October 1877
Cannon, George Q. "An Important Conference—The Death of Joseph and the Death of Brigham—The Keys of the Apostleship—Revelation for the Guidance of the Church Comes Through the Head—As to the First Presidency." Journal of Discourses. Volume 19. October 8, 1877: pg. 230-237.
Snow, Erastus. "Discourse." The Deseret News, December 5, 1877: pg. 690. Taylor, John. "The Voice of God, the Voice of the People—The Position of the Twelve—Readings From Doctrine and Covenants." Journal of Discourses. Volume 19. October 6, 1877: pg. 119-121. Taylor, John. "The Trusteeship—President Young's Labors—The Priesthood, Its Position, Duties, Etc.—Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples—Saviors Upon Mount Zion—Emigration of the Poor—Building of the Tabernacle—The United Order." Journal of Discourses. Volume 19. October 7, 1877: pg. 122-129. The Deseret News. "General Conference." October 10, 1877: pg. 569, 572. General Conference Statistical Report Elder Wilford Woodruff Elder Erastus Snow Discourse Elder George Q. Cannon Saturday Afternoon, Oct. 6th. Sustaining of the General Authorities President John Taylor The Voice of God, the Voice of the People—The Position of the Twelve—Readings From Doctrine and Covenants Sunday Morning, Oct. 7. Elder George Q. Cannon An Important Conference—The Death of Joseph and the Death of Brigham—The Keys of the Apostleship Elder Franklin D. Richards Mission Calls 2 p.m. Mission Calls Elder John Taylor The Trusteeship—President Young's Labors—The Priesthood, Its Position, Duties, Etc. Elder Wilford Woodruff |
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General Conference
Pursuant to adjournment made at the last General Annual Conference, held in the Temple at St. George, the Forty-Eighth General Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened at the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, this, 6th day of October, 1877, at 10 a. m., President John Taylor presiding.
Present on the stand--
Of the Twelve Apostles—President John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young [Jr.], Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington.
Counselors to the Twelve—John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch—John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, and John Van Cott.
Of the Presidency of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion—Angus M. Cannon, David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor.
Of the Presidency of the High Priests’ Quorum of this Stake of Zion—Elias Smith, Elias Morris and Edward Snelgrove.
Of the Presidency of the Elders—Edward Davis.
Of the Presidency of the Bishopric of the Church—Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy, R. T. Burton.
Besides the above there was an unusually large representation of the various stakes of Zion from all parts of the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: What wondrous things we now behold By Prophets seen in days of old.
Prayer by President Joseph Young.
The choir sang: O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come.
Pursuant to adjournment made at the last General Annual Conference, held in the Temple at St. George, the Forty-Eighth General Semi-Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened at the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, this, 6th day of October, 1877, at 10 a. m., President John Taylor presiding.
Present on the stand--
Of the Twelve Apostles—President John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Chas. C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young [Jr.], Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington.
Counselors to the Twelve—John W. Young and D. H. Wells.
Patriarch—John Smith.
Of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies—Joseph Young, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, and John Van Cott.
Of the Presidency of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion—Angus M. Cannon, David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor.
Of the Presidency of the High Priests’ Quorum of this Stake of Zion—Elias Smith, Elias Morris and Edward Snelgrove.
Of the Presidency of the Elders—Edward Davis.
Of the Presidency of the Bishopric of the Church—Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy, R. T. Burton.
Besides the above there was an unusually large representation of the various stakes of Zion from all parts of the Territory.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: What wondrous things we now behold By Prophets seen in days of old.
Prayer by President Joseph Young.
The choir sang: O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come.
Elder George Q. Cannon
said it was the intention to have read before the general Conference statistical reports from every Stake of Zion, but only 11 out of 20 having been forwarded, and some of those but imperfectly made out, he would read what had been sent in.
After reading the reports Elder Cannon said, with a view to arrive at a more correct understanding of the reports that were required from every Stake of Zion, there would be a meeting held in the 14th Ward Assembly Rooms on Sunday evening, at 7 o’clock, of the Presidents of Stakes and their counselors and clerks.
said it was the intention to have read before the general Conference statistical reports from every Stake of Zion, but only 11 out of 20 having been forwarded, and some of those but imperfectly made out, he would read what had been sent in.
After reading the reports Elder Cannon said, with a view to arrive at a more correct understanding of the reports that were required from every Stake of Zion, there would be a meeting held in the 14th Ward Assembly Rooms on Sunday evening, at 7 o’clock, of the Presidents of Stakes and their counselors and clerks.
Elder W. Woodruff
gave an interesting account of the labors performed in the St. George Temple from the time of its dedication until he left.
He said he would rejoice exceedingly to see the time when the Temple in this city and Logan would be completed, so that the saints in this section of country might have an opportunity of attending to their baptisms, ordinations for themselves and their dead, without the necessity of traveling so great a distance as they now had to do, to St. George. The work in the Temple there, would be resumed on the 20th of this month.
gave an interesting account of the labors performed in the St. George Temple from the time of its dedication until he left.
He said he would rejoice exceedingly to see the time when the Temple in this city and Logan would be completed, so that the saints in this section of country might have an opportunity of attending to their baptisms, ordinations for themselves and their dead, without the necessity of traveling so great a distance as they now had to do, to St. George. The work in the Temple there, would be resumed on the 20th of this month.
Elder Erastus Snow
spoke of the lively and beneficial effect that the building of the St. George Temple had upon the people, now that an opportunity was afforded them of looking after the salvation of those that were living, and those who were dead, thus fulfilling the prophecies of the ancients, who testified that in the last days “Saviors should come upon Zion” to redeem the house of Esau.
In speaking of the great work of God in the last days, he said we were required to be co-workers with Christ Jesus, and the more we understood of the work of salvation, we should find it to be one of proxy, being dependent one upon another. Our lives, therefore, must be one of continuous labor, first to gather the people by preaching of the gospel, then the building of Temples, and doing the work of the fathers, and the children, that all might be made perfect in one complete chain, reaching back from the beginning of the world and continuing to the end thereof. This was that new and everlasting covenant, that contemplates the welding together of all dispensations and includes temporal as well as spiritual things.
The warfare for us to fight was to overcome the world, to glorify God and do the work we came here to perform. We must cleanse our hearts from the love of the world. We must meet together to watch and pray, and all our associations must be for the purpose of benefitting and blessing each other. There should be the utmost freedom of speech, but we should not indulge in fault-finding.
In all our solemn assemblies, especially when called upon to express our sanction or otherwise of the authorities who may be presented, every one should act as a servant of God, and vote freely and frankly without hypocrisy, and every one who sanctioned the appointment of the authorities of the Church, should sustain them by their faith, prayers, and good works.
If any decisions of the various Courts of the Church, should be rendered unrighteously, through ignorance, prejudice, or the weaknesses of humanity, God had established courts of appeal for the purpose of correction.
spoke of the lively and beneficial effect that the building of the St. George Temple had upon the people, now that an opportunity was afforded them of looking after the salvation of those that were living, and those who were dead, thus fulfilling the prophecies of the ancients, who testified that in the last days “Saviors should come upon Zion” to redeem the house of Esau.
In speaking of the great work of God in the last days, he said we were required to be co-workers with Christ Jesus, and the more we understood of the work of salvation, we should find it to be one of proxy, being dependent one upon another. Our lives, therefore, must be one of continuous labor, first to gather the people by preaching of the gospel, then the building of Temples, and doing the work of the fathers, and the children, that all might be made perfect in one complete chain, reaching back from the beginning of the world and continuing to the end thereof. This was that new and everlasting covenant, that contemplates the welding together of all dispensations and includes temporal as well as spiritual things.
The warfare for us to fight was to overcome the world, to glorify God and do the work we came here to perform. We must cleanse our hearts from the love of the world. We must meet together to watch and pray, and all our associations must be for the purpose of benefitting and blessing each other. There should be the utmost freedom of speech, but we should not indulge in fault-finding.
In all our solemn assemblies, especially when called upon to express our sanction or otherwise of the authorities who may be presented, every one should act as a servant of God, and vote freely and frankly without hypocrisy, and every one who sanctioned the appointment of the authorities of the Church, should sustain them by their faith, prayers, and good works.
If any decisions of the various Courts of the Church, should be rendered unrighteously, through ignorance, prejudice, or the weaknesses of humanity, God had established courts of appeal for the purpose of correction.
Discourse
Delivered by Elder Erastus Snow
I believe the building of the Temple at St. George, and the spirit and influence exerted among the people resulting therefrom, the spirit that attends the people who labor therein and those who officiate for their dead, as well as the living, is having a very beneficial effect upon the people generally; but more especially the people of the southern country who enjoy more fully its benefits. There is a greater devotion in their hearts to the work of the ministry and the building up of the kingdom of God; and their hearts are being weaned from the things of this world. This is manifested by the increase of tithes and offerings, their readiness to engage in missions, to devote their time to Temple labors, and extending their labors in various directions among the Lamanites.
I believe that the work already commenced upon the Temples in Logan and Manti, together with the one in this city, will have a similar effect and influence upon the hearts and feelings of the Latter-day Saints. And the more we do in this direction to accomplish that which is required of us, both on behalf of ourselves and the dead, the nearer the hearts of the people will be drawn unto the Lord, and unto his servants and to each other, connecting together their affections and labors.
We are called to become the saviors of men. First work for ourselves in accordance with the plan which God has introduced for our own salvation through faith and obedience to the Gospel of the Son of God. Next to be fellow-laborers with him in helping to bring to pass the redemption of our fellow-creatures. Our mission is first to the living; to preach the Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, to gather Israel, to establish the Zion of God, to organize the Priesthood, to build Temples to the name of the Lord, wherein all ordinances may be revealed and administered for the redemption of the dead, and the exaltation of the living. And thus fulfil what the prophets have said concerning one of the events of the last days, namely, that “Saviors should come up upon Mount Zion to judge the House of Esau; but the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” This laconic prophecy of one of the ancient prophets is full of meaning. Do what we may, and all we possibly can, the kingdom is the Lord’s, and we are his servants and hand-maidens, all laboring for the great cause, the redemption of the human family. Although Jesus is the great “High Priest and Apostle of our profession,” the Redeemer and Mediator for man, he has not attempted to do all the work himself, but to commence it, to lay the foundation, to offer his life as the good shepherd that gives his life for the sheep. He called to his assistance first the Twelve Apostles, then the Seventies, instructing them in their several duties, and then sent them out to call others to their assistance, and preach the Gospel to all the world. After he left them he ministered to the Nephites upon the American continent, and did likewise. And from time to time he has commanded his servants to continue his work upon the earth; and has now, for the last time, commenced to prune his vineyard, to gather his elect and confirm the priesthood upon his people and the ordinances thereof, for the salvation of his numerous family, both living and dead, and so requires our aid, our co-operation. If we will save ourselves and attain to the exaltation in store for us, we must be willing to help also our fellows that need our assistance. First, as I have intimated, in travelling through the earth preaching the Gospel to the living, and next helping to gather the Lord’s poor and providing for them in Zion; next in building Temples to the Lord and officiating therein in its ordinances. In all this we may be fellow laborers with Christ Jesus, and with the ancient and modern apostles in the great work of salvation. And the more we examine the teachings of the Saviour, and those of the ancient prophets and Apostles, the more we shall be convinced that this work of salvation is a vicarious one. That is to say, while we have works to do for ourselves, there are many other labors which we are called upon to do for others, for we are mutually dependent one upon another; and God has so organized his work in the earth that we shall be dependent.
God has created this earth, and placed its inhabitants thereon, and involved them in a common design. If we succeed through the merits of the Savior in overcoming evil and driving the devil from off its face, redeeming it from sin, the consequences of the Fall, we shall have the privilege of enjoying it when it is renewed, sanctified and made holy. If we fail in this, we lose all. We have no promise of taking and possessing some other world prepared for some other people; or of entering into the labors of any other people. But this our earth is prepared especially for us, first for our temporal habitation and ultimately for our eternal abode. The fathers, from the beginning of the world until the present time, have been and still are laboring in connection with us. The fathers holding the priesthood were inspired of the Lord, and understood these things; they are laboring in connection with us, and are looking after us, being mutually interested in the work of our hands.
The Lord has sent the prophet Elijah according to promise, with the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers; that the children may begin to look after and to do the necessary works for the fathers; while the fathers, on the other hand, who receive the gospel in the spirit world, are influencing the heavens in our behalf, that we may be strengthened to accomplish this work and prevail over the enemy, and do for them what they are unable to do for themselves.
It was with the comprehensive view of this great work, and the connection of the fathers with the children, from the beginning of the world down to the end thereof, that the Apostle Paul spoke upon this subject, relating to the fathers who died in the faith, and what they accomplished while living. He sums up their mighty works of faith, closing with this remark: “God having provided some better things for us, that they without us shall not be made perfect.” And we are now able to supplement the words of Paul, by saying, God having provided some better things for us the Latter-day Saints that they, the fathers, cannot be made perfect without us nor we without them; for the priesthood and the new and everlasting covenant wherewith we are bound together, is like a chain connecting the children to the fathers from the beginning of the world to the end thereof. And if any links have been broken through that sin which is unto death, which finds no forgiveness in this world, or the world to come, such links must be dropped out, and the next one welded in and the chain made complete. And these sealings or adoptions, whether of the living or the dead, must continue from this time forward, and also go back repairing the chain from the beginning; that if there is a link broken anywhere, there may be a new weld, and the chain of the priesthood be completed. And this is the work of that New and everlasting Gospel which is the same covenant that was from the beginning, but is revealed anew unto us. There must not only be a welding of the chain of priesthood, but a welding together of all dispensations, and keys, and powers and authorities that have come from God unto men from the beginning of the world unto the end thereof. And not only must this be done in form according to the law, but it must be in spirit and in truth. There must be a complete fellowship, a love, a union of spirit and of interest, both temporal and spiritual, on the earth and in heaven. And as the Apostle Paul has said concerning the dispensation of the fulness of times, that in it “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” We cannot obtain to these blessings and be double minded; we cannot carry the world in one hand and the kingdom of God in the other; we cannot indulge in pride, folly, and the vanities of this life, and secure these blessings that pertain to the holy priesthood. We have got to labor for one another: our hearts, our hands, our talents and all our efforts must be hallowed to the Lord our God, with a view of accomplishing this work, or we shall certainly fail in attaining to all these glories that are prepared for us and our fathers. This is the warfare for us to fight; to overcome the world; in other words, to make the world and all things therein our servants, and not our masters, they should be used for the accomplishment of these grand objects that God has presented before us. The only object and desire of our hearts in handling the things of this life, should be to glorify God in the accomplishment of the work that is laid upon us to perform. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Whosoever have set their hearts upon riches of the world, and the honor of men, must cleanse their hearts from these things, or they will fail.
We meet in Conference to promote union and fellowship. We assemble to fast and pray before the Lord, to unite our hearts and faith together, that we may be one and crowd out the enemy from our midst. Our teachings, our prayers, our fellowship meetings, our associations of every description, of both male and female, should tend to this end, to union, to fellowship, to love, to good will. To accomplish this, there must be the utmost frankness of speech; and we should learn to govern well our tongues, making it to speak discreet words, and not to be eternally fault-finding.
When we meet in our Ward meetings, or in our Stake or General Conference, we there give an expression signifying before the heavens as well as men on the earth, our willingness to receive, uphold and sustain, by our faith and prayers, those who minister among us, to be counselors, leaders and judges in Israel. And when we do this, the Lord has a right, and his servants also, to expect that every one who acts in these solemn assemblies will act honestly with themselves and with their God, in all sincerity and truth, and that their covenants will be made in all solemnity and in the fear of God, and the same lived up to faithfully. And should there be any good reason for withholding any man’s fellowship, faith and good will from another, that such a man will be frank, honest and upright with himself and his God; and should such a one be laboring under a mistake, through misrepresentation or false reports, or anything he does not understand, which we are all liable to, I repeat he should take an honorable course that good feeling, fellowship and union might prevail.
We know that the ungodly cannot appreciate the Saints; we know that they never did appreciate the prophets of God that were raised up and sent to them, having the word of the Lord for them; and we know that those who do not live in the light of Christ, humbling themselves before Him, and walking so as to enjoy the inspiring influences of the Holy Ghost, they never can judge correctly of the words and teachings and the going forth of the people of God, nor his servants in their midst; for their eyes are blinded and they judge according to their carnal minds, and not according to the Holy Ghost. While others love lies and delight in sowing them broadcast, and hate the truth and those who teach it, because their deeds are evil, and they are of their father the devil, and his works they will do. We do not expect to be subject in anywise to such spirits, for the Lord does not require it at the hands of any of his servants or people. But we do expect that the Latter-day Saints shall judge angels, if they are faithful; and the Lord has left it for themselves to chose whether they will sustain and uphold those who are appointed as Bishops, Presidents of Stakes, Apostles who minister in their midst; and whether they have so walked before the people and before the Lord, honoring their callings and sustaining themselves in the faith and fellowship of the Saints, or whether they have not.
And the Lord has said by the mouth of the Prophet Joseph that the great body of the Latter-day Saints, who are preaching the Gospel, laboring to build Temples, etc., and who keep the commandments of God, living their holy religion, and whose hearts and habitations are the sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit, that they will weigh and judge all people; and Jesus said to the Nephite Apostles when telling them they should be judges of that people, “You shall judge them according to that judgment which I shall give you, which shall be just.” This is a key for every man called to judge or preside; his judgment must be just or it cannot be sanctioned in the heavens. Because of the weaknesses and infirmities of humanity, and our liability to err in judgment, the Lord has very wisely provided for appeals from the Bishops’ Court to that of the High Council, and thence to the General Assembly of all the Quorums at the Conferences of the Stake to which such Councils belong; and if their decisions be overruled, it must be by the united voice of all the Quorums. Thus the Lord has provided a way that justice might be meeted out in this our time of weakness and mortality; but it is our privilege to live so that the Holy Ghost can abide continually within us, and we discern even as the Lord, and judge only in righteousness.
May the Lord help us to live so as to be worthy of these blessings and to enjoy them, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Delivered by Elder Erastus Snow
I believe the building of the Temple at St. George, and the spirit and influence exerted among the people resulting therefrom, the spirit that attends the people who labor therein and those who officiate for their dead, as well as the living, is having a very beneficial effect upon the people generally; but more especially the people of the southern country who enjoy more fully its benefits. There is a greater devotion in their hearts to the work of the ministry and the building up of the kingdom of God; and their hearts are being weaned from the things of this world. This is manifested by the increase of tithes and offerings, their readiness to engage in missions, to devote their time to Temple labors, and extending their labors in various directions among the Lamanites.
I believe that the work already commenced upon the Temples in Logan and Manti, together with the one in this city, will have a similar effect and influence upon the hearts and feelings of the Latter-day Saints. And the more we do in this direction to accomplish that which is required of us, both on behalf of ourselves and the dead, the nearer the hearts of the people will be drawn unto the Lord, and unto his servants and to each other, connecting together their affections and labors.
We are called to become the saviors of men. First work for ourselves in accordance with the plan which God has introduced for our own salvation through faith and obedience to the Gospel of the Son of God. Next to be fellow-laborers with him in helping to bring to pass the redemption of our fellow-creatures. Our mission is first to the living; to preach the Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, to gather Israel, to establish the Zion of God, to organize the Priesthood, to build Temples to the name of the Lord, wherein all ordinances may be revealed and administered for the redemption of the dead, and the exaltation of the living. And thus fulfil what the prophets have said concerning one of the events of the last days, namely, that “Saviors should come up upon Mount Zion to judge the House of Esau; but the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” This laconic prophecy of one of the ancient prophets is full of meaning. Do what we may, and all we possibly can, the kingdom is the Lord’s, and we are his servants and hand-maidens, all laboring for the great cause, the redemption of the human family. Although Jesus is the great “High Priest and Apostle of our profession,” the Redeemer and Mediator for man, he has not attempted to do all the work himself, but to commence it, to lay the foundation, to offer his life as the good shepherd that gives his life for the sheep. He called to his assistance first the Twelve Apostles, then the Seventies, instructing them in their several duties, and then sent them out to call others to their assistance, and preach the Gospel to all the world. After he left them he ministered to the Nephites upon the American continent, and did likewise. And from time to time he has commanded his servants to continue his work upon the earth; and has now, for the last time, commenced to prune his vineyard, to gather his elect and confirm the priesthood upon his people and the ordinances thereof, for the salvation of his numerous family, both living and dead, and so requires our aid, our co-operation. If we will save ourselves and attain to the exaltation in store for us, we must be willing to help also our fellows that need our assistance. First, as I have intimated, in travelling through the earth preaching the Gospel to the living, and next helping to gather the Lord’s poor and providing for them in Zion; next in building Temples to the Lord and officiating therein in its ordinances. In all this we may be fellow laborers with Christ Jesus, and with the ancient and modern apostles in the great work of salvation. And the more we examine the teachings of the Saviour, and those of the ancient prophets and Apostles, the more we shall be convinced that this work of salvation is a vicarious one. That is to say, while we have works to do for ourselves, there are many other labors which we are called upon to do for others, for we are mutually dependent one upon another; and God has so organized his work in the earth that we shall be dependent.
God has created this earth, and placed its inhabitants thereon, and involved them in a common design. If we succeed through the merits of the Savior in overcoming evil and driving the devil from off its face, redeeming it from sin, the consequences of the Fall, we shall have the privilege of enjoying it when it is renewed, sanctified and made holy. If we fail in this, we lose all. We have no promise of taking and possessing some other world prepared for some other people; or of entering into the labors of any other people. But this our earth is prepared especially for us, first for our temporal habitation and ultimately for our eternal abode. The fathers, from the beginning of the world until the present time, have been and still are laboring in connection with us. The fathers holding the priesthood were inspired of the Lord, and understood these things; they are laboring in connection with us, and are looking after us, being mutually interested in the work of our hands.
The Lord has sent the prophet Elijah according to promise, with the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers; that the children may begin to look after and to do the necessary works for the fathers; while the fathers, on the other hand, who receive the gospel in the spirit world, are influencing the heavens in our behalf, that we may be strengthened to accomplish this work and prevail over the enemy, and do for them what they are unable to do for themselves.
It was with the comprehensive view of this great work, and the connection of the fathers with the children, from the beginning of the world down to the end thereof, that the Apostle Paul spoke upon this subject, relating to the fathers who died in the faith, and what they accomplished while living. He sums up their mighty works of faith, closing with this remark: “God having provided some better things for us, that they without us shall not be made perfect.” And we are now able to supplement the words of Paul, by saying, God having provided some better things for us the Latter-day Saints that they, the fathers, cannot be made perfect without us nor we without them; for the priesthood and the new and everlasting covenant wherewith we are bound together, is like a chain connecting the children to the fathers from the beginning of the world to the end thereof. And if any links have been broken through that sin which is unto death, which finds no forgiveness in this world, or the world to come, such links must be dropped out, and the next one welded in and the chain made complete. And these sealings or adoptions, whether of the living or the dead, must continue from this time forward, and also go back repairing the chain from the beginning; that if there is a link broken anywhere, there may be a new weld, and the chain of the priesthood be completed. And this is the work of that New and everlasting Gospel which is the same covenant that was from the beginning, but is revealed anew unto us. There must not only be a welding of the chain of priesthood, but a welding together of all dispensations, and keys, and powers and authorities that have come from God unto men from the beginning of the world unto the end thereof. And not only must this be done in form according to the law, but it must be in spirit and in truth. There must be a complete fellowship, a love, a union of spirit and of interest, both temporal and spiritual, on the earth and in heaven. And as the Apostle Paul has said concerning the dispensation of the fulness of times, that in it “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.” We cannot obtain to these blessings and be double minded; we cannot carry the world in one hand and the kingdom of God in the other; we cannot indulge in pride, folly, and the vanities of this life, and secure these blessings that pertain to the holy priesthood. We have got to labor for one another: our hearts, our hands, our talents and all our efforts must be hallowed to the Lord our God, with a view of accomplishing this work, or we shall certainly fail in attaining to all these glories that are prepared for us and our fathers. This is the warfare for us to fight; to overcome the world; in other words, to make the world and all things therein our servants, and not our masters, they should be used for the accomplishment of these grand objects that God has presented before us. The only object and desire of our hearts in handling the things of this life, should be to glorify God in the accomplishment of the work that is laid upon us to perform. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Whosoever have set their hearts upon riches of the world, and the honor of men, must cleanse their hearts from these things, or they will fail.
We meet in Conference to promote union and fellowship. We assemble to fast and pray before the Lord, to unite our hearts and faith together, that we may be one and crowd out the enemy from our midst. Our teachings, our prayers, our fellowship meetings, our associations of every description, of both male and female, should tend to this end, to union, to fellowship, to love, to good will. To accomplish this, there must be the utmost frankness of speech; and we should learn to govern well our tongues, making it to speak discreet words, and not to be eternally fault-finding.
When we meet in our Ward meetings, or in our Stake or General Conference, we there give an expression signifying before the heavens as well as men on the earth, our willingness to receive, uphold and sustain, by our faith and prayers, those who minister among us, to be counselors, leaders and judges in Israel. And when we do this, the Lord has a right, and his servants also, to expect that every one who acts in these solemn assemblies will act honestly with themselves and with their God, in all sincerity and truth, and that their covenants will be made in all solemnity and in the fear of God, and the same lived up to faithfully. And should there be any good reason for withholding any man’s fellowship, faith and good will from another, that such a man will be frank, honest and upright with himself and his God; and should such a one be laboring under a mistake, through misrepresentation or false reports, or anything he does not understand, which we are all liable to, I repeat he should take an honorable course that good feeling, fellowship and union might prevail.
We know that the ungodly cannot appreciate the Saints; we know that they never did appreciate the prophets of God that were raised up and sent to them, having the word of the Lord for them; and we know that those who do not live in the light of Christ, humbling themselves before Him, and walking so as to enjoy the inspiring influences of the Holy Ghost, they never can judge correctly of the words and teachings and the going forth of the people of God, nor his servants in their midst; for their eyes are blinded and they judge according to their carnal minds, and not according to the Holy Ghost. While others love lies and delight in sowing them broadcast, and hate the truth and those who teach it, because their deeds are evil, and they are of their father the devil, and his works they will do. We do not expect to be subject in anywise to such spirits, for the Lord does not require it at the hands of any of his servants or people. But we do expect that the Latter-day Saints shall judge angels, if they are faithful; and the Lord has left it for themselves to chose whether they will sustain and uphold those who are appointed as Bishops, Presidents of Stakes, Apostles who minister in their midst; and whether they have so walked before the people and before the Lord, honoring their callings and sustaining themselves in the faith and fellowship of the Saints, or whether they have not.
And the Lord has said by the mouth of the Prophet Joseph that the great body of the Latter-day Saints, who are preaching the Gospel, laboring to build Temples, etc., and who keep the commandments of God, living their holy religion, and whose hearts and habitations are the sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit, that they will weigh and judge all people; and Jesus said to the Nephite Apostles when telling them they should be judges of that people, “You shall judge them according to that judgment which I shall give you, which shall be just.” This is a key for every man called to judge or preside; his judgment must be just or it cannot be sanctioned in the heavens. Because of the weaknesses and infirmities of humanity, and our liability to err in judgment, the Lord has very wisely provided for appeals from the Bishops’ Court to that of the High Council, and thence to the General Assembly of all the Quorums at the Conferences of the Stake to which such Councils belong; and if their decisions be overruled, it must be by the united voice of all the Quorums. Thus the Lord has provided a way that justice might be meeted out in this our time of weakness and mortality; but it is our privilege to live so that the Holy Ghost can abide continually within us, and we discern even as the Lord, and judge only in righteousness.
May the Lord help us to live so as to be worthy of these blessings and to enjoy them, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder George Q. Cannon
explained the various parts of the Tabernacle which had been designated for different quorums of the priesthood during the General Assembly, and particularly requested every member of the quorums present to observe the order and sit in their respective places.
The object of this arrangement was to carry out the plan given by the Prophet Joseph and adopted by President Young, in Nauvoo, in giving every quorum of the priesthood an opportunity of voting by separate quorums.
Conference was adjourned until 2 o’clock p.m.
The choir sang the anthem—“O be joyful in the Lord.”
Benediction by Counselor John W. Young.
explained the various parts of the Tabernacle which had been designated for different quorums of the priesthood during the General Assembly, and particularly requested every member of the quorums present to observe the order and sit in their respective places.
The object of this arrangement was to carry out the plan given by the Prophet Joseph and adopted by President Young, in Nauvoo, in giving every quorum of the priesthood an opportunity of voting by separate quorums.
Conference was adjourned until 2 o’clock p.m.
The choir sang the anthem—“O be joyful in the Lord.”
Benediction by Counselor John W. Young.
Saturday Afternoon, Oct. 6th.
The choir sang—The time is nigh, that happy time, That great expected, blessed day.
Prayer by President A. O. Smoot.
The choir sang—Sweet is the peace the Gospel brings To seeking minds and true.
The choir sang—The time is nigh, that happy time, That great expected, blessed day.
Prayer by President A. O. Smoot.
The choir sang—Sweet is the peace the Gospel brings To seeking minds and true.
Elder George Q. Cannon
stated that at the general assembly of Quorums at Kirtland, the manner of voting the affirmative vote was by rising on their feet, and the negative vote by keeping their seats. It was now expected that the Quorums, when they arose on their feet, would also raise their right hands, and the negative votes cast would be by retaining their seats and keeping down their hands, until the affirmative vote was cast, then if there were negatives they would have the privilege of rising to their feet.
The General Authorities of the Church were voted for by each Quorum of the Priesthood, rising on their feet and raising their right hands in the following order: First—The Twelve Apostles. Second—The Patriarchs, Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, and the High Councils. Third—High Priests. Fourth—Seventies. Fifth—Elders. Sixth—Bishops and Counselors. Seventh—Priests, Teachers, and Deacons. Eighth—Presidency of all the Quorums. Ninth—The entire congregation.
Elder Cannon presented the authorities of the Church as follows:
John Taylor as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young [Jr.], Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles—John W. Young, D. H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the presiding quorum and authority of the Church, and as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
President John Taylor made a motion that John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells be sustained as Prophets, Seers and Revelators, to act with the Twelve as their Counselors, in that capacity. The whole congregation sustained the motion.
Patriarch of the Church: John Smith.
As the first seven Presidents of Seventies: Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church—Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors:
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the Twelve Apostles, their two Councilors and Edward Hunter as his Counselors.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund for the gathering the poor.
Orson Pratt as Historian and general Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff his assistant. This motion was put to the congregation merely, and was unanimous.
The local authorities of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion were then presented in the following order—Angus M. Cannon, President of the Stake, with David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor as his Counselors.
High Council: Wm. Eddington, Thomas E. Jeremy, John H. Rumell, Miner G. Atwood, Dimmick B. Huntington, Theo. McKean, Hosea Stout, Milando Pratt, J. R. Winder, Geo. J. Taylor, Henry Dinwoodey, Millen Atwood, Joseph Horne, Andrew W. Winberg and George Nebeker.
Elias Smith, President of the High Priests’ Quorum, and Edward Snelgrove and Elias Morris his Counselors.
Edward Davis, President of the Elders Quorum and W. W. Taylor and Junius F. Wells his Counselors.
The Quorums of the Lesser Priesthood not being fully organized, their presentation to the Conference was deferred.
Truman O. Angel was sustained as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Jun., his assistant.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Clerk and Recorder of this Stake of Zion.
During the whole of the presentation of the authorities before a congregation of from 12,000 to 14,000, excellent order prevailed, and to witness the unanimity and reflective silence during the entire proceedings, prompted by the Spirit of God, was grand and impressive beyond the power of words to describe. The language depicted on every countenance, as the only expression of their inmost soul, seemed to say “It was good for us to be here.” It was indeed a feast to all the Saints, and a beautiful foretaste of what there is in the future.
stated that at the general assembly of Quorums at Kirtland, the manner of voting the affirmative vote was by rising on their feet, and the negative vote by keeping their seats. It was now expected that the Quorums, when they arose on their feet, would also raise their right hands, and the negative votes cast would be by retaining their seats and keeping down their hands, until the affirmative vote was cast, then if there were negatives they would have the privilege of rising to their feet.
The General Authorities of the Church were voted for by each Quorum of the Priesthood, rising on their feet and raising their right hands in the following order: First—The Twelve Apostles. Second—The Patriarchs, Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, and the High Councils. Third—High Priests. Fourth—Seventies. Fifth—Elders. Sixth—Bishops and Counselors. Seventh—Priests, Teachers, and Deacons. Eighth—Presidency of all the Quorums. Ninth—The entire congregation.
Elder Cannon presented the authorities of the Church as follows:
John Taylor as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as one of the Twelve Apostles, and of the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young [Jr.], Joseph F. Smith and Albert Carrington.
Counselors to the Twelve Apostles—John W. Young, D. H. Wells.
The Twelve Apostles as the presiding quorum and authority of the Church, and as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
President John Taylor made a motion that John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells be sustained as Prophets, Seers and Revelators, to act with the Twelve as their Counselors, in that capacity. The whole congregation sustained the motion.
Patriarch of the Church: John Smith.
As the first seven Presidents of Seventies: Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Albert P. Rockwood, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates and John Van Cott.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church—Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors:
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the Twelve Apostles, their two Councilors and Edward Hunter as his Counselors.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund for the gathering the poor.
Orson Pratt as Historian and general Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff his assistant. This motion was put to the congregation merely, and was unanimous.
The local authorities of the Salt Lake Stake of Zion were then presented in the following order—Angus M. Cannon, President of the Stake, with David O. Calder and Joseph E. Taylor as his Counselors.
High Council: Wm. Eddington, Thomas E. Jeremy, John H. Rumell, Miner G. Atwood, Dimmick B. Huntington, Theo. McKean, Hosea Stout, Milando Pratt, J. R. Winder, Geo. J. Taylor, Henry Dinwoodey, Millen Atwood, Joseph Horne, Andrew W. Winberg and George Nebeker.
Elias Smith, President of the High Priests’ Quorum, and Edward Snelgrove and Elias Morris his Counselors.
Edward Davis, President of the Elders Quorum and W. W. Taylor and Junius F. Wells his Counselors.
The Quorums of the Lesser Priesthood not being fully organized, their presentation to the Conference was deferred.
Truman O. Angel was sustained as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angel, Jun., his assistant.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Clerk and Recorder of this Stake of Zion.
During the whole of the presentation of the authorities before a congregation of from 12,000 to 14,000, excellent order prevailed, and to witness the unanimity and reflective silence during the entire proceedings, prompted by the Spirit of God, was grand and impressive beyond the power of words to describe. The language depicted on every countenance, as the only expression of their inmost soul, seemed to say “It was good for us to be here.” It was indeed a feast to all the Saints, and a beautiful foretaste of what there is in the future.
President John Taylor
felt happy to witness the union and good feeling manifested by the Saints in their voting. There was a saying in the world vox populi vox Dei. But there was a custom in ancient times for the Lord to first make known his will to his servants, and present it to the people, when it was first the voice of God, then the voice of the people.
He spoke of the increased responsibilities that now rested upon the Apostles, and unless God were with them they would not be equal to the task. When men were under the guidance of the Almighty, it was a high honor to hold office, and as such they desired to appreciate it. They felt thankful for the confidence and faith made manifest this day. He had said but little since the death of our late President, who had stood prominently before the Church for the last thirty-three years. For this he had varied reasons. One reason was, he felt sad in his heart, in common with the community, at the loss of our respected and venerable President. Another was that a multiplicity of business cares had devolved upon the Twelve, and many questions had to be answered and disposed of upon a variety of subjects. A further reason was that he did not wish to say anything which would influence the Twelve or others, so far as his position was concerned, but desired to leave them perfectly unbiassed in their minds. He felt thankful to have Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith, who had arrived from England only a few days ago, present at Conference. The Priesthood of the Son of God was not given for personal aggrandizement but for the building up of the kingdom of God, and if we could carry out in our lives what we had made manifest this day by our votes, the kingdom of God would roll forth, and the favor and blessing of God would rest upon us.
Elder George Q. Cannon read an extract from pages 386 and 387 of the book of Doctrine and Covenants, new edition.
President John Taylor said the words just read were true when they were written and they were true to-day. No man need think this work would stop. It would go on and increase until the purposes of Jehovah were accomplished, and no power on earth or in hell could stay its progress.
felt happy to witness the union and good feeling manifested by the Saints in their voting. There was a saying in the world vox populi vox Dei. But there was a custom in ancient times for the Lord to first make known his will to his servants, and present it to the people, when it was first the voice of God, then the voice of the people.
He spoke of the increased responsibilities that now rested upon the Apostles, and unless God were with them they would not be equal to the task. When men were under the guidance of the Almighty, it was a high honor to hold office, and as such they desired to appreciate it. They felt thankful for the confidence and faith made manifest this day. He had said but little since the death of our late President, who had stood prominently before the Church for the last thirty-three years. For this he had varied reasons. One reason was, he felt sad in his heart, in common with the community, at the loss of our respected and venerable President. Another was that a multiplicity of business cares had devolved upon the Twelve, and many questions had to be answered and disposed of upon a variety of subjects. A further reason was that he did not wish to say anything which would influence the Twelve or others, so far as his position was concerned, but desired to leave them perfectly unbiassed in their minds. He felt thankful to have Elders Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith, who had arrived from England only a few days ago, present at Conference. The Priesthood of the Son of God was not given for personal aggrandizement but for the building up of the kingdom of God, and if we could carry out in our lives what we had made manifest this day by our votes, the kingdom of God would roll forth, and the favor and blessing of God would rest upon us.
Elder George Q. Cannon read an extract from pages 386 and 387 of the book of Doctrine and Covenants, new edition.
President John Taylor said the words just read were true when they were written and they were true to-day. No man need think this work would stop. It would go on and increase until the purposes of Jehovah were accomplished, and no power on earth or in hell could stay its progress.
The Voice of God, the Voice of the People—The Position of the Twelve—Readings From Doctrine and Covenants
Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered at the Semi Annual Conference, Held in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, Oct. 6, 1877.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
I am very happy to find so great an unanimity of feeling in the voting, as has been manifested at this Conference. There is a very common axiom in the world, “Vox populi, vox dei,” or, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” Although the voice of the people is very important, we do not believe in that action separate and alone. It was usual among ancient Israel for the Lord to speak, presenting his laws, ordinances, and commandments to the people, then they were presented to the people, and then all the people said “Amen.” Then it was the voice of God and the voice of the people; or, in other words, the voice of the people assenting to the voice of God.
In relation to the duties devolving upon the Twelve, in consequence of the changes that have recently taken place, I can say, in behalf of myself and my brethren, that their full weight and responsibility are felt by us. Unless we had the sanction of the people, we would be unwilling to assume them, and, were it not that these things are plainly laid down in the law of God, we would not have accepted the situation that we find ourselves placed in today. We feel now that unless God is with us, we can accomplish nothing that can in anywise be for the welfare of Zion, or the building up of his kingdom on the earth. Those are my feelings, and those are the feelings of my brethren. It is not with us as viewed by the world generally, that there is something so very honorable in office, for we have learned that in order that any office in the government of the Church and kingdom might be made honorable, the office itself must be honored, and that, too, by faithfully complying with the laws of God governing it. Then it is a high honor conferred upon man from the Lord, and the Twelve so appreciate it. Whilst they thank you for the confidence which you have manifested in them, at the same time they feel to rely upon God, and to ask that you will remember them before the throne of our heavenly Father in your prayers and daily supplications, that we may be guided by that wisdom and intelligence that flows from above, for without the aid, guidance, and direction of the Almighty, we can do nothing acceptably to him.
I have said very little, very little indeed, since the death of our esteemed President, Brigham Young. I have had various reasons for that. One is, my heart has felt sorrowful and pained, for we have lost a man who stood prominent in Israel for the last thirty-three years, yes, for upwards of forty or forty-five years. He is taken away, and all Israel felt to mourn the event. This is one reason why I have been so silent. Another is, a great many questions have had to be decided, arrangements made and investigations had, in regard to the proper course to pursue pertaining to these very important matters. Still another reason is, I did not wish to put myself forward, nor have I, as the Twelve here can bear me witness. [The Twelve unanimously gave their assent.] I have not had any more hand in these affairs than any of the members of my Quorum; but I am happy to say that in all matters upon which we have deliberated, we have been of one heart and one mind. When brothers Pratt and Smith returned from England, as you will have learned from their published letter, their sentiments were precisely the same as ours, and also the Counselors of President Young, whom we esteem and honor in their place, are also united with us. We are glad to have them with us, as our friends and associates, and Counselors to the Twelve. I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon them, and lead them in the paths of life, and that they with the Twelve may unite together as a grand phalanx, not in our own individual interests, but in the interests of the Church and kingdom of God, and the building up of his Zion on the earth; for the Priesthood is not instituted for the purpose of personal aggrandizement or personal honor, but it is for the accomplishment of certain purposes of which the Lord is the Author and Designer, and in which the dead, the living, and the unborn are interested. We ought, brethren, all of us, to feel and act as though we were the servants of the living God, feeling in our hearts an honest desire to do his will and establish his purposes on the earth. If we can be united in our faith, our acts and labors, as we have been in our voting, as manifested at this Conference, the heavens will smile upon us, the angels of God will manifest themselves to us, the power of God will be in our midst, and Zion will arise and shine, and the glory of God rest upon her.
[By request, Elder Geo. Q. Cannon read from the Doctrine and Covenants the following extract from a communication entitled, A Prayer and Prophecies, written by Joseph, the Seer, while in Liberty Jail, Clay County, Missouri, March 20, 1839, commencing at the 34th paragraph:
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson--
“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
“That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God,” etc. See page 87, new edition.]
I wanted to have this excellent instruction read over in your hearing, for it was true and profitable at the time it was written, and it is so today. If we possess the Spirit that flows from God, and that dwells in his bosom, we shall possess the spirit of kindness and love and affection, that will eventually bind us in the bonds of eternal union. It becomes us, as servants and handmaidens of God, to seek after these things, that we may be full of light and life, and the power and intelligence of God, and feel that we are indeed children of the Most High, that he is our Father, and that, with the ancient Prophets and Apostles, and the Gods of the eternal worlds, we will unite in accomplishing the work God designed from the commencement of the world. No man or set of men need think that the work will stop, for God has decreed that it shall go onward, and no power this side of hell can stop its progress. The Lord is with us, the great Jehovah is our shield and our buckler; the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our King, the Lord is our Ruler, and he shall rule over us.
May God help us to be faithful in the observance of his laws, that we may secure to ourselves eternal lives in his kingdom, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Conference was adjourned until 10 o’clock Sunday morning.
The choir sang the anthem: Awake, put on thy strength O Zion.
Benediction by Elder Orson Hyde.
Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered at the Semi Annual Conference, Held in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Saturday Afternoon, Oct. 6, 1877.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
I am very happy to find so great an unanimity of feeling in the voting, as has been manifested at this Conference. There is a very common axiom in the world, “Vox populi, vox dei,” or, “The voice of the people is the voice of God.” Although the voice of the people is very important, we do not believe in that action separate and alone. It was usual among ancient Israel for the Lord to speak, presenting his laws, ordinances, and commandments to the people, then they were presented to the people, and then all the people said “Amen.” Then it was the voice of God and the voice of the people; or, in other words, the voice of the people assenting to the voice of God.
In relation to the duties devolving upon the Twelve, in consequence of the changes that have recently taken place, I can say, in behalf of myself and my brethren, that their full weight and responsibility are felt by us. Unless we had the sanction of the people, we would be unwilling to assume them, and, were it not that these things are plainly laid down in the law of God, we would not have accepted the situation that we find ourselves placed in today. We feel now that unless God is with us, we can accomplish nothing that can in anywise be for the welfare of Zion, or the building up of his kingdom on the earth. Those are my feelings, and those are the feelings of my brethren. It is not with us as viewed by the world generally, that there is something so very honorable in office, for we have learned that in order that any office in the government of the Church and kingdom might be made honorable, the office itself must be honored, and that, too, by faithfully complying with the laws of God governing it. Then it is a high honor conferred upon man from the Lord, and the Twelve so appreciate it. Whilst they thank you for the confidence which you have manifested in them, at the same time they feel to rely upon God, and to ask that you will remember them before the throne of our heavenly Father in your prayers and daily supplications, that we may be guided by that wisdom and intelligence that flows from above, for without the aid, guidance, and direction of the Almighty, we can do nothing acceptably to him.
I have said very little, very little indeed, since the death of our esteemed President, Brigham Young. I have had various reasons for that. One is, my heart has felt sorrowful and pained, for we have lost a man who stood prominent in Israel for the last thirty-three years, yes, for upwards of forty or forty-five years. He is taken away, and all Israel felt to mourn the event. This is one reason why I have been so silent. Another is, a great many questions have had to be decided, arrangements made and investigations had, in regard to the proper course to pursue pertaining to these very important matters. Still another reason is, I did not wish to put myself forward, nor have I, as the Twelve here can bear me witness. [The Twelve unanimously gave their assent.] I have not had any more hand in these affairs than any of the members of my Quorum; but I am happy to say that in all matters upon which we have deliberated, we have been of one heart and one mind. When brothers Pratt and Smith returned from England, as you will have learned from their published letter, their sentiments were precisely the same as ours, and also the Counselors of President Young, whom we esteem and honor in their place, are also united with us. We are glad to have them with us, as our friends and associates, and Counselors to the Twelve. I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon them, and lead them in the paths of life, and that they with the Twelve may unite together as a grand phalanx, not in our own individual interests, but in the interests of the Church and kingdom of God, and the building up of his Zion on the earth; for the Priesthood is not instituted for the purpose of personal aggrandizement or personal honor, but it is for the accomplishment of certain purposes of which the Lord is the Author and Designer, and in which the dead, the living, and the unborn are interested. We ought, brethren, all of us, to feel and act as though we were the servants of the living God, feeling in our hearts an honest desire to do his will and establish his purposes on the earth. If we can be united in our faith, our acts and labors, as we have been in our voting, as manifested at this Conference, the heavens will smile upon us, the angels of God will manifest themselves to us, the power of God will be in our midst, and Zion will arise and shine, and the glory of God rest upon her.
[By request, Elder Geo. Q. Cannon read from the Doctrine and Covenants the following extract from a communication entitled, A Prayer and Prophecies, written by Joseph, the Seer, while in Liberty Jail, Clay County, Missouri, March 20, 1839, commencing at the 34th paragraph:
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson--
“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
“That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God,” etc. See page 87, new edition.]
I wanted to have this excellent instruction read over in your hearing, for it was true and profitable at the time it was written, and it is so today. If we possess the Spirit that flows from God, and that dwells in his bosom, we shall possess the spirit of kindness and love and affection, that will eventually bind us in the bonds of eternal union. It becomes us, as servants and handmaidens of God, to seek after these things, that we may be full of light and life, and the power and intelligence of God, and feel that we are indeed children of the Most High, that he is our Father, and that, with the ancient Prophets and Apostles, and the Gods of the eternal worlds, we will unite in accomplishing the work God designed from the commencement of the world. No man or set of men need think that the work will stop, for God has decreed that it shall go onward, and no power this side of hell can stop its progress. The Lord is with us, the great Jehovah is our shield and our buckler; the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our King, the Lord is our Ruler, and he shall rule over us.
May God help us to be faithful in the observance of his laws, that we may secure to ourselves eternal lives in his kingdom, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Conference was adjourned until 10 o’clock Sunday morning.
The choir sang the anthem: Awake, put on thy strength O Zion.
Benediction by Elder Orson Hyde.
SECOND DAY
Sunday Morning, Oct. 7.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: Come, all ye Saints who dwell on earth, Your cheerful voices raise.
Prayer by Elder Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang: Glorious things of thee are spoken Zion city of our God.
Sunday Morning, Oct. 7.
Conference was called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang: Come, all ye Saints who dwell on earth, Your cheerful voices raise.
Prayer by Elder Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang: Glorious things of thee are spoken Zion city of our God.
Elder George Q. Cannon
spoke upon the necessity of the President of the Emigrating Fund having some additional aid. The Twelve had concluded to present the following names as his assistants, who were also sustained by the General Conference: Franklin D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, Horace S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, John W. Young, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, Abraham O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson. The Presidents of Stakes were also requested to act as agents for the P. E. Fund.
Elder Cannon said it was not often we are called upon to mourn the loss of those who held the keys of the holy priesthood upon the earth. The experience of the Prophet Joseph was of that character, that led the people to almost think he was invulnerable to the shafts of death that had been so frequently hurled at him; hence when his demise did occur, it fell with such a shock and so unexpectedly upon the Saints that they were not prepared for the results growing out of such a contingency. The minds of many were much exercised and many speculations were indulged in as to who should occupy the position made vacant by the death of Joseph the Prophet. Some had fixed their minds upon one and some on another until the time had arrived when the Twelve had all returned home from their various fields of labor. It then soon became apparent where the authority legitimately belonged—in the Twelve Apostles. At a large public meeting God made it manifest to all the Saints then present that He had placed the mantle of Joseph upon his servant Brigham.
Some months before the decease of President Young he seemed to be anxious and restless until he had thoroughly organized the Church, and the speaker was satisfied that the remarkable work he had accomplished in that direction added greatly to the satisfaction that he, President Young, now felt.
Not only had the duties of the Twelve been defined, but also those of every grade of the priesthood. If we were diligent in the performance of the labors devolving upon us, the Lord would be with us as he had been with him during his whole life. The word, under his direction, had gone forth with such power that it had become apparent to those even who were not Saints that there was an efficacy about “Mormonism” that existed in no other system.
The speaker said he had listened with much pleasure to the discourse of Elder Orson Pratt, upon the priesthood. Every man who was ordained to the Apostleship had the power and authority to guide, counsel and direct the people of God, but the right to receive revelations, to govern the whole church was confined to the one who holds the keys as the head. The rest of the Apostles must sustain and uphold that man. There never was but one man at any one time that held that position, and he who was sustained yesterday by unanimous vote, John Taylor by name, was that man, he being now the leading Apostle. He must be looked to by the entire people for the word of the Lord. If every Apostle was slain but one, that one had the right and authority to organize the church, and ordain other apostles and a First Presidency to build up the kingdom of God.
It was good for the Latter-day Saints to be well instructed in the order and nature of the priesthood, that they might know and understand where the authority rested.
Some had been much exercised about a First Presidency being organized. He wished the Saints distinctly to understand that whenever God commanded a First Presidency to be appointed, it would not be revealed through any one but his servant who was now God’s mouthpiece.
spoke upon the necessity of the President of the Emigrating Fund having some additional aid. The Twelve had concluded to present the following names as his assistants, who were also sustained by the General Conference: Franklin D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, Horace S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, John W. Young, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Winder, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, Abraham O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson. The Presidents of Stakes were also requested to act as agents for the P. E. Fund.
Elder Cannon said it was not often we are called upon to mourn the loss of those who held the keys of the holy priesthood upon the earth. The experience of the Prophet Joseph was of that character, that led the people to almost think he was invulnerable to the shafts of death that had been so frequently hurled at him; hence when his demise did occur, it fell with such a shock and so unexpectedly upon the Saints that they were not prepared for the results growing out of such a contingency. The minds of many were much exercised and many speculations were indulged in as to who should occupy the position made vacant by the death of Joseph the Prophet. Some had fixed their minds upon one and some on another until the time had arrived when the Twelve had all returned home from their various fields of labor. It then soon became apparent where the authority legitimately belonged—in the Twelve Apostles. At a large public meeting God made it manifest to all the Saints then present that He had placed the mantle of Joseph upon his servant Brigham.
Some months before the decease of President Young he seemed to be anxious and restless until he had thoroughly organized the Church, and the speaker was satisfied that the remarkable work he had accomplished in that direction added greatly to the satisfaction that he, President Young, now felt.
Not only had the duties of the Twelve been defined, but also those of every grade of the priesthood. If we were diligent in the performance of the labors devolving upon us, the Lord would be with us as he had been with him during his whole life. The word, under his direction, had gone forth with such power that it had become apparent to those even who were not Saints that there was an efficacy about “Mormonism” that existed in no other system.
The speaker said he had listened with much pleasure to the discourse of Elder Orson Pratt, upon the priesthood. Every man who was ordained to the Apostleship had the power and authority to guide, counsel and direct the people of God, but the right to receive revelations, to govern the whole church was confined to the one who holds the keys as the head. The rest of the Apostles must sustain and uphold that man. There never was but one man at any one time that held that position, and he who was sustained yesterday by unanimous vote, John Taylor by name, was that man, he being now the leading Apostle. He must be looked to by the entire people for the word of the Lord. If every Apostle was slain but one, that one had the right and authority to organize the church, and ordain other apostles and a First Presidency to build up the kingdom of God.
It was good for the Latter-day Saints to be well instructed in the order and nature of the priesthood, that they might know and understand where the authority rested.
Some had been much exercised about a First Presidency being organized. He wished the Saints distinctly to understand that whenever God commanded a First Presidency to be appointed, it would not be revealed through any one but his servant who was now God’s mouthpiece.
An Important Conference—The Death of Joseph and the Death of Brigham—The Keys of the Apostleship—Revelation for the Guidance of the Church Comes Through the Head—As to the First Presidency
Discourse by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Morning, October 8, 1877.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
Our Conference is a most important one, one that doubtless will be long remembered by those who have participated in its deliberations and actions. It is not often that we, as a people, have been called upon to pass through such circumstances as those which have surrounded us for the past four or five weeks. Twice in our history, during the past forty-seven and a half years, have we been called to mourn the loss of him who has led the cause of the Holy Priesthood upon the earth. At both times the blow has fallen, it may be said, unexpectedly upon us; it was particularly so at the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, for he had passed through so many difficulties, and had so many narrow escapes, and so many deliverances from perils of the most menacing character, that the Latter-day Saints had been led to regard him as almost invulnerable, and that his life would be spared to a good old age, if not to the winding up scene. His martyrdom, then, fell as a very unexpected blow upon the people. It was a dreadful shock, for which a great bulk of the Latter-day Saints were unprepared. It is true that many were warned, especially those who were abroad among the nations preaching; they had dreams and manifestations of the Spirit concerning the terrible calamity. But those at home were scarcely prepared. Evidences came so quickly, one after another, that there was scarcely an idea among the people that his arrest, or his delivering himself up as he did, would terminate in such a catastrophe. The Church itself was so unprepared, by any previous experience, for the steps that were necessary to carry on the work that the Lord had established, and of which he had been the instrument.
I well remember the feelings that were experienced upon that occasion; how men's minds wondered, and the surmises that were indulged in; the guesses, the anticipations, some thinking one man would be chosen, and others that someone else would be. Many of the people were at an entire loss to know who would take charge of the Church affairs. And while they were not satisfied with Sidney Rigdon, nor his preaching, nor his propositions; a great many were undecided in their minds as to who would be the leader, or who would have the right to stand at the head. When the Twelve returned and their voices were heard in the midst of the people; when President Young stood before the congregation and spake to the people, doubt and uncertainty and every kindred feeling vanished, and everyone who had a sufficient portion of the Spirit of the Lord recognized in him the man whom the Lord had chosen to lead and guide his people, instead of the martyred Prophet.
For the first time in the history of the Church, the Twelve Apostles stepped forward and took the charge of affairs, by the authority of the Apostleship, and the authority which they had received from the Prophet Joseph. And for a little rising of three years they led and guided the Church, until the Lord inspired his servant Brigham, to organize a First Presidency of the Church. This experience has been most valuable to us under our present circumstances. Men have looked back to the past; they have remembered what was done at the period to which I refer, and doubt, uncertainty and hesitation have not existed to any extent; in fact, have not existed at all in the minds of those of long experience in the Church. The Twelve Apostles have the authority to lead and guide, to manage and direct the affairs of the Church, being the Quorum standing next to the First Presidency. Naturally it falls to them to step forward once more and assume the direction and control, to dictate and counsel and to regulate, so far as may be necessary, everything connected with the organization of the people, and the proclamation of the Gospel among the nations of the earth.
Although the blow has been a heavy one, and has fallen unexpectedly upon us, it seemed to me, during the past summer, in watching President Young, in listening to him, in associating with him, that he had obtained a new lease of life. He had not been able to speak for years in public assemblies with the ease to himself that he had done since the last winter. It seemed that he had overcome his weakness, a weakness of the stomach from which he suffered when he spoke to large congregations, and his bodily health appeared to be as perfect as it could be for a man of his age; this being the case, it was a very unexpected thing for him to pass off so suddenly. But in looking back at the circumstances that surrounded him and that surrounded the Church, and the labors that were so essential for him to perform, we can now understand why it was that he was so greatly strengthened, that he had such vigor not only in speaking, but in performing the labors of traveling and visiting the various settlements, that he enjoyed. I do not believe myself that President Young could have felt as happy, as I know he does feel, had he left the Church in the condition it was in when he commenced his labors last spring. I am convinced that it has added greatly to his satisfaction; it has been a fitting consummation to the labors of his long life that he should be spared to organize the Church throughout these valleys in the manner in which it now is organized. It was remarked by Brother Pratt, in his discourse, that at no time since the first organization of the Church have the Latter-day Saints been so well organized; everything set in order so completely as we now see them. This is his experience and his testimony; and you know he has been familiar with the Church from nearly the first of its organization to the present time. And I believe this would be the testimony of every man of years belonging to the Church. And I am thankful this day that President Young was spared to accomplish this work, that the Lord gave him the bodily vigor and the mental capacity sufficient to enable him to close up the labors of his earthly career in so fitting a manner.
He has marked out the path for the Twelve to pursue. And I was a number of times impressed during the summer that the spirit he possessed in relation to these matters impelled him to hurry them up, and have everything attended to quickly; almost a feeling of restlessness was manifested by him (which was so contrary to his usual calmness of manner), to have the work of organization completed. I have been reminded a number of times of the same spirit that rested upon the Prophet Joseph; he seemingly could not rest, he was constantly stirring up and urging the Twelve to step forward and assume the responsibility that lay upon them, and to impart to the people the knowledge that the Lord had given to him, and to bestow upon the servants of God the keys and the authority of the holy Priesthood in its fulness. And President Young manifested the same spirit. He lived to receive Elder Taylor and the brethren of the Twelve who accompanied him after their return from organizing the last of the Stakes of Zion, and to confer with them. In a few hours afterwards he took his exit.
At no time probably in the history of the Church have the Saints been so calm and so serene, manifesting so little concern in relation to the way matters should go, and the affairs of the Church be conducted, as they have on this occasion. It has seemed as though the Lord has prepared the people for these things. He has poured out upon us the spirit of union that has not been enjoyed, probably, to so great an extent at any time in our history. There are great labors assigned to all of us in every department of the Priesthood. If we take up the work and carry it forward in the spirit with which it has been committed to us by him, now that he has gone from our midst, the Lord will continue to be with us, and to bless us as he did him. For He was with him all his life; He was with him in counseling the people; He was with him in prophesying to the people, and in teaching them and directing them in their temporal as well as their spiritual labors. And the Lord crowned his life with success, and his labors with blessing; and they who sustained him and obeyed his counsel have been prospered in every instance; and when they received the counsel in a proper spirit, and carried it out as it was given to them, they and the Church prospered under his presidency and administration; and it has gone forth in power and majesty, and in such a way as to bring conviction to the hearts of thousands of people that there is a power connected with this system called “Mormonism,” not comprehensible to any who do not view it, by the Spirit of God. I feel that we, as a people, should take hold of this work; that we, as Apostles, that we, as Seventies, and as High Priests, as Elders, as Priests, Teachers and Deacons, should take hold of this work in earnestness and in zeal, and carry it forward as our Prophet and file leader did during his lifetime; that we should take it up where he laid it down, and carry it on until the end is reached, and the full consummation of all things is accomplished; seeking to have the spirit that animated him, and to follow him as he followed Joseph, as he honored Joseph, as he revered Joseph, as he upheld Joseph, as he maintained Joseph, touching doctrine and counsel, so that it appears to me, if we are animated by the Spirit of God, we will honor him and follow in his footsteps, as he followed Joseph, and as Joseph followed Christ. When we do this, and take hold of this work with the earnestness and zeal which should characterize our actions, the Spirit and power of God will rest upon us, and he will bear us off as he has borne them off who preceded us; he will not desert us, nor leave us in any position where we will be destitute of help.
I listened with a great deal of pleasure to that portion of Brother Pratt's discourse which I heard, in relation to the Apostleship and the authority of the Apostleship, and the right of the Priesthood to rule and to govern. There have been a great many ideas afloat in the minds of men concerning this work, and I suppose I have been interrogated I might say thousands of times—at any rate I have been interrogated upon this point more than any other namely, Who will succeed President Young in case he dies? The Latter-day Saints who have had experience in this matter have not had occasion to ask this question; but many inexperienced Saints had it in their hearts, wondering what shape affairs would take in case anything were to happen to the President of the Church.
Every man who is ordained to the fullness of Apostleship, has the power and the authority to lead and guide the people of God whenever he is called upon to it, and the responsibility rests upon him. But there is a difference, as was explained by Brother Pratt, that arises in some instances from seniority in age, in other instances from seniority in ordination. And while it is the right of all the Twelve Apostles to receive revelation, and for each one to be a Prophet, to be a Seer, to be a Revelator, and to hold the keys in the fullness, it is only the right of one man at a time to exercise that power in relation to the whole people, and to give revelation and counsel, and direct the affairs of the Church—of course, always acting in conjunction with his fellow servants. And while we say that the Twelve Apostles have the right to govern, that the Twelve have the authority, that the Twelve Apostles are the men who preside—when we say this, we do not mean that every one of the Twelve is going to give revelation to this great people, that every one of the Twelve has the right to counsel and dictate and regulate the affairs of the Church as emergencies may arise, independent of the rest. The Church is not governed like Zion's Cooperative Institution, by a Board of Directors; this is not God's design. It is governed by men who hold the keys of the Apostleship, who have the right and authority. Any one of them, should an emergency arise, can act as President of the Church, with all the powers, with all the authority, with all the keys, and with every endowment necessary to obtain revelation from God, and to lead and guide this people in the path that leads to the celestial glory; but there is only one man at a time who can hold the keys, who can dictate, who can guide, who can give revelation to the Church. The rest must acquiesce in his action, the rest must be governed by his counsels, the rest must receive his doctrines. It was so with Joseph. Others held the Apostleship—Oliver received the Apostleship at the same time that Joseph did, but Joseph held the keys, although Oliver held precisely the same authority. There was only one who could exercise it in its fullness and power among the people. So also at Joseph's death, there was only one man who could exercise that authority and hold these keys, and that man was President Brigham Young, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve whom God had singled out, who by extraordinary providence had been brought to the front, although many were ahead of him according to ordination at one time and another.
Now that he has gone, one man only can hold this power and authority to which I refer, and that man is he whom you sustained yesterday, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve, as one of the Twelve Apostles and of the Presidency, John Taylor by name. When revelation comes to this people, it is he who has the right to give it. When counsel comes to this people, as a people, it is he who has the right to impart it; and while the Twelve are associated with him, one in power, one in authority, they must respect him as their President, they must look to him as the man through whom the voice of God will come to them, and to this entire people. By extraordinary providence he has been brought to the front. Men have wondered at it, why it was so. It is easy of explanation. There was a time when three living Apostles, three Apostles who now live, whose names were placed above his in the Quorum of the Twelve. But, when this matter was reflected upon, President Young was moved upon to place him ahead of one, and afterwards ahead of two others, until by the unanimous voice of the Apostles he was acknowledged the Senior Apostle, holding the oldest ordination without interruption of any man among the Apostles. Not that he sought it; not that he endeavored to obtain it; not that he begged for his place, for it is due to him to say to this congregation today, that no man has been more modest in urging his claim or setting forth his right than he. But President Young was led by the Spirit of God, as we do verily believe, to place him in his right position; and two years ago last June, in Sanpete, he declared in a public congregation that John Taylor stood next to him; and that when he was absent it was his right to preside over the Council. We little thought then, at that time, that there would be a necessity so soon arise when he would be required to exercise that power, that authority and right. Most of the people could very readily imagine that President Young would have outlived President Taylor, but the Lord has ordered otherwise.
In relation to ordination, a great many people have imagined that it was necessary to ordain a man to succeed another, that it would impart a particular efficacy or endow him with some additional power. Ordination is always good and acceptable; blessings and setting apart are always desirable to those who have to go forth to prepare them for God's service; but it is not necessary that an Apostle should be ordained to stand at the head of the people. When the exigency arises, he has already got the fulness of authority, and the power of it. I was told of a dream that a person had shortly after the death of the Prophet. A person dreamed that a certain man had been set apart by the President, and the keys had been given him; and that President Young came and said that he had given to this person the keys. Now, that of itself, to a person understanding the principle, would carry its own contradiction with it. The man dreamed of was already an Apostle, holding and exercising the keys of the Apostleship; and therefore it would not be necessary for President Young to confer again upon him the keys. If every man of the Twelve but one were slain, the one remaining would have the right to organize a First Presidency of the Church, to choose Twelve Apostles, and to organize the Church in its fulness and power, and to preside over it. And his acts would be accepted of the Lord, and binding upon the people. This is the authority of the Apostleship. If every Apostle anciently had been slain but John the Revelator, as they all were, and there had been faith and men enough left, he would have had the right to ordain other Apostles, and set in order the entire Church, and carry forward the work as the Lord should dictate it. So in our day. As I have stated, it is not necessary for a man who has received this power and these keys to be ordained and set apart to act; he can act in any position. President Young, when he chose Brother George A. Smith to be his First Counselor, in the place of Heber C. Kimball, did not lay his hands upon his head to confer upon him any additional power or authority for the position, because Brother George A. held the Apostleship in its fulness, and by virtue of that Priesthood he could act in that or in any other position in the Church. He chose other assistant Counselors; he did not set them apart, there was no necessity for it, as they already held the Apostleship. And if he had, he could only have blessed them; he could not bestow upon them any more than they already had, because they had all that he himself had, that is when he chose them from the same Quorum. He did choose several of his assistant Counselors from the Quorum of the Twelve; he did not put his hands upon them to set them apart, nor to give them the authority and power to act as his Counselors; they already held it.
It is well for the Latter-day Saints to understand the principles of the Holy Priesthood, and the power thereof, that it may be known by you where the authority rests, who has the right to teach and guide and counsel in the affairs of the kingdom of God. The Lord has revealed it in plainness, so that a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. Was it necessary that Elder Taylor should be set apart to preside over this people? Was it necessary that the Twelve Apostles should be set apart to preside over this people? No it was not, for they already possessed the power, authority and ordination. Was it necessary for the Prophet Joseph Smith to set apart Brigham or Heber or Willard, or any of the rest of the Twelve Apostles? No, for the same reason, they had received the fulness of the Holy Priesthood, the full endowment and the keys, and the authority, and the fulness of the Apostleship; therefore it was not necessary. It might have been done; there would have been no wrong in doing it; there would be no impropriety in blessing a man; there would be no impropriety in a man like Joseph or Brigham, favored of God with the power to move the heavens to bring down blessings upon the children of men; I say, there would be no impropriety in such men laying their hands upon any man and blessing him; the Lord would bless him, if he were thus blessed. But I am now speaking of the authority and power of the Holy Priesthood. The blessing of such men or by such men, would not bestow upon him any additional authority or any more keys, presuming that he already had received the fulness of the Apostleship. Some may feel that the Lord should raise up a man by special manifestations of power to preside over his Church—they having an expectation of that kind. Whenever the Lord does, it will be because of there being a necessity for it, and whenever there is a necessity for it, it will not be made plain through one of the Twelve aside from the President, it will not be made plain through a Seventy, it will not be made plain through a High Priest, through an Elder, through a Patriarch; it will come as all revelations from the Lord come, to be binding upon this people, through the voice of him whom the Lord chooses to be his voice, sanctioned by the Twelve Apostles. Hear it, O Israel! and remember it. Have I the right to say who shall preside over this people? No. Although an Apostle, holding the keys with my brethren and being side by side with them, having equal authority with them. Why? Because I am not chosen by the Lord to be his mouthpiece to the Latter-day Saints; what I mean by this, to give them revelation. It is my right to instruct and teach, to labor and to counsel; but it is not my right to organize a First Presidency for this Church, neither is it the right of any other man, excepting him whom the Lord has chosen the President of the Twelve, with that Quorum standing as the First Presidency. A day or two ago, a man came here and notified the President of the Twelve that he was to be the successor to Brigham. The most charitable construction you can put upon such speeches is that the man is crazy. Whenever the voice of the Lord comes upon such a subject, it will come with the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost and with much assurance, and every Latter-day Saint on the earth will receive it, because the Spirit of God will bear testimony to our spirits that it is from Him, so that we cannot be deceived. It is our privilege to so live that we know the voice of the true shepherd, and cannot be deceived by those who profess to have revelation and have authority, when they have it not. And every man and woman in this Church should so live that when they hear the true voice, they will know it as they would know the voice of their nearest friend, and not be deceived or led astray. Well but, says one, Why cannot you organize a First Presidency now, if the Twelve have this authority? Do you want to know the reason, brethren and sisters, why we do not take such a step? I suspect you would like to know why a man and his two Counselors are not singled out, called and set apart by the voice of the people at this Conference, as the First Presidency of the Church? The reason is simply this: the Lord has not revealed it to us; he has not commanded us to do this, and until he does require this at our hands, we shall not do it. For the present, it seems to be the mind and will of God, as manifested to us, that the Twelve should preside over the Church. And until he does reveal unto his servants that it is right and proper that a First Presidency should be organized again, we shall wait, we shall do nothing of that kind. When the voice of God comes, when it shall be the counsel of our Heavenly Father that a First Presidency shall be again organized, the Quorum of the Twelve will be organized in its fullness as before. Therefore you can wait, as well as we, for the voice of the Lord; and when it does come, whenever it will be, you will see the Church take action in this matter; but until then, Latter-day Saints, you will be governed by the authority that already exists. If three men have the right to govern, certainly twelve men, all possessing the same keys, have that right and that authority. Then let us wait the good pleasure of the Lord, and cease surmises, and cease indulging in vain and foolish ideas upon these subjects.
I pray God to bless you, and pour out his Spirit upon us all, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Discourse by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon, delivered in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Morning, October 8, 1877.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
Our Conference is a most important one, one that doubtless will be long remembered by those who have participated in its deliberations and actions. It is not often that we, as a people, have been called upon to pass through such circumstances as those which have surrounded us for the past four or five weeks. Twice in our history, during the past forty-seven and a half years, have we been called to mourn the loss of him who has led the cause of the Holy Priesthood upon the earth. At both times the blow has fallen, it may be said, unexpectedly upon us; it was particularly so at the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, for he had passed through so many difficulties, and had so many narrow escapes, and so many deliverances from perils of the most menacing character, that the Latter-day Saints had been led to regard him as almost invulnerable, and that his life would be spared to a good old age, if not to the winding up scene. His martyrdom, then, fell as a very unexpected blow upon the people. It was a dreadful shock, for which a great bulk of the Latter-day Saints were unprepared. It is true that many were warned, especially those who were abroad among the nations preaching; they had dreams and manifestations of the Spirit concerning the terrible calamity. But those at home were scarcely prepared. Evidences came so quickly, one after another, that there was scarcely an idea among the people that his arrest, or his delivering himself up as he did, would terminate in such a catastrophe. The Church itself was so unprepared, by any previous experience, for the steps that were necessary to carry on the work that the Lord had established, and of which he had been the instrument.
I well remember the feelings that were experienced upon that occasion; how men's minds wondered, and the surmises that were indulged in; the guesses, the anticipations, some thinking one man would be chosen, and others that someone else would be. Many of the people were at an entire loss to know who would take charge of the Church affairs. And while they were not satisfied with Sidney Rigdon, nor his preaching, nor his propositions; a great many were undecided in their minds as to who would be the leader, or who would have the right to stand at the head. When the Twelve returned and their voices were heard in the midst of the people; when President Young stood before the congregation and spake to the people, doubt and uncertainty and every kindred feeling vanished, and everyone who had a sufficient portion of the Spirit of the Lord recognized in him the man whom the Lord had chosen to lead and guide his people, instead of the martyred Prophet.
For the first time in the history of the Church, the Twelve Apostles stepped forward and took the charge of affairs, by the authority of the Apostleship, and the authority which they had received from the Prophet Joseph. And for a little rising of three years they led and guided the Church, until the Lord inspired his servant Brigham, to organize a First Presidency of the Church. This experience has been most valuable to us under our present circumstances. Men have looked back to the past; they have remembered what was done at the period to which I refer, and doubt, uncertainty and hesitation have not existed to any extent; in fact, have not existed at all in the minds of those of long experience in the Church. The Twelve Apostles have the authority to lead and guide, to manage and direct the affairs of the Church, being the Quorum standing next to the First Presidency. Naturally it falls to them to step forward once more and assume the direction and control, to dictate and counsel and to regulate, so far as may be necessary, everything connected with the organization of the people, and the proclamation of the Gospel among the nations of the earth.
Although the blow has been a heavy one, and has fallen unexpectedly upon us, it seemed to me, during the past summer, in watching President Young, in listening to him, in associating with him, that he had obtained a new lease of life. He had not been able to speak for years in public assemblies with the ease to himself that he had done since the last winter. It seemed that he had overcome his weakness, a weakness of the stomach from which he suffered when he spoke to large congregations, and his bodily health appeared to be as perfect as it could be for a man of his age; this being the case, it was a very unexpected thing for him to pass off so suddenly. But in looking back at the circumstances that surrounded him and that surrounded the Church, and the labors that were so essential for him to perform, we can now understand why it was that he was so greatly strengthened, that he had such vigor not only in speaking, but in performing the labors of traveling and visiting the various settlements, that he enjoyed. I do not believe myself that President Young could have felt as happy, as I know he does feel, had he left the Church in the condition it was in when he commenced his labors last spring. I am convinced that it has added greatly to his satisfaction; it has been a fitting consummation to the labors of his long life that he should be spared to organize the Church throughout these valleys in the manner in which it now is organized. It was remarked by Brother Pratt, in his discourse, that at no time since the first organization of the Church have the Latter-day Saints been so well organized; everything set in order so completely as we now see them. This is his experience and his testimony; and you know he has been familiar with the Church from nearly the first of its organization to the present time. And I believe this would be the testimony of every man of years belonging to the Church. And I am thankful this day that President Young was spared to accomplish this work, that the Lord gave him the bodily vigor and the mental capacity sufficient to enable him to close up the labors of his earthly career in so fitting a manner.
He has marked out the path for the Twelve to pursue. And I was a number of times impressed during the summer that the spirit he possessed in relation to these matters impelled him to hurry them up, and have everything attended to quickly; almost a feeling of restlessness was manifested by him (which was so contrary to his usual calmness of manner), to have the work of organization completed. I have been reminded a number of times of the same spirit that rested upon the Prophet Joseph; he seemingly could not rest, he was constantly stirring up and urging the Twelve to step forward and assume the responsibility that lay upon them, and to impart to the people the knowledge that the Lord had given to him, and to bestow upon the servants of God the keys and the authority of the holy Priesthood in its fulness. And President Young manifested the same spirit. He lived to receive Elder Taylor and the brethren of the Twelve who accompanied him after their return from organizing the last of the Stakes of Zion, and to confer with them. In a few hours afterwards he took his exit.
At no time probably in the history of the Church have the Saints been so calm and so serene, manifesting so little concern in relation to the way matters should go, and the affairs of the Church be conducted, as they have on this occasion. It has seemed as though the Lord has prepared the people for these things. He has poured out upon us the spirit of union that has not been enjoyed, probably, to so great an extent at any time in our history. There are great labors assigned to all of us in every department of the Priesthood. If we take up the work and carry it forward in the spirit with which it has been committed to us by him, now that he has gone from our midst, the Lord will continue to be with us, and to bless us as he did him. For He was with him all his life; He was with him in counseling the people; He was with him in prophesying to the people, and in teaching them and directing them in their temporal as well as their spiritual labors. And the Lord crowned his life with success, and his labors with blessing; and they who sustained him and obeyed his counsel have been prospered in every instance; and when they received the counsel in a proper spirit, and carried it out as it was given to them, they and the Church prospered under his presidency and administration; and it has gone forth in power and majesty, and in such a way as to bring conviction to the hearts of thousands of people that there is a power connected with this system called “Mormonism,” not comprehensible to any who do not view it, by the Spirit of God. I feel that we, as a people, should take hold of this work; that we, as Apostles, that we, as Seventies, and as High Priests, as Elders, as Priests, Teachers and Deacons, should take hold of this work in earnestness and in zeal, and carry it forward as our Prophet and file leader did during his lifetime; that we should take it up where he laid it down, and carry it on until the end is reached, and the full consummation of all things is accomplished; seeking to have the spirit that animated him, and to follow him as he followed Joseph, as he honored Joseph, as he revered Joseph, as he upheld Joseph, as he maintained Joseph, touching doctrine and counsel, so that it appears to me, if we are animated by the Spirit of God, we will honor him and follow in his footsteps, as he followed Joseph, and as Joseph followed Christ. When we do this, and take hold of this work with the earnestness and zeal which should characterize our actions, the Spirit and power of God will rest upon us, and he will bear us off as he has borne them off who preceded us; he will not desert us, nor leave us in any position where we will be destitute of help.
I listened with a great deal of pleasure to that portion of Brother Pratt's discourse which I heard, in relation to the Apostleship and the authority of the Apostleship, and the right of the Priesthood to rule and to govern. There have been a great many ideas afloat in the minds of men concerning this work, and I suppose I have been interrogated I might say thousands of times—at any rate I have been interrogated upon this point more than any other namely, Who will succeed President Young in case he dies? The Latter-day Saints who have had experience in this matter have not had occasion to ask this question; but many inexperienced Saints had it in their hearts, wondering what shape affairs would take in case anything were to happen to the President of the Church.
Every man who is ordained to the fullness of Apostleship, has the power and the authority to lead and guide the people of God whenever he is called upon to it, and the responsibility rests upon him. But there is a difference, as was explained by Brother Pratt, that arises in some instances from seniority in age, in other instances from seniority in ordination. And while it is the right of all the Twelve Apostles to receive revelation, and for each one to be a Prophet, to be a Seer, to be a Revelator, and to hold the keys in the fullness, it is only the right of one man at a time to exercise that power in relation to the whole people, and to give revelation and counsel, and direct the affairs of the Church—of course, always acting in conjunction with his fellow servants. And while we say that the Twelve Apostles have the right to govern, that the Twelve have the authority, that the Twelve Apostles are the men who preside—when we say this, we do not mean that every one of the Twelve is going to give revelation to this great people, that every one of the Twelve has the right to counsel and dictate and regulate the affairs of the Church as emergencies may arise, independent of the rest. The Church is not governed like Zion's Cooperative Institution, by a Board of Directors; this is not God's design. It is governed by men who hold the keys of the Apostleship, who have the right and authority. Any one of them, should an emergency arise, can act as President of the Church, with all the powers, with all the authority, with all the keys, and with every endowment necessary to obtain revelation from God, and to lead and guide this people in the path that leads to the celestial glory; but there is only one man at a time who can hold the keys, who can dictate, who can guide, who can give revelation to the Church. The rest must acquiesce in his action, the rest must be governed by his counsels, the rest must receive his doctrines. It was so with Joseph. Others held the Apostleship—Oliver received the Apostleship at the same time that Joseph did, but Joseph held the keys, although Oliver held precisely the same authority. There was only one who could exercise it in its fullness and power among the people. So also at Joseph's death, there was only one man who could exercise that authority and hold these keys, and that man was President Brigham Young, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve whom God had singled out, who by extraordinary providence had been brought to the front, although many were ahead of him according to ordination at one time and another.
Now that he has gone, one man only can hold this power and authority to which I refer, and that man is he whom you sustained yesterday, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve, as one of the Twelve Apostles and of the Presidency, John Taylor by name. When revelation comes to this people, it is he who has the right to give it. When counsel comes to this people, as a people, it is he who has the right to impart it; and while the Twelve are associated with him, one in power, one in authority, they must respect him as their President, they must look to him as the man through whom the voice of God will come to them, and to this entire people. By extraordinary providence he has been brought to the front. Men have wondered at it, why it was so. It is easy of explanation. There was a time when three living Apostles, three Apostles who now live, whose names were placed above his in the Quorum of the Twelve. But, when this matter was reflected upon, President Young was moved upon to place him ahead of one, and afterwards ahead of two others, until by the unanimous voice of the Apostles he was acknowledged the Senior Apostle, holding the oldest ordination without interruption of any man among the Apostles. Not that he sought it; not that he endeavored to obtain it; not that he begged for his place, for it is due to him to say to this congregation today, that no man has been more modest in urging his claim or setting forth his right than he. But President Young was led by the Spirit of God, as we do verily believe, to place him in his right position; and two years ago last June, in Sanpete, he declared in a public congregation that John Taylor stood next to him; and that when he was absent it was his right to preside over the Council. We little thought then, at that time, that there would be a necessity so soon arise when he would be required to exercise that power, that authority and right. Most of the people could very readily imagine that President Young would have outlived President Taylor, but the Lord has ordered otherwise.
In relation to ordination, a great many people have imagined that it was necessary to ordain a man to succeed another, that it would impart a particular efficacy or endow him with some additional power. Ordination is always good and acceptable; blessings and setting apart are always desirable to those who have to go forth to prepare them for God's service; but it is not necessary that an Apostle should be ordained to stand at the head of the people. When the exigency arises, he has already got the fulness of authority, and the power of it. I was told of a dream that a person had shortly after the death of the Prophet. A person dreamed that a certain man had been set apart by the President, and the keys had been given him; and that President Young came and said that he had given to this person the keys. Now, that of itself, to a person understanding the principle, would carry its own contradiction with it. The man dreamed of was already an Apostle, holding and exercising the keys of the Apostleship; and therefore it would not be necessary for President Young to confer again upon him the keys. If every man of the Twelve but one were slain, the one remaining would have the right to organize a First Presidency of the Church, to choose Twelve Apostles, and to organize the Church in its fulness and power, and to preside over it. And his acts would be accepted of the Lord, and binding upon the people. This is the authority of the Apostleship. If every Apostle anciently had been slain but John the Revelator, as they all were, and there had been faith and men enough left, he would have had the right to ordain other Apostles, and set in order the entire Church, and carry forward the work as the Lord should dictate it. So in our day. As I have stated, it is not necessary for a man who has received this power and these keys to be ordained and set apart to act; he can act in any position. President Young, when he chose Brother George A. Smith to be his First Counselor, in the place of Heber C. Kimball, did not lay his hands upon his head to confer upon him any additional power or authority for the position, because Brother George A. held the Apostleship in its fulness, and by virtue of that Priesthood he could act in that or in any other position in the Church. He chose other assistant Counselors; he did not set them apart, there was no necessity for it, as they already held the Apostleship. And if he had, he could only have blessed them; he could not bestow upon them any more than they already had, because they had all that he himself had, that is when he chose them from the same Quorum. He did choose several of his assistant Counselors from the Quorum of the Twelve; he did not put his hands upon them to set them apart, nor to give them the authority and power to act as his Counselors; they already held it.
It is well for the Latter-day Saints to understand the principles of the Holy Priesthood, and the power thereof, that it may be known by you where the authority rests, who has the right to teach and guide and counsel in the affairs of the kingdom of God. The Lord has revealed it in plainness, so that a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein. Was it necessary that Elder Taylor should be set apart to preside over this people? Was it necessary that the Twelve Apostles should be set apart to preside over this people? No it was not, for they already possessed the power, authority and ordination. Was it necessary for the Prophet Joseph Smith to set apart Brigham or Heber or Willard, or any of the rest of the Twelve Apostles? No, for the same reason, they had received the fulness of the Holy Priesthood, the full endowment and the keys, and the authority, and the fulness of the Apostleship; therefore it was not necessary. It might have been done; there would have been no wrong in doing it; there would be no impropriety in blessing a man; there would be no impropriety in a man like Joseph or Brigham, favored of God with the power to move the heavens to bring down blessings upon the children of men; I say, there would be no impropriety in such men laying their hands upon any man and blessing him; the Lord would bless him, if he were thus blessed. But I am now speaking of the authority and power of the Holy Priesthood. The blessing of such men or by such men, would not bestow upon him any additional authority or any more keys, presuming that he already had received the fulness of the Apostleship. Some may feel that the Lord should raise up a man by special manifestations of power to preside over his Church—they having an expectation of that kind. Whenever the Lord does, it will be because of there being a necessity for it, and whenever there is a necessity for it, it will not be made plain through one of the Twelve aside from the President, it will not be made plain through a Seventy, it will not be made plain through a High Priest, through an Elder, through a Patriarch; it will come as all revelations from the Lord come, to be binding upon this people, through the voice of him whom the Lord chooses to be his voice, sanctioned by the Twelve Apostles. Hear it, O Israel! and remember it. Have I the right to say who shall preside over this people? No. Although an Apostle, holding the keys with my brethren and being side by side with them, having equal authority with them. Why? Because I am not chosen by the Lord to be his mouthpiece to the Latter-day Saints; what I mean by this, to give them revelation. It is my right to instruct and teach, to labor and to counsel; but it is not my right to organize a First Presidency for this Church, neither is it the right of any other man, excepting him whom the Lord has chosen the President of the Twelve, with that Quorum standing as the First Presidency. A day or two ago, a man came here and notified the President of the Twelve that he was to be the successor to Brigham. The most charitable construction you can put upon such speeches is that the man is crazy. Whenever the voice of the Lord comes upon such a subject, it will come with the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost and with much assurance, and every Latter-day Saint on the earth will receive it, because the Spirit of God will bear testimony to our spirits that it is from Him, so that we cannot be deceived. It is our privilege to so live that we know the voice of the true shepherd, and cannot be deceived by those who profess to have revelation and have authority, when they have it not. And every man and woman in this Church should so live that when they hear the true voice, they will know it as they would know the voice of their nearest friend, and not be deceived or led astray. Well but, says one, Why cannot you organize a First Presidency now, if the Twelve have this authority? Do you want to know the reason, brethren and sisters, why we do not take such a step? I suspect you would like to know why a man and his two Counselors are not singled out, called and set apart by the voice of the people at this Conference, as the First Presidency of the Church? The reason is simply this: the Lord has not revealed it to us; he has not commanded us to do this, and until he does require this at our hands, we shall not do it. For the present, it seems to be the mind and will of God, as manifested to us, that the Twelve should preside over the Church. And until he does reveal unto his servants that it is right and proper that a First Presidency should be organized again, we shall wait, we shall do nothing of that kind. When the voice of God comes, when it shall be the counsel of our Heavenly Father that a First Presidency shall be again organized, the Quorum of the Twelve will be organized in its fullness as before. Therefore you can wait, as well as we, for the voice of the Lord; and when it does come, whenever it will be, you will see the Church take action in this matter; but until then, Latter-day Saints, you will be governed by the authority that already exists. If three men have the right to govern, certainly twelve men, all possessing the same keys, have that right and that authority. Then let us wait the good pleasure of the Lord, and cease surmises, and cease indulging in vain and foolish ideas upon these subjects.
I pray God to bless you, and pour out his Spirit upon us all, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Elder Franklin D. Richards
endorsed the views expressed by Elder George Q. Cannon, and was thankful to have so important and interesting a subject as that of the priesthood made so plain and easy to our understanding. Yesterday, the unanimity in voting for the various authorities of the Church, by the assembled thousands, who had come from all parts of the earth, was a sign of union that could not be presented by any other people in any part of the world, and ought surely to convince the unbeliever that God was in this work.
What had been done during the last forty years was a mighty work, and it was necessary to continue our exertions in every branch of labor. The sisters could also do much to forward the great work, and indeed they had accomplished a great deal, and no doubt would continue to do what they could. He exhorted the brethren to go forth with renewed energy to establish Zion. He referred them to the 29th and 30th chapters of Deuteronomy, and to notice the great blessings that God promised the children of Israel through the observances of his law, and the calamities that were to follow them if disobedient. And it was now a portion of the labor of the Elders of Israel to gather up the scattered tribes who had been driven amongst the nations of the world. Although much had been done in preaching the gospel, thus far, a very small moiety of the inhabitants of the earth had heard the testimony of the servants of God; therefore much remained to be done.
It was the intention of the Twelve to call to their aid and assistance in collecting the indebtedness due the P. E. Fund, the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of the various wards.
He felt particularly anxious on this subject for he knew there were thousands of poor and anxious saints living in the old countries whose prayers and expectations were constantly kept up for their relief from Babylon and poverty. He urged the necessity of being whole souled, not only in paying tithing, but donations to build Temples, and emigrating the poor.
endorsed the views expressed by Elder George Q. Cannon, and was thankful to have so important and interesting a subject as that of the priesthood made so plain and easy to our understanding. Yesterday, the unanimity in voting for the various authorities of the Church, by the assembled thousands, who had come from all parts of the earth, was a sign of union that could not be presented by any other people in any part of the world, and ought surely to convince the unbeliever that God was in this work.
What had been done during the last forty years was a mighty work, and it was necessary to continue our exertions in every branch of labor. The sisters could also do much to forward the great work, and indeed they had accomplished a great deal, and no doubt would continue to do what they could. He exhorted the brethren to go forth with renewed energy to establish Zion. He referred them to the 29th and 30th chapters of Deuteronomy, and to notice the great blessings that God promised the children of Israel through the observances of his law, and the calamities that were to follow them if disobedient. And it was now a portion of the labor of the Elders of Israel to gather up the scattered tribes who had been driven amongst the nations of the world. Although much had been done in preaching the gospel, thus far, a very small moiety of the inhabitants of the earth had heard the testimony of the servants of God; therefore much remained to be done.
It was the intention of the Twelve to call to their aid and assistance in collecting the indebtedness due the P. E. Fund, the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of the various wards.
He felt particularly anxious on this subject for he knew there were thousands of poor and anxious saints living in the old countries whose prayers and expectations were constantly kept up for their relief from Babylon and poverty. He urged the necessity of being whole souled, not only in paying tithing, but donations to build Temples, and emigrating the poor.
The following names of missionaries called to go on missions were presented by Elder Geo. Q. Cannon, the vote to sustain them being unanimous.
Anton Anderson, of Santaquin, to Minnesota.
Nils R. Lindall, of Union Fort, to Minnesota.
Jos. S. Jones, Payson.
Norman Salmon, Payson.
Francis M. Elmer, Payson.
Jesse W. Crosby of St. George, Lower California.
David Cameron of Pangwitch, Lower California.
Lewis Booth of Honeyville, Southern States.
Russell Rogers of Fillmore, Southern States.
Joseph Frietz, Richfield, to Arizona.
Henson Walker, Jun., Pleasant Grove, to Arizona.
Ephraim Hanks, Midway, to Arizona.
Ex-Bishop Farnsworth, Joseph City, to Arizona.
Thomas R. Jones, Lehi, to the Welsh in Pennsylvania.
David Bowen, Spanish Fork, to the Welsh in Pennsylvania.
John McNiels, Sen. and family, Bountiful, to Arizona.
John McNiels, Jun. and family, Bountiful, to Arizona.
Andrew Watson, of Provo, to Scotland.
George Meldrum, of Provo, to Scotland.
Jos. H. Dean and wife, of Salt Lake City, to Sandwich Islands.
James Solomon and wife, of Salt Lake City, to Sandwich Islands.
W. D. Kartchner, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
John Kartchner, of Orderville, to Arizona.
Bock Kartchner, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
D. C. Clayton, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
Alma Palmner, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
N. Miller, of Pangwitcher, to Arizona.
Peter Nielsen, of Morgan County, to Arizona.
Peregrine Sessions, of Bountiful, to Maine.
Judson Tollman, of Bountiful, to Maine.
Artemus Putnam, of Woodruff, to Maine.
William Atkinson, of Bountiful, to Maine.
William Petersen, of Salt Lake City, to Denmark.
William Christensen, of Fairview, to Denmark.
James Christainson, of Spring City, to Denmark.
Rasmus Nielsen, of Logan, to Denmark.
P. C. Christianson, of Salt Lake City, to Denmark.
John Qvist, of Cottonwood, to Sweden.
A. O. F. Forsell, of Salt Lake City, to Sweden.
John F. Olsen, Salt Lake City, to Sweden.
John Eckman, of Salt Lake City, to Sweden.
Joseph Bull, of Salt Lake City, to Great Britain.
John Larson, of Gunnison, to Sweden.
Jonas Linberg, of Tooele, to Sweden.
Andrew Hendricksen, of Levan has the permission of this conference to go to Scandinavia, preach the gospel to his friends and to settle up his business in that country.
Adjourned till 2 p.m.
The choir sang the anthem: How beautiful upon the mountains.
Benediction by Elder Charles C. Rich.
Anton Anderson, of Santaquin, to Minnesota.
Nils R. Lindall, of Union Fort, to Minnesota.
Jos. S. Jones, Payson.
Norman Salmon, Payson.
Francis M. Elmer, Payson.
Jesse W. Crosby of St. George, Lower California.
David Cameron of Pangwitch, Lower California.
Lewis Booth of Honeyville, Southern States.
Russell Rogers of Fillmore, Southern States.
Joseph Frietz, Richfield, to Arizona.
Henson Walker, Jun., Pleasant Grove, to Arizona.
Ephraim Hanks, Midway, to Arizona.
Ex-Bishop Farnsworth, Joseph City, to Arizona.
Thomas R. Jones, Lehi, to the Welsh in Pennsylvania.
David Bowen, Spanish Fork, to the Welsh in Pennsylvania.
John McNiels, Sen. and family, Bountiful, to Arizona.
John McNiels, Jun. and family, Bountiful, to Arizona.
Andrew Watson, of Provo, to Scotland.
George Meldrum, of Provo, to Scotland.
Jos. H. Dean and wife, of Salt Lake City, to Sandwich Islands.
James Solomon and wife, of Salt Lake City, to Sandwich Islands.
W. D. Kartchner, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
John Kartchner, of Orderville, to Arizona.
Bock Kartchner, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
D. C. Clayton, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
Alma Palmner, of Pangwitch, to Arizona.
N. Miller, of Pangwitcher, to Arizona.
Peter Nielsen, of Morgan County, to Arizona.
Peregrine Sessions, of Bountiful, to Maine.
Judson Tollman, of Bountiful, to Maine.
Artemus Putnam, of Woodruff, to Maine.
William Atkinson, of Bountiful, to Maine.
William Petersen, of Salt Lake City, to Denmark.
William Christensen, of Fairview, to Denmark.
James Christainson, of Spring City, to Denmark.
Rasmus Nielsen, of Logan, to Denmark.
P. C. Christianson, of Salt Lake City, to Denmark.
John Qvist, of Cottonwood, to Sweden.
A. O. F. Forsell, of Salt Lake City, to Sweden.
John F. Olsen, Salt Lake City, to Sweden.
John Eckman, of Salt Lake City, to Sweden.
Joseph Bull, of Salt Lake City, to Great Britain.
John Larson, of Gunnison, to Sweden.
Jonas Linberg, of Tooele, to Sweden.
Andrew Hendricksen, of Levan has the permission of this conference to go to Scandinavia, preach the gospel to his friends and to settle up his business in that country.
Adjourned till 2 p.m.
The choir sang the anthem: How beautiful upon the mountains.
Benediction by Elder Charles C. Rich.
AFTERNOON.
2 p.m.
The choir sang: Ere long the vail will rend in twain, The King descend with all his train.
Prayer by Elder Albert Carrington.
The choir sang: Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed.
2 p.m.
The choir sang: Ere long the vail will rend in twain, The King descend with all his train.
Prayer by Elder Albert Carrington.
The choir sang: Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed.
Elder George Q. Cannon
presented the following names of missionaries who were sustained by unanimous vote of the assemblage.
Christopher Merkley, of Salt Lake City, to Canada.
John H. Freeman, of Salt Lake City to Wisconsin.
Robert Ellwood, of West Jordan, to Wisconsin.
Jas. E. Malin, of Salt Lake City, to Wisconsin.
Luther M. Palmer, of Chicken Creek, to Michigan.
Joseph Wall, of Glenwood, to Michigan.
Isaac Losey, of Spanish Fork, to Michigan.
Ammon W. Tenney, of Kanab, Llewellin Harris of Pangwitch, and A. W. Ivins, of St. George, to preach in New Mexico.
James Christensen, of Spring City, to Demark.
Home Missionaries for the Salt Lake Stake of Zion:
George Reynolds, A. H. Raleigh, William A. McMaster, George G. Bywater, Junius F. Wells, Joseph Horne, Millen Atwood, Edward Schoenfeld, Richard W. Young, John R. Winder, Sen., A. W. Winberg, Thomas E. Taylor, James P. Freeze, Charles H. Wilcken, Milando Pratt, Hamilton G. Park, John T. Caine, Septimus W. Sears, Miner G. Atwood, Robert Patrick, Thos. E. Jeremy, John H. Rumell, James W. Cumings, Elias Morris, John Clark, John G. Midgley, Benjamin F. Cummings, Jr., William J. Smith, Edward Hanham, Wm. Eddington, William C. Staines, William W. Taylor, Samuel H. B. Smith, Amos M. Musser, Brigham S. Young, I. M. Mortensen.
presented the following names of missionaries who were sustained by unanimous vote of the assemblage.
Christopher Merkley, of Salt Lake City, to Canada.
John H. Freeman, of Salt Lake City to Wisconsin.
Robert Ellwood, of West Jordan, to Wisconsin.
Jas. E. Malin, of Salt Lake City, to Wisconsin.
Luther M. Palmer, of Chicken Creek, to Michigan.
Joseph Wall, of Glenwood, to Michigan.
Isaac Losey, of Spanish Fork, to Michigan.
Ammon W. Tenney, of Kanab, Llewellin Harris of Pangwitch, and A. W. Ivins, of St. George, to preach in New Mexico.
James Christensen, of Spring City, to Demark.
Home Missionaries for the Salt Lake Stake of Zion:
George Reynolds, A. H. Raleigh, William A. McMaster, George G. Bywater, Junius F. Wells, Joseph Horne, Millen Atwood, Edward Schoenfeld, Richard W. Young, John R. Winder, Sen., A. W. Winberg, Thomas E. Taylor, James P. Freeze, Charles H. Wilcken, Milando Pratt, Hamilton G. Park, John T. Caine, Septimus W. Sears, Miner G. Atwood, Robert Patrick, Thos. E. Jeremy, John H. Rumell, James W. Cumings, Elias Morris, John Clark, John G. Midgley, Benjamin F. Cummings, Jr., William J. Smith, Edward Hanham, Wm. Eddington, William C. Staines, William W. Taylor, Samuel H. B. Smith, Amos M. Musser, Brigham S. Young, I. M. Mortensen.
Elder John Taylor
presented the names of the following brethren he had selected to audit the accounts of the Trustee in Trust, they being sustained by unanimous vote: Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow and Joseph F. Smith.
He remarked that the Twelve Apostles had served this people for from forty to forty-five years without any compensation. And while others were making means in various capacities, the Twelve had traveled and labored without purse and scrip. Their duties were now increasing upon them; they were required to give their whole time in the service of the Church, and were consequently unable to attend to their own private business. He desired the Conference to authorize him, as Trustee in Trust, to give them, including the two Counselors, a reasonable amount for their support. The vote on this proposition was unanimous.
He spoke of the late President Brigham Young, who had been in the church almost from its commencement, and held the presidency of it for 33 years, and his departure had cast a gloom over the whole church. His opposition to vice and his efforts to sustain virtue and every good principle, were known throughout the world. He had gone and, while it could be said here, a President was dead, in the eternal worlds it was heralded a “President born.” Unless the guiding hand of the Almighty should be with us in the future as it had been in the past, he should want to have nothing to do with the work, but God would be with us. The Gospel contemplated the entire union of the Saints, both in temporal and spiritual matters. He was proud of the union that was exhibited yesterday in the voting. One matter voted upon was that the Twelve be sustained as Prophets, Seers and Revelators. The same thing was introduced by Joseph Smith in the Temple at Kirtland. It was also the duty of the High Priests and Elders of Israel to seek after and obtain a knowledge of God, whom to know was life everlasting.
Every man who held the priesthood of the Son of God should endeavor to magnify his high and holy calling. There were in this Territory twenty different Stakes, organized with Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, and lesser priesthood and High Councils. All this had been done to correspond with the order that existed in the heavens, that the ordinances of the gospel might be administered to so as to bring down the blessings that God had provided for those who attended to these things. The Presidents of the Stakes should be men full of the Holy Ghost, and so should all those be who were called to labor in connection with them. Had it not been that Moses appeared to Joseph Smith in the Temple at Kirtland and delivered to him the keys of the gathering, the audience now before him would not be there to-day. So with baptism for the dead and other ordinances. Messengers had come and delivered the keys of authority and instruction to Joseph Smith.
The prophet Elijah had visited Joseph and the hearts of the children were turned to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children. Already there had been more baptisms and other ordinances administered for the dead than the living, in the Temple at St. George. Why was it that the Saints were so anxious to put forth their means for the building of temples? It was because the Spirit of the Lord prompted them. The Lord was our law giver; the Lord was our friend and he would aid us. It was written than Saviors should come up on Mount Zion. What was a Savior? It was one who had learned how to administer salvation, and was willing to make whatever sacrifice was necessary to accomplish it. Thousands of our Elders had traveled tens of thousands of miles, without purse or scrip. No other people that lived had done what the Latter-day Saints had done to benefit and bless the world.
There were over 500 men at work in pushing forward the three temples that were now being erected. It was not the intention to crowd or oppress any one in those labors. Everything should be done on a free principle. The poor should be fed, and if any were naked they should be clothed. We should never permit any oppression to be exercised, but should be charitable and merciful, that God might smile upon us.
He much regretted that there should be any persons in the Territory unwilling to pay back the means that had been paid out of the P. E. Fund for their benefit. He spoke of the New Tabernacle in course of erection on the Temple block in this city, and trusted there would be a liberal response to the calls for means to carry on the work.
He commended the sisters for the aid their labors had rendered the Bishop in benefitting and blessing the poor and encouraging home industries.
He alluded encouragingly also to the several Mutual Improvement Societies.
presented the names of the following brethren he had selected to audit the accounts of the Trustee in Trust, they being sustained by unanimous vote: Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow and Joseph F. Smith.
He remarked that the Twelve Apostles had served this people for from forty to forty-five years without any compensation. And while others were making means in various capacities, the Twelve had traveled and labored without purse and scrip. Their duties were now increasing upon them; they were required to give their whole time in the service of the Church, and were consequently unable to attend to their own private business. He desired the Conference to authorize him, as Trustee in Trust, to give them, including the two Counselors, a reasonable amount for their support. The vote on this proposition was unanimous.
He spoke of the late President Brigham Young, who had been in the church almost from its commencement, and held the presidency of it for 33 years, and his departure had cast a gloom over the whole church. His opposition to vice and his efforts to sustain virtue and every good principle, were known throughout the world. He had gone and, while it could be said here, a President was dead, in the eternal worlds it was heralded a “President born.” Unless the guiding hand of the Almighty should be with us in the future as it had been in the past, he should want to have nothing to do with the work, but God would be with us. The Gospel contemplated the entire union of the Saints, both in temporal and spiritual matters. He was proud of the union that was exhibited yesterday in the voting. One matter voted upon was that the Twelve be sustained as Prophets, Seers and Revelators. The same thing was introduced by Joseph Smith in the Temple at Kirtland. It was also the duty of the High Priests and Elders of Israel to seek after and obtain a knowledge of God, whom to know was life everlasting.
Every man who held the priesthood of the Son of God should endeavor to magnify his high and holy calling. There were in this Territory twenty different Stakes, organized with Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, and lesser priesthood and High Councils. All this had been done to correspond with the order that existed in the heavens, that the ordinances of the gospel might be administered to so as to bring down the blessings that God had provided for those who attended to these things. The Presidents of the Stakes should be men full of the Holy Ghost, and so should all those be who were called to labor in connection with them. Had it not been that Moses appeared to Joseph Smith in the Temple at Kirtland and delivered to him the keys of the gathering, the audience now before him would not be there to-day. So with baptism for the dead and other ordinances. Messengers had come and delivered the keys of authority and instruction to Joseph Smith.
The prophet Elijah had visited Joseph and the hearts of the children were turned to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children. Already there had been more baptisms and other ordinances administered for the dead than the living, in the Temple at St. George. Why was it that the Saints were so anxious to put forth their means for the building of temples? It was because the Spirit of the Lord prompted them. The Lord was our law giver; the Lord was our friend and he would aid us. It was written than Saviors should come up on Mount Zion. What was a Savior? It was one who had learned how to administer salvation, and was willing to make whatever sacrifice was necessary to accomplish it. Thousands of our Elders had traveled tens of thousands of miles, without purse or scrip. No other people that lived had done what the Latter-day Saints had done to benefit and bless the world.
There were over 500 men at work in pushing forward the three temples that were now being erected. It was not the intention to crowd or oppress any one in those labors. Everything should be done on a free principle. The poor should be fed, and if any were naked they should be clothed. We should never permit any oppression to be exercised, but should be charitable and merciful, that God might smile upon us.
He much regretted that there should be any persons in the Territory unwilling to pay back the means that had been paid out of the P. E. Fund for their benefit. He spoke of the New Tabernacle in course of erection on the Temple block in this city, and trusted there would be a liberal response to the calls for means to carry on the work.
He commended the sisters for the aid their labors had rendered the Bishop in benefitting and blessing the poor and encouraging home industries.
He alluded encouragingly also to the several Mutual Improvement Societies.
The Trusteeship—President Young's Labors—The Priesthood, Its Position, Duties, Etc.—Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples—Saviors Upon Mount Zion—Emigration of the Poor—Building of the Tabernacle—The United Order
Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered at the Semi-Annual Conference Held in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Oct. 7, 1877.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
There are one or two items I wish to present before you in relation to the Trusteeship. I have been appointed to that office, and I feel that I need some assistance in regard to the duties devolving upon me in that capacity. I am desirous to have the matter laid before this Conference. One thing I refer to is the auditing of the accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust. I therefore beg to present three names, as an auditing committee, for the sanction of this Conference—namely, Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, and Joseph F. Smith. [On motion, they were unanimously sustained.]
There is another subject that I wish to present, one which pertains more particularly to my brethren of the Twelve. I suppose that most of you know that they have traveled and labored for a very long period, some of them for forty years and upwards, without purse or scrip, while almost everybody else has been paid for his services. It does seem proper to me that they should be placed, at least, on an equal footing with other people, particularly as their labors necessarily increase.
In consequence of our present organizations, necessitating their frequent visits to our quarterly Conferences, in addition to other duties accumulating upon them, rendering it impossible for them to pay any attention to their own private affairs. My proposition, and I know it will meet with the hearty response of the brethren generally, is that they have a reasonable recompense for their services, and that the Trustee-in-Trust be authorized to arrange this matter. I would wish these same remarks to apply also to the Counselors of the Twelve. [The motion was put and unanimously sustained.]
As has been remarked, the condition we occupy today is a very important one. There has been a change of Presidency, and necessarily a change of administration. In the providence of God our heavenly Father, he has seen fit to take from us our beloved President Brigham Young, who has so long labored in our midst. It is one of those occasions that cause reflection and thought, casting a degree of gloom among this whole people. We have felt sorry to lose his counsel, to be deprived of that wisdom and intelligence that have characterized him in all of his administrations. For they have been of such a nature as not only to interest the Latter-day Saints, but his name has become famous throughout the world. Brigham Young needs no factitious aid to perpetuate his memory; his labors have been exhibited during the last forty-five years in his preaching, in his writing, in his counsels, in the wisdom and intelligence he has displayed, in our exodus from Nauvoo; in the building of cities throughout the length and breadth of this Territory, in his opposition to vice and his protection of virtue, purity and right. These things are well known and understood by the Latter-day Saints, and also by thousands and millions of others. But, as with his predecessor, Joseph Smith, who had to leave, while we are called upon to mourn a President dead, angels announce a President born in the eternal worlds; he has only gone to move in another state of existence. But then in speaking of these things we would not eulogize only the man, for Brigham Young, although so great a man could have done nothing towards developing the purposes of God unless aided and sustained by him. Joseph Smith could have done nothing, neither, as I have already said, can the Twelve Apostles accomplish anything unless they receive the same divine support? The work we are engaged in emanated from God, and what did Joseph Smith know about it until God revealed it? Nothing. What did President Young, or the Twelve, or anybody else, know about it before the heavenly messengers, even God himself, came to break the long, long silence of ages, revealing through his Son, Jesus Christ, and the holy angels, the everlasting Gospel? Nothing at all. We were all alike ignorant until heaven revealed it. Then in the administration of these things the heavens are interested. These my brethren before me, this Priesthood that assembled yesterday in their various quorums, all of them have assisted in this work, all have more or less been preaching and laboring in the interest of Zion, in the building up of this the kingdom of God upon the earth. So that it is not by any means an individual affair, as many totally ignorant of it suppose and say it is; it is not in the wisdom of this man or the intelligence of the other, but it is the wisdom and guidance of God, and by his sustaining hand, that this whole people are led forward, and that this kingdom has an existence upon the earth. For my part, I would say today as Moses did on a certain occasion, when God said he would not go up with the children of Israel because they were rebellious people, “If thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence;” or, in other words, I want nothing to do with so great an undertaking as the leading forth of this people without the Lord's assistance. I would say today, if God be not with us, if we are not sustained by the almighty power of Jehovah, if his guiding and protecting hand be not over us, I want nothing to do with it. But he is with us, and we know it. The feeling that was manifested here yesterday, is most creditable to Israel, it is approved of by the Gods in the eternal worlds; and if we carry out in our practice and daily lives that union which we manifested in our voting, the Lord God will continue to pour upon us his blessing until we shall be united in all things, temporal and spiritual, which unity we have got to come to. When this is achieved, Zion will arise and shine, and then the glory of our God will rest upon her, then his power will be made manifest in our midst.
You heard this morning a good deal said, and that very correctly too, in relation to Priesthood and the organization thereof, and the position we occupy in relation to these matters. You voted yesterday that the Twelve should be Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. This may seem strange to some who do not comprehend these principles, but not to those who do. The same vote was proposed by Joseph Smith and voted for in the Temple in Kirtland, so long ago as that; consequently there is nothing new in this. And, as you heard this morning, this is embraced in the Apostleship, which has been given by the Almighty, and which embraces all the keys, powers and authorities ever conferred upon man. I do not wish to enter into the details of this matter; you will find them in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, very clearly portrayed, and I refer you there for the evidences on these points.
You heard too that although the Priesthood held certain powers and privileges, the manifestations and powers thereof were only conferred according to the exigencies of the case and the necessities and requirements thereof. God has conferred upon us these blessings, but here are certain manifestations and powers that must come directly from him, and it is the duty of the Twelve to hunt up, search after, pray for and obtain them; and it is also the duty of these Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, High Priests, Seventies, and all men holding prominent positions, to seek after and comprehend God, whom to know is life everlasting. We need, all of us, to humble ourselves before the Almighty, for we are before him, and all creation is, and hell and destruction are also without a covering before him. As mortal and immortal beings, as men holding the holy Priesthood that the Lord has conferred upon us for the establishment of his kingdom, the building up of his Zion, the redemption of the living and the dead, it is of the utmost importance that we stand forth, every one of us, and magnify our several callings; for with all our weakness, with all our infirmities, God has given unto us great treasures, which we hold in these earthen vessels.
As has been referred to, the President was operated upon to organize the Church throughout the Territory more completely; the Twelve were called upon to visit every part of the Territory and organize it, which they have done. There are now twenty different Stakes fully organized with their Presidents and Counselors, with their High Councils, with Bishops and their Counselors, who operate as common judges in Israel, and with High Priests, Seventies, Elders, and the lesser Priesthood, that they may administer in all things in their several Stakes under the direction of the Twelve. As was remarked this morning, the Church never since the day of its organization was so perfectly organized as it is today. What has this been done for? Is it to place some men in positions of honor or emolument? No, but it is to organize the Church and Kingdom of God according to the pattern that exists in the heavens, that we may be prepared to comply in all things with the ordinances of God, for, as we are told “In the ordinances, the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof; and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”
It is expected that these Presidents of Stakes be full of the Holy Ghost and the power of God, that they feel and realize that they are the servants of Jehovah, engaged in his work, and that he will require at their hands an account of their stewardships. It is necessary also that the High Councils and the Bishops act in the same way, together with the High Priests, Seventies, Elders, and all those of the Aaronic Priesthood, and that all operate together in the fear of God, for his eye is over you, and he expects you to work righteousness and purge the Church from iniquity, and teach the people correct principles and lead them in the paths of life. This is what God requires at your hands.
Hence, while we are looking at these things and are engaged in these organizations, there are other things necessarily connected therewith. There has been a feeling working gradually upon the minds of the Saints that many could not comprehend, nor tell where it came from, and that is to build Temples. President Young, the Twelve and the people generally have felt drawn out in their feelings with an almost unaccountable desire for the accomplishment of this object; and why? Can you tell me the reason? It is very difficult sometimes to explain some of these matters to the human mind. You heard this morning about Moses appearing in the Temple at Kirtland, committing to Joseph Smith the Keys of the Gathering Dispensation, over which Moses presided anciently, and over which he presides today. Unless those keys had been restored and you had partaken of that influence and spirit, would you have been here today? No, you would not. When the Gospel went forth among the people, after the appearing of Moses in the Temple, and the committing of the Keys of the Gathering, when you Latter-day Saints received the Gospel of baptism for remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, you also received the spirit of the gathering. You Elders before me today might have preached until your tongues had cleaved to the roof of your mouth, but if the Spirit of God had not accompanied your administration in this regard, you could have accomplished nothing of any worth. At the time this messenger came, there appeared another, even Elijah, whose mission was to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest (says the Lord) I come and smite the earth with a curse. He committed these keys. But before they were committed, what was done in the Temple? Did we baptize for the dead there? No, we did not. Why? Because the keys were not given. When they were given and afterwards when the Temple was built in Nauvoo, then that spirit accompanied it, and we began to feel after our fathers behind the veil, and they likewise began to feel after their children. Brother Woodruff, who has been ministering in the St. George Temple, could relate to you if he had the time, many things of great importance, associated with these matters. Suffice it to say that the purposes of God pertaining to the human family, which he had in his mind before this world rolled into existence, or the morning stars sang together for joy, all have to be accomplished in the salvation of the living and in the redemption of the dead. These things you are acquainted with: it is not necessary for me to talk much upon these subjects. But I merely wish to refer to the spirit and influence and power that have operated upon the Saints, and which are operating upon them throughout the length and breadth of this Territory. That comes from the Priesthood which existed before; it comes because the keys of that Priesthood have again been restored to man. What is the result? Why, a desire to build Temples. What for? That we may administer therein in those ordinances in which they and we are so greatly interested. You heard through Brother Woodruff how many more administrations there had been for the dead than for the living. This is because Elijah has been here and has delivered the keys that turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, and we are beginning to feel after them. Hence we are building a Temple here, one in Sanpete, another in Cache Valley, and we have one already built in St. George, all of which I think will be quite creditable buildings, which the Lord and holy angels will accept. Do we devote our labor and our means? Yes, we do; and it is this spirit which rests upon us that is prompting us to do it, and it will not let us rest until these things are done. Why? Because the keys of the Priesthood have brought us in connection with the Priesthood in the heavens, of which we are a part, belonging to the Church of the Firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. They are interested in their children, whose children are our fathers. We have been called together for the purpose, among other things, of operating with them in this work; for they without us are not made perfect, as the Scripture tells us. Therefore it is necessary that we should be here, building Temples and ministering therein, that their seed and posterity may be hunted up and looked after.
We without them cannot be made perfect, for we need the help and assistance and the power of God to sustain and guide and direct us in our labors and administrations.
This is the thing President Young has been engaged in with all his might, mind and strength; this is the thing my brethren of the Twelve have been engaged in, and what we are engaged in today. This is the thing that all Israel ought to be engaged in, for we are living only for a short time here, and by and by we shall pass away, as our President has done; but it will only be to associate with another Priesthood, or the same, if you please, in the eternal worlds, for the one is combined and united with the other. The Priesthood that has lived before, and that which lives now, are eternal, and administer in time and in eternity; and the principles which God has revealed to us draw aside the curtains of the eternal worlds, giving us a glimpse within the veil, where Christ, our Forerunner, has gone. We are gathered together, “one of a city and two of a family,” as the Prophet said they should be. And he says, “I will bring you to Zion.” What will he do with them when he has brought them there? “I will give them pastors after my own heart, which shall feed them with knowledge and understanding.” Again, “Saviors shall come up on Mount Zion, to judge the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.” Some talk about empires and kingdoms being built up by man. This is the Lord's kingdom and not man's. The Lord is our God, he is our king and our lawgiver, and he shall rule over us; and we will seek for and obtain his help and power.
Saviors shall come up on Mount Zion, say the Scriptures. What is a Savior? One who saves another, is it not? How could any man save people if he knew not how, and how could he know except the Lord teach him? The world often finds fault with us. There are no greater benefactors to the world in existence than the Latter-day Saints are. There are no persons who have done more for the benefit of mankind, according to their number, than this people have. President Young, who is dead, and a number of others who have passed away, as well as the Twelve and thousands of others who still tarry, have traveled the length and breadth of the earth, without purse or scrip, to preach the glad tidings of salvation which heaven revealed to them. Do you find anybody else that has done it, or that is doing it, outside of this Church? No, such a thing is unheard of. We have gone forth, as the Scriptures say, bearing precious seed, and have returned again rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us. Is this anything to hurt anybody? Does it interfere in the least with the rights of any? No. Are there any in this city, who are not of us, that can show that their religious rights, privileges, or principles have been interfered with or infringed upon by the Latter-day Saints, or by the authorities of this Church? No, not one. If I knew of any that were in any way being interfered with, I would be the first to protect them. These are our feelings towards the world, and to those who say all manner of evil against us.
We have expended millions upon millions in gathering the poor to this land, by what is known as the Perpetual Emigration Fund. We may ask why did this people in these valleys expend such large sums? Was it because they were sending for relatives and friends? No, but because they were of the family of Christ, the sons and daughters of God, and desired to come to Zion. We have sent as much as five hundred teams at a time to help out the poor. You have done it, and many of you have either sent your sons or gone yourselves, and you have carried provisions for them as well as bringing them here. I do not think there is very much harm in that. And what then? When these same men who had received the message of truth in far off lands, and who had been gathered here, had been further instructed, we have sent them back again to the nations from whence they came, to proclaim to their kindred and friends, to their tongue and nation, what God had done for them. After fulfilling their missions they return again. What to do? To slumber and sleep away their time? No, but to continue their work in reclaiming the waste places, and to build Temples in the interest of humanity, as the friends of God and of the world.
There are, today, engaged working on our Temple, one hundred and fifty men. What for? That a place may be found that will be acceptable to God, and in which we may administer, in the name of the Lord, for our dead as well as for our living. We do not want to do this grudgingly, but with willing hearts, desiring to operate, with the Priesthood behind the veil, in building up and establishing the kingdom of God upon this earth. These men, after preaching and returning again, can then go into these Temples and minister in them as representatives of the nations from whence they came, and in the interest of these nations we are operating. Will God be pleased with this work? Yes, if we continue faithful in well doing. There are not less, I presume, than 500 men at work on the Temples now being erected in this Territory, and probably more than that. This seems foolish to the outside world; but we know in whom we have believed, and we know the work in which we are engaged—and who is injured by it? None.
Some of our brethren feel sometimes that these things draw heavily upon them. Of course they do; and God expects to try us, to see what we are made of, and see whether the right ring of metal is in us or not, and whether we are prepared to stand up to the rack and walk forth in the name of Israel's God. Is it the desire to oppress anybody? No, never, nothing of that kind. In speaking on this, I would say to the Presidents of Stakes, and to the Bishops, see that there is no oppression of any kind, or anything approaching arbitrary measures, or anybody interfered with; let everything be done righteously, properly, and voluntarily. Instead of oppressing the poor, feed them. Instead of taking from the naked, clothe them. Be merciful to the widow and the fatherless and the orphan, and all who may be in distress; dry up their tears, and pour balm into their wounds, and be full of compassion, and kindness, and the love of God, and let it bubble and flow from you like a river of life. These are the feelings that ought to exist among the Saints; nothing like oppression or wrong of any kind should find place in our hearts.
Let me pass from this to another thing which was touched upon this morning, which is, but which I really wish was not, true. Many of these my brethren have sent out their teams, and have subscribed their means to send for the poor, bringing them to these valleys. According to the provisions of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, the people who are thus assisted are expected to repay the means advanced to them when they have earned it, so that others may be helped with the same money, and thus that the fund in its operations, as was desired, may be perpetual. I am told that there is upwards of a million dollars of indebtedness to this fund today. This is a sad reflection upon the gratitude of men thus assisted. I am afraid the heavens will not smile upon such proceedings, and that God will not sanction it. It is time we waked up and attended to these obligations and duties, and felt that there was somebody else in the world besides our own selves; and if we have been assisted that we will be at least honest enough to meet that amount, and others who need its assistance may find it through the proper channel.
We are engaged in this place in building a Tabernacle, in which we can meet during the Winter season. We do not call upon you outside brethren to assist us in this undertaking, because it is local and belongs to this Stake. This is a matter that was designed by President Young before his death; and we have been desirous, as Brother Cannon said this morning, to carry out the views of our venerated President, as far as we can. We have commenced to build this house, we want to put it up without delay. In this, as in every other matter, we do not wish anybody to contribute his means or labor towards it, unless he feels free to do it; for there are plenty that will do it willingly, and it will be built; and we shall have a nice, comfortable place to worship in through the Winter, and it will serve the Priesthood for all necessary purposes, as well as the public. The building will be 116 x 64 feet inside, with gallery all around. It will be a little larger than was at first contemplated; and we have also departed a little from the original intention respecting the kind of building material. Instead of adobie, we have concluded to use rock. I now invite the people of this Stake and the masons especially to come forward and exert their energies, and let us do the work. It will be done by voluntary donations and by utilizing labor tithing. Some people may say, Why do it by voluntary donations? Why not use the tithing for all such purposes? Is not that sufficient? Yes, if all of you strictly paid it, but then you do not all do this, and consequently we have to resort to other means. But, as I have before said, in this and everything else, we do not wish to press the people, nor place any in unpleasant positions; but as we sometimes sing, it's “all free grace and all free will.”
I wish to make a few remarks in relation to what we term the United Order. We are united today with God, and with the holy Priesthood that existed before us, with Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and with the ancient Prophets and Apostles and men of God, in building up the Zion of God upon the earth. They, in their different spheres and callings, are operating with us, and we with them, and the whole thing is a grand Cooperative Society; and everything we do here should be with the view of uniting our earthly interests, that we may be one in things temporal and one in things spiritual, one on the earth and one with those in the heavens, helping with our united efforts to roll on the Kingdom of God according to his purposes, and not according to our erratic notions. In speaking of these things, I would address a few words to our sisters of the Relief and of the Mutual Improvement Societies. You are performing a good work in Zion. I am pleased with the paper you publish, and have been very much interested in the reports you have made, in witnessing the energy and zeal you display in endeavoring to introduce home-manufactured goods and articles of different kinds, in looking after the poor and necessitous, and in trying to elevate the community generally. To our Young Men's Mutual Improvement Societies I say, God bless you, and all who are operating in the interest of Zion, forever.
Now let me say to parents, let us see that our youth are properly cared for and taught, and that honesty, truthfulness, virtue and good morals are inculcated, that they may grow in the faith of the Gospel and in the fear of God, to be useful in their day, to carry on the great work in which we are engaged. We already perceive a great improvement among our young men in their administrations; they are stepping forth, manifesting an excellent spirit, and many of them promise to become mighty men in Israel, who will roll forth the work when we get through. I will say to the Presidents of Stakes, encourage and foster these institutions; and to all the people I would say, love God and fear him and keep his commandments. Be honest with yourselves, honest before God. Be virtuous, be truthful and full of integrity, and fear the Lord your God in your hearts, and his blessing will be with you, and his Spirit will attend you, and your generations after you, worlds without end. Amen.
Discourse by President John Taylor, delivered at the Semi-Annual Conference Held in the New Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Oct. 7, 1877.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
There are one or two items I wish to present before you in relation to the Trusteeship. I have been appointed to that office, and I feel that I need some assistance in regard to the duties devolving upon me in that capacity. I am desirous to have the matter laid before this Conference. One thing I refer to is the auditing of the accounts of the Trustee-in-Trust. I therefore beg to present three names, as an auditing committee, for the sanction of this Conference—namely, Wilford Woodruff, Erastus Snow, and Joseph F. Smith. [On motion, they were unanimously sustained.]
There is another subject that I wish to present, one which pertains more particularly to my brethren of the Twelve. I suppose that most of you know that they have traveled and labored for a very long period, some of them for forty years and upwards, without purse or scrip, while almost everybody else has been paid for his services. It does seem proper to me that they should be placed, at least, on an equal footing with other people, particularly as their labors necessarily increase.
In consequence of our present organizations, necessitating their frequent visits to our quarterly Conferences, in addition to other duties accumulating upon them, rendering it impossible for them to pay any attention to their own private affairs. My proposition, and I know it will meet with the hearty response of the brethren generally, is that they have a reasonable recompense for their services, and that the Trustee-in-Trust be authorized to arrange this matter. I would wish these same remarks to apply also to the Counselors of the Twelve. [The motion was put and unanimously sustained.]
As has been remarked, the condition we occupy today is a very important one. There has been a change of Presidency, and necessarily a change of administration. In the providence of God our heavenly Father, he has seen fit to take from us our beloved President Brigham Young, who has so long labored in our midst. It is one of those occasions that cause reflection and thought, casting a degree of gloom among this whole people. We have felt sorry to lose his counsel, to be deprived of that wisdom and intelligence that have characterized him in all of his administrations. For they have been of such a nature as not only to interest the Latter-day Saints, but his name has become famous throughout the world. Brigham Young needs no factitious aid to perpetuate his memory; his labors have been exhibited during the last forty-five years in his preaching, in his writing, in his counsels, in the wisdom and intelligence he has displayed, in our exodus from Nauvoo; in the building of cities throughout the length and breadth of this Territory, in his opposition to vice and his protection of virtue, purity and right. These things are well known and understood by the Latter-day Saints, and also by thousands and millions of others. But, as with his predecessor, Joseph Smith, who had to leave, while we are called upon to mourn a President dead, angels announce a President born in the eternal worlds; he has only gone to move in another state of existence. But then in speaking of these things we would not eulogize only the man, for Brigham Young, although so great a man could have done nothing towards developing the purposes of God unless aided and sustained by him. Joseph Smith could have done nothing, neither, as I have already said, can the Twelve Apostles accomplish anything unless they receive the same divine support? The work we are engaged in emanated from God, and what did Joseph Smith know about it until God revealed it? Nothing. What did President Young, or the Twelve, or anybody else, know about it before the heavenly messengers, even God himself, came to break the long, long silence of ages, revealing through his Son, Jesus Christ, and the holy angels, the everlasting Gospel? Nothing at all. We were all alike ignorant until heaven revealed it. Then in the administration of these things the heavens are interested. These my brethren before me, this Priesthood that assembled yesterday in their various quorums, all of them have assisted in this work, all have more or less been preaching and laboring in the interest of Zion, in the building up of this the kingdom of God upon the earth. So that it is not by any means an individual affair, as many totally ignorant of it suppose and say it is; it is not in the wisdom of this man or the intelligence of the other, but it is the wisdom and guidance of God, and by his sustaining hand, that this whole people are led forward, and that this kingdom has an existence upon the earth. For my part, I would say today as Moses did on a certain occasion, when God said he would not go up with the children of Israel because they were rebellious people, “If thy presence go not with us, carry us not up hence;” or, in other words, I want nothing to do with so great an undertaking as the leading forth of this people without the Lord's assistance. I would say today, if God be not with us, if we are not sustained by the almighty power of Jehovah, if his guiding and protecting hand be not over us, I want nothing to do with it. But he is with us, and we know it. The feeling that was manifested here yesterday, is most creditable to Israel, it is approved of by the Gods in the eternal worlds; and if we carry out in our practice and daily lives that union which we manifested in our voting, the Lord God will continue to pour upon us his blessing until we shall be united in all things, temporal and spiritual, which unity we have got to come to. When this is achieved, Zion will arise and shine, and then the glory of our God will rest upon her, then his power will be made manifest in our midst.
You heard this morning a good deal said, and that very correctly too, in relation to Priesthood and the organization thereof, and the position we occupy in relation to these matters. You voted yesterday that the Twelve should be Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. This may seem strange to some who do not comprehend these principles, but not to those who do. The same vote was proposed by Joseph Smith and voted for in the Temple in Kirtland, so long ago as that; consequently there is nothing new in this. And, as you heard this morning, this is embraced in the Apostleship, which has been given by the Almighty, and which embraces all the keys, powers and authorities ever conferred upon man. I do not wish to enter into the details of this matter; you will find them in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, very clearly portrayed, and I refer you there for the evidences on these points.
You heard too that although the Priesthood held certain powers and privileges, the manifestations and powers thereof were only conferred according to the exigencies of the case and the necessities and requirements thereof. God has conferred upon us these blessings, but here are certain manifestations and powers that must come directly from him, and it is the duty of the Twelve to hunt up, search after, pray for and obtain them; and it is also the duty of these Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, High Priests, Seventies, and all men holding prominent positions, to seek after and comprehend God, whom to know is life everlasting. We need, all of us, to humble ourselves before the Almighty, for we are before him, and all creation is, and hell and destruction are also without a covering before him. As mortal and immortal beings, as men holding the holy Priesthood that the Lord has conferred upon us for the establishment of his kingdom, the building up of his Zion, the redemption of the living and the dead, it is of the utmost importance that we stand forth, every one of us, and magnify our several callings; for with all our weakness, with all our infirmities, God has given unto us great treasures, which we hold in these earthen vessels.
As has been referred to, the President was operated upon to organize the Church throughout the Territory more completely; the Twelve were called upon to visit every part of the Territory and organize it, which they have done. There are now twenty different Stakes fully organized with their Presidents and Counselors, with their High Councils, with Bishops and their Counselors, who operate as common judges in Israel, and with High Priests, Seventies, Elders, and the lesser Priesthood, that they may administer in all things in their several Stakes under the direction of the Twelve. As was remarked this morning, the Church never since the day of its organization was so perfectly organized as it is today. What has this been done for? Is it to place some men in positions of honor or emolument? No, but it is to organize the Church and Kingdom of God according to the pattern that exists in the heavens, that we may be prepared to comply in all things with the ordinances of God, for, as we are told “In the ordinances, the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof; and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”
It is expected that these Presidents of Stakes be full of the Holy Ghost and the power of God, that they feel and realize that they are the servants of Jehovah, engaged in his work, and that he will require at their hands an account of their stewardships. It is necessary also that the High Councils and the Bishops act in the same way, together with the High Priests, Seventies, Elders, and all those of the Aaronic Priesthood, and that all operate together in the fear of God, for his eye is over you, and he expects you to work righteousness and purge the Church from iniquity, and teach the people correct principles and lead them in the paths of life. This is what God requires at your hands.
Hence, while we are looking at these things and are engaged in these organizations, there are other things necessarily connected therewith. There has been a feeling working gradually upon the minds of the Saints that many could not comprehend, nor tell where it came from, and that is to build Temples. President Young, the Twelve and the people generally have felt drawn out in their feelings with an almost unaccountable desire for the accomplishment of this object; and why? Can you tell me the reason? It is very difficult sometimes to explain some of these matters to the human mind. You heard this morning about Moses appearing in the Temple at Kirtland, committing to Joseph Smith the Keys of the Gathering Dispensation, over which Moses presided anciently, and over which he presides today. Unless those keys had been restored and you had partaken of that influence and spirit, would you have been here today? No, you would not. When the Gospel went forth among the people, after the appearing of Moses in the Temple, and the committing of the Keys of the Gathering, when you Latter-day Saints received the Gospel of baptism for remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, you also received the spirit of the gathering. You Elders before me today might have preached until your tongues had cleaved to the roof of your mouth, but if the Spirit of God had not accompanied your administration in this regard, you could have accomplished nothing of any worth. At the time this messenger came, there appeared another, even Elijah, whose mission was to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest (says the Lord) I come and smite the earth with a curse. He committed these keys. But before they were committed, what was done in the Temple? Did we baptize for the dead there? No, we did not. Why? Because the keys were not given. When they were given and afterwards when the Temple was built in Nauvoo, then that spirit accompanied it, and we began to feel after our fathers behind the veil, and they likewise began to feel after their children. Brother Woodruff, who has been ministering in the St. George Temple, could relate to you if he had the time, many things of great importance, associated with these matters. Suffice it to say that the purposes of God pertaining to the human family, which he had in his mind before this world rolled into existence, or the morning stars sang together for joy, all have to be accomplished in the salvation of the living and in the redemption of the dead. These things you are acquainted with: it is not necessary for me to talk much upon these subjects. But I merely wish to refer to the spirit and influence and power that have operated upon the Saints, and which are operating upon them throughout the length and breadth of this Territory. That comes from the Priesthood which existed before; it comes because the keys of that Priesthood have again been restored to man. What is the result? Why, a desire to build Temples. What for? That we may administer therein in those ordinances in which they and we are so greatly interested. You heard through Brother Woodruff how many more administrations there had been for the dead than for the living. This is because Elijah has been here and has delivered the keys that turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, and we are beginning to feel after them. Hence we are building a Temple here, one in Sanpete, another in Cache Valley, and we have one already built in St. George, all of which I think will be quite creditable buildings, which the Lord and holy angels will accept. Do we devote our labor and our means? Yes, we do; and it is this spirit which rests upon us that is prompting us to do it, and it will not let us rest until these things are done. Why? Because the keys of the Priesthood have brought us in connection with the Priesthood in the heavens, of which we are a part, belonging to the Church of the Firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. They are interested in their children, whose children are our fathers. We have been called together for the purpose, among other things, of operating with them in this work; for they without us are not made perfect, as the Scripture tells us. Therefore it is necessary that we should be here, building Temples and ministering therein, that their seed and posterity may be hunted up and looked after.
We without them cannot be made perfect, for we need the help and assistance and the power of God to sustain and guide and direct us in our labors and administrations.
This is the thing President Young has been engaged in with all his might, mind and strength; this is the thing my brethren of the Twelve have been engaged in, and what we are engaged in today. This is the thing that all Israel ought to be engaged in, for we are living only for a short time here, and by and by we shall pass away, as our President has done; but it will only be to associate with another Priesthood, or the same, if you please, in the eternal worlds, for the one is combined and united with the other. The Priesthood that has lived before, and that which lives now, are eternal, and administer in time and in eternity; and the principles which God has revealed to us draw aside the curtains of the eternal worlds, giving us a glimpse within the veil, where Christ, our Forerunner, has gone. We are gathered together, “one of a city and two of a family,” as the Prophet said they should be. And he says, “I will bring you to Zion.” What will he do with them when he has brought them there? “I will give them pastors after my own heart, which shall feed them with knowledge and understanding.” Again, “Saviors shall come up on Mount Zion, to judge the Mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.” Some talk about empires and kingdoms being built up by man. This is the Lord's kingdom and not man's. The Lord is our God, he is our king and our lawgiver, and he shall rule over us; and we will seek for and obtain his help and power.
Saviors shall come up on Mount Zion, say the Scriptures. What is a Savior? One who saves another, is it not? How could any man save people if he knew not how, and how could he know except the Lord teach him? The world often finds fault with us. There are no greater benefactors to the world in existence than the Latter-day Saints are. There are no persons who have done more for the benefit of mankind, according to their number, than this people have. President Young, who is dead, and a number of others who have passed away, as well as the Twelve and thousands of others who still tarry, have traveled the length and breadth of the earth, without purse or scrip, to preach the glad tidings of salvation which heaven revealed to them. Do you find anybody else that has done it, or that is doing it, outside of this Church? No, such a thing is unheard of. We have gone forth, as the Scriptures say, bearing precious seed, and have returned again rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us. Is this anything to hurt anybody? Does it interfere in the least with the rights of any? No. Are there any in this city, who are not of us, that can show that their religious rights, privileges, or principles have been interfered with or infringed upon by the Latter-day Saints, or by the authorities of this Church? No, not one. If I knew of any that were in any way being interfered with, I would be the first to protect them. These are our feelings towards the world, and to those who say all manner of evil against us.
We have expended millions upon millions in gathering the poor to this land, by what is known as the Perpetual Emigration Fund. We may ask why did this people in these valleys expend such large sums? Was it because they were sending for relatives and friends? No, but because they were of the family of Christ, the sons and daughters of God, and desired to come to Zion. We have sent as much as five hundred teams at a time to help out the poor. You have done it, and many of you have either sent your sons or gone yourselves, and you have carried provisions for them as well as bringing them here. I do not think there is very much harm in that. And what then? When these same men who had received the message of truth in far off lands, and who had been gathered here, had been further instructed, we have sent them back again to the nations from whence they came, to proclaim to their kindred and friends, to their tongue and nation, what God had done for them. After fulfilling their missions they return again. What to do? To slumber and sleep away their time? No, but to continue their work in reclaiming the waste places, and to build Temples in the interest of humanity, as the friends of God and of the world.
There are, today, engaged working on our Temple, one hundred and fifty men. What for? That a place may be found that will be acceptable to God, and in which we may administer, in the name of the Lord, for our dead as well as for our living. We do not want to do this grudgingly, but with willing hearts, desiring to operate, with the Priesthood behind the veil, in building up and establishing the kingdom of God upon this earth. These men, after preaching and returning again, can then go into these Temples and minister in them as representatives of the nations from whence they came, and in the interest of these nations we are operating. Will God be pleased with this work? Yes, if we continue faithful in well doing. There are not less, I presume, than 500 men at work on the Temples now being erected in this Territory, and probably more than that. This seems foolish to the outside world; but we know in whom we have believed, and we know the work in which we are engaged—and who is injured by it? None.
Some of our brethren feel sometimes that these things draw heavily upon them. Of course they do; and God expects to try us, to see what we are made of, and see whether the right ring of metal is in us or not, and whether we are prepared to stand up to the rack and walk forth in the name of Israel's God. Is it the desire to oppress anybody? No, never, nothing of that kind. In speaking on this, I would say to the Presidents of Stakes, and to the Bishops, see that there is no oppression of any kind, or anything approaching arbitrary measures, or anybody interfered with; let everything be done righteously, properly, and voluntarily. Instead of oppressing the poor, feed them. Instead of taking from the naked, clothe them. Be merciful to the widow and the fatherless and the orphan, and all who may be in distress; dry up their tears, and pour balm into their wounds, and be full of compassion, and kindness, and the love of God, and let it bubble and flow from you like a river of life. These are the feelings that ought to exist among the Saints; nothing like oppression or wrong of any kind should find place in our hearts.
Let me pass from this to another thing which was touched upon this morning, which is, but which I really wish was not, true. Many of these my brethren have sent out their teams, and have subscribed their means to send for the poor, bringing them to these valleys. According to the provisions of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, the people who are thus assisted are expected to repay the means advanced to them when they have earned it, so that others may be helped with the same money, and thus that the fund in its operations, as was desired, may be perpetual. I am told that there is upwards of a million dollars of indebtedness to this fund today. This is a sad reflection upon the gratitude of men thus assisted. I am afraid the heavens will not smile upon such proceedings, and that God will not sanction it. It is time we waked up and attended to these obligations and duties, and felt that there was somebody else in the world besides our own selves; and if we have been assisted that we will be at least honest enough to meet that amount, and others who need its assistance may find it through the proper channel.
We are engaged in this place in building a Tabernacle, in which we can meet during the Winter season. We do not call upon you outside brethren to assist us in this undertaking, because it is local and belongs to this Stake. This is a matter that was designed by President Young before his death; and we have been desirous, as Brother Cannon said this morning, to carry out the views of our venerated President, as far as we can. We have commenced to build this house, we want to put it up without delay. In this, as in every other matter, we do not wish anybody to contribute his means or labor towards it, unless he feels free to do it; for there are plenty that will do it willingly, and it will be built; and we shall have a nice, comfortable place to worship in through the Winter, and it will serve the Priesthood for all necessary purposes, as well as the public. The building will be 116 x 64 feet inside, with gallery all around. It will be a little larger than was at first contemplated; and we have also departed a little from the original intention respecting the kind of building material. Instead of adobie, we have concluded to use rock. I now invite the people of this Stake and the masons especially to come forward and exert their energies, and let us do the work. It will be done by voluntary donations and by utilizing labor tithing. Some people may say, Why do it by voluntary donations? Why not use the tithing for all such purposes? Is not that sufficient? Yes, if all of you strictly paid it, but then you do not all do this, and consequently we have to resort to other means. But, as I have before said, in this and everything else, we do not wish to press the people, nor place any in unpleasant positions; but as we sometimes sing, it's “all free grace and all free will.”
I wish to make a few remarks in relation to what we term the United Order. We are united today with God, and with the holy Priesthood that existed before us, with Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and with the ancient Prophets and Apostles and men of God, in building up the Zion of God upon the earth. They, in their different spheres and callings, are operating with us, and we with them, and the whole thing is a grand Cooperative Society; and everything we do here should be with the view of uniting our earthly interests, that we may be one in things temporal and one in things spiritual, one on the earth and one with those in the heavens, helping with our united efforts to roll on the Kingdom of God according to his purposes, and not according to our erratic notions. In speaking of these things, I would address a few words to our sisters of the Relief and of the Mutual Improvement Societies. You are performing a good work in Zion. I am pleased with the paper you publish, and have been very much interested in the reports you have made, in witnessing the energy and zeal you display in endeavoring to introduce home-manufactured goods and articles of different kinds, in looking after the poor and necessitous, and in trying to elevate the community generally. To our Young Men's Mutual Improvement Societies I say, God bless you, and all who are operating in the interest of Zion, forever.
Now let me say to parents, let us see that our youth are properly cared for and taught, and that honesty, truthfulness, virtue and good morals are inculcated, that they may grow in the faith of the Gospel and in the fear of God, to be useful in their day, to carry on the great work in which we are engaged. We already perceive a great improvement among our young men in their administrations; they are stepping forth, manifesting an excellent spirit, and many of them promise to become mighty men in Israel, who will roll forth the work when we get through. I will say to the Presidents of Stakes, encourage and foster these institutions; and to all the people I would say, love God and fear him and keep his commandments. Be honest with yourselves, honest before God. Be virtuous, be truthful and full of integrity, and fear the Lord your God in your hearts, and his blessing will be with you, and his Spirit will attend you, and your generations after you, worlds without end. Amen.
Elder Wilford Woodruff
addressed the Conference: Every member of the Church should be full of revelation for the guidance of his own affairs. Every Elder in Israel who presided in any public position, should have revelation so that all his acts might be in accordance with the mind and will of God. God would fit and qualify any man holding the priesthood to honor his particular calling, if he lived as he should. We should build these Temples, for there were thousands behind the vail waiting to be delivered from their prison house, and the Latter-day Saints were the only people that could aid them. He called upon the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops to look well after the labors of the sisters, for they had done a good work, and needed encouragement. He wished the authorities to urge on all the sisters to unite themselves with these Relief Societies. Those who contemplated going to St. George for their blessings in the Temple should not forget to take with them their offerings, for there were many engaged in that Temple day by day without any remuneration whatever. He urged the planting out of mulberry trees, the fostering of Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Societies, and the sustaining of home publications.
addressed the Conference: Every member of the Church should be full of revelation for the guidance of his own affairs. Every Elder in Israel who presided in any public position, should have revelation so that all his acts might be in accordance with the mind and will of God. God would fit and qualify any man holding the priesthood to honor his particular calling, if he lived as he should. We should build these Temples, for there were thousands behind the vail waiting to be delivered from their prison house, and the Latter-day Saints were the only people that could aid them. He called upon the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops to look well after the labors of the sisters, for they had done a good work, and needed encouragement. He wished the authorities to urge on all the sisters to unite themselves with these Relief Societies. Those who contemplated going to St. George for their blessings in the Temple should not forget to take with them their offerings, for there were many engaged in that Temple day by day without any remuneration whatever. He urged the planting out of mulberry trees, the fostering of Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Societies, and the sustaining of home publications.
President John Taylor adjourned the Conference until the 6th of April, 1878, the place to be designated hereafter.
The Choir sang—Mozart’s Gloria.
Closing benediction by Elder Orson Pratt.
Thus ended one of the most interesting and encouraging conferences ever held in the Tabernacle. There was an unusually large attendance from all parts of the Territory.
The singing of the admirably trained choir, under the leadership of Professor George Careless, and the excellent performances on the organ, by Brother J. J. Daynes, added much to the interest and pleasure of the occasion.
George Goddard,
Clerk of General Conference.
The foregoing is only a brief synopsis of the proceedings. Further particulars will be given and the discourses published in full.
The Choir sang—Mozart’s Gloria.
Closing benediction by Elder Orson Pratt.
Thus ended one of the most interesting and encouraging conferences ever held in the Tabernacle. There was an unusually large attendance from all parts of the Territory.
The singing of the admirably trained choir, under the leadership of Professor George Careless, and the excellent performances on the organ, by Brother J. J. Daynes, added much to the interest and pleasure of the occasion.
George Goddard,
Clerk of General Conference.
The foregoing is only a brief synopsis of the proceedings. Further particulars will be given and the discourses published in full.