prepared for it. There will be a storm in the United States soon,
and it may reach here, and I want the brethren to be ready for it. Get out of
debt, that when troublous times come you may be undisturbed. I said the same at
the last Conference, and I say it again. The wise will understand.
The choir sung the anthem,
I will lift up mine eyes.
Conference was adjourned till Saturday morning at ten o'clock in the Tabernacle.
Benediction by Apostle F. D. Richards.
_____
[8 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 31:189, 4/12/82, p 13]
THIRD DAY.
_____
Saturday, April 8, 10 o'clock a.m.
The choir sang on page 7:
Glorious things of thee are
spoken,
Zion City of our God.
Prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells.
The choir sang on page 374:
Though deepening trials
throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
Said the greatly increasing numbers of the Latter-day Saints and their diversified condition and circumstances call for the aid and succor of God our Heavenly Father, to suit the multiplied feelings and desires of the Saints, many of whom come to these conferences from a great distance, so that on their return to their various homes they may be refreshed in spirit and strengthened in their faith. God has promised that He will not only go before us by His angels, but also by His presence, and has said: "It is my business to provide for any Saints," and he has also told us in those revelations which came through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that he does not wish us to use carnal weapons in defending ourselves from our enemies, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual to the pulling down of strongholds of Satan. In ancient times the style of warfare was more in the nature of a mortal combat, but in our day he has graciously appointed a more peaceable way. He has promised to fight our battles. The Lord kept His people from that fratricidal war when brothers were arrayed against each other and fathers against their sons. He brought us here that our hands might not be stained with blood. It is plain to be seen that it is wisdom in God for His people to maintain clean hands and pure hearts in contending with the powers of evil. David was not permitted to build God's Temple because he was a man of blood, and the Saints must build Temples with clean hands. The word to us to-day is "Thy God reigneth." It is He that sets up kings and nations and also causes them to sink down into confusion and shame. We have been subjected to many indignities but they have turned to our good. We were denied the right to bear arms even on the anniversary of national independence, and this, too, when surrounded by Indian tribes. This was contrary to the constitution but we submitted and the Lord turned away the hostility of the savages and softened their hearts towards the truth and thus took away the need for us to bear arms. God, our Heavenly Father has preserved us, and we have abundant reason to still put our trust and confidence in Him. Let us forsake our evil ways and practices, and turn unto the Lord our God with full purpose of heart. He then referred to the circumstances connected with the sending of the United States army, who came here with ribaldry and threats for the purpose of destroying our leading men -- but the kind hand of our Heavenly Parent overruled their plans; and caused that enterprise to result in the greatest good to the people of God. We must not forget these instances of the kindness of our Heavenly Father. He spoke of the constitution of our country, which was admitted by Europeans to be the grandest instrument of human rights that was ever enunciated for the government of the people. All the members of our government have to take an oath to carry out the principles of that Constitution in all their official acts. When such men forget their oaths and pass laws in diametrical opposition to those principles, they will have to meet such violation of their sacred obligations and meet the charge of perjury, either in this life, or that which is to come. We have occasion to rejoice that God will not permit the infringement of the rights of man without calling them to account. The speaker referred to the constitutional provision forbidding any law to be passed by the States impairing the obligation of contracts. Here is something which it would be well to consider. No State government has any right to enact laws that will render null and void contracts even of a financial character, how, then, can laws be constitutionally enacted that will nullify the vested rights of a marital nature -- the sacred contract between man and wife? if such laws are made and enforced, we can appeal to a higher court where justice and equity will be surely vindicated. While our enemies are setting traps for our feet, let us be wise, and take such a course as will meet with the approval of high heaven, and live worthy of God's protection from day to day. The work is the Lord's, and He will protect and defend it. We have therefore nothing to fear. He then spoke of the assassination of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, whose blood still stains the skirts of the nation, and in the due time of the Lord will have to be atoned for. This nation has the power to inflict serious trouble upon us, if God should permit it. We must therefore pursue the path of duty cheerfully, and put our trust in God, who will not allow anything to occur but what will be for our good and for His glory.
[Franklin D. Richards (1)]
[MS 44:307-309]
Said
that on occasions of meeting together, as in conference, the speakers need the
assistance of the Holy Ghost to prompt them what to say to accomplish the good
desired. I am reminded of some of the choice promises made unto the Saints in
the last days; one is that the Lord goes before his people himself to
accomplish his purposes and does not even trust to angels. The parable in the
Book of Mormon said the Lord sent his servants to prune his vineyard for the
last time, and we should not allow ourselves to forget that the work entrusted
to us is a consolidation of all the works before commenced and which will be
consummated in this the dispensation of tHe fulness of times. The Lord has also
said that it was his duty to provide for his people. He has also declared that
we are not called upon to take up carnal weapons of war, but that he will fight
our battles for us. These promises assure us that the work is not to be let out
to others, but the Lord will see to it himself. Seeing that we have clouds of
witnesses, of help and co-operation, what manner of me should we be? Let us
look at some of the outstanding evidences allowed to overcome the powers of
Paganism and the enemies of God, but in this our day it is not for us to use
the carnal weapons of war. We can remember how the Lord kept us out of the late
fratricidal war; we came none too soon across the desert and away from the
scene of carnage where father was fighting his son and brother his brother, and
we have a continuous satisfaction that we are entirely removed from those
scenes where we would have been compelled to help one side or the other. The
ancient prophets saw the day when the servants of God should speak comforting
words to Zion, and say "thy God reigneth," and will accomplish his
purposes though it may be in contravention of men's designs. Once upon a time
enemies in our midst forbid us the right to keep and bear arms, and then turned
around and accused us of disloyalty for not celebrating our national holidays;
and since that injustice was heaped upon us, strange to say the only occasion
or necessity for using weapons has disappeared, that is in regard to the
Lamanites all around us, who have become universally peaceful and friendly and
we have had no use for our arms. This is another evidence of God working for
us. We should think of these evidences and not go again to our cups, not be
friendly and affiliate with the ungodly, not be civilized with their damnable
civilization, but remember the works and evidences of God and keep our
covenants pure and fresh in our memory. I will refer again to the time it was
told us that there were a million of bayonets to come out against us. We know
that a detachment started out against us, with their mouths full of venom and
hatred toward us, but before they arrived, if they were not converted their
ardor was very much cooled; when they reached this city they presented more the
aspect of a Fourth of July celebration marching through the streets than an
invading army which was sent out to destroy us. I want to see honesty of
purpose and principle among us in our intercourse one with the other. An honest
Presbyterian, an honest Methodist, an honest black republican, or an honest
democrat can be relied on because you know his principle and he is to be
depended on. The principles of the Constitution were obtained by our fathers
and grandfathers, and a standard was raised which has commanded respect from
all parts of the globe. Every man elected or appointed to office from the
President down to a justice of the peace has to take an oath that he will
support the Constitution. Now when Congress sends an edict to us as an
attainder or ex post facto law, they violate their oaths and are
overstepping the bounds of their duty. When men in high places thus forget
their oaths they will find a court some day that will convict them of perjury,
even if they do not find it this side of the grave. Webster, Clay and the other
bright lights of our nation boasted of the freedom of this great and glorious
country, but they would have hidden their heads if they had lived in this day
when the guarantee that no law should be made touching religion was so boldly
and defiantly overridden by our legislators, and the people restrained of their
rights and privileges. God has allowed kings to be raised up among his children
at various times and even to subvert the power which existed among the people,
but the Lord also raised up Prophets to go with those kings and instruct them.
In addition to the legal side of the courts, I will say there is an equity side,
which the Latter-day Saints cannot avoid noticing. It is given in the
Constitution, that the State shall make no law impairing the obligation of
contracts. Now the marriage state is a contract, a civil contract and a sacred
contract, and with us extends into eternity, by an eternal covenant. It is laid
down by the ablest jurists of our country that the relation of husband and wife
should be maintained as the basis of the preservation of society and should be
hedged around by the courts more than any vested rights in chattles; and the
world will know some day that three is a court that will wield its power to
protect us in these rights and the persons attempting to defraud us will
understand the force of an overruling injunction issued against them. There is
one thing the Government has done that is an excellent thing -- that our
children born before 1833, are and shall be legitimatized; but there is a
peculiar feature connected with this matter, that is, while legislators have
said our children are and will be legitimate children, the mothers of these
children are not our legal wives! It is peculiar legislation, but it may be a
precursor to other subsequent legislation for our good. It is good enough as
far as it goes. We need not be weak-kneed or trembling at any prospective
trouble. The men and women who lived here in 1848 and suffered what was
suffered then cannot be made afraid by any of man's efforts against them or
against this church. Many of the people in those days walked very near the
valley of death, and fear and trembling has entirely left them. We can stand
upon our record, and send our missionaries to the nation of the earth, bearing
testimony that Prophets have been raised up and have sealed their testimony
with their blood. Many and varied efforts have been made to destroy the Saints
and to destroy polygamy, but our enemies have not been able to unite upon a
plan, they differing in their views of the modus operandi to efface the
twin relic. There is ;no telling to what extremes the nation will go, if the
Lord will let them. Armies were sent into the south and they spread devastation
and death in their efforts to destroy slavery, and it is my opinion that the
forty-two representatives who voted against the sending out of a commission to
overturn our government, who voted against our being disfranchised without a
trial, spoke from the experience they obtained in the history of commissioners
and returning boards at their own homes. We can feel assured that if we are
faithful to our covenants and our duties, the Lord has the power and will keep
the nations in just the position he wishes them to be in their dealings with
us. Terrible judgments are foretold and will follow our testimony among the
nations of the earth.
[Franklin D. Richards (2)]
[JD 23:106]
The
greatly increased numbers of Israel, and the greatly diversified and
multifarious necessities which are occurring, and which increase like the
branches upon a great tree, call upon us each and all, to seek continually for
the mind of the Lord, that in all our varied ministrations, labors and duties,
we may perform the same acceptably to him and profitably to all of his
children; not only to the Saints but to the inhabitants of all the earth,
inasmuch as they will hearken to his word.
We have a
vast number of witnesses and evidences of the mercy, the favor and blessing of
God unto us, as a people, as well as to ourselves individually and as families,
it being the privilege of all who live faithfully in Christ Jesus to see and
acknowledge the hand of God in all things throughout their checkered lives.
This
morning I am reminded of some choice, precious promises which the Lord has made
to us in the dispensation in which we live, having a peculiar application unto
us, though like blessings may have been promised to people in former
generations, those now referred to were given especially to the Saints of the
last days. There is one very significant saying in the revelations, you will
find it in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 103, beginning at the 19th
verse. It is as follows:
"Therefore
let not your hearts faint, for I say not unto you, as I said unto your fathers,
mine angel shall go up before you, but not my presence, but I say unto you,
mine angel shall go before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall
possess the goodly land."
Here is a
very definite and positive assurance that this work is His, that he is
particularly to figure in it himself; that he has not entirely committed it,
even to angels; as represented in the parable, so beautifully expressed in the
Book of Mormon, where the husbandman calls upon his servants to come and help
him to prune his vineyard for the last time; we are given to understand that so
we are called to be helpers to the Lord our God, to prune his vineyard for the
last time.
We should
not allow the cares or corruptions of the world to lead us to forget that the
work in which we are engaged is the Lord's work; we should never forget that
the work to which all are called, God has undertaken to direct Himself;
especially as it was commenced in former dispensations, but, for obvious
reasons, remains to be consummated and perfected in the dispensation of the
fulness of times in which we live. The Lord has also told us specifically in
his revelations that it is his business to provide for his people. Most
encouraging words—calculated to increase confidence in the hearts of all those
who walk by faith before him.
Furthermore,
he has condescended to tell us in the revelations given through the Prophet
Joseph Smith, "For behold I do not require at their (the Elders) hands to
fight the battles of Zion; for as I said in a former commandment, even so will
I fulfil. I will fight your battles." Doctrine and Covenants, section 105,
verse 14.
One after
another passages might be repeated relating to the designs and purposes of God,
all going to show that he has not let out the work to be done by chance or to
be controlled by others, but that he will direct it himself.
Have we
not evidence of these facts? We have as pointed and conclusive evidence of
these things, already before us, as the Apostle Paul had when he told the
Hebrews that, through faith the worlds were framed by the word of God; through
faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should
afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed; by faith he sojourned in the
land of promise, etc. Let us look at two or three prominent features of our
history for evidences of his divine favor in overruling affairs for our welfare
according to the counsels of his own will.
In former
times there was much destruction of life and a great deal of contention between
the enemies of God's work and his people. The latter have at different times
gone forth, and that by the holy command of heaven, to mortal combat. The Lord
has told us in his revelations of the last days concerning the laws which
governed warfare in the days of Abraham, of Lehi and Nephi, etc., which are
detailed very minutely in the Doctrine and Covenants. He says:
"Behold
this is the law I gave unto my servant Nephi, and thy fathers Joseph, and
Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles.
And
again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go
out unto battle against, any nation, kindred, tongue or people, save I, the
Lord, commanded them. (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 98, verse 32, 33.)"
For an
account of the laws that, justify warfare the Saints can read this section from
the 23rd verse to the end.
In those
days there was more contention or mortal combat permitted and required, in
order to maintain the rights of God's people and establish righteousness before
his face, when idolatrous and all manner of worship, except that of the true
and living God, prevailed among the nations generally. But it is not given unto
us that we should contend with weapons of war; that inasmuch as we serve him,
he will fight our battles for us. How has he done this? Have we forgotten how
he managed to keep us out of the late terrible fratricidal war, when our great
country was divided in a sanguinary struggle? How did he graciously regard us?
It was by telling us to arise and go hence.
Some of
you well remember in what haste we gathered our little remaining substance in
Nauvoo, leaving our homes in the winter season, and how we crossed the river on
the ice. History attests the fact that we left none too soon to escape the dire
necessity of taking up weapons of war against our fellow-man. The great reason
why David was not allowed to build a house to the Lord, was because he had been
a man of blood. He had commenced to gather his thousands of talents of gold and
silver together, and was ready to build, but the Lord told him he should not,
that he had been too much a man of war, had shed too much blood; but that he
might get the materials together, and that Solomon, his son, should build a
temple to his name. It is plainly to be seen, in the wisdom of God, that the
Saints are not to take that course; but on the contrary, the Lord requires of
them that they preserve to themselves pure hearts and clean hands to build His
Temples. Was not this a great and wonderful manifestation of his loving
kindness, was it not a demonstration to a great people of his tender mercy in
preserving us from that fratricidal strife that arose in the nation. Where is
the heart that cannot be thankful for this? Here is one great, we may say,
worldwide demonstration of his kindness and goodness to provide for his people,
and to preserve them from dire calamities, the direst of calamities that
overtake the human family. Let us then sense the feeling and spirit of the
ancient prophet Isaiah when speaking of the judgments of the latter days, that
the watchmen should lift up their voices and speak comforting words to Zion.
And what should they say? "Thy God reigneth." That is the word to us,
brethren and sisters. "Thy God reigneth. Let us learn to know and sense
it, put our trust in him, and learn that it is he that builds up nations, and
it is he that levels them to the dust; that it is he that raises up and makes
rulers and people to become mighty in the earth, and that it is he that permits
them to go down into insignificance, shame and contempt.
How has
it been when our enemies in our midst, in violation of a sacred principle of
the Constitution, have said that we should not bear arms, which we had been
wont to do in celebrating the anniversary of our national independence, and for
our own protection in this new and Indian country, and that too in accordance
with a provision of the Constitution; when we submitted in silence to this
indignity, what has been wrought out in our behalf? As if the heavens took
momentary record of it, from that day to this the enmity that has existed among
the unprincipled, low and degraded Lamanites upon our borders has been hushed
to silence; the manner in which we have dealt with them has been felt for good.
Terrible wars have been prevented by the influence of the Latter-day Saints among
them, until to-day it is not necessary that any, in this region of country,
should have arms to protect themselves unless it be from professed friends. Is
there no God in this? Look all around us, God has made even our adversaries to
be at peace with us. He has made the blessings of peace to be multiplied around
us, until the very occasion for weapons of defence is removed. The wicked had
no sooner forbidden us to bear arms when God in his tender mercies and parental
solicitude removed the very occasion of defence, leaving us at peace with all
around us. The glorious tidings, "peace on earth and good will to
man," have come sounding to us through the ages, and they are being echoed
and re-echoed to us by the voice of those who hold the keys of the kingdom, and
we see it not only in word but in power and demonstration of truth.
These are
none other than the blessings of God unto us, my brethren and sisters. We ought
to think of these things; we ought to acknowledge in gratitude this
dispensation of his providence; and we should make it our business to sanctify
ourselves before him; yea, let the man that has taken to his cups depart from
them; and let he who has drunk of the spirit of the world, and who fraternizes
with the ungodly, turn from the error of his ways, wash himself from the filth
of unrighteousness and purify himself before God, and call upon his name that
he may forgive and extend his pardoning favor. It is to be deplored that there
are so many that are so easily to be civilized by this damning
"civilization" that has come among us; it is an occasion of sorrow to
the Latter-day Saints that so many are so easily drawn away to affiliate with
the ungodly. When we remember the mercies and blessings of God to us, it is a
fitting time to turn and seek his face and favor afresh, and renew our
covenants before him, and become worthy in his sight.
I might
enumerate many other instances of the goodness and mercy of God unto us, how he
fed the suffering Saints with quails on the banks of the Mississippi, how he
sent gulls to rid us of the crickets when they threatened us with starvation
here.
I must
refer to the time when the Lord permitted the United States to send an army to
Utah. It was told to us that there were a million of bayonets in the States ready
to be turned toward Utah. We did not count them, but we know the details of
their coming and how the soldiery arrived here. They came with their mouths
full of ribaldry, full of threatenings, full of animus and destruction towards
President; Young, his family, the Apostles, and towards all that were
immediately associated with them, threatening to hang them like Haman upon a
tree. But God in his mercy before they got here very much cooled their ardor;
and when they arrived they came as harmless as any 4th of July celebrators.
They marched in quiet through our streets, no man daring to commit an indignity
as they passed.
Our
Heavenly Father sanctified this to our good, for while they scattered much
means among us, scarcely an act of hostility was committed, and, when the time
of terrible destruction came they marched away to the violence of death. Is not
the hand of God to be seen in this? If so, should we not acknowledge with
thanksgiving his mercy in thus making us the objects of such care. We ought to bestow
the best efforts and energies of our lives to build up his kingdom, establish
his righteousness, and make him our friend for time and eternity.
I would
not dwell too lengthily upon these things, although they show the divine
goodness and tenderness. Is there a loving father that deals more
affectionately with his children than this? Could the Lord deal more lovingly
with us? It is to be feared that his tender mercies are so abundant, and we
become so used to them as to grow ungrateful.
A few
words in regard to the fundamental law established for the guidance of the
people of this great nation, called the Constitution of the United States, that
instrument was framed by our forefathers, who purchased the power to do so with
their blood; they were men who went into the revolutionary war pledging their
lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor, and placed everything they possessed
upon the altar of liberty. The Constitution they adopted has been admitted by
European statesmen to be the grandest Palladium of human rights known upon the
earth. The flag of our nation has commanded respect in every part of this
habitable globe, whether on land or sea.
All
representatives and officers of the government, state or national, from the
highest to the lowest, lift up their hands to heaven and swear that they will
observe that Constitution and the laws of the nation or State, as the office
may require, to the best of their knowledge and ability, so help them God. When
Congress so far descends as to make special laws, and send forth its
legislative missiles to us bearing the odor, power, and character of attainder,
and ex post facto laws; when they can provide, directly or indirectly,
for conviction without trial by jury; when they frame and pass measures having
for their object the deprivation or spoliation of rights common to all
citizens, and that in direct opposition to the provisions of the Constitution,
as appears on the face of the Edmunds' bill, they themselves violate that oath
of office which they took before God and their country. They may, standing in
high places, think that it does not become citizens to question their acts; but
citizens of this Republic are the sovereigns of the nation; and when the
Constitution was created it was provided that every power not granted by that
instrument was retained by the people. Public men, in the true spirit of the
Constitution of our government, are the servants of the people, put in office
to administer the will of the people as defined in that instrument.
When men
in high places forget themselves, and in violation of their oaths dictate or
forbid what shall or what shall not be observed as religious rites, they become
amenable to the higher laws, and will have to answer to the charge of perjury
to an immortal court, from whose decisions mortals have found no mode of appeal
by any bill of exceptions.
The
principles upon which our government is founded are most excellent, and to all
intents and purposes most satisfactory. The great and learned Webster, Clay,
and their contemporaries, considered them a standard of liberty—far above that
of any other country upon our globe; something that every American had cause to
be proud of. If the American nation will be governed by its doctrines, it will
extend to the whole human family the precious boon of liberty, and will make
this land in reality an asylum for the oppressed of all nations. But we have
come to a time when Congress has undertaken to dictate our ethics, to declare
what we may or may not accept as tenets of religion. This is a right or power
that is not conveyed in the Constitution; but on the contrary, Congress is
expressly prohibited from making any law establishing any form of religion or
preventing the free exercise thereof; this right of worshiping God according to
the dictates of one's own conscience is the right of every American citizen.
Aside
from what may be pronounced legal, there is an equity side of the court to
which all God-fearing people have recourse. One principle of which the courts
of the nation seem to have taken no consideration, but which the Latter-day
Saints cannot afford to pass unnoticed, is this: Wherein it is given in the
Constitution that the States shall make no law to impair the obligation of
contracts. I wish to ask the people, not in the legal sense, but in the sense
of equity, of righteousness and eternal truth, if the marriage relation is not
to all intents and purposes a contract? Do we not enter into a covenant, a
contract, an agreement with our wives. Yes; not only a contract, an agreement
of a civil nature, as it is regarded in the world, but our contracts are of a
higher order, of a more sacred nature extending as they do in perpetuity from
time into eternity. Now, if it is a violation of States rights to pass a law
impairing the obligation of contracts in common financial matters, is it not a
graver and more serious violation of the Constitution to pass a law impairing
the obligation of contracts as between man and wife? It is laid down by the
most eminent law writers of our country that properly maintained marital
relationship is the true basis of all human society; it needs the solemn
covenants of husband and wife to be taken into account, and then what follows?
The reasons why contracts and faith in them should not be violated is because
of vested rights that accrue under those contracts; and have you any vested
rights, my brethren and sisters, under the contracts that you have made with
your wives and husbands, have you not acquired under those covenants and
contracts the most precious of vested rights—those of sons and daughters given
you in the flesh? These are possessory rights, the value of which bear no
comparison with any thing that can be called goods or chattels. We look upon
the increase of our families, as the foundation of our eternal dominion, we
cannot but look upon any hand impairing the obligation of these contracts as
striking at the very root of our prosperity. Our children are our vested rights
growing out of these holy relations, rights not only of a temporal but of an
eternal, and finally immortal character, and of the highest possible
consideration.
I
apprehend while I talk upon this subject, that it is very improbable that the
courts of the world would regard these matters in any such light, but they are
matters which pertain to the laws of the living God before whose court we shall
all appear and our rights be vindicated; those who have undertaken to deprive
us of these rights will also appear and on such a writ of errors as will bring
them effectually within the jurisdiction of the court.
The Lord
has given unto us these rights, which we are learning to appreciate, but which
the world know nothing of. Is it to be wondered at that they do many things, as
did those who slew the Savior, concerning whom he said, "They know not
what they do?"
The
rulers of our land have undertaken to set snares for our feet, to bring us into
subjection to the political will of the Republican party to teach us how to
promote party discord, be oppressed with heavy taxes and become burdened with
debt. Let us put our trust in the living God, and see that while we violate no
law of man unnecessarily, that we do not violate any of the laws of God, so
that we may be entitled to His protection and that his blessing may abide with
us.
Not desiring
to occupy too much time, I would exhort my. brethren and sisters to renew their
diligence in trying to honor the Lord by keeping his commandments, remembering
our obligations to each other; that we continue preaching the Gospel to the
nations, gathering the honest in heart who receive the word through the
ministrations of the Elders; and inasmuch as this is God's work we have no need
to fear. There are those who dwelt here in 1848-9, who for days and weeks,
scarcely tasted bread. Those who have passed through these scenes will never
fear anything that may come upon us again. I often think of the peculiar
circumstances of the Savior when upon the earth, who when Herod the Great sent
word to him, inquiring who this Jesus of Nazareth was; the answer of the Savior
being, Go tell him that the birds of the air have nests, and the foxes have
holes, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head. Think of it my
friends; He by whom the worlds were created, who gave the law upon Mount Sinai;
He who communicated with the brother of Jared, directing him to cross the sea
and people this continent; He who was and is our great Ruler came and dwelt in
the flesh, instead of making himself the possessor of houses and lands and
earthly substance, had not; where to lay His head. And after passing through a
life of sorrows he was tried for His life, when the judge washed his hands,
saying, he found no fault in Him. The fact was He was above the law, He was
without sin, and of the things of which they tried to convict him he was not
guilty, wherein he said he was the Son of God, which they, in their blind
ignorance, looked upon as blasphemy.
Now, we
are charged with blasphemy, because we believe and declare that the holy
Priesthood has been restored to us from heaven. It is made blasphemy to believe
that Peter, James and John were sent from heaven to earth to ordain Joseph and
Oliver, and because, as they had been instructed to do, they ordained others to
the same Priesthood, and then commissioned them to go to all the world and
preach the Gospel. This is put forth and published as once of the blasphemies
that we believe in which has made us to incur the displeasure and wrath of this
self-righteous generation. While we contemplate that the Prophets of God have
been slain, their blood ruthlessly shed, and the nation has never made an
expression to exculpate themselves from the act, they have never even expressed
their disapproval of it, but, on the contrary, multitudes have said, they were
glad of it, but that they disliked the way in which it was done.
While
this is upon the nation and until they wash their hands of it, we can but look
upon them with sorrow and apprehension and dread for thus acquiescing in
breaking and overriding the fundamental laws of the land; for if these things
can be inflicted upon us they can be done to others. And they have been to
others. Do you not recollect when the army came here, it was the nation's first
effort against the "Mormons," against what they were pleased to term
a "twin relic"—polygamy; and having extirpated the "twin
relic" of the south—slavery, which was deemed necessary to secure the
triumph of the republican arms, now the attack is made again upon the people
representing the remaining "relic." They and we are in the hands of
God, and it becomes us to move on in all our duties quietly, peaceably and
prayerfully. The nation, of course, can cause us a great deal of bodily and
mental suffering if God permits. They have already shown what they are capable
of doing by their deprivations and arbitrary rule in the south; and we have
every reason to believe they would do as much for us were it the pleasure of
the Almighty to permit them.
The few
men now sitting in Congress, from the Southern States, who had the manhood and
the moral courage to protest against the measure, which has since become a law,
aimed directly at our liberty and rights, knew from experience the effects of
military law, and those usurpations which have tended to ruin their country
after the desolation caused by the war. They had been through the furnace, they
could feel anew the burnings of the fire, and they could see the grief into
which we are to be crowded.
The question
with us is, are we sufficiently devoted to the interests of the kingdom of God
to enable us to confidently believe, without a doubt, that he will sustain us
in all that we may be called upon to pass through? If we are he certainly will
not permit any more to come upon us than we can endure and that will be for our
good; because he is that God who is nearer to us than a friend or a brother.
He had
told us that those who kept his commandments had no need to break the laws of
the land. We made no law nor passed any ordinance contrary to the laws of the
land; the law-makers of the nation made the law which brought us in conflict
with our government; and, therefore, we must look to him to overrule this
conflict, and trust that he will do better for us than we know how to ask or
even to think for ourselves; provided, we pursue the path of duty faithfully
and steadfastly.
I pray
that we may so take consideration of our ways that we shall not feel vindictive
to those who are vindictive towards us; but, on the contrary, rise above such a
feeling upon the more elevated platform which was introduced by the Savior, in
which he taught his disciples to do good to them who despitefully used and
persecuted them. This is a lesson that we have not fully learned.
May the
Lord bless and proper all who seek to do his will, and may his mercy be
multiplied to all nations until the ends of the earth shall see the salvation
of our God, and until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God
and of His Christ; may we live and our generations after us to perform
efficient and faithful service in bringing about his purposes. Oh, that our
enemies might see the error of their ways, repent as in dust and ashes and
place themselves in a condition to receive the favor of God, and thereby escape
the terrible judgments that must sooner or later overtake those who wilfully
battle against the truth.
It
remains for us to continue to bear our testimony to the world, to build our
Temples, in which to perform the work for ourselves and our dead, essential to
salvation and exaltation in his kingdom, and to build up a Zion to the glory of
God. That this may be our determined purpose to a faithful consummation, I
humbly pray, in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
ELDER GEORGE TEASDALE
Said there are thousands in this congregation that can bear a faithful testimony that God lives, and that this is His work that we are engaged in. He spoke of the time when God first revealed himself to Joseph Smith who was then the only man who had this testimony. Then commenced persecution, the world against the truth, in the midst of which was exhibited the power of God in the protection of His servant, in the preservation and translation of the plates from which came forth that sacred record called the Book of Mormon. Then came the authority conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist, to empower them to preach the gospel and baptize believers for the remission of their sins. Then there were two men standing on earth as witnesses for Christ. After which came Peter, James and John to confer the Melchisedec Priesthood and who gave instructions pertaining to the kingdom of God. He then spoke of the effects that have followed the preaching of the gospel to the various nations of the earth; and the thousands that have been gathered to these valleys of the mountains, bringing with them the spirit of the Gospel, being protected on their journey by manifestations of God's providences in fulfilment of predictions made to them by the servants of the Lord. He rejoiced at the awakening there is among the Latter-day Saints. God is moving among us, and while we are actively engaged in the various duties of our calling, the building of Temples, the payment of our tithes and offerings, and offering up our prayers as we can see the providences of the Almighty in all our history and rely that He will most assuredly protect and defend us so long as we work righteousness. Zion will not be redeemed by blood, but by righteousness, and we must take a course to secure the favor of the Almighty; that we may be preserved and finally redeemed back again in His presence.
[George Teasdale]
[MS 44:309-310]
Felt
that we had been greatly encouraged by the review of God's dealings with man.
About half a century ago this work was commenced by God and one man. The
speaker narrated the circumstances of the Angel Moroni coming to the Prophet
Joseph Smith and telling him where the plates were hid and when Joseph got them
he did not dodge but kept right on; also the matter of the translation of the
Book of Mormon from the plates and the testimony given by angels that the
plates had been translated through that boy; then the restoration of the
Aaronic Priesthood. We have the testimony of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery that
John the Baptist had come and restored the power of the Priesthood, to call to
repentance and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. ere we have two
men and God. Then came the revelations to Joseph, teaching him, in detail, the
order and powers of the Melchisedec Priesthood, of the Elders, the Priests, the
Teachers and the Deacons, and giving a promise that every man who went to the
world, inviting the honest, should have power to guarantee the gift of the Holy
Ghost to all who would obey the principles of the Gospel. We have tasted the
effects of the Gospel, and we could keep talking of the goodness of God for a
long time. Look at our emigration -- thousands have come from the ends of the
earth, and many of them aged and decrepit, who at home, could hardly travel
across the road. The work is full of evidences, and we shall continue to get
them. We have no fear; no reason to fear. We have traveled without purse or
script to carry the message of God; one or two among thousands of strangers and
enemies, and among those who threatened to mob us and slay us; but we kept
moving along and did not fear. WE are increasing in righteousness; tithes and
offerings are being paid, temples are being erected, the people are seeking
their endowments, and attending to the ordinances for their dead. There is not
a spot on earth where, morning and evening, more songs and prayers ascend to
the Father of the human family than in these mountains and we should continue
to sanctify these valleys. We pay our tithes, and we need not quibble about
what is tithing, for the Prophets have said it was the tenth of all that the
Lord gives, and we cannot get around it. I obtained a test from President
Woodruff that I have often thought of: that our lives have been hid in Christ
Jesus to come forth in this day and generation; what a glorious principle!
[MS 44:310: PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR. Hoped that the Bishops would look after the brethren and sisters who are in from the Settlements without any places to stay. There are plenty of us who can take care of them, and they must be made comfortable]
ELDER L. JOHN NUTTALL
Announced that the Saints from the country who were unable to procure lodging places and refreshments during the remainder of the Conference, in consequence of the crowded condition of the hotels, and not having friends in the city could be accommodated by calling on Bishop Hunter and his Counselors at the Tithing Office, who would direct them how to proceed; the Bishops of the various Wards would make proper provision for them.
Conference was adjourned till 2 p.m.
The choir sang the anthem:
How beautiful upon the mountains.
Benediction by Apostle John H. Smith
_____
[8 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:194, 4/19/82, p 2]
FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
_____
Saturday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang on page 41:
Jesus, from whom all
blessings flow,
Great builder of the Church below.
Prayer by Elder A. M. Cannon.
The choir sang hymn on page 259,
Guide us, O thou great
Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER
Said he had enjoyed the remarks of his brethren who had previously spoken, and he desired to be prompted by the same spirit that had actuated them. This is a sure guide to mankind. Our senses may fail us one by one, or deceive us, but he who has the light of God and is guided by it, will not go astray. The Apostles of Jesus had listened to the sermon on the mount, had seen the multitude fed by a few loaves and fishes, the eyes of the blind opened, and many wondrous works wrought, but with all their experience they were not qualified to preach the Gospel of life and salvation until they had received this light, being endowed with power from on high. The Elders of this Church are sent to the nations to preach the Gospel by the same power. No other ministers are able to promise with assurance the bestowal of this power from on high, if the people believe their testimony, with the signs following as promised by the Savior. The speaker alluded to the absence of those gifts in the Christian world and the divisions existing therein. This shows that either the words and prayers of Jesus were unfulfilled or the people called "Christians" are not true believers. He related instances of suffering endured voluntarily by Catholics in Mexico as evidence of their sincerity He respected the sincerity of religious worshipers even though they might be in error. God gave to man his agency in the beginning, and in this great republic a man should be free to worship anything or nothing as he pleased, so long as he does not interfere with the rights of others. God gave a commandment when he created man in his own image, which has never been repealed. It was, "increase and multiply." No matter what laws man might make this law of God is in force. The Catholic church attempts to establish celibacy and governments try to restrain obedience to this commandment, but the word of God remains. The Lord will judge them according to their light. The speaker would not cease to pray for the leaders of this nation. He felt that there was "salt" in the land yet. He believed that there were a great many more righteous men in Congress than the number required for the preservation of Sodom and Gomorrah. There are yet a few men who have courage to oppose unconstitutional measures like the Edmunds bill, although threatened with the lash of party and the anger of their constituents. Touching on the petitions sent by 75 thousand people of Utah to Congress he showed that they did not ask for anything but fair investigation of our principles and condition before taking action against us. Our prayers were not heard. But we have no enmity or hatred in our hearts towards those who refused our petition; our religion has taught us better. And when we have tutored ourselves to return good for evil and have no feeling to oppress any one, God would give this people the dominion as he had promised. The speaker denied the charge that the Saints were under dictation which they had to follow, right or wrong, and testified that nowhere was there a freer people than in Utah. He was proud of being a born citizen of the United States, but rejoiced more in the knowledge that he had received the light and power of God in the Gospel. In his recent trip east he had looked upon the treasures of art and wealth and displays of beauty and culture, but who would exchange for this the knowledge that comes to the humble and pure in heart through the Gospel. Alluding to the charge of disloyalty he showed that we had been taught to regard the principles of this government as the best ever given by man to man. Public opinion he maintained, had caused rivers of blood to flow, immured men in dungeons and crushed out their lives; it followed Christ through the hall of Justice where he was pronounced guiltless, and hurried him to his death on the cross. If there had been a Daniel Webster or a Charles Sumner in Congress when through a depraved public opinion the principles of republicanism were assailed and trampled upon, he would have driven back into their corners those who, enraged and deceived by error, threatened members who were supposed to be against the legislation designed to oppress a weak people. There is room enough in Utah for Jews, Gentiles, Indians, Chinese and negroes without our interfering with their rights. We have never done so. Ministers opposed to our faith have been invited to preach in our Tabernacles, while our Elders sent forth to preach to the places from whence those men came have slept at night under the trees, and have been scorned, threatened and despised. And our religion has taught us not to feel hatred in our hearts to those who do spitefully use us. Elder Thatcher touched on the condition of those who, having received the light and testimony of the truth, have then through fear of man denied the Son of God and turned away from the faith, and expressed his desires that the Saints might be able to cleave to the right under every circumstance. Referring to the Edmunds bill, he showed that if the suppression of polygamy was the object, there was no need to take away the rights of 150,000 people and place them in the hands of a Returning Board who could set aside the vote and voice of any number of citizens. He claimed that this is a loyal people who will defend and protect the Constitution of the United States and contend for their liberties, only by proper means, and we will contend for the rights of others as much as for our own, and will hold up to our children the principles for which the fathers of this country fought and bled. We have never been called, as alleged, to make a covenant against the Government, but he was prepared to make a covenant to defend its principles and aid in securing equal rights for all. In conclusion he showed that the outside pressure would only tend to consolidate the Saints. We will treat those who are sent among us with courtesy, while we claim the right to speak of things done against us, we will follow Christ in life and in death, preach the Gospel to the world and then to the spirits in prison, walk in the one, only way of salvation, roll on the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, until the image is destroyed and every knee shall bow, not to man but to Christ, the Redeemer and King, who preached salvation to the living and the dead, and exhorted His people to return good for evil. We will pray for the misguided who have been led astray by those who have sought to make merchandise of the souls of men, treat the officials sent here with courtesy and kindness, be full of love, charity and kindness, that we may receive the blessings and power and dominion promised by the Lord through the mouth of His servant Joseph, to distil upon us like the dews of heaven, and flow unto us without compulsory means for ever.
[Moses Thatcher]
[MS 44:321-323]
Had
rejoiced in listening to the remarks of the brethren who had spoken. He had
never seen a happier day than this, for the Spirit and power of God is working
in the hearts of the people. The evidences of our eyes may fail us, the hearing
of our ears may deceive us, the senses of our natures, one by one, may be
misguided, but he who has the companionship of the Holy Spirit will never err.
The disciples of Christ had heard the sermon upon the mount; they had seen him
feed the multitude with the few loaves and fishes; they had seen him open the
eyes of the blind; they had seen him raise the dead; they had traveled with
him, and hung upon the words of life as they fell from his lips, and had,
doubtless, watched his acts and ways during the whole time of his ministry; but
they did not have the power to act in the ministry of the Gospel until it had
been specially confirmed upon them; then they could go into the world and
preach the gospel to every creature, and every one that believed and was
baptized could be saved, and the signs would follow the believers. Our Elders
do not claim any part of the commission given to the disciples in former days,
but legions of sectarian professors do, but the signs do not follow them, hence
their commission is powerless and useless. We claim that we are called of god
as was Aaron; qualified and empowered by revelation to minister in the
ordinances of the house of god. The faith of the members of modern churches is
pinned to a belief, and though i respect these believers for their sincerity, I
must differ with them in all sincerity and respect, and tell them their belief
is a dead letter to them. I respect sincerity; I have seen women walk, with
bare feet, upon sharp stones for long distances, for their belief; I have seen
wealthy ladies mingle with degraded Indians, kneeling for hours on the filthy
floor of a cathedral for their belief; I have seen devotees willing to wear a
crown of thorns for their belief; but that belief lacked the power and efficacy
of acknowledgement from God. From the days of Adam man was commanded to increase
and multiply; the decree still holds good on the fishes of the sea and the
fowls of the air, but the Catholic church says to some of its members that they
must not obey that law, and the Congress of the United States has said that
many of the people of this country shall not obey the law. I do not look for
utter destruction to come upon this nation very rapidly; many Congressmen are
honest as far as their knowledge extends, and there is salt in this nation yet;
many more can be found than the five required to save Sodom and Gomorrah. It
was a remarkable show of bravery for any congressman to vote against the
Edmunds Bill, when the party lash was swung about the ears of every one of
them, and the fist of one member was held close to the nose of another, daring
him to vote against the bill; but several dared the party lash, and placed
themselves on record against the bill because it was so glaringly
unconstitutional. We sent our petitions, signed by thousands of settlers here,
asking merely for an honorable commission to come and hear the busy hum of
industry in our vales, see the brightness of the children in our schools, look
at the happiness of our homes, and find out the truth of the accusation
concerning our depravity. That was all we asked for, but our prayer was not
granted. Do I have any feelings of hatred towards the congress, the President
or the people of the United States? No; my religion has taught me to pray for
them. I saw men in the east who said their names were affixed to documents
asking for the destruction of this people without their consent, but they had
not the moral courage to stand up in public and say so. Now talk about the
oppression among the "Mormon" people, when compared to this I have
seen in the east. I never saw the day nor the hour when I would not raise my
voice and my hand in defense o the oppressed, without asking any man's or any
set of men's opinions; yet these eastern men talk about our oppression. I am
happy and proud in being an American citizen, but am prouder of being a member
of this Church, and of the knowledge I have obtained. My nature is proud, and I
could not have borne the contempt and scorn heaped upon me as a member of this
Church, by persons who were my inferiors mentally, morally and physically, had
it not been my knowledge that the work and its members were so much to be
revered and loved. Great men have not floated with the tide, nor been swayed by
public opinion when it went contrary to right. Public opinion followed Christ
to the garden, but did not sway him; public opinion followed Christ to the
bench of a heathen judge, and cried out crucify him! crucify him! but the judge
washed his hands of the crime committed on our elder brother; public opinion
has made the four walls of the dungeon to come together and crush out the lives
of the imprisoned; public opinion exterminated sixty millions during the time
of the inquisition; public opinion caused the pilgrim fathers to leave the old
country, and land on the shores of a new country and found a free government. I
told an army officer while I was in Washington, that we would do our best to
obey the laws passed by Congress, but if laws are passed to make us a race of
slaves, it will have to be done at the expense of our lives. You may bury us in
the mud of the Missouri bottoms, or in the depths of the sea, but while we
breathe the free air of the mountains, and drink of the pure water that flows
down our canyons, you cannot make slaves of us. If there had been a Charles
Sumner or Daniel Webster in the Capitol, the advocates of such a
freedom-destroying measure as the Edmunds Bill would have been driven into the
corners of the halls of Congress, until they would have hung their heads in
shame for attempting to pass such a measure in this land of liberty and freedom.
This spirit of freedom is among this people, and they will love and obey the
principles of the gospel, even though it should be at the point of the bayonet
or the mouth of the Cannon, or though the rope ;may be woven and placed around
their necks. I cannot say what the course of the Latter-day Saints will be,but
I will say, if the time should come when they will be asked to renounce their
principles, and they have the Holy Ghost in their hearts, they will turn their
faces to Jerusalem, fall on their knees and cry: Abba Father, we know thou
livest and art our God. If the time should come when we must leave our homes,
as my father has been called upon more than once to do, I, for one, would
freely make a deed of all I possess and turn it over to the President of the
United States, rather than it should fall into the hands of the ungodly,
designing, unprincipled men in this Territory, who look with longing eyes upon
our possessions. I respect President Arthur for his courage in vetoing the
Chinese Bill, and for asking the power to send able men on the commission to
this Territory to solve the Edmunds problem. But who does not know how bad a
returning board can be? We have had an instance in the action of a Governor
Murray, returning Allen G. Campbell with 1,300 votes to congress over the
people's choice, George Q. Cannon, with 18000 votes. I will say for the
satisfaction of my hearers, that in the east I found a heavy under current of
sentiment which, just so soon as it is convinced that the origin of the bill is
the grasping of the revenue and power of this Territory for lustful purposes,
and the assessment of heavy taxes, will cause myriads to rise and boldly and
valiantly wage a war against the unholy men and means used for our hurt. When
the secession leaders said to our delegate, under the dome of the capitol, Now
is your time to strike for freedom, what was the reply? No, gentlemen, we have
asked, and will ask again and again for our liberty, and we will obtain it
under the glorious stars and stripes. I do not want to appear brave or
boastful, for I am naturally a timid man, a coward if you please, but I want to
covenant here before you that am willing to and will defend my religious
convictions with all I possess or expect to possess, with all my life is worth,
both here and hereafter. We may be persecuted legally, but that does not always
make it just, for Jesus was nailed to the cross by the edict of legal opinion,
and he went below all things to ascend above all things. I bear testimony that
this is God's kingdom, and is as the little stone cut out of the mountain which
will roll forth and fill the whole earth, and every knee shall bow, to whom? to
President John Taylor? to any man? No, but to Jesus Christ our King. Let peace
rest upon all Israel. Love your enemies and pray for all those who despitefully
use you, and then, indeed, are you free. Pray for all who are in the dark; for
those who have been misled by the priests who preach for hire and divine for
money. I heard a most excellent sermon while I was east, but it was spoiled at
the close by an earnest petition to raise three dollars and a half, and though
there were about 300 persons present they failed to raise the amount.
[Moses Thatcher]
[JD 23:196]
Delivered at the General Conference, Saturday, April 8th,
1882.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS
_____
I have
been very happy in attending the meetings of this Conference. I have rejoiced
in listening to the remarks of brethren who have spoken; and earnestly hope
that I may be influenced and guided in the remarks I may make, by the same
spirit and power which has actuated them. Realizing as I do, that God is
working in the hearts of the Saints and is, at the same time, holding as in his
hands the destiny of nations, I have seen no happier day than this. And, while
proscriptive, ex post-facto laws, abridging the liberties of the people
have been, and others may hereafter be enacted by the law-makers of the nation,
still the honest and good, the meek and pure in heart rejoice in the Holy One
of Israel, who while preserving their lips from uttering guile makes steadfast
their feet in Zion, that they slip not.
I am not
aware that we, as a people, have any policy marked out by which to meet the
issues or overcome the annoyances which may be forced upon us, but with those
who merit the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, all will be well. The
sight of the eye, the hearing of the ear, the touch of the hand may each and
all be deceived, but, the instructions of the spirit are in all things correct.
The combined senses may misguide or fail, but he who happily secures the
companionship of the Holy Spirit, walks in the ways of life and neither fears,
becomes weary nor faints by the wayside. Christ as the author of human
redemption—himself a willing sacrifice—comprehending by his divine nature, the
fulness of this great truth, commanded his disciples to tarry at Jerusalem
until endowed with power from on high —until he should send the Comforter whose
mission it was to show them things to come, bring all things which he had
taught to their remembrance and lead them into all truth.
They had
listened to the words of life and light as the marvelous sermon on the Mount
came from the divine lips of their Lord and Master: they had seen him touch the
eyes of the blind, making them to see again, the ears of the deaf to hear, and
had witnessed his power quicken into life, the decomposing body of the dead;
they had traveled throughout the land of Judea with, and perhaps watched many
weary nights to keep him from the injury of those who desired to harm him; they
had eaten and drank with, and slept by him, listening by night and day to the
inspired instructions; but, notwithstanding all the experience thus gained
during years of unsurpassed opportunity for learning the truth as it was in
him, they were not yet fully qualified and authorized to preach that perfect
law of liberty—the Gospel of their Redeemer. Hence the command, "Tarry ye
in the City of Jerusalem until ye be endowed with power from on high."
The
Comforter which came to them is the same that has come to us, and his mission
then, as we have demonstrated it now to be, was to bring things to the
remembrance, show things to come and lead into all truth. No man has authority
to preach the Gospel and administer its ordinances without a commission from
Jesus Christ; and the seal of such commission has always been, and always will
be the gifts, blessings and endorsement of the Holy Ghost, which, not only
leads to the form, but also to the power of godliness.
It is
this that cheers the hearts of the Latter, day Saints, brings knowledge of
things past, present and to come, unites and makes them in their testimony,
hopes and aspirations, distinct from all the world—a peculiar people.
The
Elders of Israel acting under the authority of an endless Priesthood, bear the
message of peace, of life and salvation to the inhabitants of a fallen world.
Without money and without price they visit the ends of the earth and, while
warning the wicked of the judgments to come, they urge the honest and good to
gather, before the coming of the great and dreadful day when Babylon shall
fall. Bearing a faithful testimony, they speak of that which they know and
testify of that which they have experienced, saying, "do the will of the
Father and you shall know whether the doctrine is true or false."
In this, their testimony differs from that of the ministers of all other
religious denominations, and they not only speak as having authority, but they
have it. Where, outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is
there a man authorized to make the promise of the knowledge of God by
revelation as the reward of obedience to the principles of the Gospel? Who,
beside the Elders of this Church are commissioned to perform ordinances in the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost through which, and by which the
Comforter comes to the obedient penitent, leading him into all truth and
showing him things to come? Who, beside them are authorized by God,
commissioned by Jesus and endorsed by the Holy Spirit to preach repentance,
baptism and the laying on of hands, saying to the inhabitants of the earth,
"believe in the doctrines of Jesus Christ, repent of all sins, be immersed
in water for their remission and have hands laid upon you for the reception of
the Holy Ghost, and you shall know these things to be true, for,
through obedience to the law of life, comes the testimony of Jesus, which is
the spirit of prophecy.
Ask the
members of the so-called Christian sects if their ministers come to them
offering such a test of their authority to speak in the name of Him who
descended beneath all things that he might arise above all things—ask them for
the testimony of Him who led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, what
gifts they have to offer, what promises of godly knowledge they have to make?
Ask them for the testimony of Jesus and to show the plan of salvation built
upon the rock of revelation against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, and
you will be made painfully to feel that they have none of these things. A form
of godliness they may exhibit, but the power, they do not have.
"Go
ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be
damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name they shall
cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up
serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them."
Such was
the commission given to the Apostles anciently, and the gifts and blessings,
some of which I have enumerated, following the believer whose faith led to
works, were evidences of the authority of the Lord's disciples who bore that
commission. Their testimony being true and faithful, received the endorsement
of the Holy Spirit.
Unlike
ministers of the various Christian denominations the Elders of this Church
claim no part of the commission given by the Lord to his ancient Apostles, but
they do claim, and do have authority from Jesus Christ to preach his Gospel,
and the signs that followed believers then follow them now, as thousands can
testify. Most so-called Christians have long since discarded the idea of works,
holding that salvation coming only by grace, belief alone, is essential.
Now, I
hold that they have not only discarded all works, but belief as well. My reason
for so doing is I think logical and conclusive. Jesus declared that certain
signs should follow them that believe, but modern divines do not even pretend
that any one of the signs enumerated follow those that accept their teachings.
Therefore, relying upon the words of the Lord, we must, we are bound to
conclude that they do not even believe the Gospel, or if they do the
promise of Christ certainly fails. I am aware that such a conclusion gives a
choice between but two horns of a disagreeable dilemma, but we had nothing to
do in the arrangement of matters which have brought it about; we only speak of
facts as they exist. Again, ask the ministers of any of the Protestant churches
where they got their authority to preach? They will tell you not from the Roman
Mother Church which claims Apostolic succession from Peter, but they will refer
you I think, in most instances, to the words of Jesus already quoted, wherein
he instructed his disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to
every creature, etc. They will tell you that here is where they get their
authority, and they claim that commission is to them as well as to those to
whom it was directly given. Let us submit the test and see how this claim
stands. Those who anciently had the commission and authority were endorsed by
the spirit and power of God which caused certain heavenly gifts and blessings
to follow those who believed their testimony and teachings. Do any of those
gifts and blessings follow the believers in the teachings of modern divines who
claim the same authority and commission? No, not one. They the ministers
themselves hold them non-essential, and hence done away. They are, indeed, done
away so far as our Christian friends are concerned, and so is the authority and
commission of their ministers done away, so far as the endorsement of their
teaching by the Holy Ghost is concerned. I desire here to bear my testimony
that the gifts and blessings ennumerated by the Savior as those that should
follow believers, do follow in this day, the authoritative preaching and
administration of the ordinances of the Gospel, and that the Elders of this
Church are clothed with authority from God. It did not come from the Roman
Mother Church, nor from any of her Protestant daughters, but was restored to
earth in our day by Peter, James and John, to whom Jesus Himself gave it. In
their charge it was authority that bore fruit as testimony of its efficacy and
divine power; committed to the charge of God's servants it does likewise in
this age among this people.
Lacking
the revelations of the Holy Ghost, men and self-constituted ministers are not
led into all truth but teach, instead thereof, opinions and vain imaginings. As
an instance I refer to a sermon preached not long since by an eminent divine in
the East for whose liberal views and outspoken advocacy of them in many
respects I entertain admiration, for they have, in my opinion, a tendency to
liberalize the ideas of some who otherwise would have inclined to religious
bigotry or, on the other hand to infidelity. In seeking to illustrate how the
various Christian sects were moving heavenward this divine, compared the
kingdom of God to the city of Philadelphia, which has numerous railway
connections leading from almost every direction but all centering in that city.
Upon these numerous railways daily move many trains composed of numerous cars
containing many people traveling from various directions on different roads,
but all bound for the city of Philadelphia. Now this doctrine being broad
and liberal would certainly commend itself to every thoughtful and charitable
Christian did it not, when tasted by the Master's perfect standard, reveal a
defect—a fatal one too, which all who rely upon it must eventually find to
their disappointment and sorrow. The doctrine however attractive, is absolutely
untrue, for Jesus Himself has declared that there is but one way,
"Straight is the gate and narrow is the way, (not many ways like the roads
leading to the city of Philadelphia), and few there be that find it."
Now why
do eminent, educated, influential men, who have chosen the ministry as a
profession, and who pretend to teach the Gospel to others advocate as doctrine
ideas so diametrically opposed to the eternal truths advanced by Christ
himself? The answer is simple, lacking the inspiration and revelations of the
Holy Spirit—having no Comforter to lead them into all truth, bring things to
their remembrance and show them things to come, they teach for doctrine the
opinions of men. Being filled with worldly wisdom but not the power of God.
"They divine for money and preach for hire." Again Christ prayed that
his disciples might be one with Him as He was with the Father, and that all
should believe the words of the disciples that they might be one with
Him, as He was one with the Father. Are Christians claiming belief in those
words, one? No, the various denominations are not only divided against each
other, but in some instances are divided among themselves. During the late
civil war, as was state, I yesterday, members of the same church south of the
Mason and Dixon line were praying for the destruction of their brethren of the
same church north of it, while, on the other hand, those north were making a
like petition to the same God against their brethren south of that line.
According, however, to their own idea of God, He could hardly have heard and
answered either party; for, having no body he could not hear, and having no
passions he would have been indifferent, had he been able to hear.
Notwithstanding
this, however, many, very many on both sides were destroyed and, as we believe,
needlessly. Of one thing we may be certain, and that is the members of the
various Christian denominations are not one. Therefore there is but one of two
conclusions at which the reasoning and thoughtful can arrive. Either God has
ceased to answer the prayer of His Son, or the various conflicting religious
sects are not believers in the Gospel. And as they put great stress upon faith
or belief, I have endeavored and think I have not failed to show that they are
not even true believers, for they are certainly not united and one with Christ
as He is one with the Father, nor as His ancient disciples were one with Him.
In
mentioning these matters, I have tried to do so in a respectful manner, having
regard for the feelings of those who differ from us in religious affairs. There
are many people in the world who do not believe as we do, but for whom I
entertain a high personal regard; for according to the light, they have, they
are moral, honest and just, and are as devoted to what they believe to be right
as we possibly can be. Thousands and hundreds of thousands of people in the
world are just as sincere as we are; but to be sincere in a matter does not
make that matter true.
While at
the City of Mexico recently, I saw many exhibitions of religious devotion and
sincerity. On certain feast days people there do strange things. I have seen
women walk upon their knees three miles over rough stony roads, being rewarded
at the end of their painful journey with a plaited crown of thorns placed upon
their heads, while being carried upon the shoulders of strong men, amid the
cheering multitude, who praised them for having accomplished what they believed
to be a saintly, meritorious task. Again, I have seen ladies of refinement,
wealth and influence trail their rich satin and velvet robes through the dirt
and filth accumulated upon the floors of the great cathedral, for hours they
would kneel in adoration before an image, while being jostled by ignorant,
degraded, vermin-covered Indians, worshiping at the same shrine. On other
occasions I have witnessed for weeks together the revelry of Catholic maskers
who frequented the streets, theatres and balls, night and day. At some of those
masked balls it was said scenes were enacted that were so immoral in their
tendency that the general of the Mexican army issued orders prohibiting
officers and men of the army from attending them. And yet, at the termination
of the thirty days' dissipation, religious sincerity caused those poor,
ignorant people to feel tree from sin after confessing to their priests and
receiving absolution for all their abominations and securing a great black mark
in the form of a cross in their foreheads. Now, while these things, and many
others which I have no time to mention, appeared very repugnant, immoral and
debasing in their practice and tendency, yet I respected those people in their
religious belief, customs and ceremonies as I desire to respect the people of
other creeds so long as they do not infringe upon the rights and liberties of
others. For God intends that all should be absolutely free in such matters.
When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden, the doctrine of free agency was
fully established and endorsed by the Creator, for He there gave a conditional
commandment, obedience to which was to perpetuate life, disobedience was to
bring death, but the choice was left with the man and woman, and front that day
to this he has intended that man should act upon his own agency; that he should
be permitted to receive the truth, choosing the path that leads back to the
presence of God and the knowledge that comes from above; or, on the other hand,
to reject it, following in the path which leads to ruin and destruction.
In this
great American government a man should be free to worship the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost; he should be equally free to worship a mountain, a stream,
the sun, moon, or anything or not to worship at all; so long as his practice
and belief do not interfere with the inalienable rights guaranteed to man, so
long should he be free.
From the
time when God gave to man and woman their free agency in the Garden of Eden,
making the law and defining the penalty for breaking that law, I can find
nothing in the revelations that would bind or fetter the soul or the body of
the children of men. There was, however, one unconditional command; it was
given in the generation of the heavens, when God created man and woman in His
own image; and that command still rests upon the fishes of the sea, upon the
fowls of the air, upon the beasts of the field, and all beating throbbing
nature naturally obeys the edict, "multiply and replenish the earth."
This great unconditional, unrepealed law is still in force. The Roman Catholic
church, as it has done heretofore, may issue edicts binding certain members of
that church to celibacy, making the union of man and woman obnoxious, but that
great command is nevertheless still binding. The Roman church and our own
Government, in their blind efforts to defeat the purposes of God, may continue
to forbid marriage, and thus fulfill ancient prophecy, but their efforts should
not surprise us. Is there anything occurring in the midst of the Nation to-day
that we have not anticipated? I have recently returned from the east, and I
rejoice exceedingly in what I saw manifested there. Does God hold the members
of Congress responsible for their acts as he does the Elders of this Church?
No. They will be judged by the light they have and no more. They are, many of
them, educated, and are men of influence, possessing, however, but little
genuine moral courage. Notwithstanding the evident disregard for principle
manifested by some of them touching affairs in which we are interested, I
confess that I lose confidence in them with the deepest regret, and find it
most difficult to withdraw the faith formerly reposed in the law-makers of our
great nation. I still desire and hope to be able to continue praying for them
and for the President and cabinet, that they may honor the positions to which
the people have called them. We will uphold, sustain and pray for them at least
until God rejects and condemns their works. There is salt in the nation yet. I
try to comprehend the feelings of faithful Abraham when pleading for Sodom and
Gomorrah; which, had they contained five righteous men, might have been spared.
Now, I
think there are a great many more than five righteous men —righteous according
to the light they have, in the United States; good men too, who, while they
cannot see as we see, and while they cannot endorse our peculiar ideas in
regard to the plan of human salvation, love liberty, cherish the memory of our
forefathers, and regard the foundations of this great government so highly that
they could not even under the pressure of public opinion, vote for a measure so
radically wrong, a measure so thoroughly unconstitutional as every lawyer must
know the Edmunds law to be. There were a few honorable members of Congress
whose high regard for the labors and sacrifices of our forefathers precluded
them from advocating that infamous measure which strikes with deep intent and a
spirit born of hatred, at the very foundation upon which our government and the
liberties of the people rest. Those honorable gentlemen, in opposing the bill,
counted the cost by realizing that their course in the matter might offend
their constituents, who by reason thereof, might retire them forever from the
walks of public political life.
Now I
must admit that it would have required nerve and genuine moral courage to
enable members of the Republican party to vote against the passage of that bill
when the party lash was being swung around them as I have never before seen a
party lash used. To overcome the fear arising from the contemplated action of
constituents at home, and the cut and the sting of the party leaders in
Congress, required more courage than we could reasonably expect from members of
the dominant party. Moral courage is a virtue possessed by few men in this
gilded age in which ambition, rather than principle, too frequently is the
moving cause which prompts to action. When, therefore, party leaders, sarcastic
and unscrupulous, shake their fists under the noses of their timid followers,
daring them to place themselves upon record as advocates of
"Mormonism" by opposing measures intended for the bondage of
"Mormons," it is indeed difficult, and we ought not to expect weak
men, under such circumstances, to do what is right.
I
remember before going East, certain petitions to Congress were being circulated
in the midst of the Latter-day Saints, which were afterwards, I understand,
signed by about 65,000 people, and what was the prayer of those petitioners—did
they ask Congress to endorse polygamy, or in the least manifest sympathy for
the marital relations of the Latter-day Saints? No. The burden of the prayer of
this community was to give us a trial before condemning us, to hear our cause
before convicting and executing us; in other words, that an investigating
committee be sent to the people of Utah to see them as they are; to come, if
need be, into our homes and pry into every detail of our social relations, and
then judge the tree by its fruits. If the children of the Latter-day Saints, as
has been asserted, are frail in body and weak in intellect, we asked the
statesmen of our land to come and demonstrate it for our benefit and their
information, or send a competent and reliable commission to investigate the
matter for them. If we are all immoral people—as we have been accused of
being—we want the nation to say so through the mouths of honorable men. That is
what, we prayed for. Our petitions were not heard, I doubt if they were even
read, and, yet, have we any feelings of enmity towards our nation because of
it? I have not, not in the least. There is not a man, woman or child in all
this broad land for whom I have one particle of hatred. Thank God for that.
That is what my religion has taught me. And while I know that I am by no means
perfect in keeping that higher law which Jesus gave, namely, Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, I am trying to become so.
That is a law of the Gospel which we must all eventually observe in spirit and
practice. I am trying to pray for men who by night and day use their influence
and every means in their power to crush out a people whom I love, and who are
innocent before God of the vile slanders constantly heaped upon them. When we,
as Saints of the Most High, shall have learned to love our enemies and pray for
those who despitefully use us—shall have learned it so well, that prayerful
humble practice impresses it upon the tablets of our hearts, from which every
desire to oppress our fellowman has been eradicated, then, and not till then
will the government rule, and dominion be given into the hands of this people.
Zion will
be redeemed, God's kingdom bear sway and His people, under Christ Jesus our
Lord, will rule when the law goes forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem.
Much has
been said about the domination of the "Mormon" Priesthood. In
Europe, in the States of the Union, and even in Mexico it has been stated that
"Mormons" are controlled like slaves, being obliged to yield
obedience, right or wrong, to the behest of Church leaders. I bear my testimony
that the statement is utterly untrue. No part of the Union possesses a freer
and more independent people than these mountain valleys. Indeed I hesitate not
to say that their equal in fearlessness of wrongful church, political or other
influences cannot, be found elsewhere. They neither crouch beneath public
opinion nor cower before the pulpit and press. The names of prominent business
men of Eastern cities, with whom for years our merchants have done business,
appeared in the public prints as the vice-presidents of anti-"Mormon"
meetings; thus making them seem to join in the raid against our people.
When asked regarding the matter a number confessed that their names had been
used without either their knowledge or consent. But they had not the moral
courage necessary to stem the current of public opinion and run the risk of
incurring the displeasure of the press by withdrawing their names; and, while
disclaiming to me personally, any sympathy with the anti-"Mormon"
raids, then so numerous in the East, they dare not publicly so express
themselves. Now, while expressing sympathy for those who, under any circumstances,
could be placed in such a position, I am bold to assert that nowhere in Utah
among Latter-day Saints could such a thing be found. Such domination,
ecclesiastical, political or social does not exist in Utah among the
"Mormons ;" possibly it may exist in the midst of those comprising
their enemies, and known here as the "ring." What—ever may have been
said or whatever may hereafter be asserted regarding the domination of the
"Mormon" Priesthood, I know no people who regard more highly the
individual rights of man or who are more willing to defend them than the people
called "Mormons," who here, as elsewhere, have the moral courage to
protect and defend their names while maintaining their individuality. I don't
think they would hesitate to defend the oppressed whether Jew, Gentile or
"Mormon," nor would they sacrifice in their lack of independence,
principle or persons at the shrine of public opinion or popular prejudice. The
"Mormon" Priesthood dominates the affairs of the "Mormon"
people upon the principles of righteousness and equity. Outside of these it has
neither power nor authority. I wish this were equally true with the religious,
political and social organizations throughout the Union; but it is not, as I
have already shown. When principle is sacrificed to prejudice there can be
neither safety nor stability. Acting upon such a basis men become great in
small things, but small in greater, matters.
Did
principle or a proper regard for the lights of man prevail in the Senate and
House of our National Congress, pending the passage of the Edmunds law? It is
true a number of honorable members in each branch recognized and protested
against the passage of that unconstitutional and un-American measure, but how
few, if any, comprehended the opportunity afforded a great statesmen to stem
the current and by the force of patriotism and the power of right, rise above
the waves of popular prejudice and, striking out of disguises stand proudly
upon the solid foundations of constitutional law while victoriously battling
for human freedom and the natural rights of man. Such an opportunity had made
Webster, Clay or Sumner even greater than the great men we now esteem them. The
thought of such as they were, the devotion to principle, liberty and right
exhibited by Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and others in their struggles for
human freedom, have made me proud to be an American citizen. But when I see
sacred principles, for the establishment of which our fathers devoted property,
honor and lives, trampled under foot. by our national lawmakers, in order to
answer the fanatical demands of religious bigots against a few thousand loyal
citizens in Utah, I blush and almost wish I had been foreign born.
Aside
from these drawbacks evidencing the degeneracy into which statesmen are
falling, I have ever been proud of my citizenship. Of but one thing have I ever
been prouder and that is of my allegiance to God and His laws, and a love for
His kingdom and people. For these I have patiently, and almost uncomplainingly,
endured the scorn and ridicule of many people in various countries. This I
could never have endured, being naturally proud and perhaps over. sensitive,
had :it not been for the comforting influence which accompanies a knowledge of
truths revealed in our day.
During twenty-five
years of experience in the Church, having been more or less in the missionary
field since I was fifteen years of age, I have met thousands of people in
Europe and America who thought of "Mormonism" and the
"Mormons" only with contempt, believing the system to be a fraud they
thought of its advocates as wicked deceivers. Under other circumstances I have
been thrown into contact with men and women who, while appearing chaste and
fair without, were foul and corrupt within, but who nevertheless, would act as
though the touch of a "Mormon" Elder was pollution. Hundreds of times
I have been forced to notice the reluctance of men, themselves not averse to
the destruction of chastity, to publicly appear in the company of Elders, whom
I knew, would suffer their right hands to be burned from their bodies rather
than look upon a woman with lust, much less seek to destroy virtue, or defile
themselves with the unclean.
Whatever
the world may think or say to the contrary, the Elders of this Church are the
purest men on earth, and there are abundance of facts with which to
substantiate the assertion. They are not all, perhaps, what they should be, but
take them as a whole—consider their works, their sacrifices, trials and
temptations, and in that virtue that comes of chaste thoughts, words and
actions, they harp no rivals in this world; for, as married men, they are true
at home and abroad to their marital vows; as single men they are equally true
to God and their covenants. With men of the world these things may be of but
little moment, with us they are of vital importance, for upon the basis of
sexual purity shall be perpetuated that which is noble, good and lovely.
The love
of wealth, a desire for luxury, or an ambition for fame may move the world, and
stir men to ceaseless activity; but for us and our children there is more
happiness, peace and salvation in the quietness; and purity of our simple
homes, than can be found anywhere else.
In some
of the Eastern States, especially in the larger cities, the evidences of
increasing. prosperity appear numerous. Trade and commerce, pushed by
enterprise and capital, are accumulating wealth in the hands of the far-seeing
and shrewd very rapidly, and the luxurious habits manifested in the erection
and decoration of magnificent, palatial residences, is only equalled by the
rich personal ornaments of their owners. To excel in these things the highest
ambition of the worldly is excited to the utmost extent, and intelligent men
and women too often sacrifice truth and honor in the mad strife for gain.
Wealth, or the love of it, is fast becoming the God of the Christian world. To
what extent their idolatrous worship produces happiness I am not aware, but am
personally satisfied to cast my lot with the poor, despised people of Utah;
who, having less of the things of this world, have more of the imperishable
things of God. Possessing the keys of inspiration, we are able to draw upon the
only true source of happiness, and our path, if we are faithful, will grow
brighter and brighter, until the perfect day. Were we able to convince the
rulers of nations of this fact, they would, I have no doubt, willingly forego
all earthly hopes of worldly fame and the honors of men, and meekly receive
that which has been so freely given to us. If God were to open the eyes of the
Queen of England and the President of the United States, as He has opened our
eyes, I think they would rejoice as we have rejoiced, with a boundless
gladness. But they, like millions of others, having never been born of water,
cannot even see, much less enter the kingdom of heaven. Could they do so and
receive the manifestations and revelations, the companionship and instructions
of the Holy Ghost, they would willingly exchange the honors and emoluments of
their offices, for the persecution and slander to which all who live
godly in Christ Jesus are subject.
They have
their mission and work to perform; we have ours. We would gladly confer upon
them and others a knowledge of that which we have received from God, if we
could, but we cannot. The wealth of this world can neither purchase such
knowledge, nor can the influence of the mighty and great ever become potent
enough to secure it for themselves and convey it to others, except upon the
simple conditions prescribed by the Master and to which we have yielded a
willing obedience.
As this
people have been obedient to God, so have they been loyal to the government. I
desire to ask those composing this vast congregation, if you are a disloyal
people you are frequently accused of being so. Do you not regard the
Constitution of our nation with respect and veneration? Have you not taught
your children that the Declaration of Independence is the highest bill of
rights which man has ever bequeathed to man? Have you not held up to them for
emulation the character of the father of his country, the great George
Washington? When, recently gazing upon his monument in Washington, D.C. which
has been so many years in building, I asked myself the question: Is all this
mass of polished marble being accumulated and put together with such accurate
nicety and at such vast expense because George Washington was willing to float
with the current of public opinion, right or wrong, or is it because he had
those noble sentiments which beat and throb, in generous hearts for freedom?
He, while possessing many ideas of the English aristocratic school, was no
weather-cock to be turned by the passing breeze. How few men in the Senate and
House of Representatives of the United States, appear to have. been close students
of history. Had they been such they would have seen in the characters of
Washington, Jefferson, and the Adams's something far different from that
possessed by the average statesmen of our day. Close students of history should
be able to sense the fact, that in emergencies when the waves of popular
feeling run high, great men whose hearts beat for liberty and freedom come to
the front but they do not float with the tide, nor are they swerved by
prejudice or biased by public opinion.
Public
opinion followed Jesus Christ into the garden of Gethsemane when, alone and
unwatched by His Apostles, He prayed to the Father for strength to endure
suffering which caused drops of blood to ooze from every pore of his agonized
body. Public opinion followed him to the bench of the heathen judge who, being
above the prejudices of the age, washed his hands of innocent blood and said:
"I find no guilt in this man." But the self-righteous Jew—the
hypocritical Scribe and Pharisee—cried out, "Crucify Him!"
"Crucify Him!" "His blood be on us and our children."
Public opinion has caused rivers of human blood to flow; sacrificing, it is
said, sixty millions of lives during the reign of the inquisition. Who can
think of the dark and cruel work of those days and years of religious
superstition and bigotry without a shudder of horror?
In the
museum at the City of Mexico I have gazed upon the mummied forms of men and
women who lost their lives under the pressure of the religious public opinion
that fed flames, and instituted racks, in that land.
Public
opinion, backed by persecution, drove our fathers across the deep, and planted
the Pilgrims upon Plymouth Rock, ready to perish if needs be for God and
liberty. Had they been of the class predominating to-day in our National
legislature, a free government on this land would have been unknown to the
present generation. But they were noble, self-sacrificing men who, loving
liberty better than life, could neither cringe to the dictates of kingly power
now bow to the behest of priestly authority. Hence, that conscience might be
free and God worshiped accordingly, they braved the dangers of the sea in
search of a land of freedom, a home for the oppressed. And here, upon the
choice land of Joseph, still persecuted and hated, the survivors prospered and
grew and became strong under the blessings of God, until their noble hearts and
generous brains produced thoughts and actions that led to one of the grandest
and most successful efforts, in the interest of human freedom, the world has
ever known. How strange, how unreasonable it seems that the children of those
noble ones, should ever become oppressors. Thus attesting the truthfulness of
the saying: "The oppressed of to-day may become the oppressors of
tomorrow."
Persecution,
prompted by religious bigots, and urged forward by public opinion incited to
deeds of violence, and sacrificed in a cool, premeditated and bloody manner the
Prophet Joseph and the patriarch Hyrum Smith, at Carthage in the free and
sovereign State of Illinois. Unappeased with the blood of martyrs, it
devastated cities, villages and farms, pillaged homes, killed defenceless women
and children, and finally drove us as a people into these mountains. I remember
as a child, the pains and sorrows of those days of destitution when the aged
and the young together walked weary miles with blistered feet in the hot sands
that formed a part of the wilderness which stretched out between the so-called
civilization and the place of peace and rest, so much desired by our people.
Heat and cold, hunger and thirst, were each and all forgotten in the intense
desire to be free from the cruel persecution of our enemies. We asked for
neither riches nor fame, but around the camp fires at night the people were
inspired with but one prayer during the weary days of that long journey—it was
for peace and rest—freedom to worship God without being molested, without being
persecuted by cruel, relentless enemies. For the enjoyment of these blessings
we were willing to forego the comforts of life, associate with savages, and dig
roots with which to keep body and soul together, as many of us had to do.
For a
time we enjoyed comparative peace, but bitter prejudice manufactured and
fostered by Christian divines and political demagogues, has followed us with
malice unparalleled. Securing the support of public opinion it sent, in 1857,
all army to Utah to despoil our people, while sedition ripened in the heart of
the nation. In 1862 it culminated in a congressional enactment against a
religious tenet, notwithstanding the positive and explicit prohibition of the
Constitution which forbids Congress to pass any law "respecting the
establishment of religion or preventing the free exercise thereof," it
urged and succeeded in passing the Poland law, under the provisions of which
"Mormon" citizens were deprived of trial by an impartial jury of
their peers, and by the decision of biased judges were not only subject to, but
some of them actually were, tried by packed juries. At the demand of the clergy
of the various religious denominations throughout the Union the Edmunds bill,
substantially as it was drafted by clergymen and carpet-bag officials here,
became law; and without excuse or apology citizens in Utah are deprived of
franchise, a sacred, blood bought right, without which no American can ever
feel proud or properly exercise the liberties bequeathed by our fathers to
their children.
Now what
does it all mean? What can be the object of this unjust, inexcusable, unholy
raid? Can it be possible that the dominant party holding the reins of
government, desire to make of the people of Utah a race of slaves—fit subjects
for fetters and chains? I hope not. But if such is the object would it not be
well to transport us to the flats of the Mississippi river, to the swamps of
Louisiana, where association with the black freedman might accustom us to the
chains of slavery that now lie rusting in the blood of thousands that were
brave and true—willing sacrifices at the shrine of human liberty and the equal
rights of man.
There,
perhaps, restraining bonds might fret and gall until the love for liberty and
the rights of free men might be forgotten. Not so in these mountains. They are
high and noble and grand. They are the mighty bulwarks of our God. The snows
that drift upon their lofty peaks, the waters that leap down their steep sides
and rush through their rugged gorges, are full of the harmony that accords with
our love for freedom. The very air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we
eat, the soil we walk upon, inspire the soul with thoughts and a love for
liberty undreamed of in lands that produce oppressors. Loyal citizens of a
great government, honest, frugal, just, charitable and obedient to
constitutional law, we desire to continue while fulfilling our mission of peace
on earth and good will to man, but while our surroundings remain unchanged and
Nature's bulwarks stand, with the blessings of God we never can become slaves.
Oppressions, frauds and wrongs we may for a time endure. We may as in the past
be subjected to annoyances and to the petty tyranny of small tyrants, but we
know in whom we trust, and we are not ignorant of what the final result will
be. Traitors may arise and seek to trample upon the provisions of the
Constitution, but right here in these mountains—on the backbone of the
continent—will grow the men who will preserve intact that sacred inspired
charter of human rights, under the just provisions of which millions will
rejoice long after usurpers and traitors shall have been buried in oblivion.
And right here in this connection I desire to repeat what I have said in public
once before. In reviewing the tribulations through which the Saints have
passed, and while contemplating the wrongs which they have endured at the hands
of despoilers, I have felt and said, rather than be robbed as my father on
several occasions was, on account of his religion, I would endeavor to have
facts plainly submitted to the President of these United States, so that he
might fully understand the situation, and then, before I would permit my
possessions—the hard earnings of year's of toil—to go into the hands of those
who covet our property, and who would rob us, as our fathers were robbed, I
would deed it to, and make a present, if he would accept it, of all the
property I have to the President and his successor in office forever, as a
perpetual reminder, that here, in free America, whole communities of citizens
have been plundered, persecuted and deprived of the peaceful possession of
property without cause and without redress.
It is said
"there are no persons in Utah who desire the property of the
"Mormons" except upon the fair basis of purchase." I would be
glad if this were true, for I wish to think well of all men, and especially of
fellow-citizens, but I fear recent movements and present indications will
scarcely warrant belief in the statement, and if future developments of the
plot of conspirators do not demonstrate that polygamy was the chosen pretext
with which to excite and blind the public mind, while unscrupulous tricksters sought
to transfer the revenues of the Territory and virtually the property of the
majority of the people through increased and excessive taxation, to the control
of the insignificant minority in this Territory, then I am neither a prophet
nor the son of a prophet. The passage of the Edmunds bill and the means used to
make it law, are but a part of the plot concocted in this city and endorsed by
certain parties east against the rights and liberties of the people of Utah.
The peculiar mathematical calculation by which Governor Murray succeeded in
counting about 1,300 votes for a person almost unknown here, a greater number
than over 18,000 cast for Hon. George Q. Cannon, the people's choice for
Delegate to Congress, was but another part of the programme, and one which has,
thus far, deprived us of representation in the National Legislature, and
rendered negatory, to the majority in this Territory, the sacred right of
franchise. The late President Garfield, in a public State document, declared,
in effect, that as a person who plotted against the life of the king in a
monarchical government committed treason, so one who tampered with the
ballot-box and thereby deprived the citizen of his right of franchise also
committed treason. If this be sound doctrine and authoritatively enunciated,
what crime has the Governor of Utah Territory committed? If the canvassing of
those votes and the issuance of a certificate of election to a man who received
only about one-fifteenth of the whole number, foreshadow the future action of
our chief executive, what have the people of Utah to expect, by way of justice,
from him? Being neither of, nor from among us—depending upon others for the
tenure of his office and the amount and payment of his salary, we have,
perhaps, no reason to expect sympathy or disinterested service, but we do have
a right to expect unbiased justice in the administration of official duties.
No
American citizen having the love of liberty and the rights of man at heart, can
endorse the course pursued by the Governor in the Cannon-Campbell case. I
cannot and never expect to. From childhood I have been taught to respect
officials because of the dignity of their offices, and it may be possible to
respect the office after having lost confidence in the man occupying it. As
people, our regard for the Government ought perhaps to enable us to do this in
the future, as in the past. Faithful, loyal citizens can afford to do it, and
much more, if necessary.
But says
one, "You are thought to be neither faithful nor loyal to the Government,
and it is believed by many that you make secret covenants against it." In
answer I have this to say: The brain that concocted and the heart that prompted
such accusations were possessed by the wicked and cruel. We have proven our
loyalty under circumstances most trying circumstances in which actions were
more weighty than words, deeds than promises.
The
patient, heroic endurance of the "Mormon" battalion while making
their wondrous march of 2,030 miles, the planting of the Stars and Stripes on
these mountains and in these valleys, then Mexican soil by their fathers,
brothers, sisters and wives are historical facts, and so are the circumstances
under which these things were done, historical facts establishing love for, and
loyalty to our country that no honest man can ever question. As to making
secret covenants against the Government, I never was requested to do it, and would
have spurned the request and the person making it if I had been. As applied to
this people the charge is false as those who make it. I think, however, I can
understand why these false and unjust accusations are made. We have been
treated from the beginning like an unloved child, when asking for bread we have
been given a stone, for a fig we have been given a serpent. Now, who ever knew
a father to be just to an unloved child? Or one unwilling to listen to the
accusations of the favored against him? And here may be applied the saying
"We can forgive those who injure us, but those we injure, never." And
that is just the position we occupy. We have been injured, repeatedly injured,
and those who have injured cannot forgive us. They hate us because they know they
have wronged us. If statesmen and lawmakers disregard the Constitution by
overriding and trampling on its provisions in their efforts to solve the
"Mormon" problem, I hold the act to be no less treasonable than if
performed by private citizens. I say treasonable because disregard for the
Constitution by the nation's lawmakers, must ultimately result in their
rejection by the people, or in the dissolution of the Government. Thus the
charge of law-breaking and disloyalty might more consistently come from, than
against us. Of one thing we are certain: that which is a crime to an individual
or a community cannot become a virtue in law-makers, even though advocated as
an expedient. George Washington, in his farewell address to the American
people, foreseeing, perhaps, what might occur, uttered the following forcible
sentiments: "If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or
modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be
corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let
there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the
instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are
destroyed." Very different are these sentiments from those uttered not
many years since by a prominent republican leader in the House of
Representatives, who, when asked if he, as a lawyer, would state to the House
that the measure introduced by him, and then under consideration by it, was in
its provisions in harmony with the Constitution, answered with a sneer,
"Why, any justice of the peace would tell the gentleman it is not
constitutional, but it is a measure we want and one we shall pass, and by the
time its constitutionality is tested, it will have accomplished the object we
have in view." The same sentiments as those we have referred to were
clearly and unhesitatingly uttered by members of Congress pending the final
passage of the Edmunds bill. They show the drift of the party, perhaps the
spirit of the times, in which the sentiments of Washington are below par. Other
members, while not entertaining such views, lacked moral courage to oppose
them. Some of them came privately and confessed that the Edmunds bill was an
infamous measure; but, said they, what can we do? Public sentiment is against
your people, and we dare not defend you; if we do, our constituents will
withdraw their support, and we shall be retired." The force of such
reasoning we may not comprehend, but we do feel that we have no desire to have
any man sacrifice himself or his prospects for us. We are used to oppressions,
and with the help of God we can stand all the special ex post facto laws
and bills of attainder which Congress may pass and the President approve, and
we don't expect much sympathy or friendship from the outside either; for we
have proven years ago that a man never has fewer friends than when he needs
them most, nor more than when he needs them least. Does a knowledge of this
fact tend to destroy our confidence in man? No, I think not, but it does tend,
by showing how weak and unreliable man is, to increase our trust in God.
In asking
for a commission of honorable gentlemen to visit Utah to investigate affairs
before passing judgment upon us, we did express as I said before, a hope that
we might be fairly tried before being convicted. The signers of these petitions
knew, and their enemies here knew that the charges constantly heaped up against
this people could be proven utterly false if a chance to do so were afforded.
But that is just what certain parties did not want, fearing that a thorough
investigation conducted by honorable men would defeat their plot against the
people of Utah. I speak of these matters as I understand them. I am not and
never have been radical, but have desired always to view things from an
impartial standpoint.
Irrespective
of creed or color, I think there is room in Utah for all who wish to locate in
the Territory, and those who are here and others who may come hereafter, should
be protected in the enjoyment of their rights, and should be free to exercise
them so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. In these
matters Gentile, Jew and Mormon should stand upon the same level. So far as I
am concerned I would contend for, and if necessary defend the liberties of the
one as soon as I would those of the other. Naturally I am inclined to be timid
and am disposed to shrink from troubles rather than to court them believing it
to be better to suffer wrong than to do wrong; but them are circumstances under
which even the cowardly throw off their timidity, and fearlessly assert their
fights. I am not able to say how patient, long suffering and kind this people
may prove under the oppressions which wicked plotters may bring upon them; but
of one thing I am certain and that is, God will permit nothing to occur to our
hurt. Nor will he, if we are faithful, permit the wicked to do anything that
will not ultimately prove beneficial to those who love and obey Him. With the
companionship of the Holy Spirit the doctrines of the Priesthood will distil
upon our minds as the dews of heaven, and we have nothing to fear. The time may
be near at hand when men's souls will be tried, but those possessing the
inspiration of the Almighty, will hear the test as the faithful and true in
other ages have done. Unaided by the power of God, we might be placed under
circumstances that would cause us to fear and tremble and possibly plead for
life at the sacrifice of allegiance to Him. Under the pressure of fear Peter
denied his Lord and Master, but that transpired before he was "endowed
with power from on high." From the day of Pentecost, when he received the
Comforter, until his death no power on earth or beneath could have induced him
to do such a thing. This fact is attested beyond doubt, by what we know of his
life and labors subsequent to that awful night, when the powers of earth and
hell seemed to prevail even over the Son of God.
Deprived
of the sustaining powers of the Holy Spirit, the Latter-day Saints might yield
to the fear of artillery, bullets and bayonets, so often recommended by
Christian divines as the best means with which to solve the " Mormon"
problem; but with that spirit such agencies become impotent. Confidence in God
destroys fear, and a knowledge of the resurrection of the just, takes away the
sting of death. The inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit have prompted
the Presidency and Apostles of this Church to open meeting-houses and
Tabernacles for ministers of various religious denominations to preach in while
our Elders were being persecuted, hunted and sometimes whipped by members of
these same denominations, The contrast between the treatment which we have
given and that which we have received is very great. And if we have not under
every circumstance "turned the other cheek to be smitten," we have at
least tried to do good for evil. Without purse or scrip our Elders have
faithfully sought to preach the Gospel in every Christian land; and while we,
here in Utah, have extended courtesy and kindness to ministers of Christian
denominations, many of our Elders have wandered like outcasts, sleeping under
the hedges and in the woods with leaves as their only covering, like their
Master, having no place other than that provided by nature, to lay their heads.
Others when provided with places of rest have been called out and flayed with
hickory withes. Poison has been administered in the food of some, and others
have been killed.
How
exactly similar this treatment is to that received by the Saints of old; and
yet Christians appear to be utterly unable to learn a lesson from the parallel.
To them nothing good can come out of Nazareth, and the kingdom of heaven they
cannot see, for they have not been born again. The world loves its own, but it
loved not the disciples of Jesus because he called them out of the world. On
the same principle the world cannot love us. Let us realize this fact, and
while being just to all men, let us live the religion of Jesus Christ, and
trust in God. If we are pressed on all sides from without, it will tend to
unite and make us all the more solid. Snow is soft and yielding, melting easily
under the genial rays of the sun, but press it hard from every side and it
congeals into a frozen mass, and in that state is capable of resisting mighty
forces.
Pressure
from without, as observed before, will tend to unite and make us better and
stronger. Better because the spirit manifested towards us by the wicked, will
cause us to lay aside the little envies and jealousies that may have existed
among us. Stronger, because the hatred of our enemies will teach us to trust
more fully in God. And in doing this we shall learn to follow the example of
the faithful and true. A special law was passed for the sole purpose of
entrapping the three Hebrew boys. It failed. When questioned by the wrathful
king they could not say whether God would preserve or suffer them to perish,
but they could say that "they would not fall down and worship the image
which the king had made." No fault could be found with Daniel, so those who
were jealous of his growing influence and power succeeded in securing the
enactment of a special law which they knew he must violate or be false to his
God. But Daniel was true to God, and with his face turned toward Jerusalem,
prayed as before. How many Daniels or Hebrew boys we have among us I do not
know. Lions' dens and heated caldrons, prisons and dungeon cells, the rack and
the rope, have each and all been used to punish those unwilling to forsake God,
or disobey His laws. They have their terrors, but the blood-stained pages of
history attest that they have been failures when applied as means with which to
change men's religion, violate conscience, or coerce the human mind. As it has
been in the past, so it will be in the future; the faithful being inspired with
the Holy Ghost, will set their hearts upon the redemption of Zion, and relying
upon the promises, will turn their faces towards Jerusalem, pray as before, and
follow Jesus Christ in life and death. Let the wicked rage and the adversary
exert his power, the righteous will gain the victory, and when thrones are cast
down the Saints shall prevail.
Let us
maintain the Constitution of our country, and all laws enacted in conformity
therewith, realizing that the destruction of the Constitution must lead to the
ruin and destruction of the Union. Let us honor the rulers of the nation
and uphold them, by faith and prayers as long as it is possible to do so. I
desire to regard the President as an honorable man. As the chief executive of a
great nation he should have the confidence and respect of the people. Should he
select honorable, unbiased gentlemen for the Utah commission, as I have reason
to hope he will, they can do much towards modifying the unjust law under which
they must act, but whether such are appointed or not, we must continue to pray
for our enemies and those that despitefully use us, until by and by we shall
learn the lesson so well that when the little stone cut out of the mountains
without hands shall roll forth, become a mighty mountain, fill the whole earth,
and the Saints of the Most High have the rule and dominion they will never be
disposed to oppression.
I pray
for the peace and blessings of God to be with all Israel, and with the honest
everywhere. Thousands are misguided and deceived by priests who preach for
money and divine for hire; ministers who make merchandize of the souls of men.
The mother of Harlots has "made all nations to drink of the wine of the
wrath of her fornication," just as John the Revelator saw she would do, but
among those nations are many honest, upright ones. For them I pray. In
conclusion let me impress upon your minds the spirit of inspiration given
through Joseph the Prophet, while incarcerated in Liberty Jail, while suffering
the abuse of his enemies, and while being deprived of his liberty and the
association of family and friends for the Gospel's sake, he says. "No
power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood,
only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness and by love
unfeigned.
By
kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without
hypocrisy, and without guile.
Reproving
betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing
forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest
he esteem thee to be his enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is
stronger than the cords of death.
Let thy
bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith,
and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax
strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall distil
upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
The Holy
Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy sceptre an unchanging sceptre of
righteousness and truth, and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and
without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee for ever and ever.
May God
enable us to learn these things, and to be true and faithful to Him, is my
prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sung an anthem
Heavenly Zion.
Conference adjourned till tomorrow (Sunday) at 10 a. m.
Benediction by Apostle Erastus Snow.
_____
[9 Apr, 10 am*]
[DNW 31:194-195, 4/19/82, p 2-3]
FOURTH DAY.
_____
Sunday, 10 a. m.
The choir sang the hymn on page 17,
Ere long the vail will rend
in twain,
The king descend with all his train.
Prayer by Elder Joseph E. Taylor.
The choir sang the hymn on page 195,
Let Zion in her beauty rise,
Her light begins to shine.
Elder L. John Nuttall then presented the Authorities of the Church, who were sustained by the unanimous votes of the Conference, as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First, and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrinton, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott, Wm. W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their counselors and Bishop Edward Hunter as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom, as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings and W. H. Hooper.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
He then presented the names of missionaries:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Charles
Wetherston, Plain City
Wilson Gates Nowers, Beaver
Charles C. Harris, "
William Smith Tanner, Payson
UNITED STATES.
John
Ormond, Logan
Charles M. Nielsen, Koosharen
Christian Berger, South Cottonwood
Wm. M. Palmer, Glenwood
Mons Anderson, Lehi
John W. Coons, Richfield
Elias Nebeker, "
Robert S. Duke, Heber
Jacob Fisher, Orderville
GERMANY.
Ward
F. Pack, jr., Kamas
Peter Krough, Bloomington
HOLLAND.
Peter
Lammas, Ogden
John Eccar, 15th Ward
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Marvin
E. Pack, Kamas
NEW ZEALAND.
Peter
E. Hansen, 2nd Ward
Jens Jensen, "
Joseph Morris, Geenville
MEXICO.
Anthony
W. Ivins, St George
ICELAND
Geeslie
Byarnison, Spanish Fork
Pjetur Walgardson, "
Egikur Otassen, "
SAN JUAN SETTLEMENTS.
Porter
V. Clark, Parowan,
William Adams, "
George A Adams, "
John E. Adams, "
Thomas Roley, "
Alvin Benson, "
Heber C. Holyoak "
Lars P. Jensen, "
John E. Eyre, "
Rasmus Mickelson, Jr., "
Abraham A. O. S. Webb, "
Freeman W. Pendleton, "
Adelbert F. McGreggor, "
Simon T. Topham, Paragoona,
John B. Topham, "
Marius E. Dunton, "
John R. Robinson, Jr., "
Albert Lamroax, "
George Robb, "
Thomas A. Smith, Summit,
Davis G. Adams, Cedar
John Leigh, "
John C. Hamilton, "
Christian Anderson, "
David Bullock, "
Frederick Jones, "
Samuel Wood "
Charles Wilden, "
Christian Makkeprang, "
ARIZONA
Alonzo
Higbee, Cedar,
Horace A. Steele, Salina, Salt River.
SAN LUIS VALLEY, COLORADO.
Carl
Fredricksen, Fountain Green.
Evan F. Green, St. George.
Niels C. Heiselt, Pleasant Grove.
Hansen Heiselt, "
Jens C. Cornum, "
James Neilson, Fountain Green
James Jensen, "
John Shawcroft, "
N. M. Anderson, Rodmund
Carl Hanson, St. Charles, Idaho
Hiram Scofield, Paragoonah
David Boice, Franklin, Idaho
GOOSE CREEK, IDAHO.
Dorr
P. Curtis, Herriman
CASTLE DALE, EMERY COUNTY.
Rasmus
Justeson, Spring City
Henning Olsen, "
Elder Nuttall explained that Edwin R. Miles, sen., was the Elder intended who was called on Friday as a missionary to the Southern States.
Also that Elder John Dunn had been honorably released from the call made upon him as a missionary to the United States.
And that Elder John Sutton, of Bear Lake, is called to Great Britain instead of the United States.
The foregoing were sustained by the unanimous vote of the Conference.
An exhibit of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company during the past six months was then read to the Conference.
[MS
44:325: He then read the report of the P. E. Fund for the half-year ending
March 31, 1882. Balance on hand October 31, 1881, $1,208.18; Receipts,
$2,503.39; Total, $3,711.57. Disbursements, $2,966.73; Balance on hand,
$744.84.]
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Said we had received some excellent instruction during the present Conference. He felt impressed to read some passages from the revelations of God to this Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
This we understand to be the law of God to the Latter-day Saints in all the world. These requirements must be observed and obeyed by the people of Zion. If we will do these things, then the Lord has said He is bound, but if we do not observe the laws of God, we have no promise. We are told in these revelations there is in keeping the commandments of God no need for us to break the laws of the land. But this is further shown to signify those laws that are according to the constitution of the United States. Such is the interpretation that God himself has given, and no Latter-day Saint need be in doubt as to what his course should be. The speaker maintained that as an American citizen he had the right not only to express his views on this subject, but also to practice the laws of God. He was a native-born citizen, and had come from a long line of ancestors who had maintained the principles of freedom. He had never broken any law and was not amenable to its penalties. He was no a violator of law, but had been an upholder of law, a preacher of righteousness, and a practiser of the laws of God. What then had he to fear. The Lord has commanded us to observe the laws of the land, and be subject to the powers that be. But if laws are passed in direct opposition to the constitutional law of the land the speaker knew of no power that could or had the right to prevent us from expressing our disapproval of such innovations. If men pass proscriptive and oppressive laws like those of Herod and the Chaldeans, and thus violate their oaths of office to observe the Constitution, there is no valid law, human or divine, to compel our acceptance. God has expressly commanded His people to keep his laws, and all who do so are prepared to risk the consequences, and our only safe example is that found in Holy Writ. He also read from Doctrine and Covenants page 364, showing the promises of God that His people should prevail against the wicked, an went on to say, it is written that the wicked can do nothing against, but what they do will turn out to be benefit to the people of God. Joseph Smith the Prophet was opposed from the beginning. He was a lad, yet his enemies persecuted him and cast out his name as evil, and during his career of usefulness he was continually assailed. He stood at first alone, having no such host of Elders at his back as we have here to-day: but although every conceivable trap was laid for his feet, and every diabolical effort possible was made to check his labors, notwithstanding all those wicked endeavors, he was enabled by the help of God to prosecute the work that he was raised up to accomplish. The plates were translated, the Book of Mormon was published, the Church was organized, missionaries were sent out, thousands of the Saints were gathered, and the Church was established on a sure foundation, before he was called to lay down his life as a testimony to the truth. All the world was aroused and the only reason why they did not destroy this work and this people was because they couldn't. The expulsion of the Saints from Missouri was only tearing up the trees by the roots and planting it in richer soil where it could bear greater fruit. The whole world has this example before them. In Nauvoo the saints obtained power and authority such as they never had before. When the mob killed Joseph and Hyrum and shed the blood of our present honored leader they thought they had accomplished their ends. But the work and purpose of God can never be destroyed. The wicked may lay their plans, and pursue their hellish plots, but the work of God was onward and upward, the faith of the Saints becoming stronger and stronger. He well remembered when but a little boy his widowed mother ferrying her children across the Mississippi from Nauvoo, to the Iowa side, where, under the shade of a tree, they heard the bombardment of the city which they had just left, with their house, furniture and property He also remembered his own feelings at that time. They were not of sorrow or regret, but of joy and thankfulness to God for the shelter even of a tree, and that they were away from their enemies and were once more free. He then portrayed the present circumstances of the Church, and showed that the "Mormons" were a hard people to destroy. We have an objection to being killed, we don't mean to be demolished, and although we cannot tell what our immediate experience may be, yet we are sure to prevail. We may possibly be driven again, he did not say we shall be, but if we are, we shall come up again greater than before. Whatever may happen, whatever our enemies may be permitted to do with us, will ultimately result in the greatest possible good to the kingdom of God. No power can stop it one iota. We have got to meet every issue squarely, and every man and woman who will not falter in their faith, but who seek righteousness, and live for the truth, God will surely bring off victorious, from this time, henceforth and forever.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[MS 44:325-327]
Then
read a few verses of a revelation given in 1831, to be found on page 219, new
edition, Doctrine and Covenants, where the Lord says to the Church "let no
man break the law of the land for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need
to break the laws of the land." Also on page 357, a portion of a
revelation given in December, 1833; "therefore it is not right that any
man should be in bondage one to another. and for this purpose have I
established the constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom I
raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of
blood." Again in a revelation given in August, 1833, page 342: "And
now verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that
my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them; and that
law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom
in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is
justifiable before me; therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren
of my Church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the
land; and as pertaining to the law of man, whatsoever is more or less than
these, cometh of evil. Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have
decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things,
whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found
worthy; for if you will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of
me." This, as I understand it, is the law of God unto the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world, and the requirement here made on
us must be obeyed and observed in our lives in order that we may secure the
promise made to the children of Zion. And, saith the Lord, if ye do as I
command, then am I bound, otherwise there is no promise. The law of the land
which we have no need to break is the constitutional law of the land, as God himself
defines it and whatsoever is more or less cometh of evil; and there is no cause
for any member of the Church to be in doubt concerning the meaning of this. I
maintain that the members of the Church have ever been loyal, and I maintain
that having been born on American soil, and from parents who for generations
have been born on American soil, I have the right to this opinion and express
it and construe it, I ask myself what constitutional law have you broken? and
can reply before this congregation that I never broke any law, I am amenable to
no punishment, but have ever sustained the law and preached righteousness. We
are obliged to be subject to the powers that be, but if they pass unjust and
unconstitutional laws and violate their oaths and beak their covenants and
their faith with the people there is no law, human or divine, which binds me to
openly and outwardly proclaim my acceptance of it, and my firm belief is that
the only way be sustained by our Heavenly Father is to follow the way laid down
in holy writ and obey God, for he has commanded us, and declared that we will
not be under the necessity of breaking the law of the land. I wish to enter my
avowal that the people called latter-day Saints, as it has often been repeated
here, are the most law-abiding and long-suffering people that can be found on
the face of the globe, and we propose to meet the consequences of our obedience
to the law and commandments of God, like men. He read a passage of a revelation
given in 1834, to be found on page 364: "Behold I will give unto you a
revelation and commandment." It is written that the enemies of the people
of God cannot do anything but what will result in favor of Zion. Let us see how
far the acts of the people have gone towards nullifying these words of the
Scripture. When Joseph Smith first looked upon the face of the Father and the
Son in 1820, until the Book of Mormon was translated and published to the world
in 1829, the enemies of the Prophet did not cease for a moment to seek his
life, to malign him, to proscribe him and cast his name out as evil from among
men; and during this period Joseph Smith was only a lad just 14 years of age, a
mere boy, and had no vast congregation to cheer him, to succor and sustain him;
he stood alone persecuted on every hand. Did they stop this boy from
accomplishing the mission and purposes he had been sent to perform? You know,
the world knows that they did not, either by threats, or attempts on his life,
or imprisoning him, impede his progress. He went right on, translated the
plates, published the book of Mormon and in 1830 organized the Church. After
that date did they refrain from their slanders, their persecution? No, but as
the work began to spread, the feeling of hatred, persecution and animosity
became stronger and the enemies more numerous. The Saints went on -- built a
temple in Kirtland, settled in Jackson County, in Clay, in Caldwell, in Davis,
founded new colonies and the power of the Church gained both in bulk and
acceleration. The mobs drove the people from Missouri, robbed them of their
possessions, fed them on the flesh of their brethren, but Phoenix-like they
rose from the ashes and gathered in swarms in Illinois, and built a temple in
Nauvoo, costing a million of dollars. They then became noted for their union to
principle and determination to prosecute the promulgation and advocacy of their
principles, and though it was an incessant season of suffering and turmoil for
fourteen years, the work showed not the least sign of being rooted up and left
to dry in the sun; it was transplanted into richer soil, purer water and a more
bracing atmosphere. finally our enemies succeeded in taking the life of the
Prophet and his brother and shedding the blood of our honored President who
sits here to-day; it only made the work the stronger. The blood of martyrs
became the seed of the Church. They drove us from our homes in Nauvoo. I
remember the day before we left Nauvoo, that my widowed mother made a raft and
ferried her children across the river to Iowa, and while we sat under a tree we
heard the bombardment against our homes in Nauvoo. I felt thankful that we had
got away and had he prospect of hiding in the wilderness from our enemies. It
seems as though we object to being demolished, and we don't intend to be destroyed,
for we know in whom we trust. The Saints came across the desert plains, and now
compare their position with that which they had in Nauvoo, in Ohio, in New
York, or in the old world. God has blessed and prospered them and will continue
to do so as long as they keep faithful, and the work will come off triumphant.
We may have to be driven again! I don't say we will, but what has been done may
be done again! Supposing it does come to pass, what is our conclusion, judging
the future by the past? If we are driven from here we will come up somewhere
else more numerous and more powerful than we are now. My childhood and my youth
were spent in wandering and suffering with the people of God, and by the help
of God my life shall be spent to the end with them. I have no other place to
go. I want no other people to go with. There is no switching, no side-tracking
for this Church, it is a through train, to go right ahead on the straight and
narrow track, and every man and woman must make up their minds for this; take a
firm stand in the cause. I am thankful that everything is as well as it is with
us, and everything will be right if we keep the commandments of God and listen
to the counsel of his servants.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[DNW 31:226, 5/3/82, p 2; JD 23:69]
DISCOURSE
BY PREST. JOSEPH F. SMITH, DELIVERED
At the General Conference, Sunday April 9, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
Nearly
all the brethren who have spoken at this Conference have referred to the
circumstances in which we, as a people, are now placed; and it would seem
unnecessary for me to make any further reference to this all-prevailing subject
with which the people generally are more or less familiar, and in which we
necessarily are considerably interested. But while the brethren who have spoken
have merely referred to some of the sayings of the Prophet Joseph, and to items
in the revelations through him, to the Church, I feel impressed to read in the
hearing of the congregation one or two passages from the revelations previously
referred to. I will, therefore, call the attention of the congregation to a
verse or two in the revelation given in 1831, which will be found on page 219
of the Doctrine and Covenants:
"Let
no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no
need to break the laws of the land.
Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until He reigns whose right it is
to reign, and subdues all enemies under His feet.
Behold, the laws which ye have
received from my hand are the laws of the Church, and in this light ye shall
hold them forth. Behold here is wisdom."
The
following I quote from a revelation given December, 1833, page 357:
"According
to the laws and the Constitution of the people which I have suffered to be
established and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all
flesh, according to just and holy principles.
That every man may act in doctrine
and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I
have given unto them, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the
day of judgment.
Therefore it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
And for this purpose have I
established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I
raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of
blood."
Again, in
a revelation on page 342:
"And
now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that
my people shall observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
And that law of the land which is
constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and
privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
Therefore I, the Lord, justify you
and your brethren of my Church, in befriending that law which is the
constitutional law of the land;
And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than these cometh
of evil.
I, the Lord God, make you free,
therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free;
Nevertheless, when the wicked rule, the people mourn;
Wherefore, honest men and wise men
should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to
uphold; otherwise, whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
And I give unto you a commandment,
that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by
every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God;
For He will give unto the
faithful, line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove
you herewith;
And whose layeth down his life in my cause, or my name's sake, Shall find it
again, even life eternal;
Therefore, be not afraid of your
enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you
in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you
may be found worthy;
For if ye will not abide in my
covenant, ye are not worthy of me."
This, as
I understand it, is the law of God to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in all the world. And the requirements here made of us must be obeyed,
and practically carried out in our lives, in order that we may secure the
fulfilment of the promises which God has made to the people of Zion. And it is
further written, that inasmuch as ye will do the things which I command you,
thus saith the Lord then am I bound; otherwise there is no promise. We can
therefore only expect that the promises are made and will apply to us when we
do the things which we are commanded.
We are
told here that no man need break the laws of the land who will keep the laws of
God. But this is further defined by the passage which I read afterwards—the law
of the land, which all have no need to break, is that law which is the
Constitutional law of the land, and that is as God himself has defined it. And
whatsoever is more or less than this cometh of evil. Now it seems to me that
this makes this matter so clear that it is list possible for any man who
professes to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to
make any mistake, or to be in doubt as to the course he should pursue under the
command of God in relation to the observance of the laws of the land. I
maintain that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has ever been
faithful to the constitutional laws of our country. I maintain also, that I
have a right to this opinion, as an American citizen, as one who was not only
born on American soil, but who descended from parents who for generations were
born in America. I have a right to interpret the law in this manner, and to
form my own conclusions and express my opinions thereon, regardless of the
opinions of other men.
I ask
myself, What law have you broken? What constitutional law have you not
observed? I am bound not only by allegiance to the government of the United
States, but by the actual command of God Almighty, to observe and obey every
constitutional law of the land, and without hesitancy I declare to this
congregation that I have never violated, nor transgressed any law, I am not
amenable to any penalties of the law, because I have endeavored from my youth
up to be a law-abiding citizen, and not only so, but to be a peacemaker, a
preacher of righteousness, and not only to preach righteousness by word, but by
example. What therefore have I to fear? The Lord Almighty requires this people
to observe the laws of the land, to be subject to "the powers that
be," so far as they abide by the fundamental principles of good
government, but He will hold them responsible if they will pass
unconstitutional measures and frame unjust and proscriptive laws, as did
Nebuchadnezzer and Darins, in relation to the three Hebrew children and Daniel.
If lawmakers have a mind to violate their oath, break their covenants and their
faith with the people, and depart from the provisions of the Constitution where
is the law human or divine, which binds me, as an individual, to outwardly and
openly proclaim my acceptance of their acts?
I firmly
believe that the only way in which we can be sustained in regard to this matter
by God our Heavenly Father is by following the illustrious examples we find in
holy writ. And while we regret, and look with sorrow upon the acts of men who
seek to bring us into bondage and to oppress us, we must obey God, for He has
commanded us to do so; and at the same time He has declared that in obeying the
laws which He has given us we will not necessarily break the constitutional
laws of the land.
I wish to
enter here my avowal that the people called Latter-day Saints, as has been
often repeated from this stand, are the most law-abiding, the most peaceable,
long-suffering and patient people that can to-day be found within the confines
of this republic, and perhaps anywhere else upon the face of the earth; and we
intend to continue to be law-abiding so far as the constitutional law of the
land is concerned; and we expect to meet the consequences of our obedience to
the laws and commandments of Godlike men. These are my sentiments briefly
expressed, upon this subject.
Now I
desire to read another passage in a revelation given in 1834, which will be
found on page 364 of the Doctrine and Covenants, commencing at the first verse:
"Verily
I say unto you, my friends, behold I will give unto you a revelation and
commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties
concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been
scattered on the land of Zion.
Being driven and smitten by the
hands of mine enemies, on whom I will pour out my wrath without measure in mine
own time;
For I have suffered them thus far,
that they might fill up the measure of their iniquities, that their cup might
be full;
And that those who call themselves
after my name might be chastened for a little season with a sore and grievous
chastisement, because they did not hearken altogether unto the precepts
and commandments which I gave unto them.
But verily I say unto you, that I
have decreed a decree which my people shall realize inasmuch as they hearken
from this very hour, unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give
unto them.
Behold they shall, for I have
decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.
And by hearkening to observe all
the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never
cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and
the earth is given unto the Saints, to possess it for ever and ever. But
inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my
words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them.
For they were set to be a light
unto the world, and to be the saviors of men.
And inasmuch as they are not the
saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor and is thenceforth
good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
But verily I say unto you, I have
decreed that your brethren which have been scattered shall return to the land
of their inheritances, and build up the waste places of Zion."
It is
somewhere written as the word of God, that the enemies of the people of Zion
can do nothing against but for Zion. Now let us review for a few moments the
history of the Church, and see how far the acts of the enemies of this people
have gone towards nullifying those words.
When
Joseph first looked upon the face of the Father and the Son in 1820, until the
Book of Mormon was translated and published to the world in 1829, his
enemies did not cease their efforts to destroy him; they sought his life
continually; they blackened his character; they maligned and proscribed him,
and his name was cast out as evil among all men. But mark you, at the beginning
of this period Joseph was a lad of a little over fourteen years of age; and
during the nine years of persecution he was but a boy; he had no vast congregation
as we see before us this morning to sustain, encourage, or cheer him in his
ministry and labors. He stood alone in the world, friendless and despised, cast
out, maligned and persecuted on every hand. But did the work cease? Did his
enemies prevent him from performing the mission which he had been sent to
accomplish? They tried and they did their utmost. They not only made frequent
attempts to imprison him under the law, but they made several attempts to take
his life, and thus stop the progress of the work in which he was engaged. They
spared neither pains nor means, nor did they shrink front hypocrisy, falsehood
and misrepresentation to accomplish their purposes; but they signally failed,
and he continued to steadily pursue his course, and performed his work,
translated the plates, published the Book of Mormon, and in 1830 organized the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to the law of the land.
When the
Book of Mormon was published and the Church organized, did they cease their
endeavors? did the hatred of the world diminish? did the wicked stop their
persecutions? did they refrain from slandering, misrepresenting, and otherwise
attempting to obstruct the progress of this work? No, they did not, but on the
contrary, as the work developed, as the Church increased in numbers and
began to spread on the right and on the left, the feeling of hatred, animosity,
bitterness and persecution increased proportionately, and as the Church became
stronger, her enemies become more numerous and gained strength. But
notwithstanding, we moved on; built a Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, from whence we
colonised Jackson County, Missouri. We were afterwards driven into Clay,
Caldwell and Davies's Counties, Missouri, where we founded new colonies.
Like the snowball starting from the summit of the mountain which gathers not
only in bulk but in velocity, so did the work of God increase in the midst, of
the opposition, persecution and hatred of the world. In the midst of all the
powers that were exerted to stop it, it moved right on. But did they succeed in
expelling our people from Jackson County, and finally from the State of
Missouri? Yes, they drove the Saints from their homes, deprived them of their
rights as citizens and freemen, murdered many of them in cold blood, while
others they confined in dungeons feeding them on the flesh, (as those heartless
wretches themselves boasted) of their own brethren; and they dispersed the
people, as they supposed, to the four winds of heaven, rejoicing in the belief
that they had finally consummated the destruction of the "Mormons."
But like the phoenix rising from the ashes of its supposed destruction,
they gathered like swarms of bees in Illinois, founded a city, and built
another Temple, which cost a million dollars the most beautiful structure in
the Western States at that time; and they continued to thrive. Here they gained
something which they never possessed before, a city charter granted to them by
the State government of Illinois, They soon became notable for their union and
their tenacity to the principles which they had espoused, for their faith in
God and in His servant the Prophet, for their unconquerable, irrevocable will
to prosecute what they knew to be the work of God, and to accomplish, so far as
in their power lay, His purposes and designs, concerning this great latter-day
work.
In all
these vicissitudes and during all the persecutions of fourteen years which were
as ceaseless against the Prophet Joseph as the forces of nature are endless,
did they diminish the numbers of Saints? Did they break the Saints to pieces?
Did they destroy them? No; you know they did nob and it seems that our enemies
themselves are fully aware of this fact. But when they thought they had torn up
"Mormonism" by the roots and cast it out to dry up and wither under
the parching, blighting influence of hostile public sentiment, behold, they had
only transplanted the tree into new and better watered soil. Instead of
destroying our confidence in the promises of God to us, it had the tendency to
strengthen our faith, to increase our knowledge and experience, thus fitting
and preparing us for the future that lay before us.
Finally
they succeeded in taking the life of the Prophet and that of his brother; and
they shed the blood of our honored President who sits here to-day upon this
stand. They thought then they had accomplished their hellish work, they thought
then the head and front, or root and branch of "Mormonism" was
destroyed. But was it? No; it only made us stronger in faith and more united in
purpose. "The blood of the martyrs became the seed of the Church."
They next
drove us from our homes in Nauvoo. I remember the circumstances, although at
the time I was but a lad. I also remember my thoughts on the day the mob
besieged the City of Nauvoo. My widowed mother had been compelled a day or two
previously to take her children and ferry them, in an open flat boat across the
Mississippi river into Iowa, where we camped under the trees and listened to
the bombardment of the city. We had left our comfortable home with all the
furniture remaining in the house, together with all our earthly possessions,
with no hope or thought of ever seeing them again; and I well remember the
feelings I had when we made our camp on the Iowa side of the river. They were
not feelings of regret, sorrow or disappointment, but of gratitude to God, that
we had the shelter of even the trees and the broad bosom of the "father of
waters" to protect us from those who sought our lives; I felt to thank God
that we still possessed our lives and freedom, and that there was at least some
prospect of the homeless widow and her family of little ones, helpless as they
were, to hide themselves somewhere in the wilderness from those who sought
their destruction, even though it should be among the wild, so-called savage,
native tribes of the desert, but who have proved themselves more humane and
Christlike than the so-called Christian and more civilized persecutors of the
Saints.
After the
expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo, and from the State of Illinois, our
enemies thought surely the "Mormons" are now broken up, and that this
would be the last of "Mormonism." But it is strange how hard we are
to kill; it would seem that we object to being killed: there is something
dreadful in the thought of being destroyed—annihilated. We naturally recoil
from such a doom and seek to preserve and perpetuate our existence. The fact
is, we think we have a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness," so long as we do not interfere with the rights of others; we
therefore most decidedly object to being demolished; we do not like nor do we
intend to be destroyed. Not that we presume to be able to defend ourselves
unaided by divine power, against our numerous and unrelenting foes; but knowing
in whom we trust, and the nature of the work in which we are engaged, we are
not slow to believe, neither are we afraid to openly maintain that we were born
to live and to uphold truth, to defend virtue, to establish righteousness, and
to stand by the right, and by the help of God we intend to fill the measure of
our creation.
Let us
follow the wanderings of the Latter-day Saints across the plains to these
mountain valleys, and look at our condition to-day compared with our condition
in Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, or New York, or compared with our condition at any
period of our existence as a church. What do we see to-day? We see the promises
of God made on certain conditions fulfilled; and that is an evidence to me that
the majority of the people have complied with the conditions, although many may
not have done as they should have done. We have prevailed thus far, in
accordance with the word of God. And what of the future? So far as the
ultimatum of this work is concerned, there is no man in Israel who has a spark of
the inspiration of the Almighty in his heart who does not know just as well as
he knows that God lives or that he himself lives, that it will be triumphant.
But I do not suppose it would be wisdom in God to show us all the vicissitudes
and changes, the trials and persecutions through which we may have to pass in
order to reach this consummation, because if He did we might get fainthearted
before we were prepared to enter into that trial. We may have to be driven
again. I do not say we shall be driven; I do not believe we shall—but what has
been done may be done again. And supposing we were driven again, what would be
the result? Is it not fair to presume—have we not good grounds to believe from
the experience of the past, that if we should be again driven and despoiled of
our homes, we should rise up somewhere else, many fold greater and more
numerous than we are now? The enemies of God can do nothing against, but much
for, the work of God. Is it not written that the God of heaven has set His hand
for the last time to establish His kingdom upon the earth, never more to be
thrown down, and no more to be left to another people? Are we not assured by
the word of God, ancient and modern, that its destiny is onward and upward,
until the purposes of God concerning this great latter-day work are
consummated? This seems to be a point difficult for many to comprehend; but
when comprehended it is a key to the whole matter. What God has decreed cannot
be annulled by the learning, wisdom, wealth, power, numbers or cunning of man!
There is no power beneath the celestial kingdom that can stop or impede its
progress one iota. Its destiny is onward and upward—man may fail, but the
purposes of God will not. All His enemies, combined with the cunning and
perfidy of the infernal spirits by which they are moved to hate bound, and
pursue him unto death, failed, signally failed, even in the crime of murdering
him, to prevent Joseph Smith from accomplishing his mission; he filled his
destiny and sealed his testimony with his blood. And his blood is upon this
nation and upon all the nations that have consented to that terrible deed
inasmuch as they do not repent of their sins and obey the Gospel of salvation
which is being preached unto them.
My
childhood and youth were spent in wandering with the people of God, in
suffering with them and in rejoicing with them. My whole life has been
identified with this people, and in the name and by the help of God it will be
to the end. I have no other associations or place of abode. I am in this respect
like Peter when the Savior, on seeing the people turn away from Him, asked him,
Will ye go also? Said Peter, Lord, if I leave Thee whither can I go, Thou hast
the words of eternal life. We have nothing else to do save to keep in the
narrow path that leads back to God our Father. That is the channel He has
marked out for us to pursue, and it is our duty to press on; we cannot turn
aside, we cannot switch off; there is no side track, it is a "through
train" and its destiny is already fixed and mapped out. We have got to
meet opposition as it presents itself, battling against it with the weapons of
truth which God has placed in our hands. And we must make up our minds that
this world with all its pleasures is as dross compared with the excellency of the
knowledge of God. He intends to try us and prove us, and He has a right to do
it, even to the death if need be, and only those who endure to the end,
who will not flinch, but will maintain their integrity at the risk and
sacrifice of their all, if need be, will gain eternal life, or be worthy of the
reward of the faithful.
I am
thankful to God that circumstances are as well with us as they are. He has
delivered His people thus far and blessed them from the. beginning. His word
has been fulfilled concerning them, and will be fulfilled from this time
henceforth until His purposes shall be accomplished with regard to them,
providing they keep his commandments, which, that they may do, is my prayer, in
the name of Jesus. Amen.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
Then said that there had been some remarks made during the conference about our dealing with those not of our people, that while we wished to be liberal, when men manifested a spirit of hostility against us, it became us as wise and prudent men to take care of ourselves. Cooperation had been talked about considerably from time to time as being a stepping stone to something that would yet be more fully developed among the people of God, namely, the United Order. We have had no ensample of the United Order strictly in accordance with the word of God on the subject. Our co-operation was simply an operation to unite us together in our secular affairs, tending to make us one in temporal things as we were one in spiritual things.
A feeling had been manifested by some of our brethren to branch out into mercantile business on their own account, and his (the speaker's) idea, as to that, would be that a people would be governed by correct principles, laying aside covetousness and eschewing chicanery and fraud, dealing honestly and conscientiously with others as they would like others to deal with them, there would be no objection on our part for our own brethren to do those things; that it was certainly much better for them to embark in some enterprises than our enemies. Because in putting money into the hands of our friends we sustained our friends; whilst by putting money into the hands of our enemies we placed ourselves, to that extent at least, in their power to do us injury, which, it would seem from past experience, they were not as a general thing, slow to do. We believe in being generous, hospitable and kind, but when our generosity is abused as it has been so flagrantly of late, it behooves us to be cautious in our moves. The old adage "Self-preservation is the first law of nature," was applicable to us, especially under the present circumstances. Those that were wise and had good judgment would understand.
Our co-operative institutions generally had done very well in subserving the interests of the people; and if other institutions should be introduced in the various stakes by wise, honorable, just and honest men who have at heart, themselves, the spirit of co-operation and will practise the principle, and carry it out, there would be no objection to their calling upon the people to sustain the same principle in anything that they might introduce by way of financial enterprises among themselves. It was far better for our own people to do these things, and derive themselves the benefits arising therefrom, than to employ enemies to our people to do it for them. but men who embarked in financial enterprises expecting the patronage of the people should be honest and honorable men, men who would deal fairly and uprightly with their patrons, and men who live their religion. An honorable Gentile was preferable to a dishonorable Mormon. The present Co-operative and other institutions in which the people were interested paid their tithing to help to meet the requirements of the Church; and any other institution whose business was conducted in accord with the spirit and principles of our faith we would sustain, otherwise we would not, for if people would not sustain co-operation themselves we would not sustain them, it mattered not under what name or guise it was carried on. In those affairs they should consult the Stake authorities.
Some people were trembling in their feelings, and were full of fear and doubt, and felt like some of the ancient Israelites, that there were giants in the land, that the Canaanites were very numerous, that they were strong and powerful, but the speaker wished to say that the Canaanites nor another "ites" possessed power only as God gave it to them; that the Latter-day Saints could only be sustained as God sustained them, and it was for us to put our trust in Him, knowing no fear but the fear of God. He felt again like crying, Hallelujah, hallelujah! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, and He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet.
[John Taylor]
[MS 44:327]
Said
there is one thing I wish to make a remark or two upon. I want us all to be
liberal and deal with people on liberal and just principles, but when any man
or set of men manifest a hostile spirit against us it is wise and proper for us
to take care of ourselves a little. We have talked about the united order and
about co-operation, as being something preparatory to a better and higher state
of things. There has been a feeling among many of our brethren to branch out
into mercantile affairs and go off on their own hook. My idea is that if people
will deal honestly, justly and conscientiously, one with the other, it is
better for our brethren to do this than our enemies. It is better to put means
into the hands of our friends than our enemies, for some of the latter are not
slow to use the means we pay them to injure us. Self-preservation is the first
law of nature. Our co-operative institutions have done very well; and if there
are institutions that can be introduced by our brethren, let them be sustained.
But we want them to be honest, to put away chicanery and evil doings;
sustaining the Church and its principles, paying their tithing and upholding
the hands of good men. If they will not do this we will find somebody that
will. We want to sustain no hypocritical men, either Mormon or Gentile. We want
to go right along in the path of duty and fear no Canaanites or any other ites;
they can do no more than the Lord will let them. I feel all the time like
saying, Hallelujah! hallelujah! hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,
and he will reign until he hath put his enemies under his feet.
Adjourned till 2 p.m.
Singing by the choir. Prayer by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
_____
[9 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:195, 4/19/82, p 3]
2 o'clock p.m.
The choir sang on page 57:
Praise ye the Lord, 'tis
good to raise
Your hearts and voices in His praise.
Prayer by apostle Erastus Snow.
The choir sang on page 403:
While of these emblems we
partake,
In Jesus' name, and for his sake.
Sacrament was administered.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said he desired to speak such words as would be both edifying and useful, and to do so he earnestly desired the prayers of the faithful in his behalf. He was aware of the position he occupied to-day, surrounded by thousands of intelligent men and women. And while he was speaking to the Saints he was also speaking to the world, for his words would be published, and he desired to speak upon such principles as emanated from God our heavenly Father.
He continued a very interesting discourse of over two hours, a copy of which will be published in a few days in the DESERET NEWS.
The testimony of Governor Cummings in 1858 was read, as well as some statistical facts in relation to our educational status, also pertaining to the office-holders throughout the Territory and a comparative number of convicts in our prisons and penitentiary.
[John Taylor]
[MS 44:337-342]
Spoke:
In attempting to address the congregation he wished all to be as quiet as
possible. I desire to speak such words as shall be instructive, and ask an
interest in the prayers of the faithful, that we may be the better for our
coming together. I am aware of the position that we occupy to-day. I feel that
I am surrounded by a large number of intelligent men and women. While I address
you I also address the world, for the remarks I make will be published.
Therefore I feel desirous to advance such sentiments as will be in accord with
the enlightenment of the Latter-day Saints, with the intelligence of the
nineteenth century, and with the principles which emanate from God. We stand as
a peculiar people in the midst of the earth. We are here to represent
principles which have emanated from God. Anything we may have, any intelligence
we may be enabled to impart, is not of ourselves; it originated not with us; it
did not originate with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, the Twelve, nor was it
received from any institution of learning, of science, or from any religious,
political body or otherwise A message was announced to us by Joseph Smith, the
Prophet, as a revelation from God, wherein he stated that holy angels had
appeared to him and revealed the everlasting gospel as it existed in former
ages; and God the Father, and God the Son, both appeared to him; and the
Father, pointing, said, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear
ye him. Moroni, a prophet who lived on this continent centuries ago, revealed
to Joseph the plates containing the Book of Mormon, and Joseph was enabled to
translate them into the Book of Mormon. That book contains a record of the
ancient inhabitants who dwelt upon this continent, part of whom came from the
Tower of Babel, and part from Jerusalem. It contains a record of their worship,
and the dealings of God with them, of their righteousness and iniquity and of
the coming of the Savior unto them, and preaching to them the same doctrine
that was taught on the continent of Asia. I shall not attempt to bring any
proof of these matters to-day; you Latter-day Saints are acquainted with the
proofs. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were commanded to baptize each other;
then John the Baptist conferred on them the Aaronic Priesthood; then Peter
James and John came and conferred the Melchisedec Priesthood on them. Then
Moses, Elijah, Abraham, Elias, Adam, Noah, and many of the leading characters
in Scripture, came and conferred upon Joseph the various keys, powers and
privileges which they had enjoyed in their times. Then Joseph Smith was
commanded to preach this Gospel and bear this testimony to the world. He was
taught the same principles that were taught to Adam, to Noah, to Enoch, to
Abraham, to Moses, to the Prophets, to Elijah and to the Twelve Apostles by
Jesus in former times; and the same Priesthood was organized, only more fully,
because this is a combination of the various dispensations that existed in the
different ages in the world, called in Scripture the dispensation of the
fullness of times, when God would gather together all things in one, whether in
earth or in heaven. Therefore, whatever of knowledge was conferred upon those
men, was again restored to the earth through the direction of the Almighty,
Joseph organized a Church, and when people were called on to repent, to be
baptized and have hands laid on them, those who believed received the attendant
blessings. The various offices of the Priesthood began to be conferred on
believers, and the Quorum of the Twelve, in due time, was organized. Then a
Quorum of Seventy Elders was selected, known by the name of the Seventies. We
now have seventy-six times seventy of these Elders. Then the First Presidency
was organized to preside over the whole Church; then the High Priests were
ordained; then Elders; then Teachers and Deacons; and these were organizations
given by direct revelation, and by which the Church has been governed till the
present time. Then Bishops were appointed; then High councils were organized.
This was and is a testimony to the nations of the earth, and the Lord is and
has been their instructor, guide and director, and the Elders were told to go
forth and preach the Gospel to every creature, because confusion and disorder
and the theories of men had been substituted for the light and revelation and
will and power of god. They were told that we approached to the latter times,
when God would have a controversy with the nations of the earth, and the
message they were told to carry was that given to John on the Isle of Patmos.
This was the mission committed by the Lord to the Latter-day Saints. This is
the mission we have been trying to carry out, and I myself have traveled tens
of thousands of miles, without purse or scrip, trusting in God to tell them
these things. We were told when we went that we did not go to be taught, but to
teach others, because others did not know the principles of life. We went under
the commands of the Most High God. We have spread forth this Gospel among the
nations. Was it unreasonable? No. Was it Scriptural? Yes. I say it to-day --
not boastfully, for I have no intelligence but that which I have received from
the principles of the Gospel and from God -- that while I traveled through
various portions of the earth, among the wise and intelligent, as well as the
poor and ignorant, I have talked with their wise men, with their senators and
divines, and I have never met with a man yet who could gainsay one principle of
the Gospel of God, and I never expect to, because eternal truth cannot be
controverted. The nature of the Gospel is just the same as that which was
taught on the day of Pentecost. The Elders of this Church preach the same testimony.
There is something about it which is reasonable, intelligent, susceptible of
proof. It was a very fair statement for Peter to make, warning the people to
repent and be baptized and they should receive the Holy Ghost, and signs should
follow. It was not only religious, it was strictly philosophical. The farmer
sows seed, and he expects it will produce its own kind. There are principles in
nature, all true, both in the vegetable, animal and mineral creations; in fact,
in all things, and all these things are governed by eternal laws which cannot
be departed from. Certain metals possess certain distinctive elements, and they
are always true to an unchangeable law. It is so in regard to all the elements
with which we are surrounded; so with regard to the heavenly bodies, all are
true according to the laws of nature. Now, here is a principle of the Gospel
that admits of as strong a reason as anything in nature -- repent and be
baptized for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost. It is just
on the same principle. It was a bold position to take. I asked the first Elder
who talked to me: What do you mean by the Holy Ghost? If it will not do all
that was promised by Peter, he said, I am an impostor. I received the Gospel,
which I found to be correct, because it was reasonable, Scriptural and
intelligent; and the Elders went forth, as I have done, and they preached the
same doctrines and the same principles. some are not very learned; we send a
singular class of people as our Elders; sometimes a laborer, a merchant, a
farmer, a legislator, and so forth, to preach the gospel of eternal life; they
have received the Gospel and are now enabled to teach others. You that hear me
have listened to these principles and have had held unto you these promises,
and when you received the truth you have also received the blessings, and you
-- the congregation -- know what I say is true and will not deny it. Now this
is a secret that the world does not comprehend; they have not received i. This
people have a hope beyond the veil, whither Christ, our fore-runner, has gone.
WE are acting for eternity. God is our Father, and we know it; and when a lot
of ignorant boobies go to work and try to overturn the faith of the Latter-day
Saints by sophistry, or falsehood, or folly, it amounts to nothing. We are in
possession of the principles of eternal life, and are operating to build up the
Zion of God, where liberty can be proclaimed to all men of every color, creed
and nation. Being placed in communication with God, the sophistries and
vagaries of men have no influence with us. Our faith is built upon the rock of
ages, and that rock is revelation. This is the position that we occupy. Now,
then, this is the religious part of it. We believe in virtue, purity, honesty,
integrity -- in telling the truth, in treating all men justly and honorably, in
fearing God and keeping his commandments. Do all do this? No; I wish we did. A
great majority are doing so, and you that do not, beware. As we are here for
the purpose of building up Zion, God expects us to be honorable with one
another and all men. One part of the Gospel is that we should be gathered
together. Have we been doing it? Yes. some object to it. Have we injured
anybody by it. Is this the land of the free and the asylum of the oppressed?
Cannot the United States listen to the principles of truth? Have we been
opposed to the government of the United States? No! no! no! and we are at the
defiance of all men to prove to the contrary. We believe the Constitution was
given by inspiration of God, because it was one of those instruments which
proclaims liberty throughout the land, and to all the inhabitants thereof, and
it was because of those noble sentiments and the promulgation of these
principles given to man, that God said this constitution was given by Him to
man. Did we any wrong in coming here the way we did? I think not. Did we
transgress the laws of the nation we left? I think not. Now, then, we gathered
simply because we were told there was a Zion to be built. The term Zion means
the pure-in-heart. This is in the Bible. There is certainly no harm in
believing the principles of the Bible. We are always glad to receive the
constitution of the United States and to be governed by it. being gathered
together we necessarily required some kind of social organizations; for when we
came here we brought our bodies with us and tilled the soil and produced, and
as we increased we built villages and cities. Was there any harm in it? We
finally petitioned for a State. The people called a convention, and a
constitution was framed and forwarded to Washington. Congress refused our
application for a State, but gave us a Territory called "Utah."
Strange to say how men's notions change. They are trying now to interfere with
us because of polygamy, but at that time they appointed a polygamous Governor.
But men change; i suppose they call it progress. They said they did not know
this principle then. This was not so, for as soon as it was revealed, Orson
Pratt went to the city of Washington published the doctrine, lectured on it,
and established a paper called The Seer, as many of you know. some time
after that we had United States officials sent here -- not polygamous. One of
them wanted to let us see how civilized he was when he came, and he brought a
strumpet with him, and placed her on the bench with him. He left his wife at
home. He did this to edify the people. Fortunately there was no Edmunds Bill
then. (Laughter.) Perhaps it was considered very beautiful and aesthetic away
from here; but we did not feel edified -- the people were indignant; and he and
others went back to Washington and said the "Mormons" were
rebellious. These men were as untruthful as many of the ministers are to-day.
We know these men here, an d the word Reverend to their names covers a
multitude of sins. We all know these men here. Now, then, we go back to Judge
Drummond and others. We did not like their civilization, and they were not
enamored of ours. If there is any lasciviousness in our people we are indebted
to our Christian friends for it, and to the judges for protecting it. Till
these people came into our midst, we had no houses of ill-fame; we needed not
to lock our doors to prevent thieves from preying upon us; we had no drunkards
among us. These things have been introduced by our good, kind, pure Christian
brethren. We go back to the statements of these friends. They were believed in
Washington; They said that we had burned the state library and court records;
and instead of sending out persons to investigate, they took the words of these
Lotharios and sent an army After gnawing mules' legs at Bridger (laughter), we
sent them salt which they refused to receive. While we knew that they had a
beautiful military outfit, we did not want them to try the temper of their arms
upon us. That the statements are false which Judge Drummond and others made at
Washington, I will have read proof to the contrary.
[Here L.
J. Nuttall read the report of Governor Cumming, who came out with the army,
dated executive office, Great Salt Lake City, April, 1858].
When this
was read, President Taylor continued: I know, by experience, the action that
has been taken in former times when a great furore has been gotten up, and when
a lot of ministers have been prowling in our midst. (I am sorry to use the
word, but they look more like prowlers than ministers.) Our mission has always
been peace on earth good will to men. We have Catholics, Baptists, Methodists
and Presbyterians in our midst, and they preach their doctrines. I believe a
man in Sanpete stated that he had to preach his religion with a revolver on his
desk to protect him; another reverend gentleman said that armies were gathering
here. Will any of you tell me where any of those armies are gathering? We have
a species of birds here called buzzards, and they are fond of any nauseous dead
carcass, and they are trying to root up something against our people. They make
all kinds of statements about us, and they have fanned the United States almost
into a furore against us. These stories go to people who know no better, and
these people believe the stories. They tell about the terrible sufferings in
polygamy. Well, i suppose, some men do not treat their wives well, and some
women do not treat their husbands properly. I suppose perhaps one-tenth of
these statements are true. We do not all do right by a great deal; but suppose
we go to their cities, to their gilded palaces, would we not be able to find as
filthy things about them as they tell about us? They say we are not very
intelligent. Well, we are not very learned, but it does not do for them to
boast too much. We are not very learned, but we are willing to compare notes
with them, and they have had millions to help them, while we have been robbed
and driven. Yet we are not afraid to compare notes with them regarding virtue,
intelligence, etc., and we may be able to say with the scripture, "Thou
fool; take the beam out of thine own eye." For the benefit of those who
live at a distance I will have some statistics by a Gentile read to you.
[Here L.
John Nuttall read some statistics from a pamphlet published in the east by an
ex-United States official, regarding Utah and its educational standing as
compared with other States.]
The
reading was moderately lengthy, after which the speaker resumed: I give this
statement for the information of the brethren. We are ready, as I said before,
to compare noes with the people of any nation at any time. We thought at first
it was impossible that the Edmunds bill should pass. When we saw it was likely,
we got up petitions from the various classes of people and associations. They
all represented that we were a virtuous people; that polygamy was a religious
institution, and that the young people had been taught the principles of
sobriety, of purity and of virtue. The request was that Congress would not do
as it had done before, first send troops and then persons to examine. I blame
the Governor partly for this. Now I am not in favor of talking about our
officials. They are supposed to be honorable men, but the most reasonable
construction I could put upon his act is that his education had been neglected.
No one could blame a man because he could not distinguish between 1,300 and
18,000; but it shows a lamentable deficiency in his education; but then a man
is not to be blamed for what he does not know (laughter). I am afraid that
there are some not any better educated in Washington for they could see no
wrong in his action and they sent him back here again. I hope when they send
the commissioners, that they will be a little better educated and can tell the
difference between 1,300 and 18,000. Are we going to rebel? not much; we do not
have much of that feeling in us, we feel sympathy for those who known no
better. We feel the truth of the old adage -- "Truth crushed to earth will
rise again," and it is said that error will run a thousand miles while
truth is putting on its boots. We will contend for our constitutional rights as
American citizens. We mean to contend for the rights of American citizens, but
to do everything legally, intelligently and as good latter-day Saints. While we
have a mission to proclaim to the nations of the earth, we have a principle to
proclaim and maintain, as well as we can, the principle of human rights. There
are rights that belong to humanity outside of constitutions and the laws of
men. One is the right to live. It was given us by God, and no man has the right
to take it away. If there has been oppression and tyranny in the world, it has
been caused by the degeneracy of men. The declaration of independence tells us
we have the right to life and the pursuit of happiness. The wish I have is that
the United States could give to all men all liberty, and that while they talk
of delivering the slave they would deliver the south, which has been groaning
under oppression ever since the war, and that they could give to all men the
broadest liberty. This is the worst which I have. I would like to talk, if I
had time, about constitutional rights, and about the unconstitutionality of the
Edmunds bill. But that has been very ably done by senators. It is true, they
apologized for it and said they were as much opposed to polygamy as any others.
Can I blame them? No. They have a right to that opinion, as i have to mine. I
would not deprive them of those opinions if I could. The speaker then related a
conversation he had with ex-President Hayes while he was here. I could not
expect the senators who opposed the Edmunds bill as unconstitutional, as I do,
to advocate our religion; that is not their business. They can have any
religion they wish. Could we, could I, could you give the practice of a
plurality of wives to the people of the United States? No; you could not. You
know that it is only honest and virtuous men and women, who can be vouched for,
that can be admitted to participate in this ordinance. You all know this. If
the United States would ask if we could give to them the ordinances we have in
relation to this matter, we would say that we could not, because it is a
religious condition; because it associates the people of this world with time
and eternity. Others make their marital covenants until death does them part.
Ours contemplate an eternal union of the sexes. This is the difference, and
that is why they cannot enjoy it. I believe it would be better for them to have
polygamy even in their condition, or existence, instead of the practice now
common among them. England can afford to give 200,000,000 polygamists under it
protection, but our government cannot afford to protect us. I'll guarantee --
and I fear no contradiction -- that there is more of the Suttee to-day in the
United States among children than there ever was in India according to the
population. What a horrible tale this is to tell. I tell you, in the name of
God, that if you introduce those things here God will be after you. I am told
that physicians are trying to do these things here. Look after them you
Bishops; bring them to us, and as God is our helper, we will not permit this
slaughter of innocents. I say, too, to the United States, or any nation that
sanctions these things, woe unto them! Woe unto men and women who practice
licentiousness, and especially those who practice or sustain the practice of
the slaughter of innocents. I tell you God will require it at your hands. What
shall we do? We'll do what is right, as we always have done; we will maintain
and obey all constitutional laws; and we mean to contend for and have our
constitutional rights as free American citizens. Treat your wives right; but
don't subject yourselves to oppressive laws any more than you can help. Be wise
as serpents and as harmless as doves. A man in Washington said, under this law,
we should turn out our wives as they do their harlots. We won't do it; we will
never do so; and let all Israel say Amen. [Here the congregation strongly
responded "Amen."] We will stand by our covenants, and the
Constitution will bear us out in it. As the speaker drew toward the close, he
became more and more eloquent, and in response to his desire, nearly every
person in the large congregation waved one arm above the head, and repeated
measuredly after President Taylor, in loud, clear, ringing tones, the words:
"Hosanna! hosanna! hosanna! Glory to God in the highest; for the Lord God
Omnipotent reigneth."
[John Taylor]
[DNW 31:210, 4/26/82, p 2; JD 23:47]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
At the General Conference on Sunday afternoon, April 9th,
1882.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
In
attempting to address the congregation this afternoon, I trust that all will be
as quiet as possible. It is extremely difficult to make the congregation hear
in this place, especially in so large an assembly, when there is the least
confusion. While I address you, I wish to speak such words as shall be
interesting, edifying and instructive, and I desire an interest in the prayers
of the faithful, that I may be able to do so intelligently, that we may be the
better for our coming, together.
I am
aware of the position that we occupy to-day. I feel that I am surrounded by a
large number of intelligent men and women, and while I am addressing you, I am
also addressing the world, for the remarks I make will be reported and
published to the world. Therefore, I am desirous to advance such sentiments as
will be in accord with the enlightenment of the Latter-day Saints, with the
intelligence of the 19th century, and with the principles that have emanated
from God.
Any
intelligence which we may possess and which we may be able to impart, is not of
ourselves, but of God. It did not originate with us; it did not originate with
Joseph Smith, with Brigham Young, with the Twelve Apostles, nor was it received
from any institution of learning, nor of science, either religious, political,
or social. Our philosophy is not the philosophy of the world; but of the earth
and the heavens, of time and eternity, and proceeds from God.
A message
was announced to us by Joseph Smith the Prophet, as a revelation from God,
wherein he stated that holy angels had appeared to him and revealed the
everlasting Gospel as it existed in former ages; and that God the Father and
God the Son had also appeared to him: the Father pointing to the Son, said,
"This is my beloved Son, hear ye him." Moroni, a prophet that had
lived on this continent, revealed unto Joseph the plates containing the Book of
Mormon, and by the gift and power of God he was enabled to translate them into
what is known as the Book of Mormon. That book contains a record of the ancient
inhabitants who dwelt upon this continent, a part of whom came from the tower
of Babel at the time of the confounding of tongues, and another part came from
Jerusalem in the time of Zedikiah, king of Judah, 600 years before the advent
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This beak contains a record of the
dealings of God with those people; it contains a record of their worship of
their wars and commotions, of their righteousness and iniquity, and of the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ unto them, and of His preaching unto them the
same Gospel that warn taught on the continent of Asia, attended by the same
ordinances, the same organization and the same principles.
I shall
not attempt to bring any proof with regard to these matters to-day; I am simply
making statements, the truth of which you Latter-day Saints know, as it
would be impossible to enter into all the details in a short discourse. Suffice
it to say, that the Father having presented His Son to Joseph Smith, and
commanded him to hear Him, Joseph was obedient to the heavenly call, and
listened to the various communications made by men holding the Holy Priesthood
in the various ages under the direction of the Only Begotten He and Oliver
Cowdery: were commanded to baptize each other, which they did. John the Baptist
came and conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood. Then Peter, James and
John, upon whom was conferred, in the Savior's day, the keys of the Melchisedec
Priesthood came, and conferred that Priesthood upon them. Then Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elias, and many other leading characters mentioned in
the Scriptures, who had operated in the various dispensations, came and
conferred upon Joseph the various keys, powers, rights, privileges and
immunities which they enjoyed in their times.
Again,
Joseph was commanded to preach this Gospel and to bear this testimony to the
world. He was taught the same principles that were taught to Adam, the same
principles that were taught to Noah, to Enoch, to Abraham, to Moses, to Elijah
and other Prophets, the same principles that were taught by Jesus Christ and
the Apostles in former times on the continent of Asia, accompanied with the
same Priesthood and the same organization, only more fully, because the present
dispensation is a combination of the various dispensations that have existed in
the different ages of the world, and which is designated in the Scriptures as
the dispensation of the fulness of times, in which God would gather together
all things in one, whether they be things in heaven or things on earth.
Therefore, whatever of knowledge, of intelligence, of Priesthood, of powers, of
revelations was conferred upon those men in the different ages, was again
restored to the earth by the ministration and through the medium of those who
held the holy Priesthood of God in the different dispensations in which they
lived.
Under the
direction of the Almighty, Joseph organized a church; and when people were
called Upon to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, to repent of their sins, to be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and to have
hands laid upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, those who did believe
and obey received the attendant blessings. Then the various offices of the
Priesthood began to be conferred upon men who believed, and in due time the
quorum of the Twelve was organized, whose commission was to proclaim this
Gospel to every people, to every nation; to every kindred, to every tongue.
Then a quorum of seventy Elders was selected, known by the name of Seventies;
and we now have some 76 times 70 of those Elders.
A First
Presidency was also organized to preside over the whole Church in all the
world. Then there were High Priests ordained whose office was principally to
preside as well as to preach the Gospel. Then there were Elders, Priests,
Teachers and Deacons; and this organization was given by direct revelation, by
which the Church has been governed from that time until the present. Bishops
were also appointed whose position in the Church was clearly defined by the
word of the Lord. Then High Councils were organized for the adjustment of all
matters of difficulty, for the correction of incorrect doctrine, for the
maintenance of purity and correct principles among the Saints, and for the
adjudication of all general matters pertaining to Israel. This was the
testimony and this is our testimony to-day to the nations of the earth. The
Lord stood at the head as instructor, guide and director; and the Elders were
told to go forth and to preach the Gospel to every creature, because confusion,
disorder, sectarianism and the theories of men had been substituted for the
word and will, and the revelation, law and power of God. These Elders were told
that approached the latter times, when God would have a controversy with the
nations, and the message which they had to proclaim was that which was
described by John when wrapped in prophetic vision upon the Isle of Patmos.
Among other great and important events he said "I saw another angel fly in
the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that
dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and people,
saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His
judgment is come." This was the commission given by the Lord to the
Latter-day Saints. This is the mission we have been trying to carry out from
that time to the present; and I myself have traveled tens of thousands of miles
without purse or scrip, trusting in God, to teach these holy principles, and so
have many of my brethren by whom I am surrounded.
When we
started we were told that we were not sent to be taught, but to teach. Why?
Because the world was not in possession of the principles of life, and
therefore could not teach them. We went in obedience to the direct command of
God to us through his servant Joseph, and we have spread forth the Gospel among
the nations. And is there anything unreasonable about it? No. Is it true? Yes.
Is it scriptural? Yes. Is it philosophical? Yes. And I say to-day, not by way
of boasting, because we have nothing to boast of (I have no intelligence but
what I am indebted to God, my heavenly Father and my brethren for,) that while
I have traveled through various parts of the United States and the Canadas,
also in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, and different parts
of the earth, among the wise and intelligent as well as the poor and ignorant,
among all classes of men—I have stood in their halls and talked with their
professors, ministers, legislators, rulers, divines, judges and wise men of
every class, grade and position in life—but I have never met with a man who
could gainsay one principle of the Gospel of the Son of God, and I never expect
to; because truth, eternal truth, as it emanates from God, cannot be
controverted.
And what
is the nature of the Gospel? It is the same as that taught on the day of
Pentecost by the Apostles, when they cried out to the multitude, "Repent
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." That was the
testimony which they bore to the people. That is the testimony which the Elders
of this Church bear. There is something about this that is reasonable, that is
intelligent, and that is susceptible of proof. It was a very fair proposition
for the Apostle to make, promising the people who would obey the requirements
which the Gospel imposes upon its adherents, that they should receive the Holy
Ghost. And what should this do for them? It was to cause their old men to dream
dreams and their young men to see visions, it was to make their sons and
daughters prophecy, it was to bring things past to their remembrance, to lead
them into all truth, and to show them things to come. This proposition was not
alone of a religious nature, but it was also strictly philosophical. The farmer
sows oats or wheat, or plants corn, and what does he expect? He expects oats,
wheat or corn, as the case may be, and nothing else. There are laws and
principles in nature, in the vegetable, the animal and the mineral kingdoms, as
well as in all the works of God, that are true in themselves and they are
eternal. There are such metals as gold, silver, copper or iron, each possessing
certain distinctive elements which they always did possess; and the different
bodies in their chemical relations possess principles that are always true to
unchangeable laws. It is so also in regard to all the elements by which we are
surrounded, and also in regard to the heavenly bodies. Because of these
unchanging laws, we know precisely when the sun will rise and when it will set.
We know when certain planets or comets will appear and disappear. All their
movements are undeviating, exact and true according to the laws of nature.
Now here
is a principle of the Gospel that will admit of as strong evidence as anything
in nature. What is it? "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost." Or in other words, sow wheat and you reap wheat; plant
corn and you gather corn. It was a bold position to take. I remember that on
these points I questioned the Elder who brought the Gospel to me. I asked, What
do you mean by this Holy Ghost? Will it cause your old men to dream dreams and
your young men to see visions; will it bring to pass the scripture which saith:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my
Spirit, and they shall prophecy? Yes. Will it give you the permeating
influence of the Spirit of the living God, and give you a certain
knowledge of the principles that you believe in?
"Yes,"
he answered, "and if it will not, then I am an impostor." Said
I, That is a very fair proposition. Finding the doctrine to be correct, I obeyed,
and I received that Spirit through obedience to the Gospel which gave me a
knowledge of those principles which I simply believed before, because they were
scriptural, reasonable and intelligent, according to that scripture which
saith, "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
I was
ordained an Elder by the proper authorities, and I went forth to preach this
Gospel. Other Elders went forth as I did to the civilized nations, preaching
the same doctrine and holding out the same promises. Some of them were not very
learned; some were not very profoundly educated. We send a singular class of
people in our Elders. Sometimes a missionary is a merchant, sometimes a
legislator, a blacksmith, an adobe maker, a plasterer, a farmer, or common
laborer, as the case may be. But all under the same influence and spirit, all
going forth as missionaries to preach the Gospel of light, of life and of
salvation. They have received the treasures of eternal life, and they are
enabled to communicate them to others; and they hold out the same promises. You
who hear me this afternoon, as well as thousands upon thousands of others, have
listened to those principles, you have had held out unto you those promises;
and when you obeyed the Gospel, you received this same spirit; and you are my
witnesses of the truth of the things that I now proclaim in your hearing, and
of the Spirit and power of God attending the obedience to the Gospel, and you
will not deny it. This congregation will not deny it. When you yielded
obedience to the laws of God, obeyed His commandments, were baptized for the
remission of your sins and had hands laid upon you for the reception of the
Holy Ghost, you did receive it: and you are living witnesses before God. This
is a secret that the world does not comprehend. Its people have not obeyed it
and they do not know it; and the things of God, say the scriptures, no man
knoweth but by the Spirit of God; and this Spirit has imparted to us that intelligence
and that knowledge. This people have in their possession a hope that enters
within the vail, whither Christ, our forerunner, has gone. They are living and
acting and operating for eternity. God is their Father, and they know it. Some
people think we are a set of ignorant boobies, who do not know what we are
talking about, and they try to overrun the faith of the Latter-day Saints by
sophistry, falsehood and folly. Whilst the fact is, we are in possession of the
principles of eternal life, and are operating for eternity; and then we are
operating to build up the Zion of God, where righteousness can be taught, and
where men can be protected, and where liberty can be proclaimed to all men of
every color, of every creed and of every nation.
Being placed
in communication with God, the sophistry, nonsense and dogmas of men have no
influence upon us. We are built upon the rock of revelation, as Peter was, and
on the same principle. Said Jesus to him, "Whom do men say that I, the Son
of Man, am?" The answer was: "Some say thou art one of the Prophets;
some say thou art the Elias who was to come," etc. "But whom say you
that I am?" Peter answered and said: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father
which is in heaven; and I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon
this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it." What rock? The rock of revelation —upon the intelligence
communicated by the Holy Ghost to those wire obey the Gospel of the Son of God;
by this, men shall know for themselves, and stand as the rock of ages,
invulnerable, immovable and unchangeable. That is the position which we the
Latter-day Saints occupy.
This,
then, is the religious part of the question. What do we believe in? We believe
in purity, in virtue, in honesty, in integrity, in truthfulness and in not
giving way to falsehood; we believe in treating all men justly, uprightly and
honorably; we believe in fearing God, observing His laws and keeping His
commandments. Do we all do it? No, not quite. I wish we did. But a great
majority of the Later-day Saints are doing this; and if there are those that
are not, let them look well to their path, for God will be after them, and
their brethren will be after them, for God cannot look upon sin with any degree
of allowance. And as we are here for the purpose of building up Zion, He
expects that we will be upright and honorable in all our dealings with one
another and with all men.
One part
of the Gospel is that we should be gathered together to a land that should be
called Zion. Have we been doing this? Yes. Some people are very much opposed to
it. Have we injured anybody by gathering in this way? Is this indeed the land
of the free, the home of the brave, and the asylum for the oppressed? Cannot
the people of this nation afford to listen to the principles of truth, and
allow men who are fearing God to assemble together to worship Him according to
the dictates of their own consciences? Have we violated any law of the United
States in thus gathering together and in thus worshiping our God? Not that I
know of. Have we been opposed to the United States? No! no! no! we never have,
and we are at the defiance of all men to prove anything of the kind. There are
falsehoods set afoot by low, degraded, unprincipled men. We believe that the
Constitution of the United States was given by inspiration of God. And why?
Because it is one of those instruments which proclaims liberty throughout the
land, and to all the inhabitants thereof. And it was because of those noble
sentiments, and the promulgation of those principles which were given by God to
man, we believe that it was given by the inspiration of the Almighty. We have
always esteemed it in this light, and it was so declared by Joseph Smith. Did
we do any wrong in coming here in the way we did? I think not. Did we
transgress any of the laws of the United States? I think not. Did we transgress
any of the laws of the nations we left? I think not. We gathered together
simply because we were told there was a Zion to be built up. And what was that
Zion? The term means the pure in heart. In connection with our gathering, I
would remark, that a short time ago, at one of our public celebrations, there
were twenty-seven nationalities represented. This is in accordance with the
scripture which says: I will take them one of a city and two of a family, and
bring them to Zion. And I will give them pastors after mine own heart, that
shall feed them with knowledge and understanding. This is what we find in the
Christian Bible, and there is certainly no harm in believing the Bible. The
Christians send their Bible missionaries among us to circulate it, and we are always
glad to receive the Bible and be governed by it.
Now,
then, being gathered together, we necessarily required some kind of social
relations with each other, for when we came here we brought our bodies with us
as well as our religion, and we brought our wives and families with us as well
as our religion; and we needed to cultivate the earth and build houses, and
plant orchards, and vineyards, and gardens, and attend to the common affairs of
life. And then as we began to increase we began to open and build farms,
hamlets, villages and cities. Is there anything wrong in this? No. Finally,
when we came here we petitioned for a State government, the people held a
convention and a constitution was framed, and forwarded to Washington. Congress
refused our application for a State, but they gave us a Territorial form of
government and named the Territory Utah; and strange to say, how men and
nations change, they are trying to interfere with us because of our polygamy,
and at that time the government appointed a polygamous governor, Brigham Young.
People change in their sentiments and views; I suppose they call it progress.
Apostle Orson Pratt, whom you all knew, as soon as that revelation was made
public, went down to the city of Washington, and there published the doctrine
of plural marriage and also lectured upon it. The paper he published was called
The Seer, which many of you brethren remember very well. They were not
in ignorance in relation to these matters. It was then well understood by the
nation that these were our sentiments, and that President Young was a
polygamist.
But
passing on. Sometime after that, we had some United States officials sent out
here, who were not polygamists, but one of them went so far as to show us what
beautiful civilization they had where he came from, and he left his wife at
home and brought with him a strumpet and took her on to the bench with him, to
let the people see how intelligent and enlightened the people were in the
United States. However, fortunately for him, there was no Edmunds bill then.
Still, we were not much edified. It might be according to some people's system
of ethics; it may be considered beautiful or aesthetic by the admirers of this
fast and progressive civilization; but we could not appreciate it, and the consequence
was, that the people felt indignant, they looked upon him as a profligate, and
that he had defiled and disgraced the ermine. These were the sentiments of the
people then, and they are yours to-day, for you have never been taught anything
else. He and some others went back to Washington, and reported that the
"Mormons" were in a state of rebellion; that they were a very wicked
people, very corrupt and very depraved, almost as bad as some of our
truth-telling ministers make us out to be, for some of them are not very
notorious for telling the truth, nobody believes them here; but then
they have reverend put before their names and that, of course,
covers—what is at I a multitude of sins. And therefore, the mendacious
stories that they tell and circulate are received as actual truth by thousands
of blind, ignorant, bigoted people, who, doubtless, are far more sincere and
far more honest and pure in their lives than these specimens of fallen humanity
who, in the garb of sanctity, manufacture falsehoods and prepare them specially
for the vitiated taste of the age.
But to
return; judges and other officials were sent here, and suffice it to say, we
did not like their civilization; and, then, they were not much enamored with
ours, because whatever we may be in the estimation of the world generally, we
are utterly averse to anything like licentiousness and debauchery; and, if
there is any among us, we are indebted to our Christian friends for it, and to
our Christian judges for maintaining and protecting it in our midst. We have no
affiliation with such flyings; they cannot exist among us as a people, only by
the force, the power and influence of this federal Christianity that has been
introduced among us. Until these people came into our midst we had no house of
ill-fame; and a lady could travel as safely in our streets at any time of night
as in the day; we had no occasion to lock our doors to prevent thieves from
preying upon us; we had no drunkenness, ribaldry or blasphemy in our streets;
all these things have been introduced among us by our good, kind, pure, pious
Christian friends, and in scores of our remote settlements where this
civilization has not penetrated, they are free from these vices to-day
Now we
will go back to the statement of these men. They were believed in Washington.
What did they state? Among other things they said that we had burned the United
States library, and the court records, and that a dreadful state of anarchy was
in existence; and instead of the United States sending out a commission to
enquire into these matters, they took the statement of a Lotherio and his
associates, and sent out an army to destroy us. And these troops were reduced
to gnawing mules' legs about the vicinity of Bridger, refusing salt when we
sent it to them —for we would have done them good, notwithstanding they came as
our enemies. I remember writing a letter to one of the officers who had a
letter of introduction to me, and forwarded it by a messenger; I told him that
I was very sorry, that as a United States' officer, as an honorable man, he
should be placed in the situation he was then in; because he could not help it,
as an officer, any more than we could, as he was operating as a servant of the
government under military rule and had, therefore, to obey orders. And that
while we esteemed him and other officers as patriots and high-minded, honorable
men, who had exhibited their patriotism and bravery in Mexico and other places,
and while we heard of their excellent military equipments, we did not like the
idea of their trying the temper of their steel upon us. I told him that
republics which reflected the voice of the people were in many instances
excitable and erratic, and that I looked for a reaction in public opinion, and
that when that change came I expected the difficulties that the government had
placed us in would be done away, and that then I would be glad to extend to him
that courtesy in our city that one gentleman should extend to another, and
would then be happy to see him. But we could not meet then of course; they
could not come to us, and we could not very well go out to them.
So that
the Latter-day Saints may know the truth or falsity of the allegations made by
Judge Drummond, I will have the official statement of Governor Cumming, who
came out with the army, read to this congregation.
It would
be unfair and disengenuous to blame one administration for the acts of another,
yet when we see a disposition to listen to the same kind of popular clamor that
then existed, we cannot but notice a great similarity of circumstances.
[Elder L.
John Nuttall then read the following extracts from the official statement of
Governor Cumming, which was dated Great Salt Lake City, April 15th, 1858:]
"Since
my arrival I have been employed in examining the records of the Supreme and
District Courts, which I am now prepared to report as being perfect and
unimpaired. This will, doubtless, be acceptable information to those who have
entertained an impression to the contrary.
I have
also examined the Legislative Records and other books belonging to the office
of Secretary of State, which are in perfect preservation.
The
condition of the large and valuable Territorial Library has also commanded my
attention: and I am pleased in being able to report that Mr. W. C. Staines, the
librarian, has kept the books and records in most excellent condition. I will,
at an early day, transmit a catalogue of this library, and schedules of the
other public property, with certified copies of the records of the Supreme and
District Courts, exhibiting the character and amount of the public business
last transacted in them."
Thus it
appears that the allegations made by our enemies were false, and the army was
sent out under false representations, and their own Governor furnishes the
evidence for their own refutation. Yet we were subjected to the indignity and
outrage of having an army sent among us, predicated upon these false
statements.
From the
above and other similar actions manifested towards us as a people we have
learned in the sad school of experience, and by the things that we have
suffered, the excitability of the populace, and the unreasonable, savage and
relentless feelings that frequently possess the people in their antagonism
towards us, to be very careful, in all our acts among men, not to excite that
feeling of hate which seems to be implanted in the human bosom against the
principles taught by the servants of the Lord in all ages of the world.
Our
mission is and always has been peace on earth and goodwill to man, to all men.
We have in our midst Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics and
all kinds of "ites." Does anybody interfere with them? Not that I
know of. Yet there was a man, a professed minister in Sanpete
County—[addressing President Canute Peterson of Sanpete Stake] Brother
Peterson, did you not have a man in your Stake who got up a sensation by
publishing far and wide that he had to preach the Gospel in Sanpete with a revolver
on his desk, to prevent the "Mormons" from interfering with him—was
not that the purport of his statement? [President Peterson: Yes, sir.] Do you
know the man? [Ans.: Yes, sir.] Is he there yet? [Ans.: No, sir.] [Laughter.]
Others have stated lately that we were in a state of sedition, and that in our
different counties there were armed bodies of men prepared to fight the
United States. The person that made and published this last statement was, as I
understand, also a minister, one of these reverend gentlemen. Do any of you
know his name? [A voice: Sheldon Jackson.] I am told it was one Sheldon
Jackson; a reverend gentleman with a big R, a pious man, of course, and
therefore what he says must be true. [Laughter.] We have a set of people that
seem to be prowling about; I suppose, however, they are as necessary as
anything else; I do not know but what they are. We have a species of birds
called buzzards, whose natural tastes are for any kind of nauseous food;
nothing suits them better than to gorge on carrion. Like them, these defamers
are fond of trying to root up something against our people here. They
themselves fabricate all kinds of notions and opinions, similar to the above
that I have mentioned, that everybody here knows to be false, and they circulate
them, and they have fanned the United States almost into a furore. People
generally are ignorant of what these men and women are engaged in. They think
these persons are honorable men and women; and they get up a lot of stories
about some poor woman or some poor girl who has been crowded upon by her
husband, and that in this state of polygamy there is the most abject misery,
and the greatest distress that can be found anywhere. Are they true? Some
individual cases may be true. Some of our men do not treat their wives right,
and then some wives do not treat their husbands right. We do not all do right
by a great deal. I wish we all did right. But supposing we were to go down to
the places where these people hail from, to the slums of Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati,
Philadelphia, New York, and other cities, beginning, say, in New York, with the
gilded palaces of 4th and 5th Avenues, and trace the thing down to Five Points,
and then go through other cities in the same way, and what would we find there?
Do you not think one could get up something as dirty and filthy as the most
foul-minded person can get up about as? A thousand times more so.
They say
we are an ignorant. people. We admit that we are not so very intelligent, and
we never boast of our learning or intelligence; but then, they should not boast
of theirs either. However, we can compare favorably with them any day; and
while they have had millions of the public funds to sustain their educational
establishments, we have been despoiled, plundered and robbed over and over
again, yet we are prepared to compare notes with them on education, and also on
virtue, honesty and morals, any way they can fix it. And I would be ready to
say, as one said of old, Thou fool, first take the beam out of thine own eye, that
thou mayest see the more clearly to take the mote out of thy brother's eye.
We will
have read some figures for the information of the brethren who come from a
distance, who may not be acquainted with these matters.
[President
Taylor then called upon his secretary, Elder L. John Nuttall, to read some
extracts from a work published by an ex-United States official in New York
City, which were as follows: ]
Before
citing from the still incomplete census reports of 1880, let us take that of
1870 and compare Utah and Massachusetts, the new theocracy with the descendants
of an old theocracy—priest-ridden Utah with "cultured" Massachusetts,
also adding the District of Columbia, which has the enlightening presence of
the American Congress to add to its advantages, and is under its direct
government.
"From
statistics contained in the Report of the Commissioners of Education for 1877,
it is shown that in the percentage of enrolment of her School population, Utah
is in advance of the general average of the United States, while in the
percentage in actual daily attendance at school, she still further exceeds the
average of the whole Union.
In 1877,
when the school population of Utah numbered 30,792, there was invested in the
Territory in school property the creditable sum of $568,984, being about
eighteen and one-half dollars per capita of the school population.
In
contrast with this, take the amount per capita of their school population,
which some of the States have invested in school property: North Carolina, less
than $0 60; Louisiana, $3 00; Virginia, about $2 00; Oregon, less than $9 00;
Wisconsin, less than $11 00; Tennessee, less than $2 50; Delaware, less than
$13 00.
In
respect to the amount, per capita, of her school population, which Utah has
invested in school property, she exceeds several other Southern and Western
States, is in advance of the great States of Indiana and Illinois, and I
believe in advance of the general average of the entire Union.
Thus, in
the matter of education, Utah stands ahead of many old and wealthy States, and
of the general average of the United States in three very important respects,
namely, the enrolment of her school population, the percentage of their daily
attendance at school, and the amount per capita invested in school property.
From the
census of 1880 I have compiled the following:
COMPARISON OF ILLITERACY.—
The
United States & Utah Territory:
United States.
Utah.
Total population
50,155,783 143,963
Total over 10 years of
age who cannot read
4,923,451 4,851
Percentage who cannot
read, 10 years & over
9.82 3.37
Total over 10 years of
age who cannot write
6. 239,958 8,826
Percentage who cannot
write, 10 yrs. & over
12.14 6.13
Total white population 43,402,970 142,423
Total white population
over 10 years of age
who cannot write
3,019,080 8,137
Percentage of white
population who can-
not write, 10 years &
over 6.96
5.71
Of all
the States and Territories in the Union there are but thirteen showing a lower
percentage of total population who cannot read, Connecticut having the same
3.37. The rest range all the way up 32.32. per centage of total population in
South Carolina
We will
now produce some evidence with regard to crime, etc., drawn from official
sources:
The
population of Utah by the census of 1880 is about 144,000, divided as follows:
Mormons .............. 120,283
Gentiles ................. 14,155
Apostate Mormons.
6,988
Josephites .............. 820
Doubtful ................ 1,717
23,680
Total ........................ 143,963
"It
will be seen that the "Gentiles" constitute only ten per cent. of the
population, yet from this small minority are taken the incumbents of nearly
every position of influence and emolument. They have the Governor, with
absolute veto power, Secretary, Judges, Marshals, Prosecuting Attorneys, Land
Register, Recorder, Surveyor-General, Clerks of the Courts, Commissioners,
principal Post-office Mail Contractors, Postal Agents, Revenue Assessors and
Collectors, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Indian Agencies, Indian Supplies,
Army Contractors, express, railroad and telegraph lines, the associated press
agency, half the jurors in law, but at least three-fourths and always the
foreman in practice, in fact, every position not elective.
Last
winter there was a census taken of the Utah penitentiary and the Salt Lake City
and County prisons, with the following result: In Salt Lake City there are
about seventy-five Mormons to twenty-five non-Mormons. In Salt Lake County
there are about eighty Mormons to twenty non-Mormons. In the city prison there
were twenty-nine convicts, all non-Mormons; in the county prison there were six
convicts, all non-Mormons. The jailer stated that the county convicts for the
five years past were all anti-Mormons except three.
In Utah
we have seen that by the United States Census the proportion of orthodox
Mormons to all others is as eighty-three to seventeen. In the Utah penitentiary
there were fifty-one prisoners, only five of whom were Mormons, and two of the
five were in prison for imitating Father Abraham in their domestic menage, so
that the seventeen per cent, "outsiders" had forty-six convicts in
the penitentiary, while the eighty-three per cent, Mormons had but five! The
total number of Utah lockups, including the penitentiary, is fourteen; these
aggregated one hundred and twenty-five inmates. Of these one hundred and
twenty-five, not over eleven were Mormons, several of whom were incarcerated
for minor offences and polygamy; while if all the anti-Mormon thieves,
adulterers, black-legs, perjurers, murderers and other criminals who are at
large, were sent to prison, the Mormons claim that their prisons could not hold
them.
In 1878 a
Mormon publication made the following boastful statement:
Out of
the twenty counties of the Territory, most of which are populous, thirteen are,
to-day, without a dram-shop, brewery, gambling or brothel-house, bowling or
billiard-saloon, lawyer, doctor, parson beggar, politician or place-hunter, and
almost entirely free from social troubles of every kind; yet these counties are
exclusively 'Mormon;' and with the exception of a now and then domestic doctor
or lawyer, the entire Territory was free from these adjuncts of civilization
(?) till after the advent of the professing Christian element, boastingly here
to 'regenerate the Mormons,' and to-day every single disreputable concern in
Utah is run and fostered by the very same Christian (?) element. Oaths,
imprecations, blasphemies, invectives, expletives, blackguardism, the ordinary
dialect of the "anti-Mormon," were not heard in Utah till after his
advent, nor till then, did we have litigation, drunkenness, harlotry, political
and judicial deviltries, gambling and kind red enormities.
This is
what the Mormons assert. Let us see how the case stands today, and what the
facts attest.
Out of
the two hundred saloon, billiard, bowling alley and pool table keepers, not
over a dozen even profess to be Mormons. All of the bagnios and other
disreputable concerns in the Territory are run and sustained by anti-Mormons.
Ninety-eight per cent. of the gamblers of Utah are of the same element,
Ninety-five per cent. of the Utah lawyers are Gentiles, and eighty per cent. of
all the litigation there is of outside growth and promotion.
Of the
two hundred and fifty towns and villages in Utah, over two hundred have no
"gaudy sepulchre of departed virtue," and these two hundred and odd
towns are almost exclusively Mormon in population. Of the suicides committed in
Utah, ninety odd per cent. are non-Mormon; and of the Utah homicides and
infanticides, over eighty per cent. are perpetrated by the seventeen per cent.
"outsiders.
The
arrests made in Salt Lake City from January 1, 1881, to December 8, 1881, are
classified, as follows:
Men ........................................................... 782
Women ...................................................... 200
Boys .......................................................... 38
Total ....................... 1,020
Mormons, Men & Boys ...... 163
" , Women ............... 6
169
Anti-Mormon-Men & Boys- 657
" Women ......... 194 851
Total ........................ 1,020
A number
of the Mormon arrests were for chicken, cow and water trespass, petty
larceny, etc. The arrests of anti-Mormons were in most cases for prostitution,
gambling, exposing of person. drunkenness, unlawful dram selling, assault and
battery, attempt to kill, etc.
If the
seventy-five per cent. Mormon population of Salt Lake City were as lawless and
corrupt as the record shows the twenty-five per cent. anti-Mormons to be, there
would have been 2,443 arrests made from their ranks during the year 1881
instead of the comparatively trifling number of 169 shown on the record; while
if the twenty-five per cent. anti-Mormon population had as law-abiding and
upright a record as the seventy-five per cent. Mormons, instead of the
startling number of 851 anti-Mormon arrests during the year, there would have
been but 56 made."
I give
these statements of facts for the information of the brethren who are here from
a distance; but, then, they know them as facts; that is, they know how these soi
disant regeneraters act, but many of them do not know what their
civilization is here, and what is sought to be introduced among us, and the infamous
statements circulated concerning us. We are ready, as I said before, to compare
notes with them or the people of this or any nation at any time. And then
again, we ought to be more pure and virtuous than they, for we do profess to be
the Saints of the Most High God. With this view, when this Edmunds bill was
being canvassed, and there was a prospect of its passing—although we thought at
first it was impossible that such a concern could pass through Congress; but
when we saw the falsehoods that were being circulated, the furore that was
being raised and fanned by religious fanatics and political demagogues,
petitions were gotten up by the people here, one of them representing the male
class, another our Relief Societies, another our young men, and another our
young ladies' Improvement Societies. All of them represented that we were a
virtuous people—that polygamy was a religious institution; and the young people
asserted that it had been taught to them by their parents from their youth up,
and that the principles of purity, virtue, integrity and loyalty to the
government of the United States had been instilled into their minds and hearts
since their earliest childhood; and further, that they had been taught and
understood that chastity was their greatest boon, far above jewels or wealth,
and more precious than life itself. In a few days we had 165,000 signatures,
and they were forwarded to Washington. The request was that Congress would not
act as the government had before—first send out an army and then send
commissioners to require, but that they would send commissioners first to
require into the facts of the case. But they did not choose to listen. In fact,
there has been a great furore in the United States in relation to these
matters, and that has originated to an extent through our Governor. Now I am
very much averse to talking about official men; I do not like to do such
things. They ought to be honorable men; the most charitable construction I
could put upon his acts would be to say that his education had been sadly
neglected, and that he was not acquainted with figures. He might have learned
to read and write perhaps, but I would question his having gone so far as
arithmetic; because he did not apparently know the difference between 1,300
votes and 18,500 votes. It does denote a lamentable absence of a knowledge of
the rudiments of a common education; but then, a man should not, perhaps, be
blamed for that which he does not know. And, indeed, it would seem that some of
our lawmakers in Washington are not educated. With all due respect to them,
with these facts before them and condemned throughout the United States, they
did not think it was any crime for a man to be thus ignorant, or they would not
have sent him back again. We hope the Commissioners will be better educated,
that they will be men who can tell the difference between 1,300 and 18,500. Now
we may be very ignorant—and we do not boast much of our intelligence, but when
such people perpetrate such palpable, flagrant outrages, we have to resort to a
political phrase in order to express our disgust towards them by saying,
"There is something rotten in Denmark." I have to be a politician as
well as everything else.
Still, in
the midst of these things, what are you going to do? Do the very best we can.
Are you going to rebel? That would please our enemies, but we do not have much
of that spirit in us. We feel to sympathize with people who have no better
judgment than to adopt so suicidal and dishonorable a course as that which has
been pursued towards us. Yet notwithstanding this, we are unshaken towards the
principles of our government and believe that we have got the best on the
earth, these evils arising from the corruptions of men and maladministration.
It is said that error and falsehood will run a thousand miles while truth is
putting on its boots, but truth ultimately will triumph, as according to the
old adage, "Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again." And what will
you do? Contend for constitutional principles, or lie down and let the vicious,
the mendacious and unprincipled run over and overslaugh you?
We have
peacefully, legally and honorably possessed our lands in these valleys of the
mountains, and we have purchased and paid for them; we do not revel in any
ill-gotten gain. They are ours. We have complied with all the requisitions of
law pertaining thereto, and we expect to possess and inhabit them. We covet no
man's silver or gold, or apparel, or wife, or servants, or flocks, or herds, or
horses, or carriages, or lands, or possessions. But we expect to maintain our
own rights. If we are crowded upon by unprincipled men or inimical legislation,
we shall not take the course pursued by the lawless, the dissolute and the
unprincipled; we shall not have recourse to the dynamite of the Russian
Nihilists, the secret plans and machinations of the communists, the boycotting
and threats of the Fenians, the force and disorder of the Jayhawkeers, the
regulators or the Molly Maguires, nor any other secret or illegal combination;
but we still expect to possess and maintain our rights; but to obtain them in a
legal, peaceful and constitutional manner. As American citizens, we shall
contend for all our liberties, rights and immunities, guaranteed to us by the
Constitution; and no matter what action may be taken by mobocratic influence,
by excited and unreasonable men, or by inimical legislation, we shall contend
inch by inch for our freedom and rights, as well as the freedom and rights of
all American citizens and of all mankind. As a people or community, we can
abide our time, but I will say to you Latter-day Saints, that there is nothing
of which you have been despoiled by oppressive acts or mobocratic rule, but
that you will again possess, or your children after you. Your rights in Ohio,
your rights in Jackson, Clay, Caldwell and Davis counties in Missouri, will yet
be restored to you. Your possessions, of which you have been fraudulently
despoiled in Missouri and Illinois, you will again possess, and that without
force, or fraud or violence. The Lord has a way of His own in regulating such
matters. We are told the wicked shall slay the wicked. He has a way of His own
of "emptying the earth of the inhabitants thereof." A terrible day of
reckoning is approaching the nations of the earth; the Lord is coming out of
His hiding place to vex the inhabitants thereof; and the destroyer of the
Gentiles, as prophesied of, is already on his way. Already the monarchs of the
earth are trembling from conspiracies among their own people; already has one
Czar of Russia been destroyed and another holds his life by a very uncertain
tenure through the perpetual threats and machinations of an infuriated
populace; already have the Emperor of Germany, the King of Italy, the Queen of
England, the King of Spain, the Sultan of Turkey, and many others of the
honorable and noble rulers of the earth had their lives jeopardized by the
attacks of regicides; already have two of the Presidents of this Republic been
laid low by the hands of the assassin; and the spirit of insubordination, misrule,
lynching, and mobocracy of every kind is beginning to ride rampant through the
land; already combinations are being entered into which are very ominous for
the future prosperity, welfare and happiness of this great Republic. The
volcanic fires of disordered and anarchical elements are beginning to manifest
themselves and exhibit the internal forces that are at work among the turbulent
and unthinking masses of the people. Congress will soon have something else to
do than to proscribe and persecute an innocent, law-abiding and patriotic
people. Of all bodies in the world, they can least afford to remove the
bulwarks that bind society together in this nation, to recklessly trample upon
human freedom and rights, and to rend and destroy that great Palladium of human
rights—the Constitution of the United States. Ere long they will need all its
protecting influence to save this nation from misrule, anarchy and mobocratic
influence. They can ill afford to be the foremost in tampering with human
rights and human freedom, or in tearing down the bulwarks of safety and
protection which that sacred instrument has guaranteed. It is lamentable to see
the various disordered and disorganized elements seeking to overthrow the
greatest and best government in existence on the earth. Congress can ill afford
to set a pattern of violation of that Constitution which it has sworn to
support. The internal fires of revolution are already smouldering in this
nation, and they need but a spark to set them in a flame. Already are agencies
at work in the land calculated to subvert and overthrow every principle of rule
and government; already is corruption of every kind prevailing in high places
and permeating all society; already are we, as a nation, departing from our
God, and corrupting ourselves with malfeasance, dishonor, and a lack of public
integrity and good faith; already are licentiousness and debauchery corrupting,
undermining and destroying society; already are we interfering with the laws of
nature and stopping the functions of life, and have become the slayers of our
own offspring, and employ human butchers in the shape of physicians to assist
in this diabolical and murderous work. The sins of this nation, the
licentiousness, the debauchery, the murders are entering into the ears of the
Lord of Sabbaoth, and I tell you now, from the tops of these mountains, as a
humble servant of the living God, that unless these crimes and infamies are
stopped, this nation will be overthrown, and its glory, power, dominion and
wealth will fade away like the dews of a summer morning. I also say to other
nations of the earth, that unless they repent of their crimes, their iniquities
and abominations, their thrones will be overturned, their kingdoms and
governments overthrown, and their lands made desolate. This is not only my
saying, but it is the saying of those ancient prophets which they themselves
profess to believe; for God will speedily have a controversy with the nations
of the earth, and, as I stated before, the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his
way to overthrow governments, to destroy dynasties, to lay waste thrones,
kingdoms and empires, to spread abroad anarchy and desolation, and to cause
war, famine and bloodshed to overspread the earth.
Besides
the preaching of the Gospel, we have another mission, namely, the perpetuation
of the free agency of man and the maintenance of liberty, freedom, and the
rights of man. There are certain principles that belong to humanity outside of
the Constitution, outside of the laws, outside of all the enactments and plans
of man, among which is the right to live; God gave us the right and not man; no
government gave it to us, and no government has a right to take it away from
us. We have a right to liberty—that was a right that God gave to all men; and
if there has been oppression, fraud or tyranny in the earth, it has been the
result of the wickedness and corruptions of men and has always been opposed to
God and the principles of truth, righteousness, virtue, and all principles that
are calculated to elevate mankind. The Declaration of Independence states that
men are in possession of certain inalienable rights, among which are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This belongs to us; it belongs to all humanity.
I wish, and the worst wish I have for the United States, is, that they could
have liberality enough to give to all men equal rights, and, while they profess
to have delivered the black slaves, that they strike off the fetters of the
white men of the South, who have been ground under the heel of sectional
injustice, and let them feel that we are all brothers in one great nation, and
deliver all people from tyranny and oppression of every kind, and proclaim, as
they did at the first, liberty throughout the land and to all people. That is
the worst wish I have for them. And when I see them take another course I feel
sorry for it. I would like if I had time to talk a little upon constitutional
rights; I would like a little to discuss the uuconstitutionality of that
Edmunds bill; but it was ably done by many senators of the United States, and
by others in the House of Representatives. Very ably done; and I honor the men
who maintain such sentiments. It is true that most of them apologized and said
that they were as much opposed to polygamy as anybody. Well, that is a matter
of their own; they have a right to their opinions as much as I have a right to
my opinion. Would I deprive them of that right? No, I would not. I preach the
Gospel to the world. What is it? Force, tyranny and oppression? No: it is all
free grace and it is all free will. Is anybody coerced? Did anybody coerce you,
Latter-day Saints? Are any of you forced to continue Latter-day Saints if you
do not want to? If you think you are, you are all absolved to-day. We know of
no such principle as coercion; it is a matter of choice. The principle that I
spoke of before—that is, men receive the Holy Ghost within themselves, is the
cementing, binding, uniting power that exists among the Latter-day Saints. What
right have I to expect that members of the House of Representatives or the
people of the United States should advocate polygamy? They would not understand
it. Nor would it be reasonable for us to expect it at their hands; but what I
admired in those Senators and Members was their fealty to the government, to
the Constitution and the maintenance of the freedom and the inalienable rights
of man, of every color, creed and profession.
I will
relate a little conversation that I had with President Hayes, when he was here,
on the subject of polygamy. I said to him, we are not generally understood by
the people of the world, by the outsiders; and I call look with very great
leniency upon the action of members of the House of Representatives and the
Senate, the governors, and others who have expressed strong indignation against
this principle. From your standpoint, you think we are a corrupt people; you
think it is a part or portion of the thing you call the social evil, that
permeates all classes of society, and is sapping the foundation of the life of
so many throughout the land. You think that we are trying to introduce
something that is encouraging licentiousness and other kindred evils among the
people, and to legalize these things by legislative enactment and otherwise,
and trying to popularize and make legal those infamies. I continued, that is a
false view to take of the subject. Mr. President, I have always abhorred such
practices from the time I was quite young; when I have seen men act the part of
Lotharios, deceiving the fair sex and despoiling them of their virtue, and then
seeing those men received into society and their victims disgraced, ostracised
and esteemed as pariahs and outcasts, I could not help sympathising with a
woman that was seduced, I looked upon the man who seduced her as a villain; I
do so to-day. Said I, when Joseph Smith first made known the revelation
concerning plural marriage and of having more wives than one, it made my flesh
crawl; but, Mr. President, I received such evidence and testimony pertaining to
this matter, scriptural and otherwise, which it was impossible for me as an
honest man to resist, and believing it to be right I obeyed it and practised
it. I have not time now to enter into all the details; but in regard to those
honorable gentlemen in the Senate who maintained the principle of
constitutional rights and who declare, as I declare to-day, that that
instrument which was then gotten up was unconstitutional in several
particulars, I could not expect them to advocate my religion; it is not their
business, but is mine and yours. They can take what religion they please; we do
not with to force our religion nor our marital relations upon them, nor have we
ever done it, nor could we do it if we wished, for this principle is connected
with the Saints alone, and pertains to eternity as well as time, and is known
to us by the appellation of "celestial marriage" It does not belong
to them, nor does it pertain to all of our own people. None but the more
pure, virtuous, honorable and upright are permitted to enter into these
associations. Now I speak to the Latter-day Saints, who are acquainted with
what I say. If I state untruths, tell me, and I will consider you my friends,
and the friends of this community. Should we preach the doctrine of plurality
of wives to the people of the United States? No; you know very well that it is
only for honorable men and women, virtuous men and women, honest men and women
who can be vouched for by those who preside over them, and whom they recognize
as their Presidents; it is only such people as these that can be admitted to
participate in this ordinance. You know it. I know it, you Presidents of Stakes
know it and the people know it. There are any number of people in this
Territory who are good people in many respects, but who cannot come up to that
standard. That is the position we occupy in relation to this principle.
If the
United States were to ask us if we could give to them the same ordinance, we
would say, No; no, we cannot. Why can you not? Because it is a religious
ordinance, as I have stated; because it connects men and women together for
time and for eternity; because it associates people of this world in the next;
because it makes provision: for our marital associations in the other world,
and that while we have our wives here we expect to have them in
eternity; and we believe in that doctrine that reaches beyond time into
eternity. Others make their marital relations to end in death; their covenants
last only till death does them part. Ours take hold of eternity, they enter
into the eternal state of existence, and contemplate an eternal union of the
sexes worlds without end.
We
believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life in the world to come; and
not only in the resurrection of the male, but also of the female. We believe
also in eternal unions, union on earth and in heaven, And as the heavens
declare the glory of God, and the stellar universes roll on according to
eternal laws implanted in them by the Deity, and perform their revolutions
through successive ages, so will man progress and increase—himself, his wives,
his children—through the eternities to come. Who is injured by this faith?
Cannot a great and magnanimous nation afford the privilege to enjoy these
principles without passing bills of pains and penalties for the belief and
enunciation of such divine, ennobling and Godlike principles.
Man is a
dual being, possessed of body and spirit, made in the image of God, and
connected with Him and with eternity. He is a God in embryo and will live and
progress throughout the eternal ages, if obedient to the laws of the Godhead,
as the Gods progress throughout the eternal ages. Is it a thing incredible in
this generation that God shall raise the dead? Is it a thing incredible that
the finest and most exalted ties and sympathies of humanity, sanctified by
family relations—pure undefiled love, should continue in the resurrection.
We have
no fault to find with our government. We deem it the best in the world. But we
have reason to deplore its maladministration, and I call upon our legislators,
our governors and president to pause in their career and not to tamper with the
rights and liberties of American citizens, nor wantonly tear down the
bulwarks of American and human liberty. God has given to us glorious
institutions; let us preserve them intact and not pander to the vices, passions
and fanaticism of a depraved public opinion.
Cannot
the enlightenment, civilization and statesmanship of the nineteenth century in
this great American nation find a more worthy object than to fetter human
thought, to enslave its own citizens, to forge chains for the suppression of
human progress, to bind in Cimmerian darkness the noblest aspirations of the
human soul, to tear down the pillars of the temple of liberty, to inaugurate a
system of serfdom and oppression, and to copy after Egypt, Russia, and the late
practices of this nation in enslaving and brutalizing humanity, tearing to
pieces that great Palladium of human rights, the Constitution of the
United States? Can they afford to do this? If there are supposed wrongs, can
they not find a legal and constitutional way of correcting these wrongs? Surely
the tearing down of the bulwarks, the very temple of freedom, will not aid them
in the solution of this, to them, vexed question, for if they tear away the
strongholds of society, they themselves will perish in the ruins.
But with
regard to those not of us, I will tell you what I believe about the matter. I
believe it would be much better for them to have even polygamy in their state
of existence than this corroding, corrupting, demoralizing and, damning evil
that prevails in their midst, We look upon, it that polygamy is the normal
condition of man; but that has nothing to do with Mormon plurality of wives, or
what is termed "celestial marriage." I would state also, that when we
speak of its being the normal condition, it has so existed throughout all ages.
And when we talk about polygamy, I have read the speeches of men in Congress
when speaking about the Mormon position, telling us that the British in India
put down suttee, which is the burning of widows on the funeral pile of their
husbands; casting children into the Ganges, etc.—that the British put that down
by force of law. But the British, if my memory serves me right, have about two
hundred millions of polygamists under their jurisdiction, and they can afford
to treat them right and to give them the protection of law; but our free
government cannot. And when we talk about the suttee, that is the destruction
of life, while polygamy means the propagation of human life. One tends to
destruction and death, the other to the propagation of life. I will guarantee
to-day, without fear of contradiction, that there is more of the suttee in the
United States to-day pertaining to infants than there ever was in India among
the same number of population. It has become unfashinable in the east for women
to have large families. I have heard remarks like this: one lady was asked, How
many children have you? One or two. Is that all? What do you take me for, do
you think I am a cow? Why no, you are not a cow, for cows do not murder their
offspring. What a terrible tale is here told! What a horrible state of affairs
is here exhibited. And I am told that some of these iniquities are being
introduced here. I tell you, in the name of God, if you do we will be after
you. I am told of physicians who are acting as they do in the east—as the
butchers of infants. Let us look after these things, you Bishops, and if you do
find it out, bring them up. As God lives we will not permit such infamies in
our midst; you will not commence your fashionable murders here. And I will say
now, Wo to this nation and to the nations of Europe, or any people among any
nation, that sanctions these things. Have you not read that no "murderer
hath eternal life abiding in him?" What shall be thought of those
unnatural monsters, the slayers of their own offspring? This revolting,
unnatural, damnable vice may be fashionable, but God will require this crime at
their hands. Wo to men and to women that are licentious and corrupt, depraved
and debauched, and especially wo, tenfold wo, to the murderers of helpless
innocence. I tell you this in the name of the Lord. If these things are not
stopped, God will arise and shake the nations of the earth and root out their
infamies.
Now then
what shall we do?
We do not
wish to place ourselves in a state of antagonism, nor to act defiantly, towards
this government. We will fulfil the letter, so far as practicable, of that
unjust, inhuman, oppressive and unconstitutional law, so far as we can without
violating principle; but we cannot sacrifice every principle of human right at
the behest of corrupt, unreasoning and unprincipled men; we cannot violate the
highest and noblest principles of human nature and make pariahs and outcasts of
high-minded, virtuous and honorable women, nor sacrifice at the shrine of
popular clamor the highest and noblest principles of humanity!
We shall
abide all constitutional law, as we always have done;but while we are
Godfearing and law-abiding, and respect all honorable men and officers, we are
no craven serfs, and have not learned to lick the feet of oppressors, nor to
bow in base submission to unreasoning clamor. We will contend, inch by inch,
legally and constitutionally, for our rights as American citizens, and for the
universal rights of universal man. We stand proudly erect in the consciousness
of our rights as American citizens, and plant ourselves firmly on the sacred
guarantees of the Constitution; and that instrument, while it defines the
powers and privileges of the President, Congress and the judiciary, also
directly provides that "the powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively or to the people."
I have
heard it boasted by British statesmen, that as soon as a slave planted his foot
on British sail, his fetters were broken and he was a free man. It is the proud
boast of Americans that her flag floats for all; and while Congress claims the
right of dominion and legislation over territories, with that same right is
associated the right of manhood, freedom and American citizenship. We need have
no fears, no trembling in our knees, about these attempts to deprive us of our
God-given and constitutional liberties. God will take care of His people, if we
will only do right. I am thankful to say that you are doing pretty nearly as
well as you know how. There are many things among us that are wrong, many
things that are foolish, but generally you are seeking to fear God and keep His
commandments. Now, treat your wives right, but do not subject yourselves to the
infamous provisions of the Edmund's act more than you can help, avoid all harsh
expressions and improper actions, act carefully and prudently in all your
social relations. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. A gentleman in
Washington told another, who related it to me, in answer to the question, What
will the "Mormons" do with their wives and children when this bill
passes? he was told: Turn them out in the streets as we do our harlots. I say
in the name of God we will not do any such thing, and let all Israel say Amen.
[The vast congregation, amounting to from 12,000 to 14,000 persons, responded
Amen.] We will stand by our covenants, and the Constitution will bear us out in
it. Among other things, that instrument says that Congress shall make no law
impairing the validity of contracts. You have contracted to be united with your
wives in time and in eternity, and it would not do for us to break a
constitutional law, would it? [Laughter.] Others may do it, but we cannot. We
cannot lay aside our honor, we cannot lay aside our principles; and if people
cannot allow us freedom, we can allow freedom to them and to all men. We will
be true to our wives and cherish them and maintain them, and stand by them in
time, and we will reign with them in eternity, when thousands of others are
weltering under the wrath of God. Any man that abuses his wife, or takes
advantage of this law to oppress her, is not worthy of a standing in the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and let the congregation say Amen. [The
immense congregation responded by a loud Amen.]
Now, what
will we do in our relations with the United States? We will observe the law as
we have done, and be as faithful as we have been. We will maintain our
principles and live our religion and keep the commandments of God, and obey
every constitutional law, pursuing that course that shall direct us in all
things.
Brethren
and sisters, God bless you and lead you in the paths of life, and give you
wisdom; be calm and quiet; all is well in Zion. You need not be under any fears
about anything that may transpire, as though some strange thing had happened.
We have met such things before; we can meet them again. God has delivered us
before. He will deliver us again, if we put our trust in Him and remain true to
the covenants we have made with Him. Our trust is in God. You have heard me say
before, Hosanna, the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth; and if this congregation
feels as I do we will join together in the same acclaim. Follow me.
[The
speaker then repeated and was followed by the congregation: Hosanna! Hosanna!
Hosanna! to God and the Lamb, for ever and ever worlds without end, Amen, Amen
and Amen.]
Elder L. J. Nuttall then presented the following additional names of missionaries, who were unanimously sustained by the vote of the conference:
FOR THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Edward
Partridge, of Fillmore, to preside over that mission.
William C. Partridge, Fillmore.
UNITED STATES.
Thomas
C. Briggs, of East Bountiful.
The choir sang an anthem:
Put on thy strength, O Zion.
Conference was adjourned till the 6th of October next at 10 o'clock a.m.
Benediction by Prest. Joseph F. Smith.
GEORGE
GODDARD,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
5-8 Oct 1882, 52nd Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle.
[Deseret News Weekly 31:600, 10/11/82, p 8; Millennial Star 44:689, 705, 721, 737]
[5 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 31:600, 10/11/82, p 8]
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE MEETINGS.
_____
Thursday, Oct. 5, 1882, 10 o'clock a. m.
In response to an invitation by the First Presidency, a goodly number of the officers and members of the Church met in the Tabernacle. The First Presidency, several of the Twelve Apostles and many leading men and Bishops were present.
President Taylor called the meeting to order.
Choir sang:
Let Zion in her beauty rise,
Her light begins to shine.
Prayer was offered by Prest. George Q. Cannon.
Choir sang:
Glorious things of thee are
spoken,
Zion, city of our God.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said he was very pleased to meet with the Saints this morning. The weather seemed to be a little unpropitious, and many people appeared to be afraid to come out because of the cold. He did not know but they were just as correct in their ideas as those who had turned out to meeting. Nevertheless those who were present exhibited their desire to associate with the Saints of God, and to listen to the principles of eternal truth;. It was thought, wisdom not to prolong the meeting this morning on account of the cold. He proposed, therefore, to adjourn until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when the meeting would be held in the Assembly Hall, where all who could get in would be comfortable. It was impossible to meet there this morning as it took some time to warm the place. He and his brethren had a desire to make things as comfortable as possible all the time. We would try to fear God and work righteousness, obey His laws and keep his commandments, and thus have the spirit and blessing and power of God to be in our midst. He would say to the Saints assembled, that the God of Israel was with His people, and would be with them, and it was for them to do right, fear God and keep His commandments. He concluded by blessing all Israel, and all who loved Israel, and exhorting the Saints to be faithful in all things.
The choir sang the anthem:
Glory to God
Meeting was adjourned till 2 o'clock, in the Assembly Hall.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
_____
[5 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:600, 10/11/82, p 8]
2 p. m.
Meeting was held in the Assembly Hall which was comfortably warmed.
The choir sang:
Come Holy Ghost our hearts inspire.
Prayer Elder Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang:
O Jesus the giver
Of all we enjoy.
ELDER W. WOODRUFF
Said the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized 52 years ago, on the 6th of last April, and since that time it has furnished a grand school for the Elders of Israel to be educated in, not only in doctrine but in the principles of government. The Priesthood is one of the most delicate and important gifts that was ever conferred upon man on the earth. There are many called and but few chosen. Many have been called not only to the Aaronic but the Melchisedec Priesthood. The Prophet Joseph organized the Church in 1830 and the world have been afraid of it ever since. He organized it by revelation. He had no power to accomplish what he did except on the principle of revelation. The inspiration of Almighty God is the only power by which any of us in our day can do anything towards the building up of the kingdom of God. All that was ever spoken and placed on record by the ancient prophets and patriarchs was under the influence of the Holy Ghost, and all their prophecies, if they are not fulfilled, will be fulfilled in the due time of the Lord. Adam spoke by the Holy Ghost, and his words will be accomplished. God will not disappoint the expectations of His Saints. He has set His hand to carry out the great programme of the last days. The nearer we got to the Lord the more faith we have, and the farther we are off from Him the less our faith will be and the more likely we are to go into darkness. It requires faith in God to endure the tribulations through which the Saints are called to pass and to believe that all things will be fulfilled spoken of by the Prophets. There are tens of thousands who know that this is the work of God. There is no power beneath the heavens that can prevent the purposes of God being accomplished; What is the matter with the world and the cause of its opposition to this work? It simply arises from the fact that God has set His hand to build up His kingdom and that is the reason why the ministers of religion and others fight it as they have done from the beginning. He then testified to the good counsel that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young had always given to him and to others. He testified that neither President Young nor any of the leaders of the people had anything to do in the massacre at Mountain Meadows, but he heard the report of John d. Lee who never intimated that he had taken any part in the dreadful deed, and he also heard President Young condemn the act and express deep sorrow that so much innocent blood had been shed in this Territory. The Elders of Israel have never been instructed to take life or the property of others but to become saviors of men upon Mount Zion, and they had never been counseled to do any act which would not bear the light of heaven and the records of the earth.
Elder Woodruff spoke of the power and influence of tradition with which so many of our people have had to contend. The God of heaven looks to the Elders of this people to aid and assist Him in carrying out his purposes. The Elders should be awake to the responsibilities that rest upon them at the present time. He referred to many of the sayings of the Prophet Joseph and the revelations that came through him. If we did not build up this kingdom we should be rejected ourselves. He had no doubt about the ultimate triumph of this work, neither had he any doubt about the fulfillment of these revelations that God has given through His servants in these days. He spoke of the new birth of all who embrace the Gospel, which takes away the fear of death. He also related a few incidents in his own experience. The work that the Elders of this church are called to perform is such that if faithfully done, will entitle them to glory, honor and immortality in the world to come.
He then spoke with regret of the course our Government is now taking in sowing seeds that will bring a harvest of trouble, and if they did not repent, they would reap anguish and death. Referring to the increase of evil in the world, he said he was 20 years old before there ever was a murder committed in the State where he was born, and now every daily paper teems with the recital of every kind of evil committed in the land. He exhorted all to faithfulness, and prayed that the spirit of God may be with the Elders of Israel during the Conference.
ELDER LORENZO SNOW.
Spoke of the invaluable aid of the Holy Spirit in the imparting of true intelligence to the human mind. He read extracts from the Book of Esther, and related the particulars of the conspiracy against the Jews in the 127 provinces of Media and Persia, and their salvation wrought out through faith, fasting and prayer, and the diligence and self-sacrifice of Queen Esther. He showed that in the providences of God described in the Bible, Testament and Book of Mormon, there is a striking analogy between the special deliverances that God effected for His people anciently, and those that have been made manifest towards the Latter-day Saints in our day. And that would also be the case in the future. Wherever danger has appeared imminent towards the people of God, either in ancient or in modern times, some means have been manifested just in time to avert the impending evil. But in order to secure these deliverances the people of God must be found in the discharge of those duties required at their hands. He spoke of the experience of some of the ancient worthies, and the power with which they were inspired. Some people thought that this work would be overthrown, but all faithful Saints that keep the commandments of God know to the contrary. The knowledge of the principles of the Gospel which we have received fills us with hope and faith in reference to the future of this work. He spoke of the manifestation of a resurrected being to John the Revelator while on the Isle of Patmos, and a similar manifestation to Joseph Smith and others in the Kirtland Temple, which constitute testimonies that God lives and has an oversight of His people, that the world are ignorant of. A knowledge of those principles that come from the eternal worlds, will enable men and women to stand firm and steadfast to the faith of the Gospel. Let this people be united one with another, and keep the commandments of God, and He will turn the hearts and the feelings of the rulers of the nations to be favorable towards us; and cause the chains and fetters that are now sought to bind us, to be broken. Let us therefore humble ourselves before God, and seek earnestly His Holy Spirit, and He will deliver us from every evil.
[Lorenzo Snow]
[DNW 31:690, 11/22/82, p 2; JD 23:288]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY ELDER LORENZO SNOW,
In the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, Thursday Afternoon,
(General Conference), October 5th, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
It might
not be improper for us as Latter-day Saints in assembling together on occasions
of this kind to remind ourselves that the information and intelligence that it
is our privilege to receive, depend very much upon the assistance we get from
the Holy Spirit—that Spirit which the Savior told us would bring all things to
our remembrance, and open up unto our understanding all things that might be
profitable. Of course we learn a great many things through reflection and by
the exercise of the intelligence which we have acquired through the cultivation
of the principles of truth; but those things which are of the greatest
importance to the Latter-day Saints are derived through the revelations of the
Holy Spirit. Many principles of vast importance, principles that will assist
greatly through all the scenes of life, may be developed through the
revelations of the Holy Spirit on occasions of this kind when we come together
to hear the word of the Lord through His servants.
I will
read a portion of Scripture —not that I intend to confine myself particularly
to any text; but there are some things contained in a short history that will
be found in the Book of Esther, from which I think we may derive much profit
and consolation under the circumstances that surround us at the present time as
well as the circumstances that may surround us in the future. In the 4th
chapter of the Book of Esther, beginning at the 15th verse, we read:
"Then
Esther made them return Mordecai this answer:
"Go,
gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me,
and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will
fast likewise; and so will I go unto the king, which is not according to the
law: and if I perish, I perish.
So
Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther had commanded
him."
Now we
find in tracing the history of the Lord's dealings from the beginning to the
present time—we find it in our own history, we find it in the histories
contained in the Bible, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon, that where
circumstances arose or events transpired of a peculiar nature, it required the
action of men and women to accomplish certain duties that were devolving upon
them in the interest and the salvation. of the people, or for a class of
people, or perhaps for certain individuals, we find this in tracing the history
of God's dealings with the human family. Now to my mind there is something very
singular in the history of a certain people connected with the events related
in the Book of Esther. There was a people at this time scattered throughout the
provinces of the Medes and Persians, Ahasuerus being then king of Persia and
Media. This people were the people of God, they had been acknowledged of God as
his people for several centuries, commencing with Abraham; but in consequence
of their dissipation and transgression, and because they sought to worship
other Gods, he scattered them throughout those 127 provinces, and they were in
captivity. But in consequence of a certain feeling that was gotten up, a feeling
of hatred and a determination to destroy this people, they were placed in very
imminent jeopardy. A decree had been passed by the king that on a certain day
they should all be destroyed, and there was weeping and wailing from one end of
the kingdom to the other. But it appears—as it will, and has appeared in our
history in the past—that the Lord had concealed his plan for the deliverance of
his people. It was for the purpose of destroying Mordecai that the decree was
established. Haman, who was the author of the difficulties, had determined in
his mind that he would destroy Mordecai, but disdained to execute his vengeance
on Mordecai alone, therefore desired to make a sweeping arrangement which would
include the destruction of all his people scattered throughout; the provinces,
and Haman succeeded in influencing the king to accomplish this business. He had
informed the king that this was a people who had laws that were different from
the laws of any other people, and that they were actually in some instances living
in disobedience to his laws, that disobedience consisting in not worshiping the
false gods that were worshiped in those days. He succeeded in blinding the mind
of the king to that extent that he was given the privilege of accomplishing the
destruction of thousands and tens of thousands of this people, the people of
God. On account of this, Mordecai, we are told, rent his clothes and put on
sackcloth and sat in ashes; and finally he conceived the idea that the
salvation of this people was in Queen Esther, his niece. So he sent her word to
the effect that it was her business to take a course to accomplish this object.
But she sent back word when she received this communication that it was a very
difficult matter for her to get an audience with the king, because according to
the law it was death for any person to go into the inner court and ask anything
of the king uncalled, and if she went in it would be at the risk of her life.
The answer to this was that if she felt that under the circumstances she could
not risk all she possessed, then should their deliverance arise from another
source, but she and her father's house should be destroyed. Esther took all
these things into consideration, and finally sent word to Mordecai in the
language I have read in those verses. Accordingly after this fasting she went
into the king, the desire of her heart was granted and the people were saved.
In many
instances of a similar nature where the destruction of the people of God seemed
imminent, and there appeared no way of escape, suddenly there arose something
or another that had been prepared for their salvation to avert the impending
destruction. We find this in the case of the Israelites when led by Moses. When
they came to the Red Sea and the Egyptian army in their rear threatened their
destruction, there seemed no way of escape, but at the very moment when
deliverance was required, behold, it appeared and they were delivered. So it
has been and so it ever will be with us. Notwithstanding our difficulties may
appear very great, yet there will be means provided for our escape if we
ourselves perform the duties incumbent upon us as the children of God. But it
may become necessary in the future—and this is the point I wish to make—for
some of the Saints to act the part of Esther, the queen, and be willing to
sacrifice anything and everything that is required at their hands for the
purpose of working out the deliverance of the Latter-day Saints.
First we
should know that we are the people of God. In every dispensation of importance
pertaining to the Lord's people, there is an opportunity given whereby persons
may receive a knowledge of that which is required of them. Before the
destruction of the Antediluvians, there was a medium through which that people
could have come to a knowledge of those things that Noah declared. Had it not
been so there would have been an apparent inconsistency in the Lord demanding
that the people should pursue a certain course contrary to their feelings,
contrary to their wishes, contrary to their traditions, and that required a
great deal of sacrifice—I say, unless they could be confident within themselves
that the course he wished them to pursue was the right one, there would be an
apparent inconsistency in demanding it. But when Noah stood up before the
people, he preached to them the everlasting Gospel. He preached the same Gospel
that Adam preached. He preached the same Gospel that the people of old
preached. He preached the same Gospel the Apostles preached. He preached the
same Gospel that we preach, through which a knowledge from God could be
obtained as to its truth. All those who would repent of their sins, and he
baptized for a remission of them, should have the privilege of receiving the
Holy Ghost, which would give them a knowledge of the things of God, and a
knowledge of the things required at their hands. And so it is in our day. The
Gospel is proclaimed, a channel is opened through which individuals may receive
a knowledge of things pertaining to life and salvation, of those things that
are required at their hands, and of the course they should pursue as the
servants and handmaids of God.
The world
thinks that the Latter-day Saints will be destroyed; they think that the
Latter-day Saints will be scattered; they think that the time will come when
the Latter-day Saints will be disunited and become like the sectarian world,
and they have foolishly set to work to accomplish this purpose. Well, now, as
Brother Woodruff has said, we know better. We understand that this is the
kingdom that was spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, that should be set up in the
last days, that should be no more thrown down nor given to another people. Now,
is this a fact? There are but few people who believe in these matters; there
are but few people who profess to understand them. But the faithful Latter-day
Saints have attained to a knowledge in these matters that is highly
satisfactory: highly comforting; it is something that is of great consequence
in the position we find ourselves placed from time to time; it is something
that is comforting because of the sacrifices we are required to make, and which
we may be required to make of such a nature that no man could be expected to
make unless he has a perfect knowledge of what he is about. These principles
have been manifested to us, and have established happiness in our hearts, and
given us knowledge in reference to the outcome. We understand that the days of
our probation here are but short, and that when we leave this stage of action
and go into the spirit world, we have the privilege of dwelling in the presence
of holy beings; and we understand fully, that as Jesus Christ dwelt here in a
body, and that he received that body and now dwells in it glorified, that we
are entitled to the same blessing, the same exaltation, and the same glory. The
Christian world profess to believe that Jesus rose from the dead, they profess
to believe that he lives; but yet the real spirit of that belief does not
amount to a very great deal. They do not believe that there are any persons living
that have seen individuals that have lived upon the earth and have received
their glorified bodies. John upon the Isle of Patmos, had the privilege of
beholding and conversing with an individual that had lived upon the earth and
had gone back to the spirit world and received a resurrected body. He describes
the glory with which that person was covered and says, "His eyes were as a
flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a
furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters." Does anybody really
believe this? There were two persons with whom I was very well acquainted who
saw a personage of this description in the Temple in Kirtland, Ohio. We are
told that there appeared, standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit of that
Temple, our Lord and Savior, the same that the Revelator beheld, and they
describe him in about the same manner. Now, I have been in the Kirtland Temple
and preached from the pulpit therein several times. This person stood upon the
breastwork of that pulpit, and he is described as follows, "His eyes were
as a flame of fire, the hair of his head was white like the pure snow, his
countenance shown above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the
sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying, I am
the first and the last, I am He who liveth, I am He who was slain, I am your
advocate with the Father. Behold your sins are forgiven you, you are clean
before me, therefore lift up your heads and rejoice." I have seen Joseph
Smith and Oliver Cowdery; they were the individuals who saw that person and
conversed with him. And they also saw Moses, Elias and Elijah. How, who
believes this? What testimony has the sectarian world in regard to these
things, or in regard to the Gospel as preached in former days, or in regard to
Jesus Christ? Have they a testimony to declare to their congregations? If so,
what is the nature of their testimony? What is the nature of our testimony? It
is this: That this is the dispensation of the fullness of times; that the angel
that John the Revelator saw flying through the midst of heaven having the
everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every
nation, and kindred and tongue and people—that that angel has made his
appearance and restored the Gospel to the earth, Joseph Smith being the
instrument through which the restoration was effected. Joseph Smith was
authorized to open up a channel and lay down a plan through which man could
receive a knowledge of these things, so that we might not be left to depend
upon the testimony of the Prophets, or the testimony of the ancient Apostles,
or to the testimony of the Apostles of the present day, or to the Book of
Mormon, or to anything that was done or said in the past, but that we might
know for ourselves. It is an individual knowledge. And if people in ancient
times had faith, they had grounds upon which to found their faith, and so have
we.
Well,
what have we to fear with regard to persecution and with regard to attempts
that are made to destroy the principles of "Mormonism." We know they
cannot be destroyed." Our enemies, if permitted, may kill the President of
our Church, they may kill his Counselors and the Twelve Apostles, they may
destroy the Seventies, and even the whole of the Priesthood, but the principles
of "Mormonism" they cannot destroy. The principles of
"Mormonism" are eternal; they emanate from the God of heaven, and
never can be destroyed. When men have received a knowledge of the truth, they
will bear testimony of that truth so long as they are able. Any number of
decrees proscribing their actions and belief will not avail. We have an
instance of this in the case of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These men had
received knowledge from the eternal world, and they chose to worship the true
and the living God, they objected to worshiping the golden image set up by King
Nebuchadnezzar. For this act of disloyalty they were brought before the king
and were ordered to be cast into the fiery furnace. Even at this they were not
dismayed, for said they, "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to
deliver us from the burning furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O
king. But if not, let it be known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy
gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." They were
accordingly thrown into the fiery furnace, and all the people, as it were,
said, Amen, let them be destroyed. But there was deliverance the moment
deliverance was needed. When Nebuchadnezzar saw four men loose, walking in the
midst of the fire, unhurt; and the fourth like unto the Son of God—how changed
was the scene! Nebuchadnezzar was converted by the power that he saw
manifested, and he issued a decree saying, "That every people, nation, and
language which spake anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a
dunghill." In this way was the Lord able to touch the heart of a heathen
king, and to turn the heart of a nation. And I will say to the Latter-day
Saints—you may call it prophecy if you choose—that if this people will be
united and will keep the commandments of God, God will turn the popular
sentiment of this nation in our favor; the nation will feel disposed to bestow
upon us favor instead of persecution and destruction. But it is our business to
step forward as did Esther, and be willing to risk all for the salvation of the
people. In undertaking her task, Esther said, "If I perish, I
perish." Here is a lesson for our sisters. But the people of God will not
perish. There will always be a ram caught in the thicket for their deliverance.
Now, I
know of the things of which I speak. A little spiritual knowledge is a great
deal better than mere opinions and notions and ideas, or even very elaborate
arguments; a little spiritual knowledge is very important and of the highest
consideration. We have received that knowledge, and we will stand by it, the
Lord being our helper. It is now time for the Latter-day Saints to humble
themselves before the Almighty, as did the people that were at the point of
destruction by the decree of Ahasuerus. It is time now for the Latter-day
Saints to find out wherein they have committed themselves; it is time for the
Latter-day Saints to repent of their sins and follies and call upon the
Almighty, that his aid may be given; that those fetters and chains that are
being forged for us may fall to the ground, and that we may have the
deliverance that is necessary; that we may go forward and accomplish the great
work entrusted to our care.
Well, I
ask God to bless the Latter-day Saints, to bless His Holy Priesthood; to bless
President Taylor, his Counselors, and the Apostles; that we may do that which
is right and acceptable before the Lord, and humble ourselves before him, and
call upon him in mighty power; that we may do those things required at our
hands no matter at what sacrifice. The Lord has said, "I have decreed in
my heart, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my
covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy; for if ye will not
abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me." We have something to live
for; we have everything to die for. But there is no death in these matters.
There is salvation and there is life if the people of God—those that call
themselves after the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—will keep his commandments
and do that which is acceptable in his sight. It is not in the economy of the
Almighty to permit his people to be destroyed. If we will do right and keep his
commandments he will surely deliver us from every difficulty.
May God
bless and pour out His Holy Spirit upon us, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
The choir sang an anthem,
"Sing to the Lord in Joyful Strains."
Adjourned till Friday morning, 10 a.m.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith
_____
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 31:600, 10/11/82, p 8]
FIFTY-SECOND
SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-second Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, met in the Assembly Hall on Friday, April 6, 1882, at 10 o'clock a. m., as per adjournment.
Present on the stand of the First Presidency: John Taylor, Geo. Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; of the Twelve Apostles, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, F. ;m. Lyman, John H. Smith and Moses Thatcher. Counselor D. H. Wells. Patriarch john Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies -- Henry Herriman, H. S. Eldredge, Jacob gates, W. W. Taylor.
Of the Presiding Bishopric -- Edward hunter, L. W. Hardy and R. T. Burton.
Besides Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and leading members of the Church from all parts of the Territory.
Conference was called to order by Prest. John Taylor.
The choir sang:
Mortals awake with angels
join,
And chant the solemn lay.
Prayer by Elder Brigham Young.
Choir sang:
Come thou glorious day of
promise,
Come and spread thy cheerful ray.
ELDER F. M. LYMAN
Addressed the Conference. He spoke of the general expectation of a great and glorious event that is to take place in the last days, even that of the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is sustained by the holy scriptures. The minds of the Saints were established in confidence concerning this and other pending events. He referred to the eternity of those principles that are contained in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and spoke of the many experiences of the faithful Elders of the Church, and the assurances they receive from God by attending to the various duties devolving upon them. They are thus enabled to become saviors among men. Said it was not enough that we simply care for and pray for ourselves, but are called to aid and assist in building up the Kingdom of God upon the earth and in carrying the Gospel to all the world. We should pray not only for the honest in heart, but those who are dishonest and wicked, for the Gospel is intended to improve the character and disposition of all who are willing to be brought under its influence. he had no fears, for he knew it would prevail and that it would not be left to another people, but each individual was liable to fail unless faithful to duty. He made a stirring appeal to those present to discharge the individual responsibilities that rest upon them, and to so live that they may enjoy the rich and heavenly influence of the spirit of truth. He spoke of the great proportion of children among the Latter-day Saints in comparison with families of the same strain of blood among other people who thought five children a vulgar number, the families of the Saints usually averaging from seven to thirteen children. He urged the necessity of having the children well cared for and properly educated, and trained in the first principles of the Gospel before they are eight years old. Unless this is done, he said there would be a heavy responsibility resting on their parents to be accounted for because of their neglect. Where there is proper care taken with the children, having them blessed according to the law of Zion, baptized when eight years old, and afterwards instructed in the law of tithing, obedience to parents, sent to the Sabbath School and other associations where they can learn and enjoy the society of the saints, there is little danger of such children ever apostatizing from the church. He spoke of the need of watching the outskirts of Zion, and the benefit of the organization of the people who branched out or "swarmed" into new places with the discipline and restraints established by the authorities of the church. He referred to the evils threatened, and predicted that there would be a ram caught in the thicket. This he said was not the work of man it was of God; the leaders he knew by acquaintance from his boyhood, were as honest and pure as any men that lived, and were devoted to the good of the people. The world cannot destroy the truth, it will live and endure for ever.
COUNSELOR D. H. WELLS
Said that "Mormonism" was just as true to-day as it ever was, the Lord is going to build up His kingdom, and we as Latter-day Saints are going to assist Him in bringing about His purposes. This work was not begun by haphazard. The Lord reserved many of His children to come on the earth in the latter days, and when He revealed the Gospel he knew there were men living who would have the courage to receive and sustain it. all people are called to this work, if they chose to obey and step forward to engage in it. It has to be commenced by making a public profession of their faith, and it is not every one that can be so morally courageous as to stem the opposition, and undergo the sacrifices which embracing the Gospel necessarily involves. The journey of life's experiences in the Gospel is marked with trials, and the Saints will be tested to the very heart's core, to prove their integrity. No earthly consideration must stand in the way. God will have a tried people. When will the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and His Christ, and be given to the Saints? When the Saints have become sufficiently trained and moulded in the principles of the gospel, that they can have its weight and not turn its riches into the lap of the devil. There is nothing to fear, but everything calculated to encourage the Saints in persevering through evil and good report. The world hates us, not on account of unrighteousness, but because God is the Author of the work we are engaged in. The world knows nothing of god nor his purposes, all the preachers are astray and none of them has ever given a line of scripture for the benefit of mankind. The Saint are a standing reproach to the wicked world. We must be who-souled in the cause of truth, and be willing to place everything that is near and dear to us upon the altar. Whenever the Saints shall have been sufficiently proved by a test of unswerving faithfulness, even to life itself if required, then we shall be prepared for thrones, principalities and powers and to inherit all things. A covetous man is an idolator, and therefore riches so often cause a shipwreck of the faith. The majority of the Saints will continue faithful and be able to endue all that may be heaped upon them. We are here to pass through the ordeals. If we are not willing to give our lives to God we are not worthy of them. He exhorted all to become as Godlike and pure in heart for Zion will be built up by the pure in heart, and it will become victorious in the end.
[Daniel H. Wells]
[DNW 31:754, 12/20/82, p 2; JD 23:303]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY ELDER DANIEL H. WELLS,
In the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, Friday Morning,
(General Conference), October 6th, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
It is
with a degree of pleasure that I stand before you to-day to bear my testimony
in regard to the truths that we have heard, the truths of the everlasting
Gospel; for I know that "Mormonism" is just as true to-day as it ever
was, and that God has not forsaken His people. We live, it is true, in an
eventful age when the words of the Prophets are being fulfilled; when the God
of Israel is going to establish and build up His kingdom on the earth,
establish His government and his laws. I know that this work will be
accomplished through the instrumentality of His children; that those who live
in this day and age will have the privilege of being the honored instruments in
the hands of God of bringing to pass His purposes, of establishing his kingdom
never more to be thrown down, if we will let the Lord work with us, if we will
only work with Him, if we will be obedient to His laws and work under His
direction. We have been reserved from coming forth in the spirit world until
that day when the everlasting Gospel should be established, that we might have
the privilege of bearing a hand in this great work, this glorious work of the
last days. It is not a haphazard matter with the Lord; everything is in perfect
order in regard to this matter. He knew when he revealed His Gospel to his
servant Joseph, that Joseph would receive it; and he knew there were those
spirits upon the earth that would also receive it when it should be presented
to them. It was rejected in the days of the Savior; they crucified Him; they
drove the Priesthood from the earth. The hearts of the children of men are of
the same nature to-day, to a greater or less extent; but there are those that
come forth in this day that receive the Gospel when it is presented to them.
Whether the people of those ages, when the Gospel was not upon the earth would
have received it I am not prepared to say. Suffice it to say when it was not
revealed, they had not the opportunity of rejecting it; and that, in the
economy of God, those who would have received it when the opportunity was not
afforded them in the flesh, will receive it when it shall be presented to them
in the spirit.
We have
been called, and all people are called to this work. It is said that many are
called and few are chosen. But all have been called, and it is their blessed
privilege to bear a hand to help bear off this kingdom, if they chose to do so;
and if they will be faithful to the call that is made upon them, the time will
come when they will be chosen instruments to bear off His kingdom and in maintaining
the principles of truth and righteousness as revealed to us through the
influence and spirit of the living God. Because it is the privilege of all to
hear testimony. Now, a man's judgment will ofttimes be convinced by the weight
of testimony, whether he be willing to admit it or not; whether he is willing
to acknowledge the Lord publicly, making a public profession of his belief, or
not. There are many, I do believe, whose judgment has been convinced by the
weight of testimony, who have not been willing to admit the truth of and make a
public profession of faith in the Holy Gospel. When a person embraces the
everlasting Gospel which, by the way, seems to be very unpopular now, as in
other ages; whether it will continue to be so I do not know—it requires a good
deal of moral courage to sacrifice his associations in life, his property,
social standing and good name, and everything that, pertains to this life that
is considered worth having. Still there are those spirits in the flesh that
have the courage to do it; those that have the honesty of heart to receive this
testimony and to stand up and bear it in the face of every opposing obstacle
and every opposing foe. It is a life's labor for the Latter-day Saint to live
his religion, to perform his duty, to fill up the measure of his creation with
honor to his God and credit to himself. Our religion is not a matter of
enthusiasm to work the mind up to a high pitch for an hour, a day, a week, in
some protracted meeting or under some peculiar influence, but day by day, week
by week, month by month, year by year, as long as life shall last, the
Latter-day Saint does not see an hour nor a moment that he can afford to lay
off the armor of righteousness, or lay aside his holy religion. It is he that
endures to the end that is promised salvation. The word "endure" is
there; and we may naturally expect to have to endure some things. God will have
a tried people; and all will be put to the test in one way or another. Some
things will try some people at one time, and will not try them at another time.
Some things will try some people, and they will have no, such effect on others.
God leads his people through a great variety of changes, that all may be tried;
and you may depend upon it that all who come to this point in their travels in
the journey of life, will be tested to the heart's core. I have heard some
people say, O, I wish I had been in Zion's Camp, and through the persecutions
of Missouri; and I wish I had been with the Saints in the days of Illinois,
etc.; I can promise every Latter-day Saint that is faithful, that he will have
sufficient to try him before he gets through, and the nearer that he lives to
his God, the more sore, perhaps, the test that will be made of him;. he may
rest assured that he will he tried, and tried severely, if he remain faithful.
There is and there will be an opportunity for all people to prove their
integrity to their God, and their integrity to their brethren, and to the
principles of the Gospel that we have espoused. If a person is going to fly the
track the moment that difficulty arises, which it is necessary to overcome,
what becomes of his integrity, and where is it? It proves to God and to angels
and to all good men that he has not integrity, does it not? It is to stand firm
and steadfast through every trial, to overcome every obstacle, that brings the
prize, allowing nothing to intervene between us and the Lord, or between the
Gospel that we have espoused, or between us and the Holy Priesthood who, under
God, guides the affairs of His church and kingdom upon the earth; it is to
stand up in defence of the truth, and bear off the principles of the Gospel in
this wicked and untoward generation. It requires some test, and the Lord will
have that kind of people that He can rely on. He could not bestow His kingdom
in its power and fullness, in its might and glory upon a people whom He did not
know had sufficient integrity to hold sacred that which had been entrusted to
them for Him and His cause.
I have
often been asked the question, "When will the kingdom be given into the
hands of the Saints of the most high God;" and I have always answered it
in this way: just so soon as the Lord finds that He has a people upon the earth
who will uphold and sustain that kingdom, who shall be found capable of
maintaining its interests and of extending its influence upon the earth. When
he finds that he has such a people, a people who will stand firm and faithful
to him, a people that will not turn it over into the lap of the devil, then,
and not until then, will he give "the kingdom" into the hands
of the Saints of the most high, in its power and influence when it shall fill
the whole earth. The promise is, that the kingdoms of this world shall become
the kingdoms of our God and His Christ; and it, shall be given to the Saints of
the most high, and it shall stand forever. That is when we may expect it, and
we could not reasonably expect it any sooner. Therefore, it depends, in a great
measure, upon the people themselves, as to how soon the kingdom spoken of by
Daniel shall be given into the hands of the Saints of God. When we shall prove
ourselves faithful in every emergency that may arise, and capable to contend
and grapple with every difficulty that threatens our peace and welfare, and to
overcome every obstacle that may tend to impede the progress of the Church and
kingdom of God upon the earth, then our heavenly Father will have confidence in
us, and then he will be able to trust us. And it is the Lord's will that it
should be so. And if we, as a people, do not hold ourselves on the altar ready
to be used, with our means and all that God has bestowed upon us, according to
the Master's bidding, for the upbuilding of his kingdom upon the earth, he will
pass on and get somebody else; because he will get a people that will do it. I
do not mean to say, that he will pass on and leave this people; no, there will
come up from the midst of this people that people which has been talked so much
about—for the kingdom will not be taken from us and given to another people; it
is too late in the day, as it has already commenced to grow, and it is growing
and will continue to grow. This kingdom of God has been of rapid growth,
although we may think sometimes that, it is slow, that the purposes of the
Almighty are being slowly developed, but the time will come that this people
will look back, say forty years hence, and exclaim how wonderfully, how rapidly
has the kingdom progressed, and how powerful has it become in the earth! We can
look back to-day from the time that we were located in Missouri, and it any man
had predicted the progress that we have made since, he would have been
considered somewhat enthusiastic, to say the least of it; and he could not
possibly have foretold by his own natural foresight the progress and the
prosperity that have attended the labors of the people, and the strength and
power that we have attained unto in so short a time. Therefore, we may take
courage and press onward, and continue to sustain the holy principles that have
been revealed in our day for our reformation and salvation. For these
principles tend to reformation, and they will produce the greatest reformation
that God has undertaken to bring to pass among the children of men. When we
consider the nature of this work and its results among men, it would be quite
proper to call it a reformation. It is reformation and it is restitution; it
brings us back to first principles; it brings us back to the purity of the most
holy faith; it is also reformation from the status of the evil-doer and from
the evils that are prevalent in the earth.
The world
have forsaken God; they have not the least true conception of the attributes of
the Deity; they know no more about the true and living God than those lampposts
do. They go blundering along worshiping an imaginary God, a something that they
know nothing at all about. Their teachers are blind as to His true character,
and the people are blinded by their teachers, and they seem to be satisfied
with their condition. They talk about their colleges, their theological
seminaries and their institutions of learning; they are simply machines, the
body without the spirit; it is not possible for them to furnish a line of
Scripture, they never have since the Apostles fell asleep, and they never will
down to the end of time. It is not in them; it cannot come out of them. Why
they openly denounce all belief in revelation from God—the very life-giving
element of all scripture, as nothing but that can produce scripture. The Bible
itself was made up by revelations to the servants of God from time to time. Men
spoke as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and it was written for the
benefit of posterity, and became the word of the Lord to us. Ever since the
Apostles fell asleep, there has been no further light; the heavens have been
closed, and no communication has been made to the "gentlemen of the
cloth," nor to anybody else of this generation until the Lord revealed
himself and spoke to Joseph Smith. And why did he speak to him? One reason was
because he prayed to the Lord in faith, believing that He would hear him. The
religions of his time he saw were many, they differed, and each claimed to be
the right way of the Lord. He did not know which to join, and yet he wanted to
espouse some one among the many that then existed. And he was in this state of
mind when reading the writings of the Apostle James, who says: "If any of
you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." He approached the Lord with an
honest heart, and the Lord heard his prayer. He Himself, together with His Son,
appeared to him, and among other things that he was told on that occasion was
to not join any of the sectarian churches, that none of them were right, that
they were the systems of men and not the system of God. And Joseph had the
temerity to tell it; and of course that was enough to bring upon him the enmity
of professing Christianity, and especially of the "gentlemen of the
cloth" whose craft was at once in danger; and their animosity to this
people has continued from that day to this increasing with our growth; and we
expect that it will still continue to manifest itself against us until the
kingdom of God shall triumph in the earth, and God, the righteous Judge, and His
people be recognized, and their rights acknowledged. We well understand the
reason why this people are a reproach to the world: they are so high above them
in morals and in the principles of truth, and the world know that we are their
superiors in every respect as far as the fundamental principles of life and
intelligence are concerned. The devil knows it, and he puts it into the hearts
of the wicked and those who are deceived by his cunning, to hate us for that
reason. Their animosity is not enkindled against us because of our iniquity,
for they cannot put their finger upon a single line of iniquity chargeable to
the Latter-day Saints, as a people. Not but what there is many a one who does
wrong for which he needs to repent and do his first works over again, or be
severed from the Church; but as for the Church its enemies cannot lay their
finger upon the first iniquitous thing brought against it that can be brought
against it as true. The fact is we are a reproach to them, and they feel it;
their anger is enkindled against us on that account, and hence they seek to
destroy the holy Priesthood from off the face of the earth. Who is it that
invents the lies that are circulated about this people? They are begotten by
and become the weapons of the clergy of the present day, and it certainly is,
as it was said it should be, men will believe a lie but reject truth; and this
class of persons particularly is engaged in trying to destroy the work of our
God, as manifested through His people, and through the authority of the holy
Priesthood that is now among men. Satan is anxious to trample it under foot, as
he has done before; but that is something which cannot be done, it is too late
in the day. It has taken root downward, and it is bearing fruit upward. It is
too strong to be trampled out. Though they may bring fifty millions to bear on
us, what does it signify? If they bring the whole world, what difference? I
have no fears with regard to the success of the work of God in these the last
days, for its success is already established as far as we have gone, and there
can be no doubt, in my mind, neither can there be in yours, that as the work of
God is developed success will attend our labors, even until the Savior shall
come in power and glory to rule from the rivers to the ends of the earth. I
know this, and so do you, and so does all Israel. The Lord knows it, and the
devil knows it; and that's what's the matter with the clergy. This great and
marvelous work of the latter-days will be prolonged or hastened according to the
faith and good works of the people engaged in it. If we pray, therefore, the
Lord to hasten His work; to hasten the time when Zion shall be built up and
redeemed; when the great and glorious Temple shall be erected to the name of
the Most High God, and when His glory shall rest upon it in the form of a cloud
by day and a pillar of fire by night, let our righteousness conform with our
holy desires; let us so live as to call down the blessings of heaven upon us.
For if we are faithful in all things, and are united, blessings cannot be
withheld from us; the Lord is bound, according to the covenant, to hear the
prayers of His faithful children. We have all example in the Book of Mormon of
a man exercising such exceeding faith that his vision could not be withheld
from penetrating behind the vail, when he saw the person of the Lord, and was
there redeemed from the fall. The Lord is perfectly willing to bestow blessings
upon His people, and to establish His work upon the earth, just as willing as
His people can be to have him, and whenever the time comes that he finds that
he has a people upon whom he can bestow these blessings, they will come. We
need have no fears with regard to that; and, in fact, they do come now as fast
as we can receive them and hold them in righteousness, and I think sometimes,
they come too fast for a great many. When I have seen men who have risen to
power and influence through wealth in this Church, it seemed as though the Lord
could not make men rich but what they would grow fat and kick the traces, and
go to the devil. Look at the history of such men from the beginning, and see
how they have acted. They have perhaps run fair for a while, especially whilst
they were in a somewhat destitute condition as regards this world's goods; but as
soon as they have become rich, where are they? All along the line of our
history, as a church, we have seen them strewn by the way side, they have gone
out of the church; instance after instance I could recite within my own
knowledge, and you would know of a great many more than I do. This is not
necessarily so. The remedy to all such cases is the same to-day as that which
applied to the young man that came to Jesus, namely, "sell all that thou
hast and give to the poor, and come and follow me; and thou shalt find
treasures in heaven." That is the test. If a man is prospered of the Lord,
that is no reason why he should let his riches get between him and his God; if
he does, he will make shipwreck of his faith. The Lord does not care how
wealthy a man becomes, so long as he holds his wealth for the building up of
His kingdom, and for the carrying out of His purposes upon the earth. But when
he becomes covetous, and allows his means to get between him and his God, his
riches become a canker to his soul; he forsakes his God, and soon forgets the
reason why they were given to him. Instead of using his means for the purpose
intended by the Lord in bestowing them upon him, he aggrandizes to himself, and
the spirit of greed and covetousness takes hold of him, and he is then ready to
swap off his religion for filthy lucre. He becomes covetous, and covetousness
is idolatry; he serves his selfish purposes instead of serving the Lord. It is
a great pity for a man in this Church to get rich, if he cannot; hold everything
upon the altar, to be used, if necessary, for God and his kingdom. This is the
duty of every true Latter-day Saint. The Lord will strip men of everything if
need be to prove His servants. Indeed, men have to strip themselves for this
work in order to show, that all things else are but dross compared with the
excellency of Christ and the principles of the holy Gospel that he has revealed
to us, saying in, his heart, "For one I am determined to know nothing
else, except Jesus and Him crucified; I am determined to seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness." And then other things come in right enough.
In fact we are told that if we do seek first the kingdom of heaven, all other
things shall be added. This was the promise of the Savior unto His servants;
and in one sense it comes with greater assurance to the Latter-day Saints than
to those of former days, because this is a different dispensation, it is the
dispensation of the fullness of times. When this promise was made it was
nevertheless well known to him who made it, that the kingdom would be destroyed
out of the earth. But now it is not to be trodden out. They will not be
permitted to crucify the Savior of the world when He comes again, because then
He will come in power and great glory and not as He did before; and the
kingdoms of this world will be given into the hands of the Saints of the Most
High God, and they will then become the wealthiest of all people, in fact, the
only really wealthy people there will be; but then it will be because they bold
the kingdom for God, because they and all they have are upon the altar ready to
be used to bring about the purposes of the Lord and not because they seek to
gratify their own selfish desires, and to bring about their own purposes, and
to build themselves up in this world. And there is more true speculation that
promises a rich reward in that than in anything else than I can think of after
all. We cannot afford to swap off our eternal welfare for the things of this
world —"things that perish with the handling," as some one has
said. This would be poor speculation, indeed.
One of
the purposes for which we were placed upon this earth was, that we might pass
the ordeals and prove to God our faithfulness to the principles of life and
salvation. To pass the ordeals? Yes. All through life, from the cradle to the
grave, we have trials and difficulties to encounter. We suffer affliction that
is permitted to come upon us, which is incident to this life—the loss of
parents, the loss of children, the loss of husband and the loss of wife;
besides the pain and affliction of the body, and the many ills that flesh is
heir to; and all this to test our faith and integrity to our God. Some have
endured manfully all that the devil and wicked men have been able to bring upon
them, even to the test of their lives. And if we will not be willing to give
our lives to the Lord for the advancement of His cause and kingdom in the
earth, we would not be worthy of Him, neither would He acknowledge us as His.
It is true, He may not put us to that test, but he will test us sufficiently to
know whether we would be equal to the occasion or not. It is, I say, to pass
these ordeals that we came here; to prove our integrity and worthiness to come
back into his presence to inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, powers and
dominions that are prepared for the righteous. This is not a thing of a moment;
it was in the programme before we came here. We are called to-day, the time of
choosing will come by and by, when Christ shall make up his jewels. If we are
faithful over a few things, He will make us ruler over many. You see it is upon
the principle of faithfulness, and upon the principle of endurance. I have no
fears in regard to the Latter-day Saints, as a people, passing these ordeals
and remaining faithful to the trust reposed in them; although many will drop
out by the way-side and be lost, for a time at least, in the gulf that will
receive them. You take those that do not live their religion, those who swear a
little, and who do a great really naughty things, who never think of uttering a
prayer; and let the enemy come against us in formidable array, and even that
class would be found ready with their guns to protect the lives and liberties
of their friends, this people; they would not flinch either. Yes, these wild
boys would be ready to walk up to the cannon's mouth in defence of the
Latter-day Saints. I have seen it in times past, and I have no doubt they, if
called upon and it were necessary, would do it again. But does that excuse them
for not living their religion? No. They should quit their evil practices that
they might be useful in building up the kingdom of God upon the earth, and
receive a greater reward, and be saved in the world to come, and receive glory
and exaltation which they might otherwise not have. Because a man may clip his
own glory and exaltation by taking an unwise course; in fact, he would be sure
to do it. Blessed is that man who grows up without sin from the purity of his
youth, who lives and dies a fit temple for the abode of the Holy Spirit. A man
may in an hour, in an unguarded moment say and do things that would affect him
throughout the never-ending ages of eternity. We should, therefore, be the more
careful of our course and conduct in life, and hold fast to that. which is
given unto us, and progress and go on from perfection to perfection, and try to
become as godly in our lives as it is possible for us to be in this probation.
Be pure then in your sphere as God is pure in His. And purity does not consist
in going around with a long-drawn face mourning over the sins of the world,
which is something that you cannot particularly help; but with purity of mien,
with a joyful countenance going forth performing your duties, and keeping
yourself pure and unspotted from the world, from their wicked and abominable
practices. God will have a pure people, for the Zion of God must be pure in
heart. There is plenty of material to carry on this great and glorious work,
and God will find it through the instrumentality of His servants, and if we
wish to have part in it, we should be pure ourselves, working the works of
righteousness, proving day by day our faithfulness and our integrity to Him.
And that we may stand firm and faithful to the end, is my prayer, in the name
of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER L. JOHN NUTTAL
Then read a report of the free-will offerings towards the Logan and Manti Temples. Both reports were unanimously adopted by vote of the Conference.
President Taylor said as the weather continued cold, and we were unable to warm the Tabernacle, Conference would meet this afternoon in the Assembly Hall at 2 o'clock p.m. If the weather was warmer on Saturday we would meet in the Tabernacle then all should come well clothed.
The choir sang the anthem;
"O praise God in His holiness."
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:600-601, 10/11/82, p 8-9]
FRIDAY, 2 p.m.
Conference convened in the Assembly Hall.
Choir sang:
"Zion stands with hills
surrounded,
Zion, kept by power divine."
Prayer by Elder Moses Thatcher.
Choir sang:
"How firm a foundation
ye Saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word."
ELDER BRIGHAM YOUNG
Addressed the Conference. He spoke of the assurance with which our Elders go forth and testify to the truths and revelations which they know to be of God, and yet the wise men of the world regard those testimonies as very presumptuous. He deplored the unbelief of the world who refuse to receive the principles our Elders preach, or compare them with the Bible, which most people profess to believe in as the word of God. He referred to the experience of many of our Elders who, while preaching the doctrines of the Bible. They could retain a large congregation, until they proclaimed themselves to be "Mormon" Elders, then almost to a man the whole congregation would reject the doctrine and teachings to which they had previously listened.
The speaker testified that all those who obeyed the Gospel and remained faithful to the end would be saved in the kingdom of God, while those who reject the Gospel will be damned. He strongly objected to the children of the Latter-day Saints being sent to be educated in the schools of those who have been sent here to evangelize the "Mormons." In every instance, as far as his knowledge extended, every child that had been educated in those outside schools had become infidels. He strongly recommended parents to thoroughly educate their children in the principles of the Gospel.
A pure people will be gathered out of those professing to be Saints, who will be faithful and true in sustaining, both in principle and in practice, the things that God approves, while many who are careless and indifferent will presently slink out of the kingdom -- slough off like the skin of a snake -- and apostatize from the Church. He closed his remarks by the declaration that God would bless and sustain his people.
ELDER MOSES THATCHER
Addressed the congregation. He spoke of some of the inestimable blessings and privileges that will most assuredly be realized by those who live in accordance with the mind and will of God. Religion is a personal thing, every individual among the Latter-day Saints has been personally convinced of the truths of the Gospel, under the influence of the Holy Ghost. The speaker then took up a book, and showed that by the aid of the five senses of his being he could go before any court and testify that it was actually a book. And yet, compared with the testimony of the Holy Spirit of God, the testimony of the senses sink into comparative insignificance. He made some strong comparisons between the moral status of the Saints, and of the outside world. He said this kingdom will never be overthrown, but will continue to grow and increase until it fills the whole earth. Yet individuals may fall away and unless we were founded upon that rock against which the Savior said the gates of hell should not prevail, we should not be able to stand. Yet no matter how trying the circumstances may be, that many may be tested by, if they keep steadfast the faith of the Gospel and live in the observance of the laws of God, they will most assuredly gain the victory. The speaker rejoiced that we are the people of God, and that those efforts now being made to the detriment of the Saints will most surely eventuate in the benefit of this work and the union of the people. He illustrated his statements by reference to the prophets and patriarchs of the Bible, who in many instances were most marvelously rescued from violent death, to which the decrees of the kings had subjected them. He spoke of those who have been made rich here by the hard earnings and patronage of the people, and who by the use of that very means had circulated nearly thirty thousand books containing the most wicked and slanderous statements about his people. The speaker said he had no bitter feelings towards those who were thus slanderously attacking us, but he would not, if he knew it, aid by his means such a wicked course. It had been testified by the spirit to him that the time was near by when the word of the Lord would whisper His servants to call in the Elders from this nation, which would pave the way for the judgments of God to be poured out upon this wicked nation, and then would follow the testimony of the thunder, the lightning, the famine and the pestilence, as the Lord had decreed. He then spoke of the legislation against us, and, showing that no modern ruler held anything like the absolute power of Nebuchadnezzar, yet that proud king failed when he sought to bring into religious bondage the servants of God. And no matter how tight the iron bands may be placed upon a true man of God, he will be willing to bear them up and to face the fiercest persecution, and to regard the commandments of God as far above the unrighteous and unconstitutional acts of designing and bigoted men. We will obey every constitutional law, but we will risk being cast into a fiery furnace rather than break the laws of God. Let us take our children by the hand and also by the heart and teach them the ways of the Lord. Let us be faithful and true to ourselves, to God, and one another. Let us entertain no feelings of hardness towards any who are seeking to do us harm. In studying the writings of Josephus, who describes the sufferings of those who persecuted the Savior and Saints of old, he had been led to exercise the utmost charity towards our enemies, for he was fully satisfied that their sufferings like those of the Jews who slew the Savior will so far exceed those which they can possibly inflict upon this people as to excite our profound pity. The faith of this people is that neither the President nor rulers of this nation can have any power to injure the people of God, unless our Heavenly Father gives it to them. He touched upon the alleged union of Church and State in this Territory, and the general purity of the lives of the people here, notwithstanding individual lapses from the way of right, and closed his remarks by some earnest exhortations to the righteousness and prayer that God would guide and save his people.
The choir sung an anthem:
Glory to God in the highest.
Conference was adjourned till Saturday, at 10 o'clock a.m., in the Tabernacle.
Benediction by Elder John Henry Smith.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 31:601, 10/11/82, p 9]
SECOND DAY
_____
Saturday, Oct. 7th.
Conference met in the Tabernacle.
The choir sang:
With all my powers of heart
and tongue,
I'll praise my Maker in my song.
Prayer by Pest. A. M. Cannon.
Choir sang:
Jesus mighty king in Zion,
Thou alone our guide shall be.
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH.
Addressed the congregation. He spoke of the gradual but noticeable growth of the kingdom of God, and as a natural consequence, the bitterer and fiercer persecution is arrayed against it. There is a steady onward and upward movement in the progress of the cause of Zion. By following the directions of the spirit of the Lord, as made manifest through his servants, there is safety in our movements. In speaking of the laws passed for the purpose of depriving us of our liberties, he desired to recognize the hand of the Lord in all these things, which under the overruling hand of the Lord are intended to accomplish great and grand results among the people of God. He spoke of the many deliverances that God had wrought out for us in times past, and that too at the very crisis when the hand of oppression seemed to threaten the heaviest. He made a special appeal to parents to look well after the best interests of their children, not only by warning them of the many snares and devices that beset their early youth, but by instilling into their tender minds the principles of the Gospel. It is not only the duty of parents to send their children to school to learn the rudiments of education, but they should also personally instruct them in regard to their physical organization that they may know how to grow up to become men and women in Christ Jesus.
ELDER ERASTUS SNOW
Said it was in 1856 that the republican party incorporated in its platform the plank in reference to the "twin relics of barbarism," by which they designated slavery and polygamy. They had succeeded in destroying slavery in that cruel and oppressive form which prevailed in the south, but both black and white slavery existed in another form. For a long time they had endeavored to destroy polygamy but in this they had been working in ignorance, for they had confounded the plural marriage of the Saints with the oriental polygamy and the crime known as bigamy, whereas they had nothing essentially in common. He described the difference between them and showed that legislators had begun to perceive it and so had changed their mode of attack, the Edmunds law making polygamy as well as bigamy a crime and constituting it a continuous offense, however, making cohabitation punishable by legal penalties and the ceremony of marriage by heavy penalties. He proceeded to show how our Christian statesmen had been legislating to shield the corrupt, the violators of virtue, and bear down upon those who sustained honorable marriage. He then explained the views entertained by the Prophet Joseph Smith on the powers and policy of the government of the United States, published in pamphlet form during his life, and embodied in discourses which he delivered, and in which he suggested a broad and liberal plan for the emancipation of the slaves in the South, on a principle of equity, to avoid any invasion of rights and the shedding of blood. The nation had rejected this and then followed disunion on this question culminating in the civil war. In regard to the remaining "twin relic" Polygamy which they had classed with bigamy, the Christian world were not divided, they all united in denouncing it, and demanding its extinction. They would help to perpetuate this government if they would sustain honorable plural marriage and proceed against fornication, adultery, child-murder and kindred crimes. This had been the course pursued by the Prophets of God from the time of Abraham and Abimelech. Neither Christ nor his Apostles ever uttered one word of condemnation against that system of marriage which was in vogue in their day and had been for centuries, but al improper intercourse of the sexes was most positively forbidden as a great sin, and every violation of the principles of virtue was denounced by them with vigor. Monogamy was not introduced by Christianity but by the Romans before the Christian era, when to limit a man to one wife was simply a social necessity, because of an excess of the male population at that time, and the Romans had to make raids upon adjacent provinces to supply themselves with wives, and Roe became one of the most corrupt and licentious of nations. However he did not design to enter into a defence of polygamy. God had commenced to do a strange work, even a marvelous work and a wonder, and i would be accomplished. He was raising up a kingdom of priests; He would gather together the various tribes of the earth, the ten thousands of Ephraim and thousands of Manasseh. The speaker gave an account of the various tribes of Israel as separated through their transgressions as recorded in the Bible and portrayed in the parable of the olive vineyard which can be found in the Book of Mormon, and explained the parable of the three measures of meal which were the tribes in Palestine, those planted on this continent, and those led away into an unknown land, all yet to be restored and the whole lump leavened by the power of the Lord. He went on to show that no government on the face of the earth could prevent the fulfilment of the purposes of God. He urged the youth of Zion to study well the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, and compare the same with the Bible and New Testament for a knowledge of the things of eternal life was far more important than anything that could be obtained from any other source. let these precious books which contain the word of god be found in every house, and frequently read, and well studied. He exhorted the Bishops to encourage the members of their wards to highly prize the word of God, and prefer it to anything of a trifling nature. He then spoke of the recent measures inaugurated against the people of this Territory, by way of depriving them of every natural and political right, and exalting the libertine and those who revel in debauchery. The course this nation was now taking would most certainly secure the utter overthrow and destruction of those who fight against God and His truth.
The speaker felt calm as summer's morning. God would overrule all the trying scenes and persecutions that lie before us, for our on good and His glory. Fear would seize upon the hypocrite and the wicked would fear and tremble, while the purposes of god would be accomplished and He would reign forever and ever.
[Erastus Snow]
[DNW 31:606, 11/29/82, p 2; JD 23:294]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Morning, (in
General Conference) October 7th, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I believe
it was in 1856, that the Republican party was organized; at their first
convention held in Philadelphia, they incorporated in their platform the noted
plank, "the twin relics of barbarism—slavery and polygamy," and
pledged themselves to rid the country of these two evils. For sixteen years
they have labored incessantly to this end; but they know not the thoughts of
the Lord, nor understand his counsels. Nevertheless, they are his servants to
execute his purposes, and they doubtless have a desire to accomplish all that
he designs with regard to them. Have they succeeded in strangling the twins? So
far as slavery is concerned they have succeeded in abolishing it in the
obnoxious forms in which it prevailed in the Southern States; but still it
exists and is likely to continue to exist, in a modified form, while wickedness
exists upon the earth. Africans and white men are in bondage, not in the same
form as that in which the southern slaves were held before the war, for the
extreme excesses perpetrated under that system, in many particulars, were very
great wrongs to mankind, and very grievous in the sight of heaven and of
right-thinking people. And changes were determined in the mind of Jehovah, and
have been effected. The authors of this republican plank have taken polygamy as
taught by the Latter-day Saints as being synonymous with the polygamy of
oriental nations, and the bigamy of the Christian nations; this is clearly
shown in the law of 1862, passed by the Congress of the United States, designed
for its suppression, the term bigamy being used instead of polygamy. The
offence was made to consist in the marriage rather than in the cohabitation;
following the old English statutes of the New England States on the subject of
bigamy, classing our system of marriage with that which was made criminal by
the English statutes and by the statutes of the Northern States; when in
reality there was very little, if any, similarity. The bigamy of England and
the American States consists in crime and deception, the betraying and wronging
of two innocent and unsuspecting women. While the corrupt, lying, deceiving,
unprincipled husband was feigning virtue and integrity, both violating their
confidence by lying and deception, and by violating all the duties and
obligations of marriage —the duties that the father owes to the wife and
children and also to the State. But the fact that our law-makers took this view
of our social system when they passed this law, shows how poorly and in they
comprehended the system of marriage as taught by the Latter-day Saints. The
republican party had this view of the case, no doubt, when they first announced
this noted plank. Further experience and knowledge among the people of the
United States has, in some measure, changed their view upon this subject, and
they have attempted to shape their legislation accordingly; and in the recent
law of Congress, known as the Edmunds law, they have especially, in the
amendment they have adopted to the law of 1862, classed polygamy with bigamy
and enacted penalties against both. And still further, they made it a
continuous offence, by providing penalties for cohabitation as well as for the
marriage; for cohabitation, however, the penalties consist of light fines and
short imprisonment, but for marriage, heavy fines and long imprisonment. This is
the view taken by our Christian Statesmen in relation to the moral aspect of
this question.
Anciently,
when God's laws provided a government for ancient Israel, marriage was
honorable both plural and single, as all students of the Bible know full well.
At the same time adultery was punished by death. From the days that King
Abimelech attempted intimacy with Sarah, whom he supposed to be eligible to
marry, but afterwards found her to be the wife of Abraham, from the time that
the angel of the Lord warned him that he would be a dead man if he persisted,
from that time to the coming of the Savior, adultery was punishable by death,
while marriage both single and plural was honorable, ordained and appointed of
God, and provision was made for the protection and rights of each wife and her
offspring. But our Christian statesmen are offering premiums, for
licentiousness, and are seeking to make odious the honor and purity of
marriage. This is all wrong. They are in error in the view they take of it. If
their bishops, priests, potentates and religious teachers would betake
themselves to the task of first seeking the light of heaven upon this question,
and would then strive to enlighten our statesmen and the people of the United
States, pertaining to social ethics and the purposes of heaven in the union of
the sexes, and seek to encourage honorable marriage and honorable increase in
the earth, instead of encouraging licentiousness and child-murder, they would
thereby secure the favor of Heaven and the perpetuity of His blessings upon
them as a nation and people.
The
Prophet Joseph Smith, the year before he was slain, testified of these things;
and although he taught this social system to the Latter-day Saints; and to the
more devout, wise and prudent of the women of Israel, as hundreds can testify,
have testified, and are able to testify to-day, yet it was necessary in
introducing it and facing the opposition and the prejudices of the age, to
proceed wisely in these instructions. And while his name was before the people
of the United States as a candidate for the Presidency, and national questions
were being discussed pro and con by the Latter-day Saints and throughout the
nation by all the political societies of the time, Joseph Smith took occasion
to issue a pamphlet containing his views off the powers and policy of the
Government of the United States; he also preached some sermons upon the subject
in Nauvoo; and in this the Prophet counselled the people of the United States
in relation to the manner of disposing of the vexed question of slavery, which
he recognized as an evil—that is, the form in which it existed in the United
States, which should be abolished; but rather than proceed to its abolishment
by waging war against the institution, as the anti-slavery men were trying to
do, counselled that this desired change, the modification of this system of
labor in the south, be effected on a principle of honor, equity and peace; that
a fund should be created, a sinking fund of the nation, for the abolishment of
slavery; and to negotiate with the States in behalf of the slave-owners, for
the gradual emancipation of the slaves, their owners to be reasonably
compensated for the freedom of their servants, and in process of years to
change the status of the negro, make his labor free, and place him in a
condition to be educated and elevated; and still maintain the faith of the
nation and the faith of the northern states with the southern states. Thus it
was that the true policy and counsel of heaven to our nation was manifested and
spurned. The extremists of the north, the anti-slavery agitators heeded it not;
and neither party approached the subject with any earnest determination to
effect an honorable settlement of this question. The few statesmen that made
propositions in the Congress of the United States looking to this result, to
the accomplishment of the liberation of the slaves, settling this question on
the basis proposed by the Prophet Joseph Smith; but whether they were
influenced by his advice, or whether the same spirit that moved upon Joseph,
moved also upon these statesmen—there were some that made advances looking to
the accomplishment of the object in this way—but it was not generally received
or favored, or it was deemed impracticable. At all events the sequel proved
that the opposing elements warred against each other, culminating in that great
fratricidal war which resulted in the shedding of so much blood, and the
impoverishing of one-half of the nation.
Prior to
this, however, the union and fraternal feeling that formerly existed had been
gradually weakening in the various religious organizations of the nation. All
the leading churches of the nation had divided at what was known as the Mason
and Dixon line—the line separating the free from the slave states. We had the
humiliating spectacle throughout the land, of the Methodist church of the
North, and the Methodist church of the South; the Presbyterian church of the
north and the Presbyterian church of the South; the Baptist church of the
North, and the Baptist church of the South. I believe the only Christian church
in America that did not, over the slavery question, split the blanket, divide
its property, its franchises and ecclesiastical organization, was the Roman
Catholic church, who recognized the necessity of a united body under one grand
head. This division of sects prepared the hearts and minds of the people for
the deadly conflict that ensued.
On the
subject of the other twin relic, there appears no such division. Both the North
and the South and religious sects of whatever name or belief, are united in the
denunciation of the Latter-day Saints, and the system of marriage introduced by
the Prophet Joseph Smith. This, as I have already said, is founded partly in
their ignorance with regard to the true spirit and nature of the doctrine
taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and believed in by the Latter-day Saints.
As I have already said, they have classed it with the bigamy of England and the
American States, and they have classed it with Oriental polygamy. For it is
known to all students of history, to all who are familiar with the conditions
of the nations at the present time, and the history of nations in past ages,
that polygamy has been the rule—I will not say that it has been the rule among
the common people of all nations, but polygamy has existed, and has been
recognized to a greater or less extent, so far as its practice was consistent
with the conditions of the people of the various nations, it has been the rule
from time immemorial; and there has never been a time in the history of the
world when it has not been common and recognized among the nations of the
earth, with the exception of modern Europe. The Christians of our time claim
the prevailing system of marriage in modern Europe and in the United States, as
the result of Christianity. To this I reply, that neither Christ nor his
Apostles ever uttered one word in condemnation of that system of marriage that
was in vogue in their days, and that had been recognized and acknowledged in
the house of Israel from the days of Abraham until Christ. In fact Christ
Himself was the fruit of polygamy, so far as the flesh was concerned. And
nowhere is there to be found one word in condemnation of this system, or
anything intimating that he intended to change the then existing relations of
the sexes; but while he, as well as his Apostles and the ancient Prophets and
Patriarchs denounced adultery and fornication they recognized and sustained
honorable marriage whether single or plural; and every form of illicit intercourse
with the sexes was condemned by the primitive Christians, as well as by the
Prophets and Patriarchs of old. The only passage of Scripture that I have ever
heard quoted as appearing to limit the early Christians to single marriage was
the saying of one of the Apostles, St. Paul to Timothy, in which he said that a
Bishop should be the husband of one wife, having faithful children and one who
knows how to govern his own house, for, said be, if he knows not how to rule
well his own house, how shall he rule the Church of God. Now this scripture,
taken as a whole, evidently shows that his object was not to intimate that a
Bishop should have one wife only, but he intended to make this impression, that
be must be a man of family, one who has had experience in household affairs,
one that understood all those tender relations existing between husband and
wife and parent and child, one who had shown himself a wise and discreet
father; one who was capable of guiding his own house and of leading his family
in the ways of rectitude and of controlling them in the fear of God; for except
he is able to govern his own house, how could it be expected that he could
govern the Church of God. Now, if in this respect a Bishop had proved himself a
wise and discreet father and husband, a man who knew how to rule well his own
family, this was a qualification recommending him as a suitable person to be
trusted with the office of a Bishop. And how much more suitable would he be for
that position if he were perfectly able to govern two or more wives, and to
rear their children in the fear of God? The very fact that a Bishop must be the
husband of one wife, if we admit the correctness of the views of our Christian
friends in this regard (which, however, we do not by any means) the logical
inference is, that any other officer or member in the Church but a Bishop was
at liberty to have more than one wife. For if he intended it to be a general
prohibition, why should he confine it to the Bishop, why did he not make it
general? It is sheer sophistry on the part of our sectarian friends and
groundless assertion that monogamy, to the exclusion of polygamy was introduced
into Europe by the primitive Christians; for that system of marriage was
introduced prior to the establishment of Christianity in Europe, by the Roman
empire, and became the form of marriage in early times when, as history
alleges, men were more numerous in Rome than women. And the earlier settlers of
Rome were political refugees, renegades and scape-graces from surrounding nations,
and were under the necessity of making raids upon their neighbors to procure
wives; and it became a matter of necessity and for mutual protection, to limit
the number to one. It was the Roman state that limited the number of a man's
wives to one, and not the Christian church; and this being done, it was
perpetuated. And history teaches us that under that monogamic system, Rome
became the most licentious of all nations. I do not intend to enter into an
argument in favor of polygamy; my spirit rather leads me to impress upon the
Latter-day Saints the character of this great social question and the duties
and responsibilities which rest upon us as a people, principles that have
emanated from heaven; obligations that we cannot ignore, and duties that we
cannot shirk. For God has set his hand to gather Israel, according to the
Prophets; God has set his hand to establish his Zion; God has set his hand to
build his kingdom in the earth, according to the prediction of the holy
prophets. God is determined to work a work that shall be a marvelous work and a
wonder, which he has commenced and will carry on to completion in his own
peculiar way. His arm is stretched out, and it will not return void—it will not
fail to accomplish the thing that it has commenced to, perform. It is to raise
up and establish to himself a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, a peculiar
people, composed of the blood of Israel. He has declared that in the last days
Ephraim shall be his first-born; them he would gather together, and upon them
he would place his holy Priesthood, and them he would use as his servants and
as his instruments to push the people together from the ends of the earth. For
Moses, while blessing the tribe of Joseph before his death, says: "His
horns are like the horns of unicorns, and with them shall he push the people
together from the ends of the earth; and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim
and the thousands of Manasseh." Speaking of the tribe of Judah, Jacob
says: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from
between his feet, until Shiloh come." Now, the motto or insignia of Judah
was the lion, while the unicorn was that of the house of Ephraim; and in the
days of Rehoboam the kingdom of Israel was divided; and Jeroboam an Ephraimite,
reigned in Samaria over the ten tribes, whilst Rehoboam continued to reign over
the kingdom of Judah, which included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and
fragments of other tribes that remained with them. After a time the ten tribes
so far corrupted their way that the Lord gave them into the hands of the enemy.
The king of Assyria who made war against them and carried them captive into his
own land; he took the nobility and the more wealthy portions of the people, and
planted them in distant portions of his empire far to the eastward, and sent
back his own people to marry with the poor that he had left in the land of
Israel, and thus grew up that mongrel race that were afterwards known as the
Samaritans. But Esdras tells us that Israel after they were led into captivity,
planted in the far east of the Assyrian Empire, took counsel among themselves
and began to repent, and they said among themselves in council: Let us call
upon the Lord and see if he will not lead us into a country where we may dwell
together, and keep the commandments and judgments which he gave unto our
fathers, which we never kept in our own land. And God heard their prayers, and
the Lord led them and they journeyed, a year and a-half's journey to what he
called the north country, and God divided the waters before them, and he
planted them in a land by themselves; and the Book of Mormon clearly shows, in
that notable parable about the olive tree, that God has planted branches of the
house of Israel not only on the American continent, but on other distant
portions of the globe, where he nourishes them. And our Savior tells us in one
of his graphic parables, that the kingdom of heaven is likened to leaven hid in
three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Now, one of these measures
of meal in which the leaven was deposited, was the people of Israel in
Palestine; another measure of meal in which the leaven was deposited was upon
this American continent; and a third measure of meal in which the leaven was
deposited was among the tribes of Israel whom the Father led out of the land
into a country yet to be discovered. And this leaven was to work until the
whole should be leavened. And this the Savior clearly explained in that saying
to the Jews: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold
and one shepherd." When the Savior showed himself to the Nephites on the
American continent, he quoted that saying and said unto the Nephites that they
were the other sheep referred to. And he still told them that he had other
sheep that were not of that fold either, to whom also he would show himself,
and among whom he would minister. And the time will come that they shall be
gathered into one, when there shall be one fold and one shepherd. And he
commanded the people that they should write the things which he taught them;
both those at Jerusalem and those upon this continent were commanded to write
what they saw and heard. And he gave the Nephites to understand that when he
should show himself to the other tribes of Israel, whom the Father had led
away, that they also should write; and the time should come when the Jews would
have the writings of the Nephites, and the Nephites would have the words and
writings of the Jews; and both the Jews and Nephites would have the writings of
the Ten Tribes, and the Ten lost Tribes would also have the writings of the
Jews and Nephites; nay, more, that the time would come when all the people of
God should be gathered together in one; and the things they write shall also be
gathered together in one; and there shall he one fold and one shepherd, and
then shall we see the three measures of meal all leavened together. And let me
say, there is no power in the United States, neither is there in Europe, nor in
the whole world that can hinder the accomplishment of the purposes of the
Almighty, which are outlined in the predictions of the Prophets.
The Book
of Mormon contains the fullness of the everlasting Gospel —the record of the
ancient Nephites, translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith, by the gift and power
of God in him—that we may come to a knowledge of the principles of the Gospel
in simplicity and in purity. It makes clear many dark sayings of the Jewish
Scriptures, as they have come down to us. It sheds a flood of light over the
Bible; it contains the key of knowledge and understanding; and it is more
precious than all the works of modern times, and is worth more. And the youth
of Israel should read and become familiar with it, and compare it with the
Jewish Scriptures; there is more to be learned out of it, my young friends,
that is calculated to prove of real worth and blessing to the soul, than can be
acquired at all the universities, colleges and schools of science and of modern
times. And in saying this, I say nothing prejudicial to science, nor anything
in the least degree to discourage the acquisition of science, but the more
forcibly to impress upon the minds of the youth of Israel everywhere not to
neglect those things which are the weightier matters—the Holy Scriptures, the
Book of Mormon and the revelations of God as contained in the Doctrine and
Covenants; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And a knowledge
of the only true and living God, and of his purposes concerning us and our
being upon the earth, the object of our creation, and that which is designed
concerning us, both in time and in eternity, is of paramount importance, and of
greater value than anything that can be bestowed upon mortal man. The greatest
of all the gifts of God is the gift of eternal life; and eternal life is only
attainable by a true knowledge of God, through obedience to his laws and
commandments. Therefore, study the Scriptures; acquaint yourselves with the
Book of Mormon. Read them in your Sunday Schools; read them at your firesides;
let them always be found upon your tables, and never permit your families to be
without them; and if you are poor sell your coat and buy them; for you are far
better without a coat than without the word of God to teach your children. Let
our Bishops, and Elders and Teachers attend to it; and enquire whether you are
surrounded by those milk-and-water Saints who love fine dress more than the
love of God, and who love to furnish their children with musical instruments and
toys, and who neglect to furnish them the words of life; if you are, labor with
them and teach them in all sincerity the duties of a Latter-day Saint, a Saint
of the living God; and God will bless you in your labors, and you will have
more joy in doing this than anything else you could do.
I started
to give briefly the views which I entertain with regard to the providences of
God that are overruling all things. Our Christian statesmen have mistaken the
spirit of Mormonism; they have not understood it. Our Christian persecutors, of
the various religious sects, would urge on our American statesmen to persecute
this people, but they know not what they are doing. True, as some one said here
yesterday, they do know when they insert in the oath which has been specially
prepared for our people, that extraordinary clause, "in the marriage
relation," that they mean to exclude from the polls honorable men and
women who are in every respect justly entitled to take part in the affairs of
the government of this land; but to do so they must deny their religion and
abandon their wives, or wives their husbands, and they betake themselves to the
streets as common prostitutes, and they mean to include at the polls,
whoremongers and adulterers. This is well understood, and when this form of
oath was adopted by Governor Murray and the Commissioners for special purposes,
they knew what they were doing. And so did the Congress of the United States
know what they were doing in passing the Edmunds Bill, for when an amendment
was introduced making that proposed law binding upon adulterers, it was quickly
disposed of; and one gentleman who was sitting near Captain Hooper at the time,
remarked, that if that were to carry, it would leave the House of
Representatives without a quorum. Such an amendment, of course, did not express
the mind of our American statesmen and that of hireling priests; they needed
adulterers, whoremongers, and fornicators, to carry out the vote in Utah over
the Mormons. I thank God that they have, as a matter of political necessity,
been compelled to hoist; their true colors and nail them to their mast, so that
all honorable men of their party cannot mistake it. They ignore it; they close
their eyes to it; they do not want to talk about it; they are self-condemned; and
the great party of boasted moral progress is weighed in the balance and found
wanting. It is not morality they seek; it is not public: purity they wish to
maintain. The decision of the heavens is already passed upon them, and they
will go down like a mighty millstone cast into the depths of the sea. They
cannot hold the reigns of government of this American soil, only to work out
their own destruction. God spoke by the mouth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, in a
sermon delivered by the Prophet at Nauvoo a short time before his death, on the
powers and policy of this government of the United States and the freedom and
liberty secured in the American Constitution, that it was broad and ample in
its provisions, extending human freedom to every soul of man and protecting
them in every natural right; and he classed among others the Jew, the
Mohammedan, and the oppressed of every nation who desired to find an asylum
under the broad folds of the Constitution. Yes, the Patriarchs as well as the
Mohammedans, and their descendants who may believe in plural marriage, may come
with their three or four wives, as the case may be, and enjoy freedom and
liberty dear to all. Referring at the same time to those narrow, contracted,
bigoted, sectarian laws of some of the States against plural marriage, he said
they were not in harmony with the Constitution nor the purposes of heaven; that
God had caused our fathers to establish this constitution, to maintain the
liberty of all people of every creed, and it will become the duty of all lovers
of freedom throughout the land to maintain those principles of human freedom;
but, says one, are we not between the upper and nether millstone; shall we not
be ground into fine powder? Just wait and see. As for myself, I feel as calm as
a summer's morning; I have the utmost assurance in my heart that God reigns;
that he overrules in the armies of heaven and of earth; that he overrules
presidents, senators and governors, and that they have no power only that which
is given of our Father in heaven. He curtails their power when it pleases him;
he pulls down and he sets up, and he overrules all things for the good of those
who fear him and keep his commandments; and whatever persecution there may be
in store for us, whatever trying scenes we may have to pass through, as a
people, it will only prove us, and redound to his glory and to the
sanctification of his people. It is necessary, peradventure, that the
hypocrites in Zion become afraid, and fearfulness surprise them; it is
necessary, perhaps, that many that cannot be restrained by the persuasion of
Presidents, nor Bishops, but who have crowded themselves forward following the
spirit of the world rather than the Spirit of the Almighty, and "who have
done despite to the spirit of grace," and lost, peradventure, wives and
children, and if they have not they will; it is needful that such should be
restrained, and that fear seize hold of them, and all others who are prompted
by sordid motives; for the wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous
are bold as lions in the fear of their God, and like Daniel will never shirk
from duty. But in all this God will overrule the wrath of the wicked to the
best good of those who fear and serve him, and the residue of their wrath will
he restrain. God bless the people, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The choir sang:
"O, say what is truth!
'tis the fairest gem,
That the riches of worlds can produce."
Conference was adjourned till 2 o'clock p.m.
Benediction by Elder Milo Andrus.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 31:601, 10/11/82, p 9]
Saturday, 2 p. m.
Choir sung --
Though deepning trials
throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
Prayer by H. S. Eldredge.
The choir sung --
Hark, listen to the
trumpeters,
They sound for volunteers.
PREST. GEO. Q. CANNON
Read the statistical reports from the various stakes of Zion. He then presented a statistical and financial report of the Relief Societies, which was unanimously accepted by vote of the conference.
PREST. JOSEPH F. SMITH
Then addressed the Conference, he sincerely hoped the vast congregation before him would receive a renewal of their faith by the instruction imparted as a reward for the trouble and expense incurred in coming here. Jesus had said that we should pray for our enemies, and return good for evil. There is no credit for those who only return good for good, that is easy enough, but to return good for evil is a very different and more difficult thing. Our mission is to establish peace on earth and good will to man, but when we step aside and return blow for blow, we forget our covenants and the injunctions laid down in the Scripture. It is enjoined upon us by the revelations given in our day, to forgive our enemies the first and second times, without their repentance, but if they come against us the third time, and we still forgive them, even though they ask no forgiveness, it will redound to our glory. This referred to those who trespassed against us individually. Those who broke the laws of God must be dealt with according to those laws. Our enemies here had not been molested in their lying and slander and abuse for years. No one has said to them, "Why do ye so?" They have abused and calumniated us without limit. And yet we are commanded to love them. He made an inquiry of the congregation if they loved them. Some answered "no." He then said: This is not in accordance with the commandment of the Savior; we must love our enemies. The speaker said he loved them so well, that had he the power to annihilate them he would not harm a hair of their heads. He would convert every one of them from the error of their ways if possible and make them better men, but he did not love them well enough to give them his daughters in marriage, nor to make bosom companions of them. He would not throw a straw in their way to prosperity and happiness, but he would hedge up their way to do evil. He then read several passages from the New Testament bearing on this subject, and teaching the followers of Christ to come out from the wicked and have no communion with them. He then made some remarks about the kingdom of God, delineating the various constituent elements of a kingdom, among which were a king, a people and territory. He dwelt upon the necessity of the Saints being loyal to the Kingdom of God of which they are members. It was wrong to sell out the king or any of his people. It was wrong to sell out the territory to the enemies of the kingdom. He strongly objected in his feelings to the Elders of Israel selling out their inheritances to the wicked. And by the help of God he said he would never do it himself, but others could do as they pleased. No man, he maintained could build up Zion; God would build it up, and to Him would be the glory.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[DNW 31:674, 11/15/82, p 2; JD 23:282]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, (in
General Conference) October 7th, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I have
been requested to occupy the remaining portion of the time, and I trust in so
doing I may enjoy the liberty of the Spirit and the faith and prayers of the
Latter-day Saints, that the time. I may occupy may be profitably spent, as I
have no desire to hold the attention of this vast congregation unprofitably;
but I realize that without the aid of the Spirit of the Lord I am not capable
of imparting to this congregation the word of life.
I am
thankful for the opportunity that we enjoy of meeting together under such
favorable circumstances. I am pleased to see the vast numbers that are in
attendance at this conference, and I trust that we may be amply repaid by the
instructions which we receive, for the time and trouble which it has cost to
attend. In order, however, that we may receive the blessing which we need, it
is necessary, in my judgment, for all to come with the Spirit of the Lord in
their hearts, in the spirit of prayer, and the love of truth, having a desire
for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, and for the accomplishment of all the
purposes and designs which have been made manifest concerning this great work.
Jesus
taught the doctrine that we should pray for those that despitefully use us;
that we should love our enemies; that we should do good to them that do evil to
us; that we should not return evil for evil, but good for evil. There is no
particular credit due to any person who returns good for good. Even the
publicans and sinners did this, but it is somewhat difficult to return good for
evil. Nevertheless to do so was enjoined by the commandments of the Lord Jesus.
We are to love our enemies; do good to them that hate and persecute us; and
when we are persecuted, persecute not again; when we are derided, deride not in
return; if we are injured, seek not to injure those who injure us; that which
is required at our hands is to establish peace on earth and good will to man.
Hence, when we forget the object of our calling and step out of the path of
duty to return blow for blow, to inflict evil for evil, to persecute because we
may be persecuted, we forget the injunction of the Lord and the covenants we
have made with God, to keep His commandments. It is a difficult. matter, I am
aware, for human nature to become subject to these scriptural injunctions. It
is difficult for men to curb their passions, to restrain their feelings, and to
resist the temptation to rebel and administer measure for measure, but it is
enjoined upon us. We have been actually commanded in the revelations given to
us in this dispensation to forgive our enemies, without their asking
forgiveness. It is laid down that if your enemies come up against you to
destroy you, the first time, if the Lord delivers you out of their hands, you
shall forgive them; and if they come the second time, you shall forgive them;
and if they come the third time against you, the Lord has said they are then in
your hands to do with them whatsoever you will; but it will redound to your
honor, credit and glory if you forgive them the third time, even if they have
not repented and have not asked forgiveness. Now this may seem to be rather a
difficult requirement; nevertheless it is so written and is so required of the
Latter-day Saints. But how often shall we forgive them if they repent of their
sins and ask forgiveness? Jesus has laid down the law that we should forgive
them as often as they will repent and ask forgiveness. I am speaking now of
individual trespasses; of people who offend me or you or trespass against us; I
am not speaking of those who trespass against the immutable, the righteous and
the holy laws of God; they come under another law, and God and His servants
will reckon with them. It is for us to obtain the spirit of forgiveness, to
feel to love those that are so ignorant as to do evil to their fellow-creatures
without a cause; we should feel as Christ felt, when upon the cross. He said,
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." It was urged
yesterday by one of the brethren, that we could scarcely claim this for many of
those who were engaged in persecuting the Saints to-day, for they do know what
they are doing, and they are not ignorant of the course that they are pursuing.
They are in a position to learn the truth, if they would, and to comprehend the
tact that they are lying about us. Yet how do we feel towards them for this
offence? Do we feel that we should retaliate? Do we feel that we should execute
vengeance upon them because we know that they are telling falsehoods, and are
misrepresenting and slandering the people of this Church? No. For years and
years we have sat quietly down and listened to their abuse, insults, slanders,
misrepresentations and falsehoods, which they have spread broadcast throughout
the land to the utmost of their power, and no man has so much as said,
"Why do you so?" They enjoy the utmost liberty to lie and slander and
go to the fullest extent of their power to accomplish their wicked and
nefarious desires and purposes, and we are willing to risk the judgment of God
in these matters in His own due time. We do not propose to keep ourselves
eternally in hot water, wrangling, contending and snarling with our enemies; if
we did we should soon become as sour, as vicious, as foul, as low and as
contemptible as they are themselves. Well, do you love them? Now here is the
rub! Do you love these slanderers, these liars, these defamers, these persecutors
of the innocent and of the unoffending—do you love them? [several voices, No,
no.] I can scarcely blame you. [Laughter.] But that is not according to the law
of God. I want to tell you how I feel towards them. I love them so much that if
I had it in my power to annihilate them from the earth I would not harm a hair
of their heads—not one hair of their heads. I love them so well that if I could
possibly make them better men, convert them from the error of their ways I
would do it, God being my helper. I love them so much that I would not throw a
straw in their way to prosperity and happiness, but so far as possible I would
hedge up their headlong and downward course to destruction, and yet I detest
and abominate their infamous actions and their wicked course. That is how I
feel towards them, and that is how much I love them, and if this is not the
love that Jesus desired us to have for our enemies, tell me what kind of love
we should have for them? I do not love them so that I would take them into my
bosom, or invite them to associate with my family, or that I would give my
daughters to their embraces, nor my sons to their counsels. I do not love them
so well that I would invite them to the councils of the Priesthood, and the
ordinances of the House of God, to scoff and jeer at sacred things which they
do not understand, nor would I share with them the inheritance that God, my
Father, has given me in Zion; I do not love them well enough for this, and I do
not believe that God ever designed that I should; but I love them so much that
I would not hurt them, I would do them good, I would tell the truth about them,
I would benefit them if it was in my power, and I would keep them to the utmost
of my ability from doing harm to themselves and to their neighbors. I love them
that much; but I do not love them with that affection with which I love my
wife, my brother, my sister or my friend. There is a difference between the
love we should bear towards our enemies and that we should bear towards our
friends. Do not say that it is hatred of our enemies when we would keep them
from hurting themselves and their neighbors, do not call that hatred, that is
love for them. If it were possible to find one of this class of people who had
been deceived, and who had slandered the Saints of God ignorantly, as Paul did,
and we could prevail upon him to repent of his sins, to turn away from
wickedness, and to acknowledge God and His laws, then we should love him as a
brother, as a friend, and as a neighbor. That would be the difference. But we
do not love to associate with our enemies, and I do not think the Lord requires
us to do it. If He does He will have to reveal it, for I cannot find it
anywhere revealed. I have never read it in any of the books, I have never heard
it taught that we are to love our enemies so much as to become like them, or
condescend to their vile and contemptible ways, or as to share the inheritance
God has given us with them, or as to suppose for a moment that the wicked and
the ungodly will ever inherit the kingdom of God, or enter into His presence,
or enjoy the society, blessing and award of the faithful; they never will, they
cannot, for they are not worthy; they have not obeyed the law and therefore
cannot receive the blessing thereof.
We should
keep ourselves aloof from the wicked; the dividing line should be distinctly
drawn between God and Belial, between Christ and the world, between truth and
error, and between right and wrong. We ought to cleave to the right, to the
good, to the truth, and forsake the evil. I am going to read a little scripture
upon this subject, lest our friends or this congregation should feel that
counseling the Latter-day Saints to keep aloof from the wicked and ungodly, to
not divide their inheritances with them, etc., is unwarranted by the
scriptures. I will read a little scripture on this very point, which will be
found in 2nd Corinthians, 6th chap., beginning at the 14th verse: "Be ye
not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye
are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore
come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you and ye
shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Now, here is the
law of God upon the subject; it is the word of the Lord: "Come out from
among them and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing." What
affinity can we have for them? Let them alone, let them go their own way. Help
them to all the happiness that it is possible for them to obtain in this world;
for it will be all that they will ever get, unless they repent of their sins,
and forsake their wicked ways.
In
conclusion I desire to say a few words in relation to some remarks that were
made by one of the brethren yesterday. It is written in the scriptures that,
"The kingdom and dominion and greatness of the kingdom under the
whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the Saints of the Most High,
whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey
him." This passage of Scripture was in part quoted yesterday, by one of
the brethren who spoke in the Conference, and then the question was asked,
"When will the kingdom be given to the Saints?" The answer
was, "When the Saints become wise enough not to turn it right over into
the lap of the enemy the moment they obtain possession of it, and not till
then." There never was a truer saying than this. It takes several things
to make a kingdom. First, there must be a king; second, there must be a people;
third, there must be territory or a place for the people to dwell. Then come
the laws and the rules of government of the kingdom. Now, the territory or
dwelling place is a part of the royalty of that kingdom, is it not? Could you
have a kingdom without a place to put it? No. We must have a place to put the
kingdom, and it is as necessary to have such a place as it is to have the king
and the people. Now, which is worst, to sell out our interest in the king, the
people or the territory to the enemy? If you betray the king to the enemy, you
are a traitor. Yet there are some people who betray the king; they do not care
much about Christ, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, and they sell out their
interest in Him, or betray Him with very little compunction of conscience. And
there are some people, as I have heard, that sell their neighbors or betray
them.
I have
heard of some people who had sunken so low that they would sell anything for
money; mother or father, or brother or sister, or friend or neighbor would
never stand in the way. They would do anything to obtain money; money is their
God. Such people would sell out their interest in their king, their people, and
their country, for money. We only want to find out who will sell God and the
people for filthy lucre and we bring them to trial, and in a very short time we
manage to sever connection with them. We say he has departed from the faith, and
we cut him off from our fellowship in the Church. But what do we do with those
who sell their inheritances to the enemy? Why we pat them on the shoulder, we
hug them to our bosoms, we love and cherish them and it is all right; no
apostacy there! But suppose we should all sell our inheritance, we should then
have to move to some other clime. It may not be considered prudent to thus
publicly express our feelings on this subject, as slanderers and vilifiers are
apt to wrest the truth and misquote, and misrepresent the facts. Yet I feel as
though I would be chargeable with a neglect of duty if I did not say at least
this much on this subject, and I am not afraid nor ashamed to meet this view of
the matter. If men will sell out their homes, and their inheritances to the
wicked and the ungodly for money, when, I ask, will they be prepared to go and
build up the center stake of Zion? Who of this class will be called to do this
work? And will they have an inheritance in the New Jerusalem? Why, I suspect
they would pull up the paving stones and sell them for money; they would steal
the diamonds, pearls and precious stones from the pearly gates of the New
Jerusalem, and sell them for the coveted "cash !" I am opposed in my
feelings to parting with my inheritance to those that would destroy the people
of God from the earth; and God helping me I never will do it. And, furthermore,
if I have an inheritance I will see, so far as I have it in my power, that it
is placed in such a position that neither I nor my family shall turn it over to
the enemy. You can do as you please, I am telling you what I am going to do,
what I will do, God being my helper. You can do the same if you want to.
It is a free country—that is, it would be if it were not for some things, which
the brethren have mentioned here, and I have not time to reiterate them.
May the
Lord bless this congregation and the Saints universally. May He bless all who
are assisting to build up Zion and the good of the earth everywhere. Zion will
be built up, for God will do it; and no man should deceive himself by
entertaining the opinion, the thought or the feeling in his heart that it is he
that will build up Zion, for men cannot do it. God has said: "I will do
it; it is my work; it is my kingdom; I have cut the stone out of the mountain
with mine own hands, and I will roll it forth; I will accomplish my purposes
and my designs and my people shall triumph." God hath said it, and He will
do it, and man will not do it, for he cannot do it, though he will be the agent
in the hands of God in accomplishing much good. God will bestow great power
upon His servants and will bless them with light and wisdom, knowledge and
understanding, power and authority, and the keys of the Priesthood to
accomplish a great and mighty work. But He will have the honor and the glory;
for it is he that will give the power to accomplish the work; man has no power
in and of himself to do so.
May God
bless us, and give us power to overcome evil with good, is my prayer in the
name of Jesus, Amen.
The choir sang an anthem:
Glorious is thy name O God.
Conference was adjourned until to-morrow (Sunday) at 10 a.m.
Benediction by President A. O. Smoot
_____
[8 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 31:601, 604, 10/11/82, p 9, 12]
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Choir sang:
Praise to God, immortal
praise,
For the love that crowns our days.
Prayer by Elder F. M. Lyman.
Choir sang:
Sweet is the work my God my
King,
To praise thy name, give thanks and sing.
Elder C. W. Penrose read the name of Elders sent on missions since the Conference of April, 1882, and who are now in their fields of labor, and also the names of those called as missionaries from this conference, all of whom were unanimously sustained by the uplifted hands of the vast congregation:
CALLED SINCE THE APRIL CONFERENCE.
_____
GREAT BRITAIN.
Mathew
McCune, Nephi.
John P. Wood, Willard.
William Henry Piggott, Bloomington.
Thomas Emmett, Ogden.
Job Hemsley, Sugar House Ward.
Solomon King, Salina.
George Atkin, Jr., Tooele,.
Edmund Moroni Dugdale, Provo.
Thomas Tew, Springville.
John Binks, Springville.
William Gardner, Hooperville.
Charles Reynolds, 21st Ward, Salt Lake City.
Thomas Ogden, Richfield.
George Perry, Cedar.
David Wilson Tullis, Pinto.
SCANDINAVIA.
Emil
Anderson, American Fork.
Hans J Poulsen, Mount Pleasant.
Jacob J. H. Jensen, "
Hans Andersen, Logan.
Chas. E. Anderson, Logan.
Peter Christensen, Elsinore.
Hans J. Brunn, Mt. Pleasant.
Lars Henry Outzen, Richfield.
Christian John Christiansen, Fountain Green.
Jeppa Nelson, Pleasant Grove
Niels W. Anderson, Ephraim.
Anders Jenson, St. Charles.
Jeppa Monson, "
Charles A. Teiljen, Santaquin.
Niels Johnson, "
N. C. Skougaard, Koosharem.
Haalvor Olsen, Richfield.
John Capson, East Mill Creek.
Peter Anderson, Peterson.
Andrew Ole Anderson, Glenwood.
Mons Hosenlund, Mt. Pleasant.
Lars Peter Johnson, Hooperville.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
John
Stnoki, Santa Clara.
Alouis Bauer, Cedar.
John Schiess, Washington.
John Ledermann, Logan
Alexander Newberger, Logan.
UNITED STATES.
James
E. Talmage. Provo.
Samuel Bryson, Woodruff.
SOUTHERN STATES MISSION.
Asa
S. Hawley, Inverury.
William Stewart Geddes, Plain City.
George Walter Bramwell, Jr., " "
Joseph Smith Clark, Georgetown, Idaho.
Howard Coray, Provo.
James W. Bean, "
Charles W. Glazier, "
Richard A. Robinson, Parowan.
Henry Miller, American Fork.
John Taylor Heinie, Moroni
Jesse Johnson Fuller, Provo.
Kenning Taylor Butler, Spanish Fork.
Charles Mormon Nukes, Riveting.
William Harker, North Jordan.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
William
George Farewell, Logan
NEW ZEALAND.
James
Clark Williams, Springville.
Nelson R. Pratt was called at Conference as a missionary to the Southern States
and afterwards changed to Mexico.
_____
CALLED AT THE OCTOBER CONFERENCE.
_____
GREAT BRITAIN.
William
Wagstaff, Farmers' Ward.
Richard H. Baty, Call's Fort.
George Wilson, Midway.
J. D. Hirst, Paradise.
John Williams, Ephraim.
Charles H. Rhees, North Ogden.
Benjamin Bennett, Holden.
John L. Bench, Manti.
Timothy Gilbert, S. Jordan.
George C. Lambert, Salt Lake City.
John R. Holt, Mill Creek.
Ephraim H. Williams, Mill Creek.
James Briggs, Sugar House Ward.
James Wrathall, Grantsville.
George Brough, Spring City.
Henry Green, Ephraim.
N. M. Hodges, Laketown.
John Jenkins, Newton.
Robert Hunter, Deseret.
Francis Gibbons, Ogden.
John McQuarrie, "
Charles Lambert, 7th Ward, City.
Joseph Graham, 1st Ward, "
Leo Clawson, 12th Ward "
FOR SCANDINAVIA
Soren
Sorenson, Elsinor.
Charles Jensen, Richmond.
Soren Peterson, Ephraim.
Christian Larsen, Logan.
J. P. Jensen, Ephraim.
Lars Peter Ovesen, Ephraim.
John Olsen, Moroni.
James P. Olsen, (Heggs), Ephraim.
Gustave H. Anderson, Grantsville.
John Ek, Logan.
C. H. Steffensen, South Cottonwood.
Andrew Pederson, Logan.
Olavas Johnson, South Cottonwood.
Niels Peter Petersen, Richfield.
Jens Olsen, Ephraim.
Thomas L. Lind, Ephraim.
Brent Ravston, Logan.
Andrew Anderson, Huntsville.
Andrew Anderson, Union.
Andrew Amundsen, South Jordan.
Andrew J. Hansen, Big Cottonwood.
Ferdinand F. Hintze, Big Cottonwood.
UNITED STATES.
Enos
L. Stookey, Clover.
Joseph S. Bitts, Payson.
F. C. Christensen, Kanosh.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Emory
W. Soule, Hooper.
Cyrus Rawson, Ogden.
Henry B. Beckstead, South Jordan.
Alexander Bills, South Jordan.
Hyrum Dewsnup, Deseret.
Willis E. Robinson, Scipio.
Orville Thompson, Scipio.
Henry Thompson, Scipio.
John Styler, Deseret.
George A. Black, Deseret.
James A. Taylor, Big cottonwood.
Charles D. Haun, West Jordan.
John E. Woolley, Centerville.
S. Parrish, Centerville.
Levi J. Taylor, Harrisville.
SWISS AND GERMAN.
John
Hoffman, 21st Ward, City.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Van
Ransellar Miller, Coalville.
George Cluff, Coalville.
FRANCE.
Philip
Luba, Beaver.
Andrew Villet, Logan.
PREST. GEO. Q. CANNON.
Addressed the Conference said that nothing short of the all-searching spirit of the Almighty, can possibly point out the kind of teaching that is needed to suit the condition of those present, whether of warning or encouragement. Referring to the circumstances that are now pressing upon us, he said they were the very things predicted by the Prophets of God and announced in the rise of this Church. Senator Edmunds, President Arthur also the Commissioners and others were each acting a part that confirms the truth and divinity of the work that we are engaged in. These events had all been predicted by the Prophet Joseph Smith, President Brigham Young and others, and those who are taking an active part against us as a people, with a view of destroying our liberties and breaking up our institutions, are carrying out and forwarding the purposes of God. There is one remarkable feature connected with this persecution, and that is, that so many of the leading actors in these attacks are from the State of Vermont. The man who introduced and labored for the Anti-Polygamy Act of 1862, the Senator who introduced the Act of 1882, and the President who signed it; the framer and chief champion of the Poland law, and who did more to push it through than any one else; the member from Kansas who was so prominent in the legislation against us during the last session of congress, were all from Vermont, the Green Mountain State in which Joseph Smith the Prophet and Hyrum Smith, the martyred patriarch were born. President Brigham Young, also Heber C. Kimball, Erastus Snow and the Snow family, Albert Carrington, The Calls, the Farrs, the Hatch's and many other "Mormon" families also hailed from Vermont. It was, to say the least, remarkable that the bitterest prominent enemies of this work came form the very State whence God selected many of our leading Apostles, and families. He referred to the ordeals through which the Saints are destined to pass, which will be of such a gloomy and forbidding character as to test the sincerity of our faith, to see if we will shrink or be overcome. But God had made some previous promises concerning Zion, for in the midst of all the trials and troubles through which we may be called upon to pass, we shall have according to the word of the Lord a spirit of unfailing peace, awaiting patiently, he good providences of our Heavenly Father concerning us. In the past experiences of the Saints, when surrounded by the most trying circumstances God had kindly and generously given us the spirit of peace, and thrown around us so many things to cheer and comfort us in every trying time that we could not fail to see that those trials were for our benefit and progress. Let us then enjoy this day in peace, and never borrow trouble from to-morrow, but so live as to daily appreciate the many blessings which strew our pathway. He predicted in the name of Jesus Christ, that no power on earth or in hell can check or overthrow, or prevent the onward march of the kingdom of God upon the earth. He had made it a point in every dark and cloudy day to observe the spirit and demeanor of the leading man in Israel. And when in the midst of violent storms upon the boisterous ocean, when all on board expected to be wrecked -- except the Elders, he always watched the countenance and action of the Captain. In the same way he had watched the Prophet Joseph, and President Young and President Taylor, he noted the operations of the Spirit upon them, and while he could see in them a serenity and peace, and unshaken confidence in God, it always greatly encouraged him. He then adverted to the operations of the Edmunds bill and the calmness and spirit of patience among the Saints who put their trust in God, and offered an example of unshaken confidence in the Lord and His work, that he considered unexampled, and notwithstanding all the efforts of the wicked, we could well afford to bear it without fear or excitement, and to lift up our hearts and rejoice, for we are laying the foundation of a great and mighty work, which, if we faithfully perform, we will be crowned with victory and success. He spoke of many of both sexes who as yet have never obeyed the fulness of the law of god concerning marriage. He hoped there would never be a spirit grow up in our midst, of gratulation, by any, that it was fortunate for them that they had not done so. God would sustain those who had embraced that principle, and they would be the saviors of the people. He then gave a recital of his own experience in that direction, testifying to the workings of the Holy Spirit upon his mind so that plural marriage became a commandment of God to him whatever other people might consider it in their case. He did not feel defiant but his position was that he must obey the Lord, and be faithful to his covenants without flinching, whatever penalties or afflictions man may be permitted to inflict. To be true to our covenants with God, we must not shrink from the consequences but stand ready to meet the penalties and the wrath of man in consequence of our loyalty to God. Let us go from this conference to our various avocations of live, and put in practice those precious principles that have been taught us. There is more to be feared and dreaded in our midst by the growth of wealth which produces diverse interests and class distinctions than all the enactments and legislation that can be devised against us. The interests of this people must never be sacrificed at the shrine of mammon. Those who are gifted with business capacities must devote their talents to the general good the same as the Presidency, apostles and leading Elders have done for the elevation and benefit of the masses. And if the tendency to class distinctions is not checked, God will pull us up by the roots and bring us to union and brotherhood by affliction. He had no personal references in these remarks, but selfishness is a principle that exists in himself. We must not be influences by selfish motives, but the talents and wealth, and business ability must be utilized for the benefit of the whole community. He closed with a powerful appeal to the Saints to righteousness and the observance of every duty, promising in the name of Jesus Christ that on these conditions God would bring us peace and victory.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 31:658, 11/8/82, p 2; JD 23:271]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON,
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday morning, October
8, 1882.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
We
assemble together in the capacity of a conference for the purpose of being
taught concerning our duties as Latter-day Saints, as members of the Church of
Christ, and it is of the utmost importance that when we thus meet, that we
should have the presence and assistance of the Spirit of God. I should not dare
this morning to arise with She intention of speaking to you if I did not hope
that I should have the assistance of that spirit. I could not of myself tell
that which is best adapted to you and to your circumstances. It requires the
all-searching Spirit of our God to reveal unto. us, his servants, those items
of doctrine, of instruction, of counsel, and if need be, of reproof and
warning, which will be of benefit to the Latter-day Saints who are assembled as
we are to-day.
We are
living in a momentous time. At no period in the history of the children of God
in this dispensation have events been of more importance than those which are
now taking place in our midst and around about us. I have been exceedingly
thankful for one thing. Amid the threats and menaces and all the attempts which
have been made against us to curtail our liberties, to embarrass us, and if
possible destroy our religion, one feeling has been uppermost in my mind, a
feeling of thankfulness that the Lord our God in this manner is permitting us
to see the fulfillment of the words he has spoken through his servant the
Prophet Joseph Smith, and through others who have also been inspired of him.
Among the earliest predictions that were made concerning this work by the
servants of God, was one to this effect, that the time would come when we
should not only be opposed by a small circle, a few individuals confined to a
neighborhood, but as the work should spread and increase the opposition to it
would be in proportion to its growth and its expansion, until it would not be
the act of the mob, or the acts of mobs confined to counties or confined to
States, but that the time would come that in a national capacity blows would be
aimed at us by the nation of which we form a part. To-day, my brethren and
sisters, these predictions are being fulfilled in our sight. Not one word that
God has spoken concerning this work will fall to the ground unfulfilled, and
the very enemies of this work,—those who are most anxious to destroy it, and to
prove the falsity of its claims are the very instruments in the providence of
our God, used to fulfill his word and accomplish his designs. Do you think for
one moment that Senator Edmunds in framing the bill called by his name, or in
presenting it to the Senate for its action, had any idea in his mind that he
was an instrument in fulfilling the predictions of God, through his servant
Joseph? Have you any idea that the House of Representatives in passing that
bill, after it had passed the Senate, supposed for one moment that they were
helping to establish the claims of Joseph Smith as a prophet of the living God?
Or do you imagine that President Arthur, in selecting the five Commissioners to
go to Utah Territory to act in accordance with the provisions of this same law,
supposed that he was helping in any manner to establish the claims of what is
called "Mormonism" to divinity, or that the Commissioners themselves,
in coming here, have once thought that they were playing a part in the great
drama of the last days, that they in their sphere were helping, or are helping
to establish the truth of this work, the downfall of which is sought to be
accomplished? And yet these are the truths connected with this work; these are
the facts. The man who framed that bill, then man who introduced it in the
Senate, the judiciary committee who passed upon it, the Senate who adopted the
report of its committee of judiciary and passed the bill, the House of Representatives
who took the bill up and made it law, so far as their action was concerned, and
the President of the United States who signed the Act and who appointed the
Commissioners under it, and the Commissioners themselves who were thus
appointed—all these men in their official capacity have helped, though they
thought they were doing the very opposite, to establish the truth of the
predictions of the Prophet Joseph, and of President Young and of the Apostles
who have been inspired of God from the commencement of this work until this
time, and who have predicted that these events would most assuredly take place.
Thus we
see, that the wrath of man is made to praise God. The acts of men are converted
to the glory of God, and fight as they may, contend as they may, resist this
work as they may, this work, the foundation of which God has laid, they can do
naught against it. On the contrary, everything they do contributes to its
establishment; contributes to prove its divine authenticity, to show that there
is an overruling power greater than that of man, even the power of the Most
High God, and that he causes the nations of the earth and the powers of the
earth to praise him, to add to his glory and to the accomplishment of his
purposes.
Before
leaving this subject, there is one thing worthy of remark—I have been
exceedingly struck with it. The man who introduced the law of 1862 was a native
and representative from the State of Vermont. The man who introduced the bill
of March 23d, 1882, was a Senator from the State of Vermont —Senator Edmunds.
The President who signed that bill was from the State of Vermont. We had
another bill passed June 23d, 1874, known as the Poland law special legislation
for Utah Territory. The framer of that bill, its champion, the man who did more
than any other single man towards pushing it through the House of
Representatives, and having it become law, was a Representative from the State
of Vermont. The champions of the Edmunds law in the House of Representatives,
some of them were from the State of Vermont, notably Mr. Haskell,
Representative from Kansas, a Vermonter by birth. It is a remarkable thing that
Vermonters should be the chief instruments in framing, urging and securing the
passage of legislation against us. On the other hand the man who, in the name
of God, was the chief instrument in laying the foundation of this great work in
these last days, the Prophet Joseph Smith, was a native of the State of
Vermont, and Hyrum Smith, his brother, whose blood mingled with the Prophet's at
Carthage jail, was also a native of Vermont, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
Erastus Snow, the Snow family, Albert Carrington, the Farrs, the Calls, the
Hatches, and numbers of the leading families in this church were born in that
State. How remarkable it is, is it not, that we should have received so many
blessings through men born in the Green Mountain State, and that our chief
enemies, apparently stirred up by the adversary to destroy the work which their
fellow-citizens, men born upon the same soil, were the means, in the hands of
God, of establishing—that they, Vermonters also, should be stirred up to seek
for its destruction.
We may
expect from this time forward the same warfare; no cessation, no letting up, so
tar as the hatred of the wicked is concerned. A part only of the predictions of
the Prophet have been fulfilled concerning this latter-day work. We have been
told from the beginning that opposition to this, the work of God, should not be
confined to one nation, but that it should extend to other nations, and that
they who array themselves against us, as others have done in the past, will
continue to do so until the whole earth shall be warned and its inhabitants be
left without excuse; and the kingdom of God be established in power and in great
glory upon the earth.
A great
many of our brethren and sisters have thought, and may still think, that we are
likely to see very hard times, as the result of the attacks now being made upon
us. The hearts of some may almost fail them in looking forward to the future,
anticipating that there will be such intense hatred and such active exertions
made against us that it will be very difficult for us to sustain ourselves. No
doubt we shall have all we can endure. No doubt the Lord will require us to
pass through and endure ordeals that will test our faith to the uttermost, and
it will seem at times as though we were about to be overwhelmed. The powers of
darkness will gather around us and everything will look so threatening, so
black and so impenetrable, that except to those who look at these things with
the eye of faith, it will seem almost impossible for us to escape. There will
be, doubtless, many such hours and many such times in our history in the future
as there have been in the past. But what of that? As the trial may be, so will
be the strength to endure it. There is a wise desire of the Lord our God in
permitting these tests to our faith, to see whether in the midst of gloomy and
threatening surroundings we shall falter, shall shrink and become timid and be
overcome, or whether in the midst of this gloom, in the midst of these
forbidding appearances, our faith will still be strong in our God, and in the
promises, the precious promises, which He has made to us. Now we may calculate
upon this just as sure as he has spoken.
There is
this that is most extraordinary connected with us as a people. God in the
beginning made a promise to us, which has been oft repeated, that
notwithstanding all our enemies should do against us, we should have peace,
peace should reign in our hearts and in our habitations, peace should be in our
land and brood over us as a people. This is one of the great promises God made
to us in the beginning. Read the closing verses of the 45th section of the
Doctrine and Covenants and see what God has said concerning Zion, and the
promises that are therein embodied respecting us as a people; that when other
nations should be at war—when neighbor should rise against neighbor, when every
man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee to Zion
for safety, in Zion there should be peace. Now, as I have said, it is one of
the most extraordinary features connected with this work of our God, that when
it seemed as though the whole power of the nation was combining from every part
of the land, execrations loading the air against the "Mormons" of
Utah Territory, petitions coming up by thousands, popular prejudice appealing
to popular prejudice and entreating the use of bayonets, of cannon and musketry
to destroy us, and when it seemed as though Congress was in such a mood that it
was ready to pass any law or to frame any enactment to accomplish those ends;
that in the midst of all this unreasoning excitement, in Utah Territory, in the
breasts of Latter-day Saints wherever they dwelt in these mountain fastnesses
or scattered abroad among the nations of the earth, there was a spirit of
unfailing peace, a spirit of quietude, a spirit of serenity, a spirit of calm
and undismayed resignation, awaiting quietly and patiently the good providence
of our God, knowing that in and of themselves they were helpless to defend
themselves against these attacks, but having unshaken confidence in the
promises which God had made to his people. O most wonderful! Most wonderful
exhibition of calmness! Most wonderful exhibition of consistent faith! Most
wonderful exhibition of fortitude, of courage, and of unfailing trust in the
almighty power of that God whose existence so many in the world deny. A rare
example to the nations of the earth of the willingness of a people to put their
trust in their God, even to the very uttermost. Now, my brethren and sisters,
if there is any great peculiarity connected with us as a people that is
noticeable it is this: You can notice it in yourselves; you can notice it in your
brethren and sisters; you can notice it in your children; Presidents of Stakes
can notice it; the Bishop can notice it; the Bishops' counselors can notice it;
the High Councilors are witnesses of it; the entire body of Priesthood must see
the exhibition of these qualities among the people to this wonderful extent.
God be praised for it. I feel to praise Him from the bottom of my heart that He
has poured out upon His people this spirit of peace. We have laid down in
peace, we have slept in peace, we have risen in peace, we have gone out in
peace, we have come in in peace, we have prayed in our families in peace, we
have gone forth to our labors in peace, we have returned therefrom in peace, we
have met together in our assemblies in peace. The peace of heaven, the peace of
Almighty God, has descended upon this people, and it has rested upon them in
their congregations, in their social associations. God has given unto us this
precious blessing. It is beyond price. How thankful we ought to be, that amidst
all these murderous threats that have been made against us, He has given unto
us this feeling which has deprived us of all fear. Such a spectacle is
unexampled in the history of the earth and of its inhabitants,—that is in our
day. Look where you will, travel where you will, mingle with people where you
may, you behold nothing like this; and thus, God is bearing witness to the
inhabitants of the earth that he is able to fulfill his promises, to protect
his people, and to pour out upon them that precious and heavenly gift that is
beyond all price, and they dwell in it and they enjoy it—their wives and their
children enjoy it; and there is no fear in the hearts of any faithful man, or
woman or child within the confines of our land or in any of the adjacent
territories where our people dwell. Why, if we had no other blessing than this,
it would be worth all the world to us. But we have, in addition to that, other
blessings. God is teaching us many lessons. He is teaching us to put our trust
in him. He is teaching us that "sufficient for the day is the evil
thereof." Why should we borrow trouble for to-morrow, as long as we enjoy
to-day, as long as we have peace today, so long as we have the presence of the
Holy Ghost to-day, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself. Let us
enjoy this day in peace. Let us lay down this night in peace, putting our trust
in God for the morrow. If we thus live day by day—for it is written that the
just shall live by faith—if we thus live day by day, I tell you in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no power upon the earth or in hell that can
disturb the peace, the quietude, the prosperity and success of this people or
interrupt the progress of this great and glorious work of our God. I dare
prophesy that in the name of Jesus Christ, for I know that it will be
justified, every word of it. God has stretched forth his hand to accomplish a
work, and that work will roll forth. Men may die, men may be slain, men may
fall on the right hand and on the left, but the column will still press
forward, it will still march onward gathering in from every land and from every
nation the honest, the meek, the lowly, and those who love righteousness and
who desire to serve our God. I can truthfully say I do not believe that there
ever was a time when threats were made against us, when greater peace and less
fear rested down upon the servants of God than at the present time. I look at
our President—I always did watch the captain of the ship with peculiar
interest, when on the ocean surrounded by icebergs, or when in the midst of
great storms, as I have been a few times, I watched his eye and his demeanor,
and I fancied, and I think very correctly, that I could form a good idea of our
peril by watching him. I have been in storms when everybody on board, excepting
the Elders, expected to go down. I did the same thing when a boy, watching the
Prophet Joseph, the few opportunities that I had of doing so, I did the same
with President Young when he lived. In times of threatening danger and of
anxiety I noticed the spirit that moved upon him as well as its operations upon
myself. I do the same to-day with President Taylor: I have watched his bearing
and have listened to his words; and I have taken notice of his spirit, as I
have also of the brethren associated with him: "I have witnessed but one
spirit, and felt but one feeling, and have had but one thought impressed upon
me by their demeanor; and this spirit and the impression it makes corresponds
exactly with my own. I feel that I am in accord with him and with them, and
while this is the case I feel that there is no real danger for Zion; that God
our heavenly Father, is still watching over us, and is permitting us to pass
through these trials for an express purpose. As I have already said, the predictions
of the holy Prophets could not be fulfilled unless these things did occur. And
why should we shrink from them? Why should we feel sorry about them? Why should
we wish it otherwise? I can truthfully say, that I never saw a single moment
from the time that I left here to go to Washington until I returned that I felt
the least discouraged, or anything approaching a feeling of despair or gloom,
or anything of the kind connected with the work of God; although, as you know,
I was afflicted and bowed down in sorrow because of domestic affliction; but
aside from that (and even that did not discourage me) at no moment when in the
midst of the worst contest I ever engaged in, did I have a feeling of
discouragement or gloom. I knew very well that all that was taking place was in
accordance with the plan of our God, with His purposes and His designs. These
things must be, in order to accomplish the work of God, in order that every man
may be judged according to his works, and in order that this nation, as a
nation, may be held to a strict accountability for its acts, or the acts of its
representatives. I have nothing, therefore, to regret about this. My feelings I
have expressed in this stand since my return; they were expressed by the
brethren that spoke upon these subjects.
Referring
to the acts of the Commissioners, I am exceedingly thankful for everything that
has been done. I have never desired to see us as a people reduced to the
degraded level of wicked men and wicked women; no, not for one moment. What, my
sisters who have entered into holy covenants, in sacred places, who have in
their priestly garments been administered to by the Priests of the Most High
God in the holiest sanctuaries that are upon the earth, for them to be placed
upon the same level with common prostitutes! My soul revolts at the thought.
And my brethren who have in like manner gone into holy places and taken upon
them sacred covenants, in the name of the Most High God, and have had the
honest ordinances that God ever revealed to man, administered unto them by that
authority which He has given—for them to be reduced to the level of adulterers
and whoremongers! God forbid that such should be the case. From the very moment
that I read that oath (the oath prescribed by the Commissioners) I thanked God
in my heart for it. I would not have it otherwise. I would not have the rules
changed in the least degree, unless, of course, our brethren who represent the
political interests of the people could by applying, have them changed: but I
did not believe they could accomplish this, and I am thankful, therefore, that
the rules were not changed, because they draw a sharp line of distinction
between the Latter-day Saints and the wicked. It sustains the claim that we
have made all the day long, that it is our religion that is assailed; that it
is the solemnization of the holy marriage ordinances that the blow is aimed at,
and not the illicit commerce of the sexes. And I am glad too that every man and
every woman that ever were open to the charge of having engaged at any time in
plural marriage are in the same condition; that the rule has been so rigidly
made and so sweeping in its character, as to include all who have lived in
plural marriage. It is an honorable distinction to belong to a class whose only
offence is that they married women, or married men, instead of living together
in violation of God's law. If there are any who think they did not act
honorably in thus living, let them ask forgiveness. If they have done something
they are ashamed of they can sue for amnesty. While those who have done nothing
that they are ashamed of, or that the whole world should not know of, are
relieved from the unenviable task of seeking forgiveness.
God is
ordering this matter just right; and if we should fail in any point, he will
make it up, He will supplement it by his overruling power and wisdom. He is
watching our affairs. He knows exactly our circumstances; and he knows exactly
how much we can bear; and when we have to pass through deep waters he will be
near us; when we have to pass through the fire, he will be on our right and on
our left hand. He will not forsake us in our hour of distress and tribulation,
but he will be nearer to us then, if possible, than at any other time in our
lives. Therefore, of all people upon the face of the earth, we have the
greatest cause to rejoice because of these things.
I was
very much struck with some remarks—I did not hear all of his discourse, having
been called out to attend to some business that could not be postponed—by
Brother Lorenzo Snow; they struck me with a great deal of force. I refer to his
allusion to the three Hebrew children and the glory that followed their
submission to the will of God, and their resistance to the decree of the pagan,
the heathen king. I believe that glory will be added to the name of our God by
our fortitude and our endurance, and by our maintaining the right. No great
principles, like those to which we are wedded; no great work like that in which
we are engaged, can be established in the earth, in the present condition of
mankind at least, without great sacrifice on the part of those connected with
it. We need not expect anything else than this. The Lord, through the Prophet
Joseph Smith, in early revelations, told to the church: You are laying the foundation
of a great work; how great you know not. And the same words are just as
applicable to us today, notwithstanding the growth of the work up to the
present time. We with the light we now possess even, cannot conceive of its
greatness. It has not entered into our hearts, neither are we capable of
conceiving of it. But we are laying its foundation, nevertheless; and God has
chosen us for this work. He has inspired us, and he has blessed us thus far in
our endeavor to carry it out, and he will continue to do so to the end; and
victory and glory will be the result of our faith and our diligence in keeping
his commandments.
There is
one thing that I wish to refer to; it is a delicate subject, still I feel to
touch upon it. The idea was suggested to me a short time ago, while in
conversation with one or two of the brethren who were speaking about the
influence that is now being brought against the Church, how fortunate it was
that there were some who had not obeyed the law of God in regard to plural
marriage. There was, as I thought, a spirit of self-gratulation among some who
have not obeyed that law, because they could now act as they appeared to think,
in some sort, as saviors to the people. I hope there never will enter the minds
of the Latter-day Saints, a feeling of that kind, or division of feeling upon
this point. I believe there are very excellent, very worthy, very true and very
faithful Latter-day Saints of both sexes who have not entered into the practice
of plural marriage; and it is not for me to cast reflections upon any of my
brethren or sisters about not having obeyed that principle, unless there has
been positive disobedience. It is not for me to judge the circumstances, the
feelings and the motives, and the hearts of men and women, my brethren and
sisters in the Church. God will do this; that is his province. But, on
the other hand, I hope there never will be a feeling grow up in the midst of
the Latter-day Saints to congratulate themselves because of their reluctance,
or their refusal, to obey the command of God, and to think that they have done
more wisely in refraining from obeying that command, and that their position is
a better one because of their lack of obedience; or, because circumstances have
been such that they have not obeyed or been required to obey that law. I hope,
I say, that no such feeling will ever be known among us—to judge each other and
to comment upon each other, and to indulge in self-gratulation because of
anything of this kind.
The Lord
has said: "Again I say unto you, if ye observe to do what soever I
command you I, the Lord, will turn away all wrath and indignation from you, and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against you."
Now, I
want to say for myself personally, if I had not obeyed that command of God,
concerning plural marriage, I believe that I would have been damned. That is my
position; but I do not judge any other man. I am so organized that I could have
lived, if necessary, and God had commanded it, as a Catholic priest is supposed
to live, without knowing woman. I believe that with God's help I could have
done that all the days of my life, if it had been necessary for my salvation;
but, on the contrary, when I had taken one wife, after I had returned from one
of my missions, a spirit rested upon me that I could not resist; I felt that I
should be damned if I refused or neglected to obey that law of God. It was not
prompted by any improper feeling; it was not prompted by a feeling of lust, or
a desire for women; but it was an overpowering anxiety to obey the commandments
of God. Since I have passed through the ordeals I have, connected with this
principle, I can see the wisdom of it, and acknowledge the hand of God in it.
For if I had taken wives without being thus prompted and impressed, there might
have been times in my experience when I would have questioned myself and said:
Perhaps you were too hasty in embracing this principle. But under the
circumstances I could not do that. I have never known the time that I could do
that. I knew that God had commanded me, whether He had other men or not; and I
did obey it because of this overpowering command, believing, as I have said,
that I should be damned if I did not. Whatever may be my fate in regard to this
principle—I have been deprived of my seat in Congress because of it; and
whatever be my fate hereafter, I have no reflections against myself to indulge
in concerning my action in the matter. I have done that which I conscientiously
believe to be the will of God; and I believe the majority of my brethren and
sisters have done the same, have obeyed the principle in the same way. Do I
believe that God will bear those out who have thus embraced that principle; do
I believe that He will sustain them? I know that He will sustain those who have
obeyed it; I know that He will sustain this people. The Prophet Joseph Smith
said, and so taught, when he first communicated this principle, that there had
come a time in the history of God's people, when if they did not obey that law,
all progress would cease, that the kingdom could go no further. And He
commanded the servants of God, His associates, the Apostles, to obey it, under
penalty of losing the Spirit of God, under penalty of their ceasing to progress
in the work of our God. Now, there was on the one hand condemnation; on the
other hand, the fear of the world, the prejudices of the world, the punishment
which the world would inflict upon those who should disobey laws already
enacted against such practices. What could they do? We are to-day precisely in
the same position that other servants of God have been in, who have been
required by men's laws to do things which their conscience and all their
reason, and the good spirit within them revolted against. That is our position
today. Whatever men's laws may be we cannot deny the truth of God, the
revelations of God. I cannot do it, I would be damned and go to hell if I were
to do it. There is no alternative for me; but to suffer all the penalties that
man may inflict upon me; and I cannot evade them only as God shall preserve me.
That is my position to-day. Whatever man may do, I must be, I hope to be, true
to myself, and to my convictions, and to my God. I must endure all things; I
cannot evade them. And there are hundreds in the same position, hundreds of
men, hundreds of women. And is there any law of man, is there any penalty that
man can inflict that compares with the penalty that God will inflict upon those
that will disobey His commandments? I must trust my God; I must rely upon. His
protecting arm; I must throw myself under His protecting care, or I must
perish. There is no other course for me; that is the only alternative before
me. To be untrue to my God, to be untrue to the revelations of my God; to be
untrue to the convictions of my nature; to be untrue to the women—wives—whom I
have covenanted for time and all eternity to love, to revere and to protect,
and to my children, children borne to me by those women —to be untrue to these,
or to endure all the consequences that man may inflict upon me for disobeying
laws which are framed against my religion. I am willing to trust to my God. He
has never deserted me in the deepest trouble and distress, in the midst of the
most fiery ordeals, He has been at my right hand and on my left, as he has been
at yours. He has been around about us, and I am still willing to trust Him. He
has never failed—His word and promise have always been sure and reliable.
Now, my
brethren and sisters, you who have not entered into this covenant, do not
imagine, do not let the adversary instill into your hearts that you are now
saviors to the Latter-day Saints. Do not do it. Let me warn you against it; it
is a dangerous thought. You will find it delusive, for it is not true. If God
saves this people, as I firmly believe he will, it will he through those men
and through those women whom men have placed under a ban; whom men have said
shall have no power because of the laws that are enacted against them. I tell
you, the salvation that will come to this people, will be through the
faithfulness of the men of God and the women of God who, in the face of an
opposing world, contrary to their traditions, to their education, to their
pre-conceived notions and to the popular prejudices of the day—who have in the
midst of all this stepped forward in the vanguard and obeyed the command of
God, and have dared to endure all the consequences, and been willing to endure
all the penalties. Mark it, it is true. I believe that which I now say to you
as firmly as though an angel of God had spoken it; and you will see it
fulfilled, every word of it. Let, not the fears of the world, let not the
threats of men extinguish the love of God, extinguish the faith of God in your
hearts and make you tremble concerning these things. Let no such feeling as
this take possession of you. I do not want to be defiant.; I never had that
feeling; but if I cannot obey, I must suffer. That is the position I have
taken. If I cannot obey the law of man, I must suffer the consequences: I
prefer to do so rather than suffer the consequences of disobeying the commands
of God. It is better for me to do this than to do the other. I do not wish to
defy man; I say, if you wish to enforce the law, that is your business.
Now,
brethren and sisters, let us go from this Conference in calmness, pursuing our
various occupations, and endeavoring to profit by the teachings that we have
had in the past. If this people could only have carried into effect the
teachings they have had from the servants of God from the beginning, how different
would our position be today! Elders have worn themselves out. Presidents,
Apostles, and Prophets have worn themselves out and have gone to their graves,
laboring with this people, and teaching them words of life and salvation, words
that it would have been to their eternal interest to have listened to and to
have obeyed. We are like the man who, moved with pity, took the frozen snake
and put it into his bosom to restore its life, and in a little while, after the
warmth of his bosom revived the frozen reptile, it stung him and killed him. We
have nourished in our bosom the viper that is doing us more injury to-day than
anything else. If we had listened to counsel, if we had obeyed the commandments
of God; if we had been united, if we had not looked so much to our temporal
advantage, or that which we thought to be our temporal advantage, how different
would our position be to-day! But this people are like children; the servants
of God entreat them and talk to them, but how quickly they forget! They imagine
that the counsels they receive are prompted by some spirit that is not exactly
the Spirit of God. But we will find that we have to come to it. I believe that
God will throw us in circumstances that will compel us to come to the position
that He has designed we shall occupy, however reluctant we may be about it. I
tell you there is more to be dreaded, there is more to be feared—and you may
attach what importance you like to my words, but I know they are true —there is
more to be feared to-day in our midst from the growth of wealth in a few hands,
in a single class, than there is from all the legislation that can be enacted
against us by the Congress of the United States, more to be dreaded by us as a
people. That condition is upon us, the growth of wealth in the hands of a few
individuals, threatening us with greater danger to-day, than anything that can
be done by outsiders; more than the Commissioners can do, more than the
registrars can do, more than the judges of election can do, or all that can be
done by the Congress of the United States. I know that this is true. God does
not design to have a people of this kind. He does not design that there shall
be classes among us, one class lifted up above another, one class separated
from the rest of the people, with diverse interests; interests that are not
strictly in accord with those of the masses of the people. Because when this is
the case, there is a lack of union. Men are more disposed to compromise
principle who have great monied interests at stake. In fact, it is a
characteristic of human nature that, as a class, this class is a compromising
class; their temptation is to yield principle, to yield ground; and it cannot
be helped from the very nature of things, because of their circumstances. I can
see it in myself; I do not preach something to you that I do not preach to
myself. I have to guard against it, and my brethren have to do so. It does not
belong to any one man or class of men, it belongs to human nature this feeling
of which I speak. God designs in the organization of his kingdom on the earth
to prevent this. If it is not prevented, then the Zion of God is not
established. Is any one injured by its prevention? No. The time must come when
the talent of men of business shall be used for the benefit of this whole
people, just as the talent of President Taylor, just as the talent of President
Joseph F. Smith and that of President Wilford Woodruff, and that of the Twelve
Apostles, and that of the leading Elders of this Church; as their talent is
used for the benefit of Zion, so must the talent of men who are gifted with
business capacity be used in like manner—not for individual benefit alone, not
for individual aggrandizement alone, but for the benefit of the whole people,
to uplift the masses, to rescue them from their poverty. That is one of the
objects in establishing Zion, and anything short of that, as I have said, is
not Zion, it is not the Zion that the Prophets have foreseen, it is not that
which God has promised. We may as well, therefore, every one of us, shape our
thoughts to this end and endeavor to keep it in view, for I tell you God will
not permit anything very different to this for any length of time. He will
scourge us, and drive us if necessary. He will tear us up by the roots; and as
sure as God lives it will be so, if we cannot come to it without violent means
of this kind, He will have a people that will do these things, and He will
bring us into a position to do it, and any one who thinks differently deludes
himself or herself; it is not so written in the book; it is not the design of
God. I would feel very sorry if I thought it would do so. I suppose I am as
selfish as other men. I would like to benefit my own family. I have to war
against this feeling as all have. I do not know that I am any worse than any
other people, but I know this feeling has to be warred against. The tendency of
human nature is to look after one's own dear self, to look after one's own
family, to use one's talent for one's own and their benefit, without bestowing any
benefit upon the people of God. Yet I know it is not a right feeling.
God bless
you, my brethren and sisters, and fill you with the Holy Ghost, and inspire
those who speak to us by the power or God, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
Said before the meeting was brought to a close, he desired to make a few remarks. He said that for some time there had been a matter resting upon his mind, which he was desirous of bringing before the people, and that was in reference to the subject of prayer. The Lord had promised certain things to ancient Israel, but had declared that in all these things he would be inquired of. He supposed that most of the Latter-day Saints had learned how to pray. He considered that it was the duty of every Elder in Israel, whether in prayer circles, around the family altar or in sacred devotions, to call upon the Lord for that help and deliverance which was desired for this people. He knew that if the Latter-day Saints would do this, the Lord would hear and answer their prayers. The speaker then referred to the saying of the Savior, that His Apostles should sit upon twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel; and he (the speaker) would say that the Apostles of this generation would also sit upon thrones to judge the people of this generation. In connection with this subject he referred to the vision of John the Revelator concerning the seven angels, each angel representing a distinct dispensation and would reveal the acts of men performed therein. Who, he asked, would be the sixth angel, who would blow the trumpet, revealing the acts, thoughts, and intent of the hearts of the children of men of this dispensation? It would be somebody who had lived in this dispensation; the Lord would not call angels from other worlds to do that work or to act in that capacity. But all these things would come to pass just as surely as God had revealed them through the prophets.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
Said: when he was in his 18th year, in the temple at Kirtland, after the ordinance of washing and anointing had been attended to, and the Priesthood were assembled, the spirit of prophecy rested down upon them making known many great and marvelous things. Among other things that were predicted on that occasion was, that the Prophet Joseph, who was then and there presiding over the Elders of Israel in that house, should be the angel of the Lord spoken of by John the Revelator, the sixth angel that should blow the sixth trumpet, fulfilling that which had been predicted in the Apocalypse. This prophecy was uttered by a young man filled with the Holy Ghost, who himself was greatly surprised, and marveled and wondered at it, as did many others. For then in our child-like simplicity and faith and hope we, like the ancient Apostles concerning Jesus, supposed that our Prophet was going to continue with us, to lead us on until the coming of the Savior. But God had ordered otherwise. He (the Prophet Joseph) had a work to perform from behind the vail, to prepare for the resurrection of the Saints, and the redemption of the dead, and for the glorious coming of the Lord;. And we will yet see and comprehend in the future of eternity that he is the one that holds the Keys of the dispensation of the fulness of times, and of all things pertaining to the redemption of man, in this the sixth thousandth year. And I testify that this prophecy was given of the Holy Ghost on that occasion.
The choir sang the anthem:
O Father Almighty.
Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
Benediction by President Jos. F. Smith.
_____
[8 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 31:604, 10/11/82, p 12]
SUNDAY, 2 p. m.
Elder Charles C. Rich, of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, was present on the stand for the first time for may months, and the Saints were much pleased to see him sufficiently recovered to attend the Conference.
The choir sang --
Great God attend while Zion
sings
The joy which from thy presence springs.
Prayer by Elder Erastus Snow.
The choir sang --
'Twas on that dark and
solemn night,
When powers of earth and hell arose.
Prest. George Q. Cannon read the following additional names of missionaries, who were unanimously sustained by vote of the Conference.
HOLLAND.
Peter
Jacob Lammers, Ogden
John Falker, "
NORTH WESTERN STATES.
Charles
Squires, Brigham City
Ephraim Jensen, "
Waldemar Peterson, 15th Ward, Salt Lake City
Peter L. Sherner, Lynne, Weber County
Soren Jacobsen, Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County
Heber Bennion, North Jordan
FRANCE OR CHANNEL ISLANDS.
Joseph
A. A. Buenot, Henefer
He said they were building some houses on the Indian farm in the north and the following brethren as mechanics were presented to the Conference as missionaries to work on those houses; these were also sustained by unanimous vote:
Joseph
Hogan, South Bountiful, Davis Co
Thomas H. Robins, Kaysville.
Michael Garnes, Centreville.
PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON
then expressed a few words of sincere gratitude and thanksgiving to God in behalf of Elder C. C. Rich, who, through the kind providence of God, had been preserved through many months of sickness, and permitted to be present at the Conference this afternoon. He then presented the authorities of the church who were all sustained by unanimous vote of the Conference as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First, and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott, Wm. W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors and Bishop Edward hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom, as his assistants.
As Auditing committee -- Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings and W. H. Hooper.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
President Woodruff, in behalf of the Twelve and First Seven Presidents to whom the matter had been referred, presented the names of Elder Abram H. Cannon to fill a vacancy in the quorum of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, which was unanimously sustained by the vote of the Conference, and being called upon, he expressed his acceptance of the office.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Addressed the Conference. Said a great many valuable principles had been enunciated during the Conference, although it was not easy to retain them all in our memories. We had a great and important mission entrusted to us to fulfil. The Lord has given to us a form of government, and priesthood to guide and regulate us as His people, called to establish His Church. The time in which we live is denominated in Scriptures "the dispensation of the fulness of times." Neither this nor any previous dispensation was originated by man. He referred to Adam and other patriarchs, and the various dispensations, and showed that they were not in any sense the work of man, but that God alone could point out a plan of salvation and of deliverance for His people. It was so in our own day, there was any amount of educated religious teachers in the world, but none of them were capable of establishing such a work as this, and no man had anything to do in the origination of this work, but God saw fit to choose a young, uneducated youth through whom to communicate His mind and will to the human family. We had all been baptized into one baptism, and received the spirit of god who distributed his gifts according to his will. "Intelligence cleaveth to intelligence, and light unto light." We occupied a very peculiar position towards God, the world and each other, and it is important that we should understand those positions and their obligations. As the mind an will of god is developed, we find many things in the world out of joint, such as priestcraft, tyranny and oppression. There are many wicked people who uphold these things, but all that we have to do with them is to preach the Gospel to them, and it is for them either to receive or reject our testimony. And here comes in the agency of man. No Elder has ever attempted to force any one to receive this gospel nor to interfere with any of the laws or governments of other nations, their business being strictly confined to the preaching of the Gospel. And when anybody received the Gospel at their hands, the spirit rested upon those converts to gather to Zion, and thousands of Elders now before him had been engaged in this work and had gathered people from various nations of the earth. This gathering of the people is called Zion. We understand Zion to mean the pure in heart. The speaker said he wished we were more so, than we are, and he among the rest, also the Twelve, and the Seventies and other organizations of the Priesthood. He then spoke of the political status we have entered upon here. We were an integral part of these United States, and there was no nation that he was aware of, where we could have enjoyed so much liberty as we had under this government, and that was none too much. He then spoke of the inalienable rights guaranteed to citizens of this great republic by the Constitution, such as the right to live, to pursue happiness, to enjoy freedom, civil and religious and any man or set of men who would curtail or deprive us of those rights, were tyrants and oppressors. We claimed all the rights that any others were entitle to, and when any one attempted to take those rights from us, it became our duty to stand up and contend for our liberties. He spoke of the grand jury recently empanelled, only two of whom were "Mormons." He also spoke of the various offices in this Territory, wherein the officials of the government had place men who had no affinity with the interests of the people of this Territory. As American citizens we intended to lawfully contend for our rights, inch by inch. He said he felt interested in watching the movements of Congress and the Administration, not so much on our own account as of theirs and of this great nation of which we formed a part. He often felt pained in; knowing that the altar of liberty was stained by the blood of a liberty-loving people, and its elements now being used to forge from bands wherewith to fetter the human mind. He spoke of the religious sects which are established here, and who had never been interfered with by our people but they themselves had combined together to slander and lie about us, and circulate those lies throughout the nation. Thousands of honorable men had been deceived by reading the false and malicious statements made by our pious and religious neighbors. Under these circumstances he asked, what shall we do? Let us humble ourselves before God, and keep His commandments. This he wished to be strictly carried out by the leaders of Israel as well as the Saints, the servants and handmaidens of God, and he would risk the balance. He concluded is discourse by asking God to bless all the Latter-day Saints, and all men in authority who seek justice and maintain the rights of man.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 31:642, 11/1/82, p 2; JD 23:257]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday afternoon,
October i, 1882
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
We have
had a very interesting Conference, and a great many thoughts, ideas and
reflections have been presented to the people in a clear and pointed manner,
and I have been pleased to see the unanimity and harmony that have existed in
our midst. And while I attempt to speak to you I shall ask an interest in your
prayers that I may be strengthened to perform the labor. It is difficult for a
people to understand and to retain everything that may be said in a Conference
like this, where there are so many subjects dwelt upon and so many principles
enunciated; but it is a great blessing for us that we are situated as we are,
and that we possess the intelligence which has been communicated from time to
time. Many great and precious principles having been revealed unto us, it
becomes necessary for us to try to comprehend them, that we may understand the
position we occupy before God, before the world in which we live, and before
the intelligences that exist behind the veil in the eternal worlds. We have a
great and important mission committed unto us, and it is for us to seek to
comprehend that mission and fulfill the various duties and responsibilities devolving
upon us. The Lord has given unto us a form of government, an organization,
priesthood and authority to enable us to perform these several duties, and he
has certain plans, purposes and designs to accomplish pertaining to us,
pertaining to this nation, to other nations, and to the world in which we
live,—pertaining to those who have lived and are now in another state of
existence, and also pertaining to those who shall yet live.
The time
in which we live is denominated in Scripture "the dispensation of the
fullness of times," wherein it is said God will gather together all things
in one, whether they be things in the earth or things in the heavens. This
dispensation embraces all other dispensations, all principles and powers,
rights, privileges, immunities and developments that have existed among men in
the various ages that are past. This globe did not originate with man, nor was
it constructed, designed or manipulated by him, nor were any of its organisms,
sentient or inanimate; for we are told that in the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth and all that in them is: nor did this dispensation
with which we are associated, nor have any of the dispensations associated with
the works, plans or designs of the Almighty originated with man. After man had
fallen, and it became necessary that he be driven, from the garden, it needed
the interposition of the Almighty, for as is said in the Book of Job, it was
necessary to "deliver his soul from the pit; I have found a ransom."
That ransom was the Only Begotten Son of God who offered himself in the
beginning to meet the demands of justice, to carry out the purposes of the
Almighty, and to be a Savior and Redeemer to man. Adam was perfectly helpless
in this respect, and it needed the direct interposition of the Almighty for the
accomplishment of this object. In the patriarchal, or antediluvian age, when
men were put in possession of any hope, any intelligence, any knowledge, or any
revelation pertaining to God, these things did not originate with man, they
came from the Lord and were given by inspiration; and when on account of the
wickedness ant corruption of mankind the old world had to be destroyed, a way
was provided for a small remnant to be spared, By whom? By man? No. God
dictated it. The Prophets prophesied about it. They taught the antediluvians as
the people of this day are being taught, they warned them of the impending ruin
that would overwhelm them, of the prison house to which they would go, and of
the wrath and indignation of Heaven which would be poured out upon the peoples
of the earth. It came to pass as they had declared. But God provided a way for
the perpetuation of the human family. It was foretold to Methuselah that his
seed should be preserved to perpetuate the human family upon the earth, and it
was so, Noah, who was one of his descendants, fulfilled that decree.
Again, in
later ages when the children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt, they did not
originate the method of their own deliverance, or point out the way for its
accomplishment. They were in a state of bondage and vassalage. God raised them
up a Moses, revealed His will to him, set him apart for this mission, told him
what to do, and after some little difficulties arising from human weaknesses
were removed, Moses was accepted, and the Lord became his instructor, and
pointed out in all instances the course that he should pursue, and in what
manner the children of Israel were to be delivered, and He, the Holy One of
Israel, gave them His law and ordinances, and revealed unto them His will, and
stood by and sustained, guided and directed them. This salvation did not come
from the people, it did not originate with them, they owed it all to God, the
source of all truth, all light, all intelligence, all power and blessings. The
time at length arrived that the Son of God was to come. Neither the Scribes and
Pharisees, the High Priests and Sadducees, nor any of the sects and parties of
the day comprehended the things that were about to transpire, and had nothing
to do with bringing them to pass. His advent was announced to His mother by an
angel, and His birth was heralded to shepherds by an angelic host, and the wise
men of the East were led by his star to Bethlehem of Judea, where they found
the infant Savior, whom they recognized as the Messiah, and to whom they
brought presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh; and whom they worshiped.
It is
said in speaking of the Son of God, that he did not come to do His own will,
nor to carry out His own purposes, nor to fulfill any particular plan of his
own, but he came to do the will of his Father who sent him. Jesus in selecting
his disciples, took one man here and another there—a tax gatherer, a fisherman,
and others who it was thought were the most unlikely of any men to carry out
the purposes of God. He left the great men out of the question, that is the
High Priests and the popular and pious of all classes, and he selected his own
laborers to perform his own work; and he subsequently told them, You have not
chosen me, but I have chosen you and set you apart unto this mission. When a
message had to be proclaimed to the world in these last days the agents were
chosen on the same principle. There was any amount of teachers of divinity, any
amount of professors of theology, any amount of reverend, and right reverend
fathers and all classes of religious men and religious teachers; but God did
not recognize them. He chose a young uneducated man and inspired him with the
spirit of revelation, and placed upon him a mission and required him to perform
it; and he was obedient to that requirement. I speak of this to show that we
none of us had anything to do with the introduction of this work, but that, as
in all other dispensations in the various ages of the world, God was the
originator of everything that tended to develop a knowledge of Himself and of
his plans and purposes; to unfold the past, to develop the present, and to make
manifest the future.
To whom
are we indebted for this book, called the Bible. We are told that holy men of
old spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And from whence did they
receive that Holy Ghost? Not of man, nor by man, but by the revelations of God,
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We sometimes feel to exalt ourselves
a little in the position that we occupy pertaining to the Priesthood,
pertaining to our organization, and pertaining to ordinances, etc. What have we
to glory in? Nothing. None of us knew anything until it was revealed. None of
us could comprehend any of these principles only as they have been made
manifest. But by obedience to the Gospel we have received the Holy Ghost, and
that Spirit takes of the things of God, and shows them to us. We have received
this and hence have been baptized into one baptism, and all partaken of the
self-same Spirit, as Paul expressed it, "dividing to every man severally
as he will." The question arises, What is the object of this? It is that
the world should be visited from time to time and communications made to the
human family. Because light cleaves to light, truth cleaves to truth,
intelligence cleaves to intelligence; and as we are all made in the image of
God, and as God is the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh, it is His
right, it is His prerogative to communicate with the human family. We are told
that there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth it
understanding. God having made the earth, made the people to inhabit it, and
made all things that exist therein, has a right to dictate, has a right to make
known His will, has a right to communicate with whom he will and control
matters as he sees proper: it belongs to him by right; and he has seen proper
in these last days to restore His Gospel to the earth, and, as I said before,
intelligence cleaves to intelligence. We read in the Scriptures concerning man
being a son of God. We read in the Scriptures about men becoming the adopted
sons of God through obedience to the Gospel. Hence it is said: "Now are
we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know
that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he
is." By what means? Through the atonement of Jesus Christ and by the
medium of the Gospel, which has been introduced in different ages for that
purpose. God having felt disposed to reveal the Gospel in these last days, has
given the same principles and powers, the same light, revelation and
intelligence that he did in former ages, for the accomplishment of the same
work, and for the fulfillment of his purposes relating to the human family who
are his children. Hence we occupy a very peculiar position in relation to God,
in relation to the earth in which we live and the people thereof in relation to
both to the living and to the dead.
It is
proper for us to comprehend the position that we occupy. We sometimes arrive at
curious conclusions pertaining to the wickedness of the world, and a variety of
other things associated therewith. And permit me to say here, that we had no
more to do with the peoples of the world, or the placing of them in the
position they occupy, than we had in restoring the Gospel. We find ourselves a
few people mixed up with the world. We find too that when the word of God is
made manifest and the revelations of God are developed, that many things as
they exist amongst mankind are out of order. There is a great amount of
priestcraft, idolatry, corruption, oppression, tyranny, murder, bloodshed,
covetousness, licentiousness, and every kind of iniquity that can be conceived
of; and that is more clearly made manifest to us because the Lord has been
teaching us through the Prophets, and inspiring us with other feelings, and
given unto us to comprehend things more clearly than others do. But what have
we to do with the people of the world? We complain sometimes that they do not
treat us exactly right. Well, they do not in all respects, and I do not think
this is very difficult to understand. But there is nothing new about that, God
has revealed unto us His law, and they do not comprehend it, neither do they
want to; nor did the antediluvians. They were very wicked, very corrupt and
very depraved, very immoral and very dishonest; but that was a matter between
them and the Lord, and he dealt with them; and it is his business to deal with
the nations of the earth at the present time and not ours further than we are
directed by him. What is the mission that we have to perform to this nation? It
is to preach the Gospel. That is one thing. That was the mission given to the
disciples of Jesus in his day: Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel;
he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; and he that believeth not
shall be damned. This mission is being carried out in the fact of our sending
representatives of this latter-day work to all the civilized nations that will
receive our missionaries. But we are not placed here to control people; we are
not placed here to rise any improper influence over the minds or consciences of
men. It is not for us to attempt to do what Mahomet did—to say that there was
but one God, and Mahomet was his prophet, and by force compel all others to
acknowledge it. To attempt to do that would be to attempt to interfere with the
agency of man; and anything of that kind is altogether foreign to the character
and spirit of our mission. We preach the Gospel to the people, and it is for
them to receive or reject as they may choose. We have done this to a great
extent. Many of you Elders who are before and around me—and there are some
thousands—have been engaged preaching this Gospel, but none of you ever used
coercion, none of you ever attempted to force any man to obey the message you
had to declare. If you did, you did not understand your calling. And when you
have been among the different nations preaching this Gospel, have you sought to
interfere with their governments or with their laws, or endeavored to stir up
commotion or rebellion or trouble of any kind? No. I am at the defiance of the
world to prove any such statement. That does not belong to our faith. When the
Elders are sent forth, they go as servants of God with a message from the Lord,
to unfold the Scriptures, and to bear testimony of the things that they
themselves are witnesses of; and to administer the ordinances of the Gospel to
all those who believe on their words. This is the position that we occupy in
these matters. And what else do we do? We gather the people together; and they
no sooner receive this Gospel than they are anxious to gather with the people
of God. Why? Because the Scriptures say that they would? Because the Scriptures
say, "gather my people, those that have made covenant with me by
sacrifice?" No, but because they have obeyed the Gospel and received the
Holy Ghost, and that Holy Ghost has instructed them pertaining to these
matters, as it instructed the prophets in former times that such an event would
transpire. The people have gathered together, and you could not keep them back
if you were to try to. They have been trying. You know that Mr. Evarts wrote
communications to the European ministers requesting them to use their influence
by way of putting a stop to the "Mormon" emigration. It is rather a
sorry comment upon the government of this nation, that boasts of being
"the land of the free, the home of the brave, and the asylum for the
oppressed," and that a little over a hundred years ago the chief complaint
against the nation from whence the colonists came, was the lack of religions
toleration; to think that they should so far forget their original condition as
to call upon what they term the effete monarchies of Europe to assist them in
suppressing religious liberty and controlling human freedom. And when this
subject was brought before Mr. Gladstone, the Prime Minister of Great Britain,
a short time ago by some pragmatical zealot in the British Parliament, calling
his attention to the request of the American Secretary, he very distinctly told
him that "he was unable to interfere with the operations of the Mormons in
England, as he presumed their converts went with them willingly. Thus while the
American government is trying to exert force and to interfere with religious
matters and bind the consciences of men, the British government pleads for and
guarantees to its subjects religious and social liberty. I am told that Mr.
Evarts is a great-grandson of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. I should not have thought that that gentleman
would have so soon forgotten the position occupied by his ancestor. But it
seems that such is the fact, nevertheless.
I repeat,
our mission is to preach the Gospel, and then to gather the people who embrace
it. And why? That there might be a nucleus formed, a people gathered who would
be under the inspiration of the Almighty, and who would be willing to listen to
the voice of God, a people who would receive and obey His word when it was made
known to them. And this people in their gathered condition are called Zion, or
the pure in heart. I wish we were pure in heart; that is, I wish we were more
so than we are. And this is something that we all need to reflect upon, to
consider the pit from whence we were dug, and the rock from whence we were
hewn. I have heard people say, they were born in sin, and cradled in iniquity.
It is probably very true. Many of us have been rocked in these cradles, and we
have been nurtured amidst infamies, and we have been surrounded by and
enveloped in evils of all kinds. We talk sometimes about Babylon—"Come out
of her O my people, that ye partake not of her sins, nor receive of her
plagues." We need not say too much about those people, for we came out
from them ourselves; and it would not be becoming on our part to speak badly
about our former status. That reminds me of a conversation I had some years ago
with some Protestants who were abusing the Catholics. I reminded them of the
fact that they descended from them. They were calling the Catholic Church the
Mother of Harlots. Well, said I, if that be true, she has brought forth a
scurvey offspring. History certainly informs us that the Protestants came out
from the Catholics, and therefore, if the Catholic Church is the mother, they
certainly must be the daughters, and one would think there should be some
affinity between them. It is not considered proper for persons to rail against
their mother.
It is
well for us to comprehend our position with regard to the nation. Being
gathered together, as a people, we have assumed a political status, for we not
only brought our religion and our spirits with us, but our bodies also; and by
thus being gathered in this land we become naturally an integral part of the
United States. We have received by the act of the government of the United
States a territorial form of government, in which we are authorized to perform
certain functions of a political nature, and to enjoy, as do all other
Territories, the free and full rights of American citizens therein, and thus
have become a part of the body politic of these United States, with all the rights,
privileges and immunities pertaining thereto, as exercised and enjoyed by all
American citizens throughout this broad land; and these are guaranteed unto us
in the Constitution of the United States and by the Congress of the United
States, in an instrument denominated the Organic Act. And I will say this much
for the United States; with all her faults and infirmities, I do not believe
there is a nation upon the face of the earth to-day, where we could have as
much liberty as we here enjoy and that is precious little, God knows. We are
told sometimes that we live under popular government, and that the voice of the
people rules. It used to, but who rules now? Well, no matter, we have got to
make the best we can of it. We have a territorial form of government, with a
governor appointed by the administration. I was going to say, God save the
mark. We have judges and other officers; and we have a nominal legislature that
makes our laws, but those laws can be vetoed by one man. There is a great deal
of absolutism about it. But these are the circumstances in which we are placed;
and I suppose it is thought by a great many that we ought to consider it a
great privilege to be allowed to live. We do think so, but we are not indebted
to any officials for it; they did not give us our life, neither did this
government. There are certain principles that are inherent in man, that belong
to man, and that were enunciated in an early day, before the United States
government was formed, and they are principles that rightfully belong to all
men everywhere. They are described in the Declaration of Independence as
inalienable rights, one of which is that men have a right to live; another is
that they have a right to pursue happiness; and another is that they have a
right to be free and no man has authority to deprive them of those God-given
rights, and none but tyrants would do it. These principles I say, are
inalienable in man; they belong to him; they existed before any constitutions
were framed or any laws made. Men have in various ages striven to strip their
fellow-men of these rights, and dispossess them of them. And hence the wars,
the bloodshed and carnage that have spread over the earth. We therefore are not
indebted to the United States for these rights; we were free as men born into
the world, having the right to do as we please, to act as we please, as long as
we do not transgress constitutional law nor violate the rights of others.
Being
organized, then, into a government such as it is—that is, the name of a
government, the name of a legislature, the name of a free people—being
organized as we are, what next? We are necessarily obliged to look after our
affairs as men, our political affairs. Our mission to the world is a mission of
peace, the Gospel proclaims peace on earth and good will to man. Then, being
organized in a governmental capacity, we have certain rights. They profess to
give them to us, but they don't. They try to deprive us of them while
professing to impart them. I might enter into a long line of argument here; no
matter, I am merely speaking upon some general principles. What then is our
duty here, say as a people—leaving religion out of the question altogether? As
men and as American citizens, we have the right to all the privileges, and
immunities, protection and rights of every kind that any men in these United
States have, and no honorable man or men would seek to deprive us of them. When
we talk about rights, these are the rights, as I understand them, that we
possess in this nation. Is it proper, therefore, for us, as men and as citizens
of the United States to look after our rights? I think it is. Do we want to
violate law? No, we do not, although we know many of these laws are wrong,
corrupt and unconstitutional. We have no right to find fault with others about
their religion. We preach the Gospel; they receive or reject it as they please.
If we have found the benefit of embracing it, let us be thankful; but we will
not interfere with them in their religion. Are they Methodists? They can
worship as they please—Presbyterians, Catholics, Baptists, or any other
"ists" can worship as they please, that is none of our business, that
is a matter between them and their God. But when they interfere with our rights
as citizens of the United States, it becomes our business to look after our
liberties.
As
religionists we call upon them, as a duty committed to us, as we aver, by the
Almighty. Our mission is to call upon this nation and all nations to repent of
their sins, of their lasciviousness, adulteries, fornications, murders,
blasphemies and of all dishonest and corrupt practices. But in this we use no
three; having laid these matters before them, they have their free will to
receive or reject. As religionists they may proclaim us bigamists or
polygamists or what they please, that is their business, and they must answer
for their own acts; as politicians or statesmen they must at least give us the
benefit of the Constitution and laws; these, as a portion of the body politic,
we contend for as part of our political rights. We do not claim, nor process,
nor desire to interfere with any man's religion or conscience. We have nothing
to do with their religion, nor they with ours. Religions faith or belief is not
a political factor. The Constitution has debarred its introduction into the
arena of politics; and every officer of the United States has pledged himself
under a solemn oath to abide by and sustain that Instrument, and not one of
them can interfere with it without a violation of his oath.
What have
we done in defense of our liberties? I have heard several people say that we
are inclined to be aggressive. I think we are not aggressive, but some of the
laws are very aggressive. We have a grand jury organized of some fifteen men.
How many of them are Latter-day Saints? Two, I think. So I suppose there is
one-tenth of the citizens of this Territory loyal, patriotic and honorable, and
the rest are considered to be unpatriotic, disloyal, etc. But we ought at least
to be tried before we are condemned; that is the law as I understand it. Now
this one-tenth of loyal, good and virtuous people get thirteen men empaneled,
and the nine-tenths get but two to represent them. But unfortunately for these
loyal and patriotic people carefully prepared statistics show that this ten per
cent. of population supplies eighty per cent. of the criminals. How is it in
other things? There is considerable said about offices and officers. Where is
there a man appointed from among the people to hold any office in the gift of
the national government? To use the words of a thoughtful
non-"Mormon" observer, though the 'Gentiles' constitute only ten per
cent. of the population, yet from this small minority are taken the incumbents
of nearly every position of influence and emolument. They have the governor,
with absolute veto power, secretary, judges, marshals, prosecuting attorney,
land register, recorder, surveyor-general, clerks of the courts, commissioners,
principal post-office mail contractors, postal agents, revenue assessors and
collectors, superintendent of Indian affairs, Indian agencies, Indian supplies,
army contractors, etc."
According
to the common usages of men, we have at least a reasonable right to our proper
proportion, but it is evident we do not have it. And then our educational interests
are interfered with by these very men who state how ignorant we are. For
instance, the Legislature of Utah appropriated the means of the people to help
build a university. Who was to furnish the means? The people of this territory.
Who said they should not do it? The Governor, and through his action the
appropriation was vetoed. These are some of the things we have to contend with.
On the other hand, laws are enacted inimical to the interests of this people.
And then His Excellency goes to work and appoints a set of officers contrary to
the law of the land; goes beyond the act of Congress and appoints officers to
fill nearly every office in the Territory, vacant or not, as the case may be. I
am not going to enter into the details of it, but we have generally found that
there were people in those offices; that they had a right there, and that the
law provided that they should hold over until their successors were elected and
qualified. I believe the law so reads; indeed, I am told that the law not only
reads so, but that the Governor's commissions to many of these officers also
reads so, and hence his present action is violative of his own commission.
These are
some of the things we have to contend with.—Do we wish to fight the government
of the United States? No. What shall we do? Stand up for the rights granted to
us by the laws and constitution of the United States as American citizens. We
have ex post facto laws, religious inquisitorial laws, we have laws
which smack strongly of bills of attainder, and we have test oaths presented,
all of which and many others are unconstitutional and are violative of our
constitutional rights. I have the opinion of some of the best jurists of the
nation to the effect that all these things are a violation of law, and that men
have no business to be subjected to such infamies, nor become their own
accusers. An eminent jurist speaking of this queried how this kind of thing
would apply in Washington, where miscegenation has prevailed to so great an
extent. Suppose some of those who practised this thing were placed under such a
law, how would it operate with them? Why several members of Congress have said
that if the Edmunds law had been made applicable to adulterers, and men had to
become their own accusers, it would unseat three fourths of the members of
Congress. Ex post facto laws, have been passed, which are clearly
unconstitutional, and it is for us to test them in the courts, and we mean to
do it; for although as religionists we go as messengers of peace to the nations,
yet as American citizens we mean to contend for our rights, inch by inch,
legally and constitutionally, God being our helper.
Another
thing God expects us to do, and that is to maintain the principle of human
rights. I have felt sorrowful in watching the action of Congress towards
us—sorrowful, not only on our own account, but on theirs. We fear no evil
arising from those things, for we are anxiously performing our duty before God.
But we owe it to ourselves as men, we owe it to our families, our children, and
to posterity; we owe it to the lovers of freedom in this land, of which there
are thousands, yea, millions, who despise acts of oppression and tyranny; we
owe it to all liberty-loving men, to stand up for human rights and protect
human freedom, and in the name of God we will do it, and let all the
congregation say Amen. (The immense congregation responded, Amen.)
Joseph,
the despised of his father's house became their deliverer. Moses, the foundling
and outcast of Egypt, became the deliverer and lawgiver of Israel. Jesus, the
despised Nazarene, introduced principles that revolutionized the moral ideas
and ethics of the world. And it may not be among the improbabilities, that the
prophecies of Joseph Smith may be fulfilled and that the calumniated and
despised Mormons may yet become the protectors of the Constitution and the
guardians of religious liberty and human freedom in these United States.
Now these
are some of my feelings upon some of these points. And I will proceed a little
further and say that I do not blame many men for entertaining the sentiments
which they do towards us. There is a feeling and desire to see fair play and
honesty deep down in the hearts of millions of the people of these United
States, who ardently desire to see justice equally and honorably administered
to all people within the nation. That was manifested very clearly during the
passage of the Edmunds bill, and while many of those venerable Senators and
honorable members of the House could not conscientiously with their limited
information and the false statements made by our enemies sustain Polygamy, yet,
to their honor be it spoken, they endeavored to maintain human rights, free
toleration and religious liberty, and the rights of man without distinction of
party throughout the realm. We honor, appreciate and respect such men as
honorable representatives of the founders of this nation, and of the thousands
who to-day embrace similar opinions. It is the debauched, the corrupt, the
violators of principles and law and desecrators of the sacred principles of
liberty, it is their pernicious practices which are striking at the foundation
of the institutions of this country and which are demoralizing and destroying
the nation, and there are thousands of high-minded and honorable men to-day
who, on account of trickery, hypocrisy, dishonesty and crime stand aloof from
the filthy pool of politics. They have seen honor, truth, integrity and virtue
trampled under foot, they have seen corruption and crime like a repulsive
octopus pushing its Briarean arms into every department of State; they have
seen corruption and crime like a deadly simoom permeating every department of
the body politic, and debauching and corrupting the nation, and they have
shrunk from the disgusting contact; how far they can reconcile this with their
ideas of patriotism it is for these aggressors to say. It is not the honorable
and upright, the men of virtue and integrity that we would proclaim against; it
is the vicious, the untruthful, the calumniators, the corrupt and debauched,
the stirrers up of sedition and strife, and the enemies of law, order, virtue,
righteousness, justice, human liberty and the rights of matt to whom our
remarks would apply.
Again,
Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, and all classes have come among
us, and who has interfered with them? Has anybody interfered with their worship
No. Has any violence of any kind been offered them? No, you cannot find it. We
are at their defiance to show any such thing here. What have we done? We have
fostered them, as has been referred to; we have treated them courteously and
kindly and gentlemanly as honorable people ought to do. What have they done?
Combined together to publish some of the most abominable falsehoods that were
ever circulated with regard to any community. Now, this becomes rather a
serious matter. Talk about love for these people! I would do them good. If they
were hungry I would feed them; if they were naked I would clothe them; if they
were sick I would administer to them; but if they lied about me and about this
people I would tell them they were liars and defamers; I do not care how pious
they are, or how much religion they have got, I would tell them the naked truth
in relation to these matters.
They are
the avowed advocates of moral reform, profess to be shocked at our moral
obliquity and complain of us as being licentious and corrupt. Even every
prominent Christian minister in this city joined in a protest against customs
inculcated in the Scriptures by the Almighty, and practised by Abraham, Jacob,
David, and hosts of the most venerated and honorable men that ever lived,
practices which they aver are lascivious and corrupt; and these same ministers
issued a circular calling upon their fellow-ministers and brother Christians throughout
the United States to petition Congress for legislation which should stop, as
they claim, the "foul system of polygamy, and hypocritically inserted, to
blind the eyes of those not familiar with Utah matters, a request for
legislation for the suppression of "adultery, seduction, lewd and
lascivious cohabitation and kindred offences," that they might "be
punishable as in the States and other Territories of the Union;" and
political demagogues joined with them in the crusade.
Predicated
upon these solicitations scores of petitions were forwarded to Congress to this
effect. They obtained their legislation and in their frantic Christian zeal to
stamp out polygamy, a Bible institution, Congress, under this priestly
influence so far forgot the inalienable fights of man, constitutional
guarantees and forms of jurisprudence, as to disfranchise nine-tenths of this
community for the alleged crime of the one-tenth, and that too, without trial;
thus making the innocent suffer for the alleged acts of the guilty. And to-day
an infamous, expurgatory test oath is introduced, at variance with all
precedents in this nation, which as stated by Judge Black, is altogether
"odious, unjust and unconstitutional," which "reverses those
rules of evidence which lie at the foundation of civil liberty," and is a
flagrant, violent and direct attack upon the inherent rights of man. Thus in
their intemperate, religious zeal making a direct onslaught upon the bulwarks
of republican institutions, jeopardizing the safety of the state, and
thoughtlessly, recklessly and inconsiderately ignoring every just principle;
assailing the fundamental doctrines of political and religious freedom; and
exerting all their energies in attacking a phantom to tear down the pillars of
state and to destroy the Temple of Liberty, though they themselves, as a
Samson, perish in the ruins.
What is
the moral effect? This same test-oath, while it assails a Scriptural usage
practised by the most renowned, revered and honorable men of antiquity, who are
denominated men of righteousness and the friends of God, protects and sustains
the degraded, corrupt and licentious who are supposed to be good Christians and
not polygamists.
A very
honorable, upright and virtuous gentleman, whom no one will accuse of
immorality or vice—the respected ex-mayor of this city, who has filled that
office with dignity and honor for the last six years, has a son who was
appointed registrar for the Fifth Precinct in this city; this son had the
painful and humiliating duty to perform of refusing to register his father's
name, because many years ago he had had more than one wife, but who, through
death, was for some time without a wife at all, and has lately married one
wife; and yet this young man had to perform the disgusting task, according to
the provisions of said test-oath, of registering a notorious keeper of a
bagnio, and many of her harlot associates. Another circumstance occurred of a
gentleman who came to be registered, but thought it would be impracticable for
him to take the test-oath. More honorable than many of his pious associates, he
suggested that he did not know that he could take the prescribed oath, for he
not only had a wife, but kept a mistress, but on examination he found the oath
exempted all those who might engage in illicit intercourse, provided the
association was not, as expressed in the oath, "in the marriage
relation." On discovering this, he observed, "I can take that oath,
for I am only married to one;" and he was accepted. Another young man in
this city, whilst having the test oath read to hint, said he could not take it,
as he could not swear that he had not cohabited with more than one woman; but
when the reading was continued and the words "in the marriage
relation" sounded in his ears, be said, "I can go that," and was
duly sworn.
Thus
these moral and religious reformers and teachers, these professors of high
moral ideas, these inveighers against a scriptural practice professedly because
it is immoral, have introduced safeguards to protect the libertine, the voluptuary
and the harlot, whilst they have made criminals of those who have been
observing a law instituted by the Almighty. Perhaps it would be considered too
severe to call these "reverend gentlemen" and those "venerable
seigneurs" who occupy honorable positions in Congress by the harsh name of
hypocrites, yet it is very humiliating to the sensitive and virtuous to
contemplate the result of their ill-timed and intemperate acts, for they have
thus made themselves, while professing purity, the advocates and abettors of
vice, licentiousness, immorality and crime.
I wish
here to apologize a little for the people of the United States, for I think
sometimes we carry the thing too far in relation to them. Here are men
supposed—would be in any other community—to be honorable men, reverend men that
are teachers of religion, combining against us. And because they are considered
honorable men, people say, why there is the Reverend Mr. So and So and So and
So, they have requested us to send petitions to Congress, to do this and that
because of the wickedness and abominations of this people, and their
misrepresentations and falsehoods have been circulated in the religious
magazines and in the political papers, until the people abroad hardly know what
to think. Many of them think we are a very infamous people; they think we are a
great deal more corrupt than they are, and that we need not be. And they go to
work to legislate to correct our morals. Now, with thousands of papers
circulating these falsehoods, and these falsehoods coming from supposed
religious and honorable men, is it any wonder that the people should be
deceived with regard to us. I read to-day an account of an attempt to drive our
Elders from some of their fields of labor? What for? Because they are "Mormons."
They are so wicked and so corrupt, and all because the papers and reverend
ministers said so and so; and thus thousands of honorable men are deceived; but
many of them, when they come to a knowledge of the truth, will rejoice in it, I
want, then, to stand in defence of many of the people of the United States who
are thus deceived. It is said in the scriptures that the serpent cast out of
his mouth water as a flood. We have certainly had floods of falsehoods,
originating, many of there, with these pious people. Do we want much
association with these people I think not. If they circulate falsehoods about
us, can we respect them very much? I think not. We cannot hold communion with
people who are corrupt, low and degraded. We were down in the sloughs a little
while ago ourselves; we have come out from among them and know. What they are.
We know the infamies which exist there, the licentiousness, the corruption, the
social evil, adulteries, fornication, sodomy, child murder, and every kind of
infamy. And they come here and want to teach our children these things. We have
got to be careful how we guard our homes, our firesides, our wives, our sons
and our daughters, from their association. We don't want these practices
insidiously introduced among us. We want to preserve our purity, our virtue,
our honor, and our integrity.
The time
is hastening on, and I shall have to stop. I wish to make some further remarks,
and would have liked to have talked some time longer. But what shall we do? I
will tell you what I will try to do. I will try and humble myself before the
Lord and seek for his blessing, and say as one of old said: "Search me, Oh
God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any
wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." I have talked with
my counselors in the same way, and they are of the same mind. We have talked
with the Twelve about, these things, and they are of the same mind. Now, we
call upon all you Seventies, High Priests and Elders, you Bishops, Priests, Teachers
and Deacons individually and your quorum capacity, upon the heads of families,
upon the various organizations in the Church, upon all the Saints who profess
to revere His name, to humble yourselves before God, to lay aside your
covetousness and your evils of every kind. And when you have done so, you that
meet together for prayers in your holy places, call upon God for guidance,
direction and deliverance, and he will hear your prayers and deliver you, and
your enemies shall have no power over you, for God is on the side of Israel,
and he will preserve his people. No power can stay the progress of this work,
for it is onward, onward, onward, and will be, until the kingdoms of this world
become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ, and until every creature in
heaven and in the earth and under the earth shall be heard to exclaim,
Blessings and glory and honor and power and might and majesty and dominion be
ascribed to Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever.
We will
leave the wicked in the hands of God: He will deal with them in his own way. We
are told that the wicked shall slay the wicked; and one thing that I am sorry
over in this nation is this: that they are striking at the tree of liberty and
trying to fetter humanity and bring men into bondage, they are laying the axe
at the root of this government, and unless they speedily turn round and repent
and follow the principles they have sworn to sustain—the principles contained
in the Constitution of the United States—they will be overthrown, they will be
split up and divided, be disintegrated and become weak as water; for the Lord
will handle them in his own way. I say these things in sorrow; but as sure as
God lives unless there is a change of policy these things will most assuredly
take place.
Let us be
pure, let us be virtuous, let us be honorable, let us maintain our integrity,
let us do good to all men, and tell the truth always, and treat everybody
right, no matter their profession or creed, and love our religion and keep the
commandments of God, and it shall be well with Zion in time and throughout
eternity.
God bless
you. God bless all the Latter-day Saints. God bless all rulers and all men
everywhere in responsible situations who seek to do right and to preserve law
and justice and equity, and to maintain the rights of all men, and let his
wrath and indignation rest upon the perverters of justice and those who seek to
bind down the human conscience and enslave their fellow-men. God bless you and
lead you in the paths of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir, assisted by the whole congregation, sang
The Spirit of God like a
fire is burning,
The latter-day glory begins to come forth,
Conference was adjourned to April 6th, 183, at 10 o'clock a. m.
Benediction by Elder Franklin D. Richards.
GEORGE
GODDARD,
Clerk of General Conference.
_____
1883
5-8 Apr 1883, 53rd Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret Weekly News 32:180, 4/11/83, p 4; 32:184 4/11/83, p 8; Millennial Star 45:273, 289, 305, 321]
[5 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 32:180, 4/11/83, p 4]
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE MEETINGS.
_____
THURSDAY, APRIL 5TH, 1883, 10 o'clock a.m.
In compliance with a published announcement of the First Presidency, a large number of officers and members of the Church assembled in the Assembly Hall. The First Presidency, several of the Twelve, and a good number of local and distant leading members of the Church were present on the stand:
PRESIDENT TAYLOR called the meeting to order.
The choir sang:
Jesus, from whom all blessings
flow,
Great Builder of thy Church below.
The following prayer was offered by President GEORGE Q. CANNON:
O God, our Eternal Father, we Thy servants and Thine handmaidens have assembled ourselves together this morning in this place which has been erected for the worship of Thy people, for the purpose of commencing our Annual conference and giving such instructions as Thy Holy Spirit shall dictate. And we beseech Thee, O Father, that Thou wilt look down in mercy and compassion upon Thy people and cause that the Holy Spirit may descend upon us in power, with its gifts, with its graces, with its qualifications, that we may rejoice therein; that Thy servants who shall be called upon to speak may speak in the power and the demonstration thereof; and that Thy people who listen may do so possessed of the same influence, and filled with that light and intelligence, and with that meek and lowly feeling which will cause them to receive Thy word and rejoice therein. We are thankful, our father, that this another opportunity of coming together in a Conference capacity is afforded us. The years roll by, and Thy purposes hasten to their fulfilment. We behold them going forth among the nations of the earth. We see the fulfilment of the predictions of the holy Prophets. We see the advancement of Thy great and glorious design which is connected with this great and last dispensation. We behold the gathering together of Thy people and the proclamation of Thy Gospel to the nations, and the honest being gathered out. We behold the building up Zion, and the extension of the Stakes and the lengthening of the cords thereof, and the building up of the settlements of Thy people, and the peopling of the waste places throughout all these valleys of the mountains. O Father, we behold this wonderful fulfilment of the predictions which thou hast made by the mouth of Thy servants the Prophets! and we rejoice this morning therein. We are thankful that we have this another opportunity of coming together, and of mingling our voices and our faith together, and of glorifying Thee the Lord our god in our hearts, and in the midst of Thy congregations. And we rejoice exceedingly that Thou hast preserved us from our enemies, notwithstanding the many efforts they have made to curtail our liberties, and to destroy us and to destroy the influence and power of the Holy Priesthood, and to obliterate it from the face of the earth. On this morning, this 5th day of April, 1883, fifty-three years since the organization of Thy Church, we thank Thee that we can still meet together as a free people in this land, which is still a land of liberty unto us; and that we can rejoice exceedingly, O our Father, in the possession of this great and precious blessing. We offer unto Thee our humble tribute of praise and thanksgiving for this blessing. And we ask in the name of Jesus for a continuation thereof. Forgive the sins and transgressions and the short-comings of Thy people. O Father, help us to repent of our sins and put them away far from us. Help us to humble ourselves in the dust of humility, and to acknowledge our unworthiness before Thee, a holy and exalted Being. Help us to confess our sins unto Thee and unto one another, that they may be blotted out from before Thy face; and that in the hours of extremity and trial when adversity shall seem to enclose us round about, when we call upon Thee, our Father, in the name of Jesus, that Thou wilt still condescend to hear and answer our prayers, and to extend Thine arm of consolation and deliverance, even as Thou hast done so recently in our behalf, make the feet of Thy people fast in these mountains. And we beseech Thee to help us to multiply and increase and spread abroad, and to lay the foundation of liberty deep, so deep that it shall never be overturned or destroyed; and that we may rear upon this foundation a glorious superstructure that shall be the admiration of all men because Thou art the founder thereof; because Thou hast aided in the building thereof. And wilt Thou grant, O Father, that throughout all these valleys Thy Holy Spirit may be poured out in great power upon Thy people, and especially upon the rising generation. And when we behold the departure of so many of Thy faithful servants who have been the pioneers of this great work, and see them go one by one, leaving others to take their places, we feel that we need Thy aid, O Father, to be with those who remain, that they may carry forward this work in the spirit and in the power with which Thou didst design it should be in the foundation thereof. And we beseech Thee in the name of Jesus that Thou wilt raise up faithful laborers in Thy ministry; that Thou wilt fill the rising generation with the Holy Ghost, that they may rejoice in the truth as their fathers have done, and that they may be faithful laborers in proclaiming salvation to the inhabitants of the earth, and in the building up of Zion at home. Give unto them testimonies concerning the truth that shall make them valiant in advocating and maintaining the truth in the midst of all circumstances even if it may cost them their own lives. O Father, pour out Thy Spirit, we beseech Thee, in power upon them, that the sons and daughters of Zion may be worthy of their parentage, that they may be worthy of the blessings that Thou hast vouchsafed unto Zion, and that they may carry forward this work in a manner that shall be acceptable to Thee the Lord our God. We ask this morning that Thou wilt let thy Holy Spirit, with its gifts and the qualifications thereof, rest down upon thy servant President John Taylor, who is in our midst. Thou seest, O Father, the great responsibility which rests upon him in his advanced years. Thou hast been his friend throughout his life. Thou hast been with him since he has been called to preside over Thy church in a wonderful manner. We still beseech Thee to continue thy blessings and mercies unto him, and make him equal to the discharge of every duty devolving upon him. Fill him with the revelations of Jesus. Direct his attention to every part of this work that needs looking after, so that nothing shall escape or go unattended to; That every department of the work may receive proper attention from time to time, that Thy servants may be strengthened, that Thy servants may be reproved and may be warned from time to time, as occasion may require. Bless Thou his counsellors; may they be one with him in all things; may they preside, even the First Presidency of Thy Church, in a manner that shall be acceptable unto Thee. Pour out Thy Holy Spirit upon them, and upon Thine Apostles, with President Woodruff at their head, and upon all the authorities of Thy Church, every President of Stake and every counselor, every Bishop and emery counselor, and every member of the High Councils, and every high Priest, and every Seventy, and every elder, and all the members of the Lesser Priesthood throughout all the ranks of the Priesthood, that there may be that spirit and power and manifestation of gifts which shall be acceptable unto Thee the Lord our God. Comfort the hearts of thy people this morning. Heal those who are sick who are not appointed unto death, and comfort those who mourn, and put into the hearts of those who have means to minister to those who need, that there may be no cry ascend throughout all this land unto thine ear from the poor. And grant that all oppression may cease, and that tyranny shall not be known in our midst, and that no feeling of want shall be known throughout the habitations of thy people; and that the cry of neither man nor beast shall ascend unto Thee as a complaint against those who inhabit this land. We ask Thee also that thou wilt remember those who may be in difficult circumstances; and where there are those whose faith is tried, wilt thou be near to them and strengthen them, and uphold them that they may not yield to the destroyer, but that they may stand firm and faithful in the truth.
We now dedicate this meeting unto thee, and this conference of which this is a commencement, and ask thy blessing upon us; and we dedicate unto thee all that pertains unto us, and pray Thee to accept of us, in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.
The choir sung:
Come thou glorious day of
promise
Come and spread thy cheerful ray.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said the object of our coming together at Conference time is to take into consideration the condition and welfare of the Church in all the world -- the Church of God, the Zion of God, the Kingdom of God On such occasions we do not meet to advocate anything for our own personal benefit, but for the purpose of promoting the interests of Gods work in the earth. It's affairs are assuming a more important shape than at the beginning. We are yet a small people, but our settlements cover a space of from 1,200 to 1,500 miles. It is expected that from all these places the leading authorities, at least, will come together once a year, that all may become acquainted with all throughout the whole land of Zion It is expected that we take an interest in all these matters, and that the whole people be properly represented. If we are under the influence and guidance of the spirit of the Lord -- and we have no right to administer without it -- we shall all see eye to eye. Our duties are similar to-day to those at the beginning of the Church, only more extensive, for as the elders are active and willing to attend to their duties the work is continually increasing. New settlements are being made under the direction of the Holy Priesthood, so that the people who go out from the older places may not be scattered over the country, but may congregate together where they can have meetings, schools, Sunday schools, mutual improvement and relief societies, etc., so that they may be under proper regulation and enjoy good order and the Spirit of the Almighty. We intend to continue to spread out and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and then to the Jews and to Israel, and attend to the gathering of the honest in heart, and the building up of the Kingdom of God, till his will is done on earth as in heaven. We must, here, set a pattern to others. The work must start with the Zion of God, and we must serve God and keep His laws, that we may be the receptacles of the word and will go forth to the ends of the earth. If we do not take this course, who will do it, and how shall the will of God be done on earth? We are here to do His will, and He will take care of His Saints, and He has declared that it is His business to provide for them. I pray that the blessing and spirit and power of God may be on those who speak and upon those who hear.
PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON
Said these Conference meetings are of exceedingly great interest; when I am absent I feel it is really a deprivation. In assembling, every man and woman should come with an earnest desire that those who speak, may speak on those things that will be most profitable. The only difficulty we have is to cover all the topics of counsel and instruction that are needed. A different style of teaching is necessary now to that at the first of this work. Everything connected with this work is of magnitude, and has a national character. If we had our way we should not court publicity, we would not make ourselves conspicuous. But circumstances are thrown around us despite this feeling, to cause us to stand forward and assert and maintain the position to which we have been called, and thus we obtain a prominence which no other people have attained. We are treated as though we were a separate tribe, and have been compelled to learn the art of self-government. With few honorable exceptions, those who have been sent to govern us have treated us as though we were not fellow citizens but aliens. If peace and good order have prevailed, if the rights of person and property have been respected, it is because the people have determined that it should be so. The consequence is that there are thousands in these mountains who know how to take the needful measures to sustain a true republican form of government. In this our position is different from that of any other people, and all these topics come within the range of our religion and, belonging to our every day welfare, they necessarily come within the scope of the teachings at our General Conference. A great change has been wrought since we came to these mountains. That which was taught in theory is being developed in practice. We can see how wisely the servants of God who taught us then were inspired to instruct us. I have listened to many statements, but I have heard more solid, practical instruction at our conference and in the visits of the Elders to the people than I ever heard in the halls of Congress. God inspired His servants to give the people the bread of life and though they have not always appreciated it they have gone thereby so far as they have partaken of it. God designed that we should be a distinct people, and our enemies raise the barriers and seem determined that it shall be so. We must be self-sustaining and not be too closely identified with Babylon. Those who have neglected instruction on these points have experienced sorrow. Hearts have been broken, affections trampled upon and feelings wrenched, because of failure to profit by instructions of this kind in reference to marriage with those not of us. The Saints were instructed by the Prophet Joseph that they should labor for Zion and not for the world. Those who have followed that counsel are rich in faith and their circumstances are at least no worse than those who have loved the world. We are under obligations to labor with our whole hearts in this cause, and lay the foundations of this work so deep that they can never be torn up. One obligation we are under is this: To carry with us here the same spirit of the Gospel which inspires those who go forth in self-sacrifice and unselfishness to carry the truth to the world. They put down self and labor for Zion, and are thereby lifted to a higher plane than they ever occupied before. This Spirit should guide us in all the affairs of life, and I pray that it may be with us continually.
Adjourned till 2 p. m. to meet in the Tabernacle.
The Choir sang an anthem:
Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion.
Benediction by President Wilford Woodruff.
_____
[5 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 32:180, 4/11/83, p 4]
2 p. m.
The Choir sang:
O God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come
Prayer by Elder J. D. T. McAllister.
The Choir sang:
My soul is full of peace and
love
I soon shall see Christ from above.
ELDER LORENZO SNOW
Read passages from the Doctrine and Covenants on pages 197, 111, 159, 161, 187, 233, 257, 258, 262, 348, 382 in reference to consecration, stewardships, the United Order, tithing the duty of the rich towards the poor, equality in temporal things and the duty of Bishops in relation to consecrations and tithings of the Saints and said, I find in looking over these revelations that there are one hundred and eighty verses touching on the United Order. It has been the impression among some of our Elders that this Order has become obsolete, because the Lord speaks of the laws pertaining thereunto being obeyed after the redemption of Zion. I do not advocate the establishment of this Order in Salt Lake cit, but I think it the duty of every Elder to have the spirit of that Order. When people consecrated their property as first revealed, it was left to each one how much he should consecrate. Bishop Partridge asked Joseph in regard to this matter, and received for answer that it should be left to the individual to be the judge, and if the Bishop thought there was not enough consecrated it should be decided by twelve High Priests. When it came to stewardships each one reserved what was necessary for his support and that of his family; the rest was given into the Lord's storehouse instead of putting it into a bank and drawing the interest. Joseph sought to establish the United Order, but the people did not live up to its principles, and therefore were expelled from Jackson county. The law of tithing was introduced as an abiding law in Zion. It was given that the people might become holy and be able to keep the higher law, as the law of Moses was once given for a schoolmaster to bring the people to Christ. It is necessary that the Saints become united in their temporal affairs. They are not satisfied with merely paying their tithing. Look at the vast amounts which have been paid outside of tithing for the building of temples. Look at the amounts paid in the interest of emigration! This has been acting in the spirit of the United Order. In the revelations here read there are duties required of the poor and obligations placed upon the rich. A man may be rich without being in fault, or poor and yet do right. The Lord found no fault with Job, or Jacob or Solomon because they were rich. Yet there may be rich men among us and also poor men with whom the Lord could find fault. I am not in favor of common stock; that is, that every man should have just the same amount. but the way should be open for every man by industry to obtain all that is necessary. The same equality should obtain in temporal as in spiritual things. Every man does not receive exactly the same spiritual gifts or authority, but the way is open for all o receive them at some time when fit to enjoy them to advantage. So persons who have just arrived here from poverty cannot expect to enjoy the comforts which others have acquired by years of labor and diligence.
He then read from the Doctrine and Covenants on pages 337 and 338, showing that the United Order was given for an everlasting order for the benefit of the Church until the Lord should come. Two months after this revelation the Lord gave the revelation in which it was stated that these commandments concerning Zion should be fulfilled after her redemption.
Elder Snow explained the condition of the people who had been driven out of Jackson County, and their inability to carry out the principles of the United Order until they should be restored to their lands in Zion, and hence the revelation in regard to waiting until the redemption of Zion. Yet in Kirtland the Order could still be carried out and so in other places where it might be established. He showed too that the time would come when we would be required to carry out the principles of the United Order to the very letter. He read further from the doctrine and Covenants, page 345, showing that the Saints were rebuked of the Lord for not doing so, and that Zion cannot be built up without obedience to that Order. He exhorted the Saints to take such a course that they may reach that position in temporal things referred in the morning by President Cannon, and not only know that this is the work of the Lord, but also know that they know it.
President Woodruff hoped the congregation would remember the discourse they had listened to. He thought it was too cold to prolong the meeting.
Adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a. m. The choir sung the anthem,
"I will bless the Lord at all times."
Benediction by apostle F. M. Lyman.
-----
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 32:184, 4/11/83 p 8]
FIFTY-THIRD
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
_____
The Fifty-third Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met in the Assembly Hall on Friday, April 6th, 1883, at 10 o'clock a. m., as per adjournment.
Present on the stand, of the First Presidency: John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith; of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, F. D. Richards, Albert Carrington, F. M. Lyman, Moses Thatcher and George Teasdale; Counselors: Daniel H Wells and John W. Young; Patriarch John Smith; of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies: Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, W. W. Taylor, Seymour B. Young and Abraham H. Cannon; of the Presiding Bishopric: Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides a large representation of the leading members of the Church from the distant Stakes of Zion.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang:
The great and glorious
Gospel light
has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder F. M. Lyman,
The choir sang:
Come listen to a Prophet's
voice
And hear the word of God.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said that although we might be crowded in this Assembly Hall, owing to the dampness of the Tabernacle it was deemed advisable to hold the morning's meeting in this building.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
Said we need the spirit of the Lord in every capacity we are called to act in, whether in preaching or administering in the ordinances of the Gospel. Governments which are a benefit to mankind, acknowledged and protected the rights of their citizens. Men are recognized in their lauded possessions. Why should not the rights of God who is the Creator of all be acknowledged? There have been some of His children who have been willing to acknowledge the rule of god, but such cases have been comparatively few. Many wars were fought prior to the supremacy of Rome, for the political power, but since that time rivers of blood have been shed in the name of religion. The Lord has raised up many men to accomplish His purposes, though they themselves might not have been aware of this. Even the warriors of the ages have been raised up by Him. When a people became wicked and corrupt, the Lord chastised them. This has been particularly illustrated in the people whom the Lord has chosen as His own, kingdoms having been raised up to chastise His people for their transgressions. Then the Lord smote those who had afflicted His people in their turn. There never have been as many important revelations given at any previous time as in our day; all the keys and blessings of every dispensation have been restored through the Prophet Joseph, who was a literal descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt. Many of the Saints now living were personally acquainted with Joseph Smith, and can testify to the truth of his testimony and the validity of his calling. The setting up of this kingdom and its ultimate triumph were shown in a dream to Nebuchadnezzar, and the interpretation was given to Daniel. We are living in the time referred to, and there never was a kingdom of as great importance as the one we are now laboring to establish. Joseph Smith labored in the ministry fourteen years, and received during that time all the keys, ordinances and Priesthood that have ever been upon the earth, and then, after passing faithfully through a life of trial and persecution for the Gospel's sake, he sealed his testimony with his blood, but he left the Church, the Kingdom, the Zion of God, and the authority to continue the work he began. The principles of good and evil are placed before us that we may choose which we prefer. But we should realize that God and His power are greater than Satan and the power of evil. God will establish His kingdom and will accomplish all that has been predicted by the holy prophets. God did not create this earth and people it for the Devil to possess and rule over, He will build up His own kingdom and redeem Israel, the Jews, and His Saints. It requires a great deal of faith and labor on the part of those whom the Lord has raised up and gathered here to accomplish this, but God has raised up and will raise up men and people to accomplish His work. Men were known and called to positions of prominence. The Saints are of Ephraim and are called to build up the latter-day Zion. Though there seemed to be a scarcity of those who were on the Lord's side, yet when the Gospel was sent forth it attracted the honest from all nations. From the beginning this work has continued to grow and it becomes more and more difficult for the wicked to prevail as time passes. Brother Joseph F. Smith has remarked, the only time Satan had any chance to overturn this work was on the day it was organized. This kingdom had been set up never more to be thrown down, but will continue to progress until Zion shall be built up and become the glory and beauty of the whole earth. The Saints have been tried and proven even unto death, and if they are no willing to do this they will not be worthy to associate with those who made these sacrifices anciently. Jesus laid down His life for the truth, His Apostles with one exception died violent deaths. Many of this people have lost their lives in this cause. He is satisfied with their integrity in this regard. Nor do i believe that this people will be required to shed the blood of the wicked, but the Lord will fight our battles and cause the wicked to slay the wicked, that the hands of this people may not be stained with the blood of their fellowmen, but the Saints will go forth and labor in the Temples. Ever since the principle of patriarchal marriage has been published to the world this people have continued to prevail, and if we will keep the commandments of God He will take care of us. All of the laws and ordinances of the Gospel are eternal in their nature and al the righteous acts of the Holy Priesthood are recognized in heaven. We should be careful how we use our positions. We should not complain of a man called to preside over us. While god sustains him I am willing to do so. I can assure the Saints of one thing -- that the Lord will not allow any man who presides over this Church to lead this people astray. I know that God is with President Taylor and his counselors, and is leading them right. I would sustain a man in any position no matter what his youth or age just as long as the Lord sustains him. There is more union among the leading authorities now than there was in our early history and this principle is spreading abroad. We should sustain those over us in every position, and all be careful to sustain each other. The powers of the Priesthood can only be exercised in righteousness and cannot be used to pull down or oppress our brethren. This has been illustrated among this people in times that are past. We must beware of jealousy and prejudice. We should be careful to observe the laws and commandments of god. Let us labor in the temples for the redemption of the living and dead, let us avoid bickerings and fault finding. Let us keep god's commandments, pay our tithing and perform all our duties. Let us remember our prayers, for they ascend into the ears of the Lord, and he will be with this people and they will accomplish all that has been prophesied concerning them. Those who were the pioneers in this cause are passing away, but others are being raised up to fill their place. i feel to warn all people to beware of they way they deal with this people; for those who rise up against them shall not prevail, but will [be] broken and scattered, while Zion will roll forth and fill the whole earth. It therefore behooves me to observe all the laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and the Lord will not forget His promises. We will build these temples and complete them and attend to the work to be done therein, fill up these valleys of the mountains and attend to the duties required of us. We are making a record and will have to meet it, when we go to the other side of the veil. May God help us to be faithful and true to the end.
ELDER JACOB GATES.
It is a privilege and a blessing to attend assemblies of this kind. I have been in the church for nearly fifty years, have been acquainted with the leading authorities of the Church, have passed through the many vicissitudes that they have endured, and I never have seen anything to change the testimony that I received when I embraced the Gospel. I desire to so live that I may be one with them in time and eternity. I ask nothing better. I have prayed that I might be preserved from shedding human blood and I am glad that God has decreed that the wicked shall slay the wicked. I don't care how mean they are who do this, but it is not a work for Saints. The Priesthood is that power by which the Gods work, and by this power the purposes of our Father will be accomplished. The wicked will be removed just as fast as the righteous grow, as the Book of Mormon says, the bitter branches will be taken away as the good ones increase. According to the revelation we must become very numerous and very terrible, and the world will fear this people because of the power of God which will be with them, as was the case with Enoch and his city. What need have we to fear when we consider the promises that God has made concerning His Kingdom and coming. Many great and important events are crowding upon us. The Saints have passed through many privations, but God has been with us and has marvelously preserved and blessed us, overruling those things that have been designed for evil for our good. So it will be in the future, if we are faithful. Israel was always prospered when they served the Lord, but they have been scattered and smitten by their enemies when they forgot Him. But as Israel has been scattered so will Israel be gathered again, and as fast as the good grow the wicked will be removed. God has decreed that Zion shall be built up according to the prophecies of ancient and modern times. Elder Gates bore a strong testimony and exhorted all present to steadfastness and integrity in the Gospel.
PRESIDENT HENRY HERRIMAN
I was very anxious to come to this Conference, and feel to thank God for this privilege and opportunity. I know that the words which have been spoken during this Conference are the words of life, and I know by my natural senses and by the revelations of God to me that this is the work of god, and that it will spread and grow until it shall prevail over the whole earth, preparatory to the coming of our Lord. Let us seek then to enjoy the spirit of the Lord that we may understand the will of the Lord, and have strength to perform it. The Lord is pleased with the unity and faith of this people. I knew before I left my home in the south that through the faith and humility of this people the Lord was baffling their enemies, and I know that He will continue to do so if we will keep His commandments.
Meeting was adjourned till 2 p.m. in the Large Tabernacle.
The choir sang the anthem --
Sing ye Jehovah's praise.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 32:184, 4/11/83 p 8]
Friday, 2 p. m.
The Conference assembled in the large Tabernacle as per adjournment.
The Choir sang:
O, Jesus, the giver of all
we enjoy,
Our lives to thy honor we wish to employ.
Prayer by President George Q. Cannon.
The Choir sang:
Zion stands with hills
surrounded:
Zion, kept by power divine.
ELDER ERASTUS SNOW
Said, I desire to express my gratitude for the prayer offered up in my behalf that I may be able to continue my labors among the people of God. For some time my health has not been of the best and I realize the truth of the remarks of Elder Woodruff in reference to the passing away of the more aged of the Elders. From my youth upward I have witnessed the progress of this work and the fulfilment of the word of the Lord to His servants. The Lord has had his eye upon the American continent as the place where He would perform His greatest work. on this land He established the city of Enoch; here Noah preached to his generation; and here the Lord will build again His Zion and appear in His glory. In His own marvelous manner He has been working among the nations to bring to pass His purposes, moving among the oppressed of many lands whose minds were reaching out after more light, truth and liberty, to gather upon this continent and struggle for human freedom. They suffered greatly until they learned to appreciate liberty and detest misrule and tyranny. They burst the shackles that bound the human soul and broke the yoke from their necks. The Lord guided them to a successful issue and directed the wise and patriotic fathers of our country, until they framed the grand system of Government under which we live, the best form existing or that ever has existed among men, save it may be that which God directly revealed to the patriarchs. It is best calculated to promote religious and political freedom and maintain the rights of men than any other on earth. But it contains its own imperfections and therefore cannot endue for ever. In a revelation given to the whole people in the early days of the Church, they were instructed to maintain the constitution and seek for wise men and good men to promote its principles (Read from Doctrine and Covenants page 342). I deem it of much importance that these principles should be impressed upon the minds of all the Latter-day Saints and especially those within the pale of this Government; to implant in the hearts of our children a veneration for human rights and a desire to become acquainted with the constitutional laws of the land that they may apply them for the benefit of all who come under their influence. Also for the putting down of oppression and the evils that afflict mankind. God has designed this government to aid in the establishment of His Church and Kingdom on the earth and the furtherance of his great purposes. As long as the people maintain virtue and integrity He will sustain it, and at no time will the Latter-day Saints stand justified before God in opposing these principles or ceasing to defend them. Whatever some may have thought of the evils of mal-administration and the endeavors to war against us by factions in this country, we must never charge any of these things to the system of government embodied in the constitution. We must attribute it to the ignorance or corruption of vile politicians. God has promised to defend our cause, and that the wicked shall not have power over us. Last October we had the blessing of the word of the Lord to this effect through President John Taylor; at a time, too, when the demagogues and political quacks were forging fetters for our feet, making yokes for our necks, and seizing the whip to lash us, while they rejoiced over our expected discomfiture. We have waited calmly and prayerfully for the fulfilment of this word and how signally has it come to pass? the means devised for our enslavement have become as a broken yoke to build the fire to warm the cause of liberty. Statesmen have been urged to violate the foundation principles of human liberty, and some of those who have hearkened to these temptings, have lost the scepter of power, while all of them will go down, for the Lord has decreed it. Our young people -- our daughters as well as our sons -- by this means have been induced to study the principles of human liberty and determine to sustain them. I rejoice that our Legislature has been led to extend the franchise to women and those political rights which of right belong to all. This is in consonance with the spirit and custom of the Church, placing before the people at conference for their approval or condemnation the policy of the leaders, for all things are to be done "by common consent." We have received the light of truth by which we know that every soul, male and female, has come from God and are entitled to their agency, which is not trammeled by the Lord nor permitted to be trammeled by any of His creatures by his permission. Intelligent, independent use of this agency is decreed, so that all may be justly judged for their acts done in the body. Kings and Emperors, Presidents, Judges and Officers of every kind, will be held responsible before God for the exercise of the authority vested in them; and if they are guilty of any kind of mal-administration, or trespass upon the rights of their fellows, they will be held accountable before God and should be held accountable to the people who placed them in power. The constitutional laws of the land are to be sustained by the people of this Church, and if any transgress them, they are to be delivered up to be dealt with thereby. The laws of the government of the Church are to be treated as such, and those who violate them are to be dealt with according to the discipline of the Church, but though they may take a course to satisfy the law of the Church, if they have broken the law of the land they must suffer the penalty thereof; then they may begin again to serve God and prove to their brethren that their repentance is genuine. We are required of the lord, as Saints, to forgive all men their trespasses, but we cannot afford to override the laws of God or wink at those who venture to do so. We must observe correct principles ourselves and seek to extend them to others, and as servants of God, in our respective callings, to see that no iniquity prevails in the Church, and that all the various officers and members of the Church perform their several duties, which none can be justified in neglecting. "Blessed are they," saith the Lord, "who hear my sayings to do them all, for he shall be great in the kingdom of heaven; but whoso breaketh the least of them and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven." God cannot look upon sin "with the least degree of allowance." As a whole, this is the best people the Lord can find in the earth, who have been moved upon by the Holy Ghost and the preaching of the Gospel to gather from all lands. They have not come here for worldly considerations -- those who have are exceptions, and cannot stand unless they repent -- but for the light of truth and the blessings of the kingdom. And the servants of God must be wise in helping to separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tares, that in plucking up a tare no blade of wheat shall be destroyed. I testify to all he world that this is the work of god and not of man, and the institutions of our country are the institutions of heaven, established by the hands of wise men whom He raised up, and are as much a part of His work as the revelation to Joseph the Prophet of the keys of the Priesthood, and it is His will that all men should protect each other in their liberties but not in wickedness. The doctrine announced by the supreme court of the United States that freedom of religion only extends to thought and not to action was a wonderful strain of liberty. Who can chain a thought or restrain faith? When they stop the mists from rising or the rains from descending, they may seek to impose thought and bind belief. The fathers who framed the Constitution were not so foolish as to intimate that this could be done, but formulated a restriction against prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Faith in anything can only be determined by action. If God commands men to "increase and multiply and replenish the earth," it is their right to obey. And those who enter into unholy wedlock for the mere gratification of fleshly lust refusing to bear fruit, are not worthy of marriage nor to be numbered among the worthy of the earth. And if God reveals that the parable of the talents shall be carried out in reference to this it will be done, and who can prevent it? That God may help us to sustain civil and religious freedom, obey every law and fulfil every duty is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
[Erastus Snow]
[DNW 32:226, 5/2/83, p 2; JD 24:64]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City Friday afternoon, (Annual
Conference), April 6, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY GIBBS AND IRVINE.
_____
If the
Lord gives me strength to make myself heard, I shall feel it a pleasure to
occupy a little time this afternoon, accorded to me by my brethren.
I feel to
express unto my heavenly Father, and to my brethren and the people, my
gratitude for their prayers and faith for the blessings of God to me in
permitting me to appear before you on this occasion, and to feel the degree of
health and strength which is vouchsafed to me, thus enabling me to continue my
efforts and labors with my brethren and the people of God. For some two or
three months my health has not been of such a nature that I could labor with
the satisfaction which has attended me heretofore; and I fully realize what
Elder Woodruff said this morning concerning the aged Elders of Israel passing
away, and that the responsibility and labor of bearing off this kingdom will
soon rest upon the generation which is growing up in our midst, upon which will
devolve the work of carrying the Gospel to those who have not heard it among
the nations of the earth, and gathering Israel and establishing Zion and
building up and maintaining the Kingdom of our God upon the earth, which must
be done through faith, by righteousness, and by defending and maintaining the
rights of man and the liberty and freedom which God has ordained for the
welfare of all flesh, for the protection and blessing of the human family, and
which it has been His purpose to establish and maintain upon this American
Continent. Latter-day Saints, especially those who have grown up with this
people, as I have done from my childhood, and witnessed the manifestations of
the overruling providence of God in guiding the destinies of this people,
inspiring His servants who have led and directed the movements of this great
people, and in defending them and fighting their battles by the sword of His
Spirit, and the invisible powers that have labored with us and for us—I say to
those who are able to see and comprehend these things, it is clear and plain
that God has had His eye upon this American continent as the place where He
first commenced His great work on the earth, where the greatest manifestations
of His power were exhibited in the days of the fathers before the flood, when
the fathers were gathered in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman and received their
last instructions and blessings from Father Adam, the Patriarch of this earth,
and where Enoch gathered his people and established Zion, and where Noah
preached righteousness to the people and prepared the ark of safety, and where
He has determined ultimately to establish His Zion and gather together His
people, establish, maintain and defend His government and the Priesthood which
he has revealed for the salvation of the human family, where He will bring
again Zion that He has taken away, even the Zion of Enoch; for when He shall
bring again Zion, says the Prophet, the Lord will appear in His glory. And He
has long been laboring in His own marvelous manner among the nations of the
earth, turning and overturning, to bring to pass His purposes and to gather
together His elect; and He has moved upon the oppressed of many lands and
climes—those who sought for enlarged freedom and liberty and whose minds
reached out for more light and more truth, and whose understandings were
expanded—to gather upon this American continent, and implanted in the hearts of
our fathers a love of freedom and liberty and equal rights. He led them through
schools of oppression. They passed through many difficulties, and endured the
rule of tyrants. They bore oppression and suffered until they learned how to
appreciate freedom and liberty, and how to detest misrule, tyranny and
oppression; they struggled to burst the shackles that bound the human soul;
they struggled for freedom of thought, of speech, of action; they struggled
unitedly to burst the bonds, to break the yoke, from off their necks; they vied
with each other in this labor of love from north to south, from east to west,
in all the colonies which were early planted upon this continent. The Lord
guided their labors to a successful issue, resulting in freedom from the
tyranny of the effete governments of the old world; He directed the combined
efforts and labors of those men in consolidating the result of their labors and
framing the system of government under which we are now permitted to live.
[At this
point part of the congregation moved from the body of the Tabernacle to the
gallery causing a stay in the proceedings. Quietness having been obtained the
speaker continued.]
I was
saying that God our heavenly Father had moved upon the nations and sent out
from the nations of the old world streams of emigration to the new world, who
were panting for freedom and liberty, and who struggled to burst the bands with
which they were bound, and the yoke from off their necks, and were striving to
learn how to be free. And in penetrating the new world and its wilds, and in
grappling with and overcoming the difficulties attending the forming of new
settlements and planting colonies in the new world, they learned the value of
freedom, and therefore studied to preserve it; and they labored to establish a
form of government under which it might be maintained. In all these works and
labors we discern an overruling providence, and manifestations of the mercy and
loving kindness of God to His people, and the revelations of His Spirit
imparted, to a greater or less degree; unto the wise and patriotic fathers of
our country, who were thus enabled to unite upon the best form of government existing
among men, or which, perhaps, ever has existed, unless it has been those which
God himself directly revealed through the Patriarchs and Prophets of older
times. But so far as any political organizations of government upon this earth,
the Republican or Democratic form of government established in these United
States—(the foundations of which were laid by our fathers over a hundred years
ago), is the best calculated to promote the objects sought, and to maintain the
rights of man, and the guarantees of religious and political freedom, of any
form of government known to mankind. But that it or any other form, in this
imperfect and sinful world, is altogether perfect is not to be expected, and
therefore cannot endure for ever. But we regard the present form of government
of this nation as embodying the greatest amount of virtue and principles best
calculated to maintain and preserve the rights of man.
In the
early history of this Church a revelation was given through the Prophet Joseph
in which the people are commanded to observe the Constitutional laws of the
land, and to uphold by their votes and sustain upright and honorable men to
administer them; which also stated that He had inspired the fathers to
establish this form of government for the good and benefit of man. I will read
a few paragraphs found on the 342d page of the Doctrine and Covenants, stew
edition:
"And
now, verily, I say unto yon concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that
my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them; "And
that the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of
freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is
justifiable before me;
"Therefore
I, the Lord, justify you and your brethren of my Church, in befriending that
law which is the constitutional law of the land;
"And
as pertaining to the law of man, whatsoever is more or less than these, cometh
of evil.
"I,
the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh
you free.
"Nevertheless,
when the wicked rule the people mourn.
"Wherefore,
honest men, and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise
men ye should observe to uphold; other wise whatsoever is less than these
cometh of evil."
I deem it
of much importance that these principles should be well understood and
thoroughly impressed upon the minds of the Latter-day Saints throughout the
world, and especially those dwelling upon this American Continent and within
the pale of this government, that they may implant in the hearts of our
children a love of freedom and human rights, and a desire to preserve them, and
to aid in maintaining and defending them in all lawful and proper ways; and to
study the constitutional laws of the land, and make others acquainted with
them; knowing the principles contained therein, and of learning how to apply
them to ourselves, to our children, and to our fellowmen who are willing to be
governed thereby; study them that we may also learn how to use them in suppressing
tyranny, misrule and other evils that affect mankind; for God has ordained this
form of government in this age of the world, and has chosen His own instruments
to further His great purposes on the earth—the organization of his Church, the
proclamation of the everlasting Gospel, the establishment of His Zion, and
bringing to pass His wonderful works which He predicted by the mouths of the
ancient Prophets. And this political system and order of government is a power
in His hands established, preserved and defended thus far by Him, which He Will
continue to use as long as the people are worthy of it, as long as they will
maintain their integrity, uprightness and virtue; and at no time will the
Latter-day Saints, as a people, ever stand approved before God in violating
those principles or slackening their efforts to maintain and defend them. They
are closely allied to the teachings of the ancient Prophets and Apostles, to
the doctrines, practices and teachings of the Savior and His disciples, and they
are the best means and aids of extending and promoting those principles on the
earth. Whatever some may have thought of the mal-administration in our
government and of the efforts of individuals and sometimes of large factions,
to abridge the rights of the people, and of their blind zeal and efforts to
reach the Latter-day Saints, and to stamp out the religion we profess—whatever
may have been thought of the efforts of such individuals, cliques, or factions,
and of their warfare against us; and who in that warfare trample under foot
constitutional provisions of our Government—undermine the foundations upon
which it rests—we must never in our feelings charge any of these things to this
system of government, or to the principles enunciated is the Constitution,
which we are commanded to observe and keep. We must charge it always where it
belongs—to the bigotry, the ignorance, the selfishness, ambition and blind zeal
of ignorant and corrupt politicians, their aiders and abbettors, and all this
should only serve to make us try more earnestly, anxiously and faithfully to
combat such efforts upon constitutional grounds, calling upon God to help us
therein.
We were
told this morning by Brother Woodruff—quoting the word of the Lord given
through the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning the promises He has made to His
people—that inasmuch as we will be true to ourselves, true to God, true to our
covenants and to our holy religion, that He will fight our battles, defend and
maintain our cause, make it triumph and flourish, so that the wicked shall have
no power to prevail against us. These promises have often been repeated to us,
and last October we had a renewal of this assurance and this promise in the
word of the Lord given unto us through His servant President John Taylor, and
at a time and period, too, when many in our midst were weakening and their
knees were beginning to tremble a little, and there were others who were
inclined to falter and doubt, and fear was upon some. Our enemies—especially
the bigot, the hypocrite, the demagogue, the political quacks of the
country—rejoiced, thinking that they were succeeding in their efforts to weave
webs around us, to forge fetters for our feet and yokes to place upon our
necks, and to lash us into obedience to them. But the great majority of the
Latter-day Saints were calm in their feelings as a summer's morning, trusting
as they have ever done in the promises of God, inspired with faith and hope in
his overruling providence; and while we were doing what we might do properly
under the Constitution and institutions of our country for the maintenance of
our freedom and liberty, leaving the rest with God, exercising faith in His
promises, continuing to pray for His blessing to attend our efforts and to
hedge up the ways of our enemies; yet we have waited calmly for the result of
the promises of God, and the answer to our prayers and the fulfillment of those
things that have been spoken to us; and how signally have we seen them
fulfilled. We have seen the very means which the enemies of this people have
devised, and intended for their enslavement become before us as chaff, as
thorns crackling under the pot, as a broken yoke to be used to kindle the fires
of freedom and liberty. In former times the efforts that have been made in
Congress and out of Congress to press the representatives of the people to
hostile and unconstitutional legislation as a means to help religious bigots to
suppress the doctrines of Christ, the ordinances of life and salvation, the
rule and reign of righteousness among the people of God—I say, in their efforts
to reach our religious principles and faith, and the exercise of those
principles under that faith, and to crush it out from the earth—in their
efforts to do so, they have moved upon statesmen to violate the Constitution of
our country and the principles of human freedom on which our government has
been founded in order to accomplish this purpose. But all those who have thus
stultified themselves before the world, and before the heavens, and have clone
violence to their oath of office and to the Constitution, to the rights of man,
and to the principles of freedom and liberty, have weakened, have gone down,
the sceptre of their power has fallen from their grasp, they have been
dishonored before the heavens and before their people as a rule, and sooner or
later we will witness others going down into the pit of forgetfulness as their
predecessors have done. For the Lord has decreed it. And to-day the young men
of Israel who are assembling in their Improvement Associations in all the
Stakes of Zion, in all the Wards and settlements of the people throughout the
land, and in their quorum meetings, and in their political assemblies, are all
learning and cultivating these principles of liberty in their minds,
introducing and extending them among the rising generation, the sons of Zion,
and not only the sons, but the daughters that are coupled with the sons, the
wives that are coupled with the husbands, in this labor of love, the struggle
for the maintenance of freedom and liberty. It is a source of satisfaction to
me that the Lord has moved upon His servants and the Legislature of our
Territory to be among the first to lead the van of human progress in the
extension of the elective franchise to women as well as men, and to recognize
the freedom and liberty which belongs to the fairer sex as well as the sterner;
for the Gospel teaches that all things are to be done among us by common
consent, and the Prophet Joseph commanded and introduced in our midst the
custom we are following to-day, that of presenting to all the congregations of
Israel, at our General Conferences, and our local or Stake Conferences, the
General Authorities of the Church, to be justified or condemned by the voice of
the people, to be upheld and sustained by the confidence, faith and prayers of
the people; or otherwise to be reproved by the votes of the people for their
misdeeds or mal-administration. These are things continually before the people,
as well as the revelations which God has given unto us, and which are written
and taught in our Sabbath schools and public gatherings, and to all who come
within the scope of these instructions, viz., a love of freedom and liberty.
The
leaders of this people are charged with being blind, leaders of the blind; and the
people are charged with being blind, led by the blind. I deny the charge and
brand it false. We know and understand perfectly that our leaders are neither
blind nor are the people blind. On the contrary, we have received the light,
the light of truth, the light of God. We have come to the understanding that
every soul of man, both male and female, high and low, is the offspring of God,
that their spirits are immortal, eternal, intelligent beings, and that their
entity depends upon their agency and independent action, which is neither
tramelled by God himself nor allowed to be restrained by any of His creatures
with His sanction and approval; that the whole theory of God's rule and
government in heaven and on earth is founded upon this principle of agency—self,
independent action. And it is upon the free and independent exercise of this
agency that the decree of God is founded, that all men shall be judged
according to the deeds done in the body, none having it in his power to say
that he was not at liberty to exercise this agency untramelled.
So far as
relates to the administration of government and the exercise of political
power, or the exercise of any manner of influence—political, religious or
social every man and every woman will be held accountable to God for the manner
in which they exercise it. Kings and emperors, presidents and statesmen, judges
and all officers of the law, will be held responsible for the administration of
the power reposed in them. And if, while acting officially, they disregard
their oath of office and violate the principles that should govern them, they
become guilty of mal-administration, and will be held accountable unto God, and
should be strictly accountable to the people who place them in power. But every
individual, in an individual capacity, will be held answerable to God for all
his acts of whatsoever character, and so far as, in the exercise of that
agency, men trespass upon the rights of their fellow-men they must be held
answerable to their fellow-men for such trespass and wrong. And for this
purpose human government is instituted, approved by the people, to hold each
other responsible unto each other or unto the community, for the abuse of their
freedom and liberty, and for this purpose laws are enacted and judges provided
to judge according to the law, and to administer the law when it becomes
necessary to punish transgressors. And God has commanded us in the revelation
which He gave to us, that in case Church members violate a law of the land,
they shall be delivered up to be dealt with according to the law of the land;
that if they shall murder, rob or steal, or commit perjury or any other crime
of which the law of the land takes cognizance, they shall be delivered up to be
dealt with for their offence. But that for all manner of iniquity they shall be
delivered up to the law of God to be dealt with according to the law of God;
and those laws which are given unto you, as the laws of God, for your
government in the Church must be treated as such. And it becomes our duty as
good Saints, as those that are bound together by the ties and in the fellowship
of the Gospel, as those that have covenanted to serve God and to keep his
commandments, to work righteously and to deal justly one with another, that if
we violate the principles of the Gospel and the laws which God has given unto
us, that we shall be delivered up to the judges in Israel, and the Teachers
shall labor with such, and their labors of love shall be directed earnestly to
the reformation and repentance of all persons that have done wrong and done
violence to the feelings, faith and fellowship of their brethren and sisters.
And for every manner of sin shall they be held accountable unto the Councils of
the Church, to the Bishops who are common judges in Israel; and to the High
Councils. And though we may succeed in winning them to repentance, and they
turn away from evil and will do so no more, and succeed in eliciting the
sympathy and forgiveness of their brethren, still, if they have violated a law
of the land, they must he made subject to that law, and to endure the penalty.
And if they pay the penalty with patience, which is but the legitimate fruits
and testimony of genuine repentance, satisfying all that they appreciate their
wrong and determine to do so no more, when the penalty is paid, they may with
renewed determination begin to serve their God, and prove to their brethren
that their repentance was genuine and sincere. And although we are required to
forgive all men, God says that He reserves to Himself the right to forgive
whomsoever He will, because he searches all hearts and knows, as we cannot
know, how far their repentance is genuine, and how far they ought to be
forgiven. It is important that we as Latter-day Saints, understand what God
requires of us towards each other in the Church of Christ, and also what, He
requires of us towards the State. For the constitutional laws of the land are
for the protection of the rights of all flesh; the liberties of Saints as well
as those of sinners. And if sinners can afford to dishonor the law, surely
Saints cannot, neither can they justify others in so doing; neither can Saints
afford to override the laws of God, or to wink at others who may do so.
God will
not hold us faultless if we do. He requires us as Elders, as Apostles, as
Presidents, as Bishops, as Seventies, as parents, to teach (wherever it is our
prerogative and duty,) correct principles, and observe them ourselves and seek to
enforce them upon others. And it is not alone the duty of High Councils and
Presidents of Stakes, and of Bishops and their Counselors to labor to correct
the errors of the people, but it is the duty of every Elder, High Priest and
Seventy—and especially the Priests, Teachers and Deacons that are appointed and
called to be standing ministers in the Church, to visit the house of each
member and become familiar with every family, and every individual member of
the family, and their daily walk and life and conversation; and ascertain
whether they are living as Saints should live; whether the heads of families
preside in righteousness in their houses; whether their houses are set in
order; whether they have an altar erected whereon are offered up their daily, morning
and evening devotions; whether every member is taught to reverence and respect
that altar; whether each individual prays in secret as well as responds to the
calls made upon him to pray in the family circle and in public; whether each
one that has enrolled himself in a quorum attends his quorum meetings and is
obedient to the President of his quorum, his counsels and instructions; and if
they are enrolled in the Mutual Improvement Associations, whether they sustain
that institution and the leaders thereof, and are performing well their part;
whether the parents are faithful in sending their children to Sunday school and
to other institutions of learning; whether they teach their children to
remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, etc. These are duties and obligations
that we cannot ignore, that God will not justify us in neglecting, and those
who are called to bear a part of the holy Priesthood cannot be justified if
they neglect all these duties, or any portion of them; for the Lord has said, "blessed
are they who hear my sayings and shall keep them all, for the same shall be
great in the kingdom of heaven; but if any one shall fail or neglect to observe
and keep the least of these my sayings and teach others to do so, the same
shall be least in the kingdom of heaven." For the Lord is not to be
mocked; and though we may excuse ourselves in really ways for carelessness and
neglect, and we may supplicate for forgiveness, as we are in duty bound to do
for all our transgressions and shortcomings, yet we cannot in any wise plead
justification, or suppose that God will justify us, for He has said He cannot
look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, and yet He showeth mercy and
kindness unto thousands of those who repent and seek to turn away from their
follies.
Over
fifty years have passed away since the light of the glorious Gospel in its
fullness began to dawn upon us, and still we are measurably walking in
darkness. Yet the Lord has said that we are the only people and the only
church—speaking as a whole—upon the face of the earth with which He is well
pleased. As a whole we are the best people He can find. He has sent out His
word throughout the earth. He has sent His servants abroad carrying, as it
were, a torch in their hand n—the light of the Gospel, inviting all to come to
it, that as many as love the light may see it and follow it as one would follow
a light in a dark place, or until the dawn of day. The Holy Spirit has been
upon His servants and in the gathering together of this people. It is the Holy
Ghost that has moved upon the people in the islands of the sea, in all the
different nations of Europe, in the various parts of America, and in all lands
where the light of the Gospel has been carried and the testimony of Jesus has
been sounded. It is the testimony of the Spirit from on high bearing witness to
and moving upon the hearts of the people that has drawn them into the light of
truth and that has gathered them together with the Church of Jesus Christ. It
was not worldly prospects held out before them that induced them to gather. I
speak now of the people as a whole and not individually; for there may be
individuals who have been influenced by worldly considerations, by personal,
selfish motives. But all such, sooner or later, get their eyes open and see
their folly and sin and wickedness, and repent, or they are purged out from
among the Latter-day Saints. They apostatize, they turn away from us; they go
back into Babylon, and they strike hands with our enemies and fight against
God, and go down into perdition; for none can remain and continue to stand
among the Saints of God, and hold fast to the principles of the Gospel, and
enter into life only on the pure principles of virtue, integrity and
righteousness, as we heard this morning, and as we are told by the Lord in
certain revelations to the Church, namely, that the powers of the Priesthood
are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and the powers of heaven
can in no wise be used except on the principles of righteousness. And no man or
woman can continue long in sin in the midst of the Saints, where the Gospel is
preached in power, and where those who minister, do so in the power of their
Priesthood and by the Holy Ghost, without being purged out from their midst.
For that spirit will reveal and make manifest what sort they are. If the law of
the Lord is properly administered among them and they are found violating it
they will be judged according to the law of the Lord, and be separated from the
Saints. And although we do not look for entire separation of the sheep from the
goats, of the tares from the wheat, until the Great Judge Himself shall come to
complete the separation, it is nevertheless expected that all men who act as
judges in Israel should be helps in separating the sheep from the goats, the
tares from the wheat, as fast as they are made manifest, and the tares may be
plucked up without destroying the wheat; and it becomes our duty to do it. But
He enjoins us to be wise lest we in our zeal and anxiety destroy or pluck up
some of the wheat that may be growing under the shade of the tare, whose roots
may be intermingled with it. We must therefore be prudent. It is better in some
instances to allow the tare to remain until its character be more fully
developed and made manifest, until it can be plucked up without endangering the
wheat.
I testify
unto all Israel, and unto all the world, that God has called us, and required
us to observe and practice these things; and that it is not the work of man,
and that the institutions of this Church are not the institutions of man. And
when we speak of the institutions of our common country, we say in the main,
though God has used man in instituting this form of government, and in
establishing its institutions and maintaining freedom upon this land, they are
nevertheless the institutions of heaven; and God has revealed unto us that He
did establish them by the hands of wise men, whom He raised up for that special
purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. It is therefore part
of His great work, as much so as the part of revealing the keys of the
Priesthood to Joseph, and the ordinances thereof, for the salvation of His
people. For the political organization upon the land was designed by heaven to
be a protection to the righteous. "But," says one, "is it not
designed to protect the wicked?" No, not in wicked acts, but in their
freedom and liberty, to think and to speak and to act, and to choose for
themselves; for in those rights all must be protected. God has always protected
them, both in heaven and on earth. And he designed that all men should protect
one another, and if necessary be united for the protection and welfare of all
flesh. Not that the laws of the land or the laws of God will protect the wicked
in doing wickedly, but on the contrary, will condemn and judge them. They are
left to choose for themselves their course of life in exercising their agency
in all things pertaining to themselves and the service of their God, and to use
freedom and liberty in doing good, that which is right; but there is no such
thing as liberty to do wrong and be justified in that wrong, neither on earth
nor in heaven, neither by the laws of God, nor the just laws of man.
Now, the
Supreme Court of the United States, in its great zeal to establish and maintain
monogamy upon this American continent, and to strike a blow at the patriarchal
order of marriage, believed in by the Latter-day Saints, in its decision in the
Reynolds' case announced the doctrine that religion consists in thought and matters
of faith and concerning matters of faith and not actions, and the government is
restrained by the terms of the Constitution from any efforts to curtail this
freedom and liberty. Wonderful doctrine! A wonderful strain of judicial thought
to announce to the world, this wonderful doctrine that the government should
not attempt to restrain the exercise of thought, or the exercise of faith! I
would like somebody, that knows how to defend this doctrine, to tell me how any
one man, or any set of men on the earth could go to work and catch a thought
and chain it up and imprison it, or stop its flight, or root it out of the
heart, or restrain it, or do away with it. Let them go to and try to chain the
lightning, stop the sun from shining, stop the rains from descending and the
mist from arising from the ocean, and when they have done this, they may talk
about restraining men's faith, and exercising control over the thoughts and
faith of the people. The fathers who framed our Constitution were not such
dunces, I am happy to say, as Attorney-General Devens, who put that nonsensical
language and doctrine into the mouths of the chief justices of the Supreme
Court of the United States—the fathers who framed our Constitution, I say, were
not such dunces, they did not attempt to place constitutional restrictions upon
the law-making power, to restrain them from interference with faith and thought
and the exercise of religious opinion; but they did attempt, and they did it in
plain language, to restrain the lawmaking power from any effort at making law
for the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
And the exercise of religion implies something more than mere faith and
thought. I may think about being baptized for the remission of my sins, I may
believe it is right I should do it, I may be convinced that God has required it
of me, and I may think I ought to do it, and think I will; but all this faith
and all this thought don't amount to as much as you can put in your eye, until
I arise and go forth to be baptized, and when I do this, then I exercise the
faith which is in me, and it produces the works. This principle may be equally
true of everything else pertaining to the exercise of religion. I may believe
it is right for me to be enrolled with a religious community that meets to
worship, and I may believe it is right and a religious duty to meet with them
from time to time to celebrate the supper of the Lord and partake of bread and
wine, and when I partake of the bread and of the wine in commemoration of the
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, it is but the exercise of that faith which is in
me. I may believe that God meant what he said when He gave that general
commandments to His children to multiply and replenish the earth, and I may
think about it; but it is my duty, if I want to raise potatoes, to plant the
seed; if I desire to raise fruit I must go to and plant the fruit trees; if I
desire to cultivate the earth I must use the proper means necessary to
cultivate and improve it before I can gather the fruits of it. And then to do
the other thing, to form a union as God has enjoined in the holy bond of
matrimony, we must enter into that bond for the purpose of multiplying our
species and thus bring forth the fruits of our bodies. I may believe this doctrine,
as contained in the revelations of God; but what will this amount to unless I
exercise myself in it. I shall remain a bachelor, worse than a hermit—a
parasite in the commonwealth—unless I rise up and put my faith in practice and
exercise myself in my religious belief.
I say
also, when the time comes that God sees in the midst of His people an increase
of the female element, and the wicked ready to devour that element and
appropriate it not in the way to "multiply and replenish the earth,"
but for the gratification of fleshly lust, and will actually take and employ
hellish means to prevent the increase of their species, and show that they are
not only beneath the brute, but beneath the vegetable creation, by refusing to
bear fruit, thereby placing themselves in the category of the trees that are
dried up, fit only to be cast into the fire, he can take measures to counteract
this evil. And I say before God, angels and men, that every man and woman who
joins in unholy wedlock for the gratification of fleshly lust, and studiously
plan to frustrate the command of God in the multiplication of their species,
show that they are unworthy—what shall I say?—unworthy to be classed among the
honorable of the earth. And we have reason to believe that many have done, and
are to-day, in the great cities of Babylon, taking steps to destroy their own
offspring, committing infanticide and foeticide, all of whom, and their aiders
and abettors, are but ripening for the damnation of hell. And when God sees
this damnable doctrine taught, and taught by such men as Mr. Henry Ward Beecher
and other modern divines falsely so-called, who teach the world that it is a
positive evil to multiply and increase so greatly in the land—when such
doctrine is taught by leading lights, and so readily accepted by the masses,
the Lord says, the time has come for Him to take measures to counteract this
great evil, by introducing laws in the midst of those who fear Him and work
righteousness and live according to the principles of life; men who are
upright, honest and faithful, men who are willing to assume the responsibility;
to take the daughters of Eve to wife and multiply and replenish the earth, for
those men are unworthy of them. It is as Jesus said concerning the man who hid
it in a napkin; he laid it carefully away, and by and by brought it out,
saying, here it is as I received it, not having increased at all; in other
words, we are just where we were when we started. Another one says I received
two talents; and have increased to four, another says I received five talents,
and now have ten: the master says to the one who hid his talent, who perhaps
laid it carefully away and kept it nice, watching over it with the greatest
care; or in other words, to him who did not multiply and increase, but on the
contrary took pains to avoid doing so, "Take from him that which he seems
to have and give to him that has ten; for he that has and improves upon that
which he receives, shall receive more abundantly.
May God
bless and keep us in the way in which He can sustain and defend us, and lead us
onward, as He has done hitherto, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Choir sang the anthem:
Great and glorious is thy name, O, Lord.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 o'clock a. m.
Benediction by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 32:184-185, 4/11/83 p 8-9]
SECOND DAY.
_____
Saturday, April 7.
Conference met in the Tabernacle.
The Choir sang:
Let Zion in her beauty rise,
Her light begin to shine.
Prayer by Apostle Moses Thatcher.
The Choir sang:
Ere long the veil will rend
in twain,
The King descend with all his train.
President George Q. Cannon read reports of the Relief Societys; Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Societies, Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, which were received by vote and placed on file.
There are 322 Sunday schools; 35,178 scholars; 5,977 officers and teachers; 41,,155 total officers, teachers and scholars; making an increase of 1,400 over the previous year.
The officers of the Sunday School Union are: George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent; George Goddard, Assistant; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said we have voted to receive these reports though some of them are very imperfect in consequence of the failure of some of the Stakes to report, and under these circumstances they will not be published. In future those who have charge of these matters will be expected to faithfully represent the organizations to which they belong. and the Presidents of Stakes should overlook these matters and see that the reports are furnished that every thing may be conducted properly.
ELDER FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS.
We have extreme occasion for thankfulness to our Heavenly Father for our prosperity financially as well as our deliverance from the machinations of the wicked; this has been so manifest that none could fail to see the hand of God in our deliverance. The Savior said, "I am the vine ye are the branches." At another time, "I am the vine and my Father is the husbandman." Jeremiah in speaking of the vine said it was the greatest of all the trees of the forest, which was probably the reason why it was referred to in this way by the Savior. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Lord going forth to prune His vineyard for the last time, and I wish to say to the Elders of Israel that we are engaged in that labor. We are not laboring for ourselves alone, but for those who have gone before, those who now live and future generations, and will be held to account for the way we magnify the positions we hold. If we adhere to the vine we will bear good fruit. Jesus said every branch in me beareth fruit, and that which beareth not fruit shall be taken away and they are cast into the fire. The vine has many branches. first, and next to the trunk are three branches -- the First presidency; growing out and receiving sap and nourishment form them are twelve branches -- the Twelve Apostles, and so on throughout the various branches of the vine. Where there is any abrasure or disease it affects adversely the whole vine. It is therefore important that all the branches should avail themselves of every opportunity of receiving nourishment. Every Stake should be represented at these Conferences that any items of instructions given may be distributed to the Saints over whom these officers are called to preside. The Presidents of the Stakes should be here and if this is not possible some one should represent them who will properly report the teachings and business of the Conference. We should feel dependent upon God, listening to and obeying the counsel of those over us, a contrary course has led to the Apostasy and destruction of many. There is no other way of keeping alive but by abiding in the vine and receiving therefrom our due portion of nourishment and conveying the same on until it reaches the remotest twig. When a vine is taken up it will be found that the roots are nearly alike in form with the branches above, so also is the organization of the Church below to the Church above, and some should be in spirit at life living so as to enjoy the same spirit that exists above. The fruit of this tree is to be a nation of kings and priests unto God, and the Savior when he comes wants to find men qualified to preside and minister in the different departments of the Lord's vineyard. Then let every man learn his duty and stand fast in the trust to which the Lord has called him to act. or he will be moved out of his place. May God help us to live so as to bear fruit to His glory and be worthy of His great salvation.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 32:322, 6/13/83, p 2; JD 24:117]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
At the General Conference, Saturday Morning April 7, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
It is a
very pleasing privilege that we have of meeting together in Conference
assembled in this manner. I have been very ranch gratified, interested and
instructed, as I am sure all the faithful have been, who have been present and
shared or partaken of the spirit of this Conference. I hope and pray that while
we shall remain together we may feel the spirit of inspiration resting upon us
to guide our minds in our reflections and our speech into those channels of
communication that shall be most profitable to the people.
We have
this day extraordinary reason for gratitude and praise to God our Heavenly
Father for the peculiar manifestation of His kindness and mercy to us during
the past year; not only in granting that the earth should be fruitful in
yielding abundantly for the returning wants of His people both for man and
beast, but for the protection and deliverance of His people from the
machinations and devices and the subtle plans of men high in authority, who
have set themselves to ensnare us, and if it were possible, to hinder the work
of God—men who have thought to destroy or cripple the great cause which God has
established in the earth for the redemption and exaltation of the human family,
from degradation and sin to the realms of intelligence and glory in His
kingdom. Surely all Saints who have been making "first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness," their aim and study, cannot fail to have
both seen and felt this. It is but another assurance from on high of his good
pleasure in not only having given unto us the kingdom, but in preserving the
rights, the powers and blessings thereof from encroachment or invasion and from
injury by the hands of the wicked and ungodly.
I am
reminded that the time at my disposal this morning is short, there being several
yet to address the Conference. I will, therefore, proceed directly to call your
attention to a passage of Scripture found in the 15th chapter of John:
"I
am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
"Every
branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every branch that
beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
"Now,
ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
"Abide
in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide
in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in me.
"I
am the vine, ye are, the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.
"If
a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men
gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
"If
ye abide in me, and my words abide in you; ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you.
"Herein
is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples."
One of
the Prophets, I think it was Jeremiah, said that the vine was the noblest or
choicest of all the trees of the forest. The Savior, no doubt, in view of this
general understanding, adopted the vine to figuratively represent the precious
principles which He undertook to illustrate in the foregoing passages of
Scripture, and which I wish to make some allusion to, in illustration of the
importance of our being in a proper position to attend to our duties
faithfully, which is necessary for the complete growth and progress of the
vine, to which we are attached in all its branches, leaves, flowers and fruits.
Christ's
Church is frequently spoken of as a vine of the Lord's planting in the earth.
Our Savior and the ancient Prophets Nephi, Jacob, Zenos, and others, spoke of
the husbandman going forth in the morning to employ workmen to labor in his
vineyard, during the heat and burthen of the day; and also about the eleventh
hour, of his employing laborers to go into the vineyard and prune it for the
last time. I wish to remind you my brethren of the Priesthood, especially those
who are called to occupy important leading positions in the Wards, the Stakes
and councils of Zion, that you are the men who were spoken of and written about
in their parables.
The
Prophets of those early days were so filled with the spirit and power of the
Gospel and of revelation, that they looked into the future and saw in vision
the birth of Christ and the work that he was to perform. They also beheld our
day, and the work in which we are engaged. It must be borne in mind ,that we
are not working alone for our dear selves, but for those coming after us; and
that our work bears a strict relation to those that have been here and gone
before us to the spirit world, to whom we are as closely related; and without
whom we cannot be made perfect, any more than they without us.
Therefore,
every Elder clothed with the Priesthood has a right to officiate in ordinances
affecting the happiness of those who have gone before, as well as of being the
means of bestowing blessings upon those who follow him; and for the use of this
power he will be held accountable.
Now let
it be understood, Jesus said, "I am the true vine." Everybody
acquainted with the art of pruning, knows, that to make a tree bear the
greatest amount of fruit he must trim it so that there will be no small
branches springing up around the roots, but that there be one vine with all the
sap running through it. He has not only said, "I am the true vine;"
but also "ye are the branches." If the tree be properly trimmed the
sap, which is the life of it, will go from the roots through the vine to all
the branches thereof. Jesus said in connection with this "every branch in
me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit
He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
Let it be
understood that the healthy, thrifty growth of the limbs, the leaves, the bloom
and the fruit, all depends upon the close adherence of the "branches"
to the "vine"—the body of Christ. And every man bearing the Holy
Priesthood must be made conscious of this in his experience and observations at
one time or another if he is of any use as a living branch in this Church.
To this
vine, in our dispensation there are three branches—the First Presidency—who are
closely allied to the powers behind the veil; and they are the first to receive
the mind and will of God, and communicate the same to the Church. This is that
Spirit of revelation, the sap that comes from the vine, that goes to all the
branches. And not only do we see these three main branches next the trunk, but
a little further along are twelve other branches, spreading out and each of
them, shooting forth other branches, twigs, tendrils, leaves and fruit, if they
abide in the vine.
Now if
those branches by any means become injured, or are not in a healthful condition
from any course—no matter what—so that the free flow of the sap from the trunk
and main branches is arrested, or retarded, the consequence is that the lesser
branches, the twigs, leaves and fruit depending for nourishment and life upon
the injured or deadened limb, are more or less affected, hindered in their
growth, dwarfed in their development, and must suffer death unless relieved by
a healthy pruning.
I wish
now to call the attention of the Presidents of Stakes to the consideration of
this fact.
It is the
duty of every President of a Stake to attend the annual and semi-annual
Conferences, which are held in this place so far as practicable, but if it
should so happen that a President himself could not be present, then he should
see that one or both of his Counselors come, or some faithful man of an
excellent spirit from his Stake who shall be capable of receiving the instructions
given, and who is able to communicate the same to his President and to the
people. And such a person or persons should be men whose duty it shall be to
stay until the Conference is over, attending every meeting, and paying the
strictest attention to all instructions given and to all Church business
transacted.
They
should not come here in a hurry to get away before the business of the
Conference is attended to; they should not feel as though they could leave
before receiving all that the Presidency have to say to them; so that when they
do return to their homes they may go laden with counsel and filled with the
spirit of the Conference, ready to impart the same to the people of their
several Stakes. The President who does this keeps alive the fire, the Spirit of
the Lord in the hearts of his people. By attending such conferences he goes
home with more efficient instructions to convey to the people at home, and at
the half yearly or quarterly conference over which he presides, he is enabled
to impart to all who were unable to attend, the spirit of this general
conference.
I hold
it, then, to be of the utmost importance that the Presidents of Stakes do make
it their business to see that they as branches abide more carefully and more
strictly in the vine, and that they receive the sap and nourishment of these
conferences to the utmost capacity and carry it home to support every twig,
every leaf, and every particle of fruit on the vine, for their proper, healthy
growth and maturity. This principle is not only applicable to the Presidents of
Stakes, but it is applicable in like manner in your quarterly conferences to
every Bishop.
In those
conferences every Ward should be represented by the Bishop and his Counselors,
and as many of the people as possible should be present to receive the counsels
there given. What is the result sometimes when instructions have been given by
President Taylor through the Presidents of Stakes, and only a part of them were
present? Why, it is found, when some important matter comes up, that this
counsel has been neglected, and those who ought to have been well informed are
heard to say, "Why, we never heard of this be fore." Why did you not
hear of it? Why were you not there in your place to hear of it; and thus be
prepared to carry out the instruction given
In like
manner every branch in all the missions abroad should observe and secure a
correct and proper representation in all the conferences that are held in the
various missions wherever the Gospel is preached and branches are raised up.
This is an absolute requirement. (See Doctrine and Covenants, section 20, verse
81 and on). By this means, and in no other way, can the law of the Lord go
forth from Zion, and the spirit of Zion extend to the most remote branch or
member of the Church on the face of the whole earth.
This is
the principle. You brethren of the Priesthood, as branches of this vine, are
expected to abide in it, to have the fullest connection with it, and be
prepared to convey the sap, which has been conveyed to you, through the trunk
to the extreme branches, the tendrils, the leaves and the fruit that, are under
your care. But unless you do this your people will suffer for want of
intelligence; they will have to go short of that spiritual food which you are made
the dispenser of and which you art; expected to impart for nourishment and
support, not only in spiritual matters, but in temporal things as well.
Now,
there is a feeling among mankind—it is a feeling that is common in the world,
and it is not strange that some wile have been brought up in the world should
retain it—a feeling of independence, a feeling of self-sufficiency, a feeling
that we are capable of doing without counsel, and that we can do this and that
as we think best. My brethren, the less of this feeling we carry with us, the
safer and better for us and for the people we have to instruct. We should
understand our dependence on God and on our brethren who are placed over us in
the Priesthood for that counsel necessary to sustain us and that will enable us
to bear off the Kingdom of God in righteousness.
Let me
cite you to an instance of a man in the early days of the Church—Lyman Wight
showed this kind of spirit when Joseph lived. It was all Joseph could do to
keep him in subjection to the counsels of the Priesthood, but he did conform
when brought to a consideration of his position in the Church so long as Joseph
lived. But when the Prophet Joseph died he did not recognize the right of
Apostle Brigham or his brethren of the Council to preside over him. And where
did he go? He started an offshoot of the Church by himself, and both he and
those who followed him went out into the world to destruction and to the devil
together. This is the fate of those who think they can "run"
themselves and can "run" the affairs of the Church and Kingdom of God
separately and independent of their brethren. If he had continued and abode in
the vine and made himself one with Brigham Young and the Apostles, he would
have gathered with us to these valleys of the mountains, rejoiced with us, and
laid down his bones here, and been one with the people of God. But, no; he went
off by himself, feeling totally independent of his brethren. He abode not in
the vine, and brought forth no fruit.
If there
be any among us who say in their hearts I received my blessings from President
Young, he bestowed upon me all blessings, authority, Priesthood, and keys of
power that any one else has received, not excepting President Taylor or any of
the Apostles, and I have just as much right to advise and build up according to
my own direction as he or they have—let such take warning by the course of
Lyman Wight, Geo. Miller, and others, who have struck out independently and see
the end which their course has led them to. As the Savior said, "If a man
abide not in me, he is east forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather
them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
There is
no other way for the brethren of the Apostles, the Presidents of Stakes, the
Bishops of Wards and for all those who stand in authority in the Church—there
is no other way for men to have the love of Christ in them, to have the power
of the Priesthood, to grow with God's Kingdom, but that they abide in the vine,
be one with their brethren, keep fast to the truth, and derive their full share
of the sap that comes from the roots through the body of the vine.
This is
the principle I wish the brethren would consider. It is a beautiful figure
which the Savior draws, and beautifully represents the great truth that should
be fastened upon our minds, as He tried to fasten it upon the Apostles and
Priesthood of His time. "Every branch in me that bringeth not forth fruit
he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit."
Then, we
must look out and see that nothing offends us; that we live in harmony with all
the instructions and counsels of the Church; we want to see the spirit of love
and power flowing not only through the body, but through all the branches,
until it reaches the utmost extremity of the vine. Not only the Apostles,
Seventies and High Priests, but the Deacons and members, all who have been
baptized into Christ and who abide in Him.
Some of
you may have noticed and seen that there are vines whose branches extend quite
to the tops of the tallest trees, and that it was difficult to fell such trees
because of the sustaining power of the vine. The vine bears the choicest of all
fruits. This vine which God has planted in these last days is the choicest and
greatest of all, and it will make itself manifest as such. And we wish all
those brethren who are called to labor in the vineyard, to be in a position to
attend these conferences, especially our annual conference, so that they may
hear—and if they have not minds sufficiently strong to remember everything, to
bring pencil and paper and take notes of all matters that need to be remembered
and carried home and imparted to the people who reside in their various Stakes
and Wards, Conferences and Branches.
There is
another beautiful illustration that might be made with regard to the vine, but
I have not time save to refer to it this morning. It is this: If you take a
vine that has had growth for awhile and you go carefully and dig it up from the
earth, you will find that there is a very striking similarity in the roots to
the appearance and character of the branches above. Did you ever notice this?
Did you ever think of it? Well, this is a beautiful illustration of the order
of the Priesthood in the eternal world. The Apostle in speaking concerning
these matters, refers to a "hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both
sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." The
Priest hood behind the veil are all interested in us, all anxious for us, all ready
to minister to us as far and as fast as occasion permits or requires, as the
roots continually generate nourishment and minister to the branches or top of
the tree; so that we may be found efficient in our spheres and in our fields of
labor. We ought never to feel that we are alone. We cannot be alone. We ought
to know we cannot live without them, nor they live and be glorified without us.
And while this responsibility is extended to us, we should sense that we and
they are parts of the great whole of father Adam's family, and that there is a
responsibility resting upon us that is great and that is general. This vine has
yet to yield great and glorious fruits, while its branches must fill the earth
and the fowls of heaven, the angels, will lodge in them. What are we doing to
bring forth these fruits? What to promote the growth of this vine in the earth?
What are you Presidents of Stakes doing? Do you realize that you are raising up
and professedly educating in the name of the Lord a nation of Kings and Priests
to God? Do you impress upon the hearts of the Saints that this is our work? Do
you instruct the Teachers, and those of the lesser Priesthood how to deal with
the people, and to see that there is no iniquity permitted in their midst? This
is the kind of fruit that grows on this vine, brethren, and this is the kind of
fruit that you are called upon to nourish, strengthen and protect. And don't
you know the grape must not only grow but it must gain color. The fruit must be
fully ripened. It is a fruit that needs a good deal of warm sunny weather, the
sunshine of the Holy Spirit. It can only ripen in that right kind of climate,
and that climate is right here—the shining of the sun of the Holy Spirit and
the understanding thereof. This nation of "kings and priests" must be
so reared that when the Savior comes He will find a people ready to receive
Him; a people who shall be full of the faith and the power of the Gospel; a
people whose lives shall in all respects comport with the character of Saints of
God; in fact, who shall be the people that the Apostle John speaks of when he
says: "They sung a new song, saying, 'Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by thy blood out of every kindred, tongue, and people and nation; and hast made
us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth.'" This
was their song of joy and rejoicing, which was expressive of the glory and
power, exaltation and gladness that filled their souls.
There are
other interesting and important phases of our great work which bear a striking
analogy to the vine and its branches, but I cannot take time to dwell upon them
now, lest I wrong those who have yet to address you. I think perhaps I have
said enough to call your attention to the subject and the Spirit will aid you
to pursue it. My earnest desire is that we may master this and all principles
of the Gospel, and make them our own eternal riches, through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Amen.
ELDER ALBERT CARRINGTON.
We have no business here but to learn and do the will of God. Yet though man is placed at the head of all the creations of our Father upon the earth, mankind are the only beings upon the earth who do not keep the law of their creation, and hence, instead of feeling proud and boastful, we should be humble and teachable. We have great occasion for thankfulness to our kind, wise Father in the heavens, that of all the children of God upon the earth we have received the principles of life, and we should be careful to be faithful, that we may avail ourselves of all the blessings the Gospel promises. There are only two powers upon the earth; the powers of light and of darkness, and though we have our agency, we can but choose between the two; good or evil. Intelligent beings it would seem must know intuitively that the practice of good alone can lead to happiness. Knowing that God desires our welfare and to promote our happiness. How long then will it be before we learn to know His will and devote all our energy to do it? There is no slavery but in sin, and no freedom save in doing that which is right, so there is no happiness but in doing the will of God. While it is not expected that we shall be alike in property any more than we are in countenance it is expected that we shall be one in all things even as the Father and Son, holding all things subject to the direction of our Father in the heavens. We are far from that at the present day. There are pride and vanity and a greed of gain here. Yet I do not feel discouraged though I am aware these things are growing among us, for I realize that our children must pass through trials the same as their parents. Yet it is obligatory upon us to the extent of our ability to give good instruction and to set good examples. I tried once, for a very brief period to obtain the spirit of greed of gain, but at the end of that time was so disgusted and exhausted that I gladly gave it up. I feel to pity my brethren who are giving way to this spirit. I never have feared the days of poverty so much as those of prosperity. Kindness is more seductive than persecution, and when from an evil source is much more dangerous. In the fable of the sun and the wind who laid a wager as to which should make a man take off his cloak, the more the wind blew the closer he drew his cloak around him, but when the sun shone out he soon took it off. Yet I do not fear for the welfare of God's work, but am anxious to do all that I can to induce my fellowmen to take a course that leads to life, and hence I grieve when I see them take a contrary course. If we use all that we have as our kind, wise Father who gave us all, requires, will we not become one in all things? We can be one, and become perfect in our sphere as God is in His or we would not have been so commanded. Let us therefore go on improving upon our talents that they may be increased until we obtain a full and complete Salvation.
The Choir sang an anthem:
Rejoice in the Lord.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
Benediction by Elder Erastus Snow.
_____
[7 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 32:185, 4/11/83 p 9]
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Choir sung:
To Gentile nations cease
your strife,
And come to the words of life.
Prayer by Elder John T. Caine.
The Choir sung:
Come follow me the Savior
said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread.
ELDER MOSES THATCHER.
I feel happy and peaceful at the pleasurable circumstances that surround us here to-day, the contrast being very great to those of a year ago. When men make it a special mission of their life to persecute and plot mischief against the people of God, they do not understand how and by whom their plots and schemes are brought to naught. We came here to serve God and maintain our rights and liberties, and not to submit to a compromise with those who seek to destroy. There will always be a superior power than that of man and this people have the key to that power, which will overrule all the efforts of our adversaries. In the change that came over the power of Senator Edmunds in urging measures against this people in the Senate of the United States, we acknowledge the hand of God who marks the course of those that plot against the liberties of His Saints, and their course is not upward. The argument of congressmen that unless they passed laws against the "Mormons" they could not satisfy their constituents, reminds us of the course taken by the Jews in relation to the Savior and the results upon them. Over fifty per cent of the men who put aside principle to satisfy popular clamor lost their positions in the ensuing election. Look at those who gallantly stood up for principle and the rights of this people, and see how different it was with them! God was in the political wave that swept over the country, and even the Democrats could not account for the tide in their favor. Joseph Smith came to stem the stream of infidelity which had set in and promise true faith in God. This is God's Kingdom, His theocracy. Who can stand against it? There is nothing that can injure this people but their own wrongdoings. I desire to speak a few words in regard to the evils coming in amongst the Saints, calculated to destroy their faith in God. Intemperance, the use of intoxicants is one. Look at the 200,000 in the insane asylums of England, 75 per cent. brought there through alcohol. According to reliable statistics the money spent in England during seven given consecutive years was enough to have paid off the national debt and leave over a billion dollars to spare. While the revenue from the liquor traffic in that country is $150,000,000 a year it is insufficient to meet the expenses that grow out of its use. There is enough liquor drunk in the United States in sixty days to buy all the libraries of the country at an average rate of $2 per volume. Enough is drank in seven months to pay for all the property of the Churches in the country. About $320,000,000 more is paid out every year for liquor than for national, state, country, school and municipal taxes. And the regulating enactments of the country have been a failure. We see it on every hand. More money is spent in Utah for liquor than is paid out for infamy. Harlotry and licentiousness go hand in hand with intemperance. Liquor weakens not strengthens men. And say man who weakens his judgment by the habitual use of intoxicants is a dangerous element in society. It has separated husband and wife, dragged down innocence and virtue, and can we not see the terrible results of these things? No man can be a true servant of God and taint his heritage with the desire for liquor. Those who live according to the laws of God will have stronger bodies and stronger minds than others, and will yet rule the world, on natural principles. Let us come up on the higher plane of the celestial law and perpetuate our species according thereto. Men say we shall not, but I say we will! Let men and women be pure in heart and life, and bring forth children of promise like unto Samuel of old, serve the Lord and build up Zion and God will be with them unto victory and salvation.
[Moses Thatcher]
[DNW 32:306, 6/6/83, p 2; JD 24:110]
DISCOURSE
BY ELDER MOSES THATCHER,
Delivered in the Large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City,
Saturday, afternoon, April 7th, (Annual Conference) 1883.
_____
I feel
very grateful indeed for the happy and peaceful circumstances with which we are
surrounded this day, and I cannot help realizing how different they are to
those which surrounded us a year ago. The pressure from the outside world at
that time was very great, and the power of him who has been an oppressor from
the beginning was exercised throughout this nation for the hurt of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But when perils have threatened we have
learned to appeal to the invisible forces of heaven against the visible forces
of earth, and in no age of the world with which I am acquainted has the right
ever failed to succeed if those who maintained it were directed, sustained and
upheld by the power of God our eternal Father. When men make it their special
mission to contend against this great work, they do not realize that God is a
power, they cannot comprehend that exercise of faith that turns aside the
shafts of our enemies and delivers us from the snares which shrewd politicians
and wicked and ungodly priests lay to entrap the people. How well I recollect a
conversation I had about a year ago, with a very thoughtful man, a man
connected with the Church, but who at times is given to view things from the
natural standpoint. It was shortly after the arrival of the Commissioners who
came to Utah to administer the provisions of the Edmunds' law. This brother was
not ignorant of the exertions which has been made throughout the Union to
secure the enactment of that and other prescriptive measures, nor was he
ignorant of the intent of leading politicians in the Republican party to forge
chains with which to bind us, while depriving us of our liberties. He
understood full well the means which had been used; he was not ignorant of the
tearful waves of prejudice which had swept every State in the Union. Realizing
what the intentions of the wicked were, and understanding the mighty
power of a mighty nation, he felt exercised and desired to know if something
could not be done to compromise the question; in other words; if it was not
possible to submit to the President and Cabinet certain propositions by which
the people might be enabled to maintain their rights and liberties. I have not
forgotten what my reflections were while listening, to his remarks, and I
remember the reply which I was led to make. It was this: We had been gathered
from the nations of the earth. We came to these mountains to serve God without
respect to the thoughts or suffrages of other people. We came here to maintain
liberty of conscience and freedom of worship, the provisions of the
Constitution of our common country, and not to compromise them upon any terms
whatever; that I knew of no earthly wisdom upon which we could safely rely in
maintaining those rights; that if the religious, political and social affairs
of the people were given over to the management of a hundred of the wisest
uninspired men to be found in Zion, they would utterly fail to accomplish the
purposes of God, though they might in their efforts to please man, sacrifice
liberty and the freedom of conscience, violate the sacred provisions of the
Constitution, and make those whom they sought to serve pliant staves, unworthy
of the blessings which of right belong to a free people; that the adoption of
such a policy would, within six months, place us in such a condition of
confusion and misery that God alone could relieve our distress; that if, on the
other hand, we would exercise faith in Him, live our religion, be prayerful and
humble, He would bring us off, as He has done many times before, victorious.
Can we not see how the Lord has stayed the passions of men and made their wrath
to praise Him? Let us reflect upon the difference between the power exercised
by the great leading light of the Republican party during the passage of the
Edmunds' bill in the Senate of the United States a little over a year ago, and
the exercise of the influence of the same man a year later. Senator Edmunds,
when he first called up his bill was, in the Senate, almost supreme. By the
power of his intellect and the fierce invective of his tongue, he ruled, as it
were, absolute master, and his bill unconstitutional and unjust, passed the
Senate with but little opposition. Few statesmen cared then to measure arms
with him, but mark the results when God did so a year later.
Had the
faith of this people changed? Did we believe more in the laws of God in March,
1882, than we did in March 1883? Certainly not. Why then was Senator Edmunds
unable to carry out his views and measures regarding this people in the latter
as he had succeeded in doing in the former year? Because God is a force in the
world and its affairs, whether men acknowledge it or not. His power always has
been, and always will be greater than man's power.
Men may
think what they please and sneer at what they may be pleased to call
fanaticism, but this I know, shame and confusion was the part of Senator
Edmunds when, after six hours vain endeavor to force the passage of another
infamous measure against us, he stood up in the Senate and confessed that he
could see by the ruling of the presiding officer, and by the votes of his
opponents, that it was impossible to carry the measure which he had in hand;
and therefore moved for an adjournment. Was his defeat, chagrin and shame
accomplished by the wisdom of man? We think not. We at least are willing, as we
always have been, to acknowledge the hand of God in these things. God not only
holds the destinies of nations in His hands, but He holds also the destiny of
individual man. He can humble those who measure arms with Him, as He has done
many times in the past. We fear not the power, nor do we gloat over the fall of
man, public or private, but we have learned by experience that when they rise
up and contend against this people and the principles of liberty and right, God
marks them, and their course thenceforth is not upward but downward. In March,
1882, when in Washington, D.C., in company with other brethren, visiting
Brother George Q. Cannon, then our honored delegate, I remember the sentiments
expressed by some members of the Republican party. They would come privately and
say: "We view this bill—referring to the Edmunds' bill—as infamous in its
measures; we can see that it is unconstitutional, that it seeks to rob a whole
people of their political rights. But our profession is that of politics; we
have no other business, and numerous petitions are coming here daily from our
constituents, praying us, commanding us, to pass some law for the suppression
of "Mormonism." Now what shall we do? If we comply not with their
demands our constituents will, at future elections, reject us at the
polls." Was not a similar argument used by the Jews, when they said,
"If we let him thus alone, all men will believe in him, and the Romans
shall come and take away our place and nation?" Fearing that, they
crucified him, and what was the result? The very thing they sought to save was
that which was speedily lost. When weighed in the balance they were found:
corrupt, cruel, vindictive, murderous; unable to maintain principle, defend
justice, or do what they knew to be right. A disposition to oppress swayed
their hearts and tyranny marked their actions to such an extent, that God
rejected them as a people, scattered to the four winds and made of them, in the
midst of nations, a hiss and by word.
In this
connection let any one who feels disposed, take the pains and trouble to look
over the Congressional Record and see how those who were willing to
sacrifice principle at the shrine of everything that was wrong, willing to
sacrifice the liberties of a people poor and oppressed, examine and see how
many of that character have been returned. Have not more than fifty per cent.
of them been rejected at the polls? Ask the democrats how this has come about,
and why it has come about, and they cannot tell you. Ask the Republicans and
they cannot tell you. But ask God, who holds the destinies of nations and
peoples in His hand, and He can tell you. On the other hand examine the record
of those who fearlessly stood up in defense of Constitutional liberty,
maintained inviolate their oath of office, sustained the right, and were true
to themselves. They too felt the pressure of priestly inflamed public
sentiment, but bowed not to its tyrannical demands. They too realized the
dangers and perils that might beset their efforts for future recognition at the
polls, but having moral courage they planted themselves on principle, not
prejudice, and their constituents, in a great measure, have endorsed their
policy and sustained their heroic conduct. If I have been correctly informed, a
much greater percentage of those who sustained right on the "Mormon"
question in the 47th, have been returned to the 48th Congress, than of those
who pursued the opposite policy. We should entertain no fear of men or nations,
for they cannot prevent the Almighty from accomplishing His purposes, or
bringing to pass His decrees. History, so far as I have been able to trace, no
where records success gained by hatred and persecution over men pledged to
principle, justice and truth.
Mens'
convictions, religious beliefs and just religious practices cannot be
persecuted out of them. The nearest approach to success in this direction was,
perhaps, the massacre of St. Bartholomew in France, wherein seventy thousand
defenceless Huguenots perished miserably, victims of the malice and cruelty of
Roman Catholicism.
That
shocking butchery of men, women and children was acquiesced in by Charles IX,
then King of France, and when his ally Philip III, of Spain heard of it he
laughed, the only time he was known to laugh in his life. The Pope of Rome
illuminated the eternal city, caused medals to be struck off, mass to be
performed, and named Charles "the defender of the faith," in
commemoration of those horrid deeds of blood and misery.
Notwithstanding
the Pontifcal approval bestowed upon the king for that seventy thousand-fold
murder he was till his death daily and nightly haunted by the thought of his
victims until his misery and remorse caused, it is said, drops of blood to ooze
through the pores of his skin. Through these cruelties the Huguenots received a
fearful shock, but the consciousness of men continued to assert independence
and the right to worship God untrammeled continued to grow. The freedom we now
enjoy is but the fruit of the struggle for right, which persecution ultimately
solidified, united and made strong in the broad, deep foundations of the freest
nation on earth; thereby preparing the way for the mission of Joseph the
Prophet. Much improvement had been made, but in religious matters Joseph found
the people insincere, and the practices of the Christian world inconsistent and
unsound. Guided by the light of heaven be struck a death blow at the idolatrous
worship of a bodiless, passionless God, which the teachings of false priests
had erected in the imagination of the people. In doing so he disturbed a sea of
malice which since has known no rest. But though that angry sea may roll fierce
billows of persecution, skepticism, infidelity and priestly hypocrisy must
yield, for Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Almighty came as a forerunner and
teacher of true faith in God that cannot be conquered; it will prevail. God's
kingdom will rise and shine. They say we are endeavoring to establish a
theocratic government. What is theocracy? The kingdom and government of God.
Who will contend against it—will the Latter-day Saints? No. It is our duty to
contend for it, and to assist to build it up. It is a government of purity. It
is a government of the people, and for the people; it maintains liberty and
right, and is always opposed to oppression and misrule. I would like to dwell
upon the subject, but time will not permit, as I desire to touch upon another
at present, of deep interest to us.
We have
been called out from the: nations of the earth to serve the: Lord. "Come
out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye
receive not of her plagues. In this connection I desire to touch upon a few
practices existing among us that are not pleasing in the sight of God.
Intemperance is one of them; the use of alcohol, the use of intoxicating drinks
that fevers the blood and maddens the brain, incites to sin, debases man,
destroys his better judgment, drives the Spirit of God from his heart, and
renders the daughters of Zion unsafe in his company. What is the condition of
the Christian nations in this respect to-day? Two hundred thousand men and
women crowd the poorhouses, prisons and asylums of Great Britain alone.
Seventy-five per cent. of them the wretched victims of alcoholism. Can we think
a business legitimate and honorable that deprives a hundred and fifty thousand
men and women of comfortable homes, drives them wild, and sends them as
driveling idiots and paupers to the asylums and jails of a Christian nation,
which derives a revenue from the liquor traffic of $150,000,000 per annum, and
finds even that enormous sum inadequate to meet the expenses entailed by reason
of its use? We cannot consistently so consider it.
Aside
from the debauchery, misery, ruin and death caused by the use of intoxicants,
the waste in Great Britain is simply startling. Seventy-five million bushels of
grain—equal at our present rate of production to what Utah would yield in forty
years—is "annually consumed in the manufacture of liquors there. The
inhabitants of Britain expend yearly for intoxicating drinks over $640,000,000.
During the past seven years they have expended for the same purpose more than
sufficient to cancel their national debt, or build a new house for every family
in the kingdom, and school houses in which to educate all their children.
Had the
money expended there for liquor during the past half century been invested in
five per cent. interest bearing securities; it would now be equal to the entire
capitalized wealth of the nation, including her cities, railroads, ships,
factories, mines, farms, fields and gardens. And yet in view of these figures,
taken from parliamentary returns we hear of the cry of want and complaints of oppression.
Do the people not oppress themselves in the use—excessive use of things that
weaken and corrupt their bodies and darken their minds?
Is the
condition of our own nation in this regard much better? But little if any. In
1882, according to official reports, the people of the United States paid
nearly twice as much for liquor as they did for bread. More than the entire
value of the products of all our woolen, cotton, boot and shoe factories. An
amount equal to seventy per cent. of the wages earned in all the manufacturing
institutions of the country, during the same period. Three hundred millions of
dollars, more than was paid for Governmental, state, territorial, county, city
and school taxes combined. Enough to school the children of a nation numbering
300,000,000, or six times as numerous as ours for the same year.
The
nation consumes in liquor the value of all the public and private libraries of
the country every sixty days, and spends annually nine times as much for drink
as for printing and publishing.
Now what
can we say for the people of Utah? In the main they are temperate, but there is
room for much improvement. Here, I have no means for acquiring exact knowledge
from statistics, but I venture the assertion that more money is spent even in Utah
for alcohol than is expended for the education of our children, or the support
of the Territorial government. Do we not expend more means in the purchase of
stimulants than we pay to sustain the Church and Kingdom of God on earth? And
in doing so are we not, though perhaps thoughtlessly, undermining the virtue of
our boys, and the chastity of our girls? Do not inebriates and harlots usually
go hand in hand, and saloons and houses of in repute grow up side by side?
Had we
the means of ascertaining the facts I am satisfied we should find that nine out
of every ten cases of the lapse of virtue among us, could be traced to the use
and influence of liquor of some kind. I am led to this conclusion by positive
knowledge in a few sad cases that have come under my personal observation.
Again, the love of liquor is transmissible. No man, therefore, can be a true
servant of God while entailing misfortune and misery—perhaps decrepitude and
idiocy upon his posterity. If any among us cannot control their appetite for
drink, at least let them not transmit their thirst as a heritage to their
children, who should be begotten in purity and brought forth untrammeled by
unnatural and debasing appetites that tend to the lust of the flesh. A man
addicted to intemperance cannot subject himself to the will of God, nor can he
govern his passions to the sanctification of his body, failing in which he
cannot reasonably expect to govern others in righteousness for their salvation.
How then, are such worthy to stand at the head of families in Zion? To me few
sights are more painful than to see a sorrow stricken wife bending over the
wash tub and working like a slave to support herself and children; and perhaps
her drunken husband, who warms his miserable, useless body on the sunny side of
walls frequented by others of his kind. If we could gaze through the sorrowful
eyes down into the pain-stricken hearts of such wives—and there are some even
in Zion of that kind—we should hardly find a blessing there for those who lift
the tempting cup to the lips of their fallen husbands. It is true the liquor
traffic, among Christians, is regulated by law and disposed of generally under
license, but that does not make it an honorable business, nor does it in any
way, so far as I can see, restrict the evils that follow its use. To regulate
and license the manufacture and indiscriminate sale of whisky may, in some
places, be a necessary and unavoidable evil, but such laws as moral and
reformatory agencies have certainly proven failures. The poor, half-starved
children, depraved men, and ruined women that nightly visit the gin palaces of
London, Liverpool, New York, Chicago, and other great cities, speak
unmistakably of failure. The crowded prisons, poor-houses, insane asylums,
testify of failure. The gambler who resorts to forgery as a means with which to
retrieve his fortune, the sow that wallows in the gutter and blasphemes the
name of God, the raving maniac whose reason drink has dethroned, the murderer
who took the life of his brother while intoxicated and dies with a curse upon
his lips as he falls through the trap of the gallows, all testify of the woe,
utter failure and irreparable ruin wrought by the use of alcohol, made easy of
access by the regulations of law.
Let me,
in the name of the Lord, urge the Saints to abstain from its use. It weakens
the body and impairs the mind. When the highest order of physical excellence is
required, science interdicts its use. Men trained for great bodily effort and
long endurance are forced to be temperate or be defeated. Those who compete for
collegiate or literary honors understand the value of temperance. In view of
these facts, the Elder, High Priest or Seventy who is addicted to the use of
liquor, is unfit to perform the labors which God requires of him. Is it
possible that we as Elders of Israel, at home and abroad, cannot see the
results of these things? Do we not know that like begets like? Do we not know
that men whose blood is fevered and whose judgment is blinded are not fit to
multiply and replenish, not fit to be in that holy law of matrimony ordained
and made sacred by the Almighty? Let the world talk about and deride the
institution of celestial marriage. What concerns us more in Utah is the fact
that there are not men enough who understand the laws of life, and who stand
pure and holy, upon the higher basis of that sacred law, to be one the husbands
of all the pure and to-day marriageable women in Zion. God foresaw what the
nations would do. We were told yesterday by Elder Erastus Snow that men of great
influence in the world were preaching the doctrine of human limitation, which
leads to murder. And yet these very men will preach morality to you and me.
While killing their own offspring, and urging others to do it, they tell us we
shall not obey the laws of God pertaining to increase. I say we will. And upon
natural principles, upon scientific principles. The boys and girls who live
according to the law of the Lord will become the head and not the foot. They
will have stronger bodies, stronger minds, and by the force of the
"survival of the fittest," will, eventually, under the direction of
divine revelation, govern the affairs of the world. It has been so predicted;
God has decreed it, who will prevent it? Let us therefore unite in turning our
faces against the evil practices so prevalent in the world. Let us begin to
understand and live according to the laws of nature, realizing that violations
thereof bring penalties which sometimes are transmitted to the third or fourth
generation. In the transmission of life God has devolved upon His creations the
highest and most delicate functions, and which, if abused, entail misery and
often premature death. God has His glory in the perpetuation of life. With
wonder and admiration, we behold life everywhere. We see it struggling in the
vegetable kingdom and breathing in the animal creations. Cut down and trample
under foot the noxious weed, and yet by the law that governs its increase it
struggles upwards, and unless utterly destroyed matures seed for new life, and
thereby perpetuates itself. All nature responds to the eternal law of increase.
Man, being prompted by him who rebelled in heaven, alone seeks to defeat life,
and bring confusion and death. While he and his emissaries strive through the
commission of horrid crimes, even murder, to limit human increase, let us as
Saints sanctify body and soul being pure in heart and mind, a fit lineage
through which noble spirits may possess tabernacles unto the glory of God the
Father of spirits. Let fathers and mothers in Zion beget children, as Samuel
the ancient prophet was begotten, and I tell you there is no power on earth or
in hell that can stop the progress of this people. We will increase and spread
abroad until Zion shall arise and shine, and the Kingdom of God shall have
supremacy and away forever. Amen.
President George Q. Cannon presented the following names of Missionaries, all of whom were sustained by unanimous votes of the Conference.
Names
of Elders who have been called on missions since the October Conference, 1882,
and are now in their fields of labor.
GREAT BRITAIN.
John
Henry Smith, 17th Ward.
Samuel R. Western, Deseret.
William Groesbeck, 8th Ward.
UNITED STATES.
Soren
Jacobson;, Mount Pleasant.
Charles M. Squires, Brigham City.
Ephraim Jensen "
John Robert Stubbert, Salt Lake City.
Joseph Lapish, Salina.
Elisha F. Hubbard, St. David, Arizona.
Peter Loutensock, Lehi.
SOUTHERN STATES.
W.
L. H. Dotson, Minersville.
Adelberet Cazier, Nephi.
William Knight "
Thomas Wright, Jr., "
John S. Linton, "
Charles P. Ostler, "
Newell Whitney Kimball, Logan.
Horner C. Call, Willard.
Joseph Belnap, Hooper.
William Hurst Crandall, Pleasant View.
Angus McKay, Huntsville.
John Styler, Deseret
Wm. L. Ball, Manassa, Colorado.
Frank McKinney, "
Robert Sellers, "
Samuel Eccles, "
Baleyu Moyers, "
John Davidson;, Benson.
John Smith Willie, Mendon.
Jens Jensen, "
Andrew Morrison Spence, Wellsville.
John Hill Maughan, "
A. M. Israelson, Hyrum.
Orson M. Wilson, "
Robert Pearce, jr., Paradise.
John Henry Gibbs, "
Thomas Griffin, Clarkston.
Charles Shumway, "
Thomas Godfrey, "
Hampden Sidney Beattle, jr., 14th Ward, City.
William Frederick Rigby, jr., Newton.
Alexander Richards, Mendon.
Jacob F. Miller, Farmington.
George Albert Biglow, Millville.
Joseph Morrell, Logan.
Joshua Hawks, Franklin, Idaho
Joshua L. Ferron, Eden.
Joel Ricks, jr., Logan.
Brigham Henry Roberts, Centreville.
HOLLAND.
Peter
Jacob Lammers, Ogden.
ARIZONA.
Arza
E. Hinckley, Cove Creek.
Missionaries
Called at April Conference, 1883.
GREAT BRITAIN.
William
B. Bennett, West Jordan.
William Chapple, Ogden.
Edward A. Steed, Littleton.
Robert Johnson, Manti.
Ezra F. Martin, 21st Ward, City.
Charles Edgar Angell, 3rd Ward, City.
John Cartwright, 8th Ward, City.
Charles Denney, 11th Ward, City
Robert Braby, 1st Ward, City.
John Willoughby, 11th Ward, City.
Samuel McKay, 11th Ward, City.
William Wright, Charleston.
Henry Goldsboro, Nephi.
Heber B. Oakey, "
Henry Yates, Clarkston.
Nathaniel M. Hodges, Laketown.
William Panter, Taylorsville.
William Jex, Spanish Fork.
John Reeves, Ogden.
William D. Williams, Ogden.
Thomas Waddoups, East Bountiful.
James George Crane, Herriman.
Louis Peter Lund, Pleasant Grove.
Thomas Wilson, Lynne.
Robert Maw, Plain City.
George Condie, Hamilton's Fort.
Wm. D. Williams, Benson.
Llewellyn J. Mantle, North Jordan.
John A. Druce, 12th Ward, City.
Herbert L. James, 7th Ward, City.
Henry Wm. Harris, Brigham City.
Wm. Reeves, Centreville
Joseph Yates, Brigham City.
SCANDINAVIA.
Andrew
Andersen, Ephraim.
Charles John Christensen, Ephraim.
Christian Nelson, Upper Portneuf, Idaho.
Niels Larsen, Montpelier, Idaho.
Soren Jacobsen, Mt. Pleasant.
Frederick Ludvigsen, Gunnison.
Martin Christofferson, 4th Ward, city.
Ole Sorensen, Fountain Green.
John P. Ipsen, Mantua.
Gustaf L. Rosengreen, Union.
Jorgen Hansen, Provo.
Frederick Julius, Mayfield.
Hans Poulsen, Plain City.
Andrew Christensen, Fairview.
Martin Jensen, Mantua.
Haaken Anderson, Kanosh.
George Daniel Olsen, Fillmore.
Emil Ericksen, Spring City.
Christian Nielsen, Spring City.
Joseph Monson, Richmond.
Samuel P. Nelson, Smithfield.
Thorwald A. Thoresen, Hyrum.
Charles J. A. Lindquist, Logan.
John H. Anderson, jr., Logan
Daniel Brown, Lean.
August Swenson, Spanish Fork.
Charles Knudsen, Brigham.
UNITED STATES.
Andrew
Hendricksen, Levan.
Henry H. Mc Connell, Cedar.
Henry Peck, Malad.
Stephen B. Rose, 17th Ward.
Lars Jacobsen, Provo.
James Andrew Anderson, Hyrum.
J. J. Howe, Heber.
Charles L. Flake, Snowflake, Arizona.
Niels L. Lund, Mount Pleasant.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Andrew
Lott Jensen, Moroni.
Charles B. Robison, Montpelier.
Amos Cook, East Bountiful.
Brigham Holbrook, East Bountiful.
Joseph Willey, East Bountiful.
Nephi Robertson, Fountain Green.
John A. Mower, Fairview.
Ransom M. Stevens, Fairview.
William N. Kirby, Fountain Green.
Thomas Vickers, Nephi.
George K. Reese, 24 Ward City.
Jonathan Golden Kimball, 18th Ward, city.
Victor D. Cram, Kanab
John R. Watte, jr., East Bountiful.
James G. Wood, "
Lamoni Call, "
Joseph Smith, Centreville.
James Eldredge, Wood's Cross.
William H. Jones, Brigham.
Samuel Crandall Dunn, Raft River bridge, Idaho.
Leo Albert Bean, Richfield.
Christian F. Christiansen, Kanosh.
McLaren Boyle, Ogden.
John Wm. Butler, Richfield.
Charles A. Walch, South Morgan.
Israel Bennion, Vernon.
Newell A. Bill, 14th Ward, City.
CANADA.
George
Wesley Beckstead, South Jordan.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
August
Bisserger, Providence.
James Edgar, Jennings, 16th Ward, City.
Rudolf Hockstrasser, Providence.
Gotlieb Hirschl, Rockville.
Fraugott Bitter, Logan.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Brigham
Morris Young, Brigham City.
NEW ZEALAND.
Charles
Heyborne, Cedar.
William Thomas Stewart, Kanab.
John Clarence Stewart, Kanab.
ARIZONA (St. Johns).
John
Cox, jr., and sons, Fairview.
MEXICO.
Franklin
R. Snow, St. George.
Heleman Pratt, 18th Ward.
President George Q. Cannon then read the statistical report, also a financial report of the Manti Temple and a financial report of the Logan Temple.
On motion the reports were received and placed on file.
ELDER GEORGE TEASDALE.
It is reiterated in our hearing that God cannot look upon sin with the slightest degree of allowance. We take the position that we are the servants of the Lord, teachers of righteousness; we ought to demonstrate in our lives that we are converted to the principles which we profess. We have testified over and over again that God has revealed to us His mind and will; we ought to show by our actions that this is true. We must adopt in our lives those principles which Christ taught, otherwise our professions will be vain, being but theory. We must place our religion first and foremost in all things. We are under responsibility to be co-workers with each other and the holy angels to establish righteousness on the earth. By special revelation we have been required to put away our covetousness and all evil and set our houses in order. The very fact that we are here in Zion is evidence that we are required to labor for the kingdom, and that we must not waste our time in following the extravagance and follies and wickedness of the Gentiles. In the revelation to Enoch God told him that in the latter days there should be a Zion, and that the principles revealed to him and his people should be established, that there should be a Zion from beneath to meet and greet the Zion from above. If we have repented of our sins, been buried with Christ in baptism, received the Holy Spirit of promise, paid our tithing and attended to the requirements of our religion, we should be prepared to advance to the higher laws, by which we may be prepared to meet the Zion of Enoch. As for me I feel that I and all I have are on the altar, subject to the direction of the servants of the living God. I want to live by the counsels of the Lord, for there is no safety for us till we become like clay in the hands of the potter; then nothing can happen to us that will not be for His glory. I can trust my all in the hands of such men as those who preside over the Church. If we will hearken to them, divest ourselves of our pride, our covetousness, and all our evil ways, God will be with us, His promises will be fulfilled and we will secure a part in the first resurrection. I bear testimony that to all who live for it, God does reveal the truth of these principles. May we be established in the cause of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Conference was adjourned till Sunday at 10 a.m.
The Choir sang the anthem:
As the dews from heaven distilling.
Benediction by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
_____
[8 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 32:185, 188, 4/11/83 p 9, 12]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
Sunday, April 8th, 1883, 10 o'clock a. m.
The Choir sang:
Hark the song of jubilee:
Loud as mighty thunders roar.
Prayer by Counselor D. H. Wells.
The Choir sang:
Though deep'ning trials
throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
PREST. JOS. F. SMITH.
We have great reason for thankfulness for the blessings and privileges we have enjoyed during this Conference. There never was a time since the organization of the Church when the people were more prosperous or more numerous, notwithstanding the opposition of the wicked, from the press, the pulpit and Congress. We must acknowledge the hand of God in our deliverance, for it has not been our wisdom nor the wisdom of men. We should acknowledge the hand of God in all things. He has blessed us with an abundance of the good things of this world, making the sterile wilderness fertile for our sakes, and in addition to these things has revealed unto us the priceless riches of the principles of eternal life. And as He has been good to us in the past, so we may confidently trust to Him in the future. Therefore, there is no room for doubt, and no occasion for trembling. It would be an insult to His power, justice, goodness and mercy to doubt that He will carry on His work to completion. This is no time for faltering, fear, doubt, or misgiving. The main obstacles in the way of the Saints are pride and haughtiness and forgetfulness of our covenants, which are much more seductive than poverty and opposition. This cannot be charged to the whole people, but there are individuals who seem to be entirely engrossed in the things of this world. We are all alike before God, and the rich are as dependent as the poor upon the Lord for the blessings of eternity; but it is the willing and obedient only who are acceptable unto God, and if we yield to the seductive influence of wealth we will lose the spirit of God. If the people as a whole or as a majority yield to those influences, I see no other way of bringing them to remembrance of the Lord than by being scourged and humbled. We can only enjoy the blessings of the Gospel by obedience to its laws. They cannot be bought nor obtained by personal influence. All men have their agency and can choose the good or the evil, but all will be held accountable for use they make of this agency. God will hold all men to account for their acts. Those who will not avail themselves of the opportunities afforded them will be under condemnation. No man can obtain a remission of sins excepting through repentance and baptism. There are other great and inestimable blessings pertaining to the Gospel which no human being can obtain excepting through obedience to the laws of God. And even after we have obtained them we may lose them again through our failure to live in the light of the Gospel. All the children of God receive many great blessings, the sun shines upon the just and the unjust; but the Holy Ghost will only rest upon the righteous; the rain falls upon the evil and the good, but the dews of the Holy Priesthood, its powers and blessings will not distill upon the wicked. They are the free gifts of Gods to His worthy sons. If the Saints will serve the Lord and labor for the accomplishment of His purposes, they will rise triumphantly over all their foes. but the moment they place their affection s upon the things of this world, His spirit will begin to withdraw itself, and that which is given to them will be taken away unless they repent. We are required to do good as well as to have good desires. We must be what we profess. I know this work is of god and I have never experienced a doubt concerning it and never known what fear is concerning the ultimate triumph of this work. Man may fall but this work can never fail. The best time the wicked ever saw to destroy this work was on the 6th day of April, 1830. Now it has become altogether too powerful and I thank God that in my very bones I feel and sense that; I can see that this work is beyond the reach of its enemies. We as individuals may fall, if we give way to evil, but as long as the people seek to serve God no power can prevail against them. I do not feel to boast, only in the power and goodness of God, but I do rejoice that i have lived to see this work what it is. I know as I know that I live that this work will prevail, and I would not exchange this testimony for all the wealth of the world. We should all feel interested in this work, one as much as another. Unless we are willing to sacrifice every earthly consideration for the Gospel we are not truly considered, and are not worthy of the Gospel. This is written in the scripture and it is as true as that the sun shines. The blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been conferred upon us, and we and our posterity will enjoy these blessings if we live for them. May God help us to learn the truth, abide in it for ever, and live for god and his kingdom and nothing else, is my prayer. Amen.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[DNW 32:242, 5/9/83, p 2; JD 24:173]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH DELIVERED
At the General conference, Salt Lake City, Sunday, a. m., April
8th, 1883.
_____
There
never perhaps was a time since the Church was organized when the people of God
were more prosperous or so numerous as they are to-day, notwithstanding all the
efforts that our enemies have directed against us. But while we have triumphed
over opposition and all the forces of the wicked that have been exerted against
us by newspaper and pulpit and the power of Congress, it is meet that we should
acknowledge the hand of God in all our victories. It has certainly not been by
the wisdom, power or intelligence of man, that we have been delivered until
now, but by the favor and blessing of God in our behalf. And we are to day a
living monument of God's special mercy, favor and protection. He has not only
blessed us with the privilege of becoming acquainted with His laws, and with
the plan of salvation, but He has gathered us to a goodly land; and
notwithstanding its former sterility, barrenness and forbidding aspect, He has
modified the elements, blessed the earth, and has made these valleys desirable
as a home for the Saints. And He has blessed us with an abundance of earthly
things besides bestowing upon us the richest of all blessings that man can
enjoy in this life—the Holy Spirit and a knowledge of the new and everlasting
covenant.
We should
have the utmost confidence in the power and wisdom of the Almighty to
consummate the work which He has begun, from our experience and knowledge of
the past. This is no day for trembling or fear; it is not a day for doubt or
misgiving; God has demonstrated His power and superior wisdom in so many ways
and at so many times, during the history of this people, in delivering them
from the grasp of their enemies, that for us now to doubt Him, whatever the
position in which we might be placed, would be an indignity to our Great
Preserver, an insult to God. It seems to me impossible for any Latter-day
Saint, in the face of all the Lord has done for this people, to doubt for a
moment His ability or intention to frustrate the designs of wicked, ambitious men,
and to continue His work in the future to ultimate victory and triumph over
every obstacle or opposing foe.
The only
real danger that I foresee in the path of the Latter-day Saints is in the
results which naturally follow the possession of wealth—pride and vanity,
self-indulgence and forgetfulness of God, and a disregard of the sacred
obligations and duties that we owe to Him and to one another; and this because
of the abundance of earthly blessings which He in His goodness has bestowed
upon us. It is said that in adversity we are inclined to feel after the Lord,
but that in prosperity we remember Him not. It appears to me that in this lies
the greatest danger that threatens us to-day. This does not apply to the whole
people perhaps, for we are not all rich in this world's goods, but to
individuals, and they are not a few, but many, who are being blessed—if it
proves a blessing—with an accumulation of wealth, and I am sorry to say that
many seem to be indulging in speculation to that extent that their whole souls
appear to be wrapt up in the love of the world. It is very evident that some of
us are yet "of the world," for like them, "the more we get of it
the more we want;" and it does seem impossible to satisfy the cravings of
such minds for the perishable things of time. As individuals gather around them
riches and become engrossed with the care that naturally attaches to them, they
are prone to forget the "pit from which they were dug," or the
"stone from which they were hewed"—to forget God upon whom they are
quite as dependent when possessed of wealth as when in the most abject poverty.
For wealth does not make men independent of God, neither does it relieve them
from the obligations that they owe to each other. The rich are as dependent
upon God for the light of His Spirit to guide them, and for the blessings and
ordinances of the holy Priesthood as are the poorest of the poor. The Lord, in
this regard, is "no respecter of persons." The station or worldly
condition of man is not regarded by the Almighty. It is man's righteousness and
humility; it is the willing mind and the obedient heart that is acceptable to
Him, and unless we are righteous and humble, willing and obedient, He will
withdraw His Spirit from us, and we will be left to ourselves, as others have
been before us, "to reap what we sow." If the time should ever come,
(which I do not anticipate) when the majority of this people will be swallowed
up in the cares of the world, I know of no remedy to check the evil and thus
prevent the destruction of the Church more effectually than to be subjected to
the power and persecutions of our enemies, to be driven and smitten perhaps
until we shall be humbled and brought to a sense of our obligations to the Lord
Almighty, and learn wisdom by the things we have to suffer.
There are
blessings which pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the world to come,
which cannot be secured by personal influence nor be bought with money, and
which no man by his own intelligence or wisdom can obtain except through
compliance with certain ordinances, laws and commandments which have been
given. And it is well, in my judgment, for the Latter-day Saints to continue to
bear in mind that the inestimable blessings of the Gospel have been bestowed
upon them through their faith, that a remission of sins has been obtained by
baptism and repentance, and that it is only through continuing faithful that
they can retain the gifts and blessings which pertain to eternal life. There
are many blessings, however, which are common to the human family, which all
enjoy, without regard to their moral status or religious convictions. God has
given to all men an agency, and has granted to us the privilege to serve Him or
serve Him not, to do that which is right or that which is wrong, and this
privilege is given to all men irrespective of creed, color or condition. The
wealthy have this agency, the poor have this agency, and no man is deprived by
any power of God from exercising it in the fullest and in the freest manner.
This agency has been given to all. This is a blessing that God has bestowed
upon the world of mankind, upon all His children alike. But He will hold us
strictly to an account for the use that we make of this agency, and as it was
said of Cain, so it will be said of us: "If thou doest well, shalt thou
not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." There
are, however, certain blessings which God bestows upon the children of men only
upon the condition of the rightful exercise of this agency. For instance, no
man can obtain a remission of his sins but by repentance and baptism by one
having authority. If we would be free from sin, from its effects, from its power,
we must obey this law which God has revealed, or we never can obtain a
remission of sins. Therefore, while God has bestowed upon all men, irrespective
of condition, this agency to choose good or evil, He has not and will not
bestow upon the children of men a remission of sins but by their obedience to
law. Therefore the whole world lies in sin and is under condemnation, inasmuch
as light has come unto the world and men will not avail themselves of that
light to put themselves in a proper position before the Lord. And this
condemnation rests with tenfold force upon all those that have yielded
obedience to this law, and have once received a remission of their sins, but
have returned unto sin, and have forgotten or disregarded the covenants they
made in the waters of baptism. All men are blessed with the strength of their
body, with the use of their mind, and with the right to exercise the faculties
with which they are endowed in a way that seemeth good in their sight, without
regard to religion. But God has not and will not suffer the gift of the Holy
Ghost to be bestowed upon any man or woman, except through compliance with the
laws of God. Therefore, no man can obtain a remission of sins; no man can
obtain the gift of the Holy Ghost; no man can obtain the revelations of God; no
man can obtain the Priesthood, and the rights, powers and privileges thereof;
no man can become an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, except
through compliance with the requirements of heaven. These are universal blessings,
they are great and inestimable privileges which pertain to the Gospel and to
the plan of life and salvation, which are open and free to all on certain
conditions, but which no creature beneath the heavens can enjoy, but through
walking in the channel that God has marked out by which they can obtain them.
And these privileges and blessings when obtained may be forfeited, and perhaps
lost for all eternity, unless we continue steadfast in the course that is
marked out for us to pursue. It is well, in my judgment, that the Latter-day
Saints do not lose sight of the great privilege that has been bestowed upon
them. No man can become a citizen of the Kingdom of God but by entering in at
the door: there are thousands and tens of thousands, aye millions of people who
will never become citizens of the Kingdom of God in this world, because they
fail to exercise the agency and the power that has been given to them in the
right direction. Nevertheless, they enjoy many of the blessings that are
bestowed upon the world in common. The sun shines upon the evil and the good;
but the Holy Ghost descends only upon the righteous and upon those that are
forgiven of their sins. The rain descends upon the evil and upon the good; but
the rights of the Priesthood are conferred, and the doctrine of the Priesthood
distills as the dews of heaven upon the souls of those only that receive it in
God's own appointed way. The favor of heaven, the acknowledgment of the
Almighty of His children upon the earth as His sons and His daughters can only
be secured through obedience to the laws which He has revealed. Riches or the
wealth of the world cannot purchase these things. Simon Magus desired to
purchase the power to cast out devils with money, but Peter said unto him,
"Thy money perish with thee." These blessings, powers and privileges
are not to be purchased but by the atonement of Christ; they are not to be
obtained by personal influence, wealth, position or power, or in any other way
but the direct way in which God has decreed that they should be obtained. Now,
so long as the Latter-day Saints are content to obey the commandments of God,
to appreciate the privileges and blessings which they enjoy in the Church, and
will use their time, their talents, their substance, in honor to the name of
God, to build up Zion, and to establish truth and righteousness in the earth,
so long our heavenly Father is bound by His oath and covenant to protect them
from every opposing foe, and to help them to overcome every obstacle that can
possibly be arrayed against them or thrown in their pathway; but the moment a
community begin to be wrapt up in themselves, become selfish, become engrossed
in the temporalities of life, and put their faith in riches, that moment the
power of God begins to withdraw from them, and if they repent not the Holy
Spirit will depart from them entirely, and they will be left to themselves.
That which was given them will be taken away, they will lose that which they
had, for they will not be worthy of it. God is just as well as merciful, and we
need not expect favors at the hand of the Almighty except as we merit them, at
least in the honest desires of our hearts, and the desire and intent will not
always avail unless our acts correspond. For we are engaged in a literal work,
a reality; and we must practice as well as profess. We must be what God
requires us to be, or else we are not His people nor the Zion which He designs
to gather together and to build up in the latter days upon the earth.
I am
aware that this is the last day of Conference, that there are many to speak and
much to be done, therefore brevity is desirable. I find, too, that it is
difficult for me to speak loud enough to be heard by this vast assembly.
I rejoice
in the work of God. I have never seen a moment since I became acquainted with
the principles of the Gospel when I hail the least doubt in my mind of their
truthfulness. I have never feared, and do not know what the feeling of fear is
as to the result of this work. I know that God is able to bear it off, and that
He will do it. I fear often for mankind and far myself, knowing my own
weaknesses, better, perhaps, than any living being except God. I often have
fears and trembling for myself when I am made to feel my own weakness and see
myself as I am seen by the Lord. But as to the work of God, it cannot fail, for
God has decreed its consummation; and whilst man may oppose it and his efforts
fail, the work of God will never fail. Now mark it! As I have often said, the
most favorable opportunity that the adversary of men's souls ever saw to
destroy this work was on or before the 6th day of April, 1830; but failing to
accomplish it then, notwithstanding the efforts that were put forth in this
direction, failure to do so in the future must only be the more apparent. There
is more to grapple with now than then. "The kingdom" has taken deeper
and stronger root in the earth, and its branches have expanded and spread out
into many lands. There are more people to kill off now than ever before, and we
are rapidly increasing. There is no use of thinking this work will be destroyed
by martyring a few of the people, although they might be our leaders.
"Mormonism" is a living principle in the hearts of all true Saints,
every soul of whom must be destroyed before it can be wiped out. It has been,
through the overruling providences of the Almighty, allowed to grow until it
has attained strength and power in the earth: and thanks be unto God the Ruler
and Maker of heaven and earth, I feel it in my very bones, that the Kingdom of
God is beyond the reach and power of the devil or his agents. And in this
condition it will remain, ever advancing, inasmuch as the Saints keep the law
of God. If we should become corrupt and wicked, He has said that we shall be
removed out of our place, and every individual who will not keep His
commandments will fail. For no man can stand in this Church but upon the
foundation of righteousness and truth; and whenever we undertake to build upon
the foundation of error and falsehood, selfishness and sin, that moment our
foundation will crumble beneath our feet; the sands will be washed away, and we
will fall. But so long as this people continue faithful, God will be their
friend, and He, be it remembered, is the Almighty, and this is His work. The
stone representing this latter-day work, has been cut out of the mountain
without hands, and will roll forth according to the decree, and no power will
be able to stop its onward march. I do not feel to boast only in the strength
of our God; and I do feel from the inmost recesses of my heart to praise His
holy name, and to thank Him that I have been permitted to see the Kingdom where
it is to-day. And those who come after will live to see the consummation of the
prophecies that have been uttered concerning it by ancient and modern Prophets
verified and not one word will fall to the ground unfulfilled. Not one jot or
tittle will pass from the law or the Prophets; but all will be fulfilled, and I
am as sure of it as I am that I live. What would you or I take in exchange for
this knowledge, this witness of the Spirit? Nothing could be offered that would
be an equivalent; it is worth everything else in the world. It is a stay, an
anchor to the soul, a comfort and a joy to the heart for ever. It is with me,
as it is with every man and woman that has received the knowledge of God,
through the operations of the Holy Spirit, and that is true to the same—the
kingdom of God or nothing; I have no more interest in the kingdom of God than
any individual member of the Church. In other words, there is not a man in the
kingdom of God that is capable of attaining to the glory of the celestial
kingdom but has as great interest in the welfare of this work, in the
consummation of the purposes of the Almighty, as I have myself, or as Brother
Taylor, Brother Cannon, Brother Woodruff, or any of the members of the Quorum
of the Twelve. We are all interested. Every man should feel that it is his
work, his kingdom, his church, and that the principles of the Gospel are his
principles, for he has embraced them and espoused them, or at least unless we
have embraced the Gospel and received the principles thereof in our hearts that
they have become a part of us, that we might become identified with the designs
and purposes of the Almighty in the earth, we are not converted, nor are we
worthy to be saved in the kingdom of God. It is written—and it is as true as
that the sun shines—that except a man is willing to sacrifice every earthly tie
or consideration for the Gospel's sake, he is not worthy of the kingdom, nor of
Christ. This is according to the declaration of Jesus while He was upon the
earth. It is the testimony of Joseph Smith, and that of all the holy Prophets
since the world began, who have said anything upon this subject, that any man
who is not willing to sacrifice everything else for the Gospel's sake is not
worthy of it, and the day will come when he will come short; so that the sooner
we are converted to the truth, the better for us and our posterity. They will
receive inheritances, and the blessings of God will follow upon them through
us, just as they follow upon the seed of Abraham, because of the blessings and
promises bestowed upon their father Abraham. The promises were made to Abraham,
and the blessing followed upon the heads of his children, and will continue
unto the last generation, because the promise was made to Abraham who was
worthy of it, and he will claim the promise for his posterity. So it will be
with you and me. The blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have been conferred
upon us, and they will be inherited by our posterity if we prove worthy of the
privilege, and live for it.
May God
bless and help us to learn the truth and abide in it forever, is my prayer, in
the name of Jesus, Amen.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON.
The testimonies borne at this Conference have found a response in the hearts of the people, and will never be forgotten. The Lord has been with the people. Not one commandment has been revealed but is necessary to complete the salvation of men. They are not understood by the world and only partially so by the Saints. When the first principles were taught to us we comprehended them imperfectly. Yet here is a congregation such as cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Twelve thousand or more people who have been converted and brought to the knowledge of the truth and gathered from many nations by the power of God. Not by the wisdom or philosophy of man, but by the revelations and workings of the Almighty. The Lord laid the foundation of this work as seen by the prophets of old. God the Father accompanied by His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and commenced this latter day work. This is why the world cannot overcome it, and why it will endure and spread abroad and stand forever. And the testimonies of the servants of God are binding upon this generation as the word of the Lord, spoken by His authority. This is my testimony, and that we may be faithful and our posterity after us to endure and obtain full salvation in His Kingdom is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 32:258, 5/16/83, p 2]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City Sunday morning, (Annual
Conference) April 8, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY GIBBS AND IRVINE
_____
The
testimonies which have been borne in our hearing during this Conference have
been such that in listening to them my heart has, it has seemed at times,
almost melted within me, and I have had difficulty in controlling my feelings.
There is an influence and a spirit accompanying the testimonies of the servants
of God which carries conviction into the hearts of all those who are willing to
receive them in the truth and in the spirit in which they are given. The Lord
has graciously poured out His Holy spirit upon the people, and He has poured it
out in power upon His servants. Their testimonies will live. Mankind will yet
be judged by them. Every Latter-day Saint who has heard the testimony this
morning of the servant of God who has spoken unto us, and every Latter-day
Saint who has at any time during these days of Conference -- or during our
meetings or any meetings that have been held -- heard these testimonies, who
has heard the word of the Lord proclaimed in the power and in the demonstration
of the Holy Ghost -- I say every Latter-day Saint who has thus heard will at
some time or other be judged by these words and these testimonies, and these
words will stand before the judgment seat of Christ against them, and their
condemnation will be according to their disregard f these words. And in view of
this we ought to tremble, we ought to be filled with that feeling which Brother
Joseph F. Smith says he has experienced and which he does experience -- our
nothingness, our unworthiness, our sinfulness in the presence of a great and
holy Being like our God.
God has
made plain from the beginning of this work, unto those who would listen to Him,
His law. He has taught us with exceeding great plainness. There has been no
lack of teaching, of counsel, or of exhortation, for there has been a constant
stream of revelation and instruction and counsel from the commencement of this
work until this day. The leaders of this Church, the apostles of the Lamb, have
arisen early and have labored late, pleading with this people, pleading with
them with all the earnestness of their souls, with all the strength that God
has given unto them, to turn from their sins to righteousness, and to live so
that they will be counted worthy to enter into the celestial kingdom of our
God; and not only have they pleaded, but God has pleaded through His Holy
Spirit; God has visited this people and by the manifestations of the Holy
Ghost. He has touched their hearts. He has aroused their consciences, He has
entreated them by night and by day -- when they would listen to His voice -- in
the same manner to put away their sins, to be pure, to be holy, to be worthy of
the great blessings and endowments that He has had ready to pour out upon them,
and which He has in fact bestowed upon them. How can we stand before the
judgment seat of our God and plead ignorance for sins that we may have
committed? How can the adulterer in this church, the fornicator, and the man
who commits other sins, stand before the judgment seat of our God and plead
ignorance? We have been taught from the beginning concerning these crimes. We
have been taught how sinful it is to commit murder, to shed blood, and the
hearts of those who have been thus taught shrink with horror from the bare
contemplation of shedding their fellow creature's blood. Has there been a
similar feeling respecting adultery and lasciviousness? If there has, then
blessed are the people who have had that same feeling of horror at the thought
of committing themselves in lasciviousness that they do have when they think
about shedding blood, for there is only a difference of degree in the crimes.
The adulterer commits the greatest sin next to murder that can be committed by
a human being, according to the word of the Lord to us. The man who commits sin
with his neighbor's wife, the man who seduces the innocent, who takes advantage
of the unwary, who by his fascination or attraction or by persuasion, or by the
power which God has given him for a righteous purpose -- the man who uses that
to degrade his sister, the daughter of God, commits the next greatest crime in
the catalogue of crime in the sight of God, to the shedding of innocent blood.
And God has proclaimed this from the beginning unto this people, and He has put
us under the most solemn obligations concerning these great crimes, and in the
judgment day of God Almighty we shall be held accountable for our transgression
of these laws; we shall have to pay the penalty of these sins if we are guilty
of them. Now, the servants of God have plead with this people from the
beginning upon these matters. It is not a new doctrine that is being taught
to-day. It is as old as the gospel itself. Its existence was contemporaneous
with the gospel, for it is one of the eternal laws of the gospel of the Son of
God. God will have a pure people; God will have a chaste people; God will have
a virtuous people; that is the kind of people that He is choosing. It is the
great crime to-day of our age -- this crime to which I am now alluding. It is
the great and crying sin of this generation. The cry ascends from the earth to
the heavens. Woman is being trampled upon; woman is victimized; woman is being
defiled and destroyed by man, and her cry, though it may be stifled in the ears
of man, yet it ascends in piteous appeals unto the God of heaven; in piteous
appeals from every land under the sun does the cry of those down-trodden and
defiled sisters ascend unto God against this generation. And they will be
heard, too, and visited with vengeance in the due time of the Lord upon those
who have caused those cries thus to ascend. And God has chosen you, my
brethren, out of the world for the purpose of saving the world. He has chosen
you as the salt of the earth. He has chosen you to save mankind, to stand at
the head as the saviors of woman. 'That is part of our mission, to be the salt,
as I have said, of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, wherewithal
shall it be salted? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trodden
under foot of man. That is all it is good for if it loses its savor.
We have
reason to be thankful to our Father and God, that He has in His abundant
mercies and goodness revealed unto us His law concerning these matters. We
should teach these laws to our children, to our boys, that when in their youth
and in the strength of their passions they shall not yield to temptation and
commit acts that will have a damning effect upon them throughout the remainder
of their careers. We should watch them in their tender youth. We should instil
into them lessons of purity. We should care for them with all the wisdom that
God has given us; and our daughters likewise, and have our daughters feel that
rather than part with their virtue they will part with their life; that their
virtue is more precious than life.
God has
done everything for us that He can do. He has said to us through His servants,
"Go to and marry my daughters; you can take them in wedlock; you go to and
raise up a righteous posterity, an honorable seed in the earth; I give you this
privilege." He opens the door in that direction, and any man who has
entered in at that door, who has taken wives, is held guiltless before God.
They are the men whom God has blessed; they are the men whom God has honored;
they are the Prophets, they are the Apostles, they are the High Priests and
Seventies; they are full of the Holy Ghost according to their faithfulness in
keeping His commandments; but the men who seduce, the men who commit adultery,
the men who defile women, God damns them, He withdraws His spirit from them;
His power is taken from them. You see the line of distinction; it is drawn, and
it is drawn clearly. A man may be apparently close to the line, and if he keeps
within it he is safe; but let him overstep that line and he becomes a subject
of condemnation through transgressing the law.
Now let
us be warned in time. You young men -- and there are hundreds in this
congregation -- be warned in time, and bring not sin upon your souls and
damnation upon your heads by transgressing this law of God. You young ladies,
keep yourselves pure as angels, and value your purity as you would if you were
angels of God, and so live that the Holy Ghost may descend upon you; for all
other things are of trifling moment compared with this. This, it is true can be
repented of; by deep and heartfelt repentance man can obtain forgiveness of sin
of every kind, for God is a God of mercy. But who can outlive the consequence
of sin; who can blot out the fact of having committed such sin? Better far to
be free from it, and not to even look upon a woman to lust after her; for God
has said, he that does it shall deny the faith unless he repents. Let us be
warned, my brethren. Fast if it be necessary. Fast and pray until you obtain
power to subdue your passions and bring them into subjection to the law of God,
that holiness may be written upon us and dwell within us. I wish that all our
people could realize these things, could see them as they are. I am sure if
they could only understand the terrible consequence of committing a sin of this
character they would rather go to their death than be guilty of it.
And then
again in reference to the habit of getting drunk. I have known men who have
fallen into the commission of this crime to which I refer through yielding to
drunkenness. They become filled with the spirit of liquor, get drunk and under
the influence of that, do things that they have sorrowed for during the
remainder of their lives. Now I tell you, as a servant of God, that no man who
is an habitual drunkard can have the Spirit of God dwelling with him. The
spirit of intoxication and the Spirit of God will not co-exist in the same
bosom. I do not mean to say that there are not times when alcohol may be used
with profit as a medicine. I have never taken that ground. But the habitual use
of alcoholic drinks is contrary to the law of God, and to the law of the
church. I do not speak for all upon this matter, but I cannot, as one,
fellowship in my feelings an habitual drunkard. I know that the Spirit of God
will not dwell with him, and sooner or later he will be led astray, and do
things that will carry him out of the church if he should live long enough.
We must
be a pure and holy people. God requires this of us. Whether you see it or not
it is plain to me, that God is requiring of us a higher standard of purity than
heretofore. Fifty-three years have now passed since this church was organized;
and it is certainly right and proper that we should be a better people than we
were fifry-three years ago that we should now reach a higher standard of
excellence than we did at that time. To me this is so plain that it seems
unnecessary to state it. God is operating with us, and He is listening to our
pryers to an extent that, it seems to me, He never did before. This people are
advancing; that is, a certain portion of them are; and that portion are going
on in the path that God has marked out; they are striving to attain to the
celestial glory, and God is blessing them to a wonderful extent, and He will
continue to do so.
We must,
as Elders of Israel, labor to uplift the whole mass of the people; and this is
a great, yet a glorious work, to raise to a higher standard of excellence, a
whole people such as we are, with our weaknesses and follies. Yet this is the
labor God requires of us; and this is the labor that devolves upon us. This is
also a work of individual effort. The leading men of the church cannot lift the
people; they cannot take hold of them bodily and compel them to obey the laws
of god; they can only use their moral influence through example and precept to
this end, and this is what each man and woman can do; and this is what all must
do to be completely successful.
We are on
the eve of great changes. God is about to work a great work through us, and in
doing it he will bring us to the front. You will see the mighty power of God
displayed in our behalf to an extent that you never have seen. This work is
going forward with a rapidity that many of us cannot conceive of. God is
working with us and through us, and through his Elders who are abroad and among
the nations. The predictions made by the servants of God during this
conference, and this morning by Brother Joseph F. Smith, respecting this work,
will all be fulfilled. It will go forward, there is no power that can arrest
its onward progress on the earth.
The
question frequently arises with the Saints, how is it that we are so mixed up
as we are at the present time with evil? Salt Lake City -- with its gambling
houses, houses of ill-fame, with its drinking saloons and its many temptations,
so like a city of Babylon instead of the City of Zion -- some Saints wonder why
this is, and how long it will continue to be.
"Is
it possible that we are going to be overpowered by the wicked? Are they going
to take possession of our place? Are they going to control us, and will we be
compelled to live in this condition always? When we left Babylon to come here,
we supposed it would be Zion indeed."
These are
serious questions that present themselves doubtless to many minds; and people
wonder how these things can be. Let me say to you that God, our Eternal Father,
is watching over this people. There is nothing that is taking place here; there
is nothing connected with the condition of society in our city, nor in all our
Territory, that is not known to our God, and that He does not control, and that
He does not permit for a wise purpose in Him.
We are in
the world, and in one sense it may be said a part of the world. I know that the
idea prevailed in early days that we should be secluded from the world, and
that we should grow to power, and march forth from our seclusion into the full
light of day, as the dominant power. Many did not foresee such a condition of
things as now surrounds us. They did not expect this. They thought when we came
to these mountains we should be secluded until the great promises concerning
the full glory of Zion should be fulfilled. But here we are surrounded by these
adverse influences. And what are the effects to follow this state of affairs,
and what is the design of God in permitting this? the effects are, and the
design is, to test the people of God; to prove them; to eliminate from them
that which is not of God; and to give us a better understanding of our own
weakness, also of our own strength. We must struggle with these evils; we must
acquire power sufficient to contend successfully with them in this limited
arena like Salt Lake City, and like the Territory of Utah. We have to contest
every inch of the ground, test our strength, test our ability, test our wisdom,
and bring every power of our minds into full play, right here in this small
arena, until, conscious of our strength, in full possession of our powers, and
convinced that we have strength that others do not have, we shall enlarge the
arena, cope with more extended and more potent influences, and gradually
enlarge and spread, until the kingdom of our God, instead of being confined to
this Territory of Utah, shall inclose the continent. Thus, through the power
that God will give unto us, we shall enlarge the circle of our influence, spread
abroad, and this people make themselves felt in every ramification and in every
department. That is the labor that devolves upon us now. We have to contend for
our rights in the courts; we have to contend for them in Congress; we have to
contend for them everywhere; and in the contest our powers will be developed;
and we will prove to the world that we have the power that God has said He
would give unto us, and that we claim as His servants. We do not intend,
therefore, to shrink from this contest. If there are systems which will not
endure contact with such evils as exist in Salt Lake City, ours is not included
among them. Ours will endue; as to that we have nothing to fear. If we be true
to ourselves and our principles we will conquer, and will succeed, and spread
abroad and nothing can prevent us.
It is
liquor shops to-day, gambling saloons to-day, houses of ill-fame to-day. These
are the evils which confront us, and which furnish allurements for vice in our
children. But we will overcome them, and will cope with greater evils, and will
overcome them; and we will show the world that we have principles that can
stand the test of time, and can withstand all the evil influences that can be
brought against them. If we must rear our children in the midst of these, then
let them rise superior to them. We cannot enclose our children in glass houses.
We cannot exempt our children as Brother Carrington said yesterday, from the
temptations of the world. They have to meet them as we have met them; they have
to resist them as we have resisted them; they have to rise above them, as I
trust we have risen above or shall rise above them. We are learning how to do
this, -- how to train our children. I am looking forward to such a development
of wisdom, strength and skill in the midst of this people, through the aid of
the Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young Men and Young Women's Mutual
Improvement Associations, and the quorums of the Priesthood -- I am looking
forward for such an increase of wisdom and power that the development and
training of our children will be a matter almost of perfect safety in the midst
of all these hostile influences. Still we have to come up against these wicked
things. The literature of the age and all the sins that abound -- we have to come
up against these, and to teach our children to shun them.
Well,
now, what about Zion? Is Zion prospering? Yes, Zion is going forward,
fulfilling the destiny that God has predicted concerning it, and every faithful
man and woman who remains connected to this church -- and all faithful men and
women will remain connected with it -- will share in the glorious triumph of
Zion. There will be some suffering to endure. What of that? We have to wash our
garments white in the blood of the Lamb. We have to come up through much
tribulation. We have to endure in order to receive the crown of glory that
awaits us. And if we cling to Zion, if we cling to the glorious principles that
God has revealed for our salvation, our exaltation and that of our posterity is
assured us. And I can predict of the people who are here with us to-day, who
are faithful, will never want a man, possessed of the Holy Priesthood, to stand
before the Saints from this time forward, so long as time shall last. Here are
men in this congregation to-day, here are women whose posterity shall possess
the earth and be rulers among the children of men in ages to come throughout
the great millennium upon which we are now entering. Your seed, if you are
faithful, will have this glory; and I promise this to you in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ. No faithful man among you will ever lack a man to represent
him before the Lord from this time forward. In every generation your seed will
be found standing up in the full light of heaven before the Great Eternal, possessed
of the Holy Priesthood, as ministers of our God and as mighty men of the
kingdom of God. Let us look therefore, for this great blessing. Let us prove
ourselves worthy so that our names may be entered among the names of the holy
and the sanctified and the pure, and that in the morning of the resurrection we
may come forward clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives; with Jesus,
with Joseph, with Hyrum, with Brigham, and with the host of the holy ones who
have fought the good fignt valiantly to the end; which may God grant in the
name of Jesus. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o'clock.
The choir sang the anthem:
Mighty Jehovah.
Benediction by Elder A. O. Smoot.
_____
[8 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 32:188, 4/11/83 p 12]
Sunday, 2 p.m.
The choir sung:
From all that dwell beneath
the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
The choir sung:
Mid scenes of confusion and
creatures complaint,
How sweet to my soul is communion with Saints.
The Priesthood of the 7th Ward administered the sacrament.
President George Q. Cannon then presented the general authorities of the Church, all of whom were unanimously sustained as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant.
John W. Young was presented as one of the Counselors to the Twelve Apostles.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
In reference to the motion to sustain Elder John W. Young as a Counselor to the Twelve, I wish to say that Brother John W. Young has been for some time past engaged in a variety of secular enterprises, and has done but little towards fulfilling his calling as a Counselor to the Twelve. There has been a variety of feelings existing among the Saints in relation to this matter. The Twelve have looked into some complaints that had reached their ears associated with him and his business relations, and in talking over the matter with some of them, they have expressed themselves, that after summing up every thing, they are satisfied that the feelings of Brother John W. are in the main right, and that although he has done but little of late by way of acting in his place and calling, they stated that he manifested a desire to magnify his calling and pursue such a course as should be acceptable to his quorum, and to the Church. Since then, I have conversed with Brother John W., and he has expressed his feelings to me in the same way, and I think it quite proper to invite him to express his views to the Conference assembled. There are many traits in Brother john W. Young's character that I admire very much, and then again there are things which exhibit the weakness of human nature. My feelings are, however, akin to the advice given to a certain husband respecting his wife, namely, "Be to her faults a little blind, and to her virtues very kind." That feeling I wish to cherish, and especially so towards our brother John W., the son of President Brigham Young, whose services and life are known and appreciated by the Saints of God. Brother John W. after acknowledging his imperfections and weaknesses, expressed to me his faith in the Gospel and his desire to work in accord with his brethren and to magnify his calling as a Counselor to the Twelve. We will now hear from him.
ELDER JOHN W. YOUNG.
I do not arise before you this afternoon to be heard for my much speaking, but to bear my testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And for this opportunity I thank my Heavenly Father and my brethren and this people, for I have a testimony to bear. I know that this is the work of God upon the earth, and that He has inspired His servants; and who among all the vast assembly that was present at this morning's meeting can say that the Spirit and power of God was not with these brethren who spoke unto us? Who can say that God has not been with the Conference, that he has not inspired the words of those who have spoken to this people? I know God has been with this Conference, that he has been with those who have addressed this people. And I wish to say to my brethren and sisters that I desire to work in full accord with my brethren, for my heart is in this work. I love the Church and Kingdom of God, and wherein I have erred I humbly crave your pardon and that of my brethren. We all have our weaknesses; but thank God that weakness has not come to me to doubt for one moment the testimony of Jesus Christ. That God may be with us, that he may continue to inspire the hearts of our brethren, that we may work with one accord in this great and glorious work; and that we may prove ourselves humble and faithful and true to our covenants is my prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The following were then also unanimously sustained by vote of the Conference:
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Wm. W. Taylor, Abraham H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it..
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, for the gathering of the Poor, and Franklin D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom, as his assistants.
As Auditing committee -- Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON.
Those who were here at our last conference will doubtless remember that there were two men selected to be Presidents of the Seventies to fill two of the vacancies that existed. One of those men was Elder Theodore B. Lewis, whose name was submitted to the Conference under the misapprehension that he was a Seventy. His name was handed in, as I understood it, to the Twelve as a Seventy, among other names, and the Twelve, supposing that those who handed the names in would not do so if he were a High Priest, never thought for a moment that he was anything but a Seventy. He was elected by the vote of the Twelve to be one of the seven Presidents of the Seventies, and his name was submitted to the Conference. Afterwards, when the Twelve proceeded to ordain him, as I am informed, the spirit of god prompted the man who was mouth to ask Brother Lewis concerning his priesthood. Everybody present supposed he was a Seventy, but he stopped before commencing to ordain him and asked him this question. As he afterwards told me he was influenced by the Spirit to do so, and it then transpired that Brother Lewis was a High Priest; he had been a Seventy, but had been ordained a High Priest. Now the Prophet Joseph in the early days of the organization of the Seventies, when a number of High Priests were put in the seventies, caused them to be transferred from the Seventies' to the High Priests' Quorum, and it has been a standing rule in Israel from that time to his that when a man has been ordained to the High Priesthood he ceases to act as a Seventy, and his connection with that body ceased. He is to all intents and purposes a member of the Quorum of High Priests, wherever that Quorum may be. This explanation is due to the Conference. It is due also to Brother Lewis, and that the Church may know what the reasons were that operated upon the minds of the Apostles and First Presidency in causing the selection or election to be set aside. We would gladly have had Brother Lewis in that position, and he doubtless, would have been very glad to fill it, but having regard for the rules of the Priesthood, he could not consistently act in that capacity.
President Cannon then read the following report form the Auditing Committee:
Salt
Lake City, U.T.,
July 15th, 1882.
President
John Taylor, Trustee-in-Trust, and Assistant Trustees:
Dear Brethren -- The undersigned members of the Church Auditing Committee respectfully desire to represent that they have spent a good deal of time in the examination of all the annual exhibits, books, accounts and reports for the year ending December 31st, 1881, submitted for their auditation and inspection, and have found them similarly correct.
The examinations covered the Trustee-in-Trust, General Tithing Store, Liverpool Office, P. E. F. Co. and other accounts and reports for the year above indicated.
Your brethren in the gospel,
W.
WOODRUFF,
ERASTUS SNOW,
F. D. RICHARDS,
JOS. F. SMITH
WM. JENNINGS.
On motion, the report was accepted and placed on file.
President Cannon then read the following additional names of missionaries, who were sustained by unanimous vote:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Shadrach
Jones, Willard.
Henry Wm. Attley, 15th Ward, City.
Wm. McPhadden, Salina.
SCANDINAVIA.
L.
M. Bood, Salt Lake City.
Lars Peter Jensen, Mayfield.
UNITED STATES.
Wm.
M. Palmer, Glenwood.
To take charge of the Northwestern States Mission.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Landon
J. Rich, Paris, Idaho
Erastus G. Farmer, Herriman.
Reynolds A. Crump, "
John Alexander, Brighton.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Isaac
Fox, Jr., Lehi.
Alonzo A. Brim, Coalville.
Prest. Cannon said that besides the names sustained as missionaries it should be understood that the Twelve are standing missionaries, and should be sustained as such the same as those who are presented to the Conference. The following brethren had been appointed to labor as missionaries under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.
They were sustained in this position by the vote of the Conference.
J.
E. D. Zundel, Washakie.
Amos R. Wright, Bennington.
Lauritz Smith, "
William Lee, Grantsville.
John Spencer, Indianola.
A. K. Thurbar, Richfield.
George W. Bean, "
Nephi Johnson, Kanab.
Jeremiah Hatch, Ashley
Tabby, Uintah.
Augustus P. Hardy, St. George.
Henry Lunt, Cedar.
Abraham A. Kimball, Kanosh.
Wm. Hyde, Monteruins.
Thales Haskell, "
Luther C. Burnham, Farmington, New Mexico.
August Tettjen, Savoia, Arizona
Lot Smith, Sunset, Arizona.
Jesse N. Smith, Snowflake, Arizona.
A. F. Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona
M. W. Dalton, Willard,
Llewellyn Harris, Escalante.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
There is one thing usually done that has not been attended to at this Conference, and that is the submitting of the financial accounts. We do not propose to do this for certain reasons. There has been an undue anxiety by some persons not of us to become acquainted with our financial affairs, and if any of them have furnished us any means we will given them an account of it, but we do not propose to put this information in the way of men who are simply desirous to become acquainted with other men's business. The "Mormon" motto is, "mind your own business," and we will try and do it, and let other people mind theirs. As you have heard, the accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust have been submitted to the Auditing Committee, and that committee have given us a report of the financial matters pertaining to the Church. There will be a meeting of the Presidents of Stakes and their counsellors and the Bishops in the Social Hall, when all these accounts will be submitted, and every information afforded, but we do not propose that men from whom nothing has been received should pry into our affairs. All who are in favor of this, hold up the right hand.
The vote was hearty and unanimous.
President Taylor proceeded to deliver a discourse which was listened to with attention by the vast congregation assembled, in relation to the gospel, the Priesthood, the principles of correct government and human freedom, and the duties of the Saints of God. It was reported in full and will soon appear in the DESERET NEWS.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 32:274, 5/23/83, p 2; JD 24:123]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City Sunday afternoon, (Annual
Conference ) April 8th, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY GIBBS AND IRVINE.
_____
We have
had a very interesting Conference, and a great many very excellent principles
have been presented to the people. As I told the Priesthood last evening we are
occupying a very peculiar position in the earth, a position that has not been
of our own seeking. God has set His hand to accomplish His purposes upon the
earth, and for this purpose He has revealed Himself from the heavens, as we
have heard since this Conference commenced. In pursuance of this He has
manifested Himself and His Son Jesus Christ, and has restored the Holy
Priesthood by and through the medium of a Priesthood, or various parts of a
Priesthood that existed in former ages—those holding that everlasting
Priesthood, which administers in time and in eternity, have been commissioned
from the heavens to come to the earth to bring to pass the very things of which
they themselves had prophesied. Although we are, comparatively speaking, a
small people, few in number, yet as it was in the days of Jesus so it is
to-day. The Gospel is like a little leaven put into a certain portion of meal,
and it is working and operating, and the ultimate result will be that the whole
lump will be leavened. Not that everybody that is in the world will obey the
Gospel; but the Lord will have His own way in manipulating His affairs, and
great tribulation will overtake the inhabitants of the earth. As you have
heard, really of the wicked will slay the wicked; but after these things have
taken place the good, the honorable, the virtuous, the pure, those that are
desirous to serve God will all have their position, and that thing will be
fulfilled which was spoken of by Jesus—"Blessed are the meek for they
shall inherit the earth." The time will yet come when the Saints of the
Most High will take the kingdom and hold dominion under the whole heavens.
These are principles that are familiar to us all. In the meantime, however,
many important events have to take place, and a great labor has to be
performed, and will be performed by the agencies which have been introduced by
the Lord, and which will be hereafter introduced by Him for the accomplishment
of His purposes, and the bringing to pass of His righteous will. For this
purpose the Holy Priesthood has been restored; for this purpose the message of
life and salvation has been proclaimed to the nations of the earth; for this
purpose after the reception of the Gospel, the people have been gathered
together in order that the Lord might have a people who would be under the
influence of His Holy Spirit. We have all been baptized by one baptism, and
have all partaken of the same Spirit, and wherever these ordinances have been
administered according to the order of God, and have been received by the
faithful among the nations of the earth, these effects have always followed. I
have been among the nations myself, and I have baptized people and confirmed
them at least in three different languages, and the same spirit rested upon all
of those different peoples, and so it is throughout all nations. The Lord has
said he would gather together His elect from the four quarters of the earth.
And how does He do it? By operating upon the minds of those who obey the
Gospel. Jesus said in His day and it is true to-day—"My sheep hear my
voice and know it, and follow me and a stranger they will not follow because
they know not the voice of a stranger." It is under the influence of this
Spirit that we have been gathered together. We used to sing:
Whither
shall we follow, follow, follow;
Whither shall we follow, follow thee?
All the way to Zion, all the way to Zion,
All the way to Zion,
We will follow thee.
What made
you gather here? The impulse of the Spirit of the living God, and you could not
keep away. We have representatives here from very many nations to-day. Here are
Elders who have preached the Gospel in many nations. A few years ago we had
some twenty-five nationalities represented at one of our public demonstrations.
And thus our work is to go on and spread and increase. The Apostles, the
Seventies, the Elders, and men who have received the light of truth, will
spread forth that light to others of the family of God throughout the world.
This is a labor resting upon the Elders of Israel, and until it is accomplished
we shall not have fat filled our mission here upon the earth. Then, again, we
have other works to perform associated with the Church, with the Kingdom, and
with the Zion of God. I think sometimes that we as a people are a good deal
sectarian in our feelings, and it is necessary fox us occasionally to look at the
pit from whence we were dug, and the rock from whence we were hewn. We are all
too ready to cry out, as the sectarians do in their different orders,
"The
temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord,
The temple of the Lord are we."
And we
are apt to forget sometimes the mission that God has placed upon us, which is a
mission of mercy, a mission of light, a mission of intelligence, a mission that
is calculated to elevate the world of mankind, even all those who will receive
and obey it. It is not intended for us alone; it is intended for all men. Who
are the world, and who are we? We say we are the children of God our Heavenly
Father. That is true; we are the children of God our Heavenly Father. And is
God our Father? The Scriptures say so. But what of the rest of the world—say of
this nation, and all other nations—what of them? Whose children are they? They
are also the children of our Heavenly Father, and He is interested in their
welfare as He is in ours; and as a kind and beneficent father towards His children,
He has been seeking from generation to generation to promote the welfare, the
happiness, and the exaltation of the human family. And let me say here, that He
is the fountain of life, the fountain of light, and the fountain of
intelligence, as we used to say in the Church of England when I was a little
boy, and I suppose they say so now; it is He that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture," He provides
for us. We sometimes talk about the hand of God being over us. Of course it is,
and will be over us forever, if we will only serve Him, for He is always true.
But His hand is over the nations of the earth also. He is interested in the
welfare of this nation and all other nations and all other peoples as well as
in our welfare. What was the greatest blessing conferred upon Abraham? One was
that his seed should be numerous as the stars of heaven, and as the sand upon
the sea shore. I do not know that he would have got along very well in this
land now a days; they would have been after him for polygamy. People do not
believe so much in these things now as they did formerly. Nevertheless, the
Lord told him to take another wife; but, then, perhaps the Lord made a mistake,
He had not strolled modern Christianity; He was, to use the language of the
advanced Christian, behind the times. But whatever may be thought or said about
it, according to the record that has come down to us, He used to talk to people
in that day.
But let
me refer you to another blessing connected with Abraham, namely, that in him
and his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed. Or, in other
words, that God would honor him by making of him and his seed agents through
whom He would communicate truth, intelligence and salvation to the world. It is
said "the glory of God is intelligence," and He is desirous to impart
this intelligence to the human family, that through it they may be exalted to
the Godhead. Abraham's posterity were to stand as messengers of God, as legates
of the skies, commissioned of the great Jehovah to proclaim His word to fallen
man, even to His children; for God has made, we are told, of one blood all the
families of the earth, and has given unto them a portion of His Spirit, if
haply they would feel after Him, although He is not far from any one of us. For
in Him we live, and move, and have our being. And under the influence of His
Spirit man has accomplished very much good; and to-day there are hosts of
honorable, upright men who in their hearts fear God, but they have not yet
found the right way. But in the providences of His mercy He has gathered a
people from the nations that they may be taught and instructed in regard to the
laws of life and salvation. And this has been brought about in fulfillment of
ancient prophecy. Jeremiah, for instance, in referring to it said, that he
would take them one of a city and two of a family, and bring them to Zion. And
what was He to do with them when He should get them there? He would give them
pastors after His own heart who should feed them with knowledge and
understanding. And the same great event is referred to by other Prophets.
I was
very much pleased with the remarks made by Brother Erastus Snow, with regard to
our own nation, in which he said that it had been by and through the power of
Almighty God, and in accordance with the words of the Lord as contained in the
Book of Mormon, that the people were, in the first place, impelled to come
here, and after coming here, to contend for human freedom upon this land; and
it was by and through the power of God, that the fathers of this country framed
the Declaration of Independence, and also that great palladium of human rights,
the Constitution of the United States. There is nothing of the bigoted, narrow,
contracted feeling about that instrument; it is broad and comprehensive. And
they had a bell in Philadelphia, which I, and perhaps many of you have seen,
upon which was written, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land, and
to all the inhabitants thereof;" but I was sorry to see that the bell was
cracked. I suppose it got cracked after the grand effort that was made to
proclaim liberty throughout the land; and I have thought since that it has not
been soldered up yet. But with all the weaknesses and imperfections associated
with men, the government of this nation has been a great bulwark for human
freedom, and I felt proud at the time when Mr. Edmunds, with his colleagues,
introduced his bill, known as the Edmunds' bill, that there was such a number
of gentlemen who had the manhood and the moral courage to oppose it in the bold
and manly way in which they did, showing plainly that they cherished in their
bosoms the principles contained in the Constitution. I respect such men, and
they command the respect and esteem of all honorable, right-thinking people.
They could afford to render themselves unpopular in the eyes of religious
bigots and fanatical politicians, but they could not afford to be amongst those
that are ready to tear down the bulwarks of human freedom, and trail in the
dust the flag of our country. They did not believe in our religion. Of course,
that is a matter of their own, it is none of our business, neither is our
religion any of their business, which they understand and appreciate. There are
two things that I have felt very decided upon ever since I could comprehend
anything; one was that I would worship God as I pleased without anybody's
dictation; and that I would dictate to no man his faith, neither should any man
dictate to me my faith; and the other was that I would vote as I pleased. And I
entertain the same sentiments to-day. When the Commissioners, operating under
the Edmunds' law, made their extraordinary rulings and authorized the
administering of the test oath, declaring who should vote and who should not, I
could not help remarking that people were acting very foolishly, that they did
not know what they were doing; but whether they knew it or not their attempts
to wrest from this people their rights and liberties, were no more or less than
indirect attempts to tear down the bulwarks of American liberty. But in this
inexcusable attack upon human rights and the principles of liberty we can take
no part. What then will we do? They have no right, it is true, to interfere
with us in the way they have done; they have no right, it is true, to prohibit
us from voting without a hearing and without a trial; they have no right, it is
true, to present to us a test oath, it being illegal and contrary to our rights
as American citizens. But we will submit gracefully for the time being,
withdraw from the polls, rather than act in the capacity of obstructionists;
and when the time comes we will test these proceedings according to the laws of
the land, and the principles of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of the
United States, which we recognize and respect. Have we yielded up our
franchises? No, we have not. Will we ever do it? No, never; no, never. Have we
in the least backed down from the principles by which we have been guided from
the beginning? No; we still mean to live by them and to maintain them, and to
contend for our rights, not by dynamite or nitroglycerine, but to, do so
legally and constitutionally, not only in defense of our own rights, but the
rights and liberties of our children and those of every free man throughout the
land. This is the course we purpose taking.
As I
before stated we have been called from the nations of the earth by Him who is
our Father, we being His children. And He has told us to ask, and we shall
receive. He has told us to seek and we shall find; to knock and it shall be
opened to us. Very well. What shall we do? We will use the best means we can to
defend our rights; and after we have done this we will then go to our Heavenly
Father and ask Him to help us. Will He do it? Yes. Has He done it? Yes, and we
acknowledge His hand in regard to these things. He has heard our prayers
without noise, without tumult. He has told us thus far that if we will continue
to obey Him and to observe His laws, He will deliver us and direct us even to
the end. And we need have no fears whatever about the result. He has promised
us that inasmuch as we do His will and keep His commandments, He will fight our
battles. And I feel confident and perfectly easy, and I felt just as easy
during the furore and commotion that raged through the land a few months ago as
I do today; knowing, as I do, that if we will perform our part, the Lord will
not fail to do His. Because others act foolishly we cannot afford to imitate
them. We profess to be the Zion of God, the pure in heart. We profess to be men
and women of integrity, of truth and virtue, and to have faith in God. This
must not only be our profession, but our practice; we must carry out and
fulfill the word and will and law of God. Jesus taught His disciples how to
pray. Said He: "Our Father who art in heaven." That is, your Father
and my Father, the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh. "Our Father
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name," O, God, we reverence thee; we
observe thy law, and we wish to keep thy commandments, and purge ourselves from
all evil, that we may be acceptable to time. "Hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come." We reverence thee, O, God, and attribute to thee all
that we have in this world, and all that we expect to have in the eternities to
come. "Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." Thy what? Thy kingdom
come. That is the rule of God, the government of God, the dominion of God, the
time when men will not be ashamed to acknowledge God as their Father, their
friend and benefactor. "Thy kingdom come." When all will submit to
thy rule, to thy law, to thy jurisdiction, to thy dominion; that thy will may
be done on earth as it is done in heaven. How was it done in heaven? God spake,
chaos heard, and this world rolled into existence; and so did other worlds
under the same divine impulse and power. And all those systems that revolve
around us were made and are upheld by the mighty power of God, who governs in
the heavens above, and upon the earth beneath, and among the worlds. Whether
men acknowledge that or not, the time will come on this earth when every knee
shall bow to Him, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ, to
the glory of God the Father. That time will come. It is not here now; but as I
have said He has introduced this Gospel as the entering wedge, as the little
leaven by which he can operate, that He may have a people under the influence
of the Holy Ghost, a people that can hold communion with him, like so many
thousand strings penetrating the eternal worlds and drawing down blessings from
the Almighty, drawing fire, and life, and intelligence from Him; for we
ourselves are sparks struck from the blaze of His eternal fire, emanating, from
God our Father, and we wish to operate with Him and for Him and under His
guidance, for the accomplishment of His purposes here upon the earth. This is
what we are here for. Now I come to another point. We pray "Thy will
be done on earth as it is done in heaven." How is it done there? As I
said, God spake, chaos heard, and the world rolled into existence, and it is
supported by the mighty power of God, and who can stay His hand. Do you think
that if all the Legislatures, all the Congresses, all the Parliaments, and all
the Reichstags, all the Chambers of Deputies and Senates of the earth were to
get together and pass a decree that the sun should rise five or ten minutes, or
half an hour later or earlier than it does—do you think it would have any
effect upon it! I do not think it would—I think it would still go on in its
usual course, and they would feel that they were dependent upon God. Do the
world know that in Him we live and move and have our being? Does this
congregation know that there is not one of them could leave this house unless
God permitted it and sustained them in so doing? Do the nations of the earth
comprehend that they are in His hands, and that he puts down one nation and
raises up another according to the counsels of His will, and none can say,
"Why doest thou thus." What have we to do? To begin with, we
should deal justly and honorably with all men, and should seek to protect all
men in their rights so far as we have the power to do so, and then to maintain
our own on the same principle. And what then? Fear God and observe His laws,
and we ought every one of us to place ourselves in communication with the Lord,
and He has tried to make us understand this, but it seems very difficult for us
to do so. It was in former times, and it is now. He says, "ask and ye
shall receive." Is it not a very simple thing? "Seek and ye shall find."
Is it not very easy. "Knock and it shall be opened unto you." But
says He, you do not understand it aright. Now, let me mention a thing to you.
If a child ask of you bread, would you give it a stone—you fathers and you
mothers? I think not. If the child asked a fish would you give it a
scorpion." Why, no. The mother would say, "Sammy, or Mary," as
the case might be, "you want some bread—well I will give you some with
butter and molasses." The mother would try to meet the wishes of the
children, and sometimes give them a little candy to boot. Now, then, says the
Lord, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give His Holy
Spirit to them that ask Him." It is very plain when you get at it, and it
is very simple, and people wonder sometimes, they think it an astonishing thing
that God should hear people's prayers. Why, bless your souls, that is the
strongest fort we have, and when we set into any difficulty in the nation or anywhere
else, we humble ourselves before the Lord—and we all need to do this, for we
all have our weaknesses and imperfections; and it is necessary that He should
be very merciful to us. And He is, and knows how to bear with us. We need also
to know how to bear with one another, and to place ourselves in communion with
God, and in doing this to purge ourselves from everything that is wrong and
evil. And I tell you—you Elders of Israel, you brethren and you sisters, that
if you will begin to do the will of God on the earth as it is done in heaven,
the power and blessing of God will rest upon you and upon this people, and no
power will be able to injure you from this time forth. God expects us to do His
will, to carry out his purposes, and if His will is ever done on the earth as
it is done in heaven, where in creation will it start, if it does not start
here? Let every man put himself right, and every woman and every family do the
same, and all the Priesthood in all its various departments and ramifications, and
let every one walk up to the line and perform his duty, and in the name of
Israel's God, Zion shall arise and shine, and the, glory of God shall rest upon
her. Our progress is onward and upward, until the kingdoms of this world become
the kingdoms of our God and His Christ, and loud anthems be sounded from among
the nations—glory and honor and power and might and majesty and dominion be
ascribed unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and
forever. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till October 6th, 1883, at 10 o'clock a. m.
The choir sung the chorus,
Hallelujah.
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
GEORGE
GODDARD,
Clerk of General Conference.
_____
5-7 Oct 1883, 53rd Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 32:596, 10/10/83, p 4; 32:616, 10/17, p 8; Millennial Star 45:689, 705, 721]
[5 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 32:596, 10/10/83, p 4]
FIFTY-THIRD
SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
On Friday, October 5th, 1883, the Conference met in the Assembly Hall at 10 o'clock a.m.
Present on the stand: of the First Presidency -- John Taylor, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith.
Of the Twelve Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman and Heber J. Grant.
The Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
Of the Seven First Presidents of Seventies -- Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, William W. Taylor, Abraham H. Cannon and Seymour B. Young.
Of the Bishopric -- Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
In addition to the above General Authorities, there was a large representation of leading Elders and authorities from nearly every Stake of Zion, even from those the most remote from headquarters.
The Conference was called to order at 10 a. m., by President John Taylor.
the choir sang:
Glorious things of thee are
spoken,
Zion city of our God.
Prayer by President George Q. Cannon.
Our Father who art in heaven, we Thy servants and Thine hand maidens have assembled ourselves together this morning in this place for the purpose of worshiping Thee, the Lord our God. And at the opening of this Conference we come to Thee, our Heavenly Father, in the name of thy well beloved Son Jesus, and call upon Thee to look down in mercy and tender compassion upon us.
We are thankful that we have this opportunity. we are thankful that our lives have been spared through the various vicissitudes through which we have passed during the past six months, that once more we Thy servants and Thy people are permitted to assemble ourselves together in a conference capacity. When we reflect upon Thy goodness, and Thy mercy and long suffering unto us, our hearts are filed with thanksgiving and praise unto Thee, the Lord our God, for Thou hast wrought wonderously in our behalf. Thou hast preserved us from the snares of our enemies; Thou hast delivered us from their many traps and we can meet this morning in this place and rejoice in our hearts in the liberty that thou hast granted unto us and preserved unto us, and we can rejoice in being a free people, notwithstanding the efforts of the wicked to bring us into bondage.
Our Father, we desire to praise Thee in the congregation of Thy Saints for these blessings, for we know they are the gift of Thy hand: we know there is no power of man that could have preserved and blessed us as we are now blessed. Therefore, we give Thee the glory with all our hearts; we praise Thee the Lord our God, and rejoice before Thee that the promises which Thou hast made unto us have been fulfilled even to the very letter. We thank Thee for life; we thank Thee for health; we thank Thee, our Father, for the crops Thou hast given unto Thy people as a reward for their labor. The husbandman has been made to rejoice in the fruits of his hands; the land has been greatly blessed of Thee, our Father, and there is abundance of food for man and beast throughout these valleys, for which we feel to thank Thee. Yes, and Thou hast blessed Thy people with a goodly degree of health; Thou hast preserved them from the power of the destroyer. And notwithstanding the many difficulties we have had to contend with, we feel that our condition is indeed a blessed one. And we thank Thee, our Father, for families, for wives, for husbands, for children, for parents, for brothers and sisters, and for the friendship that Thou hast begotten in our hearts, even the love that thou hast given unto us through the everlasting Gospel.
We rejoice in the bestowal of these precious blessings upon us as a people; and we desire to come unto Thee this morning and entreat Thee in the name of Jesus to increase this love within us -- love for Thee our Father and God -- love for our fellow-creatures -- love for those who have entered into covenant with Thee, that we may love them as we love ourselves. Grant, our Father, that this spirit and feeling may be diffused throughout all the branches of thy Church, and that it may extend wherever the gospel is preached, wherever men and women bow in submission to its requirements.
Our Father, we beseech Thee this morning to be with us in our conference, and let the Holy Spirit descend from on high upon thy servants and thy people, who have come together, and who may come together, and upon Thine Elders who have come from afar for the purpose of being instructed. O Father, grant that they may be instructed, that they shall not go away hungry or unsatisfied in their spirits; but pour out Thy Holy Spirit in power upon Thy servants and upon Thy people, that those who speak may not speak their own thoughts or their own words or reflections, or the feelings that are peculiar to them; but that they may speak Thy word and Thy will, that they may bring forth from Thy treasure house those things that shall be adapted to the circumstances and conditions of Thy people individually and collectively, that those who have hungered and thirsted for righteousness may be fed and made to rejoice, having their hearts softened under the powerful influence of Thy Holy Spirit. And grant our Father that the hearts of the people who have assembled this morning and who shall assemble, and who shall assemble from day to day during our conference, that they may be prepared to receive Thy word, that every heart may be softened under the influence of the Holy Ghost, and that a contrite spirit may rest down upon all.
We thank Thee, our Father, in heaven for the presence of Thy servants who bear the Holy Priesthood. We thank Thee for the presidency of Thy Church; we thank Thee for the Twelve Apostles, we thank Thee for the High Priests, the Seventies and Elders, and for the local organizations; we thank Thee for the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, for High Councils and for the Bishops of the various Wards with their Counselors. We thank Thee for the higher and the lesser Priesthood; and we ask Thee to pour out Thy spirit in power upon Thy servants, and let the people see that Thou hast indeed restored the Holy Priesthood to the earth, and that they are indeed Thy servants, by the honor which shall be bestowed upon them in the eyes of the people; that the gifts and qualifications of their various offices and callings may rest down upon them in great power, and that those who see and hear them may feel that they are indeed the men whom Thou hast chosen, and that they do not profess to have power which Thou hast withheld. O, Father, we ask Thee now to bless in a special manner thy servant President Taylor, and let the gift and qualification and endowment that pertain to his high and holy calling rest down upon him. Fill him with the revelations of Jesus; fill him with the knowledge necessary to enable him to magnify his office acceptably to Thee and to the satisfaction of his fellow servants, and the Saints. And grant that these blessings may rest down upon all in their various offices and callings; and upon thy missionary servants who are preaching the Gospel; may the spirit that we ask for ourselves rest down in power upon them, and they be made instrumental in bringing many souls to a knowledge of the truth.
We now dedicate ourselves unto thee, our Father, with all we have, and implore these blessings upon us, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
The choir sang:
Zion stands with hills
surrounded.
Zion kept by power divine.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Announced the nature and object of the Conference. It was proper that all parts of the land of Zion should be represented here, that all things pertaining to the welfare of Israel might be comprehended, digested and disseminated among the people; that they might fully understand the position they occupy in relation to the past, present and future. Enumerated the various organizations of the Priesthood, general and local, together with such special institutions as Sunday Schools, Relief Societies, Mutual Improvement and Primary Associations, spoke upon the duties and operations of each, under the influence of which all things were ordained to move along in order according to the will of the Lord. The present system was perfected by President Brigham Young, a short time prior to his death, but there had been more or less laxity and neglect made manifest, which was exceedingly reprehensible. Exhorted the High Priests, Seventies, Elders, Patriarchs, etc., to humility and righteousness before the Lord, that they might be filled with His Spirit, and fully qualified to act in their several offices and callings for the perfecting of the Saints and the on-rolling of the Kingdom of God.
APOSTLE H. J. GRANT
Said he had no other desire, in speaking or acting, than to serve God and benefit his brethren and sisters, and he did not ask anyone to perform any duty or keep any commandment, which he was unwilling to do himself. Mingling with the world caused him to appreciate his own religion more fully. No one who understood "Mormonism" would ever exchange it for any of the forms of faith prevalent in the world. But in order to understand it, it was necessary to live it. God had laid down certain laws for our guidance and had made promises as the result of obedience to the same. One of these was the Word of Wisdom, through obedience to which some of the greatest of blessings would accrue. This law was adapted to the weakest capacity, yet some of the strongest violated it. Some were afraid to pay tithing for fear of losing by it, and falling behind their associates in temporal affairs. Such had not the spirit of this Work, for they measured the things of God by a worldly standard and would bring themselves under condemnation. In regard to temple building, the speaker said he was mercenary enough to feel that those who refused to contribute of their means for that purpose, ought to be denied the privilege of obtaining the blessings only to be secured in such places. He believed the dividing line was being drawn. Was thankful for the passage of such measures as the Edmunds Law; it drew a line separating the true from the false, and exposed the half-hearted and the hypocrite. Touched upon the principle of plural marriage and denounced those who failed to live it according to the spirit and meaning thereof, and quoted the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that such would be damned.
APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG.
The spirit of God had been with His people from the beginning of their history, and that spirit was necessary for their preservation. The powers of darkness are strengthening for the purpose of destroying the work of God. The Saints were now enjoying the spirit of the Lord to an extent hitherto unsurpassed. The most perfect organization on the face of the earth to-day is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord had given His people every opportunity and facility for carrying on His work, and He would stand by them in so doing. No power could affect the well being of this people, for evil, only as they themselves permitted through their neglect. This truth had being made repeatedly manifest. It is when we tear down each other that there is danger of our being overthrown. God will not uphold the Saints in following after the ways of the world. He will not justify them in selecting from His word such portions of doctrine and law as suit their selfish fancies and ignoring all the rest. The revelations of God were adapted to his people, and absolute obedience to them all was therefore necessary. It is often a trial to accept certain laws without reservation, and many therefore wrest the Scriptures and take advantage of technicalities to act dishonestly before the Lord. The revelations of God are serial and progressive, and would be given, first the milk and then the meat, as fast as His people became strong enough to receive them. Those who reject one revelation are not prepared to receive that which is to follow.
ELDER DAVID P. KIMBALL
was pleased, after an absence of six years to meet again with the people of God, though his object in coming to Conference was not to teach but to be taught. He felt thankful for a standing in the Church and Kingdom of God. Referred to the good feeling among the Saints in Arizona and the region south, and spoke of the manifest improvement among the Saints in this locality since he last was among them.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Testified to the presence of the Spirit of the Lord, and said he should be very much disappointed were it otherwise. The Saints needed the Spirit at all times. This work was spreading and increasing rapidly, and nothing short of divine inspiration could qualify God's servants and Saints for the important duties they were called upon to fulfill. When we look around and see that notwithstanding the efforts of our enemies, we still have the privilege of meeting together and worshiping God in His appointed way, we have cause to be truly thankful. No human power could have planned so wisely and successfully as God has done to preserve us in the enjoyment of our rights and liberties. And if the Saints will prepare themselves for God's greater blessings, the veil between them and their heavenly Father will be come thinner, and in time will be rent, and all that they seek in righteousness will be poured out upon them. It is the duty of every Saint to be an example to all around him. The angels of God are watching over His people. The approaching completion of the Temples now being erected should remind us of what is expected through them. No power, from the beginning of our history, has been effectual in hindering our progress, and our advancement from henceforth will be even more rapid. The time is coming when revelation will be poured out upon this people to an extent hitherto unknown; when the heavens will be opened and God and His angels will be nearer to this people than ever.
conference was adjourned to the Large Tabernacle to 2 o'clock p. m.
The choir sang the anthem:
"Who can stand against the work of the Lord."
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
_____
[5 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 32:596, 10/10/83, p 4]
Friday, 2 p. m.
The Choir sang:
We are not ashamed to own
our Lord,
And worship him on earth.
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
The Choir sang:
O awake my slumbering
minstrel,
Let my harp forget its spell.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Read from the 93rd Section of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, respecting the eternal nature of truth and intelligence, and of man's advancement from grace to grace until he inherits a fulness of glory. The saints were entitled to revelation, for that instruction and support necessary while passing through this probation, and it was on such occasions as the present that they could by the spirit of prayer, unitedly exercised, draw forth such things from the speaker as they might need. That system of religion was worthless which would not give a proper understanding of things as they actually are. This religion taught that man could progress eternally and be exalted in due time to the presence and glory of the Lord. The Saints have the same knowledge concerning the divinity of this work, as ancient Israel had respecting the dealings of the Lord in those days. Moses, when called to lead Israel, received manifestations from heaven to convince him that God had indeed chosen him, and the subsequent history of that people was a series of similar proofs that when God requires his children to do a work He is willing to give them every evidence of its divinity. Any system of religion which would not bestow this knowledge would be of no value. Jesus Christ Himself organized this Church and sent unto Joseph Smith, His Prophet, those messengers whose right it was to confer upon him the keys of power and authority to act as a representative of God upon the earth. The Savior told Peter that flesh and blood had not revealed to him that He was the Son of God, but His Father in Heaven, and He also promised to His disciples, when He left them a Comforter who would come and lead them into all truth. The want of this was evident throughout the sectarian World, who worshiped a God without body, parts and passions, a nonentity, dwelling beyond the bounds of time and space, i.e. nowhere. But the latter-day Saints had the privilege of piercing the vail and knowing for themselves the true nature and whereabouts of the Being the worship. Joseph Smith had the same privilege as John the Revelator in beholding Jesus Christ. It was through the authority bestowed upon Joseph Smith and others that the present work was being performed. It would never be destroyed. It had reached that point where it was impossible for it to be overthrown. The disbelief of the world and the persecution of the wicked would make no difference with the fulfillment of God's purposes. The way had been opened whereby men could go on from grace to grace, ascending from height to height of intelligence, knowing for themselves what was expected of them in order to attain salvation. The Priesthood was placed in the Church for the perfecting of the Saints, and men were qualified to-day to prophesy and to act in the name of the Almighty. The faith of the Saints in these things was evident from the sacrifices they had made and were still willing to make for the cause they had espoused.
President George Q. Cannon then presented a financial report of the Logan Temple 50 cent monthly donation. He also presented a report of the Manti Temple. On motion, both the above reports were unanimously received.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW.
It was a source of pleasure and satisfaction to know that the Lord was communicating His will to His servants, and to see the Quorums of the Priesthood in good, efficient working order. The work of the ministry was great, the field was wide, and the word of the Lord was to thrust in the sickle and reap. Angels were superintending this work, under the direction of the Almighty, and the responsibility resting upon the Elders of Israel had not diminished. Blessings were in store for all who were willing to labor. It had been a custom in the past, with some people, to suppose when Elders were called upon missions that they had done something wrong, and had been sent off simply to get them out of the way. Such narrow, contracted notions should not prevail among this people. The qualifications required of missionaries by the Lord and His servants were faithfulness, integrity of heart and willingness to labor, and they were not seeking after any other kind; for these were the only ones that would be useful in the earth, or that the Lord would be willing to uphold and justify. The time was not far distant when the work of the Lord would go forth among all the House of Israel, and the Elders of this Church should be diligently preparing themselves for the great work. There was a manifest improvement among the people already, but there was room for much more, in order that the Saints might be purified and prepared to meet the Lord. They should be taught to depend upon God in times of sickness, and trust in the ordinance for the healing of the sick, rather than upon physicians; but where doctors were employed, they should be men of faith in God, for medicines not administered under the inspiration of the spirit of truth, which knoweth all things, were just as liable to work injury as to heal. God was desirous to build up in the midst of these mountains the healthiest, purest and most powerful people in the world, and through obedience to His holy laws, and the wise counsels of His servants, this was destined to be effected.
[Erastus Snow]
[DNW 32:626, 10/24/83, p 2; JD 25:35]
REMARKS
BY ELDER ERASTUS SNOW,
At the General Conference, Friday Afternoon, Oct. 5th,
1883.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
I am
grateful for the opportunity of meeting in Conference once more with the
Latter-day Saints, and for the health and strength given me to continue my
labors among the people, and for this same blessing of health which is enjoyed
by my brethren. I am thankful, too, that the Lord has raised up young men to
bear off the Kingdom and help carry the burdens of the people. It is also a
source of satisfaction that He has spoken and given instructions through His
servant pertaining to the Seventies, to more fully organize and set in order
the quorums of the Priesthood, the Seventies being more especially called as
assistants to the Twelve Apostles, in the work of the ministry. And it is
desirable that the revelation upon the subject should be fully carried out, the
Priesthood in its various departments fully organized, and every thing set in
order according to the word and mind of the Lord; that every quorum of the
Priesthood, general and local, might be in good working order. For it devolves
upon the quorums of the Melchisedek Priesthood to carry the Gospel to the
nations, and to gather those that accept it. This work is great, the field is
wide, and the word of the Lord unto us, His servants, is to thrust in our
sickles and reap, and gather the harvest of the earth. And here let me say, the
Lord has sent His angels to superintend the work. The angel spoken of by John
the Revelator, has flown with the everlasting Gospel to preach to those that
dwell upon the earth; and it is given unto us that we should proclaim it to all
nations, to every people under heaven, the decree having gone forth that this
Gospel of the Kingdom should be preached to all nations, and then the end
should come.
Many
years have elapsed since this message began to be communicated to the sons of
men; and we have become, comparatively speaking, a great people. A little one
has indeed become a thousand. We, who a few years ago were only numbered by
units and tens, now are numbered by thousands and tens of thousands, yea
hundreds of thousands. And the Priesthood is correspondingly increasing in
numbers and in ability to labor, and acquiring means to carry on the work of
preaching the Gospel and of gathering Israel. The labor before us is not
diminishing; it is extending on every hand, and the Lord desires to see the
Elders of Israel in their various quorums and organizations interested, earnest
and alive to their calling, anxious to perform well and faithfully the duties
assigned them.
The
Spirit of the Lord prompts from time to time the calling and setting apart of
men to the work of the ministry, and sending them to different portions of the
globe. And inasmuch as people feel earliest and anxious to do good, to use the
means that God blesses them with in doing good, in sending the Gospel to the
nations, and in gathering the elect of God—and as this feeling prevails and
increases among the people generally—the Seventies and Elders, when they feel
this spirit moving upon them, should not wait, supinely rest upon their oars,
but be ready to act. And here permit me to say that that feeling which has to
some extent prevailed with some in time past, that when men are named,
either in Conference, or otherwise called on missions, to indulge in such
remarks as this—"I wonder what he has been doing that he should be sent
upon a mission;"—such a spirit should not exist in the minds of Latter-day
Saints, as it is entirely foreign to those who call men to the ministry. Such a
feeling is not worthy a man called to preach the Gospel of the Son of God. The
qualifications of Elders that are sought after, and that should recommend a
minister of the Gospel, should be an earnest; desire to do good, a willingness
to serve, a desire to know what the Lord has for him to do, and a readiness to
at once engage in the undertaking, using himself and his means, if blessed with
means, his talents or gifts bestowed upon him by the Lord, with an eye single
to His honor and glory. And men who are at home, ought to show forth these
qualities in their daily lives and conduct, by attending their quorum meetings
and their ward meetings, and their general Priesthood meetings, and by
improving every opportunity to learn their duty, and to improve themselves in
their daily lives; by being prompt in paying their tithing and in bringing
forth their offerings for the poor, and their contributions for the building of
Temples. It may not be those who are loudest in their professions, but those
actually pursuing this course of life. These are the men that will be useful on
the earth, and whom the Lord will delight to own and bless in their labors in
the ministry. And it is desirable, that in the various Stakes of Zion, where
quorums are organized, that the Presidents of Stakes should encourage those
quorums, and the presiding officers of the various quorums should endeavor to
gather together all who have received the Priesthood, and see that they are
enrolled in their respective quorums, and encourage them to attend their quorum
meetings, and there seek for the counsels of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit that
should rest upon the presiding officers of quorums to teach the members of the
quorums all things pertaining to their duties, and how to become fitted for the
labors whereunto God has called them. For all these quorums and organizations
are so many classes for mutual improvement, edification and instruction; and
the Presidents thereof are appointed and ordained to instruct the members of
their quorums in all things in the line of their duty. And they should be
encouraged by the Presidents of Stakes in their Quarterly Conferences to report
progress and attendance of members, and the progress they are making in their
qualifications. The Elders should thus be sought after; and according to the
spirit they manifest in attending to their duties and qualifying themselves for
the work of the ministry, they should be called into the field, whether from
the Seventies or the Elders or the High Priests, the High Priests, however,
being more especially expected to take the responsibility of presiding in
Branches, in Stakes, in Wards, as Presidents of Stakes, as High Counselors, as
Bishops, or Bishop's Counselors, as Presiding Elders in the Conferences of the
churches abroad. And the time is not far distant when the Elders of Israel will
be required to turn their attention and labors among the branches of the house of
Israel; and especially among the remnants of Joseph, upon this American
Continent.
I am
pleased to be able to testify, from my travels among the people, in attending
Stake Conferences and Priesthood meetings, and hearing their reports from time
to time, that there is a steady improvement in the feelings of the people. This
was the testimony of Brother David P. Kimball, this morning, when he said, that
he could perceive a decided improvement in the faith of the Latter-day Saints
during the six years of his absence. I think this is especially visible to all
those who are moving and acting among the people, they being the best able to
judge of their true condition. This is a source of gratitude and thanksgiving
to our Heavenly Father. I will not say of self-congratulation; for although we
have reason for thanksgiving for the mercies and the blessings we have
received, yet there are many things still to be done, very many improvements to
be made, many weaknesses to be overcome, and very much yet to be done to
instruct the people that they may be sanctified and prepared to endure the
presence of the Lord, when he shall come; and to enable them to withstand the
shocks of the enemy, that will be directed against them. Much remains to be
done by the people in putting away evils that still exist in our midst; and
very much needs to be done in the various. Wards and Stakes throughout all the
settlements of the Saints by the local Priesthood. I don't merely mean the
Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops, the High Counselors, and the lesser
Priesthood appointed to assist the Bishops—however important their labors may
be and however necessary it may be that they should be alive and active; but
they should also have the support of all High Priests, Seventies and Elders in
their Wards. And every officer of the Priesthood. should be alive and awake to
see what good he might do, wherever and whenever the opportunity exists of
doing good—in his own home and family first, watching over his own children,
laboring to unite the hearts and feelings of his wife or wives and children,
that peace may dwell in his own habitation, and the wisdom and knowledge of God
grow and increase among his own household; and to see that his children do not
grow up idlers, but are trained to be industrious, and taught to reach out
after truth, that their spirits may not be unfruitful, and that they may be
taught in the fear of the Lord, and to worship Him, and to call upon Him, and
to have faith in Him, so that when sickness assails them that they may not first
resort to the doctor, or desire to put their trust in medical men to heal them,
for the Lord has commanded His people that when any are sick among them, they
shall call for the Elders of the Church, who shall pray over them, and lay
their hands upon them, and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord, and
the prayer of faith shall save the sick. This was the exhortation of the
Apostle James to the former-day Saints, and it has been repeated to the
Latter-day Saints. The revelations given unto us on this subject are to the
effect that "they who have faith to be healed, shall be healed; the deaf
who have faith to hear, shall hear; the lame who have faith to walk, shall
walk, etc. And they who have not faith to do these things, but believe in me, I
will have compassion upon them, and bear their infirmities, and they shall be
nursed with herbs and mild food, and that not by the hand of an enemy."
These
things are for you, my brethren and sisters, and for your families, and all who
are willing to receive the word and counsels of Almighty God. And if our faith
is so weak that we have to resort to medical aid, let us do it trusting and
relying upon God, seeking unto those who have faith, and who have confidence in
God, and who do what they do unto the Lord, righteously, justly and honorably,
seeking for the light of the Holy Ghost to help them in their profession. These
will be far more likely to succeed and do good; but the other class are not to
be relied upon, for all doctors have not faith any more than all lawyers or
other men. But the sound, intelligent philosopher or Surgeon has respect for
God and His works, which are made manifest in all nature and in nothing more
than the human frame, which is after the image of God himself—fearfully and
wonderfully made—and those who understand it best, respect, as a rule, the
Maker, and acknowledge His wisdom as being superior to that of man, for there
is nothing ever devised by man that is equal to his own organization in
perfection and beauty, or in strength and durability.
Let us
remember and ponder upon these counsels, and cleave to the Priesthood and have
confidence in it; and let the Elders administer to the sick in faith, and let
them rebuke disease when the Spirit prompts them, and it will be rebuked, and the
sick will be healed by the power of God. Every Elder in Israel should so live
before the Lord as to have confidence in Him to do this. And let the Presidents
of Stakes and the Bishops and the leading influential men encourage faith among
the people, depending upon God and the ordinances of His house rather than
trusting in man. And while they seek for wisdom to nurse the sick in a manner
calculated to do them good, let them learn too, that herb medicine, unless
administered in wisdom and intelligence, is liable to injure the patient
instead of benefitting him. And let the Elders lay aside strong drinks and
tobacco, and discontinue the practice of everything having a tendency to injure
the system, and set examples before our sons and daughters that is worthy of
imitation. If parents will pursue this course they will command the respect of
their children; and when the time comes for them to go down to their graves,
their children will point to them in affection and pride as being the chief
means, under God, of their learning His ways and walking in His paths, and of
eschewing those pernicious habits which are wasting away the life of our
nation, and that are gradually undermining society and destroying the human
race. It is the design of the Almighty to raise up in these mountains a hardy
and a healthy people, a people who shall live according to the laws of heaven
that govern them, in whom shall be found the elements of faith and power; and
it becomes our duty to shape our lives accordingly. And that God may help us to
do so, and to accomplish all that is required of us, is my earnest desire and
prayer. Amen.
After which the choir sang an anthem:
The gathered Saints.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow, Saturday, at 10 o'clock.
Benediction by Apostle Wilford Woodruff.
_____
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 32:596-597, 10/10/83, p 4-5]
SECOND DAY.
Saturday, Oct. 6.
Conference met in the Tabernacle and was called to order at 10 o'clock a. m. by President John Taylor.
The choir sang,
Come, thou glorious day of
promise.
Come and shed thy cheerful ray.
Prayer by President John McAllister.
The choir sang,
Arise, arise, with joy
survey
The glory of the latter day.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS.
If a retrospective view were taken of the providences of the Lord to the Latter-day Saints, especially since their sojourn in these mountains, the kind care of our Heavenly Father would be everywhere abundantly manifest. Since the settlement of these valleys, there had been a continuous series of efforts by the enemies of this people to deprive them of their rights and bring them into political bondage, but in every instance such efforts had signally failed. The persecutions inflicted by Federal officeholders, missionary judges, etc., had all be counteracted by the Lord's providences, fallen short of their intended effect, and redounded to the disadvantage of their authors. Last year witnessed another notable attempt of this kind, and its failure. It was a singular circumstance that a man should be sent here from the heart of the nation, qualified by an extended experience, civil and military, which should have taught him to distinguish between right and wrong, and yet endeavor to nullify the popular vote and deliver the Territory over to the hands of an insignificant and unscrupulous minority. But so far this scheme had also failed and the schemer had defeated himself. This as but one of many proofs of the Lord's watchcare over His people. They should therefore rejoice before Him and endeavor to serve him more diligently than ever. There was great room for improvement among them. The system of church policy under which we operated pre-supposed the most powerful government under the sun, and its superiority was no more strikingly illustrated than by contrasting the peace which prevailed in our midst, and the disturbances which were continually agitating the most powerful nations of the earth. All this presaged the fulfilment of the prophecy that Zion, in the latter days, would be the only people on earth not at war one with another. Nor were we only free from political troubles, but from elemental disturbances, such as earthquakes, cyclones, etc., which were being sent forth to devastate the wicked. The Saints should endeavor to prove worthy of the divine mercy manifested over them, fearing not the menaces of their enemies, which were necessary to preserve and keep them together, and would fall harmless if the Saints would but do their duty. The Lord's vineyard should be pruned, but in all wisdom and judgment, that in pulling up the tares the wheat may not be destroyed also. But none, through fear of doing wrong should refuse to do right. It was by using a gift that it developed and became powerful. The blacksmith had a stronger arm than the ordinary man, because he was all the time using it. Those who hold the Priesthood should use it and magnify their office and calling, or they would never know its value and utility. The children of Abraham would do the works of Abraham and thus prove worthy of the blessings of Abraham. Small sins should be avoided as well as large ones. Adultery and murder were sinful in the eyes of the Lord, but so were Sabbath-breaking and profanity. No one should cherish the idea that he has no time to serve the Lord. A man should be willing to go wherever and whenever the Lord calls him, whether it be to a foreign mission or to another world.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 32:674, 11/14/83, p 2; JD 24:278 (also 331)]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Morning,
October 6, (Semi-Annual conference) 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
The Lord
be thanked and praised for granting us another so favorable opportunity of
meeting together to contemplate the interests of His Kingdom, and our soul's salvation
at; this Conference. "Day unto day uttereth speech," said the
ancient man of God, "and night unto night showeth knowledge." We can
say that week after week, and month after month, since our last Conference, we
have had renewed occasion for thanksgiving and praise to Him for the many
blessings which He has vouchsafed unto His people.
If we
take a retrospective view of His providences to us as a people, especially
during the period of our sojourn in these mountains, we shall find that
circumstances have occurred at very short intervals, which have kept the people
continually awakened to a sense of their liberties, and to a watch care for
them, measuring and weighing and noticing the efforts that have been made from
time to time to take away our privileges and liberties, and such blessings as
were thought could be taken from us which we had entered into the enjoyment of
since our location in these mountain fastnesses. Step by step every such
instance has been attended, if not with all that gift and abundance of favor
and mercy, which we might have desired, and which might not have been best for
us, yet with sufficient blessing to manifest the kind care of our heavenly
Father continually and unceasingly over us.
When we
came here and first made our laws, realizing that we were far away from the
mass of the people of the States, both east and west of us, we found it was
with great difficulty that we could avail ourselves of the few blessings which
government seemed to tender to us. We could not even obtain the presence of
federal officials in our midst,, regularly, as was designed by government, and
as was needed by the people. Consequently our isolation required our
Legislature to confer unusual powers upon our local courts; but it was not long
before the effort was made, and final success was bad in taking from our local
courts the civil and criminal jurisdiction. Time will not allow me to enter
into minute details. Therefore, suffice it to say, that mission judges have
come here fully determined to convert us from the error of our ways, as it
appeared to them, to the "purity, refinement, and civilization" of
the world! After laboring and toiling some years in our midst, finding their
decisions frequently overthrown by the decisions of the Superior Court at
Washington, our Prophet, who had been illegally imprisoned, released from his
confinement, and one thing after another, upset their plans and devices; so
that the great changes which had been hoped to be brought about among us, to
make us like the people of the world, signally failed, and the end of that
effort was, that the poor, miserable than who undertook the job, was carried
home in his coffin.
I must
notice one or two other important facts, which have stood out very prominently
before us, and they were, that this people who were not of the world, and had
no fellowship or love with the world, must be restricted in their civil rights
and military duties, for fear that they should do some mischief on a holiday,
therefore they were forbidden by Gubernatorial Proclamation, to order out a
company of infantry or cavalry, to help to celebrate the Fourth of July, as
they and their fathers were wont to do from the, immemorial.
One after
another, these and similar efforts have been made to take our liberties and
privileges away from us, that we might be brought into some sort of
contemptible subjection, it would appear. But without stopping to animadvert upon
the folly and nonsense of such a procedure, let me inquire what was the result?
What followed the proclamation that we should not do military duty as a people,
or protect ourselves even from the surrounding savages? Immediately when this
occurred, it seemed as if the very heavens were moved in our behalf all the
tribes around us became divested, seemingly, of what hostility they had
possessed, and ever since that occurred, we have had the most substantial peace
and quiet all around us, among the natives. How kind of Providence, it was, to
so completely remove the enmity) of the natives, when this circumstance
transpired. We are relieved from the unpleasant tax of military duty, and even
our adversaries are made to be at peace with us. What a logic of fact, for a
contentious world to read.
During
the past year, the great efforts that have been made, have seemed to prove
abortive; special efforts and measures have appeared to miscarry; and we have
had a law right from the Capital, that seemed as if it must tell on the
"Mormons." A class of our people have been temporally divested of the
right of suffrage; men and women, who may have violated some law, and many who
have never violated any law of Congress, have been deprived of their political
rights. But with all this we still seem to live and thrive and prosper faster
than we have ever done before. The very step itself, will prove a great
blessing to this people by separating a portion of those who have not the
highest respect and veneration for all the Laws of God, and enable those who
have, to be the wiser counselors and more efficient aids in advancing the
interests of the kingdom in the hands of those who may be more acceptable in
the eyes of government to wield administration here locally.
But it is
a singular fact, a singular circumstance, that a man should crime here from the
heart of the nation—clothed, as was supposed, with every qualification to be a
Governor of Utah,—should act as he has acted. He had been through the army in
the late rebellion. He was a man capable, as was supposed, of understanding
what was right and proper, as between the nation and any other part of the
country that might seem to feel in any wise oppressed or limited, and who would
administer constitutional rights and executive powers with ability and with
skill. He came here clothed with the supreme beauty of the State from whence he
came. This man by his excessive propensity for figures, as we all know, made
some very strange calculations; and then when one thing didn't work, another
seemed to, until our representative in Congress was removed. But by and by we
are blessed with another one in Congress to represent us there. And in a short
time we found that, with the special effort that was being made in Washington
in our behalf, such a shadow of doubt was east over a certain portion of the
law, entitled the Host amendment, when it was thought advisable by the Governor
to execute some three hundred commissions, more or less, to men whom he
appointed to fill supposed vacancies in this Territory, which if carried out
would have turned over the local authority of the Territory into the hands of
the avowed enemies of this people, but the supposed vacancies did not exist and
the offices continued in the hands of the incumbents. After all the election
was held during the past season when these offices were filled by the people's
candidates. We have occasion again to rejoice that notwithstanding another
desperate effort has been made to take away the rule from the hands of the
people and put it into the hands of their enemies, and make us an outside
Territory, subject to their oppressions, subject to all manner of taxation that
they might please to impose upon us—we find that the voice and vote of the
people are still triumphant, that their candidates have gone into office and
are corn. missioned; the selections having been made from among those whose
rights and privileges have been maintained unto them.
It is a
singular feature in this matter, that the Governor has taken it into his head
to leave the Territory just at the time when it was ,supposed he would be
required to execute these commissions. But without going into particulars,
persons of ordinary discernment observe that the course he has taken is such
that he cannot himself cheek it to remain and issue the commissions to the
properly elected persons to rule in this Territory, indeed it looks as though
the dishonorable, undignified course he has taken is just what has driven him
from the Territory, to leave his duty, and let the secretary be acting
governor. When men come here full of determination to show their bravery, their
ability, smartness and competency beyond their predecessors, to capture Utah,
and turn her over to the hands of the ungodly; it appears that every one who
has made such an attempt has met with very signal defeat. When a man defeats
himself as perfectly as this last one has, I think the Latter-day Saints have
occasion to thank God and take courage; we I have reason to rejoice and praise
the I Lord in all these matters, for whatever our enemies do He makes it return
that, like a boomerang that is thrown out, it comes back and strikes the person
that hurled it.
Well,
then, my brethren and sisters, seeing that this is the way that these matters
all move, the way they all operate, should it not inspire in us the most
profound gratitude toward God for these manifestations of his mercy, goodness
and blessing unto us. He has made our fields to abound with plenty. He has
favored us with blessings innumerable and incomprehensible. We have a peace, a
joy and a satisfaction at heart which those men who make these desperate laws
cannot contemplate. We rejoice in the blessings that heaven is bestowing upon
us. Is it not, then, our bounden duty to testify to God, the angels, and those
that attend upon the covenant people of God, that we are determined to love Him
more and serve Him better? I was pleased to hear the remark made by one of my
brethren yesterday, that he felt on returning here, after an absence of five or
six years, that there was an improvement in the spirit and feelings of the
people. This is very manifest to those who observe and notice it. But we think
there should be a very much greater improvement. Many of us have been very
careless of some of the commandments: words of wisdom which the Lord has seen
fit to give to us. We have not used that care, that caution, and that sound
discretion in our daily lives before Him, that it is becoming we should do. I
propose, brethren and sisters, in view of this matter, that we take these
things to heart, and see if we can and ought to draw nearer to God, while He is
willing to draw nearer to us, and thus more fully sense His blessings, His
mercies, and his loving kindness unto us.
This
institution,—which President Taylor so beautifully reviewed yesterday morning
in the Assembly Hall, noticing the varied authorities of the Church and their
multifarious duties—sets forth to every discerning mind that the order of God's
government presupposes and contemplates the strongest possible form of
government that has ever been known on the earth. Men have come here in years
past., and in speaking of President Young, they have said that he had a strong
government here in Utah; and later on, it, speaking of President Taylor, that
he had a strong government. in Utah, and also that men corning here from abroad
to govern the people, simply governed the outsiders, and that the President of
the Church governed the Latter-day Saints. This is the way the ungodly speak
about it. Latter-day Saints know that the order of God's Church is the perfect
order. They know that it is the one intended to give a people strength in the
earth, and that strength is in their righteousness, in their virtue, in their
purity, and in their union and fellowship with the Spirit, with each other, and
with the heavens.
These
principles are very dear and very glorious, and we ought to rejoice above all
men in the earth. We may look to the east, to the west, to the north and to the
south, and we see all governments, all peoples, all nations, all kindreds and
tongues, stirred up with an activity, a spirit of strife and ambition to
superiority, and we see that there is continual commotion among them in their
political affairs, and in their civil relations. There are a great many disturbances
continually going on, and really of the nations are really on the verge of
bankruptcy, through the vast debts created to maintain their numerous armies
even in the time of peace; while here among this people, though our liberties
are menaced and threatened, and our peace would be sometimes disturbed, if we
would allow it, yet, by the blessing of God, we enjoy peace in our hearts, such
peace as the wicked cannot give to us, nor take from us. The voice of Him that
spake to the waves of Gennesaret, and commanded them to be still, speaks to us,
and while dark clouds and the thunderings and lightenings roll over the
political horizon, yet in the hearts, in the homes, and in the habitations of
the just there is peace, such as the wicked know not of, and it bespeaks the
truth of the revelation which says, that not long hence, the people of Zion
shall be the only people that will not be at, war among themselves, and that
the day will be witch they who will not take up the sword against their
neighbor, will have to flee to Zion, of which this is the embryo.
Look
abroad and see what the Lord is doing in the way of judgments. There has
scarcely been a year for many years past, when they have seemeel to be so
terrible as they have been during this present year, so far. Think of one
portion of the world where islands of the sea have been sunk, and 100,000
people reported destroyed by earthquake and volcanic eruptions. And another
where it is said some 15,000 or 20,000 were likewise destroyed. Think of it!
And yet the Lord has preserved us in these mountains—in this region of country
that might scientifically be called one of the most volcanic portions of the
whole earth. The very face of the earth tells us its character by its extinct
volcanoes, its silent craters, and numerous hot springs. Look at the strata of
the earth's crust in these canyons, and see its nature. Also the Lord has
manifested His judgments by cyclones, etc. The words of the Prophet Joseph,
have been and are being verified, those words he uttered before he went to
Carthage. Said he: "I call for the four winds of heaven, the thunderings,
lightnings, earthquakes, whirlwinds, the hailstorms, pestilence, and the raging
seas to come forth out of their hiding places and bear testimony of the truth
of those things which I have taught to the inhabitants of the earth as is
promised in the revelations that have been given." These were some of his
last words among the people. And what have we seen? Scarcely a week last summer
without a cyclone or hurricane happening somewhere in the States, destroying
towns and villages, or parts thereof.
We live
in times that if we only considered the matter and looked upon it as we should
do, that should cause us to draw near unto the Lord, and to live up to every
word that proceedeth from His mouth.
I wish to
bear testimony that this Gospel and this order of government which I have been
alluding to, is that which brings down the blessings of heaven upon this
people. Besides peace and good order, it brings the gifts and blessings of the
Gospel, the gift of healing to those who are afflicted and wounded and who are
walking upon the borders of the grave; such are restored and healed by its
divine power exercised in the prayers and faith of the Saints.
The fact
of the matter is, those things which are held out as menaces to us, are the
things that preserve us from the hands of the wicked, and keep us from
forgetting God in the time of prosperity. It is one of the greatest blessings
to us, that we are kept continually on the alert, diligently seeking after Him,
putting our trust in Him, and then to find how successfully and perfectly He
leads us to triumph. over our enemies, and makes the mischief they would bring
upon us, recoil upon their own heads. Saints find it good to trust in Him.
The great
work that is now upon us—to build temples and to labor in them, calls upon us
to perform our duties faithfully; calls upon Presidents of Stakes and Bishops
of Wards, that they look well among their peoples, and see if they are not
taking upon themselves the responsibilities of other people's sins. Presidents,
High Councilors and Bishops, should seek diligently the Spirit of the Lord to
know how to deal with and decide between the righteous and the wicked; to know
how to pull up the tares without pulling up a great number of the roots of the
wheat. When a man has given himself up to be a drunkard, to dishonor the cause
of God, and to be picked up in the streets and to become a reproach, until
people say, "that is one of your Mormons," it is time the Bishops or
Elders, or whosoever's duty it is, were looking after him to see that this evil
is put away, and to see that his wife, who may be the deepest mourner over this
whole matter, and his children, clothed in sorrow over his conduct, to see that
they are cherished and sustained and preserved, lest while pulling up the tares
you pull up the wheat also. It requires the skill and wisdom of the Holy Spirit
in all of these things to know how to deal in the right way, to save those that
can be saved, while those who will not work righteousness, may be known as
transgressors, and that we may no longer carry them upon our faith and become
partakers of their sins.
In the
late organization of 1877, a score of Stakes were organized, a great many more
Wards were instituted, really .men were called and ordained to be Bishops in
the Church who had never given their attention to consider carefully the duties
of the bishopric. In view of the responsibilities of this calling, it may not
be thought strange that some brethren holding this high and holy office are so
afraid that they would do wrong, that they even durst not do right! Now, this
is true whether you believe it or not. A great many men hold these important
offices who are so timid and so fearful lest they should do wrong, that they
are slow and backward in doing the thing which is right. Now, what is it that
makes a man useful and strong in his calling and labor? Is it not his constant
labor, and the diligent, actual performance of his duties? What is it that
makes the blacksmith's right arm stronger than any other man's? It is because
he is all the time using it, and in this way his arm acquires that practice
which gives it the greatest attainable strength. If the brethren standing in
these responsible places, whether they be Presidents of Stakes or Bishops of
Wards, see anything wrong in their Wards, it is their duty .to get after it.
And it is notably the duty of a teacher to be conversant with the people, and
to see that there is no iniquity in the Church. Instead of hardness of feeling
or division of sentiment, or mischief of any kind being allowed to exist in
your Stake, until it produces party strife, and people take sides with one and
sides with another, it is far better to get after the mischief at once, find
out where it is, root it out, and set matters right before the peace of
families, of neighborhoods, and perhaps the Ward is disturbed. I wish the
brethren in authority would heed this matter and wake. up to their duties, and
not act merely as figureheads, but more like men of God clothed with authority
and power. When men standing in such responsible positions are so backward in
their duties, they don't know the power of God, nor the spirit of their
callings, but the moment they step forward and take hold with a prayerful
heart, coming from their closets clothed with the Spirit of God, they find they
have the power to make peace and restore union, fellowship and love in the
midst of the people, and the people would love and bless them in return.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
We need a
great deal of missionary service at home. We need a deal of labor in all the
spheres of life—in the families, in the wards, and in the Stakes of Zion, which
are organized and are being built up in the Church in these latter times. The
work is constantly spreading. Stakes are being organized in different parts of
the country, and the work of God is prospering. Our enemies "can do
nothing against the truth, but rather for the truth;" for God will
sanctify their evil designs, and their wicked and ungodly purposes, to bring to
pass His ends, and to magnify His name and to honor him in the earth.
Let us
humble ourselves before the Lord, let us keep His commandments,, and teach our
children so to do. Let us teach them the principles of purity and
righteousness, so that they may go to the house of the Lord, pure as they were
born, free from sin, and wholly there to enter into covenants with God that
shall abide and stand and endure while time shall last and eternity endure;
that they may live, grow and increase, as Abraham grew and increased, become as
the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore for multitude.
For the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have come down upon us. And they
that are the children of Abraham will do the works of Abraham. Let us not
forget it; tidal they that would inherit the blessings of Abraham must do the
works of Abraham, to entitle them to these blessings.
Let us
draw near to the Lord with our households and strengthen ourselves in the
truth. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any
people."
We ought
to be more careful concerning the observance of the Sabbath. We talk of the
great things of the laws of God, such as adultery, and those greater crimes,
and murder, which are less frequently committed, but which are most terrible in
their effects upon those who do, and are terrible also in their effects upon
those who are surrounded and are connected therewith; but let us attend also to
the Sabbath, to keep it holy, and go to our meeting and be more dutiful in that
respect, and not go to the canyons, or hunt stock, and attend to a multitude of
things, which otherwise might be avoided. Let us avoid, if we are going a
journey, starting on a Sunday, "just to save one day more for
business." Let us undertake no manner of business on that day. Let us
reverence the Sabbath as God has commanded us in the revelations of the last
days. It is one of the ten commandments: "Six days shalt thou
labor, and do all lily work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy
God: in it thou shalt not do any work, etc." The Lord has been particular.
He is going to be particular again. We have been in circumstances where we were
rudely dealt with. We have had to travel over the plains, but even there we
reverenced the Sabbath. We stopped our teams, and let the cattle rest, and
attended to our duties. Now we have come into a country where we have hardly
had to buy land save at a nominal Government figure. Here we found a new world,
a place in which we could make a living; and cannot we afford to take time to
serve the Lord; to rest our bodies and refresh our spirits, by a study of His
holy word increasing our faith also?
Another thing,
we ought not to run after doctors as much as we do. "But," says one, "if
we have a bone broken we must have somebody to set it." Yes, that is
true, but we need not take all the nostrums they can think of. We ought first
to go to the Lord and exercise our faith as far as we can make use of it in
that direction, and we will make fewer blunders than we do in placing implicit
confidence in the medical and surgical professions. When we do this we are
certainly sure of one thing—we secure the help of God and the help of angels;
and if we are appointed unto death, we want to go. We ought to want to go. Our
prayers and supplications should be always conditional—that is, if not
appointed unto death that he or she should be raised up. And if the heavens
want a man to labor there in any sphere, there is where he should be. If a man
is wanted to be on a mission in Europe, in Germany, or in the States, and he
stays at home, he is not where he ought to be. He ought to be where God would
have him, there the Holy Spirit will labor with him and help him. But for us to
importune the Lord to heal those whom He has appointed unto death is just like
asking—as we do once in a while—a man to go on a mission, and we get a long
petition saying that he is such a blessed dear good man, or he has been such a
good school master, "Do, pray, President let him stop." Now, when the
Presidency want a man to go on a mission, he ought to go. It is best for that
man that he should go. It is best for all concerned that he should go to the place
he is sent, and labor with all his heart. Just so with us. Here we are on a
mission in the world. The matter of death is a very small matter. It is a
matter of life or death go be sure; but if the Lord does not want us here, and
we are taken away, His will be ,lone on earth as it is done in heaven.
I do not
wish to occupy more time for fear of infringing upon the rights of others.
I pray
the Lord to still bless Israel, to bless us with humility, and with
faithfulness in the keeping of His commandments; then we shall see more and
grander things accomplished on His part, just in properties to the faithfulness
with which we perform the duties devolving upon us. May the Lord help us
to do this; and to walk in the way of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER:
The thought frequently arose in his mind, were the Saints honest and sincere in their belief, and willing to practice what they preach to others? Paul's advice to the Galatians was to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free. Honesty, purity, temperance and uprightness were fruits of the Spirit, while impurity, intemperance and the worship of Mammon were the fruits of the flesh. Those who manifest the former were those who cared for the orphan and the widow, increased in faith and good works, and thought more of the riches of eternal life than the wealth of the world. There was no intrinsic harm in wealth. Its acquisition was due to mental and physical endowments, God-given and legitimate, but the love of money was the root of all evil. The Saints should avoid giving way to this form of idolatry. God loved the humble, just rich man as much as he did the humble, just poor man. There was a great power in wealth, always had been and always would be, but the power it exercised was not to be compared to the influence which a man ought to and would yet wield who laid up treasures in heaven. The riches of the everlasting hills were God's, the earth and the fulness thereof; He could and would give them to whomsoever he pleased. But it was a great mistake to attach more importance to mercantile pursuits and money-making schemes than to the work of the ministry and the cause of the Lord. Riches did not make men happy. But few rich men were happy. for unless they lived righteously, honoring God and His Priesthood, and were willing to sacrifice all for His kingdom's sake, they would not be happy. If they died infidels, they would rise in the resurrection as infidels, and would find that they had forfeited the inestimable treasure of eternal life for the fleeting riches of time. It was a dangerous thing for the young to imagine they must be rich in order to be happy, and must be dishonest and hypocritical in order to heap up pecuniary wealth. A man endowed with the gift of acquiring property should use it for the benefit of the community. No man could monopolize the avenues of trade and wealth, robbing the poor and building up himself, and enjoy the spirit of God, and when the time came that all things that could be would be shaken, such men would fall, for their faith would not be sufficient to support them in the hour of trial. It were better to be clothed in a blanket, like an Indian, and enjoy the favor of God, than to be attired in velvet and feel that our prayers were not heard. The word of God was onward and upward and the destiny of this people was to sustain all just principles. The United Order and consecration were yet to be established, and there was a day of great trial for those who were dishonest and selfish before the Lord.
APOSTLE ALBERT CARRINGTON
Had a testimony to bear in regard to the grand Latter-day Work the Lord had commenced in this dispensation. The world could not appreciate it because they were devoid of the Spirit of the Lord, without which the natural mind could not appreciate the things of God. They denied inspiration and therefore could not enjoy its blessings. They could not realize that the earth, our mother, was an intelligent being and kept laws through obedience to which she would yet be sanctified, celestialized and be prepared as an eternal inheritance for the righteous. This destiny was attainable by the weakest, through a course of humble, diligent obedience before the Lord. How long would we be learning that this is the condition of our promised salvation in His presence? The wicked were waxing worse and worse, notwithstanding all their boasted enlightenment, just as the righteous were increasing in good works. Wickedness naturally persecuted its opposite, and would continue to do so as long as it was permitted. The powers of Satan were not asleep. They were active and enterprising, but we should never be disheartened, for the Lord had decreed and all past history verified the truth of his promise that the wicked could do nothing against the Lord's work, but for it. It could not be opposed with any success whatever. It would go on as rapidly as the Lord desired, and would yet achieve the glorious destiny predicted for it.
The choir sang an anthem -
The Lord will comfort Zion.
Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock p.m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 32:597, 10/10/83, p 5]
Saturday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang:
Jesus mighty King in Zion,
Thou alone our guide shall be.
Prayer by Prest. A. O. Smoot.
The choir sang:
Earth with her ten thousand
flowers,
Air with all its beams and showers.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF.
It would be no news to the people to hear that this was the work of God, and that Zion was being built up in these mountains, but the beauty of these things was that they were true. The speaker had been associated with this Church for fifty years, and was familiar with its history. He had never seen a time when it was in as prosperous a condition as now. The strength and union of its organizations was unprecedented in its history. The Spirit of God was manifest in the acts of his servants in authority. God was with them, and they were united as the heart of one man. The Presidency were able to preach the whole law of God, and they practised what they preached. They were an example to others. No man in this kingdom had a right to preach that which he did not practice. He himself did not feel at liberty to preach the Word of Wisdom unless he observed it. In this respect the Apostles felt desirous of emulating the example of the First Presidency. But it should not stop here. All other quorums should do likewise, for the time was at hand when it would be necessary to keep the whole law of God, for there would be a dividing line, separating those who did from those who did not. The priesthood with all its powers, keys and authorities was upon the earth, and the kingdom must go forward, it cannot go backward. The young men of Israel would rise up and bear off the kingdom. He rejoiced in seeing the sons of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Jedediah M. Grant and others, rising up and following in the footsteps of their fathers. The Lord never had a work upon earth without having worthy men foreordained to perform it, and this generation required some of the noblest of spirits to operate as instruments in the hands of God. There was a mighty work to be performed, for the living and the dead, and God the Eternal Father stood at the head of it. The kingdom was going to roll on. Its history was already written in the prophecies concerning it. All were destined to be fulfilled. No power ever did or ever could hinder the Almighty, and no power would now or hereafter. The law of Patriarchal Marriage was the pretext made by the world for persecuting the Saints, but it was only a pretense, for those who cry aloud against the alleged iniquity of this people were steeped in corruption themselves, and if that law which they falsely brand as immoral were done away with, persecution would not cease. The Church was more fiercely assailed before plural marriage was revealed, than it ever has been since. The Saints had no feelings of bitterness or disloyalty against the national Government. They were patriotic and loyal, but they depreciated persecution in all its forms and claimed and advocated the right of religious liberty. The warfare between this people and the world was a warfare between God and Satan, and the Lord would bring his people off victorious. Men had been known to lay down their lives for their country's honor, and the Saints should be willing to lay down their lives, if need be for the sake of God and His kingdom?
President Geo. Q. Cannon then read the names of missionaries who are already in their field of labor, and those who are now called to take missions.
Names of Elders who have been called on Missions since the April Conference 1883, and now in their fields of labor. October 6th 1888.
GREAT BRITAIN.
George
Barber, Smithfield.
SCANDINAVIA.
Nelsen
Peterson, Bloomington.
Lars Fredrick Swalborg, Gunnison.
Anton Henry Lund, Ephraim.
UNITED STATES.
Henry
Rudy, 15th Ward, City.
Charles Madison Donelson, 13th Ward, City.
Mormon Miner, Fairview.
John George Moroni Barnes, Kaysville.
Thomas Stepleford Woodland, Willard.
Thomas Butler, Richfield.
Edmond Franklin Durfee, Aurora.
David Franklin Davis, 17th Ward, City.
John Reidhead, Woodruff, Arizona.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Minor
Wilcox. Paris.
James Andrew Ross, Kanosh.
Sidney Teeples, Holden.
John Alexander Bevan, Tooele.
John James Humphries, Paris.
New Samuel Whitney, Parowan.
William Franklin Garner, North Ogden
RUSSIA.
John
Wink, 13th Ward, City.
Missionaries for October Conference, 1883:
GREAT BRITAIN.
William
Corbridge, East Bountiful.
Francis Greenwall, Ogden.
C. J. Arthur, Cedar.
John Griffin, Newton.
John W. Thornley, Kaysville.
Joseph H. Armstrong, Johnson's Fort, Iron Co.
Arthur Stayner, Jr., Farmington.
George J. Dent, 21st Ward.
Angus McKay, Huntsville.
James W. Thomas, Spanish Fork.
John L. Edwards, Willard.
Frederick Lewis, Spanish Fork.
George F. Hunter, West Weber.
Richard Douglass, Ogden.
SCANDINAVIA.
John
Malmstrom, West Jordan.
Edward Hansen, Logan.
Mons Monsen, Moroni.
Albin C. Anderson, Moroni.
Frederick Christiansen, Fairview.
Peter Michelsen, Manti.
Erick Christiansen, Ephraim.
Lars Larsen, Brigham.
August Valentine, Brigham.
Martin Christoffersen, 4th Ward.
UNITED STATES.
William
A. Hess, Farmington.
A. B. Strickland, Bloomington, Idaho.
Henry Day, Draperville.
John J. Ashby, Holden.
John E. Booth, Provo.
James Mason, Beaver
Joseph M. Jensen, Brigham
CANADA
Edward
Stevenson, 14th Ward.
SOUTHERN STATES.
David
Hess, Georgetown.
John E. Roueche, Kaysville.
John W. Gailey, "
David H. Cannon, Jr., St. George.
Geo. J. Woodbury, "
Elias Kimball, Meadowville.
Hyrum Kimball, "
Joseph L. Jolly, Moroni.
Ornis A. Bates, Tooled.
Jossiah Richardson, Malad.
Thomas Davis, Fillmore.
Lyman Shepherd, Beaver.
Jasper Lemmon, Mendon.
Samuel R. Bennion, Taylorsville.
Thomas Stephen Kimball, St. David, Arizona.
Orrin Dudley Merrill, St. David, Arizona.
Joseph K. Rogers, Pima Arizona
Joseph Cluff, Thatcher, Arizona.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
Joseph
A. Smith, Providence.
Francis Marion Lyman, Jr., Provo.
Eleazer Evans, Lehi.
Frederick Schoenfeld, Brighton.
Jacob Hafen, Mount Pleasant.
AUSTRIA.
Paul
Hammer, 12th Ward, City.
Thomas Bessinger, Lehi.
INDIAN TERRITORY.
Joseph
H. Felt, 11th Ward.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN.
The Lord had inspired His servants of late years to more fully organize and discipline the members of His Priesthood. It was also given as a law to this Church in earlier days for parents to train and discipline their children in obedience to the laws of God. but while the Saints had paid pretty good attention to other requirements, this law had been to a great extent lost sight of. It was however still binding upon them to teach their children the things they are themselves acquainted with, and also to set proper examples before them. All parents should inquire of their own hearts whether they had kept this law in the past and if they had not, they should do so in the future. The Lesser Priesthood should be active, and according to the instructions of the First Presidency several years ago should have greater consideration shown them. The youth of Israel should be called upon to act as deacons, teachers, and priests, and thus be gradually prepared to receive the Melchisedek Priesthood and the greater blessings awaiting them. They should be taught before they were eight years of age to honor God, to pray to Him, reverence His servants, and to love the truth. If parents did not do this, and set examples consistent with their profession, they could not blame their children for regarding them as hypocritical and insincere. There was also danger that while such Elders went abroad upon missions to save the souls of men, they would lose their own children as the result of neglect in this particular. At the close of this conference about 100 missionaries would be set apart and ordained. Before they departed those who presided over them here should give them counsel as if they were their own children, that they might remember it when far away and also after they return. The speaker felt anxious to devote himself to the salvation of the human race, and bore testimony that God had commenced this work for that purpose, and from the loins of the Latter-day Saints would yet spring a nation and a kingdom which would never pass away.
President Geo. Q. Cannon then submitted to the conference a statistical report of the various Stakes of Zion, also a financial and statistical report of the Relief Societies, which was accepted by unanimous vote of the Conference.
The choir sang an anthem.
Great is the Lord.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow (Sunday), a 10 o'clock a.m.
Benediction by Apostle Erastus Snow.
_____
[6 Oct, eve]
[John Taylor]
[DNW 34:162, 4/1/85, p 2; JD 26:128]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVERED
At a Priesthood meeting, held in the Salt Lake Assembly
Hall, Saturday evening, Oct. 6th, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
IT is
quite a privilege for us to meet together in such assemblies as this—to
associate with the Priesthood of the Son of God, which Priesthood is also after
the order of Melchisedec, and after the power of an endless life. It is a great
privilege for us to meet together, to talk over the things pertaining to the
Kingdom of God, and to reason and reflect upon those things that God has
revealed for our salvation in time and throughout the eternities that are to
come. It is proper that we should comprehend the various positions of men in
relation to this Holy Priesthood, and further that we should understand the
various orders, callings, ordinances and organizations associated with the
Church and Kingdom of God upon the earth; that we each of us may be prepared to
magnify our calling, to honor our God, and to pursue that course always which
shall be acceptable in the sight of our Heavenly Father.
We are
here as Jesus was here, not to do our own will, but the will of our Father who
sent us. He has placed us here; we have a work to do in our day and generation;
and there is nothing of importance connected with any of us only as we are
associated with God! and His work, whether it be the President of the Church,
the Twelve Apostles, the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops, or anybody else,
and we can only thus be of any service by placing ourselves in a position to
act as God dictates us; as He regulates and manipulates the affairs of His
Church in the interests of humanity, in behalf of the living and of the dead, in
behalf of the world in which we live, and in behalf of those who, have lived
before us, and who will live after us. We can none of us do anything only as we
are assisted, guided and directed by the Lord. No man ever lived that could.
Adam could not. Noah could not. Even Jesus could not. Nor could the Apostles.
They were all of them dependent upon the God of Israel to sustain them in all
of their acts. And in regard to Adam himself, as we are, so was he very
ignorant of many principles until they were revealed to him. And if they were
revealed to him they did not originate with him; and so it was with others. We
find that Adam was directed of the Lord to do a certain thing—that is, to offer
up sacrifices—and when the angel of the Lord came to him and said: "Adam
why do you offer up sacrifices?" Adam replied, "I do not know; but
the Lord commanded me to do it, and therefore I do it." He did not know
what those sacrifices were for until the Lord revealed unto him the doctrine of
the atonement and the necessity of the tall of man, and pointed out to him the
way and manner to obtain an exaltation. Then he and Eve his wife rejoiced
exceedingly at the mercy and kindness of the Almighty, and realized that even
in their fall they were placed in a position to obtain a higher glory, and a
greater exaltation than they could have done without it. Now, who revealed this
to them? The Lord, through the ministering of an holy angel; and in relation to
the dealings of God with all of the human family it has been precisely the same.
We are told, for instance, that when Adam had lived to a great age—that three
years before his death he called together his family—that is, some of the
leading branches thereof who held the Holy Priesthood, mentioning the names of
many of the more prominent that had received certain peculiar blessings from
the hand of God—and there was manifested to him all things that should
transpire to his posterity throughout all the future generations of time, and
he prophesied of these things; and also upon those who were with him, rested
the spirit of prophecy, and he blessed them, and they turned around and blessed
him and called him Michael the Archangel, the Prince of Peace, etc. By what
spirit then did Adam prophesy, and under what influence was he operating at
that time? We are told in Scripture that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit
of prophecy, and he in common with his sons who were then associated with him
were in possession of that spirit which enlightened their minds, unfolded unto
them the principles of truth, and revealed unto them the things that would
transpire throughout every subsequent period of time. Who manifested these
things? The Lord. Who organized the world? The Lord. Who made man upon it? The
Lord. Who placed upon it the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, and the
fish of the sea? The Lord. Who sustains all things by his power? The Lord. Who
controls the affairs of the world? The Lord. To whom are we indebted for life,
for health, and for every blessing that we enjoy? To the Lord. He is the God of
the earth, and the giver of every good and perfect gift which we enjoy, and He
desires to gather together a people that will observe His laws, that will keep
His commandments, that will render obedience to His will, that will submit to His
authority, and for this purpose, in different ages of the world, He has
introduced the Gospel and has placed man in possession thereof.
Now, what
about the positions of men? Why, it is a good deal as spoken of in the
Scriptures and in the revelations which have been given to us pertaining to
these matters—that many have been called and chosen, and that many were elected
and selected to fulfill certain offices. It was so revealed to Abraham. He was
told that there were a great many spirits, many of whom were noble, who were
destined to hold particular positions among the children of men, and it was
said to him, "And thou Abraham wast one of these."
Now,
there are events to transpire in this day as there have been in other days; and
we, the Elders of Israel of the Church of the living God, have to build up the
Church of God, the Zion of God, and the Kingdom of God, and the Church has to
be purified according to the law, order, rule and dominion which God has
appointed. It is not for us—as the brethren have expressed it—to receive
certain portions of light and intelligence, and with regard to other portions
follow the desires of our own hearts, thus laying aside God, His rule, His
dominion and His authority. "Having begun in the spirit," as Paul said,
"are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" No, that is the wrong way
about; but on the contrary we ought to add to our faith virtue, to virtue
brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness charity, to charity godliness, that
we may be full of the light and life, and of the spirit and power of God, and
approach more closely to the law of God, and be governed thereby.
Why are
we gathered here to the land of Zion? This is called the land of Zion. We are
called the people of Zion. What does Zion mean? the pure in heart. Why are we
gathered here? One of the Prophets in talking about it, says: "I will take
you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."
What then? "I will give them Pastors according to mine own heart, which
shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." That is what we are here
for. That we may be fed with knowledge and understanding, that we may learn the
law of the Gospel, the law of the Zion of God, the laws of the Kingdom of God,
and that we may be instructed in all things tending to promote the welfare,
exaltation and happiness of ourselves, our wives, our children, the people with
whom we are associated, and the world in which we live and act; and that we may
operate for the benefit of those who have lived, and stand as "saviors upon
Mount Zion."
In all
this, as has been said, there is an order. We are all dependent the one upon
the other. The head can not say to the foot I have no need of thee, nor the
foot to the head I have no need of thee, nor the hand, the arm, the leg to the
body, I have no need of thee. We are formed into a compact body according to
the law of God in the organization of His Church, and it is for us to magnify
the callings unto which we are called, and unless we all of us are placed under
the guidance and direction of the Almighty, we cannot do so—that is, those who
do not yield themselves subject to the law of God, cannot do that thing. But
those who yield themselves subject to the law of God, can do it and do it quite
easily, for Jesus says: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light." Now, if we yield obedience to God and to
the spirits that dwell within us, then will our light become like that of the
just that shineth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day; but if we do not
yield an obedience to the law and word and order of the Church and Kingdom of
God upon the earth, the light that is within us will become darkness, and then,
as it is said, how great is that darkness! We see sometimes men of that
character. They are occasionally referred to as cranks, or, as the Germans use
that term, sick. They lose the light, spirit and power of God, and they
do not comprehend the order of the Church and Kingdom of God, nor do they place
themselves in the way to obtain knowledge or these things. The first thing they
begin to do is to try to pervert the order of God, and to find fault with their
brethren in the Holy Priesthood—with their Bishops, with their Bishop's
Counselors, with the High Council, perhaps with the Presidents of Stakes, as
the case may be, or with the Apostles, or with the First Presidency; no matter
which, or how, or when, or where. Now, if these men were walking in the light
as God is in the light they would have fellowship one, with another, and the
blood of Christ would cleanse them from all sin; but when they begin to murmur
and complain, to find fault and to give way to improper influences, they give
place to the devil, and he takes possession just as fast and as far as he can,
and forces upon them feelings, ideas and principles that are at variance with
the law and order, and word and will of God.
What,
then, are we here for? What did Jesus come to do? He tells us that He
"came not to do His own will, but the will of His Father who sent
Him." How are we to obtain a knowledge of that will? I will tell you what
Joseph Smith told me. I have frequently mentioned it. Between forty and fifty
years ago he said to me this: "Elder Taylor, you have received the Holy
Ghost. Follow its teachings. Sometimes it will seem to you as though it was
hardly the right way. No matter, follow its teachings, and it will always lead
you right, and if you do so it will, by and by, become to you a principle of
revelation, so that you will know all things that are necessary for you to
become acquainted with." Now, I know that is true. I know that he spoke
the truth. And I would say that it is the privilege of every Elder in Israel
who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost, to follow its teachings. What was
said by one of the old Apostles? "As many as are led by the Spirit of God
are the sons of God." Follow its teachings, therefore, and do not give way
to your own feelings, nor to covetousness, to pride, nor to vain glory; for we
none of us have anything to boast of. We have none of us received anything but
what God has given us. If we possess light, or intelligence, or a knowledge of
the things of God—which we do—from whence did it emanate? From God our Heavenly
Father, through the medium that He has appointed. I do not wish to dictate to
Him the way these things shall be done. I never did. While Joseph Smith was on
the earth I looked to him as a Prophet of God, and I do not believe I ever
disobeyed Him in one solitary thing that he ever required at my hands, and I
have been put in some pretty tight places. But that was my feeling, that was
the idea I entertained towards the Priesthood of the Son of God.
I have
also lived in wards. I do not know that I have ever disobeyed the requests of a
Bishop. Why? Because he presided over me in a ward capacity, and if he had a
right to respect me as an Apostle, I had a right to respect him as a Bishop,
and I always felt a desire to comply with all the requirements that were made
of me by any of the proper authorities. I feel and always have felt the same
towards Teachers. If a Teacher came to my house—or Teachers, they generally
come two at a time—if I happened to be there I have told them that I felt happy
to meet with them, and I called together the members of my family that were
within my reach, and told them that the Teachers had come to instruct us.
Permit me here to ask, have not I a right—say as the President of the Church,
or as an Apostle, which I was for many years—have not I a right, or my family a
right to possess the same privileges that others possess, and to have the
Teachers come to inquire after my welfare and that of my family, and to see
that there is no wrong existing—have not I that right? I think I have. If they
are the servants of God, have not I a right to listen to them? Yes, I have, and
I feel it my duty to receive them kindly, treat them properly and listen to
their teaching.
On the
other hand, when the Teachers got through, I might give them a little
instruction, say as an Apostle, or as a brother—put it any way you like; that
while I and my family were receiving benefits from them, it was my duty, on the
other hand, to teach and instruct them in some things that I thought might
benefit them.
Now, these
are correct principles in the Church and Kingdom of God. The Teacher occupies
his place; the Priest and Deacon occupy their places; the Elder occupies his
place; the Bishop his place; the High Councils their places; the Presidents of
Stakes their places, and every one in his position ought to be honored—the
Twelve in their place, the First Presidency in their place—each one yielding
proper respect and courtesy and kindness to the other. And when we talk about
great big personages, there is no such thing. We are none of us anything only
as God confers blessings upon us, and if He has conferred anything upon us, we
will give Him the glory.
Having
been called to these positions, God expects that we will honor them; that we
will esteem it an honor to be the messengers of salvation, the legates of the
skies, to the nations of the earth. We have a great work to perform both at
home and abroad, We are preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth.
Israel is being gathered home to Zion. And in Zion we are rearing temples to
the name of the Most High God. And I will tell you how I feel—that as these
temples are advancing, while we are preparing holy places in which to
administer the ordinances of God pertaining to the living and the dead—I feel
that we ought to begin to prepare ourselves to enter into these holy places,
and to feel that we are the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a
crooked and perverse generation. We ought to wake up and put our houses in
order, and our hearts in order; we ought to conform to the word, the will, and
the law of God; we ought to let God rule in Zion, to let His law be written
upon our hearts, and to feel the responsibility of the great work we are called
upon to perform. We should see that our bodies and our spirits are pure, and
that they are free from contamination of every kind. We are here to build up
the Zion of God, and to this end we must subject our bodies and our spirits to
the law, to the word, and to the will of God. Being here in Zion we want to see
that thing that Jesus told His disciples to pray for take place. "Thy
Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." How was it
done in heaven? God spake and the worlds were formed according to His word. God
said let us do this, and that and the other, and it was so. Was there anybody
in heaven to object and say, "Don't you think you had better put it off a
little. Would not this be abetter way?" Yes, the devil said so, and he
says so yet, and he is listened to sometimes by sinners and sometimes by Saints;
for we become the servants of those whom we list to obey.
There are
besides these other considerations in connection with these matters.
The
brethren who have preceded me this evening have referred to the celestial
terrestrial and telestial kingdoms, and the laws pertaining thereunto. We are
told that if we cannot abide the law of the celestial kingdom we cannot inherit
a celestial glory. Is not that doctrine? Yes. "But," says one,
"Are not we all going into the celestial kingdom?" I think not, unless
we turn round and mend our ways very materially. It is only those who can abide
a celestial glory and obey a celestial law that will be prepared to enter a
celestial kingdom. "Well," says another, "are the others going
to be burned up, etc.?" No. Do you expect everybody to walk according to
this higher law? No, I do not. And do I expect those that do not, are going
into the celestial kingdom? No, I do not. Well, where will they go? If they are
tolerably good men and do not do anything very bad, they will get into a
terrestrial kingdom, and if there are some that cannot abide a terrestrial law,
they may get into a telestial kingdom, or otherwise, as the case may be, etc.,
etc. Did you ever read in your Bibles that "Strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Did
you ever read of the parable of Jesus, where He speaks of the sower going forth
to sow, and some seed fell by the wayside, some among thorns, and some on
stoney ground, etc.? "But," says one, "we thought we had got it
all" Yes: but the thorns have grown up in many places and choked the good
seed. Sometimes you keep down your weeds in the field, but do they come up
again? Yes; fresh crops keep coming all the time; and I think, too, that the
wheat and the tares were to grow together for a certain length of time.
Well,
what shall we do? Shall we go to work and get angry against people that do not
do exactly right? No. They can only do right as God helps them to do it. They
can only do right as they seek to God for His help to enable them to do so;
they can only do right as they are sustained by the power of God; and if we
allow covetousness, pride, envy, jealousy, hatred, malice, lasciviousness,
drunkenness, Sabbath-breaking, or any other influence to corrupt and lead us
astray from the light of truth and the sweet consoling influences of the Spirit
of God, we shall get into darkness, and then, as I said before, if the light
that is within us becomes darkness, how great is that darkness! It is for us to
do right—to observe the law and to keep the commandments of God. It is right
also for the Presidents of Stakes and for the Bishops to see that none of these
things that I have referred to be permitted among the people over whom they
preside. What! Shall we not let the drunkard wallow in his drunkenness ? No;
deal with him according to the law of God. Shall we not let the lascivious man
wallow in his corruption No. According to certain principles that are laid down
in the book of Doctrine and Covenants in regard to those things, those who have
entered into the new and everlasting covenant, and have taken upon themselves
certain obligations, if they commit adultery it is positively said they shall
be destroyed. Now, can you change that, or can I change it? No, I cannot, and
you cannot; and you have no right to permit men to break the Sabbath, nor to do
many of those acts that many of the Saints are doing. What are Apostles,
Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, etc., placed in the Church for? What
were they for in former days? For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Jesus Christ. What are the High
Councils and Bishops' Counsels for but to adjudge all these things? What are
the Teachers and the Priests for? To assist the Bishops in their endeavors to
promote purity and virtue, holiness and righteousness among the people. That is
their office, and if they do not fulfill that office they are not magnifying
their calling. They have no right to condone the sins of men. The law of God is
perfect converting the soul, and we must be governed by that law and carry it
out, or he made amenable unto the Lord our God for the course we pursue, or for
neglecting to perform our duties. That is the way I look at these things, and
if that is not the case, why are these laws given to us. Are they the laws of
God? We so understand them. Then let us perform our duties and seek to magnify
our callings that we may stand approved and acknowledged of the Lord.
When I
speak of these things, I do not believe in any kind of tyranny. I believe in
long-suffering, in mercy, in kindness, in gentleness, and in the love and fear
of God. I do not believe that the Priesthood was given to man to exercise
dominion and authority over the souls of other men. Everything ought to be done
with kindness and long-suffering, yet with fidelity to God. The Church must be
purified from iniquity of every kind, that we may stand before God "a
glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing;" that when
we get our temples finished we may enter therein, approach the living God, and
call upon Him for blessings, for life and salvation for ourselves and others,
for deliverance from our enemies, and God will hear our prayers if we will only
be obedient and observe His law. God is on our side. All heaven is on our side.
The ancient Prophets and Patriarchs, and the Son of God and God the Father, are
enlisted in the cause of Zion. It is for us to be true to ourselves, and I ask
no odds of this world or of its powers. ("Amen") God will take care
of His Saints, but we must be careful to be Saints.
"Arise!
therefore, ye Elders of Israel—ye Priests, Teachers and Deacons, ye Presidents
of Stakes, Bishops and High Counselors, ye Apostles and First Presidency, and
all of us—Arise! and let us go to work with a will to do the will of God on
earth as it is done in heaven: for if ever that is done, where is it to start,
do you think, if it does not begin here among us? God expects it at our hands.
We are full of weaknesses and imperfections, every one of us; but we want to
learn the word, the will, and the law of God, and to conform to that word and
will and law. Let that law be written upon our hearts. Let us seek to magnify
our callings and honor our God, and the Lord will take care of the balance. We
need not trouble ourselves much about our enemies. They have their ideas, we
have ours. We will do as we have done. We will do the best we can with them,
put our trust in the living God, and pursue a course that is wise, prudent and
intelligent. We will glory not in ourselves, but in the Lord of Hosts. We will
dedicate ourselves, our wives, our families, our houses and our lands, and all
that we possess to the Lord, and feel that we are His children. If we do this,
He will bless us with life, health and prosperity. He will control the efforts
of our enemies in the future as He has done in the past. And here I feel to
call upon every soul to bless and magnify the God of Israel for His mercies
extended to us in the past; for putting a hook into the jaws of our enemies
that they have not had power to harm us, and He will continue to do it, if we
will continue to be faithful, only much more so; and woe unto them that fight
against Zion, for the Lord God of Hosts will fight against them. Amen.
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 32:597, 604, 10/10/83, p 5, 12]
THIRD DAY.
Sunday, 10 o'clock a. m.
The choir sang --
Great is the Lord, 'tis good
to praise
His high and holy name.
Prayer by Apostle George Teasdale.
The choir sang --
Though deepning trials
throng your way,
Press on; ye Saints of God
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Read from the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants concerning the Priesthood and its descent from Adam through the Church of God through all generations; also of the powers and privileges conferred upon its possessors. It was an onerous duty to teach the people the things of God, one which he would not attempt unaided by Him. When he thought of the great changes wrought in the earth in regard to faith in God since the advent of the Gospel the more thankful he felt that he and his family had his faith. Fifty years ago the world stood aghast at the things taught by Joseph Smith. Eighteen centuries had elapsed since God had been recognized as revealing his will to man. The silence was deep, profound and uninterrupted, as much as if the Almighty, His angels and the heavenly powers had been dead, or as if all communication had been cut off between this world and the realms above. Tradition and ancient writs were all that had kept up the idea of God's existence and even this idea was very imperfect and largely the result of speculation. A diversity of opinions was held. Angels were painted with wings, half fowl and half man, and other views equally ridiculous were entertained. But Joseph Smith startled the world by declaring that he had seen God and angels, and that they had communicated divine truths unto him. for this the world thought him worthy of death. It was indeed wonderful that in the midst of all the doubt and skepticism so widely prevalent, a man should be found with faith sufficient to receive such things and declare them to his generation. Joseph testified that God was a being of body, parts and passions, that angels were exalted men, without wings, and that God and His Son Jesus Christ, though similar in appearance, were two distinct individuals. since then thousands have been enabled to corroborate his testimony. The ancient faith had been restored, and its reflected influence was apparent in the outside world. The pendulum which swung between skepticism and credulity, moved from the former to the latter extreme. Spiritualism made its appearance, and faith in supernatural manifestations increased. but strange to say the same unwillingness to receive the truth remained. There was only one medium through which the powers of godliness could with any safety be made manifest. This was the Priesthood. If that were taken away the world would be left as it was before Joseph Smith came forth. It was a note-worthy fact that he did not presume to act in the name of the Lord until he had received authority to do so. How consistent this was, that he should patiently wait the due time of the Almighty, until John the Baptist, who held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood in former times, came and delivered them unto the modern Prophet and his associate Oliver Cowdery; who thereupon were commissioned to baptize each other and others who believed in their mission. Afterwards came Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Melchisedek, or Greater Priesthood, and likewise delivered that authority unto those men. Hence this Church stood out distinct from every other religious organization, deriving its powers from God alone. A new order of things was commenced upon earth from the time of its establishment. all that characterized the church of God in ancient days was manifest in the Church in modern times, and the history and experience of one was almost the exact counterpart of the other, not only with regard to the gifts and graces of the Gospel and their manifestations, but in the persecutions which the Church endues. Thus was this Church a living testimony to the fact that God had again spoken from the heavens and set His hand once more to accomplish His work. Crystalized tradition and unbelief, like a wall of adamant, had to some extent stood in the way of its progress, but God was now raising up a generation in the midst of these mountains who were untrammeled by the traditions of their fathers and their faith, he hoped, would be correspondingly superior. The young Elders of Israel should go forth without purse or script to preach the gospel that their faith and reliance in the Lord might be developed, and those parents who provided their sons with money to go upon missions, were doing them harm instead of good.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 32:786 1/2/84, p 2; JD 24:339]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Morning,
(Semi-Annual Conference) October 7th, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
President
Cannon commenced by reading a portion of the 84th section of the Book of
Doctrine and Covenants:
"Which
Abraham received the Priesthood from Melchisedek, who received it through the
lineage of his fathers, even till Noah; and from Noah till Enoch, through the
lineage of their fathers; and from Enoch to Abel, who was slain by the
conspiracy of his brother, who received the Priesthood by the commandments of
God, by the hand of his father Adam, who was the first man—which Priesthood
continueth in the Church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of
days or end of years. And the Lord confirmed a Priesthood also upon Aaron and
his seed, throughout all their generations—which Priesthood also continueth and
abideth forever with the Priesthood, which is after the holiest order of God.
And this greater Priesthood administereth the Gospel and holdeth the key of the
mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God; therefore, in
the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest, and without the
ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness
is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can see the face
of God, even the Father, and live.
Now this
Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought
diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; but
they hardened their hearts and could not endure His presence, therefore the
Lord in His wrath (for His anger was kindled against them) swore that they
should not enter into His rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the
fulness of His glory. Therefore He took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy
Priesthood also; and the lesser Priesthood continued, which Priesthood holdeth
the keys of the ministering of angels and the preparatory Gospel; which Gospel
is the Gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the
law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in His wrath, caused to continue
with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God
raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb."
After
which he said:
In
arising to address this vast congregation this morning, I trust I may have the
assistance of the Spirit of God, that I may be able to speak in plainness and
with a distinct voice, so that all can hear those things that are appropriate
to us on the present occasion. Naturally one shrinks from the task of
addressing so large an audience. It requires a great physical effort to do so;
besides it is a serious labor to attempt to teach and to instruct the people in
the things of God. I would not attempt it if I did not hope to have His aid.
But the people have come together this morning to be fed, to have the bread of
life administered to them. This is our privilege. We believe in this, and I
rejoice that I am identified with a people who have this faith.
When I
think of the great change that has been wrought in the earth within the last
half century in regard to faith in God and in the manifestations of God's
power, I feel exceedingly thankful, and more especially because I and my family
are identified with the people who have this faith.
Fifty-three
years ago the religious world stood aghast at the ideas advanced by the Prophet
Joseph Smith, and those associated with him.
Eighteen
centuries had elapsed. from the days of the Savior and His Apostles, and during
the greater portion of this time no voice from the heavenly worlds had been heard
by man—at least this was the statement made by the religious people of that
time. A deep silence prevailed. There had been no voice of God. There had been
no manifestations from the Son of God. There had been no angelic visitation.
The silence was deep, profound and uninterrupted, as much so as though every
possible means of communication between God, Jesus, the angelic hosts and man
on the earth had been entirely cut off.
Joseph
Smith, inspired of God, came forth and declared that God lived. Ages had passed
and no one had beheld Him. The fact that he existed was like a dim tradition in
the minds of the people. The fact that Jesus lived was only supposed to be the
case because eighteen hundred years before men had seen him. The fact that
angels had an existence was based upon the knowledge that men had recorded it
eighteen hundred years previously. The character of God—whether He was a
personal being, whether His center was nowhere, and His circumference
everywhere, were matters of speculation. No one had seen him. No one had seen
any one who had seen Him. No one had seen an angel. No one had seen any one who
had, seen an angel: and all that was known concerning angels was that which had
come down in this book, [the Bible]. Is it a wonder that men were confused?
that there was such a variety of opinions respecting the character and being of
God? Angels were painted with wings—half fowl and half man, illustrating most
perfectly the absurd notions that had generated in the minds of men concerning
these beings. How .could it be expected to be otherwise? But Joseph Smith, as I
said, startled the world. It stood aghast at the statement which he made, and
the testimony which he bore. He declared that he had seen God. He declared that
he had seen Jesus Christ. He declared that he had seen angels, that he had
heard their voices, that they had communicated to him divine truths. It was
something entirely unheard of; and because he made these statements, he was
deemed worthy of death? It is a most wonderful thing when you .contemplate it,
that there should have been one man found who, after eighteen centuries of
unbelief and incredulity, had faith sufficient to feel after God, and obtain revelation
from Him—that one man should have been found who had .strength sufficient and
power from God sufficient to make so great a departure as to believe that it
would be possible for God to reveal Himself to man. All the persecutions that
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endured in the early days were
due to the fact that they bore testimony to this great and important truth,
that God lived, that God was a God of revelation, and that God had communicated
His mind and will to His children once more.
After
that revelation faith began .to grow up in men's minds and hearts. Speculation
concerning the being of God, ceased among those who received the testimony of
Joseph Smith. He testified that God was a being of body, that He had a body,
that He had parts, that man was in his likeness, that Jesus was the exact
counterpart of the Father, and that the Father and Jesus were two distinct
personages, as distinct as an earthly father and an earthly son. He bore
testimony also that angels did not have wings, that they were men who had kept
their covenants with their Father and their God, and had been exalted, through
obedience to the commandments of God to that condition that they could dwell in
His presence and become His ministers. By degrees this faith has grown until
there are thousands upon thousands who have received it, and who believe it,
who know for themselves concerning God, concerning Jesus Christ, concerning His
Gospel and the plan of salvation; and the faith that formerly existed has been
restored to the earth, and has begun to grow and to increase in the hearts of
the children of men.
Not only
has faith in spiritual manifestations grown in the hearts of the Latter-day
Saints, but something of a similar character has grown up in the midst of the
world. The pendulum which had swung in one direction, in the direction of
extreme unbelief, of extreme incredulity, concerning everything of a spiritual
character, after the organization of this Church, after the restoration of the
everlasting Gospel in its ancient purity and power, the pendulum, I say, that
had swung to such an extreme in one direction, began to swing in the other
direction, in the direction of credulity, and willingness to have something
that might be traced, or that could be attributed to a spiritual origin. Some
fifteen or sixteen years after this Church was organized, spiritualism began to
make its appearance, and thousands upon thousands of people were ready to
receive anything that any charlatan chose to bring before them as the result of
spiritual manifestations, until the whole nation of the United States, as well
as some nations in Europe, were humbugged by the most extraordinary statements
and ideas set forth by those charlatans. Men are ready enough now in some
places to believe anything that makes its appearance in the form of
spiritualism. All sorts of stories have been told. All kinds of powers have
been manifested. Tables have been tipped. I cannot attempt to describe the many
kinds of manifestations that have been had among men. But the same willingness
to receive the truth, the same unwillingness to receive the Gospel and the
blessings and gifts of God, has continued to be manifested, and this belief or
credulity concerning spiritualism has not had any favorable effect upon the
people in causing them to receive the truth as it is.
Now,
there is one power, and one power alone—as I have read to you in this extract
from this revelation—through which godliness and the power of God and the gifts
of God can be made manifest with any degree of safety—that is, through the
Priesthood of the Son of God. Take that authority away from the midst of men,
and they would be left precisely in the same condition that the world was in at
the time of this revelation to Joseph Smith.
Though Joseph
Smith, as I have said, was permitted in his boyhood, to behold the Father and
the Son, was ministered Unto by holy angels, he did not—and it is a very
remarkable and noteworthy tact—he did not because of these things, those
glorious visions that he had, attempt; to exercise any authority as a servant,
of God in the administration of the ordinances of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. His conduct in this respect stands out in remarkable contrast with the
conduct of men, hundreds of whom, because they receive an impression at some
time, that they ought to preach the Gospel, take upon themselves that holy
calling, without any further authority than a mere impression upon their minds.
He refrained from doing anything of this character. He waited the good pleasure
of God. And how consistent it was! How much in accordance—now, we look at it in
the light of experience and knowledge—with the will and plat; of God, that he
should thus wait, an& that a holy messenger should be sent with the
authority from on high to. lay his hands upon him and to restore to the earth
through him the, everlasting Priesthood, by the administration of which the
gifts an& blessings and power of God had been manifested in ancient days.
Joseph
Smith waited patiently for years, until the due time of the Lord, when He
should send a heavenly messenger, and He did send John the Baptist. John held
the authority in ancient days to baptize for the remission of sins, and held
the keys—having inherited them from his great ancestor Aaron, of the Aaronic
Priesthood, which Aaron held, and which authority his descendents exercised
among the children of Israel, until the days of John, who was called the
Baptist. This John, Jesus said, was a prophet than whom none greater had ever
been born of woman. He was a mighty man, and was distinguished above all men
upon the face of the earth in this, that God chose him to be the instrument to
baptize His Son Jesus Christ in the waters of Jordan. He was a unique character
in this respect. John was beheaded, as we know, to satisfy the priests and the
murderous disposition of a wicked woman. When he died he held the keys of the
Aaronic Priesthood—that Priesthood, as I have said, which he derived from his
great ancestor Aaron, the brother of Moses. He carried with him that authority,
and there having been no bestowal of it from his day until the day of Joseph
Smith, it became his legitimate right, when the authority was once more to be
restored to the earth, to come and confer it. He did so. He laid his hands upon
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, and ordained them to the authority which he
himself held. He bestowed upon them the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, that he
had exercised while in the flesh. When these men were thus ordained, they then
had the right, which they exercised by the command of God, to baptize each
other, and to baptize others, who might be willing to repent of their sins, for
the remission of sins.
But this
was not all. Something more was needed. This higher Priesthood of which I have
read—this greater Priesthood, which holds the keys of the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, the keys of the knowledge of God—this greater Priesthood was
still reserved. John did not possess it. "I indeed," says he,
"baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is
mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, and with fire." John did not have that authority. But
Jesus held it. And Jesus had bestowed it upon His Apostles, three of whom were
prominent among the Apostles—one as President, and the other two Counselors
associated with him—Peter, James and John. These three held the keys of this
greater Priesthood, which they had received from the Sea of God Himself. They
came, as Joseph Smith testified, and laid their hands upon his head, and
bestowed upon him the keys of the Melchisedek Priesthood, the higher
Priesthood, the Priesthood which is after the order of the Son of God. This
authority was bestowed once more upon men by the administration of these
heavenly beings who had been sent from God, the Eternal Father, to restore it
once more to the earth.
Hence
this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands alone. It stands
disconnected entirely with every other organization on the face of the earth.
It draws its power from no existing organization. It derives its authority, it
derives its Priesthood from nothing that exists among men; but claiming that
the Church had fallen, that the authority of the Holy Priest. hood had beer
taken from the earth and withdrawn to God in heaven, because of the wickedness
of men in slaying those who held this Priesthood, it was eminently proper and
consistent that wires it was once more restored to the earth it should be
restored from heaven by the administration of holy angels.
Time will
not permit me to dwell at any length upon the results of what has occurred
since then. But I may say this, that a new order of things commenced on the
earth from the day that Joseph Smith was ordained, and the day this Church was
organized. Once more the Church was organized, having within it all the old
authority—the Apostleship, the Priesthood, the gifts, the graces, the blessings
that characterized the Church of Christ in the day when it was upon the earth.
Nothing was wanting. The same power, the same blessings, the same gifts, the
same union, the same love, the same testimony on the part of those who had
received these ordinances, until to-day we have in these mountain valleys a
people the exact counterpart in every particular of that primitive Church which
Christ and His Apostles organized upon the earth. Every distinctive nature,
every characteristic, every power, every ordinance, that that Church possessed
is claimed and possessed by this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
and the same fruits, the same characteristics, the same blessings, the same
union, the same power, attends the administration of its ordinances, and
follows its believers in all their lives and in all their operations. Go with
its missionaries to the remotest land, you will find them the exact followers
of the disciples of Jesus, who were with Him in the flesh. Did they travel
without purse or scrip? So do the Elders of the Church in these last days. Did
they exercise faith before God, to have their way opened up before them? So do
the Elders in these last days. Did they baptize repentant believers for the
remission of their sins? So do the Elders in these last days. Did they promise
unto repentant believers who were baptized that they should receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost? So do the Elders who go forth in these last days. The same
promise, the same gift, the same power, that was promised anciently is again
promised, and, what is better still, is again bestowed and enjoyed by those who
qualify themselves to receive this precious gift. Did they lay hands upon the
sick for the restoration of their health? So do the Elders in these last days;
and the sick are healed; and the power of God is manifested among men as it has
not been manifested for these many centuries past. Did they, when they had
organized a Church, find a people full of union and love, loving one another
and willing to do deeds of kindness to one another, and thinking more of their
brethren than they did of themselves? So do the Elders in these last days in
organizing branches of the Church, and the same spirit attends their labors and
follows as a result of their administrations in every land—not in Christian
lands alone, but in heathen lands, and among the natives of our forests and of
our mountains. Wherever these Elders go they go accompanied by the power of
God. This rests down upon the people who receive their words, and they are
filled with the Holy Ghost, and their hearts are blended together in union and
in love, which cannot be found elsewhere upon the face of the earth—God in this
wonderful manner bearing testimony to the labors of His servants and to their
word, and fulfilling their promises in bestowing those gifts upon all races,
upon all men who bow in submission to the Gospel which they preach. There is
not a single characteristic that the ancient Church possessed, that is not
manifested in these our days in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. The same persecution of the Church, the same hatred, the same
inclination to shed the blood of inoffensive, innocent men and women, to drive
them from their homes and to treat them with the utmost cruelty upon baseless
charges and misrepresentation—that characteristic is not wanting either, It
follows the Church. It follows the Elders of the Church go where they will.
They may be as pure as angels—so far as it is possible for earthly beings to
be—nevertheless they are followed by this flood-tide of falsehood, of slander,
of misrepresentation, and also by the same disposition to kill them, to shed
their blood; and Prophets have been slain in our day, the blood of apostles has
been shed in out day, the blood of disciples and Saints has stained the earth
in our day for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. There is not a
single characteristic lacking ;and to day this Church stands as a living
testimony in the eyes of all nations, that God has indeed restored the
everlasting Gospel, that God has indeed once more spoken from the heavens, that
He has indeed restored the everlasting Priesthood, through the administration
of which all these blessings have come in so remarkable a manner to men.
Considering
what an age of unbelief we have had, considering the traditions that we have
inherited, it is wonderful the faith that has been manifested by this people
called Latter-day Saints. When I look at it from a certain standpoint, I am
amazed at what I witness. The fathers of this people had not faith in anything
of this kind. Imbued with the traditions that were prevalent throughout
Christendom, they believed that the heavens were sealed, that all
communications had ceased between God and man, and that all we had to depend
upon was this book [the Bible] for the knowledge of God. This was the tradition
instilled into the minds of our ancestors, until it has become a crystalized
belief. One of the most difficult things to make men believe, when this Church
was first organized in these last days, was that it would be possible for God
to speak, that it would be possible for angels to come to the earth, that it
would be possible for that power to be manifested once more. All these things
were associated with imposture in the minds of men. A man who made any such
statement was immediately accused of being an impostor, and of trying to
deceive somebody.
This
Church has made its onward progress, despite this crystalized unbelief, which
has been like a wall of adamant in front of us, hedging our way, barring our
progress in the midst of the human family. Men would listen and then turn away
with a sneer when they heard a statement of the truth. Yet notwithstanding
that, it has a foothold in the earth. And what is the result? A generation is
growing up in these mountains filled with the old faith to a certain extent
free from the traditions of their fathers. My children I hope will have more
faith than I, as I had more faith than my father. I was trained in this faith.
My children, I trust, will have more faith than I, and the children of the
present generation will have more faith than their fathers for this reason,
that we are endeavoring to instill into their minds this faith; endeavoring to
promote it; endeavoring to make them believe that God is a God of revelation,
that God is not afar off, that He is not remote, but that He is near at hand;
endeavoring to make them believe that God will answer prayer, and you can tell
what the result will be. Every young man who goes out—as it, the case of our
young men who are constantly going—goes without purse or scrip. What is the
result? They have to feel after God. If they want a pair of pantaloons they
have to ask God to obtain them. If they want a meal of victuals, they have to
exercise faith on this account. In sending out my sons to preach the Gospel, or
having them go, I would not give them one dollar to go with; and while I am on
this subject I will say, the father who gives his soils money to go to preach
the Gospel, does them the greatest injury he can do. I would not do it if I had
millions at my disposal. I would not give them a dollar. Let them go out and
feel after God, and obtain a knowledge of God, through faith and through mighty
prayer. When a man is hungry; when a man is without friends; when a man has no
place to sleep, he will, if he believes in God, and His gifts, be certain to go
to Him and ask Him to furnish that which he needs, and when his prayers are
answered he has greater faith next time. When he lays hands on the sick and the
sick are healed, he has greater faith next time to go and administer to the
sick, and in this way faith is growing and increasing in the midst of the
Latter-day Saints, and the power of godliness is being made more and more
manifest. But we are far from being what we should be.
I have
not time to dwell further on these things. I would like to talk on kindred
subjects; but time is passing and I am now trespassing.
I pray
God to bless you, to fill you with the Holy Ghost, and to, help you to seek
after God with a greater faith; I pray that He may help you to put away your
sins, and to keep His commandments perfectly, so that you may receive the
blessings that He has in store for all the faithful, which I ask in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
PRESIDENT JOS. F. SMITH.
Regretted that the previous speaker had not continued. He himself never felt stronger in the faith than at present, and felt there was everything to encourage the people to feel likewise. The Church and Kingdom of God had been established upon the earth, and the Gospel of Christ and the Holy Priesthood again restored and conferred upon many. The organization of the Church was more perfect to-day than in the days of the ancient disciples. He looked to see the advent of the time when the miracles of old would no longer be cited to awaken wonder, as they would be lost sight of in view of the more wonderful manifestations of modern times. The gathering of Israel in this age was in itself a far more marvelous accomplishment than the bringing of Israel out of Egypt in the days of Moses. Zion was bound to grow and increase, and the purposes of God would be consummated, despite of all opposition. All that our enemies did would only tend to expedite and give impetus to this work. They might aim and intend otherwise, but God would overrule all for the good of His Saints, and the discomfiture of their foes. He had never seen, in the last 30 years, anything to make him alter his faith in this fact. Personal testimony was the great desireratum with members of the Church in relation to its truth. He who did not know for himself and was dependent upon others in this respect, was in a pitiable condition. There was no freedom for such a one. He himself was not dependent upon his brethren for the knowledge he had of God's truth. Truth was received through men, but simply as mediums of the almighty. This Church did not receive the Gook of Mormon or the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants from Joseph Smith, but from the Almighty who chose Joseph as the instrument to bring them forth. While we honored Joseph the Prophet for the noble part he had played, we honored God more as the Author of all good. The Priesthood came through man but not from him originally. A man who was kept in the Church by another man's will and influence was not a man himself, but a vassal and a serf. All should know for themselves and stand upon their own accountability, otherwise their house was built upon the sand and when the storms descended it would be liable to fall. The church of Christ was full of life and light, and all who drank of it were qualified to know of its truth, and they were then members of christs Church and hearkened to the counsels of those placed over them simply because they willed to do so. This was the case with the great majority of this Church. They knew what they were doing, and could not be moved, except by something better presented to them than that which they already held. A good Latter-day Saint would always be found willing to receive that which was better than what he already possessed. The commandments of God were various, suited to the needs and condition of His children. The Ten Commandments were good as far as they went, but they were not all that must be obeyed. The young man who told the Savior he had kept all the commandments from his youth up, still had a weak point in the love of worldly wealth which induced him to forfeit the riches of eternal life. The parable of the talents portrayed the condition of man in his stewardship on earth. Those who would inherit a fulness of glory must go the whole length of the law upon which that glory is predicated.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[DNW 32:642, 10/31/83, p 2]
REMARKS
BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH,
At the General Conference, Sunday Morning, Oct. 7th, 1883.
_____
REPORTED BY G. F. GIBBS.
_____
I
NEVER rejoiced more in the Gospel than I do at the present. I never felt stronger
in the faith than I do to-day. I have never seen less cause for doubting or for
fear than I now see. I think there is everything to encourage the people of
God; and those things which may be calculated to discourage, seem to be
decreasing all the time.
The
Kingdom of God has been established upon the earth; the Gospel has been
restored to the children of men; and the Holy Priesthood of which Bro. Canon
spoke, which is after the order of the Son of God, and of which Jesus himself
is the Great High Priest, has again been bestowed upon man. The Church has been
organized according to the pattern which God gave in the days of our Savior and
His disciples, only I think the organization has been perfected to a greater
extent, perhaps, in this dispensation than in the days of Jesus and His
disciples. All that was given to them has been conferred upon us, and, as
greater things are to be accomplished in the last days than have every before
been accomplished, we may look for still greater perfection in the organization
of the Church, as well as for greater things in other directions. I expect to
see the time come, when those wonderful works which were esteemed by the people
anciently, and which are now looked upon as miraculous, will no longer be cited
to inspire faith, wonder, or dread of the mighty God of Jacob; they will be
lost sight of in the more wonderful things that will be performed in latter
days. I consider that the gathering of this people to these valleys, in the
manner in which they were gathered, is far more miraculous -- and will be so
regarded in time to come -- than was the gathering of Israel from the land of
Egypt into Canaan. What it took 40 years to accomplish then, God accomplished
in a few months in these days, besides carrying the latter day Israel a great
deal further than He did ancient Israel. He led this people out of bondage,
too, as He led the children of Israel, and He delivered this people out of the
power of their enemies, as he did them; and He has planted our feet upon the
tops of these mountains, and has caused us to grow, and to increase in strength
from the day the pioneers set foot here to the present.
It is
true that our enemies have, to some extent, ruled over us, but we possess and
enjoy liberties and rights nevertheless; and no matter what they may try to do,
as heretofore, they will be unable to stop the growth and increase of Zion.
Zion is bound to grow; the Kingdom of God is destined to spread abroad; and the
purposes of God will be accomplished, and our enemies cannot hinder it. They
may pass laws, they may send up armies, they may send missionaries to rule over
us as officers, to enforce upon us Christian religion, as it is called; they
may appropriate thousands and millions of their treasure to establish free
sectarian mission schools among us -- yet, all that they do will only tend, in
some degree at least, to extend the work of God and to give it impetus in the
earth, for it is written in the Scriptures -- and it is true, and it has been
demonstrated as other things have been in connection with this work -- that
"the wicked can do nothing against, but for Zion." They may aim to do
that which they think will injure the people of God, they may desire in their
hearts to see the progress of the work of the Lord stopped in the earth, and
they may do all in their power to accomplish their purposes, but God Almighty
will overrule their acts for the good of His people, and for their own
discomfiture, as He has heretofore done. This is my firm belief, and I have
never seen anything in the last 30 years of my experience in the Church, that
has given me reason for doubt upon this point; on the contrary, everything I
have witnessed only tends to strengthen my faith, and confirm my belief in
regard to these matters.
The great
desideratum which we should keep in view, is the obtaining for ourselves a
knowledge of the truth, to know the doctrine for ourselves. I, for instance,
would be in a pitiable condition if I were dependent upon my brethren for a
knowledge of the truth of this work. If this were so, I certainly would be in a
state of vassalage. The secret of our success -- so far at least as the union
of this people is concerned -- is in this: they know the doctrine for
themselves to be of God; they are, therefore, free to do His will as it is made
known to them. And they are not in bondage, they are not tyrannized over, they
are not ruled over by their presiding officers, but they are one with them, and
are united with them in the faith. Who, I would ask, holds me in the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- does President Taylor, or President
Cannon, or do the Twelve Apostles? Is it by their influence that I am persuaded
to serve God, or to believe what I do believe? I want to say I am not dependent
upon President Taylor, or President Cannon, or upon any other man in regard to
my faith. It is not based upon men's views or ideas. I have not received the
knowledge which I possess of the principles of the gospel from any man. Only in
this that it may be said, that when men teach or preach the Gospel, and are
instrumental in the hands of god in making us acquainted with the same, we may,
in that light, be said to receive it from man; but in reality we do not receive
a knowledge of the Gospel from man, but from God. Did we receive the Book of
Mormon from Joseph Smith? No, we did not! From whom then? From God Almighty.
Joseph Smith in and of himself did not have power to bring it forth, nor to
translate it. It was God, through him, that gave this record to the world. Yes,
he was the honored instrument in the hands of God of bringing it forth, and we
are indebted to God, through him, for this book; and when I read its truths and
drink of its inspiration, and receive its instruction and admonition, I am
conscious of the fact that it was through the gift and power of God that this
book came unto us To whom are we indebted for the Doctrine and Covenants? It
may be said that we are indebted to Joseph Smith for it, he having been the
mouthpiece of God through whom the revelation comes. So we are in a certain
sense, but there is a greater than he; beyond him there is the Source of light,
intelligence and knowledge, whence Joseph drew his inspiration, and it is to
that Source that we are indebted for what Joseph Smith was raised up and
inspired to accomplish. While, therefore, we honor him as the instrument in the
hands of God, it is to God alone that we give the glory, for to Him alone it
belongs, and none among us appreciated this fact more than the Prophet Joseph
himself. We must not worship man, but God. He alone must be the object of our
worship. I repeat, therefore, no man keeps me a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, neither is there any man professing to be a member
of the Church who is kept so by the influence of other men. If there is, then
he is a vassal, a serf, he is not a man and is not magnifying his manhood. He
ought to know the truth of the doctrine for himself; he ought to be inspired of
God himself, standing firm upon his own foundation; so that when the storms
come he may not be shaken. Jesus Christ has pointed out the way, he says,
"whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him
unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock, and the rain descended, and
the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not,
for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone who heareth these sayings of mine
and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house
upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." If a
man is held in restraint by any influence other than that of God, it will be
found that he has built his house upon the sand only to crumble and fall before
the approaching storms. The root of the matter is not in such a man. He has not
drunk from the fountain of light, he cannot withstand the powers of darkness
and he must of necessity fall a prey to the destroyer.
But the
facts are that the Latter-day Saints have embraced a religion that is full of
light and truth. They have received the same spirit that actuated Joseph Smith
and his successors. We have drunk at the same fountain that they drank at. The
same spirit that inspired them, inspires us. We are engaged in the same great
work, and are children of the same Father. You may take a Latter-day Saint, no
matter where, if found in the line of duty, he will tell you, in all sincerity
and truth, that he knows the doctrine to be rue himself, and he will give you
the best of reasons for this knowledge. He will prove it by the Scriptures, and
by every evidence possible to convince the mind of man, and he is able to do
this, because the Spirit of truth is in him. He is not dependent upon others
for the knowledge he possesses. He is a member of the Church because he wills
to be, because he chooses to be, and he chooses to be associated with the
people of God because he knows it is for his own personal good. He hearkens to
the counsels of the Priesthood of God, because he knows for himself that he
cannot afford to disregard them. That is why I am a Latter-day Saint, that is
why I obey counsels, and I am as free a man -- at least I think I am -- as
walks the footstool of God. It is my good will and pleasure to serve God. It is
my good will and pleasure to be connected with the people of God. It is my good
will and pleasure to hearken to the counsels of these good men with whom I have
the privilege of associating. I know them to be men of truth. I have grown up
under the droppings of the sanctuary, under the inspiration of these men, and
from my youth I have known them to be men of God. When I say this I am only
giving expression to the feelings of the majority of the people of God. They
know what they are doing, they know what they believe in, they know of the
doctrine, they are not ignorant, they do not yield blind obedience, but they
yield willing, intelligent obedience, because they know of the truth, and it
would be useless for anybody to try to convince them to the contrary, unless it
were possible for them to bring greater light to bear upon their minds than
they themselves have received; and that is the only way that a
"Mormon" can be converted. If he can be shown something superior to
that which he has received, he will willingly accept it. It is greater truth
and greater light that we are after; more righteousness, greater harmony; and
more perfect union, peace and good will to all men is what we are striving to
establish upon the earth. This is why we let our enemies alone. Why we do not
strike back when we are struck. We want peace, not war. We are opposed to
contention and warfare among our fellow-men. On the contrary, our mission is to
preach the principles of truth, of peace, of life and salvation, principles
that will, if received and obeyed, produce in the heart of man joy and
gladness, and love for his fellow-beings. I might turn, if there was time, to
the books and read and expound some of these principles. I might repeat the ten
commandments: thou shalt not lie, thou shalt not blaspheme the name of the
Lord, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and
none other shalt thou serve, etc. These are a portion of the principles of the
Gospel, they are principles that we have espoused as Latter-day Saints, they
are doctrines of Christ and they are part of my religion, and if a community
will be governed according to these principles, which are regarded as the moral
law, the penalties of that law will not be known among such a people. but the
question may be asked, do not the Christian world believe in these principles?
Yes, they profess to. And are they not therefore as good as we are? Yes,
correspondingly as they carry them out in their lives; so far they are as good
as we are. But is that all? No, not by a great deal! There are other
requirements made of the children of men, in connection with the organization
and establishment of the Church of Christ, one of which is, that we should
gather together to a certain appointed place. Now, supposing that I should keep
the ten commandments and refuse to obey the law providing for the gathering of
the people, and was not willing to receive in my heart the constituted
authorities of the Church as they now exist, what good would it do me in the
long run to accept part of the word of God and reject part, when the whole was
essential to my salvation? I should then be in the condition of the young man
referred to in the Scriptures, who, it is said, went to Jesus to know what he
should do to obtain eternal life. The Savior answering him said, keep the
commandments, and took the pains to enumerate them. The young man in replying
said, this he had done from his youth up. What lacked he yet? Jesus perceiving
the true state of his mind answered and said to him, If thou wilt be perfect,
go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven, and follow me. When the young man heard this he turned away
sorrowful because he had great possessions. The Lord knew his weakness. He knew
that the young man did not love god with all his heart, with all his might,
mind and strength; He knew that he loved his riches more than he loved God, and
rather than comply with this requirement, a requirement that is higher, needing
greater faith to obey than the moral law, he, it is said, turned away
sorrowful. This I fear would be so with many of us if we were put to the test.
We believe in the moral law and in much of the Scriptures, but we come to
something by and by that we cannot accept because it involves too much
sacrifice, either of feelings or property, and like the young man, we content
ourselves with the progress we have made. That places us also in the position
in which the man was places who received the one talent. You remember the
parable: to one was given one, to another to another two, to another five; they
who received the greatest number of talents put them to usury and gained other
talents; but the man receiving one talent hid it up in a napkin and buried it
in the earth; and when the master came he returned to him the talent just as he
received it, saying that he knew that his lord was a hard master, expecting to
reap where he had not sown, etc., and therefore he had hidden his talent in the
earth and was content to return to him just what he had received. The lord
reprimanded him, calling him an unprofitable servant, telling him he should
have put his talent to usury and gained other talents; and because he had
failed to do this, the talent that was entrusted to his care, and which might
have been his, was taken from him and given to another who had proven himself
more worthy. That would be the condition of a man who would go part way in
accepting and obeying the laws of God, and then stop, refusing to accept the
whole law. The only way to obtain a fulness of the glory of God is to receive
in our hearts and carry out in our lives the word and will of God, in its
entirety, as it has been revealed unto us, and as it may be revealed to us from
time to time, as we go on to perfection. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem:
The Lord hath brought again Zion.
Conference was adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
Benediction by Bishop John Sharp.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 32:604, 10/10/83, p 12]
Sunday afternoon, 2 p.m.
The choir sang,
Come follow me, the Savior
said
Then let us in His footsteps tread.
Prayer by counselor John W. Young.
The choir sang,
'Twas on that dark, that
solemn night
When powers of earth and hell arose.
President George Q. Cannon then submitted the following additional missionaries who were unanimously sustained by the Conference vote:
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
Wm.
C. A. Smoot, Jr., Provo.
SCANDINAVIA.
John
Anderson, Huntsville.
Andrew Renstrom, "
N. C. Morensen, "
Ola Olsen, Hooper,
H. D. Peterson, Wilson,
Ole Hansen, Smithfield,
GREAT BRITAIN,
Wm.
Salter, Ogden,
Wm. M. Davis, Willard,
S. N. Allen, Mt. Pleasant.
SOUTHERN STATES
Wiley
Cragun, Pleasant View,
Willard E. Bingham, Wilson,
Joseph N. Seely, Indianola.
And the following General Authorities of the Church were also sustained by the vote of the Conference.
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the council of the Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor -- the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of the Seventies -- Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Wm. W. Taylor, Abram H. Cannon and Seymour B. Young.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church -- Edward hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President -- the Twelve Apostles, their counselors, and Bishop Edward Hunter as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Wilford Woodruff as Historian for the Church, and General Church Recorder.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John E. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson; as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Jr., and W. H. Folsom, as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
President George Q. Cannon said owing to the death of Elder Orson Pratt, who acted as Church Historian, it was necessary for that vacancy to be filled, and the name of Wilford Woodruff was then put before the Conference as Historian and General Church Recorder, who was sustained by a unanimous vote.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered.
The congregation was then addressed by
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
A great many interesting principles had been advanced since the opening of the Conference. The Saints should comprehend the important position they occupy in relation to the world, the nation they were associated with, and the responsibilities resting upon them as messengers of salvation to the nations of the earth. It was further necessary to comprehend the past, the present and the future, for with all these this people had to do. The Saints sometimes entertained erroneous notions in relation to the people of the world, and were narrow and contracted in their views. Like the ancient Jews who proclaimed themselves the "Temple of the Lord," we were sometimes oblivious of the fact that God had "made of one blood all the nations of the earth;" that He had given them all a portion of His spirit to profit withal, and that he was the Father of the Spirits of all flesh and interested in the salvation of all men as His offspring. The Saints should feel towards the people of the world as God feels towards them, and He so loved them that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus said He came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved, and He sent His apostles forth to preach the Gospel to all the world, with the warning that the alternative of damnation would necessarily follow its rejection. A dispensation of the same Gospel had been delivered to men in these days, by the opening of the heavens, the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the revelation of the Lord's will to man. The Twelve Apostles were set apart as special messengers to unlock the doors of salvation to the nations. Their commission was the same as in former ages. To assist the Twelve were the Seventies, all called and ordained of God for that purpose, and when they had fulfilled their mission and delivered the warning message, they would have done no more nor less than God required at their hands. They were not responsible for the acceptance or rejection of their words. Their duty was simply to preach the gospel, and administer its ordinances to believers. They were then rid of the blood of this generation and the result rested with the Almighty. Outside of the gospel, there were many worthy principles extant. Nearly all men felt that it was right to be honest. In mercantile life it was considered disgraceful not to meet business engagements. These were good principles. The shedding of blood was shocking in the eyes of most men, and laws were passed to prevent it and punish murderers. The protection of virtue was another good principle which, though not practiced as it should be, was correct so far as it was observed. There were thousands, perhaps millions of men who would not countenance crimes of any character, yet they were not members of the Church of Christ. God destroyed the antediluvian world for wickedness, but He did it for their own benefit, to prevent them from adding sin to sin, and placing themselves beyond the pale of redemption. Another reason was that pre-existent spirits, who were waiting to receive tabernacles on earth, were worthy of a better lineage than then existed. So God swept the wicked off to make room for a more righteous generation. Before the flood, however, there were righteous people, such as Enoch and his city who were translated heavenward, while the wicked were removed by the flood and their spirits were shut up in prison until the time when Christ, in the interval between his death and resurrection, went and preached to them. Such would be the fate of all who rejected the Gospel now. Elders who were persecuted for preaching the word of life, had the satisfaction of knowing that it was the same with Christ, their Master, and all the holy prophets. God did not coerce men, neither should His servants, and all who persecuted their fellow creatures were of their master the devil, who was cast out of heaven for seeking to destroy the free agency of man.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 32:659, 11/7/83, p 2]
DISCOURSE
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
With some Remarks by President George Q. Cannon,
dellivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday
Afternoon, October 7th, Semi-Annual conference 1883
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
Permit me
to say that in consequence of the immense multitude that has assembled on this
occasion, it will be absolutely necessary that the strictest order and quietude
should be maintained, in order that all may hear; for it is a great labor to
address so really thousands of people. As I feel a little weak in body I hope,
therefore, you will give me your quiet and considerate attention.
We have
listened to a great really interesting principles since the commencement of
this conference.
We occupy
to-day a very peculiar position, and it is proper that we, as Latter-day
Salute, should Comprehend that position and our various responsibilities in
relation to the world in which we live, the nation with which we are
associated, and the duties and responsibilities which devolve upon us as
messengers or salvation to proclaim the Gospel to mankind. It is further
necessary that we should comprehend the past, that we should comprehend the
present, and that we should also—under the influence and by the direction of the
Spirit of the living God—comprehend the things of the future; for we, as
Latter-day Saints, have to do with the past we have to do with the present, and
we have to do with the future.
In
relation to the inhabitants of the world generally, I sometimes think that we
entertain very erroneous notions concerning them—that our ideas are too narrow
and too contracted, that we do not comprehend the relationship in which they
stand to God our Heavenly Father—and we are apt to fall into an error which was
indulged in by the Jews in former ages, and to cry out, "The temple of the
Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we. Because God has
conferred upon us light and intelligence, and revealed His will unto us, we are
too apt to look down upon the rest of mankind as aliens and undeserving of
Divine regard; but we are told that God has made of one blood all the families
of the earth, and that He has given unto them a portion of His Spirit to profit
withal. We are also informed, that God is the God and Father of the spirits of
all flesh. We are given to understand that He feels interested in the welfare
of all the human family, for it is written that they are all His offspring.
Therefore, we as Latter-day Saints, ought to feel towards the world and the inhabitants
thereof, as God our Heavenly Father feels towards them; for we are told that
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son to atone for their
sins, that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish, but have everlasting
life, and if this is the feeling of our Heavenly Father towards the inhabitants
of the earth, we ought to entertain the same sentiment. When Jesus was on the
earth, when He established the Gospel upon it, as it has been established in
these last days, He said: "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might be saved." And when He
commissioned His Apostles, His command was: "Go ye into all the world, and
preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not; shall be damned." The damnation or
condemnation of the people who rejected the Gospel He could not help; He
offered unto them the words of life, and according to eternal laws that exist
in the heavens, men must be governed by certain principles, if they desire to
associate with the Gods, and if when the Gospel was preached they did not
receive it, the condemnation rested with them. And the condemnation grows out
of this: that light had come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil.
The Lord
Jesus has given us a commission of the same kind to the world of mankind, and
you have. heard during this Conference of the manner in which these things were
introduced, so that it is unnecessary for me to repeat them. Suffice it to say,
that they were introduced by the opening of the heavens, by the appearance of
God our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, by the administering of holy
angels, by the restoration of the Priesthood, and by the revelation of His will
to man. You comprehend very well the nature of the organization, and the duties
devolving upon certain individuals and quorums in this Church. The Twelve are
set apart as special witnesses to the nations of the earth, and are empowered
and authorized to open up the Gospel, to introduce it, and to turn the keys
thereof to all people, and the word to the Apostles—and to others associated
with them—to the Elders of Israel generally is, "Go ye into all the world,
and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned." This is just
as it was .in former ages. To assist the Twelve in the labors in which they are
engaged, are the Seventies, who are Called as special witnesses to the nations
of the earth. What for? Who organized these Seventies, and these Twelve, and
who dictated their duties and responsibilities? The Lord. Why did He do it?
Because, as in former ages, He felt interested in the welfare of the human
family, and it is not and never was the will of God, that mankind should
perish, but that they all might be brought to a knowledge of the truth, and to
an obedience thereof, if they saw proper, and if not, when the Twelve, the
Seventies, the Elders, and the various officers who have been ordained and set
apart to preach the Gospel, have fulfilled their missions to the nations of the
earth; they have done just what the Lord has required at their hands, and no
more. I further wish to state to the Twelve and to the Seventies, and to the
Elders, that they are not responsible for the reception or the rejection by the
world of that word which God has given to them to communicate. It is proper for
them to use all necessary diligence and fidelity, and to plainly and
intelligently, and with prayer and faith, go forth as messengers to the
nations, as the legates of the skies, clothed upon with authority from the God
of Heaven, even the authority of the Holy Priesthood, which is after the order
of the Son of God, which is after the order of Melchisedek, which is after the
power of an endless life. He has endowed them, as you have heard, with
authority to call upon men to repent of their sins, and to be baptized in the
name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and then He has told them to lay hands
on the people thus believing, and thus being baptized, and to confer upon them
the gift of the Holy Ghost, and when they have performed their labors, and
fulfilled their duties, their garments are free from the blood of this
generation, and the people are then left in the hands of God their Heavenly
Father. For the people, as before stated, will be held responsible to God for
their rejection of the Gospel, and not to us.
I will
talk a little further about the people of the earth, who have in their midst
Christianity, and other religious professions. I have quoted what is stated in
the Scriptures—that God has given to every man a portion of His Spirit to
profit withal. But that has nothing to do with the Gospel particularly. It is a
principle which is implanted in the heart of every human being outside. of the
Gospel; and under its influence there are and have been many great and good
principles in existence on the earth and among the peoples thereof. All men
almost everywhere, possessing any degree of intelligence, feel that it is right
to be honest; and all civilized nations, influenced by that feeling, pass laws
to punish the thief, the rogue, and the man who possesses himself of other
people's property in any unjust manner, and these feelings and principles are
generally sustained by the honorable of all countries, and operate more or less
among all nations. Chicanery, deception and fraud are looked upon as evils in
the moral,.world;,and men influenced by that principle—which, as I stated, is
planted in the bosom of every individual—feel to abhor acts of deception and
fraud of any kind, although some people practice them to a very great extent.
Men under the influence. of this spirit in the mercantile world, for instance,
consider it a disgrace not to keep their engagements, not to pay their honest
debts, and laws are made to reach offenders in those cases. So strong is the
feeling of honor among many,—in this nation, in England, in France, in Germany,
and in other European nations,—that very many of those people who would be
esteemed honorable in their feelings and instincts, if calamity overtake them
and they are unable to meet their liabilities, very frequently commit suicide,
wrong though it be; they would rather die than be dishonored. Now, these
sentiments of honor are good so tar as they go; but this is outside of the
Gospel. There are, of course, many dishonest merchants and men of large means,
who use their talent and wealth for the purpose of taking advantage of the
unwary, and oppressing the poor; and in this and in other countries, annually
filch thousands of millions of wealth from the unsuspecting and poor by their
questionable acts and insatiable greed; carrying poverty, sorrow, misery and
distress to millions of the honest laboring classes. As God has planted a
portion of His Spirit within them, He will hold them, and not us, responsible
for their acts; and instead of possessing riches and honor their names will
become infamous on earth and hereafter. And instead of wallowing in their
ill-gotten gains, they will find themselves with Dives, calling upon their
victims for a drop of water to cool their parched tongues. Gospel or no Gospel,
honorable men cannot condescend to chicanery and deception; and while following
the lead of that inward monitor, they could not yield themselves to those
heartless and cold-blooded practices. Again, there is a horror in the militia
,of men generally, about shedding innocent bleed, and laws are passed to
prevent crimes of that kind and to punish the offender. Where do all these
things come from? From that spirit which God has planted in the bosom of all
men. You may take the lowest and most degraded of men, some of the greatest
criminals perhaps, and they will say, if they see an honorable man, a virtuous
man, a kind hearted and generous man, a man who acts uprightly—"We respect
that man, we honor him, we respect him for his virtues; we cannot imitate him,
we are sorry to say," and in this way they will acknowledge that which is
good and feel that they themselves are doing wrong. These are some of the
principles that exist in human nature. They are so far good. At the same time
there is another sentiment prevails—that is, to protect virtue and chastity. It
is not practiced as extensively as it ought to be; a great amount of hypocrisy
exists on this subject. But nevertheless it is implanted in the hearts of
millions of the human family; and they look upon the seducer of woman and the
defiler of himself, and upon those who practice crimes associated with these
matters, with disgust. The nations to-day, however, are wallowing in rottenness
and corruption in regard to these matters, yet there are thousands and millions
of men and women who abhor impurity and vice, and cannot sanction licentiousness
in any of its disgusting forms. All these things are good in their place; but
this alone is not the Gospel.
Now, in
former times, in the days of the flood, for instance, the people became very
corrupt, so much so we are told, that the imaginations of the hearts of men
were only evil and that continually, and the Scriptures say it repented the
Lord that He had made man because of his corruptions and wickedness; but some
tell us that it repented Noah that man had been made because of the abominations
and evils that he witnessed in iris day. God destroyed the wicked of that
generation with a flood. Why did He destroy them? He destroyed them for their
benefit, if you can comprehend it, but I very much question whether all of you
can or not. Let me explain a little. We ate told, as I have already said, that
God is the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh. We are further told that
Jesus the Son of God, existed before the worlds were. It is also stated that He
is our elder brother, and that we pre-existed also—that is, our spirits did.
When Satan had gained an ascendency over the inhabitants of the earth so far
that they had departed from God, and violated His laws, what would be the
feelings of those spirits in the eternal worlds? Let me ask all intelligent
people, would they not be apt to turn to their Heavenly Father and say:
"Father, look down upon those corrupt inhabitants. Do you see them?"
"Yes, I see them and I know them." "Is it just
that We; thy children, should be doomed inhabit those filthy, corrupt bodies,
and thus be subjected to Thy wrath and indignation, and it may be thousands of
years before we can come back again into thy presence?" "No,
it is not just," and on this principle the Father destroyed them with
a flood, and recommenced peopling the earth with the seed of a righteous man.
But, let
me ask, what did the Lord do before He sent the flood? He sent Noah among them
as a preacher of righteousness; He sent Enoch; He sent many Elders among the
people, and they prophesied to them that unless they repented, judgment would
overtake them; that God would overwhelm the earth with a flood and destroy the
inhabitants thereof—that is, those who would not listen to the Gospel of the
Son of God; for the Son of God was in existence then, not personally on earth,
but existed in the spirit, and the promise to them was that He should come and
atone for the sins of the world. They were taught these things, but they
rejected them. That is the great majority of them did so. We are also told that
Enoch walked with God, and that he had a city which they called Zion, and
people gathered to Zion then, as we gather the people to Zion in this day.
Enoch walked with God, and was instructed by Him, and he instructed the people
of Zion. There is a very short account of it in the Bible. There we are simply
told that "Enoch walked with God and was not; for God took him." It
was not thought necessary to say more upon this subject; but the facts were
that Enoch and the people of his city, having been taught for upwards of 30o
years in the principles of the Gospel before the judgment overtook the world,
were translated. Thus the people in that day, had had fair warning, but only a
very few paid any attention to it. We are told concerning the Book of Enoch
that it is to be testified of in due time, and then we shall know more about
these things than we do now. But what of those who were disobedient? They were
thrown into prison. How long did they continue there Until Jesus came. What
then did He do? He went and preached to the spirits in prison. He was "put
to death in the flesh," we are told in the Bible, "but quickened
by the spirit: by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison,
which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in
the days of Noah. Is that in the Bible? inquire the Christians. Yes, that is in
your Bible.
Thus we
see the dealings of God with those people. Noah had nothing to do but to preach
the Gospel, and obey the word of the Lord. We have nothing to do but attend to
the same things. We then leave the inhabitants of the earth in the hands of
God. It is not for us to judge them; for the Lord says: "judgment is mine
and I will repay." When men have offered unto them the words of life, and
they reject these words, they then become amenable to their God, and the
condemnation is, as I stated before, that light came into the world; but men
love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. Men persecute
the Elders when they go forth to preach. They persecuted Jesus. They persecuted
His disciples. Men, in many instances, even in this nation—a nation that is
emphatically called the land of the free, the home of the brave, and the asylum
for the oppressed—have put to death some of our Elders, because of the
testimony they have borne to them. This however, is all in accordance with the
predictions of Jesus. He told His disciples that, "if the world hate you,
ye know that it hated me before it hated you." In other words, the Savior
said, "If they love me, they will love you; if they receive me, they will
receive you; if they reject me, they will reject you; if they persecute me they
will persecute you." And He further said—and it is singular that He should
have to say it to His disciples, men who were good, virtuous, pure, upright,
and desirous to promote the welfare of humanity—it is singular that He, should
have to say: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice
and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the. Prophets which were before you." Were these men the enemies of
mankind because they told them the truth? All intelligent men would say, No.
Are those Elders who go forth to proclaim the Gospel to-day, the enemies of
mankind? All intelligent men will say, No. Well, would you try to coerce men?
No. Why? Because God does not do it, and He does not want us to do it. I would
not use any influence but that of truth to lead any man to a knowledge of the
truth. Any other influence, any other power, and other spirit is not of God.
There is a species of false Christianity that thinks it is right to persecute
people because of their religion, but those possessed of that spirit, whoever they
are, are of their father the devil, because his works they do. God believes in
the freedom of mankind, and Satan was cast out of heaven because he sought to
take away the free agency of man. In various ages of the world, under various
guises, the same thing has been attempted. Sometimes political, sometimes
religious, and sometimes other pretexts are introduced to oppress mankind, and
to deprive them of that liberty which it is their birth right, and which all
men have a right, under God's law, to enjoy.
Now I
come to talk of our relationship to this nation in a political point of view.
We are here in this Territory of Utah. We were told to gather here by the Lord,
and we have obeyed His command, just as they did, as I before stated, in the
Zion of Enoch in his day. When we came here we brought our bodies with us. It
is not a spiritual thing, Tot we are all of us very literal and very temporal.
We have arms and legs, eyes and ears, like other people we are the children of
our Heavenly Father as others are. He has introduced the Gospel, as I have
before said, and one of the principles thereof is that of gathering, and we
have gathered together. I need not ,quote to you the Scriptures in the Bible on
this subject, for you know them, and I need not occupy time in quoting them
to-day. We are here. Who came in the first place A number of people from the
eastern, western and southern States, who believed the Gospel and obeyed it. It
is not necessary to go into our history, and dwell on events as they transpired
in Ohio, in Missouri, or in Illinois. Let all those things pass. You can read
them in our history. But as I have said we .are here. Under what auspices?
According to the laws and usages of the United States we settled cities, towns
and villages; we settled on farms, etc., which we had a right to do. We
purchased and paid for the property that we possess as other citizens do.
At this
point, President Taylor, feeling weak, requested President Geo. Q. Cannon to
talk a little on the subject.
PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANNON.
The Latter-day Saints had built up a commonwealth which, but for the prejudice existing against them, would be the praise and admiration of all men. Persecuted from the beginning of their history, mobbed and driven, they had fled from civilization to these mountains, and the work so far accomplished by them was truly wonderful. Made up of all nations yet dwelling in peace and harmony, and coming here poor and destitute in many cases, yet now prosperous and happy, the hand of the Almighty was manifest in their preservation and advancement. This people had been treated as a stepchild by the parent government, viewed with jealousy, and oppressed without cause, yet through it all they had prospered. The union, patience and industry of the Saints had successfully counteracted all hostile efforts, and their qualifications for self-government had been developed and made manifest. No other part of the Union could furnish such an example. God's hand was apparent in all our history. He evidently designed this land for just such a people as the Saints, and their enemies had driven them to the fulfillment of their destiny.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 32:659-660, 11/7/83, p 2-3, JD 293-295]
President
Cannon said: President Taylor is suffering from fatigue and will take a little
rest. We have gathered here, as he has said, and have built up a commonwealth
in these mountains—a commonwealth which, if it were not for the prejudice that
we have to contend with, would be the admiration of mankind. The despised
"Mormons" stripped of their properties, driven out into the
wilderness as outcasts, as unfit for the society of their fellow citizens;
having been treated in this manner because of alleged crimes—that at least was
the justification that was offered for the treatment of the Latter-day Saints
because they were such a wicked people that they deserved to be treated by mob
violence, and the whole world, it may be said, acquiesced in the verdict that
had been pronounced upon us, or at least there was not sufficient manhood and
courage in the nation to raise the voice against it, though thousands of people
felt that it was an outrage. Driven into the mountains in this manner, stripped
of our possessions; some of us coming into these valleys bare-footed, with
scarcely enough clothing to cover us for the succeeding winter, God has blessed
the people, and through the wisdom and the power and influence that He has
given to this people, they have built, as I have said, a commonwealth in these
mountains, that is the admiration of every unprejudiced man. These so-called
"Mormon thieves," these "Mormon outlaws," these people who
were considered unworthy to live in Illinois and in Missouri have come here,
and we behold to-day hundreds of settlements, hundreds of cities, built in the
most admirable manner. A government exists here for the protection of the poor
as well as the rich; and I have often said) that when we take into
consideration the fact of the poverty of the people, that we have had an influx
every year of about 3,000, on an average, of foreign immigrants, unacquainted
with our methods of living, not familiar with our climate, coming here
stripped—that is, coming here with very little to aid them—it is one of the
most wonderful things that a community like this can absorb so many people
annually, and show no evidences of pauperism. We have no paupers.
Now, my
brethren and sisters, these results—and I think them under the circumstances
significant—are due to the blessing, wisdom, power and guidance of our God. We
have been sustained here by His arm. Yet at the same time we have been treated
like a step-child by our parent government. Loyal as we are to the core;
believing as we do that the constitution of our country is inspired of God;
looking upon this form of government as God-given, and as the best possible
form of human government; notwithstanding we entertain these views, ,we have
been treated from the beginning as though we were aliens, and as though we were
a step. child, instead of one born legally, and entitled to the blessings that
the rest of our brothers and sisters in the compact of the Union are entitled
to. We have had this sort of treatment from the beginning. Every act of ours
has been viewed with jealousy. Nevertheless, we have prospered. God has been
with us. His blessing has been upon us. We have maintained good order in these
mountains, not because governors have been sent here not of our choosing; not
because federal officials have been sent here in whose selection we have had no
voice; not because for several years hack, it has almost been deemed a
qualification for officers to hate the "Mormon" people among whom the
federal officials were going to serve; but because there has been a union in
the midst of the people, there has been a wisdom, there has been a power in the
government which God has given. God has developed true statesmanship in the
midst of these Latter-day Saints. There are hundreds of men in this community
who can take body of people and go into these desert wilds and build up a city,
or a number of cities, and govern and control them in a manner that if the
whole world were governed in that way would produce the grandest and happiest
results. We have demonstrated our capacity for self-government, and it is
inherent, it may be said in the people, springing, as I believe, from the
wisdom and blessing that God has bestowed upon men. There is no community
to-day, within the confines of these United States, that can furnish so many
practical men of this character as can the Latter-day Saints, and the evidences
of it are to be seen in the good order that prevails throughout these mountains
from north to south, and from east to west, wherever the Latter-day Saints live
and have influence. I praise God for it. I claim no credit for man in this
matter. It is the divine blessing, and it is in accordance with the plan that
has been pre-arranged in the heavens. Why, the very fact that we were permitted
to be driven to these mountains, shows us the hand of God in it. There was no
room for expansion in our old position. We could not have grown; we could not
have developed. But our enemies were determined to make us great, and they
thrust us out, and sent us into a land which God evidently had designed to be
settled by just such a people as ourselves. There is no such land under the sun
to-day. It is the habitat, the true habitat of the Latter-day Saints, admirably
adapted in every feature of its climate, of its conditions, of its mountains,
of its valleys, of its crystal streams, and the scarcity of water making it
admirable for settlement by a sparse people, a people such as we are. No dense
populations could live here.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
The Latter-day Saints considered they had rights, but even though robbed of them, treated scurvily and oppressed by national representatives, they had submitted patiently and quietly. But they proposed to test the constitutionality of every oppressive law passed against them, and if the nation persisted in persecuting this innocent people they would appeal to God and leave their cause in His hands. The God of Israel was on the side of Israel, and there were more for us than against us. Those who did not keep the covenants they had entered into would be condemned. No one would pass by the angels and Gods, standing sentinel at the gates of the Celestial Kingdom, who did not abide the celestial law. God expected His people to do all that He required of them. God was building up Zion and Zion means the pure in heart, who would operate for the welfare of a fallen world, but not condescend to the damnable ways of the wicked. Woe to them who fought against Zion!
[John Taylor]
[DNW 32:660, 11/7/83, p 3, JD 295-296]
President
Taylor, at this point, again took the stand and said: I have felt the exertion
almost too much for me. I am not very strong in body at present, but I will
continue.
We
consider as Latter-day Saints, that we have rights here, and although we have
been dealt with as we would call it, rather scurvily by the government that
ought to foster us, yet at the same time we have strictly adhered to the letter
of the law, even in the face of the assumed purity those people (our enemies)
profess to attach to themselves. We have not resisted any of these things, but
have treated those men who came as our oppressors, if you please, with kindness
and due respect, notwithstanding they have introduced many things in our midst,
at variance with the laws and constitution of the United States, and with our
rights as American citizens. We have yielded for the time being, but we purpose
in behalf of ourselves, of our children, in behalf of the institutions of this
nation, and of thousands of honorable men in it, to test these things to
"the last bat's end," and see, legally and constitutionally,
whether this nation will sustain these acts or not, and then if they do we will
leave them in the hands of God, and pursue our course, trusting in Him. But one
thing I will say, and that is that this cause is onward; and as my brethren
have said, so say I, that God has commenced it, and He will take care of it. I
know what I am saying. I know when I am speaking that I am speaking not only to
you, but to the whole world; for it will be published to the world. And I tell
you Latter-day Saints not to fear, not to have any trembling in the knees, for
the God of Israel is on the side of Israel, and hosts of angels also. There are
more for us than there can be against us; and God will sustain the right and
take care of, and preserve His people, if their will only do right.
We have
embraced the Gospel We have placed ourselves in another position from that of
the world. We have entered lute sacred covenants with the Lord, and He expects
us to fulfill our covenants, and those who do not fulfill them will be
condemned. There are certain rules and regulations that exist in the heavens,
as well as on the earth. We are told that before we can enter into the
celestial kingdom of God, we shall have to pass by the angels, and the. Gods,
and if the Latter-day Saints aim at a celestial exaltation, they must live and
abide by the celestial law, or they will not get it, any more than the,
Gentiles will. Hear it, ye Latter-day Saints! God expects you to be pure,
virtuous, holy, upright, prayerful, honest, obedient to His law, and not to
follow the devices and desires of your own hearts. God has revealed many things
to you, and He will reveal many more. He expects you to abide His law, and
those who do not want to abide it; had better quit to-day, the sooner the
better, for God expects us to do His will in all things. If we are Seventies we
have to go to the nations of the earth. If we are members of the Twelve, we
have also to go to the nations and preach the Gospel, or see that this work is
done., If we are Presidents of Stakes, we must do our duty, draw nigh, to God,
and seek for the revelation of His will, that we may know the things we do, and
the things whereof we testify. If we are Bishops, we must perform our duties,
or we will be moved out of our place. I do not care who it is these words may
effect; for God is building up a Zion, and that Zion means the pure in heart,
the honorable, the upright, the virtuous, and those whose sympathies extend to
the promotion of the welfare of the human family. He expects us to operate in
behalf of the interests of a fallen world, and to bring all to a knowledge of
the truth that will listen to it and obey it. He then expects us to build
temples as we have been and are doing. And here permit me to say that I commend
the Latter-day Saints for the energy they have displayed in these things. And
it is for us to honor our God, and to obey all just and constitutional laws,
and to be quiet and peaceable, and operate for and be the friends of mankind,
but do not condescend to their pernicious, corrupt, and damnable practices, or
God will judge you as He will judge them. It is for us to do right, and work
righteousness, and God will bless us. We need have no fear pertaining to the
future; and when we have completed these temples, we will go and administer
therein the sacred ordinances of God's house, and the Spirit and blessing of
God will rest upon us, and we will stand, as the Scriptures say, as saviors
upon Mount Zion, and the Kingdom shall be the Lord's; and woe! to them that
fight against Zion. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem:
How beautiful upon the mountains.
Conference was adjourned till next April, at the regular time, in the Tabernacle.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith..
Following are the titles of the pieces sung by the Choir during Conference, together with the names of the composers of the music, who are all members f the Church and residents of Utah:
"Who can stand against
the work of the Lord." L. D. Edwards.
"The gathered Saints," E. Stephens.
"The Lord hath brought again Zion," A. C. Smyth.
"Great is the Lord," H. A. Tuckett.
"How beautiful upon the Mountains," John Tullidge.
"The Lord will comfort Zion," Geo. Careless.
The words of these anthems were taken from the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.
"Glorious things of
Thee are spoken," J. S. Pansey.
"Zion stands with hills surrounded," A. C. Smyth.
"We're not ashamed to own our Lord," J. J. Daynes.
"Zion prospers, all is well,," A. C. Smyth.
"Come thou glorious day of promise," A. C. Smyth.
"The millennial Dawn," George Careless.
"Come follow me," Henry Emery.
"Hail to the brightness of Zion's glad morning." R. F. Parry.
"How are thy servants blest, O Lord," J. J. Daynes.
"The reign of righteousness." F. Beesley
"Jesus mighty King in Zion," John Edwards.
"God is love," T. C. Griggs.
"Praise to the Lord," E. Beesley.
"Press on ye Saints of God," George Careless.
"All hail the glorious day," John Tullidge.
"Softly beams the sacred dawning," D. D. Edwards.
"Sacramental hymn, " H. E. Giles.
"Columbia's fairest star," E. Beesley.
GEORGE
GODDARD,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
[7 Oct, 8 pm]
[DNW 32:604, 10/10/83, p 12]
Minutes of the Y. M. M. I. A. Conference.
_____
Salt Lake City, Oct 7, 1883.
The Semi-Annual Conference of the Y. M. M. I. Associations, was held in the Assembly Hall on Saturday evening, October 7th, commencing at 8'o'clock.
President Wilford Woodruff and Counsellors Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher presiding. Singing by Tabernacle choir. Prayer by Chas. Kelly , of Box Elder Stake. Singing by choir.
The Secretary called the roll and representatives from 12 Associations responded and came to the stand.
L. R. Martineau, of Logan, addressed the meeting. Said in accordance with instructions given last April, the weekly meetings of the Associations were discontinued and monthly meetings held only, which kept the Associations alive in the hearts of the young men.
Wm. H. Segmiller, of Sevier Stake, reported briefly the progress made in mutual improvement in that Stake, showing that the membership of the Associations was increasing and they were in a very healthy condition. Had derived great pleasure from is labors in behalf of this cause, and testified that all who labor faithfully and diligently therein, would receive great blessings and happiness in their labors.
Sanpete, Juab, Millard, Morgan Weber and Summit Stakes were reported respectively by J. F. Allred, Thomas Crawley, F. A. Robison, W. G. Brough, E. H. Anderson and Ward E. Pack.
Choir sang a hymn on page 183, "O awake, my slumbering minstrel."
David P. Kimball reported the condition of the St Joseph Stake of Zion.
Prest. Wilford Woodruff then addressed the Conference. Said it gave him great pleasure to meet with so many of the young men and women of Zion. Made some very interesting remarks about the early days of the Church. Prophesied that the day was near at hand when the vail would be raised, and the minds of the young men and women would be filled with the spirit of the work. The day would come when the cities of the Saints would not have saloons, because the Saints would not support them. Admonished the young men to refrain from all evil ways and forsake all evil practices.
President Joseph F. Smith addressed the Conference. Had had great pleasure in listening to the reports from the various associations, also to the instructions given by Prest. Woodruff. Stated that a large majority of the missionaries now laboring i the field were from the Y. M. M. I. Associations, and that they made most efficient missionaries. Related the circumstances of two young men being tarred and feathered in the States, and said that he had been informed that those who took part in it was heartily sick of having had anything to do with it. Trusted that all the young would interest themselves in their own improvement. The day would come, and it was not as far away as some might suppose, when it would be deemed a great honor to be identified with this people. We are scoffed at by the ignorant of the world but the well read and intelligent classes have ceased to look upon us with contempt. While they do not know we are right, they are afraid we may be. The day will come when Zion will be the head and not the tail; when God will sit among His people, and the wicked look upon it with awe. Commended the Contributor to young and old; wished all to read it; said it was a most excellent work, and any one who perused it would be much improved.
The names of the general officers were presented and unanimously sustained.
Apostle Moses Thatcher then made a few remarks endorsing all that had been said by the previous speakers. Recommended the "Preceptor" to all.
President A. M. Cannon made a few remarks in relation to improvement, and likewise recommended the Contributor.
The choir sang and benediction was pronounced by Apostle F M. Lyman.
Conference adjourned for six months.
N. W. CLAYTON, Sec'y
_____
1884
4-6 Apr 1884, 54th Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 33:180, 4/9/84, p 4; Millennial Star 46:257, 273, 289]
[4 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 33:180, 4/9/84, p 4]
FIFTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
On Friday, April 4th, 1884, the Conference met in the Tabernacle at 10 o'clock a.m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang:
Glorious things of thee are
spoken,
Zion City of our God.
Prayer by President George Q. Cannon.
The choir sang:
Zion stands with hills
surrounded,
Zion kept by power divine
Present on the stand: -- Of the First Presidency, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith.
Of the Twelve Apostles, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman and George Teasdale.
Counselor to the Twelve, Daniel H. Wells.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Horace S. Eldredge, W. W. Taylor, Abram H. Cannon and Seymour B. Young.
Of the Presiding Bishopric, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Also a number of Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and Elders from various parts of the Territory.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR.
He was pleased to have another opportunity of meeting with the Saints in Annual Conference, he was thankful for the favorable circumstances and the beautiful weather which we now enjoy. These occasions were fraught with events of importance to the Latter-day Saints, causing them to reflect upon the goodness and mercy of God and to strengthen and encourage us for the events of the future. This work was one which God our Heavenly Father had instituted, it was not the work of man. It was planned in the heavens. The Father and the Son instituted it, and it had been perpetuated by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and the introduction of the Holy Priesthood. Prophets had looked forward with joy and had written and sung of our day. It was "the dispensation of the fulness of times." It was not within the power of any men, no matter what their wisdom or ability, to carry on the work without God's aid. We were indebted to the wisdom and guidance of God for the inception and beginning of this work and in each successive step that we had taken we were indebted to Him for all the progress we had made. Without His aid no man, whatever his position, could do anything for the advancement of this work.
All the children of God were interested in this work, the living, the dead and unborn, and we as a people held their destinies to a great extent in our hands, for our actions not as individuals but as a people would have a bearing upon nations as well as individuals in the future. It behoved us as Saints and as the servants of God holding the Holy Priesthood to magnify our callings. President Taylor hailed the congregation as his brethren and sisters invoked the blessings of God upon them in Conference and declared that His wrath and indignation would be upon their enemies and all who would fight against Zion.
APOSTLE GEORGE TEASDALE.
Said, upon receiving the Gospel he received a knowledge of its truth for himself. The history of this people was singularly like that of Abraham, having left all to obey the gospel. We had believed in the true and living God and obeyed His Gospel and received the promised blessings. The promises that were made and their fulfilment in the case of those who received the Gospel was an evidence that God's power was with His servants and that their authority was valid. The Elders would not dare to make the promises they do in going forth to proclaim the Gospel if they were not called of God. Another evidence of the divinity of this work was the peace that reigned in the families of the Saints, even in what was called polygamy, while it was difficult for persons in the world to get along wit one wife, and even among us it would be found that there was more trouble in monogamous families than among those who had received the celestial law of marriage. This was accounted for by the fact that this people came here for the love of God, and they tried to claim the blessings promised to those who seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Though the Elders were treated despitefully by the people of the world generally, there were a few who gladly received the Gospel, and bore their testimony to its truth, as others had done before them. The signs still followed the believer, and the power of God was continually being made manifest in response to the ministrations of the servants of God. God was the head of this work and it was our duty to desire that the will of God might be done and to realize the importance of sustaining the servants of God, that they might lead the people aright, and that He would make known to His servants everything necessary to the progress of this work and for the instruction of the people. The only way we could expect the blessings of God was by keeping his commandments, and if we did this we need not fear the efforts of men. They conceded we had the right to believe, but denied to us the right to practice our religion. Such was the result of the boasted enlightenment of the men of this nation. God help such intelligence! We were interested in doing good to ourselves and all mankind; then let us keep the commandments of God, and we would be blessed with the power to redeem ourselves, to redeem our dead, and have glory added unto us, having made good use of our talents. And we owed it to God, having come here pure, to return with the same character that we had when we left His presence. Theory would not do alone, for we would be judged by the deeds done in the body, and our professions or good desires were not sufficient.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN
Rejoiced in the opportunities afforded on these occasions. Our religion required not only good intentions but good works. Faith would not avail us, only as it prompted us to works. If the true faith existed it would prompt us to action. What advantage had we if we only professed to believe in the various ordinances and principles of the gospel, and had not faith to go forth and perform the work. A religion without works is dead. It was singular liberality that would only permit us to believe. God required us to keep his commandments as well as to believe in them, and it were better that we had never been born than to break the commandments of God. We could not do it: we had too much at stake. All our hopes depended on us doing the works of righteousness. We would be just the kind of people that God desired us to be if we kept His commandments. We were chosen to perform this work before we came here; we had made covenants to keep the commandments of God. we did not expect to wait until the hereafter to receive blessings, we were receiving blessings here every day. We knew that God lived and had an assurance of this beyond all the reasoning and sophistries of men. We knew also that this was the work of God. We know these things beyond all doubt as we know that we have a living. And we knew that the nations that fought against Zion would be destroyed and cut off. The servants of God were bearing these testimonies to the nations, but the people hardened their hearts and rejected the truth. If they would listen and obey they might receive the same blessings as we enjoyed. As we had this knowledge let us strive to keep all of the commandments, that we might be blessed with the unspeakable riches of eternity which through our mortal imperfections we were not now prepared to fully realize. He testified that the kingdom was never more firmly rooted than at present, that there were never so many persons who were devoted to the truth, and that it would continue to grow in power as God had intended.
President W. Woodruff announced that a meeting of the Mutual Improvement Societies of both sexes would be held in the assembly Hall, at 7 o'clock this evening; also a meeting of the Sunday School Union most likely in the same place on Saturday evening, and a meeting of the Priesthood on Sunday evening.
The choir sang:
"Who can stand against the works of the Lord."
Conference adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m.
Benediction by Apostle Wilford Woodruff.
_____
[4 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 33:180, 4/9/84, p 4]
Friday, 2 p.m.
The choir sang:
We're not ashamed to own our
Lord,
And worship him on earth
Prayer by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang:
O awake my slumbering
minstrel,
Let my harp forget its swell.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER.
Rejoiced at the remarks made this morning. As stated by our venerable President, we can accomplish nothing without the aid of the Lord. It was not difficult to discern the hand of God in the affairs of nations, but it was not always so easy to see it in the affairs of individuals. Yet God is the author of life, and overrules all things. During the past few months the speaker had reflected much upon the malice exhibited by the world against us, and had been led to see that we are hated more for our virtues than for our errors. We were ourselves filled with pity for the evil-doers and compassion for the erring. When hatred was directed against the innocent, the shafts were generally dipped in malice before they were shot from the bow of envy. Cain hated Abel, not because Abel was guilty but because he was pure. It had been so in every age. Trace up the history of persecution, and it would be found that those who invented instruments of torture were moved by malice and envy, and by the spirit of him who would rather reign in hell than serve in heaven. It was the good deeds of Joseph the Prophet which urged the wicked in their hatred to shed his blood. Divest the enemies of the Saints of malice, hatred and envy, and there would be little left. If we copied the vices and wickedness of the world we would be taken by the right hand of fellowship. We were rowing against the tide of the world's corruption. We were seeking to solve the problem of the kingdom of God, and if we kept free from the contaminations of the age we should surely succeed. We were accused of being law-breakers. The speaker could trace his lineage to the revolutionary fathers, and he loved the Constitution and institutions of the country. And he held that if congress could pass a law in relation to marriage, it could enact laws in regard to the sacrament and to baptism. We did not violate any constitutional law. We had gathered here not to be slaves but to be freemen. And the very persecutions we suffered would cause our sons to defend freedom and educate them to be statesmen. We had never thought of secession. We expected to gain our liberties under the flag and within the purview of the United States. And those who called us disloyal, were often themselves violators of their oaths to sustain the constitution and laws of their country. Out of all the evil heaped upon us good would come to us and our cause. There were thousands of people in this nation who, if they understood us, would defend our cause. And he was satisfied that "Mormonism" was becoming better known, and the efforts of our enemies tended to draw attention to the truth. While excitement raged abroad, all was calmness and peace at home. And this was not because we were not aware of the relative strength of 150,000 and 50,000,000 of people, but because we trusted in God and in the cause in which we were engaged. He bore testimony to the final triumph of this work and could sincerely pray for those who fought against it.
[Moses Thatcher]
[DNW 33:242, 5/7/84, p 2; JD 25:113]
REMARKS
BY APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER, DELIVERED
At the General Annual Conference, Friday afternoon, April
4th, 1884.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
I rejoice
in the remarks that were made this morning by the brethren, and feel that they
were prompted by the Holy Ghost. It was truly remarked by our aged and
venerated President, that unless sustained by the Lord, we cannot, as a people,
accomplish His work; and it certainly must be apparent to every thoughtful
mind, that man in and of himself is very weak, that he is unable, alone and
unaided, to accomplish that which will result in his own salvation. It is not
difficult to understand or to comprehend the power of God, as it is manifested
in the affairs of nations; but we cannot always see how He manages and controls
individuals. And yet no human being without His permission breathes the breath
of life, for He is the giver of life; and when we, as a community or as
individuals, sense this, manifesting by our works a goodly degree of faith and
humility before God, then we are in the light. But people, on the other hand,
who undertake to exhibit their own wisdom, or to depend upon the knowledge of
man will, if they continue in that spirit, be led into darkness, and their life
will result in failure.
During
the past few months, I have thought much upon a particular subject, which has
weighed heavily upon my mind by reason of the enmity, the malice and hatred
which I have seen manifested towards the Latter-day Saints. And I have been led
to believe that they are hated more for their virtues than for their supposed
vices. In connection with this subject, I have been led to believe that many
among this people are apt to have compassion for the guilty. And I must confess
myself that I have never heard judgment passed on any man by the authorities of
the Church without more or less pity in my heart for that man. We are generally
apt to be too lenient to the falsifier, who becomes the accuser of his
brethren. We are too apt to look with pity upon one who may have fallen from
the path of chastity, and forsaken the ways of the Lord. There is something in
the human heart that is drawn out in sympathy and compassion for the erring. I
will not attempt this afternoon to show whether this is a correct or an
incorrect sentiment; whether it is a failing or a virtue; but I have noticed on
the other hand, when hatred prompts action, there is but little if any mercy
shown. The shafts intended for the innocent are often dipped in doubly
distilled poison, before they are sped from the bow of envy by the hand of
malice· It was so in the days of the Savior. Thrice tried and thrice condemned,
followed to the cross with but little human sympathy, he endured the agonies of
a cruel, lingering death. How much sympathy do you suppose Cain had when he
slew his brother Abel? Did Cain hate Abel because he was innocent, or because
he was guilty? His hand would have paused; he would have reflected had Abel
been as guilty before God as he was. But because he was pure, and because God
recognized his purity by accepting his offering, there arose in Cain's heart
envy, malice and hatred, that could only be appeased with blood. It has been so
in every age of the world. You may trace human persecution; you may trace the
history of those who invented the rack, the thumbscrew and the wheel, and you
will find they have always been moved by one spirit, that same spirit which
raised the rebellion in heaven, and that sought the glory and power of God the
Father, and that found its culmination in sending to perdition Lucifer and those
that were cast out with him. And Milton, interpreting the spirit that prompted
Lucifer in the course he pursues, makes him any, It is better to reign in hell
than serve in heaven." And wherever we find that spirit, we find a spirit
of envy, a spirit of malice, a spirit that desires to destroy that which is
more excellent and worthy than itself· In this way, after a just comparison
between our persecutors and ourselves, we can account for the persecution to
which we have been made subject.
Let the
youth of Zion contemplate the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and see
how evidences of prejudice, hatred and malice were heaped upon him until those
that were prompted by it, succeeded at last in slaying him. They perpetrated
this deed without mercy, without pity, innocent and guiltless as he was.
How is it
to-day? Converse with certain people in Salt Lake City, those who have made it
their business to hate, to lie about, and to do all in their power to persecute
and despoil the Latter-day Saints, and you will find lurking in their breasts
exactly the same spirit manifested by the wickedness towards the Saints of God
in all ages of the world; divest them of their malice and hatred and there
would be little left.
We hear a
great deal about the immorality of this people; but allow me to say, if we
permitted ourselves to be led into wickedness; if we would adopt the ways of
the Christian age; if we would cast our children into reservoirs and ash pits,
on vacant lots and dung heaps, or throw them on to the railroad track; if we
would transmit to our sons and daughters disease, and encourage them in ways
that lead to death, hell and the grave; we should then have assimilated, as
some of our would-be Christianizers have expressed it, with "American
institutions;" in other words, then we should be hail fellows well met
with the office-seekers, with adventurers, with libertines and other destroyers
of other people's peace and happiness. It is because we cannot do this; because
we refuse to "assimilate;" because we prefer to row against the
current of corruption; because the fruits of our labors, political, financial
and social are good, and bespeak a higher and better civilization, that we are
hated and ostracised, and not because of any immorality that may, exist in our
midst. We are sensible of the fact that we are not of the world; that if we
were, the world would love us as its own. We are sensible of the fact that we
have come out from the world, and that, too, for a wise purpose in the wisdom
of God. In these mountains we expect to establish the foundation of a
civilization that will yet be the admiration of the world. We expect to
bequeath to our children the blessings of physical and mental strength such as
will enable them to stand the test that will equired of them; and the very
principle and tenet of our religion, against which the Christian feeling of the
age appears to be so much shocked, will be the chief cornerstone in the hands
of the builder of rearing the structure that will be different from anything
else in the world. Because we practice celestial or plural marriage, we are
branded as law-breakers; we are told that we seek to violate constitutional
law, and the enactments of the Congress of the United States. Upon this point I
desire to make a few remarks.
I was
born in this country. I can trace my lineage to the revolutionary fathers. I
love the institutions of my country; I love and venerate the Constitution. But
I am not so ignorant, I am not so blind that I cannot see that anything which
you or I may do may be made contrary to law, and may be called
unconstitutional; but I hold that the Constitution was made broad enough, high
enough and deep enough to enable us to practice our religion and be free before
God and man. I hold that if Congress has a right to enact a law in relation to
marriage, it might just as consistently make a law affecting baptism, or
prescribing the manner, if at all, the sacrament of the Lord's supper should be
administered. "What will you do about it? says one. I do not pretend to
know that others will do, neither do I pretend to give advice in the premises;
but I do say this: that no nation or government has ever been able to crush the
religious sentiment of any people unless it crushed the whole people. The
nearest approach to success in this direction that I can find in history, was
that of Charles IX., advised by his wicked mother, when he slew the Huguenots
in the streets of Paris. But even this kind of treatment did not succeed, and
never can succeed. For a persecuted religion will be an investigated religion;
and in my opinion it is truth that receives the thrust of the enemy far more
frequently than evil.
I wish to
bear my testimony in relation to the Latter-day Saints and their position we
will abide in these mountains, and we will plead with our government; we will
continue to petition Congress and submit our memorials to the President of the
United States; and we will continue to love our country, defend its interests,
and be free men in these mountains. If we were aught else, if we could be bound
hand and foot as abject slaves, we should be unworthy to be citizens of so
great a Republic as is ours. It cannot he done, and for this reason: We have
come from the nations of the civilized world of our own free will and choice,
expecting to enjoy and to bequeath to our children the freedom guaranteed by
the laws and institutions of our country; we came as intelligent, independent
men and women, and a people who are intelligent and independent cannot be made slaves. The result will
doubtless be this: We shall be crowded upon from time to time—but no more, I
apprehend, than God in His wisdom will permit—and the very acts of persecution
and unfairness that will be directed against us, will bring out and develop the
elements of excellency that will make our young men statesmen, and that will
make them lovers and defenders of right and liberty, until, in the due time of
the Lord, there will grow up in these mountains a race of people that will not
only defend the Constitution, but defend the flag of the nation, and at the
same time be willing to extend the principles of freedom to all who desire to
receive them. It is a great mistake to imagine that the "Mormons" are
opposed to the government. They are not opposed to the government; there is not
a feeling of secession about them, and they do not propose to be forced on the
other side of the fence by any alliance formed either in Utah or outside of
Utah. We expect to stand upon the platform laid broad and deep by the fathers.
We expect to defend our rights as American citizens, and to do less than this
would be unworthy a free people.
Before
closing I wish to bear my testimony in regard to the people in the world. I am
perfectly satisfied there are thousands of good and honest men and women in our
nation who, if they knew our true status, and understood the facts as they are,
would defend our rights to the uttermost of their power. But they have been
hedged about; and reports misrepresenting and belying our true character have
been so widely circulated, that they have been led to believe them; but as we
are becoming better known we may expect to find men and women with a high
degree of moral courage, here and there, defending us, and speaking favorably
of us. There is no such feeling exhibited in our nation towards us to-day as
two years ago; and even that, hostile as it was, did good. The evil that the
ministers and priests and politicians together, sought to bring upon us was,
through the wisdom of God, overruled for our good. And so it will continue to
be, whatever the enemies of truth do for the purpose of crushing it, will
eventually be found to be the very means used to establish it. We have
confidence in the wisdom and power of God, and are abundantly able to wait and
labor, to work on in the path marked out for us to walk in, fully believing
that in His own due time He will accomplish His "marvelous work and a
wonder," and bring about those happy results foreshadowed in the promises
made to His people, both ancient and modern. Amen.
APOSTLE ALBERT CARINGTON.
knew that the cause in which this little handful of Saints were engaged was the great and grand latter-day work of our father in the heavens. The wicked could do nothing against this work, but for it. He rejoiced in this. If it were not for this knowledge, considering the great odds against us, we might find our knees trembling. But God and one righteous person were a very great majority against the wicked. And there were thousands who were striving to actually live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of our Father in the heavens. When Enoch labored, after working for over three hundred years he only gathered a few. The great majority rejected the truth and were destroyed from the face of the earth, Noah, after preaching a hundred and twenty years, only gained seven besides himself out of that perverse generation. But there were thousands upon thousands ready to stand up shoulder to shoulder with our President in anything in which our Father in the heavens inspired him to lead forth in. The speaker marvelled at the blindness and perverseness of the people of the world in closing their eyes against this grand latter-day work revealed in this our day. No man by human experience could find out the ways of God or understand His purposes. Yet the way to their comprehension was so plain and simple that "a wayfaring man though a fool need not err therein." Yet this was not followed because the people loved darkness rather than light. Was not this course absolutely absurd? Yet it was a fact that the majority of mankind were thus blind and foolish and self-willed. No man had the right to do wrong. The claim that he had was incorrect. He felt to pity all that class of mankind who preferred evil to good and the slavery of sin to the freedom of the gospel. He felt that he could pray for those who were bond-slaves to wickedness, that our father would cause the scales to fall from their eyes. It was no use to argue with them in regard to the beauty of this grand work of our Father, but he would not put a straw in the way of their agency or injure a hair of the head of the worst enemy of this work. The Lord had fitted the backs of this people to the burdens imposed upon them. If he had been told years ago that he could have borne with cheerfulness the opprobrium that had been heaped upon us he would have refused to believe it. With all the fancied freedom, and loyalty, and liberality of the world, they were filled with animosity against the Saints and were in bondage to their own lusts. Yet he knew there were many noble men and women, some of whom, notwithstanding the folly and extravagance and wickedness of a wayward and wicked world would yet come out and receive the everlasting Gospel.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS.
These opportunities were like coming up to a banquet of the Lord. Those who were in any wise cast down could find rest and recuperation. And all could be refreshed and invigorated. During the past few months there was an evident increase of improvement among the Saints and the efforts of the wicked against us had brought us nearer to the lord. Many had laid aside their vestments and had come into the liberty of the sons of God. The Lord was revealing the abundance of peace and truth. And when the wicked were imagining that they were accomplishing something against the Saints, behold the people of the Lord were but impelled to a closer walk with God by which they became strengthened. The animus of the adversary was exhibited, but it did no harm to the Saints. Those who had worked for our injury had only driven from their own souls that measure of light from the spirit of od which had enlightened them. He felt that a duty rested upon the Saints to set forth the truth to their kindred who were scattered abroad, and to correct the falsehoods which were circulated against this work, that so much might be done to give them a chance to resist prejudice and learn the truth. The circulation of the DESERET NEWS would aid in this good work, as many of the missionaries had testified. We should never know how much good we had done in our labors until the day of judgment. Many of our brethren labored in the missionary field apparently without result. but if they performed their duty they would find that they had at least sown seeds of truth which would act so as to keep men in whose hearts they were sown, from those overt acts of opposition which bring people into the greater condemnation. There were many patriotic people who do not countenance the oppressions and persecutions heaped upon us and we should do our duty towards them in striving to convince them of the truth. The few men who dared to stand up for our rights in Congress have been sustained by their constituents as shown in their very general return to the National Legislature. Our existence here was designed of God to try us and if we would hearken to Him all that happened would tend to our benefit. He rejoiced in the increase of the Saints whose posterity was multiplying in the land, and who ought to be reared up to become a nation of kings and priests. If we could understand something of the glory which we, like Jesus, had with the Father before the world was, we would be strengthened to perform those duties which would qualify us o return to it. The speaker portrayed the liberty, prosperity and blessings temporal and spiritual, which the Saints enjoyed above all people on the face of the earth, and the increase of wickedness in the places from which they had gathered, and urged the Saints to live according to the vital principles of the Gospel, individually, that they might endure to the end, withstand every evil day, keep all the covenants made with God or one another, sanctify their natures, and be prepared to enter into the glory of God. He exhorted the Priesthood to teach each other so that all might be thoroughly informed, and desired that we might all be strengthened and become truly the embodiments of the principles of eternal life.
The choir sang an anthem:
O give thanks unto the Lord.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m.
Benediction by President Joseph F. Smith.
_____
[5 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 33:180-181, 4/9/84, p 4-5]
SECOND DAY.
_____
Saturday, April 5th, 10 a.m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang:
Come thou glorious day of
promise,
Come and spread thy cheerful ray.
Prayer by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
The choir sang:
How are Thy Servants blest,
O Lord,
How sure is their defense.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said that it was almost impossible to hear in this large congregation when there was confusion or noise, in consequence of the sensitiveness of this building to sound. When order was preserved it was one of the best places in the world for persons to hear in, but for this very reason, when there was confusion, the voice of the speaker was drowned. He requested the congregation to preserve silence, and the sixty-three ushers to maintain order.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Said that we were entitled to the inspiration of God, without whose aid this work could not be accomplished. It was a delightful privilege accorded us to meet in conference. He was impressed with the appropriateness to this people of the hymn commencing "We're not ashamed to own our Lord and worship Him on earth." No one who had truly known the Lord could feel otherwise than this. God had made Himself known to His children in various dispensations. Abraham was treated as a friend of God, he talked and reasoned with Him as one man would reason with another. Others of the servants of God had seen God and beheld His glory while in the flesh, and lived afterwards. The Divine Being, who manifested Himself to the ancients, came to the earth in the meridian of time and took upon Himself mortality and ministered unto the children of men. It seemed singular that it was necessary, after laboring with the Father in creating the world, for the Lord to be sanctified through suffering. but the Scriptures said that it was necessary that He should pass through trial and suffering that He might have compassion for others. If it was necessary that the Savior should pass through trial and suffering, it was also necessary that all who expected to attain the same glory should be willing to bear all for the Gospel's sake. We could not attain to exaltation and glory except by passing through this probation. It was strange that such ideas could prevail with reference to the being of God as were entertained by the sectarians, considering the plainness of the Scriptures on this question. Men who now lived had beheld the face of the Savior. He had appeared in the Kirtland Temple and talked face to face with the servants of God. Moses had tried to teach the people to prepare themselves to meet the Lord. It was our duty to prepare ourselves for the advent of the savior, for He would come again and meet with the Saints of God in sacred places.
APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG.
It seems the privilege of the servants of God if faithful to speak the words of inspiration to the people. There were some principles dwelt upon years ago which our brethren now seemed to be seldom prompted to speak upon. Were these things forgotten? No. The time was approaching when this people would be prepared to receive instruction on the subject of union, and to carry out those principles as they had never done before. The spirit that was manifested by the people to observe the fundamental principles of the Gospel was deep and widespread. Those who had deviated from the commandments of God were repenting and turning unto the Lord. This was no spirit of excitement and wildfire but a quiet determination to keep the commandments of God and observe His counsels. Under these circumstances he thought the question as to what we were going to do to sustain ourselves was one of paramount importance. The time was coming when we must sustain ourselves or we must lose our status financially. All that we did to sustain ourselves tended to strengthen us in the work of God, and all that we sent away weakened the hands of this people. We were importing everything and exporting nothing, comparatively, and the time would come when the supply of cash would stop. There were hundreds now out of employment, and it behoved us to use as little as possible of that which was imported, and encourage every branch of home manufacture.
[Brigham Young Jr.]
[JD 25:117]
REMARKS
BY APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG
Delivered
at the General Conference, on Saturday Morning, April 5th, 1884.
_____
Reported By John Irvine
_____
It has
been said, that words fitly spoken are like apples of gold in pictures of
silver. This is especially true when they are accompanied by the Spirit of the
Lord, carrying with them life and salvation to the people. There are many
subjects that might be dwelt upon which are familiar to the Latter-day Saints,
and which would doubtless yet be appropriate to speak upon in our general
assemblies. I look back upon the past few years and recall principles that have
been taught to the people, but which the Spirit no longer seems to inspire the
Elders to dwell upon. And the question arises in the mind: Have such principles
become obsolete?—Are they done away? I look forward to the time when we shall
be able to speak upon the principles of uniting this people together in their
temporal as well as their spiritual interests far more effectually than we have
ever done heretofore. United we stand; our interests are identified; the
welfare of the one affects the other; and our influence socially, financially
and politically is powerful for good, and is a lever for our own prosperity as
well as our own protection. Disunited we acknowledge our own weakness;
infirmity is stamped in our every act, and in time we pass away like the dream
of the night vision. I do not desire at this time to treat upon the subject of
the United Order, but I would like to ask if the Latter-day Saints think for a
moment that that principle is done away, or that it may be considered a failure
never again to be brought to our notice? If such has been the conclusion of any
part of this assembly, I have no hesitancy in stating for their information
that such is not the case; it cannot be so if we are ever to answer the design
of the Almighty respecting the future of His Kingdom upon the earth. I would say
further, the time is approaching, if I am a judge of the Spirit as witnessed
among the people throughout our settlements from the extreme north to the
extreme south, when the principle will again be sounded in our ears; and the
Spirit of God as I read it in its workings among the people, and as I feel its
operations in my own breast, testifies to me that when it comes again the
people will be prepared to receive it, and act upon it, as they have never done
before. It is, perhaps, necessary, in our present state, that we should have a
certain amount of experience; the experience we have had will doubtless be of
value to us, in the future, when the people will again be called upon to
practice this principle; and when this time comes, in my opinion, we will
commence at the root of the matter, accepting in the spirit and meaning
thereof, that principle which has been disregarded and shunned by us for many
years, the principle that lies at the foundation of the greatness and power to
which we are destined to attain. I am happy to say that the people are being
led to examine their own hearts, and to ask themselves what they are doing
individually towards building up the Zion of God, and towards influencing
others to do likewise. The spirit that is working among the people is having
the effect of reform, as I have never before witnessed it. The reformation of
1856, ran through the people like wild fire; they received it under the impulse
of the moment when the spirit of enthusiasm ran high; but now there appears to
be but little effort to move the people in this direction, at the same time a
determined feeling exists among the Saints to right themselves, and that too by
commencing at the bottom round of the ladder, and then gradually ascending. The
hearts of the people are being turned to the Lord. The men who have of late
been addicted to drinking, using tobacco, swearing, and other loose habits,
are, of their own free will, discarding their bad habits, and thus righting
themselves, and setting a better example to their children and associates. This
silent but potent influence that is fruitful of such good results is
significant to the man or woman that is alive in this work, and that is
watching with interest its onward progress; and it comes home to our hearts with
convincing proof that the Lord is working among the people by His Spirit, and
it bids us all in its silent and suggestive way, to prepare ourselves for
events that must come, and that are even nigh at our doors.
In
witnessing the operations of the Spirit in the midst of the people in such a
remarkable manner I was strongly impressed with the idea that we, as a people,
ought to be turning our attention in directions looking to our becoming
self-sustaining. We are pay out very much more than we profess. Where does the
money come from? How is it that the families of our working men are able to
purchase for their use imported articles? How long can this people prosper by
pursuing such a course? The danger of this course has long been pointed out by
our leading men; and sooner or later, unless all turn a short corner, the
condition that we shall place ourselves in, will be of such a convincing
character, that all will readily concede the correctness of the position taken
by our leaders in urging the people to become producers and patrons of home
productions. This doctrine was taught by President Young, during much of his
life time, but especially during his later years; and it does appear to me that
we are hastening on to the point that President Young said we should reach,
unless we became self-sustaining, namely, financial embarrassment. In fact his
doctrine on this subject was, that we could not stand financially, unless we
became self-sustaining. It is doctrine that comes home to the heart of every
Latter-day Saint; it is doctrine that all must accept and reduce to practice,
if we would attain to power and influence in the land. We must become
financially strong. Wealth in and of itself, is a lever of power; and wealth in
the hands of a righteous people must necessarily command an influence for good.
We must first learn to make a wise use of the means that we possess, however
little that may be; and by continuing to do this, we prepare ourselves to make
a right and proper use of the power that wealth brings. But in order to attain
the position that we are bound to occupy in the land, we must learn to combine
our interests in such a manner that it will be to the advantage of the whole
community to consume and wear that which is produced and manufactured at home. It
will be by co-operative action that we shall be tied together in temporal
matters as we are now bound together in spiritual things. As a thoroughly
united people we can the better hasten the work of God in the earth; such as
building temples, establishing settlements, civilizing the Lamanites, carrying
the Gospel to the Jews, and building up the Zion of God in these mountains. We
shall be the better able to extend a helping hand to the needy poor, to the
oppressed and down-trodden among the nations, as well as to protect ourselves
from the inroads of wicked and designing men. The few minutes allotted to me
have expired.
That God
may inspire our hearts to do His will, and that all may be willing in the day
of His power, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW.
Said that all persons who reflected upon it must feel that the subject of home production was one of paramount importance. In the early settlement of this Territory there was plenty of work in cultivating the earth and developing the natural resources of the country. In those times goods were high and money scarce, and people resorted to the spinning wheel and hand loom. Tanneries were common, and many articles were manufactured at home which are now imported. We had abundance of iron, coal and precious metals, but while we were consuming vast amounts of iron, glass, leather and other articles that could be procured here, we manufactured scarcely anything. We were getting to be a commercial rather than a manufacturing people, having large mercantile establishments, and depending principally upon our silver mines. Where agriculture was properly conducted it was the foundation of self-sustenance. Next to this home industry should be cultivated. The same capital invested in manufacture employed ten persons where one would be employed if invested in commerce. Those who took a comprehensive view of this question would seek the welfare of their fellows, for any other course must sooner or later result in their own ruin. This was an opportune moment to establish home industries in view of the scarcity of money, and abundance of labor and provisions. Efforts were being made to develop our iron, glass and fine crockeryware. There were some who were sanguine of success, but their efforts were not seconded as they should be by men who had means. The development of iron and steel in view of the immense consumption was infinitely more important than that of the precious metals. Our agricultural resources and cultivatable lands were not by any means exhausted though much had been done, there was yet much that might be done. There were many places that would support a much larger population if the natural facilities were properly developed, and the people should avail themselves of these advantages. Capitalists should seek to employ the surplus labor in manufacturing, and on the other hand, laborers should be ready to work for fair wages, so that they might obtain more steady employment and be better off. It was a mistaken idea that a man could do as well to earn large wages for six months, and remain idle the rest of the year, there was nothing more demoralizing than idleness.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
presented the following names of brethren selected as missionaries to the places named, who were unanimously sustained by the vote of the Conference:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Frank
Talton, Beaver.
Rollin Ray Tanner, Beaver.
Albert Jones, Provo.
L. John Nuttall, Jr., Kanab
Moroni M. Sheets, 8th Ward.
Asahel H. Woodruff, Farmers' Ward.
Thomas Wright Sr., Nephi.
James W. Paxman, Nephi.
Isaac Gadd, Nephi.
James McPherson, Nephi.
Reuben S. Collett, Mesa, Arizona.
Thomas P. Biggs, Mesa, Arizona.
George Fraser, Richfield.
Edward Morgan, Mill Creek.
Samuel Mitton, Wellsville.
Joshua Brown, Wellsville
George Goddard, 13th Ward.
James Eardley, 3rd Ward.
Thomas Aubrey, 13th Ward.
Thomas F. H. Morton, 3rd Ward.
James L. McMurrin, 8th Ward.
Wm. Smith Read, Ogden.
Wm. C. B. Orrock, Richfield.
James Ogden, Richfield.
Edwin T. Woolley, Paris.
Ricy Jones, Brigham.
Moroni Llewellyn Pratt, Sugar House Ward.
SCANDINAVIA.
Christian
F. Olsen, Hyrum.
Waldemar Peterson, 15th Ward.
Peter Mikkleson, Manti.
James Nelson, Brigham.
Peter P. Dyring, Manti.
James Nelson, Brigham.
Peter P. Dyring, Manti.
James Olson, Logan.
Niels Peterson Clove, Hillsdale.
UNITED STATES.
Thomas
E. Olsen, Fillmore.
James M. Stewart, Meadow.
Charles H. Bezant, Kanosh.
Charles W. Hodgkins, Kanosh.
James Houston, Pandits.
James B. Heywood, Pandits.
Thomas E. King, Kingston.
George A. Clochard, Bursarial.
Herbert H. Bell, Glenwood.
Peter K. Lemon, Glenwood.
Vance Shaffer, Loa.
William Greenwood, Inverury.
Morten Jensen, Richfield.
Soren Christiansen, Richfield.
Victor E. Bean, Richfield.
Oscar Rose, Inverury.
Joseph B. Jackson, Annabella.
Canute W. Peterson, Ephraim.
Harrald A. Young, 1st Ward.
Talma E. Pomeroy, Mesa, Arizona.
Wm. S. Johnson, Mesa, Arizona.
Mads Anderson, Mt. Pleasant.
Niels Bengtson, Herriman.
UNITED
STATES.
(Western and Northwestern.)
George
L. Breinholt, Redmond.
James H. Fillmore, Payson.
John C. Mellor, Fayette.
Lewis Anderson, Fountain Green.
Ferdinand Clark, Mt. Pleasant.
Franklin W. Young, Fremont.
Wm. R. R. Stowell, Ogden.
Southern
States.
Alvin
J. McCuistion, Tooele.
John C. Le La Mare, Tooele.
Nathan Tanner Jr., Ogden.
Thomas H. Robins, Kaysville.
A. U. Hobson, Richmond.
Richard M. Humphrey, Salina.
Willard H. Robinson, Salina.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
Samuel
W. Musser, 1st Ward.
Jacob Spori, Logan.
NEW ZEALAND.
Amasa
Aldrich, Mt. Pleasant.
Anthony Metcalf, Gunnison.
William Wolsey. "
Charles Anderson, Elsinore.
Edward Newby, Joseph.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
George
Wilcox, 11th Ward.
Sanford Allred, Spring City.
John R. Tilby, Chester.
The Choir then sang "A Song of Triumph," (solo by Brother W. H. Foster. Composed by H. W. Naisbitt, and music by Professor E. Beesley.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[5 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 33:181, 4/9/84, p 5]
Saturday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang:
Joy to the world the Lord
will come
And earth receive her King.
Prayer by counselor D. H. Wells.
The choir sang:
Give us room that we may
dwell,
Zion's children cry aloud.
President George Q. Cannon then read statistical reports of the various stakes of Zion; also reports from the Primary Associations, Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations and also of the Relief Societies and Sunday Schools. The two latter were unanimously received by the General Conference.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
Said this was the fifty-fourth anniversary of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He considered the human voice a poor medium to convey the impressions upon the soul of man. It was a matter of impossibility in the few moments he had to stand before the people to express his reflections upon the things of God and the duties of the Saints. There was a vast amount of subjects of a great interest to us as a people. He endorsed the sentiments advanced on the subject of home industries. He wished to say a few words on the conflict between truth and error, light and darkness. We were in the midst of it and so were the servants of God from the beginning. It would be so down to the end of time. This warfare commenced in heaven. One third of the host of heaven rebelled against God and His Christ while the two-thirds kept their first estate. This made a tremendous number of fallen spirits who were cast down to the earth, without bodies, constituting those evil ones who tempted those who had bodies to do evil. Whenever there were men on earth who labored to establish righteousness and introduce a celestial law, these spirits worked against them and influenced the majority of mankind to reject the servants of God. It cost the servants of God their lives. It cost Joseph Smith his life. This warfare would continue. These evil spirits would war against the Saints, against God, against Christ, against His work until the time came when Satan and his hosts should be bound for a thousand years. but we had the promises of the Lord for our encouragement that this work should stand. God had decreed that He would establish His work in the dispensation of the fulness of times never to be cast down. There was no higher calling on the face of the earth than to become a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. The day had dawned when the God of heaven had stretched out His hand to restore Judah and Israel, and set up His dominion. Our business was to labor for this cause. It had come here to stay. Though the Prophet and Patriarch were martyred, and this people had been driven, the progress of this work had not been and could not be stayed. The God of heaven required us to warn this generation, who were approaching a very important day and time. A class of beings would follow the Elders in their testimonies to the world, beings who would command the thunders and the tempests and the destroying elements as witnesses to the truths we proclaim would rise in judgment against the wicked in the great day of the Lord.
PRESIDENT GEO. Q. CANON
Said the subject of home manufactures introduced this morning caused a vibration in the hearts of all who were interested in the welfare of Zion. We had gone along with the stream for years. There had been a market for our produce and the building of railroads had found employment for many hands. But this was now stopped and our grain market was glutted and there were thousands of people unemployed. There were organized in some of our counties Boards of Trade. If these had acted in their calling much of these difficulties would have been avoided. The trouble arising from the "cut rates" could have been averted by our combining to put our grain upon the market at less a figure even that the produce brought here under the cut rates from the East. We had been flooded with cheap grain and had sat with our arms folded. Of what use were there Boards of Trade if they did nothing? Every President of a Stake should call his wise men together to see if something could not be done in such emergencies and not leave all these movements to the President of the Church. Steps should be taken to supply all these idle hands with employment. We were struggling here to establish home products and manufactures. Not a pound of grain, or butter or anything that could produced here should be brought from abroad and if families would not use the elements in their own hands, they ought to go without. If we would all be determined to buy that which is made at home and not patronize the foreign products, we could all do something to promote the general prosperity. Patronize those who do patronize home industry. Woolen goods, soap, butter, cheese, lard, matches, shoes and a vast number of articles made here just as good as elsewhere, ought to be purchased in preference to articles made elsewhere. The course we were taking was disgraceful to us as a people. This imported pork, and oleomargarine and filthy, diseased lard was not fit to put in a human mouth. Patient attention should be turned to these things, and our efforts should be turned towards making us a truly independent people.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR
then arose and said: I have been very much interested in the remarks which have been made on this subject -- the subject of home industries. And I would ask this congregation if I may have the privilege of aiding them as Trustee in Trust. We have some iron works started in the south, and I want to know if this congregation will authorize me to assist those iron works? If you do make it manifest by raising the right hand [a forest of hands went up]. I believed that you would feel just so, and I have already assisted them. (laughter.) There is another thing I want to ask associated with this affair. You have given me the privilege of assisting this industry, now I want to ask if you yourselves, will assist in this matter; and all who are in favor of doing so, hold up the right hand [all hands went up.] Now, we will say Yankee Doodle do it. There are a great many other things associated with our temporal interests -- some of which have been referred to -- which we must look after. There has been a good deal said in regard to the United Order. We have had this talked about a long time. We shall have a United order by and by. As one of the brethren mentioned -- I think it was Brother Young -- there is a feeling of the kind growing among the people. But we have not yet had the order that we shall have. By and by people will not have to be asked to go into the United Order, for they will beg for the privilege of coming in. If we will only do right -- which we are seeking to do -- and keep the commandments of God -- which I am very much pleased to hear, with all our infirmities and weaknesses, and we have a great many of them, we are trying to do. The time is not far distant when Zion, as the Scriptures say, will be the richest of all people. And when it comes to pass you will know it. Let me make a remark or two upon this subject. What do the Scriptures say upon it. They say: "For brass I will bring silver, for silver gold, and for stones iron." Well, that is rather a singular exchange. What else? "I will make thine officers peace and thine exactors righteousness." Justice, righteousness, truth and integrity, and not covetousness, deceitfulness and self-interest must be associated with the law of God, the work of God, the order of God, and the kingdom of God. When we can prepare ourselves to observe His laws and keep His commandments, God is prepared to cause the riches of the Gentiles to flow unto us, as the Scriptures say. But we have to learn to observe the law of God, and to keep the commandments of God. I feel sometimes a little unpleasant on one subject. I am appointed here as Trustee-in-Trust, and I have a great responsibility devolving upon me in regard to the financial affairs of the Church. I have associated with me my brethren of the First Presidency and my brethren of the Twelve and the Presiding Bishop to counsel in regard to those matters. It has been stated here that there is a great outside pressure, and a great desire to become acquainted with our affairs and our monetary matters. I have been applied to time and time again in this respect, and I cannot conceive of any other idea associated with it than that they would like to do with our finances as they would with our wives -- take them from us. (laughter) Now, we have a financial report here. My idea would be to have it presented in all its details to this congregation. But it is thought not wise to do so. This is the thing that does not suit me exactly -- that is, it does not suit me not to be able to put this report before the people so that everybody may hear and see and know and comprehend for themselves, for I think it is our right to understand these things, and what is done with our financial matters. But, as I have said, it is thought wisdom not to have the report presented to the general public -- not to put them in possession of information in regard to our matters. Let them find them out. Some one suggests that the conduct of our enemies would be exhibited in the utterance of a prayer, "Let us arise and rob somebody in the name of the Lord" -- or rather in the name of the law. (Laughter.) Well, we do not propose to put them in possession of this information. But we have got our record which tells what every man has done and what they have not done in relation to these matters. We have faithful records pertaining to all these things, and anybody that is interested and that has a right to enquire can come and obtain the information pertaining to their affairs individually or to Stakes or to Wards as the case my be; but it is none of the business of outsiders to know about our financial matters; it don't belong to them; it didn't come from them; we never received anything at their hands. It is simply our own, and they may as well ask to examine our letters as to make them acquainted with our financial affairs. All who favor this idea of not reading the report, signify it by holding up the right hand [Unanimous vote. On motion the financial report was referred to the auditing committee.]
President Taylor continued, I have not yet been furnished with the report of the auditing committee on the last financial report submitted to them but as soon as received I will communicate it. I will state, however, for the satisfaction of the brethren and sisters -- and I see them from all parts, form the far south, from the far north -- that our financial affairs are in a very good position, that our tithing instead of being on the decrease, is on the increase, and that there is a general feeling to meet the requirements of the law of God pertaining to all these matters; and we think that all of us -- or say the major part of us; we do not expect everybody to do exactly right -- are striving to carry out the law of God and if we will continue to observe His requirements and keep His commandments, the blessing of the God of Israel will rest upon Israel. Men may plot and contrive, and calculate and try to manipulate the affairs of Israel; but our affairs are in the hands of God, and He will take care of us if we will obey His law; and our progress is onward and upward; God will stand by Israel if we only stand by Him. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem: "With full voice choir resounding."
Conference adjourned til to-morrow (Sunday) 10 a. m.
Benediction by President Horace S. Eldredge.
_____
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 33:181, 4/9/84, p 5]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
Sunday, April 6, 10 a.m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang:
Gently raise the sacred
strain
For the Sabbath's come again.
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang:
Stars of morning shout for
joy
Sing redemption's mystery.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Presented to the Conference the following report, which on motion was accepted by the unanimous vote of the Conference:
SALT
LAKE CITY, U.T.,
April 5, 1884.
President
John Taylor and Counselors, and the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in General Conference Assembled
The undersigned, your auditing committee, respectfully represent that we have carefully examined all the annual exhibits, books, accounts, reports and vouchers belonging to the office of the Trustee in Trust, for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1882, submitted to us to audit and inspect, and have satisfied ourselves f their correctness.
Respectfully submitted by your brethren in the Gospel.
WILFORD
WOODRUFF,
ERASTUS SNOW,
FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS,
JOS. F. SMITH,
WM. JENNINGS,
He then read from the Book of Mormon the 29th chapter of II Nephi, as far as the 10th verse inclusive, and showed how remarkably the prophecies in this and the preceding chapter, likewise the one following, had been and were being fulfilled since the translation of the ancient records by the Prophet Joseph. The Book of Mormon contained within itself the evidences of its own divinity. It was impossible that Joseph Smith or any other man, uninspired of God, could have foreseen and foretold what the Book of Mormon had told in great plainness and minuteness concerning the present and future. It had been preserved and hid up and kept pure while the Bible, which it corroborated had passed through uninspired hands, and been changed and taken from, so that it was the cause of endless confusion and discord among the sects of Christendom. If the claims of Joseph Smith to being a prophet rested solely upon the words of Nephi in relation to the effect the translation of the book of Mormon would have upon the Christian world (who had cried "we have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible,") that claim would be proven good, for no man uninspired, could have had any such conception of what would follow. The chapter preceding (the 28th) depicted in photographic exactness the condition of the Christian world to-day, and the 30th chapter had a remarkable prophecy relating to the going forth of the Book to the Lamanites, and their restoration through the Gospel from darkness unto light.
The words of Jesus, in the 16th chapter of III Nephi, also foretold similar events, which had taken place or would shortly come to pass, and all this hundreds of years before it commenced, before the records containing it had been translated, before the Priesthood was given or there was a Latter-day Saint upon the face of the earth. It was supposed then as now by the Gentile would that the Indians were a perishing race and it would impossible to save them, but here was the word of God arrayed against such opinions and assertions and already it was commencing to be fulfilled. The Gentiles who had received the Gospel were now, as Latter-day Saints, carrying it to the Lamanites, some of whom had gladly received it, and after the Gentiles as a nation had rejected it (as it was feared they would) they would receive it in greater numbers. The speaker showed how the Bible, the writings of the fruit of the loins of Judah, and the Book of Mormon, the writings of the fruit of the loins of Joseph, had grown together according to prediction, to the confounding of false doctrine, the laying down of contention and the establishment of peace; how the word of the Lord through Lehi concerning one "like unto Moses," who should have a spokesman, had been fulfilled in Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, and that the Book of Mormon, containing this prophecy, was published over a year before Sidney Rigdon saw it. He quoted the words of the angel to Nephi, concerning the Church of the Lamb and that of the devil -- the only two churches that could exist -- and showed that what was said concerning them had been partly fulfilled in the history and experience of this Church, as opposed and persecuted by the Churches of the world. He then read the last words of Moroni, (exhorting all to whom the Book of Mormon should come to ask God in the name of Jesus Christ for a testimony of its truth, and it should be given them) and asked for the sentiment of the congregation as to whether they had in this manner received a knowledge of its truth. The vast assembly responded "Yes" as with one voice.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 33:210, 4/23/84, p 2; JD 25:119]
DISCOURSE
BY PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, (in General Conference
assembled), Sunday morning, April 6th, 1884.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I will
read a portion of the 29th chapter of the second book of Nephi, from the last
edition of the Book of Mormon.
1.
"But behold, there shall be many at that day, when I shall proceed to do a
marvelous work among them, that I may remember my covenants which I have made
unto the children of men, that I may set my hand again the second time to
recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.
2.
"And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee,
Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember your seed; and that the
words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed. And my
words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my
people, which are of the house of Israel.
3.
"And because my words shall hiss forth, many of the Gentiles shall say, A
Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there can not be any more Bible.
4.
"But thus saith the Lord God; O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it
shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank
they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the
Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travels, and the labors, and the pains of
the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing gorth salvation unto the
Gentiles?
5.
"O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people?
Nay, but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to
recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads;
for I the Lord hath not forgotten my people.
6.
"Thou feel, that shall say, A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no
more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible, save it were by the Jews?
7.
"Know ye not that there are me. re nations than one? Know ye not that I,
the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon
the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above, and in the earth
beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all
the nations of the earth
8.
"Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know
ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God,
that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words
unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together,
the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
9.
"And I do this that I may prove unto many, that I am the same yesterday,
to-day, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own
pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word, ye need not suppose that I
cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be,
until the end of man; neither from that time henceforth and for ever.
10.
"Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible, ye need not suppose that it
contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to
be written:
11.
"For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the
north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write
the words which I speak unto them: for out of the books which shall be written,
I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that
which is written."
There is
much more of the next chapter and of the preceding chapter that pertains to our
time, to the day and age in which we live, and these chapters, with many more,
are full of predictions by the Prophet Nephi, concerning the days when the Book
of Mormon should come forth.
I want
this morning, if I can have the Spirit of God to lead and to assist me, to
speak somewhat upon the predictions contained in the Book of Mormon—the
predictions which had to be fulfilled after the publication of the book. It is
alleged, as you know, that the Book of Mormon is not an inspired record, but
that Joseph Smith, if he was the author of it, copied a great deal of it from
the Old and New Testament. Now, there is scarcely any need to say to those who
have studied the Book of Mormon, who have read it prayerfully and
carefully—there is scarcely any need to say to them that it contains the
internal evidence of its own divinity, that God wrote it through inspired men,
and that no one but an inspired man or men could have written the book. There
is no book in the English language that compares with it, unless it be books
which contain the pure word of God. It has the advantage of the Bible in this:
that it was translated by the power of God, not by the learning of man, and not
selected from hundreds and thousands of versions as the Bible has been; for
there is no end to the versions which exist, of the books contained in the
Bible. Of course we have our version translated by learned men; but there is
scarcely a passage of any importance in the Bible concerning which there is not
some dispute among learned commentators. But with the Book of Mormon it is
different. God preserved those records for a purpose in Himself. They were
hidden up. This book, called the Book of Mormon, is an abridgment prepared by
one of the last prophets of the Nephites, under the command of God, that it
might come forth in the last days. God revealed in part to him, and to his son
Moroni, the purpose which He had in view, in making this abridgment, and in
concealing it in the earth, and they performed the labor connected with this
under the direct command and inspiration of the Almighty, to come forth in the
latter times, and to accomplish a great work. I wish to allude to some of the
predictions—not those that are contained in other books, but those that are
original with the Book of Mormon itself, and that could not have been made,
unless the man who wrote them was inspired of God.
The words
which I have read were written by Nephi, one of the first prophets of the
Nephite nation, and he describes, at great length, and with wonderful plainness
and minuteness, the condition of the inhabitants of the earth at the time that
this work should go forth. Much of this, the caviller may say, could have been
written by a man of these days. But there are some things which Nephi wrote,
that could not have been written by a modern man who did not have the spirit of
prophecy, and that which I have read in your hearing is a part that could not
have been written by any human being, unless he had been inspired of God, and
was a prophet of God. If Joseph Smith—if the divinity of his mission—his claims
to be a Prophet rested upon this chapter alone, or this portion of the chapter
that I have read in your hearing, according to my view his claims would be
fully and indisputably established, for the reason that at the time that he
translated this chapter he had no conception, neither could any human being
have any conception, unless inspired of God, as to the effect the publication
of the Book of Mormon would have upon the Gentile world. But Joseph, inspired
of God, translated the prediction of Nephi, which prediction states that when
the Book of Mormon should be published, it should be received by the Gentiles
with this expression: "A Bible! a Bible! we have got a Bible, and there
cannot be any more Bible." How many times has this expression been made by
clergymen, by professors of religion, and by Christendom generally, since the
publication of the Book of Mormon? Ye Elders who have traversed sea and land,
who have gone from continent to continent, who have visited the isles of the
ocean, who have lifted up your voices in the cities of the Gentiles, and in
their congregations; ye Elders, who have thus labored, know full well, that in
every land, and among every people where you have labored, when you have spoken
about God having restored another record, the Book of Mormon—you know that you
have been met with these expressions, the literal words that Nephi said, would
be used in the last days by the Gentiles, in regard to this work. You
Latter-day Saints, who have endeavored to teach your friends the doctrines that
God had revealed, and endeavored to show them that God had restored this
ancient record—you know how your testimonies have been received concerning the
Book of Mormon. These remarkable expressions have come front thousands of lips
in many, many lands, and in many, many languages, confirmatory of the Book
itself, and of its divine origin, and of its inspired translation. You read all
the words of Nephi in this 29th chapter, and you will find that he describes
with wonderful, and, I might say, photographic accuracy and minuteness, the
condition of the so-called Christian world —the spirit that they possess, the
crimes of which they are guilty, the condition in which they are placed, and
all the circumstances connected with them.
In his
next chapter, he makes further remarks concerning this work, and the effect it
should have. He says:
3.
"And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the
Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, and be
written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be
many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them
forth unto the remnant of our seed.
4.
"And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that we
came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.
5.
"And the Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore
they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the
knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.
6.
"And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing
unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to
fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save
they shall be a white and delightsome people."
Now, that
is one prediction. These are the words of Nephi. I will now read the words of
Jesus, recorded in the 16th chapter of the third Book of Nephi, where He, in
speaking about the last days, and the coming forth of this work, says:
"And
thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you at that day when the
Gentiles shall sin against my Gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of
their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth,
and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of
mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders and priestcrafts, and
whoredomes, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things,
and shall reject the fullness of my Gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will
bring the fullness of my Gospel from among them:
"And
then I will remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of
Israel, and I will bring my Gospel unto them:
"And
I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have
power over you, but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel,
and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fullness of my Gospel."
These
predictions are parallel; they point to the same period; they describe the same
events, the same condition of affairs—one uttered 600 years or thereabouts,
before the other, and yet they are precisely similar in their tenor, describing
that which should be done with the Gospel among the Gentiles. I wish you all to
remember—you Latter-day Saints, you young men and you young women, you little
children who are capable of understanding my words—I wish you all to remember
that at the time this was written, or rather at the time this was translated
into the English language—say somewhere about the year 1828—Joseph Smith
himself, had not received, or at least obeyed, the Gospel. He had derived some
knowledge of it through the ministration of angels, and from that portion of
the record that he had translated; but there was not a Latter-day Saint upon
the face of the whole earth that we know anything about, or that he knew
anything about. No man or woman had received the Gospel; no church had been
organized; no Priesthood from the eternal worlds had been bestowed; not a man
among all the children of men had been clothed with the power of the eternal
Priesthood of the Son of God to administer the ordinances of life and salvation
unto the children of men. Yet the Prophet Joseph Smith in this translation,
showed forth with great clearness, that the Gospel would be revealed, and that
it should be received by some of the Gentiles; that when it should be received
by the Gentiles, it should be carried by them to the descendants of Nephi and
his brethren, who by that time should have become a filthy and a loathsome
people. The Indians of our continent should receive the message of life and
salvation. The Gospel should be carried to them. They would receive it with
gladness. They would come to a knowledge of their Redeemer, as well as to a
knowledge of the principles and doctrines and covenants which their fathers
under—stood, and which their fathers had received. Wonderful prediction! And
most wonderfully has it been fulfilled. At the time that the Prophet Joseph
Smith translated this Book of Mormon, I suppose the impression was general, as
it is today, that the Indians were a perishing race, that they would soon
disappear from the face of the land. But before Joseph had translated this, he
had found in previous predictions that the Gentiles—that is, our nation—that we
as a race and the nation to which we belong, should not have power to destroy
the Indians. This was a most remarkable statement to make when we consider
where Joseph was brought up, and the circumstances surrounding him. If he had
not been inspired of God, he would not have dared, in my opinion, and no man
would have dared to have made such a prediction. But what, does Nephi say
concerning this matter as translated by the Prophet? He says:
"Nevertheless
thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone forth out of captivity, and have
been lifted up by the power of God above all other nations upon the face of the
land, which is choice above all other lands, which is the land the Lord God
hath covenanted with thy father, that his seed should have for the land of
their inheritance, wherefore thou seest that the Lord God will not suffer that
the Gentiles will utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy
brethren;
"Neither
will he suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the seed of thy brethren;
"Neither
will He suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the seed of thy
brethren"—that is, the Lamanites proper. They were not to be permitted to
destroy Nephi's seed that should be mingled among the Lamanites, nor should
they be permitted to destroy the Lamanites—that is, the descendants of Laman
and Lemuel. Nephi predicted this. To-day it is said that the Indians will
perish, and that it is impossible to save them. Here is the word of God
recorded in this sacred book. We have the words of God, the testimony of Jesus
Christ arrayed against all, or nearly all, the conclusions of the Gentiles. I
look around and I see here on this stand to-day, representatives of strange
tribes of Indians who have come here to visit, thus being in part a fulfillment
of the prediction of the Son of God, and also the fulfillment of that
prediction of Nephi, that I have read in your hearing. The Gentiles did receive
the Gospel of the Son of God, when it was revealed. Burning with zeal to carry
this Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people; inspired by the Holy
Ghost, they went out among the Indian races as well as others, and fulfilled
the predictions of the Book of Mormon in this respect. And strange to say—if
anything can be said to be strange connected with the work of God—the
descendants of those ancient covenant people of the Lord, have gladly received
the testimony of the servants of God. Wherever we have gone and mingled with
those people, with those Red Men, and been able to communicate to them the truths
of which we are in possession, which God has revealed to us, they have received
the same gladly; not only upon this continent, but upon the islands of the sea,
throughout Polynesia, the Sandwich, the Marquesas, the Society and the
Navigator Islands—yes, and everywhere where those men with red skins dwell,
they have gladly received the testimony of God's servants concerning the
Gospel, and they rejoice in its fullness and in the knowledge that their
fathers once possessed, and of the redemption that Jesus Christ has wrought out
for them. Most wonderful has this prediction been fulfilled in this respect!
And God has done and is doing a great and a mighty work among the people,
fulfilling the words of the ancient prophets and of Jesus. When the Gentiles do
reject the Gospel—as I fear they will from their conduct in the past—that is,
as a nation—although I trust there will yet be many hundreds and thousands—yea,
I would that I could say millions—of Gentiles gathered in by this Gospel; I
trust that this will be the case, though the prospects are not very hopeful at
present. It seems at present that as a nation, the Gentiles will reject the
Gospel. When they do reject it, as they have in part, then God will commence,
as the Savior said, to do a great work among the house of Israel. He will carry
his Gospel there, and the work will commence then among all the scattered
remnants of the house of Israel, over the whole earth.
I wish to
read another prophecy connected with the coming forth of this Book, and the
results that should attend it, namely:
"Wherefore
the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall
write;" [the Prophet here is speaking of the fruit of the loins of the
Patriarch Joseph, who was sold into Egypt by his brethren]; "and that
which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins" [that is, of Joseph's
loins] "and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of
Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying
down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and
bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to
the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord."
Now, here
is a very remarkable prediction connected with the coming forth of this Book.
It should have the effect, when united with the Bible—for it was the Bible that
the Prophet was referring to as being the writings of the fruit of the loins of
Judah; when these two Books should be united, it should have a remarkable
effect—that is, their union should. They should confound false doctrine; they
should lay down contentions, put an end to them and establish peace; and they
should be the means of bringing the people to the knowledge of the covenants of
God with those ancient Prophets, with His ancient servants and people. Now, all
those who know anything about the effect of the Book of Mormon—of the preaching
of the Elders with the aid of the Book of Mormon—know that these words have
been fulfilled to the very letter. False doctrines have been put down.
Contentions have ceased. Peace has been established, and the people have been
brought to the knowledge of the covenants which God made with His ancient
servants. Those who have read this Book know how precious are the words of God,
contained in it—how plain the doctrine of Jesus Christ is set forth in it.
There are no mistranslations; there is no mysticism infused into it by men who
have had their own peculiar views of the doctrine of Christ; for in consequence
of the taking out from the ancient records (the Bible) of many plain and
precious parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the whole religious world is in
confusion as to the meaning of certain texts. So far as baptism itself is
concerned there is no end to contention. The Baptists say that immersion is
necessary and is right. Others say that it is wrong, and that sprinkling is
right. Others contend for infant baptism, while others say it is not of God.
Many claim that infant baptism is necessary, and that if a child is not
baptized, it is in danger of being consigned to the regions of the damned.
While others, again, contend for the pouring of water; and still others who
permit the candidate to elect which mode of baptism he will have, whether
sprinkling, immersion or pouring; while men are thus divided upon this subject,
Paul says there is but one baptism.
Now, the
Book of Mormon comes forth, and it speaks in exceeding great, plainness upon
this point. It not only gives the mode of baptism which Jesus gave to His
ancient disciples on this continent; but the very words to be used. It says
that they shall immerse candidates in the water; and it gives particular
directions about the laying on of hands, and about all the doctrines of the
church of Christ, or of the Gospel. No man who reads the Book of Mormon, need
be at a loss to know the doctrine of Christ. It is as plain as it is possible
for the English language to make it, and everybody can see it. Therefore, most
wonderfully, when united with the Bible, has it fulfilled this prediction—the
writings o f the descendants of Joseph, of which this Book is the record.
Another
most remarkable prediction is given in this same chapter; showing how plainly
the Lord revealed to His ancient servants who wrote this Book, that which
should take place in the last times. Lehi in speaking about Moses, said, that
the Lord had revealed to Joseph the Patriarch, that He would raise up a mighty
prophet named Moses, and that He should raise up for him a spokesman; that
Moses would not be mighty in word, but in deed. Here is what the Lord said unto
Joseph the Patriarch, as quoted by Lehi:
"And
the Lord said unto me also" [that is, Joseph the Patriarch], "I will
raise up unto the fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And
I, behold, I will give unto him, that he shall write the writing of the fruit
of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins, and the spokesman of thy loins shall
declare it."
After the
church had been organized some months, Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter
Whitmer, and Ziba Petersen were appointed by the prophet of God to visit the
western boundaries of Missouri. On their journey westward, they passed through
the western part of Ohio, where Parley had formerly lived and labored in
connection with the Reformed Baptists. They called upon one of the founders of
that sect, Sidney Rigdon. They found him in the town of Kirtland, gave him a
book of Mormon, and bore their testimony to him of the restoration of the
Gospel. Sidney Rigdon said to them: "You tell me a strange tale. I will
examine this book" and he commenced to do so. They were all young men,
Sidney Rigdon was many years their senior. Rigdon examined the book, and became
convinced that it was the word of God. He was baptized in the town of Kirtland,
and the foundation of a great work was laid there. God afterwards revealed that
this man was to be a spokesman, and he became the spokesman to this people and
to the world for the prophet Joseph. Those who knew Sidney Rigdon, know how
wonderfully God inspired him, and with what wonderful eloquence he declared the
word of God to the people. He was a mighty man in the hands of God, as a
spokesman, as long the prophet lived: or up to a short time before his death.
Thus you see that even this which many might look upon as a small matter, was
predicted about 1,700 years before the birth of the Savior, and was quoted by
Lehi 600 years before the same event, and about 2,400 years before its fulfillment,
and was translated by the power of God, through his servant Joseph, as was
predicted should be the case, and at a time, as I have said, when there was not
a man upon the earth who was a member of the church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. The church had not yet been organized, and Joseph did not
know, unless he knew by the spirit of revelation, whether any man would receive
the Gospel. I doubt whether he knew as to how the church would be organized. He
had some idea, doubtless; but there were many things which he himself did not
know, till he wrote this translation.
Time will
not permit me to proceed much further with this subject; I wish I had a day to
speak upon it; but I am now trespassing on Brother Joseph F. Smith's time.
There is
one prediction, however, I wish, before I sit down, to allude to, because I
think it is most signally fulfilled, namely:
"And
he said unto me, Behold there are, save two churches only;" [this was the
angel speaking to Nephi in the vision,] "the one is the church of the Lamb
of God, and the other is the church of the devil."
This is a
new thing. It is supposed there are a great many churches. The Lord here says
there is but one church outside of his own church.
"Wherefore,
whose belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God, belongeth to that great
church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the
earth.
"And
it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she
sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all
nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples.
"And
it came to pass that I beheld She church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers
were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon
many waters; nevertheless I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the
saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions
upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great
whore whom I saw.
"And
it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather
together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of
the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God."
At the
time this was written, a man would have been a bold man who would have
said—that is, unless he was inspired of God—that anything of this kind could
happen in these United States. One of the chief foundation stones of the great
fabric of Government in this land, upon this continent, is religious
liberty—liberty for every creed. Persecution of people for religion was unknown
at the time this was written, and no man, unless he had been inspired of God,
could have contemplated such a possibility as that any church would be
persecuted for religion's sake. Yet here was a prediction made by Nephi, 2,400
years before it took place, in which he foretold the condition of things in
this land, and upon all lands where the church of Christ should exist. There
should be combinations and peoples gathered together, by religious influences,
against the church of God. Now, what are the facts? Among the first persecutors
of this church, when its members were few, were those who were themselves
religious teachers. The earliest persecutors of Joseph Smith were religious
teachers, and the mobs in Missouri, and the mobs in Illinois, were led by
religious teachers. Even the mob that murdered our beloved Prophet and
Patriarch, and wounded our revered President—that mob was led by a local
Baptist preacher, and our people were driven from Nauvoo, as Brother Wens well
knows, by a mob headed by a preacher. And to-day, those who are inciting mobs
against this people; those who go to Congress, and incite persecutions against
us; those who fulminate threats and frame petitions; those who meet together in
conventions; those who gather together in conferences, are those who belong to
this "mother of abominations," this "whore of all the
earth," and it is through the influence of that accursed whore, that they
gather together and marshal their forces in every land against the Latter-day
Saints, the Church of the living God. The blood that has stained Georgia, and
that cries from the ground for vengeance upon those who shed it—that blood was
shed by mobs who were banded together, headed and "aided and egged on by
religious men; and if it were not for this "mother of abominations,"
and those who are connected with her, we could dwell in peace and in safety in
the valleys of these mountains. Here in this city, who has done as much or more
than any one else? The religious teachers, men who came here to preach what
they call the Gospel. They are stirring up strife continually, instead of
making peace; going back to other religious associations in the east, and
telling the most abominable falsehoods about us, exciting the public mind, in
order that they may get money with which to come here and accomplish their
wicked designs. They tell lies without number about us. Our newspapers have
exposed such people time and time again, and yet they shamelessly go forth and
repeat those lies about the wickedness of this people, about the intolerance of
this people, about the dangers they run when here in this country, when they
know, as we all know who are here to-day, that they have never been molested,
and that we have never injured them, nor interfered with them in any form, but
that we have always treated them with that respect and kindness with which we
desire to be treated ourselves.
In this
way, this word of God, through his servant Nephi, uttered 2,400 years ago, has
been and is being fulfilled to the very letter. Thus God is bringing to pass in
the most wonderful manner the words of this Book. It is going forth, as He said
it should, to all the nations of the earth. It is accomplishing that which He
designed it should, and it will go forth and accomplish its mission. There is
no power upon the earth that can stop it, because it is the word of God, and
the doctrines of' Jesus Christ, and it will be the means, as has been said, of
gathering out the honest from every nation, causing them to dwell in peace,
uniting them in doctrine, and putting an end to all controversy and contention
concerning points of doctrine, because it reveals the Gospel with great
plainness unto all those who will receive it.
Now, I
want to read one more prediction and then Stop. It is contained in the last
words of Moroni, concerning this work, namely:
"When
ye shall receive these things" says Moroni, (standing alone on the
continent, the last one of his race who had been true to God, not knowing what
his own fate would be; he leaves on record for us Gentiles, the world of God,
as he was inspired to give it, and thus he writes) "I would exhort you
that ye would ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these
things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real
intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by
the power of the Holy Ghost;
"And
by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things."
These are
the words of a prophet of God, standing in the face of eternity, not knowing
what his own fate would be. He leaves this, his dying declaration, on record,
at the close of this glorious book, which he was the instrument in the hands of
God, of hiding up to be brought forth in the latter times. He testifies that if
we will ask God concerning these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, we shall
know concerning the truth of them by the power of the Holy Ghost. Let me ask
this vast congregation: Has not this word of God, through his inspired prophet,
been fulfilled?
You men
and women and children, who have sought unto God, in the name of Jesus, as he
commanded you, have you not received, by the power of the Holy Ghost, a
testimony for yourselves, that these things are true, that this is the word of
God, divinely inspired, written by the finger of inspiration, and translated by
the power of God? [Yes]. I know that if I were to call for a response it would
be universal in this congregation, and not only in this congregation, but in
every congregation of the Latter-day Saints throughout all these mountains, and
scattered abroad among all the nations of the earth. I ask you, at the request
of my brethren, if this is no; true? All who know it is, and have received this
testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost, say yes—[the vast congregation
responded "YES" as by one voice.]
God bless
you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH
Referred to the Doctrine and Covenants as containing many indisputable evidences of the divine mission of Joseph Smith. He alluded to the revelation on war, given Dec. 25, 1832, part of which prediction was fulfilled in the civil war between the North and South. He then referred to another revelation given at Kirtland, Ohio, March, 1831, through Joseph the Prophet to Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt and Leman Copley, in which it was declared that before the great day of the Lord should come, Jacob should flourish in the wilderness and the Lamanites should blossom as the rose; that Zion should flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and should be assembled together unto the place which the Lord had appointed. Much of this had already been fulfilled, though announced by Joseph Smith long before such things in the history of this people were thought of. If Joseph had not uttered another prophecy, this alone would be sufficient to prove that he was an inspired man and told the truth. The speaker alluded to another revelation in which the Saints were promised that if they would hearken unto the Lord and keep His commandment, they should commence to prevail against their enemies from that hour, and testified that this too had thus far been fulfilled, and that it was the foreknowledge in the bosom of Satan of its complete and literal fulfillment which was stirring up his emissaries throughout the earth to fight against the kingdom of God. It would not be long be long before the world would be subdued under God's feet and Satan knew this better than many who profess to have that knowledge. It was no wonder the wicked raged, it was only surprising that there should be a Latter-day Saints not as fully awake to his work as Satan's emissaries were to theirs. It was grievous to think there should exist any need for reformation in the midst of this people.
It was fifty-four years since the Gospel and the Book of Mormon were placed before the world, and though no stone had been left unturned to prove them a delusion and forgery, their truth had never been and never could be disproved. It was truth that made our fortifications strong our bulwarks invulnerable. In conclusion he made an appeal to the missionaries. They should be willing to go to any place they were sent -- Great Britain, the Southern States, the Sandwich Islands or anywhere else. He knew a gifted man who apostatized because he was called to go to the Sandwich Islands, instead of to a more enlightened nation, feeling that he was disgraced in being sent to preach to the heathen. The speaker said he had always been thankful that he went there, and so was Brother Cannon, who was now the First Counselor to the President of the Church. More Apostles and Bishops had been chosen from Elders who went to the Sandwich Islands, in proportion to numbers, than from those who went to England. If a man wished to be exalted, he must humble himself, for if he exalted himself God would abase him.
[Joseph F. Smith]
[DNW 33:226, 4/30/84, p 2; JD 25:97]
REMARKS
BY PREST. JOSEPH F. SMITH, DELIVERED
At the General Conference, on Sunday morning, April 6th,
1884.
_____
REPORTED BY GEO. F. GIBBS.
_____
As the
time remaining is so short, I think I could not do better than devote it to
continuing the subject dwelt upon by Brother Cannon.
The
Doctrine and Covenants, as well as the Book of Mormon, contains indisputable
evidence of the divine calling and mission of Joseph Smith. For instance, I
will refer the congregation to the revelation given Dec. 25th, 1832, in
relation to the great war of the Rebellion, with which all are more or less
familiar. A portion of that revelation has been literally fulfilled, even to
the very place indicated in the prediction where the war should commence:
which, as was therein stated, was to terminate in the death and misery of many
souls. Again, in the revelation given in March, 1831, to Parley P. Pratt and
Lemon Copley, the following remarkable prediction is found:
"But
before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the
wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall flourish
upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together
unto the place which I have appointed."
Who, let
me ask, unless he was inspired of the Lord, speaking by the gift and power of
God, at that remote period of the Church's history, when our numbers were few,
when we had no influence, name or standing in the world—who, I would ask, under
the circumstances in which we were placed when this prediction was made, could
have uttered such words unless God inspired him? Zion is, indeed, flourishing
on the hills, and is rejoicing on the mountains, and we who compose it are
gathering and assembling together unto the place appointed. I now ask this
congregation if they cannot see that this prediction, (which was made many
years before the idea prevailed at all among this people that we should ever
migrate and gather out to these mountain valleys), has been and is being
literally fulfilled? If there were no other prophecy uttered by Joseph Smith,
fulfillment of which could be pointed to, this alone would be sufficient to
entitle him to the claim of being a true Prophet.
Again, in
the revelation given Feb. 24th, 1834, this remarkable promise and prophecy is
found:
"Verily,
verily I say unto you, I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize,
inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I the Lord
their God, shall give unto them. Behold, they shall, for I have decreed it,
begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour, and by hearkening to
observe all the words which the Lord their God shall speak unto them, they
shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under
my feet, and the earth is given unto the Saints, to possess it for ever and
ever."
Is there
a person within the sound of my voice, or anywhere else upon the face of the
wide earth, who can say that this promise has failed, that this prediction is
not founded in truth, that so far it has not been fulfilled? I stand before
this vast congregation, and am at the defiance of any human being to say, that
this was not pronounced by the spirit of truth, by the inspiration of the
Almighty, for it has been fulfilled, and is being fulfilled, and that, too, in
the face of opposition of the most deadly character: and what remains will be
fulfilled literally and completely. And it is the fear in the heart of Satan
that this will be the case, that causes him to stir up his emissaries to oppose
the Kingdom of God and seek, if possible, to destroy this great and glorious
work. For it is a living fact, a fact that fills the hearts of the righteous
and God-fearing with unspeakable joy and the hearts of the wicked and ungodly
with consternation and jealous fear that this work of God, this work of
redemption and salvation in which we are engaged, is moving forward and is
destined to continue in its onward march until the kingdoms of the world shall
be subdued and brought under the law of Almighty God. And that this will come
to pass, I can assure you, the enemy of all righteousness comprehends as well
as we do. Yes, he knows that this will eventually be the case, better than many
who profess to have received the Holy Spirit in their hearts; and, therefore,
he is diligently seeking to stir up the hearts of the wicked to fight against
the Saints of God, until they are discomfited, and Zion is free.
These
predictions concerning the triumph of the cause of God over wickedness, and the
triumph of the Saints of God over the wicked who contend against them, were
uttered by Joseph Smith in his youth, in the early rise of the Church when, to
all human appearance, their fulfillment was absolutely impossible. At that time
there were but few who could believe, that dared to believe the truth of these
predictions. The few, comparatively, that did believe when they heard, were
those whose minds had been enlightened by the Holy Spirit of promise and who,
therefore, were prepared to receive them. As these predictions have been
fulfilled, so those not yet fulfilled will come to pass in the due time of the
Lord; and as this latter-day work has so far grown and assumed force and power
in the earth, so it will continue to do, and there is no power beneath the
Celestial Kingdom that can prevent its growth, or the consummation of all that
has been predicted concerning it.
I do not
wonder that the enemies of righteousness are stirred up about this matter. I am
not surprised that the wicked rage and the heathen imagine a vain thing. I am
not astonished when certain men get mad, or that their souls are vexed within
them, that their minds are, perplexed, and that they feel wrought up with anger
against a people who have never injured them or theirs. One thing I am
surprised about in relation to this matter is, that the Latter-day Saints
themselves should not be as strongly aroused in the interest of the Kingdom of
God, as the enemies of truth are against it. When I contemplate the situation
as it is presented to my mind, I am astonished that so many of the Latter-day
Saints should be so indifferent and neglectful of duty that they cannot,
apparently, appreciate the importance of living their religion. I am surprised
that there should be any necessity for reformation among the Latter-day Saints,
that is, if I should be surprised at all; though surprised is not the
appropriate word to use, the word grieved, perhaps, might be used with greater
propriety in this sense. If I would allow myself to indulge in a feeling of
sorrow, I might indeed feel grieved that any of us should find ourselves in a
condition to require reform in our lives. It certainly cannot be in consequence
of the lack of evidences of the divinity of the work in which we are engaged,
as there are so many such evidences transpiring every day in our experience; in
fact the whole spectacle of this latter-day work is overwhelming in undeniable
proof to the people of God, at least, that it is His work; while the whole
world, on the contrary, are arrayed against it, because they cannot see the light.
You who have obeyed the requirements of the everlasting Gospel, and have been
chosen out of the world, having received the gift of the Holy Ghost, through
the laying on of hands, it is your privilege to receive the witness of the
Spirit for yourselves; it is your privilege to discern the mind and will of the
Father respecting your own welfare, and respecting the final triumph of the
work of God. Why, then, should we be told that "Mormonism" is true?
Why should we need any further proof that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, or
that his predictions are being fulfilled? Why should it be necessary to prove
that the word of God has come to the world through him, and that that word is
indisputable, that the world cannot gainsay it? The doctrines and revelations
believed in by the Latter-day Saints have now been before the world for 54
years, and during that time what the world has been pleased to call
"Mormonism" has been to them an unsolved problem. The sound of the
Book of Mormon has rung in the ears of the civilized world since the year 1830,
when it was published, and the report of it had gone forth and was being
agitated some time before that; and during the 54 years that that book has been
made public to the world, there has been no stone unturned by the most learned
men of the age to disprove it, and make it appear a delusion and imposition. In
this, however, they have signally failed, not being able to produce a single
argument that can not be successfully met by even the boys of this community.
This may seem a broad assertion, but it is nevertheless true. Our Elders have
been sent out as missionaries to the different nations now for the last 50
years, during which time they have testified to the truth of the Book of
Mormon, and have invited investigation of its pages. And although many in their
day and time have arisen either to ridicule or disprove the truths it contains,
their efforts have been futile, resulting only in their own dismay. It cannot
be disproved, for it is true. There is not a word or doctrine, of admonition,
of instruction within its lids, but what agrees in sentiment and veracity with
those of Christ and His Apostles, as contained in the Bible. Neither is there a
word of counsel, of admonition or reproof within its lids, but what is calculated
to make a bad man a good man, and a good man a better man, if he will hearken
to it. It bears the mark of inspiration from beginning to end, and carries
conviction to every honest-hearted soul. And because the Book of Mormon is a
true and authentic record of a people who once lived and flourished on this
American continent—and because God Himself has undertaken, through us, His weak
and erring children, to establish His rule and government on the earth in
answer to the prayers of His Saints, ancient and modern, and according to the
counsels of His own will—because it is verily so, devils rage and the wilfully
wicked are angered and seek the life and liberties of the Saints, and the
destruction of the work of the Lord; but in the name of Israel's God, they
never will be able to accomplish their purposes against us. As I have often
said, so I repeat, the best time the world ever saw, or ever will see, to
destroy "Mormonism," was on the 6th day of April, 1830. But they did
not do it then, and so they let the opportunity slip: and have ever since been
blindly struggling in the hope of doing something towards it. But the more they
struggle, the wider of the mark their efforts will be. This is my testimony. If
I had the power, and was called upon to do it, I would go to the ends of the
earth and would lift up my voice in testimony of this fact to every nation,
tongue and people, for I know that it is true.
Before I
close I want to say a word to our young men who are called as missionaries.
When a man is called to go on a mission, and a field of labor is assigned him,
he should, I think, say in his heart, not my will be done, but thine, O Lord.
We find it a little difficult sometimes to get the right men to go to certain
distant lands to preach the Gospel. It is sometimes thought, especially among
our young Elders, that Great Britain is the finest field labor the world; and,
consequently, they want to go there. They do not like to go to the Southern
States; they do not much fancy the Northern States; they do not care to go to
New Zealand, or to the Sandwich Islands. When we call men to go to Great
Britain, it is gratifying for them to respond cheerfully to the call and when
we call others to go to the Northern States, to New Zealand, or to the Sandwich
Islands, we do not want any to come and say, they want their field of labor
changed to England. We expect every man to be on hand to go wherever he may be
called, and then he may expect the blessing of the Lord to attend him in his
labors. I have been thankful only once since I went to the Sandwich Islands on
my first mission, and that has been ever since.
Soon
after I was sent there was a very bright, intelligent man called to go to the
Islands, and it was one of the causes of his apostasy. "What," said
he, "send me, a linguist, a man well read, an educated man, and an
Englishman at that, to preach to heathens?" He felt that he was not looked
upon with that consideration and respect that his scholarly attainments
commanded; he felt that he was slighted; and apostatized, and returned to his
native land, where he wrote a book against us, and has since died. When Brother
George Q. Cannon was called to go to the Islands, he had no such feelings. He
learned the language, and translated the Book of Mormon into the Hawaiian
language. He performed a glorious mission, and is now one of the First
Presidency of the Church. And singular as it may appear, out of the number of
Elders that have been on missions to the Sandwich Islands, I can count more
Apostles, more Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, and leading men, than can be
found in the same number that have gone to any other country. Why is this?
Perhaps it is because they manifested their willingness to descend below all
things, that they might rise above all things. If a man in this Church would be
exalted, let him humble himself; and he that would exalt himself, God will
abase.
God bless
Israel, and pour out His Spirit upon the household of faith, and strengthen us
to do the labors required of us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang:
How beautiful upon the mountains.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Benediction by Elder L. John Nuttall.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 33:181, 188, 4/9/84, p 5, 12]
2 p.m.
The choir sang:
Earth with her ten thousand
flowers,
Air with all its beams and showers.
Prayer by President W. B. Preston.
The choir sang:
'Twas on that dark and
solemn night
When powers of earth and hell arose.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered by the Bishopric of the 17th Ward.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Then read the following additional names of missionaries who were unanimously sustained by vote of the Conference.
GREAT BRITAIN
Wm.
Griffin, 10th Ward.
NORTH WESTERN STATES.
Wm.
Brown, Jr., Fayette.
Joseph U. Eldredge, 18th Ward,
Theodore Brandley, Richfield.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Wm.
S. Berry, Kanarra.
NEW ZEALAND.
John
W. Ash, Logan.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Geo.
T. Holdaway, Aurora,
Joseph S. Hyde, Spring City.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
Geo.
C. Naegle, Toquerville
INDIAN TERRITORY.
Israel
Bale, Nephi.
Frank Teasdale.
To labor at Washakie under the direction of Bishop I. E. D. Zundell,
John
Dutton, Brigham.
He then presented the General Authorities of the Church as follows, all of whom were sustained by the uplifted hand of the entire Conference:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant.
Owing to a vacancy occurring by the decease of Charles C. Rich, in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, John W. Taylor was elected to the office and was sustained by the unanimous vote of the Conference.
By request of President George Q. Cannon Elder John W. Taylor arose and expressed his willingness to accept the office, and asked the faith and prayers of the Saints in his behalf.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
the counselors to President John Taylor -- the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies -- Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Wm. W. Taylor, Abram H. Cannon and Seymour B. Young.
To fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of John Van Cott, in the Quorum of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies, Elder Christian D. Fjeldsted was appointed to fill that office, and was sustained by the united vote of the Conference.
A vacancy having arisen in the Presiding Bishopric, in the death of Bishop Edward Hunter, Wm. B. Breston was unanimously sustained by the vote of the Conference as the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and being called upon to make a few remarks said, "Let the will of the Lord be done. by the faith, confidence and prayers of the Saints, the counsel of my brethren and the blessing and assistance of God I will endeavor to do my best. Amen.
Counselors to the Presiding Bishop of the Church, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President -- The Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Wilford Woodruff as Historian for the Church, and General Church Recorder, and F. D. Richards as his assistant.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings.
Owing to Elder George Goddard being called on a mission to Great Britain, and a vacancy as Clerk of the General Conference being thereby created, John Nicholson was appointed to the office and sustained by the unanimous vote of the conference.
Elders George F. Gibbs and John Irvine were sustained by unanimous vote as Church reporters.
The Missionaries whose names had been called during this conference, were requested to meet in the Social Hall at 9 o'clock a.m., Monday, April 7th, to be set apart for their respective missions.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Then addressed the congregation. He referred to the greatness of the work of God and showed its peculiar character in reaching into the eternities, both past and present, while the works of men began and ended with time. He spoke of the eternal nature of the Priesthood and its covenants, and of the principles of the Gospel, as enjoyed by Noah, Melchisedec, Abraham and other ancient worthies, as well as by those to whom God had revealed these things in the latter-days. The outside world were ignorant or these glorious truths; as ignorant as the Saints were before God enlightened them. He dwelt upon the mission of Elijah, whom Malachi foretold should precede the coming of the great and terrible day of the lord, to "turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers," lest the earth should be smitten with a curse. After depicting the judgments of the "great and terrible day," as shown by Isaiah and other ancient prophets, the speaker showed how Elijah had been sent and had conferred upon Joseph Smith the keys of his ministry, as well as others who had likewise appeared for a similar purpose.
He showed that in building temples and baptizing for the dead, the Saints were carrying out the work, the keys of which were bestowed by Elijah upon Joseph, and were thereby preparing to be saviors upon Mount Zion, and to be perfected like Enoch and his city of old, who were translated for their righteousness. He showed how Satan was interested in leading away the children of men, how he incited the killing of Abel, the crucifixion of Christ, and had always employed what some men in our day termed "heroic measures" to destroy the work of God and put an end to His servants. He [portrayed the great mercy of God in sending Christ to preach to the spirits in prison, which were disobedient in the days of Noah when the floods were sent to destroy them, and exhorted the Saints to be likewise merciful and charitable to those who sought their overthrow.
At the time the civil war broke out in this land, he felt like weeping over the people, for he had foreseen their troubles, and they were not over yet. Worse times were coming upon the nations than had yet been known. But the Saints had a great work to do and must do it, leaving their enemies in the hands of God, who would deal out justice and mercy to all. No power could hinder the building up of Zion, the gathering of the elect, and the fulfillment of all God had decreed for this the dispensation of the fullness of times. The speaker counseled obedience and fidelity to God and His work, and called upon all who were willing to so live, to say "aye." The response was universal from the assembled multitude. The speaker then blessed them in the name of the Lord.
Conference was adjourned till the 6th of October.
The choir sang an anthem: "The Gathered Saints."
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
GEORGE GODDARD, Clerk.
_____
[6 Apr, 7 pm]
[DNW 33:185, 4/9/84, p 9]
Priesthood Meeting. -- Pursuant to announcement a meeting of the Priesthood was held last evening in the Assembly Hall, convening at 7 o'clock. The hall was well filled by representatives of the Priesthood of the various stakes of Zion. After the singing of a hymn and prayer by President Woodruff, the assembly was addressed by President John Taylor, who dwelt with great earnestness upon the importance of the work which the Saints were carrying on under the direction of the Lord, and the necessity of magnifying their Priesthood and building up Zion. He was followed by President Joseph F. Smith on the same and kindred topics, and President George Q. Cannon then made remarks of equal interest, supplemented by a few words from President Woodruff. The instructions of the brethren were very pointed and forcible and were full of interest to all.
4-7 Oct 1884, 54th Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly, 33:596, 10/8/84, p 4; 33:614, 10/15/84 p 6; Millennial Star 46:673,589,705]
[4 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 33:596, 10/8/84, p 4]
FIFTY-FOURTH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-Fourth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the large Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Oct. 4th, 1884.
Present on the stand: -- Of the First Presidency, John taylor, George Q. Cannon.
Of the Twelve apostles, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselor to the Twelve, Daniel H. Wells.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Horace S. Eldredge, Abram H. Cannon and Seymour B. Young.
Of the presiding Bishopric, William B. Preston and Robert T. Burton.
Also a number of Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and Elders from various parts of Utah and surrounding states and Territories.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: --
Hail to the brightness of
Zion's glad morning!
Joy to the lands that in darkness have lain!
Opening prayer by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
Softly beams the sacred
dawning
Of the great Millennial morn.
Was sung by the choir.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Said we are met this morning to attend our Semi-Annual Conference, and to attend to the various kinds of business that may be presented to us, associated with the interests of the kingdom of God on the earth. We have met for this purpose for a great many years, and have enjoyed ourselves generally very much on such occasions. Being gathered to hear and to speak, and to present doctrines, principles and business, it is proper for us to thank God the Eternal Father and seek for his guidance and blessings in all things we may engage in. We occupy a peculiar position among the nations, and associated with this nation. It is proper for us to seek to comprehend our relationship to our Heavenly Father and Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant and heavenly intelligences, and the relationship we sustain to each other, and the kingdom of God on the earth, and understand the various duties devolving upon us in connection with the Church, this nation and all other nations, to whom we have a message to deliver. We must also seek to understand all the duties of life. People are gathered here from all the Stakes. The representatives of the people should always be present on these occasions, especially the Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and Counselors, High Counselors and the officers of the Church generally, that they, and through them the people of Zion, may be instructed in regard to all the leading principles developed on these occasions.
On account of the weather being inclement not many are present. The old people, however, are well represented, and it is to be presumed the younger ones are stopping at home to take care of themselves. When they get older they will probably learn better. We are living in peculiar times and the position of the Latter-day Saints is a singular one. This is the dispensation of the fulness of times, when all things in heaven and on earth are to be gathered together in one. The principles of salvation in this dispensation are and will continue to be more clearly taught in this than in any former dispensation. The Lord has initiated it by opening the heavens. He is gathering to Himself a people, to whom He has revealed things that have been hidden from the beginning. all His promises will be fulfilled both in regard to the living and the dead. Our duties embrace all conditions connected with human life past, present and future. God has greatly blessed us in our settlements, and continues to increase us year after year, and we feel to rejoice in the God of Israel.
There is in the world and this nation strong hatred to us as a people, and we have to endure persecution, reproach and falsehood set on foot to injure us. Yet these things make but little difference to us. We know in whom we believe and that God has set his hand to accomplish his purposes in the last days; no power can stay His work. As regards other people and their ideas it matters but little to us. Although they show a disposition to break the Constitution and bring us into vassalage, God has maintained our freedom, and if we do right He will continue to do so. We are commanded to preach the Gospel. This has been done and thousands inspired by the fear of God have gathered here in consequence. And the Lord has blessed us in our gathering together; in our houses, orchards, gardens, fields, flocks and the labor of our hands. Although we have some settlements which have suffered from floods the crops throughout are generally good and the granaries are full to running over. God's mercy has been manifested unto us. There is generally manifested among the people a desire to act as becomes Saints of the Most High God. We feel grateful unto the God of heaven for his mercy. There is occasionally a complaint that the brethren have a large amount of grain and it fetches a low price, and embarrassments arise from this situation. But we may have worse things than plenty of wheat, cattle, sheep and other substances. There are thousands of happy homes and families, with as good prospects as are before any other people in existence. Jesus said his disciples are known by the love they bear each other. It applies to the Saints now. While contentions exist elsewhere we do not have them, for the Lord is teaching us a better way. There have been times when we did not have much substance to trouble us to take care of. A visit paid by the speaker and others to the northern settlements, on which occasion a distance of a thousand miles was traversed, and a most satisfactory condition found to exist. A similar report comes from the south. It is desired that the people preserve themselves in all purity, and that all may operate together in the building up of Zion, teaching our children the principles of life, continuing our labors until the will of God is done on the earth as it is done in heaven. President Taylor concluded by expressing this pleasure at meeting with the people, and desiring the blessing of God upon the Conference.
APOSTLE WILFORD WOODRUFF
Said it is a consolation to know that we are engaged in the work of god; to live in this day when the eternal Priesthood has been committed to men, and when there is an organized Church of Christ on the earth. We should be thankful for the privileges we enjoy in this connection. but few people comparatively of any age have been ready to receive the testimony of Jesus Christ and receive His Gospel. It is a narrow path to walk in. As we have learned, no man can live Godly in Christ Jesus without suffering persecution. There has never been a more unpopular doctrine among humanity than that incorporated in the Gospel. Almost eighteen hundred years elapsed subsequent to the days of the ancient church established by Christ without any one having the privilege of beholding the face of a directly authorized servant of God. His authority has been again restored, however, and the command has been given to go forth and prune his vineyard for the last time. We occupy a different position from that of any people to whom a dispensation was ever committed. Each formerly has been dispelled -- driven from the earth -- because of the hold Satan has had over the hearts of men, but this dispensation cannot be removed. A promise has been given that it shall remain until the purposes of the Most High in relation to the earth and its inhabitants have been consummated.
We have been ordained of God to build temples, go therein and redeem our dead. This appears to be a special feature of this work, so far at least as its extent is concerned. We have had considerable experience in the organization of the Priesthood in its various ramifications. We have the various quorums in their order, and in the several organizations the brethren should meet often together and instruct each other in the duties of their callings. All men in their several capacities should improve their time and talents, that the power of god may be increased. The word of Wisdom should be obeyed. The Spirit of God will not dwell in unholy temples. We are held responsible for the declaration of the Gospel to the Gentiles first and then to the House of Israel. We have gone to nearly every nation where openings could be made for the introduction of the Gospel, and our efforts must not be slackened. There are the Lamanites, who are a fallen and degraded people. God has given us a knowledge of the history of their forefathers. We have endeavored to teach them to reform from shedding the blood of their fellowmen, and those instructions have had a salutary effect upon them. It is our duty to teach them both by precept and example. After the Gentiles entirely turn from the Gospel it will be taken to the Jews. How long it will be before that will take place does not appear. God has, as stated by President Taylor, greatly blessed us, and we should dedicate our entire substance to the Lord. We are all on this earth on missions, and we have no other legitimate business than to build up the Kingdom of God, concerning the glorious future of which we have no doubt, as it will prevail and stand forever, in accordance with the predictions of the prophets. The speaker continued to speak for some time upon the free agency of man and the promises of God to the faithful.
Now let us rejoice in the
day of salvation.
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.
Adjourned till 2 p.m.
Benediction by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
_____
[4 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 33:596, 10/8/84, p 4]
Afternoon session.
O, awake! my slumb'ring
minstrel,
Let my harp forget its spell.
was sung by the choir. Prayer by Apostle Brigham Young
The choir sang:
We're not ashamed to own our
Lord,
And worship Him on earth.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
Addressed the Conference. He read a passage in the Book of doctrine and Covenants, beginning on page 224, in which fasting and prayer or rejoicing and prayer are spoken of and certain blessings of the fulness of the earth promised to the Saints on condition of their obedience. He also read a passage beginning on page 189, which predicts that eventually all who do not take their sword against their neighbor among the wicked, will have to flee to Zion for safety; and described the gathering to it of people from every nation under the heaven. He next quoted from the hymn beginning: "Hushed, be the accents of sorrow and mourning, Zion in triumph begins her glad reign," and proceeded to speak in substance as follows: We may be profited this afternoon, as on all similar occasions, it is necessary to place our minds in a condition of faith and prayer, that we may have the Spirit tat takes of the things of God and makes them clearly manifest. The quotations made were suggested by the discourse delivered by President Taylor this morning. In each dispensation the Lord has exhibited the special blessings he designed to bestow upon the particular people to whom the revelations were given. All that was necessary to bring about the reception of those blessings was compliance with the conditions upon which their bestowal rested. Opposition would not prevent the giving of promised blessings; neither would any other condition, except a failure to obey the laws upon which they are predicated, on the part of the people to whom the promises were made. The experience of the children of Israel in Egypt was an illustration of this truth. The Lord promised them deliverance, and notwithstanding all the force brought to bear against the accomplishment of the work of freeing them, the Lord so arranged matters that it was attained. It was so also in the days of the Savior when He set up the Church. He gave certain directions to his disciples, the carrying out of which, according to the promise, was to bring certain peculiar blessings. There were all kinds of opposition to cause the promises of God to be of no effect, but the blessings flowed whenever the requisite conditions were complied with. Gamaliel in that day counseled the people not to oppose the disciples lest they be found fighting against God; that if the work were not of divine origin it would be brought to nought, whereas if otherwise it could not be prevailed against. This was excellent advice and incorporated a true principle.
The time has been in the history of the Latter-day Saints when it appeared as if nothing but starvation stared them in the face, yet the promises incorporated in the quotations made were before them, and the promises of the Almighty never failed. Many of the Saints in Europe have been in the most distressing and unpromising circumstances, and with no earthly prospects of deliverance, but the promises of the Lord were that He would gather them to Zion where they would be prospered, and how wonderfully these things have been fulfilled. All this has been done by the power of the Almighty. It could not have been done by the unaided power of man. This is not the most important point God has accomplished. Before we were reached by the servants of God we were in spiritual bondage, we knew not our relationship to the Almighty nor the nature of our earthly mission. Our minds have been illuminated in relation to heavenly things. We received the Holy Ghost through obedience, and this gave us an assurance of the divine character of the message we had received. We felt that there had been a divine recognition of the administration of the ordinances which we received tat the hands of the Elders. We were established upon the rock of revelation, every man and woman knowing of the doctrine for him or herself. The nation and nations may make an effort to destroy the Church; and a Gamaliel might arise and with good ground give the same advice as was tendered by him of olden time. We see that God has fulfilled His promises He has made to us, and our faith extends into the eternities, embodying the assurance of a glorious and everlasting reunion of the closest associations formed in this life.
There is no need of cultivating a feeling of fear in regard to our future, but it would be well for the nations to take heed how they oppose this work. Every attempt in that direction thus far has failed. An attempt has been made to stop the immigration from abroad, which signally failed. An effort has also been made to stop the increase of the Latter-day Saints in other ways, but no power on earth can accomplish this, and the flocks of intelligent children will continue to grace our homes and assemblages.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
was the next speaker. He said in substance: For about five weeks past he had been visiting the Saints in the Stakes in Utah, Colorado and Arizona. The people are generally in a peaceful, healthful and prosperous condition, dwelling together in unity and love, without anything to mar their peace except some destruction from floods in the San Juan country and some persecution from unprincipled persons in Apache County, Arizona. It has been instituted for political purposes. It will have the effect probably of establishing the righteous more firmly in the faith of the gospel and weeding out the unfaithful. Many improvements have been made in the South, and the climate has apparently modified. Openings are plentiful for new settlers and land can be obtained on easy terms. Grain, vegetables and fruit of excellent quality are raised in abundance. At Woodruff especially more help is needed. The climate is unsurpassed by any other. At St. Joseph the United Order is conducted successfully according to stewardships.
The speaker continued to give interesting details about the country occupied by the Saints in the outlying settlements, and as a synopsis would not given adequate idea of that portion of his discourse, the account is left for a verbatim report which will appear in due time.
Taking up another line of remarks he spoke of the opposition with which the Saints have to contend. It is remarkable that one class of the human family prey upon another as wolves prey upon lambs. The spirit of the Gospel causes men to be gentle, in accordance with the symbol by which the Holy Ghost was manifested when bestowed upon the Savior, being in the form of a dove. Christ was called the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the World. He exhibited the spirit of submission in his course on the earth, yet, as He said to His disciples, He had the power to call twelve legions of angels to his aid. but he knew that this would not be according to the Father's will. So has He commanded the Latter-day Saints to have faith in the overruling providence of God. The highest type of humility and patience is exhibited by the Saints, and the greatest extremes of ferocity and hate are manifested by their enemies, and all these things are necessary for the carrying out of the purposes of the Almighty and the purifying of His people; also that those who choose evil rather than good may be eventually consigned to their place. We can afford to take persecution joyfully seeing that we have come to an understanding of the object of our earthly existence. We should take to heart the injunction of Christ, not to lay up treasures on earth, but prefer to seek heavenly riches. This does not imply that the people should be restrained from attending to the wants of the body, but the entire attention should not be absorbed by those things that pertain merely to temporalities. It is necessary to cultivate that love that looks charitably upon the acts of others, and seeks to do good and no evil, exemplifying the characteristics of the dove and the lamb.
The speaker continued to dwell for some time upon the necessity of industry, administering a settling rebuke to those inclined to idleness. He spoke of the increase of the children of the Saints, and said the people might have to pass through trying ordeals on account of the wickedness of those who sought their destruction, but if so the result would be ultimate salvation and glory to those who endued to the end and maintained their integrity to the truth.
The choir sang:
O ye mountains high, where
the clear blue sky
Arches over the vales of the free.
Adjourned till Sunday, Oct. 5th. Benediction by Apostle Albert Carrington.
_____
[5 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 33:596-597, 10/8/84, p 4-5]
SECOND DAY
_____
Sunday, April 5th, 10 a. m.
See how the morning sun
Pursues his shining way.
Was sung by the choir.
"Come, follow me,"
the Savior said;
Then let us in His footsteps tread.
APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS.
He quoted from the book of Doctrine and Covenants, beginning at verse 25, on page 250, and ending at verse 33, showing the mind of the Lord regarding the responsibility of parents in instructing their children, the keeping of the Sabbath, and the law in relation to idlers in Zion.
He also read form the same book, Section 29, from verse 46 to 48, inclusive, concerning the unconditional redemption of little children who die before reaching the years of accountability, and their sinlessness and freedom from the temptation of Satan until they arrive at that condition.
He then proceed with his discourse, which was substantially as follows:
Referring to our little children, who are becoming a mighty host, I will make a few remarks. In early days our increase was largely made up by our immigration from distant parts of the world. That sort of addition has somewhat decreased of late years, and it now depends to a greater extent upon the children who are multiplied to the people of God. We should benefit by our experiences. There is a feeling in the world to treat children with indifference, but this is decreasing among the Saints. Our Savior said, when it was evinced that some considered children of lesser importance than grown people, "suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Those who have attended our Sabbath schools and heard the little ones recite have rejoiced to witness the early germinations of intelligence exhibited by them. The same can be said in relation to the juvenile exercises at the meetings of the primary associations. Jesus said "their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven." they are unblemished by sin. When Christ visited the Nephites on this continent, as recorded in the book of Mormon, he caused the power of God to be made manifest through the children and they spoke wonderful words of wisdom. Our children will, many of them, yet be prophets, seers and revelators, and judges in Israel. As has been said, children are not susceptible to temptation by Satan, until they reach the years of accountability. We cannot begin to instruct them at a too early stage of their lives, and they should be duly prepared by instruction to receive intelligently the ordinances of baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands by the Elders for the reception of the Holy Ghost. They should be taught to venerate the principles of the Gospel in early childhood, so that when the time of responsibility is reached they may take hold of them heartily. It should be a leading effort to preserve people in purity throughout their lives, and this can be the more closely reached by laying a proper foundation in the early portion of human existence. It is recorded that little children who depart this life before reaching the years of accountability are taken into the presence of God, and that they will inherit a celestial glory. The Prophet Joseph even taught that some of them are so precious and holy that the Father takes them hence rather than allow them to remain to come under the many adverse conditions to be met with in this life. In view of these truths, is it not extraordinary that parents will turn over their children to people who are opposed to the principles of salvation to be taught in such a way as to wean them from the path of eternal life? Those teachers find that members of the Church who are matured in the truth cannot be turned away from it, and they admit that their only hope lies in winning the children to their views.
In relation to the initatory ordinances of the Gospel, the Elders go abroad and preach, people believe and are baptized, for the remission of sins and have hands laid upon them that they may secure the Holy Ghost, and through those ordinances the power of God is made manifest. There is one ordinance, however, that has been generally neglected. The Lord had commanded that when a house, town, county or other place is visited by the Elders and they are received their peace should be pronounced, and if they are rejected they should go privately, wash their feet and witness to their Father in Heaven that they have delivered their message and borne testimony concerning the Gospel. It is not necessary that the Elders should enter into contentions with people opposed to them, neither should they expose themselves to destruction at the hands of the wicked, but do as the Lord has commanded in those things; not openly, however, for such a course would doubtless cause bitterness and hate to be increased toward them among the ungodly.
The speaker made some clear and instructive remarks in relation to finding work for the unemployed and the carrying of the gospel to the nations of the earth. He showed clearly how those who were too aged or otherwise disabled from going out into the world and preaching, could render themselves specially useful in one important department -- looking after the interests of the immigrants who come here by helping them to establish themselves in accordance with the customs and conditions of the country.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 33:754, 12/17/84, p 2; JD 25:371, 26:1]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday morning, October
5th, 1884.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I will
read a few verses contained in the 68th section of the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants, a book of revelation and commandment, which the Lord has given unto
us in this last dispensation, for our guidance:
"And
again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her Stakes which
are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance,
faith in Christ, the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the
Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands when eight years old, the sin be upon
the heads of the parents;
"For
this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her Stakes which
are organized;
"And
their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight
years old, and receive the laying on of hands;
"And
they shall also teach their children to pray and to walk uprightly before the
Lord.
"And
the inhabitants of Zion shall, also, observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy;
"And
the inhabitants of Zion, also, shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they
are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in
remembrance before the Lord.
"Now,
I the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are
idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they
also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of
greediness."
I will
also read from the 29th section of the same book:
"But,
behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation
of the world through mine Only Begotten;
"Wherefore,
they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children,
until they begin to be accountable before me;
"For
it is given unto them even as I will, according to mine own pleasure, that
great things may be required at the hand of their fathers."
Referring
to our little children, who are becoming, numerically, a mighty host among us,
I wish to make a few remarks this morning, the subject seeming to impress
itself on my mind somewhat. A consideration of the associations of our young
men and young women, reminds us that before they become young men and young
women, in the common acception of the term, they are younger men and younger
women; and while infant children are in a dependent and somewhat helpless
condition. As the tall oaks from little acorns grow, and as mighty rivers are
made up from small streamlets and springs that come from hidden sources in the
mountains, so is the increase of God's people by reason of their little
children that are growing—increasing in number and multiplying continually in
the land. In early days our increase used to be made up, in a great measure, by
emigrants from foreign nations. The past few years our emigration has attained
to some three or four thousand, annually, from the various countries in which
missions are established, while it has increased many times that number from
the great and glorious presence of God our Father, who sends the spirits to
this world to dwell. Hence it becomes the great source of our supply, of our
increase, and I am sure you will join with me, many of you, this morning in
realizing that we have not, in many instances, given a sufficient and proper
consideration for our little children that have been committed unto us, when we
realize the importance, the eternal consequences that are made to flow from the
beginning of their tuition and education here in thin mortal life.
Many of
this people, who have lived faithful to their professions, know more to-day of
God and His purposes, than they did fifty years ago. We learn by experience as
well as by precept, from the Lord, and as in the light of our experience we
have obtained observation and got knowledge, we should not only profit by it
ourselves, but as Elders. in Israel we should endeavor to benefit and improve
each other by our experiences, so that we may increase in understanding before
the Lord in all our relations to Him and to each other.
Now,
concerning little children, there is too much of an inclination with
many—particularly in the world, but this feeling is growing much less among the
Saints—to treat their children with indifference, to put them off, and to think
that a very little of anything will do them very well. Children are apt to be
waited on even at the table after the feasted and friends are all served.
I will
not stop to dilate upon this particular feature of my subject, but will turn to
a more pleasing one. Our Savior while here in the flesh, perceiving the people
thought that children were of less importance than grown persons, was much,
displeased and said: "Suffer the little children to come unto me and
forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom, of God." Who, I ask, among my
hearers this morning has been attending the Sunday School and listened to their
recitations that has not felt their hearts warmed within them at hearing the
early germinations of intelligence made manifest and apparent while they have
been reciting the Scriptures, the revelations and maxims from the cards that
are now in use in the Sabbath Schools? Who has listened to their songs, so
sweet and melodies, without feeling that the very blessing of the Lord was
there, that it was delightful and lovely to be in their midst? Who has gone
into the little associations of the Primaries, now held so regularly, among us,
and heard them answer their questions, from perhaps the youngest that were able
to speak distinctly and articulate so as to be heard—heard them answer the
questions put by their teachers concerning the kind of knowledge they are
expected to obtain and are obtaining—who among us have attended these
associations and listened to those little ones, without feeling the fragrance
of heaven shed abroad upon their souls and being sensible that there is to be
found in them a beauty of innocence, of sweetness and purity that we cannot
expect in the hearts of a concourse of grown people? Jesus said of them:
"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of
such is the kingdom of heaven." He might also have said, "their
angels, their spirits had always dwelt in the presence of God, or before the
face of my Father which is in heaven." Learn this, mothers, when you
sorrowfully lay away your little ones—learn this: their spirits do always dwell
before the face of their Father who is in heaven, and let your hearts be
comforted, no sin has contaminated their souls, no spot of contamination has
tarnished their young and tender consciences. There is purity, the purity of
the pure here on earth. What has the Lord said, "That little children are
redeemed from the foundation of the world, through mine Only Begotten;
wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little
children, until they begin to become accountable before me; for it is given
unto them even as I will, according to mine own pleasure, that great things may
be required at the hands of their fathers."
When He
was here upon this continent, our risen Redeemer taught the Nephites, and
blessed their children in multitudes.
So
powerfully was the Holy Ghost poured out upon them that they spake with
tongues. Infants that had no learning at all, declared forth His praise in such
glorious, exalted terms, that the brethren present, could not write them. Such
was the blessing and favor of heaven, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
shed abroad upon the innocent portion of humanity that was permitted to stand
in His presence.
Then,
seeing that the heavens are so pleased with them, ought not we to understand
and entertain a higher estheate of their value, of their heavenly worth, and of
their eternal importance, especially when we consider that from these small
children that mothers are nursing upon their laps will by and by have grown up
Prophets, Seers and Revelators, Judges in Israel, men of God standing forth
upon the earth declaring His counsels building up His Kingdom in all
righteousness, and in the power of God. Remember then: that as the twig is bent
the tree will be inclined.
Let me
call your attention to a particular feature in the matter of children and their
early condition. In the revelation which I have read to you, the Lord says:
"Power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children until they begin
to become accountable before me." Did yea notice this when I read it? Let
me ask how many of those present have taken this great truth into serious
consideration, to consciously sense this great heavenly indemnity of a few years'
growth to each of our infant children in which Satan has no power to tempt
their innocent souls; that whatsoever the examples placed before them,
whatsoever their early inclinations by reason of erroneous teachings, yet until
they are made accountable Satan has no power to tempt them, and they are still
innocent before the Lord, until they come to the years of accountability when
they should be instructed and prepared to be baptized into the Church, and
become members of it.
People of
other religious denominations tell us that if we will give them the education
of our children for a certain number of years, they will wrest them from us,
turn them loose upon the world, cause them to depart from the faith of their
fathers and despise their parentage, Seeing this is the design of our enemies,
and they are conscious of being able and are endeavoring to do this with our
children, ought we not to sense more deeply the value of that same
consideration—yes, but in a thousand-fold greater degree—we ought to see to it
that the faith of our children is preserved sound, healthy, and kept growing in
their bosoms. How important, then, that we teach and educate our children
during the first eight years of their lives, so that when they attain to that
age they may be admitted into the Church by baptism, and receive the laying on
of the hands of the Elders for the reception of the Holy Ghost, then they will
have the aid of that heavenly monitor that will assist the formation of their
growing judgments.
Let us
consider this matter more carefully than we have done. Let us see that while
there is a suspension of the wrath—if we may so ear—of Satan, that he has not
power to tempt our children who have been born under the covenant—let us see
that we attend to them, and let us give an assiduity to the business of
teaching and preparing their young and tender minds, that we have never given
before.
What is
the great object and purpose of this life while we are here upon the earth?
What one thing, if possible, is more important than another? It is this: that
as our children come to us innocent—for the revelation tells us that all men
are innocent when they are born into the world, and have these early years of
indemnity from the power of the tempter to tempt them to sin—let us go to and make
a better use than we have done of the opportunities we enjoy. Let us instill
faith into the tender hearts of our children, faith towards God, obedience to
their parents, obedience to the authorities of the Church, that when they come
to years of accountability, they may take hold for themselves, with a hearty,
strong and loving relish for the principles of the Gospel of divine truth. Let
us endeavor to realize the importance of this matter. And what is that other
thing we want to preserve to them? It is this: as they come to this life
innocent, if men and women can be taken though this life innocent, and sin not
before the Lord, and receive of His Spirit and walk in the light of it, so that
while passing through this state of probation they shall have maintained a
condition of innocence through the blessing of the everlasting Gospel, they
will have accomplished a wonderful thing—the great object and purpose of their
mortal lives. This is the great thing to be sought for—to preserve that
innocence with which our children are horn, and in which they are permitted to
live a few years, at any rate, free from the power of Satan. It seems to me
that if we contemplate this matter in the light of revelation, we ought to see
its importance. The Lord has given to us the privilege of being united in the
holy marriage covenant for time and eternity. We look forward to inheriting the
blessings of the kingdom of God with our children, and that to their increase
there shall be no end. This was the Gospel that was preached to Father
Abraham—that he and his children and his generation should become as the stars
in the heavens for multitude, and like the sands on the sea shore that cannot
be counted. We look for blessing, dominion, exaltation and glory in the eternal
worlds, through similar means.
Now,
then, my brethren and sisters, I wish to ask a question at this stage of my
discourse. Realizing something of the value which the heavens set upon the
children; remembering that the Prophet Joseph Smith himself taught and left on
record in his history that little children who depart this life before riley
come to the years of accountability go back to the presence of God; that many
children were of so excellent a spirit that God, in His grace and mercy, took
them away from the adverse conditions of this life, that they might not be
required to suffer as many others had to; this being their position before the
heavens, what are we to think of parents, who, having these principles before
them, turn their children over to our avowed enemies to be educated, knowing
that their policy is to breakdown "Mormonism," especially the
authority of the Priesthood to counsel, direct and govern the people, I say,
what are we to think of such parents? How can those people do such things and
be justified in the sight of God? It seems to me they must be consummately
ignorant or consummately wicked to do such a thing. I should think it right
that such be refused certain privileges of the Gospel, until they had a better
idea in regard to these things. I do not see how they can themselves feel that
they have a right to open up to further intelligence, or to have further
blessings bestowed upon them. If people are so insensible to and so ungrateful
for blessings already conferred, how can they expect more? Oh; that such people
would turn round and understand the foolishness and sinfulness of their course,
for if they do not repent, their action will bring sorrow and affliction, until
their gray hairs will come with sorrow to their graves.
It
appears in contemplating this subject—more especially since the great work of
the Sunday schools has been going on in our midst, since the vast labor of the
mutual improvement associations has been inaugurated among our young men and
young women—that there is a stupendous work before us, that our children, while
they are on our laps, and while prattling in and about our homes, developing
the first germinations of intelligence—that then is the time to instil the
first ideas of faith towards God and His work, into their young and tender
minds. The wicked world are endeavoring to wean away our children by their
arts, their publications, and by the blandishments of falsely so-called
"superior civilization." They would like to draw away the young and
rising generation of Israel. They have learned that we their parents have the
principles of the Gospel established in us, and that we are not easily
moved, unless we fall into transgression. They find that their purpose of
building up their churches by conversions from amongst our people is futile and
hopeless. They find that the Gospel of eternal truth is established in the
hearts of this people; that we have received something which satisfies the
human mind, a something which they have not got to offer. They find that they
cannot furnish the human mind with the satisfying influence and effects which
are afforded by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Great and
abundant are the blessings that are promised unto those who seek unto the Lord
in the days of their youth. They who seek Him early shall find Him, and from
such He will not turn away. It was anciently a divine injunction with promise
to the youth of Israel, that they were to reverence and obey their fathers and
their mothers, that their days might be long in the land which the Lord their
God gave to them; and this promise—renewed to our children with the same
conditions now—should be esteemed and regarded with equal or greater deference
to that anciently bestowed.
The whole
tenor of God's dealings and instructions to His people have been enriched and
adorned with affectionate remembrance, instruction and illustration of the
youth of His people. They are the redeemed of Christ from before the foundation
of the world. Jesus said their angels or spirits do always behold the face of
my Father which is in heaven. He has promised that they shall come forth in the
first resurrection, that they "shall grow up until they become old," and
when he would demonstrate who should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven,—He
took a little child and placed him in their midst, saying, "Except ye
repent and become as this little child, ye can in no wise enter therein; but
whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in
the kingdom of heaven; and whosoever shall receive one such little child in my
name receiveth me."
In
relation to all these matters, there is a great deal of importance attached to
them, not only in the matter of our children—which seems to be of primary
importance to us,—but in the preaching of the Gospel. We that have ministered
in the Gospel have learned of the truth of that Gospel, and are able to
comprehend by the Spirit in some degree the revelations and commandments which
have been given for the guidance of the Church. It is by virtue of repentance
and baptism for the remission of sins that men's sins are remitted. It is by
attending to certain ordinances that the blessings of eternity are sealed upon
us, and by which in the plain language of the Scriptures, our calling and
election are made sure. But we must obey those ordinances in faith or their
efficacy will not avail. Our Elders go abroad and preach to the world, and
their hearts are filled with charity and loving kindness towards their fellow
creatures. They administer to the sick among the Saints, and they are often
called upon to administer to those who do not belong to the Church, to whom
they administer according to their faith, and thus the power of faith through
the ordinance of God is made manifest among the children of men.
But there
is one ordinance that the Elders may have perhaps neglected and I do not know
but I have myself—and that is, that if we enter a house and the people thereof
receive us, there our peace should abide. This was the instruction of the
Savior in His day; and if we enter a house and the people receive us not, then
we should go away and return not again to that house, and wash our feet with
pure water, as testimony against them in the day of judgment, and thus bear
witness unto the Lord that we have offered them salvation, that we have sought
to preach to them the principles of everlasting life that we have offered to
them the Gospel of peace and desired to administer unto them a blessing. The
same is applicable to a town, village or city that rejects you. In this way you
do your duty and leave them in the hands of the Lord. You are not called upon
to contend with any body in public congregations, or to do anything that would
stir up wrath and indignation. The Savior simply told his disciples to wash
their feet as a testimony against such people. But the generous, charitable
feeling of our Elders prompts them not to do a thing against anybody; they
would rather pour out a blessing upon the whole people. Consequently, it is a
very rare thing that this ordinance is attended to by the Elders of this last
dispensation—speaking from my own experience, and conversation had with the
brethren. But when it comes to this, that we are persecuted and our lives
taken, it would seem as if this was a duty depending upon those Elders who are
thrust out, and warned away from their fields of labor. These things have
happened of late, and it seems a duty devolving upon the Elders to do that
which the law requires and leave the responsibility of its reception or
rejection with the people and their God. We have no quarrel with anybody. We
simply preach the Gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. If they receive it,
well and good; if they will not, then it is a matter between them and their
God; but the Lord requires this duty at the hands of his servants.
Again, we
go abroad and gather in many people to this place, and they desire to find
work. One of the brethren has referred to this matter and likened it unto a man
going into a field and working diligently to plow the field, sow the grain,
harrow it in, harvest it, and then leave it to waste. It is too much so in
bringing home our brethren and our sisters to this country and not furnishing
them labor. It is a very pleasing thought that occasionally companies of 400 or
500 people, or even 1,000, are delivered here from abroad. Why is it pleasing?
Because it shows the work of God is progressing; it shows that God is gathering
home His Saints, and soon after their arrival, the new comers are taken home by
their friends and relatives, and provided for, made comfortable until another
spring, or until they look around and find or make a home. And it is a blessed
thought that, notwithstanding hundreds and thousands of people are brought here
yearly and cared for, so great a proportion of them live in their own homes,
raise their own cows, pigs, chickens, etc.
Frequently
when we go to the Seventies and ask some of them if they are willing to go on a
mission to preach the Gospel, one replies: "I am no preacher at all; I
could not preach a sermon if I were to try:" and wind up by saying:
"If I can't go out myself and preach, I am willing to help support the
families of missionaries while they are gone." Many have said this, and
many more of them have thought it.
The
Seventies are a numerous concourse of men who are called in connection with the
Twelve to see that the Gospel is carried to the nations of the earth. Many of
them are aged—some having been in the Church almost from the days of its first
organization in Ohio, and many since the days of Nauvoo—too aged to be called
to go upon missions—yet they could help their brethren coming in to find
employment, and as do the Twelve after having labored in the vineyard to help
gather the harvest, labor together in the threshing floor to help garner the
wheat, clean it, and assist to make it fit for the Master's use. The younger
men, after having secured homes for their families, feel free to go on
missions, knowing that their interests at home are not being neglected.
If the
aged Seventies and all men of experience would interest themselves in the
different parts of the Territory, and find or make work for the newcomers, they
might do a vast deal of good. They might help their brethren who come in from
the old country so obtain a living. When we first came here every man had to be
a farmer, had to cultivate the land in order to obtain a living. Today many of
the brethren who come from the old country have no idea of farming, and have
never, perhaps raised a chicken, a pig or a cow. The brethren should take hold,
therefore, and assist each other in these things. Let us help to build each
other up more earnestly and more extensively than we have done. Let us not
cultivate feelings of covetousness to the crowding out of those ennobling and
generous sentiments which should fill the bosom of every Latter-day Saint.
My brethren, you are Elders in Israel, and the blessing and
power of the Priesthood are upon you. Therefore we should do all the good we
can, that those of our brethren who are constantly coming in here may obtain
work, that they may not be led away, through idleness, into sin, and their
hearts be turned away from the Gospel which they have embraced.
Praying
always that the understanding of the Lord may be given unto us that we may know
and do His Holy will, in the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.
PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON
Read a portion of the 29th Chapter of Isaiah, and continuing said: This work which God predicted by the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah, the bringing forth of the book of Mormon and its being presented to a learned and an unlearned man, and the causing of the wisdom of the wise men to come to naught, have all be remarkably fulfilled before our eyes, and this is not less the case respecting the confusion of those who should fight against Mount Zion. As that which has been predicted and has been fulfilled in the past are facts well known to us, we can believe that that which is predicted but not yet fulfilled also assuredly will be. The work was commenced in obscurity and was born according to the will of God with no special demonstration which should attract the attention of the world. Our own commencement as human beings on the earth was of a similar type, yet a puny, helpless infant may become a God in the eternities of our Father. The commencement of the Church was obscure and insignificant, and it required faith in those who were its early members to believe that it would ever attain that position and strength which were predicted for it. The Prophet Joseph, however, and his associates saw by vision that which we now behold and participate in;, and much more which we, if we behold it at all, must see by the Spirit. Scarcely a step or a circumstance has taken place in the church that was not known to and spoken of by Joseph Smith. Yet men doubt his divine calling as a prophet and hold up his name to scorn and ridicule, still it is not too much to say that before many years have passed away, he will be recognized as one of the mightiest prophets that ever trod the footstool of God. His life and character have not been understood in the past, but they will be more fully in the future. In the very beginning he told of the hatred with which the church would be met. He told of events that should occur as clearly as if he were reading the account of events which had already taken place. As the influence and extent of the work increased, opposition increased proportionately. The hatred of a township became that of a county, and then of a State, and then of neighboring states, the work having all the time to contend against as much as it could well bear up under. The protection and watchcare of our God have nevertheless been wonderfully made manifest in our behalf. If the power of Satan had not been restrained in the beginning it would have been easy to wipe out the work in blood. This could have been done when the soil of Illinois drank the blood of our prophet and patriarch, and present President. But the Lord restrained the adversary, never allowing more to come upon us than were were able to bear. And then as the keys of the Priesthood and the power of God were made more manifest, the exertions and power of the wicked increased. It has seemed that one power has kept pace with the other, and in this we can see the wisdom of our father. It is necessary that we be tested by the rude ordeals of persecution to which we have been, still are, and will be subjected, in order to develop our strength.
Men say if we will only lay aside polygamy will correct our marital relations, the opposition will be deprived of their war-cry and persecution will cease. This is a vain thought, indulged only by those who judge of this work by their own human knowledge, the effects of this work and that which it is to accomplish, cannot be measured by any standard known to man. since the disappearance of the priesthood from the earth after the death of the Savior, there has been no such power in the earth. It is known to us that opposition was proportionately stronger before than it has been since the introduction of plural marriage. So we who are familiar with these matters know that the giving up of our marriage system would not have the effect that our friends would bespeak for it. To-day we are confronted by the fact that the United States have pitted themselves in their governmental capacity against us, exactly as we have been taught to expect. Shall we now falter or give way, become weak in the knees or tremble in the heart when we see this attitude so clearly defined? God forbid! The whole world may know that years ago these things which we now behold were expected to be met, contended with and overcome. But is this to be the end? Certainly not; as the Church shall increase, so will opposition increase, until leaping beyond the bonds of our own nation all the empires of the earth shall array themselves against the work of God, as the township, the county, the State have done and the United States are now doing. Then will the puny infant born on the 6th of April, 1830, rise in its sublimity, a stalwart man. People wonder at our hardihood and temerity in daring to remain firm against such circumstances, and it is only a few days since we read in the newspapers that a friend appealed to us to have a revelation doing away with polygamy, else war would ensue. This is no new threat to us however: the burden of the Lord has been upon us, and we have rested secure in the promise that the work of God surely shall triumph, no matter what the result to us as individuals may be. The work of God has thus proven itself indeed a marvelous work and a wonder, and to-day human wisdom is as much at fault respecting it as it ever was. We can see, if we enjoy the spirit of God, the wonderful way in which God has provided for His people and shaped their destinies. Our mountain home, our training in the past, give us the clearest evidence of this. No other land could be so well adapted for us as this, and on the other hand, no other people are so well fitted to hold and develop the land as we. Our people have been brought to these valleys, and hold them now by every right. Shall we be uprooted, or shall we be prevented in our growth or increase? They may tell us the answer depends whether we will give up our peculiar features of religion and conform to their ideas. On the other hand, the speaker declared, that it does not depend upon this, but does depend entirely upon the Latter-day Saints themselves whether they will continue to occupy these lands and maintain their position here. Looking at it naturally, it would seem a bold and audacious thing to say that we can stand against such odds of combined opposition. And it is perhaps true that if God would allow the whole world to launch its thunderbolts against us and unite for our destruction there could scarcely be any question ass to the result. But this is the work of the great God, and he controls all the doings and the results of the children of men. He will not forget His promises and upon these we must rely. We must on our part live so that we can enjoy the fulfilment of them. If we do this there is no power which can retard the progress and final triumph of our cause from this time forward until the final consummation is achieved. If the Saints will cleanse themselves and live free from sin, there is no doubt as to the result of this work. No power can uproot us and from this time we will go on improving and enlarging until there is no limit to that which we should obtain. We poor weak mortals should render the deepest gratitude to God for the privilege of having connected with this work and having part in these promises. But those who reign with Christ, must suffer with Him. Whether we will be permitted to live and triumph with the work of God depends upon us, and it should be our constant prayer that our fidelity may never falter. We may wade through sorrow, we may have to endure imprisonment, and bonds, or meet death as our predecessors have been compelled to do. Each one will have to be tried to the uttermost before he can enter his exaltation. We have all promises made to us, and precious blessings have been confirmed upon our heads by the Priesthood. Let us make ourselves worthy of them. Since the day that the first temple was completed and Joseph sealed the keys of the Priesthood upon his brethren the work has gone on in majesty and power, but stirring up the very depths of hell to do all in their power to obliterate the work. God permits the opposite party to exert themselves, and if the contest be sharp and bitter it will be over so much the sooner. God will remember Zion, whose name is written on the palms of His hands. He sees the willingness of His people, their devotion is not unknown to Him. Who shall enter the Temples which we are erecting to our Lord? A time is here when a higher standard of purity is required from those who enter holy places. The adulterers, whoremongers, blasphemers, dishonest men have need to tremble, for the blessings of God will be withdrawn from them, for the day is to come when the sinner in Zion will tremble and fear will come upon the hypocrite. The sins of the unworthy among the people will be found upon the skirts of the bishops and the Presidents of Stakes who do not clear iniquity out of their Wards or Stakes or who recommend them to the privilege of the Temple. A higher law has been given regarding adultery, that those who have had their endowments and then commit themselves in this manner cannot be rebaptized into the Church. Let this be known in all the congregations of the Saints that those who may feel tempted may consider that if they fall they do so at the price of their salvation. This will not be a land of Zion to the adulterer, the hypocrite, the Sabbath breaker, the man who does not pay his tithing. Let us be warned in time, that we may be found worthy of an exaltation in the presence of our Father and God.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 33:674, 11/12/84, p 2; JD 25:318]
DISCOURSE
BY PREST. GEORGE Q. CANNON, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Morning, October
5th, (Semi-Annual Conference) 1884.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
I will read a portion of the 29th chapter of
the Book of Isaiah, commencing at the 7th verse:
"And
the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight
against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a
night vision.
"It
shall even be as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh,
and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he
drinketh: but he awaketh, and behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite:
so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against Mount Zion.
"Stay
yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry, they are drunken, but not with
wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
"For
the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed
your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath covered.
"And
the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed,
which men deliver to one that is learned, saying. Read this, I pray thee; and
he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed.
"And
the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray
thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
"Wherefore
the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with
their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their
fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.
"Therefore
behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a
marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and
the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."
There is
much more in this chapter which I will not read, but which all can read at
their leisure. In sitting and looking at the congregation these words have come
to my mind.
"Therefore,
behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous
work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish and the
understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Truly
have these words been fulfilled in our eyes and in our hearing. God our Eternal
Father predicted by the mouth of His Prophet Isaiah, conceruing the coming
forth of the Book of Mormon, and the manner in which it should be received; and
we to-day are living witnesses of the fulfillment of these things. God our
Eternal Father has done and is doing a marvelous work and a wonder in the midst
of the inhabitants of the earth. He is causing the wisdom of the wise to
perish—He has caused it—and He is bringing to naught the understanding of the
prudent, especially those who fight against Mount Zion, or against the covenant
people of God. The manner in which our Father and our God has spoken concerning
the great work of the last days with which we are identified, is very
remarkable. When we examine the prediction of the holy prophets, it is
wonderful how plainly everything connected with this work, so far, has been
fulfilled; and as we have been told this morning—and we are told whenever the
Spirit of God rests down upon the Elders of this Church to speak concerning the
future—we have the strongest assurance that can be given by God to any people
that as that which has been predicted in the past has been completely fulfilled
up to the present time, so all the predictions which have been made connected
with this work, or concerning it, will also be fulfilled to the very letter;
not one word will fail, not one iota of the word of God concerning Zion will
fall to the ground unfulfiled.
This work
commenced, as we know, in obscurity, in weakness, with no particular
demonstration in the sight of the world. A few individuals only knew concerning
it. There were no remarkable manifestations for the world to gaze upon, for the
world to wonder at, connected with its birth. It was born, according to the
will of God. The Church started out a good deal like we have started
out—helpless. What is there more helpless, weak, many, insignificant, it may be
said, in many respects, than a human being when it is born into the world. Yet
that being if nurtured properly, if trained as it should be, has before it a
career of never-ending glory. That little puling infant may become, in the
eternity of our God, a God, to sway power and dominion in the eternal worlds,
to be the father of unnumbered millions. Yet at its birth who would anticipate
such a future for it. So it was with the Church of our God. Born in weakness, cradled
in obscurity, it came forth according to the command of God; not attended, as I
have said, by any great demonstration that the world could gaze and wonder at,
but attended by the blessing, the power and the promises of our Eternal Father
concerning its future. It required faith on the part of those who then received
it to believe that such a glorious career as was predicted concerning it,
awaited it. No human being unenlightened and uninspired by the Spirit of God,
could have anticipated such a future for this great work; and yet in these
early days, when it was in this condition which I have attempted to describe,
the Prophet Joseph and those who received revelations with him, looked forward
to its future, and saw that which we behold to-day in actual reality; they saw
in vision that which we participate in to-day, and far more than anything that
we have yet seen. I have often been struck with the remarkable character of the
predietions which Joseph inspired of God, gave utterance to concerning this work.
As I have said, scarcely a step in its advancement was hidden from him;
scarcely a step but what was foreshadowed by him through the Spirit of God,
which rested down upon him. Men doubt the divinity of this work. Men question
the spirit of prophecy, or the divine mission of Joseph Smith. His life is
maligned and misrepresented; his character derided and held up to contempt and
scorn; yet it is not much to say, it is not much to anticipate, that before
many years pass away, he will be recognized by the children of men as one of
the mightiest Prophets that ever trod the footstool of God our Eternal Father.
It is because his life has not been understood; it is because the work which he
was the means in the hands of God of founding, is not comprehended; it is
because his life has not been understood; it is because the work which he was
the means in the hands of God of founding is not comprehended; it is because
everything connected with this Church is beclouded by misrepresentation and
falsehood that men assume the attitude they do towards this the great work of
our God. In the very beginning of this work Joseph told the Saints, left on
record the statement, as to how it would be received by the children of men—the
hatred with which it would be met, the violence that would be manifested
towards it, the various troubles through which it would have to pass. All these
things he told, by his prophetic voice, as though their history had been
written, as though they had taken place. Most graphically he has described to
the Saints the results that should attend the increase of the work. At the
first he said it should excite the animosity and hatred of a township. It did
this. God in his mercy did not permit persecution to become so strong in the
inception of the work, in the days of its weakness, that it could be
overwhelmed. He restrained the power of the wicked, so that the growth and
strength of the work would be commensurate with the opposition it had to
contend with. As its circle enlarged, as its influence extended,
opposition grew proportionately. From townships it extended to cities. As the
work grew and outspread these limits, it excited the opposition of counties. As
its influence continued to grow, from one county it extended to adjacent
counties all the time growing, all the time increasing, all the time meeting
with as ranch opposition as it could well bear up under. Wonderfully has the
providence of our God been exhibited in the care exercised over His growing
Church and His increasing people! Had it not been for this care, my brethren
and sisters, we should not have the happy privilege that we enjoy this day of
meeting together in peace in this Tabernacle. Had Satan been permitted to wreak
his vengeance upon the Church in the commencement, it could easily have been
extinguished in blood. Had the same power that Was exercised against the Church
in the days of Nauvoo, when the blood of our Prophet and Patriarch, and our
present President, drenched the soil of Illinois—had that same spirit been
permitted to have wreaked its vengeance upon the Church in the early days, it
could, with no more excitement than was then raised, have completely extirpated
the Priesthood from the face of the earth. But God, as I have said, in His
wonderful providence, restrained the wrath of the wicked in the early days of
the Church. Brother Franklin D, Richards has told us this morning, that for
eight years after the birth of a child it is free from the power of temptation
and Satan. God restrains the power of Satan—forbids him to exercise it over the
tender child. And so in like manner did He restrain the power of Satan in the
early days of this Church, so that there was a limit to its exercise over the
Church in its weak condition. But as power increased, as the gifts of God were manifested,
as the keys of the Priesthood were revealed unto the children of men, so did
the wrath of the wicked, so did the violence of mobs, so did the combinations
that were formed with the object of destroying the work of God increase in
their strength and in their numbers. As the work progressed. so did the spirit
of opposition progress, one keeping pace, apparently, with the other, and there
is a wise purpose in this when we contemplate the great destiny that awaits
this people. We can see the wisdom and the purpose of our God in permitting
persecution to keep pace with the growth and the advancement of the work. It is
just as necessary that we should be developed in our strength; it is just as
necessary that we should be developed in our faith, as anything else connected
with the work of our God. If it were not for this, we could not become the
people that God designs; we could not fulfill the destiny that He has in store
for us if it were not for these terrible ordeals to which this Church and this
people have been subjected in the past, and to which they are now exposed, and
which, doubtless, will continue to increase as the Church increases, until the
day comes when the Kingdom of God will triumph over every obstacle and be fully
established upon the earth.
But as I
have remarked, as the Kingdom has grown and spread, so have the words of our
beloved Prophet been literally fulfilled. Men say, "Oh, if you will only
get a revelation concerning polygamy, if you will only lay polygamy aside, you
will no longer have any opposition to contend with; if you will only conform to
modern ideas concerning your domestic institutions, we shall have nothing to
say against you. The opposition that finds now such strong support will be
deprived of its war-cry and of the sympathy of thousands which sustain it at
the present time—they will be deprived of this and you will go along like the
rest of the churches, without having to suffer from the opposition and the
hatred that are now manifested against you."
Vain
thought!—a thought that is only expressed by those who know nothing of the
character of this work, who are not familiar with the history of this
dispensation, and who judge of the effects of such movements by their human
knowledge and the experience that they have with other systems. This system
which God has established, this great work of our God, cannot be measured by
human thoughts; the effects of this work and that which it is accomplishing on
the earth, that which it will accomplish on the earth, cannot, be estheated by
anything that is known among men. It is entirely unique, unlike anything else
that has ever been upon the earth since our Savior laid the foundation of that
dispensation—there has never been anything like it among men, and therefore
every calculation concerning it, every prognostication and every suggestion is
at fault in regard to this work of our God. For, be it understood, as, we well
understand it as a people, that before the public revelation of plural marriage
the opposition to this work was stronger, according to the strength of the
people, than it has been since. Therefore, those who understand this work, know
very well that anything of this kind—unless indeed the people should
apostatize—would have no such effect as our friends in many instances think it
would have.
"As
I have remarked opposition has contiued to grow and increase until to-day, as
we have been told and led to expect, upwards of half a century ago. Not only
has it been a township, not only has it been a county, not only has it been a
state that has arrayed itself against the work of God, and instituted measures
for its overthrow and entire destruction, but to-day this great fact stares us
in the face, it presses itself upon our attention, we cannot shut our eyes to
it—this great fact, that today the United States in its governmental capacity,
has pitted itself against the work of our God, and has passed measures for its
complete overthrow and destruction. Most wonderfully has God thus far
fulfilled every word that has been spoken by the month of His inspired Prophet!
And shall we who witness the remarkable fulfillment of this prophecy—shall we
to-day shrink from the issue that is presented to us? Shall we in view of all
that God has said to us concerning the past, and all which he has predicted
concerning the future? Shall we falter? Shall we tremble or grow weak in our
knees? Shall we become palsied in our efforts and let go of that great work of
our God which is entrusted to us? God forbid that there should be any
weakening, that there should be any faltering, that there should be any
lowering of the flag, or any weakening of the flag, or any weakening of the
knees, or any trembling of the heart, in view of all that presents itself
before us, however appalling the vision may be to mortal sight. God forbid that
there should be anything of this kind in the hearts or in the actions of any
man or woman who calls himself or herself a Latter-day Saint. For be it known
unto you, my brethren and sisters, be it known unto all the earth everywhere,
that God, years and years ago, told us by the mouth of His inspired Prophet,
that these things, the fulfillment of which we now behold, would actually take
place, and that we should have these things to meet and to contend with and to
overcome.
What
shall be the future result Is this to be the termination, is this to be the
end? No. As the Church increases, so will the opposition to it increase, until
it will extend itself beyond the confines of our own nation to other lands and
to other nations, until, in fact, the whole earth that has not received, or
will not receive the Gospel of the Son of God, the message of salvation, of
which we are the unworthy bearers, until, I say, all the nations of the earth
will array themselves against the work of our God, and exert their power to
destroy it, as a township did, as a county did, as a state did, or as the
United States are now doing, and then the work of our God will rise in its
sublimity, in its strength, in its God-like power and assume its place, its
rightful position among the nations of the earth. The puny infant, born on the
6th day of April, 1830, wilt become a stalwart man, full of power, full of the
gifts of God, full of the excellencies that belong to perfect manhood in the
sight of God; and will assume its fit and proper place designed by God for it
among the nations of the earth. This we may look forward to, this we may
expect, and if we do not make calculations on these things we fail to
comprehend the character of the work which He, our God, has established on the
earth. Men wonder at our temerity—men wonder at the hardihood we have. They are
surprised that we should dare think as we do. Only a few days ago we saw the
statement of a friend in the Deseret News, appealing to us to get a
revelation to do away with plural marriage; because if we did not, war and
bloodshed would be the result. Have we not been threatened with this from the
beginning? Yes, we have. We have had this ordeal to meet; we have had war
threatened; we have suffered from bloodshed; but the burden of the Lord has
been upon us, the hand of God has been over us. Though our pathway has been
beset by all these difficulties, nevertheless the burden of the Lord has been
upon us to carry forward this Gospel and to establish this work, let the
consequences be what they may to us individually. We have the promise of God,
that so far as the work is concerned it will stand, it will increase, until it
fills the whole earth. We know not what the consequences may be to us
individually. Each man must do his duty, and do his part faithfully,
courageously, manfully, in the sight of God, being willing to endure all the
consequences, with a full knowledge that God will save, redeem and exalt him if
he will only be true to the holy Priesthood which he has revealed.
Then is
not this a marvelous work and a wonder? Has not the wisdom of the wise in
connection with it, perished? Has not the understanding of the prudent been
brought to nought? Has it not baffled all the calculations of human wisdom? Has
it riot overcome all the obstacles that have been put in its pathway by human
strength and by all the ingenuity which human beings have been able to devise
or employ or command? Certainly it has; and to-day human wisdom and human
prudence are as much at fault as they ever were, and it will continue to be the
case until all that God has predicted concerning this work will be literally
fulfilled.
My
brethren and sisters, when we look at this work by the light of the Holy
Spirit, when God enables us to comprehend some of His designs and purposes, we
can see how wonderfully He has wrought in our behalf how wonderfully he, has
preserved this people. We to-day are a great people, it may be said. In some
respects we are. We are few in numbers, it is true; but God in His wonderful
providence has prepared this land, this glorious land, this mountain region, it
seems as though He had prepared it beforehand for the ingathering of His
people, and as a dwelling-place for them. A better habitat cannot be found on
the face of the earth, for the Latter-day Saints than this mountain region. A
better or more admirably adapted people for these mountains cannot be found.
The training we have had in the past admirably fits us for the labor of
establishing cities, towns, villages and hamlets, opening farms, and developing
all the resources of these mountain valleys. No other people are so well
qualified for this labor as we are. No other land is so well adapted for such a
people as this land that we now inhabit. The people and the land have been
found. The people and the land have come together. The land is here. The people
have found the land which is so surprisingly fitted for their habitation. And
there is no people that I know anything of, who can compete with us in these mountain
valleys. They are ours by right of possession to begin with, by right of
settlement, and they are ours by right of our capacity to inhabit and hold
them, and they are ours by right of the blessing and the favor of God our
Eternal Father, bestowed upon us and upon the land itself. And, as President
Taylor suggests, they are ours by purchase as well as by those other rights.
Shall we
be uprooted from this land? Shall we be extirpated? This is a question that
presents itself very often, doubtless, to our mind. In the providence of our
God, will we be permitted to maintain our foothold here, and to continue to
increase and to spread? We have the answer to these questions in our own
possession. It depends upon ourselves.
"Oh,"
says one, "It don't depend upon you, it depends upon another power. It
depends upon this: whether you will abandon your peculiar practices; whether
you will lay aside your peculiarities of doctrine and of religion, and conform
to the views, to the institutions, and the practices that prevail in the nation
of which you form a part."
These are
the comments of those who are rot of us respecting this question or questions,
which I have asked. They think it depends upon our abandonment of those
peculiar features which make us a distinct people from the rest of the nation.
On the other hand I state here in the presence of heaven, in the presence of
the Great God, our Eternal Father, that it does not depend upon this. It
depends—I affirm it, and I am willing to stake my reputation. upon it as a
servant of God—it depends entirely, without question, without qualification;
upon the Latter-day Saints themselves, whether they will continue to live in
this land and to occupy it, and to enjoy the valleys and the peace which God
has vouchsafed unto all who dwell here. I know that looking at matters
naturally, we are in danger of being overwhelmed, extinguished. A people feeble
as we are, a people possessing no greater resources than we have; a people of
no greater numbers, of no greater wealth, of no greater influence in the
earth—why, it would seem a bold and rash thing to say that we can withstand all
opposition that may be brought against us. If God were to permit the world to
launch its thunder bolts against this work; if God were to permit the world to
unite against this work, to combine and to put in operation its forces against
this work, I am willing to admit that there would be great danger of our
complete overthrow and destruction, in fact it might be said there would be
scarcely a question concerning it. But remember, my brethren and sisters, that
this is the work of God. This is not the work of man. It has not been the
wisdom of man that has guided this work. It has not been the wisdom of man that
has sustained it. It has not been the wisdom of man which has defeated the
plans of our enemies. It has been the wisdom and power of the Great God, our
Eternal Father. He has chosen his instruments. But, then, how weak they are!
how feeble they are! how insufficient their efforts and their words would be if
He did not supplement them by the bestowal of His power, and by that overruling
providence which controls all the affairs of the children of men, controls all
the results according to His own good pleasure. But God our Eternal Father,
will not forget His people. He will not forget the promises which He has made,
and it is upon these that we must rely. It is for these that we must live. We
must live—live, brethren and sisters—let it sink deep into your hearts. We must
live ourselves so that we shall have the fulfillment of the promises of God
granted unto us, If we so live, there is no power on earth that will be
permitted to combine itself, or to array itself, or to exert its force against
this work to its injury, or to retard its onward progress. Hear it all ye
Latter-day Saints! Hear it! If I could speak so that the whole world would hear
the utterance I would like to sound it in the ears of all mortal men—that there
is no power that will ever be permitted to array itself, or to combine itself
against this work of our God, to retard its onward progress from this time
forward until the full consummation will be achieved—that is, if the Latter-day
Saints themselves are faithful to God, if they will keep the commandments of
God, if they will sanctify themselves and cleanse themselves from sin, and live
pure and holy lives. If they will do this, then the success and the triumph and
the continued growth and advancement of this kingdom and the continued
maintenance of these valleys and these mountains are assured unto us as a
people. There is no doubt of it. I say in the name of Jesus Christ, that it
will be so. I promise it in His name, and in the authority which I have
received from Him—that if we will comply with these requirements and
conditions, there is no power upon earth nor in hell that can disturb this
people, that can uproot us, that can unsettle us in these valleys and in these
mountains; for God has given unto us this land, and from this time forward, we
will go on increasing and spreading and enlarging until all that God has said
shall be literally fulfilled concerning this work that He has established upon
the earth. He will do a marvelous work and a wonder. He will cause the wisdom
of the wise to perish; He will bring the understanding of the prudent to naught
in all their calculations against this work which He is establishing on the
earth, and with which we ale connected. Glory to God in the highest for the
privilege He has granted unto us, poor, weak mortal creatures, to be identified
with His great work and have such glorious immutable promises given unto us!
Oh! how our hearts should swell with gratitude to our God! How profoundly
grateful we should be and how thanksgiving and joy should well up in our hearts
unto our God for having given unto us the privilege of being connected with
this great work.
Now, will
those connected with it not have their trials? Oh yes. Those who would reign
with Christ must suffer with Him. Those who would reign with the Prophets;
those who would gain the glory that God has in store for the righteous must
suffer with the Prophets and Apostles.
I have
spoken in my remarks concerning the great work of our God. I have not yet
alluded to individual cases connected with it. What will be the fate of
individual members of the Church of God? That depends upon ourselves. But
whether we remain connected with the work or not, this I know: I know that this
work will roll forth in the manner in which I have, in my humble and weak way,
attempted to describe to you. I know that. But whether I will be faithful
depends upon myself. I beseech Him in the name of Jesus, that I may be
faithful; that whatever may come in my pathway I may never, no never flinch,
never weaken in my fidelity, in my courage and in my zeal for this glorious
work of our God. I would rather die this instant in your presence, than ever
falter in regard to this work. I love it. It is God's work. I dedicated myself
in my childhood to the cause of God, and I have endeavored through my life to
be faithful to Him. If we will be faithful to our God He will redeem us, no
matter what the circumstances maybe through which we may be called to pass. We
may wade through sorrow. We may have to endure persecution. We may have to meet
with death. We may have to endure imprisonment and many other things that our
predecessors had to endure. God may test us in this manner. Every human being
that is connected with this work will have to be tested before he can enter
into the Celestial Kingdom of our God. He will try us to the uttermost. If we
have any spot more tender than another, He will feel after it. He will test all
in some way or other. But like the promises that have been made in regard to
the work as a work, So are the promises made to us as individual members of the
Church. We have had certain promises made to us. We have had blessings sealed
upon us. God has acknowledged them in the heavens when they have been sealed
upon our heads by the authority of the Priesthood which He has restored. And
you may notice it that as the work of our God has increased we have also
increased in the power of the Priesthood. When Joseph Smith committed the keys
of the Priesthood unto his brethren, and rolled the burden upon their shoulders
of carrying forward this work—in his urgent haste rebuild the Temple of Nauvoo,
in his urgent haste to. commit to his fellow servants all that God had
committed to him—from that day the Kingdom of our God has grown in majesty and
in strength, and at the same time has called forth opposition such as it never met
with before. Every Temple that we build excites additional hatred, increases
the volume of opposition, the volume of hostility, and the threatenings of the
wicked. Every Temple that we have thus far completed—and every Temple of which
we lay the foundation—has been another testimony in favor of God, and has
brought strength to the people of God, in enlisting the hosts in the eternal
world upon our side; but at the same time there has been stirred up, from the
very depths of hell, all the damned, Satan and his legions, to unite with their
agents, upon the earth in an endeavor to destroy this work, and to do
everything in their power to obliterate it from the face of the earth: for hell
is engaged at the work we are doing: hell is stirred up at that which we are
accomplishing. Satan sees that which he dreads. He sees a people guided by the
holy Priesthood. He sees a people gathered together according to the promise of
God, filled with the power of God, led by His everlasting Priesthood, and
seeing this, He is determined to exert every power, every influence that he can
muster for the purpose of preventing the spread and growth of this work. He is
determined to do this, and we can see it. But his power and influence are
restrained; because, were it not so, the strength of the people of the Church
of God is not such as to withstand the power of the evil one without succumbing
to it. God, therefore, permits the opposition power to grow in proportion to
the strength of the Saints, and if the contest be a sharp one, a keen one, a
violent one, the sooner it will be ended. Because there is a termination to all
this. There is a time coming when this opposition must cease and when God will
stretch forth His arm, as He has already done, to accomplish His great work on
the earth. As the nations of the earth reject the Gospel, He will pour out the
judgments that are set to follow the preaching of the Gospel. God will fight
for Zion. God will remember Zion. Her name is written on the palms of His
hands. He never can forget Zion. A woman may forget her nursing child—and that
is a very difficult thing to do—but our God will never forget Zion, never
forget the promises made to His people. He looks down from His holy habitation,
and sees the humble efforts of His people. He sees their devotion to His cause.
He sees their willingness to lay down their lives for the truth. Our God is not
ignorant of this. His eye is upon this people, and His blessing will be with
us. There is no power that can prevent the outpouring of His Spirit upon us; no
power whatever.
We are
rearing, as I have said, temples. And who shall enter into the temples of our
God? Shall the drunkard, the whoremonger, the blasphemer, the Sabbath-breaker?
Shall the man who does not train his family as he should do, who is not living
a godly life? I tell you, my brethren and sisters, the time has come
when a higher standard of purity must be observed by us as a people than has
been in the past. We must live worthy of these blessings which God has bestowed
upon us. If we do not God will withdraw His Spirit; God would condemn His
servant who stands at the head of this Church, were he to permit wickedness to
enter into these holy places. Therefore, the servants of God are strictly
charged concerning these things. O, you adulterers! O, you whoremongers! O, you
drunkards! O you Sabbath-breakers! O you dishonest men, and you hypocrites who
have a place and a name among the Latter-day Saints! I say, woe! unto you
unless you repent of your sins, unless you forsake everything that is evil and
humble yourselves before God, and ask forgiveness from Him; for I tell you the
Spirit of God will be withdrawn from you, and you will be left to yourselves
and become as withered branches only fit for burning, unless you heartily,
sincerely, profoundly, from the bottom of your hearts, repent of all your sins
and put them far from you. God will not bear with you any longer. The sinner in
Zion will tremble. That day will come. Fear will come upon the hypocrite.
Therefore, repent of your sins before it is too late. And if you do you may
enter unto the holy places which God has pro, vided. But O ye Presidents of
Stakes and ye Bishops, you must be on the watch tower about these things, for
God will hold you accountable. The sins of the people will be found upon your
garments in the day of the Lord Jesus, if you do not cleanse impurity from the
midst of your wards. If you recommend men who are unworthy, through tenderness
of heart and through sympathy, when they are wicked, I say to you, in the name
of Jesus Christ, that the condemnation of God will rest upon you, and He will
hold you to a strict accountability. For God has not chosen men to preside
without laying upon them responsibility of a very grave and weighty character.
He holds us accountable for these things. When a man has a relative and he
condones the offence of that relative, through sympathy, he will not be free
from responsibility. Now let it be known throughout all Israel, as the word of
the Lord to us for the present, through his servant who stands at the head,
that a man who commits adultery, a man who has had his endowments, cannot be
baptized again into the Church. Let it be known throughout all Israel, as the
word of God through His servant, who stands at the head, that a man who has had
his endowmnents and commits whoredom, cannot now be received into the Church
again. These must be cut off; because the law that was given in the early days
of the Church concerning a man committing adultery once amid being received
back into the Church does not apply to-day. There has been a higher law since
then, namely, the endowments, and men have taken upon themselves, and women
also, sacred obligations in holy places. Therefore, hear it and understand it.
Let it be given out in all the congregations of the Saints; let it be known
everywhere throughout the land of Zion, so that if a man is tempted to do that
deed, or a woman, that they will pause in view of the terrible consequences
which await its commission—that they will pause and ask them. selves the
question—can I do this at the expense of my salvation and my exaltation in the
presence of God? God has labored with us for fifty-four years and six months.
He has revealed unto us His laws in plainness and power, so that all can
understand, and if there be any now that do not understand it is because they
have not availed themselves of their privileges and opportunities. My brethren
and sisters, this land must be a land of Zion to us. It will be a land of Zion
to all who keep the commandments of God. It will not be a land of Zion to the
adulterer, the seducer, the blasphemer, the Sabbath-breaker, the man who does
not pay his tithing, to any who do not keep the commandments of God; but to
those who do keep the commandments of God, and who keep themselves pure, it
will be a land of peace, a land wherein they and their children after them can
dwell in peace and righteousness. But let us be warned in this the day of our
probation. Let us walk humbly before our God. Let us live so as to have his
revelations constantly within us; let us live so that His Spirit shall burn in
our hearts and in our bosoms and in our belles like a very fire, that in the
end we may be saved and exalted in His Celestial Kingdom, which I ask in the
name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir sang "song of the Redeemed."
Benediction by Apostle Moses Thatcher.
_____
[5 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 33:597, 10/8/84, p 5]
Afternoon session. 2 o'clock. The choir sang:
Come, come, ye Saints, no
toil nor labor fear,
But with joy, wend your way.
Prayer by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
How firm a foundation, ye
Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
was sung by the choir.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, the Bishopric of the First Ward officiating in the blessing of the emblems.
President George Q. Cannon submitted the General Authorities of the Church to the conference, to be voted upon, as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies -- Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, Christian D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
The Elder last named being called upon to state whether he was willing to accept of the position to which he had been called, expressed his determination, with the help of god, to do whatever was required of him.
William B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First and John Q. Cannon as his Second Counselor.
The Elder last named, in response to a request as to his willingness to perform the duties of Second Counselor to the Presiding Bishop, stated that, while feeling sensible of his own inability unaided by the Almighty, with His help he would endeavor to do what ever was necessary in pursuance of the duties of his calling.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President -- The Twelve Apostles, their Counselors and Bishop Wm. B. Preston as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Wilford Woodruff as Historian for the Church, and General Church Recorder, and F. D. Richards as his assistant.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwooodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, J. F. Smith, W. Jennings.
John Nicholson as Clerk of the Conference.
John Irvine and George F. Gibbs as Church Reporters.
Every vote taken was unanimous.
APOSTLE BRIGHAM YOUNG
said, in effect: Principles that are dear to the hearts of the Saints have been touched upon by the speakers during this Conference. The Lord has inspired His servants and enabled them to speak to the edification of the people. One of the most important matters demanding our consideration is the training of our children. They are sometimes not instructed as they should be. Some of the young people violate the sanctity of the Sabbath and visit places that are demoralizing. It is a good thing to attend meetings and engage in religious exercises. It is also good for us to know where our children are and what they are doing on the Sabbath and every other day. Our children are numerous and their proper instruction is or should be our first consideration. If they are properly trained when young and their minds easily diverted into proper channels, like the small streams that flow from the mountains, they will be likely to remain in profitable courses. If they are allowed to grow up without correct instruction until they mature, they, like the swollen river, are not easily controlled. It is not only a duty that we owe to the children themselves in this regard, but to untold millions of humanity not yet born. In traveling throughout the country, in the settlements of the Saints, some peculiar conditions are found. Some parents will say to their children -- "live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Yet they will show them a deplorable example by expending their substance in purchasing goods manufactured abroad and making millionaires of men who would destroy the Church, while they let home manufactures languish. It is our privilege to say that we will sustain the kingdom of God to a greater degree in future than ever before. If this is done men will not get rich and use the substance obtained from the Saints in trying to bring about the destruction of the latter. We should clothe ourselves in productions of our home manufactories, and thus build up local industries. He concluded by praying that the blessing of God might rest upon the righteous.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER
Felt to add a few remarks to that which had been said by Apostle Richards this morning and desired, if so led by the Spirit, to confine his remarks to matters which might be called temporal. It is an important question what we shall do with those who come into our midst from abroad. We send our Elders out to all parts of the civilized world bearing the truth to those who will receive it. Such as do receive it are baptized, have hands laid upon them for the gift of the Holy Ghost, are organized into branches and conferences. We try to teach them economy and prudence, and when they have saved enough means themselves or are helped by others, they come to this or one of the surrounding Territories, and it has sometimes seemed that we feel when we get them here to think our obligations to them have ended, and they are too often left to earn their bread among strangers as best they may. It has frequently occurred that many who are able and willing to work have been left for months without employment. The speaker did not approve of extending indiscriminate charity to those who were able to help themselves. For under certain circumstances charity was almost an evil. There is no question that there are many unemployed laborers in this city and the other larger settlements of the Territory. What can we do to prevent this condition of affairs? We can do much to remedy it by recognizing the great question of the day-labor and capital. We do not need to cross the seas to see what the combination of wealth can dol We have the influence of rich capitalists in our own land; and when we realize that 200,000,000 acres of public land have been given to these corporations who do not pay their proportions of the burdens of the government, we can see the gravity of the case. These capitalists do not bear any of the burdens of taxation, and these fall upon those who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, who are not able to conceal their property. This condition of things has called into being the Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of Germany, the Feniaas and dynamiters of England, Scotland and Ireland, and in our own country trades unions and brotherhoods. And this is the coming question of the age -- the rock upon which many nations will be wrecked. To-day the result is contraction, the placing of capital in safety in the vaults of banks. We are gathered here to be God's people, and if we cannot feel every man to trust and deal justly with another, we should at least feel that we have not come here to establish grades of distinction, but to love God with all our might, mind and strength, which no man can do unless he loves his neighbor as himself. It was a source of gratification to hear in the report of Z. C. M. I. that the sales had fallen off $700,000 in the last year; and the speaker hoped that so far as the sale of imported merchandise was concerned an equal falling off would be reported; offset however by an increase of a million dollars in home manufactured articles. The report referred to had shown that ten percent were of home production and ninety percent of outside manufacture. If in the next ten years we can reverse this statement it will be a creditable showing and no man will be able to say that the people of Utah are paying half a million dollars interest a year to the world, which is the case to-day, and which is not an evidence of good financiering. We have been unwise and extravagant in the past, and have bought much we could have done without. The speaker referred to several instances which had come under his own observation where an absurd and in come cases ridiculous course had been taken, in caring for property, for which the owners had to involve themselves to become the possessors of. The remedy for the condition of things which is confronting us lies in ascertaining how many are out of work and then in furnishing it to them. Our own youth are growing up in idleness, and it is of the highest importance to furnish them some kind of employment, and this can be done by making the 90 per cent. of our merchandise sales of home manufacture. It cannot be denied that the substance of this people has been drained out of our country and poured into the coffers of the outsiders. If we continue this course in the future, as we have done in the past we will continue to live from hand to mouth. There is no reason why we should not be the richest people of the earth, and if we had done as our leaders have counseled us, we would be. He could not regret hearing of the failure of such merchants as had dealt exclusively in outside manufactures and had brought the people into this sort of bondage; but he rejoiced in hearing of the prosperity and success of every man or company engaged in home manufacture or in seeking to add to the wealth and power of our communities.
APOSTLE ALBERT CARRINGTON
Addressed the Conference. He had been interested for many years in the building up of home enterprises. In the pioneer days, when Utah was first settled, all had to work for a living or go without. Many had since become rich. Greed of gain is an abomination in the sight of God and the quintessence of selfishness. No person impregnated with this feeling can live acceptably in the sight of Jehovah. It is our duty to build each other up not only spiritually, but also financially. If all were doing that our course would be much more acceptable to God than it now is. We should live, let live and help to live. How many of us are taking this course? We all should be thus engaged. It is a source of thankfulness that we are improving in that direction. All should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and attain to that unity that is desirable. We have been in this school -- a few of us -- over fifty years. We have made much more advancement in sustaining each other than has been made in the world, but we are slow to move in that direction. We are not all apt scholars in the school of experience; Babylon with her institutions and ways has crept into the community. Especially is this the case in the larger towns -- notably in Salt Lake City. Those who cling to Babylon will fall with her, for how can it be otherwise? These influences, however, are presented to our children, and they exercise their agency in choosing the evil and the good as they elect. The time has not yet come when sin can be banished entirely. The speaker continued to exhort the Saints to throw off every selfish sentiment and seek to work and operate not only for individual benefit, but the general good, that the interests of the entire community may be subserved.
The choir sang the anthem "Daughter of Zion."
Adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow.
Benediction by Apostle George Teasdale.
_____
[5 Oct, 7 pm]
[DNW 33:804, 10/8/84, p 12]
Priesthood Meeting. -- A meeting of the Priesthood was held in the tabernacle last evening, commencing at 7 o'clock, and a large congregation assembled. The speakers were President John Taylor and President Wilford Woodruff. The former delivered an elaborate and interesting discourse upon the priesthood, both Aaronic and Melchisedec, the gospel and the Mediation, the designs of God in the creation of the earth, the fall of Adam and the untimate redemption of the world and its inhabitants.
President Woodruff, in the course of his remarks referred to a circumstance that took place at Kirtland fifty years ago last April on the occasion of his first seeing and hearing the Prophet Joseph Smith. The latter at a Priesthood meeting called to assemble in a little log house, after a number of Elders had testified, arose and prophesied that this work would yet fill the earth, and that the Latter-day Saints would fill the Rocky Mountains, and with the Lamanites would build up the Zion of God. The speaker said he little thought then that he would see the Rocky Mountains, much less live to witness the fulfillment of Joseph's prophecy. He also testified to the utter fulfillment of the Prophet's words in the triumph of truth and the overthrow of Babylon.
_____
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 33:597, 10/8/84, p 5]
THIRD DAY.
_____
Monday, Oct. 6th
Singing by the choir:
Great is the Lord! 'tis good
to praise,
His High and Holy name.
Prayer by Apostle George Teasdale.
Though deep'ning trials
throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
was sung by the choir.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Presented to the Conference reports of the several Stakes of Zion; and of the Primary associations, Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Associations, and Ladies Relief Societies.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN
addressed the Conference: Our Conference thus far has been most satisfactory. The Spirit of the Lord has been manifested, and an enjoyable time has been the result. The subject treated upon by Brother F. D. Richards -- the responsibility resting upon parents in instructing their children when they are young is of great importance. If this duty is not performed the sins of the children not properly trained will rest upon the parents. The Lord is solicitous that those choice spirits which had been reserved to come forth and take part in rolling forth His work should be properly prepared for the important duties lying before them in that connection.
Religious teachers of the world understand the importance of bending the mental twig when it is young and tender, and they consequently establish their schools and missions here to win our children from the religion of their fathers. Satan desires that they should thus be seduced from the truth that he may add to the one-third of the sons of God whom he led into rebellion in the eternal world. There are other missions and missionaries besides those already referred to. There appear to be government officials who have missions, or imagine they have. Their purpose is to turn the Saints away from that which God has established. They are as much missionaries in their special lines as the Elders are in theirs who go into the nations to preach the Gospel. Seeing we have had the plan of salvation confided to us, we should be well established in the truth. If the Saints had been a wicked people it would not have been necessary for us to expend large sums of money to gather to this country, as the facilities for the pursuit of corruption are more than ample abroad in the countries from whence we came. We are commanded by the Lord, as a requirement of the Gospel, to baptize those who believe our message and repent, by immersion for the remission of their sins. It would be just as consistent to prevent us from administering that ordinance as any other principle or part of our faith. Yet attempts are made to prevent us from enjoying in the exercise of our religious views. The laws of the Church are strict in relation to personal purity. The commission of adultery involves the expulsion from the body-religious of those who are guilty of this crime, which is regarded among the Saints as next in enormity to murder. The charges of corruption against the saints are without foundation. The speaker bore a strong testimony to the divine authenticity of the Church.
APOSTLE GEORGE TEASDALE
Was the next speaker: I can bear a testimony that God has spoken from the heavens, and sent forth Apostles to confer authority to preach the Gospel and warn the people of coming judgments. The Lord is fulfilling the purposes which He has pre-determined, and the Gospel is being proclaimed as a witness before the second advent of our Lord. Men have not taken this authority upon themselves. It has been conferred upon them by direction of the Almighty. If it was necessary for Christ to be sent of God, so it is also that all who administer in the things of God should be similarly authorized. The responsibility connected with this message is great and the natural man shrinks from it. Joseph Smith had a vision of the Father and the Son, and it was made known that the authority of heaven should be conferred upon man. Thus could the prophet say he knew that God lived because he had seen Him. Heavenly messengers subsequently appeared to Joseph Smith and instructed him, and the Prophet received and published the record of the ancient inhabitants of this continent, which was an authentic and inspired book. Joseph Smith also received at the hands of John the Baptist the Aaronic Priesthood, and from Peter, James and John the Higher Priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. It was necessary to restore this authority and Priesthood, because it had been, in the days of the primitive Church driven from the earth, those who held it having been slain because of their testimony of the Redeemer. The preaching of the gospel and the gathering of its recipients in this dispensation has been accomplished by the Almighty through His authority which He had sent to earth. some of the people professing to be Saints so far forgot their sacred duty to their children as to hand them over to the tender mercies of those who are opposed to the kingdom of God, to be taught by them. He prayed that the blessing of God might rest upon the people, and concluded by stating that those who are unworthy should not be permitted to enter holy places and officiate vicariously for the dead.
The choir sang the anthem:
Great is the Lord.
Adjourned to 2 p.m.
Benediction by Apostle John W. Taylor.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 33:614, 10/15/84, p 6]
FIFTY-FOURTH
SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
THIRD DAY.
Afternoon Session, October 6th, 2 p.m.
Singing by the choir;
Earth with her ten thousand
flowers,
Air with all its beams and showers.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
Arise! arise! with joy
survey
The glory of the latter day.
Was sung by the choir.
President George Q. Cannon submitted a report showing the amount of donations tot he Manti Temple.
A report of the auditing committee to the effect that they had examined the accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust was submitted. On motion it was accepted and ordered placed on file.
A list of missionaries called to various parts of the world was read, the vote to sustain the brethren selected for this labor being unanimous.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
addressed the assemblage. He delivered an elaborate and comprehensive discourse, taking up the thread of his remarks given at the Priesthood meeting last evening. He dwelt upon the designs and purposes of the Most High in the redemption of the earth and the human family. The sentiments and principles he enunciated were of a lofty and exalted character, and as an adequate idea of the nature of the discourse could not well be conveyed in a brief synopsis, we prefer not to present one, but to await its publication in full, in which form it will be presented in due time. A subsequent part of President Taylor's remarks was devoted to a detailed description of the order and organization of the Church of Christ, and the duties, rights and privileges of the Priesthood, whose operations must be in accord with the principles of righteousness; otherwise the heavens withdraw themselves and the authority and force of those who deviate from the line of uprightness depart. He also spoke upon other topics of vital importance to the Latter-day Saints and incidentally to the world at large.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 33:642-643, 10/29/84, p 2-3; JD 25:303-313]
DISCOURSE (Part 1 -
Oct 6th)
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Monday and Tuesday,
(Semi-Annual conference) Oct. 6 and 7, 1884
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
If the
congregation will endeavor to preserve as much order as possible, and prevent
the crying and disturbance of children, I will try and address you for a short
time. Last evening I made quite a lengthy address in this hall; but we had very
good order. There was no whispering, no talking, nor disturbance of any kind.
It requires, in a large congregation like this, quite an exertion to speak so
as to make the people hear. I am told that the people could not hear half of
what was said by several of the brethren yesterday. It is wrong for us to have
disorder in the house of God, a place where we meet for instruction.
Last
evening I talked of some matters of considerable importance to the Priesthood,
of which there was an immense number present; they nearly filled this hall. I
wish to continue some of these remarks; for it is necessary that all of us
should be instructed in the great principles which God has revealed for the
guidance, salvation and exaltation of the Saints of God, and also for the
benefit of the world wherein we live. There were very many promises made to
eminent men in generations long since past; but these generally had reference
more particularly to the benefit of the world of mankind than to individuals.
There
were certain great principles involved in the organization of this earth, and
one was that there might be a place provided whereon the children of our
Heavenly Father could live and propagate their species, and have bodies formed
for the spirits to inhabit who were the children of God; for we are told that
He is the God and Father of the spirits of all flesh. It was requisite,
therefore, that an earth should be organized; it was requisite that man should
be placed upon it; it was requisite that bodies should be prepared for those
spirits to inhabit, in order that the purposes of God pertaining to His progeny
might be accomplished, and that those spirits might be enabled, through the
medium of the everlasting Gospel, to return unto the presence of their.
Heavenly Father, as Gods among the Gods.
There
have been different agencies at work throughout this world's history. Lucifer
has been and is one of these agencies. There was a garden planted, and Adam and
Eve were placed in it, and there they had communion with God. There was another
being whose name was Lucifer, who is called in some places, "the son of
the morning." Job speaks of a time at the creation of this earth when
"the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for
joy," (Job xxxviii, 7). As it was necessary that there should be a God, a
man, an earth and a heaven, it was also necessary that there should be a devil,
that man might be tried, and by trial be instructed. Indeed, in the economy of
God, it was not only necessary that man, but the Savior also should be
perfected by suffering. It is written: "For it became him, for whom are
all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to
make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Hebrews,
ii, 10.) It was further necessary that there should be a Redeemer according to
the plan which was devised from before the foundation of the world, and also
that man might be a free agent to act and operate for himself, to receive the
good and reject the evil, or reject the good and be governed by the evil. And
there were certain rewards promised to those who would obey the laws of God,
and keep his commandments, and certain punishments inflicted upon those who
would not. Satan has made very great ravages among the human family in trying
to accomplish his purposes; for he has been the enemy of God, and the enemy of
man, and in ages past he wrought upon mankind until after a certain period he
had contrived to get the great majority of them on his side. Nevertheless, they
had the Priesthood among them in those early days as we have among us to-day:
After Adam there were Seth, Enos, Mahalaleel, Methuselah, Lamech, and a great
many others until we arrive at Enoch and Noah, who operated especially in
behalf of the interest of the human family. They preached the Gospel as we
preach it, and taught the same principles that we teach. They gathered the
people to a Zion as we gather them, and when they had been gathered together,
they had enemies as we have, who arrayed themselves against them. But Enoch was
clothed upon with the power of God. He walked with God for 365 years, and we
are told, "he was not, for God took him." That is about all that is
said about him in the Bible; but we have other information. Many others walked
with God, and there was a city that the people were gathered to—a Zion. They
walked with God and they were instructed of the Lord; but it took at any rate,
365 years to accomplish this object. Furthermore, in the latter days there is
to be a Zion built up; but in these days we are told that Lord will cut His
work short in righteousness. Enoch, in his day, had his messengers go forth
among the people, and when they gathered, if induced the rage of man, and great
armies assembled against the Saints but Enoch prophesied by the power of God,
and the earth shook and the mountains trembled, nod the enemies of the Saints
in fear fled afar off. By and by when the time came for the accomplishment of
the purposes of God, and before the destruction of the wicked, Enoch was caught
up to heaven and his Zion with him. And we are told in latter revelation in
relation to these matters that a Zion will be built up in our day; that great
trouble will overtake the inhabitants of the earth; and that when the time
arrives, the Zion that was caught up will descend, and the Zion that will be
organized here will ascend, both possessed of the same spirit, their peoples
having been preserved by the power of God according to His purposes and as His
children, to take part in the events of the latter days. We are told that when
the people of these two Zions meet, they will fall on each others' necks, and
embrace and kiss each other.
As they
in that day were placed under the guidance of the Almighty, so are we. As they
had a work to perform associated with the welfare of the human family, so have
we. As they had the Gospel to preach, so have we. As they had a Zion to build up,
so have we. As they needed the support of the Great Jehovah, so do we. As riley
were dependent upon Him in all their movements, whether in relation to earth or
heaven, so are we. The work in which we are engaged is one that has been
introduced by the Great Eloheim, the God and Father of the human family, in the
interests of His children. And wherever and whenever these principles have
existed, this same being that was in the garden with our first parents still
goes forth and has gone forth as a ruing lion, seeking whom he may deceive,
seeking whom he may devour, seeking whom he may lead down to death. And in
these latter days God has introduced these same principles with the same object
in view. He has revealed the same principles of heaven, and as heretofore, in
the interest of humanity. Who was Enoch? Was he a man of God? Yes. Who were the
Elders with him, were they men of God? Yes; and they received their
instructions in that Zion that was then built up, and more or less directly
from God; for Enoch walked with God. Whom was Enoch operating for? For God his
heavenly Father. He was there, as Jesus was on the earth in his time, as he
said, not to do His own will, but the will of his Father who sent him. And whom
did those people operate for? They operated for the welfare of the human family
who would receive the truth and be governed by it. And whom did Jesus and His
Apostles in their day operate for? For the benefit of all the world. Jesus
Himself appeared as the Redeemer of the world, and He commissioned His Apostles
to preach the Gospel to every creature, saying: "He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned." What
is this salvation and condemnation? That would take a long time to tell.
Suffice it to say that there are bodies celestial, bodies terrestrial, and
bodies telestial; one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the
stars; but straight was the gate and narrow was the way that led unto the
lives, and few there were at that time and few there have always been who have
gone, in thereat. And what was it that, they sought? It was the Celestial
Kingdom of our God, that they might come forth in the first resurrection and be
one with: the Father and One with Jesus, and belong to the Church of the First
Born whose names are written in heaven, and become Gods among the Gods, and
participate in all the glory of the Celestial Kingdom. But few there were who
found the narrow path. It is so to day. Were the Apostles of Jesus commanded to
preach the Gospel? Yes. Are we commanded as they were? Yes. What was the
position of the Apostles? They were simply messengers of life and salvation to
a fallen world. What are the First Presidency, the Twelve, the High Priests,
the Seventies, and the Elders to-day? What are they? Bearers of life and
salvation to a fallen world, the messengers of God to men, the legatees of the
skies commissioned by the Great Jehovah to introduce the principles of eternal
life, and gather in his elect from the four quarters of the earth, and to
prepare them for an exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God. And what
becomes of those who choose the other path? They are still God's children, and
He feels interested in them. What will He do with them? They will be judged
according to the deeds done in the body, and according to the light and
intelligence which God communicates to them. Then there is another glory a
telestial glory. Those who enter into that glory will also be judged according
to their deeds and he re-warbled according to their acts. We are told of others
who will suffer the wrath of God, and in the revelations given to us we learn
that eternal punishment is God's punishment, that everlasting punishment is
God's punishment, for He is eternal, and He is, everlasting. We are informed
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah suffered the vengeance of eternal fire. We are
told, too, that the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, who were destroyed
because of their wickedness, were shut up in prison and they remained there for
a long, long time. How long? We read that Jesus, who was put to death in the
flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, went and preached to the Spirits in prison
which were sometime disobedient when once the long-suffering of God waited in
the days of Noah. How long had these people been there? At a rough guess about
2,400 years. It was quite a painful ordeal to go through. It is one that none
of us would like very much. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God—a fearful thing to violate His laws. We have gathered here that we
may learn those laws, the laws of God, the laws of life, and prepare ourselves
under His guidance for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God. But are
all the Latter-day Saints going into that kingdom? No. How is that? It is just
as Jesus declared. "It is not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, that will
enter into the Kingdom of God, but he that doeth the will of the Father who is
in heaven." Did Jesus come to do the will of His Father in heaven? He did,
and He expects all who aim at Celestial glory to do the same, and if they do
not they will hot get there. He says,. "Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name and in Thy name have east out
devils? and is Thy name done many wonderful works?" And He will say unto
them, "Depart from me, ye workers of inquity, I know you not, you have not
lived as becometh Saints," Oh, say some, that don't mean the Saints. No,
it don't, but it means many who profess to be Saints. Do the world profess to
cast out devils, to heal the sick and to do many mighty works? They do not. Do
the world prophesy in His name? No. Do the world preach in the name of God?
They preach in His name, many of them, without having the authority, as we have
heard at this conference; but they do not propose to do many mighty works in
His name, but many of our Elders do—Elders who magnify their calling and honor
their God. On the other hand there are Elders who are careless, wayward and
rebellious against God and His laws—who seek to trample under foot the
principles that He has revealed—who seek to set themselves up to guide, direct,
and manipulate the affairs of the Church and Kingdom of God, and yet these same
persons know nothing but what they know naturally, as do the brute beasts, made
to be taken and destroyed; and we none, of us know anything only as God
instructs us. We are indebted to Him for the introduction of this work, and for
all the information pertaining thereto. It has been from no man nor set of men,
nor organizations of a professed spiritual or temporal nature, that we have
received intelligence pertaining to the things of God, the Church of God, or
the Kingdom of God. It has come directly from the Lord, through the Gospel of
the Son of God, which brings life and immortality to light; and if men
think—and we every once in a while meet with such characters—they know better
than the Lord how to manipulate affairs they will find out their mistake. The
Lord will say to them, "Depart from me, I never knew you;" for it is
not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the Kingdom of God,
but He that doeth the will of our Father in Heaven.
Hence
there is a great work for us go do. There is something comprehensive in it. It
is indeed the dispensation of the fullness of times spoken of by all the holy
prophets since the world was. It relates to the interests of men that now live:
it relates to the interests of men who have lived, and it relates to things
that are yet in the future. It is a thing in which the Gods in the eternal
worlds are interested, and all the ancient Patriarchs and Prophets that have
lived upon the earth are all interested in the work in which we are engaged.
There is a Priesthood in the heavens, and we have the same Priesthood on the
earth, but there should be a closer communion between the Priesthood on the
earth and the Priesthood in the heavens; it is desirable that we should be
brought into closer proximity, we want to be advancing as Enoch advanced. After
the appearance of Jesus upon the earth, there was to be a certain power who
would make war with the Saints and prevail against them; and it is said,
"they shall be given into His hands until a time and times and the
dividing of time:" (Daniel vii, 25:) but in this day we are told that "the
Saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for
ever, even for ever and ever," (18 verse). You and I may violate our
covenants; you and I may trample upon the principles of the Gospel, and violate
the order of the Priesthood and the commands of God; but among the hosts of
Israel there will be thousands and tens of thousands who will be true to the
principles of truth, and God in the heavens, the holy angels and the ancient
Priesthood that now live where God lives are all united together, for the
accomplishment of this purpose. The Lord will roll forth His purposes in His
own way and is His own time. And having thus organized, as I before stated it
is not for us to act as we may think individually, but as God shall dictate. We
have a regular order in the Church. You brethren, who hold the holy Priesthood,
understand these things. Has God not given to every man a portion of His Spirit
to profit withal? Yes. Has He not done more than this to the saints who are
true and faithful? Has He not given to them the gift of the Holy Ghost? He has,
and they know it and realize it. They are brought into communion with each
other, and into communion with God and the heavenly hosts. But having this
Spirit do we need others to guide us? Yes, all the time. Why? Because of the
powers of darkness, the influence of Satan and the weakness of human nature. We
need watchmen upon the towers of Zion, who are on the alert to look after the
interests of Israel, and see that God's people do not go astray. Hence it becomes
the duty of the Teachers to look after the people, to see that there is no hard
feeling, no covetousness, no fraud, no adultery, no iniquity of any kind; but
that purity, holiness and righteousness prevail among those that they preside
over. And how far does this extend? To every place where there is a ward or a
portion of a ward—to the utmost extremity. It may be compared unto the
body—from the head to the feet, from the toes to the fingers, and to every
other part. All the officers necessary for the work of the ministry are to be
found in the Church, and everything has been organized according to the orderer
God. Are any of these men who are called to presiding positions autocrats—men
who exercise undue authority over the feelings and associations of their fellow
man? No. Have any of them the right to disregard the feelings of their
brethren, trample them under foot, and act as tyrants? No. Have the Apostles,
or High Priests, or Seventies, or Elders, any such right? No. Brother Cannon
will read an extract from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, on this question.
President
George Q. Cannon then read as follows from Section 121, of the Book of Doctrine
and Covenants—
"Behold,
there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
"Because
their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the
honors of men that they do not learn this one lesson—
"That
the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of
heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only
upon the principle of righteousness.
"That
they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our
sins, or to, gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or
dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree
of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the
Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priesthood, or the
authority of that, man.
"Behold!
ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks; to
persecute the Saints, and to fight against God.
"We
have learned, by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of
almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they
will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
"Hence
many are called, but few are chosen.
"No
power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood,
only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love
unfeigned.
"By
kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without
hypocrisy, and without guile.
"Reproving
betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing
forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest
he esteem thee to be his enemy.
"That
he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
"Let
thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of
faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy
confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the
Priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
"The
Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy sceptre an unchanging
sceptre of righteousness and truth, and thy dominion shall be an everlasting
dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee for ever and
ever."
President
Taylor continuing his remarks said: We have
many specimens of the characters referred to in this revelation read by Brother
Cannon. These things continue to exist more or less. Some people are very
desirous sometimes to instruct me about how I ought to manipulate and manage
affairs. Well, if they were set as my instructors I should be much pleased to
get all the information I could from them, and I would be pleased to get
information from the humblest person in existence—if it was information. Among
other things I find that a good many begin to think that we are very much
persecuted and proscribed in our marital relations, according to the
revelations which God has given us, and there is sometimes a little trembling
in the knees. I am pleased there is not much of it, but there is a little once
in a while. Sometimes I get advice from outsiders, from the newspapers, etc.,
and sometimes from some of our brethren, (but from very few of our brethren) in
relation to these matters.
God has
given us a revelation in regard to celestial marriage. I did not make it. He
has told us certain things pertaining to this matter, and they would like us to
tone that principle down and change it and make it applicable to the views of
the day. This we cannot do; nor can we interfere with any of the commands of
God to meet the persuasions or behests of men. I cannot do it, and will not do
it.
I find
some men try to twist round the principle in any way and every way they can.
They want to sneak out of it in some way. Now God don't want any kind of
sycophancy like that. He expects that we will be true to Him, and to the
principles He has developed, and to feel as Job did—"Though He slay me,
yet will I trust in Him." Though other folks would slay us, yet we will
trust in the living God and be true to our covenants and to our God. These are
my feelings in relation to that matter. We have also been told that "it is
not mete that men who will not abide my law shall preside over my
Priesthood," and yet some people would like very much to do it. Well, they
cannot do it; because if we are here, as I said before, to do the will of our
Father who sent us, and He has told us what to do, we will do it, in the name
of Israel's God—and all who sanction it say Amen—[the vast congregation
responded with a loud "Amen."]—and those that don't may say what they
please. [Laughter.] If God has introduced something for our glory and
exaltation, we are not going to have that kicked over by any improper
influence, either inside or outside of the Church of the living God. We will
stand by the principles of eternal truth; living we will proclaim them, and
dying we will be true to them, and after death will live again in their
enjoyment in the eternal worlds. That is my feeling; so I don't feel very
trembly in the knees, and I do not think you do, generally. I see sometimes a
disposition to try to ignore some of the laws which God has introduced, and
this is one of them. People want to slip round a corner, or creep out in some
way. There is something very creepy about it. There was a man in former times we
are told, came to Jesus by night. His name was Nicodemus. He was one of those
persons who did not like the daylight. I have known some people who would want
to be baptized in the evening, or get into some corner that they might not be
seen. Well, there is not much to such folks. Jesus was very unpopular, quite as
unpopular as we are, in His day. Nicodemus was a prominent man among the Jews,
and bethought it might injure his reputation if he was seen visiting that
Nazarene, to get instruction from Him, so he crawled in at night. Jesus talked
quite plainly to him, as you can read for yourselves; but we find some folks of
a similar kind now creeping around. They have not the manhood to stand true to
their colors and to their God. Some folks think that we polygamists are very
much indebted to our brethren who are monogamists to help to steady the ark,
(God save the mark!)—(Laughter.)—to help to save us, and that we need such men
in the Legislature, etc., and to fill our various offices. Well, I won't tell
you all I think about some of these things, but I do think we are all of us
dependent upon God our Heavenly Father, and if He don't take care of us we
shall not be taken care of; if His arm is not extended in our behalf we shall
have a poor showing; but if God is with us, we ask no odds of the world, for He
governs the destinies of the human family. He puts down one man and exalts
another. He dethrones one king or president as the case may be, and sets up
another, and He rules as He pleases among the nations of the earth and all the
children of men, although they don't know it. We live in Him, we move in Him,
we have our being from Him, We are not dependent very much upon the monogamists
about any of these things. You need not plume yourselves very much in these matters;
and I will tell you, if you want to get along smoothly, you had better find
among your various neighbors, when you have some matter of difficulty to
settle, some of these polygamists and ask a little counsel at their hands. They
will be able to advise you about many things, especially if they are men of
God, humble men, living their religion and keeping the commandments of God.
There are
some few things I have been reflecting about, and hays noted them down, and I
think I shall read them now.
The distinction
being made between Polygamy and Prostitution:
1st.
Congress made a law which would affect both; and cohabitation with more than
one woman was made a crime whether in polygamy or out of polygamy.
2nd. The
Governor turned legislator, added to this law, and inserted in a test oath to
officials, the following words regarding cohabitation, "in the marriage
relation;" thus plainly and definitely sanctioning prostitution, without
any law of the United States, or any authority.
3rd. The
United States Commissioners, also, without legislation, adopted the action of
the Governor, and still insisted on this interpolation, in the test oath in
election matters, and placed all polygamists under this unconstitutional oath,
and released prostitutes and their paramours from the obligations placed upon
others.
4th. The
Prosecuting Attorney has sanctioned these things, and pursued a similar course;
and while he has asked all the "Mormon" jurors certain questions
pertaining to their religious faith in the doctrines of the "Mormon"
Church, and challenged them if they answered affirmatively as to their belief
in polygamy, he has declined to ask other jurors whether they believed in
prostitution, or whether they believed in cohabiting with more than one woman
or not.
5th.
Chief Justice Zane when appealed to on this question refused to interfere, or
give any other ruling, and thus aided in packing the jury.
Thus a
law was first passed by Congress, which has been perverted by the
administration, by all its officers who have officiated in this Territory, and
made to subserve the interests of a party who have placed in their political
platform an Anti-Mormon plank; and have clearly proven that there is a
Combination in all the officers of State, officiating in this Territory, to
back up this political intrigue in the interest of party, and at the sacrifice
of law, equity, jurisprudence and all the safeguards that are provided by the
Constitution for the protection of human rights.
These
(continued President Taylor) are some points that are of considerable
importance. Similar things have been exhibited in former times—an animus, a
united operation against justice, equity and law, and, in our case, against the
Constitution of the United States, and the rights and privileges and immunities
of the Latter-day Saints. A law was framed professedly in the interest of
purity and virtue. When it got here it was perverted and made to subserve the
interest of prostitution and prostitutes; and the lowest class of men, who
violate their marital relations, and trample under feet all principles of
virtue and integrity, can go on our juries, can vote at the polls, through tire
intrigues of corrupt men; and they tires try to shackle a free people, bring
them into bondage, and make slaves of them, unless they will bow to their
infernal behests, and in the name of Israel's God we will not do it. [The
congregation responded with a loud "Amen.] We are not going to elevate
prostitutes and men who violate their marital relations above men and women who
are virtuous, honorable and upright. These are my feelings, and I am not afraid
to proclaim them to the world. So much for these things.
Do we
want a class of men along with us that will submit to these kind of things, and
are we to share in this hypocrisy, this infamy and degradation? What mean these
dens in our city that are introduced by our Christian friends—dens of infamy,
dens of prostitution, gambling holes, houses of assignation, dram shops. etc?
They are to cater to the virtuous (?) feelings of these honorable, high-minded,
pure reformers that have come among us —(Laughter)—or what are they for? They
are sanctioned, I am ashamed to say by the officers of government, and
protected in their libidinons and degrading pursuits. How was it some time ago
when the Edmunds law was first introduced? A son of Mayor Little was one of the
election registrars. His father some years ago had had two wives—I am sorry to
say he has not got them now, they are dead—and because some years before any
law of this kind was in operation in the United States he had practiced plural
marriage, his son was obliged to tell his father that he could not register.
Shortly afterwards a notorious courtesan known as Kate Flint, with some of the
inmates of her bagnio, drove up and requested to be registered. "Why, of
course." And this same gentletman that could not register his honorable
father, who had never violated any law of the United States, had to endure the
mortification of taking the names of these others and placing them on the list
as respectable voters in our midst! About this time another non-Mormon came
along to one of the other registration officers, and on partly reading the
oath—this test oath that had been prescribed—said, "I am afraid I can't
take that?" "Why can't you take it?" Well, he was an honest man
among the Gentiles; he did not like to foreswear himself; so he said, "I
have a wife, and then I keep a mistress." "Oh, well," says the
man, "read on a little further." He read on until he came to the
words, "in the marriage relation." "Oh, well, yes, I
can take that," he said, and registered. These are facts that are stuck
before our noses here in the City of Salt Lake by the officials sent among us,
and who are instructed particularly to look after our morals.
So much,
then, for such affairs. Now, do we want affiliation or association with such
practices and principles as these? God forbid. And we want no falterers in our
ranks. What shall we do? Live our religion, be true to our covenants, and keep
the commandments of God.
What
shall the Presidents of Stakes do? Look after our Stakes, and if you find
adulterers or adulteresses among you, don't permit them to go into the temples
of God; for we won't have such people; they cannot be sanctioned by us, nor
have our fellowship. We will not have them; the world may take the strumpets;
they may wallow in their filth, but we will not have our holy places polluted
by people calling themselves Latter-day Saints, who indulge in these abominable
practices; we will not have them; and anybody who permits them to go into these
holy places will have to be responsible for it. Many Bishops do it, they will
be held responsible. Therefore, be careful, you Presidents of Stakes and you
Bishops, how you act, and look well after your people, for be it understood
that before our Lord Jesus Christ shall come, "righteousness shall go
before Him and shall set us in the way of his steps." (Psalms lxxxv, 13.)
We are preparing ourselves to build up a Zion of God, and these people, whoremasters
and whores, liars and hypocrites, will never get into the city of the living
God, they will be found outside the gates.
Now, have
I any ill feelings towards these people that persecute and proscribe us? No. I
would do them good for evil, give blessings for curses; I would treat them
well, treat them honorably. Let us be men of truth, honor and integrity; men
that will swear to our own hurt and change not; men whose word will be our
everlasting bond. If you see men hungry, feed them, no matter who they are: white,
black, or red, Jew, Gentile or Mormon, or anybody else—feed them. If you see
men naked, clothe them. If you see men sick, administer to them, and learn to
be kind to all men; but partake not of their evil practices. "O my soul,
come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou
united." We are trying to raise up a people that shall be men of God, men
of truth, men of integrity, men of virtue, men who will be fit to associate
with the Gods in the eternal worlds.
The choir sang, the congregation joining:
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning.
Adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow.
Benediction by L. John Nuttall.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 33:614, 10/15/84, p 6]
FOURTH DAY.
Monday, Oct. 7th, 10 a.m.
O say what is truth! 'Tis
the fairest gem,
That the riches of worlds can produce.
was sung by the choir.
Prayer by President John D. T. McAllister.
The choir sang,
Praise to the Man who
communed with Jehovah,
Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
Read the names of missionaries in addition to those called yesterday, the vote to sustain the brethren selected being unanimous.
Following is the full list of
MISSIONARIES
Whose names have been presented during the Conference.
Names of missionaries who have been called since the April conference, 1884, and now in their fields of labor, and whose names are now submitted:
GREAT BRITAIN.
Reuben
Carter, Sr., Fountain Green,
Robert Marshall, Toquerville.
Heber Sutton Goddard, 13th Ward.
Joseph Spendlove, Littleton.
SCANDINAVIA.
Hans
Christensen, Richfield
UNITED STATES.
Samuel
Witwer, Santa Clara.
Richard Rawle Fry, Morgan.
John Zimmerman, Lehi.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Samuel
Chandler Parkinson, Franklin.
NEW ZEALAND.
William
Willes, 20Ward.
Milson R. Pratt, 16th Ward.
Henry F. McCune, Nephi.
George Booth, Calcutta.
Names of Missionaries, October 6th, 1884:
GREAT BRITAIN.
George
Osmond, Bloomington.
Peter Winward, Payson.
Thos. Butterfield, Herriman.
Joseph H. S. Bodell, Herriman.
Jesse B. Martin, Jr., Scipio.
William Horsley, Brigham.
George Gidney, Brigham.
George H. Fowers, hooper.
L. L. Hatch, Franklin.
John Rowley, Nephi.
William Rex, Randolph.
Thomas Slight, Paris.
Robert W. Sloan, 18th Ward.
SWISS AND GERMAN MISSION.
Gustave
Henroid, Nephi.
Godfrey G. Fuhriman, Providence,
Conrad Faterluse, Paris.
Joon Kunz, Jr., Bern.
David Kunz, Bern.
Arnold Henry Schulthess, 1st Ward.
SCANDINAVIA.
Jeppa
Jeppsen, Brigham.
Niels Hansen, Manti.
Rasmus Borgquist, 10th Ward.
S. A. Wannberg, 20th Ward.
Christian Nielsen Lundsteen, Levan.
Matts S. Mattson, St. Charles.
Thomas C. Petersen, Ovid.
Niels C. Christensen, Levan.
Christian Christiansen, Levan.
Thomas R. Schroder, Nephi.
Mads Peter Madsen, Ephraim.
Andrew c. Anderson, Redmund.
Christian Anderson, Ogden.
Nephi Anderson, Petersen.
Johan Peter Mortensen, 8th Ward.
August K. Anderson, Grantsville.
Chas. J. Stromberg, Grantsville.
Peter M. Anderson, Grantsville.
John Alfred Eliason, Grantsville.
Anders Gustaf Sandberg, Grantsville
Erasmus P. Marquerdson, Elsinore.
N. P. Peterson, Pleasant Grove.
Carl G. Anderson, 19th Ward.
John J. Johnsen, Logan.
Andras Olsen, Gunnison.
Lars Foolson, Smithfield.
Peter W. Peterson, Smithfield.
UNITED STATES.
John
D. Chase, Nephi.
Joseph Shipley, American Fork.
SOUTHERN STATES.
Wm.
P. Camp, Samaria.
Thomas E. Harper, Call's Fort.
James W. Quayle, Logan.
Richard Thorne, Three Mile Creek, Box Elder Co.
William M. Daines, Hyde Park.
W. M. Webster, Franklin.
Wm. H. Gibbs, West Portage.
Elisha D. Clapp, Chester.
Frederick Rich Lyman, Oak Creek.
NEW ZEALAND.
George
S. Taylor, Fourteenth Ward.
James A. Slater, Slateville.
Edwin L. Davis, South Cottonwood,
Franklin Hill, Fayette.
SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Robert
B. T. Taylor, Sixteenth Ward.
Hyrum S. Harris, Provo.
Enoch Farr, Ogden.
Alberto J. Merrill, Smithfield.
MEXICO.
Isaac
J. Stewart, Draper.
Alvin Vickery Robison, Fillmore.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Addressed the Conference in relation to the accusations made against the Latter-day Saints by their traducers, to the effect that they are immoral and corrupt. He stated that he would not dwell upon the crimes of the accusers of the Saints if we were not on the defensive, but they made it imperative that they should be exposed. At the President's request President Geo. Q. Cannon read criminal statistics of Utah, taken from the official records, showing that over ten times the amount of crime is committed in the Territory proportionately by non-"Mormons" than by people professing to be "Mormons." He continued to speak for some time upon the corruptions, chicanery and perfidy practised upon the Latter-day Saints by designing schemers. He asserted that great numbers of honorable people despised these outrageous doings as much as we do.
President Cannon, at the request of the speaker then read statistics from papers published by notable Eastern authorities, showing the horribly immoral condition of society in the New England States.
Resuming, President Taylor said these people described by the statements read are those who are so horrified at the immoral situation in Utah, and from them come our would-be reformers. He was gratified that men could be found who are ready to denounce such abominable practices. His purpose in having those statements read in relation to infanticide and other crimes was two-fold. One was to exhibit the true character of those who perpetuated them, and the other was to warn the Saints against such characters, some of whom were endeavoring to insinuate themselves into the society and houses of the people of God. No such persons could have any lot or place among the Saints, and on no consideration could they be permitted to enjoy the privileges of the Gospel. He warned the officers of the Church against giving recommends to adulterers, murderers, or either men or women who are guilty of the unnatural crimes which had been defined in the extracts which had been presented. He directed that those guilty of such practices be cut off the Church, and requested that all who favored this view should say aye. The response was a shout of ayes that seemed almost to make the building tremble.
President Taylor then changed the tenor of his discourse, branching upon the temporal affairs of the Saints. He gave an interesting review of the experiences of the Saints in this connection in the past. There had been a depression of late in monetary affairs and improvements in the shape of new buildings had not been so numerous recently as some time ago. He described a visit by himself and associates in the Priesthood to what are now known as the Bannock and Oneida Stakes, where the land and other facilities are good and settlements are growing up. More people are wanted to help develop those portions of the county, and a similar situation exists in the south. Those who are out of employment are wanted to go to such places, where there is plenty of room. There are room and opportunities for all kinds of mechanics, especially in the building lines, as well as other branches of business in Bannock and other outlying Stakes, and those who had no work in the older settled parts should make their way to the more sparsely populated portions of the country. The speaker had advised, in the newly formed settlements, that when the people build houses, they should construct them according to a comely and intelligent plan, that beautiful homes may be reared. Those who wished to adopt this advice about going into the country should call upon Bishop Preston, that the method of getting to those places may be decided upon.
In answer to questions put by President Taylor to President Ricks of Bannock and President Hendricks of Oneida Stake as to whether they could employ a number of new settlers acquainted with the various branches of industry, they responded in the affirmative.
The next topic touched upon was the situation of Z. C. M. I., which was established for the purpose of furthering the interests of co-operation in mercantile and manufacturing directions. It is in a solid and flourishing condition, notwithstanding the general stringency of the times. There is not a better nor safer institution in this Territory. There are a number of Mormons and non-Mormon stores and z. C. M. I. does more in relation to home manufactures than all these put together. The speaker then read a concise statement in regard to what the institution had done in that line. He also stated that arrangements had been made to conduct the industry of manufacturing clothing, and for the furtherance of this branch it had agreed with the Provo Woolen factory for the purchase of its entire product of cloth.
In the same connection of home enterprises, the Deseret News Company had erected a paper mill with a capacity for manufacturing all the paper of various qualities needed in the Territory, and altogether good deal of progress was being made. The Board of Trade should bestir themselves and help to accelerate these industries, that we may gradually become self-supporting.
President Taylor expressed regret at the carelessness that had been exhibited by many people indebted to the Perpetual emigration Fund. Four years ago $800,000 of the amount due that fund had been forgiven to those owing it. About the same amount as that named still remained upon the book;s, and since then but $25,000 of that sum had been refunded by individuals obligated. This was a lamentable showing, and if the law of God were applied to those who had been so negligent in relation to paying their just debts, and thus robbed the poor of their rights, some of them would have to be severed from the church.
[John Taylor]
[DNW 33:643, 10/29/84, p 3; JD 25:313-318]
DISCOURSE (Part 2 -
Oct 7th)
BY PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Monday and Tuesday,
(Semi-Annual conference) Oct. 6 and 7, 1884
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
We are
accused of being corrupt, degraded, low and debauched. Who by? By people, as I
will show who are ten times as degraded, ten times as debauched, ten times as
low and guilty of ten-fold more crime than we are. These are our professed
reformers. I speak of these things therefore in our defence, and were we not
accused by men void of honor and principle, I never would broach such a
subject; for, I do not delight to dwell on the infamies, the corruptions and
abominations of the world. I would rather speak of their good qualities and
honorable principles, and I am thankful to say that there are thousands and
tens of thousands and millions in these United States and in other nations who
look with contempt upon all the chicanery, deception and fraud, whether of a
moral, social, political, legislative, or judicial character; thousands and
millions of men; I see many of them, very many of them, who pass through here,
men of note of position in society from the United States, and from the
different nations who call upon me from time to time, and express their
sentiments pertaining to these matters. In order to sustain what I say, I will
have Brother Cannon read over some statistics in regard to crime. We are, as I
have said, represented as a very bad people, and I want to show a comparison
between us and our reformers, or those that profess to be our reformers
in relation to these matters.
President
Cannon then read the following, being the criminal statistics for the year
1883.
"The
population of Utah may be estheated at 160,000 in 1883.
"Of
these say 130,000 were Mormons, and 30,000 Gentiles, a very liberal estheate of
the latter.
"In
this year there were 46 persons scut to the Penitentiary convicted of crime. Of
these 33 were non-Mormons, and 13 reputed Mormons.
"At
the above estheate of population the ratio or percentage would be one prisoner
to every 10,000 Mormons, or one hundredth of one per cent, and of the Gentiles
one convict in every 909, or about one ninth of one per cent. So that the
actual proportion of criminals is more than ten times greater among the
Gentiles of Utah, with the above very liberal estheate, than among the Mormons.
"It
is urged that these non-Mormon prisoners are not a fair representation of the
average of crime throughout the country, but are the result of the flow of the
desperate classes westward to the borders of civilization; with greater truth
we reply that the Mormon prisoners are not representatives of Mormonism, nor
the results of Mormonism, but of the consequences of a departure from Mormon
principles; and of the 13 prisoners classed as "Mormons," the greater
portion were only so by family connection or association:
Arrests
in Salt Lake City, 1853:
Mormons, 150
Non-Mormons, 1,559
or
more than ten times the number of Mormon arrests.
"Again,
it is estheated that there are 6,000 non-Mormons, and 19,000 Mormons in Salt
Lake City, which shows of Mormon one arrest in 126 2-3.
"Non-Mormons
one arrest in a fraction less than every four, or rather more truth twenty-five
per cent."
As I have
said before, (continued President Taylor,) if we were not on the defensive in
this case, I would say nothing about these things; but it ill becomes men who
have got ten criminals to our one to come here as our reformers, and try to
disfranchise men who are ten times as good as they are. These are facts that
are not of my getting up.
They come
from the public records and can be verified by the prison and other statistics.
And the question is, how much of that rule do we want here
The
questionable honor is reserved to these advocates of "advanced high moral
ideas" to trample upon all judicial precedents. It was not enough that an
insignificant minority should have more than an equal showing with the
majority, being equal in numbers in the drawing to make up a venire. It was not
enough that every Mormon was questioned as to his religious faith and that no
Gentile was. It was not enough that all "Mormons" were excluded from
this so-called "impartial grand jury," and that their avowed
enemies were to be their judges. It is not enough that our people must be tried
by men whose average record shows them to be ten times their inferiors as law
abiding citizens; but not having enough men to pack this "impartial grand
jury" according to the provisions of law, under the guise of virtue, and
in the name of morality and justice, edicts are issued to the officers to go
into the purlies of the city and gather up ad libitum from among the
gutter snipes creatures to form "a jury of the peers" of the accused
with which to persecute and prosecute honorable men and women.
These are
things we object to, and I wish our brethren and sisters to be informed in
regard to these matters, that they may have a correct estheate of the position
that we occupy pertaining thereto. We cannot respect and esteem such
operations, and while we are desirous to place ourselves in conformity with all
law, all order and all correct principle, yet we despise in our hearts this
chicanery, hypocrisy, fraud and deception. But do we expect to see such things?
Yes. Are we surprised at it? No. Why? Because we have been told over and over
again, and the Elders have preached over and over again, and the Prophets have
prophesied of it over and over again, that the world will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived. Who is it that embarks in these things? It is the
corrupt, the ungodly, the debauchee, the adulterer, the liar, the men who
violate every principle of honor, truth and integrity, and who are enemies to
this nation, and the same class of people are enemies to any nation. They are
laying the axe at the root of the tree of liberty, and trying to overturn the
freedom of man, and to place free men in bondage, a thing no honorable man
would condescend to for a moment. And there are many in this city who despise
these things as they do the gates of hell, who are not associated with us in a
religious capacity, many honorable men who have feelings of this kind, and then
there are tens of thousands in the United States who possess the same feelings
and the same abhorrence of this corruption, degradation and infamy that is
sought to be palmed upon us. But while we can estheate these things at their
worth, we can also estheate the actions of honorable men who are not of us at
their true worth. Because a man is not a believer in our doctrines, that is no
reason why he should not be an honorable man, for there are thousands and
millions of them: it would be a pity if they were in the same condition as the
others. But we as a people have to defend ourselves against the aggressions of
an unscupulous enemy who is instigated by the power of the adversary to
overturn and destroy the truth to-day as he has done in other ages, in other
nations and among other peoples. Therefore it becomes us to look well after our
affairs, and protect ourselves as best we may from the columnies, the reproach,
and the infamies that are Sought to be foisted upon us by an ungodly,
hypocritical and corrupt people.
Now,
having got through with this, I want to refer to something else. It has been
stated that the reason why we have so many of these criminals is because that
the scum of society from the eastern States floats out here, and that therefore
a rough, uncouth, lawless class finds its way into this community. Now, I want
something read to you about some of these so called virtuous people in the
east.
President
Cannon again read as follows:
"Dr.
Nathan Allen, of Lowell, has declared in a paper read before a late meeting of
the American Social Science Association, that "nowhere in the history of
the world was the practice of abortion so common as in this country; and he
gave expression to the opinion that, in New England alone, many thousands of
abortions are procured annually."
"Dr.
Reamy, of the Ohio State Medical' Society, says: "From a very large
verbal and written correspondence in this and other States, together with
personal investigation and facts accumulated * * that we have become a nation
of murderers."
The Rev.
Dr. Eddy writes to the Christian Advocate regarding one little village
of 1,000 inhabitants: "Yet here, and elsewhere, 15 per cent of wives have
the criminal hardihood to practice this black art, there is a still large and
additional per cent. who endorse and defend it. * * Among married persons, so
extensive has this practice become, that people of high repute not only commit
this crime, but do not shun to speak boastingly among their intimates of the
deed and the means of accomplishing it."
"Dr.
Allen further states: "Examining the number of deaths, we find that there
are absolutely more deaths than births among the strictly American children, so
that aside from immigration and births of children of foreign parentage, the
population of Massachusetts is rapidly decreasing. * * The birth rate in the
State of New York, shows the same fact, that American families do not increase
at all, and inspection of the registration in other States shows the same
remark applies to all."
"Bishop
Coxe, of the Protestant' Episcopal Church of New York, in a pastoral letter to
his people, writes: "I have heretofore warned my flock against the blood
guiltiness of ante natal infanticide. If any doubts existed heretofore as to
the propriety of my warnings on this subject, they must now disappear before
the fact that the world itself is beginning to be horrified by the practical
results of' the sacrifices to Moloch which defile our land. Again I warn you
that they who do such things cannot inherit eternal life. If there be a special
damnation for those who shed innocent blood, what must be the portion of those
who have no mercy upon their own flesh."
"Dr.
Cowan, M. D., writing on what he styles "the Murder of the Unborn,"
says: "That this crime is not only wide spread on this great continent,
but is rapidly on the increase, we have the testimony of physicians, whose
investigations have been thorough, and whose social standing and sincerity
cannot be questioned."
President
Taylor continuing said: These are the people that are coming here to reform us,
and are so disgusted with our corruptions. Yet I am pleased to find that there
are, once in a while, men who have the courage to speak against these damning
evils. Bishop Coxe, of the Episcopal Church, is one of these men, and I honor such
men whenever I hear of them, and should be glad at all times to extend to them
all courtesies possible. Dr. Allen and Dr. Reamy are inspired, it seems, by the
same detestation of these hellish, these fiendish, these outrageous acts. Yet
from these people come our reformers, who are so horrified at the evils they
see in Utah. But fortunately, the bed to too short, they cannot stretch
themselves on it; and the covering is too narrow and too contracted, it will
not cover them, and their evils and abominations crop out on every side, and
they become their own accusers.
It is
their own statements that I have had read to you this morning. I am sorry to
know that these things are as they are; but these are facts, and we do not feel
very much honored with the association of such people. We do feel hollered
always to associate with honorable men and women; but with the seducer, with
harlots, with thieves, with murderers of the innocents, no! never! no never! We
want no association with them. As it is stated here by one of these reverend
gentlemen in the East, speaking of these things, no murderer hath eternal life
in him, nor no murderesses have eternal life in them.
I have
had these things read to you for two reasons: First, to show the corruption
that exists among these so-called virtuous people, honorable people, pure
people, who are so shocked at the atrocities that take place in Utah. Another
reason is that I want to warn our brethren and sisters against these infamies,
and against permitting these filthy wretches to come into their houses. They
are too low, too debased, too corrupt; and I speak of it because I know what I
am talking about; there are some of these people crawling around us like so
many vipers, and insinuating their hellish, murderous practices into the
families of some who call themselves Latter-day Saints. Woe! to such Saints.
You cannot have a place among us. No woman murderer, no man murderer can have a
place among the Latter-day Saints, and I speak of it that the Presidents of
Stakes and the Bishops may be apprised of these things. And some of these
people would try to pass by the Bishops, and then by the Presidents of Stakes,
and then by the President of the Church, and crawl with all their slime and
damnable hypocrisy into the Temples of the living God. They may pass by these,
but they will have to pass by the angels and the Gods, before they get through,
and they will never inherit the Kingdom of God. Hear it you sisters! Hear it
you brethren! Hear it you Bishops, and you Presidents of Stakes? Watch well and
know well what you are doing, when you sign recommends for doubtful characters
to go into these holy places. We do not want them there. it is not their place,
and you will have to account for your acts if you permit these things knowingly.
It is necessary that you should be particular about these matters, for you will
have to answer for your doings as I have for mine. We cannot, because of
relationship, because somebody is a cousin, or an uncle, or an aunt, or a
brother, or a sister, or a son or a daughter, or a father or a mother—we cannot
admit and will not admit them to any of these holy places unless they are
worthy. I call upon you if you know of adulterers or adulteresses, or people
that practice these unnatural infamies, to sever them from the Church; they
shall not have a place in the Church and Kingdom of God. Mr. Murray here, and
others, may make laws and test oaths, with provisions in them to screen the
adulterer, the whoremonger, and the seducer; but we will tear that away from
our people, and all such shall have no place with Israel, and all who are in
favor of it, signify it by saying "Aye." [The congregation responded
with a loud "Aye."] These are our feelings, and it is some of these
things which has led me to talk as plainly as I have done in regard to some of
these other matters. I wanted to present the contrast so plainly before you
that he that runneth might read. Enough of this, however, for the present:
Handle it carefully.
Deal with it gently,
Speak of it tenderly,
Poor Justice is blind.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
Hoped that he might enjoy a portion of the same spirit which had prompted the utterances of all the speakers at the Conference. He could well understand that to live our religion requires a constant exertion on our part. In brief the whole of this religion is to live lives of righteousness. Many believed that if they are barely able to hold a standing in the Church they are still living their religion. The fallacy of such an idea -- that simple faith or belief without works was sufficient was briefly touched upon; and the speaker declared it his belief that no person who does nothing toward building the houses of God had a right to enter those houses and take part in the blessings and privileges therein conferred. Referring to our position in the world, he aid, honest, upright men not of us recognize the merits of the Saints and their honesty of dealing, while it is only by those who are not themselves above reproach that the calumnies against us are set in circulation. He regretted the growing tendency among the Saints to run into debt and urged farmers in the purchase of machinery to use more wisdom, and the people generally to adopt a more healthy method of financeering. sufficient instruction had been given at this conference to enable the Saints, if they would observe it, to make a great improvement on their past record, and he prayed that they might be enabled to do so.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
had been reminded on hearing the remarks and statements of President Taylor, of the admonition of the Savior to those who could discern the signs of the sky but were not able to discern the signs of the times. John the Revelator had been moved to cry out concerning the judgments that would come upon the earth, and it was to escape these and to fulfill many other predictions of the ancient prophets, that the Saints had gathered out of all nations. He prayed that our strongest desire, now that we are gathered here, might be to remain remain firm, and devote all our strength to the building up and establishment of the kingdom of God upon the earth.
Conference adjourned till April, 1885, in the Large Tabernacle.
The choir sang:
Where the voice of
leadership's heard
Sounding like a sweet-toned bird..
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
1885
4-6 Apr 1885, 55th Annual General Conference, Logan Utah
[Deseret News Weekly 34:184, 4/8/85, p 8; 34:200, 4/15/85 p 8; Millennial Star 47:273, 289, 305]
[4 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 34:184, 4/8/85, p 8]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE
_____
The Fifty-fifth Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Logan Tabernacle, Logan City, on Saturday, April 4th, 1885, in pursuance of an announcement by the First Presidency.
Apostle Franklin D. Richards presided.
Present on the stand: of the Twelve Apostles, Franklin D. Richards, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith; Heber J. Grant.
Also a number of Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, Elders and other leading brethren from various parts of Utah and adjacent Territories.
The Conference was called to order by President Richards.
the Logan choir sang:
Glorious things of thee are
spoken,
Zion, city of our God.
The opening prayer was offered by Apostle John Henry Smith.
The choir sang:
All praise to our redeeming
Lord,
Who joins us by His grace.
PRESIDENT F. D. RICHARDS
Said it was an occasion for heartfelt gratitude that we were permitted to meet under so favorable circumstances as those what surround us. It was a matter of regret, however, that the Presidency of the Church were unable to be present, and others of our brethren were necessarily absent from this Conference. If any additional evidence were wanted to show that this Church is not of the world, it exists to-day. Notwithstanding the peculiar surroundings of the Saints, a brighter day never appeared for the Church than this. Trees that are shaken by the winds seem as if they would be torn up. The soil of the earth is loosened around the roots. The trees are thus tested. At such times the tallest of them are most exposed to the hurricane. It is not heretofore a matter of surprise that some of our leading brethren are not with us to-day. There are times of winter when the frosts cause the trees to show scarcely any foliage or appearance of life. But while the adverse season is on, the sap is down in the roots, and if the winds have loosened the earth, they are extending themselves and when the season changes, the result will be larger and better fruit. Some of our brethren and sisters may feel timid at the threatening condition that exists, but there is no cause for real alarm. It is a time when the Saints can go before the Lord in secret, obtaining the spirit of revelation that they may be leaders and instructors to their families. The present hour finds the standing of men and women. Those who are not grounded in the truth by the love of it are showing themselves, and thus the Church is made purer and better. Such situations of trial are periodically necessary to separate the corrupt from the pure. They are needful to bring us to repentance of all our shortcomings. The speaker hoped that those who should follow him in addressing the people would be enabled to feed the flock of Christ. The Saints of Cache Stake are peculiarly blessed, being under the very shades of a Temple of God. He prayed that the blessing of the Lord might attend the proceedings of the Conference.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 34:226, 4/29/85, p 2; JD 16:164-172]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
At the Annual Conference, held in the Tabernacle, Logan,
Cache County, Saturday April 4th, 1885.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
IT is
very pleasing and it is also an occasion of heartfelt gratitude to be permitted
to meet, so many of us, this morning and under such favorable circumstances as
those which surround us; even the elements conspire to make our coming together
convenient and agreeable. Circumstances are such as prevent our brethren of the
First Presidency and several of the Twelve Apostles from being with us, and
perhaps others from among the people, who would be glad to be with us at this
General Conference, but who deem it advisable, or are so situated that they
cannot consistently attend. Let us that have come together seek unto the Lord for
His Spirit and His guidance, that we may receive that measure of grace and
blessing at His hand which we need under the present conditions which attend
upon us.
If any
evidence were wanting to indicate to the doubtful, the unbelieving, or the
half-hearted, as to whether we are of the world or the world of us, we are
obtaining daily evidence of the fact that we are not of the world. The Savior
told the brethren that sojourned with Him: "If ye were of the world, the
world would love you: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." The same reason
essentially exists to-day that existed then. But the Lord has made very
gracious and precious promises to His people—that where only two or three are
agreed as touching matters pertaining to the interest of His Kingdom and the
honor of His name, their prayers shall be heard. There never was a day since
the Church has been organized in these last days that the Saints had better
reasons, or more of them, to be strong and confident in God their living Head,
than they have this morning. We need to know and realize that our trust is in
Him and not in man, for woe! to him that putteth his trust in man and maketh
flesh his arm. God has undertaken to perform a work in the earth which is going
to astonish the world, and which will give to His name honor, and glory, power
and dominion. Now, all these things that occur—I need not go into any
enumeration of them, because in all of your different settlements circumstances
and conditions are more or less varied—it has been the studied plan of our
adversaries to spread snares for our feet throughout the land; and it need not
be wondered at, of course, that they who stand highest in authority should be
the objects more particularly of their wicked designs.
Take a
look at this thing rationally and in a common-sense view for a moment. The
forest trees that are shaken with the wind sometimes almost seem as if they
would be uprooted by it, and blown over. By this operation the soil is
wonderfully loosened about the roots. By this storm the strength of a tree is
tested, and the trunk and the branches of it, as to whether they bear proper
relation to each other and derive that support that sustains every part in its
natural position. It is also very natural that in that grove, as the wind
passes over it, the tallest trees are really the most tried part of it, for the
wind and storm will dash and blow upon them, while the smaller ones that are
protected by each other, scarcely feel it, perhaps. Then you need not wonder if
some of the tallest trees do not happen to be here to-day. We will, however,
remember our brethren who are absent, and pray for them; we will ask the Lord
to bless and protect them, to strengthen and fill them with the wisdom of the
Holy Ghost continually, that the joy and comfort of the truth and of the holy
Gospel shall be theirs, and that they shall be preserved from the hands of
their enemies.
We who
are gathered together, instead of entertaining in feeling of cultivating
malicious designs towards our enemies, will ask the Lord to strengthen us and
to qualify us not only for what is upon us now, but for what is before us; for
we do not know what there may be for us in the purposes of Jehovah. All this
may be necessary and profitable to give us an experience that we should pass
through trials, that may tend to our improvement and qualification, enable us
in our different positions to better magnify our callings, and to bear off His
Kingdom in the last days as He requires.
There are
times and seasons when the hoary frosts of winter not only prevent the trees
from showing forth their foliage, from developing any bloom, but cause them to
cast their fruit to the earth, scarcely giving indications of life. It may not
be wondered at then, if through the storms and blasts of adversity which come
upon the Church from time to time that its members are not spreading forth and
reaching out their branches, or that the foliage shows no such immediate
prospects of fruit, as we might, under more favorable sunshine and with more
beautiful weather, expect. While this adverse season is on and the leaves
perhaps have blown to the ground, and all presents the appearance of barrenness
and death itself, the sap is at work down in the roots. Do you understand this?
Gardeners and nurserymen especially will understand that at the close of the
adverse season, when the winds and storms have loosened the soil, the roots
have extended themselves deeper into the earth, when the sun shines and the
gentle rain falls and the pleasant spring appears, those roots, now greatly
enlarged, will cause the trees to put forth larger leaves, with more abundant
bud and bloom, and with larger and more luscious fruit than before. So it is
and will be with the great tree of Life which God has planted in the earth, and
which is bringing forth and will yield more abundantly the fruits of
Everlasting Life.
Well,
then, we have nothing that we need be afflicted or worried about, except our
own unrighteousness. I know how the Saints feel about many things which are
menacing and intimidating them at the present time; but brethren and sisters,
now is the best of all times to go often into your closets, for secret prayer,
and there find that grace and help of God which is able to buoy you up in every
time of need. Men that are the heads of families need now to be filled with the
Holy Spirit, to be Prophets, Seers and Revelators to their families, to their
kindred and to those that are around them. You need to have your roots strike
deep into the soil of Heaven and stronger into the soil of eternity, that you
may derive that nourishment and that strength that shall bring to you greater,
more abundant and more glorious blessings than ever you have yet realized.
Among
other benefits that will be produced by the strange conditions that attend us
is this: that while there are those among us who have not known whether they
were following for the loaves and fishes, or whether they were following for
the truth's sake—many who are ready to dabble in spirituous liquors and in
those intoxicating drinks which inflame the passions, which madden the soul,
daze their intellects, destroy the faculties of man, drowning their souls in
the perdition of the ungodly; many who have never sought to dig deep and lay
their foundation upon the rock of revelation which is the only foundation of
eternal truth. It is absolutely important that we and they should know which
side of the fence they dwell on; that they make up their minds either to serve God
or the devil; and this is a time that calls all people professing to be Saints
to make up their minds determinedly whom it is best to serve, and if the Lord
is their God, to get some oil in their vessels that they be not always in
darkness.
Again,
there are conditions which pertain to all animated nature, and which are
incident to the great body of the Church as well, and they are these:
Notwithstanding it may be the choicest food we may eat, notwithstanding the
most healthful or precious drinks we may use—there are operations going on in
the system whereby those elements that are not found of use are cast off as
waste by the various avenues provided by nature for the expulsion of that which
is not useful to the system. Just so this principle of life exists with God's
people. They who will not in their due time and place become articles of
nutriment and health to the Church and the Saints will become refuse and will
be cast off. These are principles in nature and in life which all are
conversant with; we know and understand them. In this dispensation of
Providence, wherein it seems as though all the powers of darkness were arrayed
against us, we need to understand that it is to God and to God alone that we
must look. We need to understand the laws of all things well. The Lord has
borne us off in troubles and in tribulations while in Ohio, in Missouri, and in
Illinois, and the God that has been with us through these troubles will not
forsake us at the present time. The great thing for us to do is to feel after
Him, and repent of our sins, our waywardness, and of our weaknesses and
sinfulness, and put away everything that is unrighteous and that which is
displeasing in the sight of God and of angels and good men. If we do this His
favor and His power will rest upon us, and He will allow nothing to come upon
us but what He will sanctify to our greatest good and to His own eternal honor
and glory, and we shall see by and by His infinite wisdom in all His
providences towards us.
I
appreciate with you the many precious sentiments that have been uttered in our
hearing since we have come together at this conference, and also appreciate
with you the consideration which our absent brethren of the First Presidency
have felt concerning us, and the work in which we are engaged.
There is
something about our labor that is strangely peculiar, but not more so, perhaps,
in our day than has existed in former ages of the world when the Gospel has
been revealed to man. It has always seemed to be the case that whatever period
of time we take up to read concerning the work of God and its effects among the
inhabitants of the earth—we always find that the people of God and the people
of the world have been in direct antagonism; and when we get back to the most
remote items of history—or items of information which history is permitted to
furnish us—we find that even in the spiritual state of man's existence, before
the family of Adam came to dwell in the flesh, that there was antagonism there
between truth and error, between those that embraced truth and those that
embraced error, and following down through the ages that same antagonism has
existed and been made manifest in one form or in another, so that the people of
the earth have never been in a position to see and understand the principles of
the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, in the same light, and to
understand it together and correctly. The principles of the Gospel which have
been revealed of God have been admitted by the greatest moral philosophers who
have lived—aside from religious professors—to be the most noble principles, the
most calculated to exalt mankind, in the belief, in the exercise, and in the
obedience of them, of any doctrines or principles of ethics that have ever been
given to the human family; great moralists, great scientists have been willing
to give this credit to the principles and doctrines of our Savior. Philosophers
of this world have done this; and all they of the Saints who have rendered
obedience to these principles know, truly, how a faith in them exalts those
that embrace them, until it has come to be a truism among the people of God,
"that righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people."
Therefore,
let it be known to all the world that it is one of the first principles of the
Gospel of Christ that men should repent of their sins, that they should be
washed in the waters of regeneration for the remission of their sins, that
then, in pursuance thereof, they may receive the Holy Ghost from heaven, which
is promised unto obedient believers.
This is
not only the doctrine of the Gospel of this dispensation, and the doctor me of
the Gospel in the dispensation when Jesus and the Apostles of His day were upon
the earth, but this is the very principle and doctrine that was revealed to
Father Adam, after he was cast out of the Garden of Eden, when the angel of the
Lord came to him and asked him why he offered sacrifices. He replied that he
knew not, only that the Lord had told him to do so. Then the angel of the Lord
proceeded to explain the matter to him—told him that the object of his offering
sacrifices was to keep before his mind the great sacrifice that must be offered
up in the meridian of time. This was the only symbol and type given to men to
cause them to look forward through an ordinance they practised to the Savior,
who was to come as a sacrifice for sin and to become the Savior of the world.
Thus early did God place this principle before the mind of the great father of
the human family when in that terrible dilemma, he having consented to partake
of the fruit and go out of the garden with mother Eve. It was then that our
first parents began to be taught this principle. Adam was taught that he mush
be born of the water and of the spirit, and in demonstration of this he was
caught up by the Spirit and placed in the water and brought forth out of the
water, as the revelation of God to Joseph declares. Then he was baptized by the
Holy Ghost and with fire. And the Lord told him to teach those things to his
children that they might look forward with him to the time when the Only
Begotten should come in the flesh and should be made an offering for the sins
of the world. Adam was further told that if he taught these things to his
children he and they should have in this life the words of eternal life, and in
the life to come eternal life itself. Mark the careful distinction; that if
they would keep the commandments they should in this life have the words of
eternal life given to them, and in the life to come they should have eternal
life itself, and, added the Lord to this great promise, "thus may all
become my sons."
Thus the
plan of salvation was in brief laid out in plainness to our Father Adam, that
he and all his children might be thought meet to enter into the favor of God,
receive the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be born of water and of the Spirit,
and thus come to a knowledge of the principles of eternal life.
We see
from this that the first step to be taken in those days, when the works of Cain
had gone forth, and when the people had become exceedingly wicked—so bad that
the Scriptures say the thoughts of their hearts were only evil and that
continually—the very first thing to consider was how to deprive sinfulness of
its power and make righteousness to take hold of the children of men so that
they might find favor with the Gods, and with all the righteous both in heaven
and on the earth.
This was
the principle, this was the doctrine, and this was the way by which the
Patriarch Enoch—that great and ancient worthy of whom We know so little—went
forth and by the power of God reasoned with those wicked people and preached
the Gospel to them, and baptized all who would receive it and gathered them together
into a place which lie called Zion. It was a very great and mighty work he had
to perform; for the people had become terribly wicked, filled with the spirit
of murder and every manner of abomination that the human heart can conceive of.
This,
then, is the foundation that all men have to lay in their hearts and lives
before they begin to receive the principles of eternal life as they are
revealed. You my brethren and sisters that are from Scandinavia, from the
northern countries, from the Cape of Good Hope, New Zealand, Australia, and
from the islands of the sea, including the frozen regions of Iceland—every one
of you were taught and embraced those first principles in the primitive part of
your faith and belief in the Gospel. It was the beginning; it was the step
which every son and daughter of Adam has had to take, from the days of Adam
until now, in order to cleanse themselves before God, so as to receive the
blessings of eternal life. It was by carrying out these principles and
preaching that Adam was saved. It was by an obedience to the same principles
that Enoch succeeded in gathering out the honest in heart unto the city of
Zion. He was 365 years in building up that Zion and in gathering into it a
people on the same principles that have been revealed to us in these latter
days. We are preaching the same Gospel that was given to those ancient
worthies. You can trace the Priesthood by referring to the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants—the holy, high Priesthood that has come down front Adam to Noah, and
down through Enoch, Methuselah and the different men of God who lived in
ancient times—you can trace it clear back to Adam who was ordained under the
hands of God, who told him that that Priesthood should abide in his generations
and that it should be on the earth at the end of time. What is the Priesthood
that you grey-headed fathers are bearing before us to-day in the midst of
Israel? It is the holy, high Priesthood of Melchisedec, which is after the
order of the Son of God, and which is after the power of an endless life. Then,
brethren and sisters, understand it. It is not a new Gospel revealed now for
the first time—these first principles are not new, because they have been
revealed from the beginning. They are the same principles that Christ commenced
to preach when He was upon the earth. They were the first principles that John
the Baptist taught when he came to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of
Man; they were the very first principles that Joseph and Oliver taught in this
dispensation when they began to preach the Gospel. They were ordained to the
Aaronic Priesthood. This is the beginning of the work of righteousness.
There are
revelations and doctrines given unto us in our day, however, which were not
given in former ages, because the people were not prepared and were not in a
suitable condition to receive such. Do not let us think that we have got all
the revelation there is. In the last great revelation which the Lord gave to
Joseph, He told him that He had not revealed all to him, but that there were
many laws pertaining to His Priesthood which He would reveal hereafter. Do you
remember it? But if the world is going to get scared and terrified and ready to
lay waste and destroy the Latter-day Saints before we have got so far advanced in
the civilization of heaven as to understand the marriage laws and some of the
marital relations of the sexes—if they go crazy over this what will happen to
them when something more comes along?
Now, I
hope that none of the Saints will grow weak in the knees; do not let them hang
down their heads, nor allow their hearts to be troubled; do not let the sisters
lie awake at nights brooding over this and that, that is going to happen, and
getting a great deal of borrowed trouble. There is no promise of grace to
sustain them inn such trouble; but the Lord has promised that His grace shall
be sufficient for our day, sufficient for the troubles we have to bear; but we
have no promise of grace to sustain us in borrowed trouble. Do not be alarmed
though the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things. While they are in
confusion and strife of every kind, you will multiply upon the earth and
establish lasting peace upon the face thereof. The Latter-day Saints who are
the object of all observation from the four quarters of the earth, are the only
people that have pure and settled peace in their hearts and in their midst. Do
you realize this? Our missionaries go to the Southern States, and the North
Western States; they go to Europe, to Asia, Africa, and every point of the
compass, and when they return they tell us that in no place do they find as
true, settled and substantial peace, as there is right here in Utah, where one
would think, from all that is going on and all that is threatened, that the
waves of the sea were going to roll over us. Our peace is that which the Gospel
brings. The fruit of the Spirit which the wicked can neither give nor take
away. Where is no use being worried over these things. It is part of our
heritage. They who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution; we
have every reason to expect it. It is our duty to seek wisdom of the Lord in
all matters; seek for the Holy Spirit, and attend to our own business.
In regard
to the principles of the Gospel which the Lord has revealed to us beyond what,
He has to other people, we should remember that we shall he called to account
for the use we make of them; remember that we use them, live them, and
administer them in all righteousness in our lives and conduct, and while there
are no two families whose conditions and circumstances are just alike, still
the same general principles will have their general effect in all households.
We must cultivate righteousness. We are learning the principles of the Gospel
one after another; how to observe and obey them. We want to know how to hold
them in righteousness, because we cannot hold these precious eternal treasures
in unrighteousness; if we think we can we shall he deceived and will some day
find out that they are not to be held in unrighteousness, for they only take
effect with the pure in heart, they that are willing to keep the commandments
of God, and walk in the way of His counsels.
Sin is a
reproach to any people. It is better for us right, here in this life that we
keep the commandments of God, even if we did not look for any future reward of
glory. Don't you know it is? Why? Because we feel happy and strong within
ourselves when we lie down at night and rise up in the morning; when we go out
and when we come in; we feel the sustaining influence and approval of an honest
heart, of a pure conscience, and of all just people—a conscience void of
offense towards God and His people. This is the greatest treasure that a person
can possess in this life. And do you know that go where you will—among those
ignorant tribes that surround us, or to the highest civilized, and most
cultivated portions of the European or American nations,—the man that is
obedient to the holy principles of the everlasting Gospel—if they do not know
he is called a Mormon—is respected above all men who disregard the principles
of righteousness and truth. If some of our brethren who work in the mining
camps behave themselves and live their religion, the very men around them
respect and honor them. Why? Because they are reliable; because the principles
they have embraced and put into practice render them substantial and
trustworthy. You go into the classes of the university or of the colleges where
young men have gone in quest of an education, and you will find that the man
who is pure and virtuous in his feelings, in his thoughts and in his ways, who
does not delight in folly, in sin and the secret works of darkness, but is at
home attending to his lessons and his duty—it is he that makes his way to the
head of the class, and gets the highest honor among his fellows. It is he that
they look up to because of his upright conduct and all that is excellent in
man. That is the kind of men that go forth and make their way and mark among
their neighbors and their countrymen. True virtue and righteousness exalt
individuals, and it therefore must exalt a nation composed of such individuals.
When a nation disregards the principles of justice, equity, righteousness and
truth—so far as to fail or refuse the administration of its laws equitably to any
portion or class of its citizens, then the people have reason to fear the
dreadful consequences that must follow, unless a reformation is effected; then
the noble, the honorable, the virtuous and the pure should be willing to make
sacrifice for that which is ennobling, exalting, upright and praiseworthy.
Go back
in the history of the world and you will see that the greatest nations that
ever existed, as soon as they commenced to pervert justice, crush truth and
right, persecute God's people and exalt iniquity, then commenced their
downfall, and their way was down, down, down, to demolition and destruction,
until more substantial and better elements were found in their ruins with which
to raise up and create something new. It was that excellence and purity which
God saw in the Puritan fathers that came over to this country for the love of
the truth, and to worship God according to the dictates of their own
consciences,—it was that excellence that preserved them and established them
here, and as long as they maintained the principles of liberty, allowed others
to enjoy the same rights that they themselves enjoyed, just so long did they
prosper. They were powerful in that that they had influence and faith to
receive inspiration from God, to draw up and establish the greatest
Constitution that has ever been known on the earth—the grandest combination of
loyal principles and fundamental truths that has been established by man, since
the days of Noah, and that is the Constitution with which politicians have become
so reckless, in construing its provisions, and have gone outside of its
limitations to rule and regulate the people of this great nation as they
please. That glorious Constitution was made to regulate rulers as well as the
ruled. It was so constructed that those who should be appointed to rule over
the people should not be their masters, but their servants. How comes it now,
that the whole polity has been perverted to another way; the rulers have come
to be masters of the people, and are undertaking now to lord it over God's
heritage. We ought to understand these things. It is our duty to do so.
BISHOP DAVID H. CANNON
Of St. George, was the next speaker. He had been called upon to represent the St. George Stake of Zion, the masses of the people of which were striving to serve God. The threatening aspect of affairs was causing them to be more united. The Stake was somewhat scattered, Panacca, one of its settlements, being 113 miles from St. George, and the roads were somewhat difficult to travel At one time there had been a good deal of speculation as to what would form a line of demarcation between the righteous and the hypocrites. It appeared at one time that the united order, which was so much advocated by President Young, would produce that effect, and also create that union that is necessary. This result has not, however, been attained by that means. Neither has it brought the sinner to repentance. The present crusade against the Saints was having a strong tendency in that direction. Many who had been previously slack in relation to their duties were already returning to the Lord. Persecution, in the shape of hunting and harassing the servants of God, and driving the innocent from their homes, is not only to try the Saints but also to enable the wicked to fill up the cup of their iniquity, after which the Lord will come out of His hiding place and vex this and other nations with a sore vexation. Their sufferings will be such as to create sorrow among the Saints. The speaker testified that the work of God would go on. The gospel would be preached in the world in order to leave the wicked without excuse and gather the honest, and thus prepare the way for the second coming of Christ, the signs of whose advent are everywhere apparent. The Saints may have to be tried, but the just will live by faith, and stand the testing hour. It was through trial that Abraham was tested, and so with those who shall be numbered among His children, and be heirs to the same promises given to him. And as Abraham was delivered, so will the Saints be, in the due time of the Lord.
PRESIDENT SILAS S. SMITH,
Of San Luis Stake, addressed the Conference. It had been his fortune to be, during his identification with the Church, most of the period of his life, a resident of frontier settlements. The Stake to which he was attached (in Colorado) was composed mostly of people from the Southern States. A great many [of whom] had been compelled to leave their former homes on account of persecution, and had mostly reached their new location in an almost penniless condition. Business was dull and labor scarce, but all the institutions and organizations that existed in other parts of the Church were established there and are prospering. The present attack upon the Church had the contrary effect upon the people than that of discouragement. The Saints were increasing in faith and good works. The clouds which had gathered will in due time be dispelled, and the sunshine of peace appear in renewed splendor.
PRESIDENT W. W. CLUFF
Of Summit Stake, addressed the Conference. To-day we are passing through a peculiar experience; a time of trial. But the Saints have been anticipating just such scenes. These events have all been foretold by the servants of God who have lived in different dispensations. If the Saints were not expecting such circumstances it would show that they do not have faith in those inspired predictions. The world, however, look upon such things as marvelous. Some visitors from abroad express wonder at he animus that is exhibited by some of the people of this nation toward the Latter-day Saints. The speaker related expressions to this effect that had been made in his hearing. As had already been remarked, the attacks made upon the Saints acted as a stimulus to cause them to be more faithful. It is not a new struggle. It has always existed when God has had a people on earth who were ready and willing to serve Him. And it will continue until the power of Satan is destroyed. The speaker cited the case of Daniel, who was cast into the lions' den. Those who caused the decree to be issued to bring about that result, imagined they had accomplished something that would effect the destruction of the Prophet. But he was miraculously preserved. So in other instances related in the Scriptures. The efforts that are now being made against the Church of Christ, and which it is fondly hoped will accomplish its destruction, will also finally be overturned. The history of this Church, from its incipiency till now. is full of wonderful deliverance, wrought out by the Almighty, and the Lord will never forsake it. The present efforts against it will be just as unfruitful of the results anticipated by those who are making them as former attempts of the same kind have been.
ELDER N. C. FLYGARE,
Counselor in the Presidency of the Weber Stake, was the next speaker. The preceding speakers have referred to the peculiar times in which we are living. From the time we embraced the truth we have understood that we would have to suffer persecution. We have been aware that it would be said by the wicked, "Let Zion be defiled." We have for over thirty years enjoyed comparative immunity from persecution and during the lull the gathering of the elect and other departments of the work of the Lord have been forwarded. It is God's work , and we are merely instruments to be used in building it up. We have to be tried that we may lay a foundation for eternal glory, by proving our worthiness under difficulty. The present assault upon the liberties of the Saints will draw them nearer together, that they may be one, in accordance with the command of our Heavenly Father. They will gain a better understanding of the principles and institutions of the kingdom of God, and be better prepared to carry out His will. We have come out of the nations to do the bidding of God through His servants, and it is to be hoped that we have not, because of the cares of the world, forgotten our sacred obligations. Our condition cannot be stationary. It must either be forward or retrogressive.
The choir sang the anthem:
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
Benediction by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
_____
[4 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 34:184, 4/8/85, p 8]
AFTERNOON.
The choir sang:
Hark! the song of jubilee,
Loud as might thunders roar.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
Now, let us rejoice in the
day of salvation,
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.
Was sung by the choir.
ELDER JUNIS F. WELLS
addressed the congregation. He esteemed it a privilege to bear testimony to the truth in the presence of the people of God. The Saints had assembled in accordance with an annual custom that had been established for more than fifty years. Such occasions had been pregnant with blessings to those who are disposed to obey the will of God. Business has always been transacted at such times that is of great importance tot he people of the world. Ambassadors for Christ are commissioned to go forth bearing the message of the Gospel, which is tidings of great joy to the honest in heart. It was a happy time when you listened to the preaching of what God had revealed for the benefit of His children. You received the message gladly and obeyed it. In doing so you laid your worldly prospects on the altar of sacrifice. You received the ministrations of the Holy Ghost, and, through that medium, a witness of the truth. Because of that testimony you gathered to this land that you might increase in a knowledge of the truth and in consequent obedience to it. Those who possess the truth are filled with courage, for such a foundation promotes the highest phase of valor. The Lord has, in his dispensation, revealed an order or system of government that fully meets the requirement of the human race. Because of this revelation the world is arrayed against those who acknowledge it. It is but a repetition of what has occurred in the history of the world. We know that there is nothing in the religion that we have espoused that has any other effect than to exalt and improve those who put it into practice. The speaker had, he said, been subjected to many allurements to lead him from the faith of his father. He had asked of those who had offered such inducements to show him any truth of a progressive and desirable character that was not incorporated in his religion. It was stated in reply that the Saints had no standing in society at large; that they were degraded. The speaker said that the hatred of the world was no evidence against the Saints, and they were far from being degraded. A good deal had been said about the status of the young people of the community. Some had proved recreant, but they were exceptions, and the majority were strong in their integrity. Brother Wells said it was far from a proper method to draw him away from the religion of his father, to hold up his parents as the extremest type of criminality. He knew that they had taught him to honor God and walk uprightly, and if he did not so conduct himself, it was no fault of theirs. He concluded by stating that the Gospel developed all that is good in man.
PRESIDENT ABRAM HATCH,
of Wasatch Stake, was the next speaker. This is God's work. We are in His hands to do as He desires. He, through his servants, will instruct us as to what course we should take under all circumstances. While listening to what was said by the speakers this morning, the mind wandered back to the scenes of Illinois, when the Prophet Joseph lived, and then came his death by violent hands; subsequently came the driving of the Saints from their homes. Many people looked upon those times as involving great hardships, as the Saints had done nothing to deserve such treatment, being peaceful and law-abiding. The gathering to this place under President Young was accomplished; the people have established themselves in homes, and have spread out on every hand. If we are faithful we are as sure to remain here as we live. We fear nothing only that we should do wrong. Prosperity has, in some instances, caused us to be proud, forgetting that what we have received has come from the Almighty.
The Wasatch Stake extends over a large extent of Territory. It includes Wasatch and Uintah counties, formerly one. The people are attentive to their duties, being diligent, prayerful and sober. The little ripple of excitement that has passed over Utah has scarcely reached Wasatch Stake. The people are staying at home, attending to their farms. They feel for their brethren who are harassed by persecution, and do not know but it may come their turn after a while. There was very little business for the high Council to do, disputes being but few and far between. There are three Indian tribes within the borders of the Stake. The people are very kind to them, and a friendly feeling exists between them and the settlers. God requires f us obedience to His law, and to do the labors of life in the spirit of the Gospel.
PRESIDENT E. D. WOOLLEY,
of Kanab stake, addressed the Conference. He left home on the 25th of March to attend the gathering of the Saints. His residence is in the extreme south of Utah. The Stake he represented was in a prosperous condition. The number of the people is small, but they are, generally speaking, good Latter-day Saints. There are few if any permanent residents who do not belong to the church; consequently their interests are common. They feel like sustaining and protecting one another. They had passed through some trials of late, but they had effected but little harm. The Saints have no occasion to fear. Times of the past have been more trying in their character than those of the present, so far as they have progressed. We have been informed that the time would yet come when powerful opposition would be needed for the development of this work. The young, in some instances, had almost begun to imagine that those predictions would fail of fulfilment, but they are taking place as they had been stated. The speaker said that when he was a boy he heard President Young say that Utah would be peopled from one end to the other, and a person would yet travel from one extremity to the other and scarcely lose sight of human habitations. He, at the same time, described, as he looked over the Salt Lake Valley, canals that would be constructed. This was in an early time, and the speaker had seen in his journey hither from home, a verification of this prediction. The Latter-day Saints are firmly established in these mountains, and they will remain until they have accomplished the design of the Almighty in bringing them here.
PRESIDENT WILLARD SMITH,
Of Morgan Stake of Zion. That division of the Church contains a very good people. There are nine Bishops' Wards, fully organized. All the associations peculiar to the Saints exist there, and are performing their several functions in the development and education of the Saints. The officers are active and efficient. There are disadvantages in the Morgan Stake, owing to the great altitude of the location, frosts being intense and frequent. Some of the productions, however, are unsurpassed by any yielded in any other portion of Utah, so that the disadvantages were balanced by advantages. The speaker had been employed in the building of the Temple at Kirtland, Ohio, when a boy. His father and brother were both killed in the Haun's Mill massacre. He related a number of incidents connected with the early history of the Church which came under his own personal observation. He spoke of the trials of the present day, and concluded with an exhortation for the Saints to be true to their integrity.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON
was the next speaker. He drew the attention of the people to the signs of the times, speaking of the present condition of the nations, showing that the spirit of peace was leaving the earth. All of the indications that Christ had said would be precursory of His second coming existed now. In accordance with the divine injunction it was therefore proper for the Saints to lift up their heads and rejoice, because of the nearness of their redemption. He alluded to the numerous disrupting elements that were at work in this country, and spoke of the present position of the Church in reference to the cruel and harassing opposition to which it was being subjected. The clouds of adversity were as needful for the development of the work as the sunshine of prosperity. There never was a time in which the Saints had greater reason to rejoice. The opposition would have two leading effects. They were already being produced: the uniting of the people and the purification of the organization. The former condition could not be reached without the latter, and unless we were one, Christ would not fully accept us. Already the riddling process was begun, and men were showing where they stand. In course of time they hypocritical and corrupt would be eliminated from the Church, leaving it stronger, more solid and peaceful. The speaker had nothing to say about those who were engaged in persecuting the Saints. If the ultimate effects of their movements will be as stated, they are unconsciously doing their part of the work of the Lord as well as we, but on the opposite line. Denunciation was useless, and he had none to hurl at any one. speaking for himself, without claiming to voice the opinion of others in relation to the controversy that was in progress, he said he knew of nothing those who were opposed to the Church had to offer for which he proposed to barter away anything he had received through obedience to the Gospel. He exhorted the Saints to be true to each other and to sustain the servants of God; not only in word, but also in deed should it be necessary. He declaimed against those who turned against their friends and the truth, and characterized a traitor as the most despicable of all creatures on earth.
The choir sang an anthem.
Benediction by Apostle John W. Taylor.
_____
[5 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 34:184-185, 4/8/85, p 8-9]
SECOND DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION.
_____
Sunday, April 5th
Conference convened at 10 a.m.
The choir sang:
Come, thou glorious day of
promise,
Come and spread thy cheerful ray.
Prayer by Apostle F. M. Lyman.
Hark! ye mortals. Hist! be
still,
Voices from Cumorah's hill:,
was sung by the choir.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
addressed the Conference. Although, as a people, we are subject to many frailties, we also exhibit many qualities that are noble. The speaker had not, since his arrival in Logan, heard the name of the Deity blasphemed; neither had he observed any intemperance or disturbance of the peace. The homes of the people of the community are of different nationalities, and their gathering together ought to be a great testimony to the world, if they would receive it. It was one of the most significant signs of the latter times. The Saints have come to Zion to feat upon the instructions given them by the servants of God. They believe in inspiration and prophecy. They had faith in the inspired predictions delivered in ancient times. Some had been fulfilled, some are in process of fulfilment and others would surely be verified in due time. The prophets of olden times, notably Isaiah, had prophesied in relation to the establishment, in its present exalted location, of Zion. The speaker had heard it admitted by people who do not believe in the divinity of this work that it is a wonderful phenomenon, for according to its history the more its adherents were abused, and the more determined the efforts made to suppress it, it had the more success. The Church is a nursery, destined to spread and yield good fruit in every nation. The young should prepare themselves for the work that will devolve upon them in the world. This opposition which has been prominently mentioned during this Conference need not cause any fearfulness. This called to mind the fact that in the State of Georgia in the year and a half following the assassination of Joseph Standing more people were added to the Church than during the same length of time in any previous period. The principle of plural marriage, against which the main force of the opposition was being hurled, had been a divine institution from before the foundation of the world. There had been some talk about President Taylor issuing a revelation abolishing that system of marriage. When a revelation of that kind is given it will be when the lord has no use for the Latter-day Saints, and this will never transpire, for He has promised to give them the kingdom and to sustain them. But those who oppose the Church do not care much about plural marriage; it is the principle of unity, and consequently of power that is feared. The Latter-day Saints are the most thoroughly organized of any people on earth. This is admitted by persons who have studied the associations of every part of the world. The officials who are opposing the Church are in pursuit of money and power. Take away the one and the prospect of the other and their work would cease. Those engaged in the crusade are seeking to break the political power of the community. If the Government would take less trouble to pursue the Latter-day Saints and pay more attention to rooting out the destructive elements that were threatening society at large, it would be much more conducive to the public weal. The secret combinations that are forming mean destruction and devastation. They will increase, and cause fear to seize upon the people, and prominent men would be marks for their antipathy. Men occupying conspicuous positions would be in danger because of the state of things approaching.
The speaker related an anecdote about an Elder named Butterfield, who was in the East, invited by a lady relative of a late Utah Federal Judge, to call at her house. When he visited her he was asked into a room where there were a large number of ladies and none of the other sex. He was placed in the middle of the group, and the hostess asked him what the people in Utah thought of Judge M______." "Oh! WE don't pay any attention to such small potatoes as he," was the reply. This incensed the questioner, and she said: "I suppose you don't like the Judge because he won't allow you to have as many wives as you want." "Well," said Brother Butterfield, "I had two wives when he arrived in Utah, and I have got them yet." This so excited the lady's indignation that she spring to her feet and exclaimed -- "Ladies, let us put him hout;" so as many of them as could get near enough seized hold of him. The Elder looked at them imploringly and said: "Now ladies, I wish you would wait, as this is not the time nor place for such a manifestation of affection. If you will only be patient and come along to Utah and if you continue in the same mind I will fulfil the words of Isaiah, who said the time should come when seven women would take hold of one man and ask him for the privilege of taking his name in order to take away their reproach. Wait till you go to Utah and I will marry you all.
This anecdote caused the audience to smile more or less audibly.
The speaker continued: What is the cry of women who have been neglected and injured by men"? It is that their reproach may be taken away. The hue and cry about polygamy will cease after awhile, and it will be supplanted by another in regard to treason. It is the fruit of the goodly tree that is now being assailed. In course of time the assault will be upon the tree itself.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
was the next speaker. Through our diligence and faithfulness we will be entitled to the blessings of the Lord. There is one thing that is certain about the present trouble -- the Latter-day Saints will come out uppermost at the end of the controversy. No matter what restrictions e may be placed under by men, our only consistent course is to keep the commandments of God. We should, in this regard, place ourselves in the same position as that of the three Hebrews who were cast into the fiery furnace. If we are living in the light of the Gospel we have a testimony of the truth, and we have but one choice, that is to abide in the law of God, no matter as to the consequences. It is sometimes held that the Saints are in error because so many are opposed to them. But when people know they are right it is wrong for them to forge their own honest convictions by yielding their judgments to that of a majority, no matter how large. When a man knows himself that he is honest, he needs care but little as to what the world may think or say concerning him. Some people are thought well of in public, while in their domestic conduct they are not what they should be. Every man's life should be such that his wives and children can bear the best testimony concerning him. The speaker stated that his esteem and love for the servants of God had increased by closer association with them. This was because he had opportunities of discovering their devotion to the truth. There is nothing that is right but they are ready to do if it conduces to the advancement of the cause of God on the earth. He had heard it stated that "Mormonism" was a stupendous fraud, and those who were of that opinion had wondered that he had been selected for one of the leaders, and he had been asked whether he did not realize that it was a humbug. To such he had borne his testimony with good effect, because he had lived according to his profession. A good deal was being said about some of the authorities retiring from public view for a season. Why should any people thrust their hands into the fire when they know they will be burned by so doing? There will be opposition to the Latter-day Saints until the whole social fabric of the world is revolutionized. In seeing these things we are only witnessing the fulfilment of that which has been prophesied. We may expect to see men who are corrupt arise and proclaim that this people are wicked. No man in this church can commit the sin which the world falsely accuse the Saints of perpetrating and retain the Spirit and a standing in the community. Adultery is of all sins the most abominable (the shedding of innocent blood excepted) in the sight of God. By incidents of his own experience the speaker illustrated the confidence that people outside the Church have -- in a business capacity -- in faithful Latter-day Saints, and the distrust with which they look upon apostates. There are, however, some men who have been in the Church who never were energetic while in it. and have exhibited a similar indifference after leaving it. Some who have withdrawn from the church, the speaker hoped some day to see return to the fold of Christ. Some who had been filled with light and energy when in the faith of the Gospel, are equally bitter against the truth, seeking to tear down what they formerly were engaged in building up. Notwithstanding, the evil that is falsely spoken of the prominent Elders in this Church, if any one of them were to give his word of honor to any of these deputy Marshals that are hunting them that he would appear at a stated time and place, he had no doubt that it would be taken by the officer. The best and most honorable men of the community as a rule, had entered into plural marriage and were the objects of the cruel prosecutions that were now being enforced. The speaker concluded by expressing confidence that the cause of truth and righteousness would be vindicated.
ELDER HARVEY H. CLUFF,
Counselor in the Presidency of the Utah Stake, was the next speaker. He had been engaged in the work of God nearly fifty years. In all his travels in the world he had never encountered anything which he was willing to accept in exchange for his faith. He had a testimony of the truth for himself. He had witnessed and passed through persecutions and he rejoiced in them. If we keep the commandments of God we will behold His salvation. He had always believed the Saints would have to pass through difficulty, and that every species of subterfuge would be resorted to to bring about their destruction. The ungodly will continue in this line. It is not the practice of some of the doctrines that brings the animus alluded to. It is the principle of power among the Saints that is opposed. Many of the very men who are opposed to the Church are the ones who are corrupt, and would bring immoral practices into this community. He concluded by exhorting the Saints to increased faithfulness.
The choir sang an Anthem.
Benediction by President Charles O. Card.
_____
[5 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 34:200, 4/15/85, p 8]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
AFTERNOON SESSION.
_____
Sunday, April 5, 1885
Conference re-assembled at 2 o'clock.
The choir sang:
O say what is truth? 'Tis
the fairest gem
That the riches of worlds can produce.
Prayer by President William Budge.
The choir sang:
Though deep'ning trials
throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered.
The Clerk presented the general authorities of the Church to be sustained by the Conference as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles -- Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
The first Seven Presidents of Seventies -- Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, Christian D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
William B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First and John Q. Cannon as his Second Counselor.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Wilford Woodruff as Historian for the Church, and General Church Recorder, and F. D. Richards as his assistant.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor;, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson, as his assistants.
Truman O. Angell as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, joseph F. Smith, William Jennings.
John Nicholson as Clerk of Conference.
John Irvine and George F. Gibbs as Church Reporters.
Every vote taken was unanimous.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
Said it was with pleasure that he had to announce that although the brethren of the First Presidency were unable to be present at Conference, they had not forgotten us, having forwarded an epistle to be read to the Saints. The epistle, which was published yesterday in the NEWS, was then read by Elder B. F. Cummings, Jr.
PRESIDENT'S OFFICE,
Salt Lake City,
April 4th, 1885
To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints in Conference assembled:
BELOVED
BRETHREN AND SISTERS:
It is
eminently proper under the circumstances, not being able to be with you in
person at our Annual Conference, that we should address you a few lines and
express to you our faith, feelings and hopes concerning the great work of our
God in which we are all mutually interested. Never at any time in our lives
have we had more joy and satisfaction in the Gospel, and in the labors thereof,
than we have at the present time. Profoundly grateful to our God for His
kindness to us in permitting us to have a name and a place among His people,
and to be the bearers of His everlasting Priesthood, we are determined with His
help to press forward with increased diligence and zeal in doing our part
towards the carrying on of His purposes and work. We see His hand marvelously
manifested in behalf of His people. We know that His power is with us, that His
angels have charge concerning us, and that no affliction can fall upon any one,
however humble, without it being fully known to Him. This knowledge that God is
near to us, and hears and answers our prayers, is an unceasing cause of
thankfulness and praise. For a wise purpose in His providence He permits the
wicked, in the exercise of their agency, from time to time to afflict His
followers. Since the days of our father Adam this has always been the case, and
it will continue to be, so long as Satan has any power over the hearts of the
children of men. We are all children of the same Great Parent, and each one has
the opportunity and privilege granted to him or her to exercise his or her
agency. We have chosen to serve the God of Israel. We have submitted to His
laws, have obeyed His Gospel, and have chosen the path which He assures us will
bring us into His presence. Others of His children prefer a different course.
They yield to a different influence, and under its power, they seek to destroy
the work of God and all who are connected with it. This they can do in the
exercise of the agency which the Father has given unto them. Not only in times
past, but in our own day, the wicked have persecuted, tormented and murdered
the Saints of God. But, while in so doing, they bring upon themselves
everlasting condemnation, their acts are overruled for the glory and exaltation
of His faithful people, and the accomplishment of His purposes in the
redemption of the earth.
For a few
months past we have seen in these valleys an exhibition of this deadly
hostility against the Latter-day Saints. We need not enumerate to you all these
acts of oppression and wrong. You are familiar with them. But the best men in
the community, men of pure lives, men who have set an example to the people
ever since they came to these mountains, and in all their days, who have led in
works of righteousness, who have been citizens of the highest type of
character, have been selected as victims of a vile persecution, and been
assailed and denounced as criminals of the lowest grade. Juries have been
selected for the express purpose of convicting men who are prominent in the
Church; and their partisan bias has become so thoroughly known in the
community, that the common expression is that an accusation in the courts, as
now constituted, is equivalent to a conviction. The rule of jurisprudence which
has come down for ages past has been, that the accused shall be deemed innocent
until proved guilty. In our courts, we are sorry to say, this has been
reversed. The burden of proof has rested upon the accused in almost every
instance the judge, the jury, equally with the prosecution, appearing to view
him as guilty, and that it was his duty to furnish all the proof necessary to
exculpate him from the accusation of guilt. Among all the English-speaking
people, and for ages past, the jury has been looked upon as the palladium of
human liberty. It has been the richest fruit of our civilization. No greater
guarantee of fairness could be imagined by our ancestors than that a man
accused of crime should have his case submitted to the judgment of his peers
his neighbors living in the vicinity and presumably acquainted with his life,
and with the motives which may have prompted him to commit the crime of which
he was accused. The wisdom of man has failed to devise fairer or more just
means than this of deciding upon their fellow-man's guilt or innocence when
accused. But in this Judicial District, for a long period past, we do not know
of a jury that has been thus constituted. Jurors have been selected for their
known enmity to the parties accused, or to the principle involved in the trial.
The
result has been that a Latter-day Saint would almost be as safe in seeking for
justice in the infernal regions, or at the hands of Algerian pirates, as in
courts of this character. Indictments have been found against different parties
upon the flimsiest evidence, and in some instances upon evidence which would
have no weight with any fair-minded jury. The result has been that a reign of
terror has prevailed and still prevails in these valleys. Seeing no prospect of
fair trial, men have deemed it better to avoid arrest for a season, or until
there was a prospect of receiving impartial treatment by the courts and juries.
Prosecution has degenerated into persecution. A law which is in and of itself,
as we believe, unconstitutional, and aimed at the practice of religion, and so
viewed by a number of our leading statesmen in Congress, is taken advantage of
and carried to lengths probably never dreamed of by many of the men who voted
for it. We have sometimes thought that it was impossible for men to indulge in
such vindictive feelings as have been manifested here; but in searching for a
cause we have been forced to the conclusion that these violent prosecutions
were only intended to provoke the people to commit some overt act whereby the
incoming administration might be embarrassed.
Permit us
to refer to our own cases. President John Taylor, at the beginning of this
year, hearing of the persecution to which our brethren were subjected in
Arizona, determined to visit that region, in company with a number of the
Elders. His object in going there was to visit with and, as far as possible,
comfort the Saints. Five of our co-religionists had undergone a form of trial,
a travesty of justice, and three of them had been sent, under a sentence of
imprisonment of three and a half years and $500 fine each, to what may be
rightly termed the American Siberia, upwards of 2,000 miles distant from their
own homes the House of Correction at Detroit. The other two had been sentenced
to six months' imprisonment and $500 fine in the Territorial Penitentiary at
Yuma. Every member of our Church was shocked at these outrageous proceedings.
For, while all were prepared to endure the legal consequences of the violation
of the Edmunds law, they were not prepared for such gross and tyrannical
perversions of the law as were involved in these sentences. No man who could by
any possibility be accused, any longer dared to submit his case to such
treatment. Many of them, therefore, left their homes, to seek in a foreign land
that freedom from persecution which was denied them in their own. It was under
these circumstances that President Taylor, and the company of Elders referred
to, visited Arizona. Upon his return, and while at San Francisco, he received
telegrams informing him that it was unsafe for him to come back to Salt Lake
City. Disregarding these, however, he did return, and publicly attended to his
business for some time; in the meanwhile delivering a discourse to the Saints
in the Tabernacle. Seeing, however, how determined certain Federal officers
here were to embarrass, arrest and place under bonds every prominent man, and
being informed of threats made against his own liberty, he deemed it wise,
under the circumstances, to withdraw for awhile to attend to his business in a
more private manner than he had been in the habit of doing in his public
office. This he has continued to do up to the present writing, receiving and
answering letters, giving counsel and instruction, and devoting himself assiduously
to all the duties of his calling, except in delivering public addresses from
the stand. Neither he, President George Q. Cannon nor President Joseph F.
Smith, have had any official notification or reliable information from any
officer of the court that process of any kind has been issued against them; at
the same time their residences, especially that of Brother Joseph F. Smith,
have been invaded and searched, and the Marshal, his deputies and their
spotters and spies have displayed a zeal to ascertain the whereabouts of the
First Presidency, that has led to the conclusion that they wished to get them
into their power and place them under arrest. And not only this anxiety was
manifested in their cases, but President Woodruff and several of the Twelve Apostles,
besides numbers of other leading men, have been threatened and sought for with
assiduity.
In
England, upon one occasion, the eloquent Lord Chatham said, in speaking of the
rights of the subject, that man's house was his castle; that though it might be
so poor that the rains of heaven could penetrate it, and the winds beat through
its crevices, yet the King of England himself could not cross its threshold
without its owner's permission.
A recent
illustration of the zeal of these officials and their creatures has come to
light in the case of President George Q. Cannon, who has just returned from the
Fast. The railroads and highways have been swarming with Deputy Marshals and
their myrmidons to intercept and arrest him. We have yet to learn that it has become
necessary for honorable gentlemen in America to report themselves to courts,
Marshals, or any civil officer, when they leave home on business, or to ask for
passports or to have them vised.
The
question has been asked us, how long we intend to pursue this course. In answer
we say, that at no time during our existence have we ever shrunk from the
investigation of our conduct, our utterances or of our lives by any fair
tribunal. We have lived under the gaze of the public, and where every act and
expression could be scrutinized. We are as ready today, as ever, to submit our
cases to a properly organized court and jury of our peers to decide upon. So
confident are we of our innocence of alleged wrong-doing, that we entertain no
fears of the result of such a trial. We are willing to meet the issue at any
moment. We are fully conscious of our innocence of all violation of the laws of
God or of Constitutional laws enacted by man. But if there are laws made to
entrap us, because of our belief in and practice of the revelations which God
has given to His Church, which a court and jury shall decide we have violated,
we desire at least that it shall be upon what all the world calls good evidence
and substantial proof, and not upon religious prejudice, and through a
determination to convict and punish, evidence or no evidence. We ought, at
least, to have the same rights that burglars, thieves and murderers are
accorded under the law. In that case, should conviction follow, we should
submit to it as martyrs have submitted in every age when God has had a people
upon the earth, as persecution inflicted upon us for our adherence to His laws.
Our faith
and practice for which we are sought to be condemned and punished, is the faith
and practice of the best and holiest of God's children. If we are sinners in
this respect, then Abraham, who is distinguished by the Lord himself as the
friend of God, was a sinner. If we are sinners, then Jacob and Moses and
Elkanah, Solomon and David, and a host of others too numerous to mention, were
also sinners. Even Jesus himself, the Being whom we adore as our Redeemer and
the Author of our salvation, called the Eternal Father whom He worshiped, and
whom we are commanded to worship, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, showing
that the God of heaven himself attached no condemnation to these men for their
practice of patriarchal marriage, but in many instances commanded it, provided
laws for its arrangement, and called those who practiced it His friends and men
after His own heart. And, what is still more worthy of remark, that in choosing
a lineage from which His beloved Son Jesus should descend, He chose a lineage
distinguished in the earth among all nations as polygamic. The most renowned
ancestors of the Savior of the world, and to whom He most frequently alluded,
were polygamists. Can, therefore, our belief in and practice of this system of
marriage be as wrong as our opponents would have it appear? When this noble
array of God's favorite children are remembered, and when, in addition, we call
to mind the fact that the Bible itself, which has given to the Christian world
all the knowledge it has of God and godliness, has principally, under God,
polygamists as its authors.
It is
averred by some of our enemies that this is not religion. This is not the view,
however, of the members of the Utah Commission, for they have said:
"This article of faith is as much as essential and substantial part of
their creed as their belief in baptism, repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
and the like." And again: "All orthodox Mormons believe polygamy to
be right, and that it is an essential part of their creed.
It has
also been alleged to Congress, by those who take pleasure in denouncing our
system of marriage, that the English government in India has put down the
Suttee, and that, therefore, the United States ought to put down plural
marriage. If those generable Solons had made themselves a little more
acquainted with the action of the Imperial Government of Great Britain, they
would have found that, while that government put down widow burning, it
protects by law, in all their rights, privileges and franchises, 180,000,000 of
polygamists, and places them on an equal footing with others.
The Lord has revealed to us by His special revelations, as clearly and
positively as He ever did to any of the ancient Prophets, certain principles
associated with the eternity of the marriage covenant, has given definite
commands pertaining thereto, and made them obligatory upon us to carry out. He
has made manifest to us those great and eternal principles which bind woman to
man and man to woman, children to parents and parents to children, and has
called upon us in the most emphatic and pointed manner to obey them. These
glorious principles involve our dearest interests and associations in time and
throughout the eternities that are to come. We are told that this is His
everlasting covenant, and that it has existed from eternity; and, furthermore,
that all covenants that relate only to time shall he dissolved at death and he
no longer binding upon the human family. He has, moreover, told us that if we
do not obey those principles we shall be damned. Believing these principles to
be of God and from God, we have entered into eternal covenants with our wives
under the most solemn promises and in the most sacred manner. Among the rights
guaranteed to us in the Constitution of the United States is not only that
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof," but that no State shall enact any
"law impairing the obligation of contracts." Ours are contracts of a
most sacred character, and of such vital importance for time and eternity, that
all worldly obligations and contracts sink into insignificance in comparison with
them. Among many of the professors of modern Christianity this is looked upon
as an error, and without inspiration or revelation on this subject, all the
idea that is ever presented associated with the marital relations, is that they
enter into these contracts "until death do them part." The beauties,
the glories and perpetuity of those domestic ties, those endearing associations
which cluster around the family organization, perish whenever the grim
messenger Death approaches. It is now made a crime by uninspired men to possess
those hopes and practice those principles which the most virtuous, upright,
holy and eminent men of God have esteemed as treasures beyond price. Under an
infatuated, mistaken and suicidal policy they seek to blast those hopes which
are a solace to the life of the believer in the revelations of God, and to
sever those connubial ties which bud in time and will blossom and bear fruit in
the Celestial Kingdom of our God in the eternities to come.
The
Christianity of to-day cannot offer us anything of an eternal character to
compensate us for the abandonment of the truth which is demanded of us. The
fact is, mankind, in their endeavor to correct God's system of marriage, have
adopted a system which is entirely inadequate to save man from the dreadful
evils by which he is surrounded. While there are thousands and millions of
honorable, upright men in the world, who have devoted their entire lives to the
promotion of mortality and virtue, and the extirpation of every sinful
practice, the evils against which they battled have steadily increased around
them. The system which they taught was not God's system; it did not, therefore,
meet man's wants. Those channels which God has provided for the lawful exercise
of the appetites with which He has endowed man, under the system now in vogue,
have been dammed up, and the history of Christendom informs us with what
terrible results the degradation and prostitution of woman, and the spread of
the most terrible scourge known to humanity, the social evil, with its
attendant train of loathsome horrors. With our knowledge of God's laws we never
can adopt such a system and call it civilization. And we again take this
opportunity of warning the Latter-day Saints against those murderous and
damning practices of foeticide and infanticide, to introduce which in our midst
attempts have been made. These practices are also the horrible fruits of a
man-made system of marriage, and so terrible have they become, that many of the
leading thinkers of the East have told their people, and brought statistics to
prove, that unless these crimes are stopped, it will only be a short time until
the primitive Puritanic stock will become extinct and foreigners take their
place, their lands, their houses and their homes. These fiendish practices are
becoming so common that one of the most reliable historians positively asserts
that "millions do them, because they think they cannot afford to raise
children."
As the
male members of our Church who practice plural marriage are estimated as not
exceeding but little, if any, two per cent, of the entire membership of the
Church, we consider it an act of great injustice to the ninety-eight per cent
to be abused and outraged, and have all their business relations disturbed,
values of every kind, unsettled, neighborhoods agitated and alarmed, and the
property of the people generally jeopardized, because of this "raid"
upon these alleged breaks of the law.
The
statement of how small a portion of the males is engaged in this practice,
exhibits in the clearest light now destitute of foundation are the charges made
against us respecting this institution threatening the monogramic form of
marriage, claimed to be the feature of the present civilization.
Need we
ask you, Latter-day Saints here assembled: Do the lives and conduct of our
present would-be reformers afford you examples that you would choose to adopt,
or have your children follow? Again, need we ask you: Who have been the
introducers of drinking saloons, gambling dens and brothels into our towns and
cities? or who have been their patrons and the aiders and promoters of every
form of licentiousness which, when we came to these mountains, we hoped to have
left forever behind us? We call upon you to guard and protect yourselves and
families against their corrupt and insidious influences. Their ways are the
ways of death, and their paths lead down to destruction. We exhort you,
therefore, to preserve your bodies and spirits pure, to protect the virtue and
honor of your wives and daughters, to live your religion, to deal honestly and
honorably with all men, and to maintain inviolate those glorious principles
which have been revealed unto you. And, furthermore, do not permit any of these
abuses with which we have to cope, to tempt you to retaliate in kind, or to
violate any Constitutional law of the land. You will remember that Joseph Smith
has said that that sacred instrument was given by inspiration of God, and it
becomes our bounden duty to sustain it in all its provisions. And while men may
in their blind zeal seek to oppress us and bring us into bondage, we must not
be provoked to do as they do; but to maintain the rights, immunities, and seek
for the happiness and well-being, as well as to maintain the freedom of all men
of every name, color and creed.
In
conclusion, we solemnly testify to the Latter-day Saints and to the world, as
we have done so often in the past, that God has established His Zion, and His
work will roll forth, and that all those who fight against it will perish. You
have seen this fulfilled to the letter in the past.
We pray
God, the Eternal Father, to bless you in your families, in your fields, and
flocks and herds, and in your business and in all your righteous undertakings,
and to preserve you from the hands of all your enemies, and to eventually save
and exalt you in His Celestial Kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior
and Redeemer. Amen.
Your Brethren,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEORGE Q. CANNON
First
Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Apostle Heber J. Grant introduced the following
MOTION:
"In view of the statement in the epistle that we have heard read, that the proportion of the male members of our Church who are living in the practice of plural marriage is but little, if any, more than two per cent of the entire membership of the Church, and the injustice done to the great majority of this community by the action of the Federal officials, I move that a committee be appointed by this Conference to draft a series of resolutions, and a protest to the President of the United States, and to the nation, in which the wrongs the people of this Territory have suffered and are still suffering, from the tyrannical conduct of Federal officials, shall be set forth specifically and in detail, and asking in respectful language for the same treatment to which other citizens of the United States are entitled, and report the same to amass meeting which shall be hereafter called."
President Richards put the motion to the Conference and it was carried unanimously.
The following were submitted as the committee provide for in the motion:
John T. Caine, Wm. Jennings, Feramorz Little, James Sharp, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Orson F. Whitney, John Q. Cannon, J. F. Wells, Chas. O. Card, Abram Hatch, Wm. W. Cluff, Willard G. Smith;, Lewis W. Shurtliff, Oliver G. Snow, Thomas G. Bebber, Franklin S. Richards, Samuel R. Thurman, Joel Grover, Rees R. Llewellyn, B. H. Roberts, Joseph Kimball.
The committee were sustained by unanimous vote.
PRESIDENT F. D. RICHARDS
Said he appreciated the sentiments which had been expressed during the Conference, and for the consideration that had been manifested by our brethren of the First Presidency. The people of the world and the people of God had always been in direct antagonism. The conflict had followed down through the ages. The people of the earth have never been able to see the principles of Christ correctly as a whole. The principles of the Gospel as revealed from God have been admitted to be the most ennobling by the greatest moral philosophers, aside from religious considerations. Great moralists and scientists have held them to be equal in value to the greatest truths that have been elucidated through them. Repentance of sin is a first principle of the Gospel of regeneration; then comes the washing in the waters of regeneration, followed by the realization of the ministration of the Holy spirit. These principles were made known to Adam. The first man was informed by God that his offering of sacrifice was a forecast of the coming of Christ and His atonement. It was taught to him that he must be born of the water and of the Spirit. He was caught up by the Spirit, immersed in and brought out of the water, and he was born of the Holy Ghost. He was also commanded to teach these things to his children, and if they observed them they would have the words of life in the world and eternal life in eternity. The very first practical step to be taken after wickedness had appeared on the earth, that men might rid themselves of uncleanness, was to comply with these principles. This is the foundation that all men have to lay in their hearts, that they may be redeemed. Those who are in this congregation and have come form nations far and near, know that it was obedience to these things that enabled them to reach their present position. That same Priesthood which is after the Order of Melchisedec, had descended from Adam, who was ordained under the hands of God. This is the same authority that exists in this Church. There will yet be other laws and principles revealed for the observance of the Priesthood besides those already given. If the world are afraid of what exists, what shall they do when still more is manifested from God. The Saints need not fear. The Lord will sustain them in all times of trouble by His grace, but He makes no promise in regard to trouble that is borrowed. it would be better if some of the more inquisitive ones in the church did not ask quite so many questions. It is occasionally safe to be able to say truthfully that you do not know some things. People should not be quite so anxious for certain kinds of information. Obedience to the Gospel is not only full of peace and blessing for the life to come, but gives joy in the present. No matter in what society a man mingles, those who do their duty and are pure and upright elicit the largest degree of esteem. It may not always be openly admitted, but it generally is inwardly. It is with nations as with individuals: tendencies to corruption bring misery and ruin. The fathers of this country who founded the nation, came to this land to be free. They framed and adopted the glorious Constitution, which incorporates more of the real principles of good government than any other instrument ever produced. It was given by inspiration of the Almighty. but men have become so degenerate, that they are trampling all its safeguards underfoot in order to crush the people of God.
The First Presidency have counseled the Saints to commit no overt act, no matter how great may be the provocation. Remember the words of Christ when his life's blood was oozing from Him -- "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." It is painful to see men trample the principles of the Constitution into the dust, but let us pity them awhile. The Saints have reason to rejoice, because a woe is pronounced against them, when all men speak well of them; but they have reason to rejoice when men speak evil of them falsely. It is a time to bring our practical religion into use, and, knowing the purposes of God, we can follow in the footsteps of Christ and exercise self control. This opposition is just what has been looked for. As the work of God spreads, so will this antagonism exist. it is an eternal consequence of our faith. We re on the altar, with everything we possess. The Saints were told in early times that if they would keep God's commandments they would from that time begin to prevail, and this promise had been fulfilled. The opposition now developed will go just so far as the Lord will permit. The speaker prayed that the blessings of the Almighty might rest upon the people.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 34:226, 4/29/85, p 2; JD 16:172-173]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
At the Annual Conference, held in the Tabernacle, Logan,
Cache County, Sunday, April 5th, 1885.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE
_____
I desire
now to refer to a particular expression in the epistle which has just been
read, wherein the brethren of the First Presidency have exhorted the Saints not
to allow themselves to commit any overt act. No matter how much you are
worried, no matter how much you are aggravated by the acts of the ungodly, do
not do a thing that you could afterwards be sorry for. Do nothing that could
let blood stick to one of you. Bear with every impious insult. Put up with it
as Christ did when he was hanging upon the cross and his life's blood oozing
out from his heart, and his spirit ready to depart, and say "Father
forgive them, for they know not what they do." That is the way we want to
look as far as we can upon those who are oppressing and injuring us, breaking
up our homes, and scattering our women and children to the four winds. It is
something that could not be allowed in the old monarchial countries, which are
looked upon as being measurably beneath the United States in the matter of a
constitutional government, and yet we see men among us who are ready to
demolish the very sanctity of home, lay waste and destroy that which lies at
the Very foundation of all law, natural and governmental. It is painful; it is
sorrowful. Let us pity while they are so blind, so ignorant, so ill-natured,
and so willing to depart from good government, even to enact laws to prevent
their fellow-citizens from worshiping God according to the dictates of their
own conscience. But, for my own part, I feel like the First Presidency in this
matter. Let us commit no overt act, which in any event we could be sorry for.
We never
saw a time when we had reason to feel more thankful and lifted up in our hearts
before the living God than the present. Why? Because the Savior said: "Woe
unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the
false prophets." But says He, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate
you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach
you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake."
I wish to
exhort the Saints to frequent their closets more than they do; to neglect not
their prayers night and morning, and in the season thereof fail not to bow the
knee and call your sons and daughters around you. If you do this, by and by
your sons and daughters will rise up and call you blessed; if you do not they
will get cold and depart from truth and the faith of the living God, and that
will bring the greatest sorrow you can conceive of. This is a time when we are
called upon to bring our practical religion into use, to put on the whole
armour of God, and to trust in Him. The Savior said He could call to His help
more than twelve legions of angels; more than the Roman hosts; but He knowing
the great purposes of Jehovah could go like a lamb to the slaughter. He
understood those purposes, could curb His powers, control His feelings, and
could make a manly fight for righteousness and truth, and carry out the decrees
of heaven. Can we do so? Can you and I do so? If we cannot, can we be counted
worthy to be called His brethren, and Saviors upon Mount Zion? We have got to
be considerably more like him than we are before we attain unto all those
excellencies that are promised.
Inasmuch
as the work of God spreads, and its influence and potency are felt among the
nations of the earth, so long will this opposition and this antagonism exist,
and we must expect it; it cannot be avoided. It is an eternal consequence of our
faith. If we reckoned upon anything else, we reckoned wrongly. Every true
Saint, when he embraced this Gospel, felt to lay down his good name, his
earthly substance, and life itself,—all was laid upon the altar. We need not
think, however, that although the Lord permits certain things to come upon us,
that He will not soften the hearts of the wicked and ungodly. He has told us
with a firm decree, that from a time when the Saints commenced to be more
faithful they should begin to prevail against their enemies, and they have
proved this in the deliverances that have been wrought out in their behalf from
time to time. Have we any reason to doubt or lack confidence in the promises of
God for the future? Not a particle. Every step of the way affords a greater, a
more powerful confirmation and assurance that He is true to His promises, and
will carry them out in our behalf.
Do you
know, says one, how far these things will go? Just so far as the Lord will
allow them. When it comes to the right time He will put a stop to them. He
knows how to do it, just at His good pleasure.
We should
go to work and put transgression from our midst, cultivate righteousness and
put away all sin, and by keeping His commandments and living by every word that
proceedeth from the mouth of His servants the work of sanctification will go on
in our hearts, our homes, and our habitations will be holy in His sight. He
will not allow the acts of the wicked to come against us any longer than will
be for His own glory and our greatest good. Let us feel that we are in the
hands of the Lord, that He is our Father and friend. Let us draw near to Him;
find Him out, and walk with Him here in the flesh, then we shall know that it
will be well with us hereafter.
I pray that the good Spirit of God may dwell in our hearts; may write His law on the tablets of our hearts; may impress the principles of truth upon our minds, so that we may live them and make them profitable to us in the future. That God may grant these blessings unto us, I humbly ask in the name of the Lord. Jesus Christ, Amen.
The choir sang:
The Song of the Redeemed.
Benediction by Elder Junis F. Wells.
_____
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 34:200, 4/15/85, p 8]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION.
_____
April 6th.
Conference convened at 10 o'clock.
The choir sang:
The morning breaks, the
shadows flee,
Lo! Zion's standard is unfurled.
Prayer by Elder Hugh S. Gowans.
The choir sang:
Ere long the veil will rend
in twain,
The King descend with all His train.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH
was the first speaker this morning. It afforded him pleasure to once more be in Zion and mingle with the people of Go in a General conference. His feelings regarding his mountain home could not be expressed in language. His heart was full and his joy was great in again assembling with those he had known from childhood and with the Saints generally. In the last few months he had been visiting and explaining the Gospel to his kindred, and while he was received with kindness, he had reason to believe that his utterances had fallen upon stony ground. In 1882 he was sent by the Church authorities to Europe, to preside for a time over the mission in that part of the world. While on a previous mission to the same part of the world his health had been exceedingly precarious. On going to fill his more recent appointment he had been promised by the servants of God that he would be prospered. This had been fully realized, he having become free from all deleterious effects that he had formerly incurred. There had been a great deal of proselyting done by the liberal distribution of the written word, and many had been warned. The Elders who had labored with him had been efficient, humble and active, and he had nothing but blessings for each and all of them. He respected and honored them as his own brothers. The friendship that springs up between brethren in the midst of strangers and adversity is of an enduring character. Some baptizing had been done and some new ground had been broken in Great Britain, or at least places that had been closed for years had been re-opened. The mission work had lapped over from Scandinavia into Finland, to which country Elder Fjeldsted had sent a few Elders some time before and gained a foothold. Through the services of a native Elder efforts were also being made to open the Gospel door on the borders of Prussia and Austria. An opening was also being attempted in Turkey. It is hoped by putting forth such efforts that, under the blessing of God, every son and daughter of our Father will eventually be warned. In Great Britain the work is closing up. In Ireland, through the efforts of Elders Wilson and Marshall, an opening had been made, and a good number of people had embraced the Gospel. The speaker visited Italy in the hope that the work could be introduced there. Two Elders who had been laboring there almost lost their lives. But little could be done in that nation at present, the people being so bound up by Catholicism. Elder Bunot labored assiduously to spread the Gospel in France, but with no apparent result, except to warn the people so far as he had opportunity. It is not only a day of gleaning and gathering but of warning, to leave the people without excuse. At the time our brethren were murdered in cold blood in Tennessee, a wave of hatred passed over Europe in regard to the Saints. The press teemed with false accusations, and anti-"Mormon" lectures were plentiful. This feeling was more or less intense up to the time the speaker left for home. But as usual a cooler condition will ensue, by the law of re-action. Many people will investigate, and realize the truth of the remark of Mr. Beecher, that in Northwest America is the most striking phenomenon of the Nineteenth century.
They see a people who are irrepressible. They see a conflict against the evils of the world. The speaker rejoiced to once more put his foot on the soil of America -- the land of freedom. Men may seek to crush the principles of liberty, but Divinity has decreed that those principles shall live and extend over all the earth. The law of God shall yet go forth from this chosen land. All we need to do is to keep our eye upon the truth, hating no one, no matter how evil-disposed he may be. No matter how corrupt men are, we should look upon them as having something in them we should make an effort to save. The speaker wished some things could be otherwise, but he saw no other road to travel than through trials without fear, that the object in view might be gained. This was the way in which he looked upon the present opposition to the Church. There was no other course but to accept the situation. Surely we can endure imprisonment or hardship for the Gospel's sake. He had no personal concern regarding the matter. It may be that men may be imprisoned; they may be hunted to death; men die, but systems live and cannot be annihilated. We are but the instruments to accomplish the work of establishing the Church of Christ, and while some of the implements may be broken, there are others ready to take up the same labor and perpetuate it. The judgments of God will visit the nations, and that which divinity has established will break in pieces all things that oppose it. The forces that are brought to bear against the Saints are not confined to the politicians of the country. Behind them are the people. There are first the clergymen of the different religious denominations. They are incited by false statements that are formulated by those who reside here. These awful stories are believed, and thus an influence is brought to bear upon the politicians that moves them to inimical action against the Saints. The mass of the people of New England appear to imagine it to be their special mission to extirpate "Mormonism," and the speaker , on his late visit there, had been warned that the end of the system was near. His friends there had referred him to Mrs. Stenhouse's book, but he had informed those drawing his attention to its fabrications that he could, if he were a bookmaker, write a work in a short time of occurrences in New England that would throw the one referred to into the shade. The laws of God were being outraged in New England, by women refusing to answer the end of their beings, preferring to be childless, or nearly so. Satan himself recognizes the growing power among the people of Utah, who answer the design of God in the relations of the sexes, rearing children like flocks to honor God. But all were not depraved in these relations in New England, there being many honorable exceptions. The Saints have wronged no one by peopling these valleys. Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the imposition of hands for the imparting of the Holy Ghost are principles of the Gospel, and in obeying them we have injured no people. We have sworn allegiance to the institutions of the country and we sustain them. The man who seeks to enchain his fellows is the one who needs to tremble. all the doctrines we have obeyed may be enumerated, and our works in redeeming the desert may be cited and they all go to show that we have interfered with nobody. We have not raised a standard against the country. If, on religious conviction a woman makes a sacrifice and consents for her husband to take another wife into the family, and the man is willing to take upon himself the additional responsibility, no outside party is injured. The principle was revealed for the salvation of both men and women. Millions of the fair sex are going to ruin, and the Almighty never interposed the interdict against that which would prevent so great an abomination and calamity. We shall not tremble while we confront this great problem in fighting the battle which Deity has outlined. Let us bless all, curse none; feed the hungry and clothed the naked. And if we live godly it must needs be that we suffer persecution. Let us sustain each other and betray none. The speaker proposed to continue to labor among the people. He had been treated as an alien by his countrymen, yet American blood of generations flowed in his veins. He had never lifted his voice or hand against an institution of the country, and he never expected to do anything in that line. He intended to observe every constitutional ;law of the land. He considered it the greatest foolishness to sustain those who were engaged in or sympathized with the present crusade against the Saints. The people should confine their support to their friends, and not put a knife into the hands of their enemies to be used by them in cutting their throats.
[John Henry Smith]
[DNW 34:274, 5/20/85, p 2; JD 16:174]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH, DELIVERED
At the Annual Conference, held in the Tabernacle, Logan,
Cache County, Monday Morning, April 6th, 1885.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
IT
affords the pleasure to meet again with the Saints in Zion, and to have the
privilege of mingling with the people of God in a general conference. It is
sometime since I had this privilege, and I can assure you that I appreciate it
very much. I do not think it is possible for me to express in proper language
my feelings in regard to my mountain home. I never learned but one verse of
poetry in my life, and that one I have repeated many times, and I do not know
but what it would be well for me to repeat it this morning. The verse to which
I allude says:
"There
is a magical tie in the land of my home
That the heart cannot break, though the footsteps may roam,
Be that land where it may, at the line or the pole,
It still holds the magnet that draws back my soul."
Such is
the case this morning in arising to address you for a short time. What the Lord
may have for me to say to you I cannot imagine. For a few months past I have
not addressed any congregations; I have been visiting; I have been reasoning
with my friends upon the principles of the Gospel, and seeking to enlighten
them in regard to my position. Having accepted the Gospel, and dedicated my
life to the preaching of the same, I was desirous that my kindred should hear
it. I have not been idle, but have been laboring with zeal to impress upon them
the nature of the latter day work. I did not go there expecting to make
converts but to relieve my friends of prejudice. I have found, so to speak,
that my utterances have fallen on stony ground outside of my kindred and that
while I was received with kindness, and trust that good may in time come from
my labors in certain directions, yet I cannot say, as many have said, that I
have accomplished much good, and that I have removed a world of prejudice. I
trust, however, that I may have done some good during the · past few weeks
among my kindred in the Eastern States.
As you
are aware, in 1882 I was sent by my brethren to preside for a season over the
European mission. I proceeded to my field of labor with some dubiety in regard
to my own self. My former experience upon the island of Great Britain had been
such that I was really fearful in regard to my health. For five years after my
first mission to the British Isles, I had never passed a night in sound and perfect
sleep. I suffered from a cold contracted on that mission. On my departure in
1882, however, my brethren promised me I should go in peace; that I should
enjoy good health; that the blessings of the Lord should be around me; and that
I should be enabled to accomplish the object for which I was sent forth. And
while I went with some foreboding with regard to myself, still it appears I had
to return to Great Britain, to lose that which had seized upon me on a former
mission.
I found
upon my arrival in that land a corps of very excellent Elders. The mission was
in a very good condition, with an earnest and determined lot of missionaries
who were willing to do anything that might be required at their hands for the
furtherance of the purposes of the Lord. I found, however, upon investigation
and mingling with my brethren, that the road seemed to be hedged up in a manner
so that they could not accomplish that which their hearts desired. After
visiting various conferences, and giving the brethren such instructions and
counsel as the spirit suggested as to the best method to reach the people,
getting their views and the result of their experience in the field, some of
them having been there for a year or two—it was decided, on the suggestion of
several, that an effort be made to distribute more of the written word than had
heretofore been done. Communications were addressed to the Presidency of the
Church, and by their consent a system of tract distribution was inaugurated and
has been followed systematically from that day to this. What the result may be
in the future we cannot say. Nevertheless, we have done the best we could in
our ministrations among the people, and have striven with the power that the
Lord has given us to warn our fellowmen of the re-establishment of the Kingdom
of God. The Elders that have been sent to labor under my watch care and
counsel, have been men of worth. It is a matter of pride to me that those who
have been sent to labor under my direction have been good and humble men. Many
of them have been young men, reared in these mountains—that were taken from the
farm, from the stock range, from the store, and from the work bench. They had
received comparatively little training in the ministry; but a few weeks time
has developed them, and they have gone forward in faith; the Lord has blessed
them in their administrations. I have had much joy and satisfaction in laboring
with them, and in all my ministrations and counsels to them I believe they have
listened to them and sought to the best of their ability to carry out these
counsels, and labor for the advancement of the work of the Lord.
Since I
returned home there has nothing afforded me greater pleasure than during this
conference to take into my arms and press to my breast the men that have been laboring
in the same cause as myself; for I respect and honor them as I would my own
brother. These sentiments are from the heart in regard to them, and I trust
that their experience with me and our acquaintance, and the friendship that
springs up amid adversity and trials, may be as lasting as life itself.
I am
pleased to report that in Great Britain we continue to do some baptizing.
During my administration in that land a little new ground, or rather ground
that had been worked years ago and been abandoned, has been opened up in
various places. We have gained a foothold in Finland, and a few have been
baptized in that land. Brother Fjeldsted sent some native Elders into that
section of country. Some men that were inspired with zeal, and who were humble,
and who were ready to meet any trial and difficulty that might come in their
way, succeeded in opening a little door. Seed has been sown. Away north on the
borders of Prussia and Russia, an opening has been made through a native who
had been ordained by Brother J. A. Smith, of Cache Valley, and there is a
prospect of the Gospel being introduced in that country. We have also made a
little effort to introduce the Gospel in Austria. Brother Beisinger has been
there and labored some time. Brother Hammer was there also, but was run off by
the authorities. Brother Beisinger and Brother Jennings are now, I suppose, in
Austria, probably in Bohemia. I felt while in Switzerland, in December, that it
would be impossible for me to return home without another effort being made to
open up the Gospel to Austria, although the brethren had already suffered
considerable in that land. The authorities there do not treat our Elders as
they should; but I trust that by wisdom and prudence, the Gospel may be
preached, and that the inhabitants thereof—a fine race of people—may sense
their position and embrace the truth. We have also made an effort to establish
ourselves in Turkey, and I trust that a work will be opened up there. A few
baptisms have already been made.
The
brethren throughout the British Isles have been making efforts to introduce the
Gospel in every corner and place where opportunity presented itself. I would
say, however, that the England of a few years ago is not the England of to-day.
While the same spirit of liberty—the love of the rights of man—may exist among
the English people, still that spirit of hospitality that characterized them
years and years ago, seems to be on the wane. Many people are out of
employment, the numbers that are wandering around begging their bread, closes,
in a measure the hearts of the people, and they feel that they cannot carry the
loads that they have been carrying. Still, among the Latter-day Saints, the
same hospitality is to be found. Their hearts are as warm to-day as they ever
were.
We have
made recently—through the labors of Brothers Wilson awl Marshall, two Irish
brethren—an opening in the north of Ireland, and we trust that with care much
good will result in that neighborhood. Some very fine people have embraced the
Gospel there, people in good circumstances, and who, inspired with zeal, desire
to spread the principles of the Gospel. And thus little by little we accomplish
the object of our mission, and the world is being warned. When I left England
there were three valley Elders in Ireland, and I hope others may be added to
their number before long, so that the work may spread at least in the
protestant portion of that country. I am inclined to believe that there are
hundreds and thousands of people in Ireland who will receive the Gospel. My
prejudices in regard to the Irish people have been wiped away in mingling among
them. I find them among the purest of the stocks upon the earth. Virtue is held
at a high premium among them. The statistics of Great Britain show this fact;
that illegitimate births in Ireland constitute 3 per cent. In England six, in
Scotland nine. I say this speaks volumes for Ireland, and I trust that the
Gospel may spread in that land and that thousands may receive its truths.
I have
visited nearly all parts of the mission—at least where there are any Saints,
and some portions where there are none. I went to Italy in the hope that I
might see some chance of making an opening in that country. I came very near
having two of the Elders starved by staying there. I was determined, however,
to try and introduce the Gospel. There are some sections of the country that
are Protestant, and I trust there may be a time come when the Gospel will
spread among that people. But I regard Italy as in such a condition that there
are but few chances at the present time for any opening to be made. The
Italians are bound up in the religious faith that they have been reared in, or
they are infidel almost entirely. I noticed in my attendance at the churches,
that they are usually well filled with priests and beggars, and that few,
comparatively speaking, of the well-to-do classes, or the middle classes, or
the better informed classes, were paying any attention whatever to religious
observance.
I have
also during my administration in the British mission, sought to have the Gospel
preached among the French people. Brother Bunot and Brother West made an effort
on the Island of Jersey. Brother Bunot was sent to France, and he stayed there
just as long as he could possibly live, using his own means, and striving by
every means in his power to open some door to his countrymen. Brother Bunot is
a man who was educated for the Catholic ministry, a man of intelligence and
learning, and a humble man who did everything in his power to warn his countrymen.
He was not successful in accomplishing the desires of his heart. On the borders
of Switzerland and France a number of the Elders have labored, and while we
have not reaped as we could have wished to have done, still there has been
satisfaction in the labors we have performed; for we realize that it is not
only a day of gleaning and gathering the people, but it is also a day of
warning.
I will
say here, that about the time our brethren in the southern States were murdered
in cold blood, a wave of hatred seemed to have been engendered in the minds of
the people in every direction. The press of Europe teemed with the most horrid
stories that can be imagined. Everything that had ever been thought of
everything that had ever been manufactured for partisan purposes in our own
land was scattered broadcast throughout Europe, and the masses of the people
were warned in every direction in regard to us. And not only were they warned
through the newspapers, but lecturers began to take the field in every
direction, and incite the people not to avoid our meetings, but on the contrary
to follow us up and to mob us, giving us no chance to explain to them the
principles of the Gospel, or represent ourselves as we should. This feeling has
been growing in power from that time until the time I left that land. But as
heretofore a cool wave will by and by come along and as a result of the heated
condition of the people over the Mormon problem, and the efforts that have been
made to impede the Lord's work, people will begin to inquire, thoughtful people
will look into the truth, and the work will continue to grow in the future as
it has done in the past. It is true that people do not come by hundreds and
thousands to hear the good word of life and salvation; but the eyes of the world
are directed to this our mountain home. They recognize the force of the
utterance of Henry Ward Beecher, when he said: "Gentlemen, say what you
will, but yonder in the Rocky Mountains is the phenomenon of the nineteenth
century." It is a living fact that people in every land and clime are
turning their eyes towards this region of country, and wondering what will be
the upshot of the problem that is being worked out by the Latter-day Saints in
their western home. Men of intelligence are traveling; they are mingling among
our people; they see their industry; they recognize the perseverance they have
manifested; they see the obstacles they have overcome; they recognize in them a
growing race that knows no failure, that meets no rebuff, that cannot understand
nor sense what defeat means; and they see in the Latter-day Saints the growth
and development of a power that will accomplish its object in the earth, and
that object Deity has designed it should accomplish—the gathering in of the
honest in heart, the establishment of righteousness, the combating of
wickedness, the driving back of the forces of evil as they cluster around the
hearts of men and that are leading men step by step to inevitable shame and
destruction.
It
affords me pleasure, my brethren and sisters, to again put my feet on the soil
of America. I recognize in it the home of a free man. There may be those who
desire to pervert this freedom, who may seek to engender strife and drive us
from the soil upon which we live; there may be those who seek to trample upon
the rights and liberties of man; but I believe from the bottom of my heart that
Deity has stamped it upon this soil, that He has written it throughout the
universe, that in this land His work should prosper? that it should go forward
and increase until its great destiny shall be accomplished; that this is the
spot chosen, that here it will be nourished, here it will grow, here it will go
forward, and the nations of the earth will look upon it and recognize it as the
great force that will conquer the earth and bring subject to it the powers that
exist thereon; and all this will be brought about by the law of righteousness,
the law of truth, the law of God given to mankind for their guidance and
control, and they will accept it and live in accordance with its principles.
You and I may tread a thorny path; it may be strewn with rugged places; we may
break the flesh upon our hands, and be bruised in our forward movement; but the
work will advance and progress. Deity is our friend, our guide, our protector.
All we need do as a people is to keep our eye upon the mark of divine truth;
move forward without fear, and ask no favors so far as mankind is concerned;
only seek to do right by our fellow creatures. Hate no one. I dare not hate any
man upon the face of the earth. No matter how vile, how wicked, how corrupt he
may be, if I find him in want of a friend I would extend to him the hand of
friendship; I would give him bread if he was hungry; water if he was thirsty;
clothing if he was naked; for I would recognize in him the fact that he was a
creation of my Father, and I would not dare to hate him, no matter how vile he
might be. I might hate the principles he had espoused; the wicked acts of which
he was guilty; but I would recognize in him something that I should seek to
benefit, bless and save, and I would use all the powers God had bestowed upon
me in that direction.
"Brother
Smith," some may say, "don't you feel uneasy over the condition of
things that now exists in our Territory?" I have sometimes wished that
things were not as they are. As I have wandered in the earth and stood up in
the streets and parks and halls preaching the Gospel, I have said to myself, I
wish that my Father had not set me to this work; I wish that these things were
not required at my hands. I have sometimes felt timid in being brought in
contact with the world, and the efforts that were being made against me and my
brethren. I have wished it could be otherwise, and yet when I stop and reflect,
when I look over the history of the past, when I read the facts as history
brings them to us, I see no other way, I see no other road to travel. Every
fibre of my being is convinced of the truth of this Gospel. It is stamped upon
every feature, upon every part of my being. I regard it as dearer than life and
everything else upon the face of the earth. Why need I be fearful, why need I
tremble, why need I be wrought up at the prospect that is before us? No great
system has ever been established upon the face of the earth without much labor
and perseverance. Look at the inventions that have been brought out and the
efforts that have been directed against them, even in those things that were
lobe utilized for our own clothing, for our own movements from place to place,
or for the comfort and convenience of our homes. The men that have invented
these things have met with continual persecution. They have struggled against
nature itself; and why need we, who have had given to us the great plan of life
and salvation, that which will bring us back into the presence of God, that
which stamps upon our souls the prospect of eternal union with our wives and
our children, and of mingling with our friends and relatives that have gone
before—why need we fear the hand of our enemies. Who cannot stand a few weeks
of imprisonment, a few months of torture, a few years of difficulty, that they
may offer an offering in righteousness to that God that called them forth? Not
one of us. Therefore, so far as I am concerned, my brethren and sisters as an
individual, I am perfectly happy, just as happy as I can possibly be under the
circumstances in which we are placed. I have no worry nor concern. One of my
uncles, whose home I left but a few weeks ago warned me that certain things
were inevitable; that it was impossible for us to hope to fight longer these
things our pronounced enemies were seeking to bring upon us. All I said to him
was, "Wait and see." That is what I propose to do—wait and see, just
wait and see. I have been waiting from my childhood, and expect to continue to
wait. It is possible that a few men like myself maybe hustled within the prison
walls; it is possible that a few "Mormons" may be outraged and
banished from their native land; it is possible that men may follow us to the
death; but while men die, systems continue to live and grow, and the powers of
earth and hell can never check their advancement and development. Such is the
case in regard to the work we have embraced. It is a living work. It is one of
the active forces in nature. It is backed by the powers of heaven, and ye are
its emissaries sent here at this time to aid in its advancement. The Gospel
must be preached; the nations of the earth must be warned, and this nation, or
any other nation, will fall beneath the judgment of an enraged God if they
reject the message of glad tidings, which our Father has offered them for their
exaltation in His kingdom. The work of God must conquer every foe, it must
overcome every opposing force, and it will accomplish that destiny as sure as
there is a God in heaven. Write it upon the page of history; stamp it upon your
souls; for deity has designed that it should be the case.
I find in
mingling among the people in the east, that the moving force to-day against the
Latter-day Saints is not the politicians of the country. The politicians, so
far as they are concerned would care little about us, but there are behind them
the people. There are first the ministers of the Gospel. I do not desire to
speak harshly of the ministers that live among us, or make charges against
them, for I have been away for some time; but this fact is patent to every
one—that the fervor against the "Mormons" is worked up right from our
own homes, and largely by, Christian ministers. Letters are written to the
ministers of the country; the ministers work upon their flocks. Go among many
of the peoples of the east—among the old Puritan stock, of which my fathers are
descendants—and you will find that the tales of the horrors of Mormonism are of
the most startling character. This I discovered while visiting among my
relatives in New England.
They were
all more or less prejudiced against Mormonism; but I trust that the little
light I was able to throw upon the question may result in good. The New
Englanders as a rule, have but small families, and the evil practices that are
resorted to by many to prevent their having children at all, will be the means
of carrying them down to the pit.
Now,
brethren and sisters, whom have we wronged? Whom have we wronged by peopling
this desert land? Nobody. If there was anybody wronged it was the red man, and
he has not been wronged but blessed; for we have tried to feed instead of fight
him. The first principle of the Gospel is faith. Whom have we hurt if we have
faith? Then there is the principle of repentance. Whom have we injured if we
have repented? Is anybody hurt? Is the government hurt? Does repentance beget
hostility to the government? If we make a covenant with God in the waters of
baptism that we will be pure, is anybody wronged? No! Have we plotted for the
overthrow and destruction of the government in which we live because the hands
of the servants of God have been laid upon our heads and they have bestowed
upon us the Holy Ghost, the witness of the Spirit that shall guide us into all
truth? No. Have you or I made a contract with our God to wage antagonism to the
institutions of the country in which we live, or sign allegiance to any other
government upon the earth? I have not. I have sworn allegiance to the
government in which I live. My labors as a man are in the interests of humanity
the freedom of man; that his conscience may not be chained up; that his body
may not be bowed down with the yoke of tyranny; but that before God he may
stand erect, fearless and strong, determined to benefit and bless the human
family. Need we be fearful in regard to these things? I think not. There is one
that will recompense at the last day; and tike man who denies the other his
liberties, who binds him in chains, who ties him to the rack, is the man who
should tremble when She reckoning of Deity is made with His sons and daughters.
We might go through all the principles of the faith we have espoused and then
ask who is wronged? We have made grass grow where it did not grow before. If we
have built homes, if we pay taxes for the sustenance and government of the
cities and towns that are to be found upon this once sterile spot, and which
was once the great American desert, who is wronged? No one. Who has raised a
standard against the government in which we live? Not one of us. But you
believe in the Priesthood. You accept of a system of government that is most
perfect on the face of the earth. Who is wronged if we do? You have not changed
it. It has not changed you. It has not wronged you; and that which we have accepted
we have accepted of our own free will and choice, recognizing the fact that
Deity has required it at our hands. Who is injured if my wife makes a sacrifice
with me and takes into our home one of her sisters and makes her my wife. If
she makes the sacrifice; if I shoulder the additional responsibility, and open
the door that will save one of Eve's fair daughters, who is wronged? Do I plot
for the overthrow of the government, the breaking in pieces of the powers that
be, because I desire that my sister or my daughter, my aunt or my cousin may be
preserved from the evils thrown around them by the systems that man has
created? No. God has laid upon every woman the decree placed upon mother
Eve—multiply and replenish the earth. In sections of the land in which we live,
thousands of women to-day must become the play things of some vile wretch, if
they answer the design of their being. My whole being is convinced of the
fact—that it is a decree of God Himself that these women should have a chance
to marry, and that He Himself has opened the door. He Himself has established
the principle. I want my daughters married as I desired to marry myself; I want
them honored wives, whether plural ones or otherwise, no matter who may seek to
brand their offspring as infamous. I know—for God has given me the witness, He
has stamped it upon this heart that they who come through that lineage are as
much honored of God and approved of Him, as any that have ever walked His
footstool from the day that this earth was peopled until the day in which we
live. This principle was given for a purpose, and that purpose is the salvation
of the female sex as well as the male sex. Go to Great Britain, and you will
find a million more women than men moving upon the streets of the great cities.
Go up the Strand in London; Go up Lime Street, in Liverpool; and the streets in
Manchester; go into any of the leading streets of the great cities of the
world, and gaze upon as fine specimens of womanhood as our Father ever put
breath into. What are their prospects in life? What is written across their
brow? Infamy, shame—going to their graves the victims of loathsome disease. It
is not one, it is not two or three; but it is millions of them that are going
this inevitable road. Who is responsible? Who placed upon them the interdict,
preventing them, from fulfilling the object of their creation? Not God; for He
made His law so liberal and established principle so correct that there was no
necessity for such a thing. It is man that has introduced it; it is man that
has overturned the condition of society; it is man that has turned his daughter
into the street. I say again and again that the "Mormon" people can
wait the result of this thing without fear; they can afford to suffer pains and
penalties if that will but open the door by which the fair daughters of Eve can
be redeemed from the position in which they are placed and be made honored and
respected women of society.
The
speaker concluded by reiterating his allegiance to the American government, and
exhorting the Saints to be faithful in keeping the commandments of God in all
things.
PRESIDENT OLIVER G. SNOW,
of Box Elder Stake, was the next speaker. No people have so much cause to rejoice as have the Latter-day Saints. Their history shows that the blessings of God have attended them, and He has preserved and delivered them from every power of the foe. They are more united now than at any time in their career. This oneness is a most essential condition. This is exemplified in all of the teaching of the Savior and His Apostles. This unity has caused the people to accomplish the gratifying work they had performed. in visiting the settlements of this section the speaker had been gratified with the material advancement attained by the Saints, in making homes, orchards and farms. The same could be said regarding nearly every part of this country to which the Saints have gathered. The people generally appeared to appreciate the fact that these blessings had come from God. It did not appear that there was much fear and trembling among them regarding the present persecutions. Their trust is in the Lord. There is no dubiety among them regarding the ultimate victory that awaits them in keeping the commandments of the Almighty. They were built, as were the Saints in olden times, upon the rock of revelation. The darkest and most forbidding aspect cannot obliterate that intelligent testimony. The organization of the Church is the most perfect and thorough in existence. It is so complete that one are left on the outside of it. The young people are becoming a strong lever for good in the community. He prayed that the blessings of God might rest upon all who were engaged in seeking to establish truth in the earth.
PRESIDENT F. D. RICHARDS
Stated that under existing conditions it was not deemed prudent to call the names of missionaries to various parts of the earth, who had already gone to their fields of labor since the last General Conference, or who might be called during this. It would be proper, however, for the Saints to say whether they were willing to confide the matter of sending Elders out to preach the gospel to the missionary committee, of which he was a member. One thing was certain the work of proclaiming the truth was being actively prosecuted.
A motion was made by Apostle Francis M. Lyman, to the effect that the action of the missionary committee in selecting and sending out elders to the nations be endorsed, and that the whole matter be left in their hands to be conducted according to their best judgment, under the blessings of God.
The motion was carried unanimously.
The choir sang the anthem:
Oh! Father, Almighty.
Benediction by Elder George C. Parkinson.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 34:200-201, 4/15/85, p 8-9]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
_____
Conference met at 2 o'clock.
The choir sang:
All hail the glorious day,
By prophets long foretold.
Prayer by Apostle John W. Taylor.
Singing by the choir:
O give me back my Prophet
dear,
And Patriarch, O give them back.
APOSTLE FRANCIS MARION LYMAN
Addressed the Conference. He considered that there had been an excellent Conference. The spirit of the Lord had been poured out upon the brethren who had spoken. Besides, we have been addressed, by epistle, by the brethren of the First Presidency. It is necessary to be collected and avoid extremes that might have a bad effect. Troubles that accrue to the Latter-day Saints for righteousness sake will soon end. As related in the second chapter of Daniel, it was made known to Nebuchadnezzar what would transpire in the latter days. The speaker read the passage relating to the setting up, in the latter days of a kingdom, which was to break in pieces and supersede all others. The Lord has begun to establish that work. In order to do so He had conferred upon man the right to officiate in His name, so that He should be bound to acknowledge their ministrations. It was necessary that men should be informed in regard to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. For this reason they revealed themselves to Joseph Smith. Faith, repentance that produces reformation, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost, imparted by the imposition of the hands by the authorized servants of God, were doctrines of the Gospel. On the base thus formed, we go forward in knowledge and obedience unto salvation. Latter-day Saints have no license to do any wrong of any character, but must work righteousness before the Lord. The Priesthood has been given, and it is not confined to those who preside in the Church, but every good man is entitled to it. Those who are unholy have no claim to that authority. Every woman is entitled to have at her head a man bearing the Melchisedec Priesthood. So has every child born into the Church a right to have a man thus endowed for a father. Every family should have a head of that character. The heads of families are entitled to be governed by the Spirit of God, and in turn they should, under that influence , preside over those entrusted to their care. The speaker here read the revelation regarding the obligation upon parents to teach their children the doctrines of the gospel, and to see that they are baptized when eight years old, and to teach them to pray and walk uprightly. When these things are not done, the sins of the children are visited upon the parents. This injunction had, in the speaker's opinion, been more or less neglected. The Priesthood is organized into quorums, and there are presidencies and appointments, from the presiding officers of the Church downward through all the ramifications of the system. This compact organization enabled all to be taught in relation to their duties. There are also associations in the nature of aids to the Priesthood in carrying on the work of advancement and regeneration. But of all others parents are the most deeply interested in their children. God has provided that Satan has no power to tempt little children, so that they are already redeemed if they die before they reach a condition of personal responsibility. A spirit of opposition is developing all over the world against the Latter-day Saints. Apostates are in many instances inclined to disturb the peace of their old friends. But the Saints cannot be robbed of their right to the kingdom of God. Nebuchadnezzar was shown that it would never be given to another people. In this day prophets and others of God's servants had been slain, but these things have driven us closer together, and have made us stronger. All neglect of duty will pass away, and we will draw closer to the Lord. Parents will be more diligent in teaching their children. The Saints need to reform, and repent of their lack of wisdom, and no longer strew their ways to strangers. No reasonable person will find fault with them for supporting their friends and letting their enemies alone. The world are united in matter sin which they are interested; so should the Saints be. Those who are engaged in the present crusade are not making efforts against any crimes among us. It is for things that are good we do that we are pursued. A law has been enacted against one of our religious institutions, but it would just be as consistent to make a law to prohibit us from baptizing for the remission of sins, or attending to any other religious ceremony of the Church. There is no principle of the Gospel that is more sacred to Latter-day Saints than the marriage covenant. It enables a man to secure the relationship of his family for all eternity. No more important principle has yet been revealed to us. We have no inclination to marry wives from among unbelievers, for this is forbidden. Therefore, who is being infringed upon in this matter. Some sisters have married men outside of the Church, and this has been a grievous wrong. Such women have placed themselves outside the ordinances of the Church. They are united to their partners for time only, they and their children being subjected to separation after death. The Saints look to the glorious prospect of a perpetuity of the family order. The people who have gathered here from so many nations have not come together by the preaching of a popular doctrine. quite the reverse. They necessarily are subjected to persecution. They have taken up the cross of Christ, who suffered as no ordinary man could suffer, and his atonement applies to all men save the sons of perdition, who cannot be redeemed. There are three general kingdoms, degrees, or conditions in eternity, and to reach any of them it is needful that men either here or hereafter, must repent of their sins. The doctrines of the Gospel have been embraced by the most independent and resolute people on the earth. They have exhibited an individuality and strength of character that are rare among men. They are not only independent, but they are honest, industrious and exemplary. They were not attracted here by hopes of ease and plenty. They acted on principle aside from any prospect of material advancement. But God has blessed the land and prospered His people. There has been an international intermixture of races by marriage, the result being that a bold and capable generation is developing. We are a peaceable people, and are learning to be self -supporting. We abhor iniquity in every form and excommunicate those who are guilty of corrupt conduct, and permanently expel those who commit adultery, declining to allow them to re-enter the Church. If the Saints had their way there would not be a house of ill-fame in this whole region. We would rather that our children should die than that they should become unvirtuous. The laws regulating our conduct should be strictly observed. If we do not the Lord will allow trouble to come upon us. But if we are true and pure we can, with complacency, suffer, if need be, for righteousness sake. May the Lord bless Zion and her friends throughout the earth, and the righteous everywhere.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
was the next speaker. We have great reason to rejoice before our Father in Heaven, and before the people of the earth. We are more satisfactorily situated, spiritually and temporally, than any other community on the same extent of territory anywhere. People have better opportunities for gaining good homes than anywhere else. There is a great scope here for skill, enterprise and native intelligence. We are sometimes oppressed by the enemies of liberty, yet many peoples are vastly worse off than us in that regard. People in various parts of the earth are filled with anxiety because of things that are hanging over their heads. They are troubled with dread lest they be drafted to take part in threatened wars. Nowhere else is there more settled peace than here. No power can place upon us the shackles of sin and Satan. The speaker wished to see every species of fear dispelled and a due appreciation of the freedom we enjoy and the substantial blessings we possess manifested. Food and all things else needful for our sustenance are in abundance. Let the people command the peace of God in heir hearts. There may be attempts to trouble and harass us, but the trouble they bring will not be a drop in the bucket compared with what they will produce upon themselves. We are identified with the strongest form of government that was ever revealed to man on the earth. Those who sit in secret council to pass laws to make us offenders because of a doctrine of our faith, will yet be filled with fear. The secret works of darkness that are developing in the world to produce destruction are scarcely a beginning of what yet will be. Every man should warn his neighbor and teach his children that righteousness may be established. Let nothing divert you from what is prudent. Commit no overt act, but observe every constitutional law. We have not risen up against any constitutional law of the land. Avoid all violent conflict with the ministers of the law, some of whom are anxious to exhibit their brief authority. It is just the experiences through which we are passing that will increase our faith and confirm our knowledge that God lives. You will live to see the day when in this land those who will not take part in a frightful conflict that will ensue will have to come here for safety. It will yet be a problem with us as to how to manage the large number of people who will yet flock hither. We should pray for the brethren who are our leaders. If some lives have to be sacrificed, even that need not be feared. It is sometimes necessary that witnesses should go to the other side, that all things may be adjusted according to the law of the Lord in relation to testimony. He prayed the Lord to bless the people.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 34:434, 7/29/85, p 2, JD 26:253]
REMARKS
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
At the General Conference, held in Logan on the 6th of
April, 1885.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
THE
Latter-day Saints have very great reason to rejoice and to be exceedingly glad
before our Father who is in heaven and before the people here on the earth. If
we take a look at our condition, and consider the same carefully—whether it be
in temporal matters or in spiritual concerns—we are better and more comfortably
situated today than any other people of the same number anywhere on God's
footstool. If we take into consideration our present condition as to the
comforts of life, we are better situated to-day with grain in our granaries and
food in our houses, than any other people of the same number upon the face of
the earth, or that can be found located together upon the same extent of
territory anywhere. If we take into consideration our condition as to homes,
there is a greater proportion of this people to-day who have comfortable homes
of their own than can be found anywhere else; more of them have no need to
strive for the privilege of earning a living, as a great many of our people had
to do before they were gathered when they often found it difficult to obtain
employment, and even if successful were obliged to work by the piece or by the
day, receiving their pay regularly at the end of the week, and in this way
measuring the conditions of their living by the amount of means which they were
permitted to earn. In this manner life or existence and its comforts were
measured out to them. There was comparatively no room for the exercise of
enterprise, of skill, of native wit, and those qualities which God has placed
in their nature, and which He designed they should practice and thus become
wise and skilled by their own ingenuity.
We
sometimes feel that we are oppressed, that we are pinched and persecuted by the
people who are intruding upon our rights, and trampling upon our liberties, but
as yet we know but little, comparatively speaking about oppression. The people
of the countries of Asia and of Europe, with all of the liberty that they
enjoy, are under the most severe daily oppression, continued dependence and
subordination to those that are over them. In those countries there is a
feeling of fear—fear of their rulers, terror in their minds caused by the dread
of threatening war which is liable at any time to come upon them with all its
horrors. In every national dispute that arises they see and feel at once the
liability that their sons, fathers, neighbors and kinsmen may be drafted and
sent off to the war, perhaps never to return. And their hearts are filled with
fear and anxiety over this and other similar things.
We see in
newspapers that in Egypt, China, Central America, and almost everywhere else
the air is thick with the mists and clouds of war. Where is the mother or
sister, father or son among us that is to-day away from one of their kindred on
account of war? The worst you have to dread is a short imprisonment and a few
hundred dollars fine; that is the worst thing you can find to mourn and worry
over. Why, bless your dear souls, there is not another community of the same
number anywhere on the whole earth in which there is to be found such settled
peace as right here among this very people that are before me, and the people
that fill this territory all around us. And yet you think the times are
terribly hard with your granaries full of wheat that you cannot sell, with
large quantities of potatoes and vegetables that you cannot dispose of, with
flocks and herds about you; because you cannot sell your products and get as
good prices as you would like, some of you think you are in a terribly distressed
condition (Laughter).
I wish
the Saints would put away these foolish ideas. I want to have you realize that
you are in a condition of peace and plenty, with liberty, too, for God has made
you free. God has made His people free from the bondage of sin and death; we
are at liberty, and there is no power on the earth that has the ability to
fasten the shackles of sin and Satan upon us. It all depends upon our own
conduct, as to whether we are and shall continue free.
In almost
all of the countries from which you came and in the nations that surrounded you
in your former homes, people are taxed with a taxation that is oppressive. On
the green Isle of Ireland, where the poor and afflicted are numerous there are
people who have to pay a rent of five pounds an acre for land, and they must
raise sufficient off it to support their families, and raise the money to pay
the rent. But here we can buy or take up land, and have it, too, for the
taking, but some of us consider it an awful job to fence it. (Laughter). No, we
don't know anything about oppression, as compared with the Jews, the Poles and
the Irish. In older portions of the United States, we never could have enjoyed
the blessings we enjoy here; we never could have located and built up our towns
and cities; as it was the mobs plundered us of our homes and drove us out here
to this part of the earth. It was like a new world; it looked so entirely new,
that it seemed as if the work of creation was scarcely finished. By the blessing
of God we brought life with us and life came from heaven; life that animated
the soil under our feet; that tempered and controlled the elements over our
heads; so that in these high valleys and canyons, where it was thought no grain
or fruit could be raised, with snow and frost every month in the year—now we
raise good crops and varieties of fruits. A few years ago it was a problem
whether an apple or a peach could be raised here in Cache valley; but it is not
long since her enterprising fruit growers took the premium in the Territorial
Fair for the best collection of apples to be found in the Territory.
Who has
done this for us? It is the Lord our God. He brought us to this land as He
brought the children of Israel to the land of Judea, which He gave to them and
to their children after them, to be their inheritance forever.
I want to
have us consider these things; and instead of being anxious and worried,
troubled and filled with fear, learn to rely upon the arm of the Lord and trust
Him for His goodness; cultivate the peace of heaven and let the love of God
dwell in our hearts. Though our enemies may harass, trouble, and disturb us;
the trouble that they will bring upon us will be but as a drop in the bucket
compared with what will come upon them by and by. They cannot stop the work of
God. His decree has established it. We have the promise that it never shall be
overthrown or given to another people. Understand it. This form of government
which the Lord has given to us, is the strongest form of government that was
ever revealed to man. The governments of the world have power to oppress,
annoy, make war upon and destroy men from the face of the earth. But this
Kingdom that God has given to His people is to be a kingdom of peace, a kingdom
of righteousness, and its righteousness is going to exalt His people, to make
them become the greatest people on the face of the earth, filled with power,
wisdom and intelligence that all the surrounding nations will look up to.
The
people that are around us in our midst, and who wish to dictate to us; those
who sit in the council chambers to make laws against us and our holy faith, and
thereby make us offenders—are themselves filled with fear and anxiety at what
is taking place in this and other nations. This spirit of fear will increase
upon them. Look at the dread they experienced at the work of the dynamiters in
the old country, and that is but a beginning of what is to come. These secret
societies will work great mischief and death, with frequent assassinations, and
by and by these things will come so thick and fast that people will not know
what way to escape. The Lord is gathering His people together that He may deal
with them by themselves. The great trouble is, that we have too many among us
who are careless and indifferent; that are wicked and sinful; that ought to be
dealt with and cut off the Church. There are plenty who are ready to sell their
brethren into the hands of their enemies, but the day will come, when they will
realize the awful consequence of their acts. We have not much to fear unless we
offend the God whom we agreed to serve.
Brethren
and sisters, let not your hearts be troubled. Obey the commandments of God,
keep your covenants inviolate and learn to live by every word that proceeds
from Him and the constituted authorities of His Church—and if you find trials
in your pathway you will find help to endure them. Parents, cultivate affection
toward each other, toward your children and toward all included in your
households; do right by your wives, your husband, your children and your God.
You will find that all the rest will come right in its own due time. The Lord
will bring it about in so strange and simple a manner that it will be
astonishing to us when we find out how He has done it. We cannot go to the
Bible, Book of Mormon or the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, to be informed how
this, that and the other thing will be solved and arranged. We can read how He
did anciently according to the circumstances that surrounded His people then;
but we cannot find out His methods and plans of to-day only as He manifests
them to us by the spirit of revelation. His ways are past finding out. He tells
us that Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with
righteousness. We must remember this. If we would have power with God and with
the angels, it must be because of our diligent attention to God, to the work He
has called us to do, and we must see that we establish it in the earth. Every
man should warn his neighbor; should teach his children and his family, and
establish righteousness in his household. Presidents and Bishops should deal
with transgressors in the Church, that they may repent, or be cut off. It is
that righteousness may be established in the earth that the Lord has commenced
His work again, that it may be established not in a little place, but in all
the land, and it shall spread until His righteous word and work shall fill the
whole earth, as the waters cover the mighty deep.
Do not
let anything divert you from the path of duty; let nothing cause you to commit
an overt act. Honor and respect the laws of the land as far as possible,
consistent with the laws and commandments of God. Observe and obey every
constitutional law. When our enemies place us in violation of a law of the land,
it is painful to us, and it is our trial, but the responsibility of it rests
with them. Let us make up our minds to bear this crusade of legal persecution
with fortitude as Saints have had to do in all ages of Gospel reform, because
they believed in the revelations of Jesus Christ. We have not revolted against
any law of the land; we have not contended against any constitutional
principle, law or doctrine that could benefit, improve or exalt the human
family, nor anything that could promote the pursuit of happiness—we seek after
all these things. But, our Congressmen, Governors and Judges, in the supreme
wisdom with which they imagine they are endowed, impose penalties upon God's
people for keeping His commandments. Thus we see that wheat the wicked rule, the
people mourn.
We ought
to gain by all this experience valuable knowledge. We want to profit by it. Let
every man question himself: "Can I stand this or that without getting
angry!" Or can we be righteously angry and sin not? If not we should go
into our closets and ask God for that measure of His spirit that is necessary
to sustain us in a proper frame of mind. This is the kind of experience, the
very kind of discipline that is necessary for us, to make us find out whether
we will draw near to Him and have fellowship, and communion with Him. These
things are all for our experience, for our profit. The Lord has made known to
us that the days we live in are dark with threatenings of war. The hour of his
judgment is nigh at hand. We have seen one terrible war in our land—and it is
well that we should take heed to His counsels. Wars and rumors of wars are
spreading abroad upon the face of the earth, and it will come to pass before a
great while that people will be so far from having peace that they must either
take up the sword to contend against their neighbor, or flee to Zion and gather
with God's people. You will see this come to pass. Mark my words. All kinds and
conditions of people will desire to come here and make homes with us. You will
see the day when it wilt be as hard to keep the wicked away from us as it ever
has been to get people to join us. Mark that too. I tell you that a people with
full granaries, a people of peace and prosperity, is a people that will be
sought after by the peoples of the nations of the earth, and things cannot
always go on in the way they are going with us, without bringing down upon our
oppressors the retribution of an offended God. We ought to rely upon His
promises. These experiences are well calculated to do us good, and teach us to
trust in the Lord.
Nor
should we forget that when a governor of unsavory memory forbade the use of the
militia alike for defense against Indian depredations, as well as for Fourth of
July celebrations; that since that date, no single predatory excursion of the
red man has been experienced by any one of our settlements. On the contrary it
would seem that all use of fire arms for any kind of military defense had
become entirely obsolete—gone into utter desuetude—so entirely at peace have
the Lamanites become, that instead of either noise of war, or even the
apprehension thereof, there is given us of God to enjoy the most settled peace
from the red man on all our borders round; and now having assisted to build our
temples, they are enjoying with us the heavenly blessing bestowed therein.
Instead of roaming wild and lawlessly over the plains, numbers have renounced
their tribal relations, sworn allegiance to government, have pre-empted or
home-steaded lands of the public domain, are raising crops, cultivating their
flocks and herds, are building and occupying comfortable dwellings, as good
neighbors among their white brethren, as is evidenced at Washakie in Oneida
Stake, and at Indianola in the San Pete Stake. Their schools are turning out
scholars in the elementary branches of good common school education.
Not only
has the need of firearms been done away as between us and the natives, but we
have very great reason to be thankful that in the present unholy crusade
against the Church the onslaught has not been with fire and the sword as in
former times, but with mind and moral suasion in the application of the law by
a perversion of many of its well-settled methods of interpretation,
construction and application. These conclusions have been the implements and
the tactics of the present warfare.
It is
devoutly to be hoped that no one with a zeal which is not according to
knowledge shall commit an overt act that shall precipitate a conflict with
carnal weapons and give the enemy an occasion or opportunity to shed the blood
of the Saints or to increase their unhallowed oppressions upon us.
Since,
then, the weapons of our warfare are not powder, lead and fine steel; let us
put on the whole armor of God; banish unrighteousness from our midst, and we or
our children shall see the governments of this world become the Kingdom of our
God and of His Christ in His own due time, for which all Saints should ever
labor and pray.
We have
had a great deal of good instruction during this conference. I have been much
edified myself in hearing my brethren talk, and I am sure you all have. The
teachings which have been given are of a character to promote good feelings
between brethren and sisters, fathers and mothers, parents and children, and it
is pleasant to hear of each other's welfare.
When we
go to our respective homes let us go with the determination to stand steadfast
in the faith. I am sure that after such a conference as this every honest soul
who has met with us, if he wanted a portion of the bread of life, has received
that portion, has received something which he can take home for his own
use—some words of encouragement, some strengthening exhortation, some good
words that will help to put away weakness and enable the feeble to say I am
strong in the Lord.
I pray
God to bless you, to comfort your hearts; to increase your faith towards Him;
to strengthen you that you may not be overcome of sin, and that you may seek in
all things to overcome evil with good. Remember and pray for the brethren—our
leaders. We do not know what awaits us; we care but little. The main thing
devolving upon us is to do our duty acceptably day by day. We will trust in God
and go forward. What if it were necessary that some of our lives should be
taken? There is no need for fear or worriment about it. It has always been so
when God had a people on the earth. Some of the best lives have been
taken—taken as witnesses in yonder heavens to testify to facts as they exist
here. Do you understand this? It is in accordance with the great principles of
eternal justice which rule and regulate in heaven with a great deal more
precision and certainty than here on the earth. The Lord has told us how He
does business in some of these matters before the councils of the Church,
namely by the voice of two or three witnesses every word is to be established,
and so it has to to be up yonder. Perhaps it is necessary once in a while to
have some go in that kind of a way. Well don't get scared about that. We have
all to die some day. It will be all right whether it shall be to-morrow or next
week, if we keep the commandments of God in all matters. Choose the wise and
the perfect way, and if we are right we will be willing to say, "O Lord,
thy will be done." If when we embraced the Gospel we placed our all upon
the altar, it is of very little consequence about all these things. For if we
seek to save our lives we may lose them, but if we lose them in the service of
God, we shall find life eternal.
I pray
that God may bless us all; you who are parents, should bless your children—that
they may render more loving obedience to you, that you may be more affectionate
to them, remembering the union in which you have been united and in which you
have been sealed; that you may be strengthened of the Holy Ghost, and be enabled
to go into the holy temples and set yourselves in order before the Lord; that
you may obtain those eternal gifts that shall bring an eternal weight of glory
to your household, families, friends and kindred; that you may have the full
assurance of the promises of God, and have joy to animate, stimulate and
sustain you through every trying circumstance in life, and bring you safely
back into the presence of our heavenly Father. Amen.
The anthem:
Daughters of Zion.
was sung by the choir.
Benediction by President Richards.
Conference adjourned until October 1885, the precise day not being stated.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference
_____
6-9 Oct 1885, 55th Semi-Annual General Conference, Logan Utah
[Deseret News Weekly, 34:616, 10/14/85, p 8; 34:623, 10/14/85, p 15; 34:626, 10/21/85, p 2; Millennial Star 47:689, 705, 721]
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 34:623, 10/14/85, p 15]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-fifth semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Logan City, Cache County, on Tuesday, October 6th, at 10 o'clock a.m.
There were present on the stand, of the council of the apostles, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; Patriarch John Smith; and several Stake presidents.
The conference was called to order by Apostle F. D. Richards announcing the hymn to be sung,
Glorious things of thee are spoken.
Prayer was then offered by Elder F. M. Lyman, and the choir sang the hymn,
Hark, the song of jubilee.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
Arose and congratulated the Saints on their highly favored condition, and thought their hearts should be moved to appreciation of the same. Referred in terms of praise to the conveniences that had been specially provided for the choir and reporters, and invited all representatives of the press to take positions at the table, asking them to do common justice by giving a fair report.
In these times, he said, some might think we had reason to be cast down, but such was not the fact; so long as we were dealt with more leniently than our Master and many of our fellow-servants had been, we had reason to be thankful that things are so well with us as they are. It was for us to judge correctly of our position and of the blessings we enjoyed, and learn to see what was and what would prove to be blessings and what otherwise. The Lord told His apostles that they should be hailed to prison, that the servant was not greater than his master; and that when evil was spoken of us, we had reason to lift up our heads and rejoice. If proved faithful we should be tried as keenly as others who had stood true to the end. We should not forget that we might expect opposition; it was for us to be armed with the spirit of truth to withstand any and everything of an opposing nature.
The Prophet Joseph told the people before they were bestowed, that if they would inherit the blessings of Abraham they should be prepared to receive them, that they might appropriate them to their own salvation when they did receive them. Prisons and incarcerations were as nothing to men armed with the salvation of heaven. Referred to the condition of John while banished, and others who suffered death, and trials not yet known to us. He had heard President Young in early days say that a man who was not willing to pay $500 for a good, virtuous wife, was not worthy of such a one. This seemed to be practically verified now-a-days. The speaker invoked the blessing of God on the Conference, and called upon the Saints to prepare their hearts for the instructions and counsels the Lord had to give through his servants.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 34:674, 11/11/85, p 2; JD 26:336 (first 4 paragraphs)]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
At the General conference at Logan, Held in October [6
Oct.] , 1885.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
PROVIDENCE
seems to smile upon our gathering together for a conference at this time.
Indeed, as a people, if we take into consideration all of the blessings of our
common salvation, we are to-day highly favored of the Lord, in every general
respect. I think our hearts ought to be moved by a sense of gratitude for all
of His many blessings to us, both temporal and spiritual. Our brethren here
have gone to and improved the condition of their tabernacle, so that we are
very comfortably situated. The singers, I think, feel that they have got into
the right place; a good table is also provided for the reporters. I take this
opportunity to invite reporters of any and all newspapers that may be present,
who wish to do so, to come forward, take a seat at this table and report the
proceedings of our conference. The only favors we ask at their hands is that
they will please report us correctly.
We have
been striving half a century to inform the world of the principles of our
faith, and we have not tired at it yet; we are still sending missionaries to
the four quarters of the earth. We have sent them without stint of numbers to
the people of this great nation, the United States; have endeavored to inform
them ever since the year 1830, and especially since the endowment at Kirtland
in 1836, when the Apostles, High Priests and Elders went forth into all parts
of this nation, as far as permitted, and as fast as they had opportunity, to
inform the people of the principles of our faith. But it seems almost
impossible to get to their ears, and much less likely to reach their hearts. It
appears to have been easier for us in an early day to receive that measure
which the Lord had revealed for our benefit than it is now when He is giving us
so much that the new wine cannot be received into the old vessels, and if it
could we do not know what the results would be. In these our times, some of the
feeble and faint-hearted, will no doubt think that because of the efforts at
persecution against us we have reason to be very sad, to pull long faces and be
cast down because we are oppressed. Brethren, not so. Do not think of it a
minute. So long as we are dealt with in a milder manner than our Master was, we
have reason to be thankful and ought to go on our way rejoicing. So long as we
are not dealt with more harshly than our brethren have been in former periods
of time and in this dispensation in which we live, we have reason to be
thankful.
We lament
the absence of our brethren of the First Presidency, and several of the Council
of the Twelve Apostles. We would be glad and thankful if we could have them all
with us, but we are pleased that so many of us can be with you as are here. We
hope that the conference will result in the strengthening the good resolutions
of every Latter-day Saint—in invigorating the energies of all who are in
anywise afflicted, or oppressed with temptations and trials of any kind. The
Lord told the brethren in his day—those whom He appointed, laid His hands upon
and ordained to the Apostleship—that this would be their heritage; that they
would be vilified and hailed to prison, and that men would think they were
doing God service in taking their lives from the earth. And, said He, is the
servant greater than His master? No. He told them that when they experienced
these things, they were to lift up their heads and rejoice; for great was their
reward in heaven. Therefore, we have the assurance that if we are true and
faithful, we shall suffer trials and temptations as they did in former days,
and as Joseph and Hyrum, and the brethren of the Apostles, with a host of
Elders, have done in these latter-days for the principles of the Gospel.
These
things, however, should not move us, or they should only, if they move us at
all, strengthen us to stand true to the holy faith of the Gospel, to the
principles, ordinances and institutions which the Lord has revealed unto us. We
may expect to meet opposition on every hand, but our opposition may come in a
different form from what our brethren have formerly had to endure; we should,
however, be armed with the spirit of divine truth, so that we may comprehend
our duty under every circumstance and every condition in life. I know some of
the brethren feel that it is a very serious thing to be cast into prison. Why,
there is many a thing worse than that, It is a thousand times better to go to
prison than to deny the principles of the Gospel, and to be forsaken of the Holy
Spirit. What did Brother Brigham say before he left us? When Congress passed
the law of 1862, I heard him make this remark—rather startling at the time—that
a man who would not be willing to pay his fine and take a term of imprisonment
for a real good, virtuous woman was not worthy of a wife at all. Well, let us
learn to look at these things in a proper manner, and be thankful that our
conditions are no worse. Let us look to God continually; He will guide and
control all things for the good of His people.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
was called upon, and, referring to the persecutions of the Saints, said that, being members of the same body, when one member suffered, the rest of the members suffered from sympathy. The Savior, on one occasion, prophesied to His disciples that the shepherd should be smitten and the sheep scattered. This was literally fulfilled. If we did not suffer from opposition, the speaker would be led to doubt the divinity of the work. Promises most glorious were held out to those who obeyed and practiced the principles of truth. On one occasion, in the Southern States, he was notified to leave the State in five days, and was prohibited from preaching any more therein. He asked the men who waited on him, what he had done, and the answer was, "You have disturbed our family and our religious conditions." He said that was no more than Jesus and His Apostles had done in their day through their preaching; and after bearing testimony to his would-be intimidators, he asked them to tell those who sent them that on the following day he would preach to them, and if they believed he would baptize them. He held his meeting to a crowded audience, in a house proffered to him together with an acre of land on which it stood as a free donation for the purpose of preaching in. He accepted it, and named it "Liberty Church;," and blessed the donor. When he appeared the next day he found about 200 men hauling the house away, and he afterwards learned that the land had been recently surveyed, and it was found that it stood partly on an enemy's land, and the people desiring to see fair play, had turned out en masse to remove it. He preached there and baptized one man the same day; and prophesied at the water's edge that the man (Father Turner) would be a father to the people yet to be converted in that place. Soon afterwards Brother Turner was President of a Branch of eighteen members. Thus, opposition helped the cause. Nothing can be done against, but for the truth. Standing's murder was the means of arousing the sympathy of the honest generally, and Georgia produced more converts that year than all the other southern states combined. We must be tried; opposition is necessary to develop the good; both elements, that of truth and that of evil, are eternal, and one is not without the other. Referred to Nephi, as a grand, humble man possessed of true Christian instincts, who, although humble, arose to courage when occasion demanded it. His was a good life to pattern after. We are told to pray for our enemies, and even to love them -- a pretty hard thing to do; but the better we were able to comprehend the plan of salvation as it existed in the bosom of the father, the easier it would be for us to do this seemingly hard thing. Referred to a prayer by a southern States minister on a certain occasion when the mob, with himself at the head, prevented our Elders from preaching to the congregation assembled to hear them; it ran thus: "O Lord, temper the wrath of this congregation that they may not murder these men (President Morgan and associates,) which they richly deserve." That was not the kind of charity for us, as Saints of the Most High, to cultivate. Though a blessed people, because of being persecuted, it would not become us to revile those who revile us. All who were not for us were against us. The time to demonstrate this remarkable saying is yet to come, but it is in the near future. Referred to Aesop's fable of the lion and the mouse, comparing it to our great nation and this small and apparently insignificant people. We were destined yet to befriend the people that to-day hankered after our destruction. We have the truth, the saving truth, which produced union and power; while the seeds of decay and death were doing their work among the nations. Truth, and nought but truth, could save and produce lasting power. Now was a favorable time to preach the Gospel; the minds of the honest were being exercised in our behalf, and were ready to receive the seed of truth. It was for us to sow the good seed now while the field was in a favorable condition to produce a good harvest.
Referred to the unfortunate Elders who had recently shown weakness in order to have a little temporary peace, the peace they obtained was not of a real, lasting nature; and they that would so sacrifice principle to get it must yet reap that which such an act would produce. It became us to feel genuinely sorrowful for them, knowing as we do that when they do sense their position, it will produce in them grief that cannot now be conceived.
The future of this work, as indicated by the Lord at the beginning, was a source of encouragement under all circumstances. It was for the people to seek after and know the things of God so that they may know for themselves the course they should take, and not have to depend on borrowed light. Referred to the performance of the general duties of the Saints, as being essential to our growth and development. The speaker closed by commending the people to seek after and obtain charity and exercise it in their lives.
ELDER JOHN T. CAINE
esteemed it a privilege to address the Conference. He rejoiced in the onward cause of truth in which we are engaged and could see no reason why we should mourn because of opposition so long as we are faithful. It was true, those who were imprisoned had to experience personal inconvenience, but again they would reap the reward of fidelity to the truth, inasmuch as they proved faithful to the end. All blessings are predicated on our faithfulness under any and all circumstances. Charity was a glorious principle and one that characterized the true Saints. opposition would come, but woe to him by whom it did come, as what they mete out to their fellow-men will yet be measured back to them.
While government officials are ofttimes engaged in acts of persecution, the government itself was not necessarily at all times, responsible for it, although he believed that the law under which many are suffering to-day was designed specially by a majority of the government to apply to us. But they must account for their official acts, and must suffer because of their inhumanity to their fellowmen. It was not the institutions of our government that produced such results, but poor, weak men, who had proved themselves incompetent to administer justice to their fellowmen, that are to blame. After the enactment of the law of 1862, against polygamy, it was widely regarded by legal minds to be unconstitutional, and little was done to make it operative; finally it was declared constitutional, but it did not go far enough to suit the hungry place-hunters. It is not polygamy that is sought to be destroyed, but our union and political ascendancy. Politicians here craved more power, and asked for further legislation, granting it to them -- they wanted a Legislative commission. What for? To disfranchise the whole people, as has been done in Idaho where our enemies control the Legislature. Referred to attempts made to create this Legislative Committee. But when it was feared that a Democratic President would be elected, it was determined by the Republican party to pass at all hazards what was called the Edmunds bill, which was done and the Legislative Commission scheme fell through.
The speaker did not believe that President Cleveland desired to oppress us; but while he entertained this belief, he was not unmindful of the fact that he permitted the vigorous enforcement of an unjust law against us, as a religious community, but did not even recommend its enforcement in the District of Columbia; neither does he see that it is generally applied against the people of Utah. We, therefore, complained of maladministration, and not against the constitutional government, to which we are attached. It was for us to contend for our rights, and not surrender principles that have come direct to us from God, as well as others that have come to us from the Fathers. Reformers of every age, he said, and discoverers of great truths had suffered as we are now suffering, only to a greater extent; but they became recognized at last and truth triumphed.
As Delegate to Congress, the speaker reminded the people that he would soon have to proceed to where duty would call him, and asked the Saints to sustain him by their prayers, that he might be able to perform his duties to the honor of God and blessing of His people.
The choir sang the anthem,
Praise ye Jehovah.
Elder H. J. Grant offered the closing prayer.
An adjournment was taken till 2 o'clock p. m.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 34:626, 10/21/85, p 2]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
The Conference was resumed on Tuesday at 2 p. m., Apostle F. D. Richards calling the assembly to order, and the choir singing the hymn:
While all the powers of heart and tongue.
Prayer was offered by Elder John H. Smith, after which the choir sang again:
Earth with her ten thousand flowers.
APOSTLE H. J. GRANT
being called upon expressed pleasure in meeting with the Saints in General Conference. To criticize was easy, to advance truths adapted o the condition of a community required thought and divine assistance. The infidel tore down, and built not up. If we at any time undertook to pull down the religious idols of the age, we also offered to show in place thereof, the true and living God, and to tell mankind how to approach and worship Him acceptably.
In connection with a man's retaining in his heart the teachings of the Spirit, the speaker said, it was necessary for us to live closely to God, keeping the commandments given to us. The Word of Wisdom was adapted to all and it came to us now by commandment; it was therefore obligatory upon all to practice the same in the spirit in which it was given. Referring to the persecutors of the Saints, he said he believed many who endorsed the raid now going on, as the means to a certain desired end, were sincere, believing as they do that we are imposters endeavoring to impose upon others. Others again were ready to admit that it was unjust and cruel in the extreme, and they were watching the outcome with interest and concern. He knew that true Saints commanded the confidence of even worldly minded men, while the same class of people could scarcely, if ever, trust an apostate. The faithful practice of the principles of the Gospel begets confidence, and the fruits of the lives of honorable men commended themselves to all classes.
Referring to the principle of charity, which subject had been touched upon in the forenoon, he said, that he could and did pray for his enemies -- that God would confound them in their evil designs and that He might forgive them if they would repent. For himself he prayed that he might become a useful instrument in helping to bring about the purposes of heaven.
Referring to judging others as to their course before the courts, he favored the idea that we should be slow to condemn, not knowing what we might do when places in the same position; but it mattered not what we might do personally, the purposes of God would be brought about irrespectively of our individual acts.
The sermons preached by the brethren who would rather be deprived of liberty and put up with personal inconveniences than renounce the practice of their religious convictions, speak in tones beyond any oral preaching that could be done, and it was such preaching that would count in recommending the sincerity and righteousness of our cause to the thoughtful mind. The popular argument of 55,000,000 against three hundred thousand, a thing to the masses, was misleading; in fact he had heard non "Mormons" who appreciated our labors go so far as to say that history attested the fact that wherever great social questions had been at stake, majorities had always been wrong, and especially, the speaker said, was this the case when those questions involved the supremacy of saving truths. To judge rightly, however, in this respect, the world of mankind were in the same condition as the Latter-day Saints -- no man could judge correctly of the things of God without the Spirit of God. Certain brethren, he said, complain of being left to their own individual action. with none to counsel or direct them as to the course they should pursue in this trying hour; if such men did not enjoy the living testimony for themselves, they might not expect to stand the trials and tests that the Saints of God would be required to pass through.
APOSTLE JOHN H. SMITH
read from the sixth chapter of Hebrews, commencing at the first verse, and then said:
Systems live, but never die. This work, which many had thought was breaking up, still moved onward unchanged; while individuals that failed in the performance of duty, became forgotten among men, the man who was faithful to duty and to the trust reposed in him lived in the hearts and memories of his fellows. Luther, for example, stood out in bold relief today, and was looked up to and revered as the father of religious liberty, while he who, in anguish of soul exclaimed, "If I had served my God as I served my king, He would not have cast me off in my old age," could only excite pity.
Duty was the path of safety, it was the road to greatness, to immortality and eternal lives. The speaker did not desire to reflect on the failures of men, but to encourage those who had not yet been fully put to the test, and would admonish all such to so live that they might be prepared to stand it manfully when it comes. To do this one must keep the commandments, he must live godly in Christ Jesus, and by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. When he did wrong he must repent and mend his ways, and he must not rest satisfied till he enjoys sweet communion with the Holy Spirit, holding himself ready always to sacrifice self for the benefit of the many; he must seek for and obtain the love of God, and entertain a righteous desire to help forward the purposes of God, irrespective of personal ends; he must love God more than man. When a man will do this he represents faithfully the cause of God, and proves by his actions that he seeks first the kingdom, and trusts his Maker for the outcome.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
Said the remarks of Brother Grant reminded him of certain important truths which he would refer to. One of these was prompted by his citation of a certain brother who had prayed and prayed but had failed to obtain light sufficient to convince him thoroughly as to the course that men should take in this trying hour. In this the speaker was reminded of Saul when the Lord refused to answer him either by dream or Urim and Thummim, and, being left to himself, he resorted to the services of one possessing a familiar spirit, one whom we would call a witch; and he groped in the dark until at last he perished. In contradistinction to this, the speaker considered the condition of the faithful Latter-day-Saint, comparing the same to the conduct of the lad at sea in a storm. While the priest was importuning God for safety, fearing least he should go down, the boy was light hearted and unconcerned; and when asked how he could be so merry in the face of such danger, the boy answered, "I don't know of any danger; father is at the helm." They that enjoyed the spirit of the Gospel had no need of special dreams and manifestations; they were not troubled; they realized that Father is at the helm, and that the ship's course is onward, notwithstanding the waves of persecution ran high; and although darkness might be all around, there was light in the ship. In traveling through some of our canyons the road at times, to all visible appearances, as viewed from a distance, would come to an end; but by pushing on it was found to be merely an abrupt turning, and when that point was reached it opened out again into the plain beyond. So it would be in the present instance. It was right to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, and for dreams to encourage us; but the danger lay in deferring it until the crisis comes; all who did so would be found groping in the dark not knowing what to do.
The faithful Saint had always a prayer in his heart, and he was ready for any and every emergency that might come, and he was not moved. "But," says one, "People are suffering afflictions." Yes, that was the present log of the faithful as it ever had been, but they only tended to work out a more exceeding weight of glory for those who endured to the end.
Relative to the idea of majorities being in the wrong and minorities in the right, the speaker said, as a general rule it was so; but it was not necessarily the case. It was so because human nature had become so depraved that it was as natural for man to do wrong as it was for the waters to run down hill. So far all history attested that the Saints of God had always been in the minority, and that reformers and moralists had belonged and do belong to the same class. The secret of this general tendency on the part of majorities was found in the absence of a desire on the part of mankind to recognize the right of the God of nations to dictate in governmental affairs. And as the masses were influenced by their likes and dislikes, and followed the natural tendencies of their own selfish minds, the many oppressed the few. Thus it was that all strong appeals generally come from minorities. But the gospel was the Gospel of liberty; it restrained none except in wrong doing. Its precepts were calculated to make us respect each other's rights, and to respect the rights of all men. It would enable us to overcome evil with good, and as the Prophet Joseph said, to turn the world rightside up, if they would let us, and if they would not we would do it all the quicker.
The choir sang the anthem,
O, Father, Almighty.
Elder Thatcher announced that on the following morning at 10 o'clock, an address from the First Presidency would be read; and an adjournment was taken to that time, Elder Thatcher pronouncing the benediction.
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[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 34:626, 10/21/85, p 2]
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
The Conference opened at 10 a. m., by the choir singing:
We have found the way the Prophets went.
Prayer was offered by Elder H. J. Grant, which was followed by the choir singing:
O, say what is truth,
Apostle Erastus Snow announced that the address from the First Presidency would now be read to the congregation by Elder Moses Thatcher, which was done,
[First Presidency]
[DNW 34:616-617, 10/14/85, p 8-9; MS 42:290-296]
AN EPISTLE from the First Presidency.
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To the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints:
BRETHREN
AND SISTERS-As the time for holding our Semi-annual Conference has again come
around, and we are still prevented from addressing the Saints in public, we
deem it proper to take this method of communicating with you, that you may know
the counsel we have to give, and that we are not neglectful of the duties which
devolve upon us as the First Presidency of the Church.
As all
the Saints doubtless understand, there has been no cessation since we last
wrote in the work of persecution. It rages, if anything, more fiercely than
ever. Under cover of what is called the Edmunds law, the most outrageous acts
of oppression are being perpetrated against the Latter-day Saints. The avowal
has been openly made that this law was expressly designed for the destruction
of a principle of our religion, and in this spirit the prosecutions have been
conducted. Thus far no criminal, however guilty, who has not been a
"Mormon," has been punished under it. Acts of the most sickening
depravity have been committed by non-"Mormons" within easy reach of
its arm, but have scarcely had a passing notice. While it is also worthy of
note that, up to the present writing, out of all who have been accused and
brought before the District Court, only one "Mormon" has been
acquitted. The man acquitted, we understand, was charged with being the husband
of a woman, on the ground that he had camped in his wagon in a ten acre lot in
which her residence stood, and had carried some chickens for her to market!
One of
the most remarkable features connected with the administration of this law, is
the extraordinary rulings which are made in its enforcement. The Judge who
presides in the Second Judicial District, in the recent trial of a case of
unlawful cohabitation, gave instructions to the jury, at the request of the
defense. Several accused persons would have been cleared in the Third Judicial
District, had the juries which rendered verdicts in their cases been similarly
instructed. They are as follows:
1.
Prior to the act of March 22, 1882, cohabitation with more than one woman was
not unlawful.
2. If you find from the evidence that the defendant, since the passage of the
Edmunds act, March 22, 1882, and within the dates named in the indictment, has
not held out to the world, introduced, or announced more than one of the women
named in the indictment as his wife, you should acquit the defendant.
3. It is not necessary that the parties to a polygamous marriage, or who have
lived in the practice of cohabiting with two or more women should divorce
themselves, in order to entitle them to the presumption of innocence of
cohabitation after the passage of the law.
4. As all children of polygamous marriages, begotten before March 22, 1882, are
legitimated, and no cohabitation before that date was unlawful, no criminating
inference can be drawn by the jury from the defendant's later acknowledgments
of his paternity of such children by the women mentioned in the indictment, nor
from later recognition of such women as their mothers, and as women whom he had
before said date, taken into the polygamous relation with him.
6. The law presumes innocence, and therefore, that all persons who were
cohabitating when the Edmunds act took effect, contrary to the provision of
that act, then ceased to do so.
8. The law presumes all persons charged with a criminal offense to be innocent
until the presumption is overcome by proof; therefore it presumes that all
persons who were living with more than one woman as wives prior to March 22,
1882, have since that date ceased to so live and cohabit.
9. If you find from the evidence that defendant had children by the women named
in the indictment prior to March 22, 1882, then the defendant had a right to
visit his children, and support them, and make arrangements as to their
welfare. He had a right also to assist their mothers in their support, and for
such a purpose could visit the house where they and their mothers live. He
could furnish them a home, he could visit the mother, the same as if they had
been divorced, or as if no such previous relations had existed between them,
but he should not associate with her as a husband associates with his wife.
Do we say
too much if we state that there are those now undergoing punishment in the
penitentiary in the society of thieves and murderers, who would be as free as
the prosecuting officers themselves, had the law ben construed by the legal
canons applied to other laws, and according to the instructions given above?
The
practice in these attacks upon us has not been to presume the accused innocent
until proved guilty, but to view him as undoubtedly guilty because accused; and
the rulings of the Court in several instances have been made to secure
conviction where the evidence was open to question. The extraordinary ruling
concerning "holding out," is one in point; notwithstanding the
Edmunds law specifies that the penalty for unlawful cohabitation shall not be
more than six months' imprisonment, and three hundred dollars' fine, the
notorious ruling from the same bench concerning the number of indictments which
can be found against a person accused of unlawful cohabitation, states that he
not only can be indicted once for the whole period since the passage of the
law, but an indictment can be found for every week of that time; so that, if
found guilty in this manner, a man's punishment would aggregate an imprisonment
of 92 years, and fines to the amount of $55,200.
Still more extraordinary is the ruling of another Judge, who, not to be outdone
in his zeal, says, that an indictment can be found for this charge against a
man for every day, or other distinct interval of time since the enactment of
the law! As about 1292 days have passed since then, a man found guilty can be
incarcerated in prison for 646 years, and made pay fines to the amount of
$387,600. Comment upon this absurdity is unnecessary.
Before
the Edmunds bill became law, and while on its passage, it was claimed that its
provisions were of general application and in the interests of morality, and
not, as we asserted, a measure directly aimed at religious liberty and for
purposes of persecution. But time has fully revealed its true character.
Stripped of all disguise, it stands out now in all its hideousness. The most
shocking immorality flourishes in its presence and thrives under the very eyes
of its administrators. All forms of vice, if not directly encouraged by those
who are charged with the duty of administering the Edmunds law, are at least
viewed by them with indifference. They appear to have no care as to the most
flagrant sexual crimes, if they are only committed by non-"Mormons,"
or outside of the pale of matrimony. "Mormons" also, under the
present administration of the law, may do what they please with women, be
guilty of the foulest injustice to them and their offspring, if they will only disown
them as wives. The war is openly and undisguisedly made upon our religion. To
induce men to repudiate that, to violate its precepts and to break its solemn
covenants, every encouragement is given. The man who agrees to discard his wife
or wives, and to trample upon the most sacred obligations which human beings
can enter into, escapes imprisonment and is applauded; while the man who will
not make this compact of dishonor, who will not admit that his past life has
been a fraud and a lie, who will not say to the world, "I intended to
deceive my God, my brethren and my wives by making covenants I did not expect
to keep," is, besides being punished to the full extent of the law,
compelled to endure the reproaches, taunts and insults of a brutal judge.
Notwithstanding
all these cruelties are practiced against us, we do not feel that, as
Latter-day Saints, we should mourn because of them. We should mourn because of
our weaknesses, follies and sins, and repent of them. But to be persecuted, to
be discriminated against, to be separated from the rest of the world, to be
imprisoned and abused are not causes of sorrow to true Saints; they are causes
of rejoicing. If, in the great hereafter, we expect to be admitted to the
society of the Son of God, our Redeemer, to the society of Prophets and
Apostles, and holy men and women, ought we not to be willing to endure the
tribulations which they received so joyfully? Where is the Prophet or Apostle
who did not endure persecution, whose liberty and life were not in almost
constant jeopardy? They did not have an Edmunds law, perhaps, enforced against
them; but they had laws which emanated from the same source. With few
exceptions they were all punished, deprived of liberty and of life, in the
sacred name of law. Even the holiest Being that ever trod the earth, the great
Redeemer of mankind Himself, was crucified between two thieves to satisfy
Jewish law.
There has
probably never been a time in the history of mankind when those whom we now
revere as martyrs, and whose sacrifices adorn and glorify our humanity and lift
it nearer to God, could not, by being recreant to the truth entrusted to them,
have escaped the fate which made them so admirable to the generations which
followed them. The Savior Himself had it in His power to compromise with His
enemies and escape the cruel and ignominious death inflicted upon Him. Abraham
might have bowed to the gods of his idolatrous father, and needed no angel to
rescue him from his impending doom. Daniel and his three brethren, also, might
have submitted to the decree and law of the ruling powers under which they
lived, and escaped the fiery furnace and the den of lions. Their refusals to
obey the decree and law doubtless appeared to those who had not the knowledge
of God which they possessed, as acts of wicked obstinacy that should be
summarily punished. But had they, to escape the threatened penalty, obeyed
these edicts, posterity would have lost the benefit of their example, and the
great God would not have been glorified before their contemporaries as He was
by their acts. Instead of their names being, as now, radiant with light and
resplendent with heroism, they would, had they reached us, been covered with
odium, and been mentioned in the same category with the Jews, concerning whom the
Prophet Jeremiah said: "They bend their tongues like their bow for lies;
but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from
evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord."
Well-meaning
friends of ours have said that our refusal to renounce the principle of
celestial marriage invites destruction. They warn us and implore us to yield.
They appeal to every human interest, and adjure us to bow to a law which is
admitted on all hands to have been framed expressly for the destruction of the
principle which we are called upon to reject. They say it is madness to resist
the will of so overwhelming a majority. They say they see the gathering clouds,
that they hear the premonitory mutterings of the resistless tempest which is
about to wreak in destructive fury upon our heads, and they call upon us to
avert its wrath by timely submission. But they perceive not the hand of that
Being who controls all storms, whose voice the tempest obeys, at whose fiat
thrones and empires are thrown down-the Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth,
who has made promises to us, and who has never failed to fulfill all His words.
We did
not reveal celestial marriage. We cannot withdraw or renounce it. God revealed
it, and He has promised to maintain it, and to bless those who obey it.
Whatever fate, then, may threaten us, there is but one course for men of God to
take, that is, to keep inviolate the holy covenants they have made in the
presence of God and angels. For the remainder, whether it be life or death,
freedom or imprisonment, prosperity or adversity, we must trust in God. We may
say, however, if any man or woman expects to enter into the celestial kingdom
of our God without being tested to the very uttermost, they have not understood
the Gospel. If there is a weak spot in our nature, or if there is a fibre that
can be made to quiver or to shrink, we may rest assured that it will be tested.
Our own weaknesses will be brought fully to light, and in seeking for help, the
strength of our God will also be made manifest to us. The Latter-day Saints
have been taught this from the beginning. Such scenes as we now witness in
these mountains, and hear about in lands where the Elders are preaching the
Gospel, ought not to be a surprise to us. The Prophets and Apostles and Elders
of this dispensation would be false Prophets and Apostles and Elders, if these
events did not take place; for they have predicted them, and warned the people
unceasingly concerning them.
Speaking
concerning law, the Lord, in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph,
Aug. 6, 1833, says:
4.
And now, verily, I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will
that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them;
5. And the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle
of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is
justifiable before me;
6. Therefore I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in
befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7. And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than these
cometh of evil.
8. I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law
also maketh you free;
9. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
10. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and
good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold otherwise; whatsoever is less
than these cometh of evil.
11. And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and
cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth
out of the mouth of God;
12. For he will give unto the faithful
line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you
herewith;
13. And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find
it again, even life eternal:
14. Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart,
saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in
my covenant even unto death that you may be found worthy;
15. For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me.
Fifty-two
years have passed since this was given to the Church, and we are now witnessing
its fulfillment. The Saints are required to do whatsoever the Lord commands
them, to live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.
They are also instructed to befriend every constitutional law of the land; for
such laws support the principle of freedom; they maintain rights and privileges.
This, as a people, we have striven to do from the beginning of our
organization. We have ever been a law-abiding people. Times without number we
have suffered the most grievous wrongs without resenting them. We have ever
thought it better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.
Such was
the case when we suffered expatriation from the State of Missouri. We were
robbed and pillaged, despoiled and persecuted, yet we had no idea of
retaliating on account of these wrongs upon the government and its
institutions, which to us are sacred. The same loyal spirit animated us when we
were beset by blood-thirsty mobs in Illinois, one of which murdered Joseph
Smith, our Prophet, and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch, while they were under the
pledged protection of the State, given through the Governor. On the same
occasion one of the signers of this address was also brought to the gate of
death, by being shot by the same band of assassins. When driven from the homes
we had established in Illinois, we had no disposition to hold the nation at
large, nor the government of our beloved country, responsible for those inhuman
deeds, nor to allow the spirit of vengeance to rankle in our hearts. We took
the first opportunity to exhibit the spirit of true patriotism. While
undergoing great hardship on account of being subjected to a compulsory exodus,
when called upon by the government to furnish a body of men to take part in the
war with Mexico, 500 of the flower of our camp responded with alacrity, and in
accordance with the call of our country, traversed the great American desert,
penetrated to Mexico and completed an arduous and hazardous campaign and
journey to California.
You have
no doubt read, through the papers, an account of the terrible affair which
recently occurred at Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory. We could not help
feeling a little anxiety lest some of our people should have been connected
with that bloody riot, and immediately requested Brother Cluff, President of
Summit Stake, to inquire into the matter. So far as we have obtained
information to the present, however, we find that not more than one has been in
any way mixed up with that matter, and he a person of doubtful standing. We are
pleased to learn of this, because we cannot associate with any deeds so
revolting and inhuman, and we take this opportunity to express our opinion on
this subject to the Saints. A great number of secret societies are being formed
with which we cannot affiliate. Such organizations are generally inimical to
law, to good order, and in many instances subversive of the rights of man. We
cannot amalgamate with them. They are very distinctly spoken against in the
Book of Mormon, as among the calamities which should afflict the people.
We are
expressly commanded, and it becomes our duty, to uphold and sustain every law
of the land which is constitutional; we have always had a strong desire to obey
such laws, and to place ourselves in harmony with all the institutions of the
country.
We
repeat, that we desire that all men should be aware of the fact that we have
been the upholders of the Constitution and laws enacted in pursuance of that
sacred instrument. We still entertain the same patriotic disposition, and
propose to continue acting in conformity with it to the last. Neither have we
any desire to come in active conflict even with statutes that we deem opposed
to the Constitution both in letter and spirit. Whatever opposition has been
offered in that line has been only of such a character as is justified by the
usages and customs of this and all other civilized countries, and such as the
laws and institutions of this nation provide. Nor have we the least desire to
shun the consequences of our acts in their relationship to the laws to which we
refer, providing there were any assurance that our cases would be submitted to
a fair and just adjudication. Events of the past few months give no ground for
hope that such treatment would be accorded. It must be contended, however,
that, as stated elsewhere, connected with this disposition to have our conduct
passed upon as provided by law administered in the genius of justice, there
never can be any hope of our yielding up, under any circumstances, a principle
of conscientious or religious conviction. Were we to make such a surrender, our
conduct in that respect would not be in harmony with the guaranties of the
Constitution, which we are in duty bound to uphold.
In order
to place our people at a disadvantage, and to crush out their religious system,
the Constitution has been violated in a number of ways. It does not require any
depth of legal learning to understand what is meant by a religious test, which
is forbidden by the "supreme law of the land." Yet laws have been
passed applicable to a wide section of this northwestern country, disfranchising
and inflicting total political disability upon our people, without regard to
their acts. The offense for which this restriction has been prescribed is
simply religious belief, and the means of application is religious test. It is
consequently unconstitutional upon its fact. This and other laws, notably the
Edmunds act, inflict disabilities upon those of our people who are not in any
way associated by their acts, with polygamy. Thus probably about nine-tenths of
our community are punished for alleged offenses for which they are in no way
responsible, and in which they have taken no part. Surely no person who is
unbiased, that gives this subject even the most casual attention, can
characterize such treatment as other than flagrantly unjust.
It has
been estimated that out of a community of about 200,000 people, more or less,
from 10,000 to 12,000 are identified with polygamy. When the Edmunds act was
passed, this small minority who were deprived by it of the right to vote or
hold office, voluntarily, without the application of coercion, withdrew from
those privileges, notwithstanding the high estimate they placed upon them. It
may well be asked wherein is the justice of placing the bulk of the people at a
disadvantage as well, seeing they have done nothing to furnish an excuse for
such treatment? Granting that the small minority connected with polygamy are
criminals before the law, what justification is there, on that account, for
punishing, as the Edmunds and other acts do, the overwhelming majority? If such
doings were perpetrated in any other connection, they would be unsparingly
denounced as oppressive and tyrannical in the most extreme degree. If one
portion of a community are designated as criminal, to hold the other and much
the greater portion responsible for such a condition is not only unjust, but
decidedly absurd.
Statements
upon this subject have been made to the Chief Executive of the nation, in the
form of a protest and petition for redress of grievances. Knowing that
misrepresentations have taken the place of impartial scrutiny of the question
with which the Latter-day Saints are associated, the consequences being a
general misapprehension of the community and their affairs, we presumed that
Mr. Cleveland was not acquainted with the real situation. An opportunity was
thus sought to acquaint him with the facts. The very reasonable desire was
expressed in this connection that a commission of inquiry be appointed, that
the truth might appear and be given to the nation. Was it too much to expect that
this action, supported by a representation of 200,000 people, would meet with
some favorable response, which thus far has not, however, been made? Yet it
would be unfair to attribute the delay of the President either to indifference
or a disposition to refuse to accord justice to a people whose liberties are
being trampled upon to an extent that is almost past human endurance. It is
still hoped that he will take some consistent and humane action in the
premises. In alluding to the delay in granting a response to the
representations made to the President, we must not forget the extensive and
arduous character of the duties devolving upon him as the head of the
administration of a great government. We mention this that you may not be
disposed to be too censorious in regard to the actions of men in high places
who have the power to redress our grievances. And even when we feel that we are
wronged, it is proper for us to follow the example of our Lord and Master, and
say: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
Referring
once more to the situation in a more local sense, we are not oblivious to the
anomalous position in which the Federal judicial officers are placed in dealing
with a subject which appears to occupy a large share of popular attention.
While it is impossible for them to escape pronounced exceptions being taken to
their official course, on account of its harshness, undue rigor, and unjust
discrimination in administering the laws, they are entitled to some
consideration, justified by well understood circumstances. The Latter-day
Saints are the objects of popular obloquy. Their institutions appear to be
greatly disliked. The officers are doubtless influenced by the general clamor
for the application of heroic treatment to the Saints. They themselves have
doubtless been influenced to some degree by personal prejudices, and their
official conduct, by these conditions, is thrown out of balance. While their
course cannot be sustained in the light of fair play, some allowance should be
made on account of the liability of the human mind to be warped by influences
in conflict with the principles which should universally obtain in courts of
law and presumed justice. Neither would it be justifiable on the part of the
Saints to entertain toward them, on account of their departures from their
proper line of duty, any rancorous or vengeful feeling. A spirit of that
character is not in unity with the genius of the Gospel of peace. All men are
in the hands of a just God, whose mighty, penetrating power is capable of
analyzing all the motives which prompt human action, and He can and will deal
with us and them and all men according to the principles of eternal justice.
Upwards
of forty years ago the Lord revealed to His Church the principle of celestial
marriage. The idea of marrying more wives than one was as naturally abhorrent
to the leading men and women of the Church at that day as it could be to any
people. They shrank with dread from the bare thought of entering into such
relationships. But the command of God was before them in language which no
faithful soul dare disobey.
"For,
behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide
not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant, and
be permitted to enter into my glory.
"And
as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the
fullness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fullness thereof, must and shall
abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God."
Damnation
was the awful penalty affixed to a refusal to obey this law. It become an
acknowledged doctrine of the Church; it was indissolubly interwoven in the
minds of its members with their hopes of eternal salvation and exaltation in
the presence of God. For nearly twenty years this continued to be our faith and
practice. Then a law was enacted against it. Another twenty years elapsed, and
the Edmunds law was passed. Nearly forty years had thus elapsed from the first
revelation of this doctrine, during which period thousands had lived and died,
firmly believing and solemnly testifying that it was divine. At great sacrifice
they had obeyed it, and based their hopes of eternal felicity upon the promises
which the revelation contained. They never dreamed that they had not a constitutional
right to obey God, especially when in obeying Him they did not interfere with
nor encroach upon the rights of any human being, either man or woman. It never
entered into their minds to suppose for a moment that man had a right, after
God had given a law to His Church for its salvation and exaltation, to enact a
counter law forbidding, under severe penalties, man's obedience to God's law.
Who could suppose that any man, in this land of religious liberty, would
presume to say to his fellow-man that he had no right to take such steps as he
thought necessary to escape damnation! or that Congress would enact a law which
would present the alternative to religious believers of being consigned to a
penitentiary if they should attempt to obey a law of God which would deliver
them from damnation! Or that, under a plea of maintaining a certain form of
civilization, God's authority to direct His people how to escape from the
abominable corruptions and evils which are eating out the vitals of man's much
vaunted civilization, should be disputed and utterly rejected! What is this
"Mormon" problem, so-called, and why should it disturb the people? It
is an unpopular religion. But so was that of the ancient Prophets. Jesus told
the Jews that they garnished the tombs of the dead Prophets, but killed the
living ones. They crucified Jesus and were almost as unanimous in their cry to
crucify Him, as the people and rulers of the United States are to day to
destroy the "Mormons." They killed all of His Apostles except one,
and he was banished to work as a slave on the isle of Patmos. It is said they
cast him into a caldron of boiling oil, but he was not killed; and if the
Scriptures are true, he still lives; for he was to tarry till the coming of the
Saviour. We receive as the word of God, and so do millions of the human family,
the writings and testimony of the Prophets who were killed. It is published by
the millions of copies, and sent to the various nations of the earth, by the
very people who would now seek to destroy us. Jesus, who was crucified between
two thieves, is now worshiped by millions in Christendom as the Son of God, the
Redeemer of the world. The Twelve Apostles, His disciples, who suffered such
ignominious contumely and death, are now designated by the millions of
Christendom as "The Apostles of the Lamb of God," and churches and
cathedrals are called after them, as St. Peter, St. John, St. Mark, St. Luke,
etc. It was then the "Christian problem;" it is now the "Mormon
problem" the same problem though called by a different name. Was Jesus the
enemy of the people in His day? Only as He told them the truth. "What evil
hath He done?" asked Pilate, the Gentile Judge. No matter what evil or
what good, vociferated the Jews: "Crucify him, crucify him!" What
evil hath the "Mormons" done? is asked, and the cry comes back: No
matter, no matter, let them be destroyed.
By the
circulation of endless slanders and falsehoods concerning us and our marriages,
wrath and indignation have been aroused against us in our nation. The ignorance
of the people concerning us and our doctrines and system have been taken
advantage of. Constant attempts have been, and still are being made to induce
the world to believe that our motive in espousing patriarchal marriage has been
the gratification of gross sensuality that our belief in and practice of the
doctrine had its origin in licentiousness, and that the sanction of religion is
merely invoked to furnish greater license for the indulgence of base passions
and devouring lust. This, as you know, is the exact antipodes of the truth. But
the world generally do not know it. Those of them who know how utterly false
are these charges, are either so cowed down by a fierce public opinion that
they dare not speak, or if they have the courage to speak, are almost unheard
amid the noisy clamor against us. Thousands upon thousands of honest people in
this and other nations, whose voices, did they know the truth, would be raised
in our favor, are deceived by these lies and are arrayed against us. This
persecution, if it serve no other purpose, will do good in this direction. It
brings home to the hearts of the people, as no protestations or arguments of
ours ever could do, that there is something more in this doctrine and practice
than they have been led to believe. Reflecting people will see that there must
be a great principle involved in this, or men and women would not be willing to
suffer fines, bonds and imprisonment as they do.
Is there
any necessity for lustful men and women in this age and nation to suffer
martyrdom to gratify their passions? Whoever heard of a people preferring
imprisonment and all manner of cruel treatment for the indulgence of appetites
which they could gratify to the fullest extent in popular ways, especially when
the judges upon the bench, the prosecuting attorneys at the bar, the juries who
bring in verdicts, point out the way in which marriage obligations can be
discarded and sensuality be gratified without risk or without punishment? The
press and sectarian pulpits also echo the advice. The universal voice is: Put
away your wives; cease to support them and their children; be as we are, and
you need not be put under bonds, be fined or be incarcerated in prison.
Foul
desire opens wide her arms and invites all to her lecherous embrace by easier
paths than honorable marriage and the begetting of numerous children to be
carefully trained and educated and made respectable and useful citizens.
Will the
world see this? Every man who goes to prison for his religion, every woman who,
for love of truth and the husband to whom she is bound for time and eternity,
submits to bonds and imprisonment, bears a powerful testimony to the world
concerning the falsity of the views they entertain respecting us and our religion.
If such noble and heroic sacrifices as men and women are now called upon to
make for their religion by Federal Courts do not teach the world the truth
concerning us, then woe to the world, for nothing but the wrath of Almighty God
will reach it.
We join
with all Saints in invoking blessings upon the noble men and women who have
exhibited their integrity to God and His cause, and their devotion to
principle, by submitting to bonds and imprisonment rather than deny their faith
or break their covenants. If anything were needed to show to the world that our
marriages cannot be reduced to the level of the vile practices to which our
defamers would drag them down, their heroic conduct has furnished it. Thank God
that, so far in this persecution, at least as large a proportion have stood the
test, without flinching or cowering, as Jesus in His parable of the ten virgins
intimated would be ready to meet the Bridegroom at His coming. Their names will
be held in everlasting honor in time and eternity, not only as martyrs for
religious truth, but as patriots who suffered in defense of the principles of
religious liberty.
Truths,
such as God has revealed in these days, are not established without suffering
and sacrifice on the part of those who espouse and advocate them. It was for
these truths that we were driven time and again from our homes, and were
finally compelled to seek refuge in this mountain country, then known as the
American desert. And now again we are menaced with ruin; and for what? Whom
have we injured? Upon whose rights have we trespassed? It can be truthfully
said we have not injured or trespassed upon any. Have we not, under the
blessing of the Lord changed these barren valleys into fruitful fields and
gardens? Have we not established and maintained good and cheap government in
every place which we have settled? Has not every man who came into our borders
and behaved himself been safe in his property, person and religion? Have not
peace and good order been the fruits of our presence? To all these we can
answer in the affirmative. Have we endeavored to force our doctrines or
practices upon any one? Have we in any manner threatened the peace of our
neighbors or of the nation? We certainly have not.
Respecting
the doctrine of celestial marriage, we could not, however much we might be
disposed to do so, teach it to or enforce it upon others not of our faith,
without violating a command of God. We do not stand in the attitude of
propagandists of polygamy. We never have believed or taught that the doctrine of
celestial marriage was designed for universal practice. The Lord has made this
clear, and recent events among us have also made it clear. "Strait is the
gate," says Jesus, "and narrow the way that leadeth unto the
exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it."
There
appears to be a fallacious idea abroad regarding this doctrine. It has been
asserted that there was a design to propagate it outside of our community, and
thus introduce into the United States an element opposed to the Christian views
of this and other nations. On the contrary, our Elders have been instructed not
to introduce the practice of that principle anywhere outside of the gathering
place of the Saints; and they do not preach it abroad to any extent even in theory,
except on occasions when it is called for, or when they are assailed on account
of it. At such times they respond by defending it as a doctrine of the Bible
and not inconsistent with the laws of nature. It should also be understood that
the practice is not generally admissible even among the Latter-day Saints. It
is strictly guarded, the intention being to allow only those who are above
reproach to enter into the relationship. The practice of the doctrine is not
for extension beyond the Church, and is even limited within its pale. The idea,
therefore, that plural practice is a menace to the general monogamous system is
without foundation. This fallacy is further exhibited by the fact of the
popular antipathy with which it is regarded, people outside of our Church
exhibiting a disposition the reverse of favorable to its establishment in other
communities, making the extension of its practice abroad impossible.
Furthermore, being strict believers in free-will, you Latter-day Saints know
that no man or woman has ever been coerced into obligations of that kind, much
less would we desire to enforce it upon any other class of people.
But in
all these events which are now taking place we recognize and acknowledge the
hand of God. There is a wise purpose in it all, which He will yet more fully
make plain to us. One thing is clear, the Saints are being tried in a manner
never before known among us. The faithful rejoice and are steadfast; the
unfaithful fear and tremble. Those who have oil in their lamps and have kept
them trimmed and burning now have a light for their feet and they do not
stumble or fall; those who have neither light nor oil are in perplexity and
doubt; they known not what to do. Is not this the fulfillment of the word of
God and the teachings of His servants? Have not the Latter-day Saints been
taught all the day long that, if they would remain faithful and endure to the
end, they must live their religion by keeping every commandment of God? Have
they not been continually warned of the fate which awaited them if they
committed sin? Can adulterers, fornicators, liars, thieves, drunkards, Sabbath
breakers, blasphemers, or sinners of any kind endure the trials which Saints
must pass through and expect to stand? If there are any who entertain such a hope,
they deceive themselves. Upon these sins God has pronounced judgment. No man or
woman, who is guilty of any of these transgressions of God's law, can stand and
retain His Spirit. They must repent of them and put them far from them, or they
will be left in darkness, and misery will be their doom. The Lord will not be
mocked. He will not bear with hypocrites; but they will be spewed out. If all
who call themselves Latter-day Saints were true and faithful to their God, to
His holy covenants and laws, and were living as Saints should, persecution
would roll off from us without disturbing us in the least. But it is painful to
know that this is not their condition. There are secret abominations practiced
by those who are called Saints, which the trials we are now passing through
will reveal in a manner terrible to them. Open sins are also winked at and
condoned by Presidents, Bishops, Teachers and parents in a manner offensive to
God and grievous to man. Proper care and vigilance are not exercised to keep Wards
and Stakes cleansed from iniquity and to have transgressors dealt with. The
innocent are thus made to suffer with the guilty; for the Lord has commanded
that the inhabitants of Zion must purge themselves from iniquity, folly,
covetousness and vanity, and listen to and obey His laws, or they cannot have
His protection. He has also said that if His people will obey His laws and keep
His commandments, to do them, not in name only, but in reality, He will be
their shield and protector and strong tower, and no man will be able to hurt
them, for He will be their defense. These trials of our faith and constancy
which we are now passing through will be overruled for our good and future
prosperity. In days to come we shall be able to look back and perceive with clearness
how visibly God's providence is in all that we now witness. Let us do all in
our power to so live before the Lord that if we are persecuted, it shall not be
for wrong-doing, but for righteousness.
At the
present time we may very pertinently inquire: Why are the people of these
mountains treated as we now are? Where in this broad land is the virtue of
women so amply guarded or so jealously protected as here? No cry of hungry,
naked or outraged humanity has ever ascended to heaven from our borders against
the men whom the courts are now so busy in sending to prison and treating as
criminals. There was a time in these mountains when adultery, fornication,
whoredom and illegitimacy were almost unknown. A woman was as safe from insult
in traversing over our streets and highways as if she were under her husband's
or father's roof. Marriage was encouraged, vice was repressed. Women were free
to form connections with the opposite sex to suit themselves, so long as those
connections were sanctified by marriage. But what a change we now behold! A
tide of evil surges around us. It threatens to overwhelm us and to reduce us to
ruin. The flood gates of vice are opened upon us, and not content with the rush
of this filthy stream into our cities and settlements, those who hate us would
do more. They would invade our dwellings; they would destroy our families; they
would loosen every bond which has held society together; they would array wife
against husband, child against parent, friend against friend; they would make
every man, woman and child a spy, an informer and a betrayer they would sap the
foundation of faith, confidence and honor and make every one distrust his
fellow. Satan never wrought greater ruin in Eden than these enemies of ours
would work in our midst if we would listen to their blandishments or be
frightened by their threats. And is all this havoc to be wrought because of our
wickedness? No, ten thousand times, NO. Let those who are so loud in denouncing
us, so active in persecuting us, look around them. Are there no people but the
"Mormons" to regenerate and purge from sin? Read the daily record of
black crime which fills the journals of the land. If the correction of evil,
the improvement of morals, the uprooting of vice, the repression of violence
and crime were objects which animate those who seek to destroy society in these
mountains, then we could say in the language of the Savior: "Thou thyself
beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the
mote out of thy brother's eye."
We speak
to you, a people who have traveled and mingled much in society all over the
world. You are not ignorant of the world, its ways or its corruptions. You
know, therefore, how great is the beam that is in the eyes of those who reprove
us for the mote they imagine they perceive in our eye. We know that from the
household of every faithful Latter-day Saint daily and fervent thanksgiving
ascends to the God of heaven for having shown them how to escape from the
frightful evils under which society groans in so-called civilized lands.
Nevertheless, we will not indulge in recrimination. We sincerely mourn over the
existence of the dreadful sins which are permitted to flourish and to spread
with unblushing front through the land. As a people, we have lifted our voices
in warning against these sins and against those who practice them. We shall
still continue to do so. If in return for all this we are treated with violence
and reproach, it is no more than our Lord and Master was before us. We may rest
assured that the predictions concerning the calamities and judgments which are
about the fall upon the wicked, the unbelieving and the unrepentant will all be
fulfilled, as will every word and promise which the Lord has spoken to us. But
while we warn others, let us not forget ourselves, or our families. Let us look
well to our own lives and the conduct and lives of those who belong to our
household. If we keep ourselves unspotted from sin, rest assured the Lord will
never forget or forsake us.
Upon
Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading officers great responsibility
rests. They are placed as shepherds over the flock of Christ. If through any
neglect of theirs the flock is injured or destroyed, the blood of those souls
will be found upon their garments. The Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods
confer great power and authority upon man; they lift man nearer to God and make
him His representative. But woe to the men who use their Priesthood for base
purposes, and fail to use it for God's glory and the salvation of His children.
Far better for them if they had never received it.
We have
been commanded of the Lord to set our households in order. Apostles, Presidents
of Stakes and Bishops, have you done this with your own households? Have you
also seen that the Saints have done the same? Have you impressed upon the
people under your charge the absolute necessity of purity if they desire the
blessing and protection of the Most High? Wolves never watched with greater
cunning and more ravenous hunger a flock of sheep and lambs than the people of
your Wards and Stakes are now being watched by those who are ready to devour
them. Are you awake to this danger, and do you take every precaution against
it? Parents, are you full of fidelity yourselves to every principle of
godliness, and do you surround your sons and daughters with every safeguard to
shield them from the arts of the vile? Do you teach them that chastity in both
man and woman should be more highly esteemed than life itself? Or do you leave
them in their ignorance and inexperience to mix with any society they may
choose, at any hour that may be convenient to them, and to be exposed to the
wiles of the seducer and the corrupt? These are questions you will all have to
answer either to your shame and condemnation or to your joy and eternal
happiness. Know this, that God, in giving us the precious blessings we possess,
demands from us a suitable return. By receiving them we are placed under
obligations. If these are not discharged, condemnation inevitably follows.
We hear
favorable accounts of the action of Primary Associations, Sunday Schools, Young
Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations, and Relief Societies.
These organizations have unlimited opportunities of doing good. If those who
have them in charge are faithful in attending to their duties, great will be
their reward. If we desire the prosperity of Zion, we will carefully guard and
train our young. They come to us pure from the Lord. By proper training we can
make them mighty instruments for good. But, Superintendents and Teachers of
Primary Associations and Sunday Schools, and Presidents of Young Men and Young
Women's Associations and Relief Societies, remember this, that God will never
bless an unvirtuous people, and while a flood tide of corruption, destructive
of all true morality and virtue, is sweeping over the land, we must erect
barriers to stop its contaminating influence. You have the young in your charge.
Teach and impress upon them by every means in your power how dreadful a sin is
unchastity. They are taught to shrink in horror from murder; but they should be
taught to shrink with abhorrence from the next great sin to shedding blood, and
that is unchastity.
From the
Elders who are abroad in our own and in other lands we hear generally favorable
reports. They have much to contend with. The world is waxing worse and worse.
Iniquity abounds. Men's hearts are hardened against the truth, and the nations
are fast being prepared for the judgments which the Lord has said He will pour
out in the last days. The Elders are required to carry the message which God
has sent to mankind to every nation and to warn them, not in anger or in scorn,
but in meekness and humility, that they may flee from the wrath to come. To
them we say: Be pure in all your thoughts, words and acts. Keep yourselves
unspotted from every evil. Avoid all vulgarity of act and expression. Put away
all your light speeches, and be sober men of God, filled with the Holy Ghost
and the power of your Priesthood.
To the
Twelve Apostles and their Counselors we say: Remember the weight of your high
calling in Christ Jesus. You are called to be His special witnesses in all the
world, to bear testimony that He lives and reigns on high, to see that the
Gospel is preached to all the inhabitants of the earth, and that the earth is
prepared by suitable warning for the coming of the Son of Man. How great and
all-important is your calling. It may be said that the souls of a world are
entrusted to you. Through your labors and testimony, either in person or
through other chosen messengers whose labors you direct, the inhabitants of the
earth will be judged. Is there any law of God, then, which you should neglect;
is there any degree of purity which you should not reach, is there any
sacrifice which you should not be willing to make? Can men with such a calling
as yours be other than holy and yet please our God? Who among you can neglect
the duties of your high calling to devote time and care to the world and its
pursuits? We say to you in all truth and solemnity that no one of you can do
this without displeasing your God and endangering your salvation.
To the
Saints we say that President Woodruff, at our last accounts, was in good health
and spirits notwithstanding his advanced age, and as full of zeal and faith as
ever.
President
Joseph F. Smith, our fellow laborer in the First Presidency, though not with
us, is actively employed in the ministry and rejoicing greatly in the work of
God. He is as ardent, as devoted and as persevering as ever. Were he here, his
name, without doubt, would appear with ours to this epistle.
Notwithstanding
all that we are now passing through, our hearts are filled with joy and peace.
We can truly say, Hosannah to God in the highest. We know that Zion will not be
overthrown or be made desolate. Every promise made concerning Zion by the
Almighty will be fulfilled. The only thing which ever disturbs our serenity is
the report of wrong-doing by those who are called Latter-day Saints.
Praying
that God will bless and preserve you and lead you in the path of righteousness,
and that you may all operate together in the accomplishment of the purpose of
God and the purification of His Church and the establishment of His Kingdom, we
remain, with much love,
Your
friends and fellow-laborers in the New and Everlasting Covenant,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEORGE Q. CANNON,
Of
the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Salt Lake
City, October 6, 1885.
the time of the reading occupying one hour and twenty-two minutes -- the whole morning session.
The choir sang the anthem,
The song of the Redeemed.
Closing prayer by Elder C. O, Card.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 34:626, 10/21/85, p 2]
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
Conference called to order at 2 p.m. by Apostle Erastus Snow.
The meeting opened with the singing of
Come thou glorious day of promise.
Prayer by Elder John W. Taylor.
The choir sang the hymn,
I saw a mighty angel fly.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN
was the first speaker; he said it was a great undertaking to be a Saint, on account of the unpopularity of the principles that characterized a Saint. We could not walk by the light of our neighbor any more than we could be saved by his righteousness. It was necessary that each man live by the light within himself. It was unsafe to depend on any man; on God alone we could lean, to whom we had the right of access and appeal, inasmuch as we trusted in Him, and kept His commandments. The times we live in were trying but not serious; we were not subject to the cruelty of mobs, as were our fathers. Our family conditions were somewhat disturbed, it was true; but we garnered our crops in peace, and plenty prevailed throughout the land. The history of God's people from the beginning attested the afflictions they endured, all of which were permitted in the wisdom of a divine providence: the same might be said with equal propriety of us, if we could only comprehend it. Opposition to the truth tended to strengthen those that represented it.
God's people must be a tried people, and while we were doing our work, our enemies were doing theirs, and they were more faithful in performing their work than we were in doing our duty: but their power to harass and afflict was limited to time, while our marital revelations ran through eternity. All must die; and what of it if some should end their days inside prison walls? We could die but once, and then not till the proper time.
The speaker admonished the people to keep the commandments, as a safeguard against oppression and affliction, and as the only means to escape the power of oppression; for the Gospel guaranteed freedom, and was the only law of liberty. Some were ashamed to suffer imprisonment, as though that was the evidence of real crime; such a spirit was of the world worldly, and akin to the hollowness of the civilization of our age. The speaker spoke of marriage and the sanctity of the marriage covenant; he dwelt also upon the worthiness of men to engage in the marital relations, and said that a man that was not worthy to be the husband of two or more pure women, was not worthy of a single wife; and, should his just deserts be meted out to him he would be deprived of entering the married state at all. Spoke of the duty of parents to set their houses in order, to instruct their children in due season, and guard them against the snares of the world by correctly teaching them. The work of God was being advertised through the opposition that is being met with, and the overruling hand of God was producing good results. With regard to our course, he said, it must be onward; no man could afford to flinch for a moment; we could bow to none save to the God of Israel, and if men have to suffer because they choose to be faithful, their suffering would not be greater than they could bear.
This was the work of God and not of man, and it was his business to take care of it, and our business to take care of ourselves, God helping us to do so. With regard to compromising a single principle of the Gospel, the speaker said, if we as a people were to be guilty of such an act of moral cowardice, we would prove ourselves unworthy the name we bore, and we could not escape the very opposition we would fain avoid.
ELDER S. B. YOUNG
endorsed the language and sentiments of the epistle of the First Presidency, and those of the previous speaker. The sentiments of some men respecting our condition, and the course we should pursue in order to place ourselves in harmony with the law affecting our marital relations, reminded him of some remarks made on a certain occasion by A. W. Babbitt with regard to the Prophet Daniel's course when he found himself in conflict with the law made specially for him. Babbitt said if he had been in that position he would have considered it politic and justifiable to close the doors and draw the blinds when approaching the throne of grace. After he sat down President Young arose and sharply rebuked him for advancing such doctrine, and said that, had Daniel done otherwise than he did, under the circumstances, he never could have been favored of the Lord; neither could he have been delivered from the hands of his enemies. The position occupied by Daniel, was parallel to that in which we were placed; and there remained but the one course for us to pursue, namely, to be true to our God, maintaining the honor of His name at the risk of even life itself. The kingdom spoken of by Daniel must be established, and it would be built on the principles of truth and righteousness by a people who would recognize and acknowledge Him in all things. In this respect that people would differ widely from our own nation, especially if a certain anecdote he had heard reflected correctly its religious status. It ran thus: A certain minister, it was said, applied at the bar of the House of Representatives to be admitted. He was asked, what court he represented. The minister replied, the Court of High Heaven, He was politely informed that he could not be admitted, as our government had ceased all relations with that foreign power.
Correspondingly with the growth and development of the government of God would the millennium be ushered in, and this would be brought about by each individual and each family sanctifying the truth in his own heart and their own home, and in this way would the will of God be done among them as it is done in heaven.
The choir sang the anthem,
Grant us peace, O Lord!
The closing prayer as offered by Elder J. D. T. McAllister.
_____
[8 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 34:626, 10/21/85, p 2]
THURSDAY MORNING.
The Conference resumed at 10 a.m. and was called to order by Apostle Erastus Snow, after which the choir sang the hymn:
"Hark ye mortals, hist, be still!"
Prayer being offered by Apostle Moses Thatcher, it was followed by the choir singing:
"Redeemer of Israel."
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
Read from the 10th to the 18th verses of the 6th chapter of the Ephesians, and remarked that without the spirit of truth to prompt and direct us, our labors would be of little account. The Epistle of the First Presidency he thought covered nearly the whole duty of the Saints at the present time, leaving but little to be said that had not been touched upon; and he commended it to the serious consideration.
Our condition as citizens, with respect to the nation in which we lived and of which we formed a part, was regarded by the masses as hostile, and the "Mormons" generally as criminals. It had been said that man's highest duty was to render implicit obedience to the law of the land. He thought, however, that this, under certain circumstances, was of doubtful acceptation to theologians, generally. The eminent Blackstone, whop had been the means of adapting all existing laws, from Justinian to his day, to our interests had laid it down as a maxim for future guidance, that no man had the right to make laws that conflicted with the laws of God. The Ten Commandments were held by him as the basis of all law, and were therefore of fundamental importance affecting man's moral state. It had never been held against us that we violated any law save one, a law framed especially against our marriage relations. Wherein, he asked, consisted our crime? Before the revelation on marriage we were married according to sectarian rites, until death did us part. At the proper time, the Lord told his servant Joseph that all old covenants should be done away, that they were not of binding force in His sight; and as the people became prepared for the doctrine, it was revealed to us of God; that the marriage covenant was eternal; as we were eternal, and we were commanded to receive the new and everlasting covenant and govern ourselves accordingly.
We were told also, that our children born under this new covenant would be given us not only for time, but also for eternity. It was the same law that was revealed to Father Abraham and under which his posterity became perpetuated forever and ever. It was true the departure from the old, and the adoption of the new order of things, was a great trial to the first Elders of the Church; but they received it, and obeyed it, as commanded. And in obeying the revealed law, the speaker asked, who was injured through it? He explained the crime, consisting in fraud, of bigamy; and showed that under the new and everlasting covenant, there was an entire absence of fraud, the union being mutual, as was that of Abraham with Hagar, which was a pattern. The first commandment, said Jesus, was that on which hung all the law and the prophets, namely that which bade men to love God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. To the people who respected this fundamental law the new covenant had been revealed, and that as the practice of the law injured none, and did not affect the liberty of any, and as it was purely honorable and moral, the absence of real crime was obvious. Referred to the Israelitish boys that were taken by Nebuchadnezzar as captives, and their request that they be allowed to live on the simple food that they had been accustomed to; by living in this simple way, which was another name for the Word of Wisdom, they were enabled to render services to the king which the greatest men of the nation could not do. They grew in the king's favor, so much so, that they became envied by the ministers and intimate servants of the king. Through intrigue a law was made to entrap them and overthrow them, not, however, that nay real crime was involved in their refusal to obey it.
History had repeated itself in the law that had been framed against us, which we could not conscientiously keep, for the same reason that the Hebrew children could not obey the decree of the king.
It was true the great majority was against us; that the civilization of the age said the marriage covenant of the "Mormons" must be done away; but the Lord says it must be established among His people, and from all appearances the issue between God and man arising therefrom is right at our doors. To stand before the current of popular opinion required the greatest of moral courage, and the faith of the people professing to be Saints was to be put to the test. I occurred to the speaker that if weakness existed among us at all, it was in our being too numerous; strange as this might be, it was too true. In this respect he thought our condition was similar to that of the army of Gideon. The Lord wanted only those that would live according to His laws, and the spirit of His glorious truths; and such were the ones that He was determined to have, and it depended on our individual actions whether or not we, as individuals, shall be numbered among the choice few or not.
The strength of the system of ecclesiastical government revealed of God to His Church was admired by executive minds; and, in fact, it was against our union and power, arising from our system of government that this special law was being aimed, and not in reality against our polygamous order of marriage. The real issue was, the government of man versus the government of God; and it was God and man for it, and not the U. S. Government officials and the "Mormon" polygamists. It was not for man to say what he would do in this struggle; it was not for him to boast; but it did become him to live in the fear of his God and seek His grace to prepare him for every dispensation of His providence, that he might be found at last a servant of God and a friend of man.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 34:674, 11/11/85, p 2; JD 26:336 (after 4th
paragraph)]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, DELIVERED
At the General conference at Logan, Held in October [8
Oct.] , 1885.
_____
REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
There is
a portion of the writings of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, that seems so
appropriate to our condition, that I propose to read in the hearing of the
congregation a part of the 6th chapter, commencing at the 10th verse:
"Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that, ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on
the breastplate of righteousness.
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is
the word of God.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints."
I
have read these words because of their remarkable adaptation to our present
condition and circumstances.
I feel,
in attempting to address the Saints, a very great degree of helplessness, and
of dependence upon the enlightenment and aid of the Holy Spirit in order that I
may speak to you a short time unto edification; for without the spirit of the
Gospel, the Holy Spirit of divine truth which is sent forth to testily of God
and of the truth to the hearts of the honest in the earth, our labors will be
of very trifling account. But if we have the aid and help of that Spirit, then
we may be edified and rejoice together as the children of God—both he that
speaketh and he that heareth.
It would
seem that after the very elaborate and comprehensive epistle that has been
communicated to us by our brethren of the First Presidency, in which they seem
to cover many of the circumstances which now attend upon God's people, and in
which they also give to us such words of exhortation and instruction as, if
followed by us, must not only make us understand better our condition, but know
better how to occupy our positions with credit to ourselves and to the
acceptance of God our heavenly Father—I say it would seem, after reading that
epistle, and having it impressed upon out' minds, as I am sure it must be upon
all who listened in spirit and in truth, as if it were scarcely necessary that
anything more Should be said to put us right in regard to our duties and give
us understanding concerning them, or strength in the performance of them. But
we each of us have a testimony of the truth of the Gospel and of the work of
God to bear to our brethren and sisters, and I feel a desire myself, in common
with my brethren, to communicate such things as may be given to me, so that we
may be encouraged in the work in which we are engaged; that we may feel our
good resolutions strengthened within us, that we may be led to realize in whose
name we trust, in whose strength we stand, and that we may be able also to
realize, as the Apostle Paul did, when he wrote, "We wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Our
condition is a very peculiar cue in regard to this nation, and yet it is no
more strange or peculiar than has been the condition of God's people, in other
ages which are recorded in history for our comfort, encouragement and consolation.
Therefore, I feel this morning like speaking a little about the nature of that
which is called crime, which is charged upon us.
We are
told by men in high places that it is the highest duty of good citizens to
render obedience to the laws of the land in which we live. Now I can scarcely
believe that any professor of religion—any honest religious professor of any
Christian denomination in these United States—can honestly and solidly endorse
that sentiment, much less any one who is clothed with the ermine and is honored
with a scat upon the judicial bench; yet it is from judges that we hear this. A
great apostle of the law, the greatest, the ablest and most popular delineator
of the law from the days of Justinian of ancient Rome down until his day, was the
renowned Mr. Blackstone himself. When portions of various nations had settled
together in the island of Great Britain—some from the northern states of
Scandinavia, others from Brittany, and the different parts of the German or
Saxon nations and had collected the laws of those countries for the purpose of
having them assimilated, so that those people who came from their various
countries should have one established usage of law for the regulation of all
their civil and criminal procedures in the adjudication of their difficulties
with each other, the learned Chancellor Blackstone undertook this great task,
and from the alembic of his intelligent and powerful mind brought forth and
enunciated his views of the law. These views have been held to be the basis of
all legal administration; the fundamental principles of jurisprudence among all
Christian nations ever since tie published them.
This
celebrated gentleman who is considered to this present day as one of the
greatest, if not the very greatest legal light of the age, laid it down plainly
and emphatically, that man had no right to make any laws contrary to or in
conflict with the law of God. I wish every lawyer throughout the nation would
read it and understand it; for when they depart from that rule they become
apostate from the faith of true legal jurisprudence as laid down by this
distinguished apostle of the law; and furthermore, he held that the laws which
should regulate or constitute the jurisprudence of every nation were derived
from and based upon the laws revealed by God, through the Prophet Moses. This
gentleman stated and laid down as a fact that the Ten Commandments, the ancient
law of God, were held by him to be the basis, and fundamental principle of all
law, justice and administration that should be had among the human family. He
claims that as the basis of his work. Then no man who is a true lawyer, after
the order of the celebrated Blackstone, can say in truth that it is the highest
duty of a good citizen that he should observe in all things the laws of the
land, unless it be first established that those laws are consistent with the
laws of God.
Now,
then, wherein are we transgressors? I wish to call your attention to this a few
minutes, because I desire my brethren and sisters to understand whenever they
are called in question before the tribunals of this nation—I want our boys and
girls that are growing up around us to understand what is the nature of that
which is called crime, which is alleged against their fathers, and in which
their mothers are participants. It was never alleged against us as men of
Israel, as "Mormons," if you please, that we were violators or had been,
violators of the law of the land until July, 1862. It was never proven and
cannot now be shown that we, as a people were violators of any law of the land
whatever. In 1862, a law was enacted against bigamy, or polygamy. The term
bigamy had always been used before, but now it was coupled with polygamy in
order that it might be made to reach, and be understood by everybody as
intended for, the Latter-day Saints.
Now,
then, to come at the matter in question, what is the crime, if any there is, in
this doctrine of heavenly marriage as we hold it, the doctrine of the eternal
covenant of marriage, incident to which is plurality of wives? When we married
our wives at the first,—we were New Englanders, Britons, Scandinavians,
&c.,—we were married until death should us part. That was the period for
which we made contract, whether we went into the church and had the ordinance
solemnized by an ecclesiastic, or whether it was done before a justice of the
peace, judge, or any civil magistrate. When the law of God came, before the
doctrine of the eternity and plurality of marriage was taught to us, the Lord
gave us a revelation, in a very early day, in regard to members of other
churches being re-baptized. Some of them doubted the need of being re-baptized.
They said we were baptized into the Baptist church; we were sprinkled in the
Methodist church, in the Presbyterian, in the Congregational: why be baptized
again? The Lord in answer to this question told His people that all old
covenants He had caused to be done away; but "behold!" He said,
"I give unto you a new and everlasting covenant." Therefore, all had
to go forth, who had been baptized by men having no authority to administer,
and be baptized by one who had authority, in the name of Jesus, for the
forgiveness of sins, and for admission into the Church of Christ. By and by,
when we had walked before the Lord for a number of years, He revealed to us the
laws of marriage. Well-regulated parents do not teach their children when they
are dandling them on their laps the nature of the covenant, or the ordinance,
or the duties of marriage. They wait until they grow up. It is proper that they
should wait until their children have attained to years of judgment,
understanding, and perhaps to the age of puberty. So the Lord, in dealing with
his children did not reveal this eternal covenant of marriage until his people
had lived a while in keeping the first laws and ordinances of the Church, and
learned to walk in the light of the Holy Spirit, and to purify themselves from
the various besetments with which they were attended when they went into the
waters of baptism, and become better prepared for more exalted principles and
truths. One of the last great principles that the Prophet Joseph was commanded
of God to teach us, was the law regulating the eternity of marriage; that
whereas, we had taken our wives only until death should us part, we should now
understand that we were, while in the flesh, laying the foundation for eternal
dominions, crowns and exaltations; that our wives and our children were given
to us of God for the purpose of laying the foundation of a kingdom; that we
shall have, if we are faithful and obedient, the covenant of eternal life
ourselves and the power to seal the same upon our generations, that they may become,
as Abrahams's like the sands of the sea-shore for number.
The
Latter-day Saints claim to be the children of Abraham, and if they are the
children of Abraham, they will do the works of Abraham. It was difficult for
men and women from all parts of the world, who had lived in the monogamic order
all their lives to accept this doctrine of the eternity and plurality of
marriage. It was "a new and everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that
covenant, then are ye damned, saith the Lord." This was the obligation
that was laid upon the Prophet Joseph, and through him, upon the true believers
of the Church, even all who were worthy to accept of these obligations. It was
herein that the Elders and their wives extended their faith enlarged their
obedience, and accepted the terms of the new and everlasting covenant extending
not through time only, but eternity also.
Now, I
ask, who is injured by a man taking a second wife, when the wife he now has is
agreeable and it is mutually understood between her and him and the newly
affianced; it being entered into with a mutual understanding and a mutual
agreement according to the law of God—I ask, who is injured?
Wherein
consists the crime of bigamy? It is this. When a man takes one wife he
covenants to adhere to her until death do them part. He violates that covenant
when he takes another woman, unknown to his wife; he thus practices fraud upon
her. This is where the crime comes in. Fraud is perpetrated upon his own
family. I want the old and the young to understand it; want to come down to the
root of the matter, and find out and show up what the crime is, if any, that is
charged upon us. This crime of taking another wife when a man has one is called
bigamy; and there are laws and penalties against it. With the Latter-day Saints
there is no fraud practiced, the second wife being accepted with the mutual
consent of the first, and in accordance with the revelations of God. There is
in that no crime at all, unless some law of God is violated, or somebody is
injured in the matter. If this transaction that I have just named violates the
law of God, or if it injures or infringes upon the rights of a brother or a
sister, then there may be some ground for pronouncing it a crime, but belief
in, and practice of, the eternity and plurality of the marriage covenant do not
violate the law of God, because He has commanded His people to accept and obey
it. Neither is it an infringement upon the rights of others, neither men nor
women, but gives all women an opportunity to become honorable wives and
mothers, and thus to shut out what is politely called the social evil, with all
its horrid concomitants of seduction, foeticide, infanticide and all the train
of sexual monogamic evils which haunt and infest Christendom.
If, then,
we violate no law of God nor right of our fellows, wherein, I ask again,
consists the crime of our religious faith? It is in this: that Congress forbids
it; just as Darius forbade Daniel praying to God, and because he persisted,
cast him into the den of lions; the same as Herod caused all the male children
to be slain, hoping to kill Christ our Savior in his infancy; the same also as
Nebuchadnezzar cast the Hebrew children into the flames because they worshiped
the living God rather than his idol. Wherein consists the crime of Daniel
praying to the God of Israel? Simply because King Darius forbade him doing it.
What
constituted the crime of the Hebrew children in worshiping the God of Heaven?
Solely because Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to worship the golden image, which
they would not do. What is the intrinsic nature of our crime in believing and
practicing the eternal covenant of plural marriage as revealed by the Almighty,
and as we are commanded to do? Simply and solely this: Congress passed a law
making it a penal offence to do so. This is all the criminality there is about
it; and the question remains for each one to answer, Shall we obey God or man?
What is
liberty—the liberty that you and I and all men are entitled to enjoy? It is
that we do not violate the law of God, or that we do not infringe upon the
rights and liberties of our fellow creatures. That is true liberty. Upon that
hang also the law and the prophets.
In the
establishment of this principle of the Gospel, the marriage covenant, it is
intended only for God's people, and not for the people of the world. They do
not want it. They would like to have that liberty which is not liberty but
license—by which they can continue and perpetuate seduction and adultery among
them—keep up their houses of prostitution and their places of assignation. It
is a part of the business of both high and low to keep going this degradation
and destruction of the female portion of the race, and it is because the people
of God have taken a course that every righteous woman may have an honorable
husband, become an honorable wife and have a position in the family and
household, that our brethren are hailed to prison; because they are and
faithful to their families; because they have taken wives in order that they
may rear up children, have a generation to hear their names and their
priesthood, and to become a people devoted to the living God.
I want to
say in this connection, as I wish all to understand it, that when we adopted
this principle by the revelations of God, there was no law in the land against
it. Understand it, brethren and sisters. But it is now as in ancient times,
when the captives of Judea were carried into Babylon. Their captors found
excellent qualities in them, as some say now they like our industry, our enterprise
and our virtue "outside the marriage relation," but we want you to
put away this commandment of the Lord and "become like us," "be
as we are," then we will like you, and we will be hail fellows well met.
The
representatives of the country at Washington have discovered something or other
in these mountains that is displeasing to them; that we are increasing; that we
delight in our children, and do not take measures to prevent their coming
forth, as is very frequently done in the world; that we are willing to take
wives and support them rather than to indulge in whoredom and the like; and
they said, "This won't do." Hence they went to work and passed a law
against us, that would prevent us carrying out the principles of our religion.
I want these young boys and girls, as well as the older ones, to know that God
has never given us a law that was in conflict with any law of the land; but
that Congress has enacted laws to make us criminals. There is no crime in that
which we practice, inasmuch as no man is injured, no woman injured, and no
person's rights are invaded; on the contrary, our people are called upon to
exercise a great amount of self-denial and self-abnegation, that all may be
blessed, and that the charity of the Gospel may be extended to all the human
family, as God has designed and ordained. Thus, we are not violators of the law
of the land, but the lawmakers of the nation make us transgressors. God
commands us to keep His law. The people through their representatives say we
shall not. That is all there is in it. They undertake to say that we shall not
observe the law of plural marriage, and in consequence of this they are hailing
us to prison. Our outgoings and incomings are watched by marshals, so as to
find something upon which to bring us before a commissioner or before a grand
jury; not for any crime we have done, but because we have obeyed God, which
Congress has said we must not do—making a law against us—whereas we are
violating no law.
I do not
love to talk against my fellow-men; I simply present these things to you to
show up the real state of the case. It is unpleasant for me to say that the men
of the Congress of 1862, and that of 1882, were not men of the most immaculate
virtue. It is understood throughout the land that nowhere on this continent is
the practice of whoredom and of the seduction of women carried on to a greater
extent than in the city of Washington, and by those men who go there to make
laws against this people. What attitude does it place the people of this nation
in, and the Congress of the country, in relation to us and this law we are
undertaking to keep Why, as soon as the Lord has established His Gospel and
covenant, the spirits of the other world are seeking to come and dwell among
us; they desire a parentage among the Saints of the living God, where they can
be welcomed with filial love and not repulsed by foeticide, where they can be
brought up in the fear of God, with a hope of returning pure to the Father's
presence, without being lost by blood guiltiness or other crimes while in
mortality.
How do
you think the spirits contemplate the necessity of a birth in the nations of
the earth where so much harlotry and whoredom exist? I tell you this very
presumption of the country in which we live, that we shall not have these
children to dwell in our midst and bear the name of Christ in the earth, is a
presumption against the very heavens, and against those spirits of the just who
are waiting to be made perfect through their sufferings in the flesh.
Ah! says
one, you folks in the mountains, numbering only one hundred and fifty thousand
to two hundred thousand, need not talk in that kind of way; for here is a great
nation of fifty-five millions of people who say you shall not do this thing,
or, if you do, you cannot have a home with us. Well, we will admit that about
two hundred people of the United States say to everyone of the Latter-day
Saints that we must put away this doctrine, or we cannot dwell in this land.
Well, that is a terrible majority against us: but let us look at this a little.
I do not think that we need be very badly scared. You recollect at one time a
young man was with Elisha the Prophet, when a large host compassed the city,
both with horses and chariots, and a battle was imminent. It was turbulent times
with Israel then, worse than it is with us now. The defending army was a very
small one, and the heart of the young man began to falter. He could not see how
the few of Israel were going to prevail against their numerous enemies.
Whereupon Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that
he" the young man "may see." And the Lord opened the eyes of the
young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots
of fire round about Elisha. Fear not, said the Prophet, "for they that be
with us are more than they that be with them."
Now, it
is so with us exactly. All the fathers who have gone before, the Prophet
Joseph, and Hyrum, the Apostles and Patriarchs, the Elders, High Priests, and
hosts of others, say nothing of the fathers of our generation hundreds of years
back, are all around us, waiting trod watching and anxious to see us go forward
and triumph; so that we have really more for us than against us, the fifty-five
millions to the contrary notwithstanding. Therefore, we have no occasion to let
our hands hang down from fear, or our knees to tremble; not a bit of it. On the
contrary, I tell you, my brethren and sisters, that one of the greatest evils
existing in our midst to-day is that there are too many of us. You may think
that is a hard saying; but there are decidedly too many of us. There are people
among us who are committing all manner of sin and transgression—people who
drink with the drunken and spend their substance with harlots and in riotous
living. All such should be severed from the Church, unless they repent
speedily. The numbers should be reduced, like unto the army of Gideon. The Lord
told Gideon that he had too big an army, and it was reduced, (in the manner
related in the seventh chapter of the Book of Judges) from two and thirty
thousand to three hundred, which was all the Lord wanted. The others were told
to go home, and Gideon, by following the instructions of the Lord, put all the
hosts of the Midianites and Amalekites, who were said to be "like grasshoppers
for multitude," to flight.
That is
just what is the matter with us. There are too many with us who are not living
as Latter-day Saints ought to live. Again, there are many who walk in other
men's light. If they whose duty it is will only put away from us those who will
not serve God, we shall find ourselves strengthened in the work in which we are
engaged. If we will but do what is right, we need not fear what our enemies can
do. The Lord only wants the honest, the obedient, the faithful, and He will
"turn the world upside down, waste the inhabitants thereof," and
glorify Himself by His people.
I have
referred to the instance of Gideon on purpose to remind you that the work of
the Lord is not upheld by strength of numbers, but it is by the Spirit of
God—the spirit of obedience, which is better than sacrifice or the fat of rams,
and that the wisdom of God is better than strength or weapons of war.
Men of
intelligence—politicians from European countries as well as our own—have risked
this country, and I have heard them tell President Young that we had a very
strong government in this Territory. We all know that: but it is good to have
wise men visit Utah from abroad and see the excellence and strength of its
government.
I would
say to the people of the land—inasmuch as they are making this bugaboo about
polygamy—not to be deceived. The Governor has told men upon the streets that he
did not care anything about polygamy; (we knew very well that he did not by his
conduct;) but it was the power of the Church that must be broken. Must it? This
is the work of the Lord, and there need not anybody mistake it. The order of
God's church and kingdom is the strongest government ever known on this earth,
and if the people of this great nation entertain any fears of the consequence
or effects of such a government, why, I ask, don't you of the nation, you of
Congress, you of the Cabinet, if you please, embrace this order of government
and establish it over the nation! You can do it. You can repent of your sins,
every one of you, and be baptized for a remission of them. You can adopt and
extend this strong government which God has established in these mountains, and
if you will do it, God will establish you and the government and this nation
never to depart from before His face; and you shall be made the means of
helping to bring everlasting righteousness—the millennium—upon this land, and
of causing the Spirit of God to rest down upon all flesh. Is it not worth your
while to engage in a thing of this kind?
But, ah!
the terrible fact exists that the blood of the prophets is upon this nation,
although the nation has not shed their blood, yet a sovereign state permitted
it, and the nation have not washed their hands from it. This accounts for the
terrible hardness of heart that is to be found in this country.
Were it
not for a lying press and a corrupt people in our midst, who incite ignorant
people to send petitions against the "Mormons," to Congress by the
bushel, the nation could not be wrought up to such frenzy, nor to make such
laws as the Edmunds law against us. But they do these things because their
hearts are hard, and because the blood of innocence rests upon them this nation
have yet to rise up and rid themselves of this blood, and place the
responsibility where it belongs, or they will have to suffer as accomplices
after the fact for these terrible things done in their midst—this people driven
from city to city, despoiled of their goods; driven into the wilderness to this
country, to find a home in which they could dwell in peace. Blessed be God for
enabling us to find it out! We have had a home of peace and rejoicing, and we
have been blessed in all things. Have we need to-day to be terrified? Do cur
hearts need to palpitate for fear? We have had a United States army camp in our
midst already, and we have no occasion to fear now; God will work out the
deliverance of His people.
The Lord
never more thoroughly frustrated the design of an army than in the instance of
that which came out here, and never was there a time when He caused the gain of
the Gentiles to be scattered among His people more effectually than He did with
the goods the army brought to this country.
Shall we
fear to-day? Let us look back to Israel and see their deliverance—as related in
the Bible and Book of Mormon—see what He did in former times. The secret of
success is obedience to the commandments of God, and to the covenants we have
made with Him.
It does
not become me to say what I will do when I am brought to the judgment seat to
be tried and sentenced. A man don't know what he will do. Let us recollect the
instance of Peter, who walked with Jesus by day and by night. In the light of
these things it does not do to boast what we will do; but I hope by the blessing
of God to remain firm and immovable when these things look me in the face. I
ask God to give me grace sufficient that I may keep His commandments, honor
every law He has given, or shall give, and stand firm to the truth under every
circumstance in life.
I pray
that the blessing of God may be upon you. Be true and faithful to God. Let the
brethren attend to those things which the First Presidency have pointed out in
their epistle in regard to transgressors, and they that fear not God neither
regard His precepts and laws. Keep the commandments of God, and let us teach
our families to do so also, that we may grow strong in His righteousness; then
we shall find it is no matter how many there are against us, we shall know that
there are more for us than against us. He will bring us all right up to the
test, and will find out what is in every man and what every man is able to
endure. Our sisters think that they had all the hurt of this matter, that the
men had it nice and fine; but I tell you the men will get their full share, and
you sisters will get even with them, if you will only abide true and faithful.
May the
Lord grant His blessing upon each as we have need; I ask it in the name of
Jesus Christ, Amen.
ELDER JOHN Q. CANNON
occupied the remaining fifteen minutes. Notwithstanding, he said, that we were menaced from all quarters, we were enabled to look up to God as our only and true friend. It was true that we were harassed somewhat, but it was also true that our farms and gardens yielded abundantly, and our stock increased, and that blessings temporal as well as spiritual were enjoyed by the people to a marked extent. Since God so kindly and mercifully recognized us, it became us to acknowledge Him, and use what he had given us towards building up and establishing His kingdom. For this purpose He led our fathers to this land, a land which none could claim by prior right. The speaker urged upon the people to so live that the land might become sanctified through the blessings of heaven and become indeed the land of Zion. Individual action in the right direction was the common duty of the people called upon to build up Zion, and it was the performance of duty alone, under the blessing of God, that could make us a blessed and free people.
The choir sang the anthem:
Thou who art faithful.
Adjourned till 2 p.m., the closing prayer being offered by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[8 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 34:626-627, 10/21/85, p 2-3]
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
Conference re-assembled at 2 p.m. The services were commenced by the choir singing,
Great God indulge my humble plea.
Prayer being offered by Elder C. D. Fjeldsted.
The choir sang an original piece, entitled, "A Song of Triumph."
The general authorities of the Church were then presented by Apostle Moses Thatcher, in the following order, and were unanimously sustained:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President, and Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles, John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch to the Church, John Smith
First seven Presidents, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. J. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop with Robert T. Burton as his First and John Q. Cannon as his Second Counselor.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust, the Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder with F. D. Richards as assistant.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co., for the gathering of the poor, with F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Jos. F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as assistants.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom assistant.
Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, Franklin D. Richards, Joseph F. Smith and Wm. Jennings.
Clerk of Conference -- John Nicholson; George F. Gibbs, Clerk pro tem.
Church reporters -- John Irvine and George F. Gibbs.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS,
Chairman of the Missionary committee, reported that, agreeable with an action taken at the last General Conference, missionaries had been called and set apart, and they had repaired to their several fields of labor according to appointment, as occasion required, and suggested, if the conference saw proper to do so, that the committee continue their labors as it seemed proper to them.
On motion of Elder Erastus Snow the suggestion was unanimously adopted.
APOSTLE M. THATCHER
then addressed the Conference. He said the testimonies borne during the Conference found an ardent response in his heart; that he viewed the present as a time in which valuable lessons might be learned. Our enemies, exercised because of our union had attributed that quality as exhibited among the saints to the influence of our leading men; if that were so, and their influence tended to good, then the people's leaders should be sustained by all honorable citizens; if to evil, then they should be removed. If the present experiences of the Saints should teach them but one lesson, namely, the necessity of leaning upon the Lord for support instead of upon man then our experience, unpleasant though it may be, will not have been in vain. If, too, we learn to settle comparatively unimportant matters among ourselves instead of referring such things to men whose time might be more profitably occupied, we shall not have suffered in vain.
On the subject of human rights, the speaker asked: Whence came they, and to whom was due our form of government, that was the admiration of the world? It was of heavenly origin, and we who chose exile rather than renounce their religious convictions, were the instruments, under divine providence, of unfolding it to man. The government of the United States as it existed to-day, contained the elements of republican, democratic, monarchial and autocratic forms; it was autocratic in that the Governor of one of its fair Territories possessed absolute veto power, and its people had no voice in the choice of their rulers. This form, however, in justice to the fathers of our country, was never intended to exist in the land. When might we look for a better state of things? The speaker thought that we had expected too much of the new administration; that in view of the manner in which public opinion was manufactured, it was due the President and Cabinet that we exercise charity. he had learned that while men would unhesitatingly face the cannon's mouth, and meet danger in any and every form to defend the rights of their fellows, when it came to a display of moral courage for the same purpose the bravest of men were wanting. There were but few Chas. Summers to espouse the unpopular cause of a down-trodden humanity; such men as Cromwell, Luther, Knox, Huss and others o similar character were very scarce. We, above all people, could appreciate moral courage in man, as it was an essential characteristic of the true servant of God. If we could enjoy our constitutional rights, we would be the happiest of people, our moral condition being singularly compatible with the highest degree of liberty.
The speaker then criticized the conduct of the Judge of the Third Judicial District, in that he so basely interpreted the candid statements of honorable men as hypocritical cant, calling honorable women concubines, and children born in legitimate wedlock bastards. The judge, he said, evidently desiring to cast reflections on plural wives by the use of the term concubine, displayed lamentable ignorance as to its true meaning. The word concubine as understood by Father Abraham and the Patriarchs, meant wife, all concubines being wives; but all wives were not concubines On account of the positions such men occupied, and their incompetency to pass a righteous judgment upon the men they condemned and branded as adulterers, he entertained pity and not ill-will for them; and he also could pray for such men, that God in His mercy would, if possible, enlighten their minds, that they might pause and reflect upon the enormity of their acts and , peradventure, repent. He could also pray for the leaders of our nation that they might deal impartially and righteously in all questions involving the people's rights. coming nearer home, he asked if our municipal, county and territorial authorities had been as ready to give a non-"Mormon" is rights as "Mormons;" if so, well, if not it was anything but well. When the Kingdom of God should be fully established, and its government obtain throughout the land, there would be no packed juries, no mission, bigoted judges, no such things as punishing the innocent and setting the guilty free.
Referring to the expression, "55,000,000 versus 250,000," he said it did not reflect the true sentiment of the country; that while unprincipled politicians, adventurers, reckless newspaper men and the class that float with the tide of popular thought, were loud in echoing this taking expression, thousands of thinking, honest-hearted men -- men who regarded with profound thought the safety of our free institutions, were looking on this struggle with the greatest anxiety, without, perhaps, possessing the moral courage to step into the arena on the side of right against might. The speaker arraigned certain public officials for winking at mob rule; for permitting popular opinion to sway their official acts on certain vital questions affecting the well-being of their fellowmen; and for leaning to the tendency of the age, allowing themselves to be led by the popular cry, instead of conscientiously leading the people -- all of which would, in time, hasten the downfall of our nation. In this connection the speaker referred to the inconsistency and unwisdom of leading men in disturbing the peace and quiet of the "Mormon" household, the fruits of the well regulated family being those of order and good government; while the adjustment of such vital questions as that existing between capital and labor remained unaccomplished -- a question that involved the peace of every family throughout the land; and hoped that our national legislators would have discernment sufficient to cast the "Mormon" mote out of their eyes, that they might see more clearly how to deal with tis dangerous beam; if they did not, the fulfillment of the revelation was nigh at the door, wherein the Lord said, the day would come when they that would not take up the sword to fight his neighbor must needs flee to Zion for safety.
Notwithstanding, he said, that at present a cloud hung over our mountain home, it would pass off and leave us in peaceful possession of civil and religious rights; and until then we would contend manfully for them, and do it too inside the Constitution and government, and not allow our enemies to drive us outside; and when the ensign of our glorious liberties should be torn to shreds and patches, the Elders of Israel would be found bearing aloft the flag of our country amid the turmoil and strife that must yet depopulate the land. He hoped that the present Administration would declare itself for principle as against popular opinion; and admonished the Latter-day Saints to put their trust in God and not in man.
[Moses Thatcher]
[DNW 34:642, 10/28/85, p 2; JD 26:327]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER, DELIVERED
In the Tabernacle, Logan, Cache Co., (Semi-Annual
Conference) Thursday afternoon, Oct. 8, 1885.
_____
OFFICIALLY REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE.
_____
THERE
have been a great many very excellent things said at this conference, and in
attempting to add thereto, I desire the assistance and aid which come through
the faith and prayers of the Saints—that I may be inspired by the Spirit of God
to utter such things as may tend to our edification and good. It will doubtless
be somewhat difficult to make all hear unless a goodly degree of order is
maintained. Of course I am aware that it is not an easy task for mothers to
keep their nursing babes quiet in a crowded house like this and upon a warm
day; but we hope to have as good order as possible under the circumstances.
I have
rejoiced very much in the testimonies which have been borne during the meetings
of this Conference, and they find in my heart a responsive chord. I do not feel
that we are living in unprofitable times, and notwithstanding the trials,
temptations and injustice with which we are surrounded, I view the present as
times in which the Lord is teaching to His people very valuable lessons. It has
often been asserted, by our outside friends, that the union of this people was
maintained by reason of the influence which their leaders hold over their
minds. If this statement were true, and the influence exercised is unrighteous,
the leaders of the people should be removed. But if the influence which they
exercise over the minds of the people is for good, it ought to be maintained.
As an Elder in Israel, I hold that the influence which binds together this
people to be the spirit of God, and that the Almighty, the creator of the
heavens and the earth, is not dependent upon one man or many men, and that the
Lord will demonstrate to all the Christian world, that the religion which is
called Mormonism is the religion of the heart for the masses of the people who
have espoused its cause; and if, in the experiences of the past few months, and
that which is yet in the future, the Latter-day Saints learn to rely on God,
learn to receive for themselves heavenly communications for the guidance of
their feet, though it may cost the exile of our leaders or the imprisonment of
those who have worked as their servants, they will have received that which is
of much value; and although it cost much, it will be worth more than the cost.
We can see now that a few who have relied upon others, who have sought the
counsel of their file lenders and have depended upon that counsel when they can
no longer reach those leaders, falter and fall by the wayside. I believe that God
intends that every than and every woman in His Church and kingdom shall
exercise the faculties which He has givenS them, that in the exercise of their
agency He designs to exalt them in eternal glory. So long therefore as the
people rely upon their leaders they are not manifesting that degree of faith,
they are not in a position to think and reflect for themselves as they should.
I have known the time of the Presidency of the Church and of the Apostles taken
up in frivolous matters that ought never to have gone beyond the family circle,
at least ought not to have gone beyond the confines of the Ward organization.
But times have changed. We approach not now so easily the Presidency of the
Church. We receive not their counsels with that facility that we have done in
the past. And although we miss their presence much—for this people love their
leaders—in their absence the channel of communication between the heavens and
the earth is open to this people as it never could have been under former
circumstances. Men and women are now learning that their prayers can be heard,
and that if they are not able to receive the counsels of their brethren, they
can in all places and under all circumstances, receive the counsels of God,
their Heavenly Father.
Men,
communities of men, governments, nations, powers, and principalities have never
yet been able to build walls so strong, or make iron doors so thick as to
prevent the prayers of a righteous man ascending unto his God, hence every man
and every woman who keep the commandments of the Lord can have a light and a
lamp for their feet, and those who have oil in their lamps will not be
uncertain as to the course they should pursue. The revelations of the Lord will
inspire them and direct them in the Ways of truth and right.
When we
reflect on the growth of governments, civilization, the rights of men and the
liberties which we so much enjoy, to what source do we look as the one from
whence they came? The great government of which we form a part—the most
liberal, the broadest and the deepest in its foundation, the greatest
government which God has ever smiled upon—except when he has administered
according to His own will in the affairs of men—to whom is due its birth and
expansion. To men who were willing to bow in obedience to the mandates of
kingly governments? No! But rather to men who were inspired by God, their
heavenly Father, to reach forward to a higher and a grander civilization and
liberty. Had the Pilgrim Fathers and others who were unwilling to bow to the
mandates of European powers not fled to the land of America, we should have had
no government like this. It was founded as a refuge In which the oppressed of
every land and clime should find a resting place. Not Republican altogether,
not Democratic wholly, not theocratic, not aristocratic, not monarchical, but a
combination of them all. For this government, in the strictest sense, is not a
republic, as I understand it. The laws of a republican government are enacted
by a central power. Were the United States such a government, the laws which
govern the citizens of all the States and Territories would be enacted by
Congress, instead of by their several Legislatures. In the purest sense,
democracy consists of a government in which the people are governed by laws
enacted with their mutual consent and by their direct vote. We cannot
consistently call the government of the United States theocratic only in so far
as the people acknowledge the rule of God. If we pick up a coin, a $20 gold
piece, we can see impressed upon its face the words, "In God we
trash;" and in so far as this is true, and expresses the sense and
feelings of the people, this government is theocratic, but in no sense beyond
that. A Territorial government may be said to be in a large sense monarchial.
in that the governor of the Territory has conferred upon him by act of Congress
absolute veto power, and the legislators who are chosen by the people, may
labor for sixty days, unite their profoundest thought in expressing the wishes
and wants of he people, and they may frame laws by which the people might be
governed according to their choice, but by a single stroke of the pen the
Governor of the Territory of Utah can veto every act of the Territorial
Legislature. Is not this, then, monarchial, and is it not in a very strong
sense a one-man power? It would seem to be at least autocratic. And in the
sense that the people of the Territories have no choice in the governor or in
the judges who administer the laws, or in the marshals who enforce the process
of the courts and in every other way wherein the government takes upon itself
the government of the people, without the consent of the people, is it not an
aristocratic government—the government of the many by the few? Thus, if my
conclusions are correct, the government of the United States is theocratic in
so far as the people trust in and obey the laws of God; it is republican in a
partial sense; it is democratic in another sense; and it is certainly, so far
as the Territories are concerned, monarchial and aristocratical. Thus we have a
combination of the elements of a variety of governments entering into this
great Union. But, as was clearly shown this morning by Brother F. D. Richards,
in the disposition of the people to have Congress enact certain prescriptive laws,
we as a people are being deprived of many of the rights and privileges for
which our forefathers contended, for which they pledged their sacred honor, and
for which many of them devoted their lives. But, knowing the manner in which
public opinion is manufactured in this great land of ours, I have personally a
degree of charity and of sympathy, not only for Congress, but for the
President, his Cabinet, and for the supreme judiciary of our nation. It is no
unusual thing to see men manifest physical courage. You can see it in all
nature. Tread upon a worm and it will turn and sting you if it can. Men, for
the love of the things of this world, will often face physical danger in every
form. They will dig down into the bowels of the earth, navigate the raging seas,
and penetrate, as it were, to the North Pole—they will face the cannon's mouth
when it belches forth death and desolation in all its horrid forms; they will
face death and destruction in all its horrid forms; they will face death and
desolation in every shape; but when you call upon them to manifest moral
courage, when you call upon them to stand up and maintain the right because it
is right, when that right is unpopular, you appeal to something that gives but
weak response. I have seen men that would face danger in almost every
conceivable form, shrink and cower before one breath of scorn. They could not
bear it, and hence you see them make promises and apologies because of the
influences that surround them. Now, this is a popular government, and it would
take a very courageous President to do justice to the Latter-day Saints. Why?
Because the great majority of the nation are prejudiced against us. Not that
they are aware of any ham or wickedness having been done by this people, but
because of falsehoods that have been circulated against the Latter-day Saints,
Therefore, I say that were Mr. Cleveland to administer, or cause to be
administered all the laws in Utah impartially, he would be manifesting a degree
of hardihood, a degree of moral courage that certainly has not been exhibited
by any recent President of the United States. This country has produced few men
like Charles Sumner, who stood up in the Senate of the United States and fought
slavery. He stood there singly and alone, but he espoused a righteous cause,
and by degrees he made adherents until this nation was converted and the
Supreme Court of the United States that declared that a black man had no rights
which a white man was bound to respect, was overturned at the point of the
bayonet and the sword. Such men as Washington, Jefferson and Adams—such men as
Cromwell, Knox, Luther, Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, stand along the shores of
time as beacons that have lighted the way to the higher liberty we ought to
enjoy in this glorious land today. When I say we, I refer to the nation as a
whole, and not to the Latter-day Saints as a community. If we could enjoy our
constitutional rights, we would be of all people upon this earth the most
happy; because, with all our faults and failings, God smiles upon no people
upon the earth as pure as are the Latter-day Saints, and happiness consists in
purity—the living of a holy life before the Lord.
I was
very forcibly struck, a few days ago, with the remarks made by the Judge of the
Third Judicial District. I don't think him to be a Christian; if he is, he does
not understand the Scriptures as I understand them. in referring to remarks
which had been made by an individual who had been convicted by the jury, the
judge remarked that he did not wish to hear any more hypocritical cant, and in
referring to the wives of the Latter-day Saints on one occasion he mentioned
them as concubines; and some of our brethren have looked upon that as being a
reproach. Well, of course, you can convey contempt in the manner in which a
word is uttered. But I do not look upon the word concubine as being a
contemptuous term by any means All concubines, anciently, were considered
wives, but all wives were not concubines. A concubine, then, was a maid servant
married to a free man; and although her mistress still maintained some
jurisdiction over her actions, the fact that she was a wife gave her an
honorable position—made her a legal wife in the sight of God.
Again,
the judge, in referring to what father Abraham did, said, "Abraham not only
lived with his wives, but also with his wife's handmaids; in other words,"
said the judge, "the same as though you were to live with your hired
girls. Now, while that might do for Abraham, said he, "it will not do for
this enlightened age." Now I desire to show by these remarks that the
judge of the Third District Court is not a Christian, and that if he has any
hopes of eternal life he does not understand the plan and the promises of the
great Jehovah; for Abraham was a friend of God; Abraham talked with God face to
face, and although it may be thought that he lived in the dark ages, would to
God that the Christian world would walk in such darkness to-day! If, then, the
acts of Abraham would not do for the Chief Justice of the Territory of Utah,
neither would the city in which Abraham dwells do for that judge; and when he
passes into eternity and behold the names of the twelve apostles written upon
the twelve foundations of the Eternal City he may admire their beauty and
grandeur, but when his attention is drawn to the twelve pearly gates, he will
find engraven thereon the names of the twelve sons of Jacob by his four wives,
and their great grandfather Abraham will be within that city. Without its walls
shall be sorcerers, adulterers, liars and whoremongers, and those who love to
make a lie. Jesus bore testimony to the virtues of Abraham. He proclaimed
himself to be a literal descendant from him, tracing back his lineage to the
loins of David, another polygamist; and when he, Jesus, spoke of Lazarus, who picked
up the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and who was so poor and
wretched, whose sores the dogs licked to his ease, delight and comfort—when
Jesus spoke of this Lazarus, he spoke of him as being in the bosom of Father
Abraham. But the rich man, who perhaps had had control of him, and who had
kicked and cuffed him, and looked upon him with scorn as he picked up the
crumbs—as we pick up the crumbs of liberty grudgingly dropped from the table
which our fathers made in the day of oppression and dread—I say, when that rich
man looked upon Lazarus in his degradation, he was then but his serf and slave;
but when he looked upon him over that wide gulf that separated them, he saw him
in the bosom of Abraham, and he pleaded that Lazarus might be sent to dip his
finger in one drop of cold water, that the thirst might be slaked in his
throat, and that his burning tongue might be relieved. The answer was,
"Lazarus had his ill things while upon the earth and then hadst thy good
things. Now, behold Lazarus has the good things and thou hast thine "evil
things:" "Well, said the rich man, if he comes not to me send him to
tell my friends and my neighbors of the condition of affairs here." The
answer was made, "They have Moses and the prophets, and if they heed not
these, neither would they listen to one though he rose from the dead." If
the Judge of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah is a Christian, how
will he feel when he comes into the presence of Father Abraham, whom he has
sought to cast reflections upon? Will not the blush of shame be upon his cheek?
And if there is an eternal God, and if that eternal God is the creator of the
heavens and the earth and all our spirits; and is the friend of Abraham, how
can that Judge bear his presence? I would rather be the poorest Latter-day
Saint on earth and bear chains and fetters upon my limbs until my flesh dropped
front my bones than to be in the attitude of the man who must bear, without the
spirit of God, the measure of unjust judgment which be has measured to others.
For this reason, my brethren and sisters, I say I have the most profound
sympathy for all those whom we sometimes denominate our enemies, and I am not
able to forget the fact that whatever their condition in this life may be, they
fought not on the side of Satan in the eternal worlds when Satan rebelled
against God because the Almighty was unwilling to adopt his coercive plan of
human redemption: God was determined that every man, woman and child born into
the world should be free. I say, because God would not adopt his coercive
measures he rebelled against Christ, and one-third part of heaven followed him,
and he fought against Michael and the hosts of heaven, and was cast down to
earth with the hosts that followed him. But you can find no living man or woman
that ever breathed the breath of life that fought on his side; for the
condemnation that came upon them was a loss of opportunity to take a body.
Therefore, those people who seem to be our enemies are such only by reason of
their blindness, and because their eyes are closed against the things of God,
and if the judgments of God are to come upon them according to the predictions
of the prophets, we can well afford to have charity and sympathy for them, and
we do as a people. I tell you that I can pray for my one-miles; I can pray that
God may lead them away from darkness, that He may touch the eyes of their
understanding that they may see, and in their hearts repent.
It is
awful to think for a moment of the terrible condemnation that will surely come
upon men who endorse the shedding of innocent blood; but we must, at last come
to love our enemies and pray for them who despitefully use us. And when we are
prepared to do this from the heart, we are prepared to say to this world,
"I am not afraid of anything you can do." The power of the Spirit
lifts the body out of the reach of harm, the spirit of Christ has gained the
victory, and we can say when under the influence of that spirit, "O death,
where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" I can pray for the
President of the United States, with a desire in my heart that God will direct
him aright, that he may have moral courage sufficient to do that which is just;
because, unless the rulers of this nation are actuated by the spirit of
justice, they cannot be sustained by the Almighty. And although we may find
prejudice on the right hand and on the left, we shall never have given unto us
the victory until we learn how to govern upon principle. When men are tested,
when they are brought before the courts, cases should be tried, not men.
Whenever the Latter-day Saints shall have reached that high degree of
excellence in the administration of the laws of God as to judge impartially
between the Saint and sinner, when they shall be willing to give Satan his
rights as quickly as a Saint or a brother, then will judgment and rule be
placed within their reach, and I pray that it will never come before that time.
Whether a
man is a heathen or a Christian, when the kingdom of God is established, he
will have his rights and liberties extended to him. There will be no bias, no
prejudice, every thing will be done according to the laws of justice and
equity. Have we always, as a people, I may ask, manifested a disposition to act
upon the basis of principle? You can answer the question for yourselves. Have
you been willing, as Latter-day Saints to extend to the Gentile as readily his
rights, under your municipal, your county or your Territorial government as you
would extend them to a Latter-day Saint? If you have, then have we administered
upon the basis of principle; but if we have not, then have we not come to an
understanding of that which the Lord has revealed; for when His kingdom bears
sway there will be thousands and millions of people who do not subscribe to our
religious views, who will be gladly governed by the laws of God's kingdom; and
the Chinese in the empire of China, the Hindoo in Hindoostan, or the Christian
in Europe, may read the laws that govern Zion, and, with mathematical accuracy,
figure out the liberties they can enjoy under the laws of the kingdom of God.
There will be no prejudice or packed juries in the kingdom of God that will
bind the innocent and set the guilty free. God will govern His kingdom as He
governs throughout His universe, by the laws of justice and equity.
What I
say to the Latter-day Saints is, let us be of good cheer. I never have seen a
better day than this. The kingdom will come off victorious, and those who have
hated us will see the day when much woe and affliction will come upon them.
We hear
talk about 55,000,000 of people being opposed to the Latter-day Saints. I offer
to you this afternoon my testimony that this is not true. There are not
55,000,000 in this glorious government of ours who are opposed to the
Latter-day Saints; it is a great mistake; there are thousands in the United
States to-day, who are anxiously waking for the solution of the
"Mormon" problem, who are praying for the deliverance of this people.
It is a great mistake to suppose that every man, woman and child in this nation
are opposed to this people; there are scores that, while they have not courage
to come out and speak a word for them, have a warm throbbing in their hearts
for the victory of this people and their cause, and they are not blind to their
surroundings either. As an American citizen I deplore it, but I tell the
Latter-Saints this afternoon that this great government is not strong, and the
reason is, they have torn up the foundations of the structure that was built by
our fathers. They have tipped up the moorings of the great ship. They have
allowed mob rule to get power in this land, and like a dark cloud, secret
societies are gathering around. And while it may be smiled at, yet I tell you
this nation stands as it were upon a mine. When the Knights of Labor and the
different brotherhoods can say in calm language that within thirty minutes they
can stop the motion of every car wheel between Omaha, Nebraska, and Butte,
Montana, I say to you there is power there. More than five years ago, certain
secret societies instituted what were called the Pittsburg riots. The State
militia was called out to quell them, and they were not able to do it. The army
of the national government was appealed to, and a United States officer told me
that when he led his soldiers to Pittsburg he feared to give the word of
command to fire upon those insurgents, "for," said he," "I
did not know whether they would obey or turn round and fire upon their
officers." I have heard merchants of Chicago and New York declare that
they had private arms stacked away in their business houses because they could
not trust the municipal, the county, the State, or the national means of
protection; will you tell me that a nation is strong thus situated? It is not.
The iron heel of the monopolist has long been upon the neck of labor, and the
great question which is looming up in this nation to-day is that of labor and
capital. Would to God we had statesmen with eyes clear enough to see! Would to
God that they would pull out of their eyes the "Mormon" mote and
behold the beam that threatens the nation. The occurrence at Rock Springs, and
the mutterings we hear from the Atlantic to the Pacific ought to be a warning
that the day is not far distant, unless the Democratic and Republican parties open
their eyes to the situation, when desolation and war will be in this
government. When men who live in San Francisco, Chicago and New York, have said
to me, "Mr. Thatcher, why don't you renounce this objectionable feature of
your religion, the nation is opposed to it, the civilization of the age does
not want to permit it—why don't you renounce it and live in peace?" I have
said to them, "I thank you for your kind sentiments; I thank you for the
kindly feelings that you entertain," and as an evidence that I feel it, I
will say when this nation, having sown to the wind, reaps the whirlwind; when
brother takes up sword against brother; when father contends against son, and
son against father; when he who will not take up his sword against his neighbor
must needs flee to Zion for safety—then I would say to my friends come to Utah;
for the judgments of God, commencing at the house of the Lord, will have passed
away, and Utah, undisturbed, will be the most delightful place in all the
Union. When war and desolation and bloodshed, and the ripping up of society
come upon the nation, I have said to such, "Come to Utah and we will
divide our morsel of food with you, we will divide our clothing with you, and
we will offer you protection." I will tell you, my brethren and sisters,
the day will come, and it is not far distant, when he who will not take up his
sword against his neighbor, will have to flee to Zion for safety; and it is
presupposed in this prediction that Zion will have power to give them
protection. We are not going to do it outside of the government, either; we are
going to do it inside the government. There is no power in this land to turn
this people against the government of the United States. They will maintain the
Constitution of this country inviolate, and although it may have been torn to
shreds they will tie it together again, and maintain every principle of it,
holding it up to the downtrodden of every nation, kindred, tongue and people,
and they will do it, too, under the Stars and Stripes. They will stand with
their feet firmly upon the backbone of the American continent and maintain the
principles which cost their fathers so much, and those principles cannot be
taken away by men who violate their oath of office, and betray their trust.
I tell you
that there are boys growing up in these mountains who have the principles of
human liberty grounded deep in their hearts, and they will maintain them, not
only for themselves, but for others. God speed the day I say—if the nation
pursues its downward course and tears up these fundamental principles of
government which have made them strong—when the Constitution may be rescued and
all men and women shall be free again. I pray that Grover Cleveland may stand
up as the chief executive of the greatest nation that there is on God's
footstool to-day and say to the waves of public opinion and public pressure
that the nation must be ruled upon the principles of righteousness and justice·
If he would do that, he would make himself a name that would be embalmed for ever
upon the pages of history. But if he will not do it—if he is not morally strong
enough to do it, and if Congress will not come forward and help him do it, we
will say, "O, God, we put our dependence in Thee," and where Thou
leadest we will follow, and we will seek to maintain our rights, until the
Almighty grants them unto us. May the spirit of the testimony of the Lord Jesus
Christ be in your hearts, for above all things it is the most precious; and
when you come before the judges take no heed of what you shall say or the
answers you shall give, but trust in God, and if you go before the judges
silent as did your Lord and master, if they choose to nail you upon the cross
or stretch you upon the wheel or the rack, or if they thrust you into dungeons
or prisons, it is nothing more than was done to your Master before you. Let us
trust in God. I tell you nothing of importance has ever been attained in this
world without a hard struggle against the opinions and prejudices of men.
God grant
that we may soon regain and forever maintain our liberty. But may it not come
as long as we have an adulterer, a fornicator, or whoremaster who professes to
be a Latter-day Saint. As long as such as these partake of the Holy Sacrament
with this people, let bondage continue. But let us purge out these things, let
us be pure and holy before God, cherishing the principles of justice in our
hearts, and the day of liberty will surely come, which may God grant, is my
prayer. Amen.
APOSTLE JOHN H. SMITH
occupied the remaining portion of the time, speaking on the principle of charity. As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus he said he dared not harbor animosity toward any of the sons and daughters of God, as it was not in keeping with the character of a Saint. The work of God was not to be established by violence or force, but on the principle of peace on earth, good will toward all men. There was, he said, no feeling known to the human breast that afforded such gratification as the consciousness of having, in the face of opposition, labored faithfully for the welfare of others; and it became a Saint of God to commiserate the condition of him who fought against the truth, rather than entertain ill-will towards any. He also spoke of love of country, devotion to truth, and integrity towards God and man.
The choir sang the anthem,
O, how lovely is Zion.
Elder C. F. Middleton offered the closing prayer.
[8 Oct, 7 pm]
[DNW 34:627, 10/21/85, p 3]
In the evening, commencing at 7 o'clock, a general Priesthood meeting was held. The attendance was large; much valuable instruction was given; the occasion was a delightful one, long to be remembered by all present.
_____
[9 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 34:627, 10/21/85, p 3]
FRIDAY MORNING.
Conference assembled at 10a. m. and the choir sang:
O, give me back my Prophet dear.
Prayer by Elder E. D. Woolley. Singing:
Hark, the song of angels telling.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW.
occupied most of the time. He said he felt gratified at the general tenor of the instructions given during the Conference, and with the response they found in the hearts of the people. We were approaching an important epoch in our history; in his early life looked for the winding up scene to take place without much delay, but as he grew in power to discern the true character of this work, he regarded those as the days of childhood. The ancient apostles had not the privilege of establishing a gathering place for the Saints of their day, as was enjoyed by the Lord's people of these latter days. We had not been without opposition, however, in attaining to this favored state of progress in the work of God; it consisted of drivings and expulsions, and even sending an army against us in our secluded retreat. And now through the influence of bigoted Christian ministers, and others, legislative enactments were brought to bear against us to impede our growth. Were it not for opposition, however, we would grow rich and careless, and how long, he asked would it be before we would lose sight of the kingdom? Our Father knew our condition better than we; He would order all things for our best good, and it behooved us to acknowledge his hand. This was the dispensation of the fulness of all times, and all had to be revealed in our day that had been bestowed in former dispensations, and consequently much was to be done in a practical form to establish fully and permanently what heretofore had, as it were, a mere passing existence. Prominent among the agents that would be used to bring about this state of things was the welding or binding of the hearts of the children to the fathers, and those of the fathers to the children; also the sealing powers of the Priesthood for time and for eternity, and the Patriarchal order of marriage that permitted righteous men to beget numerous posterity to perpetuate their name. Referred to the doctrine of atonement and remission of sins, as foreshadowed by certain rites of the Mosaic age, and the efficacy thereof as revealed by the Lord in our day. Spoke of Temple work, and the responsibility that rested upon the heads of families and upon every first-born son in behalf of his dead relatives; and of the duty of everyone employed in this service to sanctify his heart through righteous desires and deeds, that his Temple work might be acceptable to the Lord. Admonished the people to look into their own hearts as individuals and families, lest they may fall by the way; if, he said such sore trials await the people that the righteous will hardly escape, how shall the careless and reckless among them appear? The speaker dwelt on the sanctity and union of the family circle, and the duty of everyone, male and female, who assumed the responsibility of the family relationship at the altar, to labor to produce this state of perfection.
He warned all against assuming the responsibilities of the family unless they were prepared to make sacrifices, and were willing to labor diligently to accomplish the end for which they aimed; and the necessity there was of subduing every evil passion of their own nature by continually warring against everything that tended to evil, lest they have to contend against the same unruly elements of sin in the children they beget. This was a duty equally binding on husband and wife or wives. He called upon the Bishops to sacredly guard the portals of the House of God, by refusing to give recommends to unworthy persons; and to personally labor in connection with the Teachers of the Ward, to produce a better condition of faith and works among the people under their watchcare.
ELDER JOHN D. T. M'ALLISTER
Bore testimony to what he had heard during the Conference. He held that obedience to God was to listen to and observe the counsels of His servants. Our religion consisted in belief in God and the practice of all that He commanded. He rejoiced in the liberty of the Gospel, the liberty to do right and to help others to do likewise; and referred to license that some took, the tendency of which was to produce results that were injurious to the body and spirit. He spoke of the temporal condition of the people in the southern country, their reverses in endeavoring to bring the streams out upon the land for irrigating purposes, and their perseverance in the face of misfortune to settle the country. The speaker said he had been asked by many about a "revelation" that had been scattered broadcast throughout the northern country, purporting to hail from St. George; it was, he said, the product of a harmless individual named Herbert Fasher, whose mental condition was somewhat eccentric.
The choir sang the anthem:
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
Conference was adjourned to the 6th of April next, to be held at such place as the First Presidency might designate.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
1886
4-7 Apr 1886, 56th Annual General Conference, Provo, Utah
[Deseret News Weekly 35:198, 4/13/86, p 6; Millennial Star 48:273, 289, 305, 321, 337]
[4 Apr, 11 am]
[DNW 35:198, 4/13/86, p 6]
FIFTY-SIXTH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-sixth Annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Provo Tabernacle Sunday morning, April 4, 1886, shortly before 11 o'clock.
On the stand were: Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles -- Franklin D. Richards, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Patriarch of the Church -- John Smith.
Of the Presiding Council of the Seventies -- Jacob Gates and C. D. Fjeldsted:
There were also a number of Presidents of Stakes and many leading brethren from various portions of this and other Territories.
The Conference was called to order by apostle Franklin D. Richards, who conducted the proceedings.
The choir sang:
"Arise! Arise! with joy
survey
The glory of the latter-day."
The opening prayer was offered by President John D. T. McAllister, of St. George Stake, after which the choir sang:
"Father, how wide Thy
glories shine
How high Thy wonders rise."
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
addressed the Conference. It was very delightful that we found ourselves so comfortably situated. The good people of Provo had exerted themselves to fit up a place for us to meet in. As usual, however, the place was too small. We have great reason to rejoice, although we have not so much liberty as formerly. We cannot now have the First Presidency with us, and others who have heretofore exercised their calling in our midst, but it is decreed that those who will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution. It is just as necessary for us to test such sayings as that and others, as to verify those of a more gladdening description. The work of God is subject to various changes, as in nature the seasons alternate, and this is necessary in order to produce the most happifying results. The adverse circumstances through which we are passing are needful for our proper development. Our spiritual natures are improved by them. We should view our present ordeals from that standpoint and acknowledge the hand of God in all things. Those things that seem toe most trying may be sanctified to us as the most prolific source of blessing. This life at most is but a speck in our existence.
The speaker felt to regret that the brethren of the Presidency could not be present, but they were with us in spirit if they could not be here in person. The last word received from our worthy, venerable and respected President of the church was to the effect that he was in good health and devoting himself constantly to the interests of the work of god. Our brethren who hold leading positions are sometimes taunted with being in hiding. This is no new situation for men of god. History affords numerous examples of a similar kind. Let not the people be seized with the spirit of fear. Rather let them rejoice, for a brighter day is near. If we are united, those who assemble to hear the instructions given will be fed with spiritual food. The dawning of a glorious day has come. The light of the millennium is tinging the horizon of our sky. It is necessary that we purge ourselves from every evil, that we may be prepared for what is, in the providence of God, approaching.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 35:242, 5/5/86, p 2]
OPENING REMARKS,
OF APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, AT THE
General Conference at Provo, April 4th, 1886.
_____
IT
is very delightful that we find ourselves this morning so comfortably situated.
The good people of Provo have diligently labored to provide a place for us to
meet in; but it is very apparent that the same class of circumstances attends
us here, that has followed us during all the progress of our growth, which may
be expressed in scripture phrase, "The place is too strait for us."
The elements seem to be kindly favorable for our assembling together.
When we
contemplate the condition of God's people and their existence on the earth, I
do not know that there ever was a day where we had more sound reason to be
glad-to rejoice and to praise the Lord, than we have this morning.
It is
true, we have experienced times when a greater degree of liberty has been
enjoyed by the Latter-day Saints, when the First Presidency, the Council of the
Twelve Apostles, and Elders of the various quorums of the Church, could meet in
General Conference without fear of molestation; being free to come, to go, and
to move at will among the people. But it is a question whether, so great
liberty as we have had, could be extended to us always, with the best results,
as touching our present and eternal welfare.
It is a
fact shown in history and declared in holy writ, that they who live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. There does not appear to be anything
uncertain or ambiguous about that manner of speech. Therefore, where we have
things pretty much our own way, we may well question whether we are living as
near to the Lord as we should do. But while we cannot and do not court
opposition, we have to meet it by reason of the fact that error is hostile to
truth, and that the adversary of truth is cognizant of the fact that the Lord
has chosen to establish His Church on the earth for the last time. And our
mission is "peace on earth, and good will to all men," if they will
but receive it; but if they will not receive the truth, then the other saying
of the Savior becomes applicable: "I come not to send peace, but a
sword." "Father shall be arrayed against the son, and the mother
against the daughter," etc., and a man's foes shall be they of his own
household.
It is
just as necessary and important that we should test the truth of these sayings,
as any of the more peaceful and happifying promises. All are necessary to
complete the programme of our existence, our growth and increase upon the
earth.
We have
seasons of great outward prosperity and also those of apparent adversity-when
everything appears to be at a standstill and even dead; nature itself, declares
it to be a necessary condition. After the husbandman has sown his grain, nursed
its growth and harvested the crop, behold, the sere and yellow leaf of autumn
comes, the winter frosts freeze up the streams and all nature appears sombre
and sorrowful-quite a different state of things to that which was going on
during the summer.
It is
necessary for us to have cloudy weather and rainy weather, as it is that we
should have sunshine, in order to bring about the objects of creation, the
purposes of nature, and the best interests of the human family. Seeing it is so
in temporal things, is it strange that it should be the same, or even more so
in spiritual things? No, brethren, it is as necessary that we should have
difficulties to contend with, in order to make intelligent provision for our
spiritual concerns, as it is that we should have the winter frosts and stormy
weather to enable us to make discreet provision for our temporal necessities.
Then let
us, as Saints, learn to look upon the conditions which Providence permits to
attend us, as for our greatest good; and acknowledge His hand in all things.
The Lord
has been pleased to say to us in His revelations, that no man is under
condemnation who keeps His commandments and acknowledges His hand in all
things. It, doubtless, taxes our ingenuity, our judgment, and our discernment
many times when things operate against us, especially as they, to all human
appearance, have been doing of late; but, behold, our vision becomes more
clear, and we see things as they are; and we accept the adverse state of things
as being conducive to our greatest possible good and blessing. And by thus
acknowledging the hand of God, we prepare ourselves through a living and
abiding faith in Him, to reap the blessings which He, in His wisdom, designs to
bestow upon us; and that we, when we shall have lived out the days allotted to
us, may have great cause to rejoice in contemplating the fact that we have been
faithful and true through evil, as well as through good report, and thus proven
ourselves worthy of the society of the former-day Saints who were tried and
proven in their day, as we are tried and proven in ours.
I deeply
regret, with all of you, no doubt, that we cannot have the Presidency with us;
but it does not seem to be permissible at the present time. We therefore,
accept the situation, make the best of it, and, I trust, seek more diligently
to the Lord for the light of His Spirit to guide us.
The last
news we had from our venerable and worthy President, which was quite recent,
his heath was good. His spirit is devoted continually to the interest of the
people and his labors are bestowed in that direction day by day. I would say to
the Saints, be of good cheer. Let your prayers ascend continually in behalf of
the authorities of the Church wherever they are. And although we may be taunted
with being "underground," let me assure you, it is a condition that
has been incident to the people of God in former ages of the world. It would
seem that the spirit of the Infernal knew when the Savior was about to come
into the world, and at once instituted a plan to destroy Him by inspiring Herod
to kill all the male children. The scheme was devised and was being carried out
by the government and highest authorities in the land; but did His friends leave
him to be sacrificed and His life taken that they might be considered good,
law-abiding citizens, and the purposes of Jehovah to be frustrated? Not at all.
When His mother was able to travel, Joseph was commanded in a dream to take a
trip on the "underground railroad," if you please, and he did so.
They started out and traveled until they reached Egypt, where they remained
"underground" until the angel again ministered unto them, informing
them that they might now return, as they who sought the child's life were dead.
Cannot we manage to stand it, whether it be "underground" or above
ground, as circumstances permit or require, and not consider that there is
anything particularly new or strange imposed upon us either?
A great
many curious things have transpired since the creation of the world, in order
that the righteous might have an existence on the earth; and, doubtless, many
more singular events may yet transpire than heretofore.
I do not
see any occasion for our knees to knock together, our heads to droop, our
hearts to feel heavy, or our faces to look sad. Let every man and woman put on
the armor of righteousness and live so near to the Lord that His Spirit shall
be with them; and their faces will glisten with joy, because the silent
triumphs of truth will be manifest to them continually, and we shall rejoice
more and more until the perfect day.
It is a
blessed privilege we enjoy to come together in the capacity of a general
conference. Let us be glad and rejoice, seeking the blessing of God upon us,
that our services may be conducted in a way that shall be according to His mind
and will; that instructions may be given unto us that shall be edifying and
profitable to all.
If the
Saints shall be of one heart and mind, I will venture to say that there will be
dispensed unto us that which will furnish edification and spiritual food to
every soul that has come hungry, expecting to be fed. I wish to impress upon
the minds of the Saints that if all is not just as well as we would like to have
it, our enemies can do no more than our heavenly Father permits them to do. He
has undertaken a work in which He has said that He will make the wisdom of the
wise to perish, and the understanding of the prudent He will bring to naught.
We know He has done so in times that are past; we have every reason to believe
that He will carry on His work to a successful completion, triumph over all the
works of darkness, and prepare the earth for the reign of peace, the time which
the Saints, ancient and modern, are all looking forward to, with anticipations
of eternal joy. The dawn of that day has come; the light of heaven has begun to
shine upon the benighted earth; the morning of the great millennium has begun
to be seen; its light is tingeing the horizon through all the clouds of
persecution which lower about us, and we should be making the necessary
preparations for the great work while the day lasts; the work which not only
pertains to ourselves who are living, but our friends who are dead as well.
If we
will but purify ourselves by disfellowshipping sin from among us, and so live
as to render ourselves acceptable unto God, He will hasten His work, and will
bring it about in His own way and according to the counsels of His own will by
cutting it short in righteousness.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
complimented the people of Provo on the excellent character of the building in which the Conference was held. He was glad to see that, notwithstanding this was the first meeting of the general gathering, there was such a full attendance. The meetings of the Saints were larger and more interesting since the present legal persecutions began. This was a gratifying result. It was a matter of regret to see men renounce their religious principles and their families. It was, however, a matter of rejoicing that so many were so willing to stand by their covenants like men. The oppressions that were directed against the Church were necessary to cleanse it from those who were hypocritical and otherwise unworthy. Some process had been permitted by divine providence for the same purpose in every dispensation. This latter-day one had its peculiar means for that purpose. In reference to our leading men coming forward and accepting of the penalties and humiliation which their enemies were anxious to heap upon them, they had to be subject in these matters to the will of God. Their natural inclinations might lead them to thus present themselves to be taken within the power of their enemies, but they must be guided by what the almighty manifests as his mind upon the subject. The First Presidency are Prophets, Seers and Revelators to the Church. Were it not so we, as a people would be the subjects of a delusion and a snare. But we know that this work is founded upon the principle of continuous revelation. The Holy Ghost is the medium of communication between divinity and humanity. The scriptures written by the power of that spirit, say that a wise man foreseeth an evil and escapes from it. The same authority says the fool takes a precisely opposite course. Noah, being possessed of the Holy Ghost foresaw the flood and prepared against the evil day. So with the other prophets. It is by the power of the Spirit that a man knows that Jesus is the Christ. It cannot be known by any other power. Hence Paul says: "No man can say that Jesus is the Christ except by the Holy Ghost." That is, he cannot say so truthfully. Ye the people of the world who are religious will claim to be possessed of the Holy Ghost, yet deny the necessity or existence of prophets, notwithstanding that those who possess that power are prophets. While denying the spirit of prophecy they claim to have the Holy Ghost, which is the same. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The speaker her testified to his knowledge of the fact that the First Presidency were guided by the power of the Holy Ghost, being directed by revelation from Jesus Christ. He related a number of instances, furnished by the scriptures, showing that holy men of various ages and dispensations had taken a similar course. Let it be known that God had revealed to the First Presidency that it was ell for them to keep out of the way for a season. Those who have the testimony of Jesus will know that this is the case, for this is their privilege.
Elder H. H. Cluff, of the Presidency of the Utah Stake, announced that arrangements had been made for the people of Provo to entertain hospitably the visitors who had come form a distance.
Adjourned till half-past one o'clock.
The choir sang the anthem:
Be glad in the Lord.
Closing prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
_____
[4 Apr, 1:30 pm]
[DNW 35:198-199, 4/13/86, p 6-7]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The choir sang:
"Happy the man who
finds the grace,
The blessings of God's chosen race."
Prayer by Bishop O. F. Whitney.
"He died! the Great
Redeemer died
And Israel's daughters wept around."
was sung by the choir.
The sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered to the congregation.
ELDER B. H. ROBERTS
addressed the assemblage. There are many things under existing circumstances to cause us to rejoice in the loving kindness of our Heavenly Father. We can gather strength from our present situation. There are other things connected with our surroundings, however, that cause us much anxiety. So far as the final triumph of the Kingdom of God, is concerned there can be no question in the minds of the Latter-day Saints. The purposes of God will be accomplished. The puny strength of man will be incompetent to cope with the strength of Jehovah, whose purposes shall be brought to a successful issue. It is not that that is a cause of anxiety with the Saints. There are things, however, that should arouse them to more watchfulness to stay the progress of evils existing in the community. A recent tour of the Territory under the auspices of the improvement societies has exhibited the condition of the young people especially. Those acquainted with the young of this community cannot help but admire characteristics manifested by them The speaker had seen many of them under trying circumstances in the Southern Mission. It had led him to appreciate their manhood, their lack of hypocrisy and guile. Thousands of them have set their faces as a flint for the maintenance of truth as incorporated in the work of God. While their educational attainments may not generally be great, yet they possess the characteristics that constitute the foundation of true greatness. This is the case with them as a rule. But while the majority of them are of the class described, there are still many of them who are not converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the number of this latter class is greater than many would be willing to admit. Perhaps the cause of this condition is because sufficient attention has not been given by parents and others to the subject of clearly explaining to them what are called the first principles of the Gospel -- faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the reception of the Holy Ghost, temperance, virtue, charity and godliness. Those who received the Gospel in various parts of the earth were plainly and diligently taught upon all those subjects, and why should not the youth within the church to a larger extent than now. Those who were indoctrinated in those principles gathered to these valleys, that, in addition to the spiritual advantages accruing from obedience to the Gospel they might lay a foundation for temporal benefits. It is a question whether, in building up in temporalities some of the weightier matters of the law were not almost lost sight of. The promise given through the voice of prophecy was that the Saints were to gather for the purpose of being taught in the ways of the Lord that they might walk in His paths. This regenerative work was to be done by pastors who should feed the people with understanding. Perhaps the teachings given by the servants of the Most High had not been acted upon with sufficient strictness. Much is said about the sacredness of the family relationship. This is a favorite theme with the people of the world, yet their family obligations are only formed for time. How much more sanctity should be attached to home and the domestic circle by the Saints, than can possibly be connected with it in the minds of other. Their associations are founded upon an eternal basis. The Saints are organized from youth to age, in various forms, for the general weal. Yet all organizations pale in point of importance before that of home. It is there where the young could be the most carefully and effectually instructed in the principles of eternal life. A grave responsibility rests somewhere upon the subject. During the winter months there is a great part of the time when there is no physical employment for the young men. They are consequently induced to leave the restraints of home and seek work elsewhere. Others go into the mines and other places in summer, make a little money and return to the settlements in winter. where they spend the time in idleness, and thus lead aimless lives, without any proper object ahead of them. Parents and others should, when there is no physical work for them to perform, seek by every available means to induce them to explore the fields of knowledge that by wide information the range of their usefulness may be expanded. The speaker dwelt for some time upon the responsibilities resting upon those of all ages who held the Priesthood, and the results of not discharging the important duties connected with their positions. He read from a revelation in the book of Doctrine and Covenants showing the displeasure of the Lord against idleness, the disobedience of children, and the existence of the spirit of greediness. These evils in the past had caused judgment to fall upon the people. The position of the almighty upon that subject was unchanged. The sooner we sanctify our hearts, as Latter-day Saints, the earlier will the dark clouds now hovering over the Church be cleared away, and the sunshine of peace and prosperity beam upon it. The Saints will be scourged and punished, by a loving Father in Heaven, until they are purified.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
was the next speaker. He hoped there would be a copious outpouring of the Holy spirit during Conference. When we assemble and receive inspiration from God we are better prepared for the battle of life and the performance of all our duties. It is necessary to have an appetite for and to partake of spiritual food in order to grow in a knowledge of the truth. He could testify, with Brother Taylor, that the persecutions through which the Church is passing is having a good effect in stirring the Saints up to greater faithfulness. It has ever caused an awakening among those who were formerly lukewarm in the work. True, some who were supposed to be true have stepped aside from the path of integrity. But where one has done this many have stepped forward to fill up the ranks of the faithful, that the front presented might be unbroken. Nothing gives a man so much satisfaction as a knowledge that he is walking in accordance with the promptings of duty. Nothing creates greater misery than a departure from that line of action. This was exemplified in the cases of those who had shrunk from meeting an issue between religion and the world in the courts. He did not hesitate to say that those who suffered imprisonment and other similar conditions felt much better than those who failed at the trying moment. There is nothing dearer to the human heart than liberty. Most properly constituted men would rather sacrifice life than part with it. But a love of liberty should not be permitted to extinguish a determination to obey the commandments of God.
The speaker endorsed the remark of Brother Roberts regarding the duties of parents to children. Perhaps the revelation from which he quoted was not given the importance that necessarily attached to it. Brother Grant then read further from the same part of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. The quotation has special reference to the command of the Lord to parents to teach their children the principles of the Gospel, indicating that in cases where this duty is not performed the sins of the children rest largely upon the parents. Some people think that children should not be taught upon religious subjects until they grow to maturity and can choose for themselves. Such surely have not a firm testimony of the truth of the Gospel as revealed through Joseph Smith. Why should there be any hesitancy about teaching children that which is true? Young people cannot be expected to grow up and bear the fruits of the Gospel when the seeds of truth have not been sown in their minds. The revelation referred to in regard to children was given as a law to Zion and her stakes, and cannot be lightly treated with impunity. The speaker related an incident wherein a man attended to family prayers when he had visitors. His child asked him how it was that he only had prayers when he had company. That was the poorest kind of teaching to that man's children, as it taught them that their father was a hypocrite. He prayed merely to be heard and thought well of by man, and not of God. There should be harmony between our professions and practices.
PREST. JOHN D. T. M'ALLISTER.
of St. George Stake, was the next speaker. He expressed pleasure at what he had heard, and said I hail from the south, where there are many living who practice what they preach -- which is in accordance with the commandments of God. There are some erring ones in that region, but efforts are being made to win them back to the fold of Christ. In representing that Stake I have to say there is a good people there, and that the season is propitious. The floods of last year set a great many back in their temporal affairs, but they have not lost hope. Fifty miles below St. George the growing wheat is in the boot and the people are cutting their first crop of lucern. At St. George the people are places at a disadvantage through not having their dam in the river rebuilt, but it is hoped that it will be in time to irrigate their crops.
We are not a perfect people, but we are striving to improve, and trust that we will be perfect some day. We hope to lay aside everything that offends in the sight of God. I do not think it looks well for a president of a Stake or High councilor to be smoking a pipe or chewing tobacco, but it would not do to use violence with a person for so indulging. Such persons should be labored with and shown their errors.
Since the opening of the spring there has been some frost at St. George, but up to within a few days the fruit prospects appeared to be uninjured. It has been a marvel with many how the people of that region manage to subsist. They trust in God and labor on, and though they do not succeed so well temporally as the residents of some other parts of the Territory, they live and hope to do so. Home industries should be encouraged among the people more than at present. The people of the south are being encouraged to raise more cotton and to take care of their wool and manufacture it at home instead of sending it abroad, that the people may be comparatively independent when Babylon shall fall. We have artisans of the best kind in this Territory, and they should be employed in their several lines, and required to work to the best advantage.
Though we have a Temple in the St. George Stake, and perhaps on that account ought all to be exemplary, there are some in that part who fail to pay their tithing an live up to their other duties, but on the whole they will compare with the people in other parts of the Territory. For people to be unfaithful and then expect to be admitted to the Temples to partake of all the blessings to be obtained therein is unreasonable. It has been said that persons who fail to keep the Word of Wisdom should not be so admitted, but it has not been usual thus far to exclude persons for their failure to observe that law. The Lord chastens those whom He loves, and the chastening which the Saints are receiving may be a result of the Divine love and care, and calculated solely for their benefit.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
complimented the Saints on the good order maintained during the meetings and the large attendance, and expressed a hope that the Saints would not feel to begrudge the period of the Conference in attending the meetings notwithstanding their work might seem to require their presence at home. He felt to promise them that they would lose nothing even in a temporal way by so doing, as the Lord would make their crops yield more abundantly for their willingness to make the sacrifice to serve and worship Him; and also promised that an epistle from the First Presidency would be read during Conference.
The choir sang the anthem: "Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace."
Adjourned till to-day [to-morrow] at 10 o'clock
Prayer by Elder Jacob Gates.
_____
[5 Apr, am]
[DNW 35:199, 4/13/86, p 7]
SECOND
DAY.
MORNING SESSION.
April 5
The choir sang:
The time is nigh, that happy
time,
That long expected blessed day.
When countless thousands of our race
Shall dwell with Christ and Him obey.
Prayer by Apostle John W. Taylor.
Sing to the great Jehovah's
praise,
All praise to Him belongs.
was sung by the Choir.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON
Was the first speaker. he alluded to his recent imprisonment for five months in the Utah Penitentiary, and described the general condition of the brethren confined there. They were filled with the spirit of peace and reduced the precepts of the Gospel to practice by being considerate toward each other and al their fellow prisoners. He showed at some length -- by relating illustrative circumstances of the past and present -- how the existing situation was largely a repetition of what had occurred in past ages. The position of he Saints was clearly defined. The ground upon which they stood was not debatable. They must adhere to the principles of their faith, and maintain human freedom. He spoke for some time upon the suffering which resulted from the present controversy, which was carried on by the aggressors with mercilessness bordering upon barbarity. The hardships it entailed upon many innocent people were far-reaching. That brought upon those thrown into conspicuous view, such as the brethren thrown into prison, constituted but a fragment of it. Many hearts were pained and torn beyond description, and he wondered sometimes how it was that men could be found who could deliberately legislate to produce such deplorable effects upon the innocent, and the administration of the laws thus made was no less vicious and hateful than the measures themselves. Notwithstanding the causes the Saints had for complaint against those who perpetrated such cruelties, upon them, they must not foster in their hearts a desire to inflict vengeance upon the perpetrators of the wrongs. They should follow Christ's teaching and example and eliminate every sentiment of vindictiveness from their minds, for God had commanded his people to "forgive all men." The speaker touched upon the heroism that had been thus far displayed by the women of the Church. It was worthy of all commendation. He advised his hearers, when they found sisters who were suffering in comparative solitude, to pour into their minds the balm of sympathy and appreciation, as they should not be made to feel as if the cold shoulder of neglect had been turned toward them. The Almighty purposed, by the trials through which they would pass, to teach His people a lesson in reference to trusting in Him that would never be effaced. They would yet be so encompassed about that there would be no natural visible appearance of a possible deliverance. Then would his salvation be exhibited in power. The impression that would then be made would last for all time and would enable those who survived the ordeal to trust in the Lord forever.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
Addressed the congregation. He said he had been on a mission southward lately, to perform some labor in connection with the organization of the Seventies. He had attended a conference of St. Joseph Stake, Arizona, on March 20th and 21st. The meetings were well attended. The spirit of God had been largely enjoyed. The facilities in that part of the country for new settlers were good, there being eligible tracts of land along the Gila River, to which water could be conveyed. He visited Maricopa Stake, and attended conference at Mesa City. A delightful part of the proceedings was the singing exercises performed by Indian brethren and sisters, rendered both in their own and the English language. The Twelve Apostles have shown excellent judgment in choosing the proper men to colonize and direct the energies of the people in those localities. The land is blessed by the Almighty, the labors of the Saints being rendered fruitful. Places heretofore barren soon bloom and produce the fruits of the Earth.
God has established the nucleus of His kingdom upon the earth. This was a desert land, arid and uninviting, when the people who had covenanted to serve the Almighty gathered to it. Before its settlement, men acquainted with the character of the region predicted that no people could subsist in it. The earth has been divinely blessed and made fruitful, however, and the Saints have become a conspicuous and prosperous people. It is predicted by people who do not believe in the divinity of this work that the Saints must go to the wall in the present controversy. Another class who once were connected with the Church but have denied the faith state that the Saints went into transgression when they adopted as a divine revelation the law of celestial marriage. The speaker said that instead of the Lord exhibiting displeasure because of the acceptance of that law, its practice had resulted in greater manifestation of power, the present persecutions to the contrary notwithstanding.
Whatever may be the course pursued by our enemies we cannot afford to feel vengeful or vindictive toward them. We must from our hearts follow the example of Christ and say: "Father forgive them; they know not what they do." They have a work to do as well as we, and God will turn it to the ultimate benefit of the righteous and his own glory. We cannot afford to step aside from our integrity because of opposition, but must in preference go to prison or even give up life itself should it e necessary to sustain a correct principle in that way.
The general report of the Deseret Sunday School Union was read by Bishop O. F. Whitney. The following is a synopsis of it:
Number of schools reported, 391; increase during the year, 35; number of officers and teachers, 4,790 males and 3,190 females -- total 7,989 -- an increase of 1,000 during the year; average attendance of officers and teachers, 5,383; number of pupils 24,533 males and 23,588 females -- total, 48,121 -- an increase of 5,194 during the year; with an average attendance of 33,538. Number of theological classes, 308; Bible and Testament classes, 1,044; Book of Mormon classes, 498; Doctrine and Covenants classes 211; Juvenile Instructor classes, 134; Catechism classes, 224; miscellaneous classes, 2,364; number of books in libraries, 38,884; funds on hand at close of last year, $1993.66; collected during the year, $7279.31; disbursed during the year, $6,896.47; amount in treasuries $2,376.50.
The choir sang the anthem, "Blessed be the Lord." Adjourned till 2 o'clock. Prayer by President A. O. Smoot.
_____
[5 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 35:199, 4/13/86, p 7]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Lo! the gentile chain is
broken,
Freedom's banner waves on high.
was sung by the choir.
Prayer by President Wm. W. Cluff, of Summit Stake.
The choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord! 'tis
good to raise
Your hearts and voices in His praise.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH
addressed the congregation. He said he had arisen without having reflected as to the subject or topics upon which he should speak. The instructions given thus far during conference have been of a character to encourage us in making efforts to keep the commandments of God. The testimonies that have been borne should cause those who have not yet obtained a knowledge for themselves of the truth of the work they are connected with to strive to gain that great boon. The times are pregnant with great lessons, which can be deduced from affairs abroad in the earth, and those at home. The existing condition ought to be a cause of rejoicing. The voice of jealousy is being hushed among us. The causes that would have tended to our segregation as a community are disappearing, while those which lead to a cementing of interests are increasing. Union is the necessary result of persecution. This is the opposite of the effect desired by those who resort to it. This work we are engaged in is but in infancy. The period of our existence is the epoch of patriotism. The fire of that sentiment which has characterized our fathers is being caught up by the children. In regard to the sufferings of those who have been placed in jeopardy and suffered imprisonment, they have created in them no spirit of fear. Such things but increase the desire of the true Latter-day Saint to set well his part to the end. some people hold that it requires more heroism to meet death than to face those wrongs which are being heaped upon the community. He that suffers patiently the penalties placed upon him for sustaining conscientiously those principles he holds to be right is truly courageous. It is more difficult to act thus than in a moment of enthusiasm: to sacrifice life in an important issue. The ends of the present struggle are not to be withheld should necessity demand. They are to be attained by a patient, patriotic, determined meeting of obstacles, and making self-denying sacrifices in life for the cause of truth. Occasionally weak people adopt the heroic method by throwing their lives in the balance by a resort to arms, and they are destroyed. History has exhibited this method of dealing with conflicting questions. How much more prolific of good has been the course of those who have confronted oppression with peaceful, yet no less determined means? The enemies of the Saints desire nothing more earnestly than that they should lay aside their peaceful and patient aspect and commit some overt act by a resort to physical force. It would form an excuse to attack them with the same means.
The feelings in the hearts of not a few of our young people are not what they should be. Perhaps this result has been produced by dereliction of duty on the part of parents. One o the principal sentiments that should be deeply imbedded in the minds of the young is a sacred regard for chastity. Moral purity should in this community be esteemed as more to be prized than life. There are some members of the community who have become tainted with the evils which are dragging the world down upon the road to destruction. The necessity of keeping al the plain commands of God should be duly considered. There should be a strict regard for truth, falsehood being no part of the characteristics of a follower of Christ. But a sin of that description is more susceptible of correction than a breach of the laws of purity. No person who breaks his covenants by unchaste conduct can ever recover his original condition. Those who fall by the commission of such an offense can never fully wipe out the foul blot. It is a crime against which the fiat of Jehovah has been hurled. Adultery, which casts men to perdition, stands next in point of infamy to murder. Of all earthly genius and powers, there is no faculty which God has given to man equal in point of desirability and excellence to that which enables him to beget his species. A special woe is pronounced against him who corrupts it. He who does so entails upon himself and others horrible consequences. all the young should be deeply impressed with the necessity for the preservation of personal purity. That crime, from the standpoint of a Latter-day Saint, stands next to the shedding of innocent blood. The murderer has not eternal life abiding in him. The youth should be careful in relation to the taking of life. This does not refer to one who slays the defiler of his wife, daughter or sister.
If any people on earth have exhibited charity to the human family, it has been the Latter-day Saints. They have traveled on land and sea to do good to others. This has been done while they have been trampled upon, abused, maltreated in every shape. This reception tendered to them has not quenched the desire in their hearts to do good to the people of the earth. So great has been the exhibition of this spirit that they have been driven five times from their homes. Yet never has a people shown less of a spirit of retaliation. The patience of the Saints has been tried to an extraordinary degree of late. The privacy of their home circles has been ruthlessly and brutally invaded. Tender women and children have been insulted and sufferings have been heaped upon innocent people. The enemies of the Saints have blighted homes, spread terror and pain and sorrow. They have not done these things ignorantly. They have known what they have done. They do know what they are doing now. But while we are wronged we must not take into our hands the task of avenging ourselves upon those who are guilty of those things. We must feel that they are the hands of God, and that we would do them good if it should be within our power.
The speaker concluded by an exhortation to the people to use an influence against the use of all profane language in the community. The elimination of tis evil should be undertaken as a specialty labor by the Church -- in the various stakes and wards. He also bore a strong testimony to the divine mission of Joseph Smith and the work of which he was the honored founder, and with which we have the honor of being identified.
ELDER JACOB GATES
addressed the conference. He dwelt principally upon the introduction of the fulness of the Gospel of Christ through Joseph Smith the Prophet, and the organization of the Church 56 years ago. He referred to the predictions of the Prophets in reference to the establishment of the latter-day work of the Lord, showing their fulfilment in the travels and history of the Church. He predicted the final triumph of the work of God, through the power of truth. He bore testimony that the teachings and labors of the Prophet Joseph, his brother Hyrum and others -- he having been acquainted with them -- were true and faithful.
BISHOP JOHN Q. CANNON
of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, was the concluding speaker. He alluded to the persecutions to which the Saints were subjected. He contended, however, that these conditions were compensated for by the increase of the power of God in the midst of the people and the many blessings that God was, in His loving kindness, bestowing upon the Saints. The educational character of the Gospel and the necessity of paying particular attention to the training of the young were points especially dwelt upon by the speaker. He held that the youth should be gradually trained, step by step, in the exercise of the powers and duties of the Priesthood. The duties of the lesser branch were particularly emphasized. He bore testimony that the Lord had set his hand to accomplish his purposes, and that they would be attained, and exhorted the Saints to envelop themselves in the cloak of His Spirit.
Apostle F. D. Richards announced that the Epistle of the First Presidency had been received and would be read on Tuesday morning, also that a Priesthood meeting would be held in the evening.
The choir sang an anthem
Thine, O Lord is the greatness.
Elder S. W. Richards pronounced the benediction.
_____
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 35:199, 4/13/86, p 7]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION.
Tuesday, April 6th.
The choir sang:
What was witnessed in the
heavens?
Why, an angel earthward bound.
Had he something with him bringing?
Yes -- the Gospel -- joyful sound.
Prayer by Bishop David H. Cannon.
God moves in a mysterious
way;,
His wonders to perform,
was sung by the choir.
"The Epistle of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in General Conference assembled," was read by Bishop Orson F. Whitney, The reading was about half completed at the conclusion of the forenoon session.
The anthem, "Praise the Lord," was sung by the choir.
Adjourned till 2 o'clock, with benediction by Apostle John Henry Smith.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 35:199, 4/13/86, p 7]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The choir sang the hymn beginning:
Behold the mountain of the
Lord
in latter-days shall rise.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant was followed by the choir singing:
What wondrous things we now
behold,
By Prophets seen in days of old.
The reading of the Epistle of the First Presidency was resumed and completed by Elder James E. Talmage.
By motion the sense of the people was expressed to the effect that the Conference continue for one more day.
The choir sang:
The spirit of God like a
fire is burning;
The latter-day glory begins to come
forth.
the congregation joining.
Adjourned till Wednesday, at 10 o'clock.
_____
[First Presidency]
[DNW 35:194-195, 4/13/86, p 2-3]
AN EPISTLE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
_____
TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, IN
GENERAL CONFERENCE ASSEMBLED:
_____
Dear
Brethren and Sisters:
In the
plenitude of God's mercy the Saints are once again permitted in peace to
assemble in General Conference to worship the Lord, to extol His goodness, to
glorify His name, to hear His word, and to receive such instruction from His
servants as the Holy Spirit shall dictate, as well as to transact such business
pertaining to His Church as may be presented for their consideration. But as
we, your brethren of the First Presidency, are, by the force of peculiar
circumstances, deprived on this occasion of your society and you of ours, we
deem it consistent with the duties of our calling to address you by letter, and
in this way to lay before you that which under more favorable conditions we
should have been pleased to have delivered orally.
In the
first place, we extend our congratulations to you, as Latter-day Saints and
members of the Church of Christ, that affairs with us are so favorable that so
many can meet together as you do on this the fifty-sixth anniversary of the
organization of the Church in General Conference. Persecution has raged, and
hideous wrongs have been and are being perpetrated against us as a Church, but
thus far our enemies have not been permitted to go to such length as the
persecutors of the people of God did in the days of the first Alma, when they
put tasks upon his people and put task-masters over them, and put to death
those whom they found calling upon God. Though many of us are deprived of the
privilege of meeting together in public, yet a goodly number of you can
assemble, as you do this day, and worship your God and listen to His word; and we
all-prisoners, exiles and free-can call upon our God without danger of
punishment therefor. Indeed, we need not go to the days of Alma for contrast
between the condition of the people of God then and our present condition, to
find causes for thanksgiving and praise to our God this day for His mercies
unto us. We have only to refer to our own history, to scenes in which many of
you have taken part, to find contrasts which should prompt us to bear our
present afflictions with patient equanimity. Some of the Saints, perhaps, feel
that their sufferings under the tyranny which is now exercised over us in the
name of law are very severe, and they may ask how long shall these outrages be
permitted to continue? But it they would understand how much worse our positions
might be, let them recall the scenes enacted in the State of Missouri, when the
Latter-day Saints were driven by mob violence out of Jackson County into Clay
County, and thence into Caldwell County, and finally were compelled to flee in
the depth of an inclement winter, out of the State, under an order of Lilburn
W. Boggs, the Governor, which said "that the Mormons must be treated as
enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State," and this,
too, after many of their number had been killed, and the remainder had been
robbed of nearly all the property they had in the world; or, recall the
treatment the Latter-day Saints received in the State of Illinois, when, after
murdering in the most savage and heartless manner, and while under the pledged
honor of the State, the President and Patriarch of the Church, and wounding
almost to death one of the Twelve Apostles, mobs organized themselves, burned
the houses of the Saints in the outer settlements, destroyed their property and
drove them for their lives to the City of Nauvoo; and then, not content with
this, brought the whole power of the State to bear upon them to compel them to
leave that city and the State, and to take refuge, stripped and destitute, in
the wilderness, where their enemies hoped internal dissensions, starvation or
wild Indians would complete the work of destruction which they were not
permitted to accomplish.
However
grievous the wrongs under which we suffer to-day, there is much yet to be
thankful for. Our land is filled with plenty. No cry of man nor beast ascends
from our borders to high heaven for the want of food; no beggars plead for alms
in our streets, and no destitute soul has denied to him that sustenance
necessary to supply his wants. And with these blessings of good food,
comfortable raiment and sufficient shelter, we have the inestimable blessing of
the peace of God, which He gives to every faithful Saint peace in our hearts,
peace in our habitations, peace in our settlements a peace which the world
cannot give, and which, thank the Lord, it cannot take away. Let your hearts,
therefore, brethren and sisters, be filled with thanksgiving and praise to our
God for His goodness and mercy unto us as a people. He has made promises
concerning Zion; be assured He will not forget them. Zion may say, in the words
of the Prophet Isaiah, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath
forgotten me."
But the
Lord replies:
"Can
a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the
son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I
have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before
me."
At no
time has the Lord led His people to expect that they would not have to endure
trials, or not have their faith fully tested.
Soon
after this Church was organized His people were told: "for I have decreed
in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things whether you
will abide in my covenant even unto death, that you may be found worthy; for if
ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me." We scarcely
need remind you that if you live godly in Christ Jesus, while Satan has power,
you will suffer persecution.
In the
providence of the Almighty persecution serves a most useful purpose. Every
faithful Saint must perceive and acknowledge this. Each one feels its effect
upon himself; he sees its effect upon his friends and neighbors. Persecution
develops character. Under its influence we all know ourselves better than we
did before we felt its pressure; and we discover traits in our brethren and
sisters of the existence of which, perhaps, we were in entire ignorance. The
persecution from which we have been suffering during these eighteen months
past, though very painful, has not been without profit to the Latter-day
Saints. It has strengthened and infused new zeal, courage and determination
into the faithful. It has also caused many who were careless and indifferent to
arouse themselves from their lethargy and to renew their diligence in the work
of God. It has also brought to light the hypocrisy of many, and caused them to
throw off the mask of friendship and fellowship which they wore, and to exhibit
themselves in their true lineaments. But it is upon the young of our community
that the effect of this persecution has been most marked. Many of the young of
both sexes, when all was peace and no war was made upon their parents and
friends seemed to be of the opinion that they could, without any danger to
themselves or their faith, be in full fellowship with the world. The names
Latter-day Saints and Gentile were alike to them. They appeared to see no
reason why they could not be on terms of perfect friendship with both classes.
Every Latter-day Saint of experience knows how dangerous it is for children to
stand upon this ground. But from this delusive dream they have been awakened by
the rude shock of this persecution. The line of demarcation between the
Latter-day Saints and the world has been drawn so sharp and distinct that they
find themselves (unless they become open apostates) compelled to take sides
with their parents and friends, and the difference between their religion and
that which is opposed to it is brought home to their hearts and consciences
with a force never before known to them. This persecution is driving the rising
generation together with surprising compactness. It is making impressions upon
the youngest children of the community which the lapse of years can never
obliterate. They are learning the truth of the words of the Savior by the painful
experience which our enemies are now giving them. "If ye were of the
world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I
have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
The Lord
has said that the wrath of man shall be made to praise Him, and in this attack
which is being made upon us and our religion we see this verified. Our enemies
have designed to destroy the work of God. For this they plot and toil and
descend to the depths of infamy. So absorbed are they in their wicked schemes,
and so bent upon carrying them into effect, that they fail to look beyond the
immediate acts which they perform and perceive the consequences which follow.
They harass, annoy and torment men, women and children; they compel men and
women to conceal themselves to escape from their cruelties and injustice and
tyrannical abuse of power; and they consign other men and women to prison; and
from these proceedings they derive great satisfaction, as they look upon them
as so many evidences of their success in sapping the foundation of the Church
of God and in uprooting our religion. We need not say to you, who have so often
witnessed the effects of persecution upon our religion and Church, how
fallacious are these hopes of our present persecutors. Instead of crushing the
truth they are advertising it; instead of showing the world how unworthy and
contemptible we are, they are, unwittingly, furnishing us with opportunities to
exhibit the heroic qualities we possess; instead of weakening or unsettling the
minds of true Latter-day Saints, they are stimulating their faith and supplying
them with additional proofs of the divinity of their religion. They would have
the world believe that we are low, sensual, ignorant, and degraded, that our
religion is a system of lust; but the thinking people of the world know that
there is no necessity to endure that which the Latter-day Saints are now
enduring to gratify lustful appetites or desires. Licentious, depraved men and
women would not suffer such treatment as Federal officials are now extending to
us, and bear all manner of indignities and go unmurmuringly to prison, if they
are assured, as we are, by courts and prosecuting officers that the war is
against our marriages and not against sensuality if indulged in according to
popular methods.
This
persecution attracts the attention of the world. Its disgraceful features may
be concealed for a while from public knowledge, through the lies so
industriously propagated by those who are its promoters and instruments; but
the truth concerning it is coming to light. For a while the feeling among those
ignorant of our true character may have been one of indifference as to our
fate, or to any treatment we might receive. As the persecution continues, the
truth leaks out by degrees. Men and women hear that scores of men, rather than
accept the alternative of renouncing their wives and children, pay heavy fines
and costs and go cheerfully for long, weary months to prison; and that delicate
women, too, rather than betray their husbands, and by their testimony involve
them in the toils of their persecutors, go willingly to the penitentiary where
the greatest criminals are confined. Thinking people read of these proceedings,
and their former indifference gives place to interest. But while we acknowledge
the hand of the Lord in these wicked acts of our enemies, they are not relieved
from the condemnation which will follow them. They would deny us our rights as
citizens, and they talk about us and act towards us as though we were not
entitled to any such rights; but this is mere impudent assumption and claptrap
on their part. We have rights. We were born free men and women, and it is a
duty we owe to ourselves and our posterity, and to all the people of this land,
that we should contend for and maintain the principles of freedom and transmit
them unimpaired and undiminished to those who follow us. We do not ask for this
freedom as a favor; we demand it as a right. We are as much entitled to the
full rights of citizenship in these mountains as any other citizens who dwell
under the flag of the Republic. Under any and all circumstances we are their
peers.
Such
trials as the Latter-day Saints now undergo in the courts in these Territories
are not the trials of ordinary, vulgar criminals. However much those who figure
as prosecutors, judges or jurors in these cases may scheme and plot and falsify
to reduce them to this level, and to fix the brand of criminality or the stigma
of infamy upon our conduct, they cannot deceive the world. This which we are
now passing through is to all intents and purposes a religious persecution and
nothing else. It will yet be recognized as such by the whole world. Its hideous
features, its atrocious character, its travesties of justice, cannot be concealed
by any amount of falsification or disguise. Already men are beginning to
understand the motives and objects of those who are engaged in it, and history
will set its seal of condemnation upon it and them, and it will yet stand as an
ineffaceable blot upon the boasted civilization and liberty of our generation.
The
scenes which we are now witnessing in this Territory are the results of a
deep-laid and carefully planned conspiracy, which has been in process of
formation for years. Its originators knew the elements they had to deal with,
and by cunning contrivance they have effected a wonderful combination.
Religious and irreligious, ministers in sacerdotal robes and atheistic
scoffers, business men of integrity and blacklegs, temperance men and drunkards,
men of strict morality and pimps and harlots, are crowded together on the
platform they have constructed, and they find no inconvenience from each
other's companionship. Each is made to believe that it is to his direct
interest to combine to destroy "Mormonism." A more motley collection
of human being was never witnessed. Differ as they may upon everything else,
there has been one common thought and purpose running through the whole and
holding them together, and that is hatred of the religion of the Latter-day
Saints and a determination to destroy it and them. The conspirators have
appealed to the prejudices of each one to induce him to work in concert for
this common end. In the ministers they have found ready and willing allies; in
fact, these have been the chief authors and promoters of the conspiracy. The
Pharisees in the days of the Savior were no more ready to egg the multitude on
to cry out, "Crucify him, crucify him," than many of the ministers of
our time are to urge Congress to enact measures for our destruction. It is now
some years since the sectarian ministers here (with the exception of the
Catholic clergymen) combined in a document to Congress, urging that body to
legislate against us.
This
action they have often repeated since. Destitute of confidence in their own
religious systems and their power to cope with the truth which we possess
without aid from the secular power, they make the air resound with their
clamors for Congress to pass laws to crush us and our religion. They enlist men
of their cloth elsewhere in the same unchristian business. It is only a few
months since, and at the time the whole machinery of the court here was being
used most savagely in sending men, and women also, to prison on account of
their religion, that a representation of these professed teachers of the
doctrines of the crucified Redeemer called upon President Cleveland and
presented a memorial signed by upwards of a thousand persons, and, it was
signed, by some of the most prominent divines in the country, earnestly urging
him to enforce the anti-polygamy act! Could the old Pharisees have done any
more?
But while
the ministers engaged in the conspiracy through zeal for their own craft and
sectarian hate, the moralist and the politician, the debauchee and the drunkard,
were drawn into support of the plot by appeals to their interests. The cry of
polygamy has made a good battle cry; this has called the fanatical element into
line; but underneath and above this question of polygamy, and completely
enveloping it, has been the design to destroy our rights as citizens, to take
away from us our liberties under the Constitution and the laws, and to obtain
the political control of our country, so that, being as voiceless in the
affairs of government as the Indians or Chinese, we could be taxed and
plundered with impunity, and be lorded over by a set of political harpies who
would revel and fatten at our expense. This has been, and still is, the object
of all the outcry raised against us, of the innumerable falsehoods with which
the public journals have teemed, of the constant appeals to Congress to
legislate against us, and of all the outrages in the name of law inflicted upon
us by the courts. The same covetousness and envy that led mobs to band
themselves together to drive us from our former homes, are the sentiments which
prompt the present attack upon us and our liberties. Then mobs acted openly and
defiantly, regardless of law: now the policy is a more subtle one; it is to
reach the same ends under the shelter and pretence of law. It meant robbery and
the deprivation of rights under the old system; under the new tactics it means
the stealing of the political control of the country, to be followed by rapine
and spoliation.
Trace up
the acts of the conspirators from the treason of the Governor in setting aside
the will of the people and his usurpation of the powers of the National House
of Representatives, in pronouncing upon the qualifications of one of its
members, and giving a certificate of election as Delegate to Congress to a man
whom the people had rejected, down through the greater part of the proceedings
of the courts, and especially the conduct of the Governor during the last two
sessions of the Legislative Assembly, and irrefragable evidences of conspiracy
against the liberties of the people are apparent at every step. Every act of
the conspirators is consistent with every other act to make their plot a
success. While engaged in this nefarious business, they throw dust in the eyes
of the nation by making an outcry against polygamy-as if they cared anything
about our marriages-in order to conceal and accomplish their deeper design.
The most
active tools in this conspiracy have been some of the Federal officials. Their
positions have given them opportunities which they have been willing to avail
themselves of. The preamble of the Constitution of the United States assigns as
reasons why it was framed: "To form a more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote
the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity." Most excellent reasons for framing such a charter of liberty,
and every officer who acts under it should keep these objects in view. But many
of the officers sent here have acted as though they were determined that none
of these blessings for which the Constitution was framed should reach us. The
sanctity of home, the liberty of person, the modesty of maidenhood, have all
been wantonly violated in the effort to punish the Latter-day Saints for their
integrity to God and His laws. Instead of seeking to establish justice and
insure domestic tranquility, they have sought to array neighbor against
neighbor, friend against friend, brother against brother, wife against husband
and children against parents, and to loosen and destroy all the bonds which
bind man to his fellow-man. Their mission has not been to build up and cement
society, but to tear down and break it up. They have taken delight in their
efforts to sow dissension and strife, to tempt wives to betray their husbands
and to induce husbands, by threats of severe punishment if they refused to
comply with their wishes, to disown and forsake their wives, and to discard and
bastardize their offspring, and to turn loose, as forlorn outcasts, those whom
they had solemnly covenanted to provide for and protect. When these officials
commenced their attack upon us and our religion they found our homes filled
with love and affection-husbands and fathers devoted to their wives and
children, and doing all in their power to make them comfortable and happy;
wives and mothers contented and at peace, honoring their husbands and proud of
their relationship to them; and children whose respect and obedience testified
to the reverence and esteem in which they held their parents. Husbands and
wives and children dwelt together without compulsion or coercion. Nowhere on
all this broad earth, where matrimonial ties are held to have binding effect,
did such complete liberty exist as among the Latter-day Saints. It is true,
wives were sealed to husbands by the eternal Priesthood of the Almighty, for
time and all eternity; but this union in the first place was only made possible
by love, and by love the tie is perpetuated. Women knew their rights, and they
knew they could not be compelled to live with an unworthy man. Happiness
reigned in our homes, because freedom reigned there, and all had their full
agency. No better proof of this need be adduced than the fact that in the midst
of all this persecution, and the many inducements there are offered to women to
dissolve their family relationship, but few men have accepted the proffered
terms and discarded their wives; and to the honor of our sisters be it said,
not one woman that we know of up to the present writing has broken her marriage
vow and dissolved her relations with her husband and children.
Yet it is
to the destruction of these happy homes that all the efforts of these officials
have been directed. In the sacred name of law, and under the guise of a
pretended desire to enforce it, they would convert this condition of society,
so peaceful and so admirable, into a pandemonium. They have worked to this end
with such malignant cunning, such heartless persistence, and such unscrupulous
disregard of the principles of justice as have no parallel in American history;
and that they have not accomplished this result has not been for the want of
effort on their part, but because God has been with His people, and His Spirit
has been poured out upon them to strengthen and sustain them.
No
man-made system or organization could have withstood the concentrated hate and
violent assaults which have been directed against the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Division and weakness would have shown themselves, fatal
breaches would have been made in the framework of the system, and the
imprisonment or enforced concealment of the leading men would have been
followed by a decay of faith and the disintegration of the organization. But
the Lord, in establishing His Church, provided against such contingencies as
these. He promised-and all have been urged to claim the fulfillment of the
promise-that He would give to those who entered sincerely into covenant with Him,
a testimony of the truth for themselves, and to bestow His Holy Spirit upon
all. It is this promise and its fulfillment that to-day constitutes the
strength of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The
Prophet Joseph Smith was once asked by a visitor to the city of Nauvoo, the
good order and prosperity of which struck him with surprise, how it was that he
governed the people so as to produce such admirable results. The memorable
reply of the Prophet of God was: "I teach them correct principles and they
govern themselves." This was the secret of the good government at Nauvoo,
and it is still the secret of the good order and freedom from strife and other
evils which prevail among the Latter-day Saints in Utah and throughout all this
mountain region where they have control. In what other community in the world
could a governor, judges and other appointees act as these officials have done
in Utah, without producing anarchy and the complete overthrow of all barriers
which are erected for the protection of society and the rights of men? Our
enemies are loud in their denunciation of the Priesthood and its influence upon
the Latter-day Saints; but that violence and confusion do not reign in this
fair Territory today is due to the teachings of that Priesthood and their
influence upon the people who give heed to them. The people have been taught
correct principles, and they govern themselves.
Do we
overstate the truth when we say that every good, peaceably inclined citizen of
Utah, Jew, Gentile and "Mormon" would enjoy more peace, more
prosperity, more kindly feelings towards each other to-day if we had no Federal
officials at all of the class of many who are now among us? When a governor
introduces himself to the world and to the people he is sent to govern, in all
his public utterances from the platform, and through the press, as the latter's
avowed and bitter enemy, and prostitutes the powers of his high office to
defame, malign and injure them, would not the Territory be better without such
an officer? When judges openly announce from the bench that a law which is
general in its language is to be made special in its application, and so
instruct attorneys and juries, and punish with all the severity possible one
class of citizens under its provisions while notorious offenders of another
class go scot free, and, not stopping at this, go on to the public platform and
denounce with voluble and unbridled truculence the class of citizens whose
cases they expect to come before them to decide upon had not the temple of
Justice better be closed awhile, than such judges should sit therein? Instead
of seeking to insure domestic tranquility, these officers have fomented strife,
they have fostered religious hate, they have embittered class against class,
they have sought in every way possible to destroy that charity which should
exist in every community composed of citizens of different religions and
politics. They have adopted and enforced a policy of non-intercourse between
citizens. A Gentile citizen who has dared to speak of or treat a
"Mormon" citizen as a friend and associate has been denounced and
ostracized, and an impassable gulf has been created between them.
Is it any
wonder, then, while some of the principal officers sent here to govern and
maintain law, are the people's greatest enemies and the most deadly foes to law
and order, that prejudice upon all questions affecting us and our Territory
should prevail? Or that Congress should be induced, regardless of the
Constitution and its guarantees, under the pressure brought to bear upon it by
the incessant clamors and misrepresentation of this class to enact measures
that would reach such a people as we are described to be? The Edmunds law was
begotten by prejudice, conceived in ignorance, and brought forth in hate. But
its enforcement in these Territories is in the spirit of merciless severity and
undiluted malice, and those who prosecute under it have not the excuse which a
deceived and blinded Congress might plead for its enactment.
The
officials here have gone far beyond the letter and spirit of the law itself,
and strained it for the purpose of inflicting punishment; this was
conspicuously so in the case of Elder Lorenzo Snow, one of the Twelve Apostles,
whose trial upon the evidence presented would undoubtedly have resulted in his
acquittal had he been tried before a righteous judge and an unbiased jury. If
any one fact was more clearly established than another at his trial, it was
that he was innocent of any violation of the law as charged against him. But he
is a prominent man-one of the Twelve Apostles-and could not be permitted to
escape. His case is now on appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court at Washington. In
order to have it put forward on the calendar, he surrendered himself to the
officers, and is now in the penitentiary. The court has fixed a day when his
case will be heard; and, as in every case that has gone to Washington, we hope,
notwithstanding previous disappointments, that this will receive favorable
consideration. It is of such trials as his-and his is but a sample of many
others-that we justly complain. The law, as it passed Congress, was harsh and
cruel and sufficiently destructive of our rights and liberties to satisfy the
implacable author, but by packing grand and petit juries with jurors who are
selected expressly because they are the pronounced opponents of the accused and
their religion-by strained constructions of the law-by extraordinary rulings
framed to suit each case without regard to preceding rulings on the same
points-and by charges to juries which amount to direct instructions to convict,
this law is made an instrument of the most frightful wrong, and in the torture
which it inflicts goes far beyond anything ever conceived of by the men who
voted for its passage. It is to be remarked of many of the officers who enforce
the law, that they seem to take delight in the misery which they think it
brings. As to justice in these courts as now constituted, and with the animus
the officials manifest, it is out of the question. Every one knows before a
trial commences what the sentence will be. Not one escapes, no matter how
flimsy or insufficient the evidence may be, who is indicted if the prosecuting
officer has made up his mind there shall be a conviction. He finds a willing
judge and a pliant jury ready to execute his decree. As to mercy the adamantine
heart of the prosecuting officer is impenetrable to the sentiment. If he
decides that a victim shall be sacrificed the agony of wives, the burning tears
of innocent and helpless children touch him with no pity and have no more
effect upon him than if he were made of stone. Impudence and ferocity sit upon
his brow. In all his proceedings he has a ready coadjutor in the judge of the
third judicial district, who browbeats the accused, and evinces an inhuman
exultation in pronouncing sentence, his only regret being, as he has expressed
himself, that the law does not permit him to inflict sentences of greater
severity. When these men decide upon the punishment which an accused man shall
have, neither the eloquent arguments of counsel, nor the insufficiency of
evidence, nor the scantiness of the law, is allowed to stand in the way of the
pre-arranged sentence. If they decide upon one indictment or three, upon six or
twelve, they have only to intimate to a grand jury that such is their wish and
they can be gratified. The more distinguished the man the more certain his
fate. No grand or petit jury has failed to find an indictment or a verdict
against any man whom the prosecution and court have selected as a victim. The
marshal, the prosecuting officers and the court, by the exclusion of all who
have not been avowed enemies of the religion professed by the accused, and by
the aid of the open venire, have been able to pack the juries to execute their
will with unquestioning servility. Seeing, therefore, how useless it is to make
defense, many of the accused have made none, but have plead guilty. In doing so
they did not acknowledge the rightfulness of the law, nor the justice of the
punishment: for they viewed the law as unconstitutional and destructive of
religious liberty and the punishment as an act of persecution; but by pleading
guilty they saved costs, and what was of still greater importance, they saved
their wives and children the humiliation of going into the witness stand and
being plied with indecent questions by the brutal prosecutors. The majority of
the accused, however, have felt it to be a duty to contest every inch of the
ground and to let the world see how utterly destitute of justice these courts
are in their treatment of these cases. For this reason they have suffered their
families to be exposed to the rudeness of deputy marshals and the insolence of
prosecuting attorneys; though to have saved their loved ones from these
indignities they would otherwise have been willing to endure the full
punishment of the court for the offense with which they were charged.
Against
the brutalities, usurpations and falsehoods of men dressed in a little brief
authority, we have appealed and apparently, until quite lately, appealed in
vain. Our request has been a very modest one; it was simply that the wrongs
under which we were suffering might be investigated; but investigation was the
last thing that the foes to our liberties desired. A few weeks since our sisters
followed in the wake of the brethren, and in mass meeting assembled, at Salt
Lake City, offered the same simple petition, sent up the same fervid cry for
investigation, that the truth might be known and the real facts of the
situation be made public. In their memorial to the President and Congress of
the United States, they very consistently, and with the best grace in the
world, modestly asked as follows:
"We
respectfully ask for a full investigation of Utah affairs. For many years our
husbands, brothers and sons have appealed for this in vain. We have been
condemned almost unheard. Everything reported to our detriment is received; our
cries to be heard have been rejected. We plead for suspension of all measures
calculated to deprive us of our political rights and privileges, and to harass,
annoy and bring our people into bondage and distress, until a commission, duly
and specially authorized to make full inquiry into the affairs of this
Territory, has investigated and reported."
Is there
anything unwise, imprudent or un-American in this? Do we injure man, woman, or
child by such a request? Are any persons rights or liberties jeopardized or
infringed upon by such a demand? We answer unhesitatingly, No! We simply ask
for our own. Will not our fellow citizens grant it? We desire to infringe upon
no one, in person or property, in rights or liberties, in privileges or
immunities. All we ask is that they will grant us the same blessings they claim
for themselves, and, if granted, we shall be abundantly satisfied.
Our
sisters have had ample reason for their remonstrances and petitions. Nowhere
else on this broad land have the officers of the law treated women with the
same indignity, inhumanity and indelicacy that they have in Utah and regions
adjacent. Lady witnesses have been arrested, placed under heavy bonds, guarded
by impure men, carried on long and unnecessary journeys at unseasonable hours
of the night, harassed and perplexed by improper and, occasionally, indecent
questions, and treated frequently as though they were criminals convicted of
the blackest crimes. A number have been committed to the penitentiary for
refusing to answer questions that reflected on their virtue, or tended to criminate
those to whom they were joined by the most sacred ties of affection and duty:
The first wives-those recognized by the law under which the officers were
acting, as the legal wives-have, contrary to all precedent, been compelled to
testify against their husbands. We do not mention this fact to draw any line of
demarcation between the first and plural wives. If joined to their husbands by
the eternal covenants of God's house, all are alike honorable in His sight; His
ordinances stamping their union as equally legal and lawful before Him. Their
feelings are as acute, their affections as strong, their susceptibilities as
delicate, one as the other. We simply mention this fact to show how utterly the
judges and their aids ignore all precedents, ride over all well-established
usages and make all things subservient-law or no law-to their effort, which, to
use the expression of one of their leaders, uttered from the bench, is "to
grind to powder" us and our institutions.
In Idaho
Territory the usurpations of the officers have gone from bad to worse. They
there out-Herod in their disregard of the people's liberties. One of the latest
movements has in view the revocation of all certificates given to school
teachers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ, which means the placing
of our children, by the help of our taxes, under the tuition of those who would
gladly eradicate from their minds all love and respect for the faith of their
fathers. The duty of our people under these circumstances is clear; it is to keep
their children away from the influence of the sophisms of infidelity and the
vagaries of the sects. Let them, though it may possibly be at some pecuniary
sacrifice, establish schools taught by those of our faith, where, being free
from the trammels of State aid, they can unhesitatingly teach the doctrines of
true religion combined with the various branches of a general education. And in
this connection permit us to urge upon the Saints in all the Stakes of Zion the
necessity of caring well for the education of our youth. If we are to be a
powerful people in the near future, wielding potent influence for good among
the peoples of the earth, we must prepare ourselves for those responsibilities,
and not expect that ignorance will avail us in that day; but a knowledge of
true principle, of doctrine, of law, of the arts and sciences, as well as of
the Gospel, will be urgently necessary to enable to fulfill, to God's glory and
the renovation of the world, the responsibilities which we believe will, by
right of our calling, at that time be most assuredly ours. If the threats which
are uttered and the war that is made against the Latter-day Saints were made
against any other people, they would become unsettled and discouraged. A
session of Congress has not been held, and scarcely a President's message been
published for years, without some threatening and inimical action or words
against the majority of the people of Utah. But we have had this kind of
opposition in various forms to contend with from the beginning. We should
scarcely have built a house, planted a tree, opened a farm or formed a
settlement, if we had allowed menaces or attacks to have deterred us. We have
had to live by faith, as all the just must do. The present persecution should
not be allowed to weaken us in our exertions to improve. We should live
together in love; there should be union in every family circle, and harmony in
every neighborhood and city. We should be cleanly in our persons, in our dress
and in our habitations and surroundings. Industry should be habitual with the
adults of our community, and the rising generation should be taught its lessons
and be impressed with its value as a means of happiness. God has given us the
earth as a dwelling place, and when mankind live as they should do, it is a
delightful residence. It is our duty to adorn and beautify it to make it so
lovely and attractive that angels may condescend to visit it. We should,
therefore, have fruitful farms, choice orchards, well arranged gardens, and if
every dwelling is surrounded by flowers it will neither detract from its beauty
in the eyes of visitors, nor make it less attractive as their home to the
children of the household. In some quarters there has been ruinous neglect on
the part of parents in making their homes attractive to their children. A
well-ordered, lovely home, in which peace and good-will prevail, is a place of
perpetual delight to those who reside there, whether old or young. Where such
homes exist the young who live there are not found loafing at street corners or
stores, nor spending company at late hours. Books and musical instruments are
now furnishing means of instruction, amusement and enjoyment at their children
to them by bonds of affection that can never be broken; and in after years
those children will think of that home as the brightest and dearest spot in
their memories; in their minds it will always be surrounded by a heavenly halo.
The aim
of every farmer, orchardist and gardener should be to produce the best grains,
fruits and vegetables. So also with our stockmen; they should raise the best
horses, horned stock and sheep; and those who pay attention to poultry should
take pains and secure the best breeds. The trouble in raising the best
qualities of grain, fruit and vegetables, is no greater than in raising
inferior articles of the same kind. A good colt, calf or lamb costs but little,
if any, more to raise it than a poor one does-and then how much more valuable
and saleable which are inferior! The Lord has given us a land in which grains, fruits,
vegetables and animals can be raised to the utmost perfection; and we should
appreciate and take full advantage of proper care and well applied industry, we
can have the best productions of the vegetable and animal kingdoms at our
disposal, bread, fruits and vegetables as would be difficult, if not
impossible, to find on the tables of the wealthy and noble of lands less
favored than ours.
Our
cities are generally well laid out. Our city lots are roomy. But we should
provide for the increase of population. Sanitary regulations should be strictly
enforced. Care should also be taken to secure plenty of unoccupied space for
public grounds. They act as lungs for large and crowded cities; but it is the
early settlement and laying out of cities they can best be secured. Then land
is cheap, settlers are not so numerous, and the struggle for eligible sites is
not felt. That is the time to secure and lay out squares for public grounds;
trees should be planted as quickly as possible, and be carefully protected,
and, as population increases, the grounds should be made attractive. And in
this connection permit us to call attention to the burial places of our dead.
For a people whose reverence and labor for their dead are as great as ours, we
are strangely neglectful of their last resting places. One reason for this is
the scarcity of water, and the difficulty of getting it to the cemeteries. But
this is not justification for the neglect shown in many places-the grounds left
unfenced and uncared for, and cattle frequently allowed to roam at will over
the tombs of the loved ones. Artesian wells in many localities are being bored
with great success, and in many burial places water may yet be secured by this
means for their adornment with trees, shrubs and flowers-change which will be
gladly welcomed by all.
In the
construction of our residences, school rooms, meeting houses, tabernacles and
other public buildings, there is room for the employment of the most cultivated
and unlimited taste. With the increase of facilities during the past few years,
there is no longer any need for such structures as we formerly had to be
content with. The principles of architecture should receive attention in all
our settlements, and there is no good reason why convenience, a regard for health,
and beauty should not go hand in hand in the erection of all our private and
public buildings. The construction of our Temples at St. George, Logan, Manti
and Salt Lake City has furnished opportunities for many of our young men to
obtain a knowledge of skilled branches of mechanism, the effects of which are
visible in their own homes and the homes of their neighbors. And while we
should impress upon the rising generation, as qualities of incalculable worth,
that they should be pure in their morals, and have a high standard of honor, of
truth, virtue and integrity, that they should be obedient to their parents and
their God, and cherish a reverence for everything holy, be loyal to their
country, and respect all constitutional laws; we should not neglect to instruct
them in those branches of industry which will make them self-supporting,
valuable citizens. All industrial pursuits claim our attention, and we should
endeavor to impart to our young people knowledge, skill and good management in
farming, stock-raising, manufacturing, mechanism, trade, commerce and the arts
and sciences. Give our young people an opportunity, and they will excel as
missionaries abroad and in every branch of skilled industry at home, and be
behind none in the practice of the leading and useful professions. This they
have demonstrated in every instance when they have gone out of the Territory to
colleges and schools, and to receive technical instruction in the profession or
branches of art.
As the
world must yet know, the faith that was taught by the Lord Jesus to the
Apostles, and by them to the world, and that brings forth the same fruits now
as then, can only be extinguished in a pure people by their destruction. It is
this faith that the Lord has restored to the earth, and that we possess. So
long as men and women who receive it remain pure, that faith will live and
thrive and bring forth the fruits of righteousness. This every Latter-day Saint
has proved. But faith should be cultivated. By cultivation it increases. The
present is a time when the Latter-day Saints should devote themselves to their
religion with all the ardor of their souls. They should so live as to enjoy the
Holy Ghost and its gifts for themselves. These are needed by every man and
woman to enable them to endure the trials which they have to meet.
At this
point it may not be improper to again solemnly warn the officers and members of
the Church against all conduct that tends to immorality and unchastity. We are
being continually, though most falsely, accused of teaching and practicing
sexual vice under the garb of religion. No charge could be more utterly false;
for no system of philosophy, no code of ethics, no articles of religion since
the world was first peopled, ever taught more strictly and emphatically than
does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the paramount necessity of
personal purity in the relations of the sexes. Of this the Saints are well
aware. Let us see to it, then that our actions correspond with our faith; for
we may rest assured that no prominence of opposition, no ties of family, no
influence of wealth can save us from the penalty if we break the law of God in
this regard. But a few weeks ago it became the sad duty of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles to sever the communion of the Saints one of its members who had
violated the law of chastity. He was a man of education, of experience, of
judgment, of long standing in the Church, but neither these nor his exalted
position to the Priesthood could save him from the penalty of the law he had so
flagrantly broken. And as with him, so with all others. The law must be
administered by the officers of the Church with justice and impartiality, with
malice towards none, but with due regard to the commands of God and the honor
of His holy name. Hear it, O house of Israel! ye who are seeking to attain to
the Celestial Kingdom of our Father-none but the pure in heart can see God;
none but those who have sanctified all their affections and passions by entire
and complete subservience to His laws can dwell in His eternal presence! Let us
also remember that the condition of a community, as a whole, depends upon the
condition of the individuals composing it; as are its components parts, so is
it in its entirety. If the individual members of a people are wise, just,
intelligent, honest, honorable and pure, that community will be distinguished
among its fellows by those peculiar virtues. To apply the lesson to ourselves,
each one for himself, if we wish to see the Church of Christ prepared as a
bride for the Savior, we must, individually, live our religion and exemplify in
our own lives those virtues which we know must adorn the bride before she can
enter the presence of her Lord. This matter of personal purity, faith,
diligence and good works is one that we cannot delegate to our neighbor, or
place on the shoulders of other men and women; but each must do his own duty,
each bear his own responsibilities, each set his own house in order, each
magnify his calling, each live near unto God, if he expects God to draw nigh
unto him.
We are
pleased to be able to report that the Lord is abundantly blessing the labors of
the brethren and sisters engaged in the performance of ordinances pertaining to
the Temples of our God; and a great work is being done therein in the interest
of both the living and the dead. We have been pained, however, to learn that in
some few instances, either through misunderstanding, carelessness, or
partiality, recommends have been given to unworthy persons. This is a grave
error-one that should be guarded against with every possible care. The Bishops
and Presidents of Stakes should take every precaution that the House of the
Lord is not defiled by the intrusion of the unworthy through their
recommendation. We strongly advise more caution and greater care in this
regard. To the Saints we say that those who desire the blessing of entering
into and officiating in these houses dedicated to the Most High should render
themselves worthy thereof. They should live in harmony and peace at home, they should
settle all their differences before attempting to enter this holy place, which
should be a house of peace, a house of order. They should pray with their
families morning and evening, and not neglect secret prayer; they should
honestly pay their debts to all men, and not only to man, but remember also
that which is due, as tithes and offerings, to the Giver of all. They should
observe the Word of Wisdom in the spirit and meaning thereof, for it is most
inconsistent to carry the smell of whiskey and tobacco into the sacred
precincts of the Lord's House. Or in a word, they should observe to do and to
keep all God's holy laws and commandments, that when they enter His House they
can enjoy that spirit which gives zest, power and efficacy to their administrations.
The
reports from the Elders engaged in the active field of missionary labor are far
from discouraging, though the results in baptisms in those lands where our
brethren have labored the longest, will not equal the showing of former years.
The annual number of baptisms, as well as the total membership of the Church in
Scandinavia, now exceeds those in Great Britain. But the most marked results of
our labors, of late, have manifested themselves in New Zealand, amongst the
Maories, the aborigines of those islands, who being a remnant of the house of
Israel, nearly allied to the Sandwich Islanders, have received the Gospel with
gladness, and show great firmness and integrity in cleaving to its truths.
In the
present depressed state of business, and consequent lack of employment, the
Bishops must not forget the duty which, as fathers of the people, they owe to
the poor and inexperienced. But we have learned long since that benevolence to
be worthy of its name must be guided by reason as well as by sympathy; and aid
should be given primarily with the view of doing real and lasting good to the
recipients, and must be bestowed in a manner to discourage improvidence and the
growth of a spirit of pauperism. Our aim should be to develop the powers of the
worthy poor through that thoughtful help which will utilize the resources of
the new-comer or unfortunate, and assist those who, if able, are willing to
help themselves. In these labors of love we trust the fullest cooperation and
most perfect harmony will exist between the Ward authorities and the Relief
Societies, that thereby they may mutually strengthen and enhance the value of
each others' efforts. Nor must the families of the missionaries be forgotten;
those whose whole time is spent in proclaiming the truths of the Everlasting
Gospel must not have reason to complain of want of consideration by their
brethren and sisters. If the counsel heretofore given to the Presidents of
Stakes and Bishops with regard to the establishment of missionary farms had
been more widely carried out, we believe the results would have been more
encouraging. Brethren, there is still time for action in this matter.
In these
times, when many men, because of being faithful to religious convictions, are
immured in prison, if proper precautions are not taken, there is danger of
their families suffering on account of their absence. Great care should
therefore be taken by the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops of Wards, the
Priests and Teachers, and by the people generally, to see that, in the absence
of their natural guardians and protectors, they are protected in their persons
and property. Where there is any lack of means, they should see that it is
amply supplied; not in the shape of charity, but as a duty we owe to our
brethren who are persecuted for conscience sake, and who are immured in prison
for their adherence and fidelity to their wives and families.
The
so-called Christians are most egregiously ignorant of the relations of man and
wife; and while they talk quite flippantly of the eternity of matter, they know
nothing of the eternity of matter and spirit of which man and woman are
composed, nor the eternity of the marital relation, nor the eternal covenants
entered into between men and women, husbands and wives, parents and children.
The acme of all their hopes in relation to matrimony and its continuance, as
expressed in their covenants, is "UNTIL DEATH DO YOU PART." What a
gloomy picture! What, nothing more? No; this is the general formula of all the
churches, of all the millions of so-called Christians who dwell on this
continent, and the hundreds of millions of professed Christians throughout the
world. What in this case becomes of all our hopes of eternal life, eternal
exaltations in the mansions of the just? Does God indeed "join them
together," as they say; and then does death divide them and sever the
covenant? No, indeed; they make no such covenant, and therefore cannot break
it. Their covenant is until death does them part-no further, no more. When this
is accomplished all is ended in regard to their matrimonial relations. What of
the resurrection from the dead? What of the New Jerusalem-the celestial
glory-the eternal union that the authors of fiction write about? To them, as to
the professed Christians, it is all fiction-a beautiful dream which death
dissolves. We have other views, other ideas, other hopes. We believe in death
being swallowed up in victory, in "a new heaven and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness;" in the resurrection of the just, both men and
women, parents and children. Our Gospel, "The Gospel of the Son of God,
brings life and immortality to light." We believe in Jerusalem, such as
the one which John saw when banished as a slave to the Isle of Patmos because
of his religion, where the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are to be
fulfilled; which had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the
gates twelve angels-"and the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every
several gate was one pearl." Its walls were of jasper, its streets and the
city were pure gold. The foundations of the wall were garnished with all manner
of precious stones, and the glory of God did lighten it, "and the Lamb is
the light thereof." Its pearly gates had written upon them the names of
the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, and the foundations of its walls
"the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb." "The throne of
God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him; and they
shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads." The porters
of its gates were angels and its light the glory of God.
What was
written on those pearly gates? The names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Who
was Israel? Jacob. From whom did the twelve tribes descend? From Jacob. What
were their names? The names of the sons of Jacob, which he had by four wives.
Jacob, then, was a polygamist? Yes; he was one of those barbarians of which the
Judge of the Third Judicial District says: "These practices might have
been proper in a barbarous and primitive time-in crude times-but they won't do
now. Civilization has thrown them away. It won't do to gather up these old
customs and practices out of the by-gone barbarism and by-gone ages, and
attempt to palm them upon a free and intelligent and civilized people in these
days."
How free
the people are in Utah to-day needs no discussion. If the judge cannot stand
these things it would seem God and the Lamb can, for He is the light of the
city on the gates of which are written the names of twelve men, the sons of one
man, by four women-a polygamist. Had Jacob lived now, the judges would have
sent spies, spotters and deputy marshals after him, and if caught would have
sent him to the penitentiary with other honorable men who had the courage of
their convictions, and for whom "God is not ashamed to be called their
God, for HE HAS PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY."
And what
of his handmaids; will they be there? Yes; where there is so much beauty and
glory and so many of his servants the women are sure not to be absent. Besides
are they not one? Has not "God joined them together?" It would not be
a heaven without them; they have entered into covenants with the men for time
and eternity in the Lord; "They twain are one flesh." "The man
is not without the woman nor the woman without the man;" but the corrupt
have no place therein. For without are dogs and sorcerers and whoremongers and
murderers and idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Speaking
of the sexes, the same God who created Adam, created Eve, "male and female
created He them; and blessed them and called their name Adam." Who are
women? The mothers of the whole human family. They were all born of women, who
were created and prepared as companions and helpmeets for man. To Eve God gave
another seed in the place of Abel. "For God said, He hath appointed me
another seed instead of Abel whom Cain slew." Who made this appointment?
God. From whom came kings, emperors, prophets, seers and revelators? They came
through women who were often Prophets themselves, and who were frequently
ministered to by angels. Jesus was born of a woman; they were His companions on
earth, were with Him at His death, and were first at His sepulchre, and will be
His and His saints' companions in heaven.
Polygamy
is not understood nor our relations thereto. There is nothing secret about it.
When it was first proclaimed in Salt Lake City, in 1852, Elder Orson Pratt went
shortly after to the city of Washington and published it to the world in a
paper called The Seer; after that President Brigham Young, who was a known
polygamist, was reappointed, by the President, Governor of the Territory of
Utah.
It is
alleged that we are in danger of perverting the nation's morals. But how much
danger there is of this may be judged by the morality of those in our midst who
endeavor to make us believe they represent the government and nation, as
exhibited in the following:
CRIMINAL STATISTICS OF SALT LAKE CITY FOR THE YEAR 1885.
Total estimated population........................................... 26,000
Mormons.................................................................... 20,800
Non-Mormons............................................................
5,200
............................................................................ 26,000
Or 5 Mormon to 1 non-Mormon.
There
were during the year, 1,276 arrests.
Adult males................................................................... 1,126
" females......................................................................... 134
Boys under 10 years old.................................................
16
.............................................................................. 1,276
The 20,800 Mormons produce
arrests............................... 96
The 5,200 non-Mormons produce arrests..................... 1,180
or
1 to 12 1/3.
There are
now in the city some six Brothels, forty Tap Rooms, a number of Gambling
Houses, Pool Tables, and other disreputable concerns, all run by non-Mormons.
But for
the presence of those who are constantly making war upon us, our city would be
free from the contaminating influences of houses of prostitution, gambling
houses, dram shops and other such death-dealing concerns, and the taxes would
be greatly reduced. But, as it is, the "Mormons" are found to pay a
liberal tax in support of the laws against the lawlessness of their non-tax
paying enemies. Every other town, city and county in the Territory, and all the
jails and the Utah penitentiary, show even a much cleaner record in favor of
the "Mormons" than the foregoing exhibit portrays.
If it
should be said that these convictions were made by "Mormon" judges
and justices, it must also be remembered that the District Court always stands
open and gladly extends relief to any who consider themselves wronged by
"Mormon" officers.
It is a
remarkable fact that in all these years since the introduction of polygamy
among us, not one Gentile has ever entered into it through our agency; those
who are corrupt have easier methods which are furnished and approved by the
professed Christian world. These are not "Mormon" institutions; but
the practical outgrowth of monogamy.
The
question arises, if in thirty-four years not one Gentile has adopted polygamy,
how many years will it take to demoralize the fifty-five millions of the United
States? The fact is, our Elders could not thus introduce it if they would, and
any one so doing would be immediately severed from the Church. The question
arises, What shall we do? Shall we, because of the inconsiderate action of
Congress, of the judiciary and of other Federal officers, array ourselves
against the nation, and sacrifice our loyalty to the greatest nation which is
now in existence? Certainly not. Joseph Smith told us that "the
Constitution of the United States was given by inspiration of God." Is it
less true to-day than it was then? What shall we do? Have they passed
"test oaths" which are forbidden in that Constitution? Yes. Have they
not "prohibited the free exercise of" our "religion?" Yes.
Have they not passed ex post facto laws? Yes. It is not only said that no ex
post facto law shall be passed, but also no "law impairing the obligation
of contracts." Some thousands of people in this Territory have entered
into sacred contracts for time and for all eternity; Congress has passed a law
making this a crime, and many men, who will not violate their contracts, are in
prison to-day for a violation of the law of Congress which is ex post facto,
making that a crime which was not a crime when the law was passed. This, then,
is another violation of the Constitution. What about the "religious test
oaths" instituted in Idaho, Arizona, and in certain forms in Utah? What
about the 4th amendment to the Constitution, which says: "The right of the
people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrant shall
issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to
be seized?"
In
article 8 of the Constitution it is stated, "Excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted." In George Q. Cannon's case lately, in an offense for which the
law provides $300 fine and six months' imprisonment, a bail of $25,000, and an
additional $20,000 for two complaints which were not at the time supported by
any evidence, was required: thus he was made subject to a $45,000 bond. Is this
excessive bail? If so, it is a violation of the Constitution. Thus we have six
different violations of the Constitution of the United States, sanctioned,
approved or winked at by those who have sworn to sustain that charter of
liberty.
These are
no fictions, but veritable facts that we have had to meet and put up with. But
because of this misrule and perversion of the Constitution, and of the rights
of American citizens shall we be inimical to that Constitution or to the
institutions of the country to which we owe allegiance? Certainly not. These
errors have to be corrected, and it is our duty, so far as lays in our power,
as it is the duty of all honorable men in these United States, to sustain the
Constitution thereof, and to oppose in all legitimate ways any infringement of
that instrument.
We are
inconsiderately asked to rend our family relations and throw away our ideas of
human freedom, political equality and the rights of man, and "to become
like them." Be like them for what? Like them in sapping the foundations of
human liberty, like them in violating our constitutional oaths, like them in covenanting
with wives and children till death parts them, and no more but a dead blank?
What does it mean to be like them? It means that E pluribus unum is a
fiction; it means that we tamper with and violate that grand palladium of human
liberty, the Constitution of the United States and substitute expediency,
anarchy, fanaticism, intolerance and religious bigotry for those glorious
fundamental principles of liberty, equality, brotherhood, human freedom and the
rights of man. It means judicial corruption, perverted justice, missionary
judges, class rulings and minority representation; it means judicial tyranny
and oppression, the introduction of spies and spotters, of packed juries and
intolerance, of prisons, chains and terrorism; and introduces cruelty, oppression
and despotism, in the place of liberty, equality and brotherhood. We cannot do
it. We will rally around the flag of our country and maintain the glorious
Constitution for weal or woe. We cannot and will not lay aside our fealty to
the nation at the bidding of political demagogues, religious fanatics or
intolerant despots.
To you,
Brethren, who as Presidents of Stakes, High Councilors and Bishops, hold in
your keeping the purity of the lives of the members of the Church, we again
repeat the warnings and admonitions of our former epistles and say, upon you
lays the responsibility of the keeping of God's house in order, each according
to his calling, ordination and appointment, and to the extent and scope of the
duties imposed upon him. In these duties you cannot be negligent without
incurring the displeasure of the Lord and losing His Spirit. The Lord holds
each man responsible for that portion of the flock which is placed in his care.
The Relief Societies, the Young Men and Young Women's Mutual Improvement
Associations, the Sunday Schools, and the Primary Associations should all
receive your hearty encouragement and support. Each of these organizations can
be of great benefit to all of you in your labors. All of these Presidents are
or should be subject to the authorities of the Wards and Stakes where they
reside.
It
devolves upon the Twelve Apostles and the Seventies to see that the Gospel is
carried, and to carry it themselves, to all the nations of the earth first unto
the Gentiles and then to the Jews. This is their especial calling, and they
should keep it constantly before them.
Like the
First Presidency, the most of the members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles
have been greatly restricted in their movements. One of their number, Elder
Lorenzo Snow, is in prison. He bears his imprisonment with equanimity and
fortitude; and so far as we know all of the Apostles feel cheerful and full of
faith, and determined to magnify their calling.
Our
latest advices from President Joseph F. Smith report him as enjoying good
health and to a goodly degree the spirit of his office and calling. From his
letter, recently published in the Deseret News, the Saints have learned his
sentiments concerning the work of God, and the present situation of affairs.
In conclusion,
we say to all the officers and members of the Church, be diligent in reading
the word of God, contained in the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine
and Covenants; search the prophecies and let your hearts be comforted by their
precious promises. God has said concerning Zion, that "no weapon that is
formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against
thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of
the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."
Our
history is one continued illustration of the fulfillment of this word of our
God. We can truthfully ask, where is the weapon that has been formed against
Zion which has prospered? or where is the tongue that has risen against Zion in
judgment which has not been condemned? Her enemies have been very numerous; in
many instances they have been prominent and powerful. They have strutted their
brief hour upon the stage and have thought they were performing doughty deeds;
but where are they? If their names were not kept in remembrance in our history,
as enemies of the work of God, the most of them would be as utterly forgotten
by the world as if they had never lived. But Zion will prosper and prevail.
There may be storms to be endured; there may be trials to be encountered and
difficulties to be overcome; and there may be seasons when clouds of darkness
may envelop us and shut out the horizon from our view; yet if we humble
ourselves before our God and keep the covenants we have made with Him, He will
neither desert nor neglect us.
The Lord
has said, through one of His Prophets, "Hear, ye that are afar off, what I
have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are
afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell
with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He
that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of
oppressions, that shaketh his hands from the holding of bribes, that stoppeth
his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. He
shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks;
bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure."
These are
the kind of people we should be; for it is such people who will build up and be
counted worthy to stand in Zion. Then it can truthfully be said: "That the
Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it."
Be it our
lot to live as Saints, to maintain every principle of virtue, of honor, of
truth and integrity, to keep sacred the covenants we have made with God and
with each other, and to obey in all things the word of the Lord. So shall we
and our families be blessed of the Lord in time and throughout the eternities
that are to come.
God bless
you and all the friends of Zion and peace and happiness in this world and, in
the world to come, with life everlasting, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Your
brethren in the Lord,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEORGE Q. CANNON,
Of the
First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
March, 1886.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am*]
[DNW 35:205, 4/13/86, p 12]
FIFTY-SIXTH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
_____
FOURTH DAY.
_____
CLOSING SESSION, APRIL 7th.
The choir sang:
Lord, when iniquities
abound,
And blasphemy grows bold.
Prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith.
Ere long the vail will rend
in twain,
The King descend with all his train.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
was called upon to make a report of the work of reorganizing the Seventies which had been in progress for some time past. He read a circular address which had been sent by the First Presidents of Seventies "To the Presidents and members of the Quorum of Seventies." It had some general and special instructions, and contained the treasurer's report for the period intervening between March 1st, 1885 and Feb 28th, 1886. It showed the receipts to the general fund to have been $1,192.08, and the disbursements $1,016.74, leaving a balance on hand of $175.34. Elder Young further showed that 14 new quorums had been organized within the last three years, while the others had been more thoroughly filled up and organized. There are now ninety quorums in all. During the last year quite a number of missionaries had been sent to the nations and more could have been supplied had they been wanted.
The General Authorities of the Church, as follows, were presented by the Clerk, and sustained by unanimous vote of the Conference:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to,and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford woodruff, President and Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch to the Church, John Smith.
First seven Presidents of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldridge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First and John Q. Cannon as his Second Counselor.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust: the Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with F. D. Richards as assistant.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom assistant.
Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, Franklin D. Richards, Erastus snow and Joseph F. Smith.
Clerk of conference -- John Nicholson.
Church Reporters -- John Irvine and George F. Gibbs.
The following was read by the clerk, and, on motion of President A. O. Smoot, accepted and ordered placed on file in the archives of the Church:
REPORT
OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE,
Covering the period from the time named in their last report, made
October 6, 1884, until December 31, 1885
We,
the undersigned, auditors appointed at the General Conference of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to examine and audit the books and the
accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust of the said Church, after a careful and
thorough examination and comparison made by ourselves and by competent
assistants, of the receipts of cash and other property from all sources by the
said Trustee-in-Trust, and the accounts of the expenditures of the same, during
the past two years, since we made our last report, do hereby certify that we
have found the accounts strictly correct, and of the most satisfactory
character. We have found that, after allowing for the accounts paid out, the
balance is fully accounted for by cash on hand and inventoried property.
We
cannot close this, our report, in justice to the Trustee-in-Trust, and for the
satisfaction of the Latter-day Saints in Conference assembled, without saying
that we have been much gratified, in our examination of the books and accounts,
with the prudent, economical, and strict manner in which the funds that have
come into the hands of the trustee-in-Trust have been managed.
All
obligations have been promptly met, the business has been placed on a most
satisfactory basis, debts have been liquidated, and the financial condition and
standing of the Church are most satisfactory.
This
condition of affairs is very pleasant for us to contemplate, as we know the
statement will be to the Saints in General conference assembled.
We
remain, your brethren,
WILFORD WOODRUFF,
ERASTUS SNOW,
FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS,
Auditing Committee.
The following motion, by Apostle John Henry Smith, was carried unanimously: "That the missionary committee be authorized to continue their labors and supply the various fields as necessity may demand."
Apostle Heber J. Grant moved: "That the missionaries now in the field and those who may subsequently be called be sustained by our faith and prayers, and that any of their families who may need assistance, be sustained substantially during their absence from their homes." Carried unanimously.
PRESIDENT A. O. SMOOT,
of Utah Stake, said he felt gratified at the enjoyable time participated in by those who had attended Conference. The elements had been propitious. Visitors had been hospitably entertained so far as he was aware. good feelings had prevailed. This had been the largest gathering of people that had ever been witnessed in Provo. It was gratifying that this city had been favored -- by the will of God and the first Presidency of the Church -- with the holding of General Conference here. It was to be hoped that it would not be the last gathering of that kind that would convene in the same place. Probably before another event of that nature transpired the Tabernacle would be in a finished condition. He thanked -- for their promptness and efficiency -- the various committees who had been appointed to prepare the building so that it could be used for its present purpose in its unfinished condition. Doubtless the people of Provo have enjoyed so good a time that they would be more than pleased to have the presence of the Saints who had come together from various places remain four days more. The speaker dwelt upon the prospects ahead of the people of God. Israel would never be removed out of his place. The crusade carried on against the Saints would serve to re-unite them; it would open up the way for the preaching of the gospel in places where it had never been heard. All should Stand firm and they would eventually see the salvation of God.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
said he had enjoyed the spirit and instructions of the conference. The Epistle, which ably covered a most extensive ground, would do good in the hearts of the Saints. He hoped the people would take pains to scatter it abroad among their friends. In these times when many of the leading brethren are not in view, all others should redouble their diligence. Because of neglect in some quarters, it was not possible to present reports, statistical and otherwise, that should have been a feature of the proceedings. This applied to the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, Ladies' Relief Societies and other organizations There was a report at hand from the young ladies' associations, but it was so incomplete that it was not in a condition to be presentable. The information it conveyed was not full, and would therefore be misleading. Applications were made occasionally for information by the publishers of books. The reports from every quarter should be so exact that it could be imparted without difficulty. It was to be hoped that such neglect in this respect, lately manifested, would never again be exhibited.
The work of the Lord is steadily gaining ground in various parts of the world. The persecutions that occur have the effect of drawing the attention of thinking people to the Gospel. So it is with the crusade carried on here. It is not true that the 55,000,000 of this nation are all against this community. It would yet be developed that many people of this country were favorable to the Saints and had no desire to see them crushed. We had received the same Gospel that had been delivered by Enoch, Noah and Jesus, and the effects were similar in each dispensation. Although in the end it establishes peace and good will -- the result of obedience to its principles -- it causes disturbances when introduced. It arouses the passionate opposition of the wicked.
The speaker drew the attention of his hearers to the fact that already two races of people had been destroyed from the face of the land -- the Jaredites and Nephites. The Prophets had left it on record that no people should be permitted to dwell and flourish upon this continent unless they should keep the commandments of God. So soon as the cup of iniquity of any people inhabiting this land is full they are destroyed. The Almighty is raising up a people who will honor His name, that they may possess this land in peaceful obedience to his laws.
Referring to the law of conscience the speaker said that conscience was the standard of a man's moral education. There were men in Utah, he said, who were engaged in the work of prosecuting the Latter-day Saints, and they took delight in following out the convictions of their conscience in so doing. The Indian races were conscientious in many things which they did which were looked upon as cruel in the extreme by the more highly civilized nations. For instance, when anyone of their number met with his death by the hand of an enemy, it became the conscientious duty of the male nearest of kin to the deceased to deal out summary vengeance upon the head of the slayer if he found him, if not upon the first of his race whom he might chance to meet. They believe it right to do this; and if they fail to satisfy their conscience in this respect, they feel that they are lacking in the performance of a great moral obligation, and that they are humiliated in the eyes of their tribe.
In East India we find another people whose conscientious convictions lead them in a very different channel of thought and action. There, when a man dies leaving a widow, her conscience leads her to believe that she cannot in any other way show proof of her fidelity to her deceased husband except in voluntarily offering her body to be consumed upon the funeral pile of his grave. The widow is not taken by force and burnt, as some imagine; she offers herself willingly in order to satisfy her religious convictions; and in thus ending her life she, according to her standard of education, offers indubitable proof of her marital fidelity.
Here then we find people in one part of the earth who, in order to appease their conscience, will deliberately take the life of a fellow-creature; and in another part where they voluntarily give their own life, as a means to answer the same conscientious demand. AS with the American Indian so with the Oriental races, the standard of their education morally is their conscience.
The Apostle Paul tells us that he even held the garments of the men who participated in the stoning to death of Stephen. Would you not suppose that he felt sorrowful, after he found the truth, that he had anything to do with the arresting and putting to death of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; of consenting in thought or acting in any way whatever in the shedding of innocent blood? Notwithstanding the inhumanity of the work of persecution in which he took a prominent part, he was a Jew and believed in Jewry; and what may be considered still more extraordinary was the fact of his being a highly educated man, having been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught in all the learning of the Jewish people. Yet he says, after enumerating all these things which he had done: "In all these things I lived in all good conscience unto this day." In arresting true believers in Christ and casting them into prison, and even in stoning them to death, he was merely vindicating the supremacy of the law of Moses, as it is called , as to, heresy which was a capital crime worthy of death. And Paul was merely acting the part of a conscientious bigoted man when he was engaged persecuting the former-day Saints.
Now, let us suppose that here in this the greatest of nations are men in authority who do not acknowledge the right of God to dictate and control, who declare it to be the highest duty of the citizen to render obedience to the law of the land, and because such men enforce the law with severity and even with vindictiveness, shall we not give them credit for their sincerity and their zeal, inasmuch as they can say, as Paul said, that in what they do, they set conscientiously. And may we not hope that all such men may yet have their eyes opened to behold the enormity of their error, as Paul's were opened to perceive the manifest wrong that he was inflicting on the Saints of his day; and that the day may yet come when they, like him, may repent of their sins, and be found sorrowful for the part they have taken in the persecution of the Latter-day Saints. As the conscience of the Indian justifies him, under the circumstances alluded to, in the killing of a fellow creature; and as the conscience of the Oriental widow demands the sacrifice of her life over the funeral pile of her deceased husband; so does the same wonderful law of conscience not only justify but stimulate to action, in punishing men with imprisonment because, forsooth, they cannot conscientiously do as the law, interpreted by themselves, requires them to do, namely, to put away part of their family who are as dear to them as such relations can possibly make them. Then, again, in the face of these examples illustrating the different traits in men's conscience, that difference may be further augmented by referring to the leading governing traits that characterize the conscience of the Latter-day Saints are: Fear God and keep His commandments; thou shalt love the Lord with all they heart, and thy neighbor as thyself, upon which hinges all the moral law.
Let us be grateful that we are found worthy to stand upon the higher platform of moral education; and let us be willing to suffer, inasmuch as by our doing so, the lord will sanctify it to the bringing about of the greater degree of liberty and privileges which must eventually be the lot of the Saints of God to enjoy.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 35:242-243, 5/5/86, p 2-3]
CLOSING DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS, AT THE
General Conference at Provo, April 7th, 1886.
_____
I
HAVE enjoyed the spirit and the instructions that have been given at this
Conference very much. I think the Epistle, covering the vast ground that it
does, will be productive of great good to this people, both at home and abroad.
I hope the Saints will take pains to send copies of it to their relatives and
friends living in the distant parts of the earth. This you can do, and what a
preacher it will make. It can go to places and enter habitations where our
Elders cannot go. It will help to dissipate prejudice and falsehood with which
the world is deluged against this people.
Of the
few things I wish to mention this morning, one is, that during these times,
when the Presidency, some of the Twelve Apostles, and Elders occupying
different positions in the Church are restrained of their liberty, that we who
are not, ought to double our diligence in performing the various duties
assigned to us. Because of the negligence of the clerks of Wards, Stakes, and
their Presidents, we are unable to present to you the usual annual statistical
report. This is certainly a great oversight. It should not occur on account of
the peculiarity of the times; because some men have been away, and have not
been as thoughtful as they should have been. It is very annoying to lack, as we
do, important information because of the incompleteness of reports. I trust
that all parties concerned will, henceforth, bear in mind, that at the Annual
Conferences, all the reports should be brought in. We should have reports from
the Temples, from the Relief societies and the Associations. It is very
important that we should make our reports, that they may go upon the records
and form part of our history. It is vastly better for us to represent
ourselves, than to be misrepresented by others. I hope this will be sufficient;
and that everyone concerned, from the Primary Association upwards, will have
their reports ready next annual Conference; so that we can learn the condition
of the family, all through the house.
We are
living in times quite peculiar from what they have been in any part of our
history. The fact is, if we had laid out the plan and known how everything was
to be, we should be so easy about it that our faith would be greatly slackened.
The spirit and genius of our work is that we, in faith, watch and pray
continually; for we know not the hour that the thief may come. The Savior made
this expression in illustration of what the condition of the human family would
be; that they would not know when He would come. For it has been decreed, that
the specific time of His coming should be hidden from the world, but this we do
know, that He will not come until the Gospel is preached to all the world as a
witness. It is being preached to all the nations of the earth; and how pleasing
to know that the islands of the sea, and even the ends of the earth, are
yielding up their native sons and daughters unto God. It is very cheering to
learn, that in New Zealand, there have been nearly 2,000 baptized into the
Church; that they are very diligent and very faithful as a general thing. There
are among them, a great many who are exceedingly intelligent and noble: men who
have attained to membership of the colonial parliament in that island. A young
Elder, writing from there, states that he had been meeting with about sixty of
his brethren who were obliged to answer separately, whether they would renounce
the religion of "Mormonism," or be cast out of the Church of England
with threats of imprisonment. He relates that out of the sixty, only two or
three prevaricated; that nearly all of them were true and faithful; preferring
to be expelled from the popular Church than to renounce their true faith. It is
very pleasing to know that fidelity to the truth is so manifest in these
semi-civilized nations. The work of God is prospering in many of the missions;
though in some, where they have been most active, baptisms are not quite so
frequent; still the work is making satisfactory headway.
The
persecution that is being waged against us is having the effect to open the
eyes of thinking men, and of calling forth the attention of many who have never
thought of these things before. And so it is in these lands; while we are so
persecuted, the justice of our cause is quietly taking effect in the hearts of
many of the people. It is not true that the fifty-five millions-the estimate of
our nation's population-are against us; not by any means. The priests that are
among us, it is true, join in the common cause of opposition, publish lies and
succeed in stirring up the feelings of many against us. They have moved members
of Congress by threatening that they should not be re-elected if they did not
take a position against us. This is not, however, the feeling of the whole
people, though it is to a very terrible extent.
We must
continue to labor, and be true and faithful to the covenants we have made. We
must keep the commandments of God, seek after the words of truth, abide in
them, and our desire to know and do His will should become intensified in us
day by day. We should not let temporalities hinder the growth of faith in our
bosoms; to hinder the continued increase of the fellowship of God; but obtain
more and more of the Holy Spirit to enlighten and prepare us for the future;
for the great conflict between truth and error, the great contest that is
coming.
It is
very difficult for us sometimes to know how to comprehend each others views;
but singular to say that each Latter-day Saint knows of what his principles of
faith consists. The principles are the same with us all, there is only a
diversity as to how far some have advanced, some others not quite so far, and some
perhaps, further as the case may be. This accounts for our unanimity. We have
been baptized into one spirit; we worship one God. One Gospel has been
revealed, which is the same Gospel given to Adam, to Enoch, to Moses; the same
Gospel introduced anew by Jesus, and preached by the Apostles. The Gospel
produces the same effects to-day as it did in the earlier times. To some it
comes as the harbinger of peace; to others it proves a disturbing element in
their families. In the days of Jesus, people were going on in their quiet old
way, thinking there should not be any more revelation; that all things were to
remain as they were in the beginning. When the Gospel of Christ comes to such
people, how wonderfully it works! It gets into a family, and sets one against
another; proving a source of joy and comfort to those that receive it, while it
embitters the feelings of those who reject it; and this division of feeling
exists until the honest in heart are gathered out, one of a family, and two of
a city; while the others are left to fill up the measure of their iniquity, in
the rejection of the truth.
Does it
occur to you, my brethren, that in this great land which all nations look upon
as a choice land, that heretofore two whole nations have been destroyed from the
face of it? When the Jaredites were brought here from the time of the confusion
of tongues, which occurred about 2,000 years before the birth of our Savior,
they flourished 1,400 years, became exceedingly numerous and powerful, built
towns and cities, towers and fortifications and had all the evidences of an
advanced state of civilization. In the course of time they became sinful,
haughty and proud; until their wickedness at last led them to dissensions and
strife, which resulted in the total destruction of that mighty race. They
fought against and destroyed each other until there were but few left. So
complete was the destruction of the once great and prosperous nation of the
Jaredites, that the forces were reduced to but two warriors; the leaders of the
two great factions. And they fought against each other until the darkness
overtook them; and they slept upon their swords, and, on the morrow, renewed
the struggle. They fought until one fell dead, and the other fell fainting on
his sword.
Again,
the Lord brought out from Jerusalem, six hundred years B.C., Lehi, Ishmael and
Zoram, who became the ancestry of another great and mighty people, including
also Mulek and his company who came some ten years after. They saw the remains
of the Jaredites; witnessed their bones around the hill Ramah, bleached and
bare; and it was made known to them how their brethren had fallen. They in turn
occupied the land, and became a mighty people until some four hundred years
after the coming of Christ. This people also obtained the favor of God to a
wonderful degree, insomuch that the Savior established His Church among them.
This book, (the Book of Mormon), is a record and history of the people that
lived on this western hemisphere, and is a history of the work of God in this land;
the building up of His Church among them, and their apostasy, transgression and
final destruction as a nation around the hill Cumorah.
The
Prophets have left it on record, which in the providences of Almighty God their
writings have come down to us for our edification and instruction, that any
people that shall be permitted to occupy this land who will not serve the God
of Israel shall, when they have become fully ripened in their wickedness, be
destroyed in like manner. For the Lord promised this choicest of all lands to
the house of Joseph, to the seed of Ephraim and Manassa, telling them that it
should be a land in which his name should be revered.
The
prophet Ether in the 2nd chapter and 9th verse, says:
And now
we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of
promise, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God or they shall
be swept off when the fulness of His wrath shall come upon them, when they are
ripened in iniquity.
And this
cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God, that ye
may repent and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come; that ye
may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you, as the inhabitants
of this land hath hitherto done.
Behold,
this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall be free
from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if
they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been
manifested by the things which we have written.
God is
now raising up another people to carry out his purposes; and we have need to be
patient, long suffering, and charitable. We must labor diligently to perform
the work He has given us to do, trusting in Him, and in him alone, for the
outcome.
Now, it
is a very singular thing that here in Utah, a people are endeavoring to live
consistent with their religious convictions, according to the light which the
Lord has revealed to them; and that among them are men representing the
government of the country, who take delight in persecuting them because they
follow out their conscientious convictions of religious duty.
Such
convictions are mighty in controlling the actions of men, as illustrated in the
history of both individual and national traits of character.
The Indian races which surround us, are conscientious in many things that they
do which are looked upon as cruel in the extreme by the more highly civilized
nations. For instance, when anyone of their number meets his death by the hand
of an enemy, it becomes the conscientious duty of the male nearest of kin to
the deceased, to deal out summary vengeance upon thy head of the slayer if he
finds him, if not, upon the first of his race whom he may chance to meet. They
believe it right to do this; and if they fail to satisfy their conscience in
this respect, they feel that they are lacking in the performance of a great
moral obligation, and that they are humiliated in the eyes of their tribe.
In East
India we find another people whose conscientious convictions lead them in a
very different channel of thought and action. There, when a man dies leaving a
widow, her conscience leads her to believe that she cannot in any other way
show proof of her fidelity to her deceased husband except in voluntarily
offering her body to be consumed upon the funeral pile of his grave. The widow
is not taken by force and burnt, as some imagine; she offers herself willingly
in order to satisfy her religious convictions; and in thus ending her life she,
according to her standard of education, offers indubitable proof of her marital
fidelity.
Here then
we find people in one part of the earth who, in order to appease their
conscience, will deliberately take the life of a fellow-creature; and in
another part where they voluntarily give their own life, as a means to answer a
similar conscientious demand. As with the American Indian, so with the Oriental
races, their education forms and determines their conscience.
The
Apostle Paul tells us that he even held the garments of the men who
participated in the stoning to death of Stephen. Would you not suppose that he
felt sorrowful, after he found the truth, that he had anything to do with the
arresting and putting to death of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; of
consenting in thought, or acting in any way whatever in the shedding of
innocent blood? Notwithstanding the inhumanity of the work of persecution in
which he took a prominent part, he was a Jew and believed in Jewry; and what
may be considered still more extraordinary was the fact of his being a highly
educated man, having been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught in all
the learning of the Jewish people. Yet, he says after enumerating all these
things which he had done: "I have lived in all good conscience unto this
day." In arresting true believers in Christ and casting them into prison,
and even in stoning them to death, he was merely vindicating the supremacy of
the law of Moses, as it is called, as to heresy, which was a capital crime
worthy of death. And Paul was merely acting the part of a conscientious bigoted
man when he was engaged persecuting the former-day Saints.
Latter-day
Saints should be exceedingly thankful that they have the revelations of God's
holy will, and that by obedience thereto, and the inspirations of the Holy
Spirit, their consciences are formed and conformed to this supreme standard of
eternal truth. Their education teaches them that to fear God and keep His
commandments is the highest and most important duty of man. "Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself. On this
hangs all the law and the prophets." This is the grand axiom of all
intelligence and exaltation. Saints worship the Creator and are forbidden to
worship any of His creatures. That would be idolatry. Where little is given,
but little will be required. Where much is given, much will be exacted. They
who lived without the knowledge of God's law, will perish or die without being
judged by it. Their consciences, meanwhile, accusing or excusing them according
to their knowledge of what is right or wrong. So also the Saints who occupy a
higher platform of education will be judged by the higher law which they have
accepted, and by which they will be judged. Their consciences also are formed
and determined by their education in the laws of God.
It,
therefore, becomes our highest duty to obey God. How supremely grateful ought
we to be, since we are accounted worthy to occupy so high a platform of
intelligence and education under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and how
exceedingly careful ought we always to be that we preserve in ourselves a
conscience void of offense toward God and man. Some have, by transgression,
stifled the monitions of their conscience, until it has become silent-having
become seared as with a hot iron. The faithful Saint can safely adopt the
beautiful sentiment:
What
conscience dictates to be done, or warns me not to do; this teach me more than
hell to shun, that more than heaven pursue.
Concerning
the Epistle that has been read, I wish you to peruse it very carefully. Get
your families to read it, do not let it pass by like idle wind, and let us see
that we practice in our lives, that which is applicable to us. I commend this
to the Presidents of Stakes, the Bishops of Wards, and the Presidents of
Quorums, trusting that the spirit of that communication will burn within them,
and lead them to carry out in their fields of labor the counsel given.
The great
boon to the human family is peace. Notwithstanding they want us to become like
them, they cannot give us peace. And although we may be harassed, persecuted
and deprived of our rights and liberties as citizens of this great nation, let
me tell you that we all have a peace of mind such as they know nothing at all
about-the peace of God that passeth understanding, which is the Comforter, the
Holy Ghost. When we lie down at night, our sleep is sweet and refreshing; our
hearts are buoyant and our spirits strong in the Lord. So it is with our
brethren in prison. The Lord is blessing them with His Spirit, as we have heard
during our Conference. Said the Savior, "Fear not them which kill the
body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him, which is able to
destroy both body and soul in hell." We want to fear God, and have our
hearts full of love, that perfect love, which casteth out fear, except the
proper fear of God our Heavenly Father. This is the kind of fear we want to
entertain.
There are
many things I would like to say if I had time. I want to call the attention of
the Bishops and that of the lesser Priesthood, to the duty devolving upon them
in relation to the people of their several Wards, that duty which requires them
to seek after the welfare of the Saints, to see that iniquity does not abound;
but that the Spirit of the Lord flows freely in their hearts. The divine
philosophy of the Gospel is as true as any philosophy that can be established
upon the earth; and where there is devotion to God, the Spirit of God will be
enjoyed. If it is not enjoyed, there is a cause; and if there is a cause you
are the ones to eradicate it. And in the performance of this duty, as in that
of all others, you must be wise, lest in taking out the tares you pull up the
wheat also. In many instances you may have to let the tares grow with the wheat
until the harvest comes; but because there may be instances where wisdom would
dictate such a course, that is not to say that wickedness should be tolerated
or winked at. If the people have sinned, let wisdom dictate the course to be
taken against them.
Do not
destroy confidence, nor drive people to despair. Jesus said in His day:
"Though their sins were like crimson, they could be made white as snow;
and though, they were as scarlet, they could be made white as wool; if they
would put on proper and fitting repentance." This is the duty of all
people, and especially of all Saints. While there are some sins that are unto
death, there are others which are not unto death; and we should pray for them.
Men who are called as Presidents over Stakes, and Bishops over Wards, should
learn how to rescue sinners; how to teach the people young and old, and how to
rightly divide the word of truth, and give to each his portion in due season.
I feel to
labor with all my heart and ability in behalf of the Church, and hope the
blessings of God may be abundantly dispensed upon all who have come up hither-I
doubt not that all who have come here have received comfort and edification. I
pray that His blessing may attend the Saints, in all the world, and especially
His servants who are deprived of the pleasure of being present with us, and
that the work of God may continue to prosper in the earth, until His will shall
be done among men as it is by angels in heaven. God bless you. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem:
"Jerusalem, my glorious home."
Adjourned for six months, the place to be hereafter designates.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
6-8 Oct 1886, 57th [56th] Semi-Annual Conference, Coalville Utah
[Deseret News Weekly 35:630, 10/20/86, p 2; Millennial Star 48:689, 705, 721]
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 35:630, 10/20/86, p 2]
GENERAL CONFERENCE
_____
OCTOBER 6, 1886.
The fifty-seventh [56th] Semi-annual Conference of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened this (Wednesday) morning at 10 o'clock, in the Stake Tabernacle, Coalville, Summit County. There were present of the general authorities, Franklin D. Richards (who presided), John Henry smith and John W. Taylor of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, besides Elder Wm. W. Cluff and other Presidents of Stakes, and local and visiting Bishops, and other officers of the Church.
President Richards called the Conference to order, and the choir sang the hymn:
Great is the Lord! 'tis good
to praise
His high and holy name.
Prayer by Elder John Henry Smith.
Singing by the choir.
"Spirit of faith come
down,
Reveal the things of God.
PRESIDENT RICHARDS
addressed the Conference, expressing pleasure on his own part as well as on that of the visiting brethren, for the opportunity thus afforded them to assemble in General conference with the people of Coalville, in their magnificent new building, which had been hurriedly prepared to accommodate the Saints for this purpose. He hoped that the unexpected visitation of the Saints at this place would have the effect to encourage the people of Summit Stake to complete the building and make it a house that will afford joy to the people of the Stake, and that will be an object of gladness and admiration to all friends around.
There were many reasons for gratitude and praise to our Heavenly Father this morning, some of which he deemed it proper that we should be reminded of. In the first place, he had learned that throughout this valley, which, on account of its altitude, was usually subject to early frosts, to the injury of the crops, the people generally had reaped abundantly not only of cereals, but of esculents as well, affording plenty both for man and beast. Not only was this the case in the Summit Stake, but a good, fair harvest was reaped by the people generally throughout Zion; and especially would this be considered the case when a comparison was made with those of the various parts of the earth.
We enjoyed also to a goodly degree the precious boon of liberty, which doubtless many have not yet learned how to appreciate. If we had to experience the distress that many peoples of the earth were now passing through; the oppressions of human governments or the terrible destruction of life and property that had overtaken many of our fellow beings, together with the misery, trouble and want from which so many of God's creatures suffer, our condition would be very different from what it is; in comparison, therefore, we should be filled to overflowing with the realizing sense that there is no other people upon the face of the earth so abundantly blessed in all general respects as are the Latter-day Saints of these mountains. It was true that because of our religious views being in conflict with those of our fellows some of our brethren were deprived of the pleasure of attending this Conference and the association of the Saints, and others were incarcerated; but when we contemplated the lot of true believers of all ages, we certainly, thus far, had reason to be thankful that things were so well with us as they were. Referring to Abraham's having to leave his home to take up his abode in a strange land in order to enjoy the blessings resulting from the observance of the laws of heaven; and to the declaration of the apostle years afterwards to the effect that if they were truly the children of Abraham they would do the works of Abraham, the speaker said, we found ourselves following his example in many of these things without, in many instances, fully sensing and knowing it. And while the barbarism of Father Abraham had been referred to by certain Christian people, it is a fact worthy attention that he was peculiar from his contemporaries in that he had attained to the knowledge of God to a marked degree, while they know him not at all.
The experience that we were passing through was exceedingly valuable to us; and he asked those who felt annoyed and harassed, not to let personal interests take up all their consideration; no man lives to himself, neither does he die to himself. All exerted an influence upon each other and all should be interested in the welfare of their brethren and sisters as a whole, and thus help to make life profitable not only for ourselves but for one another. This feeling was entertained to a high degree by the fathers of the revolution; in what they did for their fellows and for posterity they invoked the spirit of the fathers that had gone before them to assist them in their purposes. Having been entrusted with the visitations of heaven, we should comprehend in a deeper and higher sense the important consequences that attend our actions and conduct before the Lord and one another.
The Lord had already made us peculiar from other religious bodies, and it is His design to yet make of this a nation of "kings and priests." When we consider the vast opposition He has had to contend with ever since the beginning, and of His having to take hold of poor humble men to bring about his purposes, the undertaking seemed at times too great to be contemplated by serious men. But such was the fact, and such would be the case; but none could comprehend it except through the eye of faith.
The speaker referred to the early experiences of the Church, and the feeling those experiences produced in the hearts of the people of God, showing that when the exigence of the case required it men had to lay their all upon the altar of sacrifice for the benefit and blessing of heir brethren.
Such scenes were unknown to the younger portion of the people, and it was hoped that such occurrences would never be experienced by the Latter-day Saints. In comparison with the many hard and trying scenes through which the Saints had passed, the speaker dwelt upon the present state and condition of the people. Our circumstances were now comparatively easy; we had good, comfortable homes, with well stocked farms and well filled granaries. In consequence of this changed state of things we were liable to give way to temptations that were unknown to us in our poverty. The love of pleasure was descanted upon, together with Sabbath-breaking and public enjoyments; and the serious attention of the congregation was called to these things, as well as that of the people generally. The speaker warned the young men against the sin of taking the Lord's name in vain, and the people generally against using their tongues to the injury of their fellow-men; and called upon the people to live so that nothing but good will to all should exist in their hearts, and blessing upon all the creatures of our God proceed forth from their lips, and especially so towards the household of faith.
ELDER JOHN W. TAYLOR
The remaining portion of time was occupied by Elder John W. Taylor. The subjects of his discourse were the keeping of the Sabbath day, and the consequences of its non-observance upon ancient Israel; sending our children to be taught by those whose avowed object is to oppose the onward progress of this work, and the penalty attached to the neglect of a faithful performance of duty toward our children, as far as properly teaching them and setting a good example was concerned; the desire manifested by our people as individuals, and as bodies such as Sunday Schools, to go on pleasure excursions to bathing resorts which he claimed were not always conducted in a manner becoming in the sight of god. His discourse was earnest and emphatic on these points; and it was his opinion that the chastisement from which we were suffering was in consequence of the conduct of the people as a body, and that we need not look for a cessation till the spirit of repentance prompted and brought forth better results in the lives of the people.
The choir sang:
O awake! my slumbering minstrel.
Benediction by Elder Wm. W. Cluff.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 35:630, 10/20/86, p 2]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
2 o'clock
The choir sang:
An angel from on high,
The joyful message has made known.
Prayer by Apostle H. J. Grant.
Hymn:
Come, O thou king of kings!
We've waited long for thee--
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH
was the first speaker. He commenced by referring to the remarks which had been made by the brethren that had spoken in the forenoon. He felt that a number of the rebukes that were given struck him with considerable force. He believed that, as a people the Latter-day Saints did not observe the Sabbath day with that strictness that they should. Many people tried to find excuses for doing this, that and the other thing upon the Sabbath day. Many tried to hide themselves behind the faults of others; but this seemed natural to men. Man was naturally a moral coward. The speaker strongly urged upon the latter-day Saints the fact that every person was responsible for his or her own acts, and asked all to, at once, examine themselves and repent of whatever was wrong. He believed that it was because of the wrong doing of the Saints that so much persecution was being waged against them at the present time. However, he believed that these persecutions would have a tendency to bring the Saints in to line, and to compel them to walk in the direction in which it was intended they should walk. The speaker condemned the practice of the Saints inter-marrying with strangers, with those who did not believe alike; spoke of the necessity of keeping the fast day; and concluded by bearing a strong testimony to the onward march of "Mormonism." notwithstanding all the attacks that were made upon it and the many prophecies that had been, made regarding its near destruction. God was at the helm, and would see that all that had been promised would be brought to pass. It was necessary, however, that the Saints should repent of their sins, and seek unto the Lord, and, if they did this, their enemies would not prevail against them. Many might be called to suffer, but as the day of the Saint so his strength would be.
ELDER HEBER J. GRANT
occupied the remainder of the time, discoursing upon the individual duties of the Latter-day Saints, and the responsibilities devolving upon every person professing membership in the Church as to the building up of Zion in the earth.
The choir sang an anthem and the meeting was dismissed by prayer by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 35:630, 10/20/86, p 2]
SECOND DAY
_____
October 7th, 10 a. m.
Conference resumed its session this morning, the choir singing the hymn:
"Sing to the Great
Jehovah's praise;
All praise to him belongs."
Prayer by Elder John W. Taylor.
Singing:
"Hail to the brightness
of Zion's glad morning!
Joy to the lands that in darkness have lain!"
ELDER HUGH S. COWANS,
President of the Tooele Stake, made the opening remarks. He regretted the necessity which called forth the censure of the brethren who addressed the Conference yesterday. He referred to conversations he had had with his fellow prisoners in the Penitentiary, who, with himself, beheld with regret that the chastisement that was being inflicted upon the people was merited by us, and permitted to come in the wisdom of Providence, yet he was encouraged in the confident hope that our unpleasant experience would tend to the improvement of the people individually and collectively. This fact was apparent, that one and all were left to choose for themselves what course to pursue; and the fact that our fee agency was in every respect unrestricted, made it the more important that individual responsibility be the more seriously appreciated. He endorsed the remarks of previous speakers to the young: and while he sometimes feared for them in their wild efforts to gratify their desire for worldly things and worldly pleasures, yet, he was satisfied that the Lord would raise up a class of spirits that would be found faithful to the cause of god, and who would prove themselves worthy to perpetuate the institutions of heaven. The speaker, in an earnest and impressive manner, directed the attention of the congregation to the follies and vanities of the world, together with the responsibilities that devolved upon all who had entered into solemn covenants with God, and hoped that the Elders, especially the men of families, upon whom depended more or less the happiness of others, would be found satisfied with their labors when they shall have finished their earthly career. In closing he referred to the high compliment that had been paid the brethren by Warren Dow in regard to the conduct of those who had served terms of imprisonment for conscience sake, in that their conduct and presence in the prison had begotten such a moral influence upon the real criminal inmates of that institution that had awakened feelings of astonishment in him, and he was free to acknowledge it and accord to our brethren the credit of such a state and condition of life as brought forth such moral fruit. We were indebted, he said, to the Gospel plan and the author of it alone for the wonderful power that has made the Latter-day Saints peculiar in all that tends to make much better, and he hoped that this characteristic would be more and more manifested until the world at large should at last concede what a few have already acknowledged.
ELDER WARD E. PACK
was pleased to mingle among the people at Conference and partake of the spirit manifested by the brethren, in their private conversations and public utterances. He could perceive that if the people failed to take to themselves the portion of advice, instruction or rebuke, that was most adapted to their several positions, but little, if any, real profit would be derived from attending our Conference meetings. The wise would receive chastisement and mend their ways, while the thoughtless and the worldly minded would pass by regardless of serious thought the words of life and salvation to us from time to time through the servants of God. And the faithful would rejoice in whatever circumstances we might be placed in, knowing as they do that the Lord will rule and overrule in their behalf, and lead them through the fiery ordeals that will eventually make them shine the brighter among the numerous family of our Father and God.
The speaker referred to the planned attack that is being made by our enemies upon our children, and warned parents to use every effort to guide their children in the ways they should go until they themselves shall see and know as their parents do.
ELDER E. D. WOOLLEY,
President of the Kanab Stake, endorsed, with pleasure, the remarks made by the brethren both yesterday and to-day. The people of God ever were peculiar from the world generally, and such peculiarities could only be maintained by acts of moral courage, which men in possession of the principles of the Gospel were eminently fitted to produce. If wrong existed in our families or Wards, we should discountenance such wrong-doing, irrespective of the person or persons in whom it existed. Living by principle alone could make us the peculiar people that God designed to make us, and which, he was satisfied, we would become eventually. He believed that the time was near when the people generally would be more united both spiritually and temporally; and the object of the Lord in allowing chastisement to come upon us would therefore, be accomplished; a better state of things would be produced, and the will of the Lord, to an extent at least, be brought about with regard to us.
ELDER JESSE W. CROSBY,
President of the Panguitch Stake, testified to the divinity of the work in which the Latter-day Saints were engaged; and he appreciated the opportunity of assembling in general conference to receive instruction or rebuke, as the case might be. One of the peculiarities of the latter-day work was individual responsibility, and all would be held accountable for the opportunities we have and the works we do Many, he said, were willing that others should suffer for the truth, and while they were being tried and perchance chastised, they were being judged and criticized not only by enemies but by their friends as well. There were doubtless, in summit county, as there were in other places, many who were neither hot nor cold, and who were afraid to be tested for fear of falling a prey to the enemy. He advised all to stand upon their own merit, and not depend upon that of others. It was a day of individual responsibility, of individual action. All men and women must act for themselves, and in so doing the Lord tested the integrity of the whole.
ELDER LORENZO HATCH,
of the Arizona Stake, was the next speaker. It was 44 years since he became acquainted with "Mormonism," and he had taken pains to notice the growth of the work during that time, as well as the labors of individuals with whom he was more immediately acquainted. He was pleased to find the faith of the people growing stronger in the Lord; and he was pleased also to be engaged personally in imparting the faith of the true and living god to the descendants of the noble men who lived and labored in the earlier history of this continent, and was encouraged to the hope that the days were being ushered in when that afflicted people would come in remembrance before the Lord, according to what had been said of them by their progenitors. He rejoiced in the fact that the Kingdom of God was established never more to be taken away or thrown down; and he was thankful to hear the warning voice of his brethren who were the true friends of the people; and he hoped they would be long spared to labor among the Saints, and that the people would receive their instructions to the spirit to which they were given, and profit thereby. He bore a faithful testimony to the divinity of the work, and of the goodness of God to His people.
BISHOP GEORGE O. PITKIN,
of Millville, Cache County, said he realized that faith was truly a gift of God, and that it was necessary to exercise true faith in order to accomplish the purposes of God in the work of our individual salvation and that of building up His kingdom on the earth, and earnestly prayed that the Lord would inspire His people to seek after him, and to labor diligently to accomplish all the righteousness they have in their hearts to do.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
expressed pleasure in what had been said by the several brethren. It was desirable, he said, to know how such men felt, especially since our leading men had retired from the active service of laboring personally among the people; and he hoped that they and the Presidents of Stakes and the Bishops generally would sense the additional responsibility that devolved upon them in consequence of the retirement of the First Presidency and members of the Quorum of the Twelve, and prove themselves indeed and of a truth shepherds to the flock of god.
The choir sang an anthem, and Elder Alma Eldredge pronounced the benediction.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 35:630-631, 10/20/86, p 2-3]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
2 o'clock.
Conference re-assembled this afternoon.
The choir sang the hymn:
Lord, we come before Thee
now,
At Thy feet we humbly bow.
Prayer by Elder Wm. W. Cluff.
Singing:
When all thy mercies, O my
God,
My rising soul surveys;
Transported with the view, I'm lost
In wonder, love and praise.
ELDER A. K. THURBER,
of Richfield, was the first speaker. The tenor of the instructions that had been given, he said, tended to the purification of the Church. There never was a time when such instructions were more necessary than to-day. When we were baptized, we entered into covenant with God to reform our lives and help to reform those of our fellow-beings; and he wondered ofttimes how we were disposing of the obligations that devolved upon us. In the Sevier Stake of Zion, the officers there were not without censure, because of neglect of duty; and he hoped that they, in connection with their fellow servants, would bring themselves into the line of duty. The speaker referred to the Word of Wisdom; claimed that the aged were under equal obligation to observe it as the younger portion of the community. He felt that he could testify that aged people as well as young, if they set themselves properly about it, could overcome pernicious habits. And he felt it the bounden duty of all, especially the officers of the Church, to set a good example. He referred to an incident that occurred while traveling in his Stake of a child asking its parent why he did not ask a blessing on the food when no strangers were present. Such was a great rebuke from a child. It was not proper, he held, for men to preach that which they themselves did not practice. The speaker read from the Book of Nephi on this subject, showing how people fell because of their worldly practices. The precepts of men, he considered, had too much influence in our dealings one with another as well as in the performance of duties to God, in all of which there was much room for improvement. In conclusion he urged the people to faithfulness, and the road to this was to pay particular attention to and be sure to carry out the instructions of the servants of God as they had been given at this conference, and at all other times.
ELDER SAMUEL W. RICHARDS
said the advice and instructions given were of that character that they could appreciate as coming from the servants of God, the same having a tendency to build up and strengthen the Saints in the faith of the Gospel. Jesus in his day said, if he had not come and spoken they could not have sinned; but because he had come and spoken sin lay at their doors. This was applicable to us in our day. We could not afford to disregard the counsels of the living oracles; they had spoken and we would be judged according to the attention we paid to what they say unto us. The gate was strait through which the few entered; the popular will was to go with the multitude which led to death. The instructions given were of a general character, and applied therefore to the people as a whole. The present was the greatest of all the dispensations, and the people now living were accountable to God for the great opportunities it afforded. The general desire was to accumulate the wealth of the world, but the Savior taught those of his day to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; this instruction is repeated to-day, and comes home to all Latter-day Saints. The sacrifice the Gospel requires of its adherents comprehends all that man can say or do, all that he can give or impart even to life itself. The injunction was to seek another's good before one's own; and this is entitled to the candid consideration of all. The righteousness of the Kingdom of God consisted in its commands and laws, and we had no right to its immunities unless we emulated the example of its best advocates. This was the condition on which we agreed to receive the blessings the Gospel of the Kingdom afforded. The speaker then called attention to the character of the work and its origin; and referred to the labors of Adam, Moses and Abraham and others as guides of former times, some of whom, and whose associates had revealed its fundamental doctrines to us in our day. When the speaker beheld men toiling for the good of their fellows, and the little time they had to live it, made him yearn to benefit the condition of the human lace. Time was short at the best, and we could accomplish little when every opportunity was improved because of the numerous duties that demanded our attention. but the things of God were essential to our salvation, and therefore we should hold them as first and foremost in our every day life. The promises of God were great; we should merit them not because of a desire to escape punishment, but for the love of truth and righteousness; and we should, in our great desire for truth, feel that we could endure anything and everything that we might be called upon to pass through. Not till we reached that state could we hope to merit a fulfilment of the promises of the Lord upon us and our children. We must consider that we ourselves and all we possess belong to Him who created us, and that we are his agents laboring in the vineyard for the welfare of the human race, in order to prove ourselves worthy of a full salvation in His kingdom, which he hoped would be the lot of the latter-day Saints.
ELDER CYRUS H. WHEELOCK
expressed pleasure in being present on this conference occasion. It was thought in olden days by women that if they had a husband or sons worthy to be in the congregations of the Lord they were greatly honored. How much more honored were we in being allowed o take part in administering the affairs of the Church and kingdom of God? How great the honor, too, was conferred upon us in being able with assurance to approach God as our Father in the way pointed out by Him to approach the throne of grace! The Gospel required sacrifice. Persecution was the lot of the faithful. The Prophet Joseph Smith, about four hours before is martyrdom, in answer to the question by Col. Markham, "What will be the result of this?" said that "if they slay me and the Twelve, while there is a man on the earth that is endowed with the Melchisedec Priesthood, and he is an honest man, and seeks the Lord, he would go forth and carry on the work until His kingdom was established." We see to-day the result of early persecutions. We were led by the power of God to this place, and have prospered, although men declared that we would starve and die in the Wilderness. Brother Orson Pratt covenanted with the Lord upon his arrival here on behalf of himself and the people, as an Apostle, that we would honor the Lord, keep the Sabbath day, pay the tenth of our increase, and build temples to the name of the Lord, because the Lord had delivered us out of the hands of our enemies. It was for us to remember the goodness of God to us, and the obligations we are under to him, and seek strength from heaven lest we, in our prosperity, forget the Lord. He testified to the establishment of the kingdom of God, and of the determination of the Lord to build it up despite the opposition of wicked men. The speaker referred to the dream of Jacob, who, upon awaking said: surely God was in this place but he knew it not; and to the covenant he entered into with the lord on that occasion. After 20 years he returned to the same place with a multitude as a fulfilment of the covenant, which he acknowledged was the direct blessing of heaven upon him; and then the covenant was renewed between him and the Lord, and while this was going on between Jacob and the Lord, while Jacob was receiving blessings which were endless in their nature, the world of mankind, with all their love of pleasures, were hastening their own destruction. To the Israel of the latter-days was given the hearts to understand, and power to abide in the bonds of the everlasting covenant; and so sure as we are of his lineage, so sure will the God of Israel make us the saviors of men, as Joseph became the savior of his father's house.
PRESIDENT RICHARDS
made a few closing remarks. He spoke of the importance of the day we live in, and the serious obligations the Latter-day Saints are under. He warned the people against carelessness and covetousness, and allowing themselves to be absorbed in acquiring the things of the world. He declared it the duty of the Saints to use their riches to the upbuilding of the Lord's work; and if a selfish desire blinded the eyes of the people to this fact the day would come when they would lose what had been entrusted to their care. In consequence of carelessness many evils existed in Zion, and the Lord through his servants was calling upon the people to repent. This duty was particularly incumbent upon the Presidents of Stakes and the Bishops of wards, and the Lord would hold them accountable to see that iniquity was rooted out of Zion.
After singing and prayer conference adjourned till the following day at 10 o'clock.
_____
[8 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 35:631, 10/20/86, p 3]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
Oct. 8, 1886, 10 a.m.
Conference re-assembled this morning, the choir singing the hymn:
Zion stands with hills surrounded.
Prayer by Elder John R. Murcock.
Singing by the choir:
Let those who would be
Saints indeed,
Fear not what others do.
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH.
The subjects chiefly dwelt upon at this Conference had been those which pointed to self-improvement, with a view to our becoming acceptable as a people to God, that we might be worthy of his divine and when most needed. Our traditions and prejudices were such as to make it difficult for us to see and comprehend the principles of the gospel as they exist in the bosom of God, our Heavenly Father. Zion would consist of a pure people; a people who had learned to withstand temptation, and cleave to the law of God as he had revealed it in our day. The law in the commencement was that man should multiply and replenish the earth; and while He had placed a premium on lawful wedlock, His curse followed those who committed sexual crimes. Forbidding to marry had been declared a doctrine of devils, because in that was cunningly concealed a snare that would almost inevitably lead a fallen world into the meshes of iniquity, involving destruction and death. The bonds of matrimony were such that naught but criminal violation of the marriage covenant could break them, when the contracting parties were pure before God. The laws of God with regard to personal purity could not be broken with impunity; and upon a rigid observance of them depended our strength and standing before god and the world. This, he said, was a delicate subject to treat upon, yet its importance could not be denied. The speaker then spoke of the duty of parents to win the confidence of their children, and of teaching them the necessity of their observing the laws of life. The revelations of God were plain upon this duty of parents in Zion. The speaker felt that this teaching was applicable to the fathers and mothers in Israel, and that a due diligence in pursing a proper course toward their children alone could render them free from the condemnation that attached to its non observance. God had given to us a knowledge of the higher law, and he who fell a prey to passion, to whom this law had come, would forever debar himself from the society of those who had kept the law of chastity. In closing, the speaker urged upon parents to labor with their children and jealously watch them, and guard them from the power of destructive influences; that the faith of God may grow up in their hearts, that they with themselves may be worthy of a full salvation in the Kingdom of God.
ELDER HEBER J. GRANT
said he had listened with pleasure to what had been said at the Conference, and hoped that we would practice the same. It was not that which we heard, but that which we practiced that would benefit us. Many attended meetings thinking they were benefitted because the listened attentively, but such were mistaken if they did not reduce to practice what was taught them. The Gospel when practiced was calculated to make us perfect beings. If the naturally selfish would tithe themselves and donate liberally for charitable purposes, that weakness would be largely overcome. The work of self-improvement was the all-important one which when carried out effectually would prepare us to build up Zion in the way that God intends it should be. Some had allowed themselves to believe that the greatest of all gifts can be realized by them without meriting it. How inconsistent, when it is remembered that there can be no excellence without labor; no good results without working to produce them. The revelations of God on this subject were that no blessing can be received unless the law upon which it is predicated is strictly honored, whether it be of a temporal or a spiritual character. It would be a waste of time to labor for and desire merely honor of men and the wealth of the world, as they are of a transitory nature. The speaker regretted that we cannot learn through the unpleasant experience of others, without having to suffer likewise; and reverted to the advice of the previous speaker with regard to the duties of parents to children. He had heard parents lament, when it was too late, of a lack of this duty. There could be no condition so painful as that which separated parents from children, and especially if this were brought about through negligence of parents to the performance of duty to their children. Condemnation came to us through our failing to live up to the light and knowledge that we possessed. He prayed that God would lead the Saints to do better in the future than they had in the past, and thus render themselves acceptable before Him.
PRESIDENT RICHARDS,
referring to the remarks of Brother John Henry Smith, said it was a subject of chief importance that we over come the weakness of the flesh. The laws of God touching this subject came direct to us, and not through Moses and the prophets. This was a fundamental law by which our life's conduct should be governed, upon the observance of which the future of Zion depended. The pure in heart were known of the Lord, and it was only a question of time for the brightness or all such, wherever they might be, to shine forth to be seen and admired of their fellows. The regeneration of the human race was involved in the practice of the laws of chastity, and it was for the Latter-day Saints to accomplish this great work by their commencing at home and among their immediate friends and acquaintances.
President Richards then announced that the Epistle of the First Presidency [which has already appeared in the NEWS] would be partly read now, and the balance in the afternoon. The reading of the Epistle was then commenced by Brother Heber M. Wells. at 11:45 an adjournment was taken till 1:30 p.m. The choir singing the anthem
Jerusalem my glorious home.
Benediction by Elder J. F. Wells.
_____
[8 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 35:631, 10/20/86, p 3]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
2 p.m.
Conference met pursuant to adjournment. The choir sang the hymn:
May we who know the joyful sound.
Prayer by Bishop Jos. Kimball.
Singing:
He died the great Redeemer
died,
And Israel's daughters wept around.
The sacrament was administered and the authorities of the Church presented and unanimously sustained as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President and Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch to the Church, John Smith.
First seven Presidents of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First Counselor.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust: The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General church Recorder, with F. D. Richards as assistant.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom assistant.
Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards and Joseph F. Smith.
Clerk of Conference -- John Nicholson. Geo. F. Gibbs Clerk pro tem.
Church Reporters -- John Irvine and George F. Gibbs.
The reading of the Epistle was completed by Brother Heber M. Wells, lasting one hour.
[First Presidency]
[DNW 35: 616-617, 10/13/86, p 8-9]
AN EPISTLE
OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
_____
Dear
Brethren and Sisters:
Six
months have passed away since we last had the pleasure of addressing you
through our General Epistle, and we find ourselves face to face with the
Fifty-sixth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church in this dispensation. The past
six months have been very fruitful in events in which all of us have been
deeply interested. The season has been a healthful one; no sickness worthy of
note has affected our people unpleasantly. The summer has been both unusually
dry and hot, and many of the crops have not yielded as good a return as usual.
Nevertheless our land is still filled with plenty, and man and beast have
sufficient to supply their wants.
PERSECUTION AND ITS EFFECTS
Our
enemies during the past half year have not slackened their activity in the work
of persecution. If there has been any difference, it has been pursued with
greater vindictiveness and more flagrant disregard of law and justice than at any
time previous. Those who have been compelled to endure the penalties inflicted
upon them have submitted, in nearly every instance, with a cheerful equanimity
and fortitude that must have won the admiration of heaven and of all just men.
That which has been accomplished furnishes but little cause for gratification
to those who have been engaged in the inhuman task of persecuting a people for
the practice of their religion. There have been but few persons in all who have
been tried and convicted who have felt sufficiently terrified at the prospect
of punishment to express a willingness to accept the rulings of the court
instead of the law of God, as the guide for their consciences.
The faith
of the Latter-day Saints seems to grow stronger from these efforts to destroy
it; and men, women and children who have been living in the practice of the
requirements of their religion feel more determined than ever to maintain their
integrity and to do all that the Lord requires at their hands with cheerful
willingness, whatever may be the consequences from a worldly point of view.
This
persecution is not without its effects upon those who have made a pretense of
being faithful members of the Church. Iniquity is being brought to light. The
wrongdoer is being made to feel, in a most remarkable manner, that his sin will
find him out; and the evidence that God is pleading with and awakening the
consciences of those who have been living in sin is frequently furnished to us.
There have been many violations of the law of God practiced among us which have
been hidden from the public gaze. The trials through which we are passing have
the effect of causing these evils to be brought to light. It seems as though
the Lord is tearing the covering, not only from the nations of the earth, but
from the Latter-day Saints; and the time is not far distant -- in fact, it has
reached us already in part -- when the sinner in Zion shall tremble, and fear
shall seize upon the hypocrite.
THE PURIFICATION OF ZION
So far as
we can learn there is an increased disposition on the part of the faithful
officers of the Church to do all in their power to cleanse the Wards and Stakes
in their charge from those who will not conform to the requirements of the
Gospel. Greater strictness is being shown, and the Saints who have the love of
the truth within them feel that the time has come to put away their follies and
their sins far from them and to conform to a higher standard of righteousness.
The great, crying sin of this generation is lasciviousness in its various
forms. Satan, knowing how powerful an agency this is in corrupting men and
women, and in driving the Spirit from them, and bringing them under
condemnation before the Lord, uses it to the greatest extent possible. It
requires an incessant warfare to check its spread and to prevent the people of
God from becoming its victims. No people who practice or countenance these sins
can be accepted of the Lord or find favor in His sight. His anger will fall
upon them unless they thoroughly and heartily repent of every such evil. When
we take into consideration the teachings we have received upon this subject,
the holy covenants into which we have entered, and the professions which we
make, unchastity should have no existence among us. It is sorrowful to contemplate
that Satan finds those among us who are willing to yield to his temptations,
and thus bring misery upon themselves and all connected with them. We solemnly
call, as we have done so often before, upon all the officers of the Church to
set their faces like flint against practices of this character. Those who
indulge in them must be dealt with according to the laws of God, and they must
be made to feel that if they do indulge in this wickedness they cannot have the
fellowship of the Saints nor a standing in the Church of Christ. If men and
women would only profit by the experience of those who have fallen, they would
resist the allurements of sin and walk in the path of righteousness. "The
wages of sin is death." The misery which it brings upon the guilty, and
upon all connected with them, furnishes some idea of the dreadful condition of
the wicked who die in their sins and do not obtain the forgiveness of their
God. O! that men and women could be warned, and that they would turn to the
Lord and seek unto Him, humble themselves before Him, put away their sins, and
obtain His Holy Spirit to be their guide and their companion, then no matter
what the circumstances might be in which they were placed, they would have the
peace of heaven, the joy of the Holy Ghost, and a conscience void of offense
towards God and man? And this is the condition in which every Latter-day Saint
should live.
PROPHECY FULFILLED BY THE SITUATION
The
circumstances which surround us, though in many respects painful and trying,
are not such as to discourage the faithful Saint. We have been taught to expect
just such scenes as these through which we are passing, or, at least, just such
opposition as we now have to contend with. What we now behold is in direct
fulfillment of the predictions of God's servants to us in this generation, and
unless these events take place His word could not be fulfilled.
Not only
have the Prophets in our day spoken about the events which should take place in
connection with the latter-day work and the opposition it would have to contend
with, but the Prophets of old foretold with accuracy and minuteness that the
people of God should be few and their dominions should be small, because of the
wickedness of "the great whore" which should make war against them.
But notwithstanding that the multitudes of the earth should fight against the
Church of the Lamb of God, the power of God would descend upon the Saints and
upon His covenant people; and they should be armed with righteousness and with
the power of God and great glory. The scenes in which we are now taking part
were known to men of God, by the spirit of revelation, thousands of years ago.
But while they predicted the troubles and difficulties with which the people of
God would have to contend in the last days, in every instance they broke out in
language of encouragement respecting the result of the struggle and predicted
the complete triumph of God's kingdom over all the opposing powers of evil.
Therefore, in this contest which is forced upon us we do not wage a defense
that is hopeless. The God of heaven is on our side. He has made promises to
Zion which cannot fail. He is mightier than all of earth's hosts, and by His
wonderful providence can bring to pass, in His own way, the fulfillment of all
the words of His inspired servants. Upon this foundation we can rest secure. No
weapon that is formed against Zion can prosper; and every tongue that shall
rise against her in judgment shall be condemned. Our enemies gloat over the
prospect of our destruction. Even those who feel inclined to be friendly can
see no prospect for our deliverance except by the abandonment of our religion.
But it is better for us to die than to abandon our God! We cannot do this
without throwing away all hope respecting the future and the great eternity
that awaits us. We know that there is no faithful Latter-day Saint who feels
for one moment like yielding to the demands of the wicked. Our religion is
given to us from our God. We have received it by the revelations of Jesus to
us. When all the world was in darkness and struggling and contending about
doctrines and ordinances, He condescended to restore the Everlasting Priesthood
from the heavens and His Gospel in its purity and fulness and power. We were
left no longer to grope in the dark and to follow the traditions of our fathers
or the false teachings of uninspired men. The path of salvation was plainly
marked before us, confirmed to us by the unerring testimony of God's Holy
Spirit. Our souls, in walking in that path, have been filled with ineffable joy
and peace. While others who have rejected the truth have been apprehensive and
fearful concerning the events that were taking place and that were likely to
take place, we have had a peace, a satisfaction of mind, and a contentment that
have made our position unique. God has given unto us the fruits of His Gospel
in great abundance. We behold them in our family organizations. We behold them
in our Wards, and in our Stakes, and in our entire Church. His blessing has
visibly rested upon us, and His power has been displayed in our behalf. Every
faithful Latter-day Saint has rejoiced in the abundance of the gifts of the
Spirit which He has bestowed; and no promise that was made to the ancient
Saints, or that has been made to us, upon the condition of our faithfully
obeying the Gospel, has been withheld from us. We have been a people greatly
blessed of the Lord, and our hearts should swell with gratitude and
thanksgiving to our God for His abundant mercies.
SHOULD BEAR EACH OTHERS BURDENS
We again
call upon the Presidents of Stakes and the Bishops of Wards to look carefully
after the wants of all who are within their jurisdiction and stand in need of
assistance. Especially should the families of those who are in prison, or who
have been compelled to flee, or who are upon missions, be tenderly cared for.
They need both aid and sympathy. Those upon whom the heavy hand of persecution
does not personally rest should be willing to share the burdens of their
afflicted brethren and sisters, by contributing to the comfort and sustenance
of those who are deprived of the society and guidance of husbands and fathers
for righteousness' sake. By so doing they will lay up treasures in heaven, and
share the reward for these trials. The weight of this persecution falls upon
the women and children. Deprived of the presence and support of their husbands
and fathers, upon whom they have been accustomed to rely, they are
comparatively helpless and naturally a prey to deep anxiety. The care and
training of the children thus bereaved devolves upon their mothers, whose
burden is made doubly heavy to bear. The Teachers should be particularly
diligent in visiting such families, and in watching over their welfare. Thus
the hands of the mothers should be strengthened, the young encouraged, the
wayward admonished, and the heroic example of the heads of those households
held up for admiration; and everything possible should be done to make their
situation tolerable and pleasant. In this way we can bear each other's burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ, and witness to our God and to the world, that
though we may not personally suffer persecution, our sympathy and faith are
with those who are afflicted for adherence to their religion, and that we are
ready and willing to do our part and manifest our devotion to the cause of
Christ.
JUDICIAL PERVERSION AND OPPRESSION
The
District Courts of Utah still pursue their extreme, vindictive and unrelenting
course. The law is perverted, not justly administered; the object appears to
be, not the maintenance of social purity nor the rectification of alleged evil,
but the oppression and distress of individuals because of their religious
position. The Latter-day Saints are under the most sacred obligations to do the
will of God. At the same time they wish to obey every valid law of the land.
But by the strained interpretation and the unwarrantable application of the
Edmunds Act, men are made offenders because of their religious scruples, and
rendered criminals when they are not fairly amenable to the law. Defendants
who, according to the evidence, have only lived with one wife, are
"presumed" to have cohabited with another wife, and thus are
convicted of "cohabiting with more than one woman, when the presumption is
obliterated by the proof."
In other
cases when parties, in their desire to observe the requirements of the Edmunds
Act, have privately agreed to the voluntary relinquishment of association as
husband and wife, the husband has not escaped the vengeance of the law. Though
there are numbers of instances where such parties have honestly endeavored to
live within the law, yet whenever indictments have been found, husbands have
almost invariably been convicted and sentenced to the full penalties of fine
and imprisonment. We take this opportunity of recording our high appreciation
of the spirit of self sacrifice which has been manifested by our sisters
throughout the entire crusade. They have shown a fortitude, a courage, a
devotion and love which must be the admiration of posterity. They have not
faltered in their devotion to the principles of righteousness, have not shrunk
from the consequences attending obedience to God's law, and have been a source
of strength and encouragement to their sons, their husbands and their fathers.
There are numerous instances which have come to our knowledge of wives offering
to make the most heroic sacrifices to save their husbands from the penalties of
the law.
Contrary
to the jurisprudence of centuries, legal wives are compelled, under threats of
imprisonment, to testify against their lawful husbands and disclose family
secrets that should never be bared to the public eye. This is a gross violation
of the law under which they act, and opposed to recognized public policy and family
rights. And by the system of "segregation" an offense which,
according to the law, is punishable at the utmost extent by six months
imprisonment and a fine of $300 is multiplied into many offenses and the full
sentence inflicted for each fraction of that offense.
The plan
of finding several indictments for the one offense has been discarded and the
scheme adopted of making several counts in the one indictment. The number of
these counts is not regulated by law, but is left to the arbitrary disposition
of a grand jury selected from the class in hostility to the defendants, and
usually subject and pliant to the will of an extremely bitter and unscrupulous
Prosecuting Attorney. The petit juries empaneled for the trial of persons thus
indicted, are also picked out for their known antagonism to the society to
which the accused belong. And in almost every instance they find verdicts as
requested by the Prosecuting Attorney, oblivious of the exculpatory portions of
the evidence. Juries are thus selected, not only for the trial of cases under
the Edmunds law, which permits challenges of "Mormons," but by the
open venire process strong anti-"Mormon" are chosen to try
"Mormons" accused of offenses not included in the Edmunds act, and thus
again is the law perverted and prostituted to work oppression and injustice.
The Courts, as a rule, decide on questions of law and procedure as desired by
the District Attorney and ignore the request of defendant's counsel for legal
instructions to the trial jury. Thus the victims marked for the sacrifice on
the altar of hate, are, humanly speaking, entirely at the mercy of their
persecutors.
Another
new step in the progress of this iniquity is the rule, recently enforced, of
compelling persons charged with violations of the Edmunds act to plead guilty
or else have their families forced upon the witness stand, to be plied with
shameful questions concerning the most private acts and relations of their
husbands and fathers. Children of tender years are compelled to give evidence
on subjects unsuited to their immature minds, and to become the instruments of
their parents' incarceration. Formerly, defendants were permitted to plead not
guilty and then go upon the stand and testify against themselves, declaring the
facts and leaving the result with the jury and the court. By this means a
conscientious man who did not consider himself guilty of crime, could explain
his position, and meet the issue without doing violence to his convictions. But
this poor consolation is now denied by the malevolent District Attorney. The
unfortunate defendant must do violence to some extent to his conscience by
pleading guilty, or suffer the anguish of witnessing the tortures of his wives
and children when subject to the legal rack of a brutal cross-examination, in
which no regard is shown for a wife's affection or a daughter's love, the
sensitive shrinking of a virtuous woman from exposure of her marital
associations, or a child's tearful aversion to disclosing the secrets of home
for the conviction of a father. Such proceedings prove that the object is not
the vindication of the law but the promotion of human suffering, providing the
victims are members of the "Mormon" Church. Many of the objects of
this malevolence are aged men who have passed the allotted three score years
and ten, who have contracted no new marital obligations, but are engaged in
caring for their families as honor and righteousness dictate. The heartless
severity with which such defendants are pursued is also evidence that the
object is not the public benefit but the wreaking of vengeance upon members of
a Church.
Another
indignity which has been heaped upon the heads of Latter-day Saints is the
charge of perjury which the reckless District Attorney has publicly but not
legally made. Witnesses who have been compelled to testify against their
dearest friends, when answering "I do not know" to questions
concerning matters of which they were not cognizant, have been insulted and
abused and branded with perjury. All evidence they disclose which suits him he
uses as undeniable truth before a commissioner or a jury, but everything
elicited from the same witnesses that does not suit his purpose he denounces as
perjury. And he has the hardihood to claim that this crime is taught and
encouraged by the "Mormon" Church. The refutation of this atrocious
calumny is found in the standards of Church doctrine, and in the fact that the
brethren who are now lingering in prison for declining to repudiate their
wives, have been sent there, in nearly every instance, through their own
testimony or the testimony of their families. And it is well known that every
one of them could have escaped the penalties of the law if they would but
promise to obey the law, in future, as construed by the courts. It would have
been easy to make the promise and avoid punishment. But their regard for their
word was such that they would not make a promise which they did not intend to
keep, so they accepted a loathsome prison and pecuniary loss in preference to
the appearance of falsehood. It may seem to those who do not understand the
situation that the requirement of future obedience to the law is but reasonable
and that every good citizen should make this agreement. But an explanation of
the facts will speedily dissipate this conclusion. Obedience to the law as
construed by the courts, would be difficult of comprehension if the numerous
and diverse definitions of the law were considered. But according to the latest
rulings, a promise to obey the law signifies an agreement to violate the most
solemn covenants of marital fidelity that mortals can make with each other and
their God. It means the utter repudiation of loving wives and the separation
either of the father and some of his children or of the mother and her
children. It is a promise not to visit, go to the same place of worship or
amusement, or recognize, associate with, or even call on when sick or dying, or
when her child is sick or dying, the plural wife who has been faithful in all
things. It means dishonor, treachery, cruelty and cowardice. It places, not the
law but a gross and wicked perversion of the law, above the revealed will of
God and the noblest promptings of the human heart. It is a promise that no true
Latter-day Saint can make and that no humane being would demand.
Thus the
legal difficulties that surround the Saints are not so much the effects of a
special and partial law aimed at a feature of their religion as of the wicked
and absurd constructions of that law and its improper and unprecedented
administration, prompted by malice, inspired by Satan and intended to crush out
a system of religion which cannot be overcome by truth, reason and the agencies
of enlightened humanity.
RETALIATION DEPRECATED
Before
leaving this uninviting subject we desire to say to the Latter-day Saints, that
though we are suffering so acutely from the inhumanity of our fellow men, we
must not descend in the slightest degree to acts that would savor of
retaliation, or in the least seek to curtail any man in his individual rights.
We wish it fully understood by the Saints and by all the world that we have a
profound respect for all wholesome and constitutional laws. We are the firm and
unequivocal advocates of law and order, and of every principle associated with
human freedom, and though we regard the Edmunds Act, in its provisions and its
administration, as ex post facto, cruel, oppressive and unconstitutional, yet
we are not contending against it in our own interests alone, but we are also
fighting the battle of civil and religious liberty, and of freedom of
conscience in behalf of our common humanity and in the interest of every
people. We feel assured that, as the founding of these United States formed an
epoch in the history of human liberty, so this action of ours will have due
weight in restraining the tendency to intolerance and oppression that to-day
uprears its head to stay the progress of human freedom. We say, as Elder Parley
P. Pratt very forcibly expresses it in one of his political effusions:
"Come ye
Christian sects, and Pagan,
Pope and Protestant and Priest,
Worshipers of God or Dagon,
Come ye to fair freedom's feast.
Come ye sons of doubt and wonder-
Indian, Moslem, Greek and Jew,
All your shackles burst asunder;
Freedom's banner waves for you."
THE REFUGE OF LIES
Probably
at no period in the world's history has Satan had such power over the hearts of
the children of men as he appears to wield at the present. He has flooded the
earth with lies, endeavoring by means of these deceptions to retard the work of
God, to destroy its influence, and to make victims of its believers, especially
those who have the authority to administer the ordinances of the Gospel. A more
striking illustration of his power in this respect has not been furnished us
than was witnessed at the meetings which were attended by some of the members
of the Grand Army of the Republic who were passing through here. It would be
incredible to believe that people could be so deceived by the false statements
which were made to them by our enemies who reside here, had it not been
witnessed. The most abominable falsehoods, which could be disproved with the
greatest ease, were told with an unblushing effrontery that was Satanic; though
many of the visitors had opportunities of seeing for themselves, and of mingling
with the people, some went away fully imbued with the idea that the Latter-day
Saints ought to be exterminated from the face of the earth. But to the credit
of humanity be it said, others became thoroughly disgusted with the
proceedings, and denounced unsparingly the folly and wrong of condemning a
people affording so many evidences of the qualities that go to make excellent
citizens, from the one-sided statements of their avowed enemies.
The
course of the former class is an illustration of the malignant power of
falsehood wielded by Satan in other directions and places. If lies could
overwhelm the work of God, we should be completely crushed under their weight.
It is this great influence upon which Satan depends to thwart the purposes of
God and check the spread of truth; and, unfortunately for the world, it appears
willing to drink in his spirit and to believe his fabrications. It is this that
arouses mobs and causes them to indulge in acts of violence and hostility
against unoffending servants of God, and that has incited them to shed the
blood of innocent men in the most cruel and barbarous manner.
By means
of this incessant stream of falsehood which is continually being sent forth,
the rulers of our nation are urged to adopt the most extreme measures against
us. It appears vain to point to our works, to show what we have done in
declaiming this land from its original sterility, and building up a grand
commonwealth in these mountains-a commonwealth, rich in all the elements of
greatness, lightly taxed, free from debt, with peace and union prevailing to an
unparalleled extent throughout all these mountains where Latter-day Saints
reside. It is in vain that we point to our frugality, our temperance, our
comparative freedom from crime, and the peace and good order which exist
wherever we are in the majority. All these evidences of thrift and virtue go
for nothing, and the National Legislature feels that it is under the necessity
of devising schemes to take away from us the rights we have inherited, and which
belong to us as a free people, and to bring us into bondage to those who malign
us, and who would take delight in destroying us.
EFFORTS TO PROCURE PROSCRIPTIVE LEGISLATION
Every
effort possible was made during this last session of Congress to secure legislation
of the most proscriptive and sweeping character against the Latter-day Saints.
Not only was it the design to reach persons who believed in and practiced
plural marriage, but our enemies went so far as to propose the complete
annihilation of every political right belonging to those who were free from the
charge of polygamy, and whose only crime was that they were members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Congress adjourned without acting
upon this measure. Already we hear the notes of preparation for a renewal of
the campaign against us. Filled with anger at their non-success at the last
session, our opponents are preparing for the onslaught at the coming session of
Congress, and we are threatened with vengeance of the most dreadful
description.
But in
this, as in all other circumstances and conditions, our trust is in God. This
is His work. He has thus far taken care of it and preserved it, and has
delivered us from the many plots which have been framed against us. It has
progressed thus far only by His power, and not by the power of man. Whatever
glory there is connected with the establishment and progress of this great work
is due entirely to Him. Man's wisdom, education, shrewdness, wealth and ability
have not been the factors that have produced success; but it has been the
blessing, the power, and the overruling providence of our God. We have had to
trust Him in the past in the midst of unnumbered foes; we must trust Him in the
future against the terrible odds that are pitted against His work and His
Gospel. We know, and can boldly testify to the Latter-day Saints, and to the
whole world, that the Lord hath founded Zion, and that no power beneath the
Celestial Kingdom can prevail against it.
But those
who fight against it will share the fate of all who have ever fought against
it. Who is there that has prospered in his warfare against Zion. Who can point
to the laurels which have been won in fighting the work of God? What man or
what nation has gained credit and glory in the earth for successes achieved
over the feeble Latter-day Saints? We have seen generation after generation of
our opposers pass, one after another, into cold oblivion. They have strutted
their brief hour upon the stage, appearing to think that they were accomplishing
wonders. But they have passed away, and the memory of their deeds only lives in
our historical archives. So it will be with those who now occupy so large a
portion of public attention as crusaders against the Saints, and who imagine
themselves to be such doughty heroes.
THE SPIRIT OF SCANDAL
Not only
has Satan sent forth his lies outside of our society, but he uses his influence
in this direction among us. The tendency in our settlements and cities to
listen to and believe in every wild and slanderous rumor which may be put in
circulation is to be deeply deplored. No matter how unfounded and destitute of
even the semblance of truth such reports may be, there are those among us so
silly and credulous as to readily believe them. The injury that is thus wrought
is not easily measured. Many of the evils from which we have suffered have been
greatly aggravated by this disposition on the part of some who call themselves
Latter-day Saints. The man who frames a lie is a great sinner; but the one who
loves a lie, and who circulates a lie after it is told, is also under
condemnation. Many stories go from mouth to mouth concerning the truth of which
those who repeat them know nothing. But it seems as though the constant
repetition of a falsehood impresses many people as though it were a fact. Where
Latter-day Saints, so-called, are found telling that which is untrue, they
should be called to an account. It is written that whosoever loveth and maketh
a lie shall not be permitted to enter into the Holy City, nor to have a right
to the tree of life, but they are to be without, with dogs, sorcerers,
whoremongers, murderers and idolaters. The Lord has said, "He that telleth
lies shall not tarry in my sight." Latter-day Saints should be warned upon
these points, that they may not grieve the Spirit of the Lord, nor do injury to
their friends and neighbors, by indulging in this pernicious habit of repeating
and attaching credence to every slander and false rumor that may be put in
circulation. But every one should be careful, when they hear a story about
their brethren and sisters, to refrain from repeating it until they know it to
be true, and then not to do so in a way to injure the person about whom it is
told. The reputation of our neighbors and the members of our Church should be
as dear to us as our own, and we should carefully avoid doing anything to
another or saying anything about another that we would not wish done or said
about ourselves. We testify that those who give way to this influence, who take
delight in reading lies which are published about us in papers circulated in
our midst or outside of our Territory, who delight in listening to the false
and malicious representations which are made concerning the servants and people
of God or His work, or who themselves gossip about and aid in the dissemination
of these things to the injury of their fellows, will, unless they speedily
repent, lose the Spirit of God and the power to discern between truth and
falsehood, and between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. Their
own minds will become so darkened by the spirit of falsehood that the Spirit of
God will cease to have power with them and will flee from them.
SABBATH-BREAKING AND RECREATION MANIA
Among the
sins into which some who are called Saints have been betrayed is
Sabbath-breaking and over indulgence in useless pleasure. "The Sabbath was
made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." But it is the Lord's day and
should be spent as he directs. We are not left to the doubts and queries which enter
into the polemics of sectaries on this important matter. We have the word of
the Lord upon it, direct. He has declared to us through His Prophet:
"And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the
Sabbath day to keep it holy.
"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world,
thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy
day;
"For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and
pay thy devotions to the Most High;
"Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days
and at all times;
"But remember that on this the Lord's day, thou shalt offer thine
oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy
brethren, and before the Lord.
"And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be
prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other
words, that thy joy may be full."
These
commandments of the Lord do not admit of Sunday excursions to the lake or the
canyons or other places any more than manual labor. That day will be held
sacred to the service and worship by God by every true Latter-day Saint. Those
who desecrate it reject the word of the Lord and will not be held guiltless. We
admonish all members of the Church to obey this commandment and the officers of
the Church to see that it is not broken with impunity.
The mania
for recreations of various kinds which has seized upon many of the people is
harmful in several ways. It unfits them for the regular duties of life. It
renders them restless and impatient of proper restraint. It obstructs business.
It tends to contract habits of dissipation. It throws our young folks into the
company of persons whose society should be shunned. It cultivates worldliness. It
conduces to many evils, and the spirit of purity, temperance, holiness and
peace will not abide in resorts such as have been established for the purpose
of enticing the Saints into folly. Many thousands of dollars have been worse
than wasted during the past summer on excessive amusements and sometimes
unseemly diversions. The influential men and women of the Church should
discountenance this evil, and with all wisdom and prudence endeavor to check it
and prevent its increase among the Saints.
We have
no disposition to deprive either young or old of proper amusement. It is
necessary to perfect health and rational enjoyment. It should be provided by
those who have the watchcare of the people, especially for the young, and
conducted without sinfulness and without excels. But in these times of trial
and distress to many, is it seemly to indulge in frequent and hilarious
junketings and to act as though we disregard the afflictions of our brethren
and sisters who are placed in difficulty and jeopardy? When most of our leaders
are in exile, when good men are thrust into prison, when many families are
plunged into grief at the enforced absence of those who are dear to them, when
the cords of oppression are being drawn more tightly and the small liberties
remaining to us are being gradually taken away, when our enemies are forging
fetters for our feet and planning for our utter destruction, and when Satan is
working with all his forces to weaken our ranks by leading the Saints into sin,
is it a time to waste our days in useless pleasure and spend our nights in
noisy revels? Rather, should we not humble ourselves before the Lord and seek
by faith and devotion to good works to obtain power that we may prevail against
our foes? We do not believe in a long-faced sadness or the piety that consists
in a sanctified appearance. There is no need for drooping heads or a sad
countenance. A cheerful spirit should be cultivated and hearts should be
gladdened by words of cheer. But these are serious times and the sorrows of the
afflicted and the carousings of the thoughtless seem utterly incongruous when
all profess to be brethren and sisters. Let unseemly levity be abandoned and
let the solemnities of eternity rest down upon those who are called the Saints
of the Most High God.
SACRED VICARIOUS WORK
Notwithstanding
the violent and unabating opposition which is arrayed against us the work of
ministering in the ordinances of the Lord's House continues, and the blessing
of the Heavens still follows these administrations. As we have so long expected
and so frequently been warned, Satan rages as he views his domain trenched
upon, his captives delivered, and the souls of men wrenched from his grasp by
the labors of the living for the dead in and through those sacred ordinances
that belong alone to the Gospel of the Son of God, administered in holy places
by His chosen servants and handmaidens. And it must not surprise us if the rage
of the arch-enemy of mankind increases and his emissaries brutal and inhuman in
their efforts to stay this work, as the number of temples increases and the
thousands of Israel go in thereto to minister the ordinances of salvation for
their ancestors and departed friends. We further rejoice that the work of
erecting the Salt Lake and Manti Temples goes steadily forward, and that the
latter is nearing its completion with all the rapidity that could reasonably be
expected when we consider the condition of the Church and the people and the
difficulties under which they labor.
TRAINING THE YOUNG
It is
pleasing to notice the increased feeling of anxiety on the part of the Saints
to have their children educated in schools where the doctrines of the Gospel
and the precious records which God has given us can be taught and read. Our
children should be indoctrinated in the principles of the Gospel from their
earliest childhood. They should be made familiar with the contents of the
Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. These should
be their chief text books, and everything should be done to establish and
promote in their hearts genuine faith in God, in His Gospel and its ordinances,
and in His works. But under our common school system this is not possible. In
Salt Lake City, we understand, an effort is now being made to establish a
school of this character, and, we are informed, the prospect for its success is
very encouraging. The Brigham Young Academy, at Provo, and the Brigham Young
College, at Logan, are both doing excellent work in this direction and should
be patronized and sustained by the Latter-day Saints. In no direction can we
invest the means God has given us to better advantage than in the training of
our children in the principles of righteousness and in laying the foundation in
their hearts of that pure faith which is restored to the earth. We would like
to see schools of this character, independent of the District School system,
started in all places where it is possible.
SACREDNESS OF THE FAMILY RELATION
The life
of a saint is not simply a personal perfecting, it is also a factor in the
entire scheme of earth's redemption. No one can be saved alone, by himself or
herself, unassisted by or unassisting others. The weight of our influence must
be either for good or harm, be an aid or an injury to the work of human
regeneration, and as we assume responsibilities, form ties, enter into
covenants, beget children, accumulate families, so does the weight of our
influence increase, so does its extent broaden and deepen. The Scriptures
inform us that God created this earth as a habitation for man and he placed man
on it that he might have joy, a joy that is to be eternal. To accomplish these
purposes, the preparatory one of peopling the earth, and the ultimate one of
man's eternal happiness, He, the Creator, established marriage, and commanded
those he first placed here on earth to be fruitful and multiply. This
institution he regulated by strict laws given through his servants to His
people in their various dispensations; and His Son, our Savior, emphasized
these commandments, by most unequivocal teachings with regard to the sacredness
of the marriage covenant, and of the sinfulness of divorce for other than the
most grave departures from the spirit and intent of that covenant. In this is
wisdom, for the experience of the world, in all its ages, proves that where lax
ideas exist with regard to marriage and divorce, more especially where those
ideas find expression in lax legislation, there we discover peoples and nations
whose code of morals is inferior, and where sexual irregularities and sins increase,
until that righteousness, which has been so truthfully said "exalteth a
nation," ceases to have an existence in their midst. To a people who
believe as we do, that true marriage was divinely instituted for the
multiplication of mankind, and is not a union for time alone, but reaches into
the eternities, the disruption of families by divorce is an evil of no ordinary
character, not only bearing a harvest of sorrow and suffering in this life, but
also having a far reaching influence into the world beyond the grave, and by
involving others in ruin who had no voice in the separation or power to avert
its occurrence. For this reason the Latter-day Saints of all people should be
most loath to sunder sacred ties once formed, and most determinedly opposed to
the severance of unions made in holy places in God's appointed way, for light
and trivial causes; and the efforts of Teachers and Bishops their labors
amongst families where differences, alienation or quarrels exist, should always
be to effect reconciliation, promote union, inspire mutual forbearance and
increase love. Only when every kindly counsel and ministration fail should that
last resort, a divorce, be permitted. And in such cases those who have received
of the sealing power of the Church should also be separated by the same
authority that bound them together: until this is done new alliances are
sinful.
SELF-MURDER DENOUNCED
There is
another evil that is growing amongst the peoples of the world that is not
unfelt amidst the Latter-day Saints. It is the crime of self-murder. Suicide
should be made odious among the people of God, it should be emphasized as a
deadly sin, and no undue feelings of tenderness toward the unfortunate dead, or
of sympathy towards the living bereaved, should prevent us denouncing it as a
crime against God and humanity, against the Creator and the creature. It is
true that the exact enormity of the act is not defined with minute detail in
the Holy Scriptures, or the limits of its punishment given; but to believers in
the God whom we worship it has always been regarded as a sin of great
magnitude; and in many countries especial pains have been taken to discourage
it, by refusal to bury in consecrated ground, by indignities offered to the
lifeless remains, or by such lack of funereal [sic] observances as would
produce a peculiar and horrifying effect upon the survivors. Now, while not
advocating measures of this description, we do not think that the same
laudations and panegyrics should be pronounced over the self-murderer as are so
freely uttered over the faithful Saint who has gone to his eternal rest. There
is a difference in their death, and that difference should be impressed upon
the living, unless the deceased, at the time of the rash act, was in such a
mental condition as not to be wholly responsible for his actions; but again, if
this condition be the result of sin, of departure from God's laws, then the
unfortunate one, like the inebriate, is not altogether free from the
responsibility of acts committed while in this state of mental derangement; if
he is not censurable for the act itself, he is for the causes that induced it.
In such cases the mantle of charity must not be stretched so widely, in our
desire to protect our erring friends, as to reflect dishonor on the work of God,
or contempt for the principles of the everlasting Gospel. There is an
unfortunate tendency in the natures of many to palliate sins by which they are
not personally injured, but we must not forget that such palliation frequently
increases the original wrong, and brings discredit on the Church and dishonor
to the name and work of our blessed Redeemer; in other words, to save the
feelings of our friends we are willing to crucify afresh the Lord of life and
glory.
MISSIONARY OPERATIONS
The
reports of our Elders engaged in missionary labors in foreign lands are far
from discouraging, when we consider the tempest of misrepresentation and abuse
that has flooded the lands of civilization with regard to ourselves, our
objects and our methods of evangelization, as well as the prejudices that have
to be overcome and the persecution which has to be met by those who have
sufficient moral courage and stamina to obey so unpopular a doctrine as the
fullness of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet were the results even less
encouraging than they are, we have still imposed upon us the duty of warning
the peoples of the earth of the judgments of Almighty God, which in his own due
time must surely come. The divine injunction given to the servants of God in
former dispensations and reaffirmed in this, "Go ye into all the world and
preach the Gospel to every creature," has never been abrogated nor
annulled; and our duty to carry the Gospel's warning voice to all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and peoples, to the Gentiles first and then to the House of
Israel, still remains unchanged.
PROMINENT BRETHREN
President
Woodruff and the members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles still continue
in the active performance of the duties appertaining to their Priesthood and
calling, occasionally hampered, it may be, in certain directions by the
unrelenting attacks of our persecutors. Almost without exception they have
enjoyed good health, while the more aged ones, including Elder Lorenzo Snow, in
prison, have been blessed with a vigor and with powers of endurance remarkable
for men of their years. Brother Lorenzo Snow bears his unjust imprisonment with
much fortitude and patience and is a source of great comfort and strength to
his fellow-prisoners, deprived of liberty for their obedience to the
requirements of God's law.
President
Joseph F. Smith continues to send us words of faith and encouragement, of
patience and brave endurance, and, so far as his position and surroundings will
admit, he is zealously furthering the interests of God's holy Church and
Kingdom.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
We hear
favorable reports of the good done by our Sunday Schools, Primaries,
Improvement Associations and Relief Societies, and we feel to abundantly bless
the brethren and sisters who so diligently and faithfully labor therein for the
instruction of our youth and the benefit of the poor. We desire to encourage
all engaged in these duties to continue with unabated zeal and disinterestedness
in these labors of love and mercy, that the institutions under their charge may
rise to yet greater heights of excellence and usefulness, and the scope of
their influence for good in the midst of the Saints continually increase, and
upon parents we urge the wisdom and desirableness of fostering by their faith,
influence and example these admirable institutions for the benefit of their
children.
In
consequence of the unusually dry summer the crops have not been so abundant as
in some former seasons. Although the yield of wheat is comparatively small it
commands but a low price in the market. Wisdom and economy suggest that our
farmers should not be anxious to make immediate sales. Every kernel of wheat is
precious. It should be stored carefully for future use, in such a manner as to
preserve it from destructive insects and the action of the elements. The
warnings which have been given to Israel on this point were not uttered in
vain, as coming time will abundantly establish. Let no grain be wasted nor
thrown heedlessly upon a depressed market to continue the depression and
fritter away the fruits of arduous toil.
Preparations
should be made for the proper care of stock during the approaching winter. Too
many animals are permitted to perish for the lack of food and shelter. After
the Lord has blessed the flocks and herds of His people, it is sinful to allow
them to wander on the bleak prairies or snow-covered benches to die of cold or
starvation. Unless provided with shelter from storm and inclement weather loose
stock should be gathered up and sent to warmer localities for winter range.
The wool crop of the past season has been very large and sheep-owners have made
fair profits on their products. But domestic economy recoils at the spectacle of
7,000,000 pounds of wool being shipped out of the Territory to be returned in
the shape of inferior cloth; and be purchased at high prices by woolgrowers and
others. Factories among our own people should utilize the whole of this
product, employing hands that are now idle to manufacture honest goods, and
thus retain in the Territory much money that goes to build up industries afar
off. Our home factories are turning out most excellent articles at reasonable
prices; these should be purchased in preference to foreign made goods, because
they are more durable and because home industries ought to be patronized.
On the same principles and for the same reasons the hides and pelts which are
now shipped away to be brought back manufactured into articles that can be made
in this Territory, ought to be retained and worked up for home use. Factories
for this purpose, carefully conducted, would soon return fair profits, while
the whole community would share in the resultant benefits.
CONCLUSION
In
conclusion, we say to the Latter-day Saints: Put your trust in God, as you ever
have done. He will not fail you. Continue to live in strict conformity to His
Gospel. Humble yourselves before Him in mighty faith and prayer. Confess your
sins one to another; and go to your God and confess to Him, and obtain His
forgiveness therefor. Live in close communion with the Holy Ghost, that it may
be your constant companion, and that through its heavenly influence you may be
prepared for every coming event. The Lord is holding a controversy with the
nations, and He has said "after your testimony cometh the testimony of
earthquakes. * * *
And also
cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings,
and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea, heaving
themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion; and
surely men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people."
Already His words upon this subject are being fulfilled. The elements are
joining their voices with the voice of His Elders in testimony of the near
approach of the end. And woe! to the people or the nation that fight against
Zion, for, as we have often had occasion to say, God will fight against them.
His wrath will be poured out upon them. Babylon will fall, and the refuge of
lies will he swept away; and truth and righteousness will cover the earth as
with a flood, in fulfillment of the words of the Prophets. Greater signs will
appear in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, hearing awful testimony
of the near approach of that great day when our Redeemer will be revealed from
heaven in power and in great glory.
With
continued prayers for your safety, and for your posterity in the work of God,
and with most earnest desires that every man, woman and child will he faithful
to the trust which God has reposed in us, we remain,
Your
brethren and fellow servants,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEORGE Q CANNON,
Of
the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President's Office, October 6, 1886.
President's
Office, October 6, 1886.
PRESIDENT F. D. RICHARDS
occupied the remaining time. He could not believe but that the heart of every Latter-day Saint would respond to the sentiments contained in the Epistle of the First Presidency. It came to him as the voice of inspiration from heaven, and it was a source of gratification to find that the line of instruction given by the speakers had so fully harmonized with the sentiments contained in the Epistle The Presidents of Stakes; the Bishops of the several Wards and all those who had attended Conference from the outlying districts were requested to carry away with them the spirit of the Conference and present to the people of their various Wards, for their instruction and benefit, the various subjects and topics that had been discoursed upon.
The usual statistical report could not be presented for the reason that it was not complete. The speaker complimented the officers of the Relief Society on the full and complete report submitted.
In order to be truly benefitted by what had been presented to the conference, the speaker advised the people to seek unto the Lord that His Spirit might be given them, to bring to their mind such doctrine, exhortation or counsel as they might be in need of during the hours of trial of darkness they may have to meet.
The success of the work of God did not depend upon our great numbers; it was the design of heaven to shed off all that were found not to have within them the throbbing and growing germ of eternal life; and the day was near at hand when the true weight and value of every man would be ascertained and his proper place definitely known; now was the time to labor; now was the time to treasure up the words of life, as this was emphatically the preparatory state for man to meet his God. Repentance was always in order; repentance of errors and human infirmities. He called upon the people to repent and live to fear God and keep His commandments, for the fear of the Lord was the beginning of wisdom; and a good understanding of all them that kept His commandments. Brother Richards proclaimed against men holding the holy Priesthood using their influence by way of leading others either to break the Sabbath, to practice pernicious habits or in any way dishonor themselves or so bring reproach upon the people of God. The priesthood was bestowed upon man to redeem and save, to use an influence for good among their fellows, and all would be held accountable to God for the use they made of it. Some, too, he said, were careless and unwise in their talking about sacred things upon railroad cars, and upon the public streets in a loud tone of voice, which was generally ridiculed by those who overheard them. Wisdom in this as in other things should be practised in our day, as well as in former days [in] which the Savior admonished his disciples abut casting their pearls before swine. He cautioned the Elders against prognosticating the future, as some were doing, setting down dates when such and such things were going to take place, lest they meet disappointment.
In closing his remarks the speaker thanked the people of Coalville, on behalf of himself and visiting brethren, for the hearty welcome they had received at their hands; he hoped and prayed that much good would come to them personally, as well as to all that had attended the Conference, and that they would be encouraged to prosecute their labors by way of completing the building. He reminded the Saints of the covenants they were under one with another and with the Lord; and of the duty devolving upon them to purify themselves and to build up Zion, and to live to glorify God in the flesh, that they may glorify Him the more when they should come into His presence.
The choir sang the anthem:
Rejoice in the Lord.
and the Conference adjourned for six months.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
GEORGE
F. GIBBS,
Clerk pro tem, of Conference.
_____
1887
6-8 Apr 1887, 57th Annual General Conference, Provo, Utah.
[Deseret Weekly News, 36:196, 4/13/87, p 4; Millennial Star 49:273, 289, 305]
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 36:196, 4/13/87, p 4]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
FIRST DAY.
_____
The Fifty-seventh General Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Utah Stake Tabernacle at Provo, at 10 a.m., April 6th 1887, Apostle Lorenzo Snow presiding.
There were present on the stand, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor. Patriarch John Smith, several members of the Presiding Council of the Seventies, President: A. O. Smoot, of Utah Stake, President Angus M. Cannon of the Salt Lake Stake, and many leading officials of various other Stakes of Zion:
Conference was called to order by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang the hymn commencing:
"afflicted Saint, to
Christ daw near!
Thy Savior's gracious promise here."
The opening prayer was offered by Elder Angus M. Cannon.
God moves in a mysterious
way,
His wonders to perform,
was sung by the choir.
ELDER JOHN W. TAYLOR
was the first speaker. He said he desired by the aid of the Holy Spirit to say something appropriate to the circumstances of the people. Although the building was not sufficiently large to accommodate all the Saints who attended General Conference, it was an excellent structure, with admirable acoustic properties.
The speaker related a conversation that had occurred between himself and a stranger in this part of the country. This person enquired of him (the speaker) whether he thought the late special legislation passed by Congress would have the effect of entirely disrupting the Church. The answer was to the effect that the majority of the Latter-day Saints were able to take up the Scriptures and give a reason for the hope that is in them. They received a testimony of the truth of the Gospel -- as they understood it -- for themselves; they would rather relinquish their lives than renounce their religion. Such a people could not be destroyed. The stranger said he was a great admirer of sincerity, but it was suggested to him that sincerity in that which was erroneous would not be beneficial. The Saints combined sincerely with the truth of their religion. This gentleman appeared to be much interested in an explanation of the eternity of the marriage covenant when performed by a man holding similar power to that which was given to Peter by the Savior -- to bind on earth and it would be bound in heaven.
The speaker asked the question whether the recent Congressional legislation against the Saints was doing any good among the latter. If so it was not to be regretted, being a means of educating the people up to a higher standard. In answering this interrogation he dwelt for some time upon the ordinance of fasting, prayer and the donating for the support of the poor, the first Thursday of each month being set apart for that purpose. This ordinance had in the past been but poorly observed. Recently, however, a great change had occurred. The hand of persecution was laid upon the people. They are aroused to diligence, and the meetings on fast days are crowded. If even this solitary object should be attained the effects of the opposition would be good. But there were other directions in which benefits accrued. It is not enough that the people shall merely come together and pay their offerings. There is a host of children growing up among the Saints. Many of these heritages of the Lord sicken and die. We go into the world an proclaim the Gospel, and assert that obedience will bring about its gifts, among them that of healing. Faith and the gift of healing are not as prevalent as they should be among the people. No man can enjoy the gift of healing unless he have the spirit of fasting and prayer. So is it with regard to the spirit of prophesy. The absence of spiritual gifts shows that there is to some extent the leaven of apostasy among the Saints. The speaker referred, in support of this part of his subject, to a number of incidents in point that are related in the Scriptures. The incidents were not only as referring directly to the gift of healing, but as exhibiting the key of power as incorporated in the ordinance of fasting. The speaker stated that a young man some time since arose in a thinly attended fast meeting and predicted that the time was near when such gatherings would be so crowded that there would not be found sufficient standing room. That part of the prophesy had been fulfilled.
Elder Taylor then dwelt for some time upon educational matters. He spoke in words of commendation regarding the Brigham Young Academy. The system that prevails in it is such that students who graduate therein come out of the institution with an understanding of the principles of the gospel as will necessarily look pleasing. At he last General Conference held at Coalville, an Epistle from the First Presidency was read. One point impressed upon the people through that channel was the necessity of establishing denominational schools for Latter-day Saints. Not much had yet been done, since the publication of that epistle in the direction referred to. Other religionists established schools, and some people claiming to be Latter-day Saints sent their children to them. No matter what might be the religious faith of a parent, if he be consistent he will desire that his children be trained in the same line. The speaker would prefer to see a large number of schools established upon the plan pointed out by the First Presidency, each taught by a good, sound, intelligent Latter-day Saint, than a great many Elders sent into the world to preach the Gospel. The good accomplished in the former would be greater than by the latter. If adverse legislation and other forms of persecution should drive the Saints in to adopting a higher phase of education than now obtained, the results would indeed be gratifying. The speaker stated that the First Presidency were in good health and enjoying the blessings of the Almighty. He concluded with a general exhortation to faithfulness.
ELDER ABRAM H. CANNON,
of the Council of the Seventies, was the next speaker, and briefly addressed the congregation. He rejoiced at the privilege of attending a General Conference, a pleasure he had not had for two years. Notwithstanding existing troubles there was abundant cause for thankfulness to the Almighty. It had appeared frequently as if the people were about to fall into the hands of their enemies, and that they should be in bondage, yet the Lord had delivered them. The Saints were growing stronger and brighter by the ordeals through which they were passing, and the set time to favor Zion an cause her to shine in splendor was at hand. No unprejudiced person could help acknowledging that the wonderful endurance exhibited by the Saints was due to something more than fanaticism. They had been upheld by the power of the Spirit of God. The speaker was pleased to witness a spirit of inquiry growing among the young people, who are preparing to take part in the great work of the latter days. They would yet become a power in the earth. Those who attended this conference ought to carry to their home the spirit of this gathering and the instructions imparted. It was a source of satisfaction that so many of the brethren were at liberty, notwithstanding the schemes of the wicked. The deliverance promised to the Saints would come, but the contest involved in the future developments of the present state of affairs would cause all to be tested. All earthly considerations will have to be made secondary to the integrity that must be maintained toward the work of God. In this way persecution was rendered a cleansing process. Those who were not vessels of honor could not endure and would fall by the way, and thus was the community purged from hypocrites.
ELDER A. O. SMOOT,
President of Utah Stake, announced that if those visitors who were without suitable places at which to lodge, would remain after the close of the meeting, they would be cared for by a committee appointed for the purpose. The same committee would act in that capacity during the entire session, that no visitor might go unprovided for.
The choir sang an anthem:
When the Lord shall build up Zion.
Benediction by Elder A. O. Smoot.
Recess till 2 p.m.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 36:196, 4/13/87, p 4]
AFTERNOON.
Conference resumed at 2 o'clock.
Singing by the choir.
The towers of Zion soon
shall rise,
Above the hills and reach the skies.
Prayer by elder John Nicholson.
We're not ashamed to own our
Lord,
And worship Him on earth,
ELDER HEBER J. GRANT,
of the Quorum of the Apostles, addressed the Conference. He bore testimony to the increased faith and good works of the Latter-day Saints. He could endorse, in that regard, the statements made by Elder Taylor. Recently he had been on a trip as far south as St. George. He had seen the people leave their vocations and turn out to meetings, filling the halls where they were held to overflowing. This was a result of the opposition directed against the Church. History thus repeats itself; opposition to those whose cause is right only serves to strengthen them and render them more resolute. Before the present phase of things set in not a few of the Saints had apparently forgotten the purpose for which they gathered from the lands of their nativity. Opposition had caused many of them to return to their first love, and to increase their affection for the truth. If the Saints desired the things of the world in place of the righteousness of the kingdom of God; if they labor to that end they can gain their object, but it requires energy to accomplish this. But if this endeavor absorbs the interests that should be taken in the things of the kingdom, they will languish spiritually, on the same principle that the things of this world can be obtained, by blending every energy toward their attainment. Some people, however, seem to think that the things of God can be obtained without effort. This is erroneous. We must learn what we obtain. In ministering among the people it is found that where people do not live their religion blessings are slow to come, because the laws upon which they are predicated have not been fulfilled. In instances where the laws of the Gospel have been lived up to faith could be exercised by the ministering servants of God, and the desired results follow. In this Church one man is not dependent upon another for light and for a testimony of the truth of the Gospel. Were it not for this fact our position would indeed appear hopeless. All are entitled to the revelation of the Holy Spirit to guide them in their several spheres as much as the President of the Church is to obtain revelation for the guidance of the community as an entirety. But this inestimable blessing can only be attained and enjoyed by making the necessary effort.
Some men go into the world and instead of preaching the pure principles of the Gospel as revealed from heaven, ridicule and tear down the religions of the day. The effect of this is to induce persecution. Men who tear down the religious houses (theories) of the day before depicting a better dwelling and inviting them within, are simply persecuted for their own want of wisdom and not for the truth's sake. Those who claim to have faith and charity and do not sustain those pretensions with works in harmony with such professions, they are spiritually dead, and only fit to be lopped off from the religious tree, which will be the more healthy by being thus denuded. The trouble that will come upon the Saints will be so overwhelming that nothing but the power of God will enable them to endure. He who does not live so as to enjoy it will inevitably fall by the way. He who keeps the commandments of God has no reason to fear, no matter what may transpire.
ELDER ANGUS M. CANNON,
President of Salt Lake Stake, was the next speaker. He said he experienced peculiar feelings when he undertook to address the audience. Many changes had transpired since he last spoke to the people in Provo. This assemblage was composed of people of various nations, who had come to the tops of the mountains to be taught in the ways of the Lord. Jesus came to do His Father's will, not His own, and promised that His disciples should yet do greater works than He had performed. In accordance with the call made through John the Revelator, we had gathered out of Babylon, that invitation having been repeated in this day. Have we actually gathered out of spiritual Babylon, by leaving her evils behind instead of bringing and perpetuating them here? A few years ago a revelation came to us through President John Taylor, to the effect that we should repent and set our houses in order. The speaker had witnessed evidences of repentance on the part of the people. This was an encouraging indication, and led him to see a glimmer of light. The Lord would hear the prayers of His people and deliver them from all their foes. He would provide a ram in the thicket for their salvation. We are a nation of Priests, and a process of separation was going on among us. Those who are for God were exhibiting their position by good works. Those who were of the spirit of Babylon were showing their situation with equal distinctness. The condemnation of the world was that light had come into the world but a certain class of men preferred darkness because their deeds were evil. He knew of a former eminent Elder now deceased, who said, while in life, that he would give all he possessed of an earthly character if he could prove to his satisfaction that the Gospel as understood by the Latter-day Saints was not a divine system.
Elder Cannon then spoke on the Word of Wisdom, delineating the blessings promised as a result of obedience to it. President young had stated in 1862, or 1863, that none would be permitted to take part in the building up of Zion on that spot designated by the finger of revelation. He had known of some striking instances wherein the non-observance of the Word of Wisdom had been a great drawback to the advancement of individuals, and related one that had come under his own observation. The power accruing in the matter of exercising the gift of healing was desirable. The speaker held that light upon this subject had come into the world and those who accepted it not were under a species of condemnation. We need to obey every counsel of the Almighty to enable us to withstand the onslaughts of our enemies.
It is a question whether ancient Israel were in a closer place than now confronts the Saints. If the latest measure had failed to ringing the people into bondage, this failure was not to be accredited to any change in the feelings and desires of their enemies. If the people wish the incubus of oppression to be lifted and the prisons no longer to hold the servants of God, the families no longer to be scattered abroad, they have but to repent of their sins. Those who had sought to enslave the Saints and to obtain the political mastery over them, in a territorial, county and municipal capacity, were angry because those who had not entered into the extended marriage relation peculiar to the Saints were willing to take an oath to the effect that they would not break recently enacted laws. They were angry because this class of Saints were willing to step in and save the whole community from going under the heel of the oppressor and despoiler. There were some men among us, however, who had never obeyed the celestial marriage system against which recent laws were aimed who did not feel that they could not take this oath. The speaker thought so too. Such were not in a position to defend the people of God or their cause. Those who had never obeyed he law of celestial marriage need have no fear, however, that they were breaking any religious covenant in taking that oath that they would obey the law of the country, and not aid, abet, counsel or advise others to break it. Brother Cannon concluded by denouncing the ways of the wicked and exhorting the Saints to have nothing to do with them or their doings.
ELDER GEORGE GODDARD
addressed the congregation on the subject of Sabbath schools, the word of wisdom and kindred subjects.
Singing by the choir:
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness.
Benediction by Patriarch Zebedee Coltrin.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 36:196-197, 4/13/87, p 4-5]
SECOND DAY.
April 7th, 10 a.m.
Singing by the choir:
O God, thou great, thou
good, thou wise, Eternal is Thy name;
Thy power hath reared the lofty skies, And built creation's frame.
Prayer by Elder Jacob Gates.
Be it my only wisdom here
To serve the Lord with filial fear.
was sung by the choir.
ELDER JOHN HENRY SMITH.
of the Quorum of the Apostles, addressed the Conference. He expressed regret that he had been unable to be present on the day previous and thus be enabled to drink more fully into the spirit of the instructions imparted and of the speakers. He had no fears in regard to the advancement of the cause of the Gospel. If he had ever entertained any fears in that direction it had not been on account of the action of outside opponents; they had been incited by the indifference of many, of the Saints. On the other hand he had been pleased to see the integrity evinced by the people when the shafts of hate had been directed against them from the outside. It had been held by the enemies of the Church that it was useless to attempt to draw away from the faith those of maturer years who were well grounded in in in theory, principle and practice; therefore the chief assaults to break the ranks must e made upon the young whose judgment is not yet developed. For this purpose schools and other institutions had been established in the midst of this community to undermine the religious structure reared under the blessing of God, by the Latter-day Saints. So far as their education is concerned many of us had left the care of our children to those who were of a contrary faith to that held by us. On this account some inroads had been made among the youth of Zion. Heretofore we had relied for the retention of our children in the faith of the Gospel too much upon what training could be given them at home, and had not even directed a commensurate degree of attention to that. Thus have those who are arrayed against us had opportunities of making breaches in the ranks of the young. Yet the harvest that would be reaped by those who sought the destruction of the work of God would be very limited.
This was a day of fasting and prayer, and it should be a Pentecostal time, when there would be an outpouring of the power of God. In the fast meetings the young as well as the aged could assemble and obtain testimonies of the truth, line upon line and precept upon precept, until all doubting would be removed. He could reiterate the statements of one of the previous speakers regarding the increased interest in the fast meetings and the concomitant duties connected with them. Many had by tat means witnessed the exercise and manifestations of the spiritual gifts of the Gospel that they had never before beheld. The speaker felt that the people were improving, but there was still room for much greater advancement. It was to be hoped that the time would come when the fast meetings would be so marked a feature of our worship that every Latter-day Saint business man would at such time close his place of business and attend with his family. The work of god had come to stay and to move forward and root out iniquity in every place. It could not be overthrown. The speaker here bore a strong personal testimony to the divine origin of the Church.
ELDER JOHN T. CAINE
was the next speaker. He desired to say such things as might be prompted by the Holy Spirit. He had had the honor of representing Utah in Congress. From the opening of the late session attempts were made to pass additional proscriptive legislation. Endeavors of that kind had been common for the last five years. The latest effort was to obtain a measure to secure the control of the Territory to a minority, and especially to give them the power to manipulate the public funds. This was the object of those in our midst. With those outside of this Territory it was different. Their desire was to regulate the domestic affairs of the people of Utah. They took the ground that if plural marriage is allowed to exist that system would spread and endanger the marital system prevalent in the nation. On this subject a false sentiment had been built up in the country by means of fabrications and slanders. In this way erroneous ideas had been established. There were not a few, however, who understood the question just as it is and were opposed to all the measures of the kind aimed at Utah. Owing to the tide of popular feeling, they were a little reluctant to assert themselves. If the country could be properly informed on the main subject there would be be no difficulty, as opposition would either cease or be so modified that it would scarcely be felt. The speaker, after stating that the Edmunds-Tucker bill was one of the most un-American and un-republician measures ever passed by Congress, gave some details regarding the tactics employed by its friends to have it rushed through the legislative mill without discussion. The measure as it passed was a hard one upon the "Mormon" people, yet, having been modified before its final passage, it had been shorn of many of its worst features, and gave its promoters no comfort. If all of its provisions had been eliminated except that which gave the governor power to appoint the officers throughout the Territory it would have been a great victory to the schemers. congress was not prepared to go that far to satisfy a popular sentiment. The section which declared the plural marital status to be polygamy punishable with a five years' penalty had fortunately been struck out. No new penalties and disabilities were incorporated in the bill, as it finally passed, against polygamists. There were, however, without its provisions, punishments aimed at non-Mormon criminals. There was no desire in the administration to deprive the people of Utah of their rights as American citizens. It had been said that President Cleveland had been in favor of the Edmunds-Tucker bill. This was not true. The speaker had it personally from the lips of the Chief Executive that there were provisions in the measure that he did not and could not approve, and therefore he did not sign the bill. He (the President) also wished the people to know that so far as he was concerned there would be no vindictiveness on the part of the government in the enforcement of such laws. They must be applied in the same way as all other laws. He was not in favor of the extraordinary and cruel methods adopted by certain officers in that regard. It might appear strange, in view of the President's opinions and sentiments, that the evils that had existed in the courts here were not immediately cured. It must be remembered that this was a great nation, with extensive and elaborate interests. So far as the escheating clauses of the Edumunds-Tucker bill were concerned, he had no apprehension that there was any desire on the part of the government to rob the Church of the property belonging to it. Regarding the test oath he had been assured by the leading men who composed the committee of conference on the bill that it did not enter the domain of belief, neither did it involve or interfere with the right of church membership or supporting it by the payment of tithing or other legitimate methods. The speaker was glad that those who belonged to the party who had sought the destruction of popular government in Utah had, at the first election (at Brigham City) held under the auspices of the new law, gone beyond their authority. They had gone into the region of belief and church membership. This had enabled the speaker to inform President Cleveland that what he had feared had actually been done. He had no idea that any such illegal proceedings would again be resorted to, as it would be an unprofitable business to those who engaged in it. The speaker concluded by an exhortation to all to maintain the principles of human freedom.
ELDER J. R. WINDER
was the next speaker. He had been reflecting on the situation as it was twenty-nine years ago, and that which existed to-day. It was the tome of what was called the "move." Many of the Latter-day Saints, of large families, in that day, could put the whole of their earthly substance into a wagon and start out, not knowing where they were going, through the mud, taking from three to four days to reach this place from Salt Lake City. Now he (the speaker) came down in a little over two hours in a comfortable railway car and entered this capacious building to worship God. The deliverance of the Saints from impending danger at that time was most marked and wonderful. It would be just as striking in the present and every future crisis.
The concluding remarks of this meeting were made by
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON.
He held that the present age was the most remarkable in the history of the world, in a general sense. It was also a momentous epoch in the progress of this community, concerning whom many important predictions had been made. Among them was one enunciated by Joseph Smith, to the effect that the principles inculcated in the Constitution of our common country would be trodden under foot and the nation disrupted by disintegrating causes. It was the high destiny of this people, when the hour of peril should arrive, to take the leading part in the reorganization of the country upon constitutional principles. Preparation was necessary to enable a people ;to perform so great a work. Those who took part in it would have to be fully informed in regard to the correct principles of government, maintaining that principle of freedom which, as a revelation says, "belongs to all mankind." Those who are ignorant in this line are unfit to engage in such an exalted labor. It devolved upon the youth especially to acquire information upon subjects involving the principles upon which human rights are based. The speaker here defined the nature and object of a political constitution, and asserted that the late legislation, being of a class character, was flagrantly violative of the one which prevails in this Republic. So was every law that trenched upon inviolable or natural rights -- the right to life, liberty and property. Congress nor no other legislative body had the legitimate power to enact a law that would take from any one class of citizens either of these rights by any other process than that by which such deprival ensued to every other class. Neither had any judicial body the right to administer the laws differently upon one class than upon another, for such proceedings disturbed that equality which should exist in a free or popular government, endangering the very existence of the nation. It had been stated that the latest law aimed at the people of Utah had been, before its final passage, shorn of its most vicious features, and thus rendered less harmful. Notwithstanding this it was an infamous piece of legislation, and only fit to be denounced in the most unqualified terms, and the speaker so characterized it. The hand of God was visible in the deprivation of the Saints of their rights. It caused them to clamor for them, and they should continue to do so, without ceasing, for they thus became, by the act of their enemies, the most vigorous advocates of constitutional principles in the country. They were thus being qualified for the great work of the future in saving a distracted country from ruin. This advocacy should not only be directed to the enjoyment of their own rights, but likewise those of the whole race.
The choir sang:
Glory to God in the Highest.
Recess till 2 o'clock.
Benediction by Elder Heber J. Grant.
_____
[7 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 36:197, 4/13/87, p 5]
AFTERNOON.
2 p.m.
The choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord, 'tis
good to raise
Your hears and voices in His praise.
Prayer by Elder Hugh S. Gowans.
Singing by the choir:
Ye sons of men, a feeble
race, Exposed to every snare,
Come, make the Lord your dwelling place, and try and trust His care.
ELDER FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS,
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, presented the statistical report for the last half year: This shows: First Presidency, 3; Apostles, 11; Patriarchs, 65; Seventies, 6,444; High Priests, 3,722; Elders, 12,441; Priests, 2423; Teachers, 2,497; Deacons, 6,854; Members, 81, 238; total officers and members, 115,699. Children under 8 years of age, 46,684. Grand total of souls, 162,383.
The report of the Ladies' Relief Society was read, showing as follows: Number of branches, 235; membership, 18,703. Amount disbursed during the past six months: For charitable purposes, $8,496.04; emigration, $302.15; temple, $1,084.37; Deseret Hospital, $279.80; home industries, $040.96; books, $149.60; buildings, $2,334.66; amount on hand in cash, real estate, cash for wheat, and other property, $90,577.32; wheat, 31,110 bushels.
The following is the showing exhibited by the Young Ladies' Improvement Associations: Number of members, 7,744; manuscript papers published, 258; books in libraries 2,476. (Morgan, Maricopa, Sal Luis, San Juan, Uintah, Little Colorado, Seveir and Utah Stakes made no report.)
Report of the Deseret Sunday School Union; Number of schools, 438; number not reported, 13; officers and teachers, 8349; male pupils, 26,152; female pupils, 25,428; total number of pupils, 51,580; total officers, teachers and pupils, 59,929; number of classes 4,929; books in libraries, 40,844; amount of funds collected, $8,726.41; amount disbursed, $8,170.66.
Elder Richards then proceeded to address the Conference. It was highly needful that the people should, on such occasions as this, be instructed upon those things it was important they should know. Without the aid of the Spirit of truth efforts in that direction would be in vain. The work we are engaged in and our relationship to the rest of the human family are unique. Existing circumstances are calculated to excite in us the most intense sensibilities, also to arouse us to an acute contemplation of our relationship to each other and the world at large. Many are doubtless filled with sorrow and apprehension on account of the treatment of their parents and brothers by the courts. But we are living in peculiar times, when all things seem to be rushing on to some unseen goal. All things appear to be spurred into remarkable activity. Journalism keeps issues at fever heat, the development of science were making such strides that sluggards were compelled to step out of the way. The speaker referred to the remarkable advancements made in the matter of facilities for rapid travel. This reminded one of the saying of the Lord through one of the Prophets to the effect that He would hasten His work in its time. It would transpire, however, that what was now being passed through would in the future be looked back upon as one of the most interesting epochs ever experienced. Some of the most unpleasant medicines to the palate are the most beneficial in their effects.
About fifty years ago the congregation of the Saints, in Ohio, was few in numbers gathered within the walls of a small schoolhouse. Now behold the spectacle of this great people, becoming so numerous! The progress made was an exemplification of the correctness of the parable given by the Lord concerning the mustard seed. Changes were going on in all nature, and so it is with the work of God. When this work was but a small branch in Coalville, or elsewhere, it appeared but a limited affair. When the Church was organized on the 6th of April, 1830, it was announced that two men had been ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood by Peter, James and John. These were Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Oliver ordained Joseph to be the first Apostle of the last dispensation, and Joseph in turn ordained Oliver to be the second. The speaker than gave some interesting details concerning the gradual establishment of the quorums of the Priesthood, and the development of its organization. Also the growth of a knowledge of principle, line upon line and precept upon precept;. He made special mention of Thomas B. Marsh, formerly President of the Twelve, and Martin Harris, one of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon. They fell away in an early day, and came back many years after. While they were severed they made no progress. When they returned they showed that not a forward step had been made by them. So it was with all apostates. Those who remained faithful, however, progressed as the work enlarged and advanced. The speaker followed up this theme of progress through the different phases of its onward march to the present stage of it, when about thirty stakes were organized and in operation. It was by virtue of the union of the Saints that they had this strength. It was this consolation that was so distasteful to our enemies -- especially when it was exhibited by going to the polls and depositing votes for the men in our midst.
Elder Richards said he wished to depart from the thread of his discourse and say something regarding our Father Adam. He lately heard a preacher say something that was an imputation against the character of our first parent. Adam, according to the word of the Lord upon the subject, did not sin, but the woman did. This brought the first man face to face with a serious problem -- whether he should take a course o redeem the woman from the effects of her act, or live eternally alone without her. He took the very best step that could be taken under the circumstances.
Elder Richards resumed the subject of the progress that had been made in exercising the authority and performing the functions and duties of the Priesthood. He advised that the quorums of High Councils and Bishops' courts be kept full. He explained the difference between members of the Councils of the Stakes and alternate High Councilors. The former were High Counselors of the Stake and alternates were High councilors in the Stake. It was within the province of the High Councils of the Stakes not only to adjudicate lupin disagreements among brethren, and offenses against the laws of the Church, but also to decide upon differences in relation to doctrine. Many other points of a similar nature, which can scarcely be incorporated in a synopsis, were elucidated by the speaker. Special attention was given by him to the powers of the Priesthood in its various quorums and courts.
In speaking of the Patriarchal office, Elder Richards expressed doubt that the people generally appreciated it. He even had some doubt as to whether the Patriarchs themselves appreciated their calling. There was a general Patriarch of the Church and a number of other Patriarchs who were called to act in that capacity over their posterity, and who were under the presidency of the general Patriarch. Those generally who held the patriarchal office were urged to seek the spirit of their calling, and the Presiding Patriarch was urged to ascertain who the others were who held the office and look after them.
The Saints were remiss in many particulars. They had sold their inheritance to those who were opposed to them, had married among the same class also and fostered them in their business enterprises, furnishing them with means that had since been used to oppose the Saints. The people would repent of these things and support their friends. It was within the power of the Saints to increase their faith and power an the presence of the gifts among them by the observance of what God required of them. The revelations given by the Almighty should be studied carefully as a guide, and if the Saints would do their duty under all circumstances they would be prospered. Those things which were intended for evil would prove blessings, just as the experience of the past few months already demonstrated. The young among the people had been led to study the laws of the country and know what their rights were, and many other lessons, necessary for those to know who are in a future time destined to rule. Invoked the blessing of the Almighty upon the congregation.
The annual meeting of the Y. M. M. I. A. was announced for 7:30- this evening when it was promised that an epistle from President Woodruff would be read.
The choir sang an anthem.
Benediction by Elder Geo. C. Lambert.
_____
[8 Apr, 10 am*]
[DNW 36:197, 4/13/87, p 5]
THIRD DAY.
Friday, April 8, 10 a.m.
The Conference was called to order by Elder Lorenzo Snow and the services commenced by the choir singing:
May we who know the joyful
sound
Still practice what we know.
Prayer was offered by Apostle John Henry Smith, after which the choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord! my heart
shall join
In work so pleasant, so divine.
The names of the authorities were presented by Elder F. D. Richards, in the following order and unanimously sustained:
John Taylor, Prophet;, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First and Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President, and Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators in the Church.
Patriarch to the Church, John Smith.
First seven Presidents of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
John Taylor, as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshipers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust: the Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their counselors, and Bishop Wm. B. Preston.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with F. D. Richards as assistant.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom, assistant.
Auditing Committee -- Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards and Jos. F. Smith.
Clerk of Conference -- John Nicholson.
Church Reporters -- John Irvine and Geo. F. Gibs.
Elder F. D. Richards said it was well known that recent legislation enacted by Congress contained some provisions affecting the organization of the Church, in consequence of which the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
had been prepared to submit to the Saints, which he proceeded to read:
Whereas, By section 26th, of a certain act of Congress, approved March 3d 1887, it is provided, that all religious societies, sects and congregations shall have the right to hold, through trustees appointed by any court exercising probate powers in a Territory only on the nomination of the authorities of such society, sect or congregation, so much real property for the erection or use of houses of worship, and for such parsonages and burial grounds as shall be necessary for the convenience and use of the several congregations of such religious society, sect or congregation; and
Whereas, That body of religious worshipers called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has certain houses of worship, parsonages and other real property, in the Territory of Utah, that has for many years past belong to and still does belong to the members of said church generally, which said property is not the special property of any local congregation or special body of said people; and
Whereas, it is desirable that they name and have appointed by the proper probate court, some suitable person of their own selection of the authorities of their church, to hold such property as is named in said act, and for which there is no trustee duly or legally appointed.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Latter-day Saints, in general Conference assembled, That we nominate and appoint as the trustees to hold the real property of the character aforesaid belonging to the said worshipers generally in said Territory, the following named persons, to wit: Presiding Bishop, Wm. B. Preston, and his Counselors, Robert T. Burton and John R. Winder, and we request that the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make formal nomination of these parties to hold said offices of trustees, with all the powers, rights and duties that virtually do belong or should belong to such position; reserving the power to the authorities of said Church to fill all vacancies in said body of trustees as shall from time to time occur.
Motioned by Apostle John Henry Smith, seconded by President A. M. Cannon and unanimously carried by the congregation, that the preamble and resolutions be adopted.
ELDER F. D. RICHARDS
reminded the Saints that Presidents Taylor, Cannon and Smith had been in seclusion for a long time past, in consequence of the efforts of their enemies; but assured the congregation that their care and anxiety concerning the affairs of the Church had been none the less than if they had been at liberty to mingle with their brethren and sisters. He then proceeded to say:
"In view of recent occurrences, and the assaults which have been made upon the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
"I move that we, the officers and members of the Church, in general conference assembled, express to our faithful brethren who preside over us, and to the world at large, by our vote, our undiminished confidence in and love for them.
"That, inasmuch as President John Taylor is our prophet, seer and revelator, chosen by the Lord, we do express to him in this manner, our love and respect for him, and unite in saying that we have viewed with admiration the steadfastness, integrity and valor which he has displayed in the cause of God.
"That, as Trustee-in-Tust, we approve of his course, and endorse and ratify his official acts, and have entire confidence in his integrity in this capacity.
"And that we also entertain the same feeling for his two Counselors, Presidents George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, in their places; and desire to assure these, our beloved brethren, that we do uphold them by our faith prayers and works; and that we look forward with delight to the time when we shall have the privilege of again beholding the faces of these, our brethren, the First Presidency of the Church, and hearing their voices in our public assemblies."
ELDER LORENZO SNOW
read from the 139th Psalm and the 6th chapter of Daniel, and proceeded to say that for the past two and a half years he had been deprived to a great extent of the privilege of mingling with the Saints. During eleven months of that time he had been incarcerated in prison. The contrast between his present surroundings and those which he had during that time was very great. The Savior pointed out some of the sacrifices which His followers would be required to make, and the Saints had lately had practical experience therein. They had found blessings accompanying the same, however, which went far towards compensating them for all that was disagreeable connected therewith. The Saints were indeed greatly blessed. Many of them previous to embracing the Gospel had been under tribute to masters in the countries from which they came, their bondage being almost as great as that of the slaves in the South before the war. The gospel had made them free, and brought them out from Babylon and surrounded them with many comforts. They had pleasant homes and many of them costly furniture, musical instruments, fine horses and carriages and other luxuries which they never could have obtained in the countries whence they came. The Lord should have the praise for all this. Ingratitude to Him under the circumstances would be little less than a sin. Not only had they been greatly blessed temporally, but their opes for the future had been vastly extended. The ties he formed in the covenant were expected to continue throughout eternity. The law of celestial marriage which had been revealed had opened up to their understanding a knowledge of future blessings to be enjoyed which were worth all the sacrifices we were required to make. Paul had a view of these blessings when he exclaimed in ecstasy, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? and then added, "For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved u. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The Saints in this age had experienced tribulation, distress, persecution, famine and perils of various kinds, but they had found that while faithful nothing could separate them from the prospect they had of future blessings. In Kirtland in the infancy of the Church their enemies upon one occasion planted a cannon upon a hilltop and leveled it at their Temple; in Missouri they had been compelled to sign away their property to satisfy the demands of their persecutors; they had been driven from their homes in other places; some of them had been imprisoned in this land, but none of these things had effected the desired end -- they still entertained the same hope of the future; they had not been separated from the love of Christ. He never personally asked the Lord to spare him from any sacrifice or trial, as he understood there was not only experience to be gained but blessings to be derived from endurance of the same. He had experienced the benefits of the faith and prayers of the Saints while imprisoned. He had not been ambitious to go to prison. He went there because he could not honorably avoid it. When he could not longer keep out he discovered the Lord wanted him to go, and he was reconciled to it. He had not felt gloomy nor despondent while surrounded by prison walls; he saw chances of doing good even there, and endeavored to improve the same. While there he was visited by and introduced to many eminent men of the nation, tourists and others, the marshal evidently taking pleasure in introducing to such persons who happened to e in the city the "Mormon" Apostle in stripes, to which he personally did not object. His stripes were not such as Paul endured, nor so great in number. Paul speaks of having received 199 stripes; he had but eighty. An Apostle in prison had evidently been regarded by many who visited him as a great curiosity. He had reminded some of them that Apostles in other ages had occasionally occupied peculiar situations, as for instance, when Paul fought with wild beasts at Ephesus. He had enjoyed the visits and had many pleasant conversations with intelligent men, a number of whom had assured him that they did not regard him and his brethren as ordinary prisoners, or criminals, which sentiment quite agreed with his own feelings. The brethren had lived in harmony with the prison officials and not quarreled with anyone. The had occasional visits from U. S. officials, including the Governor, with whom he personally had a number of conversations, the Governor trying to make a politician of him and he trying to convert his excellency to "Mormonism," in which they were neither of them successful. He had found the Governor and also the Marshal possessed of good qualities, and had been consoled while in prison by the reflection that his condition might have been much worse, which consolation people might profitably indulge in under other circumstances.
Among other lessons while in the Penitentiary was that o living in the "United Order," a lesson which President Young had tried hard to impress upon the Saints. They there dressed and fared alike, shared all things in common and lived in perfect order. They arose at the same hour in the morning, washed, dressed and at the slightest tap of a bell fell into line for their meals. They retired to their "hotels" in the evening with the same unanimity and to their bunks promptly at nine o'clock without any complaining or disorder, and scarcely a whisper could be heard afterwards. All this was done willingly because they had to do it. The penalty for any failure being the sweat box. This fine illustration by a "united order" and the manner in which it was accomplished, reminded him of the boast of the Missouri mobocrats, who compelled the Saints to sign away their property to them, that they had accomplished what Joseph Smith had failed to do -- they had induced them to consecrate their property. He had enjoyed the pleasure of preaching to the spirits in prison, and when he emerged therefrom, he led a number of them out, and they were glad to get out, too. He was not ambitious to go back to the penitentiary and he did not know of any who had shared his experiences who were. When complimented by his friends on looking so well after his term in prison he had assured them that he did not propose to return to still further improve. An number of anecdotes of prison life were related by the speaker in a thoroughly humorous strain, a fair idea of which could scarcely be conveyed in a brief synopsis. He spoke at considerable length and his remarks were greatly enjoyed by the congregation. I closing he announced that an epistle from the First Presidency would be read during the afternoon, and that the conference would close in time for those wishing to depart by trains to do so.
The choir sang the anthem
O Lord most merciful.
Benediction was pronounced by President A. O. Smoot.
_____
[8 Apr, 1:30 pm]
[DNW 36:197, , 4/13/87, p 5, 16]
AFTERNOON SERVICES.
The Conference reassembled at 1:30 and the choir sang as opening hymn:
All praise to our redeeming
Lord,
Who joins us by His grace.
Prayer was offered by Elder F. D. Richards, which was followed by the choir singing
I'll praise my Maker while I've breath.
Elder Lorenzo Snow announced that President Joseph F. Smith and Apostle F. D. Richards had for some time been acting as a committee to select missionaries, and presented a motion that they be sustained by vote of the assembly in continuing so to act. The vote was unanimous.
The Epistle of the First Presidency, (which has already appeared in the NEWS) was then read by Bishop O. F. Whitney, its delivery occupying one hour and three quarters. The large audience listened intently to the reading,and evidently greatly enjoyed the inspired words of their absent leaders whom they were so favored in hearing from while denied the great boom of listening to their voices and enjoying their presence in person.
[First Presidency]
[DNW 36:200-201, 204, 4/13/87 p 8-9, 12]
AN EPISTLE
OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
_____
To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
General Conference Assembled:
DEAR
BRETHREN AND SISTERS: -- Once more, in the providence of the Almighty, we are
permitted to address you in an Epistle. It would give us very great pleasure to
be able to communicate to you our views orally; but through circumstances with
which you are all familiar this gratification is denied us. We rejoice,
however, that the privilege of communicating a few of our thoughts in writing
is still at our disposal. We have profound feelings of thanksgiving to our God
for His goodness and mercy unto His people. Personally we have reason to be
very grateful to Him for His preserving care in our behalf.
Zion has
been passing through a series of trials which God will undoubtedly overrule for
our good. The experience of the past two years and a half has convinced us that
there has been a divine providence in all that has taken place, and in the
shaping of ordeals to which the Saints have been subjected. Painful as they
have been to very many, the day will come when they will be acknowledged as
having been the means of bringing great benefits to Zion.
The
Twelve Apostles and their Counselors have labored with great efficiency, as far
as they have had opportunity, among the people, and have been active in
attending to the duties devolving upon them. The health of all has been good.
Recent letters from those outside the Territory convey the intelligence that
they are enjoying their labors and are successful in the performance thereof.
The latest advices from President Woodruff assure us of his good health. Though
he is now past 80 years of age, his bodily and mental vigor appear unimpaired.
We
ourselves are in the enjoyment of good health, and able to perform our duties
with satisfaction to ourselves and pleasure in the liberty that we enjoy.
President Joseph F. Smith's health has been somewhat impaired, but he is now
fully restored.
The most
gladdening news we can communicate to the Conference of the Church in our
Epistle is that from every part of the land which we inhabit, gratifying
reports have been received of the zeal and diligence of the people in attending
to the duties of their religion. Probably at no time in our history has there
been a better disposition manifested by the people to attend their meetings on
the Sabbath day, and on fast days, and the prayer meetings which have been held
during week day evenings. Meetings have been held at suitable residences on
many of the blocks in the city and country wards throughout these mountains.
These have generally been crowded, and have been occupied by the Elders in
giving instruction, and by the Saints in bearing testimony and in prayer. All
the Elders who have been free to travel who have reported the results of their
labors to us, agree in saying that at no time in their experience have the
meetings which they have held been so crowded as during the past winter. These
evidences of the faith and diligence of the people are exceedingly gratifying
to us. We have been cheered in listening to them; for we know that when the
Latter-day Saints repent of their sins and devote themselves assiduously to
keeping the commandments of God, their enemies cannot have much power over
them.
As a
people, in times past we have been careless and indifferent in many directions.
Neglect of duties has been too common everywhere. Hypocrisy has been indulged
in to some extent, and a laxity has prevailed in many quarters concerning the
keeping of the laws of God which is not in accord with the spirit of the
Gospel. Under these circumstances the Lord has permitted persecutions and
trials to come upon His people that have had the effect of stirring them up to
greater diligence. When the Lord, for any reason, turns His face away from His
people, and is slow to hear their cries, thorough repentance on their part and
a complete abandonment of their evil ways are sure to bring back His favor, and
to cause His countenance to shine upon them. This has been the case in every
age when God has had a people upon the earth. In our own day we have seen
frequent illustrations of this. We have never feared for the people, nor for
the prosperity of the work, when the Latter-day Saints have been fully alive to
the duties and requirements of their religion. But when they have been careless
and neglectful, or disobedient and hard in their hearts, then we have trembled;
for when the Saints are in such a condition the displeasure of the Lord is sure
to be awakened against them, and His scourges are likely to fall upon them. The
Lord does not permit His enemies, nor the enemies of His people, to prevail
over them for any length of time when they are living near unto Him and
complying strictly with His will. All His promises, of the brightest and most
glorious character, encouraging and hopeful, are given to those who keep His
commandments and who seek earnestly to carry out in their lives the principles
of salvation which He has revealed. When a people are in this condition their
enemies cannot have much power over them.
We
attribute the failure on the part of our enemies to accomplish their wicked
purposes during the last session of Congress to the fact that the Saints were
more true to their professions, and were offering up, in sincere humility and
faith, their petitions to the God of heaven for His interposition in their
behalf. When we consider the character of the measures which were framed in the
first place, and which it was the evident purpose of our enemies to force
through and make law, it is clearly to be seen that our Father in heaven has
restrained the efforts of the wicked and defeated them in their iniquitous
designs. For a while it seemed inevitable that every liberty would be wrested
from us, and that we should be brought into subjection to a most odious tyranny
and be stripped of every right which belongs to free men. And though the
measures which have been enacted are odious to the principles of true
republicanism, still our enemies are disappointed in their schemes and feel
that they have been defeated; while the Saints rejoice in the goodness of God,
and feel assured that by His help and their continued faithfulness in keeping
His commandments and relying upon Him, they will be able to endure, with
patience and without grievous loss, all that the enemies of His Kingdom shall
have power to bring upon them.
It is of
the utmost importance that the teachings which have heretofore been given to
the officers of the Church, and which it is not necessary to repeat at length
here, should be kept in mind and carried out in the spirit in which they were
given. Great responsibility rests at the present time upon those Elders who
have liberty of action, and they should be untiring in their efforts to magnify
their Priesthood and to do everything possible towards building up and
strengthening the Saints in the practice of those holy principles which God has
revealed. Much depends in these days of trial upon those who bear the Lesser
Priesthood. They have opportunities which are of unequalled advantage. They visit,
or should visit, the people at their homes. They talk to them by their
firesides. They can see their inner lives, and learn wherein they need
strengthening and guiding, in order to be more efficient Latter-day Saints.
When Priests and Teachers understand their duties and seek to enjoy the spirit
of their offices, they can do an immense amount of good; for they are brought
directly in contact with the people; they learn their wants, are made familiar
with their weaknesses, and are in a position to check the growth of evil
tendencies in parents and in children. There is, in many instances, doubtless,
too much formality in the character of these visits-a disposition to drop into
routine and to ask stereotyped questions, without conversing in a way to bring
out the real feelings and spirit of the households which they visit. Visits of
this character are comparatively barren of results. To make them as productive
of good as they should be, live, active men should be used as Priests and
Teachers. The best ability in the various wards can find ample field for
usefulness in performing these duties. Young men who have not had experience
should be associated with those who have had experience, and they should be
impressed with the importance of seeking for the Spirit of God to rest upon
them in power, to dictate to them the very things that should be said to the
family which they visit. The teachings which might be appropriate to one
family, and be the very instruction which they might need, would not perhaps be
so suitable for another family. Therefore, the necessity of having the guidance
of the Spirit of God is apparent.
There is
a tendency, almost amounting to an epidemic in some places, among the young
people to indulge in cigarette smoking. The habit is filthy, unhealthy, and
pernicious generally. God has spoken so plainly on this subject that there is
no room to question the impropriety of this practice. The Teachers should make
it their especial business, in all kindness and in a mild, instructive spirit, to
reason and remonstrate with young people upon this habit. Every effort should
be made to check its growth amongst us. The habit also, which some young people
fall into, of using vulgarity and profanity, is one which should receive the
attention of Teachers. This practice is not only offensive to all well-bred
persons, but it is a gross sin in the sight of God, and should not exist among
the children of the Latter-day Saints.
At the
Priesthood meetings of Wards, Bishops and Counselors and other experienced
Elders can do great good to the young men by imparting to them instruction upon
these points and giving them explanations concerning questions which they may
be asked upon the live issues and topics of the hour. There is a body of young
men growing up in Zion, who, if taught as they should be, can be made most
efficient in building up the Church and in strengthening its members against
the various temptations to do wrong to which they are exposed. These young men
are generally full of zeal and energy and good desires, and only need to be
directed aright to accomplish immense results.
Connected
with our temporal labors there is probably no point of more importance than the
providing of employment for our people. The spirit of the Gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ is opposed to idleness. We do not believe that a man who has that
spirit can rest content if he is not busily employed. There are many who come
from other parts who have been accustomed to following branches of trade at
which they cannot find employment here. There are a great many young men and
young women growing up also, who do not have the necessary experience or
knowledge to employ themselves. These cases should receive the attention and
consideration of the Bishops and Presidents and other officers of the Church.
We should aim to create industries at which the people can find employment. If
all who have the influence of position, or the power that the control of means
gives, would keep this subject constantly before them and work unitedly in the
proper direction, a great many industries might be started in this Territory
that would result in profit to their founders and give fixed employment to many
who are now in want of it. In every Ward or Stake where there are opportunities
of this character, judicious men should be selected to take the direction of
such affairs and to make wise investments, so that discouragement will not
follow through the loss of means or the unskillful handling of the business.
From the
day of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the
adversary of souls has stirred up the wicked to accomplish its destruction.
Various agencies have been employed to effect this purpose. Falsehood,
tradition, deep-rooted prejudice, the learning, wealth and power of
Christendom, mob violence, fire, fetters, the rifle and the sword, wholesale
expulsion and military force having been tried in vain, a new crusade has been
inaugurated in the form of legislative and judicial tyranny, prompted by Satan
and carried on by cunning adventurers and reckless fanatics. Perhaps the most
shameful and unrepublican attempt of this character was the latest scheme
devised by the local conspirators. What is known as the Edmunds law-the act of
March 22nd, 1882-was hoped to be broad enough in its intended scope to secure
the political control of the Territory to the anti-"Mormon" voters. A
large number of both sexes were by that act deprived of the franchise. That it
did not wrench the control of the Territory out of the hands of the majority of
its residents, is not to be credited to the absence of such a wish and design
on the part of its authors and promoters, but to the overruling providence of
the Almighty. The ground which those who favored this measure seemed to take
was, that it was both praiseworthy and justifiable to violate the soundest
political principles, and even the Constitution itself, to take the political
control of the Territory of Utah from the "Mormon" majority and
concentrate it in the hands of the anti-"Mormon" minority. Having
gone thus far to accomplish this end, it was scarcely to be expected they would
hesitate to make other and more outrageous attempts, when they found that the
Edmunds law had not answered the full purpose for which it was intended. It
appears to be one of the effects which follow a departure from sound republican
and constitutional principles like the enactment of such a strange piece of
legislation as the Edmunds law, that every future attempt in the same direction
will be more regardless of the settled principles of political liberty than its
predecessor. The Edmunds law, instead of appeasing the anti-"Mormon"
appetite for power, only whetted it. The success of its promoters in securing
its passage, and the results which have followed, emboldened them to make the
most extraordinary demands upon Congress for further legislation. Emissaries
from Salt Lake City were employed and sent to Washington, sustained by funds
levied upon and collected from the non-"Mormon" population of the
Territory, to secure the passage of a law which would bind the
"Mormon" people hand and foot, and leave them, their liberties, their
property and all that makes life valuable and desirable, at the feet of their
deadly enemies. They did not appear to doubt that their demands for legislation
of this character against us would meet with ready acceptance on the part of
the National Legislature and the public generally.
On the
first day of the first session of the Forty-ninth Congress, Senator Edmunds
introduced a bill (numbered 10 on the Senate calendar) which contained shameful
unrepublican features, the evident purpose of which was to entirely destroy all
the liberties of the majority of the people of Utah. There were a few Senators
who stood up manfully and resisted the passage of this measure as an attack
upon religious liberty; but their protests and arguments were in vain. The bill
passed the Senate and was sent to the House. It was ably discussed before the
Judiciary Committee of the House by our friends, and everything was done that
was possible to enlighten that committee concerning the affairs of Utah and the
conspiracy which existed here to obtain the political control of the Territory.
A new bill was reported by the chairman of that committee, as a substitute for
the Senate bill, and the provisions of the new bill were found to be equally
objectionable with the bill for which it was a substitute. The measure was
modified and changed by wiser and more conservative legislators, in spite of
the efforts of those who inspired it-a result which we view as due to the
overruling power of Providence and the reluctance of some reasonable public men
to sanction a measure so utterly subversive as this was of the rights of
citizens. An agreement was reached by the Conference Committee, composed of
members of the Senate and of the House, and in amended form the bill was
reported to both houses, and passed without alteration. It finally became law,
without the signature of the President. In its original form the palpable
intention was to destroy the Church.
It is
generally admitted that no such law was ever enacted in this country before;
and to find its parallel one must search the records of medieval times, when
men's ideas of liberty were confined to such giants as despotic governments and
rulers reluctantly chose to give them. The provision interfering with the
property of the Church, and looking to the escheating or other disposition of
its funds in a manner contrary to the intention of the donors, are in violation
of ecclesiastical rights and in the nature of confiscation and spoliation.
The
disfranchisement of all the women voters, without cause and without even the
allegation of crime against them, is an arbitrary exercise of despotic power
without parallel in republican history. No reasonable excuse can be offered for
such an invasion of political rights exercised without hindrance for seventeen
years; and the vain pretense of the enemies of the Latter-day Saints that they
wish to rescue the woman of Utah from bondage has, by this outrage upon
freedom, been effectually silenced for ever. Taken with other portions of the
law it betrays an attempt to pave the way for the domination of the majority by
the minority, because the former is composed of members of an unpopular Church.
It should be the purpose of good citizens and faithful Latter-day Saints to
maintain the liberties which are dear to every citizen, by all legal and
consistent means with their power. And while many of the men and women who,
with divine assistance, opened this region to human occupation and fitted it
for civilized existence, are arbitrarily deprived of any personal participation
in its government, it becomes the duty as well as the privilege of those who
can do so under the operation of unjustly discriminating laws, to stand up
manfully and use all diligence and vigilance in the retention and prevalence of
the local rule of the local majority. In thus sustaining the right and
assisting in the prevention of wrong, they will have the blessings of a just
God and the approval of an enlightened conscience.
A
redeeming feature of the new law is the exemption of wives who are viewed as
legal from testifying against their husbands in cases arising under the Edmunds
act. This and the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States condemning
the segregation system, by which the extreme penalties imposed by law were
unlawfully multiplied upon "Mormon" defendants, are cutting rebukes
to the Utah Courts and District Attorney, for their excesses and malice in
pursuing persons acting under the strongest religious convictions. The relief
thus afforded to many subjects of judicial persecution would doubtless be
considerably extended, if other extreme rulings of the Utah Courts were
reviewed by the highest tribunal of the land.
As to
whether the Church is a corporation, grave doubts are entertained. This is a
question yet to be determined. But if it should be decided that it is a
corporation, is it possible that after a Territory has granted a charter of
incorporation, and Congress has for long years permitted the Territorial act to
stand unchallenged and unquestioned, the latter body can now revoke the charter
and appropriate the proceeds of the property to such uses as the majority of
Congress may designate? If this be possible, well may we, with all the people
of the Territories, ask: Are we living under a government of law, or are we and
all our rights as free men subject only to the whim and caprice of Congress?
The
Supreme Court of the United States, in 19 Howard, page 499, said: "The
power of Congress over the person and property of a citizen can never be a mere
discretionary power under our Constitution and form of government. The powers
of the government and the rights and privileges of the citizen are regulated
and plainly defined by the Constitution itself, and when a Territory becomes a
part of the United States, the Federal Government enters into possession in the
character impressed upon it by those who created it. It enters upon it with its
powers over the citizen strictly defined and limited by the Constitution from
which it derives its own existence, and by virtue of which alone it continues
to exist as a government and sovereignty. It has no power of any kind beyond
it, and it cannot when it enters a Territory of the United States put off its
character, and assume discretionary or despotic powers which the Constitution
has denied to it. It cannot create for itself a new character separate from the
citizens of the United States, and the duties it owes to them under the
provisions of the Constitution."
To
appropriate the property of a private corporation by saying that all beyond a
certain value shall escheat to the Government is an act worthy of the dark ages
when the right of the state to such property was maintained by feudal theories.
In latter days the more equitable doctrine prevails, even when corporations are
dissolved for violation of law, that the property of the defunct corporation
goes to the corporators.
As has
been well said by the court in the case of Wilkinson vs. Leland, (2 Peters 65)
in dealing with the question of taking the property of one and giving it to
another, without judicial inquiry and by legislative enactment: "That
government can scarcely be deemed free, where the rights of property are left
solely dependent upon the will of the legislative body, without any restraint.
The fundamental maxim of all free governments seems to require that the rights
of personal liberty and of private property should be held sacred. * * * A
different doctrine is utterly inconsistent with the great and fundamental
principles of a republican government and with the right of the citizens to the
free enjoyment of their property lawfully acquired."
In a case
which was appealed to the United States Supreme Court, (Terrett vs. Taylor, 9
Cranch), which involved church property, that the Legislature of the State of
Virginia had undertaken to take from the corporations holding it and turn over
to trustees, as this law attempts to do, Judge Story said: "But the
property was, in fact and in law, generally purchased by the parishioners or
acquired by benefactions of private donors. The title thereto was indefeasibly
vested in the churches, or rather in their legal agents. It was not in the
power of the crown to seize or assume it, nor of the Parliament itself to
destroy the grants, unless by the exercise of a power the most arbitrary,
oppressive, and unjust, and endured only because it could not be resisted. It
was not forfeited, for the churches had committed no offense. The dissolution
of the regal government no more destroyed the right to possess or enjoy the
property than it did the right of any other corporation or individual to his or
its own property. * * * * We think ourselves standing upon the principles of
natural justice, upon the fundamental laws of every free government, upon the
spirit and letter of the Constitution of the United States, and upon the
decision of the most respectable judicial tribunals, in resisting such
doctrine."
It seems
to plain men that this new law, in its attempt to seize and dispose of our
property, lawfully acquired, is in direct conflict with the provision of the
Constitution which declares that "no person shall be deprived of life,
liberty or property without due process of law." A well known writer has
said: "They have first of all to remove a very stubborn prejudice which
has been confirmed by immemorial usage that what a person honestly acquires and
legally possesses is his own and not another's."
Probably
no portion of this law has received so much attention since its passage as the
section containing what is known as the "test oath." The municipal
election at Brigham City, immediately after the bill became law, and the
pressing necessity for a decision on the part of those who are eligible to vote
in order that they might register, forced this point in the law into immediate
prominence. Our enemies have circulated the most atrocious falsehoods, accusing
our people of resorting to perjury when by so doing they could shield
themselves and friends from punishment; but none knew better than they that in
making these charges they were uttering deliberate untruths. The proof of their
falsity has been witnessed in the Federal Courts every day during the past
thirty months, when Latter-day Saints were being tried for taking care of and
acknowledging their wives and children, and refused to give the promise which
the courts endeavored to extort from them under an assurance that if they would
only make it-which they were told they might easily do-they should be permitted
to go unpunished.
Having
tender consciences upon the subject of saying or doing anything that could have
even the appearance of relinquishing any principle of their religion, our
people have carefully examined this oath and fully weighed the effect the
taking of it would have upon themselves, their children and the world at large.
Understanding fully, therefore, all its consequences, they who can do so have
generally resolved to take the oath. But their willingness to do so does not
divest it of its enormity or unconstitutional character. The rule of law is
that a man is presumed innocent of offenses and of the intention to commit
offenses until he is proven guilty. But by this law it is presumed that the
citizens of this Territory are disposed to violate the law and they must
therefore rebut the presumption by taking the oath! If the oath was
expurgatory, and to be required of people who had been in rebellion, it might
have a show of justifications; but to require such an oath as this from
citizens who have violated no law is without a parallel even among despotic
governments.
It is
extraordinary to what extremes men will go in their eagerness to strike a blow
at the Church of Christ. We felt this when the Edmunds law of 1882 was enacted;
but this feeling became one of amazement when the second Edmunds bill was
rushed through the Senate at the first session of the 49th Congress, and
afterwards, in a remodeled form, through the House of Representatives in the
second session of the same Congress. That a powerful government like ours,
representing a population of fifty-five millions of people, should magnify the
words and acts of a community numerically as weak as our Church is, and exert
itself in so tempestuous a manner to destroy its influence and growth, is
sufficiently remarkable to excite surprise; but when to effect this the very
principles upon which the whole superstructure of government rests are
discarded, and the Constitution itself and its guarantees are trampled upon,
then the feeling becomes one of wonder at the madness which seems to take
possession of men when what is called the "Mormon question" comes up
for discussion and action. In the haste and zeal of this madness to destroy our
religion, settled principles of jurisprudence are disregarded, evil precedents
are established, and men talk and act as if it were absolutely essential to the
happiness of the people of the republic to override every true principle of
government to strike down the majority of the people of Utah. It is easy to
predict what the result of this contemptuous disregard of the rights of
citizens and the written pledges of the Constitution will result in. The
precedents now being made will, in the not distant future, be inconceivably
fruitful of evil to the people of this republic. No people or government can
defy the sound principles of law which are essential to the correct
administration of justice and to the maintenance of the rights of its citizens,
without calling into existence forces which are calculated to lead to its
destruction.
There has
been no cessation in the annoyances, persecutions and unjustifiable conduct
from which our people have suffered at the hands of those clothed with a little
brief authority as officials in our midst. Unlawful cohabitation, an offense
which, under the law, is a misdemeanor, is magnified into a crime of great
turpitude, and more zeal is manifested in seeking to ferret out and punish
those who are accused of it than there is in dealing with all the other crimes
on the calendar. All other offenses, however gross and horrid, appear to sink
into insignificance in the eyes of the Federal officials in comparison with the
act of a man's caring for, furnishing, or even visiting his wives, taken by
him, as he believes, in accordance with a command of God, and his children born
to him in such wedlock. In former epistles we have described the conduct of
some of these officials in fitting language. Upon slight pretexts, and where
presumption merely exists, men are still arrested and treated with an
indefensible severity which is nothing less than persecution, and which lifts
those who endure it on to the plane of martyrs. The treatment of the Latter-day
Saints in these Territories under the Edmunds law will yet be read with
surprise and wonder, when the facts all become known. That American citizens
should receive such usage in a government like ours professes to be, would
appear incredible if it were not substantiated by convincing proofs. Aged men,
whose lives have been upright and honorable, and against whom not a word of
reproach can be uttered, have been ruthlessly and barbarously consigned to
prison cells because they were too manly to disavow their families and to break
the solemn covenants which they made in the presence of heaven with their
wives.
But this
has not been the extent of the inhumanity of those who have taken upon
themselves the role of persecutors. Blood has been shed, and that in a most
dastardly and cruel manner. Edward M. Dalton, a respectable young man, of good
family and connections, while unsuspectingly riding in the streets of Parowan,
was hailed by a deputy marshal William Thompson, Jr. concealed behind a fence,
and simultaneously shot in the back. He fell from his horse and died shortly
after. His slayer was indicted for manslaughter by a grand jury which he
himself had summoned on open venire, and was tried in the Second
District Court, at Beaver, the prosecuting attorney making what was virtually a
plea in his behalf, and he was acquitted. No other result could have been
expected under the circumstances, with such a jury, such a court, and such a
prosecuting officer; for, it is only the truth to say, the deed was viewed with
satisfaction and approval by many, and defended as an act that was entirely
justifiable. It might be thought that, after such an occurrence, such a man
would be quietly set aside and kept from public notice. But, alas! for our
country and the evil days upon which we have fallen, this man is now retained
in the employ of the government and acts as a deputy marshal!
Edward M.
Dalton died, it may be said, a martyr to the principles of religious freedom.
His innocent blood was shed without provocation. His name will yet stand out in
history as that of a victim to religious hate, and his memory will be cherished
by his family and friends and our entire community with loving veneration.
Elder
Lorenzo Snow, one of the Twelve Apostles, was sentenced by the First District
Court to eighteen months' imprisonment in the penitentiary and $900 fine and
the costs of his trial. It was felt that this was an unjust sentence; that the
grand jury, under the direction of the District Attorney, violated the law in
segregating the offense with which he was charged and bringing in three
indictments against him. After some trouble an appeal was secured to the United
States Supreme Court, which reversed the decision of the lower court and
declared segregation to be unlawful. After eleven months' confinement in the
Penitentiary, which he endured with great patience and equanimity, he was
released from confinement. The joy felt at this action of the Supreme Court was
universal throughout the Territory; not only because of its effects on other
cases, but because of the deep interest which was taken in the case of our
venerated brother. Though upwards of 72 years of age and of a delicate frame,
the Lord sustained him during his imprisonment in a remarkable manner, and he
is now at large and able to travel and visit the Saints in their meetings and
Conferences.
Respecting
amusements: We have given the religious world a lesson upon this point. We have
shown that social enjoyment and amusements are not incompatible with correct
conduct and true religion. Instead of forbidding the theatre and placing it
under ban, it has been the aim of the Latter-day Saints to control it and keep
it free from impure influences, and to preserve it as a place where all could
meet for the purpose of healthful enjoyment. Our leading men have, therefore,
gone to these places with the view, by their presence, of restraining all practices
and influences that would be injurious to the young and rising generation. Too
great care cannot be exercised that liberty shall not degenerate into license,
and not to convert that which should furnish enjoyment and simple pleasure into
a means of producing unhealthful excitement or corrupting morals.
Our
social parties should be conducted in a manner to give gratification to all who
attend them, however delicate and refined they may be in their feelings. Rude
and boisterous conduct and everything of an improper character should be
forbidden at such assemblages. It is not always convenient for the Bishop and
his counselors to be present themselves on such occasions. It would be well,
therefore, to select in every ward a committee of judicious, wise, good-tempered
and firm men to take charge of the social parties, and to see that order is
maintained, and that no improper persons are allowed to obtrude themselves into
the party to disturb the peace and enjoyment of those who go there to meet with
their friends and neighbors. We think round dances should not be encouraged.
And while there may be no harm in granting the permission which was given by a
circular of the Twelve Apostles some time ago, in which it was stated that one
or two round dances might be held during the evening, care should be taken that
this is not abused or carried to excess. This style of dance has been taken
advantage of by many impure persons, and respectable people have been annoyed
and grieved thereat, and have felt that it should be entirely prohibited.
Committee-men and officers in charge of parties should see that dances of every
kind are conducted in a modest and becoming manner, and that no behavior be
permitted that would lead to evil or that would offend the most delicate susceptibilities.
As the
summer months are approaching, when open air recreations will become common, we
deem it necessary to warn the Saints, and especially our young people, against
the excesses and improprieties that often attend such public entertainments. In
the inordinate desire to make money, attractions are devised to draw crowds of
people together where the usual restraints that regulate good society are
greatly relaxed, to the detriment of pure morality, and the breaking down of
those safeguards which should protect sobriety and virtue. Pleasure and
relaxation which in themselves may be not only harmless but really beneficial
to mind and body, are often rendered evil in the extreme, because of their
surroundings and associations. The thoughtless and inexperienced are frequently
oblivious to the harm thus attending something in which there is no essential
wrong, and are led to look with allowance, if not actual approval, upon things
that would shock them under other circumstances. The indiscriminate commingling
of the Saints with persons not of their faith whose habits, history and
purposes are bad or unknown to them, is fraught with evil and to be strongly
deprecated. To expose our youth to the contaminating influence of vile men and
women such as often congregate in places of public amusement, where they are
thrown together in social intercourse, is more than folly; it is wickedness. It
is proper that strangers should be treated with courtesy and respect but
intimacy with them is not desirable, and our young people should be cautioned
and guarded against casual acquaintanceship and the society of persons whose
intentions and influence may be of the very worst character.
Excursion
parties should be conducted by persons of standing and wisdom and under regulations
that will preclude the evils that frequently attend such gatherings. When
arranged for purposes of speculation, the promoters are often too heedless of
consequences in their anxiety for profits, and will mix together the worst of
characters and the good and unsophisticated, with results that can but be
lamentable. Sunday excursions to lake or canyon, moonlight trips and late
bathing trains should be emphatically discouraged. The society of persons who
place themselves under the baleful influence of intoxicants should be avoided.
Order should be maintained in the midst of merriment. Indecorous language and
conduct should be frowned down. All excess is detrimental. Temperance should
govern in everything. Amusement is not the purpose of life, it should be
indulged in only by way of variety. When people accustom themselves to constant
or oft-repeated rounds of pleasure, the true objects of human existence are
forgotten and duty becomes irksome and detestable. Children should not be
permitted to attend public gatherings without older persons accompanying to
guard them from accident and from the contamination of the ungodly. The
responsibility for the evils attending violations of these instructions will
rest upon parents, guardians and the local Priesthood in the various wards and
settlements. Persons who habitually desecrate the Lord's day cannot be held in
fellowship, and members of the Church who neglect public worship and the
partaking of the Sacrament and do not remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,
will become weak in the faith and spiritually sickly, and will lose the Spirit
and favor of God, and ultimately forfeit their standing in the Church and their
exaltation with the obedient and faithful.
Among the
pressing requirements of the summer months is special attention to sanitary
measures. The Saints ought always to be cleanly in their habits, persons and
surroundings. But during the heat of the summer this becomes particularly
needful. Much disease can be avoided by frequent ablutions, simple diet and the
destruction or removal of all refuse. Cleanliness is part of godliness. Filth
is obnoxious to the spirit of the Gospel. It is the breeding place for
epidemics. Our bodies, our houses, our gardens and outhouses should all be kept
free from uncleanly accumulations. Individual effort in this direction is a
necessity, and this should be supplemented by organized regulations in the
various wards so that the atmosphere may not become charged with the germs of
disease and death, arising from decaying vegetable and other matter festering
in the sun, and from unwholesome vapors arising from dirt and neglected refuse.
Let pure air and bright sunshine have free circulation in every apartment;
remove everything in the house or around it that sends forth sickening odors;
avoid the use of much animal food and of stimulants; preserve a cheerful spirit
and a serene mind, and under the blessings of our Heavenly Father health and
peace will abound and joy will dwell in the habitations of the Saints.
We are
constantly calling for missionaries to go to the various fields of labor in
this country, in Europe, and in other parts of the world. The greatest care
should be taken to select suitable persons for this duty. It often costs a
considerable sum to send men to the field of labor for which they are selected;
hence it is important that proper persons should be chosen, that their time and
the means necessary for their transportation be not wasted. We have a large
number of young men who ought to be very suitable for missionaries. Our Sunday
schools and theological classes, and our young men's mutual improvement
associations, should give our young men who avail themselves of these
facilities an excellent preparation for missionary labor. Every young man who
has faith should be taught to consider a mission to the world as an honorable
event in his life, for which he will diligently prepare himself, and which he
will look forward to with pleasure. There is an immense field lying before us,
which must be occupied by our Elders in order to fulfil the obligations God has
laid upon us. Presidents of Stakes, Bishops of Wards, and Presidents of Quorums
should exercise a wise discretion in selecting for missions worthy persons who
will do the cause they represent no discredit, and who will be useful in the
labor assigned them.
We
suggest to the Bishops and others whose duty it is to appoint Sunday School
Superintendents the great necessity of care in the selection of these officers,
as on them depend, more than on any other persons, the conduct, progress and
well-being of the schools. An efficient superintendent implies a good school.
Three characteristics, wherever obtainable are most desirable in the Sunday
School Superintendent-a love of his work, an aptness for control, and a devotion
to the cause of God. In the last named we include, as a matter of course, a
life consistent with his professions, that there may be no jar in the minds of
his scholars between the force of his teachings and the influence of his
conduct. It is also desirable that the superintendent be furnished with the
most experienced and devoted help that the ward affords; as that officer is
placed at a great disadvantage if he have an inefficient corps of teachers, and
the progress of our children is materially retarded, and much valuable time and
effort ill-spent, if his labors are not sustained by his associates.
Our
brethren and sisters should always remember that the work of teaching in our
Sunday schools imposes upon them a moral obligation to make their daily walk
and conversation accord with their teachings. Of all lessons, the living lesson
is the best. Children are surprisingly shrewd in detecting inconsistencies
between the instructions and habits of their instructors. Besides, the teacher
who seeks to live up to his own advice, not only benefits his scholars, but his
teachings exert a salutary influence upon himself, and he profits by his own
lessons.
The
winter which has passed has been remarkable for its mildness in the central and
southern parts of the Territory. In the extreme north storms have been more
frequent and the seasons been more severe. But, taken as a whole, the winter
has been an extremely favorable one. The open weather of the past two months
has enabled farmers to get in their crops with a facility and to an extent
rarely equaled. Good health has generally prevailed throughout our settlements,
and food for man and beast has been generally abundant.
In former
Epistles we have dwelt upon the necessity of improving our system of
agriculture. The Saints have been counseled to select the best kinds of grains,
fruits and vegetables. Our soil is admirably adapted for the production of the
best varieties of these articles, and there is no reason why we should not have
them of as good quality as can be raised anywhere in our zone. The same remarks
apply to horned stock, horses and sheep, and all kinds of poultry. It is only
repeating a truism to say that it is as easy to raise a good colt, a good calf,
or a good sheep, as to raise a poor one.
Tree
planting should be systematically followed throughout these treeless regions
which we occupy. The best varieties of trees should be sought for. In the early
days we had to use quick-growing varieties that were easily procured. But with
our present railroad facilities we can select trees which are best adapted for
future use in building, for manufacturing purposes, and for ornament. In some
of the prairie States a day has been set apart in the spring of each year for
the planting of trees, which is called Arbor Day. The results which have
followed the devotion of one day to this purpose are said to be very marked in
regions where it is observed. But we should not confine our tree-planting to
one day. Every man who owns a piece of ground should increase its value by
planting fruit and shade trees, and make his selection of the latter from those
kinds that will prove valuable as timber. The general planting of hardwood
trees would be attended with greater profit and much more satisfactory results
than the wide-spread cultivation of varieties of the cottonwood and poplar.
These latter grow readily and afford shade, but are of very little further use
except for firewood.
It is
beyond doubt that the exportations and general marketing of the surplus
products of our Territory form quite an addition to the financial resources of
the people. More care however, should be exercised in putting up and taking
care of articles intended for shipment to points within the Territory, or
outside its borders.
The
manufacture and care of butter should receive attention. This article is among
the most sensitive to its surroundings, so that cleanliness in every stage is
of vital importance. In this direction great improvement has been made in the
Eastern States and it would be well for neighborhoods to combine and purchase
suitable plant and machinery and acquire skill in the improved method of
manufacturing butter.
Many of
our cheese factories now turn out an article that is very desirable and which
commands ready sale and the full price in the market. There is room for the
increased manufacture of this product.
The
income of the Territory from the sale of eggs is not an inconsiderable item. If
any economical method could be devised for preserving them when abundant it
would be a great advantage, and the price would be more nearly equal at
different seasons of the year.
The dried
fruit business has been quite remunerative in the past, but our people need to
be more careful in drying. Cleanliness is essential, and the adoption of the
Alden or other process would help us to maintain the old credit which our
Territory had for the excellence of its dried fruit.
The
shipment of hides from our Territory ought to cease and tanneries should be
fostered in every locality where they can be maintained.
The same
may be said about wool. Wise economy would prompt the establishment of a
sufficient number of woolen mills to purchase and manufacture all our home
grown wool, so that instead of exporting the raw material we should manufacture
it ourselves and pay our own people the wages therefore that we otherwise have
to pay to workmen in other places.
The
Territory exports considerable grain, lucern seed and potatoes. These products
have sometimes been poorly cleaned and not been properly assorted, and this
negligence injures our credit and spoils our market. Making the professions
which we do as Latter-day Saints, and having the promises of the Lord
concerning the aid which He will give unto us, our business affairs should be
conducted in a way that will show that our professions are not vain.
The
Church is now passing through a period of transition, or evolution, as some
might be pleased to term it. Such periods appear to be necessary in the
progress and perfecting of all created things, as much so in the history of
peoples and communities as of individuals. These periods of transition have
most generally their pains, perplexities and sufferings. The present is no
exception to the rule. But out of apparent evil, Providence will bring abundant
good, and the lesson which the signs of the times should teach us is one of
patience, endurance, and calm reliance on the Lord. The result will be that we
shall be stronger, wiser, purer, happier, for the experience gained, and the
work of the Lord, delivered by His Omnipotence from all the snares set for its
retardation, or plans laid for its destruction, will yet triumph gloriously
over all its foes, and the infinite atonement of the Redeemer will accomplish
its perfect work. The final victory of the Saints is certain; after the trial
comes the reward.
We cannot
close our Epistle without expressing, as we have often done before, our faith
and hopes concerning the great work in which we are engaged. "The Lord
hath founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall trust in it." Our
hearts are filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to our Great Creator that we
have the privilege of living in this age of the world, and taking part in this
great work. We feel that all who have entered into covenant with God and who
suffer persecution for His cause, have reason for rejoicing, even as Jesus told
His disciples when He was upon the earth: "Rejoice and be exceeding glad,
for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you." If we are persecuted for our religion, it is no more
than we have been taught to expect. All who have been baptized into this
Church, and who were properly taught at the time, were led to expect that they
would have to suffer as our Lord and Master and His disciples did. Our Savior
has given us ample testimony upon this point. We need not, therefore, be
surprised nor disappointed when persecution comes. We have, however, many great
and glorious promises made to us. God has established Zion, nevermore to be
thrown down, nor to be given into the hands of another people. The most
encouraging words that could be uttered by Our Almighty Father to His children
have been given to us. We have proved them to be true up to the present, and we
know every word will be fulfilled that has been spoken concerning the future.
They who fight against Zion shall be destroyed; and the pit which has been
digged for our destruction shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their
utter destruction.
The
enemies of righteousness may gather themselves together, and plot evil, and
effect secret combinations, and say concerning Zion: "Let her be defiled,
and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord,
neither understand they His counsel." The Lord has stretched forth His
hand and He has spoken His word. He will not withdraw it, either, until His
purposes concerning the earth and its inhabitants shall be completely
fulfilled. We need not fear nor tremble. The afflictions which our Father
permits to come upon us will be made light unto us, and they will be made to
appear as very trifling in comparison with the calamities that He has said
shall come upon the ungodly inhabitants of the earth. Great judgments are
pronounced upon Babylon, and they will be fulfilled to the very letter. But if
we do as the Prophet says: "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth,
which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be
ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger;" we shall be saved from
impending evils.
The Lord
has given unto us an inheritance upon this land, which He declares is a choice
land. He has told us that whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from
bondage and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they
will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ. These words have been
fulfilled in the fate which has befallen nations in the past; they will be
fulfilled in the future. If we keep the commandments of God, if we serve Him
with diligence and full purpose of heart, the Lord will not suffer us to be
brought into bondage to our enemies, but will give us freedom, and maintain it
upon the land to which He has led us. We may rest confidently upon His promises
to Zion, and be assured that the time will come when it shall be "a land
of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the Saints of the Most High
God; and the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord shall
be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it and it shall be called
Zion. And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not
take his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And
there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall
be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be
said among the wicked, 'Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the
inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.' And it shall come
to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and
shall come to Zion, singing songs of everlasting joy." These promises are
made to us directly, and the Spirit of God bears testimony to us to-day that
they are true.
With full
confidence that the dense clouds which have darkened our horizon during the
past two or three years will be soon dissipated by the bright rays of the sun
of righteousness, and invoking the blessings that come through patient
endurance of affliction and faithful adherence to the right, upon the Saints of
God in all the world, we subscribe ourselves.
Your
fellowservants in the great work of the latter days,
JOHN TAYLOR,
GEORGE Q. CANNON,
JOSEPH F. SMITH,
First
Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
April,
1887
Elder Lorenzo Snow announced that the conference would adjourn, to meet on the 6th of October next, at 10 a.m., at such place as the authorities of the Church may designate.
The choir sang an anthem, and benediction was pronounced by Elder Heber J. Grant.
The Conference throughout was one of the most enjoyable which has ever been held in the Church. The weather was delightful, being clear and pleasant up to a short time previous to the final adjournment, when a brisk shower fell, cooling the air, settling the dust and rendering travel all the more enjoyable. The fine new Stake Tabernacle, though not large enough to contain all who wished to attend, was very comfortable and admirably adapted for all hearing what was said; The Saints of Provo were untiring in their efforts to entertain their visitors; the Holy Spirit was poured out in a rich degree upon speakers and hearers, and the Saints separated at the conclusion of their conference feeling spiritually refreshed and better prepared for the further journey of life.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
6-9 Oct 1887, 57th Semi-Annual General Conference, Salt Lake Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 36:612, 10/12/87, p 4; Millennial Star 49:689, 705, 721, 737]
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 36:612, 10/12/87, p 4]
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-eighth [57th] Semi-annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a.m., October 6th, 1887, Apostle Lorenzo Snow presiding.
There were on the stand, of the Quorum of the Twelve: Apostles Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, John Henry Smith and Heber J. Grant; Patriarch John Smith; of the Presiding Council of the Seventies: Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young; of the Presiding Bishopric: John R. Winder. There were also present a large number of Presidents of Stakes and other leading brethren from various parts of this region where the Church is established.
Conference was called to order by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang:
Come all ye sons of Zion,
And let us praise the Lord,
His ransomed are returning, According to His word.
The opening prayer was offered by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
Singing by the choir:
I know that my Redeemer
lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead, He lives, my ever living head.
ELDER JACOB GATES
addressed the conference. He rejoiced in the opportunity of meeting with the Saints in general conference. It was the first time in several years that such a privilege had been enjoyed in this building. He was reminded by what we had been singing that God lives. This is the last time the Lord purposed to prune His vineyard prior to His coming as a mighty conqueror, when every knee would bow and confess that Jesus is the Christ. It will also be acknowledged that Joseph Smith is a Prophet, and that his successors are among the chosen of God.
During the 57 years of the existence of the Church in this dispensation the Saints had gained experience, and the Lord required that they should have more faith as a consequence. The speaker knew that every phase through which the Church had passed had been overruled for the benefit of the faithful, whose feet had been thus placed upon a higher plane. Brother Gates then dwelt upon the principle of revelation as applied to the calling of men to be ministers for God. To this sphere men must be called of God, as was Aaron, who was selected by the voice of the Lord, fresh from the divine fountain. This system of truth with which the Saints are identified had also been revealed in this way, it inculcated the same doctrines as preached by the Savior and his ancient disciples who dwelt in mortality contemporaneously with Himself. The prediction by John the Revelator in reference to the restoration in the latter times of the fulness of the Gospel was referred to and the speaker held that the very fact of such an event being predicted showed that there was to be a falling away from the true order of the Gospel. If such were not the case a restoration would be superfluous.
It was the greatest blessing that could be enjoyed by mortals to know that God lives. The speaker here gave a relation of the first experience of the Prophet Joseph Smith, when he was visited and instructed by the Father and the Son and when he was chosen as an instrument to inaugurate the marvelous work of the latter times. He could testify to the world that God lives, because his eyes had seen and his ears heard.
The present was a time of trial, and ;men suffered imprisonment and other inconveniences and hardships for conscience sake. The day would come, however, when freedom would spread over this goodly land, which had been dedicated to liberty. Notwithstanding the forbidding appearance of things on the surface, the speaker considered this a bright day, because it immediately preceded the breaking through of the light of liberty and truth in greater brilliancy than ever. The righteous had nothing to fear, but the wicked had great reason to do so, as the Lord had said through his prophet that he would visit the latter with swift and terrible judgments. The Saints should renew their faithfulness and keep out of their hearts every feeling of animosity toward their enemies.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH.
It was ever a matter of pleasure to mingle with the Saints in Conference, and speak of the goodness of God. It had been the happy lot of the speaker not to suffer much tribulation. He had grown to manhood since the arrival of the Saints in this part of the world. He had been taught in the principles of the Gospel from infancy and they had become part of his life. The Lord had done him the honor to give him a witness of their correctness and he had looked upon them as above price. When hearing his brethren speak upon them they awakened glorious reflections in his mind. They had been revealed for the benefit of mankind, that they might have an assurance concerning themselves and their approval by their heavenly Father. It was a matter of surprise that so few people understood them. We have, indeed, cause for rejoicing that our minds have been ready to accept of those truths and to direct our minds in accordance with them. The speaker had never been taught by the Elders any principle but had been sustained by the Scripture and by natural laws. If we fully obey them there is no need of offense against any one. They teach love, forbearance and kindness to all, and the good we can do to our fellows will result in good to us. This is the character of the Gospel. In the heat of controversy we may not be as considerate in relation to the views of others as we should be, but this was no part of the Gospel. When the Elders were sent out they were instructed to be as conservative of the religions of others as possible, and to confine themselves to the declaration of the pure principles of truth as revealed in the system they had espoused. Perhaps this teaching had not been adhered to as closely as it should have been. It was not good to create in the breasts of those to whom we preach the Gospel a feeling of combativeness. There has been no necessity for the Elders to assume a spirit of aggressiveness, but rather to carry the spirit of conciliation and kindness. The faith of the Gospel should be declared in simplicity; faith in God, in His Son Jesus Christ, in baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the reception or imparting of the Holy Ghost.
Many people had been deceived concerning us. They saw us standing alone, as it were, and many forces operating against us, yet we go on our way unmoved, and they wondered at the spectacle, not knowing whether to attribute the phenomenon to the power of god or some other cause.
Faith was a great governing principle and should actuate us as a people. It should enable the Saints to rely upon the promise of God that if they would keep His commandments He would open a way for them out of every difficulty. We cannot claim as a people that we have been altogether free from the improper feelings that have been exhibited toward us. We have acted sometimes without due consideration for the rights and prerogatives of others. Yet we have been fairly consistent. The Lord had promised that if we took a proper course He would soften the hearts of those who had felt ill-disposed toward us, and thus we would be able to accomplish our mission of salvation in benefiting our fellow-beings. It is to be hoped that this will be the case and that many misunderstandings that have existed will, by the light of calm reason, be dissipated.
The speaker not only rejoiced in the ordinances of the Gospel, but also in the moral law, which made personal purity imperative. There had grown up much laxity in the world in reference to the latter requirement. It was required by the Lord, however, that we walk in the light of moral purity. If we fail to remember the obligations of the Lord in this respect, our condemnation will be the result. The world had drifted from purity of life, and the Lord was calling us back to pioneer the road to a better condition. We should ever keep before us our individual responsibility; by our record shall we be judged. The speaker, in conclusion, bore testimony that Jesus is The Christ, and that the Gospel as revealed anew in this age is true.
[John Henry Smith]
[CD 1:53-58]
REMARKS
DELIVERED BY JOHN HENRY SMITH
At the General Conference, held in the Tabernacle, October
6, 1887.
_____
I regret
very much that I was late in coming in and therefore failed to hear all that
has been said by Brother Gates in his talk to us this morning. It is ever a
matter of pleasure to me to mingle with the Saints in their Conferences and in
connection with my brethren, to lift up my voice and speak of the goodness of
God. It has been my lot in life not to suffer very much tribulation, having
grown to manhood since the arrival of the Saints in this part of the world, and
their, establishment in their mountain homes. Taught in the principles of the
gospel from infancy, they have become in me as part of my life. They are sweet
to me in more ways than one. The Lord, having done me the honor to give me a
witness of their correctness, given to me a humble testimony in regard
thereto-I have looked upon them as treasures above price. And, when I listen to
the remarks of my brethren, as bearing upon the principles thereof, they awaken
within my mind most joyous reflections; realizing that they are truths that
come from God, designed to benefit and bless the human family; to relieve them
from burden, and to put them in a position that they may have an assurance
regarding themselves and their approval by our Heavenly Father. I have often
wondered in my simplicity why it was that so few of the human family understood
these principles? Why so few were willing to give ear thereto, and why they
felt, as a rule, in regard to them as they do. This, to me, as it has been, no
doubt to many others, a matter of surprise. I feel, my brethren and sisters,
that we have, indeed, cause for rejoicing in regard to these matters, that our
minds have been willing and ready to accept of these truths (if they are
truths) and we claim that they are, and to seek as far as practicable to direct
our lives in accordance therewith. This, to me, is a matter of great
satisfaction, that during my life, which has not been very long, I have never,
at any time, been taught by the elders of the church, any principle but what
was sustained by the Scriptures of divine truth. I have never been taught any
principle save what has been sustained by natural law; correct, so far as that
is concerned, in every sense of the word. The primary principles of the gospel
lead us step by step, degree by degree, up the plane, and put us in a position
that, if we will fully and thoroughly obey them, there is no need of offense
against anyone, in any sense of the word. They teach the principles of
simplicity, love, forbearance, charity, consideration.
They
inspire us with a love for our fellowmen and instruct us in the good that we
do, or could do, to ourselves and others, and I understand that this is the
character of the gospel. It is true, that sometimes in the heat of argument,
possibly, and in a desire to carry our points in reasoning upon a subject, we
may not be so careful, circumspect and cautious as we sometimes should in
considering the feelings of others in regard to their faith. In the sending
forth of the Elders of this church in the early times, instructions were given
to them that they should go among the world; that they were to preach the
gospel; that they were to bear witness of the restoration of the same; that
they were to avoid confusion and disputations; that they were to avoid giving
offense in any way against their fellowmen; that they were to leave the
religions of other people alone, only so far as might be necessary for the
promulgation of the doctrine of the gospel, which they were sometimes required
to refer to by way of comparison. I believe that in too many instances we have
assumed an attitude that even our own faith has not warranted, in making
assaults on the teachings of others, that possibly we should not have done, by
being carried away by zeal, lack of wisdom, and forgetting the methods by and
through which conversions were to be brought upon the children of men-viz., by
explaining the principles of the gospel and bringing home to the hearts of men
a knowledge of those principles, showing them the spirit and means by which the
Almighty works upon his sons and daughters, with words of kindness, words of
reason, words of cheer, words of comfort, words of consolation and the spirit
of inspiration finding its way to the hearts of men, coming through kindness,
charity and consideration. But to go out with a spirit and desire to denounce,
with a spirit to find fault, with a spirit to awaken in those whom we were
addressing, feelings of combativeness, we would not accomplish the design which
God sent us forth to promote-the principles of life and salvation. We would be
defeated in regard to this matter and become unstable by an improper
comprehension of the truths that God has revealed and to those to whom He
designed them to be proclaimed.
The
gospel, as it has been revealed to us is a perfect plan in every respect. There
has been no necessity of our assuming, in my judgment, as elders ministering
among the people of the world, the spirit of aggression, but on the contrary,
we should cherish that spirit of love, that spirit of charity, which would
inspire a man not to turn his back upon his home, country and people, but that
which would make him a minister of righteousness among the human family, and by
these means seek to bring to him a knowledge of the truth which God has
revealed, and give him that spirit that would actuate him to do works of
righteousness and also guide and direct him in his ministrations, in seeking
and searching after the plan that would lead men back to God. Faith in God,
faith in Jesus Christ, faith in the Holy Ghost, or the Comforter will enable us
to establish in our hearts that God our Father is, and rivet upon our souls the
knowledge thereof, to bless us, to lead us aright and open to our minds the
things of God and show us a proper comprehension of the plain and simple
principles and doctrines which He designed we should observe and abound in. He
has distinctly and clearly told us to be guided by a godly walk and
conversation, that we should not offend or bring ill-feelings upon our brothers
and sisters, who, perchance, might not know and understand the principles of
the gospel as we do, that our minds may be enlightened by the influence and
power of that spirit that comes from Our Heavenly Father.
I myself
rejoice in the gospel, of which our brother has been speaking. It is true the
people of the world do not comprehend it. It is true that many in the world are
deceived in regard to us. It is true that many of them are in doubt as to
whether it is correct or not. They look with wonder upon our position, and they
see us stand, as it were, alone, with the feelings of the world directly and in
bitterness against us. They see we continue to move on amidst the trials and
troubles-and I don't know that our trials and troubles are greater than many
others, so far as many are concerned because the spirit of conviction of truth
is awakened in the minds of men, no matter what may be the loads heaped upon
his shoulders, so long as he drinks at the fountain of truth and receives a
witness of the spirit of God by striving to do His will and keep His
commandments and seeking to bless his fellowmen. There is no dubiety in his
mind while the spirit of God moves and guides him in his labors in life. But
when these things are not enjoyed, when the spirit deserts us, when we are left
to ourselves, when we give ourselves up to dark forebodings, then come our
trials, then is the time we exhibit our weakness, then we feel the pain,
poverty and suffering which we have to undergo, then we feel that we are indeed
outcasts, suffering much, possibly, when our burdens, in one sense, are
comparatively light. Faith, the first principle of the gospel, is the grandest
principle that has ever been revealed to man. It guides him, directs him,
blesses him, aids him in every moment of his life. If he could but cultivate it
in his life it would lead him to see beyond the clouds that are ever resting
upon him, the sunshine beckoning him on through the duties and responsibilities
which God has imposed upon him. These are the feelings and sentiments that
should actuate and bind us together as one, as a people. Then by faith we
should be enabled to see the finger of our God, pointing us to do His will and
keep His commandments, saying, "If you will observe my laws, keep the
covenants you have made, discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed upon
you, then will I indeed bless you, open your way that you may obtain those
blessings which will be a comfort and blessing to you." This is by the
principle of faith which our Father has established in the hearts of the human
family, by and through which will we get His spirit, and be able to accomplish
our mission with satisfaction, and bring joy, peace, comfort, consolation and
happiness to all of us. We should not feel worried, in the least, we should not
feel troubled, so far as this work is concerned. Our concern should simply be
in regard to ourselves-as to whether we possess the wisdom, light, knowledge
and integrity to be faithful and true in doing His will and keeping His
commandments. We cannot claim, as a people, that we ourselves have been
altogether free from the feelings and sentiments that have actuated others
against us. I have felt many times that in our lives we were sometimes too
exacting, too much filled with a desire to secure our own ends and accomplish
our own purposes, without considering the feelings of those around us. Others
feel as I do, that as a people we do remarkably well when, in the midst of the
trials and troubles with which we have been beset, we have displayed reasonable
fortitude, reasonable wisdom, and done much in performing our part. And I feel
that God has been with us in all our trials and troubles, and that he will
continue to be with us; and I know He will soften the hearts of those who have
had, from time to time, and who now have their hearts hardened against us.
Probably the day will come when this will be the case, and we will feel
differently in regard to this. Those who have felt hard of heart will feel
differently from what they have felt, and we will be able to bridge many gaps
and be blest in accomplishing the mission which we have been sent to
accomplish, without in the least making any sacrifice that we should not, as
the people of God, make. I have traveled in preaching the gospel as opportunity
presented, seeking to perform to the best of my ability, all the duties and
obligations which God has imposed upon me. I feel to continue to labor. I feel
to continue to do the best that I can; and so far as my heart is concerned, it
has no curse, no hatred or malice towards anyone with whom I have been
associated. I harbor hatred against none of the people in this land. I feel
that where there are or have been evils they should be cured, and that, while
possibly things in regard to these matters that have been carried to unwarrantable
length in many respects, still, I believe that God will do as He said He would,
that He would soften their hearts, and inspire them to do justly and right by
us. And when the storm that has broken upon us is moved and abated some little
in its fury, we will see a different condition of things than now exist. Then
will the principles of equity, justice and right be administered among us. Then
the feelings which existed among them, will pass away; misunderstandings will
be removed and we, as the people of God, will march forward in the performance
of our duties and in bearing the responsibilities which rest upon us; and they
who have drank deep of the cup of bitterness, whose hearts have been inspired
with great hatred against us, will be softened, and when the anxiety they have
cherished in their hearts to accomplish their ends, have passed away, when
those possessed of a Christian sympathy, or who should have been possessed of
Christian sympathy, have a desire to benefit and bless their fellowmen, there
will be a different state of affairs than exists today.
I
rejoice, my brethren and sisters, as I have remarked, in the doctrines of the
gospel, of faith in God, in the doctrine of repentance, in the doctrine of
baptism by immersion for the remission of sin, of laying on of hands for the
gift of the Holy Ghost, in the manifestations and gifts of the gospel, that
have been given therewith. I rejoice in the moral law of the gospel, by which
we have been given to understand that we should become moral, that we should
maintain personal purity, in regard to this matter, and seek to overcome in the
evils in our midst; and become true and faithful in the maintenance of that
purity which God designs should characterize true Saints, and cherish that
spirit which He has implanted within us. I rejoice that we have and are being
forewarned, and thus being forewarned in these matters, we should become
forearmed, and walk by the light of truth.
In the traditions that exist among the people
of the world, there has grown a laxity with regard to personal purity. The Lord
has given us laws and these things, and by His blessing we should seek to
conform to those rules and regulations that prompt us and give us power to do
right, lead us from doing evil, and give us strength when temptation is trying
to allure us and lead us to depart from the principles of the gospel. These are
things which we should establish in our minds and ground well in our being.
They are things we should observe. We should live up to the laws of God, walk
forward in the accomplishment of His will, and be guided by His hallowed
influence. We should remember these obligations which God has placed upon us,
so that when we depart this life we may be pure and undefiled and not receive
of condemnation. We should remember the instructions which are given: Not to
steal, not to bear false witness against our neighbor, not to murder, commit
adultery or anything that would cut us off from enjoying the blessings of
eternal life. These are the instructions given us-forcibly given by the Son of
God-and should impress themselves upon our minds. The Savior has pointed out
the way and is calling us back by the appointed way. He has implanted the
desire to return to that mansion that awaits the faithful. We should, while here,
proclaim the works of righteousness, and the ordinances of the gospel; it will
bring us blessings and Heaven's approval and will result in our exaltation.
My
brethren and sisters, the way is marked out, clearly and distinctly, before us.
He has given to all of us our own individuality, endowed us with our own powers
of mind, given us the right to act, the right to move, the right to do for
ourselves. No other person than ourself can be responsible for us. The record
we make is our own. We make that record in the performance of the duties
imposed upon us, and we will be adjudged "guilty or not guilty," when
we are called to give a rendering for the work that was assigned us, and the
manner in which we have performed the duties thereof.
I desire
to say to my brethren and sisters that I rejoice in the gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ. I know that it is true. God has given me that witness. I bear my
testimony, in all humility, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and by and through
the atonement that He wrought out, will you and I be saved and through no other
means. Our Father has provided these means. He has given us principles to
educate us to that standard which will enable us to become great and noble, and
which will lead us unto Him. He has required us to accept these things in order
to obtain the blessings upon which they are predicated. At the same time, we
are to exercise our own individuality. If we choose evil, we will have to abide
and suffer the consequences. If we choose good and that which is right, we will
receive the blessings and be made happy, so far as they are concerned in regard
to the gospel.
I do not
feel, my brethren and sisters, to prolong my remarks. I feel to testify to you
that the gospel is true, that God is our Father, that Christ is our Redeemer,
our Elder Brother, and that through the atonement He wrought out, you and I
will be saved in the kingdom of God, and that nothing in the world can
interfere with our salvation if we but do His holy bidding and keep the
promises we have made and the commandments He has given. The Lord has predicted
these things and it is through them we will receive our reward. We will secure
His approval by our subscribing to the condition prescribed by Him. Amen.
ELDER MILO ANDRUS
addressed the Conference. He expressed gratitude to God that he was still alive and had the privilege of taking part in the progress of the work in which the Saints were all interested. He dwelt upon prominent periods in our history. To the speaker the history of the Church for the last 56 years had been of deep interest. He had the same aspirations and desires as formerly to bequeath to his generations after him the legacy of a sound faith in the principles of truth. A study of the operations of truth on the earth afforded great joy. In the study of these principles and of the history of men we can draw lessons of wisdom. We can observe what results have occurred from given effects in the past. There is a great lesson given us in the experience of Job, who was loved of God. He as blessed exceedingly, with wealth and prosperity. The enemy of righteousness wished to have an opportunity to test him, with the hope that he might deny God and fall. The terrible trials to which he was subjected are a matter of record. The effect upon Job of his fearful afflictions will be remembered, yet he remained true to His God. When tempted by his wife, he replied that she talked like one of the silly women. Perhaps there may be some parallels in these times to that incident. Was there not some talk of this silly quality when men were persecuted and afflicted? Finally the man of faith and patience exclaimed that in the latter days he would stand on the earth and see his Redeemer. Many men had been tried during the progress of the work of God in these days. Some had been unable to stand the troubles with which they had been surrounded. Others had maintained their integrity, and after their tribulation they had been greatly multiplied and blessed, as in the case of Job. The speaker next directed the attention of the congregation to the experience of Jonah. Although he did not fully regard the word of the Lord, he was not cast off. It would not be proper, on this account, that his example of disregard should be followed by the Elders. We have no time to rest from our labors until our last breath is drawn. In the fifty-six years of his experience in the Church the speaker had never heard the Prophet, Apostles and Elders teach any one to sin. He could say to all the world that Jesus is the Christ. He had seen the heavens manifest their treasures to the glorious gifts of the Gospel. He concluded with a strong exhortation to faithfulness.
An anthem --
Sing to the Lord in joyful strains.
was sung by the choir.
Benediction by Elder Elias Morris.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 36:612, 10/12/87, p 4]
FIRST DAY.
_____
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Singing by the choir:
Awake,ye Saints of God,
awake! Call on the Lord in mighty prayer,
That He will Zions bondage break, And bring to naught the fowler's snare.
Prayer by Bishop Samuel A. Woolley.
The choir sang:
The time is nigh, that happy
time, That great expected, blessed day,
When countless thousands of our race Shall dwell with Christ and Him obey
ELDER HUGH S. GOWANS,
President of Tooele Stake, was called to address the assemblage. Notwithstanding the diffidence he felt in undertaking this duty, he felt a pleasure in lifting up his voice in behalf of the cause of truth. He could unite with his brethren in gratitude to God for the deliverances that have been wrought out for the people. It as a great privilege to associate in our present capacity of a general Conference in peace, to be instructed in our duties. We are here in this life to learn the way in which we should walk to enable us to return to our Father in heaven. That we may take the right path we should and must possess the Holy Spirit. To possess that influence it is necessary that our lives be righteous. If Satan can fill our minds with doubt in reference to this Church and its destiny, he will do so. There are many inducements to lead the unwary astray. The design of the Lord, however, is to lead this people to a higher plane and sphere, above the things of the world. We should rise above everything in opposition to the Gospel. If the spirit of God is in our hearts we will clearly discern the good from the evil. By measuring our lives with what God has revealed for our acceptance we will be in a position to know whether our course is acceptable to Him or not. Self-examination will enable us to understand whether or not we are traveling toward that high standard to which the Lord desires we should be attracted. We must be prayerful in spirit, and exercise faith in him. We should keep the Sabbath day, attend our meetings in or wards and quorums. It is questionable whether these things have been fully attended to. There is more delight to Saints in attending to these things than to spend our time in excursions and other similar ways of seeking pleasure. We should cheerfully pay our tithes and keep the laws of life, that health may abound and that our lives may be prolonged in usefulness. God has revealed a Priesthood and principles by which we can rise above the petty jealousies of life. If we would have faith we must attend our fast meetings and tender our offerings for the benefit and sustenance of the poor. If we do those things we will have faith to administer to our families and rebuke from them the encroachments of the destroyer.
There is nothing in our theology but tends to morality and to spiritual and physical life. We have our religion and our business mixed up, and the former is sometimes allowed to settle to the bottom, causing it to require to be stirred up, that it may come to the top. Some men have so little faith that when propositions are made for the benefit of the work of God they hesitate to accept and act upon them. This is unfortunate, as all should be ready to operate for the general weal. This should not e the condition of any man who holds the Priesthood and has taken upon him the name of Christ. The speaker hoped that the light of the Spirit might dwell in his heart to enable him to participate in any movement of a beneficial character. He hoped this would also be the condition of all the brethren.
ELDER ABRAM H. CANNON,
of the Presiding Council of the Seventies, was the next speaker. The truths to which we had listened would save and exalt us if we adopted them. What this people have accomplished under the blessing of God is marvelous. The lord is ready to bless the Saints still further if they are ready to accept of what he has to proffer. We have to grapple with spiritual and temporal questions.
We witness disunion growing among the nations. There is an increasing element and disposition toward a disruption of organized society. The spirit of destruction is abroad, and bitter disputes between labor and capital are multiplying. We have been led to expect such things. There are duties in a temporal capacity devolving upon us. We have not been visited by the evils rife elsewhere, but unless we are careful we may be confronted by them. In this country we may expect that greater differences than have heretofore existed will make their appearance. We must be prepared to meet and cure them. The Lord has said it was not given that one man should be above another. He has told the Saints that if they were not united in temporal things, they could not attain to spiritual excellence. We have been paying too much attention to the accumulation of wealth, and not so much as was needful to duties that are higher. The speaker then dwelt for some time upon those revelations contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants in reference to the temporal affairs of the Saints. The principles they inculcate were of a nature to exalt the poor and humble the rich, and produce other equitable results. He expected to see these laws and principles established among the Saints and he understood that the Zion of God would be built by that divine system.
The work of God requires the whole-hearted devotion of its adherents. It involves the sacrifice of all things deemed valuable in this life, if necessary. If we are divided against ourselves, we cannot, according to a principle enunciated by the Savior, stand, but must fall. If we are united however, we cannot be moved. We have looked to human aid for a way to escape from present troubles. It would, however, be provided by the power of God. If we rely upon human help we will be disappointed. In God lies our only refuge and hope. If we trust in him every cloud will disappear, and the Saints will return to Zion where the Temple, upon which the glory of God is to rest will be reared. The Saints should be governed by the law of God, written upon their hearts. That law will not and does not conflict with the principles of the glorious Constitution of our common country.
ELDER ELIAS MORRIS
addressed the assemblage. He expressed himself as delighted with what he had heard. It had been accompanied by the Spirit of the gospel. Charity and good feeling had been expressed toward all men. This disposition ought to be cultivated. The Gospel we have received -- many of us in distant lands from this -- embodies life and salvation. It has been revealed in our own day, and has not been picked up by the wisdom of men. It was not known in our day -- notwithstanding that there were many men honest and devoted to God -- until revealed in this generation. This system had not been discovered by the wisdom of men. It as the same that had been hidden up in Christ. If the Bible were not in existence it would make no difference to the Gospel as revealed anew. But if we had not this record, the various sects would have no foundation for their religions. It is questionable whether Joseph Smith, when first called of God, knew much of the principles contained in the Scriptures. Nevertheless between what is contained in the good book and that revealed through the latter-day Prophet there was a most beautiful harmony. The system was revealed to him line upon line and precept upon precept.
There is something here that testifies to the truth of the scriptural saying -- "No man knoweth the things of God, except by the Spirit of God." For ages men, by their own wisdom have searched, and searched in vain for a knowledge of the true principles of the Gospel. An unlearned youth, by the power and Spirit of God, had discovered them by that gift in their fullness.
We are called a peculiar people. When we heard the first sound of the Gospel, there as an echo from our hearts. We could not explain it, but it was there. We knew the testimony of the servants of God was true. Many of us were prepared for the message of heaven by dreams and visions, and we have known the Elders, recognizing them on sight as God's servants although we had never before met them. As soon as we received the Gospel in different lands we were imbued with a powerful desire to gather with the body of the Church. It was irresistible, and we found no rest, day or night, until we obeyed its promptings. These things show how we are a peculiar people. They were manifestations of the fact that God is in this work.
It has been imagined that forces could be brought to bear upon the Saints to eliminate from their hearts the love of the work with which they are identified. This can never be done. It is impossible. It is everything to the people and they will be found willing to suffer all things for its sake. Victory will perch upon the banners of Zion, for this is the promise of the Lord to His people. We may, however, be called to pass through many trials before that condition shall arrive. But every ordeal will redound to our good, and prepare us for that which lies in the bosom of the future.
ELDER F. A. HAMMOND.
President of San Juan Stake, addressed the congregation. He felt repaid for his labor and effort in getting here to attend Conference. He had been laboring for about two years in San Juan county, in the southeastern portion of Utah. He had no desire to return until it was time to come to Conference. He referred to a mission he performed to the Sandwich Islands. The Elders were on one occasion engaged in blessing each other. A prominent elder promised him then that he would be a blessing and consolation to those among whom he labored. He hoped to fulfil this prediction. As he entered the city recently and beheld the beautiful Temple rearing its walls and turrets to heaven, he was impelled to exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" This feeling was intensified by his recollection of the earliest settlement of this valley. The transformation is most wonderful. God would never forsake His people but would bless, multiply and increase them. The speaker said he embraced the Gospel in San Francisco in 1847, he being then a full grown man. From his experience he was impressed with a feeling of charity for people whom we sometimes call Gentiles. He then related some incidents concerning two Elders who visited his native village in the Eastern States, when he was about 11 years old, on which occasion he heard the first gospel sermon preached by Latter-day Saints. His next meeting with the brethren was in San Francisco, as before stated. He gave an account of his early experience in the Church, the discovery of gold in California and other matters of historical interest.
The choir sang:
Jerusalem, my glorious home!
Benediction by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 36:612-613, 10/12/87, p 4-5]
SECOND DAY.
MORNING SESSION, OCT. 7TH.
_____
Conference opened at 10 a.m.
Glorious things of thee are
spoken, Zion, city of our God!
He whose word can not be broken, Chose thee for His own abode
was sung by the choir.
Prayer by Elder Joseph B. Noble.
Singing:
Zion stands with hills
surrounded -- Zion, kept by power divine;
All her foes shall be confounded, Though the world in arms combine.
Happy Zion, What a favored lot is thine!
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
said, in substance: He was gratified for the privilege of meeting with the Saints in Conference. He desired the presence of the Holy spirit. Many changes have taken place since we last assembled in this building in a similar capacity to this. They had seriously tried many of the people. We are living in a day when each individual member of the Church should be in possession of the Holy spirit. It is a time when we need comfort, and instruction such as cannot be given by man. The Savior informed his ancient disciples that they must tarry at Jerusalem until they should be endowed with power. He promised to send upon them the Spirit of Truth. Those who know its operations are aware that it imparts comfort and knowledge. The greatest desire of the speaker was that he might enjoy the presence of that spirit. He thought of this more especially when he partook of the sacrament of the Lord's supper. When it was taken unworthily such action was followed by condemnation. Some of the Saints asked where they could go to seek counsel. All who had the Holy Spirit could receive it in every time of need from God. It is said of some that the Saints are poor and illiterate. There may be some truth in this, but it is not entirely true. A few of them were wealthy when they embraces the Gospel, but the bulk had been poor. This verifies the statement of the Savior, who thanked the father that He had given Him the weak things as pertaining to the world that by them the things that are powerful might be overturned. There are many churches here who claim to have been established among us to redeem us from bondage and sin. The facts will show that the Latter-day Saints will compare favorably on the plane of morality and religion with their professed regenerators. Examine all the denominations and it will be found that they claim to enjoy the Holy Ghost. The chief office of that spirit is to guide the possessors into all truth. If they have it why is it that they walk in so many ways diverse from each other? There is a method by which it can be ascertained whether people possess the Comforter. The presence of that Spirit is attainable by all. When John was banished upon the Isle of Patmos, and was in bondage for the testimony of Jesus, he was about to fall down and worship an angel who appeared to him. He was told not to do so, as that holy being was one of his fellow-servants the prophets. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, consequently those who possess it have the prophetic spirit. Paul proclaimed that no man could say that Jesus is the Christ, save by the Holy Ghost; therefore it is the Holy Spirit that imparts the testimony of Jesus. It is of infinite importance that the Saints understand these things for themselves. The same ancient Apostle exhorted the people in his day to contend earnestly for the best gifts. He also enumerated the various miraculous gifts conferred by the Holy Ghost. The Comforter was to show the disciples things to come, and lead them into all truth; consequently all upon whom it rests are to a greater or less extent prophets. An understanding of things yet future is the prophetic gift. It was by the power of the Holy Ghost that all the ancient prophets were enabled to foretell events that still lay in the bosom of the future. The speaker illustrated his remarks by scriptural references, and various Biblical incidents. He also explained that even the prophets possessed this power in different degrees. The Savior is said to have possessed it without measure, while it was given to others more sparingly. An incident was related wherein Moses was led to express a desire that all Israel should be prophets. When a people are thus blessed disunion disappears, as truth could not conflict with truth and that which comes from the Lord could not be untrue. It is common to charge the Latter-day Saints with being led by one-man power. When a people are led by the voice of the Holy Ghost through an authorized servant of the lord they are led by the power of Jehovah. If all the professing Christians in the world possessed the Holy Ghost they would enjoy the testimony of Jesus and would understand things to come by the gift of prophecy.
Brother Taylor exhorted the Saints to seek earnestly the best gifts, and also invited any who might be present who had not yet obeyed the Gospel to come forward and test its truth as revealed in this age. If they conformed to the principles it incorporated they would receive an individual witness of its divine origin. The secret of the unity of the Latter-day Saints is because of the Holy Spirit they possess. In reference to the operations of the Spirit, it is not that which is seen which is the most potent, but rather that which is invisible. As for instance the body of a mortal is visible, but the spirit which inhabits it is not, to the natural eye; yet when the spirit leaves the body it is dead, the more powerful and quickening part having departed.
The speaker asked the question whether the young people listening to him had a testimony of the work of the Lord for themselves. The reply would probably be that they could not see it. It is not visible, so we cannot behold it. Your spirit is an entity, yet you cannot see that; nevertheless it exists. The speaker further illustrated this part of his remarks by incidents in point. An electric current cannot be seen, yet it not only exists but is a most powerful agent, and produces wonderful effects. So with the Spirit of God. It may not be seen with the natural eye of man, yet it is powerful and sharp as a two edged sword, and a searcher and discoverer of secrets. The day will come when the potency of that Spirit will be exercised in the world, when it is filled with corruption, anarchy and confusion. Examples of exhibitions of this power, manifested in sacred history, were cited and dwelt upon, and still more wonderful phenomena from the same cause, to be developed in the future, were quoted. He desired that all might repent and enjoy the presence and effects of the Holy Spirit and be prepared for the coming of the Lord.
[John W. Taylor]
[CD 1:58-65]
REMARKS
DELIVERED BY JOHN W. TAYLOR
At the second day of General conference, held in the
Tabernacle, October 7, 1887.
_____
I feel
grateful this morning for the privilege of meeting with my brethren and sisters
in a Conference capacity, and I pray that the spirit of truth may rest upon us,
both the speaker and the hearer, during the time that we shall be convened
together in Conference.
Many
changes have taken place since we met together the last time in this building,
which have resulted in serious trials to many Latter-day Saints; while others
of the people have simply looked upon the transpiring events as matters of
history;-not taking any particular part in it themselves. I feel that we are
living in a day that every Latter-day Saint should put himself in a position to
be in possession of the Holy Spirit of promise. It is a day when we need
instruction. It is a day when we need comfort and consolation, such as cannot
be given by man.
The
Savior, addressing Himself to the apostles before His death, says in this wise,
"Tarry ye at Jerusalem until ye are endowed with power from high."
"The spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; and he
will show you things to come."
All who
have tasted of the fruits of the Spirit of God will understand that it has a
comforting influence, and that it will teach them things both new and old,
guiding them continually in the ways of all truth. Thus every individual who is
blessed with this spirit and testimony, as it were, is in a position to receive
revelation for his individual self to be guided in the ways of all truth.
I wish to
state to the Latter-day Saints that my greatest desire is to live in such a
manner that I may enjoy this spirit; and every time I partake of the Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper, I remember that my heart should be pure in His sight,
when the prayer is offered up, "We do this in the name of Thy Son, whose
blood was shed for us," etc., and ask that His spirit might always abide
with us; realizing the condemnation that those are under who partake of the "bread
and wine" unworthily, as the Savior said: "Wherefore, whosoever shall
eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of
the body and blood of the Lord * * * For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's
body."
Therefore,
I admonish the Latter-day Saints to cherish this spirit, and to live in
accordance with the pure principles of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We
hear expressions among the Latter-day Saints, occasionally, "Where can we
go for counsel? Who is there to whom we might go and appeal for advice
concerning our affairs in these troublesome times?" I will tell you. Go
unto the Lord; seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you,
ask and it shall be given. And put yourselves in a position to enjoy the Holy
Spirit of promise, and you will then be guided into the ways of all truth, you
will be shown things to come, and you will have no need to say to your brother
"shall I go this way, or shall I go that way?" But you will see
things clearly and plainly, and you will have wisdom according to the day and
hour in which you are living.
There is
a point upon this subject to which I wish to draw the attention of the
Latter-day Saints. It is frequently said, concerning the community of people
known as Mormons, that they are the off-scouring of the earth, the poor and
illiterate of the world. This cannot be denied in the whole, neither can it be
said to be true in the whole, for the Latter-day Saints have gathered together
from the different nations of the earth. There are some among them who were
wealthy before they came to this land. There were many others who were very
poor. Let this be as it may, the words of the Savior are remembered by all when
he said, "I thank Thee, O God, that Thou hast chosen the weak things of
this world to confound the wisdom of the wise." And Peter spoke plainly
concerning this subject when he said, "The Lord has chosen the poor of the
world, rich in faith, heirs of the kingdom of heaven."
Now,
concerning this Holy Spirit, there is a point that I have always considered of
the utmost importance to us, as also to all other people. You go up Salt Lake
City for a walk, and you will find various sectarian churches established in
this city, and they are also established throughout the several communities of
Latter-day Saints throughout this Territory. What is the object of these
various missions established in Utah? The object is set forth plainly in the
reports of individuals who are presiding over these various societies, when
they send back their reports to the various churches to which they belong in
the east or in the west. Therein they state that they are here "to
regenerate the Latter-day Saints." They are here to "turn the deluded
Mormons from the error of their ways." They are here "to bring us
back from bondage and from wickedness, and to preserve us from the hands of
those who are leading us from the paths of sin and iniquity."
Now, this
is no secret to the people, nor to the people of the United States. Let us take
this matter up for a moment and analyze it, and see whether the position of the
Latter-day Saints will compare favorably with that of their accusers and their
"regenerators." Don't understand me for a moment, my brethren and
sisters and friends, that I am making an attack upon the sectarian
denominations of the day. I have been taught from my earliest infancy to accord
to all men the freedom of conscience and the right to worship God as they
thought proper. I wish to call the attention of this audience the few moments I
have to speak, that you may see the position the Latter-day Saints take in
regard to one of the principles of the gospel. We are told by the Apostle Paul
"to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good." I desire
to announce my willingness here this morning to withdraw my fellowship from any
doctrine that is not in accordance with truth and righteousness.
Appeal to
the various denominations of the day, at home or abroad, and ask them "Do
you enjoy the Holy Ghost?" and you will have one united reply, "Yes,
we do enjoy the Holy Ghost." The question naturally arises in the mind of
the inquirer when they hear the words of the Savior: "The Holy Ghost, when
it is come, will bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said
unto you, guide you in the ways of all truth and show you things to come."
From this it will be seen that whosoever possesses the Holy Ghost, will be
guided in the ways of all truth. How is it possible that they possess this
spirit, all of them, and yet walk in so many hundred different directions? I
wish to say to this congregation this morning, concerning this Holy Spirit of
promise, that there is a way of testing the children of men, as to whether they
possess this spirit or whether they do not. And it can be done in a simple way,
so that none can misunderstand. There is a way of ascertaining the various
pieces of machinery which, in a whole, make-up what is known as a
"watch" which gives us the daily time. There are just as certain
evidences of the Holy Ghost when possessed by an individual as there are
evidences of the existence of the wheels of a watch. And it is this particular
discrimination that I wish to speak of here to-day before the Latter-day Saints
and before their friends who have come here to attend this Conference. If it be
a fact that there is a Christian denomination which does not profess to have
the Holy Ghost, I am ignorant of the same.
Therefore,
taking it for granted that all Christians profess to be in possession of the
Holy Ghost, I wish to analyze from the Holy Scriptures, this morning what the
Holy Ghost is; and let us see if the sectarian world is willing to acknowledge
that they are in possession of the same. The Latter-day Saints, also, should put
themselves in a position, at the same time, to answer the same question, and if
they do not have this spirit they should turn from the error of their ways and
go to those who have it to give. For fear that there should be one present who
doubts the possibility of all men receiving this gift and blessing, the words
of our Savior will do away with all misgivings on the subject: "If any man
will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or
whether I speak of myself" (St. John, 7th chapter, 17th verse). This
saying plainly illustrates to us that this great blessing is attainable by all
the children of men who will keep the commandments of our Father who is in
Heaven, and he will give them a knowledge of the truth. The question, therefore,
naturally arises in our minds, what is the Holy Ghost? On one occasion when
John the Revelator was banished upon the isle of Patmos, and worked as a slave
in the lead mines, for having testified of Jesus Christ-he was a slave, I
repeat, for having testified of Jesus Christ, I hope you will remember that
last phrase. There was an angel appeared unto him and John "fell at his
feet to worship him. And he said unto me: See thou do it not; I am thy fellow
servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for
the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Thus we
are taught that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, and all
persons who possess this spirit must of necessity enjoy the spirit of prophecy.
Now, therefore, let us ask our friends who have taken what some term "the
better way" of dealing with the "Mormons," that is, sending
their missionaries into our midst, if they enjoy the spirit of prophecy? What
would be their answer? They would be just as unanimous in answering: "No,
we have no prophets in our midst," as they were united in acknowledging
they all enjoyed the Holy Ghost, saying: "We have the Bible, and prophets
are no longer needed." Is it difficult for us to reconcile such ideas as these
when we remember the words of the learned Apostle, Paul: "No man can say
that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost"? It seems, then, that the
Holy Ghost gives the children of men the testimony of Jesus, and if this
testimony is the spirit of prophecy, as stated by the angel to John the
Revelator, we will understand plainly that this knowledge comes by the Holy
Ghost. What a manifest inconsistency we here find in the professions of the
sectarian world professing to have the Holy Ghost, but denying the spirit of
prophecy, when we have the testimony of angels, inspired apostles and prophets,
saying that they are one and the selfsame spirit. Hence the Apostle Paul,
knowing such to be the case, says: "Brethren contend earnestly for the
best gifts, but rather that ye prophesy * * * for to one is given by spirit,
the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit, to
another faith, to another the gift of healing, to another the working of
miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another
divers kinds of tongues. But all these worketh that one and selfsame spirit
dividing to every man severally as He will." These are the gifts and
blessings of the Holy Ghost. Referring again to our Savior's words that the
Holy Ghost, which is the Comforter, "will bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, guide you in the ways of all
truth and show you things to come." Therefore, all persons who see things
to come are prophets. It was by this spirit that ancient prophets foresaw
future events and made predictions concerning the same. Isaiah, the prophet,
said: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name shall
be called Immanuel." And that was fulfilled hundreds of years after the
prediction. Again it was by the Holy Spirit that Joseph in Egypt prophesied
unto his brethren that they should be in bondage 400 years, which was verily
fulfilled. It was by this spirit that the Savior of the world prophesied that
the temple should be thrown down and that the Jews should be led away unto all
nations, and Jerusalem should be trodden down of the Gentiles, that Peter
should deny Christ, and that the Gospel of the Kingdom should be preached in
all the world for a witness unto all nations before the end should come, all of
which have been fulfilled excepting the last named, which is now being
fulfilled by the Latter-day Saints.
By the
same spirit of prophecy, Noah predicted that a flood would come. Elisha, by the
same spirit prophesied that there would be no more rain for three years, etc.
Hence Jesus says: "This is eternal life to know thee, the only true and
living God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent," "for no man knoweth
the Father, save the Son, neither knoweth any man the Son excepting the Father
shall reveal it unto him."
Therefore,
I desire to say to this people and to all the world, that, wherever you find a
person who enjoys the Holy Ghost he enjoys, in a measure, the spirit of
prophecy, nevertheless some have it in part only, while others have a much
greater foreknowledge of future events, for example, Marian and Aaron
complained against Moses because he married an Ethiopian woman; the Lord was
angry with them and rebuked them, and said unto Aaron, "Who are you that
you should complain of my servant Moses, to whom I speak face to face as one
man speaks with another? But unto you I have spoken as in the similitude of
dark speeches," illustrating that while Aaron's communion with God was
very limited, the Lord spake to Moses in great plainness. I draw the attention of
the Saints to this point to show that while some may enjoy the spirit of
prophecy to a limited extent, others have a greater abundance of the spirit.
The apostle, speaking of Christ, said: "Unto him was given a fulness of
the spirit, but unto us it was given by measure." I desire to refer to a
circumstance that happened during the sojourn of the children of Israel in the
wilderness: A servant of Joshua came unto Moses and said: "Behold two
young men, Eldad and Medad, are prophesying in the camps of Israel, forbid
them, Lord, I pray thee." Moses answered and said: "Would you forbid
them for my sake? Would to God that all the Lord's people were prophets and
that He would put His Spirit upon them." As much as to say: If all the
Lord's people were prophets, or enjoyed the spirit of God they would also enjoy
the spirit of prophecy. We can here see how important it is for all Saints to
enjoy this spirit. Were it not so there would be confusion and dissensions
among them, for the Savior said: "My work is truth," therefore
whosoever possesses this spirit will be guided alike and see eye to eye in all
things. We frequently hear it said concerning the Latter-day Saints, that they
are led by the "one-man power." It always gives me pleasure when I
hear such statements, because I believe in the saying of the prophet when he
said: "Surely, the Lord God will do nothing save he shall reveal his
secrets unto his servants the prophets." The people were led by a one-man
power in the days of Moses-no, I will not say a one-man power, I will say, they
were guided by the voice of the great Jehovah, the Creator of the heavens and
earth, the seas and fountains of water and all things that in them is. And I
can say plainly, if all the children of the earth enjoyed this spirit, they would
all be guided in the ways of truth; they would see alike and do alike; they
would all understand and keep the commandments of God alike. It is now as it
was in the days of Christ, when he said: "O, ye hypocrites! ye draw near
unto me with your lips and with your words do honor me, but you have removed
your hearts far from me and teach for commandments the doctrines of men."
I say unto this audience, if the sectarian world enjoyed the Holy Ghost they
would enjoy the spirit of prophecy, and would see things to come, and they
would have the testimony of Jesus; they would lay aside their man-made systems
of religion, cease contending one with another, and united hand and heart,
would join the covenant of peace, and proclaim to all the world, "peace on
earth and good will to men." The enemies of the Latter-day Saints, while
they have inscribed on their banners, "United we stand, divided we
fall," seem very much exercised, at times, because of the union that
exists among them. Would they make division in our midst? Would they seek to
bring confusion upon us, and divide us as they are divided? Do they remember
the words of our Lord and Savior, when he uttered the prayer: "O! Lord,
make these my servants one, even as Thou and I art one from before the foundations
of the world."
My
brethren and sisters, I would admonish you to seek earnestly for the best gifts
and for a testimony of the truth. And I want to say to this congregation before
I close my remarks, I want to make unto you a promise. I say unto you, if there
is an honest-hearted soul here this day, seeking the way of salvation, who will
repent of his sins and come unto the elders of this church-or I shall be
pleased to offer my services for the same object-if he will go down into the
waters of baptism, be baptized for the remission of his sins, come forth out of
the water repenting of his former sins, have hands laid upon him for the gift
of the Holy Ghost, I say unto you that you shall know that the principles of
this Church and Kingdom are true; that God has spoken from the heavens in His
own voice in this the last dispensation of the fulness of times; that this
Gospel of the Kingdom will go into all the world; that the sound thereof will
be proclaimed among all people; that the Kingdom will be built up in this day,
preparatory to the coming of the Bridegroom; and that every honest soul that
lives in the earth shall have the privilege of seeing the Son of Righteousness
descend in power and majesty. This is my testimony unto you. There is a light
that is given to every man that comes in the world that lighteth his being and
giveth him understanding. It is a person's conscience-it is the Spirit of the
living God. It is a match kindling a flame of brilliancy-a light that shines
and illuminates as the rays of the sun, shining brightly upon the children of
men, emanating from God, the Eternal Father-from the fountain of truth.
People
wonder why the Latter-day Saints are united. They wonder why it is that we
follow, as they term it, "the one-man power." Why, I tell you why we
follow this one-man power-why I do,-we take a vote every Conference to sustain
a president of the church as prophet, seer, and revelator in all the world, and
this one-man power is like it was in olden times. When the Savior was about to
depart from this earth he conferred the keys of the priesthood upon that very
quorum of apostles, even Peter as the head, who was the senior member of that
quorum, saying unto him, "Peter, upon you I confer the keys of the kingdom
of heaven." And he asked him, "Peter, whom do people say that I
am?" Peter answered, saying, "Some say thou art Elias, others Jonah,
others one of the prophets raised from the dead." "But who do you say
that I am?" Peter, without hesitation, having a ready answer, having
received a testimony, said, "Thou art Christ, the son of the Living
God." The Savior, turning to him, rejoicing with pleasure at the testimony
Peter had, said: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; flesh and blood hath
not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven; and upon this
Rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it. " What rock? Upon the rock of the testimony of Jesus Christ. The rock
of revelation. For this revelation is founded upon the testimony of Jesus. There
is a power in the priesthood in this rock of revelation, which is not generally
understood. It is a power which cannot be seen. We can see the leaves quivering
upon the trees, but the power which causes it is not visible. I want to tell
you it is so with many of the elements. The powers exist inert. They cannot be
seen. The things which we see are not the most powerful-it is those which
cannot be seen. When the spirit leaves the body and goes back to that God who
gave it life, the earthly portion remains; it is but clay. But that spirit
which was once in possession of that body which we cannot see, is of greater
potency and power, and it is that which will live forever; for nothing that God
creates will ever die; that is as eternal as God himself. We have fathers of
our flesh; but these bodies which are created of man will fade and waste away.
God who created our spirits, made them to be eternal.
John saw
another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach to them that dwell upon the earth; and I testify unto you that the angel
which John describes in his writings has come and revealed the Gospel to the
Prophet Joseph smith.
But what
about these invisible things? I do not refer to things you can grasp in your
arms; I refer to those things which to me are more real. I recollect taking a
trip to Ogden Canyon with Brother L.W. Shurtliff, and I saw on one side a sign
forbidding persons to cross a bridge near it. I dreamed that there was a powder
magazine there. Here was a visible danger-one that could be seen. Going up
still farther I saw another sign warning people of danger again. Here it was
the electric light works; this time a danger also, but an invisible one;
electricity has many wires. It is a potent agency in the progress of
civilization, yet it is something we cannot see, but we know that it exists
from the effects that it produces. Neither can we see the Spirit of God,
because it is beyond the power of human agency to discern it. Still we can see
its effects. There is a power in the Spirit of God which will strike those who
corrupt themselves by immoral practices with leprosy as white as snow. I tell
you the world is becoming corrupt and wicked. The powers of darkness are
sweeping over the earth. From the north to the south, from the east to the
west, are the children of men becoming corrupt and licentious. And I say unto
you that the day will come when they will turn their eyes toward Zion and
realize that the power of God comes from a nucleus of virtue, and they will
exclaim, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." I tell
you this power will be given unto the pure. Their energies will make the
nations quail. One will chase one thousand and two will put ten thousand to
flight. When Nephi of old was commanded to go up to Jerusalem to get the
records of his father, Laman and Lemuel laid hold of him and whipped him; and
when they were about to destroy his life the power of God rested upon him so
greatly that they were afraid. And again they came to him to take his life, and
Nephi took hold of their hands, and by the power of God they received a shock
that caused them to fall down before him. I want to say unto you, some of us
have a little spark of the Spirit of God, just as it were, upon one edge of a
piece of charcoal. Others have the spark increased, and still others have the
coal all aglow with fire. They are happy, cheerful and bright, full of the
spirit of their calling.
There are
many among this people who have been baptized for the remission of their sins,
and received a testimony of Jesus Christ. I say to one and all, "Come,
partake of the waters of life freely." I pray that the Spirit of God may
rest upon all Latter-day Saints, upon the strangers in our midst, and upon all
the honest-in-heart in the world, that they may have a knowledge of the truth;
that Zion may rise and shine and become the glory of the whole earth, and that
Christ our Redeemer may come and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords, and
that we may be prepared for all the events that are to transpire for the reign
of righteousness upon the earth. May the Lord bless us all and his aged
servants who stand at the head of His church, administer to their wants, give
them wisdom that they may be wise and prudent in all the great and responsible
duties that are incumbent upon them. I pray that he will pour out His Spirit
upon those who are in prison for doing that which they believe to be right in
the sight of God, that he will bless their wives and their little ones with the
Holy Spirit of truth, that it may burn in their bosoms even unto the perfect
day; that they may not be as seed sown by the wayside.
ELDER GEORGE GODDARD
made some remarks. There are thousands present from great distances to be renewed in their spiritual strength. The preceding speaker has been dwelling upon some things that are visible and other things that cannot be seen. Religious principles cannot be seen only as they are observed in the practice of their devotees. To one and all he would say that if any have neglected to conform to the principles that have been enunciated by the speakers, such should repent. The only way in which the benefits of truth can be enjoyed is by their practical adoption. If any have erred in feelings and judgment upon any point, whether it be in relation to the law of tithing or any other principle, let such repent, and the speaker called upon that class to do so. They should resolve to honor those requirements in future. Hundreds and thousands will go home from this conference with a stronger determination in the future to live as Latter-day Saints in very deed.
The choir sang an anthem.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 36:613, 10/12/87, p 5]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Opened with singing:
O Jesus! the giver Of all we
enjoy,
Our lives to thy honor We wish to employ.
Prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith.
Singing:
Glorious things are sung of
Zion Enoch's city seen of old,
Where the righteous, being perfect, Walked with God in streets of gold.
ELDER WILLIAM BUDGE,
President of Bear Lake Stake, was the opening speaker this afternoon. He was deeply impressed with the importance of the occasion, in consequence of the excellent instruction already given and those we might anticipate receiving before we adjourn. The spirit of the speakers and their efforts have led the minds of the Saints to contemplate true doctrine and the every-day duties devolving upon them. Many matters engage our attention. Nothing is so profitable as instruction pertaining to practical duties. We cannot keep God's commandments except we understand them. We must serve Him intelligently to do so acceptably. We have the Priesthood in our midst to teach us, and therefore if we fail we are inexcusable. The circumstances through which the Saints have passed have conduced to make them a thoughtful and intelligent people. The conditions under which the Gospel was offered to us in the first place were not such as to induce us to accept of it aside from the fact of its correctness. It was an unpopular faith. But as its truthfulness was unfolded the desire to receive it increased. We were impelled, on account of the worldly disadvantages involved, to give the divine message the closest scrutiny. We became satisfied that it inculcated the power of salvation. Since then vicissitudes and troubles have tended to try the temper of our faith. If the blessing of God had not been enjoyed the Saints could not have withstood the storm of adversity that has existed around them. Present circumstances have the same tendency upon this people. They cause further examination of the situation and a closer adherence to the Gospel. There is an apparently easy way out of trouble, but the truth is more precious than immunity from difficulties and hardships. Thus are the Saints educated in the
Gospel of Christ. This is a glorious day for Zion;, because it is a good time for the education, by experience, of the Latter-day Saints. God is near and laboring in our midst through His servants and by the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. It is desired by those who teach us that we keep the commandments of god. This should be the chief object of our lives. We should be able to say: "O Lord we have striven to keep Thy commandments. We have failed somewhat through weakness, nevertheless wilt thou strengthen us." If we serve God we have a right to His blessing. We should abolish every evil from our thoughts and practice, that the Spirit's influence may be able to do good in the midst of Israel. The liberty which the reception and practice of the Gospel of Christ brings is so great as to be beyond expression. If men are ignorant of those things which God reveals there is an absence of faith, but when those things are comprehended there is light and liberty. The speaker testified that this is the work of God, established by His power. He had been long conscious of this fact. The work will grow and spread abroad, until the words of the Lord in reference to it shall be fulfilled to the letter. It is not the hearing of that which is true that will benefit us, but that which is understood and intelligently acted upon. We are accused by our opponents of thinking but very little. It is said that when we are told to go we go, and when directed to come we come. This is in part true, when we recognize the fact that it is God who directs us. He concluded by praying for the blessing of the Lord upon all.
BISHOP WILLIAM M. BROMLEY
felt pleasure in being able to say that the greatest wish of his heart was to have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and of the faithful. The hand of God had been over this people. It was but seventy years since Joseph Smith, an illiterate youth, declared that the Father and Son, in form and shape like unto man had appeared unto him and announced that no denomination was worshiping aright. This was an assertion to the effect that the religionists of the world were not worshiping that being who made heaven and earth. Since then thousands of people had gathered in one in obedience to the command of the Almighty. The Gospel as delivered to the great prophet of the 19th century, unfolded great and comforting truths. We learned from it that all the endearing family ties formed here would be renewed in eternity. We should be a happy people. We had to pass through trouble. What of that? The object of which we were in pursuit would compensate for all. We had seen Brother Snow, who now presides over this Conference, in prison, and never heard him complain of his lot. He was always cheerful, and his words were wise and instructive. Those who go to prison for the Gospel's sake are sustained by the spirit of the Lord. He came to Utah when a boy. There were not, at that time, the conditions to offend the moral sense that exist now. These corruptions and allurements had not been introduced by the Latter-day Saints. The principles they have espoused are opposed to evil of every shape. Intelligence and virtue form the groundwork of exaltation in the presence of God. It is the principles incorporated in the Church of Christ which had brought the thousands of people who throng this building together with one common impulse. The speaker showed the necessity of the Saints sustaining their friends in preference to giving support to their enemies. Next to his religion he prized the Constitution and ;institutions of the government of this country. His religion taught him to venerate them. The power of the Latter-day Saints is not waning. There are many thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal, and never would. He testified that the Church had been established by divine revelation and commandment.
ELDER ANGUS M. CANNON,
President of Salt Lake Stake, next addressed the assembly. His heart had been filled with delight at listening to the inspired words of his brethren. considering the professions we make we are led to ask whether we are justified by our practice. We are approaching a time when the Lord will appear to judgement. The speaker was anxious to know how his own record would appear when that should take place. Christ taught that our conversation should be yea, yea and nay nay. Anything more or less came of evil. There was to be no hypocrisy or deceit. We are the ministers of God, and therefore should be careful of our acts. What about our speculations to popularize ourselves with the world? These things remind us of the saying of Malachi -- "Who shall abide the day of His coming." When we think of the Messiah whose authority we have used and reflect that we have sought sometimes to glorify ourselves rather than to magnify our Master, any effort to seek the praise of men should be laid aside. Evils are growing up in our midst. Men amongst us build and rent houses for the most degrading and infamous purposes. How will the record of such workers and producers of iniquity appear in the time of giving an account? Men holding positions in the Priesthood were engaged in occupations that are productive of evil, the excuse being that they must have sustenance. This does not constitute a proper or consistent apology under the Gospel. Some making profession of better things had, to gratify a disposition to tattle, circulated untruthful reports that had brought their brethren into trouble and jeopardized their liberties. This is most reprehensible.
It had been cast as a reproach upon men who had gone to prison for conscience sake, that wives were separated from husbands, and fathers from children, etc. Mothers who, in consequence of hardships, entailed by persecution, were bereaved of their children, would receive them again. The Prophet Joseph told a sister who had lost a child by death that she would again receive her infant by the power of the resurrection. It would nestle in her bosom and grow to the full statue, it would have reached had it attained maturity in mortality. When we are separated from relatives by adhering to duty and principle we are situated similarly in that respect to the Son of Man, with whom there was never any symptom of compromise.
In regard to the spirit of revelation of which Elder Taylor had spoken, it is the privilege of every head of a family to possess it in that capacity. To those whom the Lord gave him he was a patriarch, and he had a right if he was faithful, to the light of revelation to enable him to teach and direct them in righteousness.
The speaker related an incident involving a terrible encounter between several men, some of whom lost their lives and another was on crutches in this city, through having been shot. He signified his idea as to who was responsible for these things in order to show how carefully the results of men's acts should be scanned beforehand, that they may hesitate to do things entailing serious consequences.
In response to the command of God to come out of Babylon, the Saints had gathered out of the world under formidable difficulties, many of them never reaching their destination, being buried by the wayside. Instead of recognizing this sacrifice, many among us were selling their inheritances, thus entailing the risk of placing a corrupt neighbor along side of their brother's family. If such a thing should occur and the children of the Saints be thus led astray, the responsibility of the evil would largely lie at the door of the person who was instrumental in introducing the canker of iniquity. The speaker desired it to be understood that he did not wish any of this to apply to those who came honestly among us to develop the resources of the country and act with probity and uprightness. He dwelt for some time upon the depth and breadth of the results of the actions of professing Latter-day Saints when they elected to do wrong. These effects were not only immediate but also consequential, leading from one stage to another, until they were overwhelming.
The choir sang the thanksgiving anthem:
Praise waiteth for the Lord.
Benediction by Elder Seymour B. Young.
_____
[8 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 36:613, 10/12/87, p 5]
THIRD DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION,
Oct. 8th, 10 a. m.
The choir sang:
Great is the Lord! 'tis good
to praise His high and holy name;
Well may the Saints in latter days His wondrous love proclaim.
Prayer by Bishop Orson F. Whitney.
Singing:
Earth;, with her ten
thousand flowers, Air, with all its beams and showers,
Heavens infinite expanse, Sea's
resplendent countenance,
All around and all above, Bear this record, God is love.
APOSTLE ERASTUS SNOW
was the first speaker this morning. It was a long time since he had had the privilege of speaking from this stand. He called the attention of the congregation to the preaching of the Gospel and ministering in behalf of the dead. He read that portion of the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians in reference to the resurrection in which the figure of the sowing and production of grain is used; also the different degrees of glory, telestial, terrestrial an celestial, typified by the stars, moon and sun. Everybody will be quickened by the spirit that has controlled it. Those that are Christ's will be the first fruits of the resurrection, while others will be His at His coming. all will be raised in their order. We have always been taught that there is a time appointed when He shall come and free those who have been bound and have served out their terms of imprisonment. There is to be a restoration of all things, and there are some whose sins are not to be wiped out until the day of redemption shall come. Among this class are those who have been accessories or have consented to the shedding of innocent blood, but not actual participators in the deed. Among those were that class of Jews whom Peter exhorted to repent and be converted that they might be saved when the times of refreshing should come forth from the presence of the Lord. Thus the hope was conditionally held out to them that they might be redeemed at the time of the restitution of all things. The Prophet Joseph spake upon this subject in Nauvoo and gave a more clear interpretation of the words of Peter. The Apostle wished to distinguish between those who sinned ignorantly and those who acted with their eyes open.
This brings us to the salvation of the dead by the preaching of the Gospel to them. Paul exclaimed "Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all; why then are they baptized for the dead?" This was thrown into the argument in connection with the reasoning upon the resurrection. Baptism or the burial of the body and raising it out of that element is a simile of death and the resurrection. As the Apostle says, "we are buried with Christ by baptism unto death" and rise in the likeness of His resurrection. It is in view of this great fundamental principle of Christianity -- the atonement -- that men are required to follow that type. Paul was arguing in favor of the literal resurrection of the dead when he spoke as he did in reference to the vicarious administration of baptism. The speaker also read from the epistle of Peter, that part which points to the preaching of the Gospel to the dead and the reason therefore, and also where the Apostle declares that Christ during the time pending between his death and resurrection, being quickened in the spirit, went and preached to the spirits in prison. The Prophet Joseph also explained this passage more fully than it appears in the common English translation. As many of the dead to whom the Gospel is preached in the spirit and live according to godliness, may be officiated for in the outward ordinances by their friends or heirs in the flesh. This explains the reason for Paul's remark in reference to baptism for the dead.
This doctrine is a bold one. Its introduction and practice are the result of the bestowal of the keys upon Joseph Smith by Elijah, by which the hearts of the fathers were to be turned to the children and the children to the fathers. These keys were given to the Prophet in Kirtland Temple. Moses also appeared to him on the same occasion and gave the keys to bring about the return to their own land of the House of Israel and their redemption. The work in behalf of the dead is brought about by the building of Temples in which sacred ordinances are performed in behalf of the departed. The Prophet Joseph explained that the font in which baptisms for the dead are attended to must be under the level of the ground occupied by the living that the simile and connection between the living and the dead may be complete. Those who are commissioned by proper authority in the spirit world are organized to carry on the work of preaching the Gospel to the fathers. A prison in a spiritual sense may be very extensive, being simply a place around which bounds are set beyond which those who are confined cannot pass. We may, for instance, be considered as being comparatively in prison while in mortality. The spirits of the antediluvians who are referred to by Peter were unable to rise to the presence of the Eternal Father. To this class the Savior went and preached, and organized the work of the ministry and thus prepared the way for the opening of the prison doors to a class of spirits ready to advance to a higher sphere.
When the Prophet Joseph preached those principles and established their practice among the Saints and committed the keys he held to his brethren, he informed the Twelve Apostles that he had given to them all he had received. He told them the work of carrying on the labor for the living and the dead in this life would devolve upon them and their brethren. He announced that God would allow him to rest. He passed behind the veil and there organized the work among the spirits, that it might be conducted there.
The speaker at this point mentioned a vision which had been experienced by one of the brethren, who appeared to have been transported on a visit to the spirit world, where he met with many brethren whom he recognized. He inquired where Joseph was, and was informed that he had gone away to some distant place to make preparations for the resurrection.
All things are governed by law. The house of the Lord is a house of order, and the decrees of heaven will be carried out in their own times and their own order. Those who are Christ's shall have their time, and then those who are Christ's at His coming, and so on. This is the work of those who have received and honored the Priesthood. When they pass behind the vail they are not idle. They rest from their labors but their works do follow them. Intelligence cannot be idle. Rest is simply, in this sense, a change. Inactivity is not rest. The Prophet Joseph and all the faithful have rested from their labors because they have been acting in a new species of work.
These are not new principles to the generality of the Saints, but these scriptures quoted may not be clearly understood by the rising generation. Strangers may also not be familiar with our faith and practice in this direction. Some may consider this doctrine inconsistent with reason. It may be esteemed to be absurd to believe that one person can do something in behalf o another. A little reflection should dispel such doubts, as the atonement of Christ itself was a vicarious act, and this is the basis of Christianity. The words of Christ when John the Baptist demurred to baptizing the Savior, "thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness" were quoted. Thus the greater came to the lesser, and the Redeemer was buried in water and arose out of it, typical of his own death and resurrection. When Jesus selected his Apostles he empowered them to be his agents, and directed them how to act, even to the words they should use. Hence the saying went forth that Christ himself did not baptize, but His disciples did. The Apostles said we pray you in Christ's stead. The labor of the ministry in the earth is itself a vicarious work throughout.
The building of temples is engaged in that the living may labor therein in behalf of the dead. Since the introduction of these principles genealogical societies had been organized, and families had traced their progenitors back for long periods, and published books giving valuable information. They have been moved upon by the lord to perform this work to forward the interests of the dead. We feel to bless those who have engaged in that labor.
The Saints have been commanded to pay tithes and offerings to aid in this great work, that temples may be built and those who officiate therein sustained. Since the completion of the Temple at St. George and that at Logan hundreds of thousands of the dead have been acted for, and blessings extended behind the vail. The Lord will not accept a work at the hands of the covetous. Hence the recommends given to those who wish to labor for their dead should specify that they have not failed in the payment of their tithes and offerings. The time will come when the whole House of Israel who have perished will be quickened into life, when the vision of Ezekiel in reference to the resurrection shall be fulfilled. The hope in the dead is being revived. The Elders of Israel are engaged in the work of salvation. The attention of the fathers is directed towards the children. Shall the children be less attentive to this great subject than they? The Temple at Manti is nearly completed. It is finished in beautiful style, and the furniture is needed. The speaker had been requested by President Woodruff to announce that the way is opened to all the people to contribute to that object. It will require from $6,000 to $12,000 to completely furnish the house, and the quality of the furnishings will depend largely upon the liberality of the people in contributing of their substance. Those who are disposed to contribute while now in the city, can take their offerings to the Presiding Bishop's office, or to James Jack, or send them to President Woodruff. Those who do so will receive due credit and their names will be enrolled in the record of the Temple of God. Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading officers of the Church, should lay the matter before the people; that contributions from 25 cents up to hundreds of dollars, from those able to give so much, may be handed in for so worthy a purpose. The speaker concluded by praying that the blessing of the Lord might rest upon all who desired that truth and salvation should be established.
[Erastus Snow]
[CD 1:65-75; Salt Lake Herald 10/9/87, p 6]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY ERASTUS SNOW
At General Conference held in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake
City, October 8, 1887.
_____
It is a
long time since I have had the privilege of speaking to the people from this
stand. I have got a cold upon me and am somewhat hoarse, and I am rather
doubtful of being able to make myself distinctly heard. I must crave the
indulgence of the people, to avoid shuffling of the feet, and also to avoid
moving around, so that the greatest stillness shall prevail; then I shall hope
to be able to make myself understood, at least to the most of the people.
I wish to
call the attention of the congregation to the preaching of the gospel and
ministering in behalf of the dead-and will read the first verse of the epistle
of Paul in his letter to the Corinthian churches, wherein he is speaking of the
subject of the resurrection of the dead and bringing forth sayings, arguments
and reasonings in favor of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, and
explaining how it is that they are to be raised, and using the figure of the
sowing of grain; that grain produces its own kind, and whatsoever is sown that
is also gathered, whether it be wheat, oats, barley or other grain-every seed
of its own kind. So also, in relation to the resurrection of the dead. There
will be bodies celestial, bodies terrestrial and bodies telestial. And the
glory of one class is as the glory of the sun, another class is as the glory of
the moon, and the other class is as the glory of the stars. And as one star
differeth from another star in glory, so also will the bodies differ in glory
in the resurrection. Those enjoying the celestial spirit, by obeying the
celestial laws and are sanctified by that spirit, will be raised celestial
bodies. Those who do not abide the celestial law, yet may abide the terrestrial
law and sanctified by that spirit, will be raised terrestrial bodies, and those
abiding the laws of the telestial, in which there will also be a variety, the
lesser and the greater, as is represented by the difference in the brightness
of the stars, will be raised telestial bodies, and as each seed bringeth forth
its kind, so will each body be quickened by the spirit which has governed and
controlled it. And in the order of the resurrection those who are Christ's will
be the first fruits of the resurrection and then afterwards they that shall be,
or are, Christ's at his coming. And all will be raised in their order,
intimating that there is a class which is already fitted and prepared, and
these are Christ's, that will be the first fruits of the resurrection, and the
other class who are Christ's at His coming.
Well, we
have always been taught that there is a time appointed of the Lord when shall
come free from the prison house those who have been bound and bring to pass the
deliverance of those who have been under sentence and who have worked out the
time of their imprisonment, or sentence, and are prepared for freedom and
liberty, and they will be brought forth unto the liberty of Jesus Christ, at
the time of this coming; when, as the prophets have declared, there shall be a
restoration of all things spoken of by the mouths of all the holy prophets
since the world began. There is a vast number of sins that will not be wiped
out until that day of restoration comes. Among these are the sins of those who
have shed the blood of the innocent and the righteous prophets, and the sins of
those who have directly or indirectly been concerned therein, who have
consented thereto, and have been stained with innocent blood, and yet not have
been directly or immediately responsible therefore; but are in the light of the
accessories such as are the Jewish people who consented to the death of the
Savior. This class was spoken of by the Apostle Peter in the third chapter of
the Acts of the Apostles. At the assembled multitude, who came running together
at the gates of the beautiful temple, at the healing of Lazarus, whilst they
were gazing with astonishment Peter addressed them and explained to them this
notable miracle had been wrought upon this man, and they saw and knew by this
that it was done entirely through the faith he had in Jesus Christ, whom they
had delivered up to be crucified and whom God had raised up from the dead. And
he preached unto them Christ Jesus, and the resurrection from that standpoint,
and then called upon the people to repent, and says he to them: "And now,
brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also, your rulers.
Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when
the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall
send you Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom the heavens
must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouths of all His holy prophets since the world began."
Here the
apostle held out to them the hope of a forgiveness and redemption through the blood
of Christ, which would take place at the time of His coming, and the time of
the restitution of all things, on condition that they repented, and would be
baptized for the remission of their sins and henceforth endeavor to live in
Jesus Christ and serve him to the best of their ability; that they might hope
for a forgiveness of their sins, their restoration and redemption, even for
this great sin, because it was ignorantly done, wherein they had consented to
the death of the Son of God. I well remember hearing the Prophet Joseph, in
speaking upon this subject to a vast assembly of Saints in Nauvoo, when he
asked the privilege of giving expression of Peter's words more clearly, as it
was shown unto him-the English version was a little obscure-he used this
language, or rather I will repeat it in the sense of the Scriptures in the
original saying unto the people: "I wish ye
rulers had done this ignorantly as did those whom you ruled." Now the
Prophet wished to draw the line of distinction between those who did sin
ignorantly and those who sinned understandingly with their eyes wide open. He
held that the rulers were more responsible than the masses who consented
thereto; that there was more hope for the masses than the rulers. I do not wish
to dwell upon this subject, only in a few words to explain my ideas; that there
are many who are looking forth with hope to the day of redemption, because of
the promises made unto them and their fathers, that there is hope held out to
them when the day of redemption may come, but not until the time of the second
coming of the Savior, the time of restitution spoken of by all the holy
prophets since the world began. This brings me, then, to the subject I wish to
refer to-the salvation of the dead by the preaching of the gospel unto them,
according to the words of the Apostle Paul in the 15th chapter of the
Corinthians, 29th verse, wherein he says: "Else what shall they do which
are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are ye then
baptized for the dead?" This 29th verse is thrown in as a sort of adjunct
to the Saints who are in hope of being thus baptized for their converted
kindred and faith who have died without a knowledge of these principles. Now,
baptism of water, or the burying of the body under the water, and raising it up
out of the water, is a simile of the death, burial and resurrection combined,
and in the language of this same apostle, in his Epistle to the Romans, he
says: "Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ,
were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." And we die as the
old man with sin, and put on the new man, which is after Christ Jesus,
henceforth not to walk in sin, corrupt carnal flesh as in the lusts thereof,
but to walk in Christ Jesus. Now this scripture he likened to the baptism of
water, to the burial, as we are buried with Christ in the baptism of his death,
and it resembles the burial of the mortal tabernacle when he died in the earth.
The raising it out of the waters of baptism, corresponds to the resurrection
after death. And it is in view of this great fundamental doctrine of Christ-the
doctrine of the resurrection of the body, that the ordinance of baptism for the
dead was instituted as a simile, or likeness thereof, to foreshadow to all
believers who receive the gospel the hope of a glorious resurrection unto life
and immortality. Even as a repentant sinner is cleansed from his sins through
water baptism, henceforth to walk in newness of life. It seems to have been so
taught and understood by those who were being baptized for their dead kindred
and friends, and the Apostle Paul seems to have delighted to dwell upon these
things, and there must have been some who doubted the reality of a literal
resurrection from the dead, which led him to say in his arguments to the
Corinthians: "Else what shall they do, which are baptized for the dead, if
the dead rise not all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" Hence
baptism of water is in the likeness of death, and the coming out of the water
as a simile of the resurrection of the body, in this ordinance. So also we officiate
in similar way is the water baptism by the living in likeness of death and
resurrection for the dead. Hence it is not consistent in our faith to doubt in
these ordinances at this late day. To call in question the literal
resurrection. Now in connection with this I will read a few verses from the
epistle of Peter, 4 ch., 6 verse: "For this cause was the Gospel preached
also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the
flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
Now this
is further explained by going back to the previous chapter in the same epistle,
commencing with the 18th verse: "For Christ also hath once suffered for
sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death
in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit by which also he went and preached
unto the spirits in prison, which sometimes were disobedient when once the long
suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a
preparing."
This last
quotation, taken in connection with this verse of the next chapter will indeed
explain the cause why the gospel was preached unto them that are dead, the
object and purpose of it: "That they may be judged according to men in the
flesh," while they "live according to God in the spirit."
Here also
I beg to introduce an explanation given by the Prophet Joseph, on this last
verse; he quotes it in his translation in this wise: "For this cause is the
gospel preached unto the dead that they would receive it and live according to
godliness in the spirit, that they might be judged according to the works done
for them by men in the flesh." We will perceive by this explanation given
by the Prophet Joseph that it reflects understanding upon our minds clearer in
relation to the ordinances in behalf of the dead: That as many of the dead unto
whom the gospel is preached receive it and live according to godliness in the
spirit world, that they may be judged according to the ordinances and works
performed for them by their kindred or their heirs in the flesh. In other
words, that the Lord would receive in their behalf the outward ordinances,
confirmation act, administered by the living in behalf of their dead, who are
their heirs or kindred on the earth, or their friends officiating for them and
in their behalf in these outward ordinances. That inasmuch as they receive the
gospel and live according to Godliness so in spirit they will reap the benefits
by the foundation that is laid for them by men in the flesh, officiating in
these outward ordinances and doing for them those things which they cannot do
for themselves.
This then
affords an explanation, or answer, rather, to St. Paul's question, in relation
to baptism for the dead: "Why are ye baptized for the dead?" Peter
afforded an answer: "That they might be judged according to men in the
flesh, inasmuch as they lived according to godliness in the spirit."
This is
the doctrine of the gospel for the dead-the doctrine for the redemption of the
dead-at the time of the coming of the Son of Man-the time of the restitution of
all things. The time when he shall come and open the prison doors of them that
are bound and open the door of the resurrection to all such. It may be termed
the second fruits of the resurrection. The first fruits are those who are
Christ's, then afterwards they who are Christ's at his coming.
This is a
bold doctrine which the Latter-day Saints have received; and they have received
it as it was revealed unto the Prophet Joseph; and this we understand to be the
result of the keys of the holy priesthood which Elijah, the prophet, held and
which he would restore and has committed to the Prophet Joseph Smith in this
dispensation, and introduced on earth in this dispensation the keys and powers
of salvation for the redemption of the dead-to turn the hearts of the fathers
to the children and the hearts of the children toward their fathers. In the
last chapter of the book of Malachi reference is made to this subject that
before the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come, he will send again
Elijah the prophet to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the
hearts of their children to their fathers, lest the earth be smitten with a
curse and in explaining this particular subject, Joseph Smith said the key of
Elijah, or the keys of the priesthood, which were held by Elijah, especially in
relation to the redemption of the dead, when he was engaged in prayer in the
holy place prepared for that purpose in the Kirtland Temple, Ohio, soon after
the dedication of that Temple that there appeared unto him Moses and Elijah,
each committing unto him all the keys pertaining to their dispensations and the
powers each had been entrusted with, viz.: the keys of Moses for the restoration
and redemption of the House of Israel, to the lands of their fathers and the
keys of Elijah to turn the minds and hearts of the people to the work of the
redemption of the dead, and turn the hearts of fathers to the children and the
hearts of the children to the fathers. And how is this brought about? First, by
revealing the principles of the redemption of the dead, this doctrine of
preaching the gospel to the spirits in prison and the doctrine of building
temples and officiating therein by the living for and in behalf of the dead.
These were given to Joseph Smith and a knowledge of how to build a baptismal
font wherein he said it is a place appointed of God; for this is in the
basement of the temple underneath where the living are wont to assemble, that while
the living are being baptized for and in behalf of the dead-the font
representing the grave-thereby set forth the work of the living for the
dead-connecting the living with the dead-and that these things belonged to the
temple of God. For this purpose were temples built anciently; and the
"brazen sea" in the temple of Solomon, corresponded to the baptismal
font in the temples being built by appointment of God among the Latter-day
Saints.
Now
Joseph Smith preached this doctrine to the living, and after his death he went
and preached it to the spirits who are in prison. And so have all the elders of
Israel who have lived righteous lives, magnified their callings and ministered
in their priesthood to the living, after death, being organized, I believe, as
the church here and set to work in their missionary labors in the spirit world,
to carry the gospel to their fathers whose spirits were in prison.
Now the
idea or term of prison is not to be understood in the limited sense by the
knowledge of the "pen" up here on the bench, or some other limited,
contracted building as we find here on earth for criminals; but the idea of
prison is simply a place where bounds are set, around and beyond which their
spirits cannot pass-a place allotted to them from which they have no power of
escape; and no matter how extensive it is in space, nor whether it be in one
place or more, it is in the nature of a prison, because it is in the nature of
a confinement within a limited sphere, and in that light and sense it may be said
that we are here imprisoned, in a sense, so long as our spirits are confined in
our tabernacles, and will be until they shall be set free again from this
tabernacle. In the words of Peter which I have read, in which he refers to the
Savior, "having been put to death in the flesh and quickened by the
spirit, by which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison which some
time were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of
Noah while the ark was preparing." It would seem by this that the
antediluvian world that perished in the flood, were in this condition,
comparatively speaking-they were in a prison, because of their unbelief and the
rejection of the gospel of God. They were limited, they were confined within
certain limits, wherein only those of their own class were to be found. Unto
this class the Savior ministered while his body lay in the tomb. He visited the
spirits in prison and preached the gospel unto them, and without doubt
organized the labor among the dead the same as he organized it before his
crucifixion among the living, by the appointment of apostles and seventies and
elders of Israel and others to be as witnesses to continue the work upon the
earth which he commenced, to be his fellow-laborers and to carry the gospel to
the ends of the earth. So, without doubt, he organized his work and ministered
among the dead. And thus he opened the way by throwing open the prison doors to
them that were bound, that as many as received the gospel and lived according
to godliness in the spirit, unto that class of spirits there will be
advancement. They will be exalted to a higher plane and exalted to labor in a
higher sphere to prepare for the resurrection of the dead.
Joseph
Smith has received these keys and commenced the work in this dispensation;
commenced the work of erection of temples and baptismal fonts in which those
sacred ordinances could be attended, working for and in behalf of their dead.
And before he died he committed to his fellow laborers-the Apostles-all the
keys which had been given unto him, pertaining to the fullness of times,
including the keys of Moses to gather the house of Israel, and the keys of
Elijah for the work of the dead; and all other keys and ordinances which had
been committed unto him. Said he to the Apostles: "Now I have attended to
what the Lord requires of me and I now commit all he has given me and roll the
labor of this kingdom onto your shoulders; for the Lord is going to give me a
rest." True, we did not at that time understand all these prophetic
sayings; but shortly after his martyrdom we began to comprehend them. The work
of the dead devolves upon the twelve and those elders who are remaining in the
flesh, while he is permitted to rest from this class of labors, but has gone
behind the vail to work, organize, and set up the kingdom in his spiritual
labors and to preach to the spirits in prison and to inspire them with the same
glorious hope and faith of turning their minds and hearts towards their
children that dwell upon the earth, looking unto them for the performance of
those ordinances and outward works which are necessary to prepare them for
their deliverance from prison and make them ready for the resurrection.
Here I
refer to a vision that one of our brethren had received not long since, and
which I have heard him relate a number of times. He was going into the spirit
world, met there a number of apostles and many elders of Israel. How with joy
he did meet them, and he asked about Brother Joseph and Brother Hyrum. He was
told they were very busily engaged in preparing the way for the resurrection.
"All things," it is said in the Scriptures, "are governed by
law," and "the house of God is a house of order" and not of
confusion, and the decrees and appointments will be fulfilled and carried out
in their times, in their seasons and in their order. And they who are Christ's
will have their time to rise as they are sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Inasmuch
as there are ordinances by which our kindred dead may be raised, those bearing
the priesthood are the ones who will be responsible for their dead. And those
who have passed beyond the vail are not idle. It is impossible for intelligence
to be inactive; but it is written in St. John's: "Blessed are the dead
that die in the Lord, for they shall rest from their labors and their works do
follow them." Here I may say the doctrine that I have always held
"that rest is simply a change in activity can hardly be said to be
rest." The horseman who manages well the team rests them in going over the
even ground, walking, trotting and giving them a little change of gait, and so
they rest from one class of labor to another, rest from walking to trotting,
resting one class of muscles while the other classes are in requisition. So,
also, with the body and spirit. Joseph Smith said that the faithful elders of
Israel, when their labors in the flesh are completed, then they rest from those
labors they leave behind, while their spirits are still active upon another
class of labor in the spirit world. They rest from earthly labors and pursue
spiritual labors which will qualify them to go on to higher degrees of glory
and soar in loftier regions of intelligence.
I have
thus in short endeavored to present before the people, not a new doctrine to
them; but unto many of the rising generation these passages of scriptures may
not be understood. Their minds cannot be familiar with these reasons upon which
the work of the dead is founded, upon the principles which our faith is founded
in relation to the work for the redemption of the dead. I therefore bring these
thoughts home to the minds of the rising generation, as well as the more aged
and possibly the strangers in our midst who are uninformed, and to whom this
doctrine is marvelously strange; this strange doctrine, this vicarious doctrine
in behalf of the dead, but performed by those now living. Many think this to be
preposterous and a superstitious doctrine-a doctrine not well founded, to their
mind, or inconsistent with their reasoning, in that one can do the work and in
behalf of another; but with a little more reflection and expanding of the mind
in contemplating these subjects, we find that the whole work for the salvation
of the dead is a vicarious doctrine. The living and the dead co-operating
together, and there is something being performed by one class for and in behalf
of another all the time.
In the
first place the Father sent His Son to the world to make atonement for the sins
thereof, offered himself as a sacrifice for men, that "as in Adam all men
die, so in Jesus Christ are all men made alive." This is nothing more than
a vicarious work for the redemption of the whole human family, or as many as
believe in the work performed by the Son of God in their behalf and when He
came to John to be baptized of him in the river Jordan, John recognized him in
his true character as stainless and sinless, and was at first shocked at the
idea of himself, who was mortal, weak and frail, baptizing the Son of God who
was stainless. He said: "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest
thou to me?" says the Savior: "It is necessary that we do this in
order that we may fulfil all righteousness." Then John suffered him, when
it was explained in a few words-how much more was said we are not told by the
writer, but sufficient to turn the key upon the mind of John when he saw the
necessity of it. Here was one greater coming to the lesser, instructing him
what to do, telling him to baptize Him, the Son of God. Here was a vicarious
work commenced, in that He was baptized not for His own sins, but for the sins
of the world. And as He went down in the liquid stream, buried under the clean
water, and raised again, so also He was to go forward and after, when He called
His disciples and ordained them to the higher priesthood and said unto them:
"I send you out to be my witnesses, to bear witness to these things, to
preach the gospel in all the world, and to administer in the ordinances of
baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to lay your hands
upon therefore to rebuke evil spirits, `heal the sick, and to do these things
in My name;' thereby constituting them as agents and as his representatives
upon the earth, to act in his stead and in his behalf, in those things which he
commenced." He then stood and guided and directed and showed how to do,
told them what words to use, both to perform the ordinances according to the
example which he had set, and carry out the instructions he had given.
Therefore, said Paul, we are fellow laborers in Jesus Christ, and as God did beseech
you we pray you be reconciled to God and his Christ. Now I come to the object
of the buildings of Temples. I have already in brief expressed it-it is
expressly for this work-for the performance of those ordinances for and in
behalf of the dead. Here I will remark that about the time this doctrine was
revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith, and began to be agitated among the
Latter-day Saints, a "New England Genealogical and Historical
Society" was organized in Boston, Mass., for the accumulation and gathering
of records and genealogies of those who had died, and gathering data and
information which would bind the links of kindred one to another. Scientific
men, organized laborers and societies; I say scientific men because some were
scientific who have been directing these organizations for the gathering of
data pertaining to their history, their fathers and kindred. All such
information that has thus been gathered is being and will be, used by the
Latter-day Saints and thus prove a great blessing to many people. Thus the Lord
is moving upon that class of men who are willing to be instruments in his hands
to assist in the accomplishment of this great and mighty work he has begun.
I feel to
bless them for this labor. We all feel to bless the labors of these men. We
bless and praise God Almighty for moving upon their hearts in this mighty work.
The Lord performs His wondrous work in various ways. He uses His children upon
the earth to bring to pass His purposes. Some may labor in one channel, some in
others. He has commanded every Latter-day Saint to bring his tithes and
offerings not only to administer to the wants of the poor and needy, but also
to erect temples in His most holy name, wherein vicarious work for the dead may
be carried on.
Since the
completion of the temples in Logan and St. George, a mighty work has been
performed. Hundreds of thousands have been blessed who have died, by the
ministrations of those who are here working for them. The gospel is being
preached unto the dead, as also to the living. Thousands are there waiting for
their ticket of release to be brought unto them, saying: "Your work has
been done; the ordinances of the gospel are accomplished in the temples of God;
by your heirs upon the earth the ticket of release is herewith given you that
you may open the door, enter a higher sphere, be raised upon a more exalted
plane and there continue in the performance of those works which will exalt you
in higher glories and prepare you for the glorious work of the
resurrection." Who, then, is there that is not interested in this glorious
work? Who is there who could fail, with their tithes and offerings, and who is
there who could think that these tithes and offering are in vain? It was after
due consideration on these great principles that the Prophet Joseph laid down
the doctrine, that those who were covetous and refused to bring their tithes
and offerings to aid in this great work of building temples for the redemption
of the dead, should be accounted unworthy to officiate in these temples,
unworthy to enter the baptismal font and there officiate for and in behalf of
their dead kindred; for the Lord will not accept those works at their hands. He
will not accept works at the hands of the unbelieving and covetous; but he will
accept them of those who faithfully discharge every duty and fulfil every
obligation imposed upon them and who assist in the building of structures for
the sacred purposes of redeeming the dead.
Hence,
the presidents of stakes and bishops, should be very careful in specifying in
their recommends, or at least they should know the kind of person they are
recommending, and should know whether they have been true and faithful in their
temporal things, as well as in their spiritual things, and that they have not
neglected their tithes and offerings.
Now we
have two temples in which the people have and are officiating, and, as I have
before stated, hundreds of thousands have been officiated for, and hundreds of
thousands have received their deliverance, and hundreds of thousands are
doubtless waiting for the completion of other temples, for the enlargement and
extension of this great work, that thousands and millions may be delivered. For
the time will come when the whole house of Israel who perished in the dark ages
of the world, in the days of darkness, who perished without hope, will be
quickened into life. Then will be fulfilled the vision of Ezekiel, the prophet,
which is so graphically described in his 37th chapter of the Valley Dry Bones.
The hand of the Lord was upon him and the spirit said unto him: "Son of
man, can these bones live?" And he answered, "O, Lord God, thou
knowest." He said again, "Son of Man, prophecy and say unto these
bones, come wind, from the four winds of heaven and let these bones live."
And he saw there was a great shaking in this great valley of dry bones, and
they began to lift themselves up and come together, bone to his bone, and they
arose and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army; flesh and skin came
upon them and he said: "O, breath, O winds, come, come ye, and breathe
upon these bones that they may live." And they raised and stood upon their
feet, an exceeding great army. And he marveled and wondered exceedingly what
all this could mean. And the Lord said, "Son of man, these are the whole
House of Israel, whose bones were dried and who said, Our bones are dried, our
hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts. But say unto them, son of man, they
are not left without hope. See our bones are dried, there is hope in their end
yet. Say unto them, yet they shall live and I will bring them into the land of
their fathers; and they shall be united in the land of their fathers. They
shall be my people and I will be their God for evermore.
All this
is evidence and testimony of the great work that is to be done for and in
behalf of those that are dead, who died without hope and who will say:
"Our bones are dried, our hope is lost and we are cut off, so far as we
know." But now hope is being revived; the words of God are gone to the
spirits in prison.
Now, I am
going to draw my remarks to a close by telling you the Manti Temple is nearly
completed, nearly ready for use, and thousands who have contributed in aid of
its erection are only waiting until it is finished that they may enter and do
the work they so much desire to perform for those who have gone before. The
furniture of that temple is needed; the time has come when it is wanted, or
soon will be. It is finished in a neat and beautiful style. It is in a
beautiful place and in the midst of a rich land. The Latter-day Saints are now
so much better off in temporal things than they have been in years past, and
the Lord is multiplying blessings upon them in their basket and in their store,
and the committee of the temple in Sanpete, who were appointed at the
commencement of the work to superintend this work and to render such aid as
would be necessary, that committee of which President W. Woodruff is chairman,
requested me to announce unto you and through you to all the people of Zion,
who felt disposed to contribute of their means, to assist in furnishing the
temple with the necessary carpeting, upholstering and furniture preparatory to
its dedication and the commencing of work, that we are ready to receive from
those desirous of aiding, donations of from twenty-five cents up, and we shall
not object to the hundreds from those who are able to contribute. Those who
have had experience in these matters, and in this class of work, have taken
measurements and dimensions, and they say that from $6,000 to $10,000 will be
necessary to complete everything pertaining to this temple. And the extent of
the liberality of the Saints in contributions to this work will determine, in
some measure, the style and richness of the furniture; but it is desirable to
make the furniture correspond with the general interior of the buildings that
those who enter and labor therein, may be properly impressed with the
sacredness of the work in which they are to engage. And as the superintendent
has called upon us for all the available funds, as they are now involved in
debt, we should try to give the people a proper understanding of the same by
the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards carrying this home with them and
setting it before the people, so that all who desire to assist in this work may
have their names written on the temple record, and there they will receive
credit for all they donate, and as many Saints have contributed pieces of work
and means to other temples,-we do not desire to have the Manti an exception-we
call upon the relief societies, the wards, the stakes and families-upon all
Saints to now contribute what they feel disposed to in this matter, and bring
it forward to the Presiding Bishop's office, or to Brother James Jack, at the
President's office, to have it all sent to President Wilford Woodruff, with the
names of those who contributed.
We
beseech you to bear this in mind; to do what you can at once. Presidents of
stakes, post those in your stakes, and leave everyone to act as they feel the
Lord has blest them. And we will ever pray to God, the Eternal Father, for the
riches of His grace to abound with those who come to administer for the living
and the dead in the temples of our God; which may God grant in the name of
Jesus Christ. Amen.
The anthem:
Who can stand against the works of the Lord.
was sung by the choir.
Benediction by Counselor Daniel H. Wells.
_____
[8 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 36:613, 10/12/87, p 5]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
2 p. m.
Singing by the choir:
We're not ashamed to own our
Lord, And worship Him on earth;
We love to learn His holy word, And know what souls are worth.
Prayer by Elder John Nicholson.
Singing:
Though deep'ning trials
throng your way, Press on, press on, ye Saints of God!
Ere long the resurrection day Will spread its light and truth abroad.
An Epistle from President Wilford, in behalf of the Twelve Apostles, was read by Bishop Orson F. Whitney. It will be found in full in this issue of the NEWS.
[Wilford Woodruff Epistle]
[DNW 36:616-617, 624, 10/12/87, p 8-9, 16]
AN EPISTLE
To the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
_____
INTRODUCTORY
Dear
Brethren and Sisters:
It
appears proper, at this Fifty-eighth Semi-annual Conference of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that an Epistle should be addressed to the
members of the Church, in conformity with the custom which has been observed at
the past five General Conferences.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR
As some
of the Apostles are prevented, by circumstances well known to the Saints, from
appearing in public, the Church will naturally look for some expression from
them concerning their feelings and hopes respecting the works of our God.
Especially at the present time is deep interest felt in the utterances of the
Apostles, because of the loss which the Church has sustained in the death of
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR. Twice before has the Church mourned the death of its
President, and each time the event has produced a profound impression upon its
members. In this instance this sad event is invested with more significance
than it would have been had it occurred in the ordinary way. President Taylor
died in exile. For about two years and a half he had been compelled to live in
seclusion, and to refrain from all public association with the people whom he
loved more than he did life.
Through
his decease the Church is called the third time to mourn the departure of the
man who had stood as its President and as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator to
this generation. The experience which the Saints have gained in passing through
these trials has been of exceeding value to them. They have learned that God
can take care of his own work, and that they need not worry nor yield to
anxiety or doubt concerning its management.
After the
martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph there were pretenders who asserted that they
had the right to take his place at the head of the Church. Some were deceived
by their pretensions, not being familiar with the order of the Priesthood.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APOSTLES
For some
time before his death the Prophet Joseph was inspired of the Lord to anticipate
his own departure from earthly scenes. This was shown in various ways; but especially
in the great anxiety which he displayed to bestow upon the Twelve Apostles all
the keys and authority of the Holy Priesthood which he had received. He
declared in private and in public that they were equipped and fully qualified,
and that he had rolled the kingdom of God on to the shoulders of the Twelve
Apostles.
PRESIDENT WOODRUFF'S PERSONAL TESTIMONY
I,
Wilford Woodruff, being the last man living in the flesh who was present upon
that occasion feel it a duty I owe to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, to the House of Israel, and to the whole world to bear this my last
testimony to all nations, that in the winter of 1843-4, Joseph Smith, the
Prophet of God, called the Twelve Apostles together in the City of Nauvoo, and
spent many days with us in giving us our endowments, and teaching us those
glorious principles which God had revealed to him. And upon one occasion he
stood upon his feet in our midst for nearly three hours declaring unto us the
great and last dispensation which God had set His hand to perform upon the
earth in these last days. The room was filled as if with consuming fire; the
Prophet was clothed upon with much of the power of God, and his face shone and
was transparently clear, and he closed that speech, never-to-be-forgotten in
time or in eternity, with the following language:
"Brethren,
I have had great sorrow of heart for fear that I might be taken from the earth
with the keys of the Kingdom of God upon me, without sealing them upon the
heads of other men. God has sealed upon my head all the keys of the Kingdom of
God necessary for organizing and building up of the Church, Zion, and Kingdom
of God upon the earth, and to prepare the Saints for the coming of the Son of
Man. Now, brethren, I thank God I have lived to see the day that I have been
enabled to give you your endowments, and I have now sealed upon your heads all
the powers of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods and Apostleship, with all
the keys and powers thereof, which God has sealed upon me; and I now roll off
all the labor, burden and care of this Church and Kingdom of God upon your
shoulders, and I now command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to round
up your shoulders, and bear off this Church and Kingdom of God before heaven
and earth, and before God, angels and men; and if you don't do it you will be
damned."
And the
same spirit that filled the room at that time burns in my bosom while I record
this testimony, and the Prophet of God appointed no one else but the Twelve
Apostles to stand at the head of the Church and direct its affairs.
THE PRESIDENCY IN THE APOSTLES
When the
Prophet Joseph had passed away by foul assassination, those who possessed the
Spirit of God and were living in close communion with it, knew the voice of the
true shepherd and were not deceived by the claims of men who pretended to have
authority. The body of the Church followed the leadership of those whom God had
chosen, and whom His servant Joseph had been instructed to prepare for this
great responsibility. The Twelve Apostles, with President Brigham Young as
their head, became the presiding council of the Church.
The
lessons which the Church then learned in regard to the Priesthood, have never
been forgotten. When President Young was taken from us, there was no jar nor
division of sentiment among the Apostles; and among the people there was
scarcely a question as to where the right of Presidency rested. President John
Taylor took the position which belonged to him, and the work of God moved
forward without interruption, and with a union and harmony on the part of all
connected with it, most delightful to witness. He has stood at our head for
nearly ten years, and during that period he has possessed the gifts and
qualifications which belonged to his high office and calling. His entire career
is one that can be contemplated with the utmost satisfaction and pleasure by
all who love the truth and admire integrity in those who are called to be
servants of God. From the time that he was baptized a member of the Church until
his spirit took its flight from earth, he never wavered in his advocacy and
defense of the principles of righteousness. Under all the varied circumstances
through which he and the people of God were called to pass, in the midst of the
deepest trials and afflictions, his voice was always raised in tones of
encouragement and hope; and when the storms were the fiercest, he rose to the
occasion and always displayed undaunted courage and unflinching devotion to the
Zion of God. In the providence of God it fell to his lot to be with the Prophet
Joseph and Patriarch Hyrum when they were martyred for the truth, and he
mingled his own blood with theirs. Though severely wounded on that occasion, he
miraculously escaped death. He was a man whom the Lord loved. The evidence of
this is to be found in the fact that He chose him to preside over His Church at
the departure of His servant Brigham. We feel thankful to God our Eternal
Father that we have been permitted to live with and enjoy the society of
President John Taylor and be his fellow-laborers. Our association with him and
the Presidents and Apostles who have gone before him into the spirit world, we
esteem as a great honor. We take delight in anticipating the rejoicing that we
shall have when we shall be permitted to mingle in their society.
Once
more, the responsibility of presiding over the Church has fallen upon the
Council of the Twelve Apostles. The Counselors of President Taylor, Brothers
George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, being members of the Council of the
Twelve Apostles at the time they were chosen to be members of the First
Presidency, have, since his death, taken their places again as members of that
Council.
Fifty-seven
years and a half have elapsed since the Church was organized. In looking around
among those with whom we associate to-day, how few there are left of those who,
under the Lord, helped to lay the foundation of this work and were the
companions of the Prophet in the early labors connected therewith! To-day there
is but one Apostle left of those who belonged to the Council of the Apostles
during the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph, or, indeed, at the time these
valleys were first settled. The other faithful Apostles who were ordained under
the direction of the Prophet have all passed behind the veil. Since the death
of President Young four have joined him in the other world, and in the same
period six have been ordained as members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.
This gives some idea of the changes which are occurring, and how rapidly a new
generation is taking an active part in the building up of Zion.
THE LABORS OF THE APOSTLES
Those of
us who have been at liberty to travel, have devoted our time to visiting the
various Stakes, and in meeting with them at their Quarterly Conferences. Some
of us have been laboring in Mexico, others in Arizona, besides visiting the
Stakes in Idaho and in Utah. These Quarterly Conferences are attended with
excellent results. The people come together and receive instructions and
counsel upon leading topics, and much good is derived therefrom. Though it
involves considerable labor for the Apostles to visit them, yet we are
encouraged in doing so by the advantages which those visits bring to the people
in keeping them informed concerning general movements and counsel. In these
labors we have had much joy and satisfaction, especially in witnessing the
increase of faithfulness on the part of the Saints.
THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS
Though
many of the leading men have been compelled to be absent, some of them having
been incarcerated in prison, the people have, nevertheless, been steadfast, and
have sought with increased diligence to perform their duties. The persecution
to which they have been subjected has led the people to think and act for
themselves, and not depend so much upon others for guidance. This can not fail
to be attended with good results. It is necessary that all the members of the
Church should exercise their powers of reason and reflection and thoroughly
understand why they take the course which God points out. Intelligent obedience
on the part of His Saints is desired by our Father in heaven. He has given us
our agency to think and act for ourselves, on our own volition, to obtain a
testimony for ourselves from Him concerning the truth of the principles which
He teaches, and then be firm and unshaken in the performance of all which is
necessary for salvation.
We have
felt great satisfaction in witnessing the dignity and courage which the Saints
have exhibited through the trials of the past three years. Their conduct has
been admirable. They have displayed great qualities. The forbearance, patience
and fortitude which they have exhibited are proofs that God has been with them.
Outrages which would have goaded any other people into acts of violence have
been of frequent occurrence. In other communities men and women would be
desperate under such treatment. But the Lord has given His people power to
control themselves and peace has been maintained. Riots and bloodshed have been
avoided, and even under strong provocation, when blood was shed, the community
restrained itself. Prejudice may prevent our nation and its rulers from
acknowledging, at the present, how noble the demeanor of the people has been
under these trying circumstances, and with the strong provocations which they
have had to indulge in outbreaks; yet the time will come when all this will
receive its proper recognition and due credit will be accorded the Latter-day
Saints for their magnanimity and self-control throughout this entire persecution.
PRIMARY ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.
In the
organizations which have been established among our people in all our
settlements in these mountains, the advancement and training and benefit of all
classes are amply provided for. Among no people of whom we know anything have
such provisions been made for the salvation and care of the members of society
of all ages as among the Latter-day Saints. If we and our children do not
progress in intelligence and in the knowledge of all principles pertaining to
life here and life hereafter, it is because we do not avail ourselves of those
facilities which are placed within our reach. We have the Primary Associations
provided for the benefit of the young children of our Church, and their
instruction in those simple principles which they can understand. We also have
Sunday schools for the training and education of those of larger growth. In
them they can learn the doctrines of salvation and the history of the work of
God, and be prepared for greater progress. Then we have the Young Mens' and
Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, which have been organized, as
their names imply, for the development of the young people of both sexes and
their advancement in every thing that will qualify them for lives of usefulness
and honor. But besides these organizations we have the various councils of the
Priesthood, to some office in which every young man who is worthy can be
ordained. The young women, as they increase in years, can also find a sphere of
usefulness in the Relief Societies which have been organized for the purpose of
assisting the Bishops and Counselors and Teachers of the Wards in caring for
the poor and relieving the wants of the suffering and distressed. So that by
means of these organizations, which are of vast interest to us as a people,
every one from early childhood to maturity, can be led forward step by step,
from one degree of knowledge to another until fully qualified to discharge all
the duties of perfected and honorable manhood and womanhood.
So far as
we know the sisters who have charge of the Primary Associations are doing a
most commendable work in arousing interest in the little ones and in teaching
them in simple style those lessons which are adapted to their understandings.
We hope that in all our settlements these associations will receive the
constant care and attention of our wise and judicious sisters. The seed sown in
the hearts of the children by the instructions imparted there will produce in
years to come an abundant harvest that will gladden the hearts of the Saints
who witness it.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS, ETC.
The
progress of the Sunday School cause in Zion continues satisfactory, though
undoubtedly somewhat retarded by the enforced absence from its labors and
associations of so many brethren and sisters who have in former years taken an
active interest in its welfare. We notice, with pleasure, the constantly
increasing number of schools, teachers and scholars reported by the officers of
the Union and the evident care taken by the presiding local authorities in our
settlements to have a Sunday School as one of the first institutions
established. We are also gratified to learn that in most of the foreign
missions of the Church Sunday Schools and Improvement Associations are being
organized wherever practicable. In Great Britain, in Continental Europe, in New
Zealand, and in the Sandwich Islands, as also in the branches scattered
throughout the missions in the United States, these institutions are found
contributing their influence in instructing and forming the character of the
children of the Latter-day Saints.
The
Mutual Improvement Societies are also accomplishing great good throughout our
settlements. In connection with them and the Sunday Schools, we desire to
remind our brethren and sisters who are engaged in the praise-worthy labor of
fostering these institutions, that the original design in organizing Sunday
Schools and Improvement Societies among us was, that the children and youth of
the Saints should be made wise in the principles of the Gospel and their faith
be developed in the revelations of God. This the officers and teachers should
keep constantly in mind. The books used should be almost without exception, the
revelations of God as contained in ancient and modern Scripture, together with
the other works of the Church. The teachings, while direct, brief and simple,
should be such as will increase the faith, develop the veneration and love, and
draw out the intelligence of the youthful hearers toward the divine principles
of which by God's grace, we have been made the custodians. All attempts,
however slight, to secularize these institutions and to change them so that
they will not accomplish the ends sought for in their creation, should be
discountenanced. The spirit and teachings of the Gospel should hold undivided
control in all our ministrations connected with this cause. In the theological
and other classes all discussions should be avoided as much as possible on
subjects which God in His wisdom has not yet fully revealed. We know there are many
persons who appear to take more delight in dwelling upon questions which are
mysterious and cannot very well, in our present state of knowledge, be answered
than they do upon those subjects which are plain and simple and essential to
present progress. But the Lord has revealed so much that we can understand and
that we ought to learn in order to be useful in the labors devolving upon us
here, that we need not enter into discussion on subjects which in no way affect
our happiness here or eternal salvation hereafter. In our theological classes,
quorum meetings and other assemblies, therefore, these debatable questions need
not be discussed or be dwelt upon to occupy the time of the members, to the
exclusion of more profitable topics. In the Primary Association, the Sunday
schools and the Mutual Improvement Associations, singing should receive a large
share of attention. Singing exercises can be made a great attraction and also a
valuable addition to the education of the young. The interest that is now taken
among us in vocal and instrumental music is a marked feature of the times, and
this taste finds increasing opportunities for its development in the facilities
which are now being furnished to all who desire its cultivation. Instead of
having a select few act as choirs in these institutions to do the singing for
the whole, the voices of all should be united in harmonious melody in giving
utterance to the feelings of their hearts in hymns and songs. This will
increase the pleasure of the meetings, and make all feel that they have an
equal interest in worship and rejoicing.
THE RELIEF SOCIETIES
The
mission of the Relief Societies as organized among us, is truly grand and
beneficent. There is no limit to their labors and usefulness while suffering
and want exist in our midst. To aid the needy by feeding the hungry and
clothing the destitute is distinctively and peculiarly their mission. In the
energetic performance of their duty human sympathy and divine mercy are
beautifully harmonized. In extending relief to the poor, the love of God and of
our fellows is clearly manifest. It is more praiseworthy for a relief society
to be able to say "There are none in our Ward in need of food, raiment or
shelter," than to report thousands of dollars in hand, while the needs of
the poor are unsupplied.
These
societies have done a vast amount of good among us, and the members have been
of great service in assisting the Priesthood in the wards in caring for the
destitute and in supplying the wants of those who have been in need of help. In
these labors we desire to give them every encouragement and to invoke the
blessing of heaven upon them, and all their exertions for the benefit of
suffering humanity.
THE CARE OF THE POOR
As the
winter season is approaching, it is proper that each Bishop and his Counselors
should take the necessary steps to properly care for the poor who live in their
wards. They should call the Relief Societies to their aid in this labor. The
reasonable wants of the poor should be supplied and the pangs of poverty and
destitution should be averted. God has greatly blessed us in the fruits of our
fields and gardens, in our flocks and herds, and in giving us comfortable
habitations and means to sustain ourselves, and we should always remember the
words of the Apostle James: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and
the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world."
While it
has always been the policy of our people to encourage industry and to repress
idleness in every form, and to expect all persons to contribute, according to
their ability, to their own support; still there are many cases where the aged
and the infirm, or the unfortunate, cannot, with the utmost exertion and
economy, obtain through their own labors sufficient to sustain themselves. It
would be a great evil among us to encourage any class in living upon the
benevolence of the community. No system of begging should be permitted. Those
able to work should be furnished employment. Persons who are properly disposed
will be glad to obtain it in preference to being fed with the bread of charity;
and all should be encouraged to labor according to their strength. This policy,
if wisely pursued will prevent pauperism, develop self-exertion and confidence,
and produce self-respect. It is a cause of great pleasure to think that beggary
is unknown throughout our settlements. There is no need for anyone, however
destitute, to publicly solicit alms. But while this is the case, the sensitive
and those who shrink from asking aid, who conceal, in some instances, their
poverty, should be carefully looked after by the Relief Societies under the
direction of the Bishops of the wards, so that there may be no individual in
any of our wards suffering for the want of food or any other article necessary
to sustain or preserve life. The community whose hearts are open to the cries
of distress, who are ready to administer of the substance which the Lord gives
them to relieve their fellow creatures, may always depend upon the favor of the
Lord, for He loves those who are kind to their fellow-men, and who administer
to their necessities, whose hearts are tender, and who readily respond to
applications of this character which are made upon them, or who anticipate them
by giving freely to the destitute.
FAST OFFERINGS
In some
of our wards there is not proper care taken in the collection of the fast
offerings of the people. The first Thursday in the month has been set apart in
the Church as a day of fasting and of prayer. That day should be strictly
observed. Fast offerings should be brought with a liberal hand to the Bishop of
each ward, that he may be prepared to supply those who are dependent upon the
ward for sustenance. Some wards require considerable aid from the Church to
help sustain their poor, because their own fast offerings do not supply them;
while sometimes in the same Stake there are other wards where there are few, if
any, dependent poor. Presidents of Stakes should make arrangements with the
Bishops of the last named wards to transfer their fast offerings to the Bishop
of some contiguous ward which has more poor within its borders than its own
fast offerings will supply. In this way all the people can have an equal
opportunity of doing their duty to the poor.
THE LESSONS OF LIBERALITY
Experience
has abundantly proved that those who are attentive to these and all other
duties required by the Lord receive His blessing. God does bless those who
devote themselves with singleness of purpose to His work. If proof of this were
needed, one has only to notice the condition of Elders in the various
settlements who have spent years of their lives upon missions. Though their
home affairs may have been left to the care of their wives and children, they
are not distinguished by their poverty from their fellow-servants who have
remained at home.
We have
only to look around us to satisfy ourselves also, that those who are generous
in contributing to God's work are favored of the Lord. This was the experience
of ancient Israel, and it is our experience. Yet in regard to voluntary
donations there is too much carelessness, notwithstanding all the precious
promises connected therewith. The Saints should be reminded of the obligation
which rests upon them. Our children, also, should be taught this duty, that it
may become a fixed habit with them to punctually attend to these matters. Those
who have strictly observed these requirements can testify to the great pleasure
and many rewards they have received from their observance.
This law
of liberality appears to be one of the safeguards which the Lord has adopted to
avert from his people the evil consequences which follow the possession of
wealth. He has told us that the riches of the earth are His to give; but He has
warned us to beware of pride, lest we become as the Nephites of old. We know
the ruin it wrought for them, and we should spare no precaution to prevent
wealth having a disastrous effect upon us. Many can endure poverty and be
humble and live near the Lord who cannot bear riches. They become lifted up in
pride and become covetous, and forget their God. Those, however, who remember
constantly the teachings of the Lord concerning the earth and its inhabitants,
and who contribute of the means which the Lord gives them to assist the poor
and help carry forward the work of God, exercise a check upon themselves and
give Satan less power to lead them astray. Under the present system of affairs,
those who supply themselves and their families with luxuries and advantages
that are denied their neighbors, are in danger of becoming separated from the
bulk of the people and forming a distinct class. But the day will come when a
more perfect order will be introduced. Then it will be said there are no poor
and no rich in Zion that is, we shall not be divided into classes, but shall
all possess everything of this character necessary for our comfort and
happiness. But until then, if we wish our families and ourselves to remain
Latter-day Saints, we must be especially careful to guard against the
deceitfulness of riches.
THE DUTIES OF THE SAINTS
The great
labor which devolves upon us, as members of the Church, is to build up Zion.
God has founded Zion, and we should seek to extend its benefits and blessings
unto all mankind. It should be our constant care to do nothing that will weaken
its influence or power or retard its growth in the earth. This we should
constantly impress also, upon our children, that they may grow up filled with
an abiding love for the work of God.
There has
been too much neglect on this point. Many have pursued a short-sighted, selfish
policy; and have worked to that which they believed was their own individual
advantage without regard to the effect their action would have upon the work of
God. Their eyes have not been single to His glory. Such a disposition has
proved a snare to those who have indulged in it; they have wrought injury to
themselves, not to mention the effect their conduct has had upon Zion.
THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF MARRIAGE
The Lord
has informed us that marriage is ordained of God unto man. The institution of
marriage, in some communities of which we read, is falling almost into
disrepute. It is alleged that there is a growing tendency in this direction
among us. The cause is doubtless, traceable to the increase of wealth and the
disinclination of young men to take upon them the burdens of a wife and family.
As we depart from the simplicity of early days, we may naturally expect that
this tendency will increase as young men may be restrained from offering
marriage to young ladies unless they can give them something like as
comfortable a home as they enjoy under their parents' roof. Extravagant or
luxuriant habits or training on the part of the girls will also have the effect
to deter young men from marrying. Care should be taken by every person of
influence to counteract this tendency, and to set before the rising generation
the advantages which follow well-arranged marriages. No community can prosper
and maintain a high standard of morality where there is a large percentage of
unmarried young men and young women. We should deplore the increase of such a
class among us, and all honorable means should be used to prevent its
existence. The young of both sexes should be taught that it is not necessary to
happiness in marriage to be in the possession of wealth. In this country an
industrious, economical married couple can soon surround themselves with all
the conveniences and comforts essential to life and happiness. The satisfaction
each will have in after years in the enjoyment of the fruits of their joint
industry and thrift will amply repay them for any inconveniences or privations
they may have been subjected to in the early days of their married life. The
comforts thus accumulated will be doubly sweetened unto them by the
recollection of their exertions in common to procure them. No rightly
constituted and educated young woman will refuse an offer of marriage from a
worthy, industrious young man for no other reason than that he is not able to
surround her at first with the comforts which she may think she ought to have.
Young men, who have a due share of the qualities which women esteem in a
husband, need not be afraid that girls of that kind will refuse them, because
they may not be well endowed with this world's goods. They will cheerfully bear
their part of the burdens of life without repining when confident of the love
and supporting and guiding hand of their husbands.
AGAINST INCURRING DEBT
We feel
led to caution the Latter-day Saints against forming the bad habit of incurring
debt and taking upon themselves obligations which frequently burden them
heavier than they can bear, and lead to the loss of their homes and other
possessions. We know it is the fashion of the age to use credit to the utmost
limit, and it is customary for nations, states, counties and cities to borrow
money, issue bonds and thus load themselves with taxes to such an extent that
large numbers of the people are prevented from owning land or even the houses
which they occupy. Thus the masses become tenants and have to pay rent for land
and shelter. This is a great evil and one that we, as a people and as
individuals, should carefully shun. Our business should be done, as much as
possible, on the principle of paying for that which we purchase, and our needs
should be brought within the limit of our resources. The disposition to
speculate and to take chances upon ventures of one kind and another should be
repressed. There are many people who have been rendered homeless in our
Territory by the neglect of this precaution. To raise funds to invest in some
scheme which has appeared promising they have mortgaged their homes, only too
often, to be disappointed and to find themselves without a place of shelter for
themselves and their families. All this is wrong. If the penalty for such
unwisdom fell upon the one through whose acts and influence it is brought
about, the consequences would not be so deplorable; but very frequently families
suffer and the bad results are widely felt. We, therefore, repeat our counsel
to the Latter-day Saints, to shun debt. Be content with moderate gains, and be
not misled by illusory hopes of acquiring wealth. Remember the saying of the
wise man: "But he that hasteth to get rich shall not be innocent."
Let our children also be taught habits of economy, and not to indulge in tastes
which they cannot gratify without running in debt.
ZION SHALL NOT BE REMOVED
We have
been favored, as no other people have, with wise counsels. Their extent and
variety are immeasurable. They cover every department of human life. So far as
we have observed them, prosperity and happiness have been the results. Whatever
difficulties we may have to contend with to-day are due, if not wholly, at
least in great part, to our disregard of them. Is not this the experience and
testimony of all the faithful Saints who have watched the progress of events
among us? Had we observed these counsels, how many of the evils from which we
now suffer would never have been known among us! Our neglect of them has
brought its punishment, and the faithful can see it. But shall we not profit by
the experience of the past and act more wisely in the future? As the Lord has
said (Doctrine and Covenants, sec. 90, ver. 36-37),
"But
verily I say unto you, that I, the Lord, will contend with Zion, and plead with
her strong ones, and chasten her until she overcomes and is clean before me:
For she shall not be removed out of her place, I, the Lord, have spoken
it."
We should
begin to understand that God's ways are infinitely superior to our ways, and
that His counsels, though they may seem to call for sacrifice, are always the
best and the safest for us to adopt and carry out. Thousands among us can
testify to the truth of this from individual experience. These thousands should
combine and create a public opinion in favor of obedience to the counsel of
heaven that will have its proper effect upon our children and the inexperienced
among us.
THE GLORY WILL BE THE LORD'S
We also
should learn this great truth, that God will have all the glory and honor for
the establishment of His Church and Kingdom on the earth. Man cannot claim it
in this or any other age of the world. Nothing but the power of God could have
brought forth the fullness of the Gospel, organized the Church, gathered His
people to Zion in fulfillment of revelation and performed the work which has
been accomplished. Therefore, as Latter-day Saints, we are obliged to
acknowledge the hand of God in all the blessings we enjoy.
THE CONDUCT OF OUR LIVES
It should
be the aim of all the members of the Church to carry out practically the
principles of the Gospel. In no way can we better convince the world of their
truth than in showing in our acts and dealings with one another and with
mankind the elevating effect they have upon us. We make high professions, and
there should be such a high standard of purity of life among us as to
correspond with these professions. Our children should be impressed with this,
and be taught that the name of Saint is so holy that they only who are pure in
heart can claim it.
If our
religion does not lead us to love our God and our fellow man and to deal justly
and uprightly with all men, then our profession of it is vain. The Apostle says:
"If
a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth
not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not
seen?"
We can
best exemplify our love for our God by living our religion. It is vain to profess
a love for God while speaking evil of or doing wrong to His children. The
sacred covenants we have made with Him strictly impose upon us the duties we
owe to one another; and the great office of religion is to teach us how to
perform those duties so as to produce the greatest happiness for ourselves and
for our fellow-beings. When the obligations of our religion are observed, no
words are spoken or acts are committed that would injure a neighbor. If the
Latter-day Saints lived as they should do, and as their religion teaches them
to do, there would be no feeling in any breast but that of brotherly and
sisterly affection and love. Backbiting and evil-speaking would have no
existence among us,; but peace and love and good will would reign in all our
hearts and habitations and settlements. We would be the happiest people on the
face of the earth, and the blessing and peace of Heaven would rest upon us and
upon all that belongs to us.
If there
be unhappiness and heartburnings and quarrelings and hatreds among us, they
exist because we do not observe the religion which we profess. They are not its
fruits. Where these evils exist there is a crying necessity for repentance. If
any feel injured by the words or acts of their brethren and sisters, the Gospel
points out and furnishes the way by which this injury may be repaired. Instead
of talking about this to others they should go to the person or persons who
have done the wrong and make their feelings known. If satisfaction is then
made, that ought to end the matter; but if not, it can be reported to the
proper officers of the Church for them to take the necessary steps to terminate
the difficulties. In this way animosities and disunion can be prevented and
confidence is maintained.
PARTAKING OF THE SACRAMENT
As Latter-day
Saints, it is our general custom to partake of the sacrament once a week. If
the teachings of our Lord, in remembrance of whom we observe this sacred
ordinance, be regarded, no one who has trespassed can be permitted to share in
it until he has made reconciliation. It is the express commandment of the Lord
Jesus that no one shall be permitted to partake of His flesh and blood
unworthily. A more perfect system to prevent the existence of improper feelings
and wrongs among brethren and sisters can not be imagined. If the Saints do
their duty, difficulties do not remain unsettled beyond the Lord's day when
they assemble to eat and drink in remembrance of Him.
TEMPLE WORK
Notwithstanding
the difficulties that the Saints have had to contend with of late, they have
pursued their labors in every direction with unabated zeal. This is
particularly noticeable in their attendance at the Temples. The wish to avail
themselves of the opportunities for attending to the ordinances for themselves
and their deceased friends has, if anything, increased, and those employed in
these sacred buildings have their time fully occupied in performing their
duties there. It is evident that the Latter-day Saints appreciate the blessings
to be obtained through this Temple work. When we reflect that we have two
buildings of this character already completed, furnishing abundant facilities
for all who choose to go there to obtain the ordinances of God's house for
themselves and for those in whose salvation they take so deep an interest, and
that we have another Temple at Manti nearing completion, and one in Salt Lake
City, which we hope to see finished before long, our hearts are filled with
gladness and we cannot refrain from praising our God for His goodness unto His
people in permitting them, notwithstanding the opposition and many difficulties
they have had to contend with, to erect such structures and to dedicate them,
according to the pattern He have given for these sacred uses.
No
right-feeling Latter-day Saint can think upon this subject without being
thrilled with heavenly joy for what God has done for us in our generation,
furnishing us, as He has done, with every facility to prepare us, our posterity
and our ancestors for that eternal world which lies beyond the present life.
The Latter-day Saints are, in truth, a highly favored people, and praise to God
should ascend from every heart and habitation in our land for the great mercy
and goodness which He has shown unto us. He has made us promises of the most
precious character, and he has fulfilled them up to the present time. We would
be the most ungrateful and unworthy people that ever lived if, after receiving
such wonderful manifestations of His goodness, we slackened in our diligence or
failed in our obedience and devotion to Him and His great cause.
FOREIGN MISSIONS
The
treatment which the Elders have received in preaching the Gospel throughout the
Southern States, as we are informed by President John Morgan, has been much
better of late than it has been at some other periods. The Elders are listened
to with patience and do not meet with so much of the spirit of mobocracy and
unreasoning hate. Additions are being made to the Church, and those who
emigrate from that region have generally settled in San Luis Valley, Colorado.
The
Elders in the North Western States under the direction of President W. M.
Palmer, pursue their labors with undiminished zeal and with moderate success in
bringing people into the Church. These fields of labor have furnished
opportunities for numbers of our young men to gain experience in missionary
efforts, and those who have this privilege return home, in the most of
instances, better qualified to assist the local authorities where they reside
in the labors of the ministry.
In Great
Britain the Elders meet with considerable opposition in places, principally,
however, from apostates. They find that field a much more difficult one than it
was in former years. The hearts of the people seem to have become hardened, and
great indifference prevails in regard to religion. Still we learn from
President George Teasdale, who presides at the present time over the European
Mission, that the Elders who zealously enter into the labors of the ministry
find abundant cause for rejoicing in the success which attends their exertions.
Throughout the Swiss and German Mission presided over by Elder Frederick
Schoenfeld, and the Scandinavian Mission presided over by Elder N. C. Flygare,
the Elders are laboring also with commendable zeal and with gratifying results.
An effort is being made at the present time to preach the Gospel in Turkey,
where Elders Jacob Spori, J. M. Tanner and F. F. Tintze have been, and are
laboring, and even the land of Palestine has been visited, and in the late
company of emigrants which reached this City from Europe, nine persons were
gathered who had received the Gospel in that land, a land hallowed to us as the
earthly home of our Redeemer, and the soil of which his sacred feet trod.
On the
Sandwich Islands the Elders are laboring faithfully under the direction of
President William King, and everything is being done to improve the condition
of that people and to save them from the destruction which threatens the
extinction of the race. The plantation at Laie is still maintained, and the
Elders who have labored and who are still laboring there enter with spirit into
the management of that property in a way to benefit as much as possible the
native Saints. The attention of the Elders there is directed at present to the
Navigator Islands, where some few years ago two native Elders from the Sandwich
Islands were successful in baptizing a large number of natives and organizing
them into branches. These Islands have not been visited by any of the white
Elders, but it is probable that some of our Elders on the Sandwich Islands may
in the near future make a visit there.
The
letters which we receive from New Zealand where President William Paxman
presides, continue to bring us gratifying intelligence concerning the condition
and progress of the work there. The Elders are very successful among the
Maoris. Many of the white brethren have succeeded in acquiring the language of
that race, which is cognate to that of the Sandwich Islands, and two of them,
Elders Ezra T. Richards and Sondra Sanders, Jr., are now engaged, we are
informed, in translating the Book of Mormon into the Maori language. In
Australia the Elders are also laboring, but it is a much harder field than
among the natives of New Zealand.
HOME MANUFACTURES
Frequent
reference has been made in past teachings and in former Epistles to the subject
of home manufactures. It has been, and we feel it still ought to be, a theme of
inexhaustible interest to Zion; yet there remains an immense amount to be done
in developing our resources and furnishing facilities for the employment of the
people. It is pleasing to note the progress which is being made in some
directions. Our woolen manufactures are gaining credit for their excellence in
other communities as well as our own. But we export considerable wool even
after all our factories are well supplied. If this could be manufactured at
home, it would add greatly to the wealth of our community, not only in the
profits which would accrue from the use of machinery, but in the employment
which it would furnish to many of our citizens. Besides the manufacture of
woolen cloths, there is considerable home-made hosiery of excellent quality
which is placed on the market.
The range
of articles which are manufactured in this Territory is gradually increasing;
and from the feeling which now prevails we judge that many more branches will
soon be added to those already in operation. The manufacture of soaps of
various grades has now become a settled and paying business. A fine quality of
hats is also made. Boots and shoes and clothing, glass, white lead, leadpipe,
native paints, brushes, paper, printing type, starch, pearl barley and oatmeal
are all manufactured in the Territory, and many of these articles in sufficient
quantities to supply the local demand and to export to some extent. It is an
encouraging feature in the most of these enterprises that those engaged in them
are seeking to enlarge their facilities with the view to increase their production.
We have a large number of children growing up among us who should be furnished
with opportunities to acquire skill in mechanism, manufactures, and other
pursuits which are necessary for the comfort of man. It is not only incumbent
upon parents to seek for avenues of profitable employment for their children,
but it should be kept in view by the leading men of the Church in all our
settlements. An idle man's brain, it is said, is the devil's workshop, and no
community can prosper and maintain a high standard of morality that does not
furnish employment for its members. Far better to work for low wages than not
to work at all. But with proper care, and by putting in use the experience that
many individuals in every settlement possess, there need be no want of
remunerative employment for the rising generation, and for others who may come
in from abroad. It may not always be kept in mind, yet it is a fact, that any
percentage of idle persons in a community is a direct loss to the whole. It is
unfortunate, also, for a community, when the young and enterprising are
compelled to leave it and go elsewhere to find employment or room for the
exercise of the talent of which they feel themselves possessed. Settlements
that are in this situation will languish and go to decay, while other that
furnish facilities for employment will become thrifty and prosperous. The
combination of capital by means of co-operation would, in many instances,
enable settlements to start branches of manufacture and conduct them
successfully. Chimerical schemes, however, should not be encouraged, as their
failure destroys confidence and makes it more difficult to obtain aid for
worthy enterprises which might be made successful. Where co-operation has
failed among us, it has not been because the principle is defective, but
because of mismanagement, sometimes from ignorance and carelessness, and
sometimes, perhaps, from selfishness.
Our
country abounds in useful elements. We have a fertile soil, when properly
cultivated, and an admirable climate. Grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well
as all kinds of stock, can be raised here, and as superior in quality as can be
found anywhere on the earth. Care should be taken to raise the very best
varieties. Our horses, cattle, sheep, and poultry, as well as our grains, and
fruits, and vegetables, should be of the very best kinds, and no pains should
be spared to keep them pure. Our system of irrigation does not admit of the
cultivation of large areas of land. Our farms are moderate in extent. This
being the case, they should be cultivated in the most approved style, and the
whole business connected with a farm should be conducted in a manner to bring
the best results. As facilities for education increase, there undoubtedly will
be a marked improvement in the management of all these branches of business.
PRACTICAL
EDUCATION
It is
gratifying to notice the interest that is being taken among us in education;
yet there is great room for improvement. As the taste for what may be called
book-learning increases, manual labor should not be neglected. The education of
the mind and the education of the body should go hand in hand. A skillful brain
should be joined with a skillful hand. Manual labor should be dignified among
us and always be made honorable. The tendency, which is too common in these
days, for young men to get a smattering of education and then think themselves
unsuited for mechanical or other laborious pursuits is one that should not be
allowed to grow among us. Of course it is necessary as society is now
organized, that the professions, as they are termed, should receive attention.
But every one should make it a matter of pride to be a producer, and not a
consumer alone. Our children should be taught to sustain themselves by their
own industry and skill, and not only to do this, but to help sustain others,
and that to do this by honest toil is one of the most honorable means which God
has furnished to his children here on the earth. The subject of the proper
education of the youth of Zion is one of the greatest importance.
President
Brigham Young during his lifetime established schools in Provo and Logan, where
the principles of the Gospel have been taught in connection with other branches
of education, and more recently similar schools have been commenced, and
conducted with marked success; in Salt Lake, Beaver and Fillmore Cities.
The good
results arising from teachings received in the Provo and Logan Academies are
very apparent and pleasing to all who have the interests of the young at heart,
and we regret that such institutions are so limited in number.
Through
the indefatigable labors of Professors Karl G. Maeser, J. Z. Stewart and their
associates, these schools have done, and are now doing, a great work in
educational advancement, by instilling a knowledge of the principles of the
Gospel of life and salvation into the minds of our children, upon whose
shoulders the Kingdom of God must rest in the near future.
We trust
it will not be long before schools of this kind will be established in every
city and village where the Latter-day Saints reside. In the meantime, however,
the Saints should not fail to avail themselves of the privileges that are now
offered them in the Provo, Logan, Beaver, Fillmore, and Salt Lake Academies.
THE "CHURCH SUITS."
Congress,
at its last session as you are aware, passed a law entitled "An Act to
amend an Act entitled an Act to amend Section 5352 of the Revised Statutes of
the United States, in reference to bigamy, and for other purposes," etc.
Under the
15th and 17th sections of this law the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are respectively declared
dissolved, and in this Act it is made the duty of the Attorney General of the
United States to cause proceedings to be taken in the Supreme Court of the
Territory of Utah to wind up the affairs of said associations.
Pursuant
to the duty thus imposed upon the Attorney General, on the 30th day of July,
1887, proceedings were begun in said court by the United States against the
Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company and its trustees, and the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and its alleged trustees for the purpose of
disposing of the property of the one and winding up the affairs of the other:
asking in these suits to escheat to the United States large amounts of property
alleged to be held by these two defendants. At the time of this writing nothing
has been done in these cases further than to appear and answer the complaints.
What the result of these cases will be, we, of course cannot now say. It is
proper, however, that we should speak upon this important proceeding and let
the Saints know how the cases stand.
The
Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company, as all of you well know, was conceived and
organized for but one purpose, namely, to aid the poor of our people in their
humble efforts to gather with their brethren. It has been for this charitable
purpose, the object of this generous bounty of the Latter-day Saints, but at no
time in its history has it owned any real estate, or any personal property,
save sufficient for its absolute needs each succeeding year. The Church on the
other hand has been the owner of property, the gifts and bequests of an
earnest, sincere people, made for the purpose of aiding in the propagation of
the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. The effort now being made by our
government to dissolve or wind up these associations and escheat their property,
is the first of the kind in the history of our people, and is believed to be
without historical precedent in this country. When we say we shall watch these
cases with deep interest, the Saints will readily believe that it is not alone
for the property involved in these suits, but also for the principles and
rights that are at stake.
OUR SETTLEMENTS IN ARIZONA
The
intelligence which reaches us from our settlements in Arizona is encouraging;
and we note with pleasure that the people of the settlements at St. Johns and
Woodruff have conquered some of the difficulties with which they had to
contend, and which made their position very trying. Indeed, the news from all
the Stakes there is gratifying.
IN IDAHO
In Idaho,
though our people pay taxes and support the schools, everyone of our faith is
denied the privilege of acting in the capacity of a school trustee or teacher,
and no one with our belief can take the test oath that has been prescribed by
the Legislature. The situation of the people there is one that excites great
sympathy. They are practically denied the rights of American citizens through
the infamous test oath law which was enacted by the Legislature. It is very
trying to their patience and bears heavily upon them. But the day must come
when they will be relieved from the operation of this infamous law.
IN COLORADO
In San
Luis Valley, Colorado, the efforts of our people to open and cultivate farms,
and to surround themselves with the necessaries and comfort of life, are
meeting with gratifying success. This is the more noteworthy because of the
fact that the great bulk of settlers there have moved from a warm climate and
have not had experience in battling with the difficulties that have to be met
in the building up of new settlements in an untried soil and climate. Like the
Saints in Wyoming, those who reside in Colorado have always received fair
treatment and encouragement and kind consideration from their neighbors and the
officials of the State.
IN MEXICO
Our
settlements in Mexico are progressing favorably and are gradually being
strengthened, both at Diaz and Juarez. At the places named and in the Sierra
Madre Mountains near the latter, we have nearly one hundred and fifty thousand
acres of grazing, timber and agricultural lands.
The
country is well adapted to stock-raising, as the grasses are of good quality
and great variety, while the climate is uniform, the temperature seldom
reaching higher than 85 degrees or lower than an approach to the freezing
point. The facilities for making comfortable homes there are excellent, the
land, water and timber being good. A fine steam saw, shingle and lath mill, and
a planer and molder, are in operation, affording building material within easy
reach of Juarez.
The
treatment of our people by the national and state officials in Mexico and her
citizens generally, has been cordial and hospitable. By word and act they have
encouraged colonization in the Republic. The settlements in Chihuahua afford
abundance of room for several hundred families and they could live there in
peace, and by ordinary habits of industry would soon make themselves prosperous
and happy.
The
Mexican Mission was opened in 1879, and the Church now has quite a large
following of native Saints, mainly located in and about the national capital.
The Book of Mormon, Voice of Warning, and numerous pamphlets have been
published in the Spanish language and are being distributed according to
ancient predictions. Thus the truth is being spread abroad among the seed of
Israel through the means of the record of their fathers, as well as by the
preaching of the Elders.
THE ALBERTA COLONY
Recent
letters from President Charles O. Card, in charge of our colony in Canada,
contain information of a gratifying nature. The soil upon which they are
located is said to be very productive, and the grain and vegetables produced
are of excellent quality, and range for stock is abundant and nutritious. The
colony is preparing for winter, and the families composing it will soon have
their houses completed. They have opened a fine vein of coal within three miles
of their settlement, which is on Lees Creek, Alberta, Canada.
The
treatment accorded the Saints there, by officials and people, has been
considerate and kind, and the prospects for improvements and prosperity are
good. Brother Card would be glad to have any of the Saints, contemplating a
change of location, to join him, in that land, and we will gladly approve
efforts in that direction.
We may be
led, hereafter, to call some of the brethren to go there with their families,
to aid him in developing the resources of that goodly land.
CONCLUSION
We cannot
refrain from expressing to you our own feelings of thankfulness that we live in
such an age, and that God has bestowed upon us His Holy Priesthood and has
permitted us to take part in His great work. We are thankful that we are
associated with this people called Latter-day Saints; that we live in a day
when Prophets and Apostles have been raised up in the Church of Christ; and
that God has stretched forth His hand to fulfil His great and marvelous
purposes which have been predicted by the mouths of the holy prophets since the
world began. We testify in the name of our Lord and Master, Jesus that this is
the great work of which the prophets have spoken, that God is the founder of
it, and that it will stand forever, and accomplish all that has been predicted
concerning it. Zion is established and will be redeemed. And it is our
continual desire unto God that His people may be faithful in keeping His
commandments and doing His will, so that they may be accounted worthy to stand,
and their children after them, and inherit the great blessings which He has to
bestow upon the faithful. The day is not far distant when our Lord and Savior
will be revealed from the heavens, and we should live in constant expectation
of this great event, and seek, with all the energy and power that we can
exercise and obtain, to prepare ourselves, our households, and, as far as we
have influence, the inhabitants of the earth, for His glorious appearing.
Your brother,
WILFORD WOODRUFF,
In behalf
of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.
_____
On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8th, at the conclusion of the reading of the General Epistle, the choir sang an anthem:
The Lord be praised.
Benediction was pronounced by Elder Lorenzo D. Young.
_____
[9 Oct, 12 am*]
[DNW 36:613, 620, 10/12/87, p 5, 12]
MORNING SESSION.
Sunday, Oct. 9th. 12 a. m.
Singing by the choir:
How are thy Servants
blessed, O Lord! How sure is their defense!
Eternal wisdom is their guide Their help Omnipotence.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
Singing:
The Seer, the Seer, Joseph
the Seer! I'll sing of the Prophet ever dear,
His equal now cannot be found, By searching the wide world around.
The General Authorities of the Church were presented by Apostle Franklin D. Richards, to be voted upon by the Conference, as follows:
Wilford Woodruff as President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
the Council of the Twelve Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselors of the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the Presiding Council and Authority of the Church, and, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robt. T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with Franklin D. Richards as assistant.
Truman O. Angell, General Church Architect, and W. H. Folsom, assistant.
Clerk of conference: John Nicholson.
Church Reporters: John Irvine and Geo. F. Gibbs.
The following were also presented as the general officers of the Ladies' Relief Society organization: President, Eliza R. Snow Smith; First Counselor Zina D. H. Young; Secretary, Sarah M. Kimball; Assistant Secretary, Romania B. Pratt; Treasurer, M. Isabella Horne.
Brother Richards said he had not before him the names of the officers of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations and therefore could not present them. He, however presented the following as the superintendency of the Mutual Improvement organizations: Wilford Woodruff, Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher.
The vote to sustain the authorities was unanimous.
ELDER JOHN T. CAINE
addressed the congregation. He had rejoiced in the instructions received during Conference, and was glad that it had convened in Salt Lake City, as there were greater facilities here for the purpose than elsewhere. The work we are engaged in is pressing onward. Although we have been told what would be our experiences in the development of the Church, we could not realize their character until they were upon us. The object for which we gathered should always be kept before us. It was not to better our temporal condition, but to obtain our salvation. Also to prepare a people for the coming of the Savior when He shall appear. The world have formed mistaken opinions regarding this work and its object. They do not understand it to be the revelation of the Gospel of Salvation. Much prejudice exists regarding the Latter-day Saints for this reason. A certain class of men, on account of their ulterior notions, have purposely misrepresented this community. One of those errors is that there exists in Utah a union of church and State; the leaders have established a polity outside the genius of the government of the United States. This is a grave mistake. The Saints came here as a religious community, led by their spiritual leaders. The latter had, of necessity, in the first settlement of these valleys, also to advise and instruct the people in relation to temporal matters. The exigencies demanded this. The people needed instruction upon the subject of sustaining themselves physically as well as otherwise. The chief men had shown their ability in that direction in guiding them to this place. This is all there is in the idea of Church and State. And even if a man hold an ecclesiastical office and an office in the State as well, it does not follow that there is an amalgamation of the two branches. When they have been selected for those political positions it was because of their fitness and the confidence the people repose in them. This community is not alone in this regard. Because a man becomes a Methodist, a Catholic, or any other kind of religionist, he does not relinquish any of his rights as a citizen of this republic. He still has a right to use his influence in favor of sound politics as well as in religious matters. There never has been a disposition to establish a union of church and state. One of the first leading acts of the people who came here and pioneered the settlement of this great region was to call a convention, send delegates to Washington, the seat of the general government and ask admission into the Union as a state. All the people have ever found fault with here has been the character of the laws passed applicable to them and to the manner in which they have been frequently administered. This has been caused by a belief that they were not compatible with the fundamental principles and institutions of our country. There is no disloyalty in protests of that character. The people who have come here from distant lands have not continued their allegiance to the countries of their nativity. They have identified themselves with this Republic by securing citizenship in it.
This is essentially a democratic community. It may be said you vote all one way. Well, if the people wish to vote one way they have a right to. They have a right to vote for their friends in preference to their enemies. although we meet with men who maladminister the laws, yet we love and cling to the principles of this great government, because in them there is liberty. They inculcate the right of local self-government and we must cling to them.
The speaker said he embraced the gospel forty years ago. He had never seen any reason to regret the step he then took. The principles he accepted had initiated him into the Church of Christ. He hoped to continue to adhere to them. He was grateful for the faith and confidence of the people, and felt that he had been sustained by them in the trying position he had occupied, and hoped to still be worthy of such support.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
read the 11th verse of the 3rd, and 10th verse of the 4th chapter of Exodus. Asked an interest in the faith and prayers of the Saints. When first called to do that which the Lord required of him, Moses felt his weakness and dependence upon the Lord, and therefore asked, "Who am I that I should be called to do this mighty work?" He felt that it was a labor that he was not equal to, and he besought the Lord to call some other person. One of his pleas was that he was not eloquent, but slow of speech. So it was with the Elders in this day when called to go as missionaries to the various nations. They felt their inability. In looking at what has been accomplished in the valleys of the mountains as well as by the Elders abroad, one must acknowledge that God had assisted his humble followers in their efforts. The Elders as a rule were lacking in scholastic education, but the Lord had made up unto them by the outpouring of His Spirit what they were deficient in that respect. Jeremiah felt likewise humble and inadequate when he was called of the Lord; but he was told that the Lord had known him before he was formed in mortality and had ordained him to be a prophet unto the nations. So it was with Enoch. He became great, but when he was called to be a prophet he felt like a child. The Lord's plans and doings were very different from those of man. Paul said the Lord had called the weak and foolish things of the world in his day to confound the wise and the mighty. Then, as in the days of Moses and other prophets, the glory and honor of what was accomplished had to be accorded to the Lord, for the instruments chosen could not claim the credit themselves. Looking at the condition of the Latter-day Saints today, comfortable as they were in the possession of this world's goods, it was also apparent that the credit for the marvelous change which had come over them since the Gospel found them in poverty scattered throughout the world, was due to the Lord only.
The hopes of the Saints had been extended immeasurably by the light of the Gospel. They know that when they depart this life, if faithful here to what the Lord has revealed to them, their salvation was secure. The Lord was entitled to the credit of this, for this blessing had not come from man. When Elders asked in arising to speak, an interest in the faith and prayers of their hearers, it was not as a matter of form, but from a sense of their weakness and dependence.
the speaker expressed his pleasure with what had been said and done during the Conference thus far. Was assured that the saints were advancing and becoming more fully established in the principles of life and glory. While there was still much room for improvement it was apparent that advancement had been made. Exhorted the Saints to try and be ;more faithful, to do unto others as they would have others do unto them. The Saints were the friends of the Lord. They must learn to extend their charity to all mankind. As Brother Caine had said, God demanded of the Saints that they labor in the interest of all mankind. The examples of Joseph of old and the Prophet Daniel illustrated how the Lord blessed those who were true to principle and would do right under all circumstances. They labored for the good of the nation in which they lived. as their influence was finally increased with the people among whom they dwelt as well as with God by their fidelity and disinterestedness, so would that of the Saints. The case of Jonah going to Nineveh and proclaiming the destruction decreed by the Almighty and the result of the repentance of the people, also conveyed a valuable lesson to the Saints. He hoped it might be so with this generation, to whom warning voices of the Saints had extended. He invoked the blessing of the Lord upon the assembly.
The choir sang the anthem --
The Lord will bring again Zion.
Benediction by Elder Horace S. Eldredge.
_____
[9 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 36:620, 10/12/87, p 12]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At a quarter before 2 o'clock President Wilford Woodruff entered the building, accompanied by apostles Lorenzo Snow and Franklin D. Richards, and Elder George Reynolds. Brother Woodruff entered the upper stand and facing the immense throng, waved his hand. The people returned the salute by waving of hands and handkerchiefs. Then arose a murmur of applause, which was increasing to a veritable shout of welcome when the venerable Apostle signified his desire, by raising his hand, that the expression of feeling be suppressed, and it subsided.
At 2 p.m. the meeting was called to order and the choir sang:
Come, thou glorious day of
promise, come and spread thy cheerful ray,
When the scattered sheep of Israel Shall no longer go astray;
When hosannas, With united voice they'll
cry.
Prayer was offered by Apostle John W. Taylor.
Singing:
How sweet communion is on
earth With those who've realized the birth
Of water, who the Spirit's powers Receive, in general, Quick'ning showers.
The sacrament was administered under the direction of the Bishopric of the Twelfth Ward, Salt Lake City.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
delivered the following discourse:
My brethren and sisters and friends: By way of introduction I desire to say that I feel to thank God and all my friends for the blessing I enjoy at this time-for the privilege, once more, of entering this Tabernacle and beholding the faces of the Latter-day Saints. And I feel a good deal as Mark Antony did when he went to bury Caesar: "I come to bury Caesar," said he, "not to praise him." I come to see the Latter-day Saints, but not to preach to them. You have plenty of Apostles and Elders to preach the word of the Lord unto you. But I have long desired to again enter this Tabernacle of the Lord and see the Latter-day Saints. It has been some three years, I think, since I have met with the Saints of God in this house; and I will tell you how I felt about coming to Conference. I felt that it would not be doing our great and mighty nation any harm-a nation of sixty millions of people-for two or three old men, seventy-five or eighty years of age, to come into this Tabernacle and look at the Latter-day Saints, and at the faces of their wives and children. I do not know that I have a wife or child here. If I have, they will be able to see how old I have grown since we last met. Some of us have tried to keep the law to such an extent, that we have almost forgotten how our wives and children look. I feel, however, to say, God bless the Marshal and officers of the government as far as they can exercise mercy, charity and humanity toward the Latter-day Saints in fulfilling their duty as officers of the government. I feel thankful to-day for this privilege, and I feel at peace with all mankind. I am at peace with all my friends. As to my enemies, I do not know that I have any. If I have, I hope that we may be at peace upon the principles of the Gospel of Christ, of righteousness and of truth.
Now, with regard to preaching to you, my brethren and sisters, that is a subject I have thought very little about. I have preached this Gospel for some fifty-four years, and have learned by experience a great while ago that it is no use for an Elder in Israel to decide in his mind what he is going to say to the Saints of God. This is the way I feel to-day. And I will say this, that there are times in a man's life when he cannot help reflecting upon the past. That is my condition to-day. Since I have entered this Tabernacle, and looked upon this congregation, my mind has reverted to my life from the time I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this engenders in my bosom some very solemn reflections. Fifty-four years ago this last spring I traveled a thousand miles with the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, Brothers Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, and a great many other men-some 205 in all-mostly Elders in Israel-for the redemption of our brethren-to assist them in the midst of persecution. Our prophets and patriarchs, many of them, have passed away. They are on the other side of the vail. Since we came into these valleys forty years ago the twenty-fourth of last July-I drove President Young into this valley in my carriage, and he was sick at the time-eleven of the apostles have passed away. They are in the spirit world mingling with the Gods, where they can plead for their brethren. These are reflections that rest upon my mind as I occupy this stand where I have met day after day and year after year with these noble men. President John Taylor, who was our last president and apostle, has also taken his departure. The last time I was in this house I met here with him. His work is finished. He has gone into the spirit world, where we shall all go very soon. Sometimes, in my reflections, I feel somewhat lonesome when I think these matters over. I feel as if I had lived two or three generations since the days of Kirtland and Nauvoo, or since the establishment of this Church and Kingdom with which I have been associated for so many years. I realize myself that I shall not dwell a great while upon the earth. I do not expect to dwell a great while longer with the Latter-day Saints. I have lived to the age of four score years, and when I contemplate the multitude that has passed away since we entered these valleys of the mountains, I can only expect to take my turn with the rest. But I will say this, I rejoice in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; I rejoice in the work of God; I rejoice in the principles of eternal life, light and truth, which have been revealed to the Latter-day Saints.
We have been called as a people to pass through a great deal of affliction in our day and time. But this eternal truth remains on earth and in heaven-that the God of Israel has set His hand to establish His Church and kingdom upon the earth, and to fulfill the revelations contained within the Holy Bible, the Old and New Testament, as well as other records which have been given concerning the last dispensation and fullness of times.
We are all of us, brethren and sisters, dependent upon God our heavenly Father for all our blessings, both temporal and spiritual. Indeed, while I contemplate our progress, our advancement, and the signs of the times in which we live, I feel that we, as Latter-day Saints, should try to fully realize and comprehend our responsibility before God, before each other, before the heavens and before the earth.
I have for a long time had a desire to mingle with the Latter-day Saints, and to take part in their institutions-the Sabbath schools, the Mutual Improvement Associations, and with the various organizations of the Church. But for several years I have been laboring in other portions of the country, and have been deprived of the privilege of meeting with the Saints so far as this portion of the Territory is concerned.
I have desired from my youth up to become acquainted with the truth as contained in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From my youth up I have had a desire to live and find the people of God on the earth. I have lived to see that day. I have lived to see prophets, apostles, and inspired men. I have associated with them for many years of my life. This has been a great pleasure to me, and a great satisfaction to my own spirit.
And I desire to say to the Latter-day Saints, that we should remember that we are sent here on a mission; that we have been born in the flesh in this last dispensation of the fullness of times. We have been called to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, called to preach the Gospel, called to warn the nations of the earth, and many of them have been warned. We have traveled by land and by sea; have visited many foreign nations, also almost every part of our own nation, and some of us are drawing our missions to a close.
I have a desire that the Latter-day Saints should try to live their religion, and endeavor to do what is right; that they should have faith in God, and in the revelations of God, and in the principles which have been revealed to the Saints for the salvation of the human family.
We have a great many organizations in the Church and Kingdom of God, and have had almost from the beginning. They are so organized that all men and women, whether young or old, have a place of usefulness. We should try to improve our time, our talents and our opportunities while we are here upon the earth. I realize that this world is not our abiding place. We have an evidence of this every day of our lives. We are called upon to bury our prophets, apostles, elders, fathers, mothers, wives and children, all of which shows us that we have no lease of life. We should therefore improve our time to-day.
I have felt to give the Latter-day Saints my faith and prayers in all their labors and exertions to build up the Kingdom of God. I try to build it up to the best of my ability, in accordance with the light and truth and knowledge which God has given me.
This is the first time that I have endeavored to speak in public for a good while. I have not been laboring in the midst of congregations like this. I have just passed through a week of sickness, which laid me prostrate. I feel the effects of it in my lungs, and in my system, yet I feel all right in my spirit. I felt as though I desired to look upon the faces of the Latter-day Saints, and hear the testimonies of my brethren. They have heard my testimony in years past. I have the same testimony to bear to-day. I bear record before God, angels and men, that the fullness of the everlasting Gospel has been revealed in these last days through the prophets of God; and that Joseph Smith was raised up by the power of God as a prophet, seer and revelator. He laid the foundation of this Church and Kingdom in its perfection, as it is at the present time. He brought forth the record as contained in the Book of Mormon, in fulfillment of the predictions of the prophets of God; also the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which contains those grand and solemn revelations, and those principles of eternal truth, so precious to the Latter-day Saints. These things are true. We should study them; lay them up in our hearts, and practice them in our lives. This is the Kingdom of God and the Church of Jesus Christ. The Lord Almighty has set His hand to carry out the great programme of the last dispensation and fullness of times. If this had not been true, Utah today would have been in all probability a desert as we found it in 1847, when first we came here. God has been watching over this people, and will continue to watch so long as we continue to do our duty. So long as we humble ourselves before the Lord, so long as we keep His commandments, so long will the hand of God be over the Latter-day Saints; Zion will arise; Zion will be clothed upon by the power of God. The Lord is watching over her; the heavens have been watching over this people, and have been from the beginning. We have the blessings of God with us. They are manifest in our temporal and spiritual affairs.
As I said in the beginning of my remarks, I realize that the voices of those we were accustomed to hear in the past are hushed in death. We shall hear them no more. The rest of us will follow in their train. We shall all pass away in our time, and we have a long eternity before us in the world to come. Those that have passed away have closed their work here, and are laboring to-day on the other side of the vail.
You have laid before you, during this Conference, some things pertaining to the redemption of our dead, and some things in regard to the building of temples. These, brethren and sisters, are important works. They are works which we do for others that they cannot do for themselves. This is what Jesus Christ did when He laid down His life for our redemption, because we could not redeem ourselves. We have fathers and mothers and kindred in the spirit world, and we have a work to perform in their behalf. As an individual I have had great interest in this work of redeeming the dead, and so have my brethren and sisters. This is a labor we must continue as far as we have opportunity. This principle was taught by the Apostle Paul. He asks, "If the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead?" This is a work that rests upon the Latter-day Saints. Do what you can in this respect, so that when you pass to the other side of the vail your fathers, mothers, relatives and friends will bless you for what you have done, and inasmuch as you have been instruments in the hands of God in procuring their redemption, you will be recognized as Saviors upon Mount Zion in fulfillment of prophecy.
I hope that our institutions-those that have been referred to in our Epistle-the Relief Societies, Sunday schools, Mutual Improvement Associations, etc., will continue to do good. They have done a great deal of good, and still have the power to do more. These institutions belong to the organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The brethren and sisters should continue to labor in them in behalf of the rising generation of this people. The Mutual Improvement Associations are good schools in which to prepare our young men for the vineyard of Christ. So also are the various quorums of the priesthood, and we should all labor to the best of our ability to fulfill the duties devolving upon us.
I feel the effect of my sickness; I feel it upon my lungs, and do not think it necessary to continue my remarks. I am glad to see you, and say God bless you, and I pray that God may pour out His Spirit upon you, that we may magnify our calling, do our duty, keep the commandments of God, so that when we get through our work we may be satisfied with our history. I feel to bless this congregation, as far as I have the right and privilege to bless, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Latter-day Saints have been trying to do their duty, but there is room for all to improve; let us walk uprightly and labor for the truth, and for the inspiration of Almighty God to assist us in all we endeavor to accomplish. I pray our heavenly Father to uphold and sustain you, to bless you and your families, to bless you as husbands and wives and children and as Latter-day Saints, or any other capacity in which we are called to act. This is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
APOSTLE H. J. GRANT,
said it was very gratifying to meet so many of the Latter-day Saints. Rejoiced beyond his powers of expression to hear the voice of President Woodruff. While he was but a youth and had not the privileges of looking upon the face of his own father nor seeing many others of the faithful leaders of the Saints, he rejoiced in the heritage which they had left in their testimony of the truth. Felt to pray always for the preservation of such men. The fleeting pleasures of this life and the honors that men strive for perish, but the truths of the Gospel will live forever. The Saints had received the Gospel of Christ, but if they failed to live up to its light, great would be their condemnation. If they were not virtuous, sober and industrious, they were not living up to the light of the Gospel. Besought the Saints to lo live that the light of the spirit ;might be their constant companion. Testified that no labor that the Saints could engage in would bring the same joy, peace and happiness as keeping the commandments of the Almighty.
[Heber J. Grant]
[CD 1:80-81]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED
BY APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT,
At the closing session of General Conference, Sunday afternoon, October 9, 1887.
_____
It is very gratifying unto me to have an opportunity of meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints, and while I stand before you this afternoon I earnestly pray unto God, my heavenly Father, for the aid of His holy spirit, and I beseech the Latter-day Saints to give me the benefit of their faith and prayers, that I may be enabled to say something that will be calculated to train us in our desires for the advancement of the work of God. I rejoice beyond my powers of expression at being permitted once more to hear the voice of our aged President. I rejoice that he is again permitted to meet with the Latter-day Saints, and to bear his testimony unto them as to the truth of the Gospel. It must be gratifying to the hearts of all the Latter-day Saints to look upon his face and to hear his words. While I am but a youth, and while I have not had the privilege of associating with many of the brethren that have gone before; while I have never had the privilege of looking upon the face of my father even, still I rejoice in the labors that he accomplished, I rejoice in the testimony that he bore to the Latter-day Saints, I rejoice in the heritage that he has left unto me, and to all his children. He has left a testimony and an example that, if we will only follow, we are bound to meet him and rejoice in his presence throughout all the countless ages of eternity. No greater heritage can you and I leave to our children than a good name, and a good and faithful testimony to the gospel of Christ. There is nothing so dear to me as the gospel that I have embraced. There is no day ever passes over my head but what I supplicate God, my Heavenly Father, that my mind may never become darkened, that I may not depart from the truth, or break the covenants that I have made; and while I pray for myself, I pray also for all the Latter-day Saints and for every honest heart upon the face of this earth. If I know my heart, if I know my own desire, I am ready and willing to travel to the ends of the earth and proclaim the Gospel of Christ and to bring men unto salvation. I realize that there is nothing on this earth, except the principles of the Gospel, that reach forward into the world to come. But everything of an earthly character, the wealth, the honors, the possessions of men, perish with this life, but the principles of the Gospel are eternal. They will endure forever; and you and I who have received a testimony of the gospel, you and I that can testify that we know that Jesus is the Christ, we only can expect an exaltation in the Celestial kingdom of God, if we live worthy of the testimony that we have borne. God, our heavenly Father, after having revealed His son unto us, expects lives of righteousness. It is the duty and the obligation that we owe to Him to so order our lives that all men, seeing the righteousness of the same may glorify God our heavenly Father. We have received the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if we do not so live and order our lives that all men will rejoice and see that we are honest, see that we are sincere, see that we are pure, we are not doing our duty as Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Christ teaches every man and woman and child to be virtuous, to be upright, to be honest; and if we are not virtuous, if we are not upright, if we do not live so as to bring credit unto the work of God, then are we not living as we should live, then we are not living up to the testimony we have received. This is an individual work in which we are engaged. You cannot rob me of my salvation; I cannot rob you of yours. It is an individual labor, and I thank God that all the Saints are entitled to the whisperings of His holy spirit. I thank God that none of us are dependent upon others for the testimony of the gospel. I thank Him that each and all can obtain a testimony for themselves. I beseech you, my friends, I beseech you, my brethren and sisters, one and all, to so live that the light of the holy spirit of God may be your constant companion, enlightening your mind, quickening your understanding, inspiring within you a desire to labor with all the power, with all the ability that God has given you for the accomplishment of His purposes.
I testify to you that there is no labor on this earth that can be engaged in that will bring the same joy, the same happiness, the same peace, as keeping the commandments of God and exhorting others to do the same.
May God bless you all, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON
was next called. He said the request to occupy this position was totally unexpected to him. I unite in the sentiment expressed in relation to the gratification afforded to us in beholding the face and listening to the voice of our venerable President. It would not be proper for me, under the circumstances, to occupy your attention for any length of time. It appears to be the desire that testimonies in relation to the truthfulness of this work should be spoken. I have received a testimony of the divinity of the work we are identified with and have, humble though i am, received a portion of the testimony of Jesus, the power of His Spirit. I have rejoiced in the spirit that has pervaded this Conference, and feel that we will go hence with a stronger determination to serve God. One of the subjects treated upon has been the necessity for greater union. As I understand it, there are three pre-requisites necessary to produce that result. The first was an understanding of the truth as it is in Christ; the next the moral disposition to conform the life and conduct to the principles comprehended and finally the love of God permeating our beings, exhibited in the affection we bear toward our fellow creatures. When there is disunion it is because of the absence of one or another or all of those conditions. The work before us is therefore to become the embodiment of these fundamental pre-requisites. It is necessary that we follow, as near as practicable, the nature and character of the Lord, who says that it is ;not the work of God that fails, but the work of men. He "never departeth from that which He saith, and His course is one eternal round." In reference to temporal matters, dwelt upon during Conference, they should be handled with due regard to the eternal principles of justice which prevail in heaven. In the early history of the Church, the Lord revealed His heavenly philosophy in relation to temporalities. It was a perfect law revealed to an imperfect people. It will be well for us not to depart too far from it, lest we render the return journey long and tedious. Let us stand by the truth and endeavor in our conduct to follow the nature of God.
BISHOP O. F. WHITNEY
was the next speaker. He said: While sensible of the honor conferred on me in being permitted to stand here for a few moments and testify of the truth, I also feel greatly dependent on the Spirit of the Lord and your faith and prayers. I can heartily echo the sentiments expressed here to-day, and the discourse of Bro. Lorenzo Snow now comes to my mind, wherein he showed that when men set forth to perform a duty in the name of the Lord, they must depend on Him. This has been a stumbling block to many. Great men have stumbled on this rock, and been broken in pieces, supposing they could stand alone, and that the kingdom of God depended on them, independently of Him. An Elder was once so imbued with this idea that he said the work of God could not exist without him. I refer to Oliver Cowdery though I would not say anything of him in an uncharitable spirit, yet his example now comes before me. It is said that he told the Prophet Joseph, "If I leave the Church it will fall and go to pieces." Joseph said, "Oliver, you try it." He did try it, but what was the result? Did the ship go down because one of its officers chose to jump overboard? The answer is here before us in the presence of this mighty congregation, representing the Church and kingdom of God, from which Brother Oliver chose to withdraw. The Work survived, but he went to pieces, or would have done so utterly, had he not humbled himself and come back and repented at the eleventh hour. Thus it is with all men who think the kingdom cannot get along without them. They seem to forget that One who cannot lie has pledged his word that it shall stand forever. Though all nations go to pieces, this work is destined to continue till He comes whose right it is to reign. From time to time the Lord will bring trials and vicissitudes upon His people to sift and purify them as wheat. The chaff will eventually all be blown away and nothing but the wheat remain. In every change that has come, God has had in view the development, growth and purification of His people. The command to gather to Kirtland and consecrate of their means to build the Lord's house was too much for some. The command to gather to Missouri was another test, and many remained in Kirtland, lacking faith to follow the Prophet and Church of God unto the land of Zion. Then came the Missouri persecutions, and many apostatized, unable to endure the fiery ordeal. In Nauvoo, the Saints were again put through the mill, and still others fell away. Then followed the great march of Israel in modern times across the mighty wilderness to these mountain vales, and hundreds and thousands fell back rather than face the prospect of starvation or destruction by wild beasts and savage Indians. Thus has God put forth many tests to make His people humble, pure and faithful. The present time is but another trial to prove their faith and integrity. It is a day to regard what appear to be small things, and not to despise the weak and humble, to set our hears upon Zion and not be drawn unto the world. God has hid His truths as diamonds in the dust. They lie at the feet of the proud world, which gazes over them to what it supposes to be greater things. Humility is a grand virtue. The world should regard this people in a far different alight to what it does, for god will vindicate the words spoken here to-day, and the world will yet see that as in the days of Noah, the few can be right and the many wrong. I testify in the fear of God and in the name of Jesus Christ that this is the kingdom spoken of by Daniel that should stand forever. This may be called the day of weakness, but the day of power is at hand. These are the dark hours that precede the dawn. For fifty-seven years the Church has been kicked about the world as a foot-ball, but as the Lord lives a change will come. God will bring forth His purposes for His own glory and the salvation of those who serve Him and wait for Him. May we endure unto the end,and be saved in His Kingdom,through Jesus Christ, Amen.
APOSTLE F. D. RICHARDS
said he deemed it a very distinguished privilege to look upon and address the vast assemblage before him. Without the help of the Lord he felt that his efforts to edify the Saints would be vain. No such sight as that before him -- such a number of people of differ3ent nationalities unitedly partaking of the sacrament, and worshiping with love toward God and each other could be seen anywhere else. It was a great pleasure to have President Woodruff present. He had intimated that his time to leave us would come in its turn. If the Saints had no hopes other than those which the world had, such an intimation would be saddening in the extreme. Saints who lived their religion had no fear of death. Leaving their kindred here, they reunited with a greater number of them in the life beyond. Their friends who had preceded them in their advent into the spirit world were looking with interest and anxiety for the reunion.
The sacrament of the Lord's supper had been administered. The Being in whose remembrance that ordinance was partaken of should be emulated and honored by the Saints in their lives. The sacrament was instituted for the purpose of keeping his character in mind. The Prophets from Noah down had prophesied of such a personage coming in the future, and it was wonderful how the memory of that prospective event was perpetuated. It was done by the numerous sacrifices that ancient Israel engaged in. An angel once asked Adam why he offered sacrifices, but although he had been in the presence of the Father, he had to acknowledge that he knew not why he thus officiated, except that the Lord had commanded it. He was informed by the angel that it was typical of the great sacrifice of the Son of God which would in the future be made. A faith was thus implanted in the bosom of Adam and he subsequently was taken up by the Spirit of God and immersed in water -- baptized in the likeness of the burial of the Savior and afterwards the Holy Ghost descended upon him. Even in that early day a knowledge of the great sacrifice was established and never subsequently forgotten. Noah, when he had seen the inhabitants of the earth destroyed by a flood and only himself and family saved, offered sacrifices. Abraham also offered sacrifices, and the Lord had confidence in him and said He knew that he would always teach his children after him to do the same and to honor Him. The Lord promised him that his children should be blessed and his posterity increased innumerably, and then called upon him to sacrifice his son. The object was to teach him a lesson. What he was required to do was typical of the great sacrifice of the Son of God. And Abraham, through his faith had a view of the future and was shown a vision of what should take place ages after his day, even to the latest generation. In following generations the principle of sacrifice was maintained before the people, the fires of the altar being kept continually burning. Many people had wondered what was the connection between the laws of carnal commandments and the law instituted by the Savior. Paul explained in his day that the former were given as a schoolmaster to bring Israel to Christ.
The Saints had been taught fully in regard to their duties, and the word of the Lord was continually coming to them. Could they say "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall reign upon the earth at the last day?" The Lord told Joseph Smith during his life that his testimony would be in force before the world from that day. His testimony had been heralded throughout the nations since then, and the Saints had listened to an obeyed it while others had turned a dead ear to it. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had been shown glorious visions and their testimonies and those of others had given the Saints a knowledge of the character of heavenly beings, and they were thus privileged in a manner that the unbelievers throughout the world had no conception of.
Brother Richards concluded by exhorting the Saints to be true to their covenants.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[CD 1:83-88]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
At the General Conference, held in the tabernacle, Sunday
Afternoon, October 9, 1887.
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I esteem
it a very distinguished privilege to look upon and to address this vast
assembly, and am brought to a sense of the fact that without the assistance of
the Spirit of Truth and the exercise of your faith, my efforts to edify you may
be in vain, but as He who has commanded us, also promised grace to assist in
the performance, so I rely upon his assistance, in the hope that we may be
edified, instructed and profited together. I understand the fact that there no
other like sight can be found upon this terrestrial wall where such a number
can sit down together and with one heart and mind partake of the Lord's supper,
having come from Iceland and a score of countries in Europe and Asia, and from
South Africa and from Australia, from the Sandwich Islands, and all parts of
these United States of North America, in harmony with each other and with one
spirit, all partaking of this sacred ordinance with like feelings of union and
love toward God and each other.
It is a
distinguished pleasure that we have the presence of our worthy President,
Wilford Woodruff, here, whom we voted in the fore part of the day as the
President of the Quorum of the Apostles and of the church. He seems to feel, he
has told us, in view of the frequency of the departure of our leaders, and has
intimated that he expects this time will come in its turn. If we were still in
the fog of the darkness of the world we once were before we came to the
knowledge of the truth, such remarks would be most saddening unto us; but when
we contemplate it in the light in which he looks at it, that when he bids us
adieu he expects an introduction into the society of the apostles and
patriarchs that have gone before us, it gives another color to the scene
entirely. It brings to mind a sense of the fact of the meeting and
congratulations of children and parents and brothers and sisters that wait the
faithful children of God when they pass from this life into that which is
beyond. Latter-day Saints who live their religion having a testimony of Jesus,
have no fear of death. We look at it as but a stepping stone from one apartment
of God's great creation to another. When we leave our kindred here, we will be
united with a greater number there; and some of our very dearest kindred are
there waiting for us. Wives, parents, fathers and mothers, brothers and
sisters, children of all ages await our presence there. A multitude of our
kindred dead await us and our labors here, to know when we can go and tell them
what we have done for them here in the flesh, that they, rejoicing with us, may
contemplate the glorious anticipations, when they will come rising from the
dead triumphant, and rise unto the labors and blessings of a more extended
work, which they are now resting from-resting their wearied mortality. The
spirit that never dies, that has life and eternal vigor and bloom, is relieved
from these cumberous clods of clay and can look and behold, and can again hear
and contemplate that labor to an extent that we know not of in this life.
We, this
afternoon, partake of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; it is a subject for
us to crown the final labors of our Conference with, when we contemplate our
existence here, our existence in the other lives, before we came and whence we
go, we have to bear in mind the one great central figure of this world's
existence and character and honor and power; the character of the earth and all
that in it is, the great Redeemer thereof from the law of sin and death; and it
is He, too, to whom if you and I should ever be permitted to attain to the
redemption from the dead and the exaltation for which we hope, that we shall
sing songs of glory and honor to His name, as the One that has redeemed us from
every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Then seeing there is such a character
that sustains such a relation to all the human family, it would be befitting if
they all understood how to partake of the ordinance that should keep Him truly
and faithfully in mind in their obedient hearts. This is an institution since
the crucifixion, since the shedding of His blood, instituted by Him to keep the
great fact in mind. "As oft as ye eat this bread and drink this
wine," says he, "ye do it in remembrance of me." Now I would
like to call your attention a moment or two, for I have but a few more moments
to speak-to the existence of this great and glorious character. The prophets
from the ancient times of Noah down, have, by the lives which they have left on
record, songs they have sung, they have entertained a knowledge of this great
character to be the Grand Redeemer. And it is a wondrous thing when we
contemplate it how that memory was perpetuated. It has been in the minds of a
great many who are before me, as well as in my own, what was the great nature
and object of sacrificing and shedding so much blood of bulls and goats and
making sacrifices of these kinds in the way that they were done? Let us go back
to the beginning and see if we cannot see for what it is. When our Father Adam
and Mother Eve had, through the act of disobedience, forfeited the presence of
God, and were driven out eastward from the Garden of Eden, the early records
tell us that an angel came to Adam, when he was offering sacrifice, and asked
him, "What are you offering sacrifice for?" Here he was in the
presence of the Father and heard the voice of God, and then, punished for his
sin, he did not know what it was; what he was performing this sacrifice for.
Says he, "I know not, only that the Lord commanded me."
"Now," said the angel to him, "I will tell you. You are
commanded to offer this sacrifice in remembrance of the Only Begotten of the
Father, who shall come in the meridian of time, and shall shed his blood as a
lamb slain from before the foundation of the world for the redemption of the
human family." About this time Father Adam got his eyes open to a great
work ahead, that is to say, he began to remember since he awoke out of his
great sleep what he previously knew. The Lord don't seem to have had any
library that he considered proper to hand Adam to read. Adam had not heard of a
printing press, I will warrant you, at this time, and had no idea of carrying a
pencil and tablet in his pocket to keep an account of the day's proceedings.
But at this time the Lord wanted to plant in Adam's bosom a principle in
connection with the law of the gospel, and baptism for the remission of sins
connected with it, and we are told that after the angel had explained these
things, the holy spirit gathered Adam up, and put him under the water and
brought him out of the water. And the holy ghost rested upon him and bore
record and told him that he should remember these things, that he should teach
them to his children; and says he, "If you will remember these things and
teach them to your children, you shall have the words of eternal life in this
world and in the world to come and receive a crown of eternal life." Here,
then, is what the Lord planted, the ordinance of sacrifice in the mind and in
the nature of Adam and perpetuated it in his race as an ordinance, that they
should continue with them through all the periods of time until Jesus should
come. That was what the ordinance of sacrifice was instituted for, to
perpetuate the memory of the great sacrifice of Christ until the redeemer
should come, to establish it in the hearts of Adam's children, that they might
never forget it, that they might look forward to that time, exercise faith in
that being, be baptized in his name; and all things, they were commanded to do
in the name of the Only Begotten, who was to come in the meridian of time. Now,
then, we can see forasmuch as there were not books to teach and paintings to
illustrate, he had to institute this as an ordinance, that it might be forever
before the people as a theme to demonstrate the great truth consummated in the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is
very little said in early history about sacrificing, but on momentous occasions
it never was forgotten. When Noah had come forth in triumph from the waters of
the deluge which had drowned a world he constructed an altar and offered
sacrifice with his eight souls to perpetuate it in the branch of the human race
which the Lord had miraculously saved until the Redeemer come.
I want to
call your attention to another distinguished personage to illustrate this
matter still more particularly. It was our father Abraham, whom the Lord found
to be very faithful, and true, and devoted. The Lord said, "I know
Abraham; I understand him in his heart, and he will command his seed after
him," and He made him to be His friend. I may simply instance a fact that
Abraham's race, not only those who descended from Isaac, but those who
descended through Ishmael and through the other side of his house, the
descendants of Keturah have ever perpetuated the great first commandment,
"Thou shall have no other gods before me." They have never gone into
idolatry as the other nations have. However, not dwelling on this any longer,
we see that Abraham taught his race to believe in the living and true God. Now,
we know that when men have friends, they take them into their particular
confidence; if they have got some great particular affair or scheme in their
business or family relations, they will take them into their confidence and
explain them to them. Now, the Lord took Abraham into His confidence and deemed
him His friend; and how did he do it? It was after He had promised him or when
He was promising him that he should possess the land from the east to the west,
from the north to the south, and he and his children should inherit it forever,
and they should become as numerous as the sands on the shore of the
Mediterranean or the stars in the firmament. There was something that the Lord
wished to tell Abraham as a friend, so he told him to take his only child on to
the hill of Moriah and they would have a consultation. Now then, when he had
got Abraham and Isaac up there, what was the subject? It was the great subject
of the plan of redemption. He took him into his consideration and friendship.
"Now, Abraham, can you stand this? Can you take your only son and bring
him up here and make an offering of him?" He was about to teach Abraham
the nature of this plan of salvation and what it amounted to. He would show
Abraham that He himself had promised the human family that He would give His
only begotten son a ransom from before the foundation of the world, to redeem
them from sin. "A propitiation for our sins and not for ours alone, but
the sins of the whole world." "Abraham, what do you think of this?
Can you stand it? do you think you can take the possession and so give your
only begotten son to be a sacrifice, in view of such a plan of salvation as
this?" And thus the Lord took Abraham in consideration of this matter, and
opened Abraham's eyes so that he saw the economy of the Lord Jesus in the
future, so that he had it plainly before him. It was by faith that Abraham
walked-going through all his life without possessing the "promised
land"; dying without receiving an inheritance, knowing that he would come
again in the resurrection and receive it with his children here upon the earth.
Thus the Lord dealt with Abraham as a friend; showed him the great plan,
brought it home to his heart, and made him feel within his soul the plan that
was to be brought about in the meridian of time, even the sacrifice of His Only
Begotten Son.
Now to
proceed. When Abraham's seed became numerous in the land of Egypt, and were
brought forth to the land of Canaan, then these sacrifices were brought before
them in such plentitude that they had to offer them every day; and they were
keeped up continually in that motion, and the holy fire, that was once obtained
from heaven, was keeped alive and never allowed to die until the taking away of
the daily sacrifice. And thus it was continued in more or less frequency, until
the Savior came. Thus this sacrifice or ordinance was the means, from the
beginning to the coming of the Redeemer, to perpetuate the covenant of God with
relation to His Son. And the Apostle Paul tells this plainly, many people have
wondered, what was the difference between the law of carnal commandments, and
the law of faith. The Apostle Paul tells them that these things were given unto
them to be their schoolmaster, and to bring them unto Christ; hence when Christ
came these things were done away, to those who received and embraced the Gospel
in Christ Jesus. When our Savior had gone through that wonderful ordinance,
when he had suffered and the very blood came out of his skin, by the terrible
pressure, suffering for the sins of the whole world, yet Satan had no place in
him. He thus became a sacrifice, as had been intended from before the
foundations of the world were laid. He knelt down and brake bread, and said:
"I have longed with a long desire to eat this supper with you before I
depart." And he instituted that supper as a subject, as an ordinance, a
means by which his memory, after he had gone, had departed, should be
perpetuated. And this supper has come to us, and it is for this that we partake
of the sacrament, that we remember that he came upon the earth, that he
suffered and died, that he has brought to pass the resurrection, that he has
promised that as he went up into heaven, so he will come again. In looking
forward to that occasion, are we calling Israel from the four quarters of the
earth? Preparing them, in the name of the Lord, for that great event. Praised
be his name for the success that has attended his work hitherto. For all the
chastisements, for all the humiliations, that can bring us near to God to have
of his spirit to partake of that sacrament; that we might, in the light of truth,
go forward preparing for those things that are to come. My brethren we are
taught in the things of God-the many discourses that have been given in this
Conference. If we would bring them to our hearts, live them to a fulness, would
lead us unto salvation, unto blessing and eternal life, almost if we never
heard any more; but the word of the Lord, from his servants in continuously
coming unto us, I want to know that the brethren and sisters know concerning
this salvation. Can I say "I know that my redeemer lives, and that he will
stand upon the earth in the latter day?" We ought to know concerning this
that his blood will redeem us, and make us white, if we are accounted worthy to
stand with the just, the pure and the exalted. The Lord told Joseph, in about
the year 1830, in a revelation when he told him to bear testimony of this work,
and says he "Your testimony shall be in force from this day from this very
hour, to all the human family, to the ends of the earth." From that time
the testimonies that have gone forth have taken effect upon the human family;
and we have to warn them of the holy gospel and its sacred principles. Now,
when we look unto the testimonies that have been enjoyed concerning the Lord
Jesus it testifies to us of him, of his acts, of his mighty doings, of his
doctrines, his gospel, his death and resurrection; and the holy order of this
church and the holy ordinances thereof. That was one testimony. In the Book of
Mormon we have an account of the Savior's labor here on this land; when He came
here and built up his work, organized His church, appointed His apostles, and
blessed all the little children and then says he, "Now is my day
perfect." He greatly rejoiced. Here is another testimony then, from this
half of the world, of our Lord and Savior and his words and doctrine and
principles of the Everlasting gospel. Now in our own day we have had the
Prophet Joseph, who saw the Father and the Son; they appeared in answer to his
humble and sincere prayer to know what was the right way. And here we have had
the privilege of walking and talking, laboring and preaching, eating and
drinking, and rejoicing with this man who has seen the Lord and talked with
him, and heard his voice, and received instruction from him. If we note this,
these are three evidences then of this one whom we note.
Now,
then, let me cite you another single instance. If this testimony of Joseph is
in force upon the whole human family, we have to take notice of this; he saw
the Father and the Son in the beginning of his work; he saw them again in the
vision of the three glories. These are two testimonies that we have received.
"In the mouth of two or three witnesses" the Lord has established the
truth "that every word shall be established." And by the testimony of
the Holy Ghost given unto us we should know of these things of the testimonies
ourselves. Thus we have testimonies in this age of the world that no people
have ever had before concerning these things, and we ought to treasure them up;
we ought to pray over them. Our lives ought to be such as are approved of God,
and our testimonies increase until we can understand and know with a perfect
knowledge.
Brethren
and Sisters: My time has expired, and I pray the Lord to bless you, inspire us
all with a hungering and thirsting desire of the knowledge of the truth, and
after the ability to live in all our daily walk and conversation, that we may
become sanctified to His holy will, bringing to pass the principles of unity
and eternal life in the Kingdom of God. This is my prayer, in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem,
We will give thanks unto Thee.
The benediction was pronounced by Apostle Franklin D. Richards.
The Conference was largely attended throughout, the numbers continuing to swell at each succeeding meeting. On Sunday the huge Tabernacle was literally packed in every part, including standing room in the aisles, and in the afternoon especially, great numbers of people flocked the entrances, the crowds even extending outward from the building into the surrounding enclosure. The spectacle presented, from the stand, by the assembled host of a united people was most imposing.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
1888
5-8 Apr 1888, 58th Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 37:199, 4/11/88, p 7; Millennial Star 50:273, 289, 305, 321]
[5 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 37:199, 4/11/88, p 7]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a.m. on April 5th, 1888, Apostle Lorenzo Snow presiding.
There were on the stand, of the Twelve: Lorenzo Snow, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; of the Counselors to the Twelve; Daniel H. Wells; Patriarch, John Smith; of the Presiding council of the seventies, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young; of the Presiding Bishopric, John R. Winder. There were also present a large number of Presidents of 'Stakes and other leading brethren.
The choir sang the hymn on page 46, beginning,
Our God, we raise to thee Thanks for thy blessings free We here enjoy.
Opening prayer by Apostle John W. Taylor.
Singing by the choir:
I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
ELDER F. A. HAMMOND,
President of San Juan Stake, was the first speaker. He said, in substance: With the assistance of the lord I will do the best I can to comfort the Saints and speak concerning those things which interest them today. In looking at the many aged people present with whom I am acquainted, I am reminded of an inquiry made by a poet in relation to the future life -- "Shall we know each other there" I am assured that we will, and this understanding gives me energy, vigor and joy. I rejoice in his work and do not feel discouraged although it looks a little cloudy. But the ship Zion has not lost her headway. It had never done so. We are meeting with opposition, as we expected, and make our way inch by inch. sometimes it has been smooth sailing, and then the crew were in the most danger, as they then became careless. Storms develop the energies and ability of all hands. I rejoice in the experiences we have passed through and that we are now meeting. The hand of the Lord is in it all. It teaches us that if the Lord is not with us we are in a sorry plight, as we have no hope from any other source. I have no fear but that those who have the light of the Lord with them will go through every ordeal unscathed. It will be otherwise with those who are unfaithful. It is my desire to know the mind of the Lord in reference to myself and the people to whom I minister. This is the privilege of each officer and member of the Church.
ELDER HENRY HERRIMAN,
of the presiding council of the Seventies, aged 84, was the next speaker; he said:
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that He has preserved our bodies in health and strength, and has given us the privilege of assembling together in the Fifty-eighth Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I thank God that I have lived to behold this day. I have been in the Church fifty-five years, and thanks be unto our Eternal Father that he has filled my soul with joy and rejoicing, and opened the eyes of my understanding to understand His purposes, and to dwell here upon the earth in the fulness of times. I know by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, and by what my eyes have seen and my heart has felt, that god has raised up a Prophet to lay the foundations of His Church and kingdom, and has revealed the principles of eternal life and redemption to prepare a people for the great day that is to come, when Jesus our Redeemer will come upon the earth to reign a thousand years with the Saints, when nothing shall hurt or destroy upon the face of the earth, and when His kingdom will be built up, and when we shall see eye to eye, and the Saints become of one heart and one mind and when all shall behold the eternal purposes of God. Now I will say, through the grace of God, if there are persons within the sound of my voice who do not know that God has spoken from the heavens, humble yourselves as little children and call upon His holy name, and He will pour out His spirit upon you in such a way that will be calculated to raise you up and fill your souls with truth, and you will get the blessings of the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel of Christ, and you will make your calling and election sure. Thanks be unto God for His kindness and tender mercies unto us. Thanks be unto Him for opening the eyes of our understanding to comprehend, through the manifestations of the Holy spirit that which has been made manifest unto us in years past and all His blessings unto us.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I feel in my heart to exhort every person within the sound of my voice to attend upon the Lord Jesus Christ, to do His will, -- to do those things which are right and just before him; and they will be built up in listening to the still small voice. It will open the eyes of their understanding and prepare them for the things to come and which the God of heaven will bring upon the face of the earth, until the earth becomes a place for the doing of the will of God as in heaven. The Saints are looking forward with the eye of faith to obtain the blessings which Jesus prepared from before the foundations of the world for all that overcome and endure unto the end. When our bodies will become cleansed and purified, when we shall see as we are seen and know as we are known, and when we shall become heirs of god and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, with tabernacles incorruptible and immortal. May obtain these blessings is may desire in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
next addressed the congregation. Substantially he spoke as follows: I desire to be inspired to say something beneficial. We have assembled for the purpose of being instructed and to treasure up what we hear. When we go hence may we feel that we have been blessed. The Gospel consists of ordinances, blessings and covenants and embraces good works. Brother Hammond stated that his testimony had grown brighter by experience in the Church. Brother Herriman also bore a similar witness. I have known these brethren a long time, an rejoice to hear them speak as they do. The latter is the senior president of the Seventies. I have seen him pull a handcart in a company with which I traveled, he being the president of the company. I have never seen him commit a wrong act, and congratulate myself at the opportunity of associating with such men.
We have gone into the waters of baptism to have our sins remitted. We did this because we had become convinced of our sinfulness. By this act of obedience the debt of the creature to the Creator was cancelled. We were thus forgiven of all sinful acts up to that point. Then we desired the testimony of Jesus, through the imposition of hands, through which ordinance we received the Holy Ghost. The Apostles assembled together at Jerusalem, as related in the second chapter of the Acts, to be indued with power, so that the people who congregated on the occasion marvelled. Peter preached to them Christ and him crucified, and they were convinced of the truth of what he said. When asked by them what they should do, Peter replied that they must repent, be baptized for the remission of sins and they should receive the Holy Ghost. The Scriptures throughout declare the necessity of baptism, the Savior himself setting an example by rendering obedience to that ordinance. Notwithstanding that it is believers only who should receive it it is customary in the world to sprinkle infants, who are incapable of belief and have no sin of which they could repent, even if they could comprehend anything about these things. These things are a reversal of the doctrine of Christ as taught by Himself. The Lord is not the author of confusion, but of order. The principles of truth are laid down in plainness, and there is a proper authority for the administration of the Gospel.
In the ordinances, blessings and covenants we have received, the Lord has manifested the plan of redemption, not only for the living, but also for the dead who have not had Gospel privileges in this life. The Jews were familiar with this doctrine of preaching the gospel to departed spirits and obeying outward ordinances, by proxy, in their behalf. Paul exhibited this fact when he asked the Corinthians, in his argument in favor of the resurrection of the dead, "Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all; why then are they baptized for the dead." When Christ was crucified and his body lay in the tomb, his spirit entered the world of spirits and he preached to them, as declared by Peter. This glorious phase of the Gospel was revealed anew through Joseph Smith the Prophet, and he, together with all the faithful Elders who have laid their bodies down in this dispensation, are now engaged in a similar labor among the spirits of the dead. They are turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, as exemplified by the conduct in that regard, of the Latter-day Saints, in being turned to the fathers. Inspired with that disposition, they build temples in which ordinances in behalf of those who have died without the full benefits of the Gospel in this life are administered.
For the furtherance of this work the Lord revealed the law of tithing, that houses of worship may be erected, the poor gathered, fed and clothed, and other similar objects attained. We should appreciate the privilege of complying with tis necessary law.
Continuous revelation is another feature of the Church of Christ. The necessity of divine communication was as clearly a fact now as it ever was in any dispensation or age. It was through this principle that Joseph Smith, who was raised up for the purpose, was enabled to organize the Church, give the design of temples, communicate the nature and character of the ordinances of the Gospel, the gathering of the Saints, and all other principles in which we so greatly rejoice. These things came through Joseph the Prophet, and "no man taketh this honor unto himself except he be called of God, as was Aaron." Joseph was told by the lord that he should be the instrument in His hands of bringing about the divine purposes. He fulfilled his glorious mission under the most formidable obstacles, and finally was martyred, sealing his testimony with his blood. And he now is working in the same great cause of redemption.
I bear testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through Joseph Smith is true, including all the principles enunciated by him, without exception.
ELDER ANDREW JENSEN:
I have had the opportunity of attending a great many conferences of the Church during the last twenty-one years, and since my first arrival in these mountains; but this is the first time that I have been called upon to spak in any of these conferences. In arising before this large congregation this morning I feel my inability to say anything that could edify this congregation unless the spirit of God shall sustain me.
I need hardly say the call was unexpected. I find, however, no excuse in this, for an Elder in this Church ought to be prepared for anything, and any kind of surprises, as it were; and holding a position in the Priesthood, I consider myself in duty bound to respond to any call that is made upon me. I feel, this morning, that I have a testimony to bear, in connection with my brethren who have spoken before me. I have rejoiced exceedingly not only today, but in times past, in listening to our gray-haired men, who have been for years and years in this Church and kingdom, and who have proven themselves faithful and true to the cause of God, in the midst of tribulation and persecutions.
When I see such men as Brother Herriman, and others who are present with us today, and hear their testimonies, it makes my heart rejoice. There are so many who have been blessed by the spirit of God with the testimony of Jesus Christ, with this knowledge, that they know, and can bear testimony that Joseph smith was a Prophet of the living God. I look upon this as of great importance indeed; and every man and every woman in the midst of the Latter-day Saints should know for a surety that this is so.
We are very numerous at the present time. In reading the history of the Church we have reason to be thankful to God for all the Stakes of Zion that are now organized, when we consider the small beginning that took place in the year 1830, when the Church was first organized in the little village of Fayette, Seneca County, New York, and that we have 34 Stakes of Zion organized in these mountain regions. We are numerous today as a people. We find, however, that there are in the midst of this multitude of people, called Latter-day Saints, a great many perhaps that do not have the testimony that has been borne by our brethren here this morning. There are a great many young men and women in the midst of this people, who up to the present time, have felt calm and at ease in their minds, and have relied upon the testimony of their fathers and mothers instead of praying for and receiving a testimony of the truth of this Gospel for themselves. They have done this for years, instead of seeking for the voice of inspiration.
The Apostles and Prophets have borne their testimonies in regard to the divine mission of Joseph Smith, and have exhorted others to acquire a knowledge of this matter for themselves; but they have thought perhaps that it was not necessary.
I believe and know that we as a people are passing through severe and trying scenes which are absolutely necessary to make us stronger in the faith. Every man and every woman should have a testimony within themselves; should seek for the spirit of revelation and obtain it direct from heaven, and know for themselves that the Lord has revealed His mind and will to the children of men in these the last days; that He has restored the fulness of His Gospel an that Joseph Smith was His Prophet, and commanded of Him to bring about the great plan of salvation. I have found in considering the situation we are in today, that we are in the hand of God.
WE may look upon the members of the different religious sects as being sincere and honest in their belief, as no doubt thousands and millions of them are; but we claim in regard to the Latter-day Saints that it is necessary for them today to know of the mission of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and others, to know whether Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God or not, and whether or not he did receive the manifestations and power of God; to know if he did see the Father and the Son when he went to the woods to pray; that he did find the plates in the Hill Cumorah or did translate the same by the aid of the Urim and Thummim. Did he receive the Priesthood through the administration of the Apostles Peter, James and John? Did Moses confer upon him the keys of gathering the Israel of the latter day s or did Elijah appear to him in the Kirtland Temple and reveal to him the keys whereby the hearts of the fathers were to be turned to their children, and the hearts of the children turned to their fathers?
It is made necessary for us as a people today to be diligent in building these temples in these mountain regions. I say of these things that they are either true of false. if they are true the great majority of the children of men have not the truth, and if they are not true the Latter-day Saints are in a deplorable condition today. Joseph Smith did not come forward as men have done to spread his views.
Joseph Smith claimed nothing but what was revealed to him from on high. When he made the declaration that all were going astray that none of the sects of the day were right and that the Lord acknowledged none of them, he only repeated what was told him. It was very presumptuous for a boy of his standing in society to make such sweeping declarations as these, especially when that boy lived in the wilderness of new York. He had never crossed the borders of the United States, was withal unlearned in the things of this world, a mere youth, and yet he made the declaration that all the Christian world had gone astray, that none of the sects were right, and that he had heard the voice of Jehovah; that he received his authority from Jesus Christ and all that he had to do was to repeat what he had heard from Jesus, and that is what he did do.
Now in following the history of Joseph Smith to June 27, 1844, when his blood was shed in Carthage jail, we see that he was a great man. We find in him a man that is to be looked upon -- and should be looked upon by all living creatures as above ordinary importance. He spoke the truth and his testimony is before the world today. I see here in this congregation today that there is no possibility of the Latter-day Saints being deceived. These grey haired men we have among us testify that there is no possibility of us being deceived. They are honest in heart; for they have lived long in the Church and have found joy in living up to what the prophet taught them. Joseph Smith came forward and had to face a scornful and unbelieving world -- who did not believe in apostles, prophets, gifts and the blessings of the Gospel -- for, say they, these things are all done away with and no longer needed. Joseph Smith did not profess to be learned -- he prayed to God and received an answer to his prayer, and the Lord blessed him and made him the instrument in whose hands the Book of Mormon came forth. He testifies of its divinity and that it came from the Lord, and we who have come from distant lands, and from the north country, listened to the American Elders who came to teach us the word of God, and we believed what they taught. We did not believe they were impostors. They told us to search the Scriptures and pray to god for light and intelligence, which we did, and the result was that we believed and knew these things were true. Thousands are in possession of the truth today, who have done as god commanded through His servants; and they have enjoyed the gifts and blessings of the gospel. Now, I say it would be impossible for these men whom we have heard today bear such powerful testimonies to be imposed upon these many yeas; it would be impossible for them to be deceived, for they would have discovered this work to be wrong or false if it were so Joseph Smith could not have called down angels from above, he could not have called down the power of the Holy Ghost to rest upon a single individual -- he could not cause the Spirit of Truth to enter the heart of any man or woman who came to receive the ordinances of baptism from his hands, if he were not a Prophet of the living god. Such things cannot be done by an impostor. He might tell the three witnesses that he had seen an angel, that an angel should come from heaven and reveal unto them the book of Mormon; but if it was not fulfilled he would have indeed imposed upon them.
To take the revelations in the doctrine and Covenants and read them and the promises made unto those who will obey the teachings therein contained, it must certainly have been a deception if they could not be fulfilled. But the witness is before us that they are true; for thousands and tens of thousands have testified they have received the promises made by receiving the principles in honest hearts.
My brethren and sisters, I have a testimony to bear to you this morning. I have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a great Prophet of God; that God has revealed Himself in these the last days, that the Priesthood is revealed again as it was in ancient times in all its purity. And that I have received the gifts and blessings of the Gospel, and that to get these blessings a person has but to live up to what has been revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and to keep in the path of duty.
May the Lord help us to concentrate our efforts, even in the midst of this great storm that is now going over this people, that when the sun shall shine again upon this people we may look back upon the past with gratitude to God. May we be able to withstand the surging tide of slander and opposition, and may we appreciate as sons and daughters of Zion the merited blessings which are sure to follow the examples of noble men and women. May we follow in that path and keep that testimony burning within us which will exalt us in the kingdom of god, is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
the choir sang an anthem:
The Lord will comfort Zion.
Adjourned till two p. m.
Benediction by Elder George Goddard.
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[5 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 37:200, 4/11/88, p 8]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
FIRST DAY.
_____
AFTERNOON SESSION, APRIL 5TH.
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The hymn on page 108 was sung by the choir:
May we who know the joyful
sound, Still practice what we know;
Not hearers of the word alone, But doers of it, too.
Opening prayer by Counselor Daniel H. Wells.
Singing by the choir:
When the voice of
friendship's heard, Sounding like a sweet toned bird,
When the holy notes inspire With devotion's pure desire.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
spoke. The substance of what he said was as follows: I have been pleased with the instructions given this morning. We have gathered for the purpose of worshiping God and transacting business necessary for the furtherance of the cause of truth on the earth. The character of the instructions will depend largely upon the condition of our minds. We should dismiss therefrom our secular business and devote our attention to the purpose of this Conference.
Fifty-eight years ago this church was organized. Fifty-two years of that time I have been connected with it. When I concluded to identify myself with it, I felt it necessary to ascertain its divine character. It is to be presumed that every man and woman views this subject similarly. The Gospel gives us this opportunity. The person who does not take advantage of this privilege is not in a safe condition. We have passed through many trying scenes since this work was established. There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. It is the process by which knowledge is increased and peace will ultimately be established universally. It had been said that if all our surroundings were peaceful and prosperous now, we would become indifferent. It would be a condition that would be all that would be desired by a good many natures; they would not stretch out after the things of eternity. Present circumstances are exceedingly disagreeable, and so they have been at many times since the work of God was established. For some time previous to the present crusade matters had been for a lengthy period pleasant and peaceful. It was questionable whether we were then making as much progress as we are doing surrounded by adversity. We have open to us opportunities to indicate whether or not we are willing to endure any trial that any apostle or saint in any age has accepted for the sake of the truth.
The channel of revelation is open to us as anciently. In the meridian of time, while He was in mortality, the Savior did many mighty works,yet these did not cause the people to recognize his identity as the Redeemer. This is exhibited in the question put by Him to Peter, whom He asked who men said he was. Peter told him he was taken to be a variety of personages. Christ asked Peter who he said He was. "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God," was the answer. The Savior therefore blessed him and gave him the keys of the kingdom and promised to build his church on the rock of revelation. Peter had power to impart the Holy Ghost to believers and that spirit was to communicate to them the things of God. Joseph Smith, whose divine mission was referred to this morning, by speakers, claimed to receive the same authority that was conferred upon Peter. It was given him under the hands of Peter, James and John. This power having been revealed and conferred upon man, it is the privilege of the Latter-day Saints, to understand, by the spirit of God, the reasons why they are required to pass through the difficulties by which they are beset. In the career of the Church the Lord has done for the Saints all that he promised. He has brought us through affliction and has enlightened us in regard to his own nature and our relationship to Him. There is no people that has more reason to be grateful to Him than the Latter-day Saints. He has shown us that if we are faithful we will associate with each other in an immortal and glorious state; that those connections formed here, that are of the most enduring character, shall exist in eternity. As we keep the commandments of God new things that give us knowledge and joy are unfolded to our view.
Among our trials are temptations, by which we are enabled to show how much we value our religion. You are familiar with the experience of Job in that respect. He was given a knowledge of the resurrection, and of the Redeemer, and he knew that although he should die yet should he, in the latter days, see his Redeemer on the earth. The temptations to which he was subjected showed that he valued these heavenly considerations above everything else. The Latter-day Saints have gone further than our sectarian friends profess to have done. We have met with men who claimed to have authority from God, who have informed us if we believed, were baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and received the laying on of hands for the imparting of the Holy Ghost we should know of the truth of the doctrine. We have accepted these doctrines, and having found a divinity in them, we are thus enabled to withstand trials when they come upon us. We have received a knowledge of these things, and we have a right to testify concerning them. No one can consistently deny that we possess this witness unless he places himself under the conditions by which we claim to have obtained it.
The Prophet Joel predicted that the Spirit of God would in the latter times, be poured out upon all flesh. One of the effects of the spirit is a spiritual faith, then there are other gifts, of a miraculous character, which are, according to my knowledge, distributed among the Latter-day Saints. There are thousands of people who can testify that the predictions of the Elders made to them to the effect that if they should by obedience to the principles called "Mormonism," they would obtain a knowledge of the divine origin. This is the reason why they have gathered. We have a testimony concerning Christ, that He is coming to the earth, to reign. We testify concerning these things, and for them we are willing to go to prison and endure all manner of abuse, contumely and reproach. Because God is our Friend we do not fear. We may have to continue to be subjected to many conditions that are disagreeable. By them we are enabled to show the angels that we love the things of God better than the things of the world.
I remember very distinctly, in Kirtland, forty-one years ago, perhaps, that there was a spirit of speculating; they forgot their religion, they forgot the principles that had been revealed to them, and many of them fell into the spirit of the times and were carried away with speculating. Difficulties arose -- envy and strife -- and the Lord being displeased with them, brought destruction into their midst and they were broken to pieces as a settlement. But we do not wish that such things should transpire again. The Latter-day Saints ought to be too far along in wisdom and intelligence to fall into snares of this character. It does not pay. It will pay no man to turn his back upon these glorious principles and those things which have been received from the eternal worlds -- to turn our backs u on these things and mix up and devote ourselves to the beggardly things of the world. It will not pay us. What ever temptation; may come upon us or to which we are now exposed we should listen to the history of the past and not allow ourselves to be overcome, or we will much regret it.
Every man has got to learn to stand upon his own knowledge; he cannot depend upon his neighbor; every man must be independent; he must depend upon his God for himself entirely. It depends upon himself to see if he will stem the tide of trouble and overcome the impediments that are strewn in the pathway of life to prevent his progress. A man can get information by the operations of the Holy Spirit and he approaches to God and increases in his faith in proportion as he is diligent. Every trial a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that individual is nearer to God, nearer in regard to the increase of faith, wisdom, knowledge and power, and hence is more confident in calling upon the Lord for those things he desires. I have known individuals who have trembled at the idea of passing through certain ordeals who after they were through the temptation have said they could approach the Lord in more confidence and ask for such blessings as they desired.
What will be the end of these troubles which now hang around us? We do not pretend to say. Neither is it a matter of very deep interest to any of us. But what is of particular interest in regard to these things is that we be careful and do right ourselves, and not be overcome by the weak things, but be humble before God and follow His promptings. There was very many who apostatized fifty-one years ago in Kirtland when the same kind of difficulties as are now upon us were among the people then. There were many to whom the Lord had revealed things and blessed them in many ways. But they could not withstand the temptations of the world. But they went to work and increased their wealth in a way that God was not pleased with. They grasped at every opportunity to get wealth in a way that was displeasing to the Almighty. Hence some of them apostatized, in consequence of their indulging in that spirit. I wish to make these statements for the benefit of the Latter-day Saints. Listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, that when such things are brought before us to tempt us we may have power to lay them on one side.
Perhaps I have said enough this afternoon.
We have every reason to rejoice and to be full of joy and satisfaction, notwithstanding the difficulties that surround us. And how far have we advanced, how much knowledge have we obtained and how much more are we able to bear now than one, two or five years ago, and are we able to stand more now than a few years ago? The Lord has strengthened us and increased us in our growth. Like the infant, when it grows up it knows not how it received gradual strength and the manner in which it increased in stature. It is larger this year than last. So in regard to our spiritual advancement. We feel stronger today than we did a year ago. And this Church stands firmer now at this Fifty-eighth Annual Conference than fifty-eight years ago, when it was organized with six members. There are men who have a very extensive knowledge of God and would suffer almost any kind of martyrdom before turning their backs upon the principles God has revealed. We are increasing in wisdom as a body. We can suffer now a great deal more than we could several years ago. Then we could not exercise the patience in the midst of our persecutions that we can today. There is no people upon the face of the earth who can exercise the patience, and bear the evils of the world, as we have done. It is marvelous that the people, thousands and thousands of them, can stand difficulty and trials and suffering in so much patience. We turn not and revile not our enemies. It is because the spirit of god has increased within our midst as a people. And those who have persecuted us have done so because of their ignorance. If they could see as God does, they never would think of persecuting us as they do. Had the Jews known Jesus when he was in their midst and known what he was willing to suffer from them they never would have done what they did. Neither would our enemies do as they have and are still doing if they knew what we are willing to suffer for them. but they do it because Satan has power over them. It is not because of their natural disposition to afflict their brethren and sisters. For we are all the offspring of the same God. And these, our persecutors, are the children of God. The evil one may have such power over them that they cannot receive the truth, and we cannot do for them the good we would like to do. But in years to come we will go into the temples and administer in ordinances through which they may there have an opportunity, after they have suffered for their evils on earth, of receiving these Gospel truths, which God has so clearly made known unto us. This is what we expect to do to our enemies.
God bless the Latter-day Saints, and may we have the spirit of the Lord and exercise patience and long-suffering. May we have a glorious conference, that it may be said, as it always has been, that the last Conference is always the best. This is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
ELDER JACOB GATES.
was the next speaker. He said: I am glad to have the privilege of meeting with the Saints in Conference. The Church was organized fifty-eight years ago with six members. It was one of the most important events in the history of the earth. It was destined to revolutionize the world, and prepare the way for the coming of Christ and the introduction of that righteousness that will produce the Millennium. I am thankful to have the privilege of living in such a momentous age. Notwithstanding the difficulties we have to encounter, this people will triumph over all their enemies, who will yet regret their course toward this people, who have sacrificed their comfort for the welfare of humanity. Although we have been buffeted and persecuted, we have in the face of it all increased in strength. but we are hardly half grown, yet in our immature condition we appear to be feared by those who wish our destruction. They are afraid we will become strong and numerous and overturn their false systems, which is correct. All that has come upon this people in the shape of persecutions has been for their good. Every possible effort has been made to induce us to become like the rest of the world, but we cannot afford to do that. This is the work of God. He prepared the platform upon which we should stand, and we propose to stand by it. What is that platform? To do the works of righteousness and show to the world that we are just what we profess to be. This course will lead us up to all that the heart can wish, for eye hath not seen nor ear heard that which is in store for the faithful. such will receive, according to the promise, "all that the Father hath." I have never in all my experience in this Church -- almost fifty-five years -- seen a better time than the present. The situation was predicted by the Prophet Joseph and the harder it blows the quicker it will be over. If we are persecuted for righteousness' sake, blessed are we, but if otherwise we get only what we deserve. We are called to be Latter-day Saints and nothing else. Our course should never yield a single point until victory is won. We never will let up in our labors until every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.
The anthem:
O be joyful in the Lord,
was sung by the choir.
Benediction by President Angus M. Cannon.
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[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 37:200-201, 4/11/88, p 8-9]
SECOND
DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION, APRIL 6TH.
_____
Singing:
O Jesus! the giver Of all we
enjoy.
Our lives to thy honor We wish to employ.
Prayer by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
The choir sang:
Come, all ye sons of Zion,
And let us praise the Lord,
With harmony unceasing, According to h is word.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
was the first speaker this morning, the following being a brief synopsis of his remarks: I desire to enjoy a portion of the Holy Ghost to direct my words. We are blessed with pleasant weather, peace and health. The conditions seem favorable for a good conference.
Since we last met in this capacity, there have been many changes -- some pleasant and some the reverse. Individuals have repented of wrong doing while others have been excommunicated. Should there be any of the latter present, may they listen humbly to what will be said. all men are prone to err, some to a greater degree than others. It seems necessary according to the law of the Church, to deal decisively with persons who are guilty of a certain class of offenses. This phase is continuous. I desire to speak to those who are liable to err. There will be no offense if those who consider themselves perfect should arise and leave this building.
It is grievous to note the fact that men suffer themselves to be cut off the Church. It is difficult for me to control and look after myself, and keep from encroaching on others. There is a way for all men to repent. Those who are given to drunkenness can forsake that evil and indulge in it no more. So with dishonesty of every kind. He who commits this wrong should return to honest habits, and the Lord will forgive him. So with the sin of falsehood. Let those guilty of this evil learn to tell and love the truth. Christ said concerning those who should love evil, that they should be places outside the New Jerusalem. If we give way to temper and speak harshly, let the person showing this weakness learn to govern himself. Let us learn temperance in all things, that our posterity may be healthy. If we break the laws of nature we will have to pay the penalty. If we have neglected our prayers, either in secret or in the family, we should attend to this important duty. When men begin to apostatize they generally leave off their devotions before the Lord. God will be sought after in worship and gratitude.
There were but few persons here yesterday. One would have thought that the people had mostly gone to fast meetings in the Wards. This is a necessary and important ordinance. The testimony meetings are among the most interesting. To one is given a tongue, another the interpretation, and so on so that all are edified. Those who have paid their tithing faithfully are to be congratulated. It is an ancient law, Abraham having obeyed it. The Lord has revealed it in our day. If any of you have neglected compliance with it, repent of your commission and do better. If the Lord has given a home in Zion, appreciate it. If you have entered into the eternal marriage covenant keep it sacredly. If you have not, repent of your evil doing.
My experience has convinced me of one fact. He who has received a testimony of the truth from the Lord, it remains with him until he sins away the light by which it was imparted. It causes either joy or sorrow. If one does good, it creates pleasure, while the commission of wrong creates the opposite effect. This is universal with the Saints. I have had come to me during the last year men and women who have sinned. They have asked what they could do to recover lost ground. You can only say to such people, as long as there is repentance in a person's heart there is hope. It is not the design of God to destroy that soul in whom this principle exists. This repentance is to forsake evil and turn unto the Lord. Lift up your heads, ye Saints, unto your God, for He is not a tyrant. But he will chide and rebuke us, to draw us back to the true path.
There have been remarks made by different brethren for the purpose of making sin hateful. Some of these remarks have had tendency to destroy all hope, and may not in that way have accomplished the object intended. Let hope be destroyed and the individual in which it is extinguished is lost. Except for murder and the sin against the Holy Ghost, there is forgiveness and redemption through the payment of the penalty attached to sin and by repentance. [The speaker here explained, by quoting from the Doctrine and Covenants, what is the meaning of endless punishment. It is God's punishment, that being its character, but it does not follow that those subjected to it are always retained in that subjection.] I say this that those who have sinned may not be without hope. Those who repent should do so in sorrow and mourning, rending their hearts. Remarks were made yesterday in relation to the preaching of the Gospel to the dead.
Peter explained that Christ, after being put to death in the flesh, went and preached to the spirits in prison. Among those to whom he ministered were people who had been shut up in prison in the spirit world from the days of Noah. They, while on earth were great sinners, having been destroyed from the earth because of their wickedness. They were offered, through the advent of Christ among them, liberation and forgiveness, through repentance, that they might live according to God in the spirit. This shows the long suffering and mercy of God. Therefore let the sinners in Zion repent, that they may be forgiven in this life or in the next.
There is a feeling among Saints not to forgive one another. When one does wrong we speak evil of him, endeavoring to create the impression that he has not only sinned in one way, but in many other ways. This is uncharitable. The Savior instructed His disciples how often they should forgive one another. The same law has been revealed to us. You are doubtless familiar with the law of the Lord in that regard. The spirit of exaction is not of Christ. There is hope for all men if they will repent of their sins.
It might be said, if you offer the sinners a chance they will go on sinning all their lives. If a person gets burned with fire and has felt the effects of it, will he not avoid the fire in future? The relief comes by repentance, and he who goes on doing wrong does not repent, and for such there is no promise. They must cease the performance of those deeds that have necessitated the application of clemency. [The speaker here cited the example of the Savior in relation to the woman taken in adultery. Also that of the prodigal son].
I speak of these things to show that there is hope for the repentant sinner among us. After all that I have said on this subject, whosoever has a testimony of the Gospel who falls into sin is filled with remorse and shame. Be not too much bound up in your feelings. but give hope to the sinner, and exhibit the infinite mercy of the Lord. Although I have exhorted you to perform your duties in the church, yet if you do these things and have not faith, hope and charity the performance of these things avail you nothing. Let us therefore take away from our hearts all things that are impure, and partake worthily of the Sacrament, having no hardness of feeling one toward another. The speaker continued for some time in the same strain, closing with an invitation for sinners to repent, that the blessings of the Lord may be poured out upon them.
[John W. Taylor]
[DNW 37:240, 4/25/88, p 16; CD 1:92]
DISCOURSE
BY APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
Delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, April 6th,
1888.
_____
I feel
thankful this morning for the privilege of meeting with the Latter-day Saints
in conference, and inasmuch as President Snow has requested me to make a few
remarks, I trust that I may enjoy the Spirit of Truth, even a portion of the
Holy Ghost, that my words may be directed thereby through the prayers and faith
of the Saints.
We are
blessed with pleasant weather; with peace and quietness; health and strength;
and everything seems favorable to the enjoyment of a good conference.
Since we
last met together many changes have taken place among the Latter-day Saints,
some of which have been of a pleasant nature, and others unpleasant. There are
those in our midst who have embraced the Gospel, and renewed their covenants;
others who have been severed from the Church. Here are two features of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, one is that of pleasure and the other of regret and
disappointment. I trust that, should there be any of the latter present, they
will listen with humility to the remarks of your fellow servant this morning.
All the
children of men are prone to weakness and imperfections, some to a greater
extent than others. It seems necessary, according to the laws of the Church, to
deal with some individuals in rather a summary way when they are guilty of
certain offenses. This being the case, we have a yearly record of a large
number of people who are disfellowshipped from their brethren and sisters, and
others excommunicated entirely from the Church.
I desire
this morning, if I shall be so led, to speak a little unto those who have
imperfections, and should there be any present this morning who are perfect, it
will be entirely a loss of time for them to remain and listen to my remarks,
and I will take no offense whatever at such individuals withdrawing from the
congregation.
I have
been pained in my feelings, during the last twelve months, at the number of
persons that have been cut off from the Church, and I can realize that the
cause of this has been due to imperfections, a giving way to feelings and
passions that cometh not of God. I desire before going further in my remarks to
say, candidly, that so far as I am personally concerned it requires a greater
exertion than many people suppose for me to control my own temper, to look
after myself and let other people alone. If you have any doubt upon this
subject inquire of some of my neighbors. I desire that other people shall let
me alone, and I presume all have desires of a similar nature. However, I wish
to say that there is a way for all to repent of their sins. If we are given to
drunkenness, let us forsake strong drink, and show to our families that we have
repented of that habit and are worthy of their respect. If we have stolen our
neighbor's property as a thief steals by night, or as a legal professor steals
before the courts of law, let us repent and steal no more, and the Lord will
forgive us. If we have been in the habit of lying, we should repent of the
habit and learn to tell the truth. If we have been in the habit of loving lies
after they have been manufactured by others, we should forsake our love for
that which is untrue. We read in the Scriptures concerning those that should be
outside the city of the New Jerusalem; that there should be whoremongers and
seducers and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, that is, all who love lies
after they have been manufactured by others. Are there any such in this
congregation? If there are, let them repent and begin to love the truth. If we
are in the habit of giving way to our temper and speaking harshly to our
neighbors, we can repent and show by our future conduct that we have repented
and surely the Lord will bless us. Let us be temperate in all things that
health and strength may he the inheritance of our children, and that we may
grow up before the Lord in purity, and if we have been intemperate, let us
repent of our sins, and the Lord will bless us in accordance with our
reformation; for we are told all men will be rewarded according to the deeds
done in the body. This to me is a very plain statement. It means to me that if
I break a law of nature I will have to pay the penalty either in this world, or
the world to come. If we have neglected our prayers, whether family or secret,
let us repent before the Lord and have prayers morning and evening. This is the
order of the Church. Whenever you see a man beginning to apostatize from the
Church the first thing you will notice is that he neglects his prayers.
Therefore I exhort you all, my brethren and sisters, that if your are in the
habit of neglecting this duty, repent and return unto the Lord, supplicate Him
for His Holy Spirit, express your gratitude, day after day, in simple, plain
language, for the blessings which have been bestowed upon you.
Yesterday
morning I attended conference in this hall. There were but very few persons
present. Of course I naturally came to the conclusion that the cause of this
small attendance was that the people had gone to fast meeting in their several
wards. This is a good thing. It is pleasing in the sight of the Lord that you
should fast and pray at the proper season and in the proper way. I trust you
had an excellent time, for it has been my experience that the testimony
meetings of the Church are the most interesting of any that I attend among the
Latter-day Saints. At these meetings we can carry out the admonition of Paul.
If any one of us have a doctrine to teach, or if we desire to prophesy or speak
in tongues, we can, at these meetings, speak, one at a time; for the spirits of
the prophets are subject to the prophets and there is no confusion in the
assembly. I say, therefore, to those who may have been in the habit of
neglecting their fast meetings, repent and attend these meetings in the future.
I also desire to exhort you to pay your tithing faithfully before the Lord.
Abraham of old, a man whom God so loved that He called him the father of the
faithful, paid tithes of all he possessed unto Melchizedek, the great High
Priest, and Melchizedek blessed him with the Priesthood. The law of tithing was
instituted by the Lord himself through the Prophet Moses. It was observed by
the children of Israel throughout all their travels in the wilderness. The
Aaronic Priesthood was set apart for the purpose of handling one-tenth of all
they possessed. The Lord has revealed the same law in this day for the purpose
of conducting the machinery of the Church and providing for those who are in
want. If there are any here this morning who have neglected to attend to this
duty, I say unto them repent, and make covenant with the Lord that you will pay
tithes in the future. Then you will be blessed in your outgoings and incomings.
If the Lord has given unto you an inheritance in Zion, blessed you with a home,
appreciate such a blessing as one that is of great value. If you have made
covenant with the Lord for time and eternity in your marital relations,
remember to keep such covenant sacred before the Lord. If you have failed to do
this, repent and do your first works over again, and the Lord will forgive you
your sins.
I do not
wish to dwell further upon the duties of the Saints. I have said so much in
order to introduce a line of remarks to which I desire to draw your attention.
It is this: My short experience in the Church has convinced me of one fact, and
that is, whosoever receives a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that
testimony will remain with them as long as they keep the commandments of God
and do not sin sufficiently to drive away that testimony. When I do that which
is wrong, does the testimony which God has given unto me cause me to rejoice?
No. It causes me to bow my head and feel ashamed. Why? Because I know I shall
be rewarded according to the deeds done in the body. If I do evil my reward
will be evil; if I do good my reward will be good. Hence Christ said concerning
evil doers, let them alone for they will all get rewarded. When I do good,
which is not very often, but what little good I do, it causes me to rejoice.
When I magnify my calling it causes me to rejoice all the day long; but when I
neglect any duty devolving upon me, it causes sorrow in my feelings. Is it not
so with you all? It is so with all the Saints.
I desire
now, having said so much, to go a little further. I have had come unto me
during the last year men and women who have sinned in one way or another. Some
came crying like children, what shall I do to recover my fellowship with the
church, or to retain it, what reparation can I make before the Lord, is there
any way by which I can break the chain of my sins and throw off the shackles of
my imperfections? What did I say to such people? That as long as there is
repentance in a man or woman there is hope. The great God who created the
children of men never designed that the principle of hope to overcome
imperfections, should be destroyed within the bosom of the children of men.
Therefore, I say unto you, if you have sinned before the Lord repent, make
covenant with him, and He will grant unto you forgiveness. How should we repent
when we have sinned? Isaiah the Prophet says, let the wicked man forsake his
ways and the unrighteous his thoughts, and return unto the Lord and He will
have mercy upon him and unto our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Who is a
wicked man? Who is an unrighteous man? It is he who commits sin. Therefore I
say lift up your heads, O ye Saints, and trust in God the Eternal Father. He is
not a tyrant. He loves His children. If they make mistakes, He is willing, when
asked, to forgive. He will not denounce them for ever and ever. That is a long
time. But He will chide us, rebuke us, and call us back to the ways of peace
and salvation. He will let us pay the penalty for the law we have broken. Then
we can make atonement with Him. Many of you may not understand my remarks
unless I make a few more. I will therefore say unto you who hear the words of
my mouth this day there have been remarks made by myself at times, perhaps by
others many times, the object being to terrorize the people against sin and
wickedness; and the speakers have gone so far in their remarks in denouncing
sin and corruption that they destroyed in the bosom of the children of men all
hope, and I believe that going to excess in these things does more harm than
good. Take away all prospect of redemption from any man or woman, and that soul
is lost. Why? Because ambition is gone. They do not endeavor to make amends for
their sins because they are told that efforts will be of no avail. I wish to
say that when such doctrine includes time and eternity—except for the sin of
murder, and the sin of lying against the Holy Ghost—all such doctrine is false
before the Lord. I say to one and all, repent of your sins and return unto the
Lord and serve Him, and He will abundantly pardon and forgive you. Yet you will
have to pay the penalty for the sins you have committed. The Savior, in
speaking of such things, says that such persons shall be cast into prison, and
they shall not come out from thence until they have paid the uttermost
farthing, meaning that there would be a time when they should be released. Let
me read to you this morning a little piece from the Book of Doctrine and
Covenants:
Wherefore
I revoke not the judgments which I shall pass, but woes shall go forth,
weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, yea, to those who are found on my left
hand.
Nevertheless,
it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written
endless torment.
Again, it
is written eternal damnation; wherefore, it is more express than other
scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether
for my name's glory.
Wherefore,
I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know, even as
mine Apostles.
I speak
unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my
rest.
For,
behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it? For, behold, I am endless,
and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for
endless is my name. Wherefore—
Eternal
punishment is God's punishment;
Endless
punishment is God's punishment.
In order
that you may understand me I will give an illustration in regard to the law
against murder. When George Washington lived, after the Declaration of
Independence was passed, in the United States of America the law for the
punishment of murder in the first degree was that the murderer should be hanged
by the neck until he was dead, dead, dead. It is the same law today. That human
law exterminates all hope for this world. Then there is a law for the
punishment of manslaughter, the conditions of which are that a man may be
confined in a dungeon for ten, fifteen or twenty-five years. Men have gone to
prison under that law. They have stayed ten years, then they have been
released, having paid the penalty according to all human law. That law has been
in force probably for the last one hundred years so far as this nation is
concerned. As to the term "eternal punishment," it does not follow
that a man is to be punished forever after he has complied with the law. He
will have to pay the penalty for every offense, but the punishment will not be
eternally inflicted.
I speak
in this wise in order that the sinner may not be without hope, but that you may
look forward until the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord, when He shall pardon the sins of those who have repented before Him. How
shall we repent? We should rend our hearts and not our garments, and return
unto the Lord in great humility, and He will have mercy upon us if we sin no
more.
Yesterday
reference was made to the preaching of the Gospel to the dead. I wish to use
the same quotation in order to illustrate to your minds that there is hope for
men though they fail to obtain forgiveness in this world. There will be an
opportunity in the next world if they have not committed the unpardonable sin.
The Apostle Peter speaks of this in his epistle. He refers to the Savior, after
He was put to death, having gone, during the three days that His body lay in
the tomb, to preach to the spirits in prison who were disobedient when once the
long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was preparing.
What does this mean? It simply means what we read here in the Book of Genesis,
that the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that
every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.
They were committing whoredoms and all kinds of abominations before the Lord,
and He concluded that the better way would be to drown them all with a flood
after being warned to repent by His Prophet Noah. A few thousand years
afterwards Christ preached to these spirits in prison. Did He go to preach to
perfect men? No. They were sinners, liars, whoremongers, seducers, and Christ,
to carry out His own mission, went to them in the spirit world to release them
from the prison house, after they had paid the penalty of their crimes. Christ
preached the Gospel to them, that they might be judged according to men in the
flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. Therefore, I say unto you look
up unto God the Father of the spirits of all flesh. There is hope. Repent and
renew your covenants. There is a feeling among the Latter-day Saints not to
forgive one another. We have gotten into the habit, in the case of a man or a
woman that has committed some sin, of spending too much of our time speaking
evil of them, raking up in our memories everything that will go to convince us
that they have not only sinned in one way but in many others. Our hearts are
not prone to be charitable. We entertain the feeling expressed by the rich man
mentioned in the Scripture and are apt to thank God that we are not as other
men, that we pay tithes and offerings, etc., and therefore think ourselves very
good; while the poor goes to the Lord and in the humility of his soul asks Him
to have mercy upon him a miserable sinner. Let us therefore be filled with
charity towards our fellow man. Wherever there is contention and division among
a people there are two spirits made manifest. One is the spirit of Christ, the
other is the spirit of Satan. How oft should we forgive one another? said the
Apostle unto the Savior. Possibly this Apostle wanted to receive some praise
from the Savior for having forgiven his neighbor seven times. The Savior said
if they smite you on one cheek, turn the other. That is something I have never
been able to do, but I am practicing at it every day. The worst of it is, the
more I practice the worse I get. The Apostle thought he had accomplished a
great thing in forgiving his neighbor seven times. The Savior, however, said to
forgive your neighbor seventy times seven. That is a great number of times. If
you, my brethren and sisters, lived next door to me you would have an
opportunity of exercising this seventy-times-seven injunction, and your sevens
would run out.
I speak
plainly and familiarly with you this morning that you may know how I feel on
this subject. These cast iron feelings, this disposition to refuse to forgive
our neighbor, this desire to exact the pound of flesh for the pound of gold,
figuratively speaking, do not belong to the Gospel of Christ. Is there any
person before me who has no failings? I have noticed only three persons leave
the congregation since I invited those that were perfect to retire. I have seen
more perfect people here today than I have ever seen before in all my life. I
hope you will follow their example, not that I would have you all leave until I
get through with my remarks.
Another
thing let me say unto you; for I do not desire to be before the Lord, nor do I
desire to make a picture here of one thing and believe another in my heart. I
say there is hope for all men if they will repent of their sins. Some might
say, however, that if you offer a chance to a sinner to repent he will go on
sinning a life time. Very likely he will. I once was fireman for a steam engine
at a saw mill. I got my clothes fastened in one of the escape valves one day,
and it got loose and burned me very badly. There is no danger of me getting my
clothes fastened in that valve again for the mere purpose of hearing the steam
whistle out of that valve and for the pleasure of getting better again. I have
had all I want of steam. Does it follow that because a person sins once, and
there is hope offered unto him that he will continue to sin? There is no hope
if we continue to sin, but if we repent there is; for we do not repent if we
repeat our sins. True repentance is that which needs not to be repented of.
When certain men asked the Savior what should be done with the woman who had
been caught in the act of adultery, they tried to entrap him. They knew what
the law of Moses was. The Savior, however, simply wrote in the sand with his
finger, "He that is without sin among you let him cast the first
stone." When He looked up He found the woman all alone. He asked the woman
where her accusers were. She replied that she had none. He answered,
"neither do I accuse you. Go thy way and sin no more." Here is an
example of the Savior of the world. He did not say unto this woman, "thou
shalt be damned for ever and ever." No. Eternal punishment is God's
punishment, but it is not eternally inflicted. The Savior on one occasion made
a parable something like this: There was a man had two sons. One of the sons
left his father's house, went out among the people and spent all of his substance,
we are told, in riotous living. In due time he was reduced to beggary and
shame, and he was clothed in rags. Being rejected by all men he returned to his
father, and was received and forgiven. The young man received hope. The father
rejoiced that he had not left his house forever.
I have
spoken plainly upon these subjects. However, whosoever has a testimony of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ when they fall into sin they are full of remorse: for
the Gospel is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. It is a matter
of rewards and punishments, reward for good and punishment for evil. It is
better that one should perish than that a whole nation should die in unbelief.
I believe the words of the prophet in this respect. Nevertheless, in regard to those
who have not sinned unto death, let us not discourage them, let us give them
hope, let us show them the infinite mercy and goodness of God. Eternity is a
long time. When you say forever, that means a great deal longer than you or I
can conceive of.
Now, I
have asked you to pay tithes and offerings; to attend fast day meetings; to
attend to prayer; to attend to all the duties devolving upon you; to steal not;
to lie not; to bear not false witness against your neighbors; and yet I can say
as Paul said in his day to the Corinthians, though ye bestow all your goods to
feed the poor; and though ye give your bodies to he burned and have not charity
it will profit you nothing. Though ye speak with the tongues of men and of
angels and have not charity ye will become as sounding brass or a tinkling
cymbal. Faith, hope, and charity, "but the greatest of these is
charity." Obliterate the principle of hope in the mind of any man and you
destroy the prospects of that being for this world, and if it was not for the
mercy of God, the Eternal Father, possibly we would destroy their prospects
forever. The Lord is merciful unto all mankind. I say unto you, therefore, at
the opening of this conference, dispense with all hard feelings; let us partake
of the sacrament with clean hands and pure hearts before the Lord.
I do not
desire to lengthen my remarks. Those who wish to judge my remarks in the spirit
of fault-finding, I would say to them, judge what I have said by the spirit of
righteousness. I will close by referring to a wise man, who, in alluding to the
different classes of humanity, used a figure of speech somewhat as follows:
Mankind, he said, is composed of four classes. The first is like the hour
glass, that when you pour the sand in one end it will come out of the other.
When certain individuals of this kind hear remarks, these remarks go in at one
ear and out at the other. The second class was likened to a sponge that is
placed in a vessel of clear water. When the sponge is full and wrung out again,
the only difference is that the water is a little dirtier than before. The
third class was likened unto a jelly bag, into which a housemaid pours in the
jelly and after it is stirred it goes through the bag into the vessel below,
and inside the jelly bag are all the impurities of the jelly. This class,
therefore, he likened to those who hear things and glean out all that is
impure, and leave out all the good, and carry the impure matter around with
them wherever they go. Therefore, look out for over-sanctimonious jelly bags,
for I am not so sure but that you will find more than one righteous pharisee in
this congregation today. The fourth class this wise man likened unto the
diamond diggers of Alconda. They dug the earth, and every time they came across
a pure diamond they would cast away all the filth and all that was impure, and
keep nothing but the pure sparkling diamonds.
I trust
that all who are here present today, after hearing my remarks and reflecting
upon them, and after considering all things in times that are past, and
weighing the circumstances that attended the counsel then given, will come to
the conclusion that what I have said is not like filthy water out of the
sponge, nor the jelly bags, but it is the diamond, the pearl of great price,
that I have desired to hold up before this congregation.
May God
bless us, that our hearts may expand unto the sinner, and I say unto all who
are sinners, come one and come all and partake of the waters of life,
thoroughly repent of your sins, go down into the waters of baptism and be
baptized by an authorized servant of God, and I can promise you, by the
testimony which I have, in the name of Jesus Christ, that you shall know that
this work is of God. God bless all the friends of Zion and all the honest in
heart in all the world. My testimony is that though we are passing through a
cloud today, the cloud will clear away, and we shall have clear weather bye and
bye. I expect, however, that as long as the kingdom of God is on the earth, we
shall have storms and sunshine, but the Lord will work all things for the good
of His people. Our enemies can do nothing against the truth but what will be
for the truth. It will grow like the mustard plant. The seeds will scatter, and
grow up a mighty forest. The enemies of Zion might as well say to the great sun
"stop sending forth your rays," as to seek to stop the work of the
Great Jehovah. They cannot stop its progress, for it is founded on the rock of
eternal revelation and its rays will shine forth upon the hearts of the children
of men. May we have wisdom according to our day. May He comfort the brethren
who are in prison, and bless those who have their families in charge. May our
hearts be drawn out to the widows and orphans.
May the
blessing of God rest upon all. I feel like preaching the Gospel. Have just got
started. I had a short coat made for this conference, so that my tail could not
be pulled. Amen.
COUNSELOR D. H. WELLS
Briefly addressed the Conference. He said, in effect: I rejoice exceedingly to the principles of the Gospel and the instructions given during this conference, especially those given this morning by Brother Taylor. They are true, and from God. "Mormonism," so called, is the Gospel of salvation revealed from heaven. It is sweet to me. There is great reason for thanksgiving for its revelation to man. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who receive and obey it. I pray God always that sin and iniquity may be rebuked and the meek and humble saved. Repentance is a simple process; it is to do evil no more. I rejoice to have the privilege to associate with God's people and the Holy Priesthood, by which the channel of communication with the heavens has been opened up. We can repent from sin and receive forgiveness. Why is one man's labor in officiating in the ordinances of the Gospel not as effective as that of another? Because unless the person administering has received authority his act is not legal, and, not being legal, is not recognized in heaven. In relation to the ordinance of baptism, a person who has passed into the spirit world without receiving it cannot himself obey it. But it can be administered to another living in the flesh by proper authority in his behalf. While he in the world of spirits repents and acknowledges the supremacy of Christ. The Gospel opens the way for all to obtain salvation if they will comply with the conditions upon which that gift is predicated. The world will, however, as a whole, reject the message God has sent. The human family has always been disposed that way. The more circumspect our course is, it seems the more are our enemies incensed against us. It is not always the case, therefore, that we are afflicted because of our evil deeds. The best people are often subjected to the severest trials. It is necessary that the righteous should be tested. When will the kingdom be given to the Saint? Never until the Lord finds out that He has a people who will not place what he entrusts them with, in the lap of the devil. This people rejoice under their afflictions. It was so in the early persecutions in Missouri and Illinois, and when crossing the plains to locate in this region. The Saints rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for righteousness sake.
There is more comfort in having charity to those who offend us than in seeking revenge. I have experienced this in my own career. It makes me feel well when I can take a person who has wronged me by the hand and extend forgiveness to him and to receive from him forgiveness. The Lord knew sin would come into the world, and provided a remedy. He is genuinely the Father of our spirits, and proposes to redeem us from the conditions of sin through repentance and obedience.
Brother Wells continued to speak for some time upon the work of saving the dead, the coming of Christ in power, and the judgments impending over the world.
The anthem:
Glory to God in the Highest,
was sang by the choir.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Elder Robert Campbell.
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 37:201, 4/11/88, p 9]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
_____
Singing:
Mortals, awake! with angels
join, And chant the solemn lay;
Love, joy and gratitude combine, To hail th' auspicious day.
Prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith.
Singing:
Glorious things are sung of
Zion, Enoch's city seen of old,
Where the righteous, being perfect; Walked with God in streets of gold.
ELDER RUDGER CLAWSON,
President of Box Elder Stake, being introduced by Apostle Lorenzo Snow, spoke substantially as follows: It has fallen to my lot to stand before you for a short time. I desire to be sustained by your faith and prayers. No man can instruct the Saints unless he has the Holy Ghost. I naturally shrink from this duty, but respond willingly to the call. A revelation pronounces a woe against those who will not open their mouths and speak upon the things of God because of the fear of men.
A few years ago this church was organized, with six members, and now it includes scores of thousands. Joseph Smith declared that he was not only visited by angels, but also that God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ appeared to him. The Prophet testified to this in an unmistakable way. This unlearned young man was informed that the true Gospel existed nowhere on earth, and that he should not connect himself with any of the sects. This was a starling announcement. God appeared in person with His Son, to inaugurate this Gospel dispensation. This restoration of the gospel has occurred and the presence of this people here today is one of the results. Those who embrace this message do not depend upon the leaders of this Church for a witness of the truth. They receive it themselves from the Almighty. I have wondered whether this Gospel is all in all to us. Its principles cannot be estimated on a monetary basis, yet they are free to all, without money and without price. If a man has a piece of property in this city he places a high value upon it, and he considers himself well off. sometimes such things are valued more than the gospel. A man in the day of the Apostles wished to buy from the servants of God the power to bestow the Holy Ghost. Very likely he desired to do as many are doing now -- speculate upon that power. The result was that he was cursed.
If the Gospel is worth anything to us it is worth everything. There is no sacrifice we can make for it that should bee too great. We should be willing to go to prison for the truth, which will restore to us the privileges which we temporarily surrender for its sake. We should even be willing to sacrifice life for that cause if needful. If not we are not fit subjects for the Kingdom of God.
In 1884 I was convicted and sentenced to prison for keeping a commandment of God. The judge who passed sentence said that because of my youth and because I believed that I was doing right, I was not entitled to leniency. He seemed to think that my belief was to some extent criminal. I was sentenced to four years imprisonment, and was incarcerated three years and one month. I saw three hundred of my brethren enter the penitentiary for similar reasons and 220 of them emerged from prison while I was there. I feel none the worse for my experience. My testimony is stronger than ever. It is pleasing to God for men to go to prison under an unjust law rather than act contrary to their covenants. The brethren who were imprisoned exhibited great patience in the midst of the worst class of criminals. It was better for them to do this than to enter into an agreement not to serve God. I feel like honoring the Lord. He has revealed certain principles to the Latter-day Saints. He has revealed faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, and we believe and honor these principles. Also the laying on of hands for imparting the Holy Ghost, by which our minds are enlightened in relation to eternity. God has revealed the gathering and other principles, and we should, by the help of the Lord honor them all. We cannot make a promise to dishonor any one of them. We can make no distinction between these principles, as they are all equally essential for our salvation.
[Rudger Clawson]
[CD 5:9-15]
OBEDIENCE TO THE PRINCIPLE OF CELESTIAL MARRIAGE
_____
DISCOURSE
Delivered by Elder Rudger Clawson at the General Conference
of the Church
held in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Friday Afternoon, April 6, 1888.
_____
[REPORTED BY JOHN IRVINE]
_____
My
brethren and sisters: It has fallen to my lot to stand before you for a short
time this afternoon. I ask for an interest in your faith and prayers that I may
be sustained. I do so because I realize that no man is capable of instructing
the Latter-day Saints unless he is inspired by the Holy Ghost, and at the same
time I realize that if it is your desire to hear something this afternoon that
will instruct and edify you, it is your privilege. I naturally shrink from
attempting to speak to the Latter-day Saints, but when I am called upon to
perform this duty I am always reminded of a passage in the Doctrine and
Covenants, which in substance is as follows: "Woe unto those who hide
their talents, and will not open their mouth because of the fear of man,"
and therefore I generally respond to any call made upon me by the authorities
of the Church.
A few
years ago and this Church was not in existence upon the earth. A few years ago
and this Church was organized with six members, and today the Latter-day Saints
are numbered by tens of thousands, and we see collected here to-day a great
assembly of the Saints. This is astonishing, and yet when we consider how it
came to be we can then appreciate the fact. The testimony that was borne by
Joseph Smith, the Prophet, was strong, was a powerful testimony. He states that
he was not only visited by angels and instructed by them in things pertaining
to life and salvation, but he also makes the assertion that God the Eternal
Father and Jesus Christ, His Son, appeared to him in person. Now, this causes
one to marvel. Is it possible, we ask, that the great creator of the heavens
and the earth, and His beloved son has appeared unto man in the flesh, and we
might be inclined perhaps to doubt this statement. Nevertheless, the Prophet
bears testimony of it in language that is unmistakable.
The Lord
told this young man, this unlearned young man, that the true Gospel existed
nowhere upon the earth, and that, inasmuch as he was seeking after the truth he
must not connect himself with any of the denominations of the day, Christian or
otherwise.
Now, this
is a startling statement and one that is of considerable importance to the
Christian sects of the day, if they would believe his testimony that the Church
of God nowhere existed in its fulness at that time. The Lord, however, having
decided, in His infinite wisdom, to restore the Gospel to the earth, saw the
necessity of coming to the earth in person, with His Son, to restore it, and as
a result of this visitation, we behold this vast congregation to-day. And when
we come to reflect upon the matter we must conclude that there is no power
under the heavens that could hold this people together as we see them to-day,
except the power of God.
And what
is the testimony of the Elders of this Church? It is that they do not depend
entirely upon their leaders; they have the means within themselves of obtaining
light and understanding from the throne of God to satisfy them of the truth of
the work in which they are engaged; hence it is the privilege of every
individual to have a living testimony of the truth. We do not rely, as has been
supposed by the world, upon the leaders of this church for the testimony we
bear to the children of men.
And what
is this work calculated to do for us? What do we understand by the Gospel of
Jesus Christ? We understand it to be "the power of God unto
salvation," and that it will save us both temporally and spiritually.
Consequently, it should be all in all to us. There is nothing upon this earth
that we can conceive of that we should place before the great principles of
everlasting life. Now, I have often wondered, if we all take this view of the
question, and if the gospel which we have embraced is all in all to us, or
whether we place a money value upon the principles of everlasting life. They
are free to all. The Lord makes no charge for the precious truths He has
revealed. He says come and partake of the waters of life freely without money
and without price, and for this reason I am often led to think that we do not
place that importance upon the principles of the Gospel as we should do.
We see
how it is to-day, and especially here in Salt Lake City. Why, if a man has a
piece of property in a pleasant locality, he considers himself well off, and, I
sometimes think, places a value on it far beyond that which he places upon the
plan of redemption, and yet property and other things in this world will fade
away. They are not enduring in their nature, but the principles of life and
salvation not only pertain to our temporal situation, but reach out into
eternity.
We read
of an instance in the scriptures where a certain party went to the Apostles of
the Lord, and, after seeing the operations of the Holy Ghost upon certain
individuals, coveted this gift and made a proposition to the Apostles. He
wanted to buy it, and no doubt had the same object in view that many of the
Latter-Day Saints have at the present time in disposing of their inheritances;
he wanted to speculate upon the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He wanted to make merchandise
of it, and offered money for the gift. But what was the result? The Apostle
Peter said to him: "Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought
that the Gift of God may be purchased with money."
It seems
to me sometimes as if some of the Latter-day Saints who have partaken of the
principles of everlasting life, were willing to barter them away for the
almighty dollar which perishes, and which corrupts the soul, and that they do
not appreciate those things that pertain to their Eternal welfare. How should
it be with Latter-day Saints? If the Gospel of Christ is worth anything to us
it is worth everything, and there is no sacrifice we can make that will
compensate for the loss of the glorious promises which have been made unto this
people. Ought we to be willing to suffer persecution? Certainly. Ought we to be
willing to go to prison for the truth? Most assuredly. By going to prison for a
time we may lose our liberty, lose the privilege of citizenship, lose the
association of our family and friends; but the truth for which we are suffering
will, in the end, not only restore these privileges, but exalt us in the
Kingdom of God. Ought we to be willing to suffer death for the Gospel of Christ
if necessary? Yes, without hesitation. We should be willing at all times to
meet every emergency that presents itself, and if these sentiments do not
prevail in our souls we are not fit subjects for the Kingdom of God.
It has
fallen to my lot to be sent to prison. In the year 1884 I was convicted of
polygamy and unlawful cohabitation. I was convicted of having rendered
obedience to a law of God; that was my offense. I had kept one of the
commandments of God, and there are many, and they are all very important and
very necessary and for having done this I was sent to prison. At the time of
passing sentence, the Judge remarked that because of my youth, and because I
believed this principle to be right, to be a true principle, he felt disposed
to make my sentence heavier than he otherwise would have done. It appeared to
be criminal in his view that I had done what I believed was right, consequently
he increased the penalty. I was sentenced to four years imprisonment in the
Utah Penitentiary (and to pay a fine of $800). I was there three years, one
month and ten days, and passed through many and various scenes during that
time. I saw some three hundred of my brethren come there during my imprisonment
for the same offense, and I saw two hundred and twenty go from the prison.
Perhaps
the Latter-day Saints would like to know how I feel in relation to this work,
after an experience of three years and one month in the Penitentiary. I will
simply say I feel first rate. I am not one whit discouraged. I have just as
much faith in the work of God today as ever I had. I will say that my faith is
even greater today than it was four years ago, and I trust I shall always be
able to express a feeling of this kind. And I trust that if ever it becomes
necessary for me to lay down my life for the Gospel's sake I will be ready to
do so. These are my feelings today. The Gospel is worth everything to me. I
believe that it is pleasing to the Lord when His servants go to prison and
suffer the penalties of an unjust law, rather than dishonor Him. I think He
will sustain them; I know He will. I discovered that the Lord could be in
prison, that He could dwell there if necessary, as well as outside of prison.
He was there and His Holy Spirit rested upon the brethren during their
incarceration. I can truthfully say that the brethren exhibited a degree of
patience that was truly marvelous. It is inconceivable that men who are cast
into prison, as the Elders of this Church have been during the last two or
three years, with criminals of the worst character, and subjected to all kinds
of indignities, and compelled to hear the vilest kind of language-I say it is
marvelous that men can endure these things willingly, with patience, and with
thanksgiving to God, rather than go before the Court and make a simple promise
to obey the law; I say simple because it appears simple, but in reality it is a
very serious thing. I remember there was one brother in the "Pen" who
it was thought would readily accept a proposition of that kind. A letter
embodying this promise in a few simple words was sent up to the "Pen"
for him to sign. He was then suffering imprisonment for three and a half years,
and he had been there only a few months. It was thought he would gladly accept
this proposition, and the note was handed to him. He quietly put it into his
pocket, and I presume it is in his pocket today, although he has served his
term and passed out of the Penitentiary. He declined to make the promise.
Now I
will tell you how I feel in relation to this matter. I feel like honoring the
Lord. He has revealed certain principles to the Latter-day Saints. He has
revealed the principle of faith. Do we believe in it? Yes, we think it is a
glorious principle, and we realize that this Church could not exist without the
principle of faith. He has revealed the principle of repentance. Do we believe
in it? Yes, we think it is a glorious thing to repent of our sins, and that it
is a very glorious thing to forsake our sins. He has revealed the principle of
baptism for the remission of sin. Do we believe this principle? We most
assuredly do, and we manifest our belief by going down into the waters of
baptism. He has revealed the principle of the laying on of hands for the
reception of the Holy Ghost. Do we believe in it? Every Latter-day Saint
believes in it. We have realized the benefits of it. The Lord has revealed the
principle of gathering. Do we believe in it? Yes. As a result we see this vast
congregation today. The Latter-day Saints honor this commandment of God by
coming out from among the nations of the earth to Zion. The Lord has revealed
the principle of Celestial Marriage. Do we believe it is true? We most
assuredly do. And will we honor this principle? By the help of the Lord we will
honor it and honor Him. By the help of the Lord we will not make a promise to
do away with this principle anymore than we will promise to do away with the
principles of faith, repentance, baptism or the laying on of hands for the
reception of the Holy Ghost. Why is not one principle of the Gospel just as
important as any other principle of the Gospel? Why should we say that we will
honor this principle and that we will not honor that principle? I claim we can
make no distinction. One principle is just as good as another, just as
necessary.
I do not
feel, my brethren and sisters, to take up your time this afternoon; but I pray
God that He will bless us, that He will enable us to keep His commandments, to
serve Him, and to appreciate His blessings, whether they be in principles of
truth, in lands, in flocks or herds, in temporal or spiritual blessings; I pray
that He will enable us to honor Him, and to do nothing that will bring His
displeasure upon us, which I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
Was the next speaker. The following is a synopsis of his remarks:
I desire to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, that the Saints may be strengthened in pressing forward in their duties. The longer I live, and the more I comprehend the Gospel, the broader I find that it is. A person cannot study the Gospel and the revelations given through Joseph Smith without being filled with gratitude to God for His mercy. With our fallen natures it is common to become uncharitable, and to retaliate upon those who impose upon us. It requires no exertion to smite back when one is smitten. But when we study the designs of our Creator we are lead to understand that we should cultivate long-suffering and charity. some of the Saints think that those who do not see and act as they do will not be saved. This is a contracted and mistaken idea. There are many Latter-day Saints who imagine this is the only people in whom the Lord takes any special interest. A man to be honest must respect the rights of all mankind. A man who will defraud an enemy is as dishonest as one who wrongs one of his own kind. The fact that the Latter-day Saints have expended hundreds of thousands of dollars for the erection of temples for the performance of vicarious work for the dead, shows that they are not exclusive and narrow. The principles that have come to us inform us that every human being who has not committed murder nor the sin against the Holy Ghost, will be redeemed with a salvation of some degree.
The speaker here read from the revelation given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon at Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, on February 18th, 1832. It is entitled a vision, and exhibits the magnitude of God's mercy in providing salvation for all the human family except the sons of perdition, who will persist in being a law unto themselves instead of being governed by law. [See Doctrine and Covenants, Sec. 76.]
Right here let me remark that one of the strongest evidences that has ever been introduced, to my mind, of the truth of the Gospel and divinity of Christ, is the energy and zeal with which men who have once received the truth and then turned their backs upon it, labor against this work. I have hard of men saying that they would give all they possessed on earth if they could only prove that "Mormonism" was not true. What benefit would it be to any man on earth who has never received the truth to prove that "Mormonism" was not true? There can be no benefit come to him. There can be no benefit come to his family. There can be no benefit to mankind to prove that "Mormonism" is a fraud. but to the man that has received the testimony of Jesus Christ, to the man that has been able to lay hands on the sick in the name of the Savior, and by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood rebuke disease and command that person to be made whole, I say that when this person denies the power of Almighty God then the benefit that would come to him by destroying the Gospel would be the relief of his own conscience. But the dread and fear of the testimony that still burns within his heart and that he is a fallen being, can never be wiped away until the Church and Kingdom of God can be destroyed.
Does Satan believe in the Gospel? Yes, he does, and that is what causes him to fear and fight against it. Do men who have ministered in the name of Jesus Christ and have committed sin and denied the power of the Gospel to save, know in their hearts that the Gospel is true and that it will triumph over every power on earth? Yes they do. I know of one man who confessed that he was a fallen being, and that because of his sin he would have to suffer. He was called upon by a friend, and this friend said to him that he had said the Gospel was not true and that the Latter-day Saints are deluded. This friend referred him to a mission he had filled in Great Britain and said he; "I have traveled with you and have heard you prophesy in the name of the Lord and I have lived to see your prophecy fulfilled. I have seen you lay hands upon the sick and through your faith I have seen them healed. Now tell me, where is that authority gone? Tell me in your increased intelligence and bear your testimony in the sight of Almighty God that you do know that when you bore testimony of the truth , of the truth of the Gospel that you lied. Tell me that it is by your superior wisdom that you know what you testified of, saw and heard, is false. Go, lay your hands today upon the sick and command them to be made whole by the power of the Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ. My friend, you dare not do it; you are a fallen creature; you have had your commission from heaven revoked; you dare not administer in the power of the holy Priesthood."
Did this man stand up in the might and power of the holy priesthood and contradict what had been said? No, but he wept like a little child; and he stood up and bore his testimony that he knew the gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph smith was true, and that he had lost his faith in the Gospel through his own transgression.
I Bear my testimony to you here today in all humility that if you keep the commandments of God through your faithfulness you shall receive a testimony of the truth of the Gospel and that testimony will endure and last within you through all time and all eternity.
When we learn that the Gospel of Christ is so broad and comprehensive in its character that in the due time of the Lord it will save in the telestial kingdom those who have been liars, sorcerers, whoremongers, adulterers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, truly our hearts should expand in gratitude to God for His goodness, mercy and great kindness unto us and all His creatures here upon the earth.
We, as Latter-day Saints, have started out for an exaltation in the celestial kingdom. We desire to be heirs -- even joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are not seeking for an exaltation in the telestial kingdom. We are not seeking to be separated throughout all eternity from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But we are seeking for the highest exaltation that it is possible for man to attain unto. And there is but one way that we will ever reach it; that is by fulfilling the celestial law of God.
The Lord told Joseph Smith that every blessing we receive here upon earth or in heaven is predicated upon laws which were formed before the foundation of the earth. And unless we live up to the laws that God has revealed unto us, we will not attain unto the celestial glory in His Kingdom. There is no happiness that can come to the human heart that can compare with the testimony of Jesus Christ. There is no labor that you and I can engage in that will bring that same happiness to our hearts as the labor for the salvation of the human family. There is no joy that will surpass that influence which comes from the heart when forgiveness is made for trespasses against you. There is nothing that will make you more miserable than to harbor in your heart hatred and ill-feelings towards any man; for the Gospel teaches us to be charitable and forgiving to all.
I pray for that discerning spirit and that feeling that will cause us to select and cherish the shining parts of a man's character.
I realize that it is natural to find fault and tear down. It is easy to destroy, and a difficult matter to improve, build up and see our own faults. The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to be charitable, to be kind to others; and if we have any fault to find, to find it with ourselves. I care not how severely you may criticize yourself.
There is a little verse which I have heard sung, and as I think it very appropriate, I will repeat it:
"That
in self-judgment if you find,
Your deeds to others are superior,
To you, has Providence been kind,
As you should be to those inferior,
Example sheds a genial ray
Of light which men are apt to borrow
So first improve yourself today,
And then improve your friends tomorrow."
I pray that God, our Eternal Father, will inspire us with a desire to keep His commandments and to bless us with His power and ability to overcome the weaknesses and imperfections, and with that power to so live that we may be worthy of His Gospel.
The choir sang the anthem:
Jehovah's Praise.
Benediction by President A. O. Smoot.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 37:201, 4/11/88, p 9]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION, SATURDAY, APRIL 7.
_____
Singing:
With all my powers of heart
and tongue I'll praise my Maker in my song,
Angels shall hear the notes I raise, Approve the song and join the praise.
Prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Singing:
Shall I, for fear of feeble
men, The Spirit's course in me restrain?
Or, undismayed in deed and word, Be a true witness for my Lord.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON
Spoke on the present situation of the Saints and entered into an elucidation of the causes of the people of God being surrounded with perplexity. He showed the necessity of the people being governed in this course as individuals and as a community by the principle of self-sacrifice, which was the basis of Christianity. The inconsistencies exhibited by any of the Elders and Saints were referred to, the speaker holding that the preaching of practical righteousness was highly needful and that repentance was in order.
ELDER WILLIAM M. PALMER
addressed the conference: there is a spirit in man by which the things of man are understood, but the things of God are only known by the spirit of God. Hence the necessity of the Saints being in possession of the Spirit of the Lord. The remarks of the previous speaker are true and questions treated by him are of mighty importance to us. The influences brought to bear upon the people now for their destruction are similar to those which were brought to bear upon the ancient saints in the days of Christ and the Apostles. The kingdom of God will not, however, be thrown down in these days. There is no promise to the effect that individuals will not be overthrown. Peter was enabled to say by the spirit of revelation, that Jesus was Christ the son of the living God. On the rock of revelation the Lord built his church. This has been done in our day and it cannot be successfully demolished. The primitive church was prevailed against. That is not to be the case with it as established in the latter days, as prophetically referred to by Jesus. The speaker gave a lucid explanation of the introduction of the fulness of the everlasting gospel, with all its gifts, powers and authority through the prophet Joseph Smith. He quoted largely from the scriptures in support of his statements. It was shown that the Lord proposed to purge out the hypocrite from Zion, and cleanse her from all impurity. Those who oppose her progress do not always appear to do so actively; thy injure her cause by seeking the attainment of selfish ends rather than the advancement of the general weal. They make merchandise of the things of the kingdom of heaven. The scriptures show that this land was intended as a possession for the Saints. Why should it not be the special object of every Latter-day Saint to establish His work here according to His design, and not take a course to thwart that purpose. The crimes and follies of the world are being introduced here, and we must be careful not to use our influence in favor of their spread.
The above is necessarily an incomplete synopsis of Elder Palmer's remarks, which contained many excellent ideas. He bore testimony to having received a witness of the truth.
ELDER KARL G. MAESER.
The Saints have come from various parts of Zion, and the time to be spent here in Conference is precious. all that is spoken must be to the point, that the people may carry away treasures of wisdom. In this way good may be accomplished under the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord. The testimonies this morning have gone through me like a living fire. I testify to their truth. My labors ever since I became identified with this work have been before small audiences, and especially the youth. My testimony of the truth of this work is always with me. i hope it will remain to the end of my days. While listening this morning many ideas passed through my mind. My soul was filled with anxiety at the foolish course some of the brethren were taking; not only in reference to their inheritances, but in relation to the welfare of the Saints. Yet I feel serene, as God will overrule all things. But this does not exonerate any one for pursuing a foolish course. It seems as if it was the plan of our Father to teach the people by experience the necessity of adopting the principle of self-sacrifice. There are many who have apparently received the Gospel who overlook the principle of self-sacrifice and seek their own advantage in place of that of the community. There are certain principles that have to be incorporated within our comprehension. This is one that we have to learn. The Savior made it the corner stone of our salvation.
Of late Satan has studied the affairs of this people with a cunning eye, and we have been to some extent like ancient Israel in the absence of Moses. Some of us have begun to build the golden calf and worship it. Is there one so poor and low down in the scale of esteem as to exercise no influence over anybody? If there are none such as this there is influence you can exercise. For its use each and all will be held responsible. In behalf of the youth I implore that you lead out in an example that can be followed by your children, that your memory may be held in blessed remembrance. I know of men who have been spending years and years for the accumulation of wealth. Many men of god have been rich and powerful like Abraham of old. To them I do not refer. I allude to those who have been absorbed in the pursuit of wealth and have in consequence lost their children. They stand alone like a tree in the desert. This is a sad spectacle. May the Lord bless the leaders and the fathers in Israel and all the saints.
the choir sang:
Guide us, O thou great
Jehovah,
Saints unto the promised land.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[7 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 37:201, 204, 4/11/88, p 9, 12]
AFTERNOON SESSION,
2 p.m.
Singing:
Hark! ye mortals. Hist! be still,
Voices from Cumorah's hill,
Break the silence of the tomb Penetrate the dreadful gloom.
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
The hymn beginning as follows was sung:
Who are these arrayed in
white, Brighter than the noonday sun,
Foremost of the sons of light, Nearest the eternal throne?
Bishop Orson F. Whitney read in a clear and distinct voice the following
EPISTLE.
To
the Officers and Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
General Conference assembled.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:
At each of the past six General Conferences of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there has been an Epistle from the Presidency of the Church read to the assembled officers and Saints and published for the benefit of those who were prevented from being present at the Conference. The reason for this are well known to the Church and the world. A number of the Apostles have been unable to personally attend these Conferences or other open gatherings. Their voices have not been heard instructing, encouraging, strengthening and warning the Saints, or in the discharge of the other public duties which devolve upon them in connection with their ministry. It was proper, therefore, that Epistles should be written to the Church in which counsel could be given and testimony be borne. While this condition of affairs, so far as these Apostles are concerned, still remains unchanged, the instructions upon general subjects in the previous Epistles are so copious, and apply so directly to the entire lives and surroundings of the Saints, that we deem it not necessary to repeat them at the present time or to write a lengthy Epistle.
OPPOSITION CONFRONTING THE SAINTS
No people of whom we have any knowledge have been called upon to pass through such scenes and to have such a peculiar experience as the Latter-day Saints. The trials and difficulties we have had to content with, so numerous and so varied in character, have scarcely been equalled in our generation. But those we have had to meet during the past three or four years, and which will confront us, are new even in our experience. They have come upon us in a new shape. Originating in the same source, prompted by the same spirit, and designed for the same end, as other plans which have been put into operation for our injury and overthrow, the present attack which is made upon us, differs largely in many of its features and methods from anything we have ever had to encounter. We have been led to expect from the beginning that as the work of God grew and developed in the earth, the resistance to it would become formidable and wide-spread, would increase in intensity and vigor, and bring into antagonism to it more influential powers. This has ever been the voice of prophecy and testimony unto us concerning the future of the work of God which we have espoused. If, then, we have not been prepared for these trials which we now have to overcome, it has not been because we have not been warned of their approach. By the testimony of His Spirit and by the voice of His faithful servants, God has given His people ample time for preparation. And the Latter-day Saints who have lived so as to enjoy the spirit of their religion have expected, and have prepared themselves to meet, such trials as have come upon us, and others which may yet be in reserve for us before the final victory is achieved over Satan and the embattled powers of darkness.
THE PRIVILEGE OF REVELATION
It is this pre-knowledge which God has given concerning His work, and which He constantly imparts as it is needed to His people, which is one of the chief causes of the strength possessed by the Latter-day Saints. It is the principle of revelation from the Head of the Church to the Church itself-a principle which in its operation is not confined to one man, or to three men, or to twelve men; but is extended to every individual in the Church, in greater or less degree, as each one chooses to avail himself of it. There is an appointed way, however, by which revelation from the Lord for the government of His Church is received. There is but one man on the earth, at a time, who holds this power. But every individual member has the privilege of receiving revelation from the Lord for his guidance in his own affairs and to testify to him concerning the correctness of public teachings and movements.
The great promise which accompanies the preaching of the Gospel, as revealed from heaven in our day, is that the Holy Ghost will be bestowed upon the sincerely penitent who obey its holy ordinances. Through the Holy Ghost a knowledge of things past, present and to come is communicated and the mind and will of the Father made known. In this way the Almighty reveals His purposes to those who obey His commandments and whose lives are pure and acceptable before Him, so that they can be prepared for all the events and trials that may lie in their pathway.
If there are any members of the Church who do not know by their own experience that this is true, they may be assured that they do not live up to their privileges. All Saints should be in close communion with the Holy Ghost, and, through it, with the Father, or there is danger of their being overcome of evil and falling by the wayside.
We, therefore, say to the Latter-day Saints: The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unholy tabernacle. If you would enjoy the full powers and gifts of your religion, you must be pure. If you are guilty of weaknesses, follies and sins, you must repent of them; that is, you must thoroughly forsake them. In no other way can we please God. "Man of holiness" is His name, and He delights in the efforts of His children to be pure.
ABSENCE OF OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
We feel led to speak in this strain, for the reason that while the Latter-day Saints in order to prosper in their religion and to increase in the knowledge of God must always live close to Him, the present is an extraordinary time which appears to require more help and strength from the Lord than usual. The Church has been left, as never for so long a time before, without the public ministrations of a number of men to whom its members have looked for instruction and counsel. Not only has the number of the Apostles who could minister in public been greatly reduced, but the same causes which have relegated them to seclusion have had the effect to keep many Presidents of Stakes and their counselors, Bishops and their counselors, as well as High Councilors and other active men in the priesthood, from officiating in their callings. The people have felt the absence of these men and the loss of their teachings and guidance. But has the Lord, on this account forgotten His people? No, certainly not. The prayers of the faithful men of God, who have been prevented from ministering to the people, and whose hearts have been full of love and earnest desire for their welfare, have been constantly offered to the Lord that He would have mercy on His flock, that He would make up to them, by the more abundant outpouring of His Holy Spirit, for the deprivation to which they have been subjected in not having the presence of many of His servants among them.
THE HAND AND PURPOSES OF GOD
The Savior said, "It is impossible but that offenses will come; but," he added, "woe unto them through whom they come." In our case offenses have come, and it has appeared that we could not avoid them. Shall we not acknowledge the hand of God in that which has taken place in our land and which affects us so deeply? We who have seen in all our affairs, and in all the events which have happened to us, His providence so visibly manifested, must feel that the occurrences of the past three or four years have been permitted by Him for a wise purpose. We cannot suppose that these happenings have been by chance and without a design. God has not so dealt with us in the past. Mysterious as have been many things when we had them to encounter, time has never failed to throw light upon and explain them. When they happened we, perhaps, acknowledged the hand of the Lord in them, because of the Lord having said we should do so; but this was upon the principle of faith. Afterwards, however, we have looked back to these events, and seeing how wondrously God had wrought, we, in the fullness of our hearts and in view of the results, have acknowledged, not in faith but in developed knowledge, that God's hand was in all that had occurred. So with the experience, painful though it be, which we are now gaining.
God has a purpose to accomplish in permitting the treatment which we have received. Whatever the result to others who have prompted and been active in pushing it, to us it cannot be anything but profitable and beneficial, if we receive it in the right spirit and bear it patiently. One good effect is apparent. The Latter-day Saints are compelled, perhaps to a greater extent than ever before to think and act for themselves and not to depend so much upon others to lead them. Some, not having lived so as to have the presence and guidance of the Holy Ghost, may stumble and fall. But those who have lived up to their privileges will find that God has not forgotten His promises and has not left His people to themselves, nor without a testimony as to the course they should pursue.
THE SAINTS MUST BE TESTED
The pathway of the people of God has been beset with difficulties. They have been environed with dangers. Dark clouds have almost enshrouded them. But amidst all these, the still, small voice of the Spirit of God has been heard. His Saints have had a testimony from Him that the course they have been led to take is the right one and that He will never fail to make known His mind and will to them so long as they live up to His requirements.
It appears plain that it is God's purpose to suffer His Saints to be thoroughly tried and tested, so that they may prove their integrity and know the character of the foundation upon which they build. Many things have occurred during the last twelve months which are well adapted to test the faith and integrity of the people. It does not seem possible that those who do not live so as to have the light of the Holy Ghost shining in their souls can escape doubts and fears concerning the work of God. So many things have occurred which are entirely different to pre-conceived notions as to the course that would be taken in building up Zion that each one needs to have a knowledge for himself to clearly understand that God is leading us in the path which we are now pursuing. To some who are inclined to despond and to take a gloomy view of affairs, the ship Zion may, perhaps, appear to be drifting away from its old moorings, because things are being done or movements consented to which, to their eyes, portend disaster to us and to the work of God.
UNJUST CRITICISM
There has always been a few among us who have been filled with evil forebodings, and who have failed to see the wisdom of God in the steps which His people have been led to take. They have questioned and found fault with the counsel that has been given and the measures which have been adopted, and have asserted that revelation had ceased and the Saints were no longer guided by men to whom God made known His will. The prophet Joseph during his lifetime did not escape the criticism and censure of this class. He was often accused of being a fallen prophet and of leading the Church astray. During the long presidency of President Brigham Young, the same charges were made, and many apostatized because they believed, as they stated, that he was no longer led by the Lord. Experience has proved that in all such cases those who make these accusations are themselves in the dark.
But the faithful people-those who have lived strictly in accordance with their profession as Saints and with the requirements of the Gospel-have not been assailed by doubts of this character. There might be many things which they could not clearly understand, the reasons for which might not be fully apparent to them at the time; but possessing the Spirit of God, and being led by it, they trusted in the Lord and felt satisfied to leave the management of His kingdom and its affairs to His supreme wisdom. Time developed to their minds the correctness of the course which the Church had been led to adopt. This has occurred so frequently in our career that the instances will readily suggest themselves to those familiar with our history. In this way, however, the faith of the people has been constantly tested.
THE ANOINTING THE SAINTS HAVE RECEIVED
The Apostle John, in speaking to the Saints in his day, said: "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
The Saints in our days have received this same anointing and they should be in a position to not be dependent upon man to teach and tell them that which is right. They have had a flood of instruction given to them in days that are past. This instruction has covered the entire policy of building up the kingdom of God on the earth. Of this continued instruction they have been to a great extent deprived of late. It has appeared to be the design of Providence that they should be left to show to the heavens, to each other and to the world whether the truths they have been taught have had the proper effect upon them, or not-whether when left to a certain extent to themselves they will be governed in their daily lives and acts by principle -- principle to the truth of which testimony has been borne by the Holy Ghost -- or by the spirit and customs of Babylon by which they are surrounded, but from which they are supposed to be gathered out.
NECESSITY OF SELF-EXAMINATION
The present is an appropriate time for each member of the Church to indulge in self-examination to measure his conduct and life in the full light of the heavenly principles revealed to us. Ours is no ordinary calling. Great opportunities and privileges have been bestowed upon us. To us, as a people, has been entrusted the grand and glorious labor of laying the foundation of the kingdom of God upon the earth. Every act of our lives should be performed with this in view. Nothing should be done by any one calling himself a Latter-day Saint that will conflict with the policy which God has announced as proper to be adopted in establishing that kingdom. In this connection there are questions which each one should ask himself: Do I, in all my words and influence and in all the transactions of my life, constantly keep before me the advancement and prosperity of the Zion of God as the first and most important consideration? Do I, through covetousness or a desire for personal profit and advantage, depart from that line of conduct which God, through His Spirit and the teachings of His servants, has said His Saints should follow? Do I, by my words and acts, set such an example before my family that my children will grow up to manhood and womanhood fully imbued with a love of Zion and with an understanding of the principles upon which Zion will be built up.
Many more questions of a similar character each one can ask himself in the process of self-examination. If these can be answered correctly, there need be no fears indulged in concerning the effect of the Edmunds-Tucker law, the confiscation suits, the state movement, the "boom" as it is called, or any other measure which may be adopted either in favor of or against the Zion of God. Respecting all these movements, about which there is more or less agitation and concern and perhaps excitement, there need be no fears if the Latter-day Saints will only be true to the covenants they have made with their God and strictly carry out the principles which He has told us must govern us in the building up of His Zion.
CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETTING COVENANTS
If, however, we forget our covenants, and depart from and disregard the teachings which He has given us, then be assured, Latter-day Saints, our position is full of peril to us. God's purposes will not be thwarted; but we shall be scourged, and those who persist in this course will be rejected and be deprived of all share in the blessings promised to Zion. Where those professing to be Latter-day Saints knowingly and flagrantly act in contravention of the counsels which he has given us, then we have cause to fear and the plots of the wicked against us, joined by the foolish disobedience and rebellion of professed Saints, become a serious menace to the peace, prosperity and progress of Zion.
Praying the Lord to endow every officer of the Church who desires to magnify his calling, with every gift and qualification which belong to the Priesthood which he bears, and to fill the members of the Church with the Holy Ghost and its gifts.
I remain your Brother and Servant in Christ Jesus,
WILFORD WOODRUFF
In behalf of the Quorum [sic] of the Twelve. April 6th, 1888.
After the reading of the Epistle
BISHOP O. F. WHITNEY
spoke substantially as follows:
It is the request of President Snow that I should occupy a portion of the time in speaking. I assure you I do this only in the hope that you will sustain me by your faith and prayers, that what I may say may be the offspring of the Spirit of Truth. There is no subject of such importance as the possession of the Holy Ghost. To secure it has been strongly enjoined upon us by the Epistle which you have just heard read. We have been left in the darkness of this world with this Spirit as our guide. We have been left of late more than ever before to listen to its promptings. We are told that there is a light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Wherever we go we will find the offspring of God manifesting this light in various degrees of intensity. The great difference between the Saints and the rest of mankind is that a channel of communication has been opened up between heaven and earth. The Priesthood has been restored and by the power thereof men have gone abroad preaching a restored gospel. It is the same gospel that was preached and practised in olden times. It was possessed by Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and other holy men. It was taken from the earth in the days of Moses because of hardness of heart and unbelief of the people, and the law of carnal commandments left, that the descendants of the ancients might be prepared for the fulness of the Gospel in later times. This time the Gospel will never be taken from the earth until it is redeemed. The Saints are required to prepare for the coming of Christ when He shall come in power and great glory to take the reins of government; and this globe will be celestialized and become the eternal home of the people of God of all ages. The Lord showed Abraham the intelligences He had organized before the world was, and showed other Prophets His work from the beginning to end. Enoch was informed that the inhabitants of the Holy City that bears his name would descend in the latter days and join with the new Jerusalem on the earth, and the meeting would be one of great joy. Are we asleep that we can sit down and devote ourselves to the pleasures and ways of this world with such a stern and glorious prospect before us? How is it with us Saints, especially in Salt Lake City? The line of demarcation which divides the Church of Christ from the world grows thinner and thinner every day. We are "living after the manner of the world." We have gathered from the four quarters of the earth in obedience to the command of God "Come out of her my people." But no one who listened to the words spoken here this morning can fail to see that the object of the gathering is being partially destroyed. It behooves us to call a halt, and obey the words of this Epistle. We must come out of Babylon morally and spiritually as well as physically. Let us ask God to purge us, even though it bring us into the dust of penitence. It is better that we should suffer here rather than be placed at a disadvantage hereafter. We may well heed the wise counsel of the servants of God; of the Holy spirit, which dwells not in unclean temples. This is the day of the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of kings. A work of preparation is in progress. We are supposed to have come here to pave the way for that event. We are the children of Abraham. If we were to inherit the same blessings as were promised to him, we must do his works. We must e as unflinching and obedient as he was in the face of every trial, obstacle and opposition. How will the heavens weep if we fail to perform our mission. The Son of God speaking to His disciples said: "Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt hath lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted?" Because God has said this work shall stand forever, this does not give us a license to be indifferent and neglect to fulfill our great mission. High sounding words may be pleasing to the ear, but "faithful are the wounds of a friend." A man in a day like this is not faithful in his calling who does not warn his neighbor and search and reprove his own soul. We came to the earth to learn a great lesson. We are sent here to be proved to see if we will do everything required of us. This does not mean that we shall be swayed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. It means that we shall do everything that God requires. We cannot serve God and Mammon. Where our treasure is there will our heart e also. In relation to the commands of God we should be as clay in the hands of the potter. Our selfish inclinations may often rebel against that course. We may flatter ourselves that it is the spirit of the Lord that incites to seek the attainment of selfish objects. Sometimes we may be led to mistake the spirit by which we are actuated, by practicing self-deception. There are three distinct spirits, alluded to by the Prophet Joseph -- the Spirit of God, leading upward; the spirit of Satan, leading downward, and the spirit of man susceptible of being operated upon by either of those two, but man has power to resist the promptings of the tempter, hence the agency and responsibility. That which persuadeth men to do good is from God, for Satan persuadeth no man to do good, and by their fruits are all men known. Our examples and teachings should be such that they will preserve our children. If they are lost because of our unrighteous course, we will be held responsible. Many young people of honored names in Israel are growing up in ignorance of the Gospel and doing everything almost that God as forbidden. The harvest will be misery and disaster. On the other hand many are serving God, are teaching and being taught the principles of the Gospel of Christ. Their prospect is a glorious one. Life is a serious matter, yet some people act as if they viewed it as a gigantic joke. This is a day of preparation. The voice is calling: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make His paths straight. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill be made low." The haughty and proud and they who do wickedly will be brought down and the poor and the meek shall be exalted; hence in many instances the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Liberty, equality, fraternity should be the watchwords of he hour, and our aim and effort the establishment of that order of unity and righteousness that will prepare the world for the coming of the great King.
The choir sang:
The Battle Hymn of Israel.
Benediction by Elder Lorenzo D. Young.
_____
[8 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 37:204, 4/11/88, p 12]
FOURTH DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION, SUNDAY, APRIL 8th, 10 a.m.
Singing by the choir:
Sweet is the work, my God,
my King, To praise Thy name, give thanks and sing,
To show Thy love by morning light, and talk of all Thy truths at night.
Prayer by Elder Abram H. Cannon.
The choir sang:
O my Father, Thou that
dwellest In the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain Thy presence, And again behold Thy face?
[John Henry Smith]
Apostle John Henry Smith was the first speaker. He read form Malachi:
Behold, I will send you Elijah the Prophet, before the
coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts
of the Fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers,
lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The hymn that has been sung this morning has probably awakened in the hears of the Saints reflections deep and earnest. It carries those of them who embraced the Gospel in other lands. To the day when there came to them an humble Elder, clad most likely in coarse garments, rude in speech, lacking the polish in many instances of those who had been educated as ministers among the people. These humble Elders came to our doors asking rest, or that they might speak with us of a message which God had committed to them. They explained the principles of the Gospel of Christ; they reasoned with us from the Scriptures, and labored to make plain the gospel which they claimed God had again revealed to men; they explained the doctrine of faith; the laws by which man should be governed, and the means by which he could make an acceptable offering to God. Their words were not so eloquent as those of the gifted scholar, but they brought with them the sacred word of God, and while they were sometimes unable to explain things concerning man in a worldly sense, they opened to our view the holy Scriptures, and taught us to understand them. They taught us that holy men of old spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and explained to us the way in which we should walk. They taught us of our parents who had gone before, and by the spirit of inspiration gave us a knowledge that brought gladness and joy to our hearts.
We had heard the ministers of the world dwell on the beauties of he Gospel and the mission of Jesus, but we never had awakened in our hearts a knowledge of God's plan till the humble Elder of Christ brought to us the intelligence that removed from our hearts all doubts and fears and guided us in the right path.
The hymn gives to our understanding a key of knowledge, and brings to our realization the condition that exists beyond. We have been called from that sphere on a mission, and placed in a position to accept or reject that which God has revealed. Faith we had when the Elders of the Church came. We believed in Jesus and in the Scriptures, and with the eye of faith we looked for a reward for our good lives. We were ready to receive the principle of faith; it was not new to us -- it was one of the gems which gladdened us when repentance and baptism were spoken of, and when we learned that God was looking to the salvation of His children as a whole. We rejoiced when the principle of the gathering was taught to us, and when we had the privilege of paying tithes for the rolling on of God's kingdom. When we were called to leave our homes and gather with the Saints, we obeyed with joy and thanksgiving.
Probably no other principle revealed to us in our day has so enabled us to sever ourselves from the world as that contained in the hymn sung this morning, and in the text I have read to you. We have heard the ministers of different sects preach, and have read the remarks of Paul upon the resurrection of the dead. We have wondered why the dead were left in the peculiar position in which the ministers seemed inclined to leave them; why the thousands who had never heard the Gospel in the flesh should never be permitted to hear it at all. We asked our ministers regarding the turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, and were surprised because they could not explain this matter. But when the humble Latter-day Saint Elder sat by our fireside teaching the gospel to us, we learned that in heaven we had a father and a mother. This principle had been revealed to the world through an unlearned youth, but the wise and learned did not understand it. It was revealed through this youth that god would not condemn the dead without according to them the same opportunities and rights which the living enjoyed.
This principle won our hearts to an extent which no other doctrine had done. The primary principles of the Gospel were not so entirely new to us, but when we learned the doctrine of salvation for the dead our hearts were gladdened, and we said in joy, "God is indeed just." We knew that those whom we loved, who had died without a knowledge of the truth, would not be forever shut out from the light of heaven. This doctrine turns the hearts of the children to the fathers, because it impels us to erect temples in which to perform for them vicariously the ordinances and sealings of the Gospel. The world cannot understand why people converted to our faith should sever the ties of home and kindred, and forsake comfort and ease, to gather with this Church in a far-off land. But the inspiration which had touched our hearts, showed to us that in the land of Zion there was a work to do for our dead. We were shown that the unnumbered dead were not forgotten, and that the sealing of parent and child from generation to generation in an unbroken chain was a scheme for the salvation of the whole of our race. Many persons in this country and in the old world have wondered why, in old times, records of baptisms were kept in the churches, and why, in our own country, so many persons have devoted so much time and labor to compiling their genealogies. Those who have done this have not understood the doctrine of turning the hearts of the fathers and children to each other as we do, but they have been acted upon by an inspiration which has impelled them to perform this work.
Were I to take those of this congregation who have embraced the Gospel, and ask them the questions, why are you here? What led you to leave associations dear to you, and face the trials which you knew were incident to the life of a Saints, what would you answer? You would say: "It was the key which God turned. It was because I had had it shown to me that it was necessary that my father's house should be set in order, and that the ordinances of the gospel should be performed for its members."
It was this work for the dead which Bishop Milner thought a most wonderful feature of the faith of the Latter-day Saints. That God should have revealed, through an unlearned boy, the principle that whether living or dead, all man could act upon their agency in accepting or rejecting the Gospel, was a most wonderful thing. Persons present here to-day, who are not familiar with the religion of the Latter-day Saints, may ask, "Where do you find evidence of the truth of the doctrine that the dead have the Gospel and the opportunity of being saved by it extended to them?" In answer I would say, remember the Scriptures I have read, and remember that the Scriptures teach, and all Christians believe, that the gospel embraces the principle of vicarious work, that one person may do for another that which will give the latter an opportunity to be saved.
We read of a certain man who went to the Savior by night, and asked what he must do to be saved. The reply was: "Except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he can in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven." Did this apply to all men? Yes. On another occasion, another person asked a similar question of the Savior, who in reply, told him not to lie, or steal, and laid down the moral law to him. On another occasion the Savior made the declaration that "except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he cannot see the kingdom of God." What, then, is to be done with the millions of dead who never had such a privilege as this in the flesh? God has provided a mens and a plan for their redemption. The servants of God who were made ministers of the truth while in the flesh, in former dispensations and in this, and who have been sent to preach to them that are dead -- "that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
They are to be judged as we are, upon the plan of justice, equity and truth, and according to the manner in which they exercise their agency. The apostle has said distinctly that men that are dead are to be judged as those in the flesh are. They are to have the same privilege of the gospel and of the redemption wrought out by Christ that we are to have. The other day a brother read in this stand, a vision showing the different degrees of glory which the human family will inherit. We have not all been equally faithful or diligent. We have not all acquired an equal degree of knowledge or intelligence, and we will be rewarded according to our works, upon the principles of honor, truth, justice and equity.
Through the whole Gospel there runs the principle of vicarious atonement. Those who are living are redeemed through obedience to law, and the Lord led Paul to ask "If the dead rise not why then are ye baptized for the dead?" What a thrill of joy is caused by the invitation which God extends to us! "Come my son, enter the house of God, and thence receive for your fathers and kindred who are dead the ordinances of salvation which they had no opportunity to receive while living."
Let those who look with prejudice and opposition upon the latter-day Saints, consider the system of religion which we teach. Remember that we believe in a system which is calculated to do away with licentiousness and corruption among society in the flesh, and accomplish the salvation of those who are dead. We are not the enemies of any of our fellow men. We only desire to serve God according to the principles we believe God has revealed to us; to do our duty to each other, and all men. I would be glad to see my country blessed and to see it grow and flourish; and I am grieved when I see a disposition among my countrymen to hinder any in the exercise of their worship.
Go to your homes ye Saints; obey the laws of your country to the best of your ability, and pray that the same privileges may be granted to you which the Catholics and Protestants among your countrymen enjoy. Remember that while we are in the world we can not enjoy in full those blessings and privileged which we will be permitted to enjoy when the work of God is made dominant in the earth.
ELDER ABRAM H. CANNON
addressed the Conference. Following is a synopsis of his remarks: My brethren and sisters, I have certainly felt greatly to rejoice this morning in listening to the testimony of an Apostle of the Lord, and I could not help but think while he was speaking that the testimony which he bore concerning the great Gospel plan of redemption would startle many of the professed ministers of the Gospel. Could they but bear it and realize in a full measure what God has revealed in these last days, they cold not help but acknowledge, if they were earnest, that if Joseph Smith received this knowledge or had promulgated this doctrine, the knowledge must have come from God, because It is without the power of man to prepare such a beautiful structure as that which has been partially explained to us this day. It is a plan which is destined to bring salvation unto all who have lived upon the earth, who live now or who will yet come to this sphere. No wonder then that we are called a peculiar people, and that we have become distinct among the nations of the earth when such doctrines as these are accepted and believed in by us as a people. God had said that He would make of us a peculiar and distinct people and He has done so.
We have doubtless been astonished at the effect the preaching of the Gospel had upon us and upon those whom we lived amongst. While they of our kindred, our brothers, our sisters, our parents, our children could not see the beauties of the Gospel, there was within our hearts a burning and unrest, which we could not overcome until we had accepted of the doctrine and obeyed the ordinances of the gospel. Immediately upon its reception we became distinct from those surrounding us. We were singled out and frequently our nearest and dearest friends became our bitterest enemies. It seemed that there was no indignities too great to be heaped upon those who received this Gospel, that heard the word of God. No matter what your lineage may have been, when we joined the Church our best friends turned against us. all rights were taken from us. We were considered unworthy to receive the privileges enjoyed by human beings. This is one of the characteristics attending the acceptance of the Gospel of the Son of God.
Jesus says: "If ye were of the world the world would love you, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hate you." This is also in fulfilment of the saying of the Apostle Paul wherein he says: "Ye who walk godly in Jesus shall suffer persecution." Not only is that fact true with regard to individuals but it is also exemplified in the community as a whole.
If we remain as Latter-day Saints we are a distinct people. We are separated from the world by a chasm which we cannot bridge. One great cause of alarm today in the midst of this people is the fact that we are becoming more like the world, we are uniting with them. I believe it a truth, and give it as my individual opinion, that we cannot, my brethren and sisters, become as the world without losing the Spirit of God, or else without lifting them up to the plane upon which we stand. There are other evil phases that we see today in our midst and which confront us.
One of them now comes to my mind; it is the associations which are going on among our young people and which threaten us with disaster. There is not that fear and love for God among our young people that we saw a few years since, nor that respect for the ordinances of His Gospel. There was a law given to ancient Israel which says, "Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Thy daughter thou shalt not give unto their sons, nor their daughters shalt thou take unto thy sons, for they will turn thy sons and daughters from thee and they will bow down and worship images and become idolaters."
This is the law given to ancient Israel together with all others given to Moses, and it has been repeated to the Israel of the latter days, for we are the offspring of Abraham and of Jacob, and we are the inheritors of the blessings as well as the curses which were pronounced upon Israel according to their obedience or disobedience to the laws of God. This law is binding upon us today and is essential. We find today that our young people, many of them born and reared in the church, and who are heirs of the covenant and Priesthood, are not receiving these blessings from God which are to be obtained in the House of the Lord. Marriages are taking place with those not of our faith, and I tell you, brethren and sisters, it is my belief that if this thing continues destruction will attend the people of God. Watch the course that these young people pursue, and you will find trouble and ruin will follow them. You remember the case of Samson, a mighty man before God, but when he took to himself a wife of the Philistines his power was lost and he was made to suffer. Solomon, the great king, and the wisest man perhaps that ever lived, took unto himself wives from another nation, those not of his faith and they turned his heart away from God and he became an idolater.
This is one of the evils of the present day, and another was mentioned yesterday. Fashion and vanity are growing up in the midst of the people and drawing more away from the Church than all the trouble and persecution that was ever heaped upon it. There is a great deal of social distinction among the Latter-day Saints. The hearts of many are going out after the mammon of unrighteousness, we are looking upon the god of the earth. We are not listening to the words of inspiration and the counsels of the servants of God as we should do. How was it in the days of trouble and trial when the people were driven from their homes in Nauvoo? They were anxiously seeking for counsel. They were ready to make any sacrifice. But do we ask for counsel regarding the selling of our lands? If we do, do we carry it out?
After we came to these valleys an army came up to destroy us. President Young's was the voice of God to us. We hearkened to his counsels. He advised us to leave hour homes, an go where we knew not, and we were ready to carry out that command of God given to us through His servant. We were ready then to receive instructions and counsel, and had no need to be urged to follow the servants of God then. But a day of prosperity has dawned upon us. Who seeks for counsel or asks an Apostle of the Lord what to do with his or her property when they are offered an enormous price for it? Do they o and ask for counsel if they are going to sell? If thy do and receive counsel not to sell, do they follow it?
No. In short, in such matters, in financial affairs, we consider ourselves quite equal with the Lord, Himself. God speaks to these persons whom we sustain as Apostles, Seers and Revelators to the Church, and it is my feeling, brethren and sisters, that we come down to the deepest humility and be willing to seek for and follow counsel. We should say in our hearts as also with our lips: "Search me, O God, and if I am not pure then purify me; cleanse me from every impurity." We will be scourged, will be whipped, will be driven, hunted and harassed until we comprehend what the Lord requires of us and learn obedience to his laws.
And you, young people, you young Latter-day Saints, improve the opportunities that are given you. you have glorious promises, but they will only be realized through faithfulness on your part. I urge you by all the power I possess to look to these men who stand at the head of this Church; those who have fought so nobly to maintain this cause. Look to their actions and follow in their footsteps for they soon will pass away.
Men, however great they may be to day, whatever position they may occupy, if they sin they will not be acknowledged of the Lord; their sins will be found out. No man can sin be he an Apostle, President of a Stake, Bishop, High Priest or Seventy, and not be brought down to humility and destruction unless he repents. And herein, my brethren and sisters, we find the necessity of the spirit of inspiration which the apostle was speaking about yesterday. We should have the companionship of the Holy Ghost continually. Wherein is the strength of the Church? It is in the spirit of revelation and in the priesthood of God. Where is this great one man power that the world prates about? It is the man that is acknowledged of God and with whom His spirit is. The whole people and priesthood all need the spirit of inspiration, and it is your privilege to know when any counsel is given of God, and not follow blindly any doctrine. If you failed in anything it is because you have not used your reasoning faculties and did not approach the Lord and learn of Him. The advice of the servants of God is that we correct ourselves, live up to our religion, for it is the privilege of every man and every woman and every child in the Church to enjoy revelation from the Lord but not to receive it for the Church of Christ.
May peace and rest be in the habitations of the people of God, and may the clouds which are now resting be lifted up to the glory of the Lord and the salvation of his people and the human family.
The choir sang the anthem.
Hear my prayer.
Benediction by Apostle H. J. Grant.
_____
[8 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 37:204, 4/11/88, p 12]
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 2 O'CLOCK.
The attendance at the Conference had steadily increased from the first day, and before the congregation was called to order at 2 p. m. the Tabernacle was crowded to its utmost capacity; all the aisles and entrances were filled with those unable to obtain seats, and thousands turned away because they could not gain admission to the building. The services opened by the choir singing the hymn commencing:
God! our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
Prayer was offered by Elder John Morgan.
The choir sang:
'Twas on that dark, and
stormy night, When powers of earth and hell arose
Against the Son, e'en God's delight, And friends betrayed Him to His foes.
Sacrament was administered under the direction of the Priesthood of the Seventeenth Ward.
APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
Presented the General authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained as follows:
Wilford Woodruff as President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Council of the Twelve Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Canon, Brigham young, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W Taylor.
Counselors of the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the Presiding Council and Authority of the Church, and, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted and John Morgan.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robt. T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with Franklin D. Richards as assistant.
Clerk of Conference: John Nicholson.
Elder Richards then read the following communication from the General Superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A.:
SALT LAKE CITY,
April 6, 1888.
To the Council of the Apostles:
DEAR BRETHREN: -- In behalf of the Young Men's Mutual
Improvement Associations, we desire to make a brief report.
The Associations are in a thriving condition, there
being one in nearly every organized Ward in the Church. They commenced holding
their regular meetings for the present season, early in October, 1887, and will
continue to do so for about one month longer, that is, until the first week in
May, before adjourning for the summer vacation.
Believing it would be for the best interests of the
Associations and would greatly encourage the work of mutual improvement among
the young, we authorized this extension of the regular season's work, and have
appointed a general conference of the Associations to be held in this city on
the 2nd and 3rd of June, at which time a general attendance of officers and
members is expected and full statistical and other reports will be given. We
also have under consideration some projects for strengthening the Associations
and augmenting the work of improvement being performed by them, which we shall
present at that conference. Complete reports of the season's labors and the
condition of the organization will at that time be presented and copies filed
with the Church historian.
Feeling grateful for the blessings of the Lord which
continue to hover over the youth of Zion, we remain,
Your Brethren,
WILFORD WOODRUFF,
JOSEPH F. SMITH,
MOSES THATCHER,
General Superintendents.
The following officers were presented and sustained by the unanimous vote of the congregation:
Wilford Woodruff, Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher as the General Superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations to the Church.
George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union; George Goddard, First, and John Morgan Second Assistant General Superintendents; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
Apostle Richards stated that it had been deemed advisable to omit the full statistical report of the Church, and of the Relief Societies, young Ladies' and Primary Associations at the present Conference. Our late lamented sister, Eliza R . Snow Smith, has been president of the Relief Societies ever since their organization in these mountains, and has labored with unexampled diligence for their welfare and advancement. Her death now leaves the organization without a president. Sister Zina D. Young was her first Counselor. It is now moved and seconded that she be made president. Sister Young was chosen by unanimous vote. The selection of her counselors was left for the further consideration of the authorities. The following general officers of the Relief Society were then sustained: Sarah M. Kimball, secretary; Romania B. Pratt, assistant secretary; M. Isabella Horne, treasurer.
Brother Richards explained that he did not have the names of all of the Central Board of the Young Ladies' Associations. Elmina S. Taylor was sustained as President, and Mary E. Cook as secretary.
Of the Primary Associations organization, Louie Felt was sustained as President, an Cornelia H. Clayton as secretary.
Brother Richards made an explanation that it had been considered by the Council of Apostles that there should be inaugurated a more efficient system of education among the Saints, and the following brethren had been suggested to carefully consider the subject. They received the unanimous vote of the congregation: Wilford Woodruff, of Salt Lake City, President of the Board; Lorenzo Snow, Brigham City; George Q. Cannon, Salt Lake City; Karl G. Maeser, Provo; Horace S. Eldredge, Salt Lake City; Willard Young, Salt Lake City; George W. Thatcher, Logan; Anton H. Lund, Ephraim; Amos Horne, Salt Lake City.
APOSTLE RICHARDS
delivered an excellent address, embracing several topics of vital interest to the Saints, prominent among them being the necessity of each member of the Church having the light of the Holy Spirit for personal guidance, the Saints retaining their homes, etc.
[Franklin D. Richards]
[DNW 37:220, 4/18/88, p 12; CD 1:103]
A DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
At the Fifty-Eighth General Conference, in the Tabernacle,
Salt Lake City, on Sunday, April 8th, 1888.
_____
Being
requested by President Snow to occupy a little time this afternoon, I will take
the liberty to read a few verses contained in the 8th chapter of the First Book
of Nephi, in the Book of Mormon. It is a dream or vision, that was had by the
ancient prophet and patriarch, Lehi, who led forth a company consisting of his
family and others, from the city of Jerusalem, about 600 years before Christ;
and, being led by the power of God, was landed on the west shores of this
(American) continent. This aged veteran, in his experience, has left on record
the following dream r vision -- which is found in the eighth chapter of First
Nephi, commencing with the 5th verse.
5.
And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe: and
he came and stood before me.
6. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.
7. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a
dark and dreary waste.
8. And after I had travelled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began
to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the
multitude of his tender mercies.
9. And it came to pass that after I prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and
spacious field.
10. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make
one happy.
11. And it came to pass that I did go forth, and partake of the fruit thereof;
and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea,
and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that
I had ever seen.
12. And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceeding
great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of
it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
13. And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family
also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of
which I was partaking the fruit.
* * * * *
19.
And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and
led to the tree by which I stood.
20. And I also beheld a straight and narrow path, which came along by the rod
of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the
fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world;
21. And I saw numberless concourses of people; many of whom were pressing
forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which i
stood.
22. And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commenced in the path
which led to the tree.
23. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an
exceeding great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the
path, did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.
24. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came
forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward
through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did
come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.
It might
seem quite preposterous for me to think of instructing and edifying this vast
congregation in regard to anything I know of myself or any gift of mine by
which I might endeavor to do so. But if the Saints shall exercise their faith
and inclinations it may be, peradventure, that the Holy Spirit shall rest upon
us, and that we may be edified together.
It seems
as though the flood of light and instruction that has been poured out during
this Conference upon the people, which has been quite becoming and refreshing
from the presence of God—that of those who have heard these instructions, and
have sought to take them in and be profited thereby, they would be sufficient
to satisfy any honest seekers after truth, in regard to the principles of life
and salvation, and enable him or them to lay hold of the rod of iron, and
follow it to the source of the river of life. Commencing with the first
principles of faith, repentance and baptism, and coming on, even, to baptism,
confirmation and administration for the dead, which have brought us, in our
reflection and meditation, to a sense of union with our fathers and mothers
that have gone before us, we have had poured out to us the precious things of
the Kingdom of God, which are calculated to stir up in the hearts of the
righteous a firm inclination to adhere to the principles of the Gospel, yea, to
hold on to the rod of iron.
This
vision that was here seen, though it applied to the people who received it, and
to the new land to which they were going, still the circumstances attendant
upon them were in some respects so analogous to the circumstances of the
present day, that it seems to me that from this lesson we may derive profit and
be strengthened in our work and induced to hold firmly to this rod of iron that
is here spoken of. We are informed in the Revelation to St. John that the Lord
shall subdue all things and put all things under His feet, that "He shall
rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken
to shivers;" and this "rod of iron" as Nephi explains in the
15th chapter and 24th verse, is the word of God, so that in regard to this expression
there need be no misunderstanding. Now, in this vision which I have read, you
will notice that the Prophet saw a great many going along trying to walk in
that straight and narrow path, but some of them got out of it, and you will
recollect he says that there arose an exceeding great mist of darkness,
insomuch that they who had commenced in the path lost their way; so that the
only chance they had to keep in the right path was to hang on to the rod of
iron, otherwise, if that rod was near the edge of the river, they might tumble
into the river and be cut off from the direct way.
The
Prophet Nephi further says in the same connection that "whoso would
hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never
perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary
overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction,"
wherefore Nephi did exhort his brethren to give heed unto the word of the Lord;
with all the energies of his soul, and with all the faculty which he possessed
they would give heed to the word of God, and remember to keep His commandments
in all things.
Now, it
occurs to my mind that, in our own day, right here in Salt Lake City there is
great need for many, yea, for all of us, to cling tight unto this rod of iron
which is the word of God. One of the ancient apostles in speaking of this says
to the brethren: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye
do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until
the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." From this saying we
are led to understand that they who had embraced the Gospel, those who had been
born of the water and the spirit, had a sure word of prophecy, to which they
must take heed. This "day dawn" and the "day star" that was
to arise in their hearts was that principle which is spoken of in another
scripture where it says: "The anointing which ye have received of him
abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing
teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath
taught you, ye shall abide in him." This was of peculiar importance to the
Saints as well as to the apostles anciently especially when some were being
killed—and others scattered in different parts of the earth. It was of special
importance to them that they should have the spirit of God, which is the spirit
of revelation, within them, that it might be a source of light and an anchor to
their souls continually.
Now, I
ask, have we not also received this holy anointing, and if we have, are not
these same blessings promised to us, even all who keep His commandments? And
inasmuch as we cultivate these blessings by constant obedience are we not
precious in the eyes of God? We are told in the Scriptures that His children
are precious in His sight, as the apple of His eye. Suppose then, that each one
undertakes of himself, and adopts the process recommended in the epistle which
was read yesterday. Suppose we "wash our eyes with eye salve," and
judge ourselves in that manner which is contemplated by the Apostle, namely,
that we judge ourselves so that we need be judged by no man. Is it not better
to judge ourselves and put away all that is unworthy in our lives and claim
this great blessing which is promised by virtue of the holy anointing? Is not
this our right and privilege? Do we not feel the need of more of the spirit of
revelation in these times of doubt and uncertainty? Is it not better, I repeat,
to judge ourselves and put ourselves in a position to receive these blessings
at the hands of God one and all of us? We should then be in a position to get
knowledge and intelligence of the Lord in all things as we might need. It is
obedience to the will of God that brings His friendship and His blessings.
In the
early settlement of these valleys, when each Sabbath we ate and drank at the
table of the Lord—union, peace and love to each other and the Lord—all was
pleasant even in our deep poverty. Now in the face of all the opposition that
we meet it is not quite so easy to be a Saint in some respects. It is easy for
a mariner to guide his ship in a fair wind but in a hurricane and rough sea he
requires all the skill he possesses. So with the ship Zion, at one time all may
be pleasant.
Behold we
have been gathered together from the four quarters of the earth. Many have come
here not for the truth's sake, but to better their condition temporally. I
would like to bear my testimony here, of the great work and excellence of the
institution that has helped so many to gather to this country. Presidents
Brigham Young and John Taylor well managed its affairs as benefactors of our
race, and rendered it very efficient to bring many thousands here.
In our
scooping in the net, we were not then able to discern those that were good from
those that were bad. The Savior said when the net was cast into the sea, that
it was likened unto the kingdom of God, it brought all sorts of fish to the
shore, and we find it to be true. The good will be put into vessels, the bad
will be cast away. There are some people here, who being traitors, betray their
brethren and sisters—men whom it would have been better if they had never come
to this land—or perhaps better still if they had not been born—some of them.
And these, together with the enemies of Zion, who have come up against the
people of God, are doing their utmost to make things very unpleasant among us.
Darkness
covers the earth and gross darkness the people, because they have changed the
ordinances, they have transgressed the laws, and they have broken the
everlasting covenant; therefore hath a curse devoured the earth, and it is
devouring it.
Now,
then, let us look at this darkness a little. The prophet Lehi said he beheld in
this vision that there was great darkness that he was led into, and he saw how
difficult it was to get through, and out of it, into the light again. Indeed,
he found the only way to get through was by clinging to the rod of iron.
This is
characteristic of the Saints always, that while they love the light they fear
not the darkness, while they have the spirit and power of God with them.
We are
reminded of one of the early hymns that used to be sung,
We
want no cowards in our band
that will their colors fly,
We call for valiant hearted men,
who're not afraid to die.
These are
the kind we have been seeking for and have found a great many; still, while
gathering them, we have had to bring others with them. The wheat and the tares
are so mixed up and have grown together, that if we pull up the tares, we will
be very apt to pull some of the wheat also; so we'll wait until the harvest,
and the angels will gather the wheat in the garner, and the tares into bundles
to be burned in the due time of the Lord.
But
concerning this darkness; now, I know that a good many of the Saints are put
about over these things—their fathers are taken off to prison, their husbands
are dragged away, and they themselves are humbled in the dust by reason of the
inquisition that seems to take possession of them and their most sacred
relations. Consequently, there is a sad feeling and sorrow gets into the minds
of some, but we tell you it is in these times that the test comes to the
increase of our faith.
There is
such a thing as walking in the twilight, when your light does not burn very
bright; but your eyes become adapted to the light and you can see to walk
steadily without stumbling, even if it be not in the full light of the Son of
Righteousness. But by and by that glorious Son will come in the fulness of His
splendor.
The
dawning of that day has come. We are walking in the light of it, but when the
Son of Righteousness shall come and dwell upon the earth, the righteous will
have a fulness of His glory.
Did you
ever walk out in a dark night when the vivid lightning flashed, and the pealing
thunder rolled over your heads, when it was so dark you could not see a step
before you? When the glare of light came you could see what was but a few steps
ahead and could go a short distance in safety? When another flash of light
still further illuminated your pathway, until the storm had passed and you were
enabled to pursue your way steadily in an even, though perhaps not the
brightest, light. So with the experience and trials of the Saints; though the
storm may beat upon us, the ungodly hover around us and thick darkness may
exist and threaten destruction of property and life, still between there will
come to those who are true and faithful, these manifestations, from time to
time, that will show them from one step to the next the way to the Tree of
Life. Lehi saw in his vision "an exceeding great mist of darkness,
insomuch that many who commenced in the narrow path did lose their way and
wandered off and were lost, while those who clung to the rod of iron made their
way safely to the Tree and partook of its fruit."
Herein,
my brethren, is where we come to the trial of our faith, though not so much a
trial of our faith perhaps, as of our integrity to the truth.
Some feel
their weakness, and are a little shaky when they see our great government is
taking away our property—the hard earnings of our labor and the toil of forty
years—and, in the midst of this confusion and jar, wonder what the outcome will
be. Suppose we should be stripped of our possessions by unscrupulous agencies,
our frugality, temperance, industry and faith in God would soon enable us to
place ourselves on a better basis of wealth than we ever before enjoyed. We
could scarcely be brought to a lower condition in that respect than when we
arrived in these valleys and exist. My brethren and sisters, God has given us
indubitable promises; such unqualified assurances, that He would establish His
kingdom in this dispensation, and that it shall never be given to another
people, but that He will deal with His Saints, discipline and prepare them, so
that they will have that assurance and confidence that they will never doubt,
and when Satan comes around and tries to disturb their confidence and unsettle
their integrity, they would say, "Get thee behind me, Satan. It is written,
Thou shalt serve the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." And as
for me and mine, we will serve the Lord. Therefore, I say to you, my brethren
and sisters, when you are troubled with any manner of griefs or afflictions and
are depressed, do not forget your God. Get away into your secret places and
pray unto Him, and do not allow yourselves to be diverted from the right way of
the Lord, but move carefully, and by and by these clouds will have passed away,
the light will come. Then, oh! how thankful you will be if you have not said or
done anything that you will have to be sorry for, and that would take you,
perhaps, years to recover from. I would like, if I could, to say a word to
strengthen the brethren in these times, so that they may feel encouraged and
invigorated to go on their way rejoicing.
We should
teach our children the right way of the Lord, instruct them to pray and not get
in a hurry and neglect these things. When you are sad, then is the time to
pray; and when you are joyful sing psalms of praise. Don't forget to
acknowledge the hand of the Lord at all times and in all things, then He will
order your way in great mercy and its grace shall be sufficient for you. His
promises to His children will never fail; though the heavens and earth pass
away, still not one jot or tittle of His word shall go unfulfilled. It will go
forth and not return void, but shall accomplish the thing whereunto it is sent.
Then O, ye Saints, lift up your hearts, be glad and rejoice, although darkness
may lower around you and may dwell upon your path for a season! Remember that
God has ordained the night, as well as the day, and one is just as important as
the other. If the sun shone on the earth all the time it would dry everything
up, there would be no moisture which now sustains vegetation, causes the
verdure of the earth, and makes its various products agreeable, pleasant and
profitable for our use.
We have
received during this conference some very incisive suggestions and instructions
concerning the course that is being pursued by many of the people. Do we
realize, that we live in a day in which all the known forces seem conspiring to
hasten the fulfillment of the purposes of God in His great Latter-day work? It
is therefore the more essential that we live nearer to Him, and have more of
His Spirit, being careful to keep oil in our vessels, having our lamps trimmed
and burning brightly that we may see and know how to redeem the time, because
the days are evil, and are liable to be more so.
Who can
contemplate the many judgments that have spread destruction through the earth
during the half century in which the Gospel has been revealed and preached
among the nations, the waves of the sea roaring and heaving themselves beyond
their bounds, as instanced in China quite recently, when over one and a half
million of human beings were reported swept into eternity by a terrible
concussion of the elements, or as in India during a famine, when some hundreds
of thousands perished. In various other parts where towns, cities and islands
have been sunk or been overflooded with all their teeming populations. These,
together with the earthquakes, cyclones, pestilences and tornadoes that have
visited our own much favored land with their terrible consequences in South
Carolina, still fresh in our memories, cannot be contemplated without feeling
the evidence that the Lord is following the testimonies of His ministers with
His own confirmation of their words, and realizing that it is in fulfillment of
His promises.
We have
lived in these mountains forty years and have raised up a new generation. Some
of our sons have grown up and become Elders, Bishops, presidents, judges and
attorneys. We have another generation that has grown up among us; how much do
they realize of what their fathers and mothers, their grandfathers and
grandmothers had to pass through to get to these valleys of the mountains and
commence to establish homes? Very few, indeed, entertain any realizing sense of
the experience their parents had on the plains, or the trouble they had before
they left Nauvoo, or the persecutions they endured in the State of Missouri.
It is
necessary that our young people should entertain some idea of these things,
else how can they appreciate the value of the peaceful and happy homes they are
now permitted to enjoy. If our people, young or old, forget God and His great
deliverances He knows just how to teach the present generation as He did their
parents.
We have
come to be a wealthy people. We have among us bankers, merchants, well to do
artisans and farmers who are in very comfortable circumstances, so far as this
world's goods are concerned. The Lord causes our land to be fruitful and gives
us plenty. Now, what I want to draw your attention to is this: While we have
abundance given unto us, while we have all we need to sustain life and make us
comfortable, does it occur to you that if we do not conduct ourselves so as to
preserve the favor of God with us that He can stop the earth from yielding
forth its fruit; can close up our mercantile establishments and banks and
bankrupt us all? We are in His hands. He can do with us as seemeth Him best.
This being so, we should make Him our friend, keep our covenants, and obey His
laws; for He can bestow upon us abundantly, or He can, of His own will, permit
us to be brought down as low as when we first came to these valleys. But then
we need not make any great worriment about that; certainly the old folks will
not. I have heard many of them say: "I shall never be afraid of going
hungry after this—after crossing the plains and locating in these valleys under
the circumstances that we did." But it is within the providence of God, if
we should depart from Him, or forget ourselves and not value and appreciate His
blessings, to bring us down from our present prosperous condition. You know He
can do it. He has permitted us to get homes in which we could settle down with
no one to molest us. If, however, we disregard these homes, and are ready to
sell them out to those who hate us, the Lord may chastise us for so doing. It
seems as if some of the brethren had said to themselves, "I may as well do
as others do," and the best reason that they can give for their course is:
"If I do not sell, my neighbor will," just as the man reasoned in regard
to putting up a saloon, "If I don't put up a saloon, somebody else will,
and I may as well do it as he." It seems as if some of our brethren had
actually got scared for fear they could not get rid of their homes, and they
have employed intrigue and deception to bring it about. There must come a time
when this will have to stop, or the displeasure of the Lord will be incurred
upon the people. It is a principle of truth and justice that if men go astray
and bring the displeasure of God upon themselves and those around them, they
necessarily are accountable for the mischief done, to a certain considerable
extent. I recollect well a saying of the Prophet Joseph when there were men
laying in wait for him and for his life, and when there were brethren around
him who did not know what they were about—he said he had not only to protect
himself against the malice of his enemies, but also against the follies of his
friends. So it is in these days. We have to protect ourselves, not only against
our enemies, but frequently against the folly of our friends who bring trouble
needlessly upon us by their unwise conduct and conversation.
There are
many things that we might take into consideration. I will mention another one.
Not only are we in a condition where the Lord can deal with us in the way that
I have mentioned, but let me remind you that while earthquakes, cyclones,
terrible convulsions of nature, and the heaving of the sea beyond its bounds
are happening in other countries, quite as strange things may happen here. We
have been greatly blessed, having experienced but a shock or two of earthquake,
with no disastrous consequences; but it may be borne in mind that we are living
on a strip of the earth where, from the geysers of the Yellowstone to the
tropical region of the West Indies, it is nothing more or less than a line of
silent earthquakes and volcanoes. Go down in Dixie and you will find the land
for miles around gives evidences of terrible volcanic eruptions in leaving
great fissures and craters in the ground. Go north and you will find the same
thing. We are living on a portion of the earth where we are liable to be, more
than any other place on this hemisphere, subject to these great disasters as
chastisements.
I merely
refer you to this to show how easy, in the natural course of events it would be
for our Heavenly Father to bring affliction upon us in our peaceful and happy
homes. I do not wish to terrify you into obedience, but to remind you that we
are in the hands of God our Father and that he will deal with us in His infinite
wisdom. And if we keep His commandments and walk in the way of His judgments
and statutes, we need not fear the legislation of Congress, the rulings of
judges nor the decision of nations. But we leave that to God. Let Him judge
between them and us. He knows how to rebuke strong nations afar off, and how to
teach senators wisdom; and He will do it. He will order all these things in His
own good way and in His own good time. Armies have already been here in our
midst and gone away as harmless as the boys in the Twentieth Ward that were
Imprisoned by the Federal officers for playing with their wooden swords. We are
talking with the nation, and the nation with us, about the principles of the
Gospel. We are inquiring to find out as to whether we shall gain our liberties
or remain in the condition we are now in. We are not now under Governor Ford,
of Illinois, nor the captain of the Carthage Greys. We have come out here, and
the Lord during all these different trials has brought us unto an open field
like unto that which father Lehi saw. We are assuming another aspect entirely;
we are in another class of society, if you please. It is the nation of the
United States who talks with us, and we with them concerning our rights and
privileges as citizens. We should not forget this. We should maintain the faith
and have it continually in our minds. Our lives should be consistent. It was
very pleasant for us when we were here by ourselves, when we were not troubled
by drunkenness, or houses of ill fame. Our sisters could then walk out in the
evening without the care of their men and feel just as safe as they did in the
day time. In these early days it was very pleasant to be so exclusive. But that
was not the object of our coming here. As the Savior said, "Ye are the
light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men
light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house." Our light should not be hid under
the bed or under a bushel, but it ought to be lit up here in these mountains,
and it has got to shine so that this whole nation shall see it. And all nations
must see and have a chance of accepting or rejecting the Gospel. We must
fraternize with them, as far as is right and proper, so that we may show them
the excellency there is in the knowledge of God; not to get down to their
level, but keep ourselves to ourselves.
We ought
to consider the nature of our high calling. Those very people who are our most
devoted enemies, and who pour out a flood of lies about us over the nation,
drowning the moral sense of the people thereof—know our goodness, and it is
only one thing—one great pretended objection to us—viz., our religion.
Now,
then, we ought to understand that our labors and our conduct individually and
collectively are open before the world, our conduct and attitude as a people
before the nation, should be according to the dignity of our position, that the
nations of the earth may see and know we are true to our God, to our
professions of faith, and that we are honestly pushing forward the kingdom of
God. This should be the spirit of the whole people. We should be ready to make
any sacrifice, and discharge every obligation necessary for the advancement of
His kingdom.
These are
some of the reflections that have passed through my mind during the days of
this conference. I hope, while we have been together, that all have been
benefited by the instructions that have been given; fed at the table of the
Lord with such a feast that you can go to your homes like giants refreshed with
wine.
I testify
that this is the work of God in which we are engaged, that it is true, not only
true, but the more I see of it, the more I sense that it is true, and my
confidence in its power and influence is, that it will triumph over all
things—all powers and influences not ordained of God. The more the clouds
lower, the more vivid the lightning, and the more rumbling the thunders, the
more does it show to me that the coming of the Lord is near at hand; that He is
bringing these things about as fast as we are prepared to receive them. We
ought, therefore, to strive for an increase of faith, strength and ability to
know the will of the Lord and to do it; for those who love Him are they that
know His will and do it.
The sum
of the whole matter is, that having found the straight and narrow path that
leads to the tree of eternal life, our only safety is in seizing hold of the
rod of iron, which is the word of God, and clinging to it through all the dark,
misty and troublesome experiences we may be called to pass through; and that if
we do this we shall find ourselves eventually partaking of those fruits which
will bring to us eternal life, with joys supernal.
May the
blessing of Israel's God go with you to your homes. May you feel refreshed and
strengthened; feel stronger in the truth than ever before. If you should feel
tried more than you ever have been, go to the Father in secret and tell Him
your troubles, and He will be pleased to make manifest that which you desire to
know, to give you more than you ever received heretofore. Notwithstanding that
our prospects seem dark in many respects, yet I assure you the Lord has not
turned His face away from us. He will manifest His presence from time to time
to all those who diligently seek after Him. May His blessing be upon your
families, your flocks and herds and all that has been given unto you. May He give
unto us a right frame of mind that we may teach transgressors His ways and
sinners be converted unto Him. The world has treated with contempt the efforts
of the Saints; yet He has given unto us the treasures of eternity, shown unto
us many principles of salvation that pertain not only to the living but to the
dead. I rejoice that so much is being done in temples, thus creating a union
with the dead as well as with those that are around us, and this sphere of work
will increase until we are one with the Church of the First Born, and the
spirits of the just made perfect.
Oh! that
God will preserve us in the truth, that when we are done with our work in the
flesh we may be prepared to go hence and be re-united with the fathers and
rejoice in a fulness of rest and glory with the redeemed. That this may be our
happy lot I labor and earnestly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
After the close of Elder Richards remarks, the Tabernacle choir, under the direction of Elder E. Beesley, beautifully rendered the anthem,
We will give Thanks.
Conference was then adjourned till the sixth day of October, 1888, and benediction was pronounced by Patriarch John Smith.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
5-7 Oct 1888, 58th Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 37:616, 10/10/88, p 8; Millennial Star 50:689, 705, 721, 737]
[5 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 37:616, 10/10/88, p 8]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE
_____
The Fifty-ninth [58th] Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assembled in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 o'clock this (Friday) morning, October 5th, 1888, Apostle Lorenzo Snow presiding.
There were on the stand, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, John Henry Smith and Heber J. Grant; of Counselors to the Twelve, Daniel H. wells; Patriarch, John Smith; of the Presiding Council of the Seventies; Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young; of the Presiding Bishopric, John R. Winder. There were also present a number of Presidents of Stakes and other brethren of various parts of Utah and surrounding States and Territories.
Conference was called to order by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
Singing by the choir:
Praise ye the Lord! 'tis
good to raise Your hearts and voices in His praise;
His nature and His works unite, To make this duty our delight.
Opening prayer by Apostle John Henry Smith.
Singing:
What wondrous scenes mine
eyes behold! What glories burst upon my view!
When Ephraim's records I unfold, All things appear divinely new.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW.
We are much pleased to meet with brethren, sisters and friends, in a conference capacity. Many changes have occurred since the previous gathering of this kind. some of them have been pleasurable and others sad. Apostle Erastus Snow has passed away from his earthly labors, to mingle with the faithful in another sphere. Also Brother Horace S. Eldredge, of the Presiding quorum of Seventies, and others who have finished their earthly probation and done well. Whether we will be present at the next General Conference we cannot tell.
It is probable that in the spirit world before we came here to assume mortality, we agreed when we should come, to aid in the establishment of the work of God on the earth. It is not probable that were were ignorant in that regard. We were doubtless able then to see the outcome of this work. We meet many things associated with this labor that are not pleasant, but there is a great pleasure connected with it. When we look back upon our determinations to devote ourselves to the cause of truth and keep our covenants, we have great joy, because the spirit of our callings rests mightily upon us, without which spirit we cannot keep pace with the kingdom of God.
Of late years the spirit of persecution against us has been manifested, and those even who have not been immediately affected by it, have suffered in their feelings through sympathy. There is a solace in the hour of persecution; it is needful that we be tried that we may have opportunities to make sacrifice for the cause of God and truth, and it is through self-abnegation for the sake of right that we are enabled to take hold of eternal life. We have before us illustrious examples of the past, as for instance the cases of the three Hebrew children and Daniel. These were glorious examples, through which God was glorified. The sacrifices they made were of the noblest character. How was it that Daniel accomplished his safety? When Darius appeared at the den of lions, and enquired of Daniel whether the God he served had saved him, Daniel replied that God had sent an angel to him to protect him, as He had found innocence in him and he (Daniel) had done the king no harm. This was how deliverance came. So it will come to us as a people.
It is ordained that we be tried in a fiery ordeal. It cannot be avoided. Otherwise we cannot receive our celestial crowns. notwithstanding that attempts have been made to rob us and to bring us into slavery, the work of God has not been stayed. Many of the brethren have gone to prison, and have shown to the heavens and all men how much they feel grateful for what God has revealed.
People differ in their dispositions. To some small trials are as powerful as larger ones are to others. Some of the sisters who meet with perplexities in raising their families are tried to as great an extent as they can bear. But none of us need take an unpleasant view of trials. Many who suffer them enjoy themselves better than in days of peace. They humble themselves to a greater extent before the Lord, and His Spirit rests mightily upon them, and their joy is great, this being the compensating condition.
There are plenty of opportunities for all Saints to make themselves useful. These exist in many shapes, as for instance in the various forms of Improvement and Relief Societies that have been instituted. The sisters can prepare themselves to be useful in a public capacity, and there is no class of people who have such privileges in this regard as the Saints.
A short time previous to the last General Conference a Central Educational Board was organized, that schools in keeping with the genius of the Gospel might be instituted. In them the scriptures, ancient and modern, could be used, and the children's minds be familiarized with the principles of the gospel as well as with matters of secular education. It was deemed a matter of regret by the central board that our financial condition was not favorable to giving the degree of substantial assistance to this movement that was desired. It was decided to move in the direction of establishing at least one academy of the kind in view in each Stake, as a commencement. It was concluded to make Brother Karl G. Maeser -- who had done so well in the work of educating the youth of the community in line with the genius of the principles of salvation -- the general superintendent of the system. Means had been appropriated to the extent of the present ability, to carry out the object in view in the various stakes. it was expected that parents would contribute of their means for this object. We cannot sacrifice too much in this direction, as it is impossible for us to labor too diligently and exhibit too much self-denial for our children. It is expected that the contemplated educational system will eventually spread until it extends to the Wards.
It is good to be a good Latter-day Saint, but most undesirable to be a bad one. The people are progressing. They are learning to bear trials. No other people would have borne such indignities and wrongs as they have suffered. This patience shows the character of God, and they will continue, aided by His power, to pursue this course. It will yet come about that those who now afflict us will be glad for us to officiate for them in the temples of god, that they may be redeemed, after they have paid the penalty of their misdeeds in this probation.
May the blessing of God rest upon the people.
ELDER JACOB GATES,
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, was the next speaker. He had listened with pleasure to the remarks that had been made regarding the experience of the Saints in past ages, and the present condition of affairs among this community. I have been associated with this people for over fifty years, and I am not discouraged. There is a glorious outcome for this people. They have the truth in their hearts, and no amount of persecution can root it out. There is power in this Gospel, and if we embody it we will see the power thereof, exemplified in the individual cases of latter-day Saints. That power will be similar to that manifested in the days of Enoch;, by the potency of whose words the very earth was shaken. That same priesthood by which great things were accomplished in ages of the past, has been revealed anew, and exists in this Church. It was by its exercise that in ancient times on this hemisphere and the other side of the globe, prisons were opened. [The speaker here narrated the instance related in the Book of Mormon telling that Alma and Amulek, when in prison, were delivered and their enemies destroyed.] This work was established through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith, the great Prophet of the latter-day dispensation, and the work he inaugurated is to stand for ever. No power can uproot it. It is the kingdom foreseen by the Prophet Daniel. The demolition of all systems adverse to truth and justice will be brought about by the spread of Gospel knowledge embodied in the system revealed through Joseph Smith. I rejoice in the truth, and thank God that I heard the sound of the Gospel in early youth. I have not seen a moment since then in the most gloomy day when I have felt the least misgiving in regard to the truth of this work. all that it needs to demonstrate the excellence of the gospel is to apply its principles to every-day life.
PATRIARCH LORENZO D. YOUNG
Addressed the conference. He was grateful in the privilege of being present and hearing what had been said. He simply desired to express his feelings regarding this work. The congregation is composed of people who have been brought together from the nations of the earth through obedience to the gospel of Christ. Great efforts had been made by the servants of God to proclaim the gospel message, yet the great bulk of the people of the world were ignorant of the nature of the mission of Joseph Smith. A great many more than are might be informed upon the subject if they were willing. The fact is, that they do not want to know anything about it. It is now as in ancient times, "light has come into the world, but the world loves darkness rather than light." The world will yet discover, however, to their dismay, that this is the work of God, as will the Jews in due time that Jesus is the Christ.
The speaker continued for some time, stating he had been pleasurably acquainted with Joseph Smith, whom he declared to be a man called of God. He rejoiced in the work he was the instrument in establishing, and knew it would prevail.
The Lord will comfort Zion,
was sung by the choir.
Benediction by Elder George Goddard.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
_____
[5 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 37:616, 10/10/88, p 8]
2 p. m.
The choir sang:
Great God, indulge my humble
claim; Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest.
The glories that compose thy name Stand all engaged to make me blest.
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
The choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord! my heart
shall join In work so pleasant, so divine.
Now while the flesh is my abode, And when my soul ascends to God.
PRESIDENT A. O. SMOOT.
of Utah Stake, was the first speaker. I am pleased, he said, to meet with the Saints in the capacity of a general conference and to partake with them of the things pertaining to eternal life, the greatest gift of God We assemble to learn the ways of the Lord and how to walk therein, and also to point out that way, in order that others may walk therein. The calling of the Saints is no ordinary calling, because the name means a great deal more than is generally comprehended. It implies that we are, strictly, the servants of the Lord and must harken to His counsel. It means that we are missionaries to gather Israel home to this the dispensation of the fullness of times, in order to prepare the way for the second coming of the Lord, when he will come, not to be slaughtered like a lamb, but to appear as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The name of the Saints implies that we are called to gather Israel from the four quarters of the earth unto this goodly land. It implies that we are temple builders and have the privilege of entering into the houses of the Lord to perform work both for the living and for the dead, ordinances for the redemption of Israel. A Saint is supposed to perform all the commandments of God, and thereby obtain eternal life,the greatest gift of God. Ours is therefore no idle calling, no appellation to be tampered with. If we wish to be great, we must be the servants of all, standing as saviors on mount Zion. As two of a family and one of a city, we are gathered from all nations on the earth, and have, indeed, ore tan an ordinary work to do. We must ring the glad tidings of salvation to every tongue and people before the end shall come. The day of the coming of the Lord is near at hand. The signs of the times indicated this, and the prophets, both ancient; and modern, have foretold it. We must prepare for that day, in order that the bridegroom may have a suitable bride when he comes, a suitable place to rest in, and that we may be able to associate with the Church of the Firstborn, when Christ shall come to reign on this earth a thousand years, the adversary be bound and a day of rest be ushered in.
For this reason we find ourselves a strange people in the eyes of the world.
The generation in which we live look upon us as a marvelous people. With all their wisdom and learning, the world cannot comprehend Zion. It is now as it was in the days of our Savior. The world persecuted Him, and like causes always produce like effects. It would be strange, indeed, if Zion's children should find their work endorsed by the world.
A gentleman the other day said: "If you people would only let polygamy alone, you would have no more troubles;" but past experience does not justify this conclusion. Before polygamy was revealed, the path of this people was much rougher than it is today. The people were driven from state to state until they came out here, where a white man's foot had hardly ever trod. They were robbed and scattered, and their leaders martyred. Why? Because God had communicated His will to the earth. Just as soon as this was done, before the book of Mormon had been translated even, or the Church organized, the youthful Prophet, Joseph Smith, was persecuted by the enemy, as the Church has been from that moment till the present time. Persecution may not end, perhaps, until Zion has been redeemed and built up, and the Lord reigns triumphant.
But this people are in the Lord's hands. It only remains for us to be steadfast and follow our leaders. May we live our religion, build temples, tabernacles and places of education. These are some of the privileges of the Latter-day Saints. Many, however, begin to weaken and be fearful, and to give way to skepticism, wondering if the Lord has forsaken Zion. But He has not and never will. The ordeals we have had to pass through have all been for our good, as well -- being in the form of chastisement.
President Young used to say, that with us it is the kingdom of God or nothing. Let me tell you that this is the Kingdom of God, established never to be overthrown, worlds without end. Zion will rise and shine, and be prepared to meet the Lord and the Zion of Enoch. May God help us to live so that we may obtain the places prepared for the Lord's people in His glorious mansions.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG
was the next speaker. He did not anticipate the pleasure of addressing the Saints this afternoon. I desire your faith and prayers and attention.
The meetings of the Saints are really feasts of good things. This is really a time of schooling to the Latter-day Israel. In the time of Joseph, the Prophet, there were many scenes of trial, through which the Saints were required to pass. And it seems to be necessary for the establishment of the Church that the people should pass through them. On the very announcement that God had spoken, the powers of evil were aroused, and the youthful Prophet had to contend with them, as best he could. When persecution raged, he called upon a little band of Saints to go to Missouri in the year 1834. This band was called Zion's Camp, and such has been their appellation to the present time. Ten of their number are still alive on the earth. They have gone behind the veil and are laboring and moving for the cause of this people in the courts above.
After this band had arrived in Missouri, a fearful scourge in the shape of Asiatic cholera broke out among them. Joseph stood among his brethren at that time, as long as he was permitted, until the lord told him to stand out of the way or be destroyed;l Departure from the way of the Lord, was this time, as always,s visited by the Lord's judgment. Two years after this the Prophet proclaimed at the time of the organization of the Quorum of the Twelve: "I have seen those who were with us in Zion's Camp and met their deaths by the scourge of cholera, and if I ever receive a crown as bright as their's, I shall be satisfied for ever afterwards." This was his testimony concerning the brethren.
The people were afterwards called to pass through persecution, but it is a fact that the Lord at this time was near His people. All the Prophet had to o was to inquire in regard to any line of conduct or doctrine, and he received an answer. The Lord was near to him and to the people. The greater the tribulation, the greater the blessing. In looking over this, I am satisfied that had we not been called to pass through such scenes, we would not have been able to keep the faith, or to obtain the blessings upon our labors, which we have received. When the Saints have obeyed their leaders they have always had manifestations of God's power in bringing them safely through all difficulties.
After the Saints had left Nauvoo, and the Camp of Israel was located between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, the government requested them to furnish a battalion to go to Mexico and fight the battles of our common country. In the condition of poverty and exile in which the people then were, there was no need of complying with that request. They were utterly destitute, and yet the government made the demand on them to go and protect the interests of the country. Brigham Young, with the eye of a prophet, saw the necessity of yielding obedience, and he said to Col. Allen, you shall have the number required, even if the leading Elders have to go. The wisdom of the Lord expressed through Brigham Young was manifested in this answer. It proved that this people was a loyal people, that there was nothing they so much desired as the welfare of their common country. Although ostracized by a few wicked people, they felt confidence in the general Government. They proved that they loved the Constitution for which our fathers had bled and died, and they went cheerfully to defend the interests of the country and to plant the flag of our country on disputed soil. When Brigham Young led his band of pioneers to Utah, he consecrated this land for God, but took possession of it for the general Government.
The first petition formulated and presented was for a railroad to connect us with the eastern states; also for a telegraph line. A state constitution was framed and admission asked into the Union as a state.
The Saints know that this great nation was founded by inspiration of God. However the laws may be perverted, whoever may be the President of the Union or Governor over the States and territories, whether the judges be wise or unwise, we know that God has His hand over this continent. He has prepared it to e a place of refuge to all the oppressed and downtrodden.
God had a people in this land many hundreds of years ago. The brother of Jared led a colony into it and they became a great nation. But they also grew strong in iniquity and were swept away, for God would have this land inhabited by a righteous people. So with the colony that came here led by father Lehi, 600 years before Christ. They were finally overthrown by their brethren, the Lamanites, who were a numerous people upon the discovery of this country by Columbus.
We believe that Columbus came here through being inspired by God. We know from whence everything that is good comes to this great and goodly land. It comes from God.
The majority of the Saints are from the States, or have been born and raised here, and have learned to love the country's institutions. Although patriotic, they have been misunderstood and consequently persecuted as they still are. but the time will come when we will be understood. The Gospel is being proclaimed everywhere. Everything is being done to further the cause of God. Many will be faithful and true until the Lord comes to gather his jewels.
PRESIDENT HUGH S. GOWANS.
of Tooele Stake: I have been pleased to listen to the remarks of the brethren who have reviewed the history of this people. It may seem strange to some to hear that the people are in a better condition than they ever were, notwithstanding all persecution. This is encouraging. In the midst of these things, I ask myself, Do I live according to the profession I make? We profess to be endowed with the characteristics which should result in holiness. Am I living so that my life can bear criticism, for temperance, purity and virtue? Is there no deceit, no hypocrisy? Living honestly teaches me that I will receive a testimony, that the word of God's servants is true. I rejoice in the work. The sufferings superinduced by persecution have developed a class of men and women that have been tried and found faithful. The interests of this kingdom should always be uppermost in our hearts. We should always know that our ways are clear. It is the right of every man and woman to know that this work is true, that they are God's children as when Jesus was baptized and received the testimony of the Spirit that He was God's beloved Son. It is not necessary to be cast into fiery furnaces or a den of lions, but it is necessary to be cast into circumstances, that are trying, in order to be led nearer to our heavenly Father. It is necessary that we should be surrounded by tempting conditions, but it is not needful to partake of those questionable influences. We must partake of those things that can develop in us divine characteristics. such will be the condition of the Saints when they live according to the things of God.
COUNSELLOR D. H. WELLS.
It is a source of pleasure to meet with the Saints. The plan of salvation is before my mind. Everything pertaining to the Gospel commends itself to my reason. There is nothing unreasonable in the supposition that God should speak from heaven, and send forth the Book of Mormon. This book is a record of God's dealings with the people on this continent. It would be strange if this people should not have communication with God. The book itself was kept very much like the sacred books of the eastern hemisphere. Those who kept them used to engrave on various materials. Why should not the Lord communicate His will to this people? The testimony s that God had a people on this continent. I see nothing unreasonable in this. We are told that the Bible is sufficient, that we need no revelation from heaven. but it would be very unreasonable to suppose that the great work predicted to take place in these latter days should be inaugurated without revelation. No man could by his own wisdom do this work. Therefore it was necessary to have communication between heaven and earth established again. The invitation to come to the Lord has been given all the day long. Now is the dispensation of the fulness of time come. Who is acquainted with God? Who knows Christ? It is life eternal to know God. Men have forgotten God, it seems, but God has not forgotten them. He has always tried to lead men the right way. I believe He inspired Columbus, George Washington and other men, but He did not confer upon any of these the authority of the Priesthood, probably because they would not have received it. God conferred this authority when He saw the time was come, when men were prepared for it. We have a very great privilege in building temples and performing work for the living and the dead. This latter-day work has grown from the beginning, and cannot be put down. Its principles are all true. The educated world think it is all delusion. All true science and all that is for the benefit of men, is embraced in the Gospel. The world is full of unbelief and superstition. Men have gone astray. But God has looked down seen this and again sent the everlasting Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, to every one who receives it.
The choir sang the anthem:
"Jerusalem my glorious Home."
Benediction was pronounced by Elder John Morgan.
_____
[6 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 37:616-617, 10/10/88, p 8-9]
SECOND DAY.
_____
OCT. 6TH, 10 a. m.
The choir sang:
Great God, attend while Zion
sings, The joy that from Thy presence springs,
To spend one day with Thee on earth Exceeds a thousand days of mirth.
Prayer was offered by Apostle Moses Thatcher.
The choir sang:
God moves in a mysterious
way, His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
was the first speaker. It was a great pleasure to him to sand before the Saints once more in a general conference. We would all be benefited in our meetings, if we came with the intention of being instructed. We should not assemble simply out of curiosity but desiring earnestly that the light of our heavenly Father might be with us all to build us up in our faith. If we have assembled with this mind and intention we will be built up, and go away rejoicing in the blessings bestowed upon us.
God is the author of our existence, wherefore we owe to him the undivided gratitude of our hearts.
The Saints many times feel discouraged, as if our tribulations were more than we can endure. but if we discharge our duties with full purpose of heart, we will rejoice in the labors before us. When we neglect our duties, these seem burdensome to us. But there is no Saint who keeps the commandments of God but rejoices in so doing. Those that pay their tithings, rejoice in this law. It is the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel that causes us to be ready to go to the nations of the earth and proclaim the truth, because we rejoice in the blessings of the Gospel. So with all the requirements of God. The Gospel fills our hearts with charity, and love toward our fellows, and therefore we will induce them to obey the gospel, that they also may possess these blessings. When we go to meeting and hear sermons, we will hear men sometimes express themselves as being tired of the subjects spoken of. some do not like to hear about the Word of Wisdom. They are those that do not keep it. Those that keep the Word of Wisdom rejoice to hear about it. God always makes promises to us upon obedience to certain laws. We must keep these laws; else we can not receive the blessings. The blame is, therefore, not not God's, but our own. I testify that the promises of God are true and faithful. If we discharge our duties, we will receive the rewards promised. Those who listen to the requirements made upon them, and do not do them, are always "sick and tired" of hearing the same thing over and over again. And I do not blame them. They are dull scholars, and God must look upon them as such, because they have heard a great deal and done a very little.
As with the word of wisdom, so with all other requirements. Those that do not pay tithings are "sick and tired" of always hearing of "dollars." Such men plainly show that they do not pay their tithings. Those that do rejoice in hearing about it. I will read to you a passage of the Prophet Malachi:
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say,
Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a
curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes
into the storehouse, that thee may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive
it (Mal. iii, 8-10).
Ancient Israel robbed God of His tithing, and this may be said of His people now. Very few of the Saints pay an honest tithing. The law of tithing requires all surplus property for the building of temples and other purposes, and then one-tenth of the interest annually. This is the plain law. Many pay something and call it tithing, but it is not, unless it is one-tenth. If my income is $1000 and I do not pay $100, I have not paid my tithing. When you get through this life, would you get rewarded on the same principle? How foolish it is to be careless because other people are careless. No man can deprive us of our rewards if we are faithful. I believe that not over twenty-five per cent of the Saints pay an honest tithing. We are growing in population and wealth, but not in paying tithing.
Some make the excuse for not paying tithing that the government takes it by confiscation. but this is not a fact so far as relates to what is paid subsequent to the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker law. We must not quit doing our duties. I would not cease even if the government would take it. I would pay anyhow. For God's reward is sure, and His testimony is worth more than all sacrifices. There is no blessing equal to life eternal. I know that God blesses those who are true, and if we were true and faithful we would have a claim upon God to redeem Zion. We are not Zion, "The pure in heart," as long as we fail to do our duties.
Many complain because all the blessings are not to be had free of expense. They have good intentions, but these cannot build a temple or perform other needed labor. Our faithfulness, our diligence will bring us a reward. The knowledge of the truth of the gospel will condemn you if you do not act upon this knowledge. Going to meetings will not do any good, unless we act upon the instructions given. No credit is due for simply going to meetings. We must digest our food in order to derive benefit from it; so with going to meetings, we must carry out in our lives the instructions we receive.
The Gospel is true. I call upon the Saints in all humility to keep all the commandments of God. Keeping half of the commandments will not develop our whole spiritual natures to perfection. We must keep them all. No man can pay his tithings honestly before God and continue a selfish man. Let him contribute to all beneficial objects, and his nature will be pure as regards selfishness. So with the keeping of the Word of Wisdom, and attending to prayers. Those that do so will be developed spiritually, so that they can go into the presence of God our heavenly Father. They will rejoice and be willing to bring the Gospel before the world.
ELDER JOHN MORGAN.
I am thankful for the good instructions imparted and for the Spirit of the Lord which has been in our midst, and to mingle my testimony with those of the brethren who have already spoken. May we return to our homes from this conference strengthened and refreshed. There is no subject nearer or dearer to the hearts of the Saints than the training of their children, rearing them in the principles of the Gospel. Parents have received the truth and gathered with the Saints, but this is not the case with our sons and daughters born and eared here. They have not had incentives to investigation nor has their faith been tested. They may have convened in family prayers, participated in asking the blessing of the Lord upon the food of which they partake; they may also have attended meetings, and tacitly coincided with the principles they have heard. When they grow up they must be subjected to trial, for God has decreed that He will have a tried people. Many of the youth wander from the faith of their parents to whom pain has been brought by such instances. Perhaps these alienations have been superinduced by neglect on the part of those who should have instructed the young. With such young men it is not so much a question of infidelity as of ignorance. They have not been carefully taught. My attention has been directed to the situation by the fact that I have met many young men who have been called into the missionary field who have confessed their ignorance of the principles they were sent into the world to declare. There had been a neglect on the part of their parents. The result has been in such cases that it required almost the length of a mission before they were prepared to combat the errors of the world. Such young men have bewailed their awkward and humiliating position.
It behoves us to take such steps as a community to afford the youth opportunities to obtain a knowledge for themselves of the principles of the Gospel. In line with this are the Sabbath schools, the number of whose attendants has increased in a comparatively brief time form 13,000 to 70,000. The superintendents have been instructed to organize the youth of more advanced age into classes the object of whose teachings will be to prepare them to be useful as missionaries and in other capacities.
Some people have singular ideas in relation to the principle of agency in its application to children, thinking that they should be left untaught religiously until they reach the age of maturity. This is a fallacy. We have found missionaries who have attended Sunday Schools and Mutual Improvement Associations comparatively prepared for their labors. Those who have not received this training were to the contrary, ignorant of the Gospel. If this effect is produced by teaching the children once or twice a week, how much more potent would be the result if there were schools inaugurated in which religious teaching was permissible every day of the week. The district schools are not adequate for this work, as God is practically excluded from them. It has been held by some that secular education is the panacea for all the moral evils afflicting the people. This is incorrect, as can be proved by statistical facts procured from places where a free public school system has had full sway. Educating a person in secular facts does not make him a moral man. Hence, some of the most cultured men intellectually are infidel, and not a few of them are not paragons of moral excellence. It is a notorious fact that many of that class of people denominated tramps are educated. It behoves the Saints to sustain the heads of the brethren in endeavoring to establish a system of schools in line with the genius of the Gospel, that the rising generation may be prepared for the mighty wok which lies before them in carrying forward the kingdom of God to a successful issue. Those who will perform this labor must be prepared for it physically, religiously, morally and intellectually.
Elder Morgan continued to speak with much force upon the theme of his discourse, showing that mere intellectual culture did not produce moral excellence. He cited as examples the condition of the learned city of Boston. He also directed attention to the examples in the same relation afforded by history, making special mention of the intellectual greatness of ancient Greece and the fall of that empire because of moral rottenness. He concluded by bearing testimony that the work established by Joseph Smith is the work of God, and was destined to triumph over every opposing force.
Come ye children of the Lord, Let us sing with one accord,
was sung by the choir.
Benediction by Elder David H. Cannon.
_____
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 37:617, 10/10/88, p 9]
2 o'clock p. m.
The choir sang:
Now let us rejoice in the
day of salvation,
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.
Prayer was offered by President Angus M. Cannon.
The choir sang:
Come, come, ye saints, no
toil nor labor fear, But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day.
APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
said in substance: It is very delightful to contemplate upon the pleasures we derive from our conferences. socially and otherwise. Friends, who have been long separated meet together and rejoice when being reminded of the good times they used to have when the gospel was first presented to them. It is also refreshing to partake of the spiritual food that has been served out to us during our meetings.
One of the ancient servants of God spoke of the work in which we are engaged and foretold that a people would come, the prevailing sentiment of which would be: 'Come, let us go up to Mount Zion and walk in the paths of righteousness. If we retain this feeling we will always be in a frame of mind to be taught, and we will know that, unless we are humble, we can not have the ability to live up to the principles of the Gospel. O how many have come together here but forgotten the errand for which they came, and they have gone out into darkness, finally betraying their brethren for less than thirty pieces of silver.
We should retain a spirit of contrition and remember that we must obey every revealed principle that has been given to us. No man is competent to be a good ruler, unless he has learned to obey good laws and to make -- all sacrifices necessary for the wellbeing of the whole body. It is the nature of man to go astray, unless he retains the spirit of the gospel. Such as have gone away must be called back again to the first principles of the Gospel.
In times of darkness we have need to call upon the Lord, and most of the blessings we have had we have received in times of difficulties. The presence of the Lord has been realized in times of suffering. It is a lamentable fact that the people of God in their prosperity invariably have commenced to feel independent of God. It is forgotten that God is the giver of all good. A man, in prosperity is, according to the testimony of history, apt to turn away. This should indeed teach us to walk humbly before God and with each other.
It requires considerable wisdom and watchfulness to guide and direct a people as large as the Saints now have come to be. Every soul must feel for himself or herself that the blessings of God have been promised to them individually on condition of their willingness to walk in the ways of God. but we too often follow out our own ways, not remembering that these sometimes lead to death. If we could so live that we could have the Spirit always with us, we should rejoice under all circumstances. This is indeed a great deal but it is that "great deal" that the Lord has promised us. If we were not subject to give way so often and to grieve the Spirt within us, we could obtain the grace of God in every time of need. Those who pray with their families and in secret, always supplicating the Lord for His help and guidance will find the help they seek and be able to rise triumphant above all difficulties. What a happy, joyful and powerful people we would be, if we would live thus!
The various institutions of the Church are competent, if properly carried out, to provide for all the necessities of the Saints. It is natural to grown people when they watch the little efforts of the children, to think that those are only child's play. And some even think, when they see women try to do some good, that it is only a woman's business, and that the women have to take care that they do not come out of their sphere. But we know that a tree, if taken when young and placed in suitable soil will perhaps yield more and better fruit that if left alone. And also that a twig is easier bent when young. Why, then, do we not take the little twigs and bend them in the shape we wish them to grow? We have now some 50,000 children of school age. Why are we not carefully training these before the time comes that they cannot be bent? If we know that we are right, we ought to guide our little ones in the right channels, and not leave them to be filled with ideas that will take years to have taken out again, before they can comprehend the truth of the Gospel.
After the organization of the Relief Society, it was put into the heart of a sister to organize the small children into Primary Associations. These have become very popular in the Territory, although some Bishops yet leave this work to be done or not to be done, as the case may be. The Savior when the disciples wanted to know who was the greater -- a question that has always been thought an important one -- took a little child and said, unless ye become as little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of God. Who comprehends the competency of this statement? To be innocent and to know that we do not know much, and consequently to become teachable; these are the greatest qualities we can obtain. It strikes me that if the Bishops would attend the primaries and take an interest in the children, or encourage the sisters who labor in the good work, great blessings would be obtained from God. The children will grow up right if only started right.
We live in a time when bright spirits are coming into the world. Some of these children we occasionally are so careless about will live to see the Savior come and never die. We do not realize that we are rearing a nation of prophets. Satan has no power to tempt these children, before they reach the years of accountability. They might e kept and live almost without sin. We have a work of regeneration on hand, but unless we induce our children to take hold of the work and advance beyond us, there will not be much of regeneration.
The Lesser Priesthood has a particular work in this Church. We have now some twenty-five Stakes; we have also over 300 Bishops, presiding over the Priests, Teachers and Deacons. Many of our members can not attend the conferences and other meetings. but such members should not be left to languish for the bread of life. It is the duty of the Lesser Priesthood to visit every house; preaching the gospel, expounding the scriptures and exhorting the people. Many homes have no prayers offered in them. What an example is that to the children! No wonder that they get to light speaking and vulgarity. I is therefore important that the priest should meet every family and impart the truth, not in a dictatorial manner, but humbly, pleading with the wayward to return. The sick and afflicted should be visited and the emblems of the Sacrament carried to them. These things we are apt to forget. but we must remember that for all these we are finally to give an account. I wish the bishops would stir the matter up and see that young men are appointed priests and teachers, to be assisted by older brethren who have experience.
The revelation on the subject says that the teachers shall see that there is no iniquity in the Church. Where is the ward where this has been carried out? Yet this is the duty of the teachers. This is a time when the Priesthood should be busy. And if we are not, we cannot have the approval and favor of our Heavenly Father. but if we will do our duties, He will make bare His arm.
Our prosperity has been so great that we have not appreciated it. While many of the human family perish through various disasters, we are prosperous. It is a strange fact that while many influences have been brought to bear upon us to distress us, we are a happy people, knowing that God will never forget us, whatever may happen.
We should put off all bad habits and amongst others he reading of idle literature. We ought to read good books, and let all our conversation be in the love of God.
I rejoice in the Gospel and wish that we all may be diligent in keeping the commandments of God. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you and particularly upon the young.
ELDER J. B. NOBLE.
I bear my testimony to the very truthful remarks we have been listening to. I have seen this work more than fifty-six years. I was well acquainted with the Prophet Joseph. Nineteen years of my life I was familiar with the ground where the sacred records from which the Book of Mormon was translated were found. I was a member of Zion's Camp. When we had arrived at our destination, it was signified that the strength was not full. I came very near falling by the cholera scourge near Peter Whitmer's house. But the brethren came around me, and such was the power of faith that I saw the holy city, and heard a voice saying, "The blessed abode of the Saints." I arose and was made whole. Four years after this, I went up to the same country and town where Joseph was so long incarcerated. This was not twenty-five rods from where Whitmer lived. I also was familiar with the place, Adam-ondi-Ahman. I feel grateful that I have witnessed what I have in the onward progress of this work. It is now on earth and no power can arrest it. It is the great work predicted to precede the coming of the Son of Man. This is a time of speculation, but it behooves us who have accepted this Gospel to live it. We should awaken to the importance of the call made upon us to be Saints, that is, to observe the laws of God and obtain the blessings. May we form new resolves and be virtuous, carrying out the principles of the Gospel, and we shall be made perfect. There is a place for every one of us. If we honor our callings we shall have dreams and visions and other blessings. May this be our happy lot.
ELDER HENRY HERRIMAN,
who is eighty-four years old, admonished the Saints to call upon the Lord to pour out His Spirit, and was thankful for the opportunity he had had to listen to the testimony of the brethren who had spoken. He would pray that the Spirit would be poured out upon the whole people. I have never had a doubt in my mind since I embraced the Gospel that the Lord would fulfill His promises. The day is now not far distant when God will come to His people. I am now an old and feeble man. I was well acquainted with the prophet, and feel thankful for having lived up to this time. I have seen many scenes different from those we now see.
ELDER ABRAM H. CANNON.
I am sure that it would be the testimony of every one present, who has been listening to the remarks made during this conference, that the Holy Ghost has been present and made His influence known.
In looking over this vast congregation and considering the circumstances that now surround the people, I am reminded of the remarks made to me by a visitor to this city, a gentleman who was born and reared in Missouri, in the neighborhood where the Latter-day Saints once resided. He said, the Missourians made a very great mistake, when they drove the Saints away. Otherwise all their thrift might have been there, in places where now exists poverty and where human beings can hardly be induced to live.
It was not of our own choice that we came here; it was not because we were dissatisfied with the country or her institutions. It was because of a spirit of oppression and persecution that we had to leave the homes we had reared and everything dear to us. And why were we persecuted? Not because we had disobeyed the laws or violated the constitution; not for being lawless, but for being righteous and honest and honest, an desiring to serve God. But this has been the experience of all righteous people. The heretics of one age have become the heroes of the next. When the Latter-day Saints lived in Missouri, their thrift was not recognized. But the day is now dawning when not only their virtue is being recognized, but the Prophet Joseph, too, and his doctrines are being proclaimed from the pulpits of the clergy.
I know that this is a law-abiding people. I have never heard a word spoken against the law by any of the leaders of this Church. They have always taught that God raised up and inspired good men to formulate the Constitution and prepare this land to be a gathering place for His Saints. Joseph, it is well known, wanted to yield obedience to the authority of the law. And this led to his death. He had left Nauvoo in order to go to the Rocky Mountains, but when word came that his friends thought him a coward, who wanted to flee from persecution, he returned. He thought that if he went, the oppressors would cease to harass the people. but when his friends taunted him, he came back with the result well known. He fell and sealed his testimony with his blood. The people have always submitted to the law. But when the laws have been administered in unrighteousness, they have, as it is the duty of every man, fled from the perpetrators of the injustice.
It is a fact that the children of the community have their trials as well as the elder members. They are tried when they see their fathers imprisoned or driven into exile, when by one single promise they would, perhaps, escape. This causes them to reflect upon the principles. If men will go into exile or into prison for them, what is there in them? Are they of God or of man? Such questions must arise in their hearts when they see these things.
WE will live to see the day when the promises of God will be fulfilled, but we will all have to be tested. Will we then be faithful? The majority of the people will. And if they would not, if they all turned away, God would raise up a people unto him of the very stones of the ground.
The choir sang the anthem:
O, give thanks unto the Lord.
Benediction was pronounced by Apostle Heber J. Grant.
_____
[7 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 37:617, 620, 10/10/88, p 9, 12]
THIRD DAY.
_____
OCT. 7TH, 10 a.m.
The choir sang:
When earth in bondage long
had lain,
And darkness o'er the nations reigned.
Prayer was offered by apostle Franklin D. Richards.
The choir sang:
How great the joy, the
promised day,
When the disciples met to pray.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER
Addressed the congregation. He said it was a very responsible position to stand before the people and speak in the name of the Lord, to dwell upon the principles of life eternal, and give a reason for the hope that is within us. If the Lord would give him utterance, he desired to touch upon a subject that had been impressed upon his mind of late; this was in regard to the systems of government that have prevailed among the most intelligent of God's creatures from the beginning, and to endeavor to show that the great key of power in government is not force,but persuasion, not coercion but love. The systems of human government have greatly changed as the ages have gone by. In the absence of a perfect form of government directed by the Almighty, the tendency of human government has been to the monarchal order - governments of centralization and not diffusion.
But since the days of the ten kings, spoken of by Daniel,the tendency of the human mind has been toward democracy. Perhaps the grandest example we have of a monarchial government is that of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon who was represented in the prophetic image as the head of gold. He felt, in the magnitude of the dominion exercised by him, that he was independent of the spirit of God, and took great pride in the beautiful city he had built, and the powerful empire he ruled. But the Lord humbled him, and took away his power and reason. After him came a kingdom of less power and diminished glory, represented by the silver in the image. Following the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, came the Macedonian reign, of a still lower order. Next was the Roman empire, eastern and western, as represented by the legs of iron, which had toes, partly of iron and partly of miry clay. These were the ten kingdoms of Europe that I have referred to. In the days of these ten kings there was a kingdom to be established, represented by a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, and which beat into pieces the image and increased till it filled the whole earth. This was the kingdom of God which was never to be thrown down.
It is claimed by some that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is theocratic in its form of government. As this church has the labor of preparing for the establishment of God's kingdom, I desire to show that it is not theocratic, in the generally accepted definition of the term. The various forms of government tried by man have been inadequate to the assurance of his happiness and welfare; the three forms, monarchial, aristocratic and republican, have each failed in past ages. The British constitution sought to combine these three forms, but as the inclination of the people was to increased liberty, the monarchial and aristocratic elements have grown effeminate, and today that government is even more democratic than is that of the United States; that is, the influence of public sentiment has a greater effect upon the policy of the government. For two hundred years the sovereign has not dared to exercise the veto power; while the ministry is changed according to the expression of the popular will, as indicated at the ballot box. I do not make this assertion in derogation of our form of government; there may be seeds of weakness yet undeveloped in their system.
The Constitution of the United States is democratic in its form, as it was created by the people; for the same reason the constitutions of the various States are democratic. but the laws are republican, because enacted by the representatives of the people. The Senate has co-equal power with the House of Representatives in legislation, but is not elected by the people. The State of Nevada, with less than 65,000 population;, has two senators, while New York, with nearly 5,000,000, has no more. The Senate is therefore, not democratic in the manner of its creation. The Senate, unlike the British ministry, does not follow submissively the House of Representatives. Nor does the President fear to exercise the veto power, for he feels, and rightly too, that in his high position he is the representative of the people. There is another check in our system of government that is lacking in the form of the British government -- the Supreme Court. They are selected by the President and Senate, and are above the influences of public opinion. They are the representatives of justice and equity, and can check even congress in the imposition of unconstitutional laws upon the people. They neither see nor care for public opinion and clamor, but are governed by the Constitution of our country. Wherever they have bowed to public opinion they have done so at the sacrifice of the honor of their high calling. We look to them to check public opinion where that opinion is wrong. The Constitution, which governs them, can be changed in a prescribed manner, and those who seek to alter it in any other way are traitors.
We claim that the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the framers of the Constitution were directed by light from God, and their work is the result of inspiration. The form of government given in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was revealed by the Lord through an untutored boy, and is the broadest, most liberal and perfect that can exist. One of its chief cornerstones is the doctrine of common consent. The Priesthood, from the deacon to the President of the church, have not the power to place a man in position to rule. They may nominate, but until the people sanction they can go no further. The Lord gave to the people the right to reject any man, and man cannot deprive them of that right. Human agency is a gift of God and when men seek to restrain or control it i others they do it by the spirit of darkness and not of light. That is what Lucifer did when he sought to enforce the plan of redemption over the agency of man. But Jesus interposed and Lucifer's scheme was rejected. Wherever men holding the Priesthood have exercised their power in the least degree oppressively they have done so in unrighteousness and unauthorized by the Priesthood they held.
The Church has means for the settlement of all disputes. The first step is that of reconciliation. Every person should be possessed of this spirit, and when he goes to his brother in that mood the spirit of God is with him., In the order of the Church, when reconciliation fails, then comes arbitration. The officers provided for this are the Teachers. They have no power to adjudicate or try cases, but may reconcile differences. If they fail, the matter then goes to the Bishops -- the common judges of Israel. From these an appeal lies to the Stake High Council. The decisions by these Councils, when made in righteousness, are sustained by the Lord. After the Stake High Council, still another appeal may be had. It is said "The Standing High Councils, at the Stakes of Zion, form a quorum equal in authority, in the affairs of the Church, in all their decisions, to the Quorum of the Presidency, or to the traveling High council." It must be understood that a Stake High Councils not the High Council of the Church of Christ. The latter is the Common Council of the Church, and is presided over by the Presidency of the Church. This High Council of the Church was established by revelation, and was organized in Kirtland, February 17, 1834, according to the mind and will of the Lord. Vacancies in this Council are filled by nomination of the President of the church, and by the vote of the High Priesthood, called together for that purpose. Here again the doctrine of common consent comes in, in regard to an organization pertaining to the High Priesthood.
The world may urge that we have a hierarchy, in which the President is responsible to no one. But that is not the case. The appeals in cases may go from one court to another, to the standing High Council of the Church, the highest council in the Church. The President of the Church is himself subject to trial for the commission of an offense. But the common council of the Church, the only tribunal before which he can be tried, is then presided over by the Presiding Bishop of the Church and two Counselors. This is the only work of the council so constituted; so that, in case one of the First Presidency should err, he is amenable to the law of God. Thus every man is accountable to the people.
This system reaches every man in the Church. An Apostle may be tried for his fellowship by a Bishop's court; a Stake High Council can operate on his fellowship in the Stake; but his quorum must take the final action upon him. How beautiful is this perfect organization of the church when we come to understand it.
The system of church government is not theocratic, but theo democratic -- the voice of God and the consent of the people. It is an intelligent government, and intelligence is the glory of God. Jesus of Nazareth won the victory over darkness and oppression in heaven, and He will win it on earth. Wherever the spirit of oppression dwells, it comes not from God. The law of the Gospel is the perfect law of liberty. The man who enjoys the spirit of God is a freeman. He may be consigned to prison, but cannot overcome him. You cannot chain him, for he knows that to the right victory will come. Any man in this Church who exercises unrighteous dominion will, unless he repents, become a mockery before the people of God, and drift into apostasy. In the Doctrine and Covenants it is said:
Behold,
there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
Because their hearts are set so
much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they
do not learn this one lesson--
That
the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of
heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only
upon the principles of righteousness.
That
they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our
sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or
dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of
unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the
Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the
authority of that man.
Behold,
ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to
persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
We
have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost
all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will
immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Hence
many are called, but few are chosen.
No
power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood,
only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love
unfeigned;
By
kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without
hypocrisy, and without guile--
Reproving
betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing
forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest
he esteem thee to be his enemy;
That he may know that thy
faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
Let thy bowels also be full of
charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish
thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence
of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the
dews from heaven.
The
Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging
scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting
dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and
ever.
Here you see what can be accomplished by the strong cords of love; here we learn what can be done by persuasion. And all other means, all that operate through coercion and oppression, shall fall.
The foregoing synopsis necessarily gives only an imperfect idea of Brother Thatcher's discourse, which, even in its entirety was remarkable for condensation.
ELDER JOHN NICHOLSON
was the next speaker. He said he found himself in a somewhat embarrassing position, feeling the importance attached to the duty of addressing such a vast assemblage of the people of God. I have greatly enjoyed the teachings imparted during this conference. Many important questions have been brought before our attention, the most prominent according to my view, consisting of about the following: The educational character of the apparently adverse circumstances that surround the Saints; the necessity of more intense and earnest devotion to the interests of the young; the sustaining of the work, to which we profess to be devoted, in a substantial way; and not only the powers and rights of the Priesthood, but also some of its limits. I have been for some time deeply impressed with the situation in which we find ourselves, and coincide with the position assumed that we are in the most powerful school that it is possible to institute -- the school of experience, without which it is impossible to increase our faith. I feel to lift up my heart in gratitude to God that we have difficulties and obstacles to meet and overcome, for without these there would be no progress.
It is plainly laid down in the Doctrine and Covenants that, in order for the Saints to know that they are acceptable to God, they must place themselves in a position to show that they are willing to sacrifice all things, even life itself, for their religion. This is a position that lies in the future, and we must be educated up to that point. some of the noblest instances history affords of self-sacrifice for the cause of God, have been claimed, especially in the opening discourse of Apostle Lorenzo Snow, at this Conference. One of these instances is that of the three Hebrew children, before whom was placed a remarkable ordeal -- to choose one of two alternatives. They were in a condition of preparation for the ordeal, and, when threatened with the fiery furnace, if they would not bow down to the image, they said, We do not know but we may be destroyed; but this we do know, that we will not bow down. They were conversant with the latter fact, if not with the other. It has occurred to me that, notwithstanding the claims we make that we are willing to sacrifice all for the truth's sake, there may be some question as to whether that has been our position in some things. There are in my heart some serious doubts regarding it. We are not yet far enough advanced.
There is one thing of which we may be certain, and that is that the Lord will fulfil his promises. He has said to the Saints, in a revelation given August 6, 1833.
I will try you and prove you herewith;
And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it
again, even life eternal:
Therefore be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith
the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my
covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy;
For if ye will not abide in my covenant, ye are not worthy of me.
This is one of the glorious promises to the Saints, that they shall have the same opportunity as did the three Hebrews, when it will be seen who it is that will say, We don't know but that we may be crushed beneath the overwhelming weight of oppression that may crowd upon us if we do not surrender our religion, but this we do know that we will not go back on any of the revelations of Jesus Christ. I expect that day to come, for the Lord has decreed that He will have a tried people in the day of His power. If that day of power is imminent He must have that people. It will not be merely a few men who are willing to go to prison, or to the death if need be for the cause of God; not the trial of a few families, whose sufferings, especially those of women and children, have been intense beyond computation; but it will be an application to the entire people, for the Lord has declared that He will have a tried people as a whole. The present situation is one to prepare them for what is coming. In my opinion, there are things which God directs and reveals, and others that He simply permits, and will shape the course of events to show the weakness of men and His own omnipotence. As Apostle Snow has said, deliverance will come to us only by the same process as that by which it came to the three Hebrews. How much power had men to protect them, or to stay the consuming flames of that furnace? None whatever. After we have used our own wisdom, and shown that it is insufficient, He who sitteth upon the throne will make bare His arm and bring to pass His glorious purposes.
In relation to our children, I have had the deepest solicitude. Sometimes I think we take too much credit to ourselves for what we do for them. The educational movement we seek to institute now, comes at a late day. Some of our children are repudiating the principles of truth. There are causes for this. Let us inquire what they are and remove them, and then the evil effects will cease. There is a result in that line which is produced by a most potent cause -- the apparently contradictory positions we have taken in some respects. This has eliminated faith in many cases from the hearts of the young. This we know to be a fact, therefore let us look it squarely in the face that we may apply the remedy.
When I consider this educational movement I am almost confounded at its magnitude and the evident inadequacy of the means at hand to prosecute it successfully. We are given to understand there is to be established in each Stake at least one academy. This is good. There is, however, a financial question involved, and the brethren who have the direction of affairs say they propose to support these institutions. We have an excellent school of that kind in Salt Lake Stake, with capable teachers in the departments of secular, educational and religious knowledge, so that young people who attend may graduate not only as ripe scholars but also true hearted and intelligent Latter-day Saints. But what is the status of this school in the community? It has been necessary to charge a comparatively high rate for tuition, a fact which virtually puts the sign over its door, "The poor cannot enter here." We have before us the historical lessons of the Book of Mormon, and they should have great weight with us. We read there that a reason why the displeasure of the Lord was brought upon the ancient people of this continent was that there were class distinctions among them. One of these was the distinction created by wealth, when men who had not sufficient love of the Gospel, as is the case in some instances today, lifted their heads above their fellows in haughtiness and pride, because of their riches. Another distinction and one against which the Prophets proclaimed, was that produced by the superior facilities afforded for the more wealthy to educate their children. This is a more dangerous distinction than the first, for it affects the eternal intelligence of God's children.
We must, however, make a commencement. Those men who have been appointed to act in this matter have expressed their willingness to carry on the work, but their means for that purpose are limited. What shall we, the body of the people, do? Shall we not support them and show our faith by our works? If we would live up to the laws of God we would have sufficient means to meet every exigency. Let every man, then, pay his tithing according to the law. The Lord says tithing is a law unto His people, and to his Priesthood forever. How can we fulfil that law? Can we do it by paying less than the required portion? We certainly cannot. Less than a tenth is not a tithing. suppose an applicant for baptism were to insist that only a portion of his body should be immersed and claim that that was a sufficient baptism; we would think him insane. So with tithing. You cannot partially perform an ordinance. It must be perfect or it is of no force so far as the fulfillment of the law is concerned. You cannot fulfill the law of tithing in part only; it can only be done as a whole. Its payment is a great privilege, and should be done because we have agreed to it. If we do not we are not in an honorable position. I have never considered a man who holds the Priesthood to be a Saint of any moment unless he complies with this plain ordinance. Shall we go hence, and for the future live up to this law? Let us do it, and let the cause for our action be because it is right, because the Lord requires it at our hands, and because it is sustaining and forwarding the work of God.
Regarding the outcome of this work, I have more faith in that than I have in the present condition of affairs. The victory will be wrought out by the power of the Almighty, and in no other way. May God help us to place our feet on the rock of ages, there to abide firmly, and come what will, say, here we stand or here we fall.
It was announced that in the afternoon a meeting would also be held in the Assembly Hall, as the attendance at the Conference was so large that it was impossible for the Tabernacle to contain the people.
The choir sang the anthem:
Ye shall dwell in the land.
Meeting was brought to a close by prayer by Bishop John R. Winder.
[7 Oct, 2 pm*]
[DNW 37:620-621, 10/10/88, p 12-13]
2 p. m.
The choir and congregation sang:
Praise to the man who
communed with Jehovah, Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer,
Blessed to open the last dispensation; Kings shall extol him and nations
revere.
Prayer by Elder George Goddard,
The choir sang:
Behold the Mount of Olives
rend! And on its top Messiah stand,
His chosen children to defend, And save them with a mighty hand.
The priesthood of the First Ward, Salt Lake City, officiated in the administration of the sacrament.
APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
Said they would have taken great pleasure in laying before the people full reports, but these had not been received from all of the Stakes. Some Stakes had not reported at all, while others had made only partial reports. This was no doubt owing to the peculiar situation in which so many of the people were placed at the present time. These reports are very important, and should be made at least once a year, at the annual conference in April. Presidents of Stakes were requested to hereafter see that full reports were delivered at the President's office, Salt Lake City, not later than march 20th for the April conference, and Sept. 20th, the October Conference. A complete report had been received from the Relief Society, but it was not deemed advisable to read it on the present occasion, because of not having the other reports. It was hoped that hereafter full reports would be made promptly, that the people could be made acquainted with the growth and condition of the Church.
Apostle Richards then presented the General Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained as follows:
Wilford Woodruff as President of the council of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Council of the Twelve Apostles; Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jos. F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles: John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the Presiding Council and Authority of the Church, and, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted, John Morgan and B. H. Roberts.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Wilford Woodruff as Church Historian and General Church Recorder, with Franklin D. Richards as assistant.
Clerk of Conference: John Nicholson.
The following officers of different organizations were also presented and unanimously sustained:
Central Committee on Education for the Church -- Wilford Woodruff, chairman, Salt Lake City; Lorenzo Snow, Brigham City; George Q. Cannon, Salt Lake City; Karl G. Maeser, Provo; Willard Young, Salt Lake City; George W. Thatcher, Logan; Amos Howe, Salt Lake City; Anton H. Lund, Ephraim; James Sharp, Salt Lake City.
President of the Relief Society, Zina D. H. Young; Secretary, Sarah M. Kimball; Assistant Secretary, Homania B. Pratt; Treasurer, M. Isabella Horne.
President of the Young Ladies Improvement Associations, Elmina S. Taylor; Secretary, Mary E. Cook.
President of the Primary Associations, Louie Felt; Secretary, Cornelia H. Clayton.
General Superintendency of the Young Men's Improvement Associations, Wilford Woodruff, Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher.
General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union -- George Q. Cannon; Assistants, George Goddard and John Morgan; Secretary, Levi W. Richards; Treasurer, George Reynolds.
Apostle Richards explained that the names of the counselors in the superintendency of the Young Ladies' and other associations were not submitted, as the list was not at hand, but there were no changes. Sister Young, of the Relief Society had not yet selected her counsellors.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH
said in substance: I ask for the faith and prayers of the congregation. I am laboring under the disadvantage of a severe cold, but I realize that the prayers of the Saints avail much in the interest of any of our Father's children.
I will read a portion of the second chapter of the Prophet Joel:
And it shall come to pass that I will pour out my
Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your
old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also upon the
handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
In reading this portion of the Scripture, it is not my intention to follow it as a text but to draw your attention to it as one of the most precious promises of God to His people. It seems to me that such promises should be fastened upon the mind of every Saint.
Many principles have been touched upon as important to the Church of Christ. Our brethren have spoken about matters of faith, of a temporal and spiritual character, and pointed out to us the obligations into which we entered when we stepped down into the waters of baptism. They have touched upon the education of the youth of Zion. It has been admitted by some speakers, at least, that skepticism, to some extent, has made its appearance among the youth of the Latter-day Saints. Our efforts to a great extent have been to cure this evil. It would, however, be useless to anticipate the possibility of so living and so teaching that we could save all the children that belong to us or keep from their minds the influence of the skepticism of the time in which we live. We should make every effort to implant in the minds of our children faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This obligation rests upon us from the instructions given us in the revelations of God. In the organization of the Church the necessary provisions were made to meet the requirements of the case. Our quorums of priests and teachers were instituted for the purpose of laying the faith deep in the hearts of the sons. and the daughters of Zion, that they should need to entertain no doubt, if they would only exercise the minds their heavenly Father has given them.
The passage read informs us that the Lord would bring about a time when dreams and visions and inspiration by the spirit should be manifested to a large extent among His people. In fact the passage takes a much wider field, saying that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh, but when the Prophet Joseph came forward and announced that he had been permitted to receive manifestations from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, the world was opposed to the idea. When he declared that God had again spoken from heaven, the whole world came into commotion. But they were led to witness one of the greatest displays ever witnessed. One ray of light after another dawned upon the universe in rapid succession, and they have continued to flow and will do so, until our Father in heaven may see fit to restrain them.
Have we pointed out to the young that living and active faith is the result of inspiration from God? That inspiration is among the moving forces of the universe?
Joseph Smith, the Prophet, announced that God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, were revealed to him, and commissioned him to commence the work of ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, in which God would renew everything upon the earth, and the sons and daughters of men should bask in the rays of eternal life. At that time, the world had informed us that the voice of inspiration was hushed. The windows of heaven were closed so far as revelation and prophecy were concerned. I would ask the stranger as well as the Latter-day Saint, was it not inspiration that led to the discovery of the power of steam? It is true all the details did not dawn upon the first discoverer, but others who accepted his ideas developed the system to the extent we see today. It was by the direction of God that this work, which revolutionized the world was brought about. And thus we see the promise fulfilled that the Spirit should be poured out upon the whole world. The same might be applied to the invention of the telegraphic communication by electricity. The inspirations have been given gradually, one by one, and they have all been given for the purpose that the children of God may see the fulfilment of the promise, that the Spirit should be poured out upon all flesh. Well may we in contemplating it all exclaim -- "What hath God wrought? We should write upon the hearts of our children that inspiration is the groundwork of every good work and that those works are done in fulfillment of His promise to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. We believe that many works of the mechanic and also the formation of our government have been accomplished as the results of inspiration. Men may not at the time have acknowledged the hand of God in these things, but we have seen it and acknowledge it to be the fulfillment of the p promises of the Lord. We should, therefore, remember this and instruct our children in this beautiful principle and teach them to drink of this clear stream of life - inspiration. We should instruct the sons and daughters of Zion that they may understand the doctrine of life and salvation, the doctrine of faith in God, inspiration and prophesying, in order that they may be willing to carry the Gospel to the nations of the earth. This should be our position, and we should labor to this end. We have gone abroad to lift up our voice of warning to all people.
When we read the revelations we are taught that we are not responsible for anybody's sins but our own. This is different from what was taught in the ages when there was no light of revelation. We must not suffer for the sins of others. God says: "Every man must stand or fail by his own deeds." No matter what others do, God is just in all His ways. When this work was introduced the manifestations of God broke out on all sides, and its accomplishments are among the wonders of the world.
Our conference is about to be closed. We have been together from every part of the land. We have come to be instructed, to receive rebuke if need be, or admonition, in order that we might be strengthened in our faith. My testimony now is that Christ lives. He is still here, and his work shall remain and increase until He who rules on high is satisfied with our labors. He was the author of the work and laid the responsibility upon us to go out into the whole world. God Himself has planted us upon the Rock of Ages to be the saviors of mankind. Jesus lives. He is the Savior of the world. Let us keep His commandments and take the consequences. Our duty is first to God, next to our country, and then to our families. Zion will continue to rise and shine, and no power will be able to restrain her, for it is the work of God, and I so testify to you.
The choir sang the anthem:
Glory to God in the highest.
The Conference was then adjourned till April, 1889, and Apostle Lorenzo Snow pronounced the benediction.
_____
[7 Oct, 2 pm (o)]
[DNW 37:621, 10/10/88, p 13]
THE
OVERFLOW MEETING
_____
Of Conference at The Assembly Hall.
_____
At 2 p. m. a congregation had gathered in the Assembly Hall which filled the building. Apostle Heber J. Grant presided.
The choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord, 'tis
good to raise
Your hearts and voices in His praise.
Prayer by Bishop Joseph Pollard.
The choir sang:
Let those who would be
Saints indeed
Fear not what others do.
ELDER JOHN MORGAN
addressed the congregation. The overflowing of our meetings, when we have such large structures to meet in, shows the growth and progress of the Saints. When, a little more than half a century ago, six obscure individuals met and organized this Church, the wildest flights of their imaginations could not have pictured the scene we behold today. Here at this conference people have come from different States and Territories, and from Mexico on the south and Canada on the north. The founders of this Church by the visions and revelations given them had foreshadowed to them the growth it would attain to, but the details of that growth were not shown to them.
In reading the history of the world, we find that the names of men instrumental in establishing earthly governments, have been handed down in honor. How much more will the names of the founders of this work be honored by future generations? It is a work the influence of which will yet be felt in all the nations, and it is today having the effect among Christian peoples, of creating a tendency more favorable to human liberty.
It was long the theory of Christians that all human beings who did not accept the Christian religion in this life were condemned to a condition of eternal suffering. Fifty years ago this doctrine was almost universally accepted among all Christian denominations. But it is now almost obsolete, and is no longer aught among the more advanced Christian bodies. Half a century ago the Prophet Joseph Smith announced that men could repent after death, and he was the first to teach such a doctrine in this generation. But his teachings upon it have had a marked and widespread effect throughout Christendom.
ELDER WM. M. PALMER
said that such occasions as this conference should have the effect of stimulating the Saints to renewed diligence, and a repentance of their sins. The growth of this Church was most marvelous. It was organized by six persons little more than half a century ago, but in spite of all the opposition it has had to contend with, it has grown and increased, and spread itself abroad.
Jesus told Peter that flesh and blood had not revealed to him that He, Jesus, was the Son of God, but that His Father in heaven had made known the fact to him. Jesus also told Peter that upon the rock of revelation the Church of God should be established. It was by means of revealing themselves to man that the Father and the Son established the Church of Christ in these the last days.
The Lord makes three complaints against men in the last days, they have transgressed the law, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant. That these complaints are true, is easily seen from the practices of the various religious bodies of the world.
The speaker then cited the manner in which the true forms of worship had been departed from, and how various ordinances of the Gospel, had been changed by Christendom, especially in regard to baptism and marriage. He dwelt upon the great error of making the marriage covenant a matter concerning tis life only, and explained that originally the marriage covenant was designed to endure forever. He showed that Adam and Eve were married forever, but that their descendants fell away from the principles of the gospel and men took wives without the authority of the Priesthood.
The keys of the kingdom of heaven and the ordinances of the Gospel were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
ELDER A. H. CANNON
said no one who had observed the progress of this work can deny the miraculous nature of its growth, which can be accounted for only on the theory that God has overruled its progress. The ways of God are vastly higher than the ways of men, which is exemplified in this work. In the selection of the Prophet Joseph, is this shown. Had men chosen the founder of such a Church, they would have selected a wise, strong and famous man. But God chose an obscure boy. The Lord has often in the past chosen weak instruments to accomplish His work. Moses said he was not qualified for the work to which the Lord called him, but the Lord knew his integrity and that he would be a man of faith and meekness.
The Savior appeared among men as an obscure person, and without ostentation; and notwithstanding the marvelous works He performed, He was rejected. As the Savior and His disciples were treated, so have been the servants of the Lord in this age. The apostles and prophets in modern times are rejected by the world. Men failed to perceive the divine truth and authority which Peter possessed; and so it has been and will continue to be until a reign of righteousness is established in the earth. There is a spirit of fault-finding among the Saints in respect to their leaders, which must be overcome, or the Lord will punish the Saints therefor. God has chosen these men, and it is our place to sustain them. If they sin, God will remove them out of their places. The speaker cited a number of instances among the early prominent Elders in the Church, of men who transgressed, and were in consequence removed from their places; and declared such a consequence would always follow, no matter how high a position a man might hold.
The choir sang a selection.
ELDER JUNIS F. WELLS
next addressed the congregation. In reviewing the situation of the world at the present time we cannot help seeing teat it is progressing. Many old sectarian doctrines are no longer taught; and Henry Ward Beecher declared that the younger men among church members utterly repudiated the old dogmatic creeds. The speaker had, wile on a recent visit east, conversed with intelligent literary men, who expressed astonishment that there should now be upon the earth a church which really and sincerely believed in the doctrines taught by Jesus. These men held that the churches of the day even the roman Catholic, did not really believe in their own doctrines.
It is true that even the Methodists had abandoned their old idea of hell, and now the universal cry among Christians is "Believe and you shall be saved."
The Saints have for years labored to correct the idea that faith alone will save a human being, and the changes and mutations that are taking place among the sects of the day confirms the declaration of the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning them, that the truth is not to be found among them.
ELDER W. H. SEEGMILLER:
We are all, no doubt, strengthened by the testimonies of our brethren. We are a peculiar people, and God has designed that we should be. We are regarded with scorn by a generation which knows not the mission which has been committed to us. "We should lead lives that are consistent with our professions. To bring about the reformation which is needed in Zion, every man should repent of his sins, and put in order his own house.
The speaker believed that the Saints, old and young, were now in a process of being tested, and he urged the necessity of giving to the youth an education and training which would prevent them from departing from the faith of their parents. In the children of the Saints is their hope, and they should be interested in their salvation and welfare. Today we see children of the Saints in the ranks of their enemies, fighting against the people and purposes of God. The speaker deplored this and hoped the increase of the evil would be prevented.
APOSTLE H. J. GRANT
said that on account of the impromptu nature of this meeting, it had not been convenient to administer the sacrament to the congregation.
He then presented the name of B. H. Roberts, to fill the vacancy in the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, caused by the death of Elder Horace S. Eldredge. He also presented the name of James Sharp, to fill the vacancy in the Board of Education, caused by the same death. Each in turn was unanimously sustained.
The general authorities of the Church were in a body presented and sustained unanimously.
The speaker expressed his satisfaction at the fact that 3,000 more Saints had been preached to today than would have been had not this overflow meeting been held. He then spoke, in an eloquent and powerful manner, upon the necessity of providing schools wherein the youth of Zion might be so educated that their moral as well as their intellectual natures might be developed. He declared that man had a physical, moral and intellectual nature, and where only one or two of these were educated, and the other neglected, the individual was deformed.
The speaker showed how absurd are the sectarian doctrines of death-bed repentance, and of the so-called teachings of science which profess to prove the Bible false.
He exhorted the Saints to pray for light and intelligence concerning the doctrine of Christ, and promised that if they would do this, wisdom would be given unto them. In conclusion he bore a solemn and impressive testimony that the signs promised by the Savior, follow and are enjoyed by the Saints, and that the latter possesses the true Gospel.
The choir sang an anthem:
Praise God in his Holiness.
Benediction by Elder John Morgan.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
_____
1889
6-8 Apr 1889, 59th Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly, 38:481, 4/13/89, p 1; Millennial Star 51:257, 273, 289, 305, 321]
[6 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 38:481, 4/13/89, p 1]
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
_____
The Fifty-ninth General Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a. m., April 6th, 1889
There were on the stand, of the Council of the Twelve Apostles: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor, of Counselors to the Twelve, Daniel H. Wells; Patriarch, John Smith; of the Presiding Council of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, John Morgan; of the Presiding Bishopric, William B. Preston;, Robert T. Burton, John R. Winder. There were also present a large number of Presidents of Stakes and other prominent brethren from various parts of Utah and surrounding States and Territories.
Conference was called to order by President Wilford Woodruff.
The choir sang:
All hail the glorious day,
By prophets long foretold
When, with harmonious lay, The sheep of Israel's fold
On Zion's hill His praise proclaim, And shout hosanna to his name.
The opening prayer was offered by Apostle Moses Thatcher
Singing by the choir:
The great and glorious
Gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight,
Which in my soul I have received, From bondage and from death relieved.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
said: I feel that our hearts should be filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father this morning for the blessings which we enjoy. We have again the privilege of assembling in the tabernacle of our God to hold the General Conference, and while we attend this Conference I hope that our hearts may be lifted up in prayer to our Heavenly Father that we may enjoy and receive His Holy Spirit, that our hearts may be united together, that the Spirit of God may be with us to instruct us, and guide us and direct us in our teaching, our counsel, our labor, while we are here together in this capacity. I feel thankful myself to have the privilege of once more meeting with the Latter-day Saints under these condition;s. I feel that the Lord had been very merciful to us in granting us this privilege and the benefits which we have enjoyed in these valleys of the mountains. We will call upon our brethren to bear their testimony and teach and instruct us as they shall be led by the Holy Spirit.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
expressed his pleasure at once more meeting the Saints in General conference. He said substantially: I trust we may be blessed with the Spirit of God, that we may be strengthened in the faith of the Gospel, and that we may form resolutions, and adhere to them, that will enable us to be more energetic in keeping the commandments of our Heavenly Father. The longer I live, and the more experience I gain, the more gratitude I feel for the breadth of the mercy of the Almighty to all mankind. None can read the revelations given to the Saints with an unbiased mind without being grateful for the principles communicated to this people. We are liable to become narrowed in our conceptions of the glories and economy of God, and lose sight of the fact that He is the Father of all peoples. It is, however, difficult to realize that He will bless even those who oppose His work. We should remember that it is according to His design to, in course of time, save all mankind except the sons of perdition. The Saints are accused of being illiberal in their views. This is unjust to those who understand the true genius of the Gospel. Of course there are those among us who are contracted, because they do not understand the scope of the plan of salvation and do not live according to their requirements. This is no fault of the system, but the wrong lies in those who do not conform to it. We are called upon to proclaim the fullness of the Gospel to all peoples until Christ shall come.
All will be rewarded according to the deeds done in the body. There is but one individual in every case capable of impeding the progress toward salvation of those who have professed to embrace the Gospel, that is the person himself. A disposition to run in grooves is often shown by people belonging to the Church. They select one principle and follow that to the exclusion or neglect of other doctrines of equal importance. We must conform to the whole system, and thus erect a perfect individual religious structure. We should not merely follow those principles in our practice that are easy of application to us because of our natures or circumstances. Those who imagine that merely to know that the Gospel is true as a whole will save them in the presence of God, without reducing the doctrines to practice, are laboring under a delusion. It is in line with the sectarian idea of the efficacy of death-bed repentance, which is a fallacy. Imbued with this error some people have held that a murderer by a confession of faith at the last moment, before he expires his crime upon the scaffold will be saved, while his victim who probably made no such profession, for want of time, perhaps, will be lost. The breaking of every law brings its own punishment, and the keeping of the law brings its reward. Unless the conditions of future reward are complied with it will not be forthcoming.
I desire to overcome my shortcomings, realizing that I cannot attain to a glorious destiny in any other way. He who trusts in the arm of flesh will have nothing to lean upon in the day of final judgement. But he who takes the Holy Spirit for his guide will be enabled to pass by the angels and the Gods to his exaltation. Unless we are so guided we are liable to meet with obstacles that will cause us to stumble and perhaps fall. Brother Grant concluded with a forcible exhortation to personal righteousness.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH
[i]said he was a believer in the fullness of the Gospel, as revealed anew in this age. It is rational, and man can rely upon it. There is no promise made in that Gospel but is based upon man's doing something to obtain its fulfilment. In none of the walks of life have I been enabled to see that the rewards that men and women receive are the result of negligence. We can never obtain any good thing but through the exercise of the powers we possess and by which we seek to secure the same. To some blessings appear to come easily. But it is observable that when such is the case, the book is appreciated but lightly. I am so deeply fixed in my own view as to the need of practical religion, that there is but little room in me for theories established by the wisdom of man. Rewards are the result of performance. This is a clear proposition, and by its aid one is able to clearly go to work for the production of practical results. When the Divine Master proposes to give rewards to men as a result of the purity of their motives, the exercise of their facilities, the use of their powers this is indeed of worth. Thus comes to us in this day, through the revelation of correct principle, a glorious field for intelligent operation. It is inconsistent to expect the reward without the performance of the labor on which its production is predicated. When men reflect upon the idea, as presented to us by Brother Grant, that they can disobey these laws and conditions continuously, can revel in wickedness and sin and expect the reward of righteousness, they are deceiving themselves. How inconsistent to outrage every law and requirement of heaven, and expect to stand an equal chance with the obedient -- those who have done right and have sought to fulfil in all respects the requirements of high heaven.
There are none of us who are the fathers and mothers of families but who know with our hearts the abiding confidence we have in the dutiful son, in the thoughtful daughter, in the consistent and upright child, while the wayward and thoughtless cause us anxiety, concern and deep regrets. We may cling to the latter and labor in their interests, to train them in the way of light and instil into them a love of honor and truth, but that confidence and that love are not so fixed in them as in the obedient, the upright, and the thoughtful. We can only judge of things pertaining to the future and the judgments that will be meted out to the sons and daughters of men, in some measure, by those things which present themselves in our present experience.
We have gathered from the world to these mountains and have come for the purpose of keeping ourselves in practical training in the principles of life, theoretically received in the first place. Many of the preachers to whom we had previously listened had been of the opinion that no matter what might be a man's week-day practice, so long as he was devout on the Sabbath, he was relieved from great responsibility. Those who have been warned and forewarned through the medium of the Gospel fullness should take heed to the greater requirements now imposes upon them. Those who have entered into holy places should remember the obligation of chastity, imposed by the Divine Master, they took upon themselves. There need be no mistake regarding those requirements. They pertain to the higher law, forming the basis of future exaltation. These things cannot be too deeply impressed upon the minds of the young. They should be taught that they ought to prefer to sacrifice life rather than their virtue. This should be embodied in our teachings, both by precept and example. Thus will the hosts of Israel become pure and clean in the sight of the Almighty. How great is the importance of this instruction! Unless virtue is practiced, and indeed will be the condition of the community. To be exemplars and instructors in this regard is one of the chief duties of parents. There should be instituted with all Saints a searching self scrutiny. The inquiry should be whether they individually have been living according to their professions. In relation to the purity of conduct of the young, there has been a large measure of success, as thousands of the youth of both sexes would, I am satisfied, rather give up life than sacrifice their virtue. Yet, the seducer is abroad, and nothing should be more closely guarded than chastity.
ELDER CHARLES W. PENROSE
said he could echo the words of President Woodruff, uttered at the opening of the conference, that our hearts should be filled with joy and gratitude because of the privileges we enjoy. Such is my condition. I am in full faith of the principles of the gospel. My heart is engaged in this work. Such has been the case ever since I first received it. I know the doctrines are true, and I am willing to bear testimony to them wherever my lot may be cast. I have not been idle since my absence from you, but have been busily engaged in forwarding the interests of the work of God. I endorse the principles that have been advanced here this morning. We will be rewarded according to our lives and opportunities, and so shall we be judged. The Lord offers rewards for good deeds and for good actions, because of our condition. The time will come when neither rewards nor punishments will affect our course. When on a higher plane, we will do right for the love of it and refrain from wrong because of its being wrong. We should, so far as practicable, reach after and approximate so that condition in this mortal sphere. It is to that state that God wishes to bring us. He desires us to be influenced by the Holy Spirit, which is the mind of God. The Lord is just, and it is well that he will not judge us as we sometimes judge each other. Man views the outward evidences. God comprehends all the circumstances, motives and temptations leading to the courses we pursue. He will also judge according to the principle of mercy, which, however, will not rob justice. Both principles will meet together, and each have its due. We should think of this when we attempt to sit in judgment upon each other. We have no right to judge persons unless we are appointed to perform that function. Be not too consorious, especially regarding the acts of those set to guide the affairs of the Church. Each should rather sit in judgment upon himself than upon his neighbor. There are times and places when and where to talk and to be silent. We should find out where these times and places are. We should do more and talk less. If we did we would place fewer stumbling blocks in our own way and in the way of our neighbor. As we show ourselves here so will we be placed in the world to come. If we are not entitled to an exaltation we will not get it; if we are worthy of it we will obtain it no matter what may be thought of us by our brethren and sisters. When we get there we will be valued for what we are, no matter as to appearances. Let us be merciful and charitable, and help each other, and put no stumbling block in the way of our neighbors. It is bad enough for him who has sinned that he has done so. For him there is sorrow and humiliation, without more being unnecessarily heaped upon him. May we learn to overcome evil and devote ourselves to the interests of the kingdom of God, that the crowns and inheritances of the just may be ours.
The choir sang:
O my Father, Thou that
dwellest In the high and glorious place!
When shall I regain Thy presence, And again behold Thy face?
Closing prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Adjourned till 2 p.m.
_____
[6 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 38:482-484, 4/13/89, p 2-4]
Saturday
Afternoon.
Proceedings resumed at 2 p. m.
Singing by the choir:
Glorious things of thee are
spoken, Zion, city of our God.
He whose word can not be broken, Chose thee for His own abode.
Prayer by Bishop Orson F. Whitney. Singing.
We're not ashamed to own our
Lord,
And worship Him on earth.
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER
Addressed the assemblage, his remarks being substantially as follows:
I feel the need of the faith and prayers of the Saints. Unless the Elders are inspired by the Holy Spirit there is little profit in their utterances. May my remarks be of a character to forward the interests of truth and righteousness. I am grateful to the Lord for His mercy and kindness to this people.
We are favored with the presence of a greater number of Apostles now than we have had for several years. We meet under the Presidency of brother Wilford Woodruff. To those who have been suffering wrong these are great privileges. When we meet as we do now we should beseech the Lord for His Spirit, that we may be united with each other, and exercise a great degree of faith, thus fulfilling the prayer of Jesus to the Father regarding the principle of unity. Unless e are on e we are not in the full sense the people of God. We should conduct ourselves in a way to tend to bring this to pass. To be united spiritually we must also be in the bond of union in temporal things. If this course be taken there might be restored the condition which existed among the ancient Nephites, when every man dealt justly with his neighbor. That people, however, lost that blessed state subsequently, indulged in pride, disputations and general unrighteousness. All proper action is the product of correct belief, the former being a product of the latter.
The speaker gave details of the establishment in one of the counties of Utah in 1874 of a board of trade, which undertook the exportation of wheat to the Pacific Coast. A mutual agreement was entered into among the producers for mutual benefit. The business was done through an agent of the people's own choosing. The transactions opened in that connection with the association, at the time referred to, with wheat at the rate of 60 cents a bushel. By the united method of business adopted in a short time it was raised to one dollar and seven and a half cents a bushel. This was not done by competition, but by unity. The people were united and strong. A similar result was attained by the same process and union of interests in the conducting of contracts for building certain railroads in this region. Subsequently the people became jealous of each other. Contentions appeared, the old condition ensued, and the people have not since been so prosperous. Employment has not been so plentiful. Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution was organized by President Brigham Young. His mind, reaching into the future, comprehending the interests of the people, he was led by the Spirit of God to organize it. It has done a mighty work, but it has not filled its mission. It is paying perhaps, today a quarter of a million of dollars per annum for labor, and we have a shoe factory here that is worthy of any community. They have established a tannery that gives employment to many men, and they are gradually advancing themselves in the establishment of a home industries which bid fair to make Zion's co-operative mercantile Institution what we have long hoped and prayed it might become. But if we seek to undermine its influence, if we seek to show in the midst of the people hat god did not inspire President Young in its establishment, or, if He did, that those who have conducted it have departed from the spirit in which it was organized, then its mission will never be successful. But if we shall build safely and energetically upon the broad and deep foundation which the Lord has given us in His revelations, we shall succeed in these things, the busy hum of machinery shall make music throughout the fair vales of Utah, and we shall have our home industries that will teach our youth how to become interested, how to become industrious, how to become self-supporting, and how to become united in things both spiritual and temporal.
Recent efforts have been made to combine, to unite the wealth of this Territory, and we have succeeded to some extent. It was not the fruits of the labor of any one man or any score of men, but it was the result of the spirit of God acting upon the hearts of those who had influence in financial circles. The object of that combination was not to form a monopoly in the midst of the people. Those who have interested themselves in the movement have never dreamed that it should become a monopoly and a means of oppression to the people; but the object was that through this union, the several banks throughout the Territory would be enabled to loan their money more closely, and with greater advantage to the people. The cheaper you can make money to a community, the quicker will you give the means of enhancing and fostering those things which we so much desire to see established. When money becomes cheap the avenues of trade are open, and if we had today perhaps five millions of dollars unnecessarily invested in commercial circles, and that amount of means could be employed in building up and furthering home industries, how much happier we would become.
I thank the Lord for the woolen mills in Provo; and I trust that the mills which have been recently erected in Salt Lake City may prove a success.
I heard it said the other day that a gentleman who came from Boston, representing six different woolen mills, went to examine the products of the Provo mill, and after inspecting the texture of the home-made goods, and on learning the price, he declared that he could do no business in Utah and therefore gave an order for a thousand pairs of blankets to be manufactured and shipped to Boston. When we can get on this basis and begin to export from Utah instead of importing everything, we shall become independent. What makes England -- that little island -- so powerful at the present time is her manufacturing interests, swaying the commerce of almost all the Christian world, and a great portion of the heathen world also. We shall not become a strong, united and influential people, until the best ability, prompted by the Spirit of God, shall come together of one heart and one mind and unite us in these things, build up Zion, and make the people happy, industrious, and prosperous in all they undertake to do.
God grant that the inspiration of His Holy spirit may gradually draw this people together and not permit the spirit of the adversary to tear us apart. That which binds together unites. That which softens the heart, that which makes the selfish man lay his money upon the altar and devote it to 'god, that which makes him feel that the riches of eternity are more valuable o him than the riches of this world is that which purifies and sanctifies, and makes the people of one heart and one mind. That which tends to divide them and array them one against the other in spiritual and temporal things comes from beneath, and is not of God.
I am not afraid of what the world may do. We may be opposed form the outside; but the harder they press us the more cohesive shall we become. It is the dangers inside that I fear -- the divisions that are arising amongst the people -- that which is selfish, and makes men haughty, proud, and hard-hearted, which does not prompt them to feed the widow and the orphan, but rather to do the opposite -- make themselves wealthy and live in palaces while their brethren and sisters whom God created, and whom He loves as much as He loves them, are neglected.
As God's children, we should feel towards each other as one common family. Let those who have riches in abundance give freely to those who have but little. I do not mean to say encourage idleness; but encourage industry and the prosperity of the people; and may God grant the time is not far distant when all that we have, for the love of the things of God, shall be laid upon the altar of sacrifice for the building up of His Kingdom on earth.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
spoke in substance as follows: I have had great pleasure in this conference thus far. I can bear testimony to what has been said. It makes us rejoice to hear the Gospel preached in plainness. What we have just heard is of the utmost importance. During the last several years I have been traveling among you as a peacemaker. nine-tenths of the difficulties among the Saints are over financial affairs. You can readily see the truth of the statement of Brother Thatcher that unless we are one temporally we cannot be spiritually. Any Elder who would come up to this stand and speak, his expressions would be to the same effect.
We are taught that if any are sick they should send for the Elders to administer the anointing with oil and offer the prayer of faith, and the Lord would raise them up. It is not the man who administers that is to do the raising up of the sick, but the Lord. The miraculous signs are enumerated in the New Testament. Anciently the Disciples were informed that whatever they asked in the name of Christ, believing, would be granted them. A certain incident occurred wherein they failed to cast an evil spirit out of an afflicted person, and they explained the fact to the Savior. He said that the reason for the failure was that they had not fasted and lacked in faith. The speaker cited several instances of healing by the Apostles anciently -- notably the lame man at the gate of he Temple, related in the Acts. Christ performed many mighty miracles and works. In one place, however, he failed to accomplish much because of the lack of faith in the people. When the boy Joseph Smith afterwards called to be a great Prophet, was administered unto by the Father and the Son, it was the result of a prayer offered in full faith that there would be an answer. Not all have the same gifts, but they are given to men according to the will of the spirit which imparts them. I have a greater desire for the gift of wisdom than any other. In laboring among the Saints I discern that spiritual gifts abound among them.
We have the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, containing the revelations given through Joseph Smith the Prophet. In it the Saints are enjoined to call for the Elders, but if they have not faith to be healed they shall be nourished with mild herbs, administered with skill by the h and of a friend. No one can administer herbs with skill unless this subject be made a matter of study. In this line people should have a knowledge of what they are doing. Many people have died for the lack of the application of this requisite skill. There are some who are so fanatical that they would almost rather see those related to them die for the want of a little skillful attention than have it said that a doctor had been in their house. I have been somewhat prejudiced in the past against doctors, but the more I become acquainted with some of them the more I think of them and the less I think of some of the charges they make.
The speaker gave an instance in his experience, in which a doctor who was traveling with him rendered effective service in some cases of emergency. This medical professional was traveling with the speaker in the capacity of an Elder but had numerous occasions to make practical application of his skill.
Our greatest desire should be to build up the Kingdom of God upon the earth; and our example should be such as to lead other men to glorify and honor the name of God. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were prophets of the Most High. I know that John Taylor was a prophet, and that Wilford Woodruff is a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. I declare unto you that the word of God will roll on until it fills the whole earth. Separate yourselves from all that is impure; cleave to that which is good, praiseworthy and exalting in its nature and the Lord will bless His people. Keep your covenants, do everything that has been commanded by the Lord in righteousness and walk always in that straight and narrow path that leadeth to eternal life.
The choir sang "The Battle Hymn of Israel."
Closing prayer by Apostle George Q. Cannon.
_____
[7 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 38:484-486, 4/13/89, p 4-6]
Sunday
Morning.
Meeting was called to order at 10 a. m.
The choir sang:
With all my powers of heart
and tongue, I'll praise my Maker in my song;
Angels shall hear the notes I raise, Approve the song, and join the praise.
Prayer was offered by Elder Abram H. Cannon.
The choir sang:
Shall I, for fear of feeble
man, The spirit's course in me restrain?
Or, undismayed in deed and word, Be a true witness for my Lord?
APOSTLE GEO. Q. CANNON
addressed the congregation. He read from I John, chapter iii:
BEHOLD,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of
God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope
in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Whosoever committeth sin
transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
And ye know that he was manifested
to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth
not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Little children, let no man
deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
In standing up to address you I depend upon the assistance of your faith and prayers. It is a serious responsibility to address an audience like this upon the principles of salvation. I should not attempt it if I did not hope to be assisted by the Spirit of God. We are in peculiar circumstances. There never was a time when, as a people, we needed counsel from the Lord more than we do at present. We cannot live without the word of God. Our gathering into these mountains has been in compliance with the will of heaven. The organization of these settlements in the mountain region is due to the fact that God has given commands, and the Saints have gathered in obedience thereto. Our preservation, growth, union and strength are all attributable to his blessings. If these were withdrawn we would be in a most pitiable condition.
We assemble to be instructed that we may better understand our relation and obligations to our Father, and to better know how to discharge our duties. Thus far He has not concealed His counsel nor withheld His words from us. The reflection gives my joy, that from the organization of the church the Latter-day Saints have not been left to grope in the dark, without the will of God to guide them. The voice of revelation has not been withdrawn. There has been a voice from God, by which the people could receive a knowledge of His will. Shall we not today praise the Lord that there has been no darkness so great as to prevent the light of the eternal world coming to us? Our path has been plainly marked out. Mankind may have been pursuing devious paths, but the direction in which we should travel has been plainly manifest to us. This has been the case from the beginning, and I thank God that this certainty has been given to us.
Our Father has answered our prayers in the past, and has shown us what to do. Persecution has laid its heavy hand upon us, but we have not been left to ourselves. This great work has not been deserted by its Founder; nor has His favor been withdrawn from us. He has ever been near to give us light and every gift necessary for our circumstances. This has been a great blessing and is worth more to us than all worldly honor. Who is there that values eternal truth, that loves God, that desires eternal salvation, who would not give all he possesses for the blessings and favor of God? Men have died for less truth than we have today. They have made great sacrifices for principles less Godlike than those that have been revealed to us. These men have felt that they could sacrifice life itself for communication with the eternal world. Men have prayed for the Priesthood and authority of God, and have made boundless sacrifices to obtain it. What would Martin Luther have given for this authority? As it was, he dared the whole world; he took his life in his hand, and was willing to die for even the modicum of truth he possessed. but how much more willing he would have been to make the sacrifice if he had had the truths we possess.
In the providence of God, His will was not communicated till this latter age. The earth had been drenched with the blood of Apostles and righteous men. The Priesthood was taken back to God till the time when He saw fit to communicate it. The courageous reformers will be rewarded for their labors, and receive the ordinances and salvation which they sought for. God's work is from eternity to eternity, and none of His children will be lost except the sons of perdition. Those men who struggled so nobly for the right will receive the great reward their fidelity to truth has entitled them to.
To us who have beheld this glorious day the blessings and knowledge of the Gospel are given. We are chosen to be saviors to our ancestors -- saviors of the world -- because of the grace of God to us. What a people we should be, and how our hearts should swell in gratitude to God. Men have died for these principles we have received. They were hunted and slain because of their fidelity to the truth. How is it with us? Contrast our circumstances with those of the men to whom I refer. We have everything necessary for our comfort; elegant houses; abundant food and clothing, no hardships such as the ancient Apostles suffered. for us there had been persecution comparatively light or there has been no sawing asunder, no beheading, no having to run to caves and dwell there with our wives and children; but we are enjoying all the blessings which god in His wonderful kindness has bestowed upon us and He asks us to give unto Him our hearts. He asks us not to worship earthly things, but says to us, "Choose first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and i will add unto you all these other blessings. I want your hearts; I want your affections; I want your devotion; I want you to obey me." These are the requests which God, our great Creator, our beneficent Father, wishes of us. Will we give to our Father that obedience which belongs to Him, the source of our strength and life? How our hearts should swell with praise to Him, for He has rewarded us a hundred fold for all we have done.
Each Elder who goes on a mission testifies of the great happiness he enjoys in that labor. He testifies that God was with him and His angels were round about him. These Elders return and associate among the people. Today, you may go through our settlements, and though they may have spent years on missions, you cannot find them by their poverty; there is no distinction in their property to indicate their sacrifice, because God has multiplied His temporal blessings upon them and prosperity attends them. Thus God manifests that He is willing to reward those who serve Him. Examine these things and you will find they are true. You Latter-day Saints can testify to them. This shows that those who serve God are blessed as no others are; Those who have been strict in the payment of their tithes, have also received of similar blessings. They have been prospered more than those who have been stingy and neglectful of their duties. In this way God has been testifying to us that He rewards us for serving Him. And if we continue to obey His laws, blessings will continue to flow unto us, and the favor of God will be upon us.
The Apostle John says that "we will be like him." It is for this purpose that God has revealed the Gospel -- that His children may become like unto Him. I do not mean in a spiritual sense; that is, in the way these things are spiritualized by some men. We believe that we are the literal offspring of Deity. We have descended from that great Being who formed this earth, and from Him we have inherited the glorious aspirations to be like unto Him. With this hope within us we will seek to purify ourselves as He is pure.
In remarks made here a few Sundays ago by Elder Penrose, he referred to a doctrine held by some men about each people having their own God to worship. The Indian has his idea of God; the Hindu has his idea of God; the various nations of the earth have their different views of god; and the Christian has his idea of God. Now, there is something correct in this. We worship that which we admire; and no doubt everything that is admirable pertains to God and the Godhead. We may not have it all, even with our light and our intelligence. We may not comprehend all the attributes, and certainly cannot comprehend the greatness of our God. Others may have ideas of Him. correct to a certain extent. There is truth among even Pagans. With the lowest of the human species there is something of truth from God. As men advance they receive more truth. This is the distinction between us and others. We believe in a God of revelation who will give more and more light to us till we can become like Him.
We worship the Being who has revealed Himself to us. It was necessary at the outset of this work to have a revelation from Him. There were many erroneous ideas about God and the first revelation to Joseph Smith was the appearance of the Father and the Son. I have heard that there are some among us who say both are one person. This is a fallacy. There are two personages, the Father and the Son. God is the Being who walked in the Garden of Eden, and who talked with the Prophets. This revelation came to us in certainty. As I said, in the very outset, the Father and the Son were revealed in ineffable glory and were seen by mortal men. Their testimony, this testimony, stands on record, corroborated and sustained by the testimony of others who have since seen the Lord Jesus Christ; we are living witnesses that they have seen Him, that he lives, and that He is indeed the Son of God and one of the two personages which form the Godhead. In this respect we differ from others; among this people there is knowledge concerning God. We know to a certain extent of him and His attributes. "As man now is, God was; as God now is, man may be." We possess the attribute He possesses, and the object of the Gospel is to lead us to what He is. This is the true theory of evolution -- that we can progress to become like unto God. This is the incentive of faithfulness.
Who that comprehends this principle would think of sacrificing such glorious prospects by committing sin? No one who has the Spirit of God would sin to be deprived of these great blessings. We may do things when we are not conscious of the results, but no Latter-day Saints will commit sin in view of the glorious prospects we have by keeping ourselves pure. There have been thousands upon thousands who have made all kinds of sacrifices for earthly preferment. But who shall compare this with the great glory that God has in store for us? Who shall compare it with the Kingdom which God has promised unto us? He has promised that we shall sit upon a throne, that we shall have a crown, that we shall have a posterity as numerous as the stars in heaven, as countless as the sands by the seashore. "For," says He, "I seal upon you the blessings of kingdoms, of thrones, of principalities, of powers, and of dominions. I seal upon you the blessings of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; I seal upon you the promise that you shall come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, clothed with glory, clothed with immortality, clothed with eternal life." These are the promises which are made to the Latter-day Saints. They have been sealed upon the heads of most of you. What sacrifice is there, then, that we should not make for such blessings? None. There are none of us who understand these things that will relinquish them for worldly pleasure.
Those not of us, and yet who profess Christianity, say that our doctrines are strange. Are they any more strange than the principles believed in by the Christian world? They worship Jesus as their God, and He is. But He was once a babe, and there are man who worship his mother Mary. He was born of a woman. And if one God was born of woman, may not others be also? To say they could not is not logical. some deny the doctrine of pre-existence in the face of the fact that Jesus the Lord was born of woman and that this same God had appeared to Moses and others. Is it mystery to say that if he could be born of woman, our spirits could also be compressed that we could be born as infants? Because we do not comprehend these things shall we reject them, or shall we wait till we receive the full light? On one occasion Jesus met a man possessed of devils, who said their name was Legion. The devils besought Him that they might enter a herd of swine. Jesus gave permission, and they entered the swine, which ran down into the sea of Galilee and were drowned. Just think of a legion of devils in one man! Yet that was the fact. These spirits had rebelled against 'God in heaven, and lost their first estate. They wander about the earth, seeking to lead men astray, and endeavoring to bring the rest of the family of God to the same condition in which they are. We have in this an instance of how spirits can be compressed.
We had an existence before we came into mortality There is probably not a man or woman who has not an impression as of something they feel they have forgotten. How many there are who recognized, as something they were familiar with, the principles of the Gospel. I believe that when we meet our Father, the recollection that we were with Him will come back again. We will also know our mother, and those with whom we before associated. We will know each other, father, mother, husband, wife, children. I was a boy when my people gathered with the Church. I was curious to see the Prophet Joseph. i had no means of identifying him, but recognized him as though I had seen him before; and I doubt not that I had. There are kindred spirits that are drawn together no doubt by ties that were formed anterior to their birth into this sphere. In the future our memories and our powers will be quickened. There is a remarkable power latent in the human mind, and when quickened by the Spirit of God it will reach back to the life that was before this. Abraham saw that he had been chosen to perform a mighty work.
I will refer briefly to one doctrine which I have heard of. I have heard that there are those among us who entertain an idea that some are predestined to be damned, no matter what they do. This is a fallacy. Men and women confound foreknowledge with fore-ordination. God knew that Pharaoh would oppress Israel; but it was in Pharaoh's power to choose his own course. He was not foreordained to be damned, but God knew what he would do. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him and become a devil, but he was not foreordained to become such as he did. It was his own choice. The doctrine that men are fated to commit sin is false. There is no such doctrine existing in the Gospel of the Son of God. We have our free and unfettered agency, as we were told so plainly yesterday.
We have the agency to do that which is right; the agency also to do that which is wrong. But it is for us to do that which is right. It is for us to keep the commandments of God and to serve Him with all our hearts; and if we will do this God will bring us off triumphant. We shall triumph over every obstacle, and this Kingdom of our God will spread and increase in power, it will overcome all the difficulties with which it has to contend, until every word spoken concerning it will be fulfilled. It will fill the whole earth; it will rule and bear dominion, and Jesus will come to reign on the earth for a thousand years. If we are faithful we shall reign with Him; those who go to sleep will be resurrected and will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air as well as those who lie in the grave, as the Apostle Paul says. That day is near at hand. Be encouraged; do not be discouraged and fearful in your hearts, for God is watching over this work and over you. There is not a hair of your heads but what is numbered. Not a sparrow -- a bird that is so common among us here now -- can fall to the ground without His notice, and you are of more value than many sparrows. God watches over you; His care is for you; His angels are around about you.
Remember what He said on one occasion: "Be careful that you do not offend the least of these my little ones; for I say unto you that their angels are before the face of my Father continually." Offend not then the elect of God. Be careful about transgressing upon your brethren and sisters. Their angels stand constantly before the face of our Father in heaven, pleading their cause, watching over them, and having charge concerning them.
I have spoken about the evil spirits and the evil influences of Satan; but I have not mentioned that glorious host of angels and pure spirits that are at the right hand of God our Eternal Father, and are as agents who are carrying out His behests over His elect at all times, lest they should strike their feet against a stone. God takes care of us and of all His children; and if we will be faithful unto Him, no matter how deep our afflictions may be, no matter how heavy our sorrows, no matter though it may seem to us we will be crushed to earth, God is still near unto us; His angels have charge concerning us, and we shall be saved and delivered, and eventually exalted, if we are faithful to our God, which I pray for you all and myself, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[George Q. Cannon]
[CD 1:226-237]
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
At the General Conference, Salt Lake City, sunday Morning,
april 7th, 1889.
_____
REPORTED BY ARTHUR WINTER.
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I will
read a portion of the third chapter of John's first epistle:
Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of
God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope
in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Whosoever committeth sin
transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.
And ye know that he was manifested
to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth
not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Little children, let no man
deceive you: he that doeth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is
righteous.
In
standing up, my brethren and sisters, to address you, I depend upon the
assistance of your faith and prayers. It is a serious responsibility to stand
up before an audience like that which is assembled within these walls, to
address them upon the principles of life and salvation. I should not attempt it
if I did not hope that I should be assisted by the Spirit of God.
We are,
as a people, in very peculiar circumstances. It seems to me there never was a
time when we needed instruction and counsel from the Lord more than we do at
present; in fact, we cannot live without this counsel and instruction. The
gathering together of these Latter-day Saints in these mountains has been in
compliance, we believe, with the requirements of heaven. The organization of
this people, the extension of their settlements throughout this mountain
region, are due to the fact that God has spoken, and that He has given command,
and that in obedience to that command the Latter-day Saints have gathered out
from the various places where they have heard the Gospel, to this land. Our
preservation, our growth, our union, the strength that we have, are all
attributable, as we believe, to the blessings of God upon us. If these were
withdrawn, we would be in a most pitiable condition.
We
assemble together in order that we may be instructed concerning our duties,
that we may arrive at a better understanding of our relationship to our Father,
and the obligations that we are under to Him, that we may know how we can best
discharge those obligations in a manner that will be acceptable in His sight.
Thus far we have been led by Him. He has not hidden His face from us. He has
not concealed His counsel nor withheld His word. This is a reflection which
fills me with thanksgiving and joy: that from the day that this Church was
organized (fifty-nine years ago yesterday), up to the present time, the
Latter-day Saints have not been left to grope in the dark, or to stagger and
wander around without a knowledge of that which they ought to do, and the will
of God concerning them. The voice of revelation has not been stilled. The
whisperings of the Spirit of God have not been withdrawn. But there has been a
voice from God in the midst of this people, to which they could turn their ears
and receive the counsel that they have needed in the great variety of
circumstances in which they have been placed; and shall we not today, in this
congregation and in this General Conference, praise our God with all our
hearts, that there has been no darkness so great as to prevent the rays of
light from the eternal world coming to us? There have been no paths so numerous
but what the path that we had to pursue has been marked out in plainness before
us. There may have been labyrinths around us; mankind may have been pursuing
devious paths; but there has always been pointed out to us, with the greatest
certainty, the path that we should pursue, the direction in which we should
travel, the labors that we should perform, the things that we should not
perform, and the evils that we should avoid. This has been the case from the
beginning. I thank our great God this day for this inestimable blessing.
Certainty has been given to us. God has heard our prayers. He has pointed out
to us, in answer to prayer, that which we should do. And though we have had
evils to contend with; though afflictions have beset our pathway, and
persecution has laid its heavy hand upon us; nevertheless, we have had the
assurance that we were not left to ourselves; that this great work with which
we are identified had not been deserted by its great Founder; that He had not
forgotten nor neglected us, nor withdrawn His favor and watchcare from us; but
that amid all these circumstances He has ever been near unto us to hear and to
answer our prayers, and to impart knowledge, and give unto us light, certainty,
strength, and every gift necessary to enable us to endure patiently the
difficulties and the trials and afflictions that we had to contend with.
This has
been the blessing which has rested down upon us. It has been a great and a
peculiar blessing. It is worth more to us than all the riches of the world. It
is worth more to us than all worldly honor, and than all the popularity that
man can have or give. Who is there that loves eternal truth, that loves God,
that desires eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God, who would not give
everything that he possesses on the earth, or that he can control, in order to
have the blessings that God has so bountifully bestowed upon His people? Men
have died for less truth than we have. Men have made immense sacrifices for
principles not so valuable, not so heavenly, not so Godlike, as those which we
have in such profusion. They have felt as though they would give everything
they had in the world, and even sacrifice life itself, if they could have one
communication from the eternal worlds, or one heavenly messenger descend and
communicate to them the will of God, or have the Holy Ghost, with its gifts and
blessings and graces, descend upon them. Men have prayed and entreated God to
give unto them the Priesthood and the authority to administer unto their
fellow-men, and they have made boundless sacrifices to obtain this authority.
Allusion was made to Luther yesterday. What would Luther have given, with the
spirit that he possessed and the desire that he had to reform the people, if he
could have had the authority from God to administer in those holy ordinances
which are necessary to salvation? As it was, he dared the whole world, it may
be said. He took his life in his hands, and was willing to die even for the
modicum of truth that he possessed. But how much stronger he would have felt,
and how much more willing he would have been to have made these sacrifices,
could he have had the blessings that God has placed within our reach!
In
speaking in this strain I do not do it to foster your vanity or to make you
think for one moment that you are better than other men and women. But in the
providence of God, in the carrying out of His great purposes, it was not His
will that the Priesthood should be communicated until these last days. It was
withheld for reasons that were sufficient in the mind of Omnipotence. The earth
had been drenched with the blood of Apostles and Prophets and righteous men. An
exterminating war had been waged against them, until every man who held the
Priesthood had either been driven from the face of the earth or from
association with mankind, and the Priesthood was taken back to God until the
time should come when it should again be communicated. But these men and women
who in the ages past have so earnestly desired to receive the truth will not
lose their reward. They will receive, in the time of the Lord, all the
blessings they sought for. They will have the ministrations of the everlasting
Priesthood; they will receive that Priesthood; they will receive the ordinances
of the Gospel; they will receive the salvation which they sought for. For God's
work is not confined to this earthly state of existence; it extends throughout
eternity. It is from eternity to eternity. And no son or daughter of God will
ever be lost, excepting the sons of perdition. God will feel after them. The
prayers which honest people have offered in sincerity will be treasured up,
and, in the good time of the Lord, our ancestors, who died without these
blessings, will receive them in their fulness and in the plenitude of their
power.
But to us
who have been born in this generation, and who have beheld this glorious day,
these blessings are given. We are chosen, as it were, to be the saviors of men,
to be the saviors of our ancestors, and the saviors of a world that is
perishing in sin; not for any merit of ours that we know anything about, but
because of the grace of God and of His ineffable kindness and mercy that He has
shown unto us, and that He is still willing to extend unto us.
These
being the circumstances that surround us, what a people we should be! How our
hearts should swell with thanksgiving and gratitude to our God for that which
He has done for us! Men, as I have said, have died for these principles. The
Apostle Paul says they wandered in sheepskins and in goatskins, dwelling in
caves and in dens of the earth. They were beheaded; they sawn asunder; they
were destroyed in various ways; their lives were hunted, and they perished. Yet
they clung to the truth, preferring to be beheaded, preferring to be sawn
asunder, preferring to dwell in caves and in dens of the earth, preferring to
be clothed in sheepskins and goatskins, and to be hated of all men than to deny
the great truth which God had revealed unto them.
How is it
with us? Contrast our circumstances with the circumstances of those to whom I
refer. We are dressed in broadcloth and clad in the finest of clothing, the
ladies especially. We have everything necessary for our comfort and
convenience; houses that are elegant in their exteriors and in their
furnishings; tables set with all the bounties of the earth: fruit, vegetables
and meats, butter, milk and honey-all in abundance. These are the blessings
that the Latter-day Saints enjoy, together with money in their pockets or at
their command. No hardships such as I have described; persecution but very
little, comparatively; no sawing asunder; no beheading; no having to run to
caves and dwell there with our wives and children; but enjoying all these
blessings which God in his wonderful kindness has bestowed upon us. And He asks
us to give unto Him our hearts. He asks us not to worship these earthly things.
He says to us, "Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and
all other things shall be added unto you." He says, "I want your
hearts, I want your affections; I want your devotions; I want you to obey Me."
These are the requests which our great Creator and beneficent Father makes of
us. The great question before us today is, will we do this? Will we give unto
the Lord, who has been so wonderfully kind to us, that which belongs to Him-the
obedience which a child owes to his earthly father, and much more to his
Eternal Father, his Creator, the Author of his being, the fountain of his
blessings, the source of his strength and of his life?
Brethren
and sisters, in view of all that God has done for us, how our hearts should
swell with thanksgiving and praise! He has rewarded us a thousand-fold for all
that we have done. Did an Elder ever go on a mission, without purse and scrip,
without receiving his reward? What does he say when he comes back? "I
never spent such a happy time in my life. My heart was filled with joy such as
I never had. The peace and power of God were with me. The gifts of God rested
upon me. The Holy Ghost was my companion. And though I had difficulties to
contend with, I never was so happy as I was on that mission."
He
received his reward as he went along. God was with him. Angels were around him.
The Spirit of God burned in his heart. Is not this the testimony of all you
Elders today? Certainly it is. I speak that which I know when I make this
statement. When these Elders come back from their missions, they settle among
their brethren and re-commence their labors in the various occupations in which
they may be engaged. What then follows? You go throughout our settlements and
strive to find who are the men who have gone on missions. They may have been
gone for years, with very short intervals; but you endeavor to find them out by
their poverty, if you can. Find out what distinction exists between them and
their brethren who have not been on missions, and what is the result? Why, so
far as your observation would extend, you could not find the least distinction
between the men who have been on missions and the men who have not. God
abundantly blesses His servants when they return. He multiplies His temporal
blessings upon them. They are prospered in their lands; they are prospered in
their families; they are prospered in their flocks; and in all their operations
and labors prosperity attends them. Thus God witnesses unto His people that He
is able to reward His servants and all those who put their trust in Him and
serve Him.
What does
this show to us? It shows that if we will give our hearts to God; if we devote
ourselves to His service and be obedient to Him, we will be blessed and
prospered as no other people upon the earth have been. I might extend this
still further and allude to those who have been liberal in their donations to
the poor, who have fed the hungry and clothed the naked, and who have been
strict in paying their tithing, and ask this congregation what have been the
results to those who have done right in these directions, and who have kept the
commandments of God? Have they not, in every instance, been prospered, at least
equal with those who have not done these things? I am sure that your testimony
would be that they have been prospered more than those who have been stingy and
niggardly and neglectful in their duties in these directions. In this way,
brethren and sisters, God is bearing testimony to us concerning His work and
the results of obedience to His commands. And if we carry out His requirements
in our lives, the blessings of the Most High will rest upon us in every
direction. In the words of the Apostle John, "It doth not yet appear what
we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for
we shall see Him as He is." God designs to make us like Him. It is for
this purpose that He sent us here. It is for this purpose that we have been
chosen out of the world, and that the Gospel has been revealed. God wants His
children to be like Himself, and in saying this I do not mean in a
spiritualized sense alone. There are many people who imagine that we are the
children of God because He is our Creator. But we differ from all other people
in this respect. We believe that we are the literal descendants of our Eternal
Father; that we are the offspring of Deity; that those aspirations which man
has, and which cause Him to perform the mighty works that we see on every hand
as we travel throughout the earth, are inherited from our Eternal Father. They
come to us by descent, or, to use another phrase, they are hereditary. The
doctrine of heredity is manifested in the works of man. We descend from this
great Father who formed the earth, and who governs this universe. Therefore, it
is natural that man, being His offspring, should have these glorious
aspirations which prompt him to attempt these wonderful works and to succeed in
carrying them out.
This is
the belief of the Latter-day Saints; and, having this belief, we should have
with it a corresponding desire that, when we shall see our Father, we shall be
like Him. If we have this hope within us, we will seek to purify ourselves,
even as He is pure, that we may be counted worthy to come into His presence.
I remember listening a short time ago to a discourse delivered by Elder Penrose
from this stand, in which he alluded to the doctrine that some taught
concerning every people having a God to suit themselves. I believe it has been
remarked by a noted infidel-but it is an old idea-that every people form in
their own minds an idea of the kind of God they want to worship. They clothe
him with the attributes and perfections which they admire and think worthy of
worship. The Indian has his idea of God; the Hindoo has his; and all the
various nations of the earth have their different ideas of God; each one
adopting the God that agrees with its standard. There is, no doubt, something
correct in this. We worship that which we admire, and everything that is
admirable pertains to God. Even with our light and intelligence we may not
comprehend all the attributes of God, and certainly we cannot comprehend His
greatness. But we have certain ideas of His character, and others may have
their ideas, and may be correct to a certain extent, just as the Gospel is
believed in, in part, by various peoples. You will find truth in every land,
among every people, in every form of worship. You will find it among the
Pagans. I have found it among the most ignorant people. And I suppose that if a
man were to travel over the whole world and mingle with the lowest human
species, he would find some remnants of truth; something that would be
admirable; something that he could say was good and true. Of course, as men
advance they receive more truth. This is the prerogative of those who have
embraced the Gospel of the Son of God. This is the great distinction between us
and other peoples. We believe in a God of revelation. We believe in a God who
communicates His mind and will to His children. And if we seek for it we
believe that He will reveal Himself more and more unto us, and in greater and
greater fulness, until we shall comprehend Him as well as it is possible for
mortal man to comprehend God. We do not worship a Being that we have created in
our own imaginations; we worship a Being who has revealed Himself to us-a Being
who has communicated to us His character and His attributes, and revealed unto
us the greatness of His Godlike character. It was necessary in the very outset
of this work that there should be a revelation of this character. Up to that
time, men for generations had been ignorant of the character of God. It was
believed, as many now believe, that He was a Being diffused through space-a
spiritual being, without an entity or without a tabernacle. But the first
revelation that was given in our day, in answer to the prayer of the boy,
Joseph Smith, Jun., and seemingly the most necessary one that could be given to
lay the foundation of faith in the human mind, was the appearance of God the
Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.
I have
heard that there are some among us who contend that Jesus is the Father, and
that there is but one Father, misrepresenting and misinterpreting the words of
divine revelation contained in the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the book of
Doctrine and Covenants. This is a fallacy and a false doctrine. There were two
personages appeared unto Joseph Smith, Jun.,-God the Father, and His Son Jesus
Christ. Whatever errors had existed, whatever doubts had prevailed up to that
time concerning the being of God were swept away, never to return, from the
minds of those who believed in that revelation at that time. God was then
understood to be the Being who walked in the Garden of Eden and spoke with a
voice; whose finger was seen by the brother of Jared, and whom the prophets
declared to be the Being that He is. This testimony came with power on this
occasion. Therefore, we are not in the position that infidels assert that other
peoples are. The infidel asserts that they who worship any being as supreme
worship a being of their own creation. We do not do this; for, as I have said,
in the very outset of this work the Father and the Son were revealed in
ineffable glory, and they were seen by mortal man, and his testimony stands on
record today, corroborated and sustained by the testimony of others who have
since seen the Lord Jesus Christ, and who are living witnesses that He lives,
and that He is indeed the Son of God, and one of the two personages that form
the Godhead. In this respect, as I have said, we differ from other creeds and
peoples, and our faith has a firm foundation. It furnished unto those who
believed a foundation for their faith, and they exercised that faith until it
developed into knowledge. Among the Latter-day Saints there is a knowledge
concerning the personage of God. We have some conception of Him. We know that
He is a Being of tabernacle. A remark suggests itself to my mind which I heard
a few days ago from one of our Apostles-Brother Lorenzo Snow. It was something
to this effect: That as God now is, we will be; as man is, God was. It is very
comprehensive. And we descend from this Father. We are His offspring. We
possess His attributes. It is true they are not developed, but we possess them;
and He desires to lead us forward until we shall be like Him. This is the
object of the Gospel.
Men talk
about evolution. This is the true evolution-being such as we are and developing
and advancing and progressing in that upward and onward career until we shall
become like Him, in truth; until we shall possess the powers that He possesses
and exercise the dominion that He now exercises. This is the promise that is
held out to us. It is an incentive to faithfulness on our part. Talk about sin;
talk about defilement; talk about committing one's self. Who that comprehends
the nature of the promises that God holds out to us would sacrifice them for
sexual indulgence, or for indulgence of any kind? We talk about laying all that
we have upon the altar. Who would not give everything they had for such
glorious promises and prospects as are held out to the Latter-day Saints? I
tell you that no man or woman will ever commit a sin knowingly who has a true
conception of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the glorious future that awaits
the faithful. They would shrink from it with horror. They would not think of
sacrificing such prospects for so small a price. Whenever Latter-day Saints do
commit sin it is because they lose the Spirit of God, and they are blinded for
the time by their passions and by the deceitfulness of Satan. We may things do
inadvertently and without thinking, or when we are not fully conscious of the
consequences; but no Latter-day Saint will deliberately commit sin in view of
these glorious blessings and promises that God has extended unto us. Would you
do it if you knew that by denying yourselves and making sacrifices of a certain
character you could gain an earthly crown, with great honor and distinction
among men? There have been thousands who have made all kinds of sacrifices for this;
but who shall compare this with the great glory that God has in store for us?
Who shall compare it with the Kingdoms that God has promised unto us? He has
promised us that we shall sit upon thrones, that we shall have crowns, and that
we shall have a posterity as numerous as the stars in heaven, as countless as
the sand upon the sea shore; for, said He, "I seal upon you the blessings
of kingdoms, of thrones, of principalities, of powers, and of dominions. I seal
upon you the blessings of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. I seal upon you the
promise that you shall come forth in the morning of the first resurrection
clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives." These are the promises
that are made to the Latter-day Saints. The most of them have been sealed upon
your heads. The Lord promised unto Abraham that as the stars of heaven were
innumerable in multitude, and as the sand on the sea shore was countless, so
his seed should be. That same promise has been sealed upon your heads, ye
Latter-day Saints who have been faithful. Think of it! If men and women will
make sacrifice for earthly thrones and for earthly honor, and will undergo all
manner of peril and encounter every conceivable danger, for the sake of earthly
reward, what shall be said of us who have these great promises made to us? What
sacrifice is there that we should not be willing to make? Can you think of
anything, in view of what God has promised to us? No. I feel sure that there is
not one in this congregation who understands the nature of these promises, and
who has partaken of the powers of the world to come, who will not willingly
make any sacrifice.
"But,"
says one, "Suppose an objector were to talk to us about this. He would
talk very differently to what we do. He would tell us that we were deceived in
all these things."
Our
opponents endeavor to destroy our faith by ridiculing it. They think that our
doctrines are very strange. But are they any more strange than things which are
believed in by the Christian world? What is the faith of the Christian world
concerning the God whom they worship? They worship, and worship truly, Jesus
Christ as their God. Who was Jesus Christ? Why, He is called the babe of
Bethlehem. He was once a babe, then? Yes. He was born of the Virgin Mary. There
is a large class of Christians who adore and pray to the Virgin Mary, in order
that she may intercede with her Divine Son in their behalf. They render her
vows and adoration; they implore her intercession, and ask her to mediate for
them with her Divine Son. Who is this Divine Son? Jesus Christ. Was He, the Son
of God, born of a woman? Yes. Well, then, if one God was born of a woman, why
not other Gods be born of women? Is He the exception to the entire race? Is He
the only Being, born of woman, that can attain to the Godhead? That is not
logical. It is not reasonable to suppose this.
Now, we
are told that there is no such thing as pre-existence; that our spirits came
into existence just as we were born into the earth, or a few minutes before;
that this eternal spirit that we posses never had a beginning until a few
minutes before our birth. This is the doctrine that is believed by the
Christian world, and the idea of pre-existence is ridiculed. Yet it is
ridiculed in face of the great and incontrovertible fact that Jesus, who was
the Son of God, who was God Himself, was born of a woman. When Jesus said,
"I am that I am;" when He appeared unto the brother of Jared; when He
appeared unto Moses, He was doubtless then at the full stature of a man. Yet He
was born of a woman. I do not wonder at Paul saying, "Great is the mystery
of godliness." God manifested in the flesh! It is a mystery to human
beings; for they do not comprehend these things. But if Jesus, who was at one
time at the full stature of a man, was compressed that He could enter the world
as an infant, is it unreasonable to say that the rest of mankind could be born
in that way? I think not. It appears to me that if Jesus could be born that way
we could be; that our spirits could be compressed, although we might be six
feet six inches in height, or weigh 300 pounds, so as to be born as a little
infant. It is a strange thing to state; but because we do not understand all
things, shall we reject truths? or shall we wait until a full revelation comes
to us? I am reminded of a circumstance which illustrates this to some extent.
On one occasion Jesus went into the country of the Gadarenes. While there He
was met by a lunatic, who worshiped Him and said unto Him, "What have I to
do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God that
thou torment me not." Jesus undertook to cast the devil out of the man. He
was a violent devil. He could not be bound with chains nor with fetters, so
powerful was he. When Jesus asked him his name, he said, "My name is
Legion, for we are many!" Jesus was about to cast the devils out, when
they besought Him that they might enter into a large herd of swine that was
close by. Jesus gave this permission, and the devils entered the swine, and the
whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and were drowned.
Just think of it! A human being possessed of a legion of devils! What are these
spirits? According to that which has been revealed to us, they were in form
like unto us. But at the great controversy which took place in heaven, they
espoused the plan of Lucifer, the Son of the Morning-a mighty angel in the
presence of God. They took sides with him against the Father, and against the
Son, Jesus Christ. As a punishment for that they lost their first estate. They
were not permitted to take tabernacles. They were cast out of heaven-one-third,
we are told, of the whole hosts of heaven-and they became angels to the devil;
and from that day until the present they have been wandering about in the
earth, tempting the children of men, seeking to lead them astray; infusing into
their hearts rebellion and disobedience against God, adultery, dishonesty, and
vice of every kind, and endeavoring, as the agents of Satan, to bring the rest
of the family of God into the same dreadful condition which they now occupy.
Some of these spirits, it seems, took possession of this man. Therefore, if it
be argued that it is impossible for a spirit to occupy so small a space as an
infant tabernacle, we have here an illustration of the power of spiritual
element to compress itself or to be compressed, in a wonderful degree.
We did
exist before we came here. Probably there is scarcely a man or a woman that has
not had sometimes revived in their memory a dim recollection of something that has
taken place before they came here, as though it had happened like a dream, in
some other place or some other world. I have heard many men and women, after
they heard the Gospel, say, "why, it seems to me as though I had always
known that. These principles were perfectly familiar to me, like something I
had heard and been familiar with long before, but I had forgotten them."
There is
no doubt in my mind that we were familiar with the principles of the Gospel;
and though they had faded from our memories, yet when we heard them again the
recollection was revived. I believe that when we see our Father in heaven we
shall know Him; and the recollection that we were once with Him, and that He
was our father, will come back to us, and we will fall upon His neck, and He
will fall upon us, and we will kiss each other. We will know our Mother, also.
We will know those who have begotten us in the spirit world just as much as we
will know each other after we pass from this state of existence into another
sphere. President Woodruff said yesterday that we would know our infants; that
our dead would be in the form in which they were laid down. Yes, we shall know
each other. The husband who has parted with his wife or wives will know them
again. And so with the wives who have buried their husbands. The parents who
have buried children will know them. The children who have buried parents will
recognize them. They will be in the old form. They will see them purified,
cleansed, immortalized and exalted, it is true; but the recognition will be
perfect.
I was a
boy when my people gathered with the Saints of God. I was very curious to know
the Prophet Joseph, having heard a great deal about him. I happened to be in a
large crowd of people where the Prophet was, and I selected him out of that
large body of people. There were no means of recognition that I know of which
would suggest him to me as the Prophet; but I recognized him as though I had
always known him. I am satisfied that I had known him and been familiar with
him. There are instances which all of us doubtless have known, which have
proved to us that there has been a spiritual acquaintance existing between us.
We frequently say, "How familiar that person's face is to me." In
this way kindred spirits are brought together. We are drawn together by this
knowledge and this acquaintanceship, which, I have no doubt, was formed
anterior to our birth in this state of existence.
So, I
believe, it will be hereafter. Memory will be quickened to a wonderful extent.
Every deed that we have done will be brought to our recollection. Every
acquaintance made will be remembered. There will be no scenes or incidents in
our lives that will be forgotten by us in the world to come. You have heard of
men who have been drowning or have fallen from a great height, describe, that
in about a second or two every event of their lives passed before them like a
panorama, with the rapidity of lightening. This shows what power there is
latent in the human mind, which, when quickened by the power of God, will make
men and women recall not only that which pertains to this life, but our
memories will stretch back to the life we had before we came here, with the
associations we had with our Father and God and with those bright spirits that
stand around His throne, and with the righteous and holy ones.
It has
been often said that we were ordained before we came here. There is not a doubt
of this in my mind. Abraham described this in a most beautiful manner, how he
saw certain ones, and the Lord told him who these were; that he (Abraham), was
one of them; that he had been chosen to perform a great and mighty work. So it
is with all who have been chosen.
But let
me refer here to one doctrine that I have found somewhat prevalent even among
Elders. I shall not dwell upon it here; it would take more time than I have to
spare for me to enlarge upon it. What I allude to is the idea that there is
such a thing as predestination-that is, in the bad sense of that word, that
some are predestined to be damned, and others to be saved; that some will be
damned, no matter what they do. I wish to remove, if I can, by what I may say,
this fallacy from the minds of my brethren and sisters. People confound
foreknowledge with foreordination. Because God foreknows a thing, it does not follow
that He has foreordained it. He foreknew that Pharaoh would fight Israel and
would reject the testimonies which Moses and Aaron bore to him. But Pharaoh had
the full use of his agency. It was in his power to have accepted the message
which Moses delivered; it was in his power also to reject that message. He
chose to reject it; and God magnified His name in the earth by showing His
wonderful works among the Egyptians. But He did not foreordain Pharaoh to be
damned. His foreknowledge extends to the uttermost end of life. He knows all
about us. Jesus knew that one of His Apostles would be a devil. But it was not
foreordained that Judas should be a devil. He chose that part himself, in the
exercise of his agency. He betrayed the Son of God and brought upon himself the
dreadful fate which befell him. So with Esau. He had equal opportunities with
Jacob. Cain had equal opportunities with Abel. God told him that his offering
would be accepted if he would do right. God plead with him; his father, no
doubt, also plead with him to forsake sin and unrighteousness. But he took the
other course.
Do not be
deceived, brethren and sisters, and allow any such thought to enter into your
hearts, that you are fated to be damned, that you are fated to commit sin, that
you are fated to be surrounded by inextricable circumstances which break you
down. There is no such doctrine in the Gospel of the Son of God. We have our
free and unfettered agency, as we were told so plainly yesterday.
We have
the agency to do that which is right; the agency also to do that which is
wrong. But it is for us to do that which is right. It is for us to keep the
commandments of God and to serve Him with all our hearts; and if we will do
this God will bring us off triumphant. We shall triumph over every obstacle,
and this Kingdom of our God will spread and increase in power; it will overcome
all the difficulties with which it has to contend, until every word spoken
concerning it will be fulfilled. It will fill the whole earth; it will rule and
bear dominion, and Jesus will come to reign on the earth for a thousand years.
If we are faithful we shall reign with Him; those who go to sleep will be
resurrected and will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, as well as those
who are alive, as the Apostle Paul says; That day is near at hand. Be
encouraged; do not be discouraged and fearful in your hearts, for God is
watching over this work and over you. There is not a hair of your heads but
what is numbered. Not a sparrow-a bird that is so common among us here now-can
fall to the ground without His notice, and you are of more value than many
sparrows. God watches over you; His care is for you; His angels are around
about you.
Remember
what He said on one occasion: "Be careful that you do not offend the least
of these My little ones; for I say unto you that their angels are before the
face of my father continually." Offend not then the elect of God. Be
careful about trespassing upon your brethren and sisters. Their angels stand
constantly before the face of our Father in heaven, pleading their cause,
watching over them, and having charge concerning them.
I have
spoken about the evil spirits and the evil influences that fell with Satan; but
I have not mentioned that glorious host of angels and pure spirits that are at
the right hand of God our Eternal Father, who are His agents, who are carrying
out His behests and who are watching over His elect at all times, lest they
should strike their feet against a stone. God takes care of us and of all His
children; and if we will be faithful unto Him, no matter how deep our
afflictions may be, no matter how heavy our sorrows, no matter though it may
seem to us we will be crushed to earth, God is still near unto us; His angels
have charge concerning us, and we shall be saved and delivered, and eventually
exalted, if we are faithful to our God, which I pray for you all and myself, in
the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
ELDER JOHN MORGAN
said: I have been requested to occupy a few moments in which to bear my testimony to what has been said. ;I do this with pleasure, and feel confident that the principles we have heard here today have fallen upon the ears of the Saints as the truth. I rejoice to see that the cause of the Kingdom of God is onward and upward. The experiences the Saints are passing through will be invaluable to them in the future.
I bear my testimony that this work will continue to grow until it will fill the whole earth, and that the time will come when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. Notwithstanding the opposition arrayed against this work it will triumph over all things, which may God grant in the name of Jesus, amen.
The choir sang the hymn:
How will the Saints rejoice
to tell And count their sufferings o'er,
When they upon Mount Zion stand And view the landscape o'er.
Benediction was pronounced by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[7 Apr, 2 pm*]
[DNW 38:486-487, 4/13/89, p 6-7]
Services commenced at 2 p. m. The choir sang:
Mortals awake! with angels
join, And chant the solemn lay;
Love, joy and gratitude combine, To hail th'auspicious day.
Prayer was offered by Apostle F. D. Richards.
The choir sang:
How great the wisdom and the
love That filled the courts on high,
And sent the Savior from above, To suffer, bleed and die!
The Priesthood were arranged and seated in quorums, in solemn assembly, according to the following order:
The members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles and Counselors to the Twelve, in the two upper seats of the center of the stand.
On the south wing of the stand were the Patriarchs -- the Patriarch of the Church in front -- Presidents of Stakes, their Counselors, and High Councilors.
The High Priests in the north centre of the body of the hall, the quorum presidents in front of them.
The Seventies in the south centre and south division of the body of the house, the first seven presidents and members of quorum councils in front.
The Elders were located in the rear of the High Priests.
On the north wing of the stand were the Bishops and their Counselors, with the Presiding Bishopric in front.
On the extreme left of the body of the hall were the Lesser Priesthood -- Priests, Teachers and Deacons -- with the quorum presidents in the front.
The general congregation were seated in those portions of the body of the building not occupied by the Priesthood, and in the gallery.
APOSTLE GEORGE Q. CANNON
said: The object in arranging the Priesthood as they are this afternoon in their several quorum capacities is to form a general assembly of the Priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and in presenting the authorities of the Church they will be presented to each quorum separately, for such quorum to vote by a rising vote and by lifting up their right hands. If there be any who object to any name that is presented they will have the privilege of making manifest their objections. After one name is presented and it is carried by all the Priesthood, they will then sit down and it will be submitted to the entire congregation, including the Priesthood, who will rise, with the Saints in the galleries and elsewhere, to their feet and vote as a congregation upon the names that shall be offered.
The first quorum to vote will be the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Then the Presidents of Stakes, or, rather the Patriarchs, the Presidents of Stakes and their counselors, and the High Councils. Then the High Priests will vote; then the Seventies, then the Elders, then the Bishops and their Counselors and then the Lesser Priesthood, including the Priests, Teachers and Deacons, after which the body of Saints and Priesthood will be called on separately to vote.
Apostle George Q. Cannon presented the
GENERAL AUTHORITIES,
which were voted upon by the different divisions of the Priesthood in the order given above, each division acting separately by rising and holding the right hand toward heaven. After the vote of each quorum or division was obtained upon the name of each individual presented, the action by vote of the whole assembly was taken.
The following is the order in which the authorities were presented by Brother Cannon, the vote in each instance being unanimous:
Wilford Woodruff, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Lorenzo Snow as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles -- Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, and John W. Taylor.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
After the above named brethren were voted upon and unanimously sustained, for the positions mentioned, the voting was done by the general assembly only, and not by quorums, on the following:
The twelve Apostles, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, Abram H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted, John Morgan and B. H. Roberts.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First, and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Franklin D. Richards as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
The Priesthood of the Sixth Ward officiated in the administration of the Sacrament.
The choir and congregation sang:
We thank Thee, O God, for a
Prophet, To guide us in these latter days;
We thank Thee for sending the Gospel, To lighten our minds with its rays.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
then addressed the congregation. He was listened to with deep attention, and bore a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel. His remarks will shortly be published in the DESERET WEEKLY.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[DNW 38:513, 4/20/89, p 1; CD 1:239-245]
DISCOURSE
Delivered by President Wilford Woodruff at the General
Conference,
Salt Lake City, on Sunday afternoon, april 7, 1889.
_____
REPORTED BY ARTHUR WINTER.
_____
While the
Sacrament is being passed to this congregation I will try to make a few
remarks; but whether or not I shall be heard by this assembly I cannot say.
If after
the scene we have passed through during the last hour any man can answer his
mind and satisfy himself before an assembly of this kind to occupy the position
that I do, unless he is assisted by the God of Israel, he is made of different
material to what I am. That which we have had before us this afternoon is a
testimony to heaven and earth that what has been presented here could not have
been witnessed in the midst of any other people on the face of the earth,
unless that people were the children of God. Here we have had ten thousand men
and women lift up their hands in a vote to sustain not only the Presidency of
the Church and the Twelve Apostles, but other men in their various positions,
and without a dissenting vote. Where on the earth can a scene of this kind be
seen except among the Latter-day Saints?
I feel it
my privilege, right and duty to now make a few remarks with regard to myself
and the dealings of God with me. But before doing that I will say that the Lord
has never set His hand, in any age of the world, to perform a work among the
sons of Adam, but He has prepared an element for that work. You will see this
in the whole history of His dealings with the human family. It is so in the
generation in which we live. The God of heaven, having set His hand to carry
out His great purposes and decrees, which have been revealed in the records of
divine truth, has been under the necessity of preparing a people to take hold
of and to perform the work which He has decreed should come to pass. Ten
thousand of that people are before me today, with tens of thousands throughout
the land.
With regard
to myself I will say that in my early youth, while reading the Bible-the record
of Judah, and the New Testament-I read of Jesus Christ, of His Apostles, their
works, and the dealings of God with them, and of the doctrines which they
received and taught to those around them, There was something glorious in those
principles which the Savior of the world and His disciples taught in their day.
I had a great desire in my boyhood and youth that I might live to behold a
people who were inspired of the Almighty, and who had power and authority to go
forth and teach those principles which I read of within the lids of the Bible.
At that time I could not hear them taught. They were not taught by any person
within my knowledge. But, as I have said, I had a longing desire that I might
live to behold a people on the earth who would teach these principles to me. I
spent many a midnight hour in my mill, and among the rocks, in the forests and
in the fields, in pouring out my soul to God and praying that I might live to behold
a people on the earth who would teach these principles. In answer to my
prayers, the God of heaven promised me that I should live to find such a
people. He promised me that I should have a name and a place within the House
of God and among His people-a name that should not be cut off. I am strongly
impressed today, in reflecting upon our history and the history of myself, and
the position which I occupy, with the promises of God to me in those early
days. They have been fulfilled; and this day has crowned the pinnacle of the
responsibility which is placed upon my head. I marvel when I contemplate these
things, which are in fulfillment of the promises of God unto me. And when I say
this of myself, I speak of hundreds of the Elders of Israel who have been moved
upon in the same manner that I have been. Those with whom I stood connected in
the early period of the Church-the Prophet Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and those
men that laid the foundation of this Church and kingdom, together with other
Prophets and Patriarchs-have passed away. They are on the other side of the
veil. I still have the privilege of remaining, and I this day have been called
to this responsibility in the midst of my brethren-a responsibility that no man
can fill unless he is inspired of God.
But I
will say this to my brethren and sisters, in the name of Israel's God: The
Almighty will never permit me, nor any other President who holds the keys of
the Kingdom of God, to lead you astray. If I do not walk in the paths of
righteousness and do what is right in the position that I occupy, He will
remove me out of my place, or any other man who attempts to lead the people
astray. The position which I occupy, and that occupied by my brethren the
Apostles, should not have a tendency, if we have the Spirit of God, to make us
lifted up or exalted in our spirits before the Lord. I know, as the God of
Israel lives, that I have no power, nor have I had, in this Church, to perform
any work pertaining to this Kingdom until it has been given unto me by the God
of heaven. I know Joseph Smith had not, nor Brigham Young, nor John Taylor, nor
any Apostle or Elder in this Church and Kingdom. And the moment that I attempt
to become lifted up in the pride of my heart, because of any position that I
hold, that moment I become a very unwise man. So with anyone else. The higher
our position the more our responsibility. During the little time I may spend
here in the flesh, I stand in need of the prayers of the Latter-day Saints, of
those who have faith in God. So do my brethren that surround me. So do all the
authorities of the Church. We all stand in need of the Holy Ghost and the power
of God. Without this we are not qualified to fill the positions which we are
called to occupy.
I know
that this is the work of God. So do all you who have ever had the testimony of
the Holy Ghost with you. The God of heaven has set His hand to establish His
Kingdom, in fulfillment of the revelations of heaven which He has inspired men
to declare and put on record from generation to generation. His hand has been
manifest from the beginning of the work until the present day. It will be until
this scene is wound up. I have a great desire that, as a people, we may be
united in heart; that we may have faith in the revelations of God, and look to
those things which have been promised unto us. We should be humble before the
Lord. Trace the history of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, from the
manger to the cross, onward through sufferings, mingled with blood, to the
throne of grace, and there is an ensample for the Elders of Israel, an ensample
for all those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ. In meekness and lowliness of
heart He labored faithfully while He dwelt in the flesh to carry out the will
of His Father. God has laid upon our shoulders and has sealed upon our heads
the holy and eternal Priesthood, which is from eternity unto eternity. Without
that Priesthood we have no power to administer in the ordinances of the Gospel
of Christ, either for the living or the dead. But with that Priesthood we have
power to perform the work that is assigned unto us. By that Priesthood we have
preached the Gospel, we have administered in the ordinances of the House of the
Lord, and we have gathered together the sons and daughters of Zion into these
valleys of the mountains.
I feel as
though I want to bear my testimony to the truth of this good old book, the
Bible, for a few minutes-the book that all the Christian world profess to
believe in. There is an effort made today by the infidel and unbelieving world
to ridi-cule the Bible, as not being the word of the Lord. I will refer to a
few things that have been manifested in fulfillment of the record. To commence
with, I will touch upon the first dealings of God with man. The first son that
was begotten by Father Adam, whose name was Cain, proved to be a murderer. He
slew his brother Abel, who held the Priesthood, and the Lord pronounced a curse
upon him. He showed Cain the position he was in, and told him what the result
of his crime would be; and Cain said unto the Lord:
My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold, Thou has driven me out
this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I
shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass,
that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
But the
Lord said unto him:
Therefore, whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken
on him seven fold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him
should kill him.
What was
that mark? It was a mark of blackness. That mark rested upon Cain and descended
upon his posterity from that time until the present. Today there are millions
of the descendants of Cain, through the lineage of Ham, in the world, and that
mark of darkness still rests upon them. Though nearly six thousand years have
passed and gone, this mark is visible to the whole human family. Yet the fool
and the infidel say there is no God, and they ridicule the Bible.
The
Lamanites, on this continent, suffered a similar experience. They went to war against
the Nephites; they thirsted for blood, and they painted themselves red; and the
Lord put a curse of redness upon them. Hundreds of years have passed since
then, but wherever you meet the Lamanites today, you see that mark upon them.
Read the
history of ancient nations and the dealings of God with them, as contained in
the Bible and other historical works. When those ancient kingdoms and peoples
became wicked and corrupt, when they turned away from all that was virtuous and
holy, the Lord raised up prophets to warn them; and these prophets, though
perhaps unpopular in the eyes of those with whom they dwelt, warned these
nations and cities of the judgments that would overtake them. What followed the
warnings of these prophets? Read of the fall of the mighty cities of Thebes,
Nineveh, Memphis, Tyre and Sidon, Babylon the Great, and Jerusalem itself. All
these great and mighty cities and nations were warned by the servants of God of
the judgments that would overtake them. Did the inhabitants of those cities
believe the words of the prophets? They did not. But did those words come to
pass? They did; and those cities were laid waste and their inhabitants
destroyed. Thus the words of the prophets and in-spired men were fulfilled to
the very letter, not one jot or tittle failing unfulfilled. And yet the infidel
says there is no God. These same prophets and patriarchs also saw, by vision
and revelation, our day; they pointed out the generation in which we live, and
they all declared that, in the latter days, the God of heaven would set His
hand to gather together His people and establish His kingdom. The Revelator St.
John also declared what should come to pass in the latter days. In the 14th
chapter of Revelation he says:
And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and
with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written
in their foreheads.
These one
hundred and forty-four thousand were sealed out of all the twelve tribes of
Israel, because they were righteous in the latter days.
Following this, John says:
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear
God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of his judgment is come.
Again,
John says:
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is
fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the
wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Following
this, he speaks of the reaping down of the earth and of the judgments of God
which were to come upon the inhabitants thereof.
In
fulfillment of the declaration of St. John, the angel of God has flown through
the midst of heaven. He has delivered the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the
inhabitants of the earth, and revealed unto them the word of the Lord. The Holy
Priesthood has also been restored. This Gospel was to be preached "to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." It has now been preached
almost sixty years-from the organization of the Church until today; and in
fulfillment of the revelations of these inspired Prophets and Apostles, a
multitude of people are today gathered together in these valleys of the
mountains. In fulfillment of those revelations I stand today in this
Tabernacle, which the prophet saw was to be built upon the tops of the
mountains, as a covering from the heat and the storm. In this Tabernacle today,
also, are ten thousand Latter-day Saints, which is a witness to Jew and Gentile
of the fulfillment of the promises of God. Yet the infidel says, "Behold,
there is no God." The man who says there is no God is a fool. We are here
in fulfillment of prophesy and revelation. We have received the Gospel of
Christ. The Kingdom of God has been organized. It is rolling on; and it will
continue to roll on until this scene is wound up.
Now, I
want to give a little exhortation to my brethren. Brother George Q. Cannon
touched upon a very important principle this forenoon-a principle which has
often rested upon my mind; that is, with regard to the spirits that surround
us. He said that one-third of the hosts of heaven were cast out because of
their rebellion. I suppose we may say that at least one hundred thousand
millions were cast down from heaven to earth. Where are they? Some are in Salt
Lake, some in New York, some in Amster-dam, some in Constantinople, some in
Jerusalem; in fact, they are in every city and hamlet wherein the inhabitants
of the earth dwell, and especially where there are any Latter-day Saints. And
whether there are one hundred or not to every man, woman and child, there are
enough of them, at least, to labor for our overthrow. I say to my Counselors,
to the Apostles, to the Seventies, the High Priests, the Bishops, and all men
who bear the Holy Priesthood, do you suppose these devils are around us without
trying to do something? Are they asleep? Have they not a work to perform? I say
to my brethren who bear the Priesthood, we have got a mighty warfare to wage
with these spirits. We cannot escape it. What will they do to you? They will
try to make us do anything and everything that is not right. These devils would
be very glad to make me and my brethren think we are great men, smarter than
anyone else; to divide us one against the other, and to cause us to seek to
confess our brother's sins instead of our own. We should therefore watch
ourselves well. I should do this; my Councilors and the Apostles should; we all
should. And unless we are united together, as has been said before, we are not
the Lord's. But today we have certainly manifested a union here that the world
is not acquainted with. We have, however, a mighty responsibility resting upon
us. The eyes of all the heavenly hosts are upon us. The eyes of Father Adam, and
the patriarchs and prophets, both ancient and modern, who have gone to the
other side of the veil, are over us. And if our eyes are opened to comprehend
the things of God, we can comprehend our responsibilities; we can comprehend
the powers of the Holy Priesthood and the relationship which we sustain to God.
We certainly should humble ourselves before the Lord. We should labor with all
our might to build up the Kingdom of God in what little time we have to spend
here in the flesh. Our aim is high. We aim at eternal life; we aim at immortal
glory; we aim at a place in the celestial Kingdom of our God, with God and
Christ and those who have kept the celestial law. In order to get there, we
have got to keep the same law that has exalted those who have gone before us.
This is not our home. We were kept in the spirit world until this generation,
and have been brought forth, through the loins of Joseph and Ephraim, to stand
in the flesh and to bear off the Kingdom, to hold the Holy Priesthood, to do
the works of righteousness, to build temples, to redeem our dead, and to attend
to those ordinances which the God of heaven has declared we shall perform. This
is our work. We have a long eternity before us. But all of us will have to meet
at the bar of God-the righteous and the wicked, those who are living and those
who are dead.
This is
the condition of the Latter-day Saints. I hope that we may escape the power of
the enemy. As was said here this forenoon, it matters but very little what may
take place outside of Zion, or outside of the Kingdom of God. The God of Israel
holds the destiny of this nation; He holds the destiny of this people, and of
all men on the face of the earth. They are at His command and in His power. He
will hold this nation, as He did Jerusalem, responsible for the course they
pursue with regard to the Latter-day Saints. We also will be held responsible
for the course we pursue. The Lord has led this Church from its organization
until the present day. He will lead it until the coming of the Son of Man. He
is not going to desert His people nor His cause. But it is our duty to plead
with the Lord, remember our prayers, keep our covenants, and walk perpetually
before Him, that we may have His favor and blessing resting upon us.
I wish to
say with regard to the rising generation-the sons and daughters of the
Latter-day Saints-that they should take the counsel of their fathers; they
should honor their parents, and honor God, and receive such counsel as is given
unto them by wise men. I think many times that our children do not comprehend
the position they occupy. They do not comprehend what lies before them. Their
fathers are passing away. Yet this Kingdom has got to remain on the earth until
the coming of the Son of Man. This work has got to follow their fathers; it has
got to rest upon the sons and daughters of Zion. I have a great desire that the
institutions which have been organized in Zion for their welfare may be
blessed; that our sons and daughters may attend the Primaries, the Sabbath
Schools and Mutual Improvement Associations, and unite together in these
societies, that they may receive the benefit of the same.
Brethren
and sisters, God bless you. Let us labor with one heart and one mind, and make
our wants known unto the Lord. Let our prayers ascend unto the ears of the Lord
of Sabbaoth, and they will be heard and answered. I know that if we are
blessed, if we are preserved, and if we are saved, it is and will be through
the mercy and blessing of God. I know also that inasmuch as we will obey His
commandments we will receive His protection and blessing. Zion will arise. Zion
will be clothed with the glory of God. Zion will be redeemed. Zion will be
prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. The Jews will be gathered home to
Jerusalem. And the promises and prophecies concerning both the Jews and the
Saints of God will all have their fulfillment in the earth. My prayer to God is
that we may be true and faithful to the end of our days, and that we may
magnify our calling as Apostles, Elders and Saints while we dwell in the flesh.
Amen.
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
read from Matthew, chapter 13, verses 44 to 49. He said he was aware that he would be unable to make all of the vast congregation hear, but would endeavor to speak as distinctly as possible. The Lord has said, Let men come unto me and I will show them their weaknesses. I dare say the experience of many Elders is in conformity to this saying. It is impossible to accomplish our duties as Saints unless we have the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I am sure I would not have started out if the Lord had not given me an assurance that He would bear me up There has been today a marvelous exhibition of union so far as formality is concerned. There has also been something beyond this; there has been a Spirit in the hearts of those who have voted to prompt them to this union. How many there are who are not united in supporting he Priesthood of God is not for me to say, but when we do right we are united in upholding those called by our votes to fill offices in the Church.
We say that we have no reason to feel proud when we are selected to fill responsible positions. We have learned the obstacles that we have to surmount when we are called to act in the name of the Lord. I know my feeling when I was unexpectedly called to be an Apostle. I did desire an office once, and that was to be an Elder. It was upon the Prophet's invitation, and I desired it because my soul was filled with the Holy 'Ghost, and had manifested to me that there was a God who had restored the everlasting Gospel. It was also revealed to me that Jesus was the Son of God. These things were revealed to me by the Lord, and I received a most perfect knowledge of their truth. This knowledge is still clear to my mind. There has never, during the trying times I have passed through, been a time when a shadow of doubt has come to me.
There are sacrifices connected with being called to the Priesthood, and the higher we are called, the greater the sacrifice that will be required of us. This Priesthood cost the Son of God his life, which He gave freely; and you and I will have to learn to make sacrifices freely in order to carry out the purposes of God. The Lord has blessed certain individuals, and selected them, not because they were better than many around them, but perhaps they had more faith than others, and they were called to go to prison. This was done to try them, and they were required to make sacrifices that others with less faith could not make. When they have shown that they were worthy, they have been blessed. We may have an opportunity to follow their example, perhaps not in the same manner, but in some of the numerous ways that we are called upon to make sacrifices in for the cause of truth.
We have voted to sustain the Church authorities, and it is our duty to uphold them in all our actions. The voice of slander or complaint should not be heard among us.
We have found the treasure spoken of in that which I have read from the Bible. I know it is of great value. I have made sacrifices, but they are unworthy in comparison to the blessings for which I am seeking. Are we willing to sacrifice all that we have in order to obtain the glories of the Kingdom of God? We made covenant with our Father at the waters of baptism that we would do this; that we would devote our time and talents in following the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Not even our wives and our children would stand in the way. When we were called on missions, we left all to proclaim the principles of the Gospel. We would not withhold anything that we possessed, but would devote all to the cause of God. When I was called to be an Apostle, I covenanted with the Lord that I would not even withhold my life if called upon to lay it down in the cause of truth.
The first time I saw the Prophet Joseph was when I was a boy. He was talking to a small congregation. He told them of the visits of the angel to him. He was not then a great preacher, but afterwards became a powerful speaker. The people loved to hear him, because he was full of revelation. He had received authority to ordain men to the Priesthood, and according to the promise of the Lord, those who accepted the principles he taught received from the Lord a testimony of heir truth. The Latter-day Saints are today witnesses that this testimony followed the administration of the Elders.
I feel that at this Conference we have renewed our determination to keep the commands of God; and I pray that He will give us strength to go forth and manifest increased diligence in keeping His commandments, that we may be saved in our Father's kingdom.
The choir sang:
O Father, whose almighty power.
Prayer by Elder John Nicholson.
_____
[8 Apr, 10 am]
[DNW 38:487-488, 4/13/89, p 7-8]
Monday
Morning.
Apostle Francis M. Lyman, who was released from the penitentiary at six o'clock this morning, after serving a term for unlawful cohabitation, was on the stand.
The choir sang:
Great is the Lord! 'tis good
to praise His high and holy name;
Well may the Saints in latter-days His wondrous love proclaim!
Prayer was offered by Elder Jacob Gates.
Singing
Come, thou glorious day of
promise, Come and spread thy cheerful ray,
When the sheep of Israel Shall no longer go astray.
APOSTLE FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS
addressed the Conference, the following being the substance of his remarks: It is a great blessing which but few of us fully realize, that we are permitted to associate together in the holy faith. It is different to what it was when the Church was in its infancy. The Saints are now more fully taught, as the doctrines were not fully revealed at first. We should dismiss the cares of the world and concentrate our desires and faith on what is before us on the truth that there is a great influence and means to bring forth that which is needed for the instruction of the people. What is said may not necessarily be new, but it will be profitable whether new or old. As it is physically, the simplest food is often the most desirable, so with spiritual instruction. It is needful that we should adapt to our lives that which has already been given to us. In this way we seek to conform to the image of God's own beloved Son. Thus we can see ourselves progressing from grace to grace and faith to faith, on the way to a fulness after the similitude of Christ. I am often reminded, in reading the Book of Mormon, in the work of the revision in translating the volume into the Jewish language, of the fact that Lehi and his family are brought from the land of Jerusalem, which the Lord predicted was to be visited with destruction. They were planted in this land, which is choice above all others.
Having been engaged in looking over the Book of Mormon, I am reminded of those earnest and impressive words of one of the early prophets, I believe Nephi -- and reiterated also by Benjamin -- with regard to the goodness, mercy, and blessings of God unto us. He realized that the Lord had compassion on his father, Lehi, He informed him that Jerusalem was going to be taken captive. In His great mercy He had shown him the impending ruin, and brought him and his family forth into this goodly land of America, which the Lord had said was the choice land above all others. In the multitude of God's mercies to us, we have occasion to be thankful that our lot is cast =in this land of promise -- this land of Joseph; a land choice for the richness and fertility of soil. But still of greater importance because of the liberty and the constitutional government that has been established herein; for we can see now what the liberal principles of republican government give unto us, in the inconvenience which we and our brethren and our families experience from time to time because of the limitation of their liberty on account of religion. If it is thus in this land of free government, what would it be under an absolute monarchy, or even a limited monarchy? We read of the Bartholomew massacre. Some of us may have traveled over the very places where men have been burned at the stake for their religious faith when their faith only extended to their morality, because they had no authority to administer under the ordinances of the Lord. If men in those times could so readily give themselves up to be a consuming sacrifice for the little faith they had to hope for, the little knowledge that they possessed, how much more have we occasion to be thankful? We have reason to be full of gratitude to God.
The speaker then delineated many of the glorious promises that had been prophetically made concerning the land of America and which were being realized by the Saints. He then spoke upon a number of themes, included among which were the object for which the Saints have gathered -- to learn of the ways of the Lord; the things of God can only be understood by His Spirit; the necessity of prayerful devotion; keeping the Sabbath holy; the necessity of avoiding all profane expressions, the observance of fast days; the great work devolving upon the Saints to be done in behalf of the dead; the proper use of the authority of the Priesthood; the resurrection, and other subjects. An adequate idea of Brother Richards' discourse could not be given in a synopsis. It was reported in full.
BISHOP ORSON F. WHITNEY.
I hope you will sustain me by your faith and prayers while I address you. I have rejoiced with you in the instructions received during this Conference; in the glorious manifestations of the Spirit of God, exhibited in the remarks that have been made. I am thankful to be numbered among a people who receive such great blessings. I rejoice that we have with us so many of the brethren of the Twelve, who have been released from imprisonment, in which they have been held for the testimony of Jesus. We, as the people of God, are expected to acknowledge His hand under all circumstances, and in all things, whether they be pleasant or disagreeable, whether they appear like success or seeming failure. Even if we had not the leading brethren with us there is a faith in the hearts of the Saints that would acknowledge the hand of the Almighty in that condition. Job remembered his Creator in the day of his prosperity, but more fully exhibited the greatness of his soul in his subsequent adversity, which he bore with exemplary patience, giving glory to God. When advised by his wife to curse God and die, the answer was, in effect, "The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."3He knew how to confess God's hand in all things. It is in the midst of trouble, persecution and trial that the greater opportunity is given to men to show the metal that is in them.
A few weeks ago we listened to a discourse from this stand in which the speaker eloquently portrayed the greatness of General Grant on the field of Appomattox, and showed the magnanimity of his great soul towards his fallen foe. But I consider that General Lee, the man who then surrendered, evinced equal valor, equal greatness, at least, when on the field of Gettysburg he saw his shattered forces falling back and the hopes of the Confederacy melting like snow before the sun under that decisive stroke, which in reality decided the question of the war. In the moment of defeat when a weak man might have blown out his brains or fallen to cursing, all that General Lee did was to say, with a sigh, "We cannot always win victories." The patience that he there manifested showed the greatness of his soul no less than the magnanimity of his victor on the field of Appomattox.
Of all people on earth there are none having stronger opportunities for exhibiting great qualities than the Latter-day Saints. All will have in their time the privilege of showing patience, courage, heroism -- the attributes of a Job. Against none is the anger of the Lord kindled except those who will not keep his commandments and acknowledge His hand in all things. The Saints are led by faith, but the world by the grosser senses. In the spirit world we maintained our stand by sight. We are having a more severe test now, when the face f our Father is hidden from our gaze. It is greater to believe and not see than it is to believe because we have seen. It is greater to receive a silent revelation of God's will than to demand visible manifestations to bolster up our positions. The inward evidence is superior to the visible, the latter being but a product of the former. The genius which creates is greater than that which is created.
Then let us go on and manifest the virtue of the Savior and His followers, even though we do not see him. We should do this because the spirit of revelation impels us forward, doing right for right's sake. May God bless His Church, His Priesthood and people. The victory of this work is as sure as the rising of tomorrow's sun.
Singing:
Ye who are called to labor
and minister for God
Blest with the royal Priesthood, and called by His word.
Benediction by President Angus M. Cannon.
Adjourned till 2 p. m.
_____
[8 Apr, 2 pm]
[DNW 38:488-491, 4/13/89, p 8-11]
Monday
Afternoon.
Arise! Arise! with joy
survey
The glory of the latter day,
was sung by the choir.
Prayer by Elder Junis F. Wells
Singing by the choir.
How are Thy servants blest!
O Lord, How sure is their defense.
Eternal wisdom is their guide, Their help, Omnipotence.
APOSTLE FRANCIS M. LYMAN
addressed the conference. He said: I am pleased with the privilege of meeting with the Saints in General Conference an listening to the testimonies of the servants of the Lord. He also was willing to bear his testimony and speak of the goodness of God. We have greater cause to rejoice than any other people. The Lord has revealed the truth regarding Himself, His Son and the Holy Ghost, and our relationship to Him and the principles that will enable us to be His sons and daughters. We are charged with the duty of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. He has given us the Spirit of the Lord to enable us to accomplish this. The Church has now been established for nearly a generation. We are gathered on this land, and God has given us the living oracles, who are within our reach. Each individual Saints worthy the name has a personal testimony that this is the work of God, never to be removed nor abolished. The Church is fully organized and the organization is perpetual. The Church cannot be diminished by the loss of any member or quorum. The God of heaven has established and maintains it. He has sustained it since the first revelation of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith. The hearts of men have been prepared to receive the truth, and many thousands have embraced it. No man is indispensable. God can raise up whom He will. Those whom He selects are required o be honest, pure and valiant for the truth. So with all the members. They should be willing to endure, to perform missions or do whatever is required. There should be in the hearts of the Saints a supreme love for the truth;, and a love for mankind, no matter as to their condition. They should be filled with charity and render assistance by word and deed to the afflicted, that mankind may become one. There are here a host of men bearing the Priesthood, representing God on the earth. The Lord expects all such to do their duty. No man can be excused for sins either of omission or commission.
We are expected to attend the meetings of the Saints, especially those at which the sacrament is administered. We are to partake of it till Christ shall come. This ordinance tends to strengthen the Saints. Those who are neglectful regarding it will lose faith, and among such the sick will not be so readily healed. People who live near to the House of God and do not attend on such occasions are not living in the light and spirit of the Gospel. The necessity of attending to sacrament meetings should be taught by parents to their children. It is a question as to our salvation until we have completed the race. We have run well for a season, but the question of our continuing to the end is one of great importance. We should be a devout and prayerful people. Those who neglect the things of which I have been speaking are unworthy of the blessings of the Lord. We have been preserved and increased and the work is not diminishing. The faith of the Gospel is increasing in the hearts of the people. When the time of trial comes we will learn that the Saints are better than they appear to be. They know that God lives, and the Church and kingdom of our Father cannot be broken. The Lord has made this fact known to Israel.
It is important for us, as the servants of the Lord, to be devoted, to be faithful, to be humble, to be contrite, charitable, kind and loving, and try to win the erring and lead them in the paths which lead to eternal life. We should cultivate the Spirit of the Lord and its enlightening influence, that we may know on all occasions that what is presented by His Servants come from God Himself.
When the President of the Church is presented to the people, his counselors, the Apostles, all or any one of them, there should really be in the heart of every Latter-day Saint a testimony that he is the man to be the President -- as we can testify today in regard to Brother Woodruff, Brother Cannon, Brother Smith, and the Apostles who stand here and hold their positions today in the midst of Israel. It is necessary the people should know they are men of God, not only through their personal acquaintance and knowledge of them and their close association with them in times of trouble. but they should know by the gift and power of God, and then they cannot be wrong. Unless they have this knowledge they are not as thoroughly established in the kingdom as they ought to e. Every man who has not this knowledge is liable to have misgiving and doubts in respect to these chief quorums of the Church. In every measure that is adopted, every mission that is established, and everything that is laid before the people and required of them, there should be a testimony abiding in the hearts of the Saints that they all come from God.
Now, do the Latter-day Saints know this? I say they do; and no Apostle can stand up here and teach the Latter-day Saints an error without the people detecting it. If an Apostle goes astray, if he sins against God and against his fellowmen, if he is not upright, devout and true to the cause which God has entrusted to his care, the Latter-day Saints will detect it. All men, women, and children who have reached the years of understanding and have received the Holy Ghost are entitled to know men -- to know their Bishops, their Presidents of Stakes, and the members of their High Councils; to know the High Priests and Seventies. They have the testimony in their hearts that these are men of God; they can reckon them up quite correctly, tell exactly where they stand, their degree of faith, and judge them by their work -- not by their faith and testimony alone, but by the things which they perform.
Now, you High Priests and Seventies, if you are not honest men, if you do not keep the commandments of God, if you drink with the drunkard and swear with the profane, and if you are corrupt, we will find you out; God will find you out; for you cannot deceive in the Kingdom of God. You cannot obtain by deception any of the rights, blessings, and privileges of the Lord or His Kingdom. If, again, there are those who do not honor the Priesthood, if we do not exercise ourselves in righteousness, in purity, in justice, in holiness -- I would not give a fig or the authority or power of such men.
Why is it that the Latter-day Saints are not broken to pieces and discouraged? We were not discouraged in the very beginning when there were but few of us. When the Prophet stood almost alone, hounded from place to place, persecuted and prosecuted, why was he not discouraged? Because he could not be. We cannot be discouraged, for God is at the helm. and has established us individually as well as collectively. In Wards and in Stakes, and in branches of the whole Church, God hath planted this work upon the earth, and it will remain.
Are we to blame for it? No. Did I originate any of it? No, not a sentiment, not one thought or particle of it. Was it originated by the Prophet Joseph? No, nor any other man. It is the work of God and will endure, and the choice spirits which He has gathered from among the nations of the earth, those whom He is sending from above, are those who were faithful before they came here, who will be faithful here, and will endure hereafter. That is the class of people and of spirits who are come to the earth, whom God has gathered and is sending to us.
Persecution never destroys the Church and Kingdom of God. It only makes men more faithful, more devoted; it only increases their strength; for have we not the surest of all promises, that if we keep the commandments of God we shall receive persecution? And when the Church has been withdrawn from the earth, when prophets have been killed when the Savior himself was killed, and His servants before him -- it has all happened in accordance with the mind and will of God. Would the Savior's life have been taken had it not been necessary that He should die and that His blood should be spilt in order that we might obtain a remission of sins and be made free; that He should be resurrected as all other men will be. Was it necessary that the Prophet Joseph should be tried as he was, and proven as he was proven? Yes, not only to prove him, but to prove to the world to whom he was sent; and it is necessary that the servants of God today should endure and travel throughout the world, preaching the Gospel and laboring for the people -- guarding, preserving and teaching them, in order that they might be saved, and that the world may be proved and judged; for light has come into the world, and those who reject it will be damned.
I pray that the blessing of God may be upon all Israel. But I find I am talking too loud. My lungs are not very strong -- they have not been working lately in this way. Therefore I shall have to close. I pray, however, that God's blessing may be upon you all. I thank God and testify to you that this Church is properly organized. It came a little sooner than it did after the death of the Prophet Joseph -- than it did after the death of President Young; but it came just when the Lord decided, and He will always show us not only in regard to the keeping of the Quorum of the First Presidency filled, but in the filling of the Quorum of the Twelve, and every other vacancy that may occur in the various departments of the Church, that the kingdom may be fully manned, that no one person will have to do the labor of two or three; but that every man shall bear his equal proportion of the responsibilities pertaining to the Kingdom of God, which is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
presented figures from the statistical report of the Church. A communication from the General superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was read, showing the movement to be in a prosperous condition. Condensed statistics were also given from reports of the Primary Association, Young Ladies' Improvement Society, Relief Society and the Sunday School general organization.
The Central Committee of Education, as follows, was presented to the Conference: Wilford Woodruff, President, Salt Lake City; Lorenzo Snow, Brigham City; George Q. Cannon, Salt Lake City; Karl G. Maeser, Provo; Willard Young, Salt Lake City; George W. Thatcher, Logan; Amos Howe, Salt Lake City; Anton H. Lund, Ephraim; James Sharp, Salt Lake City.
The vote to sustain the educational committee was unanimous.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON
said: It is very gratifying to me, and I have no doubt it is to all present, to hear the voice of Brother Lyman again in our midst, and to listen to the testimony which he bears. I know it is a great gratification to us, and that it is an equal gratification to the rest of you, to see him once more among us. The instructions which he has given unto us are true, and have been inspired by the Spirit of God.
We have had during this conference many excellent testimonies and instructions which if we can remember and apply in our lives, carry out practically by making these instructions a part of the rules for the conduct of our lives, will be of incalculable benefit to us.
Remarks have been made concerning the effect of persecution upon us, and how that persecution has a tendency to solidify the Saints. This undoubtedly is the case where they are faithful. A great many have made inquiries concerning the probable length of time that we shall have these things to contend with, and have asked, "Have you any idea when this will cease and when we shall be relieved from these afflictions?" Now, I think myself that they are having a very salutary effect upon us. Personally I feel that I have been benefited by that through which I have passed-that it has been of some little service to me in bringing me experience. I have no doubt it has had the same effect upon most of this people, if not all. It is very remarkable the manner in which the Lord controls the conduct of Satan for the good of His people. Satan intends or has intended persecution to destroy the work of God. But instead of that it becomes a means of developing His work. It has the effect of purifying the people; it has the effect of giving them a knowledge concerning the work in which they are engaged. It tests them and develops their character, and gives them opportunities of exhibiting unto the Lord and to their fellow men the kind of characters they are; and it gives them that which is very important in its place-a knowledge concerning themselves. It is most important, indeed, that we should know ourselves, that we should become familiar with the peculiarities of our own natures, that we may see our weaknesses, and so be able by the help of the Lord to correct them. I therefore feel gratified that the Lord has permitted these things. I do not know what would become of us if we had nothing but prosperity. Suppose Satan did not persecute us-that there was no opposition to us-would we be tested? Would we be the people that we are today if we had no afflictions, no persecutions, no ordeals to endure, no temptations to resist. Certainly not. Prosperity would not develop us. We could not know ourselves, neither could we be known if there were nothing but prosperity for us. But as it is the wrath of man is made to praise God; that which Satan designs as the means of destroying the work of God in the wisdom of our Eternal Father is controlled so as to accomplish His purposes, to test His children, and give them that experience without which they cannot be perfected. Hence we should be able to recognize the hand of God in these afflictions, just as we were told this morning by Bishop Whitney to recognize the hand of God even in the most adverse circumstances that we may be called upon to pass through.
There is one subject that I have felt I should like to allude to before this conference adjourns. It is the disposition which is manifested in many quarters to scatter out. We hear of young men going east, west, north and south, scattering, in fact, all over. We hear that a good many of our young men are leaving this valley, leaving this county, and taking steps to secure for themselves tracts of land in adjoining States and Territories, in places remote from their own homes.
I have felt to ask if this is a wise proceeding under our circumstances? We have been called to gather, not to scatter; we have been called by the Lord to build up Zion-to beautify the waste places of the earth, not to spread out all over creation and become so thin and so weak that there is no strength or power with us. This latter would be bad policy. "But," says one, "if I do not now do this I cannot secure land. The land will all be taken up." Well, suppose it is. If we have land here-and such is the case-we can live here. I notice that people who are not of our faith come into this valley and see numberless opportunities which we do not care anything about, or do not think it worth while to pay any attention to. They take places and beautify and adorn them, and they become a means of wealth in their hands.
| There is an abundance of land in the valley for hundreds and thousands of families if we would make use of the facilities which we now have. But somebody wants 640 acres; somebody wants "the earth and the fulness thereof;" and as was remarked to me yesterday, "they want a hog pasture in addition."
This is not wise. We should concentrate ourselves and combine our efforts, and not look to the ends of the earth and see how much is going to waste that we are missing. I am sometimes reminded of an expression attributed to Brother Parley Pratt. When he came to this valley in the early days he was traveling in Parley's Park-named after him-then a splendid region for grass; and he said to his companion, "What thousands of dollars I am losing." His friend inquired "How?" for he was surprised, knowing as he did that Brother Pratt was not possessed of very much then; we were all poor in those days. "Why," said he, "here are all these acres of grass going to waste, and if I only had a lot of cattle to eat it, what a lot of money I would make."
Well he had not the money because he had not the cattle. Of course he said what I have repeated jocosely; but there are a great many people who seem to have that idea in earnest, and because there are large tracts of land of which they hear in remote valleys they are anxious to strike out and take possession for fear that somebody else will get them. This is not wise. Let us be governed by wisdom in our movements. This is the way to build up Zion. It is not by scattering abroad or attempting to grow faster than our strength. You know how it has been. We have extended our settlements to remote distances in the past, and those settlements have had to be abandoned afterwards through a variety of circumstances. It would therefore be unwise for us to repeat this. It is unnecessary. We can grow fast enough right along here in these valleys which are already occupied, by making use of the facilities within our reach.
I have admired President Woodruff in this respect. He has set the people an example. He came in here with the pioneers and settled on a little farm of twenty acres. That is the extent of his farming land, and he has lived upon it from the time when the pioneers came in-or, rather, from the time he came in afterwards with his family. He has been content with it, and has made a pretty good living there by his industry. Others can do just as well.
When in Utah County I was conversing with one of the brethren there who has a comparatively small area of land, and yet he makes an excellent livelihood by raising small fruits. I asked him, "Is there a market for these?" "A market," he answered "why, I can sell all I can raise, and if I had ever so many more I could sell fruits of this character. They want them in the East. I sent fruits to Denver and other places, and people are constantly asking me for more than I can raise." I do not know how that is; but this was his testimony to me.
There are many ways in which we can make a living without traveling all over the Territory to get hold of large tracts of land. I felt as though I wanted to make these remarks before the conference closed, and of course you must all judge for yourselves as to their correctness. But this is the view I take of the building up of Zion. I do not believe it is a good policy for us at the present time-for our young men-to be moving off into remote places, and thereby weakening the hands of their fathers, brethren and friends at home.
I pray God to bless us when we shall separate from this conference, and to fill us with His Holy Spirit, that we might be enlightened by it continually. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
The choir sang an anthem.
"O, be joyful."
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
said: I feel thankful that I have lived and had the privilege of attending this fifty-ninth annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is nearly fifty years since I was ordained into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Lord has told us while occupying these positions and holding the keys of the Kingdom of God, that whomsoever you bless shall be blessed, and whomsoever you shall curse shall be cursed. I have never seen a moment in my life since I have been a member of this Church and Kingdom when I felt like cursing anybody, and I would not wish to do so unless I was commanded of the Lord. I have had a desire to bless my friends, and at this time, when I have the right and privilege, I feel to bless my brethren, my counselors, my brethren of the Twelve Apostles; and I feel to bless in the name of the Lord also the Patriarchs, Presidents of Stakes, the High Councilors, and those who bear the Holy Priesthood, even the High Priesthood throughout the land of Zion. Likewise the Seventies, Elders of Israel who are called as messengers to the nations of the earth, the Bishopric, the lesser Priesthood, and all the Saints of God who dwell in our midst. I feel to bless the Primary Associations-our little children; I feel to bless the Sabbath schools, the teachers and pupils; the Mutual Improvement Associations, the Relief Societies, and all those organizations which have been established by the hand of God and by His power, His helps in the building up and establishing of the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth. All these I feel to bless in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the holy Priesthood, even so, Amen.
Brother Woodruff then pronounced the benediction.
Conference adjourned till ten o'clock on the 6th day of next October.
_____
4-6 Oct, 59th Semi-Annual General Conference, SLC Tabernacle
[Deseret News Weekly 39:481, 10/12/89, p 1; Millennial Star 51:689, 705, 721, 737, 769]
[4 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 39:481-483, 10/12/89, p 1-3]
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
_____
The Sixtieth [59th] General Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, at 10 a. m., October 4th, 1889.
There were on the stand: of the First Presidency, Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon; of the Council of the Twelve Apostles: Lorenzo Snow, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor; of Counselors to the Twelve: John Smith; of the Presiding Council of the Seventies, Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates, Abraham H. Cannon, Seymour B. Young, John Morgan and B. H. Roberts.
There were also present a large number of Presidents of Stakes and other prominent brethren from various parts of Utah and surrounding States and Territories.
Conference was called to order by President George Q. Cannon.
The choir sang:
Joy to the world! the Lord
will come And earth receive her King;
Let Every heart prepare Him room And Saints and angels sing.
Opening prayer was offered by apostle Lorenzo Snow.
Singing:
Come, listen to a Prophet's
voice, and hear the word of God.
And in the way of truth rejoice, and sing for joy aloud.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
addressed the assemblage as follows:
I feel very thankful that my life has been preserved to attend another semi-annual conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I hope and trust that while we are together our hearts may be lifted in prayer to God, and that we may enjoy His Holy spirit and the revelations of heaven; that what may be said while we are assembled together during our conference may be according to the mind of God.
I feel that, of all people under heaven, we have the greatest reason to rejoice before the Lord that we have lived in a day and generation when the God of Israel has set His hand to establish His Kingdom, to gather together His people, to build up Zion, to carry out the great purposes which the Lord has promised and given by revelation through the mouths of inspired men -- Prophets, Patriarchs and Apostles -- since the world began. I rejoice in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; I always have since I have been made acquainted with it.
It has been my lot and privilege to be associated with the Latter-day Saints for over fifty years. I have seen the afflictions, the tribulations, the persecutions through which this people have been called to pass from their organization until the present day. But we have everything to encourage us as the Saints of God, as those who have entered into covenant with Him, obeyed His commandments, and walked in the ordinances of His house. The Lord has never in any dispensation or generation failed to carry out His purposes and His works; and of all the generations and dispensations that God has given to men, this last and great dispensation -- the greatest of all dispensations -- has ben revealed to the human family.
The Kingdom has been revealed, the Church of Jesus Christ has been organized, the Zion of God has been inaugurated, the people of God have been called together; and in all the troubles and trials through which we, as a people, have been called to pass, there has been no power that has stayed the hand of God or thwarted His purposes with regard to the carrying out of His principles or those which have been revealed unto the Latter-day Saints.
The Lord has called -- commencing with Joseph Smith, the Prophet of God -- Apostles and Prophets, Patriarchs and Elders, High Priests and Seventies in these last days to go forth and warn the world. We have been under the necessity of doing this. As the Lord told Ezekiel, He sent him as a watchman unto the House of Israel; He told him what the consequences would be if he did not fulfil his mission and do his duty -- that the blood of that generation of the House of Israel would be required at his hands. so the God of heaven ordained when He raised up Joseph Smith the Prophet to organize this Church and Kingdom. He stood as a watchman on the walls of Zion unto this generation. There are 30,000 people, I suppose, today dwelling in these hills of Israel who hold some portion of the Holy Priesthood. It is our duty to warn the world; we have been called to do this; we would have been under condemnation if we had not fulfilled that duty; and so the Church and Kingdom of God have grown until the present day.
With regard to our future, it is in the hands of God, who holds the destiny of this people and of all men in His own hands. I would say to the Latter-day Saints. Fear not; lay your burdens upon the Lord, and He will not fail us. He will not fail in carrying out all His purposes and all His promises unto us. The Zion of God will arise, and so will the glory and power of God, and we shall be prepared as a bride for the coming of the bridegroom.
Let our hearts be raised to God while we are assembled together in this Conference, that we may have His Holy Spirit with us continually.
APOSTLE JOHN W. TAYLOR
was the next speaker. His remarks were as follows, in substance: I am pleased to meet with the Saints in Conference once more. It is a surprise to me to be called to speak thus early. I regard it as my duty to respond to every call made by the Presidency of the Church. I hope the day will never come when any other sentiment will animate me.
President Woodruff and his counselors are actuated by the Spirit of God, to which we would do well to take heed. We look to these brethren as having the Spirit of revelation, when they are united. When Christ realized His time had come He asked His Father if it were possible for the bitter cup to pass to let it be so, nevertheless that the will of the Father be done and not His. We should sustain by our faith, prayers and works those whom God has appointed to preside over the Church. When men write under the influence of the Spirit of God it is revelation. In order to reveal the mind of our Father in heaven, it is not necessary that He should come down to earth personally to make a communication. Many of the revelations given through Joseph Smith were obtained by that prophet listening to the whisperings of the "still, small voice" within him.
It has been remarked about some men that they suddenly become absorbed in some line of ideas. The impressions of the Holy Ghost come like flashes of light, and without the presence of doubt or darkness. They have to be acted upon forthwith. I bear testimony that President Woodruff and his counselors are prophets, seers and revelators; and the people should remember that, especially in these times, they should not live by sight. Circumstances are of such a nature that the righteous must live by faith.
The hand of God is over this Church, and no power can destroy it or impede its progress. I pray, however, that it may not be necessary for us to be chastened in order to bring us into a disposition of obedience. I believe in implicit obedience in temporal and spiritual things to the light of heaven, as given through the Priesthood. If this principle were taught us more frequently it would be better for us as a community. We cannot retain the Spirit of God and yet be constantly finding fault with the Priesthood. We should not expect perfection from those who hold that authority. They are mortal as other men, but they are called of God. We must learn not to judge men by what we see, nor on the basis of the limited opportunities we have of what transpires. When we have an impression derogatory of our brother. It is our duty to go to him personally and in that way get an understanding of the matter involved. We should be possessed of the spirit of unity. We should not criticize the authorities. Our enemies seek to sow among us the seeds of dissension; they wish to segregate the Saints into factions. In this endeavor they turn truth into the semblance of falsehood, and virtue into vice. Hasty conclusions are dangerous and should not be arrived at. There are many honorable men and women who respect our rights, but the great majority do not.
I have been associated with the authorities of the Church for years, and I have never seen in their deliberations any disposition toward unrighteousness. I bear testimony that they have acted in the spirit of their calling as well as any men on earth could have done.
If a duty is required of us and it is not diligently performed, instead of having a spirit of light and comfort we are possessed of a sentiment of heaviness. When I acted as Teacher it was a great trial for me to visit the houses of some of the people. When this feeling was overcome, and the obligation discharged, joy was the result. When it overcame me and I have been neglectful then I have had heaviness of spirit. So it is in all the labors that are required at our hands.
We should not be afraid to speak our feelings freely at this Conference. May the fire of the Spirit of God increase as this Conference progresses. This will be the case if we lay aside our cares of a worldly character that are liable to fret and annoy us. Let us centre our prayers and faith in a desire that the servants of God may speak those things that will be adapted to the wants of the people. If this is done the result will be all that could be desired. The speaker concluded by bearing testimony to the truth of the work of God.
PRESIDENT WOODRUFF
said: We wish to hear from all the Apostles, Presidents and Seventies, and as many Elders as we can during this Conference. We want to feel what spirit they are of. I should be glad to sit and listen to the testimony of every Elder in this congregation at our several meetings, but of course that cannot be. I will call now upon Elder Jacob Gates to address us.
ELDER JACOB GATES
of the presidency of the Seventies, then spoke to the Conference. If we have received the Gospel in honest hearts and have kept our covenants, we have received the witness of the Spirit of God of its truth. I received the Gospel 56 years ago, under the administrations of Apostle Orson Pratt, and from that time I have known of the truth of this Church -- its divine origin. In the darkest days, when I have been thrown into prison on false charges, I have always been able to bear this testimony. Not only did I receive this witness through the impressions of the Spirit of Truth, but also by the ministration of angels. I met the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1834, in the camp of those who were gathered together to go up to redeem Zion, which has not yet been redeemed, but it will be in the future. During my travels of a thousand miles I became well acquainted with the Prophet Joseph.
I became satisfied from personal knowledge and observation that he was the great Prophet of the Nineteenth Century, and a greater Prophet, by way of comparison, has never lived on the earth. I know that he was a Prophet of the living God and that his words have been fulfilled. You who are here today are witnesses of the fulfilment of his predictions; for before he died he said that this people should live to go to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, that they would drink of the cool streams which flow down from the canyons, and would remain here until they became a great and powerful people.
I lived as his neighbor after he was driven out from Missouri, in Nauvoo; I knew him well; I saw him in life and also in death when his blood had been shed by a ruthless mob in this land of freedom. I have never known his blood to be atoned for.
The people of the world do not understand us nor the works we are performing at present. If they did they would come to us and acknowledge that it is the work of God. Every Latter-day Saint should prepare for the great events of the future. Let us be humble and faithful, and be united as the heart of one man. Iniquity should be searched out and our houses set in order. This is in unison with a revelation on that subject, given through President John Taylor. The speaker exhorted the quorums of Seventies, especially, to purify their organizations, that they may be prepared to wield a greater influence in the midst of the world. Zion is the pure in heart; therefore the work of each officer and member of the Church is to purify the heart, that the community may be fully in accord with the genius of the Gospel. Every Saint must cultivate faith and purity in his own heart. I have spoken of Joseph Smith; I can also bear testimony regarding Brigham Young, who was his successor as the head of the Church on earth. I heard him speak with the voice of Joseph, after the latter's death. I have the same testimony to bear concerning John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.
ELDER C. W. PENROSE
said, substantially: I desire to respond, when called upon, to any duty I am requested to perform. I have always had that desire. In my early experience I was advised by a co-laborer never to decline to perform anything which I was requested to do by brethren in authority. If I responded cheerfully I would be sustained of the Lord. I have proved this advice to be good. It has been acted upon and the result has been always satisfactory.
I rejoice in this work. How sweet it is to hear good words. The effect is peace and union. On the other hand how disagreeable is the result of saying that which brings disunion. Difficulties -- political and otherwise -- are growing up around us, but we need not fear them. As quoted by President Woodruff, it is the Father's good pleasure in the proper time, to give us the kingdom and the power thereof. We need not fear the threats that are made against us, for God is with this work. The government of God is bound to be established. It will be the grandest government of which any conception can be formed. I mean no treason to any nation on earth in thus expressing myself, but merely to assert my loyalty to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, whose right it is to reign. How great will be that Kingdom and its dominion. It will cover the whole surface of the earth. The Lord has decreed that he will give it to His Saints. If we look with the eye of the spirit, we will see that Kingdom in its power and splendor. I know these things to be true, by the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, which is the spirit of revelation. By that spirit Israel was led anciently, and by the same power all the servants of God in every age, including the present, have been guided, and accomplished the mission entrusted to them. This is the Church of Christ, not of man and it will remain and triumph.
The time will come when the redemption of Zion will be fully wrought out. This is as sure as that the sun shines. We should not be disappointed if these things are not fulfilled as soon as we anticipate. We are liable to fix dates, as all things have their times and seasons for verification, but they are not set by us; neither can they be, as the Lord has reserved that right to Himself.
We must be brought to a unity of the faith, and therefore we should organize together to defend and retain our rights. We must be instructed in the principles of government. Let us prepare for the day that is before us; set our houses in order, that our homes may be miniature kingdoms of God, not conducted on the basis of selfishness, but its opposite. The wicked will do wickedly, but the saints will walk closer to their religious profession, and God will eventually give them the victory. May the peace and blessing of God be upon all.
The choir sang the anthem,
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord.
Benediction by President Angus M. Cannon.
_____
[4 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 39:483-485, 10/12/89, p 3-5]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Conference resumed at 2 p. m.
Singing by the choir:
Praise to God, immortal
praise, For the love that crowns our days;
Bounteous source of every joy, Let Thy praise our tongues employ.
Prayer by Elder John D. T. McAllister.
Singing:
I'll praise my Maker while
I've breath. And when my voice is closed in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers, My days of praise shall ne'er be past
While life and thought and being last, or immortality endures.
APOSTLE HEBER J. GRANT
said, in substance, I am pleased to assemble with the Saints in General Conference, and have enjoyed the remarks thus far made. I desire that the same spirit that was with us this morning may be in the assemblage this afternoon. There is a lack of union among the Saints. There is a disposition among the people to think more of their own interests than those of the work of God. It is our duty to follow the counsel given us by the leaders of the Church -- to seek first the Kingdom of God. If we had faith that all God's promises would be realized if we kept His commandments, surely there would be more practical religious operation among us than there is. If we had faith in the results of paying tithing, or the blessings resulting from keeping the Word of Wisdom, we would be more strict in the observance of these requirements. If we will study the revelations and seek for the light of the Holy Spirit to convince us that the blessings promised will follow obedience, we will be pricked in our hearts. We have set out for an exaltation in the Kingdom of God -- the greatest blessing that can be bestowed upon intelligent beings. God has stamped His displeasure upon the idlers. This refers to things both temporal and spiritual. If we expect to gain God's blessings, there is but one course open to us -- that is to walk in obedience to the commandments of the Almighty.
Some people think they are not appreciated and are not allowed sufficient scope for usefulness. There is but one person who can curtail an individual's usefulness and that is himself. In order to progress symmetrically, we must conform to all of the requirements of the Gospel. A man taking another course may develop in any one direction, but when the day of reckoning comes he will be found wanting not having improved all his talents. Some think that if we are keeping merely a portion of the law, all is well. You cannot, in the erection of a building leave any part of the structure out and have it complete. If the saints fulfil the destiny God desires them to reach they will have to approximate to perfection. Unity should exist in individuals and in families. Unless this be so there cannot be a united condition as a community. Brother Gates spoke about a revelation given on Fishing River, regarding the redemption of Zion. I will read a portion of it:
VERILY I say unto you who have assembled yourselves
together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted
people--
Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people,
speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been
redeemed even now.
But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required
at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their
substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial
kingdom;
And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the
celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.
And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must
needs be, by the things which they suffer.
Now, we are told by the Prophet Joseph that at that early date that Zion could have been redeemed even then, but for the disobedience of the people. The Almighty would never chasten His people if they were obedient. No earthly parent would even do that. The latter chasten their children for their good. So with our Heavenly Father, in relation to His treatment of us.
I find that the Nephites, in olden times on this continent, were more or less in the same position as we are now in. Jacob spoke to the people in his day, in the following language:
And now behold,
my brethren, this is the word which I declare unto you, that many of you have
begun to search for gold, and for silver, and for all manner of precious ores,
in the which this land, which is a land of promise unto you and to your seed,
doth abound most plentifully.
And the hand of providence hath smiled
upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some
of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted
up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of
the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose
that ye are better than they.
And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that
God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he
condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily
come unto you.
The Lord delights to bless us, and will delight to give us riches if we seek for them, to do with them as directed in the remarks of the Prophet Jacob. If we do not use such things in this way they will be the opposite of a blessing to us. I realize that there are many yet to speak, and it would therefore not be proper for me to continue longer. The speaker bore testimony to the divine origin of the work of God.
ELDER ABRAM H. CANNON,
of the presidency of the Seventies, was the next speaker. He said, in substance: I have been interested in the remarks of the brethren. We should realize a lesson we have sought to teach the world ever since the Church was established, that is, that the Gospel is a perfect law of liberty. It does not control or dominate man in his thoughts. Freedom was established contemporaneously with this creation. In the past when people have hearkened to the words of prophets, they have been prospered exceedingly. but when they have taken the opposite of this course, trouble has been the result. This was illustrated in the days of the Prophet Samuel when the people clamored for a king. He pictured to them the trouble that would grow out of their being gratified in this matter. The result was as defined by him. From the time of the organization of the Church, you will find that blessings have attended the Saints when they have carried out the counsels of our God.
We have in our midst the oracles of God, men who are authorized to communicate unto us His mind and will. We sustain them in our faith and prayers as Prophets, Seers and Revelators unto the Church. Do we sustain them by our works? We see in our midst today a great effort made to turn us away from the counsels of these our leaders, and we are ridiculed because of our willingness to listen to their teachings. but if we will carry out their instructions, as they are given to us from time to time, as the Lord reveals His will unto them, we shall see blessings follow in our path, we will be prospered in all our labors, and will not be overcome by the snares and devices of the adversary.
Satan, from the very beginning, has been seeking to bring the souls of men into bondage, and an effort will continue to be made in our midst to bring the people into bondage, to lead them away from God and bring them to destruction.
In the Gospel there is glory and redemption for us, and if we will but follow out the commands of God He will bless us, He will fulfil all the predictions that He has made concerning Zion; He will relieve us though the way is dark and there seems to be no ray of light to brighten our path.
ELDER JOHN MORGAN,
of the presidency of the Seventies, spoke in substance as follows; I am gratified in the present privilege afforded us. The Saints are gathered from far and near to receive instruction. I am deeply interested in the education of our children. A generation of young people are growing up, and taking the places of their parents. There are on the register of the Sabbath Schools between 50,000 and 60,000 names. When we imagine the possibilities of this multitude, in the future, we are deeply impressed with the importance of a great subject. The Church schools, where the children can obtain religious instruction, outside of those convened on the Sabbath day, are, as yet, few. Some parents have taken it for granted that their children would naturally fall into line as Latter-day Saints. This is a mistake, as religion is not in that way hereditary. They have to be properly taught. Some young men are viewed as infidels, while an investigation will show that their condition is not one of infidelity, but of ignorance. They have not been taught. Their religious culture has been neglected. Hence the conditions of today, by which they are tempted to repudiate the gospel, are luring them away to destruction. If children, as written on the mottoes, are the "Hope of Israel," must they not be taught? I recently read of an incident in point. A case wherein a husband, who had been separated from his wife, sought to regain from the mother the possession of a child, was in court. A basis of the application was that the mother did not properly care for the moral and religious culture of the little one. The judge asked the child if its mother taught it to pray. In answer, the child knelt down and repeated the Lord's prayer, concluding by asking a blessing upon father and mother. The judge said that was good evidence in refutation. Can this be said of all the fathers and mothers in Israel?
When we look around us and see the prospect before us, and think that within a decade 100,000 of the names of children will be on the Sabbath school rolls, we feel the importance of this theme. We then look forward to a time when children will be taught in Church schools the principles of the Gospel five days in the week, and be thus prepared to carry the message of salvation to the natives of the earth. I know that this is the work of God, and that it will triumph.
APOSTLE F. M. LYMAN
made substantially the following remarks:
I have been well pleased in listening to the remarks of our brethren. They have taught us good doctrines, and have borne testimony to the truth of the gospel. We have each the same testimony abiding in our breasts if we have done the will of God. I sometimes wonder if we have really that testimony abiding with us that we are actually engaged in God's work, that it is a work established by our Father in Heaven, and that the Father Himself came to the earth and revealed Himself and His Son Jesus to the Prophet Joseph. Do we know that the Lord sustained the Prophet Joseph to the day of his death and guided him by revelation in the establishment of the kingdom and Church now upon the earth known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? If we have this knowledge, then we are not justified in any division or contention, or in entertaining misgivings in regard to the final triumph of this work. How can we be consistent if we have this knowledge and yet be careless in respect to our duties? We should be so well acquainted with the three Beings -- the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, that we would not dissent from the principles of eternal life, neglect our duties, ignore the counsels of God's Priesthood, or the truth which has been revealed to us for our salvation, remembering the injunction given in our day in the Book of Doctrine and covenants, "Except ye are one ye are not Mine."
The word has been sounded in this Conference that there exists a sentiment of division, a lack of faith. Is there a lack of faith in Israel? If so, there is a cause for it. There is a law laid down by which the Latter-day Saints may be united and become one. If that law be disregarded, then it is just as true that the unity of the Saints will diminish. As pain, disease and sickness of every kind produce death, so does disunion and division produce weakness, and when men are weakened, either in their faith or physically they are liable to attacks of disease and of the enemy. Our only fortress of safety is in union. The Latter-day Saints cannot afford to be disunited; skeptical, or doubting, and it should be the great aim and ambition of every individual member of the Church to so closely examine and scrutinize self as to be assured that there is no room for doubt or misgiving in his or her heart.
It is held that men who are religious must be bigoted and slaves -- that they cannot be free. Can a man do everything that is right and yet be free? He certainly can do all things that are lawful and be free; and if there are some right things which are not lawful, of course if he were to do them he would soon lose his liberty. But does it have the effect of binding a man to speak the truth, to be honest, to be virtuous and upright and to keep the commandments of God? Why no. If a man does not serve God the Eternal he must serve somebody. There are but two masters whom we can serve in this world -- the Lord our God and the evil one. There are only two powers -- the power for salvation, life and exaltation, the other for division, destruction and death.
The Lord has borne testimony to the hearts of the Latter-day Saints and given them to know that this is His work which He has established. No doubt dark clouds pass over us occasionally, and there may be in the hearts of the people some misgiving; they may perhaps be inclined to question the possibility of the good ship "Zion" making the port. Does it seem as if some power was about to engulf the Kingdom and swallow it up? This feeling may prevail in the hearts of some who are lacking testimony, or whose testimony may have weakened. There are those who once had the testimony strong in their hearts, but who turned away from the truth and are outside the Kingdom today. A few at a time occasionally return, and we shall yet see the day -- possibly in the near future -- when scores, and even hundreds, will come back and ask to have a berth in the ship, so that they may be saved when all around seems to be sinking.
Shall we say, then, that the Latter-day Saints are in a dangerous condition today? No, only so far as they are not doing the will of the Lord. You will find deep in their hearts an anchor for the soul that will hold them true to the Kingdom of God.
The disunion and division to which reference has been made is not in regard to Joseph Smith being a Prophet of the Lord, in regard to the labors of the late President Young, President Taylor, President Woodruff, the Presidency of the Church today or the Twelve Apostles. They are local matters which divide the people, local troubles and personal affairs which, more or less, breed strife and contention between them. But the Latter-day Saints know the truth, and when they hear the testimonies of the servants of God a testimony comes direct to their hearts and they recognize in them the words of the Lord. We need a little more wisdom and light from the Lord in our political affairs, so that we may work together in close harmony. But let us seek first the Kingdom of God, and with all our getting we should get wisdom. In all our troubles -- religious, social, political -- whatever they may be, a little grain of wisdom from the Lord will save us a great deal of anxiety.
After urging the great necessity of personal example as well as mere teaching on the part of those in authority, the speaker said, in conclusion; This is the kingdom of our God, established by the Father, and it cannot be broken down or destroyed, but will endue for ever. You need not fear because of any little division or lack of union that may be found in our midst. God will be our Deliverer, and He will save us; for this is His work and He will accomplish it with power on earth in His own due time.
The choir sang the anthem:
Sing unto the Lord.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
_____
[5 Oct, 10 am]
[DNW 39:485-486, 10/12/89, p 5-6]
SECOND
DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION.
The choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord! 'tis
good to raise Our hearts and voices to His praise.
His nature and His works invite To make this duty our delight.
Prayer by Elder Milo Andrus.
Singing:
With joy we own Thy
servants, Lord, Thy ministers below,
Ordained to spread Thy truth abroad, That all Thy name may know!
APOSTLE MOSES THATCHER
addressed the conference. The substance of his remarks was as follows: I hope to have a portion of the same Spirit as has rested upon the speakers thus far. The Spirit of God has rested upon the people who have assembled in conference. God has revealed his mind through his prophets in our time. He has revealed the powers and keys of the Holy Priesthood, bringing the truth as it is in Christ to light. Previous to this revelation the world lay in darkness and in doubt. When it was made the youthful Prophet Joseph Smith was in doubt, not knowing which of the many religious paths he should pursue. He took the injunction of the Apostle James, and though only in his fifteenth year, he asked God for wisdom, in which he was lacking. He bowed down in a secret place in the woods, and the powers of darkness oppressed him for a time. In his extremity he called upon God for deliverance. His release came. In a bright pillar of light, which descended upon him, he beheld the Father and the Son, who instructed him to go after none of the religions of the day, because they were all astray, but that the right path would be shown him in course of time. As soon as the youth made known his experience he was persecuted by professed followers of the Savior. From that day until he was martyred in Carthage jail, persecution, calumny and falsehood followed him, culminating in his being murdered in cold blood. He was enabled in his lifetime to organize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and from the nucleus of that great kingdom of which all the holy Prophets have spoken.
It is not my purpose to dwell upon the early history of the Church further than to show that we have received the new light and the manifestations of the power of God in our day, and that the Holy Priesthood has been restored and its keys and powers have again been given to men; that under the direction of the servants of God we have gathered to these valleys and built up towns and cities and houses of a sacred character in which ordinances for the salvation of the living and the dead are performed. The hearts of the children are being turned to the fathers and the latter to the children.
Not withstanding the evidences of these things and the testimonies that have been borne by the Elders, as a people we are derided, scorned and treated with contempt. Efforts are being made to lead our youth away from the religion of their fathers and from the paths of virtue. These conditions should cause the Saints to be determined that the community shall not be entirely leavened with the leaven of the Gentiles. Those who are living humbly and faithfully are not affected by fears as to the final triumph of this work. This feeling only exists in the breasts of those who are imbued with the spirit and genius of the world.
Satan at one time appeared to Moses and requested that great and good man to worship him. Moses detected the spirit of the evil one, and resisted him, and he departed in rage. The prophet had no fear of Satan, for he had before beheld the power and glory of God. Some are afraid when they compare the paucity of our numbers with the multitudes of the world's peoples. They can see no escape for the Saints. Those who have the Spirit of God are, however, not dismayed by any natural appearances, no matter how threatening. The speaker dwelt for some time upon the murderous crime of Cain against his brother and the cause of its perpetration -- jealousy and covetousness, as related in the "Pearl of Great Price." The secret oaths and combinations and oaths entered into in those ancient times were also explained. Such associations of a secret character were also spoken of in the Book of Mormon, the ancient prophets on this continent asserting that they would prove the destruction of all peoples among whom they are allowed to exist and flourish. They have been established in this nation, being a special feature associated with the conflict in progress between capital and labor. The speaker treated of the condition of the people of the nation and then of certain elements that were making their appearance in the community of Saints, saying in substance:
The great issue before the nations today is on the question of the combinations of capital and the union of secret societies of labor against it. In the midst of the Christian nations of the earth we find the evidences of extreme riches upon the one hand and of extreme poverty on the other. Here in the United States a beneficent government has put it within the reach of every industrious citizen to have in his own common right 160 acres of land, yet right in the youth of the nation, and while we are boasting that our power is respected on every sea, and that the United States is absolutely fearless of the combined forces of Europe, the startling announcement was made recently by a congressional committee that fewer people in the United States possess their own homes in proportion to the population of the nation than in France, which has just merged into a form of republican government. The reason given for this state of affairs is that as the frugal and industrious pioneer takes up and cultivates the virgin soil, he is followed by the banker, the merchant, the saloon keeper, and those who come and take mortgages. The thoughtless, bound down hand and foot by these agencies and powers, yield up their homes and become poor. The same system has prevailed even in the new States of the Union west of the Mississippi River. Take the State of Nebraska. Today she is under the bondage of $150,000,000 of mortgage; and last year, just from one or two of her counties, 1800 families removed from that State, leaving their farms and improvements to those who had taken mortgages upon their habitations, feeling themselves utterly unable to meet the demands of the money lenders.
This condition of affairs has been a subject of discussion in the House of Representatives and by the Senate. It has been called up before the President and his cabinet. We have not yet discovered a statesman wise enough to propose a remedy that would overcome the evil.
Here in Utah, to some extent, the same ideas are gaining a hold upon the minds of the people, and as our cities become more dense in population, our towns grow into cities and our villages into towns, our people are gradually yielding up their inheritances and becoming tenants rather than the owners of those places which God in His infinite mercy and loving-kindness gave unto them. They are learning the extravagant ways of the world, and the leaven of the Gentiles in this respect is working in the midst of the people.
A little while ago here in Salt Lake City we had the painful spectacle of our brethren, under the influence and leadership of one of these combinations already referred to, striking -- not for higher wages, not because they were being oppressed by their brethren, but because they had turned their back against the organization of God's Holy Priesthood, and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and had bound themselves to one of the secret societies that are seeking a foothold in the midst of this people. They did not claim that their wages were too small or that their hours were too long, but they did claim that the behest of one of those union men had not been obeyed by the contractor. They claimed that men were employed upon a certain building who did not belong to the union, and that spirit, which bids fair to become one of destruction in the Christian world, found, for a time at least, lodgment in the hearts of some of the employed.
After referring to the watchful care bestowed upon the Saints of Zion by those holding authority in the respective wards and stakes, and the happiness which prevailed among the people, Apostle Thatcher remarked that all this was not the result of secret combination, of socialism, fenianism, nihilism, of trades unions, but of the Holy Spirit of God resting down upon them, making them to feel that they are the children of God.
Why, he asked, should we permit the spirit of discontent and faultfinding to prevail in our midst to the advantage of the Gentile and the ungodly, who regard us with feelings of the deepest hate? We should not lightly dispose of our inheritance to strangers. Treat them kindly when they are within thy gates and show them every consideration. But there is no reason why we should yield to our enemies -- those from whose cruelties we fled in the past, who robbed us of our flocks and other possessions, burned our houses, killed our friends, and those near and dear to us. God has planted our feet in these mountains; He has made us a free people; He has showered down upon us the blessings of heaven and earth, and will preserve us unto the end. However much we may dread imprisonment and death;, God is stronger than all, and will bring us safely through.
Let us sustain His holy Priesthood, men full of tender mercy, long-suffering and judgment. May peace dwell in the habitations of the people, may they become more prayerful than in the past, and seek to unite their hearts in one and all things, both spiritual and temporal, until the Kingdom of God shall be fully established upon the earth.
ELDER SEYMOUR B. YOUNG,
of the Presidency of the Seventies, was the next speaker. I have listened to the remarks of the brethren with great satisfaction. I have never attended a conference in which more of the Spirit of the Lord has been manifested. The teachings of the Elders have been characterized by the Holy Spirit. When we maintain in our public assemblies, the Spirit of the Gospel, the people rejoice. In this divine system is all that is necessary for the development of the noblest and highest aspirations of men. No other organization, secret or otherwise, is needful for our purpose, as it embraces all truth. Salvation is an individual work. It is needful that each one should possess the Holy Spirit and be guided by its influence.
Our enemies have charged us with disloyalty. It has been suggested that no more "Mormon" immigrants should be allowed to land on the shores of this country until they take an oath to the effect that they do not have a specified religious belief. These conditions exist in the face of the fact that the Saints have always been loyal to the government, even going so far as to supply five hundred men under the most trying circumstances, to go to Mexico and fight the battles of the country. The Saints have defended the country's interests against Indian depredations comparatively without remuneration from the government. But, as President Brigham Young once said, notwithstanding that we may be outraged and abused, still we will love our country and revere the principles of its government. The Saints have sought to show a good example to all peoples, that they might be inducted to turn to God and serve Him.
We should hold our blessings sacred, and not engage in any society that would lead us away from the teachings of God and His servants. We should sustain the government, each other and all things that are good and worthy. In relation to our government we should submit to all things placed upon us in the Providence of God, but in the meantime make our calling and election sure. We should follow the example of meekness placed before us by Christ, when he submitted himself, for righteousness' sake, to be baptized of John. The Jews spurned their Savior, but the time will come when they will repent and acknowledge Him. The people of this nation are rejecting the message of the Gospel, but it is our duty to proclaim it. God will give them numerous testimonies of its truth and will ultimately make bare His arm, vindicate His people and bring them off triumphant.
ELDER B. H. ROBERTS
addressed the Conference. It is a pleasure for me to meet with the Saints in their present capacity. This is a time of refreshing -- a spiritual feast. By it we are renewed. Our faith is increased in the great work of the last days. I have not had the pleasure of mingling to any extent with the Saints in these valleys for the last few years. My labors have been among the nations of the earth, proclaiming the Gospel. I have, however, observed closely the progress of events, and the drift of circumstances.
It would seem from remarks made by brethren who have had ample opportunities for an understanding of the subject, that there is a tendency toward disunion. Still, as Apostle Lyman stated, it is probably of a local character. But whether local or general, it should not exist. It is a complicated disease, When it prevails there is lack of faith and confidence. If there is any Stake where discord is, those who preside in the locality should exert all their powers to remove the causes of division. and increase the faith and confidence of the people.
If there ever was a time when our front should be unbroken it is now. It is a time when parents and the community should throw around the youth protection from the insidious attacks of the enemy of souls. When the enemy is on the watch for weak points in our ranks, it is no time to be segregated.
In crossing the Atlantic recently we were overtaken by a severe gale, and the officers lost their reckoning. An attempt at taking an observation was made, but owing to moving clouds, it was imperfect. In consequence it was necessary to take soundings. It would be well for us to make reckonings, that we may ascertain where we stand.
We have been proclaiming the restoration of the Gospel in these times through a prophet. The charge of presumption has been made against us on this ground. It may appear presumptuous to take such a position, but it is true. The Lord saw the necessity of establishing faith through testimony. That that might be accomplished He brought from the bosom of this continent the Book of Mormon -- the testimony of an entire people. In addition, the Lord sent one of his ancient servants again to earth, and he laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and ordained them to the Aaronic Priesthood. Subsequently Peter, James and John appeared and bestowed upon Joseph Smith the keys and authority of the Melchisedec Priesthood. The presence of the Saints today is proof of the genuineness of this restoration. Elijah also came and bestowed the keys which turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, and the hearts of the latter to the children. This turning of hearts has begun, proving the efficacy of this restoration. Moses also brought to earth in these days the keys of the gathering of Israel in the latter times. We have ample evidence in our own experience that these keys have been committed to man. These being great truths what right have the Saints to be rebellious and to withdraw themselves from the oracles of God? We cannot afford to be so lost to our interest as to forfeit the right to the Holy Spirit, by indulging in the spirit of the world. Better lose all our substance than slacken our hold upon the great work of the last days. We have not only heard these things taught, but we have a right to know them for ourselves. Christ laid down this principle when he said that any man who would do the will of the Father, should "know of the doctrine whether it be of God" or not. If there are any among us who are not in possession of this knowledge, it is a shame. Paul, in his day, thus characterized an absence of knowledge of the things of God. If there is disunion among us, it is a shame that it should be so.
This work cannot be destroyed; for the forces of heaven stand behind it and will carry it to a successful consummation.
The choir sang the anthem:
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.
Benediction by Counselor Daniel H. Wells.
_____
[5 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 39:486-488, 10/12/89, p 6-8]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The choir sang:
Great God, attend while Zion
sings, The joy that from Thy presence springs.
To spend one day with Thee on earth, Exceeds a thousand days of mirth.
Prayer by Elder John Nicholson.
Singing:
Let us pray, gladly pray, In
the house of Jehovah,
Till the righteous can say, "O, our warfare is over."
APOSTLE LORENZO SNOW
addressed the conference. The follow[ing] is a synopsis of his remarks:
We understand very distinctly, I suppose, that whatever blessings we as Latter-day Saints secure to assist us in the great work which we are endeavoring now to accomplish in the interest of God must come to us through the operations of His Holy Spirit, and this, too, according to the faith which we exercise while together on such an occasion as the present. Hence we should endeavor as far as possible to forget all worldly matters which grieve and vex us, and fix our minds upon the Lord, having a sufficiency of His Holy spirit, that we may be enabled to receive such knowledge and suggestions as will help us in our onward path.
I believe there never was a time since the organization of this Church and Kingdom of God upon the earth when it was more necessary than now for us to obtain spiritual aid and blessings, in order that we may be prepared for the great event which seems now to be rapidly approaching, and in which our collective interests are deeply involved. In the past history of the Saints there have been times when God has seen proper to bring about such circumstances as would try our faith and see what progress His people have made in a knowledge of those principles which He has revealed to us. How far we have been successful in securing that amount of testimony and knowledge from God in relation to the importance of keeping his commandments, it is not for me to say.
We have been told that there exists disunion to a certain extent among the Latter-day Saints -- that there is not that feeling of sentiment of union and mutual interest among the people of God which should prevail. In order to prepare ourselves for that which is coming, we ought to look around and try to discover clearly what are the privileges to be obtained though the Gospel which we have embraced. I believe there is a way by which perfect union can be effected if we will but understand things aright. Jesus urged upon His disciples the necessity of union -- that the same should be promoted among them as existed between himself and His Father. We must perfect ourselves before we can attain to the great exaltation and glory which have been promised unto the faithful. We should at all times be willing to make sacrifices for the Gospel's sake, no matter how disagreeable the duty may sometimes be.
I see before me this afternoon thousands of people who have received the Gospel of Christ from among the various nations of the earth. They have made sacrifices which have astonished the world at large. Leaving all that was near and dear to them they have come and settled in these mountain vales, exposing themselves to danger both upon sea and land, and journeyed to a place of which they knew comparatively little. What inspired them to do this? The Spirit of God opened their understanding; it removed part of the veil which hung between them and the knowledge of God, and they became convinced by His power and intelligence of a supernatural nature that there was something which could not be reached through any other source of life, through any other system or order of things than the Gospel which had been proclaimed to them.
I had an intimate acquaintance with Joseph Smith, the Prophet, for a number of years. The position he occupied before the world and the declarations which he made were of an extraordinary character. It was a position which no individual before or since has attempted to assume. I knew Joseph Smith to have been an honest man, a man of truth, honor and fidelity, willing to sacrifice everything he possessed, even life itself, as a testimony to the heavens and the world that he had borne the truth to the human family. We, as a people, have been making sacrifices for the last sixty years; we think our religion worth all else, and it most assuredly is.
Having spoken of some of the trials and persecutions through which the Saints have passed including imprisonment and long separation from relatives and friends, Apostle Snow said they were willing to continue to undergo them for the Gospel's sake. They would yet be successful in their work among the children of men. No impediment placed in the way would ever prevent the onward progress of the Church of Christ. Dark clouds may sometimes pass over our heads, we may be sorely tried and perplexed, and efforts made to thwart us; but the truth is mighty and will prevail. The world, which knows not the purposes of God, may think that "Mormonism" is now about to be destroyed, that the voice of the Latter-day Saints and the Priesthood will never be heard again throughout the world; but when these dark clouds thicken about us, and the Saints are put to the test, it is then that God is more glorified, in the fact that we are ready to show our willingness to pass through the fiery ordeal. We make no complaint, but feel thankful that we are able to show how precious is to us the religion which we have espoused. Let us go on rejoicing.
Apostle Snow next related some of the extraordinary manifestations of the power of God which he witnessed when in Kirtland some fifty-three years ago, among these being the speaking in tongues, visions, and the ministering of holy angels.
There is no danger of this Church being destroyed. We know too well the strength and value of our religion. The speaker cited the trials through which Job was called to pass by way of testing his faith; the Lord even permitted the prince of darkness to have dominion over him for a time, and but for all this Job's name would probably never have passed into history. So with the trials of the Latter-day Saints.
God bless this people is my prayer continually, especially in the obtaining of knowledge and intelligence from heaven, so that we may be able to withstand the difficulties, trials and afflictions which may arise in our path.
BISHOP O. F. WHITNEY
said, in substance: I have felt more of the spirit of listening than to speaking. Had it pleased God to have led the mind of His servant to choose some one else to speak and let me remain in my seat, I should have been satisfied; for I have rejoiced in the instructions given during this conference. I have a testimony regarding their truth, wisdom and inspiration. They have been dictated by the Holy Spirit.
I have realized that the testimonies of the brethren regarding this being the work of God would not suffice for me. It takes an individual knowledge to save. There is no testimony so strong, no tongue so eloquent, nothing so convincing so far as relates to another individual that will stand in the place of the knowledge I must have for myself. God has shown unto me that this is His work. This knowledge I hope to live by and, if need be, die by. I did not always have this testimony. I did not get it until thirteen years ago. I was then placed in a position to know for myself that this is the work of God. My mother had taught me the principles of the Gospel and to revere the memory of Joseph Smith as a Prophet. The latter stood next, in my estimation, to the Lord Jesus Christ. At the October Conference of 1876 I was called on a mission to the United States. I had just enough faith to be willing to go and fill it. But it was not that response of the soul I would feel today were I called to go on a similar errand. It was not long, however, before I became imbued with the testimony of which I have been speaking. I was then laboring in company with Elder A. M. Musser. I became interested in writing for the Utah press accounts of the scenes I witnessed, so that I did not engage in my spiritual labors with that zest which I should have felt. But right then God gave me that witness, which I now esteem as more precious than life.
I dreamed that I was in the garden of Gethsemane. I saw the Savior and three Apostles enter a little gate at my right into the garden, and I stood, as it were, in the background, or in the foreground, of the picture, which I beheld as plainly as I now see the faces of those before me. They did not see me, but I saw them. The Savior stationed the three Apostles in a little group and asked them to pray without ceasing, while He went to the left of the scene, bowed Himself down and prayed also. Presently He arose, and walking over to where Peter, James and John were kneeling, fast asleep, He shook them, woke them up, and again asked them to pray. He returned to His place and prayed again and again. He went back to them and found them sleeping. Awaking them once more He exhorted them to pray, to keep their eyes open, and not to sleep upon their watch. Again He returned to His place, until this had transpired three times, and as He knelt there praying to God to give Him strength to perform His mission, to pass through the ordeal which was before Him, to drink of "the bitter cup" prepared for Him by His Father -- as He called upon God in the agony of His soul and asked Him if it were possible to let that cup pass from Him, the tears streamed down his cheeks, and, gazing upon His mental agony, I was constrained to weep in unison with Him.
Presently He arose and beckoned His Apostles to Him. Then the circumstances seemed to change. The scene remained as it was; but instead of being in time before the crucifixion, it now appeared to be after that event. I thought He was about leaving the earth and taking these Apostles with Him. My heart was so drawn out to Him with love and sympathy for his great suffering that I ran out from behind the tree where I had stood gazing upon the picture, and fell down at His feet, clasped His knees, and asked Him to take me with Him.
I shall never forget the look of indescribable tenderness, affection, and compassion with which He gazed down upon me as I knelt before Him. He lifted me up and embraced me. I could feel the very warmth of His bosom, against which I rested; and as He took me in His arms with all the tenderness of a father or an elder brother, He shook His head and said: "No, my son, your work is not finished; you must remain and perform your mission. These (pointing to His Apostles) have finished their work and they can go with Me; but you must remain."
I was so anxious, I felt such a love for Him and a desire to be with Him, that I clung to Him and pleaded with Him to let me go. But He continued to shake His head. I then said: "Promise me that when I have finished my life I will come to You at last."
Again he gazed with tenderness and compassion, and uttered these words in tones which pierced my very soul, "That, my son, will depend entirely upon yourself." I awoke and it was morning, but I knew that I had been gazing upon a vision, that God had indeed spoken to me, and that He had told me the truth in plainness and simplicity. I saw that I, too, must be awake, that I must not sleep upon my post, I must not consider any of the things of this world as of paramount importance to the mission which I was sent to perform as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have often reflected upon the wisdom of the answer which He gave me when He told me that it would depend entirely upon myself.
This is why I aroused myself and determined that I would give the Lord no rest until he gave me that testimony which so many of my people could bear. I obtained it; for God had respect to my desire to walk in His paths and glorify His name. He made plain to me that what is called "Mormonism" is the gospel of life and salvation. Yet it is only thirteen years since my eyes were opened to this fact that had been before me form my childhood. I can feel charity for my young brethren and sisters whose hearts are set upon worldly things. I can look back at my own precarious condition and see where I stood until the Lord reached forth His hand and plucked me as a brand from the burning. I expect to see Him do the same by others.
Parents should not despair for their wayward children nor cease to pray for them. Do not treat them harshly nor cast them adrift. The speaker here cited, as illustrative of the point treated, the merciful dealings of God with His children. It would not have benefited me if my parents had threatened to cut me adrift and expel me from home. The better way is to show our children that we still love them and have a desire for their salvation. I feel this way because of my own experience.
I believe there are tens of thousands who will yet flock into this Church;. There are many people in the nations awaiting the needed process to enable them to see what we see. We must make allowances for conditions of birth and surroundings. There are many wayward young people whose minds are a little darkened and they have wandered off for a little season It is not the mission of Christ or His servants to shut the door against that class. The parable of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine of his flock and going in search of the one lost sheep illustrates this point. There are ecclesiastical courts for the passing of judgment upon our brother or sister. This is not our prerogative in a private capacity. Allowances must be made for the differences of disposition and temperament of our fellow beings. Some have weaknesses that are not known to others. We should be careful not to be hasty in rising up in judgment against those we imagine to be guilty of error. God says, "I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble, and My grace shall be sufficient for them."
My soul is filled with gratitude for the blessings of the gospel, and the manifestations of the goodness of God during this Conference.
APOSTLE JOHN HENRY SMITH
was the next speaker. Following is a synopsis of his discourse: It is the purpose of our Heavenly Father that mercy shall be extended to sinners to the utmost limit. I am a believer that so long as hope remains in the human breast there is some chance of repentance for them. But when that hope has been banished, there is a question in my mind whether it is possible to awaken to a sufficient degree any individual standing in this position to claim that spirit, to enjoy the things thereof, and turn from the evil of which he has been guilty. The remarks of Brother Whitney in regard to the principle of charity were very appropriate, and all of us who have become conversant with the Gospel should indeed cultivate it. We have been made to understand that charity covers a multitude of sins, and while this is the case, our hearts should go out to our sons and daughters, to our friends and kindred, and we should seek to lead them into the way of life; we should remember that there are laws of God governing in all these matters; that we ourselves, as parents, friends and neighbors must guard them with extreme care. So far as I am individually concerned, looking to the interests and well-being of the offspring which God has committed to my care, in understanding fully how far I may be responsible for the transgressions of my children, I intend, by the grace of God and the help of His Holy Spirit, to follow them to the utmost limit, so that not one member of my house shall be lost through anything that I may do in pushing them away from saving principles.
I am a believer in the idea that they who are taught in the principles of the Gospel in the early days of their life -- while they may be wayward and thoughtless at certain periods, there has been implanted within them by a consistent father and mother an understanding of the principles of life that will ultimately lead to their salvation.
I am extremely anxious that the impress of the spirit of the Gospel may be felt among the children of the Latter-day Saints. I am a firm believer that the sons and daughters of Zion who have been born and reared here, and to whom knowledge has been given of the truth of the principles of the Gospel of life and salvation, will be found treading in the way of life, that their names will not be blotted from the book of remembrance, written there by our Heavenly Father.
My testimony is that this work in which we are engaged will remain and spread and accomplish its great purpose; for nothing can arrest its progress. Onward and upward will be its mission, until the sons and daughters of God throughout the broad earth have accepted or rejected the truth, exercising that agency which the Father has given them.
The choir sang the hymn beginning:
The Seer, the Seer, Joseph
the Seer!
We sing of the Prophet ever dear.
Benediction by Counselor John W. Young.
_____
[6 Oct, 10 am*]
[DNW 39:488-489, 10/12/89, p 8-9]
THIRD
DAY.
_____
MORNING SESSION.
October 6th.
The choir sang:
Arise, O glorious Zion, Thou
joy of latter days,
Whom countless Saints rely on, To gain a resting place.
Opening prayer by President A. O. Smoot, of Utah Stake.
Singing:
Sons of Michael, He
approaches! Rise; the Eternal Father greet;
Bow, ye thousands, low before Him; Minister before His feet.
Apostle Franklin D. Richards, who had been detained from attending previous meetings of conference on account of sickness, was so far recovered as to be present this morning and appeared on the stand, in his place among the general authorities.
PRESIDENT WOODRUFF
said: I will say to this assembly that we propose to attend to our business matters this morning. There are quite a number of stakes from which we have not received reports; hence we shall not present a statistical statement to the Conference. We propose this morning to present the authorities of the Church. President Cannon will submit them for your action.
President George Q. Cannon then presented the authorities to be voted upon by the general assembly, as follows:
Wilford Woodruff, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith as Second counselor in the First Presidency.
Lorenzo Snow as President of the Twelve Apostles.
As members of the Council of the Twelve Apostles -- Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, john H. Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant and John W. Taylor.
At this point
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
arose and spoke as follows:
I wish to say to this assembly of Latter-day Saints that there are three vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in consequence of the organization of the First Presidency. We have felt that it is time to fill that quorum now, at this conference, and the people should be prepared for the presenting by the Twelve Apostles of such names as they may feel by the Spirit of God to be worthy and proper persons to receive this ordination or to occupy this position. These Apostles are Prophets, Seers and Revelators. I have confidence in them; I believe they have power to present such things as would be in accordance with the will of God. They (the Apostles) presented to me a list of names. I wish here to say, and I want it understood, that neither myself, President George Q. Cannon nor President Joseph F. Smith, who are my Counselors, presented any of these names. We left it with the Quorum of the Apostles. I became thoroughly satisfied that they had upon that list such names as would be acceptable unto the Lord. We took those names and made it a matter of prayer, and the Spirit of the Lord manifested unto me those whom we should appoint. They have all been accepted by the Quorum of the Apostles as well as the Presidency of the Church. I have a reason for making these remarks.
After President Woodruff had taken his seat, President Cannon resumed the presentation of the authorities submitting the names of the following three brethren for appointment to the vacancies in the quorum of the Twelve before referred to:
Mariner W. Merrill, Anthon H. Lund, Abraham H. Cannon.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles -- John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles, with their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch to the Church: John Smith.
First Seven Presidents of the Seventies: Henry Herriman, Jacob Gates. Seymour B. Young, C. D. Fjeldsted, John Morgan and B. H. Roberts.
Wm. B. Preston as Presiding Bishop, with Robert T. Burton as his First and John R. Winder as his Second Counselor.
Franklin D. Richards as Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
John Jaques as Assistant Church Historian and General Church Recorder.
As the Church Board of Education: Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon, Karl G. Maeser, Willard Young, George W. Thatcher, Amos Howe, Anthon H, Lund, James Sharp.
Joseph Don Carlos Young, as General Church Architect.
John Nicholson, as Clerk of the Conference.
The vote upon each of the persons named for the positions specified was unanimous.
PRESIDENT CANNON,
after he had submitted the names of the authorities, delivered an elaborate and instructive discourse, of which a synopsis would not give a commensurate idea. It will doubtless hereafter be published in full. The leading topics embraced in it were the cause and cure of disunion when it exists among the Saints; the beauty and completeness of the organization of the Church; there is no domination of the State by the Church, nor combination of the two; the necessity for the Saints to seek counsel from those who are in a position to guide them aright; the beauty and necessity of wisdom in our acts and utterances; important points associated with the doctrine of the resurrection, about which some have formed erroneous conceptions. The concluding portion of the discourse was devoted to a definition of the glorious hopes and destiny of the faithful, and was of a nature to specially comfort those whose pathway through the life is beset with trials.
[George Q. Cannon]
[DNW 39:591, 11/2/89, p 15; CD 1:371-381]
DISCOURSE
Delivered by President George Q. Cannon,
at the General Conference, Sunday morning, October 6th, 1889.
_____
I do not
recall a conference which I enjoyed better (as far as we have gone) than this
Conference which commenced on Friday last. I have felt the Spirit of God in our
midst, and have been exceedingly edified and pleased with the remarks which
have been made by the various speakers. It is a cause of thanksgiving to every
Latter-day Saint, when we meet in Conference, to know that the Lord meets with
us, and that His Spirit is poured out upon His servants. We have heard from the
Elders how much we need this Spirit, and how impossible it is for us to please
our God, and to accomplish the labors devolving upon us without its presence
and assistance. I am thankful every day of my life that I live in an age when
God has poured out His Holy Spirit upon man; that we are not left to the
guidance of our own minds, to grope in uncertainty, in doubt, in darkness
concerning God, concerning the life to come, concerning His purposes towards
man and the earth upon which he dwells. When I think of the darkness that has
been swept away; when I think of the uncertainty and doubt that have been
dispelled; when I think of the flood of light which God has sent forth from His
eternal throne to His children upon the earth through the medium of His
Prophet, through the revelation of His Gospel, through the bestowal of His Holy
Priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost, I feel to thank God with all my
heart that my lot has been cast in a day like the present. For we are not left
to ourselves; we are not left a prey to doubt and to fear and to anxiety. We
know that God is with us; we know that He guides this great work, that
everything connected with it is known to Him, and that its final destiny has
been predicted by Him. If ever there was a people upon the face of the earth
that ought to be filled with the most profound gratitude to our God for all
that He has done for them, we who are assembled here today, as well as all the
members of the Church who are not here, should be that people.
We are
menaced by our enemies; we are threatened by dire evils; we are told our
destruction is right at the threshold, that we shall be inevitably overthrown
and our power wrested from us. But this is not the first time in our history
that we have heard such statements. Along the pathway we have trod similar
threats have been made to us; this pathway has been environed by difficulties,
beset with foes, and it has seemed to human vision as though our escape was
utterly impossible. How often has this been the case those who have had
experience well know. It has seemed at times as though there was an impassable
barrier in our pathway, impenetrable to human vision, impenetrable to human
progress. But as we have stepped forward the difficulties have vanished, the
pathway has been made clear, every obstruction has been moved out of the way,
and we have gone joyously forward to accomplish the work that God has committed
to us and commanded us to perform. I rejoice exceedingly in this. We are very
weak ourselves; and those of us who bear responsibility are very conscious when
we live as we should do, of our incapacity, and how very far we are from being
what we should be. We shrink from the contemplation of the great weight that
rests upon us, of the character of the labors that we have to perform. We would
stand appalled at them, if it were not for the consciousness that God is with
us, that God sustains this people; that God furnishes the wisdom and gives the
strength, and that He has provided the victory; and it is comforting to know
that all we have to do, is to do that which is assigned to us to the best of
our power and ability, putting our trust in Him. And how strong this makes us!
Not in
our own strength, but in the strength of our God-He who has delivered us out of
so many trials-He who has brought us through so many troubles-He who has never
deserted or forsaken us, but has been near at hand when we have called upon
Him. He has heard us when affliction has befallen us, extending deliverance to
us, filling us with hope, filling us with peace, filling us with joy, no matter
how threatening the circumstances that have surrounded us. Can there be found a
better people upon the face of the earth than the Latter-day Saints? I cannot
speak for all, but I speak for the bulk, the brethren and sisters whom I know.
I know by their faces, so radiant with gladness, that there is peace and joy in
their hearts. I know by my own feelings-for my life, notwithstanding its
vicissitudes, notwithstanding its sorrows, has been to me a complete joy until
now. I have rejoiced with joy unspeakable; my language cannot describe it, not
in myself but in our God, in the salvation He has assured to us. I know that
this people are a favored people. I know that notwithstanding all our trials, notwithstanding
all that we have to contend with, there is no enemy of ours, there is no
combination of enemies of ours, whose happiness compares in the least degree
with the joy and with the happiness that the Latter-day Saints have in their
possession. Is not this a cause of great thanksgiving to us? Ought not our
souls to swell with gratitude to God our Father for these blessings bestowed
upon us? Ought we not to be a humble and obedient people? Ought we not to do
His will, and have our will swallowed up entirely in His holy will? If this is
not the case, then we are the most ungrateful people that ever lived, and our
condemnation will be a very heavy one, if we are in this condition.
We have
heard remarks fall from our brethren's lips, during the preceding meetings,
concerning the disunion that exists among the Latter-day Saints. Their remarks
called to mind a conversation which I had some weeks ago with an old
acquaintance whom I knew in Washington. He had attended one of our meetings in
company with some lady friends, and they had heard some of the speakers, in
their public utterances, dwell upon the importance of union. And he related to
me the comments that were made by his lady friends concerning the teaching.
They had drawn the inference from the remarks, that the leading Elders were
afraid that the Church was tumbling to pieces, that the work of dis-integration
was going on to such an extent as to cause them great alarm, which accounted
for the earnest, solemn tones in which the speakers addressed the Saints
concerning union and its importance, and their exhortations to the people to be
more united.
I suppose
those who are not acquainted with us might draw such conclusions from remarks
made during this Conference. But it must be remembered by us at least, whatever
other people may think, that we, as President Woodruff has told us, are placed
as watchmen upon the walls of Zion, and that we do not speak as hireling
ministers speak. It is not our calling to say pleasant things to the people,
when they need different instructions and counsels. Besides, the spirit of
instruction and counsel is something which every Elder should seek for, as
there are times in the history of God's people when it is just as necessary
that words of reproof and warning should be uttered-that reproof be
administered when iniquity and wrong exist, and that notes of warning be
raised, calling upon the people to give heed to their ways and avoid certain
things lest destruction come upon them-as it is to speak comforting words to them.
This has been the case always when God has had a people upon the earth. It has
been the office and calling of all the Prophets and Apostles to speak as moved
upon by the Holy Ghost. It is no sign of disintegration then, no sign of alarm
because the Elders thus teach the people and warn them, and perhaps reprove
them, and speak in tones of sharpness, and perhaps at times severity,
concerning their condition.
There is
no feature in our polity so desirable as union. Without it we are an
exceedingly weak people; with it we are strong, strong in the Lord, because the
Lord acknowledges us as His people, when we are united; He places His seal upon
us, and stamps us as His own. Therefore it is not to be wondered at that the
Elders are led to talk about the importance of union. It is of the first
importance that we should be united; and it is no sign of alarm, it is no
evidence that the Elders who thus speak are in fear concerning the result this
work, or the effects of the attacks of our enemies upon this work, because they
talk in this manner to the Saints assembled in Conference, or to any other
public gathering. In some respects I think we are an exceedingly united people.
But owing to circumstances-the absence of many of the leading men, and the
great labors which have devolved upon those that are free and able to go
about-the people have not been visited for some years, as was formerly the
case; and therefore many things have grown up and sprung into existence, which
need the attention of the leading Elders, of the Presidents of Stakes and their
counselors, the Bishops and their counselors. And it requires a good deal of
exertion at the present time to lay these matters before the people as they
should be. But we ought to be a united people; and we cannot dwell too much
upon the importance of union. When we are divided we are very weak; when we are
united we are very strong, for God is with us.
God has
given to us an organization which, if we maintain, as we should, will preserve
union, will preserve complete harmony and strength in the Church. Therefore, we
should do all in our power to maintain that organization, which is complete and
perfect. Although others may decry the Priesthood and the influence of the
Priesthood, and may oppose it, and censure us because we give heed to the
counsels of the Priesthood, it is for us to listen to the voice of our God, to
maintain in its integrity the organization He has given unto us, to beware of
every spirit not of God, that it does not have place within us, but that under
all circumstances we will be guided by His Holy Spirit, and the counsels of His
servants. That which we witness today throughout this Territory; that which we
have witnessed wherever the Latter-day Saints have settled-the deliverances
that have been wrought out, the prosperity that God has given unto us, is due
to the fact that we have had His servants in our midst, and that the people
have listened to their counsels. Shall we turn our backs upon that authority
which God has thus blessed, which He has sustained, and shown His approval of
by giving His blessings unto those who have obeyed their counsels? We should
not do this. We should avoid it; and we should be humble, meek and lowly in our
walk and conversation; in all our associations with each other, and do all in
our power to maintain in its entirety the organization which has been given
unto us.
In
conversation some years ago with a gentleman by the name of Haskell, of Kansas,
who was a Member of Congress, and who is since deceased, he said to me: Mr
Cannon, I have paid some attention to your organization, and I think it the
most magnificent organization that exists on the earth-how did you succeed in
getting it? I told him I did not suppose, if I were to tell him all about it,
that he would be prepared to accept my statement as true; but I told him, of
course, that the organization had come from God, and that its perfection was
due to divine wisdom. I mention this as the testimony of a man of considerable
experience and observation and extensive reading, as a high tribute to the
strength, power and surpassing superiority of our organization. It is, my
brethren and sisters, strikingly manifest to every one who reflects how God has
blessed us in this respect. And we should be proud of it-that is, we should be
thankful for it, and not be ashamed of it.
I have
felt for some time that some of the Latter-day Saints were beginning to
manifest a disposition to feel ashamed of the Priesthood, and ashamed of
seeking counsel at the hands of the Priesthood, as though it were a forbidden
thing, as though it were something that we did wrong in practicing; that to
come and ask counsel of the servants of God was something so contrary to public
opinion that some men shrink from doing it, and feel ashamed of asking counsel
of God's servants. If such feelings as these were to prevail among the
Latter-day Saints, it would be a most deplorable thing; I think the result
would be disastrous to us. If I knew a man who has the counsel of God, and I
wished to obtain counsel, I feel as though it would be the greatest blessing I
could have given unto me, under the circumstances, to be able to go to him to
ask counsel concerning the course I should take. This has been my course
throughout life, and I know it has been attended with blessing. Suppose the
world deride it; suppose the world attack it; suppose the world accuse us of
one-man power, of joining church and state; they will accuse us anyhow, no
matter what we do, no matter how correct our lives may be; and shall we deprive
ourselves of the benefits that God has given unto us in the hope that we will
conciliate the world, and that we will prevent the world from talking about us?
If that be our idea we delude ourselves most egregiously. The man who
entertains the view, that by taking a certain course that is not exactly in
accord with the will of God, he is going to gain the favor of the world, makes
a great mistake. I do not think we should be unwise in these matters; wisdom
should be exercised in all that we do. But do not, my brethren and sisters,
deprive yourselves of that light which God has placed within our reach for our
guidance and for our safety, because of any fear we may entertain concerning
public opinion in relation to that method of doing.
The cry
has gone forth that we join church and state. A greater libel was never made
concerning any people than that concerning us. Owing to our peculiar position
all our eligible men bear the holy Priesthood. It was not possible for us to
obtain suitable men in our Territory, in by-gone days, who were not members of
the Priesthood. There was no other choice left for us but to select the best
men we had regardless of their position in the Church. Because we did this it
ought not to be thought to follow that we blended church and state, or that we
looked upon the Church as an institution to be associated with the civil
government; not at all. I do not think it possible to find another people,
situated as we were for so many years in these valleys, who would have drawn
the lines of distinction so clearly between church and state, as we did.
We have
always looked upon civil government as entirely distinct from church
government; and our views upon this subject ought to be so well known as not to
leave room for accusation even. It has been proclaimed by Joseph Smith; it has
been pro-claimed by Brigham Young; it has been proclaimed by John Taylor; it
has been proclaimed by Wilford Woodruff, and all the leading Elders associated
with them, that God intended to organize a Kingdom on the earth that should not
be composed of Latter-day Saints alone, but that members of that Kingdom should
belong to other religious denominations, as well as to the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has been a cardinal doctrine in this
Church-that is, with the Elders who have had experience and knowledge
concerning that which is to come and that which the Prophet Joseph believed in
and taught. In fact, he set the example on one occasion, and those familiar
with it know about it. He showed unto the brethren before he died that the
Kingdom of God, when established, should throw its protecting aegis around the
infidel, around the Methodist, around the Presbyterian, around the Baptist,
around the Catholic and every other man, whatever form of belief he may
profess, as well as around the Latter-day Saints; and that each man and each
denomination was to receive equal rights, equal favors and protection from the
Kingdom of God. This has been our doctrine for the last forty-five or fifty
years. Hence it is one of the greatest libels that can be pronounced against a
people, to say concerning us, that we believe in the blending of church and
state. We believe in no such doctrine; and I will say, never did believe in it.
But in consequence of our peculiar position; in consequence of the fact, as I
have stated, that every reputable man among us who has attained his majority,
holds the Priesthood, our enemies have seized that and made it the foundation
for base libels and at-tacks upon us.
I will
return again to the idea I was dwelling upon. Shall we, let me ask, feel
ashamed of asking counsel? If a Teacher came to my house, and I were in doubt
concerning any matter that I wished to have counsel upon, I would gladly ask
that Teacher what his views were, and in this way, if possible, obtain his
counsel, looking upon the Teacher as a man of God. If an Elder were to come to
my House, or a Bishop, or a High Priest, or a Seventy, or an Apostle, and I
were in doubt concerning something I contemplated, and I wished to obtain more
light upon it, I would gladly submit my case to him and ask his counsel. And if
he did not come to my house, and I could have access to him, I would not engage
in any important enterprise without taking such a course. In the primitive days
of the Church this was universally the case. We sought counsel at the hands of
the servants of God, just as they did in ancient times. Kings did not go to war
without seeking counsel. You remember the case of Ahab and Jehoshaphat, when they
contemplated warring. Jehoshaphat requested the king of Israel, his ally, to
inquire of the Lord how it should be with them; and the king of Israel gathered
together his prophets, about four hundred men, all of whom said "Go up;
for the Lord shall deliver it [Syria] into the hand of the king." But it
seems that Jehoshaphat was not entirely satisfied with this word, favorable as
it was; and he inquired: "Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides,
that we might enquire of him? And the King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat,
There is yet one man, Micaiah, the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the
Lord, but I hate him; for he doth not prophecy good concerning me, but
evil." A messenger was sent to bring Micaiah before King Ahab and
Jehoshaphat; and the prophet was informed what the other prophets had said
concerning the result of the battle; and he was asked to prophesy in like
manner; and he did so, giving the kind of counsel that the king of Israel
wanted. But the king suspected there was something wrong about it; and he
adjured him to tell him the truth. Then Micaiah prophesied that which God had
given him, namely, the utter overthrow of King Ahab and his army-a prophesy
which was fulfilled to the very letter.
Now,
kings did this in ancient times, and mighty men, and it was not considered
improper; and it does not argue because we believe in this principle, that we
are theocratic, and that we are trying to found a theocracy. One is not a
sequence of the other. Every man has the right to seek unto God in the
appointed way; to seek unto Him in prayer, and besides calling upon Him in
prayer, to obtain His word through His appointed servants. Members of Wards
should teach their children to ask counsel concerning all matters they wish to
undertake, all enterprises upon which they desire to enter. When a Bishop is
living up to his duty he has the word of the Lord for his people; and he cannot
give correct counsel to his people if he is not living as he should live. The
same with regard to the President of a Stake. And when the High Council come
together with the President of the Stake, it is their privilege to know for
themselves concerning matters and to give counsel pertaining thereunto. So it
is with every council in this Church. The light of heaven that comes from God
to enlighten the minds of the children of men is not confined to one
individual, to one class, or to one council or quorum; on the contrary, that
light is diffused through the whole body of the Priesthood, and the whole body
of the Church, according to the faithfulness of the members. We should
understand this. The light of heaven-that is, the light that enlightens our
minds, is as free as the light of the sun, as free as the atmosphere we
breathe. We should seek for and enjoy these privileges. I would like to see the
Latter-day Saints so impressed with its importance, that whenever we take a
serious or grave step, we would seek the counsel of God. We should do this on
our knees in our chambers, alone; and it is our privilege to seek for and obtain
it elsewhere, so we may walk aright before God and acceptably before Him. In
this way the Kingdom of God will be built up.
I want to
see the power of the Priesthood strengthened; not the power of the First
Presidency alone; not the power of the Twelve Apostles alone; not the power of
the Presidents of Stakes, or that of the High Councils, or the Bishops and
their Councilors alone. I want to see this strength and power diffused through
the entire body of the Priesthood, reaching from the head down to the least and
most humble deacon in the Church. Every man should seek for and enjoy the
revelations of God, the light of heaven shining in his soul and giving unto him
knowledge concerning his duties, concerning that portion of the work of God
that devolves upon him in his Priesthood. When we live thus we will be a mighty
power, irresistible in our onward march. Though, when we are in this condition
we shall provoke more hatred, greater opposition than that which we now have to
contend with; because it is that feature in our organization that Satan dreads
and hates; and he expects his servants to fight this and endeavor to destroy
it; and the efforts of our enemies for years have been to destroy the power and
influence of the holy Priesthood, knowing if this could be done we would lose
our strength, and become weak as water, so to speak.
I am in
favor of everything that will tend to build up Zion, that will strengthen us
and make us more compact. We have this opposition to contend with; do what we
will we cannot pacify the hostility of Satan. At the same time I do not believe
in im-prudence, I do not believe in throwing away wisdom, and acting as though
there was no such thing as wisdom in the world. That is the other extreme. I
believe we can do all this and be wise in our conversation, be wise in our
conduct, and in all our associations; not indulging in wild-fire or doing
foolish things. But this is God's work, and He will take care of it no matter
what we do. At the same time we, through unwisdom, can provoke wrath and bring
it down upon us, and many men do it through their own imprudent acts. In taking
this course, we depart from the counsel of God's servants. You will always find
it to be the case, that the men who are getting themselves into trouble bring
trouble upon others because of their imprudent action and unwise speeches; and
they are the men who disregard counsel.
Before I
sit down I wish to mention some doctrine that has been upon my mind, and as
this will perhaps be the last opportunity I shall have during the Conference, I
will call attention to it now. The doctrine I refer to is in connection with
the resurrection. I will read from that revelation known among us as the
Vision, which is found in the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. The
Lord in speaking about the sons of perdition says:
They are
they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for
them never to have been born.
For they are vessels of wrath,
doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity;
Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the
world to come, Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and
having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father-having crucified him unto themselves,
and put him to an open shame.
These are they who shall go away
into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels, And the
only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; Yea, verily, the only
ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the
sufferings of his wrath; For all the rest shall be brought forth by the
resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who
was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made.
I was
given to understand, while I and others of the brethren were in exile, that
because of this passage, contained in this revelation, some of the Elders had
conceived the idea, and were teaching it, that the sons of perdition would not
be resurrected; and inquiry was made of us concerning it. The doctrine as
taught, was, that a certain class of spirits that had received tabernacles upon
the earth, would not be resurrected; and to sustain this view the paragraphs
just read were quoted: "For all the rest shall be brought forth by the
resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who
was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were
made." Because of this language some have inferred that all the rest would
be resurrected, and the sons of perdition would not be resurrected. If you will
read the context carefully you will see this is not the meaning. "And the
only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; Yea, verily, the only
ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, * * * For all the
rest shall be brought forth," etc. That is, they will be redeemed and
brought forth, but they will not be brought forth in the manner that we will be
resurrected; they will not receive that redemption which the rest of the
children of men will receive. God in this glorious revelation through His
servant, Joseph, taught this to us: that there will be a time when every human
being, except the sons of perdition, will partake of the salvation of our God.
And even, it is said concerning them of the telestial glory, that they are
heirs of salvation. But the sons of perdition are not heirs of salvation; they
will not receive redemption, they having committed the unpardonable sin, from
which they never can be redeemed, so far, at least, as God has taught us in His
revelations.
Now if
you will turn to the 29th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, you will find
how plain the Lord has made this matter, so plain as to leave no doubt about
it:
And the
end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away,
and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
For all old things shall pass
away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all
the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes
of the sea; And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the
workmanship of mine hand.
But behold, verily I say unto you,
before the earth shall pass away, Michael, mine archangel, shall sound his
trump, and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and
they shall come forth; yea, even all.
Then shall all the dead awake, --
mark the words -- for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth;
yea, even all.
This is
so plain that there can be no doubt regarding it.
The Book
of Mormon is also very clear upon this doctrine. I will read a few extracts
from that book in connection with this subject, which will be found in the 9th
chapter of the Second Book of Nephi, the 15th and 16th, 21st and 22nd verses:
And it
shall come to pass, that when all men shall have passed from this first death
unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the
judgment seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then
must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
And as surely as the Lord liveth,
for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is His eternal word, which cannot pass
away, that they who are righteous, shall be righteous still, and they who are
filthy, shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy, are the devil
and his angels, and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for
them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth
up forever and ever, and has no end.
And He cometh into the world that
He may save all men, if they will hearken unto his voice: for behold, He
suffereth the pains of all men; yea, the pains of every living creature, both
men, women and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
And He suffereth this, that the
resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before Him at the
great and judgment day.
The
Prophet Helaman says:
For
behold, he surely must die, that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him, and
becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the
dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.
You will
see there is another prophet who bears testimony as to the character of the
redemption wrought out by the Savior. No matter what a man's sins may be,
whatever crimes he may have committed, the resurrection of the mortal body is
assured to him by the redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ. But after that comes
the second death; and they who are sons of perdition will partake of that.
Amulek,
in the 40th verse of the 11th chapter of Alma, says:
And he
shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the
transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall
have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.
Therefore the wicked remain as
though there had been no redemption made, excepting it be the loosing of the
bands of death.
How plain
are the words of this prophet:
The
wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, excepting it be the
loosing of the bands of death; for, behold, the day cometh that all shall rise
from the dead and stand before God and be judged according to their works.
The spirit and the body shall be
reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to
its proper frame, even as we now are at this time, and we shall be brought to
stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection
of all our guilt.
I might
go on, still quoting from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, in
corroboration of the view I have endeavored to set forth, but it is not
necessary. All men will come forth from the dead regardless of their condition,
regard-less of their sins, the just and the unjust; all will stand before the
judgment seat of Christ, and they will have His judgment passed upon them. Some
will receive and have pronounced upon them the blessings of eternal lives, as
promised to the faithful, and be exalted; another class will not receive
exaltation, but they will nevertheless be redeemed, and there will be degrees
in the condition of the children of men there, just as there are degrees in our
condition here. There will be this difference, however: the righteous and the
wicked will not mingle together, as they now do, but a great separation will
take place. Some will become rulers in the Kingdom of God. They are they for
whom God holds in reserve crowns and scepters, thrones and dominions,
principalities and powers. They are the men who have been faithful before God
in the midst of every trial, whose knees have never shaken, whose hands have
never trembled in the face of the enemy-men of God, who have started out to
serve God with all their hearts-men who have been devoted in this life to the
cause of God, and who have shown unflinching integrity in every condition of
life. God for them has reserved thrones; for them He has reserved
principalities and powers and dominion, yea, God has reserved for them the greatest
of all gifts, the gift of eternal lives, and they will be rulers in His
Kingdom. Be comforted then; be comforted, ye afflicted ones, whose souls have
groaned under the burden of your sorrows; you who have felt that life was
almost too hard to bear, be comforted! For as God lives, and as His throne
cannot be moved by the efforts of man, so surely will it be that those who are
faithful in Christ Jesus will receive this glorious reward. They will receive
crowns; they will receive thrones; they will receive principalities and powers,
and no power on earth or in hell can deprive them of it.
My
brethren and sisters, let us be faithful; let us keep the commandments of God;
let us keep our armor bright. Let us listen to the voice of inspired men, the
men who have taught us with such power, and with the demonstration of the Holy
Ghost, these two days that are past. Let us humble ourselves before our God in
this Conference, and say, "as for me and my house, we will serve the
Lord." Let us set our houses in order; let us be chaste; let us be true to
our brethren and sisters; let us be upright in our dealings; let us be willing
to suffer wrong rather than do wrong; let us carry out practically in our lives
the teachings of our blessed and glorious Redeemer, making His Gospel part of
our lives, and exhibiting in our conduct and our associations with the children
of men, its precepts. That we may be able to do this, I ask in your and my own
behalf, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem:
Arise, shine, for thy light is come.
Benediction by John Henry Smith.
[6 Oct, 2 pm]
[DNW 39:489-491, 10/12/89, p 9-11]
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The choir sang:
Praise ye the Lord! my heart
shall join In work so pleasant, so divine.
Now while the flesh is my abode, And when my soul ascends to God.
Prayer by Elder Wm. M. Palmer.
The choir sang:
Ye children of our God, Ye
Saints of latter days,
Surround the table of the Lord And join to sing his praise.
The Priesthood of the Tenth Ward officiated in the administration of the Sacrament.
PRESIDING BISHOP WM. B. PRESTON
was called to address the congregation. He said that it was necessary for the people to keep very still in order for such a vast assemblage to hear the speakers. If we do not enjoy all the blessings of the Gospel it is because of our own neglect. The Gospel is a perfect law of liberty, and if we do not enjoy this liberty we are our own bondsmen; if we do not enjoy the blessings of the Government of God, it is because we fail to govern ourselves. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth; it embraces all the principles of life, and brings salvation to those who obey it. I am requested to represent the Aaronic Priesthood this afternoon. This branch is to aid as an appendage to the Melchisedec Priesthood. In it are Bishops, Priests, Teachers and Deacons, called to operate in these callings as servants of God. The Bishop as a father to those over whom he is called to preside; not an autocrat, but a father. I have sometimes thought we did not bestow thought and care enough upon our calling to perform it properly. It is our duty to attend to temporal matters; to see that the poor are provided for; to see that there is nothing wrong among the people -- this to be done through the Teachers who visit from house to house. It is also the duty of Priests to visit the house of each member, and to preach the gospel to every household. Are the Priests faithful in performing this duty? If not, there is something for them to repent of, as there is with the Bishops and others if they are neglectful. There is no more important calling than that of a Teacher in attending to matters relating to the welfare of the Saints, and administering to their comfort and support. If they have not done this they have not perfected themselves as teachers. In all their labors they are to be assisted by the Deacons as may be necessary. The beauty of the Gospel is that all have something to do. It is our duty to set a good example before all. We are responsible for our own course. If Zion is not redeemed as quickly as she ought to be, it is our own fault. If the sick are not healed, it is because of our lack of faith. We all have a duty and will be held responsible by the Lord for the way we perform it. I have been delighted with the words of light and truth we have received at this conference. The duty that rests upon us is to set ourselves in order in accordance with the plan of salvation. Then the whole house would be in order, and all obstacles would be removed from our path. Let us honor God and keep His laws, that we may receive the blessings of the faithful.
PRESIDENT GEORGE Q. CANNON,
by request of President Woodruff, read from the sixty-eighth section of the Doctrine and Covenants, as follows:
My
servant, Orson Hyde, was called by his ordination to proclaim the everlasting
gospel, by the Spirit of the living God, from people to people, and from land
to land, in the congregations of the wicked, in their synagogues, reasoning
with them, and expounding all scriptures unto them.
And behold, and lo, this is an
ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this Priesthood, whose mission
is appointed unto them to go forth;
And this is an ensample unto them,
that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost,
And whatsoever they shall speak
when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall be scripture, shall be the will of the
Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the
power of God unto salvation:
Behold this is the promise of the
Lord unto you, O ye my servants.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
spoke. The following is a synopsis of his remarks:
There is one peculiarity of the Saints that is unknown anywhere else, that is that the Elders are called upon, without previous warning, to speak to the Saints. Those who have listened to them, thus called at this Conference, know that they have spoken by the Spirit and power of the Lord. I have been with Joseph, the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and with many others, under many circumstances, and I have never felt a better influence than has been here. No man has ever been called to build up the Kingdom of God, and has been able to do it except by the Holy Ghost. That Spirit is one of the Godhead. It will deceive no man. It is the Spirit of inspiration, and will guide us into all truth. The Elders are told what they should say would be given to them in the hour they needed it. This is our condition. The Lord has said that He would choose the weak to confound the wise. This certainly has been the case in this age. The Elders are sent forth to carry to the nations the Gospel of Christ.
A greater Prophet, save Jesus
only, than Joseph Smith, God never raised up. This is because the present one
is the greatest dispensation of all. The world called him an illiterate man,
but he was raised up by God, and taught by Him as His servant. He brought forth
the Book of Mormon, translating it by the Urim and Thummim, and giving an
account of the ancient inhabitants of this continent. In that book is a record of
the building of temples and cities, of the visit of Jesus to this continent,
and many other things; That is a true history. Joseph also organized the Church
as it was organized by Jesus and His Apostles on the eastern hemisphere.
Almost the whole body of
the male members of the Church who have arrived at maturity have received some
portion of the Priesthood. There is reason for the Lord pursuing this course.
There never was a time when there were so many to whom the Gospel should be
preached in the world as at present. John the Revelator saw the restoration of
the Gospel in the last days. The angel he saw has visited the earth, and his
message has been proclaimed as far as time and circumstances have permitted.
When I came here in 1847, we found this a barren desert. Now you find fields and crops, and cities in all these valleys, and 200,000 Saints are dwelling here. They have been gathered from the various nations, in response to the Gospel proclamation. They were taught the principles of the Gospel as Jesus taught them, the Holy Ghost testified of their truth. This whole congregation will bear witness to this. If there are any here who do not belong to the Church, let them look upon the work of the Saints, and then ask themselves if we are not sincere, if we are not earnest, if we are deceivers. No man can say in his heart that we are not what we claim to be.
The God of heaven has set up His Kingdom and it will not be overthrown. In the times of Daniel, the Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar a dream -- that of the great image -- and manifested what should come to pass. His dream was interpreted by Daniel the Prophet, and the Kingdom of God which was shown in the dream is being established in these days. The Lord is going to comfort His people. He will prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. This is your work. The God of heaven raised up this nation. He inspired men in regard to the discovery of this continent, and the subsequent development of liberty upon this land. The hand of God was in the establishment of this government, and if any constitution has ever been inspired, it is the Constitution of the United States; that contains the best fundamental basis of government for all mankind. All men and women should be sustained in their religion; they should have the right to enjoy it. The Saints claim this as a right; they claim a right to believe in God and keep His laws. If any people have a truth that I have not, I want it. Any people have a right to preach their religion, and we claim the same right.
The Lord has given us the principles of truth. Sixty years ago this Church was organized, and it has grown through persecution to the present. God has set His hand to establish His Kingdom. So far He has sustained it, and He will continue to do so. We are all in His hands. If this had not been His work it would have been gone long ago.
Whatever law a people observe will bring them the reward of its observance. The ancient Prophets and Apostles obeyed the celestial law. We are endeavoring to do the same thing. In the great rebellion in heaven, one third of the hosts there were cast out. The same war that was there is being continued here, and will till Christ come. There are but few who have received the fulness of the Gospel in any age. There were only eight souls who believed the testimony of Noah. The city of Enoch had to be taken from the earth. Jesus came as the Savior of the world, but only a few followed Him, and they were persecuted and put to death. The Church was driven into the wilderness, and the Priesthood taken to heaven till it was restored through Joseph Smith in this age. Those who obey the Gospel are under the necessity of undergoing persecution, because the majority are against them. Anciently the Apostles were required to lay down their lives. Are we any better than they? We are not. If the Lord were to call us to seal our testimony with our blood, I think we would do it. I think that any sacrifice the Lord requires would be made. Today the Lord is going to establish Zion, and the Saints should stand in holy places. Let us round up our shoulders and bear the tribulations sent upon us. The Lord will have a chastened people. The Church must be sanctified for the coming of the Son of Man.
I have sympathy for those who take a stand against the kingdom of God. When Jesus was crucified, He knew what would follow upon the Jewish nation, and prayed for their forgiveness. He knew the great afflictions that would come upon the Jews until the last dispensation. All that Jesus and the Prophets said of the judgments upon them have been fulfilled in the terrible experiences they have had. Today for the first time since Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jews are returning, and Jerusalem will be rebuilt. The words of the Lord will be fulfilled. The world is being warned by the Elders, some of whom have laid down their lives. The world have reason to weep for their rejection of the Gospel, because of the judgments which are coming on the earth.
I say to the Saints, Be ye faithful the little time you are on earth. We will follow our brethren beyond the vail, and it will pay us to be true and faithful, and keep the law of God. I rejoice in seeing so many Saints here, and listening to the testimony of the Elders. If we do right all will be well. When a young man I longed to see an apostle. Now they are with us, and I can bear record that the Kingdom of God will triumph, and Christ will come and reign on earth. May we be faithful, that we may enter the glorious presence of our God. All who keep the celestial law of God shell receive their salvation in the celestial world with their wives and children, and all that has been given to them.
[Wilford Woodruff]
[DNW 39:560, 10/26/89, p 16; CD 1:381-388]
DISCOURSE
Delivered by President Wilford Woodruff,
at the General Conference, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, 1889.
_____
The
following passage from the sixty-eighth section of the Doctrine and Covenants
was read by President George Q. Cannon:
My
servant, Orson Hyde, was called by his ordination to proclaim the everlasting
gospel, by the Spirit of the living God, from people to people, and from land
to land, in the congregation of the wicked, in their synagogues, reasoning
with, and expounding all Scriptures unto them.
And behold, and lo, this is an
ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this Priesthood, whose mission
is appointed unto them to go forth;
And this is an ensample unto them,
that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost,
And whatsoever they shall speak
when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, shall be scripture, shall be the will of the
Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be
the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation:
Behold this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.
President
Woodruff then said: I have traveled over one hundred and fifty thousand miles
preaching the Gospel to large and small congregations, to saints and to
sinners; and I have never yet seen the day, on arising to my feet, that I have
known what I was going to say to the people. And this is the case with the
Elders generally in their ministrations. You who have attended the meetings of
this Conference perceived that we called upon brethren from the right and left
to speak to us; and if you have any discernment you certainly can testify that
they spoke by the Spirit and power of God.
I have
attended Conferences during my whole life, in company with the Prophet Joseph,
Oliver Cowdery, the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, with the first Twelve
Apostles, all of whom are in the spirit world, mingling with the Gods; and I
have never attended a Conference when I have felt better and been more edified
in listening to the remarks of the same number of men, than at this Conference.
The Elders have spoken by inspiration, and they have declared unto us eternal
truths. As I said last night at our Priesthood meeting so I would remark here,
no man that God ever made, beginning with Father Adam down through the history
of the world, that has ever been called to build up the Kingdom of God, and
preach the Gospel, has been able to perform that work only by the Power of the
Holy Ghost; neither can any man do it today. We are all dependent upon the Holy
Ghost. And what is the Holy Ghost? The testimony of the Father and the Son. It
is one of the God-head-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
Will the Holy Ghost deceive any man? It will not. When a man speaks as he is
moved upon by the Holy Ghost, it is the spirit of inspiration; it is the word
of God; it is the will of God. It cannot lie; it cannot deceive. It leads into
all truth and reveals to man the will of his Maker.
Jesus
instructed His disciples to take no thought what they should eat, or what they
should drink. They were traveling without purse or scrip, as many of us have
done in our time. The Lord knew they would have need of something to eat; and
He knew that somebody would be raised up to supply their wants. He also
instructed them to take no thought what they should say when having to appear
before magistrates and rulers; for the same should be given them the hour it
was needed.
This is
the condition of the Latter-day Saints. The Apostle has said, "He hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; *
* * and things which are not, to bring to nought things which are." This
has been the case in the dealings of God with man of all ages; and it certainly
is the case in this our day.
When I
look upon the ten thousand faces of Latter-day Saints before me the present
time; and when I contemplate what God hath wrought in establishing this people
in the midst of these mountain valleys; and when I bring myself face to face
with the wonderful age we live in, and sense the mighty responsibilities that
rest upon us, as watchmen upon the walls of Zion, and as watchmen to this
generation-when I contemplate these things, if any man under heaven feels his
weakness, it is Wilford Woodruff. And in saying this of myself, I know I am
expressing the feelings of my brethren associated with me in reference to
themselves, as Counselors, as well as the sentiments of the Twelve respecting
themselves, and those of every Elder of Israel who appreciates his calling in
Christ Jesus.
We have
been called from the plow, the plane and the anvil, and the various avocations
of life; and without preparation the Elders of this Church are sent forth, by
command of Almighty God, to preach to and warn the nations of the earth. Joseph
Smith has been referred to by some of the speakers, and their testimony of him
is true. A greater prophet than he, excepting Jesus Christ, I do not believe
ever lived. In saying this I give it as my own personal views. I don't believe
God ever raised up a greater prophet, save Jesus himself. The dispensation he
was called to usher in is the greatest ever given to man; and it required just
as much a man to stand at the head of it-a man who was true to God and his
brethren; who was a seer and revelator, and whose faith in God was such that he
never wavered or doubted, but persevered himself and encouraged others to move
forward in the great work before them. The world called him illiterate and
ignorant. However they might regard him, our testimony of him is that he was taught
of God Himself and of the angels who visited him; and that he fulfilled certain
revelations and predictions referring to this age, as contained in the Bible
and other records of Divine truth. And, as has been stated during this
Conference, he brought forth the Book of Mormon-the stick of Joseph in the
hands of Ephraim-in fulfillment of the testimony of Isaiah, translating that
record through the Urim and Thummim, thereby revealing to us the history of the
early inhabitants of this Continent. That book informs us that two distinct
nations inhabited this land, the founders of both of which were brought here by
the power of God from the eastern continent, the first, known afterwards as the
Jaredites, tracing their origin to the tower of Babel. They flourished and
became a mighty people; but they turned from the right way of the Lord, and
when they had ripened in iniquity they, like other nations of the earth, were
finally destroyed by the judgments of God. The other nation was known as
Nephites and Lamanites, being named after the sons of Lehi, the head of the
family who, by command of God, left their native land, Jerusalem, some four
hundred years before Christ, and traveled by land, and in ships of their own
construction, crossed the great waters, and came to this land. They dwelt here
for hundreds of years, and also became a great and mighty people, an outline of
whose history is recorded in that book. The interesting mission of the Savior
to the people of this continent is also recorded here; the establishing of the
Church among the believing Nephites, and their labors in the work of
perfection. And I may say the remains of some of the cities built by these
peoples have been discovered and written about by such men as Stephens and
Catherwood and others; and doubtless much remains yet to come to light in
corroboration of the testimony of this divine record.
The
Prophet Joseph not only performed this work, but organized the Church with
prophets and apostles, elders, priests, teachers and deacons, as it was organized
in the days of Jesus and His Apostles. And there is a feature connected with
the Church as it exists today that is peculiar from all other dispensations
that we have any account of; that is, nearly the whole body of its male members
have received some portion of the Priesthood, until we have today in these
mountains some twenty thousand men bearing either the Priesthood after the
order of Aaron or Melchizedek. There is a reason for this. There never has been
a time in all the dispensations of God to man, when there has been so much need
for the labors of the servants of God as in this our day; and the Lord,
therefore, has called a great number of men to bear the Priesthood, and
directed them to go unto all nations, tongues and peoples, as He showed John
the Revelator He would do in the last days, as recorded in the 14th chapter of
the book of Revelations. And in fulfillment thereof we have not only gone forth
to the nations proclaiming this Gospel revealed to man by the angel of God, but
in further obedience to the divine command, have come out from Babylon, until
we number some two hundred thousand gathered here. And by what power have we
come here? And why did you leave the States of this nation, England, Scotland,
Ireland, Wales, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Germany and other nations?
You heard the Elders. They told you they had been sent by God and that they had
the fulness of the Gospel to offer to man, and they explained to you the
principles thereof. They told you there was but one Gospel, and that God had
never revealed but the one, the Gospel that Paul referred to when he said,
"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than
that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." You believed
and obeyed, and gathered with the Saints. And what was it these Elders taught
you? It was that you must have faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God; that you
must repent of your sins and be baptized by immersion for remission of the
same, and then have hands laid upon your head for the reception of the Holy
Ghost. And this Comforter, this Holy Spirit, you received, and it bore witness
unto you that you had indeed been initiated into the Church of Christ. And if I
were to call upon this congregation of Latter-day Saints today, and ask every
man and woman who thus heard and obeyed, and who did receive this testimony for
themselves, to rise to their feet, how many do you think would remain seated?
Not many, if any. The fact that you are thus gathered here, and that you have
these many years remained faithful to the cause you espoused, is evidence that
you did receive and are still in possession of this testimony. And I would say,
if there are present today any strangers who are not acquainted with the
principles of our religion, let them gaze upon this congregation of over ten
thousand faces; let them travel through the settlements of the Saints north and
south, and contemplate the work that has been accomplished in redeeming the
earth and making it habitable, and then let them ask themselves the question,
are not these people in earnest? Are they not sincere? Are they deceivers,
these missionary Elders who have been the means of inducing the people of all
lands to thus settle and make homes in these valleys? Do you believe in their
works and their mission? You say no. But let me tell you, there is not an
honest man upon the face of the earth acquainted with the history of the
Latter-day Saints that can say this at heart. And I testify to you, as I would
to the whole world had I the power to do so, that God has set His hand to
fulfil the word of the Lord as given in the Bible, the book of all books the
Christian world profess to believe in; the revelations of St. John, the
predictions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Joel, Micah, and others contained
within its sacred lids, who spoke of the great work of the last days; and I
testify that the day has come which Daniel saw, the day referred to by him in
his interpretation of Nebuchudnezzar's dream, when the God of heaven should set
up a kingdom which should never be destroyed.
This
Kingdom was represented to him as a little stone cut out of the mountain
without hands, which stone smote the image, representing the different nations
that then existed and should exist, on the feet, breaking it to pieces; and it
became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Was Daniel a prophet? He
was, and was highly favored of God because of his mighty faith. Isaiah saw our
day and time and was glad.
"Sing,
O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains:
for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his
afflicted." What is the matter? The Lord is going to comfort Zion; He is
going to have mercy upon her afflicted ones. But Zion said, "The Lord hath
forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her
sucking child?" saith the Lord. "Yea, she may forget, but I will not
forget thee. Behold, I have graved thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls
are continually before me." This refers to the building up of Zion in the
last days; the gathering together of the people, preparatory to the coming of
the Son of Man.
As far as
constitutional liberty is concerned, I will say, the God of heaven has raised
up our nation, as foretold by His Prophets generations ago. He inspired
Columbus, and moved upon him to cross the ocean in search of this continent.
The world is acquainted with the history of his course; his pleadings with the
courts of Europe, and his final triumph in finding sympathy in the King and
Queen of Spain, who furnished the necessary means to make the exploration. It
is also well known how our forefathers found a home and an asylum in this land
from the hand of persecution, and how they planted here the tree of liberty and
jealously guarded it from the attempt of the mother country to uproot and
destroy it. The hand of God was in all this; and it is through the intervention
of His providences that we enjoy today the freest and most independent
government the world ever saw. And what was the object of this? It was to
prepare the way for the building up of the Kingdom of God in this the last
dispensation of the fullness of times; and as long as the principles of
constitutional liberty shall be maintained upon this land, blessings will
attend the nation. But woe unto those who fight against Zion, said the Lord. I
have heard the Prophet Joseph Smith remark, that if he were Emperor of the
world, and had the power to control the whole human family, he would sustain
every man, woman and child in the enjoyment of their civil and religious
rights, let their religion be what it may. In saying this he expressed my
sentiments, and the feelings of this entire community. For God has given to
every man individual agency, and He will hold him accountable for the use of
this agency. And while we in our hearts and feelings accord to the whole world
this blessing, we claim the same for ourselves. To obtain this and to secure it
to our children, we have struggled; and we look forward with joyful
anticipation when it shall be beyond the power of man to drive it any more from
the earth. Our feelings with regard to religious liberty have been manifested
towards the religious denominations that have come among us. Not a single one
of them can accuse us of doing anything to hinder them in their labors by way
of establishing themselves among us; on the other hand, we have opened our
doors to them; they have occupied our public stands until they have had meeting
houses of their own. We have never had a fear that our people or our children
would be captivated by their doctrine or converted to their religion; if they
have a single truth which we have not, we want it, for it is truth we are
after. This Church has been organized now nearly sixty years. It certainly has
been like the little stone cut out of the mountain without hands. It has
withstood all the opposition that has been aimed against it; and it will remain
firm and immovable, fulfilling the destiny marked out for it, until the winding
up scene. Zion will arise, clothed with the glory of God, no matter what we may
have to pass through. We are in the hands of God, and so are all men and
nations; and if this is the work of God-and we say it is-He will bear it off
triumphant.
Brother
George Q. Cannon in his discourse this morning referred to the different laws
which govern man, and the different glories that attend their observance. And I
would say, show me a nation or people and I will tell you their future
condition by the laws which govern them. All the creations of God are governed
by law; and all blessings are predicated upon the observance of law. Opposition
to the laws of God commenced in the councils of heaven at the time one-third of
the heavenly hosts were cast out; and they are here upon the earth still opposing
the work of God. They are without tabernacles; they never had bodies, and that
is the curse visited upon them. Those who did not rebel were permitted to take
tabernacles. The war that commenced at that time is still being waged, and the
struggle will continue until Christ shall come to assume the reigns of
government. There have been very few people in any age of the world ready to
receive the Gospel when presented to them. In the days of Noah only eight souls
believed on him, although he and his sons preached to the ante-deluvian world a
hundred and twenty years. In consequence of their having become ripened in
iniquity, the Lord determined to destroy them from the face of the earth. Enoch
appeared in his day as the representative of God, and succeeded in raising up a
Church who so far perfected themselves in the ways of the Lord as to be worthy
of translation. They, we are told, will return to the earth with Christ and the
Church of the First Born, when His Saints upon the earth shall be prepared to
meet Him. In the days of Jesus and the Apostles, comparatively few believed on
them, and the opposition was so strong against them that they were all,
excepting one, put to death. That was a day of sacrifice; the time had not then
arrived for the Lord to establish His Kingdom. The consequence was that the
Church fled to the wilderness, and the Priesthood was taken home to the
Paradise of God, where it remained until the restoration through the Prophet
Joseph Smith.
We have
at present about two hundred thousand people in these mountains who have
received the Gospel, out of the millions that now inhabit the earth, and it
seems, in consequence of the unpopularity of the Gospel, that we are under the
necessity of passing through more or less persecution. We have these things to
meet, as other men have met them. In ancient times the Apostles were ready to
lay down their lives for the truth's sake. They knew that Jesus Christ was the
Son of God, and that they had been called to and endowed with the Priesthood of
heaven. Are we any better than they? Are the Apostles of this day any better
than those of former days? If God were to require it at our hands that our
testimony be sealed by our blood, I believe there is not a single member of the
Council of the Twelve but what would be ready to make the sacrifice. Why?
Because we, like the former day Apostles, know for ourselves that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of the living God, and that we are His servants. Whatever
sacrifices the Lord may require at the hands of this people, will be met by the
people. But ours is not a day of sacrifice. Our special calling is to build up
Zion, and prepare the people to stand in holy places while the judgments of the
Lord are being poured out upon the wicked. And whatever may be before us we must
meet in the fear of our God, believing that He will deliver us in His own due
time. The Lord, for our encouragement, has told us that Zion shall not be moved
out of her place. But if we do not do our part, as the brethren have said who
have preached to us this Conference, we shall be chastised. This is my
testimony to the Latter-day Saints.
In
reflecting upon these things I have a great deal of sympathy for those who
array themselves against us, as I have for the Jews who opposed the Savior and
His Apostles. When upon the cross suffering the agonies of a cruel death,
Christ exclaimed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they
do." Why did the Savior feel thus towards those who opposed him? Because
He had clearly before his mind the results of their acts; that they were only
heaping coals of fire upon their own heads; that all He had predicted
concerning them would sooner or later overtake them; which certainly has been
the case.
The Lord
is again calling upon the human family to repent of their sins. And while in
the pursuit of their calling some of our brethren have been called upon to lay
down their lives for the work of God. What will be the result of the rejection
of the Gospel by this generation? The answer has been written by St. John, by
Isaiah and has been reiterated by the revelations of God through the Prophet
Joseph. Woe unto them, says the Lord, that fight against Zion; woe unto all
nations that continue in their iniquities; they have reason to weep for
themselves and their posterity.
To the
Latter-day Saints I would say, be ye faithful in keeping the commandments of
God the little time we have to remain here. We are as much upon a mission to
this generation, as the Prophets which have preceded us were to the generations
in which they lived. We have our day; they had theirs. As they have gone to
render an account of their stewardship, so we shall follow, and will be held to
answer for the deeds done in the body, and the manner in which we shall have
used the talents entrusted to us. Brethren and sisters, be true and faithful,
and keep inviolate the covenants you have entered into, that we may be worthy
of eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God to man.
I rejoice
in meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints in Conference; and I have
rejoiced in listening to the testimonies of the Elders. I have often said in my
boyhood, I wished I could see an Apostle or some one that was able to teach me
the same Gospel I had read of in the New Testament. But I could never find no
man that could teach those doctrines; it was said they have been done away.
They were done away, it is true, but through the unbelief of the children of
men. But they are with us. The Kingdom of God is here, and the Lord will
sustain it. And I can bear record as my brethren have, that this kingdom will
stand; and that the Zion of God will remain upon the earth until Jesus shall
come to receive us unto himself. And my prayer is that you and I, and all this
people, may be true and faithful, working with an eye single to the glory of
God, for the building up of Zion, and the establishing of His kingdom upon the
earth; and when we go to the other side of the veil, we can there assemble with
all those who have kept the celestial law, and honored the Holy Priesthood, from
Father Adam down to our day, and with them receive our inheritance, and have
part in the morning of the first resurrection, with our wives and children,
fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, each in the family organization in
the Celestial World. Amen.
PRESIDENT JESSE N. SMITH,
of Snowflake Stake, said: the principal part of my labors has been upon the frontiers, where the instructions needed by the people are essentially of a parental character. I have a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, and desire to be faithful. I rejoice to see the prosperity of the Saints, and that they are becoming numerous, notwithstanding the opposition they are confronted by. The faith of this people has vitality, and God protects and blesses them. I am anxious to perform every duty in the fear of God, trusting in Him for the results. Our aged brethren are becoming enfeebled with many years of service. Those who follow them should arise in the strength of the Lord. I exhort all who have received the Priesthood to be diligent. I see in the future this great kingdom established and perfected, and securing to all men their rights, and protection to all. The Lord will never forsake this people. There never will be a lack of a man of God to stand at the head of this great work. I have been a witness of many deliverances wrought out by an unseen hand for this people. It is true that the first Elder of the Church, with many others, was called to lay down his life, and many have had to endure hardships, but this need not be a cause of regret. If there were not trials no man could be tested. The promise of eternal life is to those who endure unto the end. It has been said of Jesus that He was a man of sorrows. His life and habits showed Him to be a most earnest Being, not dwelling upon the lighter things that engage the attention of smaller minds. It is good for us to emulate the virtues of those who have overcome. We may expect to be subject to annoyance and perplexity until the Lord shall come. I have seen many of the efforts made to destroy the Priesthood, and have been able to judge the motives behind these attempts. Those motives have been unworthy. Many subterfuges have been used as covers for these endeavors. These efforts have been made in the name of morality, but the pretense has been hypocritical. This is made clear by the practices of those who conducted such assaults against the Priesthood. I rejoice that men and women make it an object of their lives to walk in purity. There may be exceptions, but I do not believe they are so numerous as to cause alarm. I am willing to consecrate myself for the benefit and progress of this great cause we are engaged in. May the Lord add His blessing.
ELDER JOHN T. CAINE
said he deemed it a great privilege to stand before the Saints in a conference, and express his joy that the people were becoming more united, and the work of God was still progressing in spite of the efforts made against it. I rejoice to hear the testimonies that have been borne, and to witness the sincerity and earnestness of the people. This is a glorious day. We have passed through many trials, but the people are still anxious to see and hear and associate with the servants of God. We have raised our hands in covenant toward God to sustain them, and it is our duty to keep that agreement. It is now over 42 years since I joined this Church, and I have never regretted it. I rejoice in laboring with you in the cause of right. May we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord.
The choir sang the anthem:
Lord, what is man?
Benediction was pronounced by President Wilford Woodruff, and the Conference adjourned till April, 1890, the precise day to be hereafter announced.
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[6 Oct, 2 pm (o)]
[DNW 39:491, 10/12/89, p 11]
OVERFLOW
MEETING
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In the Assembly Hall an overflow meeting was held on Sunday afternoon, Apostle H. J. Grant presiding. On the stand were: Of the Quorum of Apostles, H. J. Grant, John Henry Smith and A. H. Lund; also Counselor John W. Young; of the presidency of the Seventies, John Morgan.
The choir sang:
Great is the Lord, 'tis good
to raise
Our hearts and voices in his praise.
Prayer was offered by Elder Wm. Paxman.
The choir sang:
Arise, my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears.
The Priesthood of the Eleventh Ward officiated in the administration of the Sacrament.
ELDER JOHN MORGAN
addressed the assemblage. A passage of Scripture has presented itself to my mind several times today while looking upon the great numbers of the Saints: "Give us room that we may dwell." When we consider that the settlements of the Saints extend from Canada on the north to Mexico on the south, we can better understand the meaning of these words. It is a source of joy for the Saints to know that their numbers are so rapidly increasing and that such an overflow meeting as this is necessary.
That the Latter-day Saints are more firmly grounded in the principles of the Gospel than they ever were before, and that their numbers are steadily swelling, is apparent, and is a cause of rejoicing to the Saints. The honest are gathering to these valleys from all parts of the earth. Here they find that which will make them better, and redeem mankind and the earth from the condition both have lain in for so many centuries. Though the world may not believe this, and though they may deride the Latter-day Saints, not one word of the Lord will fall unfulfilled, and all that He has promised will be accomplished. The opposition we have in the past encountered has caused this work to be filled with life and activity, and a great incentive which the Saints have had to faithfulness. When we see the wealth of the world pouring in upon us we might well fear the result, but for the legislation which has been passed against us; and it will yet become apparent that this legislation had been a blessing to us. The men who have suffered under it, and who have endured imprisonment, are more faithful and humble than ever before. The Kingdom of God is moving steadily forward and is accomplishing the work assigned it.
As individuals we have need to walk cautiously, for we are today passing through an ordeal that we will in the future look back upon as a fiery one. We have need to guard our footsteps lest we take a false step. There is no reason to turn from the Gospel; but on the contrary there is every rightful incentive for us to continue to practice every principle God has revealed. These principles are worth caring for, and we cannot afford to trample them down nor turn aside from them, nor treat them slightingly.
Let us carry the spirit of this conference home with us; let us carry it into the valleys of these mountains where we dwell. so shall God be with us and His blessings abide upon us.
COUNSELOR JOHN W. YOUNG
addressed the Saints. The Latter-day Saints who have attended this conference are witnesses that the Spirit of God has been poured out upon the people abundantly. Personally I have never enjoyed a conference better, and I feel that we have great occasion to rejoice.
We are engaged in a great work, that of the gospel, which has been restored in our day, with the promise that it should nevermore be taken from the earth. We live when Apostles and Prophets speak unto us under the inspiration of the Almighty. We have privileges which are great, far greater than we appreciate. The time allotted to us on the earth is short. In it we ought to lay a foundation for an eternal salvation. We have no time to lose. Let us go forth from this conference determined to right the wrongs we have committed. Let us be more united in temporal things than we have been heretofore, and be in temporal as we are in spiritual affairs. There is comparatively little discussion or division among the people concerning spiritual matters; but what about their temporal affairs? Are they united in them? To a certain extent, yes. The people have gone forth and built new settlements and have shown much union in such labors as the bringing out of water upon their lands. But there are higher laws of temporal union which we have not carried out, and we will be held accountable for the course we have taken in regard to these things. Let us be more united temporally. If we will be, we shall have more power spiritually.
APOSTLE A. H. LUND
addressed the Saints. In arising before you, my brethren and sisters, I can say it has been a time of refreshing for me in attending this conference. Jesus told the woman at the well that He would give her of the water of life, and after drinking of it she would not thirst again. We can all testify that after having drank of the gospel we have not thirsted. Our doubts have been removed, and we have retained a consciousness, a testimony that we have received the truth. How thankful we ought to feel that we have become members of the Church of Christ.
How true were the words spoken by the Lord to the Prophet Joseph, that a great and marvelous work was about to be begun. When I read the Book of Mormon, and asked the question, is it possible that this can be an imposture, the answer is no. This book was published before the Church was organized. In it is the declaration that when the spiritual gifts cease, faith has ceased. This is a statement that could be brought against this work if it were not true. How could Joseph have dared to put such words in a book written by him, had he not been inspired? The book was written hundreds of years before his time, and he only translated it. I believe that the spiritual gifts are as common among us as they were in the early rise of the Church, only there are more of us, and we do not notice them as much as formerly. My labors of late have been in the Manti Temple, and there I have seen many cases of healing.
The speaker related a number of instances of healing which had occurred under his own observation, during the period of his labors in the Manti Temple, which were striking testimonies of the truth of the Gospel. The sick had been made whole and the blind restored to sight.
How thankful Luther and the reformers would have been if they could have witnessed such evidences of the truth of their teachings as we do.
The choir sang:
Mortals awake! with angels join And chant the solemn lay.
ELDER JUNIS F. WELLS.
I have greatly enjoyed the spirit of this conference and the instructions we have received. It was truly said that no people are so well served by those whom they sustain in positions of honor and trust as are the Latter-day Saints. The service rendered to us by the servants of the Lord is very great. Without a paid ministry, this people are looked after in all the affairs of life, and they always know where to go for advice. The Scriptures say that he who desireth the office of a Bishop, desireth a good thing. A Bishop's thoughts are ever upon his little flock. The poor appeal to him for succor and the sick apply to him for relief. All this labor, and much more, is performed by the Bishops among this people in their organized wards, from Idaho to Mexico.
The union existing among this people is their strength, and is what causes them to be feared. Drinking of the water of life, as described by Brother Lund, is what has made this people one, and no people can be united as this people are except by the power of the Holy Ghost.
APOSTLE J. H. SMITH.
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Words of truth have been delivered to us at this conference. It seems to me that no people on earth have instruction given to them by their religious teachers upon every subject as do the Latter-day Saints. Our leaders teach us the gospel, instruct us in our daily duties, warn us against temptation, and admonish us to do right.
From the day the labors of Joseph Smith the Seer commenced, the seal of the Holy Spirit was upon his ministry. It was upon the ministry of the man who led us to the mountains, who was a great one, raised up for that work; and it has been upon the ministry of the Priesthood of this Church in all parts of the earth.
The voice of inspiration knows no timidity. It is not confined alone to the leaders of this people, but it circulates through the whole body. Those who obey the laws of god enjoy it. The sick are healed, the blind see, unknown tongues are spoken, devils are cast out; and the gifts and graces which pertained to the Gospel in the days of Jesus and the ancient Apostles exist among this people today. This is my testimony.
The testimonies borne during this conference are true, and the Saints know it. We dare not deny it. I plead with you, my brethren and sisters, to be true, honest, virtuous and faithful, and we shall obtain the blessings promised.
ELDER A. W. IVINS.
In the days of the Savior came one crying in the wilderness, Repent. So in our day. A message of repentance from heaven is published, and the servants of the Lord are proclaiming that Israel will be gathered. This congregation is a living witness of the fulfilment of some of the purposes of God; we came here from many different nations, and are living witnesses that the Gospel has been restored. We have been called out of Babylon, that we may be saved from the fate which awaits her. Babylon will fall, and if we partake of her sins we shall receive of her judgments.
APOSTLE H. J. GRANT.
I have been truly edified by the outpourings of the Spirit we have had at this conference. I rejoice that there is abundance of labor for each Latter-day Saint, and that the gift of eternal life is within the reach of all. I rejoice in this work, and I know that it is true. When the people of God were driven to the mountains, there was but one city of them; now they extend from Canada to Mexico.
It depends upon the individual himself, in this work, whether he shall be saved or not. Our carelessness may retard for a time the work of God, but ultimately it will fill the whole earth.
The choir sang the anthem:
Daughters of Zion.
Benediction by Apostle J. H. Smith.
JOHN
NICHOLSON,
Clerk of Conference.
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