April 1876
Smith, Joseph F. "The Gospel Trumpet—Salvation More Than Baptism and the Laying on of Hands—Responsibilities of Believers—Labors and Opportunities of the Spirit World—The Office of the Holy Spirit—Knowledge of the Gospel, Certain and Sure—Its Fruits Good, and Manifest in the Lives of Those Who Receive It." Journal of Discourses. Volume 18. April 8, 1876: pg. 271-277.
Taylor, John. "How God's Purposes Are Fulfilled—Similarity of Ancient and Modern Church Government—Interview With Baron Rothschild—Object of Building Temples—The Perfect Organization of the Church of Christ—Works Indispensable to Salvation." Journal of Discourses. Volume 18. April 6, 1876: pg. 193-203. The Deseret News. "The Annual Conference." April 12, 1876: pg. 168-169, 172. Wells, Daniel H. "Unbelief of the Present Age—The Saints Called to Build up God's Kingdom—Their Duties and Responsibilities." Journal of Discourses. Volume 18. April 6, 1876: pg. 203-207. Woodruff, Wilford. "Infidelity of the Christian World—Duties and Responsibilities of the Saints—Necessity of a Temple, and Works in Behalf of the Dead." Journal of Discourses. Volume 18. April 6, 1876: pg. 186-193. The Annual Conference. Thursday, April 6th. Elder Wilford Woodruff Infidelity of the Christian World President D. H. Wells Unbelief of the Present Age 2 p. m. Elder John Taylor How God's Purposes Are Fulfilled Friday, April 7, 10 a. m. Elder Lorenzo Snow Elder Charles C. Rich Elder Franklin D. Richards President Brigham Young 2 p.m. Elder Isaac Bullock Elder Claudius V. Spencer Elder Joseph F. Smith The Gospel Trumpet—Responsibilities of Believers Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. Elder C. W. Penrose Elder Orson Pratt 2 p.m. Sustaining of the General Authorities Mission Calls Elder John Van Cott Elder Joseph E. Taylor Sunday, April 9th, 10 a.m. Elder James A. Little Elder Angus M. Cannon Elder R. T. Burton Elder A. F. MacDonald Elder John T. Caine Elder Wilford Woodruff 2 p. m. Mission Calls Elder Orson Pratt |
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The Annual Conference
FIRST DAY.
Thursday, April 6th.
The forty-sixth annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened this morning in the New Tabernacle, April 6th, 1876, at 10 o’clock.
Present on the Stand.
Of the First Presidency—Prest. B. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
Of the Twelve Apostles—John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Sen., C. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Jos. F. Smith.
Patriarch—John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott.
Of the Presidency of the High Priest’s Quorum—Elias Smith and Elias Morris.
Of the Presidency of this Stake of Zion—Geo. B. Wallace and W. H. Folsom.
Of the Presidency of the Bishopric—Edward Hunter, L. W. Hardy, Robert T. Burton.
In addition to the above, there was a general attendance of the authorities throughout the Territory, besides a large congregation of Saints.
Conference was called to order by Prest. B. Young.
The choir sang—An angel from on high The long, long silence broke.
Prayer by Elder John Taylor.
The choir sang—Great is the Lord, ‘tis good to praise His high and holy name.
FIRST DAY.
Thursday, April 6th.
The forty-sixth annual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints convened this morning in the New Tabernacle, April 6th, 1876, at 10 o’clock.
Present on the Stand.
Of the First Presidency—Prest. B. Young and Daniel H. Wells.
Of the Twelve Apostles—John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Sen., C. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Jos. F. Smith.
Patriarch—John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott.
Of the Presidency of the High Priest’s Quorum—Elias Smith and Elias Morris.
Of the Presidency of this Stake of Zion—Geo. B. Wallace and W. H. Folsom.
Of the Presidency of the Bishopric—Edward Hunter, L. W. Hardy, Robert T. Burton.
In addition to the above, there was a general attendance of the authorities throughout the Territory, besides a large congregation of Saints.
Conference was called to order by Prest. B. Young.
The choir sang—An angel from on high The long, long silence broke.
Prayer by Elder John Taylor.
The choir sang—Great is the Lord, ‘tis good to praise His high and holy name.
Elder Wilford Woodruff
rejoiced in having another opportunity of meeting together in another conference. He particularly desired that every heart should be lifted up in praise and thanksgiving to God. The professing Christian world, though they said they believed in the Bible, were groping in darkness and were without faith in God. The Latter-day Saints not only believed in Joseph Smith, the prophet of the last days, but also in those promises and prophecies that God had declared through his servants in ancient and modern times.
He then spoke of the blessings and privileges that all those were entitled to who had embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, and who kept a celestial law. All those to whom were committed a dispensation of the gospel, God held responsible for carrying out of his purposes, and he revealed unto them from time to time. God held the ancient apostles responsible for the faithful testimony which Jesus their master sent them forth to bear to the nations of the earth, and which they faithfully performed to the day of their death. So also with Joseph Smith, to whom the Lord delivered the ancient records of the Nephites, and gave him the priesthood to lay the foundation of a kingdom that never was to be thrown down. God held him accountable for the faithful use of those powers and keys that were committed to him. It was the same with Prest. Young, his counsel, the twelve apostles, and all who held the priesthood. God held us all accountable for the same, and it behooved us to be careful how we handled sacred things and to magnify our calling that was placed upon us.
He urged the prompt and honest observance of the law of tithing, that our temples might be built, and all faithful Saints have the privilege of attending to those ordinances for their dead friends and forefathers that alone could be attended to in the temples of the Most High God. No matter what our circumstances might be, all had the power of keeping the commandments of God. He hoped the Saints who attended this Conference would come with prayerful hearts, that God might inspire his servant Brigham and give him strength to deal out to the people the bread of life. He prayed that God would also inspire his Saints with an increasing desire and determination to do all things required at their hands.
rejoiced in having another opportunity of meeting together in another conference. He particularly desired that every heart should be lifted up in praise and thanksgiving to God. The professing Christian world, though they said they believed in the Bible, were groping in darkness and were without faith in God. The Latter-day Saints not only believed in Joseph Smith, the prophet of the last days, but also in those promises and prophecies that God had declared through his servants in ancient and modern times.
He then spoke of the blessings and privileges that all those were entitled to who had embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, and who kept a celestial law. All those to whom were committed a dispensation of the gospel, God held responsible for carrying out of his purposes, and he revealed unto them from time to time. God held the ancient apostles responsible for the faithful testimony which Jesus their master sent them forth to bear to the nations of the earth, and which they faithfully performed to the day of their death. So also with Joseph Smith, to whom the Lord delivered the ancient records of the Nephites, and gave him the priesthood to lay the foundation of a kingdom that never was to be thrown down. God held him accountable for the faithful use of those powers and keys that were committed to him. It was the same with Prest. Young, his counsel, the twelve apostles, and all who held the priesthood. God held us all accountable for the same, and it behooved us to be careful how we handled sacred things and to magnify our calling that was placed upon us.
He urged the prompt and honest observance of the law of tithing, that our temples might be built, and all faithful Saints have the privilege of attending to those ordinances for their dead friends and forefathers that alone could be attended to in the temples of the Most High God. No matter what our circumstances might be, all had the power of keeping the commandments of God. He hoped the Saints who attended this Conference would come with prayerful hearts, that God might inspire his servant Brigham and give him strength to deal out to the people the bread of life. He prayed that God would also inspire his Saints with an increasing desire and determination to do all things required at their hands.
Infidelity of the Christian World—Duties and Responsibilities of the Saints—Necessity of a Temple, and Works in Behalf of the Dead
Discourse by Elder Wilford Woodruff, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Thursday Morning, April 6, 1876.
Reported by David W. Evans.
“Who am I, saith the Lord, that I command and am not obeyed? Who am I, saith the Lord, that I promise and do not fulfill?” We have again the privilege of assembling ourselves together upon another Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I hope and trust that, what time we may spend in Conference, our hearts may be lifted up unto the Lord, that his Holy Spirit may be given unto us, that we may be dictated and directed in our words, thoughts, acts, and teachings, in such a manner that we may be justified before him.
We have said, time after time, and year after year, that we live in a very peculiar age, generation and dispensation, and this is true. Time rolls on, carrying with it its events, and fulfilling the revelations of God, unto us especially. We live in a day of darkness; unbelief and infidelity are covering the whole face of the earth, until it seems as though the whole Christian world had lost all hold of faith in God and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Bible, the revelation of God to man. And this being the case, if the Lord has any people on the face of the earth, they should be increasing in faith in him. You let a Christian come here, no matter who, whether he be a minister, professor, or believer, or anyone who professes to believe in the Bible, and let him ask an Elder in Israel—“Do you really believe, in your soul, sincerely before the Lord, that Mormonism is true?” When the Elder answers him “yes,” he is about as much astonished as we were yesterday when these magazines exploded. The fact of it is, as I said before, the world do not believe in God or in revelation, and they marvel very greatly to find any man who has really got independence of mind enough to stand up and say—“I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and I believe in the revelations that were given through him; I believe in the literal fulfillment of prophecy, as written in the Bible.” To hear men say this astonishes the Latter-day Saints to see the amount of darkness and infidelity that are abroad in the earth. Hence, as Latter-day Saints, I think it requires on our part an increase of faithfulness in the practice of our religion, and in the various revelations of God contained in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
We see before our eyes, year after year, the signs of heaven and of earth, and the fulfillment of prophecy, but how much are we as a people increasing in faith in God? Do we increase in that respect in proportion to the increase of infidelity in the world? Perhaps I am not a judge, but it appears to me that we do not comprehend. The work in which we are engaged, and the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, are just as true today as they were twenty, thirty, or forty years ago, when we shouldered our knapsacks and valises, and traveled on foot from city to city, State to State, and from country to country, to preach the word of God without money and without price, trusting in the living God to sustain and uphold us in our mission. I say that this work is just as true now as then, and so is the saying which I quoted—“Who am I, saith the Lord, that I command and am not obeyed? Who am I, saith the Lord, that I promise and do not fulfill?” I believe that the Lord will fulfill what he says; I believe that he will fulfill his promises unto the Latter-day Saints and unto the world, unto Zion and Babylon; and if he does, there is something at the door, something for us, as Latter-day Saints, to do. I believe the Lord has held every man responsible, from the day of our great progenitor, father Adam, into whose hands the Holy Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom of God have been committed; and I believe that every man, every set of men, and every people, will be held responsible, in time and eternity, for the use they have made of the gifts, blessings, and promises which have been given unto them. The amount of it is that if any people undertake to keep a celestial law, it is their privilege to enjoy the spirit and power of that law; it is also the privilege of any man or set of men, who ever received the Gospel, to enjoy the blessings of that Gospel, no matter what age of the world they may have lived in. Every person who has ever repented of his sins, and has been baptized for their remission, after the order of God, and after the similitude of Jesus Christ, who was buried in water in the likeness of his death, and came forth in the likeness of his resurrection, has a right to the Holy Ghost; it is promised, and it belongs to him; it is the right of all persons to enjoy this, and if they receive the Holy Ghost and its gifts, they have inspiration, light, and truth; they have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand, and they should be in a position before the Lord that they can comprehend his work far more perfectly than the world, for they have not obeyed the Gospel of Christ, and they have no right to, or claim upon, the gifts of that Gospel. But all who, in any age of the world, obey the Gospel, have a right to the Comforter, and to inspiration and revelation, they belong to them, and the Lord never had a people on the face of the earth who did not have a right to these gifts, and it was their privilege and duty to enjoy them.
This is the difference between those who keep celestial law, the law of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and those who do not. But, as I have remarked, all in every age of the world who have received a dispensation of the Gospel, are responsible before the Lord for their acts, and for the manner in which they have used their blessings and privileges. The Prophets and Apostles in every age have been held responsible for the manner in which they made use of the Gospel of Christ when committed unto them; and that is the way it is with us today. One thing is evident to everybody who reflects at all upon the things of the kingdom of God—whenever the Lord chooses a people out of the world, they are hated by the world, and are unpopular in the world. This has been the case in every age. It was so in the days of Jesus Christ. He came to his own father's house—the Jews; he was of the lineage of Abraham, and when he came to his own brethren he was unpopular, he was rejected and opposed.
They did not like him nor his course. They were looking for Shiloh to come, but not as a babe born in a stable and cradled in a manger, and traveling on from that to the cross and the grave in poverty and affliction, without military authority, and without power to govern and control, and to deliver and uphold the Jews as a nation. Christ came as the babe of Bethlehem, the lowest almost of the human family, and remained so up to the day of his death. A poorer man never lived, that I know of, in Judea and Jerusalem, than Jesus Christ. Who were his followers? They were not the great, rich, learned, noble, High Priests, or leading men of Judea; many of them were illiterate fishermen, poor men, weak things of the world; they were the class that Jesus chose for his disciples, and into their hands he gave the keys of the kingdom of God; he gave them the Apostleship, the power to bind and to seal both on earth and in heaven. Their deeds and labors reached not only through this world, but they reached into the eternal worlds, and will affect the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem from that day, I may say, into eternity. Those disciples of Christ received the Holy Priesthood, the Gospel of Christ, and the keys of the kingdom of God, and Jesus held them responsible to the day of their death for the course they pursued. However much they were despised by the world, they were held responsible for bearing a true and faithful testimony to Jew and Gentile, of Jesus Christ being the true Shepherd and the Savior of the world.
And so I will say about the Latter-day Saints and the work they are engaged in. Ezekiel says that in the last days the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim should be placed with the stick of Judah, before the eyes of the nations in the hands of the Lord, for a special purpose—to gather the house of Israel in the latter days. These two records were also to be made use of in order to preach the fullness of the everlasting Gospel to both Jew and Gentile; and they will stand in judgment against the generation living on the earth when they come forth; and from the day that Moroni gave that record into the hands of Joseph Smith, the Lord held him responsible for the use which he made of it; and when he gave him the Priesthood under the hands of John the Baptist, and the Apostleship under the hands of Peter, James and John, the Lord Almighty held him responsible unto the day that he sealed his testimony with his blood, for the course that he pursued with these things. And he bore his testimony, left it on record, and sealed it with his blood, and laid down his life, and that testimony is in force today upon all the world, and will remain so unto the end of time. And when I say this of Joseph Smith, I say it of every other man. President Young has led this Church for many years, and the Lord has held him responsible, and will hold him so unto the day of his death, for the course pursued by him while conducting the affairs of his Church and kingdom, and also for the use he makes of the holy Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom. So also with his Counselors, the Twelve Apostles, and everyone of us; we shall all be held accountable to the day of our death, and we shall have to give an account before the God of heaven when we go into the spirit world and meet him there; for the use of this Priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, which have been established on the earth for the last time, have been committed into the hands of this people, and God will hold the whole of us responsible for the use we make of the blessings, privileges and powers which we enjoy in connection therewith. The eyes of God and his angels, and of every man who dwells in the celestial world are watching us, and the course we pursue.
We are gathered together here as a people; we have been in these mountains a good while, and for a good many years we have been organized as a Church and kingdom, in this last age, in this dispensation of the fullness of times; and now the question with me is—Are we living up to our privileges? Are we performing the work required at our hands? Can we, as a people, claim the blessings of the Gospel of Christ, the blessings of the celestial law and of the celestial kingdom of God? Can we claim these things at the hands of our heavenly Father unless we keep his commandments? This is a question that we want to take home to ourselves. If we are not keeping the commands of the Lord can we claim his blessings? We cannot; and this is matter for reflection for the Latter-day Saints.
It may be asked—What are the commandments of the Lord? Many of them are contained in these records, the Bible, Book of Mormon and Book of Doctrine and Covenants; and we have the living oracles with us, and have had from the commencement. The Lord will never leave his kingdom without a lawgiver, leader, president, or some power to direct the affairs of his Church on the earth, for the reason that it is the dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God has set up a kingdom which is to be an everlasting kingdom, and to whose dominion there will be no end; that kingdom will not be given into the hands of any other people, but it will be given to the Saints of the Most High, and they will possess it forever and ever.
Now, brethren and sisters, here comes a question in my mind, this morning, which I think we ought to bring home to ourselves, and that is—Are we, as a people, doing our duty in keeping the law and commandments of God, and the covenants which we have made? If we are we are justified, and we have a claim upon the Holy Spirit and upon the blessing and approbation of God. Many things are required at the hands of the Latter-day Saints, and there is not one of us who has a lease of his life. The Elders of this Church are passing away, and almost every Conference we look around and find that somebody has left us; and it will be but a short time before many of us who are here today will have closed our labors in the flesh, and we shall have passed to the other side of the veil, and it is important to us all that we should do what is required of us. What we find to do today we should not put off till tomorrow.
The question may arise in some minds—What is required of the Latter-day Saints? I will tell you some things that are required of us. The Lord requires us to pay our Tithing; and another thing is that we go to and build the Temple in this city; whether we do it or not it is required of us, and if we fail, we, in my view, shall be under condemnation. I consider that the building of Temples is one of the important things required by the Lord of the Latter-day Saints in the dispensation of the fullness of times, that we may go into those Temples and not only redeem the living but redeem our dead. We have been a good many years here in the valleys of the mountains, and we have not yet got a Temple finished to the name of the Lord. We have one pretty well forward in St. George, and I am very glad of it; but we want one here. We have got the foundation laid; it has been standing a good many years, and I think that we should go to and finish it, and do what we can to redeem our dead. This is among the things for which I think we shall be held responsible. Very many of us in this Church and kingdom have been gathered, as the Prophet has said, one of a family and two of a city, and many of our progenitors, now in the spirit world, never saw the face of an Apostle, Prophet, or inspired man, and they are shut up in prison. Joseph Smith, Heber Kimball, George A. Smith, and thousands of the Elders of Israel may preach to those spirits, and they may receive the testimonies which the Elders bear; but the Elders will not baptize believers there; there is no baptism in the spirit world any more than there is any marrying and giving in marriage. All these things have to be done this side of the veil, in the flesh. God is no respecter of persons; he will not give privileges to one generation and withhold them from another; and the whole human family, from father Adam down to our day, have got to have the privilege, somewhere, of hearing the Gospel of Christ; and the generations that have passed and gone without hearing that Gospel in its fullness, power and glory, will never be held responsible by God for not obeying it, neither will he bring them under condemnation for rejecting a law they never saw or understood; and if they live up to the light they had they are justified so far, and they have to be preached to in the spirit world. But nobody will baptize them there, and somebody has got to administer for them by proxy here in the flesh, that they may be judged according to men in the flesh and have part in the first resurrection.
This, in my view, is the work that is required at the hands of the Latter-day Saints, and when we get through I think we will find this to be true. And if there is anything I desire to live for on the earth, or that I have desired, it has been to get a record of the genealogy of my fathers, that I might do something for them before I go hence into the spirit world. Until within a few years past it has seemed as if every avenue has been closed to obtaining such records; but the Lord has moved upon the inhabitants of this nation, and thousands of them are now laboring to trace the genealogical descent of the Puritan fathers, those who landed at Plymouth Rock, and whose descendants built up New England. Their lineages are coming to light, and we are gradually obtaining access to them, and by this means we shall be enabled to do something towards the salvation of our dead.
These are some of the things upon my mind that I wished to speak to you about. And now let me ask—Have we a right to our endowments and to the ordinances and blessings of the Church and kingdom of God, unless we fulfill the law of God. It seems to me many times, that there is a darkness and a lack of faith even among the Latter-day Saints, and that as we grow older we grow colder, and as we advance towards the winding-up scene it seems as though we have almost lost sight of our calling, of the object of our being gathered together, and the purposes which God requires at our hands. There is a good deal for us to do if we build up Zion; and if we do that and sanctify ourselves before the Lord, it has got to be done through obedience to the commandments of the Lord. The Lord has commanded us, and we have got to obey his commandments if we receive the blessings of obedience. Our numbers are not great, and compared with the whole of the inhabitants of the earth, I do not expect that the number of the Latter-day Saints will ever be very great; yet the Lord has promised that the little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; and out of the house of Israel and those from among the Gentiles who obey the Gospel, God will raise up a nation, and they will have power and strength in the earth. But when we compare the Saints in this or any other age with the surrounding world, their numbers are few. I do not know why it is that so few of the inhabitants of the earth take any interest in their eternal welfare. The whole human family, heathen, pagan, Christian and Jew, know that this is not their home, and that all have got to die, they cannot escape the law of death; even if translated, as some were anciently, they have to undergo a change equivalent to death. Then why is it there is so little interest throughout the world with regard to a future state and to eternal matters? The few who show they have an interest in these things, and who have gathered together to these valleys of the mountains, have need of faith; we stand in need of prayer, we stand in need of the Holy Ghost, and of the inspiration of the Almighty to dictate and direct us, and unless we possess and enjoy these things we become barren and unfruitful before the Lord.
Now, whatever the Lord requires at our hands, he does not require anything of us that we cannot perform. We can obey his commandments according to the position that we occupy and the means that we have in our possession. There is no man or woman so poor but what he or she can obey the Gospel; they can go forth and be baptized for the remission of their sins, and if they keep the commandments of the Lord he will put into their hands power and means to fulfill that which is required of them.
I hope, brethren and sisters, that while we are together at this Conference, we shall have prayerful hearts, and that the Spirit of the Lord may be poured out upon us; that President Young may have strength of body, and that the Spirit of God may rest upon him to such an extent that he may be able to give the Latter-day Saints such instruction as he may desire; and that the Apostles and Elders who may be called upon to speak may be made the instruments in the hands of the Lord in conveying his word to the people, and that we may be united together.
Somebody or other has got to build up Zion; somebody has got to build Temples, and to go into them and attend to the ordinances therein. The Lord has said that he will come and visit the earth, but before he does come the people have got to be pure. The Lord Jesus has declared that he will come and reign on the earth, and if you read the Book of Doctrine and Covenants you will find numerous predictions in regard to his coming, such as—“I come quickly,” “I come at an hour ye think not,” “My coming is at the door,” “I come as a thief in the night,” “I come in an hour when you are not looking for me,” and “Blessed is he who is looking for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I say that throughout the whole of the Scriptures—the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the second coming of the Lord is frequently referred to; and has the Lord promised these things without intending to fulfill them? No, he has not, they will be fulfilled. But before Christ comes, a people have got to be prepared by being sanctified before the Lord. Temples have got to be built; Zion has got to be built up; there must be a place of safety for the people of God while his judgments are abroad in the earth, for the judgments of God will visit the earth, there is no mistake about that, the revelations are full of promises to this effect, and as the Lord has declared it, he will not fail in keeping his word.
Brethren and sisters, let us search the revelations of God; let us look to ourselves, and understand the spirit by which we are governed and controlled in our labors and callings. We are called to a great calling. The greatest calling with which any people can be called is to have placed in their hands the Gospel of Christ, and the power to build up his kingdom upon the earth. The Lord has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the world, and things that are nought to bring to nought things that are. He has done this in every age of the world, and he has done it in our day and generation; and he will hold us responsible for the use we make of the holy Priesthood, the ordinances of his house and the power that is put into our hands to accomplish the work of God, and to build Temples to his name. If we do not do these things I think that we shall be under condemnation before the Lord, and that we shall suffer for it.
I pray God, my heavenly Father, that he will pour out his Spirit upon this people, that we may see and comprehend things as they are, that we may comprehend our duties and may be inspired to labor while the day lasts, for by and by the night will come when no man can work. I pray God that we may be prepared for his coming, and that we may have power and a disposition to perform and accomplish all that is required of us, that when we go to the other side of the veil we may be satisfied with our labors here in the flesh.
This is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Discourse by Elder Wilford Woodruff, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Thursday Morning, April 6, 1876.
Reported by David W. Evans.
“Who am I, saith the Lord, that I command and am not obeyed? Who am I, saith the Lord, that I promise and do not fulfill?” We have again the privilege of assembling ourselves together upon another Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I hope and trust that, what time we may spend in Conference, our hearts may be lifted up unto the Lord, that his Holy Spirit may be given unto us, that we may be dictated and directed in our words, thoughts, acts, and teachings, in such a manner that we may be justified before him.
We have said, time after time, and year after year, that we live in a very peculiar age, generation and dispensation, and this is true. Time rolls on, carrying with it its events, and fulfilling the revelations of God, unto us especially. We live in a day of darkness; unbelief and infidelity are covering the whole face of the earth, until it seems as though the whole Christian world had lost all hold of faith in God and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Bible, the revelation of God to man. And this being the case, if the Lord has any people on the face of the earth, they should be increasing in faith in him. You let a Christian come here, no matter who, whether he be a minister, professor, or believer, or anyone who professes to believe in the Bible, and let him ask an Elder in Israel—“Do you really believe, in your soul, sincerely before the Lord, that Mormonism is true?” When the Elder answers him “yes,” he is about as much astonished as we were yesterday when these magazines exploded. The fact of it is, as I said before, the world do not believe in God or in revelation, and they marvel very greatly to find any man who has really got independence of mind enough to stand up and say—“I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and I believe in the revelations that were given through him; I believe in the literal fulfillment of prophecy, as written in the Bible.” To hear men say this astonishes the Latter-day Saints to see the amount of darkness and infidelity that are abroad in the earth. Hence, as Latter-day Saints, I think it requires on our part an increase of faithfulness in the practice of our religion, and in the various revelations of God contained in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants.
We see before our eyes, year after year, the signs of heaven and of earth, and the fulfillment of prophecy, but how much are we as a people increasing in faith in God? Do we increase in that respect in proportion to the increase of infidelity in the world? Perhaps I am not a judge, but it appears to me that we do not comprehend. The work in which we are engaged, and the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, are just as true today as they were twenty, thirty, or forty years ago, when we shouldered our knapsacks and valises, and traveled on foot from city to city, State to State, and from country to country, to preach the word of God without money and without price, trusting in the living God to sustain and uphold us in our mission. I say that this work is just as true now as then, and so is the saying which I quoted—“Who am I, saith the Lord, that I command and am not obeyed? Who am I, saith the Lord, that I promise and do not fulfill?” I believe that the Lord will fulfill what he says; I believe that he will fulfill his promises unto the Latter-day Saints and unto the world, unto Zion and Babylon; and if he does, there is something at the door, something for us, as Latter-day Saints, to do. I believe the Lord has held every man responsible, from the day of our great progenitor, father Adam, into whose hands the Holy Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom of God have been committed; and I believe that every man, every set of men, and every people, will be held responsible, in time and eternity, for the use they have made of the gifts, blessings, and promises which have been given unto them. The amount of it is that if any people undertake to keep a celestial law, it is their privilege to enjoy the spirit and power of that law; it is also the privilege of any man or set of men, who ever received the Gospel, to enjoy the blessings of that Gospel, no matter what age of the world they may have lived in. Every person who has ever repented of his sins, and has been baptized for their remission, after the order of God, and after the similitude of Jesus Christ, who was buried in water in the likeness of his death, and came forth in the likeness of his resurrection, has a right to the Holy Ghost; it is promised, and it belongs to him; it is the right of all persons to enjoy this, and if they receive the Holy Ghost and its gifts, they have inspiration, light, and truth; they have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand, and they should be in a position before the Lord that they can comprehend his work far more perfectly than the world, for they have not obeyed the Gospel of Christ, and they have no right to, or claim upon, the gifts of that Gospel. But all who, in any age of the world, obey the Gospel, have a right to the Comforter, and to inspiration and revelation, they belong to them, and the Lord never had a people on the face of the earth who did not have a right to these gifts, and it was their privilege and duty to enjoy them.
This is the difference between those who keep celestial law, the law of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and those who do not. But, as I have remarked, all in every age of the world who have received a dispensation of the Gospel, are responsible before the Lord for their acts, and for the manner in which they have used their blessings and privileges. The Prophets and Apostles in every age have been held responsible for the manner in which they made use of the Gospel of Christ when committed unto them; and that is the way it is with us today. One thing is evident to everybody who reflects at all upon the things of the kingdom of God—whenever the Lord chooses a people out of the world, they are hated by the world, and are unpopular in the world. This has been the case in every age. It was so in the days of Jesus Christ. He came to his own father's house—the Jews; he was of the lineage of Abraham, and when he came to his own brethren he was unpopular, he was rejected and opposed.
They did not like him nor his course. They were looking for Shiloh to come, but not as a babe born in a stable and cradled in a manger, and traveling on from that to the cross and the grave in poverty and affliction, without military authority, and without power to govern and control, and to deliver and uphold the Jews as a nation. Christ came as the babe of Bethlehem, the lowest almost of the human family, and remained so up to the day of his death. A poorer man never lived, that I know of, in Judea and Jerusalem, than Jesus Christ. Who were his followers? They were not the great, rich, learned, noble, High Priests, or leading men of Judea; many of them were illiterate fishermen, poor men, weak things of the world; they were the class that Jesus chose for his disciples, and into their hands he gave the keys of the kingdom of God; he gave them the Apostleship, the power to bind and to seal both on earth and in heaven. Their deeds and labors reached not only through this world, but they reached into the eternal worlds, and will affect the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem from that day, I may say, into eternity. Those disciples of Christ received the Holy Priesthood, the Gospel of Christ, and the keys of the kingdom of God, and Jesus held them responsible to the day of their death for the course they pursued. However much they were despised by the world, they were held responsible for bearing a true and faithful testimony to Jew and Gentile, of Jesus Christ being the true Shepherd and the Savior of the world.
And so I will say about the Latter-day Saints and the work they are engaged in. Ezekiel says that in the last days the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim should be placed with the stick of Judah, before the eyes of the nations in the hands of the Lord, for a special purpose—to gather the house of Israel in the latter days. These two records were also to be made use of in order to preach the fullness of the everlasting Gospel to both Jew and Gentile; and they will stand in judgment against the generation living on the earth when they come forth; and from the day that Moroni gave that record into the hands of Joseph Smith, the Lord held him responsible for the use which he made of it; and when he gave him the Priesthood under the hands of John the Baptist, and the Apostleship under the hands of Peter, James and John, the Lord Almighty held him responsible unto the day that he sealed his testimony with his blood, for the course that he pursued with these things. And he bore his testimony, left it on record, and sealed it with his blood, and laid down his life, and that testimony is in force today upon all the world, and will remain so unto the end of time. And when I say this of Joseph Smith, I say it of every other man. President Young has led this Church for many years, and the Lord has held him responsible, and will hold him so unto the day of his death, for the course pursued by him while conducting the affairs of his Church and kingdom, and also for the use he makes of the holy Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom. So also with his Counselors, the Twelve Apostles, and everyone of us; we shall all be held accountable to the day of our death, and we shall have to give an account before the God of heaven when we go into the spirit world and meet him there; for the use of this Priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, which have been established on the earth for the last time, have been committed into the hands of this people, and God will hold the whole of us responsible for the use we make of the blessings, privileges and powers which we enjoy in connection therewith. The eyes of God and his angels, and of every man who dwells in the celestial world are watching us, and the course we pursue.
We are gathered together here as a people; we have been in these mountains a good while, and for a good many years we have been organized as a Church and kingdom, in this last age, in this dispensation of the fullness of times; and now the question with me is—Are we living up to our privileges? Are we performing the work required at our hands? Can we, as a people, claim the blessings of the Gospel of Christ, the blessings of the celestial law and of the celestial kingdom of God? Can we claim these things at the hands of our heavenly Father unless we keep his commandments? This is a question that we want to take home to ourselves. If we are not keeping the commands of the Lord can we claim his blessings? We cannot; and this is matter for reflection for the Latter-day Saints.
It may be asked—What are the commandments of the Lord? Many of them are contained in these records, the Bible, Book of Mormon and Book of Doctrine and Covenants; and we have the living oracles with us, and have had from the commencement. The Lord will never leave his kingdom without a lawgiver, leader, president, or some power to direct the affairs of his Church on the earth, for the reason that it is the dispensation of the fullness of times, in which God has set up a kingdom which is to be an everlasting kingdom, and to whose dominion there will be no end; that kingdom will not be given into the hands of any other people, but it will be given to the Saints of the Most High, and they will possess it forever and ever.
Now, brethren and sisters, here comes a question in my mind, this morning, which I think we ought to bring home to ourselves, and that is—Are we, as a people, doing our duty in keeping the law and commandments of God, and the covenants which we have made? If we are we are justified, and we have a claim upon the Holy Spirit and upon the blessing and approbation of God. Many things are required at the hands of the Latter-day Saints, and there is not one of us who has a lease of his life. The Elders of this Church are passing away, and almost every Conference we look around and find that somebody has left us; and it will be but a short time before many of us who are here today will have closed our labors in the flesh, and we shall have passed to the other side of the veil, and it is important to us all that we should do what is required of us. What we find to do today we should not put off till tomorrow.
The question may arise in some minds—What is required of the Latter-day Saints? I will tell you some things that are required of us. The Lord requires us to pay our Tithing; and another thing is that we go to and build the Temple in this city; whether we do it or not it is required of us, and if we fail, we, in my view, shall be under condemnation. I consider that the building of Temples is one of the important things required by the Lord of the Latter-day Saints in the dispensation of the fullness of times, that we may go into those Temples and not only redeem the living but redeem our dead. We have been a good many years here in the valleys of the mountains, and we have not yet got a Temple finished to the name of the Lord. We have one pretty well forward in St. George, and I am very glad of it; but we want one here. We have got the foundation laid; it has been standing a good many years, and I think that we should go to and finish it, and do what we can to redeem our dead. This is among the things for which I think we shall be held responsible. Very many of us in this Church and kingdom have been gathered, as the Prophet has said, one of a family and two of a city, and many of our progenitors, now in the spirit world, never saw the face of an Apostle, Prophet, or inspired man, and they are shut up in prison. Joseph Smith, Heber Kimball, George A. Smith, and thousands of the Elders of Israel may preach to those spirits, and they may receive the testimonies which the Elders bear; but the Elders will not baptize believers there; there is no baptism in the spirit world any more than there is any marrying and giving in marriage. All these things have to be done this side of the veil, in the flesh. God is no respecter of persons; he will not give privileges to one generation and withhold them from another; and the whole human family, from father Adam down to our day, have got to have the privilege, somewhere, of hearing the Gospel of Christ; and the generations that have passed and gone without hearing that Gospel in its fullness, power and glory, will never be held responsible by God for not obeying it, neither will he bring them under condemnation for rejecting a law they never saw or understood; and if they live up to the light they had they are justified so far, and they have to be preached to in the spirit world. But nobody will baptize them there, and somebody has got to administer for them by proxy here in the flesh, that they may be judged according to men in the flesh and have part in the first resurrection.
This, in my view, is the work that is required at the hands of the Latter-day Saints, and when we get through I think we will find this to be true. And if there is anything I desire to live for on the earth, or that I have desired, it has been to get a record of the genealogy of my fathers, that I might do something for them before I go hence into the spirit world. Until within a few years past it has seemed as if every avenue has been closed to obtaining such records; but the Lord has moved upon the inhabitants of this nation, and thousands of them are now laboring to trace the genealogical descent of the Puritan fathers, those who landed at Plymouth Rock, and whose descendants built up New England. Their lineages are coming to light, and we are gradually obtaining access to them, and by this means we shall be enabled to do something towards the salvation of our dead.
These are some of the things upon my mind that I wished to speak to you about. And now let me ask—Have we a right to our endowments and to the ordinances and blessings of the Church and kingdom of God, unless we fulfill the law of God. It seems to me many times, that there is a darkness and a lack of faith even among the Latter-day Saints, and that as we grow older we grow colder, and as we advance towards the winding-up scene it seems as though we have almost lost sight of our calling, of the object of our being gathered together, and the purposes which God requires at our hands. There is a good deal for us to do if we build up Zion; and if we do that and sanctify ourselves before the Lord, it has got to be done through obedience to the commandments of the Lord. The Lord has commanded us, and we have got to obey his commandments if we receive the blessings of obedience. Our numbers are not great, and compared with the whole of the inhabitants of the earth, I do not expect that the number of the Latter-day Saints will ever be very great; yet the Lord has promised that the little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; and out of the house of Israel and those from among the Gentiles who obey the Gospel, God will raise up a nation, and they will have power and strength in the earth. But when we compare the Saints in this or any other age with the surrounding world, their numbers are few. I do not know why it is that so few of the inhabitants of the earth take any interest in their eternal welfare. The whole human family, heathen, pagan, Christian and Jew, know that this is not their home, and that all have got to die, they cannot escape the law of death; even if translated, as some were anciently, they have to undergo a change equivalent to death. Then why is it there is so little interest throughout the world with regard to a future state and to eternal matters? The few who show they have an interest in these things, and who have gathered together to these valleys of the mountains, have need of faith; we stand in need of prayer, we stand in need of the Holy Ghost, and of the inspiration of the Almighty to dictate and direct us, and unless we possess and enjoy these things we become barren and unfruitful before the Lord.
Now, whatever the Lord requires at our hands, he does not require anything of us that we cannot perform. We can obey his commandments according to the position that we occupy and the means that we have in our possession. There is no man or woman so poor but what he or she can obey the Gospel; they can go forth and be baptized for the remission of their sins, and if they keep the commandments of the Lord he will put into their hands power and means to fulfill that which is required of them.
I hope, brethren and sisters, that while we are together at this Conference, we shall have prayerful hearts, and that the Spirit of the Lord may be poured out upon us; that President Young may have strength of body, and that the Spirit of God may rest upon him to such an extent that he may be able to give the Latter-day Saints such instruction as he may desire; and that the Apostles and Elders who may be called upon to speak may be made the instruments in the hands of the Lord in conveying his word to the people, and that we may be united together.
Somebody or other has got to build up Zion; somebody has got to build Temples, and to go into them and attend to the ordinances therein. The Lord has said that he will come and visit the earth, but before he does come the people have got to be pure. The Lord Jesus has declared that he will come and reign on the earth, and if you read the Book of Doctrine and Covenants you will find numerous predictions in regard to his coming, such as—“I come quickly,” “I come at an hour ye think not,” “My coming is at the door,” “I come as a thief in the night,” “I come in an hour when you are not looking for me,” and “Blessed is he who is looking for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I say that throughout the whole of the Scriptures—the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the second coming of the Lord is frequently referred to; and has the Lord promised these things without intending to fulfill them? No, he has not, they will be fulfilled. But before Christ comes, a people have got to be prepared by being sanctified before the Lord. Temples have got to be built; Zion has got to be built up; there must be a place of safety for the people of God while his judgments are abroad in the earth, for the judgments of God will visit the earth, there is no mistake about that, the revelations are full of promises to this effect, and as the Lord has declared it, he will not fail in keeping his word.
Brethren and sisters, let us search the revelations of God; let us look to ourselves, and understand the spirit by which we are governed and controlled in our labors and callings. We are called to a great calling. The greatest calling with which any people can be called is to have placed in their hands the Gospel of Christ, and the power to build up his kingdom upon the earth. The Lord has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the world, and things that are nought to bring to nought things that are. He has done this in every age of the world, and he has done it in our day and generation; and he will hold us responsible for the use we make of the holy Priesthood, the ordinances of his house and the power that is put into our hands to accomplish the work of God, and to build Temples to his name. If we do not do these things I think that we shall be under condemnation before the Lord, and that we shall suffer for it.
I pray God, my heavenly Father, that he will pour out his Spirit upon this people, that we may see and comprehend things as they are, that we may comprehend our duties and may be inspired to labor while the day lasts, for by and by the night will come when no man can work. I pray God that we may be prepared for his coming, and that we may have power and a disposition to perform and accomplish all that is required of us, that when we go to the other side of the veil we may be satisfied with our labors here in the flesh.
This is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
President D. H. Wells
felt gratified with another opportunity of meeting in the capacity of a general Conference. A great and glorious privilege was granted unto us, of being co-workers with the Almighty, and assisting him in sustaining and establishing his kingdom upon the earth. The world at the present time was full of unbelief and wickedness, and the Lord had sent forth his everlasting gospel to reclaim his children from the error of their ways. This was a preparatory work. The judgments of God were beginning to be poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. It was through the instrumentality of his children that he was going to establish his great and glorious kingdom. Let us take hold then with renewed zeal and energy and build up temples by paying our tithing. Were we willing to use our means and ability for the forwarding of this great Temple, the foundation of which was already laid? We could do it if we were only united and willing to lay ourselves out for this great work. There need be no delay in this matter, but by some appropriating their labor and others their means to furnish a support for the families of the laborers, the work could be immediately commenced. Economy and home industries, and the necessity of more being producers instead of consumers, he also spoke upon, which would give us greater power, and the work of the Lord would be accelerated and roll forth with increased rapidity.
He hoped the Saints would go forth in renewed energy to do those things required at their hands, and become united in bringing about the purposes of God.
felt gratified with another opportunity of meeting in the capacity of a general Conference. A great and glorious privilege was granted unto us, of being co-workers with the Almighty, and assisting him in sustaining and establishing his kingdom upon the earth. The world at the present time was full of unbelief and wickedness, and the Lord had sent forth his everlasting gospel to reclaim his children from the error of their ways. This was a preparatory work. The judgments of God were beginning to be poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth. It was through the instrumentality of his children that he was going to establish his great and glorious kingdom. Let us take hold then with renewed zeal and energy and build up temples by paying our tithing. Were we willing to use our means and ability for the forwarding of this great Temple, the foundation of which was already laid? We could do it if we were only united and willing to lay ourselves out for this great work. There need be no delay in this matter, but by some appropriating their labor and others their means to furnish a support for the families of the laborers, the work could be immediately commenced. Economy and home industries, and the necessity of more being producers instead of consumers, he also spoke upon, which would give us greater power, and the work of the Lord would be accelerated and roll forth with increased rapidity.
He hoped the Saints would go forth in renewed energy to do those things required at their hands, and become united in bringing about the purposes of God.
Unbelief of the Present Age—The Saints Called to Build up God's Kingdom—Their Duties and Responsibilities
Discourse by President Daniel H. Wells, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Thursday Morning, April 6, 1876.
Reported by David W. Evans.
I am gratified with another opportunity of meeting in the capacity of a General Conference. We have listened to a very stirring discourse here this morning in regard to the great work in which we are all engaged, or at least the Latter-day Saints should be all engaged in it; for they ought to feel interested in the work they have espoused, as it is designed to bring about the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord upon the earth. In the day and age in which we live, the Lord has given to his children here below the great privilege of being coworkers with him in establishing his kingdom, and the reign of truth, peace and righteousness upon the earth.
Is there any necessity for the Lord to commence such a work? If we are to believe our surroundings, and what we see, hear and learn every day, there is great necessity, for there can be little doubt in the minds of any reflecting person that we live in a very wicked, unbelieving, and perverse generation. I do not think this proposition would be denied by anyone, it is so manifest to everybody that they cannot deny it. Well, the time has come when it seems as if the cup of their iniquity is about filled, and when the Lord thinks it is enough, and he has seen fit to commence his great latter-day work with a proclamation of the everlasting Gospel among the children of men, with a view of reclaiming them from the path of perdition, and of saving all who will yield obedience to his requirements.
The earth is now filled with violence and evil as it was in the days before the flood, and the Lord has said that as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man. How was it in the days before the flood? Why, the wicked had filled the cup of their iniquity, and they were destroyed, only a few—the righteous—being saved. Well, if it is to be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man as it was in the days of Noah, why the wicked will again be destroyed, and the righteous saved. This is a preparatory work, and if the people reject the Gospel that the Lord has revealed from heaven, they may expect to be overtaken, sooner or later, by his judgments. They are already being poured out upon the earth. We see and hear of them occasionally, but the world is filled with unbelief. Unbelief in God is the crying sin of this generation. They do not believe in the things of God, nor in the principles which he has enunciated, and which he is endeavoring to establish through the instrumentality of those among his children who have rendered obedience to his Gospel, and who live in accordance with the principles thereof upon the earth. We have the privilege of promulgating the work of God, and of establishing his kingdom here among the children of men; and we may have the privilege of building Temples to his high and holy name, wherein we may receive the blessings of time and eternity, and administer the ordinances of salvation for the living and the dead.
It does not seem necessary, and it should not be, to enter into any argument to prove these things to the Latter-day Saints; they are already patent to them, and in this regard they know and understand their duty. Well then, what is there for us to do? Why, to take hold with renewed energy and zeal; not to falter but to go ahead, with what interest we can command, with all the ability we have been endowed with, and with the means that the Lord has bestowed upon us, in accomplishing his purposes, and in building Temples to his holy name. It is for our own benefit; it is for the benefit of the kingdom, and for the growth and spread thereof.
How can we do more than we have done? One way by paying our Tithing. Can we go to and assist in building this Temple, the foundations of which have been laid so long? I answer that we can. The next question is—Will we do it? That I do not know; each one will answer this question for himself by his acts. If we respond to this call it will require labor, means, and some attention. For one I will say that I am willing to take hold with my might, and do what I can towards it. I can do something, can you? Yes, each and every one can do something, and if the Latter-day Saints will be united in this thing we shall see the construction of this Temple go on rapidly. We are abundantly able to do it—we have plenty of mechanics and laborers, and abundance of the means necessary to sustain them. The details will be furnished, and the requirement will be made. Will it be responded to, that is the question? I think it will; I have faith to believe that the Latter-day Saints will respond with alacrity in putting the work through. I believe that it is in the hearts of the people, and that they will rejoice in it to a greater or less extent. There may be some lukewarm in this work, as in every other; but I am satisfied that the great majority will lay hold with a great deal of energy, and will persevere in it, and will rejoice in doing so. This is my faith, and I am willing to prove it, so far as I am concerned, by my works.
I do not consider it necessary to dwell upon the importance of these things. A great many of the Latter-day Saints have had many blessings bestowed upon them in the house of God, very great blessings indeed. Shall we slacken our hand because of this? By no means. There still remains a great work to be done; and it is incumbent upon us to do it, as brother Woodruff has said, while we have the opportunity in the flesh. Before we go behind the veil we should lay a foundation to progress upon after we have finished our course here. We, by our works, as well as by our faith, while in this life, should lay a foundation for exaltation in the celestial kingdom of our Father and our God.
I am rejoiced to hear the subject of building Temples agitated again.
A great deal might be said about it as to the details, but it will recommend itself to everyone. What can a Bishop do in his ward? He can do something, and if he will lay the matter before the members of his ward, he will find that he can get very liberal contributions in labor, and in provisions and other means necessary to pay the hands who work steadily on the Temple. There is not a ward in the city, not a ward in the county, nor in all these counties, but what can contribute considerable to this end, and that too right away. It is not going to take so much stone to go on with in proportion, as it has taken for the foundation, for the walls will not be so wide; and although the work is expensive, yet it can be done. We have mechanics who are perfectly competent to do it, and the plan will be given as fast as laborers to do the work are ready.
This is one thing that we can do, and it is required of us, and the responsibility of accomplishing this task rests upon our shoulders. Of course we have other duties to perform. Every person who lives in this Territory, here in Zion, who professes to be a Latter-day Saint, has responsibilities of various kinds resting upon him. All ought to assist in developing the resources of the soil, to draw from the elements for the support of themselves and families; to build up and make improvements, and not to tear down and destroy. We should all be united in developing, beautifying and improving this country, in which the Lord has planted our feet, that we may become a self-sustaining people, bringing forth from the elements with which the Lord has surrounded us, those things necessary for our sustenance and comfort. We should economize our time, and use it and all we have to our own best advantage, and to the glory and honor of our Father. There is plenty of labor here for all if they will do it, and if they will put themselves to work in those channels that are necessary. There are some kinds of business that are overdone. A good many of our young people, and others too, instead of turning their attention to the cultivation of the earth, or to the manufacture of things that are actually needed for the welfare and comfort of the community, seek to become clerks and to pursue some kind of a calling that is not productive. Such a course increases the consumers, but not the producers, and we have no surplus here of those things necessary to support and sustain people. If men were to go into various branches of manufacture, they would help to create a market for home products, and that would stimulate production, the production of fruits of the soil as well as other things. That would be good economy. We, at present, have no surplus of the products of the soil in these valleys of the mountains; there is no overplus even of wheat or other grain, or of butter and cheese, and other kinds of food. Even of meat we have not any but what can command a market, and at a price sufficiently high to justify the raising of it, and the taking care of, and increasing and multiplying the flocks and herds, and then using them wisely. What for? To sustain the wicked and ungodly? No; but to build up the kingdom of God, and to hold and use for God and his kingdom continually. Not just for a short time, and then pass off in some other direction; but continually, day by day, week after week, and year after year, as long as we live, contribute of what we have for the building up of the kingdom, and the building of Temples to the name of the Lord. And when that is done, there will be something else in the same direction, for it is the work of the Lord, the great work of the last days. Let us act as if we believed it, unitedly, with all our hearts, and with all the means that we possess, and not sift our ways to strangers. I tell you, brethren and sisters, this rests upon us, and the work may advance with a great deal more rapidity than what it has done, if we will be united in obeying the counsels that we receive from time to time. We must not only listen, but act upon the counsels we receive.
The Lord, a great while ago, said through his Prophet, that he would give the kingdom in its fullness to his Saints, and that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. We believe this, and we believe that we are his Saints; poor as we are, we are the best there is. We have the opportunity to grow and increase in grace and in favor with the Lord, and in faith and in good works, and becoming better than we now are, and of becoming more useful; and as we do so, why, the kingdom will grow faster, and things will prosper more with us. We shall have greater power with the Lord and in the world, and the purposes of heaven will roll on and come to pass faster than they have done. Though in this respect we have no reason to complain, for they have come along about as quick as we have been able to stand it. But the work will continue to increase in greater ratio than it has hitherto done; it is bound to, and cannot help it, any way in the world. Whether we ourselves, individually, stand firm and steadfast, makes no difference, the work of God will go forward anyhow. But we have the blessed privilege of assisting, and of being coworkers with the Lord, if we are disposed to be so. Then let us look to it, that we do not fail, for upon this depends our own salvation and exaltation in the celestial kingdom. We have now an opportunity for laying a foundation for hereafter hearing the welcome plaudit—“Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, now will I make you ruler over many things.” Shall we neglect the opportunities that we enjoy to that extent, that we shall come short hereafter? I hope and trust not.
The work we are engaged in is worthy of all our attention, for it is the work and kingdom of God, that was spoken of by the Prophets long ago; that great kingdom spoken of by the Prophet Daniel, that is to break in pieces and subdue all other kingdoms, and stand forever, is actually being built up in our day, right in the face and eyes of the whole world. Who understands it? Does the outside world? No, and it seems sometimes as if scarcely half the Saints do to the extent they should. I am satisfied that neither I nor anybody else comprehends this work to the fullest extent. A great many can see the kingdom, some do not; some of those who profess to be Saints, judging by the course they take, do not see the kingdom. But it is here all the same, whether you see it or not, and it is actually transpiring; and the course and history of the Latter-day Saints are a testimony to the world from the Lord of the building up of his kingdom, the bringing to pass of his purposes, and the fulfillment of prophecies uttered thousands of years ago. But they cannot see it.
One of the signs of the times to be given when the kingdom of God should be built up, was the heaving of the sea beyond its bounds. Has anybody heard of any such thing in these days? Everybody that reads the newspapers knows that events of this kind have been common during the past few years; but this generation pay no more regard to them than they would to the shaking of a straw in the wind, so far as being a sign of the coming of the Son of Man, or of the accomplishment of the work of the Lord in the last days. Talk to people generally, in the world, about such things, and they say—“Oh, they are accounted for upon some natural principle.” It is so with all of the signs that the Lord has given, or that he will give, that have been prophesied about—they can all be accounted for upon some natural principle. They are nevertheless coming to pass in the time that the Lord, through his Prophets, has said they would come. Many things prophesied of in ages past and gone are actually transpiring today, yet the people generally do not comprehend them. But the majority of the Latter-day Saints do, and they know that the time of the second coming of the Savior is approaching.
Can we realize that there is a great work to be accomplished, and that the responsibility rests upon our shoulders? I hope and trust we may; I believe we shall, and that we shall put forth renewed energy to perform what is required of us from time to time, and be earnest in accomplishing, as far as it devolves upon us, the purposes of the Almighty, in seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and in developing the country in which God has planted our feet, and which he held in reserve for so many hundreds of years for his Saints, that they might have a place to come to and inherit. We know that he has given it into our hands, and he is pouring his blessings upon us from time to time, and that to use for him and his kingdom, and not, as fast as he hands them to us, to hand them out to build up the devil's kingdom.
That we may be united in using our abilities, our means, our substance, and all that we have, in rolling forth God's purposes, building up his kingdom, and establishing the principles of righteousness in the hearts of the people, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock p.m.
The choir sang an anthem—Jerusalem, my glorious home.
Benediction by Elder C. C. Rich.
Discourse by President Daniel H. Wells, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Thursday Morning, April 6, 1876.
Reported by David W. Evans.
I am gratified with another opportunity of meeting in the capacity of a General Conference. We have listened to a very stirring discourse here this morning in regard to the great work in which we are all engaged, or at least the Latter-day Saints should be all engaged in it; for they ought to feel interested in the work they have espoused, as it is designed to bring about the accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord upon the earth. In the day and age in which we live, the Lord has given to his children here below the great privilege of being coworkers with him in establishing his kingdom, and the reign of truth, peace and righteousness upon the earth.
Is there any necessity for the Lord to commence such a work? If we are to believe our surroundings, and what we see, hear and learn every day, there is great necessity, for there can be little doubt in the minds of any reflecting person that we live in a very wicked, unbelieving, and perverse generation. I do not think this proposition would be denied by anyone, it is so manifest to everybody that they cannot deny it. Well, the time has come when it seems as if the cup of their iniquity is about filled, and when the Lord thinks it is enough, and he has seen fit to commence his great latter-day work with a proclamation of the everlasting Gospel among the children of men, with a view of reclaiming them from the path of perdition, and of saving all who will yield obedience to his requirements.
The earth is now filled with violence and evil as it was in the days before the flood, and the Lord has said that as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man. How was it in the days before the flood? Why, the wicked had filled the cup of their iniquity, and they were destroyed, only a few—the righteous—being saved. Well, if it is to be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man as it was in the days of Noah, why the wicked will again be destroyed, and the righteous saved. This is a preparatory work, and if the people reject the Gospel that the Lord has revealed from heaven, they may expect to be overtaken, sooner or later, by his judgments. They are already being poured out upon the earth. We see and hear of them occasionally, but the world is filled with unbelief. Unbelief in God is the crying sin of this generation. They do not believe in the things of God, nor in the principles which he has enunciated, and which he is endeavoring to establish through the instrumentality of those among his children who have rendered obedience to his Gospel, and who live in accordance with the principles thereof upon the earth. We have the privilege of promulgating the work of God, and of establishing his kingdom here among the children of men; and we may have the privilege of building Temples to his high and holy name, wherein we may receive the blessings of time and eternity, and administer the ordinances of salvation for the living and the dead.
It does not seem necessary, and it should not be, to enter into any argument to prove these things to the Latter-day Saints; they are already patent to them, and in this regard they know and understand their duty. Well then, what is there for us to do? Why, to take hold with renewed energy and zeal; not to falter but to go ahead, with what interest we can command, with all the ability we have been endowed with, and with the means that the Lord has bestowed upon us, in accomplishing his purposes, and in building Temples to his holy name. It is for our own benefit; it is for the benefit of the kingdom, and for the growth and spread thereof.
How can we do more than we have done? One way by paying our Tithing. Can we go to and assist in building this Temple, the foundations of which have been laid so long? I answer that we can. The next question is—Will we do it? That I do not know; each one will answer this question for himself by his acts. If we respond to this call it will require labor, means, and some attention. For one I will say that I am willing to take hold with my might, and do what I can towards it. I can do something, can you? Yes, each and every one can do something, and if the Latter-day Saints will be united in this thing we shall see the construction of this Temple go on rapidly. We are abundantly able to do it—we have plenty of mechanics and laborers, and abundance of the means necessary to sustain them. The details will be furnished, and the requirement will be made. Will it be responded to, that is the question? I think it will; I have faith to believe that the Latter-day Saints will respond with alacrity in putting the work through. I believe that it is in the hearts of the people, and that they will rejoice in it to a greater or less extent. There may be some lukewarm in this work, as in every other; but I am satisfied that the great majority will lay hold with a great deal of energy, and will persevere in it, and will rejoice in doing so. This is my faith, and I am willing to prove it, so far as I am concerned, by my works.
I do not consider it necessary to dwell upon the importance of these things. A great many of the Latter-day Saints have had many blessings bestowed upon them in the house of God, very great blessings indeed. Shall we slacken our hand because of this? By no means. There still remains a great work to be done; and it is incumbent upon us to do it, as brother Woodruff has said, while we have the opportunity in the flesh. Before we go behind the veil we should lay a foundation to progress upon after we have finished our course here. We, by our works, as well as by our faith, while in this life, should lay a foundation for exaltation in the celestial kingdom of our Father and our God.
I am rejoiced to hear the subject of building Temples agitated again.
A great deal might be said about it as to the details, but it will recommend itself to everyone. What can a Bishop do in his ward? He can do something, and if he will lay the matter before the members of his ward, he will find that he can get very liberal contributions in labor, and in provisions and other means necessary to pay the hands who work steadily on the Temple. There is not a ward in the city, not a ward in the county, nor in all these counties, but what can contribute considerable to this end, and that too right away. It is not going to take so much stone to go on with in proportion, as it has taken for the foundation, for the walls will not be so wide; and although the work is expensive, yet it can be done. We have mechanics who are perfectly competent to do it, and the plan will be given as fast as laborers to do the work are ready.
This is one thing that we can do, and it is required of us, and the responsibility of accomplishing this task rests upon our shoulders. Of course we have other duties to perform. Every person who lives in this Territory, here in Zion, who professes to be a Latter-day Saint, has responsibilities of various kinds resting upon him. All ought to assist in developing the resources of the soil, to draw from the elements for the support of themselves and families; to build up and make improvements, and not to tear down and destroy. We should all be united in developing, beautifying and improving this country, in which the Lord has planted our feet, that we may become a self-sustaining people, bringing forth from the elements with which the Lord has surrounded us, those things necessary for our sustenance and comfort. We should economize our time, and use it and all we have to our own best advantage, and to the glory and honor of our Father. There is plenty of labor here for all if they will do it, and if they will put themselves to work in those channels that are necessary. There are some kinds of business that are overdone. A good many of our young people, and others too, instead of turning their attention to the cultivation of the earth, or to the manufacture of things that are actually needed for the welfare and comfort of the community, seek to become clerks and to pursue some kind of a calling that is not productive. Such a course increases the consumers, but not the producers, and we have no surplus here of those things necessary to support and sustain people. If men were to go into various branches of manufacture, they would help to create a market for home products, and that would stimulate production, the production of fruits of the soil as well as other things. That would be good economy. We, at present, have no surplus of the products of the soil in these valleys of the mountains; there is no overplus even of wheat or other grain, or of butter and cheese, and other kinds of food. Even of meat we have not any but what can command a market, and at a price sufficiently high to justify the raising of it, and the taking care of, and increasing and multiplying the flocks and herds, and then using them wisely. What for? To sustain the wicked and ungodly? No; but to build up the kingdom of God, and to hold and use for God and his kingdom continually. Not just for a short time, and then pass off in some other direction; but continually, day by day, week after week, and year after year, as long as we live, contribute of what we have for the building up of the kingdom, and the building of Temples to the name of the Lord. And when that is done, there will be something else in the same direction, for it is the work of the Lord, the great work of the last days. Let us act as if we believed it, unitedly, with all our hearts, and with all the means that we possess, and not sift our ways to strangers. I tell you, brethren and sisters, this rests upon us, and the work may advance with a great deal more rapidity than what it has done, if we will be united in obeying the counsels that we receive from time to time. We must not only listen, but act upon the counsels we receive.
The Lord, a great while ago, said through his Prophet, that he would give the kingdom in its fullness to his Saints, and that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. We believe this, and we believe that we are his Saints; poor as we are, we are the best there is. We have the opportunity to grow and increase in grace and in favor with the Lord, and in faith and in good works, and becoming better than we now are, and of becoming more useful; and as we do so, why, the kingdom will grow faster, and things will prosper more with us. We shall have greater power with the Lord and in the world, and the purposes of heaven will roll on and come to pass faster than they have done. Though in this respect we have no reason to complain, for they have come along about as quick as we have been able to stand it. But the work will continue to increase in greater ratio than it has hitherto done; it is bound to, and cannot help it, any way in the world. Whether we ourselves, individually, stand firm and steadfast, makes no difference, the work of God will go forward anyhow. But we have the blessed privilege of assisting, and of being coworkers with the Lord, if we are disposed to be so. Then let us look to it, that we do not fail, for upon this depends our own salvation and exaltation in the celestial kingdom. We have now an opportunity for laying a foundation for hereafter hearing the welcome plaudit—“Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, now will I make you ruler over many things.” Shall we neglect the opportunities that we enjoy to that extent, that we shall come short hereafter? I hope and trust not.
The work we are engaged in is worthy of all our attention, for it is the work and kingdom of God, that was spoken of by the Prophets long ago; that great kingdom spoken of by the Prophet Daniel, that is to break in pieces and subdue all other kingdoms, and stand forever, is actually being built up in our day, right in the face and eyes of the whole world. Who understands it? Does the outside world? No, and it seems sometimes as if scarcely half the Saints do to the extent they should. I am satisfied that neither I nor anybody else comprehends this work to the fullest extent. A great many can see the kingdom, some do not; some of those who profess to be Saints, judging by the course they take, do not see the kingdom. But it is here all the same, whether you see it or not, and it is actually transpiring; and the course and history of the Latter-day Saints are a testimony to the world from the Lord of the building up of his kingdom, the bringing to pass of his purposes, and the fulfillment of prophecies uttered thousands of years ago. But they cannot see it.
One of the signs of the times to be given when the kingdom of God should be built up, was the heaving of the sea beyond its bounds. Has anybody heard of any such thing in these days? Everybody that reads the newspapers knows that events of this kind have been common during the past few years; but this generation pay no more regard to them than they would to the shaking of a straw in the wind, so far as being a sign of the coming of the Son of Man, or of the accomplishment of the work of the Lord in the last days. Talk to people generally, in the world, about such things, and they say—“Oh, they are accounted for upon some natural principle.” It is so with all of the signs that the Lord has given, or that he will give, that have been prophesied about—they can all be accounted for upon some natural principle. They are nevertheless coming to pass in the time that the Lord, through his Prophets, has said they would come. Many things prophesied of in ages past and gone are actually transpiring today, yet the people generally do not comprehend them. But the majority of the Latter-day Saints do, and they know that the time of the second coming of the Savior is approaching.
Can we realize that there is a great work to be accomplished, and that the responsibility rests upon our shoulders? I hope and trust we may; I believe we shall, and that we shall put forth renewed energy to perform what is required of us from time to time, and be earnest in accomplishing, as far as it devolves upon us, the purposes of the Almighty, in seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and in developing the country in which God has planted our feet, and which he held in reserve for so many hundreds of years for his Saints, that they might have a place to come to and inherit. We know that he has given it into our hands, and he is pouring his blessings upon us from time to time, and that to use for him and his kingdom, and not, as fast as he hands them to us, to hand them out to build up the devil's kingdom.
That we may be united in using our abilities, our means, our substance, and all that we have, in rolling forth God's purposes, building up his kingdom, and establishing the principles of righteousness in the hearts of the people, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock p.m.
The choir sang an anthem—Jerusalem, my glorious home.
Benediction by Elder C. C. Rich.
2 p. m.
The choir sang—Great God, attend while Zion sings The joy that from thy presence springs.
Prayer by Bishop Lorenzo D. Young.
The choir sang—With joy we own thy servants, Lord, Thy ministers below.
The choir sang—Great God, attend while Zion sings The joy that from thy presence springs.
Prayer by Bishop Lorenzo D. Young.
The choir sang—With joy we own thy servants, Lord, Thy ministers below.
Elder John Taylor
addressed the conference. When we met together, as at present, it was absolutely necessary that we place ourselves under the guidance of the Almighty. It was very important that we have his Spirit, not only in speaking, but in hearing. Although we of ourselves might be very weak and ignorant, yet by his assistance, we might be enabled to acquit ourselves in the discharge of our duties, honorably before God in the building up of his kingdom on the earth. It was an unspeakable privilege for us, thus assisted, to be co-workers with God in bringing about his purposes. Joseph Smith was an instrument in the hands of God, in performing the labor and bringing forth the revelations that came through him. We were indebted to God for a knowledge of the priesthood, both the Melchizedek and Aaronic. The world was entirely ignorant of it until it was revealed through Joseph Smith.
He spoke of the condition of the world when God raised up Joseph Smith, gave him authority to preach, and ordain Elders and send them forth to preach the Gospel without purse and scrip, as did the ancient apostles. God was the same yesterday, to-day and forever. Whenever a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to man, those who received and obeyed those principles which the servants of God were sent forth to promulgate, were always entitled to the same blessings and privileges that the Gospel holds forth. The saints now before him could bear witness that they had received the same blessings that the ancient saints enjoyed, hence God was no respecter of persons.
He spoke of the designs of the Almighty from the beginning of the world. In our day, he had opened up the dispensation of the fulness of times. Thus heavenly principles were revealed to the earth and some of them were so plain and simple that a wayfaring man need not err therein. To disseminate these principles, God had given his holy priesthood, which was nothing short of his rule and government upon the earth. We had an organization now as in ancient times, with prophets, apostles, bishops, seventies, elders, pastors, teachers, &c., placed in the church, for the perfecting of the Saints, the work of the ministry, &c. The Almighty gave the pattern for the organization of the various quorums of the priesthood to Joseph Smith, and to God be all the glory.
He also spoke of the marriage relations, the relations between a man and his wife or wives, which God had made known to us, the building of temples, and what our duties were pertaining to them. Before obeying the Gospel, our ideas pertaining to the future state were very vague, as was the Christian world at the present time. The outside world never could see or comprehend the Kingdom of God, for it could only be discerned by the Spirit of God, and that Spirit could only be obtained by baptism for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands by those having authority, for the reception of the Holy Ghost.
After relating a very interesting conversation he had with Baron Rothschild, while on a visit to Salt Lake City, on the subject of religion he closed by an earnest appeal to the Latter-day Saints to be full of integrity and faithful in observing the commandments of God.
addressed the conference. When we met together, as at present, it was absolutely necessary that we place ourselves under the guidance of the Almighty. It was very important that we have his Spirit, not only in speaking, but in hearing. Although we of ourselves might be very weak and ignorant, yet by his assistance, we might be enabled to acquit ourselves in the discharge of our duties, honorably before God in the building up of his kingdom on the earth. It was an unspeakable privilege for us, thus assisted, to be co-workers with God in bringing about his purposes. Joseph Smith was an instrument in the hands of God, in performing the labor and bringing forth the revelations that came through him. We were indebted to God for a knowledge of the priesthood, both the Melchizedek and Aaronic. The world was entirely ignorant of it until it was revealed through Joseph Smith.
He spoke of the condition of the world when God raised up Joseph Smith, gave him authority to preach, and ordain Elders and send them forth to preach the Gospel without purse and scrip, as did the ancient apostles. God was the same yesterday, to-day and forever. Whenever a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to man, those who received and obeyed those principles which the servants of God were sent forth to promulgate, were always entitled to the same blessings and privileges that the Gospel holds forth. The saints now before him could bear witness that they had received the same blessings that the ancient saints enjoyed, hence God was no respecter of persons.
He spoke of the designs of the Almighty from the beginning of the world. In our day, he had opened up the dispensation of the fulness of times. Thus heavenly principles were revealed to the earth and some of them were so plain and simple that a wayfaring man need not err therein. To disseminate these principles, God had given his holy priesthood, which was nothing short of his rule and government upon the earth. We had an organization now as in ancient times, with prophets, apostles, bishops, seventies, elders, pastors, teachers, &c., placed in the church, for the perfecting of the Saints, the work of the ministry, &c. The Almighty gave the pattern for the organization of the various quorums of the priesthood to Joseph Smith, and to God be all the glory.
He also spoke of the marriage relations, the relations between a man and his wife or wives, which God had made known to us, the building of temples, and what our duties were pertaining to them. Before obeying the Gospel, our ideas pertaining to the future state were very vague, as was the Christian world at the present time. The outside world never could see or comprehend the Kingdom of God, for it could only be discerned by the Spirit of God, and that Spirit could only be obtained by baptism for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands by those having authority, for the reception of the Holy Ghost.
After relating a very interesting conversation he had with Baron Rothschild, while on a visit to Salt Lake City, on the subject of religion he closed by an earnest appeal to the Latter-day Saints to be full of integrity and faithful in observing the commandments of God.
How God's Purposes Are Fulfilled—Similarity of Ancient and Modern Church Government—Interview With Baron Rothschild—Object of Building Temples—The Perfect Organization of the Church of Christ—Works Indispensable to Salvation
Discourse by Elder John Taylor, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Thursday Afternoon, April 6, 1876.
Reported by David W. Evans.
When we meet together on occasions like the present, it is absolutely necessary that we place ourselves under the guidance and direction of the Almighty; that is, a thing indeed, which is proper at all times, for in the Lord we live and move—from him we derive our being—and to him we are indebted for every blessing that we enjoy of a temporal and spiritual nature, for everything that pertains either to this world or that which is to come. We are met together on this occasion to attend to the duties and responsibilities that devolve upon us associated with the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth; and it is very important that we have his spirit to direct us in our speaking as well as in our hearing, and in the various purposes, plans and calculations that may be started for the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth, for we really are, or ought to be, co-laborers with the Almighty for the accomplishment of his purposes on the earth. And although we are very weak, and incompetent to do anything in and of ourselves, yet with the assistance and guidance of the Almighty we shall be enabled, by diligence and faithfulness in discharging the various responsibilities that devolve upon us, to fill up the measure of our day upon the earth with honor before God, before the holy angels and before all good men, and to lend at least a helping hand in building up the kingdom of God upon the earth, that we so frequently talk about, and to introduce those principles which emanate from the Most High. In this regard, however, we can do nothing of ourselves, neither could any man who ever lived upon the earth do anything in and of himself. There is a great supreme, overruling power that shapes, manages, controls and dictates the affairs of the human family. He raises up one and puts down another; he regulates and controls the affairs of the nations at his will, and in regard to the purposes that he has designed, pertaining to the earth whereon we live, of which he has given us some slight idea, he will have to be, after all, the principal cooperator, the leading hand, the power that guides, directs and controls. He has called upon us to be his assistants in the work that he has commenced in these last days, and has called a variety of laborers into his vineyard, whom he has promised to sustain, to guide and to direct, and hence, although it may be an unspeakable privilege for us to be co-laborers with the Almighty, yet it is only through the spirit, power and intelligence that he communicates, that we shall be able to do anything acceptable in the sight of God, and, as I said before, no man living without this assistance is capable of doing anything acceptable in the sight of God. When we look at the works of God in the various ages that have passed, and in the various dispensations that have been ushered into the world, we see this manifestly pointed out. In fact, when we reflect upon the work that we are engaged in, to whom are we indebted? To any of us? I think not. To Joseph Smith? I think not. He was made use of as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty to convey certain principles that God revealed to him; that was all, and when he came, it was not his own words that he spoke, it was the revelation of God's will to him, and it is that which we are in possession of through him, as an instrument. It is so with President Young and his council, and it is so with the Twelve, it is so with all the Bishops, High Councils, High Priests, and all the various authorities of the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth. It is not that there is anything inherent in us, for we know nothing only as God revealed it, we know nothing only as it was communicated. We did not understand the first principles of the doctrine of Christ even; and I have never met with anybody on the face of the earth where I have traveled who did know anything about these things. We are indebted to the Lord, therefore, for any knowledge that we have of the true doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and for all the ramifications thereof. We are indebted to him for a knowledge of the Priesthood, whether that Priesthood be after the order of Melchizedek, which is after the order of the Son of God; or whether it be the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood. We, none of us knew anything about it, and nobody ever did, until God communicated it. And the same thing holds good all the way through. Go back to the history of the world, as reported in the Bible and Book of Mormon, and you will find that every great movement ever made among men that had God to support it, originated not with men, but that God himself was the author of it. Even Jesus himself, when he came, said—“I came not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me;” and—“The words that I speak, I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwells in me. He doeth the works.” Therefore, looking at things in this point of view, we, above all people who dwell on the face of the earth, ought to acknowledge the hand of God in all things; and in fact we have a revelation directly on that point, which says—“that with none is the Lord angry but with those who do not acknowledge his hand in all things.”
We are here for a certain purpose; the world was organized for a certain purpose; the world has been destroyed for a certain purpose, and judgments have overtaken it for a certain purpose; the Gospel has been introduced for a certain purpose, in the different ages of time, and among the different peoples to whom it has been revealed and communicated, and we, today, are in subjection to the general rule. The Lord has led us along as he once led Israel, and as he led the Nephites from the land of Jerusalem, and the ten tribes, and other peoples, who went to different places. He has led us along, and the first thing he did with us, or to the world whereon we live, or with whom we are associated, was to send his Gospel, having revealed it first to Joseph Smith, and he, being authorized by the Almighty, and having received his appointment through the holy Priesthood that exists in the heavens, and with that appointment, authority to confer it upon others, did confer it upon others, and they in turn upon others, and hence the Gospel was sent to us in the various nations where we resided. And when these men went forth to proclaim this Gospel, they went, as Jesus said, not to do their “will, but the will of the Father who sent them,” and to cooperate with the holy Priesthood here upon the earth in introducing correct principles. Hence they went among the nations, and thousands, and tens of thousands, and millions listened to their testimonies; but as it was in former days, so it has been in latter days. Says Jesus—“Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; while wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat.” This has been the case in all ages and among all peoples, wherever and whenever the Gospel has been preached to them.
Now then, the Lord has been desirous, in this age, as he has in other ages, to gather to himself a people who would do his will, keep his commandments, listen to his counsel and carry out his behests. To whom could he send? To the wise and learned, to the philosopher and statesman, to the prince and potentate? Verily no. The Lord, in this age as on former occasions, sends by whom he will send; he selects his own messengers, and sends them among the people. And when the Elders of Israel went forth, he said to them in a certain revelation—“Go forth, and mine angels shall go before you, and my Spirit shall accompany you.” And they went forth, and God was true to his word, and many of you, at that time in distant nations, listened to the words of life, and when you heard them, you knew and understood them, just as Jesus said—“My sheep hear my voice and know me, and they follow me, but a stranger will they not follow, because they know not the voice of a stranger.” You heard the voice of truth accompanied by the Spirit of God, and that caused a chord to vibrate within your own bosoms, and you yielded obedience and came out here, as we find you today.
Now, then, we are gathered together to help, what to do? To look after our own individual interest? No. To accumulate wealth? No. To possess and wallow in the good things of this life? No; but to do the will of God, and devote ourselves, our talents and abilities, our intelligence and influence, in every possible way to carry out the designs of Jehovah, and help to establish peace and righteousness upon the earth. This, as I understand it, is what we are here for, and not to attend to our own individual affairs and let God and his kingdom do as they please. We are all interested in the great latter-day work of God, and we all ought to be coworkers therein. It is proper sometimes that we should reflect a little upon some of these things, and find out what is our true status and position before the Lord, and before one another, before the angels, and before the world that we are mixed up with, and have more or less to do with. We want sometimes to pause and reflect a little upon some of these things. Why was God so careful to preserve the plates upon which this record was found, and from which it was translated? Why was he so desirous that the old Prophets, who lived upon this continent generations ago, should sacredly guard and keep these sacred records? He told us what it was for, and the Prophets told us what it was for, and Jesus, when he was here, told us what it was for—that these things might come forth in the last days for the benefit of his people, and for the benefit of all who should believe in, and obey the word of God among the Gentiles. What for? That we might have a corroborating testimony from a people upon this continent, who had their Prophets, which should agree with the testimony which we had from the continent of Asia; and that, through the instrumentality of that truth which shall be developed, a nucleus might be formed through which God could communicate his will, and accomplish those purposes that he has designed to accomplish from before the foundation of the world. From the commencement of the organization of this world, God designed the accomplishment of the very thing that we are engaged in here today. We live in what the Scriptures call the dispensation of the fullness of times, in which the Lord has said that he would gather together all things in one, whether they be things on the earth or things in the heavens; in this dispensation he designed to call together his sheep that were on the face of the earth, just as much as he did in the days of Jesus. How was it then? Said Jesus—“Father, I pray for those whom thou hast given me; thine they were and thou gavest them me. I pray for them that they may be one, as I, Father, am in thee and thou in me, that the world may know that thou hast sent me.” He has done the same thing in this day. He has gathered together his sheep, he has organized his holy Priesthood in its fullness, perhaps as perfectly as it ever was organized on the face of the earth. I do not know, fully, the position of things in Enoch's day; there may have been many things transpired on this continent that we have not had revealed unto us, for we have not all their records, only part of them were translated; some of the things contained on the plates were unlawful to be written at that time. But there were times when men had communion with God; there were times when God revealed himself unto his servants the Prophets; there were times when men came with a—“Thus saith the Lord” to the people; there were times when the people would say—“All that the Lord has bid us to observe, that will we observe and do;” there were times when the people said—“The Lord is our king, the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver, and he shall rule over us.” God is seeking to have a people like that in the present day, and that, through the Priesthood upon the earth, we shall be associated with the Priesthood in the heavens, and they with their God.
There are no people now, and there never was a people, who could accomplish anything without this, and, as I said before, without the guidance and direction of the Almighty. There are a good many things associated with these matters, and some of them are very plain and simple; in fact, it is said by a certain individual that they are so plain that a “wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein;” and it was said in former days—“God hath not chosen the wise and great of the earth, but the weak and foolish things of this world to bring to nought the things that are.” Then, he has restored the holy Priesthood, and that, as I understand it, is the rule and government of God, whether on the earth or in the heavens, the principle by which all things are governed in the heavens, and by which, when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ, all things will be governed here on the earth.
These, then, as I understand them, are things of very great importance to the Latter-day Saints, for it is to them that I am speaking this afternoon. We have an organization in our Church as they had in former times. We are told that in the days of Jesus on the Asiatic continent, “God placed in his Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, afterwards Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists,” etc.; and we are, moreover, told that these were placed in the Church “for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ, that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but that we may grow up into him who is our living head in all things,” that we may indeed be like him, one with him as he is one with the Father.
This is the kind of principles that they had then, and this the kind of organization. What have we? Something very similar. We have Apostles and a First Presidency. What are the members of the First Presidency? Apostles. We have an organization of the Twelve, as they had then. We have also Seventies, in all of which we have even more than they had, though I do not know what they had on this continent, that is not made manifest; we shall know these things by and by, as the purposes of God roll forth, and their revelations are made known to us pertaining to those matters. We have our Bishops, we have our High Councils, we have our Seventies, we have our Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons, all of which, or the pattern for which, have been given by the Almighty, by the revelation of his will to Joseph Smith; and if we have any knowledge that differs from the rest of mankind in relation to these matters, it is through the revelations of God, and we say to God be the glory and not to us. They went forth in former times and preached the Gospel without purse and scrip. We have done the same. I can see around me scores and hundreds of men who have been abroad to the nations of the earth to preach the Gospel without purse and scrip, trusting in the living God, holding the same Priesthood and authority; in possession of the same truths, lit up, encouraged, and sustained by the same Spirit, the same light, and the same intelligence that they had.
These are some of the distinctive features of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then we have gathered ourselves together. Well, the Prophets saw it years and years ago, and prophesied about it, but it was left for us to do. The Prophet says—“I will take one of a city and two of a family and I will bring them to Zion.” What will you do with them? “I will give them pastors after my own heart, who shall feed them with knowledge and understanding.” I will introduce the Priesthood of the Son of God among them; I will give them the light, revelation and power of God to be with them, and I will stand by them and sustain them. He has revealed to us, as he did to others the nature of the relationship that subsists between men and their wives; he has shown us that there are eternal associations and connections, and has shown us how to accomplish these objects, and to secure to ourselves, our wives and our children, inasmuch as they observe the revelations of God and carry out his purposes. These are some of the principles that he has made known unto us, and he has given us commandments relative to these things, and in relation to building Temples to his name and administering therein, so as to be acceptable to him. He has pointed out to us certain principles pertaining to the everlasting covenants with us, with our fathers and with our children, and has shown us how to perform the various duties devolving upon us, according to the counsel of his will, which he has revealed through the holy Priesthood that he has here upon the earth. These are things with which we are most of us familiar, and therefore I do not propose to quote Scripture about them particularly, but just lay them briefly before your minds, that you may reflect upon them.
Before we came into this Church and kingdom, we had certain confused ideas about a future state; but what did we know about it? Very little, very little indeed. We hoped we should get to heaven when we died; we hoped that, if we were good, honest, upright and virtuous, God would accept us, which was all very good so far as it went. But what knowledge had we of the future? None at all. What knowledge has the world today about these things? None at all. What knowledge have they of us and of our communications with God? None at all. The world never saw the kingdom of God, they never can see it, it is out of their reach. Jesus said in his day—“Except a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,” much less inherit it. They cannot help that; we could not help it when we were in their condition; generations past could not help it. What could they do about it? Nothing. What could any of the great reformers, as they are called, do about these things? Simply nothing. Did any of them ever introduce the Gospel as Jesus taught it? Not one among them; with all their virtue, zeal and philanthropy, with all their desires to do good, they could not accomplish these things. Were they all wicked men? By no means. There were many good men among them, and so there are today; but these good men cannot see the kingdom of God, unless by the Spirit of God, and we are told definitely that “no man knows the things of God but by the Spirit of God.” And how do they get it? We have been taught, by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, by repenting of our sins, by being baptized, by those possessing the authority, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of our sins, and by having hands laid upon us by the same authority for the reception of the Holy Ghost. Then it is that the Spirit takes of the things of God and shows them unto us; then it is that we are brought into communion with our heavenly Father; then it is that we have a hope that enters within the veil, whither Christ our forerunner is gone; then it is that we have an unction from the Holy One, as they had in former times, that will teach us the principles of light, and life, and intelligence, pertaining to our present and future existence; then it is that the darkness with which the world is beclouded is removed, and the light of heaven is permitted to permeate our minds, and impart light and intelligence thereunto; then it is that we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, says the sacred writer; “but when he who is our life shall appear, then shall we appear like unto him in glory;” it is through this principle, and this life, light and intelligence, and that through obedience to the commands of God.
In looking still forward we find that there are other things ahead of us. One thing is the building of Temples, and that is a very important item, and ought to rest with force upon the minds of all good Saints. I remember, some time ago, having a conversation with Baron Rothschild, a Jew. I was showing him the Temple here, and said he—“Elder Taylor, what do you mean by this Temple? What is the object of it? Why are you building it?” Said I, “Your fathers had among them Prophets, who revealed to them the mind and will of God; we have among us Prophets who reveal to us the mind and will of God, as they did. One of your Prophets said—'The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple, but who may abide the day of his coming? For he shall sit as a refiner's fire and a purifier of silver.'” “Now,” said I, “Sir, will you point me out a place on the face of the earth where God has a Temple?” Said he, “I do not know of any.” “You remember the words of your Prophet that I have quoted?” Said he—“Yes, I know the Prophet said that, but I do not know of any Temple anywhere. Do you consider that this is that Temple?” “No, sir, it is not.” “Well, what is this Temple for?” Said I, “The Lord has told us to build this Temple so that we may administer therein baptisms for our dead (which I explained to him), and also to perform some of the sacred matrimonial alliances and covenants that we believe in, that are rejected by the world generally, but which are among the purest, most exalting and ennobling principles that God ever revealed to man.” “Well, then, this is not our Temple?” “No, but,” said I, “You will build a Temple, for the Lord has shown us, among other things, that you Jews have quite a role to perform in the latter days, and that all the things spoken by your old prophets will be fulfilled, that you will be gathered to old Jerusalem, and that you will build a Temple there; and when you build that Temple, and the time has arrived, ‘the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple.’ Do you believe in the Messiah?” “Yes.” “Do you remember reading in your old prophets something like this—'They shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. And one shall say, What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy side? And he will say—These with which I was wounded in the house of my friends?'” “Ah! Is that in our Bible?” “Yes, sir, that is in your Bible.” I spake to him then about the Nephites having left Jerusalem and told him that the Book of Mormon represents them as descendants of their people, and that Jesus came among them, and that they, because of their iniquity and departure from the word and law of God, were stricken with blackness. Said he—“What, as Cain was?” “Yes, sir, as Cain was.” Said I—“These people, the Lamanites, according to this record,” a French copy of which I gave him, he being a Frenchman; “this people are beginning to feel after these things, and they are coming by hundreds and by thousands and demanding baptism at our hands, just as you find recorded in that book that they would do, and that is given there as a sign that God's work had commenced among all nations.” Said he—“What evidence have you of this?” This conversation took place in the Townsend House, and when the Baron asked me for evidence, said I—“Sir, if you will excuse me a few minutes I will give you some evidence;” and I went to Savage's book stand, in the Townsend House, and obtained a photographic copy of David Cannon baptizing Indians, standing in the midst of a great crowd of them. Said I—“Here is the evidence.” “Well, what shall we do?” Said I—“You can do nothing unless God directs. You as a people are tied hand and foot, and have been for generations, and you can't move a peg unless God strikes off your fetters. When he says the word the things spoken of by the Prophets will be fulfilled; then the measuring line will go forth again in Jerusalem, then your Messiah will come, and all those things spoken of by the Prophets will be fulfilled.”
I mentioned these matters to Baron Rothschild merely to exhibit some ideas pertaining to the work in which we are engaged; and in speaking of the Temple—“Well, this is not the Temple?” “No, not that you are going to build, this is ours, and we expect to build hundreds of them yet, and to administer in them in carrying out the work of God.” I speak of this, that you may reflect a little, you Latter-day Saints. Has God organized a First Presidency? Yes. Has he endowed them with the Spirit and power of God? Yes. Has he organized the Twelve? Yes. Have they the spirit of their office? Yes, in part. He has organized Seventies; have they the spirit of their office? In part. He has organized a High Priests' quorum; have they the spirit of their office? In part, and many of these things are only in part. He has organized an Elders' quorum, and a great many Elders have been ordained; have they the spirit of their office? In part. Are they magnifying it? Only in part. Why we have got really and truly a nation of Kings and Priests, ordained, set apart and authorized to carry out the purposes of God here upon the earth, to operate with the Priesthood behind the veil in the accomplishment of these things. What are we doing? A little, but many of us, I am afraid, not very much. A great many are doing the best they know how, and are desirous, with their whole soul and spirit, with their intellect and their substance and everything they have, to dedicate themselves and all they have for God and for his cause and kingdom, and for building up Temples, and for accomplishing everything that God requires at their hands. Then there are some that feel like the boy said about his father. A Gentile came along and spoke to a little boy down street here, and said—“Boy, are you a Mormon?” “I don't know,” said the boy. “Is your father a Mormon?” “Oh, yes,” said the boy, “but he does not potter much about it.” There are a good many who feel a good deal like that—they don't potter much about it. When their minds are lit up by the Spirit of God they feel like dedicating themselves and all they have to God, yet, by and by they begin to weaken and falter, and quiver, and go away.
Sometime ago a great many of us renewed our covenants and were baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and we then covenanted before God, holy angels, and one another, that we would consecrate ourselves and all that we had to God, that we would follow his counsel and the counsel of his holy Priesthood in all things, temporal and spiritual. Now let us talk a little plain on some of these things. Is not that so? Did you not do these things? You did. Well, what does it mean, or what does baptism mean, or what do any of these things mean—the ordinances, the Priesthood, the gathering, Temples, endowments and the light, intelligence and privileges that we have received from the hands of God? What do they mean? Are they a sacred reality that have emanated from God? Are they things in which our present, future and eternal happiness is concerned, or are they a mere phantasm? It seems they are very little more to many, although, perhaps, they appreciate them according to the best of their understanding, light and intelligence; still they say they are desirous of keeping God's commandments. Let me repeat here a passage of Scripture. “It is not every one that saith Lord, Lord, that shall enter into my kingdom, but it is he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” I think that is the Scripture, if I am not very much mistaken; I think you will find it written there, and I think that Scripture is just as true today as it was eighteen hundred years ago, just as binding, and we shall find the results of it just as true, and when the secrets of all hearts are revealed, when the judgment is set and the books are opened, these things will be known and understood. How will it be then with Latter-day Saints? Why those who are doing right and are full of integrity, and have kept their covenants, observed the law of God and walked in obedience to his commands will hear Jesus say—“Thou hast been faithful over a few things and I will make thee ruler over many things.” And then there are some others mentioned. Who are they, and what are they? “Why, many will come to me and say, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? Have we not cast out devils in thy name, and in thy name done many wonderful works? When he will say to them—Depart from me, for I never knew you.”
How will that fit on some of us do you think? That belongs a little closer to some of us than we imagine; for I do not think that Gentiles do much at prophesying in the name of God; I do not think they cast out many devils in the name of God, or do any wonderful works in his name. Jesus was speaking to a people that had done these things, the same, perhaps, as some of you have, and yet you have become careless and indifferent, and in many instances have made shipwreck of a good conscience and failed to keep the covenants you have made.
These are things for us to reflect upon, and it is well for us all to reflect upon the position that we occupy. How is it with us? Are we all engaged in the same work? Not precisely. Paul gave a very beautiful description of the church of God in his day. Said he—“The body is not one member, but many; and the eye cannot say to the ear, I have no need of thee, nor the head to the feet, I have no need of thee.” They were all engaged in the same work. It was not a work that rested simply upon the Apostles, or Prophets, or Evangelists, or some of the leading, prominent men of the Church; it was the work of God, in which they were all engaged. The body is not one member, but many, and if one of the members suffer, they all suffer with it; if one member rejoice, all are honored with it. The body is not all head; it would be a curious kind of a body without arms, stomach, legs, feet, &c.; it would be no body at all, it could not exist or act. You cut off any member of the body, say an arm, and the body is maimed; pluck out an eye and the body is maimed. Pluck out both eyes and you could not see. You may have ever so perfect a body and take away the legs and the feet, and what then? You can do nothing, you can't walk, you have got to be lifted by somebody else and carried about, a helpless, inanimate being, without motion, power and activity. So it is with the body, and if one member suffer all the members suffer with it. The head may be very perfect, but if the arm is withered or any part of the body injured, the powers of the body are impaired, and it cannot fully answer the ends of its organization. Hence it is that in the organization of the Church of Christ every member should act in its own place—the Presidency in theirs, the Twelve in theirs, the Bishops in theirs, the Seventies in theirs, the High Priests in theirs, and the Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons who are living their religion in theirs. A Teacher who keeps the commandments of God and fulfills his duties is more honorable than the Apostle who does not. You hurt any part of the body, for instance, cut your finger, and the entire body feels it immediately. Touch the head and every part of the body senses it. And so it is with every particle of the body—it is a perfect system; and so is the Church of God, and each of the organs, members in particular, thus the organized body walks in the path that God marks out, and seeks to accomplish all things that he designs for us to do. Hence there is a mutual sympathy, affection and regard, and a brotherhood and fellowship among the Saints of God who are living their religion, all through the organization of the Priesthood, from the head to the foot.
And then we are united with the Priesthood in the eternal worlds, and the Priesthood that we have is of the same nature as that which they have. They administer in time and for all eternity; we are administering now in time, and soon shall be in eternity, all of us. The Twelve who are around me, and the First Presidency, and others will be, by and by, beyond the veil in another state of existence. And what then? Why then we go to give an account of our stewardship, and it will be well for all of us if we can say with Paul—“I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my course, and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day, and not to me only, but to all who love the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
May God help us to be faithful, live our religion and keep his commandments, that we may, by and by, obtain an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 a. m.
The choir sang an anthem—Worship the Lord evermore.
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
Discourse by Elder John Taylor, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Thursday Afternoon, April 6, 1876.
Reported by David W. Evans.
When we meet together on occasions like the present, it is absolutely necessary that we place ourselves under the guidance and direction of the Almighty; that is, a thing indeed, which is proper at all times, for in the Lord we live and move—from him we derive our being—and to him we are indebted for every blessing that we enjoy of a temporal and spiritual nature, for everything that pertains either to this world or that which is to come. We are met together on this occasion to attend to the duties and responsibilities that devolve upon us associated with the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth; and it is very important that we have his spirit to direct us in our speaking as well as in our hearing, and in the various purposes, plans and calculations that may be started for the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth, for we really are, or ought to be, co-laborers with the Almighty for the accomplishment of his purposes on the earth. And although we are very weak, and incompetent to do anything in and of ourselves, yet with the assistance and guidance of the Almighty we shall be enabled, by diligence and faithfulness in discharging the various responsibilities that devolve upon us, to fill up the measure of our day upon the earth with honor before God, before the holy angels and before all good men, and to lend at least a helping hand in building up the kingdom of God upon the earth, that we so frequently talk about, and to introduce those principles which emanate from the Most High. In this regard, however, we can do nothing of ourselves, neither could any man who ever lived upon the earth do anything in and of himself. There is a great supreme, overruling power that shapes, manages, controls and dictates the affairs of the human family. He raises up one and puts down another; he regulates and controls the affairs of the nations at his will, and in regard to the purposes that he has designed, pertaining to the earth whereon we live, of which he has given us some slight idea, he will have to be, after all, the principal cooperator, the leading hand, the power that guides, directs and controls. He has called upon us to be his assistants in the work that he has commenced in these last days, and has called a variety of laborers into his vineyard, whom he has promised to sustain, to guide and to direct, and hence, although it may be an unspeakable privilege for us to be co-laborers with the Almighty, yet it is only through the spirit, power and intelligence that he communicates, that we shall be able to do anything acceptable in the sight of God, and, as I said before, no man living without this assistance is capable of doing anything acceptable in the sight of God. When we look at the works of God in the various ages that have passed, and in the various dispensations that have been ushered into the world, we see this manifestly pointed out. In fact, when we reflect upon the work that we are engaged in, to whom are we indebted? To any of us? I think not. To Joseph Smith? I think not. He was made use of as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty to convey certain principles that God revealed to him; that was all, and when he came, it was not his own words that he spoke, it was the revelation of God's will to him, and it is that which we are in possession of through him, as an instrument. It is so with President Young and his council, and it is so with the Twelve, it is so with all the Bishops, High Councils, High Priests, and all the various authorities of the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth. It is not that there is anything inherent in us, for we know nothing only as God revealed it, we know nothing only as it was communicated. We did not understand the first principles of the doctrine of Christ even; and I have never met with anybody on the face of the earth where I have traveled who did know anything about these things. We are indebted to the Lord, therefore, for any knowledge that we have of the true doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and for all the ramifications thereof. We are indebted to him for a knowledge of the Priesthood, whether that Priesthood be after the order of Melchizedek, which is after the order of the Son of God; or whether it be the lesser or Aaronic Priesthood. We, none of us knew anything about it, and nobody ever did, until God communicated it. And the same thing holds good all the way through. Go back to the history of the world, as reported in the Bible and Book of Mormon, and you will find that every great movement ever made among men that had God to support it, originated not with men, but that God himself was the author of it. Even Jesus himself, when he came, said—“I came not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me;” and—“The words that I speak, I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwells in me. He doeth the works.” Therefore, looking at things in this point of view, we, above all people who dwell on the face of the earth, ought to acknowledge the hand of God in all things; and in fact we have a revelation directly on that point, which says—“that with none is the Lord angry but with those who do not acknowledge his hand in all things.”
We are here for a certain purpose; the world was organized for a certain purpose; the world has been destroyed for a certain purpose, and judgments have overtaken it for a certain purpose; the Gospel has been introduced for a certain purpose, in the different ages of time, and among the different peoples to whom it has been revealed and communicated, and we, today, are in subjection to the general rule. The Lord has led us along as he once led Israel, and as he led the Nephites from the land of Jerusalem, and the ten tribes, and other peoples, who went to different places. He has led us along, and the first thing he did with us, or to the world whereon we live, or with whom we are associated, was to send his Gospel, having revealed it first to Joseph Smith, and he, being authorized by the Almighty, and having received his appointment through the holy Priesthood that exists in the heavens, and with that appointment, authority to confer it upon others, did confer it upon others, and they in turn upon others, and hence the Gospel was sent to us in the various nations where we resided. And when these men went forth to proclaim this Gospel, they went, as Jesus said, not to do their “will, but the will of the Father who sent them,” and to cooperate with the holy Priesthood here upon the earth in introducing correct principles. Hence they went among the nations, and thousands, and tens of thousands, and millions listened to their testimonies; but as it was in former days, so it has been in latter days. Says Jesus—“Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; while wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat.” This has been the case in all ages and among all peoples, wherever and whenever the Gospel has been preached to them.
Now then, the Lord has been desirous, in this age, as he has in other ages, to gather to himself a people who would do his will, keep his commandments, listen to his counsel and carry out his behests. To whom could he send? To the wise and learned, to the philosopher and statesman, to the prince and potentate? Verily no. The Lord, in this age as on former occasions, sends by whom he will send; he selects his own messengers, and sends them among the people. And when the Elders of Israel went forth, he said to them in a certain revelation—“Go forth, and mine angels shall go before you, and my Spirit shall accompany you.” And they went forth, and God was true to his word, and many of you, at that time in distant nations, listened to the words of life, and when you heard them, you knew and understood them, just as Jesus said—“My sheep hear my voice and know me, and they follow me, but a stranger will they not follow, because they know not the voice of a stranger.” You heard the voice of truth accompanied by the Spirit of God, and that caused a chord to vibrate within your own bosoms, and you yielded obedience and came out here, as we find you today.
Now, then, we are gathered together to help, what to do? To look after our own individual interest? No. To accumulate wealth? No. To possess and wallow in the good things of this life? No; but to do the will of God, and devote ourselves, our talents and abilities, our intelligence and influence, in every possible way to carry out the designs of Jehovah, and help to establish peace and righteousness upon the earth. This, as I understand it, is what we are here for, and not to attend to our own individual affairs and let God and his kingdom do as they please. We are all interested in the great latter-day work of God, and we all ought to be coworkers therein. It is proper sometimes that we should reflect a little upon some of these things, and find out what is our true status and position before the Lord, and before one another, before the angels, and before the world that we are mixed up with, and have more or less to do with. We want sometimes to pause and reflect a little upon some of these things. Why was God so careful to preserve the plates upon which this record was found, and from which it was translated? Why was he so desirous that the old Prophets, who lived upon this continent generations ago, should sacredly guard and keep these sacred records? He told us what it was for, and the Prophets told us what it was for, and Jesus, when he was here, told us what it was for—that these things might come forth in the last days for the benefit of his people, and for the benefit of all who should believe in, and obey the word of God among the Gentiles. What for? That we might have a corroborating testimony from a people upon this continent, who had their Prophets, which should agree with the testimony which we had from the continent of Asia; and that, through the instrumentality of that truth which shall be developed, a nucleus might be formed through which God could communicate his will, and accomplish those purposes that he has designed to accomplish from before the foundation of the world. From the commencement of the organization of this world, God designed the accomplishment of the very thing that we are engaged in here today. We live in what the Scriptures call the dispensation of the fullness of times, in which the Lord has said that he would gather together all things in one, whether they be things on the earth or things in the heavens; in this dispensation he designed to call together his sheep that were on the face of the earth, just as much as he did in the days of Jesus. How was it then? Said Jesus—“Father, I pray for those whom thou hast given me; thine they were and thou gavest them me. I pray for them that they may be one, as I, Father, am in thee and thou in me, that the world may know that thou hast sent me.” He has done the same thing in this day. He has gathered together his sheep, he has organized his holy Priesthood in its fullness, perhaps as perfectly as it ever was organized on the face of the earth. I do not know, fully, the position of things in Enoch's day; there may have been many things transpired on this continent that we have not had revealed unto us, for we have not all their records, only part of them were translated; some of the things contained on the plates were unlawful to be written at that time. But there were times when men had communion with God; there were times when God revealed himself unto his servants the Prophets; there were times when men came with a—“Thus saith the Lord” to the people; there were times when the people would say—“All that the Lord has bid us to observe, that will we observe and do;” there were times when the people said—“The Lord is our king, the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver, and he shall rule over us.” God is seeking to have a people like that in the present day, and that, through the Priesthood upon the earth, we shall be associated with the Priesthood in the heavens, and they with their God.
There are no people now, and there never was a people, who could accomplish anything without this, and, as I said before, without the guidance and direction of the Almighty. There are a good many things associated with these matters, and some of them are very plain and simple; in fact, it is said by a certain individual that they are so plain that a “wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein;” and it was said in former days—“God hath not chosen the wise and great of the earth, but the weak and foolish things of this world to bring to nought the things that are.” Then, he has restored the holy Priesthood, and that, as I understand it, is the rule and government of God, whether on the earth or in the heavens, the principle by which all things are governed in the heavens, and by which, when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ, all things will be governed here on the earth.
These, then, as I understand them, are things of very great importance to the Latter-day Saints, for it is to them that I am speaking this afternoon. We have an organization in our Church as they had in former times. We are told that in the days of Jesus on the Asiatic continent, “God placed in his Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, afterwards Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists,” etc.; and we are, moreover, told that these were placed in the Church “for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, until we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ, that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but that we may grow up into him who is our living head in all things,” that we may indeed be like him, one with him as he is one with the Father.
This is the kind of principles that they had then, and this the kind of organization. What have we? Something very similar. We have Apostles and a First Presidency. What are the members of the First Presidency? Apostles. We have an organization of the Twelve, as they had then. We have also Seventies, in all of which we have even more than they had, though I do not know what they had on this continent, that is not made manifest; we shall know these things by and by, as the purposes of God roll forth, and their revelations are made known to us pertaining to those matters. We have our Bishops, we have our High Councils, we have our Seventies, we have our Elders, Priests, Teachers, and Deacons, all of which, or the pattern for which, have been given by the Almighty, by the revelation of his will to Joseph Smith; and if we have any knowledge that differs from the rest of mankind in relation to these matters, it is through the revelations of God, and we say to God be the glory and not to us. They went forth in former times and preached the Gospel without purse and scrip. We have done the same. I can see around me scores and hundreds of men who have been abroad to the nations of the earth to preach the Gospel without purse and scrip, trusting in the living God, holding the same Priesthood and authority; in possession of the same truths, lit up, encouraged, and sustained by the same Spirit, the same light, and the same intelligence that they had.
These are some of the distinctive features of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then we have gathered ourselves together. Well, the Prophets saw it years and years ago, and prophesied about it, but it was left for us to do. The Prophet says—“I will take one of a city and two of a family and I will bring them to Zion.” What will you do with them? “I will give them pastors after my own heart, who shall feed them with knowledge and understanding.” I will introduce the Priesthood of the Son of God among them; I will give them the light, revelation and power of God to be with them, and I will stand by them and sustain them. He has revealed to us, as he did to others the nature of the relationship that subsists between men and their wives; he has shown us that there are eternal associations and connections, and has shown us how to accomplish these objects, and to secure to ourselves, our wives and our children, inasmuch as they observe the revelations of God and carry out his purposes. These are some of the principles that he has made known unto us, and he has given us commandments relative to these things, and in relation to building Temples to his name and administering therein, so as to be acceptable to him. He has pointed out to us certain principles pertaining to the everlasting covenants with us, with our fathers and with our children, and has shown us how to perform the various duties devolving upon us, according to the counsel of his will, which he has revealed through the holy Priesthood that he has here upon the earth. These are things with which we are most of us familiar, and therefore I do not propose to quote Scripture about them particularly, but just lay them briefly before your minds, that you may reflect upon them.
Before we came into this Church and kingdom, we had certain confused ideas about a future state; but what did we know about it? Very little, very little indeed. We hoped we should get to heaven when we died; we hoped that, if we were good, honest, upright and virtuous, God would accept us, which was all very good so far as it went. But what knowledge had we of the future? None at all. What knowledge has the world today about these things? None at all. What knowledge have they of us and of our communications with God? None at all. The world never saw the kingdom of God, they never can see it, it is out of their reach. Jesus said in his day—“Except a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God,” much less inherit it. They cannot help that; we could not help it when we were in their condition; generations past could not help it. What could they do about it? Nothing. What could any of the great reformers, as they are called, do about these things? Simply nothing. Did any of them ever introduce the Gospel as Jesus taught it? Not one among them; with all their virtue, zeal and philanthropy, with all their desires to do good, they could not accomplish these things. Were they all wicked men? By no means. There were many good men among them, and so there are today; but these good men cannot see the kingdom of God, unless by the Spirit of God, and we are told definitely that “no man knows the things of God but by the Spirit of God.” And how do they get it? We have been taught, by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, by repenting of our sins, by being baptized, by those possessing the authority, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of our sins, and by having hands laid upon us by the same authority for the reception of the Holy Ghost. Then it is that the Spirit takes of the things of God and shows them unto us; then it is that we are brought into communion with our heavenly Father; then it is that we have a hope that enters within the veil, whither Christ our forerunner is gone; then it is that we have an unction from the Holy One, as they had in former times, that will teach us the principles of light, and life, and intelligence, pertaining to our present and future existence; then it is that the darkness with which the world is beclouded is removed, and the light of heaven is permitted to permeate our minds, and impart light and intelligence thereunto; then it is that we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, says the sacred writer; “but when he who is our life shall appear, then shall we appear like unto him in glory;” it is through this principle, and this life, light and intelligence, and that through obedience to the commands of God.
In looking still forward we find that there are other things ahead of us. One thing is the building of Temples, and that is a very important item, and ought to rest with force upon the minds of all good Saints. I remember, some time ago, having a conversation with Baron Rothschild, a Jew. I was showing him the Temple here, and said he—“Elder Taylor, what do you mean by this Temple? What is the object of it? Why are you building it?” Said I, “Your fathers had among them Prophets, who revealed to them the mind and will of God; we have among us Prophets who reveal to us the mind and will of God, as they did. One of your Prophets said—'The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple, but who may abide the day of his coming? For he shall sit as a refiner's fire and a purifier of silver.'” “Now,” said I, “Sir, will you point me out a place on the face of the earth where God has a Temple?” Said he, “I do not know of any.” “You remember the words of your Prophet that I have quoted?” Said he—“Yes, I know the Prophet said that, but I do not know of any Temple anywhere. Do you consider that this is that Temple?” “No, sir, it is not.” “Well, what is this Temple for?” Said I, “The Lord has told us to build this Temple so that we may administer therein baptisms for our dead (which I explained to him), and also to perform some of the sacred matrimonial alliances and covenants that we believe in, that are rejected by the world generally, but which are among the purest, most exalting and ennobling principles that God ever revealed to man.” “Well, then, this is not our Temple?” “No, but,” said I, “You will build a Temple, for the Lord has shown us, among other things, that you Jews have quite a role to perform in the latter days, and that all the things spoken by your old prophets will be fulfilled, that you will be gathered to old Jerusalem, and that you will build a Temple there; and when you build that Temple, and the time has arrived, ‘the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his Temple.’ Do you believe in the Messiah?” “Yes.” “Do you remember reading in your old prophets something like this—'They shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. And one shall say, What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy side? And he will say—These with which I was wounded in the house of my friends?'” “Ah! Is that in our Bible?” “Yes, sir, that is in your Bible.” I spake to him then about the Nephites having left Jerusalem and told him that the Book of Mormon represents them as descendants of their people, and that Jesus came among them, and that they, because of their iniquity and departure from the word and law of God, were stricken with blackness. Said he—“What, as Cain was?” “Yes, sir, as Cain was.” Said I—“These people, the Lamanites, according to this record,” a French copy of which I gave him, he being a Frenchman; “this people are beginning to feel after these things, and they are coming by hundreds and by thousands and demanding baptism at our hands, just as you find recorded in that book that they would do, and that is given there as a sign that God's work had commenced among all nations.” Said he—“What evidence have you of this?” This conversation took place in the Townsend House, and when the Baron asked me for evidence, said I—“Sir, if you will excuse me a few minutes I will give you some evidence;” and I went to Savage's book stand, in the Townsend House, and obtained a photographic copy of David Cannon baptizing Indians, standing in the midst of a great crowd of them. Said I—“Here is the evidence.” “Well, what shall we do?” Said I—“You can do nothing unless God directs. You as a people are tied hand and foot, and have been for generations, and you can't move a peg unless God strikes off your fetters. When he says the word the things spoken of by the Prophets will be fulfilled; then the measuring line will go forth again in Jerusalem, then your Messiah will come, and all those things spoken of by the Prophets will be fulfilled.”
I mentioned these matters to Baron Rothschild merely to exhibit some ideas pertaining to the work in which we are engaged; and in speaking of the Temple—“Well, this is not the Temple?” “No, not that you are going to build, this is ours, and we expect to build hundreds of them yet, and to administer in them in carrying out the work of God.” I speak of this, that you may reflect a little, you Latter-day Saints. Has God organized a First Presidency? Yes. Has he endowed them with the Spirit and power of God? Yes. Has he organized the Twelve? Yes. Have they the spirit of their office? Yes, in part. He has organized Seventies; have they the spirit of their office? In part. He has organized a High Priests' quorum; have they the spirit of their office? In part, and many of these things are only in part. He has organized an Elders' quorum, and a great many Elders have been ordained; have they the spirit of their office? In part. Are they magnifying it? Only in part. Why we have got really and truly a nation of Kings and Priests, ordained, set apart and authorized to carry out the purposes of God here upon the earth, to operate with the Priesthood behind the veil in the accomplishment of these things. What are we doing? A little, but many of us, I am afraid, not very much. A great many are doing the best they know how, and are desirous, with their whole soul and spirit, with their intellect and their substance and everything they have, to dedicate themselves and all they have for God and for his cause and kingdom, and for building up Temples, and for accomplishing everything that God requires at their hands. Then there are some that feel like the boy said about his father. A Gentile came along and spoke to a little boy down street here, and said—“Boy, are you a Mormon?” “I don't know,” said the boy. “Is your father a Mormon?” “Oh, yes,” said the boy, “but he does not potter much about it.” There are a good many who feel a good deal like that—they don't potter much about it. When their minds are lit up by the Spirit of God they feel like dedicating themselves and all they have to God, yet, by and by they begin to weaken and falter, and quiver, and go away.
Sometime ago a great many of us renewed our covenants and were baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and we then covenanted before God, holy angels, and one another, that we would consecrate ourselves and all that we had to God, that we would follow his counsel and the counsel of his holy Priesthood in all things, temporal and spiritual. Now let us talk a little plain on some of these things. Is not that so? Did you not do these things? You did. Well, what does it mean, or what does baptism mean, or what do any of these things mean—the ordinances, the Priesthood, the gathering, Temples, endowments and the light, intelligence and privileges that we have received from the hands of God? What do they mean? Are they a sacred reality that have emanated from God? Are they things in which our present, future and eternal happiness is concerned, or are they a mere phantasm? It seems they are very little more to many, although, perhaps, they appreciate them according to the best of their understanding, light and intelligence; still they say they are desirous of keeping God's commandments. Let me repeat here a passage of Scripture. “It is not every one that saith Lord, Lord, that shall enter into my kingdom, but it is he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” I think that is the Scripture, if I am not very much mistaken; I think you will find it written there, and I think that Scripture is just as true today as it was eighteen hundred years ago, just as binding, and we shall find the results of it just as true, and when the secrets of all hearts are revealed, when the judgment is set and the books are opened, these things will be known and understood. How will it be then with Latter-day Saints? Why those who are doing right and are full of integrity, and have kept their covenants, observed the law of God and walked in obedience to his commands will hear Jesus say—“Thou hast been faithful over a few things and I will make thee ruler over many things.” And then there are some others mentioned. Who are they, and what are they? “Why, many will come to me and say, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? Have we not cast out devils in thy name, and in thy name done many wonderful works? When he will say to them—Depart from me, for I never knew you.”
How will that fit on some of us do you think? That belongs a little closer to some of us than we imagine; for I do not think that Gentiles do much at prophesying in the name of God; I do not think they cast out many devils in the name of God, or do any wonderful works in his name. Jesus was speaking to a people that had done these things, the same, perhaps, as some of you have, and yet you have become careless and indifferent, and in many instances have made shipwreck of a good conscience and failed to keep the covenants you have made.
These are things for us to reflect upon, and it is well for us all to reflect upon the position that we occupy. How is it with us? Are we all engaged in the same work? Not precisely. Paul gave a very beautiful description of the church of God in his day. Said he—“The body is not one member, but many; and the eye cannot say to the ear, I have no need of thee, nor the head to the feet, I have no need of thee.” They were all engaged in the same work. It was not a work that rested simply upon the Apostles, or Prophets, or Evangelists, or some of the leading, prominent men of the Church; it was the work of God, in which they were all engaged. The body is not one member, but many, and if one of the members suffer, they all suffer with it; if one member rejoice, all are honored with it. The body is not all head; it would be a curious kind of a body without arms, stomach, legs, feet, &c.; it would be no body at all, it could not exist or act. You cut off any member of the body, say an arm, and the body is maimed; pluck out an eye and the body is maimed. Pluck out both eyes and you could not see. You may have ever so perfect a body and take away the legs and the feet, and what then? You can do nothing, you can't walk, you have got to be lifted by somebody else and carried about, a helpless, inanimate being, without motion, power and activity. So it is with the body, and if one member suffer all the members suffer with it. The head may be very perfect, but if the arm is withered or any part of the body injured, the powers of the body are impaired, and it cannot fully answer the ends of its organization. Hence it is that in the organization of the Church of Christ every member should act in its own place—the Presidency in theirs, the Twelve in theirs, the Bishops in theirs, the Seventies in theirs, the High Priests in theirs, and the Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons who are living their religion in theirs. A Teacher who keeps the commandments of God and fulfills his duties is more honorable than the Apostle who does not. You hurt any part of the body, for instance, cut your finger, and the entire body feels it immediately. Touch the head and every part of the body senses it. And so it is with every particle of the body—it is a perfect system; and so is the Church of God, and each of the organs, members in particular, thus the organized body walks in the path that God marks out, and seeks to accomplish all things that he designs for us to do. Hence there is a mutual sympathy, affection and regard, and a brotherhood and fellowship among the Saints of God who are living their religion, all through the organization of the Priesthood, from the head to the foot.
And then we are united with the Priesthood in the eternal worlds, and the Priesthood that we have is of the same nature as that which they have. They administer in time and for all eternity; we are administering now in time, and soon shall be in eternity, all of us. The Twelve who are around me, and the First Presidency, and others will be, by and by, beyond the veil in another state of existence. And what then? Why then we go to give an account of our stewardship, and it will be well for all of us if we can say with Paul—“I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my course, and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day, and not to me only, but to all who love the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
May God help us to be faithful, live our religion and keep his commandments, that we may, by and by, obtain an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Conference was adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 a. m.
The choir sang an anthem—Worship the Lord evermore.
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
SECOND DAY.
Friday, April 7, 10 a. m.
The Choir sang—Father, how wide thy glory shines, How high thy wonders rise!
Prayer by Elder Lorenzo Snow.
The Choir sang—The time is nigh, that happy time, That great, expected, blessed day.
Friday, April 7, 10 a. m.
The Choir sang—Father, how wide thy glory shines, How high thy wonders rise!
Prayer by Elder Lorenzo Snow.
The Choir sang—The time is nigh, that happy time, That great, expected, blessed day.
Elder Lorenzo Snow
said forty-six years had passed away since the organization of the Church, and it had withstood all the storms that had been brought to bear against it. A man by the name of Joseph Smith started out with a declaration that God had spoken to him, committed to him certain principles and authority, which he was commanded to make known to the people, with a promise that whoever would receive his testimony and be obedient to the heavenly message, should receive the Holy Ghost, that would reveal to its recipients a knowledge of the truth of that testimony. Many thousands who were assembled here to-day, gathered from the various nations of the earth, had received that Spirit, that was given them by the laying on of hands, which the servants of God had promised them. The greatest gift that God could possibly give to the sons of men was the gift of salvation, and after we had embarked in the great work, there was no sacrifice too great for us to make, so that we might secure the blessings of eternal life. The ordinances and gifts of the Gospel we appreciated so highly, that no earthly consideration would deter us from cleaving to the pearl of great price. If we would only keep the commandments of God, our whole body should be full of light, and we would be able to comprehend all things.
He exhorted the Saints to become more and more allied to the Spirit of the Lord, and improve day by day in their life and conduct, to be governed not by their own will, but by the counsel of those whom God had placed over us. Let us discharge all our obligations in the fear of God, that we might finally be saved in the kingdom of God.
said forty-six years had passed away since the organization of the Church, and it had withstood all the storms that had been brought to bear against it. A man by the name of Joseph Smith started out with a declaration that God had spoken to him, committed to him certain principles and authority, which he was commanded to make known to the people, with a promise that whoever would receive his testimony and be obedient to the heavenly message, should receive the Holy Ghost, that would reveal to its recipients a knowledge of the truth of that testimony. Many thousands who were assembled here to-day, gathered from the various nations of the earth, had received that Spirit, that was given them by the laying on of hands, which the servants of God had promised them. The greatest gift that God could possibly give to the sons of men was the gift of salvation, and after we had embarked in the great work, there was no sacrifice too great for us to make, so that we might secure the blessings of eternal life. The ordinances and gifts of the Gospel we appreciated so highly, that no earthly consideration would deter us from cleaving to the pearl of great price. If we would only keep the commandments of God, our whole body should be full of light, and we would be able to comprehend all things.
He exhorted the Saints to become more and more allied to the Spirit of the Lord, and improve day by day in their life and conduct, to be governed not by their own will, but by the counsel of those whom God had placed over us. Let us discharge all our obligations in the fear of God, that we might finally be saved in the kingdom of God.
Elder C. C. Rich
said the labor of the Latter-day Saints was to build up the kingdom of God. We had been very much favored in being permitted to come forth in this dispensation to assist in establishing the great work of the last days. God required his people to become one and we were required to adopt every principle that would bring us to a oneness. We had been forty-six years, since the organization of the church, trying to become one. How far had we succeeded in this? Unless we accomplished this, we should surely come short of a fulness of glory in the world to come. God required of us nothing but what would redound to our salvation, and what we could easily accomplish. Since we came into these mountains, by our union a great deal had been accomplished, but by becoming more united much more might be done in the future than had been done in the past. Much responsibility rested upon us as elders of Israel. The judgments of God were beginning to be poured out. The time was short to bring about the purposes of God in carrying salvation to the nations of the earth. The labor therefore that rested upon us was very great. Let us become sanctified in our spirits, and in our bodies, and guided and directed in our labors by the counsel of the servants of God.
He prayed that the blessing of God might rest upon his servants during this Conference, that all might be refreshed and edified.
said the labor of the Latter-day Saints was to build up the kingdom of God. We had been very much favored in being permitted to come forth in this dispensation to assist in establishing the great work of the last days. God required his people to become one and we were required to adopt every principle that would bring us to a oneness. We had been forty-six years, since the organization of the church, trying to become one. How far had we succeeded in this? Unless we accomplished this, we should surely come short of a fulness of glory in the world to come. God required of us nothing but what would redound to our salvation, and what we could easily accomplish. Since we came into these mountains, by our union a great deal had been accomplished, but by becoming more united much more might be done in the future than had been done in the past. Much responsibility rested upon us as elders of Israel. The judgments of God were beginning to be poured out. The time was short to bring about the purposes of God in carrying salvation to the nations of the earth. The labor therefore that rested upon us was very great. Let us become sanctified in our spirits, and in our bodies, and guided and directed in our labors by the counsel of the servants of God.
He prayed that the blessing of God might rest upon his servants during this Conference, that all might be refreshed and edified.
Elder Franklin D. Richards
said if all the saints could be present together during Conference, to hear what was spoken, it would be far easier to control and govern the people throughout the Territory.
He dwelt considerably on the necessity of union, to enable us to accomplish what lay before us to be done. We needed much culture and education, and if we endured in the counsels of the servants of God, our union would increase. The union that was wanted was that which united us in the Spirit of God, and prompted us to keep God’s holy will. Divisions, discord and wickedness were becoming very general among the inhabitants of the earth. Let us be united in these valleys, in the building of Temples, by carrying out faithfully the law of tithing, which God gave to Joseph Smith about eight years after the organization of the Church. Let us put away the evils of the world, and cultivate the pure principles of the Gospel, and be willing to labor in our sphere in doing the will of God. Let us practise our secret prayers and all other duties devolving upon us. That we might see the work of God prosper was his earnest prayer and desire.
said if all the saints could be present together during Conference, to hear what was spoken, it would be far easier to control and govern the people throughout the Territory.
He dwelt considerably on the necessity of union, to enable us to accomplish what lay before us to be done. We needed much culture and education, and if we endured in the counsels of the servants of God, our union would increase. The union that was wanted was that which united us in the Spirit of God, and prompted us to keep God’s holy will. Divisions, discord and wickedness were becoming very general among the inhabitants of the earth. Let us be united in these valleys, in the building of Temples, by carrying out faithfully the law of tithing, which God gave to Joseph Smith about eight years after the organization of the Church. Let us put away the evils of the world, and cultivate the pure principles of the Gospel, and be willing to labor in our sphere in doing the will of God. Let us practise our secret prayers and all other duties devolving upon us. That we might see the work of God prosper was his earnest prayer and desire.
President B. Young
Made a few remarks on the subject of tithing and consecration.
The Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock p.m.
The choir sang an anthem—O praise God in his holiness.
Benediction by Elder Brigham Young, Jun.
Made a few remarks on the subject of tithing and consecration.
The Conference was adjourned till 2 o’clock p.m.
The choir sang an anthem—O praise God in his holiness.
Benediction by Elder Brigham Young, Jun.
2 p.m.
The Choir sang—All hail, the glorious day By prophets long foretold.
Prayer by Elder Orson Pratt.
The Choir sang—We’re not ashamed to own our Lord, And worship him on earth.
The Choir sang—All hail, the glorious day By prophets long foretold.
Prayer by Elder Orson Pratt.
The Choir sang—We’re not ashamed to own our Lord, And worship him on earth.
Elder Isaac Bullock,
a returned missionary, said he felt truly happy to bear testimony to the goodness of God to him. He was called on a mission last November to go and labor in the western part of Iowa. He met in that state every kind of apostate; many of them were very anxious for discussion, but he told them he was sent there to preach the Gospel. Himself and Elders Joseph E. Taylor and Claudius V. Spencer had been laboring together, and their united labors had been crowned with the blessing of God. They had baptized quite a number and organized several branches of the church.
a returned missionary, said he felt truly happy to bear testimony to the goodness of God to him. He was called on a mission last November to go and labor in the western part of Iowa. He met in that state every kind of apostate; many of them were very anxious for discussion, but he told them he was sent there to preach the Gospel. Himself and Elders Joseph E. Taylor and Claudius V. Spencer had been laboring together, and their united labors had been crowned with the blessing of God. They had baptized quite a number and organized several branches of the church.
Elder Claudius V. Spencer,
a returned missionary, said he felt thankful to be here, and far more honored than to be in the presence of princes and kings. He knew that this was the Kingdom of God, though a great many judged us by our imperfections, but if such would only examine our condition and their own, they could more easily acknowledge us to be the Saints of the Most High. The Elders sent lately to Iowa had a greater measure of apostacy to contend with than perhaps any other Elders ever had to cope with. God had been with them by his Spirit and endowed them with the gift of testimony, and whatever good had been accomplished by their labors, God was the author of it, and to him the glory. He then exhorted the Saints to be faithful, to keep their covenants, and endeavor to do his will.
a returned missionary, said he felt thankful to be here, and far more honored than to be in the presence of princes and kings. He knew that this was the Kingdom of God, though a great many judged us by our imperfections, but if such would only examine our condition and their own, they could more easily acknowledge us to be the Saints of the Most High. The Elders sent lately to Iowa had a greater measure of apostacy to contend with than perhaps any other Elders ever had to cope with. God had been with them by his Spirit and endowed them with the gift of testimony, and whatever good had been accomplished by their labors, God was the author of it, and to him the glory. He then exhorted the Saints to be faithful, to keep their covenants, and endeavor to do his will.
Elder Joseph F. Smith
contrasted the difference, and spoke of the superior condition of good, faithful Saints who had kept their covenants, both temporally and spiritually, to that of those who had apostatized from the faith. Many people in the world believed that the Latter-day Saints were being led by a few cunning, shrewd individuals, who were only guided and influenced by sordid and selfish motives. The majority of the Latter-day Saints were once associated with some religious body, and became fully convinced that they had not got the gospel of Jesus Christ, but a form of godliness without the power, and when they had the privilege of hearing the testimony of the servants of God, the Spirit of God bore witness to their hearts that they were the truths of heaven. The Latter-day Saints were not an ignorant people, as many supposed, and those of them who were living their religion knew that this was the place for saints to be in, where they could be guided and directed by the counsels of the servants of God. We had in view the building up of Zion. We had in view the spread of the principles of the gospel, hence we sent forth our Elders to the nations of the earth. The evil of infanticide, spoken of by Elder Spencer, so rife in many countries, the murder of innocents, could not be laid at the door of the Latter-day Saints. So also the sins of profanity and drunkenness were neither tolerated nor practised by Latter-day Saints in good standing.
He spoke of the wisdom and safety in the Saints being guided and directed by their leaders, who were inspired of God. He spoke of the necessity of being united in the new and everlasting covenant, to deal justly with each other, to be kind to the poor, to pay our debts, and then keep out of debt, to pay our tithes and offerings. He did not believe it was pleasing to God for the Saints to mortgage their homesteads at the risk of being turned out of doors. If every Latter-day Saint would pay an honest tithing there would be an abundance in the storehouse of the Lord, that would be amply sufficient, not only for the building of temples, but all other purposes for which it might be required.
contrasted the difference, and spoke of the superior condition of good, faithful Saints who had kept their covenants, both temporally and spiritually, to that of those who had apostatized from the faith. Many people in the world believed that the Latter-day Saints were being led by a few cunning, shrewd individuals, who were only guided and influenced by sordid and selfish motives. The majority of the Latter-day Saints were once associated with some religious body, and became fully convinced that they had not got the gospel of Jesus Christ, but a form of godliness without the power, and when they had the privilege of hearing the testimony of the servants of God, the Spirit of God bore witness to their hearts that they were the truths of heaven. The Latter-day Saints were not an ignorant people, as many supposed, and those of them who were living their religion knew that this was the place for saints to be in, where they could be guided and directed by the counsels of the servants of God. We had in view the building up of Zion. We had in view the spread of the principles of the gospel, hence we sent forth our Elders to the nations of the earth. The evil of infanticide, spoken of by Elder Spencer, so rife in many countries, the murder of innocents, could not be laid at the door of the Latter-day Saints. So also the sins of profanity and drunkenness were neither tolerated nor practised by Latter-day Saints in good standing.
He spoke of the wisdom and safety in the Saints being guided and directed by their leaders, who were inspired of God. He spoke of the necessity of being united in the new and everlasting covenant, to deal justly with each other, to be kind to the poor, to pay our debts, and then keep out of debt, to pay our tithes and offerings. He did not believe it was pleasing to God for the Saints to mortgage their homesteads at the risk of being turned out of doors. If every Latter-day Saint would pay an honest tithing there would be an abundance in the storehouse of the Lord, that would be amply sufficient, not only for the building of temples, but all other purposes for which it might be required.
The Gospel Trumpet—Salvation More Than Baptism and the Laying on of Hands—Responsibilities of Believers—Labors and Opportunities of the Spirit World—The Office of the Holy Spirit—Knowledge of the Gospel, Certain and Sure—Its Fruits Good, and Manifest in the Lives of Those Who Receive It
Discourse by Elder Joseph F. Smith, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, April 8, 1876.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
It is with humility, desiring that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon you, my hearers, as well as upon myself, that I arise to address you. I am requested to “blow the Gospel trumpet.” I do not know that I shall be able to make myself heard by this large congregation, unless all keep quiet and exercise that faith which it is our privilege to do when assembled in a worshiping capacity.
If we are in the line of our duty, we are engaged in a great and glorious cause. It is very essential to our individual welfare that every man and every woman who has entered into the covenant of the Gospel, through repentance and baptism, should feel that as individuals it is their bounden duty to use their intelligence, and the agency which the Lord has given them, for the promotion of the interests of Zion and the establishment of her cause, in the earth. Those who are not faithful in the discharge of these duties cannot be wholly acceptable to God; for they are more or less in the condition of the Church which was complained of by the angel to the Apostle John, as being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and therefore only fit to be “spewed out,” or to be disowned of God. Manifoldly more deserving of this rebuke and chastisement are those who are not only indifferent to the interests of the cause of God and its growth in the earth, but who murmur and find fault and who, instead of putting their shoulders to the wheel, actually try to retard its progress by using what little influence and means they possess to obstruct the onward march of the kingdom.
It was said by the Son of God, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This was said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who evidently believed that Jesus was sent of God, but who went to him by night, being ashamed to be seen seeking so humble a person in the day time, having, no doubt, that feeling of worldly pride which animates the bosoms of many of the present generation, he dared not identify himself with the Savior of the world, because his reputation and standing in society would be sacrificed. But he marveled at the saying of Christ, and upon further inquiry the Savior explained by declaring that, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” And I may say still further, that being born of the water and the Spirit alone, will not enable a man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. There is something still beyond, which is just as necessary as this, the first ordinance of the Gospel, which must be observed and honored by those of this new birth in order that they may obtain the full salvation which is sought after.
On this particular occasion the Savior was speaking of Baptism, and in order to impress it upon Nicodemus, that it might be understood then, as well as to be in force in all future time, so that people need not be deceived, he spoke thus emphatically on this point of doctrine. It therefore matters not how devout, honest, or sincere we might be in the profession of our faith in God, or in the system of religion we might have adopted, and which we believe to be the everlasting Gospel, without this ordinance of baptism we cannot be saved—but first having repented of our sins with that repentance which needeth not to be repented of, in other words, putting away from us every evil, and shunning even the appearance of sin, then to be baptized by one authorized of God for the remission of those sins, and for the reception of the Holy Ghost, we thus becoming heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; true branches, having been grafted into the true vine, bearing fruit of the good seed, bringing forth an hundred fold to the honor and glory of God. I repeat, it matters not how honest we may be or profess to be in our convictions, without this repentance and baptism and reception of the Holy Ghost, which constitute the new birth, we are not of the family of Christ, but are aliens, estranged from God and his laws, and in this fallen condition we shall remain, whether in the body or in the spirit, for time and for eternity, unless we render obedience to the plan devised in the heavens for the redemption and salvation of the human family.
The Latter-day Saints may say, We were taught this doctrine by the Elders in our native lands, and we believed it and repented of our sins, and were baptized, and we received the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was a testimony to us that we had done the will of the Father, and since then our testimonies have often been confirmed through the manifestations of the power of God, and the renewal of His spirit in our hearts. Why, therefore, say they, is it necessary to refer to these things now? Perhaps a reason may be found for so doing in the fact, that, judging from the actions of many who profess to be Latter-day Saints, it would seem that they had come to the conclusion that they had completed their work, that the requirements of the Gospel were all complied with, and nothing now remained but for them to enter upon the inheritances promised to the faithful. We perhaps forget, in consequence of the things of time, which so tempt our fallen nature, that, having been born anew, which is the putting away of the old man sin, and putting on of the new man Christ Jesus, we have become soldiers of the cross, having enlisted under the banner of Jehovah for time and for eternity, and that we have entered into the most solemn covenants to serve God and to contend earnestly for the establishment of the principles of truth and righteousness on this earth continually while we live. And having been “bought with a price,” that is, having been redeemed from the power of sin through the atoning blood of the Savior, as the Apostle says, “We are not our own;” we are his, and we are dependent on him, not only for the light and knowledge which we have received by virtue of the Gospel restored in this dispensation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, but for all temporal blessings, and even for our very earthly being. Therefore, it is not consistent with our high and holy calling to allow ourselves to become careless and indifferent to the interests of the cause we have espoused, lest we fail through our inconsistency, and return “like the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire,” and peradventure be found traitors to the sacred cause in which we have enlisted, and forfeit the gift of eternal life to which we have been made heirs. There is a course marked out for us to walk in—it is that strait and narrow path which leads back to the presence of God; the lamp to light our onward march is the Holy Ghost, which we received on or after our new birth. If we falter and turn aside, our lamp will burn dim and finally go out, when lo, the Comforter, the source of revelation, will leave us, and darkness will take its place; then how great will be that darkness! In proportion to the light we possessed will darkness overpower us, and unless a speedy repentance is made, the darkness will increase within us, until we lose sight of our calling and forget Him who redeemed us and claimed us for his own. The Apostle Paul, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, says: “Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are.” His language is applicable to us as Latter-day Saints, and destruction must overtake us, which is as certain as it is that God is a just being, if we render ourselves unworthy of the calling and name we bear by failing to perform the duties devolving upon us.
In referring to the subject of baptism as essential to salvation, it may be asked by some, What would become of those who heard not the Gospel, and who therefore had not the opportunity of being baptized, claiming as we do that the Gospel was taken from the earth in consequence of its being rejected when proclaimed by Jesus and his Apostles. I would say to such that God has made ample provision for all his children, both the ignorant and the learned; those who have not had the Gospel preached to them in the flesh, will hear it in the spirit, for all must have the plan of salvation presented to them for their acceptance or rejection before they can become amenable to the law. “For,” says Paul, “where there is no law there is no transgression.” To those who have not heard the Gospel in the flesh, if they have not already heard it preached in the spirit, they most assuredly will, and that, too, by men who have previously preached it on the earth, who have died faithful servants, they will continue their labors in the spirit world, and those who receive the Gospel from them will “live according to God in the spirit,” and all who hear it will “be judged according to men in the flesh,” “for,” says the Apostle Peter, “for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead.” (1 Peter 4:6.) When, therefore, the law is revealed to them and they become instructed in it, then will they be held responsible. If they receive it, their kindred or friends who remain upon the earth perhaps, during the Millennium, will act for them, that is, they will be baptized for and in their behalf, for the remission of sins, and be confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ, in the same manner as that work is being done now; there being only one faith, one Lord, and one baptism, which law is eternal and unchangeable, and therefore it is applicable to the dead as well as the living in all ages and climes; and further, no living creature who has become subject to sin and the power of death in consequence of mortality, can evade this law and be redeemed, for it is the door to the fold of Christ, which fold cannot be entered, only through the door. So great and important is this labor, and so necessary for the salvation of the human family, both the living and the dead, that, as the Prophet Joseph said, it will occupy the whole period of the Millennium to consummate it.
In connection with this work is that spoken of concerning Elijah the Prophet, namely, “the turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children,” which if not done, the whole earth will be smitten with a curse.
The kingdom of God must be erected upon the principles which Christ has revealed, upon the foundation of eternal truth, Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone. These holy and sublime principles must be observed and honored in our lives, in order that we may obtain an exaltation with the sanctified in the kingdom of God.
The beauty of these principles is they are true, and the satisfaction derived from their adoption is the knowledge which we receive convincing us of this fact. We have not believed a fable, neither are we cherishing a cunningly devised scheme, but we have been inducted into the truth, having Christ for our head, who is our forerunner, our great High Priest and King. It is true, there are few comparatively who acknowledge allegiance to him, and there are many of these who do not apparently comprehend the importance and binding character of their covenants, or allegiance. This is greatly to be regretted, not that the loyal and faithful subject will lose anything in consequence; but because they who refrain from exercising themselves in his cause will sustain the loss, a loss, too, which they cannot now estimate. It is indeed sorrowful that any should be indifferent to this all-important matter. Who is there of those that have been, or now are, associated with this Church, who have not felt the power of the Holy Ghost, and realized in some measure the benefits of that Spirit through the knowledge which it imparts? This question will meet all of us, those who turn away from the truth, and those who are and will remain indifferent to the cause of Zion, as well as the faithful, when we shall appear before the bar of God, to render an account of our deeds done in the flesh.
The Holy Ghost is a personage who acts in Christ's stead. Just before the risen Redeemer left the earth he commanded his disciples to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they should be endued with power from on high. They did so, and agreeable to promise, the Comforter came whilst they were met together, filling their hearts with unspeakable joy, insomuch that they spake in tongues and prophesied; and the inspiring influence of this holy being accompanied them in all their ministerial duties, enabling them to perform the great mission to which they had been called by the Savior. We are informed that, on a certain occasion, whilst engaged preaching the Gospel, many who heard them were convinced of the divinity of their mission, and they cried out, saying, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” They were not told to come to the anxious seat to be prayed for, or to believe in Jesus, for they already believed and were convinced; but “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” The office of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten the minds of the people with regard to the things of God, to convince them at the time of their conversion of their having done the will of the Father, and to be in them an abiding testimony as a companion through life, acting as the sure and safe guide into all truth and filling them day by day with joy and gladness, with a disposition to do good to all men, to suffer wrong rather than to do wrong, to be kind and merciful, long-suffering and charitable. All who possess this inestimable gift, this pearl of great price, have a continual thirst after righteousness. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit, no mortal can walk in the straight and narrow way, being unable to discern right from wrong, the genuine from the counterfeit, so nearly alike can they be made to appear. Therefore it behooves the Latter-day Saints to live pure and upright, in order that this Spirit may abide in them; for it is only possessed on the principle of righteousness. I cannot receive it for you, nor you for me; everyone must stand for him or herself, whether of high or humble birth, learned or unlearned, and it is the privilege of all alike to be made partakers of it.
I know that God lives, and that he has revealed himself. I know that the Holy Ghost has been conferred upon the children of men, and that the Gospel has been restored to the inhabitants of the earth in its fullness. I know that the Holy Priesthood, which is the power of God delegated to man, has been restored to the earth. I do know that God has delivered his people and that he will continue to deliver us and lead us on in his own peculiar way from conquering to conquer, from victory to victory, until truth and righteousness gain the ascendancy in this His earth, inasmuch as we remain true to him and to one another.
The question may arise in the minds of some, How do you know these things?
Perhaps I can, in part at least, answer the question by asking another—How does the child, or youth, immediately know when he performs the first wicked act of his life? Is there not within him a consciousness of right and wrong? This is a portion of divinity which lights everyone who is born into the world, which acts as a monitor to the heart and soul, and never fails to impress the mind with an unmistakable sense of right and wrong.
This same spark of divinity, this monitor which speaks unmistakably to the understanding of the child, disapprovingly of his wrong, will speak, in just as unmistakable language, approvingly of good and righteous deeds. Therefore I know what I declare to be true, because my conscience approves of my obeying the requirements of the Gospel; this inward monitor testifies to my spirit that in rendering this obedience I do right, and gives me the selfsame assurance when I am in the discharge of any other duties, whether officiating in the capacity of an Elder or in the performance of those duties which, as an individual, I owe to society.
Is this the only way? No, I know it by the sight of the eye, by the hearing of the ear, and by the feeling of the heart. I know that “Mormonism” is true, because the fruits of it are pure and good. The fruits of our religion can be seen and heard, and their influence can be felt. For instance, here is a brother who does not take the name of the Lord in vain; he does not steal, nor lie, nor commit adultery, neither would he bear false witness against his neighbor; he honors his parents and seeks to do to others as he would wish to be done by; he bears the full fruit of the Spirit which he has received by virtue of his obedience to the Gospel, which is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance;” his influence is good, and you know that he has drunk at the pure fountain, that he has gathered his figs from the fig tree, for were it otherwise, his actions, the fruits of his life, would be of an opposite nature. Further, this unmistakable assurance, which is derived through yielding obedience to and practicing the principles of eternal life, is continually being confirmed, as it were, by “line upon line and precept upon precept,” through the revelations of the Holy Spirit, which is a continuous and unfailing source of intelligence, of joy and happiness, drawing him who possesses it nearer unto God, and will eventually cause him to appear like unto his Maker.
It is the feeling who has said in his heart, “There is no God,” and it would indeed be a weak and foolish mind that would rest satisfied without knowing beyond a doubt the Author and Source of his religion when the opportunity of ascertaining the fact is extended to him.
I know the fruits of my religion are good, they are flavored with the sweets of heaven, and they impart health and life to the soul, and I know that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is its author. No man need wonder whether this be really true or not, for all may know for themselves, all may partake of the fruit of the vine and eat and live, all may drink of the eternal spring, and drink and thirst for more. These things I declare to you to be true and faithful. I have been acquainted with them from my youth, and I have felt their influence from my childhood. I have seen the effect of their opposite, and I know whereof I speak. I cannot deny these things, neither can any man who has ever known them, although he may apostatize from them, except he deny himself and his God.
The man who embraces what is called “Mormonism,” but which is really the Gospel of the Son of God, and lives according to its precepts, will never lie nor steal; he will not dishonor his parents nor despise his poorer brethren; he will never, no never, speak against the Lord's anointed, nor be ashamed to own his God, to whom he owes homage and gratitude now and forever; he will never do a dishonorable act, nor fail to acknowledge God in all things, neither will he refuse to render implicit obedience to the revelations of God which are applicable to him. It is true, man may err in judgment, he may be wanting in many things because of his fallen nature, but the system of salvation is perfect. Jesus, the Only Begotten of the Father, in whom there was no blemish, is its author; he is the Standard to all the world, and will be forever. He had power to lay down his life and take it up again, and if we keep inviolate the covenants of the Gospel, remaining faithful and true to the end, we too, in his name and through his redeeming blood, will have power in due time to resurrect these our bodies after they shall have been committed to the earth.
Let us, then, my brethren and sisters, be valiant for the truth, maintaining our integrity to God and our brethren in all meekness, that we may at last come to the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, whom to know is life eternal; this is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The conference was adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a. m.
The choir sang an anthem—Sing to the Lord in joyful strains.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
Discourse by Elder Joseph F. Smith, delivered at the Forty-Sixth Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, April 8, 1876.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
It is with humility, desiring that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon you, my hearers, as well as upon myself, that I arise to address you. I am requested to “blow the Gospel trumpet.” I do not know that I shall be able to make myself heard by this large congregation, unless all keep quiet and exercise that faith which it is our privilege to do when assembled in a worshiping capacity.
If we are in the line of our duty, we are engaged in a great and glorious cause. It is very essential to our individual welfare that every man and every woman who has entered into the covenant of the Gospel, through repentance and baptism, should feel that as individuals it is their bounden duty to use their intelligence, and the agency which the Lord has given them, for the promotion of the interests of Zion and the establishment of her cause, in the earth. Those who are not faithful in the discharge of these duties cannot be wholly acceptable to God; for they are more or less in the condition of the Church which was complained of by the angel to the Apostle John, as being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, and therefore only fit to be “spewed out,” or to be disowned of God. Manifoldly more deserving of this rebuke and chastisement are those who are not only indifferent to the interests of the cause of God and its growth in the earth, but who murmur and find fault and who, instead of putting their shoulders to the wheel, actually try to retard its progress by using what little influence and means they possess to obstruct the onward march of the kingdom.
It was said by the Son of God, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This was said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who evidently believed that Jesus was sent of God, but who went to him by night, being ashamed to be seen seeking so humble a person in the day time, having, no doubt, that feeling of worldly pride which animates the bosoms of many of the present generation, he dared not identify himself with the Savior of the world, because his reputation and standing in society would be sacrificed. But he marveled at the saying of Christ, and upon further inquiry the Savior explained by declaring that, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” And I may say still further, that being born of the water and the Spirit alone, will not enable a man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. There is something still beyond, which is just as necessary as this, the first ordinance of the Gospel, which must be observed and honored by those of this new birth in order that they may obtain the full salvation which is sought after.
On this particular occasion the Savior was speaking of Baptism, and in order to impress it upon Nicodemus, that it might be understood then, as well as to be in force in all future time, so that people need not be deceived, he spoke thus emphatically on this point of doctrine. It therefore matters not how devout, honest, or sincere we might be in the profession of our faith in God, or in the system of religion we might have adopted, and which we believe to be the everlasting Gospel, without this ordinance of baptism we cannot be saved—but first having repented of our sins with that repentance which needeth not to be repented of, in other words, putting away from us every evil, and shunning even the appearance of sin, then to be baptized by one authorized of God for the remission of those sins, and for the reception of the Holy Ghost, we thus becoming heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; true branches, having been grafted into the true vine, bearing fruit of the good seed, bringing forth an hundred fold to the honor and glory of God. I repeat, it matters not how honest we may be or profess to be in our convictions, without this repentance and baptism and reception of the Holy Ghost, which constitute the new birth, we are not of the family of Christ, but are aliens, estranged from God and his laws, and in this fallen condition we shall remain, whether in the body or in the spirit, for time and for eternity, unless we render obedience to the plan devised in the heavens for the redemption and salvation of the human family.
The Latter-day Saints may say, We were taught this doctrine by the Elders in our native lands, and we believed it and repented of our sins, and were baptized, and we received the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was a testimony to us that we had done the will of the Father, and since then our testimonies have often been confirmed through the manifestations of the power of God, and the renewal of His spirit in our hearts. Why, therefore, say they, is it necessary to refer to these things now? Perhaps a reason may be found for so doing in the fact, that, judging from the actions of many who profess to be Latter-day Saints, it would seem that they had come to the conclusion that they had completed their work, that the requirements of the Gospel were all complied with, and nothing now remained but for them to enter upon the inheritances promised to the faithful. We perhaps forget, in consequence of the things of time, which so tempt our fallen nature, that, having been born anew, which is the putting away of the old man sin, and putting on of the new man Christ Jesus, we have become soldiers of the cross, having enlisted under the banner of Jehovah for time and for eternity, and that we have entered into the most solemn covenants to serve God and to contend earnestly for the establishment of the principles of truth and righteousness on this earth continually while we live. And having been “bought with a price,” that is, having been redeemed from the power of sin through the atoning blood of the Savior, as the Apostle says, “We are not our own;” we are his, and we are dependent on him, not only for the light and knowledge which we have received by virtue of the Gospel restored in this dispensation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, but for all temporal blessings, and even for our very earthly being. Therefore, it is not consistent with our high and holy calling to allow ourselves to become careless and indifferent to the interests of the cause we have espoused, lest we fail through our inconsistency, and return “like the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire,” and peradventure be found traitors to the sacred cause in which we have enlisted, and forfeit the gift of eternal life to which we have been made heirs. There is a course marked out for us to walk in—it is that strait and narrow path which leads back to the presence of God; the lamp to light our onward march is the Holy Ghost, which we received on or after our new birth. If we falter and turn aside, our lamp will burn dim and finally go out, when lo, the Comforter, the source of revelation, will leave us, and darkness will take its place; then how great will be that darkness! In proportion to the light we possessed will darkness overpower us, and unless a speedy repentance is made, the darkness will increase within us, until we lose sight of our calling and forget Him who redeemed us and claimed us for his own. The Apostle Paul, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, says: “Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are.” His language is applicable to us as Latter-day Saints, and destruction must overtake us, which is as certain as it is that God is a just being, if we render ourselves unworthy of the calling and name we bear by failing to perform the duties devolving upon us.
In referring to the subject of baptism as essential to salvation, it may be asked by some, What would become of those who heard not the Gospel, and who therefore had not the opportunity of being baptized, claiming as we do that the Gospel was taken from the earth in consequence of its being rejected when proclaimed by Jesus and his Apostles. I would say to such that God has made ample provision for all his children, both the ignorant and the learned; those who have not had the Gospel preached to them in the flesh, will hear it in the spirit, for all must have the plan of salvation presented to them for their acceptance or rejection before they can become amenable to the law. “For,” says Paul, “where there is no law there is no transgression.” To those who have not heard the Gospel in the flesh, if they have not already heard it preached in the spirit, they most assuredly will, and that, too, by men who have previously preached it on the earth, who have died faithful servants, they will continue their labors in the spirit world, and those who receive the Gospel from them will “live according to God in the spirit,” and all who hear it will “be judged according to men in the flesh,” “for,” says the Apostle Peter, “for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead.” (1 Peter 4:6.) When, therefore, the law is revealed to them and they become instructed in it, then will they be held responsible. If they receive it, their kindred or friends who remain upon the earth perhaps, during the Millennium, will act for them, that is, they will be baptized for and in their behalf, for the remission of sins, and be confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ, in the same manner as that work is being done now; there being only one faith, one Lord, and one baptism, which law is eternal and unchangeable, and therefore it is applicable to the dead as well as the living in all ages and climes; and further, no living creature who has become subject to sin and the power of death in consequence of mortality, can evade this law and be redeemed, for it is the door to the fold of Christ, which fold cannot be entered, only through the door. So great and important is this labor, and so necessary for the salvation of the human family, both the living and the dead, that, as the Prophet Joseph said, it will occupy the whole period of the Millennium to consummate it.
In connection with this work is that spoken of concerning Elijah the Prophet, namely, “the turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children,” which if not done, the whole earth will be smitten with a curse.
The kingdom of God must be erected upon the principles which Christ has revealed, upon the foundation of eternal truth, Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone. These holy and sublime principles must be observed and honored in our lives, in order that we may obtain an exaltation with the sanctified in the kingdom of God.
The beauty of these principles is they are true, and the satisfaction derived from their adoption is the knowledge which we receive convincing us of this fact. We have not believed a fable, neither are we cherishing a cunningly devised scheme, but we have been inducted into the truth, having Christ for our head, who is our forerunner, our great High Priest and King. It is true, there are few comparatively who acknowledge allegiance to him, and there are many of these who do not apparently comprehend the importance and binding character of their covenants, or allegiance. This is greatly to be regretted, not that the loyal and faithful subject will lose anything in consequence; but because they who refrain from exercising themselves in his cause will sustain the loss, a loss, too, which they cannot now estimate. It is indeed sorrowful that any should be indifferent to this all-important matter. Who is there of those that have been, or now are, associated with this Church, who have not felt the power of the Holy Ghost, and realized in some measure the benefits of that Spirit through the knowledge which it imparts? This question will meet all of us, those who turn away from the truth, and those who are and will remain indifferent to the cause of Zion, as well as the faithful, when we shall appear before the bar of God, to render an account of our deeds done in the flesh.
The Holy Ghost is a personage who acts in Christ's stead. Just before the risen Redeemer left the earth he commanded his disciples to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they should be endued with power from on high. They did so, and agreeable to promise, the Comforter came whilst they were met together, filling their hearts with unspeakable joy, insomuch that they spake in tongues and prophesied; and the inspiring influence of this holy being accompanied them in all their ministerial duties, enabling them to perform the great mission to which they had been called by the Savior. We are informed that, on a certain occasion, whilst engaged preaching the Gospel, many who heard them were convinced of the divinity of their mission, and they cried out, saying, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” They were not told to come to the anxious seat to be prayed for, or to believe in Jesus, for they already believed and were convinced; but “Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” The office of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten the minds of the people with regard to the things of God, to convince them at the time of their conversion of their having done the will of the Father, and to be in them an abiding testimony as a companion through life, acting as the sure and safe guide into all truth and filling them day by day with joy and gladness, with a disposition to do good to all men, to suffer wrong rather than to do wrong, to be kind and merciful, long-suffering and charitable. All who possess this inestimable gift, this pearl of great price, have a continual thirst after righteousness. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit, no mortal can walk in the straight and narrow way, being unable to discern right from wrong, the genuine from the counterfeit, so nearly alike can they be made to appear. Therefore it behooves the Latter-day Saints to live pure and upright, in order that this Spirit may abide in them; for it is only possessed on the principle of righteousness. I cannot receive it for you, nor you for me; everyone must stand for him or herself, whether of high or humble birth, learned or unlearned, and it is the privilege of all alike to be made partakers of it.
I know that God lives, and that he has revealed himself. I know that the Holy Ghost has been conferred upon the children of men, and that the Gospel has been restored to the inhabitants of the earth in its fullness. I know that the Holy Priesthood, which is the power of God delegated to man, has been restored to the earth. I do know that God has delivered his people and that he will continue to deliver us and lead us on in his own peculiar way from conquering to conquer, from victory to victory, until truth and righteousness gain the ascendancy in this His earth, inasmuch as we remain true to him and to one another.
The question may arise in the minds of some, How do you know these things?
Perhaps I can, in part at least, answer the question by asking another—How does the child, or youth, immediately know when he performs the first wicked act of his life? Is there not within him a consciousness of right and wrong? This is a portion of divinity which lights everyone who is born into the world, which acts as a monitor to the heart and soul, and never fails to impress the mind with an unmistakable sense of right and wrong.
This same spark of divinity, this monitor which speaks unmistakably to the understanding of the child, disapprovingly of his wrong, will speak, in just as unmistakable language, approvingly of good and righteous deeds. Therefore I know what I declare to be true, because my conscience approves of my obeying the requirements of the Gospel; this inward monitor testifies to my spirit that in rendering this obedience I do right, and gives me the selfsame assurance when I am in the discharge of any other duties, whether officiating in the capacity of an Elder or in the performance of those duties which, as an individual, I owe to society.
Is this the only way? No, I know it by the sight of the eye, by the hearing of the ear, and by the feeling of the heart. I know that “Mormonism” is true, because the fruits of it are pure and good. The fruits of our religion can be seen and heard, and their influence can be felt. For instance, here is a brother who does not take the name of the Lord in vain; he does not steal, nor lie, nor commit adultery, neither would he bear false witness against his neighbor; he honors his parents and seeks to do to others as he would wish to be done by; he bears the full fruit of the Spirit which he has received by virtue of his obedience to the Gospel, which is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance;” his influence is good, and you know that he has drunk at the pure fountain, that he has gathered his figs from the fig tree, for were it otherwise, his actions, the fruits of his life, would be of an opposite nature. Further, this unmistakable assurance, which is derived through yielding obedience to and practicing the principles of eternal life, is continually being confirmed, as it were, by “line upon line and precept upon precept,” through the revelations of the Holy Spirit, which is a continuous and unfailing source of intelligence, of joy and happiness, drawing him who possesses it nearer unto God, and will eventually cause him to appear like unto his Maker.
It is the feeling who has said in his heart, “There is no God,” and it would indeed be a weak and foolish mind that would rest satisfied without knowing beyond a doubt the Author and Source of his religion when the opportunity of ascertaining the fact is extended to him.
I know the fruits of my religion are good, they are flavored with the sweets of heaven, and they impart health and life to the soul, and I know that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is its author. No man need wonder whether this be really true or not, for all may know for themselves, all may partake of the fruit of the vine and eat and live, all may drink of the eternal spring, and drink and thirst for more. These things I declare to you to be true and faithful. I have been acquainted with them from my youth, and I have felt their influence from my childhood. I have seen the effect of their opposite, and I know whereof I speak. I cannot deny these things, neither can any man who has ever known them, although he may apostatize from them, except he deny himself and his God.
The man who embraces what is called “Mormonism,” but which is really the Gospel of the Son of God, and lives according to its precepts, will never lie nor steal; he will not dishonor his parents nor despise his poorer brethren; he will never, no never, speak against the Lord's anointed, nor be ashamed to own his God, to whom he owes homage and gratitude now and forever; he will never do a dishonorable act, nor fail to acknowledge God in all things, neither will he refuse to render implicit obedience to the revelations of God which are applicable to him. It is true, man may err in judgment, he may be wanting in many things because of his fallen nature, but the system of salvation is perfect. Jesus, the Only Begotten of the Father, in whom there was no blemish, is its author; he is the Standard to all the world, and will be forever. He had power to lay down his life and take it up again, and if we keep inviolate the covenants of the Gospel, remaining faithful and true to the end, we too, in his name and through his redeeming blood, will have power in due time to resurrect these our bodies after they shall have been committed to the earth.
Let us, then, my brethren and sisters, be valiant for the truth, maintaining our integrity to God and our brethren in all meekness, that we may at last come to the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, whom to know is life eternal; this is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The conference was adjourned till to-morrow at 10 a. m.
The choir sang an anthem—Sing to the Lord in joyful strains.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
THIRD DAY.
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.
The conference was called to order by Elder B. Young, Jun.
The choir sang—When earth in bondage long had lain, And darkness o’er the nations reigned.
Prayer by Elder Geo. Goddard.
The choir sang—Praise ye the Lord, my heart shall join In work so pleasant, so divine.
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.
The conference was called to order by Elder B. Young, Jun.
The choir sang—When earth in bondage long had lain, And darkness o’er the nations reigned.
Prayer by Elder Geo. Goddard.
The choir sang—Praise ye the Lord, my heart shall join In work so pleasant, so divine.
Elder C. W. Penrose
said the church with which we were connected was the Church of God, and though we, as a people, had many weaknesses God was very merciful to us, and would continue to own and bless us, so long as we showed forth a disposition to honor him and keep his commandments. God had taught us how to pray, so that our prayers could be heard. He had blest us with means and with influence, and cause the earth to yield its increase. He would bless us with the riches of eternity, if we would only humble ourselves before him and keep his commandments.
He rehearsed the goodness of God in his providences while bringing us into this goodly land and since our arrival here, and partaking so freely of the blessings of our Heavenly Father, yet many of our hearts had been more or less alienated from him, by becoming worldly minded and sensual. In our partial blindness, we were apt to complain that the power of God did not accompany the administration of the Elders in the laying on of hands to that extent that it did formerly, but where that was the case the fault was with us, and not with God, for he was just as willing to exert his power and manifest his blessings among his Saints as ever, if our faith was only sufficient to secure and appreciate them. The Saints of God were willing to be led and guided by the power of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not given to a few only, but to all who were willing to receive it, and the Spirit of Christ was poured out not only on the preacher, but the people. We were not tyrannized over as a people by our leaders, as was generally supposed by our enemies, but we were willing to be led and guided by wise and judicious counsel. The people who inhabited this Territory had come out from many countries, and from under a great variety of circumstances, and many of them had met with difficulties and trials and disappointments, but had been enabled to surmount the same by the prevailing conviction that their chief business in coming here was to help to establish and build up the kingdom, hence they continued to hold on in their allegiance to Jesus Christ, their living head.
He referred to the great lapse of time there was when no prophet nor the voice of God was heard among the people, but in the course of time, God again spoke, and revealed his authority to man. That authority was here, and his kingdom was being established, and would continue to grow and increase until the kingdoms of this world would become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ.
He bore a strong and faithful testimony that this was the work of God, in which the people called Latter-day Saints in these mountains were engaged.
said the church with which we were connected was the Church of God, and though we, as a people, had many weaknesses God was very merciful to us, and would continue to own and bless us, so long as we showed forth a disposition to honor him and keep his commandments. God had taught us how to pray, so that our prayers could be heard. He had blest us with means and with influence, and cause the earth to yield its increase. He would bless us with the riches of eternity, if we would only humble ourselves before him and keep his commandments.
He rehearsed the goodness of God in his providences while bringing us into this goodly land and since our arrival here, and partaking so freely of the blessings of our Heavenly Father, yet many of our hearts had been more or less alienated from him, by becoming worldly minded and sensual. In our partial blindness, we were apt to complain that the power of God did not accompany the administration of the Elders in the laying on of hands to that extent that it did formerly, but where that was the case the fault was with us, and not with God, for he was just as willing to exert his power and manifest his blessings among his Saints as ever, if our faith was only sufficient to secure and appreciate them. The Saints of God were willing to be led and guided by the power of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not given to a few only, but to all who were willing to receive it, and the Spirit of Christ was poured out not only on the preacher, but the people. We were not tyrannized over as a people by our leaders, as was generally supposed by our enemies, but we were willing to be led and guided by wise and judicious counsel. The people who inhabited this Territory had come out from many countries, and from under a great variety of circumstances, and many of them had met with difficulties and trials and disappointments, but had been enabled to surmount the same by the prevailing conviction that their chief business in coming here was to help to establish and build up the kingdom, hence they continued to hold on in their allegiance to Jesus Christ, their living head.
He referred to the great lapse of time there was when no prophet nor the voice of God was heard among the people, but in the course of time, God again spoke, and revealed his authority to man. That authority was here, and his kingdom was being established, and would continue to grow and increase until the kingdoms of this world would become the kingdoms of our God and his Christ.
He bore a strong and faithful testimony that this was the work of God, in which the people called Latter-day Saints in these mountains were engaged.
Elder Orson Pratt
spoke of the willingness of the Saints to hearken to and carry out the counsel of the servants of God. No person had been compelled or constrained to do what he had no disposition to do, since the organization of the church. All was freedom in this church, and no individual had any right to exercise any other influence over the people but that of moral suasion, for such would be a violation of the most sacred and holy principles of civil and religious liberty. Of course if any members violated the laws of the church, they were liable to be disfellowshipped, as in any other community. He then spoke of the Constitution of our country, which instrument was indicted under the spirit of inspiration, and we as a people had never violated or set at naught any of its principles. We held it sacred, and were willing to sustain it any cost. And although we had been charged with its violation, no instance of proof could be found on record. But we were driven from our homes and our lands which had been honestly paid for to Government, and in the midst of our distress and persecutions, when an appeal was made for redress and protection at the hands of our general government, though they admitted our cause was just, yet they could do nothing for us. Thus they permitted us to become the victims of the most bitter persecution. What was all this for? Because we told them of their wickedness and called upon them to repent. We also told them of the illegality of all their marriages as regards the law of God, for no marriage can be legal in the sight of God, unless it is performed by a man inspired of God, having authority.
He then stated the object and intent and use of temples. They were not intended for the people to meet in for worship, as this Tabernacle was used for, but for the performance of those ceremonies and ordinances which had reference to time and also to eternity, by men holding divine authority. A great many of our young sisters who understood these things, would rather be married to a man having more wives, by a man of divine appointment, than be married by one not authorized of God to a man having no wife.
The Conference was adjourned till 2 p. m.
The choir sang an anthem—O praise the Lord.
Benediction by Elder John Taylor.
spoke of the willingness of the Saints to hearken to and carry out the counsel of the servants of God. No person had been compelled or constrained to do what he had no disposition to do, since the organization of the church. All was freedom in this church, and no individual had any right to exercise any other influence over the people but that of moral suasion, for such would be a violation of the most sacred and holy principles of civil and religious liberty. Of course if any members violated the laws of the church, they were liable to be disfellowshipped, as in any other community. He then spoke of the Constitution of our country, which instrument was indicted under the spirit of inspiration, and we as a people had never violated or set at naught any of its principles. We held it sacred, and were willing to sustain it any cost. And although we had been charged with its violation, no instance of proof could be found on record. But we were driven from our homes and our lands which had been honestly paid for to Government, and in the midst of our distress and persecutions, when an appeal was made for redress and protection at the hands of our general government, though they admitted our cause was just, yet they could do nothing for us. Thus they permitted us to become the victims of the most bitter persecution. What was all this for? Because we told them of their wickedness and called upon them to repent. We also told them of the illegality of all their marriages as regards the law of God, for no marriage can be legal in the sight of God, unless it is performed by a man inspired of God, having authority.
He then stated the object and intent and use of temples. They were not intended for the people to meet in for worship, as this Tabernacle was used for, but for the performance of those ceremonies and ordinances which had reference to time and also to eternity, by men holding divine authority. A great many of our young sisters who understood these things, would rather be married to a man having more wives, by a man of divine appointment, than be married by one not authorized of God to a man having no wife.
The Conference was adjourned till 2 p. m.
The choir sang an anthem—O praise the Lord.
Benediction by Elder John Taylor.
2 p.m.
The choir sang—Praise ye the Lord, ‘tis good to raise Your hearts and voices in his praise.
Prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff.
The choir sang—How beauteous are their feet, Who stand on Zion’s hill.
The choir sang—Praise ye the Lord, ‘tis good to raise Your hearts and voices in his praise.
Prayer by Elder Wilford Woodruff.
The choir sang—How beauteous are their feet, Who stand on Zion’s hill.
Elder Brigham Young [Jr.] presented the authorities of the Church, who were unanimously supported by the conference as follows--
Brigham Young, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in all the world.
Daniel H. Wells, counsellor to President Brigham Young.
Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Albert Carrington, John W. Young, and George Q. Cannon, Assistant Counsellors to President Brigham Young.
John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Sen., Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington, members of the Quorum of the Twelve.
John Smith, Patriarch of the Church.
Angus M. Cannon, President of this stake of Zion, and David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor his counsellors.
William Eddington, Thomas E. Jeremy, John H. Rumell, Miner G. Attwood, Dimick B. Huntington, Theodore McKean, Hosea Stout, Milando Pratt, J. R. Winder, Geo. J. Taylor, Henry Dinwoodey, Millen Attwood, Joseph Horne, Andrew W. Winberg and George Nebeker, members of the High Council.
Elias Smith, President of the High Priests’ Quorum, and Edward Snelgrove and Elias Morris, his counsellors.
Joseph Young, President of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies, and Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott, members of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies.
E. W. Davis, President of the Elders’ Quorum, and W. W. Taylor and Junius F. Wells his counselors.
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton, his counsellors.
James Latham, President of the Priests’ Quorum; Geo. Wittaker and William McLachlan, his counsellors.
Adam Spiers, President of the Teachers’ Quorum; Henry I. Doremus and Martin Lenzi, his counsellors.
James Leach, President of the Deacons’ Quorum; John H. Pickness and Thos. C. Jones, his counsellors.
Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Albert Carrington, President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund to gather the poor.
Truman O. Angell, Architect of the Church.
Orson Pratt, Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff, his assistant.
George Goddard was sustained as Clerk of Conference.
Brigham Young, Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in all the world.
Daniel H. Wells, counsellor to President Brigham Young.
Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Albert Carrington, John W. Young, and George Q. Cannon, Assistant Counsellors to President Brigham Young.
John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Sen., Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington, members of the Quorum of the Twelve.
John Smith, Patriarch of the Church.
Angus M. Cannon, President of this stake of Zion, and David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor his counsellors.
William Eddington, Thomas E. Jeremy, John H. Rumell, Miner G. Attwood, Dimick B. Huntington, Theodore McKean, Hosea Stout, Milando Pratt, J. R. Winder, Geo. J. Taylor, Henry Dinwoodey, Millen Attwood, Joseph Horne, Andrew W. Winberg and George Nebeker, members of the High Council.
Elias Smith, President of the High Priests’ Quorum, and Edward Snelgrove and Elias Morris, his counsellors.
Joseph Young, President of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies, and Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott, members of the first seven Presidents of the Seventies.
E. W. Davis, President of the Elders’ Quorum, and W. W. Taylor and Junius F. Wells his counselors.
Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton, his counsellors.
James Latham, President of the Priests’ Quorum; Geo. Wittaker and William McLachlan, his counsellors.
Adam Spiers, President of the Teachers’ Quorum; Henry I. Doremus and Martin Lenzi, his counsellors.
James Leach, President of the Deacons’ Quorum; John H. Pickness and Thos. C. Jones, his counsellors.
Brigham Young, Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Albert Carrington, President of the Perpetual Emigration Fund to gather the poor.
Truman O. Angell, Architect of the Church.
Orson Pratt, Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff, his assistant.
George Goddard was sustained as Clerk of Conference.
The following names of missionaries were read by Elder Brigham Young [Jr.], and unanimously sustained by the conference--
UNITED STATES.
Wm M Palmer, Monroe
Robert Lund, St George
E G Woolley, “
Thomas Judd, “
John C Harper, Payson
Franklin Haymore, Payson
Zebedee Coltin, Jr, Spanish Fork
William Lowe, Willard
William Ward, “
Shadrach Jones, “
James Montgomery, Weber, Co
Thos Richardson, Cache Valley
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Lewis Howells, Wellsville
Ebenezer G Defrieze, St George
John Miles, St George
Jabez W Taylor, 11th Ward
George Goble West, 15th Ward
James McFarland, West Weber
Stephen L Richards, Farmington
John F F Dorius, Ephraim
A Tullgren, Spring City
James Keller, Brigham City
S P Neve, S L City
Ole Hanson, Logan
O N. Liljenquist, Hyrum
Soren Jensen, 1st Ward, S L City
R Maeser, S L City
Jos Horne, Gunnison
Theodore Braendli, Richfield
Leopold Worthlin, 11th Ward, S L City
Ward E Pack, Kamas
Simpson M Molen, Hyde Park
UNITED STATES.
Wm M Palmer, Monroe
Robert Lund, St George
E G Woolley, “
Thomas Judd, “
John C Harper, Payson
Franklin Haymore, Payson
Zebedee Coltin, Jr, Spanish Fork
William Lowe, Willard
William Ward, “
Shadrach Jones, “
James Montgomery, Weber, Co
Thos Richardson, Cache Valley
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Lewis Howells, Wellsville
Ebenezer G Defrieze, St George
John Miles, St George
Jabez W Taylor, 11th Ward
George Goble West, 15th Ward
James McFarland, West Weber
Stephen L Richards, Farmington
John F F Dorius, Ephraim
A Tullgren, Spring City
James Keller, Brigham City
S P Neve, S L City
Ole Hanson, Logan
O N. Liljenquist, Hyrum
Soren Jensen, 1st Ward, S L City
R Maeser, S L City
Jos Horne, Gunnison
Theodore Braendli, Richfield
Leopold Worthlin, 11th Ward, S L City
Ward E Pack, Kamas
Simpson M Molen, Hyde Park
Elder John Van Cott
bore testimony to the greatness of the work of God, which had been growing and increasing since its commencement, and traced its development amidst all the opposition and persecution through which it had passed, which rendered it a most marvellous work and a wonder. The results of the labors of the servants of God in preaching to the nations of the earth were now before us in these valleys of the mountains. Tens of thousands who were gathered here from all parts of the world, who had received this blessed gospel, could bear testimony to its divine origin.
He spoke of the necessity of living before God, that we could have faith in him, so that his power would accompany our administrations to the sick, and raise them up to health and soundness by the laying on of hands. He spoke of the personal experience of the Saints, and their glorious prospects for the future, by their faithfully observing their covenants and living their religion.
bore testimony to the greatness of the work of God, which had been growing and increasing since its commencement, and traced its development amidst all the opposition and persecution through which it had passed, which rendered it a most marvellous work and a wonder. The results of the labors of the servants of God in preaching to the nations of the earth were now before us in these valleys of the mountains. Tens of thousands who were gathered here from all parts of the world, who had received this blessed gospel, could bear testimony to its divine origin.
He spoke of the necessity of living before God, that we could have faith in him, so that his power would accompany our administrations to the sick, and raise them up to health and soundness by the laying on of hands. He spoke of the personal experience of the Saints, and their glorious prospects for the future, by their faithfully observing their covenants and living their religion.
Elder Joseph E. Taylor
said he had been down among a people who entirely ignored God, heaven and all sacred things. His labors had been devoted among those who had once known the truth, and had mingled their voices in bearing testimony to the truth in this Territory, who had turned away from the fold of Christ and were now located on the banks of the Missouri, in the county of Pottawattomie. For many days he and his brethren devoted their time in going from house to house, and in doing so they only met with one family but what had relatives in Utah. They met with a very rank apostate spirit in that region of country. They also met with quite a number who had been deceived and led estray, and were lingering by the way; to all such they exercised much patience and labor, and bore testimony to them of the truth, and some of them rejoiced in their teachings, and renewed their covenants, while others would wait and by being kindly written to by their friends here would come back again to the faith.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow morning at 10 a. m.
The Choir sang an anthem—Give ear to my word.
Benediction by Elder Elias Morris.
said he had been down among a people who entirely ignored God, heaven and all sacred things. His labors had been devoted among those who had once known the truth, and had mingled their voices in bearing testimony to the truth in this Territory, who had turned away from the fold of Christ and were now located on the banks of the Missouri, in the county of Pottawattomie. For many days he and his brethren devoted their time in going from house to house, and in doing so they only met with one family but what had relatives in Utah. They met with a very rank apostate spirit in that region of country. They also met with quite a number who had been deceived and led estray, and were lingering by the way; to all such they exercised much patience and labor, and bore testimony to them of the truth, and some of them rejoiced in their teachings, and renewed their covenants, while others would wait and by being kindly written to by their friends here would come back again to the faith.
Conference was adjourned till tomorrow morning at 10 a. m.
The Choir sang an anthem—Give ear to my word.
Benediction by Elder Elias Morris.
FOURTH DAY.
Sunday, April 9th, 10 a.m.
The choir sang—The great and glorious gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder John T. Caine.
The choir sang—What wondrous things we now behold, By prophets seen in days of old.
Sunday, April 9th, 10 a.m.
The choir sang—The great and glorious gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder John T. Caine.
The choir sang—What wondrous things we now behold, By prophets seen in days of old.
Elder James A. Little
said he had been twenty-five years in the Church, most of which time he had spent in Southern Utah, and had, like many of his brethren, gained considerable experience in the principles of eternal truth. He was on a mission to the States some few months ago, and had mingled considerably with the different religious sects of the day. He did not feel to condemn them as having no good in their systems. All men were not organized alike, some were enabled to receive more advanced truths than others. The more he travelled and mingled with the world the more he was satisfied that while there was much evil in their midst, there were thousands of as good and as honest men as could be found anywhere. We must exercise charity towards all men, for those who did not obey the Gospel would certainly obtain from our Heavenly Father a salvation according to the light they had lived up to.
said he had been twenty-five years in the Church, most of which time he had spent in Southern Utah, and had, like many of his brethren, gained considerable experience in the principles of eternal truth. He was on a mission to the States some few months ago, and had mingled considerably with the different religious sects of the day. He did not feel to condemn them as having no good in their systems. All men were not organized alike, some were enabled to receive more advanced truths than others. The more he travelled and mingled with the world the more he was satisfied that while there was much evil in their midst, there were thousands of as good and as honest men as could be found anywhere. We must exercise charity towards all men, for those who did not obey the Gospel would certainly obtain from our Heavenly Father a salvation according to the light they had lived up to.
Elder Angus M. Cannon
bore testimony to the truth of the everlasting Gospel, urged a more faithful and devoted life to the building up of Zion, to the building of Temples, that we might see God’s kingdom established in glory. Never let us oppress the hireling in his wages, but act our part nobly as men of God, that we might finally be saved in his kingdom with the elect of God.
bore testimony to the truth of the everlasting Gospel, urged a more faithful and devoted life to the building up of Zion, to the building of Temples, that we might see God’s kingdom established in glory. Never let us oppress the hireling in his wages, but act our part nobly as men of God, that we might finally be saved in his kingdom with the elect of God.
Elder R. T. Burton
realized that the great work of God, commenced in these last days was of vast importance to the children of men. When the principles of the gospel were again brought back to the earth, and its gifts and blessings enjoyed, the spirit of persecution was aroused, especially in the religious world. When the testimony of the servants of God first saluted our ears, on prayerfully investigating those testimonies and principles which they taught, did we not find that it was not a cunningly devised fable, but a system of divine truth that would bear the strictest scrutiny, demonstratively proved from the Bible? And from the blessings we had received since we yielded obedience to the ordinances of the gospel, we could bear testimony to the truth of the mission of Joseph Smith. The gospel therefore, that we had received, was nothing short of the power of God unto salvation as in days of old, when Christ and his apostles enjoyed the same.
realized that the great work of God, commenced in these last days was of vast importance to the children of men. When the principles of the gospel were again brought back to the earth, and its gifts and blessings enjoyed, the spirit of persecution was aroused, especially in the religious world. When the testimony of the servants of God first saluted our ears, on prayerfully investigating those testimonies and principles which they taught, did we not find that it was not a cunningly devised fable, but a system of divine truth that would bear the strictest scrutiny, demonstratively proved from the Bible? And from the blessings we had received since we yielded obedience to the ordinances of the gospel, we could bear testimony to the truth of the mission of Joseph Smith. The gospel therefore, that we had received, was nothing short of the power of God unto salvation as in days of old, when Christ and his apostles enjoyed the same.
Elder A. F. MacDonald
said for the last three years he had been in St. George, being interested in the erection of the Temple, the basement of which was completed, and other portions of it were rapidly advancing.
He bore a good testimony of the mechanics sent there from different parts of the Territory, of their faithful labors, and the excellent spirit they enjoyed while laboring there. He spoke highly of the generosity of the people towards its erection, and had no doubt there would be an equal response by the people towards the completion of the Temple in this city.
said for the last three years he had been in St. George, being interested in the erection of the Temple, the basement of which was completed, and other portions of it were rapidly advancing.
He bore a good testimony of the mechanics sent there from different parts of the Territory, of their faithful labors, and the excellent spirit they enjoyed while laboring there. He spoke highly of the generosity of the people towards its erection, and had no doubt there would be an equal response by the people towards the completion of the Temple in this city.
Elder John T. Caine
said his faith and whole soul were as much engaged in the building up of the Kingdom of God as those who were more conspicuous in public speaking than himself, for he was naturally diffident. He exhorted to a faithful and practical exhibition of our faith in our daily life. He had always accorded to others the same amount of liberty in the exercise of their religious convictions as he claimed for him self.
said his faith and whole soul were as much engaged in the building up of the Kingdom of God as those who were more conspicuous in public speaking than himself, for he was naturally diffident. He exhorted to a faithful and practical exhibition of our faith in our daily life. He had always accorded to others the same amount of liberty in the exercise of their religious convictions as he claimed for him self.
Elder Wilford Woodruff
recited several instances of the power of faith, recorded in the Bible, and said also by that same power Joseph Smith had been enabled to accomplish all that he did in laying the foundation of the great latter-day kingdom. By faith, the apostles had been able to travel without purse or scrip tens of thousands of miles to preach the Gospel. By faith, President B. Young led this people into the wilderness, where the savage was accustomed to roam. By faith, industry, and the blessing of God, this barren, desert land had been turned into a fruitful field. Without the power of God accompanying the efforts of the Elders, this Territory would never have been peopled by those we now saw here. Every one who received the Gospel was under obligation to bear testimony to the truth. The prophecies of the Bible could not have been fulfilled, if an angel had not come to the earth, and brought the Gospel to the children of men. Why did God choose that untutored boy, Joseph Smith, to be entrusted with the keys of salvation? Why did he not choose one of the popular preachers of the day? Simply because God could not use them, for they would sell the kingdom for popularity, hence he chose a poor boy, and led him by revelation day by day, until he had completed the work he was raised up to do.
He then spoke of those who had never heard the fulness of the everlasting gospel, and the necessity for temples to be erected, so that the ordinances of the gospel might be performed for those in the spirit world. He addressed a few encouraging words to the young men, also to the members of the relief societies.
The choir sang an anthem—Sing praises to the Lord.
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
recited several instances of the power of faith, recorded in the Bible, and said also by that same power Joseph Smith had been enabled to accomplish all that he did in laying the foundation of the great latter-day kingdom. By faith, the apostles had been able to travel without purse or scrip tens of thousands of miles to preach the Gospel. By faith, President B. Young led this people into the wilderness, where the savage was accustomed to roam. By faith, industry, and the blessing of God, this barren, desert land had been turned into a fruitful field. Without the power of God accompanying the efforts of the Elders, this Territory would never have been peopled by those we now saw here. Every one who received the Gospel was under obligation to bear testimony to the truth. The prophecies of the Bible could not have been fulfilled, if an angel had not come to the earth, and brought the Gospel to the children of men. Why did God choose that untutored boy, Joseph Smith, to be entrusted with the keys of salvation? Why did he not choose one of the popular preachers of the day? Simply because God could not use them, for they would sell the kingdom for popularity, hence he chose a poor boy, and led him by revelation day by day, until he had completed the work he was raised up to do.
He then spoke of those who had never heard the fulness of the everlasting gospel, and the necessity for temples to be erected, so that the ordinances of the gospel might be performed for those in the spirit world. He addressed a few encouraging words to the young men, also to the members of the relief societies.
The choir sang an anthem—Sing praises to the Lord.
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
2 p. m.
The choir sang—I saw a mighty angel fly, To earth he bent his way.
Prayer by Elder George B. Wallace.
The choir sang—O Lord of hosts, we now invoke, Thy Spirit, most divine.
The choir sang—I saw a mighty angel fly, To earth he bent his way.
Prayer by Elder George B. Wallace.
The choir sang—O Lord of hosts, we now invoke, Thy Spirit, most divine.
While the sacrament was being administered, the names of the following missionaries were read by Elder Brigham Young [Jr.], and sustained by unanimous vote--
TO EUROPE.
John Dykman, Sen., Salt Lake City
Thomas Ball, Coalville
John Robinson, Coalville
David W. Davis, Logan
Benjamin H. Tollman, 13th Ward, Salt Lake City
N. M. Peterson, Richfield
Jas. M. Peterson, Richfield
Lorenzo D. Young, Salt Lake City
Thomas Allsop, South Cottonwood
Erasmus Christensen, Bear River City.
UNITED STATES.
J. T. Lesonbee, Monroe
Nicholas Smith, Spanish Fork.
TO EUROPE.
John Dykman, Sen., Salt Lake City
Thomas Ball, Coalville
John Robinson, Coalville
David W. Davis, Logan
Benjamin H. Tollman, 13th Ward, Salt Lake City
N. M. Peterson, Richfield
Jas. M. Peterson, Richfield
Lorenzo D. Young, Salt Lake City
Thomas Allsop, South Cottonwood
Erasmus Christensen, Bear River City.
UNITED STATES.
J. T. Lesonbee, Monroe
Nicholas Smith, Spanish Fork.
Elder Orson Pratt
spoke at length on the introduction of the gospel by a holy angel according to the prediction of the Apostle John, while banished upon the Isle of Patmos.
He examined from a scriptural standpoint the religious pretensions of the Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths, also referred to the Puritan Fathers, who broke loose from the ecclesiastical tyranny of the mother country, and established themselves upon this American continent, where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
He spoke of the introduction of the gospel by a Holy angel through Joseph Smith, and the organization of the church, and also of the downfall of Babylon, which had reference to that great ecclesiastical power spoken of by the Apostle John. The word of the Lord was to all those who embraced the gospel in the last days, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and receive not of her plagues.”
The gathering together of the Saints, he also showed to be in accordance with the prophetic writings of scripture. The setting up of the Kingdom of God in the last days he referred to as spoke of by the Prophet Daniel, in interpreting the image which he saw in vision. He exhorted the Saints to faithfulness, to be prepared for the glory of Zion and the coming of the Son of Man, with the apostles and patriarchs of old, who will reign as kings and priests on the earth for a thousand years, according to promises made to them.
The Conference was adjourned till next October 6th, at 10 a.m., at the New Tabernacle.
The Choir sang an anthem—“We praise thee, O God.”
Benediction by Elder Brigham Young [Jr.].
George Goddard,
Clerk of Conference.
spoke at length on the introduction of the gospel by a holy angel according to the prediction of the Apostle John, while banished upon the Isle of Patmos.
He examined from a scriptural standpoint the religious pretensions of the Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths, also referred to the Puritan Fathers, who broke loose from the ecclesiastical tyranny of the mother country, and established themselves upon this American continent, where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
He spoke of the introduction of the gospel by a Holy angel through Joseph Smith, and the organization of the church, and also of the downfall of Babylon, which had reference to that great ecclesiastical power spoken of by the Apostle John. The word of the Lord was to all those who embraced the gospel in the last days, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and receive not of her plagues.”
The gathering together of the Saints, he also showed to be in accordance with the prophetic writings of scripture. The setting up of the Kingdom of God in the last days he referred to as spoke of by the Prophet Daniel, in interpreting the image which he saw in vision. He exhorted the Saints to faithfulness, to be prepared for the glory of Zion and the coming of the Son of Man, with the apostles and patriarchs of old, who will reign as kings and priests on the earth for a thousand years, according to promises made to them.
The Conference was adjourned till next October 6th, at 10 a.m., at the New Tabernacle.
The Choir sang an anthem—“We praise thee, O God.”
Benediction by Elder Brigham Young [Jr.].
George Goddard,
Clerk of Conference.