October 1870
FORTIETH SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
The Fortieth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened on this the sixth day of October, at 10 o'clock a.m., in the New Tabernacle.
On the stand were:
Of the First Presidency:
Brigham Young, Geo. A. Smith and Daniel H. Wells.
Of the Twelve Apostles:
Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Geo. Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington.
Patriarch:
John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies:
Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott.
Of the Presidency of the High Priests' Quorum:
Elias Smith.
Of the Presidency of this Stake of Zion:
George B. Wallace and John T. Caine.
Of the Presidency of the Bishopric:
Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse C. Little.
There were also Bishops, Elders and leading men from every settlement in the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President Brigham Young.
The choir sang: "Lord, we come before Thee now."
Prayer by Elder Albert Carrington.
The choir sang: "Great God, indulge my humble claim."
The Fortieth Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened on this the sixth day of October, at 10 o'clock a.m., in the New Tabernacle.
On the stand were:
Of the First Presidency:
Brigham Young, Geo. A. Smith and Daniel H. Wells.
Of the Twelve Apostles:
Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Geo. Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington.
Patriarch:
John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies:
Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott.
Of the Presidency of the High Priests' Quorum:
Elias Smith.
Of the Presidency of this Stake of Zion:
George B. Wallace and John T. Caine.
Of the Presidency of the Bishopric:
Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse C. Little.
There were also Bishops, Elders and leading men from every settlement in the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President Brigham Young.
The choir sang: "Lord, we come before Thee now."
Prayer by Elder Albert Carrington.
The choir sang: "Great God, indulge my humble claim."
President Brigham Young
addressed the Conference. His instructions were practical and pointed, showing that to truly worship God is to perform well our duties in every position we may be placed in. He exhorted the people to pay diligent attention to the instructions that would be given during Conference, and practically carry them out. His remarks were reported in full and will shortly be published.
addressed the Conference. His instructions were practical and pointed, showing that to truly worship God is to perform well our duties in every position we may be placed in. He exhorted the people to pay diligent attention to the instructions that would be given during Conference, and practically carry them out. His remarks were reported in full and will shortly be published.
Meeting in Conference
Remarks by President Brigham Young, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Oct. 6, 1870.
Reported by David W. Evans.
As we have met in the capacity of a General Conference, we shall expect to hear instructions from the Elders pertaining to the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth. This is our calling, this is the labor devolving upon us, and it should occupy our attention day by day from morning until evening and from week to week; in fact, we have no other calling or business, and if we are humble and faithful, God will strengthen us and increase our ability and give us power sufficient to accomplish the tasks devolving upon us in the performance of His work.
The oracles of truth are delivered; men have been called and ordained; the gifts and graces of the Gospel are restored; the kingdom is organized; it is committed to the servants of the Lord, and if we are faithful, we shall bear it off; we will establish it and make it firm in the earth, no more to be interrupted or removed, and the teachings that we shall hear will be pertaining to our spiritual and temporal labors in this kingdom. With God, and also with those who understand the principles of life and salvation, the Priesthood, the oracles of truth and the gifts and callings of God to the children of men, there is no difference in spiritual and temporal labors—all are one. If I am in the line of my duty, I am doing the will of God, whether I am preaching, praying, laboring with my hands for an honorable support; whether I am in the field, mechanic's shop, or following mercantile business, or wherever duty calls, I am serving God as much in one place as another; and so it is with all, each in his place, turn and time. Consequently our teachings during Conference will be to instruct the people how to live and order their lives before the Lord and each other; how to accomplish the work devolving upon them in building up Zion on the earth. To accomplish this will require steady faith and firm determination, and we come together in this capacity that our faith and determination may be increased and strengthened. When we have spent three, four or five days together in giving instruction, we shall only just have commenced to instruct the people; and when we have spent a lifetime in learning and dispensing what we do learn to our fellow beings, we have only commenced in the career of intelligence. Our faith and prayers, the ordinances that we attend to, our assembling ourselves together, our dispersing after attending to the business of life, in our schools, all our educational pursuits are in the service of God, for all these labors are to establish truth on the earth, and that we may increase in knowledge, wisdom, understanding in the power of faith and in the wisdom of God, that we may become fit subjects to dwell in a higher state of existence and intelligence than we now enjoy. We can attain to this only by adding faith to faith, knowledge to knowledge, temperance to temperance, patience to patience, and godliness to godliness, and so increasing in the principles of happiness and salvation.
We shall call upon the Elders to speak to the congregation as they assemble here from day to day, and I hope and trust that the brethren and sisters will treasure up in their hearts the instructions that they receive, and that they will carry them out in their lives. This Sunday religion that a great many of our Christian brethren believe in and practice, when their everyday life is spent in selfishness and for self-aggrandizement, will not do for the Latter-day Saints; with us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday must be spent to the glory of God, as much as Sunday, or we shall come short of the object of our pursuit. Consequently, we must pay attention to the things that we hear, and to the principles of the religion that we have embraced in our faith, and seek diligently to break up the prejudices and prepossessed notions and feelings that have woven themselves around us through the traditions of the fathers, and endeavor to know and understand as God knows, that we may do His will. Our traditions are so firmly fixed in our feelings that it is almost impossible to rise above, override, or get rid of them; they cling to us like the affections of tender friends. But we must learn to know the will of God and do it, and let our traditions go, then we shall be blessed.
There are many things that we should understand with regard to ourselves and our children; and when the mind opens upon the vision of life by the spirit of revelation, there is not a person but what can see the eternity of teaching yet to be imparted to the Saints.
I trust that we shall be edified and rejoice together, and shall return from this place strengthened and confirmed in our faith and hopes, feeling that steadiness of nerve, by the spirit of revelation, that we shall not be wafted to and fro, imagining a thousand things incorrect, and pass by those doctrines and truths that are calculated to exalt the human family.
Remarks by President Brigham Young, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Oct. 6, 1870.
Reported by David W. Evans.
As we have met in the capacity of a General Conference, we shall expect to hear instructions from the Elders pertaining to the building up of the kingdom of God on the earth. This is our calling, this is the labor devolving upon us, and it should occupy our attention day by day from morning until evening and from week to week; in fact, we have no other calling or business, and if we are humble and faithful, God will strengthen us and increase our ability and give us power sufficient to accomplish the tasks devolving upon us in the performance of His work.
The oracles of truth are delivered; men have been called and ordained; the gifts and graces of the Gospel are restored; the kingdom is organized; it is committed to the servants of the Lord, and if we are faithful, we shall bear it off; we will establish it and make it firm in the earth, no more to be interrupted or removed, and the teachings that we shall hear will be pertaining to our spiritual and temporal labors in this kingdom. With God, and also with those who understand the principles of life and salvation, the Priesthood, the oracles of truth and the gifts and callings of God to the children of men, there is no difference in spiritual and temporal labors—all are one. If I am in the line of my duty, I am doing the will of God, whether I am preaching, praying, laboring with my hands for an honorable support; whether I am in the field, mechanic's shop, or following mercantile business, or wherever duty calls, I am serving God as much in one place as another; and so it is with all, each in his place, turn and time. Consequently our teachings during Conference will be to instruct the people how to live and order their lives before the Lord and each other; how to accomplish the work devolving upon them in building up Zion on the earth. To accomplish this will require steady faith and firm determination, and we come together in this capacity that our faith and determination may be increased and strengthened. When we have spent three, four or five days together in giving instruction, we shall only just have commenced to instruct the people; and when we have spent a lifetime in learning and dispensing what we do learn to our fellow beings, we have only commenced in the career of intelligence. Our faith and prayers, the ordinances that we attend to, our assembling ourselves together, our dispersing after attending to the business of life, in our schools, all our educational pursuits are in the service of God, for all these labors are to establish truth on the earth, and that we may increase in knowledge, wisdom, understanding in the power of faith and in the wisdom of God, that we may become fit subjects to dwell in a higher state of existence and intelligence than we now enjoy. We can attain to this only by adding faith to faith, knowledge to knowledge, temperance to temperance, patience to patience, and godliness to godliness, and so increasing in the principles of happiness and salvation.
We shall call upon the Elders to speak to the congregation as they assemble here from day to day, and I hope and trust that the brethren and sisters will treasure up in their hearts the instructions that they receive, and that they will carry them out in their lives. This Sunday religion that a great many of our Christian brethren believe in and practice, when their everyday life is spent in selfishness and for self-aggrandizement, will not do for the Latter-day Saints; with us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday must be spent to the glory of God, as much as Sunday, or we shall come short of the object of our pursuit. Consequently, we must pay attention to the things that we hear, and to the principles of the religion that we have embraced in our faith, and seek diligently to break up the prejudices and prepossessed notions and feelings that have woven themselves around us through the traditions of the fathers, and endeavor to know and understand as God knows, that we may do His will. Our traditions are so firmly fixed in our feelings that it is almost impossible to rise above, override, or get rid of them; they cling to us like the affections of tender friends. But we must learn to know the will of God and do it, and let our traditions go, then we shall be blessed.
There are many things that we should understand with regard to ourselves and our children; and when the mind opens upon the vision of life by the spirit of revelation, there is not a person but what can see the eternity of teaching yet to be imparted to the Saints.
I trust that we shall be edified and rejoice together, and shall return from this place strengthened and confirmed in our faith and hopes, feeling that steadiness of nerve, by the spirit of revelation, that we shall not be wafted to and fro, imagining a thousand things incorrect, and pass by those doctrines and truths that are calculated to exalt the human family.
Elder Orson Hyde.
The Lord is perfectly capable of taking care of His people. I know that the work we are engaged in is true, and the opposition of the world can never extinguish this testimony from the hearts of the faithful Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that he faithfully laid the foundation of this great work. I also know that President Brigham Young is his true and legal successor, and that under his direction the Saints have prospered and flourished. There may be some who murmur because he does not give revelations with "thus saith the Lord," but he who cannot see the voice of God in the dictations of the Holy Spirit to his servant, Brigham, must be blind indeed. In relation to the late discussion on the system of plural marriage, I do not know that the perusal of the arguments used made any difference to my feelings or views for, although the scriptures are replete with evidences to sustain the position of the Saints in that matter, yet we have a more sure word of prophecy unto which we would do well to take heed. Elder Hyde continued to speak for some time on the designs of the Almighty and showed that the great plan of salvation for the human family is not only applicable to those who live on the earth during a dispensation of the gospel to man, but the plan of redemption can be offered to and received by those who have died without a knowledge of its principles, and that the labors of the servants of God do not cease here but become even more extended behind the vail. He wound up by bearing a powerful testimony to the final triumph of the Saints and the discomfiture of their enemies.
The Lord is perfectly capable of taking care of His people. I know that the work we are engaged in is true, and the opposition of the world can never extinguish this testimony from the hearts of the faithful Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that he faithfully laid the foundation of this great work. I also know that President Brigham Young is his true and legal successor, and that under his direction the Saints have prospered and flourished. There may be some who murmur because he does not give revelations with "thus saith the Lord," but he who cannot see the voice of God in the dictations of the Holy Spirit to his servant, Brigham, must be blind indeed. In relation to the late discussion on the system of plural marriage, I do not know that the perusal of the arguments used made any difference to my feelings or views for, although the scriptures are replete with evidences to sustain the position of the Saints in that matter, yet we have a more sure word of prophecy unto which we would do well to take heed. Elder Hyde continued to speak for some time on the designs of the Almighty and showed that the great plan of salvation for the human family is not only applicable to those who live on the earth during a dispensation of the gospel to man, but the plan of redemption can be offered to and received by those who have died without a knowledge of its principles, and that the labors of the servants of God do not cease here but become even more extended behind the vail. He wound up by bearing a powerful testimony to the final triumph of the Saints and the discomfiture of their enemies.
President George A. Smith.
We should be prepared to receive instructions that the spirit of our Heavenly Father may be with us. The path of Zion has been one of great difficulties, but there is a saying, "the fiercer the battle, the greater the victory." Some people try to make themselves acceptable both to the righteous and the wicked. The fate of such is darkness inevitably, as the records of the past show. I have lately devoted some little time to examining the fate of those who once belonged to the Church but who have left. The cause of their fall, in the first place, generally resulted from their infringing on the principles of righteousness. It is good to preach repentance at our Conferences, to tell the people to put away their follies. I am not simply a believer in this work, I have a knowledge of it. The Prophet Joseph was slain by the wicked after he had laid the foundation of the Church. The Lord, however, caused his inspiration to rest upon his servant Brigham. I consider it a great miracle that the Lord raised up a man who has miraculously led the Saints through difficulties, and over superhuman obstacles, to a place where they can enjoy peace, happiness and liberty. I warn my brethren to be faithful that they may gain the reward of the righteous, which may God grant: Amen.
The Parowan choir sang: "Praise ye the Lord!"
Prayer by Elder John Taylor.
We should be prepared to receive instructions that the spirit of our Heavenly Father may be with us. The path of Zion has been one of great difficulties, but there is a saying, "the fiercer the battle, the greater the victory." Some people try to make themselves acceptable both to the righteous and the wicked. The fate of such is darkness inevitably, as the records of the past show. I have lately devoted some little time to examining the fate of those who once belonged to the Church but who have left. The cause of their fall, in the first place, generally resulted from their infringing on the principles of righteousness. It is good to preach repentance at our Conferences, to tell the people to put away their follies. I am not simply a believer in this work, I have a knowledge of it. The Prophet Joseph was slain by the wicked after he had laid the foundation of the Church. The Lord, however, caused his inspiration to rest upon his servant Brigham. I consider it a great miracle that the Lord raised up a man who has miraculously led the Saints through difficulties, and over superhuman obstacles, to a place where they can enjoy peace, happiness and liberty. I warn my brethren to be faithful that they may gain the reward of the righteous, which may God grant: Amen.
The Parowan choir sang: "Praise ye the Lord!"
Prayer by Elder John Taylor.
Thursday, 2 p.m.
The choir sang: "Come all ye saints who dwell on earth."
Prayer by Elder Orson Pratt.
The Parowan choir sang: "Oh Lord! responsive to thy call."
The choir sang: "Come all ye saints who dwell on earth."
Prayer by Elder Orson Pratt.
The Parowan choir sang: "Oh Lord! responsive to thy call."
President Brigham Young
requested the doorkeepers and those who are engaged in seating the congregation to see that a few seats be reserved in front for the accommodation of strangers who may attend the Conference. He gave some texts to the brethren who would speak, unity of action, the necessity of overcoming our traditions, and the proper training and instruction of our children are subjects worthy the attention of those who may address the people. The building of the Temple might occupy a share of attention by the speakers. Those, however, who may not wish to preach to any of these texts can preach from them. The union of the sexes is also a subject which he would just as soon hear treated upon in this as in any other place. The Elders should never attempt to teach anything that they do not understand. There is scope enough without this. He delivered a very stirring and instructing discourse in which he showed that unless the people are inspired by the Spirit of God, it will be impossible to serve the Almighty acceptably. He spoke on the nature of what is called the one-man power and other topics. A synopsis of his discourse would give but a very inadequate idea of it. It will shortly appear in the News verbatim.
requested the doorkeepers and those who are engaged in seating the congregation to see that a few seats be reserved in front for the accommodation of strangers who may attend the Conference. He gave some texts to the brethren who would speak, unity of action, the necessity of overcoming our traditions, and the proper training and instruction of our children are subjects worthy the attention of those who may address the people. The building of the Temple might occupy a share of attention by the speakers. Those, however, who may not wish to preach to any of these texts can preach from them. The union of the sexes is also a subject which he would just as soon hear treated upon in this as in any other place. The Elders should never attempt to teach anything that they do not understand. There is scope enough without this. He delivered a very stirring and instructing discourse in which he showed that unless the people are inspired by the Spirit of God, it will be impossible to serve the Almighty acceptably. He spoke on the nature of what is called the one-man power and other topics. A synopsis of his discourse would give but a very inadequate idea of it. It will shortly appear in the News verbatim.
Texts for Preaching Upon at Conference—Revelations—Deceitfulness of Riches—One-Man Power—Spiritualism
Discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, October 6, 1870.
Reported by David W. Evans.
I have a request to make of the doorkeepers and of those brethren who seat the congregation, as also of our sisters, some of whom, I see, are occupying a few of the seats that we usually reserve for strangers. We should be very much pleased if the sisters would fill up other parts of the house first, and we would like the brethren who seat the congregation, to see that the seats generally occupied by strangers are held in reserve today until the meeting commences; then, if those for whom they are reserved do not come to fill them, they may be used by the sisters. I hope this will be recollected and observed.
As our brethren of the Twelve will address us during the Conference, I feel like giving them a few texts to preach upon if they choose to do so. I should have no objection to hear them discourse upon union of action, or concentration of faith and action, or, as some call it, cooperation. That is one item. I would also like to hear them give instruction with regard to our traditions; instruction on this subject is necessary all the time. We must overcome them and adopt the rules laid down in revelation for the guidance of man's life here on the earth. If any of our brethren feel to speak upon this subject we should be very pleased to hear them; if they are not disposed to preach to the text, they may preach from it, as most ministers do. I have heard very few ministers preach to their texts, they generally preach from them.
The education of our children is worthy of our attention, and the instruction of the Elders from this stand. It is a subject that should be thoroughly impressed upon the minds of parents and the rising generation; and those who wish to preach from this text may do so. And if they do not feel to preach to the text, they may preach from it.
The subject of the building of the Temple is a very good one for occupying a portion of the time. The ordinances of the House of God are for the salvation of the human family. We are the only ones on the earth at the present time, that we have any knowledge of, who hold the keys of salvation committed to the children of men from the heavens by the Lord Almighty; and inasmuch as there are those who hold these keys, it is important that they should be acted upon for the salvation of the human family. The building of Temples, places in which the ordinances of salvation are administered, is necessary to carry out the plan of redemption, and it is a glorious subject upon which to address the Saints.
The gathering of the House of Israel is another text upon which the brethren might address the Saints with profit. We are in the midst of Israel; they are also scattered among the nations of the earth. They are mixed with all nations, especially the tribe of Ephraim. These are to be gathered out. We have Israel in our midst; we live upon their land; we have communion with them and we are under the necessity of feeding and clothing them to a certain extent, and to preserve peace with them at present, until they come to a knowledge of the truth. I mean the Lamanites, the aborigines of our country. They are of the House of Israel.
Not least nor last, but one subject that I would as soon hear treated upon in this house as in any other place, is the union of the sexes. We cannot go into any town or little village in the Territory but we find quite a large number of young people who have arrived at a marriageable age and still they remain single. But this can be accounted for to some extent. The young man says, “I dare not marry a wife, the fashions and customs of the world prevail among the ladies here to such a degree that I should need a fortune to maintain one.” The young lady says, “I don't wish to marry unless I can find a husband who can take care of me and support me according to my idle wishes.” By their acts only can people be judged, and from observing them we must conclude that the ideas of the young men are too true, they are founded in fact. This should be done away. Such feelings, views and influences should be dispelled from and broken up in the midst of the people. Our young men and women should consider their obligations to each other, to God, the earth, their parents, and to future generations for their salvation and exaltation among the Gods and for the glory of Him whom we serve. These are not idle tales, they are not fictions, but facts; and for a community, believing as we do, to live like the Gentile nations in these things is very incorrect. It is not according to our faith; we should put our faith into practice, and be willing to sustain ourselves, each and every one of us. Our young folks who have arrived at years of maturity should think and act for themselves. They are citizens of the earth; they have a share here, and have a part to bear—a character to form and frame and present to the world, or they will sink into oblivion and forgetfulness. These things are of importance to us at least, and especially in this nation, where many of the people are wasting away their lives, bartering away their very existence, and will hardly receive in return therefore a mess of pottage.
The education of youth is an important text for the brethren to preach from. A very high value should be placed upon it by the Saints. We have the privilege of enjoying the spirit of revelation and the knowledge which comes from above, and in addition to this, every branch of education known in the world should be taught among and acquired by us. All the arts and sciences, and every branch of mechanism known and understood by man should be understood by this people. But no matter how much knowledge we may acquire in a worldly point of view, by study, unless the revelations of the Lord Jesus are dispensed to each and every individual, they cannot use or apply their acquirements to the best advantage. A man may know facts without revelation. The mathematician, for instance, may acquire a great amount of knowledge without any special revelation by the Spirit of the Lord to enlighten his mind; but still he will not know and understand what he might if he had applied his heart unto wisdom. So it is with all the sciences.
These principles should be considered by this people. This is the place, brethren, to teach them. But I will give a caution to my brethren, the Elders—never undertake to teach a thing that you do not understand. Such things will come into your minds; but without launching out on such subjects, questions may be asked and answered, and we gain knowledge from each other. There is plenty within the scope of our own brains that, by the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, will enable us to tell many things—more than the world or even more than the Saints can receive.
Suppose a man should come here and tell you the very nature of our Father Adam—tell precisely how he was organized, his height, his proportions, the extent of his knowledge, tell you the agreement that was entered into, the amount of knowledge that he had to forget to reduce himself to the capacity of a corruptible being! Suppose this could all be told to the congregations of the Saints, what would they know about it? Very little. There may be some minds which could grasp some things pertaining to it, but others could not. The spirit of revelation can reveal these things to the people, but unless they live so as to have the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ, they will remain a mystery, for there is a veil before the minds of the people, and they cannot be understood. Some of these principles have been taught to the Latter-day Saints, but who can understand them?
Brother Orson Hyde referred to a few who complained about not getting revelations. I will make a statement here that has been brought against me as a crime, perhaps, or as a fault in my life. Not here, I do not allude to anything of the kind in this place, but in the councils of the nations—that Brigham Young has said “when he sends forth his discourses to the world they may call them Scripture.” I say now, when they are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible, and if you want to read revelation read the sayings of him who knows the mind of God, without any special command to one man to go here, and to another to go yonder, or to do this or that, or to go and settle here or there. In the early days of the Church, if a man was going to sell a farm he must have a revelation—Joseph must receive and give a revelation. Many men would not do one thing until God had given them a revelation through the prophet. It must be: “Thus saith the Lord, sell your farm, devote such a portion of your means to education, or printing, or for distributing knowledge to the world. Devote such a portion of your means to do this, and such a portion to do that.” I have known a good many men in the early days of the Church who had property, that must have revelation to know what disposition to make of their substance; but who, when they received it, were sure not to strictly obey it. What did revelation do for such persons? Nothing but seal their condemnation. Why do the people want revelations to damn themselves?
Give the mind of the Lord to this people here in this Conference, would they observe it? There is a few who would like to; but take some of those who are called Latter-day Saints, would they follow it if it were given them? I know they would not, still the Lord is merciful and forbearing and He bears with His people. He has borne with and blest us, to see if we would walk in the knowledge of the truth and yield strict obedience to His requirements.
Poverty, persecution and oppression we have endured; many of us have suffered the loss of all things in a worldly point of view. Give us prosperity and see if we would bear it, and be willing to serve God. See if we would be as willing to sacrifice millions as we were to sacrifice what we had when in comparative poverty. Men of property, as a general thing, would not be. We know this, God knows it, and He has to treat us as unruly, disobedient, slow to think and slow to act—as a set of children.
It has been said, time and time again, that if the people would live worthy of the great things God has in store for them, they are ready to come forth for their salvation and edification; but until we improve upon little things and hearken to the voice of the Lord in our first duties, He is not going to bestow the great mysteries of the invisible worlds upon us. We know too much already unless we do better. You may think I am complaining; well, I am just a trifle. I see the Latter-day Saints here and there going to destruction, apostatizing. “Oh,” say they, “we have a little wealth, a little means,” and in some instances that is leading them to destruction.
These merchants that we have made rich, where are they? Those who are not in fellowship and some who are in fellowship with us? They are in our midst, but their feelings are, “We want more, we want your money, Latter-day Saints.” Ask them to sacrifice their all and see what course they will take. When they came here they had not a wagon and did not own five dollars in the world; we have made them rich. Is there one in ten that would endure if we were to get a revelation for them to make a sacrifice of all they have? No, they would lift up their heels against the Almighty and His Anointed. Whether I am complaining or not, this is too true.
Now, brethren, preach the things that we verily believe, and when we come to points of doctrine that we do not know, even if we have good reason to believe them, if our philosophy teaches us they are true, pass them by and teach only to the people that that we do know.
You can know nothing of this Gospel short of the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ. If our Gospel, that we preach in this house and that the Elders of Israel teach, is hid to any man on earth, it is because he is lost. It is not hid to him whose eyes are open to the things of God; he understands it. When he hears the voice of the Good Shepherd, when he hears sound doctrine—that that comes from God, he knows it and receives it. Says he, “That is right, correct, that is congenial to my ears and sits smoothly and satisfactorily on my understanding. I like that doctrine because it is true. The reason we like “Mormonism” is because it is true. It is good; it embraces all the good there is in the sciences, and all that ever was revealed for the benefit of the children of men. There is no art beneficial to the human family but what is incorporated in our religion. The only true philosophy ever revealed by God to man on this earth is comprised within and is part of our religion. It embraces the whole man and all his talents and time while he lives here on the earth, and then will only prepare him, let him do his best, to enter a higher state of glory, where he will see that he is but just commencing to learn the things of God and the riches of eternity, to know and understand the life of those immortal beings who dwell in light and live in glory and who are surrounded with light, glory, immortality, and eternal lives, and live in accordance with the laws which control the Gods. When we have learned all that we can learn here by a close application in our lives to the faith which Jesus has unfolded, we shall see that we are then just commencing to learn, as it were; and when the spirit is reunited with the body we shall be prepared to enter into the joy of our Lord.
A good deal is said about so much power being given to one man. What does man's power on the earth consist of? Of the influence he possesses. If a man have influence with God, he has power with Him. Again, if he has influence with the people, he has power with them; that is all the legitimate or righteous power man has. We have influence; God has given it to us, and the Latter-day Saints delight to place that confidence in us that is deserving, and the wicked world cannot help it. It may be a great pity in the estimation of a great many, but still the world cannot help it; and justice, mercy, truth, righteousness, love, and good will command this respect, and the worthy get it. We have heard considerable about “down with the one-man power!” All right, down with it! What is it and how are you going to get it down? When you get down the power of God, that which is called one-man power in the midst of the Latter-day Saints will fall, but not before! It is no more nor less than the concentration of the faith and action of the people. And this brings to my mind the facts that exist with regard to the faith of the Latter-day Saints.
When we go into the world, we find quite a portion of the people who belong to a class called Spiritualists. I do not know that I am right in styling them a class, but they aspire to be so considered. They would like to have it considered that “Mormonism” is nothing but Spiritualism; but it is temporalism as well as Spiritualism. A great many want to know the difference between the two. I will give one feature of the difference, and then set the whole scientific world to work to see if they can ever bring to bear the same feature in Spiritualism. Take all who are called Spiritualists and see if they can produce the order that is in the midst of this people. Here are system, order, organization, law, rule, and facts. Now see if they can produce any one of these features. They cannot. Why? Because their system is from beneath, while ours is perfect and is from above; one is from God, the other is from the devil, that is all the difference. Now see if the whole Spiritualist world can organize a community of six individuals who will agree for a year, that will not fall to pieces like a rope of sand. Now, Spiritualists, go to work, bring your science to bear and demonstrate the fact that you have a system if you can. We have demonstrated it to the world; it is manifest, it is before us, we see it, it is tangible, we can see its results, it has wrought wonders. See if they can do like this. If the kingdom of the devil can do like the kingdom of God on the earth, it is deserving of credit; but its members can only divide and subdivide, produce confusion on confusion, disorder following on the heels of disorder, one to the right, another to the left, another for the front, another for the rear, one pulling this way, another pulling that, sect against sect, people against people, community against community, politically, religiously, and I may say morally to a great extent; and I do not know but I might say scientifically, although the sciences agree better than the faith, feelings and imaginations of the people. Now try this, Spiritualists! This is a text for you; and when you have produced order, system and unity among the inhabitants of the earth we will look and see what more there is that we have that the world have not. I am not going into details at all, but I just mention this to see if the Spiritualists can systematize or organize anything. When they have done this, it will be time enough to admit that they have some science; but until then we will say that Spiritualism is a mass of confusion, it is a body without parts and passions, principle or power, just like, I do not like to say it, but just like the so-called Christians' God. The creed of the so-called Christians represents that their God is without body, parts or passions; and it should be added, without principle or power, for the latter is the corollary of the former. When we see anything that has solidity and permanency, that produces good, that builds up, creates, organizes, sustains, and betters the condition of the people, we pronounce that good and from God; but when we see that that injures, hurts, destroys, produces confusion in a community, disturbance and discord, strife and animosity, hatefulness and bitter feelings one towards another, we at once pronounce it evil, and declare that it springs from beneath. All evil is from beneath, while all that is good is from God.
I did not think to preach you a sermon when I commenced, but to call upon some of the brethren to do so. I have given them some texts, and they may preach to or from them, just as they please. Some of them will probably talk about organizing the kingdom of God on the earth, and so governing a community as to make them of one heart and one mind. I am prepared to prove to any sensible congregation, any good philosopher or thinking person or people, who have steady brain and nerve to look at things as they are, that can tell white from black and daylight from midnight darkness, that the closer the connection in a business point of view that a community hold themselves together, the greater will be their joy and wealth. I am prepared to prove, from all the facts that have existed or that now exist in all branches of human affairs, that union is strength, and that division is weakness and confusion.
I do not know but I will advert once more to Spiritualism. Spiritualism is like Methodism and the sects of the day exactly, I mean so far as unity of faith or action is concerned. When I was a Methodist, as I was once, they said to me, “You may be baptized by immersion if you absolutely require it, but we do not believe in it, but we do believe in giving every person his choice.” “Well,” said I, “I believe in it. There are some things required in the doctrine of the Close Communion Baptists which I cannot subscribe to as well as to most of the principles that you hold in your catechisms, and in the tenets of your church, but,” said I, “they believe in baptism by immersion, and I want to be baptized by immersion;” and finally they consented to baptize me, and did do it. So say the Spiritualists.
Another one says, “I want to kneel down in the water and have the water poured on my head.” Says the Methodist priest, “We don't believe in it, but you can have it done. It is no matter, one method of baptism, perhaps, is as good as another.” So say the Spiritualists. Another one says, “I want to get down into the water and be baptized face foremost.” “Well,” says the priest, “we don't think it makes any difference, and if you really desire it, you may have the ordinance administered to you according to your wishes.” So say the Spiritualists. Another one says, “I want to sit in my chair and have the minister dip his fingers into a bowl, and put it on my forehead, and call that baptism in the name of the Trinity.” The Methodist says, “We will consent to that; it is just as good as anything else.” So say the Spiritualists. Another one says he wants to kneel down in the water and have water poured on him. The priest consents to this also. So do the Spiritualists. Why do I say this? Because men baptized by these various methods can all get communications, they say, from the spirits sanctioning each and every different form of baptism. The Methodists say, “We believe in a God without body, parts and passions;” so say the Spiritualists, the Presbyterian and other sects, but the Latter-day Saints do not. And in reference to the ordinance of baptism; the Latter-day Saints say, “Go down into the water and be buried with Christ in the water; and come out of the water as Christ came up out of the water, when the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove rested on His head, and a voice from heaven was heard saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.’ He will tell you what to do, teach you correct doctrine. He has no traditions to overcome, no prepossessed notions taught by parents, binding him to the sects that are now on the earth. Hear ye Him! Have hands laid upon you that you may receive the Holy Ghost.” The Latter-day Saints say to the people, “Believe in God the Father and in Jesus, the Son! Believe in the gifts of the holy Gospel! They are as ready to be bestowed upon His children at this day as any other in the history of the world. This is the time to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; this is the very time that we should acknowledge him and believe in his ordinances and in the gifts and graces that are promised to the children of God. We are living in a Gospel age and dispensation, we are living right in the day in which, as the Apostles said on the Day of Pentecost, the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Has the Lord called upon the children of men in this day? Yes, in the east and the west, from the north to the south, and in the uttermost parts of the earth. He has called upon the inhabitants of the earth to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Suppose this order of things had continued from the days of the ancient Apostles; suppose there had been no backsliding, no merchants to lift their heels because they are getting rich, no apostates, and the successors of the Apostles had received the holy Priesthood and had gone to the uttermost parts of the earth, where would have been your paganism today? It would not have been on the earth; infidelity would not have been known. Children would have been taught the ways of the Lord and brought up in the way they should go, and the whole world would have been full of the knowledge of God, instead of being in darkness as now!
Discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, October 6, 1870.
Reported by David W. Evans.
I have a request to make of the doorkeepers and of those brethren who seat the congregation, as also of our sisters, some of whom, I see, are occupying a few of the seats that we usually reserve for strangers. We should be very much pleased if the sisters would fill up other parts of the house first, and we would like the brethren who seat the congregation, to see that the seats generally occupied by strangers are held in reserve today until the meeting commences; then, if those for whom they are reserved do not come to fill them, they may be used by the sisters. I hope this will be recollected and observed.
As our brethren of the Twelve will address us during the Conference, I feel like giving them a few texts to preach upon if they choose to do so. I should have no objection to hear them discourse upon union of action, or concentration of faith and action, or, as some call it, cooperation. That is one item. I would also like to hear them give instruction with regard to our traditions; instruction on this subject is necessary all the time. We must overcome them and adopt the rules laid down in revelation for the guidance of man's life here on the earth. If any of our brethren feel to speak upon this subject we should be very pleased to hear them; if they are not disposed to preach to the text, they may preach from it, as most ministers do. I have heard very few ministers preach to their texts, they generally preach from them.
The education of our children is worthy of our attention, and the instruction of the Elders from this stand. It is a subject that should be thoroughly impressed upon the minds of parents and the rising generation; and those who wish to preach from this text may do so. And if they do not feel to preach to the text, they may preach from it.
The subject of the building of the Temple is a very good one for occupying a portion of the time. The ordinances of the House of God are for the salvation of the human family. We are the only ones on the earth at the present time, that we have any knowledge of, who hold the keys of salvation committed to the children of men from the heavens by the Lord Almighty; and inasmuch as there are those who hold these keys, it is important that they should be acted upon for the salvation of the human family. The building of Temples, places in which the ordinances of salvation are administered, is necessary to carry out the plan of redemption, and it is a glorious subject upon which to address the Saints.
The gathering of the House of Israel is another text upon which the brethren might address the Saints with profit. We are in the midst of Israel; they are also scattered among the nations of the earth. They are mixed with all nations, especially the tribe of Ephraim. These are to be gathered out. We have Israel in our midst; we live upon their land; we have communion with them and we are under the necessity of feeding and clothing them to a certain extent, and to preserve peace with them at present, until they come to a knowledge of the truth. I mean the Lamanites, the aborigines of our country. They are of the House of Israel.
Not least nor last, but one subject that I would as soon hear treated upon in this house as in any other place, is the union of the sexes. We cannot go into any town or little village in the Territory but we find quite a large number of young people who have arrived at a marriageable age and still they remain single. But this can be accounted for to some extent. The young man says, “I dare not marry a wife, the fashions and customs of the world prevail among the ladies here to such a degree that I should need a fortune to maintain one.” The young lady says, “I don't wish to marry unless I can find a husband who can take care of me and support me according to my idle wishes.” By their acts only can people be judged, and from observing them we must conclude that the ideas of the young men are too true, they are founded in fact. This should be done away. Such feelings, views and influences should be dispelled from and broken up in the midst of the people. Our young men and women should consider their obligations to each other, to God, the earth, their parents, and to future generations for their salvation and exaltation among the Gods and for the glory of Him whom we serve. These are not idle tales, they are not fictions, but facts; and for a community, believing as we do, to live like the Gentile nations in these things is very incorrect. It is not according to our faith; we should put our faith into practice, and be willing to sustain ourselves, each and every one of us. Our young folks who have arrived at years of maturity should think and act for themselves. They are citizens of the earth; they have a share here, and have a part to bear—a character to form and frame and present to the world, or they will sink into oblivion and forgetfulness. These things are of importance to us at least, and especially in this nation, where many of the people are wasting away their lives, bartering away their very existence, and will hardly receive in return therefore a mess of pottage.
The education of youth is an important text for the brethren to preach from. A very high value should be placed upon it by the Saints. We have the privilege of enjoying the spirit of revelation and the knowledge which comes from above, and in addition to this, every branch of education known in the world should be taught among and acquired by us. All the arts and sciences, and every branch of mechanism known and understood by man should be understood by this people. But no matter how much knowledge we may acquire in a worldly point of view, by study, unless the revelations of the Lord Jesus are dispensed to each and every individual, they cannot use or apply their acquirements to the best advantage. A man may know facts without revelation. The mathematician, for instance, may acquire a great amount of knowledge without any special revelation by the Spirit of the Lord to enlighten his mind; but still he will not know and understand what he might if he had applied his heart unto wisdom. So it is with all the sciences.
These principles should be considered by this people. This is the place, brethren, to teach them. But I will give a caution to my brethren, the Elders—never undertake to teach a thing that you do not understand. Such things will come into your minds; but without launching out on such subjects, questions may be asked and answered, and we gain knowledge from each other. There is plenty within the scope of our own brains that, by the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, will enable us to tell many things—more than the world or even more than the Saints can receive.
Suppose a man should come here and tell you the very nature of our Father Adam—tell precisely how he was organized, his height, his proportions, the extent of his knowledge, tell you the agreement that was entered into, the amount of knowledge that he had to forget to reduce himself to the capacity of a corruptible being! Suppose this could all be told to the congregations of the Saints, what would they know about it? Very little. There may be some minds which could grasp some things pertaining to it, but others could not. The spirit of revelation can reveal these things to the people, but unless they live so as to have the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ, they will remain a mystery, for there is a veil before the minds of the people, and they cannot be understood. Some of these principles have been taught to the Latter-day Saints, but who can understand them?
Brother Orson Hyde referred to a few who complained about not getting revelations. I will make a statement here that has been brought against me as a crime, perhaps, or as a fault in my life. Not here, I do not allude to anything of the kind in this place, but in the councils of the nations—that Brigham Young has said “when he sends forth his discourses to the world they may call them Scripture.” I say now, when they are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible, and if you want to read revelation read the sayings of him who knows the mind of God, without any special command to one man to go here, and to another to go yonder, or to do this or that, or to go and settle here or there. In the early days of the Church, if a man was going to sell a farm he must have a revelation—Joseph must receive and give a revelation. Many men would not do one thing until God had given them a revelation through the prophet. It must be: “Thus saith the Lord, sell your farm, devote such a portion of your means to education, or printing, or for distributing knowledge to the world. Devote such a portion of your means to do this, and such a portion to do that.” I have known a good many men in the early days of the Church who had property, that must have revelation to know what disposition to make of their substance; but who, when they received it, were sure not to strictly obey it. What did revelation do for such persons? Nothing but seal their condemnation. Why do the people want revelations to damn themselves?
Give the mind of the Lord to this people here in this Conference, would they observe it? There is a few who would like to; but take some of those who are called Latter-day Saints, would they follow it if it were given them? I know they would not, still the Lord is merciful and forbearing and He bears with His people. He has borne with and blest us, to see if we would walk in the knowledge of the truth and yield strict obedience to His requirements.
Poverty, persecution and oppression we have endured; many of us have suffered the loss of all things in a worldly point of view. Give us prosperity and see if we would bear it, and be willing to serve God. See if we would be as willing to sacrifice millions as we were to sacrifice what we had when in comparative poverty. Men of property, as a general thing, would not be. We know this, God knows it, and He has to treat us as unruly, disobedient, slow to think and slow to act—as a set of children.
It has been said, time and time again, that if the people would live worthy of the great things God has in store for them, they are ready to come forth for their salvation and edification; but until we improve upon little things and hearken to the voice of the Lord in our first duties, He is not going to bestow the great mysteries of the invisible worlds upon us. We know too much already unless we do better. You may think I am complaining; well, I am just a trifle. I see the Latter-day Saints here and there going to destruction, apostatizing. “Oh,” say they, “we have a little wealth, a little means,” and in some instances that is leading them to destruction.
These merchants that we have made rich, where are they? Those who are not in fellowship and some who are in fellowship with us? They are in our midst, but their feelings are, “We want more, we want your money, Latter-day Saints.” Ask them to sacrifice their all and see what course they will take. When they came here they had not a wagon and did not own five dollars in the world; we have made them rich. Is there one in ten that would endure if we were to get a revelation for them to make a sacrifice of all they have? No, they would lift up their heels against the Almighty and His Anointed. Whether I am complaining or not, this is too true.
Now, brethren, preach the things that we verily believe, and when we come to points of doctrine that we do not know, even if we have good reason to believe them, if our philosophy teaches us they are true, pass them by and teach only to the people that that we do know.
You can know nothing of this Gospel short of the revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ. If our Gospel, that we preach in this house and that the Elders of Israel teach, is hid to any man on earth, it is because he is lost. It is not hid to him whose eyes are open to the things of God; he understands it. When he hears the voice of the Good Shepherd, when he hears sound doctrine—that that comes from God, he knows it and receives it. Says he, “That is right, correct, that is congenial to my ears and sits smoothly and satisfactorily on my understanding. I like that doctrine because it is true. The reason we like “Mormonism” is because it is true. It is good; it embraces all the good there is in the sciences, and all that ever was revealed for the benefit of the children of men. There is no art beneficial to the human family but what is incorporated in our religion. The only true philosophy ever revealed by God to man on this earth is comprised within and is part of our religion. It embraces the whole man and all his talents and time while he lives here on the earth, and then will only prepare him, let him do his best, to enter a higher state of glory, where he will see that he is but just commencing to learn the things of God and the riches of eternity, to know and understand the life of those immortal beings who dwell in light and live in glory and who are surrounded with light, glory, immortality, and eternal lives, and live in accordance with the laws which control the Gods. When we have learned all that we can learn here by a close application in our lives to the faith which Jesus has unfolded, we shall see that we are then just commencing to learn, as it were; and when the spirit is reunited with the body we shall be prepared to enter into the joy of our Lord.
A good deal is said about so much power being given to one man. What does man's power on the earth consist of? Of the influence he possesses. If a man have influence with God, he has power with Him. Again, if he has influence with the people, he has power with them; that is all the legitimate or righteous power man has. We have influence; God has given it to us, and the Latter-day Saints delight to place that confidence in us that is deserving, and the wicked world cannot help it. It may be a great pity in the estimation of a great many, but still the world cannot help it; and justice, mercy, truth, righteousness, love, and good will command this respect, and the worthy get it. We have heard considerable about “down with the one-man power!” All right, down with it! What is it and how are you going to get it down? When you get down the power of God, that which is called one-man power in the midst of the Latter-day Saints will fall, but not before! It is no more nor less than the concentration of the faith and action of the people. And this brings to my mind the facts that exist with regard to the faith of the Latter-day Saints.
When we go into the world, we find quite a portion of the people who belong to a class called Spiritualists. I do not know that I am right in styling them a class, but they aspire to be so considered. They would like to have it considered that “Mormonism” is nothing but Spiritualism; but it is temporalism as well as Spiritualism. A great many want to know the difference between the two. I will give one feature of the difference, and then set the whole scientific world to work to see if they can ever bring to bear the same feature in Spiritualism. Take all who are called Spiritualists and see if they can produce the order that is in the midst of this people. Here are system, order, organization, law, rule, and facts. Now see if they can produce any one of these features. They cannot. Why? Because their system is from beneath, while ours is perfect and is from above; one is from God, the other is from the devil, that is all the difference. Now see if the whole Spiritualist world can organize a community of six individuals who will agree for a year, that will not fall to pieces like a rope of sand. Now, Spiritualists, go to work, bring your science to bear and demonstrate the fact that you have a system if you can. We have demonstrated it to the world; it is manifest, it is before us, we see it, it is tangible, we can see its results, it has wrought wonders. See if they can do like this. If the kingdom of the devil can do like the kingdom of God on the earth, it is deserving of credit; but its members can only divide and subdivide, produce confusion on confusion, disorder following on the heels of disorder, one to the right, another to the left, another for the front, another for the rear, one pulling this way, another pulling that, sect against sect, people against people, community against community, politically, religiously, and I may say morally to a great extent; and I do not know but I might say scientifically, although the sciences agree better than the faith, feelings and imaginations of the people. Now try this, Spiritualists! This is a text for you; and when you have produced order, system and unity among the inhabitants of the earth we will look and see what more there is that we have that the world have not. I am not going into details at all, but I just mention this to see if the Spiritualists can systematize or organize anything. When they have done this, it will be time enough to admit that they have some science; but until then we will say that Spiritualism is a mass of confusion, it is a body without parts and passions, principle or power, just like, I do not like to say it, but just like the so-called Christians' God. The creed of the so-called Christians represents that their God is without body, parts or passions; and it should be added, without principle or power, for the latter is the corollary of the former. When we see anything that has solidity and permanency, that produces good, that builds up, creates, organizes, sustains, and betters the condition of the people, we pronounce that good and from God; but when we see that that injures, hurts, destroys, produces confusion in a community, disturbance and discord, strife and animosity, hatefulness and bitter feelings one towards another, we at once pronounce it evil, and declare that it springs from beneath. All evil is from beneath, while all that is good is from God.
I did not think to preach you a sermon when I commenced, but to call upon some of the brethren to do so. I have given them some texts, and they may preach to or from them, just as they please. Some of them will probably talk about organizing the kingdom of God on the earth, and so governing a community as to make them of one heart and one mind. I am prepared to prove to any sensible congregation, any good philosopher or thinking person or people, who have steady brain and nerve to look at things as they are, that can tell white from black and daylight from midnight darkness, that the closer the connection in a business point of view that a community hold themselves together, the greater will be their joy and wealth. I am prepared to prove, from all the facts that have existed or that now exist in all branches of human affairs, that union is strength, and that division is weakness and confusion.
I do not know but I will advert once more to Spiritualism. Spiritualism is like Methodism and the sects of the day exactly, I mean so far as unity of faith or action is concerned. When I was a Methodist, as I was once, they said to me, “You may be baptized by immersion if you absolutely require it, but we do not believe in it, but we do believe in giving every person his choice.” “Well,” said I, “I believe in it. There are some things required in the doctrine of the Close Communion Baptists which I cannot subscribe to as well as to most of the principles that you hold in your catechisms, and in the tenets of your church, but,” said I, “they believe in baptism by immersion, and I want to be baptized by immersion;” and finally they consented to baptize me, and did do it. So say the Spiritualists.
Another one says, “I want to kneel down in the water and have the water poured on my head.” Says the Methodist priest, “We don't believe in it, but you can have it done. It is no matter, one method of baptism, perhaps, is as good as another.” So say the Spiritualists. Another one says, “I want to get down into the water and be baptized face foremost.” “Well,” says the priest, “we don't think it makes any difference, and if you really desire it, you may have the ordinance administered to you according to your wishes.” So say the Spiritualists. Another one says, “I want to sit in my chair and have the minister dip his fingers into a bowl, and put it on my forehead, and call that baptism in the name of the Trinity.” The Methodist says, “We will consent to that; it is just as good as anything else.” So say the Spiritualists. Another one says he wants to kneel down in the water and have water poured on him. The priest consents to this also. So do the Spiritualists. Why do I say this? Because men baptized by these various methods can all get communications, they say, from the spirits sanctioning each and every different form of baptism. The Methodists say, “We believe in a God without body, parts and passions;” so say the Spiritualists, the Presbyterian and other sects, but the Latter-day Saints do not. And in reference to the ordinance of baptism; the Latter-day Saints say, “Go down into the water and be buried with Christ in the water; and come out of the water as Christ came up out of the water, when the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove rested on His head, and a voice from heaven was heard saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.’ He will tell you what to do, teach you correct doctrine. He has no traditions to overcome, no prepossessed notions taught by parents, binding him to the sects that are now on the earth. Hear ye Him! Have hands laid upon you that you may receive the Holy Ghost.” The Latter-day Saints say to the people, “Believe in God the Father and in Jesus, the Son! Believe in the gifts of the holy Gospel! They are as ready to be bestowed upon His children at this day as any other in the history of the world. This is the time to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; this is the very time that we should acknowledge him and believe in his ordinances and in the gifts and graces that are promised to the children of God. We are living in a Gospel age and dispensation, we are living right in the day in which, as the Apostles said on the Day of Pentecost, the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Has the Lord called upon the children of men in this day? Yes, in the east and the west, from the north to the south, and in the uttermost parts of the earth. He has called upon the inhabitants of the earth to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Suppose this order of things had continued from the days of the ancient Apostles; suppose there had been no backsliding, no merchants to lift their heels because they are getting rich, no apostates, and the successors of the Apostles had received the holy Priesthood and had gone to the uttermost parts of the earth, where would have been your paganism today? It would not have been on the earth; infidelity would not have been known. Children would have been taught the ways of the Lord and brought up in the way they should go, and the whole world would have been full of the knowledge of God, instead of being in darkness as now!
Elder George Q. Cannon.
The day in which we live is one of the most important, if not the most important, that man has ever seen on the earth. It is the day in which the purposes of God shall be accomplished. The subject of unity cannot receive too much of our attention. Without unity of action, in our temporal matters, our professions would be useless. The gospel brings salvation in every situation of life; it permeates the whole from the cradle to the grave. Therefore, I love it. It is the Gospel carried out, which has built this city and the various cities and settlements throughout this Territory. Our President has given us many wise counsels which we have not yet carried out. No people on earth have been so wisely counselled with regard to the affairs of life as the Latter-day Saints. In many respects we, as a community, are far from being united as we should be, considering our opportunities. Many who claim to be Latter-day Saints are so blind to the interests of everything connected with the Kingdom of God that they are loud in their denunciations of the principle of co-operation. It is opposed by individuals in the city, who ought to be the foremost to sustain it. But nevertheless, it gradually gains influence and obtains more wide support from the masses of the people, who as a body are in favor of it. There is no man who has faith in the work of God who hesitates or feels doubtful respecting this principle. Yet it, like other true principles, has to meet with opposition. It has been the same with nearly every other principle the Lord has revealed. It is God's will that we should be united in all things. The Lord said, through Joseph, "except ye are one ye are not mine." I do not fear the pressure from the outside world it will never triumph. Because we are willing to be led and counseled by the servants of God. The world calls us foolish, and there is a class calling themselves Latter-day-Saints who seem to have caught the same spirit. All the foothold that our enemies gain is the result of our want of unity. We have been advised in relation to our grain, about how to direct our labors and with regard to the railroad from Ogden to this place. I have often regretted the indifference manifested by many parents with regard to the education of their children. Education is of incalculable benefit to those who use it aright. Education should not be confined to the schoolroom. Children should be trained to draw near to the Lord. When the father of a family is absent, the son should call the family together to family worship, and should ask a blessing on their food. Many of our young people are rude and unmannerly. A great deal of the proper training of children devolves upon mothers. Sons and daughters will eventually bless fathers and mothers who have been strict with them in wisdom. There is nothing more beautiful than well-ordered society.
Elder Cannon continued to speak for some time interestingly on the importance of training the young.
Conference adjourned till tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
The Choir sang: "Great God attend while Zion sings."
Prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff.
The day in which we live is one of the most important, if not the most important, that man has ever seen on the earth. It is the day in which the purposes of God shall be accomplished. The subject of unity cannot receive too much of our attention. Without unity of action, in our temporal matters, our professions would be useless. The gospel brings salvation in every situation of life; it permeates the whole from the cradle to the grave. Therefore, I love it. It is the Gospel carried out, which has built this city and the various cities and settlements throughout this Territory. Our President has given us many wise counsels which we have not yet carried out. No people on earth have been so wisely counselled with regard to the affairs of life as the Latter-day Saints. In many respects we, as a community, are far from being united as we should be, considering our opportunities. Many who claim to be Latter-day Saints are so blind to the interests of everything connected with the Kingdom of God that they are loud in their denunciations of the principle of co-operation. It is opposed by individuals in the city, who ought to be the foremost to sustain it. But nevertheless, it gradually gains influence and obtains more wide support from the masses of the people, who as a body are in favor of it. There is no man who has faith in the work of God who hesitates or feels doubtful respecting this principle. Yet it, like other true principles, has to meet with opposition. It has been the same with nearly every other principle the Lord has revealed. It is God's will that we should be united in all things. The Lord said, through Joseph, "except ye are one ye are not mine." I do not fear the pressure from the outside world it will never triumph. Because we are willing to be led and counseled by the servants of God. The world calls us foolish, and there is a class calling themselves Latter-day-Saints who seem to have caught the same spirit. All the foothold that our enemies gain is the result of our want of unity. We have been advised in relation to our grain, about how to direct our labors and with regard to the railroad from Ogden to this place. I have often regretted the indifference manifested by many parents with regard to the education of their children. Education is of incalculable benefit to those who use it aright. Education should not be confined to the schoolroom. Children should be trained to draw near to the Lord. When the father of a family is absent, the son should call the family together to family worship, and should ask a blessing on their food. Many of our young people are rude and unmannerly. A great deal of the proper training of children devolves upon mothers. Sons and daughters will eventually bless fathers and mothers who have been strict with them in wisdom. There is nothing more beautiful than well-ordered society.
Elder Cannon continued to speak for some time interestingly on the importance of training the young.
Conference adjourned till tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
The Choir sang: "Great God attend while Zion sings."
Prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff.
Friday, 7th, 10 a.m.
The choir sang: "Behold! the harvest wide extends."
Prayer by Elder John Taylor.
The Parowan choir sang: "Sweet is the work, my God, my King."
The choir sang: "Behold! the harvest wide extends."
Prayer by Elder John Taylor.
The Parowan choir sang: "Sweet is the work, my God, my King."
Elder Orson Pratt.
The great object of these conferences is that we may be edified concerning the things of God, to examine ourselves to see if we are alive to our duties. God has wisely designed that men should be placed in this probation that he may be prepared to obey higher laws. We have a great variety of ideas and notions of our own, but God designs that we should all be instructed in one grand system. All nations have traditions that have been handed down to them from their fathers. Some of these traditions are erroneous and some correct and beneficial. Let us see whether some of our traditions are consistent with the laws of God. We have been educated with regard that all men and women should use all their efforts to accumulate wealth for their personal aggrandizement. This seems to be the main object of the people in all nations and in all classes of society. They believe that wealth is power and happiness. Is this a correct tradition? It is in one sense and in another it is not. God created man to eventually possess wealth. It was He who created the vast resources of wealth that so abound on the earth. That same God that made those riches and endowed men with the power to accumulate them designed that they should be used for His own honor and glory. He did not design that the use of them should cause man to be lifted above his fellow, but for him to do good in the use of them. This is one of the traditions of which the Latter-day Saints are called, by the voice of God and revelation, to free themselves. To free themselves from selfishness and devote their substance to building up God's kingdom, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. To use wealth for self-aggrandizement only, is a tradition which entwines itself around the hearts of the children of men probably more than any other. Jesus instructed his disciples to pray that the will of God be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. This prayer is taught in all Christian nations. The difference between the order of things, in relation to property, in Heaven and the order existing on earth is very great. The riches of eternity are for the Saints of the Most High God. Those who shall be counted worthy to inherit the kingdom of God will be made heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; joint heirs to riches, happiness, dominion and glory. This is the destiny of the Latter-day Saints. How great, then, will be your individual possessions? There should, therefore, be a preparation in this life before such a condition of things can be entered upon. We should have a very different order of things in relation to property from that which has obtained in the world. Some have murmured concerning what they term the strictness of matters about property, but there has been no strictness compared with what must ere long be introduced. Who has violated the vote that was taken at one of our Conferences that we would cease to sustain our enemies and that we would seek to sustain ourselves? There are men in our midst who would like to see this people persecuted and driven. If you trade with and sustain such characters here you will be miserable as well as accountable for the blood of the brethren providing it should be spilt.
There are other traditions besides the one I have referred to which need the attention of the Latter-day Saints. It is not considered dishonorable in the world for a young man to marry a young lady without the consent of her parents. A young man who would do this is guilty of robbery of the meanest description. No young man has any right to make any advances whatever to a young woman without first consulting her parents, and no language could portray his contempt for a person who would take any other course. It is true, as was said here yesterday, that our young men and young women are, as a general rule, virtuous, yet the practice, that has obtained here somewhat, of young people staying out of evenings in by places courting and probably keeping up that courtship for years is highly reprehensible. Those who oppose the true order of marriage as revealed by God virtually shut themselves out from a prospect of having wives and children in eternity. The speaker continued to speak for some time on the true order of marriage.
The great object of these conferences is that we may be edified concerning the things of God, to examine ourselves to see if we are alive to our duties. God has wisely designed that men should be placed in this probation that he may be prepared to obey higher laws. We have a great variety of ideas and notions of our own, but God designs that we should all be instructed in one grand system. All nations have traditions that have been handed down to them from their fathers. Some of these traditions are erroneous and some correct and beneficial. Let us see whether some of our traditions are consistent with the laws of God. We have been educated with regard that all men and women should use all their efforts to accumulate wealth for their personal aggrandizement. This seems to be the main object of the people in all nations and in all classes of society. They believe that wealth is power and happiness. Is this a correct tradition? It is in one sense and in another it is not. God created man to eventually possess wealth. It was He who created the vast resources of wealth that so abound on the earth. That same God that made those riches and endowed men with the power to accumulate them designed that they should be used for His own honor and glory. He did not design that the use of them should cause man to be lifted above his fellow, but for him to do good in the use of them. This is one of the traditions of which the Latter-day Saints are called, by the voice of God and revelation, to free themselves. To free themselves from selfishness and devote their substance to building up God's kingdom, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. To use wealth for self-aggrandizement only, is a tradition which entwines itself around the hearts of the children of men probably more than any other. Jesus instructed his disciples to pray that the will of God be done on earth as it is done in Heaven. This prayer is taught in all Christian nations. The difference between the order of things, in relation to property, in Heaven and the order existing on earth is very great. The riches of eternity are for the Saints of the Most High God. Those who shall be counted worthy to inherit the kingdom of God will be made heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; joint heirs to riches, happiness, dominion and glory. This is the destiny of the Latter-day Saints. How great, then, will be your individual possessions? There should, therefore, be a preparation in this life before such a condition of things can be entered upon. We should have a very different order of things in relation to property from that which has obtained in the world. Some have murmured concerning what they term the strictness of matters about property, but there has been no strictness compared with what must ere long be introduced. Who has violated the vote that was taken at one of our Conferences that we would cease to sustain our enemies and that we would seek to sustain ourselves? There are men in our midst who would like to see this people persecuted and driven. If you trade with and sustain such characters here you will be miserable as well as accountable for the blood of the brethren providing it should be spilt.
There are other traditions besides the one I have referred to which need the attention of the Latter-day Saints. It is not considered dishonorable in the world for a young man to marry a young lady without the consent of her parents. A young man who would do this is guilty of robbery of the meanest description. No young man has any right to make any advances whatever to a young woman without first consulting her parents, and no language could portray his contempt for a person who would take any other course. It is true, as was said here yesterday, that our young men and young women are, as a general rule, virtuous, yet the practice, that has obtained here somewhat, of young people staying out of evenings in by places courting and probably keeping up that courtship for years is highly reprehensible. Those who oppose the true order of marriage as revealed by God virtually shut themselves out from a prospect of having wives and children in eternity. The speaker continued to speak for some time on the true order of marriage.
President Geo. A. Smith.
The Lord commanded the first man to take a wife and the commandment is applicable to every other man, therefore those who do not obey it are living in persistent opposition to the will of heaven. It was suggested at one of our Conference, that all the unmarried young men over a certain age, should pay $200 annually to the P. E. Fund till married. Those young men who are liable to this fine are reminded that the fund needs replenishing and he would advise those young ladies who are still single through the dereliction of such young men, to stir them up and help collect the fines. The principle of union in temporal matters is not only applicable to merchandise but to everything else. We should unite so that we shall not build up merchant princes or an aristocracy of wealth in our midst. Let union be introduced in agriculture and agricultural machinery might be brought here that would reduce the labor of the farmer at least one half. Agricultural unions can be formed with success. There is but little of anything raised here to be sent abroad. Some Latter-day Saints have got wrong ideas on the mining question. They seem to think that, when they enter a mining camp, they must drink, swear, &c. This is a foolish tradition and, if any Latter-day Saints should enter into mining, let them not be foolish enough to indulge in vicious practices that degrade them. Let us support our tanneries and home shoe establishments. Let us see that sheep herds cover our mountains and that the necessary roots be raised to support them during the rough season, and give the charge of the herds to men who know how to treat sheep, and let the community own the herds. Thus, with union, factories and union sheep herds, we will clothe our backs with our own wool. We can just as well as not have co-operative butcher stalls. Unity can accomplish all these things. Why should we not have union cattle herds, having one brand on each animal, have it put in at a value and, when taken out, let it be taken out at a value. The same is applicable to horse herds. Cheese can be manufactured in every settlement just as well as not. He would advise our Dixie brethren to commence some cotton fields on the principle of co-operation and give the cultivation of this important article more attention than it has yet received.
The choir sang: "Daniel's wisdom may I know."
Prayer by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
The Lord commanded the first man to take a wife and the commandment is applicable to every other man, therefore those who do not obey it are living in persistent opposition to the will of heaven. It was suggested at one of our Conference, that all the unmarried young men over a certain age, should pay $200 annually to the P. E. Fund till married. Those young men who are liable to this fine are reminded that the fund needs replenishing and he would advise those young ladies who are still single through the dereliction of such young men, to stir them up and help collect the fines. The principle of union in temporal matters is not only applicable to merchandise but to everything else. We should unite so that we shall not build up merchant princes or an aristocracy of wealth in our midst. Let union be introduced in agriculture and agricultural machinery might be brought here that would reduce the labor of the farmer at least one half. Agricultural unions can be formed with success. There is but little of anything raised here to be sent abroad. Some Latter-day Saints have got wrong ideas on the mining question. They seem to think that, when they enter a mining camp, they must drink, swear, &c. This is a foolish tradition and, if any Latter-day Saints should enter into mining, let them not be foolish enough to indulge in vicious practices that degrade them. Let us support our tanneries and home shoe establishments. Let us see that sheep herds cover our mountains and that the necessary roots be raised to support them during the rough season, and give the charge of the herds to men who know how to treat sheep, and let the community own the herds. Thus, with union, factories and union sheep herds, we will clothe our backs with our own wool. We can just as well as not have co-operative butcher stalls. Unity can accomplish all these things. Why should we not have union cattle herds, having one brand on each animal, have it put in at a value and, when taken out, let it be taken out at a value. The same is applicable to horse herds. Cheese can be manufactured in every settlement just as well as not. He would advise our Dixie brethren to commence some cotton fields on the principle of co-operation and give the cultivation of this important article more attention than it has yet received.
The choir sang: "Daniel's wisdom may I know."
Prayer by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Friday, 7th, 2 p.m.
The Parowan choir sung: "We shall know each other there."
Prayer by Elder Joseph F. Smith.
Choir sung: "See all creation joins, to praise the eternal God."
The Parowan choir sung: "We shall know each other there."
Prayer by Elder Joseph F. Smith.
Choir sung: "See all creation joins, to praise the eternal God."
Elder Charles C. Rich
spoke on the necessity of the Latter-day Saints being united, and on the beneficial results of all the experiences they have been called to pass through as a people.
spoke on the necessity of the Latter-day Saints being united, and on the beneficial results of all the experiences they have been called to pass through as a people.
President Brigham Young
delivered a discourse on the subject of co-operation, showing that the principle can be applied in every department of industry, and how its application in domestic affairs and all other matters would be the very best system of economy that could be adopted. He advanced powerful reasons in favor of co-operative stock herds.
delivered a discourse on the subject of co-operation, showing that the principle can be applied in every department of industry, and how its application in domestic affairs and all other matters would be the very best system of economy that could be adopted. He advanced powerful reasons in favor of co-operative stock herds.
President George A. Smith
spoke on the strict observance the words of wisdom, the necessity of sustaining schools, and especially those which have been established for the purpose of graduating teachers, that we may never be under the necessity of engaging teachers of doubtful character. He advised those who attend Conference to take memoranda of the teaching given and carry them to the various settlements that they may be carried out by the whole: For the time will come when we will build a Temple in Jackson County, Missouri, and the Saints will have to be prepared before they can perform the work.
The choir sang: "O my Father thou that dwellest In the high and holy place."
Prayer by Elder Lorenzo Snow.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a.m.
spoke on the strict observance the words of wisdom, the necessity of sustaining schools, and especially those which have been established for the purpose of graduating teachers, that we may never be under the necessity of engaging teachers of doubtful character. He advised those who attend Conference to take memoranda of the teaching given and carry them to the various settlements that they may be carried out by the whole: For the time will come when we will build a Temple in Jackson County, Missouri, and the Saints will have to be prepared before they can perform the work.
The choir sang: "O my Father thou that dwellest In the high and holy place."
Prayer by Elder Lorenzo Snow.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a.m.
A Priesthood meeting, which was numerously attended, was held at half-past six, p.m., in the Tabernacle. On the stand were the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, First Presidency of the Bishopric and many Bishops and other leading elders. The spirit of God was powerfully manifested. Bishop Hunter, and Presidents Daniel H. Wells, Geo. A. Smith and Brigham Young were the speakers and much valuable instruction was given.
Another meeting of the same kind will be held this evening at half-past six o'clock, in the same place.
Another meeting of the same kind will be held this evening at half-past six o'clock, in the same place.
Saturday 8th, 10 a.m.
The Choir sang: "Give us room that we may dwell"
Prayer by Elder Erastus Snow.
The Parowan Choir sang: "There is no time like the present time."
The Choir sang: "Give us room that we may dwell"
Prayer by Elder Erastus Snow.
The Parowan Choir sang: "There is no time like the present time."
Elder Erastus Snow
spoke on the first principles of the gospel. In the course of his remarks he alluded to some of the causes which induce people to apostatize from the truth. He also treated upon the transient nature of worldly honors and pleasures and the consequences which result to those who are engrossed by them, and the glorious destiny of those who become grounded in the love of God in Christ Jesus through a faithful observations fail financially. If those who own mines want the brethren to work for them, do so and get money. He continued at some length on this subject and gave some very practical illustrations.
spoke on the first principles of the gospel. In the course of his remarks he alluded to some of the causes which induce people to apostatize from the truth. He also treated upon the transient nature of worldly honors and pleasures and the consequences which result to those who are engrossed by them, and the glorious destiny of those who become grounded in the love of God in Christ Jesus through a faithful observations fail financially. If those who own mines want the brethren to work for them, do so and get money. He continued at some length on this subject and gave some very practical illustrations.
President D. H. Wells
spoke on the religious beliefs and practices of the world, showing that whatever of a saving nature may be inculcated in the various systems extant, is comprehended within the purview of the gospel of Jesus which we have received, and what is lacked by them to make up the plan of salvation is also incorporated in the gospel which is a complete system. He showed that the principles of the gospel would yet infuse themselves into the minds of the Saints to such an extent that they would be sought after to fill positions of trust all over the world.
spoke on the religious beliefs and practices of the world, showing that whatever of a saving nature may be inculcated in the various systems extant, is comprehended within the purview of the gospel of Jesus which we have received, and what is lacked by them to make up the plan of salvation is also incorporated in the gospel which is a complete system. He showed that the principles of the gospel would yet infuse themselves into the minds of the Saints to such an extent that they would be sought after to fill positions of trust all over the world.
President Brigham Young
spoke briefly on the labor question. He advised the brethren to work for strangers who come here if they desire it, and use the means they receive in payment for the building up of the Zion of God.
The choir sang: "Awake ye Saints of God, awake."
Prayer by Elder Jacob Gates.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
spoke briefly on the labor question. He advised the brethren to work for strangers who come here if they desire it, and use the means they receive in payment for the building up of the Zion of God.
The choir sang: "Awake ye Saints of God, awake."
Prayer by Elder Jacob Gates.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Saturday 8th, 2 p.m.
The choir sang: “Glorious things of thee are spoken.”
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
The Parowan choir sung: “Hark! The song of Jubilee.”
The choir sang: “Glorious things of thee are spoken.”
Prayer by Elder Elias Morris.
The Parowan choir sung: “Hark! The song of Jubilee.”
Elder Geo. Q. Cannon presented the Authorities of the Church to the Conference. The votes to sustain them in the following order were unanimous:
Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; George A. Smith, his first, and Daniel H. Wells his second counselor.
Orson Hyde, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Orson Pratt, Sen., John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jun., Joseph F. Smith, and Albert Carrington, members of said Quorum.
John Smith, Patriarch of the Church.
John W. Young, President of this Stake of Zion, and George B. Wallace, and John T. Caine his counselors.
William Eddington, John L. Blythe, Howard O. Spencer, John Squires, Wm. H. Folsom, Emanuel M. Murphy, Thos. E. Jeremy, Joseph L. Barfoot, Samuel W. Richards, John H. Rumell, Miner G. Atwood, Wm. Thorn, Dimick B. Huntington, Theodore McKean and Hosea Stout, members of the High Council.
Elias Smith, President of the High Priests’ Quorum, and Edward Snelgrove and Elias Morris as his counselors.
Joseph Young, President of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies, and Levi W. Hancock, Henry Harriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott, members of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies.
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop; Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse C. Little his councilors.
Benjamin L. Peart, President of the Elders’ Quorum; Edward Davis and Abinadi Pratt, his councilors.
Samuel G. Ladd, President of the Priests’ Quorum; Wm. McLachlan and James Latham, his councilors.
Adam Spiers, President of the Teachers’ Quorum; Martin Lenzi and Henry I. Doremus, his councilors.
James Leach, President of the Deacon’s Quorum; Peter Johnson and Chas. S. Cram his councilors.
Brigham Young, Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Truman O. Angell, Architect for the Church.
Horace S. Eldredge, President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund to gather the Poor.
Albert Carrington, Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff, his assistant.
Elders Lorin Farr, of Ogden, and Wm. L. Paine, of Kaysville, were called to go on missions to England.
When the motion was put to the Conference to sustain President Brigham Young as Trustee-in-Trust for the Church, he arose and tendered his resignation of that office. At this, congregation manifested strong signs of disapproval. And, when Elder Cannon stated that there were two motions before the Conference, one to sustain President Young as Trustee-in-Trust, and the other to accept of his resignation of that office, thousands of the people shouted “no,” “no;” and, when the first motion was put, the vast congregation, agitated by one common feeling, moved and surged for a few moments, and, not satisfied with merely holding up the right hand in token of sustaining the motion, great numbers rose to their feet and held up both hands and a murmur went up from the human sea. Many of the strangers present held up their hands as if impelled by the same spirit that moved the great assembly. The scene was one which will never be forgotten by those who beheld it, and but few persons present could prevent feelings of intense emotion swelling up in their bosoms. There stood the veteran, faithful leader of a people who had been led by him through the most trying scenes that have proved him to be their best earthly friend as well as spiritual guide, and the people uttering a united protest against his resigning to act for them in a position of trust.
President Young tendered his resignation of the office of President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, and nominated Horace S. Eldredge as his successor to that office. The resignation was accepted and the nomination unanimously sustained.
When the motions were put to sustain President George A. Smith as Historian and General Church Recorder, and President Daniel H. Wells as Superintendent of Public Works, they resigned those offices. Albert Carrington was nominated to the office of Historian and General Church Recorder, which was carried unanimously. Nominations to the office of Superintendent of Public Works was left over for the present.
A vote of confidence and thanks to the First Presidency, for their labors in the offices they had just resigned, was carried unanimously.
Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; George A. Smith, his first, and Daniel H. Wells his second counselor.
Orson Hyde, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Orson Pratt, Sen., John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jun., Joseph F. Smith, and Albert Carrington, members of said Quorum.
John Smith, Patriarch of the Church.
John W. Young, President of this Stake of Zion, and George B. Wallace, and John T. Caine his counselors.
William Eddington, John L. Blythe, Howard O. Spencer, John Squires, Wm. H. Folsom, Emanuel M. Murphy, Thos. E. Jeremy, Joseph L. Barfoot, Samuel W. Richards, John H. Rumell, Miner G. Atwood, Wm. Thorn, Dimick B. Huntington, Theodore McKean and Hosea Stout, members of the High Council.
Elias Smith, President of the High Priests’ Quorum, and Edward Snelgrove and Elias Morris as his counselors.
Joseph Young, President of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies, and Levi W. Hancock, Henry Harriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott, members of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies.
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop; Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse C. Little his councilors.
Benjamin L. Peart, President of the Elders’ Quorum; Edward Davis and Abinadi Pratt, his councilors.
Samuel G. Ladd, President of the Priests’ Quorum; Wm. McLachlan and James Latham, his councilors.
Adam Spiers, President of the Teachers’ Quorum; Martin Lenzi and Henry I. Doremus, his councilors.
James Leach, President of the Deacon’s Quorum; Peter Johnson and Chas. S. Cram his councilors.
Brigham Young, Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Truman O. Angell, Architect for the Church.
Horace S. Eldredge, President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund to gather the Poor.
Albert Carrington, Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff, his assistant.
Elders Lorin Farr, of Ogden, and Wm. L. Paine, of Kaysville, were called to go on missions to England.
When the motion was put to the Conference to sustain President Brigham Young as Trustee-in-Trust for the Church, he arose and tendered his resignation of that office. At this, congregation manifested strong signs of disapproval. And, when Elder Cannon stated that there were two motions before the Conference, one to sustain President Young as Trustee-in-Trust, and the other to accept of his resignation of that office, thousands of the people shouted “no,” “no;” and, when the first motion was put, the vast congregation, agitated by one common feeling, moved and surged for a few moments, and, not satisfied with merely holding up the right hand in token of sustaining the motion, great numbers rose to their feet and held up both hands and a murmur went up from the human sea. Many of the strangers present held up their hands as if impelled by the same spirit that moved the great assembly. The scene was one which will never be forgotten by those who beheld it, and but few persons present could prevent feelings of intense emotion swelling up in their bosoms. There stood the veteran, faithful leader of a people who had been led by him through the most trying scenes that have proved him to be their best earthly friend as well as spiritual guide, and the people uttering a united protest against his resigning to act for them in a position of trust.
President Young tendered his resignation of the office of President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, and nominated Horace S. Eldredge as his successor to that office. The resignation was accepted and the nomination unanimously sustained.
When the motions were put to sustain President George A. Smith as Historian and General Church Recorder, and President Daniel H. Wells as Superintendent of Public Works, they resigned those offices. Albert Carrington was nominated to the office of Historian and General Church Recorder, which was carried unanimously. Nominations to the office of Superintendent of Public Works was left over for the present.
A vote of confidence and thanks to the First Presidency, for their labors in the offices they had just resigned, was carried unanimously.
President Brigham Young
gave it as a reason for the First Presidency resigning those offices that they would be more free to travel among the people and preach to them. He delivered a very powerful discourse in which he showed what had produced the wonderful union that exists among the Latter-day Saints. His remarks were reported.
gave it as a reason for the First Presidency resigning those offices that they would be more free to travel among the people and preach to them. He delivered a very powerful discourse in which he showed what had produced the wonderful union that exists among the Latter-day Saints. His remarks were reported.
Elder Orson Hyde
addressed the Conference for a short time. He stated that none had ever helped the Saints but the Almighty, and that he would continue to be their friend. He prophesied of the ultimate triumph of the Saints over all their enemies and that no power would ever stay their progress.
The choir sang, “Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah.”
Prayer by President George A. Smith.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a.m.
addressed the Conference for a short time. He stated that none had ever helped the Saints but the Almighty, and that he would continue to be their friend. He prophesied of the ultimate triumph of the Saints over all their enemies and that no power would ever stay their progress.
The choir sang, “Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah.”
Prayer by President George A. Smith.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a.m.
Sunday 9th, 10 a.m.
The Parowan Choir sang: “How beautiful upon the Mountains”
Prayer by Elder Albert Carrington.
The choir sang: “The morning breaks, the shadows flee.”
The Parowan Choir sang: “How beautiful upon the Mountains”
Prayer by Elder Albert Carrington.
The choir sang: “The morning breaks, the shadows flee.”
Elder John Taylor
showed that, in the Latter-day Saints taking the course they do, they are but carrying out the designs of the Almighty, and that no power will ever hinder them from performing the work they have commenced if they are faithful.
The gospel addresses itself more particularly to those who love truth and right. There is no wickedness so despicable as that which is perpetrated under the garb of religion. It has been mostly men who were enwrapped in the cloak of pretended Christianity, who in the past have driven and persecuted the Latter-day Saints. God, in inaugurating the work in which we are engaged, has commenced to correct all the evils that are in the world. Notwithstanding the numberless religions and vain philosophical organizations that exist, the demon of war and other great wrongs still stalk abroad. No power can correct them but that of the Almighty, through revealing heavenly principles to those who are willing to receive them. There has been considerable said about the one-man power. It is a mistake to use this expression in connection with the Latter-day work unless God be called that one man. He believed in the power of God; but the Almighty raises up men to act for him on the earth, as he raised up a Moses to lead Israel anciently. President Brigham Young is the mouthpiece of God to us. We are all instructed by him, we receive intelligence from the same source as he does and we therefore know that he speaks by the inspiration of God. This cements us together. We sustain him as our head and this is the one-man power. Our unity extends to temporal concerns because it is right. God has a right to govern us in those matters, for He created them all. He created all our surroundings as well as those beautiful bodies which our spirits inhabit.
showed that, in the Latter-day Saints taking the course they do, they are but carrying out the designs of the Almighty, and that no power will ever hinder them from performing the work they have commenced if they are faithful.
The gospel addresses itself more particularly to those who love truth and right. There is no wickedness so despicable as that which is perpetrated under the garb of religion. It has been mostly men who were enwrapped in the cloak of pretended Christianity, who in the past have driven and persecuted the Latter-day Saints. God, in inaugurating the work in which we are engaged, has commenced to correct all the evils that are in the world. Notwithstanding the numberless religions and vain philosophical organizations that exist, the demon of war and other great wrongs still stalk abroad. No power can correct them but that of the Almighty, through revealing heavenly principles to those who are willing to receive them. There has been considerable said about the one-man power. It is a mistake to use this expression in connection with the Latter-day work unless God be called that one man. He believed in the power of God; but the Almighty raises up men to act for him on the earth, as he raised up a Moses to lead Israel anciently. President Brigham Young is the mouthpiece of God to us. We are all instructed by him, we receive intelligence from the same source as he does and we therefore know that he speaks by the inspiration of God. This cements us together. We sustain him as our head and this is the one-man power. Our unity extends to temporal concerns because it is right. God has a right to govern us in those matters, for He created them all. He created all our surroundings as well as those beautiful bodies which our spirits inhabit.
Mr. Martin Harris,
one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, arose and bore testimony to its divine authenticity.
one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, arose and bore testimony to its divine authenticity.
President George A. Smith
spoke a short time: he said it is remarkable to have the testimony of Martin Harris. The Book of Mormon, however, carries evidence with it. The promise has been fulfilled that those who do the will of God should know of the doctrine that it is true; thus the Book of Mormon has thousands of witnesses. He bore a powerful testimony to the truth of the latter-day work.
spoke a short time: he said it is remarkable to have the testimony of Martin Harris. The Book of Mormon, however, carries evidence with it. The promise has been fulfilled that those who do the will of God should know of the doctrine that it is true; thus the Book of Mormon has thousands of witnesses. He bore a powerful testimony to the truth of the latter-day work.
Elder George Q. Cannon
read the testimony of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon as published on the first page of that book.
read the testimony of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon as published on the first page of that book.
President Brigham Young
gave a brief account of the manner in which the witnesses of the Book of Mormon left the church. He related circumstances showing that none of those witnesses had ever denied their testimony. He bore testimony that Joseph Smith was as great a prophet, as true and faithful, and as good a man—Jesus excepted, as ever lived.
The choir sang: “Go, ye messengers of glory.”
Prayer by Elder Charles C. Rich.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
gave a brief account of the manner in which the witnesses of the Book of Mormon left the church. He related circumstances showing that none of those witnesses had ever denied their testimony. He bore testimony that Joseph Smith was as great a prophet, as true and faithful, and as good a man—Jesus excepted, as ever lived.
The choir sang: “Go, ye messengers of glory.”
Prayer by Elder Charles C. Rich.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Sunday 9th, 2 p.m.
The Parowan choir sang “He’s gone to the silent land.”
Prayer by Elder George Q. Cannon.
The choir sang: “Arise my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears.”
The Parowan choir sang “He’s gone to the silent land.”
Prayer by Elder George Q. Cannon.
The choir sang: “Arise my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears.”
Elder Albert Carrington
addressed the conference: He showed that there is but one way by which the human family can attain to the things of God; that is by obeying the simple principles of the Gospel of Jesus. He desired the welfare of all mankind whatever might be their views or traditions. We gathered to these valleys to devote ourselves to the worship of God and there can be no better or nobler pursuit. Many would like to see us give up this pursuit and introduce the institutions of so-called civilization amongst us; but we will never do it. Although he, in common with the rest of the Saints, had been driven and persecuted for worshipping God according to the dictates of his own conscience, yet he had no bitter feelings against his persecutors, as he believed they did it in their ignorance. He continued to speak for some time on the political position of the people of this Territory, showing that Congress could not be Constitutionally sustained in the position it assumed toward them. The program of the enemies is to oppress them, so as to goad them on to the commission of some overt act that would be a pretext for waging an exterminating crusade against them. Those, however, who plot and scheme for the overthrow of this people will accomplish their own discomfiture.
addressed the conference: He showed that there is but one way by which the human family can attain to the things of God; that is by obeying the simple principles of the Gospel of Jesus. He desired the welfare of all mankind whatever might be their views or traditions. We gathered to these valleys to devote ourselves to the worship of God and there can be no better or nobler pursuit. Many would like to see us give up this pursuit and introduce the institutions of so-called civilization amongst us; but we will never do it. Although he, in common with the rest of the Saints, had been driven and persecuted for worshipping God according to the dictates of his own conscience, yet he had no bitter feelings against his persecutors, as he believed they did it in their ignorance. He continued to speak for some time on the political position of the people of this Territory, showing that Congress could not be Constitutionally sustained in the position it assumed toward them. The program of the enemies is to oppress them, so as to goad them on to the commission of some overt act that would be a pretext for waging an exterminating crusade against them. Those, however, who plot and scheme for the overthrow of this people will accomplish their own discomfiture.
President George A. Smith
addressed the Conference. He stated that when the State of Deseret applied for admission into the Union as a State, Congress was bound, according to the Constitution, to give us a republican form of government in which all the officers would be elected by the people, but they did not do it. He spoke in relation to the ordinance of baptism for the dead, showing that all the benefits of that ordinance could not be fully enjoyed until a temple should be built in which it could be administered; and that, if we go to work with a determination to finish the Temple here, our enemies will begin to howl; yet, if the Saints continue faithful, they will accomplish the work. We should devote some of our attention to erecting the building. Let the Saints learn all they can about their fathers, that the ordinances pertaining to the dead may be attended to.
President Smith then spoke on the nature of the institution of marriage. He said, let every man marry for eternity and every woman seek after a good, faithful husband, for the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. The speaker gave some excellent instructions on the subjects upon which he treated.
addressed the Conference. He stated that when the State of Deseret applied for admission into the Union as a State, Congress was bound, according to the Constitution, to give us a republican form of government in which all the officers would be elected by the people, but they did not do it. He spoke in relation to the ordinance of baptism for the dead, showing that all the benefits of that ordinance could not be fully enjoyed until a temple should be built in which it could be administered; and that, if we go to work with a determination to finish the Temple here, our enemies will begin to howl; yet, if the Saints continue faithful, they will accomplish the work. We should devote some of our attention to erecting the building. Let the Saints learn all they can about their fathers, that the ordinances pertaining to the dead may be attended to.
President Smith then spoke on the nature of the institution of marriage. He said, let every man marry for eternity and every woman seek after a good, faithful husband, for the man is not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord. The speaker gave some excellent instructions on the subjects upon which he treated.
President Brigham Young
spoke for some time on the subject of salvation for the dead, who had passed from earth without the privilege of obeying the gospel. He showed the comprehensiveness of the plan of salvation. At the conclusion of his discourse, he blessed, in the name of Jesus, the congregation, all the Saints and all the inhabitants of the earth who are for the promotion of truth and righteousness.
spoke for some time on the subject of salvation for the dead, who had passed from earth without the privilege of obeying the gospel. He showed the comprehensiveness of the plan of salvation. At the conclusion of his discourse, he blessed, in the name of Jesus, the congregation, all the Saints and all the inhabitants of the earth who are for the promotion of truth and righteousness.
Elder Cannon called over the names of the following brethren as having been called to assist Elders C. C. Rich and Lorenzo Snow in settling the northern part of the Territory:
Ezra T. Clark
Bro. Vitsall, 13th Ward
John L. Brushes
David Hess, Farmington
Niels Wahlstrom, 17th Ward
Ludwig Suhrke, 14th Ward
Charles E. Robinson, Pleasant Grove
John A. Robinson, Pleasant Grove
Charles A. Berry, Springville
Horace Drake, 12th Ward
John Luther Dolton, Weber City
Ebenezer Farns
Charles Hubbard
James Peterson, Mill Creek
Jeppe George Farlkman
Joseph Evans, Lehi
Joseph Thomas Kingsberry
Carl Marcussen, North Ogden
Wilholm Hiskey
J. E. Lane
Daniel Law
Benjamin Clark
Peere Fordham
William Jenkins
Walter Hoge, Providence
Lewis Gerand
George B. Morris, 19th Ward
George Clissold, 11th Ward
William Andrus, Morgan County
Benjamin Wright, South Cottonwood
Frederick Y. Bishop, South Cottonwood
Charles K. Wright, West Jordan
Henry Lewis, 20th Ward
Joseph E. Mullet, 19th Ward
Milo Andrus, Jr., Dry Creek
Laron Andrus, Dry Creek
Samuel M. Price
David B. Bybee
Alma Peterson
Charles Peterson, Weber City, Morgan Co
Thomas Ashment
Benjamin Peart
Miron Higley, Jr.
Henry Dixon
Neils Rasmussen
Ezra F. Martin, 3d Ward
Andrew J. Johnson, 15th Ward
Robert Collins
Fritz L. Johnson, 19th Ward
Benjamin M. Harman, 15th Ward
Henry Hayward, 16th Ward
Robert S. Wood 14th Ward
Stephen Theobald, West Jordan
James Johnson, 16th Ward
Franklin Merrill
Albert M. Merrill
Daniel Bryan
Also the following to go on missions to England:
John I. Hart, Ogden
Charles Lambert, 7th Ward
Conference adjourned till the 6th day of April next.
The choir sang: “The earth is the Lord’s.”
Benediction by President George A. Smith.
The Conference throughout has been characterized by the rich outpourings of the Spirit of God. The instructions have been of a nature to make all truehearted Saints rejoice, and none who attended could fail to see that the power of Israel is on the increase.
John Nicholson,
Clerk of Conference.
Ezra T. Clark
Bro. Vitsall, 13th Ward
John L. Brushes
David Hess, Farmington
Niels Wahlstrom, 17th Ward
Ludwig Suhrke, 14th Ward
Charles E. Robinson, Pleasant Grove
John A. Robinson, Pleasant Grove
Charles A. Berry, Springville
Horace Drake, 12th Ward
John Luther Dolton, Weber City
Ebenezer Farns
Charles Hubbard
James Peterson, Mill Creek
Jeppe George Farlkman
Joseph Evans, Lehi
Joseph Thomas Kingsberry
Carl Marcussen, North Ogden
Wilholm Hiskey
J. E. Lane
Daniel Law
Benjamin Clark
Peere Fordham
William Jenkins
Walter Hoge, Providence
Lewis Gerand
George B. Morris, 19th Ward
George Clissold, 11th Ward
William Andrus, Morgan County
Benjamin Wright, South Cottonwood
Frederick Y. Bishop, South Cottonwood
Charles K. Wright, West Jordan
Henry Lewis, 20th Ward
Joseph E. Mullet, 19th Ward
Milo Andrus, Jr., Dry Creek
Laron Andrus, Dry Creek
Samuel M. Price
David B. Bybee
Alma Peterson
Charles Peterson, Weber City, Morgan Co
Thomas Ashment
Benjamin Peart
Miron Higley, Jr.
Henry Dixon
Neils Rasmussen
Ezra F. Martin, 3d Ward
Andrew J. Johnson, 15th Ward
Robert Collins
Fritz L. Johnson, 19th Ward
Benjamin M. Harman, 15th Ward
Henry Hayward, 16th Ward
Robert S. Wood 14th Ward
Stephen Theobald, West Jordan
James Johnson, 16th Ward
Franklin Merrill
Albert M. Merrill
Daniel Bryan
Also the following to go on missions to England:
John I. Hart, Ogden
Charles Lambert, 7th Ward
Conference adjourned till the 6th day of April next.
The choir sang: “The earth is the Lord’s.”
Benediction by President George A. Smith.
The Conference throughout has been characterized by the rich outpourings of the Spirit of God. The instructions have been of a nature to make all truehearted Saints rejoice, and none who attended could fail to see that the power of Israel is on the increase.
John Nicholson,
Clerk of Conference.