April 1881
Cannon, George Q. "Modern Fulfillment of Ancient Prophecy—Rise of Joseph the Prophet—Organization of the Church of Christ—Persecutions of the Saints—Their Undying Faith in God—The World Proving Joseph Smith a Prophet—Satan Busily at Work—The Gospel of Liberty and Humanity." Journal of Discourses. Volume 23. April 3, 1881: pg. 114-123.
Cannon, George Q. "Education—Its Advantages Among the Saints, Etc." Journal of Discourses. Volume 22. April 5, 1881: pg. 273-278. Snow, Erastus. "The Gospel—The “Perfect Law of Liberty,” Etc.." Journal of Discourses. Volume 22. April 4, 1881: pg. 149-154. The Deseret News. "Fifty-First Annual Conference." April 6, 1881: pg. 152-153. The Deseret News. "Fifty-First Annual Conference." April 13, 1881: pg. 168-169, 172. The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "Fifty-First Annual Conference." May 2, 1881: pg. 273-279. The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "Fifty-First Annual Conference." May 9, 1881: pg. 289-295. The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star. "Fifty-First Annual Conference." May 23, 1881: pg. 321-324. Woodruff, Wilford. "The Saints Have Cause to Rejoice—Their Labors and Future." Journal of Discourses. Volume 22. April 3, 1881: pg. 144-149. FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE President John Taylor Apostle Wilford Woodruff The Saints Have Cause to Rejoice—Their Labors and Future Apostle Lorenzo Snow Apostle F. D. Richards Sunday, 2 p. m. President John Taylor President George Q. Cannon Modern Fulfillment of Ancient Prophecy—Rise of Joseph the Prophet Monday, 10 a. m. President Joseph F. Smith President John Taylor Monday, 2 p. m. Apostle Erastus Snow The Gospel—The "Perfect Law of Liberty," Etc. Elder John Nicholson Financial Reports of Logan and Manti Temple. Announcement for Missionaries Tuesday, 10 o’clock a. m. Apostle F. M. Lyman Apostle Brigham Young, Jr. President George Q. Cannon Education—Its Advantages Among the Saints, Etc. 2 p. m. Apostle John H. Smith Reports of Auxiliaries President John Taylor A Priesthood meeting George Q. Cannon Wilford Woodruff John Taylor Wednesday, 10 a.m. Elder Wm. Budge Primary Report Delinquent Reports Report on Back Tithing Offer to Cancel Tithing Debt for the Poor Apostle F. D. Richards Apostle Erastus Snow 2 p. m. President Joseph F. Smith Mission Calls Support for Missionaries Sustaining of the General Authorities President John Taylor |
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FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on Sunday, April 3rd, 1881, at 10 o’clock a.m., as per call of the First Presidency:
Present on the stand: Of the First Presidency.—John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, and Jos. F. Smith.
Of the Twelve.—Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young [Jr.], Francis M. Lyman and John H. Smith; Counselor D. H. Wells.
Patriarch.—John Smith.
Presidents of Seventies.—Joseph Young, Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott and W. W. Taylor.
Of the Bishopric.—Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading men from nearly all the Stakes of Zion.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
Choir sang, All praise to our redeeming Lord, Who joins us by his grace.
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang: Oh, my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and holy place.
The Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, convened in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on Sunday, April 3rd, 1881, at 10 o’clock a.m., as per call of the First Presidency:
Present on the stand: Of the First Presidency.—John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, and Jos. F. Smith.
Of the Twelve.—Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young [Jr.], Francis M. Lyman and John H. Smith; Counselor D. H. Wells.
Patriarch.—John Smith.
Presidents of Seventies.—Joseph Young, Horace S. Eldredge, John Van Cott and W. W. Taylor.
Of the Bishopric.—Edward Hunter, Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton.
Besides Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and other leading men from nearly all the Stakes of Zion.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
Choir sang, All praise to our redeeming Lord, Who joins us by his grace.
Prayer by President Joseph F. Smith.
The choir sang: Oh, my Father, thou that dwellest In the high and holy place.
President John Taylor.
We are met this morning to attend to the duties and the responsibilities which devolve upon us at our annual Conference. We thought that we would change the programme a little as it regards time; and as it is the spring season of the year, when men are generally engaged with their labor, we thought by commencing our Conference to-day, it would give men an opportunity of being present without losing a day’s labor in their fields. We have this morning a delightful time, very pleasant weather and everything favorable for our assembling together. And whilst we are thus assembled, it is proper that we, as Saints of the Most High God, ought to have our hearts and feelings under the direction and inspiration of the Almighty, that we may seek for the good Spirit of the Lord to be with us, to guide us and to direct us in all of our teachings, in all of our business transactions, in all of our counselling and in the various duties and responsibilities which devolve upon us to attend to on this occasion.
This is the 51st Anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—or it will be next Wednesday morning—and when we reflect upon the circumstances with which we have been surrounded from that time until the present, we certainly must feel that we have cause to rejoice and to be grateful to the God of Israel for the many mercies and blessings which He has manifested toward us, and for His protecting care which has been over us in the midst of opposition and in the midst of calumny, and in the midst of reproach, having been assailed all the time by enemies to God and to His truth, the Lord has preserved us, and we will give to God the glory. And irrespective of the feelings and ideas and theories of men, we feel to rejoice and praise God our heavenly Father from the bottom of our hearts for the kindness and mercy which He has vouchsafed unto us; and whatever may be, the feelings are glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to men, even to all who love the truth everywhere, among all peoples in all the world. And whatever may be the feelings of others toward us, our feelings are nothing but kindness and mercy and salvation to the human family.
We are here to carry out the word and will and designs of God. We are here to help to build up His kingdom; to combat error; to advance principles of truth; to establish Zion, and to bring to pass things that have been spoken of by all the holy Prophets since the world was. And in our teachings, in our administrations, in our selecting missionaries to go forth to the nations of the earth to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and in all the relations that we may have to do with, in our assembling together, we ask for the guidance of the good Spirit of God to be with us. And I say to Israel, God bless you and lead you in the paths of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
We are met this morning to attend to the duties and the responsibilities which devolve upon us at our annual Conference. We thought that we would change the programme a little as it regards time; and as it is the spring season of the year, when men are generally engaged with their labor, we thought by commencing our Conference to-day, it would give men an opportunity of being present without losing a day’s labor in their fields. We have this morning a delightful time, very pleasant weather and everything favorable for our assembling together. And whilst we are thus assembled, it is proper that we, as Saints of the Most High God, ought to have our hearts and feelings under the direction and inspiration of the Almighty, that we may seek for the good Spirit of the Lord to be with us, to guide us and to direct us in all of our teachings, in all of our business transactions, in all of our counselling and in the various duties and responsibilities which devolve upon us to attend to on this occasion.
This is the 51st Anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—or it will be next Wednesday morning—and when we reflect upon the circumstances with which we have been surrounded from that time until the present, we certainly must feel that we have cause to rejoice and to be grateful to the God of Israel for the many mercies and blessings which He has manifested toward us, and for His protecting care which has been over us in the midst of opposition and in the midst of calumny, and in the midst of reproach, having been assailed all the time by enemies to God and to His truth, the Lord has preserved us, and we will give to God the glory. And irrespective of the feelings and ideas and theories of men, we feel to rejoice and praise God our heavenly Father from the bottom of our hearts for the kindness and mercy which He has vouchsafed unto us; and whatever may be, the feelings are glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to men, even to all who love the truth everywhere, among all peoples in all the world. And whatever may be the feelings of others toward us, our feelings are nothing but kindness and mercy and salvation to the human family.
We are here to carry out the word and will and designs of God. We are here to help to build up His kingdom; to combat error; to advance principles of truth; to establish Zion, and to bring to pass things that have been spoken of by all the holy Prophets since the world was. And in our teachings, in our administrations, in our selecting missionaries to go forth to the nations of the earth to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and in all the relations that we may have to do with, in our assembling together, we ask for the guidance of the good Spirit of God to be with us. And I say to Israel, God bless you and lead you in the paths of life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Apostle Wilford Woodruff
reiterated the previous speaker’s sentiment of gratitude to God for the privilege of meeting with so many of the Saints and those bearing the Holy Priesthood in this the last dispensation. He could not but marvel when he meditated over the way in which the Saints had been protected and blessed from the beginning. Alluded to the example of the three Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down before Nebuchadnezzar’s image, and of their passing through the fiery ordeal unscathed, also to Daniel’s cruel treatment and subsequent preservation. He never knew a man who gained anything by trying to shirk the duties which God expected of him. Instanced Jonah’s experience. Although the Savior and His Apostles were called upon to seal their testimony with their blood, they could not afford to turn away from the truth or shirk its responsibilities. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were also faithful unto death, and they could afford to die for, but not to desert the truth. It is for all the Latter-day Saints to cherish the memory of such noble examples, and to remember that they can afford to carry out the purposes of God even though death should ensue. But no man can afford to compromise with error or forsake the Gospel of God. If we are faithful, we will see the fulfillment of all the promises that God has made in respect to this age and dispensation. The revelations we have received in this day are from God, just as much as any that were ever given to man from the heavens, and just as truly as ancient revelations have been fulfilled to the letter, so true is it that not one jot or tittle of modern revelation will fall unfulfilled. God is over us and we need not fear. He will break every weapon formed against us, and though we have met with persecution in a measure, and even now the hands of the wicked are stretched out against us, God will deliver us from all our enemies. Why are we persecuted? It is said we believe in the principle of plural marriage. This merely a pretext. If we compromised that principle we should have to renounce all—prophets, apostles, bishops, laws and ordinances, and even our God. This we cannot afford to do. God will sustain us. He controls man, and he will watch over us henceforth and for ever. We need not fear man, nor renounce one principle of our religion for his sake. But fear God and keep his commandments, and we shall inherit eternal life in his celestial kingdom.
reiterated the previous speaker’s sentiment of gratitude to God for the privilege of meeting with so many of the Saints and those bearing the Holy Priesthood in this the last dispensation. He could not but marvel when he meditated over the way in which the Saints had been protected and blessed from the beginning. Alluded to the example of the three Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down before Nebuchadnezzar’s image, and of their passing through the fiery ordeal unscathed, also to Daniel’s cruel treatment and subsequent preservation. He never knew a man who gained anything by trying to shirk the duties which God expected of him. Instanced Jonah’s experience. Although the Savior and His Apostles were called upon to seal their testimony with their blood, they could not afford to turn away from the truth or shirk its responsibilities. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were also faithful unto death, and they could afford to die for, but not to desert the truth. It is for all the Latter-day Saints to cherish the memory of such noble examples, and to remember that they can afford to carry out the purposes of God even though death should ensue. But no man can afford to compromise with error or forsake the Gospel of God. If we are faithful, we will see the fulfillment of all the promises that God has made in respect to this age and dispensation. The revelations we have received in this day are from God, just as much as any that were ever given to man from the heavens, and just as truly as ancient revelations have been fulfilled to the letter, so true is it that not one jot or tittle of modern revelation will fall unfulfilled. God is over us and we need not fear. He will break every weapon formed against us, and though we have met with persecution in a measure, and even now the hands of the wicked are stretched out against us, God will deliver us from all our enemies. Why are we persecuted? It is said we believe in the principle of plural marriage. This merely a pretext. If we compromised that principle we should have to renounce all—prophets, apostles, bishops, laws and ordinances, and even our God. This we cannot afford to do. God will sustain us. He controls man, and he will watch over us henceforth and for ever. We need not fear man, nor renounce one principle of our religion for his sake. But fear God and keep his commandments, and we shall inherit eternal life in his celestial kingdom.
The Saints Have Cause to Rejoice—Their Labors and Future
Discourse by Elder Wilford Woodruff, delivered at the General Conference, Sunday Morning, April 3, 1881.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
I think that all of us as Latter-day Saints should have our hearts filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to God our Heavenly Father for his mercies and blessings which we enjoy this day. It is certainly a source of much pleasure to me to have the privilege of meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints, and with so many bearing the Holy Priesthood in this dispensation of God to man. I cannot but rejoice when I reflect upon the history of this people, and contemplate the dealings of God with us, how that He has protected us and sustained us and delivered us and made us a community in the land, and that too under adversity and opposition.
In tracing the history of the Prophets and Apostles of old, as well as those of our day, we find that there have been some very peculiar manifestations of the trust and confidence in God which they have exercised. Consider, for instance, the position of the Three Hebrews. They could afford to trust themselves in the hands of God; they could afford to meet whatever punishment or affliction or persecution which might be heaped upon them in consequence of their obeying the law of God. But they could not afford to bow down and worship the image which Nebuchadnezzar had caused to be set up, because it was contrary to the commandments of God. The history of the result of their refusing to obey the royal edict, commanding all Babylon to fall down and worship it, we are familiar with; also with the similar circumstance in which the Prophet Daniel figured. In any and every age of the world when God has called or commanded a man or a people to perform a certain work, they through determination and perseverance, and faith in him, have been enabled to accomplish it; and I do not know of a single instance wherein anything ennobling or exalting has been gained when his command has been shunned or willfully disobeyed. I will here mention the case of Jonah, which presents itself to my mind, when the Lord sent him to deliver a message to Ninevah. The requirement was a little too much for Jonah, and he thought he would try to avoid it; but after he had spent three days and nights in the belly of a whale, he thought, no doubt, that if ever he got to land he would unhesitatingly obey the commandments of the Lord. The result we know. We take our Savior, and also the Apostles who followed him; we read the history of what they suffered and passed through. All of the Apostles suffered death (excepting one, whom they could not destroy), including the Son of God himself, in order to seal their testimony with their blood; while the Savior had to suffer upon the cross, to fill the mission which he had been preordained to perform; which, by the way, is a very strange ensample to man, to see the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father on the earth, the Firstborn in the spirit world, a person of His high exaltation and glory, condescending to come forth to be born in a stable and cradled in a manger; and after he grew up, how he traveled about in adversity and suffering, never shrinking from any duty imposed upon him—it should certainly be a good ensample to all of his followers. And the Apostles themselves, because of their integrity to the truths of the Gospel which they had received through their Master, the Savior, they like him, suffered death, and thus sealed their testimony with their blood. They could perform no more than he could towards turning the hearts of the people to the truth; but they determined to risk whatever suffering, trouble or tribulation they were called to pass through for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus, that they might receive eternal life.
I bring this home to ourselves. I bring it home to the Latter-day Saints; I bring it home to our day and generation. Many of us have been acquainted with our Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph and Hyrum Smith. We know their lives; we know the suffering and trouble they passed through. These men are true and faithful unto death. They could afford to do it; but they could not afford to deny the faith; they could not afford to shrink from the important message which God had given unto them, of establishing this Church and kingdom upon the earth, but they could afford to be true and faithful to the last moments of their lives, in advocating and defending the principles of the Gospel of the Son of God. I wish to say to our leading men, the Presidency of this Church, the Twelve Apostles, the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, the Bishops, the Seventies, the High Priests and Elders, and to all men bearing the Holy Priesthood, as well as to all who have entered into covenant with God, that we can, as individuals and as a people, afford to maintain our integrity in this our day and generation, regardless of consequences. We can afford to be true and faithful to God; we can afford to carry out every principle and commandment which God has given unto us; we can afford to do this, as much so as Prophets and Apostles and people of God of other dispensations and generations. And I would say to all Israel, there is not one soul of us who can afford to compromise one of the revelations or one of the commandments which God has committed to our charge. No man can afford to do this who is called of God to build up this Kingdom. We can afford, however, to meet the consequences, whatever they may be. And I would say to all present this day, that we should have, and that we have as much comfort, as much hope and as much cause to trust in God, and have received as much encouragement, by the overruling hand of Almighty God in our behalf, to go on magnifying our calling and to be true and faithful to every commandment which God has given unto us, as the people of any other generation had in their day; and for one I can say, “It is the kingdom of God or nothing for me and I am willing to risk the consequences. I know that I cannot afford to disobey any commandment which God has given to me, because there is no man who holds the Priesthood, and possessing the inspiration and the gifts of God and the light of truth, but would be ashamed both in the flesh and in the spirit world to meet his God, and to be obliged to acknowledge that he did not obey His commandments. And I will here say that whenever we do our duty, whenever we keep the commandments which have been made known to us, we will see the fulfillment of the promises which God has made to us with regard to this day, age and dispensation. There is no promise which God has made to us but what will be fulfilled to the very letter. I read these—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and I regard them as eternal truths. I cannot find any revelations given from the days of Moses down to the days of Joseph Smith, nor from the days of Joseph to our day, by men who have spoken as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, but what has been fulfilled to the very letter, as far as time would admit of. Though the heavens and the earth pass away, not one jot or tittle which will fall unfulfilled. When I read these solemn, these eternal declarations made through the mouth of Joseph Smith, my heart swells with gratitude and praise to God, my heavenly Father. I consider that the Doctrine and Covenants, our Testament, contains a code of the most solemn, the most Godlike proclamations ever made to the human family. I will refer to the “Vision” alone, as a revelation which gives more light, more truth, and more principle than any revelation contained in any other book we ever read. It makes plain to our understanding our present condition, where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going to. Any man may know through that revelation what his part and condition will be. For all men know what laws they keep, and the laws which men keep here will determine their position hereafter; they will be preserved by those laws and receive the blessings which belong to them.
I say again, the Latter-day Saints have every encouragement; their pathway is plain and inviting before them. And the nearer we adhere to the commandments of God, the more confident we shall become that God is our friend and that He is watching over us, and that his Son Jesus is our advocate, with the Father, that he is in the midst of this people, and that he will contend for the rights of his Saints, and will ward off every weapon which is formed against Zion. So far at least we have been sustained; the arm of Jehovah has been made bare in our behalf ever since we have been in these valleys, and all Israel whose eyes are open to see, and whose minds can comprehend the dealings of God with his people, know it. We have been sustained by the power of God from the beginning to this day, and nothing short of the power of God could have saved us and brought us through; and nothing but the power of God can preserve us, and nothing but his wisdom can pilot us safe to the high destiny which awaits us. Perhaps I may be permitted to say, we met with a good deal of persecution and oppression and suffering before we came to these valleys, and still the hand of oppression is stretched out against us, and the public mind everywhere within the pale of Christendom is more or less set on our destruction, and that because a certain Biblical principle—the patriarchal order of marriage is practiced by us. When Earl Rosborough was visiting this city, he inquired of President Taylor what excuse the State of Missouri had in driving ten thousand of this people beyond their borders into the State of Illinois; and what excuse the people of this nation had who took part in, and those who countenanced the persecution which we have endured, for persecuting us before the principle of patriarchal marriage was practiced by the Latter-day Saints. President Taylor replied, it was because we believed in revelation, because we believed in Prophets and Apostles, and because we believed in the ancient, the apostolic, the everlasting Gospel, with all its gifts and blessings. Then, said Earl Rosborough, “it would make no difference, as far as your being at variance with the Christian world is concerned, whether you practice plural marriage or not, unless you renounce all other principles you hold to that caused your persecution heretofore; you would be persecuted still.” I say the same today. The nation cares no more about our practicing the order of plural marriage than any other principle of the Gospel; it would make no difference with us today. Were we to compromise this principle by saying, we will renounce it, we would then have to renounce our belief in revelation from God, and our belief in the necessity of Prophets and Apostles, and the principle of the gathering, and then to do away with the idea and practice of building Temples in which to administer ordinances for the exaltation of the living and the redemption of the dead; and at last we would have to renounce our Church organization, and mix up and mingle with the world, and become part of them. Can we afford to do this? I tell you no, we cannot; but we can afford to keep the commandments of God. And I will here say, that we have been sustained by the hand of Jehovah in a marvelous and miraculous manner ever since we came to these valleys and proclaimed to the world our belief in the revelation of celestial or plural marriage; and I will say further, and in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Elder Brother, we shall be sustained from this time until he comes in the clouds of heaven, inasmuch as we shrink not from the performance of our duties. We have somebody to deal with besides man. The God of heaven holds our destiny; he holds the destiny of our nation and of all the nations, and he controls them. Therefore, I say to the Latter-day Saints, let us be faithful; let us keep the commandments; let us not renounce a single principle or command which God has given to us. Let us keep the word of wisdom. Let us pay our tithes and offerings. Let us obey the celestial law of God, that we may have our wives and children with us in the morning of the first resurrection; that we may come forth clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives, with our wives and children bound to us in the family organization in the celestial world, to dwell with us throughout the endless ages of eternity, together with all the sons and daughters of Adam who shall have kept the commandments of God.
I pray that we may be able to do our duty in this world. I pray that we may not fear man who can only kill the body, but fear God who hath power to cast both body and soul into hell. I feel to say that there is no people under heaven who have so much cause to rejoice and to be grateful as the Latter-day Saints. There is no other people since the foundation of the world called to perform the work which you, Latter-day Saints, are called to perform. The God of heaven has given you the kingdom, the great and last kingdom, the only kingdom which has ever been set up on this earth to remain until the coming of the Son of Man. Although in its infancy, this work has a great and a mighty future; and as I have often said, the eyes of all the hosts of heaven are over us; the eyes of God Himself, and the eyes of all the Prophets and Apostles who have ever lived in the flesh are watching this people. They know that they are not neither can they be made perfect without you; and they fully understand that we cannot be made perfect without them. They understand the greatness, the extent, the power and the glory of this dispensation.
When I contemplate the fact that the few men and women dwelling in these mountain valleys have had committed to them this great and mighty work, I feel that of all people under heaven we ought to be the most grateful to our God; and that we ought to remember to keep our covenants, and humble ourselves before him, and labor with all our hearts to discharge faithfully the responsibilities which devolve upon us, and the duties which are required at our hands. For we can afford to do anything which God requires of us; but none of us can afford to do wrong. It would cost far more than this world with all its wealth is worth for the Latter-day Saints to do wrong and come under the disfavor of Almighty God. Our prayers, one and all, should be that of David's—“Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
I pray God to bless this assembly of His people; and to bless the Presidency of the Church, the Apostles and all bearing the holy Priesthood, together with all who have entered into covenant with him. My earnest prayer is that the blessings of our God may be over us in time, that when we get through and shall pass behind the veil, we shall have done all that was required of us, and be prepared to dwell with the sanctified and the just made perfect through the blood of the Lamb. Amen.
Discourse by Elder Wilford Woodruff, delivered at the General Conference, Sunday Morning, April 3, 1881.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
I think that all of us as Latter-day Saints should have our hearts filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to God our Heavenly Father for his mercies and blessings which we enjoy this day. It is certainly a source of much pleasure to me to have the privilege of meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints, and with so many bearing the Holy Priesthood in this dispensation of God to man. I cannot but rejoice when I reflect upon the history of this people, and contemplate the dealings of God with us, how that He has protected us and sustained us and delivered us and made us a community in the land, and that too under adversity and opposition.
In tracing the history of the Prophets and Apostles of old, as well as those of our day, we find that there have been some very peculiar manifestations of the trust and confidence in God which they have exercised. Consider, for instance, the position of the Three Hebrews. They could afford to trust themselves in the hands of God; they could afford to meet whatever punishment or affliction or persecution which might be heaped upon them in consequence of their obeying the law of God. But they could not afford to bow down and worship the image which Nebuchadnezzar had caused to be set up, because it was contrary to the commandments of God. The history of the result of their refusing to obey the royal edict, commanding all Babylon to fall down and worship it, we are familiar with; also with the similar circumstance in which the Prophet Daniel figured. In any and every age of the world when God has called or commanded a man or a people to perform a certain work, they through determination and perseverance, and faith in him, have been enabled to accomplish it; and I do not know of a single instance wherein anything ennobling or exalting has been gained when his command has been shunned or willfully disobeyed. I will here mention the case of Jonah, which presents itself to my mind, when the Lord sent him to deliver a message to Ninevah. The requirement was a little too much for Jonah, and he thought he would try to avoid it; but after he had spent three days and nights in the belly of a whale, he thought, no doubt, that if ever he got to land he would unhesitatingly obey the commandments of the Lord. The result we know. We take our Savior, and also the Apostles who followed him; we read the history of what they suffered and passed through. All of the Apostles suffered death (excepting one, whom they could not destroy), including the Son of God himself, in order to seal their testimony with their blood; while the Savior had to suffer upon the cross, to fill the mission which he had been preordained to perform; which, by the way, is a very strange ensample to man, to see the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father on the earth, the Firstborn in the spirit world, a person of His high exaltation and glory, condescending to come forth to be born in a stable and cradled in a manger; and after he grew up, how he traveled about in adversity and suffering, never shrinking from any duty imposed upon him—it should certainly be a good ensample to all of his followers. And the Apostles themselves, because of their integrity to the truths of the Gospel which they had received through their Master, the Savior, they like him, suffered death, and thus sealed their testimony with their blood. They could perform no more than he could towards turning the hearts of the people to the truth; but they determined to risk whatever suffering, trouble or tribulation they were called to pass through for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus, that they might receive eternal life.
I bring this home to ourselves. I bring it home to the Latter-day Saints; I bring it home to our day and generation. Many of us have been acquainted with our Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph and Hyrum Smith. We know their lives; we know the suffering and trouble they passed through. These men are true and faithful unto death. They could afford to do it; but they could not afford to deny the faith; they could not afford to shrink from the important message which God had given unto them, of establishing this Church and kingdom upon the earth, but they could afford to be true and faithful to the last moments of their lives, in advocating and defending the principles of the Gospel of the Son of God. I wish to say to our leading men, the Presidency of this Church, the Twelve Apostles, the Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, the Bishops, the Seventies, the High Priests and Elders, and to all men bearing the Holy Priesthood, as well as to all who have entered into covenant with God, that we can, as individuals and as a people, afford to maintain our integrity in this our day and generation, regardless of consequences. We can afford to be true and faithful to God; we can afford to carry out every principle and commandment which God has given unto us; we can afford to do this, as much so as Prophets and Apostles and people of God of other dispensations and generations. And I would say to all Israel, there is not one soul of us who can afford to compromise one of the revelations or one of the commandments which God has committed to our charge. No man can afford to do this who is called of God to build up this Kingdom. We can afford, however, to meet the consequences, whatever they may be. And I would say to all present this day, that we should have, and that we have as much comfort, as much hope and as much cause to trust in God, and have received as much encouragement, by the overruling hand of Almighty God in our behalf, to go on magnifying our calling and to be true and faithful to every commandment which God has given unto us, as the people of any other generation had in their day; and for one I can say, “It is the kingdom of God or nothing for me and I am willing to risk the consequences. I know that I cannot afford to disobey any commandment which God has given to me, because there is no man who holds the Priesthood, and possessing the inspiration and the gifts of God and the light of truth, but would be ashamed both in the flesh and in the spirit world to meet his God, and to be obliged to acknowledge that he did not obey His commandments. And I will here say that whenever we do our duty, whenever we keep the commandments which have been made known to us, we will see the fulfillment of the promises which God has made to us with regard to this day, age and dispensation. There is no promise which God has made to us but what will be fulfilled to the very letter. I read these—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and I regard them as eternal truths. I cannot find any revelations given from the days of Moses down to the days of Joseph Smith, nor from the days of Joseph to our day, by men who have spoken as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost, but what has been fulfilled to the very letter, as far as time would admit of. Though the heavens and the earth pass away, not one jot or tittle which will fall unfulfilled. When I read these solemn, these eternal declarations made through the mouth of Joseph Smith, my heart swells with gratitude and praise to God, my heavenly Father. I consider that the Doctrine and Covenants, our Testament, contains a code of the most solemn, the most Godlike proclamations ever made to the human family. I will refer to the “Vision” alone, as a revelation which gives more light, more truth, and more principle than any revelation contained in any other book we ever read. It makes plain to our understanding our present condition, where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going to. Any man may know through that revelation what his part and condition will be. For all men know what laws they keep, and the laws which men keep here will determine their position hereafter; they will be preserved by those laws and receive the blessings which belong to them.
I say again, the Latter-day Saints have every encouragement; their pathway is plain and inviting before them. And the nearer we adhere to the commandments of God, the more confident we shall become that God is our friend and that He is watching over us, and that his Son Jesus is our advocate, with the Father, that he is in the midst of this people, and that he will contend for the rights of his Saints, and will ward off every weapon which is formed against Zion. So far at least we have been sustained; the arm of Jehovah has been made bare in our behalf ever since we have been in these valleys, and all Israel whose eyes are open to see, and whose minds can comprehend the dealings of God with his people, know it. We have been sustained by the power of God from the beginning to this day, and nothing short of the power of God could have saved us and brought us through; and nothing but the power of God can preserve us, and nothing but his wisdom can pilot us safe to the high destiny which awaits us. Perhaps I may be permitted to say, we met with a good deal of persecution and oppression and suffering before we came to these valleys, and still the hand of oppression is stretched out against us, and the public mind everywhere within the pale of Christendom is more or less set on our destruction, and that because a certain Biblical principle—the patriarchal order of marriage is practiced by us. When Earl Rosborough was visiting this city, he inquired of President Taylor what excuse the State of Missouri had in driving ten thousand of this people beyond their borders into the State of Illinois; and what excuse the people of this nation had who took part in, and those who countenanced the persecution which we have endured, for persecuting us before the principle of patriarchal marriage was practiced by the Latter-day Saints. President Taylor replied, it was because we believed in revelation, because we believed in Prophets and Apostles, and because we believed in the ancient, the apostolic, the everlasting Gospel, with all its gifts and blessings. Then, said Earl Rosborough, “it would make no difference, as far as your being at variance with the Christian world is concerned, whether you practice plural marriage or not, unless you renounce all other principles you hold to that caused your persecution heretofore; you would be persecuted still.” I say the same today. The nation cares no more about our practicing the order of plural marriage than any other principle of the Gospel; it would make no difference with us today. Were we to compromise this principle by saying, we will renounce it, we would then have to renounce our belief in revelation from God, and our belief in the necessity of Prophets and Apostles, and the principle of the gathering, and then to do away with the idea and practice of building Temples in which to administer ordinances for the exaltation of the living and the redemption of the dead; and at last we would have to renounce our Church organization, and mix up and mingle with the world, and become part of them. Can we afford to do this? I tell you no, we cannot; but we can afford to keep the commandments of God. And I will here say, that we have been sustained by the hand of Jehovah in a marvelous and miraculous manner ever since we came to these valleys and proclaimed to the world our belief in the revelation of celestial or plural marriage; and I will say further, and in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Elder Brother, we shall be sustained from this time until he comes in the clouds of heaven, inasmuch as we shrink not from the performance of our duties. We have somebody to deal with besides man. The God of heaven holds our destiny; he holds the destiny of our nation and of all the nations, and he controls them. Therefore, I say to the Latter-day Saints, let us be faithful; let us keep the commandments; let us not renounce a single principle or command which God has given to us. Let us keep the word of wisdom. Let us pay our tithes and offerings. Let us obey the celestial law of God, that we may have our wives and children with us in the morning of the first resurrection; that we may come forth clothed with glory, immortality and eternal lives, with our wives and children bound to us in the family organization in the celestial world, to dwell with us throughout the endless ages of eternity, together with all the sons and daughters of Adam who shall have kept the commandments of God.
I pray that we may be able to do our duty in this world. I pray that we may not fear man who can only kill the body, but fear God who hath power to cast both body and soul into hell. I feel to say that there is no people under heaven who have so much cause to rejoice and to be grateful as the Latter-day Saints. There is no other people since the foundation of the world called to perform the work which you, Latter-day Saints, are called to perform. The God of heaven has given you the kingdom, the great and last kingdom, the only kingdom which has ever been set up on this earth to remain until the coming of the Son of Man. Although in its infancy, this work has a great and a mighty future; and as I have often said, the eyes of all the hosts of heaven are over us; the eyes of God Himself, and the eyes of all the Prophets and Apostles who have ever lived in the flesh are watching this people. They know that they are not neither can they be made perfect without you; and they fully understand that we cannot be made perfect without them. They understand the greatness, the extent, the power and the glory of this dispensation.
When I contemplate the fact that the few men and women dwelling in these mountain valleys have had committed to them this great and mighty work, I feel that of all people under heaven we ought to be the most grateful to our God; and that we ought to remember to keep our covenants, and humble ourselves before him, and labor with all our hearts to discharge faithfully the responsibilities which devolve upon us, and the duties which are required at our hands. For we can afford to do anything which God requires of us; but none of us can afford to do wrong. It would cost far more than this world with all its wealth is worth for the Latter-day Saints to do wrong and come under the disfavor of Almighty God. Our prayers, one and all, should be that of David's—“Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
I pray God to bless this assembly of His people; and to bless the Presidency of the Church, the Apostles and all bearing the holy Priesthood, together with all who have entered into covenant with him. My earnest prayer is that the blessings of our God may be over us in time, that when we get through and shall pass behind the veil, we shall have done all that was required of us, and be prepared to dwell with the sanctified and the just made perfect through the blood of the Lamb. Amen.
Apostle Lorenzo Snow
said we could well afford to entertain good will and peace toward all mankind. It is for this that we have been called to the position we hold, and this is our mission upon the earth. Jesus came to earth to carry out his Father’s will and to do the work of his Father. He, in turn, gave the same mission to His apostles. He glorified His Father and he told His disciples they must do likewise. He told them they should be hated of all men for His sake. All that we receive of good comes from God, and no man can understand the ways of God but by the Spirit of God. Before the foundation of the world, a system of communication between God and men was established, and in no other way can communication be received from Him. The Jews could not, with all their understanding, know that Jesus, the Son of God, was in their midst. Jesus said then, “This is eternal life to know the true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.” On one occasion, when Peter had answered Him that He was “Christ the Son of the living God,” Jesus said: Blessed art thou Simon bar Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven;” and he also said, “Upon this rock (of revelation) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. “It is to be hoped all the Saints to-day are built upon this Rock. It was the principle in ancient days and it is the principle to-day upon which the Church is founded—the principle of revelation from God. Through this came all our knowledge and intelligence concerning the things of God, and we receive through it the comforts of the Spirit which enable us to suffer persecution gladly, looking forward to our eternal exaltation, and ready to suffer and sacrifice all things for the sake of the Kingdom of God. By doing the works of God, we glorify God, even as Jesus did, and we know that if we do these works, we shall be rewarded by being raised to His presence and made sharers of His glory. We must be united and act as a unit in building up God’s kingdom. If we refuse to do the works which will make us one, God will find some means to compel us to become one, for except we are one we are not His. In Missouri the Saints failed to consecrate all their property to the building up of God’s kingdom and they afterwards had to give it all up to the mob. Let us hope this will not be the case again. But let us keep God’s commandments and seek to glorify Him in all our acts.
said we could well afford to entertain good will and peace toward all mankind. It is for this that we have been called to the position we hold, and this is our mission upon the earth. Jesus came to earth to carry out his Father’s will and to do the work of his Father. He, in turn, gave the same mission to His apostles. He glorified His Father and he told His disciples they must do likewise. He told them they should be hated of all men for His sake. All that we receive of good comes from God, and no man can understand the ways of God but by the Spirit of God. Before the foundation of the world, a system of communication between God and men was established, and in no other way can communication be received from Him. The Jews could not, with all their understanding, know that Jesus, the Son of God, was in their midst. Jesus said then, “This is eternal life to know the true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent.” On one occasion, when Peter had answered Him that He was “Christ the Son of the living God,” Jesus said: Blessed art thou Simon bar Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven;” and he also said, “Upon this rock (of revelation) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. “It is to be hoped all the Saints to-day are built upon this Rock. It was the principle in ancient days and it is the principle to-day upon which the Church is founded—the principle of revelation from God. Through this came all our knowledge and intelligence concerning the things of God, and we receive through it the comforts of the Spirit which enable us to suffer persecution gladly, looking forward to our eternal exaltation, and ready to suffer and sacrifice all things for the sake of the Kingdom of God. By doing the works of God, we glorify God, even as Jesus did, and we know that if we do these works, we shall be rewarded by being raised to His presence and made sharers of His glory. We must be united and act as a unit in building up God’s kingdom. If we refuse to do the works which will make us one, God will find some means to compel us to become one, for except we are one we are not His. In Missouri the Saints failed to consecrate all their property to the building up of God’s kingdom and they afterwards had to give it all up to the mob. Let us hope this will not be the case again. But let us keep God’s commandments and seek to glorify Him in all our acts.
Apostle F. D. Richards
felt thankful for the peace in which we had been permitted to meet together; that the gospel had been revealed to man in this day, and that so many had believed it. We have good reason to be grateful, while pestilence, war and famine accompany the human family in other nations, here we have health, peace and plenty. Yet we are sometimes prone to think we are hardly dealt with, and often we borrow trouble. Now God has promised to help us in real trouble, but He has never said He would help us to bear up under “borrowed trouble.” We should trust in God. He will be ever near to guide, console and advise His faithful people. It belongs to us to keep the covenants we have made with the Lord and with each other, and the Lord has said it is His business to take care of His Saints. The hand of God has been over us from the beginning, and ever since our glorious retreat into these mountains, we have prevailed. God has said, “I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but it is for you (the Saints) to forgive all men.” We must remember this and put it into practice in thought and action. Do we realize that we once lived in the spirit world and had the picture of this world placed before us, and that we have been permitted to come here because we were faithful in a pre-existent state? We came here first as our Savior did, to descend below all things, and by adopting the principles of righteousness to gradually ascend to our eternal exaltation. This is the only way by which man can be exalted. And although we are persecuted for preaching these principles, we cannot afford to relinquish them. But no member of the Church who has the spirit of his calling upon him, wishes anything but good to the human race. It is our constant prayer that the world may receive the Gospel and partake with us in its blessings.
The choir sang the anthem, “Sing to the Lord in joyful strains.”
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
felt thankful for the peace in which we had been permitted to meet together; that the gospel had been revealed to man in this day, and that so many had believed it. We have good reason to be grateful, while pestilence, war and famine accompany the human family in other nations, here we have health, peace and plenty. Yet we are sometimes prone to think we are hardly dealt with, and often we borrow trouble. Now God has promised to help us in real trouble, but He has never said He would help us to bear up under “borrowed trouble.” We should trust in God. He will be ever near to guide, console and advise His faithful people. It belongs to us to keep the covenants we have made with the Lord and with each other, and the Lord has said it is His business to take care of His Saints. The hand of God has been over us from the beginning, and ever since our glorious retreat into these mountains, we have prevailed. God has said, “I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but it is for you (the Saints) to forgive all men.” We must remember this and put it into practice in thought and action. Do we realize that we once lived in the spirit world and had the picture of this world placed before us, and that we have been permitted to come here because we were faithful in a pre-existent state? We came here first as our Savior did, to descend below all things, and by adopting the principles of righteousness to gradually ascend to our eternal exaltation. This is the only way by which man can be exalted. And although we are persecuted for preaching these principles, we cannot afford to relinquish them. But no member of the Church who has the spirit of his calling upon him, wishes anything but good to the human race. It is our constant prayer that the world may receive the Gospel and partake with us in its blessings.
The choir sang the anthem, “Sing to the Lord in joyful strains.”
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
Sunday, 2 p. m.
The choir sang: “Mortals awake, let angels join, And chant the solemn lay.”
Prayer by Elder Erastus Snow.
The choir sang: “O Lord of Hosts, we now invoke Thy Spirit most divine.”
Elder Orson Pratt who has been prostrated by sickness for many weeks past, had so far recovered and gained sufficient strength as to be brought to the Conference, and took his seat with the Apostles.
The choir sang: “Mortals awake, let angels join, And chant the solemn lay.”
Prayer by Elder Erastus Snow.
The choir sang: “O Lord of Hosts, we now invoke Thy Spirit most divine.”
Elder Orson Pratt who has been prostrated by sickness for many weeks past, had so far recovered and gained sufficient strength as to be brought to the Conference, and took his seat with the Apostles.
President John Taylor
said owing to the magnitude of this immense audience, it was very desirable for as much silence to be maintained as possible, he therefore called on the Deacons to keep children from walking about, and to preserve as good order as could be maintained that the congregation might be able to hear the remarks of the speakers.
said owing to the magnitude of this immense audience, it was very desirable for as much silence to be maintained as possible, he therefore called on the Deacons to keep children from walking about, and to preserve as good order as could be maintained that the congregation might be able to hear the remarks of the speakers.
President George Q. Cannon
addressed the assembly. Expressed his pleasure at meeting with the Saints in Conference, and invoked the Spirit of the Lord to his aid while speaking. He had been absent in Washington for 15 or 16 weeks, enjoyed excellent health and had never felt better under similar circumstances. There had been considerable said about the Saints of late in the Capital, but he had not been disturbed in his feelings for a second. There is an excitement in the warfare we are engaged in; the consciousness that we are on the winning side and that victory will eventually perch on our banners, renders the experience pleasurable. With the activity which prevails at home among the Saints, with the labors of the Home Missionaries, Improvement Associations, Relief Societies, Sunday schools, etc., and the sending of missionaries abroad to disseminate the principles of truth together with the building of Temples and other works, it is no wonder that opposition should be fierce and that there should be a great deal of talk and agitation about the “Mormons.” We have been taught from the beginning that these things were to be. Year after year, as this work develops and the purposes of God unfold, do we see the striking fulfilment of the prophecies concerning us. Joseph Smith, a prophet of the living God, heralded as good and as evil throughout the world, is gradually being lifted up, and through this the name of God is being glorified. Many of the Prophet’s predictions of 50 years ago, and up to the time of his death, have been fulfilled, and he has been proven to be a prophet. Not by the Saints alone, but by the inhabitants of the earth at large; they are doing all in their power to establish his claim as an inspired servant of God. How marvellous are the purposes and works of God! Using men, nations, governments, as seemeth Him good to effect His wonderful purposes! Those who have been brought up in this Church who can remember the dark and bitter past, know how little they once could see the accomplishment of these prophecies. They could only see them with the eye of faith. But the years that have ensued have brought to pass the things that seemed so unlikely to be fulfilled. When the work was in embryo, it excited hatred and called forth attention. A young and illiterate man testified that he had seen an angel from heaven, and that the old gospel, its gifts and the everlasting priesthood were to be restored, and the Church of God established upon the earth. It aroused a fever of excitement. Men were stirred up to persecute him, began to tell lies about him, and to blast his reputation. His family and himself were calumniated. Every word or act of his life was tortured into evil, and charges were spread abroad respecting him, which had not the least color or semblance of truth. Fifty years ago the Church was organized with but six members. It would seem that so insignificant a number of men might be permitted to pass unnoticed. But not so. It was heralded far and near that Joseph Smith had organized a Church, and everything was done to crush him. False charges were heralded by the press and pulpit, and every effort made to slander and destroy this youth and his associates. At the same time it was said that “Mormonism” was a delusion and would soon burst and disappear. But it did not. The Elders went forth without purse or script, preaching by the spirit and power of God, in the face of all the slanders circulated concerning them and the work continued to grow and spread. They went into Canada, crossed the ocean and sowed the seed of truth on foreign shores. It went from land to land until almost every nation heard the gospel sound. The Elders were persecuted, but they cared not, but continued to preach, for they knew they had it to do. At home persecutions continued, even as the work increased. The Saints were charged with every crime, but especially with the crime of professing to receive revelations from God and to enjoy the Spirit of God and the gifts of Christ’s ancient gospel. In Missouri, Gov. Boggs issued an exterminating order, and the Saints were driven out of the State, for death and apostasy were the only alternatives. In the midst of all this, Joseph Smith predicted that the Saints would become a great and mighty people, and throughout their persecutions they clung to these promises. They knew they were to be hated by all men for the sake of their religion, even as the ancient Saints were, but they had faith to endure through all and to-day they can see the fulfilment of their Prophet’s predictions. Hated and despised as he has been, the only result is that his persecutors have actually established his claim as a Prophet of God. The Latter-day Saints know this to-day and they know many other things yet remaining in the womb of time that are to be fulfilled. Our destiny is written in heaven, enrolled in the archives of eternity. God has spoken it and not one jot or tittle shall pass unfulfilled. While we are waiting for it on earth, myriads of angels and spirits of the just unembodied and disembodied, are waiting and watching it with eagerness from the heavens. It is the work which has been predicted by the prophets of ancient days, the golden age foretold by the poets in their gorgeous picturings of futurity. But the people who are doing it, are accused of every crime and misdemeanor, and every effort is being made to blacken their reputation. Why is this? The Saints know why. The same agencies that were at work anciently—that ruined the reputation of Christ, that crucified Him, that murdered His Apostles and the Prophets, and did not stop until the Church of God had been taken from the earth, is at work now against the Latter-day Saints. It is marvelous that the world cannot see this. Here is a small handful of people, driven from their homes into an untrodden wilderness, yet still carrying in their hearts a love of liberty, of their country, its laws, and the principles of freedom; and instead of seeking alliance with Mexico, whose territory they occupied, or with Great Britain, their neighbor on the north, or with any other power, they asked to be admitted as a State into the Union. Did they not show by this their patriotism and their love of liberty? And by their virtue, truth, temperance, kindness and hospitality which they have shown from the beginning, have they not manifested a desire to serve God and love their fellowmen? Why is all this outcry and spirit of persecution raised against us. Because it is to be. The warfare must go on—God on one side and Satan on the other. Satan has been at work since the beginning to gain the victory, and it would almost seem sometimes that he has been successful. But eventually the victory is with God and His people. It is the destiny of the Saints to uphold the principles of liberty, of right, and to sustain the constitutional government. We are the nucleus of a nation upon which this duty will yet devolve. We are continually battling for the principles of liberty. We are not pleading for them, while efforts are being made to rob us of our rights. We want the liberty to serve God, and we wish all people to have the same liberty. Liberty of conscience, liberty of thought, speech and action, so long as it does not infringe upon anyone’s rights, is our motto and our perpetual desire. This is gospel; the gospel of humanity; and it is as good a gospel as could be preached. The speaker closed with a fervent prayer for the good of Israel.
addressed the assembly. Expressed his pleasure at meeting with the Saints in Conference, and invoked the Spirit of the Lord to his aid while speaking. He had been absent in Washington for 15 or 16 weeks, enjoyed excellent health and had never felt better under similar circumstances. There had been considerable said about the Saints of late in the Capital, but he had not been disturbed in his feelings for a second. There is an excitement in the warfare we are engaged in; the consciousness that we are on the winning side and that victory will eventually perch on our banners, renders the experience pleasurable. With the activity which prevails at home among the Saints, with the labors of the Home Missionaries, Improvement Associations, Relief Societies, Sunday schools, etc., and the sending of missionaries abroad to disseminate the principles of truth together with the building of Temples and other works, it is no wonder that opposition should be fierce and that there should be a great deal of talk and agitation about the “Mormons.” We have been taught from the beginning that these things were to be. Year after year, as this work develops and the purposes of God unfold, do we see the striking fulfilment of the prophecies concerning us. Joseph Smith, a prophet of the living God, heralded as good and as evil throughout the world, is gradually being lifted up, and through this the name of God is being glorified. Many of the Prophet’s predictions of 50 years ago, and up to the time of his death, have been fulfilled, and he has been proven to be a prophet. Not by the Saints alone, but by the inhabitants of the earth at large; they are doing all in their power to establish his claim as an inspired servant of God. How marvellous are the purposes and works of God! Using men, nations, governments, as seemeth Him good to effect His wonderful purposes! Those who have been brought up in this Church who can remember the dark and bitter past, know how little they once could see the accomplishment of these prophecies. They could only see them with the eye of faith. But the years that have ensued have brought to pass the things that seemed so unlikely to be fulfilled. When the work was in embryo, it excited hatred and called forth attention. A young and illiterate man testified that he had seen an angel from heaven, and that the old gospel, its gifts and the everlasting priesthood were to be restored, and the Church of God established upon the earth. It aroused a fever of excitement. Men were stirred up to persecute him, began to tell lies about him, and to blast his reputation. His family and himself were calumniated. Every word or act of his life was tortured into evil, and charges were spread abroad respecting him, which had not the least color or semblance of truth. Fifty years ago the Church was organized with but six members. It would seem that so insignificant a number of men might be permitted to pass unnoticed. But not so. It was heralded far and near that Joseph Smith had organized a Church, and everything was done to crush him. False charges were heralded by the press and pulpit, and every effort made to slander and destroy this youth and his associates. At the same time it was said that “Mormonism” was a delusion and would soon burst and disappear. But it did not. The Elders went forth without purse or script, preaching by the spirit and power of God, in the face of all the slanders circulated concerning them and the work continued to grow and spread. They went into Canada, crossed the ocean and sowed the seed of truth on foreign shores. It went from land to land until almost every nation heard the gospel sound. The Elders were persecuted, but they cared not, but continued to preach, for they knew they had it to do. At home persecutions continued, even as the work increased. The Saints were charged with every crime, but especially with the crime of professing to receive revelations from God and to enjoy the Spirit of God and the gifts of Christ’s ancient gospel. In Missouri, Gov. Boggs issued an exterminating order, and the Saints were driven out of the State, for death and apostasy were the only alternatives. In the midst of all this, Joseph Smith predicted that the Saints would become a great and mighty people, and throughout their persecutions they clung to these promises. They knew they were to be hated by all men for the sake of their religion, even as the ancient Saints were, but they had faith to endure through all and to-day they can see the fulfilment of their Prophet’s predictions. Hated and despised as he has been, the only result is that his persecutors have actually established his claim as a Prophet of God. The Latter-day Saints know this to-day and they know many other things yet remaining in the womb of time that are to be fulfilled. Our destiny is written in heaven, enrolled in the archives of eternity. God has spoken it and not one jot or tittle shall pass unfulfilled. While we are waiting for it on earth, myriads of angels and spirits of the just unembodied and disembodied, are waiting and watching it with eagerness from the heavens. It is the work which has been predicted by the prophets of ancient days, the golden age foretold by the poets in their gorgeous picturings of futurity. But the people who are doing it, are accused of every crime and misdemeanor, and every effort is being made to blacken their reputation. Why is this? The Saints know why. The same agencies that were at work anciently—that ruined the reputation of Christ, that crucified Him, that murdered His Apostles and the Prophets, and did not stop until the Church of God had been taken from the earth, is at work now against the Latter-day Saints. It is marvelous that the world cannot see this. Here is a small handful of people, driven from their homes into an untrodden wilderness, yet still carrying in their hearts a love of liberty, of their country, its laws, and the principles of freedom; and instead of seeking alliance with Mexico, whose territory they occupied, or with Great Britain, their neighbor on the north, or with any other power, they asked to be admitted as a State into the Union. Did they not show by this their patriotism and their love of liberty? And by their virtue, truth, temperance, kindness and hospitality which they have shown from the beginning, have they not manifested a desire to serve God and love their fellowmen? Why is all this outcry and spirit of persecution raised against us. Because it is to be. The warfare must go on—God on one side and Satan on the other. Satan has been at work since the beginning to gain the victory, and it would almost seem sometimes that he has been successful. But eventually the victory is with God and His people. It is the destiny of the Saints to uphold the principles of liberty, of right, and to sustain the constitutional government. We are the nucleus of a nation upon which this duty will yet devolve. We are continually battling for the principles of liberty. We are not pleading for them, while efforts are being made to rob us of our rights. We want the liberty to serve God, and we wish all people to have the same liberty. Liberty of conscience, liberty of thought, speech and action, so long as it does not infringe upon anyone’s rights, is our motto and our perpetual desire. This is gospel; the gospel of humanity; and it is as good a gospel as could be preached. The speaker closed with a fervent prayer for the good of Israel.
Modern Fulfillment of Ancient Prophecy—Rise of Joseph the Prophet—Organization of the Church of Christ—Persecutions of the Saints—Their Undying Faith in God—The World Proving Joseph Smith a Prophet—Satan Busily at Work—The Gospel of Liberty and Humanity
Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered at the General Conference, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, April 3, 1881.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
It is with great pleasure that I meet with you, my brethren and sisters, in Conference today. And though in some respects I am not feeling very eager to address so large a congregation as has assembled this afternoon, still we all know that if we can get the influence and assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, there is no difficulty in speaking or advancing such thoughts and suggestions as are suitable.
It seems to me that of all men I ought to be most thankful. I certainly feel exceedingly happy in being in your midst, in beholding your faces, in sharing in your meetings, in partaking of your spirit; I am thankful I have this privilege, for such I esteem it.
I have been absent, as you all know, for some sixteen weeks. During my absence I have enjoyed myself very much, that is, considering the circumstances. I have had excellent health, and I do not know that I ever felt better in my life, under the circumstances, than I have during the past winter. Of course there has been considerable discussion upon our cause and question, and considerable has been said about us; but so far as my individual feelings have been concerned, I have not been disabled, not for a single second. There is an excitement about this warfare, and the consciousness that victory will eventually perch upon our banners and that we are on the winning side, that makes such a contest pleasurable. I know this, that when everything is still—when the stream is quietly flowing along without a ripple—I begin to be uneasy. I expect you do. We have been accustomed now for so many years—in fact it may be said from the beginning—to contending with the turbulence of the elements; to battling with angry waves, that it seems to be the natural condition for us to be in. At any rate, we know when this is the case that somebody is a little disturbed about us, and that some think it necessary to be stirring up opposition against us. With the activity which prevails at home in the curious departments of the work, the zeal that is being manifested among the Saints by the leading men in the various Stakes of Zion: with the labors of the home missionaries, the Young Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations, the Relief Societies, the Sunday Schools, and the various organizations which have taken shape in our midst, together with the union of the people, and the sending of missionaries abroad in such numbers with all these things at work, tending to consolidate the people, to make them of one heart and one mind, to preach the principles of truth, to declare to the inhabitants of the earth the salvation of our God, and to leave them without excuse for rejecting the truth; I say, with all these activities at home and abroad, together with the building of Temples—a great work which devolves upon us as a people; with all these things, it is no wonder to me that opposition should be fierce, and that there should be a great deal of talk about the “Mormons.” We have been taught from the beginning that this would be the case; the earliest teachings that I can remember were to this effect, leading me forward, as you were led forward, to anticipate just such things, just such a warfare as that in which we are involved. Year by year, as this work develops, as the purposes of God unfold, do we see the literal, the definite fulfillment of the predictions that were uttered years and years ago concerning the work of God.
The Prophet Joseph Smith's name has been known for good and evil among all the inhabitants of the earth, being regarded by some as a man divinely inspired, a prophet of the living God, his words treasured up as the words of a prophet should be; and by others, he is looked upon as an impostor, an ignoramus, a man in fact too bad to live. This Joseph Smith, who is thus known and has this repute among various people, is gradually being lifted up and made prominent, and through his being lifted up and made prominent the name of our God, whose servant he was, is being glorified. Thus Joseph Smith, whose predictions were uttered fifty years ago, and from that time down until he sealed his testimony with his blood nearly 37 years ago—this Joseph Smith is being proved to be a prophet, not by the Latter-day Saints alone—for we are doing comparatively little towards the vindication of his prophetic views, of this divine calling; for we are a feeble people; we are a people few in number, but the inhabitants of the earth, numerous as they are, by their words and acts, are establishing the divinity of his mission and proving that he is the man that we have testified he was from the beginning.
To me the ways of the Lord are very wonderful when I thus contemplate them. How wonderful are the Lord's works! How wondrous are His doings in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth! How strangely, and by what singular means he brings to pass his great and glorious purposes, using men, using nations, using governments, as seems good to him, to effect his divine purposes! Those of us who have been brought up in this Church who can remember the days that are past, the days of our weakness, the days of our oppression, the days when we were a broken and a peeled people, can call to mind how unlikely it was that the teachings we have received concerning this work would ever be fulfilled. We had faith that they would be. But it required the eye of faith and a heart of faith to see or to comprehend that they would be, as they have been, developed through the years that have intervened until the present time. The fulfillment of these teachings and predictions has brought to us confirmation of our faith; brought to us more and more with the greatest impressiveness the truth of that which we were told, and which, as I have said, was so unlikely to be fulfilled.
In the beginning, this work, before it was an organized body, that is when it was in its embryo, when but a few men had any knowledge concerning the purposes of God connected with it, excited hatred and brought forth contention. An obscure young man, without worldly influence, without advantageous surroundings, declared that God had again spoken from the heavens and that angels had again descended to the earth; testified that the Church of Christ was about to be reestablished with its old powers, and that the everlasting Gospel, the old plan of salvation was to be again restored in its original purity, and with it the old authority, the everlasting Priesthood, by means of which men and women could be inducted into the Church of God by the administration of the old ordinances, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, with its attendant powers and blessings. The mere declaration of these things by a young man who was thus obscure, without influence, without the prestige of education or birth, immediately excited a fever in the neighborhood; an excitement was aroused, and men began to persecute him; they began to tell lies about him; they began to bring false charges against him. There was a restlessness begotten that could not be accounted for upon natural principles, or upon anything they could see with their natural eyes; it was entirely unaccountable. His family was calumniated; he was calumniated and slandered; every act of his life was turned over and made evil of, and charges of wrongdoing were hurled against him of which he was entirely innocent, and for which there was not even the color or semblance of truth.
On next Wednesday, fifty-one years will have elapsed since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. It then consisted of six members. Not very numerous; you can count them on your fingers. It might be thought that so insignificant a body of people would escape attention. Not so, however. The whole countryside was aroused. A terrible thing had taken place. This Joseph Smith had dared to organize a Church. He had found some gold plates, had a “golden Bible.” He had been a money digger; and he had done a great many things, and at last his audacity had culminated in the organization of a church. As I have said the whole countryside was in a flame.
“We cannot endure this; it is a disgrace to our city, our country, our township, to let such a vile fellow as he palm his impositions on the public. We must put a stop to it.”
The result was accusations, criminal accusations. Joseph Smith was brought before officers of the law upon every conceivable complaint. The papers heralded his disgrace throughout all the neighborhood, as far as they had circulation, determined to lie him down. There are certain fabulous attributes incorrectly ascribed to the creature called the octopus—or devil-fish. It is said that when it wants to devour its victims, it ejects an inky substance that fills the whole water around so that it can the more easily capture its prey. It was something in this manner that the press and pulpit endeavored to stifle the truth and to destroy those who testified that they had received it. The whole country was filled with every kind of slander. Human imagination was racked to invent stories. They said that Joseph Smith had tried to establish his divine calling by attempting to walk upon the water, with cunningly arranged planks placed a short distance beneath the surface of the water, but that, fortunately, he had been detected in his imposition. They said he had tried to raise the dead, and that the man whom he tried to raise nearly died, because the apparatus which he had arranged for him to get air became accidentally deranged. There was no end of stories told by ignorant people, vile people, deluded people, wicked people, and even by men who called themselves ministers of the Gospel. You cannot think of anything that was not told, that was not sworn to—any number of witnesses could be obtained to testify to the truth of these falsehoods. At the same time it was said it would only be a little while until the system of which he was the head would burst up. “We have only to wait a while and it will disappear.” But it did not disappear.
The Elders went forth regardless of the slanders, regardless of the falsehoods, regardless of the calumnies, preaching the word of God, preaching it in the spirit and power of God. Regardless of all these things they went—persecuted, derided, their names cast out as evil. Men considered it almost a disgrace to talk to them; if they received them into their houses their neighbors looked upon them as though they were entertaining lepers. “What, have you got a ‘Mormon’ in your house? Do you know what these people are?”
Traveling without purse or scrip, as their predecessors had done in primitive days of Gospel purity, from town to town, from village to village, from hamlet to hamlet, bearing all kinds of insults and persecutions and hardships, they traveled the land, lifting up their voices everywhere where they had the opportunity, testifying in all humility that God had again spoken from the heavens; that God had again restored the truth in its ancient purity and power; that God had restored the ordinances of the Gospel as they once existed upon the earth; and declaring unto the inhabitants of the earth that God is a hearer of prayers and that he will answer their petitions when they call upon him in faith. Thus they went, traveling through the United States and Canada, and afterwards crossing the ocean to the Old World, proclaiming there the same truths. A strange thing to be heard in Great Britain—Great Britain! Who had been sending out her missionaries by thousands to the remotest parts of the earth; who considered herself as dwelling in the blaze of Gospel truth, and occupying the foremost rank among civilized and enlightened nations! A strange thing for men from the wilds of America to come and preach to them the truth of heaven, to tell them the contents of their Bible. Presumptuous as it seemed, the Elders, nevertheless, did this. They had received the dispensation of the Gospel, and, like Paul, they felt it would be woe unto them if they did not preach it. And they went from land to land until every continent, almost every land, has been visited by them.
While the missionaries were thus engaged, the work at home did not cease. Persecution at home was not arrested. Mobs continued to gather together as they had done before the Elders crossed the ocean; and it was not then the cry that “these Mormons were introducing patriarchal marriage, which we think hurtful to our civilization;” that was not the charge. In the early days the charges urged against the Saints when they went out West to the limits of the Republic, were, that they believed in anointing and in laying hands upon the sick; that they believed in revelation; that they believed in prophets; that they listened to the counsels and teachings of those prophets. Was not this very dangerous? But this was not all. It sounds very queer in these days to think that one of the gravest charges made against the Latter-day Saints by the mob that drove them from their homes in Jackson County was that they were Yankees and abolitionists! Designing men, seeking for pretexts that would answer the purpose of inflaming the minds of ignorant people, seized and used this as a good ground upon which to base designs for expulsion. Missouri was a slave State, and the Latter-day Saints were in the main New England people; they who were not were from New York, Pennsylvania and other middle States. But they were known as Yankees, and, as their enemies asserted, abolitionists—a suitable people to be pounced upon and driven out. They were driven out from Jackson County, and finally, to get rid of them, Lilburn W. Boggs, governor and commander-in-chief of the militia of the State of Missouri, issued an exterminating order, threatening the Latter-day Saints with extermination unless they left the State. There was one alternative left to them if they remained in the State—apostasy. But Missouri's favor was not so desirable to the Latter-day Saints as the favor of their God, and they chose to abandon their homes and they marched out of the State as best they could. Now, during all these years, and subsequently, when we were being mobbed, plundered, and driven, the Latter-day Saints had an abiding faith, based upon the revelations that God had given through brother Joseph Smith, that the day would come when we should be a great people, when our virtues would be recognized, when our patriotism would be vindicated, when our loyalty to truth and to the principles of virtue and of good government, of pure republicanism would be established and the work of God with which we are connected become universal. Brother Joseph had predicted this. The Elders, the Saints, the people old and young believed it with all their hearts. The hatred of mobs, the burning of houses, the destruction of property, the expulsion from homes never weakened their confidence in the truth of these predictions, and their eventual fulfillment. That feeling had been implanted there by the Almighty; the Spirit of God had borne testimony to it in their hearts, and they never doubted it. Hated by a township, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a county; hated by a county, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a State; hated by a State, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by men who constituted a party who, it might be said, were the representatives of the nation; hated by a nation, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by other nations, until, as I have said, their loyalty to truth, to virtue, to good government, to good order and everything that is pure, holy and Godlike, would be vindicated and established in the eyes of all men—by the nations at large, as well as their fellow citizens.
How unlikely a thing to have been when there were but six persons composing this church! Yet the revelations given previous to that organization, the word of God as it has come down to us embalmed in that sacred book which contains the revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, foretells in plainness just such results as these that I have alluded to. The spirit of this work, its character, the results which should follow it were plainly mapped out beforehand as though all the events connected with it had already taken place and were written by the pen of the historian, instead of that of the prophet. The historian can delineate with no greater accuracy (though he may give more details) when he writes the history of this people and the results of the labors of the elders of this Church, than it has been written for half a century.
The inhabitants of the earth, contrary to their will, and despite their wishes, are contributing to establish the prophetic calling of Brother Joseph Smith, and to fulfill the revelations of God given through him. Hated as he has been; despised as he has been; derided as he has been, this is the result of their actions. The destiny of this people has been clearly foretold. Here are men whom I see around me, whose heads are whitened with years, whose bodies are frail and trembling, and women, too, who have been connected with this Church from its earliest days, who know of the truth of what I am stating, who know that there is nothing that they behold today that they did not behold by the spirit of prophecy and with the eye of faith years and years ago. And many things that are yet unfulfilled, that yet remain in the womb of time, to be yet brought forth. The destiny, as I have said, of the people, is written in heaven, it is enrolled in the archives of eternity. God has spoken it; the eternal fiat has gone forth, and it will never be revoked. We play our part; we figure as actors in these scenes. By and by others will come; the column of humanity will march on; the column from the eternal worlds will continue to descend. Myriads of the just are watching with, I might say, eagerness, the development of this work and they are doing their part, and unborn myriads are looking forward to the future of this work, small as it is today, insignificant as it is today. It is no enthusiasm or fanaticism that inspires these words; but it is the plain truth not half told; it is merely to hint of that which will be. For this is the work of the eternal Jehovah, the work spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; the great work that is to prepare the earth and its inhabitants for the coming of the Son of God. Who that reads this sacred book, the Bible, does not know that Prophets and Apostles, Seers and Revelators—all looked forward to the time when a great work should be done in the earth? They predicted it, they dwelt upon it, in inspired strains. Poets, too, who never laid claim to inspiration, have looked forward to the “golden age,” have dwelt with delightful language and, it may be said, with inspired pen, upon that great time that should come in the history of our race.
It is true as I have said, that from the beginning calumny and slander of every conceivable kind have been circulated concerning this work. It is so today. It goes the rounds of the country, and is believed in by the great masses of the people. The Latter-day Saints are looked upon by many as guilty of every conceivable crime. Their true characters are so befogged by misrepresentation, that strangers almost come into our borders as though they were about to enter a den of thieves—that is, strangers who do not know better. Murder, outrage, robbery, perjury, villainy of every kind is attributed to this people. Why should such a worldwide notoriety be given to a people who number no more than we? Why should such lengths be gone to in falsifying an innocent people? It might be thought that we, being so insignificant numerically, might escape notice; or at least such prominent notice; it might have been thought in the beginning that Brother Joseph Smith and his compeers would have escaped notice. It might be thought that when they were few in numbers and their influence did not extend beyond a township, that they might have escaped notice. But no, the world has seemed determined in a way that to the natural eye seems unaccountable, to uplift this people to importance, to give them a worldwide reputation, to advertise them throughout the earth. And why is this? The Latter-day Saints ought to understand it, and many of them do understand it. You know the powers that are at work—the same powers that blackened the Son of God, that made him appear so hideous that men in crucifying him thought they were doing God service—and were perfectly willing to have all the consequences fall upon them and their children; the same influence that caused an Isaiah to be sawn asunder, that caused a Daniel to be thrust into the lion's den, and that caused the death of nearly all of the prophets, and that produced the martyrdom of eleven of the Twelve Apostles, according to tradition; it is that same influence that never rested until every inspired man was destroyed from the face of the earth, that is still busy. This Satanic power has kept at work slaying the servants of the Almighty, including the holiest being that ever trod the earth—the Son of God.
Is it not astonishing that the world cannot see these things? Think of the long list of martyrs, coming down through the ages from Abel; the best and the holiest men killed by their fellows, not because they thought them virtuous, not because they thought them holy, not because they looked upon them as pure; but because they were considered too dangerous to be suffered to live.
I wonder when I know that this has been the case that the world cannot see today, that the same spirit is abroad in the earth. It is not usual for wicked people to kill wicked people, that is, in the way the prophets and apostles were killed.
Here is a feeble people in these mountains who have come here fleeing from persecution, carrying with them when they left their native States and launched forth into an untrodden and unknown wilderness, a love for the principles of liberty for which their fathers, many of them, had fought. Notwithstanding their persecutions and the vile treatment they had received at the hands of their fellow citizens, they did not allow that feeling to dominate in their hearts; but loving the flag, the stars and stripes; loving the republic; loving the institutions of freedom, loving the Constitution, loving the laws, and carrying with them that love into the heart of the wilderness, and there laying the foundation of a great commonwealth they sought for admission as a State, and to have in that State every human right fully guarded and civil and religious liberty secured for people of every creed, and of no creeds, not seeking for alliance with Mexico, whose land they occupied, not seeking alliance with Great Britain, who was their neighbor on the north; not seeking alliance with the wild races, or endeavoring, or seeking to set up an independent republic, but their hearts going back fondly to the home of their fathers, to the land which their fathers had helped to redeem and make free, to the Constitution upon which the government of the land was founded, to the flag for which their fathers had fought and bled, they showed to the world that persecuted as they might be, hated as they might be, despised as they might be, and driven as they might be, they could not extinguish within them the love of liberty, the love of true republicanism. This was the testimony which this people bore to the inhabitants of the earth; and it might be thought, as I have said, that the people who had done this, working with unceasing toil to reclaim the waste places and make them habitable and beautiful and a fit abode for themselves and their children; sending out missionaries at untold sacrifice to the nations of the earth to proclaim the Gospel and gather in the honest from their own land and from the remotest nations of the earth; doing this for years, until gradually, as we see, the stately structure of a great commonwealth rises up around us; law executed; liberty preserved; the utmost freedom extended to every human being throughout the length and breadth of these mountain valleys; life and property as secure here as they ever were in any of the States of the Union; strangers coming in here before the railroad was built, weary and footsore, received with hospitable kindness. This tabernacle, after it was erected, and before this was erected, the old tabernacle, and before that was erected, the bowery, opened to preachers of every denomination, men of every creed united to proclaim their tenets, to give us their views; women protected throughout this land with such sacredness that they, old or young, beautiful or homely, could traverse every valley and pass through every town north and south, night or day, without hearing a word that would be improper, without ever witnessing a gesture that would annoy them; emigrants with their wagons coming in and leaving them in town unguarded, and not a thing harmed or taken—I say, it might be thought, viewing and witnessing these results—the virtue, the temperance, the good order, the frugality, the industry, the enterprise, the liberality, the honesty of the people, that somebody would think and say:
“What do all these attacks mean? Why is this crusade being waged against a people of this kind. Surely fifty millions of people with all the advantages of the age—the press, telegraph wires, pulpit, day and Sabbath schools, the wonderful improvements that are being brought out—everything in fact, in their power, including the wealth of the world at their command, surely these fifty millions of people should suffer a few thousands of people in Utah, to dwell in some degree of peace without constantly urging on the dogs of war against them; without hounding on every vile fellow in the nation to rob them and to engage in crusades against them, with the assurance that they will be justified in doing so.”
But no, this is not to be; it is not thus written; it is not the destiny of this people. We would never be the people God intends and designs us to be if we were to be let alone. The warfare must go on; it is an unceasing one; the powers are arrayed one against another, with God on one side and the Adversary on the other. The devil is not going to relinquish his ground. He has tried falsehood from the beginning, and tried it successfully in many instances. It has been said of him that he was a liar from the beginning; and it is certain he has not lost his old characteristics. He has succeeded by means of murder many times in the history of our race. He has contrived by this agency to maintain his foothold in the earth for a long time. He thinks, like men think who steal things and keep them for a long time, that he is the owner of the stolen property. The man who jumps another man's land or claim, the longer he possesses it, the more assured he becomes that he ought to have it. Satan is imbued with this same idea; and he has recourse to the old method of warfare—lying; and lies are being circulated until the ear is tired listening to them. Every conceivable falsehood! Then he supplements lies with violence, and even murder has been resorted to. He thinks, if he can kill a man that puts an end to him; if he can kill a people that destroys them and their influence. But this time it is another sort of a work. God has spoken concerning this work; this is the last work that the Prophets or the Apostles have called the dispensation of the fullness of times. There was to be a time when Satan should have to recede inch by inch, step by step. That time has come. The column of the righteous, of the true is pressing onward; there is an irresistible power behind it. It will go forward gathering into its ranks the honest and virtuous from every nation; just as sure as we live this will be the case. It will gather people from every nation. It seems like a very strange thing to say, but on all proper occasions I say it with a great deal of pleasure, at home and from home, that I have been taught from early life that the day would come when republican institutions would be in danger in this nation and upon this continent, when, in fact, the republic would be so rent asunder by factions that there would be no stable government outside of the Latter-day Saints; and that it is their destiny as a people, to uphold constitutional government upon this land. Now, a great many people think this is a chimera of the brain; they think it folly to indulge in such an idea; but the day will come nevertheless. There are those in this congregation who will witness the time that the maintenance of true constitutional government upon this continent will be dependent upon this people, when it will have to be upheld by us.
We are battling all the time for human rights. We did so in the States before we were driven out; we have done so throughout these mountains, and are doing so today, contending for our rights. Even before the great tribunal of our nation, Congress, the contest is going on; for attempts are constantly being made to wrest from us our liberties, as citizens; and we are standing our ground as best we can, pleading for our rights, pleading for liberty of conscience, pleading for that freedom which belongs to the country, which God has guaranteed through the Constitution; not for ourselves alone, but for every creed, for every member of the human family. We do not want liberty for ourselves alone; we desire every man to have it: liberty for Ingersoll, and all who believe as he does; liberty for the followers of Muhammad and all who believe in the Koran; liberty for Beecher and for those of his way of thinking; and even Talmage who has talked so badly about us, we would have him enjoy liberty; yes, and permit him to say what he pleases about us, to take what view he pleases of our belief and practices, and to tell everybody what he thinks about them. We would give him the utmost liberty to do this, and every other man, to say what they please about us or about anybody else, as long as they do not interfere with the rights and the liberties of the people against whom they are opposed, protesting always, however, that men in criticizing others, should confine themselves strictly to the truth, or be held responsible to the laws for slanders and falsehood. All sects and all people should have this liberty, that is, liberty of conscience, liberty of speech and liberty of the press, as long as it does not degenerate into license, and interfere with the rights of others. We claim this for ourselves; we contend for it, and we shall contend for it, until it is gained.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I forgot that it is Sunday; I do not know, however, but what this is as good Gospel as I can declare; it is the Gospel of humanity; it is the Gospel of truth. And I hope that you will ever be true to these principles. It makes no difference really whether you will or not, so far as this great work is concerned; but it is a glorious reflection to know that we are striving to accomplish these ends.
When I look at the wonderful deliverance that has been wrought out for us, it is a subject of amazement to me. Still our enemies continue to plot and get up machinations. It is all right, let them have their agency, let them do as they please; it ought not to disturb us or cause us a moment's uneasiness. Let them do as they please as long as they keep hands off.
I pray God to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit, and to bless His servants who may address us during this Conference, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem, How beautiful upon the mountains.
Benediction by Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.].
Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered at the General Conference, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, April 3, 1881.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
It is with great pleasure that I meet with you, my brethren and sisters, in Conference today. And though in some respects I am not feeling very eager to address so large a congregation as has assembled this afternoon, still we all know that if we can get the influence and assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, there is no difficulty in speaking or advancing such thoughts and suggestions as are suitable.
It seems to me that of all men I ought to be most thankful. I certainly feel exceedingly happy in being in your midst, in beholding your faces, in sharing in your meetings, in partaking of your spirit; I am thankful I have this privilege, for such I esteem it.
I have been absent, as you all know, for some sixteen weeks. During my absence I have enjoyed myself very much, that is, considering the circumstances. I have had excellent health, and I do not know that I ever felt better in my life, under the circumstances, than I have during the past winter. Of course there has been considerable discussion upon our cause and question, and considerable has been said about us; but so far as my individual feelings have been concerned, I have not been disabled, not for a single second. There is an excitement about this warfare, and the consciousness that victory will eventually perch upon our banners and that we are on the winning side, that makes such a contest pleasurable. I know this, that when everything is still—when the stream is quietly flowing along without a ripple—I begin to be uneasy. I expect you do. We have been accustomed now for so many years—in fact it may be said from the beginning—to contending with the turbulence of the elements; to battling with angry waves, that it seems to be the natural condition for us to be in. At any rate, we know when this is the case that somebody is a little disturbed about us, and that some think it necessary to be stirring up opposition against us. With the activity which prevails at home in the curious departments of the work, the zeal that is being manifested among the Saints by the leading men in the various Stakes of Zion: with the labors of the home missionaries, the Young Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations, the Relief Societies, the Sunday Schools, and the various organizations which have taken shape in our midst, together with the union of the people, and the sending of missionaries abroad in such numbers with all these things at work, tending to consolidate the people, to make them of one heart and one mind, to preach the principles of truth, to declare to the inhabitants of the earth the salvation of our God, and to leave them without excuse for rejecting the truth; I say, with all these activities at home and abroad, together with the building of Temples—a great work which devolves upon us as a people; with all these things, it is no wonder to me that opposition should be fierce, and that there should be a great deal of talk about the “Mormons.” We have been taught from the beginning that this would be the case; the earliest teachings that I can remember were to this effect, leading me forward, as you were led forward, to anticipate just such things, just such a warfare as that in which we are involved. Year by year, as this work develops, as the purposes of God unfold, do we see the literal, the definite fulfillment of the predictions that were uttered years and years ago concerning the work of God.
The Prophet Joseph Smith's name has been known for good and evil among all the inhabitants of the earth, being regarded by some as a man divinely inspired, a prophet of the living God, his words treasured up as the words of a prophet should be; and by others, he is looked upon as an impostor, an ignoramus, a man in fact too bad to live. This Joseph Smith, who is thus known and has this repute among various people, is gradually being lifted up and made prominent, and through his being lifted up and made prominent the name of our God, whose servant he was, is being glorified. Thus Joseph Smith, whose predictions were uttered fifty years ago, and from that time down until he sealed his testimony with his blood nearly 37 years ago—this Joseph Smith is being proved to be a prophet, not by the Latter-day Saints alone—for we are doing comparatively little towards the vindication of his prophetic views, of this divine calling; for we are a feeble people; we are a people few in number, but the inhabitants of the earth, numerous as they are, by their words and acts, are establishing the divinity of his mission and proving that he is the man that we have testified he was from the beginning.
To me the ways of the Lord are very wonderful when I thus contemplate them. How wonderful are the Lord's works! How wondrous are His doings in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth! How strangely, and by what singular means he brings to pass his great and glorious purposes, using men, using nations, using governments, as seems good to him, to effect his divine purposes! Those of us who have been brought up in this Church who can remember the days that are past, the days of our weakness, the days of our oppression, the days when we were a broken and a peeled people, can call to mind how unlikely it was that the teachings we have received concerning this work would ever be fulfilled. We had faith that they would be. But it required the eye of faith and a heart of faith to see or to comprehend that they would be, as they have been, developed through the years that have intervened until the present time. The fulfillment of these teachings and predictions has brought to us confirmation of our faith; brought to us more and more with the greatest impressiveness the truth of that which we were told, and which, as I have said, was so unlikely to be fulfilled.
In the beginning, this work, before it was an organized body, that is when it was in its embryo, when but a few men had any knowledge concerning the purposes of God connected with it, excited hatred and brought forth contention. An obscure young man, without worldly influence, without advantageous surroundings, declared that God had again spoken from the heavens and that angels had again descended to the earth; testified that the Church of Christ was about to be reestablished with its old powers, and that the everlasting Gospel, the old plan of salvation was to be again restored in its original purity, and with it the old authority, the everlasting Priesthood, by means of which men and women could be inducted into the Church of God by the administration of the old ordinances, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, with its attendant powers and blessings. The mere declaration of these things by a young man who was thus obscure, without influence, without the prestige of education or birth, immediately excited a fever in the neighborhood; an excitement was aroused, and men began to persecute him; they began to tell lies about him; they began to bring false charges against him. There was a restlessness begotten that could not be accounted for upon natural principles, or upon anything they could see with their natural eyes; it was entirely unaccountable. His family was calumniated; he was calumniated and slandered; every act of his life was turned over and made evil of, and charges of wrongdoing were hurled against him of which he was entirely innocent, and for which there was not even the color or semblance of truth.
On next Wednesday, fifty-one years will have elapsed since the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. It then consisted of six members. Not very numerous; you can count them on your fingers. It might be thought that so insignificant a body of people would escape attention. Not so, however. The whole countryside was aroused. A terrible thing had taken place. This Joseph Smith had dared to organize a Church. He had found some gold plates, had a “golden Bible.” He had been a money digger; and he had done a great many things, and at last his audacity had culminated in the organization of a church. As I have said the whole countryside was in a flame.
“We cannot endure this; it is a disgrace to our city, our country, our township, to let such a vile fellow as he palm his impositions on the public. We must put a stop to it.”
The result was accusations, criminal accusations. Joseph Smith was brought before officers of the law upon every conceivable complaint. The papers heralded his disgrace throughout all the neighborhood, as far as they had circulation, determined to lie him down. There are certain fabulous attributes incorrectly ascribed to the creature called the octopus—or devil-fish. It is said that when it wants to devour its victims, it ejects an inky substance that fills the whole water around so that it can the more easily capture its prey. It was something in this manner that the press and pulpit endeavored to stifle the truth and to destroy those who testified that they had received it. The whole country was filled with every kind of slander. Human imagination was racked to invent stories. They said that Joseph Smith had tried to establish his divine calling by attempting to walk upon the water, with cunningly arranged planks placed a short distance beneath the surface of the water, but that, fortunately, he had been detected in his imposition. They said he had tried to raise the dead, and that the man whom he tried to raise nearly died, because the apparatus which he had arranged for him to get air became accidentally deranged. There was no end of stories told by ignorant people, vile people, deluded people, wicked people, and even by men who called themselves ministers of the Gospel. You cannot think of anything that was not told, that was not sworn to—any number of witnesses could be obtained to testify to the truth of these falsehoods. At the same time it was said it would only be a little while until the system of which he was the head would burst up. “We have only to wait a while and it will disappear.” But it did not disappear.
The Elders went forth regardless of the slanders, regardless of the falsehoods, regardless of the calumnies, preaching the word of God, preaching it in the spirit and power of God. Regardless of all these things they went—persecuted, derided, their names cast out as evil. Men considered it almost a disgrace to talk to them; if they received them into their houses their neighbors looked upon them as though they were entertaining lepers. “What, have you got a ‘Mormon’ in your house? Do you know what these people are?”
Traveling without purse or scrip, as their predecessors had done in primitive days of Gospel purity, from town to town, from village to village, from hamlet to hamlet, bearing all kinds of insults and persecutions and hardships, they traveled the land, lifting up their voices everywhere where they had the opportunity, testifying in all humility that God had again spoken from the heavens; that God had again restored the truth in its ancient purity and power; that God had restored the ordinances of the Gospel as they once existed upon the earth; and declaring unto the inhabitants of the earth that God is a hearer of prayers and that he will answer their petitions when they call upon him in faith. Thus they went, traveling through the United States and Canada, and afterwards crossing the ocean to the Old World, proclaiming there the same truths. A strange thing to be heard in Great Britain—Great Britain! Who had been sending out her missionaries by thousands to the remotest parts of the earth; who considered herself as dwelling in the blaze of Gospel truth, and occupying the foremost rank among civilized and enlightened nations! A strange thing for men from the wilds of America to come and preach to them the truth of heaven, to tell them the contents of their Bible. Presumptuous as it seemed, the Elders, nevertheless, did this. They had received the dispensation of the Gospel, and, like Paul, they felt it would be woe unto them if they did not preach it. And they went from land to land until every continent, almost every land, has been visited by them.
While the missionaries were thus engaged, the work at home did not cease. Persecution at home was not arrested. Mobs continued to gather together as they had done before the Elders crossed the ocean; and it was not then the cry that “these Mormons were introducing patriarchal marriage, which we think hurtful to our civilization;” that was not the charge. In the early days the charges urged against the Saints when they went out West to the limits of the Republic, were, that they believed in anointing and in laying hands upon the sick; that they believed in revelation; that they believed in prophets; that they listened to the counsels and teachings of those prophets. Was not this very dangerous? But this was not all. It sounds very queer in these days to think that one of the gravest charges made against the Latter-day Saints by the mob that drove them from their homes in Jackson County was that they were Yankees and abolitionists! Designing men, seeking for pretexts that would answer the purpose of inflaming the minds of ignorant people, seized and used this as a good ground upon which to base designs for expulsion. Missouri was a slave State, and the Latter-day Saints were in the main New England people; they who were not were from New York, Pennsylvania and other middle States. But they were known as Yankees, and, as their enemies asserted, abolitionists—a suitable people to be pounced upon and driven out. They were driven out from Jackson County, and finally, to get rid of them, Lilburn W. Boggs, governor and commander-in-chief of the militia of the State of Missouri, issued an exterminating order, threatening the Latter-day Saints with extermination unless they left the State. There was one alternative left to them if they remained in the State—apostasy. But Missouri's favor was not so desirable to the Latter-day Saints as the favor of their God, and they chose to abandon their homes and they marched out of the State as best they could. Now, during all these years, and subsequently, when we were being mobbed, plundered, and driven, the Latter-day Saints had an abiding faith, based upon the revelations that God had given through brother Joseph Smith, that the day would come when we should be a great people, when our virtues would be recognized, when our patriotism would be vindicated, when our loyalty to truth and to the principles of virtue and of good government, of pure republicanism would be established and the work of God with which we are connected become universal. Brother Joseph had predicted this. The Elders, the Saints, the people old and young believed it with all their hearts. The hatred of mobs, the burning of houses, the destruction of property, the expulsion from homes never weakened their confidence in the truth of these predictions, and their eventual fulfillment. That feeling had been implanted there by the Almighty; the Spirit of God had borne testimony to it in their hearts, and they never doubted it. Hated by a township, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a county; hated by a county, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by a State; hated by a State, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by men who constituted a party who, it might be said, were the representatives of the nation; hated by a nation, they foresaw the time when they would be hated by other nations, until, as I have said, their loyalty to truth, to virtue, to good government, to good order and everything that is pure, holy and Godlike, would be vindicated and established in the eyes of all men—by the nations at large, as well as their fellow citizens.
How unlikely a thing to have been when there were but six persons composing this church! Yet the revelations given previous to that organization, the word of God as it has come down to us embalmed in that sacred book which contains the revelations given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, foretells in plainness just such results as these that I have alluded to. The spirit of this work, its character, the results which should follow it were plainly mapped out beforehand as though all the events connected with it had already taken place and were written by the pen of the historian, instead of that of the prophet. The historian can delineate with no greater accuracy (though he may give more details) when he writes the history of this people and the results of the labors of the elders of this Church, than it has been written for half a century.
The inhabitants of the earth, contrary to their will, and despite their wishes, are contributing to establish the prophetic calling of Brother Joseph Smith, and to fulfill the revelations of God given through him. Hated as he has been; despised as he has been; derided as he has been, this is the result of their actions. The destiny of this people has been clearly foretold. Here are men whom I see around me, whose heads are whitened with years, whose bodies are frail and trembling, and women, too, who have been connected with this Church from its earliest days, who know of the truth of what I am stating, who know that there is nothing that they behold today that they did not behold by the spirit of prophecy and with the eye of faith years and years ago. And many things that are yet unfulfilled, that yet remain in the womb of time, to be yet brought forth. The destiny, as I have said, of the people, is written in heaven, it is enrolled in the archives of eternity. God has spoken it; the eternal fiat has gone forth, and it will never be revoked. We play our part; we figure as actors in these scenes. By and by others will come; the column of humanity will march on; the column from the eternal worlds will continue to descend. Myriads of the just are watching with, I might say, eagerness, the development of this work and they are doing their part, and unborn myriads are looking forward to the future of this work, small as it is today, insignificant as it is today. It is no enthusiasm or fanaticism that inspires these words; but it is the plain truth not half told; it is merely to hint of that which will be. For this is the work of the eternal Jehovah, the work spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; the great work that is to prepare the earth and its inhabitants for the coming of the Son of God. Who that reads this sacred book, the Bible, does not know that Prophets and Apostles, Seers and Revelators—all looked forward to the time when a great work should be done in the earth? They predicted it, they dwelt upon it, in inspired strains. Poets, too, who never laid claim to inspiration, have looked forward to the “golden age,” have dwelt with delightful language and, it may be said, with inspired pen, upon that great time that should come in the history of our race.
It is true as I have said, that from the beginning calumny and slander of every conceivable kind have been circulated concerning this work. It is so today. It goes the rounds of the country, and is believed in by the great masses of the people. The Latter-day Saints are looked upon by many as guilty of every conceivable crime. Their true characters are so befogged by misrepresentation, that strangers almost come into our borders as though they were about to enter a den of thieves—that is, strangers who do not know better. Murder, outrage, robbery, perjury, villainy of every kind is attributed to this people. Why should such a worldwide notoriety be given to a people who number no more than we? Why should such lengths be gone to in falsifying an innocent people? It might be thought that we, being so insignificant numerically, might escape notice; or at least such prominent notice; it might have been thought in the beginning that Brother Joseph Smith and his compeers would have escaped notice. It might be thought that when they were few in numbers and their influence did not extend beyond a township, that they might have escaped notice. But no, the world has seemed determined in a way that to the natural eye seems unaccountable, to uplift this people to importance, to give them a worldwide reputation, to advertise them throughout the earth. And why is this? The Latter-day Saints ought to understand it, and many of them do understand it. You know the powers that are at work—the same powers that blackened the Son of God, that made him appear so hideous that men in crucifying him thought they were doing God service—and were perfectly willing to have all the consequences fall upon them and their children; the same influence that caused an Isaiah to be sawn asunder, that caused a Daniel to be thrust into the lion's den, and that caused the death of nearly all of the prophets, and that produced the martyrdom of eleven of the Twelve Apostles, according to tradition; it is that same influence that never rested until every inspired man was destroyed from the face of the earth, that is still busy. This Satanic power has kept at work slaying the servants of the Almighty, including the holiest being that ever trod the earth—the Son of God.
Is it not astonishing that the world cannot see these things? Think of the long list of martyrs, coming down through the ages from Abel; the best and the holiest men killed by their fellows, not because they thought them virtuous, not because they thought them holy, not because they looked upon them as pure; but because they were considered too dangerous to be suffered to live.
I wonder when I know that this has been the case that the world cannot see today, that the same spirit is abroad in the earth. It is not usual for wicked people to kill wicked people, that is, in the way the prophets and apostles were killed.
Here is a feeble people in these mountains who have come here fleeing from persecution, carrying with them when they left their native States and launched forth into an untrodden and unknown wilderness, a love for the principles of liberty for which their fathers, many of them, had fought. Notwithstanding their persecutions and the vile treatment they had received at the hands of their fellow citizens, they did not allow that feeling to dominate in their hearts; but loving the flag, the stars and stripes; loving the republic; loving the institutions of freedom, loving the Constitution, loving the laws, and carrying with them that love into the heart of the wilderness, and there laying the foundation of a great commonwealth they sought for admission as a State, and to have in that State every human right fully guarded and civil and religious liberty secured for people of every creed, and of no creeds, not seeking for alliance with Mexico, whose land they occupied, not seeking alliance with Great Britain, who was their neighbor on the north; not seeking alliance with the wild races, or endeavoring, or seeking to set up an independent republic, but their hearts going back fondly to the home of their fathers, to the land which their fathers had helped to redeem and make free, to the Constitution upon which the government of the land was founded, to the flag for which their fathers had fought and bled, they showed to the world that persecuted as they might be, hated as they might be, despised as they might be, and driven as they might be, they could not extinguish within them the love of liberty, the love of true republicanism. This was the testimony which this people bore to the inhabitants of the earth; and it might be thought, as I have said, that the people who had done this, working with unceasing toil to reclaim the waste places and make them habitable and beautiful and a fit abode for themselves and their children; sending out missionaries at untold sacrifice to the nations of the earth to proclaim the Gospel and gather in the honest from their own land and from the remotest nations of the earth; doing this for years, until gradually, as we see, the stately structure of a great commonwealth rises up around us; law executed; liberty preserved; the utmost freedom extended to every human being throughout the length and breadth of these mountain valleys; life and property as secure here as they ever were in any of the States of the Union; strangers coming in here before the railroad was built, weary and footsore, received with hospitable kindness. This tabernacle, after it was erected, and before this was erected, the old tabernacle, and before that was erected, the bowery, opened to preachers of every denomination, men of every creed united to proclaim their tenets, to give us their views; women protected throughout this land with such sacredness that they, old or young, beautiful or homely, could traverse every valley and pass through every town north and south, night or day, without hearing a word that would be improper, without ever witnessing a gesture that would annoy them; emigrants with their wagons coming in and leaving them in town unguarded, and not a thing harmed or taken—I say, it might be thought, viewing and witnessing these results—the virtue, the temperance, the good order, the frugality, the industry, the enterprise, the liberality, the honesty of the people, that somebody would think and say:
“What do all these attacks mean? Why is this crusade being waged against a people of this kind. Surely fifty millions of people with all the advantages of the age—the press, telegraph wires, pulpit, day and Sabbath schools, the wonderful improvements that are being brought out—everything in fact, in their power, including the wealth of the world at their command, surely these fifty millions of people should suffer a few thousands of people in Utah, to dwell in some degree of peace without constantly urging on the dogs of war against them; without hounding on every vile fellow in the nation to rob them and to engage in crusades against them, with the assurance that they will be justified in doing so.”
But no, this is not to be; it is not thus written; it is not the destiny of this people. We would never be the people God intends and designs us to be if we were to be let alone. The warfare must go on; it is an unceasing one; the powers are arrayed one against another, with God on one side and the Adversary on the other. The devil is not going to relinquish his ground. He has tried falsehood from the beginning, and tried it successfully in many instances. It has been said of him that he was a liar from the beginning; and it is certain he has not lost his old characteristics. He has succeeded by means of murder many times in the history of our race. He has contrived by this agency to maintain his foothold in the earth for a long time. He thinks, like men think who steal things and keep them for a long time, that he is the owner of the stolen property. The man who jumps another man's land or claim, the longer he possesses it, the more assured he becomes that he ought to have it. Satan is imbued with this same idea; and he has recourse to the old method of warfare—lying; and lies are being circulated until the ear is tired listening to them. Every conceivable falsehood! Then he supplements lies with violence, and even murder has been resorted to. He thinks, if he can kill a man that puts an end to him; if he can kill a people that destroys them and their influence. But this time it is another sort of a work. God has spoken concerning this work; this is the last work that the Prophets or the Apostles have called the dispensation of the fullness of times. There was to be a time when Satan should have to recede inch by inch, step by step. That time has come. The column of the righteous, of the true is pressing onward; there is an irresistible power behind it. It will go forward gathering into its ranks the honest and virtuous from every nation; just as sure as we live this will be the case. It will gather people from every nation. It seems like a very strange thing to say, but on all proper occasions I say it with a great deal of pleasure, at home and from home, that I have been taught from early life that the day would come when republican institutions would be in danger in this nation and upon this continent, when, in fact, the republic would be so rent asunder by factions that there would be no stable government outside of the Latter-day Saints; and that it is their destiny as a people, to uphold constitutional government upon this land. Now, a great many people think this is a chimera of the brain; they think it folly to indulge in such an idea; but the day will come nevertheless. There are those in this congregation who will witness the time that the maintenance of true constitutional government upon this continent will be dependent upon this people, when it will have to be upheld by us.
We are battling all the time for human rights. We did so in the States before we were driven out; we have done so throughout these mountains, and are doing so today, contending for our rights. Even before the great tribunal of our nation, Congress, the contest is going on; for attempts are constantly being made to wrest from us our liberties, as citizens; and we are standing our ground as best we can, pleading for our rights, pleading for liberty of conscience, pleading for that freedom which belongs to the country, which God has guaranteed through the Constitution; not for ourselves alone, but for every creed, for every member of the human family. We do not want liberty for ourselves alone; we desire every man to have it: liberty for Ingersoll, and all who believe as he does; liberty for the followers of Muhammad and all who believe in the Koran; liberty for Beecher and for those of his way of thinking; and even Talmage who has talked so badly about us, we would have him enjoy liberty; yes, and permit him to say what he pleases about us, to take what view he pleases of our belief and practices, and to tell everybody what he thinks about them. We would give him the utmost liberty to do this, and every other man, to say what they please about us or about anybody else, as long as they do not interfere with the rights and the liberties of the people against whom they are opposed, protesting always, however, that men in criticizing others, should confine themselves strictly to the truth, or be held responsible to the laws for slanders and falsehood. All sects and all people should have this liberty, that is, liberty of conscience, liberty of speech and liberty of the press, as long as it does not degenerate into license, and interfere with the rights of others. We claim this for ourselves; we contend for it, and we shall contend for it, until it is gained.
Now, my brethren and sisters, I forgot that it is Sunday; I do not know, however, but what this is as good Gospel as I can declare; it is the Gospel of humanity; it is the Gospel of truth. And I hope that you will ever be true to these principles. It makes no difference really whether you will or not, so far as this great work is concerned; but it is a glorious reflection to know that we are striving to accomplish these ends.
When I look at the wonderful deliverance that has been wrought out for us, it is a subject of amazement to me. Still our enemies continue to plot and get up machinations. It is all right, let them have their agency, let them do as they please; it ought not to disturb us or cause us a moment's uneasiness. Let them do as they please as long as they keep hands off.
I pray God to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit, and to bless His servants who may address us during this Conference, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sang the anthem, How beautiful upon the mountains.
Benediction by Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.].
SECOND DAY.
Monday, 10 a. m.
Conference convened as per adjournment.
The choir sang, Praise ye the Lord, ‘tis good to raise, Your hearts and voices in his praise.
Prayer by Prest. Wilford Woodruff.
The choir sang, May we who know the joyful sound, Still practice what we know.
Monday, 10 a. m.
Conference convened as per adjournment.
The choir sang, Praise ye the Lord, ‘tis good to raise, Your hearts and voices in his praise.
Prayer by Prest. Wilford Woodruff.
The choir sang, May we who know the joyful sound, Still practice what we know.
President Joseph F. Smith
spoke of the multitude of the youth of Zion that are growing up in our midst; said it was nothing but reasonable to expect that they would be better qualified to carry on the great work of God and accomplish a more staunch and vigorous labor than their fathers have done, on account of their being free from the many false traditions that have been handed down from generations past. It is astonishing to think of the great number from the beginning to the present, who have embraced the gospel and then have fallen away. Even of the first Twelve Apostles who had been ordained to that high and holy calling nearly one-half had apostatized from the faith within two or three years of their ordination. The trials and temptations to which they were exposed were more than they were able to endure, and therefore they fell by the way and turned from the truth. So with many of the members of the Church, who embraced the faith, and were then overcome by the allurements of the world and the influence of the Evil One. After speaking at length on the apostasy that had taken place from the ranks of the priesthood and from the members of the Church, he said he believed that in the future there would be far less apostasy than in the past. It had grown less as the ranks of the Quorum of the Twelve had been filled up from time to time. And as the Church progressed the Saints would become more and more firm and faithful. Notwithstanding the numbers that have apostatized from this Church, there are a greater number of good, faithful Saints at the present time than there ever was before. The facilities now in our midst for the instruction of our youth, and the good influence of their faithful parents by example and precepts would tend to preserve them in the path of righteousness and truth. He strongly denounced the practice of some parents who send their children to be taught by those whose mission here was to draw away our youth from the faith of the Gospel, and set them in direct opposition to the work of God. It was not the principle of polygamy that those who are fighting against this work were so much opposed to, that was only used as a pretext for their hatred and enmity to the work of God. Those who make the loudest clamor against us on account of polygamy are the most deeply steeped in the vilest practices of the age, and against which the curse and displeasure of God are arrayed. He repeated it was not polygamy that the world are opposed to, but simply the organization of the Priesthood, as was recently remarked by a visitor to President Taylor. It is the power of God that they are opposed to. It is the grand principle of revelation that God has established in these days. If they could break the link between the heavens and the earth that had been severed so long, and which the Lord had restored, they would care nothing for our polygamy. The speaker showed the iniquity of modern Christendom with its secret sins and the purity of celestial marriage as revealed from heaven, and cited the former as evidence that the pretense that the reason for opposition to the latter was because it was licentious, was the rankest hypocrisy. He then made a powerful appeal to parents not to place their children under the care of those whose object was to lead them away from the faith of the fathers and mothers, and denounced the sin of such a course, the result of which would be seen in time and eternity, and sink the guilty to shame and punishment, which they would receive instead of the exaltation they expected, for God had made us responsible for our children until they reached the years of accountability.
spoke of the multitude of the youth of Zion that are growing up in our midst; said it was nothing but reasonable to expect that they would be better qualified to carry on the great work of God and accomplish a more staunch and vigorous labor than their fathers have done, on account of their being free from the many false traditions that have been handed down from generations past. It is astonishing to think of the great number from the beginning to the present, who have embraced the gospel and then have fallen away. Even of the first Twelve Apostles who had been ordained to that high and holy calling nearly one-half had apostatized from the faith within two or three years of their ordination. The trials and temptations to which they were exposed were more than they were able to endure, and therefore they fell by the way and turned from the truth. So with many of the members of the Church, who embraced the faith, and were then overcome by the allurements of the world and the influence of the Evil One. After speaking at length on the apostasy that had taken place from the ranks of the priesthood and from the members of the Church, he said he believed that in the future there would be far less apostasy than in the past. It had grown less as the ranks of the Quorum of the Twelve had been filled up from time to time. And as the Church progressed the Saints would become more and more firm and faithful. Notwithstanding the numbers that have apostatized from this Church, there are a greater number of good, faithful Saints at the present time than there ever was before. The facilities now in our midst for the instruction of our youth, and the good influence of their faithful parents by example and precepts would tend to preserve them in the path of righteousness and truth. He strongly denounced the practice of some parents who send their children to be taught by those whose mission here was to draw away our youth from the faith of the Gospel, and set them in direct opposition to the work of God. It was not the principle of polygamy that those who are fighting against this work were so much opposed to, that was only used as a pretext for their hatred and enmity to the work of God. Those who make the loudest clamor against us on account of polygamy are the most deeply steeped in the vilest practices of the age, and against which the curse and displeasure of God are arrayed. He repeated it was not polygamy that the world are opposed to, but simply the organization of the Priesthood, as was recently remarked by a visitor to President Taylor. It is the power of God that they are opposed to. It is the grand principle of revelation that God has established in these days. If they could break the link between the heavens and the earth that had been severed so long, and which the Lord had restored, they would care nothing for our polygamy. The speaker showed the iniquity of modern Christendom with its secret sins and the purity of celestial marriage as revealed from heaven, and cited the former as evidence that the pretense that the reason for opposition to the latter was because it was licentious, was the rankest hypocrisy. He then made a powerful appeal to parents not to place their children under the care of those whose object was to lead them away from the faith of the fathers and mothers, and denounced the sin of such a course, the result of which would be seen in time and eternity, and sink the guilty to shame and punishment, which they would receive instead of the exaltation they expected, for God had made us responsible for our children until they reached the years of accountability.
President John Taylor.
With regard to the principles that have been advanced here this morning, they are things that demand our most serious consideration. We, as Latter-day Saints, profess to have come out of the world, gathered together to the land of Zion for the purpose of fulfilling the word, the will, and the law of God. We are living in an eventful age, at a time when God has decreed to have a controversy with the nations, wherein He has determined to gather his people together, and wherein He has made manifest to them His will, His law, His gospel, as it existed in other ages when God revealed Himself to the human family. And living as we are in this day and age of the world, having been gathered into the fold of God, having received the holy Priesthood, and being placed in communication with the Lord, it behooves us as Saints to study and ponder well the path of our feet, to comprehend the position we occupy and our relationship to God, to each other, to our families, to the Church and the Kingdom of God and to the world, that we may act wisely, intelligently, and understandingly, and that in all of our doings we may be under the guidance and influence of the Spirit of the living God, that we may walk in the paths of life under the guidance and direction of the Almighty, carrying out the great and sacred principles He has committed to our care. When men do this they will not apostatize as has been referred to; when men fear God and humble themselves before Him and place themselves under His influence and control, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, they will not apostatize; but when men, under the cloak of the Gospel, introduce pernicious practices and permit themselves to be governed by wrong influences, then they place themselves in a position to be led captive by the devil at his own will. Hence the necessity of the Saints being humble and prayerful and diligent in the performance of their duties, and in seeking to magnify their callings and to honor their God. Especially are those duties more incumbent upon men in authority than upon others, and so far from men being puffed up in pride or with any ostentatious feelings because of any position they may occupy in the Church and kingdom of God, all that a good man will seek to do will be to know the mind of his Heavenly Father to do it, and to seek to magnify his calling, that he may prove himself worthy to be accepted of God and the holy angels, and be esteemed by all good, and honorable and upright men. We have a reason given us here [Book of Doctrine and Covenants] why men apostatize. I will read it:
“Behold there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?”—[here is the reason]—“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens will withdraw themselves; the spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, amen to the Priesthood, or the authority of that man. Behold! ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks; to persecute the Saints and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of nearly all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.”
Hear it you Elders of Israel, you Presidents of Stakes, you Bishops and you men in authority, and you Elders everywhere! This is the reason why men have departed from the truth and have apostatized.
“Hence many are called but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile.”
This is the reason why so many have stumbled, and I will say still further that unless the Elders of Israel realize their position, whether they be Presidents of Stakes, or whether they be the Twelve, or the counselors of the Twelve or the First Presidency, or whether they be Bishops, or whether they hold any office of authority in the Church and kingdom of God—no matter what position they may occupy, if they go to work to seek to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the Church and Kingdom of God, the Spirit of God will be withdrawn from them and they will be left as others have been left to “kick against the pricks” and to fight against God, and they will find their way to perdition instead of to the Celestial Kingdom of God. When we have great rights, great intelligence and great blessings conferred upon us, the more need we have of being watchful and prayerful and diligent in the observance of our duties, and to feel that we are the representatives of God on the earth, the mouthpieces of Jehovah, to proclaim the will of God to men and to act as shepherds in Israel and feel interested in the welfare of the people and the building up of the Zion of our God. When we entertain feelings of another nature our minds become beclouded, we get led astray, as others have been led astray in former ages and under other circumstances. This is no new thing. We can trace it back to eternity, and we can follow it also with the times to come. The Scriptures tell us that the angels who kept not their first estate, but rebelled against God and violated His law were cast out. How many of them? One-third of them we are told. Who were they? The children of our Father as we are. Were they cast out? Yes, we are told they were, and we believe it. Why were they cast out? Well, I will go a little further on this point and show the reason:
When the plans of God in relation to this earth on which we live were presented before the intelligences of heaven, there were many there who thought, as some men frequently think now, that they knew the proper course to pursue better than God our Heavenly Father knew; and hence we read of Satan presenting himself before the Lord and saying, “Father, I will be thy Son.” And what will you do? “I will redeem every soul of man, that there shall not one be lost”—just as people are trying to do now-a-days, as Brother Joseph F. has been telling us, and they would like to redeem your children, and redeem you, yes, and corrupt you and lead you astray—for we are told the Devil is a liar from the beginning; and he keeps it up pretty well yet. The Lord then turned to His well beloved Son and said, “What would you do?” He understood things better than Satan and said, “Father, thy will be done. You have presented before us your plans, your ideas and views which are calculated to exalt and ennoble mankind; and believing in your intelligence and in your good motives, and in the instruction that comes from you, I shall be subject to you and your law. Father, thy will be done,” while Satan said that he would go and save every soul, and then asked the Father to give him His honor. That is, in effect, “O Lord, thou are all powerful and great and magnanimous, bestow upon me thy power that I then, in thy name, may bring about the destruction of thy people.” Just as people now want to get in many instances, the honor of the people and of the Priesthood to bring about their own purposes and to lead us down into the path that leads to death. What did the Lord do? He knew the designs of the enemy and the course which he would pursue. He wanted to do away with the free agency of men—like men do to-day in this broad republic, to deprive men of their liberty and their rights, which, God being our helper, we will try to sustain from this time henceforth. [Amen, by the congregation.] And because he sought to take away their liberty, their free agency, going contrary to the law of God, he was cast out, and those also who clung to him, even one-third of the angels of heaven, before they had their bodies.
What followed after? There is a big field before me and I have not time to enter into the question; but I will briefly touch upon a few principles.
Man came to the earth, and when man came, Satan came also. You know the history in regard to this. God gave man a law, and Satan began to try to pervert that law; this was one of the first things he did. In process of time there were two men born—Cain and Abel, and many others besides; but these were two representative men. One placed himself under the influences of God; the other under the influences of the devil, and he became the father of liars and deceivers, and was instructed by the enemy of all righteousness to introduce murder and bloodshed and confusion, which we read of as having descended from Cain, passing through the different ages, and to many people of this age and continent; and it is now spreading among the nations of the earth in every form of terrorism and secret organizations; and murder, bloodshed and destruction are in their hearts. They hatch cockatrice eggs, and weave the spider’s web; and those that eat of the eggs die; and the eggs that are hatched break forth into vipers. We see this spirit in the earth; and that spirit would like to find a footing among us; and nothing but our adherence to God and His laws, our fidelity to truth and our integrity to correct principles, will preserve us from these infamies that are spreading themselves abroad in the world. And if we would secure to ourselves eternal lives and possess thrones and principalities and powers in the eternal worlds, it is for us to obey the Lord our God to keep His commandments and square our lives according to the principles that God has revealed, be in communion with each other and with the Holy Priesthood on the earth, with God and the Holy Priesthood in the heavens, that we may be one with the Saints of God, one with the Apostles and Prophets and Presidency, one with the ancient Apostles and Prophets and men of God, one with God our Heavenly Father and with Jesus the Mediator.
I would like to talk an hour or two on this subject if I had the time and strength to do it, but the time has expired.
Brethren, let us be for God, for truth, for righteousness, and watch over ourselves and our families that God has placed within our power and under our direction, and do not let us throw them into the hands of the destroyer as has been referred to, but let us cleave to the truth and honor our God and God will bless us and sustain us and exalt us in time and throughout all the eternities to come. And about the plans and contrivances of men, they may rage and imagine vain things, yet God has them and us in His charge and He will say to all as He did to the waters of the mighty ocean, “Hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.” And the principles of eternal truth shall roll forward and continue to progress, until loud anthems will be proclaimed upon the earth, and glory and honor and might and majesty and dominion be ascribed to God that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Benediction by Elder E. Snow.
With regard to the principles that have been advanced here this morning, they are things that demand our most serious consideration. We, as Latter-day Saints, profess to have come out of the world, gathered together to the land of Zion for the purpose of fulfilling the word, the will, and the law of God. We are living in an eventful age, at a time when God has decreed to have a controversy with the nations, wherein He has determined to gather his people together, and wherein He has made manifest to them His will, His law, His gospel, as it existed in other ages when God revealed Himself to the human family. And living as we are in this day and age of the world, having been gathered into the fold of God, having received the holy Priesthood, and being placed in communication with the Lord, it behooves us as Saints to study and ponder well the path of our feet, to comprehend the position we occupy and our relationship to God, to each other, to our families, to the Church and the Kingdom of God and to the world, that we may act wisely, intelligently, and understandingly, and that in all of our doings we may be under the guidance and influence of the Spirit of the living God, that we may walk in the paths of life under the guidance and direction of the Almighty, carrying out the great and sacred principles He has committed to our care. When men do this they will not apostatize as has been referred to; when men fear God and humble themselves before Him and place themselves under His influence and control, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, they will not apostatize; but when men, under the cloak of the Gospel, introduce pernicious practices and permit themselves to be governed by wrong influences, then they place themselves in a position to be led captive by the devil at his own will. Hence the necessity of the Saints being humble and prayerful and diligent in the performance of their duties, and in seeking to magnify their callings and to honor their God. Especially are those duties more incumbent upon men in authority than upon others, and so far from men being puffed up in pride or with any ostentatious feelings because of any position they may occupy in the Church and kingdom of God, all that a good man will seek to do will be to know the mind of his Heavenly Father to do it, and to seek to magnify his calling, that he may prove himself worthy to be accepted of God and the holy angels, and be esteemed by all good, and honorable and upright men. We have a reason given us here [Book of Doctrine and Covenants] why men apostatize. I will read it:
“Behold there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?”—[here is the reason]—“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—That the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens will withdraw themselves; the spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, amen to the Priesthood, or the authority of that man. Behold! ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks; to persecute the Saints and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of nearly all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.”
Hear it you Elders of Israel, you Presidents of Stakes, you Bishops and you men in authority, and you Elders everywhere! This is the reason why men have departed from the truth and have apostatized.
“Hence many are called but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile.”
This is the reason why so many have stumbled, and I will say still further that unless the Elders of Israel realize their position, whether they be Presidents of Stakes, or whether they be the Twelve, or the counselors of the Twelve or the First Presidency, or whether they be Bishops, or whether they hold any office of authority in the Church and kingdom of God—no matter what position they may occupy, if they go to work to seek to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the Church and Kingdom of God, the Spirit of God will be withdrawn from them and they will be left as others have been left to “kick against the pricks” and to fight against God, and they will find their way to perdition instead of to the Celestial Kingdom of God. When we have great rights, great intelligence and great blessings conferred upon us, the more need we have of being watchful and prayerful and diligent in the observance of our duties, and to feel that we are the representatives of God on the earth, the mouthpieces of Jehovah, to proclaim the will of God to men and to act as shepherds in Israel and feel interested in the welfare of the people and the building up of the Zion of our God. When we entertain feelings of another nature our minds become beclouded, we get led astray, as others have been led astray in former ages and under other circumstances. This is no new thing. We can trace it back to eternity, and we can follow it also with the times to come. The Scriptures tell us that the angels who kept not their first estate, but rebelled against God and violated His law were cast out. How many of them? One-third of them we are told. Who were they? The children of our Father as we are. Were they cast out? Yes, we are told they were, and we believe it. Why were they cast out? Well, I will go a little further on this point and show the reason:
When the plans of God in relation to this earth on which we live were presented before the intelligences of heaven, there were many there who thought, as some men frequently think now, that they knew the proper course to pursue better than God our Heavenly Father knew; and hence we read of Satan presenting himself before the Lord and saying, “Father, I will be thy Son.” And what will you do? “I will redeem every soul of man, that there shall not one be lost”—just as people are trying to do now-a-days, as Brother Joseph F. has been telling us, and they would like to redeem your children, and redeem you, yes, and corrupt you and lead you astray—for we are told the Devil is a liar from the beginning; and he keeps it up pretty well yet. The Lord then turned to His well beloved Son and said, “What would you do?” He understood things better than Satan and said, “Father, thy will be done. You have presented before us your plans, your ideas and views which are calculated to exalt and ennoble mankind; and believing in your intelligence and in your good motives, and in the instruction that comes from you, I shall be subject to you and your law. Father, thy will be done,” while Satan said that he would go and save every soul, and then asked the Father to give him His honor. That is, in effect, “O Lord, thou are all powerful and great and magnanimous, bestow upon me thy power that I then, in thy name, may bring about the destruction of thy people.” Just as people now want to get in many instances, the honor of the people and of the Priesthood to bring about their own purposes and to lead us down into the path that leads to death. What did the Lord do? He knew the designs of the enemy and the course which he would pursue. He wanted to do away with the free agency of men—like men do to-day in this broad republic, to deprive men of their liberty and their rights, which, God being our helper, we will try to sustain from this time henceforth. [Amen, by the congregation.] And because he sought to take away their liberty, their free agency, going contrary to the law of God, he was cast out, and those also who clung to him, even one-third of the angels of heaven, before they had their bodies.
What followed after? There is a big field before me and I have not time to enter into the question; but I will briefly touch upon a few principles.
Man came to the earth, and when man came, Satan came also. You know the history in regard to this. God gave man a law, and Satan began to try to pervert that law; this was one of the first things he did. In process of time there were two men born—Cain and Abel, and many others besides; but these were two representative men. One placed himself under the influences of God; the other under the influences of the devil, and he became the father of liars and deceivers, and was instructed by the enemy of all righteousness to introduce murder and bloodshed and confusion, which we read of as having descended from Cain, passing through the different ages, and to many people of this age and continent; and it is now spreading among the nations of the earth in every form of terrorism and secret organizations; and murder, bloodshed and destruction are in their hearts. They hatch cockatrice eggs, and weave the spider’s web; and those that eat of the eggs die; and the eggs that are hatched break forth into vipers. We see this spirit in the earth; and that spirit would like to find a footing among us; and nothing but our adherence to God and His laws, our fidelity to truth and our integrity to correct principles, will preserve us from these infamies that are spreading themselves abroad in the world. And if we would secure to ourselves eternal lives and possess thrones and principalities and powers in the eternal worlds, it is for us to obey the Lord our God to keep His commandments and square our lives according to the principles that God has revealed, be in communion with each other and with the Holy Priesthood on the earth, with God and the Holy Priesthood in the heavens, that we may be one with the Saints of God, one with the Apostles and Prophets and Presidency, one with the ancient Apostles and Prophets and men of God, one with God our Heavenly Father and with Jesus the Mediator.
I would like to talk an hour or two on this subject if I had the time and strength to do it, but the time has expired.
Brethren, let us be for God, for truth, for righteousness, and watch over ourselves and our families that God has placed within our power and under our direction, and do not let us throw them into the hands of the destroyer as has been referred to, but let us cleave to the truth and honor our God and God will bless us and sustain us and exalt us in time and throughout all the eternities to come. And about the plans and contrivances of men, they may rage and imagine vain things, yet God has them and us in His charge and He will say to all as He did to the waters of the mighty ocean, “Hitherto shalt thou come and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.” And the principles of eternal truth shall roll forward and continue to progress, until loud anthems will be proclaimed upon the earth, and glory and honor and might and majesty and dominion be ascribed to God that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever. Amen.
The choir sang an anthem: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Conference adjourned till 2 p.m.
Benediction by Elder E. Snow.
SECOND DAY.
Monday, 2 p. m.
Choir sang “Praise to God, immortal praise, For the love that crowns our days.”
Prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Choir sang “The Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd’s care.”
President George Q. Cannon then read the statistical reports of the various Stakes of Zion.
Monday, 2 p. m.
Choir sang “Praise to God, immortal praise, For the love that crowns our days.”
Prayer by President Angus M. Cannon.
Choir sang “The Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd’s care.”
President George Q. Cannon then read the statistical reports of the various Stakes of Zion.
Apostle Erastus Snow
said the gospel as expounded by the Savior and His Apostles was a perfect law of liberty. All the revelations that God ever gave to man in ancient or modern times tended to true freedom. Nothing connected with the Gospel of Christ has the tendency to restrain men of their liberty. These doctrines have attempted to draw a line between liberty and licentiousness; between liberty and oppression. Oppression and slavery are the result of sin, and violations of the principles of the everlasting gospel, either by the ruled, by the rulers, or both—and generally by both. True freedom of mind and body and the enjoyment of human liberty, rest upon human integrity and virtue, and the observance of those principles of truth upon which all liberty is founded. There are some people who think they are always in bondage unless they are all the time trying to get into trouble; some seem never to be happy unless perfectly miserable. Oppression and slavery are in no way connected with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of France, and the “Liberals” of Utah are ”panting for liberty,” but to obtain their ends (which would certainly be anarchy and destruction) they would assassinate the representatives of Government, kill the king, dethrone Jehovah. The same restless spirit that agitates such people has existed in former ages of the world, and their course is related in Bible history, and also their sad fate is made manifest by the displeasure of the Almighty against their rebellious course. “The powers that be are ordained of God,” and a monarchial, or republican, or other form of government, is far better than no government, or the rule of those who most clamor for freedom with their mouths, but are tyrants in their hearts and are destroyers of good regulations and wholesome restraints. The oppression of a king is preferable to the oppression of a mob, where every man’s will is his own law. The speaker made a wise and discriminating contrast between the government of God and the condition of anarchy that is being aimed at by freedom-shouters in different nations of the earth. He then spoke of the power and efficacy of the Priesthood in the settlement of difficulties by pacific measures, on the principle of amicable adjustment. There are no officials on the face of the earth, who are so easily approached, for the purpose of listening to and affording counsel and aid to those needing it, as the various authorities and officials in the Church and Kingdom of God, and there are no people who understand liberty better than the Latter-day Saints, for they have learned it in the Gospel. He could bear testimony to the fact that there are no better social and family regulations anywhere, nor any more true liberty, than can be found in man of our polygamous households and that they are far superior to those that existed in many places in so-called Christendom. In a political sense we are complained of because we will vote for our friends, and give our sanction to those whom we know will make a wise and proper use of the power and means placed in their hands, and will not vote for our enemies who seek place and power for their own aggrandizement and personal ends. Some people’s ideas of liberty seem to independence of law, hostility to union, order and peace. Our regenerators would make it appear that unless we go to the polls and vote their ticket we are oppressed and priest-ridden. Yes, we do vote with the priesthood; we would indeed be foolish to vote for our enemies; then let us vote for our friends. Everybody acquainted with the Territory knows that the municipal county and territorial offices of Utah are more justly and equitably managed, the taxes are less, and the wants of the people are more judiciously cared for than in any other State or Territory in the United States. We have not one defaulter in office here for ten in any other State. There are some who have heard so much of this twaddle about being priest-ridden that they think unless they vote with their enemies they will be put down as Mormon slaves; but reflecting men see through these things. There are people who instead of beginning to better the world by purifying their own hearts and homes, try to serve God like the devil by turning their attention abroad, and thus create anarchy. It is like the idiot, who, because he is himself houseless, and is compelled to sleep on the steps of the nabob, will put the torch to the nabob’s palace and destroy it. Fools can destroy, but it takes wise men to build up. When the time comes that the extremists of the land sweep through the country with the violence of a tornado God will interpose His arm and the Saints of God will rally around the constitution, and form a nucleus around which men and women of virtue, intelligence and love of order will gather and carry out the purposes of God in promoting peace and true liberty. He directed some plain and pointed remarks against those who are opposed to order and good government and showed that all law, human and divine, should tend to the maintenance of human rights and the welfare of all mankind.
said the gospel as expounded by the Savior and His Apostles was a perfect law of liberty. All the revelations that God ever gave to man in ancient or modern times tended to true freedom. Nothing connected with the Gospel of Christ has the tendency to restrain men of their liberty. These doctrines have attempted to draw a line between liberty and licentiousness; between liberty and oppression. Oppression and slavery are the result of sin, and violations of the principles of the everlasting gospel, either by the ruled, by the rulers, or both—and generally by both. True freedom of mind and body and the enjoyment of human liberty, rest upon human integrity and virtue, and the observance of those principles of truth upon which all liberty is founded. There are some people who think they are always in bondage unless they are all the time trying to get into trouble; some seem never to be happy unless perfectly miserable. Oppression and slavery are in no way connected with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of France, and the “Liberals” of Utah are ”panting for liberty,” but to obtain their ends (which would certainly be anarchy and destruction) they would assassinate the representatives of Government, kill the king, dethrone Jehovah. The same restless spirit that agitates such people has existed in former ages of the world, and their course is related in Bible history, and also their sad fate is made manifest by the displeasure of the Almighty against their rebellious course. “The powers that be are ordained of God,” and a monarchial, or republican, or other form of government, is far better than no government, or the rule of those who most clamor for freedom with their mouths, but are tyrants in their hearts and are destroyers of good regulations and wholesome restraints. The oppression of a king is preferable to the oppression of a mob, where every man’s will is his own law. The speaker made a wise and discriminating contrast between the government of God and the condition of anarchy that is being aimed at by freedom-shouters in different nations of the earth. He then spoke of the power and efficacy of the Priesthood in the settlement of difficulties by pacific measures, on the principle of amicable adjustment. There are no officials on the face of the earth, who are so easily approached, for the purpose of listening to and affording counsel and aid to those needing it, as the various authorities and officials in the Church and Kingdom of God, and there are no people who understand liberty better than the Latter-day Saints, for they have learned it in the Gospel. He could bear testimony to the fact that there are no better social and family regulations anywhere, nor any more true liberty, than can be found in man of our polygamous households and that they are far superior to those that existed in many places in so-called Christendom. In a political sense we are complained of because we will vote for our friends, and give our sanction to those whom we know will make a wise and proper use of the power and means placed in their hands, and will not vote for our enemies who seek place and power for their own aggrandizement and personal ends. Some people’s ideas of liberty seem to independence of law, hostility to union, order and peace. Our regenerators would make it appear that unless we go to the polls and vote their ticket we are oppressed and priest-ridden. Yes, we do vote with the priesthood; we would indeed be foolish to vote for our enemies; then let us vote for our friends. Everybody acquainted with the Territory knows that the municipal county and territorial offices of Utah are more justly and equitably managed, the taxes are less, and the wants of the people are more judiciously cared for than in any other State or Territory in the United States. We have not one defaulter in office here for ten in any other State. There are some who have heard so much of this twaddle about being priest-ridden that they think unless they vote with their enemies they will be put down as Mormon slaves; but reflecting men see through these things. There are people who instead of beginning to better the world by purifying their own hearts and homes, try to serve God like the devil by turning their attention abroad, and thus create anarchy. It is like the idiot, who, because he is himself houseless, and is compelled to sleep on the steps of the nabob, will put the torch to the nabob’s palace and destroy it. Fools can destroy, but it takes wise men to build up. When the time comes that the extremists of the land sweep through the country with the violence of a tornado God will interpose His arm and the Saints of God will rally around the constitution, and form a nucleus around which men and women of virtue, intelligence and love of order will gather and carry out the purposes of God in promoting peace and true liberty. He directed some plain and pointed remarks against those who are opposed to order and good government and showed that all law, human and divine, should tend to the maintenance of human rights and the welfare of all mankind.
The Gospel—The “Perfect Law of Liberty,” Etc.
Discourse by Elder Erastus Snow, delivered at the General Conference, Monday Afternoon, April 4, 1881.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
I desire to be heard, not that I am ambitious of speaking, but if I speak I desire that my strength shall not be unnecessarily taxed.
One of the ancient expounders of the Christian religion said, that the Gospel was the perfect law of liberty. I believe it; and if I take a text at all, that is my text.
The Gospel as understood and expounded by the Savior and his ancient Apostles, is a perfect law of liberty. Everything pertaining to the spirit of the Gospel, as taught and expounded and practiced by the Savior and His disciples, tended to liberty. All the revelations which God ever gave to man from the beginning of the world tended to liberty. The government which our heavenly Father has exercised, or attempted to exercise over His children on the earth or in the heavens, has not in the least tended to restrain or abridge them in their liberty, but rather to enlarge it, to extend it, to insure, to preserve and maintain it. The Gospel of Christ, and all of the revelations of God to man have sought to mark the line of distinction between liberty and license, between correct principles of government and anarchy or oppression and slavery. Oppression and slavery are the result of sin and wickedness, violations of the principles of the everlasting Gospel either by the rulers or ruled or both, and generally both. True freedom of mind and body and true liberty, even the enjoyment of human rights is founded and maintained, and rests upon human integrity and virtue and the observance of those principles of truth on which all true happiness and true freedom is founded. Sin was never righteousness, nor can be; license was never liberty nor can be; misery was never happiness, nor can be; and yet because of the blindness and ignorance of some people, they never appear to be happy only when they are perfectly miserable. And there are some people too who think they are always in slavery and bondage unless they are trying to get themselves into trouble; and they think there is no true liberty only in acting like the devil. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of France and their sympathizers in America, including the “Liberals” of Utah, are panting for liberty; they are restive under the restraint of order and law; they are opposed to government, and like the French Socialists and Communists, they would destroy Jehovah himself and behead the king and burn up Parliament and assassinate every representative of power and government; and when they had reduced the country and themselves to anarchy, they would look upon their condition as the acme of freedom and human liberty. The world today is drifting in this direction, including our own liberal America.
If we take a retrospective view of the dealings of God with his people whom he recognized, and who acknowledged his laws, and among whom he raised up Prophets, and with whom he established his covenants, we will find that they have been the freest of all peoples which have existed on the earth. The students of the Bible and the Book of Mormon know this to be the case. They know that the first king who ruled over ancient Israel, was chosen at their own earnest solicitations, when they began to apostatize from God, and to despise His counsels. They know that Samuel the Seer, who judged them in righteousness, and who taught them faithfully the ways of the Lord, earnestly remonstrated with them when they clamored for a king to go out and in before them and lead them to battle, that they might be as other nations who were around them. Samuel foretold the results—that such a course tended to bondage; that they were but forging the links of the chain that would bind them and deprive them of freedom. He labored long and arduously to dissuade them from it; but they would not listen to him. And yet they were not willing to consent for anybody else to make them a king but that same Samuel; and when he had prayed to the Lord, the Lord told him to “hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” Samuel did as the Lord commanded him, and Israel was ruled over by a king of their own choosing. But the heavens were displeased with them for so doing, and you who are conversant with Bible history are familiar with the troubles and sorrows which befell Israel in consequence of this departure from the ways of God. And those who read the Book of Mormon find the same spirit breathed throughout that book. The people, in the days when they were willing to listen to the voice of Prophets and inspired men, were the freest and best of all people; but when they began to apostatize and harden their hearts against the words of the Lord and the counsel imparted to them by His servants, they began to drift with sin and oppression and bondage. Anarchy—shall I say, is the worst of all governments? No: Anarchy is the absence of all government; it is the antipodes of order; it is the acme of confusion; it is the result of unbridled license, the antipodes of true liberty. The Apostle Paul says truly: “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” At first this is a startling statement. Even the monopoly of the one-man-power as in Russia, or the monopoly of the aristocracy as in other parts of Europe, or the imbecility and sometimes stupidity of a republic like our own, is far better than no government at all. And for this reason, says the Apostle Paul, “The powers are ordained of God,” not that they are always the best forms of government for the people, or that they afford liberty and freedom to mankind, but that any and all forms of government are better than none at all, having a tendency as they do to restrain the passions of human nature and to curb them, and to establish and maintain order to a greater or less degree. One monopoly is better than many; and the oppression of a king is tolerable, but the oppression of a mob, where every man is a law to himself and his own right arm, is his power to enforce his own will, is the worst form of government. The efforts of extremists clamoring for human freedom are all tending in this direction; and those who clamor for human rights are, as a general thing, the first to trample them under foot—I mean those who are the most loud-mouthed; their ideas of freedom are all on their tongue; they conceive of no freedom only when they wield the sword, or dictate terms to others. The Gospel of the Son of God extends to the world that perfect law of liberty. Founded on truth, and a proper appreciation of those principles which tend to the largest possible happiness to humanity, it restrains mankind, not in the enjoyment of freedom and liberty, but from efforts to deprive their fellows of it. In other words, the power which God has sought to exercise, and which he has recommended and sanctioned, is only to seize the arm which is raised to fell his fellow, and to stop the loud tongue of the raging maniac, which would destroy the peace of his fellow man, and who would seek to build himself up on the ruin of others. There is no system of government ever instituted among men which is so well calculated to give and maintain human freedom, and at the same time to restrain the vices and excesses of fallen humanity, as the government of the Gospel sought to be established by the Savior and His Apostles. We heard quoted this forenoon the words of God spoken through the Prophet Joseph, and which are and always will be in force among this people, to the effect that the powers of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and cannot be exercised in any degree of unrighteousness; that the power of that man departs from him when he attempts in the least degree to exercise an unrighteous dominion over his fellow man—or any power or dominion except that power of truth and of persuasion founded upon it.
The teachings of the Savior in relation to the settling of difficulties arising among brethren in the Church of Christ, through visiting them and talking frankly one with another, explaining and expounding to each other until they come to an understanding of all troubles which may arise among members of the Church; and in cases of disagreement invoking the aid and council of visiting priests and teachers to act in the premises as peacemakers, as helps to the parties to arrive at a proper understanding, constitute the best method of settling and adjusting the differences of mankind which has ever been instituted; agreeing with the experience of Bishop Hunter, who has often said, that no cases of difficulty are so thoroughly and effectually settled as those which are disposed of in this way. This is the chief labor of the visiting Priesthood among the people of God. And yet the enemies of this people prate a great deal about the oppression of the Priesthood. There is no pope or bishop, priest or clergyman or ecclesiastic belonging to any sect on the earth, so far as my knowledge extends, which is so approachable as the President and Apostles and Priests and Bishops and Elders of this Church, whose hearts and ears are open to everybody to hear what everybody has to say, and to give it due weight in all patience and long-suffering, to enlighten and teach them correct principles, so that they may act honestly with each other and secure each other the greatest possible amount of liberty, freedom and happiness. The same may be said of the domestic relations in the family circle—I will not say with wicked men, with men who are naturally tyrannical, having the spirit of tyranny and oppression born in them; but I will say that free men and women who are imbued with the spirit of the everlasting Gospel, who are living in polygamy, that they manifest a greater degree of parental affection and of conjugal love, and evince greater earnest desire to promote peace and happiness and comfort and liberty and freedom to each member of their families, than at least the great majority of the families of the Christian world. And as I have often said—and I am as well acquainted with polygamous families in Utah, as perhaps, any other man, in consequence of my traveling constantly among the people and mingling with them—that, as a rule, the polygamous families of Utah are the best regulated families in the land, and they enjoy the greatest degree of happiness and freedom, unity, fellowship and love and reverence for correct principles. Our would-be regenerators would feign try and make us believe that unless we all go to the polls and vote their ticket we are slaves to the Priesthood; that because we chose to vote for our friends, we are doing the bidding of the Priesthood. Yes, and so we are. The Priesthood has always taught us that we would be fools, indeed, to vote for our enemies, for those who would rob and plunder us, for those who would not only rob us financially, but would steal from us the common rights of citizenship were it in their power to do so. And, yet, forsooth, because we vote for our friends, for men in whom we have confidence, they say we are priestridden, etc. And what does it all mean? “Why, we want you Mormons to vote for us that we may get our arm into the public treasury, for we are too lazy to work.” All who are acquainted with the administration of affairs in Utah, know that the affairs of government, both territorial and county, and also municipal, are the most economically administered of any other Territory or State in the Union; that there is not one delinquent or case of embezzlement to where there are ten in any other Territory or State. And yet our would-be regenerators are exceedingly angry because we will not vote for men to misrepresent us and our interests at the seat of government; because we do not squeak when they squeak, because we do not sneeze when they take snuff. This they call liberty! And there are perhaps some of our own people who are so far befogged that they run with this class of men; they read their twaddle so much and they become so much beclouded that they think it is necessary, in order to show their manhood, to vote for their enemies because, if they do not vote for their enemies they will be put down as “Mormon slaves;” and this would be too much for them, they could not stand so much.
Now, thinking men understand the object of all this cry. It is prompted by the same spirit which we see manifested by the extremists almost throughout the civilized world. It is true there is a great deal of oppression in the world, and these men see it and they wish to improve things, but do not know how; and instead of commencing to rectify what is wrong in their own hearts and in their own families, and then extend their influence for good to those immediately around them, instead of using moral suasion and showing a good example, they turn to and undertake to serve God like the devil, trying to right things the wrong way by casting down everything in the form of order and government, producing anarchy and ruin instead. Like the idiot who, because he himself was houseless, having to sleep on the doorstep of some rich man, put the torch to the rich man's palace and destroyed it. Fools can demolish and destroy; it requires wise men to build.
I said of the ancient people of God; I say of the Latter-day Saints, there is no people capable of appreciating true liberty and of understanding the principles on which it is founded, and who know so well how to maintain them; because we have found it in the Gospel which we have received. And every man who has received the spirit of the Gospel, and whose heart is warmed with the love of it, is preparing his heart and is using his influence to educate the people to understand the true principles of human freedom, and the means by which they can be maintained. And I say, as President Cannon has said, referring to what the Prophet Joseph Smith told us, that the time would come when the extremists of the land, who are undermining the fabric of freedom, and little by little breaking under foot the guarantees of human liberty which have been raised up by our heavenly Father, through the instrumentality of wise men whom he raised up to establish the institutions of our country; these extremists of the land are gradually undermining those safeguards of human liberty, and plotting to carry out their nefarious designs in their endeavoring to oppress the people of God, and to destroy the institutions of heaven out of the earth. The time will come when the voice of such men will be heard in the land, like the roaring of a tornado, so that the still small voice speaking from the heavens cannot be heard; and the voice of the loudmouth, plotting destruction to human liberty and freedom will be heard all over the land, and everybody raise up and say, it is the voice of God; and they will be willing to stand and look on and see the Saints butchered and Prophets martyred, and our institutions wrested from us and wasted away. But when that time arrives, the Lord will come forth from his hiding place and “vex the nations;” he will raise his arm, and it shall not be turned back, and he will stay the hand raised against his people to destroy them and their institutions.
The Gospel has been the means of gathering us out from among the nations, and has made us a free and happy people, an able and united commonwealth; and the Lord is using us to establish its principles in these mountains, that throughout these valleys may be formed a nucleus around which honorable men and women may gather, men who will be capable of appreciating the blessings of liberty and of helping to extend them to others. And all presidents and senators and judges, and all men in official authority who shall lend themselves and their influence to trample upon the common rights of man, those rights which God has bestowed upon us and which are our common heritage, and who shall be found warring against God and his institutions, when the cap of their iniquity shall be full, the Lord Almighty will cause them to disappear from the public gaze, he will let them sink into oblivion and disgrace.
Those who suppose they can secure happiness in doing wickedly are grievously mistaken. And if they seek to oppress their neighbor by appropriating to themselves his hard earnings without rendering him a just equivalent, they will find every time they do it, they are but weaving together withes for their own backs, preparing punishment for themselves, and bringing themselves into bondage—the bondage of sin. For all judgments and punishments which the law of the Lord has ordained and appointed unto man are designed to correct their errors and sins. And where they are corrected and they learn better, then He is ready to stretch forth His hand to save and exalt them. The Gospel is ever ready to step in to assist repentant man when he has become sensible that he needs help to be redeemed, and he realizes that he has not the power to redeem himself. Then repentance unto life is granted to him; but it never can come until his judgment is convinced, until his mind is enlightened and his eyes are opened to see himself, and to comprehend his true position. And whether he be in this world or the world to come, he must place himself in a condition to be saved before redemption can come unto him; and it is only by the light of truth and of true and correct principles which can bring happiness and liberty and freedom, and with it a disposition to extend that liberty to all around, and to maintain it and protect each other in its enjoyment; and not with a spirit of vengeance upon the erring, and oppression upon the ignorant, but only with a disposition to seize and hold the hand which is raised to smite his fellow and stop in his wayward course the individual who would override his fellow. And all men should be protected in this freedom to go so far and no further.
May the Lord help us to live and walk in the light, and think for ourselves, and act like sensible people, paying heedless regard to the blatant foolish lunatics who are attracting the attention of the world. They, however, have their day, after the manner of the old adage—Every dog has his day; and when it is past he will cease to bark and bite.
Discourse by Elder Erastus Snow, delivered at the General Conference, Monday Afternoon, April 4, 1881.
Reported by Geo. F. Gibbs.
I desire to be heard, not that I am ambitious of speaking, but if I speak I desire that my strength shall not be unnecessarily taxed.
One of the ancient expounders of the Christian religion said, that the Gospel was the perfect law of liberty. I believe it; and if I take a text at all, that is my text.
The Gospel as understood and expounded by the Savior and his ancient Apostles, is a perfect law of liberty. Everything pertaining to the spirit of the Gospel, as taught and expounded and practiced by the Savior and His disciples, tended to liberty. All the revelations which God ever gave to man from the beginning of the world tended to liberty. The government which our heavenly Father has exercised, or attempted to exercise over His children on the earth or in the heavens, has not in the least tended to restrain or abridge them in their liberty, but rather to enlarge it, to extend it, to insure, to preserve and maintain it. The Gospel of Christ, and all of the revelations of God to man have sought to mark the line of distinction between liberty and license, between correct principles of government and anarchy or oppression and slavery. Oppression and slavery are the result of sin and wickedness, violations of the principles of the everlasting Gospel either by the rulers or ruled or both, and generally both. True freedom of mind and body and true liberty, even the enjoyment of human rights is founded and maintained, and rests upon human integrity and virtue and the observance of those principles of truth on which all true happiness and true freedom is founded. Sin was never righteousness, nor can be; license was never liberty nor can be; misery was never happiness, nor can be; and yet because of the blindness and ignorance of some people, they never appear to be happy only when they are perfectly miserable. And there are some people too who think they are always in slavery and bondage unless they are trying to get themselves into trouble; and they think there is no true liberty only in acting like the devil. The Nihilists of Russia, the Socialists of France and their sympathizers in America, including the “Liberals” of Utah, are panting for liberty; they are restive under the restraint of order and law; they are opposed to government, and like the French Socialists and Communists, they would destroy Jehovah himself and behead the king and burn up Parliament and assassinate every representative of power and government; and when they had reduced the country and themselves to anarchy, they would look upon their condition as the acme of freedom and human liberty. The world today is drifting in this direction, including our own liberal America.
If we take a retrospective view of the dealings of God with his people whom he recognized, and who acknowledged his laws, and among whom he raised up Prophets, and with whom he established his covenants, we will find that they have been the freest of all peoples which have existed on the earth. The students of the Bible and the Book of Mormon know this to be the case. They know that the first king who ruled over ancient Israel, was chosen at their own earnest solicitations, when they began to apostatize from God, and to despise His counsels. They know that Samuel the Seer, who judged them in righteousness, and who taught them faithfully the ways of the Lord, earnestly remonstrated with them when they clamored for a king to go out and in before them and lead them to battle, that they might be as other nations who were around them. Samuel foretold the results—that such a course tended to bondage; that they were but forging the links of the chain that would bind them and deprive them of freedom. He labored long and arduously to dissuade them from it; but they would not listen to him. And yet they were not willing to consent for anybody else to make them a king but that same Samuel; and when he had prayed to the Lord, the Lord told him to “hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” Samuel did as the Lord commanded him, and Israel was ruled over by a king of their own choosing. But the heavens were displeased with them for so doing, and you who are conversant with Bible history are familiar with the troubles and sorrows which befell Israel in consequence of this departure from the ways of God. And those who read the Book of Mormon find the same spirit breathed throughout that book. The people, in the days when they were willing to listen to the voice of Prophets and inspired men, were the freest and best of all people; but when they began to apostatize and harden their hearts against the words of the Lord and the counsel imparted to them by His servants, they began to drift with sin and oppression and bondage. Anarchy—shall I say, is the worst of all governments? No: Anarchy is the absence of all government; it is the antipodes of order; it is the acme of confusion; it is the result of unbridled license, the antipodes of true liberty. The Apostle Paul says truly: “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” At first this is a startling statement. Even the monopoly of the one-man-power as in Russia, or the monopoly of the aristocracy as in other parts of Europe, or the imbecility and sometimes stupidity of a republic like our own, is far better than no government at all. And for this reason, says the Apostle Paul, “The powers are ordained of God,” not that they are always the best forms of government for the people, or that they afford liberty and freedom to mankind, but that any and all forms of government are better than none at all, having a tendency as they do to restrain the passions of human nature and to curb them, and to establish and maintain order to a greater or less degree. One monopoly is better than many; and the oppression of a king is tolerable, but the oppression of a mob, where every man is a law to himself and his own right arm, is his power to enforce his own will, is the worst form of government. The efforts of extremists clamoring for human freedom are all tending in this direction; and those who clamor for human rights are, as a general thing, the first to trample them under foot—I mean those who are the most loud-mouthed; their ideas of freedom are all on their tongue; they conceive of no freedom only when they wield the sword, or dictate terms to others. The Gospel of the Son of God extends to the world that perfect law of liberty. Founded on truth, and a proper appreciation of those principles which tend to the largest possible happiness to humanity, it restrains mankind, not in the enjoyment of freedom and liberty, but from efforts to deprive their fellows of it. In other words, the power which God has sought to exercise, and which he has recommended and sanctioned, is only to seize the arm which is raised to fell his fellow, and to stop the loud tongue of the raging maniac, which would destroy the peace of his fellow man, and who would seek to build himself up on the ruin of others. There is no system of government ever instituted among men which is so well calculated to give and maintain human freedom, and at the same time to restrain the vices and excesses of fallen humanity, as the government of the Gospel sought to be established by the Savior and His Apostles. We heard quoted this forenoon the words of God spoken through the Prophet Joseph, and which are and always will be in force among this people, to the effect that the powers of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and cannot be exercised in any degree of unrighteousness; that the power of that man departs from him when he attempts in the least degree to exercise an unrighteous dominion over his fellow man—or any power or dominion except that power of truth and of persuasion founded upon it.
The teachings of the Savior in relation to the settling of difficulties arising among brethren in the Church of Christ, through visiting them and talking frankly one with another, explaining and expounding to each other until they come to an understanding of all troubles which may arise among members of the Church; and in cases of disagreement invoking the aid and council of visiting priests and teachers to act in the premises as peacemakers, as helps to the parties to arrive at a proper understanding, constitute the best method of settling and adjusting the differences of mankind which has ever been instituted; agreeing with the experience of Bishop Hunter, who has often said, that no cases of difficulty are so thoroughly and effectually settled as those which are disposed of in this way. This is the chief labor of the visiting Priesthood among the people of God. And yet the enemies of this people prate a great deal about the oppression of the Priesthood. There is no pope or bishop, priest or clergyman or ecclesiastic belonging to any sect on the earth, so far as my knowledge extends, which is so approachable as the President and Apostles and Priests and Bishops and Elders of this Church, whose hearts and ears are open to everybody to hear what everybody has to say, and to give it due weight in all patience and long-suffering, to enlighten and teach them correct principles, so that they may act honestly with each other and secure each other the greatest possible amount of liberty, freedom and happiness. The same may be said of the domestic relations in the family circle—I will not say with wicked men, with men who are naturally tyrannical, having the spirit of tyranny and oppression born in them; but I will say that free men and women who are imbued with the spirit of the everlasting Gospel, who are living in polygamy, that they manifest a greater degree of parental affection and of conjugal love, and evince greater earnest desire to promote peace and happiness and comfort and liberty and freedom to each member of their families, than at least the great majority of the families of the Christian world. And as I have often said—and I am as well acquainted with polygamous families in Utah, as perhaps, any other man, in consequence of my traveling constantly among the people and mingling with them—that, as a rule, the polygamous families of Utah are the best regulated families in the land, and they enjoy the greatest degree of happiness and freedom, unity, fellowship and love and reverence for correct principles. Our would-be regenerators would feign try and make us believe that unless we all go to the polls and vote their ticket we are slaves to the Priesthood; that because we chose to vote for our friends, we are doing the bidding of the Priesthood. Yes, and so we are. The Priesthood has always taught us that we would be fools, indeed, to vote for our enemies, for those who would rob and plunder us, for those who would not only rob us financially, but would steal from us the common rights of citizenship were it in their power to do so. And, yet, forsooth, because we vote for our friends, for men in whom we have confidence, they say we are priestridden, etc. And what does it all mean? “Why, we want you Mormons to vote for us that we may get our arm into the public treasury, for we are too lazy to work.” All who are acquainted with the administration of affairs in Utah, know that the affairs of government, both territorial and county, and also municipal, are the most economically administered of any other Territory or State in the Union; that there is not one delinquent or case of embezzlement to where there are ten in any other Territory or State. And yet our would-be regenerators are exceedingly angry because we will not vote for men to misrepresent us and our interests at the seat of government; because we do not squeak when they squeak, because we do not sneeze when they take snuff. This they call liberty! And there are perhaps some of our own people who are so far befogged that they run with this class of men; they read their twaddle so much and they become so much beclouded that they think it is necessary, in order to show their manhood, to vote for their enemies because, if they do not vote for their enemies they will be put down as “Mormon slaves;” and this would be too much for them, they could not stand so much.
Now, thinking men understand the object of all this cry. It is prompted by the same spirit which we see manifested by the extremists almost throughout the civilized world. It is true there is a great deal of oppression in the world, and these men see it and they wish to improve things, but do not know how; and instead of commencing to rectify what is wrong in their own hearts and in their own families, and then extend their influence for good to those immediately around them, instead of using moral suasion and showing a good example, they turn to and undertake to serve God like the devil, trying to right things the wrong way by casting down everything in the form of order and government, producing anarchy and ruin instead. Like the idiot who, because he himself was houseless, having to sleep on the doorstep of some rich man, put the torch to the rich man's palace and destroyed it. Fools can demolish and destroy; it requires wise men to build.
I said of the ancient people of God; I say of the Latter-day Saints, there is no people capable of appreciating true liberty and of understanding the principles on which it is founded, and who know so well how to maintain them; because we have found it in the Gospel which we have received. And every man who has received the spirit of the Gospel, and whose heart is warmed with the love of it, is preparing his heart and is using his influence to educate the people to understand the true principles of human freedom, and the means by which they can be maintained. And I say, as President Cannon has said, referring to what the Prophet Joseph Smith told us, that the time would come when the extremists of the land, who are undermining the fabric of freedom, and little by little breaking under foot the guarantees of human liberty which have been raised up by our heavenly Father, through the instrumentality of wise men whom he raised up to establish the institutions of our country; these extremists of the land are gradually undermining those safeguards of human liberty, and plotting to carry out their nefarious designs in their endeavoring to oppress the people of God, and to destroy the institutions of heaven out of the earth. The time will come when the voice of such men will be heard in the land, like the roaring of a tornado, so that the still small voice speaking from the heavens cannot be heard; and the voice of the loudmouth, plotting destruction to human liberty and freedom will be heard all over the land, and everybody raise up and say, it is the voice of God; and they will be willing to stand and look on and see the Saints butchered and Prophets martyred, and our institutions wrested from us and wasted away. But when that time arrives, the Lord will come forth from his hiding place and “vex the nations;” he will raise his arm, and it shall not be turned back, and he will stay the hand raised against his people to destroy them and their institutions.
The Gospel has been the means of gathering us out from among the nations, and has made us a free and happy people, an able and united commonwealth; and the Lord is using us to establish its principles in these mountains, that throughout these valleys may be formed a nucleus around which honorable men and women may gather, men who will be capable of appreciating the blessings of liberty and of helping to extend them to others. And all presidents and senators and judges, and all men in official authority who shall lend themselves and their influence to trample upon the common rights of man, those rights which God has bestowed upon us and which are our common heritage, and who shall be found warring against God and his institutions, when the cap of their iniquity shall be full, the Lord Almighty will cause them to disappear from the public gaze, he will let them sink into oblivion and disgrace.
Those who suppose they can secure happiness in doing wickedly are grievously mistaken. And if they seek to oppress their neighbor by appropriating to themselves his hard earnings without rendering him a just equivalent, they will find every time they do it, they are but weaving together withes for their own backs, preparing punishment for themselves, and bringing themselves into bondage—the bondage of sin. For all judgments and punishments which the law of the Lord has ordained and appointed unto man are designed to correct their errors and sins. And where they are corrected and they learn better, then He is ready to stretch forth His hand to save and exalt them. The Gospel is ever ready to step in to assist repentant man when he has become sensible that he needs help to be redeemed, and he realizes that he has not the power to redeem himself. Then repentance unto life is granted to him; but it never can come until his judgment is convinced, until his mind is enlightened and his eyes are opened to see himself, and to comprehend his true position. And whether he be in this world or the world to come, he must place himself in a condition to be saved before redemption can come unto him; and it is only by the light of truth and of true and correct principles which can bring happiness and liberty and freedom, and with it a disposition to extend that liberty to all around, and to maintain it and protect each other in its enjoyment; and not with a spirit of vengeance upon the erring, and oppression upon the ignorant, but only with a disposition to seize and hold the hand which is raised to smite his fellow and stop in his wayward course the individual who would override his fellow. And all men should be protected in this freedom to go so far and no further.
May the Lord help us to live and walk in the light, and think for ourselves, and act like sensible people, paying heedless regard to the blatant foolish lunatics who are attracting the attention of the world. They, however, have their day, after the manner of the old adage—Every dog has his day; and when it is past he will cease to bark and bite.
Elder John Nicholson
said he considered it the greatest privilege that could be enjoyed to be identified with the great work of the Lord established in our day, by revelation from heaven. The divine character of the work had been manifested to him personally, by the Spirit of God, so that he was enabled to bear witness to its divine authenticity. The promise made in connection with the preaching of this gospel of the Kingdom, that each obedient believer should receive an unerring individual witness of its truthfulness, was one of the characteristic features that strongly distinguished it from all other systems claiming to be religious and saving. The speaker said that since he last had the pleasure of attending a general Conference of the Church he had spent over two years on a mission to Great Britain, where he had rejoiced in proclaiming the gospel among the people of the world. While engaged in that labor he had taken pleasure in observing the evidences of the development of the work of God in the progress of the exponents of its principles. He had labored in the ministry previous to coming to the gathering place and was then, nearly 20 years ago, acquainted with the condition of the Elders. Comparison was largely in favor, as a whole, of those now sent out. The young men, born and reared in the Church, were as a rule, manifesting much devotion, and fearlessly proclaimed the gospel among the people. The speaker bore testimony to the divine character of the mission of Joseph Smith, regarding whose claims to being a prophet there was more abundant and striking evidence than in the case of any other man laying claim to prophetic inspiration that he knew anything about.
said he considered it the greatest privilege that could be enjoyed to be identified with the great work of the Lord established in our day, by revelation from heaven. The divine character of the work had been manifested to him personally, by the Spirit of God, so that he was enabled to bear witness to its divine authenticity. The promise made in connection with the preaching of this gospel of the Kingdom, that each obedient believer should receive an unerring individual witness of its truthfulness, was one of the characteristic features that strongly distinguished it from all other systems claiming to be religious and saving. The speaker said that since he last had the pleasure of attending a general Conference of the Church he had spent over two years on a mission to Great Britain, where he had rejoiced in proclaiming the gospel among the people of the world. While engaged in that labor he had taken pleasure in observing the evidences of the development of the work of God in the progress of the exponents of its principles. He had labored in the ministry previous to coming to the gathering place and was then, nearly 20 years ago, acquainted with the condition of the Elders. Comparison was largely in favor, as a whole, of those now sent out. The young men, born and reared in the Church, were as a rule, manifesting much devotion, and fearlessly proclaimed the gospel among the people. The speaker bore testimony to the divine character of the mission of Joseph Smith, regarding whose claims to being a prophet there was more abundant and striking evidence than in the case of any other man laying claim to prophetic inspiration that he knew anything about.
Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon
then read the financial reports of the Logan and Manti Temples.
then read the financial reports of the Logan and Manti Temples.
Prest. Jos. F. Smith
gave out notices that the Elders called on a mission to Europe who were expected to leave on the 12th of April, will not now leave until the 19th. Also that a meeting of the Young Men’s and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations would be held in the Assembly Hall in the evening at 7 o’clock.
The choir and congregation sang: Guide us, O thou Great Jehovah, Saints unto the promised land.
Conference was adjourned until 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning.
Benediction by Counselor D. H. Wells.
gave out notices that the Elders called on a mission to Europe who were expected to leave on the 12th of April, will not now leave until the 19th. Also that a meeting of the Young Men’s and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations would be held in the Assembly Hall in the evening at 7 o’clock.
The choir and congregation sang: Guide us, O thou Great Jehovah, Saints unto the promised land.
Conference was adjourned until 10 o’clock on Tuesday morning.
Benediction by Counselor D. H. Wells.
THIRD DAY.
Tuesday, 10 o’clock a. m.
The choir sang: The great and glorious Gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder John H. Smith.
The choir sang: Come listen to a Prophet’s voice, And hear the word of God.
Tuesday, 10 o’clock a. m.
The choir sang: The great and glorious Gospel light Has ushered forth unto my sight.
Prayer by Elder John H. Smith.
The choir sang: Come listen to a Prophet’s voice, And hear the word of God.
Apostle F. M. Lyman
heartily endorsed the sentiments advanced by previous speakers during this Conference. We have a message of life and salvation to preach to the children of men, and God requires this service at our hands. We must as a people practice as well as believe what God has revealed for our salvation; we will be responsible to God for a faithful performance of all the duties required at our hands. God has inspired His servants to go abroad and preach the Gospel which we have received, and thousands have been gathered from the nations of the earth. In leaving our homes we have necessarily to make what appeared to be many sacrifices, but in reality we have made an excellent exchange, for our apparent loss has proved to us a great gain. We have gained power to obtain blessings connected with the Gospel which we never could have enjoyed had we remained where the Gospel first found us. God has taught us how to get free from our former sins, how to receive forgiveness therefor, how to escape condemnation, how to escape eternal woe, how to obtain wives and children and associations that will endure for ever, with eternal lives, eternal riches and glory and exaltation in the presence of God. But in order to secure these great and inestimable blessings, we must live for them, and regulate our lives, according to the laws which God has given us or we shall not attain to these glorious blessings. The speaker then dwelt on the conditions that are necessary to obtain the exaltation we are seeking, namely by complying with the ordinances of the gospel, faith in God, purity of motive and honesty of heart being essential requisites to obtain the forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Ghost. And after persons are initiated as members of the Church, in order to receive and enjoy the favor and blessings of God, they must continue to observe every requirement of the Gospel. Let us be sure we take every step right, and take no step that is wrong. Let us press forward with energy and zeal to do the will of God, and understand that every commandment is essential; that honesty, temperance, virtue, truth, purity and integrity are as essential as faith, or baptism, or paying tithes, or any other rule or requirement. There is no real pleasure in doing wrong, but there is a blight that comes upon the son from committing sin. Our religion forbids us from breaking either the laws of God or of man. We ought to be the most law-abiding people on the face of the earth. We have every liberty in the Gospel to do all the good we can while we are in the world, but we have not the liberty to do wrong, either to ourselves our families or our neighbors. True we have our agency and can act as we choose, but the law of God does not give us the right to do wrong. We are a Christian community; we believe in God, and in Jesus Christ and they have a perfect right to give us laws and to lay down certain rules and duties that must be observed by us in order to secure the blessings that are promised. God has told us that this work will endure forever, and our bodies and spirits will endure throughout eternity. It is necessary to cultivate all the powers of our being. The spiritual and moral and intellectual powers and faculties should be developed and cultured side by side with our physical faculties. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and the Lord tutored and instructed him for years before He entrusted him with the Priesthood, and the work that God required him to do; and the Lord is giving us His word as fast as we are able to receive it. We should be apt scholars and learn to live by every word that proceeds from Him. After an earnest appeal to all present to live faithful to the truth, in order to secure the blessings of the Gospel, he prayed that God would continue to inspire His servants during the remainder of the Conference.
heartily endorsed the sentiments advanced by previous speakers during this Conference. We have a message of life and salvation to preach to the children of men, and God requires this service at our hands. We must as a people practice as well as believe what God has revealed for our salvation; we will be responsible to God for a faithful performance of all the duties required at our hands. God has inspired His servants to go abroad and preach the Gospel which we have received, and thousands have been gathered from the nations of the earth. In leaving our homes we have necessarily to make what appeared to be many sacrifices, but in reality we have made an excellent exchange, for our apparent loss has proved to us a great gain. We have gained power to obtain blessings connected with the Gospel which we never could have enjoyed had we remained where the Gospel first found us. God has taught us how to get free from our former sins, how to receive forgiveness therefor, how to escape condemnation, how to escape eternal woe, how to obtain wives and children and associations that will endure for ever, with eternal lives, eternal riches and glory and exaltation in the presence of God. But in order to secure these great and inestimable blessings, we must live for them, and regulate our lives, according to the laws which God has given us or we shall not attain to these glorious blessings. The speaker then dwelt on the conditions that are necessary to obtain the exaltation we are seeking, namely by complying with the ordinances of the gospel, faith in God, purity of motive and honesty of heart being essential requisites to obtain the forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Ghost. And after persons are initiated as members of the Church, in order to receive and enjoy the favor and blessings of God, they must continue to observe every requirement of the Gospel. Let us be sure we take every step right, and take no step that is wrong. Let us press forward with energy and zeal to do the will of God, and understand that every commandment is essential; that honesty, temperance, virtue, truth, purity and integrity are as essential as faith, or baptism, or paying tithes, or any other rule or requirement. There is no real pleasure in doing wrong, but there is a blight that comes upon the son from committing sin. Our religion forbids us from breaking either the laws of God or of man. We ought to be the most law-abiding people on the face of the earth. We have every liberty in the Gospel to do all the good we can while we are in the world, but we have not the liberty to do wrong, either to ourselves our families or our neighbors. True we have our agency and can act as we choose, but the law of God does not give us the right to do wrong. We are a Christian community; we believe in God, and in Jesus Christ and they have a perfect right to give us laws and to lay down certain rules and duties that must be observed by us in order to secure the blessings that are promised. God has told us that this work will endure forever, and our bodies and spirits will endure throughout eternity. It is necessary to cultivate all the powers of our being. The spiritual and moral and intellectual powers and faculties should be developed and cultured side by side with our physical faculties. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and the Lord tutored and instructed him for years before He entrusted him with the Priesthood, and the work that God required him to do; and the Lord is giving us His word as fast as we are able to receive it. We should be apt scholars and learn to live by every word that proceeds from Him. After an earnest appeal to all present to live faithful to the truth, in order to secure the blessings of the Gospel, he prayed that God would continue to inspire His servants during the remainder of the Conference.
Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.]
felt pleased with the spirit that has animated this Conference, and if the Latter-day Saints would strictly observe and carry out the counsels that are given them, there would be less need for so much preaching by the Elders. We as a people know that God led us to these mountains. We know that He raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith. In preaching to those assembled at these Conferences the Elders know they are addressing those who understand what God requires. They are not an ignorant people, but knowing the law of God is one thing, and the doing of it is another. The fact is we do not live strictly according to the light that we have received. He desired himself eternal life in the presence of God, and if he failed to obtain it, it would be his own fault, in not strictly observing the laws of God, and so with his brethren and sisters. He had recently visited the settlements south and he was delighted to notice their growth, for they were fast filling up in numbers, and he verily believed they were also growing in faith. He was satisfied that sooner or later we as a people must observe some of the statutes of the Lord that now lay as a dead letter in our books, for God has decreed that His people must be united. What course the Lord will adopt to make us one he did not know, whether by letting loose upon us our enemies or some other way, it did not matter, for he felt confident that the time would come when we would either become united together by common consent, or be scourged until we obeyed the revelations that had been given. God has permitted us to go hither or thither, to go to the mines, to engage in railroads and other enterprises, in our own way, irrespective of each other. But there is no safety for us except in being united. The centre Stake in Jackson County will never be built up until we become one. The redemption of Zion which has to be accomplished, and the city of the New Jerusalem that has to be built, will have to be done quickly if accomplished within the limit of time prophesied by the Prophet Joseph, and if we did not make more progress the work might devolve upon the Lamanites. He also spoke of the condition of many of the co-operative institutions which he had observed during his visit through the settlements. He spoke on the principles of consecration, and urged the adoption of correct habits of life to secure the blessing and protection of our Heavenly Father.
felt pleased with the spirit that has animated this Conference, and if the Latter-day Saints would strictly observe and carry out the counsels that are given them, there would be less need for so much preaching by the Elders. We as a people know that God led us to these mountains. We know that He raised up the Prophet Joseph Smith. In preaching to those assembled at these Conferences the Elders know they are addressing those who understand what God requires. They are not an ignorant people, but knowing the law of God is one thing, and the doing of it is another. The fact is we do not live strictly according to the light that we have received. He desired himself eternal life in the presence of God, and if he failed to obtain it, it would be his own fault, in not strictly observing the laws of God, and so with his brethren and sisters. He had recently visited the settlements south and he was delighted to notice their growth, for they were fast filling up in numbers, and he verily believed they were also growing in faith. He was satisfied that sooner or later we as a people must observe some of the statutes of the Lord that now lay as a dead letter in our books, for God has decreed that His people must be united. What course the Lord will adopt to make us one he did not know, whether by letting loose upon us our enemies or some other way, it did not matter, for he felt confident that the time would come when we would either become united together by common consent, or be scourged until we obeyed the revelations that had been given. God has permitted us to go hither or thither, to go to the mines, to engage in railroads and other enterprises, in our own way, irrespective of each other. But there is no safety for us except in being united. The centre Stake in Jackson County will never be built up until we become one. The redemption of Zion which has to be accomplished, and the city of the New Jerusalem that has to be built, will have to be done quickly if accomplished within the limit of time prophesied by the Prophet Joseph, and if we did not make more progress the work might devolve upon the Lamanites. He also spoke of the condition of many of the co-operative institutions which he had observed during his visit through the settlements. He spoke on the principles of consecration, and urged the adoption of correct habits of life to secure the blessing and protection of our Heavenly Father.
President George Q. Cannon
said many topics had been touched upon during this Conference, and he hoped the brethren would remember them and carry them out when they reached their various fields of labor. The subject of education was one he felt deeply interested in, for no people on the earth should be stronger supporters of true education than the Latter-day Saints. The sending of Elders abroad, to combat error, the laying out of colonies and many other important positions that the Elders of this Church have to occupy, demand the most thorough and elevated education to fit and qualify them for these duties. He felt delighted to notice a growing taste and increasing desire to improve, as we noticeable among other things in the large audiences that attended the two previous evening meetings, one in connection with Sunday Schools, the other in connection with the Young Men’s and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations, also in the demand for libraries and works of instruction throughout the settlements. It is necessary that we make good selections of books and to teach our children that they must not take for granted that everything they read in books is necessarily true and correct. They should be taught to weigh for themselves the principles they read, and as a guard to throw around them, let them be instructed in the great cardinal truths of the gospel, and he had no fears for the result. For our children naturally are as well developed and capable of refined culture as any children on the face of the earth. He also urged upon parents to fit and qualify their children to fill honorable positions of life by giving them an education, instead of hoarding up means to leave behind them to be squandered and quarreled about. Young men should not give way to timidity and fear because of their early education having been neglected. They should set about with a determination to improve, for no one was too old to learn, and no one is justified in settling down under the impression that he cannot acquire a knowledge of any thing or acquiring any branch of education that would prove a benefit and blessing to him. He related a little of the history of an able member of Congress now about forty years of age who when twenty-nine years old could not read, but had since acquired a good education and serve his people several years in the State Legislature.
There are many bright intellects now to be found in very obscure families in this Territory, and they will, by and by, display talent that will astound their parents. Therefore I say to parents give the boys and girls every facility for acquiring an education, not confining them to books, but teach them how to labor and earn a living, not to have their minds so filled with book learning as to feel ashamed to take hold of a plow or to do any other kind of manual labor. He thanked God that intelligence was diffused like the free air, not confined to any family or line; that God was establishing no dynasty, no special family arrangement, but His gifts were free to all and were diffused among the people. He called on the brethren to train up their boys to usefulness as well as intellectual acquirements, and on the sisters to have their daughters not only well instructed in the ordinary routine of industry and honorable labor. Let our children be taught to depend upon their own exertions for the attainment of a livelihood, and not to expect others to provide it for them. He deplored the disposition in this country to depend on the State for an education and then for a living and would have all educated and sustained in honorable independence.
said many topics had been touched upon during this Conference, and he hoped the brethren would remember them and carry them out when they reached their various fields of labor. The subject of education was one he felt deeply interested in, for no people on the earth should be stronger supporters of true education than the Latter-day Saints. The sending of Elders abroad, to combat error, the laying out of colonies and many other important positions that the Elders of this Church have to occupy, demand the most thorough and elevated education to fit and qualify them for these duties. He felt delighted to notice a growing taste and increasing desire to improve, as we noticeable among other things in the large audiences that attended the two previous evening meetings, one in connection with Sunday Schools, the other in connection with the Young Men’s and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations, also in the demand for libraries and works of instruction throughout the settlements. It is necessary that we make good selections of books and to teach our children that they must not take for granted that everything they read in books is necessarily true and correct. They should be taught to weigh for themselves the principles they read, and as a guard to throw around them, let them be instructed in the great cardinal truths of the gospel, and he had no fears for the result. For our children naturally are as well developed and capable of refined culture as any children on the face of the earth. He also urged upon parents to fit and qualify their children to fill honorable positions of life by giving them an education, instead of hoarding up means to leave behind them to be squandered and quarreled about. Young men should not give way to timidity and fear because of their early education having been neglected. They should set about with a determination to improve, for no one was too old to learn, and no one is justified in settling down under the impression that he cannot acquire a knowledge of any thing or acquiring any branch of education that would prove a benefit and blessing to him. He related a little of the history of an able member of Congress now about forty years of age who when twenty-nine years old could not read, but had since acquired a good education and serve his people several years in the State Legislature.
There are many bright intellects now to be found in very obscure families in this Territory, and they will, by and by, display talent that will astound their parents. Therefore I say to parents give the boys and girls every facility for acquiring an education, not confining them to books, but teach them how to labor and earn a living, not to have their minds so filled with book learning as to feel ashamed to take hold of a plow or to do any other kind of manual labor. He thanked God that intelligence was diffused like the free air, not confined to any family or line; that God was establishing no dynasty, no special family arrangement, but His gifts were free to all and were diffused among the people. He called on the brethren to train up their boys to usefulness as well as intellectual acquirements, and on the sisters to have their daughters not only well instructed in the ordinary routine of industry and honorable labor. Let our children be taught to depend upon their own exertions for the attainment of a livelihood, and not to expect others to provide it for them. He deplored the disposition in this country to depend on the State for an education and then for a living and would have all educated and sustained in honorable independence.
Education—Its Advantages Among the Saints, Etc.
Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered at the General Conference, Tuesday Morning, April 5, 1881.
Reported by John Irvine.
A great variety of topics have been alluded to during our Conference; and I trust that the people will be able to remember, after their return to their homes, the various counsels and instructions that they have received. Our meeting together in a conference of this character ought to be exceedingly profitable to us. Certainly these are occasions of great interest; and I am sure if the instructions which have been given are carried out by the people, they will produce a marked improvement in their lives.
There are many subjects which suggest themselves to us upon occasions like the present. We are placed in such circumstances that it requires constant teachings, constant counseling to enable us to accomplish the duties devolving upon us.
There is one thing that has impressed itself very much upon my mind, to which allusion has been made by others since our Conference commenced, namely, the subject of education.
My position for many years has been such as to deeply impress me with its value and with the importance of our attending strictly to this matter in our various settlements.
There are no people with whom I am acquainted upon the face of the earth who need and who can find use for education to the extent that the Latter-day Saints can. The sending out of missionaries, the building up of settlements, the laying the foundation of a government in a desert land uninhabited by other people; the framing of a polity that produces the results that we have seen produced already in our valleys, and the taking part, as we naturally will have to do, in all matters affecting the weal and the independence of our children and others, all these considerations appeal most powerfully to us as a people, as fathers and mothers, and as citizens, to do all in our power for the advancement of the cause of true education in our midst. Those who are familiar with the people and with what has been done must feel gratified at the improvement which has already been made in various directions. There is a rapidly growing taste for everything that is elevating. I can remember when a boy, when we came here, of the feeling of the boys and the young men; to ride bronco horses, wear big spurs, use the lasso dexterously, break wild horses, and pursuits of that character, were then deemed the most desirable accomplishments by many.
A great change has taken place. We now have our Mutual Improvement associations for the young of both sexes; the meeting of last evening gave evidence of the great improvement there has been made in this direction, and the crowded condition of the meeting of the Sunday School superintendents and teachers held the evening previous to that, was an indication of the interest that is being taken in these matters by all classes. This means improvement; this means a growing taste, an increasing desire to advance. You can see it in the children. Books are sought for. Children take pleasure in reading. The great demand today in this Territory is for libraries. And let me here say, we should be exceedingly careful in the selection of books that we put in the hands of our children. And there is one thing that I would have said last night, had time permitted, to those engaged in these associations, that is, to teach the children not to accept that which they read in a book as true, because it is printed; but to teach them to weigh for themselves, to examine for themselves, and test for themselves the statements which may be made upon any and every subject that may be brought to their attention through the medium of books, whether scientific or otherwise. The danger in indiscriminate reading on the part of young people lies in this: their impressions are vivid, and if what they read be incorrect; if, in point of fact, what they read is based on unsound premises and be entirely wrong, but it is presented in an agreeable taking and specious manner, they are apt to accept it as being true. Now, as we have heard this morning, God has revealed certain principles which we know to be true, certain grand cardinal truths which are as fingerboards pointing the way of life. We should teach them to our children of the Sabbath School and of the Mutual Improvement Associations, and endeavor, by the help of God, to implant them in their hearts, so that they afterwards in their search for knowledge, of any kind, may be able to bring what they may read to this standard and test the same thereby. And if our children are taught thus to read, the danger of infidelity, the danger arising from superficial reading, and the imbibing of incorrect ideas, sometimes set forth in a scientific way will be, to a great extent, obviated; and to my mind great care should be taken in these things by all teachers, by all parents, by every one, in fact, who has the care of young people, or the direction of their studies; and not only this but the same rule applies to every one whether a child or an adult. Let us endeavor to cultivate this disposition in our children, to investigate carefully, to weigh properly the statements which may be presented to them. And in no place in our territory should there be a child left without education. A man who suffers his children to grow up in ignorance and without the benefits of education—that which pertains at least to a common school education—is guilty of a great wrong. We should take every pains in our power to instruct our children, to furnish them every facility for learning. Educators who have had experience in other places all join in stating, that they never found a class of pupils more apt, more bright, or who manifested a special aptitude for knowledge and who acquired it with greater ease than do the children of the Latter-day Saints. This is the statement of educators repeatedly made to me, as Chancellor of the University of Deseret; and I believe it. We have children growing up who are bright—who only need have ordinary facilities for education to make them cultured men and women. We had better take the means that others probably would covet, as mobs have done before, and which is a standing temptation in the eyes of certain persons, take that means, I say, and spend it in educating our children with the view of preparing them to enter upon the great and important duties which will devolve upon them, than to have it as a standing temptation to induce somebody to make a raid to get possession of it, or to keep it, and when we can keep it no longer, to bequeath it to our children to possibly quarrel over, and cause disturbances and divisions in our families, and at a time too when our voices are silent and our influence powerless to remedy the evil. Spend it wisely upon your children in your lifetime, and when you have educated them, when you have given them something which they can keep when they lie down at night, without the slightest danger of burglars stealing it, they are equipped for the struggle of life.
Every child in our community should be educated, not in books alone, but to sustain himself, or herself, so that in case he or she be left alone, or otherwise, they will be able, from the elements around them, inasmuch as they possess the use of their own limbs and faculties, to earn a living and thereby aid somebody else to live. And it seems to me, that if parents were worth millions, they should never be content to let their children, boys and girls, grow up to manhood or to womanhood without teaching them to earn their own living at some trade or some manual or skilled labor. I say to my brethren, teach your children the use of their brains, and when they have learned to use their brains, teach them the cunning and skill that can be taught to the right hand of man, by which all that is glorious which we see around us is produced. A good brain and the skill of man's right hand can produce wonders. The nations who have thus developed themselves have made their mark in the history of the world; and to this characteristic in the nations who are so fortunate as to possess it may be traced the secret of their growth and prosperity. There is no reason why we should not be equal to the most favored in this respect.
A remark was made last evening to the effect, that some of our young men had very little desire to take part in the exercises of the Improvement Associations, because their early education had been neglected. If there had been time I would have related for the benefit of such, a few incidents in the career of a gentleman with whom I am acquainted; he sat by my side at the last session of Congress. He is a man about 45 years of age; when he was 29 years of age, he had a wife and one child, and could not read or write; today he is a member of Congress, and a very creditable representative of his State; he has served also in the Legislature in his State; and has been speaker in that body. Now this is a remarkable instance of what a man can do when he applies himself to learning. There is no man who possesses a sound mind who need be afraid if he will apply himself, using the faculties which God has given him, and not sit down with the idea that he cannot learn. Why a man ought to learn if he should live to be 150 years of age, learn something every day until he dies; there is no limit to a man's capacity to learn. And because a young man is 20 or 21 years old, or even older, and has a wife and children to sustain, to sit down with the idea that he cannot learn or that he is past learning because his early education has been neglected, is folly; there is no propriety in either man or woman entertaining such ideas. This gentleman of whom I was speaking, at the age of 29, could not read; he was a farmer and was suffering from an attack of bronchitis. His physician told him that if he did not stop work he would gradually sink into the grave. He knew that if he remained upon his farm he could not live without working; so he rented it, and with his wife and child moved down in the city, determined to spend in study the time he could not employ in work. His wife helped him. He had a worthy partner—a most excellent woman I should judge, from what he told me. He commenced his studies, his health improved, but instead of returning to the farm he kept on for four years, and secured a good education in that time; he pinched himself, and both he and his wife struggled, by working all they could and living economically, to acquire this education. After thus applying himself for four years he returned to his farm, completely restored in health. His neighbors thought that as he had been a good student, he would make a good supervisor, to which office they elected him without any effort on his part; and after awhile they elected him a legislator, and returned him several times, and he served as speaker to that body in the State, where probably for its population there are as many men of culture and energy, as can be found anywhere else. And then he was sent to Congress.
It struck me that it was an instance of perseverance and energy worth remembering for the benefit of its example, and I relate it so that if there are any young men or young women within the hearing of my voice who may be similarly situated, they need not be discouraged because they have not had the advantages of education in their youth. There ought to be no discouragement under such circumstances. I hope, however, that we shall do everything in our power to furnish facilities for our children. Do not spare means in this direction, my brethren and sisters. You do not know what future there is before your children. They are like diamonds. True, they may need polish, in order to bring out their brilliancy and best qualities; and education of the right kind will impart this luster. There are some as bright intellects in obscure families in this Territory as can be found elsewhere. God has so distributed his gifts that he has not given them to any one family. I thank him for that. He is not going to build up a dynasty in his kingdom. He does not confine his gifts and blessings to any special class of men. He has distributed them like he has the air, so that all have them and all share in them. A man and his wife may be an obscure couple, yet their children may make the brightest men and women. None of you know what your children are capable of until you give them proper opportunities. You should not think that because you have got through life without much education, that therefore your children ought to go through in the same manner. Give your children opportunities, and do not work them to death and thereby stunt their minds; but give the boys a chance and give the girls a chance, bearing in mind that they will have more extended opportunities than you have had for the use of education, and you ought to train them accordingly. At the same time do not, sisters, bring up your children in idleness, and encourage them in the thought that their hands, because they are educated and have a few accomplishments, are not designed for labor; and so with the boys, because they get an education that they cannot hold a plow or handle a shovel, or an axe or other tools. This is a wrong idea. We must not, in educating our children, degrade labor, but rather ennoble and dignify it, and make it worthy the ambition of everybody to work, to toil, to look upon labor as a blessing from God.
I would like to see knowledge spread through our land, in all our settlements; and while we give the boys and girls every facility we can, at the same time we should develop, within them the love of the truth; that is very important, in fact, it is indispensable with us. I am exceedingly anxious upon this point. I have felt, I may say, concerned about it for years. I have done what I could in my limited way to help our children. I resolved years ago that I would do all in my power for them, and I have been struggling to do so ever since. I have not been able to do what I would like to do, but I still hope, and I know others have felt as I do, and that with our combined exertions and efforts we will be able to uphold the cause of true education throughout all our land, and raise the standard so high that, in a few years, we shall have the best educated children to be found within the confines of the republic. There is no reason why this should not be, and yet not depend upon taxes altogether. I, myself, am not unconditionally in favor of taxation schools under all circumstances. I have views about that which I have not time to express now. Let us advance education by individual effort. I hope we shall never have heavy taxes in this Territory. They should be kept down to the very lowest amount consistent with the preservation of good government and the making of the necessary improvements. Have light taxation and stimulate individual effort in this direction; and not bring a child into the world and instill into its mind that because he is born somebody owes him an education. I think it degrades children to give them such ideas. Teach them it is their duty to work for themselves. And when a man has children he should provide for and educate them, and not think that because he may have a rich neighbor that he should help give them an education. Such an idea is doing more at the present time to pauperise the children of our country in their feelings than almost anything else. They get the idea that they ought to be educated at the expense of the State; and when they are educated they then are to be sustained at the expense of the State. The consequence is the country is filled with men seeking for office; every new President is almost killed by the clamor and pressure of men applying for office. I think it a very bad condition of affairs. I am thankful for one thing. I have been your delegate now for upwards of eight years, and I have scarcely had an application from any of my constituents for help to get office. This relieves me from much that Representatives generally find very unpleasant. Our people are self-sustaining and taught how to work and look upon manual, honest labor as dignified and honorable, and such pursuits as require this as being as noble as any other.
I pray God to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sung an anthem “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord.”
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
Discourse by President George Q. Cannon, delivered at the General Conference, Tuesday Morning, April 5, 1881.
Reported by John Irvine.
A great variety of topics have been alluded to during our Conference; and I trust that the people will be able to remember, after their return to their homes, the various counsels and instructions that they have received. Our meeting together in a conference of this character ought to be exceedingly profitable to us. Certainly these are occasions of great interest; and I am sure if the instructions which have been given are carried out by the people, they will produce a marked improvement in their lives.
There are many subjects which suggest themselves to us upon occasions like the present. We are placed in such circumstances that it requires constant teachings, constant counseling to enable us to accomplish the duties devolving upon us.
There is one thing that has impressed itself very much upon my mind, to which allusion has been made by others since our Conference commenced, namely, the subject of education.
My position for many years has been such as to deeply impress me with its value and with the importance of our attending strictly to this matter in our various settlements.
There are no people with whom I am acquainted upon the face of the earth who need and who can find use for education to the extent that the Latter-day Saints can. The sending out of missionaries, the building up of settlements, the laying the foundation of a government in a desert land uninhabited by other people; the framing of a polity that produces the results that we have seen produced already in our valleys, and the taking part, as we naturally will have to do, in all matters affecting the weal and the independence of our children and others, all these considerations appeal most powerfully to us as a people, as fathers and mothers, and as citizens, to do all in our power for the advancement of the cause of true education in our midst. Those who are familiar with the people and with what has been done must feel gratified at the improvement which has already been made in various directions. There is a rapidly growing taste for everything that is elevating. I can remember when a boy, when we came here, of the feeling of the boys and the young men; to ride bronco horses, wear big spurs, use the lasso dexterously, break wild horses, and pursuits of that character, were then deemed the most desirable accomplishments by many.
A great change has taken place. We now have our Mutual Improvement associations for the young of both sexes; the meeting of last evening gave evidence of the great improvement there has been made in this direction, and the crowded condition of the meeting of the Sunday School superintendents and teachers held the evening previous to that, was an indication of the interest that is being taken in these matters by all classes. This means improvement; this means a growing taste, an increasing desire to advance. You can see it in the children. Books are sought for. Children take pleasure in reading. The great demand today in this Territory is for libraries. And let me here say, we should be exceedingly careful in the selection of books that we put in the hands of our children. And there is one thing that I would have said last night, had time permitted, to those engaged in these associations, that is, to teach the children not to accept that which they read in a book as true, because it is printed; but to teach them to weigh for themselves, to examine for themselves, and test for themselves the statements which may be made upon any and every subject that may be brought to their attention through the medium of books, whether scientific or otherwise. The danger in indiscriminate reading on the part of young people lies in this: their impressions are vivid, and if what they read be incorrect; if, in point of fact, what they read is based on unsound premises and be entirely wrong, but it is presented in an agreeable taking and specious manner, they are apt to accept it as being true. Now, as we have heard this morning, God has revealed certain principles which we know to be true, certain grand cardinal truths which are as fingerboards pointing the way of life. We should teach them to our children of the Sabbath School and of the Mutual Improvement Associations, and endeavor, by the help of God, to implant them in their hearts, so that they afterwards in their search for knowledge, of any kind, may be able to bring what they may read to this standard and test the same thereby. And if our children are taught thus to read, the danger of infidelity, the danger arising from superficial reading, and the imbibing of incorrect ideas, sometimes set forth in a scientific way will be, to a great extent, obviated; and to my mind great care should be taken in these things by all teachers, by all parents, by every one, in fact, who has the care of young people, or the direction of their studies; and not only this but the same rule applies to every one whether a child or an adult. Let us endeavor to cultivate this disposition in our children, to investigate carefully, to weigh properly the statements which may be presented to them. And in no place in our territory should there be a child left without education. A man who suffers his children to grow up in ignorance and without the benefits of education—that which pertains at least to a common school education—is guilty of a great wrong. We should take every pains in our power to instruct our children, to furnish them every facility for learning. Educators who have had experience in other places all join in stating, that they never found a class of pupils more apt, more bright, or who manifested a special aptitude for knowledge and who acquired it with greater ease than do the children of the Latter-day Saints. This is the statement of educators repeatedly made to me, as Chancellor of the University of Deseret; and I believe it. We have children growing up who are bright—who only need have ordinary facilities for education to make them cultured men and women. We had better take the means that others probably would covet, as mobs have done before, and which is a standing temptation in the eyes of certain persons, take that means, I say, and spend it in educating our children with the view of preparing them to enter upon the great and important duties which will devolve upon them, than to have it as a standing temptation to induce somebody to make a raid to get possession of it, or to keep it, and when we can keep it no longer, to bequeath it to our children to possibly quarrel over, and cause disturbances and divisions in our families, and at a time too when our voices are silent and our influence powerless to remedy the evil. Spend it wisely upon your children in your lifetime, and when you have educated them, when you have given them something which they can keep when they lie down at night, without the slightest danger of burglars stealing it, they are equipped for the struggle of life.
Every child in our community should be educated, not in books alone, but to sustain himself, or herself, so that in case he or she be left alone, or otherwise, they will be able, from the elements around them, inasmuch as they possess the use of their own limbs and faculties, to earn a living and thereby aid somebody else to live. And it seems to me, that if parents were worth millions, they should never be content to let their children, boys and girls, grow up to manhood or to womanhood without teaching them to earn their own living at some trade or some manual or skilled labor. I say to my brethren, teach your children the use of their brains, and when they have learned to use their brains, teach them the cunning and skill that can be taught to the right hand of man, by which all that is glorious which we see around us is produced. A good brain and the skill of man's right hand can produce wonders. The nations who have thus developed themselves have made their mark in the history of the world; and to this characteristic in the nations who are so fortunate as to possess it may be traced the secret of their growth and prosperity. There is no reason why we should not be equal to the most favored in this respect.
A remark was made last evening to the effect, that some of our young men had very little desire to take part in the exercises of the Improvement Associations, because their early education had been neglected. If there had been time I would have related for the benefit of such, a few incidents in the career of a gentleman with whom I am acquainted; he sat by my side at the last session of Congress. He is a man about 45 years of age; when he was 29 years of age, he had a wife and one child, and could not read or write; today he is a member of Congress, and a very creditable representative of his State; he has served also in the Legislature in his State; and has been speaker in that body. Now this is a remarkable instance of what a man can do when he applies himself to learning. There is no man who possesses a sound mind who need be afraid if he will apply himself, using the faculties which God has given him, and not sit down with the idea that he cannot learn. Why a man ought to learn if he should live to be 150 years of age, learn something every day until he dies; there is no limit to a man's capacity to learn. And because a young man is 20 or 21 years old, or even older, and has a wife and children to sustain, to sit down with the idea that he cannot learn or that he is past learning because his early education has been neglected, is folly; there is no propriety in either man or woman entertaining such ideas. This gentleman of whom I was speaking, at the age of 29, could not read; he was a farmer and was suffering from an attack of bronchitis. His physician told him that if he did not stop work he would gradually sink into the grave. He knew that if he remained upon his farm he could not live without working; so he rented it, and with his wife and child moved down in the city, determined to spend in study the time he could not employ in work. His wife helped him. He had a worthy partner—a most excellent woman I should judge, from what he told me. He commenced his studies, his health improved, but instead of returning to the farm he kept on for four years, and secured a good education in that time; he pinched himself, and both he and his wife struggled, by working all they could and living economically, to acquire this education. After thus applying himself for four years he returned to his farm, completely restored in health. His neighbors thought that as he had been a good student, he would make a good supervisor, to which office they elected him without any effort on his part; and after awhile they elected him a legislator, and returned him several times, and he served as speaker to that body in the State, where probably for its population there are as many men of culture and energy, as can be found anywhere else. And then he was sent to Congress.
It struck me that it was an instance of perseverance and energy worth remembering for the benefit of its example, and I relate it so that if there are any young men or young women within the hearing of my voice who may be similarly situated, they need not be discouraged because they have not had the advantages of education in their youth. There ought to be no discouragement under such circumstances. I hope, however, that we shall do everything in our power to furnish facilities for our children. Do not spare means in this direction, my brethren and sisters. You do not know what future there is before your children. They are like diamonds. True, they may need polish, in order to bring out their brilliancy and best qualities; and education of the right kind will impart this luster. There are some as bright intellects in obscure families in this Territory as can be found elsewhere. God has so distributed his gifts that he has not given them to any one family. I thank him for that. He is not going to build up a dynasty in his kingdom. He does not confine his gifts and blessings to any special class of men. He has distributed them like he has the air, so that all have them and all share in them. A man and his wife may be an obscure couple, yet their children may make the brightest men and women. None of you know what your children are capable of until you give them proper opportunities. You should not think that because you have got through life without much education, that therefore your children ought to go through in the same manner. Give your children opportunities, and do not work them to death and thereby stunt their minds; but give the boys a chance and give the girls a chance, bearing in mind that they will have more extended opportunities than you have had for the use of education, and you ought to train them accordingly. At the same time do not, sisters, bring up your children in idleness, and encourage them in the thought that their hands, because they are educated and have a few accomplishments, are not designed for labor; and so with the boys, because they get an education that they cannot hold a plow or handle a shovel, or an axe or other tools. This is a wrong idea. We must not, in educating our children, degrade labor, but rather ennoble and dignify it, and make it worthy the ambition of everybody to work, to toil, to look upon labor as a blessing from God.
I would like to see knowledge spread through our land, in all our settlements; and while we give the boys and girls every facility we can, at the same time we should develop, within them the love of the truth; that is very important, in fact, it is indispensable with us. I am exceedingly anxious upon this point. I have felt, I may say, concerned about it for years. I have done what I could in my limited way to help our children. I resolved years ago that I would do all in my power for them, and I have been struggling to do so ever since. I have not been able to do what I would like to do, but I still hope, and I know others have felt as I do, and that with our combined exertions and efforts we will be able to uphold the cause of true education throughout all our land, and raise the standard so high that, in a few years, we shall have the best educated children to be found within the confines of the republic. There is no reason why this should not be, and yet not depend upon taxes altogether. I, myself, am not unconditionally in favor of taxation schools under all circumstances. I have views about that which I have not time to express now. Let us advance education by individual effort. I hope we shall never have heavy taxes in this Territory. They should be kept down to the very lowest amount consistent with the preservation of good government and the making of the necessary improvements. Have light taxation and stimulate individual effort in this direction; and not bring a child into the world and instill into its mind that because he is born somebody owes him an education. I think it degrades children to give them such ideas. Teach them it is their duty to work for themselves. And when a man has children he should provide for and educate them, and not think that because he may have a rich neighbor that he should help give them an education. Such an idea is doing more at the present time to pauperise the children of our country in their feelings than almost anything else. They get the idea that they ought to be educated at the expense of the State; and when they are educated they then are to be sustained at the expense of the State. The consequence is the country is filled with men seeking for office; every new President is almost killed by the clamor and pressure of men applying for office. I think it a very bad condition of affairs. I am thankful for one thing. I have been your delegate now for upwards of eight years, and I have scarcely had an application from any of my constituents for help to get office. This relieves me from much that Representatives generally find very unpleasant. Our people are self-sustaining and taught how to work and look upon manual, honest labor as dignified and honorable, and such pursuits as require this as being as noble as any other.
I pray God to bless you and fill you with His Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The choir sung an anthem “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord.”
Benediction by Elder F. D. Richards.
2 p. m.
The choir sang, Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell, By faith and love, in every breast.
Prayer by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang, How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word.
The choir sang, Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell, By faith and love, in every breast.
Prayer by Apostle Lorenzo Snow.
The choir sang, How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word.
Apostle John H. Smith
said he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because he knew it to be the power of God unto salvation. He felt truly thankful for the pleasure of being here at this Conference, to listen to such words as were calculated to build us up in our most holy faith. The present surrounding circumstances of the Saints remind us of the great contrast with their condition nearly 50 years ago, when persecution was so severe. The early experience of the Saints was of the most trying character. We are now permitted to worship and dwell in peace. Our opportunities for education in the past were of a very limited character. It was so with him personally. He never had the advantages in his early life that are surrounding our youth at the present time. He believed that God our Heavenly Father intended to make His people the best educated of any of His creatures. It was necessary that we improve and advance step by step in human progress, that we may be better prepared to carry on the great work of God that He laid upon our shoulders. The door for our advancement in letters is now open, and there is no excuse for any one to grow up in ignorance. Very much of course depends upon the mother’s influence, for when a mother is determined to have her sons and daughters grow up in the knowledge of letters, and a knowledge of the truth, they will certainly do so and grow up to be honored among mankind. He never heard an Elder in this Church advocate any principle of wrong doing, but from his youth up he had listened to their teaching, and knew that all their counsels and instructions were of a character that would elevate and ennoble and advance mankind in the scale of being. God has designed that His people should be among the best and noblest of His creatures. Let us therefore be zealous in self-culture and good works, and establish for ourselves a reputation that will enable us to stand erect before our fellows, without fear. It is our mission to publish the gospel from land to land and also to be useful at home, for we are called to be saviors of men, and use an influence that will lead the youth away from sin and evil, and elevate them to be fit companions for the highest intelligences. He strongly recommended parents to inspire their children with love and confidence, so that in all their sayings and doings they will feel that there is no one to whom they can appeal so quickly and safely for council, and to whom they can confide their secret desires and thoughts, and confess their follies and sins, than their own parents. He concluded by praying that God may guide us into the truth, and make us what He designs us to be as His sons and daughters, and the saviors of our race.
said he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because he knew it to be the power of God unto salvation. He felt truly thankful for the pleasure of being here at this Conference, to listen to such words as were calculated to build us up in our most holy faith. The present surrounding circumstances of the Saints remind us of the great contrast with their condition nearly 50 years ago, when persecution was so severe. The early experience of the Saints was of the most trying character. We are now permitted to worship and dwell in peace. Our opportunities for education in the past were of a very limited character. It was so with him personally. He never had the advantages in his early life that are surrounding our youth at the present time. He believed that God our Heavenly Father intended to make His people the best educated of any of His creatures. It was necessary that we improve and advance step by step in human progress, that we may be better prepared to carry on the great work of God that He laid upon our shoulders. The door for our advancement in letters is now open, and there is no excuse for any one to grow up in ignorance. Very much of course depends upon the mother’s influence, for when a mother is determined to have her sons and daughters grow up in the knowledge of letters, and a knowledge of the truth, they will certainly do so and grow up to be honored among mankind. He never heard an Elder in this Church advocate any principle of wrong doing, but from his youth up he had listened to their teaching, and knew that all their counsels and instructions were of a character that would elevate and ennoble and advance mankind in the scale of being. God has designed that His people should be among the best and noblest of His creatures. Let us therefore be zealous in self-culture and good works, and establish for ourselves a reputation that will enable us to stand erect before our fellows, without fear. It is our mission to publish the gospel from land to land and also to be useful at home, for we are called to be saviors of men, and use an influence that will lead the youth away from sin and evil, and elevate them to be fit companions for the highest intelligences. He strongly recommended parents to inspire their children with love and confidence, so that in all their sayings and doings they will feel that there is no one to whom they can appeal so quickly and safely for council, and to whom they can confide their secret desires and thoughts, and confess their follies and sins, than their own parents. He concluded by praying that God may guide us into the truth, and make us what He designs us to be as His sons and daughters, and the saviors of our race.
President Geo. Q. Cannon
then read an epitome of receipts and disbursements of tithing for the year 1880. On motion the report was referred to the auditing committee. He also read an account of receipts and disbursements of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund. This report having been audited by a committee appointed for that purpose, it was formally accepted by the Conference.
The Relief Society report was then read and was also accepted as follows:
Officers of the Relief Societies—Eliza R. Snow Smith, President; Zina D. Young and Elizabeth A. Whitney, Counselors; Sarah M. Kimball, Secretary; M. I. Horne, Treasurer.
State superintendents who have sent in their reports: Bear Lake, Julia P. Linsey; Davis, Sarah Holmes; Juab, Amelia Goldsborough; Kanab, Elizabeth Nuttall; Willard, B. M. Pratt; Morgan, Lydia Riche; Parowan, Ellen W. Lunt; Salt Lake, M. I. Horne; St. George, Minerva W. Snow; Summit, Sarah S. Richards; Tooele, Mary Ann Hunter; Utah, Margaret T. Smoot; Weber, Jane S. Richards; Sevier, Elizabeth Bean.
Box Elder reported, but the name of the superintendent does not appear.
The following Stakes not reported: Beaver, Cache, Wasatch, Arizona, Little Colorado and Eastern Arizona.
Total of teachers, 1,530; members, 9,650; officers and members, 12,288; meetings held, 1,532; average attendance, 3,834.
Woman’s Exponent taken, 960.
On hand at date of last report: Cash, $3,342.21; property, $24,099.23; wheat, 9,859 bushels.
Receipts—In cash, $3,279.28; in property, $3,513.20; in wheat 670 bushels.
Disbursements—To the poor, $3,468.31; emigration, $210.43; temples, $1,214.11; home industries, $689.97; books, $143.13; missionary, $98.70; buildings, $1,617.47; Indians, $66.45.
Totals on hand in cash, property and wheat, $36,822.24.
President Cannon passed a high encomium on the neat and comprehensive report the ladies had presented, and also on the labors that the sisters have so zealously performed, and considered there can be no one at all acquainted with the good being accomplished by them but most highly appreciate them.
The Sunday School Union annual report was then read and accepted as follows:
Sunday School Statistical Report:
No. of schools reported, 274; No. of schools not reported, 10; No. of male officers and teachers, 3,220; No. of female officers and teachers, 2,101; total number of officers and teachers, 5,321; average attendance of officers and teachers, 3,722; No. of male pupils, 15,921; No. of female pupils, 16,565; total number of pupils, 32,486; average attendance of pupils, 22,778; total number of officers, teachers and pupils, 37,807; No. of theological classes, 171; No. of Bible and Testament classes, 985; No. of Book of Mormon classes, 373; No. of Doctrine and Covenant classes, 182; No. of Juvenile Instructor classes, 181; No. of Catechism classes, 156; No. of miscellaneous classes, 1,397; total number of classes, 3,445; No. of books in library, 20,580; amount of funds on hand at end of last year, $1,170.87; amount of funds collected, $6,670.69; amount of funds disbursed, $6,287.07; amount of funds in treasury, $1,484.66.
Officers of the Deseret Sunday School Union: George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent; George Goddard, 1st Assistant; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
then read an epitome of receipts and disbursements of tithing for the year 1880. On motion the report was referred to the auditing committee. He also read an account of receipts and disbursements of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund. This report having been audited by a committee appointed for that purpose, it was formally accepted by the Conference.
The Relief Society report was then read and was also accepted as follows:
Officers of the Relief Societies—Eliza R. Snow Smith, President; Zina D. Young and Elizabeth A. Whitney, Counselors; Sarah M. Kimball, Secretary; M. I. Horne, Treasurer.
State superintendents who have sent in their reports: Bear Lake, Julia P. Linsey; Davis, Sarah Holmes; Juab, Amelia Goldsborough; Kanab, Elizabeth Nuttall; Willard, B. M. Pratt; Morgan, Lydia Riche; Parowan, Ellen W. Lunt; Salt Lake, M. I. Horne; St. George, Minerva W. Snow; Summit, Sarah S. Richards; Tooele, Mary Ann Hunter; Utah, Margaret T. Smoot; Weber, Jane S. Richards; Sevier, Elizabeth Bean.
Box Elder reported, but the name of the superintendent does not appear.
The following Stakes not reported: Beaver, Cache, Wasatch, Arizona, Little Colorado and Eastern Arizona.
Total of teachers, 1,530; members, 9,650; officers and members, 12,288; meetings held, 1,532; average attendance, 3,834.
Woman’s Exponent taken, 960.
On hand at date of last report: Cash, $3,342.21; property, $24,099.23; wheat, 9,859 bushels.
Receipts—In cash, $3,279.28; in property, $3,513.20; in wheat 670 bushels.
Disbursements—To the poor, $3,468.31; emigration, $210.43; temples, $1,214.11; home industries, $689.97; books, $143.13; missionary, $98.70; buildings, $1,617.47; Indians, $66.45.
Totals on hand in cash, property and wheat, $36,822.24.
President Cannon passed a high encomium on the neat and comprehensive report the ladies had presented, and also on the labors that the sisters have so zealously performed, and considered there can be no one at all acquainted with the good being accomplished by them but most highly appreciate them.
The Sunday School Union annual report was then read and accepted as follows:
Sunday School Statistical Report:
No. of schools reported, 274; No. of schools not reported, 10; No. of male officers and teachers, 3,220; No. of female officers and teachers, 2,101; total number of officers and teachers, 5,321; average attendance of officers and teachers, 3,722; No. of male pupils, 15,921; No. of female pupils, 16,565; total number of pupils, 32,486; average attendance of pupils, 22,778; total number of officers, teachers and pupils, 37,807; No. of theological classes, 171; No. of Bible and Testament classes, 985; No. of Book of Mormon classes, 373; No. of Doctrine and Covenant classes, 182; No. of Juvenile Instructor classes, 181; No. of Catechism classes, 156; No. of miscellaneous classes, 1,397; total number of classes, 3,445; No. of books in library, 20,580; amount of funds on hand at end of last year, $1,170.87; amount of funds collected, $6,670.69; amount of funds disbursed, $6,287.07; amount of funds in treasury, $1,484.66.
Officers of the Deseret Sunday School Union: George Q. Cannon, General Superintendent; George Goddard, 1st Assistant; Levi W. Richards, Secretary; George Reynolds, Treasurer.
President John Taylor.
In reading over these statements there are some things it may be necessary to mention. It would take too much time to give before this conference a detailed account of all the receipts and disbursements of the Trustee-in-Trust. We have, however, an Auditing Committee, which was duly appointed by the Conference, for the purpose of examining all the income and expenditure, and comparing and investigating all these matters. We have to look to them for their action in regard to these details, and a vote has already been taken on the subject. However, it is proper you should know these things. And I would state that although I act as Trustee-in-Trust, still the Auditing Committee, I presume, know more of the details of these things than I do, because they come more especially under their supervision.
In regard to the operations of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, we remitted, as you know, at the jubilee, quite a large amount, leaving a debt, also, of a very large amount. I find the statement is not here. However, I suppose it amounts, in general terms, to some $700,000 or $800,000 yet due to that fund, and having remitted a like amount, we do expect the brethren who are owing this fund will try now to meet their obligations in order that we may have a better showing than we have to-day. We certainly ought to be ashamed, as a people, of our negligence in regard to this thing. Out of this $800,000, we have only received about $8,000 within the last six months—that is, about the one hundredth part. It is rather a poor showing for Latter-day Saints, who profess to be honest; and I think we ought to attend to these matters. This money has been laid out to assist people in coming to this land, and their promises to pay have been received. We have authorized the Bishops and Presidents of several Stakes to remit a certain amount of this indebtedness, and we do expect that those who are owing a balance will be honorable enough to attend to it, otherwise it places it out of our power, without calling upon those who have hitherto subscribed, to help us to meet obligations, and that would hardly be an act of justice. We therefore call upon those brethren who are owing the Emigration Fund to attend to it in order that the funds of the company may be relieved, and that we may be able to give assistance to those who desire to emigrate to this country, for there are others, besides you who ought to receive the benefit of this fund, and those who do not pay their indebtedness are depriving them of this privilege. Excuse me if I talk plainly upon this subject. It is a subject of importance and men ought to meet their indebtedness; but when men do not attempt to meet obligations that are due to the poor, they become delinquent before their brethren and before their God. We do not have jubilees, you know, every year, they only come once in 50 years, therefore these things ought to be attended to. I speak thus in behalf of the poor in Europe. Their cries come to me from time to time, and to the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, saying, “Cannot you assist us?” Why, yes, we could help you bountifully if your brethren who have received assistance would only be honest and meet their obligations and we would do it very gladly, with a willing heart, and with good feelings.
In regard to the labors of the Relief Society, they are certainly very creditable and very praise worthy, and I felt unwilling that these sisters should not be made mention of, for they are doing a very creditable labor in Israel. It seems to be the peculiar province of the sisters to act in this capacity, and I do not know but they put a blush a little even some of us brethren. We act, it is true, pretty liberally in many instances, and in some not very; but the sisters have been very liberal and generous, and have accomplished the object they have had in view, which has been to look after the poor, the needy, the destitute, the sick and the afflicted, and to administer to their wants. And I suppose they are about the best kind of teachers that our Bishops have to assist them in their several wards. I think the Bishops would give that testimony. They are very efficient in assisting them in their various wards, and they make splendid teachers in going round and looking after the welfare especially of their sisters, for they can sympathize and know their requirements better than men do sometimes. And, then, these sisters are producing a very good moral influence in their teachings. We have many pure, high minded ladies who go forth among the people and travel from place to place as missionaries, teaching, instructing, guiding, blessing and benefiting the people; and I say God bless the sisters for their labors, and I say to them continue in your good work and God will continue to bless you and your children after you, and many thousands will yet rise and call you blessed. Seek to instill into your daughters, as you are doing, and into your sons, the principles of chastity and virtue and honor, that while men without principle and without honor, and contrary to truth are maligning you, you may stand forth and your children with you as the protectors and maintainers of virtue, and keep your daughters from the contaminating influence of those abominable wretches, characters who are seeking to introduce iniquity in our midst, and to destroy your virtue. There are numbers of these men, and they publish unblushingly in their papers that they would rather your sons and your daughters were drunkards and prostitutes and debauchees, than be subject to the tyranny we exercise over you. Do you want their tender mercies? Do you want to wallow in their corruption? Do you want to be besmeared with their infamy? God forbid! [Amen by the congregation.] God forbid! I say “my soul enter not thou into their secret, and with them mine honor be not thou united.” They are too low, too degraded for honorable men and women to have anything to do with, and I call upon the Elders and upon the fathers of this people and upon the sisters and mothers of this people to protect their sons and daughters from those loathsome lepers that have come among you who profess to be the advocates of freedom, forsooth, and equal rights—just as much as the devil is. The devil is a pretended advocate of “freedom and of the rights of men;” but we don’t want to place ourselves under his tender mercies nor theirs.
I am pleased to listen to the statements that have been made in regard to our Sunday Schools, and I would say that there is not a more honorable employment in which our Elders, our sisters and our brethren can be engaged in than in training up our children in the ways of life, and I am happy to find that there are nearly 33,000 of our children that are under their influence, who are teaching them the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the revelations of God, who are teaching them morality and purity and virtue, and training them up in the fear of God. Continue to do it and you will have a generation that will rise up and bless you and and bless mankind in spite of themselves and in spite of the corruption with which we are surrounded. God bless all men and all women who seek to promote good and pure, virtuous, holy and honorable principles, and the curse of God will rest upon those who take a contrary course. These things do not always appear at once, but these things will follow as sure as God reigns in the heavens. Then, in regard to the views, ideas and notions of those outside, many of whom are consistent and thoughtful, but a great many of whom are corrupt and led by improper and corrupt principles—in regard to their ideas, we ask very little odds of them. We will try to pursue the even tenor of our way; we will cleave to God, to truth, to righteousness; we will stand as saviors upon Mount Zion, and bless all who will receive the truth, will maintain the principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood among all peoples, and we will oppose fraud, and corruption and illiberality and degradation in every form and bondage in every shape, and we will pray to the Almighty to help us carry out these principles, which are in the interests of humanity, so far as He gives us strength and power to do it. But to barter away the principles that God has committed to us—never, no never, no never; and let all the congregation say “Amen.” [The vast assemblage responded as with one voice, “Amen.”] God bless you, and lead you in the paths of truth. Amen.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow (Wednesday), at 10 a.m.
The choir and congregation sang: We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet.
Benediction by Apostle Erastus Snow.
In reading over these statements there are some things it may be necessary to mention. It would take too much time to give before this conference a detailed account of all the receipts and disbursements of the Trustee-in-Trust. We have, however, an Auditing Committee, which was duly appointed by the Conference, for the purpose of examining all the income and expenditure, and comparing and investigating all these matters. We have to look to them for their action in regard to these details, and a vote has already been taken on the subject. However, it is proper you should know these things. And I would state that although I act as Trustee-in-Trust, still the Auditing Committee, I presume, know more of the details of these things than I do, because they come more especially under their supervision.
In regard to the operations of the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, we remitted, as you know, at the jubilee, quite a large amount, leaving a debt, also, of a very large amount. I find the statement is not here. However, I suppose it amounts, in general terms, to some $700,000 or $800,000 yet due to that fund, and having remitted a like amount, we do expect the brethren who are owing this fund will try now to meet their obligations in order that we may have a better showing than we have to-day. We certainly ought to be ashamed, as a people, of our negligence in regard to this thing. Out of this $800,000, we have only received about $8,000 within the last six months—that is, about the one hundredth part. It is rather a poor showing for Latter-day Saints, who profess to be honest; and I think we ought to attend to these matters. This money has been laid out to assist people in coming to this land, and their promises to pay have been received. We have authorized the Bishops and Presidents of several Stakes to remit a certain amount of this indebtedness, and we do expect that those who are owing a balance will be honorable enough to attend to it, otherwise it places it out of our power, without calling upon those who have hitherto subscribed, to help us to meet obligations, and that would hardly be an act of justice. We therefore call upon those brethren who are owing the Emigration Fund to attend to it in order that the funds of the company may be relieved, and that we may be able to give assistance to those who desire to emigrate to this country, for there are others, besides you who ought to receive the benefit of this fund, and those who do not pay their indebtedness are depriving them of this privilege. Excuse me if I talk plainly upon this subject. It is a subject of importance and men ought to meet their indebtedness; but when men do not attempt to meet obligations that are due to the poor, they become delinquent before their brethren and before their God. We do not have jubilees, you know, every year, they only come once in 50 years, therefore these things ought to be attended to. I speak thus in behalf of the poor in Europe. Their cries come to me from time to time, and to the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, saying, “Cannot you assist us?” Why, yes, we could help you bountifully if your brethren who have received assistance would only be honest and meet their obligations and we would do it very gladly, with a willing heart, and with good feelings.
In regard to the labors of the Relief Society, they are certainly very creditable and very praise worthy, and I felt unwilling that these sisters should not be made mention of, for they are doing a very creditable labor in Israel. It seems to be the peculiar province of the sisters to act in this capacity, and I do not know but they put a blush a little even some of us brethren. We act, it is true, pretty liberally in many instances, and in some not very; but the sisters have been very liberal and generous, and have accomplished the object they have had in view, which has been to look after the poor, the needy, the destitute, the sick and the afflicted, and to administer to their wants. And I suppose they are about the best kind of teachers that our Bishops have to assist them in their several wards. I think the Bishops would give that testimony. They are very efficient in assisting them in their various wards, and they make splendid teachers in going round and looking after the welfare especially of their sisters, for they can sympathize and know their requirements better than men do sometimes. And, then, these sisters are producing a very good moral influence in their teachings. We have many pure, high minded ladies who go forth among the people and travel from place to place as missionaries, teaching, instructing, guiding, blessing and benefiting the people; and I say God bless the sisters for their labors, and I say to them continue in your good work and God will continue to bless you and your children after you, and many thousands will yet rise and call you blessed. Seek to instill into your daughters, as you are doing, and into your sons, the principles of chastity and virtue and honor, that while men without principle and without honor, and contrary to truth are maligning you, you may stand forth and your children with you as the protectors and maintainers of virtue, and keep your daughters from the contaminating influence of those abominable wretches, characters who are seeking to introduce iniquity in our midst, and to destroy your virtue. There are numbers of these men, and they publish unblushingly in their papers that they would rather your sons and your daughters were drunkards and prostitutes and debauchees, than be subject to the tyranny we exercise over you. Do you want their tender mercies? Do you want to wallow in their corruption? Do you want to be besmeared with their infamy? God forbid! [Amen by the congregation.] God forbid! I say “my soul enter not thou into their secret, and with them mine honor be not thou united.” They are too low, too degraded for honorable men and women to have anything to do with, and I call upon the Elders and upon the fathers of this people and upon the sisters and mothers of this people to protect their sons and daughters from those loathsome lepers that have come among you who profess to be the advocates of freedom, forsooth, and equal rights—just as much as the devil is. The devil is a pretended advocate of “freedom and of the rights of men;” but we don’t want to place ourselves under his tender mercies nor theirs.
I am pleased to listen to the statements that have been made in regard to our Sunday Schools, and I would say that there is not a more honorable employment in which our Elders, our sisters and our brethren can be engaged in than in training up our children in the ways of life, and I am happy to find that there are nearly 33,000 of our children that are under their influence, who are teaching them the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the revelations of God, who are teaching them morality and purity and virtue, and training them up in the fear of God. Continue to do it and you will have a generation that will rise up and bless you and and bless mankind in spite of themselves and in spite of the corruption with which we are surrounded. God bless all men and all women who seek to promote good and pure, virtuous, holy and honorable principles, and the curse of God will rest upon those who take a contrary course. These things do not always appear at once, but these things will follow as sure as God reigns in the heavens. Then, in regard to the views, ideas and notions of those outside, many of whom are consistent and thoughtful, but a great many of whom are corrupt and led by improper and corrupt principles—in regard to their ideas, we ask very little odds of them. We will try to pursue the even tenor of our way; we will cleave to God, to truth, to righteousness; we will stand as saviors upon Mount Zion, and bless all who will receive the truth, will maintain the principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood among all peoples, and we will oppose fraud, and corruption and illiberality and degradation in every form and bondage in every shape, and we will pray to the Almighty to help us carry out these principles, which are in the interests of humanity, so far as He gives us strength and power to do it. But to barter away the principles that God has committed to us—never, no never, no never; and let all the congregation say “Amen.” [The vast assemblage responded as with one voice, “Amen.”] God bless you, and lead you in the paths of truth. Amen.
Conference adjourned till to-morrow (Wednesday), at 10 a.m.
The choir and congregation sang: We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet.
Benediction by Apostle Erastus Snow.
A Priesthood meeting
was held in the Assembly Hall, at 7 p.m.,
at which the speakers were Presidents George Q. Cannon, Wilford Woodruff and John Taylor.
Much excellent instruction was imparted, many financial transactions were explained, and the whole proceedings were eminently satisfactory to those who had the privilege of being present.
was held in the Assembly Hall, at 7 p.m.,
at which the speakers were Presidents George Q. Cannon, Wilford Woodruff and John Taylor.
Much excellent instruction was imparted, many financial transactions were explained, and the whole proceedings were eminently satisfactory to those who had the privilege of being present.
FOURTH DAY.
Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Conference called to order by President Geo. Q. Cannon.
The choir sang: My God the spring of all my joy, The life of my delight.
Prayer by Elder William B. Preston.
The choir sang: Come follow me, the Savior said, Then let us in His footsteps tread.
Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Conference called to order by President Geo. Q. Cannon.
The choir sang: My God the spring of all my joy, The life of my delight.
Prayer by Elder William B. Preston.
The choir sang: Come follow me, the Savior said, Then let us in His footsteps tread.
Elder Wm. Budge
rejoiced very much in having the privilege of standing up before the present congregation to make a few remarks. He had been absent three years, which made the present opportunity more precious to him. He had been engaged with a large number of faithful Elders in preaching the gospel in the old country. His experience abroad had confirmed the truth and the power of the gospel on his mind. A great change had taken place in the old world among the professing “Christians” since he was there before, there is less confidence among them in the churches to which they belong, and in each other, a trust or confidence is reposed in scarcely any kind of creed or society. They have systems of religion, but they are simply forms. He rejoiced therefore in the gospel of Jesus Christ which brings solid comfort and joy to the believer, which is in striking contrast to the empty and powerless forms of the religions of the age. He spoke of the abject slavery and poverty among the masses of the people abroad, and the excessive wealth of the favored and aristocratic class. He then spoke of the labors of the Elders who are now sent out to warn the nations and calling people to repentance. He felt truly thankful for the aid and counsel of the First Presidency which he received while abroad, and for the faithful Elders they had sent out to assist him in the preaching of the Gospel. He bore testimony that this is the work of God. His kingdom is set up, His servants hold His Priesthood, and no power on earth can stay its progress, it will increase in power and might as it has done, but more abundantly. He rejoiced in this work which he knew to be divine, and prayed that God would continue to inspire all His servants to build up His kingdom on the earth.
rejoiced very much in having the privilege of standing up before the present congregation to make a few remarks. He had been absent three years, which made the present opportunity more precious to him. He had been engaged with a large number of faithful Elders in preaching the gospel in the old country. His experience abroad had confirmed the truth and the power of the gospel on his mind. A great change had taken place in the old world among the professing “Christians” since he was there before, there is less confidence among them in the churches to which they belong, and in each other, a trust or confidence is reposed in scarcely any kind of creed or society. They have systems of religion, but they are simply forms. He rejoiced therefore in the gospel of Jesus Christ which brings solid comfort and joy to the believer, which is in striking contrast to the empty and powerless forms of the religions of the age. He spoke of the abject slavery and poverty among the masses of the people abroad, and the excessive wealth of the favored and aristocratic class. He then spoke of the labors of the Elders who are now sent out to warn the nations and calling people to repentance. He felt truly thankful for the aid and counsel of the First Presidency which he received while abroad, and for the faithful Elders they had sent out to assist him in the preaching of the Gospel. He bore testimony that this is the work of God. His kingdom is set up, His servants hold His Priesthood, and no power on earth can stay its progress, it will increase in power and might as it has done, but more abundantly. He rejoiced in this work which he knew to be divine, and prayed that God would continue to inspire all His servants to build up His kingdom on the earth.
President George Q. Cannon
read a partial report of the Primary Associations of the Territory. The officers are: Louie Felt, President; M. M. Barratt and Clara M. Cannon, Counselors; Lelia F. Freeze, Secretary; Minnie Felt, Treasurer. The report was adopted by unanimous vote. Also a report of the appropriation that was voted for at our last Conference in aid of the poor.
read a partial report of the Primary Associations of the Territory. The officers are: Louie Felt, President; M. M. Barratt and Clara M. Cannon, Counselors; Lelia F. Freeze, Secretary; Minnie Felt, Treasurer. The report was adopted by unanimous vote. Also a report of the appropriation that was voted for at our last Conference in aid of the poor.
President John Taylor
said in listening to the report it would be seen the majority of the Stakes had fulfilled their obligations, but some had not done so, and all who were in favor of those delinquent Stakes filling their obligation were called upon to raise their right hands. (There was a unanimous vote.) It was also motioned and carried that the report so far as corrected be adopted.
said in listening to the report it would be seen the majority of the Stakes had fulfilled their obligations, but some had not done so, and all who were in favor of those delinquent Stakes filling their obligation were called upon to raise their right hands. (There was a unanimous vote.) It was also motioned and carried that the report so far as corrected be adopted.
President George Q. Cannon
then read a report of the amount of back tithing, which the Church had agreed to remit, which was also adopted by unanimous vote.
A report of the Emigrating Fund Company was also read, together with the amount remitted.
then read a report of the amount of back tithing, which the Church had agreed to remit, which was also adopted by unanimous vote.
A report of the Emigrating Fund Company was also read, together with the amount remitted.
President John Taylor
made a few remarks on the subject of the amounts which had accumulated on the books as back or delinquent tithing, and which by vote of last Conference the Church had agreed to cancel a portion of, so that their tithing record could be clear and plain, and he hoped in the future, there would be no more delinquencies allowed to accumulate. He did not approve of promissory notes being given. Some people seemed to think when their notes were given, the debt was paid. He wished them to honor the law as given by the Lord, and live up to it. He also desired the Saints to pay every honest obligation they have entered into, and thus secure a reputation for honor and integrity and uprightness of character. The report of the Emigration Fund Company was then adopted as read.
made a few remarks on the subject of the amounts which had accumulated on the books as back or delinquent tithing, and which by vote of last Conference the Church had agreed to cancel a portion of, so that their tithing record could be clear and plain, and he hoped in the future, there would be no more delinquencies allowed to accumulate. He did not approve of promissory notes being given. Some people seemed to think when their notes were given, the debt was paid. He wished them to honor the law as given by the Lord, and live up to it. He also desired the Saints to pay every honest obligation they have entered into, and thus secure a reputation for honor and integrity and uprightness of character. The report of the Emigration Fund Company was then adopted as read.
Apostle F. D. Richards
arose to make some explanations of the report of the P. E. Fund. He spoke of the poverty-stricken circumstances of many of the poor in the old country, and also the indebtedness to the Fund of many of those who have been helped to this country, and these facts should stimulate those who are owing to make every effort to meet these obligations as early as possible, and should also act as an incentive to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops to use their influence in having these debts gathered in. In cases where misfortune, sickness, or poverty prevented the Saints from paying their indebtedness to the Fund, the public fund stretches forth its hand to their relief that they may be free from the burthen that was hanging over them, but those who were able were expected to settle their obligations.
arose to make some explanations of the report of the P. E. Fund. He spoke of the poverty-stricken circumstances of many of the poor in the old country, and also the indebtedness to the Fund of many of those who have been helped to this country, and these facts should stimulate those who are owing to make every effort to meet these obligations as early as possible, and should also act as an incentive to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops to use their influence in having these debts gathered in. In cases where misfortune, sickness, or poverty prevented the Saints from paying their indebtedness to the Fund, the public fund stretches forth its hand to their relief that they may be free from the burthen that was hanging over them, but those who were able were expected to settle their obligations.
Apostle Erastus Snow
thought a more thorough wakening up among the local Lesser Priesthood should be promoted and encouraged, in looking after, and giving personal attention to the collection of those debts, and not exclusively leaving them to rest on the shoulders of the P. E. Fund Committee. He also made some remarks on the subject of tithing, and the reports on the Bishops’ schedule, by which it appeared that many of the Saints pay no tithing at all, and others only a moiety of a tithe. Under these circumstances what duties devolved upon the authorities of each Stake? He thought it was imperative on them to teach the people the law Lord, and the great blessings that will flow to them through their obedience and to increase faith in their hearts, that when they obey the law they may do it understandingly and not in the fear of man. He then gave some excellent instruction to the various officers of the priesthood in the Stakes of Zion. Over 30 years has passed since he and Brother F. D. Richards and others had commenced to labor in establishing the P. E. Fund and bringing out the first companies under its auspices, and during that period not one individual had ever been oppressed in the collection of its dues. He begged, however, that there might be more vigilance used in the future towards the payment of the P. E. Fund debts, that a better showing may be made by another Conference.
The choir sang the anthem, Hearken unto me.
Conference adjourned until two o’clock p.m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
thought a more thorough wakening up among the local Lesser Priesthood should be promoted and encouraged, in looking after, and giving personal attention to the collection of those debts, and not exclusively leaving them to rest on the shoulders of the P. E. Fund Committee. He also made some remarks on the subject of tithing, and the reports on the Bishops’ schedule, by which it appeared that many of the Saints pay no tithing at all, and others only a moiety of a tithe. Under these circumstances what duties devolved upon the authorities of each Stake? He thought it was imperative on them to teach the people the law Lord, and the great blessings that will flow to them through their obedience and to increase faith in their hearts, that when they obey the law they may do it understandingly and not in the fear of man. He then gave some excellent instruction to the various officers of the priesthood in the Stakes of Zion. Over 30 years has passed since he and Brother F. D. Richards and others had commenced to labor in establishing the P. E. Fund and bringing out the first companies under its auspices, and during that period not one individual had ever been oppressed in the collection of its dues. He begged, however, that there might be more vigilance used in the future towards the payment of the P. E. Fund debts, that a better showing may be made by another Conference.
The choir sang the anthem, Hearken unto me.
Conference adjourned until two o’clock p.m.
Benediction by Patriarch John Smith.
2 p. m.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang, All hail the glorious day, By prophets long foretold.
Prayer by Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.].
The choir sang, Praise ye the Lord, my heart shall join In work so pleasant, so divine.
Conference called to order by President John Taylor.
The choir sang, All hail the glorious day, By prophets long foretold.
Prayer by Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.].
The choir sang, Praise ye the Lord, my heart shall join In work so pleasant, so divine.
President Joseph F. Smith
I am requested to make a few remarks. I consider it very important for all Latter-day Saints to seek to obtain a correct knowledge in relation to family government. We are peculiar in our associations in the family circle. We are brought into relations with each other in this respect in a manner entirely different to the most of the civilized world; as husbands, we are called to be the heads of our families and to set them an example in all things. There can be no permanent happiness and prosperity in the midst of the families of Zion without purity at home; and on the part, at least of the head of the family, there should be manifested wisdom, good judgment, strict justice and impartiality. I believe it to be necessary for men to be just, to be righteous, to be honorable, and to be truthful with their wives and with their children; for the relationship of the husband to the wife, or to the wives, and to the children, is destined not only to continue while we remain in the flesh, but it is a relationship which is destined in the order of the Priesthood and the kingdom of God, to continue throughout the countless ages of eternity. And it looks to me as though it were very necessary we should make as few mistakes and errors in the matter of the government of our families as possible, so that we may have the fewer of these unpleasant things to regret in eternity, when we shall look with a perfect clearness upon all our follies and shortcomings. A man, in order to maintain the confidence of his family, the affections of his wives and of his children, must be virtuous, honorable and honest with his family, and be kind and merciful in his government at home. Any man that will seek to govern his family with an iron rod, or without mercy, or forgiveness, or kindness in his heart, will not succeed, he will have trouble, he will have difficulty, and more than likely will bring disgrace upon himself and more or less upon the principles which he essays to carry out. Not that any principle which is pure and honorable before God can suffer from wickedness, the ignorance, or the follies of any man or of any people. A principle that is pure, that is righteous, that is God-given unto us, can never be changed from its true character by the acts of men. That which God has given us is of Him, and is good, and nothing can make it otherwise. Nevertheless we can bring disgrace, discredit and dishonor upon ourselves by dishonoring those principles which God has revealed for our comfort, happiness, and prosperity, and for the prosperity of the kingdom of God in the dispensation of the fulness of times. There is nothing that is of greater importance to the Latter-day Saints than to become thoroughly acquainted with those principles which emanate from God and from the fountains of truth, respecting the righteous government of the family circle; that wives may have confidence in the husband; that husbands may have perfect confidence in their wives; that affection may reign in the hearts of husbands and wives, and also that affection may reign in the hearts of children toward their parents, and parents toward their children; that we may be united and bound together by those bonds of affection and love which are destined to continue throughout the ages of eternity, and which can never be broken asunder. More especially ought these principles to be observed by those who have entered into the relation of plural marriage; for if a man takes unto himself wives and then mistreats them, neglects them, or shows partiality towards any one branch of his family, he brings dishonor upon that family, and, so far as it appears to the eyes of the world, disgrace upon the cause of Zion and upon the principles which God has revealed. Therefore, husbands, love your wives; wives, love your husbands. Husbands, be true to your wives, for they have as much right to demand of you purity and virtue and honesty and honor, as you possibly can have to demand the same of them. For these principles must be reciprocal between husbands and wives. And the man that will prostitute himself, the man that will corrupt himself, is if anything more deserving of condemnation than the woman; because the woman is the weaker vessel; and the man should be the head; the man should set the example; the man is the responsible person; and therefore the man that will do wrong should be held to a more strict account for his wrongdoing before God and man than the woman who is considered to be the weaker vessel. Therefore it is for you Elders in Israel, you male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to honor the principles of the Gospel which you have received, to carry them out irrespective and regardless of the taunts and contumely of the world. We care not for the world, nor for the contempt of the world, inasmuch as we know that we are carrying out the purposes of God, and inasmuch as we are conscious that we are not guilty of the crimes and the wickedness which they lay at our doors and that they charge us with.
God help us to preserve in purity the family relations that exist in the household of faith; that the husbands may be honorable and righteous men; that they may be true to their wives and companions in life, and be ever watchful over their interests and welfare, and that they may be kind and affectionate, teaching them with mercy and kindness and justice and in righteousness all the day long; and extending this same love, mercy and justice and impartiality to all the branches of their family, neglecting none, giving none the heartache, leaving no occasion for sorrow, for accusation and for just condemnation in the hearts of any of their families towards us. I love to see a man live so that he is conscious of having dealt justly and righteously, with every one of the branches of his family; so that he is conscious that none of his wives can point a finger to a single act of his life, in which he was guilty of any misdeed whatever, and above all things that he is not guilty of partiality and injustice, thereby causing jealousy to arise in the hearts of the wives, causing difficulty, and division, and strife to arise where peace, and union, and love, and harmony should dwell. For unless our families are united; unless they love each other; unless they love the truth, they can no more be God’s and His Christ’s than the world. Because God has said, “Except ye are one, ye are not mine;” therefore, the family circle must be united, the members thereof must live in peace and harmony as far as it is possible. When we live in peace, and love, and union, establishing our homes the type of heavenly government, and as long as we pursue this course, God will bless our family relations, and the peace of heaven will reign in our midst; and union and love and power and the blessing of God will be upon all the Israel of God.
This is my testimony in relation to this principle. And that God may help us to do His will and give us wisdom to do right in this and in all things that pertain to the building up of the Zion of the last days, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
I am requested to make a few remarks. I consider it very important for all Latter-day Saints to seek to obtain a correct knowledge in relation to family government. We are peculiar in our associations in the family circle. We are brought into relations with each other in this respect in a manner entirely different to the most of the civilized world; as husbands, we are called to be the heads of our families and to set them an example in all things. There can be no permanent happiness and prosperity in the midst of the families of Zion without purity at home; and on the part, at least of the head of the family, there should be manifested wisdom, good judgment, strict justice and impartiality. I believe it to be necessary for men to be just, to be righteous, to be honorable, and to be truthful with their wives and with their children; for the relationship of the husband to the wife, or to the wives, and to the children, is destined not only to continue while we remain in the flesh, but it is a relationship which is destined in the order of the Priesthood and the kingdom of God, to continue throughout the countless ages of eternity. And it looks to me as though it were very necessary we should make as few mistakes and errors in the matter of the government of our families as possible, so that we may have the fewer of these unpleasant things to regret in eternity, when we shall look with a perfect clearness upon all our follies and shortcomings. A man, in order to maintain the confidence of his family, the affections of his wives and of his children, must be virtuous, honorable and honest with his family, and be kind and merciful in his government at home. Any man that will seek to govern his family with an iron rod, or without mercy, or forgiveness, or kindness in his heart, will not succeed, he will have trouble, he will have difficulty, and more than likely will bring disgrace upon himself and more or less upon the principles which he essays to carry out. Not that any principle which is pure and honorable before God can suffer from wickedness, the ignorance, or the follies of any man or of any people. A principle that is pure, that is righteous, that is God-given unto us, can never be changed from its true character by the acts of men. That which God has given us is of Him, and is good, and nothing can make it otherwise. Nevertheless we can bring disgrace, discredit and dishonor upon ourselves by dishonoring those principles which God has revealed for our comfort, happiness, and prosperity, and for the prosperity of the kingdom of God in the dispensation of the fulness of times. There is nothing that is of greater importance to the Latter-day Saints than to become thoroughly acquainted with those principles which emanate from God and from the fountains of truth, respecting the righteous government of the family circle; that wives may have confidence in the husband; that husbands may have perfect confidence in their wives; that affection may reign in the hearts of husbands and wives, and also that affection may reign in the hearts of children toward their parents, and parents toward their children; that we may be united and bound together by those bonds of affection and love which are destined to continue throughout the ages of eternity, and which can never be broken asunder. More especially ought these principles to be observed by those who have entered into the relation of plural marriage; for if a man takes unto himself wives and then mistreats them, neglects them, or shows partiality towards any one branch of his family, he brings dishonor upon that family, and, so far as it appears to the eyes of the world, disgrace upon the cause of Zion and upon the principles which God has revealed. Therefore, husbands, love your wives; wives, love your husbands. Husbands, be true to your wives, for they have as much right to demand of you purity and virtue and honesty and honor, as you possibly can have to demand the same of them. For these principles must be reciprocal between husbands and wives. And the man that will prostitute himself, the man that will corrupt himself, is if anything more deserving of condemnation than the woman; because the woman is the weaker vessel; and the man should be the head; the man should set the example; the man is the responsible person; and therefore the man that will do wrong should be held to a more strict account for his wrongdoing before God and man than the woman who is considered to be the weaker vessel. Therefore it is for you Elders in Israel, you male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to honor the principles of the Gospel which you have received, to carry them out irrespective and regardless of the taunts and contumely of the world. We care not for the world, nor for the contempt of the world, inasmuch as we know that we are carrying out the purposes of God, and inasmuch as we are conscious that we are not guilty of the crimes and the wickedness which they lay at our doors and that they charge us with.
God help us to preserve in purity the family relations that exist in the household of faith; that the husbands may be honorable and righteous men; that they may be true to their wives and companions in life, and be ever watchful over their interests and welfare, and that they may be kind and affectionate, teaching them with mercy and kindness and justice and in righteousness all the day long; and extending this same love, mercy and justice and impartiality to all the branches of their family, neglecting none, giving none the heartache, leaving no occasion for sorrow, for accusation and for just condemnation in the hearts of any of their families towards us. I love to see a man live so that he is conscious of having dealt justly and righteously, with every one of the branches of his family; so that he is conscious that none of his wives can point a finger to a single act of his life, in which he was guilty of any misdeed whatever, and above all things that he is not guilty of partiality and injustice, thereby causing jealousy to arise in the hearts of the wives, causing difficulty, and division, and strife to arise where peace, and union, and love, and harmony should dwell. For unless our families are united; unless they love each other; unless they love the truth, they can no more be God’s and His Christ’s than the world. Because God has said, “Except ye are one, ye are not mine;” therefore, the family circle must be united, the members thereof must live in peace and harmony as far as it is possible. When we live in peace, and love, and union, establishing our homes the type of heavenly government, and as long as we pursue this course, God will bless our family relations, and the peace of heaven will reign in our midst; and union and love and power and the blessing of God will be upon all the Israel of God.
This is my testimony in relation to this principle. And that God may help us to do His will and give us wisdom to do right in this and in all things that pertain to the building up of the Zion of the last days, is my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
President George Q. Cannon
then presented the names of missionaries, who were sustained by the unanimous vote of the Conference, as published in the last evening's News.
then presented the names of missionaries, who were sustained by the unanimous vote of the Conference, as published in the last evening's News.
President John Taylor
said, we have voted to sustain the brethren called on missions, by our faith and prayers; I now wish to see if we are willing to sustain them by supporting their families in their absence. All who are willing to do so will raise their right hands. The vote was unanimous.
said, we have voted to sustain the brethren called on missions, by our faith and prayers; I now wish to see if we are willing to sustain them by supporting their families in their absence. All who are willing to do so will raise their right hands. The vote was unanimous.
President George Q. Cannon
then presented the Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained by the united votes of the Conference as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles:--Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young [Jr.], Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith.
Counselor to the Twelve Apostles, Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott, William W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshippers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselor and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Windon, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as his assistants.
Orson Pratt as Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff as his assistant.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee.—W. Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards and J. F. Smith.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
then presented the Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained by the united votes of the Conference as follows:
John Taylor, Prophet, Seer and Revelator to, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
George Q. Cannon, First Counselor in the First Presidency.
Joseph F. Smith, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Wilford Woodruff, President of the Twelve Apostles.
Members of the Council of the Apostles:--Wilford Woodruff, Orson Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young [Jr.], Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis Marion Lyman, John Henry Smith.
Counselor to the Twelve Apostles, Daniel H. Wells.
The Counselors to President John Taylor, the Twelve Apostles and their Counselors, as Prophets, Seers and Revelators.
Patriarch of the Church, John Smith.
The First Seven Presidents of Seventies, Joseph Young, Levi W. Hancock, Henry Herriman, Horace S. Eldredge, Jacob Gates, John Van Cott, William W. Taylor.
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Edward Hunter, with Leonard W. Hardy and Robert T. Burton as his Counselors.
John Taylor as Trustee-in-Trust for the body of religious worshippers known and recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to hold the legal title to its property and contract for it.
The Counselors to the President, the Twelve Apostles, their Counselor and Bishop Edward Hunter, as Counselors to the Trustee-in-Trust.
Albert Carrington as President of the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Co. for the Gathering of the Poor, and F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. S. Eldredge, Joseph F. Smith, Angus M. Cannon, Moses Thatcher, Wm. Jennings, John R. Windon, Henry Dinwoodey, Robert T. Burton, A. O. Smoot and H. B. Clawson as his assistants.
Orson Pratt as Historian and General Church Recorder, and Wilford Woodruff as his assistant.
Truman O. Angel as General Architect of the Church, and T. O. Angell, Jr., and W. H. Folsom as his assistants.
As Auditing Committee.—W. Woodruff, E. Snow, F. D. Richards and J. F. Smith.
George Goddard as Clerk of the General Conference.
George F. Gibbs as Church Reporter.
President John Taylor
said it had been suggested that some additions be made to the auditing committee, and submitted the names of William Jennings and Wm. H. Hooper, who were unanimously sustained as member of the auditing committee. He was very anxious that all the business transactions of the Church should be conducted on correct business principles, so as to compare with any institution in existence. God is perfect in all His works, everything that He controls moves harmoniously and in order, without a jar, and we as His children should imitate Him in all His ways and works as far as we possibly can. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is intended to educate us in every principle that will exalt and ennoble us in the scale of being. Time was when there were only six members of this Church; now our numbers amount to many thousands, and we are destined to grow into a great people. It behooves us, therefore, to carry out those principles of righteousness and justice and honesty, that will secure confidence, especially in regard to financial matters. The Presidency of the Church should realize these things. They should avoid self-aggrandizement and selfishness. They ought to be equitable in all things they do, and they should be honest in all their dealings, financially and otherwise. The same should apply to the Twelve; I take these things to myself and to the brethren associated with me. I know that God will require a strict account of what we do, and that what we mete out to others, will be meted out to us. We have no right to bring in our personal feelings into the administration of justice. We should treat all men, free from any bias, and in kindness and mercy. I see some persons cherish prejudice against others as though they would like to see them hurt; such feelings are from below and not from above. I do not know of any man, not even my worst enemy whom I would wish to see harmed. He then made some excellent remarks and explanations on the atonement of Christ, and showed how Jesus was guided in all things by the desire to do the will of the Father in preference to His own. This spirit should be in our hearts, and we should say, “Not my will, O Lord, but thine be done.” It is for the President of Stakes, and the Twelve and all the various Quorums of the Priesthood to seek to glorify God and not themselves. He then blessed every Quorum and institution of the Church, the Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sisters and their institutions, the Primaries, the Sunday schools, the choir, the people, their families and who love Israel, all men in our land who love justice and equity, and prayed that God would bless them and thwart the purposes of those who seek to subvert truth, justice and liberty, all of which he asked in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation arose to their feet and sang:
“The Spirit of God like a fire is burning,
The latter-day Glory begins to come forth.”
Conference was adjourned till October 6, at 10 o’clock.
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.
said it had been suggested that some additions be made to the auditing committee, and submitted the names of William Jennings and Wm. H. Hooper, who were unanimously sustained as member of the auditing committee. He was very anxious that all the business transactions of the Church should be conducted on correct business principles, so as to compare with any institution in existence. God is perfect in all His works, everything that He controls moves harmoniously and in order, without a jar, and we as His children should imitate Him in all His ways and works as far as we possibly can. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is intended to educate us in every principle that will exalt and ennoble us in the scale of being. Time was when there were only six members of this Church; now our numbers amount to many thousands, and we are destined to grow into a great people. It behooves us, therefore, to carry out those principles of righteousness and justice and honesty, that will secure confidence, especially in regard to financial matters. The Presidency of the Church should realize these things. They should avoid self-aggrandizement and selfishness. They ought to be equitable in all things they do, and they should be honest in all their dealings, financially and otherwise. The same should apply to the Twelve; I take these things to myself and to the brethren associated with me. I know that God will require a strict account of what we do, and that what we mete out to others, will be meted out to us. We have no right to bring in our personal feelings into the administration of justice. We should treat all men, free from any bias, and in kindness and mercy. I see some persons cherish prejudice against others as though they would like to see them hurt; such feelings are from below and not from above. I do not know of any man, not even my worst enemy whom I would wish to see harmed. He then made some excellent remarks and explanations on the atonement of Christ, and showed how Jesus was guided in all things by the desire to do the will of the Father in preference to His own. This spirit should be in our hearts, and we should say, “Not my will, O Lord, but thine be done.” It is for the President of Stakes, and the Twelve and all the various Quorums of the Priesthood to seek to glorify God and not themselves. He then blessed every Quorum and institution of the Church, the Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sisters and their institutions, the Primaries, the Sunday schools, the choir, the people, their families and who love Israel, all men in our land who love justice and equity, and prayed that God would bless them and thwart the purposes of those who seek to subvert truth, justice and liberty, all of which he asked in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The choir and congregation arose to their feet and sang:
“The Spirit of God like a fire is burning,
The latter-day Glory begins to come forth.”
Conference was adjourned till October 6, at 10 o’clock.
Benediction by President George Q. Cannon.